G.— 2.

Plymouth we will find out whether or not they are property marked on the maps there, and then we will let the Natives know whether the plans are correct. The next matters are those referred to by Ngahina. He said that the boundaries of certain reserves had been changed and their area lessened by a subsequent Government. Wo telegraphed this morning to Captain Wray, who is coming here to-morrow, and who will bring with him plans and any original papers he may have with respect to these reserves. The last matter is with reference to the subdivision of your reserves. In our opinion, that is exactly what has been wanted by everybody on all sides. But the consent of all the people for whom the reserves were originally made is necessary before anything can be done in the shape of subdivision. If all the people who are concerned in any one of these reserves would agree among themselves as to the people who should have the grants, the subdivision could be made at once. There are, however, some tribal reserves which were originally made for the whole tribe or family when the people were settled down here after the confiscation : for instance, the Whareroa Eeserve was made for one set of men, Mokoia for another, and so on ; and it will never do for the Government to begin to individualize the titles, unless all the people themselves consent to it. Are not these large reserves wo have been speaking of, such as Whareroa and Mokoia, let to Europeans? 176. Hone Pihama -. There are only two or three pieces that are not let. 177. The Commissioners : We wish you to bring before us the following particulars : The names of the settlers to whom these reserves are let; the amount of rent which each tenant has to pay ; the number of years for which each reserve is let, and the quantity of land let to each ; and the names of those chiefs who receive the money. 178. Hone Pihama : I hope you will look into these leases, because I am afraid that the Natives will lose their land. The tenants who rent these lands may make out, or prove in some way, that they have bought them ; for the Maoris are not sufficiently acquainted with these matters. 178a. Ngahina said : This is a complaint I wish to make to you. It is about the road that goes from Hawera to Matengarara. I spoke about it to Mr. Sheehan, and he promised that, if I would make half the road, the Government would make the other half, and the bridge was to be made by the Government. I now wish that this road may be made. 179. The Commissioners : This is a matter which we will speak to the Government about; but it is not a part of our own work. 180. Ngahina : Mr. Sheehan also promised Patoe and myself that we should have a quarter of an acre of land in Hawera as a place to bring our produce to, and I desire that that promise may be carried out. 181. The Commissioners: There will be no difficulty in that being done. 182. Bameka said : What I have to say is this : I returned from the bush and got back to Matengarara. We had a meeting, at which Mr. Parris attended. Tito Hanataua and Ngahina were also present. I applied for a piece of land. What I now ask is, that you secure this land at Matengarara to us for ever; let neither Maori nor European interfere with our possession of this land hereafter. 183. Nakora, of Wellington, said: I wish to follow up the evidence given by Hone Pihama and Patoe. At the time Mr. Parris and Major Brown were Commissioners for the district, the confiscation boundary extended from Parikino, on the Wanganui Biver, to Pouakai Eange. Some time after this the reserve was made at Pukete, Puketarata, and Araukuku, and was surveyed. This was to bo the portion for the Natives. The rest was to remain in the hands of the Government. I took no part in the disturbances, as I was living at Wellington at the time. My tribe were, however, concerned in the rebellion, and their lands were confiscated. But, as I took no part in the rebellion, I consider my claim should be entertained, and that I should receive some recognition in the way of laud. 184. The Commissioners: Did you not bring a claim before the Compensation Court and have land awarded to you then ? 185. Nakora: There was such a Court held at Wanganui, but I was not present: it is true that a piece of land was awarded to me. 186. Ngahina explained that Nakora had received a certain amount of land from the Compensation Court, and that he had since sold it. 187. Iraia Tuki said : I object to any people belonging to the Government receiving any portion of, or having anything to do with, our land. Those who stood by the Government have already received their share of land. 188. Tukarangatai said: I have something to say with regard to the land between Onewaia and Waingongoro. Major Brown arranged for advancing certain moneys upon this land. £1000 was the amount. £800 were received by the people of Kanihi and Okahu, and £200 still remain in Major Brown's hands. I want that £200 to be handed over to me. 189. Major Brown said: Hone Pihama explained yesterday why that £200 was kept back, and I have nothing further to add to that explanation. 190. Bawera Buanine, of Taiporohenui, said: I belong to Taiporohenui, and have always lived there. I desire that my land at Opaki should be given to me for ever. 191. Nukumaru said: Listen to what I have to say with regard to a promise made to my elder brother Eakorako, at Waitotara. [This witness being quite unintelligible, Hone Pihama suggested that he should make a statement on her behalf, and she consented] 192. Hone Pihama said : Tho promise made to her brother refers to land promised to those Natives who took no part in the rebellion. Certain pieces of land were therefore laid out and promised to such Natives, amongst whom witness's brother was included. What she now wants is to be informed as to the position of the reserve in question, in order that she may know how it is situated. lam not aware whether the matter was ever brought before the Compensation Court; but I know that official papers on the subject were in existence. 193. Hawaiki (Mrs. Blake) said: I have a few words to say in regard to certain lands which belong to me. They extend from the sea to Onewaia. [Witness produced a list of the lands in which she is interested.] Those lands were all included in the confiscated block.

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