PURCHASE OF LAND FROM THE NATIVES. (REPORTS FROM OFFICERS.)

Appendix to the Journals of the House of Representatives, 1877 Session I, G-07

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1877. NEW ZEALAND.

PURCHASE OF LAND FROM THE NATIVES. (REPORTS FROM OFFICERS.)

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

No. 1. The Undee Seceetaey, Native Department, to Land Ptjbchase Officebs. (Circular letter N.L.P. 155-2.) Sib,— Native Office, Wellington, 17th May, 1877. I have the honor, by direction of the Hon. Mr. Ormond, to request that you will be good enough to furnish for general information a report of your land-purchase transactions since the Ist July last. This renort is intended to be printed as a parliamentary paper, and should contain the fullest information. Tou should state the number of blocks of land purchased by you during the year, the number under negotiation of purchase, the area, whether surveyed or under survey, the price per acre, the amount of mouey paid or to be paid on the several blocks, and the approximate date upon which you consider the purchases will be completed ; whether the land has been individualized by the Native Land Court, or applications made for hearing; the capability of the land, whether suitable for settlement, agricultural or pastoral purposes ; together with such other information as you may consider necessary. The report should be accompanied by a tabular statement containing detailed particulars, and forwarded to this office not later than the 30th June next. I have, &c., Heney T. Claeke, Under Secretary.

No. 2. Mr. J. W. Peeece, Auckland, to the Undee Seceetaey, Native Department. Sib,— Auckland, 26th June, 1877. I have the honor to forward, for your information, a return in three parts, showing the progress of the land-purchase operations in my district —iiiimely, that to the North of Auckland—during the past year, stating the number of blocks purchased, the area and cost of the same, the number of blocks the purchase of which is nearly completed, aud the number under negotiation, together with such other information as lam able to give, and to report generally ou the same. Table I. shows the completed transactions—namely, twenty-nine blocks, containing in the aggregate 50.919 acres, which have been purchased at a cost of £5,302 10s, being at the rate of a fraction over 2s. O.jd. per acre, exclusive of survey and incidental expenses. 'The area purchased contrasts very unfavourably with that of the land purchased by me last year, which was nine blocks, containing 182,198 acres; but the amount of work which this year's transactions have entailed has been much greater than that of last year, which may be partly accounted for by the fact that the number of blocks exceed the latter by twenty. Very large payments had also been made by way of deposit, which left the balance to pay on closing the transactions very small when compared with the number of persons among whom it had to be divided, many of whom had not participated in the primary payments. Many of the owners also were scattered about in various parts of ihe North, and had to be sought out at their several settlements. These circumstances, together with the ordinary difficulties which one has invariably to contend against in purchasing land from ihe Natives, rendered the completion of these transactions far more difficult that they would have been had the negotiations never been initiated. I—G. 7.

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The twenty-nine deeds relating to these blocks represent the signatures of 263 persons, a large proportion of whom had to be sought out by myself, accompanied by a Resident Magistrate and Licensed Interpreter, in distant and out-of-the-way settlements. Table 11. shows the transactions nearly completed, being three blocks containing in the aggregate 3,G59 acres, at a cost of £330 165., being at the rate of a fraction over Is. lOd. per acre, of which £305 15s. has been paid, leaving a btilance of £25 Is. to pay. There have been obtained to tho three deeds relating to these blocks 119 signatures out of the 125 persons named in the titles. Of the six who have not signed, four are dead, one is an infant, and one I have been unable after fruitless efforts to meet with, but will, I believe, turn up shortly —thus, with those shown in Table No. 1., making a total of 352 signatures obtained to deeds relating to thirty-two blocks of land, of which three only are incomplete. All the blocks in these two first tables have passed the Native Land Court, and were held under titles thereunder prior to the deeds having been prepared. Table 111. shows the incomplete transactions, and represents twenty-three blocks, of which thirteen are surveyed, and contain 43,687 acres, and ten unsurveyed, estimated to contain 79.900 acres, making a total of 123.587 acres by estimation. Of these twenty-three blocks, only five have been adjudicated on by the iNative Land Court, one of which is the portion of the I'akiri Block held under Crown grant but not yet subdivided by the Court, but the portion under agreement for sale is estimated to contain 20,000 acres. I havo therefore put it down as unsurveyed, as it practically is, unless it should bo decided to purchase the interests of all the parties. It will be observed by referring to the return that this Pakiri Block has had very large sums of money paid on it by way of advances on the purchase money —namely, £1,920, being within £295 of the whole amount of deposits paid now outstanding on land in the whole district, excepting a small sum paid on Kaipatiki and Onekuri by Mr. John Sheehan, through Messrs. Armstrong and Dignan, for tho Provincial Governmen 4-, the particulars of which I have never been able to ascertain, and have therefore no information to enable me to state what payments have been made thereon. AVith regard to the Pakiri Block, I have, by instructions, done nothing in the matter; but, as far as I can understand, the purchase cannot be completed until some legislation takes place by which it and land similarly affected can be dealt with. The interests of two out of three of the nominal owners (who were adults and are now dead) have fallen into the hands of infants, whose trustees have no power by law to sell, although ihcv have received large sums by way of deposit. This matter was referred to Colonel Haultain for inquiry, as Trust. Commissioner under the Native Lauds Frauds Prevention Act, and he has, 1 believe, gone fully into the nialter and reported thereon. Kaipatiki Block is similarly affected, by ono out of ten persons having died before the transaction was completed ; and although tho deceased had received a large proportion of his share of the money, the successor had no power to deal with it. Oikura, in Table 11., is in the same position. Fifty-eight persons have signed the deed; two died before there was an opportunity for them to sign the deed. Both these men were principal owners, and had received a large proportion of the deposit money. Tho successor to one has been appointed, and is an infant, and consequently cannot complete for his father, although his family are quite willing for him to do so. No successor has yet been appointed to succeed the other deceased pennons, but the probability is the same will occur as in that instance. Although these appear merely matters of detail, I mention them as instances showing the necessity of giving Trustees or the Court, on !_*ood cause being shown, power to join with adults in the sale of lands where infants succeed to interests in property originally held by adults. You will observe that of the incomplete transactions there are surveyed 43,687 acres. Tho Purchase of these would have been complete by this lime, and the deeds forwarded to Wellington, had been able to have got Courts held in Hokianga, the Bay of Islands, and Whangarei during the months of April and May. as I was desirous of bating done, and mentioned in my progress report for the month of March. These blinks, and some others which will be ready by that time, can bo completed immediately after the Courts are held at the places named ; at the same time, I think, as the winter season is not a desirable time for assembling large numbers of .Natives together, and as by the spring of the year there is likely to be a new Native Land Act, it would, perhaps he as well to postpone the Hokianga and Bay of Islands Courls until the amended Act comes into force. At Whangarei there are no complications in the titles, so it is not of so much importance. 1 see no reason myself why iho whole of these incomplete transactions should not bo completed in six months, provided there is no delay in having Courts held, and the surveys completed of those yet unsurveyed ; but these are matters over which I have no control, consequently I cannot undertake to say how long it may take to complete them. Of the fifty-one blocks, the negotiations relating to which were initiated by Mr. Brissenden and handed over lo me to carry out. thirty have been brought to a successful issue and closed ; eight, on which no payments had been made or expense incurred, have been abandoned ; leaving thirteen yet on the list and incomplete. Of these, three blocks-Te Mata, Mokau, and Te Whau—£l2o has been paid to Natives claiming to be owners. These lands are said to be already the property of the Crown, and tiny have been from time to time withdrawn from the operation of the Native Land Court by the District Officer, but the Natives still contend that they are the owners. 1 have now your instructions to have this question brought before the Court, in order thata proper title may be obtained either iv favour of the Crown or the Natives, as the Court may direct. Three other blocks, Tautoio, Malaki, and Nuhaka, have had advances made on them amounting to £125. I consider the purchase of these impracticable, and Ido not think there is much probability of the money being recovered. Besides these and ihe Pakiri Block before referred to, there is only one blcck of Mr. Brissenden's purchases incomplete on which any money has been paid—namely, tie Tarairei Block, containing 915 acres, on which £50 has been advanced. This purchase will be cjmpleted when tho Court sits at Hokianga.

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With regard to the capabilities of these Northern lands, taking the purchases as a whole (that is, those concluded during the last three years), there is a very large extent of rich land, particularly in the Hokianga District and on towards Whangape and Victoria Valley, fit for settlement, but being covered with bush, it would not suit the ordinary class of settlers. I am of opinion that these lands may bo made a source of great prosperity to the Auckland District were they opened up by main trunk roads and settled on in a systematic manner by emigrants from either Canada or Nova Scotia, for they would get a ready market for the larger timber such as totara and kauri, and would be settled on extremely rich land, adjacent to or within easy reach of a magnificent harbour, abounding with all kinds of fish during every season of the year. The climate is genial, and at the same time capable of producing in the valleys most tropical fruits. No doubt, for the first few years the settlers could not expect to make more than a bare living, but I feel confident that if the land I refer to were settled on by the right class of men, having a little means to begin with, and the land on fair terms, that in tho course of five years they would be on a fair way to prosperity of no small degree. The land I particularly refer to includes the Manganuiowae, Takahue, Uwhiroa, Puhata, Otangaroa, and other blocks, the purchase of which are complete, and contain about 80,000 acres. In order to make these blocks more valuable, it is desirable to acquire the portion of land between Manganuiowae Block and the Hokianga Harbour; this land is now under negotiation for purchase, and is named in Table HI. hereto Motukaraka and Tapuwae. There is some difficulty connected with the purchase of these blocks, but I believe I will be able to overcome them in time, and get the consent of all the parties interested ; but I can do little or nothing until the Court sits to determine the ownership of Motukaraka Block, which is the greatest proportion of the whole. After that is once settled, I believe I shall be able to get the survey of the remaining portion completed. There are other blocks in the valleys adjacent to other tidal streams in Hokianga which are of equal value. The land extending from the head of the Kaihu Valley, in Kaipara, towards Hokianga Heads, is partly good soil, partly valuable kauri timber, and the remaining portion of inferior quality; the portion near Hokianga Heads, namely Waimamaku, is well adapted for a sheep-run. To the back of these lands, and at a much greater elevation, are the Waoku Blocks, which, although somewhat difficult to approach, contain the richest of soil, being table-land, and covered with light forest. The blocks on the Mangakahia and AVairoa are partly valuable kauri forest, partly light forest with good soil, and partly open poor land. The lands purchased and under negotiation in Whangarei are chiefly forest, and fit for settlers used to bush-clearing, and partly open land of second quality. In the Bay of Islands and Mangonui Districts the lands purchased are not of so good a quality as in the other districts. A few small purchases in the Lower or South Kaipara are good soil fit for cultivation and farming purposes. In conclusion, I would state that there have been completed by the various officers engaged by the Government in the purchase of land to the North of Auckland, during the last three years, about 450,000 acres, the largest quantity of which, it will be noticed by a reference to a plan of the district, is so connected as to form two large compact blocks, one to the North of Hokianga, extending towards Ahipara and Mangonui, the other to tho South of Hokianga, extending to the head of the Kaihu Valley, and eastward to Mangakahia, both of which, as I have before stated, contain a considerable area of good and serviceable land, and is, I consider, taken as a whole, a most valuable estate. I have, &c, The Under Secretary, Native Office, J. W. Pbeece. (Land Purchase Branch,) Wellington.

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Enclosure 1 in No. 2. TABLE I.—COMPLETED TRANSACTIONS. RETURN of LANDS Purchased to the North of Auckland, from 1st July, 1876, to 30th June, 1877, the Deeds of Conveyance relating to which have been Fully Executed, certified to by the Trust Commissioner under the Native Lands Frauds Prevention Act, registered and forwarded to Wellington.

* The area of the "Waimatanui Block is 4,260 acres, but one of Ihe eight grantees refuses to join in the sale, so I have agreed to cut him off 532 acres, which will leave the above area as the size of the block. At the same time the deed of conveyance from the seven disposes of their right, title, and interest over the whole block.

