G.—lA,

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pere. It devolves upon me through my ancestral descent. Sir Donald McLean stated in Napier that this question had better be settled in Napier before Mr. Locke and Tareha, but as the Native Lands Court has come to the Wairoa it will represent the place suggested by Sir Donald. Hence it is we have come here with a view to having the question relating to boundaries set finally at rest. But you, the people of Ngatikahungunu tribe, we will not permit you to devour our land. Mr. Locke: lam very well pleased with the results of this meeting. At first there was uncertainty as to the direction the discussion might assume, but the talk throughout exhibits a tendency favourable to the issue : that is, the matter of adjusting the boundary question existing between the Urewera and the Ngatikahungunu tribes, which question is to be left to the Native Land Court to decide. That is the course I suggested to you at Euatahuna last year, and the object of this discussion was to have the matter ventilated amongst you. I have one word more to say, and that is with reference to the blocks of land to be brought before the Court. I have been thinking to myself which block should come on for adjudication first. There are six blocks to choose from, out of which it might be more expedient to allow those that will involve dispute to remain on one side, while those not similarly circumstanced may be investigated forthwith. I would have Eotokakara and the Putere blocks among the first selected, as there may be no important opposition; but I find that the ownership of all the claims is opposed, and 1 therefore leave it to yourselves to fix upon the block you will have dealt with first by the Native Land Court. Toha (Ngatikahungunu) : I am quite willing that Eotokakarangu should be gone on with first. lam surprised at any opposition being raised in regard to the ownership of that land. The dispute, however, is one of little moment. Why should I perplex myself with people whose opposition can be removed with the ease of extinguishing a lighted match ? Hori Wharerangi (Ngatikahungunu) : I have nothing to say in reference to that land. Kereru te Pukenui has a claim to it, but he is quite competent to manage his own affairs. I have expressed my views on the matters in hand, and have no further observations. Hapimana Tunupaura (Ngaiikahungunu) : A Ngatikahungunu chief divested of reason met his death at Waikaremoana Lake. There were two canoes at his command, but he availed himself of neither. A similar fate awaits Tuhoe, both at the hands of this meeting and the Native Land Court. Tuhoe will be lost, both here and in the Land Court. Hetaraka te Whakaunui (Urewera) : I will reply about the Putere. Ido not wish your claim to be excluded, but would rather that the interests of the TJrewera and Ngatikahuugunu to the block in question be amalgamated. Toha (Ngatikahungunu) :I do not know why this dispute should bo prolonged. My remarks refer only to that portion allotted by my ancestor for his descendants. 1 know of nothing about your claims, but when I discover that you encroach upon my land it can hardly be expected that I am to remain silent. Kolmwai was the ancestor who travelled all over this land; but I need not dwell upon this, as you, the Urewera, have decided that the matter should come before the Land Court, to which course 1 will acquiesce. Tamiltana Huata (Ngatikahungunu) : The people of the tribe whereof I am a member agree to the proposals made by you, the Urewera, that the question now before us be left to the Native Land Court to decide. No other course remains then for me but to signify my assent to the suggestions. We have been advised already by the representatives of the Government to adjust the matter among ourselves, but we failed in satisfactorily setting at rest the question even up to the present time, notwithstanding that we endeavoured to abide by ancient usage in the matter. Makarini te Wharehuia (Urewera) : In spite of all you state in furtherance of your claim, I still contend that I have a right to the land, which right I will maintain as long as I have the power. I totally ignore the claim put forth through ancestral connection with Eakaipaka. Pukehori is the ancestor from whom the ownership of the land devolves upon me—that is, the land contained within the four blocks. Hori Wharerangi (Urewera) : I do not care how the matter is settled—whether outside here, now, or inside the Court. I am going to return the money the Government advanced on account of those blocks: that is to say, I will not part with the land. Hamana Tiakiwai (Ngatikahungunu) : Let your boundary line be firmly established at Mangapapa if you can prove your title to it. Should you advance further in this direction from Mangakahu, I will act against you, and, in addition to my so doing, I shall extend my own boundary line on the other side. In the days of our ancestors there might perhaps be some substantiality in your claim, but in the present time your pretensions will not hold good. Both the land and you, Makarini te Wharehuia, have been my captives. Then cease opening your mouth any more on this matter, for, as I have already said, both you and the land were mine. Nor should you omit to recall to your mind that it was solely out of my regard to you that you are at present in existence at Waikare. We rescued you. It is futile your talking about your ancestors claiming here and there. My own ancestors did precisely the same. Look at Ngatikahungunu from whom descended Tapuae. He was the rahui of the land. He was the only recognized head in the days of our ancestors. And who, I ask, are his descendants ? We are his children. But place all that on one side —myself and the Government are the rahui of the land. Makarini te TPharehuia (Urewera): You are correct in what you say. The land was confiscated, but the Government returned it to us. The basis of our claim, therefore, depends upon the gift made to us of the land. You, Hamana, were a pononga utu of the Government. With regard to the ancestor spoken of, namely Tapuae, I know naught of him. My dwelling is at Waikare, and Tapuae lived upon the coast, in the vicinity of the place where we now are. Tapuae's engagements with his enemies occurred along the coast. I, living in the interior, take no cognizance of wars between the people on the coast. lam considerably interested in the four blocks, and in reference to them will confine myself to what bears upon matters affecting the interior of the country. In point of chieftancy I am far your superior, as will readily appear by tracing our genealogical descent from our respective ancestors.