27

I.—B

No. 18.—Memorandum by the Hon. Mr. Domett.—(Telegraphed to the Hon. J. Hall, at Christchurch.) The Chief Judge (sitting 24th April) said he had a proposal to make to the Crown Agents which, if consented to, might end the case. I think this proposal should be communicated to Government before anything is decided with respect to making " future " (by which I understand fresh) reserves. I cannot see that the Natives have any right to them. Mr. Mantell made reserves after much negotiation and consideration, which Mr. Hamilton, years after, though evidently very favourable to Native rights and claims, seems to have considered "very ample" (vide Appendix to House of Representatives, C.-3, p. 33). Mr. Hamilton would not agree to give more reserves, but got them paid more money. Mr. McLean approved all his proceedings, and Government also. They have been constantly treated as final. The present dispute seems to have arisen out of the partition of the Kaiapoi Reserve (2,640 acres, valued by Mr. Hamilton at £40,000, the timber alone being sold at £35 per acre, and there were 1,000 acres of timber land) by Mr. Buller, who cut up the reserve and gave about one-third of the sections (considerably over 100 acres in all) toEapaki Natives. Now the Kaiapoi Natives claim a share of the Eapaki Reserve in return, alleging that Mr. Buller said his mode of division of the Kaiapoi was to be a precedent for the others, Buller meaning, no doubt, simply that the other reserves would be subdivided, and the title to them individualised, as had been done with the Kaiapoi reserves, not that, because Eapaki Natives had had lots at Kaiapoi, Kaiapoi Natives should have lots at Eapaki, or of the Eapaki reserves. Nevertheless, to settle the case, if Mr. Eolleston can show that the Government is in any way pledged, in order to fulfil its contracts, to make more reserves I would recommend that they be made to a moderate extent. The province is greatly concerned, as the reserves will have to come out of what, if there be no contract, is provincial land. I would advise Mr. Eolleston to define his proposal in detail, and give what reasons he can in support of it. 27th April, 1868. A. Domett.

No. 19.—The Crown Agent to the Provincial Secretary, Christchurch. Sir, — Christchurch, 17th April, 1868. The investigation of the Native Land Court, now sitting in Christchurch, in respect of the Native reserves in this Province, has brought out evidence which, in common with the document relating to the Ngaitahu purchase, shows that the deed of cession under which the Ngaitahu Block was obtained is of a very unsatisfactory character, containing promises which have never yet been wholly fulfilled, and leaving a considerable feeling of discontent in the minds of the Natives. It appears, further, that there are a number of Natives who under existing arrangements are either insufficiently provided for in the present reserves, or, having returned to the country since the purchase, are entitled to have provision made for them. I have received authority from the General Government to represent the Crown in this case, and I should be glad to have the concurrence of the Provincial Government in the course which I propose to take—of promising such further reserve or reserves as may meet the justice of the Native claims, taking from the Natives in return a full release from all claims which they may consider themselves entitled to under the deeds of purchase, and finally closing a question which has hitherto been a source of not unreasonable complaint on their part. I would suggest that Mr. Wynn Williams, who is acquainted with the circumstances of the case, should be consulted, and shall bo glad to give any verbal explanation which the Government may desire. The Court has at present adjourned, and I will, when the evidence shall have been adduced, suggest the basis of a settlement upon which I propose to take action. I have, &c, W. Rolleston, The Provincial Secretary, Christchurch. Acting for the Crown.

No. 20.—Schedule of Reserves in the Province of Canterbury awarded by the Native Land Court, 6th May, 1868, in Final Extinguishment of all Claims under the Ngaitahu Deed of 1848.

Name of Award. Situation. Area. Remarks, Kaiapoi Taumutu Arowhenua Ashley District Oxford District Near Kaiapoi, old pa Between Kowhai and Waipara River Near the Rotorua Lagoon Near tho mouth of the Ashley Near the mouth of the Heathcotc Contiguous to Native reserve Little River, near Reserve No. 222 (in red) .. Kapunatiki North bank of Orari South bank of Orari Near Waitarakao Lagooa Kapunatiki Harareketautoru Near Section 2,743 Contiguous to Sections 3,790 and 12,373 South-west of Section 2,621 Near the Wainono Lagoon Near Reserve 079 (in red) North of, but not adjoining, Section 4,021 a. R. p. 200 0 0 350 0 0 450 0 0 15 0 0 10 0 0 20 0 0 10 0 0 10 0 0 128 0 0 100 0 0 600 0 0 20 0 0 10 0 0 2 0 0 150 0 0 30 0 0 20 0 0 500 0 0 30 0 0 10 0 0 20 0 0 10 0 0 Occupation reserve. Fishery easement. Occupation reserve. Timber reserve. Occupation reserve. Fishery easement. Occupation reserve. Fishery casement. Waimatemate and Waitaki Occupation reserve. Timber reserve. Fishery easement. // " H "