F—No. 3

20

CHARGE PREFERRED BY DR. FEATHERSTON

Mr. C. W. Richmond. Bth Aug., 1861.

would be wise in an enquiry needing so much care : you added that if I pleased, you would write privately to him on the subject, to which I assented. Mr. Parris' reply dated September 21st, and addressed to you, was referred to me,and I find a minute, written upon it in my own hand writing, as follows, dated September 27th :— The word " satisfied" being underlined. "If Mr. Parris is satisfied that Teira and the others who offer to sell, have an indisputable title to the land, an advance should be made to them at once in part payment for it. They should however, be told that the purchase will not be completed until Mr. McLean reaches Taranaki. This should be done by first mail." Soon after this Mr. McLean fell ill. In justice to you I must say that, during the five years it has been my good fortune to have you in my Executive Council, the affairs of Taranaki have come very often under consideration between us, and I have observed, in discussing them, that you have always been more than usually careful and guarded : you have invariably treated them as impartially as if you had been an inhabit tant of the Middle Island, altogether unconnected with New Plymouth. I am, &c, T. Gore Browne. To C. W. Richmond, Esq. Since I received His reply of the 19th July, I have found the following Memorandum in His Excellency's hand writing, which must have been handed to me by Mr. Smith, the Assistant Native Secretary. The Memorandum accords with His Excellency's statement, that the. proposition to instruct Mr. Parris to proceed, originated with himself. Memorandum. " Instructions should be sent to Taranaki to close the purchase of Teira's land, which wa» commenced when I was there, without delay, if possible. There is little chance of Mr, McLean'* reaching Taranaki for some time. T. Gore Browne. The Assistant Native Secretary and Minister for Native Affairs. Mr. Richmond continued. I now hand in Mr. Parris' letters to myself, written between the time of Teira's offer and the. direction given by His Excellency in Council to proceed with the survey of the Block. The letters in the margin handed in by Mr, Richmond [see Appendix.] I lay these letters before the Committee merely as negative evidence. Except in those point* which have been already touched upon in my examination of Mr. Parris, our correspondence contains nothing relating to the Waitara purchase. I should not have thought of corresponding privately with Mr. Parris. upon such a subject, except with the distinct permission of His Excellency the Governor. Accordingly my only mention of the subject is proved to have been made with the cognizance and at the request of the Governor. One letter is missing, viz., that of the 9th September, but I am certain it can be of no importance. I have asked Mr. Parris for a copy, but he tells me he has kept no copy. On receiving the letter marked No. 5 in appendix (21st September, 1859), I immediately forwarded it for His Excellency's information, and he minuted upon it the direction dated 27th Sept., 1859, referred to in His Excellency's letter to myself of the 19th July, 1861. Mr. Smith's letter (E. 3, 1860, page 8) to Mr. Parris of the 27th September, 1859, instructing Mr. Parris to pay an instalment to Teira's party, provided Mr. Parris should " be able to satisfy himself that the parties offering it had an indisputable Title," was written in obedience to the above minute of His Excellency's. Mr. Richmond expressed a wish for time to be allowed him to summon Mr. McLean and Mr" T. H. Smith, to which the Committee agreed, and on the motion of the Hon. Mr. Ward ths Committee adjourned till Friday the 9th instant at 10 a.m.,

No. 1, June Slst. 1859. »». 2. July 6th, 1859. No. 3, August 6th, 1859. No. 4, August 20th, 18S9v No-S, Sept. 21st, 1859.

—————— 'I "—■ ——————n»m. Friday, 9th August, 1861. Committee met pursuant to adjournment. Present: — Hon. the Speaker. I Mr. Chairman of Committees* Hon. Mr. CrosbkV Ward, j " Cracroft Wilson, C.B. Mr. Weld in the Chair, Minutes of preceding meeting read and confirmed.