Knciosing copy of skeich r^^FitumlXfcßouiHeld.

No. 13. THE DISTRICT COMMISSIONER TO THE CHIEF LAND PURCHASE COMMISSIONER, AUCKLAND. Ahuriri, July 4th, 1855. Sir, — I have the honor to enclose the copy of the sketch survey made by Messrs. Park, Fitzgerald and Bousfield, of the lauds offered for sale by the natives in this district. The boundaries of the several Blocks are tinted red and I have numbered each block for the convenience of reference. Block No. 1 on the north side of the Ngaruroro river, comprises the land offered by Tawhara and Te Hapuku. It contains about 85,000 acres and parts of it are valuable plains. For this Block I had agreed to pay, Two thousand pounds, leaving the land between the Mangatarata stream and Moteoforthe money drawn by Te Mo.inanui in Wellington. Great opposition is, however, made by Te Moananui and the Ngatiteupokoioi natives to this sale, as far as regards the lands between Okawa and Ngaruroro, to which they state they will maintain their claims at the risk of their lives. I fear therefore that in the present state of feeling of the natives, it would not be safe to attempt to take possession of this land. All my endeavours to bring the various claimants to an arrangement, have been unavailing, each party being equally obstinate. Block No. 2, containing about 30,000 acres, has been settled at £1000, being £800 less than the price originally demanded. For Block No. 3, I have agreed at a price of Two Thousand Pounds, it consists of about 38,000 acres, and contains the Aorangi and other valuable plains. There is one small reserve in this block. Block No. 4, contains about 6,000 acres, and for this 1 have agreed to give, Two hundred pounds. Block No. 5, is perhaps the least valuable of all, though comparatively extensive ; it contains about 50,000 acres for which I have agreed to pay, One thousand pounds. I have not been able to effect any satisfactory arrangement, regarding Block No. 6 in the Ruataniwha plain. For this land, Te Hapuku demands Two thousand three hundred pounds, i.e. £1,300 for the plain, up to the dotted boundary line, and ,£lOOO for the forest land, up to the Ruahine ranges. This land is much wanted by intending settlers, who are anxiously awaiting with their flocks, the opportunity of occupying it, but the plain alone, without any timber, would be of little value to them. These considerations induced me to go as far as £2000 in my offers ; but Te Hapuku refusing positively to abate anything of his price, I have left the matter to your decision, to which arrangement Te Hapuku has agreed. I have agreed upon £1200 as the price of Block No. 7, which contains a little over 31,000 acres. The forest land between this block and the Ruahine Mountains, is subdivided into so many small parts, that I have found it utterly impossible to treat for them. This is of less consequence as the plain contains sufficient timber for the immediate wants of the settlers. The small portion of plain between the Waipawa and Mangaonuku rivers, which contains about 12,000 acres, has been reservetl by Te Hapuku for a sheep run. He is anxious to have a Crown Grant for this land, on which subject I have referred him to you, not considering that I had sufficient authority to give him a definite answer. The land bounded by the Mangaonuku and Mangomauku streams, and the Ngawhikarara range, containing about 57,000 acres is claimed by a great number of people under fe Hapuku Moananui, Puharaand others. This land therefore I have for the present left untouched, though it contains some valuable portions. I regret to say that I have been unable to bring Moananui and his party to any definitive arrangement, in regard to their lands contained in these blocks, although I have made many attempts to do so, and have even delayed my departure for Wellington until this time for the purpose. As, however, an opportunity now offers of a vessel sailing immediately for Wellington, I feel that I cannot any longer defer my departure, even though it should involve a considerable delay in completing the pending purchases. The natives above mentioned, admit however, that the portions they own are not large, and except in the case of the Okawa block, I do not anticipate much difficulty in dealing with them. I trust that this explanation, together with the accompanying map and the information you will receive from Te Hapuku, will be sufficient to enable you to arrive at an opinion on these purchases. I have &c, G. S. Cooper, To Donald McLean Esq., District Commissioner. Chief Land Purchase Commissioner, Auckland. l ' '

No. 14. DISTRICT COMMISSIONER TO CHIEF COMMISSIONER. Auckland, September 22nd, 1856. Sir, — In compliance with your request, I have the honor to transmit to you the "enclosed returns of the sums required for payments to Natives on account of Land Purchases in the Province of Wellington, during the three remaining quarters of the currant financial year.

Return ef sums required f- r wan d .PurCi7^f™ '" the Wellington Province, .ntiuiiiftg Hawke'i B»y,

C—No. 1

COMMISSIONERS' REPORTS

18