G.—l

82

progress. The one appears, at present, from the utilitarian point of view, to be a speculative grievance ; the other is eminently and obviously material. 5. The mode of the reference to me, and the shortness of the time at my disposal, have obliged me to generalise as much as possible in this memorandum ; but if there should be, in the opinion of the Commissioners, any specific point or points upon which my long experience in Native affairs might enable me to give information, it will afford me pleasure to be in any manner useful in furthering the very laudable objects of the Native-land Laws Commission. I have, &c, The Native-land Laws Commissioners. Daniel Pollen, M.L.C.

No. 2. The Begisteae, Native Land Court, Gisborne, to the Native-land Laavs Commissionees. Sie, — Native Land Court Office, Gisborne, 24th March, 1891. In compliance with request contained in Mr. Gannon's letter to me of the Bth instant, I have the honour to forward hereAvith extract of the minutes of proceedings as to Mangatu No. 1, and list of the OAvners of that land handed into Court by Wi Pere. I have, &c, John Beooking, Begistrar. The Secretary, Native-land Laws Commission, Customhouse Buildings, Auckland.

Exteact from Minute-book of Native Land Couet, 29th April, 1881. Mangatu No. 1, 100,000 Acres. Wi Peee handed in a trust deed, conveying the estate to tAvelve trustees, for the purpose of leasing only, eighty-six having signed and twenty not having signed. Mr. Harris addressed the Court in support, and sought for certain information. Paora Haupa objected, and asked for the list of names handed in and read. Wi Pere explained. Peti Taihuka objected, and wanted all the names put in. The Court explained that the introduction of all the vast number of names in the titles was destroying the value of the lands of all this district, and the evil is becoming so great that, if the Native Land Court cannot lessen the evil, the Legislature will have to apply a remedy. The Court fully explained that it could not create any trust estate, or recognise the deed tendered, except as a voluntary arrangement by Avhich the great body of the OAvners could consent that the land should be vested in the twelve persons named, and that the land should be declared inalienable, except by lease for a term not exceeding twenty-one years. The Court pointed out that the only serious objection to this course is, that if at any time the inalienability should be removed by the Governor in Council the estate would then absolutely belong to the twelve ; but that could be remedied by the trustees, after the issue of the certificate, executing a deed of trust declaring that they hold the land only as trustees for the whole of the tribe. Wi Pere stated that such a deed had been executed ; but the Court explained very fully that it would require to be executed after the issue of the certificate. It was fully understood that the declaration of trust should be made complete. And the Court also required that a complete list should be furnished of all the parties recognised as owners of the block, not to be inscribed in the order, but to remain on the records of the Court for future reference if any question should arise in any proceedings for partition, or any allegation of breach of faith.

Extkact from Native Land Coubt Minute-book, 30th April, 1881. An order to issue in favour of the folloAving persons in Mangatu No. 1 Block, containing, by estimation, 100,000 acres, when a proper survey is sent in:—Wi Haronga, Matenga Taihuka, Tiopira TaAvhiao, Tiopira Korehe, Pirihi Tutekohe, Peka Kerekere, Wi Pere, Pera Te Matuku, Hori Puru, Anaru Matete, Butene Ahuroa, Paora Kingi. The said land to be inalienable except by lease.

List of names of the owners of Mangatu No. 1, 100,000 acres, handed in by Wi Pere, 30th April, 1881: Pera te Natnku, Tiopira Korehe, Hori Puru, Te Hira Natuku, Wiremu Iretoro, Ani Puaroa, Maraea Bawaho, Baiha Kota, Hirini Wharekete, Epeniha Hape, Te Kauru Matete, Te Aira Horahora, Hirini Te Baekaihau, Buka Tahuateka, Neri Wharekete, Heni Matekino, Peka Kerekere, Anaru Matete, Tapeta Kerekere, Peneha, Meri Hake, Henare Kingi Waingaruru, Kereama Tautuhi, Nepia Heta, Butene Ahuroa, Hemi Whaipu, Tapita Iretoro, Pirihi Tutekohi, Hetekia Te Kani, Tiopira Tawhiao, Pere Hana, Paora Kingi, Butu Iretoro, Arapeta Banginia, Bipeka Hineko, Kaa Matewai, Hariata Ahua, Hiraina Poaru, Haromi Paku, Wikitoria Puru, Mika Bore, Maraea Mokena, Bewi Tamanui, Kararaina Kehukehu, Heni Paretaranga, Biria Manaranui, Mereana Te W Teroahiahi, Epeniha Tipuna, Matenga Taihuka, Arona Te Baekaihau, Hone Kewa, Butene Te Eke, Patoromu Tawhaitari, Bawinia Ahuroa, Harete Taihuka, Maora Whekirangi, Heni Te Auraki, Arapera Pere, Wi Pere, Bangikohera, Ka Te Hane, Netana Puha, Biripeti Piwaka, Eawiri Koti, Wi Te Ngira, Wikitoria Uwawa, Boka Patutahi, Apihaka Wahakai, Te Amaru, Hoana Te Amaru, Paora Matuakore, Hirini Te Kani, Ihaia Patutahi, Patihana Mangai, Butu Kuare, Mata Moari, Wikitoria Te Amo, Wi Haronga, Heni Puhi, Piriniha Te Eke, Karaitiana Te Eke, Bongotipare, Karaitiana Amaru, Mere Maki, Rangitana, HeraPoraku, Pohoi Amaru, Karaitiana Akurangi, HoeraTako, Tapine Turei, Heni Tana, Mihi Hetekia (Paraire), Bipeka AAvatea, Peti Taihuka, Bawiri Titirangi, Eawiri Hana Mereaira Parehuia, Te Ao Pakurangi, Heni Kumekume, Mata Te Hawa, Hohipa Kota, Wiremu Kingi Te Kawau, Pani Amaru, Keita Amaru, Wikitoria Kanu, Buka Te Kahika, Karaitiana Buru, Tipene Tutaki, BaAvinia Te Ao, Merihi Ngore, Tamati Te Bangi, Teira Banginui, Bawinia Te Whiwhi, Heni