More Info →21st Nov 1872

Thursday November 21st 1872

Present:

His Honour Judge Rogan Presiding
His Honour Judge Smith
Assessor: Hemi Tautau
Clerk to the Court: M Grey
Native Interpreter: T Young

Court opened at 10 a.m.

Major Kemp: Kawana Hunia, Peeti and I returned home. Peeti was very much annoyed also Kerei and I told them to go home and fetch Hiraranu and his people and to go across Te Roanga and fetch Ngati Kahungunu and fetch Muaupoko also and bring them to into Rangitikei and that we should have out dispute out on the land.

Both sides were great people and they agreed to our proposal to get the assistance of Ngati Raukawa. It was Hoani Peeti and Grey who went away from our proposal. These people went and built a pah at Tawhirihui. The Ngati Raukawa also built a pah at Opokopoko seaward from Makowai. Ngati Apa built two pahs at Awahou and one at Mataimoana. Kawana Hunia took no part in what they were doing. He went away to Otaki and then returned to Parewanui,

Rangitikei and found both parties in arms, Rangitane and Ngati Raukawa. After Kawana came up (undecipherable) and went to Ngati Apa pah at Rangitikei. Neither party could be induced to withdraw and he went away back to Otaki.

After this Hoani Wiremu came down with the intention of fighting. I did not agree to it and his tribe came down amongst the Ngati Apa. We got a letter from Hunia who was at Parewanui asking us to come down and 10 of us came down and we had a talk with him and his elder relatives and arranged to put a stop to the dispute.

In the morning we crossed the river and went to Ngati Raukawa pah. Miriharae was there and after we said all we had to say in the pah that old man got up and spoke and then sang a song to us.

After that was over we went to Ngati Apa pah where Mohi Mohi was and that old man told us on no account to go to Ngati Raukawa pah and if he happened to see one of the Ngati Raukawa he would shoot him.

When he had done other old chiefs stood up and spoke to the same effect. We said then this dispute must be put a stop to and we ill go to see Rangitane and Ngati Raukawa tomorrow.

Ngati Apa believed the dispute was Kawana’s fault. We slept there and started in the morning and went to their pah at Tawhirihui. Kawana Hunia was with us.

When we arrived we spoke angrily to Peeti and Hoani Meihana because they had not carried out the arrangement in getting the assistance of our own tribes in the dispute with Ngati Apa. When we had said all we had we went away to Whanganui.

We sent a letter to Dr Featherston asking him to come up and the old chiefs arranged that when he came up they would lay their guns down before him. He came up and sent a letter to us at Whanganui. I then came down alone.

On arriving at Ngati Apa pah the question of laying down the guns was discussed and agreed to. We waited for his arrival at Awahou. He arrived accompanied by Parakaia, Matini Te Whiwhi and other Ngati Raukawa chiefs. Hunia and his party went and laid down their guns and their fighting flag also.

After that was settled Dr Featherston went to Scotts. In the morning I went to see him. It was arranged by Ngati Apa that I alone should go to the Ngati Raukawa pah.

We went with Dr Featherston to the pah at Tawhirihui and Ihakara got up and spoke to Dr Featherston to the same effect as the statement which he has already made in this Court. He spoke in disparaging terms. Spoke about shooting Nohaia and scattering her brains like dust. When he had done Hoani Meihana rose. He said nothing very particular.

I rose when Hoani had finished and replied to Ihakara. I asked him if he never been a Taurikareka. Were you never included in any beating by other people. I said there is no one who has escaped being a Taurikareka. I slaughtered 100 of you at Makokoti and spared 100. You are not untouched. You have been beaten. I pointed to some who had been beaten and said they have some of my shares.

I returned to Scotts with Dr Featherston and from there to Whanganui. After this Dr Featherston went up to Parewanui. He spoke to Ngati Apa but they took no heed and he returned to Wellington. The dispute still went on.

We, the Whanganui people then considered what should be done about the land. We decided that it should be sold to try if that would put a stop to the dispute of Ngati Raukawa. We proposed to send Mete Kingi and also arranged that he was to talk to Mohi, the old chief, so that he should settle with the old chiefs to agree to our proposal.

Kawana Hunia was not in favour of selling the land. He wanted to keep up the dispute about the land. When we had settled what we had proposed we sent for Dr Featherston to come up and he told us what day he would come. Mete came there Rangitikei and spoke to Mohi and the old chiefs. When he had arranged with the old chiefs he spoke to Hunia. He only said a little to Kawana Hunia as he had spoken to him at Parewanui. Hunia agreed to the sale.

