Title: An Epitome of Official Documents Relatives to Native Affairs and Land Purchases in the North Island of New Zealand

Author: H. Hanson Turton

Publication details: George Didsbury, 1883, Wellington

Part of: He reo nō ngā whakaritenga me ngā pukapuka here / Language of agreement and obligation

License: Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 New Zealand Licence

Paora Tuhaere: I am a Rangitira, of Ngatiwhatua, living at Orakei. I remember being at a Lands Court at Kaihu in February last. Maunganui and Waipoua Blocks were investigated at that Court. I was conductor of proceedings for one party. I heard the judgment of the Court. Maunganui was awarded to Parore, Waipoua to Tiopira. Then equal interests were given to Parore and Tiopira in each block. Tiopira himself had arranged to sell both these blocks prior to the survey. Brissenden and Mr. Nelson were the agents arranging this purchase for the Government. I don't know the price. Some money was paid on account before it was passed through the Court. After the sitting of the Court I heard the price; I am not sure whether it was 11d. or 1s. per acre. I know what took place after the Lands Court about the sale. I wrote the particulars of this sale in my own hand to Sir Donald McLean. The whole statement is correct. Tiopira was thoroughly aware of the contents of that letter, which was written at the request of Sir Donald. At my first return from the Court at Kaihu, I complained to Mr. Kemp of the division of the money—of the £500. About a month after, Mr. Nelson came to me, on the occasion of Heta te Haara, Haurangi, and others being in town. Mr. Nelson said to me, "You had better go to Mr. Tole's office or house as companion to Heta or Haurangi; they are there." When I reached there Mr. Nelson was not there, and I went by myself I found only Mr. Tole and two Natives there. Tiopira was not there. Nothing was said, as there was no interpreter to speak between us. He did mention Maunganui and Waipoua. Mr. Nelson had not told me to speak about those blocks, but only as a companion to Heta and others. About three days after Mr. Nelson came in and interpreted about this matter at Mr. Tole's office. Not much was said, but it was about this sum of £500; that was the first time that I was a ware that the matter was put into Mr. Tole's hands, as a lawyer. Mr. Nelson told me that this was the lawyer who was to ask Sir George Grey to ask the Government for our money; that was all that took Place. We then went to Colonel Haultain's. On our arrival there we found that deeds of Waipoua and Maunganui had been passed by him. Heta's deed was there. Myself, Heta, Haurangi, and Mr. Tole were, the party who went to Colonel Haultain's. A few days after, Mr. Nelson came again to me. My name was not in the Crown grant. I went to Colonel Haultain's because Mr. Nelson and Mr. Tole asked me to do so. It was on account of Tiopira, that I was asked by them to go. This originated here, but my speaking to Mr. Kemp was by the desire of Tiopira; he told me to ask the Government quietly for the money. Richard de Thierry was present in Colonel Haultain's office with us, I think. I am wrong; it was William Young, the interpreter, who was there[gap — reason: illegible] he acted as such. I did not take him there; it was their doing. When Tiopira and self left Kaihu, Parore was at his own Kainga, near there After we went they fetched him. I saw a payment made in the Court Hose to myself and Tiopira; the payment made was £1,400, and £100 for Waimata. Parore was not present. The payment for the block was not all made then. I did not see Parore receive any monkey. The amount he received was published to the tribe. The letter from Parore was given to Mr. Kemp, but not read in Court. Tiopira signed three receipts. There was a separate document for the £100; that I saw. I was present and heard the deed interpreted by Mr. Clendon to Tiopira.: I did not see the writing; I only listened to the interpretation. The price mentioned was £2,000 for Waipoua, and £2,000 for Maunganui. Mr. Preece was present at the reading of the deed. I heard Tiopira ask Mr. Preece if Parore had assented to the £2,000 as the price. Mr. Kemp was there too. I do not know Mr. Preece's reply, as I was confused; all that took place was there in my letter. On the same day Mr. Preece had said to us (myself and Tiopira) that the price was fixed, and that they would not get a higher price; this was inconsequence of Tiopira saying that he would not sign his name till he got 1s. 6d. per acre. Parore's name was not mentioned at that time. I was not near Parore when he was arranging for the sale. At the time of sale it was not mentioned at all by Parore what price he should receive, whether more or less. Tiopira asked if Parore would not receive a larger payment than himself. Mr. Preece page 129replied that the price would not be increased, that he would not get more. Mr. Nelson asked me to go with Mr. Tole to Sir G: Grey. I went. He questioned me; I did not reply; Mr. Tole spoke. Sir G. Grey asked me what I had to say. Mr. Tole took up the reply. He did not ask me if the account was true. Sir G. Grey said to us Maoris: "My sons, I will ask for your money from Government quietly." Mr. Nelson and Mr. Tole told me that Mr. Tole would be the lawyer to speak to Sir G. Grey. I knew what I went for, as I had been told. I understood Mr. Tole was going to speak about this. Had I wanted to take up this matter I should have gone to my own lawyer, Mr. McCormick. Had the £250 or £500 asked for been received; I should have got some, as I have an interest in the land.