The following extracts from leaders and sub-leaders of the Evening Post—a newspaper published in Wellington, and mouth-piece of the Wellington Provincial Government—may tend to show how one Government may speak the truth when it has fallen out with another Government. The italics are my own.—T. C. W.

Evening Post, 10th July, 1872.

"The indifference shewn by the General Government to the interests of the Province of Wellington is in nothing more clearly exhibited than by the manner in which they allow persons in employment under them, and private parties, mischievously to interfere with the operations of Mr. James Grindell in paving the way to a purchase from the natives of the land between the Otaki and Manawatu rivers. That agent is himself attached to the Native Department, and an officer of the General Government; but he has been lent, as it were, by them to the Provincial Government for this special task, and acts under instructions from the Superintendent. If he were simply let alone, he would have difficulties enough to contend with. The tract of land in question is claimed by two great divisions of natives—on one side the original inhabitants at a period between thirty and forty years ago; on the other, the conquerors who, at that time, themselves driven by the Waikato tribes from the Kawhia district, between the head waters of the Waipa and Waikato rivers and the West Coast, poured down upon the shores of Cook's Strait, killed many of the ancient inhabitants, and suffered the wretched remainder to live in a state virtually amounting to serfdom. The conquerors have been until recently, in uninterrupted occupation of the district. But the effects of civilization have combined to put the conquered occupiers on sufferance and claimants by ancestry, in a position of equality, if not of superiority, to the occupiers and claimants by conquest. Only in the middle of last year, some of the discontented conquered page cxlv used force to dispossess Watene and some other descendants of the conquerors from the birth-places and the burial-places of their fathers. A Major in the Colonial army, Kemp, and 'Governor' Hunia, a protégé of Dr. Featherston, were at the head of this raid, both of them directly aiding and abetting in the burning of a house, and the beating and otherwise ill-treating of a woman, and in pulling her out of a house in which she declared she would stay until she was burned with it. Government and Parliament were both appealed to in vain. Mr. McLean promised to abitrate in December, and has not abitrated yet; and the difficulty remained much as it was until Mr. Grindell began to operate.

"If the General Government were in earnest in wishing the Provincial Government to succeed in buying this magnificent district of land, so eminently suited for immediate colonization, and absolutely required in order that incoming population may extend uninterruptedly from Wellington to Manawatu, Wanganui, Patea, and Taranaki, they would at once take measures to prevent, or even punish, interference with the negociations by private surveyors, and by other self-interested individuals. To look on, and allow these obstacles to be thrust in the way, is giving them a tacit sanction more injurious in effect than direct opposition to the purchase would be; and affords one of the strongest arguments against the Government's recent claim, in its mouth-piece the Independent, to credit for 'the actual regeneration of Wellington.' Such treatment may more truly be described as letting Wellington die by slow torture."

Judgment on the block of land lying between the Manawatu river on the north, and the Kakutauaki stream to the south.

Evening Post, Monday, March 10, 1873.

Native Land Court.

"At an adjourned sitting of the Native Land Court held at Foxton on the 4th March, the following judgment was given on the subject of the Kukutauaki Block :—

'This is a claim of Akapita Te Tewe and others, representing certain sections of the Ngatiraukawa tribe, to a block of land lying between the Manawatu river on the north, and the Kukutauaki stream on the south, on the West Coast of the Province of Wellington, and extending inland from the sea coast to the watershed of the Tararua range of mountains. These boundaries include lands the title to which have been investigated and decided by this Court, which lands are therefore excepted from; the present inquiry. The claimants apply to the Court to order certificates of title in favor of individuals and of sections of the Ngatiraukawa tribe, assert- page cxlvi ing an exclusive ownership founded on conquest, and on continuous occupation from a period anterior to the Treaty of Waitangi. The claim is opposed by Te Keepa Rangihiwinui and others representing five tribes—Muaupoko, Rangitane, Ngatiapa, Wanganui, and Ngatikahungunu, who contend that Ngatiraukawa has acquired no rights of ownership over the said block, and that the land belongs to them as inherited from their ancestors, and is still retained in their possession. The claimants and counter-claimants, with their witnesses, have been heard by the Court on the general tribal question, and the Court finds that sections of the Ngatiraukawa tribe have acquired rights over the said block, which, according to Maori custom and usage, constitutes them owners thereof (with certain exceptions), together with Ngatitoa and Ngatiawa, whose joint interest therein is admitted by the claimants. That such rights were not acquired by conquest, but by occupation, with the acquiescence of the original owners. That such rights had been completly established in the year 1840, at which date sections of Ngatiraukawa were in undisputed possession of the said block of laud, excepting only two portions thereof, viz. :—1, A portion of the block, the boundaries whereof are not yet defined, situate at Horowhenua, claimed by the Muaupoko tribe, of which they appear to have retained possession from the time of their ancestors, and which they continue to occupy. 2. A portion of the block at Tuwhakatupua, on the Manawatu river (boundaries not defined), claimed by a section of the Rangitane tribe, whose interest therein is admitted by the claimants. And the Court finds that the Ngatiapa, Wanganui, and Ngatikahungunu tribes, have not seperate tribal rights as owners of any portion of the said block, nor any interest therein, beyond such as may arise from connection with the Muaupoko residents at Horowhenua. That the Rangitane as a tribe, have no rights as owners of any portion of the said block, nor any interest therein, beyond such as may arise from connection with Muaupoko residents at Horowhenua, or with that section of Rangitane whose claims at Tuwhakatupua are admitted by the claimants.'

