REPORT MR. COMMISSIONER MACKAY RELATIVE TO THE THAMES GOLD FIELDS.

Appendix to the Journals of the House of Representatives, 1869 Session I, A-17

A.—No. 17.

REPORT MR. COMMISSIONER MACKAY RELATIVE TO THE THAMES GOLD FIELDS.

PRESENTED TO THE HOUSE OP REPRESENTATIVES, BY COMMAND OF HIS EXCELLENCY.

WELLINGTON.

1869.

A.—No. 17.

(No. 77.) Civil Commissioner's Office, Sib,— Auckland, 27th July, 18G9. With reference to the instructions contained in the Hon. Mr. Eichmond's letter of the 15th August, 1867, respecting the leasing to the Crown of Native lands in the District of Hauraki for goldmining purposes, I have now the honor to report my proceedings in that behalf. In order to arrive at a proper understanding of the question, it may, perhaps, not be considered out of place briefly to refer to the previous action which had been taken about other auriferous lands in that district, and which, to a certain extent, has been looked on by the Natives as a precedent for guiding their subsequent negotiations. There are also other circumstances which have more or less influenced these proceedings, which it may also bo as well to allude to for the same reason. The principal Native landowners in the Thames District are the tribes Ngatipaoa, Ngatiwhanaunga, Ngatimaru, and Ngatitamatera. The claims of these people extend over the country on the east and west shores of the Hauraki Gulf, and as far south as Katikati on the East Coast, and to To Aroha Mountain and "Waitoa in the valley of the Thames. Their lands are very much intermixed, and there is hardly a tribal boundary which has not been the subject of dispute for some generations past. In addition to the tribes above mentioned, there are the Ngatiporou, who own land at Harataunga (Kennedy Bay) and Mataora, ceded to them by the Ngatitamatera ; the Tawera, who hold a block at Manaia, given to them by Ngatimaru for assistance in war; and the Ngatitai, who reside at Maraetai and the Wairoa. The latter (Ngatitai) have no auriferous lands which form the subject of negotiation with the Crown, and will not again be referred to in this report; but all the others are concerned in the gold-mining question. In the year 1851, Mr. Hargreaves discovered gold in the banks of Summer Hill Creek, near Bathurst, in Australia, and in consequence of the important results therefrom, attention was directed to prospecting for gold in New Zealand. In October, 1852, Mr. Charles Eing obtained auriferous quartz and some fine gold from the Kapanga Stream at Coromandel, and thereupon applied for a reward of £500, which had been offered by a committee. A number of persons were attracted to that district, and on the 30th November, 1852, Colonel "Wynyard, then Lieutenant-Governor, found it necessary to enter into an agreement with the Native owners of the land, to permit the search for gold between Cape Colville and Kauaeranga. The terms of the agreement were as follows : —Payment for under 500 men, £000 ; from 500 to 1,000, £900; from 1,000 to 1,500, £1,200: from 1,500 to 2,000, £1,500. In addition to the above, a sum of 2s. was to be paid for every license issued to miners. There were other arrangements, which will be found in the copy of the agreement annexed. About three thousand miners commenced operations, but, owing to various causes, the field was shortly nearly abandoned. The discovery of alluvial deposits by Mr. "William Lightband at Aorere (Collingwood), in 1857 ; by Mr. John Eochfort at the Buller Eiver, in the Province of Nelson, in 1859-60; and by Mr. Gabriel Eeid at Tuapeka, in the Province of Otago, in 1861, in consequence of which the Southern Island gold fields offered attractions to the mining population of Australia and this Colony, tended to prevent the further development of the auriferous wealth of the Province of Auckland. In November, 1861, the Coromandel Gold Field again became the scene of mining operations: and as the agreement made by Colonel AVynyard with the Natives had lapsed, owing to the desertion of the district, Mr. McLean, then Chief Land Purchase Commissioner, entered into an agreement on the 9th November, 1861, with them, to allow gold to be searched for in the district extending from the Waiau Eiver, near Coromandel, to Cape Colville. In 1862 about 300 miners were at Coromandel, and they reported more favourably as to the payable nature of the field than those who had previously visited it. In consequence of disputes with the Natives, the Chief Land Purchase Commissioner proceded to Coromandel to negotiate the purchase or lease of the district. Owing to the Native Land League, which was then in full vigour, this was a task of no ordinary difficulty; but he succeeded on the 23rd June, 1862, in completing an arrangement with Eiria Karepe and other claimants to the Takatea Block to allow mining for gold on their lands on payment of a rental of £500 per annum, and the farther consideration, that if more than 500 persons were employed on the ground, a sum of £1 was to be paid for every person in excess of that number. On the 23rd July, 1862, Pita Taukaka, Kitahi te Tauiwha, Patene Puhata, and their people, executed an agreement for the working of their lands for gold, at Kapanga, Matawai, and Ngaurukehu, on condition that they should receive £1 for each and every European who mined upon the several pieces of land. Demands were also made for condensation for land taken for public roads, also for damage done to kauri timber, which, by the agreements, was not to be used by the miners. Eiria Karepe and Pita Taukaka received £600 for the latter item only. On the 28th June, 1862, Coromandel was proclaimed to be a Gold Field, and H. H. Turton, Esq., was appointed to be Commissioner. The field was inspected by Mr. W. C. Braekenbury, formerly Gold Fields Commissioner in Victoria, and his very interesting report was published in the Government Gazette of the 22nd November, 1861. The commencement of hostilities in Waikato in the middle of 1863 again caused the Coromandel District to be deserted by its mining population. About one-third of the Natives of the Thames District joined the enemy, but after the fall of Eangiriri, in November, 1563, they returned to Kauaeranga.

Enclosure A.

Enclosure) B. Enclosure C. Enclosure E. Enclosure Ea.

REPORT BY MR. MACKAY ON THE THAMES GOLD FIELDS.

A.—No. 17,

•1.

REPORT BY MR. MACKAY RELATIVE TO

Enclosure D.

Enclosure E,

Enclosure Ea.

Enclosure F.

Early in 1864,1 was holding an appointment as Assistant Native Secretary, my proper station being the Middle Island; but Government business having caused me to visit the Thames District, I ascertained that many of the Natives who had been in rebellion then wished to surrender, in accordance with the Proclamation of the 2nd February, 1564. I then received instructions to proceed to the Thames, and take steps to facilitate the return of the Natives to their allegiance. This necessitated my visiting the various settlements in the Hauraki District, and, among others, Ohinemuri. At that place I found Nepia te Ngarara, whom I had formerly known as a gold-miner at Collingwood, in the Province of Nelson, and he informed me that he had found gold in alluvial deposit near Ohinemuri. I also received information from Hanauru Taipari (since named AVilloughby Shortland Taipari) that gold had been obtained near Kauaeranga. I reported these circumstances to the Hon. the Colonial Secretary, then head of the Native Department, in a letter dated 23rd April, 1864, and in the concluding paragraph made the following remarks : —" I would suggest that if a Magistrate is appointed for that district, it should be one of his duties to endeavour to bring about an arrangement for the working of the Thames Gold Fields. If an available field was discovered there, it would be very useful to this Province, and would tend to prevent that depression which otherwise will be felt after the cessation of military expenditure. I visited the Coromandel Gold Field, and as far as I can judge from the limited survey I took of it, am of opinion that it is only the outside of a gold district, and a better field exists in the neighbourhood of the Thames." In May, 1804, I was appointed to be Civil Commissioner for the Waihou or Hauraki District. Subsequently Colonel Chesney sent a report to the Government, informing them of the discovery by him, some time before, of alluvial gold in the neighbourhood of Te Aroha. A proposition was made by the Government for me to form and head a prospecting party, but the disturbed state of the country caused the idea to be abandoned. I was however instructed by the Hon. Mr. Fox to use every exertion to make arrangements for the opening up of the district for gold-mining purposes. A few persons returned to the Coromandel Mines, and in October, 1864, I was ordered to proceed there, to ascertain the arrears of rent due to Biria Karepe and others for the Tokatea Block, and also to make an arrangement for the payment of head-money due to Pita Taukaka, Tanewha Kitahi, Patene Puhata, and their people, for the Kapanga, Ngaurukehu, and Matawai Blocks. The first was a comparatively easy business, but the latter was a task of no ordinary difficulty. The Government agreement was to the effect that the sum of £1 per annum was to be paid for every person who worked on the land, but no returns had been furnished, and there were no data on which to calculate the amounts due to the Natives ; consequently it became a matter of compromise, and a new agreement was made, by which the owners of the land were to receive £1 for every license issued for gold mining, instead of that sum for each person working on the land, which would have always been a source of difficulty and dissatisfaction at the time of making payments, from the fact of there being no other means of ascertaining the number, and the Natives would invariably have claimed more than their right. This, together with the previous agreements, is the reason why, in the subsequent arrangements made about the Thames Gold Fields, the Natives required £1 for every miner's right issued. At the numerous political meetings held in 1864 and 1565, in the Thames District, at which I was present, I always endeavoured to point out to the Natives the advantages which would be derived from the leasing of their auriferous lands, but was met invariably by the old arguments used by the Land League party. The only person who was really anxious to open up his land was Hanauru or Wirope Hoterene Taipari; he contended for a long time against the whole of the Ngatimaru, of whom his father is the principal chief, and it was only because of the constant pressure put on the tribe by him that they at last agreed to allow him to permit Europeans to prospect for gold on his own land. Messrs. Walter Williamson and James Smallman were then engaged by me, at Taipari's request, to prospect on his property, he finding them the greater portion of their provisions whilst so employed, They worked there for several months, but with little success, and were most jealously watched by the other members of the tribe, and brought back immediately they trespassed beyond the Karaka Stream on the north, or the Hape on the south. Under these very unfavourable circumstances the prospectors could not accomplish much, and they left the district. The chief Te Moananui also allowed them to search for gold on his lands, at which time they received some little aid from the Provincial Government. W. H. Taipari afterwards arranged with Paratene Whakautu, a Native who had been engaged in gold mining at Nelson, and Hamiora Kewa, of Ngatipoa, to continue the search for gold on his own lands; they succeeded in obtaining a small quantity from the south bank of the Karaka Stream, which was brought to Auckland by Mr. Eogan, Judge of the Native Land Court, and the chief W. H. Taipari, and shown to the Honorable Dr. Pollen and myself. At this time the Province of Auckland was in a sad condition; the withdrawal of the Imperial troops and the removal of the seat of Government to Wellington had caused a stagnation in business, and commercial failures were of frequent occurrence ; numbers of labouring men were starving for want of employment. The news of the discovery of gold at Kauaeranga caused immediate excitement, and the offices of Dr. Pollen and myself were besieged with applicants for permission to go to the Thames. These we were compelled to refuse, but the danger of the district being " rushed," and a quarrel ensuing with the Natives was so imminent, that, after consulting together on the subject, we agreed to proceed at once to Kauaeranga, and endeavour to make an arrangement with the Natives for the leasing of their lands to the Crown for gold-mining purposes. On our arrival there we first inspected the ground whence gold had been procured, and having satisfied ourselves of its presence there we convened a meeting of the Natives. We found a majority of them objected to any lease being executed; but after very lengthened arguments we succeeded, on the 27th July, 1867, in making an agreement with Te Hoterene Taipari, W. H. Taipari, Eaika Whakarongotai, and Eapana Maunganoa, to allow mining over their lands, bounded on the north by the Kuranui Stream, on the south by the Kakarimata, on the east by the summit of the seaward line of hills, on the west by the sea and certain survey lines. A large portion of the Moanataiari and the whole of the Waiotahi were excluded from this arrangement by the opposing portion of Ngatimaru.

THE THAMES GOLD FIELDS.

A.—No. 17.

5

There was considerable difficulty in arranging the terms of the lease. A large annual rental was first demanded, and two years' notice of intention to terminate the lease, the same as in the Coromandel case ; but bearing in mind the complaints which had been made by the Provincial Government against paying £500 per annum rent for that field, for which they received but little in return, we considered it safer for the Government, and greater justice to the Natives, to agree to give the sum of £1 for each miner's right issued for the block. If the number of miners was small, the rent would thus be in the same ratio ; and if large and the field valuable, then proportionably greater. "We also found the question about kauri timber one which gave some trouble, the sum paid to Pito Taukaka and Riria Karepe being quoted by the opposition party. It was finally arranged that kauri timber was not to be used unless paid for at the rate of £1 ss. per tree. The Natives were also aware of the fact that some town allotments at Kapanga had, on the first opening of the Coromandel Gold Reid, been sold for high prices, and they wished to guard against the loss which would arise to them if the Government took possession of the town site, and allowed it to be built on under mining, residence, and business site regulations. A stipulation was therefore made that the Government would be allowed to lay out townships ; but these were to be leased to the Europeans, and the Natives were to receive the rents accruing from the same, the Government however having the right to work the minerals beneath the town sites. It was probably as well that this provision was made ; for if there had been no townships laid off by the Government, and no security for the erection of buildings previous to the title to the. land being investigated by the Native Lands Court, the streets would not have been properly laid out, and everything would have been without plan or system. We had also to take precautionary measures to prevent any ill feeling arising with the opponents to the opening up of the district; and having the town reserve properly defined, materially assisted in preventing encroachment on the lands of Natives other than the lessors. The Natives were very particular that lands required for their own use for residence and cultivation should be reserved from gold mining, and the sacred places and burial-grounds were also carefully excluded from the agreements. The question has been raised, as to why this and other subsequent agreements were made as between the Natives and the Governor of the Colony ? The reason is in the interpretation clause of " The Gold Fields Act, 1866," it is set forth that the words " Crown Lands " shall be construed to mean and include, not only the Demesne Lands of the Crown in New Zealand, but also all other land whatever, over which the Governor shall by leave, agreement, or otherwise, have obtained power to authorize gold mining thereon. It was inferred from the wording of the Act, that the Governor had the power to enter into such agreements ; if the wording had been "lands over which Her Majesty shall by lease, agreement, or otherwise have obtained power to authorize mining," there would then have been no doubt in the matter. On the 30th July the Hon. Dr. Pollen issued a proclamation, constituting the lands mentioned in the agreement to be a gold field, and declaring the same open for gold mining on and after the Ist August, 1867. I received instructions from the Hon. Dr. Pollen to proceed to Kauaeranga, or (as it was then first named) Shortland, and take temporary charge of the gold field. Mr. Alan Baillie, formerly "Warden at Coromandel, was also instructed to assist me, and two policemen were also ordered to be stationed at Shortland until further arrangements could be made. A code of regulations was hastily drawn up so as to meet first requirements, and I left Auckland on the Ist August in the p.s. "Enterprise," with the above staff and about forty persons who were the pioneers of the gold field. My first duty was to impress on the miners the absolute necessity for confining their operations within the limits of the lands leased for gold mining. This being accomplished, the next step was to commence the survey of the township, so as to be in readiness for the population which was shortly expected to arrive in the district. The miners, as a rule, behaved well; one or two who trespassed on the forbidden Waiotahi Block were brought back to camp by the Native owners. At first the mining operations were unsuccessful, as every person searched for alluvial gold, and not for quartz reefs. However, on the 10th August, Messrs. Hunt, White, Clarkson, and Cobley found a very valuable gold-bearing leader in the Kuranui Stream. The gold in this was at first of very poor quality, although plentiful in quantity, and many doubted as to whether the stone contained any auriferous matter. On Monday the 12th August the first miners' rights were issued, and there was a rush to Kuranui. At noon many persons returned dissatisfied (from that spot which has since yielded astonishing quantities of gold), and some even went the length of demanding back the money they had paid for their miners' rights. The stone was tested, and it being proved that it actually contained gold, the claimholders became satisfied, and many of them have since had no reason to complain of having pegged out claims at Kuranui. At the same time Mr. Daniel Tookey, who had been prospecting in the district before, marked out a valuable claim near the mouth of the Moanataiari Stream. On the 18th August the Honorable Dr. Pollen visited the gold field, and consulted with me about all matters connected with it, and expressed himself much pleased with the progress which had been made. My time was fully occupied during the month of August in endeavouring to arrange for the Waiotahi Block, and also in procuring the assent of the Natives to opening up the lands between Kuranui (northern boundary of blocks ceded on 27th July) and Te Mamaku. I succeeded in annexing the land between Kuranui and Opitomoko, which, with that previously leased, formed what is now known as the Karaka Block. North of this, again, the Ngatinaunau hapu of Ngatiwhanaunga agreed to lease the land now known as the Tararu Block, extending to Maeroero. There was considerable difficulty in arranging the boundary at that place. North of this, again, was a piece of land ending at Otoi, the ownership of which was disputed between Te Waka Tawera of Ngatimaru and the Ngatinaunau. The claims to this were so equally balanced that I made the following proposals: — Ist. To divide the land equally. 2nd. If first not agreed to, then to consider the whole of the claimants as joint owners. 2

A.—No. 17.

(5

REPORT BY MR. MACKAY RELATIVE TO

3rd. If the first and second were objected to, then to let the Europeans mine for gold, and I would hold the rents, in the shape of miners' rights fees, until the division of the money was agreed on. As I expected, the two first were unanimously rejected, and the third immediately accepted. To the northward of this disputed piece, now known as " Whakatate," was land owned by Te "Waka Tawera. This was arranged for as far as Te Mamaku (southern boundary of the lands of Ngatitamatera). Agreements were not signed at this time, as the Cultivation and Burialground Reserves were not arranged, and there were other matters which required consideration before completing these. It was understood there was to be one document executed consolidating and combining all previous arrangements, as soon as all disputes about boundaries were arranged. The population had now increased. Mr. Baillie's time was fully employed as Warden ; and my own duties in negotiating with the Natives, which were already sufficiently arduous, were not facilitated by having to assist in important matters affecting mining interests. In addition to this, the forbidden, land at Waiotahi was supposed to be the richest on the field, and the Natives were constantly complaining of Europeans trespassing upon it. The two policemen had quite enough to do to keep miners off that block ; and to crown all, wo had the most wretched office and lodging accommodation conceivable. This was the state of affairs on the Ist September, ISG7. On the 2nd a quarrel took place between a miner and two of the sons of Aperahama te Reiroa (one of the principal owners of Waiotahi). The Natives succeeded in getting the man into the Kauaeranga River, where they nearly drowned him. A great disturbance ensued, and fearing a serious fracas between natives and Europeans, I went with the police, and arrested the three disputants. On the 3rd September the man was convicted of assaulting a Native, and was fined £3, or one month's imprisonment. The Natives were proved to have nearly drowned him, and they were fined £5 each and costs, or two months' imprisonment. They were unable to pay the fine, and would have been removed to Auckland. Their father, Aperehama te Eeiroa, came to solicit their release; and asked me to lend him the money to pay the fine. I agreed to do so if he would take it as an advance, on miners' rights for the Waiotahi Block. He consented to do this, provided a line was cut along the base of the hills, and the flat laud left as a cultivation reserve. He paid the fine, and his sous were released. That afternoon, the line of demarcation was laid off on the ground, and the Waiotahi was rushed by the miners. I have been thus circumstantial in reporting this proceeding, as there were many misrepresentations about it at the time. Obtaining the right to mine over the Waiotahi Block, was a fortunate circumstance, which prevented a serious misunderstanding arising between the two races at that time. The European population was increasing, and the miners were becoming daily more discontented at the land not being rendered available for mining purposes, as it was known to be rich. The Waiotahi is now included within the " Karaka Block." On the 4th September I arranged the boundaries of cultivation reserves as follows: —For Taipari and his people at Tc Hape, within the town of Shortland. For the Ngatinaunau, at Tararu Point; this included a piece of five acres belonging to the Ngalipaoa Tribe. 3'or Te Waka Tawera and others, two pieces at Oti and Te Puru. I also caused notice boards to bo put up at burial grounds at Hongikore and Te Wharau. Thence I proceeded to Coromandel, and commenced negociations with the Tawera and Ngafimaru of Manaia for the cession of their lands. I also saw Te Moananui and his people of Ngatitamatera. I found them favourably inclined to opening up their lands between Tuapo on the north, on the sea coast, and Te Mamaku on the south. There was some excitement among the miners about the Ohinemuri District, and I endeavoured to ascertain from Tc Moananui what were the probabilities of obtaining the right to mine for gold over that country. As I expected, the answer was, that "Te Hira was a most obstinate man; that he had been most difficult to deal with in the arrangements for Coromandel, and there was not the slightest chance of his yielding in the case of Ohinemuri, :is he and all the Hauhau portion of the tribe were opposed to either the sale or lease of any land to Europeans." After returning from Coromandel I was engaged in various gold mining and Native questions until the 18th September, when I left Auckland for Wellington, on business connected with compensation for confiscated lands at Waikato. On the completion of this duty I returned to Auckland, where I arrived on the 2nd October, and was engaged there until the 11th, when I went to Shortland, calling at Taupo on the way, to arrange a dispute between the Wrikaraka and Ngatihura hapus of Ngatipaoa. I found considerable progress had been made at the Thames Gold Field; several valuable claims were being worked for auriferous quartz. The nature of the mining was such, however, as not to afford any immediate return to the miner; and as the Province was in a bad financial position, both publicly and privately, it is not to be wondered at that there was considerable discontent at the nondiscovery of the alluvial gold, and under such circumstances it was natural to suppose that there was equal anxiety about opening up the Ohinemuri District, where alluvial deposits were reported to exist in fabulous quantities. There were many instances where men owned valuable claims which they could not work for want of means ; or, where they had obtained payable quartz, there was no adequate machinery to crush it. The capital left in Auckland was already absorbed in claims, and in the purchase of plant and machinery, and there was but little chance of selling even valuable interests. The prospects of the individual struggling miner were indeed dark at that period. Many had wealth in their grasp, which, they could not realize or in any way render available. The suffering and privation endured at this time were extreme. A number of men had arrived from the West Coast, attracted by the reports which had reached them of the richness of Hunt's and other claims. Certain political agitators were not backward in fomenting the discontent which prevailed, and affairs assumed a serious aspect, as any attempt to take forcible possession of Ohinemuri would have brought on a collision with the Hauhaus, and endangered the peace of this portion of the Colony.

