45

I.—2a

1261. Do you know what o'clock that was ? —lt was about noon. I cannot tell what time it was. I could see the sun, and, judging by that, it was about noon. That was when Oliver was in Auckland ; he is now living in Waikato. 1262. When you went to Nelson's house with others at the time they received the £50 each, did you receive any money from Nelson or any one else ?—The two gave me money. I have already said that Arama and Hori gave me money. 1263. Did Nelson give you any ? —Afterwards he did, when the subsequent transaction was completed. He gave me £40 ; but that was not money for the land. It was separate money given to me for my services in the matter. 1264. Did you receive it on that night at the same time that the others were receiving theirs ?— They gave me £10 each on that night. That was the money I received on the night that they received theirs. Arama and Hori each gave me £10. 1265. My question is this: Did Nelson give you any money at that time?— No. 1266. You say you afterwards received £40 from Nelson : when was that ?—When all the money was produced — when Arama Karaka and Hori got their shares. Mr. Nelson had told me previously to this, when he met me before that, that he would pay me if I assisted him. £10 he had paid me in addition to the £40 I then received. 1267. He promised you £50 for your assistance in negotiating this block ?—Yes. 1268. Major Te Wlieoro.'] How many days did the survey occupy ? —I did not see the survey of the block. Ido not know how long it took. 1269. Did you hear at the time it was to be surveyed anything about it ? —Yes. I heard that Pakiri was being surveyed; but I did not know how long it took to survey. 1270. Did Arama Karaka and others hear of tho survey when it was being carried on ?—Yea, they were there, and he heard of it. Hori te More also heard of the survey. 1271. How far off was Arama Karaka's place from the scene of the survey ? —I cannot say how far it was off. It was three hours' ride from his place to where the survey was going on. I was present at the investigation of the block. 1272. What was the arrangement there, if any, between Arama Karaka and Heta Paikia ?—They had nothing to do with Arama Karaka, KM, and Hori te More about the survey of this block when it was being surveyed. 1273. What action did Matitikuha take in Court in reference to this block ? —I did not hear him say anything in the Court. He did not speak to the Court. 1274. Who was there that spoke in the Court about the Mangawhara included in Pakiri ?—Te Keene was one, and myself. 1275. The Chairman.'] I would like you to tick off from this list any of those who were in the Court? —Matitikuha Taiki was there, as well as Eramiha Paikia, Heta Paikia, Tatana Waitaheke, and Eruera Eupuha. 1276. Were all these persons present at the time of the hearing ?—Yes ; but they did not get up to speak at the investigation. 1277. Major Te Wheoro.~] Have you heard that these persons have sent in a petition relative to a piece of land called Mangawhara ?—No, I have not heard. Mangawhara is in the Pakiri boundary. 1278. Are these the owners whose names appear in the petition ? —No, they are not. 1279. Can you tell who the owners are of that piece of Mangawhara—whether they are Pakiri owners or other persons ? —Hori te More is the owner of Mangawhara —of that piece. He did not know it had been included in the survey of Pakiri until the Government had purchased it. The survey was conducted by Te Kiri. 1280. Is Arama Karaka a relation of yours ?—Yes, he is a relative of mine. He is what we call a tuakana. Arama and I see a good deal of each other in our part of the country. He, with myself and Paora, are the men who conduct the affairs of the people up there.

Te Hemara Tauhia. Aug. 19, 1880.

Tuesday, 24th August, 1880. R H. FeutOjNT, Chief Judge,' Native Land Court, examined. 1281. Mr. Sheehan.~\ You are Chief Judge of the Native Land Court ?—Tea; unless the new Bills are assented to. 1282. You have been so since the foundation of the Court ? —Yes. 1283. Do you know Mr. Nelson, a Native Interpreter ? —Yes, I know Mr. Nelson ; but I do not think he is a Native Interpreter, though he may be. 1284. Have you had much experience of Mr. Nelson in connection with the business before your Court in regard to Native lands? — I have seen him a great deal since the Native land purchase operations commenced. That is, not since Sir Donald McLean's time, but, I think, the Government that succeeded him —Dr. Pollen's, I believe. It was recently —perhaps three or four years ago. 1285. From your acquaintance with Mr. Nelson would you kindly state what your opinion of him is as to his competency and honesty as a Government officer and negotiator and agent in dealing with Native lands ?—As a purchaser of Native lands, if I may say it without making any reflections upon others, I think he has been the most efficient the Government has had. At any rate, he has certainly given me least trouble, I think, of all. As to his honesty, all I know is that I have never had any complaints about his money matters. 1286. And the reputation he bears in the office is a perfectly clear one ?—ln my office ? 1287. Yes ? —He is very good indeed. There is no trouble with him. 1288. Do you happen to know anything of the opinion which is entertained of him by the other Judges of your Court before whom he has been practising ? —No ;I do not think I do. I heard Mr. Monro speak of affairs at Hokianga as progressing very satisfactorily, if that is evidence. We were talking about it at the last Court but one, when he came back, and we were both of us expressing

Judge Fenton. Aug. 24, 1880.