GL—2.

70. The Commissioners.] What is the size of the piece of land you refer to? —I cannot give the acreage. Had it been surveyed, I could tell you. It extends from Waingongoro to the sea. 71. Does it go inland to the bush ? —No; it all lies seaward. It is quite impossible for me to describe the area of these pieces. They are held by me, because my elder and younger brothers are gone off to Te Whiti. 72. How much are you living upon? —We live upon,the whole of the block, undivided. Major Brown knows that we live all over the block. It is not that this land belongs to one or two of the tribe, but to a large number of them. Those pieces to which I refer are of considerable extent, because they belong to a number, not to myself only. Those lands belong to me and to my ancestors. 73. Kaitana, of Okahu, said he had a further statement to make : Major Brown and Mr. Williams have seen the land which my wife claims. I have but a small extent of land. The greater portion of the land I have been referring to belongs to my wife, aud it is called Teioke. That land belongs absolutely to my wife. I have nothing further to say about that. 74. Tipene Bakeue, of Mawhitiwhiti, said : I have only a few words to say respecting my ancestors, who embarked in the Government canoe. When they died, they told me to be strong in upholding their side. lam now looking after their interests in their lands inland on this side of the Waingongoro. The land which belongs to fiie, and which I am interested in, is inland of Mawhitiwhiti. In the land between Waingongoro and Kapuni I have a claim to a portion. I have land also on the boundary extending from Kaupukunui to Hone Pihama's boundary. A number of people claim this land, but they are all absent at Parihaka: lam the only one left here. 1 have also a piece of land within the block which extends from Ouri to Punehu; but the greater number of the claimants to this land are at Parihaka. I have still further claims beyond this block, and close to Parihaka; but it is perhaps better not to say anything about that now. I have only to add that I now hold that land on my own behalf and on that of others. 75. The Commissioners: There is one word which the Commissioners wish to say to those assembled here, and which they are requested to bear in mind. In the speeches which have been made to-day we have heard of boundaries declared, of the names of ancestors, families, and tribes, and their boundaries given. It is quite right that the Natives should have had an opportunity of making these known. But they must remember that the ancestral rights and tribal rights enjoyed at one time were put an end to by the confiscation of the land in consequence of the war. And the chief reason for the Commission being appointed at all was the statement that promises of various kinds had been made by the Government to the Natives on this coast: as for instance, those said to have been made to Hone Pihama by the Government. To-morrow we shall make a statement to the people who have attended this sitting.

At Oeo, Fbiday, 20th Pebkuaky, 1880. 76. Hone Pihama said : There is one other matter I wish to speak about. A piece of land at Waukena was promised to me by Mr. Eichmond. I was promised 420 acres, and the land was surveyed at the time. I wish to know whether that promise still stands. When I came to let the land it was surveyed, and it was found to be only 400 acres in extent. 77. The Commissioners : The Commission will inquire into this matter when they visit the Patea District, in which the land is situated. 78. Te Iraia Wakeariki, of Mawhitiwhiti, said : I would like to state to the Commission what I have often repeated to Major Brown. It is with reference to a piece of land at Waitotara called Moumahaki, which I myself let the Government have. 79. The Commissioners: All questions afi'ecting lands in that district will be heard at Waitotara or Patea. 80. Te Traia Wakeariki: I wish also to mention a piece of land of mine situated on the other side of Waingongoro, called Kanihi or Te liuaotemoko. There were 500 acres there. 1 should like to understand the position in which this land now stands. 81. The Commissioners.] Is that the piece of laud which is let to Mr. Caverhill?—Some of our people have leased it; but I have not signed the lease myself. 82. Major Brown, Civil Commissioner, made the following explanation to the Commission: I endeavoured to regulate the leasing of these reserves, and to decide what Natives were entitled to deal with them. My action was suspended by a statement of Mr. Sheehan to the Natives some eighteen months ago, to the effect that he would send a Judge of the Native Lands Court, or some other authorized person, to decide what particular Natives should be deemed to have rights in any particular reserve. Such person has never been sent; but I felt it necessary to suspend any further action on my part in regard to these lands, lest it should prejudice or anticipate the action of whoever might be appointed. S3. Te Traia Wakeariki: What I wish is that a Crown grant should bo issued for these 500 acres. 84. The Commissioners.] Who are the owners of the land?—There are a great many of them. Although there are a great many of them, still I am desirous that a Crown grant should be issued for this block to me. The whole of the people were included in this promise of Sir Donald McLean's. There are a great many of us; but my claim is before the others. There is another person interested, Heke Pepe ; but he is not here. He would tell you the same as lam telling you. 85. The reserve is made all clear. There is no doubt about the boundaries of the land. The question is, who are the Natives that are to enjoy the reserve. We shall recommend the Government to send some Judge for the purpose of settling that, and then will be the time to decide who are the owners. The Commissioners then made the following statement: — 86. The work which the Governor and the Parliament have given the Commissioners to do is to hear from the Maoris any complaints they have to make within the confiscated territory. It was stated in the course of many debates in Parliament that many promises had been made by the Government to the Natives about these lands, which have not been fulfilled. The

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