a.—6B

Precis of Terms of Deeds of Sale of 1852-56 hereinbefore referred to —continued.

(Note. —This is the only one of this series of deeds signed by Wi Katene te Puoho, and is signed generally by Whakapuaka Natives. Whakapuaka is not mentioned in the particular description and is not reserved, but it is undoubtedly covered by the general description of the land proposed to be sold. It is interesting and instructive to note (para. 87 (35) ) that this deed, couched in such wide terms, was signed by Wi Katene after Mr. Donald McLean had visited Whakapuaka and decided that that block was no more than the residents required as a revenue. Whakapuaka was therefore a reserve or exception from the Ngatitoa deed, and is not a reserve from the Ngati Tama deed which Wi Katene te Puoho signed.) 84. By a former deed, dated 15th May, 1852 (Mackay's Compendium, Vol. 11, page 377), Wiremu Katene te Puoho (as Wi Nga Manu) signed away, subject to certain reservations, his interests in the Collingwood and Massacre Bay districts. This deed also contains the signature of " Paremata." 85. As regards the suggestion that Whakapuaka was reserved from the Ngati Toa deed (already quoted in full, para. 80) as a result of the efforts of Wi Katene solely, let us turn to the following extracts from the witness's own narrative of the principal subjects included in the work (Mackay's Compendium, page 15) :• — The only Natives who opposed the sale by the Ngatitoa Tribe was a small section of the Ngatitama at Whakapuaka under Wiremu Katene te Manu. These people objected to the land being sold by their relations in the North Island without their consent, and declined to give up any portion of the land held by them at Whakapuaka, it being no more than sufficient for their own subsistence ; neither would they agree to receive any of the purchasemoney, and, as the land in their possession was not of greater extent than they really required, it was not deemed prudent to urge a settlement of this particular question upon them. 86. From, page 14 the following passage explains the passage just quoted : — In August, 1853, however, Sir George Grey, assisted by Mr. Commissioner McLean, entered into arrangements with the Ngatitoa Tribe, stibject to certain reservations, to dispose of the remainder of their claim by right of conquest, and to settle those of other tribes living on the spot, to the whole of the districts on the northern and western portion of the Middle Island, in consideration of the sum of £5,000. £2,000 to be paid on the execution of the deed of sale, and the balance by instalments of £500 each carried over a period of six years. Just, however, as these arrangements were initiated, Sir George Grey departed for England, leaving Mr. McLean solely to carry them into effect. The reservations alluded to consisted of the cultivations and lands required for the subsistence of the Natives resident in the several districts. 87. The following extracts from the final report dated 7th April, 1856, from Mr. Commissioner McLean to the Colonial Secretary (Mackay's Compendium, Vol. I, page 300) is official authority for the narration of Mr. Mackay quoted above : — 3. After repeated meetings and discussions with the Ngatitoa and Ngatitama Tribes, who at first intended only to cede a portion of their less valuable land on the West Coast, a deed of sale was executed by them at Wellington on the 10th of August, 1853, by which they agreed, subject to certain reservations, to relinquish in favour of the Crown for a sum of £5,000 the whole of their claims upon the Middle Island. 4. These reservations consisted of the cultivations and lands required for the subsistence of the Natives resident in the district, it being always distinctly understood that Rangitoto or D'Urville Island was exempt from the sale. 35. Before going to Nelson I called at Whakapuaka, where a section of the Ngatitama live. These declined to give up any portion of the land held by them at that place, as they considered it not more than sufficient for their own subsistence. They object also to its being sold without their consent, by their relations in the North Island ; and, as the land they hold is not of much greater extent, than they woidd really require as a revenue, I did not deem it prudent at present to urge a settlement of this particular question upon them. 88. There is a world of difference between Alexander Mackay's evidence (1883) "that the Natives did not press the matter, and decided to leave the block entirely in Wi Katene's hands," and Donald McLean's report of 1856 that the block was no more than the section of Ngatitama living there required in the way of a revenue or reservation, and that he did not deem it prudent to urge a settlement of this particular question upon them.

15

Description of Deed. J General Description of Land sold, j of Land or Places reserved. Ngati Koata Tribe : 5th All our lands in this Island Boundaries the same as those Reserves for us as follows : March, 1856. Claims in sold by our relations the Names of reserves, tofche Nelson Province. Ngatitoa at the Hoiere, gether with areas. (Mackay Com., Vol. I, Paparoa, &c. page 316) Ngatitama Tribe : 10th Full and true transfer of That is to say, all the land No reserves. March, 1856. Ceding land all our lands from: Poro- formerly sold by Aupouri. at Motupipi and Takaka. poro : Motupipi to Takaka, We did not receive any (Mackay Com., Vol. I, and to Rangitoto money so we opposed the page 317) sale. Now we completely give up all those lands Ngatitama Tribe: 7th To give up and finally trans- This is the final giving-up No reserves. March, 1856. Ceding fer all our lands in this of those places for ever— claims in Massacre Bay. Island—that is to say, viz., the following places : (Mackay Com., Vol. I, all the places for which Anapu, Aorere, Papakopage 318) we did not receive pay- hai, Te Parapara, Tukument in any former sale rua, Anekaka, Te Waiof land kaha, and all our cultivations at Tukurua