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had purchased out the best of this land from the blocks for himself. I offered, however, if Mr. Sheehan would give me his bill, to forward to the Government, who might or might not pay it. I was promised, if I paid the money (£150), the deed should be handed to me next day : believing this, I paid the money. I returned the following day, but was put off, and desired to call again. 1 did so, but was again put off. I then went to the Trust Commissioner, the Hon. Colonel Haultain, and from him got the deed. Understanding it had to be registered, I took it myself to the Registrar's Office. The Register Officer, on perusing it, refused to accept it for registration, stating that there were many informalities, and adding that its informal state was a disgrace. To oblige me, he pencilled what was required to be carried out on the deed itself, after which I took the deed to Mr. Sheehan's office and pointed out the informalities to Mr. Armstrong, who said he would attend to them. He afterwards told me he had deposited the deed in the Registrar's Office. When I received your telegram from Wellington, I went to the Registrar's Office and requested to see the deed, which was shown to me, but I was informed I could not obtain it without authority. Being under the impression that this authority had to come from the Government, I sent a telegram, the copy of which you have enclosed to me. It seems that, after this, Mr. Armstrong or Mr. Dignan repossessed themselves of the deed from the Registrar's Office, retaining it to induce the payment of their charges; but of this I was only aware after I called at their office with Mr. Brissenden just before I left Auckland on my present trip. I regret that the Government, through my having believed what I was told at Mr. Sheehan's office, should have been put to any trouble; but it never crossed my mind to suspect that Mr. Dignan or Mr. Armstrong was going to retain possession of the deed to force the payment of £39 16s. 2d., said by them to be half the amount of their bill of costs. I have, &c, Thos. McDonnell, The Under Secretary, Native Office. Land Purchase Commissioner.

No. 18. Major Green to Lieut.-Colonel St. John. (Telegram.) Auckland, 18th September, 1874. No. 176. Be Waipapa deed. Mr. Taylor wishes to know if Government intend paying expenses to release deed. Edward L. Green, Lieut.-Colonel St. John, Native Office, Wellington. (for G. G. A.).

No. 19. Major G-eeen to Lieut.-Colonel St. John. (Telegram.) Auckland, 30th September, 1874. No. 178. Be Waipapa deed and my Telegram 17G. Taylor has called several times for reply. Edward L. Gbeen, Colonel St. John, Native Department, Wellington. (for G. G. A.).

No. 20. Mr. Bbissenden to Lieut.-Colonel St. John. Sic, — Auckland, 3rd October, 1874. I have the honor to forward the Waipapa deed. I received it from Messrs. Dignan and Armstrong, and paid their charges and expenses, £39 16s. 2d., as per enclosed vouchers. I have, &c, Lieut.-Colonel St. John, "Wellington. E. T. Beissenden.

No. 21. Mr. Beissenden to Mr. G-ill. Sib, — Auckland, 4th November, 1874. I have the honor to again forward the voucher for payment made by me as per instructions on account of Waipapa Block. I presented the enclosed to Major Green for payment. He telegraphed to the Treasury Department for advice. His reply was for me to send it to Wellington for payment. I have, &c, Eiehard John Gill, Esq., Wellington. E. T. Beissenden.

No. 22. Lieut.-Colonel St. John to Lieut-Colonel McDonnell. Native Office (Land Purchase Branch), "Wellington, Sib,— 30th October, 1873. In reference to tout letter of the 27th September ultimo, on the subject of the Takchue

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