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they would leave it to us to say what steps should be taken regarding it. They suggested that Kemp and I should withdraw the application. Kemp agreed, and asked me to withdraw the application. I consented, but told Kemp and the Muaupoko that I would do it when the Court went to Palmerston. I explained to them why I would not do it at Foxton. I wanted the Court to go to Palmerston to hear the application of Ngatiapa for Aorangi. The Court went to Palmerston—l think it was in 1885. 1 remember the Court sitting in Palmerston in 1886. I was present from the commencement of the Court until it finished. I lived at Hokowhitu, about a mile from the Courthouse, and about the same distance from Palmerson's place, where Muaupoko lived. Kemp lived in Palmerson's dwelling-house. The Muaupoko were in a barn. I remember what took place with regard to the partition of Horowhenua before it went into Court. The railway-line was the first block cut off out of Court. The Ohau section was the second dealt with outside the Court. The third was the township. This is how they were arranged outside the Court. I was present when they were cut off. It was done by Muaupoko in Palmerson's barn. Mr. A. McDonald was present. Palmerson may have been there, but I can't remember. McDonald had a map. He went to Palmerson's house, got the map, and had the different parcels placed on the map. All these three blocks were cut off and arranged in Palmerson's barn before we went into Court. The Ohau section was the second cut off in Palmerson's barn. It was to fulfil the agreement between Kemp and McLean that some land should be set apart for the descendants of Whatanui. It was to be put in Kemp's name for him to convey to the descendants of Whatanui. That was the arrangement come to outside. Mangakahia was the first assessor of the Palmerston Court. Mr. McDonald made the application to the Court for three sections. He was agent for Kemp and the Muaupoko. I was in the Court when the applications were made by McDonald. He applied first for the railway-line. Then he applied for the township. Then he applied for the land at Ohau. The section that was No. 2 outside, I think, became No. 3 in the Court. I think the township section was dealt with before the Ohau land. I know Section No. 9. There was nothing said about Eaumatangi in the Court when the three orders I have spoken of were applied for. Hokio was not mentioned. I don't remember any reference to any other block besides the three, on the first day that we took the land into the Court—Mangakahia's Court. This is my recollection of what took place. Kemp was in the Court when McDonald made the applications for the three sections. I did not hear Kemp apply for any land for himself at that time, nor did I hear McDonald apply on his behalf. I was in Court all the time. Te Aohau objected when McDonald applied for an order for the Ohau land. He first asked to see the map that McDonald had handed to the Judge, so that he might know the position of the land set apart for descendants of Whatanui. The Judge asked him if he was in the certificate, and, finding that he was not, the Judge ordered him to sit down, and threatened to send for a constable. Te Aohau was the only one I saw or heard at that time object in Court to the location of the land at Ohau. I understand that he objected to their land being placed at Ohau. I do not know any other reason for his objection. Afterwards I heard others objecting outside the Court, and saying that they intended to see Kemp about the matter. The Court passed the three blocks, 1, 2, and 3, on the first day. I think the two sections were passed on that day, and that the Ohau section was allowed to stand over at the request of McDonald and Lewis. I understood the railway and the township blocks were finally settled at the time. I remember the order in which some of the other divisions were taken. There were no others dealt with by Mangakahia's Court. The Assessor left, and we waited for about a week for another. When the second Assessor, Kahui Kararahi, arrived we dealt with the other divisions, so far as I can remember. The first blocks dealt with by the second Court were the three that were before the first Court. I think Mr. McDonald brought them before the Court again. Then I think that No. 3, the block for the tribe, was dealt with. Next, I think, was the 510 acres for Hamua. I think the next was the land for Tamati Taopuku and Topi, No. 5, I think. The next, I think, was the block for the rerewaho, about 4,600 acres. After that the land for Waata Tohu, Te Peeti, and Hoani Meihana was taken. Then the land for Mere Karena came on. After that, I think, No. 9 was taken—either that or No. 10. I believe it was the 1,200 acres at Eaumatangi. Then, I think, the 800 acres for Kemp was dealt with—No. 10, I think. After this No. 11 came on—the one that is in Kemp's and Warena's name. Then came the land that was awarded to Ihaia Taueki. Kemp told me that No. 11 was to be awarded to him and Warena, and when No. 12 was called on Kemp asked me to leave it to him. It was stony and of no value, he said. He leant over the table towards me and said this, in a low voice. I would not agree. Then McDonald asked for an order to Kemp and Warena. Objectors were called for, and Eaniera made some objections. I told him to sit down, thinking that he intended to object to Kemp and Warena. The Court allowed him to proceed, and he said that the chiefs had sufficient, and that this should go to the tribe. The Court said the matter had better be arranged outside. It then adjourned ;we went back to the Muaupoko kainga. Next day, after the Court opened—the second day of Kahui's Court—we assembled in the Court, but there was not much done. I think the only business done was the land for Wiremu, Matakara, and the Court adjourned till next day. There was no other business done at the time the square foot was awarded. McDonald asked the Court to adjourn, and we went back to discuss No. 12. If any one says that No. 14, or any other block, was cut off at the time the square foot was ordered he is wrong. There was no application for an order for No. 14 in favour of Kemp, in his own right, when the square foot was ordered. This is my recollection, but I may be wrong. The Court books will show. When we were discussing No. 12 Hoani Puihi wanted it awarded to him. Eangimairehau wished it put in his name. The majority were in favour of Himiona Kowhai's name being put in. I said I would not consent to give Muaupoko the land, because the hills did not belong to them, but to me. Then Ihaia Taueki stood up and said " Listen to me, my grandchild ! Can you or can you not cure my complaint? " I said I could not, as he had brought it on himself. He gave the land to Kemp to administer, and his was part of Kemp's administration. I told him that as this was the last piece of land left I would give it to him for himself. McDonald and Kemp were near me

10— G. 2.

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