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in our store-books or pass-books. He gives butter, Is. 2d.; our books show Is. sd. and Is. 9d. per lb. Preserved meat he gives to the public in Hokitika, I suppose, for lOd. per lb.; while in our books the last preserved meat was Is. Id. to Is. 2d. Oatmeal he gives at £25 per ton; in our books it is 4d. per lb. —or £33 per ton —or 15s. per 501b. bag, which makes £30 per ton. Bacon in report, Is. 2d.; in our books, Is. sd. But it is useless quoting any further. Some few of the prices given by the Resident Agent agree with our books ; but they are articles that don't amount to much. Potatoes he does not mention, but I will. I think it was the last lot but one that came down that wero sold to us for 12s. per cwt. I understand from good authority that they were bought on Hokitika wharf for Is. 3d. per bag—3d. for the potatoes and Is. for the bag. Now, Mr. Editor, if this can be true, was it possible that such a barefaced swindle could be done under the eyes of the Hokitika managers, or that they would allow it if they had no share in the profits ? Such would not be the case if we had an independent gentleman or an honest man managing here. Those articles which were not fit for use would have been sent back to the vendor, as our complaints are more against the quality of the article than the price, which makes it dearer still, getting bad articles; and we are always short of a good many of the little necessaries that would make inferior articles palatable, as they are only wasted. We had had no tea for some time before the arrival of the last steamer, so that bad flour was not well relished ; but what makes it worse, we are told that we will get none of the good flour till the bad is consumed. How long will this sort of thing last, or shall we ever have an impartial inquiry ? Mr. Editor, lam requested by Mr. James Courtenay to inform you and the public that he is ready to prove, on oath, that it was by the Resident Agent's advice that he built the hut ou the reserve, as he said it might never be wanted. He has got a witness in his mate, Michael M'Kcnna. The insults and degradation some of us receive at the store are not enough, but we must be further insulted by false reports and mock inquiries. Tho first inquiry was held by a man from Greymouth, who first got an order for some stores, and was then sent after them. The next, I understand, got a free passage in the " Waipara ;" you may guess what his report is worth. Mr. Commissioner James could tell you the reason one man gave him why there would be no complaints. As Nightingale was sent round he told Mr. James that his wife and children were bare-footed, and pretty nigh naked. He did not want them starved with hunger as well, as the Resident Agent's prime minister was there to mark him. Since the news of so much complaint has come here, we are now denied writing material at the store; we are told there is none. These are a few facts, Mr. Editor, but paper is short, and I cannot borrow any more. I have, &c, The Editor of the Evening Star, Hokitika. A Settler.

Sir,— Jackson's Bay, 9th April, 1876. I and others are very thankful to you for the way in which you are taking up our grievances, and hope at some future time to show our gratitude to you for the trouble you are taking. If you could possibly come this way on your going to Wellington, we would give you some cheers, at all events. It would be the only means in our power to acknowledge our indebtedness to you. Mr. James Cheek is the person I allude to in my letter as having spoken to Mr. Commissioner James. If you think it worth while, eight or ten of us would send up our pass-books to you to show the difference between them and the Resident Agent's report. All I have mentioned in my letter is true, so that I hope you will have space to publish it. We cannot get any paper ; that is the reason I did not write per steamer. Things are a little cheaper since Woolcock's visit. The prices I give are copied from the pass-books, so that they cannot be confuted. With good wishes for your advancement in life, I have, &c, E. Barff, Esq. James Teer.

Sir, — Jackson's Bay, Bth August, 1878. There is a petition on its way to you, and a copy to Mr. William Gisborno and the German Consul, signed by the settlers of Jackson's Bay. Tho charges in the petition can be proved if an inquiry be held. Macfarlane and his few friends are going around to the Germans, telling them that they will get six months for signing it, and he wants them to write a letter stating that they did not know what they had signed. He got two Germans who did not sign to write a letter and give it to him, as he is on his way to Wellington. We beg of you to use your influence and help the petition, for if Macfarlane is left in Jackson's Bay wo who signed the petition will have to leave. It is the firm opinion that he is in partnership with Marks, the storekeeper, and Robinson, the butcher. If Macfarlane is not shifted from Jackson's Bay it is of no use for the Government to vote any more money for the settlement. It is of no benefit to the settlers, but only to him aud his chosen few. I hope you will drop a few lines to me. I have, &c, E. Barff, Esq. Bartholomew Doherty.

Sir,— Jackson's Bay, Bth August, 1878. We, the undersigned special settlers at Jackson's Bay, humbly pray that a minute and searching inquiry be made into the affairs of this settlement, such being in our opinion absolutely necessary for the future existence of the same. Petitioners take the liberty oE mentioning a few of the many matters which call for investigation :— 1. Petitioners have good reason to believe that the money granted for the settlement has not been expended judiciously nor to the advantage of the settlers. 2. Petitioners' names have in several cases been signed to vouchers without their knowledge, and the money unaccounted for. 3. Petitioners have often been kept waiting payment for work done until forced by necessity to accept payment by means of an order from the Resident Agent on Mr. Marks' store, wdiere goods are sold 30 per cent, higher than petitioners could purchase them elsewhere for cash. 4. Petitioners can cite instances where contractors have been required to sign for the full amount of their contract and the men employed by such contractors have also been requested to sign to the Resident Agent a voucher for the