I.—2a

48

1425. Did Paora have anything to say to you ?—Yes; we had a great deal of talk. 1426. What did Paora say ?—I really cannot remember the subject of the conversation. It was principally upon matters connected with his various blocks; but what the subjects were I cannot recollect. 1427. AVhat did Paora say when you asked him to sign ? AVhat reply did he make ? —I have a sort of faint recollection that he asked who else had signed the deed, and also "how many others had signed 1428. Is that what he spoke to you about ?—Tes. I remember that there was some discussion of that nature. 1429. And did he agree to sign ?—Tes, he consented. 1430. Did you agree to Paora's suggestion, that more than he should sign ?—I cannot remember whether any suggestion of that kind was made. I remember at the time some other signatures had been obtained. 1431. Do you mean the names entered in the Crown grant ? —Tes. 1432. AVhen did Kora sign her name?—l do not remember Eora signing her name at all. 1433. AVas it only Paora who signed when you went there ?—1 really cannot remember. I believe that he was the only one who signed. 1434. Tou believe that he was the only one who signed at that time ? —That is my impression. 1435. Was it after that you and Mr. Sutton went ?—1 do not quite understand the drift of the question. Went where with Mr. Sutton ? 1436. Was it after Paora signed that you went to Paora's place witb Mr. Sutton ? —I have no recollection of saying I went anywhere with Mr. Sutton. 1437. Did you not say that it was after that that you went with Mr. Sutton ?—No, I did not. 1438. Did you not go and take spirits with you on one occasion ? —I have already stated that 1 may have taken some spirits with me. Ido not know whether I did or did not. 1439. Did not a woman escort you both to the gate when you were leaving Paora's place ?—I believe there was a woman there. Ido not remember Mr. Sutton being there. He might have been there. 1110. Do you remember this woman showing you both out to the gate ?—I have already said No. 1441. But the bottle of spirits was consumed in the house ? —I have not the least recollection. I am pretty well certain, when 1 come to think of it, that the Natives had some spirits of their own at the place. I may as well say at once that I have been a very great number of times at Paora's place, and have never been there without being asked to take something to drink. I have been there with Karaitiana. 1442. What was the name of the kainga you went to ?—I think it is called Korongata. Tou will remember whether that is the name of the settlement or not. 1443. Can you not remember how r many persons were in the place when Paora signed ?—I may say positively that there were not many. I think there were several. 1411. Can you not tell us more of those who were there?—l really do not remember. The one who signed the deed as attesting witness would have been there undoubtedly. 1445. Colonel Trimble,] Do you remember whether there was only Paora, or more than one ? —I know only one, Paora Nonoi. 1116. Did you know Paora Pahi?—Tes, I did. 1447. Is there any possibility of your confounding one with the other?—No ; not the least likelihood of my doing so, so far as signing the deed goes. 1448. Could they both write ? —I was just going to remark that I was trying to think over Paora Nonoi's handwriting. He signed a great number of deeds. lam doubtful whether he signed his own name or not. Paora Pahi wrote a good hand. He was a hump-backed fellow. Possibly I have confounded the two of them. 1449. Then when you said that Paora Nonoi wrote a good hand ?—1 may have made an error in the statement. 1450. Did you know a Native named Nikera ? —I knew a Native named Nikera, who was with Paora Nonoi. He was employed by me on the survey. 1451. Do you remember whether he was present at the signing of the deed ?—I am rather under the impression that he was the attesting witness. 1452. Just think for a moment to see if you can recollect the circumstance ?—I have been already trying to think of it. lam almost certain that he was the Native who was the attesting witness. lam under the impression—and it is a pretty strong one —that Nikera was the attesting witness. 1453. He was related to Paora ?—He was related somehow by marriage. He was working with me a long time on the survey. 1454. Do you remember Eora Nonoi ? —Undoubtedly. 1455. Can you not remember whether she was present ? —I have beeu trying to recollect. I have been very frequently at Paora's place. His name was in the Crown grants of five or six blocks in the immediate neighbourhood of this block, Te Awa-o-te-Atua. At the time I was accurate as to each transaction; but at this distance of time the whole mass is confused and mixed up like a pack of cards. 1456. Do you remember the time that you were there ? —lt was in the afternoon. It was neither early morning nor late in the evening. It was some time during the day. 1457. Do you remember when you went to Waipawa ?—I do not recollect going at that time. I may have gone, but I have not the least recollection. 1458. Tou are quite sure that you had not an ordinary bottle of brandy with you ?—No. I am not at all sure that 1 had not. Ido not think I would have taken the trouble to carry an article of that kind where there were abundant places on the road where it could be got. I may, however, have done so. 1459. Do you remember if there was any person under the influence of liquor?—l should say that in no respect whatever was any person under the influence of liquor. The meeting, as far as I can recollect, was a remarkably orderly one. Paora was at the far end of the wbare, and women wore attending on him.

Mr. Worgan,

26tli Nov., 1879.