G.—3

2

included 39 acres of the reserve. Karaitiana considered that as the land had been in McHardy's possession for several years and was improved, he was bound to give him a conveyance of it. For the 39 acres, £730 was paid to Karaitiana, and the trustees validated the sale. The Natives interested in the Arai Native Reserve of 1,000 acres have asked that the land may be placed with trustees, for administration under " The Native Reserves Act, 1856." In 1872, the Waikokopu Block, of 730 acres, was brought under the Native Reserves Acts, by the late chief Ihaka Whanga. Contained within its boundaries were two small blocks of the respective areas of 16^ acres and 21£ acres, which had long since been sold to Captain Salmon, of Auckland. For economy of fencing and other reasons, it was very desirable that these blocks should again become merged in the larger estate; they were, therefore, bought from Captain Salmon. By means of the rent derived from the whole reserve, the cost price (with interest) of the purchases was defrayed; and from the 13th April, 1876, the property has been clear of debt. PROVINCE OF WELLINGTON. Wainui Reserves. Te Puka, 60 acres. This land has, at the request of the Natives interested, been let to Mr. F. Smith for fourteen years, to date from 4th April, 1872, at a rental of .€6 a year, to be paid to Aperahama Mira. t Wainui Town. The unused sections of this land, with the exception of sections numbered from 1 to 25 and from 109 to 114, were, at request of the Natives interested, let to Mr. J. Smith for seven years, to date from 26th April, 1872, at a rental of £9 a year, to be paid to Ropata Tangahoe for distribution. Pakuratahi — Hutt. Messrs. Sennex and Whightman, whose tenders for sections 3, 4, and 7 were accepted (vide my report of last year), having failed to pay rent or comply with the stipulations of letting, the reserves were again advertised iv the Wellington papers for lease by tender. Mr. Gladman Smith's tender for the three sections of £60 a year for first seven years, £70 a year for second seven years, and £80 a year for the remainder of the term, was the highest, and was accepted. Mr. Smith has paid six months' rent in advance. Ramaroa. The death of the Ngatitoa chief Ropata Hurumutu rendered it necessary to ascertain who were the Natives beneficially interested in this reserve. At a general meeting held at Porirua on the Ist March, 1876, called by Gazette notice, it was determined that the rent receivable from Mr. Mackay should be divided in equal shares amongst the following Natives:—Rapehana te Ota Ota, Ropata Tangahoe, Keritu, Ruihi, Huria te Waari, Haaui Tunei, Aperahama Mira, Mareka, Hare Rewite, Riria, Hema, Hiniri, Heta, Pumipi Pikewhera, and Parekahu Whakataupoki. The two first-named were appointed to receive the rent from the Commissioner, and distribute it. Porirua — Takapuwahia. At a general meeting held at Porirua on the 26th October, 1875, to determine who were the Natives beneficially interested in the occupation and rents of the reserves at Takapuwahia, it was decided that Wi Parata Stubbs and Raiha Puaha were the rightful owners of a piece of land adjacent to section No. 108, lying between the Wellington Road and the Porirua Stream, and comprising about 8| acres; also that the rents of Reserves 1 and 2, let to Mr. King, should be divisible amongst twenty-seven named adult Natives, and one child. The Natives beneficially interested in the Kumu-ore Reserve, Nos. 77, 88, 97, comprising 300 acres, at Makara, have placed the land with the Commissioner of Native Reserves for administration. The reserve is let to Mr. J. Bryant at £30 a year. Komanga. The Native Land Court having defined the interests of the Natives claiming rent from this land, a re-arrangement of the leases became necessary. By agreement with the Ngatitoa, it has been arranged that Mr. Whitehouse, who has improved the land, shall have a renewal of term for twenty-one years, from Ist January, 1876, — for the southern portion at £54 for first year, and £60 for remainder of term; and with the Ngatitama, that he shall have the northern portion for a similar term, at £40 a year. These arrangements give an aggregate rental of £100 a year against £50 a year hitherto. Sections 120 and 121, Hutt Valley. These sections, comprising 197 acres, were purchased by the Governor in 1851, in order to supplement the land available in the Hutt District for the use of the local Natives. They were let to Hemi Parai and others, on the condition that as soon as the amount of rent paid by them into the Treasury equalled the purchase money, the land should become absolutely theirs. In 1867 the full amount had been paid in : a difficulty was occasioned by the decease of some of the Natives, and the relative extent of share being undetermined.