G.—l

Auckland, 13th March, 1891. The Commission sat in the Customhouse building at 10.30 a.m. Present: Messrs. W. L. Rees, M.H.R. (Chairman), and Thomas Mackay. Arrangements were made for obtaining the evidence of experts, and for visits to Maori centres. The Commission adjourned at 12 noon.

Auckland, 14th March, 1891. The Commission sat in the Customhouse building at 10.30 a.m. Present: Messrs. W. L. Rees, M.H.R. (Chairman), and Thomas Mackay. James Baber, civil engineer and surveyor, was examined on oath. The Commission adjourned at 12.30 p.m.

Auckland, 16th March, 1891. The Commission sat in the Customhouse building at 11 a.m. Present: Messrs. W. L. Rees, M.H.R. (Chairman), and Thomas Mackay. James Mackay, licensed interpreter and land agent (formerly a Judge of the Native Land Court), was examined on oath, and Hamiora Mangakahia was further examined. Thomas Power appeared, and made the following statement to the Commissioners : That, being the husband of Rahapa te Hauata, and she being the grantee of Allotments 178 and 179, Parish of Pukete, in the Alexandra Survey District, he was unable to get a title to the said land after his said wife's decease, though it had been devised by will of the said deceased to her said husband (Thomas Power) and their two daughters. He desired the Commission in its report to consider the case, with a view to remedial legislation. Mr. Rees explained that the Commission could report that in all such cases the Crown Lands Commissioner or a Native Land Court Judge should have power to issue a title, for it was clear that the deceased desired that her land should pass to her husband and her lavo daughters. As the law stood, the land was barred from passing to the European husband of the deceased. The Commission adjourned at 3.45 p.m.

Auckland, 17th March, 1891. The Commission sat in the Customhouse building at 10.30 a.m. Present: Messrs. W. L. Rees, M.H.R. (Chairman), and Thomas Mackay. It was decided to print the orders of reference in English and Maori, and to circulate them among persons of both races from whom valuable testimony might be expected, the prior circulation of the orders of reference being designed to apprise such persons of the scope of the inquiry, and of the particular matters upon which information was sought. The Commission adjourned at 12 noon.

Auckland, 18th March, 1891. The Commission sat in the Customhouse building at 10.30 a.m. Present: Messrs. W. L. Rees, M.H.R. (Chairman), and Thomas Mackay. Francis Dart Fenton, ex-Chief Judge of the Native Land Court, was examined on oath ; also Hone Peeti, Native Assessor. The Commission adjourned at 1 p.m.

Auckland, 19th March, 1891. The Commission sat in the Customhouse building at 10.30 a.m. Present: Messrs. W. L. Rees, M.H.R. (Chairman), and Thomas Mackay. John Rogan, ex-Judge of the Native Land Court, was examined on oath, and Francis Dart Fenton was further examined. The Commission adjourned at 1 p.m.

Cambridge, 24th March, 1891. The Commission sat in the Public Hall at 7.30 p.m., a large gathering of chiefs and people of the Ngatiraukawa, Ngatituwharetoa, and Ngatimaniapoto Tribes, together with one or two members of the Arawa Tribe, being in attendance. Present: Messrs. W. L. Rees, M.H.R. (Chairman), and Thomas Mackay. Speeches of welcome were made by Pepene Eketone, Arakatera Rongowhitiao, Hemopo Hikarahui, Karanaina te Whareheke, Okiwi Ngatara, Aperahama Patene, Tureiti te Heuheu, Hitiri Paerata, Te Rangikarapiripia, Huirama Tukariri, and Hauraki Tonganui. Mr. Rees then replied at some length, fully explaining the objects for which the Commission was appointed. At the request of the Natives, the proceedings were then postponed till 2 p.m. next day, in order to enable them to deliberate amongst l hemselves. The Commission adjourned at 9.45 p.m.

, Cambridge, 25th March, 1891. The Commission sat in the Public Hall at 10 a.m. Present: Messrs. W. L. Rees, M.H.R. (Chairman), and Thomas Mackay. Edward Walter Puckey, Judge of the Native Land Court; John Gwynneth, civil engineer and authorised surveyor; and William Moon, farmer, were examined on oath.

XXXIV