G.—4

20

te Maari, Aporo, Tunuiarangi, Tamati te Apatu, H. K. Taiaroa, Hoani Taipua, and others, were the persons who formed our party. The Native Minister said that the Natives had no right to the lake at all. He described the sale of the Turanganui Block as coming through the waters of the lake to the sea. The Natives, in reply to this statement, asked why the Government did not claim up to that boundary when the Court sat. The Natives were exceedingly grieved on hearing this statement of- the Native Minister that they had no right, and this led to them employing a solicitor to look into their case. We were advised to send a petition to Parliament and have a Commission appointed. I have heard the terms of the sale of the Turakirae Block from the old people. I know of the reserves that were promised to the Natives. When the block was under negotiation the Natives demanded £3,000, but the Commissioner declined to accede to this demand. He offered them a lower sum and certain advantages, such as hospitals, schools, &c, and pensions for the elder chiefs. Pounui te Matarua was one of the reserves, Waiorongomai was another, Owakau another ; another was on the coast at Hinaketaka. The block was sold by three men only ; the majority of the people did not agree. Hiko and others held aloof. The people who sold were : Hemi te Miha Ngairo and Eaniera te Iho ; the others were women. Mr. McLean, on finding that the majority would not join in the sale, said that reserves would be made in the interests of all the people. These reserves were not made. Some of the 5 per cent, was paid. A mill was also given and medical services were also supplied. The pensions that were promised were never paid. Hiko got a pension in after years, but that was through the sale of the lake, and Eaniera te Iho's pension was through the sale of Turanganui. I can describe the boundaries of high-water mark in places, (a) Te Bai ote Hiha c taupahi, the end of the Awapuni; (b) Kakaimakatea, the end of the Awapuni in that locality; (d) Matarua Bush, to the east of Pounui was another. The taupahi at the Bae ote Hiha extended to the Taumata Kaiwharawhara at C. Pounui, to the east of that stream, was another taupahi. At the part to the east of the high water-mark was a swamp in the early days, but is now dry land, and covered with bush. The Awa Puni used to extend to the Matarua Bush. There is no change taken place between Matarua and Bekehoumia. From Te Koangaumu the land has been dried. No change has taken place from the point beyond Te Koangaumu (F) to Tauwhareratanui (0); from there on to Ohaunui, and to Manuka (H), the Tohu o te Awapuni has changed by the land having dried. There are two causes why these places have become dry ground : the earthquake was one reason, and through the settlers making drains, The land is flooded now, but not as in former times. The places on the east side of the lake within the Turanganui Block commence at Okourewa (1). From there to Turanganui (2) there is no alteration in the position of the old high water-mark. Do not know where Bautoka is situated, except that it is near the ferry at Te Upokokirikiri. From Turanganui to Wakahauhau, and thence to Otunuku, used to be all covered with water. (3) Makahauhau is a taupahi; Otunuku is also a taupahi (4). Formerly all that country was flooded by the lake, but now it has become dry, and is only occasionally flooded. This is partly due through the earthquake and partly through being drained. From Otunuku to the west of Okoura the line of the Awapuni at Tauanui is to the west of that place. Beyond Okoura (5) is Otamata (6), a bush. The flood reaches into that bush, and has always done so. Matainoke (7) is the next place where the flood-line reaches. (8) From Matainoke to Ngapiaka was all covered with water formerly, but the inland part has become dry through being filled up by the silt from the Euamahanga Biver, and also by drainage. From Te Kumenga to Te Takeke was raised by the earthquake, and is only slightly flooded now. This is the part sold to the Government by Manihera and others. Te Kumenga (9) on to Tuakipuku (10) —there is no place called Tuakipuku elsewhere along the lake to Taheke (11), Ngakiore (12), Waiohai (13). Te Here o te Koreke (14) is on the banks of the Euamahanga. Te Eere (15), near Kohunui, is beyond the Tohu o te Awapuni. In the Kahutara Block, from Te Kohai, near the bridge, up to Hinepare to Okoura, up to Otaupuaroaro, was all flooded formerly. lam familiar with that part because I was in Mr. McMaster's employ. Used to go to fetch in the cattle when the flood w r as on. When the country was flooded only the peaks of the sand-hills were visible. The land was raised by the earthquake, and only the lowest parts are now covered. The country was flooded through the overflowing of the Mangatete and other streams. When a flood happened in former times all this part of the country was covered with water, but that is not the case now. This is partly caused through the inland streams and lakes being drained. Another cause is that the Wairarapa Lake is filling up. Kaihau and Tawhiti Kahu were places the flood-line reached formerly. The mingi scrub used to get covered. Now the water only just covers its roots. Cannot explain why this locality is not flooded so heavily now as formerly. From Mangatete to Te Kohai is flooded as badly now as formerly. From Te Taurapa to Tauanui is not flooded now. This part has been sold to the Europeans, Otehekenga is a small lake : this is being filled up by the Tauherenikau. The Tohu ote Awapuni, on the Kahutara Block, were the sand-hills known as Kirihau and Tawhitikahu. In the Tauherenikau Block the high-water flood-line used to reach to Pukepukeonetea (16). Part of this locality is now dry. The flood-line is further off: this is through the Tauherenikau filling that place. The Opaka Bush is still flooded by the lake, also Te Bakai on to Koreromairangi. These places have always been flooded. Te Mangaroa has become dry land, probably through being silted over by the mud from the lake. Te Euakokoputuna has been made dry by drainage. Part of Featherston is in the Kaiwaewae Block and the other part in Tauherenikau. Heard of the sale of the Kaiwaewae Block, and that it included the upper end of the lake. The cause of this sale was through a dispute between Bawiri, Piharau, and Mr. Lucena. Bawiri claimed the place as a reserve made in the Turakirae Block. Bawiri wanted the rohe of the Owhanga Block taken round by the margin of the lake to Otauira, but Mr. McLean suggested that the line should go across to Owhanga on the opposite side. Bawiri was averse to this, but Mr. McLean assured him that it would not interfere with the reserve at Owhanga. Owakau is above. In former times along the coast towards Turakirae it was very difficult to travel because of the tide, but after the earthquake it was possible to travel at all times. I merely give this as an illustration. When the sale of Turakirae took place