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Commission read out, and parties invited to ask information as to the object of the inquiry. Timoti Karetai desired to be informed whether it was proposed to deal with the Otakou Block. Informed that this was one of the chief reasons for holding a sitting of the Commission at the Otakou Heads Settlement to give the persons concerned an opportunity of stating their case. Teone Topi Patuki desired to be informed as to the intention regarding the " tenths." H.- K. Taiaroa, Biria Potiki, Hopa Bu, Ihaia Potiki, and Tare Wetere te Kahu spoke relative to the business before the Commissioner. Tare Wetere te Kahu stated that Taiaroa, Tuhawaiki, Karetai, and Hone Wetere Koroko, were men of equal rank. Although Taiaroa lived at Taumutu and Karetai at Otakou, their mana was equal. Kotahi te ahua, Ngatiruahikihiki was the name of Taiaroa's hapu; the Ngatihuirapa lived chiefly about the Taieri. The Commissioner stated that one of the most important matters to be attended to was to investigate the succession to the persons whose names were appended to the deed of sale of the Otakou Block, dated July, 1844. Names of Native vendors attached to the Otago deed of purchase read out, and succession to deceased vendors investigated.

Otago Heads, sth Maech, 1891. Henare Karetai spoke about Karetai senior's position, to the effect that he was the principal man of the place. Taiaroa senior had no take to the land. The land at Ornate was given by Karetai to Kara, the wife of Taiaroa senior, as a marriage gift. Rakiura (Stewart Island) was given by Karetai to Topi Patuki. Karetai was the chief owner of Otakou; his mana extended over all the land. His sisters also were persons of rank, and possessed a right to the land—viz., the parents of Pirihira Kuku, Hana Wera, and Riria Potiki ; Mokomoko, Te Ao, Korako Karetai were children of Karetai. Taiaroa stated in reply to Timoti and Henare Karetai that his father's claim was not an inferior one. Ornate belonged to Te Baki. Karetai is said to have given the land at Ornate for Taiaroa's wife in consequence of her being a stranger. A quarrel took place between the Natives at the time of the sale, owing to Tuhawaiki endeavouring to secure £1,000, and, owing to this, the whole of the names were not attached to the deed of sale. Te Pakoko of Ngatihuirapa was dissatisfied with the share of the money offered to him, and a quarrel ensued. Names of people were consequently omitted from the deed, as the attention of the people was occupied in preventing Pakoko from attacking the Europeans. Karetai was a man of rank and position, but not to the extent claimed for him by his grandchildren. Hoani Wetere Koroko wanted to fix the boundary at Puketahi, but was taken ill. Was afterwards paid £100 of the purchase-money. Owing to the dissensions amongst the people it is possible that his name was omitted, or, if it was attached, it was added hastily without indicating that it was signed by someone else. The Commissioner notified that he would proceed to investigate the succession to the persons whose names were attached to the deed of sale of 1844 of the Otago Block. John Tuhawaiki: Was drowned at Timaru in 1844, after the sale of the Otago Block; left issue, —viz. : Four great-grandchildren, the children of Fred Kihau and Bena Kihau; Bena left issue one daughter, Anna Maraea Cooper ; and Fred left three children, Teone, Peti, and Keita.—These persons are entitled to Tuhawaiki's interest in the following proportions : Anna Maraea Cooper, one-half; Teone Kihau, Peti Kihau, and Keita Kihau, one-half. H. K. Taiaroa said that the Te Hautapanuiatu was the take through which Tuhawaiki derived his right. Tare Wetere te Kahu stated that Tuhawaiki did not derive his right to the Otago Block through Honekai. If that was the case all the other relatives would be entitled as well. Tuhawaiki derived his right to the land through his descent from Tutemakou of Ngatimamoe. He also stated that the rights derived from Te Hautapanuiatu were confined to the north of the Otago Block and on towards Kaiapoi. There were two persons called Tutemakou : one belonged to Ngatimamoe and one to Ngaitahu. Tutemakou of Ngatimamoe was the one attacked at Otakou; Hautapanuiatu was of Ngaitahu descent. Taiaroa :H. K. Taiaroa claimed to succeed to his father's share. This was opposed by Hana Weller (Mrs. Dan Ellison) who claimed to be a granddaughter of Taiaroa senior, by his daughter Nikura, the child of his first wife, Hinewhareua. Mawera (second wife) _= Taiaroa — Hinewhareua (first wife, sister of Karetai) i I H. Taiaroa. Nikura = Mr. Weller Hana Weller Hana Weller stated that her claim was a better one than Taiaroa's because her mother was the sister of one of the principal owners of the land; but Taiaroa's mother, Mawera, came originally from Kaiapoi. Could not say whether she had any take to the land. She was descended from Turakautahi. H. K. Taiaroa stated that he did not object to Hana Wera's claim to succeed to Taiaroa senior's share, but he considered that he was entitled to the largest share. Bequested that the question should be allowed to stand over. —Agreed that the question as to the proportionate distribution of Taiaroa senior's interest between H. K. Taiaroa and Hana Weller should stand over to enable them to adjust the matter themselves. Koroko, died at Waikouaiti in 1853: H. K. Taiaroa claimed that the name was intended for Hoani Wesley Koroko, as he was present at the sale and received £100 of the purchase-money. Tare Wetere te Kahu stated that Hoani Wetere Koroko was not present when the deed was signed, being absent through illness at Waikouaiti,