amounting to about £440, paid the balance £349 to Public Trust Office. A few weeks ago the Native Land Court sitting here ordered the Public Trustee to pay this balance over to the two above named persons,28 which I presume will be done after the time allowed for appeal has elapsed. The natives frequently told me they owed Mr Bryce money. In fact they appear to owe nearly a thousand pounds. I could not help him and have written him fully on the matter. The women were here for two weeks waiting for the Court. They were ill and hadn't a penny, so I advanced them £10 privately, which I am doubtful of ever seeing again. 29
As a result the Minister replied to Bryce that
There is an amount in the hands of the Public Trustee who will, no doubt, as far as possible, meet any lawful order made upon it. Such order should be sent to the Public Trustee at once as the money will, in the course of a few days, be payable to the natives on demand.30
However, subsequent information showed that the Public Trustee had paid over the money to an Auckland solicitor acting for Rahera and Erana, some three days before the Minister's reply was written.31 This was despite the 3 month period for appeals against the Court's order not having expired. 32
Whether or not Bryce got his money is not known.
28 Hauraki Minute Book 53 pages 36–39.
29 Land Purchase Officer Thames to Chief Land Purchase Officer, 6 September 1902. Maori Affairs
Head Office file MLP 1902/67. Supporting Papers #B149.29.
30 Minister of Mines to D Bryce, Mercury Bay, 11 September 1902. Maori Affairs Head Office file MLP 2902/67. Supporting Papers #B149.31.
31 Public Trustee to Chief Land Purchase Officer, 12, September 1902. Maori Affairs Head Office file MLP 1902/67. Supporting Papers #B149.32.
32 Chief Land Purchase Officer to Public Trustee, 15 September 1902, on Telegram Registrar Native Land Court Auckland to Chief Land Purchase Officer, 15 September 1902. Maori Affairs Head Office file MLP 1902/67. Supporting Papers #B149.33–34.
30