The land was then handed over to Dr Featherston and he then went away to Wellington. The disputes still went on about Rangitikei up to the time he came up to pay the money. The money was divided in equal portions. The whole amount was ₤25,000 Ngati Apa got ₤10, 000. ₤10,000 to Ngati Raukawa and ₤5,000 to Rangitane. Hunia was not quite pleased at this division and wanted to have the money returned. Hori Kingi put him down.

Then Kawana asked for 500 acres at Tawhirihui and the Whanganui people supported him in that. Dr Featherston agreed to this reserve. Kawana then agreed that the money should be paid.

After the money was spent there was disputes. It was brought before the Court at Otaki, Rangitikei, after that at Wellington. The case was gone into where a decision was given by the Court in favour of certain tribes and through our generosity they were allowed to occupy with us. The tribes were Ngati Kahuma, Ngati Kahoro and Ngati Parewhawha. This was on account of Hunia and Hamuera’s friendship this was done. Some people were not in the decision as they invented claims and failed.

I will speak now of Horowhenua. About Ngati Korua, Muaupoko have been disputing about that boundary. One lot were attempting to put in their pegs the others to drive them off. The dispute was a very serious aspect. The Muaupoko sent me a letter saying they would soon be killed. I was an officer in the Queen’s Service. I went across to the town of Whanganui and I spoke there to Manihera Rangitekaiwaho. I told him to go away. Don’t go to Otaki to hold any enquiry there because I am going to take down my Militia to the number of 100 to fight against Ngati Raukawa because they are oppressing a small tribe. The report of what I said spread to Wellington. I got a letter from Mr Richmond stating Govt. would look into the matter carefully as regarded both sides.

The letter had a paragraph saying “will you not give up your in…… and abandon your (blank)” I wrote back and said I would not turn a deaf ear to it. I then left the matter in the hands of the Government. The dispute was at an end as far as that side of the Block was concerned.

Mr Richmond came up himself upon the land. I did not see him. The disputes went on every year.

The Muaupoko and Whatanui son Tutaki leased some land on the southern side of the Block Whatanui drew all the rent and put Muaupoko off. They drove or tried to drive off Whatanui. Some of the Muaupoko joined with Whatanui and signed their names, driving all this time. Hunia used to visit Muaupoko and urge them to drive the others off. Hector McDonald’s cows were shot by Muaupoko and after some years Hunia and I said drive the sheep off.

After this Muaupoko went with their European friend H McDonald to Whanganui. Hunia went up with them. They asked Kawana Hunia and myself to allow them to lease the land. I objected and said there would be great trouble about it. If the stock belonged to Ngati Raukawa let them be driven off. They complained that they were poor and cold. Then Kawana and I consented. We said as Kawana and I had agreed let the sheep be kept upon your own land only. The rent given by that European was ₤105. The lease is still going on. I wrote to Karanama informing him about the lease and he wrote one to me when Kawana and I came down last year. My letter to Karanama was to the effect that I would kill him if he interfered with the sheep as I had passed my word. He answered very well.

We agreed to go to Wellington about the Parliament and write a letter to Karanama. On reaching Horowhenua we found that Watene had gone to Kouturoa. Watene is partly Ngati Raukawa and Partly Ngati Kahungunu. Kawana was angry. We sent two young men to take our letters to Karanama. In the morning we sent a letter to Watene. He did not come. Pehira and I tried to soften him but he would not listen (also Aperahama).

When the house was built a small place built by Watene and one nearby. The clothing was brought outside. Watene’s wife rushed in so that she might be burnt. Paki tried to drive her back. She struck her head against the house. They then came back Hunia and his party with their guns for they were armed when he came back. He did not say a word. I said it is a fault. Let us make it much greater. I have already told you not to cause trouble. (The houses were burnt at Kouturoa while I was at the pah on the other side of the lake). Now we must build a pah lest our offences be put on Muaupoko. He did not say a word in reply. We built our pah.

Pipiriki was the name of it. I said to Aperahama, Tahanuirangi and the others to go home and not to come back. I gave him a message to the Whanganui and Ngati Apa not to interfere in any way. Te Whakaheke of Ngati Raukawa arrived and we continued building our pah.

I then looked to Hunia expected him to speak to Karanama. I said to Karanama you have suffered punishment today. When I had finished he replied to me then he went away.

