27

I.—3a

264. Previous to this case, you have had no translations between the Natives and the Government purchasers or any purchasers dealing with land?— Yes, frequently. 265. Did you always have to translate everything clearly to the Natives?— Yes. 266. I believe you are aware of the Native customs?—Oh, yes. 267. Is it not the habit of the Natives when making any arrangements to all assemble together —that when they are receiving money or carrying out any transaction they are always together ? —Yes. In making arrangements as to what they were to receive for their land they were all together. They all agreed before anybody signed. Timoti was present, but he did not agree, and went away. The others remained, and received the money.

Tuesday, 30th August, 1892.—(Mr. Houston, Chairman.) Mr. Cocheanb further examined. 1. Mr. Kapa.~\ May I have the agreement —exhibit marked " B " —to look at. [Agreement produced.] You wrote this document out, did you not ?—Yes. 2. Both in Maori and English?— Yes. 3. When you wrote this document out, did you know how much per acre was to be paid for the land?— No. 4. This agreement provides that Mr. Lundon was to receive no amount over the price fixed for the land?— Yes. 5. When you wrote this agreement out, where did you think the money would come from ?—I do not know where the money came from. I was simply instructed to prepare this agreement by Mr. Lundon. 6. How long after you prepared this agreement did you know that the price to be paid for the land was 7s. 6d. per acre?— Two days. 7. And did you tell the Natives that they were to be paid this price ?—Yes; £1,900 odd—the consideration-money in the deed. 8. And did the shares amount to £217 10s. at 7s. 6d. per acre?— Yes. 9. Did you tell the Natives this was to be the price in your house, or at the post-office?—At the post-office. 10. Did you tell them jointly or individually ? —Singly, as each man signed. 11. Did you or any other person explain this to the Natives? —I did when interpreting the deed, and Mr. Millar did the same when getting the vouchers signed. 12. Does Mr. Millar understand Maori?—He knows a little, but he spoke in English at the time he was paying the money. 13. And who interpreted what he was saying?—No one. 14. Mr. Lundon.] Did the public at Herd's Point know that I was acting for the Natives? — Yes. 15. Have you heard, or do you know from your own knowledge, that Mr. Clark told at a public table, at Briers', on that day ,when the first of the Natives signed, that I was acting for the Natives, mentioning the amount of money I was making by it?—l heard that he said so, but I did not hear him. 16. Are you quite satisfied that Mr. Clark himself knew ? —Yes ; after the deed was signed, he spoke of it in my presence—in my hearing. 17. Mr. Clark was acting as a Justice of the Peace at that time ?—Yes. 18. Are you aware if Mr. Clark is a friend of mine or not ?—I do not know what you call a friend. I know that he is opposed to you in various ways, but Ido not know that Mr. Clark has any personal animosity against you. 19. Are you aware that Mr. Millar wished Mr. Clark to be present?— Yes. I will qualify that answer by saying that Mr. Millar expressed a preference for Mr. Clark. 20. Was Mr. Millar aware that I was acting for the Natives before the deed was signed ? —I believe so. At the signing of the deed I informed Mr. Millar that some Natives had signed a paper appointing Mr. Lundon to act as their agent. 21. You are acquainted with Mr. John Webster? —Yes. 22. Are you aware that he has a personal animosity against me for a great many years? The Chairman : Ido not think you should put that question; I do not see that it has any bearing on the case at all. Mr. Lundon : We have had in evidence that he drafted this petition, and I think it is my duty to show the Committee that he has a personal animosity against myself of long standing. The Chairman : Any man may draft a petition for another. Mr. Parata : Yes. The Chairman: I dare say you (Mr. Lundon) would draft a petition for Mr. John Webster if he asked you. Ido not see that the question has any bearing on the case at all. 23. Mr. Lundon (to witness).] Are the other petitioners aware that Webster has a bad feeling of animosity against myself? The Chairman: Ido not think that should be allowed. The witness need not answer that question. Mr. John Edwaed Flood sworn and examined. 24. The Chairman.] Where do you live ?—At Rawene. 25. What is your occupation?—l am a hotelkeeper, at present retired. 26. Mr. Lundon.] You have attested the signatures of most of the Natives a.t the Kaitaia Block?— Yes. 27. Did the Natives, when they came in to sell the block, stop at your house?— Yes.