lI.—No. 9.

10

REPORT OE THE COMMITTEE ON

About three or four days after the formation of the Committee, Mr. Sewell came to me and expressed a wish that Mr. Stafford's name might be added to the Committee. I offered no objection, and Mr. Stafford's name was added on Bth August. Prior to my moving for the Committee, and up to the time they went out of office, every member of the Government was opposed to this claim on behalf of the Province of Otago. The Committee, after very carefully going over a large number of written and printed papers connected with the New Zealand Company's affairs, unanimously agreed to the report of tho Committee, which was in favour of the Province. Immigration barracks were erected by the New Zealand Company on this same reserve shortly after the arrival of the first settlers, and part of it has continued to be used up to the present time for immigration barracks. It was not generally known till about, I think, 1864, or beginning of 1865, that Mr. Mantell had recommended, and that Governor Grey had assented to, this being made a reserve for Natives. Following the Eeport of the Select Committee to tho House, I moved the following resolution, which was carried by 29 to 17: —" That, in the opinion of this House, the public reserves in the City of Dunedin, which was sot aside by the New Zealand Company as trustees for the settlers in 1846, for the purpose of a wharf and public quay, and on which the Police and Immigration Barracks at present stand, should be vested in the Superintendent of Otago, in trust for the Municipality of Dunedin, as originally intended. I have never heard of any stipulation such as that mentioned in Mr. Jones' report, now submitted to me, although I have been some twenty-two years in the Province. Shortly after " Topi " had presented his petition I met him in Dunedin, and asked him when he had heard of this land being made a Native reserve for Maoris ; he then informed mo that it was only within the last twelve months. I then said to him, Why did you not claim it before ? He said ho knew nothing about it belonging to him, but as soon as he was aware of the fact he put in his claim. He speaks very fair English indeed. This reserve has since 1848 been used for tho Immigration Barracks site, and for Immigration and Police Barracks. Since I have been in the Province I have never known any Natives to use any portion of the land or to draw up their boats in front of it, or, prior to date in which Topi presented petition, any one of them to even hint at having any right or claim to it. 15. Mr. Taiaroa.] Did you ever know that Maoris lived in tho building on reserve in question ? No, I never did. I would have been sure to have been aware of their using either the land or building had they done so, as my place of business was in the immediate neighbourhood. 16. Mr. Taiaroa.] Are you aware of any Native reserves at Port Chalmers of which the Native Land Court put them in possession ?—I am aware that there is such a reserve, but do not know how it was obtained through tho Native Land Court. Mr. Mantell made the reserve, I think, in 1854, but under different circumstances from that in Princes Street, Dunedin, inasmuch as the land reserved at Port Chalmers was unreserved at the time for any public purpose, and was open for selection. 17. Mr. Taiaroa.] Do you know what was paid for Port Chalmers Reserve ? —No, not the exact amount. 18. Mr. Taiaroa.] Did the local authorities appoint counsel to appear in Court against Natives in connection with Port Chalmers Reserve ?—I am not in position to answer, but think Mr. Macandrew can give the Committee any information on that point which may be required. 19. Mr. McGlashan.] Do you remember the old Survey Office?— Yes, and remember that the Provincial Government allowed the Natives, as an act of grace, to use this building as a dwelling-house. That site now forms a street. This building was about nine chains distant from the Princes Street Reserve. 20. Mr. Taiaroa.] After this reserve in Dunedin was made by Mr. Mantell, did you see any plan of it at the Survey Office, Dunedin ? —No, not until the question went before the Provincial Council in 1865. The sections forming this reserve were struck off the original selection map of the City of Dunedin, which, I think, is dated 1848. All these sections were withdrawn from sale and reserved for wharves and quays, prior to a single section being selected in Dunedin. Mr. Reynolds was thanked and withdrewMr. Karaitiana Takamoana in attendance, and examined. 21. Mr. Sheehan.] Did you accompany Captain Symonds when he negotiated the purchase of Otago Block ? —No ; I was there at the time, just having returned from Ruapuke. 22. Were you present at the time of the negotiations for the Otakou Block ?—Yes ; at the request of Taiaroa. The negotiations extended over two entire days, and were not finished wdiile I was there. I am not cognizant of any of the particulars of the reservation of the land for the Maoris. 23. Mr. Taiaroa.] Did you hear any price asked for the land by the Natives ?—Yes ; I heard wdiat Karetai asked for. 24. What was the amount ?—I do not exactly know, but remember that there was a cask standing near him, to which he pointed, and said the price was to be as much money as would fill that. They were speaking of thousands and millions. Mr. Takamoana was then thanked by the Committee, and withdrew.

Mr. Reynolds.

Ist Oct., 1872.

Thursday, 3rd October, 1872. The Hon. Captain Eraser, M.L.C., in attendance, and examined. 25. Mr. J. Jones made frequent statements to Mr. Strode and myself concerning the question before the Committee, and I believe that Mr. Strode and myself are the only persons in Otago who are in favour of handing over the original reserves to Natives. Mr. Jones informed me that in 1844, when Colonel Wakefield went down to purchase land in the Middle Island, he (Mr. Jones) took the leading chiefs of the Middle Island down to Port Chalmers in order to meet Colonel Wakefield. There was some considerable discussion between the Natives and Colonel Wakefield about the reserves

Son. Captain Fraser.

3rd Oct., 1872,