No. 98 of 1881.—Petition of Hemara Tauhia and 32 Others.

Petitioners claim to be owners of Hauturu (Little Barrier Island), unjustly awarded by the Land Court to Ngatiwai. They say that Judge Rogan's decision on the 16th June, 1880, which gave the land to petitioners, was just; but that the Assessor, who sat at a subsequent hearing of the case, was bribed. They state that they will hold the land, and there will be fighting. Petitioners conclude by saying that "the Parliament should not make any more laws affecting Maori lands, for they will be the cause of wars between the races."

I am directed to report as follows:—

That there was a rehearing of this case on the 14th May, 1881, before Chief Judge Fenton and a Native Assessor. There was unfortunately a difference of opinion, and the case had to be adjourned. On the 8th June, 1881, Judge Monroe and an Assessor decided in favour of Ngatiwai, and the petitioners felt aggrieved. The Government is now trying to settle the matter, and the Committee recommends that no effort should be spared to bring to a satisfactory conclusion a very serious dispute.

[Translation.]
No. 98 of 1881.—Pukapuka-inoi a Hemara Tauhia me etahi atu e 32.

E Ki ana nga kai-pitihana no ratou a Hautuau (Little Barrier Island), i tukua hetia e te Kooti Whakawa Whenua ki a Ngatiwai. E ki ana ratou i tika te whakatau a Tiati Rokena ki nga kai-pitihana te whenua i te 16 o Hune, 1880, engari ko te Ateha i tu ki te Kooti i te whakawakanga i muri iho he mea utu. E ki ana ratou era ratou e man tonu ki te whenua, a tera e tu te pakanga. Ko te kupu whakamutunga a nga kai-pitihana he ki kia mutu te hanga ture hou a te Paramete mo te whenua Maori, kei waiho hei take whawhai i waenganui i nga iwi Maori.

Kua whakahaua ahau kia ki penei:—

I whakawa tuaruatia tenei whenua i te 14 o Mei, 1881, e Te Penetana raua ko tetahi Ateha Maori. I rereke te whakaaro o te Ateha, i rereke te whakaaro o te Tiati, no reira ka nekehia ano te whakawaka. No te 8 o Hune, 1881, ka whakataua e Tiati Moanaroa raua ko tetahi Ateha taua whenua ki a Ngatiwai na reira i mea ai nga kai-pitihana kei te noho mate ratou.

Kei te whakahaere te Kawanatanga i naianei i etahi tikanga e oti ai tenei mea, na e whakahau ana hoki te Komiti kia whakaotia tenei raruraru nui.