H.—29.

Hata Rio deposed, on his former oath: [Air. AVorgan hands in an agreement, dated 2nd April, 1872, between Hata Rio and Henry Shakespere Taylor, for the sale of 400 acres of land, for the sum of £400, £200 of which has been left in the hands of Mr. H. S. Taylor, bearing interest at the rate of S per cent, per annum, for a term of two years from the date of this agreement. —Copy annexed, marked 7.] The agreement having been interpreted to Hata Rio, he states, upon his oath, that although the signature to the agreement in question is his, he knew nothing of tho contents of the paper. It was not interpreted to me at the time. Air. AVorgan told me that the interest was to have been 10 per cent, per annum. I said, Let all the money be placed in the bank. I went to the banker (Air. Russell). My words to Air. Russell were, How much is bank interest on £100 ? Mr. Russell said, 5 per cent. Air. Russell said, How many hundred pounds ? I said to Mr. Russell, £200. Mr. Worgan then went to tho bank ;he told me Mr. Taylor would give me 10 per cent, per annum; that was all. I agreed with what he said, as he was a Commissioner ; that was all; we then came away. 3G5. The Court] How much money have you in Air. Taylor's hands? How much is there in tho paper ?—£2oo. 366. Have you received any interest on it ?—Yes; £25. 367. At what periods was the interest to be paid you?—At the end of two years. Mr. Worgan and Air. Taylor told me that I should receive £40 at the end of two years. 368. AVhat sum do you expect to receive at the end of tw-o years ? —£ls, being the balance of £40 interest. 369. AVhat is the gross sum, principal and interest, you expect to receive at the end of two years ?—£24o, less £25. 370. AVhen will that be due ? —I do not know ;in two years' time, I was told. 371. AVhen will that two years expire ? —I do not know. 372. AVhen was the agreement made ? —I do not recollect; it was in the winter. 373. AVas it iv the winter just past ? —lt was in last winter. 374. Can you now tell when the money will be due ? —I cannot say. If had a translation of the agreement, I should know. 375. AVould you like the agreement in Alaori ? —I would like to have a copy of the agreement; this is incorrect in the interest being at 8 per cent. 376. Will the money be due to you next winter ?—This next winter, from what Mr. Worgan and Mr. Taylor said. 377. That would be one year; the agreement states two years ? —This is the first time I have heard what the paper states. Major H. F. Tueneb, ou his former oath, deposed and said: 378. The Court] Did Mr. Worgan ever attempt to obtain your interest in the lease for the Government ?—Yes ; he spoke to me about it. 379. AVould you have sold your interest in the lease to the Government for the same amount that you sold it to Mr. Taylor ? —Yes, I would. If I could have got more from Government I would. 380. Mr. Worgan] Did you wish to retain your lease ? —I would have retained it had I not a Government appointment. 381. Did you not refer me to Mr. Taylor in every case? —Yes; Air. Taylor was my agent. 382. Do you think that I had any knowledge of your business relations beyond the understanding that Air. Taylor was your agent ? —Yes; you were well aware "that Air. Taylor was my agent. 383. The Court] If Air. AVorgau had offered to purchase your lease for the Government, would you have sold it ? —Of course I would. The Court does not call on Mr. Taylor at this stage of the proceedings, upon the understanding that it is Air. Worgan's intention to call him as evidence. AVilliam Faieweathee Russell deposed, on his former oath: 354. Major Edwards] Colonel McDonnell states in his examination that the business relative to the 8,600 acres was purely a matter of private business on Air. Worgan's part, on account of Alessrs. Russell, Iveson, and others : was it so ?—lt was not. I remember seeing Mr. Worgan at the hotel (Atkinson's). -Alajor Turner was present. The conversation I had with Air. Worgan was simply asking him to get back my money that I had advanced to Hata Rio. Air. Iveson was not present. I have never had any conversation with Mr. Iveson on the subject of land purchase. I have never been in partnership with Mr. Worgan, Alajor Turner, Air. Taylor, or Mr. Iveson, directly or indirectly. The case on the part of the Government here closes, so far as relates to tho allegations before the Court. Air. AVorgan applies for one day's adjournment, until Friday, 15th November, 1572, at 10.30 o'clock in the forenoon. Granted. Court adjourns till Friday, 15th November, 1872.

Feidat, 15th Notembee, 1872. Mr. Perham desires to address the Commission before the close of the proceedings. The Commissioner inquires whether he required his address to be recorded. Mr. Perham replied that he does not; but desires at this stage of the proceedings to deny the allegations in toto, except in so far as Air. Worgan has made or may make any admissions.

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