H.—29a

8

exists. Much study of the matter has led me to conceive that there is a solution to the question, probably only one. As I see no difficulty in making my interest go hand in hand with what appears a duty, I have determined to ask the consideration of my proposals, leaving it, of course, for the Government to accept or reject, as they may deem most advantageous. I have, &c, The Hon. D. McLean. George B. Worgan.

CORRESPONDENCE RELATIVE TO THE PREVIOUS DISMISSAL OF MR. WORG-AN FROM THE PUBLIC SERVICE IN THE MATTER OF IHAEA WHANG-A. No. 16. Mr. S. Locke to the Under Secretary, Native Department. Sir,— Napier, 10th September, 1873. I have the honor to forward herewith, in accordance with instructions by telegram No. 304, correct copies of papers having reference to the alleged fraud of Mr. Worgan upon Ihaka Whanga, of Wairoa, Hawke's Bay. I have, &c, The Under Secretary, Native Department, Wellington. S. Locke.

Enclosure 1 in No. 16. Mr. C. H. Beotvn to Mr. J. Watt. Sib,— Wairoa, 2nd September, 1804. I shall be exceedingly obliged to you if you will afford me a little assistance in sifting the following matter. The chief Ihaka Whauga, of Nuhaka, made to me yesterday, through his son Hirini, who came down with Mr. Campbell for that purpose, a statement gravely implicating Mr. Interpreter Worgan. You probably remember having a conversation with Ihaka about the " Vivid " schooner on a day of July last, Mr. Worgan acting as interpreter. On that day you gave Ihaka, he says, a cheque for £342. Ihaka and Mr. Worgan went to the Bank of New Zealand, where the cheque was duly honored, and the money lodged, as ho, Ihaka believes, in Ihaka's name, on deposit for six months. Mr. Worgan gave Ihaka three cheques. When Ihaka passed through Wairoa on his return, Mr. Worgan obtained Ihaka's signature to a species of power of attorney, dated 22nd August (or 23rd), over the said £342, written in Maori, agreeing that the tikanga for the utu of the £342 to Ihaka should bo with Mr. Worgan. On arriving at Mahia, Ihaka, he says, first discovered that the three papers he received from Mr. Worgan were cheques post-dated for February 11th, 1565, for £100, for £242, and for £7 155., signed " Gr. B. Worgan," and that his money was lodged in Mr. Worgan's name, and therefore at his (Mr. Worgan's) disposal. This is Ihaka's version. Mr. Worgan represents that Ihaka fully understood and consented to the arrangement of the money being lodged in Mr. Worgan's name, and that it was solely for his (Ihaka's) convenience, and that it is lodged on deposit for six months. I shall be exceedingly obliged to you if you will inform me on what day of July you drew the cheque for £342 for Ihaka, and if you will kindly ascertain from the banker whether that sum was lodged in Mr. Worgan's name, and, if so, on account current or on deposit for six months (or for seven months, i.e. till February 11th), and if possible, whether it has been drawn upon. Mr. Worgan asserts that ho has the banker's acknowledgment of the deposit of this £342 for six months, in safe keeping at the bank with other papers of his. If you can do this, please write me the lesult as soon as possible. This affair is creating great excitement amongst Ihaka's Maoris. I cannot well come in this week, and have an opportunity of writing per " Janet " to-morrow, or I would not trouble you by letter. But as Ihaka is your landlord and friend I hope, 1 thought I might veuture to ask you to assist in discovering what has really become of the £342 you paid to him. I have, &c, James Watt, Esq., Napier. C. Hunter Beown.

Enclosure 2 in No. 16. Mr. C. 11. Beown to the Civil Commissioner. Sir, — Wairoa, sth September, 1864. I have the honor to forward to you the resignation of my interpreter, Mr. Gr. B. Worgan. I strongly recommend that that resignation be accepted. The " observations " which Mr. Worgan alludes to, arose out of circumstances involving so very grave a charge against Mr. Worgan, preferred by Ihaka Whanga, of Nuhaka—no less Jthan that of lodging to Mr. Worgan's own account the sum of £342 belonging to Ihaka, without Ihaka's knowledge or consent—that I deem it necessary to recount them to you, and Mr. Worgan's subsequent conduct. On September Ist, Mr. Campbell and Ilirini (Ihaka's son) came from Mahia, and made this statement on behalf of Ihaka:—