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C—No. 3

My absence at the Northern settlements has prevented earlier attention to this subject. I have recommended in my Eeport on the final settlement of the Nelson question, that a sum of one hundred pounds should be set apart for the remnant tribe residing at Arahura, together with sufficient Reserves for their present and future requirements. Admitting that they are entitled to fifty pounds (£5O) more, and that the Kaikoura natives to one hundred and fifty, this would only leave three hundred pounds to be provided for the final extinction of the claims of the Aboriginal tribes to the Provinces of Canterbury and Nelson ; a sum which I feel satisfied the Government would not hesitate to pay, on its being fully ascertained that the rights of the Kaikowa tribe are clearly established, in addition to making such reservations for them as may be found requsite. The Government is placed at great disadvantage in not having an officer stationed at the Middle Island who should be entrusted with the siftingof such information as would lead to a thorough knowledge of cases like those now adverted to by you. Consequently it has been inadvertently led to overlook claims that required greater consideration. I trust, however, that this may be rectified, and that in the course of next summer, which will be the best season of the year for collecting the Natives and marking off their Reserves, that a final adjustment of these outstanding questions may be effected in order that the Government may not be reproached with overlooking the rights of the Aboriginal proprietors of the districts referred to. I shall therefore not fail to keep the subject of your letter under the consideration of His Excellency's Government. I have, &c, (Signed) Donald McLean, Chief Commissioner. J. W. Hamilton, Esq., Canterbury. Colonial Treasury, Auckland February 12th 1857. Sir, — Adverting to your communication to the Native Secretary of the 11th Dec. last, respecting the arrangement concluded by yourself for the extinction of the outstanding Native Claims in Banks' Peninsula, and for defining the Native Reserves in that District, I have the honor to convey to you the thanks of His Excellency the Governor for the satisfactory manner in which this long pending case has been settled by you. The Superintendent of Canterbury has been informed of the stipulation which you report to have been made relative to the Native Crops, and has been invited to aid in securing its exact performance. I have, &c, (Signed) C. W. Richmond. J. W. Hamilton, Esq., Canterbury. Colonial Treasury, Auckland, February 12th, 1857. Sir,— In notifying to your Honor the conclusion under the conduct of Mr. Hamilton, of the substantial terms of an arrangement for extinction of the outstanding Native Claims in Banks' Peninsula, and for defining the boundaries of the Natives Reserves in that o District, I have to call your Honor's attention to a stipulation which is part of that arrangement, to the effect that the Maories are to be allowed to the end of March next, to gather in their wheat crops, and to the end of May next to gather in their potato crops, on the lands now occupied by them, and that, meanwhile, every kind of occupation of the lands in crop is to be strictly prohibited to settlers, —and I have to ask your Honor's co-operation to secure the exact observance of these conditions. I have, &c, (Signed) C. W. Richmond. His Honor The Superintendent, Canterbury. Superintendent's Office, Christchuroh, March 3rd, 1857. Sir, — In reply to your despatch of the 12th ulto., on the subject of the Natives' Crops standing on lands recently purchased, I have the honor to state that instructions to meet Mr. Hamilton's wishes were immediately conveyed to the Waste Land Board by the Provincial Government. I have, &c, (Signed) James Edward Fitzgerald, Superintendent of Canterbury. The Honorable The Colonial Treasurer.