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do recall now, what you tell me —that when you were trying to arrange a date Mr. Blair's convenience was consulted. 142. You say there is nothing in the claim against the Assurance Fund. Do you think that one should not give some credit to a claim of that kind made by Mr. Skerrett? — If you give credit to the claim at all, obviously you must give credit to the fact that lie claimed £80,000. 143. Either Mr. Skerrett thought there was something in the claim or else he was bluffing : you must choose one of these alternatives? —Well, you sec, I do know something about it. Do not ask me any more about it. I have discussed the matter. I cannot give you any idea of what Mr. Skerrett's mind on the subject was. Ido not know. 144. I do not think it is fair that you should make a suggestion of that kind : you say that you must refrain from referring to a matter which you could tell us about?—l did not mean that; I am not suggesting that. You arc asking me what 1 think Mr. Skerrett thought, and I say I cannot tell you. 145. You said that the Maori Land Board —and, it would almost follow, a section of the Natives—were endeavouring to prolong this meeting, so that the Natives could be induced to sell. You said that, did you not?—l think the Board did, and 1 think you did too, because I think you did your duty to your client. 146. Do you know that the chairman of the meeting was asked by the representatives of both sides —Pepene on one side and Tuiti Macdonald on the other, one proposing it and the other seconding—to adjourn for the convenience of both sides at each meeting?— lhe Natives who came to me did not take that view at all. 1-17. I was present at the meeting. You do not know that that is so? —Not at all, except that they were very much annoyed that there was a second meeting. 148. Do you know that at the second meeting, when you were expected bill were not present, Tuiti Macdonald, who represented your section, and that his section were willing to sell, but they asked the President of the Board to adjourn in order that they might meet their people at Mokau? —Did that take place? 149. Yes?— Then Tuiti Macdonald seems to have sold everybody. Who purchased him? 1 know you did not. Who did? 150. I know you did not either. Do you not think he might have honestly come to the conclusion that it was the best tiling to do in the circumstances? — Absolutely impossible, because if he had lie must have telegraphed me that his mind had been changed. 151. You said just now that they arrived at the conclusion that it would be a very good thing if you did not attend. Do you not think that that is hardly a fair way to put it? Might they not just as readily have arrived at the conclusion that, as they could not find the sum which you very properly insisted upon their finding, it was best in the circumstances to come to an arrangement? —Well, they were either knaves or tools. You tire asking me to assume that the)' were fools. 1 am quite ready to assume that they were fools. I told both of them that they were either fools or knaves, and that is my answer to you. Either they did not appreciate their duty, and were too silly to see their duty in front of them, or for some reason or other they agreed to abrogate their duty. I do not know which it was. I told Mi. Hardy quite plainly to his lace that he was either knave or fool. 152. The question of the £25,000 was one on which (here might lie two honest opinions?— Certainly. 153. And if they took the one opinion you think they were necessarily wrong?—No, that is not the point. They were the people who were guiding the committee whose duty it was to have me there if there was a change. It was at their instance that I did not go, because it was unnecessary, for all they had to do was to object to the resolution. Then, if there was a change, it was obvious that I must be sent for. 154. I do not know-what took place between you and your clients? —But you know what is the ordinary dut}- of a solicitor to his client and a client to his solicitor. 155. Is it not obvious that the reason why they could not get you there was that they could not find the funds which 1-ou very properly insisted on their finding?— : No ; I had £100 which they had paid me. That was quite enough to take me to Te Kuiti and back. 156. The impression there was that they could not find the funds to take you to Te Kuiti? — No, I never suggested that. 157. You have suggested that the Board had no power to appropriate this £2,500. You do not know of jour own knowledge, I think, that the Board did that?—No, I have not seen the document which did it, but Tuiti Maedonald, who was appointed one of the committee, told me of it; and I was informed on very good authority that Eketone was also appointed. 158. But anything that would be done in the way of setting apart any sum would be done by resolution of the Natives?— Has not any of the money been spent yet? 159. I do not know; but I should like this made clear?—l think it is quite right to say, as Sir James Carroll suggested, that I really know nothing about it, except in the ordinary way when one gets information on very good authority. 1 have not seen the order of the Board which deducted £2,500 from the purchase-money, but I understand that has been deducted. 160. But you do not know there has been any order of the Board, do you?— No. Mr. Dalziett: I think it is fail , to say that there is no such order and could not be such an order. Anything done Mould have to be done by the Natives themselves, with the consent of all of them. Witness: Where do you say I am wrong about the £2,500? Mr. Dalziell: In suggesting that the Board has made an order deducting that. Witness: I accept your correction.

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