After Parakaia and Ihakara arrived and I informed him that the fault had been committed and I said the dispute had been from a very old date and had continued to the present date. Ihakara stood up and said he had heard of the wrong and therefore had come up and said I thought the evil was to be confined to myself and Mohi at Rangitikei, but you and Ngati Raukawa have interfered with my quarrel with Mohi and complicated matters. I said that he and I were to be the only chiefs and now will interfere with what you and Ngati Raukawa are doing. I will not let it go on.


Court rose for ¼ of an hour.

Major Kemp: Ihakara continued to stop there to interfere with what we were doing. When he had finished I said it is well you have come. I said I should have been better pleased had you come with the consent or request of the whole of the people at Otaki. If that had been the case I should not have stopped here. I should have returned. The proper way for any one to come to put down this evil would be by way of Hokio (outlet of Horowhenua Lake). As it is you come from your place at Manawatu. I won’t put the fault of this disturbance on you. It is between ourselves. Your peace making is for yourself and Parakaia. As it is now we have not more to say to you as we have committed a crime. If people men or preachers come here let them come. They will not be interfered with. As to our pah we will allow no one in it neither European or Native chief. If Mr McLean himself should come we will abandon our desire and then only. That was all we said.

Ihakara returned to Manawatu and Parakaia to Otaki. After this Alex McDonald came to fetch Hunia to Wellington about the boundary between Maitapu and Moutua inland boundary of the Rangitikei Manawatu Block. We received letters frequently from Mr McLean which came to me with reference to the wrong in burning the houses and assaulting the women. I replied it was quite true and also the wrong done on our land.

He then sent us a letter asking us to go to Wellington. He also wrote to us about the guns belonging to the Government. He required that they be given up. I wrote and asked why and said it was not through my fault that the disturbances had taken place and he would not be able to see any ground of evil that I had done and that the only man that is at the root of the troubles in this island is Matene Te Whiwhi and all the tribes want in for that. As for the guns you refer to there are guns at Horowhenua which belong to Government. They were used at Te Ngatu o te Manu and Otukui. You heard of the death of Hanita Kowhai of Muaupoko. They have guns. They are not guns which I brought from Whanganui. This is all I said. We did not correspond any more.

My friend Hunia went to and returned from Wellington and told me what Mr McLean had said to him. We then went to Rangitikei and Whanganui and then we went to Wellington.

I had a long interview with Mr McLean. One day he recommended me to look for an arbitrator to settle the dispute at Horowhenua. The Ngati Raukawa had chosen theirs from Ngapuhi. I asked why they had chosen an arbitrator from them. They went to Ngapuhi because they were a disinterested tribe. I expect the reason why Ngati Raukawa chose from Ngapuhi was because the Ngapuhi had come down in former years and eaten us and were friends of Raukawa.

Mr McLean asked where disinterested persons could be got. I said I did not know because no part of this island has there been no fighting or any tribes who have not fought against me. While Mr McLean was speaking I was internally agreeing but did not speak out on account of food being a farce at Horowhenua.

The arbitration was to be in November or December. Wirihana, Hunia and myself dined with Mr McLean. After dinner Mr Fox made his appearance.

Governor Bowen spoke to us. He said he had been looking for some way to soften down this dispute and put a stop to our intentions. If you like (he said) two natives could be appointed on each side to enquire into the case. I said I would not agree to this. I told him it would not be right as all information about conquests was given at Rangitikei. What relates to this case is that which relates to our ancestors. He then said that failing that he would send a lawyer and we could make the statements to him. After that we went home to the Native Hostelry.

In the morning we went to Government Buildings and the lawyer asked me some questions.

I spoke to him at great length and repeated the evil given at the former investigation. He said you have done let Hunia speak. Hunia was then called upon. He said if I make a statement here what will be the result. He said when you have given me your statement I will go to Ngati Raukawa. He said he would not speak.

The lawyer then went to Mr McLean and told him. He said very well we’ll stop it. We then went away and went to Whanganui in the steamer. On the occasion of the opening of the bridge there was a large meeting of natives who formed themselves up to meet the Governor.

Some Whanganui chiefs proposed this dispute by the mouth of the gun so that Raukawa might get the land if they were able. After this the Governor left Whanganui.

