I.—2a.

12

pleased at this. He whipped his horse and went on. After Te Awa-o-te-Atua sale had been confirmed, I was on my way to Turanga. I was seized hold of by Mr. Sutton and his lawyer. They took me into an office, and shut me in. The office was near a photographic studio in Napier. Josiah Hamlin was the interpreter. The reason I was shut in in the office was that I might not summons them, and that I might sign my name to that effect. 27' if Captain Russell.] What do you mean by "to that effect"?— That I might not summons them. Everything had been written on paper, and my name w ras only wanted to be attached. I did not agree ; I did not sign my name. I was asked how much I would take to sign my name, and I said I would require a very large amount. I was for about two hours shut up iv that room. My children wore with me. Some European came aud knocked at the door outside. I said to my children, "As soon as the door is opened, rush out; and let us get away." AVhile Mr. Sutton was engaged with the person who knocked outside, my children managed to escape through the door. Mr. Sutton attempted to keep me hack, but by this time I managed to get outside. AVhen I got out of this place I went away to Turanga. I returned from there. It was after I returned from Turanga that I summoned Mr. Sutton. 274. The Chairman.] AVhat place do you wish the Committee to understand you refer to when you say certain people came to where you lived in the night? —Korongata. 275. Do you remember the month or the year, or both? —I believe it was in 1870, at the time Paora was ill. I have a copy of a will here, aud cau soon see [document produced]. The date is here. That is a copy of the will. 276. AVas there any writing with reference to any promise to return so many acres of land out of this block ?—There is a document somewhere relating to that. 277. Can you give the Committee any idea as to the contents of that paper?—l can tell what the contents are as stated. It was said in the paper that if Paora would sell his share he would get 350 acres out of the Awa-o-te-Atua Block. Those acres were for himself alone, not for any other of tho grantees. 278. Did Paora sign his name to the deed of sale for this block ? —No. To the conveyance of George Worgan aud Mr. Sutton? 279. Yes; to the document by which Mr. Sutton became possessed of the land.—No, Paora did not sign. 2SO. Who signed Paora's name ? —Paora did not sign his name. Paora could not write his name. I should like to see the signature of Paora. There was no one else to sign his name but myself, my sister, and Nikera. 281. Did you sign Paora's name ?—I am not aware of having done so. I should like to see the deed, and the signature. 282. Is the Committee to understand that, to the best of your recollection, you have never signed that deed ?—AVhy I am not clear on that point is : because what they had brought out I consumed. 283. What was it you had been taking?—A bottle of rum—P. B. 284. Sir G. Grey.] AVhat is that?—A pale kind of brandy. 285. The Chairman.] You are sure that this promise of 350 acres was made, and the £15 paid over ? —Yes ; I received the £15. 286. What did you do with the £15 ?—I gave it to Paora's wife. He, of course, would not agree to the salo. I gave the money to his wife. 287. Can you say what his wife did with the money ? —She gave it to Davie. 2SB. The whole of the £15 ?—No ; she kept part of it. 289. How much ?—She kept £5. 290. AVas the money in gold or notes, or what?—ln notes and a cheque. 291. AVere the notes single notes ? —No ; it was a £5 note. 292. How was it that you and your sister came to consent: to the sale of the property against the will of your father ?—Because George Worgan said that the 350 were for Paora alone, and not for any of the others in the Crown grant. 293. AVhat was about the age of yourself and your sister at that time ?—AVe were both mothers. 294. That is not au answer to my question. How many years old were you at that time ? —AVe are not like Europeans, we do not keep a record of our ages. I suppose lam about forty ; lam a long way over twenty-one. lam forty, more or less. 295. Are you aware whether Paora ever gave Mr. Davie a power of attorney ? —Yes; I saw that paper. 296. Are you aware, also, that Mr. Davie is sole executor under that will?— Yes; lam aware of that. The interpreter at the time was Martin Hamlin. 297. AVhat was you reason for going to the solicitor's office where you were asked to sign some documents ? —I was asked by Mr. Sutton to go there. 298. What document were you asked to sign ? —I was to sign my name to a document to stop any proceedings against Mr. Sutton that I might intend to take. 299. What were you going to summon Mr. Sutton about ? —I was going to summon Mr. Sutton about concealing the acres. 300. Do you know the names of the lawyer and the other persons?—l do not knew the name of the lawyer. 1 know him by sight. 301. Did you know any one else who was there? —There were only three of them —Mr. Sutton, Josiah Hamlin, and this small lawyer. 302. Are you sure that you were asked not to summon Mr. Sutton ? —Yes; I am sure I was asked to sign my name, so as not to summon Mr. Sutton. 303. And did you do so?— No. 304. Sir G. Grey.] Did you sign your name to the deed of sale of the To Awa-o-te-Atua Block the night Mr. Sutton was there? —I have already stated that lam not very clear upon that point. 305. Did any one ask you to put a cross to Paora's name ?—No. Paora would not sign. 306. Did any one ask you to sign ?—Yes ; but I refused.

Bora Boneke.

18th Nov., 1879,