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work in hand he was recalled to Wellington, and the matter was left in the hands of Mr Justin Aylmer, the present Resident Magistrate, who was then Mr. Boys’ assistant. Mr. Aylmer, however, resigned almost immediately afterwards, and after some negotiations, Hempleman is said to have signed an agreement that he would take 250 acres where Mr. George Breitmeyer’s farm is now situated, in German Bay, and 250 acres in Barry’s Bay, where Mr. Birdling’s property now is, to settle the whole thing. This statement, however, George Hempleman strongly denied, and the Government, so far as we are aware, never produced any documentary evidence that he had done so. Hempleman must have had a certain right to these properties, for they were actually sold for him. The following letter, written by Hempleman to Sir George Grey in 1876, shows his views on the subject, and makes it quite clear that he had not parted with the whole of his claim for the 500 acres in question:—

Sir George Grey,

Sir,—I have the honor to hand you enclosed herein copies of two letters relating to Mr George Hempleman’s claim in Banks Peninsula. The one from Mr James Campbell to Mr J. C. Boys, states, as you will perceive, the whereabouts of the estate then in the possession of the claimant; the other, written by J. E. Fitzgerald, Esq., and directed to your Excellency, is not correct in every particular. The writer states that the Commissioner neglected or refused to examine certain individuals, whose evidence would materially effect the case for the prosecution. Such was not the case; nearly all, if not quite all, were examined, including several English and Native witnesses. He also states that the inhabitants of Akaroa sent in a petition against the deci-