7 A—No. 17.

Public meetings took place in front of the raupo whare used as a Court House, where I had to speak very plainly as to the course which would be pursued in the event of a rush to Ohinemuri being attempted. It is due to the majority of the miners to say that, under all the circumstances of the case, they behaved well, and that the agitation was got up either for political purposes by a few, or by new arrivals from the Middle Island, who could not understand " a Native difficulty," and were not easily convinced that they were not as free and unrestrained at the Thames as in the wilds of Australia, Otago, or the West Coast. On the 16th October, His Honor the Superintendent (having just returned from "Wellington) paid his first visit to the gold field. A public meeting of miners was held, which he and I were requested to attend. Strenuous attempts were made to obtain permission to mine at Ohinemuri, and His Honor most ably and firmly supported me in the matter, and I am happy to say that the majority of those present were convinced by his arguments of the extreme inadvisability of attempting to take forcible possession of Ohinemuri. Some malcontents, incited by a man named Edmonds, determined to proceed up the Waiwhakarunga River on to land which the old chief Eiwai of Ngatimaru had declared should not be opened for gold mining. I determined to teach these men a lesson, and sent Detective Crick and three Native Police, all well armed with carbines and revolvers, and ordered them to bring back the trespassers. This had the effect of stopping further proceedings of this kind. A deputation of twelve men, who had been selected to visit Te Hira and induce him to consent to open Ohinemuri, were also deterred from going there. The chief Eopata te Arakai, of Ohinemuri, who has always been loyal and well-disposed towards Europeans, came to vShortland to see His Honor the Superintendent, and said he was willing to lease his lands for gold-mining purposes. I then arranged with His Honor to go and see Te Moananui at Maiariki, while he remained at Shortland to attend to gold fields business. On arrival at Matariki, To Moananui expressed himself willing to accompany His Honor to Ohinemuri, but at the same time said, " There was not the slightest chance of success, as To Hira was very obstinate." We then proceeded to Shortland. Te Moananui arranged to accompany the Superintendent to Ohinemuri, and I was to follow if possible. Just at this time, however, gold was found near Waipatukahu, or Tapu C/eek, and a favourable opportunity presented itself to divert the attention of the miners from Ohinemuri. I therefore used every endeavour to obtain the cession of the Ngatitamatera lands to the north of Shortland, so as to connect the Thames field with Coromandel. This occupied my lime until the 9th November, 18G7, when I procured the consent of Te Moananui and the principal chiefs of the tribe Ngatitamatera to permit mining for gold over all their lauds, except reserves for Native residence, cultivation, and burial-grounds, from Cape Colville on the north, extending thence south to Te Mamaku on the east shore of the Hauraki Gulf, and Mercury Bay on the East Coast. The terms were the same as those in the agreement made by the Ngatimaru on the 27th July, 1867, with the exception that I had to advance the sum of £500, to be refunded from miners' rights when received, for the lands leased. I then returned to Shortland, and commenced negotiations with the Ngatiwhanaunga Tribe for a lease of their lands. This resulted in five of the principal men signing a memorandum to permit mining on their lands, from Hikutaia and Whangamata on the south to Cape Colville on the north. They received a deposit of £100 on the same. A considerable portion of the land at the southern end of this claim, in the neighbourhood of Hikutaia and Whangamata, was disputed with these people by Herewine te Eangai and other Hauhaus of Ngatimaru, residing at Hikutaia. I therefore took no further action about that portion, being content to take such part as the Ngatiwhanaunga could hereafter substantiate their title to. On the 18th November, a meeting of the Ngatimaru Tribe was held, and after a hard contest on that and the following day. I succeeded in obtaining their consent to allow mining in the Whakairi or Waiwhahaurunga Block. The old chief Riwai and the Land League party would not, however, hear of any mining operations being carried on within the Otunui Block, lying between Shortland and Whakairi. It was arranged to defer the signing of the final agreement until the whole of the Ngatimaru and Ngatiwhanaunga claims were arranged. The additional area thus arranged for diverted the attention of the miners from Ohinemuri; and in order to render it at once available for gold mining, His Honor the Superintendent proclaimed a considerable portion of it to be a gold field, by notice published in the Provincial Government Gazette of the 21st November, 1567. On the 21st November I was confined to my bed with illness, which arose from overwork and anxiety. I was unfit to do any duty from that period until the 9th December —though such was the pressure of business, and the amount of work which was thrown on Mr. Baillie, the Warden of the gold field, thatj was compelled to hear some Court cases, and attend to other matters, when lying on a sofa in my private house. On the 13th December, the Ngatimaru of Manaia agreed to lease their lands at that place for gold mining purposes ; but in consequence of a dispute with the Tawera Tribe, about a boundary, the ground was not immediately available for general mining. Permission was however given to Mr. Cadrnan and others to " prospect " or search for gold there. On the 16th November, I completed an arrangement with the Ngatimaru Tribe, and my old opponent Eiwai, to allow mining over the Otunui Block. In January, 1868, I took some miners to prospect in the Cape Colville Block; thence I proceeded to Manaia to endeavour to arrange the dispute between the Tawera and Ngatimaru about the boundary of their land. After discussing the question for several days, it was found necessary to abandon it, owing to the obstinacy of Te Wikirivvhi of Ngatimaru. On the 14th February, 186S, I went to Hikutaia, and visited Herewine te Eangai, and the Hauhaus of Ngatimaru residing there, with a view to inducing them to arrange the dispute about the boundary between their lands and those of the Ngatiwhanaunga Tribe, as it had become a matter of importance, owing to the discovery of gold at Te Puriri. I however found them civil, but very obstinate about their claims ; they would neither agree to any adjustment of the dispute, nor allow gold mining on any land claimed by them. They said their boundary commenced at Te Eata, on the bank of the Eiver Waihou (Thames) ; thence to Whakaota; thence ascending to Pukawhau; thence

Enclosure GK

THE THAMES GOLD FIELDS.

A.—No. 17.

s

EEPORT BY ME. MACKAY RELATIVE TO

Enclosure I.

Enclosure J.

to the north side of Whakaperu ; theuce to the south of Pukataiko ; thence to a stone called Parahako, near the sea, on the East Coast; thence to Pokohunui at low water-mark. On mentioning these boundaries to Ngatimaru and Ngatiwhanaunga on the 16th, they were very angry, and threatened to take forcible possession of the land as far as the Hikutaia River and across to Whangamata. Finding that the dispute was confined to the lands between the Oretai Stream and Hikutaia, I then arranged that the southern boundary of the gold field should be fixed at the Omahu Stream, which was undisputed country. The sketch in the margin shows the relative position of the places. After this I was engaged until the 9th March in fixing the position of residence and cultivation reserves at Puriri, Warahoe, Parawai, and Kakaramata, for the Ngatimaru and Ngatiwhanaunga Tribes, and at Waionui, Te Mata, Kerita, and Matariki, for the Ngatitamatera. On that day the Ngatimaru and Ngatiwhanaunga executed a final agreement about their lands, extending from Omahu on the south to Te Mamaku on the north, and inland to the dividing range between the East Coast and Hauraki Gulf. The lands leased under the agreement of the 27th of July, 1867, were included in this, as well as all those negotiated for with those tribes between the two dates. In consequence of the jealousies existing between the various hapus of the two tribes, it was found necessary to divide the lands leased under this agreement into nine blocks, viz., Te Wharau, Whakatete, Tararu, Te Karaka, Otunui, Whakairi, Te Kirikiri, A\ rarahoe, and Te Puriri. A clause was inserted providing for the transfer of miners' rights from the one to the other of these. Complaints had been made about Europeans cutting timber for other than mining purposes, and it was therefore deemed expedient to agree to issue timber licenses at £5 per annum ; the money arising therefrom to be payable to the Native owners of the land for which the license was issued. The other terms were the same as in the previous agreements. , It may be as well to note here that in all the negotiations and leases to the Crown it was distinctly stated that the Governor had a right to mine as long as he pleased; but whenever any of the land was to be relinquished, the lessors were to receive six months' notice of the intention, so as to enable them to ascertain that all moneys owing to them were duly paid. The land on which Shorthand town stands was (as by the agreement of the 27th July, 18G7,) subject to gold mining; the Natives being allowed the right of leasing the surface for business and residence sites, under the direction of the Government. Graham's Town had, until within a short time of the signing of this agreement, been a "cultivation reserve," but as some of the Native owners had requested me to cause it to be surveyed, with a view to leasing it for building allotments, and as preliminary steps had been taken to do this, I considered it to be a township reserve at the time of signing the agreement, and I afterwards sanctioned the leasing it to Mr. Robert Graham as such, reserving to the Government the right of laying out the main lines of street and of approving the plans of the township. The boundary of the lands ceded for gold mining was also taken along the beach at high watermark, instead of being under the base of the hills as by the first agreement. At the time of signing the document it was not distinctly stated whether the Crown was to have the right of mining under Graham's Town or not, but it was clearly understood that the land was to be leased for town purposes by the Government, the same as Shortland. I therefore believe lam right in. assuming it was then a township reserve, although, since the land has become valuable for mining purposes, it has been disputed by the Natives, and they say it is still a " cultivation reserve." The agreement was carefully read over twice, and explained to them before signing, and they perfectly understood its meaning. The Shortland Township Reserve was by this time cut up into allotments, and many of these were let at the rate of 6s. per foot frontage for ordinary sites, and double that price for corner lots ; with the understanding that this price was to continue for seven years, with an increase for the next term of seven years, and a further advance for a third term of the same duration. About this time I was engaged with a Commitiee of Miners in drawing up new Rules and Regulations for the Thames Gold Eields, which, when completed, were submitted for approval to His Honor the Superintendent. In April I visited Ohinemuri, and endeavoured to prevent the Hauliau Natives from handing their lands and those of the friendly Natives over to the so-called Maori King. A very angry discussion took place between Herewine te Rangai, of Ngatimaru, and the people of Ngatiwhanaunga about the disputed boundary at Hikutaia, which resulted in the discomfiture of the former. I was requested then to open the land there for gold mining, but refused to do so for fear of causing a quarrel between the miners and Hauhaus. I found it quite impossible to do anything towards the cession of the Ohinemuri District, owing to the opposition of Te Hira's party. His Excellency the Governor, accompanied by the Hon. the Colonial Secretary and other gentlemen, visited Ohinemuri just as the meeting was concluded. His Excellency and suite were very well received by the assembled Natives. I drew out a draft Proclamation of the new boundaries of the gold field, and submitted it to His Honor the Superintendent for approval. In it care was taken to except township reserves from gold mining, as well as the Native residence, cultivation, and burial-ground reserves, which were excluded by the agreements with the owners. The reason for this was that it was highly necessary that the same rules and regulations which were in force over the rest of the gold field should not be brought into operation within the township reserves. Incalculable damage might have been done if indiscriminate mining was allowed under valuable buildings and machinery. It therefore appeared advisable to limit the mining in this respect until special regulations could be made for working within and under the townships. His Honor the Superintendent having approved of the proposed Proclamation, and Rules and regulations, the same were published in the Auckland Provincial Government Gazette, on the 16th April, 1868. Subsequently I proceeded to "Waikato, to make preparations for His Excellency the Governor's visit to that district, and also to ascertain the correctness of reports about a contemplated attack on that place by the rebel Natives. About the 9th May information was brought to Auckland that alluvial gold had been found at Kennedy Bay, Harataunga, on lands belonging to a section of the Ngatiporou Tribe. I proceeded there on the 11th May, inspected the locality where gold had been discovered by Mr. George

9 A.—No. 17.

McLeod and party, and on the 13th May entered into an agreement with Eopata Ngatai and the resident Natives of the Ngatiporou Tribe for leasing to the Crown all their lands there for gold-mining purposes, with the exception of a town site, and a small piece leased by them to Mr. James Smart, a very small piece leased to Mr. Alexander Hogg, and a reserve for their own residence and cultivation. Te Moananui, Eiria Karepe, and the Ngatitarnatera owning the adjacent lands, and who had originally given the above-mentioned block to the Ngatiporou, were present, and witnessed all the arrangements. There are other Natives residing at Waiapu who have claims on these lands ; but theEeverend Eariera Kawhia, who is the principal man among the non-resident claimants, wrote to me on the 23rd May, 1868, approving of the arrangements entered into by Eopata Ngatai and others on behalf of the tribe. The terms of the agreement were similar to those made in that with the Ngatimaru and Ngatiwhanunga, on the 9th March, 1868. On the 18th May, 1868, His Honor the Superintendent proclaimed the Kennedy Bay, Cape Colville, and Coromandel Blocks, to be a gold field. A considerable number of miners then visited the former place ; some of them were partially successful, but the majority soon left, dissatisfied with the prospects obtained. A few remain there to the present time, who have managed to make a living, and little more. There is no doubt there are rich reefs in the neighbourhood, as very fine specimens have been procured from creek washings. On the 19th May I proceeded to Waikato, to be present at the meeting of Natives with His Excellency the Governor, at Ngaruawahia. Subsequent to this, I was instructed to proceed to Hokianga to apprehend a half-caste, named Te Wake, who had shot a Native there, had been arrested there, and effected his escape. This occupied some time, and I did not return to Shortland until the 23rd June, 186 S. Early in July I was engaged in arranging the dispute between the Tawera and Ngatimaru Tribes about the dividing boundary of their lands at Manaia, and I succeeded in settling this vexed question. Afterwards I was employed in other business of my department at Auckland, and Waikato, until the 11th August, when I again landed at Shortland. During my journey through Waikato, I had, among other duties, visited and inspected what was reported to be a gold field at Eangiriri. Prom this I procured a number of samples of stone, which, on being forwarded to Dr. Hector, the Government Geologist, were pronounced to be non-auriferous. Previous to this several circumstances had arisen, which caused me, on the sth August, to tender my resignation of the appointments which I then held under the General Government: some of these will be alluded to in the concluding portion of this Eeport. In September I paid a visit to Ohinemuri, as the miners had again become excited about the opening of the country. I then managed to make some little advance in the question. On the 26th September there were some rather riotous demonstrations on the part of the miners, at the Court House, which were put down. On the sth October, 1868, I again went to Ohinemuri, and on this occasion, during a public meeting, a quarrel arose between the Hauhaus and friendly Natives, which resulted in two of the latter (Periniki and Wikiriwhi) coming forward and offering the whole of their lands for gold mining. This was seconded by the loyal chief Eopata te Arakai and his people, to the great dismay of the Hauhau party, who left the meeting in anger and disgust at these proceedings. On the 13th October, having heard of the discovery of gold at Whangapoua (opposite to Coromandel, on the East Coast), and being invited by the Natives to proceed there to inspect the district, I went, and on the 18th October made an arrangement with Mohi Mangakahia and Makoare, the principal owners, to permit prospecting for gold on their lands in that neighbourhood ; and in the event of its being discovered in payable quantities, they further agreed to make similar arrangements to those concluded for lauds at Hauraki. I also entered into an agreement with the Tawera and N«atimaru of Manaia, to lease their lands at that place for gold-mining purposes. The disputed boundary between the holdings of the two tribes was then fixed as follows :—Commencing at the mouth of ihe Eiver Manaia, thence by that river to Te Tumutumu; thence to the Eakau-o-Whiti Stream ; thence by that stream to Tikohunui; thence to the Manaia Eiver ; thence by that river to a point opposite Puketotara; thence to Puketotara—the lands to the north of this boundary belonging the Ngatimaru, and to the south to the Tawera Tribe. The terms of the agreement were similar to those of the 9th March and 13th May, entered into with the Ngatimaru, Ngatiwhanaunga, and Ngatiporou respectively. About this time, aud also on previous occasions, deputations of miners had visited Ohinemuri, and endeavoured to obtain permission from the Natives to be allowed to mine there ; other persons had also gone there to secure land, and the result of their injudicious interference was to complicate matters, and effectually upset all the proceedings which had been taken by me for their benefit. There was at this time a great amount of excitement among the unemployed portion of the miners about the opening up of the Upper Thames country, and His Honor the Superintendent had considered it to be his duty to visit Ohinemuri also, and use his influence in the matter; and I must say that his proceedings there in no way assisted my efforts to arrange this very difficult question. In consequence of the unsettled state of Native affairs on the East Coast, and the absence from Tauranga of Mr. Commissioner Clarke through sickness, I received instructions from the Honorable Dr. Pollen, on the 14th November, to proceed to that district, and take any steps which appeared necessary for the defence of it. Afterwards I was engaged in the other business of my department at Waikato and Auckland, until the Bth December, 18G8, when I left for Ohinemuri, via Shortland, taking with me the whole of the Ngatihura hapu of Ngatipaoa, who had a joint interest in the lands claimed by Te Hira, in the hope that their presence would aid in the negotiation. Several days were spent in the preliminary arrangements for the meeting, which fairly commenced on the 16th December, and lasted the whole of that day and the two following days. The opposing party at Ohinemuri were ably supported by all the Hauhaus who could be mustered from Piako and the adjacent districts; but in despite of all their efforts, Eopata tc Arakai, Wikiriwhi, and their people, would not be put down, and they continued firm in their determination to lease their own lands for gold-mining purposes. On the 19th December, sixty-three Natives interested in the lands at Ohinemuri signed a preliminary agreement to hand over all their lands to the Governor for gold-mining purposes, on the same terms as the Hauraki Gold Fields. The boundaries were not described, that being left for future arrangement. As 3

Enclosure Ja,

Enclosure K.

Enclosure L.

Enclosure M.

THE THAMES GOLD FIELDS.

A.—No. 17.

10

REPORT BY MR. MACKAY RELATIVE TO

Enclosure Ma.

Enolosure Mb.

Enclosure Me.

Enclosure Md,

Enclosure X

Enclosure O,

No. of Letter 371-2.

the question of a bonus Lad been raised, I thought it expedient to agree to pay a sum of £500 under that head, and to advance a further amount of £1,000, repayable from the miners' rights fees received for that gold field when proclaimed. The old chief Taraia Ngakuti caused a special letter to be written to His Excellency the Governor, in which he handed over his lands for gold mining, as he did not like to sign an agreement only, like any common Native. He, however, in the end, attached his mark to both. At the same time I received from Mr. John Thorpe, of Opukeko, a letter from To Wauo Toiwhare, a very near relative of Te Hira, and one of the principal owners of land at Ohinemuri, in which he expressed his intention of handing over to me his auriferous lands. On the 23rd December the same man wrote me a letter in which he asked me to pay him £100 for one hundred kauri trees growing on his land at Waitekauri, Ohinemuri. He -did not sign the agreement with the other Natives, for fear of his brother Hauhaus. It was however reported to them that he and some others of Te Hira's nearest relations had signed the agreement, and their rage and vexation were almost ludicrous to behold. A number of miners were encamped at Mr. J. Thorpe's farm, at Opukeko, anxiously awaiting tidings of the opening of the Ohinemuri District. I requested them either to remain quietly there, or to leave the place. They consented to go, but failed to perform their promise. They however behaved themselves very well while there, with the exception of the proceedings of a few individuals, which will hereinafter come under notice. On the 2Sth December intelligence was brought to Shortland that the Hauhaus had been informed it was the intention of the miners to rush Ohinemuri from Pa Puriri and Hikutaia, and that Tukukino and an armed party were out awaiting their arrival. I therefore went to Ohinemuri on the 29th December, and took steps to allay any bad feeling which existed in the minds of the Natives. Mere Kuuru, sister of Te Hira, honoured me with a visit on this occasion : she was friendly in manner, but exceedingly obstinate about everything appertaining to Ohinemuri. I heard that some badly disposed persons had been tampering politically with the Natives. I returned to Shortland on the 30th December, IS6S. Early in January I visited Te Moananui's settlement, and others inhabited by friendly Natives on both shores of the Hauraki Gulf, with a view to inducing the whole of the loyal party to assist in arranging the Ohinemuri question. After this I proceeded to Waikato to pay compensation awards. During my stay in that district some of the Ngatihana, chiefs signed a preliminary agreement on the 9th January, 1869, to permit mining for gold on their lands at Te A.roha Mountain, and I paid them a deposit on account of miners' rights fees to bind the bargain. At this time a case was pending in the Native Lands : ,Court between the Ngatihana and Ngatimaru aboub this land; and although not anticipating that the decision would be altogether in favour of the former, it was supposed they would be found entitled to a certain interest in it, and as private persons were about to negotiate for the land, it was deemed expedient, to attempt to secure it for the public. On the 4th February, 1869, a large number of the friendly Natives of the Hauraki District assembled at Kopu, near the mouth of the Thames; the chief Te Moanauui, and several of the Ngatitamatera and Ngatimaru, having preceded them to Ohinemuri. We proceeded up the river that day. The meeting commenced on the sth, and lasted throughout that day, and the 6th, Bth, and 9th days of February. It was found quite impossible to shake the determination of the Hauhaus to keep the country shut against the enterprise of the gold miner. Everything that could be done in the way of persuasion aud argument was used by myself and my supporters, but without altering the position of affairs very much. On the 9th four more Natives signed an agreement for leasing their lands at Waitekauri for gold mining. In consequence of information received from reliable sources that some persons had been tampering with and making treasonable overtures to the Hauhaus, I deemed it advisable to proceed to Mr. Thorpe's farm on the 7th February, and suggest to a number of miners who were assembled there the desirability of removing from the district. To the credit of these men my request was almost unanimously assented to; the only difficulty was to provide them with the means of conveyance back to Shortland. The p.s. "Clyde" was then under charter for conveying myself and Natives, and I arranged for the miners to be removed in that vessel. By the 12th February nearly all these men had left the district, but information was given that some persons had determined to remain out on the hills prospecting for gold in despite of my orders to the contrary. I therefore swore in thirty-five friendly Natives as armed special constables, who accompanied me on the 12th, 13th, and 14th, in search of the parties alluded to. The result was that all Europeans, excepting the actual settlers and their servants, were compelled to leave the district, and on the 15th I and the few friendly Natives who had remained after the breaking up of the meeting returned to Shortland. I next visited Ohinemuri on the 18th March, in consequence of Te Hira having ordered " the old settlers to leave the district." Mere Kuuru came to me and said that "Te Hira had done this fearing Te Kooti might kill them, and he (Te Hira) might be blamed for it when innocent." She further added that " I was leaving the Europeans there as a bait for Te Hira." I denied the latter statement, and as to "Te Kooti being likely to kill the Pakehas, Te Hira would be sure to receive notice of his approach, and would have sufficient time to warn the European settlers." She then agreed not to interfere with them. I returned to Shortland next day. On the 25th March I went to Coromandel to attend the sitting of the Native Land Court, advertised to be held there on the 29th. The case about the Aroha Block, between the Ngatihana and Ngatimaru had been adjourned to there for the delivery of judgment. On the 30th the Court gave its decision, which was in favour of the Ngatihana claimants. For some time great excitement and much anger was shown by the Ngatimaru, Ngatipaoa, and Ngatitamatera, who were assembled there in considerable numbers. I however, at last, got them to be a little more reasonable by suggesting that they should apply for a rehearing of the case. This they agreed to do, and a letter was written and signed at once, and forwarded to the Government. I reached Shortland again on the night of the Ist April. Having received instructions from the Hon. Mr. Eichmond to endeavour to procure from the Natives the cession for mining purposes of tidal flats near Shortland, I on several occasions spoke to Eapana Maunganoa and other Natives