With reference to the above decision, it is a matter for congratulation that this vexed question, which at one time threatened to be of serious moment to the Province of Wellington, if not to the colony generally, has been so satisfactorily disposed of. From the violent and continued opposition offered by the five tribes, represented by Major Kemp and Kawana Hunia, to the claims of the Ngatiraukawa people, and their attempts to interrupt the proceedings of the Lands Court, some considerable apprehension existed that, in the event of a decision adverse to their interests being given by the Court, serious complications would arise, and several powerful tribes, who were only waiting for the occasion, would be drawn into the quarrel.

We are bound to express our appreciation of the services of the Judges who presided over the Court during the investigation of this business, namely, Messrs. Rogan and Smith. Had these gentlemen exhibited less firmness and patience, or possessed less knowledge of the Native character and tact in managing them, we have no hesitation in saying that the Court would have been broken up at its sitting in November last, and the whole business would have resulted in 'confusion worse confounded.' At that time the Natives in opposition strained every nerve to get the Court adjourned indefinitely. Threats, intimidations, and every imaginable artifice was adopted by them, but all to no purpose. The Judges remained firm, evincing at the same time, by judicious adjournments and concessions, a desire to afford the opposing parties every facility to come into Court and prove their claims."

Evening Post, Monday, 24th March, 1873.

"Messrs. McLean and Vogel are shortly expected in Wellington, and we believe that one of the questions which will be brought under the notice of the former is the propriety of granting a re-hearing of the case now before the Native Lands Court at Manawatu. Our readers are not perhaps aware of the position of this matter. There is a block of land between the Paikakariki hill and the Manawatu river, extending along the Tararua ranges to the sea coast, of vast extent and average fertility, which, looked at from an agricultural point of view, is the key to the city, while it lies on the high road to the fertile plains of Manawatu and Rangitikei. It is well known that at present, in consequence of this block of land being in the hands of the natives, the Government are precluded from making a road through it into the Manawatu district, as to the wisdom of forming which, there can be only one opinion. The present route along the beach is one which is intolerably disagreeable. First it passes over a zigzag break-neck road and hill, then along the beach over rivers at times too dangerous to be crossed in safety, while nearly always there is the certainty of a good sound wetting, notwithstanding the extreme care of the coach drivers. The Provincial authorities being cognizant of this state of things—the shocking roads and the want of suitable places for settlement for incoming immigrants—entered into arrangements to get this land surveyed for the native owners; claimants and counter-claimants alike marking off the boundaries of the land to which they deem themselves entitled, and this, too, at the expense of the Provincial Government.

