43

G.— 7

H. K. Taiaroa stated that he desired to speak about the grievance of the people. In the first place he would like to point out that no land had been set apart in the Otago Block for the Natives. The land they possessed was retained by themselves at the time of the sale in 1844. Ec pointed out that the land was insufficient for the maintenance of the people. Ho had been compelled to commence work when quite a lad—to milk cows, and perform other work to get a living. Considered that the Government should fulfil the intention on which the Otago Block was sold to the Company. It had cost the Natives a great deal of money in attempting to establish their rights, and he considered the Government should repay the expense. Very little monetary assistance had been afforded to the Natives at the Otago Heads settlement by way of relieving the poor and indigent, who had been attended to chiefly by their own friends or relatives. The medical attendance had also been very irregular, and the Natives were put to a great deal of expense in obtaining the services of a doctor. None of the Natives had sufficient land to maintain themselves on it without seeking work elsewhere. Commission adjourned till the 7th instant.

Otago Heads, 7th Maeoh, 1891. 11. K. Taiaroa, in answer to Henare Karetai, stated that lie considered Taiaroa's lake superior to that of Karetai because of his being descended from the elder brother, and also from other persons of importance. Te Paahi belonged to Otakou, but Tukiterangi belonged to Taumutu. Nani Weller (Mrs. Ellison) states that it was through Hinewhareua that Taiaroa senior gained a right to the Otago Block. The Commissioner stated that he was prepared to receive the lists of names of the present residents, and also the names of persons who it is said had a take to the Otago Block, in addition to those whose names are attached to the deed of sale of 1844. List of names of persons said to be resident on the Otago Block who had a take to the land submitted and read out:— Tera Kahuru (f .)*, mother of Matiu te Hit. Puakihau (f.)*, sister to Tuhawaiki. Hone te Kauhetu (f.) :|:, daughter of Te Wahia. Ngaroimata (f.)|, child of Teone Topi Patuki. Hariata Karetai (f.)*. Pitoko, ({)■•'■. Pana (f.)*, sister of Taiaroa. Matiu Edmonds (in.)*, born at Otago Heads. Koriana Edmonds (f.)*, born at Otago Heads. Pinana (f.)f, child of Toke of Ngatihuirapa had a take at the Molyneux. Te Merehau (m.)*. Toke Hautiihi. Bota Pikaroro (m.).*. Rawiri Korako te Belie (m.)*, a nephew of Toke, take small. Mata Makariri (f.) :l!, a niece of Toke. Haimona Tuhatara (m.)*, brother to Kinihe Kurupohatu. Buru (m.)*, brother to Kinihi Kurupohatu. Hohua Pokohiwi (__.)*. Buru (m.)*, belonged to Te Karoro, died in 1847. Tuatara (m.)*, belonged to Te Karoro, died in 1845. Piri (m.)*, belonged to Te Karoro, died in 1846; was a brother of Kurupohatu. Te Urukomako (m.)*, belonged to Te Karoro, died in 1847 ; brother to Kurupohatu. Te Kaehe Karetai (m,)*, son of Karetai senior, died at Otago in 1845. Werohia (m.);;:, belonged to Te Karoro ; was the son of Kara. Names of persons submitted, but objected to through having no right:— Te Urepakoko (m.)*, parents not known, perhaps Bawiri te Maire may know about him. Maraea Moimoi Hape (f.):;:, cousin to Koroko, Taiaroa senior's father. Maraea Moimoi Hape (f.)*, her take was at Taumutu. Koroko Hape = Wakamohene I I Taiaroa Maraea Moimoi Taiaroa paid her the money for Taumutu. Tipare, married to Jim Brown, European (_.)*, sister of Wi te Baki through Te Ihupupu. Tahu (m.)*, husband of Toke. Tauora (m.)*, hapu not known. Hineitakikai (f.)*, hapu not known. Kaioneone (m.)f, hapu not known. Mahue (f.)t, sister to Puako's mother. Te Kihi (m.)*, no take at Molyneux. Te Kawewhitau (1)*, wife of Te Kihi. Hineiwahia, (f)*, wife of Buru, had a take in Kemp's Block. Hokotuna, (f)*, mother of Hineiwahia. Takiwini (m.)*, had a take in Kemp's Block. Porehe (f.)*, had a take in Kemp's Block. Timoko (f)*, sister of Hohepa Tarewa, of Port Cooper; her brother had a Moutere Titi given him at Stewart Island, but he had no take to it. Kirikoha. Tangata Huruhuru. Kiwi (f.):;;, sister to To Haere. Te Haere (m.)*. Temu (m)|, (?) of Taumutu. Kaikoro (m.)*, belonged to Kaikoura ; went to Murihiku. Te Kai (f.)*, belonged to Waimate. Wiiki te Wairaki, (f)*, belonged to Taumutu. Nohorua (_,)*, belonged to Moeraki; was the wife of Hohua. Tiakiwhenua (m.)*, belonged to Murihiku, died at Buapuke. Names of the Natives found residing at the Otago Heads Settlement in 1853 by Mr. Mantell, read out, and inquiries made as to whether these people were entitled to land within the block, or were only squatters. The undermentioned persons were admitted to be owners—viz., Taiaroa, Huriwhenua (H. K. T.), John Wesley Koroko ; Mawera (objected to by Ellison ; to be considered at Kaiapoi); Waiora, Ria Mohoko, Wiremu Botiki, Ihaia Potiki,' Timoti Karetai, John Martin Turia, Tare te Kahu (Henare Karetai objected to Tare Wetere te Kahu); Pirihira Kuku, Pani Weller (Fanny Weller), Karetai, Te Hu (Matiu te Hu), Bipeka, Te Horo (Horiana). The others, it is stated, were merely squatting at the settlement. Matiu te Hu stated that the Natives could not obtain a living from their land. He was one of the pilot-boat crew, and gained a living in that way. His land was let, but the rent was insufficient to keep him. Some of his land brought him £5 a year, and some £4. The rent of the part at Papanui was only Is. per acre. His half-caste land was very unsuitable; part of it was too steep for use. Had let it for a time, but the tenant had thrown it up, as it did not pay him. Another heavy expense to the Natives was the want of a doctor. Formerly Dr. Drysdale was employed by the Government at a salary of £40, but afterwards it was reduced to £20. The

* Adults. t Minors,