THE HINE CHARGES.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLVII, Issue 14531, 19 November 1910, Page 8

THE HINE CHARGES.

FLAXBOURNE ESTATE CASE.

LAST WITNESS EXAMINED. [by TELEGRAPH.PRESS ASSOCIATION.] Wellington, Friday.' The committee of the House of Representatives investigating the Hine charges met again this morning. Edwin Griffin, of Napier, land vainer, said ho had been 11 years in the employ of Government. He was. employed on Fiaxbourno negotiations, being then district valuer for Hawke's Bay. He first visited Flaxbourne in July, .1903, and took charge of a camp, conducting surveyors and valuers over i.he property. Air. Wilson arrived at Flaxbourne on a Sunday at midday, spent Monday with the rest of the party, and made a valuation of the homestead on Tuesday and Wednesday. Either that night or on Wednesday morning witness told Mr. Wilson he could only have the horse on Tuesday, but Mr. Wilson replied, " I am only doing this because my partner is acting as assesor without payment, and I am just making a report to Mr. Seddon." Witness added that no other valuer did the work in less than 11 fine days. Mr. Wilson's was the only report witness had not seen.' All the inspection Mr. Wilson did was one day on horseback and one day on foot. To Mr. Skerrett: Witness was at this time a Government employee. Witness had never previously farmed or valued country similar to Flaxbourne. He thought it strange for a man who came to value 56,000 acres requiring a horeo for only one day. Witness was retrenched from the Government service. He did not think there was one witness in the case who spent less than five days on the estate. To Sir Joseph Ward: He had not reported to either Dr. Findlay or Mr. Seddon regarding Mr. Wilson's short visit.' To Mr. Millar: Witness would say 6uch a casual report as Mr. Wilson's was valueless, and Mr. Wilson was paid unfairly as compared with other valuers. To Mr. Massey: Such places as Flaxbourne were valued by their carrying capacity. The way Mr. Wilson spoKo to witness was such as unmistakably conveyed the idea that he only came over to ensure some payment being made to the Hon. T. K. Macdonald, as the latter was prevented by law from receiving payment for acting as assessor. ' To Mr. Myers, M.P.: He was positive Mr. Wilson did not remain after Wednesday morning. To Mr. Han an: He mentioned to Dr. Findlay that Mr. Wilson had only been there two days, and said he did not suppose Mr. Wilson would be called as a witness. Dr. Findlay replied that Mr. Wilson would not be called. Mr. Wilson when on horseback probably covered 4000 acres. To Mr. Millar: He had never charged up whisky to the Department. A voucher produced showing ten gallons of whisky was not made out by witness. Mr. Greville gave Mr. Wilson a lot of information. This closed the examination of Mr. Hines's witnesses. The committee then adjourned.

EXTENSION OF TIME. [BY TELEGRAPH.—PRESS ASSOCIATION.] Wellington, Friday. In the House of Representatives to-night on the motion of Mr. Hanan (Invercargill) it was resolved that the committee set up to investigate the Hine charges be granted an extension of time from the 19th till the 26th inst., in which to make a report.