E.—No. 15

APPENDIX D. LF.TTEB FROM WALTER BULLEB, ESQ., BESIDENT MAGISTBATE, MANAWATU. R. M. Office, Manawatu, October 23rd, 1862. Sir — I have the honor to acknowledge your circular letter of August 7th, enclosing blank forms, and requesting me to furnish a Return of all Europeans in occupation of native lands in this district, with particulars thereof, in terms of an Order of the House of Representatives (July 28th, 1862). It is a well known fact that almost the whole of the native land lying between the Manawatu and Rangitikei rivers is in the occupation of European stockowners, who hold it under lease from the native owners j but to get at the particulars asked for by the House is simply impracticable. It would be ridiculous to attempt it in a district where both the Europeans and natives concerned would, for obvious reasons, combine to refuse the required information. As I cannot, therefore, hope to furnish a report even approximating to the truth, I trust I may be allowed to return the forms herewith, and to decline the duty. I have, <kc, Walter Buller, R.M. The Native Secretary, Auckland.

APPENDIX E. LETTER FROM HENRY ST. HILL, ESQ., RESIDENT MAGISTRATE, WELLINGTON. Resident Magistrate's Court, Wellington, 10th October, 1862. Sir,— Adverting to your circular letter (612) of the 7th August last, covering Extract from the journals of the House of Representatives for a Return of all Europeans known to be in occupation of native land, and requesting that I would supply the required information in my district, I do myself the honor to report that I am unable to furnish tbe particulars set forth in the tabular statement accompanying your circular. As far as respects this district, I would remark that there are few Europeans holding native lands ; but in the Wairarapa and East Coast (Mr. Wardell's district), as well as on the West Coast (Mr. Buller's district), there may be found several within this category. I have, &_., Henry St. Hill, R.M. H. Halse, Esq., Acting Native Secretary, Auckland.

15

OCCUPATION OF NATIVE LAND.