CASE NO. 305.- William Webster, of Coromandel Harbour, claimant. (250) Two hundred and fifty acres, more or less, situated at Coromandel Harbour. Bounded on the southwest by the outlet at the head of Coromandel Harbour, and extending along the beach to the northeast to a marked tree. Alleged to have been purchased from the native chief Tawaroa and others in 1837. Consideration given to the natives: Merchandise to the value of £208. Nature of conveyance: Deed in favour of claimant.

REPORT.

The commissioners have the honour to report, for the information of his excellency the governor, that, from the accompanying evidence taken in Claim No. 305, they are of opinion that William Webster made a bona fide purchase from the native chiefs Arakuri, Tavarou, and others on the 4th June, 1837, of a tract of land called Makariri, thus described: situated on the north side of Coromandel Harbour. Commencing at a small passage called Wenuakura, running along to a marked tree by a fresh-water creek a little to the eastward of the beach called Tehauha, and thence across the neck in a northerly course to the lowwater mark including the whole of the neck to the marked tree. The supposed contents, 250 acres. The payment made to the natives for this land appears to have been on the 4th June, 1837: Cash, nil; goods, £114 12s. Sydney prices × 3 £343 16s. A deed of sale was executed by the above-named chiefs and others, and Arakuri has admitted the payment they received, and the alienation of the land. The execution of the deed and payment have been proved by Henry Downing. The commissioners therefore respectfully recommend that a grant for the above-described land should be issued to William Webster, his heirs and assigns, for ever, excepting 100 feet from high-water mark. The claimant states in evidence that he has sold and transferred one-half of the land described in this case to Henry Downing, and requests that a grant from the Crown may be issued to him for the quantity; but, William Webster having been awarded the maximum grant of 2,560 acres, none can be recommended to Henry Downing. The land claimed by J. C. Conway in case 266A being likewise a portion of this claim, no grant can be recommended to him.

M. RICHMOND,
EDWARD L. GODFREY,
Commissioners.

Dated at Wellington, this 18th day of December, 1843.

EVIDENCE.

HAURAKI, THAMES, 1st July, 1843. William Webster, of Coromandel Harbour, being duly sworn, states: I claim the land described in the deed before the court called Makariri, situated on the north side of Coromandel Harbour, containing about 250 acres, and bounded as follows: Commencing at a small passage called Wenuakura, running along to a marked tree by a fresh-water creek a little to the eastward of the beach called Tehauha, and thence across a neck in a northerly course to the low-water mark, including the whole of the neck to the marked tree. I purchased this land on the 4th of June, 1837, from the native chiefs Arakuri, Tawaroa, and others for the goods specified on the back of the deed, which I gave at the time the deed was signed. I have expended in buildings and improvements on this property about £200, and I have had possession and resided on it occasionally for the last six years. I have sold and transferred one-half of this land to Henry Downing, who claims through me. This claim has never been disputed by either European or native since I made the purchase.

Sworn before me this 1st day of July, 1843.

WM. WEBSTER.

M. RICHMOND.

William Webster, being re-examined and duly sworn, states: I wish to alter my evidence given on the 1st July, and to have the land that may be awarded on this case made out in my name and that of Henry Downing, to be divided in qual shares, instead of Mr. Downing deriving through me. WM. WEBSTER.

Taken in court before me this 4th day of July, 1843.

M. RICHMOND.

William Webster, of Coromandel Harbour, being duly sworn, resumes his evidence and states: The land described in Case No. 266A, J. C. Conway, forms a part of the land in this claim, but I do not recollect making any transfer of it to him. I received no payment from him, and I do not acknowledge his claim. I recollect giving Mr. Conway permission to build a house on the land, but certainly did not intend to convey it to him, or that he should sell or make a claim for it.

Sworn before me this 5th day of July, 1843.

WM. WEBSTER.

M. RICHMOND.

CASE NO. 305A.-William Webster, of Coromandel Harbour, claimant. (600) Six hundred acres, more or less, being part of the island which forms Coromandel Harbour. Bounded on the northeast by the outlet at the head of the harbour, and on the southwest by a large rock on a beach called Tawiti. Alleged to have been purchased from the native chiefs Tawaroa, Arakuri, and others, in 1836. Consideration given to the natives: Merchandise and cash to the value of £260. Nature of conveyance: Deed in favour of claimant.

