C—No. 1

meeting which took place a few days since, upon the occasion of their exhuming the remains of several influential Chiefs for the purpose of removing them to their final resting place. The boundaries of the rvahi tapu, or sacred burial ground, having been carefully marked off by the parties concerned, they left me free to treat with the proper owners of the land, and in doing so it has been the means of setting at rest a question which had, on more than one occasion, been the cause of dispute and annoyance among the Native claimants. A reference to the position of this Block has already been made in the Report above mentioned. Upon a more minute examination of the country surrounding it, I think it will be found eventually to bring into close connection the important harbours and water communication of the Bay of Islands and Whangaroa on the Eastern side, and of Hokianga on the West; more especially if I should succeed in acquiring the adjoining Blocks known as Pirau and Mokau. The interior communication is unusually good for this country, and it presents also the advantage of being unoccupied by the Natives. The district thus described comprises the land from whence the three rivers emptying themselves into the Baj of Islands, Hokianga, and Whangaroa, take their rise, and adjacent to which is (fhe spot selected by Sir George Grey as an inland Township or Military post. Adjoining the Block thus purchased for the Government, is one which was originally acquired from the Natives by Mr. James Shepherd, on behalf of J. M. Osmond, No. 333 G. As far as I can ascertain, the maximum grant for 2560 acres has been made out, and issued to Mr. Osmond on the 22nd October, 1844, under a minute of Governor Fitzroy's, dated 12th September of the same year. No survey has ever been made of this land, or boundaries defined of the quantity granted, by which to guide the Government, the claimant, or the Natives. This is by no means an isolated case from among the claims scattered throughout this district. So soon as the quantity granted to Mr. Osmond is selected and surveyed, 'which I think should be done with the least possible delay,) I believe it will then be found that the surplus, together with what ha* now been purchased, will form a considerable Block, over which the Native title has been extinguished, becoming at once the property of the Crown, probably to an extent of twenty thousand acres (20,000). On the importance of having these surveys made I think I cannot speak too strongly; politically, it seems to be growing into a grave question within which the interests of the Government, the settlers, and the Natives are closely interwoven. His Excellency will be glad to learn that I continue to receive the assistance of Tamati Waka, Mohi Tawhai, and other influential Chiefs of this district. I have, he, H. T. Kemp, District Commissioner. The Principal Commissioner, Land Purchase Department, Auckland.

No. 8. MR. COMMISSIONER KEMP TO THE CHIEF COMMISSIONER. District Commissioner's Office, Waimate, Bay of Islands, 3rd March, 1856. Sir — I have the honoi to forward herewith the original deed, with translation and sketch of the purchase of land referred to in my letter of the 28th ultimo, known as Te Wiroa and Omawake, and shall feel obliged with an acknowledgment of the same by the first convenient opportunity. I have, &c, H. T. Kemp, District Commissioner, Bay of Islands, The Principal Commissioner, Land Purchase Department, Auckland.

E 56-17. Omawake Block. Forwarding Deed of Omawake Block. V. Letters No». 6, 7.

No. 9. MR. COMMISSIONER KEMT TO THE CHIEF COMMISSIONER. District Commissioner's Office, Waimate, Bay of Islands, 6th April, 1856. Sir, — Agreeably with the request contained in your Circular, I have the honor to enclose a statement connected with Land Purchases, for the information of His Excellency the Governor. With reference to the 3rd paragraph of that Circular, I beg to state, that all Deeds, or other Documents connected with the transfer of land in this District, have already been transmitted to the Land Purchase Office at Auckland, accompanied by duly certified translations; and, in reference to the last clause, have to report generally upon the state of the Natives as follows.

E 56-37. Gewebal Rbport.

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RELATIVE TO LAND PURCHASES.