11 A.—No. 17,

claiming those lands about entering into an agreement respecting the same. I found a very strong disinclination on the part of the Natives to give up their claims to the tidal flats to the north of the Karaka Stream; but on the 20th April Te Hoterene Taipari, "Wirope Hoterene Taipari, and Te Meremana Konui, signed an agreement to permit gold mining over the tidal flat claimed by them between the Karaka Stream and the River Kaiwhakaurunga. After that date I attended at the Native Land Court, at Anckland, to watch over the interests of the Government in cases affecting the gold fields, and also to see that arrangements made between the Native owners about the subdivisions of lands within the town of Shortland were adhered to and properly understood. It was deemed necessary for the protection of the interests of the Crown as to mining, and those of the lessees of the town allotments, that the Court should be asked to recommend certain restrictions being placed in the Crown Grants for lands forming part of the town of Shortland. A form of restriction under three heads was submitted by Mr. McCormick, counsel for the Crown, and approved by the Court. The proposed " Auckland Gold Fields Proclamations Validation Act, 18G9," will probably render it now unnecessary to put the first of these in the grant. I presume, however, that it will be found desirable for the protection of the interests of those persons who have leased allotments in Shortland Town, under the provisions of the agreement with the Government, that the second restriction should be inserted in the Crown Grants. It must be borne in mind that a large and flourishing township has arisen there under the arrangements made with the Natives on behalf of the Government; that the value of the buildings erected there is at least £250,000 ; and this great interest requires protection, for if this is not done the European lessees will be at the mercy of the Native grantees when they receive their Crown titles to the land. As previously mentioned, the land is generally leased for the first term of seven years at the rate of 6s. per foot frontage. The tenants have the option of taking seven, fourteen, or twenty-one years' lease, commencing from the Ist January last. For every term of seven years there is an increased rent of Is. per foot frontage over all streets but Pollen Street, and there the increase is Is. 6d. per foot for each term. Tenants are to have the refusal of a renewal of their leases at the expiration of the term of twenty-one years at rents then to be arranged. All buildings to be the property of the lessors on the expiration or falling through of any lease. If the Native owner desires to sell the land, the tenant is to have the option of purchase. The rentals at present received are about £5,000. The third restriction proposed to be inserted in the grants is necessary to enable the local authorities to have power to make, maintain, and keep in order the public roads and streets in and adjacent to the town, as now laid out. A number of the claims on the Thames Gold Field have turned out to be surpassingly rich, and there is no doubt but the whole district will afford profitable employment for many years for a large population. The nature of the mining is such as to guarantee its permanency, and it will probably assume more the appearance of a settled industry than on any gold field as yet discovered in the world. One proof of this is that tents are becoming scarce, and substantial and comfortable cottages have been substituted for them. The miners as a body are cheerful and persevering, and there is much less crime and riotous conduct than generally obtains on alluvial fields. The total quantity of gold which paid duty at lI.M. Customs, at Auckland, from the Ist August, 1867, to the 30th June, 1869, is 129,211 oz., of the value of £264,425; the duty paid on the same was £16,151 2s. Bd. It must, however, be remembered that it is only lately that extensive machinery has been brought into use, and what is at present erected is very inadequate for the requirements of the field. The result is that higher prices are paid per ton for crushing quartz than anywhere in the Australian Colonies; this prevents some claims from being remunerative which otherwise would yield fair returns. Another cause of delay and expense in the production of gold is owing to the bad state of the roads and tracks by which the quartz has to be conveyed to the crushing machines. This is, however, in the course of amendment by the construction of tramways, which has been undertaken by the Provincial Government; though it is very questionable, if they had not monopolized this highly useful work, whether it would not have been better and sooner completed by private capital and enterprise. But for the bounty of nature in providing this Province with such wonderful facilities for water carriage, and the consequent cheapness of the necessaries of life at the Thames Gold Field, there would have been much greater want and destitution among the mining population before there were means at hand for the extraction of gold from the quartz. I would most respectfully urge on the Government, the necessity for carrying out in their integrity all the agreements entered into by the Natives for the leasing of their lands for gold-mining purposes, not only as an act of justice but also in their own interests, as whatever is the course pursued on the present gold field will be looked on as a precedent for the Upper Thames and other auriferous districts. I hope I may be pardoned for stating that in my opinion the leasing regulations issued by His Honor the Superintendent of Auckland are likely to cause considerable injustice to the Native owners of the gold field, as entailing a certain failing off in the miners' rights fees received, and a consequent diminution in the amount of rent payable to them by the Crown ; unless a portion of the money paid for mining leases is awarded to them by the Provincial Government. I was aware of this and pointed it out to the Provincial Secretary at the time the leasing regulations were under consideration, and said that if a copy of these was furnished to me I would be happy to make suggestions. It was promised this should be done, but I only received a copy the evening previous to the publication of them in the local newspapers. This effectually precluded me from interfering in the matter. I however, subsequently wrote to the Hon. Dr. Pollen on the subject. It must not be supposed that I have the slightest feeling antagonistic to the granting of leases; on the contrary, I was one of the first who proposed that leases should be issued; but my opinion was and still is— 1. That the agreements with the Natives would require amendment, before it would be quite clear that these conferred on the Governor the power to lease lands for mining purposes. 2. That steps would have to bo taken to prevent the Natives becoming losers by the diminution of miners' rights fees caused by the granting of leases, as the holders of such are not by the provisions of " The Gold Fields Act, 1866," necessarily obliged to take out miners' rights. (The Natives at the time of making the agreements asked who were liable to hold miners' rights, and they were informed, all

Enclosure P.

Enclosure Q.

THE THAMES GOLD FIELDS.

A.—No. 17,

12

REPORT BY MR. MACKAY RELATIVE TO

claim holders and their servants. Neither I nor they then contemplated the necessity of having one of these documents for every minute interest held; that was left for others to bring to light in their anxiety to assist some of their friends in finding valid reasons to "jump" claims. By this perhaps the Natives received more than they otherwise would have, still the agreement was—they were to get £1 for every miner's right issued. Probably this extra amount did not more than cover the deficiencies caused by many persons working without miner's rights.) 3. My proposition would have been this : To charge a rental of £1 10s. per annum for every fifty feet by 30b feet, or 15,000 square feet (one man's ground) contained in each leasehold ; in addition to this, every labourer or mechanic employed would have been compelled to be the holder of a miner's right. The'rent might have been apportioned thus: £1 to the Native owner, and 10s. to the Provincial Government to cover the expenses of the management of the field. This would have been better than the miners' rights system, as it would have abolished the taking out one of those documents for every small interest in a claim held by any person, which is at present required by " The G-old Field's Act, 18G6." Another advantage derived would be the facility of apportioning the money among the Native owners, as it would be easy to ascertain the locality of claims, which is now a task of great difficulty. 4. The individual miners may also have just cause of complaint, that land is also locked up and held for long periods unworked, between the application for a lease and the decision thereon, which may act prejudicially to the interests of the ordinary miner, especially in the case of the opening up of new fields. (sth. As long as claims were held under miners' rights, the owners thereof had a direct interest in seeing their servants had miners' rights, or their claims might be "jumped." Under the leasing system there is no danger of this, and the only risk is being fined, which, as the police never inspect miners' rights, there is not the slightest chance of occurring. In this way the rentals payable to the Natives may also be diminished by the leasing arrangements. Another act of injustice which has been inflicted by the Provincial authorities is, the withholding from the Natives the sums paid for timber licenses within the gold field, which are the property of the Native owners. I have represented this in writing, but no answer has as yet been given to that communication, although it was forwarded some months ago. To render the arrangements with the Natives complete, it is also highly necessary that the boundaries of the several blocks should be properly surveyed and defined on the ground, as this would prevent any difficulty in accurately dividing the miners' rights fees among the claimants. This, by the verbal, and in one or two instances written understanding, was to have been done at the cost of the Government; but I hesitated to incur any such expense after His Honor the Superintendent absolutely refused to repay to me a sum of £2G6 which I had advanced to pay Mr. Gwynneth and his labourers for the survey of the Kennedy Bay Block. This was a highly necessary work, as the land was owned by a very troublesome and jealous tribe of Natives. From conversations I have had with the Natives generally, I feel assured that, after the external boundaries of the tribal and intertribal blocks were defined, they would only be too happy to survey "the family holdings" at their own cost, and then apply for their title to be investigated by the Native Lands Court. I am afraid the effect of the proposed "Auckland Gold Fields Proclamations Validation Act, 1869," if passed in its present form, will be to inflict injury on the Native owners of the gold field. First, by making the Mining Lease Regulations valid, contrary to the terms of the agreements ; and, secondly, by placing in the hands of the Government the means of preventing the Natives from selling or disposing of any of their lands included within the boundaries of a proclaimed gold field, unless subject to the right of the Crown to mine under the same, whether such privilege was given by agreement or not. I hope I may again be pardoned for observing that what appeared to be required in the shape of legislation on the subject, was merely to give to the Governor the power, through officers of the Government, to make agreements with the Natives for the cession of lands for gold-mining purposes, to confirm what had already been done in that respect; to make provision for future agreements of like nature; and to remove any doubts as to such proceedings conflicting with the provisions of the Constitution Act, Native Lands Act, and the Native Lands Purchnse Ordinance. The agreements and maps connected with those arrangements could have been produced in the Native Lands Court, and evidence taken as to the position of the land under investigation, and as to whether it was subject or not to any agreement with the Crown. The Judge of the Native Lands Court, having all doubts removed from his mind as to the validity of the agreements with the Crown, would then have been able without any scruple to recommend a restriction as to the reservation of minerals being inserted in the grant, if necessary. If an accurate description was furnished of the lands the subject of agreements and of those not included in such, and this information put in a schedule or schedules to the Act, then there could not be any serious objection to the agreements being interpreted by Act of the Legislature. With reference to the Proclamations made by His Honor the Superintendent and the Hon. Dr. Pollen, when acting as Deputy Superintendent, there is no doubt but it was highly necessary to validate these; but in the Schedules to the Act, as amended by the Legislative Council, there appears to be an important alteration in striking out the proviso about "the townships and reserves for Native cultivation, residence, and burial-grounds being excluded from the lands available for gold mining purposes." The question may be raised hereafter as to whether the effect of the Act is not to declare all the lands as described in the four schedules to be gold fields, and therefore subject to the right to be mined under everywhere within the limits therein described. It may be said that by the provisions of " The Gold Fields Act, 1860," mining cannot be carried on upon land in bona fide occupation as an orchard or garden, &c. ; but still these lands arc subject to " The Gold Fields Act," which the Native reserves are not, although included within the limits of the proclaimed gold fields, because to make these so would be contrary to the agreements entered into with the owners. I make the above remarks with all due submission and respect; they merely occurred to me after looking through the draft of the proposed Act, and my only desire is to prevent any future trouble arising in the matter. In conclusion, I must in justice to myself and in defence against certain uncalled for attacks and

THE THAMES GOLD FIELDS.

13

A.—No. 17.

unjust aspersions on my proceedings which have at various times been made by members of the Auckland Provincial Government in their place in the House of Representatives and elsewhere, and also by the public press, beg permission to make a few remarks in defence of my conduct with respect to the Auckland Gold Fields. In the first place, in July, 1867, when gold was discovered at Kauaeranga, I was holding an appointment as Civil Commissioner for the Colony, and was in charge of Native Affairs at Auckland, subject of course to the control of the responsible head of my department. I "was also supposed in all cases of difficulty to lay the same before the Agent for the General Government, and act according to his advice. At that time it was the opinion of the Hon. Dr. Pollen, Agent for the General Government, and then acting as Deputy Superintendent of the Province in the absence of Mr. Williamson, that a grave political crisis might arise from the fact of that discovery, and I coincided in that opinion. We also thought that by judicious management, good might be made to result to the Province and Colony by the acquisition of a new source of wealth. Under these circumstances we made the first agreement with the Natives; and I was instructed to take charge of the gold field, because my previous connection with Native matters, and also a slight knowledge I had of gold fields questions, acquired when Warden of the Collingwood Gold Reid at Nelson, was thought likely to be useful. The Hon. Dr. Pollen did all he could to assist me then, and at all other times subsequently. I accordingly entered on these duties, and performed them to the best of my ability. Mr. Baillie, the Warden of the field, was overworked, badly paid, and only had a short previous experience of the duties of his office at the Coromandel Gold Fields. Ho was alwa3's diligent in his business, and never required any assistance from me in gold fields matters, except when absolutely necessary. There was however a large amount of responsibility thrown upon me ; and although every man on my staff was good, they were numerically and physically incapable of performing the enormous amount of work required from them. It was in vain I pointed out to His Honor the Superintendent that more clerical assistance was needed, together with additional police force and some proper office accommodation. The invariable answer was, " There are no funds available." The Hon. Mr. Richmond came to Auckland, and I frequently spoke to him about the necessity of making some alterations at the Gold Fields. He admitted these were necessary, but could not well interfere with the action of the Superintendent, who held the delegated powers. On referring to His Honor the Superintendent he again would answer me to the effect, " That the gold field was Native property, and more a General Government matter than Provincial." At any rate both seemed to concur that I was to continue to manage all affairs there. Next came a financial difficulty —there was no money to pay the small staff employed on the field. A consultation, at which I was present, took place between the Hon. Mr. Richmond and His Honor the Superintendent, as to how to meet this. It was then agreed that my salary should bo paid by the General Government as before, but that my travelling allowance should be equally divided between the two Governments; expenses of negotiations, hire of vessel, salaries of boatmen and Native police, were also to be apportioned in similar manner. It was also arranged to advance a sum of £500 for the erection of public buildings at Shortland, out of the sum of £2,000 placed on the general estimates for expenses at the Thames Gold Fields, which advance was to be repaid from the first available revenue. As there was a large sum received for miners' rights fees, which was not immediately required, I was told this might be employed temporarily for paying the departmental expenses, together with any other available revenue arising from other fees. Mr. Richmond ascertained the amount of gold duty received at the Custom House here, and said it should bo forwarded as soon as he arrived at Wellington, so as to recoup the payments made from miners' rights fees, that no difficulty might arise in paying the Natives' rents when clue. I also pointed out on other occasions, to both the Hon. Mr. Richmond and His Honor the Superintendent, that " I had doubts as to my holding any valid commission empowering me to act as a Warden of the gold fields, and had such an authority for Native affairs only ; and that if I was expected to perform the duties, some proper appointment should be given to me." Mr. Richmond told me "to do less of gold fields business and attend more to Native affairs." The Superintendent naturally did not like to take any steps, as I was a servant of the General Government, although he apparently saw the disadvantageous position in which I was placed. Subsequently I assisted in hearing and adjudicating in a very important case in the Warden's Court between Messrs. Rowe and Butt. The decision was displeasing to some members of the legal profession who were interested in the case, and proceedings were commenced against me in the Supreme Court, which ended in my acts being declared illegal. The Government afterwards gazetted me as a W Tarden of Gold Fields. Mr. Richmond subsequently, in his place in the House of Representatives, spoke as if I had almost begged for the appointment of Commissioner of the Gold Field, whereas I had only applied to be placed in a proper position to euable me to fulfil the duties I was required to perform. Time at length came round when it was necessary to pay the Natives their miners' rights fees or rents, and no money was remitted to me, because the gold duty had been impounded by the General Government as against Provincial liabilities. My health was bad. I felt no spirit to perform the enormous amount of work which was imposed upon me ; and although believing myself that the Thames Gold Field would prove the salvation of the Province of Auckland, and help more than anything to solve the Native difficulty, it seemed as if its importance was altogether neglected and overlooked ; and above all, I was conscious of not being properly supported in my very difficult position. It is therefore not to be wondered at that on the 4th August, 1868, I tendered my resignation of my appointments. This was not agreed to, and money was at once transmitted to me to meet immediate requirements. His Honor the Superintendent recommended that the resignation of the office of Warden should be accepted, and I was accordingly relieved of those duties. I was then offered fresh terms by Mr. Richmond as follows : —" We will allow you an improved salary, say £800, and not interfere with you in any private business which you may find compatible with the public duty I am going to ask of you. We will give you contingent advantages also in the shape of mining claims in case of success." The duty expected was to endeavour to extend the gold field farther south to the extremity of the 4

A.—No. 17,

14

REPORT BY MR. MACKAY RELATIVE TO

Enclosure K.

ranges. Then further on the following occurs: —" I hear a story that you propose to enter into partnership with Taipari to manage the estates. This seems to me an excellent plan." * * The above is an extract from a semi-official letter, but as it is subsequently alluded to in an official despatch, I have no hesitation in writing it. In Mr. Under Secretary Cooper's letter of the 2nd October, IS6B, the following occurs : —" In reference to your letter of the 4th August last, in which you tender your resignation of the offices held by you under the Government, and to the private correspondence which has since passed between yourself and Mr. Richmond upon the subject. I have now the honor to request that you will continue your services as an officer of this Department until the close of the current financial year. " Mr. Richmond is particularly desirous that you should complete the negotiations for the Thames auriferous lands, in doing which it is not intended that you should be precluded from transacting private business ; and you will be at liberty to take up mining rights in any new block you may acquire." This arrangement has been the subject of much comment. All I have to say in the matter is, that whilst I acted in a judical capacity as "Warden of the Gold Fields, I was not a claim-holder. And after I entered into the new arrangement as above, and agreed to continue in the public service until the 30th June, 1869, I never transacted any private business which in the slightest way interfered with my public duties. Many can bear witness that I have over and over again refused, most lucrative offers to take cases in hand, because these might in some way or other conflict with action which had been taken, or might subsequently bo taken, by me on behalf of the Government. As to the charges made by Mr. Creighton, that " I carry on a very thriving land agency in the Civil Commissioner's office at Shortland," I have yet to learn that there is any such place belonging to the Government there. At any rate, it is not through the courtesy of his Government that I have a room at all there ; for although two were allotted to me in the new building, it was never found convenient to let me have one, as they were always required for other purposes. I have a private office at Shortland which was built at the expense of the chief Taipari, and which is called the Civil Commissioner's Office for convenience. Mr. Hogg manages any private business we may have ; and, for the collection of rents and leasing of allotments in the town of Shortland, I have paid ~~200 per annum to a clerk, who has also done a great deal of official writing for me, without charge to either the General or Provincial Government. Feeling I have trespassed too much on your patience by this lengthened report, but also knowing that no person is more able than yourself to form a just estimate of the duties I have been called on to perform, as therein detailed; hoping that you will also excuse the course I have taken to vindicate myself from what is undeserved censure ; and trusting, whatever may be the opinions formed by some political agitators about my proceedings, that the day will arrive when the public will judge rightly both as to my merits and demerits, I have, &c, James Mackay, jun., The Hon. the Native Minister, "Wellington. Civil Commissioner. P.S. —Annexed is a sketch map showing the various blocks negotiated. A map of some of the Cultivation and Residence Reserves was forwarded with my letter of the 23rd July, 18G9.

Enclosure A. Copy of a Letter from the Hon. J. C. Kichmond to Mr. J. Mackat, jun. (No. 89.) Sib, — Wellington, 15th August, 1867. The Government have received from their Agent in Auckland, Dr. Pollen, a report of the discovery and opening of a gold field in. the Hauraki Gulf, and of the conclusion of an agreement with the Ngatimaru resident Natives for the occupation and working of the field, the Native owners receiving as rent the proceeds of miners' rights issued in respect of the same. I have to convey to you the approval of the Government of the course taken. You are hereby authorized to conclude such other agreements of a like nature as may from time to time be requisite to ensure the orderly administration of gold fields that may exist on Native lands in your district. I have, <&c, James Mackay, Esq., jun., Civil Commissioner, Auckland. J. C. Richmond.

Enclosure B. Agkeesient of 1852, between the Goveenmeut and Native Tribes for the Management of Gold Fields on the Thames for the term of three years. 1. That one system be adopted for the regulation of all persons searching and digging for gold between Cape Colville and Kauaeranga. 2. The Government undertakes to pay in respect of the whole land within tlie above limits, per annum for three years, for any number — Under 500 ... ... ... ... ... £COO 500 to 1,000 ... ... ... ... ... 900 1,000 to 1,500 ... ... ... ... ... 1,200 1,500 to 2,000 ... ... ... ... ... 1,500 and so on in the same proportion. 3. The Native owners to register themselves, and point out their boundaries to the Government, and the money paid to each body of owners so registered to bear the same proportion to the whole sum that their land does to the whole block.

THE THAMES GOLD FIELDS.

A.—No. 17.

15

4. All owners to be free to dig gold on their own land, without payment to Government, but not to permit other persons, whether Native or English, to dig without a license. 5. The Government guarantees protection to all classes of persons, in consideration of which a license fee will be required from all diggers, not being owners of the land. 6. The Native owners undertake to assist the Government as much as possible, by reporting all persons who are found digging without a license. 7. The Government to be at liberty to issue licenses immediately, but the payments to be reckoned from the Ist December, 1852 ; the first payment to be made on the 31st March, 1553, and quarterly afterwards. 8. The property of the land to remain with the Native owners ; and their villages and cultivations to be protected as much as possible. 9. If any of the tribes of the Peninsula decline this proposal, their land shall not be intruded upon till they consent. R. 11. Wynyard, Lieut.-Governor. Te Horeta, his x mark, Wiremu Kapa, Kitahi, One Matun, Hopeha Paraonc, AViremu Kingi, Eruera Tahurangi, Taurua, Tara, Pita, Ileta Rikiware, Ta Nui, Parawera, Hauhauru, Wiremu Maihi Mokongohi, Rangihora, Eruera Ngahue, Mereana, Ngapuka Hopekau, Wiremu Hopihana, Wiremu Oka, Hern, I fohepa Aranui, Hohua, Wiremu Pateno Puhata Hoani, Wiremu Hoete, lharaira, Arama Karaka, Wetere, To Keene, Rangi Kawau, Rawiri Takurau, Anarua, Trai Taroku, Rutuhau. Witness to the signatures — G. A. New Zealand, William Martin, Thomas Lanfear. Witness to marks and signatures— John G. Johnson, Interpreter. Coromandel Harbour, 30th November, 1852. Note.—The foregoing arrangements include the consent of three tribes, and comprise about sixteen square miles, or 10,000 acres. Further guarantee in respect to the Natives who have agreed to lease their land to Government. In addition to the terms of the agreement or lease drawn up and signed, I guarantee that a fund shall be created by a tax of 2s. on every license, for the purpose of paying (independent of the rent thus agreed upon), and for rewarding the Native owners for their faith and confidence in the Government, as well as recompensing them for any damage, annoyance, or inconvenience they may experience from Europeans while digging on their lands.—R. H. Wynyard, Lieut.-Governor.

