W. H. P. BAEBEB.I

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244. And if Mr. Clark says he got them from you, he or you are telling a taradiddle?—l understood that I returned to Mr. Clark only those papers which Mr. Clark gave me. If I returned additional papers they must have been included with Mr. Clark's papers either in the Premier's office or the Defence Department. I had no papers from any one else—not from you or your officers. 245. These vouchers are Defence papers, and were found with Mr. Clark ?—lf I sent them back with Mr. Clark's papers they must have been included in them in the Defence Department. I never received papers from any one else. I returned the papers I got from him. What Mr. Clark gave me I have no record of. Captain Clark further examined. (No. 6.) 246. Bt. Hon. B. J. Seddon.] On what date did you receive those papers from Mr. Barber? —About two days after the petition was sent to the House. This was about two months ago. Mr. Barber's theory is quite correct. 247. (To Mr. Barber.) What officer did you see ?—Mr. Grey. 248. Did you see any other officer of the Defence Department ?—No ; I saw Mr. Collins. 249. (To Mr. Grey.) If you were making up a voucher and put the items on two sheets would you tear half off [producing voucher with bottom half torn off] ? —I do not think the Auditor would pass that voucher, but he might. 250. Mr. B. McKenzie (to Mr. Grey).] Would that voucher pass the Auditor? —I do not think so. It might or might not. 251. Bt. Hon. B. J. Seddon (to Captain Clark).] Who did you give the voucher to originally? —To Sir Arthur Douglas. 252. When did you get them again ?—I received them again when I got them from Mr. Barber. 253. Mr. Barber.] If there was any irregularity would it not be sent back to you for correction ? —I have not that experience. 254. The receipts are there ? —Yes. 255. Then the whole thing belongs to the Department ?—-Yes ; nobody has any right to have vouchers of this kind. 256. The Chairman.] Do you not have files of these vouchers? Are they not all recorded?— Yes. 257. Can you account for them getting off the file?—No, I cannot. Major N. Smith examined. (No. 7.) 258. Bt. Hon. B. J. Seddon.] What is your position ? — Staff Officer under General Babington. 259. Do you know Lieutenant Clark?—Yes. 260. Was he in the office at any work ?—Yes. 261. Did you give him any instructions at any time ?—I do not know that I did personally. 262. You have no recollection ?—No. 263. Captain Clark says you gave him instructions ?—I possibly did through Captain Joyce. I would have told Captain Joyce about Captain Clark. 264. What is the custom if you are giving any instructions to any person to perform any specific duty : you would tell him it ?—Certainly. 265. And also the emolument he was to receive ? —Certainly. 266. Have you seen the authority signed by the Acting Minister in this matter ?—I have seen it. 267. Have you ever seen it before ? —Yes. 263. Are you not a chief officer, responsible for the staff in the Commandant's office?— Yes. 269. You are aware that Captain Clark was working for a number of months?— Yes. 270. Are you aware that he signed any vouchers ?—I have no doubt he did so. 271. Would they not have to be certified to by you ?—Yes, the voucher to be sent in. 272. Could any voucher be sent in without Ministerial authority for the work in which Captain Clark was engaged ? —I did not take the authority signed by the Acting Minister of Defence as Ministerial authority for the work done by Captain Clark. 273. If General Babington says this is a Ministerial authority, would you say it is not ?—I would say it is. 274. Captain Clark sent in some vouchers; have you certified to them ? —Yes. 275. At the time he gave you that voucher [produced] and asked you to certify to it, do you not see on the face the authority of the Hon. Mr. Hall-Jones?—Yes, I see that. 276. You have actually certified to the payment of that order? —Yes, that is so, sir. 277. Now look at that sent with a duplicate? —Yes. 278. So that you have signed twice ?—Yes. 279. Had it escaped your memory ?—Yes, sir. 280. Now, when Captain Clark gave you those two vouchers did he say he was prepared to accept that amount ?—He asked me to certify to it. I know we discussed the matter on two or three occasions. This is the amended voucher. First of all it was that the salary was as for captain, and I think he eventually sent in a lieutenant's claim. 281. Is that a lieutenant's claim [voucher produced for pay at £4 per week] ? Is there anything there about lieutenant's pay ?—No, sir. 282. That is a payment at £4 per week?— Yes. 283. You say that all salaries go on an ordinary pay-sheet; is that a pay-sheet ?—No; it is a voucher. 3—l. 10.