C—No. 1

No. 27. THE CHIEF COMMISSIONER, TO ME. COMMISSIONER KEMP. Land Commissioner's Office, December 11th, 1856, SIR,— I have the honor to inform you that certain Hokianga Chiefs, names as per margin,* have come to Auckland to request a further payment for Oruru. They have been informed that the whole amount the Government intends to pay for that lind, has been transmitted to you and paid to the Native owners. It appears that Tipene is at fault in not having j. aid Rangatira Moe tara his share of the Fifty pounds (£5O) he received for the purpose. 2. They offer to sell the Maungataniwha district, and you will be good enough to report if they are the real claimants; whether it would be a desirable purchase; and ascertain ttie extent of the land, and the terms on which it can be purchased. 3. They advance a claim to land purchased by the Rev. Mr. Matthews, and you will also report what the nature of their claims to that land is, and whether that question can be easily adjusted by you. They wish to exclude a piece of land called Pararaki from the sale to Mr. Matthews. 1 have, &c, Donald McLean. 11. T. Kemp, Esq. J.P. Chief Commissioner. District Commissioner, Bay of Islands.

Oruru. Certain Hokianga Chiefs prefer claims to Oruru. V. Letter N0,20l

No. 28. mr. Commissioner kemp to the chief Commissioner. District Commissioner's Office, Bay of Islands, Bth January, 1857. Sir, — _ . I have much pleasure in forwarding herewith the original deeds, accompanied by translations, of the blocks of land known as Te Taraire and Te Whakapaku in the district of Whangaroa, for which the sum of Five hundred pounds (£500) has been paid to the Natives. Attached also to the deed is the survey made by Mr. White, showing not only the extent, but the reserves which have been set apart for the Natives. From this survey it will be observed that the quantity ascertained, does not fall very far short of the original rough estimate forwarded when the land was first offered for sale. The position, as well as junction with other blocks which have fallen into the hands of the Government, under scrip exchanges, and with good natural boundaries, will I trust recommend the purchase as a favourable one on the part of the Government. The extent of Crown land in this locality cannot now be far short of ten thousand (10,000) acres. I have, &c, H. T. Kemp, District Commissioner. The Chief Commissioner, Land Purchase Department, Auckland.

Taraire ak» Whakapaku. Forwarding deeds and plan of Taraire and Whakapaku. V, Letters Nos. 12,15, 21.

No. 29. MR. COMMISSIONER KEMP TO THE CHIEF «OMMISSIONER. District Commissioner's Office, Bay of Islands, 3rd February, 1857. Sir,— 1 am anxious to bring under the notice of the Government the follswing particulars in reference to a Block of superior land known as Mawhe or Mawhe Kairangi, in the district of the Bay of Islands, the ownership of which is in the hands of several influential Chiefs, including Tamati Waka, i Patuone, Ururoa, Hongi, Moses Tawhai, Adam Clarke, Rewa, and many other Chiefs, who all have an interest either directly or derivative in the land herein described. 2. I think it would be right if I were first of all to state for the Governor's information that the district of Mawhe was one chosen by Sir George Grey, assisted by officers of the R.E., as a site in every way suitable for an inland settlement and military post, comprising, as it does, some of the finest arable land beautifully situated on the shores of Omapere lake, commanding a central position, and the key to the whole of the interior. It does not, perhaps, contain more than five thousand acres in the whole. It is, moreover, uninhabited by the natives.

R 57-44. Mawhe. Reporting upon offer of Mawhe Block.

« Wiremu T»na Pspahia, Tomairasgi, Ngarewa, Tt Kuru, Murupo. 1

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RELATIVE TO LAND PURCHASES.