I.—3a.

16

[W. WATENE

and withdrew your case. Now, I request you, seeing that you are a sole surviving elder—we are all young people—to adopt the same rangatira position that you took up then, when you withdrew your case of claiming succession to Hori Winiata, and withdraw your opposition to us now? —No, because we have now reached the high and walled pa. 78. Do you not remember a certain occasion about a year ago now when I said this to you : I saic!, " I am at liberty to address you in our big house at Orakei if you people will fix a day for the discussion to be held." I am asking you the question because you state now, because we have reached the Court —which previously we had not reached —you would have done what I ask now?—No, you have been my opponent all along. 79. Mr. F. H. Smith.] At the time of the partition of this land what relations had you that were not included in 1869—the Court of original investigation?—Oh, a number. My younger brother and other relatives. 80. The Chairman.] Do you object to any of the Orakei lands being sold or alienated from among the pi esent people ? —When the Acts of the Council were recently issued I became frightened and I said, well, I would be willing to sell at a proper price. 81. Would you be willing to sell to the City of Auckland, the Corporation?—To the whole world —the white man, the Maori, the black man, kc. 82. Would you sell to the Auckland City Council in the open market? —No. I am frightened of the City Council. They want three partitions. 83. But you will sell to every one else except the City of Auckland?—lt depends upon what price they pay; but I am certainly not going to agree to the proposal to pay one-fourth to the Maoris and withhold three-fourths themselves. 84. If the price of the City Council is good enough will you sell to them? —Yes. The Chairman : That closes the case.

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