A.—No. 17,

14

REPORT BY MR. MACKAY RELATIVE TO

Enclosure K.

ranges. Then further on the following occurs: —" I hear a story that you propose to enter into partnership with Taipari to manage the estates. This seems to me an excellent plan." * * The above is an extract from a semi-official letter, but as it is subsequently alluded to in an official despatch, I have no hesitation in writing it. In Mr. Under Secretary Cooper's letter of the 2nd October, IS6B, the following occurs : —" In reference to your letter of the 4th August last, in which you tender your resignation of the offices held by you under the Government, and to the private correspondence which has since passed between yourself and Mr. Richmond upon the subject. I have now the honor to request that you will continue your services as an officer of this Department until the close of the current financial year. " Mr. Richmond is particularly desirous that you should complete the negotiations for the Thames auriferous lands, in doing which it is not intended that you should be precluded from transacting private business ; and you will be at liberty to take up mining rights in any new block you may acquire." This arrangement has been the subject of much comment. All I have to say in the matter is, that whilst I acted in a judical capacity as "Warden of the Gold Fields, I was not a claim-holder. And after I entered into the new arrangement as above, and agreed to continue in the public service until the 30th June, 1869, I never transacted any private business which in the slightest way interfered with my public duties. Many can bear witness that I have over and over again refused, most lucrative offers to take cases in hand, because these might in some way or other conflict with action which had been taken, or might subsequently bo taken, by me on behalf of the Government. As to the charges made by Mr. Creighton, that " I carry on a very thriving land agency in the Civil Commissioner's office at Shortland," I have yet to learn that there is any such place belonging to the Government there. At any rate, it is not through the courtesy of his Government that I have a room at all there ; for although two were allotted to me in the new building, it was never found convenient to let me have one, as they were always required for other purposes. I have a private office at Shortland which was built at the expense of the chief Taipari, and which is called the Civil Commissioner's Office for convenience. Mr. Hogg manages any private business we may have ; and, for the collection of rents and leasing of allotments in the town of Shortland, I have paid ~~200 per annum to a clerk, who has also done a great deal of official writing for me, without charge to either the General or Provincial Government. Feeling I have trespassed too much on your patience by this lengthened report, but also knowing that no person is more able than yourself to form a just estimate of the duties I have been called on to perform, as therein detailed; hoping that you will also excuse the course I have taken to vindicate myself from what is undeserved censure ; and trusting, whatever may be the opinions formed by some political agitators about my proceedings, that the day will arrive when the public will judge rightly both as to my merits and demerits, I have, &c, James Mackay, jun., The Hon. the Native Minister, "Wellington. Civil Commissioner. P.S. —Annexed is a sketch map showing the various blocks negotiated. A map of some of the Cultivation and Residence Reserves was forwarded with my letter of the 23rd July, 18G9.

Enclosure A. Copy of a Letter from the Hon. J. C. Kichmond to Mr. J. Mackat, jun. (No. 89.) Sib, — Wellington, 15th August, 1867. The Government have received from their Agent in Auckland, Dr. Pollen, a report of the discovery and opening of a gold field in. the Hauraki Gulf, and of the conclusion of an agreement with the Ngatimaru resident Natives for the occupation and working of the field, the Native owners receiving as rent the proceeds of miners' rights issued in respect of the same. I have to convey to you the approval of the Government of the course taken. You are hereby authorized to conclude such other agreements of a like nature as may from time to time be requisite to ensure the orderly administration of gold fields that may exist on Native lands in your district. I have, <&c, James Mackay, Esq., jun., Civil Commissioner, Auckland. J. C. Richmond.

Enclosure B. Agkeesient of 1852, between the Goveenmeut and Native Tribes for the Management of Gold Fields on the Thames for the term of three years. 1. That one system be adopted for the regulation of all persons searching and digging for gold between Cape Colville and Kauaeranga. 2. The Government undertakes to pay in respect of the whole land within tlie above limits, per annum for three years, for any number — Under 500 ... ... ... ... ... £COO 500 to 1,000 ... ... ... ... ... 900 1,000 to 1,500 ... ... ... ... ... 1,200 1,500 to 2,000 ... ... ... ... ... 1,500 and so on in the same proportion. 3. The Native owners to register themselves, and point out their boundaries to the Government, and the money paid to each body of owners so registered to bear the same proportion to the whole sum that their land does to the whole block.