43

I.—ll

781. You wish that taken down in your evidence ?—Yes. 782. You have made a complaint that the Eesident Magistrate would not allow you to bring sufficient evidence forward ? —Yes; the Magistrate and my solicitor had a conversation together, and then he said it was no use bringing any more evidence. 783." Was it because he was satisfied without?— Yes ; I suppose so. 784. And you were grieved because you were not allowed to call your witnesses ? —Yes ; I had one important witness. 785. Is this the first inquiry that has been held in connection with this district?—No; there have been several. I was once before before a Court myself. 786. For not complying with the Eabbit Act ?—Yes. 787. Were you the person who asked for that inquiry ?—No; I was only examined as a witness. 788. You believe that the administration of the Eabbit Act in your district is a complete fare% ? —Yes. 789. And that is the general opinion of the settlers?— Yes. There have been two or three public meetings held, because the settlers have seen how I have been harassed by the department. 790. Is it the Act that is bad, or is it simply the administration of it ? —The Act gives too much power to one individual. If he has got a " set " on you he could ruin you. 791. You told us just now that you poisoned on the 7th May : is it not a fact that June was the time fixed for a simultaneous poisoning ?—Yes ; but you must consider the nature of the locality. I commenced earlier. When the wet weather sets in the poisoning is a failure, as a rule. I think both in May and April is the best time to poison, before the wet weather sets in. 792. Is there more grass in June than May ?—lf it has been wet there is. 793. But June was the date fixed by the Inspector?—No ; I did not agree to that. If I had waited till June it would not have be£n a success. I commenced on the 2nd, and I poisoned Duncan's boundary on the 7th. 794. Was there anything in Hull's manner that appeared at all aggravating? —No. 795. What did he say to you?—He asked me to keep a man on this boundary for a time. 796. One man ? —Yes; and I kept a man on. He said he did not wish anybody to start poisoning until June. 797. And you had a man put on ?—Yes. 798. And he was there when Hull's man came up ? —-Yes. 799. Who was the man he put on?—A man named Bell. 800. Who was your man?—My own son. 801. Was he there all the day?— Yes. 802. And did no other work?— No. 803. Have you read his evidence given before the Court?—No; that was before he went on this particular portion of ground that that evidence referred to. 804. You must keep to the point: I mean the days in question ? —He was there three weeks, from the 2nd to the 19th April, but two or three days of that time he wras off, as I have already stated. 805. The general impression seems to bo that he was occasionally there—only of an evening?— I have three sons, and they changed work, and there was always one or two rabbiting. 806. When you heard that 26th June was fixed, did you make it known that you would begin in May ?—All the settlers agreed to start on 13th May. 807. At the meeting, was the Inspector present ?—Yes. 808. And the Inspector stated June ?—Yes ; the settlers wanted May, but the Inspector inserted a notice in the papers saying it would be June. 809. Now, what about those expenses: all you were summoned for was £2, was it not?— Yes. 810. What was the Court expenses?— They would have been about £5. 811. When you found out that you had broken the Act, if you had paid the £2 and the Court expenses, that would have been all you would have been asked to pay?— Yes, I suppose so. 812. But you engaged a solicitor?— Yes. 813. And you wish to have it refunded?— Yes; if I was brought unjustly before a tribunal without just cause I do. 814. But you lost the case ? —Yes. 815. Then, how do you consider you wore unjustly treated? —Because I was "spotted"out as an individual to be tried different to all the others. 816. You complain that Bell took no steps at this time to clear off the rabbits ?—No ; I believe he did not. , 817. We have it in evidence that he put on three men, and kept them on Duncan's boundary ?— I did not see them. 818. You never saw Bell's man ?—No. 819. Is it not true then?—They-might have been there, but I never saw them.

Tuesday, 27th August, 1889. (Hod. Mr. Acland, Chairman.) Mr. Boss's examination continued. 820. Mr. McKenzie.] Whs is in occupation of the land at the front of your property at Dunback?—Mr. Bell. 821. Who poisoned it last winter?— One of his shepherds. 822. And he joins you at the river at the back of Kitchenrs? —Yes. 823. How many chains does lie join your place ? —About 160 altogether—ss chains at the top and 90 chains in front. At the river there are 10 or 12 chains.