Friday, March 20, 1868.

Wellington Independent, Volume XXII, Issue 2653, 26 March 1868, Page 5

Friday, March 20, 1868.

The agent for the claimants put in translation of a letter from the representative chiefs of Ngatiraukawa, offering the Rangitikei-ftfanawatu block for sale to Dr Featherston, dated 17th September, 1864. (Vide sessional papers, 1865.) He then called Hoani Meihana Te Bangiotu (of Rangitane), who gave evidence respecting an interview between Dr Featherston and the representative chiefs at Manawatu subsequent to the date of that letter. The witness 6tated that at this interview ho informed Dr Foatherston that the offer of sale, so far as he was concerned, was subject to the consent of the tribe.*

With the concurrence of the counsel for tho Crown, the agent for the claimants then put in the instructions of the Native Minister to the Land Purchase Commissioner, dated 28th April, 1866, (Vide sessional paper?, -1866.) The agent put in letters of protest from Ngatiraukawa non-sellers, which havo appeared in the parliamentary blue book. The nexfc witness called was Henere Te Herekau, who gave evidence respecting fche death of Paratene Taupiri, and his last, injunctions in the matter of his land claims. Witness had prepared Parateno's lasfc will and testament, which he produced. The portion relating to the claims of deceased within the Himatangi block was read by the witness and noted by the Court. The testator left his claims within certain specified boundaries, in fche Himatangi block, to his wife, Amiria, and to Ngatirua, jointly, and authorised Parakaia to receive, on fcheir behalf, certain rents from Mr Cook. The witness was appointed executor.

Cross-examined by Mr Fox: The will was written by me and signed by Paratene Taupiri. He was very weak, and I supported his arm while ho wrote his name.

By tho Court : I understood that Raiwera was fixed on, by mutual consent;, as the boundary between Paratene and Parakaia's party. Eaiwera is on the Manawatu river.

Parakaia Te Pouepa : Saw Parateno shortly before his death. He told me he would retain the land as far as Eaiwera, and that Kirikiri should belong to Te Mete and myself. Kirikiri is on tho south side of the Manawatu river. I agreed to tho boundaries of the land claimed by Paratene — from Whitirea to Eaiwera,

The Court adjourned for one hour, after which the examination of Parakaia was resumed.