The usual notices were given, and a day was appointed for the sitting of the Native Lands Court to investigate the cases. The most patient hearing was given to each of the witnesses, some of whom wearied the Court for four solid days, and in one case, as we are informed, the witness spun out his story page cxlviii for nearly five days, calling to mind facts of which be personally knew nothing, but had derived from the mere hearsay of his ancestors and his own invention. Counsel was heard on both sides, and the decision being unfavourable to certain tribes, they are now desirous of ventilating their grievances before the great pacifier of the country—the Honorable Mr. McLean—at whose nod whole blocks of land are given to disaffected Natives in order to keep the peace of the North Island. We are informed on good authority that Kemp and his followers, who are in possession of Government arms and ammunition, threatened to use them in the event of matters proving unfavorable to them. The threats have not been carried out, owing, no doubt, to other influences, such as the attendant loss of a commissionership, and its accompanying, £1 per day with the etceteras. The Court will resume the hearing of a portion of this case on the 25th March instant, and if the hearing be as tedious, and the patience of the Judges and counsel be anything equal to their last effort, there is every hope of a satisfactory termination to this long vexed question, unless the Native Minister steps in and says to his pets, 'you shall have it all over again.' We protest against any such action on the part of Ministers, and we do so before the mischief is done, since objections afterwards would be of little avail, and we warn the Government that if such a course is pursued after the great expense which this Province has incurred in order to facilitate the settlement of the West Coast of this Province, upon their heads will lie the blame of having impeded the progress of this city and its adjacent back country in order to please a few men, whose claims are merely those which were admitted by generous conquerors, and who now, believing themselves to be backed and supported by Government, arc endeavouring to accomplish their ends by threats of violence."

Horowhenua Judgment.

"This is an application made by Ngatiraukawa claimants for a certificate of title to that portion of the Manawatu Kukutauaki Block which was excepted from the previous order of the Court made in their favour, excluding only the portion admitted to belong to the Muaupoko tribe.

The application is opposed by the Muaupoko, who claim the whole of the excepted portion as owned by their ancestors, and still owned and occupied by them.

The claimants have brought forward evidence, and have sought to prove such an occupation of the land, the subject of enquiry, as would amount to a dispossession of the Muaupoko.

We are unanimously of opinion that the claimants have failed to make out their case, and the judgment of the Court is accordingly in favor of the counter-claimants.

The claimants appear to rely principally on the residence of Te Whatanui at Horowhenua, and there can be no doubt that at the time when that chief took up his abode there, the Muaupoko were glad to avail themselves of the protection of a powerful Ngatiraukawa chief against Te Rauparaha, whose enmity they had incurred.

It would appear that Te Whatanui took the Muaupoko under his protection, and that he was looked up to as their chief, but it does not appear that the surrender of their land by the Muaupoko was ever stipulated for as the price of the relations which subsisted between that tribe and Te Whatanui.

We find that Muaupoko was in possession of the land at Horowhenua when Te Whatanui went there, that they still occupy these lands, and that they have never been dispossessed of them.

We find further, that Te Whatanui acquired by gift from Muaupoko a portion of land at Raumatangi, and we consider that his claim at Horowhenua will be fairly and substantially recognised by marking off a block of one hundred (100) acres at that place, for which a certificate of title may be ordered in favor of his representative."

Wellington Independent, Tuesday, 3rd June.

"South of the Manawatu river, and stretching towards Paikakariki extends a large tract of land, estimated at about 350,000 acres, and presenting every variety of soil, from the rich upland of the interior to the barren sand-hills of the coast. Inhabited and surrounded by various tribes, some more powerful than others, each of whom had its tale to tell of past conquest and occupation, it was impossible but that the actual ownership of this valuable piece of country should form a subject of dispute. Accordingly we find that for some time past claims and counter-claims have been put forward and denied, angry feelings have been excited, and irritated claimants have gone so far as to threaten violence and, in one case, to actually carry it out by forcibly taking possession of a piece of disputed ground. This happened at Horowhenua, a smaller block of some 50,000 acres, comprised within the area of the larger one mentioned above. There is no doubt that at the time of this occurence very strong passions were aroused, and that each party, confident in its own rights, was thoroughly preparing to assert them by force of arms; pas were constructed, and the aspect of things for a time looked serious. However, the Government interfered—not in a threatening manner, which would most probably have widened the breach between the contending parties and brought matters to an undesirable climax, but in a conciliatory spirit which assuaged the heat of the disputants and induced them eventually to forego all notions of taking the law into their page cl hands, and to refer the question to the Native Lands Court. The case stood shortly thus : The Ngatiraukawa claimed the entire block, founding their claim on original conquest, and on occupation from a period anterior to the Treaty of Waitangi. Opposed to them were five tribes, Muaupoko, Rangitane, Ngatiapa, Wanganui, and Ngatikahungunu, who asserted their rights from inheritance. In the case of the smaller and included Horowhenua block, the Ngatiraukawa right to which was chiefly based on the residence at the spot of one of their leading chiefs, Te Whatanui, the Muaupoko tribe put in a counter claim. It was in 1871 that a mutual agreement was arrived at to let the Horowhenua case be settled by arbitration, a decision which was afterwards annulled in favor of a reference to the Native Lands Court. Several sittings have taken place, adjournments having been requested by both parties; and at the last, held at Foxton, a final judgment was given in both cases, Ngatiraukawa being found to be the owners, by occupation, and consent of the original inhabitants, of the whole block with the exception of two portions, one of which, Horowhenua, was decided to be the property of the Muaupoko. It need scarcely be said that the investigation of the title in this case, involving the consideration of an immense mass of native history and tradition, was attended with no small degree of labor. It was a difficult case, not only on account of the quantity of conflicting evidence adduced, but also because it formed the pacific outcome of what threatened at one time to be a serious disturbance. Every credit is due to the presiding judge Mr. Rogan, who with Mr. T. Smith and Hemi Tautari 'sat on the case,' for the patience and tact displayed during the whole proceedings; he has at all events the gratification of knowing that the decision of his court has generally given satisfaction to opposed tribes who were ready two years ago to fight for what they believed to be their rights.

