5

G.—s

1. In the field, under two surveyors and one chainman in charge, a large block of over 3,000 acres has been cut out of the continuous Native reserve, and handed over for General Government purposes. The boundaries of lands granted to Manaia and Patukopa, on the Waimate Plains, have been defined. The Tirotiromoana large reserve of 10,000 acres has been surveyed, a good road run through its centre, and its subdivision (for hapus) commenced. This survey has been a rough and troublesome piece of work owing to the broken nature of the back country, full of gullies, covered with thick forest and dense underscrub. The Whareroa reserve of 10,500 acres has been partially resurveyed, and main roads run through it. Some difficulty was met with when determining the main road through this block, as, owing to the broken country, a considerable amount of exploration was necessary The subdivision of this block (for hapus) has also been commenced. The survey of the Kanihi and Okahu reserves has also been adjusted, and a portion of the boundary of the Mokoia reserve of 4,800 acres also surveyed. A considerable portion of the Tangahoe River has also been traversed. The Natives themselves take a lively interest in the surveys, and are now always ready to give any information required. This feeling on their part contrasts very favourably with the spirit shown some months ago, when they preserved a dogged sullenness, and could not be induced even to talk about their reserves, much less to render any assistance in defining boundaries or pointing out those places which, from ancient Native associations, it was deemed desirable to form into reserves. So much has the Native feeling changed that I have now actually a party of Maoris engaged in the survey work. 2. In the office, in which I have a draughtsman engaged, record plans of all the reserves between the Ouri and Waingongoro Rivers have been made, from which necessary information for the preparation of Crown grants has been prepared. The greater part of these grants have been issued ; the rest are in progress. Copies of all grants issued have been made and duly filed. A large map, showing the position of all lands reserved for the Natives on the plains has been made; a smaller one also prepared with names, &c, in Maori —since lithographed and distributed ; and a considerable amount of work in collecting, finding out locality and definite position of reserves between the Waingongoro and Waitotara Rivers. For many of these, Crown grants can at once be prepared. 3. I have myself visited several of those reserves not yet definitely fixed, for the purpose of obtaining information previous to final survey and subdivision. On the completion of the surveys of Tirotiromoana, Whareroa, and Mokoia large reserves, I purpose defining the boundaries of those grants southwards towards the Waitotara River, and, where necessary, subdividing either for hapus or individuals, as the case may be. I have, &c, H. Ltjfkin Skeet, Chief Surveyor, West Coast Commission. The Hon. Sir W Fox, AVest Coast Commissioner.

Sib,— Hawera, 11th July, 1881 I have the honor to report for your information that the survey of the Tangahoe River, in the Whareroa Reserve, is completed, leaving now only one line to be cut to finish the subdivision of this reserve into three parts for the Te Hamua, Hapotiki, and Ngatihawe hapus. The traverse of the Mangapoura Stream, in the Tirotiromoana Block, is also finished, and Mr. Eraser moves his camp to-morrow to cut the lines necessary to subdivide this reserve for the Ngatitaniwai, Ngatitupaea, and Ahitahi hapus. Mr. Anderson is surveying the 300 acres required to settle the question of the Stratford Reserve: he expects to finish this week. Having obtained the information required relative to the section of land at Whenuakura, of which Mrs. Brown is to have 150 acres, I purpose, as soon as Mr. Fraser has finished Tirotiromoana, moving his camp to the Patea District, as probably, by the time he has surveyed the 150 acres at Whenuakura, Major Parris will have instructed me relative to the work to be done at Otauto, in Taurua's and Komene's cases. I have postponed for a short time the work at Whenuakura, so that I might only have the expenso of shifting a survey party once, as it is useless to depend upon the chance of obtaining casual labour, which also, in many instances, is, comparativly speaking, worthless, or, at all events, more expensive. Immediately Mr. Anderson has finished the 300 acres, I purpose sending him to cut the back line of the Mokoia Reserve, which appears never to have been done at all. In any case it would have to be shifted, as the area is 245 acres short of the 4,800 acres. I have, &c, The Hon. Sir W Fox, K.C.M.G-., H. Ltjfkht-Skeet, West Coast Royal Commissioner. Chief Surveyor, West Coast Commission.

APPENDIX III. Schedule of Grants recommended for issue by the West Coast Commissioner in the West Coast Land District (now issued or in transition between the Offices).

Grantee. Area. Locality. Keinarks. S'gatitamaahuroa Hapu :Ioue Pihaina te Eoi Hanataua STgatimanu Hapu .. Perewhiti and Tainuikino A. 763 1,834 45 39 H. P. 0 0 Oeo to Ouri River, seaward of main road 0 0 J Sees. 1 and 2, Bl. II., and sec. 4, Bl. III., Oeo District 0 0 j Sec. 2, Bl. V., "Waimate District 1 32 ! Sec. 99, Bl. V „ In fulfilment of former promise. In fulfilment of former promise. Settlement. Fishing-station.