REPORTS OF COMMISSIONERS OF NATIVE RESERVES.

Appendix to the Journals of the House of Representatives, 1858 Session I, E-04

E—No. 4.

REPO R TS OF COMMISSIONERS OF NATIVE RESERVES.

(Laid on the Table, Q>th July 1858, being Return to an Order of the Honourable the House of Representatives, of 13tk April, 1858. J (Mr. Hall.)

"RETURN of all Lands held by the COMMISSIONERS of NATIVE RESERVES " under the ' New Zealand Native Reserves Act, 1856,' down to Ist July 1857. Also; " copies of any REPORTS furnished by such Commissioners in compliance with the eleventh " section of the Act, and of ACCOUNTS of MONIES received and expended by them as "such Commissioners."

C. W. Richmond.

Treasury, 6th July, 1858-

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Report from Commissioners at Nelson. Native Reserves, Nelson, 2nd June, 1858. Sib,— In compliance with an Order of the House of Representatives, contained in your despatch dated 19th April, 1858, we have the honor to enclose " A Return of all Lands held by the Commissioners " of Native Reserves, under the 'New Zealand Native Reserves Act, 1856,' down to Ist July, 1857 ; " also, statement of monies received and expended from Ist January, 1857, to 31st December, 1857 ; " and Report, furnished in compliance with the 11th section of the Act. We have, &c, (Signed) Alfred Domett, l „ » JohnPotntek, Trustees oi Thos. Brunner, J Natlve Eeserves - The Houourable The Colonial Secretary. Nelson, New Zealand. Sir,— In accordance with the instructions contained in your letter of the 3rd December, 1856, we have now the honor to furnish the following Report on the present state and proceeds of the Native Reserves within this Province ; and the manner in which the Reserves should, in our opinion be dealt with, and their proceeds disposed of in future. The whole of the Reserves within the Province of Nelson, are situated either in the Town of Nelson, and the original Suburban districts of Moutere and Motueka ; or in Massacre Bay, a block at Wakapuaka, and the new district of the Pelorus, which includes Queen Charlotte's Sound, and the Kaituna, with other valleys. The first class of Reserves, in Nelson, Motueka and Moutere, are the only ones at present under the management of the Trust ; the remainder having apparently been excepted from the lands sold by the Native owners to Government ; either at the period of the original negotiations, or on the completion of the purchase of them ; so that the Native Title to the Reserved Lands must, we presume, be considered as not yet extinguished. In the town of Nelson there are 54 sections, of which 47 have been let at various times by the former acting Trustees ; the total amount of annual rental accruing from these sections is £441 17s. 7d. Most of these sections have been let for terms of 14 years ; a few for 21 years ; and some for 7 years. Several of them having been let some years back, when the settlement was in a comparatively depressed state, and rents of land accordingly very low, are still subject to leases which have some years to run, at rents almost nominal. As they have however risen greatly in value, we propose with the sanction of Government, to sell these as opportunity offers, because the sums they would realize, if put out at Interest on good security, would yield a considerable annual revenue to the Trust, to which the present rents would bear no comparison. The following Table shews the numbers of the sections which should be sold, the rent they yield at present, and the prices which they would probably realize. It would be highly for the benefit of the Public, the Natives, and the Trust Fund, if the change that has been proposed could be effected with respect to those sections on the Haven Road on which the Native Hostelries stand. Many complaints are made of the nuisances caused by the Natives in these houses to residents in the neighbourhood. Their nasty mode of living, the various stenches about their habitations ; occasional through perhaps slight indecencies from exposure of their persons ; their cooking fires close to adjoining fences, are the subject of these complaints. As the Hostelries themselves are becoming delapidated, it would be advisable to remove them altogether, or build new ones on some Native sections near the mill built by Dr. Bush on the banks of the Maitai River. There they would have fresh water in plenty,—a convenience they are deprived of in their present habitations ; would be out of the way of the public ; both parties freed from their mutual annoyances, while their canoes could still come up by water to the new places of residence.* But we should state that some of the Natives themselves have expressed objections to this change; and as it is possible that the future enclosure of part of the mud flat, —(from Green Point, for instance, to the Maitai, by the mill alluded to above,) might effect a considerable change in the relative value of the acres on Haven Road, and those by the Mill,—it would perhaps be as well to leave the question of the alteration of the site of the Hostelries, an open one for the present ; but of course it is obvious that a much greater lent could at present be obtained from the Haven sections than from those by the mill. The management of the Suburban sections, at Motueka and the Moutere involves a different ■principle from that of the Town sections. In these districts Natives have always been permanently resident ; consequently it may be presumed that many of these sections must have been chosen with the idea of providing land for the future occupation and cultivations of the resident Natives. Whether this was the original intention or not, many of these sections have always been actually taken possession * Since the above was written, the Native Hostelries have been put in thorough repair; they have been reehingled and new floored, —the old sleeping places exchanged for separate bunks, as on shipboard,—the fire places improved,—the windows shifted to more convenient positions,—and the whole buildings made light, clean, and comfortable, to tfie great satisfaction of the Natives who visit them.

