I.—Ba.

40

[\V. H. BOWLER

roroku Rikihana; (4) E. H. Hardy; (5) Tauhia Tewiata; (6) Tarake Tewiata; (7) Tuhata (J. H. Damon). Tuiti Makitanara was appointed chairman, and said, ' The first matter to be discussed is the question of payment of costs incurred in carrying on the Mokau case. It was definitely agreed before the Maori Land Board on 22nd March, 1911, that all costs were to be deducted from the sum of £25,000 which was being paid in cash for the Mokau-Mohakatino blocks by Mr. Herrman Lewis to the Native owners.' Every member present joined in the discussion, and Tuiti Makitanara finally moved, ' That Aterea's party and Pepene's party each pays its own share of the costs, such costs to be deducted from the £25,000 payable by Mr. Herrman Lewis.' Tuhata seconded the motion, which was put and carried." Would you mind explaining, Mr. Bowler, what is meant by "Aterea's party"?—l do not know anything at all about that statement. It is simply a minute of a conference of owners. Mr. Massey: It is a meeting of the committee that seems to have had charge of affairs. The minutes go on, " A discussion then took place about the bills of costs presented by various persons actively engaged in prosecuting the matters relating to the case. Tuhata said, 'We ought to seriously consider the generous spirit shown by those who provided food and other necessaries at the various meetings, and rendered contingent services.' It was moved by Tuhata, and seconded by E. H. Hardy, ' That the sum of £40 be paid to Tohia and Piko, of Mokau Heads, to be distributed between themselves and others who assisted them.' Motion put and carried. Bill of costs, Messrs. Bell, Gully, Bell, and Myers, Wellington : E. H. Hardy moved that the account be paid, and that the sum of £100 advanced by Ateria Ahiwaka to Messrs. Bell and Myers be refunded to him, thus leaving £21 12s. 4d. due to Messrs. Bell and Myers. Seconded by Tuhata and passed. Paeroroku's bill of costs; Tawhia and Tarake's expenses: This amounted to £68 7s. lid., and Kirk and Stevens's account £3 3s. (solicitors' fees). It was agreed, with the consent of Paeroroku, that the bill be reduced to £60, less £16 ss. for money received from E. H. Hardy, balance £43 155., and that Kirk and Stevens's bill of £3 3s. be paid. It was also agreed to pay Tauhia Tewiata £50, less £6 Bs. advanced by E. H. Hardy, balance £43 125.; and to pay Tarake Tewiata £50 for services rendered at Otaki, Mokau, and Te Kuiti on various occasions." Hon. Mr. Ngata: Does the witness hand this in as part of his evidence? 173. lien. Sir J. Carroll.] I presume they are simply notes supplied to you?— They are not notes that I have taken. It is simply a document that was handed to me. I know nothing at all about it. 174. Mr. Massey.] I ask that the document be put in as evidence? —I am agreeable to its being put in. [Document put in.] 175. I want to come back to the gentlemen who were members of this committee which seems to have managed matters in connection with the sale of the block. The first is Tuiti Macdonald. That gentleman has a claim against the estate, has he not? He is one of those who claim and has already been paid?— His claim, I understand, is satisfied. 176. He is one of the men who are to be paid, or have been paid, out of the 10 per cent, which remains in your hands as trustee?— Yes. 177. The second one is Aterea Ahiwaka: is it not a fact that lie also has a claim? —I do not know that he has. I must plead guilty to not having read that document through. 178. Hon. Sir J. Carroll.] Why put it in as evidence if it is not yours? You simply hand it in as their report?—As their report, not as mine. Mr. Massey: What I want to say is this: that each member of this committee under notice has a claim against the £2,500 which, or part of which, is now in the hands of the President of the Maori Land Board. Hon. Mr. Ngata: Something like Mr. Bell's £800. 179. Mr. Massey.] Mr. Bell had no claim of £800 against the £25,000, or anything like £800. Mr. Bell's claim was £100, and, according to this statement, his claim was paid. However, I want to come back to Aterea : " Aterea's party and Pepene's party each pay its own share of the costs, such costs to be deducted from the £25,000 "?—That may be so. lam simply holding the money at the direction of the sub-committee. 180. Still, according to this, Aterea claims to lie paid for services rendered in connection with the transaction? —Yes. • 181. What about this third gentleman—Paeroroku Rikihana: has he a claim?—l do not know that he has. 182. You know that Mr. Hardy has?— Yes. 183. What about the fifth man —Tauhia Tewiata?—l do not know that he has. 184. What about the sixth —Tarake Tawiata? —I do not know that he has. 185. You know about the seventh —Mr. Damon? —He had a claim, which has been satisfied. 186. So that of the seven members of this sub-committee a majority have either claimed or have been paid moneys from the 10 per cent, which you hold as trustee? —You ask me if there is a majority—l only know of three. 187. Macdonald is one?— Yes. 188. Aterea is another? —I do not know about that. 189. I have shown you the minute? —I do not know that that is right. 190. But the minute is there, is it not? —Yes; it may or may not be correct. 191. I hardly think that that is a fair answer? —I do not know anything of these minutes. 192. You know that Mr. Hardy has a claim? —Yes. 193. And Mr. Damon?—Yes. 194. That is a majority. Do you remember receiving a letter from Mr. Joshua Jones asking to be notified in case of any attempted alienation of this block? —I only had one letter from him. I remember receiving it.