5

G.— 4a

ages, and timber, would be available, not only for the allocation of Te Kooti and his people, but also for the purpose of allocating other Natives under the Waikato Confiscated Lands Acts, if considered advisable to do so in the future. I have, &c, G. T. Wilkinson, The Under-Secretary, Native Department, Wellington. Government Native Agent,

Te Kooti to the Undeb-Secbetaey, Native Department. (Translation.) Otewa, 22nd February, 1884. Greeting. I received you letter on the 20th February with respect to my application to Mr. Bryce. Mr. Wilkinson has been on to that land; subsequently I went to see that pakeha, and asked him what Mr. Wilkinson said to him, which was not satisfactory. I asked for fifty acres, but he did not agree, but he would consent to give one hundred. I consented, the reason being that the number of people was so great—one hundred men, women, and children—and there would not bo anything for cattle and horses. Now, friend, do you and Mr. Bryce consider this letter on the receipt thereof; that is all. From yours and Mr. Bryce's loving friend, Mr. Lewis, Te Kooti te Tueuki.

Mr. G. T. Wilkinson to the Undee-Secbetaby, Native Department. (Telegram.) Kihikihi, 28th February, 1884. Just returned from examining the Ngamoko No. 2 Block with Mr. McKellar, surveyor. After going over the length, we consider there are not more than sixty acres dry land, the rest being lowlying swamp. The dry portion, however, is good cultivable land, and lies nearly all at south end of block. I hear from two sources that Te Kooti has been to look at the land, and is prepared to accept it. Mr. McKellar is on the ground with his men, and will commence work to-morrow morning; but, should this reduction of area of dry land from what was expected cause Mr. Bryce to decide not to purchase, Mr. Smith would be communicated with, and Mr. McKellar withdrawn day after to-morrow. I return to Alexandra this evening. G. T. Wilkinson, The Under-Secretary, Native Department, Wellington. Government Native Agent.

Mr. G. T. Wilkinson to the Undee-Secbetaby, Native Department. (Telegram.) Alexandra, 3rd March, 1884. Te Kooti and his people are here. He wished me to ask Mr. Bryce to reconsider his decision about Ngamoko No. 2, and purchase instead for him the one hundred acres to east of road, viz., Lot 55a., owned by Mr. Kay, at £4 per acre, as it is close to Orakau pa, and where his people were buried. If Mr. Bryce will not agree to this, he will accept the other piece, but asks that no division line be run through, but to let him and his people have the whole, as it is swamp. He is anxious, if possible, to be inside the confiscation line, as some Maoris have told him that the titles to Ngamoko No. 2 will be disputed in the same way as Puahoe Block adjoining it. Te Kooti will wait here for a reply. G. T. Wilkinson, The Under-Secretary, Native Department, Wellington. Government Native Agent,

Mr. G. T. Wilkinson to the Undee-Seceetaey, Native Department. (Telegram.) Alexandra, 3rd March, 1884. Since sending my last telegram about land for Te Kooti, I have heard that one reason why he presses to get Lot 55a is because it is close to where his people are buried; and, also, that he has prophesied that it will be given to him. Perhaps Mr. Bryce might object to give it, if this is true. As I said before, he will accept the other piece if he cannot get the one he wants. My informant is John Davis, a half-caste, who mixed a good deal with Te Kooti and people ; but he is also a good deal with Mr. Andrew Kay, who owns Ngamoko No. 2, which it is proposed to buy. G. T. Wilkinson, The Under-Secretary, Native Department, Wellington. Government Native Agent.

The Undeb-Seceetaey, Native Department, to Mr. G. T. Wilkinson. (Telegram.) Government Buildings, 3rd March, 1884. Native Ministee directs me to inform you that he will not purchase Sections 54 and 55; and that, as Ngamoko No. 2 contains much less dry land than Mr. Kay said he could guarantee when he named the price, the price per acre should be reduced accordingly. The line, also, must be cut as directed. You can inform Te Kooti that the title will be carefully looked into before the purchase is made. T. W. Lewis, George T. Wilkinson, Esq., Alexandra. Under-Secretary.

The Undee-Secbetaby, Native Department, to Mr. G. T. Wilkinson. (Telegram.) Government Buildings, 4th April, 1884. What have you done about land for Te Kooti ? T. W. Lewis, George T. Wilkinson, Esq., Alexandra. Under-Secretary,