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claims and interests involved. You are already well acquainted with the whole position, and the iittached papers set out the particulars fairly fully, but, if desired, further plans and reports can be obtained and supplied. J. G. Ward, Prime Minister. For Cabinet. —There is no power to set up this Commission. — J. 6. F., 16th August, 1910. In Cabinet, 22nd August, 1910. Government decline to consider purchasing until all complications are removed. J. I , '. Andrews, Secret ary to i labine) .

No. 83. Clown Law Office, Wellington, tth June, li> 10. 'Ihe Right Hon. the Prime Minister. Jvc Mr. Jones's Mokau Property, In accordance with your instructions I have conferred with Mr. Treadwell, who is acting for Mr. Jones in this matter. I find that the claim which it is proposed to refer to a Royal Commission is not against the Crown, but against various individuals who have been concerned in transac tions with the property claimed by Mr. Jones. This being si,, it is impossible to proceed lawfully by way of a Royal Commission. If Mr. Jones has any legal claim against these persons, his proper course is to proceed against them by law. If lie has m> such claim he cannot apply to the Government for any inquiry or relief. Mr. Treadwell acquiesces in this view of the matter. John \Y. Salmond, Solicitor-General.

No 84. Wellington. sth July, l i> 10. Dear Sir Joseph,— Re tht Mokav Land Case. Mr. Joshua Jones, who is now in Wellington, informs me that the latest phase of this case is that you were good enough to inform his solicitor, Mr. Treadwell, a short time ago that you would, about the 23rd June last, submit a scheme to Cabinet in the form of purchasing the freehold of this land from the Natives, and, under the Native Land Act, dealing with all parties claiming interests through Mr. Jones in the property, and awarding certain concessions to Mr. Jones, subject to the approval of Cabinet, vesting the minerals in him, with defined areas of freehold land for his own occupation, that would enable him to communicate with London in reply to certain offers received by him through cable, of which 1 understand you are aware, to work the minerals and build a harbour at the river-entrance, in accordance with the Government survey plans. Mr. Jones now states that neither lie or his solicitor has heard anything further about the matter, and lie is, as you know, in great anxiety respecting it. The people of Taranaki are also very desirous of seeing this block of land settled. The Taranaki members of the House, with myself, have been urged by our constituents to endeavour to get a settlement of the case. It is proposed we should take some action in the House, but before I move in the matter 1 would feel obliged by your informing me at your earliest convenience whether the Cabinet has arrived at any decision as to whal is proposed to be given effect to in order that this long-standing grievance might be terminated. ' remain, Sα., The Right Hon. the Prime Minister. H Okey. Mr. Kensington, — In view of the answer to Mr. Okey's question in the House of Representatives yesterday, what should be the reply to thi's letter, please. , J. <!. Ward. 28/7/10. Right Hon. Minister of Lands.—Suggested reply herewith. — Wμ. C. Kensington. —29/7/10.

No. 85. Department of Lands. Wellington. 29th July, 1910. The Right Hon. the Minister of Lands. With reference to the attached letter from Mr. Okey, M.P., and your minute thereon of the 28th instant, 1 have the honour to state that I think the answer should be : — " That the Government is advised that, in view of the extraordinary complications in this case, it is most inadvisable to enter into any negotiations for the purchase of the land in question. The more I investigate the matter the more complicated it appears." Wμ. C. Kensington, Under-Secretary. Cabinet.— J. G. Ward.—2o/8/10. In Cabinet, 29th August, 1910. Reply accordingly.— J. F. Andrews, Secretary to Cabinet.