B. C. LYSAGHT.]

7

1.—14.

146. Did you have any correspondence with any one in reference to your claim?-—No, I cannot remember 147 How long ago was this? —Some three years ago, I think. 148. Would it be possible for your brother to have made your application when he made his own, and you to have forgotten that fact?—l do not think so, because our businesses are entirelyseparate. 149. What newspaper were those letters and account published in—the extracts that you spoke of?— Those letters of Mr Sjmies were published in the Stratford paper 150. Did you publish them? —No. 151 Who published them? —That I could not say 152 How long previous to the publication did* they go out of your possession ?—I do not remember how long before the election it was. 153. To whom did you give them? —They were forwarded to Mr Hine's committee. 154. That was actually during the campaign?— Yes, before the election 155 They were forwarded by you during the campaign to Mr Hine's committee?—l do not remember whether it was during the campaign or before the campaign 156. Well, some time before the election. It was to the committee, and therefore, presumably, during the campaign. The committee would only be formed during the campaign I— Well that I could not say 157 At all events, they were forwarded to Mr Hine's committee before the election I— Yes 158. For what purpose?—l think, as I said before, I took exception to them. 159 Mr Hine and Mr Symes were the candidates?— Yes. 160. They were not in your electorate?— No. 161 What electorate are you in ?—I am in Mr Pearce's electorate. 162. Mr Myers:] You told Mr Skerrett that you did not think Mr Symes was entitled to anything?— Yes. 163. Will you say on what grounds you considered he was not entitled to anything ?—Well 1 thought that as he was a member of Parliament he was not entitled to a commission William Wilson sworn and examined. (No. 3 ) 1 Mr Myers ] Where do you live?—At Whenuakura, near Patea. 2 And you are a farmer, are you not?—l was. 3. Do you know a gentleman named Temple Frere?—Yes. 4. Was he in partnership with a brother of yours?— Yes. 5. What is your brother's name ?—Percival Wilson 6. Were your brother and Mr Frere at one time in partnership as farmers?— Yes t And were they holders of one of the west coast leases ?—Yes. 8 And were they in the same position as some of the other people who were claiming a refund?—l suppose so. 6 9 At all events, you know that they did claim a refund of expenses incurred in connection with one of those abortive aw-ards? —Yes, they did. 10. Do you know what the amount of their claim was?—l could not say, exactly 11 About what?— Well, I should say it was £198 10s., as near as I can give it 12. Were Messrs. Wilson and Frere petitioners—that is to say, did they actually sign one ot the petitions?— I could not swear to that. They got a refund. " 13 Do you know when it was they got the refund?—ln 1906, I think 14. But you do not remember the month?— Yes, in March, 1906, I paid the commission 10. You are their attorney, are you not?—l was at that time the Dom -T? What ° onStituency dkl those two gasmen belong?—To the Patea Electorate, while in Patea l7 Sym6S ' S electorate ? - Tes * at that t™e it was. He was member for 18. And they were two of his constituents?— Yes. Yes BUt they Were ° Ut ° f the Dominion at the time 3'ou recovered the money for them?— 20. But they seem to have been in the Dominion. Mr William Wilson, at any rate, was in the Dominion at the time the petition was signed?— That is my signature to the petition 21 then you petitioned for both of them?— Yes. 22. They were not in the colony at the time?— No. 23. How did you come to sign "that petition?—l held Frere's power of attorney • J-' A° P re P a s ed the Petition ?—I could not say that. My brother was principally interested in getting the petition signed about his own locality—the first one ncipauy interested 25. Which brother ?—Percival Wilson. HutchLr :o prese a nted ha it be "** ™ °* °° I ° n^~l am s P €akil *g of **>c first petition; Mr , i A \ The "J our brother waS ° ne ° f those who took ste P s t0 Prepare the first petition?—He helped to get it prepared, and to get signatures. petition . He attorne S6C ° nd petition was Prepared you signed it for them?— Under a power of 29 Did you see Mr Symes in connection with the matter before signing?—l might have done -I could not say that I did Ido not know who took that petition round to get signatures -Yes 6Ve P PUt iD ' Bnd there WaS a favo « rab k report eventually?