We cannot conclude these brief remarks on the South Manawatu claims, without making reference to the attitude taken in this matter by the Natives concerned. It is well known that land questions were wont to be at the bottom of most inter-tribal wars; thus, in at first assuming a threatening attitude, the Natives interested were only carrying out ancestral notions. But the spirit of European institutions had made itself felt; and that, which in former days would have led to a fierce conflict, has now been peacefully referred to the decision of a Court of law. The behaviour of the chief Te Kepa Rangiweweki, of the Ngatiraukawa,^* and indeed of all the interested tribes, is deserving of high commendation.

Evening Post, Thursday, 5th June, 1873

"The Independent, of Tuesday, referring to the South Manawatu Block, and the danger that existed at one time of a collision between the Native claimants, says :—'Each party, confident in its own rights, was thoroughly preparing to assert them by force of arms; pas were constructed, and the aspect of things for a time looked serious.' Our contemporary then, 'ever strong on the strongest side," goes on to say :—'However, the Government interfered—not in a threatening manner, which would most probably have widened the breach between the contending parties, and brought matters to an undesirable climax, but in a conciliatory spirit, which assuaged the heat of the disputants, and induced them, eventually to forego all notions of taking the law into their hands, and to refer the question to the Native Lands Court.' (The italics are our own.) Now, with all deference to the superior knowledge of our official contemporary, this statement is hardly correct. In the first place, the Ngatiraukawa were never desirous of asserting their rights by 'force of arms.' It is a well-known fact to every settler on the West Coast that they invariably behaved towards their blustering opponents with the greatest moderation and calmness, and always evinced an earnest desire to have the dispute settled amicably by abitration. Even when Kemp's party, presuming upon their forbearance, proceeded to open violence, and burned down one of their houses at Horowhenua (nearly smothering a feeble old woman in it)^* they never for a moment abandoned the cool and dignified position which they had taken up. And this was by no means the effect of fear, for they had numerous allies in different parts of the island only awaiting their summons to rush to their assistance. Again, the only fortified pa that was erected was built by Kawana Hunia, of Major Kemp's party, as a challenge to Ngatiraukawa. It should be stated that out of the five tribes opposed to Ngatiraukawa, the Muaupoko alone professed to claim the Horowhenua block in their own right, the others claimed through that tribe as relations and allies. The matter at one time was referred, by mutual consent to the abitration of a number of tribes which assembled at Horowhenua for that purpose, on which occasion a block was awarded to the Muaupoko, of about half the area of that lately given to Kemp by the Native Lands Court. This would have been accepted by the Muaupoko proper, but Kawana Hunia and Kemp refused to abide by the decision, and extending their claims to the whole coast, became more clamorous and unreasonable than ever. The Government endeavored to get them to submit the dispute to abitration, or to the decision of the Lands Court, but without avail. Kemp and Hunia were invited to dine at Government House, and page clii feasted to their hearts' content, but all the blandishments bestowed upon them were of no effect—they persisted, (as they themselves state) in their resolution to maintain their claims by force, if necessary.

