69

F.—B.

J. C. WILLIAMSON.

the envelope is now with him, and that in response to it two tickets were sent to you at Mount Albert, Road. These you now have; they were, I understand, contained in an envelope addressed to J. Garley." 96. And is this the envelope, in which you were informed that the tickets were contained, addressed to Mr. J. Garley, not Mr. Gailey—address Mount Albeit Road?— Yes, to the best of my belief. Mr. Ostler: We are making no complaint. i 97. Mr. Gray.] I am showing this as an instance of incorrect addressing. You were able to deal with that promptly because you got some particulars from the complainant?— Yes. The letter was posted on the 6th; we got full particulars on the 11th ; the complainant got a reply on the 20th. 98. Is there not some envelope not stamped? —1 saw in the course of the inquiry one of the covers 99. Is there anybody else who can speak specifically?—l think it was put in as an exhibit. , Mr. Ostler: That was not posted by Mr. Bilby. It is not one on which we depend. It was one posted subsequently by Mr. Dupree. I just produced it for another purpose. Mr. Gray: It just shows what can be done. Hit Worship: We all know that mistakes will happen. 100. Mr. Gray.] Have you had any experience of persons sending out large numbers of circulars and not being careful about stamping? —It has been reported there have been quite a number of cases: a few of them have been taken out. 101. Name a few without giving the names of the offenders?—ln No. 1 case, 30,000 circulars, a number posted without address; in No. 4 case, 32,491 circulars, also a number posted without address; in No. 5 case, 3,852 envelopes, a number posted without contents; in No. 6 case, 4,017 envelopes, a number posted without contents; in No. 7 case, 6,603 circulars, a number posted without address; in No. 9 case. 12,630 circulars, a number posted without address; in No. 10 case, 9,858 circulars, a number posted without contents; in No. 19 case, 10,260 circulars, a number posted without contents. His Worship: In every case we must assume there is room for error occasionally, especially where they pass through a number of hands. Mr. Ostler: Is that going to be put in? His Worship: I do not, think it is of any value. Witness: Perhaps the case I have here will be of greater value. 102. Mr. Ostler.] Is that in Auckland?—ln Auckland since the Ist June, 1917. On the 6th August, shortly before 5 p.m., there were 300 addressed envelopes without contents left in one batch. We ascertained—at least, we surmised —that owing to some others having been presented from a certain firm, these also belonged to them. We made inquiry, and got the minute back, " The envelopes are ours; many thanks." 103. Mr. Gray.] So that your office has the common experience- ? His Worship: Of the liability of people to make mistakes. Witness: I may say, Mr. Gray, if if is admissible, that it is reported to me by a reliable officer that the number of cases in which contents are not put in would probably exceed two thousand in a year. 104. His Worship.] And wherever possible you correct these mistakes?—We have a special form which we send forward, to the addressees asking them to name the contents, so that, if they become loose, we can return them. 105. Mr. Gray.] So far as you know, is every precaution taken to see that letters properlyaddressed reached their destinations, and that letters, if open, or if the contents are absent, are noticed?— Very strict notice is taken. We even go so far as to refer these cases down to Wellington, so that in case the contents reach the Dead Letter Office there inquiry can be made. 106. I want to come to the question of censorship : do you recollect receiving from Wellington on the 19th December last an instruction that the literature of box 912 should be submitted to the Censor? —Yes. 107. Pursuant to that instruction was an order put in the, order-book?— Not immediately. An order was sent down to the mail-room immediately. 108. An order in writing, I suppose?—A typed order with my name to it. 109. And sent to the mail-room to be posted up for information ?—Yes. Mr. Ostler: Have you a copy ? Mr. Gray: We will show you the original. 110. Mr. Gray.] Has that identical order since been taken from the mail-room wall and pasted into the order-book? —That is my belief, Mr. Gray. 111. This you believe to be the order originally posted up and subsequently pasted into the order-book? —Some time before the 11th January, 1917. 112. It appears to have borne a, date, 19 over 12 : if that is correct it, would be the 19th December. The order originally bore your signature?— Not, my signature; my name. One of my clerks signed for me. The Chief Mail Clerk had the telegram which arrived, and gave instructions accordingly, as he was instructed to do. 113. You received instructions by telegram, a copy of which was put in, and you gave instructions accordingly?— That is so. 114. Do you understand that this particular order was, at a later date, put into the orderbook and signed by the various clerks?—l understand so. 115. Who could prove that?— Mr. Rudd may be able to say so. The officer who was Chief Mail Clerk then has been transferred.