I.—2a

16

Bora Poneke.

409. What did you think Mr. Watt paid £17,500 for? —According to what I heard from Karaitiana, it was for that land which had been previously mortgaged. 410. Was not the deed explained to you? —What we gathered from the explanation of the deed wa I that it was a confirmation of the original sale of the block. It was when you sold the land to Watt that included the 350 acres. 411. How did you know that I sold the land to Watt ?—Through your selling this 350 acres. 412. How did you know that I sold it to Watt at all ? —Because when I asked you first about 350 acres, you said you knew all about it. After I heard the land was sold to Watt, I asked you a second time. Tou said that you knew nothing about these acres. 413. Who told you that I sold the land to Watt ? —1 know because the first European on that land was Mr. Tanner; after that Coleman; and during that time you had the management of the block. 414. How did you know that I had the management of that block ? —Because Coleman was on the block as lessee, and whenever the Natives went to mortgage their shares in their lands they went to you. That is why they knew that you were the owner of the block. 415. If you thought that you were to get 350 acres, how did you think that you were entitled to £600 from Mr. Watt. What did you get that for, if you sold your share ? —I got £500. 416. What did you get the £500 for, if you sold all your interest in the land before ?—lt is true that I thought that the land had gone by the way of mortgage, and that the 350 acres had heen cut out. It was not until Karaitiana came to me and said to me, " You know that the land has gone through the mortgage, and that this money that we are going to get is a final payment of tho block." 417. If you received tho final payment, why should you have a claim afterwards?—ln the first mortgage the 350 acres were kept out as a reserve, and when Karaitiana went to me and spoke ahout the sale of the Awa-o-te-Atua Block, these acres were not included. 418. You have the 350 acres still,have you not?— What has been got has been an arrangement made at the time of the last sale, but these acres that had been previously arranged for have disappeared altogether. 419. They have got the acres that were arranged at the first aud last arrangement ?—The first reserve of f>so acres there is nothing to he seen of. 420. What acres have you got ? —The acres we have now arc the acres we arranged for during the last sale to Mr. AVatt. 421. Do you think that reserves were to be made every time ?—Well, what will you do with the 350 acres that were agreed to be reserved in the first instance ? 422. Did not you make a new arrangement with Mr. Watt for a large reserve and a large sum of money?— The acres reserved under the last arrangement were not for me ; they were for Karaitiana. 423. Captain Russell,] In what Crown grants does your name appear ?—I succeed to Paora to his interest in the Awa-o-te-Atua Block. 424. Is your name in any other grant ? —I have not yet been appointed successor to Paora in other blocks ; but I have sent in applications for succession. 425. In what blocks do you claim ?—Mangaroa, Eaukawa, and Ngatarawa. 426. Are they mortgaged ?—They have undergone the process of mortgage. 427. Do you know to what extent?—No ; I only know about Awa-o-te Atua. About Ngatarawa Block, my father asked me not to trouble about it, but to leave it for McLean. 428. The Chairman.] At the time of Watt's settlement, did you consent to give up your claim to this 350 acres ; or did anybody ever ask you to do so at that time?— No. 429. Mr. Sutton.] I should like to ask a question arising from that: AVas Mr. Sheehan aware, or were the solicitors or interpreter aware, that you had a claim ? —Yes; I believe Mr. Sheehan and Mr. Grace also. 430. Sir G. Grey.] AVhen Mr. Sutton and AVorgan came to your house at night, had you a lawyer on your side to advise you ?—No. 431. Then, when you were taken into this lawyer's office by Mr. Sutton and asked to sign tln3 paper, had you any lawyer to advise you on your part ? —No ; I was there by myself and my children. 432. Colonel Trimble.] How old were your children at the time ?—The girl was about eight years old at the time, and the others younger.

18th Nov., 1879.

Bora Poneke.

Wednesday, 19th November, 1879. Eora Poneke, recalled, sworn and examined. 433. Mr. Sutton.] Did you owe Davie any money ? —I have paid my debt to Davie. 434. When ? —Last winter. 435. Did you pay it yourself ?—Yes. 430. What did you owe Davie that money for ?—The debt was my father's. I paid it. 437. Did you authorize Mr. Eees to pay £100 on your account ?—lt was more than £100. 438. That Mr. Eees paid Davie ? —I authorized Mr. Eees to pay that money. 439. Do you know where it was that Paora signed these deeds to Davie —the will and the power of attorney ?—At Owhiti, when lie was ill. 410. .Not at Davie's house, at Pukahu ? —No. 441. How much money have you paid Davie on account of Paora since his death ?—A hundred odd pounds. Ido not know tho exact amount. 442. How did you know that Paora owed that money to Davie ? —Prom other persons who knew of his contracting this debt, and from his wife, who used to get things on Paora's account from Davie. 443. Mr. Rees.] [There was something said in previous evidence about goods having been supplied to this witness by Mr. Sutton after this deed was signed.] Were goods or money given to you by Mr.

19th Nov., 1879.