REPORT OE THE PRIVILEGES COMMITTEE.

7

H.—No. 2.

Monday, 2nd September. Hon. M. S. Grace, M.D., in attendance, and examined. 59. The Chairman.] We are a Committee of the House of Representatives, delegated to inquire into a matter of privilege. Mr. Andrew, a Member of the House, it appears, has got a run, a portion of which was put up to auction not long since, when 3,000 acres of it was purchased by Mr. John Martin. Mr. Andrew alleges that Mr. Martin did so to punish him for a vote upon a certain question last session, his vote being adverse to Mr. Martin's interest. We are told that Air. Martin has been going about publicly, stating that he would make him pay a penalty for his vote up to £500. Of course, to punish a Member for the proper discharge of his duty is a serious offence. The Committee has been nominated to inquire into the truth of these allegations, and we understand you are in a position to give evidence on the point. —Mr. Martin told me that he would put up Mr. Andrew's land, as he (Mr. Andrew) had voted against him in that contract business. Air. Martin is a loose talker, and no one attaches much importance to what he says. I did not believe in the motive he alleged at the time. I believe he would put up the land to make a profit out of it, as he had done with Eiddiford's land, against whom he had no animus. 60. In reply to a further question, witness said that Air. Martin was in the habit of talking foolishly, and without consideration as to the exact meaning of words. 61. In reply to a further question,'witness said, If I might be allowed to express an opinion, I would say that Martin is a man of this kind, —he wishes to make money, but does not appear to me to bear malice. 62. To the Chairman.] Mr. Martin is a man of this kind. He is in the habit of expressing himself very loosely, and I do not attach much importance to his statements.'

Hon, Dr. Grace.

2nd September, 1872.

Extract from the Wellington Waste Lands Board Minute Book. At a meeting of the Board held at the Crown Lands Office, Wellington, on Monday, the twenty-sixth day of August, 1872. Present: Mr. Bunny, Provincial Secretary. Mr. Jackson, Chief Surveyor. Mr. Holdsworth, Commissioner of Crown Lands, in the Chair. The minutes of the last meeting were read and confirmed. Simultaneous applications of Mr. John Martin and Mr. J. C. Andrew for pastoral sections Nos. 804, 806, 808, and 810 in the Whareama Block, to be put to auction at ss. per acre, read. Mr. Andrew being present, stated his reason why, in his opinion, his applications (four in number) should have priority over Mr. Martin's. Mr. Andrew having retired, the Board decided that lots should be drawn by the applicants for priority, and that, in the event of either of them refusing to accede to the arrangement, his application should be declined, and the opposing application bo received and registered. Mr. Andrew being recalled, and the decision of the Board communicated to him by the Chairman, he declined to accede to the arrangement, and was informed that Mr. Martin's application would be registered; it being at the same time pointed out to Mr. Andrew, that Mr. Martin's single application covered the whole of the four sections, while he (Mr. Andrew) had put in four applications for one section each, and that this fact had weighed with the Board in arriving at its decision.