MR. HINE’S CHARGES.

Taranaki Herald, Volume LVIII, Issue 14348, 28 October 1910, Page 3

MR. HINE’S CHARGES.

AGAINST A LEGISLATIVE COUNCILLOR. Per Press Association. WELLINGTON, Oct. 27. In the Legislative Council this after, noon, the Committee on Privilege, appointed to consider the charge made against a member of the council by a member of the House of Representatives, reported that the charge involved a breach of the privileges-or the council. • A message to that'effect. WaS'erdfered to bo sent to the House. 'Hie Hon. T. K. MacDonald suggested that a committee be sot up at the earliest possible moment to investigate the charges made against him. On the motion of the Attorney-Gen-eral, a Select Committee was set up to investigate tho charges, the committee consisting of the Pious. J. Rigg, T. Thompson, J. E. Jenkinson, J. BTCallan, J .R. .Sinclair, 0. Samuel, G. M. Luke, and iho mover.-. 1. The matter came ‘up in tho House this_ afternoon, when-a message was received from tho, Legislative Council in regard to the message frpm the House referring to the charge made by Mr. J. B. Hine against the Hoh. T. K. MacDonald, M.X.C.,'nnd pointing out that the charge involved a breach of tho privileges of the Council. On Sir Joseph Ward s suggestion, consideration of tho message was postponed till to-morrow. • v , ” CHARGE AGAINST GOVERNMENT. WELLINGTON, - Oct. 28. The Hine Committee of the Lower House met this morning. On Mr. Massey’s motion Mr. Myers’ counsel,for Mr. Hine, was allowed to appear. Messrs. Kailiau and-fcjymes wrote asking lor an adjournment to allow of their attendance. It was decided that tho committee meet next Tuesday,' Thursday, and i'nday, wlien the parties interested and witnesses must be' in. attendance. ■ i , Mr. Myers said he proposed first to take evidence re the’ charges against Mr. Symes. Mr. Hine now made-a further charge that in or about, the.yoar-1804, Government haying taken steps to -acquire compulsorily the property known as the I'laxbourne Estate and. appointed a member ot tho Legislative Council, Thomas Kennedy MacDonald, as their assessor, and knowing or believing that by reason ot his being a member of tho Legislature tho said Thomas Kennedy MacDonald could not be paid any remuneration tor acting as assessor, sent tho then partner ot the said Thomas Kennedy MacDonald, One Alexander Lorimor Wilson, to make a casual inspection of the said property and paid him an exceptional and wholly extravagant fee therefor, with the intent or object of indirectly remunerating the said Thomas Kennedy MaoDoiiaid or his partner or firm for the services of the said '-Thomas Kennedy MacDonald as such assessor as aforesaid. Mr. Hi ml preferred this as a charge against tha Government, not against Mr. MacDonald. He also said that a charge of accepting payment running into four figures was being made against Mr. Kaihau, and that tho paper mentioned in the charge was the fetratford Post. Mr. Myers asked that Parliament should summon witnesses and pay theii expenses, and that witnesses be sworn. Sir Joseph Ward agreed to this. Mr. Myers asked permission to peruse the Departmental files and Treasury and imprest vouchers relating to ‘ the purchases mentioned in the charges, and said he would intimate what tiles he required.- . The committee then adjourned. THE COUNCIL COMMITTEE. WELLINGTON, Oct. 28. Tho committee appointed by the Legislative Council to inquire- into the charge made by Mr., Hine, against the Hon. T. K, MacDonald met this morning. The Hon. Mr... Callan was appointed chairman, and it was decided that tho meetings should be open to the press. Tho committee then rose.