District. Name of Block. Area. Purchase Money paid. Date of Conveyance. Dato when Deed ' WM forwarded to ! Wellington. Nature of Title. Number of Signatures to Deed. General Remarks, Capabilities, &c. Kaipara Taungako ... 2,115 £ s. d. 450 0 0 18 May and 26 Julv, 187G 18 Sept., 1876 13 April, 1877 | Memorial of Ownership ... 25 Good agricultural land, open on Kaipara River. Mangakahia ... Whangarei ... Whangaroa ... Bay of Islands Whangaroa ... Bay of Islands Opuhete Kioreroa Te Tihitihi ... ITnuhia Opuhiiti No. 1 Tukuwhcnua Waihoanga No. 2 Tokakopuru No. 2 Pukewharariki 348 3,891 4,138 3,936 180 2,743 181 90 2,552 35 0 0 507 0 0 517 0 0 295 0 0 23 5 0 300 0 0 65 0 0 13 10 0 185 0 0 21 „ 22 „ 9 Oct., „ 21 „ 23 „ 23 „ 24 „ 3 Feb., „ 3 ,, „ „ 3 i, i, i> 3 „ „ j „ 3 ,, „ „ 13 April, ., 13 „ „ „ 13 „ 13 „ 1 2 4 8 3 i 52 I 2 18 6 Good land, light bush, suitable for settlement if country was more opened by roads. Suitable for grazing purposes, soil second-class, near town of Whangarei. Bush land, partly volcanic, partly kauri, suitable for small settlers. Poor land, only' fit for rough run, adjoining other Government land of similar nature. Good soil but hilly, valuable, being near the township. Poor soil, only fit for rough run, adjoining other Government land of similar nature. Very fair land, suitable for settlement. Kauri forest. Poor land, only fit for rough run, adjoining considerable area of Government land. Good land, all light bush, excepting about 500 acres kauri. Poor land, only fit for rough run, adjoining Pukewharariki. Good land, on one of the Hokianga ti.lal riven. Rich land, fronting Hokianga Harbour. Bush land of fair quality. Bush land of good quality, adjoining Oue. Good rich land, partly light bush, fit for settlement. Good land, fronting Hokiang* Harbour. Fair average laud, situate within a block formerly purchased. Hokianga Bay of Islands Hokianga Waimatanui Rakiiuwahi ... Te Horo ... Oue 'J'aihoa Oue No. 2 ... Arawhatatotara No. 2 Ngatuaka ... Awaawaroa... Manga paruparu Pukakaknka Epakanri Te Tauroa ... Orowhana ... Mapere Mnpere No. 2 Puketapu No. 5 Te Kara Waimahutuluita *3,728 1,422 132 1,318 223 260 2,097 1,762 49 27 1,600 10,510 6,562 4 29 82 417 161 465 0 0 93 0 0 20 0 0 332 10 0 50 0 0 32 10 0 368 0 0 170 0 0 12 5 0 6 15 0 6 10 0 27 0 0 175 0 0 984 0 0 10 15 0 4 0 0 82 10 0 52 0 0 20 0 0 24 „ 24 „ 1 Nov., „ 7 „ io „ 17 „ 17 „ 28 „ 28 „ 28 „ 8 Mar., ,. 8 „ 8 „ 8 „ 10 April, „ 2 May 2 ,. 13 „ 6 „ 13 „ 6 ,, „ Crown Grant 13 „ „ Memorial of Ownership ... 13 .. 13 „ 13 „ „ Crown Grant 0 „ „ „ G „ 6 „ 13 „ „ Memorial of Ownership ... 13 „ „ 13 „ „ „ 13 „ 13 „ 23 May „ Crown Grant 27 June, ,, Memorial of Ownership ... 27 „ 7 8 2 8 7 22 40 15 2 1 1 4 4 4 1 1 1 11 3 ,, ... ,, ... ,, ... Bay of Islands ,, ... n n » >' Mangonui Poor land, quite unfit for settlement. ,, ... ,, Bay of Islands Good land, bush, adjoining other Government land of similar nature. Courthouse Reserve, good land. School Reserve, good land. Rich soil, adjoining Ohaeawai Township. Rich soil cultivated by Natives. Rich land, light bush. 2G3 50,919 5,302 10 0

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Enclosure 2 in No. 2. TABLE II.—TRANSACTIONS NEARLY COMPLETED. RETURN of LANDS Purchased to the North of Auckland, from 1st July, 1876, to 30th June, 1877, the Conveyances relating to which are only Partially Executed.

District. Name of Block. Area. Purchase Money. Amount paid to Date. Balance of Purchase Money to pay. Nature of Title. No. of Signatures obtained to date. No. of Signatures to obtain. Cause of Delav in completing Title. Capabilities. Hokianga Acres. Wairau (part of) ' 1,239 £ s. d. £ s. d. 92 0 0 91 3 0 i £ s. d. 0 17 0 Memorial of Ownership 55 1 Awaiting Succession Order Rough open land, only suitable for run, adjoining a large tract of Govern' ment land .of similar nature. „ ... Waitaha ... 344 j 68 16 0 45 12 0 23 4 0 Crown Grant ... 6 3 Two awaiting Succession Orders, one absent Good land, fit for cultivation. Bay of Islands Oikura ... j 2,106 170 0 0 169 0 0 10 0 Memorial of Ownership 58 2 One infant, and one awaiting Succession Order Poor land, fit for rough run, adjoining a considerable area of Government land of same nature. I : : 3,689 330 16 0 305 15 0 25 1 0 119 6

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Enclosure 3 in No. 2. TABLE III.—INCOMPLETE TRANSACTIONS. RETUR of LANDS under Negotiation for Purchase to the North of Auckland the Conveyances relating to which have not been prepared, to 30th June, 1877.

District. Name of Block. Area estimated marked thus.* Amount of Purchase Money agreed on or estimated.* Amount of Payments to date. Nature of Title. Whether adjudicated on or not. When Purchase is likely to be completed, and cause of present delay. Capabilities of Land and General Remarks. Hokianga ... Tarairei Acres. 915 £ s. d. *106 15 0 £ s. d. 50 0 O Not yet adjudicated on; claim in. Memorial ordered ; awaiting consent of 60tne of the parties, and survey of adjoining lands. Not yet adjudicated on; claims sent in for hearing. As soon as Court sits at Hokianga. When Motu Knraka and Tapuwae are settled for. Soil good, undulating; light forest. ""| Fit for settlers used to bush-clearing, ii ii Tautehere ... „. 693 104 0 0 Bay of Islands ... Motu Karaka and Tapuwae; portion surveyed, 8,371 acres; unsurveyed,estimated at 5,000 acres Otaruru, 6,880 acres ; Hue Hue, 5,277 acres Te Kowhai ... • 13,374 Not fixed, but about 3s. per acre. The surveyed portion soon after Court at Hokianga ; the other first Court after. Whangarei J j 12,157 73 Not fixed, about Is. 6d. per acre. 18 5 0 Not yet adjudicated on ; claims in for hearing. Crown Grant; awaiting Succession Order. Not adjudicated on ; claim in for hearing. »> >) Good soil, light forest, but broken. ii it Good soil. Pukefutu 6,050 756 5 0 As soon as Court sits at Whangarei. Fair quality ; partly bush. TeTaheke,3,810acres; I 6,553 819 2 6 Not adjudicated on ; claim in for hearing. i> n "S It is uncertain whether these blocks will be purchased; price not agreed to by Natives. When Court sits at Whangarei. Soil most indifferent; good along river; coal; ordinary forest; some valuable kauri. Soil indifferent; broken, but contains coal and kauri forest; adjoining above. Open, second quality land ; good along river banks. Kauri forest. Kauri forest and other bush ; fair average soil. Waiparera, 2,743 acres Waitomotomo Te Ripo Papakauri ... I *25,000 *At 2s. 6d per Not adjudicated on; no claim in for hearing. acre. Omaikao *10,000 At 3 s. per acre ; agreed on. Not adjudicated on ; claim in for hearing. Kauri and totara forest. Kaipara Kaipatiki Onekara Pakiri ] 3,777 •20,000 450 0 O 2,000 O 0 1,920 0 0 Title Grant held by Trustees for Uncertain; purchase suspended at present by instruction. Rich lands, suitable for farms ; South Kaipara. Broken land, chiefly forest. The whole block contains 31,408 acres, but one out of three owners has not agreed to sell. The other two owners are infants. Their Trustees have signed an agreement to sell, but they have no power by law at present to carry it out. Bay of Islands... Mokau Te Mata Kotatc and Te Wbau 451 4,644 *15,000 20 0 0 40 0 0 60 0 0 Claim dismissed on hearing f These lands are said to") be the property of the f j Crown already. Sur- I v plus lands. J Toor land. i> jj ii - II J! ii Mangnkahia Mataki lautoro ar.d Patutumulumu Nuhaka *500 *3,600 30 0 0 65 0 0 Not adjudicated on. »i n , Owners will not sell; ) I I consider these pur- > ' chases impracticable. \ Uusurveyed, position indefinite. *800 30 O 0 n jj ii *i 123,587 2,215 0 0 • Where price or acreage is estimated it is marked thus*. Note. —The amounts advanced on these purchases were all paid prior to the transactions having been handed over to me for completion.— J. W. P.

No. 3. Mr. James Mackay to the Hon. the Ministee for Public Wobks. Sib,— Thames, 31st July, 1877. In accordance with your request, I have the honor to report on the state of land purchases in this district; and I regret that my attendance at the Native Land Court at Ohinemuri prevented my doing so at an earlier date. In a recent communication you pointed out that several blocks of land under negotiation had been shown in my returns for two years as being "nearly completed," and no further progress had been made in acquiring them ; and yon further assumed that this arose from my having more work in hand than I could accomplish, and suggested that Mr. J. W. Preece should assist me in completing the purchase of those blocks. In reply to that statement, I have the honor to inform you that the non-completion of the purchase of the blocks indicated arose from circumstances over which I had no control. In the case of the Omahu West No. 1 Block the land was granted to twenty-five persons, twentyfour of whom executed a dc;d of conveyance to the Crowu, the remaining grantee (llohepa to Rauhihi) refused to sell, through liauhau scruples. The Oneiai No. 1 Block was granted to nineteen Natives, seventeen of whom executed the deed of conveyance. Hohepa te Rauhihi was a grantee, and again declined to sell. The other grantee (iMarara llauata) died, and a succession order for her interest has not been made by the Native Laud Court. The Omahu West No. 2 Block was granted to forty-one persons, thirty-four of whom executed the deed of conveyance; seven refused to sign. At the last sitting of the Native Land Court the shares of three of the dissentients were apportioned to them in land, aud the other four have siuco agreed to sell their interests. Omahu West No. 3 Block was granted to ten persons; nine have executed the deed of conyevance, and one (Hone Mahia) is in the King country. Onetai No. 2 Block was granted to ten persons, six of whom have executed the deed of conveyance ; four declined to do so in consequence of some of their relations being buried on a part of the block. After lengthened negotiations they have agreed to make a reserve of the burial-ground, aud their claims can be arranged for. Mangakirikiri Ho. 1 and No. 3 Blocks were granted to sixteen persons (eight in each) ; nine signatures have been obtained to the deed of conveyance ; the other grantees died. It was only at the last sitting of the Native Land Court that succession orders were made in favour of the heirs of the deceased persons. Ruapekapeka Block was granted to six persons; five have executed the deed of conveyance, tho sixth is at Taranaki with tho Uauhatis, residing in the interior of that district. Whitipirorua Block was granted to nine persons; five have executed the deed, one objects to do so, and three are absent from this district. Te Weiti Block was originally granted to nine persons. The principal of these died, and his son Te Tampa, who was already a grantee, succeeded to his interest. The eight shareholders then agreed to sell 5,000 acres of tho uloek to tho Crown in orJer to defray tho expenses of the tangi for Maka Puhata's death. Before the deed could be completed another grantee (Eparamia te Wneoro) died. The seven remaining duly executed the deed of conveyance for the eight interests held by them (Te Tarapa having his own and that of his deceased father, Maka Puhata). It only then remained to arrange for ihe claim of Eparamia te Wheoro being conveyed (he had joined in the first agreement and received tho money). 1 applied to the Native Land Court, through Mr. J. W. Preece, to award to the Crown Eparamia te Wheoro's share in the 5,000 acres sold to the Government, and to grant a succession order for his interest in the remainder of the block to his heir, an infant. The Court would not entertain the claim of tho Crown, but decided in favour of the infant over the whole. This has effectually prevented the completion of the deed of conveyance, and there appears to be no remedy but to make a reserve for the infant's interest. Having mislaid your letter, I am unable to remember exactly the remainder of the blocks which you requested me to allow Mr. J. W. Preece to assist in tho purchase of; but they are all, I believe, delayed for similar reasons. 1 would also draw your attention to the fact that the largest proportion of the work has been accomplished, and it is to my direct interest to complete the conveyances as soon as possible in order to receive my commission on the purchases alluded to, which cover a considerable area, and. as seen in a pecuniary sense, is of importance to myself. I will next proceed to allude to other blocks under negotiation, and which you desired me to complete personally. The Moehau or Cape Colvilie Block has for generations been a fertile source of dispute between tho Ngatitamatera, Ngatinaunau, Ngatiwhonaunga, aud Ngatimaru tribes. I have held numerous meetings to settle the disputes and arrange the subdivisions of the block. This has at last been accomplished to the satisfaction of all concerned. Ample reserves have been made for the requirements of the Ngatitamatera tribe, which have been marked off ou tho plan and deed of conveyance, but requiring survey to indicate the exact position on the ground. The Waikawau and Ohinemuri cases are so closely intermingled, in consequence of both blocks being owned by the Ngatitamatera tribe, that it has been found impossible to deal with them separately. It happens that some of these people are very obstructive llauhaus, which has retarded the final arrangement of both questions. lam nappy to report that the objectors are gradually giving way ; and that on my recommendation they recently requested tho Native Land Court to adjourn all the cases in which they were interested from Shortland to Ohinemuri. The Court was adjourned there accordingly, and resulted iv the opposing faction becoming thoroughly disunited ; and they are now more inclined to come to terms. When it is remembered that on a former occasion, when the Native Land Court attempted to hold a sitting at Ohinemuri, it was compelled to desist through the obstinacy and violent conduct of the Hauhau party, it will perhaps be allowed that considerable progress has been made in the right direction.

