I.—3a.

8

" Rawene, 25/2/91. (sic.) Hone Tana Papahia (Euwhi o Akinihi Papahia) "Rawene, 25/2/91. (sic.) Hone Tana Papahia (Euwhi o Akinihi Wi Tana Papahia) " Rawene, 15/12/91. Wi Bikihana "Rawene, 5/12/91. Wiremu Huhu " Rawene, 5/12/91. Herewini Te Toko. " Witini i te tuhinga o nga ingoa—Eobert Cochrane, Licensed Interpreter, Hokianga." [Note.—Place and date of signing appear in pencil in original.] 113. The Chairman (to witness).] Is that your signature to the document just read?—lt resembles my signature. 114. Hon. Mr. Carroll.} Do you remember having signed that document before ?•—I do not remember. 115. The Chairman.] You do not remember seeing that document before?—l do not remember ever seeing this document before. The signature is like mine. 116. Hon. Mr. Cadman.] Did you sign it ? —I never signed such a document as that. 117. The Chairman.] That is not the question: the question is, is that your signature ?—lt appears to be my signature ; but I never signed such a document as that. 118. Hon. Mr. Carroll.] Perhaps he does not know what is meant by signing a statement, although that may be his signature ? —I do not remember ever signing such a document. 119. Hon. Mr. Cadman.] Before we go any further, look at the document again, and say distinctly whether that is your signature or not ?—I believe this is my signature ;it is like mine. Hon. Mr. Mitchelson : I think that is his signature; I know it very well. Hon. Mr. Cadman : Ask him to take a sheet of paper and write his name. 120. The Chairman.] Did you sign a petition ?—lt was my brother who signed for me. I authorised him to do so. 121. Hon. Mr. Cadman.] Will you write your name on a slip of paper?—[Witness did as requested and handed the paper to the Chairman.] Hon. Mr. Mitchelson : I think that is correct; I know his signature. Witness : I should like to explain to the Committee that I never signed that document on the day mentioned, because I reached Hokianga on the 14th. 122. Hon. Mr. Mitchelson.] You reached on the 14th, and signed on the 15th ?—That is right. I reached Hokianga on the 14th, and I signed for the money on the 15th December. 123. Was it on the same day that you signed the document for the money? How many documents did you sign on that day ?—I only remember signing one. 124. When you signed that one document did you understand you were signing for the sale of the land?— Yes. 125. Mr. Lundon.} In consequence of this question put by Mr. Mitchelson—Did you sign a document in Cochrane' s office?—l do not know whether I signed all the documents in Cochrane's office. I did not sign all the documents in Cochrane's office. 126. Where did you sign them ?—I believe I signed the documents in the post-office, before Mr. Millar. 127. The Chairman put a question to you in regard to the deed. He asked you if you had sold any land, and the deed was read over to you, and the answer you gave was that you were not sure?— You had better read over my evidence; perhaps I did make that statement yesterday. [The Chairman here read that portion of the evidence given by witness on the previous day.] 128. Mr. Lundon.} You said yesterday that the deed was not read over to you by a licensed interpreter ?—Yes. 129. I think you gave the names of Messrs. Clarke, Millar, Flood, and myself as being present with the interpreter ?—Mr. Cochrane was there also. 130. If Mr. Cochrane, who is here, and I were to state that the deed was read to you, would we be saying that which is false ? —I stated positively yesterday that the document was not read over to me. Hon. Mr. Mitchelson : That will all come out when the witnesses are called. Mr. Lundon : I want to show the credibility of the witness. He made statements yesterday that he would not make to-day. Hon. Mr. Mitchelson : You can get that out by direct questions; he is answering questions on his oath. Simply ask him the question, " Who was present ?" Ido not see any use in pursuing that question. 131. Mr. Lundon (to witness).] Who wrote the petition?— Hone W. T. Papahia. 132. Do you say that of your own knowledge?—He and Herewini Te Toko drew it up. 133. Do you know that of your own knowledge?— Yes. 134. Did you see him do it ?—I saw the petition being written. Then I went away to my own place. I told Hone T. W. Papahia to sign my name to it. I was in trouble about my child, who was very ill, and I hurried away on that account. 135. To whom was the petition sent ?—To Mr. Kapa, the Native member. 136. Who did you send it by?—l do not know how it was sent, because 1 explained that it was being prepared when I went away; it was in course of preparation. 137. You stated yesterday in your evidence that anything I say I would swear to?— Yes, I did say so yesterday. 138. Did you ever see me take an oath—were you ever present when I took an oath ?—No. 139. How do you know that I would swear to whatever I would say? —I believe it is the rule for people to make statements on oath.