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of the Te Aute teaching. On one occasion we, the chiefs of the Ngatiporou, met the chiefs of the Ngatikahungunu, and we thanked them and congratulated them on their forethought in having given Te Aute as a place at which to educate our children. We, the people of the Ngatiporou, who lived in another district, had received great benefits through our children from the institution at Te Aute. I think if the scope of the school was widened, and if technical and industrial education were introduced into the school, it would very much enhance the value of the institution to the Maori people. That is all I have to say about the matter. 22. Mr. Ngata.] Have you heard it said the Maoris grumble that when they send their children to Te Aute the result is they become too Europanised and take Jess interest, or no interest at all perhaps, in farming operations in their own district? —I have never heard that. Perhaps'in some parts they may say that. But what Ido know is this: that some children who return to their kaingas from Te Aute do not get some occupation for which they are fitted, owing to their hapus and parents not being in a position to provide for them. These boys drift back into towns and offices; but those who went back to their hapus and found congenial occupation have stuck to it, and got on. 23. How many children from the East Coast do you think have been admitted to Te Aute?—l should think about 200 ; but you will find the records at Te Aute. Perhaps there may be more. 24. Who manage all the important undei takings now being carried on by the Maoris on the East Coast? —The important and large undertakings in connection with the land are managed by the old Te Aute boys, who are all children of chiefs, and well born. They are the ones who know how to manage and conduct the business of the hapus. 1 may say that when the Government were putting up telegraph and telephone wires in Poverty Bay they neglected our district, and left a gap between Waiapu and Opotiki without any telegraphic communication at all. Now, owing to the efforts of these Te Aute students, they are making a line to connect these two places. I consider that a good indication of the progress going on in the district owing to the influence of the Te Aute boys. 25. Have you heard the expression of opinion of the tribes and hapus on the East Coast in regard to technical and industrial education? —Yes. My people wish an industrial school to be established at Te Aute. I may say that some time ago they set apart a piece of land in our district—about 25 acres of nice, level, good land—as a site on which to erect a technical and industrial school, and they sent an application to the Government for a school to be placed there for that purpose. However, the Government passed over that site, and placed the school at Rangitukia. That school is now being carried on, and technical education, such as carpentering, sewing, and other handicrafts, is being taught. 26. Have you heard the people in your district asking that an agricultural college should be established ?—Yes, either at Waiapu, Waerenga-a-hika, or at Te Aute, to teach agriculture, poultryfarming, dairy-farming, pig-raising, horticulture, and all classes of farm-work. 27. Is that a new application of recent years? —Yes. It is the outcome of the new ideas arising from the education of the people. 28. It is quite true, is it not, that in former times the parents looked to office-work and clerking as an occupation for their children? —Yes, that is what they thought. At that time they thought these were the most important matters, and that boys who took to clerking as an occupation made a great deal of money. 29. Which is the occupation which Maori parents most desire for their children now?— Farming and the various handicrafts. Most of the young men in my district have gone upon the land or taken up some trade. They have left the offices. Why lam led to state all this to you is that I am constantly addressing the people on these lines as Igo from place to place. So this is no new thing to me. My wish is to see the Maori people rise. It was owing to my energy that I was able to place not only my own son, but other boys, in the way of being educated. All my children at home are engaged in farm-work, and I look after them and see that they stick to their work. 30. The Chairman.] Have the Maoris any objection to find with the religious training at Te Aute College?—l can speak for my own district. They have no objection to religious instruction at Te Aute. It must be remembered that the College at Te Aute is a Church of England College, and all the Natives in my district belong to the Church of England. I have heard that some sections of the Maoris from the West Coast have objected to this religious training—that is to say, the objection emanates from the Roman Catholic portion of the Maoris on that coast. I am inclined to say that the Maoris of another church who send their children to Te Aute have perhaps a right to object. 31. Have you considered the question of sports and games at the school?—I am one of those who strongly object to football; and I have spoken on the subject at Te Aute, condemning it, because I think such a large number of children are maimed and hurt at it. I have no objection to the other sports. I would not allow my children to play football at the school. .. 32. Mr. Lee.] Have you a Government Native school near your place?— Yes. 33. Do the best boys from this school go to Te Aute? —Yes, the best boys are sent to Te Aute, and the best of the girls to Hukarere. 34. Do you think it would be well to keep Te Aute and Hukarere as schools to which to send the best of these boys and girls?— Yes. 35. When the boys come back to their kaingas from Te Aute what occupations do they generally follow?— Farming and the various handicrafts. 36. Can you tell me what technical education is best fitted for that kind of life?— Well, carpentering, saddle-making, tailoring, blacksmithing, and shoe-making. 37. I suppose they mostly take up farming?— Yes, in addition to these. 38. Mr. Hogg.] Is there plenty of land for the young Natives if they are taught agriculture generally?— Yes; we are keeping the balance of the land now in anticipation of this. We have lots of land.