G.—2. (Appendix C.)

WEST COAST COMMISSION. APPENDIX C. No. 1. Papees respecting Compensation to Absentees : Decision of the Government in 1867.

1. —Minute of the Native Minister for His Excellency Governor Sie G. Geet. The substance of the [annexed] statement was made to a meeting of tlie absentee claimants, in the grounds of the Native Office, this morning. If His Excellency approves, it will be printed in Maori for circulation, and the promise embodied in an Order in Council. 6th July, 1867. J. O. Eichmond.

2.—Minute by Hon. J. C. Bichmond, Native Minister. The following is a statement of the decision of the Government as to the claims of Maoris which were rejected by the Compensation Court at Taranaki in consequence of the long absence of the claimants from the country:— These claimants, or some of them, have petitioned the General Assembly to reconsider their claims, and the law allows the Governor, if he thinks fit, to give compensation when none is awarded by the. Court. The members of a Committee of the Parliament recommended that this power should be exercised by the Governor in the case of these petitioners ; and the Government have advised His Excellency, without reversing the decision of the Court, to extend his kindness to these men. The Governor has decided to give, to the absentee claimants in the Ngatiawa and Taranaki districts, land in the same proportion as was awarded to the absentee claimants in the Ngatiruanui district at a sitting of the Court at Whanganui. The Government has taken pains to ascertain the number of claimants, and the hapu to which they belong. Eive principal hapus are concerned, and land will be given the absentees in each of them in accordance with the following scale :—

These lands will hereafter be laid off in such blocks as may be convenient. The division of them will rest with the people to whom they are given. It will not be for the Government to settle the subdivision, but for the persons interested. The land will be bush-land, except in the case of the Taranaki Tribe. This tribe will receive partly bush-land and partly open land. Besides the land given as above, the Government will grant, by His Excellency's desire — 200 acres to Te Puni, on account of the special claim which his loyalty, and long and faithful services, give him to the consideration of the Government. 100 acres to Wi Tako, on account of the services which he has recently rendered to the Government. 100 acres to Mohi Ngaponga, because, in the opinion of the Judge of the Court, he established a better claim than the rest of those who were rejected. 100 acres to Hemi Parai, because the Government recognize his greater claim to consideration, from his having remained in Wellington at the instance of the Government when he might have returned to Taranaki. J. C. Eichmond.

3. —Minute of His Excellency Governor Sir George Grey. The Governor has received the Memorandum of his Eesponsible Advisers, on the subject of the claims of Natives to lands at Taranaki, which were rejected by the Compensation Court in consequence of the long absence of the claimants from that place. On this subject the Governor wishes to state that, many years ago, when William King and his followers were returning to Taranaki to take possession of the lauds on the Waitara Eiver, the Governor became exceedingly anxious at the large influx of Natives which appeared likely to be poured into that district, and used all the influence in his power to prevent the well-disposed Natives from returning there. I—G. 2 (App. C).

Tribe. District to which Claim refers. Amount of Land to be given. Ngatitama Ngatimutunga Ngatiawa Puketapu Taranaki ... ! Parininihi to Titoki Titoki to Te Eau-o-te-Huia Titirangi to Onatiki Onatiki to Waitaha Okurukuru to Omutur;mgi Acres. 1,300 3,000 2,700 2,100 3,100 Total 12,200