STORIES OF THE PENINSULA.

Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, Volume VI, Issue 549, 18 October 1881, Page 2

STORIES OF THE PENINSULA.

No. s.—George Hempleman's Claims— continued. George Heinpleman was not at all pleased with Mr Commissioner Campbell's report. He considered that be had fairlybought the fifteen square miles of country for which he dealt with Bloody Jack and the other chiefs, and that the Government should give him a Crown grant. He went to Wellington shortly after tho report was made public, to press his claim, and he refused to accept the 2650 acres in compensation. The Government as a matter of course stood by the report of their Commissioner. In the meantime the Government gave instructions to have those 2650 acres surveyed, and Mr Boys was sent instructions to that effect, as will be seen by the following letter :—■ Crown Lands Office, Christchurch, August 23rd, 1853. Sir, —As I am desirous of not interfering with surveys which it may soon bo requisite to make up the country, and regarding which I have fully communicated with Government, I have to request that at your earliest convenience you will be so good as to arrange that the lands shown beneath, situated in Banks Peninsula, may be surveyed for Mr George Ilenipleinan, of Akaroa, for whom Crown grants of them will as usual be prepared.

Directions will bo given to Mr Heinpleman to attend to and point out where, within the localities specified, he may select in blocks the extent of land pointed out. but of course you will take care that he is not allowed to interfere with or encroach upon any lands for which you aro aware that Crown grants have already been recommended by me to be given to other persons, and I beg you will confine him to Government regulations as regards frontages and all necessary roads, etc., to be reserved for Crown and public convenience.

No. I—Pernki Bay 500 acres ' -To. 2—Flat Biy 500 „ No. 3—Lands unappropriated by tbe Crown, situated between German and Robinson's Bay., and situated in the Akaroa Harbor 650 „ No. 4—Lands unappropriated by the Crown, situated at the head of what is properly called Akaroa Bay 2150 ~ No. s—Lands unappropriated by the Crown, situated in what is usually called Barry's Bay, and, if necessary, extending from thence towards No. 4 500 ~ Total 2650 „ The wbolo of tlie.se lands having been saved from any proceedings whatever of the Canterbury Association, under their first Act of Parliament, 14th Aug., 1850. you will pay no attention in making the necessary surveys to conveyances of any portions of them to the Church, etc., or to individuals, by the agent of the Canterbury Association.—Yours, etc., Jas. Campbell, Commissioner. John C. Boye, Esq., Government Surveyor.

Before Mr Boys, howovvr, had time to put tho work in hand he was recalled to Wellington, and the matter was left in the bands of Mr Justin Ayhner, the present Resident Magistrato, who was then Mr Boys's assistant. Mr Aylmer, however, resigned almost immediately afterwards, and after some negotiations, Heinpleman is said to have signed an agreement that he would take 250 acres where Mr George Breitmeyej'_ farm is now situated, in German Bay, and 250 acres in Barry's Bay, where Mr Birdling, property now is, to settle the whole thing. This statement, however, George Heinpleman strongly denied and the Government, so far as we are aware never produced any documentary evidence that he had done so. Heinpleman must have had a certain right to these properties, for they were actually sold for him. The following letter, written by Heinpleman to Sir George Grey in 1876, shows his views on the subject, and makes it quite clear that he had not parted with the whole of his claim for the 500 acres in question ; — Wellington, Nov. 16th 1876. Sir George Grey,

Sir.—l have the honor to hand you enclosed herein copies of (wo letters relating to Mr George Ilemplemaii'sclaim in Banks Peninsula. The one from Mr James Campbell to Mr J. C. Boys, states as you will perceive the whereabouts of the estate then in the possession of the claimant, tho other written by J. E. Fitzgerald, Esq., and directed to your Excellency is not correct in every particular. Tho writer states that the Commissioner neglected or refused to examine certain individuals, whose evidence would materially effect tho case for the prosecution. Such was not the _-iso. nearly all. if not quite all, were examined including several English and native witnesses. Me also states that the inhabitants of Akaroa sent in a petition against the decision of the Government. Four of the signatures wore Messrs Ayhner, Watson. Doyley, and D. Watkins. Mr Goldsn, Collector 11. M. Customs, first started the j etition. and the four above named persons possess! rig fifty acre sections in the town of Akaroa, were afraid that Mr Heinpleman would select tbeir land, hence the petition. Mr Fitzgerald also states that the claimant was at that time reeling about Chrisichurch intoxicated. Mr Heinpleman ...lived in Chrisfehurcli late in the evening, and left, again early next morning, allowing very little time to make himself known in that manner.

When Mr J. C. Boys received instructions from James Campbell, Esq., to lay out the land for Mr Ilenipleinan ; he at once made arrangements with the claimant to proceed with it. Unfortunately us soon as arrangements wre made. Mr Boys had lo leave for Wellington, and so it was put in the hands of the assistant surveyor, Mr Aylmcr, son of tho I .forementioned person. He immediately resigned his position, and so tbe m..tt< r fell through. The next thing the claimant heard was that he was to receive 250 acres instead. The claimant also signed the requisition under protest, sincerely trusting that justice will at last be administered. I have the honor to be, Sir, Y r our very obedient servant, G. Uempleman. Sir George replied to this letter from Kawau on December sth, stating that it was not a matter for him to decide, and referring Heinpleman to the Government. In a subsequent issue, an account of Hetnplernaii's further conflicts with the Government, his latter days, and death, will be given.