17

I.—2A

Sutton after the signing of this deed—after the night when Mr. Sutton and Worgan went out to Paora'a pa ?—lt was after the signing of the document that made provision for the 350 acres to be cut out of the block that I was on my way to Turanga. 444. I mean goods. Did you receive any goods or money after the night that Mr. Sutton and Worgan were at your place?—lt was some time after. 445. Did you have an account from Mr. Sutton for these goods ? —No. 446. Can you say what sort of goods you got ?—Tes ; there wero two pieces of print, one piece of calico, one scarf, two flannel shirts, and £10 in money. I received no account from Mr. Sutton for the goods or the money. 447. Mr. Sutton.'] Did you not get goods at various times besides that occasion ? —That is the only time I know, when I went to Turanga. Wieipine Werahiko sworn aad examined. } 448. The Chairman.'] Do you know whether George Davie has sent a petition to Parliament ?— Yes. 3 449. Can you give the Committee any information on the subject-matter of the petition ? — Tes. 450. A\ rould you prefer making a statement, or being questioned by the members of the Committee ? —The Committee, perhaps, will put questions to me. 451. Then do you decline to make a statement ?— No; 1 will make my own statement. 452. Proceed?—Mr. Sutton and Mr. Worgan went to our place at night time. They arrived there about the time we were falling off to sleep. They had a bottle of spirits with them It was in Worgan's hands. They poured a glass out of this bottle and offered a glass to Rora Then Worgan called to Paora and said, "We have come here about your share in the Crown grant. We have come to buy your share ; all the other grantees have; sold, but yourself. If you agree to sell, 350 acres will he cut off the block. These acres will be for yourself, and no one else." Paora said that he would not agree. AVorgan poured out a glass of spirits and took it to Paora. Paora was lying down, owing to his illness. When George Worgan said.that the 350 acres were to be cut out for Paora, then Rora sang out, " I agree." I also agreed with Rora. When we consented Paora got angry. He said, "I am not keeping the share for myself. lam keeping it for you —for my children." Worgan then took the paper and laid it before him to sign. He threw the paper away from him. Paora ordered the Europeans to go away outside. Rora showed them out to the gate and let them go. That is all I have to say. 453. Can you tell us what year this happened, or what month ?—I do not know the year or the month. 454. You have no recollection of what year or month this happened ?—I cannot recollect what year it happened. I know it was in the year when Paora was first attacked by his illness. 455. Did Paora, during that night when Mr. Sutton and Worgan were there, sign his name to the conveyance of that property ? —Paora did not sign. He was displeased at the paper being handed to him, and ho threw it down. 456. Were you in the room or close by the whole time these people were there ?—I was in the same house. There was only one house. We were all in it. 457. You were in sight of Paora the whole time Sutton and Worgan were there ? —There was one house —as it were this room, and they were in my sight the whole time. 458. You are quite certain that Paora did not sign his name to the document, or direct any one else to sign it for him ? —Paora did not sigu or direct any one else to sign for him. He was angry with the Europeans, and he told them to go. 459. If Paora did not sign, why was the document left promising the 350 acres of land ?—Paora did not agree; it was my sister and myself who agreed. 460. Then did you or Rora sign ? —No ; Paora was angry at the time. 461. Did Rora sign ? —No ; she did not sign. 462. Have you any knowledge of the number of persons in the block originally—that is, in the Crown grant?—-I do not know. The only grantees I knew of were my father, Reihana te Ikatahi, Karaitiana, and Meihana. 403. Was your father supposed to be the principal owner in the block ? —Karaitiana was the principal owner. 464. Why, then, was Paora promised the 350 acres, if Karaitiana was the principal owner ? — Because the Europeans did not go to Karaitiana; they came to Paora. 465. I understand that they had received the signatures of every person but Paora ?—That was what the Europeans said. They said that all the others had sold but Paora. He was the only one left. 466. How many Natives were there in the house at the time Mr. Sutton and Worgan went?— There wero several: there was myself and my husband, my sister Rora aud her husband, there was an old man and his wife, and Paora and his wife. 467. Did the whole seven of you hear the conversation and the refusals uttered by Paora?—We all heard the conversation and Paora's refusal. 465. When did you first discover that the signature had been placed, or was said to have been placed, to this deed ? —I have never seen the conveyance. I only saw what they produced that night when they asked Paora to sign. 409. Then, up to the present day you do not know whether your father's or Rora's signature is attached to that deed of conveyance?—l do not know. 470. Have you or your sisters ever importuned Davie to protest against this property being taken from you ?—Yes. 471. Why did you ask Davie to do so ? —Because we wanted the acres to be cut out. 3—l. 2a.

Bora Poneke.

19th Nov., 1879.

Wiripine Werahiko.

19th Nov., 1879.