G.—2.

of 24,300 acres ; the Aburoa-Manawawiri Block of 12,600 acres; a portion of the Mangaohiku Block, containing about 0,000 acres ; the Moa Block of 32,880 acres; the Waipuku Block of 7,000 acres ; theManganui Block of 11,200 acres ; and tho Waipuku-Patea Block of 20,700 acres. There is a reserve in the Waitara-Taramouku Block, called Autawa, containing about 330 acres; and also two small burialgrounds. In the Pukemahoe Block there are no reserves. In the Te Wero Block there is a reserve of about 50 acres at the northern end, on the Waitara River. In the Kopua Block there is a small burial-ground reserve. In the Huiroa Block there are 1,000 acres which were promised to be reserved for the Ngatimaru people living at the Kawau ; but this reserve has not been marked out: and there is also a small burial-ground reserve. In the Manganui Block there are two reserves : Tariki, containing 200 acres, and Otikiwi, containing 200 acres ; and two burial-grounds. In the Moa Block there are no reserves, nor in the "Waipuku Block. In the Waipuku-Patea Block there is a reserve of 700 acres, about which the claim was made by the Natives at Hawera. 811. You have now described all the purchases you made while in office, in the northern part of the confiscated territory. Will you describe the purchases made by you in the southern part? —There is the Otoia Block of 2,660 acres, and a small portion of the Pukekino Block, at its south-west corner. In reference to this block I may say that it does not come under the confiscation, because it went through the Native Land Court. There are also the Opaku Block of 24,160 acres, tho Okahutiria Block of 14,492 acres, and the Moumahaki Block of 40,000 acres. These were acquired by Major Brown.

At New Plymouth, Peiday, 12th Maech, 1880. Major Stapp, Commanding Taranaki District, examined. 812. The Commissioners.] Tou are in command of the district here, are you not ?—Tes. 813. Do you remember the time, in 1865, when the military settlements were first laid out and occupied ? —Tes. 814. Were you the officer who had the enrolment of the companies of Volunteers settled at Urenui and Tikorangi ? —At Tikorangi. 815. Will you give the Commission the particulars of what was done, and at what date the location of the Volunteers was made ?—I received instructions, at the latter end of May, 1865, from the lion. Major Atkinson, then Defence Minister, to enrol two companies of Volunteers from the settlers in this district, and to proceed to the north of Waitara and occupy a certain piece, which was pointed out. I did so. We at once commenced to clear lands previous to survey, and after the lands w rere surveyed, one of the companies, including myself, had land allotted to them. It was afterwards decided that land could not be allotted to both companies, and it was suggested that they should draw lots as to who should occupy the Tikorangi land. That was done. 816. That was in May or June, 1865 ? —I commenced to enrol in May, and in June we took possession. 817. Was it then that the Tikorangi Blockhouse was built? —The tender was called for in that year. I think the blockhouse was built in July or August. 818. Had you anything to do with the location of the military settlers at Urenui?—l was only Adjutant at that time. It was occupied in June, 1865. 819. And a military settlement was formed at Pukearuhe?—Tes. 820. Were you not the Adjutant on duty for the whole force north of Waitara ?: —Tes ; and at Oakura as well. I had to do with the whole, though I had a commanding officer above me. 821. Do you remember at what time the military settlement was formed at Oakura ? —The Oakura military settlers were allotted land in June, 1865. Urenui was occupied in June, 1865 ; the tender for the blockhouse at Tikorangi was accepted in August, 1865 ; we took possession of Tikorangi in June, 1865. The Pukearuhe military settlers were allotted land on the 13th November, 1865; they took possession 27th April, 1865.

At New Plymouth, Thuesday, 11th Maech, 1880. Major Beowx further examined. 822. The Commissioners.] Tou have heard the evidence of Mr. Parris as to the blocks of land he acquired within the confiscated boundary. We wish you now to continue the evidence of Mr. Parris, and describe the land which you have yourself dealt with within the confiscated boundary since you succeeded him in the office of Civil Commissioner. Tou acquired the Opaku Block, the Okahutiria Block, and the Moumahaki Block after coming into office ? —Tes. r 823. "Will you describe your proceedings in order of time ?—I dealt first with the Opaku Block, and then with the Okahutiria Block. After that I dealt with the balance of the confiscated land between the Opaku Block and the Waingongoro Biver, up to the Patea Biver in the bush. This is estimated to contain about 73,000 acres. I took Taurua and Hone Pihama, who were Assessors, as my coadjutors in dealing with the takoha for the tribal rights. What I gave to the chiefs for their mana over the land I gave by myself, aud very often without anybody else except a witness knowing anything about it. The reason why I dealt with that part of the confiscated territory first, was because those with whom 1 first negotiated had been prisoners in Dunedin, and were more subdued and could be more easily dealt with than the other Natives. When I was stopped from going on to the Plains by Mr. Sheehan, I did not want tho question to get cold, and therefore I turned my attention to the Moumahaki Block, which was the balance of the confiscated land belonging to the Ngarauru tribe as far as Waitotara. The contents of the Moumahaki Block are about 40,000 acres. 824. What reserves did you make in the Otoia-Opaku Block?—I made a small reserve there, and the reason of it was this: Major Turner had a lease of the Otoia reserve, and he wanted to get a piece of freehold; but I would not allow the Natives to sell any of it. There was a woman named Tu Wehi, and another woman named Kuru, at Mokoia, who, everybody admitted, had not had their fair share of the compensation. Therefore I said I would give them 15 acres, and they could sell them to Major Turner. B— G. 2.

57