MIDDLE ISLAND NATIVE LAND PURCHASES ROYAL COMMISSION.

Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, Volume 4, Issue 381, 16 March 1880, Page 2

MIDDLE ISLAND NATIVE LAND PURCHASES ROYAL COMMISSION.

Friday, March 12,

This Commission opened its proceedings at the Town Hall on Friday last, at 12 noon, for the purpose of inquiring into the purchase of the Akaroa block from the natives in 1856.

The Court was constituted as follows: — T. H. Smith, F. E. Nairn, Commissioners ; James Grey, of Hansard, official shorthand writer; Hopkins Clarke, secretary and interpreter. C. B. Izard, of Wellington, appeared as counsel for the natives.

After a few opening remarks from Mr Izard, summing up the chief points of the evidence which had been taken at Kaiapoi some 12 months back on the question, and touching slightly on the various land transactions which had been undertaken between Mr Johnson and the Akaroa natives at one time, and Mr Hamilton and the same natives at another time.

Mr. Robinson, interpreter, acting for H. Clarke, Esq., was sworn.

Paurini Hirawea, being sworn, was asked if he remembered what he told the Commission at Kaiapoi. He replied he remembered some, but would like Mr Izard to read parts of the evidence, which was accordingly done. After this, being further examined, Paurini Hirawea deposed : There were at the time of the sale of the Wainui land a great many of the Ngatiirakehu tribe absent. They had been absent a long time. Some had been taken to Te Rauperaha, some had gone with the Europeans, and others were wandering about for pleasure. Could not say exactly how many were absent, who had any claim on the land, but was making a list of the names of the absentees which, when properly prepared, would be handed in The consent to the sale of those who were away was not asked. No portion of the money was paid to those who were away. They never got any of it. No portion of the money for the land was set aside and handed to anyone for them. Those who were here, representing the Ngaitireikehu tribe, took the money, but did not share it with the absent ones. The money was received by Hoani Papita, Hakaroa, Mautai, and Wi Karaweko. A few of the Ngatiirakehu tribe were present. I was present, and saw the men receive the money. I made a mistake when I told you that the names of the tribes who were present chiefly represented were the Ngatimakou and Huikai.

I meant, instead of Huikai, Ngaitarewa. I also made the mistake of mentioning Waiko instead of Onuku.

Mr Izard : You told us at Kaiapoi that you heard Hone speak to Hamilton about some boundaries. Was this before or after the deed had been signed ? Hirawea: I knew nothing about the deed, but it was on the occasion that the boundaries were pointed out. I acknowledge that the signature to the deed produced was signed by me. I did not know it was a deed ; it was not read over to me to my recollection. I know nothing about the reading of the deed. I thought when I signed it I was acting in compliance with a request from Mr Hamilton, who required a list of all persons interested in the land. I was not one of the chiefs to receive the money. l am prepared to say on oath that Mr Johnson and Mr Hamilton made use of threats to the effect that if we did not sell the land, they would send soldiers to take it, and would take the money to Murihiko, and also that Wainui was gone. We did not consider it a legal sale because of the threats that were made to bring the soldiers against us.