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E—No. 4

of and cultivated by them. We accordingly, in a visit some time back to those districts, caused the lands so occupied by the different families to be surveyed, and laid down on a plan ; other portions of land, which in our opinion would be requisite for their future wants, or distributed amongst them ; having first made a list of every native man, woman, and child in the District, together with their relationship to each other. With respect to these sections, we propose to grant with the sanction of Government, rather long leases of the portions so distributed to the Natives in whose possession we found or put them ; —this the Natives are very desirous to receive,—partly from a wish to let them to Europeans, and so draw pecuniary benefit from them, and partly to have a sort of authoritive Government Title to the possession of such as they intend to retain for cultivation. We consider it would be advisable to give them this power under proper precautions ; because they would thus acquire a greater interest in English Laws and Customs ; feel a greater desire to uphold them ; have an opportunity of doing regularly and legally what it is difficult to prevent them doing irregulary and illegally ; —and be enabled to gratify .to a certain extent that love of change which is inveterate in their dispositions, by investing money drawn from leases, in new Lands purchased from Government. Provided these leases were made with the sanction and cognizance of the Board, we believe considerable good might attend the bestowal of the power to make them upon these Natives. They are jealous indeed even of this sanction ; but this might easily be overcome or avoided by simply requiring that the Leases should be in a certain printed form, and completed in presence of the Board. This I would be all that would be necessary to prevent the Natives from being inveigled into disadvantageous arrangements, by any one more acute or greedy than themselves. In some cases, where the Native families desire permanently to retain the lands they are upon, it would perhaps be advisable to let them have Crown Grants of the Lands; including in the Grants the whole of the names comprising the families to whom the lands have been awarded ; because the difficulties in the way of transfer, arising from the number of names in the Grant, would practically render such lands inalienable as at present. But if this be considered objectionable, it would be well to give them some document or inalienable grant, if possible,—which would satisfy their great desire to hold their lands under a Title deemed firm and sanctioned by Government. With regard to the sections retained by the Trust, and to be let to Europeans, a great number, as you are aware, were granted by Sir George Grey to the Bishop of New Zealand, as an endowment for a school for the Natives of the Polynesian Islands. A Special Committee of the Nelson Provincial Council, as you may remember, expressed disapprobation of these Grants ; but thought they should be declared valid by some competent authority, in order to avert the disturbances of titles and interests involved, the question is simply whether the Grant was a breach of the equitable Trusts upon which the Lands were originally reserved, owing to the extension of the Educational Trusts to the Natives of Polynesia. But were the grants upset on this ground in the Supreme Court, it is probable the Bishop, on behalf of the Natives in the District, professing- to belong to the Church of England, might still ask for (though he could not demand) a certain proportion of the Funds arising from the Lands, to be expended in their education or religious tuition. Whether it would be worth while, for the sake of the difference between what His Lordship receives now from these lands, and what he would then possibly receive, to commence a suit in the Supreme Court to get the Grants annulled, is a question the General Government is perhaps in as good a position to decide as ourselves. Applications for the purchase of some of the sections let to Europeans are occasionally made to the Board. Where, by selling, they might be made more productive of Revenue, it might be as well to sell them, —as in our opinion, the Natives, with the lands we have already put them in possession of, are likely not to require any more than they will be well able to purchase in the manner above alluded to, or from other funds. And it is more desirable that after some years, when able to retain such position, they should be placed in all respects on the same footing with respect to public Lands as Europeans, than that they should remain a distinct class, with distinct holdings. There is one case of proposed exchange which would be highly advantageous for the Trust, and which we therefore request authority to make. Mr. Thorpe desires to exchange 90 acres of section No. 165 for ninety acres of some Native sections at present rented by him down by the sea coast, and close to his own land. A reference to the Map will shew that the former are much the more valuable sections from their proximity to the Village sections along the principal road of the District. A form of lease suitable for the Natives, which we propose to have printed both in English and Maori, we have the honour to enclose for approval. There remain those Eeserves in Massacre Bay and the Pelorus district, over which the Native Title has not been extinguished. Applications are sometimes made to us for permission to lease these. Of course we can only inform the Applicants that the Native owners must consent to place them under our administration, in accordance with the provisions of the Native Eeserves Act, before anything can be done with them. The next point is the application of the Funds arising from the Reserves under our management. As these are to be expended for the benefit of the Natives of this Province, the following are the principles which in our opinion should guide us in the appropriation of those Funds. We think it quite desirable that a certain portion of the Fund should be made applicable to the maintenance of peace and good order among the Natives themselves. With this object in view, we would propose that a certain sum should be devoted to the payment of Assessors at small fixed salaries to administer Justice, in conjunction with the regular Resident or other Magistrate, under the " Resident Magistrates' Ordinance." And further we advise that a certain number of the inferior Natives

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should be enrolled as constables, only to be employed on special occasions, and only to be paid when so employed. Of course, they would be employed only, or chiefly, in Native cases under the Ordinance just mentioned. The payment should come out of the funds in our charge. We believe indeed that this system might be extended throughout the Islands of New Zealand, so as to make the Native population preserve the public peace and carry out the English law among themselves, and by their own agency alone. But to effect this the matter should be taken up by the General Government; and an uniform thoroughly organized system adopted. The influence of the chief should be maintained as far as necessary, and made use of. Distinctive dresses or badges, denoting, and making conspicuous to all, the possession of the rank conferred, should be given ; and degrees of rank according to the power and deserts of the chiefs respectively, might be constituted, and distinctive badges given for each degree. The special constables should be employed only by their own chiefs, in conjunction with the superior British magistrate or magistrates, and only in the apprehension or otherwise of Natives belonging to the tribes subordinate to the ,Chief who employed them. To reconcile this with the ordinary routine of British Law, it would but be necessary to define the districts for which such chiefs and serfs were constituted magistrates and constables, as identical with the districts inhabited by the tribes and hapus subordinate to such chiefs respectively ; neither to have any power, unless under special authority and under special circumstances beyond the limits of such districts. After all, this is merely a matter of Police ; and strictly the expense of preserving the peace among the Natives should he defrayed out of the Ordinary Revenue, as much as that incurred for the same object among the Europeans. But perhaps, as any such special arrangement is rendered necessary solely by the absence among the Natives of the respect for the laws habitual to Europeans, it would be justifiable to allow a portion, at all events, of the expense of the arrangements to be laid upon funds specially devoted to the benefit of the Natives. We propose, next, to continue the appropriation of a certain amount of the Fund to the payment of medical men for advice and medicines administered to the Natives. Three of these should eventually be employed ; one in the Motueka district, one in Tasman Bay district, and one in the Pelorus district. Fifty pounds a-year for each would perhaps be sufficient for this purpose. The Board should also be at liberty to pay for occasional extra charges connected with the health of the Natives ; such as one we are now incurring, for the safe custody of a dangerous female lunatic, whom the Provincial Authoiities had no means of securely providing for ; this again involves a subject which properly should be taken in hand by the General Government, viz., the establishment of General Lunatic Asylums. Were such an institution founded, either at Auckland or Wellington, the expenses, it may be presumed, would be defrayed by the Provinces, in proportion as they took advantage of it. So much a head might be paid for every patient admitted ; and, in the cases of Natives in this district, of course the payment might be made out of the Trust Funds we are writing of. With respect to measures for the physical improvement of the Natives, we have none to recommend with much confidence. They seem, generally speaking, at present inveterate in their adherence to their dirty Native habits, and to their residence in Pas. It might perhaps be worth consideration whether any good could be effected by erecting any model buildings, such as have been built for the poorest classes in England, where the means of preserving cleanliness and other comforts, by being provided for a number of families in common, are made attainable by all, at a very trifling expense. But if, as in England, any rent, however small, were charged, it is to be feared that the Natives would either refuse to pay it, or prefer remaining in their present dirty hovels ; and, if no rent were charged, it would be really supporting them on chartiy, and productive therefore of the worst effects, as encouraging idleness and pauperism. Another plan, whicli we are more inclined to recommend, would be to offer annually some small rewards to those Natives who distinguished themselves by the degree in which they adopted European habits in these respects. Premiums might perhaps be given upon the addition of brick chimneys, or wooden floors, and glass windows to their houses; or for general cleanliness in dress and invariable use of European clothing. Reports on these subjects might be procured from the pastors of the different denominations with regard to their respective flocks. But all this, of course, should be done, if done at all, with much caution. And in the distribution of the Offices previously recommended, such as those of Assessors and Constables, attention to these habits of civilization in external matters should, as far as possible, be made a condition of their bestowal. The former Commissioners appear to have made occasional presents to the Natives, with a view to assist them in industrial pursuits ; such as bullocks or carts to tribes, saws, ploughs, &c., to families or hapus. We are not disposed to recommend a continuance of this system, being of opinion that the principle of giving unconditional presents is radically a bad one, and that all such assistance should be made the means of exciting efforts after self-dependence, and be only bestowed—if bestowed at all—in, the way of rewards or prizes for superior industry and skill. Annual prizes might perhaps be given for the best ploughing, the best crops, or the best farming generally. Lastly, with respect to their mental and moral improvement. The direct and ordinary means of effecting this, are through the School and the Church. The latter, the Board do not advise any interference with, or the appropriation of any of their funds to the support of. The different Denominations have hitherto, and for a long time, it is believed, supplied sufficient religious or theological instruction to the Natives of their respective sects, with means furnished from English Societies or religious Bodies. And we do not thiiik it desirable to do anything in aid of them, beyond granting portions of land where necessary, as sites of Churches or Chapels. The School Education of the Natives is a different question ; and here we are met with a difficulty arising from the transfer above mentioned of so many of the best Reserves to the Bishop of New Zealand.

