G.—sc.

9. Oeonje Stockman. —Conveyance in fee of 50 acres, from Kaaro Hotene and Ani Hotene (representatives of Katene Hotene). Consideration £50, paid at date 26th August, 1880. Eecommended grant to be issued to representatives of Katene Hotene, on order of succession procured, to be handed to Stockman. (Award 72. Appendix 8., p. 17.) 10. George Stockman. —Conveyance in fee of 50 acres, from Eakapa. Consideration, £50, paid at date 26th August, 1880. (Award 77. Appendix 8., p 17.) [Note. —George Stockman is an Englishman, and an early settler, and has a half-caste family grown up and themselves married and with families. The recent date of these transactions is in consequence of his having had regular deeds prepared at that time, but they were all in pursuance of much earlier agreements, which were produced to me, and at the dates of which the consideration was really paid, when it represented the market value or more.] 11. William Shera. —Lease (24th March, 1881) from Wirihana Piro, Eahira Kaaro, and Erea Ngamuku for 21 years from time of land being allotted of 500 acres, 300 acres, and 50 acres respectively, at rent of £63 the first seven years, £106 the second seven years, and £250 the third seven years. No money has passed. This is one of the transactions which in my report I have referred to as in Class 8, which I think ought to be left to themselves, and no interference by the Governor. The grants should issue to the native awardees, and they should be left to confirm or decline the transaction as they think best. (Awards 30, 28, and 22. Appendix 8., p. 17.) 12. J. C. Dames as Trustee of Thomas Leedom, an Insolvent, and William Henry Buck and others. — Agreement for a lease for 21 years from Crown grant, from Makarita Eetimana of 100 acres on her own account, and on account of Hariata Ngaraka, her mother, deceased, 300 acres. Eent, £20, £30, and £50 for first, second, and third terms of seven years each. £20 paid down. I had evidence that Makarita Eetimana was not competent to transact business in 1876, the date of the transaction, and that she was a minor at the time; and from statements made by herself in my presence, corroborated by another witness, I am satisfied that the transaction is one which ought not to be supported. Grants to be issued to Makarita Eetimana (on production as to 300 acres on her mother's account of orders of succession) and handed to Mrs. Jane Brown and Mrs. Naera, her cousins, who hold a power of attorney from her to select land in respect of her scrip, granted by her shortly after the transaction with Leedom. (Awards 17 and 35. Appendix 8., p. 17.) 13. Nevill S. Walker. —Agreement with Miriama Tarewa, date 27th February, 1879, to sell 251 acres for £125, of which £25 was paid down; £20, at her request, to H. Brown ; balance of £80 to be paid on execution of conveyance after selection of land. Miriama is the wife of Wiae te Poepa. I think price inadequate, and only a portion of it being paid in advance, I recommend that the grant be made to Miriama, but withheld till the amount paid, £45, with legal interest, is refunded. (Award 6. Appendix 8., p. 17.) 14. Nevill S. Walker. —Conveyance in fee, from Eehera Hemi (otherwise E. Puanu), daughter of Hemi Puanu, deceased, 200 acres in her own right, and 200 as successor of her father. £20 only paid, date sth October, 1878. Price £1 to £1 10s. per acre on condition as to latter, that land selected where her father lived, to be paid after selection. I recommend that the grant be made to Eehera Puanu for 200 acres on her own account, and 200 acres as successor of her father, on her obtaining a succession order. The grant to be withheld till she refunds £20 and legal simple interest. (Awards 16 and 29. Appendix 8., p. 17.) 15. C. W. Hursthouse. —Conveyance in fee, from Heta te Kauri of 50 acres. Price £40, paid ■down at date 22nd December, 1877. Eecommended that grant be made to Heta, and handed to Mr. Hursthouse. (Award 83. Appendix 8., p. 17.) 16. C. W. Hursthouse. —Conveyance frbm Ihaka te Kauri, date 28th March, 1878, of 50 acres. Price £40, paid down at date. Eecommended that grant be made to Ihaka, and handed to Mr. Hursthouse. (Award 81. Appendix 8., p. 17.) 17. 18, 19, 20, 21, and 22. C. W. Hursthouse. —Leases agreed for 21 years each, from Eopiha Haungenge, 300 acres; Matiu Wharematangi, 50 acres; Ani Heta, 50 acres; Karo te Eapu, 50 acres ; Heta Heke, 50 acres; Harahone, 50 acres. These appear to be fair transactions, at reasonable rents, and in every case, except that of Ani Hita, several years' rent, varying from three years to fifteen, have been paid in advance. The scrip, however, was, in all these cases, awarded to be selected between Te Hoe and Omuturangi, in the whole of which district reserves have either been made for the tribe, as in Parihaka and Waimate, or the confiscation has been waived, as in Opunake -and Stony Eiver. The liability of the Government is, therefore, satisfied by the issue of grants to the hapus, and the scrip is merged. If, however, the natives should hereafter individualize, as is most probable, Mr. Hursthouse may be able to secure his leases from the individual owners, and I recommend that any assistance towards that object which, consistently with the law, can be given to him by the Government, should be so given. (Awards 397, 398, 394, 395, 345, and 348. Appendix 8., pp. 19 and 20.) 23. S. W. Wilkinson and William Henry Buck, agreement for a lease of 200 acres for twenty-one years from Henare Punaruku, date 4th July, 1876. £1 only paid down. I recommend that the grant be made and issued to Henare Punaruku without reference to the agreement for lease. (Award 40. Appendix 8., p. 17.) William Fox.

Authority : George Didsbuky, Government Printer, Wellington.—lBB2.

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