FURTHER REPORTS FROM LAND PURCHASE OFFICERS. TAUPO, BAY OF PLENTY MURIMOTU, AND WANGANUI.

Appendix to the Journals of the House of Representatives, 1875 Session I, C-04a

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1875. NEW ZEALAND.

FURTHER REPORTS FROM LAND PURCHASE OFFICERS. TAUPO, BAY OF PLENTY MURIMOTU, AND WANGANUI.

Presented to loth Houses of the General Assembly by Command of His Excellency.

JNO. 1. 30th JUNE, 1875. Mr. James Booth to the Under Secretary Native Department Wellington, July 18, 18<o. ~ In forwarding the accompanying return, showing my operations in land purchase negotiations I have the hono?to call your attention to the following facts m connection with the purchase of lands'on the West Coast, lying between the -Waikanae River to the south, and the Manawatu River to the North^ h^e beea leted jn thig digtrict dri the pa , fc year am?U Nt to 40,248 acres in seventeen blocks, for which £'1405 ss. Od. has been paid, being at the rate of five shilling an acre for 111 flat land, and one and sixpence an acre for hilly country. This price having been fairly established on the West Coast, there will be no difficulty in completing the purchases of the remainingbloc^att o he e samera h tes. a rf d f months 0^ private speculators, who offered prices very much in advance of those offered by Government; but E considerable discussion theWe owners were convinced that the advantages derivable from deaW directly with Government in the shape of roads, bridges, and available reserves would more than compensSe for the difference in price. They therefore determined to sell to Government only, and ud to the present time, for some months past, there has been no further attempt at interference. I P n all cas^si; which blocks of land have been offered for sale care has been taken that proper reserves, in accordance with the requirements of the Native Land Act, 1873, should be made and these reserves, as soon as the surveys of them are completed, will be brought under the operation of the ACt"l am very pleased to be able to report, that in almost every instance in which former advances have been made on account of these blocks, the Natives have acknowledged their liability, and have allowed the deductions to be made, thus, in completing the purchases of the seventeen blocks above mentioned, I have recovered the sum of £1552 15s. 3d.; these advances have been made by various land purchase officers, and embrace a period of several years. IPn concluding this part of my report, I would add that although 46,000 acres out of a probable 300,000 acres for sale may seem a small proportion for the time spent in negotiation, it must be borne in mind that each separate small block, although possibly containing but a few hundred acres, entails as much work as a block of a hundred thousand acres would do. The grantees, also are generally Tcatter^d about in different parts of the country, and .ach one has to be hunted up and his signature obtained before the transaction can be completed. nUni™™ g During the past year, it has been necessary to send an officer for the purpose of obtaining signatures, to Wairarapa Napier, Taupo, Tauranga, and other parts of the country. Againi it has been a matter of absolute necessity that I should absent myself for lengthened periods to attend other parts of the district in which land purchase negotiations are going on. 1 C—4a.

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Murimotu District. During the past year arrangements have been made to lease a block of land in this district, containing by estimation 300,000 acres; a deed of agreement to lease has been signed by one hundred and six claimants to the land in question. Considerable delay has been caused by dissensions among the claimants themselves as to the extent of their respective claims. I spent a considerable portion of time in the Murimotu District during the past summer. I suggested both personally and througli other officers of the Department that the most direct way out of these difficulties was to have the land surveyed and passed through the Native Land Court; this advice has been adopted by a large proportion of the claimants, and applications are now being made by them to Government to have the land surveyed. The country embraced within the terms of the proposed lease is divided into several blocks, viz., Murimotu proper, containing 46,000 acres, Murimotu-Patea, containing 100.000 acres, Ruanui-Eangiwaea and other lands stretching up to the base of the Ruapehu mountain. The greater portion is good sheep grazing country, covered with Native grasses; the land towards the base of the mountain is of a poorer description. Other blocks in the Murimotu District, mostly bush, and offered for sale during the past year, are, (1.) Okaka, acreage not estimated. (2.) Otairi, between Rangitikei and Murimotu, acreage not estimated. (3.) Te Arapakiaka, acreage not estimated. Wanganui District. Lands offered for sale in this district are, ' (1.) Tokomaru, containing about 30,000 acres. It has been surveyed during the year. Bush country, generally rough. Soil of excellent quality. (2.) Pikopiko, No. 3. 2,700 acres—adjoins land already acquired by Government. (3.) Wanganui Kai-iwi block. This is a very large block, extending from Wanganui to Waitotara. The western boundary being boundary of Crown Land. Survey now going on. (4.) Oteka, near Waitotara. Survey now going on. Upper Wanganui District. Lands offered for sale in this district during the past year are, (1.) Kirikau (survey completed) contains 17,000 acres, price agreed to, 2s. 6d. per acre, Government to pay survey and Court expenses. Survey expenses are estimated at about 6d per acre. This land is mostly bush. Soil of good quality. (2.) Retaruke. Surveyed acreage, 21,600 acres. Price and conditions same as for Kirikau. (3.) Kawautahi. About 5000 acres. Conditions as for above blocks. (4.) Te Kopanga. Acreage not estimated. (5.) bauhungatahi. Very large block. Acreage not yet estimated. Situated to the west of Tongariro. Contains good sheep country. (C.) Maung'aporau. Survey now going on. Land mostly bush, rough. Soil of good quality. (7-) Ngarakauwhakaaraara. Survey now going on. Mangaoira, in Wanganui-Rangitikei District, acreage not yet estimated. I have, &c, The Under Secretary, Native Department, James Booth, Land Purchase Branch, Wellington. Land Purchase Officer.

