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Did they say they would continue to do so? —No.
Did they lead you to believe that they would continue to do so until they were protected by the Government? —Yes.
Did you take any message from Major Murray to the Taranaki Natives who intended to pass through the town? —No. Neither letter nor message.
Do you think a notification by Major Murray that all Natives passing through the district armed would be deprived of their arms would have the desired effect? —I do.
Do you think there would be any difficulty in depriving the Natives violating the proclamation of their arms within the precincts of the town? —They might not be disposed to render up their arms without a struggle, but I think an example would prevent any future carrying of arms.
Did Tamati te Ngahuru not give his information on oath? —No.
Is it customary in the Resident Magistrate's Court to receive the evidence of Natives on oath? —Yes.

Mr R. Parris, Land Purchase Commissioner, examined.

Have you received any instructions from the General Government or from the Resident Magistrate respecting the Governor's proclamation? —No.
Have you made any report to the Resident Magistrate that the Natives generally are inclined to respect the proclamation? —No.
Do you think that they do so? —Yes.

By Mr W. C. King.

What do you think would be the result of enforcing the proclamation? —I think it would be obeyed.
Do you think a simple order from the Resident Magistrate would have the effect of enforcing that obedience? —Yes.
What is the construction put by the Natives on the Proclamation? —They consider an unlawful assembly would be to meet with arms within the proclaimed district for the purpose of fighting within that district, but that meeting with arms without an intention to fight, is not unlawful.

By Mr H. A. Atkinson.

Do you feel it to be your duty to interpret the proclamation to the Natives? —I feel it my duty to explain to them my interpretation of it.
What do you mean by stating that the majority respect the proclamation? —I mean that they respect it according to their interpretation.
What would be their conduct if the Government were to insist on their not carrying arms through the proclaimed districts? —That they would build a pa at the Ikamoana until the present strife was over so as to render it unnecessary for them to bring arms within the district. They consider they are settlers like ourselves, and if the Government will protect them, they are willing to lay down their arms. That murder has been committed on our

ground, on parties who incautiously went without arms, and they do not consider it safe to go unarmed, whilst the present strife continues. I am afraid if the carrying of arms be wholly disallowed, that it will render future negotiations very difficult, as the Natives will consider they have been ejected from the proclaimed district.

Will Natives from a distance respect the proclamation? —I think they would.
What in your opinion would be the effect of the Government attempting to put a stop to the fighting at Waitara? —I don't know.
Do you think that Wiremu Kingi and his party in the event of being victorious would sacrifice the lives of the women and children of the opposing party? —I think not. I think they would confine the slaughter to the near relations of Ihaia. I cannot say how many such relations would be. In the event of an assault it is possible that an indiscriminate slaughter might take place.

W. M. Crompton, Esq., J.P., examined.

Relate what you know respecting the information given yesterday to the Resident Magistrate respecting the Taranaki Natives passing through the settlement. —I was not present at the beginning of the examination. I found depositions had been taken by Mr Flight and I read them over and subsequently Tamati Williams (te Ngahuru) signed them.
Was Tamati te Ngahuru sworn? —The oath was not administered in my presence.

H. R. Richmond, Esq., J.P., examined.

Were you present in the Resident Magistrate's Court on Wednesday when Poharama gave his information respecting an armed party of Natives at the Kawau? —Yes.
Did you read the information after it was taken? —No.
Are you aware whether it is stated in the deposition that Poharama appeared before Mr Flight as a Magistrate, because he was a Magistrate? —No.
Did you hear Mr Watt object to the interpretation of Mr Halse? —I did.
Did you hear Mr Halse amend his interpretation? —Yes.
Did you hear Poharama apply to be sworn? —Yes.
Did you hear the question put to him whether any body had incited him to give the information and his reply thereto? —I did, and his reply was, that he came of his own accord.
Was Mr Watt at his side at the time this question was put? —I think not.
Was Poharama sworn? —No. The Resident Magistrate objected to allow it, but he signed his name.
Was it your opinion that the Resident Magistrate was desirous to evade receiving the proclamation in an official manner? —He refused to receive it in an official manner.

By Mr R. Brown.

Are you of opinion that by firmness on the part of the Resident Magistrate the proclamation may be carried out? —I am. I think there might be some difficulty in the case of a single party of armed Natives.