G.—7

50

arrange on a common boundary between the Natives and Mr. Beck. After some discussion it was finally arranged that a portion of Section 22597, at the northern end, to include a square-shaped block parallel with the present course of the river, should be surrendered to the Natives. A right of road to Mr. Beck to be reserved through the surrendered part to give access to the ford.

Wednesday, 25th March, 1891. Commission resumed. Hare Kahu alluded to the loss the parents at Temuka were subjected to, owing to there being no school for their children. Two persons connected with the Native schools visited the Native settlement and they informed the Natives that their children could attend the European school, but the parents afterwards found that there was a feeling against the children ; about ten were sent in the first place, but in consequence of a statement made in the local papers, referring to the children being dirty, the parents who were unable to send the children always cleanly dressed took alarm lest they should, be turned away, and kept them at home. There are about forty-six children at the settlement, a number of whom could attend school, but the European School Committee seemed to object to Native children. In the Temuka Leader, dated 21st August, 1890, unfavourable allusion was made to the Native children, at the Board meeting, and their attendance was only sanctioned on the casting-vote of the Chairman. The Natives were anxious that a separate school should be erected at their settlement, as they did not concur with the present arrangement which was very unsatisfactory. Teone Tikao Wira alluded to the disadvantage the people were put to for want of a school. Behu spoke to the same effect. J. Bickus said that it was very desirable that a school should be established for the Natives if it was only to employ their time, which was now spent in paddling in the water, thereby catching cold, which caused a great mortality amongst them. Hone Karehe Kahu : When Mr. Posthlewaite was a member of the House, he tried to get a school for the Temuka people, but found that he was met by various objections. Mr. Bhodes had also taken an interest in the matter. The Native settlement was only about a mile from the public school, but a difficulty appeared to exist about the children going. When Teoti Paipus was in Wellington he saw Mr. Kirk, who promised to visit the place, which he subsequently did, and saw the children and was satisfied that there were a number old enough to attend school, but could not promise a school would be erected at the settlement. He was told that a site for a school could be had alongside the Whare Bunanga. The children of Temuka who have received any education have been taught in Kaiapoi and Waikouaiti. Henare Mauhara supported the application. Bawiri te Maire also supported. He said that the old people who formally opposed the schools were all dead. Henare Kokoro stated that the Native children were first sent to the Board school, but only four out of this number now attend. Eight were kept at home by their parents, as they were unable to send them properly dressed. In cases where there was only one child in a family the parents could send it clean, but it was difficult to send a number. The people of Temuka had been deprived of the advantage of education for forty-three years through no schools being established. The Commissioner pointed out that the people themselves were to blame to a certain extent, owing to the opposition displayed by the old people to the establishment of schools. Several efforts had been made since 1868 to induce them to consent without avail. It was a good sign now that so much interest was displayed in the matter, and their request would be brought before the Government. Henare Koroko drew attention to the insufficiency of the land set apart for the Natives in 1848, and also by the Native Land Court. The Natives could not get a living on the land. All the supplementary land given in 1868 was very inferior in character. Some of the reserves set apart in 1848 contained very good land, but some of these lands were being damaged by the river. The Natives could not cultivate the land satisfactorily, and consequently let it to Europeans. A good many of the sections in the Waipopo Beserve are let at prices varying from 10s. to 15s. per acre. The Eaukapuka Beserve was let at £1 per acre. The Kapunatiki Beserve was still under the old lease. Some of the Temuka sections are let at prices ranging from 6s. to £1 per acre. Owing to the land being scattered and in small parcels, it operates detrimentally to the people, as they can do no good with it. It would be very beneficial if a scheme could be devised to concentrate their land, as it might then be possible to work it profitably. Hare Kahu : I was one who was entitled to land in the list of 1848, but many persons were not included in the census, and consequently no apportionment was made for them. In 1868 some additional land was given, making up the area per individual to 14 acres, but a great deal of the supplementary land was of inferior character, and would only let for from 2s. to 2s. 6d. an acre. Another loss to the Natives was through their having to find room, on the small reserves set apart for them, for others who were not provided form 1848. In 1887 a number of persons were admitted o share in the reserves who had been overlooked in 1868. The number of parcels the land was held in was very inconvenient: some had 16 acres, and some had 5 acres, but these areas were scattered about. The land now owned by the Natives was insufficient for their use; every person had to obtain work, if possible, to supplement their means of livelihood. The Natives have been put to heavy expense in trying to establish their claims ; in 1873 large sums of money were collected at the several settlements, over £3,000, was obtained for the purpose. This money was given to Taiaroa to conduct the case. Consider that the Government are answerable for this expenditure, as it was their duty to have fulfilled the promises made to the Natives.