" THE NATIVE FRAUDS ACT, 1870."

G.—No. 7

9

From the peculiar facilities afforded through the nature and position of the country, no better opportunity could be found for the Government to carry out to its fullest extent the individualization of a block of land than the one in question. Should the section of the district more particularly referred to (Te Aute No. 1) be granted to ten grantees, I feel certain, from former experience in these matters, that the land will at once be leased for a lengthened period, and by that means many Natives be turned off their cultivations with no other place to go to without breaking through arrangements already made, or trespassing on other Natives' land. S. Locke.

Enclosure 5 in No. 1. Mr. Tukton to Mr. Oriiond. Office of Trust Commissioner, Sir, — Napier, Ist Augnst, 1871. I do myself the honor to enclose for your information a copy of the minutes of my proceedings as Trust Commissioner for the Poverty Bay district, since my appointment to that office. I have, <fcc., Hanson' Turton, His Honor J. D. Ormond, Napier. Trust Commissioner. Sub-Enclosures to Enclosure 5 in No. 1. Matawhero B. Block—B7Ba. 14th June, 1871. The deed in respect whereof a certificate is applied for, is a deed of conveyance, whereby Paora Kate conveys to George Edward Read, of Poverty Bay, settler, his estate and interest in the above block of land for £54. I requested Mr. Locke, R.M., who was proceeding to Poverty Bay, to make the necessary enquiries on my behalf. 22nd June. I received a letter this day from Mr. Locke, in which he informs me that he is satisfied with the transaction, and that the provisions of the Native Land Frauds Prevention Act have been complied with. Certificate granted. Hanson Turton, Trust Commissioner. Kakanui Block—93a. 22nd June, 1871. Deed of conveyance produced, dated 15th June, 1871, by Tamihana Te Ruatapu to William Smellie Graham and John Salmon, of Auckland, gentlemen. This land appears to have been conveyed by Tamihana to Messrs Graham and Salmon in consideration of losses sustained by the latter at the hands of Tamihana's relatives, during the late war. Mr. Locke, R.M., stated that he had made the necessary enquiries on my behalf when last at Poverty Bay, and that the transaction was fair and proper. I was satisfied that Tamihana had power to convey the land. Certificate to be issued. 23rd June. 1871. A deed of conveyance of the above block, dated 20th August 1869, by Tamihana Te Ruatapu to James Wyllie, of Poverty Bay, settler, was this day handed to me, as Registrar of Deeds, for registration. As this conveyance is prior in date to the conveyance to Messrs. Graham and Salmon, I declined to endorse my certificate on the deed lastly referred to. Certificate withheld accordingly. Hanson Turton, Trust Commissioner. Hotua Paka Block—l7a. 3r. 10 p. 22nd June, 1871. Deed of gift, dated 10th June, 1871, Tamihana Te Ruatapu to Mary Lawrence, (formerly Mere Hira) wife of George Lawrence, of Gisbome, clerk, of equal undivided third part or share in this block. Mr. Locke, R.M., stated that lie had enquired into the transaction, and was satisfied with the result of his enquiries. Certificate granted. Hanson Turton, Trust Commissioner. Enclosure 6 in No. 1. Mr. Turton to Mr. Ormond. Office of Trust Commissioner, Sir, — Napier, 3rd August, 1871. I do myself the honor to enclose for your information a copy of the minutes of my proceedings as Trust Commissioner of the Hawke's Bay District, for the two months ended 31st ultimo. I do not, however, forward you my report on the conflicting appplications of Messrs. Towgood and M'Kinnon, referred to in my letter of the sth June last, as I have not yet been able to complete my enquiries. I have, &c, J. D. Ormond, Esq., M.H.R., Hanson Turton, General Government Agent, Napier. Trust Commissioner. :5