C—No. 1

COMMISSIONERS' REPORTS

3. I have the honor to state for His Excellency's information that I entered upon negotiations several months ago, since which I have been endeavouring to bring to light the man)' claims connected with this land. I think I have so far succeeded that the two points now to be decided ;are, first, who of the Chiefs should, with the concurrence of the others, undertake its sale, and what amount would be deemed sufficient to enable the principal seller to make such an equal subdivision of the money as would give general satisfaction. •4. If this land could be purchased, I believe it would form at once the nucleus of an important European settlement, and the opinions of the settlers leave but little doubt that it would realize a considerable sum if laid off into small farms. 5. Under these circumstances, and bearing in mind that the natives attach great value to the land from its fertility, and from the fact of the Governor of the Colony having applied for it on a former occasion, I would ask leave to be allowed to offer them the sum of Two thousand pounds (£2000), and, if approved, that the money should be made available at the Sub-Treasury here, I would also beg leave to suggest that, in the event of the Chiefs coming to terms, a preliminary survey only should, in this case, take place, prior to the payment of the money, which could be then immediately followed up by a complete survey of the whole. 6. I think I can safely recommend this arrangement to the favorable consideration of the Government as one which would tend mast of all to promote the interests and prosperity of this part of the Province. I have, he, H. T. Kemp, District Commissioner. The Chief Commissioner, Land Purchase Department, Auckland.

No. 30. MR. COMMISSIONER KEMP TO THE CHIEF COMMISSIONER. District Commissioner's Office, Bay of Islands, 11th February, 1857. Sir,— I do myself the honor to enclose, for the information of the Government, a rough estimate of certain Blocks of land which, properly speaking, belong to the Crown, having many years ago been exchanged for scrip by the parties who originally purchased from the natives ; the extent, you will observe, is very considerable. 2. These claims frequently come to notice during negotiations with the natives. I have, therefore, thought it my duty to bring this subject before you, inasmuch as they form a very large part of the Public Domain, and, in some instances, are connected together by the purchases which have recently been made; but more especially as it is to be feared that, since many of the original settlers are not now to be found, a further postponement of the survey by the Government of these Blocks may be attended with considerable difficulty and expense. 3. If you think the subject of sufficient importance, perhaps you would deem it advisable to bring it under the consideration of His Excellency's Government as early as may be convenient. I have, &c, H. T. Kemp, District Commissioner. The Chief Commissioner, Land Purchase Department, Auckland.

R 57-99. Scrip Lands. _ Giving estimated area of scrip lands in his district.

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