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402. Do you know any one who did ?—No. 403. When the election accounts were afterwards beginning to be gone into, how much money, or about how much, was found to be on account of Pitt's expenses ? —I was not present when the meeting at which the accounts were gone into took place. I was away at the Native Lands Court at the East Coast. 404. Do you know how much Bead has contributed towards the payment of the accounts ?—I do not. Some of the accounts are not paid yet. I had nothing to do with the thing after Captain Read was returned. 405. I understand that you brought Read personally before the committee ?—Before Mr. Wilson's committee. 406. I suppose you explained he was a very desirable candidate ? —He was half an hour with the committee before he would consent to stand. 407. But was all the sweeter when you got him to stand ? —Yes. 408. You appreciated his value ?—Yes. 409. He consented to accept all efforts you made on his behalf ? —AVe told him he should have no trouble, because we would put him in. 410. He went away with that impression ?—Yes. 411. You state you did not charter a steamer; you simply paid so much for a steamer to call at the places mentioned ? —Yes. 412. She called at Opotiki ?—Yes. 413. Captain Bead was never before the committee after that ? —No. 414. You did use every effort for Captain Bead ?—Yes, and put him in. 415. Mr. Barton.] You were the person who actually sent away Pitt?- —Yes. 416. Who directed you to send him away ?—One or two persons and myself talked the matter over, but Kelly first put the idea in my head. He said it would be a good thing to send Pitt, but as I thought he merely wanted to get a few pounds for the trip I took no action. Subsequently, Mr. Crawford and Mr. Dufaur and I considered the matter. We knew he was well acquainted with Tauranga, but the question arose as to whether Captain Bead would like him to go. I said, " Oh, never mind him, we'll send Pitt; because if Bead don't get in we shall get the worst of it." So we sent him. 417. Mr. Montgomery.] What instructions did you give Major Pitt ?—To use all his influence to secure votes for Captain Bead, but in no way to commit himself. 418. He was to canvass for votes? —Tea. 419. Mr. Johnston^] When it was finally arranged between you and Captain Bead that, should he consent to stand, you were to use your best efforts to secure his return, was it understood between you that he was to accept responsibility for what expenses you might incur? —No. 420. How was it that Captain Bead came to grumble at what you had done in incurring unnecessary expense by sending Pitt, so that there would be two concurrent canvassers at Tauranga ? —lt was not arranged that he was to pay expenses; yet, naturally enough, the expense was put upon Captain Bead. 421. This expense for the steamer, £30, was cast upon Captaiu Bead? —Yes. 422. And if the expense had been much larger, had you any reason to believe he would be responsible ? —There are some expenses he will not pay. 423. You had no limit in your mind as to how far you might go ? —No. 424. Mr. Wason7\ You said you had to go round to get money for Pitt ? —Yes ; it was night time, tho banks were shut, and I had to get the money in an hour or two. 425. Were you going round collecting? —I got from each hotel as much as I could. 426. You did not go round for subscriptions?— No. 427. Mr. Stout.] AVhere is Pitt now ? —I do not know. 428. Where did he generally live ? —I saw him last at Tologa Bay. 429. How far is that from Gisborne ?-—Thirty-five miles. 430. Do you believe he has been in Gisborne during the past six weeks?—l do not know. 431. Where does he generally reside; has he a farm or a run ?—No; ho generally stays at an hotel in Gisborne. 432. Were there not written instructions to Major Pitt ? —Yes. 433. Where are those instructions?—He took them away with him. He would not go away without them. 434. Was he to interfere with Henshaw? —He was not to interfere with him; still he was put over Henshaw. 435. Did you send him any money ? —I did not. I did not hear of any being sent. 436. What are you ?• —Native lands purchaser. 437. Do you buy for the Government ?—No; I buy for myself. 438. Where were you at this time ?—At this time the Native Land Court was sitting at Tologa Bay, and I went up the Ist of last month and did not come down until lately. 439. I am speaking of during the election. AVere you at that time at Gisborne or in the country- ?—At Gisborne. 440. How many meetings of the committee did you attend ? —Three or four. 441. Did Captain Bead pay anything towards the £30 for chartering the steamer?—l was not there at the settlement of the accounts. 442. Did you tell him how much you had paid for tho steamer calling in ? —Yes. 443. Did you tell how much you had paid Major Pitt?—Yes ; I told him afterwards. 444. That was before the poll?—No ; after the election. 445. I thought you did not see him after the election ?—The accounts were not paid for a fortnight. 446. Did you ever see any telegrams from Major Pitt ? —No.