THE MEIKLE COMMISSION.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XLVIII, Issue 81915, 9 January 1907, Page 3

THE MEIKLE COMMISSION.

* Per Press Association. " Wellington, January 8. Before the Meikle Commission, to day, coinioc! for claimant submitteo -that there had been no attempt mad by Meikle to manufacture evidence ir support of his case, but that he han used every reasonable elfort to its es tabliahment. There was evidence that the witness Tropue had statcc that he had a piece of paper in his pocket which would get Meikle out o> gaoL

Mr Justice Edwards said it .had beei. *uggcst«l that he made that state ment wildly, when angered at bein;. dismissed from his employment at thi elation. It seined difficult to believe that there had been conspiracy against Aleikle, entered into by Troupe, Cam eron, and Lambert, a'nd that theii agreement had been put on paper si that Troupe could carry it round in hi.pocket. Counsel said he could not affect to know what Troupe actually meant. Hi did not affect to know what he hat *ia his pocket, let alone what he had in his mind, but several witnesses hoe Stated that he had used those word. . Mr Justice Cooper said there could be only two theories: either that Troupt was very angry with the company when he made these statements and was epcaking boastfully, or that he hau tliese documents m his poseession, and Relieved that Meikle was an innocent nan.

Counsel admitted this to be tincase, but said he regarded the evidenci taken this week as of much import anco, as it threw light upon Troupe's evidence, and also corroborated th< jtestimony given by ileikle. The Commission adjourned unti. IU.SJ o'clock., next morning, when .Mr lAtkujson will continue his address to the Commissioners.