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4029. It came to the same thing, did it not?— Yes. That was fair bidding. 4030. In your experience, is it usual for auctioneers to buy for themselves goods placed in their hands when they see them going at what they think a cheap rate ?—Yes ; it is quite a usual thing. ■ 4031. Do you think it a good principle to trade upon and to practise?—l do not know. The auctioneers have got one bid. 4032. But what is the accepted rule of that one'bid?—At anytime during the bidding the auctioneer can, on mentioning it, bid a certain sum and say, " That is my bid." 4033. Is it not understood that that one bid means a bid for the owner?—l do not think so._ There is one bid for the owner. 4034. Have you ever read a book, that is accepted as a guide generally to well-informed auctioneers as to the rules for the conduct of sales, " Bateman on Auctions " ?—No. 4035. Would you think it wrong of me, in a friendly way, to invite you to read it ?—No. 4036. Then, do, for you do not think it wrong for an auctioneer, when he finds an article worth much money going cheap, to buy for himself, either directly or indirectly ?—Provided he makes it known to his audience that it is his bid. 4037. Very well. When you bought those effects belonging to the Public Trust Office, was it made known to the audience that you were bidding?— The auctioneer never bought himself. 4038. Mr. Haybittle told the Commissioners that he is wearing a watch now which he had bought. And, I ask you, was that not buying direct for himself ? —He did not bid direct himself. In many instances Mr. Haybittle says to me, " If that doesn't go over that amount, you can bid that amount for me;" and I have very often bought things for Mr. Haybittle in that way. 4039. I want you to deal with the principle of that kind of business. Do you think that the principle is correct for auctioneers to buy anything that is put into their hands for sale which they consider is worth buying ? —Yes ; so long as the public know the auctioneer is buying, or one of his staff is buying, for himself, I should not think there was anything objectionable in it. 4040. Then, I advise you again to procure, read, and study a good authority on the conduct of auction business generally ?—I shall do so. 4041. Mr. Macdonald.] Do you remember Mrs. Dallon's estate being sold ?—Yes, I do. 4042. Do you remember the bags being sold which are mentioned in the account sales which I now hand you ? They are said to have contained lace ?—I am pretty well certain these were sold. lam almost certain, because this is my own making out of account sales. 4043. Do you remember who bought them? —I could not recollect that. [Jewellery account sales handed to witness.] Do you remember that sale at all ?—No ; I recollect a sale of jewellery about that date. 4044. Whose handwriting are these account sales made out in ?—ln the handwriting of Mr. Little, the present auctioneer clerk. 4045. You see a bangle there ? —Yes. 4046. Could that be mistaken for a bracelet in any way?—l am very much afraid it could not be mistaken for a bracelet such as the one I have heard described. 4047. Do you remember such a bracelet coming into your hands for sale?—l cannot say I recollect it. This bangle could not possibly be mistaken for a bracelet. 4048. What did the bangle bring ? —2s. 6d. 4049. Mr. Haybittle told us he never saw such a bracelet, and it was of such a character he would be bound to remember it ?—This is Mr. Little's auction, and I might not have seen these things at all. I never recollect such a bracelet. 4050. Who was the storeman that had the handling of those goods ?—I think young Badden, who is now in Bannatyne's. I think he would show them, but I could not be certain on that point. 4051. Your books are all destroyed now, you tell us?— Yes, all the old books. 4052. When were they destroyed ?—Just after Mr. Bristow came. He did not come in there until the middle of April, 1890. The books were destroyed about April, 1890. 4053. Where did Mr. Bristow come from?—He was manager of the shipping department in Johnston and Co.'s. Mr. B. C. Hamketon, Public Trustee, further examined. 4054. Mr. Macdonald.] The ledger is opened at page 51, Mr. Hamerton, in the estate of Eichard Winter. Will you tell us what you have charged for expenses in that estate ?—Costs of order of the Supreme Court, £3 10s.; advertising order, £1 2s. 6d. ; fee on order to advance, £1 17s. 6d. ; 7 per cent, on £20 os. 9d., £1 os. Id.; postages, ss. Then on the policy money there is commission, £25 10s. 3d.; postages, £1; legal opinion, two guineas. 4055. Now, will you tell us how much of that .was actual cash expenditure, and how much these charges were? —Cost of order of Supreme Court, £3 10s.; advertising order, £1 2s. 6d. Ido not know what the two guineas is; that appears to be an office charge. That is all. 4056. What was the commission that you charged on the insurance money ? —ln those days it was 5 per cent, on £510 ss. 4057. Why do you charge on £510 ss. ? You did not receive £510 ss. Why do you charge 5 per cent, commission on that ? There is a debit entry in your ledger. To look at that you would think you paid that £7 Is. sd. ?—Yes. 4058. But the papers of the estate disclose the fact that you never did pay it; that all you received was £503, the insurance"company themselves deducting the balance. Why did you charge on moneys you did not receive and never handled?—l do not know. 4059. Do you think that is a proper entry? —No, I do not. 4060. What is your commission now?— Two and a half. 4061. Not 5 per cent. ?—No.