108

JH.'D. MOUPKTH.

0.—14.

•202. Do you know about the damage that it did down here?—l never heard of it doing damage down here. It was evidently a cloud-burst on the other side. 203. Then the fall was to the other side?—The water came this way, too, but it did not reach as far as here with any damaging effect. . . , 204 Do you mean that half the fall came this way and halt the other way so that it might have been very severe at Waihi, but only half of it came this side?— There was about the heaviest flood at the Tauranga Bridge that I have seen at Waihi . - 205 The Chairman,] We had it that the 1910 flood was over a house up there: was this one over a house too?—No; I did not see the 1910 flood. This was the heaviest I have seen. 206. Mr. Cotter.] Did you see the effect of it so far as the railway tunnel was concerned (—lt had no effect there, so far as I heard. . 207 .l/r. Vickerman.] Was not that caused by the tailings below being banked up?—lSo . thcic is praotically ho deposit of tailings at the Tauranga Bridge. 208. But lower down?—lt might have had that effect. _ 209 1/;- r«,«r.] How many days was it after that II - what you call the biggest Hood- that you came down to this neighbourhood?—l did not come down; 1 came up. ' 210 You speak of it having no effect at Paeroa :do you speak of your own knowledge or horn report in the newspapers?—lt was c unon knowledge that it did not come down here. It is remarkable that it has not been mentioned in this inquiry. 211 Can you give the Commission any idea of the first year when what I may call the slt question commenced to be talked about as likely to injure either the river or the settlers on the bank?—No, Ido not know that I could give the date. 212. Anvvhere near?—l know there vvas a very heavy flood here in 1898 213 There was no talk then about silt either doing damage or being likely to do damage /—JNo. 214 You gave evidence in 1907 before the Committee of the House?— Yes. 215' Can you not cast your memory back, and say how far before that it became acute. Sneaking very roughly, I should think it was four years before that. -216 Do] understand tha. it was about a year after the formation ol the borough before it first began to be talked about?—l should think it was more. • 217 Is it not a fact that it was only a couple of years before 1907 that the damaging eflects ol the silt were appreciated or talked aboutJ-Rclly I should not like to say to two or three >T™£ 218 Have you any correspondence with the Council or any resolutions passed In the Counci with regard to this silt question ?-I cannot remember resolutions. think it is probable.there were resolutions, inasmuch as we presented a petition and proceeded to Wellington to attend the Mill ll9Tan te yo" 8™ US any idea of the first year when the matter was brought up in the CoUn mriit^LZ & up A* attitude that you have told the Commission the present Council hikes up with regard to this silting trouble? Has the Council at the present time passed such a resolution? —No. 221 Is there a formal declaration now? —ISo. m tuZl told the Commission of the attitude that the present Borough Connedhas takeu „,,. I alll asking now with regard to the attitude ol the Council in 1901 1-YeS, (^nly. 22:' The attitude they then took up was that they were in no way responsibe, tartJ*mt* Government were wholly responsible for it?-No, I said that my opmu,,, was that ihe Governmen WM STatasking you as Town Clerk of Waihi I 1 take it the Town Clerk can <^^"-*» opinion of the Council When it is expressed by resolution. 1 have given the opinion ot the Council, but it was not expressed by resolution. 225. Does that answer apply to the year 1907?— Yes. fminrillor 226. Do I understand that when you, and the then Mayor (Mr. '" Donaldson gave evidence before the Mines Committee, you and they knew; that was the.feeling; ot ~„' majority of the Council?-I knew, any way. Ido not know what evidence they gave. I was " 0t you mean to say that you *ere so little interested in this matter as Town Clerk that you have not since that time seen this report?— Yes, Ido was the first thing 1 228 Not even up to the present moment ?—I saw it the other da.v . I hat was the hi st tiling heard of it I may say that I had a family trouble at the time. I gave my evidence and left 229 May I take it that there has never been but one opinion held by the majority of the W t„l i BoiSh Courfcil and thU was that they should hold on to their gold duty,^Uownc,p£- „ t„ go to remedy those evils, and that the whole and sole responsibility lay with the Government. You have the balance-sheets of the Borough Council. Take the one ending 31st March, • £$Z ! services, ,1,064 ; abattoir,, £783; ga., £3,542. That comes up u >*'.»»• . „ , hether lh „ t include. sys ssrfs jSskvas as '™R^, *•,. --*■■ management?—l think those are general charges.