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Wellington, 30th June, 1886. —Cottenliam Kingston!, Esq., Devonport.—Tho Public Accounts Committee, having Ijocn informed that Stark's property, lately purchased by Government, was some time ago offered to you, will be obliged if you will state particulars and date. —F. J. Moss, Chairman. Wellington, 30th June, 1886.—P. 11. Mason, Esq., Devonport.—Thanks for your telegram. Have telegraphed to Mr. Kingsford.—F. J. Moss, Chairman. Auckland, 30th June, 1886.— F.J. Moss, Esq., M.H.8., Public Accounts Committee, Wellington.—Mr. Stark wrote me a letter on the nineteenth of January saying ho had settled with Minister, and asking mo 'forward voucher as soon as possible, as he wished to go south. My report of the twentieth was simply a pro formal one, based on this information, and saying I considered ton per cent, over the property-tax valuation, the basis on which I was informed the Minister had settled, was unreliable. Previous to this settlement I had not sent any report or valuation to the Government. If tho matter had been left to me I should have sent it to a Compensation Court, and it would have relieved me of all responsibility. This is always my practice in large claims. As the Minister telegraphed to Wellington for information ro property-tax, got valuations and estimates from Auckland land-agents, and finally settled without further reference to me, I considered the matter entirely out of my hands, and so reported in my memorandum of twenty-second. I have since heard the property-tax valuation was too high. Ido not know whether this is correct or not, but it is always the rule to allow ten or fifteen per cent, of that valuation for land taken for railway or defence purposes ; and Land Purchase officers, when going to a new district, whore they are unacquainted with the value of property, always make this valuation the groundwork on which they go. My report of the twelfth of April was simply a statistical account of information I could get of the value of properties surrounding Mr. Stark's, with suggestion as to the future disposal of the property, and was supplied at the request of the Government. —H. M. Bbeweb, Land Purchase Officer. Devonport, 30th June, 1886.— F. J. Moss, Esq., Wellington.—Mr. Stark's house and ten acres of land was offered, through my father-in-law, Mr. R. J. Koberts, to me in March, 1884, for three thousand five hundred pounds. This offer was declined by me, as I preferred another place, which I afterwards bought.—H. O. Le Bailley. Auckland, Ist July, 1886.—P. J. Moss, Chairman Public Accounts Committee, Wellington.—August, eighty-three. Twenty acres, house, and all improvements, five thousand pounds; one-fifth cash, balance three years, four per cent. —H. Asiiton and Son. Devonport, Ist July, 1886.—Chairman Public Accounts Committee, Wellington.—ln answer to your inquiry, Stark offered mo his house with ten acres for four thousand pounds, or with five acres three thousand five hundred. This was in December, eighty-four.—Cottingiiam Kjngsfobd. Auckland, Ist July, 1886.— R J. Moss, Esq., M.H.R., Wellington.—l have never offered land referred to for £860. Though only three and a half acres, being narrow, it has a long sea-frontage on one side and road-frontage on the other, and is therefore valuable.—Edwabd Hammond. Auckland, Ist July, 1886.— F. J. Moss, Esq., Parliament Buildings, Wellington.—Present press of business and a special engagement on Wednesday next will prevent my leaving until following day, 9th instant, but will do so then by " Rotomahana." —Thomas Seaman, Government Property Assessor. Wellington, Ist July, 1886.—Tho Chairman of the Public Accounts Committee.—Sir, —Yesterday, when giving evidence before your Committee, I was asked a question by Mr. Barron, Whether I did not consider that Stark's property could have been purchased at a much cheaper rate if it had been taken under the Public Works Act, and the value set upon it by tho Compensation Court? To this question I replied, Yes—at about half the price; and, farther, I consider that, if such undue haste had not been exercised, I was of opinion that the purchase of the property could have been made at half the price—and, most probably, considerably less than half the price paid.—by private negotiation. To illustrate what 1 mean, I wish to state that during my term of office a claim was sent in by the owner of the property that was required for the site of the Te Aroha Badway-station. This claim was referred to the late Mr. Thomas Macfarlane, Mr. Brewer's predecessor, who sent in a report recommending what I considered a most exorbitant amount, which I refused to agree to, knowing that it was outrageously high. My contention has since been borne out by the fact that the laud has since been purchased for about one-third tho original amount asked ; and I have no hesitation in saying that the same, or nearly the same, result would have been obtained in tho case of Stark's purchase had not such undue and indecent haste been exercised. I shall be obliged if the' Committee will consent to add this to my evidence where I have made a cross with rod ink in my corrected evidence. —Yours truly, E. Mitchelson. Property-tax Department, Wellington, 2nd July, 1886.— F. J. Moss, Esq., M.H.R.—Sir, —ln reply to your inquiry re Property Assessment Reviewers, I have the honour to inform you that Mr. Allison was appointed on the 3rd March, in conjunction with Thomas Leigh and R. W. Moray, on my recommendation. R. M. Stark was also recommended by me, but he declined to act. I may state that my recommendations were made after a personal inquiry in, Auckland in January.—l have, &c, J. Spebbey. Copy of telegram from Hon. Mr. Richardson to Hon. Mr. Ballance. —Auckland, 7th January, 1886. —Hon. John Ballance, Hastings.—Battery-site, Takapuna: Have seen the owner to-day with Brewer, Land Purchase Officer. You entirely destroy his property. He states he pays property-tax on value of land, £15,500. There arc twenty-eight acres in all. Yon cut it in two, and your fence comes close to his house, and whole land is under line of fire. He says he is-prepared to deal for whole, or go into Court for the portion taken for battery-site ; and, in latter case, shall claim nearly as much as if you take whole. Brewer values whole at about twenty thousand, and Government could sell all that is not wanted hereafter. I am inclined to think it will be better to take whole. What do you wish done ?—Edwabd Richabdson. Extract of telegram from Hon. Mr. Ballance to Hon. Mr. Richardson.—Hastings, 7th January, 1886.—Hon. E. Richardson, Auckland.—With reference to battery-site, if it is thought that it is best to buy the whole land, let it be done. I leave the matter in your hands.—John Ballance. John Ross, Esq., Sargood and Co., Auckland.—Did you conduct the negotiations for purchase from Mr. Stark through an agent ? If so, please state whom.—l ,, . J. Moss, Chairman. Auckland, 2nd July, 1886.— F. J. Moss, Esq., M.H.E., Wellington. —All negotiations with Mr. Stark personally. No agent nor any one else saw or spoke to me on the matter. Stark's solicitor, Mr. Coleman, prepared deed.—John Ross. Auckland, 3rd July, 1886.— F. J. Moss, Esq., Chairman, Public Accounts Committee, Wellington.—Can give evidence offer by Stark to sell £3,500 site now occupied, and remainder £3,0C0. Reside opposite. " Hinemoa " here.— W. Wilkinson, 177, Queen Street. Mr. W. Wilkinson, 177, Queen Street, Auckland.—When was offer made ? Committee do not meet till Tuesday I can only pay expenses of witnesses summoned by their authority. Reply paid.—F. J. Moss, Chairman, Public Accounts Committee. 13th July, 1886. — F.J. Moss, Esq., Chairman, Public Accounts Committee.—Dear Sir, —The properties composing the Calliope Estate, independent of the new dock, are allotments 24 and part 24a. The respective valuations of 1882 and 1885 are as follow : Lot 24, containing 7 acres 2 roods 11 perches, valued—in 1882, £1,b30; 1885, £4,971. Lot 24a, containing 9 acres 1 rood, valued—in 1882, £1,360; 1885, £3,590.—Y0urs very obediently, Thomas Seaman.