7

1.-&A

Mr. Scobie Mackenzie : Assuming it is the policy of the Government ? Dr. Fitchett : Yes. The Chairman : I think the cost of roading and surveying is simply added to the purchasemoney, but nothing else. 36. Dr. Fitchett.] Were there any other charges ?—A certain percentage is added in all cases to cover incidental expenses. For instance, it may occur that one of the leases may be vacant for a period, and a certain sum was added for roading this block, as to all other blocks, to cover such expenses. It is, in fact, to cover incidental expenses such as roading, surveying, and administration. 37. These reasons given by Mr. Maitland for the dissatisfaction—if there was such—was, that the people were supposed to believe that a large estate in that and the adjoining district was being brought into the market ?—Mr. Maitland is referring to a private estate, not a Government one. 38. That, I presume, was subsequent; it did not exist at the time you bought this land ?— That is so. 39. And with respect to the settlers being of opinion that the rents were high, you have had some experience in the department, and I want to ask you whether it is unusual for the settlers to be dissatisfied ?—lt is by no means unusual. Settlers are frequently dissatisfied. There are contantly applications for reduction of rents coming before the Land Boards. 40. Mr. Scobie Mackenzie referred to a certain meeting as having been got up as to the rates. Does it suggest itself to you that it may have something to do with the meeting of this Committee ? —Yes. 41. In respect to the valuation, I believe the valuer's report is in printed schedules?—Yes. 42. That printed schedule does not require the rents to be named. I have looked through it, but there is no mention of it. The only reference to land is this : " Give ruling prices of land of similar character, and of rents in the neighbourhood," and the answer to that is, " Two shillings to three shillings, if roads available. Ido not know of any land being leased in the neighbourhood." 43. I understand you to say that Mr. Dallas was there, and was cross-examined as to his opinion generally?—We cross-examined him generally as to his knowledge of the country, and the settlement of the land in the locality. He was a long time before the Board. 44. Am I right in saying you got all the information possible ?—Yes, and we were anxious to get all we could. 45. It is suggested that you did not yourself go to value the land. Is it usual to do so ?— No. 46. Are you an expert?—l think lam myself. Other people may think lam not. 47. What I mean is this: I look upon an expert as one who has a knowledge of a particular locality. Is not that the way land-value is judged?—A man may be an expert in Otago, but not in Auckland. My knowledge is of a general nature. I can generally tell by going on the land if it is too highly valued or at too low a price. 47a. Have you any expert knowledge of any particular portion of the colony ? —Yes; chiefly in the north. 48. The Act requires you to appoint a valuer ?—Yes. 48a. Now, if it had come to your knowledge that this block of 7,000 odd acres was occupied at 6d. or 9d. an acre on a three months' tenancy, would that be of very material use in ascertaining the capital value ? I mean would it not depend on the term of the lease ?—lt seems to me that it would depend entirely on the term of the lease. 49. The mere fact of its being 6d. or 9d. might have significance or not ?—lt would depend. 50. Large blocks of land are not easily let ?—Not as a rule. 51. A man might have several thousand acres of his own, and yet make use of the adjoining land ?—He might do so ; and in this particular case the land would have a certain value for pastoral purposes, and it would have an additional value if there was an intention to cut it up. 52. This land was not being purchased for pastoral purposes ?—No. 53. And therefore the pasture would not be of very material value ? —No; I should say it was' not. The value of the land in pastoral occupation is of very little value in ascertaining the real value for cutting up. 54. As a matter of fact, I have a report showing that it was not available for pastoral purposes. I have some more correspondence to put in. On the 11th September, you wire to the Tax Department, asking for Mr. John Douglas's tax return, also Mr. Sheehan's, and on the same day you get a reply. On the sth September you telegraphed from Cheviot to the Under-Secretary at Wellington. That refers to these two properties ?—Yes. [Appendices E, S, and T.] 55. I have not got a reply to that. I will ask you to put in the Board's Dunedin minute. [Appendix U.] I should like to ask if there was any difference of opinion among the Board as to the resolution for purchase ?—No. 56. The next document is dated 7th October, just after the purchase was concluded—a telegram from you to Mr. Douglas of 7th October? —Yes. [Appendix V.] 57. Did you ever correspond with Mr. Douglas, with the exception of the telegram you sent as to his offer ? —Never. 58. That is the only telegram, with the exception of the one already put in ? —Yes. 59. There is a telegram on the same date to the Crown Lands Department, Dunedin—a telegram to Chief Surveyor, Dunedin. (Appendix W.] On the 9th October, letter from your office to the Treasurer ?—That is the usual notice in such cases. [All telegrams, &c, as mentioned, put in : Appendix X.] 60. Mr. Mackintosh.] Was the land to be purchased at a uniform price ?—Yes.