H.—No. 9

EEPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON

4

Mr. Kemp did not go inland when in Akaroa. It was on board ship that the sellers spoke to Mr. Kemp about reserving the cultivations, burial-places, and kaingas. Mr. Kemp agreed with the claims made by the Natives when they represented that they were not getting a fair price for their land, and informed them that if they left it to the Government they would, if found necessary, receivo back some of their land; and subsequently, when Mr. Mantell went down in order to arrange about reserves, the whole of the cultivations were not included in those reserves, a considerable number being left out; for instance, the lands at Kaitorete, which were large cultivations belonging to Natives, also the greater part of Kaiapoi and other places used as cultivations at "Waitaki, where traces of cultivations are still to be seen. I cannot myself inform you of all the names of the various reserves, but the Natives who live in the districts will know them all. There are also other reserves at Moeraki and "Waikouaiti. This is all that took place on that occasion. I will now refer to the action of the Native Lands Court which held its first sitting at Christchurch. Kaitorete was the piece of land brought before the Court, it being portion of block purchased by Mr. Kemp. His deed was produced before the Court ■ Counsel appeared on behalf of the Natives, and objected to deed as being bad ; and if Maoris were as wise as the Europeans, they would have regained all the land in question. Mr. Hall then signed document to make the deed of Mr. Kemp good, which the Maoris did not understand he had a right to do. Ultimately the Court awarded to tho Natives certain small reserves, of about 1,000 acres altogether. I am not quite certain as to the acreage. The greater part of the cultivations were left out by Court. 2. Court sat at Dunedin, when the Maoris there caused inquiries to be made in their claims to tho reserves arising out of Colonel Wakefield's purchase. Colonel AVakefield informed us then that the Court had decided to give back some land; and the land that was returned to us (1,000 acres) was not a part of Mr. Kemp's purchase, but portion of Colonel Wakefield's. We did not ask for that land, and do not understand why it was returned to us; I therefore am of opinion that the Native Lands Court was wrong. It was offered to us ; and then Mr. Mackay said, " Choose for yourselves." We thereupon chose Tautuku. We hear now that that land is given back to us in satisfaction for our claims under Mr. Kemp's purchase. In addition to claims for cultivation, there is land outside which the Government promised to return to us. I claim for myself Taumutu to Kaitorete Parakami. Other Natives will claim for themselves. It was resolved to summon the Hon. Mr. Mantell to attend on the Committee. The Committee then adjourned.

"Wednesday, 25th September, 1872. The Committee met pursuant to notice. Present: Mr. McGlashan, Mr. Rolleston, Mr. McLean, Mr. Taiaroa. Mr. Sheehan, Chairman. The minutes of last meeting were read and confirmed. The Hon. Mr. Mantell attended on the Committee and gave evidence, which is hereto attached. Mr. Taiaroa handed in a copy of statement of his father, dated 13th Eebruary, 1862, made by him shortly before ho died. Besolved, on the motion of Mr. McLean, That the above copy be translated. The Committee then adjourned until Thursday, at 10 a.m.

Thursday, 26th September, 1872. The Committee met pursuant to notice. Present: , Mr. Bunny, Mr. Rolleston, Mr. McLean, Mr. Taiaroa. Mr. Sheehan, Chairman. The minutes of last meeting were read and confirmed. The Hon. Mr. Mantell attended on the Committee and gave evidence, which is hereto attached. The Committee thanked the Hon. Mr. Mantell, who then withdrew. The Committee adjourned until Eriday, at 11 a.m.

Eriday, 27th September, 1872. The Committee met pursuant to notice. Present: Mr, Bunny, Mr. Rolleston, Mr. McGlashan, Mr. Taiaroa. Mr. McLean, Mr. Sheehan, Chairman. The minutes of last meeting were read and confirmed. Translation of statement handed in to the Committee on "Wednesday, 25th instant, by Mr. Taiaroa, laid before tho Committee. The Hon. Mr. Mantell attended on the Committee and gave evidence, which is hereto attached. It was resolved that Mr. Karaitiana and Mr. Reynolds should be summoned to attend on the Committee at its next sitting. The Committee then adjourned until Monday, at 11 a.m.