I.—sa

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J. K. PALMER.

question of the erection of the wall at Woodward Street, by the Finance Committee at their meetings of the 27th August and 3rd December, 1907." That is the first record that the Finance Committee have of the matter ?—The 27th August—that is correct. 30. Did the City Council ever make any payment in connection with this transaction?—No. 31. And you knew nothing of the proposal of the Council to purchase the Government land until the 28th June, or the receipt of the letter of the 28th June from Mr. Strauchon ?—No, nothing. -in i 32. Hon. Mr. Hislop.] Do you remember my coming up after a debate in the Council and telling you that I had been to the Lands Office "for the purpose of seeing that decimal four, or four, perches on the plan?— Yes. 33. I told you then that I had seen a letter from Macdonald, Wilson, and Co. ?—Yes. 34. And I asked you to try and procure a copy of it?—That is so. 35. In order to understand xvhat the subject of Mr. Strauchon's letter xvas, you said I had to look at the map before I could trace it?— Yes. _ 36. And then it xvas a mere suggestion that it might have something to do with it?— Yes, it was from the number of the section that you thought it might refer to Woodxvard Street, _ 37. Mr. Witty.] Was the xvhole matter laid clearly before the Council, dealing with the Woodxvard Street land, after the Finance Committee meeting?— Yes, certainly. 38. Mr. Hall.] Were there any dissentients?—No. 39 Mr Remington.] Would official communication xvith owners of property with regard to the taking of areas'come from you on behalf of the City Council ?—Yes, generally speaking Of course it is not unusual for the Mayor to write a letter to a Minister, but my official correspondence takes place with the Under-Secretary. 40. Had you any reason to write official letters to the owner of the section?— No. 41. Do you knoxv xvhether there are any such letters on record in the Town Clerk s office?— There is none having reference to the widening of the street. 42. Hon. Mr. Hislop.] You leave the actual carrying-out of exchanges and purchases to the City Solicitor ?—Yes. 43. Was the letter from Mr. Strauchon given to him?— Yes. 44. Was there any interference by anybody in respect to what he did?—Absolutely none. 45. He xvas left to carry out the instructions?— Yes. 46 Mr Fisher ] In ansxver to Mr. Witty, you said the whole matter xvas laid before the Council after the receipt of Mr. Strauchon's letter?—No, after it came before the Finance Committee. ~ . 47 Did you ever knoxv, as executive officer, that a letter was written to the Government byMr. Macdonald in May of last year?— Not at that time, but I knew it at a subsequent time. 48. This year?—lt xvas this year.

Wednesday, 2nd September, 1908. Robert Letham re-examined. (No. 14.) . 1 Mr Kensington.] What is your name I—Robert1—Robert Letham. 2. What position do you hold" in the Lands and Survey Department?— Messenger. 3 We consider you as a confidential messenger?— Yes. 4' How many years have you been in the service?—l think, fifteen years next Eebruary. 5' Do you remember, at the end of April, 1907, coming into my room and telling me that Mr. Hislop and the Hon. Kennedy Macdonald wanted to see me?— Yes. ' „ Q ., 6 Do you recollect coming into my room and telling me anything on the morning of the 29th April' 1907'?—1 do not recollect the date. I remember distinctly going in and saying to you that Mr Hislop and Mr. Macdonald wanted to see. you, and you said, "By all means admit them. I remember quite clearly—it was shortly after the mayoral election of 1.107. 7. You showed them into my room?— Yes, according to your instructions. 6. You are quite positive you showed in Mr. Hislop, the Mayor of Wellington, and the Hon. Kennedy Macdonald?—Yes, lam quite clear on that point. 9. You have no doubt about that?—No. 10 Had I not only recently returned from Gisborne?—Yes. il Do you remember when I returned ?-Somewhere about the 26th April, as far as my reCOll i e 2 Cti D n o tou e remember Mr. Verschaffelt coming out of my room?-Yes, going backwards and forxvards ou+ of your room to the record-room. 13 Did he make any remark to you when he came out?-He asked me who the other gentleman was with Mr. Hislop, and I told him it was the Hon. Mr. Macdonald 14 Are you not an office-bearer in the Presbyterian Church?—\es, lam 5 HoVMr. Hislop.] When did you first think of this visit after it took place ?-Which vis, 16. The visit you have been speaking about f-After Mr. Kensington asked me ,f I could V That was after this little hubbub started ?-I was not axvare there was any hubbub. 18' Mr Kensington came to you?—He called me m and asked me. 9 Can vote me the words he used?-He asked me if I could recall you and Mr. Macdona Id paying hinra 7 visit. I thought for a moment, and said, " I do remember them calling just after the mayoral election of 1907." , ■ 20 Can you remember any other person coming m with me f—No.

B—T. SA.