COMMISSIONERS' REPORTS

C—No. 1

10

the Mohaka river, including several thousand acres of land, which, from being bounded by the Mohaka river, will save a great expense in surveying. I was glad to find the Surveyors at Ahuriri on my return. They have made a sketch of the harbour, and laid down a base line for future operations. On Monday next they proceed with the Natives to mark off the external boundaries, which should have been commenced sooner had I »ot been delayed by Native meetings on the coast, and subsequently by the chiefs of this place, who, in consequence of a marriage feast they are providing, decline leaving till Monday. The surveyors and parties, however, are kept employed, and they will now carry on the more important surveys expeditiously. I shall carefully avoid fixing with the Natives as to the price and mode of payment for their land until yeur Excellency's sanction is first obtained. I herewith enclose the New Plymouth returns for 1850, which are not quite so explicit as I should wish, but at the same time they will no doubt be of interest to your Excellency, exhibiting, as they do, the steadily increasing prosperity of that settlement. I have, &c., Donald McLean, Land Commissioner. His Excellency Sir George Grey, K.C.B., Governor-in- Chief.

Enclosure No. 1 in No. 4. Turanga, February 20th, l85l. Sir,— I have the honor to report to you for the information of His Excellency the Governor-in-Chief that I arrived at Turanga or Poverty Bay, by an overland route from Te Wairoa on the 6th instant. The interior of the country between Te Wairoa and Poverty Bay is very poor and broken, presenting nothing to the eye, from the highest hills I ascended, but, a continued succession of fern ranges, raupo flits, and lagoons, with here and there a few patches of wood, where the Natives cultivate. The country, however, as we approached within a few hours walk of Turanga, gradually changes for the better. In descending from the interior ranges I had a splendid view of the country round Turanga Bay (as it does not now deserve the appellation, given by its illustrious discoverer) which formed a pleasing contrast to the barren hills I passed over: the land is rich and fertile, intersected by three rivers, which strike their serpentine course through handsome clumps of Kahikatea and Puriri forests, numerous wheat cultivations, and groves of peach and other varieties of English fruit trees. We reached the first settlement on the banks of the Arai river about sunset, when the Natives were returning from their reaping fields, some leading horses, others driving cattle and pet pigs before them; they gave us the usual welcome, and presented us with fruit, and honey just taken from the hive. The fat cattle, large wheat stacks of last year's growth, fine alluvial soil, and contentetl appearance of the Natives, made an impression that this was certainly anything but a land of destitution or want ; nor has this impression been deranged by what I have subsequently seen ol the beautiful Turanga valley, which contains about 40,000 acres of splendid land, covered with rich grasses and well supplied with wood and water. The Turanga Bay affords tolerable shelter for shipping excepting with southerly gales ; Turanganui is the largest river and admits vessels of 40 and 50 tons ; a moderate outlay in blasting a few rocks at the entrance would clear a safe passage for vessels of 100 tons. The Native population as nearly as I can ascertain, may b3 estimated at 2,5^0 : the exports in 1850 at the lowest computation for wheat, maize, pork, and other produce to £2 890. For instance, there were 10,502 bushels of wheat reckoned only at 3s. per bushel; it is expected tint 1851 will show a much larger return. The Natives possess 100 horses and 150 head of horned cattle; their houses and other domestic comforts, if I may except one or two neatly carved cottages, are still of a very inferior description. The Europeans possess 202 head of horned cattle, 20 horses, 20 weather-boarded cottages, 105 acres of land in cultivation, a few excellent fruit gardens (including the Mission garden,) Mr. King's and Mr. Harris'—who is one of the oltlest settlers at the place. There is a population of 79 Eutopeans, including chddren ; besides 25 half-castes from 1 to 18 years of age. The Natives have held several me tings respecting the sale of their land, one of which was attended by Te Kani Takirau, the great Chief of the iiast Coast, who along with Mr. W. Baker, junr., came from Tologa Bay to meet me. There is a disposition on the part of some of the Chiefs to have a township, that they may more readily dispose of their produce ; but they generally dread the idea of a gaol. As yet 1 do not consider that they are sufficiently unanimous to enter into a formal treaty for the cession of their land, which they will probably be better prepared to do in the course of another year. There have been various differences between the F.uropeans and the Natives, in which the latter have repeatedly taken the law into their own hands, by seizing cattle and horses when it suited their purpose. These cases are not of recent origin, they have existed for several years ; one of four years standing was brought before me a few days a=;o, which resulted in a mare Ukcii from one of the settlers being restored. The Natives had also several grievances redressed, and all the cases in which I could, with propriety as a Government Agent interfere, have been satisfactorily adjusted. I can easily foresee, however, that misunderstandings will continually arise in this Bay