REPORT.

The commissioners have the honour to report, for the information of his excellency the governor, that, from the accompanying evidence taken in Claim No. 305A, they are of opinion that William McLeod made a bona fide purchase from the native chiefs Arakuri, Tawaroa, and others, on the 8th day of December, 1836, of a tract of land thus described: Half of the island called Wanganui, which forms Coromandel Harbour. Commencing at a rock called Te Pirau, on the beach called Tawiti, and running from the said rock northwest by west to the opposite shore, and in continuation to the northeast point. The supposed contents, 250 acres. The payment made to the natives for this half of the island appears to have been on the 8th of December, 1836: Cash. nil; goods, £94 14s. 6d. Sydney prices X 3: £284 38. 6d. A deed of sale was executed; and the execution of the deed and payment have been proved by Henry Downing. The commissioners therefore respectfully recommend that a grant for the above-described land should be issued to William Webster, his heirs and assigns, forever, excepting 100 feet from high-water mark. The claimant states in evidence that he has sold one-half of the land described in this case; but, the maximum grant of 2,560 acres having been awarded to William Webster, no grant can be recommended in favour of Peter Abercrombie, the purchaser. This island was divided between William McLeod and William Webster, when their partnership was dissolved in 1837.

Dated at Wellington, this 18th December, 1843.

EVIDENCE.

M. RICHMOND,
EDWARD L. GODFREY,
Commissioners.

HAURAKI, THAMES, 1st July, 1843. William Webster, of Coromandel Harbour, being duly sworn, states: I claim the land described in the deed before the court, being one-half of the island which forms Coromandel Harbour, called Wanganui, containing about 250 acresmy half-the whole island being about 500 or 600 acres. I purchased this island, and paid for it conjointly with William McLeod, on the 8th December, 1836, from the native chiefs Krakuri, Tawaroa, and others, for the goods specified in the deed, which includes the payment for the whole island. William McLeod and myself took separate deeds for our portions of the island. My boundaries commence at a rock called Te Pirau, on the beach called Tawiti, and running from the said rock northwest by west to the opposite shore, and in continuation to the northeast point. These boundaries do not interfere with those given in Mr. Walsh's evidence in Case 236. The payment was given at different periods: the latest was in the year 1838. There has been an expense of about £1,000, laid out in buildings and improvements on this property. I have sold and transferred half of my share of this island to Mr. Peter Abercrombie, and given him a deed

S. Doc. 231, pt 3-5

of transfer. I wish the grant for this land to be made out conjointly in my name and that of Mr. Peter Abercrombie. The rest of the natives who signed the deed and sold the island I can not produce to the court to give evidence, as they are gone to the south; but Arakuri was the principal seller and chief of the party. WM. WEBSTER.

Sworn before me this 1st day of July, 1843.

M. RICHMOND.

CASE NO. 305B.-William Webster, of Coromandel Harbour, claimant. (1,500) Fifteen hundred acres, more or less, situated on the River Thames. Bounded on the south by a marked tree, and on the north by a tree. Alleged to have been purchased from the native chiefs Patupo, Wakare Iru, and others; in 1839. Consideration given to the natives: Merchandise to the value of £90. Nature of conveyance: Deed in favour of claimant.

REPORT.

The commissioners have the honour to report, for the information of his excellency the governor, that, from the accompanying evidence taken in Claim No. 305B, they are of opinion that William Webster made a bona fide purchase from the native chiefs Te Ngarara, Taharoku, and others, on the 23rd November, 1839, a tract of land called Mangemangeroa, situated on the River Thames. The supposed contents, 1,500 acres. The payment made to the natives for this land appears to have been on the 23rd of November, 1839: Cash, nil; goods, £71 18s. 6d. Sydney prices × 3 = £215 15s. 6d. A deed of sale was executed by the above-named chiefs and others, and the execution of the deed and payment have been proved by Lachlan A. McCaskill. The commissioners therefore respectfully recommend that a grant for 550 acres of the above-described land be issued to William Webster, his heirs and assigns, forever. William Webster states in evidence that he has sold and transferred the land described in this case to David E. Munro, who has claimed for it in No. 175; but, the maximum grant of 2,560 acres having been awarded to William Webster, no grant can be recommended in favor of D. E. Munro.

