I.—3a

20

that he fraudulently placed a name upon the agreement for Mangapapa. Your petitioner cannot credit that any disinterested Justice of the Peace would act in such a manner. 24. That your petitioner is credibly informed that the said Nevil Walker and the half-caste woman, acting for Messrs. Russell and Morrin, have paid and promised to the said George Stockman certain large sums of money and other interest to assist them in acquiring the said lands, as against the interest of your petitioner. 25. That your petitioner is reliably informed that the said persons have paid and promised to the head chief of Mokau, Wetere te Rerenga, large sums of money and other interest to induce his people to sign the alleged leases, and generally to act favourably to the said Messrs. Russell and Morrin, as against the interest of your petitioner. 26. That your petitioner doth now allege and claim that he has a better right to the certificate from the Chief Judge than the person who obtained it, and that he, had previously and still has as much claim on the consideration of Parliament to aid him in inquiring into and validating any agreement that he bond fide entered into, even if not strictly legal, yet on the same footing as almost every Native-land transaction is commenced, and certainly not in contravention of any statutes forbidding his dealings. 27. That your petitioner is credibly informed that some of the Natives of Mokau, not in the interest or with the knowledge of your petitioner, have applied for a rehearing of the proceedings in connection with the granting of the certificate by the Chief Judge on the fifteenth day of June, 1887, upon numerous and various tangible grounds, and that the application has been refused by the Chief Judge. 28. That your petitioner has been much injured by the action of Chief Judge Macdonald, Judge Wilson, and the other parties named. 29. That your petitioner doth pray that your honourable House may be pleased to direct that no legislation or action of the Government hostile to the claim of your petitioner may take place with respect to the Mangoira and Mangapapa Blocks, on the north bank, Mokau, until inquiry has been made and justice done. 30. That your petitioner doth humbly pray that your honourable House may be pleased to grant full and complete inquiry into the premises, and to grant such other or further relief as to its wisdom may seem meet. And your humble petitioner, as in duty bound, will ever pray, &c. New Plymouth, 27th October, 1887. Arthub Owen.

Telegkams. — Standish, Esq., Solicitor, New Plymouth (or to be forwarded). —When arguing on behalf of Arthur Owen before Chief Judge Macdonald, did he produce a telegram from his pocket and hand it to you using these words, "Here, Standish, is a confidential telegram from James Russell, of Auckland ; that settles all," or words to that effect. — W. Kelly, Chairman, Native Affairs Committee.

W. Kelly, Esq., M.H.R., Chairman, Native Affairs Committee, Wellington. — To the best of my recollection the telegram shown me by Chief Judge Macdonald was not one from James Russell. —Arthur Standish.

Mb. Thompson, New Plymouth or Normanby (to be forwarded). —Did you on the 15th June last, when in search for Stockman, inform Arthur Owen that jou were instructed by Chief Judge Macdonald to work for Nevill Walker, or words to that effect? —W. Kelly, Chairman, Native Affairs Committee.

W. Kelly, Native Affairs Committee, Wellington.—No. I was instructed to look for Stockman by the Chief Judge, and I had much trouble to find him, consequently asked many people if they had seen him. The only words any way approaching the words imputed to me were these, "I am doing nothing but what lam instructed to do by the Chief Judge." This would be in reply to Owen, who was constantly making accusations against all the officers of the Court, from the Judge downwards. I had been in New Plymouth a fortnight, and had been sent from Court to seek Stockman by the Chief Judge in the usual way when a person was wanted. —R. S. Thompson.

J. Russell, Esq., Solicitor, Auckland.—For what term of years was Stockman's agreement when Chief Judge granted certificate?— W. Kelly, Chairman, Native Affairs Committee.

\V. Kelly, Esq., M.H.R., Wellington. — Regret unable answer your telegram, as papers deposited Judge Wilson. I hope Committee will not decide without hearing all witnesses. Owen and Mokau Company are both outside the law and have no lecus standi, the former having no interest and the latter illegally in possession. Walker and party have complied with the law, and have .spent £1,000 after the Chief Judge's certificate, which they will claim from Government if Parliament prevent them acquiring title. Owen should be left to his action in Court, which is new pending.—James Russell.

J. Russell, Esq., Solicitor, Auckland. —Certificates granted to Walker, but legality, of procedure very doubtful. —J. E. Macdonald. [Tor additional Papers, vide I.—3b.] [Approximate Cost of Pajw.—Preparation, nil; printing (1,575 copies £14 4s.]

authority : G. Didsbcey, Government Printer, Wellington.—lBBB.