17
I.—3b
No. 4. Mr. Taiaroa to Mr. Izaed. Friend, — Otago Heads, Maori Settlement, 2nd December, 1872. I have received your letter of the 23rd November. I received it on the 29th November, together with the copy of the letter to Teone Topi Patuki. I have seen what you and Mr. Vogel say when you agree to a payment of five thousand pounds (£5,000) to settle that reserve. I cannot say that you have made a bad arrangement; at the same time it is known that that reserve belongs to the Maoris according to the opinion of the chiefs, but, according to the trial, the Maoris are unable to understand it. However, I will consent, in order to save my property and that of all my people —lest we lose the case in England as we have lost it in the Supreme Court of New Zealand. I have received a telegraphic message from Teone Topi Patuki, in which he says that if I agree he will; and I have sent him a message in reply that I have agreed to the £5,000, but that he must write to you and to me, giving his consent. Sufficient. Tour friend, To Mr. Izard. H. K. Taiaroa.
[Copt.] I, Hori Kerei Taiaroa and my hapu and all my tribe who are entitled to share in the reserve at Otepoti, agree that the investigation in England should be stopped in consequence of the appointment of Mr. Vogel and Mr. Izard as arbitrators in respect of the said reserve at Otepoti. They have agreed to pay the Maori owners of the land five thousand pounds (£5,000) in payment for the said reserve at Otepoti, and I agree that the investigation should cease, and that the Maoris should be paid five thousand pounds, and then a final document, giving up the land at Otepoti, will be executed. This document is a true token of my consent, and I have therefore signed my name to it. This document is written to Mr. Izard. Signed by Hori Kerei Taiaroa at Otago, Hori Kerei Taiaroa. 2nd December, 1873.
No. 5. Mr. Wohlers to Mr. Izaed. Deae Sir, — Ruapuke, Southland, 16th December, 1872. I enclose Topi Patuki's agreement to the terms of the compromise in regard to the Dunedin Native Reserve. It is, as you wished, in the Maori language, and translated into English ; but, as Topi knows quite enough of the English language to understand the meaning of an agreement, he has also signed one in the English language, enclosed here. I trust that it will be all right now, and the lawsuit at an end. I have, Ac, Charles B. Izard, Esq., Wellington. J. F. H. Wohlers.
Enclosure in No. 4. Mr. Topi Patuki to Mr. Izard. Friend, Greeting,— Ruapuke, 16th December, 1872. I have received yours of 22nd November, and heard its contents ; it is to the effect that the lawsuit in regard to the Dunedin Princes Street Reserve may be ended —that the Superintendent of Otago has agreed to pay us the sum of five thousand pounds (£5,000) sterling. Listen ! I agree to these terms. Let Mr. McLean and Mr. Rolleston take charge of the money. That is all. From Mr. Izard, Wellington. John Topi Patuki.
No. 6. Mr. Topi Patuki to Mr. Izabd. Deae Sib, — Euapuke, 16th December, 1872. I have received yours of 22nd November, informing me that a compromise with regard to the Dunedin Princes Street Reserve has been arranged, and that the Superintendent of Otago has agreed to pay the sum of five thousand pounds (£5,000) clear. 1 accept this compromise, and inform you that I fully agree to the terms. I would name Mr. Eolleston, if he will consent, to be one of the trustees, with Mr. McLean,"to receive tlie money. I fully understand the meaning of the above in the English language. I have, &c, Witness—J. F. H. Wohlers. John Topi Patfki. Charles B. Izard, Esq., Wellington.
No. 7. Mr. Roileston to the Hon. Mr. Manteli. Mt deak Mantell, — Christchurch, 10th February, 1873. In the matter of John Topi I have to apologise for not having sooner replied to your letter of the 13th of last month, from which I learn that John Topi has agreed with the Superintendent of 3—l. 3b.