a.—i

18

No. 77. ''Telegram.) Cambridge, 19th January, 1880. R. J. VGill, Esq., Under-Secretary, Land Purchase Department, Wellington.—ls there any objection on the part the Government to Mangapouri being heard?—J. J. Symonds, Judge, Native Land Court. No. 78. (Telegram.) Government Buildings, Wellington, 20th January. Judge Symonds, Cambridge.— No. 105.—The Native Minister objects to Mangapouri being heard if within the Patetere proclaimed block.—P. Sheridan. No. 79. (Telegram.) Auckland, 20th January, 1880. TJndee-Secretary, Land Purchase Department, Wellington. —Mangapouri is distinctly within the proclaimed boundaries of Patetere, and is so notified on map before Court.—S. Perot Smith, Chief Surveyor. No. 80. Memorandum No. 135. Survey Office, Auckland, 24th January, 1880. I beg to enclose herewith a tracing showing country'round Lake Taupo, but more particularly indicating by colour some surveys which are required to be undertaken for Native Land Court purposes. You will observe that the area to be surveyed is very large, and lies partly within the Wellington District. The matter that I wish specially to bring under your notice is this, that there is at present on triangulation over this country to control the block surveys, although it has been brought up to its borders on two sides, by my own work on the north and north-east, and by Mr. Munro's work on the south-east. As I have had no special request from the Natives to make the surveys of the claims for them, I presume that they intend to take the usual course of paying for them themselves. This being so, the Government are, I think, bound to defray cost of triangulation. If I could have spared one of my own officers I would have detached him to this work; but, as I cannot, I would suggest for your approval that the triangulation be let at the average annual rate for last year—viz., Is. 6d. per acre—at the same time authorizing the surveyor to undertake the private claims. In a large work like this it would, as a rule, be better, perhaps, to call for tenders ; but Ifear the suspicions of the Natives would be aroused by our so doing, and thus defeat the end we have in view. The country is a difficult one, and only approachable from November to early May, on account of the snow and the great cost of getting provisions up ; and therefore, though I would propose to increase the size of triangles to five instead of two-and-a-half mile sides, I consider the mean annual rate none too high. The cost of the whole would be considerable—viz., about £1,600. I should have no difficulty in getting two, or perhaps three, of our best authorized surveyors to join in thework—men who are accustomed to the work, and—which is of great importance in this case —accomplished Maori linguists. I do not doubt that, were the work once started, other Native claims would come in which would gradually lead us to extend round to the west of Taupo. S. Perot Smith, The Surveyor-General, Wellington. Chief Surveyor. No. 81. Memorandum for the Chief Surveyor. Auckland, 11th March, 1880. Taupo Triangulation. Your memorandum No. 135, of the 24th January, was received in my absence at_ the Middle Island, and has consequently been somewhat delayed. The sum involved being considerable, the Government hesitaten about undertaking the work. If, however, you will say that, in view of the state of the finances of the- country, it is a good way of expending £1,600, I believe it would be sanctioned. In any case, however, according to your statement it will be rather late to commence this season.— James McKerrow*, Surveyor-General. No. 82. (Telegram.) Cambridge, 19th January, 1880. The Hon. the Native Minister, Wellington. —We are authorized by the Waotu Native meeting to state for your information that the Natives have agreed that all money advanced to owners of land on account of purchase will be acknowledged as payment for land. Meeting much disappointed at Government Agent not being authorized to make definite arrangements, and say that, unless definite arrangements are made with 'Government at this meeting, they will not attend any Court, nor allow bridges to be made in this district. In the interests of the Government, we would respectfully urge upon you the necessity of making a definite offer; and we are willing to render every assistance in carrying out your views. If this large meeting breaks up in its present angry mood, it will be fatal to the prosperity of the district for years to come, as they state that they will not meet again to discuss the question.—E. B. Walker, E. D. Rich. No. 83. Government Buildings, Wellington, 19th January, 1880. E. B. Walker and E. D. Rich, Esqs., Cambridge.—No. 34.—1 am directed by the Hon. Native Minister to acknowledge the receipt of your telegram of this day, and to iuform you, in reply, that he