No. 2. Messrs. Mitchell and Davies to the Under Secretary, Native Department. Sir, — Lake Taupo, 10th July, 1875. Since our last report we have had some difficulties to encounter in our land operations, which at times threatened to bring about a collapse. Some of the Arawa chiefs, acting- under the advice of the Hawke's Bay Natives and their Pukeka friends, whose opposition to the present Government is well known, have, by petitions to the Assembly, by numerous letters and telegrams, and by various other means, endeavoured to stay our land proceedings in the Arawa country. The various petitions and other communications forwarded by the Arawa generally, have been notable only for the gross misrepresentations they contained, and in these demonstrations they have all well borne out the ancient proverb accorded to them by the universal voice of the Maori tribes, " Te Arawa Mangai Nui"—"The big-mouthed Arawa." Added to the wanton troublesomeness of these Arawa tribes, their cupidity has been excited, and their known character of dishonesty encouraged by private mdi viduals, who persistently endeavour to lease and buy Maori lands within our district, although they well know that it is impossible, under the circumstances, to obtain a legal title, and by foolishly bargaining with unscrupulous Arawas, they are but wasting time and money; and no doubt, at some future period, when driven to their wit's end, they will fall back as their predecessors have done, on the Government for compensation, with what show of justice remains to be seen. We have pleasure in stating, however, that notwithstanding the violence of the opposition and the various obstacles

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referred to with which we have had to contend, land matters at present throughout the whole of our district, as far as our operations are concerned, are standing- upon a most satisfactory basis ; and now that the Arawas have discovered that we unflinchingly adhere to the principles of truth and justice, and that their threats are either treated with indifference or met by sound argument, their feelings have become somewhat mollified, and they profess to be desirous of aiding the Government scheme, which, indeed, does not surprise us, as they are sufficiently intelligent to see that such a course will be advantageous to themselves. Although we looked upon the great meeting held in March last at Maketu as the outcome of ungovernable cupidity on the part of the leading chiefs who advocated that movement, still it was a satisfactory mode of laying bare the utter baselessness on which extortionate demands were made, and evidencing- before an impartial tribunal of both races the complete groundlessness of their accumulated g-rievances. It will be remembered perhaps tliLt we intimated in our last general report the probability of our success in respect to purchasing the block of land at Maketu, known as Te Puke, in which case our operations would be extended to Maketu flats, known as Te Papanui, Paengaroa, &c. We have to state that the proposed line of action we then yentured to suggest was carried out by us. We treated with the Waitaha and Tapuika tribes, to whom it was fully known the land really belongs ; and although the " toa" element raised its crest, our determined indifference towards the " toa" on the grounds of justice so thoroughly convinced them of the untenabloness of their position and the fictitiousness of their claims, that they agreed to confine their demands to a few hundred acres of worthless sandy soil near the sea coast, which includes Te Tumu, the famous battle ground, where the Ngaiterangi were worsted. Having succeeded in obtaining the assent and signatures of the resident Natives at Maketu of the Waitaha and Tapuika tribes, we proceeded to Auckland and Coromandel peninsula, where a number of the same tribes resided, whose signatures were obtained to our deeds, and who warmly repudiated any claim whatever to the lands of their ancestors made by the " toa," statin"- that the Ngatiwhakaue and others, claiming as ''toa," put forward these fictitious claims for the purpose of extorting money, taking advantage of the ignorance of the Pakehas as regards these Maori questions. With these sayings and other arguments of our own, showing the fallacies of the " toa" claims, the whole element suddenly