H.—No. 3.

[The witness here volunteered a statement to the following effect:—l think it only fair that I should state that the report published in the Evening Post, as well as that in the Independent, was written by myself, no reporter having been present.] , 4. Mr. Bluett.'] The report is a fair one, is it not?—To the best of my belief, it is correct; if anything, it is understated. no at 5. The Chairman.] Has Mr. Martin ever made any threat to you in the matter personally ?—No ; 6 Has Mr Martin got any other property in that part of the country ?—No ; none that I know of. I could produce neighbours acquainted with the land, who recommend that Mr. Martin should be allowed to purchase the land at ss. per acre, in order that it might be a pecuniary loss to him 7 In reply to a question by Mr. Eolleston, as to the preference given by the Waste Lands Board in the'case of two applications being lodged simultaneously, witness said that the determining questions of conflicting applications was, by the Land Eegulations of the Province, part of the duty of the Lands Board. , .. „ ~ -, , ~ . 8 In answer to Mr. Studholme, witness said that if one person only applies for the land, it is put up to public auction, at an upset price of ss. per acre. If two applicants apply on the same day the Board determines which of the applicants are first, and the first applicant may bid for the land at 5s per acre Any other person getting the land must pay 55., or some advance on the upset price 9 In reply to Mr. Bluett, witness said that both his application and the application lodged by Mr. Martin were made on the 12th August, at 10 o'clock. Both parties entered the office at the same ne']o The Chairman] The Eeport states that you declined to draw lots. Did you do so because you thought the proposal illegal ?—I declined because the case was altogether an unique one. It was the first case of the kind that had come before the Board. The Land Eegulations make no mention ot rawing a*.^ Studholme, witness said the decision of the Board was arrived at with closed doors. These meetings are, by the Land Eegulations, to be open to the public; butafter the Commissioner had heard my statement, and my offer to produce evidence, if required, it was intimated that I had better withdraw. I have applied to the Board for a rehearing of the case, m respect of the Board having been so closed. It was not a full meeting of the Board. Three members were present,— the Provincial Secretary, the Chief Commissioner, and the Chief Surveyor-constituting a quorum 12 To Mr Bluett.] The quantity of land applied for was 3,325 acres, comprising four (4) blocks. Mr Martin applied for the whole of the land in one application : I applied for each of the four blocks separately, and I contend that my application covers the whole area. The land, if put up to auction, must be put up in blocks of something like a square mile.

Mr. Andrew. 29th August, 1872.

Feidat, 30th August. Hon. C. J. Phaeaztn in attendance, and examined. 13 The Chairman 1 This is a Committee of the House of Eepresentatives, appointed to inquire into the truth of a paragraph which appeared in the Evening Post about a week ago, in reference to the purchase.ofcertain fands by Mr. Martin, or rather a proposal by both Messrs Martin and Andrew to 5a c the land. At a meeting of the Waste Lands Board, Mr. Andrew alleged, so says the newspaper hat Mr. Martin has been heard to say, over and over again, that he would inflict a penalty or Kisnment on Mr. Andrew, in consequence of Mr. Andrew having given a certain vote as a Member of thHouse of Eepresentatives. I may here state that Mr. Andrew admits that he himself was the author of the newspaper article. Mr. Andrew has been examined by this Committee, and has given us the names of two or three persons to whom these remarks were alleged to have been made: amongst others your name.-I do not [pointing to and perusing the newspaper paragraph produced] recollect that part of the conversation. I recollect, about a fortnight since, meeting Mr Marfan on the Beach when he said he had just purchased three or four thousand acres on Mr. Andrew's rum I said, I suppose you will make five hundred notes out of the transaction," as he had made out of Eiddiford s purchase He said yes, and made some other remark in a half jocular manner. The remark was openly made, and could have been heard by the public passing by. The remark was made in a half joke, such aa Mr Martin is in the habit of indulging in. 14 Did he say anything about punishing Mr. Andrew for a certain vote ?-Not that I recollect. Mr. Collins says that he said so ; but from the general tone of the conversation, I paid no particular heedir VDo at you remember any remark having been made about a double motive ?-No; Ido not recollect anything of that sort. He merely explained that he had walked into Andrew, and would make five hundred notes out of him. _ .. ~ , 16 Mr Bluett.} Have you any idea of the nature of the vote Mr Andrew is alleged to have given ?' Have you ever heard Mr. Martin criticise any particular vote ?-No, I have not. I presume the vote refers to one passed regarding the Government buildings. Mr. Eichabd Collins in attendance, and examined. 17 The Chairman.-] We are a Committee of the House of Eepresentatives to inquire into the truth or otherwise of an article which appeared in the Evening Post [Article produced and read.] Wr are tod tha you can supply some information on the subject. The point to which we are more oSrous of dbeefa g you attention is the allegation, as stated by Mr. Andrew, that Mr. Martin threatened to inflict some sort of punishment for a vote given in the House of Eepresentatives. that is the Point upon which we particularly wish information. Can you give any information on this subject X can only say that 1 heard Mr. Martin say that he would make Mr. Andrew pay for a certain block of land on his run.

Son. Mr. Pharazyn. 30th August, 1872.

Mr. Collins. 30th August, 1872

4

REPORT OP THE PRIVILEGES COMMITTEE.