Friday March 13th
Court sat at 10 am.
Present – same judges and assessors.
Himatangi – continued
The Archdeacon Octavious Hadfield – Sworn.
I came to this place in 1839. I was here when the chiefs of the district up to Whanganui signed the treaty. I saw all the signatures. Mr. Williams explained the treaty and answered questions till they were satisfied. Ngatitoa at Porirua, Ngatiawa at Waikanae, Ngatiraukawa, Ngatiapa, Rangitane and Muaupoko were here. Up to the time of the treaty of Waitangi, Ngatiraukawa was the only tribe acknowledged to be in possession of this part of the county, from Kukutanaki – 3 miles this side of Waikanae, up to Turakina. Muaupoko were then living at Horowhenua. Rangitane were living in the neighbourhood of Oroua. Ngatiapa were living on the other side of Rangitikei on to Turakina excepting a small fishing settlement at the mouth of the river – ‘kainga o Taratoa’. I always understood that Muaupoko were living in subjection under Whatanui. They were living at Horowhenua under the ‘mana’ of Te Whatanui. To the best of my belief, Muaupoko had no ‘mana’ over the land at that time. I have been in the habit of travelling over the land, alleged to be purchased by the government, between Manawatu and Rangitikei. Muaupoko were not living on that land in 1840. I am not so clear about Rangitane but I went in February 1840. I heard from Te Puke that they were living under the ‘mana’ of Te Whetu – a Ngatikauwhata chief. I believe that at that time Rangitane had no authority over the block allege to have been purchased by the government. There were no Ngatiapa living on the block alleged to have been purchased except at the place called Tawhirihoe to which I have referred. No Ngatiapa settlements excepting their fishing settlements. I cannot say whether any of Ngatiapa was at Otaki at that time. Slaves of Ngatiapa came up with Rauparaha and Rangihaeata (Ngatitoa) to Pakakutu. Not resident. I can’t say after 28 years, whether Ngatiraukawa had any Ngatiapa slaves at that time. I remember slaves of Ngatitoa but not of Ngatiraukawa. Ngatiapa were at Parewanui on to Whangaehu. Ngatiapa certainly had no ‘mana’ whatsoever over the land alleged to have been sold to the government. I do not know whether any Ngatiraukawa lived between Rangitikei and Turakina. When I came here, it was a time of war with Ngatiawa and those who had been recently living there. I came to Otaki in account of the war. Ngatiraukawa openly claimed the whole country between Rangitikei and Turakina. Ngatiapa were living in a state of subjection.
Taratoa was living on this side of Rangitikei, taking charge of them. I never heard that Ngatitoa claimed the land alleged to be sold to the government. Ngatiawa made no claim to that land. I never heard of claim of Whanganui tribes. I was often in communication with Te Anaua and Mawae.
The subject was often talked of in consequence of the purchase of the N.Z.Coy. I know nothing of Ngati Kahangungu except from hearsay. I never heard of any claim of Kahungungu to the purchased block. I knew Ngati Te Upoko iri branch of Ngati Kahungungu were living on the left bank of Manawatu, not on the purchased block. I never knew them to put forward any. Ngati Kahungungu of Ahuriri, Karaitiana’s people, never heard of their pretending to have claims to purchased block. I am quite certain that in 1840, Ngatiraukawa was the only tribe who put forward any claim to the purchased block. I know the land claimed by Parakaia. The sketch was there in 1840. I know the north boundary of Te Awahou’s block – Parakaia’s claim adjoins the Awahou block. In 1840, the people living on that land were Ngatiraukawa. I am not aware that any other hapu was living there. Parakaia belongs to the ‘hapu’ which I know as Ngatiraukawa. Te Raotea was their chief in 1840 and he is now alive. I saw him sign his name to the Waitangi treaty. I believe he is too infirm with age to come to the court. 2 children of his, I know, there maybe others. I saw Mr. Spain here in believe he was sent here to investigate N. Z Company’s claims. NZ Coys claims were for large block of land from Taranaki and south including. Mr. Spain investigated a claim extending to both sides of the Manawatu river and awarded 100 acres at Horowhenua.
Tesed by Mr. Fox.