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The purchase of the Aroha Block was progressing most favourably, and a very large majority of the owners had executed the deed of conveyance to the Crown, when unfortunately Mr. Broomhall arrived at Ohinemuri, to inspect the lands in that neighbourhood. I very foolishly gave him every facility to visit Te Aroha Block, and, to prevent him having to ask questions from Natives there about the land, despatched my own Interpreter (Mr. Guilding) with him. On his return, he expressed himself pleased with the country, and said he would like to acquire it for his special settlement. I then drew his attention to a few points: Firstly, that the Native title was not extinguished, but believed it soon would be. Secondly, that the Natives who were living there would require some reserves. Thirdly, that the public would not be satisfied at the hill lauds being granted to him, unless the right to mine for gold was reserved by the Crown. Fourthly, that there were several persons at the Thames who had been promised land for settlement there. Fifthly, if he wished to apply for the block he had better not make his application public or it might very materially interfere with the cession of the block. Mr. Broomhall thanked me for the information, and promised to be very careful not to make his application public. He proceeded to Auckland, and forthwith made an application to the Waste Lands Board for 47,000 acres of Te Aroha Block. The Waste Lands Board illegally dealt with him, and agreed to his proposals ; overlooking the fact that they had no right to deal with lands over which the Native title had not been extinguished, and which were not under their control until declared by the Governor, by Gazette notice, to be waste lands of the Crown. Reports of the proceedings of the Waste Lands Board were duly published in the Auckland newspapers. The Maoris were informed by interested Europeans that the Government had sold 17,000 acres to Mr. Broomhall at 20s. per acre, and I was not paying them ss. for it. Some twenty-five Natives of Ngatirahiri refused to sign the deed, and the purchase remains incomplete to this day. A very serious quarrel then took place between the Natives who had sold and conveyed their interest in the block, and the obstructive party ; the latter returned to Te Aroha, and erected a fighting pa; and the Ngatitamatera portion of the former placing booms across the Waihou at Ohinemuri, to prevent the return of Ngatirahiri to Hauraki, and building a pa to protect the booms. The Ngatipaoa and Ngatiwhanaunga tribes wished me to allow them to proceed to To Aroha and drive off or kill this handful of Ngatirahiri, iv consequence of curses they had uttered against them. Had I encouraged this step, it would have been taken. I visited the Aroha on three occasions, and was threatened with violence, and had several bullets fired over my head. After a considerable time had elapsed, a better state of feeling was brought about between the contending parties; and I must here mention the valuable aid given to me by Mr. Puckey, the Agent for Native Affairs in this district, and Wirope Hoterene Taipari, Native Assessor, which principally enabled me to renew negotiations for the outstanding claims. Considerable progress has been made with the Waihou West, Wailoa, and Piako Blocks, which are adjacent, and cannot well be separately dealt with. The Waihou West Nos. 1, 3, and 1 Blocks have passed the Native Land Court, and the deeds of conveyance are in course of execution by the grantees. The Waihou West No. 2 Block, was withdrawn from the Court on account of a very serious dispute as to a boundary, which arose between the Ngatihako (aided by Ngatipaoa) on the one side, and Ngatitamatera on the other. The survey was stopped by an armed party of Ngatihako. It has been arranged for certain men, who have been specially selected by both sides, to invesiigate and settle this question. This has for a time delayed the survey of the portion of the large Piako Block which here marches with the lands of Ngatihako and Ngatitamatera. There is also a dispute between the Ngatipaoa and Ngatimaru, as to the position of the north-west boundary of the Orua block, owned by the Ngatimaru. This has been left to arbitration by men specially selected by both tribes. The nonfulfilment of the arrangement for the exchange of the lands comprised in Webster's old land claim at Maukoro on the western side of the Piako (now owned by Mr. Whitaker) for lands elsewhere, as arranged between the Government, the chief Tarapipipi te Kopara, and Mr. Whitaker, has been a fruitful source of discontent, and has caused much interference with the surveyors. I am, however, happy to say this obstruction is now removed, and the surveys are progressing as fast as the season of the year will permit, in low-lying country. The friendly Ngatiraukawa claiming the Patatere Blocks are very anxious to arrive at a final arrangement about their country; in several instances they are widiug to dispose of the freehold, instead of leasing the lands as formerly arranged. The llauhau portion of the owners have so far beeu able to delay the negotiations; but the firm stand taken by the loyal portion of the tribe, and the pressure they are bringing to bear on tlietn, is beginning to be felt, and will probably iv a short time induce the withdrawal of the opposition. The other blocks under negotiation require but little comment from me. The surveys and preliminary agreements have been made, aud ou the title being investigated by the Court there will be but little difficulty in procuring tho conveyances, as the lauds are situated where there is no European competition, and no Natives with llauhau proclivities. The blocks which present the greatest obstacles to their acquisition are those situated at Ohinemuri, Waihou East and West, Te Aroha, Waitoa, and Piako. This partly arises from the peculiar state of the title iv that portion of the district, owing to tho claims of the conquering Marutuahu tribes being intermixed with those of the semi-conquered remnant of the original owners of the land. So troublesome are the-'-e to determine, that Judge Munro, at the recent sitting of the Court at Ohinemuri, in a ease of this character, about a block of four acres, observed from the bench that " There was more trouble in deciding the title to it than there would be in the case of a block of ten thousand acres to the north of Auckland, where vassal tribes are unknown." Another matter which in that portion of the district tends to retard the completion of Government purchases is that very high prices have been paid during tho last two years to the European holders of land at Waikato, Upper Piako, and Waitoa, by purchasers from the South Island aud elsewhere, which is well known to the Natives. Land agents and interpreters now find it greatly to their interest to outbid the Government purchaser, and thus induce the Natives to repudiate agreements which have "previously been undisputed. As a rule, the private purchaser offers at least twice the sum agreed to between the Native and the Government Agent, and in cases of very eligible blocks sometimes five or ten times the amount.

9

G.—7.

Under the Native Lands Act now in operation, the Crown is utterly powerless to protect itself, as agents are not allowed to act in Court. Natives who are well known to be principal owners and occupiers of lands which have been sold to the Crown, aud who have signed agreements to sell, have occasionally withdrawn from their claim, or have not pressed it in the Court as against outside claimants or counter-claimants, or have secretly plotted to agree to the claims of non-owners, for the v purpose of securing additional payments, or to upset previous arrangements made with the Government. These proceedings could in a great measure be checked if the Crown Agent had power to appear in Court on behalf of the Government, cross-examine such false claimants, and call witnesses to rebut their evidence. When the Government Agent has negotiated for the purchase of a block of land, and agreements have been duly signed, in my opinion it would be advisable that he should be empowered by law to make an application to the Native Lands Court to investigate the title of the Crown to the lands in question. After due notice had been given, and the Court investigating the claim, the Court should be empowered to award to the Crown the whole or such portion of the lands forming the subject of the agreement as should appear to have been fairly purchased. A certificate of title or memorial of ownership could then be issued to any owners who were proved not to have joined in the agreement to sell. At present the Native seller or claimant is the only person who can make an application to the Court to investigate the title to a block of land; and as a practical illustration of how this provision works, I will mention a case in which I purchased a large block of land for tho Government. Pour of the Native owners (also vendors) put in an application for the investigation of their claim. Everything required by law was done, but to my astonishment, on the day of hearing, the principal man of the four claimants rose in Court and withdrew the claim. The Court assented to the application. I objected on behalf of the Government. The Court, after some deliberation, said the Governor must appear personally, and that I had no locus standi, as the law enacted that agents could not appear. In cases where lands are held by Natives under Crown grant, and the Crown acquires by purchase the fee-simple of a portion of the block only, the Crown ought to be entitled to have its claim to a subdivison heard; and the laud should be apportioned between the Crown and the grantees who declined to dispose of their interest. It frequently happens that where the Crown makes purchases of granted lands, all or some of the owners require certain pieces to be reserved from sale. The case of all the owners asking for a reserve is not so difficult to deal with, as tho alienated portion would belong to the Crown and the unalienated part to the whole of the grantees, but the Crown's title would be clogged with a covenant to produce title-deeds, a very undesirable state of affairs with Crown lands. In the case where only a portion of the owners required a reserve, the matter becomes more complicated. It is my opinion that reserves should be dealt with in somewhat the following manner: The reserves should, if possible, be marked off on the ground before the final completion of the deed; failing this, a memorandum should be attached to the deed setting forth the area of the reserves and the situation as nearly as possible, the names of the proposed owners, and all necessary information. The original graut should then be cancelled, ihe conveyed portions be declared to be waste lands of the Crown, aud fresh grants be isssued to the persons entitled to tho reserves as soou as correct survey plans were lodged with the Inspector of Surveys. I hive the honor to transmit herewith a,tabular statement showing the position of land purchases undertaken through my agency. I have, &c, Tho Hon. the Minister for Public Works, Wellington. James Mackay.

Enclosure in No. 3. RETURN of PURCHASES COMPLETED during Year 1876-77.

District. Name of Block. Area. Purchase Money. !auraki... ii ... ... Tawhitirahi ... Omahu West Papatai Acres. 1,464 1,157 460 £ s. d. 219 6 10 300 0 0 69 0 0 Return of Purchases in course o: Complktion for which Deeus are partly executed. 'auraki District. Name of Block. Area. Payments to Date. Remarks. 'e Aroha )mahu West No. 1 „ No. 2 No. 3 )netai No. I „ No. 2 langakiiikiri No. 1 No. 3 tuapekapeka 'e Horeti Ao. 1 ... )whao ... Vitipirorua lochau ... Vaikawau "e Weiti .'oromandcl Foreshore 2—G. 7. Acres. 62,552 2121 992 390 1,1371 359| 1,683 1,673 1,260 1,240 311 1,245 72,(100 44,161 5,000 848 £ s. d. 12,859 13 0 50 0 o 230 0 0 90 0 0 82 10 0 31 O 0 179 5 6 120 15 6 305 17 0 140 17 0 49 10 0 148 10 O 8,556 18 9 8,300 0 0 681 6 0 130 0 0 201 signatures to deed. 24 „ „ 1 required. •*'■ )» j> ' » 17 „ „ 2 „ « „ » 4 *5 n ,i 2 „ 3 j, „ 5 „ 5 „ „ 1 „ 8 12 ° n ii J* ii 7 „ „ 1 5 i, ii * >, 51 41 „ 3 i

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Blocks for which Agreements are signed.