collapsed, and we were told by them to go on with the ancestral claimants, but that as an act of grace they, the "toa," hoped not to be overlooked. After the settlement, as far as could be accomplished, of Te Puke, Te Papanui and Paengaroa blocks referred to above, we proceeded to Kotorua, and held an open conference with all the tribes in. that locality in relation to the purchase of 20,000 acres of wooded land, known as Te Rotohokahoka block, and after a careful investigation as to the nature of the multitudinous claims, we paid as deposits the sum of £500 thereon; subsequently we held a series of meetings at Te Wairoa with Tuhourangi on the Eotohokahoka purchase, and on the leases of Paeroa, Tumunui, Rotomahana, and other places. We succeeded in arguing down the opposition of the body of Tuhourangi chiefs, who call themselves the " Putaiki," and of obtaining their consent to the purchase of Rotohokahoka, and to the leases in. question. The chiefs of Tuhourangi, Te Rangiheuea, and others whose claims to the Koutu Block at Ohinemutu, on which the Armed Constabulary, in command of Sub-Inspector Gascoine, are at present located, agreed to lease their interest in the block,"and we accordingly paid to them a deposit, securing at the same time their signatures to our deed. At the same meeting the most violent opposition was raised by all present to the claims of Henare Te Pukuatua as regards Matakana lands, Tumunui, Kapenga, and other places, on which lands it was suggested the advance made to Henare by the Government of £250 should rest. Some of Henare's own relatives, who were present, suggested that he should give to Government as an equivalent lands at Maketu, if he had any there, which they said was questionable. All our attempts to settle the above money question having signally failed, we moved on to Ohinemutu, where we held meeting after meeting on the subject of the Koutu lease ; but in consequence of the hostile attitude assumed by the chief Temuera Te Amohau and his adherents, we deemed it wise to relinquish for the ti*ne being further actual negotiations. It should be stated, however, that immediately after some of the party broke away from Temuera, sanctioning the lease by affixing their signatures thereto, and taking a small deposit. Among those who signed were Henare Te Pukkuatua, his wife Nataria, Paratomeo, Te Puke, Te Wharekino, Te Upokotareoa, Pahiriko, and Te Poroa. Others of the Ngatiwhakaue expressed their desire to sign the deed, but their demands being objectionable on the score of exorbitancy, we refused to entertain their propositions. The question of the Parekarangi lease having been mooted at the same time, a general meeting was convened on the subject, the result of which was the obtaining of a number of signatures to our lease, and the payment of £15 deposit to parties who had previously opposed the transaction. Prior to the matters detailed above, it is necessary to remark that we paid a visit to the Arawa chiefs residing at Ohiwa, with whom originated the idea of leasing the Koutu block to the Government; they also sanctioned the sale of the Puke block, Te Papanui, and other places at Maketu, and those connected with either Waitaha or Tapuika received small pajments in extinguishment of their claims. We also obtained here the signatures necessary to complete the title to the military award blocks of Ngatikereru, Ngatirangiteaorere, and Ngatiuenukukopako. The subject of the Mangorewa lands claimed by the Ngatirangrwewehi tribe, was also a subject of discussion, as to whether any portion should be sold or leased to Government. It transpired that the members of the tribe generally had signed a paper transferring all power and authority to their chief Mita Hikairo, of the Native Lands Court Office, Auckland, who was to act on his own judgment as far these lands are concerned. We sought an interview with Hikairo on the occasion of onr visit to Auckland in October, 1874, and he gave us to understand that until he obtained Crown grants for the lands in question, he would not be inclined to treat either with Government or private parties. He however withdrew all opposition to the purchase of the Eotahokahoka block in which he was known to have an interest. In connection with the subject of Rotahokahoka, we may add that, in consequence of our action relative to the purchase ot that

