1.—12

80

2385. The process would be first to burn off any block that might be leased?— Where you have solid fern all through the fire takes it clean away. That was not the case if the land was patchy—fern, and Yorkshire-fog, and rubbish intervening. 2386. Mr. Stewart.] I see that Mr. Riddiford had 387 acres of land, the rent practically extending over three periods of seven years, being £60, £80, and £100 respectively. His rent is reduced to a uniform rent of £28 13s. How is a reduction of that sort explained ?—I think Riddiford took this piece of land for the convenience it afforded to erect his woolshed and yards on; he could not get a dray to his other lease. The land is very rough; in fact, Ido not know how a sensible man like Riddiford could have gone there at all. He took it at a high rent because he wanted it for special purposes, as a place to erect his woolshed. The place itself was of very little value. It is very rough, except the small portion where the shed stands. I refer to the small lease. 2387. Mr. Rennell] According to the original survey, and the present survey, the acreage does not agree?— His woolshed and sheep-yards are on it, and other improvements. I think it is the amount of improvements that has caused the large reduction in rent. 2388. Mr. Steivart.] It is noticeable that in all his cases his rent has been reduced. Will you tell us something as to what was the mode of procedure ? were witnesses called by both sides ?— Yes, witnesses were called on both sides. 2389. Did you confer with the arbitrators?—No, I did not confer with them at all. I took my own notes; I asked questions, with the sanction of the chairman, when I thought it necessary. 2390. Supposing the rent fixed had been unreasonably low, and the arbitrators had not asked any questions, would you have volunteered any dissent ? —No; I was not asked, and I offered no opinion. 2391. Then you would allow them to do anything they liked if they did not call upon you? —Their awards were not sent to me. They put them in the bank. I was not present at the conferences of the arbitrators when they were arriving at their award ; but in case of their disagreeing it was to be left to me. 2392. Mr. Levi] Were the parties themselves called as witnesses?— Yes. 2393. Did the tenant call any witness in addition to himself? —Yes, there were some called

Friday, Ist August, 1890. Mr. William Cowern, of Patea, Auctioneer, examined. 2394. Mr. Tripp.] You are an auctioneer and land agent?—l am. 2395. Where?—At Patea. 2396. How long have you been conducting that business ?—About fifteen years. 2397. Have you been in the West Coast district the whole of that time ?—Yes. 2398. Do you hold a confirmed lease ? —No. 2399. Have you any interest in a confirmed lease? —No. 2400. Are you related to any one holding a confirmed lease ?—No. 2401. I believe you acted as one of the arbitrators appointed by the lessees ?—Yes. 2402. In what cases did you act as arbitrator? —In nineteen cases south of Manutahi. 2403. Who acted with you ?—Mr. Livingston on behalf of Native lessors; Mr. Arundel was umpire. 2404. In all cases?— Yes, in all cases. 2405. Did you have anything to do with these leases originally ? do you remember them being taken up originally ?—Yes. 2406. Were any of them taken up through you as land agent ?—I do not recollect that any of those I arbitrated on were; some to the north, I had to do with. 2407. You remember these leases being taken up?— Yes. 2408. Was there a great demand for land at the time?— Yes, a very great demand for land. 2409. Consequently prices were high? —Yes, owing to the competition. 2410. Can you give a reason why the price of land was high ?—The price of stock was very high at that time ; the price of tallow was very high. Prices generally were high. 2411. Was the land of a limited or unlimited amount ?—Very limited. 2412. About what year were these leases taken up?— About 1875 to 1880. 2413. You acted for different lessees in your capacity as agent to acquire them ?—Yes. 2414. Do you know that there was a rush after Native leases ? —Yes, very great indeed. 2415. Did you ever have large sums of money to secure Native land ?—Yes ; I have had very considerable sums deposited with me for the purpose of securing Native leases. 2416. Since that time, has there been any variation in the price of land ?—Yes ; the value of land has steadily receded. 2417. And stock?— Correspondingly with it; in fact, the price of stock rules it to a large extent. 2418. What would you say is a maximum rent to be paid for good land on the Coast ?—lt is generally agreed by people well informed that for the best improved land 10s. is the maximum rent. 2419. In reference to the price that land is letting at now, can you give us any instances ?—Yes. 2419 a. Do you know Mr. George Gower's lease that has been reduced?— Yes, That is a Government lease. 2420. There is a Government lease adjoining Gower's of 400 acres; it was put up at an upset price of 6d. an acre ?—He secured it at lOd. or 10^d. 2421. Does it adjoin Gower's?—Yes ; it is identical in character with the one he leases. 2422. One of the confirmed leases ?—Yes. 2423. Which one?—Patari (No. 42).