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I should observe as to the time the Commissioner would be here, the Natives would not have gathered in one place ; they would have required two places of meeting, for I had great difficulty in persuading even a few of the Chiefs to accompany me to Akaroa. This purchase occupied nearly three weeks on account of surveys. A stranger unacquainted with the localities would have required a month. Mr. Davie and myself on several days, were up at 5 and 6a. m., and working till after sundown, about Bp. m. Againj it would not have been just to attempt to treat for the land, except at the residences of the main body of the Native owners, or at a very long notice. The Kaiapoi purchase required the principal part of a week, including journies. I conceive, therefore, that in the period of one month, i. c., between two trips of the Zingari, nothing could have been completed. Indeed, considering the extent of the country beyond Kaiapoi to become acquainted with, a stranger could hardly have left in less than three months, especially if desiring to ascertain from the Kaikoura Natives, 80 or 90 miles distant what their claims might be. When asking me to undertake these negotiations for land, His Excellency's Private Secretary (by letter dated 16th August, 1856.) stated that I should receive a compensation, to be left to the decision of the Honourable the Colonial Secretary. I shall feel obliged by your taking the steps necessary to procure a decision on this point. My absence from home, and the loss of my private time for more than a month, have subjected me to several small expenses. These, and others incidental to travelling and living at hotels, which could not be shewn in account, I should be glad to have covered. The inconvenience and loss caused in my private affairs will not be covered by £10 or £12 this year. Government has not been charged with horse hire in my Kaiapoi bill; for five days at £1, the usual charge, this would have been £5, had I not used my own horse. There was a day's detention after the deed of sale was signed, caused by bad weather. The whole business has added to my office work, by throwing it greatly in arrear, and has altogether caused me no inconsiderable trouble : for the perpetual interruption caused by Maories coming to see me from the time I was first commissioned to treat with them, has amounted to positive persecution, both during and after office hours. So mach so, that this alone was quite sufficient to incite me to as speedy a settlement of their affair as my official duties would allow. I have, &c, I J. W. Hamilton.. Agent for purchase of Native Lands at Akaroa and Kaiapoi. D. McLean, Esq., J. P., Chief Commissioner, N. L. P. D, P. S.—Will you be kind enough to return the enclosed accounts approved, with necessary directions as to my passing them through the Auditor General's hands. No answer has reached touching my application to you for authority to disburse £150 on the Akaroa or Kaiapoi purchase. Colonial Treasury, Auckland, April Ist, 1857. Sir,— I have the honor, by direction of the Colonial Treasurer, to request that you will advance to J. W. Hamilton, Esq., Government Agent for the purchase of Native Lands in the Province of Canterbury, (£200), the sum of Two Hundred Founds, to be paid by him to certain Chiefs, on account of their claims to land in the Middle Island. I have, &c, (Signed) W. Gisboene, yUnder- Secretary. The Sub-Treasurer, &c, &c, &c, Lyttelton. Colonial Treasury, Auckland, April Ist, 1857. Sir, — I have the honor, by direction of the Colonial Treasurer, to request you will pay J. W. Hamilton, Esq., Government Agent for the purchase of land in the Canterbury Province, the sum of fifty pounds (£5O), as compensation for his services up to the present time, while engaged on that duty. I have, &c, (Signed) W. Gisborne. Under- SecretaryThe Sub-Treasurer, &c, &c, &c, Lyttelton, V