The Honse has received unkindly the proposal of the Government to vote Sir William Pox the sum of £2000 for his servic.es as West Coast Commissioner. At the time he undertook the work there were many who foretold that he would utterly fail m his efforts, and it must be admitted that the prospect of success was not very bright. There was a multitude of conflicting interests to be considered, the temper of the West Coast Natives was by no means friendly, and the business altogether was one of enormous magnitude. The Maoris' idea of an equitable settlement involved the giving back to them of all the con fiscated land. There did not, therefore, seem to be much hope of assistance from that quarter, as it had been de termined to uphold the confiscation, but to make ample provision for Native reserves. Fortunately Sir "William Fox had great confidence m his own powers, and he was induced to undertake a business which he might well have de clined without incurring any discredit. All that he stipulated for was the pay ment of his " actual expenses " and the assistance of a sufficient staff. He began the work, and had the gratifica tion ef finding the Natives giving assistance as soon as it became clear to them that the Government and the commissioner were m earnest, I and that a settlement of some sort would be arrived at and adhered to. One hapu after another came m and gave its evidence, and expressed its wishes as to the apportionment of the land. Difficulties which at the outset had seemed almost insuperable, dis appeared before the energy, the sound judgment, and the tact of the com missioner. The work necessarily ex tended over a lengthened period. It would have done so had it been of the most straightforward and simple j character, because the area to be dealt

with was veiy large, and the claims very numerous. We well remember that Borne of Sir William Pox's opponents ventured to hint that he was spinning out the work for the sake of the remuneration, but the months of these traducers were speedily shut by the "plain unqualified statement that the commissioner was giving his time and his talents for nothing, except actual expenses out of pocket. At length the task was completed, and the final report sent m. 