18

G.—2. (Appendix A.)

eventually required ; but, as a measure of precaution, I recommend that for the present they be withheld from sale. Eurther surveys inland will require a larger area of reserves. I have, &c., The Under-Secretary, Native Office, Wellington. Chaeles Bkown, CC. [Note. — There is no Minute upon this letter?]

No. 18. . Lettee from Hon. Sir Edwaed Staefoed, K.C.M.G., to Hon. John Hall.

Mt deab Hall, — Biarritz, Basses Pyrenees, 24th March, 1880. With reference to promises as to the restitution to the Natives of unsold confiscated lands on the West Coast of the Northern Island, alleged to have been given by Wi Parata on the authority either of myself or of the late Sir Donald McLean, I may observe (writing necessarily here from recollection only) that I believe that the substance of anything said, or authorized by me to be said, on the subject of those lands, will be found in the Hansard report of my speech in reply in the debate on the resolutions moved by me in the session of 1872, with respect to the Public Works administration of the Eox Ministry. I have a firm conviction that no opinions were at any time expressed or proposals made by me, either to Natives or others, which went beyond those to which I gave utterance in the speech referred to above. In connection with this subject, I may remark that the communications between Wi Parata and myself were mainly conducted by Mr. Ingles, then member for Cheviot; and that within a very few hours of my taking office in 1872, Wi Parata declined or evaded further communications with me, influenced thereto, I was informed, by Wi Tako, who came to Wellington about that time, but whom I could never see ; and, consequently, Wi Parata from that period was not in a position to make any communications to the Natives in my name or by my authority. Wi Tako has, I believe, of all Maoris the most knowledge as to promises alleged to have been made by Ministers with respect to the confiscated lands on the West Coast. I remain, my dear Hall, Very sincerely yours, E. W. Stafpoed.