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the same time. He said I had better bring it up, and to tell you that it was in the drawer of his table. 3688. Did he say anything else ? —Well, he went on to say that the larger parcel was over from the first sale and the smaller from the second sale. 3689. Mr. Macdonald.] Anything else besides that ?—No. 3690. The Chairman^} Then, what impression did it form on your mind when he told you, in reference to the smaller parcel, that it was and had been in his drawer ? Did you suppose from what he said that it had been in his drawer for a long time, or that he merely put it into his drawer for the purpose of taking it out again ?—I thought he had put it there after the sale, and perhaps had forgotten about it, and just discovered it in his drawer. 3691. Mr. Macdonald.] What clerks see Mr. De Castro first when he comes into the office ? — I generally see him first. He works in the same room. There are three of us in the same room ■ —Mr. De Castro, myself, and the cadet, Mr. Purdie. 3692. Are you sure ho was not there before half-past 9 ?—He did not come into my room before then. He may have been in the office before then, but I did not see him. 3693. Mr. Loughrey.] Did you not see him until he came into your room?— No. 3694. Mr. Macdonald.] Who would be most likely to see Mr. De Castro first ?—There are such a lot of officers about that they might see him before he came into our room.

Monday, 27th Apeil, 1891. [Mr. B. C. Hamerton, Public Trustee, asked the Commissioners whether he could get the Bey. Mr. De Castro's private jewellery-book, which the latter called an inventory of jewellery, in order that he might take it downstairs. The Chairman inquired what it was wanted for. Mr. Hamerton said he wanted it in order to assist him in making out the return of the articles which had been sold. The Chairman said that Mr. Hamerton might have the book later on.] Mr. Stanley Hamerton further examined. 3695. The Chairman.} Mr. Stanley Hamerton, you have just brought upstairs to the Commissioners particulars of some effects which you wish to enter into Mr. De Castro's private safe-book? —Yes. 3696. Well, you can take the book to the table and make the entries you require. [Entries made by witness.] Now, Mr. Hamerton, you have made these entries, and they are correct so far as you are aware ?—Yes. 3697. Are there any other articles of personalty in the possession of the Public Trust Office that are not entered up in this book?—No, unless they have come by to-day's mail. 3698. Are you aware that a list is being made out of the effects, such as jewellery, " &c," which are in the safe ?—Yes. 3699. Is that being done ?—I do not know whether it is commenced yet. It is in Mr. Moginie's hands. 3700. Now, I want to carry your memory back to the afternoon of Thursday last, when you were searching for that lace. Is there a son of Mr. De Castro's working near you ?—Yes. 3702. Was he aware that you were searching for the lace ? —Yes. 3702. Did you tell him that you could not find this lace, and asked him if he knew anything about it, or what his father had done with it ?—No. 3703. You mentioned something, did you not? —I merely said I was looking for the lace, but I did not say anything else. 3704. He was aware you were looking for the lace ; there is no doubt about that ?—No. 3705. Mr. Loughrey.} Was the messenger also looking for the lace ?—Y Tes. 3706. The Chairman.] Has the Bey. Mr. De Castro been in the office this morning ?—No, I have not seen him. 3707. How far away does he live from the Public Trust Office? —He lives at the top of Willis Street. 3708. Would it take long to communicate with him ?—No. [Mr. Hamerton, Public Trustee, having returned to the Commissioners'room, the Chairman said : Mr. Hamerton, you may have this book. Let us have it again to-day, and you will please be good enough to see that no interference is made with any of the writing in this book ; and if any articles should come in while it is in your possession, please have them entered where indicated, with the fullest particulars. You are not to allow the book to leave your possession.] Mr. Arthde de Castbo examined. 3709. The Chairman.} Now, Mr. Arthur de Castro, do you remember Thursday afternoon last?— Yes. 3710. Do you remember Mr. Stanley Hamerton searching diligently for a packet of lace? —Yes. 3711. And what did he say to you when he could not find it ?—He said nothing to me. 3712. Were you aware that he was searching for the lace ? —Yes. 3713. That was in your father's possession ? —Yes. 3714. Do you live with your father?— No. 3715. Did you see your father on Thursday evening ? —No. 3716. Are you quite sure ? —Y Tes. 3717. Did you see any of your family on Thursday ? —One from the country. 3718. Where do you live?—ln Hankey Street. 3719. Close to where your father lives ?—Yes,