I.—2a.

20

Nikeea te Kor sworn and examined. 553. The Chairman.] Do you know whether Mr. Davie has sent a petition to Parliament?—l shall answer that by-and-by. 554. But I want an answer now ?—I would rather not answer that now. I would like to make my statement. 555. What are you going to make a statement about ? —I should like, first of all, to settle about my work which I have left behind. 556. That is not the matter you have been brought here for. Tou are to speak about tho petition, if you have anything to say. Do you wish to make a statement on the petition, or would you prefer members of the Committee to question you?—l should like to be questioned. 557. Then you do not wish to make a statement? —Very well; I will make a statement. I will speak about Mr. Sutton's and George Worgan's visit. They went out at night. They arrived at the bridge. They entered the house. We were all lying down inside. They got inside and sat down. Worgan carried the havresack. George Worgan took out a bottle containing spirits, and poured some out into a glass. He offered some to Eora Poueke. After that he commenced to talk. He spoke to Paora Nonoi. George Worgan said, "We have come to you, Paora, that you may consent to the sale of the Awa-o-te-Atua Block. Every one of the other grantees have sold, except you." Paora would not agree to the sale. George Worgan said, "If you agree to the sale, you will get 350 acres." Paora said, '' I will not agree to the sale." George Worgan said, " These 350 acres will be for yourself alone ; not for any of the other grantees." Paora still persisted iv his refusal to sell. After that, George Worgan poured out a glass of liquor for Paora. He offered the glass to Paora, but Paora would not take it. When Eora heard that the 350 acres were to be got out of the block for Paora, on that condition she agreed to the sale. Both Eora aud Wiripina agreed to the sale then. George Worgan again went to Paora, and took with him a paper for Paora to sign his name to. Paora turned George Worgan and the paper away. He would not consent to attach his name to that paper. Paora was very angry with his daughters for consenting to the sale. He reproved them for so doing. Eora took the money —£15. Paora flew into a rage, and ordered Mr. Sutton and Worgan to be turned out of the house. He would not take money. George Worgan, aud Mr. Sutton, and Eora went out of the house. Then the Europeans went away. They went over the bridge, and on their way to the Native Land Court at Waipawa. In the morning my wife and I went to the same Court. That is all that I have to say. 558. What time in the evening did Mr. Sutton and Worgan get to Paora's place?—lt was midnight; going on for morning. They had not long left the place before it was daylight. 559. Were you present the whole time they were there with Paora ? —I was there. 500. And you are sure that Paora never signed ? —Paora never signed his name. SGI. Did he not direct Eora or any one else to sign his name for him ? —No. 5G2. Were you in such a position that you could hear all the conversation or all that transpired in the house while these people were there ? —That was the house I lived in, and I was attending to Paora because he was ill. 503. Were there many about iv the house ?—There were several of us in the house at the time. 561. Do you know how many ? —There was myself aud my wife, Eora and her husband, Eeihana and his wife, and Paora and his wife. 565. Are you sure that Eora did not sign the document? —Eora did not sign. 566. Not after she and her sister agreed to the sale ? —No. Paora was very angry with her all the time. 567. I think you stated in your evidence that Eora took £15 of money ?—Tes; Eora took the money. 568. Then why did she take that money, if she did not sign the conveyance ? —lt was on what George Worgan said, that the 350 acres and £15 of money would be given, that Eora readily assented to that arrangement, and took the money. 569. Was there any agreement or document in writing saying that Paora was to get the 350 acres ? —Yes. 570. Was this document wriit_i_ in the house? —The document had been already written and prepared by Worgan and Sutton. None of the people saw it written. 571. Do you mean tho conveyance, or the piece of paper promising so many acres? —All that I know about the deed of conveyance is the consent to the acres 572. Then, with reference to this other matter, was it simply a verbal promise for the 350 acres ? —As I have already said, they had arranged about the 350 acres before they came, and all that was to be done was to pay the £15. 573. What did Eora do with the £15 ?—When Eora received the £15, she handed it over to Paora's wife. 571. Had Paora's wife any share in the land ? —Her only interest in the block was through her husband. 575. Did she retain the £15.—N0. After I went to Waipawa that morning, Davie arrived at the place. When I returned I heard that £10 had been given by Paora's wife to Davie. 576. Why did they give this money back to Davie ? —Perhaps it was to pay some debt they owed to Mr. Davie; but lam not sure. 577. Had Davie been appointed, under the power of attorney of Paora, to lease or sell his lands ? —Tes. 578. Did you see Paora sign the power of attorney ? —No. I did not see Paora sign the power of attorney. _ I did not see him sign any writing that took place between himself and Mr. Davie ; but I heard that the will and power of attorney was in existence. 579. Did you sign this conveyance on behalf of Paora to Mr. Sutton ? —No. SSO. Are you aware whether any one signed on behalf of Paora?—There was no one else to write Paora's name. I did Paora's writing when he required it done. I and Eora did his writing when pecessary.

Nikera te Kou,

19th Nov., 1879.