The Court here adjourned. On the Court resuming— Tamati Tikao, being called, deposed on oath—l live now at Opukutahi. When Mr Johnson came to Akaroa I was present at the meeting Johnson held ; it was held at Opukutahi. The principal chiefs present at the meeting were Hoani Papita, Hakaroa, Mautai, Hone Wetere te Ruaparai. There was a good assemblage of people present. I heard the conversation between Hoani Papita and Mr Johnson; he was appointed spokesman. Johnson said he came to buy land in Akaroa. Hoani Papita said he must give some reserves to the Natives who were giving up the land, saying plainly, if you do not give us some reserves you may go back ; we will not sell. Then Johnson said—We will go to the place that they wish to have marked off as a boundary for the reserve, and they all went. We went to Otutureinga. Then Johnson said—This is the place that I am willing you shall have. Hoaui Papita said —No, I want to go further down to Wainui. Johnson said—l will not agree, and Hoani Papita said he would not sell ; that Johnson could go back. Then Puaka said —I do not wish the boundary between the reserve and the portion to be sold to be there. Then Johnson left without having replied to Puaka. Johnson had no further conversation on the matter, but left the Maori settlement, and went to the North. I was living at Port Levy when Mr Hamilton came. I did not come with Hamilton; he came from Lyttelton, but Paora Tao, Hakupa, Pita Te Hori, Paratene. Horomona Pohio, Hoani Timaru, and others come with Hamilton. I came from Port Levy to Akaroa. The same chiefs and people were here as met Johnson. The meeting was held at Akaroa at Pakaiariki, which is the name of the stream near Beecher's Hotel. When the people met Hamilton told them he had come to buy. the land at Akaroa. Then Wi Karaweko got up and said—You must give us a reserve back out of this land ; if you do not we will not agree to the sale. Then the other chiefs got up and said the same. Hamilton replied—l am agreeable to give you a reserve out of this block of land, and mentioned as the reserve 400 acres at Onuku, and 400 acres at Opukutahi. Hamilton did not agree to give any reserve at the Little River. Then Mautai said— If you do not give a reserve at Little River I will not let the land go. After much dispute he agreed the next day to give a reserve at Little River, and Mautai consented to the sale. Hamilton gave altogether £150. Wi Karaweko received £50 for the Onuku side of the harbor, from Onuku to Mantell's boundary. On their sharing the money some of the people got a share and others got none. The majority were left without. There were three hapus living here at that time called the Ngatiirakehu Ngautarewa, and Ngatimako. I know that some of the Ngatiirakehu tribe were away at the time of the sale. When they got back the land was sold, and their consent to the sale was not given to my knowledge, nor did they either get any money or any of the land reserved. I did not hear any conversation between Hamilton and Akaroa about the southern part of Wainui, but I understood that a conversation had taken place on the matter between Hamilton and those chiefs who went with him to point out the reserves. I heard that Hone Papita and Hamilton had fixed the boundaries ot the block at Kamantawrua to Otukakau.

Witness described the block fully, and the Court adjourned till 11 a.m.

Saturday, March 13

Before the opening of the Court, an urgent appeal was received from the natives of Aparima, Shortland, asking the Commission to hold a sitting there, in order that they may be heard in connecrion [sic] with the purchase of tbe Murihiku Block. The Commision decided to proceed to Aparima, after they had finished their investigation at Akaroa.

Tamati Tikao : I saw Governor Browne at Port Cooper, and I know he was at Akaroa about the time of Johnson's transactions. I did not hear that it was about the land he had come. The natives got the 400 acres at Onuku, promised by Hamilton. I did not hear Hirawea say yesterday that Johnson and Hamilton said that if the natives would not sell the land and take the money, the soldiers would be sent, and the money be sent to Murihiko. Johnson did not threaten to send the soldiers but did to send the money to Murihiko. The reason why Hamilton threatened to send the money to Murihiku, was that Mautai and Papita said they would not sell, so Hamilton said he would take the money to Murihiku. The reply was, "If you like to take your money to the Murihiku tribe you can do so. and they may give you the land for it." We got the whole of the reserves applied for. [Lists of names of those connected with the land, showing those who did not got either any of the money or land, produced and road over to witness, and the correctness of them vouched for by him.]

I was in Christchurch when the Native Land Court sat there, and was present at it. None of the people in this list got any of the land then, but there were some belonging to the same hapu who did.

The Commission pointed out that in the lists handed in, more hapus than those already mentioned to have been in communication with Johnson and Hamilton to the end of the negotiatioa were present, and asked the reason. Moreover, that in this

list the Ngatiirakehu tribe was not present and asked an explanation.

He replied : He had never thought about these names till meeting the people yesterday. The extra hapus mentioned were: Ngatirahikihiki, Ngatikaweriri, Ngatiwairua.

The list then went a thorough overhauling by the Commission, and was found somewhat full of errors and omissions.