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"block, theNgatiraukawa tribe, professing to have claims thereon,convenedameeting at TeWhetu,to which it was deemed advisable to send Mr. Young, who reported that about 170 Natives were present, some of ■whom were delegates from the Hauhau country, and, after three days' discussion, the Hauhau party concluded by remarking1 that the block of land in question must be settled by the Eotorua Natives, and by those of the Te Whetu party who had interest in the soil, and that it was a mistake to summon them(the Hauhaus)from a long distance to take part in amatter with -which they had really nothing whatever to do. It should be stated that Arekatera te Puni, with whom originated the offer of the Rotohokahoka Block to Government for sale, and to whom a deposit of £150 was paid, and whose business it was to "be present at the meeting referred to, to argue down the opposition, failed from fear or some other cause to appear, but TeKepate Marama,a chief of the Ngatiuenukukopako tribe, who also received adepositof £150 on the block, manfully withstood the hostile attitude, assumed by the Ngatiraukawa in relation to the itotahokahoka, and told them in direct terms that the Government should have the land, and that he should accompany the surveyor, and that his interests, would be unceasing-nntil the final settlement of the purchase. Te Kepa's determined standing had, Mr. Young is of opinion, the desired effect upon the opponents, and we are glad to record that some of the opposition party are now anxious to assist in the survey. At Whakatane, we met the chiefs Rangitukehu and Tiopira, with whom we held a lengthy conference regarding lands at Rangitaiki, previously leased to Government. We arranged to convene a large meeting at their settlement Kokohinau, for the purpose of bringing together the various conflicting elements, in the hope of satisfactorily settling all the differences on the spot. At the request of Eangitukehu, the meeting has been delayed until August next. The Whakatane tribes were anxious to deal with us for the sale of certain lands claimed hy them; but these lands being outside the boundary lines of our district, we referred them to Mr Wilson. At Te Awa-a-te Atua, numerous meetings were held with Wiremu Kepa te Bangipuawhe, Te Wikiriwhi Te Tualm, Arama Karaka, and other influential chiefs, together with their people. The subjects put before the meetings were the leases of Kaingaroa and Rerewhakaitu, and it was agreed that a day should be fixed by consent of Government for the investigation of title, to insure the validity of leases. It was also proposed to sell to Government the Military Award Block at Matata, claimed by the Tuhourangi, containingupwards of 4,000 acres. Next in order is our visit to Taupo, where we were met l>y the chiefs Topia Turoa, Matuahu, Te Heuheu, and Paurini, accompanied by all the surrounding tribes. After a series of preliminary meetings were held at Tapuaeharuru, on the leases and purchases generally, local gatherings took place at Omatangi, Opepe, aud Runanga, where were offered some of the signatures of the grantees of Runanga No. 2, and Tauhara middle. We arranged also a lease of Runanga No. ], from certain counter claimants, and completed the title of the Taharua Block. Discussions relative to the Tatua leases, east and west, Mohaka; Oruanui, and Parekarangi, we were unable to complete, being suddenly summoned by the Under-Secretary to meet the Hon. Native Minister at Maketu. Thither we proceeded, and were present at daily meetings held by Sir Donald Mac Lean and the main hapus of the district, for the purpose of enquiring into the nature and extent of the Arawa grievances, which we are inclined to think were of the most delusive character, and brought forward with the pure desire of extorting Government money, which to the credit of Sir Donald Mac Lean be it recorded, they utterly failed in obtaining. In justice to the Arawas generally, it becomes necessary to draw the line of demarcation between the two prominent sections, namely, the " anti-leasing' and selling" party, and those who sell and lease. Of the former the great leading personage is Te Pokiha Taranui, more commonly called Fox, a man of indomitable pride, with very small intellect, which is, as we found, almost always devoted to self, but he makes up for mental deficiency by the adoption of schemes, irrespective of argument and reason. He carries with him a small section of the Ngatipikiao tribe, named Ngatitekakenga, who are known to possess but small influence and but very little land. The Ngatipikiao, who are with the Government in the land scheme, comprise a large majority under the old and influential chiefs, Te Puehu Taihorangi, Te Mapu, Rota Rangihoro, Te Matangi, Pita te Taretoroa, Wi Kepa, Hira, Rirituku, Eruini Te Tikao, Mita Tahoka, Hona te Hauiti and others. With this large section of the Ngatipikiao range the Waitaha, Tapuika, Ngatipakenga, Ngatimoko, Ngatituara, Ngatirangitiki Ngatihinewai, te Patuwai and others. In fact the real landholders generally throughout the Arawa country favour both selling and leasing', and it is found that the opposing party as a rule have little or no land to sell or lease. Consequently the genuine owners of the soil viewed the acts and interference of the clamorous anti-sellers with extreme bitterness. We ought perhaps to say that the conclusions we have arrived at with respect to the points mooted in this report are based upon unbiassed observations, we having' full opportunity of ascertaining from time to time of judging' as to the position ot things, and the bearing of men, chiefs and people, on the land question, and we have always found it better never to swerve from what we consider right, and to set our faces against the system of bribes. By this simple adherence to principle we are certain that the Government have been saved many thousands of pounds, and an abiding lesson has been taught to these Arawa tribes that truth and honesty are more potent than all the low scheming they have endeavoured to bring to their aid in their land negotiations. During our present visit to Taupo, meetings have been held at various places regarding the Mohaka Block of 47,000 acres, which was partly settled before Sir Donald Mac Lean at Napier, one of us being present, Te Tatua, Tauhara North, Parekarangi, and Oranui. The tone of feeling with regard to all of these places was in favour of Government, and although Henare Matua and other Hawke's Bay celebrities have their written epistles and oral messages to J aupo Natives, stirring them up to oppose any attempt on the part of Government to secure lands in this district by purchase or lease, the machinations of the Napier chiefs proved unsuccessful, and their gratuitous opinions treated with profound indifference. We have felt it our duty to encourage, as much as possible, the desire of the Taupo tribes to educate their children, and we have impressed upon them the advisableness and necessity of setting-