It will thus be seen that 'each party' were not 'thoroughly preparing to assert their right by force of arms,' but only the one parly, and that party led by a man who holds a commission in Her Majesty's service, and receives, we believe, a salary of £300 a-year as a. Land Purchase Commissioner; and, further, that the interference of the Government did not result in 'inducing them to forego all notions of taking the case into their own hands, and to refer the question to the Native Lands Court.' It was not until after the Superintendent's interview with the natives at Otaki last year, that matters began to assume a more favorable aspect. An officer of the Native Department (Mr. Grindell), acting under the directions of His Honor, was then sent up the coast to endeavor to reconcile the differences existing among the natives, and induce them to submit their disputes to the decision of the Lands Court. We notice that the Independent, while bestowing liberal praise upon Mr. Rogan, has altogether ignored the services of this officer. Without wishing to detract in the slightest degree from the merits of Mr. Rogan in the performance of his onerous duties, we think that a fair mede of praise should be given to a man who has certainly worked well for the Province. We are informed by those who have every opportunity of knowing, that things would not have been brought to their present position, and that the Lands Court would not have sat at all, but for him. By his exertions, coupled with the valuable assistance of Hoani Meihana, a chief of Rangitane, it was that Kemp and the tribes opposing Ngatiraukawa were induced in the first instance, to send applications to the Lands Court to have their claims investigated; and, subsequently, by his firmness and perseverance, the preliminary surveys were completed, in spite of continual and vexatious interruptions by the natives on both sides. The Independent's assertion, that the decision of the Court has generally given satisfaction to the opposed tribes, also does not appear to be correct. The Ngatiraukawa are far from satisfied with the Horowhenua decision, and are continually holding meetings on the subject, and numerous applications are being sent to the Government for a re-hearing. Even Major Kemp is not satisfied, although he has been awarded a large block of land, upon the greater portion of which none of his ancestors or relations have resided for a period beyond, the memory of the oldest settler, it having been continually occupied and cultivated by the Ngatiraukawa since their migration to this coast. Kemp claims the whole coast, and declares he will apply for a re-hearing."

The following, which was re-published from the Wanganui Times, in the Wellington Independent of July 9, 1868, is an account of the slaughter, by order of Dr. Featherston, then Superintendent of the Province of Wellington, of some 400 out of 1500 sheep, belonging to a Mr. Gotty, given in charge of Ngatiraukawa, on a portion of the Manawatu Rangitikei block, before judgment on the question of title was given by the Native Lands Court:—

"Extraordinary reports reached town yesterday of fighting at Manawatu. On Dr. Featherston's arrival at Rangitikei, a meeting of natives was convened, when he wrote to Nepia and Mr. Gotty, requesting them to have the sheep removed. No attention was paid to this letter by Mr. Gotty, and so Governor Hunia was told to have the sheep driven off, if Mr. Gotty refused to remove them. The Ngatiapa ultimately commenced to drive the sheep off, and were attacked by the Ngatiraukawa. A shindy ensued, and some broken heads were the consequence, but nobody was much hurt. On Sunday morning, thirty Ngatiapas on foot, and twelve on horseback, crossed the river. A few of them carried tomahawks, to cut down the fences of the paddock in which the sheep were penned. On approaching the paddock, the Ngatiraukawa came out, both men and women, and defied the Ngatiapa to dare to advance. The Ngatiapa did advance, and then there was another small fight, one or two slight cuts being inflicted on a few of the belligerents. While this was going on, the sheep were driven into an adjoining bush, and both parties to the quarrel commenced to fence them in. Then from each side there were violent threats, and on Sunday evening Governor Hunia sent to say that he would pitch his tents on the prohibited spot, and both parties commenced to prepare for the coming contest."

Wellington Independent, 14th July, 1868.

"We have some later intelligence from Mr. Scott, relative to the late disturbances at Rangitikei. Mr. Scott, who left Rangitikei on Saturday morning, states that Mr. Gotty's sheep, to the number of 1500, were still in the enclosure which the natives had fenced, and that the Ngatiapas had commenced killing them. Mr. Scott states that his sons were up at the place in question (which is near Mr. Bevan's), on Friday, and that 419 were killed by the Ngatiapas on that day. Some were tomahawked, and others had their throats cut; but in one way or another, Mr. Scott's informants were positive that 419 had been done to death."

Wellington Independent, 4th December, 1869."

