7

I.—2a

147. You do not mean to say that it was criminal on my part, I presume? —-Certainly not. 148. It meant that I used red-tape forms to keep you waiting for two years ? —I think all that is implied is that the promise was not fulfilled. 149. If I did make the best inquiry possible to see it' a rehearing could be obtained, and found that it was not possible, then that would release me from my promise ? —lf I had heard that it was so. 150. Tou would have considered me released if I had done my best to obtain a rehearing?—l should do so. 151. Then that charge resolves itself into a want of courtesy [in not informing you that I had failed ? —lt would not imply more than that. 152. If I could show you I took all this trouble, the only charge would be that I did not inform you at the time as I ought to have done ? —That is all. 153. You have replied to the Chairman that you knew nothing of the transactions iv regard to the sale of the Pakiri Block ?—Nothing. 154. You had no hand or part in it ?—Nothing. , 155. And whatever you may know now is simply hearsay?— Regarding the sale. I have not seen the maps. 150. Then what you know in regard to the disbursement of the money is a statement by people afterwards ? —Yes—a statement by Adam Clark and others. 157. And therefore, when he tells you that he only got a portion, and left a portion in the bank, that information comes to you from Adam's statement only? —From Adam's statement only. 158. Did you go to the bank for these cheques ? —I asked Colonel Tlaultain and Arama to go with me. 159. You are speaking now of the first time ? —Of the first time. 160. lam talking about the second time ? —Adam went with me. I had no authority to get the cheques. 161. You said just now that Adam admitted signing that cheque for the £200, but he thought it was a receipt for money ?—I did not say he signed a cheque; I think I said he signed a document. 162. That was his explanation in regard to this cheque ? —Yes. 163. He admitted signing it ? —Signing a document for £50, not for £200. 164. Do you know that when Adam Clark was before Mr. Commissioner Haultain he denied having signed a document at all ? —No, I was not aware of that. 165. And that the Commissioner in his report states that that was a lie ?—I was not aware of that. 166. That, in point of fact, Adam Clark committed perjury ? —I was not aware of that. 167. Then, Mr. Gittos, in regard to the £20, you have never taken any legal action for its recovery ? —None. 168. And you did not furnish me with the legal evidence which you promised in 1877 ? —I did not furnish you with the cheque. • IG9. Of course it was no implication against your veracity; but, as a matter of business, I was bound to require something more than a man's asseveration. You did not furnish me with evidence ? —Not beyond that. 170. In regard to Mr. Perkins's block of land, there was nothing to indicate that it was inside the Pakiri block of land, or that I wished to purchase inside the Government purchase ?—Nothing. 171. You admit that, if I used my best exertions to procure a rehearing, I kept my promise?— You would have done so. 172. And, in regard to the sale of the Pakiri block of land, you know nothing except what you have heard from Adam Clark ? —That is all. 173. Mr. Wakefield.~] "What was your first step when you found that you could not get this £20 ? —I think my first step was to write to Mr. Sheehan. 174. The course of events was this, was it not: You asked Mr. Sheehan to give you the £20, and he asked you to go to Adam Clark and get a cheque signed by him. You went to Adam Clark and. got a cheque signed by him; you then sent it to Mr. Sheehan, and did not get it back again ?—I did not. 175. When did you next apply to Mr. Sheehan for the money ?—I informed him of the fact that the money was not passed to my credit. 176. Was that in writing ? —I cannot positively say. I informed him of the fact, and he said it would be all right. 177. And, having applied to Mr. Sheehan, and having been told that it was all right or would be all right, what did you do then ? —I waited until my bank-book was made up the second time. 178. Then, finding it was not all right, what did you do next? —I applied to Mr. Sheehan, and then applied to Colonel Haultain. I related the matter to Adam Clark, and he expressed his surprise at the money not having been paid. 179. What did you do then ?—I applied to Mr. Sheehan again, I think. I cannot tell how many times I did so. 180. What answer did he give ? —I do not know. 181. You must have had some answer ?—No, I did not. 182. Did he not give you any reason for the non-payment of this £20?— No, he never gave any. 183. Mr. JBowen/} I only want to ask one question. Ido not quite understand why you say the trustees did not proceed in the matter in a Court of law when it had been so long pending?—l never wished to do so. I valued Mr. Sheehan's reputation. I never wished to bring the matter before the public. I only wished it fully explained. 184. The Chairman.] I have heard a good deal about the interviews in 1877: had you any interviews or communication by letter between December, 1874, and the time referred to in 1877 about this cheque ? —Both interviews and letters ; but, unfortunately, I have not copies or the dates. I had both interviews with Mr. Sheehan, and communications by letter. I wrote to him on the subject to get interviews.

Rev. W. Gittos. Aug. 2,1880.