CHARGE PREFERRED BY DR. FEATHERSTON

F—No. 3

36

Mr. Parris. 19 August, 1861.

212. Would it not have had that effect in the present case, had Mr. Richmond not voluntarily placed this private correspondence with you before the Committee ?—Not that I am aware of. 213. Did you ever hear of a proposal to lay out a township at s Waitara, and of the plan under which the New Zealand Company's Land Purchasers were to have a town acre given them in addition to a certain quantity of rural and suburban land ?—I did not. 214. Had you at any time, or have you now, personally, an interest in any lands at Waitara ?—Not any whatever, —never had. This closed Dr. Featherston's cross-examination of Mr. Parris. Dr. Featherston stated he wished to call Mr. F. A. Carrington. Mr. Richmond had charged him with inventing the last paragraph referred to in Mr. Augustus B. Abraham's petition, (namely, paragraph No. 29), and it was necessary that Mr. Carrington should be examined. Re-examination of Mr. Parris by Mr. Richmond. Can you state whether I was ever a Member of the Provincial Council of New Plymouth ?—Not to my knowledge ; I can state that you never were. As legal adviser of the Superintendent was it understood that I was a political Officer or had any share in the Provincial Government ?—lt was not. You were simply fixed upon by vote of the Provincial Council as the gentleman to be referred to for legal opinions. 215. You have stated that you were not aware who edited the " Taranaki Herald" at the date of Major Nugent's letter, can you state who were the editors of the " Herald" during the period, say from 1852 to 1855 —to the beat of your recollection ?—The editorship changed hands during that time, but Ido not remember at what particular date. Mr. Crompton was editor, and afterwards Mr. Pheney. I am not aware of any other editor during that period. 216. In your letter to the Bishop of New Zealand, 26th August, 1858, did you allude to any plan or proposition for removing Wm. King from the Waitara, except Mr. Turton's proposition, made in his journal, and published in the " Taranaki Herald" of 1855 ?—No other plan whatever. The allusion had reference to the plan of the Natives, which if carried out, would no doubt have cleared them from the District ; and it was merely the clearance from the District caused my allusion to Mr. Turton's plan. On motion of Mr. Speaker, the Committee adjourned until To-morrow at 10 "30 a.m.

Tuesday, 20th August, 1861. Committee met pursuant to adjournment. Present:— Mr. Creyke, Mr. Russell, Hon. Mr. Crosbie Ward, " Renall, Mr. Chairman of Committees, " Cracroft Wilson, C.8., " Fitzherbert, Hon. Mr. Henderson. Mr. Weld in the Chair. Minutes of preceding meeting read and confirmed. Mr. Parris and Mr. F. A. Carrington in attendance. Mr. C. W. Richmond and Dr. Featherston present. Re-examination of Mr. Parris continued by Mr. Richmond. 217. Whenin your letter of September 13th, 1860, [1860, E. 4, p. 29,] you speak of Teira's offer being re-opened about nine months after Katatore's murder, i.e., about October, 1858, —by whom do you mean that the question was re-opened?—By the Natives themselves. 218. Had you at that time commenced negotiations with Teira's party for the purchase of the block? —No. 219. Did you at that time take any part in the discussions and negotiations which were taking place amongst the Natives themselves? —No; I was merely a listener. No Member of the Committee desiring to put further questions to this Witness, he was discharged from attendance. Mr. Chairman of Committees Moved, and Question was proposed, That the Bishop of New Zealand be desired to attend before this Committee, with a view to his being examined in regard to that portion of Mr. Richmond's defence which is based on the alleged improper disclosure by His Lordship of the contents of a letter. The Committee divided, when there were:— Ayes, 3. Noes, 5. Mr. Fitzherbert, Mr. Creyke, " Chairman of Committees, Hon. Mr. Crosbie Ward, The Hon. Mr. Henderson. Mr. Russell, " Cracroft Wilson, C.8., j " Weld. And so it passed in the negative.

Mr. Parris. 20 August, 1861.