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aside for school purposes a portion of the money received from us for their lands. There is one matter to which we would call attention, namoly, the transference of the proposed school buildings to Tokanu, it being a much more central position, and being near the settlement of the parents and guardians, and would be more likely to receive support, and in consequence insure success. We have not had an opportunity of conferring with Mr. Commissioner Locke on the subject, but as he intends to visit Taupo shortly, we shall .then be enabled to place before him our views. It may be observed, likewise, that the Hauhau element, being strong in the neighbourhood of Tokanu, the benefits arising from the education of the young would be acknowledged, and the Hauhaus would be stimulated to send their children also. By this mail we transmit some of the completed deeds. We have, &c, C. 0. Davis, Under-Secretary Native Department, Henry Mitchell. Land Purchase Branch.

No. 3. Mr. Monro to Mr. March ant. Sir, — _ Wanganui, July 7th, 1875. I have the honor, in accordance with your instructions, of forwarding the following1 report and accompanying- tracing of Te Ruamii block. A considerable loss of time, as you are already aware, occurred owing to the abandonment for the present of the proposed survey of a block of land lying between the Murimotu plains and the Moawhango River, on account of disputes amongst its Native claimants, and the substitution of Te Ruanui survey, necessitating a meeting of the Native claimants to the block being held before the survey could be proceeded with. On the 10th of May, the date on which you left Murimotu for Ranana, I shifted camp with Mr. Busck9 to Raketapauma, by Mr. J Buller's request, for the purpose of meeting the owners of Te Ruanui block. As. the Native claimants, however, did not all assemble to discuss the boundaries etc. before the 12th instant, I was only able to move on to the ground on the 13th May, Mr. Buller returning towards Wanganui on the same day. On commencing work on the 14th of May at Okapea, I found that the survey of 'he block was opposed by members of ahapu, represented by a Native named Pehimana, having an admitted interest in a considerable portion of the block. I determined however, to go on with the boundary survey, and commenced with Mr. liuscke running 1 the northern boundary line of the block at Okapea. On the 15th of May, Te Winiata, and Teoti Pohe, came to an arrangement with Pehimana, at Aratataramoa, by which the latter withdrew present opposition, Te Winiata and Teoti Pohe on their part agreeing to reserve the north eastern portion of the block from lease or sale. Ard I made a memorandum of this at Pehimana's request, at the same time informing him that I had been sent to survey the block, and that I had no authority from the Government to deal with the question of reserves. I have approximately shewn the boundaries of the reserve pointed out to me at the time. Mr. Annabell returned from Ranana, with Simon Ryan, on the lCth May, and on the 17th, he commenced running the boundary traverse eastward and southward, whilst Mr. Buscke undertook the boundary survey running westward to the Turakina, and thence down that river. I would here mention, that at the commencement of the survey, I proposed to the Natives that only the angles of the northern boundary should be marked on the ground with direction lines and pegs; but I found them as usual, suspicious of this mode of doing the work, as they have been accustomed to see all boundary lines cut and chained, and of course do not understand their computation. Having started both traverse parties, I commenced the selection of sufficient trig points to connect the traverses of various portions of the block and check the boundary chainage. As the block is for the most part composed of hummocky hills covered with fern with here and there a patch of bush on the south side, I found the selection of points easy and comparatively inexpensive, and I marked each point, when determined upon, with a totara peg, at least 0 inches x (j inches, sunk 2 ft. 6 inches below, and shewing G inches above the ground, placed in each case on tho south side of the station pole. After considerable search, I selected a base on an elevated plateou, known as Waitoka, which I had cleared and divided into vertical sections as recommended by Mr. Heale. The gross chainag-e of the base was about 4JJ24 links; reduced to the horizontal it measured 4tflf> links; upon which I founded my field computations for checking the traverses on the ground. I chained the base three times with an ordinary chain, previously standarded in Waiiganui, at a strain of 171b5., comparing my chain with, a standard first laid down on the base itself between each chainage, and I of course will test the chain used on the standard here, upon the return of Messrs. Annabell and Buscke. Before making computations for map of block, I intend to reduce for temperature, approximate height above sea level and stretch during each chainage, and I believe that the error in measuring base will prove under one link on the whole length, whenever, by the extension of the major trig, of the district, we are enabled to test the accuracy of minor triangulations founded upon its measurement. 2-C4A.

