THE HINE CHARGES.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIII, Issue 175, 3 November 1910, Page 4

THE HINE CHARGES.

AGAINST HON. T. K. MacDOXALD. ■ FURTHER EVIDENCE. By Telegraph.—Presa Association. Wellington,' Last Night. The Hine Committee of the Upper House resumed this evening. Mr. James Mackenzie, Commissioner of Crown Lands, said the expenditure oil the Nainai property by the Government was £1539 for draining, repairing, etc. The income from the property was €1403, £936 of this amount being for the sale of five acres. To Mr. Skerrett: The land half a mile away was offered in 1901 for £IOB, and in 1904 for £204 an acre.

To Dr. Findlay: He thought the land suitable for workmen's dwellings. Re-examined, he said no effort, beyond leasing for grazing purposes, had been made by the Department to utilise the. land during the past two years. He knew of no communication between the Hon. T. K. Mac Donald and any Minister. He had discussed the Hutt properties generally with the late Mr. Serfdon, but not special land.

In response to Mr. Skerrett's objection to Mr. Myers' method of leading the examination, Dr. Findlay said they wanted the fullest light thrown on all that occurred between the late Mr. Seddon and the witness in connection with the transaction.

Witness, continuing, said the Hon. MacDonald had given his opinion that the property was worth £2OO per acre, at which price his firm offered it to the Government in 1905.

To Dr. Findlav: There was no attempt on the part of Mr. Seddon to influence him to make a recommendation. He did not appear very anxious to obtain land at the Hutt. He had no reason to believe Mr. Seddon took a bribe from Mr. MacDonald or Leigh in connection with the sale of the property. It was inconceivable that there should be collusion between Mr. Seddon and Mr. Mac Donald in connection with the sale of the property. He would swear that there was absolutely no influence, political or otherwise, in connection with the sale of the Xainai estate to the Government. Mrs. H. Loye, wife of D. Love, of Picton, said she was the owner of land at Waiwetu. The Government bought 25 acres of her land. Hon. T. K. Mac Donald advised her to sell it to the Government, otherwise thev would acquire it under the Public Works Act. She did not want to sell, as it was a dowry. She was charged commission by Messrs Mac Donald, Wilson and Co. on the sale to the Government.

Mr. A. L. Wilson, re-called, said his firm entered into negotiation for the sale of Mrs. Love's property to the Government, who would only buy 24 acres, the price being £<!o7o, or £423 less than the whole 53 acres which it was originally proposed should be purchased in witness' name—a proposal which he refused to agree to. Mr. Ritchie, re-called, said Mr. Barron had recommended the purchase of the whole estate for €6280. The Crown'subsequently purchased 24 acres for £6075. Mr. Morrison, a land agent., said that in 1903 Messrs Mac Donald, Wilson and Co. took over the management of Mrs. Love's affairs. The price agreed upon for Mrs. Love's property to Wilson was "£6300. The committee adjourned till 8 p.m. on Thursday.