No. 4. Mr. Henry MrrcnKiL, Rotorua, to the Under Secretary, Native Department. Sir, — Rotorua, 30th June, 1877. In accordance with v-our instructions of the 12th instant, I have the honor to furnish herewith a report showing the progress made with the land-purchase business in the Taupo, Rotorua, and Bay of Plenty Districts during the past year. On the 30th June, 1876, the Government land negotiations within these districts were suspended by direction of the late Sir Donald McLean, then Native Minister ; and the operations, when resumed, were, and have since been, confined chiefly to preparing the several unfinished transactions for survey and investigation of title by the Native Land Court, the Government having directed that all the lands under negotiation not previously clothed with a legal title bo passed by that tribunal. In February last, accordingly, the district was opened to the Court's jurisdiction by Proclamation issued under the hand of His Excellency the Governor, revoking that of August, 1873, whereby this country had been withdrawn from the operation of the Native Land Act. The necessary steps1 were then forthwith taken, and claims for all unadjudicated blocks of land under negotiation on behalf of the Crown were made by tho Natives, and forwarded through the District Officer to the Chief Judge of the Court. Meetings were also held at Taupo with the grantees of Runanga No. 2, Tauhara Middle, Tauhara North, and Oruanui Blocks, with the view of settling the difficulty hitherto delaying the completion thereof, which I may here state in detail for your information. Runanqa No. 2: 45,400 acres; lease for thirty years, at £ 100 per annum for the whole term. —Title, Crown grant in favour of ten individuals, nine, only of whom agreed to and signed the deed of lease ; the tenth, Maihi Mafiiopoto, still holding out, a claim was made by him for excision of his interest in the block, and forwarded to the Court. Two reserves of timber made by the nine grantees and the Land Purchase Agents cannot be defined until the excision of this interest is made; but immediately afterwards I have arranged to have this clone, and tho deed of lease will then be complete, with plans of the reserves indorsed thereon, and forwarded to the Government. Tauhara Middle: Lease, 03,871 acres. —Title, Crown grant, in favour of six individuals, two of whom have since died. The lease to the Crown was agreed to and signed by the four original grantees and by the two persons who were declared by the Natives to be the successors to the two deceased grantees. It was afterwards discovered that one of these successors was only one of ten persons who were duly recorded by Judge Rogan as the successors to one of the deceased grantees; and, further, with the exception of one (the individual who had signed the Government lease), these successors were minors at the time of appointment. The, other grantees and the Natives generally repudiated the idea of allowing these minors to delay a settlement of the purchase and lease of Tauhara Middle; and Judge Rogan himself, on being spoken to on the subject, counselled our ignoring the question in so far as it affected Government transactions ; but the Chief Judge held that the minors appointed by the Court could not be safely ignored: and this obstacle to the completion of the purchase and lease of these blocks has continued to exist up till now. As far as regards the leased portion, the remedy appeared to be the appointment of a guardian who would act for the minors; and the Native Minister, when at Taupo in the month of March last, advised the Natives to adopt this course ; but on our meeting them they failed to fix unanimously upon one or two persons as guardians. We accordingly obtained applications from the parties to the lease, praying the Government to appoint a guardian for the minors, and also, as an alternative remedy, an application to the Court, asking that the minors' interests bo defined and excised from the block, in order that the remainder may be dealt with by purchase and lease, according as the adult grantees may decide.

Name of Block. I Area. Payments to Date. R-EMAliKS. Haratanga Waiau ... Ohinemuri Acres. 8,891 400 132,175 £ s. d. 196 0 0 20 0 0 787 17 0 Waitotava Wharekawa East No. 1 Puriri Block Kerita ... Ahirau ... Pukerangiora Waihou East and AVest 707 10,754 2,500 1,098 3,000 400 50,000 20 0 0 678 0 0 175 0 0 74 0 0 205 0 0 70 0 0 3,469 6 0 Deed of grant executed, 3d. per acre. Commissioner paid Id. per acre, to be paid when purehaso completed. Waiharakeke Block Te Tipi ... Waimoko and Petone Ipuki o Moehau ... Manginahae ... - Karaka South Ounouru Oteao ... Piako ... Patatere 8,230 3,881 4,000 1,769 147 175 5,095 2,500 200,000 249,000 385 0 0 290 0 0 52 10 0 6 0 0 15 10 0 55 0 0 120 0 0 101 0 0 16,510 14 5 3,843 0 0 Deeds of a portion at Ohinemuri now in course of signature. Originally to lease, now in greater part altered to purchase.

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Since the publication of the draft of the proposed Native Lands Act, 1877, whereby provision is about to be made for the removal of these " minors in succession difficulties," it would appear that it might be well to delay bringing this case before the Court now, so that a final remedy be provided under the new law, and this course will probably be adopted if no better solution of the difficulty be possible. Oruanui Block : Purchase, 10,000 acres ; and lease, 20,000 acres. —Title, Crown grant, in favour of ten grantees. A successor had to be appointed to a deceased grantee, and we obtained a unanimous application in favour of one individual as this successor, who signed the deeds, together with one of the grantees (Wi Warena) who had hitherto refused to sign unless at an increased rate of rental to what all the others had agreed upon. Having obtained this form and signatures, and forwarded same to the Court, it was considered advisable to fix the date of commencement of the Government lease. As already reported the date of Oruanui lease was fixed by Captain Mair and self from the 10th July, 1875; and a sum of £50, representing one year's rent, was paid to the ten grantees for the year 1875-76. The deeds of Oruanui will be forwarded to Wellington as soon as the Court actually appoints the successor referred to, and when his signature is attested before a Resident Magistrate, or the Judge of the Court. I also arranged the reserve which the grantees stipulated for at Oruanui pa, and made a preliminary survey of same on the ground. Tauhara North : Purchase, 7,52"9 acres. —Title, Crown grant, in favour of two individuals. After duly agreeing to this sale, and the deeds completed and forwarded to Wellington, an objection was raised by the grantees to the direction of the Northern boundary, and they refused to satisfy the questions asked by Major Roberts, who was acting for Colonel Haultain, the Native Lands Trust Commissioner. Since then the chief grantee (Hare Rewiti te Kume) has expressed himself satisfied, and wishes to accompany me on to the ground to fix the direction of tho line as laid down on the deed. The line of purchase was a duo North one, running from Hipaua to tho Waikato River ; but was not surveyed on the ground, it not being considered necessary to incur the expense. I intend shortly accompanying both grantees on to the ground, so as to finally arrange this matter. Arrangements were then made by self and the District Officer with the Native owners for the survey of two extensive blocks at Mohaka under negotiation for purchase, and proposed now to be taken before the Court at its first sitting at Taupo. Under approval of the Surveyor-General's Department, I employed Mr. Thomas Hallet as my assistant for these Mohaka surveys, he being a competent surveyor and also a resident runholder in the locality, and who would be able to take advantage of the weather when suitable for surveying in that bleak and rugged region. After traversing the Mohaka boundary of both blocks the winter set in, aud operations had to be suspended until the spring. Sufficient data is now obtained, however, to enable mo to compile sufficiently accurate maps for the investigation of title by the Court. The surveys of Tatua West Block and Te Hukui next occupied attention, and a general consent was obtained to the latter work as soon as the services of a surveyor could be given by the District Surveyor, Captain Turner, of Tauranga. The survey of Tatua is very anxiously looked for by the section who were decided by the Court in 1869 as the owners (Hitiri Paerata, Te Papauui, and party), and who, in 1874, leased the land to the Government. But there is also a considerable opposition to the survey from sections ignored by the Court and by us, the Government Land Purchase Agents. This opposition consists of a Hauhau section, who are supposed to uphold the King's policy of antileasing or selling land, and of a Queenito section, headed by old Poihipi Tukairangi, who professes to ignore the judgment of the Court, because no survey was permitted by the Natives within the twelve months allowed by the Court on issuing its interlocutory order. Claims have now been sent in to the Chief Judge, so that the interlocutory order of 1869 may be sustained, or else a fresh investigation take place. But before either of these courses can be taken the survey must be made. I intend meeting all the sections interested in the Tatua, with the District Officer, and hope to clear away the opposition which has so long existed to a settlement of the disputes regarding the ownership of this tract of country. The sitting of the first Court in the Arawa country is now fixed to take place at Taupo, on the 20th August next; and tho business mentioned in the foregoing is all duly set down for hearing on that occasion. After concluding these arrangements in the Taupo District, attention was directed to the incomplete negotiations at Maketu, in the Bay of Plenty. The survey of Te Puke Block was recommenced by Mr. Edgecumbe, of the Surveyor-General's Department, and completed without any very serious interruption, thanks to the amicable understanding established by the Hon. Dr. Pollen with the Ngatiwhakaue tribe at Tauranga in January last, and due also to the tact, energy, and discretion displayed by Captain Mair, the District Officer, who conducted throughout ihe whole of the delicate and troublesome negotiations connected with this important work. The surveys of the other Maketu Blocks will be proceeded with as soon as the surveyor can overtake the work; and, having held a consultation recently in Auckland with the Chief Surveyor and the District Surveyor, it has been decided to adopt the original Native Land Court surve}? s for the Government transactions, and only to survey any new boundaries which may be required to define same. This will greatly simplify and lessen the work for the surveyor, and no delay need take place in bringing all the Maketu negotiations before the Native Land Court immediately after tho Taupo sitting. At the same time it may be remarked that it would seem wise to delay the hearing of these cases until the proposed provisions for protecting the interests of the Crown over lands under negotiation have been secured under the new Act, otherwise the action of private speculators may prove troublesome. The following is a list of the blocks of land which have been prepared or are now under survey for the Native Lands Court, showing areas : — ' Lands, Taupo District. Hilly Pastoral. Acres. 1 and 2. Mohaka, 2 blocks, purchases, under survey ... ... ... 60,000 3. Taharua, purchases under survey ... ... ... ... 14,000 4. Runanga No. 1, lease ; claim for hearing sent; surveyed ... ... 43,000

