G.—4

56

14. The Natives say that this is an unjustifiable proceeding, and one constituting an annoyance and grievance to them, and an unlawful deprivation of their just rights. 15. Also that the fact of the Proclamation being kept upon the lakes unjustifiably and illegally, prevents them dealing with the lakes and their proprietary rights therein as allowed by law to other Native subjects, and that such Proclamation is wrong and illegal in the face of the decision of the Native Land Court aforesaid, and that the claim of the said Government to any title in the lakes under the alleged purchase from Hiko and others aforesaid is wrong and illegal, inasmuch as the shares of the said Hiko and others not having been ascertained the said Hiko and others had no right to sell any interest in the lakes without the consent of the other owners of the lakes and every one of them. 16. Also that they the said owners have a substantial grievance in that they have not yet been awarded a proper title to the lands adjoining the lakes up to their proper boundary—viz., the old high-water mark prior to the earthquakes aforesaid, and that Her Majesty's Government have wrongfully and illegally, and without any compensation to the Native owners, conveyed and granted to Europeans certain of the said lands properly belonging to the said Native owners. 17. The Native owners are willing to come to an amicable settlement of the matter, and are willing to concede to the said Government, or their representatives, the right of opening the lakes whenever they flood beyond the proper Native boundary, but only so as to reduce the volume of water within the limits of that boundary, provided that such boundary be properly ascertained and legally fixed, and, if necessary, marked as well as possible by posts, laud-marks, or other marks, upon condition that Her Majesty's' Government relinquish all claim upon the lakes and release the Proclamation thereupon, and release all claims in respect of any moneys paid in connection with any alleged purchases from Hiko or others as aforesaid. Wherefore your petitioners pray that you may inquire into their grievance aforesaid, and take such steps as to you may seem meet to remedy redress or settle the same, and to settle the conflicting claims of the Natives and Her Majesty's Government, and to give to your petitioners their just and proper rights in the matters aforesaid as loyal and faithful subjects of Her Most Gracious Majesty. And your petitioners will ever pray, etc. Dated and signed by us, at Greytown, in the Wairarapa district, this 28th day of June, 1890. Hoani Turi te Whatahoro and 49 others.

No. 60. Sik, — Native Minister's Office, Wellington, 14th February, 1881. In accordance with the provisions of the 6th section of " The Native Land Act Amendment Act, 1877," I have the honour to request that you will be good enough to cause the interest acquired by or on behalf of Her Majesty in the estate noted in the margin (Wairarapa Lakes, north and south), and more particularly described in the schedule hereto, to be defined at the next sitting of the Native Land Court, at Greytow m , Wairarapa. I have, &c, The Chief Judge Native Land Court, Auckland. Wμ. Bolleston, Native Minister.

No. 61.—Boundabies of Waieabapa Moana (or Lake) Nokth described by Manihera Baugitakaiwaho and others in their Application to Native Land Court for Investigation of their Claims. Commencing at Tuakipuku, thence to Waiaruhe, thence to Tukairua, thence to Eurumoko, to Puriri, to Makakahi, to Otekenga, to Te Awa a Pohatu, to Te Awa Tapu, thence to Kahapahapa, thence along Atuawhai, thence to Ahine Ngatira, then it falls into Otauira, thence along the lake in a southerly direction until it reaches Wanga Pohatu and Tipua, thence to Paparoparo, thence to Pekehomia, thence it diverges to the Euamahanga Eiver, terminating at Tuakipuku. The boundaries terminate here. 11. M. Eangitakaiwaho, 7th Mci, 1880. Matiaha Mokai, Kombne Bawiki.

No. 62. Boundaries of Waiharapa Moana (or Lake) South described in the Application to the Native Land Court by Piripi te Maari and others. Commencing at the mouth of Okorewa (fower lake), extending to Kiriwai, thence to Pounui, thence to Matarua, thence to Tahuna-Karoro, thence to Pekehonia, then it diverges and runs through the lake (upper) until it readies Tuakipuku, thence to Te Here-ate Koreke, thence to Kariwahine, thence to Mataitoke, thence in a southerly direction to Te Eere, thence to Mihirau, thence to Otunuku, thence Whakahauhau, thence to Turanganui, thence to Eautoka, thence to Te Eere-a Te Mahoe, terminating at Okorewa. Piripi te Maaei, Baniera te Iho, and others.

No. 63. District Survey Office, Wellington, 22nd July, 1881. I habdly know how to deal with the deed for the Wairarapa Lakes. If I only show on the deeds the area of the lake proper there remains a doubt whether the Native title wns extinguished over the area subjected to inundation extending to the pink line east of the plan on the new deed; if, on the other hand, the limits of the deed are shown to be the hard blue line, it is possible that there will be no title for the Crown to the inundated area, which has been almost all now sold to Europeans. There must be some reserves, I imagine, to bo excepted. I do not think we can finally