MINUTES OF EVIDENCE TAKEN

C. (). Davis, Esq (i Oct. 1860.

274; Would you let us know generally the purport of these communications about the house?—l had conversation with numbers of Natives on the subject. 275. You proposed to various Natives that a House of Assembly should be built?—l did. 276. To whom in particular?—l cannot name any in particular : there were a good many, both Chiefs and people of the Waikato district. 277. Was there any special meaning in the proposal to build a house carved and adorned with feathers? —There was no other meaning but theplain meaning of building a house carved and adorned. I intended an ornamental building merely, there was no hidden meaning in the proposal. 278. Mr. Domett] Would it be likely that the allusion to the carved and adorned house would be understood by the Natives as proposing a return to their ancient customs?— Certainly that was not the meaning intended by the proposal I made : they might have put that construction upon it. 279. Might it not possibly have been understood by them to express such a meaning?— Yes ; I think there are many meanings that the Natives put to things, and it is impossible to say particularly what construction they would put on the proposal. I understand the question to be, whether they would understand that I intended to advise their returning from civilization to barbarism : if so, that is a principle I utterly repudiate. 280. Knowing as you do that a multiplicity of meanings might be attached by the Natives to such a figurative expression, would it not have been more cautious to have been more guarded especially against such a construction as I have referred to? —I ask pardon; the expression was not a figurative one ; and the Natives did not understand it so. 281. Mr. Fox.] Would not, or did not?— Did not. 282. Mr. Domett.] But you have said before, that it was impossible to say precisely what construction the Natives would put on the expressions " carving and adorning?"—l had many conversations with Natives about it : the words " carving and adorning" were quite unimportant. If they had erected the house, I never believed they would take the trouble to carve and adorn it. 283. Mr. Forsaith.] Would you state the object you had in view in recommending the building of a house of Assembly?— The idea was suggested simply from this ciicumstance. I attended a meeting at Ihumata, in June 1857, I think. The Natives were congregated there in great numbers at their runanga, sitting in the rain and mud, and it occurred to me that if a large building were erected they might be accommodated ; and if I mistake not, I spoke to some of them at the time about it, and subsequently I wrote to them on the same subject. At Ngaruawahia, where the building was proposed to be erected, there was no timber ; I mean large timber for sawing purposes ; and I thought it would be an inducement to them to erect the building at once, if it were made of Native material. 284. What were the purposes for which the Natives wereconvened at Ihumata?—lt was one of their runangas, and my object in going there was to get money for a printing press. 285. What was the subject principally discussed at that meeting?—-I was not present at the discussions; the only subject 1 introduced was the printing press , 286. Were you present during the whole of that meeting?—l was not. 287. During any part of the lime you were there was the King movement discussed?—l took up my quarters at Mr. Buddies house, and discussions about the King movement might have been going on while 1 was there ; but I was not present at any such discussion. 288. Do you wish the Committee to understand that you recommended the erection of the house of Assembly merely for the purposes of shelter, and without any political object whatever?— Precise!}' so : of course I knew political subjects would be discussed in that house, but I could not tell what those subjects would be. 289. Was not the meeting at Ihumata one of a series of meetings that was being held at that time to discuss the King movement?— Well, I could not answer that question from my own personal knowledge. 290. Have you read Mr. Buddies pamphlet on the King movement?—l have not. 291. What was your object in going to Ihumata to urge the Natives in getting a press?—l had previously urged them to purchase a printing press, and went simply on that occasion to receive an instalment of the purchase money. 292. For what purpose were you so anxious to have a press at their command?— There were various-objects ; I wished them to publish a newspaper and religious books. 293. What was to be the character of the newspaper?— That was never decided. I should tell the Committee that I never made any line of demarcation between the " Land-league party," or the " King-party," if you call them so, and the Natives generally. The first person to whom I communicated my wish was Waata Kukutai, and he at once acceded to it, and paid the first instalment. 294. Was a paper ever published in consequence?—No, the type and material are still in my hands in Auckland. 295 Has no publication been issued afall under your auspices?— Does the Hon. Member mean with this piess? 296. Has there been any paper or publication at all issued by you?—l printed 2or 3 numbers o.f a newspaper named Te Waha o te Lwi, there were also 2 or 3 numbers of a smaller paper called Te Whctu o te Tau. i; 97. Can you furnish the Committee with copies of those numbers?— Certainly. 298. Mr. Williamson.] Did you hear any of the speeches delivered at the Ihumata meetinu?— No, none. 299. Do you know the names of any Chiefs present at that meeting?—l know that Kukutai was present; 1 think Te Heu Heu had gone when 1 got there ; I heard he had been there. I saw Honi Te Waru of Rangiaohia, and Wetini of Matamata.

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