20

HON. DE. FINDLAY'

I.—lα

■We cannot, of course, say that it has been conveyed to us either by Dr. Findlay or Mr. Dalziell that these terms will be approved by the Crown, nor apparently is it necessary that they should— the matter is more one of private arrangement between you and the other parties in dispute than for the Crown; but the Attorney-General certainly told the writer that he had submitted a memorandum prepared some little time ago of suggested terms of settlement which are little different from those embodied in the draft to the Hon, Mr. Carroll, and that Mr. Carroll thought it was a fair arrangement in so far as the Natives were concerned. We have, of course, stated to you our opinion as to what the effect of not coming to some settlement is; but, of course, that is a matter of deduction from the circumstances, and not a matter of what has been put to us by Dr. Findlay or Mr. Dalziell. There is one other matter in your letter which is not correctly stated: that is, that Messrs. Travers,. Campbell, and Peacock, solicitors for the executors of the late Wickham Flower, are acting with Messrs. Findlay, Dalziell, and Co. in common interests. We cannot see that that is the position. The interest of Mr. Lewis and the executors of the late Mr. Flower, while they are in both cases antagonistic to yours, may conflict, and undoubtedly in some respects they do conflict. We trust this letter is sufficient for your present purposes. If you require any further information, kindly let us hear from you. Yours truly, Joshua Jones, Esq. Stafford and Ireadwell. Note. —The £5,000 in the draft agreement was increased to £11,000. 11. Mr. Jones says you made him an offer? —I made no offer at all. Treadwell and Dalziell came to me to try to get a Royal Commission. •12. They came together? —Yes. They saw me in my room in the Parliamentary Buildings. 13. It appears that at that time there were actual terms of settlement? —I dare say. Ido not know. You do not suggest that I know what is going on at myoffice. I never go to my office. 14. Yes, I know that. It seems that Treadwell led Mr. Jones to believe that you were acquiescing in the terms? —That is so. 15. Mr. Treadwell should be called?— Yes. Mr. Treadwell could not stand upon his honour and say that I made any claim upon Jones. . 16. In speaking in the Legislative Council on the 17th August you said Mr. Lewis had bought the title ?—How bought ? _ . 17. That he had bought from the mortgagees?—! knew the title was given on the Registrar s 18. A matter rankling in Mr. Jones's mind is the removal of the caveat? —Which caveat? 19. The caveat which you say was allowed by the Maoris?—No, it was put on by the Registrar at the instance of the Native Land Court Judge. 20. Are you aware that Mr. Jones asked that that caveat should not be removed?— No. 21. Evidently upon some action between your firm and the firm of Messrs. Travers, Campbell, and Peacock, it was removed? —I do not know that. It was not removed at our instance, and it was not for Jones's protection at all. 22. As soon as the caveat was removed they got the mortgage? —Yes. 23. Mr. Fisher.] About the removal of the caveat: Is it usual for the Registrar-General to go a long distance to attend to such matters?— No. He did not go, as suggested, at all. 24. Had you any connection with him prior to the removing of the caveat? —No connection of any kind. 25. Up to the time when the Registrar-General removed the caveat there was no connection between you? —I knew nothing about it. _ . _ ; . 26. You had no connection with the mortgage which contained your name I— No. My only share in the business is a small sum which I get whether there are any profits or not. It is largely for my own protection. I have no interest in any of the work done. 27. There is no private arrangement by which your income may be increased ?—None whatever. The Chairman asked Mr. Okey if he had any questions to put to Dr. Findlay. Mr. Okey replied that he had no questions to put. 28. Mr. Hindmarsh (to witness).] Do you know anything about the details of these caveats?— Nothing at all. . . 29. Do you know whether in June Lewis registered any caveat?—l do not know anything about it. . , i i tv Mr. Jennings said that personally he held very strong views upon the whole proceedings Me considered that the whole proceedings were very irregular in connection with Mr. Jones and Mr. Treadwell. He (Mr. Jennings) had presented a petition on Mr. Jones's behalf seven years ago. Mr. Jones: I have only been here two years. Mr Jennings (continuing) said that when Mr. Jones came back the petition was presented. In this matter ail sorts of statements had been made, detrimental to everybody concerned. Mr. Jones had received every consideration. He (Mr. Jennings) had assisted him m every way possible. He regretted the action Mr. Jones had taken. A great mistake had been made. In the interests of the public generally the question of the settlement of this great block of land was one of immense importance. He would be glad to answer any questions. _ Mr. Fisher: Is it not your experience that when a man has had a grievance nursing lor many years he takes a personal interest in it ever after ? Mr. Jennings: Yes. •'•jo Mr. Fisher: Do you not think that is the reason why we are in this position to-day * Mr. Jennings: Yes. The Chairman: That is a personal matter. Mr. Hindmarsh: Shall we have an opportunity of cross-examining Mr. Treadwell and Mr. Dalziell? The Chairman: Yes.