I.—lla.

76

J. G. WARD.

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

Loans declined.

With regard to the Remuera loan, it was approved at the Board's meeting on the 13th November, and it was submitted to the Minister only after it came up at the Board meeting for determination and after a decision was arrived at by the Board. The minute-book says, " Recommended by the Board for the final approval of the Minister." That was on the 13th November. When it went round to the individual members of the Board it was afterwards sent to the Minister for final approval. 12. You did not approve the loan at all till after the election was over? —No. On the 13th November it came from the Board for the Minister's final approval. 13. Hon. Mr. Allen.] What is the date of the round-robin ?—That is the 7th November. 14. What is the date <*f the Minister's approval ? —The same date, 7th November—approved by Sir James Carroll. 15. Was that before the Board finally approved ? —Yes, but the individual members of the Board had approved, and it came before the next meeting of the Board for confirmation. 16. Mr. Hanan.] You know the local bodies you have mentioned and the districts—that is to say, from which applications for loans were considered about election times ?—Yes, I know most of them. 17. Some of these local bodies were situated in districts represented by Government as well as Opposition members ? —Yes. 18. Did you hear the Minister of Finance, Mr. Allen, in his speech in the House mention the name of any candidate standing at the last election with the exception of Sir John Findlay ? —No, I was not in the House. 19. The loan to the local body in the district for which he was a candidate was granted ?—Yes. 20. Therefore his name was singled out and the names of members supporting the then Opposition party were not disclosed as representing districts which received loans during election times ?—There was only Sir John Findlay's name mentioned in the Press in connection with Mr. Allen's speech that I know of

Date. Name of Local Body. Provisionally approved. Finally approved. £ £ 3,000 5,000 17/11/11 Waimate Borough Council Kaponga Town Board . . Moa Road Board Rangitikei County Council Te Rapa Drainage Board Weber County Council . . Remuera Road Board . . Kawhia County Council Rangitikei County Council Mount Roskill Road Board Masterton County Council Hutt County Council . . Masterton County Council 4/12/11 150 2,000 1,200 3,000 ;; ss 37,045 1/12/11 2.000 1,100 1,500 ss .3/11/11 1/12/11 33 Pohangina County Council Rangitikei County Council 350 300 100 200 85 350 430 1,000 250 ss 33 Rangitata Island River Board Taieri County Council .. 82,009 182,300

Name of Local Bodies. Amount. Date. Patea Borough Council .. Waitemata County Council Waverley Town Board . . Stratford County Council Dargaville Borough Council Invercargill Borough Council St. Aubyn Town Board. . £ 5,000 80,000 1,200 14,000 8,500 32,000 7,500 148,200 24/12/11 6/11/11 13/11/11 11/12/H 33