37

H.—B

879. What about the household ? —I do not think he has got any house. He has got a hut, but not a house worth £5 a year. 880. Can you speak from your own knowledge positively ? —I have not been there for several years. Ido not think he has built since. 881. I feel myself, in respect of your evidence, in rather a peculiar position, because I came here with the full impression that the information supplied by you to Mr. Williams was intended to be relied on absolutely?—As to that, I have already stated positively that such was not my intention —that it should be absolutely relied on. I objected generally to the Natives upon one ground, and to certain Natives upon other grounds. 882. This is iv respect of household qualifications ; and it appears that your knowledge did not extend up to a very recent period at the time this information was given in to Mr. Williams ? —I have been sick for the last twro years. BS3. AVhat kind of house has AViremu Parateue? —None of those Natives are living in solid houses. 884. The cross against it would denote an objection to the freehold qualification?— Yes. 885. Do you know what kind of house that man does live in ? —ln an ordinary Maori hut, I think. 886. And to what period does your knowledge in this respect extend ? —Not for three years. 887. AVhat kind of house does Timoti Ropata live in ?—He lives close by the road in a wretched hovel. He is living almost on tho main road. It is a wretched hovel. 888. Of what material is it built ?—lt is an ordinary Maori raupo place, with stakes, I think, around it. 889. That would be three years ago or more ?—No ; I saw his place the other day. 890. You are not aware that he has built another ? —No ; I do not think he has. S9l. Are you aware that ho has been liviug recently in that hut ?—Yes; I saw him there about three or four months ago, when I was down here before. 892. AVhat kind of house does Tamati Rawiri live in ? —I do not remember that I objected to those particular names as householders. 893. I will read what you say, then, in that part of your memorandum. It is as follows : " Every one of the remainder are either owners in common of Native lands, having no individual right . . . Households scarcely house a dog of the commonest Maori description."—There I must explain that I did not —probably through not having been able to read myself —pick out those that have two qualifications on the list; but, generally, lam speaking of the way in which the Natives are living. There are some I could name who have good houses ; of the rest, they live iv a most deplorable, wretched state. 594. I may say that this list I am taking down now has been handed to me as the list of persons whose household qualification could be proved. That is the assertion made. I was very glad to get it, or otherwise I would have had to trace Mr. Williams's evidence all through.—You will understand in picking out these that I have made no particular objection, but a general objection to their household qualification. 895. But Mr. Williams acted upon it very implicitly. Do you know tho residence of Henare Taumataiti—residence, Awanui; qualification, Putoetoe ? —I do not know that particular residence. 596. Then you do not know, Mr. White, whether that man has a household qualification or not ? —No. 897. Do you know tho residence of Herewiui Nopera ?—I am almost certain they are living in raupo houses, and generally of a very dilapidated condition. I have not been at Kareponia (California) for some time, and therefore cannot say positively. S9B. Do you know the residence of Hercriri te Kamiti ?—I am satisfied he has not got a house. There are only two hoasos in Hauturu at all worthy of being called houses. 898 a. The next is Hopa Toa ? The Interpreter : His name is not on the list. 899. The Commissioner.] I will have to fall back on Mr. AVilliams's evidence. Do you know anything of AVi Tiki's claim, either as to household or freehold?— There is an "0 " against it, signifying I have no record of the block. 900. AVhat about Henare Taumataiti ?—There is an " 0 " against it, signifying that there is no record of the block. 901. Have you any knowledge of his household qualifications ? —I do not know a single house that would come under a£s leasehold at Awanui that I would consider to be worth £5. Ido not think a low Maori hut would qualify for a household. 902. Are there no wooden houses there ?—I cannot recall a single wooden house belonging to the Maoris at the Awanui. They are in a very deplorable state there. Ido not know one instance there of a wooden structure. 903. Do you know anything about the residence of Ihaka Taiawarua ? —I do not know of any person at the Awanui who has got a household qualification. 901. Do you know anything about the household of Heteraka Taumataiti ? Mr. Williams says the information he derived from you about that man was that he was not on the grant for which he claimed ? —As to the two first qualifications I am certain; not certain as regards the third. I have made no objection ; I have put " 3 " before his name, as denoting that he had three claims. 905. You do, howrever, make general objection to him in this way, by saying that all the remainder were not entitled ?—As I have said, ou the general ground that they had not individualized their title. 900. AVhat about the household ?—He is living at Parengarenga. 907. Where has he lived?—ln a wretched little place. 90S. Up to what period does your knowdedge extend in that respect ? —About two years ago. Before I was laid up t was at the Kau. I have seen him siuce, and am perfectly certain he has not altered his residence in any way. His affairs are not in a condition that would have allowed him to improve his dwelling. I know him perfectly well; I may say very well. I have long talks with him about his affairs. lam perfectly certain he has not improved his house. 6-H. 8.

Mr. White,

March 15,1879.