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Since the sale by auction in New Zealand in April, 1893, Mr. Jones has had no interest whatever in the Mokau property, which was conveyed by his mortgagees acting under the direction of the Court to our clients, and so became their absolute property; and all that has happened since then has been that our clients have, at Mr. Jones's request on various occasions, offered to resell the entire property to him on certain conditions which he has never been able to carry out, and these negotiations came entirely to an end in November last, when our clients entered into an agreement for the disposal of their entire interest in a great bulk of the property to a syndicate formed by Messrs. Scrimgeour. As matters now stand our clients will certainly not accept any such sum as £12,000, which would not nearly cover our clients' outlay and expenses for their interest in the property and the expenses they have incurred. If Mr. Jones or his friends are prepared to offer £30,000 cash down, or half that amount with ample security for the balance, it is not impossible that we might be able to arrange a sale of the property on these terms, but the matter cannot long remain open, as already arrangements are under consideration for surveying and lotting out the entire property for sale in New Zealand under the direction of Mr. Travel's, of Wellington, and certain parties who are acting there with him, and the completion of this arrangement is not likely to be much longer delayed. Under this arrangement, if carried out, the whole of the surface lands will be disposed of, leaving the question as to the minerals to be dealt with later on. We are, &c, Flower, Nussey, and Fellowes. E. G. Jellicoe, Esq., Langland Bay Hotel, near Swansea. My Deak Father, — Mokau, 28th October, 1894. I have received yours of the Bth September. I also received last week a letter from Mr. Travers, covering one from Flower, Nussey, and Fellowes, in which they state, " We wired you on the 27th August to 'proceed survey and sale forthwith; obtain Walter Jones's assistance.' " Letter also containing reiterated assurance that provision should be made for Mrs. Jones and family after all advances and exes, had been paid. I also got a letter from Mr. Travers asking me to give all the assistance I could in carrying out the survey, &c. But, although I asked you to, you have not given me any instructions as to how I am to proceed in such a case. I had to take Mr. Standish's advice. The result of that advice you will gather from my letter to Travel's, a copy of which I enclose. I have this day received a letter from Travers saying that in view of my letter setting forth that a writ had been issued, of which he knew nothing, he would not press me to give active assistance, but that he would strongly impress upon me not to interfere in any way with the survey. Now, although I do not see how this survey can hurt you, I have replied that if he sends a surveyor here I shall be obliged to formally protest against such surveyor's actions. I have endeavoured to maintain friendly relations throughout with Mr. Travers. If you think fit perhaps it would be as well to show this to Flower and Co., in case you may have to make any arrangements with them, so that they may fully understand my actions. I do not think I have anything more to say. Your affectionate son, Joshua Jones, Esq., London E.C. Walter M. Jones

EXHIBIT FFF. From the Auckland Weekly News, 4th March, 1909. Native Lands : Work of the Commission. The Commission, consisting of Sir Robert Stout and the Chief Judge of the Native Land Court (Mr. Jackson Palmer), which was appointed to report as to how unoccupied Native lands can best be utilized and settled, and what areas should be set apart for various purposes, as well as to draft suggested legislation and consolidate existing Native land laws, is making good progress with its task. At present the Commission is making investigations in regard to the leases of the Mokau-Mohakatino Block, of 57,000 acres, in Taranaki, made to Mr. Joshua Jones by a special Act of 1888. The Commission is confident of completing its labours before Parliament meets. Mokau, Taranaki, 12th May, 1909. Mokau Lands Petition. — Legislative Council Select Committee Report, No. 50, 1908. Sib,— On the 11th November last I wrote to you upon this matter with the request that you would be pleased to inform me as to whether you would take steps to remedy matters and grant relief, my intention being that you would see fit to appoint the Royal Commission or other competent tribunal to inquire into the merits of the petition above quoted, as recommended by the report of the Select Committee, but I received no reply to the communication, neither have I received any notice that such inquiry would be held. The petition was presented to Parliament pursuant to the intimation by yourself in the Lower Chamber on the 26th August last, and that of the Hon. Attorney-General in the Council on the 21st of the same month, that procedure by petition was the proper course to adopt. Upon these intimations from the two chief Ministers of the State I placed reliance that any recommendations made upon my petition would be given effect to, or at least receive some consideration from the Government. I saw no reason to expect otherwise. I was, however, disappointed. The

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