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and to give him immediate possession, which lie claimed the right of doing without the consent of W. King, but the Government always declared itself unable effectually to extinguish the Native title and to give Petitioner a Crown Grant until the consent of William King and his people had been obtained, and direct efforts were in fact made by Messrs. McLean and Parris (not then a Government officer) and also by Ihaia to obtain such consent, your Petitioner on one occasion having been personally introduced by Mr. McLean to William King as about to take possession, and his consent asked. 18. That after obtaining such authority your Petitioner proceeded to New Plymouth in the hope of being able at once to act thereon and to obtain the consent of William King, the said Mr. McLean having already gone there for the express purpose of acquiring lands from the Natives, and on arriving at Taranaki, Petitioner was informed by the authorities that negociations were pending for a purchase of lands near Waiiara, which would result in the Government being able to perform all their contracts, and Petitioner was requested not to act on his said authority, whereupon he wrote and sent a letter to Mr. Halse, the Commissioner of Crown Lands, and also to the Commissioner of Native Purchases, of which the following is a copy: — ift.i "Ship" Hotel, Taranaki, 12th August, 1852. Sir,— Having authority from His Excellency the Governor-in-Chief to negotiate with the Natives for the possession of my lands at the Waitara (North Bank), I beg to inform you that I have arrived here for the purpose of ascertaining the exact position of Government proceedings with respect to the outstanding claims. Finding that yourself and the other authorities are actively engaged in treaty with the Chiefs of the different Tribes, for the purchase of lands in the district of the Waitara, I beg to assure you that I shall abstain from all communication with the Natives likely to interfere with the success ol your negotiations, on the distinct assurance that nothing will be done to prejudice my present position, and that equal endeavour will be in due course made for obtaining possession of my sections. Awaiting your reply I beg to suscribe myself Your obedient servant, Augustus B. Abraham. Donald McLean, Esq., J.P., Commissioner, &c, &c. W. Halse. Esq., J.P., Commissioner of Crown Lands. 19. That Petitioner received the following letter from Mr. McLean in reply to such communication:— Taranaki, 17th August, 1852. Sir,— I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 12th instant, informing me that you had the authority of His Excellency the Govprnor-in-Chief for negotiating with the Natives for your lands at the Waitara, but since Government is treating for the purchases there and elsewhere you would not do so on the understanding that your present position was not thereby affected. This assurance I can readily give, and at the same time I have to thank you for the motives which occasion you to withhold communication with the Natives whilst active measures are being taken by the Government for the same end. I have, &c, Donald McLean, Land Commissioner. A. B. Abraham, Esq., &c, &c, &c. 20. That Petitioner also made a similar communication to His Excsllency Sir George Grey, and that in reply thereto he received a letter from the Civil Secretary, of which the following is a copy:— Civil Secretary's Office, Wellington, 6th September, 1852. Sir,— I have the honor, by direction of the Governor-in-Chief, to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 12th ultimo, having reference to certain orders which you hold for land in the settlement of New Plymouth which has been forwarded to Mr. HaJ.se, the Commissioner of Crown Lands for report. lam to take this opportunity of expressing to you His Excellency's thanks for your desire, which is evinced by your letter, to act in concert with Mr, McLean so as to promote the purchases of land which the Government is now attempting to make in New Plymouth. I have, &c, Alfred Dombtt, Civil Secretary. Augustus B. Abraham, . " Ship" Hotel, New Plymouth.

No. 52-234,