6

G.— % (Appendix E.)

Tukarangatai.' " He also named several places which he requested me to enclose in the reserve—namely, Tirotiromoana, Maranganui, Te Roti, and Pukaraka, joining the seaward boundary at Onewhaia, which instructions I faithfully carried out. This can-be easily proved, there being present Captain Wilson, Hone Pihama, Patohe, Major Brown, and myself at the time Major Brown gave me my instructions ; and it was not until after the completion of the field work that I heard the reserve was to contain only 10,000 acres. If such had been the case, I should have received my instructions from the Surwey Office to that effect. In regard to the 700-acre reserve at Stratford, I was simply acting as an agent in company with Colonel McDonnell. To assure you I had no intention of doing as he (Major Brown) says, "leasing the land from the Natives, and then turning to the Government for compensation," I waited upon Sir George Grey and Mr. Ballance in Wellington, and informed them of my desire to lease this block, stating what I bad offered to the Natives per acre, and that, through the influence Major Brown exercised, and the use he made of his position on behalf of Messrs. Webster Brothers (he having telegraphed to Captain Wray, Resident Magistrate, instructing that gentleman not to witness my deed), I was unable to complete the lease, although offering a higher price ; and the Government kindly informed me that, my terms being the highest, my lease would be accepted. I afterwards visited Major Ileaphy, on the Natives' behalf, to inquire into the legality of the action taken by Major Brown in reference to the removal of the reserve, as the Natives had heard that such was the case. He assured me, after having examined the Gazette, that it had not been removed, or could be, but by "special Act of Parliament," and that no such Act had been passed. The correspondence with the Government re this reserve is in tbe hands of Colonel McDonnell, who would furnish it, I am sure, if required to substantiate my statement. I would not trouble you with this, but that I am accused of being " induced by the Natives "to enlarge their reserve, by the newspaper report of the sitting of the Royal Commission in Hawera, and feeling anxious, at the same time, to ward off'some oi: the thrusts Major Brown is continually aiming at me.—l have, &_., J. Edwin Dalton, Licensed Interpreter and Surveyor.

Thomas Humphries, Chief Surveyor, Taranaki, to the Commissioners. Survey Office, New Plymouth, 9th March, 1880. Remarks upon letter from Mr. J. E. Dalton to the West Coast Royal Commission. Mr. Dalton's memory appears to have failed him, both in regard to his statements as to his dismissal, and those concerning his knowledge respecting the area of the reserve ho was employed to survey at Ketemarae, commonly called the Tirotiromoana. Mr. Dalton tendered his resignation in the beginning of October, which was accepted provisionally—viz., on his satisfactorily completing his work, which he never did nor attempted to do ; but it had to be corrected and completed by another surveyor, at, considerable expense to the Government, Mr. Dalton absenting himself without leave, and engfiging in private undertakings without permission. By letter from me, of tho 23rd of November, lie was suspended "in consequence of irregular conduct by inattention to and neglect of his public duties." On the 12th of December I recommended his dismissal, and on the 21st the Surveyor-General notified by letter that the Government had dispensed with his services. Attached arc copies of Mr. Dalton's letters to me at different times, showing conclusively that he is incorrect in stating, " it was only on completion of the field work that he heard that the reserve was to contain only 10,000 acres." —Thos. Humphries, C.S.

Mr. Dalton to Mr. Humphries. Hawera, Bth May, 1877. Sir, —According to instructions, 1 eouimenced a needle traverse from Tirotiromoana towards the boundary of Whareroa Reserve, hut find it impossible to layotfa straight line from there to the Mountain Road, owing to the Natives not agreeing to any other boundary but what they themselves point out. I immediately consulted Captain Wilson, who is of the opinion that the only thing to be done, under the circumstances, is to follow them. In the meantime I am keeping tho lines as straight as possible, aud am running towards the Mountain Road. —I have, &c, J. Edwin Dalton.

Mr. Dalton to Mr. Humphries. Hawera, 30th June, 1877. SIR, —I have the honor to inform you that I commenced the re-traverse of the western boundary of the Whareroa Reserve on the 15th April, and traversed three miles of the northern boundary, when I received instructions to survey tlie Tirotiromoana and Araukuku Reserves. According to the tenor of my instructions I was to fix tlie position of Tirotiromoana by compass traverse with the western boundary of Whareroa, and then to cut a straight line from them to Te Roti, a point on tho Mountain Road. Upon arriving on the ground I explained my intentions to the Natives, who would not agree, it being impossible to include all the boundaries agreed upon between them and Major Brown within one straight line. I then came into Hawera and explained the circumstances to Captain Wilson, who agreed with mo that the only thing to be done was to make a traverr-e survey of the block. The reserves, three in number —namely, Tirotiromoana, Puketarata, and Araukuku —are much larger than I expected, having to cross tlie Mountain Road and go nearly to Waingongoro before I turn towards the southern boundary (that surveyed by Mr. Climie). The country, generally speaking, I find rather good ; that portion towards tho Whareroa Reserve broken, the heavy timber chiefly red pine.—l have, &e., J. Edwin 1) Alton, Assistant Surveyor.

Extract from a Letter of Major Brown to T. Humphries, Esq., C.S., New Plymouth. Hawera, 20th August, 1877. "Dalton told me that he could not speak with certainty, but thought the reserve he is at would be nearer 15,000 than 10,000 acres. I have therefore told the Natives that it will be 10,000 acres, and that the Government will not have crooked boundaries. I have told Dalton this, and that the work he is doing will give tlie basis for putting the reserve right on tha map. Tlie boundaries will not probably want altering on the ground until the land adjacent is surveyed for sale."

Mr. Dai/ton to Mr. Humphries. Wellington, September, 1877. SlB, —I have the honor to inform you that I proceeded to Wellington to give evidence before the House of Representatives re surveys in the Rotorua country. Before leaving I had an interview with Major Brown, who wished me to keep the Natives employed, to prevent any trouble arising. I therefore instructed Williams (my chainman) to continue cutting the lines (western boundary) until they intersected tlie line crossing the Mountain Road. I did this by order of Major Brown, who promised to call upon you and explain when he returned to New Plymouth. The boundary is only a traverse to include some land which the Natives want included. Major Brown instructed me to follow them, not intending the present traverse to be the permanent boundary, but to calculate a line which will cut them off 10,000 acres, the area agreed upon. I expect to be dismissed in a few days, when 1 will immediately return to Hawera. —I have, &c, J. Edwin Dalton, Assistant-Surveyor.

No. 4.—Letter from the Civil COjbemissioneb to the Native Minister respecting the Sale of Spirits to Natives.

Hawera, 30th August, 1877. Sie, —The Local Option BiU being now before the Parliament, I have the honor to offer tlie following reasons in favour of the Local Option Bill principle in newly-settled districts. There is a general complaint among the Natives in my district that the Government grants licenses for the sale of spirituous liquors, regardless of the wishes of tlie Natives, even in cases where there is no European population, or where it is nominal; and that the Government (by the Civil Commissioner) then reproaches them for squandering their means and degrading themselves by the drink that the Government has placed within their reach, and that they have not the resolution to abstain from. Apart from this, on the frontiers of settlement, where tho lawless aud dissipated—but not necessarily dishonest—roving portions of the European population are mostly to be found, the most serious causes of quarrel between the two races generally arise between those most given to intemperance. When it is considered tbat those who give way to drink of our own race are at present more chronic in the habit, and mora •