11

a.— 9.

Mr. G. A. Preece, Napier, to the Under-Secretaby, Native Office, Wellington. (Telegram.) 3rd May, 1880. Me. Hardino has written to me as follows: " I wish to know when lamto be put in possession of my land. The Natives having declined the offer of the Native Minister, I now expect that without further delay the writ of the Supreme Court be now executed. I wish to know if I can now claim the protection of the police to enable me to put up my fence." I send this by telegram, as I think it ia important to remain on the land. They are sure to obstruct any attempt to erect fence. Geoeqe A. Pbeece.

The TTndee-Seceetaey, Native Department, to Captain G-. A. Peeece, Napier. Sib,— Native Office, Wellington, 20th May, 1880. I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your telegram of the 3rd instant, in connection with the Native dispute at Waipawa, and, in reply, am directed by the Hon. the Native Minister to inform you that he .does not think it is for the (Government to execute the writ of the Supreme Court. The attempt on the part of the Government to arrange the matter having failed, the law must be left to take its course. I have to request you will be good enough to communicate the purport of this reply to Mr. Harding. I have, &c, T. W. Lewis, Captain G. A. Preece, E.M., Native Agent, Napier. Under-Secretary.

Mr. J. D. Ormond, Napier, to the Hon. ~W. Kolieston, Wellington. Telegram.) 3rd May, 1880. Have seen Preece, and correspondence re Harding's land. I disagree with Bryce's decision, as I believe the Natives right in saying they did not sell the land. Locke and Williams, who know the whole history and circumstances of the case, are of that opinion. On Friday the Natives sent the word that they had refused Government offer, and would remain on the land. I advised them to submit to the law, and promised to assist them in getting their case heard by Parliament. They have replied they will stick to the ground, and I think force will be required to remove them. They are collecting at Waipawa. The wretched piece of land in dispute is valueless, and probably next flood the river will wash it away. I shall be absent from Napier this week at Wallingford. J. D. Okmond.

Mr. John Haeding to the Hon. the Native Minister. Sir, — Mount Vernon, 15th May, 1880. I shall be glad to know if you have any answer for me to my letter of 2nd April, 1880 ; also, whether 3 rou will now allow me to call on the police to protect me in the erection of my boundary fence, the Maoris having declined your liberal offer. Also, if you intend to have me put in possession of my land and the houses upon it. I have, &c, The Hon. the Native Minister. John Harding.

The Undeb-Seceitaby, Native Department, to John Haeding, Esq., Waipukurau. Sic,— Native Office, Wellington, 22nd May, 1880. I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 15th instant relative to the Native difficulty connected with your land at Waipawa, and, in reply, am directed by the Hon. the Native Minister to enclose herewith for your information the copy of a letter on the subject, dated the 2th instant, addressed to Captain Preece, Native Agent, Napier. I have, &c, • John Harding, Esq., Mount Vernon, T. W, Lewis, Waipukurau, Hawke's Bay. Under-Secretary.

The Sheriff, Napier, to John Harding, Esq. (Telegram.) Waipukurau, 2nd June, 1880. Re your letter received 27th ultimo : I shall proceed to take steps put you in possession on earliest possible date, but you will require to remit me the sum of £5 expenses of self and men in proceeding to execute writ. On receipt of same I shall advise you of the day when I shall proceed to give you possession. John Harding, Esq., Mount Vernon, Waipukurau. Path A. 1\ Biech, Sheriff.

Mr. G. A. Peeece, Napier, to the Hon. the Native Ministee, Wellington. (Telegram.) 19th July, 1880. Be Waipawa. Bailiff in possession, and treated well by Natives, who, however, refuse to leave the ground. I will report any further action. Geoege A. Peeece, E.M.

Mr. P. A. F. Biech, Sheriff, Napier, to the Hon. the Native Minister, 'Wellington. (Telegram.) Waipawa, 19th July, 1880. Am about taking forcible possession from Natives on Harding's land, as they will not give up peaceable possession. A serious breach of the peace will certainly ensue. Cannot resist, unless instructed immediately to the contrary. Please wire immediately. Harding's men waiting ready to pull down houses, and Natives are there in force. The Hon. the Native Minister, Wellington. Paul A. F. Biech, Sheriff,