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1516. Yet you have stated in your evidence that you made a number of suggestions which j virtually removed persons from the roll, or prevented them getting on it, and that you made them iv error. Does not that indicate a want of care on your part ?—The only case is that of the Harris family, and then they only held fifty-four acres, and no one knew it belonged to any but the father. A deed was made by the father dividing this land amongst his sons, but the public could not possibly know that. I knew Harris purchased this land iv his own name, but subsequently he divided it, and I was not aware of it at the time. I should be very sorry to deprive any ono of a vote if legally entitled. I have witnessed many Natives' names, and would bo glad to do it where I thought they had a right to vote. 1517. If you want to make any general statement you can now do so ? —I have no general statement to make further than that I have already said. In reply to the Commissioner, Air. E. AI. Williams said he had no questions to ask. 1518. Mr. Lundon (through the Commissioner).] AVas Air. Harris, sen., ever on any roll in respect of that block of land? —I believe he was. 1519. Did you know at the time Frank Harris was objected to that ho was entitled to the franchise for any freehold property? —Certainly not; or I should have recommended his name to be put on, instead of being taken off. 1520. Did you not know he had a household qualification ? —I believe he lived with his father in his father's house. 1521. Do you know that Tommy Harris had a freehold qualification ?—Tommy Harris is not the person alluded'to by me. I believe he has a house, and that I informed Mr. AVilliams he had a household qualification. 1522. The Commissioner.] As a matter of fact, had ho two qualifications —freehold and household ? —I am not even aware now that he had at that time. 1523. But you were aware at that time that he had the household qualification ? —Yes ; and told Air. Williams of it. 1524. Mr. Lundon.] Are you aware that Jimmy Harris has a household qualification ? —No. 1525. Arc you aware whether he had a house on the other side for years ? —No. 1526. You were aware George Harris had a household qualification ? —Certainly. 1527. AVere Air. AVilliams and yourself not in Heremaia te Wake's house ?—We were not there for the last two years, that lam aware of. Ido not think that Air. E. Al. AVilliams has been in Hokianga for tho last Uxo years. 1528. Are you prepared to say that John or George Hardiman have been on the roll for the last three years ?—To the best of my belief they only got upon the roll last year ; but I could not say for certain. 1529. Their qualification has been, to your knowledge, for years a good one ?—I cannot say that even. I think it is only lately they got their qualification. 1530. Are you aware that Air. Williams objected to a hundred and fifty names attested to by Patrick Lundon in 1875 ?—I am aware that Air. AVilliams objected to a large number of names attested by many people. The exact numbers I cannot give. 1531. Are you aware that a large number were attested by Air. AVilliams's friends, and were not objected to ? —I did not take any notice; it was not my business. I took very little interest in it beyoud my own people, the Hokianga Natives. 1532. Do you kuow that the same people whoso names were attested the previous year by Patrick Lundon were objected to in 1876 ?—I cannot say ; I did not take much interest in the matter. 1533. Do you know that the same men were attested next year, 1877, by some one else, and put on the roll fur the same qualification ? —I cannot say that. 1534. You are not in a position to prove it ?—I have not looked it over. 1535. You say you raised these objections in consequence of a decision given by Air. Lawlor as Revising Officer? —Yes. 1536. Do you kuow who raised the objection ? —Air. Carleton. 1537. Do you think Hone Alohi was in a position to argue with Mr. Carleton? —I think him one of the cleverest Natives in the North. 1538. Do you think it was a fair test, aud that he could argue law with Air. Carleton ? —lt was Air. Lawlor's decision I went by. 1539. Was Hone Alohi represented by counsel ? —I believe not. 1540. Do you think that in an argument before Air. Lawlor he was a match for Air. Carleton ?— I should not say he was a match for him ; but it was for the Judge who gave his decision. Ido not pretend to question the Judge's decision. 1541. The Commissioner.] Is Air. Lawlor, a person of the legal profession ? —He has had large practice as a magistrate. 1542. Does he belong to the legal profession ? —I am not aware. 1543. Do you know of any reason why his decision should be treated wdth special respect ?— Simply, he was selected by the judge of the Supreme Court, and took that office. 1544. It is in view of that I ask you ?—That is a reason why it should be treated with general respect. 1545. I ask you now whether you have any reason for supposing that it was entitled to special respect, as in the case of a Judge coming specially from England to determine the matter? Do you know of any reason why his decision should be treated with special respect ?—None, beyond his being the Judge of that Court. 1516. Mr. Lundon.] Do you know that ho has been Resident Alagistrate at Coromandel ?—I do. 1517. Do you know that he was removed ?—He has retired ou pension. 1518. You do not know that he was removed ?—Gentlemen removed do not get their pensions, I believe. 1549. Do you know that it was for illegal decisions he was removed ?—This is the first time I have heard of it.
Mr.yon Stunner*.
March 24, 1879.
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