THE HINE CHARGES.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLI, Issue 9361, 9 November 1910, Page 2

THE HINE CHARGES.

SYMES , EVIDENCE CONTINUED. THE BAYLY TRANSACTION. (Peb Pbess Association.) WELLINGTON, Nov. 8. " Continuing his evidence before the Hine Committee of the Lower Houee yesterday, Walter Symes said that in Hutchinson's claim he acted purely as agent. The letter to vLysaght was not intended as a threat, but merely an intimation. that he would not collect the claim unless he was paid commission. Witness gave details of his connection with the purchase of Bayly's property. He presented a petition in favour of the Government buying it, but in no way acted for Bayly, and never had communication with him, except one by telephone. After the sale Bayly wanted to give him something , for the trouble he had taken, and he at first refused, but Bayly pressed him so hard, and said he would be offended if he didn't that in the end he accepted a promissory note for £300 towards his election expenses. It was solely because Bayly made, it a personal matter that he took it.

Examined by Mr Myers, witness reiterated his explanation re the promissory note. He admitted that his own name was on the petition re West Coast leases, but he was not aware, till Mr Myers quoted it, that Standing Orders forbade a member from presenting a petition on his o\yn behalf. He did not consider anything improper in M.P.'s receiving presents such as mentioned in his letter.

In reply to Sir Joseph Ward, witness said he had never mentioned any of these transactions to the Government, nor had he tried to influence the Government. If he had charged Bayly for the sale of his land the amount would have been £525, not £300. Replying to Mr Massey, Symes denied ever having acted as a Government Whip. A. Bayly was at his first election one of witness's committee, but afterwards he did not identify himself noticeably in electioneering. He could not say_ whether it was customary for Taranaki people who participated in politics to give presents to members. He could not say whether his election expenses in 1905 totalled more than £200 or £300, but apart from personal expenses they would not exceed £200. He wrote to McCluggage re advertising , list, not as a director, but as a friend who was a shareholder. The petition in 1905 was the first witness presented for the West Coast lessees, but Hutchison had been doing so previously. Replying to Mr Buchanan, witness said the fresh facts instrumental in having the Committee's decision reversed were the production of letters from Sir Harry Atkinson, and an unsigned lease prepared by the Public Trustee. In answer to Mr Skerrett he eaid he had, never heard the favourable recommendation of a Committee afterwards criticised. The recommendation was . a thoroughly just one. The presents to members ' mentioned in the letter were not to be intrinsic, but just small tokens of appreciation. . Replying to Mr Hanan, witness said the only advantage he had in a matter of this sort over an outside agent was that witness would not have to pay railway fares. He had never charged his own constituents commission; and did not give authority to anyone to use the letter to McCluggage, and it would have been returned to witness immediately after perueal. This concluded Mr Myers's evidence.

Mr Myers said he had consulted with Mr Skerrett, and they had decided that Friday would be the only suitable day .for a fortnight to take the Flaxbourne case.

Sir Joseph Ward will call two or three witnesses in the Symes case, and then the Kaihau case will be taken, and whether the latter is finished or not the Flaxbourne case will probably be taken on Friday. The Committee adjourned at 6 p.m.