I had been in N.Z. twelve months when I came here. I think I had a sufficient knowledge of Maori language to speak in 1868 of impressions confirmed by 28 years experience. I investigated question to assist Mr. Spain and Colonel Wakefield. I have frequently heard since the purchase of Te Awahou, that Parakaia’s land abuts on north boundary of Te Awahou block. I was told so by Parakaia’s people. I have often ridden past and seen the boundary of Awahou block with Te Raotea’s son. I saw Parakaia’s people living near the river. I cannot speak to boundaries of Parakaia’s land. Before I went to England, the Bishop of New Zealand asked me to see of I could get land to provide for native ministers. I went to England, communicated with Church Missionary Society, promised, if I could get land for £1000. I saw Taratoa, meetings, letter, assent, went again to Nepia and others. They marked out 5 or 600 acres. Browne and Mr. McLean called on me. Letters sent to government. Attorney General and answer was no acts under which have the power. Bishop of Wellington – burial places, scheme dropped. Then 5 or 6 years ago I went to Nepia. Dying of injunction of Taratoa. No other steps taken. Bloack referred to was in block alleged to be purchased by the government. I never communicated with any but Ngatiraukawa. Taratoa went to fetch some 8 or 9 of Ngatiapa to talk over the affair and they heard the affair gone into and only said “E pai ana”. Never had any meeting with Turakina natives about this matter.
Re td by Mr. Williams.
When I came to New Zealand, I went to Paihia and Waimate assisting Bishop of Waiapu and learning Maori. I used to attend Maori school of a morning read scriptures. Should not have given money to Ngatiapa, Rangitane, Muaupoko.
By court.
Ngatiapa had no cultivation within half a mile of the fishing station. Only some tumbled down houses.
2 years after had disappeared. Hakake, a Ngatiapa chief told me that he had in former times a large extent of country but all that now had was that village. I think this place was occupied exclusively by Ngatiapa. Nepia lived up higher at Rangitikei at Poutu – 2 or 3 miles along Te Awahou boundary. The path goes parallel with that boundary and the land on the north pointed out to me as Parakaia’s land. It would be a block of land extending 2 or 3 miles back from the river and up north nearly as far as Puketotara, as to the extent. My knowledge is since 1858.
By Mr. Fox.
Parties of Ngatiapa were often sent out by Ngatiraukawa – pig hunting and possibly had places to shelter in but no cultivations.
Court adjourned at 1 pm for 1 hour.
Court resumed sitting at 2 pm.
Walter L Buller – Sworn.
The Whanganui chiefs names are attached to the deed of cession. Chiefs and people signed, as far as Ngarauru on the other side of Whanganui. I can’t say how far Ngarauur boundary is north of Whanganui. I do not know where the boundary is. They signed in Whanaganui. They alleged claim in the Rangitikei Manawatu block. That is why they signed the deed. The money was given to chiefs appointed to receive it at meeting at Parewanui. £25,000 was paid at Parewanui. The consideration money named in the deed. Did not give any money to natives at Whanganui. A portion of the £25,000 was handed back to us for the dissentients. Sums were lent by commissioner but no money paid before Parewanui. I saw the payment at Parewanui. Counted it all. £25,000 in gold and notes. It was all paid at Parewanui. Payment was witnessed by several European settlers who saw the counting and payment. The loans were returned at various periods. Some the day after. I don’t know when Ihakara’s loan was repaid. Many were repaid before we left Parewanui.
Some Ngati Kahungungu names are to the deed – mostly Te Upoko iri. I don’t know whether Ihaia Whakamairu was one. Karaitiana received £100 on signing the deed. This was not part of the £25,000. Some Hawkes Bay. I allowed any one belonging to the tribes named in the deed to sign deed if they alleged a claim. I believe Ngarauru is named in the deed.
Tesed by Mr. Fox.
Individuals of Ngarauru, I believe the Ngatiraukawa know that the deed had been signed by Ngarauru. Signatures of persons not owning would not invalidate, if owners were satisfied. Most of loans repaid. The others are to be. Nothing irregular in making these loans.
Tesed by Mr. Williams.
Wi Tako signed at Waikanae. I believe to the best of my recollection, Wi Tako said he had a claim. He was asked for money. I told natives that Dr. Featherstone wished to have names of all persons interested. My object was to obtain claims. There were but a few of Ngarauru who signed. Have no recollection of conversation with Wi Parata about sale. Have no recollection, saw other natives, some of Wi Tako’s signed and some did not – saying that they had no claims. I took the signing of the deed as as an assertion of claim. I had read the deed over before they signed. Some said they had no claim and some came forward and signed. I will not swear that no one who signed the deed told me that he had no title.
Tesed by Mr. Fox.
It has been the practice to get signatures of as many claimants as possible. The chiefs who received money at Parewanui would take care that the right persons got it. I have obtained the signature of 5 extra tribes and a large proportion of Ngatiraukawa resident claimants. I have had complaints from Ngatiraukawa of my having allowed other tribes to sign. They said they only should sign. The Ngatiraukawa who were present at Parewanui assented to division of money made at the meeting. Made by the tribes not by the commissioner. I never heard of so large a sum as £25,000 paid for land. £12,000 for Te Ahuwaturanga.
