No. 304.—Petition of Wiremu Kauika and Wahiawa.

Petitioners pray that some allowance be made in respect of the loss by the owners of the Kaitangiwhenua Block of the purchase-money of the same, amounting to £5,411 0s. 7d., of which they allege they were defrauded by one William Williams, who was engaged with the Land Purchase Commissioner in completing the purchase of the block.

I am directed to report that the petitioners complain that moneys to which they were entitled for the purchase of the Kaitangiwhenua Block were obtained by Mr. Williams and kept by him. They urge that as the Government paid them by one cheque, and not in notes or small cheques, Mr. Williams was enabled to get the cheque, and they were defrauded. They also urge that as they had no notice that Mr. Williams had ceased to be a Government officer they trusted him. It is clear that the moneys were paid in one cheque by the consent of the Natives interested, and that this cheque was handed by the old chief, Uru te Angina, to Mr. Williams. The petitioners state that they have spent nearly £700 in trying to recover their money. Strictly, the Natives have no claim on the colony, but they have suffered great loss, and their money, £5,411 0s. 7d., has been taken from them, and any counter claim Mr. Williams may have had against them has not been proved, nor even attempted to be substantiated. The petitioners have been put to considerable cost in appearing before the Royal Commission, and in attending before various Committees of the House. The petitioners' case is a hard one, and the Committee would urge the Government to favourably consider the petition, and that some moderate amount should be voted for them. The Committee may add that no charge of any kind can be made against Mr. Gill, who carried out his duties in a proper manner.