'"The Disturbed Districts Act.'—The terms of this Act are threatened to the Maoris and Pakeha-Maoris who are resisting the survey of the Rangitikei- page cliv Manawatu block. The Act is strong enough to frighten any missionary out of his senses. The 20th clause says :—'Be it therefore enacted : It shall be lawful for the Governor to make and issue his warrant, or warrants, under his hand, for the arrest, committal, or detention in custody, of any person or persons charged with, or reasonably suspected, of high treason, treasonable felony, or treasonable practices, or any offence within the meaning of this Act.' We think it would be justifiable to put the Act in force against those who are resisting the law. If Maoris submit their claims to the judgment of a Court, they ought to be prepared to abide by the decision; but if they will not do this, we must simply make them. This is just the time when the Government can act with decision and authority. Inspector Brannigan and 100 men ought to be able to seize all the suspected persons on the Manawatu block in twenty-four hours."

The following extracts from the Wellington Independent will show that though it was absolutely necessary that the Government should purchase the Manawatu-Rangitikei block, the property of the Ngatiraukawa tribe, from some eight tribes, as the "only means of preventing bloodshed and an inter-tribal war," Ngatiraukawa chiefs could be forcibly arrested for opposing the survey of their land, sold against their will by their former slaves of the Ngatiapa tribe, such tribe having been "previously permitted by their old conquerors to sell the land on the north side of the Rangitikei river," and "for whom a sufficiency of land had been reserved." Also shows how the Premier gained credit for his firm and decided action in the matter:—

Wellington Independent, 7th December, 1869.

"Latest Telegrams.

"(From our own Correspondent.)

"Mr. Buller went down to Mangamahoe (on the Rangitikei-Manawatu block), on Saturday, accompanied by two constables and some 20 Ngatiapa, He arrested Miritana, in spite of some 35 or 40 Ngatiraukawa, who refused to give the man up, and resisted his capture forcibly. After nearly an hour's scuffle, the prisoner was secured, handcuffed, and sent in to Wanganui. Hard knocks were delivered on both sides, but no heads were broken. The arrest, it is believed, will have a good effect. The survey was going on without interruption. The Hon. Mr. Fox was in the district, and assented to the proceedings that were taken. Some of the leading dissentients to the sale of the Manawatu were present when the scuffle was going on, and entirely concurred in the action taken by the Government."

Independent, 9th December, 1869.

"By telegrams received yesterday, we are informed that the Maori, Miritana, who was apprehended and brought to trial for destroying a survey station on the Manawatu block, has been convicted, and fined £25, or, in default of payment, is sentenced to three months' imprisonment in the Wanganui gaol. Two other natives were at the same time brought up before the Resident Magistrate's Court, on the same charge, but as it was not pressed against them, they were mulcted in the mitigated penalty of 1s., and dismissed. The voluntary surrender of the two last mentioned offenders may be taken as a proof that there is no great sympathy with them among the majority of the natives. A promise was made on their behalf by several of the native chiefs, to Mr. Fox, that they should surrender themselves for trial, and, as we learn, the promise was faithfully kept. The firm, decided action of the Premier seems to have gained the confidence of the natives in this case, as fully as his recent visit to Topia appears to have disarmed all suspicion, and cemented the friendship of the Wanganui tribes."

The following are letters from Ngatiraukawa Natives to myself, asking me to do what I can for them with respect to their land taken from them in the Manawatu-Rangitikei Block, and at Horowhenua. Also, a letter from the Native Office, informing them that no land will be given to them out of the Manawatu-Rangitikei Block.—T. C .W.

"Friend Rawiri,—

Salutations,—Your letter of 23rd May, asking that some land at Rangitikei should be given to you has been received. This is to inform you that a good deal of land was set apart for those who might be found to have any title to land there; that land is all gone; none is left to be given away. This is a final answer to you (koutou) and your friends. This is all.

"To Thomas Williams,—

"Friend,—Salutations. Listen. We wrote to Mr. McLean, asking that our land at Rangitikei should be given back to us, because, when Ngatiraukawa first arrived, Kingi Te Ahoaho and his hapu, Ngatimaeotaki, got page clvi possession of that land at Rangitikei, and Ngatiraukawa know that Kingi Te Ahoaho and his hapu have been the owners of that land up to the present time. That piece of land of ours is near the mouth of the Rangitikei River, on the south side, between the Manawatu and Rangitikei Rivers, and consists of 18,600 acres. The boundaries are (here follows a description of the boundaries). We have sent several letters to the Government to which no attention has been paid.

We, the descendants of Kingi Te Ahoaho and all his hapu, none of us gave our consent to the sale of that land; nor did we receive any of the money; nor did we sign our names to Dr. Featherston's deed of purchase of that land. We have expended on the survey of that land, with the lawyers, and during our visits to Rangitikei and Wellington, attending the Lands Court, £136, and we are still holding on to our land up to the present time.