E—No. 4,

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Considering the number of objects which the funds should be applied to, the amount given to the Bishop should supply all the proportion of them that should be devoted to educational purposes ; and there would be no objection to the transfer, if education should be provided out of these Lands fo all the Natives for whose benefit the Reserves were set apart. But it is most probable that Wesleyanr and certain that Roman Catholic Natives will not take advantage of the Church of England Institution ; and the question then arises, whether other funds must not be taken for the education of the recusants. If this should be done, we would recommend that no aid should be given to any School where the English language is not one of the principle objects of stndy. The children should be made, or—what would be better—tempted to read, by way of amusement, many of those story books and similar juvenile works written by Miss Edgeworth, Dr. Aitken, Mrs. Barbauld, and others, which have much greater effect in forming and training the real practical and moral character of English children, and making them really civilized beings, than much of the same professedly serious and direct instructions in moral duties and obligations, which they often receive with distaste from the dry and wearisome quality of it. Unless the children could be removed altogether from the Society of their parents, (which might be objectionable on some grounds,) so as to learn instinctively and thoroughly the English laag'uage, as English children do, it would be advisable to spend a certain sum in getting the works alluded to printed in Maori, so that they might be used at once by these children for recreation and amusement. They should also be furnished with some simple abstract of English laws/ and account of the Constitution under which they are to live. Other methods of anglicizing these semi-civilised beings might be suggested, but the length to which this Report has extended induces us to postpone, for the present, any further remarks on the subject; and what has already been proposed would probably require far more abundant pecuniary means than the property at our disposal is likely to furnish, until the lapse of time has materially increased its value. But one obvious mode of enabling them to retain in the social scale that position to which an ordinary English education would give them a chance of obtaining, would be to instruct them in some of the simpler mechanical trades, such as carpentering, shoemaking, smithwork, &c. Nothing would be more beneficial to them, or more calculated to do them permanent advantage. We have, &c, (Signed,) Alfred Domett, ) T , ,, T JohnPoynter, Trustees of NaThos. Brunner. f tlve Keserves - The Honourable the Colonial Secretary.

Return of all Lands held by the Commissioners of Native Reserves under the " New Zealand Reserves Act, 1856," down to Ist July, 1857.

No. of. Section. District. Contents. Annual Rental. A. R. P. £ s. d. 5 Town of Nelson. . 10 0 10 0 50 , do. 1 0 0 12 0 0 62 do. 10 0 45 10 0 63 do. 1 0 0 15 0 0 64 do. I 0 0 20 0 0 65 do. 10 0 17 10 0 66 do. unlet 10 0 93 do. " 10 0 144 do. " 10 0 148 do. « 10 0--152 do. 10 0 5 0 0 159 do. 10 0 26 17 6 162 do. 1 0 0 44 4 0 177 do. 10 0 109 14 0 198 do. 10 0 1 10 0 203 do. unlet 10 0 205 do. 10 0 2 0 0 227 do. ' 10 0 10 0 229 do. 10 0 10 0 231 do. 10 0 10 0 233 do. 10 0 1 10 0 241 do. 10 0 10 0 244 do. 10 0 7 0 0 Carried forward 23 0 0 £312 15 6 f

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Return of Lands held by Commissioners, &c. — (continued).

io. of Section. District. Contents. Annual Rental. 248 261 263 265 266 267 269 283 284 294 305 307 344 367 406 416 417 443 521 522 537 582 583 598 710 733 905 911 1092 1096 1099 Brought forward Town of Nelson do. do. do. do. do. do. do. do. do. do. do. do. do. do. do. do. do. do. do. do. do. do. do. do. unlet do. do. do. do. do. unlet do. A. K. P. 23 0 0 10 0 10 0 l o o 10 0 10 0 10 0 10 0 10 0 10 0 10 0 10 0 10 0 10 0 10 0 10 0 10 0 10 0 10 0 £ s. 312 15 1 10 1 0 1 0 7 0 1 6 7 0 1 17 5 0 7 0 7 0 1 10 7 0 3 15 7 0 7 0 5 0 9 10 10 1 d. 6 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 } 1 1 30 10 0 10 0 10 0 10 0 10 0 10 0 10 0 10 0 10 0 10 0 10 0 1 2 3 3 0 10 0 3 0 1 0 0 0 3 0 3 0 3 0 1 10 0 0 0 0 10 0 0 53 1 30 £441 17 7 45 69 71 73 75 84 85 137 138 144 145 147 148 151 201 202 205 206 213 Moutere, unlet do. " do. do. do. do. do. do. do. do. do. do. " do. " do. do. do. do. do. do. urilet 50 50 50 50 50 50 50 50 50 50 50 50 50 50 50 50 50 50 50 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 5 0 4 0 7 10 7 10 0 0 0 0 (Pt 1 lPt. 2 3 4 5 (Pt. J \ Pt. Motueka do. unlet do. do. unlet do. do. do. do. unlet 950 0 0 £24 0 0 25 25 50 50 50 50 16 34 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 5 10 0 0 0 0 4 0 0 Carried forward 300 0 0 £19 0 0

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E—No. 4

Return of Lands held by Commissioners, &c. — (continued).

No. of Section. District. Contents. Annual Eental. , A. 300 50 50 50 50 50 50 50 50 50 50 50 50 30 E. P. 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 £ s. d. 19 0 0 21 33 34 47 G8 72 79 80 82 92 93 122 1/o 1 Pt.withl86 124 126 127 123 132 136 139 140 141 142 143 144 "MS 146 147 . 160 161 •»1S 163 164 1R8 (Pt. 168 jPt. 169 181 182 183 184 186 with Pt. of 123 187 188 192 199 206 207 208 210 211 212 234 236 253 260 263 264 ; Brought forward Motueka, unlet do. " do. " do. do. " do. " do. do. do. do. unlet do. do. " do. do. do. do. unlet do. do. do. do. do. do. do. do. unlet do. do. do. do. unlet do. do. do. do. unlet do. do. do. unlet do. do. do. unlet do. " do. do. unlet do. do. do. do. unlet do. do. do. do. unlet do. do. do. do. do. unlet do. do. unlet do. " do. do. unlet do. 50 50 50 50 50 50 50 48 50 50 50 50 5 44 40 31 6 50 39 2 34 24 10 39 50 8 50 50 20 40 50 50 50 50 50 50 50 36 12 50 50 50 25 50 50 50 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 13 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 « 0 0 0 0 0 0 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 5 0 0 6 0 0 5 0 0 6 0 0 10 0 0 6 5 0 6 0 0 6 5 0 10 0 3 5 6 15 0 3 3 0 4 0 0 7 11 10 5 0 0 13 16 0 18 0 0 6 7 6 7 10 0 5 0 0 Many of these the Commissioners Rents are considerably in arrear; and will prol to sue is more clearly laid down. 2796 0 13 £144 8 10 lably continue so, intil the power ol

