The Colonial Secretary to His Honor the Superintendent, Otago.

Sir,—

I have the honor to transmit to you herewith the accompanying copy of a letter and of its enclosure, from Mr. H. T. Clarke, who lately visited Dunedin, on the subject of the Native Reserves at that place, and to request your Honor to be good enough to furnish me at your earliest convenience with the statement referred to therein.

Enclosure 1 in No. 31.
Mr. H. T. Clarke to the Hon. the Colonial Secretary.

Sir,—

Referring to your letter of the 4th April, instructing me to inquire into and report upon certain questions relating to the Native Reserve at Dunedin, I have the honor to inform you that at the same date I also, in connection with another matter, addressed a letter to Mr. Assistant Native Secretary Strode, asking for information on the same subject. Copies of my letter and Mr. Strode's reply thereto I herewith enclose.

As two or three weeks must elapse before the Natives interested in the sale of Stewart's Island can return from their Mutton Bird Expedition, I purpose, to save time, to go to Dunedin by next mail steamer, to inquire into this and other matters relating to the Natives.

Enclosure 2 in No. 31.
Mr. H. T. Clarke to the Assistant Native Secretary, Dunedin.

Sir,—

I have the honor to inform you that I have requested the Government to make certain inquiries regarding an application made by the Maori Missionary Society of Otago (as far back as 12th August, 1862), for pecuniary assistance in carrying out the objects of the Society. I am anxious to get this long-pending matter settled as soon as possible. Would you oblige me by giving all the information you can on the subject.

In connection with the above I understand that certain reserves have been made in Dunedin for the benefit of the Natives, and that those reserves have been utilized. Could you also inform me what amount accrues therefrom, and how the funds are disposed of?

Enclosure 3 in No. 31.
The Assistant Native Secretary, Dunedin, to Mr. H. T. Clarke.

Sir,—

In returning to you the documents accompanying your letter of the 4th instant, requesting me to furnish you with any information upon the present condition of the Maori Missionary Society of Otago, and particularly with reference to an application made to the Government in 1862 for pecuniary assistance in carrying out the objects of the Society, I have the honor to intimate to you that in communicating with Mr. Fennant, the Secretary to the Society, I was informed that some time since the gentleman acting as Native missionary at Otakou Heads dissolved all connection with the Society, and that, owing to that occurrence, together with other adverse circumstances, he (Mr. Fennant) considered the Society to be virtually defunct, and consequently no funds were required.

With reference to the concluding paragraph of your letter, requesting information as to certain reserves made in Dunedin for the benefit of the Natives, I beg to inform you that it is only as regards one reserve that any funds are derivable, and the state of which is as follows:—It is situated in one of the best business positions in Dunedin, and fully occupied with buildings, amongst which is the Chief Police Station. The Provincial Government have set up a claim to it, on the ground that at the time page 126the land in question was appropriated as a Native Reserve, Sir George Grey, the then Governor-in-Chief was not empowered to grant it for that purpose, and the question is still pending. The Hon. Mr. Reader Wood, however, on the subject being brought under his notice during his visit here two years since, gave instructions to the Commissioner of Crown Lands to receive all rents accruing from the reserve in question (the tenants being merely yearly), and to pay the amount into a bank to a separate account, there to remain until the final settlement of the question as to whether the reserve is to be regarded as appropriated for the especial benefit of the Natives or is one of the ordinary reserves administered by the Superintendent.

I find on inquiry at the Land Office that the sum of £5,000 has accrued on account of this reserve; it would therefore be very desirable that the question of right should be speedily settled.