Report on Purchase of Opouteke Block.

Whilst this block was before the Native Lands Court, a Native named Te Haurangi asserted a claim to a portion of it, and pointed out on the plan the piece which he stated to belong to him. A pencilline was drawn on the plan indicating, the piece. He consented, however, that the grant for the entire block should be issued to Kamariera Wharepapa.

When Mr. Preece, as Land Purchase Agent; was about to pay the price which had been agreed upon to Wharepapa, he wrote to Te Haurangi, who thereon came to Kaihu. Mr. Preece gathered from some of the Maoris that Haurangi would not get any money from Wharepapa, and before paying for the land concluded an arrangement with him that on receiving £100 he would make no further claim against the Government, and only have recourse to Wharepapa. This sum was paid before the purchase money for the land was handed over. Te Haurangi and Heta afterwards came to Auckland to take steps against Wharepapa, but were met by Mr. Nelson, who induced them to go to Mr. Tole, and then to Sir George Grey. They both expressed themselves to me as having no complaint against the Government, that these grievances were manufactured by Messrs. Nelson and Tole, but that they hoped to get some payment from the parties who had appropriated the purchase money.