Enclosure C. Agreement. Let all men know. We, the chiefs and people whoso names are attached to this paper —that is to say, the descendants of Maraterahu —fully and truly consent on this day, the second day of November, in the year 18G1, to permit all Europeans who desire to prospect for gold on our land, to search for and to seek for such gold, within all our lands from Waiau to Cape Colville (Moehau) even unto the sea on the eastern and on the western shores thereof. We will not prevent nor forbid such Europeans. 2. If gold should really be found in considerable quantities, then we will make terms with the Government for the regular working of such gold. 3. Let all men know, likewise, that the title to the land remains with us, and will not at all be affected by this arrangement. 4. If the European gold seekers come in large numbers, then the Government shall adopt measures to preserve order among the Europeans and Maoris. 5. Each tribe shall conduct the Europeans to its own piece of land. Te Taniwha. Wiremu Maihi Mokongohi. Te Moananui. Horopeta. Tamati Waka. Putnipi Parerewa. Tareranui. Wiremu Patene Kakura. Eriatara. Pita Taurua. Te Teira. Te Arakuri. Pakuku. Makoare. Hera. Te Eanapia. Nea Wekete. Reihaua. John Toa. Hoeta.

BEPOET BY MB. MACKAY BELATIVE TO

A.—No. 17.

16

Te Matenga. Kercopa Tarawainui. Eruara Paraone Tahurangi. Takerei Paora. Heta. Patene Puhata. Donald McLean. Witnesses —James Preece. Geo. W. Drummond Hay. True translation—Donald McLean. 9th November, 1861.

Enclosure D. Letter from Mr. James Mackay, jun., to the Hon. the Colonial Secretary. Sib,— Auckland, 22nd April, 1864. I have the honor to inform you that during my recent visit to the Thames District, I received information from various sources that gold had been discovered in Kauaeranga and Ohinemuri Streams; the former of these enters the sea near the mouth of the River Thames, and the latter thirty miles from its mouth. From information which I received from Nepia te Ngarara, of the Ngatiraukawa Tribe, who was formerly mining for gold at Collingwood, it is my opinion that tho gold at Ohinemuri is found in alluvial deposits, and not in quartz the same as at Coromandel. He states that he intended to work tho gold at Ohinemuri, but was prevented by tho jealousy of the Natives, who feared that if it became known a European population would be attracted to the district. I had some conversation with the Natives about working the gold fields in the Thames District. I found them very determinedly opposed to this, principally that they feared the Europeans would kill them, miners being reported as very riotous people. 1 took advantage of Nepia te Ngarara and another Native having been at Collingwood, and requested the former to state in what manner the gold fields at Nelson were managed, and whether Native miners did not receive the same protection as Europeans. The answer given being in tho affirmative, I observed a marked difference in the demeanour of the Natives. I would suggest that if a Magistrate is appointed for that district, it should be one of his duties to endeavour to bring about an arrangement for the working of the Thames Gold Fields. If an available gold field was discovered there it would be very useful to this Province, and would tend to prevent that depression which otherwise will be felt after the cessation of military expenditure. I visited the Coromandel Gold Field, and, as far as I could judge from the limited survey I took of it, am of opinion that it is only the outside of a gold district, and a better field exists in the neighbourhood of the Thames. The Hon. the Colonial Secretary (Native James Mackay, jun., Department), Auckland. Assistant Native Secretary.

Enclosure E. Copy of ci Letter from Mr. J. Mackay, jun., to the Hon. the Native Minister. (No. 19.) Sib,— Auckland, 19th October, 1864. I have the honor to inform you that in accordance with your instructions I proceeded to Coromandel, with the view of arranging outstanding questions relative to the occupation of Native lands there for gold-mining purposes. I was engaged on the 3rd, 4th, sth, and 6th of October in investigating and negotiating the various questions connected with that subject. It appears that on the 2nd November, 1861, Mr. McLean entered into an arrangement with tho Natives to permit prospecting on their lauds at Coromandel. In consequence of this, large numbers of persons settled on the gold fields. On the 23rd June, ISC2, an agreement was completed with Eiria, and other claimants of the Tokatea Block, to permit gold-mining to be carried on there, the owners receiving £500 per annum rent, commencing from that date. In the event of more than five hundred persons being employed on that gold field, a sum of £1 per annum was to be paid for every person in excess of that number. On the 23rd July an agreement was made with Pita Taukaka, Kitahi Te Tanewha, and Patene Puhata, for the working of their lands at Coromandel, known as Kapanga, Ngaurukehu, and Matawai: the Government, on their part, consenting to pay £1 a year for each and every European who worked upon the several pieces of land. It was not stipulated that the miners were to be the holders of licenses. The Government were therefore liable for every person who worked on the land. There was no time fixed for the commencement of the agreement, and no stipulation as to the date when the first payment should be made. No plan appears to have been laid down for the division of the money among the owners of the respective blocks. The first step I took was to endeavour to obtain information as to the number of persons who had been employed on the various pieces of land. Although I tried in several quarters, it appeared utterly impossible to obtain anything like a correct account of the number. The Gold Fields Registrar showed that 6L3 miners' rights had been issued up to the 23rd July, 1864, but no clue was there given as to the locality for which auy miner's right had been granted. I found, in comparing Mr. Preece's return of tho number of miners on Pita's land in ] 862-3 with that of the late Mr. Hastie, that they did not correspond at all. The Natives could not furnish any correct data either ; they stating they did not interfere, as tho Government had agreed to keep account of the number of miners. This is certainly correct, as far as tho agreement went.

THE THAMES GOLD FIELDS.

17

A.—No. 17.

The only course which appeared open was to endeavour to effect a compromise with the Natives, and to enter into a fresh arrangement for the future working of the gold field. On the sth October I came to an understanding with Riria Paora Karape to pay her the rent of £500 per annum by quarterly payments, instead of annually as heretofore. Ido myself the honor to enclose the agreement herewith. It was then arranged that a meeting should be held on the Ctli October to discuss the question of payment for the other blocks. Pita and Tanewha urged that they should be paid from the 2nd November, 18G1, stating that Mr. McLean promised that the terms were to be the same as those entered into with Colonel Wynyard in 1852 (Mr. Preece confirms this statement). I endeavoured to clear up this point by referring to the agreement of 1861, in which no stipulation for payment was made, it being then considered to be a subject for future arrangement whenever gold should be found in payable quantities. The answer I received was, " This may be correct; but we never supposed that it would take upwards of eight months to try the land, or that we should have 500 diggers from Otakou to damage it." It was also suggested that these men must have abstracted considerable quantities of gold from the creeks in Pita, Patene, and Tanewha's blocks, as they were not merely prospecting, but actually mining for gold. After some further discussion Pita said he knew Hastie had returned fifty-one as the number of men who had been at work on his block in the year 1862-3. Ho believed this was very incorrect, as he had seen more than 100 at a time there; however, this might be adopted as the basis for the three years commencing November, 1861, and terminating November, 186-1. He would therefore take £153 and no less. After a very lengthened argument I managed to get him to consent to take £101 as compensation in full for all claims for head-money for persons mining on his land at Ivapanga from the Ist November, 1861, to the 22nd July, 1864. Tanewha demanded the sum of £150 for himself, and a similar amount for Patene Puhata. This was eventually reduced to £75 for each, making a total sum of £251 for the three blocks, up to the 22nd July last. Considering the total absence of any returns of a sufficiently correct nature to serve as a guide for the computation of the amount of payment, and bearing in mind that 613 licenses were issued for the whole gold field, and that probably another 200 men have at various times worked there without licenses, Ido not think that this arrangement can bo looked upon as unsatisfactory. After deducting 251 from the total number it leaves 362 miners for Lydia's Block, setting aside the question of those who may have worked there and elsewhere without licenses, and for whom the Government would be liable for head-money whenever they mined on the other blocks. As far as Pita is concerned, all persons acquainted with the case say he has not been overpaid. With respect to the payments to Patene Puhatu and Te Tanewha, I do not consider they have been too liberally dealt with. Their lands have been worked to a considerable extent, and they have made no complaint, and have received no compensation for damage done to their timber. On the other hand, Riria and Pita have received between them the sum of £600 for timber alone. Pita advanced a claim for compensation for losses sustained by horses and cattle falling down mining shafts, but I would not entertain the question. He expressed an intention of writing to the Government on the subject; I told him he might, but he had no chance of receiving anything ; that he must be well aware gold-mining operations could not be carried on without shafts being sunk. I hope that if I have exceeded my instructions in making these payments, that on a review of all the circumstances of the case, and a due consideration of the following points, you will be pleased to sanction my proceedings : — Ist. The defects in the agreement of the 23rd July, 1862. 2nd. The Government having failed in their part of the agreement, as to keeping correct accounts of the number of diggers. 3rd. The long period which has been allowed to elapse before arranging the question. 4th. The total absence of correct data on which to calculate the amount of payment to be made. Ctt. The clamorous demands of the Natives for payment without further delay. 6th. The very bad effect which any appearance of breach of faith would have on the Natives, and the probability of its preventing any future arrangement for the working of the other gold fields in the district. After completing these negotiations, I entered into a new arrangement with the Natives for the working of the Kapanga, Ngaruheku, and Matawai Blocks, they consenting to give up the whole of their lands there for gold mining, excepting only pieces required for cultivations, burial-grounds, and sacred places. They agreed to take the sum of £1 for every license issued, and an arrangement was to be made to check the number of men and the time they were employed on each block, the money to be distributed among the owners in proportion to the number of miners and the time they worked on each piece of land. The manner in which I propose to deal with this question is, that a regulation should be made that every miner's ri^ht shall bear the date of issue, and the name of the block over which the holder of it is authorized to mine for gold. Whenever the holder desires to remove to any block other than that for which his license shall originally have been granted, he shall not be allowed to remove to such new locality until he receives permission from the Commissioner to do so. The date of such authorized removal shall be indorsed on his miner's right or license, and entered on the Gold Fields Register. By adopting this system the Gold Fields Register would show the number of licenses issued, the block for which granted, and the date of removal to other localities. The amount due to each Native for his respective block could then be computed with the greatest ease. Another advantageis, that the Government are made only liable for the persons who take out licenses, and not for minerswho work without that document. The Natives have also a direct interest in assisting the police to prevent illegal mining. I would recommend that Pita, Taukaka, Kitahi te Tanewha, and Patene Puhata should each be authorized to--5

REPORT BY MR. MACKAY RELATIVE TO

A.—No. 17.

18

inspect miners' rights, under clause 2of the Gold Fields Eegulations. I found this plan answer very well on the Native gold field at Taitapu, Nelson. A question was raised as to the licenses of public-houses and stores. The Natives asked for payment for these —£5 for each of the former, and £2 for each of the latter. I finally agreed that £2 should be paid for each publican's license, and £1 for each business license issued for buildings situated on Native lands. I do myself the honor to enclose herewith the agreement made with the Natives on the 11th instant, and I hope it may meet with your approval. I may mention that Mr. Lawlor and his assistants have rendered me valuable aid in completing these questions, and that they fully enter into all my views on the subject. Ido not deem them to blame for the confusion which has arisen. It must be remembered that the management of gold fields is a comparatively new feature of official business in this portion of the Colony, and is at all times sufficiently arduous without being complicated with a Native difficulty. I have, &c, The Hon. the Native Minister. James Maceat, jun.

Enclosure Ea. Tins Agreement made at Kapanga this eleventh day of October, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and sixty-four : Witnesseth the consent of the chiefs and people, the names of whom are hereunto subscribed, to the following conditions under which Europeans and others shall be permitted to " mine for gold " on their lands situated at Kapanga, Ngaurukehu, and Matawai, in the District of Coromandel, in the Province of Auckland, viz. : — 1. All Native lands, at Kapanga, Ngaurukehu, and Matawai, shall be open to " gold miners ;" except pieces reserved for cultivation, burial grounds, and sacred places. 2. No person shall be allowed to " mine for gold" on the said lands, unless he is the holder of a license, duly empowering him in that behalf. 3. Every license shall be issued by an officer duly authorized by the Governor, and shall bear on it the date of issue and the name of the block of Native land on which the holder shall be entitled to mine for gold, cut timber (other than kauri) for gold-mining purposes, and erect buildings. 4. Whenever any person shall desire to commence gold-mining operations on a block of Native land other than that for which his license shall have been originally issued, he shall not remove to such new locality until he receives permission from the Commissioner so to do. The date of such authorized removal shall be indorsed on his license, and entered in the " Gold Fields Eegister." 5. In consideration of the Natives allowing gold mining over the lands specified in this Agreement, the boundaries of which are more particularly defined in the map hereunto annexed, the Government hereby agree to pay, on the 23rd day of July in every year of the continuance of this Agreement, the sum of £1 for each and every "Gold Mining License" which shall have been issued as aforesaid during the previous twelve months ; the money to be apportioned amongst the owners of the Kapanga, Ngaurukehu, and Matawai Blocks, in proportion to the number of gold miners who shall have been employed on each as shown by the " Gold Fields Eegister." G. The Government also agree to pay the sum of £1 for every " Business License," and the sum of £2 for every " Publican's License," which shall be issued for buildings or tenements situated on the Native lands herein described. All payments in respect of such licenses to be made annually on the 23rd day of July. The first payment to be made on the 23rd day of July, which shall be in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and sixty-five. In witness of the consent of the said chiefs and people to all the terms and conditions of this Agreement, they have hereunto set their hands, on the day and in the year first above written ; and in witness of the consent of the Government to their part of this Agreement, the name of James Mackay the younger, Civil Commissioner of the District of Waihou, is hereunto attached : —■ Tanewha Ecnata, his x mark. Pita Taurua. Kapanga. Makoare. Patene Puhata, his x mark. Ema, her x mark. Wiremu Epiha, his x mark. Eawiri Takurua. James Mackay, junior. Signed in the presence of vs — H. Charles Lawlor. Alan Baillie. H. Clinton Baddeley. "Witness to the signature of Patene Puhata, attached at Pakihi on the 13th October, 1864 — Tireni Te Hura Tioriori. Witness to the signatures of Ema, Wiremu Epiha, and Eawiri Takuma— Tioriori Te Hura. Kapanga, sth October, 1864. I, Eiria Paora Karepe, hereby consent that the sum of five hundred pounds, payable yearly, for the rent of the Tokotea Gold Field, in accordance with the agreement entered into on the 23rd June, 1862, shall now and hereafter be paid by four equal quarterly instalments of one hundred and twenty-five pounds each, payable on the 23rd day of September, 23rd day of December, 23rd day of March, and 23rd day of June in each and every year of the continuance of the said agreement. I, James Mackay

THE THAMES GOLD FIELDS.

19

A.—No. 17,

the younger, Civil Commissioner for the District of Waihou, do, on behalf of the Government, hereby testify my consent to the above arrangement. Eiria Paora Karepe, her x mark. Witness to the signature — James Mackay, junior. H. Clinton Baddeley. Alan Baillie. Memo.—This rent is now divided as follows :—Eiria Karepe and her people receive £65 quarterly, and Hera Makoare and her people £00. J. Mackat, jun.

Enclosure E. Agreement. This Agreement, made at Kauaeranga, in the District, of Hauraki, in the Province of Auckland, this twenty-seventh day of July, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and sixty-seven, by Te Hoterene Taipari, Wirope Hotcrene Taipara, Eapana Maunganoa, and Te Eaika Whakarongotahi, of Hauraki, Native Chiefs, on the one part, and Sir George Grey, X.C.8., Governor of New Zealand, on the other part, witnesseth the consent of the said Hoterene Taipari, Wirope Hoterene Taipari, Eapana Maunganoa, and Te Eaika Whakarongotahi, on behalf of themselves and their heirs, to release (give over) to Sir George Grey, X.C.8., Governor of New Zealand, and the Governors who may succeed him, a certain piece of land at Kauaeranga, in the district of Hauraki, for gold-mining purposes within the meaning of the statute intituled " The Gold Fields Act, ISGG," the boundaries of the said piece of land commencing on the sea coast at the mouth of the Eiver Kauaeranga, thence by that river to the junction of the Kakaramata Stream, thence by that stream to its source on the ridge of the hills, thence along the said ridge to the sources of the Hape, Karaka, Waiotahi, Moanataiari, and Kuranui Streams, turning thence down the Kuranui Stream to the sea coast, thence by the sea coast to the mouth of the Moanataiari Stream, thence inland to the base of the hills, thence crossing the Waiotahi Stream and by the base of the hills to the Parareka Spur, thence ascending the said spur to Waiowhariki, thence descending a spur to the Karaka Stream, thence by that stream to the sea coast to the point of commencement at the mouth of the Eiver Kauaeranga, as the same are defined in the sketch map hereunto annexed. The following are the terms and conditions under which the said piece of laud is given over for gold-mining purposes, viz.:— 1. All lauds included within the boundaries above described are open to all persons for gold mining, excepting places occupied by Natives for residence, or used for cultivation or for burial grounds ; also if a township is laid off at the landing-place near the Eiver Kauaeranga, the Native owners of the said lands shall receive the rents accruing from the same when leased. 2. No person will be permitted to mine for gold on the said above-described lands, unless he be the holder of a miner's right empowering him in that behalf. The payment for every such miner's right shall be the sum of £1 per annum. 3. Miners' rights will be issued by an officer of the Government. Any person being the holder of a miner's right will be entitled to mine for gold, construct dams and water-races, fell timber, and do all other acts (or works) connected with (or appertaining to) gold-mining operations within the boundaries of the land hereinbefore described, excepting that the right to fell kauri timber is reserved; any person desiring to cut any kauri timber must pay the sum of £1 ss. for each tree required by Mm ; this money shall belong to the Native owners, but to be paid to an officer of the Government in the first instance. 4. In consideration of Te Hoterene Taipari, Wirope Hoterene Taipari, Eapana Maunganoa, and Te Eaitea Whakarongotahi, and their heirs, giving over the said piece of land for gold-mining purposes to Sir George Grey, X.C.8., Governor of New Zealand, and the Governors who shall succeed him, Sir George Grey, X.C.8., on behalf of himself and the Governors who shall succeed him, hereby consents to give (or pay) to the said Hoterene Taipari, Wirope H otcrene Taipari, Eapana Maunganoa, and Te Eaika Whakarongotahi and their heirs, the sum of one pound for each miner's right which shall be issued to any person for gold mining within the said block of land during each year of the continuance of this agreement. The first year to commence from the first day of August, which shall bo in the year one thousand eight hundred and sixty-seven. The days for the payment (or division) of the money shall be the thirty-first day of March, the thirtieth day of June, the thirtieth day of September, and the thirty-first day of December in each year. Provided that if any person being the holder of a miner's right shall remove to another gold field (meaning on other lands outside the boundaries herein described) before completing the twelve months for which such miner's right shall have been issued, there shall then be paid to the said Hoterene Taipari, Wirope Hoterene Taipari, Eapana Maunganoa, and Te Eaika Whakarongotahi, and their heirs, such portion of the money as shall be equivalent to the period for which such person shall have remained on the piece of land hereinbefore described. 5. The duration of this agreement shall be for such term as the Governor shall require the land for gold-mining purposes. Provided that if at any time the Governor shall desire to discontinue gold mining, a previous notice of not less than six months of such intention shall be given. In witness of the consent of Te Hoterene Taipari, Wirope Hoterene Taipari, Eapana Maunganoa, and Te Eaika Whakarongotahi to all the terms and conditions of this agreement, they have hereunto signed their names, and in witness of the consent of the Governor on his part to all the conditions of the said agreement, the name of Daniel Pollen is hereunto subscribed, ou the day and in the year first above written. Hotekene Taipari, his x mark. Eaika Whakarongotahi, his x mark. Wirope Hoterene Taipari, Daniel Pollen, Eapana Maunganoa, his x mark. Agent General Government. Witnesses to the signature of the names — James Mackay, junior, Civil Commissioner, N.Z. John Williams, Auckland.

A.—No. 17.

