Gr.—6d

The Court, after inquiry at Kaikohe, now begs to report as follows : — The Court is satisfied from the evidence given that— (1.) The Puketotara owners were amply represented at the hearing at Ohaewai in June, 1921. (2.) The leading representatives prepared the various lists after conferences lasting several days. (3.) At least 122 owners were present in Court at the hearing, but no objections were raised when the final lists were read out by the Court and passed. (4.) A large number of people were put into the title not in right of descent from Turou, but by reason of their contributions of cash to pay the legal expenses of the case against the Crown in 1920. (5.) These mataotao or " cold " owners should not now be disturbed in their award of shares. The awards are nearly all very small (two to four) and correspond with cash (£1 per share) actually paid towards expenses of case against Crown. (6.) The persons really entitled by ancestry to this Puketotara Block definitely agreed in 1920 and 1921 to include these cash contributors in the title, and the principal owners still strongly approve of the arrangement made and object to the suggested repudiation of the agreement made. (7.) In 1921 the shares for the various lists were first apportioned and approved, and then the leaders of each list fixed the apportionment of the shares given to each list. Representative owners fixed the shares, and they were the close relatives of the present petitioners. (8.) In only one respect does the Court think, on the evidence before it, that an injustice was done. Hamuera Kingi seems to have a real grievance, and the other petitioners are probably hoping to get something out of the petition through his efforts. Hamuera Kingi's grievance is against his brother Tamati te Maara, who gave himself and his family seventy-one shares, but only gave Hamuera (or Hami Kingi) five shares, though Hamuera was the elder brother. Tamati also left out his sister Hera Wiremu altogether. Recommendation. —The Court begs to recommend that the freehold order of the 9th June, 1921, be left with names and shares as at present, .except that the Court be authorized by Parliament to amend the apportionment as between Tamati te Maara and his wife and children on the one side, and Hamuera Kingi and Hera Wiremu on the other side, with power to add Hera Wiremu's name to the list of owners. 2nd February, 1926. F. 0. V. Acheson, Judge.

Approximate Cost of Paper.—Preparation, not given ; printing (525 copies), £1 15s.

Authority : W. A. G. Skinner, Government Printer, Wellington.—l 926.

Price 3d.]

2