14

G.—s

He made some application about fifteen months ago which could not be granted, upon which he left, and straightway said to Dr. Nesbitt that he would never enter Judge Eogan's Court again. He religiously kept his word, until the Tolago Bay Court, when Henare Potae's violence, alluded to, stopped the proceedings. If the Government have purchased these blocks of land from the Native owners, how then can Ferris, Cooper, or any one else, buy them afterwards ? My duty is to ascertain the ownership of the land and no more. If Mr. Wilson will go to Wellington, return and remain in Gisborne, and then write to the Natives at Tolago Bay to say that he will not go there, on account of his having no money, am I to adjourn the Court in consequence ? Judging from his message, he must be labouring under some hallucination. I know nothing of his business, and he has never yet presented me with a document but one at Opotiki, which he called a "correct map," and which turned out to be nothing more than a mere hand-sketch. He now sbates that he made application to me out of Court. It is needless to say that Ido not conduct business in the street. I deny having ordered grants to Eobert Cooper, upon lauds purchased by Mr. Wilson, who has never furnished me with a list of his purchases. Although I have assessed two deeds of Cooper's, I did so under legal advice.

Enclosure in No. 5. Mr. Gill to Judge Eogan. The attached are copies of accounts forwarded by Mr. J. A. Wilson, as payments made on account of the purchase of Puremungahua and Matatuotonga Blocks for credit of his advance account. By direction of the Hon. the Native Minister they are forwarded for your information, with a request that you will be good enough to report on the minutes noted thereon by Mr. Wilson. E. J. Gill. Judge Eogan, Gisborne. Gisborne, New Zealand. The New Zealand Goyeenment (Native Land Purchase Department), De. to Hepeta Maitai. Auckland Province, Tolago District, Puremungahua, 2,81)0 acres, price 2s. per acre: Advance on purchase money ... ... ... ... ... ... £5 0 0 I was not aware when this amount was paid that Judge Eogan, departing from the rule, had within six months, the period allowed for appeal, ordered an indorsement upon the memorial of ownership to grant this land under clauses 59, 60, and 61, " Native Lands Act, 1873," to one Robert Cooper. Still less could I have conceived it possible that the Proclamation in the New Zealand Gazette, 4th May, 1876, re this block, should have been disregarded by him. Not the least remarkable feature about this very partial business is the surreptitious manner in which it was done. —J. A. Wilson.— 23rd July, 1876. P.S. —I will, however, complete the title to the Crown as soon as I am furnished with an attesting Resident Magistrate. Seventh payment on account of the above purchase. Former payments, £38. I certify that, to the best of my knowledge and belief, the foregoing account is true and correct in every particular ; and that the amount herein has been paid to the Native who has signed; and that an agreement to convey to the Crown has been duly executed. J. A. Wilson. Eeceived from the Paymaster-General, by cheque No. 1175, countersigned this 21st day of July, 1876, by J. A. Wilson, Esq., the sum of £5 sterling, in full payment of the above account. Witness to payment and signature— Hepeta Maitai. W. K. Nesbit, E.M. Gisborne, New Zealand, 21st July, 1876. The New Zealand Govebnment (Native Land Purchase Department) De. to Hepeta Maitai. Auckland Province, Tolago District, Matatuotonga Block, 1,385 acres ; price, 2s. per acre. Purchase money advanced ... ... ... ... ... £4 0 0 I was not aware when this amount was paid that Judgo Rogan, departing from rule, had, within Bix months, the period allowed for appeal, ordered an indorsement upon the memorial of ownership, to grant this land under clauses 59, 60, and 61, " Native Land Court Act, 1873," to one Robert Cooper. Still less could I have conceived it possible that the Proclamation in the New Zealand Gazette of 4th May, 1876, re this block should have been disregarded by him. Not the least remarkable feature about this very partial business is the surreptitious manner in which it was done. I will, however, complete the title to the Crown as soon as I am furnished with an attesting Resident Magistrate J. A. Wilson.—23rd July, 1876. Seventh payment on account of above purchase. Former payments, £20 10s. I certify that, to the best of my knowledge and belief, the foregoing account is true and correct in every particular, and that the amount herein has been paid to the Native who has signed, and that an agreement to convey to the Crown has been duly executed. J. A. Wilson. Eeceived from the Paymaster-General, by cheque No. 1174, countersigned this 2lst day of July, 1876, by J. A. Wilson, Esq., the sum of £4 sterling, in full payment of the above account. Witness to payment and signature — Hepeta Maitat W. K. Nesbitt, E.M.