The claim of right to this land has been a continual source of contention between Nepia and the Ngatiapas, who would willingly sell to the Government were they in undisputed possession. The Ngatiapas have without doubt a just claim to the country, and their power of making themselves troublesome is not to be underrated when their connexions are considered. They were never thoroughly conquered by the Ngatitoas the first invaders of the country. The Ngatiawas were amongst the first allies of the Ngatitoas and took an active part in assisting them to subdue that part of the coast inhabited by the Muaopokas, the Rangitanes and the Ngatikahangunus which tribes were the greatest sufferers by the invasion. At a later period the Ngatiraukawas arrived, but took very little active part comparatively speaking, in the war about this part of the coast, being principally engaged making inroads upon the Ngatihahungunu territories. When the land came to be divided amongst the invaders disputes arose between