9

I.—3a.

and he went to Tologa Bay and gave a decision in the cases of Tuakau and Waingaromia No. 2. These were the cases he said he would not give a decision upon until Tauwhareparae was settled. Tauwhareparae is not through the Court yet. 154. Did you know that judgment was going to be given there on those two cases?—l was not aware of it. It was because I sided with Wilson that he (Judge Rogan) gave the decision. If I had been friendly with him, he would have given it in my favor. Because I was friendly with Wilson he give his decision upon it. That was my only crime—being friendly with Wilson. 155. When Cooper asked you to withdraw the re-hearing application, and you made the noblehearted sacrifice of your people, did Cooper use any argument why you should withdraw the application for a re-hearing and take £50 ?—He said, " Here's the money ; sign the document withdrawing your application for a re-hearing." He was dealing with me My hand was the strongest to write, and my head the strongest to think. 156. That is the reason why you did not go to the other people?—l looked upon the £50 as my own, and I " collared "it for myself. The coat that was given to me I put on. 157. But you did not consult with the rest of the people about it?— Why should I go to the hapu ? If a woman offered herself to me, I should not consult the other people. 158. Then you received the £50 and withdrew the application for a re-hearing without reference to the hapu ?—lt was not offered to me for the whole hapu. It was given to me for myself. 159. But the people had rights in themselves for these blocks ?—Yes. 160. Did you make the application for a re-hearing on behalf of yourself and your people when it was first made ?—I made it on behalf of myself aud all the others, but the money was for me alone. 161. In withdrawing, did you withdraw for yourself only or for yourself and the whole of the hapu ?—I won't say that; I will say because it was my hand that was the strongest to write ;it was my own act. 162. You have told us that Cooper paid you the money for yourself. Did you understand that you were withdrawing your own personal right of a re-hearing, or that you were acting on behalf of the whole of the hapu?—-The Government have the application for a re-hearing, and have delayed granting it. I did not sign that application for a re-hearing ; my child did. I was frightened of Cooper, and that is why I didn't sign it. 163. Is it the second application for a re-hearing you are referring to?— The other was from thirty persons or more, perhaps. 164. Did you, in accepting the £50, abandon your own right to a re-hearing, or forfeit the rights of yourself and your people to the land for the £50 ?—lt was for my own interest only. 165. Did you know at that time that there were other applications for a re-hearing in or being sent in ?—I knew that there was another application for a re-hearing sent in besides my own. There were a lot of our people who sent in, and you have got the application now. 166. Did Mr. Cooper, in asking you to withdraw this application, appeal to your ancient friendship ?—That was it. He said, " Will you stop making any further application for a re-hearing, and shew your love for me ?" . 167. You have told us about the judgment being given at Tologa Bay?— The Court heard the Waingaromia case at Poverty Bay. 168. You told us that the Court gave judgment iv these two cases at Poverty Bay without your knowledge?— Yes; I was not there. 169. How soon was it after that tbat Mr. Cooper came to you to ask you to withdraw the application ?—About a month afterwards, 1 think. 170. The Chairman?] Where were you at that time?—l was at Tokomaru, and Cooper was at Poverty Bay, and when he saw my application he sent me a letter. He said, " Friend, withdraw your application for a re-hearing, and I will pay you £50. That is all." 171. Did you meet him afterwards and receive the money?— The £50 was sent to me by post. I think I have made the thing pretty clear. 172. Hon. Mr. Nahe.] If the decision had been in your favor, would all your hapu have gone in a* well ?—The decision would have been in favor of myself and hapu, as the land bslonged to us. 173. Who is the chief of your hapu ?—-I am. 174. It is the duty of the chief to conduct the affairs of his hapu, isn't it ?—Yes. 175. When you signed the application for a re-hearing, was it for yourself alone or for the whole of your hapu?—lt was for the whole of the hapu. 176. And was the withdrawal on the same basis?— The £50 was for myself. 177. I only want to know about your application for a withdrawal ?—My application for withdrawal was not on behalf of the whole of the hapu. It was for my own interest. 178. Did you tell your hapu that you had applied for a re-hearing?— Yes. 179. Did you tell the hapu that you were going to withdraw the application ?—I didn't tell the bapu. 180. Mr. Tawhiti.] Were the two applications —one for your tribe and one for yourself —generally made known to the people?—l consider that I, as a chief, have the sole right to conduct the affair as regards our land. 181. You say there is an application for yourself and a withdrawal from yourself. Where does the second application emanate from ?—I withdrew in my own interest, and I was paid for it. I didn't take the money for the whole of the hapu. 182. The Chairman.] How came you to make the original application for a re-hearing? Was it of your own accord or at the suggestion of some other person?—lt was my own doing. 183. You didn't get paid £50 or anything for making that application for re-hearing?—No ; I was not paid for that. I was paid for withdrawing it. Mr. Gill, being in attendance, was examined. 184. The Cliairman.] I think it will be more convenient if you will make a statement in the first place on the subject matter of this petition ?—Perhaps if I give you the position of the blocks as they