§ SIR H. DRUMMOND WOLFFasked the Under Secretary of State for the Colonies, Whether Mr. Peter Patterson was dispossessed of certain lands and property in the Fiji Islands after the annexation of those islands by Her Majesty's Government; whether Mr. Patterson, on making a claim for compensation, was informed that the question could only be reopened by the Colonial Office in London; whether Mr. Patterson has come to London for the purpose of seeking an interview with the authorities of the Colonial Office; and, whether such interview will be granted to him?
§ MR. EVELYN ASHLEYNo, Sir; Mr. Patterson was not dispossessed of any lands or property. His claim was under a deed from the late Chief Thakombau granting the cocoanuts over a very large district. Thakombau asserted that all he intended to convey was his own exclusive right during his lifetime as Chief to buy from the Natives of the district; but by no means an exclusive right to the nuts themselves, over which he admitted he had no control. Mr. Patterson's claim was fully considered by the tribunal appointed to investigate land claims, and was disallowed as entirely preposterous; and, further, that there was no case for compensation. By a local Ordinance the decision of this land tribunal is final. I, therefore, 440 cannot believe that any question of the matter being reopened by the Colonial Office could have been suggested to Mr. Patterson. He has sought an interview; but as it would only be misleading if such an interview was granted, as encouraging the idea that the matter could be reopened, he has been informed that such interview would be of no use.