I.—3b.

38

[t. pabata.

vernment and us Natives—first, because we are few, and bring no pressure to further our demands of justice; 'and, secondly, these material witnesses, being now well stricken in years, a short space of time will efface all evidence on the subject by their death. We utterly despair of any trial being instituted by the New Zealand Government in this matter, and, as a last resort, we intend to take up our residence on the inland of this Island, the purchase of which land has never been accomplished either by Commissioner Kemp or Mantell. We humbly lay this our intention at Tour Excellency's feet, that, should we be mistaken in the attitude of the present Colonial Ministry, Your Excellency, by communicating to us any reliable hope of action in the matter, may allay that anxiety which is spurring us to our present tentative step above referred. Your Excellency's most obedient and humble petitioners. Arowhenua, 3rd May, 1876. Mr. Parata: You will remember, Mr. Chairman, that in the course of my statement I informed you that certain Maoris, under the leadership of Tamaiharoa, occupied some of this land at Omarama. They did that with the definite and distinct object of forcing the position —they wanted proceedings taken against them in order to have it decided by law who were the actual legal owners of the land. Eventually Mr. Kheehan, the Native Minister of that day, came down there, and said, "No matter how unjustly you have been treated, you must not trespass on land that does not belong to you. Government will look into your grievances, arid give you the necessary redress." And I say, sir, that that pledge then given by the Native Minister has never to the" present day beeji redeemed or made good. Now, sir, I think I have arrived at the close of my remarks. I have said, all that I can say in support of this petition. The petitioners ask you and the Government to meet them and discuss the petition, in the hope that we may arrive at some tangible solution of the grievances that we lay before you. It is not for me to state to you what our demand is. That will be submitted in due course, when the proper time arrives. The present claim of the Ngaitahu petitioners is based on the report of Commissioners Smith and Nairn; and, in conclusion, I may simply say that if the Government does not give due consideration and satisfaction to our claim we shall be reluctantly compelled to take other steps to accomplish our object. I desire, Mr. Chairman and individual members of the Committee, to thank you, and to express to you the thanks of the petitioners, whose views I have endeavoured to represent to you. I desire also to convey my most sincere personal thanks to 3'ou, Mr. Chairman, and the members of the Committee for the very kind, indulgent, and patient hearing you have afforded to myself, on behalf of those whom I represent, during the entire duration of my very lengthy and, I trust, not over-wearisome statement. Mr. Parata was warmly applauded at the conclusion of his speech.

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