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2596. Because we have evidence that on one being removed from some place in the South he got £400 ?—I believe he was incapable from ill health. 2597. From ill health and old age ? —Yes. 2598. Hon. the Chairman.] The case of Macdonald? —Yes ; that was the case. 2599. Would you state under what circumstances he was removed ? —He was removed because he was of an age at which he was of no use. He was physically incapable of carrying on the work. It was thought right in that case to give him compensation, seeing that he was not dismissed because he was careless or ignorant, or anything of that sort, but simply from infirmity of old age. 2600. That compensation was given by the Government ?—Yes; the Minister authorized that compensation. 2601. Would Mr. Bayly have anything to do with that ?—Yes; he recommended it. 2602. He has stated that Mr. Macdonald had been in the public service twelve or thirteen years, and the compensation was calculated according to the ordinary rule of the service—one month's pay for every year ? —Yes; but there was this difference : Mr. Macdonald had served a number of years which he was not able to count, because it was provincial. When the abolition of provinces took place a clause was put into some Act—l forget the name of the Act, but the clause goes by the name of " Kelly's clause" —to provide that no officer coming into the service of the colony from the Provincial Service should be entitled, on retiring on account of old age, to compensation for any time which he had served under the Provincial Government. 2603. That would reduce Mr. Macdonald's term by about four years, making it eight years instead of twelve ; and he was receiving, I think, £400 a year ? —Yes; he got less than he thought he ought to have had, and he has been writing up quite lately under the impression that he still has a claim. 2604. Was it an exceptional sum that was given to him—a month's pay for every year of service: was he treated with exceptional kindness ? —I could not exactly say that. At all events he got everything that could be given to him. 2605. They entertained his case favourably?— They entertained his case favourably. 2606. Was it Mr. Bayly's doing that he got the £400, or did Mr. Bayly simply recommend that he should have a retiring allowance. Can you state if he wrote up and said, " I recommend that he be given £400 to induce him to retire " ? —Mr. Bayly's recommendation would be that he should be allowed to retire and receive compensation. He would not name the sum. 2608. Hon. Mr. Williamson.] It is said this man was suffering from a wound he had received at some earlier time of his life ? —lt is very likely, but I do not know that. 2609. What age was he?—He was something over seventy. QRIO Tt ooomo in mo nn nVionvrl tVn'mcr t.Vi a.fc a. man fiVirvnlrl Via fin + it.Wl t,n a, rp.tirim f? allowance