G.—3AV

1880. NEW ZEALAND.

REPORT OF THE COMMISSIONER OF NATIVE RESERVES FOR THE NINE MONTHS ENDED 31st MARCH, 1880. [In continuation of G.-7, Sess. 1., 1879.]

Presented to both Souses of the General Assembly by Oomn;and of Mis Excellency.

Mr. Chables Heaphy to the Under-Seceetaey, Native Department. Sic,— Marlon, 21st May, 1880. In pursuance of the directions of a Eoyal Commission bearing date the 30th September, 1879, I have investigated the claims of several Natives to lands and reserves in the Wellington and Waira rapa Districts, and have the honor to report —■ That Petihira, a Ngatiawa woman from Wanganui, is entitled, as a non-seller in the Wellington Block, to 60 acres of land in the Waiariki Beserve, near Cape Terawiti. That, in pursuance of a provision in the deed of cession of the Turakirae Block, at Wairarapa, it is desirable that 200 acres of land should bo marked out at Ilinakitaka for the Ngatitama sellers of that block. That, in pursuance of a contract made on the acquisition of the Turanganui Block, at Wairarapa, a reserve —No. 108 —of 50^ acres in the parish of Manaia should be granted to Makareta Taka, of Gisborne. The late chief Honiana te Puni gave an acre of the Native reserve near the present railway station at Pitone to the Roman Catholic Bishop for a cemetery, and several interments took place there. The gift was followed by the issue of a Crown grant; but the boundaries of the acre were not so defined as to indicate in what part of the resei've the acre was situated. With the construction of the railroad the land in the vicinity became very valuable; and, while the Church authorities maintained that the acre should be entirely on the flat, the Natives contended that it should be chiefly on the hillside. At my suggestion the case was referred to arbitration. Mr. Charles O'Neil acted for the grantee, and Mr. Wyles for the Natives, Mr. James Mackay having been appointed umpire. The decision was that the acre should be taken in a defined position, partly on the flat, where the graves are, and partly on the hillside, and that a road to give access should be conceded by the Natives. The decision appeared to be satisfactory to both sides. On the 31st March last there were in the hands of the Public Trustee the following balances to

I have, &c, Charles llkapht, The ITnder-Secretary, Native Department. Commissioner, Native .Reserves

"Wellington" Account For Nine Months ending 31« if March, 1880.

1879. Receipts. £ a. d. July 4. Eobert Lvon, 6 months' rent to 31st Dec, 1879, on Section 23, Aro Street, Polhill's Gully ... .. ... ...' ... 7 10 0 „ 4. A. Searle, 0 months' rent to 31st Dee., 1879, on Section 91, Ohariu ... 710 0 „ 4. F. Smith, 12 months' rent to 30th June, 1880, on Paikakariki Native Reserve 27 0 0 7. J. Dransfield, 12 months' rent to Ist June, 1879, on Section 45, Polhill's Gully 13 0 0 „ 8. J. Collins, 6 mouths' rent to 30th June, 1879, on part of Sections 39 and 41, Polhill's Gully ... ... ... ... ... 5 0 0 „ 8. J. Collins, G months' rent to 30th June, 1879, on part of Sections 37 and 39, Polhill's Gully ... ... ... ... ... 7 10 0 „ 9. R. Bould, 12 months' rent to 30th June, 1879, on Sections 7 and 8, Ohariu ... 87 3 0 „ 17. E. J. King, 6 months' rent to 13th July, 1879, on Takapuwahia No. 1 ... 30 0 0 „ 17. E. J. King, (5 months' rent to 13th July, 1879, timber-money, Takapuwahia " 'Nos. 1 and 2 ... ... ... " ... ... 5 0 0

irei Auckland account, Wellington account General purposes Wairarapa 5-per-cents Auckland 10-per-cents ... £ s. d. 15 8 8 190 17 8 549 1 0 713 0 0 1,445 8 11