PETITION OP PAORA TUHAERE.

5

I.—No. 2

Colony, your petitioner addressed a letter to the said Sir George Ferguson Bowen, praying him to satisfy your petitioner's claim in respect of Taurarua aforesaid ; but to that letter your petitioner received no reply. That your petitioner then resolved to apply to the Native Land Court for a certificate of title under the Native Lands Acts for the said land; but, on consulting his solicitor, your petitioner was informed that, as Crown grants had been issued for portions of the said land, the Native Land Court would not investigate your petitioner's claim. That your petitioner was then informed that his only available remedy would be to apply to your honorable Assembly for compensation for the loss of his said land. That your petitioner assented to this proceeding, as he was exceedingly sad and grieved about the loss of his land ; for your petitioner and his descendants will always maintain that they did not receive payment for the said land, and that the same was unjustly taken away. That your petitioner does not wish your honorable Assembly to restore Taurarua aforesaid to him, as Europeans are now inhabiting the land, and Crown grants have been issued for portions of the same, but he wishes to obtain compensation for the loss of his said land. That your petitioner would most respectfully remind your honorable Assembly that in the early times of this Colony the Government obtained lands for little or no payment, and the Maoris were glad to receive the Europeans among them, and the Europeans were allowed to acquire large tracts of valuable land for a few blankets and articles of clothing. Even the missionaries pursued this plan of acquiring land, giving in exchange a few axes, iron pots, or fish-hooks; telling the Maoris to believe in God, engaging their attention heavenwards, and whilst they were in that position, ere the eye had turned to the earth, bought the land and none remained. When the Maoris were wiser, the missionaries ceased to buy land. That your petitioner would most respectfully remind your honorable Assembly that he has never allowed his claim to rest. The claim is not a new idea in the heart of your petitioner, for from the time of Governor Fitzroy to the present day your petitioner has always urged his claim in respect of the said land. That your petitioner would most humbly and respectfully remind your honorable Assembly that he has always been a faithful and loyal subject of Her Most Gracious Majesty Queen Victoria, and that your petitioner has been the constant friend of the Europeans since their arrival in Auckland. That your petitioner would most respectfully remind your honorable House that Taurarua aforesaid is now of immense value. That your petitioner most respectfully prays that your honorable House will carefully consider your petitioner's claim to the said land, for it is the birth-place of his forefathers ; and your petitioner respectfully submits that his aggrieved heart should be comforted. The Epistle of the Apostle Paul to the Romans, 7th chapter and 24th verse, says, " O wretched man that I am, who shall deliver me from the body of this death." Your petitioner therefore humbly prays that your honorable House will be pleased to grant him such relief as the justice of the case justly entitles him to and your honorable House shall think fit. And your petitioner will ever pray, &c. Paora Tuhaere. Interpreted by me to Paora Tuhaere. John White, J.P., Late R.M. of Central Whanganui.