2

g;—4a

3. " He, Mr. Jones, went so far as to produce a plan certified by the Surveyor-General of the colony, but that was not good enough for Chief Judge Macdonald and his satellites." I believe this has reference to the fact that Judge Wilson, on an application before him for partition of Mokau-Mohakatino No. 1, refused to make partition because the block had not been surveyed, and this although a plan certified as a "topographical" plan was produced, because the certificate of title had not, for want of survey, been issued. In so doing Judge Wilson was perfectly right. Had he made partition the proceeding would have been unlawful and useless. A previous application had been made, at a sitting of the Court presided over by myself, when I declined to make partition for the same reasons which guided Judge Wilson. 4. " What about the opposite side of the river ? No survey has been held or made. No plan was there certified by the Surveyor-General or Assistant Surveyor-General; but then his honourable and learned friend would say, ' Oh, yes ; I will give it you; here is a telegram from a gentleman in Auckland : I do not know whether you are right, but you shall have it.—Walkee.' " In fact, nothing has been done by me or by the Native Land Court " on the opposite side of the river " which necessitated a survey, and wdiich only became necessary in respect to Mokau-Moha-katino when partition of the land was desired, no such partition having been desired of Mangapapa. The reference to a telegram has, I assume, relation to tho issue by me of a particular certificate, of the legality of which issue I entertained doubts, which I communicated to the solicitor on one side verbally, and, with his knowledge, to the other by telegram, and which, I assume, must be the telegram alluded to, that being the only one produced by me. Mr. Walker is the name of the person to whom such certificate was issued. I have, &c, J. E. Macdonald, The Hon. the Native Minister, Wellington. Chief Judge.

Appendix. Telegrams, Copies, and Translations. ■ Chief Judge Macdonald, the Club, Napier. Ist July, 1887. The people wish to sign Mr. Jones's lease at Mokau. Do you inform me what effect would such a course have in law T, in order that I may know\ Wetebe te Beeenga.

Wetere te Berenga, Waitara. Begeet I did not get your wire sooner, being away. If you still desire answer to your question say so, and I will wire you again. J. E. Macdonald.

Chief Judge Macdonald, Club, Napier. Ist July, 1887. Beply to that telegram, as the people who are to sign are waiting for Jones's lease. WETEBE TE BeBENGA. •'

i Wetere te Berenga, W Taitara. ' Signatubes to Jones's lease after first day of January last would be illegal. J. B. Macdonald. [Approximate Cost of Paper.— Preparation, nil printing (1,376 copies), ±'1 Bs. 6d.]

Authority : Geokge Didslury, Government Printer, Wellington.—lBBB.