G.—4

15

Government, which were at Patutahi, Te Muhunga, and Te Arai. The land ceded at Arai was bounded by the Waimata Stream, and went back to the creek named Mangaweki, on Mr. Bousfield's plan of Patutahi, thence back by the road to the boundary of the land coloured yellow on the same plan. I remember a Court sitting here in 1869. I attended that Court. I know that they awarded these lands to the Government. I made no objection, as I thought that judgment only affected the 15,000 acres. I did object to it when it was first mentioned among ourselves, but when I found that all the'chiefs were in favour of it I did not urge my objection. I accompanied Captain Porter and Mr. Bousfield over the boundaries at Patutahi. [Map of actual survey of Patutahi Block produced.] I did not go round the boundaries, but through the block. I never heard that the Court I mentioned awarded 57,000 acres to the Government. Ido not know how the Commissioners came to state in the letter of the 23rd August, 1869, that they had awarded 67,400 acres to the Crown. [Letter of the 23rd August, 1869, from the Commissioners, handed in by Mr. Locke.] [Wi Pere wishes to add that he did not wish to press this matter of Patutahi, but his only reason for mentioning it was because he was questioned about it by Mr. Locke ; all that he asks is that the Government may have consideration for us on account of our suffering.] The arrangement that I remember about Te Muhunga was that five thousand acres should be ceded; any excess should be handed back. I do not know of any other arrangement made. [Minutes of Commission handed in by Mr. Locke, and also particulars of blocks surrendered; also the original plan of the ceded land produced before the Commissioner in 1869.] I remember the handing over of the several portions of Te Muhunga to the Government. They were given upon the understanding that Waitawaki, my own claim, should be handed back. Soon after this arrangement was made, Mr. Atkinson went away and never returned, and the arrangement was never carried out. The orchard at Waerengaahika is included in the Waitawaki Block. If that arrangement, in accordance with the final settlement before the Commissioners, had been carried out the orchard would have become the property of the Queen; but when it was occupied by the Constabulary, about 1870, I sent them off, and mentioned the matter to Mr. McLean, who promised me that I should have a Crown grant for it. By the Commissioner : Mr. Sheehan made no promise in writing of the sections of Patutahi to be given me. KaraitianaTakamoana was present, who is since dead. Mr. Sheehan himself would admit having made the promise. I claim Waitawaki as my own personal property. I have an ancestral claim, but I have my claim to it personally, by a deed of gift which is in Mr. Sheehan's possession, and is dated the 3rd August, 184 i. Mr. Locke, by the Commissioner .■ With regard to Wi Pere's statement that Sir Donald McLean directed me to proceed with Wi Pere to the Bush Eeserva, in the Muhunga Block, with the object of ascertaining whether there was any land available there to satisfy an application for twenty-five acres, that is correct.:;: Court adjourned at 4 p.m.

1 Wednesday, Ist November, 1882. Covet opened at 10 a.m. Present and place the same. Wi Pere : In my evidence yesterday I stated that I objected to Europeans taking apples from the orchard at Waerengaahika. That was in 1870. I have held possession of it ever since. The allotment, marked yellow as a Native reserve on the plan of the Muhtmga Block, is not a wahi tapu, but is claimed by Atareta Euru, who has a house on it, and which place she has always owned. Panapa Waihopi, called by Wi Pere, being sworn, stated : I know of the arrangement concerning the three burial-places made at the time we handed over Te Muhunga. I know that they were to consist of twenty-five acres each. I know that it was arranged at the meeting, and afterwards confirmed, that five thousand acres of Te Muhunga should be ceded to the Government. I know that Te Muhunga and portion of Wahanui were given at that time. Hirini gave the portion of Wahanui. I remember our going afterwards to point out those pieces. I know of Mr. Atkinson's proposal that my portion and that of Hami te Hau should be included in the portion ceded; on account of which I excluded two burial-places. I know Mr. Atkinson stated that if we handed over the whole block the excess over five thousand acres would be handed back. I know that Mr. Atkinson's statement was the reason we agreed to hand over the whole block. By the Commissioner: It is true that I have arranged with a European to buy back one of our burial-places named Kaiteratahi, and since then I have buried one of my children there. It is a very old burial-ground, and some hundreds of people have been buried there. [Final decision of the Commission Court ill 1869 read over.] I remember that arrangement having been made. Mrs. Gannon, called by Wi Pere, sworn, stated : I remember Mr. Atkinson returning with Penapa from viewing this land. I remember his asking Wi Pere for the deed of Waitawaki. I remember his requesting Wi Pere to inclue that land in the boundaries ceded. I know principally of Wi Pere's piece named Waitawaki. He informed Mr. Atkinson that he owned this portion under a deed. Wi Pere objected to it being handed over to the Government. Mr. Atkinson said it would be better to include it in the boundaries, and that on his return to Wellington he would send Wi Pere a paper relative to the piece being returned to him. Mr. Atkinson went away and never returned. Wi Pere, after that, again applied to Mr. Wyllie, and disputed, and had a quarrel with him on account of the paper promised not being forthcoming. Mr. Wyllie said, " Mr. Atkinson's statement is correct; you had better.petition Sir Donald McLean, or go yourself to Wellington." I think Mr. Wyllie wrote a letter at that time, either to Mr. McLean or to Mr. Atkinson on the subject. This land was given by the tribe to our father for Wi Pere. Mr. Wyllie, myself, Wi Pere, and Arapera were present when Mr. Atkinson made this promise to Wi Pere. Mr. Atkinson,

* Mi. Locke also explained that the reason the arrangement was not carried out was because the military settlers had a right to cut timber on the block for ten years, which had then not expired.—H. T. C.