No. 86.
The Hon. J. C.
Richmond to His Honor the
Superintendent, Otago.
Sir,—
The Hon. J. H. Harris stated in a conversation with me, shortly, before his late departure for Dunedin, that in the event of the failure of negotiations then pending with the Native claimants to the Princes Street Reserve, the Otago Representatives would not press for the passing of the Bill for dealing with the accrued rents now before the Legislature, but that the Superintendent would accept of those rents as holding the Crown Grant, and would give the necessary undertaking to refund the same if the result of proceedings at law or in equity should be to upset the grant. The Bill has passed the House of Representatives, and I have now the honor to ask whether the statement of the Hon. Mr. Harris is to be regarded as official, and whether the Government are to understand that you wish the Bill to be dropped, and that so far as you are concerned you will adopt the course defined by Mr. Harris?
I have, &c.,
His Honor the Superintendent of Otago, House of Representatives.
J. C. Richmond.