11

I.—3a

196. Who were the other owners present?—Te Waka, Wiremu Paraone, and myself, also Hone Papahia, and a half-caste who had a quarter-share. 197. Where did you fix the terms, and hold this discussion ? —At Eawene, in Flood's Hotel. 198. The next day you signed a deed in the post-office ?—Yes, that is so. After the price had been settled, Mr. Lundon came to us and asked us how much money we would like—what amount we would like each cheque made out for. 199. You were to be paid in more than one cheque?— Mr. Lundon asked us what amount we would like each cheque made out for. 200. Each seller was to receive his purchase-money in more than one cheque ?—Yes; Mr. Lundon asked us how much money was to be put into each cheque. When the amounts of the several cheques were fixed, Mr. Lundon went to the Postmaster, and asked him to draw out the cheques for the amounts arranged. 201. It was after that you all went and signed your names?— After that we all went singly to sign. 202. Did the others sign before you?—My companions had signed previously—before I did. 203. Are you certain that they were taken in singly to execute the deed?—l am positive that we were only taken in singly. 204. Hon. Mr. Mitchelson.] Do you remember ever signing any document other than the one in Mr. Millar's office —any document in Cochrane's office, or in Flood's hotel ? —I remember signing one document at Cochrane's office. That document was not read over to me, but I was told that it was an agreement to sell for 4s. 6d. an acre —to sell the block for 4s. 6d. an acre. That may be the document that is now produced. 205. Hon. Mr. Cadman.} Are you an assessor of the Native Land Court ?—Yes. 206. Do you understand the usual customs gone through when Natives are selling land ? —I do. I know some of the procedure that is gone through. 207. Can you read and write ?—-Yes, I can read and write. 208. Would you sign a document in the Native language without reading it ?—I would naturally read-the document over first. 209. Are you quite sure you only signed your name twice when you were before Mr. Millar to receive the money?— Yes. 210. When you signed your name to any document ?—I believe I only signed twice. 211. I ask you to think now and consider whether you signed your name only once, twice, thrice, or four times ?—I did not state positively how many times I signed. 212. Are you quite sure that the document that you signed before Mr. Millar was explained to you? —I was merely told that this was an acknowledgment for the money. The amount was not stated. That was our own fault, our own mistake, for not having insisted on further explanation from the licensed interpreter. 213. As I understand, the licensed interpreter did explain the document before you signed it ? —The only explanation I remember was given by the interpreter, who, directly I went into the office, said, " This is an acknowledgment of yours that you have received this money." 214. And you signed your name then ?—I signed my name accordingly. 215. To that document? —Yes. 216. Was there a sum on that document when you signed it ?—Yes, there was. 217. You said that you thought you signed another document that was not explained to you— I mean before Mr. Millar—at the same time ?—I do not know whether all the documents I signed were stamped documents—whether both the documents I signed were stamped documents. Hon. Mr. Carroll: I think a nearer interpretation of the answer just given is : This is a document giving all the terms we arrived at. 218. Hon. Mr. Gadman : Your signature is to the deed as well ?—Yes. 219. Did you sign two papers like that, or only one, as well as that one with the stamp on it ? ■ —I signed two documents; this was one, and the stamped document the other. 220. Are you quite sure you did not sign two like this, as well as the one with the stamp on it ? —I cannot answer that question ; I forget. 221. Hon. Mr. Mitchelson.] In answer to a question put by Mr. Cadman you stated that naturally you would read over the document before signing it; that being so, why did you sign that document in Cochrane's office — the agreement to sell the land for 4s. 6d. an acre [document marked "B "] ? —I have no recollection of that document, and that is why I consider in my own mind that there has been some deception practised. 222. Hon. Mr. Bichardson.] When Mr. Millar placed the cheques in your hand were you not told this: "This is your money; it amounts to so and so"?—No ; Mr. Millar counted the cheques over to me while he held them in his own hand, and then handed them over to me. 223. Did he not count them to you ?—No. 224. Did Mr. Millar see Mr. Lundon take the cheques out of your hands? —Mr. Millar did. 225. And did Mr. Millar not object when he saw Mr. Lundon take them from you?—No; Mr. Millar did not make any objection. Neither Mr. Millar nor myself made any objection to Mr. Lundon taking our cheques. We thought that this was part of the performance connected with the sale. 226. Mr. Taipua.] Who sent for Mr. Lundon to go the post-office—did he go there of his own accord, or did you send for him ?—lt was Mr. Lundon who took me to the post-office. He took each in turn, or one by one. 227. Was Mr. Lundon the negotiator for the purchase of this land ?—Yes. 228. Did you not sign any document authorising Mr. Lundon to carry out this purchase?—No,