WANGAPEKA LAND SALES.

20

C.—No. 1.

liave purchased such lands as aforesaid ; and if it shall be found that the said lands are within the boundaries of the Nelson South-west Gold Fields, to declare such sales to be null and void. And your petitioners shall ever pray, &c. [Here follow 804 signatures.]

No. 24. Copy of Telegram from the Secretary for Ceown Lands, Nelson, to the Hon. W. Gisbobnx Nelson, 13tli December, 1869. Just got your telegram. On the 10th instant inserted following notice in the papers, for hearing on Thursday. This seems to give satisfaction. 1 hear delegates from the diggers are already in town. If this is not satisfactory, it will bo better to appoint a special person to go to Wangapeka. I cannot see the least use in going there to decide the boundary question, which cannot be done there. Let me know if you wish the Thursday meeting put off:—" Notice.—Mr. Domett having been requested by the Government to inquire into and report upon the circumstances which have Jed to the objection to the survey of certain lands at Wangapeka, lately sold by the Commissioner of Crown Lands, Nelson, will hold the said inquiry at the Government Buildings, Nelson, on Thursday next, the 16th instant, at eleven o'clock, when all persons having complaints to make, or evidence to give, with reference to the above matter, are requested to attend. —Alfred Domett, Secretary for Crown Lands. Nelson, 10th December, 1869." The Hon. the Colonial Secretary, Wellington. Domett.

No. 25. Copy of Telegram from the Hon. W. Gisisobne to the Secretary for Crown Lands, Nelson. Wellington, 13th December, 1860. Under circumstances stated by you, your inquiry had better go on. If necessary, special further inquiry can be held at Wangapeka. Mr. P. Wakefield should give you every aid as Secretary without extra charge. Report by telegraph if no mail is starting. The Hon. Alfred Domett, Nelson. W. Gisborne. ■

No. 28. Copy of Telegram from the Secretary for Crown Lands, Nelson, to the Hon. W. Gisbornb. Telegram received and will bo attended to. Mr. Wakefield will of course render assistance in any way he can. The Hon. the Colonial Secretary, Wellington. Alfred Domett.

No. 27. Copy of further Telegram from the Secretary for Chows' Lands, Nelson, to the Hon. W. Gisborne. Nelson, 16th December, 1869. It is done. The inquiry is going on. Counsel present. I\ Wakefield The Hon. the Colonial Secretary, Wellington. (for the Hon. A. Domett).

No. 28. Extract from Letter from the Secretary for Crown Lands to the Hon. W. Gisborne. Sir,— Kelson, 24th December, 1860. I have the honor to inform you that I concluded, yesterday afternoon, the inquiry Government commissioned me to make into the circumstances attending the late sales by the Commissioner of Crown Lauds of this Province of certain auriferous lands at Wangapeka. As the conclusions arrived at by myself on the various questions involved in this investigation could not be binding either on Government or on either of the parties whose interests are affected by the sales alluded to, and as considerable excitement existed in this place on the subject, which anything tending to shorten the period of uncertainty as to the probable views of Government in the matter might bo expected to allay, I considered it best to make a public statement of those conclusions at the termination of the inquiry. I accordingly did so, and I now enclose copies of the statement, together with my minutes of the evidence given by the numerous witnesses examined, which I beg you to accept as my report on the subject I was requested to investigate. * # # # » # * * # * # I have, &c, Alfred Domett, The Hon. the Colonial Secretary, "Wellington. Secretary for Crown Lands.

No. 29. Copy of Minutes of Evidence respecting the Inquiry into the Wangapeka Land Sales, taken l>y Mr. Domett. Thursday, lGth December, 1869. Me. Heotx Adams attended on the part of the Provincial Government, and Mr. Kingdon attended on the part of the petitioners.