30

G.—s

place, that the signature to the voucher No. 38,686, subvoucher 8, is not his signature, he being unable to write; that he never received the money; that he never had any goods from Brennan and Smith, except such as he paid for himself, and except rations supplied to him and paid for by Mr. Young. He thinks the amount would exceed the amount above. He was liable also for rent of house to Mr. Chadwick. On 6th January, 1879, L 6 claimed as paid to To Huruhuru—paid as part of a sum of L 65 to Maxwell. Te Huruhuru (who apparently signs the receipt by a cross) states that he never received the money ; that the cross has been made by some ono else; that he never asked for or received any bread from Maxwell on account of Te Puke or any other block. He and others received draperies from Asher on account of Te Puke —a pair of boots each for himself, wife, and child, and suit of clothes for child. lie never received any money from Young on account of Te Puke. On account of Otawa he received, first, Lo in goods (L 3 from Asher and L 2 from Chaytor), and L 7 afterwards in cash, and signed in blank forms on both occasions. Signature and marks on vouchers were not made by his wife in his presence, and is sure she would not have done it in his absence or without his knowledge. Re Mrs. Robertson's claim, LI 155., lie and three others stayed there from Saturday to Monday; and at McKinney's he and three others had one night's lodging and one meal each. Te Mauopanua te Eata (Te Raipuici) examined. Has never had any money or clothes direct from Young or Warbrick on Te Puke nor on Otawa.

Tuesday, 10th February, 1880. Haeaeaia Tipene examined. As to a sum of Lj charged as paid on the 19th of October to Hoani Hakaraia and Hakaraia Tipene on account of Te Puke, ho states that the only sum ho ever received in company with his son was on account of Otawa. Voucher 28,597-6, L 2, was paid to himself; not to himself and son, as stated on the voucher. He states that the signature at the foot of this voucher is not his writing. Is quite sure on that point. He gave no receipt for the money, which was paid to him in a cheque, by Mr. Young, at the Tauranga Hotel. Voucher 28,597-8, Ll.—Charged as an advance on Te Puke, but appearing to be paid to the Robertsons as part of a sum of L2B. Hakaraia admits that about twelve of his party had one meal at Robertson's, but he denies the signature at foot of the voucher. Voucher 85,8G5-6, L 5, 7th November, 1878. —Charged as an advance on account of Te Puke. He admits to have received in cash and goods at the younger Asher's. The goods'were 2 blankets (L 2), 2 shirts (10s.) 1 chemise (2s. 6d.), 1 shawl (15s ), and cash for the difference. Vouoher 33,427-1, Ll5, 11th November, 1878. —Advance on account of Te Puke. He received in a cheque. He absolutely denies the signature as his. He is certain he did not sign any receipt at the time of receiving the Ll5, nor at any time afterwards. Mr. Young (he says) made a note of the amount on the butt of his cheque-book. Voucher 46,390, L 4 65., 3rd January, 1879.—Charged to Te Puke, and appearing to be part of a sum of L 6 6s. paid to Connor, a saddler. Hakaraia states that he never had auy goods from Connor. Voucher 51,594, L 2, 6th January, 1879.—Received in notes from Warbrick, but it was received on account of Otawa, Te Puke being all settled for previously. Voucher 68,420, Lll 8s. —Charged as paid to Hakaraia Tipene and Patua Wharepohue. Appears by Young's book to have been paid to Chaytor as part of cheque for L 52. Both men admit the signature. Voucher 7,709, L 4, 20th May, 1879, on account of Te Puke. —Hakaraia states that the last sum, or goods, he received on account of Te Puke was from Chaytor; that since then he has never received either money or goods on account of Te Puke, and has never signed any voucher for Te Pake after that time. The amount would appear, by butt of cheque No. 7,099, to have been paid to Maxwell. Hakaraia admits having received a box of biscuits (335.) and a bag of sugar (225.) from Maxwell. He states positivehr that Mr. Young deducted all cash and all goods obtained by him from the share of the L 4,500 payable to them. As to vouchers 38,686-20, and 40,064-1, each for Ll,ooo, Hakaraia states that the whole sum was distributed on the same day, but that all that was handed over to them was L 1,950, in Ll-notes ; that he handed L5O and LlOO back to Young, the L5O being for Ihaia Tarakawa, the LlOO being for claimants (Te Warena and others) living at Maketu, who were not present. Does not know what Mr. Young did with either sum. Out of the remaining sum of LI,BOO, Ll5O was paid to Mr. Asher by their consent, and in their presence. Voucher 25,237, L 7 95., 3rd of October, 1878. —Paid to Hakaraia Tipene and Maihi Pohepohe. The signatures to the receipt are admitted, but the Natives say that the amount was not paid to them, but was left with Young to discharge a liability for rations to that amount supplied to them by Maxwell. They signed the voucher, but never saw any cash. Voucher 33,684-8, Ll2, 21st November, 1878.—Butt of cheque shows that the cheque was paid to Ellis, a publican. Natives say that they received from Ellis 1 case (2 gallons) of brandy, and 10 gallons of rum. Signature acknowledged. As to vouchers 43,063, L 5 4s. 9d. and L 6 os. 9d., and vouchers 51,594, L 7, and 7,709, L-1-, Maihi says he only once by himself had supplies from Maxwell —namely, 1 bag bread, LI; 1 case biscuits, about LI 135.; and sugar (part of a bag). ' Hakaraia has had supplies from Maxwell on three occasions—namely, on one occasion, 1 box of biscuits and 1 bag of sugar; on next occasion, loaves (about twenty shillings' worth) and one case of biscuits ; and on the third, about twenty-five shillings' worth. These three purchases were in addition to the goods for L 7 9s. purchased in conjunction with Pohepohe.