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71. Well ?—I said, " What is your price ?" 72. What did he answer?—He said, "Oh, anything in reason." I said, " Put £20 in my hand, and I am your man." 73. What was the reply ?—He said, " I will see you again on the morning of the election." 74. Was anything said about the Natives ? —lt was agreed that I was to use my influence with them. He said, " Use your influence with the Natives, and give me your vote, and I will give you £20." 75. Were any more words used on that occasion ?—No ; he said, " Call upon me on the morning of tho election, and I will give you the money." 76. What occurred next ?—When the morning came, I rode into town, and met Major Pitt on the Straud. He said, " Halloa, where have you been ; you are late ; I have been all over the place for you." I then wrote him out a list of the names of the Natives who had promised to vote for Captain Bead. This was done at the committee-room, besido the polling-booth. Each man's name was written upon a slip of paper, and Major Pitt gave them to his secretary to initial. This being done, the secretary gave them to the scrutineer, so that he knew how each man was going to vote. 77. Tou put the names upon the slip of paper ?—Tes. 78. After they had been initialled, what became of them ?—They were given to the scrutineer; at any rate were handed into the booth. 79. Well, what did you do then ? —Major Pitt and myself went into a back room, and there he handed me twenty £1 notes. 80. Did he say for what purpose they were given ?—To give to the Natives for their votes. 81. What did you do when you got these notes ?—I took the Natives away into a private part of the town and gave them each a£l note —in all, £19. The other I spent in " shouts." 82. Do you recollect any of the names of the Natives to whom you gave these £1 notes ?—Tes. 83. Name them?—l remember some, but not all. There were Peter Poutier,a half-caste ; Joseph Faulkner, a half-caste ; William Fairfax Johnson, my son, a half-caste; Alfred Poutier, son of the other Poutier, also a half-caste; HereWini, Herewini Ngawharau, Herewini Keti, Herewini Bera, Wharapeta, Teira Tarautete, Eauriti, Hikitene, Hamueraki Taki, Te Mete. I cannot recollect any more names. 84. Was it before or after the voting that you gave them money ? —Before. 85. Why did you give it to them ?—To induce them to vote for Captain Read. 86. When you were in the committee-room, what was Captain Bead doing ?—He was not there. 87. What was Major Pitt doing ? Did he appear to be directing the clerk and superintending business ? —Tes; that was what he was doing there. He took the names from me, and then gave them to his clerk to initial. 88. Mr. Stout.] Tou speak of Captain Bead's committee - room. How do you know it was his committee-room ? Did you see any placards ?—Tes; there was a placard with the words " Captain Bead's Committee-room and Befreshment-room." 89. Did Captain Morris have a room ?—Tes; his room was placarded exactly the same. 90. Mr. Wason.] When you met Major Pitt first, you said you were on Captain Morris's committee ?—Tes, so I was. 91. Have you not received any consideration from Captain Morris's committee ? —Certainly not. 92. Tou received nothing from Major Pitt for yourself?— No. 93. Tou gave £19 to the Natives, and spent the other £1 in drinks?—Tes; and when I went home I found I had spent more than £l. 94. Tou demanded £20 from Major Pitt ?—Tes. 95. Did he understand you were not to get that ? —Tes : I was to use my influence with the Natives; and the only way in which I could use my influence with them was to put something in their hands. 96. Did you make any claim on Captain Bead for expenses ?—No. 97. Mr. Johnston.] Why did you disclose this matter ?—I did not like to disclose it, but it was found out. The Natives told about it, and I was asked if it were the fact, and I did not like to tell a lie. 98. The other side have made no attempt to get you to make this statement ?—No; I know nothing about the other side. The Committee adjourned.

« Thursday, 13th July, 1876. Fairfax Johnson cross-examined. 99. Mr. Barton.] I wish to know whether my notes of certain things you said yesterday are correct. I think you said you were on Captain Morris's committee, but had not made up your mind to vote when you first met Major Pitt ?—Yes ; I said that. 100. Tou asked him for £20, but not for yourself. Is that correct ? —Tes. 101. Since the election you have made no claim on Major Pitt or Captain Bead ? —No. 102. Tou also said you would not have disclosed this bribery business, had it not been that the Natives did so, and you were found out ? —Tes ; just so. 103. Very well. Now, first of all, have you any ill-feeling towards Captain Bead? —Tes ; I have. 104. Have you had any ill-feeling against him for some time past ?—Tes. 105. Tou had an ill-feeling against him at the time you were taking this £20. Tou had it previously, and you have it now ? —Tes ; but that is private. 106. Have you ever expressed yourself to the effect that you would serve him out ? —I do not know whether I have so expressed myself. But such was my intention, I thought a day of retribution would come.