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, APPENDIX D. (Telegram.) 24th August, 1895. Kindly telegraph me to-day what per cent, has been the fall in the value of land during last two years. What do you allow? Reply collect. John Hislop, Normanby. J. K. Warburton, Wellington.

(Telegram.) 26th August, 1895. Only received telegram late Saturday night.. I consider from 10 to 15 per cent. J. K. Warburton, Wellington. John Hislop, Normanby.

APPENDIX E. (Memorandum.) Wellington, 10th October, 1893. I have had a long interview with the Public Trustee this morning on the subject of our conversation with him yesterday, in reference to his action against McCullum ; and from the facts disclosed to me I am of opinion that he had no option but to take the action against McCullum which has been so indiscreetly commented on by the Judge, as reported in the newspaper. I understand that the Trustee was in this case urged by the cestui gui trustent to enforce their rights. This left him no discretion whatever. Even if he had not been so urged, the statutory duties imposed upon him left him no alternative but to take the course referred to. A reference was made to the fact that this man McCullum was in occupation under a tenancy granted him by the Natives. lam assured that that tenancy commenced after the coming into operation of " The West Coast Settlement Reserves Act, 1881," and that therefore he must have known that no such tenancy could be granted to him by any Natives. He was therefore a trespasser, knowing what his rights were, and he had no reason to complain of the action taken by the Public Trustee. Two points were put by you, viz., Would subsection (5) of section 12 of " The West Coast Settlement Reserves Act, 1892," have justified the Public Trustee in granting a tenancy from year to year to a trespasser, or to anyone else. The answer is, Yes. Secondly, Could a rental be considered as reasonable which is put on the value of the land without improvements ? The law is clear on the subject—that no such action would be justifiable, and that therefore the rental must be based upon the then value of the land, which, of course, would include the improvements. Under the circumstances, lam of opinion that no discretion is left to the Public Trustee than to administer the law as he finds it. The Hon. the Premier. P. A. Buckley.

APPENDIX F. Sir,— Opunake, 26th July, 1895. Respecting your favour of the 16th instant, instructing me to value security offered, No. 95/2970, I regret exceedingly having to return same, as on second thoughts it has occurred to me that, Mr. Elwin, the applicant, and myself having had disputes over former valuations under the property-tax and land-tax assessments, the applicant might think he will or would be unjustly treated by me. Again I beg to repeat that lam sorry lam unable to value in this case, and trust my inability to do so will not debar me from further and future employment. Yours, &c, A. H. Moore. The Superintendent, Government Advances Settlers Office, Wellington.

APPENDIX H. New Plymouth, Ist May, 1895. Replying to your letter 94/376 of sth April ultimo, I have to state that I have shown Mr. E. Blake your letter warning owners that if you are not to lease they must keep land clear of furze. Mr. Blake tells me he is clearing the furze off and will clear the furze off the 50 acres, and that a half-caste named Hillman is clearing Section 35, and that he, Hillman, has arranged to have it all cleared off. The Public Trustee, Wellington. W. Rennel, R.A. It is a pity that Europeans do not all clear furze off their lands, as Natives point to such lands and say, " Why do you not all compel clearance there."

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