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[See description in previous pages.] Acres. 5. Tauhara Middle, lease; claim for excision sent; surveyed ... ... 93,871 6. „ „ purchase ~ ~ ... ... 11,594 7. „ North, under settlement by Land Purchase Agents ; surveyed 7,829 8. Oruanui, purchase; succession claim sent „ 10,000 9. „ lease „ „ 20,142 10. Runanga No. 2; claim for excision sent „ 45,400 11. Tatua West, lease ; claim for hearing ;to be surveyed ... ... 25,000 12. Te Hukui, purchase „ „ ... (say) 1,000 Lands, Maketu District, Bay of Plenty. Light Soil, with bush ; fit for settlement, pastoral and agricultural. Acres. 1. Te Puke, purchase; claim for hearing sent; surveyed ... ... 25,000 2. Paengaroa „ ~ under survey ... ... 20,000 3. Kaikokopu ~ ~ surveyed ... ... 12,000 4. Otamarakau, purchase „ „ ... ... 27,700 5. Koikokopu, leaso block „ „ ... ... 28,000 6. Rangiuru, lease ~ is partly surveyed ... 40,000 From the foregoing, it will bo seen that all the Government land transactions in the Taupo and Bay of Plenty Districts are in a fair way of being brought before tho Native Land Court at an early date. In my various meetings with the Native owners, lam glad to be able to report that a general disposition, with a few exceptions, exists amongst the tribes to faithfully carry out the agreements made with the Land Purchase Agents. The one general grievance is the question of back rentals for the lands leased to the Government in 1573 ; and although a clause was iuserted in all the original agreements providing for the commencement of the rents after adjudication of disputed titles, and not to be payable before, still the belief is prevalent that the rentals should be paid from the date of theso preliminary negotiations, when neither the Natives nor the Government Agents anticipated such prolonged delays in tho final settlement. The land transactions in Botorua-Kaingaroa District are not, I regret to say, in such a forward condition ; and ihe opposition of many of the Tuhourangi, including the anti-land leasing organization called "Te Putaiki," and some Ngatiwhakaue chiefs, to the completion of the Government leases remains in much the same state as at the beginning; so that the District Officer does not see his way clear yet to recommend the survey of the blocks in question, of which the following is a list, showing areas and terms of rent as originally agreed with the leasing Kaput: — Pastoral Country (pumice formation; contains many hot springs). Acres. 1. Parekerangi, estimated 80,000 ... £200 per annum for first term of years. 2. Tumunui „ 50,000 ... 150 3. Ratoreka „ 35,000 ... 100 4. Paeroa „ 100,000 ... 200 5. Kapenca, "1 6. Owhatiura, 7. Rotomahana, . , . , r , „ n , ,- >- Areas and terms not fixed. 8. Te Ivoutu, 9. Rerewhakaitu, | 10. Ngatirangitihi, J 11. Kaingaroa East, estimated 136,000 ... £250 per annum. 12. Te Pokohu „ 100,000 ... 300 13. Rotohokahoka „ 20,000 purchase. During the last few months a much better feeling has begun to manifest itself amongst tho Tuhourangi and other obstructionists towards the Government operations iv these districts, and I am in hopes of being able to report some definite evidence of this change in the way of a general application for adjudication of the disputed land titles by the established tribunals of the country. The only blocks not previously alluded to in this report are those in the neighbourhood of Matata —namely, Otuhanga and Tawhitinui leases, hitherto delayed by the refusal of one awardee, Harata Paraone, objecting to sign the deed. An application has been lodged with the Chief Judge of the Land Court for excision of her interest, so that the deed may be completed, and the reserves promised the lessors surveyed and indorsed thereon. Te Whakarewa Lease: 35,000 acres. —Title Crown grant in favour of trustees, who have all signed the deed, but who are not unanimous regarding the division of the rentals. Two small reserves will be laid off and surveyed by Mr. Edgecumbe, the surveyor at Maketu, for the use of the resident Natives, and then the deed will be transmitted to Wellington. Te Haehaenga Block: 15,000 acres, chiefly timber country; one-third open fern hills.—Natives are anxious to bring this before the Court, and applications have been forwarded. They propose to pay a surveyor's claim over this laud by selling a part of the block to the Government, and which can easily be arranged, I believe, after the ownership is decided. The small blocks of—Te Rau o te Huia at Maketu ; Opakau at Tarawcra ; Opureki at Runanga; Kahakaharoa at Tokaanu; and upon which certain small deposits of Government money have been paid, 1 would propose to cancel three of them, and place the amounts against the blocks named below, as already arranged with the Natives: — [To be includi-d in Maketu Reserve.^ Te Rau o te Huia, advances to be placed against Paengaroa Block.

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G.—7

[Inspected and found to be icorthless soil and limited are3.~\ Opakau, advances to be placed again-t Ngitirangitihi lease. [Ngatihineuru, the owners desire tlis.~\ Opureke, advances to be placed against Eunanga No. 1. lease. Kahakaharoa should remain as it is, pending further arrangements which may be made with Te Heu lieu and hapu for completion of this t ransaction. This block is the only timbered land abutting on the shores of Taupo Lake, and its possessions must at some time become of importance to the public. The area will probably be found to contain several thousand acres. An investigation into the title took place in 1875 before Major Scaunell and Captain Mair, when all the leading men of Taupo gave evidence, and tie result was held to be distinctly favourable to the claims of Te Heu Heu, who made this agreement of purchase with Mr. Locke and myself on behalf of the Government in 1873. I would recommend, therefore, that this negotiation be followed up when a favourable opportunity occurs. I have, &c., The Under Secretary Native Department. Henry Mitchell, Land Purchase Officer.

No. 5. Captain Porter, Gisborne, to the Under Secretary, Native Department. Sin,— Native Office, Gisborne, 29th June, 1877. I have tho honor to furnish the following report of my laud-purchase transactions since the Ist July last: — In the accompanying tabular statement, details of areas, prices, &c, are given. Completed purchases to date arc— Acr.^s. Waitahaia ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 50,067 Aorangi-wai ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 7,268 Total ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 57,335 the deeds of which are now in Wellington. 2. In course of completion, thirteen blocks containing a total of 45,360 acres. 3. Unsurveved, not yet adjudicated by Native Land Court, but for which applications are gazetted, three blocks, estimated to contain 25,000 acres. Several of the deeds of conveyance of the blocks shown as in course of completion are actually Completed, but. owing to the land having passed the Court on a plan approved as a sketch one only, I am unable to forward deeds till a certified map is submitted to the Court by tho District Surveyor. No judgment has yet been given on the Papatipu Block (but investigation of title is complete), owing to one of the survey lines not being closed. The same is the case with the Taitai Block, but, as surveyors are now making corrections, I shall at the earliest opportunity request the District Officer to move for a judgment of the Court. In reference to two of the unsurveyed blocks, Tututohora and Pukeamaru, I would mention that, owing to a spirit of opposition on the part of a factious hapu at Waiapu, tutored by Henare Tomoana and other representatives of the Napier Natives, I have not been able to get the lands surveyed without possibly causing a difficulty. This obstacle, however, no longer exists, and the surveys are to be proceeded with at the end of July next. The Maungawaru Block it is contemplated to survey about October. In describing the capabilities of the land, I may do so connectedly so far as regards the following blocks, which are contiguous—namely, Aorangi-wai, Aorangi-wai No. 1, Waitahaia, Te Ngaere (two blocks), and Maungawara. The front portions of these lands along the Mata River are well adapted for special settlement, as the low-lying portions are fitted for agriculture and the hills for grazing. The back portions of Waitahaia and Te Papatipu arc principally forest, and will not be used for settlement until lands in the other portion of the district become occupied; the laud itself is of a good quality, as is remarkable with all other lands throughout this East Coast District —muchsuperior to other parts of New Zealand, which may be principally attributable to the mildness of the climate, laying so far eastward. The Tututohora and Pukeamaru Blocks do not come under theforegoing description, being situated at the other end of the district round East Cape; both are close to the coast but are principally forest. Tututohora is quite level, and contains a good deal of tolara timber. Taitai is situated near Aorangi-wai, and is easy of access, and well adapted for pastoral purposes. Iv former reports from myself and !S. Locke, Esq., recommendations have been made to open up this country by a main line of road from the head of the Poverty Bay Valley to Waiapu, which, by the natural features of the country, will, I feel assured, in course of time become a necessity as thepopulation increases; and I do not doubt that so soon as the lands negotiated by Mr. J. A. Wilson are completed the Government will sec the advantage of opening up a road, and thus greatly enhance the value of the public purchases. Relative to the probable time by which all transactions may be completed, I would point out the peculiar exceptional difficulties I have to contend with in my district. In the first place, the ownership of the land is very numerous, attributable to Ngatiporou being a large tribe occupying comparatively but a small area of country. One of my purchases will illustrate this —viz., Korakonui: COS acres, 108 owners; proportion of purchase money to each, 12s. This is a fair sample of my purchases. The next difficulty is tho manner in which grantees are scattered all over the district, emailing a great deal of travelling to obtain signatures, which duty has to be performed in the presence of a Licensed Interpreter and Resident Magistrate—a very irksome and unnecessary provision in the Laud Act, as I often lose opportunites of obtaining signatures of grantees presenting

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themselves. I also labour under the disadvantage of not having a centre of population, such as Gisborne, to induce grantees to attend and receive their money, which, as pointed out, is generally so small an amount that it would be unreasonable to expect them to travel any distance to obtain it. I can, however, safely say the thirteen blocks shown as iv course of completion will be completed within six months. I cannot state any date for the unsurveyed lands, as I am entirely dependent upon the Survey Department and Native Land Court. I shall, however, urge completion of surveys and investigation of titles. In concluding this report, I may mention that the service has worked smoothly, and I have received valuable assistance from the several departments of Native Land Court, District Officer, and District Surveyor; and further that I have not created any feeling of dissatisfaction among the Natives, nor given grounds for cause of complaint against the workiug of the policy. I have, &c, T. W. Porter, The Under Secretary, Native Office, Wellington. Land Purchase Officer.

STATEMENT referred to in foregoing. 1. Purchases Completed.

2. Purchases in course of Completion.

3. Land unsurveyed, not adjudicated by Native Land Court.

Blocks. Area. Kate per Acre. Purchase Money. Waitahaia orangi-wai 50,0G7 7,268 i s. d. 2 6 2 7 £ s. d. 6',258 7 G 93G 14, 0 57,335 £7,195 1 t;

Blocks. Area. Rate 'per Acre. Purchase Money Payments to date. Remarks. Te Papatipu Aniwaniwa ... Te Ngaere ... Ouemahanga Opouwhetu... Whakaironui Te Angaanga TeRoto ... Korakonui ... Horehore ... Arawhawhati-Hikurangi Aorangi-wai No. 1 21,591 3,G50 1,01G 1,375 1,678 2,822 1.1G2 1,137 G05 1,125 3,882 1,917 S. d. 2 9 2 6j £ s. d. 2,968 15 0 4G7 13 2 131 0 4 170 3 G 215 0 0 3G1 11 5 14S 17 8 145 13 G G6 3 G 114 3 0 485 5 0 247 12 3 i £ s. d. 3,127 15 5 Known collectively as"TeNgaere." 2 2J 2 6| 2 6 2 7 Payments are incorporated with Ao-rangi-wai, completed under No. 1 section. I 421 5 0 Taitai 3,370 2 <; 310 0 0 46,860 £5,982 3 4 £3,437 15 5

Blocks. Estimated Area. Rate per Acre. Purchase Money. Payments to date. Remarks. 'ututohora... 'ukeamaru ... laungawarU last Cape Island 5,000 5,000 15,000 s. d. 1 6 1 3 not £ s. d. 375 0 0 312 10 0 arranged £ 200 150 400 s. d. » 0 0 i 0 0 i 0 0 Less cost of survey. ii Lighthouse site. 25,000 G87 10 0 750 0 0 Totals—No. 1 ... No. 2 ... No. 3 ... Acres. 57,335 45,3G0 25,000 127,696

G.—7.

