THIS DAY.

Thames Star, Volume X, Issue 3405, 20 November 1879, Page 2

THIS DAY.

Tho case of Lambert, partly heard yesterday, was continued —

William John Barlow, sworn, deposed —I am Lieutenant of the Hauraki Engineers, and was Quartermaster-Ser^'ani of the same corps, under another name, in 1876 —tbo No. 2 Hauraki Rifles. I recognise the book (produced) marked " D." It is a n-cord of the arms in store, furnished by rao at the request of Major Cooper, the then commanding officer of the Thames Volunteers. The .attesting signatures in this book are minß> They attest t!ie signatures of volunteers who received arms from me as QuartermasterSergeant. I relumed the book to Sergt. Lambert at the Militia Office. The book originally came from him, ruled and hetided in his baud-writing. I gave the book to Lambert by the orders of the Captain commanding the corps. I never saw it in Major Cooper's possession. By Mr Brassey—l have been asked before if this is an original document. We retained a similar book for the nse of the company. The request for the filling up of the book was made by Major Cooper verbally. I saw the book at the office. Accused produced it, and insinuated that many of the signatures were forgeries. The accused is a man I have never been on speaking terms with accused, except on volunteer business. I never n rote letters to the local papers reflecting on accused. I have never written to the Defence Office, Wellington, concerning him. I have applied for the appoinment hr hold, believing that he had forfeited it by misconduct. I applied during the time he was employed. When I applied, I did not forward copies of letters that appeared in local papers about accused. I have no animus against accused. I h-'Xed. his ears when he insinuated that the signatures were forgeries. There is no duplicn'e of this book. John Grant, sworn, deposed—l am Drill Instructor to the Thames Voluntecs. lam on the permanent staff of the district. Soon after 1 commenced fie clerical work, on the 9th May, I referred lo the officer commanding the dist ict that thore were a number of copies of capita,tion volls missing. One of the rolls produced is not signed by the officer commanding the district. I should iuiußiue the letter signed "V. Rice, Provincial Secretary," is the property of the Government. Major Cooper, recalled —Up to the end of 1877 accused was in the pay of the Government.

Mr Brassey theu addressed the Court for the defence, contending that the offence had not been proved. 1-1 is Worship took a similar view, aud dismissed the case.