I.—lla.

C. A. CAWKWELL.]

97

280. Mr. Hanan.] Were you speaking to the people in your capacity as Chairman of that Board or as a citizen of New Zealand? —It was recognized that I was out for Sir John Findlay and the Government, and I went up there speaking as a citizen of New Zealand. 281. You did not speak in your capacity as Chairman? —No, and I spoke generally too. 282. Hon. Mr. Allen.] Had you any knowledge at all of the electioneering fighting fund? — None whatever. That is where Sir John Findlay made a mistake: he did not have any. 283. You did not say anything to Mr. Wilson about a fighting fund?—No, absolutely no. 284. You did not subscribe to it? —No, not a single sixpence. 285. But you led Mr. Wilkins or Mr. Wilson to think that you yourself would bear a portion of the wages of the men for that day?— Most decidedly not. 286. You intended that the Board should pay? —I did not intend anything. He came and said he had paid them. 287. The Chairman.] In regard to the question just now put by Mr. Hanan, you said that you went there in your capacity as a private citizen. Do you think it is customary in New Zealand for individuals to go and address a body of men working together?—lt is done in the railway-works if you can get the men to knock off. 288. On pay?— Yes; it all depends on the particular foreman in charge or the contractor. 289. You do not think there is anything wrong in knocking men off and giving them a political address while paying them public money? —No, it has been done before, and will be done again. 290 By a private citizen? —Yes, if the foreman is graceful enough to let them knock off. 17 Empire Buildings, Swanson Street, Auckland, 30th October, 1912. Inquiry under State-guaranteed Advances Act. Sir, — I have the honour to enclose herewith an affidavit as to the state of the finances of the Remuera Road Board prior to the last general election of Parliament. You will see from the Treasurer's statements annexed to the order papers supplied at the Board's meetings that the position was quite in contradiction of the statements made to the Committee by Mr. Dickson. I trust that you may accept same and remove the stigma cast on me by Mr. Dickson's denial of my statements made to the Committee, of the Remuera Road Board's financial stringency at that period. I might add that Mr. Dickson did not attend several meetings at that time, as he was busy with his electioneering campaign, and therefore did not know much of the Board's business. I have, &c, C. A. Cawkwell, Late Chairman of Remuera Road Board. J. B. Hine, Esq., M.P., Chairman of Public Accounts Committee, Wellington. In the matter of the State-guaranteed Advances Act, 1908, and of an inquiry by the PublicAccounts Committee of the House of Representatives. I, Charles Augustus Cawkwell, of Remuera, in the Provincial District of Auckland, in the Dominion of New Zealand, local body secretary and treasurer, do swear — 1. That a statement made to the Public Accounts Committee that the overdraft of the Remuera Road Board for the period preceding the date of the last general election of members of Parliament did not exceed £1,500 is not in accordance with fact. 2. That annexed hereto and marked "A," "B," "C," "D," are the order papers and detailed financial statements supplied by the Board's Treasurer to the Board, at monthly meetings held on the 21st August, 1911, 18th September, 1911, 24th October, 1911, and 11th December, 1911, respectively, in which the Board's liability is shown as follows : —

3. That on the 28th November, 1910, I arranged with the Bank of New Zealand for an overdraft limit of £4,500, and this amount still stands in the Board's favour. 4. That a statement made by Mr. J. S. Dickson, M.P., " that it was unnecessary for the Remuera Road Board to obtain an advance of loan-moneys from the State-guaranteed Advances Department, prior to January, 1912," is exploded by the figures hereinbefore set out. 5. That in order to carry on works charged to the General Account it was absolutely necessary obtain an advance of loan-moneys. C. A. Cawkwell. Sworn at Auckland this 31st day of October, 1912, before me —Percy Spencer, a Solicitor of th e Supreme Court of New Zealand.

13—1, 11a,

Date of Maeting. Overdraft. Liabilities. Total. 21st August, 1911 18th September, 1911 24th October, 1911 11th December, 1911 £ s. d. 3,766 0 6 3,792 9 10 3,334 6 7 3,389 17 10 £ s. d. 1,049 14 5 2,467 6 4 2,024 8 7 1,603 2 4 £ s. d. 4,815 14 11 6,259 16 2 5,358 15 2 4,993 0 2