20

REPORT BY ME, MACKAY RELATIVE TO

Ko texei Pukapttka i tuhituhia kei Kauaeranga i te takiwa ki Hauraki i te Porowini o Akarana i tenei rua tekau niawhitu (27) o nga ra o Hurae i te tau o to tatou Ariki Kotahi mano c waru rave ono to kau mawhitu (ISG7) no te Hoterene Taipari no Wiropo Hoterene Taipari no Eapana Maunganoa no Baika Whakarongotahi Bangatira Maori no Hauraki tetahi taha no Ta Hori Kerei Kawana o Niu Tircni tetalii taha he pukapuka whakaatu mo te whakaaetanga o taua Hoterene Taipari Wirope Hoterene Taipari Eapana Maunganoa Eaika Whakarongotahi mo ratou me a ratou uri kia tukua atu ki a Ta Hori Kerei Kawana o Niu Tireni me nga Kawana i muri i a ia tetahi piihi whenua kei Kauaeranga i te takiwa ki Hauraki ho whenua keringa koura i runga i te tikanga o " Te Ture mo nga whenua mahinga koura 18GG " ko nga rohe o taua whenua i te ngutu awa o Kauaeranga haeretonu i taua awa kite putahitanga ote awa o Kakaramata haerc tonu i roto ite awa o Kakaramata tae noa te matapuna ite taukaka ote maunga haero tonu i taua taukaka kite matapuna ote awa ote Hape a haere tonu kite matapuna ote awa ote Karaka a haere tonu kite matapuna ote awa o Waiotahi haere tonu kite matapuna ote awa o Moanataiari a hare tonu kite niata puna ote awa 0 Kuranui ka whati i kona lea haere tonu i taua awa tae noa te moana liaere tonu i te taha a te moana kite ngutu awa o Moanataiari ka aim ki uta ka liaere tonu ite akitutanga ote mauuga ka whiti ite awa o Waiotahi haerc tonu ite akitutanga ote maunga kite kaka o Parareka ka aim ki uta piki tonu 1 taua kaka tae noa ki Waiowhariki ka rere i runga ite kaka c ahu ana kite awa ote Karaka ka marere ki roto ki taua awa ka whati i kona ka haere tonu ite awa oto Karaka tae noa kite inoana ka haere tonu ite taha ote moana kite wahi i timata ai ite ngutu awa o Kauaeranga ka rite hold kite mapi kua apitia ki tenci pukapuka a ko nga tikanga enei mo te rironga o taua piihi whenua he whenua keringa koura kua tuhia i raro nei, ara : 1. Ko nga whenua katoa ki roto ki aua rohc kua tuhia ki runga ake nei kua whakapuaretia he whenua keringa koura mo nga tangata katoa, cngari nga tunings wharc mo nga tangata Maori me nga mara ngakiuga kai ma ratou me nga urupa tupapaku kua kape Id waho o nga whenua keringa koura A ka whakarita he taone kei te turanga kaipukc kei Kapaeranga mo nga tangata Maori no ratou te whenua nga moni reti o ana whenua ana retia kite tangata. 2. Ekorc c tukua te tangata kia keri noa iho i te koura i runga i taua piihi whenua katoa kua tuhia ki runga ake nei engari kia inatua riro i a ia te " Mama Eaiti " katahi ka tika tona main kcri koura ko te utu mo te " Mama Eaiti " kotahe Kotahi pauna (£1) mo te tau kotahi. 3. Ma tetahi Apiha o to Kawanatanga c whakaputa nga " Mama Eaiti " a ka whiwhi te tangata ite " Mama Eaiti" ka whai mana i a kite keri koura kite hanga whakainato wai kite keri awa rerenga wai me te tapatapahi rakau me te mahi hold i nga mahi katoa c rite ana mo te keringa koura i roto i nga rohe o te whenua kua tuhia ki runga ake nei: Engari nga rakau "kauri " kua kape ki waho c kore c tika kia tapahia era ka hiahia te tangata kia riro i a ia tetahi rakau " kauri " me whakaputa c ia nga moni kotahi pauna c lima herini (£1 55.) hei utu mo to rakau kotahi iho nga tangata Maori no ratou to whenua aua moni engari me tuku kite Apiha ote Kawanatanga ite tuatahi. 4. Ko te whakaritenga tenei ki a te Hotereni Taipari, ki a Wirope Hoterene Taipari, ki a Eapana Maunganoa, Id a to Eaika Whakarongotahi me a ratou uri mo te rironga o tana piihi whenua i a Ta Hori Kerei Kawana o Niu Tirini me nga Kawana i muri i a ia he whenua keringa koura kua whakaaetia a Ta Hori Kerei mona me nga Kawana i muri i a ia kia whakaputaina kia Te Hoterene Taipari, ki a Wirope Hoterene Taipari, ki a Eapana Maunganoa, ki a te Eaika Whakarongotahi, mo a ratou uri kotahi pauna (£1) Jno ia mama raiti kua oti te whakaputa ki ia tangata keri koura i roto i taua rohe i ia tau i ia tau o te whakapumautanga o tenei pukapuka ko te timatanga o te tau tuatahi kei te tahi o nga ra o Akuhata, 18G7, ko nga ra whakaputanga moni kei te 3L o nga ra o Maehe, kei te 30 onga ra o Hune, kei te 30 c nga ra o Hepetema, kei te 31 o nga ra o Tihema iia tau iia tau: Engari, ki te haere ke te tangata kua whiwhi to mama raiti ki tetahi whenua ke mahi koura ai a kahoro ano kia mutu noa te tau kua rite ki roto i taua mama raiti me whakaputa ki a Te Hoterene Taipari, ki a Wirope Hoterene Taipari, ki a Eapana Maunganoa, ki a to Eaika Whakarongotahi, me a ratou uri te wahi o te moni c rite ana kite nohoanga o taua tangata ki runga kite whenua kua tuhia ki runga ako nei. 5. Kia te Kawana te whakaaro mo nga tau o puinau ai te whenua Id a ia mo to mahinga koura: Engari kite hiahia ate Kawana kia mutu taua mahi me matua whakaatu cia tona hiahia ko te takiwa hei whakaaturanga kaua c neke iho i te ono (G) Marama. A he tohu mo te whakaaetanga o to Hoterene Taepari, o Wirope Hoterene Taipari, o Eapana Maunganoa, me te Eaika Whakarongotahi, ki nga tikanga katoa o tenei pukapuka kua tuhia o ratou ingoa Id raro nei a he tohu me te whakaaetanga o te Kawana Id tona taha o aua tikanga katoa kua tuhia te ingoa o Eaniera Porcna (Daniel Pollen) ki raro nei i te ra me te tau kua tuhia ki runga ake i te timatanga ano. Hoterene Taipaei, his x mark. W. H. Taipaei. Eapana Mal'nganoa, his x mark. Eaika Whakaeongotahi. Daniel Pollen, Agent General Government. Nga kai titiro kite tuhinga o nga ingoa— James Mackay, junior, Civil Commissioner, N.Z. John Williams, Auckland. Enclosure G. AdEEEJIENT. Tins Ageeejient, made this ninth day of November, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and sixty-seven, witnesseth the consent of us, the chiefs and people of Ngatitamatera, on behalf of ourselves and our heirs, to release (give over) to Sir George Grey, Governor of New Zealand, and the Governors who shall succeed him, all our pieces of land, commencing at To Marnaku,

THE THAMES GOLD FIELDS.

21

A.—No. 17,

thence along the sea coast to Moehau (Cape Colvillc), thence by the sea coast to Whitianga (Mercury Bay), thence along the boundary of the lands belonging to Ngatihe and Ngatimaru to the point of commencement at Te Mamaku. The whole of the said pieces of land are given over for gold-mining purposes for the Governor and his assigns ; lhat is, all lands belonging to iis within the said boundaries are open for gold mining, excepting the pieces of land owned by other tribes, aud places occupied for residence or used for cultivation by us, or for burial-grounds. The following are the terms and conditions under which the said lands are given over, viz.: — 1. No person will be permitted to mine for gold on the said lands unless ho be the holder of a miner's right. The payment for such miner's right shall be one pound. Any person being the holder of a miner's right, shall be entitled to do all works or acts which are termed gold-mining operations. 2. The Governor shall give (or pay) to us one pound for each miner's right which shall be issued to any person for mining on our piece of land. The days for the payment of such money to us shall be—the 31st day of March, the 30th day of June, the 30th day of September, and the 31st day of December, in each year of the continuance of this agreement. Provided that if any person being the holder of a miner's right shall remove on to the land of another tribe, and mine for gold, before completing the year specified in his miner's right, there shall then be paid to us such money as shall be equivalent to the period for which such person shall have remained on our land ; and if any person being the holder of a miner's right to mine on land belonging to another tribe shall remove on to our land, the same conditions shall be complied with, the money shall be divided between us and them (the other tribe). 3. Any person being the holder of a miner's right will be entitled to cut timber for firewood or for gold-mining purposes, excepting that kauri timber shall be paid for. The payment for each tree required shall be one pound five shillings. 4. The Governor shall pay to us now the sum of five hundred pounds as a deposit on this agreement, but the said money shall be refunded to the Governor out of the money arising from miners' rights, when the same is paid to us. 5. The Governor shall pay the surveyors for surveying the pieces of land which are excepted, and also the boundaries of the lands owned by other tribes. In witness of our consent on behalf of ourselves and our heirs to all the terms and conditions of this agreement, and the giving over of all our pieces of land within the boundaries above described to the Governor to perform all works (or acts) which are termed goldmining operations, we have hereunto signed our names ; and in witness of the consent of the Governor the name of James Mackay, junior, Civil Commissioner, is hereunto subscribed. Meha te Moananui, Paora Tupaea, Honana Potiki Wahataiki, Kahukura, Eiria Karepe, her x mark, Eapana Pahono, his x mark, Hata Paka, Arama Tarakawa, his x mark, Nepihana, Karaitiana, Keremenita, his x mark, Pita te Hiangi, Hirawa, Matene Eutuhau, Paratene, Te Tira, Te Tahana, Poroa, Pehimana, Eriatera, his x mark, Bakena, Herata, her x mark, Karauria, Himaera, Paora Matutaera, his x mark, Piniha, his x mark. Hera Putea, her x mark, James Mackay, junior, Civil Commissionei", N.Z. Witness to the signatures of Meha to Moananui, Honana Potiki tc Wahataiki, Eiria Karepe, Hata Paka, Nepihana, Keremenita, Hirawa, Paratene, Te Tahana, Eakena, Karauria, Paora Matutaera, Hera Putea, Haora Tupaea, Kahukura, Eapana Pahono, Arama Tarakawa, Karaitiana, Pita te Hiangi, Matene Eutuhau, Te Tira, Poroa, Eriatera, Herata, Hiimaera, Piniha, and James Mackay, junior— Hoori Paraono. James C. Boyd, Miner, Shortland. Alexander Gillan, Miner, Shortland. Witnesses to the signature of Hoori Paraone — James C. Boyd, Miner, Shortland. Alexander Gillan, Miner, Shortland. Ko texei Pukapfka i tuhituhia i tenei te iwa o nga ra o Nowema, i te tau o to tatou Ariki kotahi mano c waru rave ono te kau ma whitu (1867). He pukapuka whakaae na matou na nga rangatira me nga tangata o Ngatitamatera mo matou me o matou uri kia tukua atu Id a Ta Hori Kerei, Kawana o Bui Tireni, me nga Kawana i muri i a ia o matou piihi whenua katoa, ka timata i te Mamaku, haere tonu i te taha o te moana ki Moehau, haere tonu i te taha o te moana ki Whitianga, haere tonu i te roho o nga whenua o Ngatihe, me Ngatimaru ma kite Mamaku, kite wahi i timata ai ko enei whenua katoa, he whenua mahinga koura mo te Kawana, me ana i whakaritc ai ara ko o matou wahi katoa, ki roto ki ana rohe kua puare he whenua mahinga koura, heoi nga piihi i kape ki waho ko nga whenua o etahi atu iwi me nga kainga nohoanga ngakinga kai ma matou me nga wahi tapu. Na ko nga tikanga enei i roto i taua tukunga, ara: — 1. Ekore c tika kia haere noa iho te tangata kite keri koura i runga i aua whenua, engari kia matua whiwhi ia kite niaina raiti katahi ka tika, ko te utu ote mama raiti kotahi pauna (£1), kua riro 6

EEPOET BY MR. MACKAY RELATIVE TO

A.—No. 17.

22

te mama raiti ite tangata ka whai mana ia kite mahi, i nga mahi katoa i huainatia ho mahinga koura. 2. Me homai c te Kawana kiaraatou kotahi pauna (£1) mo ia mama raiti, mo ia mama raiti ana puta kite tangata keri koura ki runga ki to niatou piilii whenua. Ko nga ra utunga o aua moni ki a matou kei te 31 o nga ra o Maehe, te 30 o nga ra o Hune, te 30 o nga ra o Hepetema, te 31 o nga ra o Tihema, iia tau iia tau ote whakapumautanga o tenei pukapuka. Engari kite haere ke te tangata ki runga kite whenuu o tetatii iwi ke keri koura ai, kaore ano kia mutu noa te tau i whakaritea ki roto ki tona mama raiti i reira me whakaputa ki a matou nga moni, c rite ana kite roa o tona nohoanga ki runga ki to matou whenua. Aki te haere mai te tangata kua whai mama raiti mo te whenua o tetahi iwi ke atu, me pera ano te tikanga hoki, me wahi tetahi taha o te moni ki a matou tetahi taha ki a ratou. 3. Ko nga rakau Maori c hiahiatia ana i te kai-keri koura he wahie he rakau mahinga koura me riro noa iho i a ia, engari nga rakau kauri, me utu ano ko te utu mo te kauri kotahi, kotahi pauna c rima hereni (£1 ss). 4. Me whakaputa ki a matau etc Kawana c rima rau pauna (£500) inaianei, lie moni taunaha mo tenei whakaritenga, engari ko aua moni me whakahoki atu ki a te Kawana ki roto ki nga moni o nga mama raiti ana puta mai ki a matou. 5. Ma te Kawana c whakarite nga kai-ruri mo nga piihi whenua kua kape ki waho me nga rohe ki etahi atu iwi. A he tohu mo to matou whakaaetanga mo matou me o matou uri ki nga tikanga katoa o tenei pukapuka, me te tukunga o o matou piihi whenua katoa ki roto ki nga rohe kua tuhia ki runga ake nei ki a te Kawana kia mahia nga mahi katoa c huaina ana he mahinga koura, kua tuhia o matou ingoa ki raro nei, a he tohu hoki mo te whakaaetanga o te Kawana, kua tuhia te ingoa o Tiemi Make, Komihana, ki raro o tenei pukupuka. Na Meha to Moananui, Paora Tupaca, Na Honana Potiki Wahataiki, Kahukura, Eiria Karepa, her x mark, Eapana Pahono, his x mark, Hata Paka, Arama Tarakawa, his x mark, Nepihana, Karaitiana, Keremenita, his x mark, Pita te Hianga, Hirawa, Matene Butuhau, Paratene, Te Tira, Te Tahana, Poroa, Pehimana, Eriatara, his x mark, Eakena, Herata, her mark, Karauria, Hiimaera, Paora Matutaera, Piniha, his x mark. Hera Putea, her x mark, James Mackay, jun., Civil Commissioner, N.Z. Witness to the signatures of Meha te Moananui, Honana Potiki te Wahataiki, Eiria Karepe, Hata Paka, Nepihana, Keremenita, Hirawa, Paratene, Tahana, Pehimana, Eakena, Karauria, Paora Matutaera, Hera Putea, Paora Tupaea, Kahukura, Eapana Pahono, Arama Tarakawa, Karaitiana, Pita te Hiangi, Matene Eutuhau, Te Tira, Poroa, Eriatera, Herata, Hiimaera, Piniha, and James Mackay, jun.—■ Hoori Paraone. James C. Boyd, Miner, Shortland. Alexander Gillan, Miner, Shortland. Witness to the signature of Hoori Paraone — James C. Boyd, Miner, Shortland. Alexander Gillan, Miner, Shortland. Enclosure H. Eeceited by us, this thirteenth day of December, 1867, the money of the Government, one hundred pounds, being a deposit on the lands of our tribes of Ngatiwhanaunga and Ngatimaru, commencing at Hikutaia, thence to the source of that stream, thence to Whangamata, thence by the sea coast to Moehau, Cape Colville, thence continuing along the sea coast to Waihou (Eiver Thames), thence up that river to the point of commencement at the junction of the Hikutai Stream ; the same are given over to the Governor for gold-miniug purposes (excepting pieces of land owned by other tribes within the said boundaries). The said money shall be deducted from money hereafter arising from miners' rights issued for the said lands. Te Mihaea Pahaf, Ngakapa Whamatjnga, Kapihana te Trai, Te Eetitt, TuiTEKEI. Witness to signatures and payment — D. M. Beere, Civil Engineer, Auckland. Kua riro mai i a matou i tenei rate tekau matoru o nga ra o Noema, 1867, nga moni ote Kawanatanga, Kotahi rau pauna, he moni taunaha i runga i nga whenua o to matou iwi o JSTgatiwhanaunga o Ngatimaru i timata i Hikutaia haere tonu kite matapuna o taua awa haere tonu ki Whangamata haere tonu i te tahataha moana ki Moehau haere tonu i te tahataha moana ki Waihou haere tonu ki

THE THAMES GOLD FIELDS.

23

A.—No. 17.

roto ki taua awa tae noa te wahi i timata ai i te putahitanga o te awa o Hikutaia kua tukua atu ki a te Kawana he whenua mahinga koura (haunga nga piihi o ctahi atu iwi ki roto ki aua rohe kua kape ena ki waho). Na ko aua moni me whakarite marire ki roto ki nga moni o nga mama raiti ana puta mai ki roto ki taua whenua. Te Mihaba Pahatj, Ngakapa AVhanatjnga, Kaphiaxa te Tuiii, Te Retiit, tuiteeei.

Enclosure I. This Agkeement, made at Kauaeranga, in the District of Hauraki, in the Province of Auckland, in the Colony of New Zealand, this ninth day of March, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and sixty-eight, by the chiefs and people of Ngatiina.ru and Ngatiwhanaunga of Hauraki on the one part, and Sir George Ferguson Bowen, Governor of New Zealand, on the other part, witnesseth the consent of all of them, that is of the chiefs and people of Ngatimaru and Ngatiwhanaunga on behalf of themselves and their heirs, to release (give over) to Sir George Ferguson Bowen, Governor of New Zealand, and the Governors who may succeed him, a certain piece of land in the district of Hauraki for gold-mining purposes, for himself and his assigns within the meaning of the statute intituled ""The Gold Fields Act, ISG6," the boundaries of the said land commencing at To Mamaku on the sea coast of Hauraki; thence continuing towards the East by the boundary of the lands of Ngatitamatera to the hills forming the watershed of the West and East Coasts; turning thence towards the South, and continuing along the summit of the said "Watershed Eange of the West and East Coasts to the source of the Ornahu Stream ; turning thence towards the West down the bed of the Omahu Stream to the boundary of the land reserved for Native occupation and cultivation ; turning thence towards the South and proceeding along the said boundary to Kakarimata, thence to a ditch, thence by that ditch to the Waiwhakaurunga Stream, thence by the said stream to the sea, thence along the sea coast of Hauraki to the point of commencement at To Mamaku, as the same are defined in the sketch map hereunto annexed. The following are.the terms and conditions under which the said piece of land is given over for gold-mining purposes, viz.:— 1. All lands included within the said boundaries above described are open to all persons for gold mining, excepting places occupied by Natives for residence or used by them for cultivation or for burial grounds, within the above described boundaries, which are excluded from the lands for gold mining. Shortland Town, and any other towns that may be formed within the said boundaries, shall bo left for the Natives. The leaving is this : —The Government shall lease the said towns (shall act as lessors) ; if any person desires to lease a piece of land within any of the said towns, the Government shall fix the amount of rent for each piece of land; the rents accruing from the said towns shall be paid by the Government to the Native owners of the land. The days for the payment of the said money (rents) shall be the same as the days for the payment of the miners' rights fees hereinafter specified. 2. No person shall be permitted to mine for gold on the above-described piece of land, unless he bo the holder of a miner's right for that land, empowering him in that behalf; the payment for every such miner's right shall be one pound per annum. 3. Miners' rights will be issued by an officer of the Government. Any person being the holder of a miner's right shall be entitled to mine for gold, construct dams and water-races, fell timber for goldmining purposes and firewood, and to do all other acts (or works) connected with (or appertaining to) gold-mining operations, on places open (not reserved) within the boundaries of the land above described ; excepting that the right to fell kauri timber is reserved. Any person desiring to cut kauri timber must pay the sum of one pound five shillings for each tree required by him. No person will bo permitted to cut ordinary timber for firewood, fencing, or for any other purpose, for sale to any other person. Any person desiring to cut timber for those purposes must first obtain a miner's right and a timber license empowering him in that behalf. The payment for every such timber license shall be five pounds per annum. The money derived from such timber licenses and from the sale of such kauri timber shall belong to the Native owners of the land on which the timber is situate. This money shall in the first instance be paid to an officer of the Government, and shall be paid by him to the Natives to whom the land belongs. The days for the payment of the said money shall be the same as the days for the payment of the miners' rights fees, hereinafter specified. 4. In consideration of the chiefs and people of Ngatimaru and Ngatiwhanaunga of Hauraki and their heirs giving over the whole of the said piece of land to Sir George Ferguson Bowen, Governor of New Zealand, and the Governors who shall succeed him, for gold-mining purposes for themselves and their assigns, Sir George Ferguson Bowen, Governor of New Zealand, on behalf of himself and the Governors who shall succeed him, hereby consents to pay to the said chiefs and people of Ngatimaru and Ngatiwhanauuga of Hauraki, and their heirs, the sum of one pound for each miner's right which shall be issued to any person for gold mining or for cutting timber within the boundaries of the said land, during each year of the continuance of this agreement, the first year to commence from the first day of January last past in the present year (1868). The days for the payment of the money shall be the thirty-first day of March, the thirtieth day of June, the thirtieth day of September, and the thirty-first day of December in each year. 5. That the piece of land above described is divided into nine blocks, the names of which are Te Wharau, Whakatete, Tararu, Te Karaka, Otunui, Whakairi, Te Kirikiri, Warahoe, and Te Puriri. Any person mining for gold, or cutting timber within any of the said blocks, shall have the name of such block written in his miner's right with the date of his commencing the occupation thereof. If such person shall remove to another block, or to land belonging to another tribe, before the expiration of the twelve months for which his miner's right shall have been issued, the said person shall return his miner's right to the officer whose duty it is to issue such, in order that the day and month of his

A.—No. 17.

24,

REPORT BY MR. MACKAY RELATIVE TO

removal to such other block, or to land belonging to another tribe, may be inserted therein; the moneys for such transferred miners' rights shall be fairly apportioned (on the days for the payment of money) according to the period for which such person shall have remained on any such block, or on the lands belonging to another tribe. The money arising from miners' rights for the whole of the land shall be divided among the owners of the several blocks in proportion to the number of persons mining for gold within the said blocks. G. The duration of this agreement shall bo for such time as Sir George Ferguson Bowen, Governor of New Zealand, and the Governors who shall succeed him, shall require the above described piece of land for gold-mining purposes : Provided always that if at any time Sir George Ferguson Bowen, Governor of New Zealand, and the Governors who shall succeed him, shall desire to terminate gold mining on the said land or any portion thereof, not less than six months' notice of such intention shall first bo given. Tn witness of the consent of the chiefs and people of Ngatimaru, and Ngatiwhanaunga, of Hauraki, to all the terms and conditions of this agreement, they have hereunto signed their names; and in witness of the consent of Sir George Ferguson Bowen on his part to all the said conditions, the name of James Mackay, younger, Civil Commissioner, is hereunto subscribed on the day and in the year first above written. Biwai Kiore, his x mark, Euta Earokuihi, her x mark, Aperehama te Eeiroa, his x mark, Wiremu Karaka, Karauria, Puruhira Poha, her x mark, Te Karauna, Eapana Mauuganoa, his x mark, Hoani te Huiraukura, his x mark, Eangipika, her x mark, To Uirama, his x mark, Te Pukeroa, his x mark, Hera Paremataiti, her x mark, John Toa, Porokoru te Wheta, his x mark, Piniha Whakakai, Mata Paraone Paea, her x mark, Eruere Parewhakarorangi, her x mark, Pirukariroa, Mereana Eewiti, her x mark, Purewa, her x mark, Wiremu te Manatiu, Watana Tuma, Matena Eutu, his x mark, Na Tautoru Taua, Herata Waaka, her x mark, Aporo te Eiha, his x maVk, Hakipene te Moana, AVhareoneone, his x mark, Hohepa Toa, Hemi Takapuaia, his x mark, Piniha Marutuahu, his x mark, Tamairipi, his x mark, Ngakapa Whanaunga, Nikorima te Kiore, Taniwha Kitahi, his x mark, Timo, his x mark, Nepia tc Karamihi, his x mark, Na Ngarama, Tv Karamaine, his x mark, Hirini Ngapapatea, his x mark, Eeihana Poto, Paraniha, her x mark, Hone Eopiha, Mango, Eaibania, his x mark, AVikiriwhi te Haro, his x mark, Hera Tika, her x mark, Eupene, Te Matakitana, her x mark, Wharaki te Matapihi, his x mark, Marie Muhau, her x mark, Na Parata te Mapu, Mere Eawiri, her x mark, Ihaka Tarawhata, his x mark, Pateno Eaukura, Hiaurira, Tiepa, lier x mark, Eaika, Kataraina Eangitapapa, her x mark, AVata, Mere Matenga, her x mark, W. 11. Taipari, Te Matenga Ngaupara, his x mark, Hoterene Taipari, his x mark, Paraone Pokuru, his x mark, Meremana Konui, Hemi Ahipu, Na Karena, Epanaia, his x mark, Kapihana te Tuhi, Ngahuia Kahuwaero, her x mark, Hoani Nahe, Paikaraihe, his x mark, Patara Pake, his x mark. Mere Paea, her x mark. Ivotakoki, James Mackay, jun., Civil Commissioner. AVitnesses to the first fifty-four signatures— J. C. Young, Clerk of the Eesident Magistrate's Court. D. M. Beere, C. E., Shortland. Witness to the last twenty-three signatures— E. 11. Eyre, Acting Clerk, Civil Commissioner's Office, Shortland. Tirarua Paraitia, Native Policeman, Shortland. Tamati Waka. Witness to signature of Tamata Waka — E. H. Eyre. Eruera te Ngahue. Witness to signature of Eruera te Ngahue— Alexander Hogg, Land Agent, Shortland. Matiu Eapana. Witness to signature of Matiu Eapana— J. W. Preece, Licensed Interpreter, Auckland.

