J.—s

9

118. The Chairman.] Do you think all would have voted for Hotene ? —Tes, except the people of Maraetai, of whom there are ten. 119. Can you tell us how many were prevented from voting at Waiapu through the change in the polling-place ?—I do not know. A good many people were prevented from going to vote at Te Awanui because of the floods. 120. Then the floods would have prevented a good many from voting at Waiapu if the poll had been held there ? —Some on one side of the river would not have been able to vote on account of the floods. 121. But more could have voted at Waiapu than could have voted at Te Awanui in any case ?— Tes. 122. The change in the polling-place preventefl a good mauy people from voting?—Tes ; Henare Tomoana and others went after the Returning Officer. 123. Mr. Macandrew.] Tou were present at Kawakawa on the day of the poll. How many electors came to the poll on that day ? —No one came, as they had received intimation that the poll was not to take place. Mr. Campbell did not come. 124. The poll was from nine to four o'clock. At what time did they ascertain that Mr. Campbell would not be tliere ? —Just before the poll was to have closed. 125. Mr. Tole.] Tou were there ? —Yes ; I live at Kawakawa. 126. Mr. Bastings.] Were there any indications the preceding night that there would be a flood ? —The country bad been flooded for a long time: ever since the previous October. 127. Mr. W. Wood.] Do you live near the polling-place ? —The school-house at Kawakawa is near my house. 128. Mr. Macandrew.] Who gave the intelligence that the Eeturning Officer was not at the polling-place ? —We understood that he was to be there, but was prevented by the floods. 129. Then was it taken for granted that he was not there—that he could not be there ?—He sent Hoani Ngatai up to take a list. 130. The Eeturning Officer sent him ?—He sent him up to take the names of the people, but he only got as far as a certain place, and the flood stopped him. 131. Was that before the polling ? —lt was subsequent to the polling-day. 132. Did the Eeturning Officer do that for the purpose of recording their votes ?—I do not know. 133. Mr. Macandrew.] When did the people make up their minds that there could be no poll that day? —At the time of the closing of the poll —near four o'clock I mean. We then made up our minds that there would be no poll. 134. Mr. Williams.] Were you expecting the day before that there would be a poll? —Tes; we were expecting the officer to come up and take a poll. 135. Did the people go to the polling-place on the polling-day to meet the Eeturning Officer ?— The people were all collected and ready to go. They were waiting to go to the poll. They had assembled the previous day. 136. Supposing Mr. Campbell had arrived on the day of the poll, could the people have been communicated with in time to allow of their being at the poll ?—Tes ; if we had sent up, the people would have been down in time to vote. 137. What is the distance you would have had to have sent ?—A. good distance, and a very rough road. 138. Was it twenty miles ? —-I do not know. 139. Mr. W. Wood.] Were any persons at Kawakawa during the day ?—Tes; a large number of people were there, with their wives and children. 140. That was from the districts around ? —Tes. 141. Mr. Macandrew.] How many were there at Kawakawa?—About 200. 142. What were they doing there ?—Waiting for Mr. Campbell to come. They had assembled the day before. 143. The Chairman.] Have you heard of any list being made out of those persons going to vote for Karaitiana ?—I did not hear of any list. But I know Henare Tomoana went up the district. 144. Canvassing ? —Tes. 145. Hon. Sir _D. McLean.] How many of those assembled at Kawakawa would have voted for Hotene, and how many for Karaitiana, had votes been taken ?—They would all have voted for Hotene, except the ten I have referred to. The Committee then adjourned.

Hon. KoTcena Kohere. 11th July, 1876.

Thubsdat, 20th July, 1876. Mr. S. Locke, being in attendance, was examined as follows: — 146. The Chairman.] Tou were the Eeturning Officer at the last election for the Eastern Maori Electoral District ? —Tes. 147. Tou indorsed the writ with a special return? —Tes. 148. Was it a fact that no returns were received from Kawakawa ? —Tes ; it was indorsed on the back of the writ. 149. Can you give the Committee any information in addition to that conveyed officially, as to the reason why there was no return from that district ?—I only know what was reported —that Mr. Campbell, junior, was prevented from attending in consequence of meeting with an accident. It was reported that he had fallen from his horse and was laid up. [The reports furnished by Mr. Campbell, senior, and Mr. Campbell, junior, were produced and read; they were dated 12th February. Also, telegram from Henare Potae, dated 22nd January; and extract from a letter from Mr. Campbell, senior, to same effect.] 2.— J. 5.

Mr. S. Loclce.

20th July, 1876.