13

H.—2l

Mr. Morgan continued in charge, and carried on a large school of Maoris and Half-castes up to, I believe, 1863, when by mutual arrangement between Mr. Gorst, Mr. Morgan, and the Agent of the Society the station and school were transferred for two years to Mr. Gorst. This gentleman remained in charge until compelled to leave the district on account of the war. Whatever the estate yielded up to this date was spent on the school. After Mr. Gorst's departure the buildings were in the charge of a Native teacher until they were taken possession of by General Cameron, after the attack upon and the destruction of the Maori settlement of Eangiaohia. The troops remained in possession until the early part of 1867. During the occupation of the property by Her Majesty's forces (more than three years) an annual rent of £100 was paid for the use thereof, and the amount of rent received was £325. Shortly after the evacuation of the premises by the troops the land was let for five years (with the exception of 13 acres around the building), at an annual rent of £40. The large building remained useless until the lst June, 1868. It is now yielding a rental of £12 per annum. The following are the receipts and disbursements of moneys realised since 1864 : — Beeeipts. £ s. d. Eeceived from Government for three and a quarter years at £100 per annum ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 325 0 0 Eent from present lessees for one year and one-eighth, to Dec. 31, 1868 45 0 0 Eent of building, half-year, to 31st December, 1868 6 00 Total £376 0 0 Expenditure. £ s. d. Paid towards the salary of the Native pastor and teacher of the Upper Waikato, the Eev. Heta Tarawhiti, five years, to 31st December, 1868, at £30 per annum 150 0 0 Paid to Hohua te Moanaroa, Native pastor and teacher for Lower Waikato, for four years, to 31st December, 1868, at £20 per annum ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 80 0 0 Eepairs of buildings and fences ... ... ... ... ... ... 1800 Paid for eradicating thistles ... ... ... ... ... ... 15 0 0 Travelling expenses of agent to inspect the property... ... ... 5 0 0 Drawing leases ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 200 Commission, &c. ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 15 0 Total £271 5 0 £ s. d. Eeceipts 376 0 0 Disbursements ... ... ... ... 271 5 0 Balance in hand £105 5 0 Note.—lf the large building is to be kept in repair more than the balance of £105 ss. will be required at once for re-shingling and other repairs.

Monday, sth April, 1869. Present : —Mr. Hart, Mr. Heale, and Mr. Gisborne (subsequently). Mr. A. Sinclair, being duly sworn, states :My name is Andrew Sinclair. I reside at Hobson's Bay, and am a surveyor employed in the Waikato Survey Office. Eecord copy, Eeg. iv., No. 74, Grant of 3 roods 22 perches, church site at Eangiaohia, produced): I know the Grant referred to, and the land to which it refers. This land is included in the Confiscation Proclamation of 1864. I do not know whether any claim for compensation has been preferred in respect of this land. There has been no formal document of reservation of the land, but it has been excepted from sale. I cannot say whether there is any building on the ground. Since stating the above 1 have discovered that a Grant has been directed to be (and has been) prepared for signature in favour of the Bishop of New Zealand, in trust for religious, charitable, and educational purposes, for lot No. 196 a., parish of Puniu, containing 2 acres 2 roods 32 perches, and enclosing the original Grant. It is not yet issued. (Eecord copy, Eeg. iv., No. 70, Grant of 870 acres, land at river Puniu, produced) : In this case the old lines were carefully searched for and followed in the late surveys. No forma lreservation of this land has been made, but it has not been meddled with. A large number of reserves have been proclaimed within the confiscated lands for religious, charitable, and educational reserves, but none of them, to my knowledge, have been yet utilised. It is only in the Waikato District that these reserves have been proclaimed. I saw the land named in the Grant now under reference about six months ago. As far as I know it is unoccupied, and very little, if at all, improved. (Eecord copy, Eeg. iv., No. 35, Grant of 73 acres 38 perches land at Otawaho, or Awamutu, produced) : This land is in the occupation of Dr. Waddington, but I cannot give any information as to the terms of his holding. lam not aware whether he has made any improvements or no. I have seen Mr. Grace since giving the above evidence, and he informs me that he proposes shortly to go to reside upon this land himself,