H.—No. 8.

TELEGRAPH ENQUIRY COMMITTEE.

5

" Queenstown, 29th September, 1871. " Accept extension of time with thanks. As to witnesses, my reply was written under tho impression that the Committee required witnesses who'could give evidence as to other facts than those within my knowledge. If the Committee will allow me to examine witnesses before them for the purpose of confirming my own statement, I should be glad to do so, and I would mention tho following names: —Mr. Vogel, Mr. Lemon, Mr. Eeeves, M.H.E., Mr. White, M.H.E, Mr. Gifford, Mr. Gillon, Mr. Hart (reporter on the Independent last Session), Mr. James Wood {HawTce's Bay Herald), Mr. McKenzie and Mr. Hay {Independent), Mr. Montrose (Greville's Agent). Messrs. Wood and McKenzie should be required to produce files of their papers for September, IS7O. I may be able to communicate further on this subject from Dunedin. " G. B. Barton." With the permission of Mr. Bell, of the Dunedin Star, Mr. Lemon was instructed to procure and lay before the Committee the first telegram received on 30th September, 1870, by the livening Star from the Southland Times. The Committee adjourned until to-morrow.

Friday, 6th October, 1871. The Committee met pursuant to adjournment. Present : Mr. Farnall, Mr. Eolleston, Captain McPherson, Hon. Mr. Vogel, Mr. Pearce, Mr. Webster. Hon. Mr. Stafford in the Chair. The minutes of the last meeting were read and confirmed. Mr. Lemon and Mr. Bathgate were present. In accordance with the instructions given yesterday, Mr. Lemon laid before the Committee the first telegram " received and forward" by Duncdin Evening Star on .'3oth September, 1870. Mr. C. F. de Salis O'Toole, Sub-Collector at the Bluff, being in attendance, was introduced, and, having been sworn, was examined. His evidence was taken down and ordered to bo attached to the proceedings. In consequence of a statement made by Mr. O'Toole in his evidence, having reference to the copy of a telegram of English news shown to him by a Mr. T. E. Fordham, hotel-keeper, at the Bluff, the Committee resolved, That the Chairman be requested to ask Mr. Fordham if he has any objection to the Committee being furnished with the telegram it was stated he had shown to Mr. O'Toole, who said that it had been sent by Mr. Fordham to Hokitika with news received by the " Gothenburg" on her arrival at the Bluff on 30th September, 1870. Mr. O'Toole then withdrew. The Committee adjourned until Monday.

Monday, 9th October, 1871. Tlie Committee met pursuant to adjournment. Present: Mr. Farnall, ' Mr. Pearce, Mr. Johnston, Hon. Mr. Vogel, Captain McPherson, Mr. Webster. Hon. Mr. Stafford in the chair. The minutes of the last meeting were read and confirmed. Mr. Lemon and Mr. Bathgate were present. The Chairman informed the Committee that ho had, in accordance with resolution passed at tho last sitting, forwarded the following telegram to Mr. T. E. Fordham, hotel-keeper, at the Bluff:— " General Assembly, 6th October, 187 L " Mr. O'Toolo, in examination before Telegraph Inquiry Committee, has stated on oath that you. showed, and gave into his possession for some days, copy of a telegram which you tokl him you sent from the Bluff to Hokitika, containing news received by the ' Gothenburg' when she arrived at the Bluff on the 29th September, 1870. Have you any objection to that telegram being produced to tho Committee ? " To which lie had received the following reply:— " Bluff, 6th October, .1871. "Telegram sent to Chesney and Co., Hokitika. Copy of same in Mr. O'Toole's possession taken from my file. I instructed him not to make u?e of same in the libel case Barton and others. No objection to that telegram being produced. "Tnos. E, Fordiiam." Mr. Lemon read the following telegram he had sent to the operator at the Bluff, and the reply he had received thereto: — " Wellington, 7th October, 1871. " Go and ask Mr. Fordham if he would kindly tell me from what source he obtained the information lie telegraphed Mr. Chesney on 30th September, 1870. Also if Mr. O'Toolo copied that information from written or printed paper for him, as I see by original telegram it is written by Mr. O'Toole, but signed by Mr. Fordham himself. You may say that it is of the utmost importance, in order that I may be able to vindicate the integrity of the Bluff Office that I should be supplied with the above, and trust he will not allow any false feelings of delicacy to stand in his way, and more especially as Mr. O'Toole wrote the telegram in question for Mr. Fordham. If you can, get. Mr. Fordham to show you the paper or written document from which Mr. O'Toole copied the telegram for him. "C. Lemos." 2