5. Waiomatatini, July 25, 1879. Did not attend.

This Court was out of my district. I could not go there without a breach of the agreement with the Government under which I had been engaged. See my petition to Parliament; also, Mr Sheehan's evidence before the Public Petitions Committe. I sat in the Tauranga Land Court from 15th July to 8th August, 1879, upon the following lands:—Rangiwhakaoma Nos. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7; Matapihi No. 3, and Kaitemako. I informed Judge Fenton by wire, 11th July, that I was unable to attend at Waiomatatini, and that I had a Court advertised to open 15th July.

I believe Judge Heale was first directed to preside at Waiomatatini, but he declined; then Judge Symonds was sent, but he turned back on the road at Tologa. Then I was ordered to go. I, however, could not go, for the reasons above mentioned. Finally, Judge Young was sent, and returning shortly after, he died of exposure and inflammation. There is no doubt that Waiomatatini was not then a fit place to send a Court to in the winter.