Gr.—4

6

finally settled by the Native Land Court—i.e., till the three months allowed by the Act for applicationsi for rehearing had expired. On 18th September, 1880, the conveyance from the six Native grantees or owners was duly signed by them. (See deed of 18th September, 1880, Kauika and others to the Queen.) In the month of October, 1880, Mr Williams's services as Land Purchase Officer were finally dispensed with, and at the end of that month he ceased to be a Government officer (See correspondence as to his dismissal, reappointment, and final dismissal, with file of Government papers ) It will be seen on reference to this correspondence that on 19th April, 1880, the Hon. Mr Bryce gave directions that Mr Williams's services were to be dispensed with from the end of that month and notice to that effect was sent to Mr. Williams. Mr Williams, however, wrote to the Minister urging that he should be kept on until the block had passed through the Native Land Court, and offering to waive his claim to salary or remuneration if the Government would allow him to continue in office. In his letter to the Minister, dated 17th May 1880, he says "I further think that unless I should continue to finish this purchase that some trouble may arise, as all payments have been made by and through me, so that I could see when they got the balance that the right Natives got it, and I would hold them to their former arrangements which they made when they all appointed agents to receive moneys, &c. Ido not ask the continuance of this appointment for the sake of the salary, as I am willing to forego that consideration." This letter was laid before the Native Minister (Hon. Mr Bryce), who ultimately consented to Mr. Williams remaining on till the end of October Mr Bryce's memorandum reads"thus " With some hesitation, I think, on the whole, Mr Williams's services had better be retained for a short time longer.—John Bbycb. 18/5/80." The fact of Mr Williams's dismissal was not communicated to the Natives. I have now reached an important stage in the transaction—namely, the final settlement and payment of the balance of the purchase-money to the Natives in December, 1880. When the title had become absolute — i.e., when the three months before referred to had expired—the Hon. Mr Bryce gave instructions to Mr. Gill to see to the final settlement, and to pay the balance of the purchase-money into the hands of the Native grantees or owners, who were the only persons entitled to receive the money On the 14th December, 1880, Mr. Williams sent the following telegram to Mr Gill: ■ " Patea, 14th December, 1880. "E. J Gill, Esq., Government Buildings, Wellington. "Will you be here to pay the balance of Kaitangiwhenua on the time specified—namely, on 18th? The Natives are here inquiring, and wanting to know when. "W Williams, L.P.0." Mr Gill placed this telegram before the Hon. Mr. Bryce, Native Minister, and asked for instructions. Mr Bryce wrote the following note on the telegram "Mr Gill.—The purchase should be completed at once, and the balance of the money paid to the Natives by yourself directly, and not through any other person. —John Beycb. 14/2/80." There is nothing amongst the records to show that Mr Gill replied to Mr Williams's telegram, but I think it is more than probable that he did do so. Mr Gill had a statement prepared showing the total amount of purchase-money paid up to date, and for which the Government held vouchers— namely £5,612 4s. 5d., to this he added the £500 which Mr. Williams alleged he had paid the Natives before the Government took over the block from him—thus making a total debit against the Natives of £6,112 4s. sd. The total purchase-money amounted to £11,523 5s. —namely, 92,186 acres (this was the area of the block as ascertained on actual survey the plan on the deed shows 93,386 acres, but in the body of the deed the area is altered to 92,186 acres), at 2s. 6d. per acre, and, deducting the above amount of £6,112 4s. sd. from the total purchase-money, the balance in favour of the Natives was shown as £5,411 os. 7d.