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You cannot have forgotten if it were freights you discussed because it was the occasion when, the " Codrington " was referred to in connection with freights ?—We had to arrange for the shipping of various produce —tallow and pelts. Can you remember what particular aspect of the freight question you went there to discuss with him ?- I would not tax my memory about it, because there was some shipping proposed to be fixed for September which might have been under consideration. You know what Mr. Findlay was cabling, or intended to cable, England with regard to your conversation with him ? —Yes. I suggest now that you asked him to do it ? —I told him the boat was for sale ;if he thought it of sufficient interest, to use his own discretion. You left his room 011 the understanding that he was to send the cable ? —He gave me the impression that he thought it of sufficient interest to his people to cable. Page 740. Can you suggest any reason why he should deliberately send his principals in England an incorrect cable ? —I say he included in it his own mind on the subject, and not a clear and reflected statement. Immediately after the conversation what did you do ? —lt must have been some time after, judging by the dates, because he did not send his cable until the 6th. You say that Mr. Findlay wanted to compromise you. Why did he want to compromise you, he being a well-known man in Wellington, and a man, you will admit, with a good reputation. Why should he want to compromise you ? —Why did he want to talk with Jolly about it at all ? He did not ?—Pardon me, Jolly has acknowledged it. That does not answer my question. We have had the evidence of both Jolly and Findlay that Mr. Findlay did not talk with Mr. Jolly ?—My recollection is he did. The Commission has the evidence of Mr. Jolly, who admitted he had a conversation with Mr. Findlay. But Mr. Findlay did not go to Mr. Jolly. If you can suggest any reason let us have it, as to why Mr. Findlay should want to compromise you ? —I think it was more a matter with Mr. Jolly. What do you mean by that ? Do you mean that Mr. Jolly wanted to compromise you ? —Mr. Jolly wanted to compromise me. May I point out to you, as you appear to have forgotten, that Mr. Findlay's cablegram was sent before Mr. Jolly spoke to him ?- There is nothing to justify him making that statement. We have the evidence of Mr. Findlay 011 the point, have we not ?—I do not say that it was very definite. The Chairman : He told us this afternoon. Mr. Myers.'] Did he not say, Mr. Lysnar, that your suggestion is quite fantastic ? —I will leave the Commission to draw its own conclusions. When it is pointed out to you that your suggestion against Mr. Findlay is a fantastic one you are not prepared to withdraw it ? —I do not think that Findlay would say it was a fantastic thing to do as a business man : otherwise Page 741. he would not have sent the cable. I put it to 'you that your suggestion is a fantastic one if Mr. Findlay wanted to compromise you ? —Mr. Findlay in that telegram if he thought the thing was fantastic —if he sincerely thought so as a business man —had no right to trouble five minutes about it, and in sending such a telegram it only shows that it was not a genuine telegram at all. Not genuine ?—The thing is absurd 011 its face, and it is not sincere. It seems as though he might have said to his people in England, " Of course, I am sending you this, but you need not do anything with." Re-examination of Mr. Findlay at page 742. Jambs Findlay re-examined. Mr. Myers.] You have heard Mr. Lysnar say that 011 this occasion—apparently August, 1923— he went to see you on the subject of freights :is that correct ? —I have no recollection of Mr. Lysnar mentioning to me the subject of freights. Then the " Admiral Codrington " was the burden of the conversation ? —Absolutely. You say he opened the conversation by asking you that it should be regarded as confidential 1— Yes. What were his words ? —" May I have an absolutely confidential conversation with you ? " Those were the words. Mr. Johnston.] It is not the only interview you have had with Mr. Lysnar ?—No ; I have had many a one. That would include interviews 011 freight questions ? —Questions of freight mostly. And throughout the years a great many of these meetings would take place ?— During the wartime, but not in ordinary times. Perhaps then only once or twice a year. Mr. Myers.] Did you have any other absolutely confidential conversations I—No. Mr. Jolly's evidence relating to this matter started at page 569, where the following appears In your various conversations with Mr. Lysnar referable to the Poverty Bay Farmers' Company's account had the " Admiral Codrington " and the position relating to the steamer been from time to time the subject of discussion ? —Oh, yes. Did Mr. Lysnar see you on the 3rd August, 1923 ?—Yes. Did he have any conversation with vou on that day relating to the " Admiral Codrington " ?— Yes.