H.—B.

26

626. When that was signed ? —When this document was signed. It was Patrick Lundon's. Mr. Tole, it appears, telegraphed to Hokianga asking Mr. Lundon to get the votes of the people at Hokianga, Whangape, Herekino, Ahipara, Mongonui, and Whangaroa. Patrick Lundon and William Bates arrived at my place ou the evening of tho Sunday: they stayed at my house ; and then ho explained about the roll, and asked us to sign our names, in order that our names might be placed on the roll. I told him that my petition had been sent some time previously to the Parliament—that my name had been signed by my uncle. Patrick said then that it would not be right for another person to sign my name. I then said to him, " Friend, that is the custom among these people " —the Ngatiuru. He said, " No, you had better come hero and sign my documeut." I said, " I cannot sign, becauso the petition has gouo to the Parliament." He then urged me strongly. I then said to Patrick, "If you are so urgent at your work"—meaning that I disapproved of his request. My older brother (or cousin) then signed. It was my own hand that signed it. Paapu then signed with his own hand. Arama Patara did not sigu, but Mr. Lundon signed for him with a peu. My son's name, who is dead, was signed by Patrick. I did not go forward and sigu the document with my hand. The only thing I assented to in my own mind was the petition signed by tho forty people. That was the petitiou from the whole of the Ngatiuru. 627. Here is a document similar in purport and meaning to the one which has just been read, and purporting to be signed by yourself merely. [A statement drawn out by William Bates and purporting to be signed by Heremaia to Ara was then shown to witness.] Is that your signature to that document ?—No. 628. Did you authorize any one to attach your name to that paper last read ?—This is Patrick's and AVilliam'Bates's document. 629. Your signature purports to be written by yourself; you have said it was not. I now wish to know if you authorized any one to sign for you ? —That is the only time I had a talk—at the time this took place. I did not speak on any other occasion to Mr. Bates or Patrick Lundon. AYe were all present when this took place. The talk took place at the one time, in the presence of Bates and Lundon ; not with them separately. 630. You are aware that what you say now amounts to a charge of forgery against some person ? —No, lam not; all that I look at is, that it is Patrick's work. 031. In the petition to tho House of Representatives, which you authorized the other person to sign for you, you state that the roll for 1878 was not made up quite right. It what respect was it wrong ?—That had reference to Hokianga. AVhen I came back from Hokianga Mr. Bates came to my house ; aud the document you mention was written in my house at Kaeo. It was not a petition. 632. You state that tho makiug-up of the roll was not quite right. I ask you what you mean by that? How was it wrong?— The only paper that' I recollect seeing written was a paper asking to have the members supported, or the votes supported; afterwards Patrick came. 633. I will just read a portion of it: " Friends, the Government and the Speaker, —Salutations to you and the Assembly. This is our word. AYe have seen that this roll was wrong; it was unauthorized. " AVhat do you mean by saying it is unauthorized ? —lt is true that ho signed it; it was done at Kaeo, at my owu house, and Te Parihi took it. 634. To whom ? —I think ho went to the Bay of Islands. 635. Did you sign your potitiou without understanding the meaning of it ?—I did not sign it; my hand did not sigu it. 636. Did you authorize your uncle to put your name to this paper, without understanding the meaning of it? —Ho wrote it. I authorized him to write it when the petition was given to Parihi. 637. Did you know what you were signing ? —The contents were read ; there was not much in it. 638. Here is another passage : " AYe were said to. bo at Hokianga ; we did not see it." That, I presume, is that you did not see the electoral form to be filled ? —That w ras the word of Pcra Hakena, disproving of the Act. 639. We will leave this for the present. lam now going to put this question : Did you sign an application to be placed on tho electoral roll last year? Did you, last year, sign an application to be placed on tho electoral roll ? —That document of AVilliam Bates and Patrick Lundon is the only one. I did not consent to my signature being attached to it. 610. [Form of claim to vote produced] Is that your signature to that document? —I never saw a printed document. I never signed a printed document. Raniera Wharerau, the attesting witness, I never saw. He lives at Waiinu. Mr. Williams: I think tho witness is a little confused iv answering questions. Perhaps he is not aware he w-as on the roll the previous year. The Commissioner: Ido uot think that affects the question as to whether he signed. 641. Mr. Williams (through the Commissioner).] Did you authorize any person whatever to sign this claim to he placed on the electoral roll. It is attested by Raniera AVharerau? —t never authorized any one. I never told any one to sign my name. lam a lazy man at seeking out such matters as that. 612. I may say, Heremaia, that the signature to this claim and tho signature with which you have favoured mo just now have a very remarkable resemblance ?—That does not matter ; they are able to copy my handwriting now. 613. Did you authorize any party present, wdieu Mr. Bates says ho witnessed your signature, to sign in your stead? The Commissioner : Ho has denied that. 641. AVcre any material inducements, such as money, hold out to you to induce you to sign the document, in the presence of Air. Bates ? —There was no money offered. I will not speak falsely in your presence. 615. Mr. John Lundon (through the Commissioner).] Did you see mo present at Pikiwahine on the AVaihou?—That is correct. I then saw Mr. John Lundon. There were myself and my elder brother, Patrick Lundon, AVilliam Bates, and a half-caste or Maori, a workman of his. There were four of them ; they arrived about 6 o'clock.

Heremaia te Ara,

March 12,1879,