C.-6

15

The charges against Mr. Preece resolve themselves into these —viz., that he induced Tiopira to complete the sale by a representation that Parore would not receive a greater amount for his share. The evidence of Messrs. Preece, Kemp, and Clendon refutes this charge, which rests on the statements of Paora and Mr. Nelson, which, however, greatly differ from one another. The second charge is, that the consideration money was not expressed in the deed when signed by Tiopira. This is in accordance with fact; the figures were merely pencilled in, and the notice of the attesting Judge called thereto, and the object thereof stated —viz., that should Parore be induced to sell, the sums paid to him might be added to those already given to Tiopira, and one conveyance to the Queen be taken from both vendors. I can find no irregularity in these purchases. Tiopira received his due, and, indeed, in the joint letter of himself and Paora only begs for more money that his chiefs may not be put in^a lower scale than Parore's. I must notice the behaviour of Mr. C. E. Nelson, who, whilst in receipt of Government pay as clerk and assistant to Mr. Preece, kept a diary in which he made notes of matters which seemed to him to throw discredit on his superior, and, who, whilst still in the service of the Government, without communicating with Mr. Preece (whom he was to assist), Mr. Kemp, the Civil Commissioner and District Officer, or the Native Minister ; handed over his note-book to Mr. Tole, his personal friend, a solicitor, and also a member of the House of Eepresentatives. I refrain from commenting upon conduct so dishonorable. Mr. Nelson is not now in the service of the colony. E. C. Barstow. Eeport on Purchase of Opouteke Block. Whilst this block was before the Native Lands Court, a Native named Te Haurangi asserted a claim to a portion of it, and pointed out on the plan the piece which he stated to belong to him. A pencilline was drawn on the plan indicating the piece. He consented, however, that the grant for the entire block should be issued to Kamariera Wharepapa. When Mr. Preece, as Land Purchase Agent, was about to pay the price which had been agreed upon to Wharepapa, he wrote to Te Haurangi, who thereon came to Kaihu. Mr. Preece gathered from some of the Maoris that Haurangi would not get any money from Wharepapa, and before paying for the land concluded an arrangement with him that on receiving £100 he would make no further claim against the Government, and only have recourse to Wharepapa. This sum was paid before the purchase money for the land was handed over. Te Haurangi and Heta afterwards came to Auckland to take steps against Wharepapa, but were met by Mr. Nelson, who induced them to go to Mr. Tole, and then to Sir George Grey. They both expressed themselves to me as having no complaint against the Government, that these grievances were manufactured by Messrs. Nelson and Tole, but that they hoped to get some payment from the parties who had appropriated the purchase money. E. C. Barstow. 30th June, 1876.

The attached statements of Paora Tuhaere, Charles Edwin Nelson, James Stephenson Clendon John Jermyn Symonds, James Wathen Preece, and Henry Tacy Kemp, written upon thirty sheets of paper, numbered 1 to 30, and by me fixed together, were severally declared to and signed by the said above-named persons under the provisions of " The Justices of the Peace Act, 1866," before me, E. C. Baestow, E.M. Police Court, Auckland, 29th June, 1876. Minutes of Evidence on Purchase of Maunganui and Waipoua Blocks, taken on 10th June and following days. Paora Tuhaere : lam a Eangatira, of Ngatiwhatua, living at Orakei. I remember being at a Lands Court at Kaihu in February last. Maunganui and Waipoua Blocks were investigated at that Court. I was conductor of proceedings for one party. I heard the judgment of the Court. Maunganui was awarded to Parore, Waipoua to Tiopira. Then equal interests were given to Parore and Tiopira in each block. Tiopira himself had arranged to sell both these blocks prior to the survey. Brissenden and Mr. Nelson were the Agents arranging this purchase for the Government. I don't know the price. Some money was paid on account before it was passed through the Court. After the sitting of the Court I heard the price; lam not sure whether it was lid. or Is. per acre. I know what took place after the Lands Court about the sale. I wrote the particulars of this sale in my own hand to Sir Donald McLean. The whole statement is correct. Tiopira was thoroughly aware of the contents of that letter, which was written at the request of Sir Donald. At my first return from the Court at Kaihu, I complained to Mr. Kemp of the division of the money —of the £500. About a month after, Mr. Nelson came to me, on the occasion of Heta te Haara, Haurangi, and others being in town. Mr. Nelson said to me, " You had better go to Mr. Tole's office or house as companion to Heta or Haurangi; they are there." When I reached there Mr. Nelson was not there, and I went by myself. I found only Mr. Tole and two Natives there. Tiopira was not there. Nothing was said, as there was no interpreter to speak between us. He did mention Maunganui and Waipoua. Mr. Nelson had not told me to speak about those blocks, but only as a companion to Heta and others. About three days after Mr. Nelson came and interpreted about this matter at Mr. Tole's office. Not' much was said, but it was about this sum of £500 ; that was the first time that I was aware that the matter was put into Mr. Tole's hands, as a lawyer. Mr. Nelson told me that this was the lawyer who was to ask Sir George Grey to ask the Government for our money ; that was all that took place. We then went to Colonel Haultain's. On our arrival there, we found that the deeds of Waipoua and Maunganui had been passed by him. Heta's deed was there. Myself, Heta, Haurangi, and Mr. Tole were