Dated at Wellington, this 18th day of December, 1843.

M. RICHMOND,
EDWARD L. GODFREY,
Commissioners.

EVIDENCE.

HAURAKI, THAMES, 3d July, 1843. William Webster, of Coromandel Harbour, being duly sworn, states: I claim the land described in the deed before the court, situated on the river Thames, called Mangemangeroa, containing about 1,500 acres, and bounded as follows: On the east by the River Thames, running from a place called Mangemangeroa. to a place called Otungaio, from thence to a small hill called Turua, from thence to a mount called Hineraupara, from thence to Mangemangeroa. I purchased this land on the 23d November, 1839, from the native chiefs Te Ngarara, Taharoku, and others, for the payment specified in the deed, which was given at the time I purchased the land. I have had timber cut off this land, but neither myself nor an agent have resided on it. I have sold and transferred this land to David E. Munro, who has claimed for it in Case No. 175; but I have no authority to act as his agent or make his claim for him. I am not aware that this claim has ever been disputed by either Europeans or natives since I made the purchase. WM. WEBSTER.

Sworn before me this 3d day of July, 1843.

M. RICHMOND.

CASE NO. 305c.—William Webster, of Coromandel Harbour, claimant. (2,500) Two thousand five hundred acres, more or less, situated at the head of Coromandel Harbour, known by the name of Taupiri. Alleged to have been purchased from the native chiefs Tawaroa, Arakuri, and others, 1837. Consideration given to the natives: Merchandise to the value of $203. Nature of conveyance: Deed in favour of claimant.

REPORT.

The commissioners have the honour to report, for the information of his excellency the governor, that, from the accompanying evidence taken in claim No. 305c, they are of opinion that William Webster made a bona fide purchase from the native chiefs Arakuri, Haurangi, and Tauawaroa, on the 30th January, 1837, of a tract of land called Taupiri, situate at the head of Coromandel Harbour. The supposed contents, 800 acres. The payment made to the natives for this land appears to have been on the 30th of January, 1837: Cash, nil; goods, £89 10s., Sidney prices × 3 = £268 10s. A deed of sale was executed by the above-named chiefs, and the execution of the deed and payment have been proved by Henry Downing. The commissioners therefore respectfully recommend that a grant for the above-described land be issued to William Webster, his heirs and assigns, forever, excepting 100 feet from high-water mark. William Webster states in evidence that he has sold and transferred one-half of the land described in this case to Henry Downing; but the maximum grant of 2,560 acres having been awarded to William Webster, no grant can be recommended in favour of H. Downing.

Dated at Wellington this 18th day of December, 1843.

EVIDENCE.

M. RICHMOND,
EDWARD L. GODFREY,
Commissioners.

HAURAKI, THAMES, 3rd July, 1843. William Webster, of Coromandel Harbour, being duly sworn, states: I claim the land described in the deed before the court. It is situated at the head of Coromandel Harbour, called Taupiri, containing about 800 acres, and is bounded as follows: In front by the east end of Coromandel Harbour, commencing at the foot of the hill and running a quarter of a mile to the eastward of the road or path called Muko, and extending a quarter of a mile to the westward of the said road, forming half a mile frontage, and running from the east corner front boundary northeast to the summit of a high range of mountains, and from the west corner north-northwest to the same range of mountains, the ridge of which mountains forms the back boundary. I purchased this land on the 30th of January, 1837, from the native chiefs Arakuri, Haurangi, and Tauwaroa, for part of the payment specified in the deed, and a small vessel which I gave for the remaining part. I commenced building the vessel for them in the year 1839, but it was not completed or given to them till 1841. I do not know the exact quantity of goods given at the time the deed was signed, but I think it was about one-third of those stated. About £150 has been expended on this land, and I have people residing on it for about six years. I have sold and transferred onehalf of this land to Henry Downing, who claims through me as original purchaser. This claim has never been disputed by either Europeans or natives since I made the purchase.

