G.— 7

41

Tare Wetere te Kahu said Te Raki's lake in the Otago Block was through his relatives at the Taieri. Mataara came from Kaikoura about the time Te Raki was on the road. He settled at Taieri, and remained there up to the sale of the Otago Block, in 18-44, and then went to Murihiku. Te Raki came originally from Kaiapoi. Hoani Matiu traced the descent of Te Raki on the father's side. There are some relatives at Moeraki. Matter adjourned for further consideration. Commission adjourned till Friday, the 6th instant.

Otago Heads, 6th Maech. Commission resumed. Inquiry relative to the vendors of the Otago Block continued. Karetai was one of the principal owners. He was descended from Ngatimamoe, who formerly owned and occupied the land. Te Pahi, of Te Buahikihiki hapu, of Ngaitahu, married Hakuiao, a woman of the Waitaha and Te Bapuai hapus, and it was from this alliance that Taiaroa and Karetai are descended. Karetai had two wives, Pitoko and Koara. By the first he begat four children—viz., Te Kai, Te Ao, Koroko, Riria; and by the second he begat three children—viz., Mokomoko, Timoti, and Ripeka. Of the first family, Te Kai, Te Ao, and Korako are dead. They all left issue; and of the second family, Mokomoko is dead without issue. Te Kai had one son, a half-caste, named William Christie, who is dead. Te Ao left one daughter, Erihapeti te Koaki, of Moeraki; and Koroko left three children, two sons and one daughter surviving him—viz., Henare, Mere, and Renata. The relatives are entitled as follows : Erihapeti te Koaki (i), Riria Potiki (-1), Henare, Mere, and Renata Karetai (|~), Timoti Karetai (•£•), Ripeka Karetai (I). Henare te Maire traced the descent of Te Kuha's family, and also of Patuki's. Te Kuha married two sisters, Hiko and Monokiao. Hiko — Te Kuha _= Monokiao L_ Ramari = Te Au =_ Ruataika Poko Matowai i J I ■ | I I Pene te Au Batimira Tareihe Tamati Symons (3). Patuki =_ Koau Pirihira Kuku = Wetere Kahu To Tataua. These persons are also descended from Te Pahi. The Commissioner pointed out that their relationship to Karetai was too remote. Mokomoko : Was a son of Karetai by his second wife, Koara. His nearest relatives are Tihioti Karetai and Ripeka Karetai. Timoti applied to have Mokomoko's interest allotted to himself and sister, but Ripeka stated she was willing to share with Karetai's children by the first wife, but if Timoti desired that the share should bo allotted to themselves only she would agree.—Nearest of kin : Timoti Karetai, Ripeka Karetai. Te Ao: Was also a son of Karetai by the first wife. He left one daughter—viz., Irihapeti te Koaki, who is the nearest of kin. Korako Karetai: Was also a son of Karetai's by the first wife ; he left issue surviving him, two sons and one daughter. One of the sons, Renata, is absent at sea. The persons entitled to succeed are Henare Karetai, Mere Karetai, Renata Karetai. Potiki: Tare Wetere te Kahu said he was known as Wi Potiki. He left two sons, Ihaia Potiki and Henare Potiki. These are all the children living. He derived his lake to the land through Taoka. Taoka I Te Whiwhi 1 Tamauokotorotika I [ " "" I ' j Wakaka Tuhoro = Wakaako Te Malm I I Tahatu (a) | | Titi Hurukeu I Wi Potiki 1 I i Ihaia Henaro Potiki derived his right through Ngaitaoka. Tahatu was a man of importance in the hapu. Potiki's nearest of kin are his two sons, Ihaia and Henare. Tare Wetere te Kahu said that he was of opinion that Potiki's interest should be shared with his other relatives as well. The Commissioner pointed cut if this principle was to be adopted in Potiki's case it should be made general, otherwise it would be unfair to make Potiki's a special case, as the circumstances do not differ from that of others. H. K. Taiaroa, examined by Tare Wetere te Kahu : I do not claim through Potiki's descent; my allusion just now was to Potiki's other relatives. 6—G. 7.