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4121. I want you to come straight to the point. Are the contents of that letter on Public Trust Office business or upon the business of E. C. Hamerton ?—On business connected with the Public Trust Office. 4222. Then, how can you sit there and say that the Commissioners have no right to see the contents? —Because it is marked " Confidential." 4223. Can the Commissioners come to a fair conclusion on the subject unless you acquaint them with all the facts in connection with your reasons for making the change you did at Christchurch? —I believe I did tell you. 4224. Are there any more facts in that letter which you call private?— They are opinions, not facts. 4225. Do they not relate to the reasons that caused you to make that change ?—They do. 4226. Then, I ask you again, how can the Commissioners form a proper conclusion unless they have the whole facts before them?— Well, lam unable to state. I have given the facts so far as they are known to me. The only objection I have to this letter being opened is that it is marked " Confidential," and I fear it would be a breach on my part between two gentlemen to allow a letter marked " Confidential " to be read. 4227. Is it a proper thing that you, as the Public Trustee, should be guided in your opinion by either anonymous communications or other letters which you desire not to make public among the documents relating to it ?—I take it, the Public Trustee should, after obtaining all the information he can, act on his discretion. 4228. Supposing, then, that the Minister at the head of the Public Trust Office desired to see that private letter, which he might find among your office-papers, would you object to let him see it ? —I would. 4229. And yet it has guided you in your conduct in relation to making the important change you did at Christchurch ?—Yes. 4230. Now, you gave the Colonial Treasurer certain reasons when you advocated the change at Christchurch? —I suppose so; they will be on the papers. 4231. Can you not call to mind what those reasons were?—l could not without the papers. 4232. What is the good of your memory ?—lt is not a good one, unfortunately. 4233. Did you consult with the Colonial Treasurer before you made that change ?—I do not think I did until I took the recommendation to him. 4234. Now, I want you to state how you placed the matter before the Colonial Treasurer, and what reasons you gave to him when you did propose the change to him. Did you write a letter to the Minister? —Simply a recommendation. 4235. But you had an interview with the Minister?— Yes. 4236. I want you to state what- you said to the Minister when you had that interview, and how you put the case before him?—l should very much like to refer to the written recommendation. I do not see it here. 4237. Would you like to take a little time to do that ? Ido not wish to press you needlessly? It should be here. Ido not understand why it is not on the papers. 4238. Perhaps you have got a private letter-book in which you answer these private communications? —-No, I have got no private book at all. 4239. Would you like time ? —Oh, no; so far as I can recollect—l will not profess to give it in the exact words, but will give the gist of it—l said that for a long time I had thought that the principal agencies should be officered by men in the Civil Service; that Acland and Barns w Tere the agents of the office ; that they had dissolved partnership, and that Mr. Aclaud had taken over the agency of the office without having previously consulted the office; that I had written both to Mr. Acland and Mr. Barns, and had received letters from them ; that seeing the arrangement had pending the decision of the Government; that I had heard that a more.suitable man than Mr. Acland been made between these two gentlemen temporarily I had authorised Mr. Acland to go on, and, micht be obtained, and I recommended Mr. Hamilton to bo appointed. 4240. Were those the only reasons you gave to the Minister for making the change?—l think I mentioned that it had been told to me that Mr. Aclaud was not as attentive to his office as ho might be. 4241. Was that all you said to the Colonial Treasurer?— That is all I can call to mind. 4242. Do you remember when Mr. Acland was last appointed as agent ?—I am not aware. 4243. Are you not aware that the appointment was given to Mr. Acland?—No. 4244. Will you look at that telegram, dated the 15th November, 1886, addressed to the Hon. Sir Julius Vogel," Christchurch ? —The telegram reads: "Please authorise appointment Acland in lieu of Colonel Lean. Purpose appointing as from first January next.—E. C. Hamekton." 4245. Yet you have no recollection of that ?—I have not. 4246. How can you be answerable for what is done in your office if that is the way your memory serves you to conduct the business ? You told the Commissioners you looked to Mr. Barns as the agent at Christchurch?—Yes. 4247. And you said you knew nothing about Mr. Acland's appointment ? —I did. 4248. Now,* what do you say since you have read that telegram of yours to Sir Julius Vogel ? Who appointed Mr. Acland?—Sir Julius Vogel. 4249. On whose recommendation? —On my recommendation. 4250. Then, what you stated before in reference to the appointment was all incorrect?—No, not incorrect. On the 17th November, 1886, the following letter was written to Messrs. Acland and Barns, Christchurch :— Gentlemen, —I have the honour to inform you that you have been appointed agents of the Public Trustee in Christchurch, the appointment to date from the Ist day of January, 1887. Full printed instructions for your guidance and all necessary office-forms, will bo supplied to you in due course On assuming your duties for this office,