16

J.—s

342. How did you know he voted for Hotene, because of his voting at Te Awanui?—Because ho signed the paper. 343. Did any one pay your expenses while you were canvassing ? —No one. 344. Did any one ask you to canvass for them ? —No one asked me to canvass for them ; that is where I made the mistake, not being a Eeturning Officer before. 345. Mr. Lumsden.] Could you describe the nature of the explanation given to the Natives ? — They were to vote for Hotene as a person to represent their cause iv Parliament. "346. Hon. Sir D. McLean.] Did you hear any one say they were to vote for Hotene? —Not asking them to vote, but explaining the nature of the thing. 347. Mr. Macandrew.] Who paid the Native who went round to explain ? —He was paid by my father, at least I think so. 348. Mr. W. Wood.] I believe he had a number of papers with him to give to them, and another to sign : is that not so ? —Tes. 349. What was the paper they were to sign ?—That was one of those books they generally sign whoever they are voting for. 350. And the Natives did sign it ?—Tes, some of them. 351. Tes, and were there any papers sent round to vote for Karaitana ?—I am not aware, but I should say they must have been. 352. But those your father sent round were only for Hotene ?—Tes. 353. And how many names were signed as promised ? What were they—promised or real votes ? — Eeal votes, I think. 354. How many were down on that paper? —I cannot exactly remember just now. 355. And the other side had papers on which to vote for Karaitiana, I suppose?—l did not see them. 356. Tou knew there was a person in the district, a relative of Karaitiana?—Tes. 357. And you know that he prevented many from voting for Hotene. 355. Mr. Williams.] Was this what you have been speaking of —the book that was taken round by the messenger to collect names? —I think it was, but lam not certain. It was like a large cheque-book. 359. And that was the book taken round? —Tes. 360. And was it taken round before the proper day for polling or not ?—I think it wa3 taken round before the polling-day. He started the day before me, but was stopped by the river. 361. Then this Maori took the poll the day before you were to have taken it?—He waited for me, but I could not get round on that day. 362. Hon. Mr. Stafford.] If you had been able to get round, and had met that Maori, when you called the poll would you have accepted that list as being as good a return as another ?—I should have done what I was ordered to do. I should have got them all together and taken their votes. 363. Supposing some of those Natives whose names were signed in that book did not present themselves at Kawakawa in person when you were taking the poll, would you have counted those names and have returned them as having voted ?—I should have gone and seen them first, and asked them whether they did sign. 364. And if they replied in the aflirmative you would have returned them ?—Tes. 365. Tou have spoken of two candidates only. Were you not aware of more than two ?—I was only aware of one —that is, Hotene. 366. Tou spoke of two, Karaitiana being the other? —He came afterwards. At the time I heard of it first there was only one candidate. 367. Have you never become aware that there were more than two candidates for that district ?— Which way do you mean ? 368. That there were more than two persons who offered themselves for election. Did you not happen to hear of Kepa and Mita of Napier ? —No. 369. Tou never knew how many persons were proposed at the polling-place at Napier ? —No. 370. Were you not aware that there were four ?—No. 371. Mr. Macandrew.] I understood you to say that no Maoris came to the polling-place on the 15th January because certain parties had been round previously, that is, certain friends of Karaitiana on the one side, and a Maori on behalf of Hotene on the other ?—Some of the Natives did not attend, and owing to the flood I could not go. 372. But I understood you to say that no voters came to Kawakawa on that date ?—Well, that ia only a rumour I heard. 373. Was not that book given to you accepted as a poll ?—Tes, it was. 374. Tour father brought that book down with him ? —He did. 375. Have you that book with you ?—I have not. 376. How many Europeans live at Waiapu ?—The schoolmaster is the only European there. Probably, including the surrounding parts, there are seven or eight white people and a detachment of Constabulary. 377. How far does the schoolmaster live from your father's place?— About a mile. 378. Is the schoolmaster a smart, well-educated man ?—Tes, 379. Mr. Macandrew.] What is your occupation, Mr. Campbell?—l am a sheep-farmer on a small scale. 380. Tou do not hold any appointment ?—No. I accepted this as having nothing else to do, and trying to get the work of the election over quickly, as we had only a week to do it in. 381. Tou say there is only one European within a mile of your father's house, but I suppose there are others within three or four miles of the place?—At Te Awanui there are two or three Europeans. 382. What are they ?■ —Storekeepers. 383. How many are there within five miles each way ? —On the south of Waiapu Biver there are five Europeans, besides Armed Constabulary, of whom there are five, making ten in all. 384. Is the schoolmaster a young man ?—Tes; I should take him to be about thirty years of age. 385. Mr. W. Wood.] Tou have horses at home, I suppose?—Teß; I have horses.

Mr. F. W. Campbell.

26th July, 1876.