No. 145

I have had the honor to receive Your Lordship's Despatch No 14
of the 1st September, with a copy of a further Letter received
by your Department from Mr Nias, and expressing a desire to be
informed whether Mr Nias has any ground for claiming a title to
the land in question.

2. I am advised by the Crown Law Officers that Mr Nias has
not; and this is the point at issue between the Government and
other parties as well as Mr Nias, who are in the same position.
I enclose a Memorandum prepared by the Colonial Secretary which
will I think afford Your Lordship the necessary information as
to the circumstances of the case. There is not any desire to
withhold from Mr Nias what he may be legally entitled to,
but any concession to him of more than he can legally establish
would immediately be made a precedent in other instances.