36

I.—B.

318. And the result was you did not bid for Cottesbrook; you bid for Eock and Pillar District ? —I bid for Maniototo District. 319. I suppose other shepherds on the station also knew that their employer was likely to get the Strath-Taieri. Was that common talk there ?—lt was common talk. Of course, we could not know it for certain. _ . 320. You have mentioned Watson, Higgins, and Francis as men who have land m the Silver Peak District ?—Yes. 321. What do these men do ?—Work about the station. One of them shears. 322. Are they in the employment of Gellibrand and Co. ?—Yes ;at shearing-time they are. 323. Do they do any other work?— They kill rabbits. 324. On whose land?— Over several pieces of the Silver Peak ground. 325. Does each man kill rabbits on his own ground?—l could not tell that. 326. Where do they get poisoned grain from, and the stores?— From the Cottesbrook Station at times. Ido not know always. 327. Do you know if they get any wages?—l do not know that. 328. Is there any distinction made in the wool shorn off Silver Peak sheep and other sheep, or is all put together ? -All is put together, as far as I know. _.. 329. Now, you have said that you have not heard that Johnston is a man of means. Is lisher reputed to be a man of any means ?—No; he is not reputed to be so. 330. Who owns this mining claim? —I cannot tell who is the owner. 331. Has Mr. Pogson any interest in it ? -It is said to be his. 332. Then, Fisher is only paid wages for working the claim?—l believe so. 333. Now, Webb and McCaw, are they reputed to be men of any means?-I have never heard either that they had means or that they had not, particularly. 334. What have they been doing; what wages do they get ?—Charles Webb has been many years on the station—nine years—getting £1 ss. a week. 335. And McCaw?—McCaw is rabbiting. Since they began rabbiting I do not know what their wages are. - ... . . . 1Q „„„ T 336. Mr. Kimbell] Do you know the number of sheep on the Cottesbrook Station m 18/ 1 !—L should say about the same number as at present; upwards of 60,000. 337. In April, 1880, did you know the number ?—I do not know the number one year from another. I know there is generally 60,000, more or less; not much above or below. 338. Do you know the return for 1883?— I do not. 339. You say in March and April there were about 20,000 sheep sold. In what year was that?— This year. , . ,-,■-, , i ,- 3 340. Since the sale ?—The sheep might have been sold previous to the sale, but not delivered. I dare say some were sold previous to the sale and some since; but that was when the delivery took place. , -' ■ w . -, ■ „ , 341. I think you said that Dore spoke about being asked to take up land. Did he tell you tor what purpose he was asked to take up land?—He was asked to hold it for the company. 342. Do you mean the firm of Smith and Gellibrand ?—Yes. 343. You have no idea of the number of sheep this year remaining on the station since the sale of the 20,000 ?—I think it is rather under the usual number, at any rate. 344. Would it be over 50,000 ?—I am not positive. 345 Would it be nearer 60,000 remaining after the sale ?—I think not. 346. Between 50,000 and 60,000?— Yes. . 347 I might ask you what induced you to take up land on the other side of the river /—Well, I came to the sale with the intention of taking up the first section that suited me, no matter what it was, if the price suited me. ~- ■'■: ~ 348. You thought you had a better chance of getting land there than on your own side ot the river? —I believe I did. _ Mr Kimbell said he would like the following witnesses to be summoned : William Wilson Francis, Silver Peak; William Higgins, Silver Peak, settler; John Watson, who gave his occupation when taking up the section as groom at Cottesbrook, also living at Silver Peak; and Charles Higgins, Silver Peak. He also asked that Mr. Pogson should be required to bring the station books and papers, and of Mr. Joachim he would ask the same as of Mr. Cargill. The inquiry in Johnston's case was then adjourned for a week, to Thursday, the 14th June. In the matter of Daniel McEwen Fisher, Section 9, Block XII., Strath-Taieri. Daniel McEwen Fisher was called thrice on his subpoena, but did not answer to his name. Thomas Hughan, examined. 349 Mr Haggitt.] You know Duncan McEwen Fisher, of Springbank, East Taieri?—Yes. 350. Did you serve a duplicate of that summons [document handed to witness] on him on the 4th June last ? —Yes. . 351. How?— Personally. 352. Did you tender him any money?— Yes. 353. How much?—£3. 354. Mr. Stout.] Where was he?—He had just come across the laien Kiver. 355.- -Mr. Haggitt.] Did he take the money ?—He did. 355 a. Did he say anjething ?—No ; except that he had appeared before the Board already, and he did not think it right to call him again, or something to that effect. [Charles Patterson was called three times, but did not answer to his name.] 356. Do you know Charles Patterson, of Strath-Taieri, shepherd?— Yes. 357. Did you serve him with a duplicate of this summons [produced] ?—Yes.