Gr.— 7

4

I most sincerely hope that this scandalous case will have the effect of inducing the repeal of the. highly dangerous provision contained in section 17 of the Native Land Amendment Act, 1912. Once the order is made there is no power of revocation, and very serious mischief and wrong may result. I strongly recommend the Government to take this matter into very serious consideration. It is quite clear to me that no one connected with the Public Trust Office outside Chennells was aware of or in any way was a party to the Europeanization of Kerehoma. I am also able to say with certainty that no one connected with the Public Trust Office outside of Chennells was connected with the disposal of, or had other dealings with, the estate of Rangi Kerehoma, nor can 1 find that any such officer was guilty of any neglect or dereliction of duty with regard to him. Towards the close of the inquiry I received a telegram from Mr. Hornsby, M.P., to the following effect : " Regret no other course open to me but to retire from the Commission and request my counsel, through you, do the same. Was promised full inquiry, but blocked by counsel." As I have previously stated, Mr. Morison had filed, before the Commission opened its proceedings, the charges that are embodied in this report, that were made by Mr. Hornsby. I cannot imagine why Mr. Hornsby makes the assertion that he was promised full inquiry but was blocked by counsel. Every tittle of evidence that was brought forward by Mr. Morison on behalf of Mr. Hornsby I admitted, and I have set out the result in this report. If the statement to the effect that Mr. Hornsby was promised a full inquiry refers to the Government, I naturally have nothing to do with it; and most certainly any objection to the scope of the Commission should have been taken at the commencement of the inquiry, and not left to the very end. I take it that my clear duty is to report to Your Excellency on my finding, even although Mr. Hornsby at the last moment withdraws from participation. I have the honour to submit herewith the notes of evidence taken by me, and to remain Your Excellency's most humble servant. Given under my hand and seal, this 26th day of February, 1918. H. W. Bishop, Stipendiary Magistrate and Commissioner.

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