This is why we write to you about our loss of our land, that you may seek out some means by which we, the descendants of Kingi Te Ahoaho and his hapu, the Ngatimaeotaki, may get our rights. We altogether, men, women, and children, who are left alive of the hapu of Kingi Te Ahoaho, number 80.

This is all From all the hapu of Kingi Te Ahoaho. From Ngatimaeotaki.

"To Mr. Williams,—

"This is to ask you to make clear to us some plan by which I and my hapu, Ngatitukorehe, may get justice. We number 50—men, women, and children. We, none of us, took any money, nor did we get any land; nor did any of us sign our names to Dr. Featherston's deed of purchase. We expended, with the lawyers, on the survey, and our visits to Wellington and Rangitikei, £110.

Friend, do you be strong to seek out some way whereby we may get our rights.

"To Mr. Williams,—

"Salutations. This is to ask you to make known to us by what means we, the three hapus, Ngatituranga, Ngati Te Au, and Ngatirakau, may get our rights with respect to our land at Himatangi. There are 60 of us—men, women, and children. We none of us took any money on account of Dr. page clvii Featherston's purchase. We are in great distress about our land that has been taken from us by the Government. It has cost us a good deal of money contending about our land. You were our lawyer when our title was invesgated at Otaki, and Himatangi was divided, and 5000 acres were awarded to us; and since then, Mr. McLean returned the whole of Himatangi to Parakaia; but now it is all taken by the Government.

Friend, do you be strong to contend for our rights. This is all.

"To Thomas Williams,—

"Salutations. This is to ask you to seek out some remedy for us who were thrown out, and who got nothing from that land at Rangitikei. We did not take any of Dr. Featherston's money, nor did we sign our names to the deed of purchase of that land. Therefore we ask you to take up our cause with respect to the loss of our land, as well as of our money which was paid to the lawyers. Those who are with me number 25.

Statement from Henere Te Herekau, for many years native teacher, lately ordained a deacon of the Church of England, being a statement of the case of the three hapus of Ngatiraukawa occupying the inland portion of the Manawatu-Rangitikei block.

"After Horowhenua, Ngatipikiahu returned to Taupo, to bring down their friends to occupy Rangitikei, they had a claim there, according to old custom, by right of conquest. In the year 1841, two hapus, Ngatipikiahu and Ngati Tuwharetoa, settled at Otara; it was Tuwharetoa's doing that they settled there. They occupied from Otara to Rangitaua; but Ngatiupokoiri were jealous, and quarrelled with them. When Ngatiraukawa heard that those people were quarrelling there, they assembled at Poutoa—part of Manawatu—to the number of 500. The Upokoiri were there. Ngatiraukawa decided to send for Ngatipikiahu and Ngati Tuwharetoa, and move them lower down to Te Reureu. Mohi Kahira was sent to fetch them. They then came down and settled at Te Reureu. They, the three hapus, settled there under the authority of the chiefs of Ngatiraukawa, in the year 1846. Ngatipikiahu, from Manawatu, joined them; Ngatimaniapoto went there also, making three hapus who settled there; because there was no other tribe or hapu of any page clviii tribe occupying that country, only Ngatiraukawa, which made it quite right their settling Ngatipikiahu and their friends at Te Reureu. In the year 1849, Nepia Taratoa, with other chiefs of Ngatiraukawa, went up and fixed the boundaries of the land for the three hapus (here follows a description of the boundaries.) There are 20,000 acres in that block of land. Paranihi and his friends granted leases over that land; they, the Ngatiraukawa, alone received the money; no other tribe or hapu received any; none was paid to Ngatiapa or Rangitane. These hapus occupied that land peaceably under the mana of the chiefs of the Ngatiraukawa, who placed them there. No tribe nor hapu went near them to disturb their occupation of that block of land up to the time when Dr. Featherston purchased Rangitikei; then they lost. If Dr. Feathers ton had not purchased that country, these three hapus would be still in possession. These hapus number 250; the acreage of this land is 20,000; the portion of land returned to these hapus by the Government is 3000 acres. These hapus did not join in the sale of Rangitikei; they did not sign their names to the Commissioner's deed of purchase; nor did they take any money. There were no grounds for taking away the land from these hapus.

