G.—lβ

4

The Maori owners made complaint that the lessees of X No. 3, N No. 4, And H No. 2 had not fulfilled the terms of the leases so far as cutting timber is concerned. _ The Eeceiver believes that the terms of the leases have not been fulfilled. He is, however, only a Eeceiver, and the Validation Court has declined to instruct him, and he has no fund to enter on litigation. In our opinion, this is a grave scandal that demands immediate redress. It does not seem to us that the costs would necessarily be large, and we would advise that the Eeceiver should collect all evidence of breaches, and that a suit should be instituted for damages or for cancellation of the leases, as counsel may advise. The very fact that this state of circumstances exists shows that the control of the land should be in some corporation such as the Tairawhiti Maori Land Board, and not in the hands of a mere Eeceiver. We have the honour to be Your Excellency's most obedient servants, Eobbrt Stout, } „ ■ • A. T. Ngata, J Commissioners.

SCHEDULES.

COOK COUNTY. Schedule 1. Lands leased or under Negotiations for Lease.

Name of Block. Owners. Area. Remarks. A. R. P. Ahirau 2b „ 2c . „ 2g ., 3.. „ 4.. „ 5.. Hauomatuku 3a 1 3a 2 3b .. 3c .. 4a .. 4b .. 4c .. 4d .. 4e .. 5b .. 5c 1.. 5c 3a 8b .. 8c .. 8d .. 8b .. 9a .. 9d 1 9d2 9d3 9e .. 9f .. Koutu No. 2 „ No. 4 „ No. 7 Kowhai 2a 2b „ 2c „ 2d 2e Mangaoae Iα Iβ 2 2 35 1 1 9 6 10 2 1 4 4 9 2 ' 6 4 11 2 4 6 1 14 6 19 10 2 1 3 3 1 2 7 11 12 20 1 4 A. R. P. 46 1 32 92 3 29 46 1 34 42 0 0 42 3 8 3 2 32 85 0 0 73 3 12 94 0 38 18 2 28 6 0 0 15 0 0 12 0 0 27 0 0 6 0 0 40 3 0 13 2 0 7 2 0 7 0 25 11 "2 37 21 1 33 7 0 25 9 0 0 24 0 0 14 0 0 28 0 0 7 3 14 6 2 23 45 1 20 45 1 20 15 0 20 8 1 2 12 1 23 37 0 29 33 0 8 28 3 27 211 2 34 29 0 0 Timber lease.