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You will perceive from the accompanying tracing, that the "springing out " from the base is performed by means of a quadrilateral, the smallest angle of which is over 34deg., whilst the largest, is under 8/-00. The diagonal of this quadrilateral is about 0575 links long, anil forms a side of the principal polygon within the block, that round Pukehuia. The observations at each of the stations have been made with a Troughton and Sim's transit divided to 30min. 1 have adopted a mean of eight readings at all the principal stations, and a mean of four readings taken on different parts of the plate at the rest. I found in making my field computations for the purpose of checking traverses, that the three observed angles of a triangle seldom differed lOsec. from 185min., and that the error never exceeded one link in closing on the first side of a polyglon in quadrilateral, which will of course be easily distributed by " seconds " correction on recomputing my work here. As the triangles are all well-conditioned, I do not expect that the distance between stations obtained from my present base will differ more than two links in a mile from the determination ot the distance between the same points obtained whenever major triangulation is carried over this portion of the district. I need hardly point out that the present trig., if it fulfils this test, will be easily incorporated with the major triangulation by use of a small constant log. The block will not, as I have already informed you, contain more than 12,000 acres, and is composed, for the most part, of rounding fern hills connected by low ridges. There would be no difficulty in making roads through the block, and good totara timber is to be found in all the bushes. The lower portion of the valley of the Turakina, forming the western boundary of the block, is mostly Lush. The Kauaekeke ridge forming its southern boundary rises more abruptly than most hills in the block, and, with a little clearing on its south side, the points on it would torm useful tries' for the adjoining Okaka survey. Owing to most of the Natives deserting us curing the survey, I induced Winiata, who remained with us, to allow me to triangulate the southern boundary, and I believe that a savin"-of at least three weeks was effected by not cutting the boundary which ran over many rugged points. The angles on this boundary have all been pegged with 0 inches x (J inches heart of totara pegs, and Mr. Annabell has instructions to put in direction pegs before returning to Wanganui. I left Te Ruanui upon completing the triangulation on the 28th of June. At that time Messrs. Buscke and Annabcll had each about a weeks' more traversing to do before closing on points fixed by myself. That on which Mr. Buscke closes, is marked on the plan "Te Eere-a-maru," whilst Mr. Annabell closes on the point marked S.E. Bdy. I have furnished them with the meridian distances of these points to enable them to check their traverses before returning. I would here notice the steady perseverance with which Messrs. Buscke and Annabell carried out the portion of the work alloted to each during an inclement season of the year, and I hope to feel warranted, on Mr Aimabell's return, in asking you to recommend an increase of his salary. As I have, however, other representations of a similar nature to make, I will write a separate letter on this subject. I have already noticed the severe weather experienced during the survey of this block, the snow was often from six to eight inches deep, and succeeded by severe frosts, only terminating when a warmer wind brought rain. Between the ninth and twelfth of June, five out of seven Native's employed left us, assigning the severe weather as the cause for their doing so, whilst we could only obtain in their places one other Native, a very old man, to assist us. We were, in fact, so short handed, that I had generally to visit trig stations alone, carrying my somewhat heavy theodolite myself. Winiata, one of the natives deputed by the rest of the claimants, remained, together with a nephew of his, to the end of the survey. Teoti Pohe, also deputed to point out boundaries, left us on the 9th of June and did not return. The above-mentioned causes —all, as you are aware, anticipated by myself—together with the difficulty of packing provisions over excessively muddy tracks, and the shortness of the days, caused the survey to take at least twice as long as it would have done at a more favorable time of the year. I would point out, as the result of several winters' survey, the unreliability of Natives durin"inclement weather whenever winter surveys prove necessary: it seems to me"desirable to employ Europeans as much as possible. Owing to the greater altitude of this portion of the island, its proximity to snowy mountains, and distance from the sea coast, the winter generally sets in earlier and lasts later than it does near the coast. I should consider this block, together with lands lying eastward and northward, well adapted for grazing purposes. Native cultivations here as elsewhere are generally cleared on the edge of bushes; potatoes seem to produce a good crop, and oats are sometimes grown in small quantities in their cultivations. Te Ruanui block is on the very southern edge of the oDen country; abroad belt of bush extends from its boundary to the back of the settled districts on the West Coast. The Okaka block to its south, which may form one of the first surveys next spring, appears to consist wholly of broken bush. I estimate the cost of surveying this block at £185, including in this sum only the cost of field work, viz. my own, and Messrs. Annabell and Buscke's salaries and men's pay. Part of the delay which occurred at Murimotu had nothing to do with this survey. The cost of the work would have been increased by £40 if the Natives had insisted on the south boundary being cut, and would have been diminished by a similar sum if they had allowed me to triangulate the northern boundary whilst an equally accurate survey would of course have been obtained. This cost, which does not amount to

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fern-pence an acre, would of course have been considerably less if allowance had been made for value of traverses on survey ot adjoining blocks, (all traverse angles, I would here observe, are marked with well-driven 3 inches x 3 inches heart of totara pegs.) The cost of survey would also have been reduced at least one-third if the survey had been performed at a more favorable time of the year. I have, &c, "W. A. Marchant, Esq., Donald Hugh Monro, Deputy-Inspector ot Surveys, Wellington. District Surveyor.

