59

G.—7

Teone Topi Patuki has no account for medical expenses to send in. Pene Parekuku, an invalid, has land—22 acres at Kaiapoi, and 21 acres at Bakaia. The land at Kaiapoi fetches £1 per acre, and the Bakaia from 2s. 6d. to 4s. per acre. Also receives rent from land at Oxford. Mrs. Barrett has no land at Kaiapoi; has a large family ; her husband has 14 acres. Manahi Iri's Kaiapoi land is let at £1 10s. per acre —that is to say, 9 acres at that rate, and the rest'at £1 ss. The rent has been drawn in advance. The Bakaia land is not let regularly, nor yet the Tawera. The rent from that land is allowed to accumulate, and is distributed periodically. Hariata Ngahiwi and Batimira have only 2J acres at Kaiapoi; own other land at Arowhenua. Riria Kewene has 4J acres at Kaiapoi and 20 acres at Wairewa. Ruihi Mounanu has no land. Hoani Maaka, her relative, has a wife and four children to maintain, and only a limited quantity of land for the purpose. Pirihira te Ruapohue has only a little land. Paratene says that the Wesleyan land is let to 1896. Proceedings at Kaiapoi closed. Commission adjourned to Rapaki to Saturday, the 11th April.

Bapaki, Saturday, 11th April. H. Tare Tikao spoke about the inferior character of the land at Bapaki. A large proportion of the reserve was stony, and only fit for grazing. The part below the main road was the only portion that could be cultivated, and some of the land comprised in that was very inferior. The people were able to live only so long as they were able to obtain work at shearing and other employment; but if work was not obtainable, he could not foretell what might happen. At present they could only pay their debts by obtaining work. All the people on the Peninsula are similarly situated. The doctor's expenses ranged from £2 2s. to £3 3s. The people have no money to spend for the purpose, and consequently *do not call in medical advice, the result being that lives are very often sacrificed. The schoolmaster gives them medicines for children's ailments, which proves very serviceable in cases of illness. Had formerly spent a large sum of money for medicines, but have not incurred much expense of late. The schoolhouse is too small for the number of children, about thirty in attendance. The junior class has to be taught outside, under the shade of a tree, or else in the porch. The people are very badly off for a permanent water-supply at present; owing to the drought, there is very little water obtainable. A cement reservoir would be very useful, or else iron tanks for all the houses. There are about eleven houses that could be supplied. The tanks cost about £2 10s. each; spouting would also be needed. At Port Levy they are also very badly off for water, and have to fetch it on a sledge. Only one person owns horses, and all the others are dependent on him. A water-race to convey the water to a point on the beach where a cement tank could be made would be of great advantage to the people. Another matter that required consideration is the scattered position of the interests, whether it would not be advisable under the circumstances to allow the Natives to sell or exchange with each other. Other witnesses gave similar testimony. Lists of persons living in 1848-49, for whom no provision was made in land, handed in and read out. All the lists previously submitted at Little Biver also read out. Proceedings terminated. Commission adjourned to Wellington. [Approximate Cost of Paper.— Preparation, not given; printing (1,400 copies), £H ss.

By Authority: Geobge Didsbury, Government Printeu: Wellington.—lB9l Price, Is. 3d.]