H.-33

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Bowles. My husband's fiftieth birthday was celebrated on the same day. He was a great friend of my husband's. My husband had known him five years. He came from Foxton. He went away by steamer on 17th ;he left our house on 16th. There was no quarrel. He was carpenter at Foxton, working at flax-mill. He asked the master, I believe, to give him three days off. I telegraphed to him to come home. He often comes to our place to stay from Saturday to Monday when in Wellington. I thought he would be in time for funeral; he did not get telegram till Tuesday. He came up on Thursday, and went away on following Monday to Foxton. There was no quarrel between him and my husband. George Bowles is my brother. I do not remember his bringing sheep to our farm. I know nothing of any quarrel between my husband and George Bowles about sheep. There were no words, no quarrel. There was ill-feeling, but not about "sheep. I think ill-feeling was that he thought my husband could have helped him more than he did. I never heard my husband threatening George Bowles in any way; I never heard them going into these matters. 75. Mr. Bunny.] lam not aware that George Bowles ever fetched sheep to our place. There were sheep came down by truck. My husband bought them in Wairarapa. I believe it was 200 sheep. Not just prior to his bankruptcy. I have still a lot of sheep on farm now. Chapman and FitzGerald know all about it. I am sure George Bowles did not get back 100 of sheep. George Bowles was paid for them. I can swear he was paid for them. I cannot tell how much. Eight shillings per head. They were not brought down for the purpose of protecting them for Bowles while going bankrupt. I know it was not about sheep that they had words. lam not aware that my brother complained that my husband had treated him badly about sheep. He was going to meet Maoris at twelve. There was to be a Land Court—Native Land Court. I do not know that other papers were of any importance. I do not know of his going to effect a lease. My husband wrote to Lidden to come down. Lidden did not know of wedding till he came. I have heard of the name James Nairn' 1 do not know him. I am not aware that my husband had any dispute with Nairn about laud. I am aware that Dominic Hobbs, twelve years ago, went to law twice with husband about land. My husband won actions. I know nothing about Nairn. Ido not know Mr. Alfred Tyer to speak to. They both live at Ngauranga. Ido not know of a quarrel between Tyer and my husband. There was no row about road. It has not been settled yet. There has been a dispute between Eoad Board. I know Mr. Thomas Harlen. There was no disturbance. He paid all to my husband he owed. The rent Harlen borrowed from Mr. Hassall. He did not blame my husband. I do not know how Hassall came into matter. I do not remember a row between my husband and Bowden about work, and that my husband sent Chemis half a sheep as a recompense for Cheinis's interference. There was a disagreement between Bowden and my husband, and a letter from England reconciled them. I often send them in mutton and pork. He used to go to town other days than Friday, generally on his pony. He mostly returned home before six. He was often home by five. He sometimes went for letters and evening paper. I felt anxious myself after Norman said my husband was not there. I went a little way off nouse and called out to my husband. Dr. Cahill came about quarter to eleven. I was suffering from bad knee. I went a little way across paddock and called out. Mrs. Bowles stayed with me. I and my mother and Mrs. Bowles were up all night. During the night I asked if Bowles and Norman were returned; my mother said not. 76. Did your husband complain of persons coming there shooting?—There are lots of people shooting. My husband objected, but I cannot say if he expressed his feelings. There was never any row. 77. Mr. Bell.} I was not on bad terms with my husband. I am sure there was no dispute with my husband and me. I had asked him to get all things he got. All that I wanted him to get he brought back —the groceries, hosiery, and stuff material. Our farm is 400 acres leasehold and 100 acres freehold. Freehold is No. 7 in plan. Our landlords are Maoris. No. sis leasehold. Fbedubick William Lidden examined. 78. Mr. Bell.] lam from Finland; am a carpenter. I live at Foxton just now. I knew Mr. Hawkings; he was a great friend of mine. I have known him six years. I put up a little addition to house that had been let to Angus. I came down to Hawkings's birthday-party. I was invited. I got letter. I believe I have letter at Foxton ; a few lines on other side from one of children. I came down Sunday before Easter holidays. I stayed from Monday till Tuesday. I was in town the rest of time. I went to say good-bye on Easter Monday. Hawkings took my horse and put him in stable. I never had any words or difference with Hawkings at any time. He never told me to leave house. He was always pleased to see me. On 31st May I was fourteen miles other side of Westward's flax-mill. I had been three«days. William Duebell examined. 79. Mr. Bell.] I work at Newton's soap-works, close to the bridge at Kaiwara. I get milk from Chemis, prisoner; have so for eighteen months. I pay prisoner monthly. Once I was not able to pay ; it was in March of this year. I saw Chemis on the subject. It was at my house ; he was serving milk. I told him I could not pay all account. I explained I had had a lawsuit, and case would very likely cost me £10 or £12. He said that was nothing, if he had lost his case it would cost him £50 or £60, and God knows if it did it would ruin him. He said it was Case of Hawkings. I asked him if it was not settled, he said No ; that was all. I got bills on first of month, unless it came on a Sunday, thin they would come on a Monday. I used to get them that always happened to me. As to May month I got that on Monday, 3rd. He would bring the bill and collect money. 80. Mr. Bunny.] This has been the case ever since I started with Chemis. I have invariably had the monthly bill from Chemis. It was invariably delivered on first of month, unless it was a Sunday. I always knew the bill was there, I used always to go and get it. On last Friday in