I.—IB.

F. B. MABIN. 1

F. Burton Mabin re-examined. (No. 3.) 29. The Chairman.] I understand that you wish to make a statement with regard to the item of £1 Bs. deducted from Captain Clark's account, and which was referred to as a clerical error?— Yes. It would appear that it is not a clerical error and the deduction must stand. Fifteen shillings per diem was struck off Lieutenant Clark's claim for the period 12-18 September, 1904, on the ground that this period was included in the months' furlough granted to him. He had, however, been overpaid at the rate of 4s. per diem for the full month, and to reduce his pay for the first period mentioned to its proper level—viz., furlough rate lis., the 4s. must be disallowed. His total claim for pay for the seven days is £1 10s. per diem, rendering it necessary to deduct a total sum of 19s. per day. I have no notification of Lieutenant Clark's recall to duty from furlough. Had such notification reached the office, no doubt seven days at 4s. would have been allowed, but, failing this, the deduction must stand. 30. Captain Clark.] You say that you received no notification of my return from furlough to duty? —That is so. 31. If you had been so notified you would have allowed that 4s. a day? —Yes. 32. I think you also say that my pay for a certain period was £1 10s. a day, and you had to deduct 19s. a day to bring it down to Us.?— You put in a claim for 15s. a day over the same period twice —15s. a day during the furlough period, and 15s. for pay while in the Commandant's office 33. For those two periods that overlap? —Yes. 34. That brings the amount to a gross £1 10s. a day? —Yes. Captain Clark examined. (No. 4.) 35. The Chairman.] We will take your evidence on the main petition now, Captain Clark? — Well, sir, I will go right through from where we left off last session. Last session I came before you. and, after considering the petition, you in due course notified me that the petition was recommended to the favourable consideration of the Government. That was on the 13th November. 1903 Nothing further was heard of the matter, and no action was taken bearing on it until th? 23rd March, when I wrote the following letter to the Minister of Defence: — " Sir, —I have the honour to beg to be informed if any further action has yet been taken in my petition which was recommended to the ' favourable consideration of the Government ' by the Public Petitions A to L Committee on the 13th November, 1903.—1 have, &c, "J. J. Clark, Capt., N.Z. Militia." On the 29th March the following reply came to hand: — " I beg to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 23rd instant, addressed to the Hon. the Defence Minister, and to inform you the matter of your claim is now being dealt with by the Paymaster-General. " T. F. Grey, For Under-Secretary Defence." On the day following (30th March) came the following letter from the Paymaster-General: — " Sir, —I have the honour to inform you that amended voucher of 23/6/03, amounting to £102 13s. 4d., submitted by you has been approved for payment, less the following deductions: — £ s. d. By amount of voucher ... ... ... • 102 13 4 To amount included in New Zealand furlough, 12th to £ s. d. 18th September, 1902—seven days at 15s. ... ... 5 5 0 Overpayment on gratuity 601b, 19/9/02 to 28/2/03 —163 days at £100 per annum ... ... ... 44 13 2 Error in your addition of voucher ... 010 0 31 days New Zealand furlough at 4s. should have been 31 days at lis., not Tss. as charged ... ... 6 4 0 56 12 2 Payable ... ... ... - £46 1 2 The voucher will require to be receipted in full, and final settlement of all claims and demands whatsoever against the New Zealand Government, acting on behalf of the Imperial Government, and from whatsoever source arising. The following memorandum embodied by you in voucher is therefore rendered null and void: 'The Question of mv rank as captain being still under dis cussion, the lower rank is hereby claimed without prejudice to any subsequent claim for difference in rank for period marked " A." ' Another voucher, amounting to £9 ss. 5d., expenses paid by you in South Africa and at Albany, has also been approved for payment. T should be glad to know if you are prepared to accept payment in accordance with the terms T have stated, when cheques will be immediately forwarded to yon. —I have, Ate, "J. B. Heywood, Paymaster-General." T replied to that letter on the 6th April as follows: - " Paymaster-General, Wellington. " g IR —I have the honour to acknowledge receipt of your letter of the 30th March. I will give a full discharge for the voucher amounting to £9 ss. sd. immediately on receipt of a cheque for that amount. With regard to the voucher amounting to £102 13s. 4d., less the deductions shown by you, I would be dad to be clearly informed on this point: Ts the sum now proffered by +ha New Zealand Government given solely by them as agents for the Imperial Cnvprnrnpnt f- T hav e. &c, "V J. Clattk. Capt.. N.Z.M "

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