71

G.—7

afterwards objected to by the Natives of his family and others, who declared that he had exceeded his authority or rights in what ho had done. This, it appears from the evidence, caused a difficulty about the survey and taking possession by the Government: to remove which, Mr. McLean, on the occasion of the purchase of an adjoining piece of land called Porangahau, came to an arrangement with them, which seems to have been satisfactory, as the land was afterwards surveyed, and part of it sold by the Government without further opposition being made. I found the investigation of this case difficult, from the conflict of evidence and complication in the circumstances, and 1 still think that it is just possible that the Natives may in some degree have misunderstood the arrangement made with them by Mr. McLean, by which their opposition was removed; but as they have received a considerable advantage from that arrangement, and as, under the supposition of the purchase of the "VVheuuahou lands remaining still imperfect, the Government would not have received any advantage at all, nor would have had any motive for making the arrangement I have noticed, I can only come to the conclusion that, notwithstanding any trifling misunderstanding which may possibly have existed between the parties, the purchase of Whenuahou is good, and tho complaints made are a reiteration of those formerly made, and which have been virtually settled. F. E. Maning.

S-G. 7.