When the Natives heard of this sale by the Crown they protested and as the result of their vigorous agitation the Hawkes Bay Alienation Commission was set up in 1875 to inquire into the merits of the Natives' claims and grievances. The report of the Commission, of which Mr. Justice Richmond was chairman, was unfavourable to the Natives, who continued to complain and to petition for redress. Horomona Rongoparae in 1896, Ihaoa Hutana in 1902 and 1911, and Tanguru Tuhua, Uru Davies and other in 1917, presented petitions to Parliament and eventually induced the Native Affairs Committee to recommend the Government to give the matter favourable consideration." [MS 194, p. 1]