1.-3 A

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Mr. Lundon (addressing the Chairman) : You can see the reason why I wished to keep that document yesterday until the evidence of witnesses is closed, because I would have a different answer only for that. Will you put the document in Maori before him now, and ask him if that is his signature attached to it ? [Agreement in Maori produced, which witness read over. Exhibit B, see Eikihana's evidence.] 64. The Chairman.] Is that your signature to that document?— There is nothing whatever in this document that I remember from the beginning to the end, but the signature ppears to be mine : it is just like mine. 65. Who drafted the petition ?—My nephew, Hone Papahia. 66. Mr. W, Kelly.] Do you remember having signed a blank piece of paper, as you state that is your signature ?—I did not sign any paper here, I signed the petition. The signature is just like mine, but I never remember having signed any document containing the words set forth in the one now produced. 67. You stated yesterday that you generally read a Native document presented to you to sign before you signed it?—-Yes, I did. 68. How did this signature get to that document written in Maori?—l can give no explanation how my signature got there. If it had been written in the European language I might have signed it in ignorance, but seeing it written in Maori I would never have put my name to such an improper document as that had I known its meaning. 69. Hon. Mr. Cadman.] Does he mean to say that this signature is a forgery ?—That would be making a very serious charge if I was to say that. 70. I ask the question because you have already made a very serious insinuation and very serious charge ?—I cannot acknowledge agreeing to those words. The Chairman : That is not to the point at all. 71. Mr. Cadman (to witness).] Did you sign your name or is that your signature?—l say my hand wrote that. 72. Mr. Lundon.] Was the Kaitaia Block sold not divided into two parts by the Native Lands Court ?—Yes. 73. But the line was not surveyed ?—No. 74. Did you see Timoti Puhipi at Herd's Point ?—Yes. 75. Was he not there to ask you not to sell ? The Chairman : I cannot see the bearing of this. Mr. Lundon: I see something going on behind, and I ask this witness the question. Hon. Mr. Mitchelson : You can recall him at any time. The Chairman: Ido not think the question you are asking him now has any bearing, You can get him at any time to give evidence. Witness : Timoti objected to Waaka selling. 76. Mr. Lundon.] Did not Timoti demand a larger price for the land? —He asked for 10s. an acre. 77. He would not sell for less, and went away ? —You would not give that price, and Timoti went away. 78. Did Timoti say that the land was rich land—land of totara, puriri, and gold ?—You know what Timoti told you. 79. I want to hear from you what he said? —All I know is that Timoti asked 10s. The Chairman : I do not think this is evidence. Hon. Mr. Carroll : You will, Mr. Lundon, have an opportunity of putting forward any evidence you like. Hon. Mr. Richardson: This second-hand statement is not evidence. 80. Hon. Mr. Cadman.] You said just now that there was some timber on this land ?—Yes, there is some kauri. The most of this land is covered with bush. There are some kauri- and some puriri-trees. 81. Hon. Mr. Carroll.] Do you remember the date when Mr. Lundon first spoke to you about the purchase of this block ? —He first spoke to me on the 17th November, 1891. 82. Hon. Mr. Mitchelson.'] The question I am about to put has been put in various ways. Were you satisfied, in your own mind, that when you were dealing with Lundon you were dealing with an officer of the Crown ?—Yes. 83. You did not understand that you were negotiating with Mr. Lundon in his private capacity?— No. I would never have treated with Mr. Lundon had I not considered that he was a Government officer. 84. Mr. W. G. Smith.] Did you understand that Mr. Lundon was acting for the Natives as well as the Crown in these negotiations ?—Certainly not; I thought Mr. Lundon was sent direct by the Government, and acted entirely for the Crown. 85. Mr. Taipua.] Did you ever see Mr. Lundon buying land from the Natives previously ? — No. 86. Did you ever hear of Mr. Lundon having acted as land-purchase officer for the Government previously ? —No. When Mr. Lundon came to Hokianga I heard directly from him that he had been sent by the Government to purchase this block. He informed me so himself. 87. The Chairman.] Did you sign any document—any paper—in Cochrane's office at any time ?—I only remember signing one document in his office—that was the document fixing the price of the land at 4s. 6d. an acre. Hone T. W. Papahia sworn and examined. 88. The Chairman.] I think you had better make a statement with regard to the subjectmatter of this petition —as short as possible ?—I am' one of the petitioners.