I.- 5a

P. VEKSCHAFFELT.

59

17. Then, if Mr. Kensington says that the Crawford matter was prior to this other matter, is he wrong?—lt xvas subsequent to this matter. The Crawford matter was a later date. 18. You said you asked the messenger who Mr. Macdonald was?— Yes. 19. That was while I was going out? —No, while you were there. 20. How long xvere xve there? —I could not say how long. When I had finished with the papers —that was all I was concerned with while I was in the room —I went out. I was only there two or three minutes. 21. You said you never knew Mr. Macdonald before this?—l had probably seen him, bu l had not known him by name. 22. Hoxv long have you been in Wellington?— Two years last August. 23. Did you ever go to the Legislative Council? —No. 24. When did you first recall the fact that Mr. Macdonald and myself were there?—l do not think I did recall it. I remember your being there quite distinctly. 25. When did you first think of it afterwards? —You mean, when was it brought up again? 26. Yes?—l do not know that I ever forgot it. With the correspondence going through I recollected it. 27. How long xvas I there over Mr. Crawford's matter?—l think I saw you twice about Mr. Crawford's matter. 28. Hon. Mr. McNab.] You remember Mr. Hislop coming in in reference to Mr. Crawford's land J—Yes. 29. And that was subsequent to this matter you are referring to now?— Yes. 30. Mr. Remington.] Are certain the tw r o gentlemen, Mr. Hislop and Mr. Macdonald, looking at them now, were the two gentlemen you saw in Mr. Kensington's room?—Y T es. 31. Mr. Syme.] What induced you to.ask the messenger who the gentleman was that was xvith Mr. Hislop?—Curiosity, I think. I generally like to knoxv who people are xvhen they call, in case anything afterwards turns up. It is very handy to knoxv. I had only been there (at the Head Office) about eight or nine months then. 32. You usually try to find out?— Yes. Robert Aimers Paterson re-examined. (No. 16.) 1. Mr. Kensington.] What is your name?— Robert Aimers Paterson. 2. What position do you hold in the Lands and Survey Department?— Chief Accountant. •'!. Which comprises not only the accounts of the Lands and Survey Department, but the Lands for Settlers, State Forests, Scenery-preservation, and all the purchases in connection xvith Maori lands, with an expenditure of about £480,000 a year, or something like that?— Yes. 4. Then, you require to have a good memory?— That is essential. 5. Do you remember coming into my room on or about the 29th April, 1907? —Yes, I recollect being in at that time. 6. Did you see anybody in my room?— Not when I was in the first time, but on my returning txvo gentlemen were there. 7. Who were the two gentlemen you saw in my room?— Mr. Hislop and Mr. Macdonald. 8. You are quite positive the txvo were there together?— Quite certain. 9. There is no doubt about it at all? —There is no doubt in my mind. 10. You know the gentlemen very well indeed? —Very well, yes, by sight. 11. Did you go out again?— Yes, not more than a few minutes elapsed. 12. Did I explain to you xvhat xvas the nature of the interview? —You said what they came for. 13. Will you tell the Committee, in your oxvn words, xvhat I said to you?— After explaining the particular business they had come about, you told me that they had explained the business to you, and you suggested that they had better put the matter in writing, and that Mr. Hislop turned to Mr. Macdonald and said that Mr. Macdonald would put it in writing. 14. Can you say from your own knoxvledge hoxv you find my memory alxvays, xvith the multitude of things I have to deal xvith? —Speaking candidly, I must say I have never met any one xvith a better memory in the service, and I have had an experience of about fifteen years. 15. And you have not noticed of late that it has failed at all?—No, not in the slightest. It is as good as ever it xvas. 16. Hon. Mr. Hislop.] When did you first think of this interviexv again—wdien did it first occur to you? I suppose you see hundreds of people there during the week? —Yes. 17. Twenty or thirty a day? —Sometimes. 18. Was there anything unusual about this visit? —I had never seen you in the office before. I have never seen you xvith Mr. Macdonald —never at all together. 19. Does not that sort of thing occur nearly every day in your room? —Not txx-o prominent public men. 20. Can you not remember any other instance of two prominent men coming together?— Not in the office. 21. Have you seen me there before or since?— Yes, since. I have seen you there together. 22. When xvas that?—ln June last. 23. At any other time? —No. 24. Have you ever seen me there? —That I could not swear to at all. 25. You would not?— Because I do not see every one that comes. 26. Did you ever see me with Mr. Crawford? —No. 27. Mr. Craxvford is rather a prominent man?— Yes, I knoxv Mr. Crawford by sight, but 1 never saw you there with him. 28. Had you anything to do with this particular business —was it xvithin your function at all at that time? —I should not say it was.