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APPENDIX E. In the Validation Court, GISBOPNE. In the matter of " The Maori Laud Claims Adjustment and Laws Amendment Act, 1906," and the other Acts affecting the same; and in the matter of the two blocks of land known as Maraetaha No. 2a, Sections 2 and 3 (each containing 2,541 acres 1 rood 10 perches). Take notice that Wetini Kikirangi, Puraro Timo, Horomona Turoa, Hapeta Haraki, Tame Auahi, Te Kerehi Tan, Hemi Tutapu, for themselves and the other beneficiaries of the said lands, by the undersigned their solicitor, do hereby (without prejudice to their right to have the sale of the said lands by the East Coast Native Trust Lands Boards set aside) object to the said lands being charged with any portion of the debt to the Bank of New Zealand or any other claim purporting to be made under the provisions of " The Easi Coast Native Trust Lands Act, 1902," or the amendments thereof, or otherwise, save only the expenses of management of the said lands; that as to sucli expenses they object to those expenses charged against the said lands in the accounts filed herein by the East Coast Commissioner, and claim to be heard in respect of such expenses. Dated this 17th day of August, 1908. To the Registrar. Solicitor. Memorandum for H. Can , , Esq., Registrar, Validation Court, Gisborne. Maraetaha No. 2a, Sections 2 and S. Please express my obligations to the Judge for his courtesy in adjourning this matter until the 27th. I am not aware what exactly is the procedure to Lie followed with reference to the preparation of the " scheme " which the Court has been empowered to submit to Parliament next session. The jurisdiction appears to be special. I supposed that the opportunity previously given and now kindly extended in the above case, was merely for the lodging of notice of objections. My notice was certainly very general. I should desire to siake it as precise as possible, if jjrecision at this stage lie considered the proper course. As far as lam aware the only "charges at present made against the above lands are- £ s. d. (1.) Surveys ... ... ... ... ... ... 36 5 C (2.) Advertising ... ... ... ... ... ... 22- 9 4 (3.) Sale-expenses ... ... ... ... ... ... 13 12 6 (4.) Salaries and management ... ... ... ... 107 11 G (5.) Legal expenses ... ... ... ... ... ... 72 11 0 (().) Rates ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 101 11 2 Total ... ... ... ... ... ... .£354 1 0 The beneficiaries object to items (2), (3), and (5) as being (unless it be some detail as to legal expenses) connected witli a sale of the lands which the beneficiaries claim to have been illegal, and which they are taking steps in the Supreme Court to challenge; while as to (4) the beneficiaries object (without prejudice to their contention as to the illegality of the sale) to the amount charged, while admitting that some amount is properly chargeable for administration. 1 cannot define the objections to these items more precisely without having the full details of the respective amounts before me, and these (as far as I know) have not yet been filed. Even if I were personally to attend the Court at the present stage I could not define the objections otherwise than indicated by the former notice and this memo. My former, and more formal, notice contemplates other and more important " charges " being made against the above lands, and, if those now under consideration are all that will be advanced, the accounting will be of a comparatively simple matter. Perhaps the above objections may, as far as they go, be recorded, and at some future date which may be arranged a more formal appearance may be made by me. It is probable I will be in Gisborne next month, when I would take the opportunity of attending at your office. Wanganui, 24th August,' 1008. G. Hutchison. Approximate Cost of Paper. —Preparation, not given ; printing (1,500 copies), £'i 18s. By Authority : John Mackay, Government Printer. Wellington—l93B Price 6ri.]