AGAINST MR. C. W. RICHMOND.

11

F—No. 3

—I remember hearing Mr. Richmond, in his reply, state that I had made a charge; and I believe that he made a similar remark after my speech in 1860. 64. You seconded Mr. Weld's motion for the appointment of this Committee, —in so doing, what charge did you propose to investigate?—l think I did not second it; I seconded the motion to add the names of Mr. Speaker and Mr. Chairman of Committees to this Committee. The following Extract from the " Southern Cross" newspaper of 19th July, read by the Chairman. " July 17th. —Mr. Weld moved that a Select Committee be appointed, &c. " Dr. Featherston seconded the motion; he could assure the House that, if the charges preferred by him against the hon. member for the Town of New Plymouth were on investigation discovered to have been unfounded, nothing would afford him greater pleasure, and he would be happy to make a full retractation." Extract from the "New Zealander" of 20th July, 1861. " July 17th. —Dr. Featherston begged to observe that he did not rise to oppose the motion, but to express his pleasure that an enquiry should be made; and, if it was proved that the charges which he had made were utterly unfounded, he should be willing to apologize for any accusations he had made against the hon. member." 65. Do you admit the correctness of those reports or either of them, even of those passages in which both papers agree? —I deny the correctness of the whole of those reports. No further questions being put to this witness, he withdrew. Moved by the Hon. Mr. Crosbie Ward, That Dr. Featherston having stated that he entertained suspicions that undue pressure had been brought to bear in the Executive by Mr. C. W. Richmond on the Waitara question, and that those suspicions had been strengthened and confirmed, the duty of this Committee is to enquire whether there be any ground for such suspicions. Resolved in the Affirmative. Mr. Cracroft Wilson declined to vote. Mr. C. W. Richmond examined. 66. What is your name and position ?—Christopher William Richmond. From Juno 1856 until July. 1861, I was a member of the Executive Council of this Colony, during a part of that period I held the office of Colonial Secretary. I then took the office of Colonial Treasurer. From about the end of 1858 until November, 1860, I also held the office of Minister for Native Affairs. 67. Were you a sworn member of the Executive at and about the time that the purchase of the Waitara Block took place ?—I was. 68. What office in the Executive did you hold at that time ? —I was Colonial Treasurer and Minister for Native Affairs. 69. As a member of the Executive Council of this Colony it was your duty to advise the Governor on that purchase ?—lt was, if called upon by His Excellency. 70. Do you admit that undue pressure has been brought to bear in the Executive by you on the tVaitara Question? —I do not. 71. Mr Speaker.] Did you advise the Governor to make the 'Waitara purchase? —The published statements of the meeting with the Natives at New Plymouth in March, 1859, show the part which I took in the matter. When Teira made his offer to the Governor, His Excellency turning to Mr. McLean (who was interpreting) asked him if the offer should be accepted; Mr. McLean replied in the affirmative. His Excellency then put the same question to me, to which I replied " Yes, sir, if there is a good Title." To the best of my recollection these are the very words I used. At this stage of the proceedings, Mr. Richmond said" I submit to the Committee that I ought to know in what position I stand. I submit that lam not Witness, but an accused person: if so, .ought to know by what evidence the charge against me is supported. I must be supposd innocent, until lam proved to be guilty. I am, if the Committee pleases (and I place myself altogether in their hands), prepared to waive my right to be presumed innocent, and to take upon myself the burthen of proof; but I submit that I ought to be informed what evidence has been adduced against me." After some discussion, the Committee agreed that the Chairman should communicate to Mr. Richmond the proceedings of the Committee up to this point, as he had already done to Dr. Featherston, and that Mr. C. W. Richmond be invited to make any statement to the Committee at their next meeting that he shall think fit. On Motion of Mr. Fitzherbert, the Committee adjourned until Monday, at 10 a.m. Ordered, That the Clerk forward copy of Mr. Crosbie Ward's Resolution to Dr. Featherston, and request that he will lay the documents referred to before the Committee and bring up his Witnesses.

Dr. Featherston 3 Aug., 1861.

Mr. C. W. Richmond 3 Aug., 1861.