G.—2a

21

against it, so far as the expenditure is connected with No. 11. I am aware that the expenditure was necessary owing to the contest that arose over No. 11. I think the expenditure is a fair charge against all of the owners. I object to the payments to Warena and Wirihana Hunia. We derive no benefit from those payments; their shares should be charged with the amounts. I am willing that this Court should distribute the £800 now in the bank. I am satisfied with Kemp's administration of the affairs of the block in the past. I have no complaint to make against him. Cross-examined by Hamuera Karaitiana. Witness : I approve of the expenditure of moneys which have been necessary to get back the land for the people. I consider the land has been returned to the people. This Court will define the relative interests of the owners. Cross-examined by Henare te Apatari. Witness : I object to the payments made to Wirihana. Cross-examined by Mr. McDonald. Witness : I have looked upon Kemp as a trustee for the tribe. The only moneys received from No. 11 by Kemp have been rents and timber royalties. I have never known Kemp consult the tribe about the disposition of the rents. He dealt with those moneys as he thought proper as trustee. The payments made to Wirihana Hunia were made without the consent of the tribe. I do not know that the tribe were consulted about the payment of £100 to Hapeta Taueki, but no one could question the payment. Ido not object to the £100 to Bangimairehau. It was expended on behalf of the tribe. Kemp did not come here and consult us about the payment. The £50 paid to Te Aue Puihi I did not hear of until this Court opened. I heard of the £125 to Baniera te Whata. The tribe were not asked to consent to either of these payments. I did not receive any part of the £50 paid to Makere on account of Buatangata case. The money was paid without consulting the tribe, so far as I know. When I first arrived here in 1883 I heard the tribe say that they had enjoyed the rents from 1873 up to 1883, and that they intended to allow Kemp to draw them in the future for the lease then current, in order that he might reimburse himself for the expense he was put to at time of Court of 1873. The four hapus drew the rent before 1883. All four hapus agreed that Kemp should receive the rents from 1882 to the end of the lease. When Kemp sent us the £1,000 I did not suggest to Makere to return it to him. I consider that Kemp has expended the moneys he received on my behalf. Be-examined by Sir W. Buller. Witness : I approve of Kemp exercising discretion in the administration of the estate. lam satisfied with his administration. To Assessor : I have nothing to say about the distribution by Taueki of the rents received by him. My mother was here and participated. I was living with Europeans at Wanganui. I have heard about the sums of money sent to Kemp at Wanganui. I am prepared to contribute my share of the legal charges in connection with Horowhenua. Aeiki te Baueau sworn. Witness : lam one of the registered owners of Horowhenua. I have not attended the recent meetings of the tribe for the purpose of making up Kemp's accounts of receipts and expenditure, but I have heard of those meetings. I was too busy to attend the meetings, i have heard about the accounts, and the object with which they were drawn up. I approved of the accounts when I heard of them. I understand that Kemp has charged against the tribe all moneys that he has expended in legal costs, food, and expenses. I approve of his expenditure, because it was on behalf of the tribe. I know that the expenditure has been taken by Kemp out of rent, royalties, and proceeds of sale of township. lam aware that there is still a balance of £800 standing to the credit of the tribe, and at the disposal of the Court. lam satisfied with Kemp's administration of Horowhenua. I have no complaint to make. Kemp has acted in the interests of the tribe. I say this of my own free-will. No one has asked me to say it. Hamuera Karaitiana and Henare te Apatari had no questions. Cross-examined by Mr. McDonald. Witness : I am the eldest of my family, and take an interest in what is being done in connection with Horowhenua. lam aware that rent has been received for this land for many years, and that Kemp was trustee for the tribe for the whole block from 1873 to 1886. At first the rent was divided between the four hapus named by Waata Muruahi yesterday. Taitoko (Kemp) drew the rents, and handed them to the tribe. He paid the rents to the tribe when the tribe asked him to do so. The only money I saw paid was the £400 at Waitai. lam a Ngaiteao. My hapu received £100. I heard that Kemp paid several other sums as rent after the £400, but I was not present. Whatever Kemp did was right. He was working for the tribe. I did not make any inquiries as to Kemp's expenditure, because I knew he was spending it in connection with the land. Kemp did not consult me; he may have consulted others. So long as I knew Kemp was working for the tribe I was satisfied. Hema Henaee sworn. Witness : lam a chief of Ngatipariri, and a registered owner of Horowhenua. I have attended all the meetings held over Kemp's account. I have taken an active part in assisting Mr. Fraser to make it up. I approve of the expenditure by Kemp, because the money was spent in the interests of the Muaupoko Tribe. I believe the account to be as nearly as possible a true account of the receipts and expenditure by Kemp. The first amount sent to Kemp at Wanganui was £100. Afterwards a sum of £200 was sent to him for his house and his meetings. The £100 was sent with