No. 6. Mr. S. Locke, R.M., Napier, to the Under Secretary, Native Department. Sir,— Napier, 18th May, 1877. I have the honor to forward tho following report on the present position of land purchases on the East Coast: — This district up to the end of last year was divided into three—viz., Hawke's Bay, under charge of Mr. J. P. Hamlin ; Poverty Bay, under charge of Mr. J. A. Wilson ; and Waiapu, under charge of Captain Porter. On the 31st December last Mr. J. A. Wilson ceased his connection with Government, and a short time after I was requested to take the general supervision of all the Government land-purchase negotiations on the East Coast. Before entering into the present state of the lands under negotiation, I would, in a few words, state how the question stood on the Ist of January. In Hawke's Bay, negotiations were in a forward state for the purchase of about 20,000 acres on tho banks of tho Mohaka, the Rotokakarangu Block, and 100,000 acres of land situated between Wairoa and Poverty Bay. on the inland road, known as the Hangaroa Block; also considerable advauces had been made on the Mangatainoko Block, at the Wairarapa end of the Seventy-Mile Bush. At Waiapu, the Waitahaia Block, of 50,000 acres, had been acquired by Captain Porter, besides several blocks of smaller extent. In Poverty Bay, by the return furnished me, there were stated to be fifty blocks of land under negotiation, thirty-eight of which were stated as for purchase; this includes the WaikohuMatawai, and Motu, 111,161 acres (these two blocks also appear under head of leases) ; and twelve for lease, the aggregate acreage under head of purchase, including the two above blocks, amounted to 438,000 acres. Of those, the title for one block only, containing 248 acres, the Tologa Bay township site, acquired by Mr. Wilson from Captain Read, was actually complete ; another block, containing 180 acres, Karamumono, returned as complete, required the signatures as consenting parties of some of the husbands of the grantees, as did also some of the other deeds partly signed. Fifty thousand acres in that return are situated in the Bay of Plenty District. About 50,000 acres Mr. Robert Cooper sets a claim to, although caveats have been filed in this case, those lands having been proclaimed under the 42nd clause of "The Public Works Act, 1871." Seven thousand four hundred acres had been acquired by a private speculator, leaving only about 47,000 acres in a position to proceed with negotiations, barring the Motu and Waikohu-Matawai Blocks ; there remaining some twenty-five blocks, containing about 182,000 acres, still to pass the Court, and consequently to be negotiated for. The majority of these blocks had not been gazetted, and many not applied for hearing by the Land Court. Advances had been made as instalments on the above blocks of lands, varying from Is. 4d. to £2000. Of tho twelve blocks stated as for lease, estimated at 237,000 acres, the title to one block, the Motu only was completed, the signatures of Arapcra and Wi Pere having to be obtained to complete the title of the WaikohuMatawai. None of the remainining blocks had passed the Cour.t, and 100,000 acres in two blocks, on which an instalment of £142 had been paid, had not been surveyed. There are now 175,700 acres, including the above, yet to pass the Land Court. It may be argued that, as a number of signatures had been obtained to some of the above blocks under the head of purchased lands which had passed the Court, an acreage in proportion to the number of signatures obtained had been acquired, therefore that things were so far completed. Were the memorials of ownership or grants under joint tenancy such would be the case, but "The Native Lands Act, 1873," clauses 59 and 62, is very explicit on the point that all parties must sign before a purchase or lease can be considered complete. The few last signatures to a deed are found in practice the most difficult to obtain, and if not obtained, the expense, delay, and trouble of a sub-division is necessary. During the month of February I was principally employed iv the Poverty Bay District obtaining information in regard to the lauds under negotiation, this being necessary, as very few records of-what had been done were left in the offices there; and also in seeing to the passing through tho Land Court of the four blocks situated between Wairoa and Poverty Bay, known as the Hangaroa Blocks, containg 100,000 acres; and subsequently in arranging the price of those lands with the owners. During March I attended the Land Court at Waiapu, and in company with Mr. Baker, District Inspector of Surveys, and others, inspected the lands under negotiation to the North of Poverty Bay, towards Waiapu. During this trip signatures were obtained sufficient to nearly complete the few blocks in that part of the country in a position to treat with through having passed the Court; signatures of the husbands of grantees who had previously signed deeds were also after much trouble obtained. During tho late sitting of the Land Court at Waiapu all tho lands being negotiated for by Captain Porter -for Government passed the Court, and are now on a fair way of being concluded. All tho lands in the Hawke's Bay District under negotiation by Government have also passed the Court, and are being pushed on towards completion, the- Poverty Bay District alone being left in such a backward state in regard to these important points. This backwardness is to be attributed to a considerable extent to not having had applications sent in for publication by the Laud Court as soon as negotiations for the purchase or lease of any block of land had commenced. Had this been done at the time, all the cases for hearing would have been gazetted and heard by the Court as opportunity offered. I would now beg to urge on the Government the necessity of having these lands gazetted, and that a Court be held in the district without delay. I would state, in regard to the quality and means of opening up of these lands, that a great portion of the country is fully up to the average grazing country on the East Coast, and could be opened up by roads at no great outlay ; to accomplish this end careful exploration would be necessary. I have stated in previous reports on this district that a dray road could be made by way of the oil springs, from Poverty Bay to Waiapu, which, with branch roads to the coast, would be the means of opening up these lands for settlement. A bridle road has been made from Poverty Bay to Wairoa through the lands being purchased, of such a grade that at not a great expense it could be turned into a passable dray road. 1 would point out one great difficulty, besides the important question of minority, to be met in dealing with lands passed under " The Native Lands Act, 1873," —namely, the number of persons to bo dealt with in the memorial of ownership in some cases amounting to over .200, of all ages and sex, and without proportionate shares having been allotted. This is also most unfair

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to the real chiefs and principal owners, as no distinction is made between them and the person who by the Maori custom had only a right to use land required for his maintenance, with the tacit understanding that a portion of the crops should _r;o to the chief or lord of the manor in way of royalty. As the question now goes, it is found that the smallest owners, having once got their names inserted in the memorial of ownership, expect as much payment as the others, and the difficulties surrounding a subdivision are much increased. Such a state of things is not in accordance with Maori custom, whatever it may be else. I have, <fee, The Under Secretary, Native Department. S. Locke.

. No. 7. Mr. J. P. Hamlin, Napier, to the Under Secretary, Native Department. Sir,— Napier, 4th July, 1577. In accordance with the instructions contained in your letter of the 17th May, 1877 (N.L.P. 155-2), I have now the honor to furnish the following report of all my land-purchase transactions on behalf of the Government since the Ist July last: —■ I have held my report over till the last moment, in hopes that I should have been able to complete the purchase of the Tauwharetoi and Rotokakarangu Blocks; but owing to disappointments on the part of the Natives this has not been accomplished. I regret that, for various reasons, I have only been able to complete tho purchase of one small block of land during the past year —namely, Makahei, containing 500 acres, for £100, or, say, 4s. per acre. The great length of time occupied in the survey and passing of the land through the Court, coupled with the fact of there bciug iv each block a very large number of grantees to deal with, have been tho chief causes of delay. There are under negotiations of purchase six blocks, namely, — No. 1. Tauwharetoi, containing 56,680 acres, surveyed and passed through the Court; price agreed to be paid £6.000, equal to a little over 2s. Iyd. per acre. Twenty-eight signatures are still required to complete this purchase, on which there is a balance unpaid of £812. No. 2. Rotokakarangu Block, in Upper Mohaka, containing 19,640 acres, surveyed and passed through the Court; price agreed to be paid, £2,000, equal to about 2s. Ojd. per acre. To complete the purchase of this block seven signatures are required, on which there is a balance to be paid of about £299 14s. Bd. This block is suitable for a cattle or sheep run. It also contains a great deal of valuable totara timber. No. 3. Whakaongaonga Block contains 18,640 acres, and part of Hangaroa-Matawai, 4,200 acres, in all 22,840 acres, surveyed and passed through the Court; price agreed upon, £5,000, equal to about 4s. BJd. per acre. I intend proceeding to Gisborne, as soon as time will permit of my doing so, to settle about the division of money amongst the different hapus. No. 4. Tuahu Block, containing 10,852 acres. There has been no price fixed for this block. This I hope to do on my next visit to Wairoa. No. 5. The Waihau Block, 13,500 acres, leased to the Crown for twenty-one years, at a rental of £200 per annum. In this block I have purchased four interests out of twelve, for the sum of £840. On my next visit to Gisborne I expect to purchase more interests. The block is a very valuable one, and quite suitable for a special settlement. No. 6 Mangatainoko Block, in the Seventy-Mile Bush, contains 70,000 acres; no price fixed; amount paid on account, £1,325 Is. I am sorry to say the completion of the purchase of this block has be:'ii delayed through a long-standingd ispule among tiie different hapus of Rangitane tribe. Tauwharetoi, Whakaongaonga, Tuahu, and part of Hangaroa-Matawai Blocks contain a large quantity of clean land suitable for pastoral purposes. About three-quarters of the total area is open fern land, about 5 per cent, of which is fit for agricultural purposes. None of the blocks under negotiation of purchase by me have been subdivided, but they have all been surveyed and passed through the Native Land Court. The unusually largo number of grantees that have been put into the different blocks has greatly retarded the completion of my purchases. It is difficult to fix precisely the time on which these several purchases arc likely to be completed. Should nothing stand in the way, I hope to complete Rotokakarangu early next week ; Tauwharetoi on my next visit to Gisborne, within a month or six weeks ; Whakaongaonga and part of HangaroaMatawai—in fact all the inland Wairoa Blocks —on my next visit to the Wairoa, say within the next three months. I have, &c. The Under Secretary, Native Department, J. P. Hamlin, Wellington. Land Purchase Agent.

TABULAR STATEMENT of LAND PURCHASE NEGOTIATIONS.

Blocks 'urchased. Blocks under Negotiation of Purchase. Area. Price per Acre, j Amount of Money to be Paid. Amount Paid. Pastoral, Agricultural, or otherwise. Surveyed or under Survey. Date on which Purchase likely lo be Completed. 'akahei Acres. 500 s. d. 4 0 £ s. d. Nil. £ s. d. 100 0 0 Pastoral and agricultural Pastoral and partly timbered Surveyed Completed. Tauwharetoi 56,680 2 n 842 0 0 5,158 0 0 Incomplete. Botokakarnngu Whnkaongiionga and Hanguroa Tuahu Wailiau 19,610 2 04 290 14 8 1,709 5 4 )» )> )> M ] 22,840 10,852 13,800 4 34 Not fixed 840 0 0 Good for settlement a M Mangatainoko 70,000 a 1,325 1 0 J. P. Ham La .IN. id Purchase Agent. Nai ler, 4th July, 1877.

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No. 8. Mr. Charles Beown, C.C., to the Under Secretary, Native Department. Sir,— New Plymouth, 30th June, 1877. In reference to your letter of the 17th May last (N.L.P. 155-2), requesting a report of my land-purchase transactions since the Ist July last, I have the honor to transmit the enclosed tabulated statement, in which I have included the confiscated land on which compensation has been given to the former owners of it. I am not aware of any matter deserving of notice outside of the enclosed tabulated return. I have, &c, Charles Brown, The Under Secretary, Native Office, Wellington. Civil Commissioner.

TABULAR RETURN showing LAND-PURCHASE TRANSACTIONS of CHARLES BROWN, Civil Commissioner New Plymouth, from 1st June, 1876, to 31st May, 1877.

* The £100 advanced on this block has since been refunded to the Public Account. Charles Brown, New Plymouth, 30th June, 1877. Civil Commissioner.

No. 9. Mr. James Booth to the Under Secretary, Native Department, Wellington. Sic, — Wanganui, 28th June, 1877. I have the honor herewith to forward a detailed report of land-purchase operations in my district for year ending 30th June, 1877. The total amount of land purchased is not so great as that of previous years. This result has been owing to several causes; amongst others, I may state that in my capacity of officer in charge of a very large Native district, I have had a number of duties to perform, which have interfered very materially with purely land-purchase operations, some of those duties detaining me for several weeks at a time in various and distant parts of the district. Another reason I may state is the difficulty I find in dealing with some of the claimants. Since the last session of Parliament some of these men have adopted the repudiation principles of a section of Natives on the East Coast, and although they refrain from active open opposition, yet by persistently absenting themselves from all meetings called for the purpose of completing purchases, they have been able very seriously to interrupt our operations. One of the officers of the department (Mr. R. Booth) has during the year visited Natives residing in distant parts of the country —Taupo, Tauranga, Waikato, and other places —for the purpose of obtaining signatures of the absentees from this district for final completion of purchases. Owing to difficulties peculiar to all dealings with Natives in land-purchase operations, it is impossible to state positively when the whole of the purchases will be completed. In the detailed report I have ventured in some cases to give an approximate date of completion. I may state, in conclusion, that during the year every possible effort has been made to close up the work. During the ensuing year no effort will be spared towards the attainment of the object in view. T need hardly add that a persistent determination to close purchases at once would certainly have the effect of raising the price of land, and would also possibly cause still further delay. I have, &c., H. T. Clarke, Esq., James Booth, Under Secretary, Native Department, Wellington. Laud Purchase Officer 3—G. 7."

