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(Telegram.) Tauranga, 21st November, 1879. T. W. Lewis, Esq., Under-Secretary, Wellington. I stated to the Chief Judge that my present engagements entirely precluded the possibility of my presiding at Galatea Court. The following are said engagements : 1. As Native Laud Court now being held at Tauranga, over which I am presiding, will overlap the opening of Galatea Court by at least three weeks, Mr. Chief Judge Penton should have avoided this complication, which I foresaw as soon as his cast-iron system of Courts was gazetted; it is needless to insist on the fact that a Judge cannot preside at concurrent Courts situated one hundred miles apart. 2. The Tauranga Lands Commissioners, Court for Kaenui, Mangataro, and other Blocks, which was advertised for the 24th ultimo, was adjourned by me to afford opportunity for tho present Native Land Court to sit here. 3. When this Court is over that Court will be taken ; but, before that, pressing business connected with survey, Government, and otherwise at Opotiki and here must be performed, and then the Auckland work, about three parts finished, be finally completed. 4. Surveys of Mr. Commissioner Clark's Otawa awards have been stopped and interfered with six times by Natives, stations pulled down, trig, instruments taken four times; each time I have managed to get them on. My presence here is necessary to the accomplishment of those surveys, which will last two months longer ; the same appplies to certain surveys by Natives at Orere, Waoku, and Otanewainuku, which are for settlement of Tauranga land. 5. The Ngaiterangi Chiefs, Hori Ngaitai, Enoka Whanake, and others have been promised a Court for Whareroa, where they live, and for Maunganui, because the Faulkners have surveyed and claimed all their gardens, &c ; this also requires speedy attention. 6. I have to go over the Opape Eeserve at Opotiki with Mr. Tole prior to cutting it up as soon as his trianguhition is completed. J. A. Wilson.

Sir, —■ Native Land Court Office, Auckland, 21st May, 1880. I have the honor to inform you that in consequence, as he alleges, of imperative duties in other departments of the Government, Mr. J. A. Wilson, of Tauranga, Judge of this Court, is of no service to this department. With the slender staff of Judges available for the service of this Court, I am, as you are aware, unable to provide for its necessities, and am compelled to avoid several sittings. The unserviceableness of one of the four Judges is therefore a matter of vital importance, and, in fact, so disarranges the department that I fear that I shall have to abolish or suspend the Circuit programme of Courts, which furnished one sitting per annum for each place. Mr. Wilson having refused to take Ohinemuri Court, I have, as the best thing I could do, desired him to preside at Maketu. Being close to his own residence, he can make some arrangement perhaps which may diminish the public inconvenience caused by his declining to act. But, under the circumstances, I do not feel that I can neglect or postpone what appears to me a clear though painful duty, and that is, to inform you officially that Mr. Wilson is of no use to this department, and I trust that he will be removed and another Judge appointed. I send by this mail postponements of the Matata and Wairoa Courts, and am anxiously awaiting your answer, so that I may know what arrangements I can make for the other Courts on the list before I go to Wellington. I have, &c, F. D. Pentof, The Hon. the Minister of Justice, Wellington. Chief Judge.

(D.) Tauranga Court, 29th October, 1879. [Cases not heard (i.e. tried) marked *]. New Claims. Dealt with. New Claims. Dealt with. * Taumata, dismissed (no survey) ... 29th Oct. * Pukeroa, adjourned to 4th Feb. ... 3rd Dec. * Oropi, dismissed (no survey) ... 29th Oct. Ngatipahiho, adjourned * Eereioturu, dismissed (no survey) ... 29th Oct. * Tahunaroa, adjourned to 4th Feb. ... 3rd Dec. * Paengaroa, dismissed ... 29th Oct. * Waitahanui, adjourned ... ... 3rd Dec. * Waitaha, (No. 1), adjourned to 4th * Kaikokipu, adjourned to 4th Feb. ... 3rd Dec. February ... ... ... 3rd Dec. Eangiuru, began November 6. Successions. Dealt with. Successions. Dealt with. * Kirimaene, dismissed ... ... 29th Oct. * Matin, dismissed ... ... 30th Oct. * Kirimaene, dismissed ... ... 29th Oct. * Matiu, dismissed ... ... 30th Oct. * Tako Hamuera, dismissed ... ... 29th Oct. *Te Aria, dismissed ... ... 31st Oct. * Purangataua ... ... ... 29th Oct. Ngatupara, order... ... ... 31st Oct. * Ngapire, not done * Te Aria, dismissed ... ... 30th Oct. * Ngapire Marata, dismissed ... 29th Oct. * Kirimaene, dismissed ... ... 29th Oct. * Ngapire, not done * Ngapire, adjourned ... ... 29th Oct. * Ngapire, dismissed ... ... 29th Oct. * Ngapire, dismissed ... .. 29th Oct. * Ngapire, dismissed ... ... 29th Oct. * Nutukara, dismissed ... ... 31st Oct. * Ngapire, dismissed ... ... 29th Oct. Fairfax, order ... ... ... 31st Oct. * Ngapire, dismissed ... ... 29th Oct. Heni, order ... ... ... 30th Oct. * Ngapire, adjourned ... ... 29th Oct. Humana, order ... ... ... 30th Oct. Akuhata, order ... ... ... 30th Oct. Hohepa, order ... ... ... 4th Nov. * Matiu, dismissed ... ... 30th Oct. Ngatiu, order ... ... ... 7th Nov.

Sir,— 24ih July, 1882. Please receive the attached paper exposing the nature of the return re my Courts, handed to you in Committee by Mr. Chief Judge Fenton, and oblige Tour obedient servant, The Chairman, Public Petitions Committee, Wellington. J. A. Wilson.