Page:Tales-of-Banks-Peninsula Jacobson 2ed 1893 cropped.pdf/78

N.B.—The Crown grants could not be filled up at Akaroa before the Commissioners and Government Surveyor had to leave Banks Peninsula, the winter being too far advanced, and the weather become too inclement for surveying operations. The surveys, however, can be made in the spring, or as soon as the weather will permit.

The Commissioner has the honor to refer His Excellency the Governor-in-Chief to the investigation, report upon, and favorable recommendation as to George Hempleman’s claim, which he forwarded on the 19th March, 1852, and also to his communication dated the 3rd March last, upon the subject. To that communication, as also to the Commissioner’s whole proceedings in the investigation of George Hempleman’s claim, he begs again to refer His Excellency. The Commissioner has also the honor to refer to opinion, dated 15th December, 1852, given by Judge Stephen, the original forwarded to the Civil (Colonial?) Secretary, as to George Hempleman’s case, in which His Honor says, “Unquestionably the contract referred to by you” (in the case submitted to the Judge for his opinion, a copy of it also forwarded to the Civil Secretary), “if confirmed by the Commissioner's reports, would take the land as found by the report out of the block granted by the Crown to the Canterbury Association.”

The Commissioner having carefully considered what is contained in his proceedings above alluded to, and the evidence taken by him in support of claim No. 39, he is of opinion that the claimant made a bonâ fide purchase from the Native chiefs, whose names were affixed to the deed of sale in