E—No. 6

6

INTERIM REPORT OE THE SELECT

29. Does he know ? —He has a better idea of what Dr. Hector has done. I think you would get more information from him than from me as to the actual work that he has done. 30. So much with regard to reports ; now with regard to maps. Has he furnished any maps ?—I am not aware that he has furnished any to the Province of Otago. 81. Are you aware whether Dr. Hector, during the period of his engagement in Otago, had been put upon any special works that would have interfered with his survey ? —I am not aware. I think he was entirely his own master. 32. ? —I dare say Major Eichardson could give evidence upon that point. Mr. Haughton and other gentlemen know a good deal of the practical results ? They will know the common feeling amongst the mining population on the subject. 33. Mr. Hall.] We want facts, not what they could say. You say that the work has not led to the discovery of the gold fields ? —Of course he cannot be blamed for that. I believe it has not led to the discovery of gold fields ; on the contrary. 34. You were speaking of no report having been furnished. Are you aware whether there has been any application made for such a report ? —I am not aware. 35. By the Province of Otago ? —I am not aware. I think it is very likely that there has been, but I am not conscious of it. 36. Of your own knowledge you are not aware whether any ajiplication has been made ? —The subject has been frequently talked of in the Provincial Council. 37. You have not, since you have been Superintendent of the Province, made any application to him ?—No. 38. Can you state under what circumstances Dr. Hector left the service of the Province?—l cannot say. 39. You do not know whether he resigned or was transferred ? —I do not know. 40. Mr. Macffarlane.] —"Who would know that? —Mr. Harris. Mr. Balfour was translated or removed about the same time. 41. Mr. Hall.] —Is that all ? —I desire to lay special stress upon the fact of having to engage this Mr. Ulrich. The reason why he is not at work at present is because it is the wrong season. 42. Can you tell the Committee why it is necessary that you should engage Mr. Ulrich ?—I can only state that we are ignorant of the geological resources of the country from a professional point of view. 43. Would it not be more prudent to apply to Dr. Hector for a report before engaging this geologist ?—I think it is very likely we should be better satisfied with a report from another party. 44. Prom some one else ?—Yes ; I know that the impression is that we would be more satisfied by having a report of that person to whom I refer, from Victoria, Mr. Ulrich. It is believed that he is practically conversant with the geological features of the country. 45. Do you mean as regards gold digging alone ?—I mean gold digging. I may mention one reason why we are so anxious. Wo intend spending money in making reservoirs and water-races, and we must be guided by the geological indications as to where the gold is likely to be permanent. 46. Mr. Macffarlane. .] I have seen a map, by Dr. Hector, of your Province. There is a map here of his survey. I have seen one with gold, silver, and coal indications marked. I understood it was part of the public property ?—Well, I have not got it. 47. If you applied you could get a copy ? —I am not aware. 48. Mr. Hall.'] What salary do you propose to give Mr. Ulrich ? —So much a week. I expect it will cost, including assistants, £2,000. 49. Chairman.~\ When Mr. Selwyn was geologist of Victoria I think it was £5,000 ? —lt was done by contract; he paid for the men and assistants. 50. Mr. Macffarlane.] (Map produced by Clerk of Committee.) That is not the map I referred to ; the one I spoke of had marked the indication of gold and silver. {To Witness.) Your contract originally was for three years? —Yes. 51. Was he fully occupied with you the whole of the time ? —Yes. 52. Did he do anything for himself?—He did nothing for himself. 53. Was he exclusively occupied in the work of his department ?—Yes. 54. Was it from any fault of his that the survey was not completed in three years ? —On that I cannot express an opinion. 55. You must come up to that point ?—I believe ho was occupied all the time ; whether from any fault of his the survey was not completed I cannot say. 56. You have no fault to find ?—I have no fault to find. All I complain of is, that we have not got the report for which we stipulated. 57. Did you get an interim report ? —I do not know of any report. I believe, in the " Proceedings of the New Zealand Exhibition," you will find certain statements of Dr. Hector, but they are of a desultory character. 58. Chairman.'] Was it with the assent of the provincial authorities of Otago that Dr. Hector left the service of the Province ? —That I am not aware of, but it can be easily ascertained. 59. Mr. Macffarlane.] Did he give the requisite notice, according to the terms of his agreement? —That I do not know. 60. How long was he with you ? —He must have been three or four years. 61. Was he only to remain three years, finished or not finished ? —I take it that under that contract ho was bound to supply us with a report in three years. 62. But if he could not do it ? —I imagine that he was bound under the agreement. You can read it. 63. I have read the agreement, and that is why I ask the question. He was bound to give you six weeks' notice at the end of the three years. There is only a clause of a preferential claim to his services against any other Province. Do you not know whether he gave that notice : whether he asked to continue, and you refused to do so ? —He will be able to answer that himself. If it is necessary, I can obtain information as to the circumstances under which he left the service.