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Daily Telegraph (Napier), Issue 4660, 14 July 1886, Page 2

TnK following is the report of the District Railways Purchase Committee, which contains such serious imputations against a member of the House: —The Committee report—(l) That while the evidence adduced does not warrant your Committee in reporting that Mr Steward was directly influenced by any pecuniary consideration in his efforts to secure the passing of the District Railways Purchasing Bill through the House, they are, nevertheless, unable to conclude other than that he considered that in all probability ho would be able to bring about the sale to the Government or Insurance Association of tho Waimato, and possibly tho Duntroon and Hakataramea, Railway debentures, and thus secure tho receipt by him of a large commission on the transaction. (2) That Mr Steward, in conducting the negotiations, presumably attached importance to his influence as a member of Parliament, as in his letter to the Hon. R. Campbell of date 28th September, 18S5, soliciting that gentleman's assistance in obtaining authority to sell the Duntroon andHakatararaea Railway Debentures he says : —"I have influence in two different quarters, which will enable me, I think, to get a better price than anyone else could." (3) That it is manifest, from the evidence of Mr Peacock, M.H.R., and a director of the Rotorua Railway Company, that the Board appreciated the position and consequent influence of Mr Steward as a member of Parliament in dealing with the Government for the sale of the company's debenI tures, and that the payment of commission was apparently a secondary consideration to that of securing his services in the conduct of the negotiation for sale. (4) That your Committee are of oijinion that while Mr Steward has avoided any technical breach of tho Disqualification Act, they unanimously regard the transactions referred to as calculated seriously to reflect upon and impugn the integrity of any member of Parliament engaged therein and to give rise, as has been the case in this instance, to public scandal. (5) That it may fairly be assumed that had the Government dealt directly with the csmpanies, the amount of the commission might have been saved to the colony. (6) That it is greatly to be regretted that neither Mr Steward nor Sir Julius Vogel, as appears by theirrespective evidence recognises any impropriety in a member of Parliament acting as a paid agent in making a sale to the Government." It is on this report that the debate will be taken to-night, and it is stated that the Government will move an amendment completely exonerating Mr Steward.