MINUTES OF EVIDENCE TAKEN

C. O. Davis, Esq. 10 Oct. 1860.

539. Do you hand this in as representing your views ?—I do. 540. Are there any other documents that you would like to hand in to the Committee ?—I think not. There are two or three points in my former evidence I should like to refer to before the letters just-mentioned are read. I wish to disabuse the minds of the Committee with reference to the fee-ling between Mr. McLean and myself. I received the greatest courtesy from Mr. McLean, and was generally allowed both liberty of action and liberty of speech. Shortly before my resignation, I was offered an appointment as Resident Magistrate at Whaingaroa, Thinking myself incompetent for so important an office, I declined to accept it. 541. Did you say that Mr. McLean offered you this appointment?— Yes, I understood from him that the Governor wished it. The case of Horopeta, referred to previously, took place after my resignation. Another point is that, about 18 months before my final resignation, I virtually resigned my office as interpreter, but at the request of the Government I again resumed my duties. 542. Who requested you to resume your duties?—l received an official letter from the iNative Department. I took no memorandum as to dates, but Mr. Symonds had charge of the Department at that time. Referring to Mr. Buddies pamphlet, there is an allusion to a particular conversation between Tamihana Tarapipipi and a friend. I have mentioned in my evidence a particular conversation with that Chief, but I suspect, after all, that lam not the person referred to. lam aware that Tamihana Tarapipipi was closeted with other friends in Auckland; lam not at liberty to name them; nor am I acquainted with what transpired. Ido not refer to persons connected with the Government. As regards the printing-press, perhaps it would be as well for the Committee to know that I have been fearful of publishing anything lest the Government should be embarrassed, the Native mind being in so excited a state- They wished me to send ihem the printing press, that they might manage -it themselves, and publish their own opinions ; but, being fearful of their making a bad use of it, I wished to bind them to their original agreement, viz., that all publications should emanate from Auckland. 543. Mr. Williamson.] Before we go from this subject, would you be so good as to give the Committee some further information respecting the origin of the establishment of a printing-press: was it an idea originating with the Natives, or was it suggested by yourself ?—They had originally conceived the idea, but the practical suggestion came from myself. I wrote to Waata Kukutai on the subject, and he at once acceded to the proposition, and enclosed, a cheque for £2 10s. towards it. He was to undertake the collection of funds in his own district. I also suggested the purchase of a piece of land in Auckland, upon which the Thames and Poverty Bay Natives, and Natives in general, might erect stores for the disposal of their produce. The printing establishment was to be upon this block of land. I told them that the object would require about ■=£1,000, but that £500 would be sufficient for a good printing establishment. They did not collect this amount, and the enterprise was not completed. 544. Chairman.] Is there any other point before the letters are read, that you wish to refer to ? —I think not.— [Witness handed in for the perusal of the Committee translations of correspondence between himself and the Natives.] 545. Do I understand that you do not desire these to be taken down in evidence ?—I feel some delicacy in placing in the hands of the Committee any correspondence or documents relating to the King movement, because I have made up my mind to enter an action against the proprietors of the New Zealander newspaper and a Chief named Tamihana te Raupahara. I have taken counsel with my legal adviser, but haye not yet seen his reply. 546. Then you think that possibly these letters, if left with the Committee, may prejudice your case?—l do. [The Committee refused to receive the letters or read them unless they ivere to be retained: same returned to witness accordingly.] 547. Chairman.] Do you know a native named Te Wikiriwhi te Amotahi?—l do not; I have heard the name; there are many Natives of that name (Wycliffe), but I do not know to whom the Committee refer. 548. But you have heard of such a person?—l am not certain, lam confused about it; I may have heard of his name, or I may not. 549. Have you ever had a letter or letters from a Native of that name?— That I could not bring to mind; there are many letters to the newspaper handed in from Natives with whom I have no personal acquaintance. 550. Will you be good enough to look at this letter (letter handed to ivitness), and state whether you ever received it? —I could not say; I probably may have received it. 551. Chairman.] The Committee will not trouble you with any further question of fact; have you anything more you wish to communicate?—No; but I should like to hear my answers respecting the letter read before I leave. ( The answers read.) 552. That is all ?—I desire it to be recorded that I have not read the letter handed to me and that I do not know whether it was addressed to me.

Waata Kukutai called in, and examined. _ 553. What is your name, and to what Tribe do you belong?—Waata Kukutai, of Ngatitipa ; I reside at Tihorewaru. 554. Are you a Native Assessor ?—I am. 555. How long have you held this office I—Three years.

Jf'auta Kukutai,

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