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was nothing to indicate that the power of the Court could be extended so as to include these sections I am alluding to. The Government is not aware that these are reserves, because they were made reserves in accordance with an arrangement come to amongst the Natives themselves. The Minister Are they reserves at all ? Wi Patene These lands were adjudicated upon by Mr Mackay he was Commissioner in 1867, and he declared by an arrangement with the people that a trust was created in the two persons I have mentioned in favour of the people. The Minister: I will make inquiries when I get to Auckland who has the titles to the sections he has mentioned. If, however, no trust has been declared, I can do nothing with it. On arrival at Auckland, inquiries were made, and it was found that there was no analogy between this case and the case at Whakatane, and nothing could be done in the matter Mr William A. Graham, of Ngaruawahia, introduced Hone Wini Kerei to the Premier, and explained that this was a private matter, and that he understood from this Native that a promise of some land at Hungawhere had been made to him some years ago. Hone Wini Kerei said, —I am glad to see you, Mr Seddon. What I wish to say is concerning Hungawhere. Ngatihana sold this land to Sir Donald McLean —4,000 acres. The tribe to which I belong received no payment. My father was Wini Kerei te Whiti. My father asked the Government to separate 1,000 acres for him. The late Sir Donald McLean said, " Leave it to me , I will consider the question." He sent a statement to Parliament concerning this claim. The reply was that the Government had agreed to award him £20 in compensation. Wini Kerei would not receive the £20. What he wanted was 1,000 acres. That is the question I wish to inform you on. He would not receive the £20. Wini Kerei is dead, and lam his representative, therefore I bring this forward before you. As I have said, we did not receive the £20. Mr. Puckey would be able to explain these things. What we wanted was the land , we did not want the payment. That is all 1 wish to say and lay before you, sir The Minister Have you got particulars of the sections of land, and any correspondence on the subject ? Hone Wini Kerei: The correspondence will be in the offices of the Government. Mr Graham here explained that Wini Kerei was a young man who had only now been elected by the tribe to represent Wini Kerei (deceased), and had not had time to go fully into the question, but merely wished to bring the matter before the Premier. He would ask the Premier to consider his position, —that he was only a young man, and had only just got into this position. The older men of the tribe would know more about the facts of the case. They were fully conversant therewith. The Minister (to Mr Graham) A thousand acres to be given out of the Hungawhere Block ? Mr Graham : Four thousand acres was the sale, 1,000 acres is what they claim. The Minister I will find out about it. Wiremu Pataki, another Native, said, —I should like to say a few words in explanation. What Hone Wini Kerei has just said to you is correct. There is a certain Native, who is not here, who could also substantiate what he has said. I have seen copies of the documents referred to. That block was 4,000 acres. On the application of Wini Kerei and another, Hunui, it was asked that 1,000 acres should be set aside as their claim in the block. Their suggestion was that 1,000 acres should be awarded to Wini Kerei and 3,000 acres should be apportioned to the Crown. They were told that the claim of Wini Kerei (deceased) would be settled by Mr Puckey He was authorised to pay £20 compensation for this claim. Wini Kerei said this was a small sum considering his claim was for 1,000" acres. Ngatouri has still got a copy of the letter received from the Crown. It came direct from the Government. Wini Kerei did not consent to receive this money, and he did not receive it. That is all I wish to state. The Minister Can you get me a copy of that letter ? Wiremu Pataki Yes, I shall be able to get a copy The Minister (to Mr Graham) I wish to ask this If the Government bought 4,000 acres, why should the Government be asked to give 1,000 back ? Mr Graham Well, I might explain that there were two claimants to this land. There was a sister and a brother. They were the owners of the land. Prom the sister came Wini Kerei, from the brother came Ngatihana. Ngatihana was the one who sold the land. The brother and sister (Ngatitahuna) were both joint owners. The brother sold the land to the Government, the sister did not. Wini Kerei said, " Give me 1,000 acres, and I will cry quits." The Minister Then, practically, the Government bought from the wrong owners, according to that. Mr Graham Well, they would not like to say that. Sir Donald McLean purchased the land. The brother sold, the sister did not. These are the facts of the case. The Minister The question is this The brother sold 4,000 acres, and he only owned half and his sister half. Mr Graham As you put it, you understand the Government bought 4,000 acres from the brother when the sister was a claimant. They say they were both in it. The brother sold and sold all his right, but the sister did not sell any right at all. The Minister Very well, then, the Government bought from the wrong owner. Mr. Graham They would not say they (the Government) bought from the wrong person. They simply say they bought from the brother, not from the sister. The Minister Well, I shall have to inquire whether the Government purchased from the right owner, and why they offered the £20. Wini Kerei next addressed the Premier with regard to the block called Te Punga Maukau, Upper Piako and Waitoa district. He said the land known as Te Punga was sold or given to the late Sir Frederick Whitaker Mauku belonged to Sir Frederick Whitaker. An arrangement was made with Sir Frederick Whitaker by which the Maoris gave up the Te Punga Block, and he was