THE HINE CHARGES.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIII, Issue 180, 9 November 1910, Page 5

THE HINE CHARGES.

31R. SYMES EXPLAINS. A PRESENT OF £3OO. Bv Telegraph.—Press Association Wellington. Tuesday. The lline Committee of the Lower House resumed this morning. Mr. Fred Bayly stated that he sold the Clandon estate through Mr. Major to the Government. Mr. Major was the only agent authorised to sell this property. "Witness suggested to Mr. Major that" the Government might acquire the property. Witness considered the property was now worth £ls to £lB an acre. . The chairman said that he noticed that witnesses after giving evidence had written to the press on the subject, which constituted a breach of privilege. | Mr. Walter Symes said that for the past twelve years he had been in business as general agent at Stratford, and had been a member of Parliament fioin 1896 to 1908. He was one of the first West Coast lessees, dating back to 1874, both individually and with his brother. Witness then detailed: the progress of the dispute over the leases culminating in the Appeal Court's decision in favor of the lessees. Mr. Symes said that before becoming a member of Parliament he personally went fo considerable expense in advancing the claims of the lessees for compensation for expenses incurred in litigation. Witness got the petition drafted and typed at his own expense, and presented it in 1905. He then devoted considerable time to acquiring information in support of the petition, whiqh, however. was not favorably recommended by the Parliamentary Committee. Witness had omitted two or three important facts, nd after the report had been referred back to the committee these proved sufficient to induce the committee to make a favorable recommendation, and £2OOO was placed on the Supplementary Estimates for compensation. Then some lessees outside witness' electorate who had been omitted from the petition asked for his assistance. Witness replied stating that what he had done he had done as member, and advised them to get the services of their own member. If, however, they wished witness to collect their money he expected to be paid for doing so as agent. Witness had not charged commission to anv of his constituents. The fee witness charged was only a collection fee of 5 per cent. In Mr. Hutchison's claim, he acted purely as agent. His letter to Mr. Lysaght was not intended as a threat, but merely as an intimation that he would not collect the claim unless paid commission.

Witness gave details of his connection with the purchase of Bayly's property. He presented a petition in favor of the Government buying it, but in no way acted for Bayly, and never had communication with "him except once by telephone, after the sale. Mr. Bayly wanted to gave him something for the trouble he had taken, and he at first refused, but Bayly pressed' him so hard, and said he would be offended, that in the end he accepted a promissory note for £3OO towards his election expenses. It was solely because Bayly made it a personal matter that he took it. Examined by Mr. Myers, witness referred to his explanation re the promissory note, and admitted that his own name was on the petition re the West Coast cases, but he was not aware till Mr. Mvers quoted it, that the Standing Orders forbade a member from presenting a petition on his own behalf. He did no°t consider there was anything improper in M.P.'s receiving presents such as mentioned in his letter.

In reply to Sir Joseph Ward witness said he had never mentioned any of these transactions to the Government nor had he tried to influence the Government. Tf he had charged Bayly for the sale of his land the amount would have been £525, not £3OO. The committee adjourned till 5.30 to enable Mr. Svmes' examination to be finished to-day.

MR. SYMES INTERROGATED. Wellington, Last Night. The Hine Committee resumed at 5.30 p.m. Replying to Mr. Massey, Mr. Symes denied ever having acted as Government Whip. A. Bayly was at the first election one of witness' committee, but afterwards did not identify himself noticeably in electioneering. He could not say whether it was customary with Taranaki people who participated in politics to give presents to members. He could not sav whether his election expenses in 1905 totalled more than £2OO or £3OO, but apart from personal expenses they should not exceed £2OO. He wrote to McCluggage re the advertising list, not as a director but as a friend who was a shareholder in the Stratford Post. The petition in 1905 was the first witness presented for the West Coast lessees, but Hutchison had been doing so previously. Replying to Mr. Buchanan, witness said that the fresh facts which were instrumental in having the decision reversed were the production 1 of letters from Sir Harry Atkinson and an unsigned lease prepared by the Public i Trustee.

In answer to Mr. Skerrett, he said he had never heard the favorable recommendation of the committee afterwards criticised. The recommendation was a thoroughly just one. Tho presents to members mentioned in his letter were not to be intrinsic, but just small tokens of appreciation. Replying to Mr. ITanan. witness said the only advantage he had in a matter of this'sort overman outside agent was that witness would not have to pay railway fares. He had never charged his own constituents commissions. He did not give authority to anyone to use the letter written "to McCluggage. and thought it would have been returned to witness immediately after perusal. This concluded Mr. Myers' evidence. Mr. Mvers said he had consulted with 'Mr. Skerrett. and Friday would be the [only suitable day for a fortnight to take the Flaxbourrie case.

Sir Joseph Ward will call two or three witnesses in the Svmes case, and then the Kailiau case will be. taken, and whether finished or not the Flaxbourne ease will probably be taken ou Friday. The committee adjourned at (i p.m.