THE HINE CHARGES.

Oamaru Mail, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 10583, 12 October 1910, Page 4

THE HINE CHARGES.

(Per Press Association.^ Wellington, October 12. The Committee to investigate Mr Hine's charges met this morning, at which Mr I-line formulated' charges as follows: —

(1) That Charles Edwin Major, while a member of Parliament, in 1904, sold to the Government the property of Frederick Bayly, at Toko, and that lie received a commission.

(2) That Major and Walter Synies, or one of them received commissions from Alfred Bayly for selling a property at Toko to tlie Government. (3)" That Synies in 1906 and 1908 charged and received from a number of the West Coast lessees of native lands commissions or sums of money tor preparing and conducting petitions to Parliament on their behalf..

(-1) Tliat Symes in 100 a, while an election was in prospect in which Symes intended t-o—become a member, being then a member, did threaten a certain newspaper that lie would liso his influence as a member to prevent the Government advertisements from being given to the said newspaper unless lie received* the support of, or--was "treated to 1, his' own satisfaction by,_ the said newspaper during the election contest.

(5) That Thomas Kennedy Macdonald, in or about 1904 and subsequent year, while a member of the Legislative Council, either alone or with thera; as a .partner, a local agent, conducted a sale to the Government of the property of John Motley Leigh, at Nainai, and properties of other persons, and received from Leigh and the vendors of the other properties commissions or other sums of money,, and divided the same.

(GV'l-bat JrJ.cnare Kaihau, in or about 1906, conducted a sale- the. Government of a portion of the Teakau Block, arid-received from the vendors a commission or other sum of money. Mr Jrline said he also had other charges of"-which- lie had information, but-it was not easy to get persons to give "evidence, so lie did not "think it. fair to make specific allegations at present, but asked to be allowed to formulate such charges later it necessary. ..'-On the motion of Sir. J. G. Ward, it was decided that a copy of the charges lie'sent to each of the persons mentioned thoreiii. - Sir Joseph also moved that 1 -the charges be referred to two Judges of the Supreme Court for investigation- and to report to the Committee. , . ItAw.as.idecided to adjourn till 10 tomorrow morning, to consider Sir Joseph Ward's motion.