11

G.— 4.

to receive it. I signed my name as witness to some of the payments made to Ngatikahungunu. I received no money myself on account of Patutahi. I was offered but would not accept. I wish Sir Donald McLean's arrangement Co be carried out. When I saw in the newspaper that Patutahi was to be sold, I sent the telegram read to the Premier, protesting against the sale until my share and the share of my relations were defined. The persons named in the letter read are the persons beside myself who did not receive money : Meehana Takihi, Manama Tini, Pene Tena Mairangi, Uru Pene Puhara, Hari Ma^aka, Hemi te Uranga, Ihakare Whakato, Te Tura Whangai. I omitted one name from the letter, that of Apirana Ahuriri. I wrote his name to the letter, and struck it out under the impression that he received money. I have since found out that he did not. Charles Locke appears on behalf of the Crown, and hands in deed of receipt of satisfaction for Ngatikahungunu claims on Patutahi, dated 12th November, 1875. He says, "I have heard Henare Tomoana's evidence and I admit it to be correct. I hand in roll of Ngtikahungunu who came with Henare Tomoana to Tolago Bay." Henare Tomoana, examined by Mr. Locke : The persons named in my letter of the 6th March are the only ones for which I claim. They were in all the engagements on the East Coast. I was the leader of them. Meihana was in the position of an officer, Manoana Tini was also an officer, Pene te Uamairangi was another, Uru Pene was another; Hori Maaka was a private, Hemi te Uranga was also a private; Ihakara Whakato was a drill-sergeant. Te Tui Whangai was a private but acted as chaplain. Ngatikahungunu were paid £10 each private. lam not aware that the chiefs of Ngatiporou received £50 each. My objection was that the land was not divided. Apirana Ahuriri should also be included as a private. Colonel Lambert appointed these officers. Commission Court adjourned until 2 p.m. Court resumed at 2 p.m. Captain Porter, called by Mr. Locke, being sworn, stated: I am captain commanling the East Coast District. I undertook to pay Ngatiporou the money for Patutahi. I made distinctions in payment to chiefs. Seven chiefs received £20 each, three received £10 each, and four £50 each. In addition to this, Eapata Wahawaha received a grant of land for his general services, which was given some time after this payment was made. I know nothing of any promises made to Ngatikahungunu. I have heard that they were to be on the same footing with regard to the land as Ngatiporou, who received ten thousand acres. The difference in the payments to the chiefs was between the non-combatants and combatants. Henare Tomoana's case closed. Court adjourned until 10 a.m. on Thursday next. Heney T. Claeke, Commissioner.

Mr. H. Tomoana to the Hon. Sir G. Gkey. (Translation.) I have seen in the Wananga that Patutahi is to be sold. I will not consent till the portion for myself and people have been divided off. It will then be correct. Let the place where I fought mv battle be for me. In my opinion we [you and I] should talk this matter over, that you may know my thoughts ; after that the Government can act. I shall be grieved [pown] unless this my request is answered satisfactorily by you and Mr. Sheehan. The Hon. Sir George Grey. Henaee Tomoana.

Mr. H. Tomoana to the Hon. Mr. Sheehan. Pakohai, 6th March, 1879. We are the people who have not agreed to accept money for Patutahi; Henare Tomoana, Meihana Takihi, Manaena Tini, Pene te Uamairangi, Urupene Puhara, Hori Maaka, Hemi te Uranga, Ihakara Whakato, and Te Teira Whangai. These are all of us who did not take money. Do you give us the land. Enough. From all of us. The Hon. Mr. Sheehan, Minister for Native Affairs. Henaee Tomoana.

Wi Peee's Cases. Wi Pbre's applications to the Government, cited in the Commission of Inquiry, are under three heads, viz. : (1.) Pie applies to the Government for a portion of the Patutahi Block, on behalf of the Whauau-a-kai Hapu, on the ground that they have been great sufferers through the cession of the Patutahi Block of land to the Government. (2.) He applies for all the land over and above the five thousand acres in the Muhunga Block actually arranged to be handed over to the Government. (3.) He applies on his own behalf for a portion of the Muhunga Block, known as Waitawaki, alleging an individual claim to the same. I will deal with the first subject separately. The second and third run one into the other so much that I will consider them together. Patutahi. —(l.) In regard to Patutahi, Wi Pere does not set up any claim of right; he admits the fact that the land was handed over to the Crown by arrangement, which arrangement was confirmed by the Court of Commission in 1869. That the people for whom he makes this application are many of them absolutely landless near the coast; that they are living on sufferance on his own property of fifty acres at Makauri, and on the land of other Natives. That the Natives are in a measure to blame for'this, because they have yielded to the importunity of Europeans and Government agents, and have disposed of. their lands. He also attributes "part of their trouble to the Government, from the fact that, without their knowledge and consent, all claimants to laud, as awarded by the Commissioners in 1869, were made joint tenants, thereby putting men with insigficant ancestral claims on the same footing with large acknowledged landowners. Had they been made tenants in common, the chiefs would hare been in a position to provide for their people, and therefore he thought it right to appeal to the compassion of the Government on behalf of his people. He states that he laid this matter before the late Native Minister, Mr. Sheehan, who promised them