G.—7.

12

acres, and I gladly embraced that standard. The reserve was made, not so much as fulfilling either clause of the deed, as the smallest quantity I could get the Natives to agree to. I believe half of the people there when I went are dead. 147. By Mr. Macassey.~] I was authorized to make a promise—and I told them that the Government would make schools, buiid hospitals, and appoint officers to communicate between them and the Government. I found these promises of great weight in inducing the Natives to come in—but these promises have not yet been fulfilled. [Clause of instructions read: " Thirdly, you are only to mark out reserves around and including pas, residences or cultivations to the extent that may be necessary for the resident Natives; but you may inform them that the Crown will hereafter mark out for them such additional reserves as may be considered necessary for their future wants."] I was not engaged to carry out the terms of Kemp's deed, but was preparing for the execution of a new deed. 148. Did you make this promise ? —I took refuge under this promise with the Natives. The reserve may be looked upon as the result of a struggle, in which I got the land reduced as much as possible. I used to tell the people that if they were dissatisfied they must appeal to the Governor, and in one case (Waikouaiti) this was done, and they got an immediate increase. 149. Did the Natives believe in your promise, and come to terms upon the strength of it ?— Certainly. 150. How do you propose to keep that promise ? —I have no power by me. 151. What would you do if you had the power ? —I think a minimum of 14 acres a head, if I were a member of the Government, not as satisfying my own honor as a private individual.

Memoba2toitm: by Mr. Kemp. Mb. Fenton, — In reply to the inquiries made by you in reference to the petition from the Natives in the Middle Island assembled at Kaiapoi on the 25th March, 1874, I beg leave to state as follows:— 1. That I am not aware that I made use of any threat or intimidation whatever on the occasion of the cession of the land comprised within what is commonly known as Kemp's Deed. 2. That I do not remember that the system pursued by the New Zealand Company in the first instance, of devoting a tenth of the lands ceded to the use of the Natives, was made applicable in this case, but, on the contrary, my dealings with the Native sellers were very much governed by the arrangements adopted by Sir George Grey when making the purchase of the Wairau from the Ngatitoa, viz. that of making sufficient reserves for their present and future wants. 3. And in reference to that part of the deed which refers to the setting apart of further reserves by the Government, I think that the impression on my mind, and on the minds of the Natives made at the time, was, that the provision hereafter to be made was one which was to be carried out in a liberal spirit, and in such proportions as to meet the wants and provide for the general future welfare of the Natives resident at the different settlements at the time the purchase was made. Civil Commissioner's Office, Auckland, June, 187 G. H. T. Keiip. By Authority: Q-eobge DiDSßritT, Government Printer, Wellington.—lB76. Price 9d.