GOLD PIELDS COMMITTEE.

7

H.—No. 10,

5. He purchased the interest in the land, did he not?—Tes. It was held on a business license, and a sort of permissive right from the runholder to cultivate a garden. 6. Then it was not held under an agricultural lease ? —No. 7. Was the large quantity of gold to which you have referred got by Acton, McDonald, or Bastings ? —Acton got a quantity of gold for many years. It has also been wrought profitably by Bastings and by Simpson. 8. Was the ground wrought by any one between the time Acton ceased to work it and the time that Bastings and Simpson took it ?—Tes ;it was let to Acton and some Chinamen at a rental of so much per week. I forget particularly about it. It may have been a royalty. 9. Did the Chinamen work it successfully ?—lt appears that the works were flooded out the time the Chinamen had the ground. 10. How long did the workings remain idle at that time ?—Not many weeks. 11. With whom did Bastings work the land ? —He was connected with Simpson, who resides on the ground, and Hare manages the claim. 12. Have they been at work since then ?—I understand they have been at work continuously. 13. How many men do they employ ?—I cannot say. The average is, I believe, fifteen or twenty. 14. Has the ground been purchased by Bastings, or has he got it merely on lease ?—The ground has been transferred to Simpson and Bastings by McDonald. 15. I have heard that Bastings has lost money by it. Is that the case ?—I do not know. 16. Is not Mr. Bastings desirous of surrendering the land upon receiving compensation ?—I do not think he is.