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of Minister of Justice and Native Affairs. I gave way and became Minister of Justice and Native Affairs. It was never contemplated that Mr. Eeeves should be Native Minister and I Minister of Justice. .. ■ , . ....■-. 366. As to the legislation you attempted ?—Beport of Commission came, in [commission; to Bees] 23rd May.. [Mackay, J., dissents to many propositions of report.] Mr. Mackay died a few days after the report from other Commissioner came in. I received some notes of Mr. Mackay's. I had got a note of Mr. Bees [Bth June, 1891] urging that the report should go in at once. Mr. Mackay said: he objected to Eees's report going in before his; says suffering from neuralgia. [Note, 9th June.] Mr. Mackay died a few days after. Parliament met on 11th June, 1891. His brother arid.nephew sent in the report on the 27th July. Judge Mackay compiled the report and sent it in on the 27th June. Mr. Mackay told me he could not agree with Rees's proposals. I had ready a Consolidation Bill. I cannot give the date it was introduced. [21st July, 1891.] It was translated and circulated amongst the Natives, ultimately read a second time, and sent to the Joint Committee of both Houses' at the suggestion of Mr. Eees. All the Natives in Wellington were against the Bill; but they did not represent the Natives elsewhere. I.have letters from Natives in King-country. This is the letter. [From Edwards; he said he would make suggestion.] I got them afterwards. They struck out Part XV. Their amendments were about selling lands. [Very few amendments.] Bill went to Joint Committee. It was moved to be postponed. I voted against that. I, Kelly, and Smith wanted the Bill to go on; the others against it. After the Bill was postponed there was a great outcry, at Gisborne especially. It was decided to bring in Bill to deal with past transactions. The Bill was introduced, and Mr. Eees raised objections to that; result being, to set small Committee to devise a scheme. They made a report and drafted a Bill. I do not think I agreed with it altogether. In the end I introduced a Bill of seventeen clauses. It went into Committee of the House, and division taken on clause 4. Objections raised to the Bill. I said I would take a test division whether the Bill should go on. Clause 4 was lost. I voted for the Bill, Eees with me. Hutchison moved that clause 4 should It was decided to retain Horowhenua clause. I was anxious the Bill should be passed. I think Mr. Mitchelson and Captain Eussell voted against the Bill. A suspensory clause was added. I think no division was taken on that. In 1892 I introduced fifteen Native Bills. I got thirteen passed out of fifteen. The Premier introduced one, and that passed as well. 367. A great number of them were to remedy mistakes?— Yes, to remedy outstandinggrievances. I determined to take them in hand and get them settled. I introduced two general Bills : one to deal with purchase by the Crown from the Natives, the other as to past transactions. I think Mr. Eees supported the latter Bill. [Eees said, p. 638, " I have no amendments to propose."] Ido not know whether Mr. Eees did abandon the chair and take part in the debate. That Bill has passed. I think about fifty applications have come in. 367 a. Were committees as proposed by Mr. Bees approved of by you?— Never. My opinion is that there may be some blocks where the committee scheme might do ; but, generally, I think it would be a huge failure. I introduced the Board scheme. It was decided to put that in for the Commission, so that the House might have- it before them. I aEterwards saw Mr. Bees on the subject—the impression he left on my mmd —he suggested that he and Wi Pere should be on the Board. 368. To your knowledge have there been as many Native Bills passed as in the last session?— Never so many ; there may have been matters dealt with in Special Powers and Contracts Bill. As soon as Tahoraite Bill was introduced rumours went round the House that I and Mr. Smith were interested in that Bill. Mr. Seddon saw me on the subject, and I told him that neither I nor Mr. Smith were interested in the Tahoraite Block. I have been interested in timber leases from Native nearly all my life. I remember Mr. Lawry's statement in the House being referred to. His speech was on the Validation of Titles Bill. I had no transaction which it was necessary to validate. I had no personal interest in that Bill. It is known where I reside that I have had Maori leases. I did not think it necessary to explain after Lawry. I did not hear Sir George Grey make any statement about me in the House. I never heard of his doing so. I left Wellington for Auckland on 16th of September, 1892, during the session. I did not influence Mr. Carroll in dropping the Bill. I received a telegram from him while I was at Coromandel. It had no reference to these Bills. It had reference to dealing with Mangatera. The impression on my mind is that I sent a telegram to Mr. Carroll, that the Premier being ill it would be well not to introduce too many Bills. 368 a. Look at 19th paragraph of memorandum? —It is incorrect to say that Carroll's Bill was dropped under my influence. 369. Cross-examined by Mr. Bees.] When was it that you saw Mr. Smith? What took place on that occasion ?—As nearly as I can remember I said that, having been appointed a Minister, it was not admissible for me to have anything more to do with purchases of Native lands, and we had, I suppose, a general conversation about it. He said he would be unable to do anything in the matter himself, and the matter would probably end. He was referring to the purchase ,oi the. freehold of the land. Then he suggested I should assist him in the matter—give him monetary assistance. Ido not remember what was said : I can only give the result. After, he said something about monetary assistance—what account was there ?—that I decided to let him use our account in any way he chose : and I think nothing more was said. Something may have been said about bank overdraft or bank securities. My impression is that the question of the further security to the bank occurred after. We were living together, and the conversation may have been renewed. 370. Was it not finally arranged that he should use your name and you could send your money ? —Yes. I was to sign any mortgages necessary, and to become bound to pay any money—that is, for the purchase of the freehold of this land. . 371.. For.whose benefit was the land to be purchased ?—Mr. Smith's, at that time.