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No. 76. The Undee Seceetabt to Mr. Rogan, Judge Native Land Court. Sib,— Wellington, 13th October, 1876. I am directed by the Hon. the Native Minister to inform you that the attention of the Government has been directed to a letter bearing your signature which appeared in the Poverty Bay Herald of 22nd September last, which, with the schedule attached thereto, contains statements not supported by facts. It is assumed that the publication under remark emanates from yourself. The Government are led to this belief from the circumstance that comments have appeared in the local newspaper identifying you with the document. A reference to the statement made by the Hon. the Native Minister in Parliament, which you have taken upon yourself to impugn, does not appear to have been said by you with any care, otherwise you would not have committed yourself to assertions taken from a newspaper. It is not alleged in the statement made by the Native Minister that the blocks referred to in the schedule to your letter were absolutely purchased by Mr. Wilson; on the contrary, Sir Donald McLean distinctly stated as follows: " I will now refer to the East Coast and Wairoa Districts; in the former little has been completed, although large areas are under negotiation." Again, the schedule attached to the statement last above referred to shows in Part I. " Negotiations completed," which only includes two blocks leased and one purchased by Mr. Wilson. Part 11. refers distinctly to lands negotiations for which are in progress and on which payments have been made. A re-perusal of the Native Minister's statement must convince you of the misleading nature of the assertions you have made. I am desired to state, further, that the course pursued by you in this matter, coming as it does from a Judge of the Native Land Court, has caused the Government considerable surprise, the evident result of which must be to create an impression that you have prejudged a large number of cases either pending before you, or which have not yet been brought under your judicial notice. I am also directed to remind you that the fact of your publishing the letter alluded to in English and part in Maori must, from your position, be productive of incalculable mischief, irrespective of its being a remarkable departure from the recognized rules of the Civil Service. I am desired to request that you will be good enough to give this matter your early attention, and offer such explanation as you may desire to afford. I have, &c, John Rogan, Esq., H. T. Clabke, Judge Native Land Court. Under Secretary.

No 77. Mr. Rogan to the Undee Seceetaet, Native Department. Sib,— Napier, 25th November, 1876. In reply to your letter of the 13th October last, I have to say that the letter published by me in the Poverty Bay Herald of the 22nd September was written under a mistaken impression of the statement made by the Native Minister in the House of Representatives. A report of that statement, which appeared in the Poverty Bay Standard, represented the Native Minister to have stated that the blocks in question had been purchased by Mr. Wilson. It now appears that what he actually stated was that the blocks were under negotiation. Had I been aware of the true state of the case. 1 should, of course, not have written as I did; and I can only say that I regret having been misled by an incorrect newspaper report. I have, &c, H. T. Clarke, Esq., Under Secretary, J. Rogan, Native Department, Wellington. Judge, Native Land Court.

No. 78. Mr. Rogan to the Hon. Mr. Oemond. 9th December, 1876. Names of blocks of land in Tokomaru District, mentioned in my letter published in the Poverty Bay Herald, which should not be investigated by me : —Tauwhareparae, Huiarua, part of Parariki. I have, &c, J. Rogan, J. D. Ormond, Esq., Wellington. Judge, Native Land Court.

No. 79. Extract from Pbogbess Eepoet for Month ending 30th September, 1876. Land Purchase Office, Gisborne, Bth November, 1876. All purchases in course of completion. Number of blocks, 34 ; area, 399,055 acres 3 roods 11 perches ; purchase money, £32,526 Bs. lid.; payments to date, £11,988 4s. Of this amount there has been paid upon lands passed the Court, 11 blocks, £6,344 Os. Id. j lands not passed the Court, 23 blocks, £5,644 3s. lid.: total, £11,988 4s. Besides these lands there are others completed, the deeds of which are at Wellington. J. A. Wilson, Land Purchase Officer.