G.—s

10

or to lead over wrong boundaries, as is often the case in surveys of Native lands to which the title is disputed, and further, the Government incur no risk of loss. The obtaining of signatures, in accordance with the provisions of the Native Lands A ct, within my district entails a great deal of unnecessary expense to Government, and delay in completion of transactions. I particularly refer to the necessity of having an interpreter authorized by the Act, and the presence of a Eesident Magistrate. I find this is a most unpleasant feature of my duty, as however anxious to complete deeds of purchase, I am wholly dependent upon these officers, as in several instances I missed favourable opportunities owing to the inability to obtain one or other of them. I have seriously considered the disadvantages Government work under in comparison with the private speculator: Government under the present system are compelled to employ two officers to carry out their purchases, namely, Purchase Officer and interpreter, whereas the private speculator has only to employ the interpreter, who invariably acts as negotiator also. This is obviously prejudicial to Government interests, and gives an unfair advantage to private dealers ; and it would be only right that Purchase Officers, where qualified, should be allowed to act as interpreter in conjunction with the Eesident Magistrate, as required by the Act. In concluding, I may remark that, with the exception of these few remediable difficulties in connection with the service, I have much pleasure in reporting that all my dealings with tho Natives have been most satisfactory, and have not met with any obstruction or opposition ; on the contrary, I have received valuable assistance from the leading chiefs of the tribe, who unanimously express themselves satisfied at the working of the policy. I have, &c, The Under Sectretary, Native Office, T. W. Porter, (Land Purchase Branch,) Wellington. Land Purchase Officer.

SCHEDULE REFERRED TO IN FOREGOING. I.—PURCHASES IN COURSE OF COMPLETION.

II. —BLOCKS UNDER OFFER, BUT FOR WHICH NEGOTIATIONS HAVE BEEN DEFERRED, PENDING INVESTIGATIN OF TITLES BY NATIVE LANDS COURT.

Block. Area. Price, including Cost of Survey. Payments made to date. Kemarks. ?e Ngaere -orangi Wai 'ututohora 'uke-a-Maru 'aitai Acres. 70,000 50,067 9,185 5,000 5,000 3,370 £ a. d. 10,500 0 0 6,258 7 6 1,377 15 0 375 0 0 312 10 0 496 5 0 £ 1,605 3,622 1,119 200 150 310 s. 0 0 6 0 0 0 d. 0 0 3 0 0 0 Estimated area. Estimated area. Estimated area. Total 142,622 19,319 17 0 7,006 6 3

Block. Area. Remarks. Poro-Ika-Moana Matahiia Aorangi Tikorangi Ngahaua Pouturu Takapauwliaranui ... Hikurangi (Mountain) Kawakawa Whangaparaoa Maika Te Pohatu Kopua Pounamu ... Ahi-o-Te-Atua Waitangi Ranga-a- Potahi East Cape Island ... Acres. 2,093 3,185 3,000 15,000 20,000 5,000 1,000 12,000 10,000 50,000 1,500 2,000 3,000 2,455 1,156 50,000 Estimated. Prices not yet arranged. Estimated. Offered as a site for a lighthouse. 181,389 Totals, No. 1 „ No. 2 ... 142,622 acres. ... 181,389 „ 324,011 „ .