3

G.— 4.

Mohi Turei's Case. Gisborne, Saturday, 28th October, 1882. Court of Inquiry opened at 10 a.m. in the Government Buildings. Present: H. T. Clarke, Esq., Commissioner; S. Locke, Esq., appeared on behalf of the Government ; and John Brooking, Licensed Interpreter, acting as interpreter. Mohi Turei's letter of the 9th June, 1873, read and acknowledged. Mokena's letter of the 28th January, 1876, acknowledged by petitioner to be in his handwriting. Rev. Mohi Turei, sworn: I am a clergyman and belong to the Ngatiporou Tribe, living at Waiapu. In the year 1873 disturbances occurred at Waiapu, between Wikiriwhi and Te Mokena, about Horoera. Sir Donald wrote a letter to Mokena, requesting him to give up his quarrel and come and live at Turanga, and that a piece of land would be given him to live upon. In November of the same year Sir Donald McLean arrived here, and told myself and Te Mokena that pieces of land would be given us, the allotments to adjoin. Sir Donald asked me what consideration the Government had shown me. I replied, "You, as a member of the Government, have the records, and you know what the Government have done for me. I myself remember nothing except the ton of flour sent for the feast at Mataahu." Sir Donald replied, "It is correct, I sent that flour." He then asked Te Mokena what part of Patutahi he would like to have to live upon. Te Mokena indicated the piece that he wanted. Sir Donald then said to me "The Government will also consider you, and your piece shall adjoin Te Mokena's." This promise was often referred to in communication between Sir Donald McLean and Te Mokena afterwards. The Hon. Mokena Kohere could give evidence as to the case. This is all I have to say that bears directly upon the promise. lam not sure, but I think that Mr. Locke and others must have heard of this promise. Since then, Mr. Sheehan, when Native Minister, publicly declared that he would give effect to all promises, whether verbal or written, made by previous Governments; and, having also heard that Sir William Fox and Mohi Tawhai had been appointed Commissioners to inquire into promises such as I have described, upon which I sent my petition to the Parliament. I received a letter from Sir Donald McLean shortly before his death, encouraging me to go on with this w rork. But no mention was ever made of promise of land to me in that letter. The result of my petition appeared in the Wananga ; it was not recommended. I have therefore not petitioned since. I did not go to Wellington to give evidence in support of my petition, but Te Mokena and Mr. Sheehan did. By Mr. Locke : Ido not know the year in which the land for Te Mokena was marked off. I know there was a piece set apart for him at Patutahi, and also for Major Eopata. When I heard that this land was being marked off I did not make any application for a piece for myself, but Te Mokena did so on my behalf, to Captain Porter, so Te Mokena told me. I did not make application until I saw the speech of Mr. Sheehan published. The promise was made in 1873. I know Sir Donald McLean died in January, 1877. The promise was never put on paper. Sir Donald McLean was a Minister during the time I have referred to. By the Commissioner: lam aware that Ngatiporou received money for Patutahi. I received £20 myself of that money. I was a minister of the Church during the time of the fighting, and consequently took no part in the fighting. I always encouraged my people to be loyal and support the Government, and do so still. Ido not think that the piece given to Te Mokena was intended for both of us. I have not made any application to either Mr. Locke or Captain Porter relative to the promise by Sir Donald McLean. [Mr. Locke has no evidence to give, but will hand in Mohi Turei's letter, dated the 9th June, 1873, and Mokena's letter, written by the petitioner, dated the 26th January, 1876, and Sir Donald McLean's memorandum thereon; also the Patutahi deed and the copy of the report of the Committee of the House of Eepfesentatives on Mohi Turei's petition, dated the 15th August, 1878.] Case closed, Henry T. Clarke, Commissioner.

Mohi Turei to the Hon. Sir D. McLean. My Friend Mr. McLean,' — Turanganui, 9th June, 1873. Salutations to you. This is a word from me to you. I have spoken to Captain Porter to-day respecting some land for Eaniera and me at Patutahi. I have now arrived at Turanga, and will very likely be here some time, somewhere about three months, after which I will pay a visit to Waiapu, and return here again. The reason for my coming to live at Turanga was through the suggestion made by the Government, out of consideration to my parent, Te Mokena, whom they wished to move to the place they had selected for him at Patutahi, so that a stop might be put to the reports that were circulated about him. I have now come beforehand, and he is to follow; but he himself will inform you of his movements. If you give effect to my request to Captain Porter •for some land at Patutahi, let me have it alongside that allotted to Te Mokena ; then we may live there together ; for you are aware that we are both spoken evil of. But these reports are circulated through jealousy; but the mana (greatest influence) in Waiapu cannot be removed. The troubles existing in Waiapu are quiet just at present, but affairs arc not quite as satisfactory as they should be. My duties at present are wheat-planting, after which I will plant potatoes. Ngatiporou have agreed about the price for Patutahi, and that the Government should pay the money : it is well. But I think that some portion should be set apart for school purposes. From your loving friend, Mohi Turei.

Eepoet in re Edwaed Francis Harris's Petition. The petitioner is a half-caste, living in Turanga, Poverty Bay. He claims, on behalf of himself and his relatives Hirini te Kani, Henry Harris, Eutene te Eke, Mihi Pahura, Hana te Hemohaere,