Though believing my friend had made a mistake, I, out of curiosity, went into Menzies’ bar, and there saw, sure enough, Messrs. Coldham and Stewart and three of the jurymen (including McGregor) drinking, smoking, and talking together in the most friendly manner, so far as appearances went. The matter seemed so incredible that I, on reflection, deemed it best to go and bring in some person, as a witness, to the bar. Accordingly I went out, and happening to meet Mr. Ebsworth (solicitor for Ponting) on the street, I succeeded in getting him, somewhat reluctantly, to go with me to the bar. It is almost needless to add that, the moment the five gentlemen saw Mr. Ebsworth, they did not wait for a ceremonious introduction; but, on the contrary, took a hasty departure at once. Immediately after their disappearance I asked Mr. Ebsworth, “What are you going to do about this affair?” “Oh,” he replied. “I can do nothing. Mr. Coldham is at the top of the profession; I am only, so to speak, a new beginner, and it would be against professional etiquette for me to take any notice of these people having a drink together.” To this I rejoined, “And so, rather than break through ‘professional etiquette,’ you would stand by and see your client, Ponting, suffer an injustice. If this be the view you take of what I call a serious matter, I may as well tell you what I will do. In the event of this jury bringing in a verdict in favour of the defendants, and of your drawing no attention to what you, as well as myself, have seen, I will, in the public press, expose the whole affair, including the conversation I have had with you on the subject.” This had the desired effect; and when the jury brought in their verdict against Ponting—as before related—Mr. Ebsworth ventured to draw the Judge’s attention to the hotel bar proceedings. Judge Chomley, however, “pooh-poohed” the incident, and remarked that “in all probability the gentlemen concerned had met by chance in a public bar, and were only taking a friendly glass together.” Nevertheless, he added that if affidavits were brought to him showing that serious wrong had been done, he, the Judge, would consider the matter, and give a decision at a future time. Affidavits were taken by myself and others detailing the whole of the circumstances, and these sworn statements were considered by Judge Chomley about six weeks after the trial; but he saw nothing serious in them, and finally refused to grant a new trial. Notice of appeal to the Supreme Court was at once given by Mr. Ebsworth; but, notwithstanding this notice, a demand for costs was served on Ponting, and because it was returned unsatisfied, the defendants’ lawyers applied for, and obtained, an order _nisi_ to make Ponting compulsorily insolvent. Mr. Justice Hood, however, refused to make the order _absolute_ until after the appeal case had been heard.