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that had been surveyed, and not that which had been previously leased by Mr. Tanner. I cannot say the acres,. He had the largest portion leased. The Interpreter said not to leave the lease on one side, but to sign them to include the whole. Another reason of my objection was that there was nothing said about the land coming back at the end of the time. The Interpreter said that would be written in the lease, and when that was agreed we signed the lease that included the whole block. There was a sale by Te Waka and Tareha. After the lease we heard that Henry Parker had Waka's land ; that if Te Waka died, Parker would take his place as son. Te Waka and ourselves did not come in, but we heard tho Assembly at Napier had upset that arrangement. We heard the land had gone back to Te Waka. It was perhaps the Provincial Council. All we knew was that Te AVaka got his laud back. After that time Te Waka's and Tareha's shares were sold. This was some time after, and we heard the amount they had received. I complained in reference to that, and consider what should be done. Tanner came to me, and he went to Henare, and perhaps other Natives. Perhaps he heard Mr. Stuart wished to purchase the block. Ho asked mo to sell the whole block, and named £12,000 as the price. I don't know if he had any one with him. He could speak sufficiently well. He was continually coming to me till I went to Wellington. Stuart was going to AVellington in the same vessel, and I heard I was not to sell. Up to the time of going to AVellington I had not sold my share. At the time of the fighting at Taupo he came up to my place at Pakowhai, with Edward Hamlin, and they told Henare, Manaena, and myself their object in coming. They continued going backwards and forwards for three days, asking us to consent to the sale of Heretaunga. The summonses had been issued for Henare's debts. Tanner was anxious to purchase the land, so that he might pay the debts. £12,000 was the price named. AYe were to have £2,000 for us two. When I went Henare had consented, they were sitting in another room. I was dark in consequence of his having signed. It was said Henare would be put in gaol if he did not sign. I heard that from Mr. Tanner and Mr. Hamlin. This negotiation was about Heretaunga only ; the others had signed. Chairman.] Did you know anything of Arihi's party signing ? —No. Mr. Sheehan.] What time did they remain each day ? They remained till evening. AVere they all that time talking about the sale of the land ? Yes. I was objecting to let my share go. Henare was the person talking to them. I was objecting. Did Mr. Tanner and Mr. Hamlin speak to you in the Maori language? Tanner spoke in English; he understood a little Maori. Had you any conversation with Tanner whether you should sell ? AVhen I went outside, Hamlin came after me to consent. I had signed, but I was still objecting. Hamlin said if I consented Tanner would give me £1,000. Was this the last time you signed your name ? That was the commencement; the document we signed was merely a piece of paper saying we would sell Heretaunga. They wrote it there; it was not a deed. (Copy agreement, 6th December, 1869, produced and read.) Was it like this ? No. Had you and Henare received £4,000 at that time ? No. Had it been paid for you ? Ido not know. Had you any conversation with the Interpreter as to how far you were authorized by the other grantees to sell ? Nothing of the sort. How did you know the other Natives had sold previously ? I had no knowledge in reference to the others ; I heard only. (Original agreement, dated 6th December, 1869, produced.) That is the document referred to by Henare and myself. The first document I signed was not so read to me. When I signed the second document these were the words read to me. What do you recollect of the contents of the first document ? It was nothing like the one signed at Pakowhai. The first one did not show that the other Natives had agreed. What did j tou do next, after the signing of this document ? In reference to the first document, after signing, I came in to Mr. AVilson to object to the signing of mine. After this I went to Auckland. Mr. McLean asked me to come; not about this matter; I went to speak to him about Heretaunga and other matters. Did you see Mr. McLean in reference to this ? I spoke to him about Heretaunga, Mangateretere, and Ohikakarewa. Mr. McLean said, Wait till Mr. Fenton comes, and then we will speak about it. The day Mr. Fenton came, they sent for Major Heaphy. Mr. McLean said Major Heaphy should come respecting mortgages and sales of land. After that I said to Mr. McLean, Would not the Government purchase Heretaunga? He asked me how much the debts were, and I asked tho Government to give £3,000 to pay Henare's debts, for wdiich he was being summoned. I understood Mr. McLean agreed to it, but it was not agreeing. I asked him twice, and he answered the same each time. When I came back, I went to my own place at Pakowhai. After your return, did Mr. Fenton and Major Heaphy come ? Major Heaphy came. What then took place in reference to this block ? He told us to give him the lands ;it was not so done with Heretaunga, it was said to be mortgaged. Did Major Heaphy give that reason ? He did. AVhen Major Heaphy left, were matters in respect to Heretaunga the same as before he came? Yes. How were the rest of the grantees acting at this time: were they at home or in Napier ? They were at their own settlement. Are you aware whether any of the grantees had been obtaining goods on their share ? Ido not know. AVhat happened after Major Heaphy left ? There were a number of pieces of land taken care of by Major Heaphy; after this Mr. Cuff and Martin Hamlin came. AVhen I arrived from Auckland I remained in my own place until Cuff and Hamlin came, on account of my sadness about Heretaunga. Did Mr. Ormond come to see you? He was the first Napier man who came to me at Pakowhai. Did he speak to you about Heretaunga ? I spoke to him about Heretaunga, in reference to my conversation with Mr. McLean in reference to the Government purchase of Heretaunga. I said to Mr. Ormond I had asked Air. McLean to purchase Heretaunga for the Government; there were a number of us (Natives) present and Martyn Hamlin ; Mr. Ormond said, Did Mr. McLean consent ? I said, Yes ; and he (Mr. McLean) said, It was well. Mr. Ormond said, McLean's agreeing was not right, the Government had not any money; that was the end of our conversation. Cuff and Hamlin came after Mr. Ormond ; they came to bring the balance of the money for Heretaunga, and he came to show how the money was expended to each person in the grant. I was asked to sign a document, selling on that occasion? There was a great deal said by them ; I will state what I remember. They came to show how the money was expended and the money that was left. lam not sure whether it was £1,000 or £1,060 ; they asked me to sign and take the balance ; that would be £2,000 for me, adding in the balance. I did not sign then ; they went away without obtaining my signature. I told them to go to Napier and I would come in. I did not understand what day I was to come in. The Europeans who

Heretaunga.

Complaint No. I — continued.