I.—2a,

48

1340. Is that his signature ?—Tcs. That was made in my presence and in Mr. Brissenden's. 1341. Do you know the signature of Mr. Stannus Jones ? —No, I cannot tell it. 1342. In giving your evidence in chief the other day, you referred incidentally to an application for subdivision made in the case of this block ? —That was on the 17th July. 1343. What was the nature of the application made ?—The application was to have the block subdivided. 1344. The Pakiri Block ?—Yes, the Pakiri Block. 1345. Where was the Court held ?—At Helensville, Kaipara. 1346. Who was the Clerk of the Court there ? —There was no Clerk of the Court. The Eesident Magistrate, Mr. James Clendon, was present. 1347. What parties made the application for the subdivision?— Adam Clark and Hori te More. 1348. Did they sign an application for the subdivision ?—Yes, they signed it in the presence of the Resident Magistrate, Mr. ClendoD, in his office. 1349. What action did Adam Clark afterwards take in regard to it ? —He said in the Court that he had never made any application, and knew nothing whatever about it. I then called Mr. Clendon, and he stated that Adam Clark had made this application and signed it in his presence, and that he had also witnessed the signature. 1350. Did Adam Clark then admit that it was so ? —Mr. Eogan said, " Well, Adam, what do you say now ?" and he replied, " Let the land be subdivided." 1351. Mr. Clendon, I. believe, is a Maori scholar? —He is a very good Maori speaker. 1352. He at present holds the position of Eesident Magistrate ? —He does.

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

APPENDIX.

EVIDENCE TAKEN IN 1877 BY THE PUBLIC ACCOUNTS COMMITTEE ON THE PETITION OF c. t. brissenden. 24th October, 1877. Mr. E. T. Beissbnden examined. 1. The Chairman.'} We have under consideration a petition you presented to the House asking for inquiries into certain claims you have made against the Government. Will you be good enough to explain generally what is the nature of the dispute between yourself and the Government ?—I was engaged by the late Sir D. McLean to act as a sort of political agent among the Maoris, to go up the country and work amongst the Mroris, and endeavour to induce them to see the present Native Lands Act in a proper light, and to get information as to the movements and. feelings of the Maoris. I occupied that position for a good while, and spent a good deal of money, for of course it was an expensive operation. At times I was even in the King country. I had a sum of money remitted to me at Tauranga for expenses —£250 I think. That was before Sir D. McLean went over to Sydney in reference to mail contracts. I think this particular sum of £250 was sent me to settle a claim a Mr. Fitzgerald had against the Maketu Natives. I received two sums of money from the Native Minister for extra expenses. My books are not in Wellington ; it is therefore impossible for me to state correctly the amounts. 2. What year was that ? —1874. Subsequently I was instructed to go North and purchase land. There was some difficulty existing at the time in reference to the purchase of land, and I was selected as a land-purchase agent. My services as a political agent were not dispensed with ; on the contrary, I was instructed to continue to furnish as much information as possible on Native matters generally ; and frequently, when I had spare time, I used to go South to obtain this information. It was always an expensive operation. Sir D. McLean was always satisfied with what I had done, and was convinced that I was engaged in useful work. It was through my instrumentality that his way was made clear to visit the Native King. The expenses I iucurred in that sort of work I have never been allowed. 3. Did you receive instructions in writing as to what your duties were to be ?—Originally I did, and those instructions were never withdrawn. 4. That was in 1874 ?■ —Yes, but subsequent instructions were verbal, because Sir D. McLean was on the spot, I having met him when he brought the " Luna "up the Thames River in 1875. When I was released from political work, I was engaged with the land-purchase transactions. 5. Were your services engaged on specific terms as to the payment of expenses ? —I had three guineas a day, and sometimes something for extra expenses. Thus, when I was at Tauranga, I had remitted to me £250 for extra expenses. I considered that I should be reimbursed my outlay, and was. 6. I presume you have made a claim against the Government for the amount you considered to be due. Has the Government declined to pay you the whole or part of it ?■ —I cannot say that there has been any positive refusal, but I have not been paid, though I sent in my claim. 7. Have not the Government objected to the whole or any particular portion of the claim you have sent in ? —After my dismissal from the Government service of course I endeavoured to get a settlement, and what is written in that report Sir Donald McLean assented to. 8. What report do you speak of ? —lt is a sort of statement of my account; it is on the table before you. 9. Can you tell the Committee specifically what is the difference between yourself and the Government with respect to these claims ?■ —They have refused to make me any allowance for these works, in the accounts they have rendered me they have made no allowance,

Mr. E. T. Brissenden. Oct. 24, 1877.