2

G.—lA

Whirinaki, Waiwhakaata, Puharakeke, Te Paepae, Tukutapa, Tukurangi, Mangapapa, Wharepapa, "Whataroa, Erepeti, Tauwharetoro, Te Ihu o Mangatapere, Te Mapara, Puhinui, Waioeka, Whakamauki, Pukenui-o-Eaho. Ngatikahungunu, on the other hand, state that their boundary extends to the Huiarau Mountains. I, however, will refrain from making any definite remarks pending the investigation of title by the Native Land Court. Now the claims of the Urewera are among those in the Kahiti published for hearing, and it would be as well for them (Urewera) to begin by stating what really are the limits of their claims. The discussion throughout should be carried on in a spirit of amity. Nor is this the time to refer to grievances, or to matters of a nature likely to excite feelings of bitterness. lam glad to see that many different tribes are assembled here, many having come from the interior and from Mohaka, Mahia, Turanga, and other parts of the country. It will bo a source of gratification to all to have the question now occupying our attention thoroughly sifted by yourselves, before having the matter referred to the jurisdiction of the Native Land Court. If such a plan be adopted it will tend to expedite the business for the transaction of which we are now assembled, and at the same time relieve the Court of any further action, beyond ordering a memorial of ownership in favour of those persons acknowledged to be entitled to the land. Hori Wharerangi (Urewera) : Why we applied to the Court to have the question of title settled, was first on account of the Government boundary, then on account of the Ngatikahungunu boundary, and furthermore owing to the boundary which we, Tuhoe, had ourselves laid down. Judging from the many interests apparently involved, we deem it advisable to have the matter dealt with by the Court. Makarini te Wharehuia (Urewera) : I indorse the views expressed by the last speaker. I make no comment on the boundaries read over by Mr. Locke, further than relates to those particular blocks set down for adjudication by the Court, they being included in the Governmental boundaries. The Ngatikahungunu boundaries I would have dealt with similarly to those of the four blocks. But the boundary line of the land belonging to Tuhoe must exist independently of those given in the application. Tamihana Huata (Ngatikahungunu) : You are quite right in what you say. The Native Land Court is here, and we can only wait and watch for the results. You, Makarini, say the boundaries mentioned by Mr. Locke are not the boundaries of your lands. Then I would ask, To whose land do those boundaries pertain ? Or by whom were they laid down ? Hori Wharerangi (Urewera) : That is easily explained. I defined those boundaries given out by Mr. Locke, and did so because Ngatikahungunu was fast absorbing all the land that belonged to us. I am especially alluding to the four blocks, Tukurangi, Waiau, Euakituri, and Taramarama. Hapimana Tunupaura (Ngatikahungunu): Listen, O European friends! You, too, 0 Tuhoe, hearken! Give your attention. For the boundaries of the disputed lands I will give as the principal points Maungapohatu, Huiarau, as relating to Ngatikahungunu. My own claim to the lands about which we are discussing is based upon ancestry. You, the Urewera, have a boundary at the places named, which, according to your own account, you have maintained through conquest. True, you have a boundary there, but it is of recent date. The Government boundary line which has been laid down, and the boundary line also which the Urewera claim, I would expunge, tor my land extends beyond them. We have the Government of the country represented here, and, now that we are face to face, I ask that my boundary line be established up to Huiarau. In the times that have passed away no such appeal as this that I now make would be uttered, for my ancestors were fully capable of making, defending, and permanently retaining the boundaries of their lands. But in these days in which we live a new phase exists. The Government of the country is the ascendant power. It is the Government that now has the upper hand. The sun shines for them; their party is the stronger ; and it is with the Government the settlement of this discussion rests. (The speaker now gave the boundaries of the four blocks.) The land comprised within the boundaries just repeated by me ia in the hands of the Government. In vain have I endeavoured to regain that land. The Urewera, too, have made the same fruitless effort. Makarini te Wharehuia (Urewera) : I will confine my remarks to-day to the question of the boundaries of the land. I will eschew any comment on the action of the Government with regard to the boundaries fixed upon by them. But concerning the boundary of Ngatikahungunu I will urge its removal. My own boundary line I wish confirmed in its present position irrespective of the Government lines. Tamihana Huata (Ngatikahungunu) : Very well. I concur in what you say. We shall leave the boundary claimed by the Government to remain over for the day, and talk about our own boundary, which stretches away to Huiarau, and yours (the Ureweras') which extends so far as Mangapapa. We, Ngatikahungunu, now demand that you show upon what foundation you lay claim to Mangapapa, as part of your boundary line. Makarini te Wharehuia (Urewera) :My boundary was Huiarau, and is now Mangapapa. These places were selected by my ancestors. Tamihana Huata (Ngatikahungunu): What I say is this : Your ancestor did not claim the Mangapapa boundary. After the fight at Kopani, and when a proclamation of peace was issued, then it was that you, the Urewera, travelled through the country to Mangapapa on your way to Napier. At a meeting held subsequently thereto, Paerau te Eangi went to Whenuanui and said to him that Ngatikahungunu could retain the confiscated land, and give back to him (Paerau) the land that was not seized. To this I assented, but no further action was taken. Then a meeting was held at Onepoto, and our arrangements that were formerly agreed to were here annulled. The subject devolved upon the Government, for among ourselves we evinced no ability to satisfactorily dispose of the difficulty, even when we sought to abide by our own ancient customs. Makarini te Wharehuia (Urewera) :My claim rests upon hereditary grounds. Pourewa is the ancestor. He it was who established Mangapapa as a portion of our boundary. Huiarau also belonged to an ancestor of mine, and I appear here as his direct lineal descendant. Tamihana Huata (Ngatikahungunu) : The boundaries you talk of have nothing to do with the land. My own claim is Kuhatarewa.