THE THAMES GOLD FIELDS.

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A.—No. 17,

Ko tekei Pukaptjka i tuhituhia kei Kauaeranga i te takiwa ki Hauraki i te Porowini o Akarana i te Koroni o Niu Tireni i tenei te iwa o nga ra o Macho i to tau o to tatou Ariki kotahi mano c waru rave ono tekau ma waru (1868) no nga Bangatira me nga Tangata o Ngatimaru me Ngatiuhanaunga 0 Hauraki tetahi taha no Ta Hori Pakitini Powene (Sir George Ferguson Bowen) Kawana o Niu Tireni tetahi taha Ho Pukapuka whakaatu mo te whakaaetanga o ratou katoa ara o nga Bangatira me nga Tangata o Ngatimaru me Ngatiwhanaunga mo ratou me a ratou uri kia tukua atu ki a. Ta Hori Pakitini Powene (Sir George Perguson Bowen) Kawana o Niu Tireni me nga Kawana i muri 1 a ia tetahi piihi whenua kei te takiwa ki Hauraki he whenua mahinga koura mana me ana i whakarite ai i runga i te tikanga o te ture i huaina '' Te Turo mo nga whenua mahinga koura, 18GG " ko nga rohe o taua whenua ka timata i Te Mamaku i te tahataha moana o Hauraki haere tonu whaka-te-marangai i to rohe o nga whenua o Ngatitamatera tae noa lei te pae-maunga tauarai o te tai hauauru me te tai marangai ka whati i kona ka ahu whaka-te-tonga haere touu i runga i te paemaunga tauarai o te tai hauauru me te tai marangai tae noa te matapuna o te awa o Omahu ka whati i kona ka ahu whaka-te-hauauru haere tonu i roto i te awa o Omahu tae noa te rohe o te whenua kua whakatapua lie whenua nohoanga ngakinga kai ma nga tangata Maori ka whati i kona ka ahu whaka-te-hauauru haere tonu i taua rohe tae noa ki Kakarimata hacrc tonu i taua awa keri kite awa o "Waiwhakaurunga haere tonu i taua awa kite moana haere tonu i te tahataha moana o Hauraki tae noa ki to wahi i timata ai i Te Mamaku kua rite hold kite mapi kua apititia ki tenei pukapuka a ko nga tikanga enei kua tuhia i raro nei mo te rironga o taua piihi whenua ho whenua mahinga koura, ara: 1. Ko nga whenua katoa ki roto ki aua rohe kua tuhia ki runga ake nei kua whakapuaretia he whenua mahinga koura mo nga tangata katoa engari nga turanga whare mo nga tangata Maori me nga mara ngakinga kai ma ratou me nga urupa tupapaku ki roto ki aua rohe kua tuhia ki runga ake nei kua kape ki waho o nga whenua mahinga koura Ko Hotereni Taone (Shortland Town) me etahi atu taone ana whakaturia ki roto ki aua rohe me waiho mo nga tangata Maori ko te waihotanga tenei ma te Kawanatanga c reti aua taone ka hiahia te tangata kite reti i te piihi whenua ki roto ki aua taone ma te Kawanatanga c whakarite te utu engari ko nga moni reti o aua taone me whakaputa c te Kawanatanga ki nga tangata Maori no ratou te whenua ko nga ra whakaputanga mo aua moni me penei me nga ra c tukunga mo nga moni o nga mama raiti (miners' rights) kua tuhia ki raro nei. 2. E kore c tukua te tangata kia keri kia mahi noa iho i te koura i runga i taua piihi whenua kua tuhia ki runga ake nei engari kia matua riro i a ia te mama raiti (miner's right) mo taua whenua katahi ka tika tona mahinga koura ko to utu mo to mama raiti (miner's right) kotahi, Kotahi Pauna mo te tau kotahi. 3. Ma tetahi Apiha o te Kawanatanga c whakaputa nga mama raiti (miners' rights) ki nga tangata a ka whiwhi to tangata i te mama raiti (miner's right) ka whai mana ia kite keri koura kite hanga whakamate-wai kite keri i nga awa rerenga wai kite tapatapahi rakau Maori mo nga mahinga koura mo te wahie mo te mahi i nga mahi katoa me nga mea katoa c rite ana mo te mahinga koura ki runga ki nga wahi kua puare i roto i nga rohe ote whenua kua tuhia ki runga ake nei; Engari nga rakau kauri kua kape ki waho c kore c tika kia tapahia era kite hiahia te tangata kia riro i a ia tetahi rakau kauri me whakaputa c ia nga moni Kotahi Pauna c rima hereni (£1 55.) hei utu mo te rakau kotahi: Ekorc hoki c tukua atu tetahi tangata kite tapatapahi i nga rakau Maori ho wahie he taicpa aha ranei c hoko mana ki etahi atu tangata engari kite hiahia te tangata kite mahi pera me matua whakarite c ia tetahi mama raiti (miner's right) me tetahi Eaihana Mahinga Bakau (timber license) kia whai mana ia ki to mahi i aua mahi ko te utu mo te Baihana Mahinga Bakau (timber license) Erima Pauna (£5) mo te tau kotahi. Ma nga tangata Maori no ratou te whenua i nga rakau nga moni utu mo aua Eaihana Mahinga Bakau (timber licenses) me te utu hoki mo nga rakau kauri ko aua moni me tuku ki tetahi Apiha o te Kawanatanga i te tuatahi a mana hoki c tuku ki nga tangata Maori no ratou te whenua ko nga ra whakaputanga mo aua moni me penei me nga ra c tukunga mo nga moni o nga Mama Haiti (miners' rights) kua tuhia ki raro nei. 4. Ko te Whakaritenga tenei ki nga Bangatira me nga Tangata o Ngatimaru me Ngatiwhanaunga o Hauraki me o ratou uri mo te rironga o taua piihi whenua katoa i a Ta Hori Pakitini Powene (Sir George Ferguson Bowen) Kawana o Niu Tireni me nga Kawana i muri i a ia he whenua mahinga koura ma ratou me a ratou o whakarite ai kua whakaaetia a Ta Hori Pakitini Powene (Sir George Ferguson Bowen), Kawana o Niu Tireni mona me nga Kawana i muri i a ia kia whakaruitaina ki aua Bangatira mo aua Tangata o Ngatimaru me Ngatiwhanaunga o Hauraki me a ratou uri kotahi pauna (£1) mo ia mama raiti (miner's right) kua oti te whapaputa ki ia tangata mahi koura tapatapahi rakau ranei i roto i nga rohe o taua whenua iia tau iia tau o to whakapumautanga o tenei Pukapuka: Ko te timatanga o te tau tuatahi kei te tahi o nga ra o Hanuere kua pahemo nei i tenei tau (1868) ko nga ra whakaputanga moni kei te 31 o nga ra o Machete 30 o nga ra o Hunc te 30 o nga ra o Hepetema te 31 o nga ra o Tihema i ia tau i ia tau. 5. Engari kua wahia taua whenua kua tuhia ki runga ake nei kia iwa nga takiwa ko nga ingoa enei ko Te Wharau ko Whakatete ko Tararu ko te Karaka ko Otunui ko Wnakairi ko Te Kirikiri ko "Warahoe ko Te Puriri: Xi tc mahi koura kite tapatapahi rakau etc tangata i tetahi o aua takiwa me tuhi te ingoa o taua takiwa ki roto kite mama raiti (miner's rights) o taua tangata me te ra hoki i timata ai tona mahi i taua takiwa a kite haere ke atu taua tangata ki tetahi takiwa kite whenua ranei o tetahi iwi ke atu mahi ai kaoro ano kia mutu noa te tau kua whakaritca ki roto ki tona mama raiti (miner's right) i reira me whakahoki atu c taua tangata i tona mama raiti (miner's right) ki to Apiha whakaputa pera kia tuhituhia te ra me te marama o tona haerenga ki taua takiwa ke whenua o tetahi iwi ke ranei: Ko nga moni o nga mama raiti pera me whakarite marire (i nga ra whakaputanga moni) kite wahi o te moni c rite ana kite roa o te nohoanga o taua tangata i tena takiwa i tena takiwa ite whenua ote iwi ke ranei: Ko nga moni o nga mama raiti (miner's right) o te whenua katoa me tuha ki nga tangata o tetahi takiwa o tetahi takiwa kia rite ano kite nui o nga kai-mahi-koura i aua takiwa. 6. Kia Ta Hori Pakitini Powene (Sir George Ferguson Bowen) Kawana o Niu Tireui me nga Kawana i muri i a ia te whakaaro mo nga tau c pumau ai ki a ia ki a ratou ranei te whenua kua tuhia ki runga ake nei mo te mahinga koura Engari kite hiahia a Ta Hori Pakitini Powene Kawana o Niu 7

A.—No. 17.

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REPORT BY MR. MACKAY RELATIVE TO

Tireni me nga Kawana i muri i aia kia mutu te mahinga koura i taua whenua ki tetahi taha ranei o taua whenua mo matua whakaatu tana hiahia ko te takiwa hoi whakaaturanga kaua c neke iho i te ono marama. A he tohu mo te whaaetanga o nga Bangatira me nga Tangata o Ngatimaru me Ngatiwhanaunga o Hauraki ki nga tikanga katoa o tenei pukapuka kua tuhia o ratou ingoa i raro nei a ho tohu mo te whakaetanga o Ta Hori Pakitini Powene (Sir George Ferguson Bowen) ki tona taha o aua tikanga katoa kua tuhia te ingoa o Ticmi Make (James Mackay, jun..) Komihana ki raro nei i te ra me te tau kua tuhia ki runga ake i te timatanga ano. Biwai Kiore, his x mark, Wiremu Karaka, Aperehama te Beiroa, his x mark, Puruhira Poha, her x mark, Karauria, Rapaana Maunganoa, his x mark, Hoani te Huiraukura, his x mark, Eangipika, her x mark, Te TJirama, his x mark, Te Pukeroa, his x mark, Hera Paremataiti, her x mark, John Toa, , Porokoru te Wheta, his mark, Piniha Whakakai, Mata Paraone Paea, her x mark, Emere Parewhakarorangi, her x mark, Pirukiriroa, Meriana Eeweti, her x mark, Purewa, her x mark, Wiremu te Manatiu, Watana Turna, Matena Eutu, his x mark, Na Tautoru Taua, Herata Wauku, her x mark, Aporo te Eiha, his x mark, Tlakipcno te Moana, "Whareoneone, his x mark, Hohepa Toa, Hemi Takapuaia, his x mark, Piniha Marutuahu, his x mark, Tamairipo, his x mark, Ngaka Whanaunga, Nikorima te Kiore, Tauiwha Kitshi, his x mark, Timo, his x mark, Nepia te Karamihi, his x mark, Na Ngarama, Tv Karamaine his x mark, Hirini Ngapapaka, his x mark, Ecihana Poto, Paraniha, her x mark, Hone Eopiha, Mango, Eaihana, his x mark, Wikiriwhi tc Haro, his x mark, Hera Tiki, her x mark, Eupene, Tema Takitaua, her x mark, Wharaki te Matapahi, his x mark, Marie Muhau, her x mark, Na Parata te Mapu, Mere Bawiri, her x mark, Ihaka Tarawhata, his x mark, Patene Eaukura, Hiaurira, Tiepa, her x mark, Eaika, Kataraina Bangitapapa, her x mark, Wata, Mere Matenga, her x mark, W. H. Taipari, Te Matenga Ngaupara, his x mark, Hoterene Taipari, his x mark, Paraone Pokuru, his x mark, Meremana Konui, Hemi Ahipu, Na Karcua, Epanaia, his x mark, Kapihana te Tuhi, Ngahuia Kahuwaero, her x mark, Hoani Nahe, Paikaraihe, liis x mark, Patara Pake, his x mark, Mere Paea, her x mark, Kotakoki, James Mackay, jun., Eatu Earokuihi, her x mark, Civil Commissioner. Witness to the first fifty-four signatures— J. C. Young, Clerk of the Eesident Magistrate's Court. D. M. Beere, C.E., Shortland. Witness to the last twenty-three signatures— E. H. Eyre, Acting Clerk, Civil Commissioner's Office, Shortland. Tirarua Paraitia, Native Policeman, Shortland. Tamata Waka. Witness to the signature of Tamati Waka— E. H. Eyre. Eruera te Ngahue. Witness to the signature of Eruera te Ngahue— Alex. Hogg, Land Agent, Shortland. Matiu Eapana. Witness to signature of Matiu Eapana— J. W. Preece, Licensed Interpreter, Auckland.

Enclosure J. Agbeeheitt. This Agreement, made at Harataunga, in the District of Hauraki, in the Province of Auckland, in the Colony of New Zealand, this thirteenth day of May, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and sixty-eight, by the Chiefs and People of Ngatiporou on the one part, and Sir G-eorge Ferguson Bowen, Governor of New Zealand, on the other part, witnesscth the consent of all of them —that is, of the Chiefs and People of Ngatiporou, of Harataunga, on behalf of themselves and their heirs —to release (give over) to Sir George Ferguson Bowen, Governor of New Zealand, and the Governors who shall succeed him, a certain piece of land in the District of Hauraki for gold-mining purposes, for himself

THE THAMES GOLD FIELDS.

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A.—No. 17.

and his assigns, within the meaning of the statute intituled " The Gold Fields Act, 1866," —the boundaries of the said land commencing at the mouth of the River Harataunga, thence by the sea coast to Te Harakeke, turning thence inland to Hapapawera, thence to Te Tapuae, thence to Kaipana, thence to Tokatea, thence to To Ranga, thence to Pukewharariki, turning thence towards the sea to Taraingapouto, thence to Piripirikahu, turning thence along the boundary of the land reserved for Native occupation and cultivation to the "Waimoho Stream, turning thence by the "Waimoho Stream to its junction with the Harataunga River, turning thence along the course of the River Harataunga to the point of commencement at ils month, as the same are defined in the sketch map hereunto annexed. The terms and conditions under which the said piece of land is given over for gold-mining purposes are, viz.:— 1. All lands included within the boundaries above described, are open for gold mining to all persons, excepting the pieces of land leased to James Smart and Alexander Hogg, as delineated in the map hereunto annexed; but the said pieces of land which are leased to the said persons are subject to certain provisions of the statute intituled " The Gold Fields Act, 18GG." 2. No person will be allowed to mine for gold on the piece of land above described, unless he be the holder of a miner's right empowering him in that behalf. The payment for every such miner's right shall be one pound per annum. 3. Miners' rights shall be issued by an officer of the Government. Any person being the holder of a miner's right shall be entitled to mine for gold, construct dams and water-races, to cut timber for firewood and for gold-mining purposes, and do all other acts (or works) connected with (or appertaining to) gold-mining operations on places open (not reserved) within the boundaries of the land hereinbefore described, excepting that the right to fell kauri timber is reserved. Any person desiring to cut any kauri timber must pay the sum of one pound five shillings for each tree required by him. No person will be allowed to cut ordinary timber for iirewood or fencing, or for any other purpose for sale to any other persons. Any person desiring to do so must obtain a miner's right and a timber license empowering him in that behalf. The payment for every such timber license shall be five pounds per annum. The money derived from such timber licenses and from the sale of such kauri timber shall belong to the Native owners of the land on which the timber is situate. This money shall be paid to an olficer of the Government in the first instance, and shall be paid (or handed over) by him to the Natives to whom the land belongs. The days for the payment of the said money shall be the same as the days for the payment (or division) of the money for the miners' rights hereinafter specified. 4. In consideration of the Chiefs and People of Ngatiporou, of Harataunga, and their heirs giving over all the said piece of land to Sir George Ferguson Bowen, Governor of New Zealand, and the Governors who shall succeed him, he hereby consents to pay to the said Chiefs and People of Ngatiporou, of Harataunga, and their heirs, one pound for each miner's right which shall be issued to any person for gold mining or for cutting timber within the boundaries of the said land during each year of the continuance of this agreement, the first year to commence from the 13th day of May instant, 1868. The days for the payment of the money shall be the 31st day of March, the 30th day of June, the 30th day of September, and the 31st day of December in each year. 5. If any person, being the holder of a miner's right for the gold fields at Harataunga, shall remove to another place before the expiration of the year specified in his miner's right, there shall be paid to the said Chiefs and People of Ngatiporou such portion of the money of such miner's right as shall be equivalent to the period for which such person shall have remained on the said land. 6. The duration of this Agreement shall be for such term as Sir George Ferguson Bowcn, Governor of New Zealand, and the Governors who shall succeed him, shall require the above-described piece of land for gold-mining purposes. Provided that if at any time Sir George Ferguson Bowen, Governor of New Zealand, and the Governors who shall succeed him, shall desire to terminate gold mining on the said land, or on a portion thereof, a previous notice of not less than six months shall be given. In witness of the consent of the Chiefs and People of Ngatiporou, of Harataunga, to all the terms and conditions of this Agreement, they have hereunto signed their names; and in witness of the consent of Sir George Ferguson Bowen on his part to all the said conditions, the name of James Mackay, jun., is hcrcunder subscribed, on the day and in the year first above written. ropata noatai, Tapiata Kiwi, Parateke Pahatj, his x mark, HiniNi Kouta, Matiit Paeboa, Hakatiera Humaee, Hakopa Ihaka, James Mackay, jun. Witnesses to the signatures of Ropata Ngatai, Tapiata Kiwi, Paratene Pahau, Hirini Kouta, Matiu Paeroa, Haratiera Humare, Hakopa Ihaka, and James Mackay, jun.— John Gwynneth, Gold Fields Surveyor, Kennedy's Bay. W. Charles Spencer, Interpreter, Civil Commissioner's Office, Auckland. Ko tenei Pukapuka i tuhituhia i tenei te iwa o nga ra o Noweina i te tau o to tatou Ariki Kotahi mano c waru rave ono tekau ma whitu (1867) He pukapuka whakaae na matou nga Rangatira me me nga tangata o Ngatitamatera mo matou me o matou uri kia tukua atu ki a Ta Hori Kerei Kawana o Niu Tireni me nga Kawana i muri i a ia o maton piihi katoa ka timata i te Mamaku haere tonu i te taha o te moana ki Moehau haero tonu i te taha o te moana ki Whitianga haere tonu i te robe o nga whenua o Ngatihe me Ngatimaru ma kite Mamaku kite wahi i timata ai Ko enei whonua katoa he whenua mahinga koura mo te Kawana me ana c whakarite ai ara ko o matou wahi katoa ki roto ki aua rohe kua puaro he whenua mahinga koura hcoi nga piihi i kape ki waho ko nga whenua o etahi

A.—No. 17.

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REPORT BY MR. MACK AY RELATIVE TO

atu iwi me nga kainga nohoanga ngakinga kai ma matou me nga wahi tapu: Na ko nga tikanga enci i roto i tana tukunga ara. 1. E kore c tika kia haere noa iho te tangata kite keri koura i runga i aua whenua engari kia matua whiwhi ia kite " MainaEaiti " katahi ka tika: Ko te utu ote MainaEaiti kotahi, Kotahi pauna (£1) Kua riro te Mama Eaiti ite tangata ka whai mana ia kite mahi i nga main katoa i huainatia he mahinga koura. 2. Me homai c te Kawana ki a matou Kotahi pauna (£1) mo ia " Mama Eaiti " mo ia " Mama Eaiti " ana puta kite tangata keri koura ki runga ki to matou piihi whenua Ko nga ra utunga o aua mom ki a matou kei te 31 o nga ra o Machete 30 o nga ra o Hune te 39 o nga ra o Hepetema te 31 o nga ra o Tihema i ia tau i ia tau o to whakapumautanga o tenei pukapuka : Engari kite haere ke te tangata ki runga kite whenua o tetahi iwi ke keri koura ai kaore ano kia mutu noa te tau i whakaritea ki roto ki tona Mama Eaiti i reira me whakaputa ki a matou nga mom c rite ana kite roa o tona nohoanga ki runga ki to matou whenua a kite haere mai te tangata kua whai Mama Eaiti mo te whenua o tetahi iwi ke atu me pera ano te tikanga hold me wahi tetahi taha o te moni ki a matou tetahi taha kia ratou. 3. Ko nga rakau Maori c hiahiatia ana c te kai-keri-koura he wahie he rakau mahinga koura me riro noa iho i a ia engari nga rakau "kauri" me utu ano ko te utu mo te "kauri" kotahi, Kotahi pauna c rima hereni (£1 55.) 4. Me whakaputa Ida matou c te Kawana E rima rail pauna inaiarei ho moni taunaha mo tenei whakaritenga engari ko aua moni me whakahoki atu ki a te Kawana ki roto ki nga moni o nga " Mama Eaiti " ana puta mai kia maton. 5. Ma te Kawana c whakarite nga kai-ruri mo nga piihi wheuua kua kape ki waho mo nga rohe ki etahi atu iwi. A he tohu mo to matou whakaaetanga mo matou me o matou uri ki nga tikanga katoa o tenei pukapuka me te tukunga o o matou piihi whenua katoa ki roto ki nga rohe kua tuhia ki runga ake nei ki a te Kawana kia mahia nga mahi katoa c huaina ana he mahinga koura kua tuhia o matou ingoa ki raro nei a he tohu hoki mo te whakaaetanga o te Kawana kua tuhia te ingoa o Henri Make Komihana ki raro o tenei pukapuka. Na Meha te Moananui, Paora Tupacn, Na Honana Potiki Wahataiki, Kahukura, Eiria Karepe, her x mark, Eapaua Pahono. his x mark, Hata Paka, Arama Tarakaw ra, his x mark, Nepihana, Karaitiana, Keremenita, his x mark, Pita te Hiangi, Hirawa, Matene Eutuhau, Paratene, Te Tira, Te Tahana, Poroa, Pehimana, Eriatera, his x mark, Eakena, Herata, her x mark, Karauria, Hiimaera, Paora Matutaera, his x mark, Piniha, his x mark, Hera Putea, her x mark, James Mackay, jun., Civil Commissioner, N.Z. "Witness to the signatures of Meha to Moananui, Honana Potiki te AVahataiki, Eiria Karepe, Hata Paka, Nepihana, Keremenita, Hirawa, Paratene, Te Tahana, Pehimana, Eakena, Karauria, Paora Matutaera, Hera Putoa,, Ilaora Tupaea, Kahukura, Eapaua Pahono, Arama Tarakawa, Karaitiana, Pita te Hiangi, Matene Eutuhau, Te Tira, Poroa, Eriatera, Herata, Hiimaera, Piniha, and James Mackay, jun.,— Hoori Paraone, James C. Boyd, Miner, Shorthand. Alexander Gillan. Miner, Shortland. Witness to the signature of Hoori Paraone — James C. Boyd, Miner, Shortland. Alexander Gillan, Miner, Shortland.

