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1675. Did you receive his letter before you had instructions to send in the valuation ?—I received instructions to write a report I think about half-past ten in the morning, and Mr. Stark's letter was put on my desk about half-past one in the afternoon. 1676. The difficulty is in connection with the conclusion of this letter, in which you state that Mr. Stark would not accept the offer?—l think I have stated something in evidence on that point. 1677. We should be glad if you could explain that again?—l looked upon my report as a pro forma one, and one not much bearing on the question, and I wrote it as if I did not know anything about the agreement. In fact I did not —I only had Mr. Stark's word. I cannot quite say why I wrote in this particular way. 1678. Hon. Major Atkinson.] Did Mr. Godden come to fetch you to the Minister at any time? —I believe he did, on the 20th. 1679. Was that the only time ?—As far as I can remember. I may be mistaken, but I have no recollection of any other occasion. 1680. If Mr. Godden and Mr. Richardson were both clear that you had several interviews with the Minister, in which you had given full particulars, what should you say ? —It is impossible that I could have had more than three. I may possibly have had a third interview; but I cannot remember more than two. 1681. You gave the Minister no particulars at any interview before the purchase?—As far as I can remember I gave no particulars at all. 1682. Can you not say definitely ? —I am on oath and I do not like to say definitely. Ido not think I did, and could state so more positively but that I am on oath and do not like to speak so definitely. 1683. The Chairman.] Why do you draw that distinction ?—Because it is simply a matter of memory, and I may be mistaken in it. If I had memoranda to go by I should not mind at once giving my oath. But I only speak from memory, and, as it happened six months ago, Ido not like to trust to memory implicitly. I wish to be clear in the matter. 1684. Hon. Major After careful thought on this question of interviews you adhere to what you stated the other day?— Yes, as far as my recollection goes. I have lain awake at night thinking of it, and I cannot think of any other interviews. I should have no reason for not saying so if I had had them. It would bear out my report if I had an interview, and I should have no reason to back out of it in any way. 1685. Mr. Dargaville.] The first interview you had with the Minister was in the presence of Mr. Stark, at the Star Hotel ? —Yes. 1686. Do you remember seeing the Minister on that same afternoon, when Mr. Stark was not present, in the Government office ?—No, Ido not; but I may have seen him. 1687. This is an important matter, and I would like to be clear. We have it in evidence that that interview took place. Mr. Eichardson, speaking from notes, has testified on oath to this interview having taken place. I ask you now if you are prepared to put your oath against his ?— No; lam speaking from memory, he has his notes and his Private Secretary to refer to. It is possible that the interview may have taken place. 1688. Did you have one again or not with the Minister prior to his leaving for Waiwera Hot Springs, on the afternoon of the Bth or the morning of the 9th ?—I did not even know that he had been to the Hot Springs. 1689. On the afternoon of the Bth or the morning of the 9th had you or not an interview with the Minister?— The interview on the Bth was the first one, with Mr. Stark; Ido not remember the day of the week. 1690. I want this to be quite clear. Had you or had you not an interview with Mr. Eichardson on the afternoon of the Bth or the morning of the 9th ?—I do not remember ;it is possible, but I do not remember it. 1691. Did you go to see the Minister any evening pretty late, about dinner-time, say?—No; I do not think I did. I know I went down to see him several times, because he was full of deputations ; but Ido not remember finding him. I remember one thing—l remember writing to Mr. Godden to ask him if he could tell mo whether the Minister had had a reply about the defence property, and he said the Minister would see me on his return. 1692. Did he do so ? —Not till the morning of the 20th, to my knowledge. 1693. Did you not see him on the afternoon of the Bth—or it may have been late in the evening ? I should think that an interview after business hours ought to remain in your memory ?—I cannot remember it. You know how a Minister is full of deputations, and sometimes you have to wait for days before you can see him. I may have seen him, but Ido not remember it. 1694. Mr. Cowan.] You are a Government officer ?—I joined the service eighteen years ago to-day. 1695. In the conduct of your business do you keep a diary?—No; only my letter-book. 1696. You keep no record of your daily business transactions?— No. 1697. Mr. Holmes.] Is it a fact that you saw Mr. Stark on the 19th January, and that he told you that he had settled with the Minister for the sale of his land ?—He passed my door and looked in and said, " I have settled with the Minister." lam prepared to swear to that. 1698. Then you received your instructions to write your report on the 20th ? —Yes. 1699. In this report you have these words : " I do not think that Mr. Stark will agree to this." Is that correct ?—That is correct. 1700. Then this was written after Mr. Stark said that he had absolutely settled on the same terms mentioned in your memorandum ?—No : he"did not tell me the exact terms that he had settled upon, but merely that he had settled. 1701. Your evidence states, " On the 19th January Mr. Stark told me that he had settled with the Minister on the basis of 10 per cent, over the property-tax valuation." Are not those exactly