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The Pamphlet Collection of Sir Robert Stout: Volume 63

Copy of a despatch from Governor Sir G. Grey, K.C.B., to the Right Hon. the Duke of Buckingham

Copy of a despatch from Governor Sir G. Grey, K.C.B., to the Right Hon. the Duke of Buckingham.

"No. 44. Government House, Wellington, "6th August, 1867.

"My Lord Duke,—

"I have the honor herewith to transmit, for presentation to the Queen, the petitions noted in the margin, which have been addressed to Her Majesty by certain members of the Ngatiraukawa tribe, praying that some person may be sent out from England to investigate the reason why the General Assembly of New Zealand has excluded a block of land at Rangitikei, which they claim, from being subject to the operation of the Native Lands Court, so that their little to this land cannot be judicially investigated. This proceeding of the General Assembly they complain of as an injustice; and they appear to desire that some impartial person should investigate the subject, and, I presume, pronounce on the justice of their claims.
2.I enclose at the same time copies of two Memoranda which I have received from my responsible advisers, in which they explain the circumstances connected with this transaction.
3.Your grace will observe that they state that the Petitioners have been repeatedly assured that full justice shall be done them; that the land in dispute has not yet even been surveyed, except to define certain reserves for the sellers of it; and that they hope ultimately that a just and satisfactory settlement of the case will be made.
4.I should have desired that, if possible, these claims should, in the usual way, have been submitted to the decision of a legally constituted Court, empowered after hearing the parties in the case, to have pronounced a judicial decision regarding it; and that the natives should in this manner have been taught to submit all their disputes, however complex, to a judicial tribunal.
5.On the other hand, it is alleged that it would be impossible to give any decision in this case which would not be challenged by the disappointed party and would not give rise to such a feeling of bitterness as might involve the country in serious disturbances; and as the Local Government and the general Assembly are now responsible for the peace of the country, it would be difficult to interfere with their deliberately formed views on this subject.
6.My belief is, that a strong and influential party in the Assembly and the country, will carefully watch this case, which has obtained considerable [unclear: otoriety], and that it is extremely improbable that any injustice can be done
page 68 to the natives in the matter. The fact of their addressing the inclosed petitions to the Crown shows that they fully understand their rights, and the constitutional manner of protecting them.

" I have, &c.,

" (Signed)

G. Grey."

"His Grace the Duke of Buckingham and Chandos."

Petitions noted in the margin—(1), Parakaia; (2), Hare Hemi Taharape; (3), Pumipi Te Kaka; (4), Paranihi Te Tau; (5), Rawiri Te Wanui; (6), Te Hoia.