G.—4

30

whanga and Ngatihinetauira, had also an interest in that part. From Mapunatea to Oporua belonged to Ngatirangitawhanga; Hiko and Mitai were the chiefs of that hapu. Also the Ngaitutemiha hapu, the chiefs of which were Wi Tutere and Te Manihera. From Oporua to Wangatete belonged to Ngaitutemiha, the chiefs were Wi Tutere and Manihera, also Ngaitukaihara, of which Hiko was the chief. From Mangatete to Kainoke, Ngatimuratu was the hapu, and Wi Kingi and Te Watahoro the chiefs. Ngatiteangarakau owned the lake side. From Ruahine to Otekia is the boundary between the two hapus, Rawiri Piharau and Manihera Rangitakaiwaho were the chiefs of that hapu. Rangipo is the end of that division at the original mouth of the Tauherenikau. The part that Wi Kingi owned was inland, and the part that he got the £400 for was on Hiko's sale. From Tainoku to Otauira, the hapu belonging to that locality was Ngaiteangarakau; Rawiri and Manihera were the chiefs. Ngatirangi was another hapu that formerly belonged to that locality, but were defeated by Ngaiteangarakau and Ngatimuratu, and lost their right. Te Aitanga o Porou was another hapu who had an interest between Oporua and Mapunatea. This is all the information about the several hapus, and accounts for the reason why their members were opposed to a sale of the lake because their rights were being ignored. These hapus owned the dry land and their rights extended into the lake as well; each hapu was entitled to the land within the several boundaries described. Commission adjourned till the Ist May.

Friday, Ist May, 1891. Commission resumed. Enoha Taitea (sworn) : I live at Whaiwhetu, and am an owner in the lake, I have lived near the lake, and also my matuas before me. I know of the sale of 1853, and was present at it. Was with Henri te Miha when he and others pointed out the boundaries to Mr. McLean. They did not go on to the land to point out the boundaries, but merely described them to Mr. McLean. Ido not remember the party ascending a hill, but I remember the boundaries being described to Mr. McLean ; that is to say, I heard the Maoris talking about the martter. High-water mark of the lake was the boundary pointed out on the west side of the lake, or Turakirae Block, and the same boundaries were also described in the Turanganui Block. These blocks were sold in 1853. The same arrangement, that high-water mark should be the boundary, was made at the sale of the Tauherenikau and Kahutara Blocks. None of the low-lying land was sold. Am not sure when the earthquake took place, but think it was in 1854 or 1855. The earthquake raised some of the land along the lake. Hikurangi was a place that was covered with water before the earthquake, but after it happened it was raised and became dry land, but I am unable to state the extent of land that was improved in that way. There is a considerable acreage of land raised by the earthquake on the Turakirae Block. Consider that the land improved in that way is worth about £4 per acre. I know of land that was sold to the Government below high-water mark since the sale of 1853. One block in that locality is known as Te Puata. From Ngapiaka to Tauherenikau was sold by Hiko, Wi Tutere, and others. Heard that the settlers desired to open the lake, but cannot say how many years ago. I have no knowledge of the arrangement made by the settlers with the Natives to open the lake. I know of the status of some of the chiefs. Nga/whawha, Hemi te Miha, Hiko, Wi Kingi, Raniera te Iho, Ngairo, Te Manihera, Eangitakaiwaho were chiefs of rank. I do not desire to dwarf the importance of Hiko's position, but Wi Kingi was of superior rank. The reason why I say that Tutepakihirangi was a superior chief to the others was because Te Wharepouri sent for him to establish peace. Te Wharepouri went to see Nuku at Hawke's Bay, but he was dead before he reached, and this was the reason why Tutepakihirangi was sent for. lam unable to describe the relationship between Te Manihera and Wi Kingi. Hiko was not able to sell the lake of his own accord. Heard that his interests were in the lower lake. It was not necessary to ask his permission to fish. By Commissioner : I was about eleven years old when the Turanganui and Turakirae Blocks were sold, but I remember the boundaries being described. The reason why I remember these sales were because my mother took part in the Turakirae sale ; the part she sold was situated at Mangatamahine ; the other part of the block was sold by Ngawhaha and others. The exterior boundaries of the Turakirae Block commenced at Turakirae, thence to Orongorongo, and up that stream to its source, thence to Ngapaiaka, Pleretaonga, Ngapewa, Otauira, along the tohu o te awapuni to Kiriwai, and thence to Turakirae. The boundaries of the Turanganui Block commence at Te Upokokirikiri, thence to the Turangauui Eiver, thence to the mutunga awapuni. These are the boundaries of Raniera te Iho's land. That is the only part of the Turanganui Block that I know of. Do not know about the tohu ote awapuni beyond that. My statement just now relative to the status of the chiefs referred to their position in the district in general, and also to their right to the lakes. Piripi te Maari (recalled) : I do not remember stating before Major Heaphy that Wi Kingi and Ngairo had no take to the lake, but I remember going before him at Wellington in 1876. Could not have said that Wi Kingi and Ngairo had no interest in the lake, as our interests are identical — he hapu kotahi. We all belong to the same hapu. I remember the sale of Hiko in 1876; the persons who joined in it were Hiko and Hemi te Miha; Manihera and Komene Nuku were present at the commencement of the negotiations. I remember a conversation that took place between self and Hiko about the time of the sale. Raniera te Iho and self convened a meeting at Kohunui relative to Hiko's sale, and Hiko and Hemi te Miha were invited to attend, to furnish information relative to it for the information of the meeting. Hemi te Miha came, but Hiko did not attend. Mr. Maunsell was present, and , asked me to inform him why the meeting was convened. I informed him that the reason was owing to the people interested in the lake being dissatisfied with Hiko's sale. Recommended him not to pay the £800 until the matter had been fully discussed by the meeting. Mr. Maunsell stated he had nothing to do with the money then, as it was in Hiko's hands,