THE HINE CHARGES.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIII, Issue 176, 4 November 1910, Page 5

THE HINE CHARGES.

THE LYSAGHT INCIDENT. ' MESSRS SYMES AND MAJOR. By Telegraph.—Press Association. ■Wellington, Thursday. The Hine Committee of the Lower House met this morning. All the mem-bers-of the committee were present. Mr. G. V. Pearce, member for Pa tea, said he was one of the lessees. The whole costs of the action, Maoris v. Turner, in 1891 were paid by levy on all 'leaseholders, including the firm of \v. and A. Svmes. The costs amounted to £3OOO. Mr. Myers was granted permission to put in some letters from Symes to Uower, one of the leaseholders, in one of which Symes suggested that leaseholders who received refunds should subscribe to make little surprise presents to certain members of the committee who had helped to get the matter through. Mr. Myers said Gower was unable to be present, and in reply to -Sir Joseph Ward said Gower had never communicated with the Government regarding these letters. This closed Mr. Myers' case on charge 3. The committee then took charge 4, in which Symes is alleged to have threatened to use political influence against the Stratford Post unless he received the support of the paper. ALLEGED BRIBER!'.

W. D. Anderson, managing directov of the Stratford Post, said that in September, 1905, while the general election was in view, a letter was received from Symes by McCluggage, one of the Posi directors, saying that the question cf Government advertising in the Post depended on the Post's treatment of Symes. Until then the Post was not on the list of papers for Government advertising. On receipt of Symes' letter the directors sent the manager to Wellington to see the Minister in charge of that department, and the paper was put on the list straight away without any trouble. At that" time the Post was a new paper .started by a company formed to purchase the two papers, the Egmont Settler and the Egmont Post, both of which he believed had been on the Government advertising list. Sir Joseph Ward interposed that he would produce evidence later to show that the Settler was on the list but the Post was not.

Questioned by Sir Joseph Ward, the witness said the manager-had no trouble in having the paper placed on the advertising list. The majority of the directors were recognised Oppositionists. Joseph McCluggage, Whangamomona, storekeeper, and director of the Stratford Post, said he supported Symes in the 1905 election. The only man to communicate with the •Government re advertising was the manager. The letter from Symes was a private one, and Hemingway (Hine's secretary) had no right to have it or give it for publication.

William Whitlock, proprietor of the Hastings Standard, said he was manager of the Egmont Settler until the amalgamation of the two papers, and then for some time managed the Stratford Post. When lie interviewed Sir Joseph Ward, witness did not tell him of Symes' letter, and had no difficulty in getting the paper placed on the list. The question of the paper's policy did not crop up either in the interview or the correspondence.

Questioned by Mr. Millar, witness said that although McCluggage had put a note in the corner of the letter asking for its return after perusal by the editor, witness had left it with the company's solicitors. To Mr. Skerrett, witness said he did not know that on his return from Wellington Symes' letter had been submitted to a solicitor with a view to ascertaining whether it brought Symes under the provisions of the Corrupt Practices Act.

Mr. Reed suggested that Mr. Anderson be recalled to allow the committee to trace how the letter passed out of the hands of the right persons and was used politically. iSr Joseph Ward and Mr. Millar supported the request, but Messrs Massey, Allen and Fraser opposed it, and the chairman ruled against Mr. Reed.

Mr. Copping, editor of the Post, called at Sir Joseph Ward's request, said that lie was also the Stratford representative of the Press Association. No one else in Stratford was authorised to send Press Association messages. As Association representative he did not send a long telegram on the night of Hine's arrival in Stratford, stating that Hine had heen enthusiastically received, although this telegram was headed Press Association in some morning papers. Mr. Myers said that closed the evidence on charge 4, whereupon Mr. Major asked that the charges against him be taken to-morrow, as he desired to get away. Mr. Major added that he admitted receiving commission for the sale of Mr. F. Bayly's property, but denied any connection with the second charge, in which it was alleged that he acted with Symes in the sale of Alfred Bayly's property to the Government. His request was agreed to, and the committee then adjourned till to-morrow. IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. MR. LEIGH'S STRENUOUS DENIAL.

Wellington, Last Night. The Hine Committee of the Upper House resumed at 8 p.m. Sir. John Motley Leigh, settler, from whom the Government acquired the Nainai property, said he purchased the land from Jonnnax for £7O an acre. Witness first offered the property to the Government in 1004. McDonald. Wilson and Co. received 2V 2 per cent, commission on the sale. To Mr. Skerrett: He agreed in writing with McDonald's firm to pay 2%' per cent. He paid nothing else to McDonald's firm except the 2*4 per cent, commission. If any suggestion were made that lie paid more than this amount, it was a wicked thing to say. Mr. Myers denied suggesting anything about Leigh paying more than 2% per cent. Mr. Leigh, continuing, said he used no political influence to secure the sale of the property to the Government. He only knew two members of Parliament, and had not spoken one word to either of them on the subject. Mr. Leigh, addressing the committee, wished to say he had not influenced the members of the Land Purchase Board, any members of the Government, or anyone else. If they could prove that he paid one shilling, or offered anything to further the sale of the property to the Government, or to obtain any improper concessions from the Government, he would give £IOOO to Wellinston charities. This closed Mr. Myers' case. Mr. Skerrett said it was unnecessarv for him to call the Hon. Mac Donald, but if any member of the committee

wished to ask him any questions, Mr. Mac Donald would answer them. After deliberating in camera, the committee decided not to call Mr. Hine, as his evidence could only be hearsay. The committee adjourned at 9.15 p.m.