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the bant if he could produce the cheque, in defence of Adam Clark and myself. This is the first time that I saw it. I understood from Colonel Haultain that it was on record that I had received the money. 708. But did anybody ever bring an accusation against you of having received the cheque ? — -~No. 709. It came out in the Land Court ?■—No ; it was in an investigation respecting these affairs. I went to the bank and saw the cheque. Of my own knowledge 1 know nothing further of the cheque. I should think the writing of the signature is that of Arama Karaka. There is some little difference compared with his usual writing ; the letters are sharper than usual. The other signatures of his are different from the signature to the cheque ; the last-named signature is written with a steel pen. The letters are something different; still, I should take it for his signature. 710. Maoris do not have a distinct individuality in their handwriting?— Some of them have. 711. Not like a European, whose handwriting cannot be often mistaken. Is it not a common thing among the Maoris to use a small letter in commencing a capital name, as in this signature " haututu " ? —Tes, it is. I instructed him to put a capital "H" to his " Haututu." 712. Mr. Bheehan.~] Mr. G-ittos, this transaction about the cheque would appear, if you refer to the cheque, to have taken place about December of 1874 ? —Tes. 713. How long was it afterwards that you saw me for the first time after receipt of the cheque ? —That I could not positively say. I know it was when I was in town. 714. Can you give us an idea in months ? —lt might have been three months. 715. Did you not go to your bank then? —No, I did not. 716. How long afterwards was it that you saw me again, when you spoke to me about the cheque ? —That I do not remember, but you were in your office in a great hurry, starting for the Thames. 717. I used to go to the Thames about three times a week; so that cannot convey anything very precise. Did you get your bank-book before that time ?■—Tes. 718. Then, if we got your bank-book made up to date, it would give us some idea of the time ? —Tes. 719. Have you the bank-book with you ?—I have not. 720. Then why did you not bring your bank-book with you, to prove the important point whether or not this cheque was paid in to your account ? —I did not bring it. I did not know it was necessary. 721. "Was the occasion on which you were accused of getting £20, and Clark of getting £200, the occasion on which there was an inquiry into the transaction by the Frauds Commissioner ?—1 think so. 722. Tou were present ? —I was not present. 723. I think we could get the date of that inquiry from Colonel Haultain's papers ?—I should think so. 724. It was after the inquiry that you came to town to see after this £20 cheque, and also about the £200 ?—Tes. 725. "Was there then another inquiry before Colonel Haultain, where you gave evidence yourself, and Adam Clark also gave evidence ? —No. 726. And in the middle of which you and Colonel Haultain went to the bank and saw the account ? —It was in a conversation at Colonel Haultain's office that this happened. 727. In a conversation only ?—Tes. 728. Then you have never given evidence about this matter before the Frauds Commissioner ?—> No ; not at all. 729. Did Adam Clark give evidence upon the subject in Auckland ? —No; not that I am aware of. 730. Do you not remember—l may be wrong, but I will remind you—did you not say that Clark and yourself went to the Frauds Commissioner, partly with regard to a dispute as to the boundary, and partly as to these moneys ?—Tea. 731. Did you go for a public inquiry?—"We went with a view to eliciting information respecting the block. 732. Tou spoke of having seen me on the wharf in Wellington when passing through in 1877 ?— Tes. 733. Had you not previously seen me in 1877 in "Wellington?—Tes. 734. And when you mentioned about the £20 cheque, did I not express my willingness to pay if reasonable evidence was given of the fact of my receiving it ? —I cannot say. 735. I do not think I am putting an unfair construction on your evidence when I say that you said so ? —I do not remember the reply you made to me that time in 1877. 736. Tou were asked the question three times over, "Was it not the case that I offered to you, if you gave me reasonable evidence of the fact, that I would pay you the amount ? and to these questions you replied that I said that I would do so. lam speaking now of the evidence which you gave regarding your seeing me in "Wellington ? —I do not remember you saying that it would be paid : you con^ stantly said that it would be all right. 737. Tou remember your calling upon me upon various matters. One was the hearing of the inquiry regarding the block. Tou expressed your satisfaction that I had sent the matter of the moneys of this block for inquiry ? —I was not aware that you had sent this matter for inquiry ; but I expressed my satisfaction that the inquiry had taken place. 738. Do you remember saying there was one matter unsettled—that of the £20 ? —Tes ; and I also mentioned the other cheque, for £200. 739. And then you said in your evidence that I said to you that I was quite prepared to pay the money if I got reasonable evidence of the fact ?—I do not remember saying that you said you would pay the money. 740. Do you not remember saying so in your evidence in chief before the Committee ?■ —If I did say it, I did not intend doing so. 741. If you were asked the question three separate times—that is, if you were asked the question

Sev. W. Gittos. Aug. 5, 1889.