15

A.—s

natives whom I had brought came together and asked me where was the vessel which I had bought them. I told them that I expected her to arrive any day now, so there was no more said until a few days afterwards, when one of the Earotonga police came for me and said I was wanted at the Courthouse. When I got to the Courthouse I saw all the Penrhyn natives there, also the owner of the schooner "Te Uira." The Judge said that " These natives want the money which was given to you at Penrhyn, as they are not going to take the vessel which you have bought them." He also read a letter which was said to have come from Penrhyn. It stated that I had told them lies at Penrhyn. The first was that I had told them the vessel was at anchor in Earotonga Harbour before I left for Penrhyn. The next was that they had not told me to get them a vessel. I answered that I had not told any of the lies which is mentioned in that letter, and that I would not give them the money; and, besides, it was not in my power to give you people that are here the money, because I received it from the Penrhyn Government. The owner of the "Te Uira" said that his vessel was on their hands since she anchored in the harbour. The Judge did not decide anything, and said the meeting was over. Afterwards a policeman brought me a letter from the Judge, in which it stated to give the bearer the money. I answered his letter, by which I declined to give the money. They then took the schooner "Te Uira," and sailed for Penrhyn Island a few days later. I told them I would take the vessel to Penrhyn as soon as she arrived. About a week afterwards the schooner which I had bought them arrived, and on the Ist November I sailed for Penrhyn, vid Aitutaki and Manuhiki, to deliver them their vessel on them paying the balance due and debts owing to me. I hereby declare that this written statement is a true statement of what has passed between me and the Penrhyn natives. (See note.) Master Mariner. We, the undersigned, hereby certify that all that occurred at Penrhyn Island in this statement is correct. John Mukdoch, Walter Wilson, Traders, Penrhyn Island. I hereby certify that this is a true copy of the original document made by me. William Chaeles Millee, Master, schooner " Omoka." [Note. —This paper having been given to me this day by the British Eesident for the purpose of saying whether it is a copy of the original statement, I certify that it is the copy of the paper to which my name was attached as a witness in Penrhyn, and that the omission of Mr. Harries's signature must have been only an error in preparation. Earotonga, 21st February, 1893. John Murdoch, Trader, of Penrhyn.] No. 2. On Thursday, the 3rd December, 1892, I arrived off Penrhyn Island at 8 p.m. Two boats came off from shore. I told them that I had brought them their vessel. The pilot said we had better go inside. I told them that I did not intend to go inside unless they were going to take the vessel, and pay the balance due on her. So he said, "We will go on shore and have a talk about it." They went ashore, leaving six or seven of their number on board. We lay off and on for the night. On Sunday, the 4th December, 1893, about 8 a.m., a boat came off with about twenty men in her. At this time the vessel was laying aback from one and a half to two miles from the reef to the westward of the passage. I asked them where they were all going to. They said that one of their number, which they all pointed out to me, had all orders. So I went to him, and he told me that they had come off to get their money. I said, " I have not got your money, but I have brought you the vessel for which you gave me the money." "We do not want your vessel," they said; "where is the money?" I told, them that the money was in the hands of Messrs. Donald and Edenborough at Earotonga. " Well," they said, "take the vessel inside." I said, "I am not going in unless you are going to take the vessel." They said that they would take her inside whether I would like it or not. I said, "I cannot stop twenty of you from doing so." Then this native that had the orders sang out to his own men to fill on her so we can get inside quick. He also told one of their number to take the helm. So they took the vessel out of my charge altogether. When in the passage the native who had the orders sang out to the rest of them to look out good for the white man's ship, and not to have her broken before they would have him first in irons. So she was anchored about noon off their settlements. They told me that they would not do any more to-day, as it was their Sunday. As soon as they got ashore they sent four men off to look after the vessel. At 6 p.m. they sent another two to relieve the others for the night. Thomas Haebies, Master, schooner " Norval." No. 3. On Monday, the sth December, 1892, about 8 a.m., the natives from shore came and called us to come ashore. I and all the crew went, and they took us all up to the Courthouse. They asked me if I had the money. I told them " No." I told them again that the money was in the hands of Messrs. Donald and Edenborough at Earotonga. They then said, "If you have not got the money we will put you in irons, also all the crew," and they would dismantle the vessel, take everything out of her, and haul her up until the money came. They also had a man writing down my evidence. Instead of writing down what I said, he was writing what they told him to put down. First one would get up and say that I had told him that I had the money on board, and that was the reason he had stopped on board on Saturday night. Then another would get up and say, "He told