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No. 8. The Hon. Major Atkinson to Mr. MacCoemick. (Telegram.) Wellington, 15th January, 1875. Have been away, and only just received yours of 6th instant. It appearing from your letter the Court has no jurisdiction, I have requested Chief Judge of Native Land Court to make inquiry into facts, take evidence, and report. Government wish you to represent them, and no doubt claimants also would be represented. If thought desirable, Court might decide it has no jurisdiction in present case; inquiry could then proceed. It is desired all facts should be fully brought out, and while Government do not wish technical objections to be taken, they do not desire you to admit claim to compensation. Government aware of grant of 25 acres ;30 acres given to Mrs. Meurant by Natives; Meurant made alleged purchase of 14 acres; Governor Grey granted 11 acres of Mrs. Meurant's land and the 14 claimed by Meurant. If purchase ot 14 acres by Meurant illegal (which ascertain, no pre-emption certificate issued) ; and Court are of opinion that any land was wrongfully taken, compensation would then be for difference of grant and gift, 5 or 6 acres, not for 19. Do what you think necessary with regard to evidence of Sir George Grey. J. C. MacCormick, Esq., Auckland. H. A. Atkinson.

No. 9. The Hon. Major Atkinson to Judge Fenton. (Telegram.) Wellington, 15th January, 1875. j As it would seein pinceedings now pending cannot be satisfactorily prosecuted in Native Land Court Government would be glad if you would make inquiry into the facts, take such evidence as you think relevant, and report so as to enable them to give effect to wishes of House of Eepresentatives. Government wish to have matter fully investigated, and ascertain what the rights and equities are. They have every confidence in your doing this fully, and, if your report is in favour of claim, probably legislative action will be necessary to give effect to it. Perhaps it would be well if Court decided as to its jurisdiction before you act on this. A formal authority to act as stated herein will be sent if you wish. Do what you think necessary with regard to Sir George Grey's evidence. Chief Judge, Native Land Office, Auckland. H. A. Atkinson.

No. 10. Judge Fenton to the Hon. Major Atkinson. Sir, — Supreme Court Buildings, 30tli June, 1875. I have the honor to send herewith my report in the matter of the claim of Kenehuru. The matter has been considerably obscured by controversy and feeling, but when the effects of these are removed, the case seems clear enough, that is, as between equals. Whether the conduct of a Government may be regulated by the application of the same principles in retrospective judgment it is not for me to determine. I also send two files of papers: one, the property I believe of Mr. Carleton;andthe other, the administration papers in the matter belonging to this office. I have taken this unusual course for the following reason: —Sir George Grey called at this office yesterday, with his solicitor, for the purpose of inspecting the papers. He observed Mr. Carleton's bundle of papers, and desired me to send it to Wellington with my report. I replied that the papers were private property, and must be returned to their owner. He said that I ought to impound them, as there were papers in them signed " Metoikos," which were absolutely necessary for contemplated proceedings by him for libel. With respect to my own official papers, Sir George observed some letters from Mr. Carleton among them, addressed to me as Chief Judge of the Native Land Court, and observed that it was improper that any person should address a Judge who was his private friend, and that these letters should not have been received by me. On hearing these remarks, I told Sir George that I would depart from the usual course, and send the papers to you. I also send the papers in the matter belonging to the offices at Wellington. I also send the tracing used in evidence. Mr. MacCormick called no witnesses. Both sides being represented by counsel, I did not exercise any discretion as to calling Sir George Grey. If I had been called upon to determine that question for myself, I should not have thought it right to request his attendance, though, of course, I should have taken his evidence if he had signified any desire to give any. The notice of my sitting was published in the Provincial Gazette, the Maori Gazette (Kahiti), and was sent to the district offices of the Native Land Court, Commissioner of Crown Lands, Inspector of Surveys, Native Reserves Commissioner, Ann Meurant, children of Mrs. Meurant, Land Claims Commissioner, Mr. Sheehan, Mr. Alexander, Mr. Carleton, Colonial Secretary, Attorney-General, Mr. Kelly, M.H.R., Mr. MacCormick; and was notified in the Auckland newspapers. 9th July. The foregoing part of this letter was written on the 30th June. I thought it proper to secure accuracy in my detail of my conversation with Sir George Grey, and wrote to his solicitor a letter, copv whereof, with his reply, is annexed. I also wrote to him with reference to an expressed desire of Sir George Grey to give evidence. Copy of this letter, and other correspondence ensuing thereon, is attached. As I have not much confidence in my skill in calculation, &c, founded on valuation, I engaged the services of a professional accountant and valuer. I hope that you will be good enough to sanction the payment of a fee (say two guineas) to him. I have, &c, The Hon. H. A. Atkinson, Wellington. F. J), Fentobt.