11

H.—33c

7. What was the date from which you were employed in the public service after your return to New Zealand from South Africa?—l cannot recollect the exact date, but it was early in 1903. 8. The date from which your salary as captain of the Forces in New Zealand is recorded in the Audit Office as commencing is the 31st March, 1903. What has been your practice in keeping the money paid to you for your public service?—As a general rule, it is my practice to deposit it to the credit of my account in the Bank of New Zealand, and I submit to you for inspection all the accounts that I have had with any of the banks. 9. What money have you received from the New Zealand Government except for salary, travelling-allowance, and travelling-expenses?— Nothing but the usual sessional allowance of a private secretary. I have never at any time or in any place received any sum or sums of money whatever from the New Zealand or Imperial Government to which I was not legally and properly entitled under the terms of my engagement as a servant or officer of either. 10. What banks in Christehurch have you dealt with? —The only bank 1 have ever dealt with in Christehurch is the Bank of New Zealand, and my only dealing with that bank was to draw money from it by my cheques on my Wellington account. I submit the copy of a letter which I wrote on the 14th instant to the manager of the Bank of New Zealand, Wellington, and the reply from the manager of that bank in Christehurch. If there is any further information that you would care to have from the bank I shall be pleased to obtain it, or give you authority to obtain it. I would like to point out, as regards my signature and the allegations made that the voucher in question was signed by R. J. S. Seddon, that it will be seen by reference to any Treasuryvoucher for money received by me that 1 never signed myself "R. J. S. Seddon." I further state that I never signed myself " Richard " in full, and my signature has always had the " J " in it. It has always been " R. J. Seddon " to receipts for money from the Treasury.

[True copy.] (Confidential.) Dear Sir, — • Wellington, 14th August, 1905. Referring to my conversation with your office to-day, I should be much obliged if you would kindly furnish me with a certificate signed by yourself certifying— (1.) That I have no account with your branch in Christchurch; (2.) That I have never deposited at any time any moneys in your Christchurch branch to be credited to my Wellington account; and (3.) That during the month of June, 1904, I never deposited to any one's account any sum of money at Christchurch. I state the month of June because it would mean a great deal of trouble to you to go through a longer period, and, as you are no doubt aware, June is the month specified in connection with the alleged payment to me of a sum of between £70 and £80. I require the certificate so as to enable me to give evidence before the Controller and AuditorGeneral should I be called upon to do so. I should be obliged if you will kindly comply with my request as soon after the receipt of this as possible. Thanking you in anticipation, I have, dec, R. J. Seddon, Captain. The Manager of the Bank of New Zealand, Wellington.

(Confidential.) Dear Sir, — Bank of New Zealand, Christchurch, 18th August, 1905. In answer to the inquiries contained in your letter of the 14th instant, addressed to our Wellington manager, I beg to certify as follows: — (1.) That you have no account with this bank in Christchurch; (2.) That you have never deposited at any time any moneys at this branch to be credited to your account at Wellington; (3.) That you did not during the month of June, 1904, deposit to any one's account any sum of money at Christchurch branch. I have, &c, Captain R. J. Seddon, Wellington. B. M. Litchfield, Manager.

Saturday, 26th August, 1905. James O'Sullivan sworn and examined. 1. The Controller and Auditor-General.'] What is your name and official position ?—James O'Sullivan, Defence Storekeeper for the whole colony. 2. What are the duties of your position?—To control the receipt and issue of military stores throughout the colony. 3. Are there in Wellington or elsewhere in the colony, or have there been since the 31st March, 1903, any Defence stores of which you have not or have not had control?— None whatever. 4. Since what date have you filled your position as Defence Storekeeper?—l have been practically in control of the stores since Ist October, 1898. 5. What reorganization of Defence stores has there been since the 31st March, 1903?— None. I take " reorganization " to mean a change in the system and the appointments of officers. 6. What about inspection of the stores?— Every officer commanding the district is responsible for the stores in his district, and he furnishes returns monthly in some cases, but annually in all