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which he says, " the Government have sold it to a Mr. Henry, for 10s. an acre, though he has never parted with his title to it." Arama Karaka has agreed to take half-a-crown an acre for the first block, and I have consented to this on behalf of the Government, as it is fair land. Bespecting the 500 acres occupied by Mr. Henry, Arama Karaka says that he expects to be paid the same amount of money that Mr. Henry purchased it for some years since, which, at 10s. an acre, would amount to £250. Ho spoke very strongly on this subject, urging a speedy settlement, saying that if it is arranged for soon, he will take what he offered it for, aud not charge any back interest. I promised to recommend that his claim be seen to as soon as it is possible, and I have the honor to call the attention of the Government to this case, with a view to its speedy settlement. I have also the honor to enclose a statement made by Mr. Eogan to me about the Marunui block, which I took down at the time in writing. I have agreed to meet Arama Karaka on the 21st instant, at Helensville, at which time the Native Land Court sits, and as Mr. John Sheehan has said that he will be present, an arrangement can then be made about that portion of the Pakiri block, for which Arama Karaka is trustee on behalf of Wi Apo. Hori te More has promised to meet me at Helensville on the 21st instant, and states that he is willing to dispose of that portion of the Pakiri block owned by him. He is also willing to come to a settlement about some moneys owing to a Mr. John McLeod, which I think will be satisfactory to all concerned. I have, therefore, agreed to meet this chief on the day named by him. Arama Karaka is anxious to obtain a small sum of money on account, as he is in want of cash, and I have promised to send him what I could procure from the Government to the extent of £40. I have, therefore, the honor to request that a sum of money be placed at my disposal (not more than that named) for this purpose. I have, &c, Thomas McDonnell, The Hon. Dr. Pollen, General Government Agent. Land Purchase Commissioner.

No. 17. His Honor the Superintendent, Auckland, to the General Government Agent, Auckland. Sir, — Superintendent's Office, Auckland, 11th February, 1873. I have the honor to inform you that on a recent visit (unofficial) to Mangakahia, I was offered several blocks of excellent settlement land for sale by the Native owners. Their desire seemed to me to be to encourage European settlement in the district, and I promised them that a Government officer would be sent up to negotiate with them, as I did not feel at liberty to personally take advantage of their offers. The land I would recommend to be acquired by the Government, at a price not exceeding 2s. per acre, covering all charges. I shall be glad to have a reply as soon as possible as to whether the General Government will undertake to purchase, as otherwise I shall be prepared to do so at once on private account. One special block which I inspected lies between the Karaka block, Baker's land claim, and the Mangakahia river, and is well suited for settlement. I have, &c, Thomas B. Gillies, The General Government Agent, Auckland. Superintendent. No. 18. Lieut.-Colonel McDonnell to the General Government Agent, Auckland. Sir,— Auckland, 26th February, 1873. I have the honor to report my return from Helensvillo, and to state for the information of the Government that Hori te More has signed an agreement consenting to dispose of all the interests that he is and will be entitled to in the Pakiri block of 32,000 acres, —that is 10,666£ acres, or onethird of the whole block—to tho Government for the sum of £1,000, after deducting the sum of £270 owing to Mr. John McLeod, M.H.8., including law expenses and costs amounting to £21 135., also a sum of £55 owing by Hori te More to Mr. John Sheehan, M.H.K., and a sum of £10 advanced to Adam Clark by me on behalf of the Government, amounting altogether to £343 75., leaving £643 7s. to be paid to Hori te More on completion of title, but any expense connected with surveys are to be defrayed by the Government. The application that was heard at the Court now sitting was to have the land divided so that each claimant could deal separately with his or her interest, but as it is necessary that Hori te More should have power to deal with the land an application for succession of title has been sent in to the Native Land Court signed by Hori te More, to be heard at the next sittings of the Court. It has also been agreed to by Adam Clark and Mr. John Sheehan, who are trustees for Wi Apo in the Pakiri land, that on their being authorized by law to negotiate his interest that they will accept the sum of £1,000 on his behalf, and I have advanced to Adam Clark £10 on this understanding. Mr. Sheehan assures me that there will be no difficulty in obtaining the necessary legal authority for the fulfilment of the agreement that has been signed, and which I have the honor to attach to this report.