Sworn before me this 3rd day of July, 1843.

WM. WEBSTER.

M. RICHMOND.

CASES NOS. 305D, 305E, 305F, AND 305L.-William Webster, of Coromandel Harbour, Claimant.

305D.-(1,000) One thousand acres, more or less, situated on the east side of Coromandel Harbour, known by the name of Waiau, commencing at a creek called Hokoe-awaka, running one mile to the south, about five miles to the east, and across the creek one mile to the north, and following the creek down about five miles to another small creek called Matawi. Alleged to have been purchased from the native chiefs Taniwa, Kitahi, Tokia, Pokaia, and others in 1836. Conideration given to the natives: Merchandise to the amount of £450. Nature of conveyance: Deed in favour of claimant.

305E. An island called Aotea (Great Barrier), bearing northeast from Cape Colville about twenty miles. Alleged to have been purchased from three hundred of the principal chiefs of the Thames, in 1838. Consideration given to the natives: Cash and merchandise to the value of £1,200. Nature of conveyance: Deed in favour of claimant.

305F.—A small island on the left of the entrance to Coromandel Harbour, known by the name of Motutaupere. Alleged to have purchased from the native chiefs Tawaroa, Arakuri, and others, in 1836. Consideration given to the natives: Cash and merchandise to the value of £80. Nature of conveyance: Deed in favour of claimant.

305L.-(3,000) Three thousand acres, more or less, situated on the north side of the River Waihou. Commencing at a place called Wanaki, and running along the northern bank to a place called Waitowowo, from thence to a tree on the northeastern side of the wood, and from thence in a northerly direction to another tree on the outskirts of the wood, and from thence to Wanaka. Alleged to have been purchased from the native chief Tapunu and others, on the 24th November, 1839. Consideration given to the natives: Cash and merchandise to the value of £90. Nature of conveyance: Deed in favour of claimant.

REPORT ON THE ABOVE FOUR CASES.

These claims being withdrawn by the claimant, no grant is recommended. EDWARD L. GODFREY, Commissioner.

Coromandel Harbor, 17th June, 1844.

EVIDENCE.

COROMANDEL HARBOR, 23rd May, 1844.

William Webster, the claimant, states: I withdraw the above claims.

No. 305E being identical with No. 32.

Taken in court, 23rd May, 1844.

WM. WEBSTER.

E. L. GODFREY.

E. L. GODFREY.

CASE No. 305G.-William Webster, of Coromandel Harbor, claimant.

A portion of land (extent not stated). Bounded on the northwest by Point Rodney, on the southeast by Point Tawharunui, running from each point westerly to a mount called Pukemore; on the east by the sea; being about eight miles frontage, and running back eight miles.

Alleged to have been purchased from the native chiefs Kaukoti, Kupenga, Tanaroa, and others; date of purchase not stated. Consideration given to the natives: Merchandise to the value of £490. Nature of conveyance: Deed in favour of claimant.

REPORT.

The commissioners have the honour to report, for the information of his excellency the governor, that, from the accompanying evidence taken in claim No. 305G, they are of opinion that William Webster made a bona fide purchase from the native chiefs Ngauranga, Poroto, and others in the year 1839 of a tract of land situated at Point Rodney. The supposed contents, 10,000 acres. The payment made to the natives for this land appears to have been in January, 1839: Cash, nil; goods, £140 8s. Sydney prices, X 3=£421 48. A deed of sale was executed by the above-named chiefs and others, and they have admitted the payment they received and the alienation of the land. The execution of the deed and the above payment have been proved by Lachlan A. McCaskill. The commissioners, therefore, respectfully recommend that a grant for 1,944 acres of the above-described land should be issued to William Webster, his heirs and assigns, for ever, excepting 100 feet from high-water mark. Dated at Wellington, this 18th day of December, 1843. M. RICHMOND, EDWARD L. GODFREY, Commissioners.