G.—9

12

4 I enclose a Schedule of all the families that have received grants of land in fulfilment of Mr. Mantell's promises (as far as can be ascertained in this office), in which you will observe the names of Wixon and Hughes. I presume that the persons of those names mentioned in your list are members of the families of the same names included in Mr. Mantell's list. If this be the case (unless they had interest in both blocks), they cannot obtain any more land in consideration of Mr. Mantell's promises, his promises to those families having been fulfilled ; but (taking the case of the Wixons), as they would be at a disadvantage in respect to the area received, or to be received, as compared with other half-castes, their names might be entered in List No. 2 for the balance of the area to which they would be entitled under that list— i.e., deducting forty-two acres from the gross area the family would receive. If any of the half-caste families resident in the blocks purchased by Mr. Mantell at the time of purchase by him removed subsequently to Stewart Island, and were residing on it when purchased, they would be entitled to grants of land under the conditions of both purchases. I enclose a copy of Mr. Mantell's list for your information. I have, &c, Alex. Mackay, Esq., H. A. Atkinson, Commissioner Native Reserves, Nelson. Land Claims Commissioner.

Enclosure in No. 11. GRANTS issued in Fulfilment of Mr. MANTELL'S Promises.

Addenda. Land to the extent of 25 acres, being Section 76, Block V., Hawksbury, was purchased for Andrew Thompson by the Provincial Government. Land to the extent of 50 acres, being Section 2, Block X., Toetoe District (Taikonui River), was purchased for James Whybrow by the Provincial Government, and granted to him 2nd July, 1869. A. Mackat.

No. 12. Mr. Alex. Mackat to the Hon. the Seceetaet for Ceown Lands. Sir, — Native Beserves Office, Nelson, 15th February, 1875. I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letters No. 63, 25th November, 1874, and No. 88, 23rd December, 1874, on the subject of half-caste claims at Stewart Island and the mainland, and, for convenience, will reply seriatim to the several points to which you draw attention ; but, in the first place, I would beg to explain that the return forwarded under cover of my letter of the 19th November, included only the claims under " The Stewart Island Grants Act, 1873," the only claimants that were omitted being those that were alluded to in the Return D. Other claimants, whose names appeared in the list of 1868, were included in the general return of half-castes claiming provision in l&nd forwarded to the Native Office under cover of a letter dated sth September, which, I note by yours of 23rd December, has since been before you. The names in Return A, alluded to in the first paragraph of No. 63 r are additional claims. The list of claims made in 1868 could only be considered an interim one, and I pointed out in my letter to the Native Office of 3rd June, 1868, when forwarding it, that it was probable there were other claimants, besides those included in the list, who were entitled to have provision made for them. The persons named in Return D, although not entitled under the Act, have to be provided with land in fulfilment of the general promise to half-castes; and as they expressed a willingness to take the shares of those who were recommended to be disallowed, their names were taken down with that object, and also to preclude the necessity of altering the size of any of the allotments. With reference to the apparent confusion with regard to the correct names of certain claimants, I would beg to explain that the list under review is an amended return compiled from carefully revised lists that had previously undergone numerous corrections, and that the names set down are correct with the exception of Jane Parker, nee Anglem, which should have been Elizabeth Parker. The Mary Anglem alluded to is the wife of William Anglem, her maiden name being Wood. The names of Betsey, Eliza, Jenny, and Emma Groombs were found on inquiry to be inaccurate, the family name being Thomas, one of whom, Jane, is the wife of William Elint. Mary Newton, and not Margaret, is Mrs. Thomas Cross. Some difficulty was experienced, in compiling the lists, in obtaining the correct name of each individual, owing to the numerous nicknames that many of them were known by.

Date of Grant 15th July, 1853 15th July, 1853 15th July, 1853 24th February, 1S53 ... 24th February, 1853 ... 15th July, 1853 Rodden, John, 45 acres Lahee, Michael, 20 acres Harper, William, 30 acres ... Donaldson, Joseph, 10 acres Haberfield, William, 25 acres Hughes, John, 21 acres Thompson, Andrew Crocome, Joseph, 25 acres ... Sizemore, Richard, 25 acres ... Wixon, Henry, 42 acres Waikouaiti. H U Moeraki. >> it 8th September, 1873 ... 8th September, 1873 ... 8th September, 1873 ... Hawkesbury. u ii