Memorandum as to the Title of Natives holding Land under Colonel Mc Cleverty's Deeds.

A case having come yesterday before the Resident Magistrate in which the title by which the Natives hold land by virtue of Colonel McCleverty's deeds is considered questionable, if not invalid, will the Hon. the Native Minister be good enough to obtain the opinion of the Attorney-General on the subject? It is argued that the deeds in question are merely agreements "subject to the approval of the Lieutenant-Governor or Governor" (see deed), no evidence of such approval being forthcoming. It is a case of such vital importance to the Natives that I am most anxious that the point should be settled immediately. The case was adjourned to enable Mr. Brandon to obtain further evidence. Enclosed is the deed I produced in Court, and which was considered waste paper. All of Colonel McCleverty's deeds are worded in the same manner. If the view taken by the Resident Magistrate is correct, the title to every piece of land in the vicinity of the town (including Te Aro and Pipitea-Pas) given to the Natives by Colonel McCleverty is invalid.