No. 353 of Session II., 1879—Petition of Rev. W. Gittos.

Petitioner states that about 15 years ago Wi Apo died; that Wi Apo had been interested in the Pakiri Block; that Pakiri had since been sold to the Government; that the two sons of Wi Apo, who had been left in the care of the petitioner, had a share in the purchase-money to the extent of £400; that in respect of these lands, Arama Karaka, a Native chief, and Mr. John Sheehan were trustees for the sons of Wi Apo; that for the purpose of paying the expenses of the boys' education, Arama Karaka had signed a cheque for £20, which the petitioner sent to Mr. Sheehan for his signature, and to be placed in the bank to the credit of the petitioner; that the money had been withdrawn from the bank by Mr. Sheehan, but had not been paid to the petitioner nor lodged to his credit; that the petitioner had advanced the money out of his own pocket, but had never been repaid, or received any account of the disposal of the amount drawn from the bank by Mr. Sheehan; that, further, the sons of Wi Apo had not received the amount due to them out of the lands of the father in Pakiri.

The petitioner prays for inquiry and redress. Petitioner further prays for inquiry into the rights of certain Natives to a portion of the land alleged to have been erroneously included in the Pakiri Block.

I am directed to report as follows:—

That in reference to the sum of £20, alleged to be been sent by Mr. Gittos to Mr. Sheehan, the evidence shows that a cheque dated 8th December, 1874, for that amount was sent to Mr. Sheehan, and bears his indorsement, but Mr. Sheehan had no recollection of having received the money; but when under examination, Mr. Gittos stated that on his applying to Mr. Sheehan in 1877 on the subject, Mr. Sheehan expressed himself as willing to pay the amount on reasonable proof being produced that he had received the money, and that Mr. Gittos had not furnished the proof required. The claim still remains unsatisfied.

That part of the petition referring to Arama Karaka is reported upon in the proceedings upon Arama Karaka's petition.

The last portion, about the wrongful survey of Mangawhara as part of Pakiri, is founded upon a misapprehension of the facts, and is dealt with in another report.