G.—3

2

boundary of the confiscation), to be dealt with. Within the latter district great progress has also been made, and much of the work is far advanced towards completion. After some preliminary operations in connection with the outside boundaries of the blocks had been effected, I spent some days in the beginning of February, with Major Parris and Mr. Humphries, on the ground, examining it with a view to its subdivision and the allocation in it of the various contemplated reserves, and of the compensation awards, for detailed work of the whole of which I found myself, with the assistance of those gentlemen, in a position to give instructions at once. I also communicated with the Natives on the several blocks, and gave them to understand what was going to be done, which appeared to satisfy them all. Since that date nearly the whole of the open land has been subdivided for the allocation of the Ngatirahiri and Chatham Islanders' reserves, and the Compensation Awards ; but, the open land being altogether inadequate to provide more than a small quantity of what was required, I decided to allot only one-fourth in the open and three-fourths in the bush. As the surveys of the latter are still incomplete, and I am desirous that there should be only one grant for each award, I am unable at present to send in recommendations for them, but in the meantime have fixed choice of the awardees to the surveyed portions of sections in the open by drawing lots, an operation which will be repeated when the bush portion of the awards is ready. The remainder of the work north of Waitara is rapidly approaching completion, and, if the weather proves favourable, I know of no impediment to its being finished at an early date. The Natives entirely acquiesce in what is being done, the details necessary for the preparation of the grants are all in my hands or easy of attainment, and the survey parties are quite equal to the work that is before them. There are not, as far as lam aware, any complications or difficulties, and nothing remains to be accomplished but which will yield before a persistent continuance on the lines on which the work has hitherto been conducted. 2. I have appended to this brief report a few documents in continuation of some appended to former reports, or which appear to be of special interest, or which it is desirable to place on more prominent record than on the official files. Among these are — (1.) A tabulated list of all the grants recommended by me from the beginning of my work till this date, including those which were appended to my last year's report; (2.) A memorandum on the question of merger of compensation awards in tribal grants; (3.) A memorandum of proceedings at Waitotara in connection with Tapa te Waero's claims, and the illegal occupation, by him and other natives, of sections belonging to Mr. Churton ; (4.) A memorandum laid before the Cabinet on a difficulty in connection with the confirmation of certain leases requiring the action of Parliament: (5.) Eejjort on the grants recommended for Stony River Reserve; (6.) Report on grant to representatives of Te Puni; (7.) Memorandum on final payments of "takoha." Which is with great respect submitted to your Excellency. William Fox, West Coast Commissioner. West Coast Commission Office, New Plymouth, 7th June, 1883.