Enclosure Ja. O my Feiesd, Mr. Mackay,— Tuparoa, 23rd May, 18G8. Greetings to you. Your affectionate friend Bopata came here to me on the 21st of this month. I have just thoroughly heard that that person has given over Harataunga (Kennedy's Bay) to you entirely, that the Europeans may mine for gold under the administration of the new Governor of New Zealand. I have now heard of the arrangements which have been satisfactorily made by you two about that land, Eopata and you also. But the piece towards the sea is leased.* My word is "It is good." The annual payment is said to be £200. My word is "It is good." The price for the gold is set aside (separated from the other); also the payment for it; the rent is to be paid at the four yearly quarters. This is good, very good. But can any thought arise within me about that renting to do anything (to make any alteration). One piece of that land is reserved for the young people who are living there for their cultivation.f I am satisfied. The small pieces at the diggings, which you gave away to Eopata, are shark-fishing places for us; he was put down by you, but he pinched your heel. * Mr. Smart leases this land. + Alluding to two small pieces of land inside the boundaries -which Eopata asked to be allowed to retain and lease.

THE THAMES GOLD FIELDS.

29

A.—No. 17.

The external boundaries of that land were pointed out to me by Te Waipane, father of Paora Taputu. I wrote them. The commencement of the boundary is at Ohineperu (a spring of water), Piripirika (a fern hill), Taraingapoito, Te Pu (this is a hill), Tahatu, Te Eanga, Tau-o-Maroiri, Tokatea, Kaipaua, Waikoromiko, Pukeohiku, Hapapawera, Pukenui, Tapuae, Kakahiaroa, Pukeruru, Te Harakeka. This turns you look at. "Written by me, by your friend, Tuparoa, "Waiapu. Eaniera Kawiiia.

[teanslation.] E taktt Hoa c Te Maki,— Tuparoa, Mci 23, 18GS. Tena koe. Tenei ta taua hoa aroha, a Hopata Ngatai, kua tas mai nei ki au ite2l o nga ra nei. Tenei ahau ka rongo taketake kua tino tukua atu a Harataunga c tera ki a koe kia mahia te koura c te Pakeha i runga i te whakahaere a te Kawana o Nui Tireni. E hoa, tenei ano ahau ka rongo i nga tikanga mo taua whenua kua rite nei i a korua te whakatakoto pai, ko Eopata ko koe ano hold, ara kua wehea nei te taha kite piti nei hei reti whenua. Ko taku kupu tenei, c pai ana. Ko te utu mo te tau i meatia ai £200, &c. Ko taku kupu atu tenei, c pai ana. Ko te wahi mo te koura kua wehea me tona reti ano c 4 koata oto tau c tangohia ai tona reti. Kei te pai ano tenei, pai rawa. Otira tera c puta atu he whakaaro i roto iau mo tenei reti kia pelieatia. Ko totahi wahi kua whakatapua o taua whenua mo nga tamariki c noho nei ki reira hei oranga mo ratou. E pai ana au. Ko nga wahi ririki o te tikini i whakangawaritia nei c koe ki a Eopata, he matenga mango tena ki a matou ka riro ia i a koe ki raro, otira ka kmitia ake c ia to rekereke. Ko nga rohe o waho, ara, te rohe potae o waho o taua whenua na te matua o Paora Taputu, na Te "Waipanc i whakataki ki au naku i tuhituhi. Ko te timatanga oto rohe nui kei Ohineperu (he puna wai), Piripirika (lie puke rarauhe), Taraingapoito, Te Pit (he inaunga tenei), Tahatu, Te Eanga, Tau-o-Maroiri, Tokatea, Waikoromiko, Pukeohiku, Tapuae, Hapapawera, Kakahiaroa, Pukenui, Pukeruru, Te Harakeke. Ka huri mau c titiro. ITaku i tuhi, na to hoa, Tuparoa, "Waiapu. Na Eanieea Kawiiia.

Enclosure K. We have hereby agreed that all Europeans may prospect for gold on our pieces of land at "Whangapoua; and if gold is found in large (meaning payable) quantities, arrangements shall be made for that land similar (o those that have been concluded for the lands at Hauraki. "Written at Kapauga, this 15th day of October, 18G8. Moht Maxgakaiiia, Hamioea Manoakaiiia, Na Makoaee. Witness to signatures— James Mackay, jun., Civil Commissioner. Ktta whakaae matou kia haere atu nga Pakeha katou ki to kitni koura ki runga ki o matou piihi whenua kei Whangapoua, a te takiwa ka kitea nuitia te koura. ma whakarite marire te tikanga mo taua whenua kia rite ki nga tikanga kua oti mo nga whenua kei Hauraki. lie laea tuhituhi kei Kapanga i tenei to 15 o nga ra o Oketopa, 1868. Mom Maxgakahia, Hasiioea Mangakahia, Na Makoaee, "Witness to signatures— James Mackay, jun., Civil Commissioner.

Enclosure L. Thts Ageeement, ■written at Manaia, in the District of Hauraki, in ihe Province of Auckland,in the Colony of New Zealand, the fifteenth day of October, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and sixty-eight (1868), by the Chiefs and People of Ngatimaru and Te Taw era, of Mnnaia, on the one part, and Sir George Ferguson Bowen, Governor of New Zealand, on the other part: Witncsscth, the consent of all of them, thnt is of ihe Chief's and all the People of Ngatimaru and Te Tawera. of Manaia, on behalf of themselves and their heirs, to release (give over) to Sir George Ferguson Bowen, Governor of New Zealand, and the Governor who may succeed him. a certain piece of land situated in the District of Hauraki, for gold-mining purposes for himself and his assigns within the meaning of the statute entitled " The Gold Fields Act, i860." The boundaries of the said land commencing at the northern boundary of the lands of Ngatitamatera, at Te Euahine, thence proceeding along the line which has been laid down 1o Pongawhakairo, thence to Puketotara, thence proceeding along the ridge to the source of the Manaia Stream, thence continu ng along the ridge to Pukewharariki, thence to Tawhitirahi, thence to Te Tauiiti, thence to Maungakowa, thence coming out at the great road and going towards Mnnaia, by that great road to the boundary of the piece of land reserved for Native occupation and cultivation, thence along the (boundary) line of the said land which has been laid down to the Manaia Stream, and crossing the Manaia Stream and proceeding by the said line to To Tumutumu, thence continuing along the said line to the point of commencement 8

A.—No. 17,

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REPORT BY MR. MACKAY RELATIVE TO

at Te Ruahinc, as the same are defined in the map hereunto annexed. The following are the terms and conditions under which the said piece of land is given over for gold mining purposes, viz.: — 1. All lands within the said boundaries above described are open for gold-mining to all persons. 2. No person shall be allowed to mine for gold on the piece of land above described, unless he be the holder of a miners' right for that land empowering him in that behalf; the payment for every such miners' right shall be one pound per annum. 3. Miners' rights will be issued by an ofheer of the Government. Any person being the holder of a miner's right shall be entitled to mine for gold, construct dams and water-races, fell timber for gold-mining purposes and firewood, and do all other acts (or works) connected with or appertaining to gold-mining operations, on all the land within the boundaries hereabove described, excepting that the right to fell kauri timber is reserved. Any person desiring to cut any kauri timber must pay the sum of one pound five shillings for each tree required by him. No person will be permitted to cut ordinary timber for firewood, fencing, or for any other purpose, for sale to any other person. Any person desiring to cut timber for those purposes must first obtain a miner's right, and a timber license empowering him in that behalf. The payment for every such timber license shall be five pounds per annum. The money derived from such timber licenses and from the sale of such kauri timber shall belong to the Native owners of the land on which the timber is situate. This money shall, in the first instance, be paid to an officer of the Government, and shall be paid by him to the Natives lo whom the land belongs. The days for the payment of the said money shall be the same as the days for the payment of the miners' rights fees, hereinafter specified. 4. In consideration of the Chiefs and People of Ngatimaru and Te Tawera, of Manaia, and their heirs, giving over all the said piece of land to Sir George Ferguson Bowen, Governor of New Zealand, and the Governors who shall succeed him, for gold-mining purposes, for themselves and their assigns, Sir George Ferguson Bowen, Governor of New Zealand, on behalf of himself and the Governors who shall succeed him, hereby consents to pay to the said Chiefs and People of Ngatimaru and Te Tawera of Manaia, and their hcips, one pound for each miner's right which shall bo issued to any person for gold mining or for cutting timber within the boundaries of the land above described during each year of the continuance of this Agreement, the first year to commence from the Ist day of October, 1868, last past. The days for the payment of the money shall be the 31st day of March, the 30th day of June, the 30th day of September, and the 31st day of December in each year. 5. That the land above described is divided into two pieces, one piece to Ngatimaru, and the other piece to Tc Tawcra; the divisional boundary of the said pieces commences at Te Tumutumu ; thence to Kakawhitia; thence along the stream to To Tau o Tikohunui; thence to the Manaia Stream; thence by that stream to a direct line with Puketotara ; thence to Pukctotara; the northern side shall be the Ngatimaru's, and the southern side shall be Te Tawera's. If any person shall mine for gold or cut timber on either of the said pieces, the name of such piece shall be written in the miner's right of such person, with the date of his commencing the occupation thereof. If such person shall remove to the other piece, or to land belonging to another tribe, before the expiration of the twelve months for which his miner's right shall have been issued, the said person shall return his miner's right to the officer whose duty it is to issue such, in order that the day and month of his removal to the other piece, or to the land of another tribe, may be inserted therein. The moneys for such transferred miner's rights shall bo fairly apportioned (on the days for the payment of money) according to the period for which such person shall have remained on either such piece, or land belonging to another tribe. The money arising from miners' rights for the whole of the land shall be divided among the owners of each piece in proportion to the number of persons mining on the said pieces. 6. The duration of this agreement shall he for such term as Sir George Ferguson Bowen, Governor of New Zealand, and the Governors who shall succeed him, shall require the above described piece of land for gold-mining purposes : Provided always that if Sir George Ferguson Bowen, Governor of New Zealand, and the Governors who shall succeed him, shall desire to terminate gold mining on the said-land, not less than six months' notice of such intention shall first be given ; and when gold mining has ceased, all these lands shall be surely yielded up (or returned) to the Chiefs and People of Ngatimaru and Te Tawera, of Manaia. In witness of the consent of the Chiefs and all the People of Ngatimaru, and Te Tawera, of Manaia, to all the conditions of this Agreement, they have hereunto signed their names ; and, in witness of the consent of Sir George Ferguson Bowen on his part to all the said terms and conditions, the name of James Mackay, junr., Civil Commissioner, is hereuntosubscribed, on the day and in the year first above written. Te Marau, his x mark, "Wikiriwhi, his x mark, Waka Te Tuhi, his x mark, • Anarau Pahapaha, Paroto, lluka Hutaupoki, Paurini Waitaha, his x mark, Manuera Potae, his x mark. Witness—Henare Pango, James Mackay, jun. Policeman, Hauraki.

Ko tenei Pukapuka i tuituhia kei Manaia i te takiwa ki Hauraki i tc Porowhini o Akarana i t& Koroni o Niu Tircni i te tekau marima o nga ra o Okctopa i to tau o to tatou Ariki kotahi mano c waru rave ouo tckau mawaru (18GS) no nga Rangatira me nga tangata o Ngatimaru mo tc Tawera o Manaia tetahi taha no Ta Hori Pakitini Powene (Sir George Ferguson Bowen) Kawana o Niu Tireni tetahi taha He Pukapuka whakaatu mo te whakaactanga o ratou katoa ara o nga Rangatira me nga Tangata katoa o Ngatimaru me te Tawera o Manaia mo ratou me o ratou uri kia tukua atu ki a Ta

A.—No. 17.

THE THAMES GOLD FIELDS.

31

Hori Pakitini Powene (Sir George Ferguson Bowen) Kawana o Niu Tireni me nga kawana i muri i a ia tetahi piihi whaenua kei te takiwa ki Hauraki he whenua mahinga koura mona me ana i whakarite ai i ruuga i te tikanga o te ture i huaina " Te Ture mo nga whenua mahinga koura 18GG," ko nga rohe o taua whenua ka timata i te rolie ki raro o nga whenua o Ngatitamatera i te Ruahine liaere tonu ite rama kua oti whakatakoto tae noa ki Pongowhakairo haere tonu ki Puketotara haere tonu i runga i te taukaka tae noa ki to matapuna o te awa o Manaia haere tonu i runga i te taukaka ki Pukewharariki haere tonu ki Tawhitirahi haere tonu te Tautiti haero tonu ki Maungakawa katahi ka puta kite huarahi nui ka haere whaka-Manaia i taua hurahi nui tae noa te rohe ote piihi whenua kua oti te whakatapu he whenua ngakinga nohoanga mo nga tangata Maori haere tonu i te rania o taua whenua kua oti te whakatakoto tae noa kite awa o Manaia ka whiti ite awa o Manaia haere tonu i taua rama Te Tumutumu haere tonu i taua rama ki te wahi i timata ai i te Ruahine kua rite hoki kite niapi kua apititia ki tenei pukapuka A ko nga tikanga enei kua tuhia i raro nei mo te rironga o taua piihi whenua he whenua mahinga koura, ara : — 1. Ko nga whenua katoa ki roto ki aua whaka puaretia he whenua mahinga koura mo nga tangata katoa. 2. Ekore c tukua to tangata kia nahi noa iho i te koura i runga i taua piihi whenua kua tuhia ki runga ake nei engari kia mfitua riro i a ia to Mama Raiti (miner's right) lahi ka ka mo taua whenua tika tona Mahinga koura ko te utu mo te mama raiti (miner's right) kotahi, kotahi pauna (£1) mo te tau kotahi. 3. Ma totahi Apiha o te Kawanatanga c whakaputa nga mama. raiti (miner's right) a ka whiwhi te tangata ito mama raiti (miner's right) ka whai mana ia kite kcri koura ki to hanga whakamato wai kite keri i nga awa rerenga wai kite tapatapahi rakau maori mo nga mahinga koura mo te wahio me to mahi i nga main katoa c rite ana mo te mahinga koura ki runga ki to whenua katoa ki roto ki nga rohe kua tuhia ki runga ake nei engari nga rakau kauri kua kape ki waho c kore c tika kia tapahia era kite hiahia te tangata kia riro ia ia totahi rakau kauri me whakaputa cia nga moni Kotahi pauna c rima hcreni (£1 55.) he utu mo to rakau kotahi: Ekore hoki c tukua atu tetahi tangata kite tapatapahi i nga rakau maori he wahio ho taiepa aha rairei c hoko mana ki atahi atu tangata engnri ki to hiahia to. tangata kite mahi pera me matua whakarito cia tetahi mama raiti (miner's right) me tetahi Raihana Mahinga Rakau (timber license) me te utu hoki mo nga rakau "kauri" ko aua moni me tuku ki tetahi apiha o te kawanatanga i te tuatahi a mana hoki c tuku aua moni ki nga tangata Maori no ratou te whenua ko nga ra whakaputanga mo aua moni me penei me Ega ra tukunga mo nga moni o nga mama riti (miners' rights) kua tuhia ki raro nei. 4. Ko te whakaritenga tenei ki nga Rangatira me nga tangata Maori o Ngatimnru me te Tawera o Manaia me o ratou uri mo te rironca o tana piihi whenua katoa i a Ta Ilori Pakitini Powene (Sir George Ferguson Bowen) Kawana o Niu Tireni me nga Kawana i muri i a ia ho whenua mahinga koura ma ratou me a ratou i whakarite ai kua whakaaetia a Ta Hori Pakitini Powene (Sir George Ferguson Bowen) Kawana o Niu Tireni mona me nga Kawana i muri i a ia kia whakaputania ki aua Rangatira me aua Tangata o Ngatimaru me te Tawera o Manaia me a ratou uri kotahi pauna (£1) mo ia mania raiti (miner's right) kua oti te whakaputa ki ia tangata ki ia tangata mahi koura tapatapahi rakau ranei ki roto ki nga rohe o to wjienua kua tuhia ki runga ako nei i ia tau i ia tau o te whakapumautanga o tenei pukapuka. Ko te timatanga ote tau tuatahi kei te tahi o nga ra o Okctopa, 1868, kua pahemo nei ko nga ra whakaputanga moui kei te 31 o nga ra o Macho kei te 30 o nga ra o Hune kei te 30 o nga ra o Hepetema kei te 31 o nga ra o Tihema i ia tau i ia tau. 5. Engari kua wahia taua whenua kua tuhia ki runga ako nei kia rua nga piihi ko tetahi piihi ki a Ngatimaru ko tetahi piihi ki a to Tawora ko te roho wahanga o aua piihi ka timata i to Tumutunui haere tonu Eaukauwhitia hacro tonu ite awa te tau o Tikohunui haero tonu kite awa o Manaia haero tonu i taua awa kite ritenga ki Puketotara. Ko te taha whakararo o taua roho ki a Ngatimaru ma ko te taha whakarunga ki ate Tawera ma kite mea ka mahi to tangata ito koura ite mahi rakau ranei i tetahi o aua piihi me tuhi te ingoa o taua piihi ki to mama raiti o taua tangata mo te ra hoki i timata ai tona mahi i taua piihi a kite haere kc atu taua tangata ki tetahi piihi kite whenua ranei o tetahi iwi ke atu mahi ai kaore ano kia mutu noa te tau kua whakaritca ki roto ki tona mama raiti (miner's right) i reira me whakahoki atu c taua tangata i tona mama raiti (miner's right) kite Apiha whakaputa pera kia tuhituhia te ra me te marama o tona haerenga ki taua piihi whenua ko kite whenua o tetahi iwi ke ranei. Ko nga moni o nga mama raiti (miners' rights) pera me whakarite marire (i nga ra whakaputanga moni) kite wahi ote moni c rite ana kite roa ote nohoanga o taua tangata i tena piihi i tena piihi ite whenua o tetahi iwi ke ranei. Ko nga moni o nga mama raiti (miner's rights) o te whenua katoa me tuha ki nga tangata o tetahi piihi o tetahi piihi kia rite ano kite nui o nga kai mahi koura i aua piihi. 6. Xi a Ta Hori Pakitini Powene (Sir George Ferguson Bowen) Kawana o Niu Tireni me nga Kawana i muri i a ia te whakaaro mo Dga tau c pumau ai ki a ia kia ratou ranei to whenua kua tuhia ki runga ake nei mo te mahinga koura: Engari kite hiahia aTa Hori Pakitini Powene (Sir George Ferguson Bowen) Kawana o Niu Tireni me nga Kawana i muri i a ia kia mutu te mahinga koura i taua whenua me matua whakaatu taua hiahia ko te takiwa hei whakaaturanga kaua c neke iho i te ono marama ka mutu te mahinga koura me hoki tuturu ki nga Rangatira me nga Tangata o Ngatimaru me te Tawera o Manaia ki o ratou iwi ranei enei whenua katoa. A he tohu mo te whakaaetangata o nga Rangatira me nga tangata katoa o Ngatimaru me te Tawera o Manaia ki nga tikanga katoa o tenei Pukapuka kua tuhia o ratou ingoa i raro nei. Ahe tohu mo te whakaaetanga o Ta Hori Pakitini Powene (Sir George Ferguson Bowen) ki tona taha o aua tikanga katoa kua tuhituhia te ingoa o Tiemi Make (James Mackay, jun.). Komihana ki raro nei i te ra me te tau kua tuhia ki runga ake i to timatanga ano. To Marau, his x mark, Ruka Hutaupoki, "VVikiriwhi, his x mark, Paurini "Waitaha, his x mark, Waka te Tuhi, his x mark, Manuera Potae, his mark, Anaru Pahapaha, James Mackay, jun. Paroto, Kai-titiro Ilenare Pango, Pirihiinana Hauraki.

