MR. JUNE'S CHARGES.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 981, 23 November 1910, Page 6

MR. JUNE'S CHARGES.

EVIDENCE CONCLUDED. SOME CABINET MINUTES.

The Hino Allegations Committee held a, short sitting yesterday morning, and concluded the taking of evidence.'

As a matter arising out of the Flaxbourne case, Sir . Joseph Ward put in the following return relating to the compulsory acquisition of estates by tho Government'under* the Lands for Settlement Act:—

The "prico asked" for Flaxbourne,- as above, is exclusive of the area reserved for the owners.

..Mr. J. Allen: I can't see the purpose of this. I object. Sir Joseph Ward: The matter has been mentioned before. . ■

Mr. W. Fraser: Tou got it out. llr. Jlassey: Jt is quite plain that the object is to make political capital. Sir Joseph Ward: A great deal of evidence in this inquiry has been brought forward for political purposes. ■ The chairman (Mr. J. A. Hanan) allowed the document to 'be put in. Jaraes 1?. Andrews, Secretary to the Cabinet, called by Sir Joseph Ward, produced a copy,; certified by himself, of a minute; of Cabinet, as follows:—"Sir Joseph Ward submitted request for payment for services as assessor in the Flaxbourne Arbitration case of the Hon. T. K.' Macdonald, based on a payment of between £500 and .£6OO, which Mr. Macdonald stated had been paid by tho Cliffords for their assessor in the. same case. Mr. Macdonald urged'that as assessor ho hail saved tho country ,£30,000. Sir Joseph Ward minuted the request as follows:— "FOB .CABINET, I have already personally declined this to Mr. Macdonald, as.there is.no •record of; any arrangement with the lata Mr. Seddon. (Signed) J. G. WARD, 20/5/1908." > "IN CABINET. . . May 23, 1008. Decline payment. . ' (Signed). J. F. ANDREWS, Acting-Secretary." The Prime Minister intimated that he had abandoned his intention of recalling Mr. Barron. This concluded the taking of evidence, and'the; committee soon afterwards 1 rose.

Estate. Price paid. Price asked, «£ ,-Ardgowan 31,600 45,890 Hatuma 141,393 228,590 Kumeroa 29,092 37,390 Forest Gate ■IS,521 . 55,571' Argyll 142,202 184,998 Alataraata 127,515 157,717 Lindsay 95,309 115,878 i'lnxbourne 181,675 . 335,000 - Waimana 18,592 23,655 Tawaha 34,133 . 72,100 Te Arai 113,<Ji9 131,229 .Oulverden - 121,231 162,637 C'arrington - 39,310 79,900' Totals 1,127,612 1,630,558 . Deduct amount paid 1,127,642 , Difference ... 502,916