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1884. NEW ZEALAND.

MAORI LANDS AND PERPETUAL ANNUITIES ASSOCIATION (LIMITED). (PAPERS RELATING TO A PROPOSED)

Presented to both Houses of the General Assembly by Command of His Excellency.

No. 1. James Csoppeb, Esq. M.P. and Others, to the Eight Hon. the Earl of Kimbeeley. My Loed, — 35, Belsize Avenue, Hampstead, 2nd August, 1882. You are probably aware that three chiefs of the aboriginal race of New Zealand are at present in London in a partially representative character, to seek redress, through Her Majesty the Queen, of grievances which their race professes to have suffered at the hands of successive Colonial Governments of New Zealand. We have no knowledge of the merits of the complaints, but it was felt, by all who were aware of the political relations of the colonies possessing responsible government to the Mother-country, that the mission would not be successful. At any rate, it has failed for the present; but, in order to lessen the irritation of failure and the disappointment felt by the chiefs at being refused an audience of Her Majesty, which was doubtless necessary for political reasons, and to turn to practical account an opportunity which seems to have been providentially afforded for benefiting the race in respect of the much-vexed question of the disposal of their lands, it has been decided to address a letter to the chiefs in New Zealand expressing the natural interest which is felt in the welfare of the people, and submitting a scheme which is calculated, in the opinion of those in this country who are competent judges, to secure to them the permanent advantage of their valuable hereditary possessions. A printed document setting forth considerations in favour of the scheme is sent herewith, as well as a copy of the proposed letter; and, if after perusal the scheme meets with your approval in a general way, we venture to ask you to sign the letter, and return it to us at the above address, as the addition of your name will add great weight to the document in the eyes of both Europeans and Natives in the colony. Should the Maori people respond favourably to the suggestions made in the letter, those who sign it would necessarily be consulted by us before any further steps were taken. If you would like to consult with the chiefs personally, an interview could easily be arranged. They leave this country on the 28th of this month. We are, &c, James Geoppek. E. N. Powlee. A. McAbthur. Wμ. McAethue. , Anthony John Mundella. Heney W. Peek. Heney Eichaed. The Eight Hon. the Earl of Kimberley. Wμ. Summees.

Enclosure 1. Considebations in favour of a Scheme for the Pacification of the Aboriginal People of New Zealand by dealing with their Lands on just principles, for the lasting benefit of both European and Native Eaces. Accoeding to the New Zealand Crown Lands Guide, the total area of that colony is upwards of 64,000,000 acres. Of this, 14;000,000 have been sold, or disposed of in education and other public reserves; 16,000,000 belong to the aborigines or to the Europeans who have purchased from them ; and 34,000,000 acres of Crown lands still remain for disposal. Of the latter, 15,000,000 acres are open grass or fern country, 10,000,000 forest, and 9,000,000 barren mountain-tops, lakes, and worth-

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* Extracted from the Imperial Blue Book, C. 3689,1883.