Name of Block. District. Surveyed or under survey. Estimated Area. Price per acre. Total amount paid to ills! May, 1877. When Purchase may be completed. : Whether individualized or hearing of Native Land Court applied for. Capabilities: whether suited for settlement, agricultural, or pastoral purposes. Wairoa Not surveyed Surveyed Acres. 40,000 Not fixed 2/6 £ s. d. 20 0 0 Uncertain Confiscated land Agricultural. Tgarauru )kahutiria Patea 15,592| 1,917 12 0 Completed >> Agricultural (small portion clear, rest forest). Agricultural (forest). Small portion clear, rest forest (agricultural). Agricultur.il (greater part open land). Agricultural (principally forest). )paku Vaingongoro to Opaku (Patea) Vaimate )> Now being surveyed Not surveyed 24,160 60,000 2/6 2/4 3,110 6 0 2,417 2 1 In about two months Uncertain i» Ngatiruanui Not known Not fixed *100 0 0 >, 'aumatamahoe Vitinui Ngatimaru » 50,000 100 0 0 100 0 0 n ,t Hearing not yet applied for Hearing applied for M langaere ifangimingi ... > Rahui Patea 100,000 >> 100 0 0 »> 20,000 >> >> >i i)

G.—7.

LIST of COMPLETED PURCHASES in the MANAWATU-KUKUTAUAKI DISTRICT, with remarks thereon.

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No. District. Name of Block. Area. Purchase Money. Date of Purchase. Title. Remarks. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 Waikanae ... ,, ,, ,, ,, ,, Otaki ,, ... Maunganui Muaupoko Ngawhakangutu No. 2 Ngakaroro No. 2a ... No. 2b ... „ No. 2c ... „ No. 2d ... „ No. 2e ... „ No. 1b ... Wairarapa ,, ... ... Waihoanga No. 4 ... No. 4 ... Acres. 19,600 1,000 4,335 1.933 1.933 1,933 1.933 1,933 6,075 3,788 1,050 9,370 200 £ s. d. 800 0 0 200 0 0 700 0 0 257 10 0 257 10 0 257 10 0 257 10 0 257 10 0 630 0 0 516 10 0 262 10 0 1,457 10 0 50 0 0 Jan. 14, 1874 June 3, 1875 Feb. 9, 1876 April 18, 1876 Jan. 7, 1875 Feb. 4, 1876 May 27, 1875 Dec. 15, 1874 Feb. 8, 1876 Dec. 3, 1874 Feb. 6, 1877 Dec. 3, 1874 Feb. 7, 1877 Certificate N. L. C. Interlocutory ii >j )> n >j j) Tho blocks here bracketed form one continuous block, containing 55,000 acres, more or less, extending from Waikanae to north of the Otaki River. It is composed of about one-third undulating light bush land, with considerable patches of forest timber —totara, rimu, matai, &c. The rest of the land is hilly ; will be available for pastoral purposes when cleared. The eastern portion contains part of the Tararua range ; the western portion of the block is easy of access by a proposed line of road laid off by late Provincial Government, and there are easy grades thence to beyond the first, range of hills to the eastward. The soil on the flat and undulating ground is of good quality, and the whole block would seem to be suitable for special settlement. The distance by proposed line of road, from the Otaki River to the railway junction at tho Upper Hutt, is about 25 or 30 mdes. I would strongly advise construction of proposed line of road before this land is put into the market. The General Government surveyor is now engaged cutting the boundary lines of the blocks above-mentioned on the westward side, and I would propose that, as the boundaries to the south, cast, and north, can be accurately fixed by trigonometrical survey from stations already erected, when survey is completed one certificate should be obtained for the whole, as above described. This block of 2,290 acres is a long strip, embracing level land on western boundary, and extending to the Tararua range on the east; there is a narrow strip dividing this block from the one above described. I hope to be able very shortly to complete the purchase, and also of another strip to the northward, which now separates us from other completed purchases. The description of country corresponds with the block above already described. These blocks arc comprised of hilly country, covered with light bush. Exciting on the farthest range of the Tararua eastward, it is well adapted for grazing. Large numbers of wild cattle are now on the lower ranges and in the valleys. There is one block, belonging to the Xgatikauwhata tribe, which, when purchased, will connect this land with the Pukehou Blocks North. There is at present 6d. an acre difference between us and the claimants. ,, » ,, 11 15 „ No. 2a... „ No. 2b... 880 1,410 220 0 0 105 15 0 Jan. 31, 1875 Nov. 22, 1-875 !» „ 1) 16 17 IS 19 20 21 22 25 25 26 27 2S ,, ,, „ ,, ... „ No. 3d... Pukehou No. 5e „ No. 5d ... „ No. 5c No. 5b ... No. 3 No. 2 No. 1 Manawatu-Kukutauaki No. 4a No. 4g „ No. 4b „ No. 4c „ No. 4d „ No. 4e 1,503 1,000 1,000 2,422 2,422 1,685 1.685 1,685 4,420 2,355 561 2,800 2,813 2,800 128 0 0 90 0 0 87 10 0 200 0 0 220 0 0 200 0 0 200 0 0 200 0 0 550 0 0 Feb. 11,1876 June 12, 1875 May 28, 1875 Feb. 11, 1876 Feb. 16, 1876 Feb. 4, 1875 Feb. 4, 1875 Feb. 4, 1875 Feb. 3, 1875 )» J) !> ,, >) ,, ... ,) The western portion of this block of 21,000 acres, more or less, contains some of the finest land in the district ; it is easy of access, and well adapted for settlement j it is lightly timbered, and will grow anything. The eastern portion corresponds with the block above described. There are two blocks between this and the Muhunoa purchased land, on one of which Government has a lien. .Some of claimants are absent at Waikato and 'tauranga, consequently we have not been able to complete purchase. The other block cannot be bought just now, but will come iu by-and-by, if required. ,, >> ,, ... N ,, | 421 17 6 Feb. 3,1875 I) „ „ 400 0 0 398 17 6 420 0 0 June 2, 1875 Feb. 8, 1875 June 8, 1875 ») ,, ii This block of 4,000 acres, or thereabouts, extends from the Muhunoa Native settlement to the Tararua range. The western portion —say, one third, of the land is very good, and covered with useful timber —totara, &c.; the rest is mountainous, but when cleared will make sheep country. This block of 9,700 acres is all of good quality ; western portion easy of access, and well adapted for settlement; the rest is hilly, well adapted for pastoral purposes when cleared. It adjoins the Manawatu-Kukutauaki Nos. 2e, &c, purchases of which wc hope to complete in September next. level land ; part covered with bush, part swamp, drainable ; lias a frontage to Manawatu River. ,evel land ; contains some good timber ; situated near Manawatu River. his land is of good quality, mostly under grass ; of easy access. 29 30 „ Muhunoa No. 3 No. 4 460 3,500 140 0 0 472 10 0 Aug. 4, 1875 Feb. 9, 1875 M >i 81 82 86 37 Manawatu ... ,, ... ,, Manawatu-Kukutauaki No. 7c „ No. 7b „ No. 7a No. 3 No. 2f Takapu No. 2 Totara No. 3 742 742 742 7,550 1,200 276 355 278 0 0 278 0 0 278 0 0 876 17 6 300 0 0 103 10 0 355 0 0 May 13, 1876 May 12, 1876 May 12, 1876 Nov. 19, 1875 May 2, 1876 Feb. 9, 1876 Aug. 2, 1876 it ii ,, ... >> it „ ii

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l 2 3 4 5 Wanganui ... ii ... ,, ... Paratieke ... Heao ... Pikopiko No. 1 Pikopiko No. 2 Kirikau Tokomaru 6,000 1,200 0 0 8,365 1,673 0 0 3,600 676 0 0 2,310 124 0 0 ... 17,800 2,225 0 0 ... 16,534 3,206 16 0 f This block of 14,000 acres lies between the Wangaehu and Mangawhero Rivers : it is mostly bush soil of good quality. There is a high but not inaccessible ridge between the rivers. On the Mar. 11, 1876 N. L. C. banks of cither river there are some flat portions which will make good homesteads ; the hills Memorial -{ behind being well adapted for grazing, when cleared. Access can be got to the Mangawhero July 17, 1873 N. L. C. side of block by a road which leads to Mr. McGregor's farm, and thence to the block by bridleCertificate track. The distance from Wanganui is about 25 miles. To the Wangaehu side access can be { had by the Wangamii-Murimotu Road. Surveyors are now preparing this block for the market. July 18,1873 Certificate f Within 15 miles of Wanganui; access bv a nearly level road by Upokongaro ; hilly, covered with July 18, 1873 „ i bush. ' Mar. 16, 1876 Memorial This block is situated about 150 miles up the Wanganui River; it is partly open, partly bush; the bush land undulating, and soil of better quality than that in the open flat country. "Present access by Wanganui Eiver. Roads, which are now bridle-tracks, can be made from Taupo, Murimotu, and Waikato. Aug. 12, 1876 N. L. C. About 3,000 acres level light bush ; rest hilly, but not very broken ; accessible by Wanganui Memorial River bank road, 14 miles from town, and by a road through Mr. lime's farm at Kai-iwi. ,, ... ,, 6 ,, 1 Manawatu ... PuitciiASES Completed since 1st July, 187G. 2 3 4 Wanganui ... Otaki Totara No. 3 Tokomaru Wairarapa Waihoanga No. 4 ... Retaruke ... 355 355 0 0 ... 16,534 3,206 16 0 1,050 262 10 0 200 50 0 0 ... 19,700 i 2,487 10 0 Aug. 2, 1876 Certificate ; This land is of good quality, mostly under grass ; fit for pasture or agriculture ; accessible froin Manawatu. Aug. 12, 1876 N. L. 0. ' Situated on right bank of Wanganui River, about 14 miles from (own. About 3,000 acres level Memorial light bush ; rest hilly, but not very broken ; soil good, suitable for settlement. Accessible bywater or river bank to Raorikia, 14 miles from Wanganui, or by a road through Mr. Bryee's land near Kai-iwi, along a high but tolerably level ridge. Feb. 6, 1877 N. L. C. Land of fair quality, but stony; contains some good totara timber; easy of access from Otaki, and Certificate by a proposed road from Upper Hutt through Waikanae. Feb. 7,1877 N. L. C. Land of very good quality, covered with bush. — totara, rimu, and other timber trees; access Certificate adjoins Wairarapa. April 13, 1877 N. L. C. This block is not quite completed. The whole area of the block is 20,585 acres, out of which two Memorial reserves of 585 acres and 100 acres respectively are to be set apart by Native Land Court, and 200 acres for minors. Application for said subdivision has been made to Native Land Court, and hearing fixed for 18th July, 1877. Block situated in Tuhua country ; character of country mostly hush, with a few thousand acres of open country. Bush land undulating, and of better quality than the open portions; present access by Wanganui River. Roads can be made from Waikato, Taupo, and Murimotu. 5 Wanganui ... I i "Wanganui, 27th June, 1877. James Booth, Land Purchase Officer.

G.—7.

(') The negotiations for the purchase of these blocks, known locally as the Kaihinu Blocks, have (^ Two of claimants at Waikato ; shall not be able to complete purchase until I can further comnot been satisfactory during the year. The majority of the claimants hare identified themselves with munieate with them. the Repudiation party on the East Coast. Several of the claimants, however, in each block who have (7) Some of the claimants are living at Waikato ; hope to get it through in a short time ; it is signed preliminary deeds of sale are quite willing to complete sale, but the other claimants have desirable to get this and other small blocks to connect completed purchases. thwarted all attempts at settlement by absenting themselves from the several meetings which I have (8) There is great difficulty in getting claimants together; they are scattered about all over the called. It is now, however, agreed that a meeting of all the claimants shall be held on 7fh of September country. next. I propose, when the meeting takes place, to make reserves amounting to 4,000 acres in each (9) This being a portion of a larger block am unable to complete purchase until Subdivision Order block, or 20,000 in the whole ; and I estimate, if this proposal be agreed to by the grantees, that the has been obtained through Native Land Court. rest of the land within the five blocks can be purchased at an average of about 3s. 6d. an acre, which will (l 0) There is 6d. an acre difference between claimants and self, which I do not feel justified in give the probable required amount as shown in the tabular form. advancing ; the claimants also wish to reserve 2,000 acres. (2) Several small reserves have to be made out of this block on bank of Mauawatu River, amount- (") All necessary steps have been taken towards putting it through Native Land Court, in" probably to 300 acres in all (12) Have been unable to complete this purchase, as I understand a promise has been made by ° O Most of claimants to this block are now living at Waikato ; hope to be able to complete pur- GOTe™"™' th f tllcre s'',"" be il Scaring of the whole of the Aorangi chase in spring after Kaihinu meeting * ' " „ (")HaTC i been unnbl ° uZ com Plctc . tIIIS Pureh f c ■ ns •} understand a promise has been made by ... *.", , ■ . Government that there shall be a rehearing of the whole of the Aorangi claims. ( ) It is proposed to make a reserve out of this block of 1,220 acres for claimants who do not wish m\ 'rhis is a desirable block to purchase; it adjoins Fitzherbert Town, to sell. If the non-sellers will sign the deed sanctioning the sale, subject to reserve before mentioned, >u< s llrrey 0 f this land is completed, and it is down for hearing at Native Land Court, Wanganui, the whole will be completed in a month or less ; if any of them refuse to sign, wc shall obtain a SObdlTi l Bt]l July next . E asy 0 f access f roln Rangitikei settled district; suitable for settlements ; adjoins Otusion order, which will cause further delay. makapua* Block. (5) This is a favourite place, known by name of Wai-o-tauru, near Otaki River, but difficult of (16) The late Sir Donald McLean was in treaty, on behalf of the Government, with Renata Kawepo access ; there is Is. an acre difference between self and owners as to price. for this land. I am not aware whether an acreage price was fixed.

