C—No. 1

I have the honor, by direction of His Excellency the Governor, to inform you that Mr. "Commissioner Bell's attention has been directed to this very important subject, which he will fully investigate when he visits the Bay of Islands. I have, he, For the Chief Commissioner, Trios. H. Smith, 11. T. Kemp, Esq., J.P., Assistant Native Secretary. District Commissioner, Bay of Islands.

No. 37. MR. COMMISSIONER KEMP TO THE CHIEF COMMISSIONER. District Commissioner's Office, Bay of Islands, June 12th, 1857. Sir,— During my recent visit to the North, I observed a difficulty ill which the settlers as well as the Natives residing in the Oruru valley are placed with reference to the occupation of a Eeserve which was made by the late Chief Noble Panakareao, with the sanction of the Government, and for which a Crown Grant had, I believe, been given previously to the first settlement of the outstanding Native claims in that district. Allusion to this Eeserve is made in my report of the Oruru, dated 29th September, 185G . 2. The case seems to be simply this:—Noble leaves an infant daughter, his legal representative. There are also the immediate followers and servants of Noble who still reside and cultivate upon this Reserve. They have been urged to move to their respective locations by the Government and by the Chiefs, and it was agreed that they should have done so some time ago. It is understood, however, that some of the settlers, whose interest it is to keep these people at Oruru, have since advised them to remain where they are, and the consequence is that the Natives are in doubt as to which course it would be right for them to adopt. Mr. White, the officer of the district, has requested me to make a statement of the circumstances for the information of the Government; and, as the majority of the settlers are unwilling that any annoyance should arise between them and the Natives, I would respectfully recommend for consideration that this Reserve be purchased, if possible, from the Native trustees, and the money invested in some more suitable manner for the benefit of Noble's child, if it were thought desirable by ■the Chiefs interested. If this suggestion is approved, Mr. White could soon supply a plan of the Reserve, and furnish any further details you might wish for. The section itself, being an extremely valuable one, would be very soon purchased, and the Government would be at once reimbursed in the outlay that may be necessary for the extinguishment of the Native Title. I have, he, H. T. Kemp, The Chief Commissioner, District Commissioner. Land Purchase Department, Auckland.

R 57-222. 5 OItURIJ. Recommending purchase F of Noble's Reserve. p V Letters Nos. 11, it. a

No 39. THE ASSISTANT NATIVE SECRETARY (ACTING POR THE CHIEF COMMISSIONER) TO MR. COMMISSIONER KEMP. Land Commissioner's Office, Auckland, August 10th, 1857. •Sir,— I have the honor herewith to transmit copy of a letter received at this office from the Native Chief Te Ahuahu, preferring a claim upon land within the limits of the Whakapaku Block, .negotiated by you in conjunction with Mr. W. B. White, and to request that you will have the goodness to report thereon. I have, he, Thos. H. Smith, For the Chief Commissioner. S. T. Kemp, Esq., J.P., District Commissioner, Bay of Islands.

WIIAKAI'AKU. Te Ahuahu prefers a claim to the Whakapaku Block. V. Letter No. iS.

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RELATIVE TO LAND PURCHASES.