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Sic, — Public Petitions A to L Committee, 11th October, 1898. By order of my Chairman I have the honour to forward you the enclosed copy of a letter received from the solicitor for the Crown (Mr. Baldwin), in re the items of the solicitor's bill, as between Sir W. L. Buller and the late Major Kemp, which have not as yet been fully particularised —namely, the sum of £912 15s. My Chairman instructs me to state that the Committee will be satisfied that its instructions have been carried out if Sir W. L. Buller furnishes further particulars in the terms of Mr. Baldwin's letter— i.e., " that he gives substantially the items without the full details that would disclose anything improper, &c." I have, &c, W. E. Peaeson, H. D. Bell, Esq., Wellington. Clerk of Committee.

Sir. Panama Street, Wellington, 14th October, 1898. Petition of Sir Walter Buller. —l. I have the honour to acknowledge receipt of your letter of the 11th instant, covering copy of the letter addressed by Mr. Baldwin to the Chairman of the Public Petitions Committee. 2. In deference to the wish of the Chairman, I have myself inspected the solicitor's costs, there being no breach of confidence in my doing so, as I was myself counsel for Major Kemp in the Native Appellate Court. 3. I am able to say that by far the greater majority of the items of the account convey information of Major Kemp's private affairs which Sir Walter Buller is absolutely debarred from laying before the Committee. 4. Sir Walter Buller has, in deference to the wish of the Committee, extracted certain of the items, which I have advised him he may properly supply, and these will be forwarded to the Committee as soon as possible. 5. Mr. Baldwin appears from his letter to be better acquainted than I am with what "the Committee really require." I confess that I presumed that the Committee really required Sir Walter Buller to supply such information as the law permits him to furnish, and Sir Walter Buller and myself have endeavoured to comply with that requirement. I have, &c, The Clerk, Public Petitions Committee A to L, H. D. Bell. Parliament Buildings.

EXHIBIT I. Majoe Kemp (Bangihiwinui) in account with Sir Waltee L. Bullee, Barrister and Solicitor. 1898. £ s. a. £ s. d. Feb. 9. Amount of money advanced on mortgage of Horowhenua Subdivision No. 14 (dated the 9th October, 1894) ... 500 0 0 Interest thereon at 8 per cent, from the 9th October, 1894, to the 9th February, 1898 (3 years and 223 days) ... 144 8 8 644 8 8 Feb. 8. Amount of costs and disbursements from July, 1892, to the 9th May, 1896 (see Exhibit Bd, Horowhenua Boyal Commission Beport)... ... ... ... ... 2,098 8 7 Interest thereon (in terms of mortgage) from the 9th May, 1896, on which date statement of account put in before Boval Commission, to the 9th February, 1898 (1 year and276davs) ... ... ... " ... ... 167 16 8 2,266 5 3 Feb. 8. Amount advanced to Mr. Skerrett, with your approval ... 52 10 0 Interest at 8 per cent, from the 19th July, 1895, to the 9th February, 1898 (2 years and 205 days)... ... ... 10 13 0 63 3 0 Amount advanced to you ... ... ... ... 30 0 0 Interest at 8 per cent, from the 14th November, 1895, to the 9th February, 1898 (2 years and 85 days) ... ... 5 7 4 35 7 4 Amount advanced to Mr. W. B. Edwards in payment of balance of account, with your written approval ... ... 240 0 0 Interest thereon at 8 per cent, from the 3rd April, 1896, to the 9th February, 1898 (1 year and 312 days) ... ... 35 12 0 275 12 0 Amount advanced to you (as per receipt) ... ... ... 130 0 0 Interest at 8 per cent, from the 9th August, 1897, to the 9th February, 1898 (184 days) ... ... ... ... 548 135 4 8 Feb. 9. Amount advanced to Messrs. Bell, Gully, and Bell in payment of their costs, as approved by you in writing ... ... 94 0 0 Interest at 8 per cent, from the 28th August, 1897, to the 9th February, 1898 (165 days) ... ... ... 3 8 0 — 97 8 0 Amount advanced to Messrs. Buller and Anderson in payment of costs, as approved by you in writing ... ... 44 2 0 Interest at 8 per cent, from the 29th August, 1897, to the 9th February, 1898 (164 days) ... ... ... 1 11 6 45 13 6