H.—lB

18

EVIDENCE TAKEN BEFORE THE ARBITRATOR.

Mr. Waring Taylor examined: Mr. Speaker.'] You were Deputy Superinteudent when Mr. McLean made the arrangement with the Natives which is the subject of the present inquiry: will you be good enough to say what communications took place between the two Governments about Mr. McLean's mission ?— I urged upon Mr. Fox, who was at this time Premier, to put the province in peaceful possession of the land. I stated to him that the province had no wish to precipitate the matter by taking forcible possession, even supposing we were in a position to take forcible possession. Mr. Fox told me that Mr. McLean would shortly be in Wellington, and he promised that he would visit Manawatu; and he asked that the Provincial Government would wait until he came. The Government did wait very patiently, and that for a very long time. During the interval, on two other occasions, I had interviews with Mr. Fox, at each of which I urged him to get the Government to expedite matters as much as possible. No proposal was ever made to us to pacify the Natives by giving them valuable grants of land. If any proposal had been made that such grants were to be made at the expense of the Provincial Government, I would not have agreed to it. I think the mind of the Provincial Government is very fairly expressed by the Provincial Secretary's letter of 15th May, 1871. 2. What was the date of these negotiations between yourself and Mr. Fox ?—Mr. McLean's visit took place ten months after the promise of that visit was made. 3. How long was your negotiation with Mr. Fox before that ?—I am not good at recalling dates. I know that considerable delay took place in Mr. McLean's visit—some six, eight, or ten months; but I could not exactly say how long after it was promised. 4. Perhaps you may be able to recall the date in this way. Dr. Featherston and I left for England in December, 1869 : Mr. McLean visited the Manawatu in November, 1870: how long would it be after Dr. Featherston left that this negotiation took place?—lt must have been shortly after I assumed the Deputy Superintendency. I recollect meeting Mr. Halcombe on the beach, towards the end of 1870, and he told me a letter sent by a particular steamer then going would probably catch Dr. Featherston at Melbourne. I wrote to Dr. Featherston, and amongst other matters I mentioned about these grants of land. That letter, however, did not arrive in time to catch Dr. Featherston at Melbourne. 5. Had you any personal communication with Mr. McLean upon the subject ?—I remember meeting Mr. McLean once, and speaking on the subject. All I said was, that he should get the dispute settled for us. 6. Did you become aware, during the time he was in the district, that he was making the reserves complained of?—I did hear it from current rumour. 7. Did you make any representation to the General Government on the subject when you heard that ?—No. 8. As Deputy Superintendent you became officially acquainted with the fact of these reserves being made, but you made no representation to the General Government on the subject ? —I certainly was not officially informed of the fact. 9. Did you ever, in your negotiations with the General Government, suggest that any expense incurred in the settlement of the disputes was to be borne by the colony?— No. I cannot say that that question was ever mooted. 10. Supposing the General Government had paid a sum of money to the Natives instead of the reserves, do you consider that that money should have been provided out of the Provincial Treasury ?—Certainly it ought not. We concluded that the General Government ought to put us in quiet possession of the block. Mr. A. de B. Brandon examined: 11. Mr. Speaker.'] You were a member of the Provincial Government: can you say what took place between the two Governments about the reserves ?—I recollect on one occasion, after the interference with the surveys, having an interview with Mr. Fox. Mr. Taylor was also present. I urged upon him the duty of the General Government to put the Provincial Government in peaceful possession of the land. I urged him to send an armed force. He thought not, and argued that it would be better to bring about a peaceful settlement, as, if that were not done, the disputants would join the disaffected Natives, and the outside settlers would not be safe. I think I further urged him to get the Government to make it a proclaimed district. 12. Had you any personal communication with Mr. McLean?—No. 13. Did you understand that whatever was done by Mr. McLean was to be done at the expense of the colony ?—Clearly so. I thought it was the duty of the Government to place us in peaceful possession. 14. Hon. Mr. Fox.] At the interview to which you have alluded, was that spoken of ?—I certainly did urge that the Government should do so. 15. Mr. Speaker.] Did you intimate to the Government or Mr. Fox that you expected that possession should be given by the colony, and the expense of doing so be borne by the colony ?