A.—No. 17

32

REPORT BY MR. MACKAY RELATIVE TO

Enclosure M. We, the undersigned people of Ngatitamatera, do fully consent to demise to Sir George Ferguson Bowen, Governor of New Zealand, all our pieces of land at Ohinemuri for gold-mining purposes for that Governor and those whom he may appoint, and the Governors who shall succeed him, and their assigns. The conditions under which the said lands are demised shall be similar to those for the gold fields at Hauraki. The boundaries shall be described at a future period. Signed by ua at Pukateanui Ohinemuri on this 19th day of December, 1868. Rapata te Pokiha, Rihi Arawira, her x mark, Wikiriwhi te Hautango, Harawira Kaitara, his x mark, Pereniki te Kokako, his x mark, Matenga Paraone, his x mark, Ngatai, Pakara Ngaroma, Pokai Riki Paka, Paora, Pukcpoto Pokai, his x mark, Ereatara te Ngarunui, Hoani Matia, Te Kepa Raharuhi, Timotiu, Hani Rewi, Epiha te Koiwi, Poihipi Hohun, Wata Hatara, Te Piriki te Tiunga, Remehia, Haira te Puihi, Wiremu Koroneho, Mereana Taurara, her x mark, Te Harawira Reweti, Timara, her x mark, Ko Hoera te Mimiha, Mete Pokihi, her x mark, Timiwha Taiwhakaea, Timoti Iluia, Ren at a Tamati, Peta te lleihei, his x mark, Ilira Wani, Reupena te Pia, his x mark, Te Kimara Tirauatine, Topi te Kahuwhani, Potae, his x mark, Tuainuku, his x mark, Tereiti te Aorere, her x mark, Te Puke, his x mark, Erana Kohiko, her x mark, Taraia Ngakuti, his x mark, Piihi te Ao, her x mark, Kiritiaua Tamihana, Paraone te Maupu, his x mark, Hemi Tamihana, Watana Taivvhakaia, his x mark, Matcne Kata, his x mark, Hokamohi, his x mark, Erueti Toanui, his x mark, Tupeka te Whiikamau, his x mark, Aperehama Tupou, his x mark, Hariata Paepumata Turner, her x mark, Ngakuku, his x mark, Te Rira, his x mark, Tini Poaka, his x mark, Ruiha Kemara, her x mark, Honana. James Mack ay, Witness to mark—■ Civil Commissioner. C. T. F. B. De Thierry. Ko matou nga tangata o Ngatifamatera kua oti nei o matou ingoa te tuhi i raro o tenei Pukapuka c tino whakaae ana kia luku atu kia Ta Hori Pakitini Powene (Sir George Ferguson Bowen) Kavvana o Nui Tireni o matou piihi whenua katoa kei Ohinemuri ho whenua mahinga koura mo taua Kawana me ana i whakarile ai me nga Kawana i muri iaia me a ratou i whakarite ai Ko nga tikanga mo aua whenua kua tukua atu nei me penei me nga tikanga mo nga whenua mahinga koura kei Hauraki. Ko nga rohe me ata whakahaere a teiahi wa c haere ake na. He mea tuhituhi na matou ki Pukateawainui kei Ohinemuri i ienci tekau ma iwa o nga ra o Tihema, 1868. Rapala te Pokiha, Rihi Arawira. her x mark, Wikiriwhi te Hautango, Harawira Kaitara, his x mark, Pereniki te Kokako, his x mark, Matenga Paraone, his x mark, Ngatai Pakara Ngaroma Pokai Eiki Paka Paora Pukepoto Pokai, hia x mark, Ereatara te Ngarunui Iloani Mataia, Te Kepa Raliaruhi Timoti, Hapi Rewi Epiha 1c Koiwi, ■ Poihipi Hohua Wata Hatara, Te Piriki te Tiunga Remehia, Haira te Puihi Wiremu Koroneho, Mereana Taurara, his x mark, Te Harawira Reweti Timara,'her x mark, Ko Hoera to Mimiha Mete Pokihi, her x mark, Timiwha Taiwhakaea, Timoti Huia Ren ata Tamati, Pitate Heihei, his x mark, Hira Wani, Reupena le Pia, his x mark, Te Kemara Tirauatine, Topi te Kahuwhara Potae, his x mark, Tuainuku, his x mark, Mira te Mimihia, his x mark, Te Puke, his x mark, Tereiti te Aorere, her x mark, Taraia Ngakuti, his x mark, Erana Kohiko, her x mark, Kiritiana Tamihana Piihi te Ao, her x mark, Hemi Tamihana, Paraone te Maupu, his x mark, Matene Kata, his x mark, Watana Taiwhakaia, his x mark, Erueti Toanui, his x mark, Hokamohi, his x mark, Aperehama Tupou, his x mark,

THE THAMES GOLD FIELDS.

A.-JTb. 17,

33

Tupeka te "Whakamau, his x mark, Ngnkuku, hia x mark, Hariata Parepumata Turner, her x mark, Tini Poapa, his x mark, Te Rira, his x mark, Honana. liuiha Kemara, her x mark, "Witness to mark, — C. T. F. Bn. de Thierry. Enclosure Ma. In consideration of Ropata te Pokiha and other persons of the tribe Ngatitamatera, of Hauraki, having this day ceded to Sir George Ferguson Bowen, K.G.C.M.G., Governor of New Zealand, all their lands at Ohinemuri, in the District of Hauraki, for gold-mining purposes, I, James Mackay, jun., Esquire, Civil Commissioner for the Colony of New Zealand, do hereby agree, for and on behalf of Her Majesty's Colonial Government, to pay to Ropata te Pokiha, and the other persons of the tribe Ngatitamatera signing the said Agreement the sum of one thousand five hundred pounds, as a deposit to bind the said Agreement. Five hundred pounds of the said sum to be a bonus for the cession of the said lands for gold-mining purposes, and one thousand pounds to be an advance repayable out of miners' rights fees hereafter to be received within the District of Ohinemuri. Signed at Ohinemuri, this nineteenth day of December, eighteen hundred and sixty-eight. James Mackay, jun., Civil Commissioner.

Enclosure Mb. Ohinemuri, 19th December, 1868. Feiend, ttie Govehnotc, —I have consented that the gold of Ohinemuri shall be yours, but I still have my land, you have the gold only. Taeaia Ncjakuti, his x mark. "Witness to signature — Bn. C. T. F. de Thierry, L.T. Ohinemuri, 19 Tehema, 1868. E hoa c te Kawana, —Kua whakaae ahau ko te koura o Ohinemuri ki a koe engari ko te whenua kei au ano toku whenua, kei a koe te koura anake. Taeaia Ngaktjti, hia x mark. "Witness to signature — Bn. C. T. F. de Thierry, L.T.

Enclosure Me. To Me. John Tiiorp — 26th October, 1868. I will give over my piece of gold (auriferous land) to Mr. Mackay. Really, really, there is no person to jump forth (or attempt) to retain it after me. All. From Te "Wano, Potae. Xi a Hone Taapa— Te Puke, Oketope 26, 1868. Ka tukua a ahau taku piihi koura ki aTe Make tuturu, tuturu. Kaore he tangata he peke mai kite pupuri i muri atu Heoi ano. Na Te "Wano, Na Potae,

Enclosure Md. To Me. Mackat, — Papaturoa, 23rd December, 1868. Mine is a word to you: do you think of me when you have reached your rejoicing, i.e. when you have attained your wish. 0 Friend, my word to you is, the kauri trees of Waitekauri—for one hundred let one hundred pounds be paid to me; however the arrangement is with you. All. From your friend, Te Wano Toiwhaee.

Xi a Te Make,— Papaturoa, Tihema 23,1868. He kupu naku ki a koe kia maliara koe ki au ma tae koe ki tou haringa. EPa taku kupu ki a koe ko nga kauri o Waitekauri, kotahi rau kia puta mai ki a au kotalii rau pauna ara kei i a koe te ritenga. Heoi ano. Na to hoa, Na Te "Wano Toiwhabe. Enclosure N. "We, the undersigned, consent to hand over (or release) to Sir George Ferguson Bowen, Governor of New Zealand, a piece of land in the District of Hauraki, named " Te Aroha," for gold-mining purposes for him and those whom he may appoint. The boundaries of this land commence at the Biver 9

REPORT BY MR. MACKAY RELATIVE TO

A.--No. 17.

34

"Waihau, at Paharakeke, thence to the summit of Te Aroha Auta, thence along the mountain range to Te Hakihaki, thence turning to the westward and proceeding to Haukaramea, beside the River Waihou, thence by that river to the point of commencement. The agreement (or understanding) about the rent for that piece of land is to be the same as the lands at Hauraki, which have been given up for gold-mining purposes; that is, the same as the conditions set forth in the document signed by the tribe Ngatimaru on the 9th day of March, 18G8, for their pieces of land at Hauraki. It is reserved to the Natives owning the lands between the base of the hills and the River Waihou the right to deal with such lands as they require for occupation, cultivation, or for leasing to Europeans as a dwelling-place for them. The right to mine for gold and do all acts appertaining thereto is all that is given over to the Governor. Signed by us at Ngaruawahia, in the District of Waikato, in the Province of Auckland, this 9th day of January, in the year 1869. Rihia, Iliaia Tioriori, his x mark, Hemi, Te Rewiti Waikato, Karauria Nganuhu, his x mark, AViremu te Wheoro, ' Tarika te Hura, Te Waka Tamaira, Perahaina Whetu, his x mark, Piripi Whanatangi. I, on behalf of Sir George Ferguson Bowen, Governor of New Zealand, consent to all the conditions of this Agreement. James Mackat, jun., Civil Commissioner, N.Z. "Witness to the signatures of Rihia, Hemi, Te Reweti Waikato, Ihaia Tioriori, Wiremu te "Wheoro, Tarika te Hura, Te Waka Tamaira, Perahama Whetu, Piripi Whanatangi, Karauria Ngarnuhu, and James Mackay, junior—■ H. B. Travers, Sub-Inspector A.C., Ngaruawahia. [translation.] Ko matott kua oti nei o matou ingoa te tuhituhi ki raro nei, c whakaae ana kia tukua atu ki a Ta Hori Pakitini Powene (Sir George Ferguson Bowen), Kawana o Niu Tireni, tetahi piihi whenua kei te takiwa ki Hauraki, ko Te Aroha te ingoa, he whenua mahinga koura, mona me ana i whakarite ai ko nga rohe o taua whenua ka timata ite awa o Waihou kei Paharakeke, haere tonu kite tihi oTe Arohaauta, haere tonu ki runga kite maunga ki Te Hakihaki ka whati i kona, ka rere whaka-te-bauauru ki Huakaramea, ite taha ote awa o Waihou, ka haere tonu i taua awa ki te wahi i timata ai. Ko te tikanga mo te reti mo taua piihi whenua me penei tonu me nga tikanga mo nga whenua kei Hauraki kua tukua atu mo te mahinga koura, ara me penei me nga whakaritenga i te pukapuka i tuhituhia c Ngatimaru ma ite iwa o nga ra o Maehe, 1868, mo o ratou piihi whenua kei Hauraki. Engari ma nga tangata Maori no ratou nga piihi whenua i waenganui o to aro maunga me te awa o Waihou to tikanga ki nga piihi i pai ai ratou he turanga whare, he ngakinga hei reti ki nga Pakeha, he nohoanga mo aua Pakeha; ko te mahinga koura anake kua tukua atu ki ate Kawana me nga mea c reti ana kite mahinga koura. He mea tutuhi na matou kei Ngaruawahia, i te takiwa ki Waikato, i te Porowini o Akarana, i tenei te iwa o nga ra o Hanuere, ito tau kotahi mano c waru rave ono te kau ma iwa. ISa Rihia, Na Hemi, Na Te Reweti Waikato, Karauria Ng.-imuhu, his x mark, Ihaia Tioriori, his x mark, Wireinu te Wheoro, Tarika te Hura, Te Waka Tamaira, Perahama Whetu, his x mark, Piripi Whanatangi. Kua whakaae nno ahau ki nga tikanga katoa o tenei pukakuka mo te taha ki a Ta Hori Pakitiui Powene (Sir George Ferguson Bowen) Kawana o Niu Tireni. James Mackat, jun., Civil Commissioner, N. Z. Witness to the signatures of Rihia, Hemi, Te Reweti Wakato, Karauria Ngamuhu, Ihaia Tioriori, Wiremu te Wheoro, Tarika te Hum, Te Waka Tamaira, Perahama Whetu, Piripi Whanatangi, and James Mackay, junior,— H. B. Travers, Sub-Inspector, A. C, Ngaruawahia. Enclosure 0. This Agbeement, written at Ohinemuri, in the Province of Auckland, in the Colony of New Zealand, this 9th day of Februar}', 1809, witnesseth the consent of us, the persons whose names are written hereunder, to demise to Sir George Ferguson Bowen, Governor of New Zealand, and the Governors who shall succeed him, a certain piece of land situated in the District of Ohinemuri lor gold-mining purposes

THE THAMES GOLD FIELDS.

A.—No. 17.

35

for Sir George Ferguson Bowen and the Governors who shall succeed him. The name of the said piece is Waitekauri; the boundary commences at Wharerata, thence to Te Putanga, Kotarutaru, Tapatu, Wairnana. This is the north-western boundary. The conditions for the said land: it shall be granted to us by the Crown, and if gold should be discovered in that land, it shall be right for the Governor to mine for the gold of the said piece ; and in testimony of our consent to all the conditions of this Agreement, we have hereunder signed our names on the day and in the year first above-cited. Karena, Keti Tamihaxa, Hirini Tamiiiana, his x mark, Te Poari. Witness to the signatures —11. F. Way. Ko tenei Pukapcka i tuhituhia ki Ohinemuri i te Porowini o Akarana i te Koroni o Niu Tireni i tenei te iwa o nga ra o Pepuere, 1809, he Pukapuka whakaatu mo te whakaaetanga o matou nga tangata kua oti nei o ratou ingoa te tuhituhi i raro na kia tuku atu ki a Ta Hori Pakitini Powene Kawana o Niu Tireni me nga Kawana i muri i a ia tetahi piihi kei te takiwa ki Ohinemuri he whenua mahinga koura mo Ta Hori Pakitini Powene me nga Kawana i muri i a ia ko te ingoa o taua piihi ko Waitekauri ka timata te rohe ki Wharerata haere tonu Te Putanga ko te Kotaratara Te Rua Kerikeri ko Horahora ko te Apatahi ko Tapatu ko Waimana ko te rohe tenei kite tuaraki ko te tikanga mo tena whenua mo karauna karaati ki a matou engari me ka kitea te koura kei taua whenua katahi ka tika kia mahi a te Kawana i te koura o taua piihi a he tohu mo to matou whakaaetanga ki nga tikanga katou o tenei pukapuka kua tuhia o matou ingoa ki rato nei i te ra me te tau kua tuhituhia ki runga ake i te timatanga ano. Karena, Keti T.vmihana, Hirini Tamiiiana, his x mark, Te Poari, his x mark. Kai-titiro kite tuhinga o nga ingoa—ll. F. Way.

Enclosure P. This Agreement written on the seventeenth day of April, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and sixty-nine, between the Chiefs of the tribe Ngatimaru, the name of whom are underwritten, on the one part, and Sir George Ferguson Bowen, Governor of New Zealand, on the other part: Witnesseth the consent of the Chief's, the names of whom are underwritten, for themselves and their heirs, to demise to Sir George Ferguson Bowen, and the Governors who shall succeed him, a certain piece of land situated in the District of Ilauraki for gold-mining purposes for himself and his assigns, •within the meaning of "The Gold Fields Act, 18G(J," and "The Gold Fields Act (Native Lands), 1868." The boundaries of that piece of land commence at the mouth of the Hape Stream, at Kauaeranga, thence by low water-mark of the River Waiwhakaurunga to the mouth of that river at low water spring tides, thence by low water-mark to a post standing at the sea side (at low water), thence in a straight line in an easterly direction to the mouth of the Karaka Stream at high water-mark, thence by high water-mark along the sea beach to the point of commencement at the mouth of the Hape Stream, as shown in the map hereunto annexed. The following are the conditions under which this land is demised for gold-mining purposes, viz., all the conditions contained in the Agreement to demise lands for gold-mining purposes made at Hauraki, on the ninth day of March, 18(>S. between the Chiefs of Ngatimaru and Ngatinaunau, on the one side, and Sir George Ferguson Bowen, Governor of New Zealand, on the other part, shall be enforced over lhat piece of land (the number of that document as per duty stamp being 642, and the said stamp being defaced 17th March, 1809) ; that is, all the arrangements for mining for gold and for payments to us, and all other condiiions, shall be the same as those which are written in that document. In witness of the consent of us Chiefs, the names of ■whom are underwritten, to all the conditions of this Agreement, ard of Sir George Ferguson Bowen, for himself and the Governors who shall succeed him for his part of this Agreement, and all the ■conditions hereinbefore written, they have signed their names hereunto, and the name of James Mackay, jun., Civil Commissioner, on the day and iv the year first above-written. W. H. TAiPAisr, Hoterene Tauwri, his x mark, Mekemaxa Kohui, Signed by me on behalf of the Governor — James Mackay, jun., Civil Commissioner. Signed in the presence of vs — John Thorp, Builder, Shortland. Lambert Wm. Loveday, Clerk, Shortland. Ko tenei Pukapuka i tuhituhia i tenei te 17 o nga ra o Aperira, i to tau o io tatou Ariki kotahi mano c waru rave ono tekau ma iwa (i860), no nga Eangatira o Ngatimaru kua Uihia o ratou ingoa ki raro tetahi taha no Ta Hori Pakitini Powene (Sir George Ferguson Bowen), Kawana o Niu Tireni tetahi taha He Pukapuka whakaatu mo te whakaaetanga o ratou ara o nga BaDgatira kua tuhia o ratou ingoa ki raro nei mo ratou me o ratou uri kia tukua atu ki a Ta Hori Pakitini Powene (Sir George Ferguson Bowen), Kawana o Niu Tireni me nga Kawana i muri i a ia tetahi piihi whenua kei te takiwa ki Hauraki he whenua mahinga koura maname ana i whakarite ai i runga i te tikanga o teture i huaine " To Ture mo nga whenua mahinga koura, 18G6," me " Te ture whakahou i etahi tikanga mo nga whenua mahiuga koura, 1808." Ko ngarohe o taua whenua katimata ite ngutu awa ote Hape kei Kauaeranga

A.—No. 17.

36

REPORT RELATIVE TO THE THAMES GOLD FIELDS.

haere tonu ite awa o "Waiwhakaurunga ite mutunga tai timu kite Ngutu awa tai timu i nga tai tai nunui haere tonu i te mutunga tai timu ki tetahi pou c tv ana i te talia o te Moana haere maro tonu i reira ahu tonu kite marangai kite awa ote karaka ite mutunga taipari haere tonu ite mutunga taipari i te taba talia moana tae noa ki to wahi i timata ai i te kongutu awa o te Hapo kua rite hoki ki te mapi kua apititia ki tenei pukapuka na ko nga tikanga enei mo te rironga o taua piihi whcnua he whcnua mahinga koura, ara: Ko nga tikanga katoa kua tuhituhia kite pukapuka tukunga koura i tuhia ki Hauraki ite iwa o nga ra o Maehe, 18G8, no nga llangatira o Ngatimaru me Ngatiwhanaunga tetahi taha no Ta Hori Pakitini Powene (Sir George Ferguson Bowen), Kawana o Niu Tiretii tetahi taha m 3 whakarite mo taua piihi whcnua. (The number of that document as per duty stamp being 512, and the said stamp being defaced 17th March, 1869.) Ara, ko nga tikanga mo te Mahinga koura me te whakaritenga utu ki a matou me nga tikanga katoa mo penei tonu me nga tikanga kua oti te tuhituhi i taua Pukapuka. A he tohu mo te Whaaetanga o matou ntja Eangatira kua tuhia o matou iii";oa ki raro nei ki njja tikanga katoa o tcnei pukapuka a hei tohu mots whakaaetanga o Ta Hori Pakitini Powene (Sir George Ferguson Bowen), mona me nga Kawana i inuri i a ia ki toua taha o tenei pukapuka me nga tikanga katoa kua tuhia ki runga ake nei kua tuhia o ratou ingoa me te ingoa o Tiemi Make (James Mackay, jun.) Komihana ki raro nei mo te Kawaua i te ra mo tc tau kua tuhia ki runga ake i to timatanga ano. Na W. 11. Taipari, Hotene Taipaei, tona x tohu, Mebemana Konui. Signed in the presence of vs — John Thorp, Builder, Shortland. Lambert VVm. Loveday, Clerk, Shortland. Enclosure Q. " Native Lands Act, 1865," and " Natite Lands Act, 1867." Proposed Restrictions in Crown Grants of Lands icillrin the Town of Shortland, Thames. At a sitting of the Native Lands Court of New Zealand, held at Auckland, in the said District, on the 20th day of April, 18C9, and following days, before Francis Dart Fentou, Esq., Chief Judge, and Wiremn Te Mete Hikairo, Assessor. 1. Upon hearing the parties, and upon evidence taken, it was ordered that the presiding Judge do report the opinion of the Court that it is proper to place the following restrictions and conditions on the estate to be granted in the block of land containing acres roods perches, called in the books of the said Court the Block, that is to say, that the grant shall be made subject to the power of the Governor of New Zealand for the time being, so long as the said piece or parcel of land shall be within the limits of any proclaimed gold field, to authorize gold mining thereon within the meaning and subject to the provisions of " The Gold Fields Act, L 866," " The Gold Fields Act Amendment Act, 1807," " The Gold Fields Act Amendment Act, 18G7, No. 2," " The Gold Fields Act Amendment Act, 1868," and all other enactments relating to gold fields in New Zealand now op hereafter to be in force, and all regulations made or to be made thereunder, and the said piece or parcel of land being declared to be inalienable except as subject to the said power. 2. Subject also to the power of the Governor of New Zealand for the time being, or of any person appointed by the Governor for the time being for that purpose in the name and on behalf of (his or their) heirs and assigns within one year from the date of the issue of the Certificate of Title of the said piece or parcel of land, to demise the same or any part or parts thereof for any period not exceeding twenty-one years, to take effect from the Ist January, 1869, at the best rent that can be reasonably obtained without any fine, and subject to such covenants, stipulations, and conditions as the Governor, or such person as may be appointed as aforesaid, shall deem expedient, and to make and execute all such contracts, deeds, and assurances as may be deemed necessary or expedient for the purposes aforesaid, and the said piece or parcel of land being declared to be inalienable except as subject to the said power. 3. Subject also to so much of the said piece or parcel of land as is marked on the plan drawn on the Certificate of Title hereto annexed a road links wide, and therein distinguished by being coloured yellow, being declared to be dedicated to public uses for ever as a road or highway for all purposes whatsoever, with full power to all persons or bodies who may at any time have the care and management of such road to employ all usual necessary and incidental means for forming, using, maintaining, improving, and altering the same as and for a public road or highway, and for constructing or carrying out any improvements or works whatsoever for public uses, and being declared to be inalienable except as subject to such uses and powers. "Witness the hand of Francis Daiit Fenton, Esq., Chief Judge, and the Seal of the Court, the day of 186 . The above limitations, Nos. 1, 2, and 3 should be put in all the Certificates from No. 1 Block to No. 32 Block inclusively, excepting as regards the cultivation reserve on Block 27. Limitation No. 3 only should be put in all the Certificates from No. 33 Block to No. 48 Block inclusively. Enclosure R. Sketch Map of Thames Gold Fields, showing Proclaimed Gold Fields, Native Blocks, <fee.