THE MARINE SCANDAL.

Waikato Argus, Volume VII, Issue 464, 22 July 1899, Page 3

THE MARINE SCANDAL.

Captain' Allman was under examination on Thursday. Air Haalon put in Captain Allman's satement, which was read by the Premier in the ionrs•• of his evidence. In reply to questions by M Findlaj, Captain Allman said the envelope on which the Premier a.-ked whetheauythiug could be done in the matter of Jones' service certificate, and on which witness replied opposing the granting of the certificate, passed into Captain Von Schoen's possession. The latter showed it to Captain Allman three days later, and complained of witness blocking Jones' application. Witness had no further communication from the Premier on the subject either before or after th«. Premier left for Eugland, some six or seven mouths after- the envelope iueident. Mr Hall-Jones mentioned to witness that it was a hard cse that Captain Jones could cot obtain his fervice certificte. Witne>s agreed that it was a hard ease, but said the Act would not alpine issue of the certificate, and pointed out the absurdity of the Act beaiing on this point. A couple of months later Mr Hall-Jones, in another interview, led witness to infer that the Piemicr desired the issue of a service cer tificaße to Captain Jones before he returned from England. The inference witness drew from the Premier's telegram to Mr Hall-Jones was that he (witness) should find some other way of issuing a certificate to Captain Jones Witness looked up the regulations, a::d reasoned that Jonea might be allowed to go up fjr his examination upon his tug service He told this to Mr Allport, wh) j-aid, " It was stretching tho regulations a bit," and after some convertat on Mr Al port and Captain Allman agreed that tht examination could only be held if cxp ess Ministerial authority was given. Witness told th's to Mr Hall-Jones, who said he would consider the matter. In a subaequeut interview, at which Captain Jor.es was present, Mr Hall-Joneß remarked to witness that he had made up his mind to allow Captain Jones to go up for his examination without a mate's certificate, and he said he would give an order to the Department. When Capt Jones left the room the Minister remaiked that he (Captain Jones) would be able to go up for his examination as soon as he liked. Witness knew nothing about Jones' qualifications, and he never dreamt that he would not be able to pass. In agreeing to dispente with the mate's certificate, witness had a hona-tide belief that Jones would be able to pa.-s. There was no suggestion made to witness by the Minister or auyoneelse that he should deal leniently with Jones in his examination He denied that at the close of ttiis interview Mr Hall-Jones gave him an envelope as a reminder to look ir.to the matter. Mr Hall-Jones never gave witness an envelope in his life. Witness immediately afterwards told Mr Glasgow what had happened at the interview, and that he had agreed to stretch the regulations. Mr Glasgow said witness had acted very foolishly, and referred that ho (Mr Glasgow) would see the Minister about it. Subsequently witness way? in Mr Allport's room whon Mr Hornenun, or a mosserjger, brought a memo, to Mr Allport, vvhish Mr Allport said the words "Jones' Duco permit examination." Mr Allport then went into Mr Glasgow's room, wituess thought, for the purpose of having the memo, officially recorded, Witi.es.i never saw or handled the memo. He denied Mr Hull-Joues' statement that lie (Mr Hall-Jones') handed the envelope to witness. Witness was also pesitive that he did not hand the envelope to Mr Alport's memory must be at fault on this point. So far as witne-s was concerned, there was not ihe slightest intention that Jones' examination should be a bogus one. In passing Jones witness admitted lie had done a stupid thing, but he had acted on the impulse of the moment, and it did not strike him it waa illegal

(BY TELEGRAPH—PRESS ASSOCIATION) Wellington, Last Night.

