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pensation for loss of office, and it was left to Mr. Sutton and myself to determine when he should take over the district from me. 173. You say you received instructions from the Government. Is there not a Sheep Inspector who is over all the others ? —There was not at that time. 174. When did this circumstance that you complain of happen ?—On 4th March, 1881, before the Sheep Inspector was appointed. I may say that I was offered the alternative of being transferred to some other place instead of taking compensation. 175. Then, you accepted the compensation and retired from the Service, rather than remove from Wellington ? —Yes, I did ultimately ; but I first applied for time to consider the matter, and I got that time, but, as I have said, I decided upon taking the compensation. 176. And now you complain that the compensation was less than you expected to get ? —Yes ; I understood from Mr. Hall that I had done good work, and that he would be very glad to do all he could for me. He told me that he had no doubt I should receive full compensation for my provincial services. If it had not been for that I should have hesitated before accepting compensation from the General Government. I may say that I have been almost ruined in consequence of not getting tha full amount I claimed. 177. You say there was no complaint made against you by the Government, and that the settlers were satisfied with you? —I can only say that I have received substantial marks of approval from both. [Witness here produced a gold watch and chain, which bore an inscription showing that the articles had been presented to him by the sheepovvners of the district in which he had worked.] When I left the district it was comparatively clean, but when I went back at the request of the inhabitants I had to clean a lot of flocks. I suggested to the Government that they should employ men to scour the bush in the neighbourhood and kill the diseased sheep, but they declined to act as I suggested. The consequence was that there was an outbreak of scab. 178. Had you any authority to employ these men yourself ?—No. 179. Do you attribute the increase of scab in the district to the fact of the Government declining to act on your suggestion ?—I have no doubt that that was the cause. 180. Did you put the new Sheep Act into operation? —Yes; and I insisted upon all persons signing the necessary certificates to show that there had been no scab in the locality for past. 181. Mr. J. McKenzie.~\ You were stationed in the same district all the time you held the office ? —Yes. ] 82. When you went back to the district you found scab there, and it is there yet ?—Yes ; and it is worse than ever it was. 183. You complied with all the instructions which you got from the Government while you were there ? —-Yes, and 1 was at all times ready to assist sheepowners. 184. Is it difficult to keep sheep clean in a country like that? —Yes, very. 185. Hon. Mr. Dick.~\ When the notice was handed to you, requiring either that you should remove to some other place or accept compensation, was anything said about your not giving satisfaction. —No. 186. Do you think that the Government have no right to change their Inspectors from one place to another when they think proper ?—Certainly they have that right, but the officers should have sufficient notice, and in this case I had not even an hour's notice. 187. You were not consulted as to whether you would remain in the place or not ?—-No. 188. Were you not allowed six months to consider the matter ?—Yes, and I was. asked to act as usual until the matter was finally decided in October. 189. Your complaint is that you were hurried, and that you had no notice of what was intended to be done ?—Yes. 190. Do you think the Government should consult the Sheep Inspectors before deciding whether they should be removed or not ?—No. I may say that, in reply to a deputation which waited on him, Mr. Hall said that I would be removed for the public good, but that I would get an appointment elsewhere. 191. What was the object of the deputation that waited on Mr. Hall ? —The object was to point out that there was a serious spread of scab in my district. 192. Did not that indicate that there was some dissatisfaction with your control of the district ?— No, I think not. 193. Did the deputation say that they objected to your removal ?—I do not know what they said. I do not know whether they objected or not.

Fbidat, 23rd June, 1882. Danieii Maunsell, examined. 194. The Chairman'] What office do you hold? — I am Private Secretary to the Minister1 administering the Live Stock Acts, and Private Secretary to the Premier. 195. Who is the Minister who administers the Live Stock Acts ? —The Colonial Secretary. 196. And who is the head of the department ? —The Colonial Secretary. The ITnder-Seeretary, Mr. GK S. Cooper, is the permanent head. 197. I want to know who is- the practical head of the department ?—Mr. Cooper, as Undersecretary. 198. He is not the Chief Inspector of Sheep ?—No. 199. Then, who is the permanent head of the Sheep Department ?—Mr. Cooper. 200. In that case he is Chief Inspector of Scab ?—No ; but since the Ist November last a Superintending Inspector. The Chief Inspector of Sheep for Marlborough, Mr. B. P. Bayly, has been appointed to carry out the provisions of the Sheep and Rabbit Acts. 201. Who is his superior officer ?—The Minister is the political chief, and Mr. Cooper the permanent head.