BEFORE THE WAIKATO COMMITTEE.

F—No. 3

361. But supposing the dispute is between two tribes, who should decide, and how should they oe brought to agree to a decision ?—lf that man and his tribe are willing to come to the runanga of such a place, that runanga should fairly decide between them as to which is right and which is wrong. This should be final. 362. If such a law could be made, would the Maories submit to it ?—We ourselves have been forming runangas during these past years. 363. If a law were made by the Pakeha runanga of this kind would the Maories agree to it ?— They would agree to it if our systems were amalgamated. Floani Takurua examined. '364. Have you frequently conversed with Wiremu Maehe about Maori affairs ?—I have. 365. Do you agree with him ? —Yes, our thoughts and our words are'the same. Te Wheoro Haerehuka, of Ngatiwhakaue examined. 366. Have you frequently conversed with Wiremu Maehe about Maori affairs ?—I have, •367. Do you agree with him ? —I do.

• Wiremu Maehe. 6 Oct. 1860.

Hoani Tahurua. Te Wheoro Haerehuka.

Monday, the Bth day of October, 1860. present: Mr Domett, Mr. Heale, Mr. Forsaith, Mr. Fox, Mr. Dillon Bell, Mr. Hunter Brown. Mr. Sewell in the Chair. P. D. Fenton, Esq., called in and further examined. 368. Chairman.] Have you completed the list of documents which you asked to be produced from the Native Office?—l have, (Witness handed in the list.) 369. Can you state what Native witnesses have been summoned or written to, to attend?—l can only tell to whom I have written; viz., Waata Kukutai, Te Keru, Hetaraka Mura, Rawiri, Mohi, and Panapa. 370. Do you believe they will be in attendance?—lf they are well they will attend; Ido not •know who has been summoned by the Native Office. T. H. Smith, Esq, called in and further examined. 371. Chairman.] Will you be so good as to state what you know relative to the opposition raised by the Natives against Mr. Fenton's proceedings, when and where it arose, and what form it took?—lt was not so much an opposition to Mr. Fenton's proceedings, that I am aware of, as an irritation that existed in the district. 372. Can you say amongst what Chiefs or persons the irritation existed?—lt was principally among those who called themselves the King's party in Upper Waikato. 373. Did that include old as well as young Chiefs? —It did. 374. Are you aware of any irritation amongst Chiefs not of the King party?—l am not able to say which Chiefs did belong to the King party; I think it was only after Mr. Fenton's appointment in the district that they became divided into parties. 375. Did you know anything of Potatau's own sentiments on the subject?—l am not aware whether he took exception to Mr. Fenton's official proceedings, but I believe he felt a good deal of annoyance; the distinction I wish to draw is this, I am not aware that it was Mr. Fenton's proceedings as <t Magistrate which annoyed him, it was rather the manner in which Mr. Fenton went into the district without any reference to him. 376. Can you recollect any incident or occurrence by which the annoyance felt by Potatau was made apparent?—l have heard Tamati Ngapora, his half-brother, say so. 377. Mr. Domett.] Do you remember any interview between Tamati Ngapora and the Governor on this subject? —I think I recollect his expressing an opinion to the Governor to the effect that the presence of the Magistrate at Waikato was doing harm. 378. Do you recollect Tamati Ngapora using some such expression as this, " That the combination of younger Chiefs in favour of Mr. Fenton's proceedings was like a rope of sand." and would disappear if Potatau held up a finger? —I think I recollect Mr. McLean mentioning to me some such expression as having been used either by Tamati Ngapora or Potatau, but I do not recollect hearing it myself. 379. Can you state anything more positive than what you have already said, relative to the opposition to Mr. Fenton's proceedings?—l cannot speak to any very active opposition as having been offered, but I believe it would have been if the same state of things had gone On. 380. Upon what do you ground your opinion? —I think there is sufficient evidence in Mr. Fenton's own journals to justify this opinion. At first the Natives in the District were merely separated into two parties; as matters proceeded, there were indications of hostile feelings growing up between the

F. D. Fenton, Esq, i 8 Oct. 1860.

1 1 fc T. H. Smith, Esq, t 8 Oct. 1860. t

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