G.—9

2

te Eango ordered the survey. The boundaries were pointed out by Karaitiana te Eango. No person interfered with the survey. I have a claim to this block. These are the owners with me : Eenata Kawepo, Karaitiana to Eango, Ihakara te Earo, Te Eetimana te Earo, Horima te Ohunga. These are all of whose claim I am aware. I claim from my ancestors. Others Noa Huke will trace the genealogy. Noa Huke, sworn : I know this block of land. I will state what I have heard about it. The Pakaitara was the chief. He belonged to the Ngatiwhiti. He was born on this land. I know of four children ho had—Te Pokaitara, Te Aopupururangi, Tuorai, Te Mumuhu, Te "Wamairangi, Eaka Paka, Eenata Kawepo. I have been on this land. There are Natives who are not present who have a claim. The people now living on the land have a claim. About twenty people — men, women, and children — are living on the land. Three of the people are Knumatuas —namely, Matiu Taruarau—the others are included in Eenata's list. I am not aware of any fighting or dispute with neighbouring people on the land. After hearing this evidence the Court stated as follows :— That when the map which is now on the way from Auckland comes to hand—a tracing only being before the Court—a memorial of ownership will be ordered. It is to be observed that Noa Huke stated "that there were Natives who were not present who had claims to the land; that the people now living on the land have a claim." " About twenty people—men, women, and children—are living on the land." I have italicized his evidence on this point. It will also be noticed that even in the application it was stated that there were " others " beyond the names mentioned who claimed to be owners, and that Eenata omits some of the names that appear in the notice from his list. On the same day the Court had the title to the Owhaoko Blocks No. 1 and No. 2 before it. According to the minutes of the Land Court these consisted of 38,220 acres. The only evidence given regarding the ownership of these blocks was that of Eenata Kawepo and Noa Huke, who were both claimants for the land. I again give in full their evidence as it appears in the minute-book of the Court. Benata Kawepo (on former oath): This land (Owhaoko) is divided from the Kaimanawa and Oruamatua Block by the Eangitikei Eiver. I claim through my ancestors. I will leave some one else to trace my genealogy. Noa Huke: I know this land. Whitikaupeka was a man who belonged to the Ngatikahungunu. He dwelt upon this block of land. He is the ancestor through whom the claim is made. Ido not know the name of the spot on which he lived. From Whitikaupeka was Wharepurakau. We are the descendants now alive of that ancestor —Eenata Kawepo, Noa Huke, Karaitiana te Eango. There are a great many more living in Patea. We three are all here. I will give a long explanation with respect to those absent, all of whom have settled that this block of land is to be set apart for a school endowment. It is to be inalienable. That is the reason this portion has been taken from the large survey—so that the other portion may be for the people. The large block has not been investigated. It is left for the people to decide among themselves whether it shall be put through the Court or not. The evidence is given in the first person, and I have no doubt it has been minuted in full. It will be observed that, according to Noa Huke, three Natives only were concerned in this block of 38,220 acres—namely, Eenata Kawepo, Noa Huke, and Karaitiana te Eango. The fact that there were a great many more living in Patea, and that they had interests in the land, is stated; but the reason they were absent was that they wished this block to be " inalienable " and to be set aside as a school " endowment." The rest of the Owhaoko Block was to be for the people. The Judge gave his decision as follows : — I have asked if there arc any objections to your claim to this block ; and there are none. The investigation of title to this block is clear enough, in my opinion. I will send a telegram to Mr. Locke, who has had something to do with the plan, and see what can be done towards having the survey completed ; when the memorial of ownership will be ordered.