A compendium of official documents relative to native affairs in the South Island, Volume One.

The Hon. the Colonial Secretary to the Superintendent, Canterbury

The Hon. the Colonial Secretary to the Superintendent, Canterbury.

Colonial Secretary's Office, Wellington, 20th November, 1865.

Sir,—

I have the honor to enclose a translation of a letter from a Native chief, on behalf of the Runanga of Kaiapoi, complaining of the drainage by the Provincial Government of Lake Ellesmere as injurious to their private property.

It would appear from the original deed of purchase from the Natives that the lake in question is within the boundaries of the land sold to the Crown by the Natives, without any reservation as to right of fishery. The land therefore covered by the water of the lake would be Crown land.

As under these circumstances there may be some technical difficulty which it may be desirable to remove in the way of the Provincial Government legally dealing with the land in question, and as it is important that the Native rights, whatever they may be, should be strictly defined by law, I should feel obliged if your Honor would furnish me with a full report on the subject, showing the nature of the work now in progress, and the authority of law under which it is done.

I have, &c.,

E. W. Stafford.

His Honor the Superintendent, Canterbury.