I.—2a

22

617. Do you still say that never on any occasion did you state to me that there had been a mistake about'Paora's signature to that deed? —Yes; I say that I have never spoken to you about this. I have not been in the habit of speaking to you on the matter. I have come to give evidence about seeing you on that night at the bridge pa. 618. You have been often in my shop since that?— Yes; I was iv the shop afterwards. 619. And had conversations with me about the 350 acres?—l have already stated that lam not of those interested in this matter, or in the habit of speaking to you about it. I came down here simply to state that I saw you on the night you arrived at the pa. 620. When did you first mention to any one that Paora had not signed the deed, and that you had not signed it as witness ?— E ngari tena. Upon that point I can speak more accurately. I first heard of that when I received a telegram from Mr. liees, asking me to come down to the Court at Napier. 621. How long ago is that? —It was about the time the question was gone into and generally talked about. 622. Ihe conversation you speak of, was it within the last year?— Yes. 623. Why did you remain nine years before you said such a thing as that?— The matter did uot affect me ; it affected Eora. 62-1. Is not Rora your cousin ? —What of that? 625. Are you not living on the land now? —Yes, lam living there. Rora is the person that has always moved In this matter, because she is the most interested party. When the question is raised as it is now, I am brought to give evidence on her side. 626. Asa friend of Kora would you not have mentioned that her land was being taken wrongfully ? — We have talked about this matter among ourselves, but Eora has been always the principal party. What I. say is this: that I have never gone to you, Mr. Sutton, and discussed this matter with you. 627. You say that Mr. Eees first told you about the time of the case ? —There has been no Court held in Napier on this case. We were asked to go into Napier, we went in, and the day we got there it was explained to us that that was Renata Kawepo's day at the Court. The next thing we heard was that Worgan, being in gaol somewhere, was not allowed to attend to give evidence. The proceedings were then stopped in consequence. 628. What has Mr. Eees paid you for your trouble ? —That man has never given me a sixpence, a copper, or anything else. 629. The Chairman.] Have you had any conversation with Mr. Sutton about his visit along with Worgan to the pa, or the night's work, when you saw them at Waipawa the following morning ? —No; we did not speak on the subject. I went there to attend the Land Court. 630. Was there no reference made to the block in question at that Court ? —There was no cause to refer to land sales in a Native Land Court. 631. I am merely inquiring to ascertain if anything cropped up in reference to the block at tho Court ?—No. There was no reference made to the block at the Court. Paora and Rora, the principal parties in the block, were left behind. 632. Mr. Sutton.] 1 would like to ask if Mr. Davie paid you any money in reference to this block ? —No ; Mr. Davie has not given me money. 633. Colonel Trimble.] Was the deed of sale translated by any one ?—Mr. Davie explained tho deed to them. Do you mean that night ? 634. Yes? —It was George Worgan who read tho deed. He interpreted it. 635. Mr. Rees.] Did he take the deed out and read it in Maori ?—He read it in Maori. Ho was speaking in the Maori language while he was there. He asked Paora to sign it, who refused. 636. Colonel Trimble.] I want to know if there is any doubt in your mind about the deed having been explained?—l have already stated that the deed was interpreted by George Worgan.

Nikera te Kou.

19th Nov., 1879.

Thursday, 20tii November, 1879. George Bttc__la_vD Worgan sworn and examined. G37. The Chairman.] Have you seen the petition ?—No, I have not. 638. [Petition read.] Do you desire to make a statement with reference to the subject-matter of the petition ? —I am unaware that I can make any statement i;i reference to the petition. Of course I have listened attentively to the reading of it. Ido not know in what position I stand in the matter. Unluckily for my own personal experience I am suffering for an offence of which I am not guilty. Before making any statement I should like to be more thoroughly acquainted as to the position I hold. Any questions the Committee put to me I will answer. G39. Then I am to understand that you would prefer answering questions to making a statement ? —I know absolutely nothing. The first I heard of the matter is here now. The witness withdrew while the Committee considered a resolution submitted to them. The witness recalled. 610. The Chairman.] The Committee, Worgan, have arrived at tho following resolution: — [Vide Minutes for resolution.] Do you wish to make a statement upon the petition ? —Whatever would be most agreeable to the Committee in the matter. The thing occurred something more than nine or ten years ago, and my memory is necessarily very indiffreent on the subject. Any statement that I may make would be a mere skeleton-outline of the whole business. 641. If you like you can have the petition iv your hands for reference. [Petition handed to witness.] —I may state, in the first place, that I acted for Mr. Sutton in the matter of Paora Nonoi's interests, and I also acted for Mr. McLean and Mr. Campbell, who also acquired lands iv which Paora Nonoi held interests. I have no very distinct knowledge of this power ot attorney which Mr. Davie professes to have got from Paora Nonoi. I know that Davie acted in conjunction with myself in assisting the transfer of Paora Nonoi's interests to Mr. Kinross, and that he pocketed nearly the whole of the money that Paora Nonoi got. I do not ever remember proceeding with Mr. Sutton to Paora

Mr. Worgan.

20th Nov., 1879.