There is another dispute about Horowhenua which I forgot to state. During the disputes of many years with respect to the boundaries of this land the Raukawa came and made a clearing of land at Mawhanui. Heta came down from Whanganui to Horowhenua. He went from there to Otaki. When Karanama saw him he invited him to go to his place. But he refused to go because he was going for medicine. He said I have a word to say and that is I am going to plant at Mawhanui. Heta then said to him Your friends will notice that you have gone there. Karanama said I do not wish blood should be shed at Mawhanui. If Ngati Raukawa commence to work there and you interfere blood will be shed. That was all that was said and Heta went on and afterwards came back and then went to Whanganui where he reported to me his conversation with Karanama.

After that I went to Wellington with Mr McLean. Te Watene, Karanama, Matene Te Whiwhi came also. Mr McLean asked me to go to his house. He told me he had received a letter from Watene and wanted me to stay at the Hostelry.

He came to the Hostelry and Watene stood up and addressed him and said I came to see you about the money that Pomare got on account of the rent at Horowhenua. That money was for Muaupoko. He wanted to get some money from Govt. to pay Muaupoko for what Pomare had taken because the investigation is of a late date but the lease has been in existence a long time. If the lease had been made since the investigation the money would not be received by Muaupoko. Mr McLean said he had nothing to do with it. They had better talk to Kemp. Watene said he (Kemp) was listening to what was said and could hear. Watene said the Govt. supported the decision given at the investigation. Mr McLean retired.

This was a Maori investigation held in a house called Kupe at Horowhenua while I was away fighting. I told Watene the Govt. had nothing to do with that investigation. He said he thought they supported such investigations. I told him that the Govt. could assist if both parties had agreed and had it surveyed. It could then be brought before the Court and when the Court has adjudicated on it you know which is yours and they will uphold that. Karanama called to Watene and said you better stop because you are wrong. Then Karanama went on to say that this investigation was not asked for by Ngati Raukawa. Those who have done wrong are Ngati Raukawa and Muaupoko.

This investigation was entered into by Ngati Toa, Ngati Awa and Tamatea. Karanama ceased speaking. I asked him if he stated that blood would be spilt at Mawhanui and he said who told you. Heta told him and he said it is true. I then said to him that I would carry it out because you referred to me and it is my blood to be spilt. He said it is true and that I was saying what would happen.

I then went to Whanganui. I then wrote to Muaupoko telling them to root out all the potatoes and set fire to the fence and they did all I told them and burnt every thing. This news reached Wellington.

Mitai sent up a letter in which he said we have heard of the eel weirs being broken the fences burnt and the potatoes being rooted up and we have heard that it was you yourself who directed the Muaupoko to do all this. I replied to it:
To Mitai - I have seen your letter in which you state that it was I who broke the eel weirs and tore up the potatoes. It is true. Because you know there are disputes about this land and you have continually altered your disputed boundaries to Otaki and Waikanae. I shall not stretch out my hand but shall speak about my own land. Cease writing to me.

Mitai did not reply to this. After this a letter came from Tamatea about this dispute. I will say a few words about Ngati Kahungunu.

In regard to the dispute in which we have fought against Ngati Awa and Ngati Toa while the tribes were initiating a system of murder. There were two pahs in which Ngati Kahungunu were murdered, Kaingatahi and Mawhitiwhiti. Paengahuru went to Wairarapa. He went there intending to murder Ngati Kahungunu. Some people heard of his intention and they went to fetch Ngati Kahungunu. When this was revealed to them they came to Wharepapa Wairarapa. They Paengahuru and killed him. This was a murderer. The disputes between those tribes increased. They had no guns.

Ngati Kahungunu went to Ngakutaurua where they got guns and returned. They attacked Ngati Awa and captured Wharepouri’s daughter and took her away a prisoner. They made another attack at Porirua and killed 20. Taumaha was the name of one killed, Te Mataha Ngati Awa also Parataua Ngakoke and others. This woman, Wharepouri’s daughter, was taken to Ngakutaurua. Wharepouri also went up and he brought them back to Wairarapa after making peace. Another of theirs at Taupo. They found Ngati Raukawa at Omakukara Korohiko was the man who had raised the force. Ngati Kahungunu went there and took the pah. Some of the people were killed and some spared. I wish to correct the evidence I have given vizt to substitute Whanau for Hinakaka. Those of my people who were killed were Te Amorangitoto and others. My uncle was knocked on the head 8 times but he was not killed. Another name I have given wrong vizt Whiti o Tu. It ought to be Pukenoa. This is all I have to say.

Court adjourned at 3 pm.