H.—26

2

RETURN OF LAND CLAMS FINALLY SETTLED since date of Commissioner Bell's Report of 8th July, 1862, by the Issue of Grants or Scrip, or by Cash.

No. of Claim. Claimant. Locality. Position of Claim as reported by Commissioner Bell. How Disposed of. Area Granted. Compensation. A. B. P. £ s. d. 1, 3, 5, 6, 7, and 8 George Green Middle Island Grants ordered to be issued to claimant for 889 acres. Award appealed against, but appeal not yet prosecuted These claims were referred to Commissioner Domett for rehearing, in accordance with a resolution of the House of Representatives passed in 1870. Commissioner Domett recommended the issue of grants for 5,000 acres —2,500 acres in Otago, and 2,500 acres in Southland. " The Green Land Claims Settlement Act, 1870," was passed to give effect to this recommendation. Grants issued as follows : To Messrs. II. Driver, C. Stewart, and H. J. Maclean :— 1,883 acres at Papakaio, Otago, 5th February, 1873 895 acres at Awamoko, Otago, 5th February, 1873 2,204 acres at Aparima, Southland, 28th February, 1874... 409 acres were deducted from the selection in Southland to provide for the payment of the costs of the rehearing and appeal, Green v. Spencer, in accordance with section 4 of " The Green and Spencer Amendment Act, 1870." The area granted in excess of award was for survey allowance Green, by misrepresentation, obtained the issue of a grant to himself of 117 acres, which included land the property of J. Spencer, in claims 420-7- The claim was reheard under "The Green and Spencer Land CUims Act, 1868," and Commissioner Domett recommended the cancellation of the grant of 117 acres, and the issue of a new grant for the 52 acres originally awarded to Green. This was done. Grant for 52 acres to trustees under will of G. Green issued 9th September, 1874 These claims were settled by arbitration under " The Land Claims Arbitration Act, 1867." The arbitrators were Mr. Samuel Jackson, nominated by Mr. Busby, Dr. Pollen, nominated by the Government, and Mr. J. T. Mackelvie, nominated by the two first-named arbitrators On the 6th April, 1868, two of the arbitrators (Dr. Pollen not concurring) awarded Mr. Busby 9,374 acres at the Bay of Islands, being the land comprised within the boundaries stated in the nine Crown grants issued in 1844, less certain reserves rcconveyed to the Natives by Mr. Busby, and £36,000 in scrip as special damages in respect of his claims in the Whangarei District. By several Proclamations issued in May and October, 1868, the Superintendent of Auckland withdrew from sale all lands over which the scrip could bo exercised, thus rendering it valueless for the time being. Ultimately (in 1870) the matter was settled by the whole of the scrip being bought up by the Superintendent of Auckland. The grant for 9,374 acres was issued 7th September, 1872 Grant for 52 acres ordered to be issued to claimant when laid off as directed by the Assistant Commissioner 1,883 3 26 895 0 9 2,204, 2 24 409 0 0 52 0 0 4 George Green Bluff 14-22 James Busby Bay of Islands The nine grants issued to claimant in 1844 for a total estimated area of 3,264 acres were called in, but, not being produced, were adjudged void 23-24 James Busby Whangarei Lapsed ... 9,374 0 0 36,000 0