EL—l9.

I have ascertained that you started a subscription to provide funds for Gasparini. Will you kindly say whether it is true or untrue that Gasparini was undefended until a subscription-list was opened by the Hon. the Minister of Education with the object of providing a lawyer for Gasparini's defence ? Yours truly, Mr. N. Fernandos, Wellington. Geo. Fishee.

Sir,— Wellington, 2.lst September, 1888. In reply to your letter of the 20th instant, I have to certify that I know nothing about any subscription-list being started by the Hon. Minister of Education. I started the subscriptionlist myself, to get a lawyer to apply for a writ of habeas corpus on behalf of Gasparini, and collected sufficient money to employ Mr. Jellicoe for that purpose. The Minister of Education had nothing to do with it; and so the statement of the French Consul is not true. The money collected was paid to Mr. Jellicoe; it was not paid to Mr. Fisher, who has Jiad nothing to do with the subscription-list from beginning to end. The subscription-list was opened and circulated by me. I remain, Ac., Hon. G. Fisher, Minister of Education. N. Fernandos.

Enclosure 4 in No. 7. Hon. Mr. Fisher to Mr. E. G. Jellicoe. Sir,— Wellington, 20th September, 1888. I forward for your perusal copy of a letter laid before His Excellency the Governor by the French Consul, who complains generally of my connection, as a member of the Government, with the Gasparini case. I have already explained to the Premier that as a member of the Government I had nothingwhatever to do with the case, but that as Italian Consul I did take certain action in connection with it, such action being that I requested the Minister of Justice to provide an Italian interpreter at the extradition proceedings, the prisoner being an Italian, and that I had myself attended those proceedings to see that the identity of the prisoner was properly and fully established. The allegations contained in the letter, I think, are singularly erroneous. May I ask if you will be good enough to give me your view of the letter as a whole, because you, of course, are familiar with the whole proceedings. Specially may I ask you to say whether you appeared in the case for the Italian Consul, or at the instance of some other persons ; and may I ask, further, whether you will be good enough to give me your opinion as to the truth or otherwise of this passage of the letter : " As a matter of fact, the Hon. " the Minister of Education appeared at the wharf at 2.45 on 11th August, at the time of Gasparini's " embarkation. He was attended by his private secretary, his lawyer, and his interpreter, and had " a conversation of about fifteen minutes with the extradited prisoner, a conversation to which " Inspector Thomson should have put a stop." Will you say—(l) Did you attend as my lawyer ? (2) Did you know I should be at the wharf ? (3) Did we not meet there without communication and without concert ? (4) How long did the conversation last ? (5) Was the French Consul a witness to the interview, and did he object or protest ? I hope I do not put you to too much trouble, but I should feel greatly obliged if you would answer this letter at your earliest convenience. I have, &c, E. G. Jellicoe, Esq., barrister and solicitor, Wellington. Geo. Fisher.

Mr. E. G. Jellicoe to the Hon. Mr. Fisher. Dear Mr. Fisher, — Wellington, New Zealand, 21st September, 1888. I acted for Gasparini with a view of obtaining his release on habeas corpus, and, as I was not present when the man was brought before the Deputy-Governor, and you, as Consul, were, it became necessary for me to apply to you for information of what had actually occurred. The allegation that I acted for the Minister of Education or any person other than the prisoner is untrue. The subscription-list which is referred to was opened, as I always understood, by an Italian named Fernandos, through the instrumentality of the Italian interpreter, Mr. Robertson. The circumstances are these : I found it necessary to speak to the prisoner, before his embarkation, respecting proceedings I proposed taking for his release at Sydney, and, with the aid of Mr. Robertson, as interpreter, I conversed with the prisoner for a few minutes before he left the wdiarf. I found you and a crowd there, and after I had finished my conversation I distinctly recollect your coming forward and asking the man to give you an account of his passage from New Caledonia. The latter made some answer about Cury's illness; and then Inspector Thomson, who was present all the time, inquired whether I had anything further to communicate, and on my replying in the negative he ordered Walker to take the man on board the " Wakatipu." The French Consul was present the whole time, and did not object to my interference, and he was within a few paces of myself and Walker when I asked the latter to deliver a letter to my agents at Sydney, and I am positive he heard the nature of my request, and offered no opposition. lam equally certain that the prisoner was not on the wharf more than five minutes altogether, and this from the time he left the prison-cab until he joined the vessel. Yours very truly, The Hon. George Fisher. E. G. Jellicoe.

Enclosure 5 in No. 7. Hon. Mr. Fisher to Mr. A. M. Smith. Sir,— . Wellington, 20th September, 1888. Will you oblige me by relating shortly what took place at the interview with Gasparini, at which you were present, on the wharf on the 11th August?

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