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them who may be spared on earth to contest the matter, to have placed on record what my feelings are at this stage of the opposition that is being fostered to prevent a completion of the negotiations being effected. The Minister informed me yesterday that any communication from me w rould have no effect upon the Government. Might I hope that he will think better of it, and endeavour to obtain me a hearing by a Parliamentary Committee, where the opponents could be heard also. It will be less costly and more satisfactory to all parties than a Boyal Commission. Let me impress upon the Minister that the financial position of the concern is such that a Boyal Commission can scarce be of avail to me. My interests may fall into other hands unless the matter be dealt with immediately by Barliament. I have submitted your communication to my solicitor, and he, with every respect to the Government, advises me that a Commission cannot be of assistance upon the face of the facts already in existence. The matter is so well understood that an immediate remedy by Parliament is requested. I have just seen the names of two gentlemen for the proposed Commission, who I understand are Civil servants, or in some way dependent on Government. I must respectfully protest against the Crown appointing their own servants to judge between itself and a subject complaining. I have, &c, The, Hon. Edwin Mitchelson, M.H.8., Native Minister. Joshua Jones.

No. 3. . Mr. J. Jones to the Hon. Mr. Mitchelson. Sic,— Wellington, 19th June, 1888. I am in receipt of your letter of yesterday, informing me that the Government intended to advise His Excellency the Governor to appoint a Commission of certain gentlemen named to inquire into my case, &c. I would ask what is the object of this Commission ? I sought an independent Parliamentary Committee, 'who could have inquired into the actions of officials of higher standing than that of the Commissioners themselves, and placed the whole facts before the Legislature. This Committee is refused me, and a Commission created by the Ministry is suggested. The Minister told me in plain language that no effect would be given to the recommendations of a Parliamentary Committee, even if I had succeeded in getting one, and that as long as he was in office no law should be passed to afford me relief. What am Ito infer from this ? if the Ministry pay no respect to a Parliamentary Committee of ten independent gentlemen, am I not entitled to fear that the Commission is appointed for some purpose other than was intended to be obtained through the Parliamentary Committee. The Minister says no law shall be passed to afford me relief. Let me ask how it is that clauses have been placed in the Bills of last year, and this year in a Bill introduced by the Hon. E. Mitchelson himself, protecting the titles obtained by Messrs. Morrin and Bussell, of Auckland, in a very peculiar manner at Mokau. I again desire it to be placed on record that this Commission is not appointed at my request, but in defiance of my protest. I have, &c, The Hon. E. Mitchelson, M.H.8., Native Minister. Joshua Jones.

No. 4. Commission issued by His Excellency. Wm. E. Dbummond Jeevois, Governor. To all to whom these presents shall come, and to Geoege Boutflowee Davy, Begistrar-General of Lands and Deeds, John Mackintosh Bobeets, Lieutenant-Colonel, New Zealand Militia, and Hamueea Mahupuku, Assessor of the Native Land Court: Greeting. Wheeeas by an Act of the General Assembly of New Zealand intituled " The Special Powers and Contracts Act, 1885," it was, among other things, enacted that the Governor might, for the reasons set out in the Schedule to the said Act No. 17, by notice in the Gazette, declare that a parcel of land bounded on the north by the Mokau Biver, on the south by the Mohakatino Biver, on the west by the sea, and on the eastward by a line drawn from the mineral spring at Totoro, on the Mokau Biver, due south to the Mohakatino Biver, should be, and be deemed to have been, excluded from the Schedule to "The Native Lands Alienation Bestriction Act, 1884," but so only that the said Joshua Jones should be entitled to complete the negotiations entered into by him with the Native owners of the said land for a lease thereof for the term of fifty-six years, and that the said lease should or might be validly made for the said longer term : And whereas it has been alleged by the said Joshua Jones that he has been prevented from pursuing and completing his negotiations by reason of the provisions of "The Native Lands Administration Act, 1886," and also by reason of certain actions of the Government of New Zealand; and it has, on the other hand, been alleged that the said Joshua Jones has not taken reasonable steps to enable advantage to be taken by him of enactment: And whereas it is considered expedient to ascertain whether the said Joshua Jones has been prevented by any action of the Legislature of New Zealand, or the Government thereof, or any of its officers, from acquiring the leasehold title to the aforesaid land, and also whether the said Joshua Jones has suffered any wrong through any of the matters aforesaid; and, further, whether the said Joshua Jones is entitled to obtain any redress from the Government or Legislature of New Zealand, and, if so, of what nature and to what extent; and, further, whether the non-com-