I.—6a,

40

294. Then you did not hurry to accept ?—No, I did not; my belief in its value being £3 10s., based upon the price £3 12s. 6d. obtained by public sale, made me most reluctant to accept the Government's offer of £2 10s. 295. You took counsel? —I did. 296. And then you accepted ?—Yes. 297. And then the matter was completed in the ordinary way?—Yes. 298. Plad you any communication with the Minister during these negotiations ?—No. 299. Directly or indirectly ?—No. 300. You have spoken of an interview with him when the Land for Settlements Act came into force ? ; —The next was during the election row. My recollection is not very distinct, although I imagine, if I met him at Palmerston after the meeting of Assembly, I would naturally ask why they were not paying for my land. Am not certain of this. 301. How did he communicate with you, or you with him, at election time ?—He was at Shag Point, and his secretary sent me a query, in effect, "What is the meaning of Mr. Scobie Mackenzie's insinuations; give me the whole history?" 302. Mr. Scobie Mackenzie.] What is the date of that?—lt would be about the election time. 303. The Chairman.] But after the completion of the purchase?—Yes, after the payment. 304. Was it from the Minister's secretary you got this ? —Yes; in a few words. 305. And you replied on the 13th of November?—Yes, and on the 16th. [Letters handed in: Appendices Al3 and A14.1 306. Dr. Fitchett.] Had you any other communication with the Minister ?—That is the lot. 307. Did you have any communication with Mr. Thomas Mackenzie?—l wrote to Mr. Thomas Mackenzie, and he said courteously that he would do what he could with the petition.

Friday, 14th September, 1894. Before Mr. Douglas was recalled, and before his examination was resumed, Mr. A. Barron, Under-Secretary of Crown Lands, was recalled and further cross-examined by Mr. Scobie Mackenzie, at his request. 1. Mr. Scobie Mackenzie.] At the commencement of this inquiry, certain papers selected from the file relating to the Pomahaka lands were laid on the table by Dr. Fitchett; such as he thought necessary for these proceedings ?—I am not aware of it. 2. Not aware of any papers having been laid on the table ? —No. 3. Did Dr. Fitchett take them from the file without the knowledge of Mr. Barron? Dr. Fitchett: The whole file is lying here and I took from it the papers I put in evidence. 4. Mr. Scobie Mackenzie (to witness).] Did he get the file?—Yes. 5. The whole file ?—Yes. 6. Are you aware that on the first examination Dr. Fitchett used part of the file ?—I am not aware of it. 7. Did the Chairman request you to send the whole file up ?—Yes. 8. Did you send it ?—I gave it to Dr. Fitchett. 9. On your oath, do you say you sent the whole of the papers?—Yes. 10. I am speaking of the file connected with the Pomahaka purchase ?—Yes. 11. Two days ago I asked the Chairman that the file might come up yesterday ; did you send the entire file up? —I sent up the remainder of the file. 12. The remainder?—Yes; other than what Dr. Fitchett had already used. 13. How is it that the telegram which came out in the evidence yesterday, in which Mr. Eitchie urged the payment of the purchase-money as soon as possible —I want to know how it is that that document is not on the file?—l cannot say. Is it not there? Dr. Fitchett, can you enlighten us on this ? Dr. Fitchett: I cannot. 14. (To witness)] How is it that when you have been asked for the entire file the entire file is not here? It came out in evidence yesterday that Mr. Eitchie sent you a telegram, as head of the department, asking that the money should be paid to Mr. Douglas at once, because he required it; that telegram is not among the papers. I want you to say how it is that the order of the Committee should be disobeyed ? 15. Dr. Fitchett: lam looking to see if it is in the abstract; Ido not see it in the abstract ? —It may have been attached to the Voucher and sent on to the Treasury, with the request that payment should be expedited. 16. Mr. Scobie Mackenzie (to witness).] Was it sent to you? —I do not recollect. 17. Would you swear that it is on that file?—No ; I would not. 18. Dr. Fitchett.] Will you tell us what is the practice of the department in respect to keeping the files of papers ?—Letters are received by me; they are sent to the Chief Clerk, who distributes them to the Becord Clerks. 19. Who are the Becord Clerks ?—The clerks who record the transaction in the same manner as is here shown ; they make a precis of each letter or telegram. It is quite likely that this telegram referred to was received and handed to the Accountant, taken to the Treasury, and left there. 20. The Chairman.] Would it be considered by the department ?—Yes, it would be considered. 21. Mr. Green.] Are unimportant documents put on the file ?—Trifling documents having no importance would not. The documents, if kept, should be in the department now. No doubt, unless accidentally destroyed, it would be. It might, however, be handed to the Accountant to look after the vouchers, and left in the Treasury. 22. Would it be attached to a voucher kept in the department ?—Very likely. 23. What is the practice ?—A trifling request that money should be expedited is often of no consequence, and might not be kept.