THE MEIKLE COMMISSION.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XLVII, Issue 8100, 3 May 1906, Page 2

THE MEIKLE COMMISSION.

-rEB PBESS ASSOCIATION. Dunfdin, May 2.

When tlic Court resumed Meikle was Bummoncd to show cause why ho should not be adjudged guilty of contempt in using insulting and threatening language to a witness named Flomiug last night. After the contempt of court incident, Mr A. R. Atkinson resumed his address, reviewing and analysing the evidence given at the trial of Meikle, and Lambert's defence at his trial for perjury. He then turned to the payment of £SOO to Meikle in full satis, faction of his claim against tho Crown, and £294 16s Id costs in prosecuting Lambert. These votes were made on the assumption that Meikle was guilty, but it was now hoped to show Mwkle's innocence.

| Mr Justice Cooper said tho point the Commission must be satisfied on was whethor a person, knowing he had [been wrongfully convicted, chose to take a sum of money and voluntarily [discharge the Colony from any further payment, had not himself estimated his loss at that amount.

Mr Atkinson said his contention was that in caso of legal obligation, the matter was mutual. In case ot an appeal to tho bounty of the Crown, it was a matter of gratuity. It was not what Meikle had a right to demand, but what it was the duty of the Colony to give, Counsel had not concluded his address when the court adjournod