C—No. 1

The particulars connected with this purchase are these:—Some time ago, two or three of the leading Chiefs of the Urikapana tribe visited Auckland, and offered this block to the Government, when they received from tho Governor a promise that, so soon as an officer was appointed to the Bay of Islands, the purchase, if a desirable one, should bo made. In compliance with His Excellency's promise, I entered upon an early investigation of the ownership of this land, and, after allowing time sufficient for any outstanding claimants to appear, with the assurance also of Tamati Waka and Pene Taui that the proper claimants had been consulted, I concluded tho transaction, and the Deed, which is herewith enclosed, with its translation, was duly signed, and the money equally distributed between the parties concerned. A rough sketch of the Block is also enclosed for His Excellency's information. The land described in this Deed is situate on the shores of the Bay of Islands; is for the most part hilly, but abounds with timber suitable for ship or boat building and for fuel, and is accessible by, boats at high-water. It is known as the Waitapu and Kaipatiki. I believe this is the first purchase made by the Government direct from the Natives in this neighbourhood. The price paid is, perhaps, somewhat higher than is usually given by the Government; but, as a preliminary measure, and as an inducement for further and more extensive sales, the sum thus given will not, I think, be considered unreasonable. I have, &c., H. T. Kemp Donald McLean, Esq., J.P., District Commissioner. Principal Commissioner, Auckland.

No. 5. MR. COMMISSIONER KEMP TO THE CHIEF COMMISSIONER. District Commissioner's Office, Waimate, Bay of Islands, August 18th, 1855. Sir,— I have the honor to report for His Excellency's information that I have been for some time past in treaty for a block of land estimated to contain about seven thousand acres, known by the name of Omawake, an open, undulating country, with a small portion of excellent timber attached to. it, but the soil, generally speaking, of an inferior description. Its position, however, and proximity to the harbour of Eussell, (being not more than twenty miles distant in a Westerly direction,) point it out as a tract of land which it is desirable should be as soon as possible in the hands of the Government. It is, moreover, unoccupied by tho Natives, is the key to the rich country skirting the lake Omapere, and would, if purchased, taken in conjunction with other blocks which have been, or may be hereafter, acquired, form an excellent site for an inland settlement. After taking considerable pains to ascertain the nature of the several claims to ownership, together with a personal inspection of the land, I decided to offer the Chiefs concerned in the offer of sale the sum of Three hundred pounds, (£300) which, however, has been for the present declined. I think, perhaps, that it would be unwise to press the matter, and that the negotiations may be suspended for a little time longer with advantage to all parties; and, should the Chiefs not accede to these terms, an additional hundred might be offered, if the Government would sanction my doing so. The Bum asked for by the Natives at present is Two thousand pounds (£2000). I have, &c, H. T. Kemp, Donald McLean, Esq., District Commissioner, Principal Commissioner, Auckland.

E 55-101. Omawake. Reporting negociation for Omawake Blocks.

No. 6. MR. JOHNSON (ACTINS CHIEF COMMISSIONER) TO MR. COMMISSIONER KEMP. Land Commissioner's Office, Auckland, December 7th, 1855. Herewith I have the honor to forward for your information the copy of a letter from Mr. Commissioner McLean, relative to the negociations to be entered into for the purchase of a Block of land near Mangonui, in order to afford every facility for the settlement of a body of Canadian Immi. p-rants in that District. I have, &c, John Grant Johnson. H. T. Kemp, Esq., Acting for Chief Commissioner. " District Commissioner, Bay of Islands.

Victoria Vallet, To ncgociale for land at Mangonui for Canadian Settlers. Vide Letter No, 16.

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RELATIVE TO LAND PURCHASES.