THE HINE CHARGES.

Auckland Star, Volume XLI, Issue 270, 14 November 1910, Page 6

THE HINE CHARGES.

TE ATCATT BLOCK. (By Telegraph.—Press Association.) WELLINGTON, this day. The Hine Commission sat at 11 a~m. W. H. Grace, formerly land purchase officer, said he had received instructions not to have any dealings with Henare Kaihau, MJ*. When witness made out the cheques for the purchase, Kaihau was about to sit by witness, but he sent him away. Kaihau had told witness he was to receive ten per cent. In answer to Mr. Skerrett, witness eaid he had been directed to watch tho proceedings in the Appellate Court, but had not been told to interfere in any way. He took no active part in the negotiations until after the title was proved. The part purchased was the most suitable of the whole block for settlement.

Replying to Mr. Myers, witness said Mr. Ko,ihau did a lot of hard fighting for the Ngatihinga in the Appellate Court. Mr. Fisher (Under Secretary for the Native Department) gave evidence regarding correspondence between the Department and the Courts. Mr. Myers asked that the correspondence file of the Native Land Court of 1906 should be procured from Auckland.

Mr. Skerrett and Sir Joseph Ward both asked if Mr. Myers was implying a charge against someone unnamed of trying to influence the Native Land Court. Mr. Myers said he was trying to show that Mr. Kaihau conducted the sale to the Government.