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Sess. 11.—1884.* NEW ZEALAND.

NATIVE CLAIMS TO LAND, ETC., POVERTY BAY (REPORT BY H. T. CLARKE, ESQ., UPON CERTAIN).

Presented to both Houses of the General Assembly by Command of His Excellency.

Mr. H. T. Claeke to His Excellency the Administeatoe of the Govebnment. Mat it please youe Excellency,— In obedience to the commands contained in your Excellency's Eoyal Commission, bearing date the 7th August, 1882, desiring me to inquire into and report upon certain alleged unfulfilled promises and claims made by certain aboriginal natives against the Crown, to wit: (1.) By Mohi Turei, of Waiapu, and other Natives of the Ngatiporou Tribe, who allege that, by virtue of certain promises made to them by the late Sir Donald McLean, then Native Minister, they are entitled to portions of land in the block known as Patutahi. (2.) By Edward Francis Harris, of Gisborne, who alleges that, for certain reasons stated in a petition presented to the House of Eepresentatives, he is entitled to certain portions of the same block. (3.) By Henare Tomoana and other Natives, who claim to be entitled to land within the same block, arising out of military services rendered by them in the years 1868 and 1869. (4.) By Wi Pore, an aboriginal native, who claims to be entitled to land for himself and his hapu in the same block; also by the said Wi Pere and his people, who claim to be entitled to portions of the Mahunga Block ; also again by the said Wi Pere, who claims to be individually entitled to other portions of the last-named block. (5.) By Ereatara Hapu and other aboriginal natives, of Turanganui, who, in a petition presented to Parliament, allege that they have not received payment for Patutahi, amounting to the sum of £1,400. Also, since referred to me by direction of the Hon. the Native Minister, (6.) The petition of Ema Katipa, claiming portions of Patutahi and Muhunga Blocks. (7.) By Eru Pohatu, of the Ngaitahupo Hapu, claiming a portion of Waimata, on Te Arai Eiver (adjoining Patutahi), said to have been awarded to Ngaitahupo Hapu by the late Sir Donald McLean, the then Native Minister, — I have the honour to inform your Excellency that I have inquired into the several claims mentioned above, and have reported on each case separately in the order in which they came before me. The reports referred to are hereunto attached, together with the evidence taken in each case. I have, &c, Heney T. Claeke, 6th November, 1882. Commissioner.

James Prendergast, Administrator of the Government. To all to whom these presents shall come, and to Henry Tacy Clarke, Esquire, Greeting. Whereas Mohi Turei, of Waiapu, and other Natives of the Ngatiporou Tribe, allege that, by virtue of certain promises made to them by the late Sir Donald McLean, then Native Minister, they are entitled to portions of the block of land called Patutahi, in the District of Poverty Bay : And whereas Edward Francis Harris, of Gisborne, has presented a petition to the House of Kepresentatives alleging that, for reasons therein stated, he is entitled to certain portions of the same block : And whereas Henare Tomoana and other aboriginal natives claim to be entitled to land within the same block, arising out of military services rendered by them in the years 1868 and 1869 : And whereas the said Wi Pere and his people claim to be entitled to portions of the Muhunga (ceded) Block, Poverty Bay, to the extent of 395 acres, being the area in excess of the 5,000 acres ceded to the Crown : And whereas Wi Pere, an aboriginal native, claims to be entitled to land for himself and his hapu in the same block : And whereas the said Wi Pere and his people claim to be entitled to portions of the Mahunga (ceded) Block, Poverty Bay, to the extent of 395 acres, being the area in excess of 5,000 acres ceded to the Crown. And whereas the said Wi Pere claims to be individually entitled to 'other portions of the last-named block : And whereas Ereatara Hapu and other aboriginal natives of Turanganui have presented a petition to Parliament, alleging that they have not received payment for Patutahi, amounting to the sum of £1,400.;,. and the Native Affairs Committee of the House of Eepresentatives has referred the claim of the petitioners to the Government for inquiry and consideration : And whereas it is desirable that, with a view to the effectual settlement of the said claims, a Eoyal Commission should be issued to inquire into the abovementioned claims of the .persons above referred to, and into the authenticity and nature of the alleged promises or any or either of them :

* This paper was laid upon the tablo during the session of 1883, and ordored to be printed Session 11., 1884.

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