I.—B

14

sented at the inquiry ? —The inquiry was instigated by the head of the province, who, I think, looked after the interests of the province as well as he possibly could. 144. Seeing that a change was likely to fall upon the governing body of the province, was it not only fair that that body should be represented at the inquiry ?—The Provincial Government was represented, because the first thing Mr. Hamilton did was to consult tho Superintendent. The only difficulty was that the Superintendent was there in a dual capacity. 145. Were confiscated lands to be exempt from these claims ? —I intended it so, certainly. 146. Clause 6 of the Act of 1872 contemplates that ?—Tes. 147. Are you aware of any lands having been acquired by tbe Province of Taranaki since that time except confiscated lauds ?—I am not aware. I think some have been purchased. 148. The lands said to be purchased are confiscated lands. As a matter of fact all the lands acquired by the Province are lands from which the confiscation has never been taken. Assuming this to be the case, would these lands be liable even under the Act of 1872 ?—I consider the claimants have no claim to any particular land. Letter from Sir Julius Vogel to L. Harper Esq., M.H.R. " Deae Me. Haepee,— Friday afternoon. " I would like all of my evidence relating to the £30,000 expunged, and I will give fresb evidence concerning it. I have looked the matter up, and my impression is that the clause in the Appropriation Act was not meant to affect the case one way or the other —it simply allowed a balance to be written otf which was not represented by a cash balance.—l have, &c, " Julius Vogel. " P.S.—I will attend whenever you like, excepting Monday from 11 o'clock to 12.30, when lam engaged. If, however, you are contented with written evidence I subjoin that which I would like to say on the subject. In any case, I would like my evidence on the subject and the meaning expunged. Concerning the £32,000 balance under ' The Loan Act, 1856,' which was written off by the 7th clause of ' The Appropriation Act, 1870,' my recollection is that the provision was made to get rid of unnecessary complications in the accounts. The balance was only partly represented by cash. It principally or partly was represented by advances, and, together with other outstanding balances, created unnecessary complications. Ido not consider that Taranaki's position was meant to be affected one way or the otber, nor do I think it should be. I cannot find that any provision beyond the maintenance of the Land Fund to £2,000 has been made in lieu of the amount for Native land purchases which it was proposed to make on behalf of Taranaki out of the 1856 loan. In 1872, provision was made to compensate Auckland for a short purchase under the 1856 Act. I can discover nothing of the kind in respect to Taranaki, and I am certainly of opinion that the 7th clause of ' The Appropriation Act 1870,' should not prejudice the case one way or the other. "J. V." [See Nos. 135 to 141 inclusive.]

APPENDICES. The Hon. the Colonial Seceetaet. to His Honor F. A. Caeeington. Sic,— Colonial Secretary's Office, Wellington, 23rd August, 1873. I have the honor to transmit, for your Honor's information, a copy of the report by Mr. Hamilton, the Commissioner appointed under " The Taranaki New Zealand Company's Land Claims Act, 1872," which was recently presented to Parliament by command of His Excellency. I have, &c, His Honor the Superintendent of Taranaki. Daniel Pollen. His Honor P. A. Cabbington to the Hon. the Colonial Seceetaet. Sic, — Superintendent's Office, New Plymouth, 28th January, 1874. I have the honor to request that, in conformity with the' Schedule of " The Taranaki New Zealand Company's Land Claims Act, 1872," His Excellency the Governor be asked to issue land orders, in the form set forth in the Schedule of the above-named Act, authorizing me, Prederic Alonzo Carrington, of New Plymouth, the attorney and agent of Edward John Sartoris and Edwin Henry Downe, to purchase laud for them, on the terms stated in the said Act, to the amount named in the " Report by Mr. Hamilton, the Commissioner," which was forwarded to me, " the Superintendent of Taranaki," together with the Hon. the Colonial Secretary's letter ofthe 23rd August, 1873, No. 229. I have, &c, The Hon. the Colonial Secretary, Wellington. Peed. A. Cabbington. His Honor F. A. Caeeington to the Hon. the Colonial Seceetabt. In re Lowne's Waitara Land and the Award made by Mr. Hamilton, the Commissioner. Sic, — Wellington, sth February, 1874. Referring to my letter of the 28th January, 1874, in the matter of Sartoris and Downe, I do myself the honor of forwarding the following list, showing the numbers of the land orders, the numbers of the sections, and the award made by Mr. Hamilton, the Commissioner appointed " under the hand Note.—The amount of the award made to E. J. Sartoris ia £3,125, and to E. H. Downe is £9,275.