[b. c. lysaght.

L—l 4.

110. But I thought yoli were not at all angry about the matter? —I do not know that I said I was not angry 111 But you were angry, and you handed the letters to Mr. Hine. Do you know that they were published in the Stratford papers —in the electorate? —Parts of the letters. 112 Well, the account and the letter of the 28th July All, with the exception of the letter of the 20th April, were published throughout the Stratford Electorate —is that not so? —Parts of the letters were, 113. So that this is no new matter? —To me, do you mean? 114. No, to the public. It was known and canvassed throughout the election campaign at the last general election, was it not?— Yes. 115. And known throughout the length and breadth of the electorate? —Yes. 116. And I trust it electrified them as it was going to electrify the country? —I could not say 117 Right Hon. Sir J G Ward] Will you state to the Committee, Mr Lysaght, what was the date of the surrender of the original leases, or the year?—No, sir, I cannot remember the date. 118. After you, as cotrustee, received the account dated 20th March, 1906, for £17 7s. 3d., being 5 per cent, on £347 ss. 4d., did you make any representations to the Government at the time that you had been requested to make a payment of any kind?— No. 119 When you received the letter of the 28th July from Mr Symes, in which he again pressed for payment, and indicated that he had taken the trouble to get it before Cabinet, did you make any representations to the Government of the nature of the second letter you had received? —No. 120. When you received the letter of the 20th April, 1906, from Mr Symes, did you make any representations to the Government that you had received such a letter?— No. 121 How did your father's trustees receive the £347 ss. 4d.—from whom did you receive it? —By Treasury cheque, I think. 122. Did you receive it direct from the Treasury? —I think so. lam not quite sure whether it was from the Public Trust Office. However, that would have been a Treasury cheque. 123. You received it from one of the Government Departments?— Yes. 124. Was that £347 ss. 4d. for your father's estate forwarded through Mr Symes to you? —No. 125. Y r ou received a refund of £47 in connection with an abortive award in connection with your own estate? —Yes. 126. Did you receive that direct from a Government Department?— Yes, 127 That was not sent to you through Mr Symes? —No. 128. Or through anybody else?— No. 129. Then it was sent direct to you by a Government Department?— Yes. 130. Now, you expressed a knowledge of the position of your brother's estate in connection with the abortive proceedings. You said your brother got a refund? —Yes, but I should not like to swear to that. I imagine that he got it. 131 Do you know whether your brother got that refund, as you did for your own expenses, and also, as one of the trustees, for your late father's expenses, direct from a Government Department?—l could not say 132 Hon. Mr Millar ] How did you apply for your money yourself —did you employ an agent, or send a direct application to the Government for your own refund ?—I have not a distinct recollection. I fancy I wrote to the Public Trust Office. 133 Did you employ any agent to act for you in any way in regard to your own application for a refund? —No. 134. Then you did it yourself direct? —Yes. I might say I have no recollection of employing anybody 135. The position is practically this, as I understand your evidence: You applied yourself and employed nobody, and got your cheque sent direct to you by the Government in regard to your claim? —Yes. 136. Mr Massey.] You considered there was no necessity to employ an agent? —No, I did not consider there was any necessity 137 Had you heard prior to receiving this account from Mr Symes that that gentleman intended to make a charge in connection with services in Parliament in the way of looking after these petitions and pressing the claims?—No, I had not. 138. Did you consider it was a proper thing for a member of Parliament to make a charge for services rendered in Parliament? —No. 139 You thought it was an improper thing? —Yes. 140. And you objected in consequence?— Yes. 141 Mr Allen.] With regard to the vouchers in your father's estate which were necessary to prepare the account, were they lost?—I cannot remember just now 142 Was there any difficulty, so far as you know, in preparing the account for your father's estate? —No, Ido not remember any difficulty If there had been any difficulty I think I should have recollected. I was one of the trustees. 143 Mr Reed.] What documents were you called upon to sign to prove your claim when you got your refund from the Government? —I fancy the proof was already in the Government offices. The Public Trust Office would have all the sums that had been paid by the different lessees on account of the awards. 144. Then you were called upon to give no proof at all? —No, I do not recollect having to give any proof. 145. What was the nature of your application for the money?—l wrote to the Public Trust Office, or interviewed the agent. I cannot remember really how I made the application

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