13

G.— l3

I feel sure that every impartial person who reads the correspondence in relation to the Patetere Block, published in the Parliamentary Papers, will admit that throughout the early months of 1880 the Government consented to the gentlemen alluded to by Mr. Bhechan continuing their negotiations for the purchase of that block. Nay, that in reference to surveys and other particulars, they, at least indirectly, aided them in so doing, thereby giving them an unfair advantage over their fellow-subjects; and that no notice issued in the month of November, 1880, could retrieve the injustice so done, or neutralize the unfair advantage so given. If the conduct of the gentlemen alluded to by Mr. Sheehan was illegal in 1878 and 1879, it must have been equally so in 1880. I beg still to add that I was, in ti\j belief, entitled to an answer to my letter of the Bth December at an earlier date than the middle of February Tour reply did not reach me until the Land Court was sitting on the Patetere question, and auy proceedings on my part, and ou the part of those who think with me, were out of the question. I have, &c, The Hon. the Colonial Secretary, &c, Wellington. G Grey. P.S.-—ln further illustration of my remarks on the illegality of these proceedings, would you permit me to refer you to Mr Sheehan's very frank avowal in his telegram of the 7th May, 1880: — " Further, and perhaps the most important of all, we cannot trade with the Natives, or pay moneys, or obtain signatures, as such would bo illegal, and would not be made good by subsequent removal of Proclamation."—G. G.

No. 35 Re the Crown's Claim on Patetere. Sir, — Cambridge, Waikato, 7th March, 1881. It is unnecessary to inform you of the present position of this case. The only question now outstanding is the settlement of what is to be done in respect of the thousand acres of Huihuitaha, which, as you are aware, has been cut off to meet the claims of non-settlers and objectors. Tour wish has been to obtain a similar acreage in the Mangakaretu Block, and, acting on behalf of the Crown, I have done my very utmost to carry this idea into effect. After careful inquiry I have come to the conclusion that any attempt to take land out of Mangakaretu Block will be attended with the very greatest difficulty, if indeed it does not lead to a positive deadlock, and a reopening of questions which we now regard as settled. Under the circumstances I feel bound to advise you that it would be unwise on the part of the Crown to insist upon their demand. Some consideration is due to the Native people, the bulk of whom have behaved, as you are aware, loyally and honorably I think it is quite possible that a sufficient area to meet the remainder of the Crown's claim can be obtained without difficulty in the Tokoroa Block, and I earnestly recommend the adoption of that course. E. J Gill, Esq., I have, &c, Under-Secretary, Native Land Purchase Office. John Sheehan.

No. 36. (Telegram.) The Hon. W Eolleston, Wellington. Cambridge, 7th March, 1881. Memorandum.—Complications unlooked for arose this morning in settlement of land to be taken. I found it impossible to get the one thousand acres cut from Huihuitaha and Pokaiwhenua out of the Mangakaretu Block without bringing on a long discussion in Court, and probably disturbing all past arrangements. I therefore agreed to take a further area out of the Tokoroa Block, two thousand five hundred acreas, in lieu of the area, one thousand acres, in the first-named blocks. The Court's order will therefore be worded to give the Crown all the land in Huihuitaha and Pokaiwhenua Blocks, except one thousand acres, together with seventeen thousand eight hundred and sixty-five acres out of the Tokoroa Block, in all twenty-eight thousand two hundred and sixty acres. This I have formally agreed to accept in satisfaction of the Government claim. All that is now required is that Mr. Fenton should send the form of order to be used. This, when signed, will complete the business. This afternoon I arrange the position of the one thousand acres to be cut out of the blocks. I purpose leaving Auckland for Wellington on Thursday Bichd. John Gill.

No. 37 District of Waikato, Provincial District of Auckland.—Pokaiwhenua and Huihuitaha. At a sitting of the Native Land Court of New Zealand, held at Cambridge, in the said district, on the Bth day of March, 1881, before John Jermyn Symonds, Esq., Judge, and Hori Riiwhi, Assessor Ex parte, the Native Minister, on behalf of Her Majesty WnEREAS in pursuance of " The Native Land Act Amendment Act, 1877," the Honorable John Bryce, the Native Minister of the Colony of New Zealand, on the 9th day of November, 1880, caused application to be made to the Native Land Court to ascertain and determine what interest in the piece of land called Patetere, in the District of Waikato, had been acquired by or on behalf of Her said Majesty Now, upon hearing the agent of the applicant and others, and upon evidence taken, it appears to the Court that Her Majesty has acquired an absolute estate of inheritance in the piece of land described and delineated on the back hereof, parcel of the said block ; and the Court doth hereby declare that the same is the property of Her Majesty As witness the hand of John Jermyn Symonds, Esquire, Judge, and the seal of the Court, the eighth day of March, one thousand eight hundred and eighty-one. John Jermyn Symonds. (1.5.)