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Q.--You are now in charge of the letter books are you not?
A. Yes.
Q.-You have probably formed some idea of how Mr. FRASER-SMITH got possession of copies, dates, and numbers of a whole string of Mr. PRICE's letters, because he was enabled to write to the Colonial Secretary and ask for them. Have you formed any idea how he got this?
A.-I have not formed any idea.
Q.-It was not in your time?
A.-Not in my time.
Q.-But how, should you think? You must have formed some idea about it. We know he cannot read through a brick wall. How could he have got these letters?
A.-I don't know.
Q.-Is the same loose system going on now that Mr. GOULBOURN told us about, that the letter books are not under lock and key, and are there at all hours to go and look at?
A.-Exactly the same.
Q.—Is it not the fact that Mr. PRICE stays till six o'clock sometimes working in
his office?
A. Yes.
Q.-And during that time the outer office is open?
A.-That I don't know.
Q.-But it would be left open naturally for him to get in and out?
A. That is only his office.
Q.-But I am speaking of the room where you sit.
A.-When I leave the office the office coolie cleans it and shuts it.
Q.—But still, while the office coolie is cleaning it anybody going in could look at the letter books very easily, could he not?
A. Yes.
Q. And I suppose also anyone connected with the department, whether Overseer or anyone else, could remain in that room; the coolie would not say, what are you doing here? he would let him pass?
A.-Yes.
-Who has custody of the letter books?
A.-I have.