42

Gk—2a

people who returned after his death. He welcomed all those who returned during his lifetime, and never questioned their rights to the land. I never heard that Taueki and Tawhati-a-Tumata separated after Karekare. Tawhati-a-Tai was present at the peace-making. His mother, Hengaheonga, was killed when Muaupoko were attacked at Papaitonga by Ngatitoa. I have no opinion to offer as to the relative rights of the persons who returned at different periods. lam not in a position to express any opinion. I leave the matter entirely in the hands of the Court. I think all those who came back after the peace-making should be confined to the land south of Hokio Stream. They should not share in the land retained by my ancestors. The Court adjourned till the 11th instant.

Levin, Tuesday, 11th May, 1897. The Court opened at 10 a.m. Present: The same. Horowhenua No. 11 resumed. No. 4, Keepa te Bangihiwinui and others, claiming to be beneficially interested. Case of Rawiri Rota —continued. John Beoughton sworn. Witness : lam a member of Ngaiteao and Ngatihine hapus. I live at Horowhenua. I am one of the registered owners of Horowhenua. My name in the certificate is Taare Matai. I have a claim to Horowhenua No. 11. My rights are the same as Baraku's. I am satisfied with the evidence given by her as to our rights. I can point out on the plan the places named by Baraku. [The witness then pointed out on the map the following places : Te Uamairangi is at mouth of Hokio on north side of stream, Baumatangi, Titirangi, Te Tau-o-te-kiekie, Te Arapaepae, Summit of Tararua, Ngapuketurua, Te Matapihi, Kopuapangopango, Ngatokorua, Waingaio, Te Mangaroa Pa, Pukearuhe, Karapu, Te Koropu, Hokiopuni, Te Waikiekie, Te Boha-o-te-Kawau, Te Namuiti, Waipata, Pukeiti, Mounuwahine, Oero, Te Patiki, Taura Tukutuku, Te Awa-o-te-tau, Te Bimu, Ti, Te Karaka-a-te-aitu, Te Kapa, Weraroa, Te Mai, Pakauhokio, Ohita, Ngararanui, Ngakawau, Mairua, Opai, Te Hopuhopu, Te Kawiu, Te Puapua, Te Hiha, Paringatai, Kupe, Ohenga, Komakorau, Te Kawe, Te Punanga, Te Pou-o-temou.] The descendants of Puaketeao and Temou worked the eel-pas in the Hokio Stream. Some of the Ngatipariri have worked at these pas, but not by right from Pariri. I mean Himiona Hanita and Hariata, who can trace from both sides. Pukaahu eel-pa was bought by Hanita Kowhai from Whatanui. Tonganui has been purchased by Noa te Whata. Both these pas were bought back from Whatanui after the gift to him. The sale by Te Whatanui has never been questioned by any of the descendants of Temou or Pariri. Henare te Apatari : No questions. Cross-examined by Mr. Knocks. Witness : I have known the Horowhenua Block for the last twenty years. It has been under lease to Europeans during that period. Major Kemp and the tribe leased it. I have lived permanently at Horowhenua for the last twelve years. The Muaupoko first leased the land north of Hokio Stream. Ihaia, Noa te Whata, Te Hapimana, Te Wirihana Tarewa, Wiremu Matakatea, Wi Hopiona, Manihera te Bau, Heta, and others took part in the lease. I think also Hoani Puihi, Buka Hanuhanu, and others. I cannot say whether the people generally approved of the lease. I attended the Native Land Court at Palmerston in 1886. One hundred and six of the owners received 105 acres each in No. 3by an award of that Court. This was done to draft out the outsiders. We thought then that some had no right, and they were put on the hills. It was not understood that those who got the 105 acres each had no right to any other part of the block. I was present when it was arranged to cut off the No. 3 Block. One of the reasons for cutting it off was that the persons to whom it was awarded could lease their interests, and by so doing promote settlement by Europeans. I know Manihera te Eau. He has always received his share of the rents. He has grazed sheep on Horowhenua ever since I first came here. Ido not know anything about Mere Mionga's rights to Horowhenua. I know that she is a daughter of Tawhati-a-Tumata. Cross-examined by Hamuera Karaitiana. Witness : I have been told about the boundary described by Baraku. My mother and others told me about it. It was a boundary between Muaupoko and Te Whatanui, and was laid down by Taueki. It was not our ancestral boundary. My mother pointed out to me the sandhill known as "Te Uamairangi "in 1879. We were living down there then. My mother did not take me over the whole boundary, but I have been to all the points named, except those on the Tararua. My mother told me that the land south of the boundary belonged to Te Whatanui. In 1873 it was awarded by the Court to Muaupoko. It is for Kemp to say now who should have it, because it was by his action that the land was secured for Muaupoko in 1873. I was not at the Court in 1873, but it is well known that Kemp recovered the land south of the Hokio Stream. Te Mangaroa was apa and a stream. It belonged to descendants of Te Ngarue. I cannot say who was the chief of the pa. Pukearuhe was a pa. It belonged to descendants of Puakiteao and Potangotango te Baorao, Taueki, Tori, and others. Karapu belonged to the same people. Te Koropu belonged to our ancestors —Tireo, Te Biunga, Buatapa, Potangotango, and Te Koa. I heard they were all born there except Te Koa. Ido not know where he was born. Noa te Whata told me this ; he was the last of the Kaumatua ; he died in 1893 or 1894. Hokiopuni was apa and cultivation ; it belonged to the same ancestors, and is now the property of their descendants. Waikiekie was a palisaded pa. All the pas, hunting-grounds, eel-weirs, kaingas, &c, pointed out by me on the plan belonged