TAUPO RAILWAY.

Waikato Times, Volume 106, Issue 17837, 9 October 1929, Page 6

TAUPO RAILWAY.

INQUIRY RESUMED. WORK AT PRISON CAMP. KEPT STEADILY MOVING. (By Telegraph.—Press Association.) WELLINGTON, Tuesday. The Parliamentary inquiry into the Rotorua-Taupo railway question was resumed to-day. Asked by Mr H. S'. S. Kyle under what condition work was organised at Hautu, Mr Banks said the prisoners were kept steadily moving all the time, working eight hours a day. He could not venture an opinion as to whether the unemployed could be satisfactorily put to work on the land. It would depend on the discipline maintained. The soil in the pumice lands responded exceptionally well to treatment with superphosphates. Last year lambs sent- to Westfled from Hautu Prison Farm had realised the record price of 425.

On a Community Basis.

Witness considered the best method of the Government settling the pumice lands was on a community basis with organised labour on a large scale. If good men were employed there should be no failures. If a large number of men were used in the initial stages the best could be picked out for subsequent settlement on the land. The witness estimated that 300 acres would be a sufficient area to support a man and his family, a couple of labourers being employed lo assist. Questioned by Mr J. N. Massey, witness said the secret of treating pumice country was lo apply fertiliser, “ little and often." Mr Yaile asked permission to put in a letter from Mr W. .1. Parsons, an earlier witness, rebutting statements allegedly made by Mr M. .1. Galvin, a fields inspector of the Land and Survey Department, who had given evidence later. The chairman declined to admit the letter on the ground that it would make the evidence one-sided, and Mr Parsons would not be present to be further examined.

1 Followed Wrong Courso. Mr C. H. Newson, stock inspector of the Department of Agriculture, declared that the proposed route followed the wrong course. He considered it should follow the eastern side of the Waikato River to Waiotapu. Mr 11. R. Jenkins: Do you think a railway is needed within ten years? Witness: Yes. Mr Jenkins: For what purpose? Witness: For farming developments.

SOME HEATED EXCHANGES. WITNESS SHARPLY QUESTIONED. (By Telegraph.—Press Association.) WELLINGTON, Wednesday. There were some heated exchanges between members of the M. to Z. Public Petitions Committee of the House to-day, when the Taupo railway inquiry was resumed. Mr Knutzen was cross-examined. Mr Semple questioned him over the proposal between the Totara Timber Company and the Government, and the witness said the proposal was for the company to exchange a piece of land of 1000 acres vaulcd at live shillings per acre, for a block of totara bush valued at £03,000. Mr Semple: How was it upset ?

Witness: Bv one of the officers in the Lands Department. Mr Semple: Did the late Mr Massey know anything about it? What did lie say ?

Witness: I would not like to repeat what he said.

-Mr Dalzeill protested, saying witness was not giving evidence of his own knowledge. If the evidence was going down jl would be entirely unjust to liis company. None of the statements were within witness’ own knowledge. The matter was not pursued further.

To Mr Jenkins witness said there was overproduction of timber to-day.

A Statement Denied. In reply to a question by (he chairman, Mr McDonald, witness said he had been employed by Dr. Rayner. He denied having any interest in Dr. „>ayner’.s profit. .Mr. McDonald: Supposing I suggest that you had arrangements with Dr. Rayner whereby you were to receive 10 per cent, of (he profits he made, and that was unknown to the department ? Witness: I would say no. Mr. McDonald suggested that it was in witness’ sworn statement. Witness: I deny it. n is a most unfair statement to make. After an interval of search Mr. McDonald said tie thought the committee had better proceed lo give him time to turn Hie evidence up. Witness proceeded to make a statement in regard lo the inquiry under Mr. Riddell into dealings with timber by Hie Railway Department, in which Mr. Sterling was present all the time in his capacity as law ofllcer. Witness suggested that had Mr. Sterling thought l'or a moment Dial witness Took £SOO as a bribe witness would not have been five minutes in the Railway Department, Witness said tie was called to Mr. AlcVilly’s otltce and personally congratulated on the outcome of the inquiry. Better .than that was the fact Mr. Massey thought lit to take an unusual course and have him brought to the House and personally congratulated in the room of the then Speaker. Mr. McDonald: Y'ou admit that you received £SOO ? Witness: But not as 10 per cent. It was part of my salary. He received it about five or six years after he left. The explanation was quite simple.