G.—2a

2

opinion that the petition discloses a real grievance, arising out of circumstances which do not attach any blame to petitioners. That the Committee is not in a position to say whether or not the petitioners have any real claim to the lands which were dealt with, as they allege, to their prejudice at the Court at Cambridge. That it appears that most of the land claimed by the petitioners has been alienated to Europeans by the persons in whose favour the judgment of the Cambridge Court was given, and therefore it will be impossible to reinstate them in possession ; but the Committee would recommend such legislation this session as will enable the Native Land Court or other competent tribunal to determine whether the petitioners did own any portions of the lands referred to, and if so to what extent, and that it should be left to the Government to determine iu what way any claims which they may be found to have had shall be satisfied :" And whereas it is expedient that a Commission should be issued to inquire into the said claims : Now, therefore, I, Arthur Hamilton Gordon, the Governor of the Colony of New Zealand, by and with the advice and consent of the Executive Council of the said colony, having full confidence in your impartiality, ability, and integrity, do hereby appoint you the said Frederick Morris Preston Brookfield and Henry Tacy Kemp to be Commissioners by all lawful ways and means to inquire whether the said petitioners or any of them did own or were interested in any lands in respect of which the Native Land Court held at Cambridge on or about the third day of November, one thousand eight hundred and sixty-eight, and following days, made any order or adjudication ; to ascertain and inquire to what extent such persons or any of them were so interested (if at all) ; and for the purposes aforesaid to call before you and examine, on oath or otherwise as may be allowed by law, all or any person or persons whom you shall judge capable of affording you any information in the premises, and also to call for and require the production of all records, maps, plans, books, deeds, or instruments that you may think necessary for the purposes aforesaid or any of them. But it is expressly declared that, before you proceed to inquire into the matters herein mentioned, you cause at least ten days' notice in the Maori language to be given to each person concerned, stating the day, time, and place on and at which you will be prepared to enter upon such inquiry; and such proceedings may be adjourned from day to day, or from place to place, as you may think convenient; and generally to make all such inquiries in the premises as you shall think expedient and necessary to give effect to this Commission. And v'ou are hereby required, within three calendar months after the date of this Commission, or as much sooner as the same can be done, using all diligence, to certify to me under your hands and seals your proceedings and your opinion touching the premises. And, with the like advice and consent, Ido hereby declare that this Commission shall continue in full force and virtue, and that you the said Commissioners shall and may from lime to time proceed in the execution thereof, at such place and places and at such times as you shall judge convenient, although the same be not continued from time to time by adjournment. Given under the hand of His Excellency the Honorable Arthur Hamilton Gordon, Knight Grand Cross of the Most Distinguished Order of Saint Michael and Saint George, Her Majesty's High Commissioner for the Western Pacific, Governor and Commander-in-(l.s.) Chief in and over Her Majesty's Colony of New Zealand and its Dependencies, and Vice-Admiralof the same, and issued under the Seal of the said Colony, at the Government House, at Wellington, this sixth day of January, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and eighty-one. Approved in Council. H. A. Atkinson. Forster Goring, Clerk to the Executive Council.

Schedule. Tapa te Whata, Hoeta Kahuhui.Rena o te Wharepakaru, Karehana Tauranga, Matiu te Wheoro, Henare Poaki Mereti, Takana te Kawa, Kereama Paoe, Akapita Tetewe, Tamihana Whareakaka, Kauwhata Tapa, Eru Tahitangata, Hema te Ao, Himiona te Oha, Matapere te Whata, Kooro Renao, Rahira Kahuhui, Nere Otu, Mokena Manako, Heni Peti Rangiotu, Merehira Tauranga, Ruiha Kinomoerua, Hanatia Heipora Manako, Rehara Kauwhata, Maka Renao, Emiri Manako, Pere Kinomoerua, Tino Tangata, Harata te Oha, Eraua to Rangitiora, Hori te Mataku, Ani Patene Pfori, Ihaka Renao, Pere Himiona, Heni Himiona, Maraea Himiona, Haimona Renao, Hori te Hoeta, Kaumatua Hoetu, Hanita Renao, Epiha te Moanakino, Wetini Tangata, Eamari Kahuhui, Hepi Moihi, Metapere Hareini, Marara Hoeta, Ngataraka Hoeta, Tura Hoeta, Waeroa Hoeta, Raugitou Hoeta, Ani Hareini, Areta Hemokanga, Weti Pekamu, Pape te Rama Apakura, Miriama te Rama Apakura, Makereti Weti, Wiremu Pekamu, Ratima Pekamu, Turuhira Pekamu, Whati Pekamu, Eraa te Aweawc, Manaroa te Aweawe, Te Aweawe, Arapera te Umutiritiri, Rangimarie Aweawe, Ngaruinga Aweawe, Raimapapa Hemokanga, Pareauha Ahitana, Hepi te Wheoro, Mekeruki te Whakaaewa, Mokena Pahurahi, Hakaraia Whakaneke, Tapa Ahitana, Teo Ahitana, Rangitapuke Ahitana, Hara Tame, Rangirea Makeruki, Penehira Rangitiora, Penehira te Apa, Himiona Penehira, Ruera te Nuku, Arapera te Nuku, Teieti Turanga, Moringa Turanga, Wiremu Tereputuputu, Te Retimana te Hapoki, Hore te Hapoki, Te Wani Turanga, Hinetini te Kingi, Moihi Winiata, Tatiana to Kawa, Pekamu Aterea, Te Ara Takana, Te Raika Kereama, Mereaina Kereama, Herewini Kereama, Rongokaneke Kereama, Te Otene Kereama, Te Hapoki Teretui, Rangihuia Takahia, Ko te Ngoro Takahia, Taimona Pikauroa, Raiha Paoe, Eangiwhiua te Paea, Moutere te Koroheke, Paramena te Tewe, Perenara te Tewe, Ngarati to Tewe, Akata to Tewe, Teraiti Tonihi, Meropa Tametima, Moihi te Kotu, Romana Kotu, Tonihi Tuaia, Rapaera Tuaia, Rawiri Tuaia, Makarita Tuaia, No Teraiti, Te Whiu Meropa, Ruhia Haremene, Rangipikitia Akapita, Merehira Akapita, Te Ngaere Perenara, Te Oii Haramene, Erenora, Eti'hia, Te Harenui Ruhia, Te R-aiti Perenara, Hohepa te Tihi, Witariona te Tihi, Haramona Raweiho, Himiona Pouhaere, Mohi lleremia, Perenara Mohi, Rawiri Heremia, Tame Rawiri, Makarita Paramena, Mere Mohi, Irihapeti te Hotene, Netahio Hipirini, Karauti Heremia, lhakara Ngatahuna, Ruruhira Ngatahuna, Miriana, Wereta Rarua, Tepehara Rarua, Marana Tamihana, Wiriharai te Angiangi, Wiremu te Kohu, Hapurona Ngawaero, Pini AYhareakaka, Riperata Pini,