P.—B.

H. L, ELLIOTT.]

33

Mr. Gray: Were these marked " Passed by the Military Censor "? Mr. Ostler: Yes. Mr. Gray: Just so. Mr. Ostler: Ido not see why you say "Just so." My point is that the Censor is not consistent with himself. If he passed these letters after complaint was made it. was wrong not to pass them before. His Worship: I think it very undesirable indeed that they should be made public, as they do not relate to facts or alleged facts. The term " bogus " was made use of just, now. Mr. Gray: By me. | llis Worship: Are these manufactured letters? Witness: They are letters framed on certain reports that, have been received I'roni various sources. That first letter which was objected to is a letter which contains, if not the whole of the facts, some of the facts relating to Father Doherty. Mr. Gray; The point is this: is this a, genuine letter I'roni a correspondent to this witness, or is it a letter from himself addressed to himself? His Worship: I have already given an assurance they do not refer to military mailers. I understand your point is, Mr. Ostler, you wish to show that there has been differentiation of treatment,—these letters have been censored ami passed on when other similar letters have not been passed. 51. Mr. Ostler.] Were you present, Mr. Elliott, during the operations that resulted in these 2,000-odd letters being posted?— Yes. 52. And also the letters to Nonconformist clergymen ?—-No, except to draft off a. list of ministers of religion and to ask the committee to attend to them. His Worship remarked that " Nonconformist " was a term that was inapplicable in New Zealand, as there was no established Church. 53. Mr. Ostler.] Mr. Elliott, you were present during the operations of I he persons who prepared those 2,000-odd letters for the post?— Yes, most of them. 54. How many people were there?— They worked in teams of six and eight in relays. 55. Were you present when those letters were stamped by Mr. Bilby and Mr. Keyworth?— Yes, for the most part; and 1 gave them very particular instructions in regard to the stamping, owing to my knowledge of tampering with letters in the United States when Protestant interests were concerned. I instructed every member of Ihe committee to be particular to see that all envelopes wore filled; and I was there for that very purpose, to exercise supervision and to see that all envelopes were properly closed and stamped, and the committee, the whole time they worked, worked with that constantly before them. That was the object of my being present — not to do the work so much as to see thai the work was done —to avoid any complications should any circumstances arise as have arisen. 56. Of the witnesses that have been called here to-day to prove that they received their envelopes empty, did you personally see any one of those particular envelopes filled ?—1 filled the envelope of Mr. H. Symons myself. 57. Was anything said at the time you filled it?—l remarked that I was glad to see his envelope because I knew him, and lie was the editor of the Eden Gazette, and as a, newspaper man was glad he was to be invited. 58. You filled it yourself ?—Yes.

Auckland, Saturday, 18th August, 1917. Mr. Ostler: Before my friend proceeds with the cross-examination of Mr. Elliott might T interpolate one witness—Mrs. Stuart—a very short witness, whose daughter is ill and who desires to get away. Have you any objection, Mr. Gray? Mr. Gray: Not at all. ' Mrs. Ellen Matilda Stuart examined. 1. Mr. Ostler.] What is your full name, Mrs. Stuart ?—Ellen Matilda Stuart, 2. Where do you live?— Point Street, Mount Eden. 3. Did you get an envelope somewhat similar to that sen Ito you through the post in the early part of July?—l did. 4. Did it have on it, " If unclaimed within seven days please return to box 912, Auckland "1 --No. 5. Did it have anything in it?—No, it was empty. 6. I low was the flap—in or out? Inside. 7. The flap was turned in ?—Yes. 8. Can you tell us the date on which you got it?— Well, sir, my memory is not good—either Saturday or Monday before Mr. Elliott's meeting. 9. What did you do with it, Mrs. Stuart?—l took- it in and put it on the mantelpiece, and when the postman came again I told him I got the letter with nothing in it—l thought some one had (alien it, out. He said, "Oh, no one has taken it out: there was nothing put in. It was something to do with the Orangemen. 1 have delivered a number of them to-day." So 1 took it and put, it on the mantelpiece. I kept il till the evening to show my daughter, who is present. 10. What did you do with the envelope afterwards?—l tore il up; I though! il was no use.

5—F. 8.