C.—6,

2

these gentlemen appeared to be perfectly satisfied. It will, however, be necessary, in the event of their displaying undue haste in putting cattle or sheep on Muriniotu, to restrain them from doing so until all the Native owners are agreed on the subject. Donald McLean. S.S. " Rangatira," 9th April, 1874.

No. 3. Mr. Moorhouse, to the Hon. the Native Minister. Sir,— Wellington, 25th March, 1874. Referring to the several conferences between yourself, His Honor the Sivperinteiident of Wellingt6n, and myself, as agent for Messrs. Morrin, John Studholme, and others, 1 have the honor to forward for your approval the underwritten memorandum of the agreement arrived at between us: 1. I have undertaken, on the part of my clients, forthwith to surrender to the General Government most completely all claim whatsoever, in law or equity, to certain Native lands mentioned in the schedule hereto and shown on the plan annexed. 2. From and after this date none of the parties (nay clients) interested in the Native lands, the subject of this memorandum, shall (except upon the request of the General or Provincial Governments), directly or indirectly, attempt the purchasing or leasing of lands from the Natives in any portion of the Northern Island. 3. That the best efforts of my clients shall be at all times at the service of the General and Provincial Governments in aid of the acquisition for public uses of the lands, the subject of this memorandum. 4. That for and in exchange for the considerations mentioned in the three previous paragraphs, the General and Provincial Governments, as now represented by the Hon. the Native Minister, and his Honor the Superintendent, have promised and agreed. 5. That whenever the Native title to the said lands shall have been extinguished, immediately thereafter the Superintendent of Wellington shall select about twenty-five (25) per cent, of the lands, the subject of this memorandum, for settlement. Blocks selected not to exceed four. 6. That the remaining seventy-five (75) per cent, of such lands shall remain in the occupation of my clients as practical tenants for the term of fourteen years from the extinction of the Native title, subject to the rental now reserved by the Wellington Land Regulations. 7. That in the event of the General Government only acquiring from the Natives a leasehold tenure of the said lands, then my clients shall hold the said lands as pastoral tenants, at the rate of rental and under conditions reserved by the now existing Provincial Land Regulations. Provided always that the rental paid by my clients shall not involve a loss (annual) to Government on account of rents possibly payable to Natives. 8. That whenever the Provincial Government may require for purposes of settlement the whole or any portion of the said lands, the same shall be vacated by my clients on reasonable notice, compensation being paid for the surrender on an equitable scale. 9. That as doubts exist as to the power of effectuating this agreement under the existing Land Regulations, it is agreed that the General and Provincial Governments shall take action to secure such measures of legislation as may be necessary for giving effect to this agreement. 10. That the actual money payments by my clients (acknowledged by the Natives concerned as being payment to them on account of lands to be acquired from them) shall, upon proof to the satisfaction of the Hon. the Native Minister and the Superintendent, be refunded to my clients by Government. The above memorandam I believe fairly embodies the exact arrangement I had the honor of verbally concluding with yourself and His Honor the Superintendent of Wellington. May I request that, if correct, you will favour me by, conjointly with His Honor the Superintendent, endorsing your approval. I have, &c, The Hon. the Native Minister, Wellington. W. S. Moorhouse. Approved. For the Hon. the Native Minister, Daniel Pollen, 25th March, 1874. Concurred in by me. William Fitzherbekt, Superintendent, 26th March, 1874.

No. 4. Mr. Mooehouse to the Hon. the Native Minister. Sir,— Wellington, 13th May, 1874. I have the honour, as agent for Messrs. James Russell and Joseph Howard, of Auckland, to forward, pursuant to arrangement, particulars of their request in the matter of the Native leasehold runs they hold in the neighbourhood of the Murimotu and inland Ptftea Country, now held by the Messrs. Thomas Morrin and others. Being cordially desirous of assisting the endeavour of the General Government and the Provincial Government of Wellington in the acquisition of lands in the North Island, they are willing, indeed very