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ing; there was very little water in the creek at the time. Mr. Gore's reservoir would not hold water, being a very rough affair ; the water ran out nearly as fast as it came in. 2684. Did I not go to considerable expense and trouble in putting in pipes and making a dam ? —Yes. 2685. What pressure had we in the pipes at the building ?—-It would take it a little over the first floor. It used to run very poorly at the top of the bank. 2686. How high would that bo ? —lsft. or 16ft. 2687. You say that English bond is used in the centre block?— Only on a small portion of it —the base. 2688. In that case the Contractor exceeded the specification, did he not? —Yes. It is certainly better than the 3-to-l bond, in my opinion. The 3-to-l colonial bond, if the proper portion of headers in the filling-in be used, is far better than Flemish bond. 2689. You also said that the sand was not washed ? —lt was not. 2690. As a matter of fact, do you not know that Fern Hill sand contains a considerable amount of silica, and therefore does not require to be washed ?—I do not know how to answer that. 2691. Well, I will put it this way : will washing improve Fern Hill sand, or do it harm ? —I do not think it will improve it. 2692. Will it do it harm ?—I do not think it will improve it at all. Chain Hill sand is good enough. The only case where it would be necessary to wash it would be outside work for cement rendering. 2693. Do you remember the drain at the back? I think it was put in at the far end of the building. Did you complain to me that you could not get men to finish that drain ?—What drain are you referring to ? 2694. One of the main drains at the back of the building?—l had nothing to do with the iso-lating-drain. 2695. Were you not there when it was put in ?—I was; but it was done by Mr. Hunter. 2696. Did you not complain about it being stopped ? —I do not think so, because I had nothing to do with it. 2697. Do you remember a man being caught in that drain? —Yes ; I remember that. 2698. 'There has been a little difference of opinion here as to which side of the drain slipped. Which side do you think slipped ?—The side from the building. 2699. That is, the side next the building?—-Yes ; the side next the building, I should say. It was not a very big slip. It caught him on the hip. 2700. It was pretty solid ground, was it not ? As a matter of fact, was not the ground above it excavated? —Yes ; the levels will show that. 2701. Do you remember, in making the excavations at the back, making one of the batters U to 1 immediately at the northern ambulatory, or a little south of that ambulatory ?—I think that was what was specified. 2702. But there was no specification? — I think so. That was after the other was excavated. 2703. No; it was while it was being excavated?— All the excavation that was done was allowed for. 2704. Did you ever notice any settlement coming from the banks or from the clay ?—lt was always damp there. 2705. After heavy rains have you noticed sediments or washing away of the clay formation round about it ? —I cannot say that there was more than ordinary, but there was water lying about there. The water lay stagnant —in pools—and a kind of ground scum formed on it. 2706. What I mean is : was the foot of the bank or the clay drawn up or washed out to a depth of Sin. i sin., or 9in. ? —lt was washed off from the top. 2707. From the top or from the sides ?—Well, it was a steep bank. 2708. You have noticed sediment washed down from that bank ?—I have seen that. I have seen the same kind of thing in the banks at Oamaru. 2709. I have one more question to ask you. I have some diffidence in putting it, but necessity compels me to do so. Did you ever, directly or indirectly, in money, goods, or in any shape or form, receive a bribe from me to pass any work ?—No. 2710. You never did ?—No. 2711. Then if anyone told you that you had received £200, you would characterise that statement by a very strong term, I suppose?—l should. I would not allow Mr. Gore or anybody else to say that I had ever received a bribe of any kind. Mr. Gore : I may say that I asked this question, because I have heard it stated that I paid Mr. Brindley £200, and that Mr. Lawson paid him £50. The Chairman : I suppose that the man in the street is your authority. Mr. Blair : I have heard a lot, but I never heard that. I hope Mr. Gore will not believe that the Public Works Department ever said such a thing. Mr. Gore : Certainly not. 2712. Mr. Laivson.] You state that for a considerable time after you went on the ground you had not much to do in the way of attending to work ?—Yes. 2713. And that during that time you were employed in preparing drawings ?—For the centre block. 2714. I suppose that the time you put in that way would be from seven to eight months ?— Yes; it would be about that time. 2715. Were any of these drawings which you have produced here asked for by me from you?— Not directly. 2716. I ask you definitely: was any one of those drawings, prepared and exhibited by you, asked for by me ? —Yes. That one of the front turrets was; and this one also. 2717. Then there were two drawings asked for by me?— Yes; the turret end and details of the windows.