No. 4. Mr. Monro to Mr. March ant. Sir, — Wanganui, July 14th, 1875. I ht.ve tbe honor of enclosing1 a report of Mr. Alzdorf s on his survey of the Retaruke block, and en the completion of the survey of the Kirikau block, commenced by myself during the preceding1 winter. As you will observe, his estimate of the cost of the Retaruke block shews that the field work on this survey was performed for a very reasonable sum per acre. This is chiefly due to his having- been enabled, by consent of the Native claimants, to triangulate a considerable portion of the boundaries ; it is also in part due to his having been employed on this survey during the best portion of the year. Time spent in plotting and computing, on return to Wanganui, has not been included in his estimate. I would here observe the great difficulty of in all cases exactly apportioning the cost of the survey. lam of opinion that a larger portion of a surveyor's salary might be fairly charged during the best months of the year, and a smaller during' the worst, in making these estimates. 1 would in all cases suggest the advisability of estimating the value of the work performed in future surveys of adjoining blocks. If the work is properly executed, and well pegged, this would be considerable in the case of a comparatively isolated block, As the maps cf this and adjoining blocks are not yet complete, it would be impossible to include the cost of plotting with any degree of exactness. The above noticed value of survey in the case of adjoining blocks would to a great extent cover this. I estimate the cost of the Kirikau block somewhat higher as you will see from the following figures. Cost of Kirikau Survey. (Field work only.) My own and Mr. H. A. Field's salaries whilst employed at Kirikau, £ s. d. from April 2!) to August 29, 1874 ... ... 153 G 8 "Wages subsequently claimed by men for survey work performed during this period ... ... ... 49 5 0 Mr. Field's salary from November 20, 1874, to February 25, 1875... 26 11 3 Mr. E. McDonnell's salary from November 20,1874, to January 2, 1875 ... ... ..." ... 17 13 5 "Wages paid to Mr. Field's party, Kirikau, to Te Iringa-o-te-Whiu, (November 20, 1874, to December 20, 1874) ... 22 15 0 One-1 alf of wages paid to Mr. Field's party, on boundary, from Te Iringa-o-te-Whiu to Te Patere, November 20, 1874, to February 25, 1875, the other half being charged against the adjoining Kawautahi block ... ... 9 5 0 Cost of surveying portion of the Wang'anui River Bdy, south of Kokakoriki Stream to Te Rauwhare, and hall cost of surveying boundary thence to Te Patete, the other half being charged against the adjoining Retaruke block ... 50 0 0 Total cost of Field Work ... ... 328 10 4 This will make the cost ot the field work of the Kirikau block, a fraction under 4|d. per acre. The difference of cost of survey in the case of these adjoining blocks is fully accounted for when the following facts are taken into consideration. The first portion ot the Kirikau survey was undertaken during the worst portion of the year. The Natives pretended (although they afterwards claimed payment as shown above) to find all labor, and I had practically but little control over volunteer workers, who would at times desert me (especially when any hcavv clearing required doing) for a week together. When not altogether

Enclosed Report, lletaruko Survey. Cost of Retaruke Survey.

Difficulty in Apportioning Cost.

Difficulty in Including; Cost of Office Work. Cost of Kirikau Block.

Cost per Aero, Rpnsons for Diiirrcmce of Cost of Tuliua Surveys.

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deserted, I was generally kept very short-handed. During the latter portion of the winter, Paiaka promised payment to men employed, but I could not get him to consent to ray taking this under my control, and Natives, even those of his own hapu, and therefore interested in the survey, placed no confidence in the fulfilment of promises to pay made by himself. During the summer months, a further delay occurred from the 11th January to the 12th February, through Hoani Paiaka's interfering with the survey and bringing Mr. Field down to town ; with the particulars of this you are already fully acquainted. I have charged Mr. Field's salary during this period in the estimate of cost of field work. On an agreement to sell being signed by the Native claimants subsequent to my first return from Tuhua, otherlands were included in the south side of the original block. This, of course, necessitated the additional work which Mr. Alzdorf pertormed. Most of the facts above noticed for your information, were duly reported to the Land Purchase Branch of the Native Department on mv return to Wanganui at the end of August 1874. The Kirikau block is mostly covered with rough hilly bush, with fern flats here and there in tlie bends of the Wanganui River. The Kokakonui and Kokakoriki gullies are partly open, the latter, together with the hills rising on each side of it, is covered, for the most part, with light second, growth and fern, (" hunua ") the original bush having been destroyed by fire. Both these gullies afford tolerable access to the back of the block. The portion added to the block at the Te Rauwhare, contains a few hundred acres of undulating fern land rising gradually as it recedes from the Wanganui River. The portion added to the block at Te-Iringa-o-te-Whiu, and extending down the Onuha Stream to the Kawautahi, is all bush and mostly hilly. Good sawing timber, including totara, rimu, and matai, is to be found in most of the bush gullies. The soil is of good character in all parts of the block. Traverses have all been properly pegged with the exception of portion of the river traverse, which. could not be pegged in a permanent manner at every traverse angle. This portion of the traverse, however, was well connected with minor trig, points on hills near the river, and totara pegs were driven at angles of traverse in positions above the level of freshets, pegs have been placed in accordance with the rule I have generally adopted in other portions of the district to the south of all trignometrical stations erected in connection with the Tuhua surveys. I have, &c, J. W. A. Marchant, Esq., Donald Hugh Munro, Deputy-Inspector of Surveys, Wellington. District Surveyor.

Further Delay:

Additional

Lands included

Description oi Kirikau Block

Pegging:

