THE HINE CHARGES

Timaru Herald, Volume XCIII, Issue 14349, 15 November 1910, Page 7

THE HINE CHARGES

MR KAEHAU'S CASE. Per Press Association. WELLINGTON, Nov. 14. The Hine Commission sat at 10 a.m. to-day. W. H. Grace, formerly Land Purchase Officer, said he had received instructions not to have any dealings with Kaihau. When witness made out cheques for the purchase Kaihau was about to sit by witness, but he sent him away. Kaihau had told witness that he was to receive 10 per cent. In answer to Mr Skerrett, witness said he had been directed to watch the proceedings in the Appellate Court, but had not been told to- interfere in any way. He took no active part in the negotiations until after the title had been proved. The part purchased was' the most suitable of the whole block for settlement. Remana Hutana said the Tninuis gained a decision in the Land Court against the Ngatihingas, which te ave them 200,000 acres', including the aiea in question. In April 1905, Mr Sheridan, Land Purchase Officer, had a conversation with witness and advised the Tainuis to sell to the Government. "Witness said he would not sell, whereupon Mr Sheridan replied that if tie Tainuis did not sell the boundaries would be shifted. Replying to Mr Skerrett: Did not tell Para that if they put Kaihau down he would get tl'ie commission back. Witness said ho was not at the bottom of the charges against Air Kaihau. Mr Brown also said that if witness did not sell the b.uin i.iry would be shifted. That was in Api il 1906, and later that year a clause v. as passed by Parliament. This Mr Hine's case iu the first of the Kaihau charges. The Committee then took Replying to Mr Myers, witness said that Kailum did a lot of laud fighting for. the Ngatiliingis in the Appellate Court. Mr Fisher, Under-Secretary of the jSiative Department, gave evidence regarding correspondence. Mr Myers asked " that the correspondence file of the Native Land Court for 1906 be procured from Auckland.

Sir Joseph Ward asked if Mr Myers was implying a charge, against someono unnamed, of trying to influence the Native Land Court. Mr Myers said he was trying to show that Kaihau conducted the sale to the Government. . Robert Paterson, Land Purchase Omcer and accountant, said that the department had made no payment to Kaihau. He told Mr Blomfield that lie must pay the vendors the whole of tae purchase money. THE FLAXBOURNE CASE. Sir J. G. Ward asked whether this charge was against the presont Government or a previous Government. Mr Myers replied that the ohurge was against the Government of tne time mentioned. Sir J. G. WniH rsaid it was r.n attack ag.nnst a dead man, and it was a cowardly, scandalous ai;d contemptible thing. He would remain on the Committee and endeavour to combat the charge, but would not participate in the Committee's deliberations. t J. D. Ritchie, of the Land Purcnase Department, said the Court sat in December 1.903, and then adjourned tor twelve months. The Government employed a number of valuers to go over the Flaxbourne property, their fees varying fvom two to eight guineas a day and expenses, except A. L. Wilson, who. was asked by Mr Barron ix lie would make an inspection of the property, and act as Government assessor. _ Mr Wilson agreed to act at ten guineas per day, and subsequently sent m a voucher for £165 Replying to Mr Skerrett, who watched the proceedings on .behalf of Mr 1. Kennedy Macdonald, witness said Mr Crosse, the other assessor, was paid ten guineas per diem for thirty days for _ attending the Compensation Uoxirt inspecting the property, and attending a conference. To Sir ,T. G. Ward: Sir G. C/ifTord claimed £410,000, but. eventuallyT awarded .0181.800 for Flarcbonrne. Hp wrV'T J th i rt ;'; tcr seddon'* death Mr Kennedy Macdonald applied Government for payment of ! £6OO for services rendered in connec- : tion with the Flaxbourne purchase. I , ine Committee resumed at 730 p.m. ' ou

ih¥ V T B:n 7°D , fonnc chairman of the Purchase Board, said M.--Macdonald was appointed assessor in On,S V to O3 V ? nd ] ' n attended the Court at Blenheim. Then Mr W'>cn was instructed to make a report ™ riaxhonrne 111 December, 1903: The first official knowledge he had of" Mr - a e P° rt was a v;,-,icW estate! for valuin S the -A®?; ,T - G - Wnnl: Was sure t! at Mr Seddon would' not connt.^vu,^'!' payment to Macdonald under rovrY of a voucher to Wilson. ot To Mr M.nssey: He considered Wi]peV aS qUaLfied t0 vah,e rro-

To_ Mr Allen: Tt was not usual to tZ M ","W Wit,lo " t remunom! tion. Macdonald was the first sor witness know of to act -u'tlmt payment. Mr Seddon told witness to see ,f . Wacdonnld would act. Witness told Macdonald he would not be paid, but ho still consented to act A. li. Wilson said ho was a<;ed if he would act as assessor, and »-T<rd but was not accepted; and M.WToaald was appointed. Witness spout ten days on a visit of inspection, --md made a confidential report. To Dr Findlay: Witness received 7 1 "? no of went to Macdonald, the arrangements being that allGoveriirrient money should come to witness He was not asked by Macdonald to inspect Flaxbourne To Mr Myers: His fee from Flaxbourae was fixed at £165, irrespective or the time devoted to it adK^ 1 h6aring ° f this saso »»