the Court what reserves the Government intended to make for the Ngatitaharua out of the block. The Court replied that by the Deed it was clear that the grantees were entitled to certain reserves, and that when it was known what area of land had been sold out of each of the blocks, the reserves would be fixed. Knowing that many of the grantees had kept away until the first case was settled, I asked the Court to adjourn till Thursday the 8th June.
Several Natives owning shares in the land reside near Coromandel, others on the Piako. These people had sent word that they did not intend to come to the Court. As their absence might hereafter be the cause of trouble, I requested Mr Wilkinson to charter one of the river steamers and visit Cabbage Bay and, if possible, bring to Paeroa all Natives claiming an interest in the Gold Fields block. A Native was also sent to the settlement on the Piako river with letters requesting those who had claims in the land unsatisfied to attend the Court, that otherwise a portion of their interest in the land would be cut out for them, and any claim they might have in the reserves from the sale of their land would be disallowed. Both of these missions were successful, the Natives attended the Court and left satisfied.
June 7th. Several Natives, who up to this had kept away, now came to have their claims looked into. During the day 17 accounts were examined. Most of the cases were underpaid owners who had received small sums of money on signing the Deed before the land had been through the Court.
June 8th. On the Court reopening, block No 2 was called on. In this block several of the principal natives residing at Paeroa were owners. Karaitiana Kihau, one of the grantees, produced a document in Mr Mackay's handwriting in which his people, Ngatikaraua were promised a reserve of 1,000 acres. Wi Koka Unahi also produced a similar document in Mr Mackay's handwriting promising his people Ngatitangata a reserve of 1,000 acres. The Court made a note of these promises, and stated that the question of reserves would be enquired into after it had been ascertained what land in each block had been sold. On calling the name of the first grantee, the old chief Tupelo. Whakamau ... came forward. I produced a receipt for £511 (Treasury Voucher No 50486, 1875–76) and on behalf of the Crown claimed his interest in the Gold Fields block. This was disputed, Tupeka stating that he had not received any money (meaning, I think, on the sale of his land). He admitted having incurred debts to Mr Mitchell, which he said he supposed had been paid. This case occupied considerable time. In the end the Court was satisfied that Tupeka had sold the whole of his interest in the land, and awarded his acreage to the Crown.
June 9th. The Court continued the hearing of No 2, block, and after tasking evidence on each of the 49 grantees' interests, adjourned the case till a future day. At this stage I requested the Court to grant an adjournment till Monday the 12th June.
June l0th. Those Natives who had been loud in protesting that the Court would not sit, now began to ask that their accounts and share in the land might be made clear to them. This necessitated yesterday's adjournment.
June 12th. The Court today called on the hearing of No 3block, and after taking evidence on each of the 80 grantees' interests, adjourned the same.
June 13th. The Court called on No 4 block, and after hearing evidence on each of the 90 grantees' interests adjourned the case.
June 14th. The Court proceeded with No 5 block, and took evidence on each of the 39grantees' interests, and adjourned till Friday the 16th June.
June 15th. A noticeable incident which occurred today indicated the breaking up of the old Maori feeling, which a few years ago caused difficulty to the Government when it was first proposed to open the Ohinemuri Gold Field. The old Native woman Mere Kuru came to me with a boy about ten years of age. She wished to know what lands she owned in the Gold Fields block. On being informed she said "this boy is going to school, and he must have some money to go with, do you pay me money on one of my pieces of land". I asked her to see me later in the day. She then stated that she had given to Te Hiri her land to take care of and that, if he would
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