G.—2.

they make them are not definite. It seems, however, that the Wanganui Natives consider themselves entitled to make a claim in consideration of their past military services, and from a desire to be in a position to restore a portion of the land to the original Ngarauru owners, whom they helped to conquer, and with whom, it appears, they had some compact on the subject. After careful inquiry, these claims have been rejected by the Compensation Court. Moreover, the Wanganui Natives w rho acted with our troops, received, subsequent to the decision of the Court, a bonus of £2,500, in addition to their pay, for services rendered, and in full satisfaction of .any unsettled land claims they might have." 476. Hone Mete :I am claiming on the part of Ngarauru, my mother's side; lam not claiming for my father's military services; lam only claiming through my mother's side ; for we remained loyal to the Government all through. 477. The Commissioners : We see that the case was gone into by the Compensation Court, and afterwards considered by Sir Donald McLean, who has recorded his decision in the Blue Book just quoted from, aud we do not consider that we should be doing right in reopening the matter now. The Ngarauru were heard, your mother's claim was specifically disposed of, and we see no reason for reviewing the decision then arrived at. 478. Hone Mete, .- Is it right that the friendly Natives who fought for tho Government should be paid at the expense of others who own land on this side of Waitotara ? 479. The Commissioners: That payment was an act of the Executive Government, with which this Commission has nothing to do. 480. Tutange Waionui said: I wish to speak of land from Patea to Whitikau, Oroua, and Te Pipipi; these places are all seaward, and from thence to Opango along the line to Pukerata ; and from there to Otoia and on to Patea. The land included in these boundaries is generally known as Eakaramea. The block is about five miles across, and extends back from the sea-coast twelve miles. It contains about 1,200 acres. This land has all been confiscated. My body may have offended against the Queen, but my land has not. I and my relatives sent a petition to Major Brown when he was in office, in 1877. We asked that the land which the Government were holding in this block should be returned to us. I said that the Government should pay me half tho price of the land that was in Government use at the Patea wharf and other such places. Major Brown informed us that it was a matter for other officers of the Government and Commissioners to settle. This is all I have to say to the Commissioners : that this land held by the Government should be returned to us. 481. The Commissioners : We have listened to what you have said, but your claim is one which we cannot entertain for a moment. We are not here to give back the confiscated land, nor to entertain any application of that kind. 482. Tutange: In the time of Mr. Eichmond, only the portion seaward of the road was confiscated. 483. The Commissioners : We cannot listen to that; the confiscated line was laid down long before Mr. Eichmond's time. 484. Tutange : I wish to speak also on behalf of my wife, Tuehe, wrho is unable to attend the Commission, about the land between Taumaha and Mokoia. When Major Brown, Civil Commissioner, was working together with Hone Pihama and Taurua, they wished that takoha should be paid to the Natives for this block. Some of the Natives did not agree to receive takoha, but others wished it; and Tuehe asked Major Brown to pay it to her. Major Brown said that Tuehe and Eangawahia should receive their share of the takoha. Tuehe said she also wished that 2,700 acres should be returned to her. Major Brown said that was too much, but that he would let her have 70 acres : that if she agreed to accept the 70 acres he would then see that she received £100 of the takoha ; and Tuehe agreed to accept the £100 on that understanding. 485. Major Brown :I do not remember anything about the 70 acres. I paid tho takoha. 486. Hone Pihama :At the time the payment was made I was not satisfied. I was very displeased about it, because at that time I was trying to hold back this land. I had told Major Brown previously that I did not wish this land to be dealt with. When Tuehe received the money I was annoyed, because she was a child of mine. I said, "It is enough : you have destroyed the whole land by taking the money." I said that this girl should have no more land; that the money which she had received should be enough. 487. The Commissioners :We shall not interfere with what Hone Pihama said at that time. As Tuehe has chosen to take the money, we cannot interfere further. 488. Moke said : I wish to speak about a house which I built in 1875 on land at Whakamara, This house has been taken by the Government, and I think it should be given back to me. It is a raupo house, and is still standing. 489. Hone Pihama : Moke is referring to a reserve at Takiruahine, which I spoke about at Oeo. My father's father lived there. When Major Brown was dealing with the land I told him that I would not let this piece go. When we were settling the business, I made two requests to Major Brown : that the houses should be included in the reserve, and that a small reserve should be given to those who had received none of the takoha. Nearly all our people did receive takoha, so I asked him to reserve a small place for those who did not receive any. 490. The Commissioners :We have telegraphed to ascertain whether the reserve includes the lohares, and whether the land has been finally reserved. 491. Hone Pihama: The section was to be reserved where the ivhares were standing, so that it must be at that place, and cannot be taken farther away. 492. The Commissioners: Major Brown agrees with that; but we do not know whether the section that is marked as a reserve is the one on which the houses stand. 493. Hone Pihama: The piece we wish to have-reserved is that on which our parents and ancestors lived for many years back.

At Caelyle, Thuesday, 25th Maech, 1880. 494. Hone Mete : If the claims of the Ngarauru Tribe are allowed, we should be allowed to join >vith them, for we also belong to that tribe.

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