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1317. Sir William Fox.] You have made allusion, Captain Colbeek, to a charge that was laid against Arama Karaka of haying received £100 improperly: has it not been brought under your notice that an inquiry took place into that, and that he was thoroughly acquitted by all the Natives, and that the matter lias been explained in an Auckland newspaper to his entire credit and acquittance? —I know nothing about the newspaper reports. I know the Natives acquitted him long before the trial took place. Hone Mohi Tawhai, M.H.E., sworn and examined. 1318. Mr. Sheehan.] Do you know Mr. Nelson, Native Interpreter? —Tes. 1319. How long have you known him ?—I saw him first in 1874, and I have known him since that time. 1320. Have you had much to do with him in matters of business ? —I have had a good deal to do with him as a Land Purchase Commissioner in my district, where he has purchased several blocks of my land. 1321. What character does Mr. Nelson bear with yourself and your people with regard to these transactions. Have you found him honest and fair-dealing?— The Hokianga people prefer Mr. Nelson to any other Land Purchase Commissioner that has been appointed in that district. There have been several Land Purchase Commissioners up there, and the Natives objected to them all except Mr. Nelson. He does not attempt to deceive them in any way in his dealings with them, or to take any advantage of them through their ignorance. That is why they like Mr. Nelson in that district. Mr. Nelson has never yet made away with any money belonging to them. Mr. E. J. Gill, Under-Secretary, Land Purchase Department, sworn and examined. 1322. Mr. Sheehan.] Have you got the original agreement made between Adam Clark, Hori te More, myself, and Mr. Brissenden ?—I have. 1323. This is the one, dated 12th day of May, 1874. You had better look at it. That purports to be signed by Hori te More, Arama Karaka Haututu, and Joh Sheehan ? —lt does. 1324. And to be witnessed by E. W. Brissenden, Te Hemara Tauhia, and Charles E. Nelson ?— Yes. 1325. That is an agreement between the Crown and Stannus Jones ?—Yes, it is an agreement with Mr. Stannus Jones handing over to the Crown what interest he might have had in the Pakiri Block for the sum of £450, signed by Mr. Jones, and witnessed by Mr. Armstrong. 1326. I believe Mr. Nelson has been engaged in the purchase of Native lands for the Government for some seven or eight years, first as subordinate to Mr. Brissenden, and afterwards as a Land Purchase officer himself ?—Yes. 1327. Could you state generally to the Committee in what manner he has performed the duties required of him by the Government?— Since he has been himself responsible for the purchase of Native lands the Government have had no cause to find fault with him. Of course, during the time he was associated with Mr. Brissenden he had no responsibility. 1328. But so long as he has been a responsible officer his transactions have been satisfactory to the office ? —They have. 1329. The office has had no fault to find with him—l mean on the ground of the fairness of his dealings ? —No. 1330. Or of his handling public money ?—-No. One ground of complaint the Government had against him ; but on investigation it was found to be frivolous. It was a case of his having purchased a piece of land for his wife during the time he was a Government officer; but on inquiry it came to nothing. 1331. Mr. Nelson, I believe, is likely soon to leave the Government Land Purchase; is he not ?— He leaves at the end of next month. 1332. Is he leaving for any cause personal to himself, or because of reduction in the department ? —Because of the reduction in the department —only that. 1333. The Chairman.'] It states in this deed that Queen Victoria pays to Stannus Jones the sum of £450, and the receipt is hereby acknowledged: can you tell the Committee if Mr. Stannus Jones received this money direct from any agent of the Government, or how it was paid ?—The £450 was not paid by the Government to Mr. Stannus Jones, but a portion of it was paid only, and the rest, I understood, was paid by the Natives themselves. 1334. Do you know how much was paid by the Government ? —I do not know. I think £200. 1335. Mr. Sheehan.] Could you ascertain ? —Yes. Certainly £450 was not paid. 1336. Was it your understanding that the Natives paid so much out of the purchase-money of the land to Mr. Jones, and the Government supplemented it, making up the £450 ? —I understood it was so. [Copy of receipt from Mr. Stannus Jones produced by Mr. Gill for the amount of £150, paid on account of timber-lease of Pakiri Block.] The following is a copy of the memorandum on the back of the receipt: " Major Green. —Will you please ascertain when and by whom the previous payment of £300 was made. —H. Halse (for the Under-Secretary).—3lst March, 1875." "The previous payment of £300 was paid by the Native owners to Mr. Jones, in presence of Mr. Brissenden. The £150 is all the Government had to pay.—Edwabd L. Gbeen (for G. G., Agent). —Auckland, 20th April, 1875." Chakles Edwin Nelson re-examined. The Chairman: You have already made an affirmation, Mr. Nelson, and it is upon that you will be examined. 1338. Mr. Sheehan.'] You were examined when you were last before this Committee in reference to an agreement signed by Adam Clark, Hori te More, and myself: you remember that ? —Yes. 1339. Mr. Gill has kindly produced the agreement, and I would like you to look at it. [Agreement handed to witness.] Is that the agreement referred to ?—That is my agreement with Adam Clark for the sale of two portions of the Pakiri Block.

Captain ColbecJc, M.S.R. Aug. 24,1880.

Hone Mohi Tavihai, M.S.S. Aug. 24,1880.

Mr. M. J. Gtill. Aug. 24,1880.

Mr.C.E.NeUon. Aug. 24,1880.