3

G.—l

APPENDIX A. List of Witnesses who gave Evidence before Commissioner. Te Hokio, Frank Andrews, Rourangi, Whareaitu, Rev. Thomas Godfrey Hammond, Tv te Purangi, Tonga Awhikau, William Williams, Ngarangi Katitia (Broughton), Marokapa, William Fox Omahuru, Natanahira Ngahina, Hugh McKoy, Kuini Wi Rangipupu, Tupatea. William Henry Webley, Whakawiria,

iVPPENDIX B. Receipts produced by Te Hokio.— £lo, £3, £10, £27 19s. 6d., £23, £20 lis. 10d., £3, £17 ss. Bd., £4 155., £27, £10 lis. Bd., £5, £15, £10, £19 15s. 2d., £29 10s. 6d., £22, £9 165., £7 Bs., £3, £26 125., £3 16s. 9d„ £2, £3: total, £314 2s. Id. Receipts produced by Marokopa. —£l7 Is. 3d., £1 9s. 6d., ss. 3d., £1 16s. 6.d., £17, £1, £2 17s. 6d., £5, £11, £1 125., £10, £20 2s. 6d., £5 14s. 9d., £11, £7, £12 10s. 5d., £3, £4 165., £6 125., £16 6s. 6d., £22 10s., £12, £9 6s. 6d., £4 165., £14 10s., £3, £2 7s. 6d., £6: total, £230 14s. 2d. Receipts produced by Whareaitu. — £32 13s. Bd., £32 Bs.: total, £65 Is. Bd. Receipts produced by Whakawiria. —£B 95., £8 os. Bd.: total, £16. Receipts produced by Rourangi. —£4, £6 55., £4 165., £2, £4, £7 125., £10: total, £38 13s. Receipts produced by Tonga.--£4: 6s. 6d., £8 165., £6 Is., £9 16s. 2d., £5, £8 125., £7 45., £6, £5 ss. 6d., £21 9s. 3d., £3, £1 Is. Bd., £3 6s. 9d., £8 95., £7 125., £8 Bs., £2 Bs., £5 175., £1, £1 165., £4, 165., £4 165., £4, £3, £3 125., £1 45., £3 7s. 6d., £4 165.: total, £135 14s. 4d. Grand total, £800 14s. 3d.

MINUTES OF INQUIRY.

Hawera, Thursday, 23rd August, 1906. Present: H. G. Seth-Smith, Commissioner; E. A. Welch, clerk; Patrick Herlihy, interpreter (sworn). Commission opened at 10.30 a.m. Commission read in English and Maori. Mr. Alexander Paterson and Mr. C. R. Bayley present. Mr. Paterson asks for summons to witnesses (list in letter of 15th August). Summonses to issue; to be served by registered letter. Mr. Bayley asks for copy letter Paterson to R. J. Seddon, 9th April, 1906. Copy to be taken. Commission adjourned to 11 a.m. Friday.

Friday, 24th August, 1906. Commission adjourned to 10 a.m. Saturday.

Saturday, 25th August, 1906. Commission resumed at 10 a.m. Mr. Paterson asks that his letter to the Right Hon. R. J. Seddon be read in Maori. Letter read accordingly. Mr. Paterson: I wish to state my position. Ido not wish to accuse any individual. Lands are vested in the Public Trustee, who collects rents half-yearly. System outlined in letter defeats object of law for protection of Natives. In obtaining advance Native will not be deterred by high rate of interest. The Public Trustee might be authorised to make advances. Witnesses will state they have had to pay ss. in the pound for a term not exceeding six months, amounting to 50 per cent, per annum. Will prove C. R. Bayley has been present when Mr. Fisher pays out rent, and has received cheques. Result is, tradespeople have stopped giving Natives credit for necessaries. Reserves for cultivation by Natives were made to encourage them to support themselves. These reserves have now been let, and the Natives have no land to cultivate. Te Hokio (sworn) : I live at Taiporohenui. I have had dealings with Mr. Bayley, now in Court. I have borrowed money from him. The interest was ss. for £1, payable in six months, or until the rent is paid. As soon as I receive the rent I pay it to Mr. Bayley. If I did not repay at the end of six months, Mr. Bayley would allow me to repay it at the following six months with interest added. If I borrowed money to-day and rent became payable to me in one month, I should