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2653. Was anything said at that meeting about improvements ?—Yes ; he explained that bush-felling, for one thing, would not be allowed. 2654. Did he say whether you were to get compensation for your improvements?— They were to be deducted, as I understood, from the value of the land. 2655. When the lease was to be given up, did you understand that you were to get any compensation for your improvements ?—They were to be deducted. 2656. Was there anything said about the improvements at the end of the term ? —That I cannot say definitely. 2657. Do you remember Mr. Mackay explaining the effect of the Acts of 1881 and 1884? — Yes; I called on him after the meeting. 2658. But at the meeting do you remember any questions being put to him ?—Yes ; a number of questions were put to him. 2659. Do you remember his answering them ?—I believe, at the time, he thought the Government would carry them out. 2660. You say you saw him yourself afterwards ? —Yes. 2661. After Mr. Mackay's interview with the lessees, did you continue improving your property ?—Yes. 2662. Was that on the faith of his representations?— Yes ; had it not been for Mr. Mackay's statement I would have given up the lease. 2663. Will you tell the Committee how you have since improved your property? —I have built a substantial house of six rooms on it; also a small woolshed. I have subdivided and improved the place. 2664. I suppose you know pretty well what rents are paid by confirmed lessees?— Yes. 2665. You have often talked about them?— Yes. 2666. What do you think of their fairness?—l think, taken all through, they were fair. The two gentlemen that were appointed by the Government were men of experience. Mr. Livingston was a man above making an unjust award, and the other gentleman was a man of considerable business, who does a great deal of land work. 2667. Is there any difference between the price of land now and what it was in the seventies? —It is now much lower than it yvas ten or twelve years ago. 2668. What about the prices of stock?— They are infinitely lower now. The freehold about half a mile from my place, with a large house on it, sheep-dip, woolshed, and everything, has been sold for £7 an acre. 2669. Is that lately? —Three years ago. 2670. That adjoins your property?— Nearly so. 2671. Mr. Rennell] I would like to know from you whether I have not demanded rent from you during the past six months ? —Yes, you have. 2672. Do you consider there is a legal reason why you should not pay ? —Yes, I do. 2673. Is there a case pending against you in the Courts?— Yes. 2674. It has been put off?—l put the matter in the hands of my solicitor ;he says it has been postponed. 2675. You consider there is a legal reason for not paying ?—Yes. 2676. But I did demand the money of you?— Yes; you and your solicitor were rather rough. 2677. Mr. Levi.] With reference to this piece of land adjoining, which you have not now, and in which you say you were in partnership with your brother, you say that 250 acres were freehold and the other portion leasehold?— Yes; we had it at a nominal rent—ls. an acre—£l2 a year we used to pay. 2678. For how long was the lease ?—Ten years. 2679. When did you take it up ?—I forget the exact date. 2680. When did it run out'?— About six years ago. 2681. It was quite rough land when you took it?—lt was all fern and tutu; all that we could possibly plough we ploughed and laid down. 2682. Was that very much?— About 200 acres. 2683. Do you know if that land is let now?—No, it is sold. 2684. Do you know what it sold for?—No, I do not. 2685. About this interview with Mackay, do you remember him saying to you that he was explaining the Act that had been passed ? —Yes ; he gave us thoroughly to understand that what he explained at Patea would be agreed to in the ensuing six months. He told me personally, " You will have your new lease on the Ist of June ensuing." 2686. He told you the rent would be fixed by arbitration ?■—Yes. 2687. And the rent fixed on the value of land, less the improvements on the land?— Yes. 2688. Did he say how long the lease was to be ? —Yes; thirty years. 2689. You hold a confirmed lease ?—Yes. 2690. Have you ever looked at the Act which deals with this question of confirmed leases ?— I have seen the Act, but I do not think myself competent to understand it. 2691. Did you have any talk with your solicitor about the Act? —No. 2692. Have you read the Act of 1884, so that you might know what had passed the Legislature ?—Yes, I think so. 2693. Have you not tried to get some information?—lt was the common talk at the time. 2694. Do you not know that the section of that Act which deals with your lease said that, if new leases were to be granted, they were to be at rents on the improved value ? —I cannot remember whether I did read the thing or not. It is highly probable that I did. 2695. Do you understand this: " The Public Trustee may accept surrender of any lease, and in lieu of such lease may grant a new lease at a rental to be computed on the improved value of