H.—33

6

cannot say how much. I asked Mr. King for the money, and he told me he could not give it to me, but he thought he could get it for me. I think Mr. Abbott gave me a cheque. I made no complaint of any deduction. I was glad to get it at the time. William John Angove sworn and examined. lam a farmer at Warkworth. I was employed by Mr. King in 1886 in taking census returns. I believe my account was £42. I received the amount of the voucher by cheque from Wellington : the receipt at foot is signed by me. The cheque came by post from Wellington to Warkworth. I may have given Mr. King something, but if I did there was no understanding to that effect before I did the work. I cannot say how much I gave him; it might have been two or three guineas. It might have been a month, or two or three months, after I got the cheque. I cannot say whether I gave it to him or sent it to him when I was in Auckland; it is more likely I sent it. I suppose I gave it to him because he gave me the appointment, but there was no understanding beforehand. I did not consider I was overpaid for my work, but I considered I had earned the full amount. I cannot say whether I agreed beforehand to do the work for £42, or whether the amount was fixed afterwards. I cannot say whether Mr. King has employed me since that time. I cannot say that at the time I had the thought that he might employ me again. i. Mr. Campbell.'] I was not employed last year by Mr. King. I cannot say whether the money I sent was sent to Mrs. King : I think it was to Mr. King. Mrs. King is a relative of mine. I have no recollection of Mr. King ever asking me for any money. Edwaed Fitzpateick sworn and examined. lam a farmer at Pakuranga. I was employed by Mr. King in 1886 in collecting census returns and agricultural statistics. I undertook the work of the Howick Eiding, which was divided for the purposes of the census into three sub-districts. I employed my two brothers Lawrence and John to help me. 1 cannot now quite remember the arrangement made with Mr. King before the work was done. There was a sum named, which I think was £60, or perhaps something over that. Mr. King said if.the work was well done he would recommend an extra payment to be made to me. He approved of my brothers being employed. The work was done in March, April, and May. I do not recollect giving any authority to any one to draw my money. I believe Mr. King paid me by cheque :it was between £20 and £30, on the National Bank. I think that was the full amount of the claim for which the voucher was made out. [Voucher produced.] The signature to the claim and to the authority to the National Bank are mine. It is very probable that I went to the National Bank and got an advance. If so, there must have been a deduction made with my full consent and acquiescence. My brothers' vouchers were paid by, cheque from Wellington in the ordinary course. I had their authority and signed the receipts. I satisfied them for their services. I cannot specify the sums I paid them; it would be something very small, for I did most of the work. The vouchers were made out one for each sub-district. My letter to Mr. Seaman (2nd August, 1892) was written in haste and without much consideration. I have no doubt I got what I signed for, except only whatever deduction may have been made by the National Bank on the advance made on my own voucher. I never considered that I had any cause for complaint. I never gave Mr. King back any of the money, or any equivalent or consideration for the employment. 5. Mr. Campbell.] I have no cause for complaint. The charges for the work are fair. 6. I was employed on the census in 1893. Mr. King was employed in the office by Mr. Seaman. Mr. King asked me many questions, which were the means of eliciting a good deal of information about my district, whereby my returns were made more full and accurate. 7. I think Mr. Seaman showed as much knowledge and interest in the work as Mr. King. John Fitzpateick sworn and examined. lam brother of the last witness. I have heard his evidence. My brother told me I was employed on the census, but Ido not remember doing anything, nor receiving anything for it. I took very little interest in the matter. I remember signing an authority in connection with it; he said if he could not get the work done within a certain time I was to help him. I believe the signatures to the claim and the authority are mine. I think they were made at one time, at Pakuranga. I could not say certainly whether the voucher was filled up or not before I signed. I never had such a claim, but I considered that if he did my work he had my claim. 8. Mr. Campbell.] I believe I would have assisted my brother, if he had wanted me to : but I should not like to say that for a certainty. I do not remember ever having made a statutory declaration that I had done this work, or anything in the form given in the schedule to " The Census Act, 1877." Laweence Fitzpateick, sworn and examined. lam brother to the last two witnesses. I have heard the evidence given by them. I believe I was appointed in connection with the census, and I agreed to assist my brother if required. I never was required, and did no work on it. I signed either two documents, or one in two places. I believe both the signatures (on front and back of the voucher) are mine ; but I had no claim of £22, for I did no work. Ido not remember signing any other document but the voucher; both signatures were made at the same time. To the best of my belief the statement of claim was not filled in when I signed, but it was a blank printed form. I never had anything to do with Mr. King in the matter. Albeet Boaed sworn and examined. lam a commission agent, living at Ellerslie. I was employed by Mr. King on the census of 1886 for Eemuera District. It was arranged that I was to find my own horse, and get £1 a day when riding, and 10s. a day when on foot. I believe I made out an account for it. lam not