A MAORI'S ESTATE

Evening Post, Volume XCV, Issue 94, 20 April 1918, Page 8

A MAORI'S ESTATE

AFFAIRS OF RANGI KEREHOMA

ORDER OP EUROPEANISATION

MR. HORNSBY RETIRES FROM THE CASE.

The enquiry into the administration of the estate of Rangi Kerehoma was resumed at the Supreme Court this morning, before Mr. H. W. Bishop, S.M. Mr. C. B. Morison, K.C., with him Mr. D. R. Hoggard, appeared on behalf of Mr. J. T. M. Hornsby, M.P., at whose in-, stance the enquiry was instituted. Sir J. G. Findlay, K.C., with him Mr. H. P. von Haast, represented the Public Trustee; and Mr. C. P. Skerrett, K.C., with him Mr. M. J. Crombie, for W. B. Chennells (some time agent for the Public Trustee., at.Masterton).

Rangi Kerehoma, m-evidjince, said that Chennells had advised him to becomeEuropeanised, saying that he (Rangi) would thus obtain more privileges. Mr. Ronaldson introduced him to Chennells just before he became of age. After he came of age, prior to getting power of attorney, Chennells managed his affairs. He liked Chennells very much, and put great trust in him. To Mr. von Haast: Mr. Ronaldson took a great interest, in. witness, but he (Rangi) could not remember Mr. Ronaldson advising him not to Sign any document. He did not remember if Mr. Ronaldson spoke to him about a settlement of £25,000, but from what Chennells said to him ho *gre«d to leave £25,000 in the Public Trust Office. Chennells, ho understood, was going to manage his property, but he did not understand that ths Public Trust Office was going to collect his rents. Ho thought it was Chennels, who was going to " do the lot."

At this stage a letter was produced from Rangi Kerehoma to the Publia Trustee, Wellington, authorising the latter to collect his rents.

In further examination, Kerehoma said Oak Chennells used '■ to draw out cheques for him and he would sign them. Ho never heard that in 1907 an Order-in-Conncil had been issued prohibiting him from dealing in his lands except with the Crown. The papers in connection with his Europeanisation, were signed in the presence of a Mr. Eoche, J.P., at the suggestion of . Chennells. When the leases to Beard were suggested it was Chennells who advised him to go to Mr. Hallefct, solicitor, Hastings. To Mr. Bishop : When being Europeanised he gave evidence before Judge Gilfedder. He was asked "a few questions" only. He understood now that making him a European allowed him to deal with his own land more freely than as a Native. He could not state whether' this was explained to him at the time of his Europeanisation. Mr. Beard appeared for witness, having been introduced to him by Chennells. At present he had a bank account of his own, and there was also a trust account on which he could, not operate. He did jjpt think he should have ever been Europeanised.

Mr. Bishop commented that this was a perfect^' frank admission, and might be valuable for the future.

Mr. .Morison pointed out that there was no. provision in the Act for the revoking of a Europeanisins order.

In further reply to Mr. Bishop, Kerehoma 'daid he had not met Dr. Fibchett at .-ill in the matter. All his Public Trust Office dealings were through Mr. Ronaldson.

To Mr. Morison: It had been a custom of his to give Chennells blank cheques signed by .him. To Mr. Bishop: He had implicit confidence in Chennells.

Mr. Morison: One does not give a man blank cheques unless one has.

This concluded the examination of Kerehoma, and counsel addressed the Commission on behalf of their respective clients.

■In the course of his address Sir John Findlay referred to the attempt made' to implicate an officer 'of the Public Trust, concerning whom it had been clearly es- ■ tablished that there was not the slightest suggestion of complicity in any wrongdoing which might have occurred. He felt sure that in no measure whatever had any officer of the Public Trust had any knowledge or part in the misdeeds of Chennells. If the Commission did no more than to draw pointed attention to the objectionable provision at present on the Statute Book in regard to the Europeanisation of Maoris, it would serve a .very good purpose. Mr. Skerrett pointed out that the scope of the Commission did not authorise the enquiry into the . dealings of private I people—Chennells, Beard, or anyone else —with the lands of Rangi Kerehoma. The exclusive question .was whether Chennells took advantage of hie position as an agent of the Public Trust Office to effect certain dealings, and there was no evidence that 6uch was the case. A STRANGE DEVELOPMENT. Just at this point a telegram was received by the Commissioner from Mr. Hornsby at Cartertoa, which read, as follows : —"Regret no other course open me but retire from Commission, and request my counsel through you do same. Was promised full enqairy, but blocked by counsel.—Horosby, M.P." I Sir John Findlay emphatically protested against this attitude of Mr. Hcmsby's, who had sought the enquiry, and who had bean afforded the fullest opportunity of bringing forward any evidence, lie also strongly protested against any suggestion of "blocking" by anybody. Mr. Hoinsby had urged for the enquiry, and had specially asked, that Mr. Morison be retained for him. Mr. Hornsby's now attitude was grossly unfair. Mr. Skerrett concurred in the opinion that the Commission had received every tittle of evidence, and said that Mr. Hornsby had been perfectly free to tender any further evidence he may ha.ve had. . : Sir John. Findlay said that Mr. Hornsby had expressed to him his intention of being piesent that day and of' his intention to ask to be allowed to make a statement. Mr. Bishop : And ho would have been allowed to make it. Mr. Morison also expressed his belief that Mr'. Hornsby would have been present. Mr. Bishop expressed regret that the Commission had gone so far, and then this little trouble had come up. Mr. Skerrett: It may very well be that the telegram from Mr. Hornsby is a great compliment to Mr. Morison. Mr. Morison >agreed that the fullest opportunity had been given for the tailing of evidence. He referred to the scope of the Commission, and said that on enquiry ho had come to the conclusion that there could be mo charge of neglect or dereliction of duty on the part of Mr. Ronaldson. The position in regard to Cheimclls was different. There could be no gainsaying the fact that the purchase from Rangi at a gross under-value was effected by reason of Chennells's connection with tho Public Trust Office. The Public Trust Oifice, so far as the evidence showed (and he believed all the evidence had been eot). was under no stigma in regard to the dealings in Kerehema's lan?!.' U wiis ;i. plain cendusiim thai the Suvopeauisafcioa of Kershonw

was part of the transaction. On the subject of Mr. Hornsby's telegram Mr. Morison had nothing to say. The Commission then concluded.