10

a.—2a.

Cross-examined by Mr. Morison. Witness : Waretini and Bopiha I saw there most frequently. To Mr. McDonald : I was at Court of 1886. Did not hear anything about these reserves there. To Court: We put the peg in at the mouth of the Waiwiri Stream on both occasions. We were not allowed to make the survey on the second occasion. Sir W. Buller : That closes my case. Mr. J. M. Fraser said he would not call any evidence. Mr. McDonald called Hoani Puihi. Hoani Puihi sworn. Witness : I am one of the principal occupants of Horowhenua. I am well acquainted with some of the affairs of Muaupoko. It was only when the Commission sat that I heard of there being reserves in this block. I had not heard of it before. I object altogether to the claim of Ngatiraukawa for reserves in No. 11. The whole tribe disapprove of it. I hear now that Kemp entered into an agreement to give Ngatiraukawa some reserves. I object to it altogether. We have given the Whatanuis No. 9, and that is sufficient. The tribe will never agree to give the Ngatiraukawa any more of their land. Sir W. Buller : No questions. Mr. J. M. Fraser : No questions. Mr. Morison : No questions. To Assessor : Nothing of importance. Mr. McDonald ; No more witnesses. Sir W. Buller addressed the Court. Mr. J. M. Fraser addressed the Court. Mr. Morison addressed the Court. Mr. McDonald addressed the Court. The Court reserved its decision, and informed parties that Judge Butler and the Assessor would inspect the portions of Block 11 claimed by the Ngatiraukawa to-morrow. The Court adjourned till the 13th instant.

Levin, Tuesday, 13th April, 1897. The Court opened at 9.30 a.m. Present: A. Mackay, Esq., Judge; A. H. Mackay, Clerk. Judge Butler and the Assessor were engaged the whole day inspecting the land. The Court adjourned till the 14th instant.

Levin, Wednesday, 14th April, 1897. The Court opened at 10 a.m. Present: A. Mackay, Esq., Judge (presiding); W. J. Butler, Esq., Judge; Atanatiu te Kairangi, Assessor ; A. H. Mackay, Clerk ; H. McDonald, Interpreter. The Court notified that, in consequence of the proximity of the Easter holidays precluding any further business being taken, further proceedings would be adjourned till the 22nd instant, when it was intended to hear and determine the relative rights of the parties interested in Nos. 11 and 12, notice of such intention having been circulated. The Court adjourned till the 22nd instant.

Levin, Thursday, 22nd April, 1897. The Court opened at 10 a.m. Present: The same. The Court announced that the business before it was the determination of the relative rights of the 143 registered owners and the forty-eight additional persons whose status had been established by "The Horowhenua Block Act, 1896," to subdivisions Nos. 11 and 12, but as counsel and conductors engaged in the case had not arrived it would be necessary to adjourn till to-morrow. Mr. McDonald said it was probable that many of the persons interested had been detained by the bad weather. The Court adjourned till the 23rd instant.

Levin, Feiday, 23bd Apeil, 1897. The Court opened at 10 a.m. Present: The same. Hoeowhenua Nos. 11 and 12. Mr. Stevens informed the Court that, with his clients' consent, he had handed over their case to Mr. McDonald, who would act for them and Himiona Kowhai— i.e., for the Ngatipariri. Sir W. Buller said Mr. J. M. Fraser had wired that he could not be here till to-night. All the Ngatipariri except Himiona Kowhai had signed Mr. Fraser's retainer. Mr. Knocks stated that he appeared for seven or eight persons, and asked that all conductors should be required to submit the names of their clients. Sir W. Buller appeared on behalf of Meiha Keepa and family only, and stated that Mr. Fraser's retainer was before the Court, and was signed by the bulk of Muaupoko.