ti. Takeranui.]

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4. Do you confirm what you then stated in Wellington ?-Yes ; but I wish to explain a little more, because I do not think I then gave all the facts I should have given 6. What do you want to add to that evidence?— One new fact I would like to explain to the ( omm.ssion is that in previous days I used to be able to crop my ground for about nine years in success,,,,,. Now I cannot crop the ground more than two years. The reason that has happened is .his: At the present time you cannot see the sand and silt in the grass until it is ploughed up, and then when ,t is dry ~ blows up in a dust. My land previously was never covered To any extent In floods but a the present tune it is pretty well all covered by floods. Last time the water came i ight ii], .„ my house, which is the first time I have known the water to come up there 6. And since 1907 when you gave that evidence,, have you and the Natives suffered serious damage?—lhe Natives have not gone in for cropping so largely as they used, because if they did it would only be waste ot time. In previous years I used to crop very largely mv own place I cannot do that now, because it seems a waste of labour owing to the floods ' 7. Do y,,,i remember the Natives of the Ngatitamatera Tribe petitioning Parliament in connection with this matter/-Yes. It was about two years ago. I cannot remember the exact 8. Is this a translation of that petition?—Y'es. [Exhibit No. 22.1 9 What was stated in this petition was the Native case in connection with this matter '- Yes 10. Mr. Moresby.] Since you gave your evidence in the House in 1907 do you consider the Hoods are worse ,„ more frequent?-Si.ice 1907 or a little previous to that the floods have been more frequent and higher, and larger. There is a place called Makomako, and in the late floods the water overflowed there for the first time in my life. It is on the Moananui flats. lam speaking for the people at Moananui. v ~ 11. Are they able to crop their lands now?— Yes, they are able to do so. but we find it useless because we cannot get any benefit from the crops. 12. Mr. Tunks.] To what extent did the water in the last flood overflow at Moananui Flat?— I cannot say, because I did not measure it. The whole land was covered 13. Did it go across then towards the Te Aroha Road —Yes. It came along the railway-line across the road down to the Waihou. Paora Tiunga examined. (No. 34.) 1. Mr. Mueller.] Do you represent Native tribes?— Yes. 2. In what part of the district do your tribes own land?— Some of my tribe have interests in the hangihapara Block, which is situated below the mouth of the Ohinemuri River It is below ihe Hape Stream. 3. Do you own land near the big Waihou?—Yes, Te Awaiti No. Ia and Waihou West No 4 4. You know that land between Waihou and the Awaiti Creek? Yes. 5. In time of flood can you tell where the water comes from which flows down mar Netherton 1 —1 roni the Ohinemuri: The Ohinemuri overflows first of all, and then the Waihou water comes down and helps it to go down towards Netherton. 6. The Chairman.] Does any part of the water get over from there to the Awaiti Stream? —Yes. 7. What did the Natives know of the issue of the Proclamation declaring the rivers to be sludge-channels—did they get any notice?— There was no notification to the Maoris- but on that notification being made Sir Donald McLean said there was to be no infringement of the Natives' rights. 8. In what year was that/-When the goldfield was opened. He also said that the Natives were not to infringe on the goldfield rights. The miners were also to be allowed freedom to eel timber tor fencing purposes. Mr. Mackay conducted the proceedings. 9. You have heard what Haora has stated in evidence?—Y r es. 10. Do you confirm what he states?— Yes. 11. Mr. Moresby.] You lived for many years on Awaiti No. la?— Yes. 12. Is that land quite close to the big lagoon?— Yes. 13. Is the land on which your whare is situated at Awaiti on the high ground I—Yes 14. Is there a high ridge of land which runs along by your house for some distance?— Yes 15. Have you ever known the waters of the Waihou River to come right over the hi«h ridsre of land into the big lagoon /—No. 16. Is there a road which comes from Kerepehi to your kainga?—Yes; it was an old road that .Mr. Mackay declared a public road. 17 ; Does that road traverse the high land between your place and Kerepehi/- Not all the way. The length of the road goes along the lower parts after it leaves my place. i J,*- *, Wha< P ortioll of the Awaiti Stream do you say the waters of the Waihou go into it?— In 190, the waters from the Ohinemuri and the Waihou overflowed the whole of mv land at Awaiti No. la. 19. But it did not go over the place where your kainga is?—Y'es, right over to the Awaiti and then from there it went towards Netherton. 20. Do you remember, when the flood was at its highest, Chief Judge Seth-Smith and Jud-e Mao< ormack going on your land?— Yes; that was in 1907. We had to convey then, in canoes to the paddocks. 21. At the time of that visit was not the land quite dry where your house is?—No; it was all under water. Only Wani's place was dry. 22. How far does the tide come up the Awaiti Stream?—lhe tide raises the level of the Awaiti about a foot. For about a mile past my kainga it is tidal, and then it spreads out to where the lagoons are.