REPORT OF THE TRUSTS COMMISSIONER UNDER

6.—No 7.

14

Patangata No. 4 Block—l,loo Acres. 20th June, 1871. A lease made between Te Ilapuku, Paraone Hakihaki, Mere Irawaru, Pita Te Pu, Paora Nikahere, Hoera Paraihe, Ropata Hoahakari, Tamawharu, Karaitiana Kalinirange, and Morena Hawea, of the one part, and the Rev. S. Williams, of Te Ante, of the other part, of the above block, was handed to me by the Rev. Mr. Williams. The land was leased for twenty-one years, from Ist March, 1871, at a yearly rental of .£5O per annum. Hoera Paraihe appeared and acknowledged the transaction. (Enquiry not completed.) Hanson Turton, Trust Commissioner. Pekapeka No. 2 Block, 4,370 Acres. 29th June, 1871. Mr. Worgan handed me deed of conveyance, dated 20th September, 1870, made between Paurini Te Whiti, Paramena Oneone, Aihipene Tururu, Pera Pahora, and Whakaari, of the one part, and Robert Gardiner and Margaret Gardiner, his wife, of the other part. The consideration for the interests of the five Natives, being altogether a moiety of the block, was £1,100. Paramena Oneone and Aihipene Tururu appeared, and consented to the sale. 6th July. Pawini, Aihipene Tururu, and Whakaari appeared with Mr. Worgan. I explained to the parties that I had, since the 29th ultimo, perused the title deeds registered against the block, and I found that the land had been leased by the ten native owners after the issue of the Grant to Mr. F. M. Chapman, of Poukawa, sheep-farmer, for 21 years, at a rental of £220 a year. The leasehold interest was assigned to the Union Bauk on the 28th April, 18G8, and was subsequently, and on the 30th October, assigned by the Bank to Mr. Henry Campbell, in whom it has since remained vested. As regards the fee simple, I discovered that Paurini Te Whiti, Pera Pahora, and Aihipene Tururu had mortgaged their freehold interests in the land to Messrs. Kinross and Co., agents for Mr. Hugh Campbell (who represented Mr. and Mrs. Gardiner in the transaction) by deed dated 31st July, 1869, to secure £400 and balance on account cui-rent; and that Whakaari and Paramena Oneone had also mortgaged their freehold interests to Messrs. Kinross and Co., by deed dated 9th August, 18GD, to secure a similar sum of £400 and balance on account current. The conveyance produced, therefore, was a conveyance of the equity of redemption of the five Natives in the land. Mr. Hugh Campbell produced accounts, which were explained by me to the Natives, and agreed to. There was due on the accounts the sum of £19 0s 4d to Paurini, £10 to Aihipene, and £45 to Whakaari. Mr. Campbell produced accounts showing that Pera Pahora had received her share of the purchase money, less £51 10s., due to her. Whakaari stated that Pera (who was away drunk) had admitted the account. An account was also produced, whereby there was a balance in favor of Paramena of £30. The Natives stated that they had other lands to live upon. They agreed to take Mr. Campbell's promissory notes in full payment of the balance due to them. I explained to the Natives the nature and effect of promissory notes, and they were satisfied. Mr. Hugh Campbell, of his own free will, liberally undertook to obtain from his brother, Mr. Henry Campbell, a lease to the five Native vendors of 110 acres, at a peppercorn rent for the remainder of the term of the original lease, made in favor of Mr. F. M. Chapman, and he also undertook to have a freehold estate of inheritance in the same 110 acres vested in or settled upon the Natives by satisfactory deeds of conveyance. Certificate to be issued. Hanson Tueton, Trust Commissioner. Ngatarawa Block No. 5.—5,375 Acres. 3rd July, 1871. Deed of release of equity of redemption, dated Bth June, 1871, made between Te Meihana Takihi, Peti te Owai, Werahiko te Oipu, Mata Kiratu, Rora Poneke, Hirini Takamoana, Te Hapuku, and Hirini Tokomoana as legal successor to Harawira Takuao, of the one part, and Donald M'Lean, of Wellington, gentleman, of the other part, prodnced by Mr. Maddock, solicitor. The release was signed by Hirini Takamoana, Te Hapuku, Werahiko te Oepu, Peti te Owai, Mata Kinatu, and Hirini Takamoana, as legal successor to Harawira Takuao. The purchase money for this block is £1,500. The proportion of that sum to which the above Natives are entitled is £1,200. The property was mortgaged by the Natives to Mr. M'Lean on 12th November, 1869, to secure £400 and advances. Subsequently, and on the 13th February, 1871, the Natives entered into an agreement (registered in the Registry of Deeds Office, Napier) to sell the land for £1,500 ; and they agreed that the moneys advanced on the mortgage should bo received by them in part payment. By the deed under notice it appeared that the Natives had received £821 lls. Bd. on mortgage of the land, and there was a balanee owing to them of £378 Bs. 4d. Hirini Takamoana appeared and acknowledged the execution of the deed by him, and consented to it. Accounts were produced and explained to Hirini, and he expressed his satisfaction. They had other lands to live upon. He stated that he would take the balance due to him by Mr. M'Lean's promissory note. I explained the effect of his taking a promissory note; also the effect of his signing the lease. 4th July. Werahiko te Oipu and Hapuku appeared, and were examined by me. They admitted the amount alleged to have been paid them and the other vendors, the accounts being produced. They had other lands to live upon. Promissory notes for the balance of the purchase money agreed to be taken.