I.—2a

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evidence, it was his bounden duty to write to the Chairman of the Committee and demand re-eiamina-tion. Neither the Minister for Public Works nor the Secretary made any such demand. Had they made any such demand, I would not have allowed the Committee to report before their further evidence was received. 106. I wish, referring to my question that the Minister should be allowed to put his conduct in a better light, to know why the Committee did not entertain these documents?— The Minister for Public Works did not state to us that he wished to put his conduct in a better light; he seemed satisfied with the light in which it was put by his evidence. Mr. J. Knowles sworn and examined. 107. The Chairman.] The Committee has been informed that certain documents which you desired should be forwarded as evidence to the Committee have not been included in your evidence. Is that the case? —I forwarded tho documents to the Committee. 108. When did you forward those documents ?—I am not quite sure whether it was on the Monday or the Tuesday. 109. Monday or Tuesday last ? —Yes. 110. To whom did you forward those documents ? —To the Clerk of the Map Inquiry Committee. 111. What were the documents ?—These [witness produced certain documents]. 112. What had these documents special reference to?—I was directed to send in documents relative to promises made by former Governments in connection with a railway to Grahamstown. 113. Then these are the documents ? —I sent the whole file, with certain pieces of paper inserted to connect. I also sent, in addition to this file, these instructions of Mr. Blackett to Mr. Simpson, and a book containing printed papers, with a map. 114. Did you send anything further ?—I sent also this printed appendix, numbered 5 in the report of the Map Inquiry Committee. 115. And when did you receive these papers back again?— Some little while afterwards. 116. Can you say when ?—I think it was the same evening. 117. This, you say, was on Monday or Tuesday ? —I rather think it was on the Tuesday. I sent them very early on Tuesday morning. 118. Was there any object in sending these papers to the Committee ? Was there any intention of having them printed if possible? —That I had nothing to do with. I was simply instructed to send them to the Committee. 119. Mr. Rolleston.] Do you consider these were part of your evidence ?—No, not part of my evidence ; certainly not. 120. Then they were not part of your evidence given before the Committee'? —No, no part of my evidence. You will see by my evidence that I was asked certain questions, and I said I could not answer off-hand, but would send the documents. 121. Mr. Rolleston.] (Referring to addition to original signed evidence of Mr. Knowles.) Were you directed to append this to your evidence ?—No. 122. By anybody ? —No; by nobody. I added that when the evidence was sent to me for correction. 123. This, then, was in terms of a resolution which was passed here ? —I presume so. Of course I have no knowledge of that resolution. I was simply instructed to send certain documents, and I sent those documents over. 124. Hon. Mr. Richai-dxon.] Amongst those records, can you lay your hands on any record of promises made by me that a railway should be constructed from Grahamstown to Te Aroha, while I was Minister of Works ? —The first paper relating to this matter was this, on which there was the following minute : —" In Cabinet, 12th February, 1873. —Cabinet approved a flying survey being made of the country between the Thames and Cambridge, with a view to the ultimate construction of a railway in that locality, tho surveyor at the same time to be instructed to report upon the best means of connecting Waikato with Shortland by means of the Rivers Waihou or Piako. — Wsr. R. E. Beown, Secretary to Cabinet." " Mr. Simpson has applied to be appointed to this work, and, if Engineer-in-Chief approves, he may be appointed, and receiveinstructions to proceed with the work. —E. Richaeoson.—l3th February, 1873." The following telegram was accordingly sent:—" Wellington, 18th February, 1873.—Daniel Simpson, Esq., C.E., Grahamstown. —I am authorized to engage a surveyor to make exploration and preliminary survey of a line of railway from Shortland, by Thames Valley, to Upper Waikato, and to report on this and on the improvement of the navigation of the Upper Thames ; payment at the rate of seven guineas per week. If you are at liberty, aud will undertake the work, send telegram, and I will forward instructions. Reply free.—John Blackett." The next papers are as follow : —" Superintendent's Office, Auckland, 31st January, 1573. —Sir, —Herewith I have the honor to transmit for presentation to His Excellency the Governor, a memorial signed by 1,900 inhabitants of the Thames Gold Fields within this province, praying for the construction of a railway through the Thames Valley to the Upper Waikato, with a branch-line to Tauranga.—l have, &c, Thomas B. Gillies, Superintendent. —The Hon. the Colonial Secretary, Wellington." " Colonial Secretary's Office, Wellington, 14th February, 1873. —Sir, —I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 31st January, in which you forward a memorial signed by 1,960 inhabitants of the Thames Gold Fields, praying for the construction of a railway through the Thames A Talley to the Upper Waikato and Tauranga, and, in reply, to inform your Honor that instructions have been given to have a flying survey made to the Waikato without delay. The same engineer has also been instructed to mako a report on the improvements required for the better navigation of the Upper Waikato River.—l have, &c, G. M. Wateehotjse.—His Honor the Superintendent of Auckland." 125. Are those papers which you hold in your hand a copy of the others?— They are both the same, with one exception. These are copies made in case I should have to give evidence. To make these copies complete there requires to be put in a copy of a petition of which there is only mention there. These copies are not in evidence, only the originals.