G.—2b.

fixed in Chambers. With regard to Bartholomew, all lam prepared to say is this :If a proposal is brought before me in any way that looks at all right I shall offer no objection. The decree generally is in favour of the defendants.

13th August, 1897. Dear Sir, — Re Horoivhenua Block. The decree as arranged between you, Mr. H. D. Bell, and Mr. Cooper is agreed to. The original draft I have returned to Mr. A. P. Buller. The proposal to Mr. Cooper that the costs to be awarded to the defendant Meiha Keepa te Eangihiwinui shall be as follows: (1) Statement of defence, £8 Bs.; (2) preparing for trial, £10 10s.; (3) on judgment, £225 ; (4) witnesses'expenses; (5) Court fees, and the costs already awarded upon interlocutory proceedings is agreed to. I should like to have the items you claim under No. 5. The gross amount, I think, should be ascertained before the decree is sealed, and should be inserted in the decree as the amount adjudged by the Court for Meiha Keepa te Eangihiwinui's costs. The amount referred to in a letter of even date sent to Mr. A. P. Buller includes the sum of £80 as a maximum amount for typewritten copies, that amount being the actual disbursement which I am informed has been incurred for typewritten copies for both defendants. Yours faithfully, F. C. Beddard, Esq., Solicitor, Wellington. E. Stafford.

Minutes of Decree as ageeed on by Solicitors to the Parties for Submission to the Court. 1. The name of the original co-plaintiff, Wirihana Hunia, having been struck out by order of his Honour the Chief Justice on the 7th day of August, 1897, on the application of the original co-plaintiff, amend the statement of claim by substituting the word "plaintiff" for "plaintiffs" wherever the latter word occurs, and making all consequential grammatical amendments. 2. The plaintiff, admitting that he can adduce no evidence to substantiate the charges against the defendant Sir Walter Buller alleged in the statement of claim, submits to a final judgment in favour of the said Sir Walter Buller, establishing the validity of the alienations and dealings specified in sub-paragraphs (a) to (/) inclusive of paragraph 28 of the original statement of claim. . . 3. Decree that the validity of such and every of the dealings specified as aforesaid is established by final judgment in this action. 4. Decree that the dealing appearing upon the certificate of title for Division 14, Horowhenua Block, as Lease No. 2196, Keepa te Bangihiwinui to Peter Bartholomew, is valid. 5. Decree that such and every of the dealings specified in sub-paragraphs (a) to (/) of paragraph 28 as aforesaid, and the said dealing, Lease No. 2196, registered on Certificate of Title, Vol. xlviii., fol. 148, Keepa te Eangihiwinui to Peter Bartholomew, is and each of them are entitled to be reregistered pursuant to section 10 of " The Horowhenua Block Act, 1896." 6. Decree that this action be dismissed as against the defendant Keepa te Eangihiwinui without prejudice to the determination of any matters which are, by " The Horowhenua Block Act, 1896," to be determined by the Native Appellate Court. 7. Adjudge that the plaintiff do pay to the said defendant Sir Walter Buller his costs of this action, computed, &c. 8. Adjudge that the plaintiff do pay to the defendant Keepa te Eangihiwinui his costs of this action, computed, &c. Approximate Cost of Paper.— Preparation, not given; printing (1,400 copies), £9 4s.

By Authority: John Mackay, Government Printer, Wellington.—lB97. Price, 6d.]

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