Page image
Page image

L—3a

20

65. Did Eobert Cochrane —the interpreter—read over the English of the agreement (Exhibit B) to you?—l never remember Eobert Cochrane reading it, or explaining it to me. The Chairman : Ask him who was present. Mr. W. Kelly: He stated distinctly that he does not remember signing it; how can he remember who was present ? 66. Mr. Lundon (to witness).] This document was in Eobert Cochrane's office, and not in the post-office. Who was present when you signed the document ?—I have already stated that I have no recollection whatever of this document. I can only remember signing a document in the postoffice. 67. Were you in Eobert Cochrane's office with me and others [names mentioned] when that document was signed ? —I have no recollection of going to Eobert Cochrane's office with you and those people. 68. Did you sign any other document in Eobert Cochrane's office ?—I remember signing an application in Eobert Cochrane's office—an application to the Native Lands Court—to appoint a successor. 69. Mr. W. Kelly.] Who was with you when you signed the document ?—Eobert Cochrane was present with me. 70. Mr. Lundon.] Was I there?—lNo. 71. Hon. Mr. Cadman.] What was the date? —That was on the sth December. 72. Mr. Lundon.] The Court was held about two months after that ?—The Court sat on the 24th of February of this year, and on the 25th of February this money was paid ; I mean that I was paid as successor. I drew my share of the money on the 25th February of this year. 73. Did not you sign a document appointing me as your agent two months after you signed the first time ?—I remember going to Eobert Cochrane's office after 1 was appointed successor at the Court I have just spoken of. 74. Did you not sign the document, then ?—I do not remember signing a document, but I remember you paying me the money in Cochrane's office on the 25th February, 1892. ■ 7&. Did not you sign the document making me your agent, before you went to Miller's office to sign the deed, or before you got the money ? —I never remember signing that document appointing you to act as my agent 76. You are successor to another sister of yours ?—Yes. 77. Did not you sign that document twice on the same day ?—I have to say again, that I have no recollection of ever signing that document appointing you our agent. [Exhibit B produced.] I admit the signature to this document is mine, but, as for the contents of the document, I persist in saying I know nothing at all about them. Mr. Eobeet Cocheane sworn and examined. 78. The Ghcdrman.J You live at Hokianga?-—Yes. 79. You are a licensed Native interpreter?— Yes. [Exhibit marked B produced.] 80. Do you recognise that document ? —Yes. 81. Did you write out that document?— Yes. 82. Both the English copy and the Maori copy?— Yes. 83. Do you recognise your signature to it ?—Yes. 84. Were the signatures placed in the document in your presence ?—Yes. 85. You witnessed the signatures ? —Yes. 86. Did you explain what was in the document before they signed it?—l read it over and explained it to them thoroughly. 87. Hon. Mr. Mitchelson.] Did you make it plain that that was a document appointing Mr. Lundon as their agent in the selling of the land for the Crown? —Yes, I did. 88. Underneath the English version of this document were those names placed there on the same day as the deed of sale was signed ?—No ; each signed his name to the agreement —the Maori version—on the same day. 89. The document is dated the 3rd December, 1891?— That was the date of the first signature. [* Date upon which the agreement ivas drawn up.] Hon. Mr. Mitchelson :No ; there was no signature on that day. Turn over and you will see. The Chairman : I am speaking of the English version. Witness : The Maori version I particularly noticed. I considered the English version not so material as the Maori. W T hen each Maori put his name to the deed I put the date behind the signature of each [* on the agreement]. This date was the 3rd of December. [* The agreement was drawn up on the 3rd of December, not signed till the 4th, and deed signed on the 5-th of December, 1891.] 90. How many Natives do you remember signed the English version on the 3rd of December [4th of December] ?—I cannot state exactly from memory. Te Waaka was one ; I think Tipene was another; and Hone Papahia and Herewini te Toko were there. There might have been another— I cannot exactly remember. There was a young man from Ahipara present, but Ido not remember his name. 91. Were these petitions in your office at the same time when they signed?— Yes, those that I have mentioned; and perhaps there may have been one or two others. 92. You are satisfied that the three petitioners were present when the English version was signed ?—No ; two were there. Herewini te Toko and Hone Papahia were there. About two months afterwards Hone Papahia signed again. 94. Then, you say you marked the date on which they signed underneath the Maori version of the document ? —Yes. [* I wish to substitute the following : The dates marked on the agreement are

* Note.—The words in italics were substituted by Mr. Cochrane when signing evidence.

Log in or create a Papers Past website account

Use your Papers Past website account to correct newspaper text.

By creating and using this account you agree to our terms of use.

Log in with RealMe®

If you’ve used a RealMe login somewhere else, you can use it here too. If you don’t already have a username and password, just click Log in and you can choose to create one.


Log in again to continue your work

Your session has expired.

Log in again with RealMe®


Alert