75

I.—lla.

J, G. WABD.

by the increased rate imposed on the reduction. Ido not want to take up the time of the Committee further, Mr. Chairman. Until the statement was made in the House about political influence I never previously heard of such a suggestion. I consider the Board were dealing with everybody in the same way without any distinction. I have never known a loan dealt with as the result of political influence of any kind. 11. M.r. Hanan.] In election year, Sir Joseph, were loans granted about election time to districts represented by the then members of the Opposition as well as to districts represented by members of the then Government ?—I was not attending the Board meetings, so I can only say by referenc to the minute-book. On the 24th October, at the Board's meeting on that date, the minute book shows : —

Return showing Loans provisionally approved, finally approved, &c., between 20th October, 1911, and 15th December, 1911.

Date. Name of Local Body. Provisionally approved. Finally approved. 24/10/11 Arch Hill Road Board Waimarino County Council Karaka Road Board Featherston County Council Oakura Road Board Otane Town Board New Brighton Borough Council . . Waimate Borough Council One-tree Hill Road Board Christchurch Drainage Board Waipukurau Town Board Waimarino County Council Frankton Town Board .. Matamata County Council Drury Road Board Upper Wangaehu Road Board . . Rangiaohia Road Board Cook County Council £ 3,500 1,250 6,000 2,000 60 1.500 4,500 850 20.000 200 929 500 5,000 £ ss I 5> ss )5 )) ss )5 ss ss SS 30/10/1 1 150 500 300 2,000 1,800 1,800 11,500 ss ss 6/i'i/ii ss ss ss 33 Wanganui Borough Council Waikouaiti Borough Council Otahuhu Road Board Raglan County Council Hawera County Council Waverley Town Board Manaia Town Board Pelorus Road Board Waitotara County Council Waikohu County Council Waipawa Borough Council Dargaville Borough Council 0.000 1,500 3.000 600 3,000 2,000 2,950 5,300 1,250 3,900 ss ss ss 13/1 i/u 900 600 ss •>s ss ss ss 20/11/11 33 ' * New Lynn Town. Board Gisborne Borough Council Titirangi Road Board vVaihemo County Council Remuera Road Board Pukekohe Town Board Taihape Borough Council Waimarino County Council Hobson County Council Taranaki County Council Eketahuna Borough Council Hawera County Council 4,000 200 3,000 300 170 100 5,215 750 250 42,090 1.165 IS ss ss ss J 1 is 33 ■ ■ Mangatarata Road Board Waipukurau Town Board Waimate West County Council . . Wanganui East Borough Council Oroua County Council Havelock Town Board Rodney County Council Wanganui East Borough Council Dargaville Borough Council 600 600 3,000 925 375 12,000 1,800 370 .) . ss 27/11/11 500 11,500 20,000 33