G.--15

Sess. 11.—1879. NEW ZEALAND.

MEMORANDUM RE "HANNAH MOKAU."

Laid on the Table by the Hon. Mr. Bryce with the leave of the House.

Replies made by the Native Minister to Questions put to him in the House of Representatives on the 16th October, relative to the Steamer " Hannah Mokau." 1. Pecuniary interest. —The Government hold a mortgage over the vessel for £861. 2. Liability. —A subsidy, at the rate of. £300 a year, has been promised while service to Mokau is satisfactorily performed. ("Subsidy for past eight months has been withheld on account of irregularity of service. 3. Circumstances under which Interest teas acquired. —The steamer was seized by parties to whom she had been assigned as security for money left owing on her construction ; and, as Rewi and others held shares in her, and it being considered of political importance she should be kept in the trade, it was decided that the money should be paid and the assignment taken over by the Government, which was done. 4. The Government have received no dividend or interest. 5. £100 each has been paid on account of Rewi and Wetere for shares held in the steamer. By Authority: Geoege Didsbuey, Government Printer, Wellington.—lB79. Price 3d.]