41

H.—9a.

might sign it when I know what it is about." He said he was in a hurry, for the paper had to go to Okuru, and every one would sign it. I was in a hurry, and so I signed it. I did not know what was in it but what he said. He said he would be at Malam's by-and-by. When I came to Malam's, at dinner time, I asked him if Eosenansky had been there with a paper. He said, "No." Stout asked me if I had seen the petition, and if I had signed it. I said, Yes. He asked me if I knew what was in it. I told him we should have more money and cash instead of cheques. I heard then what wras in the petition. I then wanted my name struck out. I asked Eosenausky two or three days after to get me the petition to strike my name out. He said ho could not find it. I told him ho must find the petition, aud have my name taken out. The same afternoon Michael Dwan came to me and asked me if I had signed the petition, and wanted my name struck out. I said Yes. He said he would strike my name out. I said it would bo better if I got the paper myself, to strike out my own name. He said ho did not want any one's name in it who did not wish it, and he would strike it out. I did not know wdicther he struck it out, so I went to see Mr. Macfarlane. I have no complaints to make. I intend to remain. lam satisfied with some of the land which I intend to take up. I did not want my name taken out of the petition because I was afraid of getting the " sack " from the mill in consequence of signing it. I never saw Mr. Macfarlane after signing it, before I asked Dwan to strike my name out. Michael Dwan recalled. I promised to strike Neilson's name out of the petition, but I had not got the petition with me, and I did not strike it out afterwards. I took the petition to Hokitika with me myself. I sealed it up myself after I knew the man wanted his name taken off. lam not positive. James Nightingale recalled. Mr. John McKenna and Courteuay were partners, as I understood, in a house. I served them with a notice, when the house was half-built, that the site was a gravel reserve. I told them they had better not go on with it, as I should want every bit of stuff that was in the reserve for road formation. When the road wras being formed I gave McKenna and Courtenay notice in writing that their hut was in the way. They were both together at the time. They said, "We suppose our labour there is lost." I said it might be useful even for a tool-house, and so that is not an entire loss to you. I will give £4 out of my own pocket for it." I believe I paid him there and then. About fourteen days afterwards I saw Courtenay. In the interval 1 had taken possession of the hut. Courtenay then told me he objected to my taking it, as he thought it was to be for the Government. I said, " Tho Government has nothing to do with it. What is your objection now ?" He said if it was for the Government he would not take £6. I said, " It is too late now ; I have paid for half, and if you are not satisfied you can take the other half." I never saw Courtenay afterwards. A reilson told me afterwards that Courtenay was willing to accept the £2. I hand in a receipt for £2, witnessed by Neilson. Mr. Macfarlane had nothing to do with the hut till twelve months afterwards, when Isent in a bill to Mr. Macfarlane for rent. Then Mr. Macfarlane paid me the £4 for the house.

Thursday, 3rd April, 1879. Mr. Macfarlane handed in a written statement in reply to the four allegations contained in the petition ; and, further, a reply to the charges made by Mr. John Murdoch in the course of his evidence given at various times before the Commission, and reduced by the Commissioners to twenty-one distinct headings.

Friday, 4in April, 1879. D. W. Virtue sworn and examined. My name is D. W. Virtue. lam a merchant in Hokitika. I have an entry in my books of some potatoes sold to Mr. Todd about tho time referred to. There were ten bags of potatoes at Is. Gd. per bag. Ido not know what became of the potatoes afterwards. I hand in an extract taken from my books. The potatoes were worthless. The date was the sth of January, 1876. It would be very difficult to obtain good seed potatoes at the time these were purchased. The potatoes were not condemned by the Inspector of Nuisances before they were sold. Mr. Barff, M.H.E., sworn and examined. As my statements in the House of Eepresentatives have been very roughly called in question during the progress of this inquiry I desire to make a statement, especially with regard to the rotten potatoes. The Hon. Mr. Bonar, in his evidence, states: "Tho statement of Mr Barff, that potatoes condemned by tho Inspector of Nuisances were purchased and sold at the settlement for £17 per ton, is utterly untrue." I desire to say that I never used the expression. The Hansard now before the Commission will prove this. The words I used were these :" In one case a quantity of damaged potatoes that could not be sold at auction were left on tho wharf at Hokitika until they were directed to be removed by the Inspector of Nuisances." My personal recollection of the facts connected with the damaged potatoes is founded upon personal observation, written statements, aud verbal statements made to me from time to time by numbers of persons; also by reference to the books and papers of Mr. Churches, merchant, of Hokitika. With regard to the Inspector of Nuisances I remember very distinctly that Mr. John Barrett, who was at that time, I believe, a member of the Borough Council of Hokitika, informed me either that he had directed the Inspector of Nuisances to remove the potatoes from the wharf, or that he intended to give such instructions. The potatoes were pointed out to me lying on the wharf. This was towards the evening; the date I forget. There were a large number of bags containing potatoes. These were covered with a tarpaulin or old sail. Mr. Barrett, previously referred to, is now, I believe, proprietor of the Borough Hotel, Christchurch. What I remember of the appearance of the potatoes —such as seemed to have rolled out of the bags —is that they w^ere so rotten that they almost 6—H. 9a.