F—No. 3

AGAINST MR. C. W. RICHMOND.

37

Mr. F. A. Carrington called and examined. 216. Dr. Featherston.] Will you read over the paragraphs in Mr. Abraham's Petition numbered 27, 28, 29? I wish you to state what took place between you and Mr. Richmond ?—There was no compact entered into. The Land Orders and Scrip Act of 1856 was about being amended when I had an interview with Mr. Richmond, and the result was, so far as concerned the claimants of land at the Waitara, that whereas we were to receive by the original Act only 12J acres of suburban land or 50 acres of rural land for every 50 acres of land which we had originally selected, it was conceded by Mr. Richmond that we should receive 37J acres of suburban land or 75 acres of rural land. Mr. Richmond said, Are you satisfied with that, Mr. Carrington? I said, I am. Mr. Richmond then said to me, Be so good as to put it in writing in the form of a letter and send it to me; which I did. The letter is published, and is as follows:— Land Orders and Scrip Act. "Auckland, 2nd August, 1858. " Sic— "In reference to the individuals who, under the judicial award of Her Majesty's Commissioner of Land Claims, own land in the Waitara district, in the Province of New Plymouth, I now do myself the honor to state that I, on the part of myself and those I represent, (namely, Edward Rose Tunno and Edwin Down,) am willing to abide by the conditions of clause 8 of the amended Act, substituting for 12J acres of suburban land 37J acres; for 50 acres of rural land 75 acres. " I have, &c, "F. A. Careington. " The Honorable C. W. Richmond, " Colonial Treasurer, " Auckland." 217. Is that the letter referred to in Mr. Abraham's Petition?— Yes. 218. Did Mr. Richmond ever represent that it would be unfair to purchase the Waitara unless the New Zealand Company's Jand claimants abandoned the selections?—No, he did not state that. What Mr. Richmond stated, to the best of my knowledge and belief, and I am pretty clear on the subject, was, You cannot expect the Province to go to the expense of acquiring the Waitara land, and then hand it over to you and your friends. 219. When did Mr. Richmond make that statement? —At the time that we had that interview. The interview referred to in my letter, the date of the letter will show. 220. Was that before the arrangement?—lt was at the same interview before the letter was written. 221. Did you ever mention that statement to anyone?—l have mentioned it once in a strictly private conversation. 222. Do you consider yourself at liberty to divulge to whom that statement was mentioned?—l would rather not mention, because I think it involves a name it would be better to avoid introducing. 223. Have you any objection to state what the reply of that party was? —No, I have not. The reply of the party was " Did he say so ? then he had no right to do so." 224. Mr Fitzherbert.] Will you refer to the letter ? It is addressed to Mr. Richmond as Colonial Treasurer. Was that the office he held at that time?—lt was. 225. Was he in office as Native Minister? Mr. Richmond submitted the question was irrelevant ; he objected to its being put; it had been admitted already in evidence that he held that office. The Chairman stated that, as the fact was already in evidence, it was certainly useless t» waste the time of the Committee by putting it again. Mr. Fitzherbert did not wish to press the question, he would put another one. 226. Did you of your own knowledge know whether at that time Mr. Richmond was Minister for Native Affairs? —T understood him to be so. Witness discharged from further attendance. On motion of Mr. Creyke the Committee adjourned until Thursday at 10.30, a.m.

Mr. F. A. Carrington. 20th Aug., 1861.

Thursday, 21st August, 1861. Committee met pursuant to adjournment. Present:— Mr. Cracroft Wilson, C.B. Mr. Fitzherbert, " Creyke, Hon. the Speaker, Hon. Mr. Crosbie Ward, Mr. Russell, Mr. Renall, Hon. Mr. Henderson. " Chairman of Committees. Mr. Weld in the Chair.