RELATIVE TO LAND PURCHASES.

19

C—No. 1

No. 1 is a return of sums required to complete purchases of lands surveyed, partly paid for, and the balance fixed—£4,055. No. 2. Estimate of sums required to complete purchases of lands partly paid for, and the balances of the purchase money for which, depend on surveys—£1480. No. 3. Estimate of sums required to effect new purchases, negotiations for which have been opened, and the sums named to the Natives, but no instalments paid-—£7000. 2. These amounts will probably be required in the following proportions:— No. 1. No. 2. No. 3. Total. December Quarter, 1856 £1625 £2600 £4225 March Quarter, 1857 1130 700 2200 4030 June Quarter, 1857 1300 780 2200 4280 £4055 £1480 £7000 £12,535 3. I have not made any return in regard to the sum of £765, estimated for opening new negotiations. It may not be required at all this year; and is not at any rate likely to be wanted sooner than the beginning of the June Quarter, 1857. 4. The sums requiied during the ensuing Quarter will be— Under No. I.—Cape Kidnapper £1000 Te Mata 500 Scinde Island 25 Tutaikuii ....:.... 100 £1625 Under No. 2.—Maraekakaho £500 Otaranga 500 Porangahau 1000 Waimarama 600 £2600 In all, £4225. —All these sums will be absolutelj' required immediately, as those under return No. 1 are now overdue; and lam aware that the Natives are prepared to receive payment for the Maraekakaho and Otaranga Blocks, and that settlers are waiting to occupy the land. The sums estimated for Porangahau and Waimarama will not, I think, be accepted by the Natives: but provision ought nevertheless to be made for the service, in case I may be mistaken on this point. 5. The amounts put down under March Quarter, will be required for the Forty-mile Bush, in case satisfactory arrangements can be made to purchase it, and for payments in Wairarapa. On these points, I shall do myself the honor more fully to report, when the time approaches. I am not aware what arrangements have been made to enable Commissioners to draw such sums as they may be authorized to expend in Land Purchases and contingencies; but I trust that instructions upon this subject, as well as the mode in which the Accounts of the Department are to be kept, may be furnished to me, prior to my departure from Auckland. I have, &c, G. S. Cooper, Donald McLean, Esq., District Commissioner. Chief Commissioner, Auckland.

Enclosure No. 1 in No. 14. Return of all sums required to complete purchases of lands which are surveyed, partly paid ibr, and the balances fixed. hawke's bay. Cape Kidnapper, due March, 1856 £1000 Te Mata 500 Scinde Island, due April, 1856 25 TutaeKuri 100 Ruataniwha, due March, 1857 100 Aorangi 1000 £2725 G. S. Cooper, District Commissioner.