C—6.

14

The purchases completed by me at Kaihu on this occasion are as follows: — Acres. £ s. d. Waipoua ... ... ... ... 35,300 ... price 2,200 0 0 Maunganui ... ... ... ... 37,592 ... „ 2,300 0 0 Kairara ... ... ... ... 26,806 ... „ 2,079 0 0 Opouteke (about) ... ... ... 43,622 ... „ 3,389 0 0 Waerekahakaha ... ... ... ... 2,520 ... „ 315 0 0 • Pekapekarau ... ... ... ... 5,592 ... „ 699 0 0 Oue (Mangakahia) ... ... ... 3,968 ... „ 125 0 0 Total area ... ... 155,400 Total price 11,107 0 0 Which, together with the purchase of Waimamaku last month, make a total of 182,600 acres since the Ist of January. The vouchers connected with these payments I have furnished to Major Green, from whom I have obtained the money. I have, &c, The Under-Secretary, Native Office, J. W. Peeece. (Land Purchase Branch,) Wellington.

No. 10. The Hon. the Native Minister to His Honor the Superintendent, Auckland. Sir,— Auckland, 19th May, 1876. I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of 2nd instant, addressed to the Hon. the Colonial Secretary, forwarding copies of further correspondence from Mr. J. A. Tole in reference to certain alleged irregularities in the purchase of the Waipoua and Maunganui Blocks, and to inform you that instructions have been given for an inquiry into the matter. I have, &c, His Honor the Superintendent, Auckland. D. McLean.

No. 11. The Hon. the Native Ministee to Mr. E. C. Barstow. Sir,— Auckland, 19th May, 1876. Certain statements have been made by Mr. J. A. Tole, calling in question the proceedings of the Land Purchase Agents in acquiring for the Crown the Waipoua, Maunganui, and Opouteke Blocks, and as it appears desirable, on public grounds, that an inquiry should be instituted into the alleged irregularities, I have the honor to request that you will, as soon as conveniently may be, investigate the matters referred to, and forward your report to me. The papers relating to the charges made are herewith forwarded to you. I have, Ac, R. C. Barstow, Esq., Eesident Magistrate, Auckland. Donald McLean.

No. 12. Mr. Baestow to the Hon. the Native Minister. Sic, — Eesident Magistrate's Court, Auckland, 28th May, 1876. I have the honor of acknowledging receipt of your letter of yesterday's date, accompanied by certain papers concerning the purchase of the Waipoua, Maunganui, and Opouteke Blocks, requesting me to inquire into certain irregularities alleged to have been connected therewith, and, in reply thereto, beg to state that I will investigate the matters referred to, and report as directed. I have, &c., E. C. Barstow, The Hon. the Native Minister, Auckland. Eesident Magistrate.

No. 13. Eepoet on Ptjechase of Maunganui and Waipoua Blocks. The original negotiations for these blocks, or rather block, the sub-divisions being quite arbitrary, were begun by Mr. Brissenden, who was assisted by Mr. C. E. Nelson, as interpreter. At this time the land was unsurveyed, and Tiopira alone was dealt with. An advance of £620 on account of the purchase at an agreed rate of Is. Id. per acre was made to Tiopira and friends. Subsequently Mr. J. W. Preece was appointed agent for the purchase of Native lands in place of Mr. Brissenden. A Ngapuhi chief, named Parore, had asserted a claim, and at one time threatened to stop the survey by force. These lands were adjudicated upon at a sitting of the Native Lands Court, held at Kaihu, Kaipara, in January and February last, and eventually a memorial of ownership granted jointly to Tiopira and Parore. Mr. Preece with difficulty induced Tiopira to adhere to his arrangement for sale, a sum of £25 being thrown in to make the total up to £2,000. TJp to the time of Tiopira's receiving his money and signing the receipts and deeds, no attempt had been made to buy Parore's moiety.