J. B. FIELDEB.I

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34. Do you know whether the Archdeacon has given any money to the Hukarere School?— Yes. By the published accounts up to 1904 he has given £2,405 Is. 4d. 35. These were by way of gift?— Yes. In order to save the Commission going through the accounts I will state them. For the years ending the 30th June, 1893, £29 9s. Id.; 1901, £600; 1902, £205 145.; 1903, £400; and 1904, £1,169 18s. 3d. : making a total of £2,405 Is. 4d. 36. I suppose you do not know whether he has given any other moneys privately that have not appeared in the accounts? —I believe he has, but I do not know the amounts. 37. Has he given any moneys to the Te Aute College?—He has expended large sums of money on improvements which have not been shown in the accounts. 38. That is during his tenancy?— Yes, in addition to the rent he has paid as our tenant. 39. What do these improvements consist" of ?—lmprovements in the pasture, planting trees, fencing, erecting buildings, and general improvement of the estate. 40. There is a chapel on the estate: that was not paid for out of the trust fund?—No; that was erected by private contributions. 41. And the other buildings have all been erected by the Archdeacon at his own expense—the trustees have not expended any moneys on the property themselves?— No. We have expended no moneys whatever out of the trust funds in the erection of buildings that I know of. Of course, the accounts will show. 42. I will ask you to produce the Crown grants?—l do so. There are four Crown grants and one certificate of title [Exhibits Nos. 3, 4, 5, 6, and 7J. 43. With regard to the exchange of land made between the trustees and the Archdeacon, what do you know about that? —When Archdeacon Williams applied to the trustees it was deemed advisable that certain lands adjacent to the trust estate should be exchanged with the Archdeacon, and in order that the trustees might be put in possession of the full facts, and the value of the lands that were to be exchanged, the trustees obtained a valuation from Mr. Horace Baker, surveyor and land agent, and late Commissioner of Crown Lands for Hawke's Bay. We thought that he was the most competent man to give the information, and he gave a written report that the lands offered in exchange for the lands of the trust were of great advantage to the trust, and that they would increase the value and utility of the trust estate. Then it was necessary for permission to be obtained from the Diocesan Synod, and also from the General Synod. 44. You say generally that the exchange was a fair exchange, and beneficial to the trust?— Yes. It was of more benefit to the trust than to Archdeacon Williams. 45. Then, you say that the trust by that exchange was the gainer?— Yes. 46. And you say so on the advice you got from Mr. Horace Baker?-—Yes. I produce the report we got from Mr. Baker at the time [Exhibit No. B]. 47. Is Mr. Baker an honourable and reliable valuer?— Yes. 48. And you had confidence in his opinion?— Every confidence. 49. It was an absolutely independent and unbiassed valuation so far as you know?— Quite. 50. The matter was carefully considered by the trustees, and they decided to agree to the exchange?— Yes, and to recommend the exchange to the General Synod. 51. And the Synod consented to the transaction?— Yes. That appears in the Proceedings of the Fifteenth General Synod in 1901. At page 90 this resolution appears: " That this Synod sanctions the exchange by the trustees of the Te Aute College trust of 315 acres 2 roods 1 perch, being part of the Te Aute College lands, for 315 acres 2 roods I perch, being part of the Poupoutahi, Roto-a-tara, and Otukotorewhero Blocks, the property of the Yen. Archdeacon Samuel Williams." At page 101 there is the report of the committee on reports of trustees, as follows: "Your committee have considered an application made by Mr. A. J. Cotterill, on behalf of the trustees of the Te Aute College trust, for the sanction of the Synod to be given for an exchange of 315 acres 2 roods 1 perch, being part of the Te Aute College lands, for the same quantity of land belonging to the Venerable Samuel Williams. Your committee have taken evidence from Mr. Cotterill, Archdeacon Williams, and Mr. Fielder, and have examined a plan of the several places, together with reports of resolutions of trustees and valuator appointed by them, and have seen a copy of a favourable resolution by the Diocesan Synod in its last session. Your committee are satisfied that the proposed exchange of land is favourable to the Te Aute trust, and do recommend that the sanction of the Synod be given thereto." And it was sanctioned accordingly. 52. There is another small exchange shown by the deeds, between Mr. Stokes and the trustees? —Yes ; that was years ago —in 1868. It was to adjust boundaries, and to secure a good line of fencing. Of course, that went before the General Synod also. I may say that under the canons no sale of land or exchange of trust estate can be effected unless it is sanctioned by the General Synod. 53. And these exchanges have been beneficial to the estate? —Yes. 54. These are all the exchanges?— Yes. 55. In regard to the leases, do you produce the three leases between the trustees and the Archdeacon ?—Yes. The first lease I have is dated the 13th June, 1878 [Exhibit No. 9]. The second is dated the 2nd September, 1892 [Exhibit No. 10]. There is also attached to it a copy of a report made by Captain Russell, one of the trustees [Exhibit No. 11]. 56. With regard to the first lease, I suppose you believe that the terms and conditions of that lease were faithfully carried out?— Yes. 57. None of the buildings or. improvements effected on the land were ever removed?— No. The Archdeacon has never exercised his right to remove them. 58. Can you give us any idea what the buildings and improvements consist of?—I cannot. 59. When the second lease expired, did the Archdeacon remain on? —Yes; he continued under the terms and conditions of the second lease. 60. Before the expiry of the second lease, were there a.ny negotiations for a new lease? —Yes,

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