H.—No 7.

16

REPORT OF THE PRIVILEGES COMMITTEE.

Mr. Reynolds.

159. Was the conversation of a nature of a serious accusation ?—Well, I certainly understood it as such. 160. Mr. Fox.] Did Mr. Brogden seem to understand it as such ?—I cannot say whether Mr. Brogden understood it as such, but it seemed to me that he understood it as such. 161. Mr. Parker.] I want to ask you whether they were laughing ; whether it was a joking conversation, or whether it was really meant ? —I do not think it was a joking conversation. 162. Were any of them laughing ?—No ; I do not think it was a joking conversation ; it seemed to be entirely serious—the whole conversation. I did not take any part in it; I merely heard it. After parting with Mr. Brogden, I made use of the observations I have just read to Captain Fraser and Colonel Brett. 163. Sir J. C. Wilson.] Did Colonel Brett accuse Mr. Brogden at once when they met, or was there any conversation preliminary to this ?—W 7e shook hands with Mr. Brogden ; Mr. McGiashan walked on down to the House; Mr. Brogden turned and walked as far as the Galatea Hotel with us. Then Colonel Brett said to Mr. Brogden, "You have used all your influence to get the Fox. Ministry turned out." I cannot say the exact words. That is tho purport of them, and I have given, them in writing. 164. Mr. Travers.] I should like to ask you, Mr. Eeynolds, whether, as Mr. Brogden approached yourself and the other gentlemen with you, Colonel Brett did not call out, "Ha! here comes the man who has turned out the Ministry." Was that not the expression he used ? —I believe, now you have called my attention to it, that he did say something like that; but I could not be quite certain about the exact words. 165. You were close enough to hear what was said ?—lt was said to Mr. Brogden. I was speaking to Mr. McGiashan, and asking him whether he was going out for a walk-. 166. Mr. Brogden at once denied it, and said he had not done anything of the kind ?—Yes ; I have given it in writing. 167. What you have put down is your recollection of the purport of the conversation, and not the exact words ? —I cannot say positively that they are the exact words, but I think they are the exact words. 168. That he would use any influence he possessed to strengthen his position ?■ —Yes, to strengthen his position. 169. He did not say anything which would directly imply that he intended to use indirect and undue influence ? —Certainly not; he said nothing to imply anything further than what I have given in that statement. Of course a person might infer from that whatever he thought proper. 170. Mr. Fox.] It was spoken in reply to the allegation that he had turned out the previous Ministry, was it not ? —Yes. Witness was thanked and withdrew. George Henry Tribe, Esq., M.H.E., in attendance, and having been sworn, was examined. 171. The Chairman ] You are a Member of the House of Eepresentatives for Totara?—Yes. 172. The Committee is informed that you can give them some information with reference to this charge brought by Mr. Harrison against Mr. Holt, of making improper propositions to him, which are entirely inconsistent with his proper and honourable position as a Member of the House of Eepresentatives. Do you know anything about it ? If you know anything about it, perhaps you will have the kindness to make a statement to the Committee, and then the members of the Committee, if they desire further information, can put questions to you? —I was with Mr. Harrison —I think it was on Monday week —at Mr. Brogden's office, and saw Mr. Holt there. We had some conversation as to the state of politics and political affairs just then. Mr. Holt evidently showed that he would prefer that the Stafford Ministry remained in office, and argued that the Members of the House ought to give them fair play ; that they at all events could prevent the bringing forward of a motion, to turn, out the Ministry. I regarded it merely as a conversation. I went down to see Mr. Holt respecting the formation of a water company, and to obtain information. I looked upon it simply as a conversation. Mr. Harrison dropped in while I was there, and tho conversation turned on that subject. I do not know of anything further I have to say. I know, further, that Mr. Harrison had told me that Mr. Holt had offered him —had invited him to negotiate as to giving his professional, services on behalf of Messrs. Brogden. I left Mr. Harrison with Mr. Holt, and they went away together, about four o'clock in the afternoon, to Mr. Brogden's office, to have a talk about the arrangement for Mr. Harrison's professional services. 173. Had any suggestions or propositions been made to you, Mr. Tribe, that you felt bound to resent as being of an insulting character ? —None whatever. 174. Sir J. G. Wilson.] At what place did this conversation take place ? —I mentioned in the early part of the evidence that I met Mr. Holt at Mr. Brogden's office, but w re left the office and went away to have a glass of sherry together. I left Mr. Harrison and Mr. Holt, who were to go back to Mr. Brogden's office, and I went home. 175. Did Mr. Harrison ever speak to you, after that four o'clock on the Monday evening, to the effect that he was of opinion that improper proposals had been made to him by Mr. Holt or Mr. Brogden?—Yes, he did, and I am rather puzzled as to the date ; at all events it was the evening before he told me he had an appointment to meet the Speaker of the House at eleven o'clock next morning. That fixes the date. I think I had not seen Mr. Harrison again on the Monday. 176. Mr. Parker^ Are you sure you did not see Mr. Harrison on Monday night?—l feel confident I did not. The night I saw him was after he had written to Mr. Speaker about the promised appointment, to have an interview with Mr. Speaker next morning. 177. Sir J. C. Wilson.] On that Tuesday evening, did Mr. Harrison state to you, in fact, that an improper proposal had been made to him, and did he enlarge upon that ? —He told me that Mr. Holt had gone beyond the scope of the interview which was arranged, and had made propositions to him, which he thought he was bound to report to the Speaker.

lOtli Oct., 1872,

Mr. Tribe.

10th Oct., 1872.