G.—2.

ject. There are some other things I wish to speak about; something concerning Tutere. It is a new word. I agree with what has been said about Tutere, because he was not there when the names were arranged to be placed upon the deed. It is quite true that Tutere is on the land, and that he has an interest in Ngatutere. But there is one thing that is wrong, inasmuch as Tutere's name has not been written on the deed. So Tutange and his people do not think that Tutere should have any portion of the 1,200 acres, because his name is not on the deed. 598. Tutange: The end of my word is this : I want to know who is to take the place of Moanoroa, now that he is dead. 599. The Commissioners : We have listened carefully to what you have said, but these are questions relating to succession in titles to land, which will have to be investigated either by the Native Land Court or some other Court specially appointed for the purpose. 600. Pia Bakorako said: I wish to speak about my land; 16 acres were awarded to me, but Ido not know where the land is. 601. The Commissioners: There are a great many Natives in that position. Many awards were made : some for 16 acres, some for 400 acres, and others. They got into Mr. Worgan's hands, and there has been confusion about it ever since. We have heard that some of the money which ought to have reached the hands of the Natives was kept by Mr. Worgan. We do not know whether that is true or not. What we do know is that there is confusion about the land: and it cannot be settled by us here on the spot, because there is still so much confusion connected with it. As soon as we return to Wellington, we will have the whole of Mr. Worgan's affairs about the land here looked into ; and we shall find out those who had land given to them and sold it to Europeans, and those who had land given to them and sold it to the Government. Then we shall see how many have not parted with their land, and who are still entitled to any. And as soon as we know the names of the people to whom awards were given, and who are still entitled to them, we shall see that they are fulfilled. 602. Uru te Angina said: I wish to ask that the Ngatiawa should not be placed on my land at Waitotara. Waitara is the place from whence they came to Ngatiruanui. Take those 16 acres to Ngatiruanui and Waitara. I do not think it is right that people from a strange place should be located on my land. 603. The Commissioners -. We agree with that; but we cannot say what will be done until we inquire into the matter, and see what the promise of the Government really was. 604. Tamanui said: What I wish to speak about is my place at Buapeka, down at Waitaranui. This is not the first time I have spoken about it. On two previous occasions I have seen Major Brown and Mr. Williams about it. lam like a kahu; I am flying about without any place to dwell in, because I have no land. I wish to be placed firmly upon some land. 605. Wiremu Ngapaki said: I wish to ask a question about the 1,000 acres at Whenuakura, which Sir Donald McLean gave to the Bukorokoro. I wish to know in what position that land is, and how # it is held at present. 606. The Commissioners : The boundaries of this reserve have never been settled. The final settlement depends upon the quantity which the Governor may give to Taurua. We have first to find out the land that is to be given to Taurua. The second thing to be ascertained is the quantity of land situate between the road that bounds Otautu on the one side, and the Whenuakura Eiver on the other. There were 1,000 acres surveyed for Mr. Gower. That land was leased to Mr. Gower; but the survey left out the village of Komene. 607. Ngapaki: I think there will be some bother over that land which is leased, and I wish you to repeat what you have said over again. 608. The Commissioners : There were 1,000 acres surveyed, which were believed to include this reserve. These 1,000 acres were leased to Mr. Gower. But when Sir D. Bell was here a year ago, Komene pointed out that the survey left out his village. Now, the promise was that the place Komene and his people lived upon should be reserved for them ; and therefore, when the question is finally settled about the boundaries, it will be seen that there may be an excess : there may be more than 1,000 acres, and it may have to be brought back to that area. Therefore, it is the correctness of that survey which has to be decided. But, if any alteration is made, it will be necessary to obtain the consent of Mr. Gower. 609. Ngapaki: I object to Mr. Gower's lease, because I have not signed it, or had anything to do with it; neither I nor my people. We told Major Brown that we objected to it. I spoke to Mr. Sheehan about it the last time he was at Patea. 610. The Commissioners : Tou must leave the matter to be inquired into, because, if the lease has been rightly granted and approved by Major Brown, we cannot upset it. We shall see when we make inquiries, whether the lease was signed by Major Brown, and whether he consented to it. 611. Ngapaki -. I wish to say that the last word I spoke to Mr. Sheehan when he was here, was that this land might be divided: Komene to receive 500 acres, and myself to receive 500 acres. 612. The Commissioners: The land was divided, apparently ; but we will inquire into it. The first thing is to carry out the promise with respect to Komene's settlement being put there, and then we shall have to go back on the land, so that it shall not exceed 1,000 acres. 613. Ngapaki: We do not approve of Ngarangi (Broughton) having a place called Patare, because his name is not on the 1,000 acres which were given by Sir Donald McLean to the Natives. We have no objection to his having 500 acres, but we do not like it to be taken out of these 1,000 acres. 614. The Commissioners: We cannot exclude any one simply because his father was a European. Tou know quite well that the mother's right cannot be excluded. It is only acknowledged that Ngarangi has the same tribal interest as the rest of the tribe: he has no individual interest. 615. Taurua: I wish to speak about the 1,000 acres to which reference has been made. Sir Donald McLean gave it to those people who have been mentioned in Wanganui. He said to me, "Let them remain on the other side of the Whenuakura : 500 acres in the bush, and 500 acres out in the open." That finished his word. After that Komene thought he would like to have it on this side of the Whenuakura, and so he brought it to this side. I did not approve of his bringing his reserve between Whenuakura and Patea. I wished to leave that part, free, so as to be a cause which I could dispute until

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