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PROVINCE OF

>R. .ccouNTs of Moneys red •wet and exp> mded 1857. £ s. d. January 1 8 8 8 8 8 February 2 2 6 16 March 16 19 19 25 30 To balance handed over by Major Richmond to the Commissioners under the Act - To W. Guy, rent " S. Rochfort, ditto • " J. Noden, ditto ... " W. Boyes, ditto " W. Pugh, ditto " J. N. Halliday, ditto " F. Fagan, ditto ... " Morrison and Sclanders ditto - . - " H. Coombs ditto - " W. Demment, ditto - " T. H. Vivian, ditto " F. Jellicoe, ditto - - - " Gγ. Edwards, ditto ... " A. McFarlane, ditto. ... 164 16 4 2 14 n 15 0 0 3 0 0 2 5 0 7 10 0 3 0 0 10 0 15 0 0 3 10 0 6 0 0 7 10 0 8 15 0 3 11 7| 3 10 0 April 1 3 21 22 24 24 May 8 8 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 26 26 29 June 3 6 8 9 9 9 15 15 15 20 30 August 8 11 13 29 28 28 28 28 28 .28 28 " Mrs. Snow, ditto - ... " T. Batchelor, ditto " C. Harley, ditto " T. Strong, ditto ... " D. Gilbertson, ditto " F. Rochfort, ditto ... " R. Anderson, ditto - " J. D. Greenwood, ditto - " J. Noden, ditto .... " Thorpe, ditto - . . " Atkins, ditto .... " Ditto, ditto " Ditto, ditto - Armstrong, ditto - " Chamberlayne, ditto " Ditto, ditto ... " J. Macky, ditto - " Ditto, ditto ... « J. McDonald, ditto " L. Devaney, ditto -'■■_. " T. Berry, sen., ditto ... " J. C.Forster, ditto -'■_'. " W. Crowther, ditto - " H. E. and 0. Curtis, ditto " A. Fell, ditto " G. Taylor, ditto " J. Gorrie, ditto - " J. Frank, ditto - " H. Coombs, ditto ' J. Spain, ditto " S. Limmer,ditto r " Nicholson and Clarke, ditto - .. _ " Mrs. Watts, ditto " E. II. Dashwood, ditto " F. Rochfort, ditto " W. Guy, ditto " J. Armstrong, ditto - " T. Austin, ditto ... " T. Atkins, ditto " Ditto, ditto r - - " Ditto, ditto " W. Funnell, ditto 18 0 3 0 0 43 0 0 4 0 0 20 0 0 3 15 0 1 12 6 22 10 0 1 11 10J 9 0 0~ 1 11 6 10 0 0 0 14 0 2 0 0 0 15 0 2 0 0 3 0 0 6 11 3 21 10 0 1 13 9 2 10 0 3 10 0 2 0 0 1 10 0 1 10 0 0 10 0 1 10 0 0 15 0 3 10 0 10 0 1 10 0 12 7 6 0 15 0 3 15 0 3 15 0 2 8 0 3 0 0 5 0 0 1 11 6 10 0 0 0 14. 0 7 0 0 Carried forward - £476 15 10

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NELSON.

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hy the Commi isioners of T atwe 'eserves. Cβ. 1857. January 7 7 By E. Sutcliffe ; commission on collecting rents at Motueka - " Dr. Greenwood ; medical attendance on Natives at Motueka £ s. a. 1 10 6 35 19 0 February 18 " W. G. Shipley ; refreshments and apartments for Commissioners at Motueka, whilst laying off Native lands 11 6 0 .March 4 " Ditto ditto ; refreshment for A. D. Austin, assistant sur3 15 0 4 5 9 25 25 25 April 7 veyor ...... " W. Jenkins, Interpreter; assisting in laying out Native reserves at Motueka - - - - " A. D. Austin ; passage to and from Motueka, and drawing paper - - " Subscription to Simon Peter, a Native, for loss by fire " J. Staples ; refreshments to assistants in laying off reserves " Balance of subscription to road at port " E. Pritchard ; medicine for Native " J. Tilbv; medical attendance upon Natives at Massacre Bay 11 11 0 10 0 10 1 5 2 17 0 5 7 10 0 0 0 0 6 0 0 May 13 13 18 30 " J. Sutcliffe ; commission on collecting rents at Massacre Bay --...-■■-- " Ditto ; postage - " J. M. Hill; sundries for Native lunatics " A. Brooks ; medical attendance on Natives at Motueka -'«--- •" J. Parker ; board, &c, for Native lunatic at Motueka - - 2 2 0 2 0 15 6 0 2 30 7 1 6 6 12 6 June 8 10 11 18 " T. B. Louison ; glass broken by Native lunatic " H. J. Goodman ; blankets for Native lunatic - " C. and J. Elliott; advertising - " J. Rule, M.D. ; medical attendance upon Natives at Motueka - - - - - " J. Tilby ; medical attendance Massacre Bay, June Quarter " Jane Mead ; attendance upon Native lunatic to date 0 14 5 0 0 17 0 0 8 30 July 10 4 14 7 10 12 0 6 0 0 August 17 10 " E. Aitkins ; rations to lunatic, since repaid by Provincial •Government - - - - " W. Funnell ; for bricks - - - - " E. Sutcliffe ; commission on collecting rents at Motueka - 7 0 1 17 0 3 Carried forward ... £133 6

