OFFICERS IN NATIVE DISTRICTS.

19

P.—No. 3a

The object of the meeting was to set apart a tract of country, some eighteen miles in length by twelve miles in breadth, situated between the Whanganui and Turakina E-ivers, and extending from a point near Atene to the neighbourhood of Eanana (a strip of very rough and hilly country), as a reserve in perpetuity to their descendants. The reason assigned for adopting such a course is an apprehension which exists amongst the Natives here (one founded on reason), that unless some steps are taken to check the wholesale alienation of land by the Natives, a danger exists of the owners thereof eventually disposing of the whole of their lands, thereby rendering themselves homeless and poverty stricken. The meeting seemed to be unanimous in the matter ; and upon adjustment of the boundaries, which were somewhat disputed, intend forwarding me letters on the subject for transmission to the Government. Should the Government approve of the action taken by the Natives in this matter, I would recommend that they be advised to have the land surveyed and mapped, with a view to having it brought under the operation of the Native Lands Acts, and more particularly under the provisions as contained in section 17 of the Act of 1867; upon which being done, the Government could take such other steps as it might deem necessary to prevent the sale of the land at any time by the owners thereof. I see nothing myself to cause one to disapprove in any way of this proceeding on the part of the Natives, and I believe that an expression of approval thereat on the part of the Native Minister would gratify the Natives, and increase their confidence in the Government. I took advantage of the opportunity afforded me on this occasion to urge upon the Natives the necessity of taking steps to secure the education of their children, and have obtained the promise of a piece of land within the said block as a site for a school. I am happy to say that I find a feeling of satisfaction exists among the Natives at this time, consequent upon the present administration of Native affairs, and the events evolving therefrom, and they evince much interest in the matter of immigration to this country from Euroj>e, and seemed both pleased and struck with the idea of so many thousands of Europeans coming to settle at Manawatu and elsewhere. I disposed of several cases at Parikino and Koriniti, and the business of the Court is on the increase. On the 28th of the month I proceed to the head of the river, and shall send in a report on my return. The Be v. Eichard Taylor accompanies me I beg also to state that a large meeting is likely to take place shortly at Turangarere, Murimotu country, for the purpose of settling tribal boundaries, at which most of the Whanganui Natives will attend. The day fixed for the meeting is the 10th proximo, but I learn to-day that there is a probability of its being put off to enable Major Kemp to be present, and that chief has written to Eenata and Noah, of Napier, asking them to adjourn the meeting till he is well enough to undertake the journey. It would be well for the Government to have some representative at this meeting, which is likely to be an important one. Kemp, lam happy to say, is convalescent, and hopes to be able to proceed to Turakina on the 26th instant to complete the purchase of the Paraekaretu block. I have, &c, Eichaed W. Woon, Eesident Magistrate.

No. 18. H. T. Kemp, Auckland, to the Hon. the Native Ministee. Civil Commissioner's Office, Sib, — Auckland, 17th June, 1872. Some difficulty having arisen in carrying out the negotiations with the resident Natives on the line for the purpose of connecting the telegraph between the Thames and Coromandel, I proceeded under your directions to act in concert with the chief Taipari, who had already been employed, as agent on the part of the Government. It is with much pleasure that I have to report, for your information, that when I reached Coromandel the negotiations had so far advanced that the arrangements proposed by Taipari were on the point of being accepted in a friendly spirit by the opposing Natives, and that but little remained to be done in which I could be of any assistance, other than that of offering a few suggestions, which Taipari willingly agreed to. The grounds alleged upon which the Omanaia Natives raised their objection rested chiefly upon the fact that, as a community of strangers, they were indebted to the Ngatimaru for the gift, together with the title to the land on which they now resided, and that having no other land to fall back upon they felt they were entitled to more liberal consideration than the Ngatimaru for any claims they might surrender to the Government for the use and benefit of the telegraph. This and some other important questions connected with a very old " Wahi Tapu " on the line, formed the chief impediment to the successful issue of the first part of Taipari's negotiations ; at the latter stage he was, as I have reported, successful, and all claims were met in a friendly and conciliatory spirit. I am also glad to be able to report that, from information supplied by Mr. Sheath and other officers connected with the Telegraph Department, this line, which wdll now be completed in about a fortnight's time, is likely soon to become a remunerative one, and in other respects fully to realize the expectations of the Government. Taipari will make his own report of his arrangements, and I will merely add that from personal knowledge of all the circumstances connected with the negotiations, he has conducted them with zeal and tact with a view to the public good, and to the interests of both races within the district. I have, &c, H. T. Kemp.