25

22. Q—What proportion is engaged in agriculture ? A—l cannot sav l„,tluckCr pu ™ i,s ■" not num ™ u! b,in s <° «»• By Mr. Crompton .— tit . 23- . Q — Has not one object of purchasing lands between the West Coast an,l Such^was^ie*object!*" «!«!.» between the two PtovS'ee^TpJlerfM* AiSrSly 0 " ™' h "" ' n these districts about 25. Are they under the impression that no difficulty will arise in maH™ purchases . A—They are under the impression that no difficulty will arise 1 .1. m r6SpeC * t0 land ln Nelson and Canterbury still unpurchased do the_ Natives expect an immediate completion of the purchase ? A-They do .h J. 7 ; a ri''.™^ e e,ar "" >uU h * ve lhe . Tl 2B ' Q— lla s not the time been protracted within which it ought to have been completed ? A-Yes various unforeseen difficulties have arisen to prevent g 2 7 g O°-S on c ° nclude arrangements with the Natives resident there. . , " ? y° u , aware that there is great anxiety amongst the Europeans to obtain possession of this land ? A—l hear there is. c-uropeans ??' I° l? , ha , Ve no funds at y° ur disposal for this purpose ? A -No , ' ° il the whole y°" con «ider it highly impolitic to check Native'nurchases even to the extent of -he estimated contracts ? A—l do. 3 . Has Dr. Knight had any conversation with you oa the subject of fund'? for the purchase of native lands ? A-None whatever. 33 Have you received any intimation from Government that land purchases are likely to be ch-cked ? A_No ; nothing officially. purcnases 34. Q—Should you in the absence of such official intimation have proceeded with land purchases ? A-I consider it my duty to continue negotiating until I receive instructions to the contrary. i 3s f- account f 0 " 2, ,1 s , ee a number of instalments in which under the head of amount to be paid' the words «not stated" are placed. What may the meaning of these words be ? A—l have already explained that matter it is in consequence of the surveys not having been completed. ' • i j{ 0 ' 9T In y™ r dement of sums required in the present year, do youinclude what may become due or only new transactions ? A—There ought to be that sum available for new transactions. By Mr. Brown :— , TheyLe Are the gCneral instructions under which you act in writing? A — 38. Q—Will you furnish a copy of these instructions ? They may be had by applying to the Colonial Secretary. * * ?° Sub - Comm issioners also receive instructions ? A—Yes v, t,; r, Are ln writin g and from you ? A—They are By Mr. Hart:— 3 j. *!' they receive in a «y cases instructions from the Government direct ? A—Yes, in some they do. By Mr. Brown ; — 42 Are the purchases at Wangarei according to instructions direct from y ° U aq "A pn ° r to my comin S Auckland were not from me. , T 4 . 3 " Q- 1 " one case May last was the purchase of the block of land called Monaia at Wangarei according to instructions from you? A—This purchase has been completed since I commenced to issue instructions to Sub-Commis-sioners. lhe instructions I issue are of a general nature. 44. Q-Did you issue the instruciions authorising this purchase? A—l have only given general instructions ; no particular ones about this purchase. 45. Q—Do you know any particulars about this block? A—l have recently received a communication from the Commissioner stating that he had completed the purchase of the block, and I believe in his Report he informs me ot its having been completed in consequence of a selection made by a Mr. Mair. J 46. Q Did you know of any Crown Grant existing preriously ? A—No.