DESCRIPTION of LANDS under NEGOTIATION, and of which it is proposed to complete purchases.

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O.l District. Name of Block. Area. Payments to Date. Probable amount required to complete. Total. Title. Capability. 1 2 4 5 G Manawatu >> Manawatu-Kukutauaki No. 2a No. 2b „ No. 2o No. 2d No. 2e „ No. 2o Acres. 12,808 12,808 12,808 12,808 12,183 800 £ i. A. 200 11 9 204 0 0 175 0 0 192 11 9 199 0 0 67 4 6 £ s. d. 1,299 8 3 1,296 0 0 1,335 0 0 1,307 8 3 1,301 0 0 100 0 0 £ s. d. 1,500 0 0 1,500 0 0 1,500 0 0 1,500 0 0 1,500 0 0 167 4 6 I Interlocutory order, f N. L. C. Covered with light bush, position partly hilly, part undulating ; will be available for grazing purposes when cleared. Easy of access from Palmerston, and Fitzherbert Town, suitable for special settlement.( l) Level land, part of it swampy, but drainable ; adjoins purchased block ManawatuKukutauaki No. 7r ; easy of access. (-) Bush hilly land, suitable after clearing for sheep or cattle. 0 1) Level land of very excellent quality; considerable quantity of bush on it—totara, matai, and rimu ; easy of access by proposed line of road via Waikanae.( 4) Hilly, of good quality. (5) Undulating timber, light, fit for grazing after clearing.( 6) Hill and bush country, fit only for grazing when cleared.( 7) Hilly bush, fit only for grazing when cleared.(") Undulating light bush, very good soil.( 9) Hilly bush.( 10) Good open land, mOBtly in grass. (") Heavy flat bush, quality good ; contains some swampy land.( 12) u »J 7 8 Otaki ... Ohau No. 2 Ngakaroro No. 1a ... 6,360 4,400 39 0 0 848 8 0 800 0 0 120 0 0 839 0 0 968 8 0 || 9 10 11 19 It 15 16 „ ,, ... ,, ,, „ No. lc ... Waihoanga No. 1b ... „ No. lc ... No. 3c... Pukehou No. 4 „ No. 5a ... Rahui Middle Aorangi 300 460 1,353 1,446 1,000 5,600 500 7,256 15 0 0 25 0 0 45 0 0 82 0 0 83 0 0 30 12 9 48 3 6 505 0 0 45 0 0 90 0 0 90 0 0 98 15 0 167 0 0 300 0 0 60 0 0 115 0 0 135 0 O 180 15 0 250 0 0 330 12 9 I» »> n „ " . „ Not yet passed N.L.C. Certificate of title, N. L. C. Manawatu 1,309' 0 0 1,814 0 0 17 18 19 20 Rangitikei Lower Aorangi Tuwhakatupua Mangoira ... Otamakapua 5,250 6,231 30,000 147,000 243 8 7 529 0 0 1,660 0 0 3,220 0 0 1,069 1 5 1,028 0 0 2,340 0 0 1,312 10 0 1,557 0 0 4,000 0 0 Not passed N. L. C. Corresponds with above-named block. (13) Flat bush and drainable swamp. (u) 10,000 acres excellent level land ; 20,000 acres hilly ; all covere.l with budi.( 13) Represented as fair bush land.( IG) n Not passed N. L. C.; survey made, but said to be defective

G.—7.

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BLOCKS of LAND on which Advances have been made, but difficulties exist in the way of completing the Purchases.

lEscniPTioN o; iANDS uni .er e goti ation — contin uet lj^No. District. Name of Block. Area, Payments to "Date. Probible amount required to complete. Total. Title. Capability. r*ai Acres. Waitotara Kai Iwi-Waitotara ... ... 8,500 £ s. d. £ b. d. £ s. d. 60 15 0 2,061 5 0 2,G25 0 0 Surveyed but not passed N. Ii. C ; down for hearing July 18, 1877 Survey not pissed N. L. C. ; down for hearing July 18, 1877 Hilly bush country; soil good. 22 Wanganui Maungaporau ... ... 16,000 300 0 0 1,700 0 0 2,000 0 0 Hilly light bush ; fit for graziug purposes when cleared. 23 „ Kauautahi ... ... Survey not compltd.! 127 14 2 This land is in the Tuhna country ; it adjoins the Retaruke and Kirikau Blocks; it is mostly open country, with light soil. ... Murimotu Lease : Estimated area, 300,000 acres ; i An application for survey of about 100,000 acres was si survey has, however, been stopped by a feiv Natives, rej other Wanganui Natives. Topia intends to be at Wangf lot surveyed. Meetings re survey of a portion of snt to the Survey Department by Topia luroa ant ire-enting three bap%a, Nuatirangi, Ngatiwhiti, a mui for the Native Land Court, on the 18th July I I this block have been 1 other residents on the ml Nf;atitama. Ngatin next, and then possibly held during the year at Turangarere and other places in the Murimotu District. i block, with the object of obla'ning a title through the Native Land Court. The angi »ere instigated to their course of action by Meiha Keepn, Mete Kingi, and some arrangement may be come to.

0. District, Name of Block. Area. Payment to date. Title. General Remarks. 1 Manawatu... Manawatu-Kukutauaki No. 7p Acres. 63 £ s. d. 19 0 0 Interlocutory Order, N. L. C. A smnll isolated block on left bank Manawatu Eiver; ten claimants; majority absent at Tauranga and Waikato. Claimants to'this block are half-castes by name of Ransfield ; they are anxious to refund the amount oi advance, us they are lea-ing an adjoining block for sheep run. This is not a very good block ; includes sandhills mar mouth of Manawatu River ; at present under lease by Natives to Mr. J. Davis. I do not think theic will be any difficulty in obtaining a refund through the lessee. I propose to accept refund in this case. B'ock being under cultivation and a kainga, a higher price is expected than Government would be inclined to give. This was a totara bush, but Native owners have been cutting the timber extensively, and the supply now is nlirost exhausted. I propose therefore to accept a refund of advances made. Some of claimants are anxious to retain Ibis block; if, therefore, Ihey will promi-o to make a refund of money advanced within a reasonable time, I would propose to accept, but at same time stipulate for right of road through it, I propose to accept a refund from the present lessee, Mr. John Davis. 2 No. 4p 260 37 2 0 3 Whirokino 5,410 97 4 0 ii 4 Otaki Paruauku No. 1 200 20 0 0 5 ,, Waha o te Marangai 1,113 143 2 0 i> 6 „ Pukehou No. 5l ... 4,356 55 0 0 it Manawatu... Ohinekakeao or Porokaiaea ... 3,830 138 10 0 Crown Grant, subject to old N.Z. land claims.

G.—7.

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Ilocks o: iAND on w! net Advances ave ieen mai .0 — continue< C3 No. District. Name of Block. Area, Payment to date. Title. General Remarks. Horowhenua Acres. 52,000 £ s. d. 64 16 0 Interlocutory Order, N. L. O £20 of this money was advanced by mc to R-mgirurupuni, the principal claimant, with consent of Meiha Keepa and other*. Majority of claimants now wish to retain the property in their own hands. I propose obtaining refund through Mr. II. McDonald, lessee of a portion of b!ock. There will bj considerable delay before this block can be further dealt with. I propose, therefore, to accept refund. Isolated from rest of Government-purchased land ; propose to accept refund. Tlie advance was made at request of late Superintendent of Wellington, Sir W. Fitzherbert; it was then the intention of Provincial Government to bridge Manawatu River at that point; the scheme has now been abandoned. I propose to accept a refund. Block is now leased by Natives as a sheep run ; propose to accept refund through lessee. A considerable block of land north of the Otaki River; was formerly known byname of Ringawhati, and advances made thereon. This land, on pissing through Native Land Court, was awarded under other names, and in some instances to other Natives of the same hapu than those to whom the advances had been made. Some of the Natives to whom the advances were so made have promised to refund. This money was advanced by order of late Sir D. McLean, and by bis order placed against Tararua. If any money is paid to Ngatiraukawa ou account of their claims ou this block already purchased by Government, this amount must be stopped. One grantee is dead, and delay has been caused by non-sitting of Native Land Court wherein to obtain Succession Order ; propose to accept a refund ; ground, although good, is isolated from other purchases ; price, £2 a • • • 9 n Kutikutirau 50 15 0 0 Not surveyed. Application sent in. Interlocutory Order Certificate a o or. o M a CD O a 8 8 i D c a <x 10 11 Parikawau Ngavvhakaraua 79 50 33 0 0 10 0 0 12 13 Otaki )1 Hurilini ... Ringawhati 1,077 400 doubtful 6 0 0 125 0 0 Certificate 17th sec. It a ■ ■ • Tararua No. 2 35 0 0 15 )) ■■' Rotowhakahokiriri 16 7 5 6 Crown Grant 16 Muhunoa No. 1 1,110 31 9 2 Interlocutory Order, N. L. C. Not passed Court Not surveyed an acre. Committee of House of Representatives on Native affairs last session promised a rehearing in this case ; propose to accept refund. I propose to accept refund. Stoppage of Murimotu survey will hang this block up for some time. I propose if possible to get refund of money advanced. This block is also connected with Murimotu, and, it will be so long before it can be dealt with, I propose to accept refund of advances. The above remarks have equal reference to this block. This block is in the Tuhua country. Natives are now anxious to occupy the country themselves, and stock it with sheep. 1 think Topia Turoa might be induced to refund this amount, which was advanced to his uncle, the late Tahana Turoa. Have already received instructions from Government not to proceed with this purchase, application to that effect having been made to Government by Native owners through Major Cooper. This block is now tied up by action of Meiha Keepa and other Wanganui Natives re Murimotu lands ; propose therefore a refund of money advanced. This block is part of Murimotu, and subject to same difficulties as Maketu. 17 IS Wanganui... Pikopiko No. 3 Okaka ... 2,700 15,000 101 0 0 175 0 0 a 19 Otairi 50 0 0 91 0 0 50 0 0 Not. surveyed ; app'hat ion made Not surveyed 20 21 a ••• Arspikiaka Te Kopauga 10,000 50,000 j) • • • 22 Hauhungatahi 30,000 50 0 0 ii ... 23 }> Maketu Murimotu 5,000 25 0 0 ,, ... 21 25 ») *•* Parae-a-pina No acreage 5,000 25 0 0 25 0 0 „ ... j, ... Ohinoiti ... ii ••• Owing to opposition on part of some of claimants to this block, it has not been possible to have it surveyed. I propose a refund. This block is North of Waitotara River, and was represented as being inland of confiscated boundary line; it is doubtful, however, if a portion thereof is not within tho line ; under these circumstances, I propose a refund. I propose to accept refund in this case. 20 )j >. • Oteka 7,000 20 0 0 ,, 27 Otaki Ngakaroro No. 6 ... 142 5 0 0 Interlocutory Order Wani ;anui, 27th June, 1877. James Booth. Land Purchase Officer.