No. 1.
Memorandum relative to the Hostelry Reserve at Port Lyttelton, Province of Canterbury.

The history of the case is as follows:—At a general meeting of the Natives at Lyttelton, in January, 1860, a promise was made by Governor Browne to the Natives at Canterbury, that some accommodation at Lyttelton should be provided for them, and application was subsequently made to the Provincial Government, through Mr. Buller, to know whether they would contribute either in land or funds for the object proposed. The Provincial Government, however, declined, on the ground that, as the control of all Native matters had been specially assumed by the General Government, it was more a matter for their attention.

In June, 1863, the General Government, through Mr. Hamilton, purchased Section No. 232, Dampier Bay, for £250, from a Mr Thomas Hanmer, and after some delay in getting satisfactory specifications for the erection of a suitable building, Mr. Hamilton in 1864, was authorized to incur an expenditure of £250 for that purpose. A building was subsequently erected at a cost, including commission, of £222. A further sum of £20 was authorized in 1865, to provide water tanks and other necessary additions to the building, making a total cost, including other incidental expenses, of about £500.

In June, 1865, Mr. Commissioner Brown reported that the building was finally completed and ready for occupation.

It would seem, however, that notwithstanding the desire expressed by the Natives in the first place to obtain a building of the kind, they have made very little use of it, alleging as an excuse that it is inconveniently situated, and recently a proposition has emanated from some of the resident Natives, that the place should either be let or sold.

Subjoined are copies of the conveyance of Section No 232, Lyttelton, from the Canterbury Association to Mr. Hanmer, and the subsequent conveyance by Mr. Hanmer to Her Majesty Queen Victoria.