37

H.—s

wanted, cricket fixtures, boating-club arrangements. It might have been information from some department of a perfectly legitimate nature. The strong probability is that it is so ; but, so long as we are not absolutely certain, there will always be the supposition in the minds of some people that it might have contained the information in question. I think, therefore, with all due deference to the Evening Post, that it would be advisable for them to assist the Commission to prove that the envelope did contain perfectly innocent matter? —We have no means of finding out, as we keep no records of letters received ; and we could not tell from our files whether there was any cricket or boating news, or any advertisements came down that day. 793. Ido not ask you to tell me what it did contain. Ido not wish to pry into your business even to that extent; but I would like to ascertain beyond a doubt who opened the letter, and get that person's assurance that it did not contain any information in regard to the Fox correspondence. I should be satisfied with that ?—I could not get that information for you. Ido not remember the letter at all. 794. How many of you are there in the front office ?—Mr. Kirker, Mr. Stubbs, Mr. Beaglehole, and myself, and the two office-lads. Mr. Bannister is also in the office sometimes, but he is our outside man. 795. Who would be likely to get a letter like that ? —lt would come to whoever chanced to be behind the counter. As a rule, lam most behind the counter, as lam a sort of counter-clerk there, and cashier, and so on. 796. To the best of your knowledge and belief, did you receive a letter, on or about that date, in which the Fox correspondence was enclosed ? —No. 797. When I say the Fox correspondence. I wish you to understand that to mean the Fox correspondence or anything purporting to be a copy or proof of the same ?—No; I did not receive one. 798. Do I understand you to say such a letter, simply addressed " Evening Post," as this letter appears to have been, might be opened by any of the gentlemen mentioned by you, viz. : by yourself, or Mr. Kirker, or Mr. Stubbs, or Mr. Beaglehole, or Mr. Bannister ?—Yes ; if delivered in the front office. I might say Mr. Bannister is not always in the office; but if he was there he would open if. 799. What would the gentleman who opened it do with it ? —Eead its contents and draft it off to its proper quarter. David Ernest Beaglehole sworn and examined. 800. The Commissioner.] What are you ?—Clerk, Evening Post office. 801. [To Mr. Henry Mason]. Do you recognise this gentleman? —Yes, I recognise him, but I do not see so much of him as I do of the others. 802. Are you quite sure this is not the gentleman to whom you gave the letter?—l feel confident in my own mind that that is not the gentleman. 803. [To Mr Beaglehole.] This book [produced] is a record kept in the messengers' room of all letters that go out for delivery by Government messengers. The book shows that on the 4th April, 1894, a letter was addressed to the " Evening Post," and delivered by Messenger Mason, who left the Government Buildings with it at 10.10 a.m. Mason swears he duly delivered it to someone in the front office. Do you recollect receiving any such letter from Mason ?—No. 804. If such a letter, addressed " Evening Post" came into your possession, what would you do with it ? —lf it was simply addressed " Evening Post," I would take it to Mr. Blundell in his office. 805. You would not have opened it first, and then taken it to the department to which it belonged?—Not if it was simply addressed " Evening Post." 806. Which Mr. Blundell would you have taken it to ?—I should then have taken it to Mr. Henry Blundell. It would now be Mr. Louis Blundell. 807. Would the office-boys be likely to open it if they had received it ? —No not at all. 809. Did you ever see the Fox letters, which form the subject-matter of this inquiry, or any copy or draft of them ? —No. 810. Are you in the habit of receiving letters as a rule ?■—No. 811. To whom are the letters usually delivered in the office ? —To whoever is behind the counter. As a rule they are dropped on the counter, and the man behind the counter takes them up. They are sometimes delivered personally. Being in the accountant's branch my work seldom takes me behind the counter, unless the others happen to be away. 812. Then, the probability is that either Mr. Kirker, Mr. Georgeson, or Mr. Stubbs would get the letter ?—Yes ; and of the three, most likely Mr. Georgeson, then Mr. Kirker. Charles Stubbs sworn and examined; and Henry Mason, re-examined. 813. The Commissioner.] Will you tell me, Mr. Mason, if you recognise this gentleman ? —Yes, I recognise him. 814. Who is he?—Mr. Stubbs. 815. Do you think you gave him the letter in question ?—I am certain I did not. 816. Did you give it to any of the boys ? —I do not think so, but I would not swear to it. When I take a letter to the Evening Post I always make a point of looking for Mr. Kirker, or the other gentleman. 817. Is it likely you would give it to one of the boys?—No, unless there was no one else there. 818. [To Mr. Stubbs.] This book [produced] is kept in the messengers' room, and in it are always entered letters sent out for delivery in town by Government messengers. I have sworn evidence to the effect that on 4th April, at 10.10 a.m., a letter was addressed to the Evening Post, and was delivered by Messenger Mason, who left the Buildings at 10.10 a.m. Do you remember if such a letter passed through your hands or under your observation ? —1 could not say.