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1697. This was before you came to Napier to practice as interpreter ? —No ; I fancy I was practising in Napier and Wairoa simultaneously. 1698. At the same time ? —Tes. 1699. Was it shortly after the execution of this deed that you left Napier and went to the West Coast ? —I left after the execution of this deed. 1700. I mean to enter the public service ? —-Tes ; it was after the execution of this deed that I left to enter the public service on the West Coast. 1701. In what capacity did you go ? —I went as Agent for the Government, and to settle land claims. 1702. As a sort of Civil Commissioner? —Well, Ido not know. There was some dispute about the term " Commissioner." I was, to all intents and purposes, a Government Agent. 1703. Tou had to do with reserves ? —Tes, and land claims generally. 1704. Between the Government and the Natives ? —Tes. 1705. Tou were also employed by the Government to purchase reserves?—Tes. 1706. And extinguish Native titles over them ?—Tes. 1707. Was there not a Commission appointed to inquire into some charges that were made against you ? —Tes. 170 S. Do you know what the result of that Commission was ?—The result of that Commission was that I left the service. 1709. That was the effect of the Commission. Do you remember what the finding of the Commission was in substance? —Well, I never had a very high opinion of that Commission from the beginning to the end, as far as it went. They said that they had proved certain charges. 1710. Did not the Commission, after taking evidence on oath, report to the effect that, out of £800 to be paid by you to Natives, only £200 or a little over had been paid to the Natives ?—I have no recollection. What Commission are you referring to ? 1711. lam speaking of the Commission that sat last year ? —I never saw or heard of it. 1712. The one Mr. Parris conducted? —I know nothing further of it, except that I know it sat. I should like very much to see the report. 1713. Have you heard anything of the finding ?—No. 1714. Then what Commission were you referring to ?—To the Commission of 1873. 1715. That was the Commission out of respect to which you left the public service ? —-Tes. 1716. Did you give evidence before the Commission to which I am referring ? —Tes, before Mr. Parris. 1717. But you do not know the result of that Commission ? —I heard nothing of it beyond the fact that I attended the Commission. 1718. What was the nature of the charge against you in 1873 ?—lt is all in the Blue Books. 1719. I only want the substance of it. Ido not expect you to give the details at this lapse of time? —I suppose the gist of the matter was that I had some private interests in transactions that I should not have had. That was the assumption. 1720. That, acting on behalf of the Government, you were also concerned for some private persons ? —Tes. 1721. Can you remember the substance of the charge against you on the second Commission ?— There was no charge made against me. I was asked to attend as a witness. 1722. Can you mention in substance any of the facts of the examination ? —The statement before the Commission was that two Natives had not received the full amount of money they were entitled to for a block of land. 1723. A block of land that you were purchasing on behalf of the Government ? —Tes. I do not know, but the petition may be before this Committee. I attended a Committee of the House on one occasion in reference to it. 1724. I think you said before the Committee on a previous occasion that Paora Nonoi signed the deed himself ? —Tes. I made two statements in reference to that. I said first that Paora Nonoi wrote a good hand ; I subsequently stated that I had some doubts on that subject —that I might havo confused Paora Nonoi with Paora Pahi. That, as Paora Nonoi had signed a number of deeds, there would be no difficulty in ascertaining whether he wrote his name or made his mark. 1725. Do you see by referring to the certified copy of this deed if he made his mark. [Copy of deed handed to witness] ? —Tes ; it looks like it. 1726. Will you undertake to swear that Paora Nonoi made his mark?— That I am perfectly certain about. 1727. That he signed this deed in your presence ? —Tes. 1728. It would not be like the case that occurred at the Wairoa ? —Not the slightest likelihood. All the circumstances were so totally different. 1729. Ido not mean to say that there was an offence. lam taking it on your own footing. Tou said you had no doubt about the " moral integrity of that deed " ?—ln the Wairoa it was quite possible to make a blunder. That I did do so in that case even lamby no means clear. But in a matter of this kind there was no possible difficulty in the way. 1730. Mr. Mohi Tawhai.] What is the name of the block of land referred to in the petition ?—Te Awa-o-te-Atua. 1731. In which block do you say the reserve was made ?—ln the Mangaroa—the block adjoining. 1732. Have the Maoris possession of reserves there ? —I cannot say what their legal position is. I made a reserve. Whether that reserve was confirmed by deed or not I cannot say. 1733. Was the reserve you made in the Mangaroa Block in the name of Paora Nonoi alone ?— The map of the reserve I sent for. It is here ; probably that will show. [Map of reserve in the Mangaroa Block produced.] 1734. Colonel Trimble.] Is Paora Pahi's place near that reserve?—No, it is not. 1735. Major Te Wheoro.] Were you the interpreter with Mr. Sutton on that occasion ?—I was acting for Mr. Sutton. I did not say I went with him on that occasion.

Mr. Worgan.

sth Dec, 1879.