Report of the Stark Commission

Evening Post, Volume XXXII, Issue 148, 6 November 1886, Page 2

Report of the Stark Commission

Tho roport of the Stark Commission was received by tho Governor yesterday and forwarded by him to the Premier after porusaj. Tho report sots out tho terms of the investigation and tho steps taken to obtain evidence. It then goes on to Bay that the Commission lost no opportunity during tho enquiry of impressing on the minds of tho community that they were prepared to examine not only all witnesses suggested by parties concerned, but to summon any persons whoso names might be mentioned to them as able to furnish information on tho matters to be investigated. Fifty witnesses gave ovidonoo on oath, and tho utmost latituao was allowed in their examination and cross-examination by counsel and others who desired to question thorn. Tho counsel for the so-called Vigilanoe Committee wished to havo Sir Julius Vogel, Hon. Mr. Richardson, and Mr. Sparry called, but as tho Commission did not give power to summon witnesses residing over 200 miles from tho plaoo of sitting, and as tho Cominisgiouoru had been informed that tho Ministers oould not then loavo tho seat of Uovermnont, it was decided to adjourn tho sitting to Wellington if dosirod. Tho counsel, liowovcr, did not press their roquest. The ovidoncu takon beforo tho Publio Accounts Committoo of tho House of Representatives, Mr. Mitoholson's letter to tho Promior of 7th Soptember, and petition of tho Auoklaud rosidents to Parliament, wore beforo the Commissioners as a guide to the points to be enquired into. Mr. Mitoholson stated in his letter that there was no doubt in his mind that there had boen a conspiracy to defraud tho Governmont, and tho petitioners averred their belief that if a commission wore hold on the spot evidence could be supplied to show that such a conspiracy had beon entered into. They had, howoyor, in the opinion of tho Commission entirely failed to sustain these ailogationa by tho oridonee of any person that had been brought beforo the Commission, and Mr. Mitcholson had admitted that his suspicions hod not boen substantiated, and that ho rogrettod over having brought them forward. Mr. Mitcholson in liia letter, and also in his evidence, stated that rumours were floating about injurious to tho characters of two Ministers of the Crown, and, though not be* lioving thorn himself, ho thought it dosirablo that thoy should be cleared away by tho appointment of a Commission. Mr. Chambers, Hon. Seoretary of the Vigilanoo Committoe, gavo form to these rumours by deolaring his uolief that Sir Julius Vogel had beon bribed by Mr. Stark. On hearing his evidonco, tho Commission declared that if a" shadow of evidonco oould bo brought forward in its support, they would urge Ministers to come up irom Wellington to poet it. No suoh evidence waß forthcoming, and tho Commission considered it a boselsss, malevolent suspicion unworthy of further notice. The numerous land agents and other authorities, who were examined as to tho value of tho property, differed much in thoir ostiuiatoa. Tho following aro tho naraos and cash values given by some of the most reliable of them : — Win. Aitken, .£15,000 ; Captain Boero, .£12,000 to .£14,000; B. Tanner, £9000, and with improvomonts, J, Bond, i} 12,00 0; X W. Allison, .£12,000; G. F. Ewington and O. Mays oaoh .£10,000; J, Dacre and T. Molvillo eaoh .£9000; D. Goldio (£9OOO less than Government paid), £8100; C. Williamson, £8000. The Commissioners found it impossiblo to fix definitely tho value of the land, as tho exports differed so materially. Mr. Stark had boon endeavouring to sell portions of the block at comparatively low prices since June, 1884, through various agents, and in February, 1835, ho placed the whole block in Mr. Brown's hands for sale for £7500, and at that time tho Government oould doubtlofcs havo obtained it for that amount had they employed a private agont to seoure it ; but in April, 1885, whon thoy had entered upon the land to survey the sito for the battery, Mr. Stark withdrew it from private sale, Baying that the Governmont wero going to take it, and that ho now oxpoctod to get £20,000 for it. Tho report goes on to say :— "Wo consider that tho price paid for tho land was in oxcobb of its valuo, but are of opinion that thoro was no irregularity in theinodo of conducting or completing tho puiv chase. The Minister for Public Works was guided by the opinions of tho usual officom of tho department, which he has stated was. confirmed by other enquiries ho had mado ; and Mr. Brewer, the Land PuiohaseOfficor, who had only rocontly arrived in thei district, was guided by the property tax; valuation; and wo considor his oonduot throughout the negotiations wore quite free from blame. Wo entirely acquit Mr. Soanian of any complicity in any attompt to dofraud the Government, and wo consider that his excessive valuation, whioh he oxpoctod Mr. Stark to object to, was prompted by his desire to serve tho interests of his department. It is impossible to forecast what might have resulted from an appeal to a Compensation Court." Tho Commission declinod to award costs to Messrs. Allison and Soaman for attending to defend themselves from tho allegations mado against them, leaving it to tho Government to deoido whether their officers are entitled to expenses incurred in attending the enquiry.