E. L. KEYWORTH.]

23

F.—B.

29. You had nothing to do with the addressing of the envelopes, I suppose?—l did a little. 30. When you came to stamp the letters, were all ready for you, addressed by other people — addressed and rilled?— Yes. 31. And you had nothing to do with checking the addresses or checking the contents? —As I stamped. I looked over each address carefully and to put the stamp on. 32. And you were satisfied that the address was correct?— Yes. 33. Now tell His Worship how many envelopes you handled in those two nights: would it be about a half of the whole of the letters?—l did the biggest part of them. 34. Over I,2so?—Yes. 35. You examined over 1,250, and you say that each envelope as you handled it you examined to see that the address was correct?—l looked for three lines of address. 36. That was not what you said a moment ago?— Three lines of address is considered correct. 37. But you do not suggest that you looked to see that the name was correct and the address correct—the right name of the street? —I am not a speller myself. It was three lines of writing. 38. Name, street, city? —Yes. 39. You felt each envelope to see that there was something inside?— Yes. 40. And you licked and put on over 1,250 stamps: you must be a smart man?—l do not see it. 41. Now, do you know that complaints have been made to your association that envelopes were received with nothing inside?— Yes. 42. Do you know in how many cases such complaints have been received?—l do not know the exact number. 43. About?—l know there were several. 44. How many?—l should say, half a dozen or so. 45. And out of 2,500 there were only half a dozen : would you accept my assurance that it has been reduced to nine? The names have been supplied by Mr. Ostler. You know there were not more, do you not?—l do not know the exact number at all. 46. You thought about half a dozen ?—Yes. 47. And of letters not delivered at all, two persons?— Yes, that is correct. 48. Mr. Ostler.] I note on this list supplied to me of the reverend gentlemen there were two names apparently left off—one the Rev. F. A. Thompson, and the Rev. G. A. Macdonald, of Takapuna. Do you know whether you sent a letter to the Rev. F. A. Thompson amongst other letters?—No, I do not know myself. 49. Or the Rev. Macdonald, Takapuna?—No, sir. Henry Sydney Bilby recalled. 1. Mr. Ostler.] Did you send a letter to the Rev. F. A.. Thompson amongst those other letters? -Yes, sir. 2. And one to the Rev. Macdonald, of Takapuna?—Yes. John Lowe examined. 1. Mr. Ostler.] What is your full name, Mr. Lowe? —John Lowe. 2. And your occupation?— Draper. 3. And your address?—My business address. 25 Marine Square, DevonpOrt. 4. Your postal address? —10 William Street, Devonport. I have two addresses. Mr. Gray: He has two addresses. 5. Mr. Ostler.] Every one who has business in town has, I suppose. Did you get an envelope like this letter?— Yes. 6. When ? —I could not tell you the date. 7. About when—was it just before the time of the Protestant Association meeting?— Yes, some days before. 8. Did it have "anything in it, or was it empty?— Empty. 9. What did you do when you got it?—l went straight down to the post-office to ask if they could tell whom box 912 belonged to. 10. The post-office where? —Devonport. 11. To ask whether they could tell whom box 912 belonged to? —Yes. 12. That was because, of the notification " If unclaimed please return to box 912 "?—Yes. 13. What was the reply?—Oh, they said, " We have got a number of those here." 14. Mr. Gray.] Who?— The young lady at the counter, Miss Blandford. 15. Mr. Ostler.] She said, " Oh, we have a number of those here "I —And she showed me what they contained : she showed me one of the full ones. 16. Did you keep your envelope that was empty?—No, I did not. 17. What did you do with it? —Tore it up—destroyed it. 18. Mr. Gray.] Do you recollect how the envelope was addressed?—No, T could not be sure; I think it was " J. Lowe, 25 Marine Square, Devonport," as far as 1 can remember. 19. Not "A. Lowe <" ?—No. 20. Was your envelope left at your shop?—lt was given into my own hand. 21. By the letter-carrier ?-—Yes. 22. You do not keep a box?— No. 23. Did you make any complaint beyond what you have told us?— No. 24. You did not ask the Postmaster to inquire?— No.