Saturday 28th March 1874
Place – the same Present – the same
Karanama Kapukaiotu – continued
I will not hide that Hairuha gave the land to Matene.
Rakapa’s house and eel pa – and which she still holds. Rereamanuku is Matene’s from time immemorial. Whakapawaewae is Tamehana’s.
Otaki pa is divided – part Matene and Huia towards the Otaki River was a cultivation of Rauparaha’s.
My cultivations – Ngati Huia’s – on the bank of the river have been washed away.
Katihiku is Matene’s, Topiora’s and Rakapa’s. Taranaki and thence inland was Rauparaha’s and Topiora’s. Ngati Huia have never interfered with their occupation lf this land and it is still theirs. It goes inland to Pahiko. The boundary at Makahuri has been constantly in dispute between Ngati Huia and Ngati Pare.
Ngati Huia removed and Matene remained and had authority.
At the sale to Searancke, this line was renewed.
The cultivations at Mangaone and Parakahia were Puoho’s only. Ngati Raukawa looked on – did not interfere.
In 1858, Awahou was sold by Ihakara – same time Matene offered Te Horo. Ngati Raukawa and Ngati Huia had a meeting at Katihiku about this. Tamehana took no part but objected. Matene asked Rawiri Puaha, Ropata Hurumutu – Ngati Toa – to aid in this sale.
My mind was dark.
I sent a letter to Porotawhao to Epiha and others – Taratoa and Humia Tekakeke – these people came. A very large meeting was held. We withheld the land and came to the pakeha – that he would lose his money if he paid it. I was using intimidating language to prevent Searancke buying. I said – don’t buy without the consent of all parties. I may be called a slave but I may advise in. I asked Ngati Toa why they should join in offering this land for sale. Matene and Tamehana then gave up the sale.
Another meeting was called when 1400 people assembled. Matene was the chief. The result of this meeting was that the land was again made fast.
Topiora said to me – the land is now made sure, let it be returned to all Ngati Raukawa.
In the morning, Heremia Te Tihi questioned me and Epiha. What were our thoughts about the land, to return it or withhold it? I said – all the land to Manawatu, I give to the Rangatira’s who want to sell. Ngati Huia did not approve. Matenga Matia replied to me and said – the land is now made fast, I give you the Horo back again.
Moroati then named Makahuri as a boundary. Ngati Huia did not consent.
After that, Ngati Huia cleared the bush and cultivated there.
In 1863, Ngati Huia ceased to cultivate at Makahuri.
During the time of the survey, Tamehana was angry with me because I laid out the original lines and these lines have been in dispute up to this time.
I said to Ngati Huia – I am growing old, let Tamehana survey the land, let the court enquire about it. They did not consent and have surveyed their pieces over the block as have been spoken about. They were deaf to my entreaty because they wished to expel Matene and me and my children. That is why my name does not appear in the subdivision of these lands. Ngati Huia begun at Tarata to Mangaone. Apa, Hautere to Mangaone is mine. Pahiko is Matene’s – Ngati Raukawa have cultivations there.
Xed by Hapi
Have you seen Ngati Whakatere on this land since Treaty of Waitangi? I saw them at the time of Puoho and Tama. I only admit Ngati Pare to two cultivations which they cleared in 1861. Hinenuitepo has been in occupation. Moroati has a clearing there. Ngati Pare are living all over the country – Manawatu and Ohau and other places. Those who were living here are those only whom I admitted.
Have Ngati Huia been possession ever since the migration? Yes.
Do you admit Ngati Tutranga on this block? Only at Karuotewhenua and (Turangarahui – outside).
Xed by Hoani Taipua
Whose is Makahuri? I have not seen you there. I heard of ----.
Have Otaki children burned there? No.
Whose is Whakahokiahiahia? Moroati and others worked there on a very small piece – ¼ acre.
Where did you see Te Uira and others working? At Te Waka. Hema cleared it. Ngati Huia gave it to Kipa and his sisters – its only ¼ acre.
The boundary to Te Horo, was it before Haowhenua? After it.
Was if after or before the clearing of Pahiko? After.
Is Karuotewhenua the only place Ngati Turanga has here? Yes.
How many boundaries are to this land? I cannot answer. I only admit them to the ¼ acre. I say that the boundary by Hape is not in accordance with the old boundary.
Xed by the court
Piri begins at Wataheke – Taranaki Karanama along beach to commencing point. I know Tamehana’s land – Te Horo – his sheep run there. It would be right for Tamehana’s relations only to turn him off after long possession.
Mr. E. Kirk – sworn
I live at the mouth of the river on the south side. I came to Otaki 20 years ago but have not lived there ever since. 18 years permanent possession had nothing to do with the natives.
Topiora and several others are now dead, lived there, Topiora was Rakapa’s mother.
I understood that Topiora and Matene were the chief owners over there.
The natives interfered with us at first. Parakaia and his people were those who annoyed us by cutting down the fence. Matene and Topiora interfered and their people never came back.
Some years afterwards, we had a little more annoyance by the same party.
Ngati Huia never interfered with us.
The 20 acre reserve is a lease. We rented a piece of land for several years at Katihiku from Topiora. We also rented from Rakapa sice Topiora’s death. Topiora offered the whole land from Katihiku to Waitaheke. Some of the inferious people were anxious to dispossess her.
Xed by Hapi
What tribe occupied this land? Rakapa, Matene, Topiora’s.
Do you know Ngati Huia? Topiora told me that a few of them lived there by her permission.
Did you rent land from Manahi? No. Hapi has come to offer to sell some land but Tamehana and his party said that he – Hapi – had no land there.
Did you hear of a dispute between Ngati Huia and Ngati Raukawa? Yes.
Court adjourned until 10 am on Monday.
