51

G.—s

ment —namely, Tauwhareparae, Parariki, (which Waingaromia No. 2 almost entirely absorbs), and Arakihi. It will be remembered that the question how, considering the circumstances, these claims should be heard was raised in July last, and that the matter was settled on the 22nd of that month by the acceptance on the part of the Hon. the Native Minister of an arrangement proposed by yourself, with the therein expressed concurrence of the Judge, as the same was telegraphed to the Under Secretary on the morning of the same day. By that arrangement it was understood that the claims and surveys, with their overlaps, should be taken together when the Government surveys should be completed. It will not be possible to adhere to an arrangement to which all parties have agreed, by which, as far as I am aware, all parties have been guided, and on which those holding the interests I write about have relied, if the hearing of Waingaromia No. 2 is to take place at Makaraka on the 16th instant. Ist. Because Arakihi and Parariki have been gazetted for hearing on the 10th of this month at Waimatatini, Waiapu. I am aware that the principal Natives who have the management of these claims have arranged to be present or to be represented at the Court at Waimatatini, in order that an application may be made for adjournment to more convenient time and place. In adherence to arrangement of July last they are compelled to do so. I submit that the authoritative announcement of this day is as incompatible with the Gazette announcing the hearing of Parariki and Arakihi at Waiapu, as each is incompatible with the arrangement of July. 2nd. The Tauwhareparae Block has never been gazetted for hearing at all, notwithstanding the application for such hearing was posted from this office on the 18th October last. The plan of that block as surveyed by Messrs. Teesdale and Davis was only completed this day. Tet a portion of this block forms a large portion of Waingaromia No. 2. Therefore, I submit again, that to adhere to the arrangement of July, which arrangement is claimed, it will be necessary to gazette Tauwhareparae for hearing, and to take the portion of Waingaromia that overlaps it at the same time that Tauwhareparae is adjudicated. Here, en passant, I would notice the extraordinary number of applications for hearing that have been forwarded from this office' which have received no attention as yet from the Native Land Court. In this way nine blocks remain ungazetted at the present time, and this notwithstanding applications in regular form for them all have been posted from this office at various times last year, as shown by the return I have sent to you this day. I have only one other point to notice. The very unexpected action of the Court is premature in forestalling the pre-emptive right of the Governor, who has called for further information before deciding as to whether he shall avail himself of that right. Vide latter portion of telegram to Mr. Clarke forwarded to yourself. I have, &c, S. Locke, Esq., J. A. Wilson, District Officer, Napier. Land Purchase Commissioner.

No. 18. Mr. J. A. Wilson to Mr. H. T. Claeke. Sie, — Land Purchase Office, Gisborne, 25th October, 1875. I have the honor respectfully to request that the Native Land Court may be asked by the Government to commence to take cases in which the Land Purchase Department is interested in this district in the middle of February next. I make this request because my plans will then be ripe for passing twenty-three blocks through the Court, containing a total of 270,000 acres. I have, &c, H. T. Clarke, Esq., Under Secretary, Native Office, J. A. Wilson, (Land Purchase Branch.) Land Purchase Commissioner.

No. 19. Mr. 11. T. Claeke to Mr. J. A. Wilson. (Telegram.) Government Buildings, Wellington, 13th April, 1876. Hon. Native Minister desires me to inform you that there is a report current here that you have been paying large sums to Natives for land, to individuals who have been proved before Native Land Court not to be entitled, and that the Government will lose thousands of pounds. Is there any foundation for this ? H. T. Clarke, J. A. Wilson, Gisborne. Under Secretary.

No. 20. Mr. J. A. "Wilson to Mr. H.T. Clarke. (Telegram.) Gisborne, 15th April, 1876. The only land on which a judgment has been given is that reported in my letter No. 329. Kegarding lands subjudice it would be premature to write. Moneys advanced on the latter are about £480, paid to Natives appointed at public meeting to receive and divide same. H. T. Clarke, Esq., Under Secretary, Land Purchase Branch, J. A. Wilson. Government Buildings. 7— G. 5.