T. BALLAN.

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88. That was after you had parted with the land to Mr. Russell /—Anything that was done before my solicitors had m hand, and whatever Mr. Russell was prepared to do after the 13th March was done " on his own." 89. Were you consulted about the offer of £2 10s. per acre?—No, sir. 90. What is your explanation of this letter from Russell and Anthony offering to accept £2 10s. per acre in your name, although you had given a right of purchase to another man?— I was not aware it was offered to the Government at the price. I never knew the price at which it was sold t') the Government till 1 saw it in the newspapers. 91. Do you adhere to the statement that after the 13th March you had no communication with the Government in regard to this purchase?—Certainly. 92 Mr Nosworthy.] Are we to understand that after the sale of the property Messrs Russell and Anthony, who were solicitors for G, W. Russell, that they were acting on behalf of both of you?—No, on behalf of Mr. Russell. Mr. Fraser was my solicitor for a time and there was some communication with Mr. Charles Hill, also my solicitor, and Russell and Anthony and 1 told my solicitor that anything that transpired had to be done on behalf of Mr Russell and had nothing to do with me. 93 Messrs. Russell and Anthony were not acting for you, but acting for Mr Russell?— I robably my solicitor might have given them the use of my name to get the transaction put through, but it was not with my consent. 94. You gave them no authority to do so?—I would not be positive on the point The thing was just wavering, and I took no more notice of it after the sale to Mr. Russell 95. We have been told that the Crown negotiated with you, and not with Mr. Russell after he became the purchaser ?—The negotiations were with Mr. Russell, and not with me 96. Mr. .Statham.] Did Messrs. Russell and Anthony charge you for writing the letter of the t/th June/—1 never got any account for it, except perhaps in my solicitor's costs 97.. Mr. Witty.] Did you give your solicitor, Mr. Hill, power to deal with Messrs. Russell and Anthony ?—Probably 1 might have. 98. If that were done he would be empowered to negotiate with Messrs. Russell and Anthony who were negotiating with the Government ?-Yes, probably. I meant to sell to Mr. Russell and then I let the matter drop. ' 99. And you left the matter in the hands of your solicitor to carry out?—Yes 100. Mr Guthrie.] This land could not have been transferred to the Government without yOUI ' I nTwt' & T ? ou t h f ld the tltle to it?--There were two mortgages on the property iao' *7? ?° ° , the Purchase-money did you receive?—l received ss. per acre 102. And v,hen was that bargain made!—l really could not say what time it was, but when Mr. Russell approached me on the subject through my solicitors he wanted to know if he sold any portion of the land would I be prepared to take ss. an acre for any portion of the land he sold, and I told him 1 would be quite agreeable. 1 was not aware he was negotiating with the Government at the time. 6 s 103 Mr Nosworthy.] But you knew you had negotiated with the Government for £4 per 174 7,0 M M «'-j l / S fv that ; + X , had n ° thlng defimte t0 »«* that the had stopped " 104. Hon. Mr. Buddo.] lou stated that you thought it was quite possible that your solicitor a rti u ?it^rth:c"niLt ntliony to art| - It - po - ibie - j - *-> * **s£ RussifandAntholyUYe:. **' "*** » *°» b ™' had d 106 Mr. Statham.] Are you sure that the amount you got on realizing on that rmrtinr, n f the land was not 10s. per acre?—l only got 5s realizing on tnat poition ot 107 Mr. Nosworthy.] Is it not usual for a solicitor to advise his client of all correspondence and what he is doing m connection with his business? Am I to understand that your sohcitor had a right to write to Russell and Anthony without consulting you and without having vou authority?—l suppose my solicitor would protect my interests g 7 108. Mr. Statham.] Did you authorize your solicitor to allow Russell and Anthony to use your name m any negotiations ?-Possibly I might have. I seemed to get the whole thin* off my mind when I made the sale to Mr. Russell. " ng ott llS' M°T ffV o< S?*Tv t0 d °i Witll [t P e f onall y ? ~No, not after the sale to Russell, t M R ii Vv w ] i° U Sald y ° U got the tMn S ofi Jour mind when you made the sale to Mr Russell: you then left the matter in the hands of your solicitor ?—Yes 111. And your price was £4 per acre? —Yes 112. Would you have taken £2 10s. per acre?-I question whether 1 would or not.

Robert Aimers Paterson examined. (No. 13.) 1. The Chairman.] What are you ?-Chief Accountant in the Lands Department. the but I know of the transaction in connection with tfe details She X° M forth" 6 UnltieSeta ?£ ?ff* «* r^retrn 1 ~ *«" ** ™*4 Z « Ty S£t£fiJ 4. Mr. Anderson.] Can vou substantiate what has been said in r M mr-A *„ +i of the negotiations? We have been told by one the registered owner of the land, and the registered owner of were tot lon

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