Hone Taupoki, of the Ngatiirakehu Hapu, was not present at the interview between Mr Johnson and the chiefs, hut he was present at the meeting with Mr Hamilton. The meeting was held at the creek near Bruce's Hotel. The chiefs present were Akaroa, Mautai, Wi Karaweko, and a number of the people. Hamilton said he had complete the purchase of the French; he would give no reserves, but would give £150. Wi Karaweko refused the £150. When Hamilton said he would to Murihiki, Hamilton afterwards said he would mark off a reserve, and the Natives took £150. I knew nothing of the deed, and if I signed a paper I did not know it was a deed. I got a share of the money. There was £50 for each hapu. Hamilton laid out the boundaries in my presence. After this was done, Hamilton and Hakaroa went to inspect the land, and Hakaroa in my presence pointed out to Hamilton what piece he wanted to keep (map produced showing the plan). I do not know whether Hamilton was agreeable or not. Hamilton made a memorandum to some effect, but I do not know what. Ngatiirakehu, Ngaitarewa, and Ngatimakou hapus were living here at that time. Some people belonging to other hapus were living here, but I do not know whether they had any claim. I do not know who were absent, but there were many from each hapu at different places. I do not know whether the absent ones were connected or not; they did not get any share of the reserve on their return, nor their descendants; only those who were resident and their descendants got the benefit of the reserves ; some of the residents even have had no share in them, and the reserves have all passed through the Land Court. None of the money was reserved for absentees, but was shared amongst the residents. I cannot say whether the people of the other three hapus should be admitted to a share.

Paurini Hirawea, being reminded that he had told the commission yesterday that Hamilton had said that if they did not sell the land soldiers would be brought to eject them, was asked to specify what was actually said, and be deposed : When Johnson came he interviewed the Maoris, and said he had come to give £150 to complete the purchase of Wainui, for which the French had already given as part payment a schooner named "The Sister." Then Hoani Papita said he would not take the £150, as "The Sisters" was given for Flea Bay, and not for Wainui at all, but Johnson replied that that was wrong, as "The Sisters" had been given for Wainui; but Hoani Papita said that if that was so it was done without their knowledge. He wanted £1000, but Johnson said that if he would not take the £150 soldiers would be sent, and the pakehas would occupy the land. If I said yesterday that Hamilton threatened the soldiers it was an error; I did not mean to say it; he only threatened to take the money to Murihiko.

Monday, March 15

Henere Watene Tawha, being sworn, said : He was here when Hamilton came. He got some share of the Wairewa reserves through his wife. He was aware of the three hapus named by former witnesses being present. Of these hapus, many were absent. Some of those absent have since returned. The absent ones were not consulted. Things were not established then as they are now, and they had no means of knowing what was going on. They certainly did not get any share of the money. It was all spent the day it was paid. (Laughter). Some of them got a share in the reserves, but the majority got neither money nor land. Heard Honi Papita and Hamilton haggling over the land. The latter said if Honi did not take the money he would take it to Thurihiku. Thakara Tipia, of the Ngatiireka hapu, deposed that he was absent when Johnson came, and for a long time previously. He had been taken prisoner by the hau-haus. He only heard nine years ago that the land had been sold. Had never received any compensation either in money or share of reserves. About eighty were taken prisoners at the same time as himself. Having neither money nor land he lived on his friends. Had heard nothing about the deed of sale to the French people. When the French came to buy, neither his father nor himself were present. Wiremu Harihona Karaweko, of the Ngaitarewa, deposed that he was another of the absentees at the time of the sale, and subsequent investigations. Nearly all his tribe had been taken prisoners. Many had not yet returned. Remembered the Native Lands Court sitting on these reserves. There were several of those in Akaroa at the time who did not get any land. The reason was that the land was much too small to supply the requirements of all. [Witness here corrected himself, and said that all who were present at the Lands Court did get a share of the land, only those who were absent being excluded.] Those who have "returned since have received no share. Witness signed the deed. It was read, but they did not understand it. A portion of the deed was here read, stating that those signing agreed absolutely to sell the land, and that any others who had claims should look to them for a settlement of them. Witness affirmed that that portion had never been read to them. In reply to the Commissioners, he persisted in his assertion. Mr Izard spoke very warmly on what he contended was the unjust manner in which the Natives had been treated. Honi Topi Patuki, of the Ngateruahikihiki tribe, deposed that he bad a large interest in the land. Did not know that Hamilton was coming to buy the land till twelve months afterwards. Knew of, the sitting of the Native Lands Court; in Christchurch, but did not know the Court was going to deal with the Akaroa Reserves. Witness ought to have had a large share in the question of selling the land. Considered he had been wronged both by the Maoris and Mr Hamilton.

At the conclusion of this witness' evidence, the Commission adjourned till the following day.