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PROVINCE OF

•B. -CCOUNTS 0, .oneys receive* an expende* 1857 September 5 9 15 15 17 18 21 October 3 9 13 15 15 18 20 November 2 4 4 4 9 10 10 11 11 11 23 28 24 24 December 2 3 4 4 14 21 81 31 31 31 31 31 31 31 31 31 31 Brought forward £ s. d. 476 15 10 To T. Epps, ditto " Mrs. Gay, ditto " W. Demment, ditto " G. Edwards, ditto " S. Strong, ditto " Nicholson and Clarke, ditto " Morrison and Sclanders " T. Harman, ditto " T. Batchelor, ditto " F. Fagan, ditto " Gr. Edwards, ditto " C. Lucas,ditto " H. E. and O. Curtis, ditto " R. Anderson, ditto " L. Limmer, ditto " W. R. Nicholson, ditto " T. Gr. Freeman, ditto " F. R Berry, ditto " G. Taylor, ditto " J. Mackay, ditto " Ditto, ditto " W. Crowther, ditto " J. Gorrie, ditto " J. C. Forster, ditto " J. Frank, ditto " W. Cate, ditto " Hooper and Co., ditto " Ditto, ditto " T. Epps, ditto " E. Thomas, ditto " H. Coombs, ditto « A. Fell, ditto " Nicholson and Clarke, ditto " Watts, ditto " W. Egginton, ditto " J. Noden, ditto " Ditto, ditto " C. Beard, ditto " Chamberlayne, ditto " Ditto, ditto ' " W. Pugh, ditto " Ditto, ditto " W. Funnell, ditto " J. Armstrong, ditto " W. Spain, ditto W •t 3 10 0 2 0 0 6 0 0 2 10 0 1 1 7| 4 0 0 12 7 6 15 0 0 1 16 3 3 0 0 0 10 0 5 0 0 1 10 0 1 12 6 1 10 0 10 0 0 2 10 0 2 10 0 0 10 0 3 0 0 6 11 3 10 0 1 10 0 3 10 0 0 15 0 10 0 3 0 0 19 10 0 3 10 0 11 5 0 3 10 0 1 10 0 12 7 6 0 7 6 1 17 6 0 15 11 3 0 0 1 10 0 0 15 0 2 0 0 3 15 0 11 5 0 3 0 0 2 0 0 10 0 £656 18 H

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NELSON.

by the Commis, ioners of Native Reserves. ■R. Brought forward - £ s. 133 6 A. 1 1857 September 14 26 By J. Mead ; 9 weeks' attendance on lunatic " Martin ; food for three Natives during their stay in Nelson 13 10 1 0 0 0 October 2 9 " J. T. Catley ; clerk to Board, nine months' salary " J. Boyes ; expenses attending apprehension of lunatic 30 0 2 1 0 6 November 7 28 October 29 " Matthew, Native ; for food whilst detained in Nelson " Jane Mead ; 11 weeks' attendance on lunatic - " J. Tilby ; attendance on Natives in Massacre Bay 1 0 16 10 7 10 0 0 0 December 7 7 10 31 " Matthew ; allowance for food during stay in Nelson " C. and J. Elliott ; printing forms of receipts - " Matthew ; additional allowance during stay in Nelson " R. Sutcliffe ; commission on rents collected at Motueka - " J. T. Catley ; 3 months' salary as clerk to Board " J. D. Greenwood ; medical attendance to 31st October - " Balance in the Union Bank of Australia, 31st December, 1857 - 0 5 1 4 0 2 4 2 10 0 10 0 0 0 0 6 0 0 426 7 3£ £656 18 4| (Signed) Alfred Domett, 1 John Potnter, > T.N.R. Thos. Brunnee, ) Since the above date an amount of £161 19s. 4d,, has been expended in the repair of the Maori "ostelries.

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Report from Commissioners at Nsw Plymouth. New Plymouth, 26th June, 1858. Sir, — Referring to your letter of 22nd March acquainting us that His Excellency the Governor had been pleased to appoint us, with Mr. Outfield, at present in Auckland, Commissioners of Native Reserves in this Province under the " New Zealand Native Reserves Act, 1856," we have now the honour to transmit for the information of His Excellency's Government the enclosed list of Native Reserves, shewing a total of 2329 a. 8 r. 8 p., and a list of the number of Natives, as nearly as can be ascertained in each district, together with the following Report. 1. The Native Title subsists over nearly the whole of the Reserves, only 37 acres having , been alienated to the Government, viz., No. 10. Exchanged for Military purposes. No. 21. Purchased for Mr. Richardson. No. 25. Purchased for Mr. Smith. No. — Rawiri's Reserve at Bell Block Town Sections were given for the two former, which sections are considered as re-purchases from the Government and not as Reserves ; so that the only Reserve which will at present come under the sapervision of the Commissioners is that of the late Rawiri's at the Bell Block. 2. In accordance with the terms of the Act, we have the honor to suggest that an Officer be appointed to ascertain the assent of the Natives to such lands becoming subject to the operation of the Act, and in the mean time every exertion will be made by us to recommend the Natives to give such assent. 3. We have reason to fear that the Natives who may be personally interested in the respective Reserves will object to the proceeds being left to the disposal of the Commissioners, and shall therefore be glad to be informed whether, in the event of such objection being made, the Commissioners would be justified iv taking measures for the beneficial occupancy of the land, and thus secure one of the objects of the Act, even though the rents or proceeds may be claimed by the Natives. 4. It appears from enquiries made, that about 205 acres have already been let or leased by the Natives to Settlers, who have been in possession for several years, the Natives receiving the rents. It will be our duty to enquire into these arrangements, not with a view to interference with tenants, for we submit that such a course might not be prudent, but rather for the purpose of bringing such lands under the operation of the Act, and placing the occupants on a legal footing. In some cases the common interest of a family or tribe, for whom the Reserves were made, is monopolized by a few members who by exercising an arbitrary authority over the land, nullify the interest of the less influential members of t , " ibe or family. 5. The quantity of Reserve land under cultivation by the Natives themselves may be estimated at •a5O acres, the rest is unoccupied and waste. 6. The position of the Reserves is mostly eligible and the quality of the land good (land in this Province is not so variable as in other parts of the Island) about two-thirds forest, the rest fern; the former is considered to be the richest soil but the moat expensive to cultivate, the latter most suited to the practical agriculturist. 7. We are of opinion that the Natives may be anxious to sell some of the Reserves, but at present we consider it objectionable (except in particular cases) believing it would be the means of creating claims in the unpurchased districts either for Reserves or re-purchases at a nominal price, and of increasing the difficulties of negotiations. 8. The Reserves have as yet yielded no fund for Education or for Medical relief; these are supplied by the Grey Institutions and Colonial Hospital. Much more might be advantageously done in the way of Education if funds were available. 9. We have the honor to state that the appointment of two or three influential Chiefs as Commissioners, would be likely to secure the confidence of the Natives and facilitate the working of the Commission. 10. In transmitting a list of the number of Natives in each District of the settled portion of the Province, we regret our inability to report favourably of their condition. For nearly 4 years they have been engaged in the feuds which have prevailed in this Province, and have been living in Pas, in confederate bands, and melancholy results have followed ; habits of industry have been relinquished and their means expended in the acquirement of arms and ammunition, and themselves reduced to a state of indigence. Happily there is now a cessation of hostilities, and this we hope will afford us opportunities of seeing those who are interested in the Reserves, and trying to induce them to avail themselves of the advantages of the Act. 11. In addition to the lands enumerated in the enclosed list, there are also Reserves in the Wainakalho Block to the extent of 2080 acres, out of which 400 acres are to be purchased at 10s. and 500 at ss. per acre ; but these Reserves and allotments have not as yet been laid out because of the fact that 1200 acres included in this Block, being withheld by To Puni's Natives. It may also be mentioned that the Natives have re-purchased from the Government at 10s. an acre, 1800 acres in the Hua Block. 12. With regard to Rules of procedure as required by Section 4 of the Act, we have the honor to suggest the following for His Excellency's consideration: 1. That the Commissioners meet at stated times for the transaction of business. 2. That three, exclusive of the Native Commissioners, if appointed, form a quorum.

