I.—6a.

XII

(Telegram.) Wellington, 17th August, 1894. Since posting of letter inviting your editor to attend Waste Lands Committee on hearing of inquiry as to Pomahaka purchase, if he so desire, I have to inform you the date of commencement of inquiry has been fixed for Thursday, 30th August, when the evidence of the Surveyor-General will be taken. W. F. Hilson, The Manager, Otago Daily Times, Dunedin. Clerk, Waste Lands Committee.

Dear Sir, — Dunedin, 28th August, 1894. I have to acknowledge receipt of your letter of the 16th instant, conveying, under instructions of the Chairman of the Waste Lands Committee, an invitation to me to attend a meeting of the Committee, in connection with its consideration of the question of the Pomahaka purchase. I cannot see that any good purpose would be served by my attendance. Anything that I could say in connection with the purchase in question has been already said in the columns of the Otago Daily Times, in the performance of my duties as a journalist, and I must refer you to the articles in which the purchase was referred to. Thanking the Committee for the courtesy extended to me, I am, &c, Mr. W. F. Hilson, George Fenwick, Clerk to Waste Lands Committee, Editor, Otago Daily Times. House of Eepresentatives, Wellington.

Sir, — House of Eepresentatives, Wellington, 16th August, 1894. The Hon. Mr. John McKenzie, having asked for an inquiry into the charges made against him in connection with the Pomahaka purchase, the House has referred it to the Waste Lands Committee to make such inquiry; and I have the honour, under instructions from the Chairman, to invite you to attend, if you desire so to do; also to request you to forward to me the names and addresses of such-persons as you may wish to be called as witnesses. You shall have clue notice of the date on which your evidence is to be taken; and, with a view of securing the fullest investigation, the Committee will arrange to defray your expenses, as also those of your witnesses, if summoned. lam writing in similar terms to the editor of the Otago Daily Times. For your information I inclose copy of the Order of Eeference. An early reply is requested. I have, &c, W. F. Hilson, M. J. Scobie Mackenzie, Esq., Dunedin. Clerk, Waste Lands Committee.

(Telegram.) , 17th August, 1894. Since posting of letter inviting you to attend Waste Lands Committee, re hearing of inquiry as to Pomahaka purchase, if you so desire, I have to inform you that the date of the commencement of inquiry has been fixed for Thursday, 30th August, when the evidence of the Surveyor-General will be taken. W. F. Hilson, M. J. Scobie Mackenzie, Esq., Dunedin. Clerk, Waste Lands Committee.

(Telegram.) 18th August, 1894. Your telegram re-addressed to me here on my way up-country. Will not receive letter you refer to until about twenty-eighth, on my return to Dunedin. Gather from your telegram that lam invited attend Committee about Pomahaka. Shall, of course, do so, but cannot catch earlier steamer than Saturday, Ist September. Am assuming expenses paid. Eeply to Naseby. Clerk, Waste Lands Committee, Scobie Mackenzie, Waihemo. House of Eepresentatives, Wellington.

(Telegram.) 20th August, 18-94. Telegram received. If you so desire it, the inquiry will be postponed until Tuesday, 4th September, so as to enable you to be present from commencement. My letter asks you to submit names and addresses of any persons you may wish to be called as witnesses, so that Committee may summon them. Your expenses will be paid, also those of your witnesses. Please reply promptly. W. F. Hilson, Clerk, Waste Lands Committee, House of Eepresentatives, Wellington M. J. Scobie Mackenzie, Esq., Naseby.

(Telegram.) 25th August, 1894. Thanks telegram. Tuesday, 4th, will be convenient. Not being the prosecutor, I have no witnesses. The position is that the Committee do me the honour invite my attendance, and I accept. Scobie Mackenzie, Naseby. W. F. Hilson, Clerk, Waste Lands Committee, Wellington.

(Telegram.) 27th August, 1894. Pomahaka Purchase Inquiry postponed until Tuesday, 4th (fourth) September. W. F. Hilson, Clerk, Waste Lands Committee, House of Eepresentatives, Wellington. The Manager, Otago Daily Times, Dunedin.