NATIVE LANDS PURCHASE COMMISSION.

Globe, Volume XXII, Issue 1893, 18 March 1880, Page 3

NATIVE LANDS PURCHASE COMMISSION.

[Br Telegbaph.] |_EBOM: OT7B OWN COBBEBPONDENT.] AKAROA, Marohl7. The Court met to-day at 10 a.m. George Robertson continued which had been interrupted the preceding day to admit of Mr Hamilton being heard. It was chiefly describing the exact nature of the various claims of his people to the land. At the sitting of the Native Lands Court some who had been previously excluded, got admitted to the reserve, and some who had had a share in the land and money got admitted, so that seme had a double share and some none. Paratene, re-called, said that the Maoris understood, by Mr Hamilton saying that ho would take the money to Murihiku, that he meant to threaten them, and cauße them to sell. He had not heard of any letter being written by Koau Mou to the Government. Tamati Tikoa, Pawiti Harewa, and Heneri Watene Tawhia, being likewise re-called, adhered to their former evidence. Taiaroa made a statement, putting forth his claims to participate in the Murihiku and Akaroa reserves, from which he and otherß had been wrongfully excluded. He looked to the Government for the satisfaction of his claims. He put off making his final statement as to the Otakou and Ngatahi block until after the commission had finished taking all the evidence. Koonara Pohau, from the Piopiotahi hapu, gave evidence, testifying to the truth of Taiaroa's statements. In answer to Tikoa, Mr Hamilton said that he did not object at the time to the Waiwera reserve. He did not have a long discussion with Mautai over it, and put the matter off for three days. The meeting was called for Tuesday, and, owing to the absence of important persons, had to be adjourned to "Wednesday, when the whole affair was concluded and the deed signed. He had heard no mention of any absentees. Had he done so, he would have made provision for them, as he had done in the old Kaikoura case at Kaiapoi. Ho thought Mr Johnson had settled all these matters, and he had only to make the bargain and pay the money. In reply to Mr Nairn, Mr Hamilton stated that he took no extra money with him for the purchase ; only the £l5O. He did not take the Kaiapoi money with him. In answer to Tawhia, the witntss said that Mautai did not ref übo the money on the second day. Tawhia said that Mr Hamilton was lying. Witness continued —He did not tell Hoani Papita that he should take the money to Murihiku, but ho might have said that if the bargain was not made ho would have to take the money back. After an able address from Mr Izard, in which he explained clearly the various points, the Court adjourned. The next sitting of the Court will bo held at Aparima, on Jacob's River, Southland, on March 24th.