CIRCULAR INSTRUCTIONS ISSUED BY THE CHIEF LAND PURCHASE COMMISSIONER TO THE DISTRICT COMMISSIONERS.

Appendix to the Journals of the House of Representatives, 1861 Session I, C-08

C—No. 8.

CIRCULAR INSTRUCTIONS ISSUED BY THE CHIEF LAND PURCHASE COMMISSIONER TO THE DISTRICT COMMISSIONERS.

Presented to the House of Representatives by Command of His Excellency.

THE CHIEF COMMISSIONER TO MR. COMMISSIONER COOPER. Native Land Purchase Department, Auckland, 20th May, 1861. Sir, — In addition to the information called for in my Circular letter dated the 15th instant, I have the honor to request that you will, immediately upon receipt of this, prepare and transmit to this office, a special Report showing the real state of the land question in your district, distincly pointing out any difficulties or claims that may exist with reference to any particular block, together with an expression of your opinion as to the validity or otherwise of such claims. You will report fully, the nature of any claim which may arise out of transactions not yet completed, whether initiated by yourself or by any other Officer of the Department. Information should also be supplied regarding outstanding payments. All disputes having reference to boundaries of land or to reserves, should be reported upon, with a statement showing the cause or ground of such disputes. I have, &c, Donald McLean, Chief Commissioner. G. S. Cooper, Esq., District Commissioner, Ahuriri. Letters of the same tenor and date sent to 11. T. Kemp, Esq., D.C., Bay of Islands; R. Parris, Esq., D.C., Taranaki; G. W. D. Hay, D.C., Thames; John Rogan, Esq., D.C., Kaipara; J. Preece, Esq., Coromandel.

THE CHIEF COMMISSIONER TO MR. COMMISSIONER EOGAN. Land Purchase Department, Auckland, 3rd May, 1861. Sir, — I have the honor by direction of His Excellency the Governor, to request that you will observe the following instructions in the purchase of Native lands. 1. In making Reserves for Natives, natural boundaries should, as far as possible, be observed ; and in all cases tiie Reserves should be defined and marked off before the final payment is made for the block of land of which they may form a part. 2. Before any Block of land is handed over to the Commissioner of Crown Lands of the Province in which it is situated, a plan of the Block, with all the Reserves specified, duly certifieel by you or by a Surveyor authorised by you, should be furnished to the Provincial Land Office. I have, &c, Donald McLean, Chief Commissioner. To J. Rogan, Esq., &c, &c, &c. Letters of similar tonor and date sent to all District Commissioners.

THE CHIEF COMMISSIONER TO THE DISTRICT COMMISSIONER, NAPIEE. Land Purchase Department, Auckland, 15th May, 1861. Sic, — I have the honor to request that you will furnish with the least possible delay, a Return of all lands purchased by you in the Ahuriri District, from the Ist July, 1860, to 31st March, 1861, in the same form as heretofore. You will also be good enough to furnish a general Report of land purchasing operations ; the disposition of the Natives regarding the alienation of their lands, together with such other matter as may place the Government in possession of full information as to the state of your District. I have also to remind you that the near approach of the sitting of the House of Representatives requires that there should be no delay in supplying the information. I have, &c, Donald McLean, The District Commissioner, Napier. Chief Commissioner.

CIRCULAR INSTRUCTIONS ISSUED BY CHIEF LAND PURCHASE COMMISSIONER TO DISTRICT COMMISSIONERS.