Report on Purchase of Maunganui and Waipoua Blocks.

The original negotiations for these blocks, or rather block, the subdivisions being quite arbitrary were begun by Mr. Brissenden, who was assisted by Mr. C. E. Nelson as interpreter. At this time the land was unsurveyed, and Tiopira alone was dealt with. An advance of £620 on account of the purchase at an agreed rate of 1s. 1d. per acre was made to Tiopira and friends. Subsequently Mr. J. W. Preece was appointed agent for the purchase of Native lands in place of Mr. Brissenden. A Ngapuhi chief, named Parore, had asserted a claim, and at one time threatened to stop the survey by force.

These lands were adjudicated upon at a sitting of the Native Lands Court, held at Kaihu, Kaipara, in January and February last, and eventually a memorial of ownership granted Jointly to Tiopira and Parore. Mr. Preece with difficulty induced Tiopira to adhere to his arrangement for sale, a sum of £25 being thrown in to make the total up to £ 2,000. Up to the time of Tiopira's receiving his money and signing the receipts and deeds, no attempt had been made to buy Parore's moiety.

The charges against Mr. Preece resolve themselves into these—viz., that he induced Tiopira to complete the sale by a representation that Parore would not receive a greater amount for his share. The evidence of Messrs. Preece, Kemp, and Clendon refutes this charge, which rests on the statements of Paora and Mr. Nelson, which, however, greatly differ from one another. The second charge is, that the consideration money was not expressed in the deed when signed by Tiopira. This is in accordance with fact; the figures were merely pencilled in, and the notice of the attesting Judge called thereto; and the object thereof stated—viz., that should Parore be induced to sell, the sums paid to him might be added to those already given to Tiopira, and one conveyance to the Queen be taken from both vendors.

I can find no irregularity in these purchases. Tiopira received his due, and, indeed, in the joint letter of himself and Paora only begs for more money that his chiefs may not be put in a lower scale than Parore's.

I must notice the behaviour of Mr. C. E. Nelson, who, whilst in receipt of Government pay as clerk and assistant to Mr. Preece, kept a diary in which he made notes of matters which seemed to him to throw discredit on his superior, and, who, whilst still in the service of the Government, without communicating with Mr. Preece (whom he was to assist); Mr. Kemp, the Civil Commissioner and. District Officer, or the Native Minister; handed over his note-book to Mr Tole, his personal friend, a solicitor, and also a member of the House of Representatives. I refrain from commenting upon conduct so dishonorable. Mr. Nelson is not now in the service of the colony.