G.—6b

4

(Case.) Em Hamiora and Patikura Wetini. admit grantees were trustees. Against—Wharangi Hamiora, Huriana te Waaha, Rangi Whakahaerea, and Whakarau Petera. (Objectors' case.) Whakarau Petera (sworn) : Mr. Galvin's (Haki Tamati's) ancestors are those who have sold. I think grantees are owners because in 1893 no power to ascertain beneficial owners. When Crown grant issued I was too young to know position. I think that the Maori way or custom was to put in the rangitiras, but I cannot say as trustees. If there were no pakehas or pakeha law the rangatiras would have had the say as to whether hapus came in. These ten are all rangatiras of one family except Rangitukehu. If no confiscation I cannot say what would have been the position. My brother, Raimona Petera, is older than I —less than ten years older. He was the elder in our family at time of grant. He was a man of standing. (Evidence of Raimona Petera in M.B. 5/372 read, and witness disagreed with it, although he stated Raimona was a man of standing). If there were no title and this were an investigation case I do not think we would claim as tit present for the ten grantees only. I will give a whakapapa. After confiscation land returned to the ancestral owners. Tuwharetoa I Rongomai te Nganana I Tatapiriau I Rongoteahu I I'iri I Tunono L_ I" " 1 Umutahi Turangitukua I To Rangitautalianga I Ngapuia I Te Wharetuku I Te Uoro I. alio I Te Kahutienga I Maria I Whakarau Petera Raimona Petera. Hohepa Rokoroko and all grantees from Turangitukua. Tuwharetoa was the ancestor to this land. Umutahi got a part inside 39, but towards Rotoma side. They should, get this small piece here. But they got a big piece outside called Rotoma East. The Crown grantees are descendents of Turangitukua, and I think the land came from him. Raimona probably knew more than I did. Cross-examined by Haki Karawana : 1 admit Hohepa Rokoroko is from your side ; also Taminiko te Otene, also Anania, also Karaitiana. I know of Kahuiwaho the elder, brother of Umutahi (from Tunono). Ido not know Rangikotuka. I have heard of Taratikitiki. Ido not know reason that Taminiko sold was because of money advanced to the grantees under a lease. Rangi Whakahaekea (sworn) : I object on account of occupation prior to confiscation. lam about fifty years of age. I was born in 1868. Paora te Amorangi (grantee). Te Rini Paora Te Orunui Paora I j 1,11 _ ! I I Te Whareake. Tukiwaho. Peri. Mihi te Rini. Rangi Whakahaerea. Wiha te Orunui. Paora Patu was my uncle on my mother's side. He was a rangitira. I heard from my elders that they were instrumental in holding the land before the confiscation. Government returned it for our elders. The ten grantees were the owners, and not trustees. If this had been an investigation of title the ten grantees would have got the land. I think land came back to ancestral owners after confiscation. Cross-examined by Haki Karawana: The grantees represent Ngaitamarangi and N'Peehi. The four grantees, Hohepa Rokoroko, Taminiko te Otene, Anania te Otene [not sold], Karaitiana [not sold] are from your side, but they sold. I cannot trace myself and those four from Kahuiwaho. Harata Raimona came under Raimona Petera. (Savage family under will). Patikura Wetini : I come from Anania te Otene (Haki Tamati's side). I admit Haki Tamati is entitled to come in.