THE HINE CHARGES.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 10133, 2 November 1910, Page 5

THE HINE CHARGES.

MR SYMES' CASE,

AN ALLEGED COMMISSION.

(By Telegraph—Press Association.) WELLINGTON, Last Night.

The Hine Commit'ee of the Lower House met this morning. The first charge taken was that against Mr Syme<* of charging and receiving commission from West Coast lessees lor preparing a petition presented to the House asking for refunds of amounts paid by them in connection with West Coast land awards.

Bryan Lysaght, sheepfarmer, of Idawera, and trustee of. his father's will, said his father was the holder of a West Coast lease, and surrendered it in expectation of a new lease. His father's expenses amounted to £347, Other lessees had to pay similar expenses prior to signing the petition. Witness had no communication from Mr Symes as to result of the petition. He received £347 from the Government a iter the petition was presented. Witness read an account from Mr Symes fcr £l7, being 5 per cent, on £347, for stamp?, telegrams, and the timef Mr Symes had devoted on the case. The amount was not paid by witness. Witness received letters from Mr Symes expressing surprise and saying he would not help witness in the matter of expenses.

Gross-examined, Avitness said he ' did not know Mr Symes had spent I a lot of money on proceedings after the Arbitration Court had ruled that the leases Avere abortive. He did not know that his co-executor had ar- ' ranged that Mr Symes should re- i ceive 5 per cent, for collecting refunds from lessees not in Mr Symes' constituency. Witness had given Mr Hine these letters and accounts during the last election, and parts Avere published in the Stratford paper. j In reply to Sir Joseph Ward, Avifrness said he had not informed the Government that Mr Symes had claimed commission.