a.—4

16

on the day of his departure, repeated his promise to settle this matter on his arrival at Wellington, and advised Wi Pere not to make a stir about it lest other Natives should interfere. I know that Wi Pere strongly objected to this piece being included in the ceded land, and it was- only on account of Mr. Atkinson's promise that it should be granted back to him that he consented for it to be included. By the Commissioner: It was before the sitting of the Commission Court that Mr. Atkinson urged that Wi Pere should allow this piece to be included, on the promise that it was to be handed back by the Government; and Wi Pere was advised by Mr. Atkinson not to bring the piece before the Court, as others might be included in the order if he did so. Arapera Pere, called by Wi Pere: I have heard what Mrs. Gannon has said, and I confirm it. Mr. Barnard, District Inspector of Surveys, will furnish the area of the Muhunga Block ceded. [Tracing handed in, 5,415 acres.] Case closed. Henry T. Claeke, Commissioner.

Wi Peee, Peka Kerekere, Anaru Matete, Heeni, Teauraki Tekauru, Wikitoria Uwawa, Tawaho, Tapeta Kerekere, Apiata Kahukura, Haare Matenga, Nopera Whiti, Eoka Patutahi, Poaru, Poraku, Karaitiaua Akurangi, Paora Puta, Tamati Terangi, Horomona Tarakitai, Takematenga, Kihitu Wi, Ahipene Eangi, Ihaia Patutahi, Paora Kingi, Tiopira Tawhiao, Tipirihi Tutekohi, Mata Teao, Hohepa Kaitahi, Kereama Eere, Hetekia te Kani, Mere Tahatu, Temoanaroa Pere, Matenga Taihuka, Parete Noti, Hohepa Eaharuhi, Paora Parau, Hera Hokokao, Atereta Euru, Mika Bore, Herewini Tamaihouia, Hirini Teraekaihau, Tepeneha, Kataraina Whatiwhati, Karepa Maruwhakatipua, Pohoi, Takawhaki, Arihia Tako, Tia Teeke, Mita Mataitai, Eorotau, Hineteariki Pera, Harata Hone, Meramera, Tapeta Matenga, Wireinu Iretoro, Eutu Teruru, Arapera Pera, Bpiha Parau, Harata Teeke, Tuakana, Pete Taihuka, Tuhura, Temini Kerekere, Tekoraierangi, Taraia, Ereti Kahukura, Kunene, Eangitake, Hoera Tako, Katirina Tako, Korehe, Tawhiao, Matanuku, Pirihi Tutaha, Tepeneha Haua, Hira Uatuku, Eutene Ahuroa, Eiria . Mauranui, Eaiha Kota, Heeni Teauraki, "Wiharonga, Tiopera Korehe, Katatirina Tehane, Hirini Tekani, Eutene Teeke, Katirina Pahoho, Karaitiana Euru, Tapeta Iretore, Eangi Kohera, Teira Eanginui, Moanaroa.— Hapu o Ngatikohuru. Te hapu Ngatihikarongo, Teurupa, Panapa Waihopi, Mereana Paraone, Heeni Tewhakaetenga, Wiremu Kingi Tekawau, Wimahuika, Otene Tewaka.— Ngapotiki. Hera Hokokao, Taraipine Tah.ua, Oriwia Tv, Meri Tiwata, Koroniria Euru, Nepia Tokitahi, Hemaimarere, Kawhena, Konekewa, Paora Upa, Merepika Kaimako, Peti Morete, Himiona Tekino, Eawiri Nooti, Tuhura, Patoromu, Taraipine Tutaki.— Ngaittiketenui.

Petition of Eeeataea and Others. The petitioners pray that they may receive payment for fighting against the Hauhaus, out of money for Patutahi. They ask for £1,400. The names of the hapus making this claim are Ngatikanohi, Ngatiriwai, and Ngatimatikoraha, of the Aitanga-a-Hauite Tribe, fireatara Hapu is dead, and Paora Parau, the person authorized to represent petitioners in Parliament, undertakes to conduct case before the Commission of Inquiry. Paora Parau and Major Eapata Wahawaha give evidence in support of petition. Mr. Locke calls Captain Porter to give evidence on behalf of the Crown. It is proved that the hapus named in the petition were loyal—that they bore arms against the Hauhaus, and several of them on different occasions went under Major Eapata on distant military expeditions against the enemy. On the other hand, it is proved and admitted that the petitioners received pay and rations from the Government; that no promise was ever made to them that they should have any share of Patutahi lands, or receive any money in lieu thereof; that, as a matter of grace, the Ngatiporou, with whom many of them served, gave them £200 out of the portion allotted to them; and that many of the petitioners signed the Ngatiporou receiptdeed, which was produced by Captain Porter. It appears to me that the petition is based on no alleged promise, but upon the fact that other tribes received money for Patutahi to a greater amount than they did. It is to be regretted that Ngaitahupo (a hapu in precisely the same position as the petitioners) received so large an amount as £607 45., while the petitioners only got £200. But, as no promise was ever made to petitioners, and, as they were remunerated for their services by the Government, I am of opinion that no injustice has been done to them. I cannot therefore recommend the prayer of the petitioners. The evidence taken is attached. Given under my hand and seal this Ist day of November, 1882. Hekby T. Clarke, Commissioner.

Wednesday, 18th October, 1882. Commission Court resumed at 10 a.m. Present and place the same. Paora Parau on behalf of Ereatara Hapu and others. Case called. Petition read. Paora Parau: lam a chief of Teitanghauite, of Ngatikonohi Hapu. I took the petition just read to Wellington, to the Parliament, on behalf of the persons who signed it. In 1864 we joined the Government as against the rebels. I went in that year to Napier to procure troops. I procured fifty soldiers. Mr. Wilson was in command. A barracks was built on the other side of the river, and all the persons interested in the petition joined us, as far as Te Earoa; after which the Colonial Defence Force came here. Until the time that Henare Potae came, Ngatiporou, myself, and others acted separately in supporting the Government; we did not join Henare or Ngatiporou. We also acted separately during the fighting at Waerengaahika, and supported our