THE HINE CHARGES.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIII, Issue 189, 19 November 1910, Page 2

THE HINE CHARGES.

THE FLAXBOURNE CASE. By Telegraph. —Press Association. Wellington, Friday. At the llino Committee sitting this morning Mr. Hunan spoke of the impropriety of the press in various parts of the Dominion commenting on the procedure of the committee, even going so far as to anticipate the verdict. Should such happen again he would, as chairman, have to refer it to the House as a breach of privilege. Edwin GrilTen, of Napier, land valuer, said lie had been eleven years in the employ of the Government and was employed on the l'laxbourne negotiations, being then district valuer for Hawke's Bay? He lirst visited FlaSbourne in July, 1903, and took charge of a camp conducting surveyors and valuers over the property. Wilson arrived at Flaxbourne on a Sunday at mid-day, spent Monday with the rest of the party, and made a valuation of the homestead on Tuesday, and went away either that night or on Wednesday morning. Witness told Wilson he could only have the horse on Thursday, but Wilson replied, •'I am only doing this because my partner is acting as assessor without payment, and I am just making a report to Mr. Seddon." Witness, continuing, said that no other valuer did the work in less than eleven fine days. Wilson's was the only report witness had not seen. All the inspection Wilson did was one day on horseback and one day on foot.

To Mr. Skerrett: Witness was at the time a Government employee. Witness had never previously farmed or valued country similar to Flaxbourne. He thought it strange that a man who came to value 56,000 acres required a horse for only one day. Witness was retrenched from the Government service. He did not think there was one witness in the case who spent less than five days on the estate.

To Sir Joseph. Ward: He had not reported to either Dr. Findlay or Mr. Seddon regarding Wilson's short visit. •Mr. Hanan remonstrated strongly with counsel and members of the Committee for wasting time in asking irrelevant questions. To Mr. Millar: Witness would say such a casual report as Wilson's was valueless and Wilson was paid unfairly as compared with other valuers. To Mr. Massey: Such plaoes as Flaxbourne were valued by carrying capacity. The way Wilson spoke to witness was such as unmistakably conveyed the idea that he only came over to ensure some payment being made to Mac Donald, as the latter was prevented by law from receiving payment for acting as assessor. To Mr. Myers, M.P.: He was positive Wilson did not remain after Wednesday morning.

To Mr. Hanan: He mentioned to Dr. Findlay that Wilson had only been there two days, and said he didn't suppose Wilson-would be called as a witness. Dr. Findlay replied that Wilson would not be called. Wilson when on horseback probably covered 4000 acres.

To Mr..Massey: Most of the time—2oo days—Tattle was in camp all witness saw liim do was to act as assistant groom and assistant cook, but he may have made a valuation unknown to witness. Witness was suprised to hear that Tattle received £O3l for his services. To Mr. Millar: He had never charged! up whisky to the Department. The' Toucher produced showing ten gallons of whisky was not made out by 'witness. Greville gave Wilson a lot of information.

This closed the examination of Mr, Hine's witnesses.

The committee then adjourned.