G.—s

2

W. L. WILLIAMS

39. So that school is managed altogether apart from the Te Aute College? —Yes. 40. Who pays over the contribution from the Te Aute funds to that school? —It is paid direct by Archdeacon Williams. 41. And the books of accounts will show that? —Yes. 42. Is that the only school which benefits from the Te Aute trust, outside the Te Aute College? —Yes. 43. And the system of education in that school is entirely in the hands of the lady principal/ —Yes, Miss Williams has the general superintendence of it. 44. And the trustees have a supervising jurisdiction or control—they know what is going on ?—Yes. 45. And they approve of the teaching, and so forth?— Yes. 1 may say that the school is examined by the Native School Inspector regularly, and is reported upon in the Education Report. 46. With regard to accounts, I understand the accounts have been sent in annually to the Diocesan Synod, and trienially to the General Synod? —Yes. 47. These accounts are audited in the ordinary way? —Yes. 48. And submitted to the trustees?— Yes. 49. And they examine them? —Yes. 50. And that has been done regularly ever since the inception of the trust?— Since my time. I cannot say from the inception of the trust, but it is the ordinary course followed. 51. With regard to the leasing, what is the lease now in existence? —The leases will be produced by Mr. Fielder. 52. Speaking generally?— The present lease is for twelve years. 53. When was it executed?—l think about two years ago. 54. That is the lease under which the £2,200 is paid?— Yes. 55. 1 believe there are certain exceptions—that the college buildings, and residence, and other buildings are excluded from the lease? —Yes. I think there are about 100 acres. 56. You have heard the Commission read. Somebody has alleged —it does not say who—that the lands have not been let by public tender or otherwise to the best advantage. Now, prior to this existing lease, what lease was there in existence? —There was a previous lease. I am not prepared to say what the terms of it were exactly. 57. Was the existing lease offered by public auction or by tender? —No, it was not. 58. The Archdeacon had been in possession of the estate for many, many years before? —Yes. 59. And the trustees considered he was entitled to some consideration in the renewal of the lease ?—I think I may say that the trustees considered it was the best thing to continue that arrangement, but they made all inquiries as to the value of the property. 60. You thought that it was desirable to continue the Archdeacon in possession as he had been for many years in possession of the estate?— Yes; it was considered rather to the advantage of the institution that he should continue. 61. Before entering into that lease, did you take any steps to have a valuation made to satisfy you that the rental offered was a fair one? —Yes, a professional man was instructed to value it. 62. Who was that?— Mr. Horace Baker. 63. Is he a reliable and competent valuer?— Yes, I think so. He is considered so. 64. Did he report to the trustees in writing before the lease was agreed upon?— Yes. [Exhibit No. 13.] 65. And his report will be forthcoming when Mr. Fielder is present?— Yes. 66. Did the trustees carefully consider the question of rent when the lease was granted?— Yes. 67. Did they consider the rent of £2,200 a year was a fair one? —Yes. I may say they considered the land-tax valuation too. They considered that was a fair rent. It was not a rent offered by the Archdeacon. The rent was fixed by the trustees. 68. You asked more rent than he offered? —Yes. 69. How much more? —It may be the £200 a year. I forget the amount. 70. However, you asked a little more than he offered, and he conceded the demand?— Yes. I ma}' say in explanation that he did not make any direct offer, but that the trustees were asking more than the sum placed upon it by Mr. Baker. 71. Now, in granting that lease, I suppose you were all actuated by a desire to see the estate yield the best rent, looking to the whole of the surroundings and circumstances?— Yes. I may say I did not personally take any part in the arrangement, though I approved of it. I did not oppose it. I considered that it was the best thing for the estate that the Archdeacon should be continued on the estate. 72. I suppose if he had not got a renewal he would have had to go, and you thought it was desirable that his presence and influence and personality should be continued on the estate? —Yes. 73. You are satisfied, looking at the whole of the surroundings and at the history of this trust, that it was the best thing which could be done for the trust?— Yes, that is my opinion. 74. I suppose Mr. fielder will be able to tell us all about the rent which was paid previous to this lease?— Yes. 75. You had nothing to do with any of the previous leases?— No. 76. Now, there was an exchange made: do you know why the exchange was made?—lt was made for the convenience of both parties really. 77. It was mutually beneficial? —Yes. There had been more than one exchange. There was an exchange many years ago between the estate and Mr. Stokes, the holder of the adjoining land, to accommodate the boundary between the two estates. 78. Had you any opinion as to the value of the property you were taking in exchange?—We had it valued by Mr. Baker. 79. Did he advise you that the exchange was beneficial to the trust, and a fair arrangement? —Yes.