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Act, 1877," to ascertain what rights or interests Queen has in north and south lakes. The application was before the Court last year. There was also an application by Natives. Natives withdrew their claim, and Government asked that Crown cases should stand over till this year. Natives also sent in one claim, which has come before Court for ten days and now withdrawn; In 1876 purchase was made of all fishing-rights, extinguishing right over water. A large sum of money was paid. The transaction was an open and fair one, and I ask the Court to award interests of those persons who have signed deed. [Handed in deed, dated the 14th February, 1876, signed by fifteen Natives acknowledging payment of £800.] In addition I claim for two others by contract. E. S. Maunsell (sworn) states : I was an agent of General Government in 1876. I lived near Greytown. I was in general charge of Native affairs at Greytown. I remember acting as agent in 1876. I went to see Native Minister re purchase of lakes. I was accompanied by Hiko, Hemi te Miha, Manihera, John Jury (Whatahoro). We had an interview with Mr. Clarke, Under-Secretary, and with Mr. Halse, Assistant Uunder-Secretary. Arrangement for purchase of lakes was then settled ; £800 to be paid. Twenty pounds was paid in presence of Major Heaphy to Hiko, to Manihera, to Hemi, and to Komene. [Beceipt produced states it was for rights in upper and lower lakes. Beceipt read in Maori.] This was paid on the 12th February, 1876. I and Hiko andHerni te Miha then returned to Wairarapa. Before leaving, W. Hiko and Hemi signed a deed. The one produced is the one. It was interpreted at the time. Next payment was made a few days afterwards. Two hundred and eighty pounds was paid in Greytown on the 17th February to Hiko, Hemi te Miha. Other signatures were afterwards taken on deed. There was a subsequent payment of £500 on the 4th May, 1876. [Beceipt signed by Hiko and Hemi in presence of Edmondson.] I afterwards obtained further signatures. I witnessed all the signatures, fifteen in number. The deed was duly explained to all the persons signing the deed. [Deed read.] Objectors challenged (being persons who have signed deed) to ask Mr. Maunsell any question. By Manihera : You and Komene were there in presence of Major Heaphy. Whatahoro was not there. I was not present at commencement of, transaction, but I was there when you gave receipt. Manihera Rangitakaiwaho (sworn): Native chief residing at Wairarapa. Have claims in both lakes. Only small claim in lower lake. Large interest in large lake in 1876. I went to Wellington with Hiko and Maunsell. The visit was not in connection with sale. Hiko asked (wrote to me) to go in reference to boundaries of Pukio. He wanted me to go on a certain day. My going had nothing to do with sale of lakes. We heard something from Mr. Maunsell about this. Mr. Maunsell took Hiko's letter to me about Pukio. I read out the letter, and after this Mr. Maunsell said Hiko was also going for purpose of selling the two lakes. This was before I went to Wellington. I did not believe statement when we got to Wellington. I then heard from the people about proposed sale. Hiko was then opposed to sale. I said I heard the rumour of sale at Papawai. I went to Wellington about Hiko's letter. Had it been only about Pukio I should have gone by myself, but after what Maunsell said more of us went. I acknowledge my signatures to voucher. I did not go before Heaphy to take the money. I received money when I signed. I did not see Major Heaphy. Hiko brought me the money and asked me to sign. lam not aware that I went inside to sign. I think we signed outside on the verandah of the hostelry. [Voucher handed in.] I have a large interest in upper lake. We all have interests. I have the same amount of interest as all the other chiefs. Thirty of us have equal interests. Ido not know of any who have lesser interests than the others. The whole tribe, perhaps five hundred, are also interested. I have no personal interest in lower lake. My interest has ceased in that lake. My parents had an eel-weir, but I have given that up. I think there are about thirty interested in lower lake ; share and share alike. I think there are five hundred persons besides the thirty who are interested. By Court: We, the thirty, hold much more than the common people, i.e., the five hundred. I cannot say what the proportions are. Pliko was equal with us. We were all alike. Hemi also had the same kind of interest. Buihi had not an equal interest. Ani was Hiko's daughter. She had chief's claim. Arihia had lesser interest. Wi Kingi had large interest. Hoani, none, Ngairo, same. Hariata had lesser claim. Waka, lesser claim. He is not a chief. Paraone Pahoro, chief, had a small claim. Paiura Watarauhi, chief, not much claim. Hemi Hepanaia, chief, no interest. Hori Taha, no interest. Hohepa Aporo, nobody, no claim. Komene, nobody, no claim, i.e., small. By Court: He being one of survivors I asked him to go with me to talk to Hiko about this sale. Buihi was a chief, but she had only small interest, which she derived through her mother. If I had to declare our relative interests, I should say that I am entitled to sixteen times as much as she would. Amongst five hundred some would have three or four interests. [Points out his own portion on map.] Self and Wiremu Kingi have same interest. [Marked on plan.] Piripi te Maari called (sworn): Am chief residing at Wairarapa. I know the Wairarapa Lakes. Have an interest. Do not know whether my share is equal to that of Manihera, as place has not been surveyed. Our shares are equal. Hohepa Aporo is my younger brother. His interest is this : that he is my younger brother, and has an equal interest with myself. Komene Nuku Piharau (sworn): Live at Wairarapa, at Papawai. Know Wairarapa Lakes. I have an interest. Bemember going to Wellington in 1876 with Hiko and Mr. Maunsell. We went about the Wairarapa. Before we went Mr. Maunsell talked with Hiko about sale of Wairarapa. Hiko asked us to sign deed. Did not attend a meeting with Hiko and Maunsell. I went to Mr. Halse's office to hear the talk. There was no talk, so 1 came away. I signed the papers produced. I did not receive any money. When I signed I received some small moneys. I received the money from a Maori. I got the money because I had signed the lease. I have no ancestral interest in lower lake. No present interest. I have a small interest in upper lake. [Pointed it out on plan.] I have as much interest as Manihera. By Court: I knew the land was being sold, i.e., the lakes. Ido not consider that I have parted wdth all my interest; in fact, I do not know what was sold. I was given to understand that whole lakes. I did sell my portion. I signed the receipt before the lake was talked about.