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

[Evidence of Henry Tacy Kemp]

Henry Tacy Kemp: I am Civil Commissioner at Auckland. I have had knowledge for very many years of the nature of the several land claims at Kaipara and the North. I was a Land Purchase Commissioner for more than twenty years. I became aware of the reckless manner in which Mr. Brissenden, assisted by Mr. Nelson, paid money by way of advance to Natives having small or no interest in lands. I accompanied Mr. Preece, as I am District Officer, and had special instructions from Government to attend the sitting of the Lands Court at Kaihu in January last. I am thoroughly cognizant of all Mr. Preece's transactions in payment of money for land at that time; all were sanctioned by me, though I was not the active agent. I was present when Tiopira signed the deeds for Maunganui and Waipoua and received the money therefor. He declined to sign unless he got the £100 for Waimata. Mr. Preece agreed to pay it on behalf of Parore. No inducement to sign these deeds was held out by any promise that Parore should receive no larger payment than himself, by myself or by any person in my hearing.

page 132

I took a prominent part in arranging with Parore, and suggested to Mr. Preece that as Tiopira had received 12,000 acres of reserve in lieu of 6,000, as agreed, that the sum of £500 beyond the amount paid to Tiopira might be paid to Parore, so as to equalize the consideration each received; and it was with some difficulty that we could persuade Parore to agree to this, when it is borne in mind that Waipoua itself was for very many years the favourite residence of Parore, and the difference in the price given to him, as with the value of the reserve, was very much in Tiopira's favour.

H. T. Kemp.

Declared to before me— R. C. Barstow, R.M.