G.-2.

should mention the following arrangement: Sections 1 at Mangaraka Biver, 43 acres, and 184, of 3 acres, were also given up, to be held tribally by the Puketapu tribe; and the following sections were also allotted to certain Natives: In the Huirangi Block, sections 87, L57, 159, 174, 158, and also 154. 751. Have Crown grants been prepared for these last named, as having been set aside for individual Natives? —Crown grants have been asked for, but Ido not know whether they were prepared. They were to have been made inalienable. 752. Was there anything else done ?—I should also mention that the Natives were promised that, as soon as concentrated, all that was not required for military occupation should be returned to them. They have possession, and are allowing metal to be carried from there, which they receive payment for. The piece is not more than a couple of acres in extent. It was promised by Sir George Grey to Mahau, a chief of the Puketapu tribe. 753. Now, will you go on to the north bank of the Waitara Biver? —There is a block of land in Waitara East given back to the Waitara Natives, containing 3,300 acres, which has been individualized. I hand in the register of the individualization, and also the plan. 754. Are there any conditions in the Crown grants ? —I believe the Crown grants have been prepared a long time. In almost every case the Crown grants were not made inalienable, and a large portion of this reserve has been sold by the Natives. I recommended the grants should be made inalienable, but the Natives opposed it. Sir Donald McLean thought that they should be issued in the manner asked for by the Natives. 755. Is not the Ngatirahiri Block immediately adjoining ? —Tes. The acreage of it is 13,100 acres, and it extends along the const from Titirangi to Bau-o-te-huia; thence inland to a place called Otamapotiki, and down by Oparangi into the Onaero Biver. 756. Is that block held tribally, and by whom ?—At the time of the sitting of the Compensation Court in 1866, a special agreement was made with the Ngatirahiri Tribe that this block should bo returned to them, and be held under Native custom, without individualization. 757. Was it not in this Ngatirahiri Block that the Tikorangi land was situated, which was taken for tho military settlers, about wbich tho complaint was brought before us at Waitara?—The portion of land taken for the Tikorangi military settlers originally belonged to the Ngatirahiri. Its estimated area is about 1,500 acres. It was Crown-granted to the military settlers. 758. Was the Tikorangi Block originally set aside for two companies of military settlers ?— It was. 759. What companies were they?—They were two bushranging companies of Volunteers. 760. Were both companies located there ? —Both companies were to have been located there; and the surveyor, Mr. Octavius Carrington, was instructed to decide what frontage he would require, commencing from the Waitara Biver. He stated he would require three miles frontage to form a block for the two companies. No. 1 Company selected the land nearest the Waitara Biver. There were other grants for military service allocated at the same place. No. 2 Company occupied a piece of land beyond the boundary previously arranged for the military settlers' settlement. I had been instructed by the Government to make full explanations to the Natives of what land would be required, and I went to Matarikoriko, accompanied by Judge Monro, to see the Natives interested in the land; and we explained that the Government had decided to take the frontage already described, three miles from the Waitara Biver, about parallel with the coast-line, and as much land inland of that line as would be required for the two companies. 761. What became of No. 2 Company; was it located there, or was it located at another place ? —No. 2 Company refused to take the land up, and they were ultimately located in the Patea District. 762. How far did the Natives consent to your taking this land for the purpose of military settlement ?—The Ngatirahiri people signed an agreement to take tho balance of their block of land as a final settlement of the question which existed respecting the awards of the Compensation Court; but they never gave up the question of their right to the land which bad been taken for the Tikorangi military settlement. I however prevailed upon them not to interfere with the occupation of the land in dispute. 763. Under what regulations did the companies take this land ? —I suppose under the regulations for military settlers. 764. How came they to get this particular piece of land? —I do not know. I presume it was an order from the Defence Minister. 765. Had the land been confiscated at that time? —I do not recollect exactly, but my correspondence will show. 766. Immediately adjoining the Ngatirahiri Block, between Bau-o-te-huia and Onaero, there is a block of 2,800 acres: what is that?—lt is a piece of land reserved for Native purposes, from the boundary of the Onaero-Urenui-Taramouku Block. 767. Por what purpose was it reserved ?—For Natives returning to their allegiance, aud others for whom it was necessary to find places to live upon. 768. Then that block is now free for the Government to deal with ? —Tes. 769. Por the location of Natives? —Tes. 770. And not for the fulfilment of the compensation awrards ?—That question has never been settled. It raises a question, also, with reference to awards of the Compensation Court which were made from Urenui to Bau-o-te-huia. Many of the awardees were parties to the cession of the Onaero-Urenui Block, and received part of the consideration ; and it is a question to be decided whether their awards are still to be exercised in that block, or whether, by participating in the sale of the block, their awards were not cancelled. 771. Air. Sheehan raised that question for you to report upon in April, 1879, did he not ? —He asked my opinion upon it, and took it down. 772. Was not your report to the effect that no arrangement had been made with the Natives to surrender their claims under the awards?—No understanding was arrived at as to whether they forfeited their awards or not,

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