1.—12

95

Schedule. — West Coast Settlement Reserves. — Tirotiramoana to White Cliffs. — Disposal—contd.

2901. Hon. the Chairman.] That statement refers to your action as Reserves Trustee?— The statement now read represents my action as Reserves Trustee, with the exception of the meeting at Patea. I was Reserves Trustee at that time. All my other action has been taken as West Coast Commissioner. 2902. When did you cease to act as Reserves Trustees? —On the 31st December, 1884. I w 7 as then succeeded by Mr. Rennell. 2903. Mr. Steivart.] With regard to these new leases that are now in dispute, do the Natives require to be consenting parties ? What is the practice ?—You mean the Trustee's leases. The only action with regard to the Natives I have carried out was, in the first instance, getting their consent to so much land being leased. 2904. They did not consent individually to each lease?—No; it would be impossible to get them to do so. 2905. W T ere you aware that they were opposed to these new leases being granted for thirty years ; also, they were opposed to the renewal of the confirmed leases ?—I do not know whether they were or not; I had nothing to do with it. 2906. Mr. Parata.] When the land was set aside—when the reserves were made—was there any difference made as to the land they would get between the loyal and the rebel Natives ? — I consulted all the chiefs—Karere, Katene, Manaia, Titokowaru, Honi Pihama, Tautahi, Wireinu Kingi, Matakatea, Ruakere, and others—on the subject. There was no distinction made. Wherever they wanted a piece of land for any special reason it was cut out for them. 2907. Mr. Peacock.] With the full knowledge of Sir William Fox having refused to recognise the leases obtained between 1879 and 1881, you granted these leases? —I recommended most of these leases for confirmation by the Governor under the powers of the West Coast Reserves Act of 1884. 2908. Hon. the Chairman.] In doing so, were you satisfied that these people had not acted with a view to defeat the law ? —I was more particular in every case than I would have been, on account of Sir William Fox's remarks. 2909. Were you satisfied that these people acted in ignorance of the law in dealing with them?— Yes. I went searchingly into the whole matter. I sought information wherever it was to be had.

w iS <d 7. ■5 3 S ■* 3C5 CO u ° CD <" o Name of Reserve. Hapu. Total Area. ■° o 6 8-Sl 'S 13 aj cd ™ io a ■» s r. 3 G) CD rH 13 o < a rH hH 5,871 3,869 3,866 3,884 3,870 3,885 3,867 4,021 5,209 5,208 5,232 4,017 4,018 5,300 5,303 5,251 5,250 5,249 5,248 5,298 5,247 5,246 5,243 5,240 5,239 5,289 5,206 5,238 5,257 5,236 5,299 Sundry 43 23 32 47 24 30 33 I 24 71 43 87 9 9 34 14 35 45 19 37 28 26 22 61 9 17 7 2 68 64 Kaipakopako Ngapuketurua ... Kairau Matarikoriko Manutahi Kairoa Eeserve ... Pakahu Pukapapa Eeserve Tariki... Otikiwi Kawau Pukerata Ngatimoeahu Ngatirahiri Ngatiikaporo Ngatihine Ngatimarongo Ngatiwhiwhiwhiao Ngatiwairaka Acreage. 578 162 156 597 204 493 235 340 2,624 500 2,000 196 200 1,000 280 1,713 2,337 987 1,921 1,454 1,350 1,091 597 150 500 200 500 789 195 394 576 3,916 Acreage. 612 802 310 448 293 428 342 Acreage. 445 793 311 873 531 400 350 Acreage. 578 162 156 597 204 493 235 340 2,624 500 2,000 196 200 1,000 280 656 742 366 600 630 522 399 597 150 500 200 500 789 195 394 576 3,916 Ohanga Kaipikari Maungapoua Chatham Islanders reserve '/ a Same 50 310 a a Ngatitama 3,237 i jl51,564 34,122 14,877 1102,565 i