97. It was given by you to your clerk P—No, it was not. I deny that. I said, " You can give it to him." What harm was there in that ? It was simply doing him a good turn.
5. 98. I have a difficulty in knowing how it was determined when you were acting as private agent, and when as a Government officer. Were you always General Government Agent P—No, only at times when I was specially appointed.
Are the dates of the appointments and of the cancelling to be found P—I was asked to take charge of Ohinemuri, I think, on the 1st March. That has not been cancelled yet. I do not act unless I am told to do some particular duty. I was the officer who arranged the confiscated lands in Waikato, and I have also bad a great deal to do with Tauranga, and the Government have frequently asked me to undertake special work on account of my knowledge of those questions. I have undertaken it in some instances at great personal loss. When I went to Waikato, negotiations which I had nearly completed for purchase of land before I went, had on my return all to be done over again.
Mr. Rolleston.] At the time you went to Waikato, it was thoroughly understood between yourself and the Government that you were entitled to continue negotiations you had in your hands as a private agent F—Decidedly. 1 was independent so far as land purchase was concerned.
It did. not, preclude your purchasing for private individuals P—I have bought no land for private persons since I acted for the Government. I have constantly declined. Mr. Buckland, Mr. Firth, and Mr. Morrin have asked me to take land work. I refused to take anything new. When I made the arrangement with Mr. Ormond I -was engaged in negotiations for private persons, and I would have rendered myself liable to actions if I had not carried them out. I distinctly stipulated about these things before I would buy land for the Government.
Hon. Sir D. McLean.] In reference to the question put by Mr. Rolleston as to these agreements being sanctioned, had the land in some cases passed through the Court ?—All the Mercury. Bay land had passed through the Court, and many private individuals had leases of timber before I got instructions.
Having these completed leases, of course private individuals might have obtained these lands if they wished ?—Yes.
When were these equitable leases taken up P—I can hardly say when. I fancy that some of the Mercury Bay saw-mills leases were in 1868, 1869, 1870, and 1871. Nearly all the blocks were surveyed by the millowners.
Was there much pressure brought to bear on the Government to acquire these lands for gold mining, notwithstanding the existence of these leases?—There was great pressure brought to bear by the public and the Superintendent constantly. Public meetings were held, and the Government were called upon to purchase. I think these purchases were advantageous. I know that nearly all the land is auriferous, and will become valuable for gold mining. I think the Government have got the
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lands very cheap. I have got land for 2s. 6d. for which private individuals would give 5s. I have bought some land for 3s., land alongside of which has been sold for 15s. A. company was about to purchase a large extent of land on this Coromandel Peninsula, and were prepared to go to a much larger price than it was subsequently acquired for by the Government. I was negotiating, in partnership with Captain Daldy, for the purchase of the Waikawau block of 60,000 acres, and he would have gone to 5s. an acre. In addition to that, I was asked to join a number ofpersons, some of them at Coromandel, amongst them Mr. Thomas, of an English gold mining company. These men would have found a large amount of money. I believe that this was one of the reasons why pressure was brought by the Superintendent to employ me.
Mr. Relleston.] Would it have made much difference in occupation of the land whether it went into the hands of private persons P—It would not have been opened for gold mining. It did not all come under the gold-mining agreements.
Mr. O'Neill.] Have Preece and Graham much land at Coromandel P—Old Mr. Preece had a piece there when Mr. Williamson took possession under the mortgage. A piece of about 20 acres was left to him, on which he resided until his death, and on which Mr. J. W. Preece's mother now lives. There is a freehold of 150 acres at the mill site at Tairua, which Mr. Seccombe had passed through the Native Land Court in 1866, I think
Mr. .Rolleston.] All this difficulty has arisen from the abandonment of the original Native Lands Court Act, and going in for purchase by the Government ?—I am not aware.
13TIE AtIGIIST, 1875.
Mr. Jews MicICAT further examined on oath.
Hon. Major Atkinson.] I wish to ask you whether a writ was issued against you in connection with this case, and by whom P—A writ was issued in the Supreme Court on the 10th of July last against me and others. This is a copy of it. It was never served on me. There was a long declaration attached. It was removed from the Supreme Court after being submitted to the Judge. The declaration made strong allegations.
Mr. Rolleston.] Does the writ make any allegations itself P—(Mr. Mackay read the writ, and handed in a copy. Ile proceeded:) I have not got the declaration. It was removed after myself and several persons bad seen it. My solicitor saw it.
Rona Major Atkinson.] I should like to know if you suffered any damage by that proceeding P—I did ; considerable damage. It was published in the Auckland papers, and several friends came and asked me what fraud I had committed. It was alleged I had committed a fraud on the Government in the matter of the 1,000 acres reserve, had made a reserve long after the purchase, and had leased it myself. '
The Chairman.] Is that statement in the writ?—There were statements almost to that effect in the declaration. It was seen by myself, by Major Green, by my solicitor, and by several other people.
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