Referring to your enquiry yesterday as to w'ot'ier an:7

declaration in terms of Section 5 of The native Lan La's's Amendment Act 1895   been produced npor ti.o hearing of the application for confirmation of the grrinting of timber from

certain of the owners to Peneemene Tanui we have the honour to state that we cannot after this lapse of time recollact

the circumstances.   We find.,however,snongst our papers relating to the transaction a declaration made and subscribed by the • purchase in terms of the Section quoted;which declaration we

now enclose.   We do this as a matter of courtesy, only, and. not as in any way admitting that theipurobaser is :it this stage required to' furnish any such"declaration.or as ,an admission that a declaration was not furnished; at the proper time.

We think it highly improbable that 'the Court would. ---

have made the confirmation order;•49,nless a declaration was