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Mr. Massey I object to meeting on Saturday Right Hon. Sir J G Ward 1 move that we meet on Friday at 10.30 also, and that Mr Symes be informed that we meet at 5.30 to-night. (Agreed to.) Walter Symes further examined: 261. Right Hon. Sir J. G. Ward-.] Mr Symes, I want to ask you a question relative to the letter of G. S Newland's of the 11th August, in respect to the quotation from that letter which was read by Mr Myers, " Some I have spoken to seem to be afraid they are not the right colour,' and then the letter goes on to say, " which personally I think is a great mistake. You are aware, like the rest of us, that it is only our own money we are asking for and a debt owing to us which should have been paid long ago." I want simply to ask you, in connection with that, whether you assumed there was any suggestion of political colour being introduced into this matter to do an improper thing ?—No, I never dreamt of anything of the sort. 262 Is Mr Newland, the writer of that letter, a respectable settler? —Yes. 263. Mr Massey ] Did I hear you say this morning that you were never Government Whip?— That is so. 264. Are you quite sure you never acted as Government Whip?— Never in my life —never for one moment. 265. You never went round to arrange the pairs?— Never 266. Think again? —No, never Such a thing was never offered me, and if it had been I would never have accepted it. I never was Government Whip 267 If you were not going away to-morrow I think I could bring it to your recollection that you have acted temporarily and for a short period as Government Whip ?—No, never 268. In regard to the presents which were supposed to have been made to you, Mr Symes, were the Baylys supporters of yours? —No. Mr Alfred Bayly was at one time. 269 Was that the man from whom the land was purchased?— Yes, he is the one who died. 270. Is it usual for the people who take an active interest in political matters in Taranaki to make presents such as the one you are supposed to have received ?—I cannot say; but Mr Alfred Bayly never took any active part in politics. 271 Was he on your committee? —No. 272. Was he an active supporter of yours? —He was at one election, but he was never on the committee. 273. Which election was that? —I do not know whether it was the election of 1896 or the following election. 274. That was when you were first elected? —I am not sure whether it was that election or the following. 275. Was he one of your constituents at that time? —Yes, he was a next-door neighbour of mine. 276. And did he remain a supporter of yours?—l cannot say 277. He took no active part? —No, no active part either one way or the other 278. And yet he insisted on your accepting £300 to pay your election expenses?— Yes. 279 What did your election expenses amount to? —I cannot say from memory.--280. Would they be over £300?— I could not say I have got the foggiest memory 281. Are you prepared to say it was over £300?— I could not say now The election expenses were very heavy The hall account came to about £50 or £60. 282. Do you think it was over £300? —It would be, including my own personal expenses. 283 Do you know that the limit by law is £200? —I know the limit, but your own personal expenses are not included in the election expenses. 284. I think they are? —Board and lodging and hall would come to very nearly £200. 285. Do you remember writing to Mr McCluggage in reply to a letter of his about Government advertisements in the Stratford paper ?—Well, 1 did not remember it until I saw the letter 286. You recollect it now?— Yes. 287 You wrote him as a director of the paper?— No. 288. Not as a director of the paper?— No. 289 Was it not as a director of the paper that he wrote to you?— No. 290. Was he not a director of the paper at that time? —I could not say Ido not know whether he was. I was not aware of the fact that he was a director of the paper when I wrote to him, at any rate. In fact, I had forgotten all about the letter 291 You remember saying to him in winding up the letter, " You are at liberty to make use of this privately with manager and directors, but not for publication "? —1 knew he was a shareholder, but not that he was a director 292. Are you satisfied now that he was a director? —If he says so lam satisfied, but I did not know of my own knowledge. _ , 293. Then, if he was a director your letter to him would be to a certain extent official? — Yes, in that case. 294. Mr Allen.] Were there any petitions to Parliament from these west coast lessees prior to 1905?—0h, yes! 295. Many of them? —Well, I could not say; there must have been a good many 2%. Did You present many yourself ?—No, I did not present any before. 297 Who presented them, "do you know? —I cannot say. It was away back in the nineties. 298. Do you know what the reports on the petitions were?—No effect was given to the reports, whatever they were. 299 No effect was given to the petitions prior to 1905?—N0. Mr Bell appeared on one occasion, and on the next occasion Mr. Levi appeared, and after that—l am only speaking from memory —I think Mr Hutchison did present a petition.