By Mr Williams : I know the boundaries of the Himatangi block. The southern boundary was laid down when tho Awahou block was sold to the Crown. Ifc was fixed by myself and Parateno. Nepia assisted in fixing fche boundary from Omarupapako and fcho sea, the boundary from Pakingahau and Omarupapako was fixed afc the time of the Awahou sale for our three hapus. Many Ngatiraukawa hapus from distant places agreed to this boundary. The following were tho chiefs who consented .-—Nepia Taratoa, Kuruho, Aperahama Te Huruhuru. These persons have no interest in Himatangi. Aperahama Te Euru, Kingi Ahoaho, Mohi Te Wharewhiti, Hone To Tihi, Te Peina Tahipara, Te Hoia, Hercmia Te Tihi, Epiha Te Kiu, Hori Ngawhare, To Eei Wairaka, Tonihi, Eawiri Te Wanui, and many other chiefs also consented. Mr Searancke was present when the boundary was fixed. Ihakara had nothing to do with that land. It has a boundary between the land to be sold, and the land to be kept. It was to be kept for tho three hapus. The land to be held on the north sido of the boundary belonged to Taraotea of the Ngatiraukawa hapu. That land belonged to mo and those claimants with me. We became possessed of ifc in 1834. Formerly, the boundary to the north was afc Mangatangi (the name of a clump of bush). That was in 1834. I refer to the occupation of the Eangitikei-Manawatu land. In 1835 the various hapus becamo established on their different portions. The boundary on the plan (to the north) wus fixed there in 1818. Ngatikaunhata and Ngafcirehirehi were present when this boundary was fixed. They had encroached on my land and tho boundary was thus settled. The Eev. Mr Williams settled ifc, and both thoy and wo consented. Thafc boundary is the one represented on my plan. Mr Williams fixed fche boundary at fcho kahikatea tree. Tbe line was crooked and Mr Hughes, the surveyor, mado it straight. The line whero tho peg is was fixed in 1858, on our return from Eaukawa, where we had been attending To Hiriwanu's meeting. Parateno settled thafc boundary. Ho fixod tho two posts — that one and another — at Ngapukuturua. Nepia Taratoa and Kuruho assisted. The post fixed by Mr Williams is outside the line shewn on tho plan. The boundary on the other side was first fixed in 1858. There were disputes about the boundary between the Ngatiteihiihi and Ngatikauwhata on one sido and Nepia Kuruho, and Paratene on tho othor side in 1858. In April, 1866, on the occasion of Dr Featherston's meeting I was shewn Paratene's post afc Ngapukutura. I took a post with me, bearing the date of my visit, and put ifc up near Parateno's. This was on tho 18th April, 1866. I put in another post near the kahikatea tree. The post afc Whitirea (on Manawatu river) was fixed by Paratene, Mr Williams, and myself. The next mark fixed was tho kahikatea tree. Mr Williams did not go further back. The third post was fixed by myself. Ifc had no name. This post and tho fourth one I have referred to were put in by myself in 1858. At the three last named points I put in fresh posts in 1866. Afc that timo there was no survey. My survey was made before Mr Buller laid off the reserve for the Eangitane tribe. Wo have been in possession of this land since 1834. We were occupying ifc at fche time of the " blanket treaty." When tho survey was made in 1866, the western boundary was altered, being fixod as shewn on tho plan. The boundary of the sheep run was left outside. lam referring now to Mr Eobinson's first lease — fche one to which we were not parties, but in respect of which wo afterwards received £5. The new boundary was fixed by us alone. Haro Hemi and others who claim on tho other side assisted ub to arrange it. Hare Hemi and his party belong to Ngatitukorehe or Te Mateawa, a hapu of Ngatiraukawa. Hare Hemi, Nepia Taratoa, and others own the land on the western Bide of this boundary. I refer to old Taratoa, of fcho Ngatiparewhawha hapu. It was Haie Hemi's land where the boundary was fixed. Old Nepia was dead before this boundary was fixed. The Manawatu river is the eastern boundary. We were in possession of this land from 1834 to 1840 ; and wo havo continued in possession up to tho present time. Ihakara Tukumaru had claims within tho Himatangi block formerly. Outside of tho boundary thore was a pa belonging to Ihakara and to us. This was at Puketotara Tho pa now bolongs to Ngatiteihiihi. Ihakara had a clearing at Papawharangi, at Himatangi in 1834. Ho cultivated it for ono year. He has never cultivated there since. Ihakara lived one year at Puketotara — fche samo year in which he cultivated afc Himatangi. Ifc was Ihakara's aunt who was cultivating there. Ihakara was a mere boy at that time. Ihakara has buried ono of hia relatives thero. The boundary is on the spot where he was buried. Wo held several small meetings among ourselves aft erDr Featherston had agreed to purchase tho block, and boforo the money was paid." I remomher threo such meetings. At the Tawhirihoe meeting all wero opposed to fcho sale. Ihakara then said to Dr Featherston, " I will never sell— never, never 1" Tho word was different at later meeting. Afc the Wharangi meeting Ihakara's words were " Leave ifc to the tribe." There wore about forty natives present. Dr Featherston said at that meeting, that he would not buy till the wholo tribe had consented. Ihakara agreed to that. There wero nine who had consented [the representative chiefs of tho letter put into Courb by the agent.] My hapu refused to agree fco tho sale. Afc fcheTakapu meeting, my hapu separated itself. We had a meoting at Otaki, whon we decided not to tako any share of the money. There is no man of any ofcher hapu than tho throe I havo named having any claim wifchin the Himatangi block. Ifc belongs to us exclusively.

* The whole of the Eangitane tribe, including the witness, have signed the deed of cession.

Cross-examined by Mr Fox : We put ourselves in possession of the land in 1834. There were no bounds or metes fixed afc thafc time. The first time any boundary was fixed was in 1848, when we and Mr Williams laid down the boundary from Whitirea to the Kahikatea tree. In 1858 I first put in posts. In 1866 again, I went up and put in posts. Tho dispute did nofc end when Mr Williams fixed the boundary. Ifc was not; settled till 1858. There wero no posts put up inland of the Kahikatea tree prior fco 1858. Hare Hemi is a chief of the Ngatifcukoreho, bufc his position would nob entitle him to speak on behalf of the i whole of Ngatiraukawa.. Tho western boundary ! of the Himatangi block was fixed by Hare Hemi ! and my party. I have nofc received rent for about three years, because Dr Featherston impounded it. This was in consequence of the Eangitikei dispute. The rents were impounded by desire of Ngatiraukawa chiefs who got no share of them, and wero accordingly jealous. The claims of the Ngatiapa were the cause of all the trouble. That was no reason for taking up arms.

'. I By the Court: The woman to whom I have referred as having cultivated at Himatangi, had her slaves helping her. I cannot say whether others of Ihakara's hapu were there. He may be able to tell you. The woman's name was Eangiahuta. Both Ihakara and this woman wore related to us. Wo all formed one party, and we j all went together to tako possession of that land. They afterwards removed to To Awahou. Ihakara and the woman are related to all three hapus to which I have referred. Ihakara became estranged from us by removing to Te Awahou. I do nofc consider that I became estranged by removing to Otaki. The Court adjourned at 5 p.m. ! , ;