G.—2.

1892. NEW ZEALAND.

WEST COAST SETTLEMENT RESERVES (PAPERS RELATIVE TO).

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

No. 1. The Public Trustee to Mr. W. Symes. (Telegram.) 13th January, 1892. With view of considering present position of holders confirmed leases, and ascertaining whether Native owners and lessees are prepared for mutual concessions which would clear the way for legislation satisfactory to all, the Hon. Mr. Ballance proposes meeting separately both parties at Patea on 20th January—first the Natives at noon, and the lessees afterwards at 3 p.m. Kindly notify among lessees as widely as possible. If any difficulty, &C, telegraph me, collect. Walter Symes, Esq., Waverley. J. K. Warburton.

No. 2. The Public Trustee to the Eeseeves Trustee, New Plymouth. (Telegram.) 13th January, 1892. With view of considering present position of holders confirmed leases, and ascertaining whether Native owners and lessees are prepared for mutual concessions which would clear the way for legislation satisfactory to all, the Hon. Mr. Ballance proposes meeting separately both parties at Patea on 20th January—first the Natives at noon, and the lessees afterwards at 3 p.m. Take steps for assembling Natives, giving them timely notice, and preparing them for meeting, at which you yourself will attend. lam telegraphing to same effect to lessees, whom you also should notify as far as possible. W. Eennell, Esq., Eeserves Trustee, New Plymouth. J. K. Wabburton.

No. 3. Eepoet of the Meeting of the Hon. the Peemiee with the Native Owners.— Wednesday, 20th January, 1892. The Hon. the Premier, accompanied by the Hon. the Attorney-General, the Public Trustee, and Mr. Stafford (solicitor advising the Public Trustee), attended at the Harmonic Hall, Patea, at midday, where he was met by the following among other natives : Ngarangi, Ngapaki, Mawhiti, Tautahi, Ngaruru, Wakarua, Kauika, Tutange, Tawake, Eatoia Tamawhero, Baku, Eama, Titahi, Mihaka, Moke, Hori Mukakai, Kereopa, Tuirirangi, Tumahuki, Tupatea. Hon. the Premier then addressed the Natives as follows, Mr. W. Williams acting as interpreter : I have called this meeting to consider the question of the confirmed leases. I have asked the AttorneyGeneral and the Public Trustee to attend. The Public Trustee, as you are aware, has the control over the lands under the law. He cannot go outside the law, and therefore what he has to consider to-day is simply his rights under the law, both as to the Natives and to the European lessees. I occupy a somewhat different position. I have come to consider whether any agreement can be arrived at between the Native owners and the lessees, and have to consider, therefore, the possibility of legislation next session. You are aware that there have been various Acts passed on this subject, and that those Acts have failed to carry out satisfactory arrangements between the owners of the land and the European lessees. The Acts having failed, there may be an attempt next year in Parliament to introduce another Bill on the subject. I have therefore called this meeting of the Natives in order to get their views as to the question of legislation. I have also called a meeting of the lessees for a later hour this day. My object, as you will see, is to put the case fairly before you, and to obtain the views of both parties, so that I may discover the differences which exist between you, in order that I may, if possible, remove the difficulties. I therefore invite a candid expression of your opinions on the various points which I will set before you. First of all, there is the question of the I—G. 2.