"We, the hapu of Ngatiwehiwehi, had mana over the land at Rangitikei; we had mana because we cultivated there, and we always received a portion of the rents. We cannot enumerate all the grounds of our title, for we are a hapu who always had a strict right to the land up to the time when the Court sat to investigate the title to the land.

Secondly, the Ngatiapa, Muaupoko, and Rangitane, had no title to that land formerly up to the present time, as shown by their names not appearing in the sale to Mr. Wakefield, up to the time when Mr. Spain came to write the names of the chiefs of Ngatiraukawa. Also, when Ihakara sold land at Manawatu (Awahou) to Mr. McLean, their names did not appear in that sale. Afterwards, when Rangitikei was sold, we did not touch any of the money for our land. Now we are in great grief about the loss of our land and our money. We spent over the survey of the land at Rangitikei, and the Court expenses, £150 10s. 6d.

The following letter refers to that portion of the Horowhenua block marked No. 2 on the plan.

"To Thomas Williams,—

"Salutations. This a letter to you, a statement respecting our loss of our land, about Horowhenua, which has been given to Keepa (Major Kemp), to Muaupoko, and friends. This land was taken by Te Rauparaha by conquest. After Te Rauparaha had conquered this country, he invited Ngatiraukawa to come here to Kapiti. Te Whatanui then came here with his tribe Ngatiraukawa. Te Rauparaha then gave Horowhenua to Te Whatanui, and pointed out all the various portions of this land to the chiefs of Ngatiraukawa; but Te Rauparaha insisted that all the Muaupoko were to be destroyed in payment for his children, for Uira, Poaka, and Rangihiwinui, with many others. But the word of Te Whatanui went forth to Taueki, 'cease to dwell upon the mountains; come out and occupy the places where men dwell.' Then that chief came out with his people, with Muaupoko; but they lived as slaves under the mana of Whatanui. After Whatanui had saved them, he gave them a portion of land at Horowhenua. Tawhitikuri is the name of that boundary (here follows a description of the boundaries of that portion of the Horowhenua Block marked No. 1 on the plan). This land, (the portion marked No. 2,) was occupied by Te Whatanui (and his sons) upwards of forty years. Whatanui was always kind to them, and these people never misbehaved themselves during the lifetime of Te Whatanui and his sons, Whatanui Tahuri, Whatanui Paiaka, and Whatanui Tutaki. Whatanui leased Horowhenua to Hector McDonald, and these people did not receive the rents. But in 1869 (Keepa) Major Kemp and Hunia came and made a disturbance; in 1870 they built Kupe a large house.

Horowhenua was then investigated by chiefs of certain tribes (here follows a list of the names); that runanga decided that the house Kupe should be the boundary. After that investigation, Kemp and Hunia came, in 1871, with their people and burnt my house, which was occupied at the time, and injured the head of a woman; they came with guns in their hands, and built a pa. The Government sent Major Edwards to talk about this disturbance. I asked for a trial about the burning of my houses, but the Government did not agree. Mr. McLean promised to investigate in October, afterwards in December; but nothing was done up to the time when the Court sat, when our land was given by the Court to Muaupoko; and now we, the descendants of Te Whatanui and bis hapu, have lost all. Therefore, we write to you, Mr. Williams, and request you to take up our cause with respect to our distress about our land, that you should work out this our grievance, because we, the descendants of page clx Te Whatanui, are left without anything; we have no land elsewhere. Listen, only 100 acres were given to us, the burial ground of Te Whatanui; Tauteki, wife of old Te Whatanui, lies buried there. The greater portion of that land is swamp; it is not a fit place for the habitation of man.

This is all I have to say to you; do you work this matter out.

"Muaupoko never occupied this land formerly during the life time of old Te Whatanui, but two small portions were given to them by his sons, Whatanui Te Tahuri and Whatanui Tutaki, by the side of the lake; very small pieces. Tahuri gave his piece in 1847; Tutaki gave his in 1857."

(Watene has supplied me with a list of 87 names of natives claiming to be interested in the portion of land at Horowhenua—marked No. 2 on the plan—and which belonged to old Te Whatanui and others. In the list appear the names of two Pomares, sons of Whatanui's daughter, who married Pomare, a chief of Ngapuhi. One of the Pomares was lately ordained at Auckland, a deacon of the Church of England; the other had the honor of being presented, with his wife, to the Queen; and his son, the great-grandson of Te Whatanui, has the honor of being god-son to Her Majesty.)

The two following letters refer to that portion of the Horowhenua block marked No. 3 on the map.