I.—3a

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received the money themselves, their signatures would be of no use in the deed. The law is very clear that the Natives must receive the money at the time they sign. 146. You had no idea that the land could be got for less than 7s. 6d. per acre at the time you made' the arrangement with Mr. Lundon ?—I did not believe the Government or any one else could have got this land cheaper. 147. Nor you did not expect that Lundon would make such a big profit out of that transaction? ■ —Certainly not; I had no idea of what he would make. 148. You never thought there would be any trouble about this block of land as it has occurred now ?—No. This petition has been as much a surprise to me as to anybody else. Wi Eikihana farther examined. 149. lion, Mr. Mitchelson.] Did you authorise Mr. Lundon to sell the Kaitaia Block at any time during the last year, prior to the Bth October ? —No. 150. Hon. Mr. Bichardson.] What did Mr. Lundon say to you which induced you to hand the cheques over to him, after the postmaster had paid them ?—I never returned any cheques to Mr. Lundon myself. 151. You did not object to Mr. Lundon taking the cheques ? —No, I made no objection. I thought perhaps it was the way things were managed at the present time in sales of land at the Government offices. 152. Hon. Mr. Mitchelson.] Did you say " the Government offices " ? —I thought that was the custom carried out by Government land-purchasers. Hebewini te Toko further examined. 153. Hon. Mr. Mitchelson.] Did you hear me question Mr. Lundon yesterday with reference to the authority to sell the land on the Bth October of last year ?—I do not recollect. 154. My question to Mr, Lundon was : Had he any authority from the Natives to sell the Kaitaia Block of land prior to the Bth October last—the day on which he made the agreement with the Crown ?—No. 155. Hon. Mr. Bichardson.] What did Mr. Lundon tell you which induced you to hand him the cheques, after you had received them from Mr. Millar ?—I thought that Mr. Lundon was a Government land-purchaser, and so I thought it was the custom, perhaps, in these days, to draw cheques in that way. 156. But did Mr. Lundon ask you or tell you beforehand that it was necessary to hand the cheques to him ?—Yes, Mr. Lundon told me that I was to hand the cheques back to him. 157. Mr. Lundon.] Was that before you signed the agreement ?—lt was prior to the signing of the agreement. 158. Mr. W. Kelly.) Following up Mr. Bichardson's question : When Mr. Lundon asked you tc hand back the cheques to him, what did you say ? Did you think it was a strange request for him to make ?—I thought that it was a new custom perhaps that was in vogue for drawing the cheques for the sales of land. 159. You did not object at all, you simply handed them back ?—No, I raised no objection. Hone T. W. Papahia further examined. 160. Hon. Mr. Mitchelson.] Did you, at any time prior to the Bth October last, authorise Mr. Lundon to sell the Kaitaia Block to the Government ?—I do not recollect authorising Mr. Lundon to do so. 161. We want an answer—Yes, or No?— No.

By Authority: Geoegb Didsbuby, Government Printer, Wellington.—lB92.