59

G.—s

Minute on Abote. Mr. Clarke, — I forward this for the information of Government, and as a record. It was written before I was aware of the action of Judge Eogan re these blocks at Tolago on the 20fch instant. 25/7/76. J. A. Wilson.

No. 35. Gisborne, 16th August, 1876. I, Edward Eobson, of Tolago Bay, do solemnly and sincerely declare that, in reference to certain blocks of land in that district known as Puremungahua, Ngatawakawaka and Matatuotonga, it was most publicly known by the Europeans and Natives at the time of the late Land Court at Tolago, and for many months previously, that they had been purchased from the Natives by the Government Agent, Mr. Wilson, and that advances of money had been paid upon them; and I make this declaration, sincerely believing the same to be true, and by virtue of an Act and of all Acts me thereunto empowering. Edward Eobson. Declared before me this 16th August, 1876— W. Nesbitt, E.M., A Justice of the Peace for New Zealand.

No. 36. I, Alfred Teesdale, do solemnly and sincerely declare that I have lived at and near the District of Tolago during the last fifteen months, during which period I have followed myprofession as a surveyor. That it has been for some time a matter of general notoriety in the District of Tolago that certain blocks of land there, known as Puremungahua, Ngatawakawaka and Matatuotonga, were surveyed by the Government, that the Government was in treaty for them, and had claims upon said blocks ; and I make this solemn declaration conscientiously belieying the same to be true, and by virtue of an Act and of all Acts me thereunto empowering. Alfred Teesdale. Declared before me this 25th August, 1876 — And. Graham, J.P., A Justice of the Peace for the Colony of New Zealand.

No. 37. Mr. J. A. Wilson to Mr. H. T. Clarke. (Telegram.) Gisborne, 19th September, 1876. Be Mangarara No. 2, Judge Eogan ordered the Deputy Inspector of Surveys yesterday to complete the survey of Uawa No. 1, at Tolago. This is the survey execution of which within twelve months was the condition of Judge Munro's interlocutory order, 24th November, 1873. This treating the lapsed order as if it had not lapsed appears so closely allied to upholding its validity, that I report the same without delay as likely to affect Government interests unfavorably in Mangarara No. 2. H. T. Clarke, Under Secretary. J. A. Wilson.

No. 38. Mr. J. A. Wilson to Mr. H. T. Clarke. Sir, — Land Purchase Office, Gisborne, 30th September, 1875. I have the honor to forward, for the information of the Hon. the Native Minister, the enclosed list of errors in* names of trustees and trusts for Motu Block. It will we seen that although the number of persons interested according to the certified list of the Native Land Court is 123, yet the errors of repetition, of re-repetition, and other errors, such as writing two names into one, when eliminated, reduce the number of persons actually interested to 97. Similar mistakes have crept into Te Marunga, and private agents inform me that the same thing is a source of continual anxiety to them. That a mode of conducting public business so heedless should obtain in the branch of the Native Land Court at this place appears to me to be fit subject of regret, being unbusinesslike, and causing unnecessary labour and risk at the present time ; also as a matter for apprehension, in incurring the possibility of future claims under the duplicate or triplicate names. I have to state that I would cheerfully have assisted to prevent such serious mistakes; and, that prompted by a feeling of duty, I more than once endeavoured to do so in the most respectful manner. For the sake of the Court, I refrain from repeating the gratuitous remarks that the Court addressed to me on two occasions; suffice it to say I was not permitted to guard against these errors. I have, &c, J. A. Wilson, H. T. Clarke, Esq., Under Secretary, Native Office, Land Purchase Commissioner. Land Purchase Branch. B—G. 5.