Weaver : If desirable I should be happy to do so. Mr. McPfIIESOIT! Since your connection with the Government ? Mr. Weaver : Yes. Mr. H'ujrst : Will yon explain why you ordered timber and other materials from other places ? Mr. Weaver : I have no with to shirk that ques tion, or any other having reference to what I have done. I was entrusted with the expenditure of a certain 'amount of money to do a certain work. In the construction of the Tamaki bridge, stones were required weighing a ton each, which could not be proonred in this pro vince except at 1 an' enormous cost— twice as much as they would cost elsewhere. In my judg ment I considered that I was bound to do what was reqnired to he done at the lowest possible cost to the province. Some remark had been made with reference to Tasmanian timber supplied. In the construction of the wharf, timber was reqnired for dunnage. Kauri timber could be had at about 255. a hundred, and blue gum at about 12s. a hundred. I did not consider that I ought to throw away money in buying kauri timber instead of blue gum. (Hear, hear.) ' Mr. Turner : Will you endeavour to keep down tueleu offices, and out down salaries according to the income ? Mr. Weaver : I will. I think there will be very few left to be cut down. (Laughter.) I pledge my word to study economy in every posnble shape, whether in paving moderate salaries, or doing away with useless officials. (Hear, hear.) Mr. Turner j Will you do all you can to put away this "'ere " notorious City Board ? (Laughter.) Mr. Weaver : I think the sooner the Board is done away with the better* and the sooner a Municipal Act is passed and brought into operation the better. Mr. Turner : Well, I will give you my support, as I think you are the most fitting man to be put into the Provincial Council. (Laughter.) Mr. ' J. FmLAY : Had you any conversation with the Superintendent about making you Chairman of the City Board ? Mr. Weaver : I don't remember that I had. Mr. Finlat : Are you not aware that the Super intendent and some persons had a conversation about it ? Mr. 