Mr. Walter Alzdorf to Mr. Marchant. Sir, — Wanganui, July 8, 1875. I have the honor to forward, in accordance with your instructions, the following Report, on my survey of the Retaruke Block; and the completion of the survey of the Kirikau Block, the work was performed with a plain sin. theodolite, and owing to the very rough nature of the country the determination of the lengths of most of the boundary^ lines was done by trig., based upon Mr, Monro's trig., on Kirikau Block, whilst traverses were made of the Wanganui and Retaruke Rivers, 7,400 links cut and chained from Porere Station to connect south boundary of Kirikau Block and traverse of Kawautahi, to trig, traverse of Tutae Ahua Stream from Te Rauwhare to Otukelm, in all about twelve miles. Throughout this work I experienced no interruption from any Natives, but on the contrary, they were always very willing to allow me to take the boundaries as would best suit nature of the country and positions for trig, stations. This block contains 20,600 acres, of which about 5,500 is open fern land, remainder broken hilly country covered with bush; and throughout the block, character of the soil is good. The cost of the survey was £174, in this estimate my own salarj' and all expenses whilst employed in the field are included ; a few of the trig, stations used in the survey of this block had been cleared by Messrs. Field and McDonnell, and observations connecting' these were made by Mr. Monro. In the springtime, the cost of this would be about £40, making in all £214 or 2^d. per acre. The land south of this block, claimed by Te Piki Kotukuand others, is the same style of country, but the block to the east is flatter and more open in its character. Ilmnana Tua Block which was not completed in consequence of survey being stopped by Topine te Mamaku had cost up to time of stoppage £75. Hilly country covered with bush. The greater portion of the original Kirikau Block had been surveyed by Mr Monro during the winter of 1874, owing, however, to other lands being included, south of the original boundary, at the time of agreement to sell to the Government being entered into by the Native owners, it was necessary to traverse the Wanganui River, southward of the original boundary, and also to survey the greater portion of southern-eastern boundaries for the purpose of including such lands. Mr. 11. Field was sent under my instructions to traverse a bush ridge which formed the northern boundary of the Kirikau Block, from Kuirau to Te-Iringa-o-te-Whiu ; also to traverse the Olmlia Stream, thence to his junction with my own work at Te Patete. Between Kuirau and Te Patete there was but one point on his traverse by which he could connect with the trig-., his traverse, however, closed within a link in tea chains both on this point and on Te Patete, although the whole distance of nine miles was through rough bush, and although his traverse lines did not average more than three chains in length. In all cases my surveys have been permanently marked. Trig, stations, totara or maire blocks five inches square and three feet long', south of pole; traverses at every half-mile, three stout pegs at each station visible one from the other, also small intermediate pegs where practicable. I have, &c, J. W. A. Marchant, Esq., Walter Alzdorf. Deputy-Inspector of Surveys, Wellington.

8

9

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Mr. Walter Alzdorf to Mr. Munro. a Wanganui, July 6th, IS7HI have the honor to inform you that Mr. John Buller arrived at my camp, together with Mr H Field, on the 14th February, 1875, and informed me he was anxious to have a block surveyed, offered by Ihimaira Tuao to the General Government. I told him I could not leave lopim le Alamaku, as any delay might be prejudicial to the completion of the survey, but said I would instruct Mr Field to commence clearing and erecting stations on the block offered. _ ' After Mr Field had been on the block about three weeks, Topini Te Mamaku received a letter from Te Kuiti requesting his immediate presence there, and he went accordingly, ttm, his wite, remaining to point out boundaries of his block during his absence. On Mr field crossing the Kawautaki Stream with Ihiinaira Tuao's boundary, Bia raised an objection to the survey proceeding, I persuaded her not to interfere with the work, but allow the matter to be settled by the Court she a«reed to let the work go-on until Topini Te Mamaku's return from Te Kuiti; on his return to Marae Kowhai I informed Topini that I had completed the survey of lletaruke block, and that I intended to ioin Mr Field in completing the survey of Ihimaira Tuao's Block ; he raised a very strong objection to this and stated that Ihimaira had no right to cross the Kawautaki with his boundary, as it was agreed amono- the principal owners to make that a boundary of a large block, he. and others intended ottering to for sale. I then recommended him to allow the survey to proceed, and refer the disputed boundary to the Court, or allow it to stand until the arrival of Mr. John Buller; he declined to accede to my suggestions, exhibiting a great deal of annoyance, and sent a letter to Ihimaira to stop workand come down to Marae Kowhai and discuss the question On I nma.ra's arrival at Marae Kowhai Topini arose in a very excited state, and, after telling Ihimaira he had no right to cross the Kawautahi Stream, and that the only claim he had there was a small piece near the junction of Kawautahi and Ohuha Streams. (Judging from boundaries as described by lapanui to me, I should say about 100 acres). Ihimaira made no objection to this, but prevented the survey proceeding by his not returning to the block and pointing out boundaries. He also told me he should not consent to survey proceeding until Retaruke and Kirikau had passed the Native Land Court, I then sent to Mr Held to fay off his" men and return to town, as all other work it was possible to proceed with in the Tuhua portion of the district was already completed. P Had the survey of Ihimaira Tuao 5s been completed, it would contain about 4,000 acres of broken bUShirr tliadTn\yio oi 0n ded°the General Government Survey Staff on proceeding toTuhua I was not then aware, as since informed, that I required the authority of the Deputy-Inspector of Surveys, either direct or through yourself, before commencing any fresh survey. ° I have, &c, D. H. Munro, Esq., Walter District Surveyor, Wanganui. ° J " Printed at The Tribune Office, Wellington. 3—C.4a.