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had taken the money from me for the land, and after I had arranged the price, viz. 3s. an acre, Mr. Nelson, who I believe is employed by Mr. Brissenden, gave a Native £30 for the same block, price to be Is. per acre. I wrote to Mr. Brissenden about this, and Mr. Brissenden said Mr. Nelson had made a great mistake ; but that Jones could refund him the money when the final payment was made. I make the above statement firmly beliving the same to be true and correct in every particular. Tiios. McDonnell. Moneys paid to Natives on account of Otaua, including expenses, are as under: — Cash to Natives .-.. ... ... ... ... ... ... £70 Expenses ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 8 £78 Statement of Colonel McDonnell, laid before the Tairua Investigation Committee, with respect to the piece of land called Mangakirikiri and Te Waipouitaka, adjoining, I believe, the purchases made by me for the Government (Tutamoe and Kairara). "Wellington, 2nd September, 1875. Paboue te Awha has promised me this as compensation for services rendered by my late father, Captain McDonnell, R.N., about the year 1829. It had nothing to do with Government purchases. A piece of kauri timber land had, at the time I speak of, been made over by Native deed to Captain McDonnell. This deed did not, I think, come before the Land Claims Commissioners ; it was given t(> me by my father, but was afterwards lost. I mentioned this to Parore :he acknowledged the past, but said, " The timber has long since been cut down ;" you can have no claim now. " I know that," I replied, and here the subjeot dropped. Some months afterwards, Parore told me he would make his words good t» me on account of Kapetana, my father, and gave me of his own free will the above-mentioned block, which he told me to get surveyed. I intended to give him something for his honorable conduct when it had past the Native Land Court. The land has been surveyed, and is about 900 acres. I received a letter from Parore about this land when last in Auckland, and, a few days before I left, Major Green told me that Brissenden would buy it from me, as it now stands, for the Government, if I would name a price. I have not paid one penny for the land, and have not sold it. The above is all I have to state in reference to Mangakirikiri and Te Waipouitaka; and, if it is required, I can bring forward evidence, Native and European, to prove what I have stated here to be facts. Thos. McDonnell. Letter from Colonel McDonnell to Sir D. McLean. Sic— Auckland, 25th January, 1875. Referring to what I was saying to-day about Tutamoe and Kairara blocks, which include Totarapoka and another piece of land, in reference to Mr. Brissenden, I have simply the honor to state that, if what he has told me on more than one occasion is correct, I am not surprised at his anxiety to conclude the negotiations I have commenced. Mr. Brissenden has informed me that he wished to reserve some of the kauri timber I had reported on for the interests of Thomas Russell, Esq., as that gentleman had a contract from the Admiralty for spars, and that he had permission from yourself and the Hon. Mr. Vogel to use his own discretion in negotiations of this kind, at the time he received his appointment. With the above I have nothing to do or say, but I venture my opinion, with all due deference, that if Mr. Brisseuden is permitted to conclude the negotiations of these particular blocks that I have been engaged in, it will tend very much to confuse what I have taken much trouble aud pains to bring to a satisfactory issue. The Natives, especially old Parore, wish me, and not others, to conclude these purchases ; besides, there are many small but necessary details it has cost no little expense to become acquainted with. In making the above remarks, I beg to assure you, Sir Donald, I only make them with a view to avoid future trouble and complication that might take place. Owing to others not knowing the tender portions of the ground, they would rush on. I have, &c, Thos. McDonnell, Land Purchase Officer. Statement of Me. E. T. Beissenden, laid before the Tairua Investigation Committee. I, E. T. Beissenden, do make oath as follows: — Sib,— Wellington, October sth, 1875. In accordance with the letter which I have received, announcing the decision of the Tairua Committee that I may make a statement, I have now the honor to forward one, and at the same time to request that, as the Committee has declined to allow me to cross-examine witnesses who have given evidence apparently damaging to me, I may be allowed to give in this statement on oath. I have, &c, The Chairman of Tairua Committee, Wellington. E. T. Bbissenden. Sib,— Wellington, sth October, 1875. Having at your request carefully read your statement to the Chairman of the Tairua Committee, I feel bound to state that, so far as my knowledge relating to the circumstances referred to enables me to judge, in substance and spirit your statement is candid and truthful. I have, &c, E. T. Brissenden, Esq. J. E. Dalton.