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already said that we were anxious that they would choose the Ohau section. Ido not remember ever asking the descendants of Whatanui if they were going to enforce the agreement of 1874. I suggested to them that they should take No. 14. Te Aohau only laughed when I suggested it. I think he said that the descendants of Te Whatanui were disputing among themselves. [Horowhenua Commission, page 54, questions 204 and 207, and replies, read.] I have reaffirmed that evidence. [Question 208 and reply read.] I remember that question, and my reply. I gave No. 12 to Ihaia Taueki knowing that it was my own. I gave it to him also in my position of chief of the Muaupoko. He asked me for it in a proper manner, and I gave it to him. Donald Fraser told me that the statement that I afterwards made to the Court of 1890 as to what took place at the Court of 1873 was the correct account of what took place atthat Court. I remember him telling me so at Parewanui. He told me about 1887. He also asked me about the conditions on which the township was sold, and I told him that Kemp had received the purchase-money—£6,ooo. It was before evidence was being collected for the Division Court of 1890 that Donald Fraser told me what I have said. He told me at Parewanui. He asked me at the same time if I thought I would get any benefit from the moneys received by Kemp. I said I did not know. The conversation took place at my kainga. He went to Parewanui on business of his own, and called in at my place. We first conversed about the township, and then he told me what I afterwards said in the Court of 1890. He told me that I would get into trouble with Kemp as my father had done. He also said if Kawana had not got angry and had been put in the title with Kemp he would not have been deceived. The mischief commenced by the omission of Hunia's name from the title. I said that Hunia became angry and left the Court, but Fraser said I was wrong, and that his version was the correct one, as he had heard it from Hunia, who said he had consented to Kemp's name only being put into the title. I was then uncertain which version was the correct one. This was in 1887. The Court sat for the division of Horowhenua in 1890. Mr. Fraser did not tell me to repeat in the Native Land Court what he had told me. He was present at the sitting of the Court in 1890. I had no conversation with Donald Fraser about the omission of Hunia's name from the certificate at that time, but the lawyer asked me about it. Donald Fraser did not make the statement to me for the purpose of being repeated in the Native Land Court, but I told it to the lawyer when he asked me, and said I had discussed it with Donald Fraser. I believed that Donald Fraser had heard what he told me from Kawana Hunia, and that is why I repeated it in Court. To the Assessor : The interests of the deceased owners were considered when the land was divided in 1886. I was one of the registered owners of Horowhenua. Wirihana Hakeke died before 1873 —I think, about 1853. We did not allot any share to him. I received two shares, my own and that of Ihaka Rangihouhia, to whom I was appointed successor. We had one meeting only about the Ohau section. I was not present at any meeting at which Kemp asked for Ohau for himself. Never heard of it. Eaniera and Eangimairehau are the only persons who know of it. They cling to Kemp because he has undertaken to give them land. The people were not told of Kemp having asked me across the Court table in a whisper to let No. 14 be put in his name. I consented, and that ended the matter. I don't know why Kemp should ask me to let No. 14 be put in his name after we had agreed to his having it for the descendants of Whatanui. Mr. McDonald might know ;he has the written documents. The 2 chains reserved at the Hokio Stream was to prevent the descendants of Whatanui from getting to the stream, in the hope that they would for that reason accept the Ohau section. I thought that the land reserved along the Hokio Stream would go back to Kemp and Warena. The Court adjourned till the 29th instant.
Monday, 29th March, 1897. The Court opened at 10 a.m. Present: The same. No. 1, Horowhenua No. 14, resumed. Mr. McDonald said he was prepared to call Sir Walter Buller, if it was convenient to the Court. Mr. Stevens said his next witness was in attendance, and he would like to call him. The Court said it would be better to take Mr. Stevens's witness, as he was present. Mr. Stevens called Joseph Better. Joseph Retter sworn and examined. Witness : I am a farmer residing at Levin. I am married. I married Hannah Stickel, otherwise known as Hana Tikara. Have been married for thirty-six years. My wife's mother's name was Kuri Katuku. I never saw her. I don't know which hapu she belonged to, but she was a Muaupoko. I believe she was a Ngatipariri. I have lived at Porirua, and for twenty years at Rangitikei, since my marriage. Have lived here for the last eleven years. I heard a few little things about the Horowhenua Block when living at Rangitikei. Remember sitting of the Native Land Court in 1886, at Palmerston. I attended the Court. The Muaupoko were at the Court. They lived in a shed belonging to Mr. Palmerson. I stopped with them sometimes, but slept chiefly in the boarding-house. I cannot give date of opening of Court to divide Horowhenua Block. It was about November or December. I don't remember the name of the Assessor of the Court. I remember seeing Kemp at Palmerston at the time. I think he had his meals and slept at the boarding-house I lived in. I remember Mr. A. McDonald being at Palmerston at the time. I think he lived with his son-in-law. I cannot say whether the Natives made a subdivision of the land before they went into the Court. There was nothing done at the place where we stayed. I believe there were some arrangements made outside the Court. Mr. Palmerson was in Palmerston. I remember his visiting the Natives. I was present in Court when the