3

I.—sa

Thursday, 2nd October, 1913. The Committee met at 10.30 a.m. pursuant to notice. Present: Mr. E. Newman (Chairman), Mr. Anderson, Hon. Mr. Buddo, Mr. Coates, Mr. Forbes, Mr. Guthrie, Mr. MaeDonald, Hon. Mr. Massey, Mr. Nosworthy, Mr. T. W. Ehodes, Mr. B. W. Smith, Mr. Statham, Mr. Witty. The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed. Paper No. 107 C : Hetaua Hamlet. —Deliberation. Mr. Guthrie submitted the following draft report, which was discussed by the Committee : — " That with regard to certain lands at New Lynn disposed of under land legislation of 1912, the Committee has examined the following witnesses—Mr. Flanagan, Mr. Morgan, Mr. Ewington, Mr. Skeet, and Mr. Eitchie—and beg to report as follows : — " That, having heard the evidence of the witnesses before mentioned, the Committee is of opinion that full value has been obtained by the State for the sections the fee-simple of which has been disposed of; and, further, the statements which appeared in several newspapers to the effect that the Government had parted with £30,000 worth of land for £3,000 were incorrect and misleading." On the question being put, That this report be adopted, the Committee divided, and names were taken down as follow : — Ayes, 9 : Mr. Anderson, Mr. Coates, Mr. Guthrie, Hon. Mr. Massey, Mr E. Newman, Mr. Nosworthy, Mr. T. W. Ehodes, Mr. E. W. Smith, Mr. Statham. Noes, 4: Hon. Mr. Buddo, Mr. Forbes, Mr. MaeDonald, Mr. Witty So it was resolved in the affirmative. After further discussion it was resolved that Mr. Guthrie's report be withdrawn. The Hon. Mr. Massey moved, That the following report be adopted : —" That with regard to certain lands at New Lynn disposed of under the land legislation of 1912, the Committee has examined the following witnesses —Mr. Flanagan, Mr. Morgan, Mr. Ewington, Mr. Skeet, and Mr. Eitchie —and beg to report as follows : —" That, having heard the evidence of the witnesses before mentioned, the Committee is of opinion that the State has received full value for its interest in the land, as proved by the valuation made by the most competent land-valuers obtainable, and that the statements made by several newspapers to the effect that £30,000 worth of land had been parted with for £3,000 had no foundation in fact." Mr. Buddo moved, That the proposed report be amended by the insertion of the words "in accordance with the land legislation of 1912 " after the word " obtainable." On the question being put, That the words proposed to be inserted stand part of the report, the Committee divided, and names were taken down as follow :— Ayes, 3: Hon. Mr. Buddo, Mr. Forbes, Mr. Witty. Noes, 9: Mr. Anderson, Mr. Coates, Mr. Guthrie, Hon. Mr. Massey, Mr. E. Newman, Mr. Nosworthy, Mr. T. W. Ehodes, Mr. E. W. Smith, Mr. Statham. So it passed in the negative. On the original question being put, the Committee divided, and names were taken down as follow: — Ayes, 9: Mr. Anderson, Mr. Coates, Mr. Guthrie, Hon. Mr. Massey, Mr. E. Newman, Mr. Nosworthy, Mr. T. W. Ehodes, Mr. B. W. Smith, Mr. Statham. Noes, 3 : Hon. Mr. Buddo, Mr. Forbes, Mr. Witty. So it was resolved in the affirmative. Eesolved, on the motion of Mr. E. Newman, That the resolutions of the Committee be reported to the House. The Committee then adjourned.