Captain Allman cross examined by Mr Hislop, .'aid even if Capt. Jones is credited with all service claimed,he would still be short of the requisite amount. He had not spoken to the Premier 'prior to his departure for England. He was positive he had not spoken to him about the matter for two years. There were two messagers waiting at the station when witness returned from Wanganui, one from the Premier and one from Mr Hall-Jones. The latter told witness that the Minister wished to see him before he saw the Premier. Indirectly, it was arranged between witness and Mr HallJones that he was to tell the Premier nothing. Mr Hall-Jones told him that Mr Hutcheson had said th\t Jones' papers had been done in Mr von Schoen's house. Witness replied that Mr Hutcheson could no more say whether they were so done than witness. In answer to further qu stions, Captain Allman said after he had admitted to Mr Hall Jones that he had improperly passed Jones, he had a conversation with the Minister, and they came to the arrangement that if witness made a confidential statement it was to be understood nothing more would,be said about the matter. Witness strongly affirmed that the Premier knew nothing whatever about the bogus certificate. When he found there would be an enquiry he said to Mr Hall Jones, " Where do you come in ? " and the Minister said, " 1 don't come in at all ; you should have conducted the examination properly." Questioned by Mr Atkiuson as to his relations with Von Schoen, he admitted that he found the papers prepared by him very useful, nor would Von Schoen take any payment for lessons. No names were mentioned when Von Schoen tried to bribe birr. The latter said he would make it worth his while to pass his candidates in preference to those of the opposition examiner. After that I sheered off from Von Schoen. Had frequently had disputes with him about interpretation of regulations and failure of candidates. Von Schoen's threat was made as an incentive to pass his candidate, and would not bear the construction that it was merely used in a general way.

Captain Allman, under examination by Mr Hislop, 6aid distinctly that it was arranged between him and Mr HailJones that he should not tell the Premier he had helped Joces through his cxamimlion. The Minister told witness he would see the Premier, and Captain Allman was to say thr re was nothing in it. He had not then told Mr Hill-Jones about the examination papers being brought into the 100 m. When Mr HallJones told him Mr Hutcheson was going to insist on an an id Joues had not done the work and it would not bear investigation. Did not think he had gone the length of telling people that Mr Hall-Jones had made himself responsible for the whole thing, or for giving ordert to let Jones sit without a mate's certificate.

To Mr Atkinson: Witness admitted failing in the nautical examination at Melbourne, but afterwards passed at Sydney. He was still clear he had never seen the " permit " envelope until it was brought into Allport's office. He had no direct or indirect dealings with Von Schoen in reference to Jones' competency to gain a certificate. 'Re-examinpd by Mr JTunlon : He adhered to his statement that he wrote his confidential report at Mr Hall Jones' request. The Minister's name was to be kept out of it. On it being pointed out that his cvidenco was contradicted on important points by a number of other witnesses, he said he was simply repeating facts. Up to the time he heard Mr Hall-Jones' explanation lie believed he was anxious that Joues should get his certificate. Asked what be meant by the statement that he knew the Premier was anxious tint Jones should be permitted to sit, he said that he gathered that impression from his telegram and

conversations with Mr Hnll-J'.nes, lut after hearing the Premier's evidence he did not think it was correct. If he had known his confidentiij report was 'o be used again*t him he would i ever have written if. He considered he had -creeied Mr Hal-Jones by taking the iesponsihility of stretching regulations, is thc-gh the onler was is ued it Was nevei iutendid it sho ild come out. Allp;;it, re-examined, whs qirte that Allman brotight him the permit envelope. Cap'ai.i Voe. Seine \ next witnes, defied ti.e allegations of aurrcptit'ouo'y getthg information as the to the questions that weie to be set, an 1 of at tempting to bribe Captain Adman. He indignantly stigmatized them as inf.imons lies. He hai instructed Jones in ISB7 for which he reccivrd £5, he never taught him in 1897. At the point, Mr Atkinson said any questions as to his relat'ons with Jones after July 8, 1897. Mr Fiuliy suggested he was afraid to do so. Witness continued hi had a ranged to get.Joi.es a service eurtifica'e, bur. was to rcce vee no pay if he failed. He did however, rective-l £ls-no" £l7, some of it after the certificate was refused. U--Still considered Jones entitled to that certificate, and it w*s only pure cuss>-d----ncss of the Department to hold u b-ick. Ho denied that he he ha 1 ever hid access examination papers in A I|joit's room, though he might have seei them once or twice in Adman's.

At th : B Mage witness refusal to answer any quest'or.s as to p. epaiing papers for Capt Jeiief, and Mr Flanlou said in that ca'e he could not : o o-i with the examination.

Mr Findlay was not a bit ashnned of himself, ai.d w.«s prepared to give C pr. Jones his £ls back. Upon being closely p;e?scd, wi'ncss admitted some of this money might tiavebeiu for other services.