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3. That a Chairman be appointed at each Meeting. 4. That a Secretary be appointed to keep the Books and take charge of all documents. 3. That a liecord of the proceedings be signed by the Chairman. 6. That in the event of letting or leasing any portion of the Reserves, the same be submitted to tender, but the Commissioners not to be bound to accept the highest Tender. 7. That in the case of sale, due notice be given in thp local Journals, one month before the day of sale. 8. That all monies received as proceeds of the Reserves be deposited in the Savings' Bank until required for the objects contemplated by the Act. We have &c, (Signed) John Whiteley j Robert Parris. > Commissioners of Native Reserves. • H. Halse. I The. Honorable the Colonial Treasurer,

Report by the Commissioners of Native Reserves for the Province of Otago. Dunedin, 21st June, 1858. Immediately on receipt of our commission we set on foot a searching enquiry into the nature and extent of the Native Reserves in the Province with the population on each. We applied to the Superintendent of the Province for all the information in the possession of the Government on this subject, and we lately received from him a copy of a Report furnished by the Chief Land Commissioner. A copy of this Report we have the honor of forwarding herewith. We also made statistical enquiries, and enclose an abstract of the information obtained. We also enclose the Schedule which supplied that information. We find that the Native Title has not been extinguised over any of the Native Reserves in this Province, with the exception of about an acre of land in the Town of Port Chalmers, one-half of which was purchased by Mr. Mantell from Europeans, and made over to the Natives, as we presume, although we have not been able to discover where the Title has been deposited. There is also a small stripe of land on the beach at Dunedin, part of the land previously made over to the New Zealand Company, which Sir George Grey appears to have afterwards reserved for the Natives, intended as a place where they might land, free of obstruction ; at Dunedin for this purpose it is almost, if not wholly, useless ; but if it be considered as a Reserve to which the Natives have a Title, it might be appropriated to some other use for their benefit; at present it is partly occupied by buildings erected by the Provincial Government for the accommodation of Immigrants. In regard to the 75 acres added by Mr. Mantell to the Native Reserve at Moreaki, in lieu of the 75 acres abandoned by the Natives as mentioned by the Land Commissioner's Report, we are of opinion that while in one sense it may be said that the Native Title was extinguished to these 75 acres, yet it would be unwise to attempt to deal with these 75 acres otherwise than with the whole of the rest of the Native Reserve to which this addition had been made. Seeing that we have no funds whatever in our hands, and can have none, at least for some considerable time, we do not consider it necessary to suggest any regulations for our future guidance. If we had funds to pay incidental expenses, we probably would have been able to furnish the Report sooner, and if we should attempt to lease, or otherwise use for the benefit of the Natives any of the land at Port Chalmers, we would be at once stopped for want of funds ; and further, we were and must be much crippled in our attempts to communicate with the Natives for the want of a paid interpreter, who would be always at our command. Upon the whole subject of the Natives and their Reserves in this Province, we have the honor of stating as our unanimous opinion that if the general Native Title was extinguished, and the whole Reserves in the Province were divided amongst the Natives, and a Crown Grant given to each Native for the portion allotted to him, it would be one of the best things which could be done for them, and from enquiries we have been making we are impressed with the belief that this could be easily accomplished in this Province. There would however require to be this restriction, that no Native would be entitled to sell or dispose of, otherwise than to his own children, the piece of land which would be allotted to him, or at least, that no sale or lease to a European could take place without the consent of the Commissioners, the Resident Magistrate, or the Provincial Government, or some such authority. We are of opinion that the effect of such a measure would be the encouraging and stirring up the Natives to rival both one another and the Europeans in providing comfortable houses to dwell in, and in enclosing and properly cultivating their land. While their land and Pas are held in common they have no individual interest in improvements. It would tend to settle them more down on the soil, and by separating them from that common influence which they have over one another would greatly tend to make them emulate the European settlers ; and moreover, as it would settle them in one locality something more substantial could be attempted for their moral and religious education than could be done under their present migratory mode of living ; besides it seems to us to be a principle somewhat inherent in human nature that the possession of an exclusive Title to land has a tendency to increase the desire for improving the worldly circumstances and to encourage self-respect, and obedience and respect to the ordinances of Law and good Government; and as a means to these ends it has a tendency to increase the desire for mental improvement. We have not included in this Report any notice of Stewart's Island or Ruapeke, where a veiy considerable number of Natives are located, as these islands are not within the Province of Otago. Reported by (Signed) John Gillies, Commissioner. Robert Williams,

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Report of the Chief Waste Lands Commissioner to the Superintendent of Otago upon Native Reserves,

