17

I.—3a

449. Did you receive any directions from the Chief Judge in the matter at the sitting of the Court ?—Yes. 450. What were they ?—The Chief Judge told me there was nothing to prevent me, as an officer of the Court, trying to reconcile conflicting interests, because these people had been righting among themselves—not only these two, but several more. 451. Did you then ask the Chief Judge's permission to act for anybody ?—No. 452. Do you know why lie gave you that permission ? —Yes. •453. Why ? —Because certain letters had been sent down to me from Auckland asking me to work for certain parties. 454. Were the parties Stockman or Walker? — Walker was the party I was asked to work for. 455. From whom did you receive the letter? —From a man named Charles Bailey. 45(5. In the matter of the Mangapapa or Mangaoira Block?—No block was mentioned; it was, generally, would I assist Mr. Walker in his case before the Court; that is all. 457. Did you, on that request, ask permission of the Chief Judge to work for Walker?—Certainly not. I took the letter to the Chief Judge and showed it to him as an officer of the Court. He said : You cannot work for any person, but there is nothing to prevent you, as an officer of the Court, trying to reconcile conflicting interests. 45H. In your position as interpreter to the Court?—Yes. 459. Do you remember one day looking for Stockman?—Yes. 460. Why were you looking for him?—Because the Chief Judge told me to look for him. 461. Do you know what day that was?—l have no reason to recollect the day ; I think it was the 14th or 15th June. 462. It would be the time the certificate was granted?—About that time. 463. How long prior to that did you receive this letter from Auckland from Bailey ?—I could not say. 464. A fortnight?- -Possibly a fortnight. 465. Did you know then that Stockman and Walker's interests were identical ?—Certainly I did not. I did not know that Stockman's interests and Walker's interests were identical. Everybody seemed to have a claim on Stockman for something. 466. When did you know that Walker had obtained some, interest through Stockman ?—The Chief Judge ought to answer that. 467. When did you kuow? —When I interpreted for the Chief Judge. 468. When you received the letter from Bailey did you know what block Walker was interested in? —Certainly not. 469. When did you first ascertain what block he was interested in?—When I interpreted before the Chief Judge. 470. When was that ?—I cannot give the date. I suppose the Chairman lias the minutes of the Court before him. I had no private knowledge of it. 471. Did you do anything towards reconciling these conflicting interests?—Yes; I saw Walker. 472. When ?—I do not know the date. Some time after the Chief Judge told me there was nothing to prevent me trying to reconcile conflicting interests I saw Walker and Stockman. 473. That was before the certificate was granted by the Chief Judge ? —Of course, it must havebeen. 474. Did you not ascertain then what block Walker was interested in ?—No ; I did not take any notice what blocks they were. It appeared to me there was some lease between the two of them. 475. On this day, when you were looking for Stockman, did you see Owen?—Yes. 476. Was any one with Owen?—l saw many people. 477. Did you inquire of Owen where Stockman was? —Very likely I did. 478. Did you tell Owen why you wanted him?—Yes; that the Chief Judge wanted him, I think. 479. You said so ? —Yes. 480. Did you say you had received any directions from the Chief Judge?—Yes ; I had received directions from the Chief Judge to find Stockman. 481. Did you say that you had received any directions from the Chief Judge to work for Walker? —No ; certainly not. 482. At that time you were engaged or had been engaged in trying to reconcile those conflicting interests?—Yes. My attempt was only one; and, when I saw they could not be reconciled, I did nothing else : that is, the interest between Stockman and W Talker. 483. Did you say anything about the Chief Judge being not straight, or anything to that effect? —Certainly not. I never thought of anything of the kind. 484. I may tell you that Mr. Owen, Mr. Jones, and Mr. Gilmour have all declared that you told them or Owen, in the presence of the others, that you were directed by the Chief Judge to work for Walker, and that you added some remark not complimentary to the Chief Judge ? Are you prepared to contradict these three witnesses? —Yes; I do contradict it. 485. You had known Walker previously?—For about twenty-five years. 486. Had you known Stockman previously?—Yes. 487. Have you had business relationship with Stockman or Walker, or either of them?—With Walker? No. 488. With Stockman?—Yes. 489. In connection with Mokau lands ?—Yes. 490. Had you known that Stockman had attempted to acquire some interests in the Mokau lands? —I was with him when he acquired the land. 491. When?—lBB3. 3—l. 3a.