REPORT OE THE PRIVILEGES COMMITTEE.

H.—No. 7,

15

of the Government, the reason alleged being, that it was to Mr. Brogden's interest that Mr. Stafford's Government should remain in power for at least the current year." As I understand it, that was to be made a condition of your engagement ?--No, it was not to be made a condition. As I understood it, it was to be part of any arrangement that might be come to between us. .142. Let mo point out to you that you used the word " condition " ?—That is correct as regards furthering the undertakings; as a Member of the House I was to use my influence to prevent any motion being brought forward. That is the interpretation I placed upon what took place.

Mr. Harrison. 9tll Oo|l'>lB72'

Thursday, lOtii October, 1872. William Henry Harrison, Esq., M.H.E., re-called, and examined. 143. The Attorney-General.] Yesterday, in the course of examination by Mr. Travers, you stated that you had said nothing to Mr. Holt which indicated that you considered his proposals improper, and afterwards you also stated to Mr. Travers that you did tell Mr. Holt that the proposals had better be postponed until after the Session. I pointed out to you, on putting a question to you, that I considered that those answers seemed to be inconsistent. I ask you now, was anything said by you to Mr. Holt that indicated that you did consider the proposals such as ought not to be entertained by you?— All that was said was, that I thought the conversation on the subject of the proposals had better be dropped until after the Session. 144. Did you say anything with regard to tho promise which you had given of secrecy ? —No, I did not. 145. I understand you to say that you did not tell Mr. Holt, or did not say anything to Mr. Holt which indicated that you considered that he had behaved improperly in extracting the promise he did from you ? —No. 146. Do you recollect whether or not you made use of this expression to Mr. Holt: that you considered you had been entrapped ?—No, I did not say so. 147. Do you recollect whether or not, in the interview you had with Mr. Speaker, you told him that you had used that expression? —No ; but I believe I said to the Speaker that I saw that I had been entrapped, or that I thought I had been entrapped, and that I stopped the conversation. I did not tell Mr. Speaker or anybody else that I said to Mr. Holt that I thought I had been entrapped. 148. Mr. Fox.] You said to Mr. Speaker that you thought you had been entrapped, but you did not say so to Mr. Holt ? —I may have said to the Speaker that I thought I had been entrapped, or that I felt I had been entrapped. 149. Mr. Sheehan.] Do you remember, in the conversation just referred to, saying that you told Mr. Holt that you now considered the conversation, was assuming a turn which would be likely to fetter your political action, and that you therefore wished that it should cease?—l said so, or words to that effect. 150. Mr. Travers.] You suggested that three gentlemen should be sent for as witnesses—Colonel Brett, Captain Eraser, and Mr. Eeynolds, intimating that they could give evidence which would in some degree corroborate your suspicion ? —Yes, I think so. 151. When did you first hear from any 'of these gentlemen upon the subject upon which you suggested that they should give evidence ?—Since the appointment of this Committee by the House. 152. Had what you heard from them any influence upon you in arriving at the conclusion you did ? —No ;it could not. William Hunter Eeynolds, Esq., M.H.E., in attendance, and having been sworn, was examined. 153. The Chairman.] You are a Member of the House of Eepresentatives for Dunedin City P— Yes. 154. Do you desire to make any statement to the Committee ?—I do. I met Mr. Brogden—l think it was on Monday last —in the lobby. He told me that I would have to give evidence before the Committee. I told him that I knew nothing at all about this case ; that the only evidence I could give was the conversation which had taken place with himself, believing that was the evidence I was required to give. I wrote it down, and afterwards submitted it to Colonel Brett and Captain Eraser, who were present at the time of the conversation, and I understood them to say that it was correct. 155. May I ask you, have you had Colonel Brett's permission to make use of this, because I put myself in communication with Colonel Brett yesterday, and he positively declines to attend before the Committee to give evidence, alleging that he could not do so, as all the evidence he could give related to a conversation which he regarded to be of a private character. I mention this in order that you may see how far you are justified in bringing Colonel Brett's name into the matter, as he seems personally to object to it ? —I showed this statement to Colonel Brett and Captain Fraser. 156. Colonel Brett objects to appear to give this evidence before the Committee, because he says it is a private and confidential conversation. I have now told you what his views are, and it is 'for you to exercise your own judgment in the matter. 157. Witness.] Well, I shall simply read the statement to the Committee:— " Colonel Brett, Captain Fraser, and I were walking up Molesworth Street, on Sunday, 29th ultimo ; met Mr. Brogden and Mr. McGlashan ; the latter walked on. Colonel Brett then accused Mr. Brogden of having used his influence to turn out the Fox Government. He denied it, but said that he came out to the Colony in the interest of his firm, and that, although he did not care what Government might be in power, yet that he would bring all his influence to bear in order to strengthen his position. After parting with Mr. Brogden, I remarked to Colonel Brett and Captain Fraser that I had inwardly taken a note of his remarks which I did not at all like, as it appeared to me that he intended using his influence with Members, and possibly at elections." 158. Mr. Rolleston.] You say that he (Colonel Brett) accused Mr. Brogden ?—Yes, he said that Mr. Brogden had used his influence to get Mr. Pox's Government out of office.

10th Oct., 1872.

Mr, Reynolds.

10th Oct., 1872.