2

G.—9.

Your petitioner therefore humbly prays that your honorable House will grant your petitioner such redress as may seem fit, and that the Sheriff may be allowed to execute the writ that has been delivered to him according to the law of the colony. And your petitioner, as in duty bound, will ever pray. 27th September, 1879. John Haeding.

Eepoet on the Petition of John Harding. The petitioner prays for the execution of a writ of ejectment against certain Natives in the Hawke's Bay Provincial District.. I am directed to report that the Committee, having made inquiry into the petitioner's case, is of opinion that the Government would not be justified in using force to place the petitioner in possession of the land claimed by him, inasmuch as the Natives have an equitable claim to possession, although the petitioner is entitled legally under Crown grant. The Committee recommend the Government to endeavour to settle the matter, by purchasing the petitioner's legal title to the land in question. 12th November, 1879. Thomas Kelly.

The Undee-Seceetart, Native Department, Wellington, to J. S. Master, Esq., Napier. Sic,— Native Office, Wellington, 22nd November, 1879. I have the honor, by direction of the Hon. the Native Minister, to forward herewith copies of a petition to the House of Bepresentatives, from Mr. John Harding, of Mount Vernon, Waipawa, and report by the Public Petitions Committee thereon, relating to a piece of land, being portion of No. 14, Waipukurau District, and to request that you will be good enough to inquire into the matter with a view of ascertaining whether it can be settled by a money payment, and furnish a report to this office with as little delay as possible. The papers on the subject —N. 0., 79/4812; N. and D., 78/3026, 78/570, 77/4451, and 77/2259—are enclosed herewith for your information. I have, &c, T. W. Lewis, J. S. Master, Esq., Native Office, Napier. Under-Secretary.

Mr. J. S. Master, Napier, to the Under-Secretary, Native Department, "Wellington. Sir,— Native Office, Napier, sth December, 1879. I have the honor to inform you, with reference to Mr. Harding's case, I cannot send you report for the present, as I have received a letter from his son at Waipukurau, informing me that his father is at present in Auckland, where I will write to him; and as soon as I can get a satisfactory reply, I will forward my report to you. I have, &c, The Under-Secretary, Native Department, Wellington. James S. Master.

Mr. J. Harding to Mr. J. S. Master. Sic,— Mount Vernon, 22nd December, 1879. I have to acknowledge the receipt of your favour of the Ist December, 1879, re land of mine now in occupation of Natives. I have no doubt but you can settle it by money payment to the Natives, but not to me. I want possession of my land, and payment of the law charges, &c, I have spent in endeavouring to obtain possession, and will not sell my right. I have used every reasonable means to obtain possession, and now claim from the Government authority for the Sheriff to enforce the writ he has held so long, or else that the Government should in some other way get me my land. The Natives have a large reserve close to it, which they let to Europeans ; let them return to their own land, and give up mine. If the Government think the Natives have a claim, let the Government compensate them. I only want my own. I have, &c, Mr. J. S. Master. John Harding.

Mr. J. S. Master to the Undee-Secretaey, Native Department, Wellington. Sic, — Native Office, Napier, 2nd January, 1880. I have the honor to forward for your information the attached letter which I received from Mr. J. Harding, in reply to my letter of Ist December, 1879, which I wrote to him with reference to a letter received by me from TJnder-Secretary, Native Department, Wellington, dated 22nd November, 1879, No. 1010, N. 0., 79/4812. I will keep the papers which you sent me with said letter until I know from you what further is to be done in the matter, and whether the Natives are to be offered anything by the Government to leave the said disputed land, as I have not yet said anything to them re such land ; but, should I be required to see them, I will proceed there at once on receipt of a letter requesting me to do so. I have, &c, The TJnder-Secretary, Native Department, Wellington. Jas. S. Masteb.

Mr. J. D. Osmond, Napier, to the Hon. J. Betce, Wellington. (Telegram.) 20th February, 1880. Yott know position of Native disputes with Harding re lands at "Waipawa. Harding started fencing, and Natives have stopped fencers. Inspector Scully and Mr. P. E. Hamlin went to Waipawa yesterday, and got proceedings stayed till Monday. Natives say they will prevent fences being erected. I understand Committee last session recommended Government should settle dispute, as difficulty was caused by error of Government officers. Will you instruct Inspector Scully or Mr. Hamlin what to do ? I wire you because Natives have come to me thinking lam connected with Government. J. D. Osmond.