I.—2a

10

219. In 1876 ?—lt might have been in 1877 that I spoke to Mr. Sheehan about the matter. 220. Was that previous or subsequent to the sale of this land to Watt and Farmer ? —I think it was after. I could not get the will or power of attorney. It was after the settlement with AVatt that I spoke to Mr. Sheehan about the paper for the 350 acres. After that I put the matter into Mr. Eees's hands. 221. Then you did not make any claim until the land had been again sold and the £17,500 paid over? —I did not know the terms of that settlement. 1 knew nothing about it. I had heard that the settlement was on behalf of some who had not sold. 222. Did you receive, when executor, any portion of the £17,500 which was paid in gold or notes? —I do not know, lam sure. 223. Not from the money from Mr. AVatt?—l do not know where the money came from. I did not know from whom Mr. Sheehan got the money that he gave to me. I suppose it was on account of that block. 224. Mr. Sheehan was solicitor for the Natives? —I believe so. 225. And he did not think your claim of sufficient importance to consult you, as executor for Paora Nonoi, with reference to the arrangement with AVatt and Farmer? —He did not mention the matter to me. I had not got the will at that time. It is not so very long since I got it from Mr. Lee. I had a great job to get it from him. 226. You have told us, Mr. Davie, that in 1573 Mr. Sheehan was acting for you as executor in this matter ?—I spoke to him about the matter at that time. 227. You left the will with Mr. Sheehan, who handed it to Mr. Cornford ?—No ; I handed it to Mr. Cornford. 228. But Mr. Sheehan knew of it ?—No ; I should think not. 229. And in 1877, when Mr. Sheehan was concluding the last transaction in reference to the £17,500, he did not consult you as executor ? —No ; he did not mention the matter to me. 230. Mr. Sutton : That is all. 231. Mr Whitaker.] Do you recollect applying to Mr. Sheehan to give you employment in Native matters, and what was Mr. Sheehan's answer to you on that occasion ? —I never remember applying to Mr. Sheehan. 232. Not for work in connection with Natives ?—No. 233. Captain Russell.] I should like to ask the witness if he joined, or was asked to join, in the conveyance to AVatt and Farmer?- —No ; I was not asked. 234. Do you know how that was ? —No. 235. Have you taken any steps ; because I see that Paora Nonoi, who was interested in that property, makes over all his property, personal and otherwise, to you. Have you taken any steps ?— No. [Power of attorney read.] 236. Mr. Rees (through the Chairman).] Is that document you have just had placed in your hands the document alluded to by you in the early part of your statement relative to the reserve of 350 acres, and given to you by Paora Nonoi's wife at the time mentioned ? —[Document produced.] Yes. 237. The Chairman.] Are you positive that this is the document ? —Yes. 238. How do you know it is the document ? Have you any private mark on it ?—There is my name upon it. 239. AVhen did you place your name upon it ? —lt might have been about the time I got it, or a few days after. 240. Mr. Rees (through tho Chairman).] Have you ever received any money or a cheque on account of Native land transactions for Mr. Ormond? You will remember, Mr. Chairman, the question was put by me that Mr. Ormond had transactions with Davie, and he (Mr. Ormond) denied that it was so. Has the witness received a cheque from Mr. Ormond for £30 or £40 ? —[Captaiu Eussell strongly protested against this question being put, as it was altogether irrelevant. A discussion ensued. Tho Chairman ruled the question admissible, wheu it was put to the witness.] —• Yes ; I received a cheque from Mr. Ormond for £40 from himself in his own office in Napier, on account of the purchase of the Heretaunga Block. I gave evidence, I think, in February, in 1873, when the inquiry was on, and I do not think that my evidence was very favourable to Mr. Ormond. I think it is very likely that he has not forgotten that. 241. Mr. Sutton.] About this paper [paper relating to reserve of 350 acres], is it in the same condition as when you received it ? AVas there no other writing upon it, upon the other side of it—on the other half-sheet ? —No ; there was no more writing on the paper. 242. This is a half-sheet. AVas it a half-sheet or a whole sheet when you got it ?—I think it was a half-sheet. 243. You are sure that there was no interpretation upon it ? —Yes; lam sure. That was all the writing upon it when I got it from Paora Nonoi. 244. When did you get it ? —Next morning. 245. Before you went to AVaipawa ?—Yes. 246. And there was no interpretation upon it ?—No. 247. Mr. Whitaker.] Mr. Sheehan says here [reading from Mr. Sheehan's evidence]. Had you ever large transactions with the Natives—large personal transactions ? —I had not large personal transactions. 248. What would be the amount you had on your books at one time ?—I am sure I could not tell you what amount, iv grog and other goods. The grog and the other goods were put in together. I could not tell what amount would be for grog. 249. But you had considerable amounts for grog?—l had a considerable amount for grog on one or two occasions. 250. For grog supplied to the Natives ?—Yes, for grog supplied to the Natives. 251. On account of land ?—lt was on account of land in which I was mixed up with Mr. Kinross.

Mr. Davie.

17th Nov., 1879.