THE HINE CHARGES.

Auckland Star, Volume XLI, Issue 271, 15 November 1910, Page 6

THE HINE CHARGES.

TE AKAU BLOCK.

(Br Teleeraph.—Press Association.)

WELLINGTON, Monday.

The Hine Commission took further evidence this afternoon in regard to MrHenare Kaihau's connection with the sale of Te Akau Block.

Robert Paterson. land purchase officer and accountant, said the Deportment had made no payment to Mr. Kaihau. He told Mr. Blomfield that the Department must pay to the vendors the whole of the purchase money. H. E. Otterson, Clerk of the House of Representatives, said the Maori Lands Claims Adjustment Act was passed in 1906, of which clause 26 authorised tha Appellate Court to review a Royal Commission's report re the title of Te Akau Block. In 1904 Mr. Kaihau had moved a clause to that effect. The House agreed to the clause, but the Act was not considered by the Council that session. Sir Joseph Ward quoted "Hansard" to show that the Government did not support Mr. Kaihau's amendment, which was carried by 27 votes to 24, but was subsequently amended by the Native Affairs Committee to allow the inclusion of a clause opposed by the Native Minister in 1905, but included in his bill in the following year.

The Hine Committee, after midnight, took the evidence of Remana Ntihaka, in the charge againsi Henare Kaihau of Teceiving payment for presenting petitions to Parliament. Witness said he was with Horomona at Ngaruawahia in March, 1905. He said Kaihau asked for £15 for presenting the petition concerning Waipa No. 66. Horomona. went Ito the poet office, drew the money, and gave it to Kaiban, THE FLAXBOURNE ESTATE. The first witness in the Flaxbonrne case was J. D. Ritchie, of the Land Purchase Department, who said the Court eat in December, 1903, on the Ftaxboume case, and then adjourned for 12 months. The Government employed a number of valuers to go over the Flaxbourne property, their fees varying from two to eight guineas per day and expenses, except Mr. A. L. Wilson, who was written to by Mr. Barron aalri-rrg him if he would make an inspection of the property and act as the Government assessor. Mr. Wilson agreed to act at 10 guineas per day, and subsequently sent in a voucher for £165.

Replying to Mr. Skerrett (who watched the proceedings on behalf of the Hon. T. Kennedy Macdonald), witness earid another assessor was paid 10 guineas per day for 30 days for attending the Compensation Court, inspecting the property, and attending a conference.

To Sir Joseph Ward: The owner of the property claimed £410,000, but eventually was awarded £181,800. Witness had not heard that after Mr. Seddon's death the Hon. T. Kennedy Macdonald had several times applied to Sir Joseph Ward, as head of the Government, for payment of £600 for eervicee alleged to have been rendered by him to the Government in the Flaxbourne purchase. Mr. Macdonald had claimed £12 10/ expenses, but witness did not think this had been paid. Mr. Macdonald, as a member of Parliament, could not legally be paid for services to the Government.

Mr. Barron, formerly chairman of the Land Purchase Board, said the Hon. T. K. Macdonald was appointed assessor in August, 1903. He attended the Court in Blenheim, and Mr. Wilson was instructed to make a report on Flaxbourne in December, 1903. The first official knowledge he had of Mr. Wilson making a report was a voucher for £165 for his fees for valuing the estate. He did not know whether Mr. Wilson was a partner with the Hon. T- K. Macdonald at the time. Mr. Wilson's report on the estate was not a unique one. He knew of no claim by the Hon. T. !£. Macdonald for payment for services in connection with the acquisition of the estate.

To Sir Joseph Ward, witness said he was sure the late Mr. Seddon would not countenance a payment to Mr. Macdonald

under cover of a voucher to Mr. Wilson. The Flaxbourne Estate had been fairly successfully settled, but the rents the tenants are now paying are quite heavy enough. Mr. Wachsmann, another auctioneer, made a report similar to Mr. Wilson's, and .received as much payment.

To Mr. Allen, witness said it was not usual to appoint an assessor without remuneration. Mr. Macdonald was the first man witness knew of to act without payment. Mr. Seddon told witness to see if Mr. Macdonald would act. Witness told Mr. Macdonald that he would not be paid, but he still consented to act. Witness could not say why Mr. Macdonald now asked for payment.

A. L. Wilson said he was asked if he would act as assessor, and agreed, but was not accepted. Mr. Macdonald was appointed. Witness spent 10 days on a visit of inspection, and made a confidential report.

To. Dr. Find lay: Witness received £165, none of which went to Mr. Macdonald, their arrangement being that all Government money came to witness. Hβ knew Mr. Macdonald had made a claim of £600 against the Government for services in connection with Flaxbourne, which witness would have expected to share.

To Mr. Skerrett, witness arid he had considerable experience, and had often been paid 10 guineas per day for valuations.

To Sir Joseph Ward: No member of the Administration had mentioned to witness anything about, sharing the fee with Mr. Macdonald.

To Mr. Reed: Witness had been in business in opposition to Mr. Macdonald for the past five years, and was now quite independent of him. The further hearing of the case -was then adjourned. TO-DAY'S PROCEEDINGS. (By Telegraph.—Press Association.) WELLINGTON, this day. The Hine Committee, after 40 minutes' deliberation, proceeded with the Kaihau charges. Horomona Watarauhi said he met Kaihau at Ngaruawahia, and asked him to take his petition to Parliament. Kajhau asked for £15 to take the petition to Wellington. Witness drew the money from the Post Office, and gave it to Ka,ihau. Remana. was present when witness gave the money to Kaihau. To Mr. Skerrett: Witness had lost a case in the Land Court. He had not cansuited Kaihau regarding the question of taking the case to the Appellate Court. Horomona. continuing, said that Remana was not present when Kaihau asked for money, but was when witness gave the money to Kaihau. The hearing of this charge was adjourned till to-morrow. Sir Joseph Ward said he had a communication from Mr. Clifford stating that he could give no useful information re Ffaxbolirne except that the total costsin connection with its acquirement amounted to £6000.

Sir Joseph called the Hon. J. Carroll in the Te Akau case. Mr. Carroll detailed the history of the block from 1899 to 1905, when Cabinet decided to parchase. Witness forwarded papers to Mr. Sheridan (land purchase agent), who was directed to try and purchase the block, sad was advised that it was sale to advance np to half the value of the land. Shortly after, by a rearrangement of the staff, Mr. Kensington took charge of negotiations. Witness had nothing to do with, details, but discussed the price w4th Mr. Kensington. They agreed that £2 an acre was a fair price. In 1906 some of the natives came to Wellington, wanting advances against their interests, which were granted. Witness took no further part in the proceedings beyond advising the Department when in doubt. The committee adjourned at this stage.