21

G.—3

Parakaidldbjectei to the claim being investigated, on the grounds that some of the owners were away amongst the Hauhaus. Te Reweti Waikato, sworn —We fought with Marutuahu, and took the land in the same way as that mentioned in the former cases; my claim is from conquest entirely ; this is the reason I have surveyed the land, and asked for an investigation ; a portion of Ngatiraukawa's land we took ourselves afterwards ; Marutuahu took a portion, and drove Ngatiraukawa away ; we conquered Marutuahu, and then we became sole possessors of the land. Te Waata, sworn —I live at Maungatautari, and also at Puahoe; I know this land ;it belonged to Ngatiraukawa formerly; it now belongs to me; the claimants are those mentioned by Te Eeweti; Taumaihi and Te Tarua were pas on this land which belonged to Ngatiraukawa; we took those pas, but the land was not regularly taken away by us until the defeat of Ngatipaoa, and Ngatimaru; we then lived on the land, and are the occupants at the present time. Hoani Pakura, sworn—l am a Ngatiapakura; I live at Maungatautari; I lived formerly at Eangiaohia; I came to Maungatautari on account of the war ; 1 know this land; the portion I claim is the flat land called Panehakua ; it is included in this survey; my statement as to the claim to the land is the same as that made by Te Eeweti; Ngatiapakura were engaged in the fight with the soldiers ; I have a house on this land; there are no persons who have disputed our occupying the land. Wini Kerei, sworn—l am a Ngatiapakura; I claim Panehakura; I have cultivated, and have a house on the land ; I lived at Bangiaohia formerly; my place of abode is at Maungatautari. Hori Te Warau, sworn —I lived formerly at Eangiawhia; I now reside at Maungatautari; lam a Ngatiapakura; I know the land under investigation ; I have cultivations at a place called Panehakura ; there are many of us who claim this land ; I was at the survey of the land with Mr. Campbell; there were six of us ; we did not meet with any opposition ; my claim is the same as that stated by former witnesses ; I have been over all the boundaries of the block ; I have heard what has been said about Ngatiapakura; when the war with Ngatipaoa was finished, Te AVaharoa said, " Let Ngatiapakura's land be returned to them ;" the hapu who own this land are Ngatikaukura, Ngatiruru, Ngatiapakura, and Ngatikoura. Aperahama Tv Te Rangipouri, sworn —I live at Taupo ; I am a Ngatihaua; I know this land ; I have heard Te Eeweti's statement, it is correct; I was not at the survey ; I have only now returned here ; this land was taken by conquest, and we now hold possession of the land ; some time ago Ngatiapakura fought with Ngatikoroki, and the latter were beaten ; Te AVaharoa was angry at this (pouri) ; the Ngatihaua went to take payment, and to a pa belonging to Ngatiapakura, called Kaipaka ; the parties who were thus fighting with each other were nearly related; when the land was taken from Ngatimaru, Te AA 7aharoa recollected that Ngatiapakura were not of a different tribe, and said, " Let the land of Ngatiapakura be returned to them ;" I myself heard Te Waharoa say this. Tarika Te Hura, sworn —This land is mine; I have a kainga on this land at Mataikororo; my parents have cultivated here as well as myself; I have a claim through Ngatikaukura; my claim is from conquest; I was not at the survey, but I consented to have the land surveyed; I have beard Te Eeweti's statement, and if I make one it will be the same as his ; the persons who he has mentioned are the owners; there will be no dispute amongst them about this land. Hori Puao, sworn —I live at Maungatautari; lam a Ngatihaua and Ngatikaukura ; I claim the land from conquest in the same manner as stated by Te Eeweti; lam living at AVhanake and Puahoe ; I live with Te Eeweti; these are my residences; I was not at the survey; Te Eeweti and others agreed to the survey. Winiata, sworn —I reside at Maungatautari; I have cultivations on this land ;lam a Ngatiapakura and Ngatikaukura ; I was at the survey of the land with Wiremu, Hori AVirihana, Eapana and Matini; there was no opposition to the survey. Tame Kaka —l claim this land ;lam a Ngatihaua; Ngatiapakura have no claim ; I have not been on Puahoe; I have only seen it at a distance; I claim the land from our having taken the two pas from Ngatiraukawa. (He then made the same statement as previous witnesses). Te Waata said that Tame's statement was correct, except his saying that Ngatiapakura had no claim. Hori Te Waru, a Ngatiapakura, asked Tame, and he said Hori had no claim. Hone te One, sworn—l live at Kawhia; I know this land ; I have heard what Te Eeweti has said ; it is correct; also what Ngatiapakura have said ; I have a claim through Ngatiapakura ; our claim is from conquest; I have not cultivated here, but at Eangiaohia and Alexandra ; my elders died at Ngaroto aud Maniapoto. Court adjourned. 6th Novembee, 1868. Hori Wirihana, sworn —I live at Maungatautari; lam a Ngatikauwhata ; I know this land; I was at the survey and pointed out the boundaries; I claim this land by conquest; Ngatiraukaura owned the land formerly ; I have cultivated on this block and at Te Whanake; I have resided here ; I cultivate here now; there are other claimants besides those who have been mentioned, viz., Hohua, Tau, Irihia, Te Kanae, and Mihi Korako ; these are all of Ngatikaukura ; this land was conquered by my ancestors, and they took possession; Taumahi and Tarua are the names of their pas which were taken; Hangahanga is another pa; there were also many other pas; this is the cause of our getting the land ; I conquered the land and took it; Ngatiraukawa did not leave the land peaceably. Wi Huka, sworn —I am a Ngatikahukura ; I reside at Maungatautari; I know this land ; I have a claim ; I cultivate on Puahoe; I have a house and cultivation on the land at the present time; I claim from conquest of Ngatiraukawa; they were driven off and I got the land ; I made the survey ; c—G. 3.

sth Noyembeb, 1868