I.—sd

4

[h. lundttts.

17. You could not say which holding?—No, I did not make out a list. [Plan produced and referred to.] 18. How far apart is N. D. Wilson's holding from T. B. Wilson's? —About fourteen or fourteen miles. 19. And from H. C. Wilson's to N. D. Wilson's? —About eight miles. 20. So that there are at least three widely separated areas held by the Wilsons? —Yes. 21. So that they must obviously be worked independently of each other? —I think so. 22. Could those sections be regarded as aggregation in the ordinary sense? —I do not know which families have those sections. Of course, the sections could be worked jointly, but I do not think it is likely they would be as they are so far apart. 23. Mr. Witty.] I notice there are six sections on the plan coloured red : could you tell me if all those sections have been taken up by the one family?—No, there are two or three different families, I think. Originally they were taken up by different families. 24. There are certain sections coloured red close together : do they belong to one family or different families? —I think, two families. 25. There are also six yellow sections close together: are they held by the one family?--That is Stuckey's land; I think there are two families there. 26. If you have been making inquiries you ought to be certain in both cases, because it has a very important bearing with regard to aggregation? —I sent in my report to the Commissioner, but I had no means of ascertaining. Mr. Brodrick could find out by searching. 27. Were you not in the district? —It was not in my district. I was called upon to make a preliminary inquiry. 28. Did you inquire whether they were all owned by one family or not?— Yes, I did. It is father and son. 29. Are they worked as one property?— They are worked together as one. 30. Can you say whether there is or have been six homesteads on those six sections?—l think there have been four homesteads. 31. And now there is only one? —The son lives in one and the father in another. 32. There are, then, two homesteads less than there were previously?— Yes. 33. I think you said that people were buying each other out. Do you know if they have bought more than one additional section ?—I think there have been cases where they have bought two or three sections from their neighbours. 34. With the right of the freehold is the aggregation of those sections likely to take place more than was the case formerly 1 There are better facilities; but do you think there would be more sections taken up to make larger areas than there would be under lease?— There might be, but I am not certain. 85. You do not think the giving of the freehold would be an inducement to aggregate?—So long as the land comes under Part IV of the Act of 1907 the Government have the power to limit the area. 36. But up to the limit, do you think it is more likely to be aggregated now than formerly? —Yes, I certainly do think so. 37. Mr. Nosworthy.~\ There is nothing in the statements that appeared in the Mangaweka Settler to prove that the statements made were correct?—l think the statement is exaggerated. 38. You think it is a prospecting expedition ?—Yes. 39. Hon. Mr. Buddo.] Are the sections coloured red owned by N. D., R. A. C, G. H., and A. and J. Wilson held by father and sons?—l could not tell you. I have not been there for some years. 40. Do you know the part coloured yellow?— That is Stuckey's—father and son. 41. Then there is C. J. Wilson and A. J. Wilson? —I could not say. I have not been in touch with that district for about eight or ten years. 42. What would be the general value of that land per acre, improved?-—lt would be about £8 or £10 per acre. 43. In going round the district, what is your opinion of the trend of occupation : is it in the direction of the holder owning more than one section which was originally o.r.p. I —l think it is. Of course, as a man gets on he looks to extending his holding and buys out his neighbour. 44. Expressing a general opinion, you consider that aggregation of that class of holding is going on? —The tendency is that way. Ido not mean to say that a man gets more than a reasonable living off the area. 45. But there is a tendency to aggregation ?—Yes. 46. Mr. Guthrie.] You know the whole of this district thoroughly? —-I used to. 47. Do you know the Mangamahariki Road? —Yes. 48. Do you remember Brewster living there? —Yes. 49. Do you know Campbell's section? —Yes. 50. And Philip Smith's section ?—Yes. 51. Do you know that J. G. Wilson and Sons have bought that?—l knew .1. d. Wilson and Sons had bought up some that used to be a Native reserve —the Donnelly reserve. 52. You know the Otamakapua Native Reserve? —Yes. 53. What was the class of land there?— Second class. 54. What areas was it cut up into? —From 1,200 to 2,000 acres. 55. You see A. and C. Wilson's land marked on the plan?— Yes. 56. Do you remember them taking up that land originally? —Yes. 57. Have you any knowledge of how the sections belonging to the two Wilsons is worked?— No. 58. The other Wilsons are living on the opposite side of the river? —I have not been up there for years.