The Chairman.] What is the further statement which you wish to make to the Committee ? 2( —It was about whether Sir Donald McLean was in the room when I laid the letter on the table. Sir Donald McLean was in the roc= when I laid the letter on the table. After I had finished writing the letter, I had the envelope in my hand, and was just going to moisten the gum, when I said, "No, I won't ; I will go and read the letter to Sir Donald McLean, and have some more talk with him." When I went into the office, to the best of my recollection and belief, Sir Donald McLean was in the office, and I think it was Mr. Kemp, Civil Commissioner, who was with him ; but there was some one with Sir Donald in the office. I said, "This is the letter," and Sir Donald McLean said, " You had better leave it on the table." I did so, and at once went down to Dr. Pollen. I saw Mr. Brissenden standing underneath the Post Office balcony. During the time I was having the conversation with Sir D. McLean in the office, in reference to some remark I made, he said, "I wish I had known as much of this before as I do now, but we cannot go back."
Sir D. McLean.] Before you go on, did you not state to this Committee that you left the letter on the table ; and then you were asked if I was in the room, and you stated distinctly that I was not ? How is it that you have changed your statement?
Mr. Rolleston.] I think the witness should make his statement first, and then he can be cross-examined afterwards.
Witness.] When I saw Mr. Brissenden, I went up to him and said that he was to have blocks which had never cost him any trouble, and which he was to be paid upon the acreage. I asked him to come up and see Sir Donald McLean, but he said, " No, if he wishes to see me, he will send for me." I went up again to the Civil Commissioner's office ; I saw Sir D. McLean standing in the street just by the door of the Civil Commissioner's office. I wished to talk to him, when he made a remark about my dog. A gentleman then came up from the Club, and Sir D. McLean turned and walked with him. I went home, and told my wife all that had occurred. I said to her, "I do not think that McLean will knock me off altogether, as he said he would." The Committee will excuse me from making this remark. Under this impression, next day I got a kit of nectarines and peaches from my garden for Sir D. McLean, and took it away, imagining that he would be at the office. I went there, and left the fruit. When I came out I met Colonel St John at the Club, and I gave him two peaches, and said to him that r had left some peaches on Sir D. McLean's table, when he said that he hai gone to Waikato. I saw Major Heaphy, V.C, and I said "You are in luck, come and have some peaches."
Sir D. McLean.] I wish you to explain how, in your statement the other day, which was very clear and distinct, you stated that you left the letter in my room, and that I was not there at the time P—I was mistaken. I did not know I was coming before the Committee. I was in the lobby, and I was walked right up. I thought I was not going to be called till next day.
What difference would that make ? You have made two statements, one contradictory to the other. I merely want you to give an explanation of the two different statements.—The only explanation I can give is that when I:went into your room with the peaches, you were not there, and that I was confusing that with the time when I went with the letter. I should like to make another statement before the Committee if they would permit me—not in reference to this, but it applies to that. Just before Sir D. McLean left for Australis, he told me that Mr. Brissenden had been employed to purchase land in the North, and that he hoped I would not interfere with him—implying that I would do nothing against him with the Natives. Some time after this Mr. Brissenden was &passenger on board the same steamer I went down to the Bay of Islands in—I think about the 16th of June, 1874. Mr. Brissenden asked me if I had been purchasing land in the North. I said " Yes, that I was employed as a Native Land Purehase Agent." He asked me what salary I got. I told him £300 a year, and 10s. 6d. a day travelling allowance. I said, "What do you get ?' " Well," he said, "I get £2 213. a day, £1 is. travelling allowance, and an interpreter allowed at £1 la. a day, and 10s. 6d. travelling allowance. I get 4d. an acre on all lands I buy, and I have the permission to purchase lands for myself and my friends in small blocks." I said "Indeed !" He said, "I told McLean and Vogel that unless they gave me this permission it would be no speculation, and would not suit me, and that they must not expect my services." After some more conversation, he said, "I was afraid at the time I got this that it might be injurious to yourself and to Mr. Kemp, but I was assured by McLean that Kemp was well provided for, and that your claims on the Government were such that they would have to put you in some department or another, and that he did not care whether you bought land or not." I said to him, "How is it possible for you to have got permission, as you say you have, from the Government to purchase land on your own account?" He said, "I have got them pretty well by the wool." He said he was standing before the fireplace, and Sir Donald was on one side and Mr. Vogel on the other. They said they had sent for him to offer him the appointment, and entreated him to accept it. They asked him what he wanted. He stated what pay he wanted, and permission to buy land. They said they would give the pay and allowance he asked for himself, but they could not allow him to purchase land. He said to them, "You have sent for Lne, and if you will allow me I will tell you n story." This is the story which lie said ho repeated to Sir D. McLean and Mr. Vogel : "There was a Mall named Florence, who kept a largo hotel in Now York. Ho had a suite of rooms in the hotel for his private acquaintances. One evening, while he was there, a knock came to the door, and they called ` Come in.' The door was opened, and there was a man with gold rings on his fingers, and gold chain. He said, 'Is this Florence's room ?' ` That is my name,' said Florence. ` Well,' said the man, ' you sent for me, Florence.' Florence said he had not sent for him, when the man pulled out a newspaper, which had an. advertisement, ' Wanted, a first-class head waiter.' ` Now,' he said, You sent for me, Florence, and I come.' He then placed his credentials before Florence, who read them, and said, These are all right and satisfactory so far ; now comes the question of pay—what salary do you want ?' He answered, ' If you want honesty, Florence, and a good man to conduct this hotel properly, 150 dollars a week ; but if-you don't want honesty, I don't care what you give me.' " That was exactly the story as it was told. to me. I need not say that I did not believe him.
66