118

[w. h7r. dale.

H.—29.

225. In Wellington they draw hanks from one in three, and open up one in teii. That, you think, would be quite sufficient to detect any danger?—Yes. They pull out the inside of the bale in drawing the hanks. Arthur Hughes Turnbull sworn and examined. (No. 63.) 226. The Chairman] What are you?—Merchant. 22 7. You include with that term, wool? —Y'es. 228. We understand you can give us some information as to the conditions under which wool is received. Y r ou receive wool—that is, you are not a wool-grower? —I do not receive wool. 229. What do you do with it?—l do not receive wool. 23a. Well, are you quibbling on the word " receive "? Have you anything to do with wool at all? —1 have had a fair quantity. 231. Do you deal with wool?—Yes, I deal with wool. 232. Oh! You are not a shuffler?—l do not know that you have a right to address me thus. If. I do not leave this box I shall want to have the questions put to me courteously. 233. Very well. Do you say you have nothing to do with wool? —1 do not know that you are in a fit condition to question me. 234. I will put an open question to you. Do you receive wool?—No, Ido not receive wool. 235. Then, what do you do with wool: be good enough to tell us that?—Yes. I want that recorded. Ido not receive wool. lam perfectly willing to answer any questions that may be put to me courteously. 236. Have you anything to do with wool, courteously or otherwise? —I have had a fair quantity of wool. 237. You do not understand that you receive wool?—No. 238. Where do you buy your wool?—Generally in auction sales. 239. And what is your business? What are you here? You said a "merchant"? —I am a merchant. 240. In the widest sense of the term, or in what sense of the term? —[No answer.] 241. You are a merchant? —[No answer.] 242. Can you give us any information about the cause of these wool-fires? —We will give you any information, as I have told you. I will give you any information which I think will be of information to the Commission. 243. Oh! you are the man who would decide that?—lf you will be good enough to ask questions I will answer. 244. I see. Then what is the name of your firm? —A. H. Turnbull and Co. 245. And who are the members of that firm?—l am. 246. And the " Co."?—I am. 247. You are the only man, and there is no "Co " ?—1 trade under the name of "A. H. Turn bull and Co." 248. And there is no " Co."? —Only the title. 249. So you are the gentleman who represents the company?—Yes. 250. And what is your business? —Merchant. I buy wool. .^ 251. Do you buy direct from the growers chiefly, or in the auction sales ?—[No answer.] 252. Do you buy from the growers or simply as it is put in the sales? —Chiefly in the auction sales. 1 buy it from the auctioneers. 253. Not from the growers direct?—No; not once in a year. 254. Do you ever buy from the growers? —Yes, I have, at times. 1 think so. 255. You are thinking about it? —I might have had one line in a year direct, but not more. 256. Have you ever shipped wool? —Yes. 257. Ido not know why you should take this attitude?—l do not know why you should treat a witness in this discourteous manner. ■258. You have had wool to ship?—Y r es. 259. Do you ship it direct yourself? —1 ship it in the ordinary- way to London. 260. Direct, or through anybody else?—Yes. 261. What do you mean? —Do you mean through merchants? 262. Direct. lam giving in even you? —If you insist upon treating me in this manner I will refuse to answer any questions. 263. We will let you alone directly. Where have your last shipments been made?—About January. 264. This year?—l9o6. 265. Through what shipping companies do you ship?—l could not tell you from memory. 266.' Your business is so extensive? —There are so many steamers that you cannot carry them all in your mind. 267. Can you tell us one or two of the steamers? —No. 268. Have you no record? —I cannot remember any of the vessels which have taken our wool. 269. Have you sent any by the " Gothic "?—No. 270. Any through the " Rimutaka "?—No. 271. " Waimate "?—No, none. 272. " Pitcairn Island "?—None. . _ 273. Then where have you shipped it through?—Shaw-Savill ships. I could not give the The Chairman: You are a merchant, and cannot give the names of any of the vessels which carried your goods. (To Commissioners.) I think we had better get this witness to come tomorrow morning, and produce his books, showing by what steamers he has shipped. Mr. Turnbull (to Mr. Foster) : Will you put some questions to me, Mr. Foster?