7

I.—2a

55. Do you know how much of these rents Dr. Featherston received, and what proportion he was deficient ?—I could only refer you to the printed records. 56. He had to make up some from the provincial funds?— Yes, what was short. 57. He never denied his liability to make good the whole amount ?—Never. He assured the Natives that they would get their money, no matter how long it might be. 58. He was prepared to pay the Maoris more than double the money he had from the Europeans? —It was not a question of paying them double. They should get the money, he said, with 10 per cent, per annum from date of impounding same. 59. Dr. Featherston was prepared to pay more than double the amount of money he got from the Europeans ?—lf computation of interest amounted to that, he was. 60. He never denied his liabilities to pay the Maoris?— No. 61. Was this money always acknowledged—was it ever paid?— Not in full, so far as I am aware. 62. You do not know the amount of money ?—No. 63. Except from the official minute ? —According to this, £4,633 10s. was paid, leaving a balance due on the 31st September, 1869, £66 2s. Id.; but Ido not bind myself to the accuracy of these figures. 64. When you agreed with Dr. Featherston that these rents should be paid, did Dr. Featherston make himself liable in accordance with title ?—No promise was made. 65. It was not then known that the Native Land Court were going to determine?— No. 66. I should like to know when Parakaia and his people first began to complain that he had not received his rents ?—All through, I think. 67. When the first application was made, was it by letter or petition?—l could not say. 68. Do you know whether any formal application was made after the distribution took place ?— I am not aware. 69. Were any formal applications made before the titles were determined by the Native Land Court ? —I think not, so far as I remember. 70. Is Parakaia a likely man to allow matters like this to lie idle ? —I could not say. 71. Colonel Trimble.] What time did you begin to act in this case ?—ln 1875, and I have been acting ever since. 72. Was the original claim for £400 or £500 ?—£soo, speaking from recollection. 73. You said the rent paid into Dr. Featherston's account was £400, paid by Captain Eobinson ?—Yes, it was. 74. How was it that £400 was paid, when the claim was £500?— The Natives claimed £500, but Captain Eobinson's contention was that we ought to make a concession to him. If he had refused to pay a sixpence we could not have recovered it. 75. You say £400 was paid ?—Yes, it was paid to me. 76. Did you give a receipt in full?—He would be entitled to it. 77. Is this £400 paid on account of this Himatangi only, or on account of the whole of the land occupied by Captain Eobinson in that neighbourhood?— The whole of the land in the locality. 78. Did the Crown pretend to have any right to the Himatangi Block at that time ?—No, certainly not. 79. There was some land the Natives claimed besides the Himatangi Block ?—Yes. 80. In 1877 the Himatangi Crown Grant Bill was passed ?—Yes. 81. And you are familiar with the events that took place?— Yes, I read of them. 82. Dr. Pollen is reported to have said that it was proposed through Dr. Buller that if the whole of the block was given back they would waive their claim to the rents ?—I made an offer in my anxiety to effect a settlement. 83. Do you know that their representative had made a similar offer to Dr. Pollen?—-I do not know anything about that. 84. But you did make that offer on their behalf?— Yes. 85. Were you authorized ? —No. 86. But you had general authority ?—Yes, to do the best I could. 87. At that time was the Himatangi Bill before Parliament ?—No. 88. Were you aware at that time that Government could do nothing without legislation ? I was. 89. Was it arranged with you at your interview that the Bill should be brought in?—lt was arranged, but not at that interview. 90. Did the Bill carry out the proposals you made ? —lt did.

Friday, 31st July, 1885. Dr. Bullbe's cross-examination. 91. Mr. la Ao.~] Is it correct what you have stated in your evidence, that you were the confidential agent of Dr. Featherston ? —Yes. 92. And you have seen that a great deal of trouble was occasioned with regard to the nonsellers through the, action of yourself and Dr. Featherston ?—Yes. 93. Did not one tribe in particular cause a great deal of trouble with regard to their claims? ■ Yes; in the prosecution df^their claims. And that tribe was represented all through by Mr. Alexander McDonald-. 94. Owing" to their agitation, did they not succeed in getting back a part of their land ?—Yes ; the Native Land Court made an award to them of 6,000 acres.