11. LEWIS.]

95

I.—3a.

II."). 'Die. Chairman.] Do you derive any money in the way of rente from those subleases at the present time? —Yes. 116. Can you tell the Committee what is paid—for instance, whal clues Mr. Walter Jonei pay you?—l think it would be £7 its. per annum. 117. And what is the area of the land.' -894 acres. 118. What does Mr. Bayly pay, or Mr. Eglington?- There are 1,329 acres, and lie pave £33 4s. 6d. per annum. 119. Do yon receive those rentals) —I do. 120. Who pays the rates to the county?— Mr. Bayly. .121. What do you receive from Kelly?- That is for a certain limited period — I receive £44 15s. per annum. 122. For about how long do the rights of the subleases exist? —They have twenty-eight yearn more to go. 123. And during that time you receive those small rentals for that property?— Yes. 124. In reference to the transaction, do you remember Mr. Kemp-Welch coming out from Home? —No, I do not. 125. Mr. Herriet.] What was the first date you went to Findlay, Dalziell, and Co. and they became your solicitors in the matter?—T think in the latter part of 1908. 126. Was it in August? —I could not possibly state. 127. What was the date of your purchasing the leasehold interest in Wickham Flower's trustees? —I think the transaction was completed on the 19th May, 1908. 128. And yon mortgaged the leases to .f. G. Findlay and F. G. Dalziell for £1,000? —I want to explain that, if you want particulars. In February, 1010, I was in a private hospital in Willis Street and an operation was being performed, and I telephoned to Mr. Dalziell at that time that I did not know what would happen to me, and that he should prepare a mortgage for £1,000, which I would sign, to cover costs in ease anything should happen to me. 129. Then you mortgaged to Mr. T. G. Macarthy? —Well, I owed Mr. Macarthy large sums of money —I think at that time £30,000. He wanted some, and I gave him additional security, and I gave him Moknu as collateral. I think I paid off some amount. I think the amount was over £25,000. 130. What date wore those mortgages —was that at the same time? —No, I think that was last year. 131. Then you mortgaged to Mason Chambers?—No; to him I sold. 132. There is the register of a mortgage on the Oth March, 1911. You do not remember mortgaging to Mason Chambers?— No. 1 have had very large dealings with Mr. Mason Chambers. L3B. Was there not a caveat on the land when you purchased it?—No, the caveat was put on afterwards—that is, during the time I had the option. 134. Was it taken off before the actual transfer was made?—No; the Appeal Court decided that in July, 1908. 135. Then, at the time the transfer was made from Wickham Flower's trustees to you was there a caveat on the land? —No, there was none or it at the time I purchased. You mean when the purchase was completed? 136. Yes, the transfer?—l am not really sure about that. I know we took the matter before the Appeal Court in 1908. 137. And Findlay, Dalziell, and Co. took the matter for you there?—No, T had not seen them in connection with it at that time. 138. Who appeared for you?— Mr. Charles Tringham. 139. That was before you saw Findlay, Dalziell, and Co.?— Yes; that was after the title was in my name subject to a caveat. The transfer was completed in May, 1908. A caveat was on then, and the matter came before the Appeal Court in July. 1908, and Mr. Charles Tringham acted for me. 140. That was before you saw Mr. Dalziell in the matter?— Yes. 141. When you sold "your option to Mr. Mason Chambers what was the consideration you got —when you sold your option the last time?—£7l,ooo cash. I sold it twice. 142. What was the consideration for the leasehold and what for the freehold? —£46,000 for the leasehold and £71,000 for the freehold. That is £25,000 additional. 143. What was the consideration you were to get for the leasehold and what for the freehold?— They eimply paid for the freehold: £-lfi,ooo, the price for the leasehold, and £25,000 additional for the freehold, making it £71,000. 144. Why did you acknowledge in one of those deeds £54,000 for the leasehold?—l do not think I acknowledged that. After the settlement I got £-4,000 worth of shares in the company— that is practically £75,000. 145. It says that you goi £54,000 fur the leasehold in this document [Exhibit No. 37]. You ate quite clear you got £71,000 in cash?— Yes, and £4,000 worth of shares. 146. Do you still hold the shares? —Yes. They are not registered in my name yet, but I had to pay a portion of that for expenses. I only paid a portion towards that. 147. You do not appear as holding any shares in it?—l will have them later: they were held by Mason Chambers on mv behalf.