A.—No. 1

18

DESPATCHES FROM THE GOVERNOR OF NEW

Memorandum for Mr. Halse. Eihari Mokaikereru, Te One Putangaanga, and Wi Turaki, formerly of Waitotara, but now living at Te Aro, state that they received no portion of the payment for Waitotara. They now wish to receive some of it; if none remains, they propose that the reserves be sold and proceeds be given to them. They wish particularly that this be done at once, before any of the former residents that have been implicated in the rebellion come in and make their submission and a portion of the reserves, or proceeds of reserves, revert to them. The reserves in question are thirteen in number, viz.: Makino, Te Karakatauira Whakairi, Areiahi, Perekamu, Kaipo, Maeneene, Nukumaru, Okauanga, Pukemahoe, Pukeugaio, Pakaraka, Okeku, and Kaiwi. They request that a time be appointed by the Native Minister for further hearing if necessary. E. W. Puckey, 7th April, 1865. Translator Native Department. Sir, Mr. Mantell, — Te Aro Pa, Wellington, 24th April, 1865. Tho word of Eihari is correct which has reached you about Waitotara, that word is from all of us ; for Dr. Featherston did not give us any of the money for Waitotara, that land belongs alike to Mohi and myself, the payment for which has been consumed. You must give us some money for that which has been spent by others. That is all. Hemi Pahai. To Governor Grey,— Te Aro Pa, Wellington, 27th June, 1865. Salutations to you the parent of (all) men, and also of the orphan. Sufficient are these our expressions of greeting. Do you hearken. This is a word of ours respecting our land, respecting Waitotara, tho portion the money for which has been taken (paid) ; our hands touched not any of that money, no not any of it; we constantly urged Dr. Featherston to give us some money on that account, but none was given us, and Dr. Featherston said that when he went to Wanganui then he would give us some money. I went, and when I got there he did not give any, none at all; but now we will continually bring the matter before you so that some of the money may be given us. Do you yourself give it to us, the money for the reserves at once upon the receipt of our letter. Do not you long delay it. Do you hearken, the payment for the reserve is the sum of one thousand four hundred and seventy pounds. That is all our word to you. Eihari Mokaikereru, Hakaraia te Poho, Hemi Pabai. Memorandum by Dr. Featherston. Sib,— 21st July, 1865. I am satisfied that these parties have no claim to any portion of the Waitotara purchase money. Though aware of the day of payment they did not attend, and when they subsequently went to Wanganui for the avowed purpose of putting in their claim, they never ventured to broach the subject, though they lived with Eio in the Pakaraka Pa some ten days. I am, &c, The Hon. the Minister of Native Affairs. I. E. Featheeston. To Mr. Eolleston,— Te Aro, Wellington, 26th July, 1865. Friend, salutations. Your letter has come to us ; but tho word to you was the Governor's: he expressed it to you. Do you hearken, we say that the word which you have written to us is wrong, viz.: that we had heard what day that payment would have been made. Do you hearken, if we had heard of that day we would have gone down there; but this, do you hearken, the going there of Dr. Featherston was a secret going to Wanganui; when he arrived there he laid down the money ; when he came back here, Hemi (Parai) wont to the office; Mr. Hamlin then informed Hemi, and when ho returned from there he told vs —•" Sons, the money for Waitotara has been expended." That is the reason why wo have importuned that some of the money be given us by Dr. Featherston, and as he did not give it we took it (the case) to Mr. Mantell and Mr. Weld; they made answer—" When Dr. Featherston comes back from the other side it shall be investigated." We waited for that investigation, but not hearing of any investigation for Dr. Featherston (this proceeding of Dr. Featherston's), we have (on this account) taken the matter (letter) altogether before the Governor. Do you understand the subject of our request is quite clear to ourselves as regards the money of the reserves —there is no darkness with regard to the matter in our minds (our claims are valid) —according to our idea they are correct. Now why is it that you gave money to those men who are fighting against the Queen, and why none to us, the people who are quietly sitting beneath the shadow of the Queen ? But now we will still persistently urge upon, you to give some money for us ; do not withhold it, but rather return an affirmative reply to-day, upon the receipt of this by you. If you see this write in reply. That is all, Eihaei Mokaikereru. Memorandum by Mr. J. C. Eichmond. Inform Eihari Mokaikereru that the Government are about to make a further inquiry respecting the purchase at Waitotara, when he will have an opportunity of urging his claims. Ist August, 1865. J. C. Biciimond.