By Mr. Williams.
By court.
About 1300 or 1400 of the signatures were obtained before the Parewanui meeting when the deed was signed by the commissioner. Some 20 or 30 signatures were obtained there. The rest subsequently, I don’t know if the signatures were read. Impression is, they were not. It was not my practice to investigate claims but to get it. It was my practice to ask for signatures not to wait for persons to allege claims.
Mr. Fox.
Tribes were engaged in disputes about land arising from leases to European. I regarded the land as disputed. Commencement was, to settle disputes, not to buy the land. He was told, and I believe it was, at that time, impossible to have settled the disputes by an investigation lf title. It was considered that the only course was to get clear of all.
By Mr. Williams.
The names of children were in some cases put to the deed. Ngatiraukawa did at one time agree to investigation, not aware that they ever objected, but they offered the land. Both tribes and Rangitane threatened to assert their claims by force. Ngatiapa are now on north side of Rangitikei but at the time I refer to were at Te Awahou ‘pa’ on south side of Rangitikei river near the mouth near Tawhirihoe. Ngatiapa were on north side before the dispute and came to Te Awahou – an old ‘pa’ repaired for the purpose of asserting their claims defying Ngatiraukawa. Ngatiraukawa were principally on south side. Same at Te Reu reu northward up Rangitikei river. Rangitane were at Manawatu and went to Rangitikei as allies of Ngatiraukawa. I believe that Rangitane agreed to investigation. Ngatiapa agreed at one time and afterwards retracted. I don’t know which tribes began to believe the rents were the cause. The Ngatiapa crossed the river to assert their claim.
Mr. Fox – stated that he should put in certain documents – (altercation between Mr. Williams and Mr. Buller).
We Parata – Sworn.
I live at Waikanae. Of Ngatiawa and Ngatitoa – half caste. I signed the Manawatu deed, signed at Waikanae. Wi Tako, Heremia Tamati and others. Mr. Buller and Mr. Knight came one evening, I was sent for, I was in bed, all of us. It was 8 o’clock. Mr. Buller went to Wi Tako’s house and asked him and others. When I got there, Wi Tako said let us see the deed. Mr. Buller read deed. I asked if Ngatitoa had signed. Showed me Ngatitoa signatures. I said to Mr. Buller, it will not be right for us to sign that deed. That land belongs to Ngatiapa and Ngatiraukawa. It is not ours. Wi Tako said Ngatiawa has no claim to that land and no reason why we should sign. Mr. Buller replied “No but sign”. We said “No, but give us £1000 and we will sign”. Mr. Buller said “Yes, you go to Parewanui and divide the money between all the hapus”. We then signed. Mr. Buller, having consented to our having £1000 because we understood that happened. We wrote our names, having no claim. The ‘mana’ of the treaty of Waitangi being said, after we had signed. Some children who were in the house signed. Mr. Buller asked for the name of one child 9 years old to be written. Wi Tako, Tamati te Hawa, Heremia, Keta Potete and others – their names were signed, but Heremia, I am not sure of Keta. Mr. Buller urged on them to sign although they objected.
Matine Te Whiwhi – Sworn.
After Ngatiraukawa were established in this part of the country. They and Ngatitoa and Ngatiawa went to fight Whanganui. Battle fought. Putiki Wharanui beat them. After Whanganui, Wairarapa. Ngatiawa worsted by Wairarapa. Ngatiawa and Ngatiraukawa joined against Wairarapa and drove them to Nuku taurua. Wharepouri brought them back. The ‘mana’ of all that district was with Ranihaeata and Rauparaha. They, Ngati Kahungungu had no ‘mana’ until the pakeha came. They, the conquerors, did not take or occupy the land. Preferring the coast on account of the pakeha’s being their.
Tesed by Mr Fox.
I have signed the deed of cession of Rangitikei Manawatu block. Signed it at Otaki. Mr. Buller urged me for 2 hours to sign the deed. I did not agree at Takupu to sell the land. Idid not agree or consent to the sale of the block at that place. I was asked by Dr. Featherstone. I did not reply – (witness gave confused evidence on this point). I don’t know whether my sister Rakapa signed. I heard that she had £500. I have not seen the money. She is Ngatitoa.
By Court – of Ngatiraukawa and of Ngatitoa.
Court adjourned at 5 pm till tomorrow.
