quantity estimated at the time, because I said to Mr. Taylor, "You have lost nine tons of wheat through that wharf decking." He said "Nonsense." I said, "Come under the wharf with me and I will show you." He came down the steps with me and I pointed out to him a smaller portion which had fallen within the range of our immediate vision, and he said, "I will not bother looking further with you. We will say nine bushels are lost, not tons. That is how it is fixed. My desire was to reduce the volume of loss and to protect myself against the charge or hypercritical inspection which I have had alleged against me by certain interests which I was not serving. On one occasion I had the opportunity of taking Mr. Deane Hammond and Mr. Sutton round with me to confirm my reports re country stacks. They both agreed that my reports were a true representation of the condition of the stacks in the country at the time. I think that will show that my evidence was not coloured in any way by any Habour Trust letter of the present year.

4929. The reports were made prior to the letter?—I have read no letter later than 1917.

4930. I notice in the list of steamers mentioned that the vessel "Bonnie Viene" is not mentioned?—They loaded it. I have always endeavoured to avoid colouring my reports. I had no occasion to do so. I had nothing to gain by doing so. I have always endeavoured to write them without fear or favour.

4931. You are aware that this was a report from Mr. Cohen?—In his evidence he stated it was a letter which had been received from Mr. Cohen, but that does not free his company from the sure knowledge that the opposite is the true condition of things, because their Mr. Taylor and I have had a sufficient number of interviews on the wharf for them to know my ideas, and for me to know theirs. A statement such as that attributed to Mr. Cohen appearing in the Press represents my realisation of my duty on the wharf in a very paltry light, and I thought I would like to take the earliest opportunity of refuting it. I hope that I have been successful in showing you the true position. I joined the Pool on the 1st May, 1916, and my reports started immediately afterward. I might add that all the other firms without exception had men of some experience in charge, but the Westralian Farmers, Ltd., in their Mr. Cohen had a man who was entirely new to the business. On his own word to everyone on the wharf he knew nothing about it.

4932. By Mr. HARRISON: Was this Mr. Cohen connected with shipping prior to this?—He was with Pearse Bros., boot tanners, and before that I understand he was a traveller for the Vacuum Oil Co.

4933. Had he anything to do with shipping?—So far as I know he was a traveller.

4934. By the CHAIRMAN: Have you ever heard it mentioned down there that if the man placed in charge by the Westralian Farmers, Ltd., had not been assisted by the Harbour Trust he would not have been able to carry out his work?—No. I think he had assistance from Captain Ulrich, who was at that time wharf manager. Ulrich is now in the employ of the Westralian Farmers, Ltd. He was able to assist the Westralian Farmers during Mr. Cohen's regime on the wharf. Apart from that there would be others on the wharf who were willing to give their assistance, because at that time the cause of the Westralian Farmers was a common one with that of the acquiring agents generally. I believe Ulrich has been with the Westralian Farmers for about a year. When I missed him from the wharf I asked where he was, and I was told he was employed by the Westralian Farmers. He is not on the wharf now; his work is in the store. (The witness retired.)

The Commission adjourned.