H.—7.

385. You would not care to be passing there while firing was going on ?—No, I would not. There are, however, provisions made for such contingencies as that. At a rifle-range there should be proper supervision—a danger-flag should be erected. 386. Have you taken into consideration the fact that adjoining the range on the right-hand side there is a plantation reserve ? —I am aware that on the right flank of the long range there is a strip of. land known as Town Belt. I only heard this three days ago. 387. Are you aware that that portion you are referring to is specially allocated as a recreation reserve for the people in that portion of the city, and where they have the right to walk ?—That is quite news to me. 388. Taking into consideration the fact that people do go upon the reserve, would there not be some risk ? —I think they would not run much risk, as if a man heard a shot he would scuttle out of the plantation at once, I should imagine. It is quite news to me that this land was set apart for a plantation reserve. It is a rule with all rifle-ranges that there should be 40 yards clear on either side, or flank, at least, especially when two ranges are lying parallel to each other; so there would be 80 yards altogether. 389. Do you know whether any effort was made to ascertain whether any other range as suitable as the Pollhill Gully range could be procured ?—No; I only came to this district about twelve months ago, and do not know anything about it. 390. The Chairman.] Do you wish to modify your opinion as to the safety of the range in consequence of what Mr. Macdonald has said about the plantation reserve abutting on it ?—Well, there is no plantation there at present, and I do not think it is necessary for me to say more than I have said. With regard to the plantation-reserve, I think the fact of a rifle-range being alongside would prevent people using it for recreation purposes. 391. Mr. Baker.] You are quite clear that it is a good range for young beginners ? I ask you the question because we had an expert here yesterday who did not consider it an advantage to a beginner to shoot in a place like this, as he would get no knowledge of windage, as he expressed it ? —As you know, rifle-shooting is a science, like everything else, and must have small beginnings. What'we have to get over on the part of raw recruits is a natural nervousness at first incidental to the discharge of a firearm, which is sufficient to make him very unsteady. Then, if he has also the wind to think about, it will, as you can imagine, make him very much more nervous. The fact of his being shut in, as it were, between two walls makes him feel that he cannot help hitting the target because there it is right in front of him. Then, if he misses the target he is able to see where the bullet struck, and can make allowance for it next time. The mere fact of shooting up a gully would, in my opinion, give a nervous man a certain amount of confidence. It is very trying to a raw recruit to be placed out on a level or undulating piece of country where there are objects to the right and to the left to attract his attention. He can better concentrate his attention when looking up a gully 30 or 40 yards wide. Besides this, it is very difficult indeed to hold a rifle steady when the wind is blowing. Mr. Baker: I just wanted to get your opinion from your own knowledge, as we have had a contrary opinion expressed. Tamati Wiremu te Whero re-examined. 392. The Chairman.] Do you wish to correct anything you have said when giving your evidence on the last occasion ?—The only explanation I wish to make is in connection with a statement I made on the last occasion. I wish to explain that I understood negotiations were made between ourselves and the present representative of the firm. 393. Mr. Macdonald.] Did you have negotiations with George Richards, or direct with Messrs. Kirk and Atkinson?—George Richards is the person who came up to see us. 394. Who was George Richards acting for?—He was acting on behalf of Mr. Atkinson and his firm. 395. Then, had you any direct communication or not with the firm of Messrs Kirk and Atkinson ?—Yes, I saw Mr. Atkinson afterwards; but George Richards was the first to come and speak to us about it. 396. You told us at first that Colonel McDonnell was acting?— Yes, Colonel McDonnell was there when I received the money. 397. But not before?— No. 398. Did you arrange the price with George Richards?—No, he made us an offer. 399. Have you any papers in your possession bearing on the question of the rifle-range?—No; I do not think so. 400. Is that all you desire to say?— Yes. 401. You took £25 an acre for your land ?—Yes. 402. How much money did you get altogether?— The total amount was £225, or something like that. 403. Did you get it in cash?— Yes. Tamati Hapimana te Ngatata examined. 404. The Chairman.] What do you know about this Polhill Gully affair ?—I live across on the other Island. Mr. Richards came to me and told me that he had come to fetch me over to this Island. He said my land was about to be purchased. I told Mr. Richards I would not sell. 405. What time was this? —Last year. 406. What time last year?— About the month of May, 1891. He said to me, " The land is required for the Crown, and therefore you must sell." I said to him, " I will not sell, because I want that piece of land." However, afterwards I came with him. On arrival here in Wellington I went on to Opunake, to see the owner of the land, Hami. lam Hand's elder brother, and this piece of land was given to me. Hami refused to sell. Richards was there and strongly urged us to

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