More Info →11th April 1868 - part 3

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Continued from part 2 page 603

Page 604

I suppose because Rangitane are now occupying between that 'rohe' and oroua.

Heard Kereopa's evidence about Te Awahou sold by me. I remember the sale of North Rangitikei. I was one of the Chiefs of that 'Korero'. I did not hear what passed at Otaki but when Ngati Raukawa came to Te Awahou (Manawatu) Raupraha said "let Ngati Raukawa return to Otaki from that place lest they should be fired on by Ngati Apa at Rangitikei". The Chiefs assented.

We the younger men said "no let us go on" It was then agreed to to go to Rangitikei. We went and reached Awahou (Rangitikei). We spoke to Mr McLean "You and Ngati Apa must go to the other side of Rangitikei. We will not let you have this side." We were 2 1/2 days talking and at last Mr. McLean assented.

Ngati Apa wished to sell the land so as to have the 'pakehas' between them and Ngati Raukawa and wanted to sell the block between Rangitikei and Manawatu. Mr. McLean finally assented to go the other side of Rangitikei.

Hori Kingi Te Anua said "E ngati Apa! e pai ana koe kia haere atu ki tera taha hoko ai?" Ngati Apa said, "Ae." Hori repeated question and Ngati Apa again said "ae". He then turned to us and said "Ngati Raukawa! e pupuri ana koe mo korua tahi ko Ngati Apa, ne?" "ae". end time "ae". I heard no Ngati Raukawa voice dissent. I heard only Hunia say "It is false".

After the sale of North Rangitikei Ngati Apa crossed to Pakapakatea and felled a bush, they did so on the strength of the "ae". I heard no voice dissent. It was by the consent of Ngati Raukawa that Ngati Apa were able to sell the other side. I did not join in the "ae" but I gave a silent assent - don't know whether the (3 hapus) were there but Ngati Raukawa were there.

I was quite clear when I sold Te Awahou that Ngati Apa had no claim. I had a reason for urging the sale of Te Awahou. North Rangitikei was sold by assent of Ngati Raukawa. Then Te Hirawanu proposed to sell all the land between Manawatu and Port Nicholson.

We then sought to arrange in the similar manner as Rangitikei to satisfy desire to sell - Ngati Raukawa at Otaki and came up to me at Te Awahou also to look for a Chief as they were displeased with Chiefs Matene, Tamihana, Hukiki and Te Matia.

When Ngati Raukawa came to me at Moutoa they said "you must give up the idea of selling land at Manawatu - we have come here to look for a Chief. We wished Nepia as a Chief", I then offered to be a Cief for them. I then said "I will be your Chief if you will obey me and serve if you won't obey" There was a dispute between Ngati Raukawa about land at Otaki - almost coming to blows - Nepia came down to pacify.

There were 5 acres out of the land in dispute Nepia asked for time to be given to him to end the dispute. Ngati Raukawa refused. I was annoyed and threatened to sell Manawatu. I then said I would take out my plank then as I had threatened to sell up to Rangitikei - the Whitirea Paepae boundary was fixed by Nepia - it was after taken to Omarupapako. I assented to Nepia's word when he extended his arms. I said it is right but I will seek out a path for myself to get beyound.

When I saw Nepia taking Rangitane and Ngati Apa in I ran in and said "I thought that the land was for Nepia and Ngati Raukawa only in that case I should have gone to see them only ('tikanga kore') but when I found that Ngati Apa and Rangitane were admitted I went in for a share also, Ngati Apa and Rangitane were admitted by their being allowed to be parties to leases. When I found out what was going on I crossed the line and asserted my right to be a party to leases and my name was put to the leases.

After this, Nepia put in a 'pou' at Te Pou a tatua near Te Rakehou and Ngati Apa went and pulled it up and threw it away. After this Ngati Apa crossed to Kakariki with seed potatoes. Nepia ordered them to be burnt and they were burnt. Ngati Apa were sore about this and built a house called 'Whare Kuia' at parewanui - this was to be for a house in which to 'whakawa' Karaitiana and Rio were to be the judges.

The Ngati Raukawa of Manawatu Rangitikei and Oroua (not Otaki) went there. Karaitiana and Rio decided that Ngati Raukawa must go back to Maungatautari and leave the land of Ngati Apa. I and Henare said, "We are not willing", the Judges said "you must go". We then proposed to apportion the land and Ngati Apa would not agree, only Rangitane assented.

Puketotara meeting - Rangitane quarrel about the rent being kept by Ngati Apa. Ngati Raukawa objected to fight but Te Peeti and Hoani Meihana pressed it. Ngati Whakatere, Ngati Kauhata, Ngati Te Ihi ihi, went armed with Rangitane to Opopoho. I joined them in a week lest the 'mana' of the fight at Rangitikie sould be with Rangitane - it was a 'oha' of my 'matua' - "kia kiia ai kua maranga i a Ihakara te pakanga" - very hot - colled down - After things were 'ngawari', Ngati Raukawa said to me, "Ko koe, e Ihakara, he rangatira mo te whenua."

I then proposed to apportion the land among the tribes and give Ngati Apa also a share and Rangitane - 'this is my proposal to you the "Chiefs of the land" the Chiefs refused to carry out my suggestion. I had another meeting and proposed the same and that I and my tribe sould have a share. I had 3 'Komitis' about it. Ngati Raukawa said I could have the beach where the surf breaks and I was very dark and then in the bitterness of my heart I offered the land to the 'Pakeha's'. If my proposal had been agreed to about apportioning the land I should have 'noko ti Kanga Kore'.

After the dispute I wrote to Ngati Raukawa and I said in my letter "he oti", - 'ho atu [indicipherable] e au te patu pounamu mo to maua nei maunga-rongo' - "Ko te whenua, Ka ore, Kei a Koutou ano

End of part 3 page 608.

Identification

Date

1868