G,—6e

2

The petitioners allege that as a result of the fighting at Te Konaki many of the owners were captured by Te Kooti and forced to go with him. After the Ngatapa fight some of them returned, joined the Government forces under Colonel Porter and Major Ropata Wahawaha, and acted as guides in pursuit of Te Kooti, and that subsequently the remainder came back and also joined up with the Government forces. One of the petitioners, Paratene Kunaiti, gave evidence to the effect that he himself actually captured Kereopa, the murderer of the Rev. Mr. Volkner. The petitioners also asserted that neither they nor their elders ever received any part of the consideration on the sale of the block to the Crown. In support of the petition the Court was referred to the Proclamation in the Gazette of December, 1864, providing that rebels laying down their arms and surrendering would have the same rights as loyal Natives. The Court, as a result of the inquiry, is satisfied that there were persons entitled to the land other than those included in the Crown grant, and that some of those persons, although captured by the rebels and forced, to go with them, subsequently escaped and joined the Government forces and assi ted in the pursuit of Te Kooti. The Court also considers it very probable that these owners received no part of the consideration when the block was sold to the Crown, and is of opinion that they are entitled to some relief. As witness the hand of the Judge and the seal of the Court. Jas. W. Browne, Judge.

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