E.—No. 4

Jurors. Your duty will be simply to make and transmit a list of those whom you think to be fit; and although it may be difficult to find a large number of such, yet it is clear that the district should not be left altogether without a Jury List. I have, &c, Francis D. Fenton, Assistant Law Officer. The Resident Magistrate, East Cape.

No. 9. RESIDENT MAGISTRATE, EAST CAPE, TO THE HONORABLE THE ATTORNEY-GENERAL. Eangitukia, May 21st 1862. Sir,— I have the honor to forward herewith copy of a letter from a settler at Tokomaru, relative to a broken coin, which I enclose, a dispute regaining which had arisen between him and the Runanga of Tokomaru ; the latter having assumed the power of punishing him for defacing the Queen's coin, by the infliction of a fine of £20. Finding that Deverson refused to acknowledge their authority, they sent a special Messenger to me with the broken coin, and the sum of ten shillings in silver, which Deverson had given him in lieu thereof, requesting at the same time that I would settle the question. As I have no means of testing the coin satisfactorily, the general belief being that it is counterfeit, I informed the Natives and Deverson that I could transmit it to Auckland ; and immediately upon receiving a reply, would intimate to them what action would be taken in the matter. I have, &c, William B. Baker, Resident Magistrate, District of Tokomaru. The Honorable the Attorney-General.

Enclosure to No. 9. "Wednesday Night, Tokomaru, April, 1862. Sib,— The bearer of this note is on a message from the Eunanga, in Tokomaru, for you to fine me for breaking with my teeth a counterfeit half sovereign, that was given to me on Tuesday, by a Native to get change. It did not sound good, and I tried it with my teeth, and it broke. They wanted me to pay for it. I told them to take it to the party they got it from, and get a good one for it. They said they got it out of Captain Reid's vessel, and annoyed me to pay for it. I, therefore, then gave to the bearer, who is acting *Magistrate with them, the money I broke, and ten shillings which he has to keep till you eome, for you to decide whether I should pay for it, or ihey should take it back where they got it from. They were satisfied at that time, and went away. They then took it to Mr. Byland, who told them that I was a stupid man; that it was good money, &c. In consequence of which, they annoyed me till I went to the Eunanga, where they wanted me to consent to pay £5 now, and when you come, £30 more if you found me guilty, and to receive £30 if acquitted. I told them that I should leave it to your decision, which they have sent the bearer to get. I trust you will consider that I have done right, for as soon as a bad coin is stopped circulating the better. He has the ten shillings in his hands for your decision, but they consider that they will receive a large payment from me. If I have done right, I trust that you will reprove Mr. Eyland for the annoyance he has caused me. I have, &c, Samuel Deveeson. William B. Baker, Esq. p.S.—I trust you will fully clear me with the Natives of any crime; also to tell them that Captain Eeid should refund them this money, and return me the ten shillings I deposited with them for your decision, which was our agreement. Likewise, if you consider Mr. Eyland has acted maliciously in trying to get me into trouble, you will enforce justice for me. Had you not been here for me to apply to, I should have had to pay, or been plundered for acting as I considered conscientiously in stopping the circulation of a counterfeit coin. Please excuse the length of the letter, as I wish you to have a correct statement. S. D.

* This is incorrect. Mauhata brought the money to me. He holds no office under the Government; but is a leader of the Tokomaru Kunanga.—William B. Bakkb.

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