G.—B,

20

With regard to the Marunui block of 2,160 acres, Adam Clark has agreed to take 2s. 6d. an acre for the block, and I have given him an advance of £20 on account, which leaves a balance of £250 that he is to receive when he comes to Auckland and signs the deed of conveyance. Respecting the 500 acres of land claimed by Adam Clark, but which has been sold to Mr. Thomas Henry, of Wangarei, Adam Clark says that he simply wishes to be repaid what the Government sold the land for, namely —10s. an acre. I have, &c, Thomas McDonnell, The Hon. Dr. Pollen, General Government Agent. Land Purchase Commissioner.

No. 19. Lieut.-Colonel McDonnell to the General Government Agent, Auckland. S IE) — Auckland, 7th March, 1873. With reference to the Otaua block or the land offered to Mr. White of Mongonui, I have the honor to state that the chief Te Whata, the principal owner, a man who compelled the other natives to obey what he ordered, was the person who offered this land for sale ; but he is dead now, and there is some dispute as to ownership ; I do not think it is of much importance, and think it will soon be over. I spoke to the principal owner, a son of Te Whata's, and he promise,! to write to me shortly on the matter. This land lies between Otaua village and the Taheke settlement, and is a very fine piece of volcanic country, level, about equal proportions of fern, scrub, and bush (small trees). It lies between two streams of good width, and is several thousand acres in extent. Should the Natives decide to sell it, as lam in hopes they will, there would be no hindrance in placing settlers upon it at once. Drays can be taken on the land without difficulty. Five shillings was the price the Natives talked of asking, seeking to get my opinion, but I conclude they will take less. I have, &c, Thomas McDonnell, The General Government Agent, Auckland. Land Purchase Commissioner.

No. 20. Lieut.-Colonel McDonnell to the General Government Agent, Auckland. Sir,— Auckland, 7th April, 1873. I have the honor to enclose you a letter from the Mangakahia Natives, written by Wharepapa, with a translation of the same. I have also the honor to enclose you the agreement for the purchase of the Waoku block, situate in the Mangakahia district, and which contains a receipt for the £150 paid by me to them as an advance on the purchase money, and duly signed by the principal owners of the land. The report of my last visit to the North I will have in readiness for you to-morrow. I have, &c, Thomas McDonnell, The Hon. Dr. Pollen, Land Purchase Commissioner. General Government Agent.

No. 21. Lieut.-Colonel McDonnell to the General Govenhment Agent, Auckland. Sir,— Auckland, 7th April, 1873. I have the honor to report that, on my return to the Taheke and Ohaiowae from Hokianga, that I proceeded to Mangakahia, in accordance with your instructions. On my way there, I met a number of Natives on their road to Kaikohe, many of them principal owners of the country sought to be obtained by His Honor the Superintendent. Hare Potai, Eru Teke, and Piripi Hahu, who were with these people, on hearing my errand, protested strongly against the sale of these lands by Matiu to Mr. White, and gave me directions where to find other chiefs at Mangakahia, who would tell me more. On my arrival at Mr. Frazer's, at Mangakahia, I sent messages to the various settlements, and the following morning Mari te Wharepapa, Paora Kewi, Te Hatiwira, and others, called to see me, and a long conversation ensued, the result of which is that the Natives are still willing to dispose of their land to His Honor Mr. Gillies, for the purpose of locating Europeans thereon; but they one and all, Matiu and Hamu excepted, are annoyed and angry at Mr. White dealing'with only two of their number, and not meeting the whole of the owners on the land itself. They also refuse to agree to sell at the price arranged between Mr. White and Matiu at Helensville ; that is, at Is. 6d. an acre for the good land, and Is. 3d. for the hills and forest. The best part of this, or the most part of the land, they (the Natives) tell me Mr. White has never looked at. They wish to have a letter from the Government, and to hear from me as soon as possible after arriving in Auckland, and they do not