THE THAMES GOLD FIELDS.

A.—No. 17.

15

4. All owners to be free to dig gold on their own land, without payment to Government, but not to permit other persons, whether Native or English, to dig without a license. 5. The Government guarantees protection to all classes of persons, in consideration of which a license fee will be required from all diggers, not being owners of the land. 6. The Native owners undertake to assist the Government as much as possible, by reporting all persons who are found digging without a license. 7. The Government to be at liberty to issue licenses immediately, but the payments to be reckoned from the Ist December, 1852 ; the first payment to be made on the 31st March, 1553, and quarterly afterwards. 8. The property of the land to remain with the Native owners ; and their villages and cultivations to be protected as much as possible. 9. If any of the tribes of the Peninsula decline this proposal, their land shall not be intruded upon till they consent. R. 11. Wynyard, Lieut.-Governor. Te Horeta, his x mark, Wiremu Kapa, Kitahi, One Matun, Hopeha Paraonc, AViremu Kingi, Eruera Tahurangi, Taurua, Tara, Pita, Ileta Rikiware, Ta Nui, Parawera, Hauhauru, Wiremu Maihi Mokongohi, Rangihora, Eruera Ngahue, Mereana, Ngapuka Hopekau, Wiremu Hopihana, Wiremu Oka, Hern, I fohepa Aranui, Hohua, Wiremu Pateno Puhata Hoani, Wiremu Hoete, lharaira, Arama Karaka, Wetere, To Keene, Rangi Kawau, Rawiri Takurau, Anarua, Trai Taroku, Rutuhau. Witness to the signatures — G. A. New Zealand, William Martin, Thomas Lanfear. Witness to marks and signatures— John G. Johnson, Interpreter. Coromandel Harbour, 30th November, 1852. Note.—The foregoing arrangements include the consent of three tribes, and comprise about sixteen square miles, or 10,000 acres. Further guarantee in respect to the Natives who have agreed to lease their land to Government. In addition to the terms of the agreement or lease drawn up and signed, I guarantee that a fund shall be created by a tax of 2s. on every license, for the purpose of paying (independent of the rent thus agreed upon), and for rewarding the Native owners for their faith and confidence in the Government, as well as recompensing them for any damage, annoyance, or inconvenience they may experience from Europeans while digging on their lands.—R. H. Wynyard, Lieut.-Governor.

Enclosure C. Agreement. Let all men know. We, the chiefs and people whoso names are attached to this paper —that is to say, the descendants of Maraterahu —fully and truly consent on this day, the second day of November, in the year 18G1, to permit all Europeans who desire to prospect for gold on our land, to search for and to seek for such gold, within all our lands from Waiau to Cape Colville (Moehau) even unto the sea on the eastern and on the western shores thereof. We will not prevent nor forbid such Europeans. 2. If gold should really be found in considerable quantities, then we will make terms with the Government for the regular working of such gold. 3. Let all men know, likewise, that the title to the land remains with us, and will not at all be affected by this arrangement. 4. If the European gold seekers come in large numbers, then the Government shall adopt measures to preserve order among the Europeans and Maoris. 5. Each tribe shall conduct the Europeans to its own piece of land. Te Taniwha. Wiremu Maihi Mokongohi. Te Moananui. Horopeta. Tamati Waka. Putnipi Parerewa. Tareranui. Wiremu Patene Kakura. Eriatara. Pita Taurua. Te Teira. Te Arakuri. Pakuku. Makoare. Hera. Te Eanapia. Nea Wekete. Reihaua. John Toa. Hoeta.