I.—2a

60

1756. "Will you explain, Mr. "Worgan, why you did not do so ? —I looked upon the inquiry merely as one to come to some conclusion. 1757. Was not the inquiry to find out if you had made use of certain money ? —I do not know. 1758. Do you not know that was the gravamen of the charge ? —I do not know. 1759. "What was the object of the inquiry ? —To ascertain whether a petition originally brought before this Committee, and with reference to which I attended as a witness. The object was to ascertain whether or not justice had been done to the Natives who complained as to the way their land had been dealt with on the Coast. I never imagined that there was a charge against me for using their money. 1760. Do you not remember the report ? —I am sure I never saw it. 1761. Never heard of it ? —Never heard of it at all. 1762. Do you mean to say that you never heard, as a matter of fact, that there was evidence that you had not paid these moneys to the parties who were entitled to receive them ? —I never heard anything of the sort. I was left in total ignorance of the matter. 1763. "Where were you when the Commission sat ?—At Wanganui. 1761. AVere you there in the beginning of the Commission ?—I think I attended twice. 1765. "Were you long there while the Commission sat?—l was there some little time. I cannot say how long;. 1766. Tou could have been there every day ? —I do not think I could. I was very busy at the time. 1767. But if you had chosen?— Yes. Mr. Sheehan (to the Chairman) : 1 would like the papers relating to the Commission to be produced. The Chairman : To what papers do you allude ? Mr. Sheehan : The report of the Eoyal Commission. Ido not think it was published. It was laid on the table of the House. Mr. Ormond: Before going into that I would like to know if it is advisable to introduce extraneous matter. 1768. Mr. Sheehan (to witness).] Do you remember about what time it was that you ceased to be employed in the public service owing to Ihaka Whanga's matter ?—I have no very distinct recollection of it. 1769. Do you remember the year or the month ?—That is what I cannot tell. 1770. "When did you enter the public service ?—I think somewhere about 1862. 1771. How long where you in the service before this matter occurred? —I really cannot remember what length of time. I think about twelve months. 1772. That would make it about 1863 or 1864 ?—Yes. 1773. "When did you again enter the service after that ?—About the time the Te Kooti business broke out on the coast. 1774. In 1867 ?— Yes. 1775. How long did you remain in the service ? —Not very long. 1776. Did you state how long ?—Somewhere about nine or ten months. 1777. In what capacity where you then serving?—l was assisting the officer in charge of the district. I was a sort of Native agent. 1778. In "Wairoa? —Yes. At that time I was a licensed interpreter and surveyor. 1779. "When you left the service a second time what did you do —start business in Napier ? —Yes, I did so. 1780. And after that you re-entered the public service on the West Coast ? —Yes; about November, 1871. 1781. And after that date you practically ceased to carry on business in Napier? —Yes. I left Mr. Josiah Hamlin to finish any work I had to do. 1782. Colonel Trimble.] You say that you saw Davio at Waipawa?—-Yes. 1783. On the day after obtaining the signature of Paora ? —I will say not the day after, but during the sitting of the Land Court. 1784. You are not sure of the day ? —No. 1785. Did he speak to you at all about the signature to the deed? —I cannot remember that we had any talk about the signature, or having direct reference to that deed; but I think he must have been aware that that deed had been fully executed, and would be completed. 1786. Do you recollect him making any remark about the signature at all ?—I cannot say that I did. 1787. Do you remember him asking about the promise of the land to Paora —the reserve ? —No ; I do not remember. 1788. Would you be likely to remember if the matter had been brought specifically under your notice? —I doubt very much whether I would have considered Davie in the matter. He must havo known that I was engaged in acquiring the signatures for thia block, and I would not let him interfere. 1789. Were you aware that he held a power of attorney at that time ?—I do not think he did. I am very doubtful about that. Mr. J. SnEEHAif, M.H.E., examined on former oath. 1790. The Chairman.] Do you wish to make a further statement?—l wish to give further evidence. 1791. Will you proceed, then, with your statement ? —The first matter in respect to which I wish to give evidence is in regard to the allegation by Mr. Sutton to the effect that this promise of the 350 acres was well known to all the parties deriving title through him. I may say that I went to Napier in 1873 ; in fact, my business connection practically began in 1873, at the sitting of the Hawke's Bay

Mr. Worgan.

Bth Dec, 1879.

Mr. Sheehan,

Bth Dec, 1879,