THE HINE CHARGES.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume LX, Issue LX, 1 November 1910, Page 7

THE HINE CHARGES.

MR LYSAGHT'S EVIDENCE CONTINUED. BY TELEGBAPH— PBESS ASSOCIATION. WELLINGTON, Nov. 1. Witness (Mr Bryan Lysaght) said he received letters from Mr Symes expressing surprise that the £17 was not paid, and saying he would not help witness in the matter. Cross-examined, witness said he did not know Mr Symes had spent a lot of money on the proceedings after the Arbitration Court had ruled that the leases were abortive. He did not know that his co-executor had arranged that Mr Symes should receive 5 per cent, for collecting refunds from the lessees not in Mr Symes' constituency.^ Witness had given Mr Hine these letters and accounts during the last election and parts were published in the Stratford paper. in reply to Sir Joseph Ward, witness said he had not informed the Government that Mr Symes had claimed a commission. FURTHER WITNESSES. WELLINGTON, Nov. 1. W. Wilson, Patea, farmer, said he was attorney for his brother. He claimed and received £198 refund, and paid Mr Symes £9 18s 6d. Witness was a constituent of Mr Symes'. He was not asked to pay Mr Symes anything personally. .The demand was in his brother's and partner's name. J. Haddow, solicitor, Auckland, said he acted as agent for G. Hutchison, whose claim for refund was £259. i Mr Hutchison instructed witness to get Symes 5 assistance in collecting the refund. Symes offered assistance if he received a commission of 20 per cent. Witness agreed to pay 5 per cent, on account of £134, arid 15 per cent, on £125 spent by Hutchison in testing the validity of the proceedings. Symes demanded £20 for each claim. Witness agreed to pay this. He did not consider at first that Symes was claiming commission for political services, but as air agent. The committee adourned. at 1.30 till Thursday.