Waste Land Board Office, Dunedin, 14th April, 1858. Sir, —I have the honor in accordance with your Honor's request to report upon the subject of the Native Reserves in this Province. I regret that the matter should have been so long delayed, and that the required information could not at once be placed at the disposal of the gentlemen appointed as Commissioners under the provisions of the Native Reserves Act, 1856, but the State of the records in the Land Office relating to the Native Reserves is so defective that I have been at great difficulty in ascertaining the actual state of the legal position of many of the Reserves, and my Report is therefore not so entirely satisfactory as I could desire. In the first place the Commissioners request to be furnished with maps of all the Reserves. This has hitherto been an insurmountable difficulty from the fact of the Survey Department being unable to overtake the amount of work required of it, but the strength of the Department having been increased I have every hope that maps of such of the Reserves as have been surveyed and recorded will shortly be furnished. The Reserves appear to have been numbered with reference to the several purchases from the Natives, thus those Reserves which were made in the Northern District, the Native title to which was extinguished by Mr. W. Mantell in 1848-9, commence with the number 9, the Reserve so numbered although recorded in the Otago Land Office is in fact in the Canterbury Province, and appears to be the consecutive number of Reserves made further to the North, a system which is carred on, by the most Northerly Reserve within the Province of Otago, being numbered 10, whilst the Reserves in the Murihiku District, the purchase of which was effected by Mr. Mantell in 1853-4, commence with number 1. I consider it will be more convenient to notice the Reserves in the order of their number, in preference to their date of reservation, although this plan has some inconvenience. Reserve No. 1 was made by Mr. Commissioner Mantell at the date of purchase of the Murihiku purchase, it was surveyed by Mr. Kettle. It is situate on the East Bank of the Mataura. Its contents are 287 acres, and it is partly open land and partly bush, the exact quantity of each has not been accurately ascertained, but it is presumed that about one-third of the land is covered with timber. There are but few Natives residing on the spot, I believe but one family and its connections. The Reserve is situate in the best place for a ferry over the Mataura on the present known route to the South. The soil is good and well adapted for cultivation, both upon the Native and European plans. Reserve No. 2 was reserved at the same period as Reserve No. 1. It is situated at Omahui, on the East head of the entrance to New River, and comprises 1686 acres, about one-half of which is covered with bush, the soil is mostly good and is well suited to Native cultivation, as in all the Native Reserves at the South, it combines all the advantages of situation, being near to the mouth of the New River, which will ultimately become the main channel of communication with the interior country, and being on the Coast the Natives can easily supply themselves with fish. In the selection of all these Reserves the Natives were consulted, they are therefore the best suited to meet the wants of the Natives, and combine the advantages of being situated in a position which will ultimately acquire commercial value by the number of inhabitants, or the state of their cultivations. I have no means at hand of forming an estimate. Reserve No. 3 is in the same position as to the period of its reservation as the previous Reserves ; it is situate at Owe on the West Head of the New River, within the lower harbour, and comprises 176 acres, partly bush and partly open land, in about equal proportions, it is well suited for cultivation and has a commercial value from its situation. Reserve No. 4 is similar to the above, and is situate at Aparma, East Head of Jacob's River, and contains 527 acres, about one-half of which is bush land ; the soil is good and the place well adapted for cultivation. It has a high position value as it abuts upon the Village of Kiverton, being doubtless part of the land which would have been set apart for the Town had it not been reserved for the Natives. Reserve No. 5, the same as the above, is situate at Otaka, Hinetin Point, Colacka Bay, it comprises 1132 acres, mostly bush land well suited for Native purposes. If the country were generally occupied it would have a position value. Reserve No. 6is in the same legal position as the foregoing Reserves. It is situate at Ra Waka Putaputa, on Waka Patoo Point, and comprises 977 acres, chiefly bush land. It is much of the nature of the other Southern Reserves, but no accurate information can be obtained at Dunedin relative to it. Reserve No. 7is in the same legal position as the foregoing. It is situate at One Tota, and is a promontory, projecting into the sea. It comprises 90 acres and is entirely open land. This appears to he the last Reserve made at the time of the Murihiku purchase. There appears to be no Reserve numbered 8. Reserve No 9 is situate on the North side of the Waitangi, and is therefore in the Province of Canterbury. Reserve No. 10 was reserved by Mr. Commissioner Mantell, 11th November, 1848-9, and was surveyed by Mr. Alfred Mills, Surveyor to the New Zealand Company. It is situate on the South Bank of the Waitaki, about 14 miles from the mouth of the river, and is called " Te Pund Pundomaru, or Penomaroo." .. It comprises 376 acres, and is open land; it appears to have been set aside for the family of a particular Chief named " Hutu Hum." Its agricultural capabilities I have no means of

15

E—No. 4

ascertaining. It has a position value being the place from which passengers are ferried across the Waitangi. It is destitute of bush, but a Reserve was made by Mr. Mantell of bush on the West Cliff of Waipoura Valley, but which was not surveyed. No description of its extent is given, nor can I from the records of the Office, or from Mr. Thomson's reconnaissance map ascertain its position. There is a stream called by Mr. Thomson the Kaura which with the prefix of the word " Wai" (water) would indicate the spot, but there appears to be no bush there. This supposed Reserve is referred to as 10 ; another small Reserve is said to have been promised by Mr. Mantell at Hakataia Mea, Waitangi Gorge about 30 miles inland of Te Pemao Manu, but I cannot from the records of the Office ascertain its position. This Reserve appears to have been recommended by Mr. Mantell to be 150 acres for the special use of a Native and his family of the name of Te Ware Korari who appears to have been resident on the spot. Mr. Mantell in a letter to the Honourable Colonial Secretary, of the 19th March, 1853, speaks of being about to visit the spot and send a sketch survey, but no further record can at present be found in this Office. I have reason to believe that the Reserve is on the North side of the River Waitangi and is therefore in the Canterbury Province. Reserve No. 11 was made at the time of the purchase of the Northern portion of the Province in 1848-9. It is situate at Kakamu Bay, about 15 miles north of Moreaki Bay, it comprises 75 acres and is entirely open land. From a letter from Mr. Commissioner Mantell to the Colonial Secretary, of date 19th March, 1853, it would appear that this Reserve was abandoned by the Natives, and Mr. Mantell recommended that an addition to the Moreaki Reserve should be made of 75 acres in lieu of the abandoned Reserve, an arrangement which received the sanction of the Governor-in-Chief as intimated in a communication from the Colonial Secretary to Mr. Mantell, dated the sth April, 1853. No further evidence of the transaction exists, the abandoned Reserve appears not to have been conveyed by the Natives. Nor was any Title to the land adjoining the Native Reserve at Moeraki given to the Natives. It will be the duty of the Commissioners for Native Reserves to consider within which class of reserve as distinguished in the Native Reserves Act of 1856, this last mentioned land comes, and whether the abandoned Reserve can be considered legally abandoned. Reserve No. 12 was made in 1848-9, it is situated at Moeraki, and was originally 500 acres in extent, an addition of 75 acres was sanctioned by His Excellency the Governor as mentioned in Report on Reserve No. 11; it is well wooded, and is a particularly valuable piece of land, both from the nature of its soil and position. In January 1849 there were 87 Native inhabitants, its present population or the extent of cultivation I have no means of ascertaining. Reserve 12c. This is a Reserve of 10 acres of Timber in the Huri bush made by Mr. Commissioner Mantell in 1848. Reserve No. 13 was made in 1848. It is situate at Waikowiti, it originally comprised 1800 acres, and was surveyed by Mr. Mills. Certain European cultivations were temporily exempted from the Reserves, though situate in the centre of it. The Land was afterwards given up to the Natives, the Governor disapproving of the exemption. Subsequently Mr. Kettle re-surveyed the Reserve, and extended its boundaries so as to include 2393 acres, 3 roods, and 24 perches, of which proceeding Mr. Mantell disapproved and reported upon the subject to the Governor, whose decision was in favour of the extension as intimated in the Colonial Secretary's letter of the 16th March,, 1853. The Reserve is well wooded and cultivated to a considerable extent, the soil is good, and the land from its position valuable. In 1848 there were 121 Native inhabitants. I have no official information as to their present number. Reserve No. 14 was made in 1848. It is situate at P. Purahanui Bay, it consists of two lots of land, containing 270 and 28 acres respectively, the larger portion is chiefly wooded lands, the soil is good and suited for cultivation. In 1848 there were 45 inhabitants. Of the whole of the before-mentioned Reserves, sketch-maps will be furnished immediately they can be obtained from the Survey Office. Reserve No. 15. There is no Reserve bearing this number, but I propose for the sake of convenience to give that number to the Reserve at the Otago Heads, this Reserve was made at the date of the purchase of the Otago Block, by the New Zealand Company, it is now two lots, comprising about 4305 acres, and 2075 acres respectively, the former portion adjoins a Reserve for General Government purposes, for Light House, Pilot Station, &c, and it is not quite clear what the extent of the latter Reserve is, as there is no record of it in the Land or Survey Offices, excepting that in one of the Maps in the Survey Office, a Reserve is roughly marked off at the point which comprises about 250 acres. I have observed that Mr. Mantell in a letter to the Colonial Secretary of date the 17th August, ] 854, states that extent 250 acres to be too great, and that the error had arisen from the Crown Grant to the New Zealand Company, in which the extent of the Crown Reserve is estimated at 250 acres, and in the said letter he refers to a map copied from certain Parliamentary papers, but for the present I have no means of knowing what the nature of the Map was. The above Reserve No. 15 is well wooded, and contains much fine agricultural land, it has a high position value, and it is to be regretted that from its great extent and its monopolizing the whole of the land available for the site of the Town. Europeans of good character and industrious habits have been prevented from settling in this neighbourhood. Tims the Natives have been deprived of the many benefits which would have arisen to them, both pecuniarily and shortly, had the nature of the Reserve permitted their close contact with a civilised community.

