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understood the whole question was settled by the deed of confirmation to Watt and Parmer. It was understood then that on the execution of that deed Watt and Farmer's title w*as completely validated. That settled the whole thing, and wiped out this 350-acre business. 787. In wiping out this 350-acre business, was any sum stated? —I was not present. 78S. Are you aware if any sum has been paid in lieu of these 350 acres ? —I am not. 789. Sir G. Grey.] I would ask you who was the plaintiff in the proceedings you allude to ?—Wi Eangirangi and his alleged wife, Rora Nonoi. I have handed in the papers. 790. This Rora Nonoi was the plaintiff ? —Tes. 791. Were you Mr. Sutton's solicitor ? —ln that action. 792. Then who represented Rora. Was no solicitor present on her behalf when the conversation took place?— None except myself. 793. Is it usual to get the plaintiff in an action allured into a room of the defendant's solicitor to sign a document of this kind? —If I had used any inducement or attempted to decoy her it would have been wrong; but if the plaintiff comes voluntarily into my office lam not going to refuse to hear her. 794. Did the plaintiff make this statement? —Tes ; she came to talk. 795. AVas she told that her words were taken down?—Tes. 796. I see that there is an indorsement on this paper [indorsement read] ?—That is my handwriting. 797. Did you tell her you had written this on it ?—I do not think I wrote it until after she went from the office. It was written to refresh my memory. 798. Tou did not tell her that she said it was all true ?—She told the interpreter so. 799. Tou said just now that this was her statement?— Her answers to the questions put. It was her voluntary statement. I wish now that I had taken it down word for word, question aud answer. These are only her answers. 800. But that is hardly consistent with this expression : " She says that is quite true." That produces on my mind the impression that some one had read this statement to her? —I think I have just explained to you that, as Mr. Hamlin interpreted, I jotted down her answers from Mr. Hamlin's interpretation. 801. She was questioned ? —Six or seven questions were put. 802. Did you warn her that her answers were taken down? —When Mr. Sutton said, "Rora is here," I assumed that it was about the action she came. There was a most absolute ingenuousness on her part. I certainly did not attempt to extract information from her against her will. SO3. Tou knew that she was ignorant of law ? —I would not like to say that. Some Maoris know a good deal of law. She certainly was not a cultivated, refined woman. 801. Would it not have been usual to ask the solicitor on the other side to attend ? —I would not tell any person that I would not undertake to see him in my office unless he came accompanied by his solicitor. 805. Not with an ignorant plaintiff in an action ?—I have taken no advantage of her ignorance. 806. She did not sign the paper ?—She would have signed for five shillings. 807. Answer my question ; she did not sign it ? —No. 808. How do you know that she would have signed the paper for five shillings?— She put that price on her handwriting. 809. Do you think, she being afraid of Mr. Sutton, and being an ignorant person, that that was not some excuse?— What is the question? 810. Do you think a person afraid of another, under such circumstances would acquiesce rather than dare to refuse ?—Very probably. 811. Is it usual to take a declaration in that way from a person ?—lt is not usual to take a declaration in that way. I did not know that the word " declare " occurred in it. It certainly would not have been taken as a statutory declaration. 812. Then, with regard to the questions —who put the questions to her ? —I believe I put three or four, and Mr. Sutton put one or two. 813. And no warning was given her that her answers were being taken down?— She saw that I was taking them down. 814. Did you write them down in English ?—As she talked I wrote her answers down on a scrap of paper. 815. How could she have known that they were her answers that you were writing down ? —She could not have known; but I imagine that she saw what I was doing. 816. When this paper was written, was it read over to her?—Tes. 817. Tou distinctly questioned her as to whether it was all true or not?—Mr. Hamlin read it over to her. He asked her questions in Maori, which I understood to be, if it was right. She said, "Aye," and nodded her head. 818. Would it have been usual, if a person refused to sign a paper of this kind, to make a note to the effect that they admitted that it was all true, if the note was made ? —I am pretty sure that the note was not made until she had left the office. 819. Do you not think it puts a person to a disadvantage to write a document of this kind, and, if he should refuse to sign it, to afterwards indorse upon it that he had admitted that it was all true ? — Ido not think so. If they have told the truth it is there. 820. Tou said that she asked for money ? —Tes; before she would sign. 821. And you refused it ?—Decidedly I did. 822. Was any offer of money made before you ? —Not the slightest. It was never mentioned. 823. Do you know all the interpreter said to her ?—I do not understand the Maori language. 824. Did you go to the solicitor on her side when this took place ? —No. 825. Did you furnish him with a copy of this paper ? —No. 826. Is that usual in the profession ? —I do not see any right that he would have to it, 827. Did you tell her solicitor that she had been to you ?—No.

Mr. Cornford.

21st Nov., 1879.