55

G.—l

Do you think it better in such cases that the Committee and the people should arrange, instead of going to the expense of fighting questions of ancestral boundaries in the Court, that the best men of every family should talk it over, and then take the matter to the Court, and have a title given to each family ? —I think that the hapus occupying the land should settle these matters among themselves, and, after they had come to their decisions, go into Court and have their actions confirmed by it. Do you know the Te Aute School ?—I am not conversant v?ith what goes on in this immediate locality. But you knoAV generally ?—Yes. Do you think it would be a good thing if, out of the great lands that belong to the Maoris, each tribe should set apart lands as endowments for the education of their children, schools being erected where they could be taught to farm, to take care of sheep and cattle, and where they could acquire such trades as shoemaking, carpentering, and other things of that sort? —I do not approve of that. Why not ?—My objection is this : that, if I own certain land, why should I give it up for the purpose of providing education for other people's children. I mean, that the tribes should set apart these lands for the education of their own children ?— It is all right to give up land for my own child, but to give it up for the children of other people I cannot see why I should do it. My hapu has set apart some portion of land for school purposes. In questioning Hiraka I have travelled over this ground about the management of the land in order that the other Natives might get more familiar with the subject?—The Owhaoka school reserve was given as an endowment for the school. Benata Kawepo set that land apart for school purposes, and yet there is no school established. It was one year at Omaho, and we do not know what has become of the money. We do not mean that kind of endowment or school. Do you think it would be a good thing for the Judge or an officer of the Government to assist,and advise the Natives in all things, and not merely those I have mentioned ?—I think it would be Avise ; and he should maintain an independent and neutral position, and be properly appointed. I look Avith suspicion upon one or two of the officers in the Native Department. I have good reasons for thinking that in matters affecting the Natives themselves, and in dispute among themselves, these tAvo officers become friends merely of one of the contesting sides. The Native Department should not be used for such purposes. It belongs to the people of the colony, and as a Government officer in that department he should only perform public duties. I am now referring to Mr. Lewis. I Avas thinking about speaking to you about a grievance connected with a case in respect of which myself and people Avish for a rehearing. Ido not know that Ave can hear that. We have no power to grant rehearings?—Salutations, then, to the Commissioners ! Horomona : I want to know whether it is right for a deed executed by a man in respect of his own land to be exercised over another block. Difficulty and trouble have arisen in connection with a case of that kind, Mr. Bees : It is hardly within our powers to consider a case of that sort. We can hear Avhat you have to say. Emeri Te Whetu : I wish to explain something in relation to this matter. The name of the block is Oromatai. Mr. Carroll.] Is that a block of land that has been adjudicated upon ?—Yes ; a portion of it has been adjudicated upon. Has the portion of land with which your complaint is connected been adjudicated upon ?—lt Avas dealt with some time ago by Henare Matua's Native Committee. It Avas not dealt with by the District Committee. What was the result of the investigation ?—No decision, was given. That land is in the vicinity of land claimed by the Government. It is included in lands that were improperly disposed of. Where money had been drawn in respect of lands the Government took this particular land in satisfaction. That land remains in its present state, but the Government have no right over it. My husband, when he went to Napier in connection Avith this business, got a map of the land, and I have it now. A portion of the land is now occupied by Mr. Johnston. Do you desire that that land should be adjudicated upon ?—Yes ; I Avish it dealt with, and I have handed it over to the Committee of the district to deal with. Mr. Bees : Although this does not fall within the scope of what Ave have got to do, we can make a recommendation to the Government that such cases as that should be examined into? —I made application with regard to this land to the Begistrar of the Native Land Court to have the title investigated. Mr. Carroll: You should apply at the Land Office, and ascertain what the real position is. Mr. Bees : We can only recommend that such cases be looked into, and that what is right shall be done. Mr. Carroll.] What is the name of the place ?—Te Matataike.

Waipawa, 6th May, 1891. Messrs. W. L. Bees, M.H.8., Chairman, and J. Carroll, M.H.B. (Commissioners), sat in the Oddfellows' Hall at 9.30 a.m., a number of Maoris and Europeans being present. Mr. Bees : The Commission is iioav ready to hear any of the gentlemen who intimated to us yesterday their desire to have an opportunity of stating their views. The statements they may make will be interpreted to the Maoris, so that they may know what is being spoken on the matter. I would ask the gentlemen who wish to speak to remember that the Native Land Court has only adjourned till 11 a.m., so as to afford opportunity for the Native agents Avho are here to place their opinions before U3.