16

The Commissioners will find a detailed account of the state of the Maori population living at the Otago Heads in. a Report laid before the Presbytery in the course of the past year. Reserve 16. I propose to give this number to the Reserve at the Taieri, which at present bears no number. This Reserve was made at the time of the purchase of the Otago Block by the New Zealand Company ; it is situate on the North Bank of Taieri River, extending from its mouth to the junction of the Taieri and Waihola waters, it comprises about 2,300 acres ; timber is scarce in proportion to its extent, but there is more than sufficient to supply the wants of the present Native inhabitants. A portion of this Reserve at the Western extremity is remarkably valuable for a site of a Village a few Natives live there, but the land is not generally made use of, the Natives preferring to cultivate, the side of hills, and in doing so they have destroyed much valuable timber. I find casual mention of a Reserve near the Olutha River, it is not accurately laid down in any map, and no mention is made of it in the Record Map. I have no means of ascertaining its extent, indeed I do not think that it has ever been fixed. Besides the above Reserves, which may be said to be the whole coming strictly within that description, a Reserve was made at Port Chalmers of nearly an acre in extent, it consists of sections 403 and 404, and a portion of unsurveyed land, it is not shewn on the Rural Plan. This Reserve was recommended by Mr. Mantell and was sanctioned by the Governor in 1854-55. A quarter of an acre adjoining Section 401 was purchased by Mr. Mantell from Mr. R. Williams with the sanction of the Governor. The Reserve was made under pretence of its being required for the use of the Natives landing at Port Chalmers, but for that purpose it is entirely useless, as it has a steep frontage to the Beach of considerable elevation, it has never been used by the N atives. A Reserve for a similar object was made at Dunedin, its exact extent is not defined, but comprises all the land between the shore of the Harbour and the East side of Princes street, and abuts upon the land upon which the Manse has been built, this Reserve was made upon the authority of the Governor, but it appears to me that His Excellency the Governor exceeded the powers vested in him in this latter case, the land in question having been already set apart as a Public Reserve under the Otago terms of purchase. It will ho ivever be the especial duty of the Commisssioners under the " Native Reserves Act," to ascertain the correct legal position of both these latter Reserves, if Reserves at all they are, lands over which the Native Title has been extinguished ; as Reserves for the object contemplated, they are utterly useless. In closing this Report I cannot but regret that it should be so imperfect, and that it should have been so long delayed by my being under the necessity in the intervals afforded from the discharge of my other duties, of reading over the whole correspondence of Mr. Commissioner Mantell with the Colonial Secretary during thres years, and having had repeatedly to search the Land and Survey Office for maps, will I trust be an excuse to your Honor for the delay. I have, &c, (Signed) W. H. Cutten, Chief Commissioner. \_A true Copy.~\ To His Honor the Superintendent. (Signed) John Giixies, Commissioner. Dunedin, 21st June, 1858. Province of Otago. Return pursuant to an Order of the House of Representatives of all Lands held by the Commissioners of Native Reserves for the Province of Otago, under the New Zealand Reserves Act, 185G, down to Ist July, 1857. Answer. No Lands are held by the Commissioners. —Also, Copies of any Reports furnished by such Commissioners in compliance with the 11th Section of the Act. Answer. No Report under the 11th Section as the Commissioners had no transactions with regard to the Lauds, but a General Report is herewith forwarded. —Also, an account of all monies received and expended by them as such Commissioners. Answer. The Commissioners received no money, they had to bear their own expenses. (Signed) John Gilltes, Commissioner. J. Cabgill. Robert Williams. Dunedin, 12th June, 1858.

E—No. 4,

ABSTRACT or INFORMATION procured by the Commissioners for Native Reserves, as to the extent of these Reserves, and their Population.

17

O > Where Eeserve situated. Extent in acres. Busli or open Land. Character as to value. | Population. j Male. 1 Fe ," Total.! I male. Remarks. 1 East Bank of Mataura 287 Bush and open Valuable 2 j Omabui, East Head of entrance to New River... 1686 Half Bush Very valuable 1 Bush and open Situation valuable J TT if x> i ( Situation valuable Half Bush , I r , , [ Land good 18 14 32 S Owe, West Head of entrance to New River i 176 4 Aparinoa, East Head of Jacobs' River 527 40 3C 70 5 Otaka, Hiuetiu, Point Colacks Bay 1132 Chiefly Bush Valuable ] Chiefly Bush Good j Open Land Open Land Open 32 37 G9 6 Waka Putaputa or Waka Patoo Point 977 7 Onetola, a Promontory projecting into the Sea. 90 j This Reserve appears to have been set aside for the { family of a particular Chief named Huru Huru. 10 To Pund Pundamoru or Penomaroo, about 14 ) miles from the mouth of Waitaki j 376 Pakanui Bay, about 15 miles North of Moreaki. 75 This Reserve appears to have been abandoned by the Natives, and Mr. Mantell added 75 acres to the Moreaki Reserve. Query —Was the Native Title extinguished as to the abandoned 75 acres, and was a Title granted for the addition ? 11 ! 12 Moreaki (if the 75 be added there will be 575 acres)... 500 Well wooded Valuable 69 47 116 This is a Reserve of 10 acres of Bush, not of the Land on the Kuri Bush. I 13 Waikowaiti Purakanui Bay (270 acres and 28 acres) 2394 I I Good land, and a Well wooded < considerable part ( cultivated Chiefly Bush Good Well wooded Valuable 64 44 108 14 298 15 Otago Heads (4305 acres and 2075 acres) 6380 46 41 87 16 Taieri Clutha or Molyneux, no record of it. 2300 Partly Bush j Par * va j uable > & | J \ part not so i Will become valuable! 14 17 31 JThis was partly reserved, and about the half re-pur-chased by Mr. Mantell from Europeans, on account of the Natives. Port Chalmers 1 Dunedin.* . i i 1 1 I 17,199 285 240 525 i * This is a stripe on the Shore, which may become valuable from its position. It was reserved by Sir George Grey, but there is considerable doubt if he had the power, as the land was previously given to the New Zealand Company by their contract. These two small pieces at Port Chalmers and Dunedin are the only portions over which the Native Title was extinguished. This stripe at Dunedin was intended as a landing place for the Natives, but is unsuitable foi that purpose. . . (Signed) John Gillies, Commissioner. J. Cargill, mm* Robert. Williams,