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anxious that the matter should be ventilated amongst them. It is not in accordance with the custom of native chiefs to sell land without giving the occupants of the soil an opportunity of discussing the question. He and his friends were desirous of holding this portion of country for the present but at some future period they would be willing to part with it, as the increasing necessity of a European population might require. Mr. McLean, in a speech of some length told them that he was glad to see the strong feeling of loyalty that existed among the young men of the tribe that it had always been his endeavour during the late troubles to cultivate a good understanding between both races in this province and he thought there was good reason for congratulation that, whilst other tribes were torn with tumults and wars, the Ngatikahungunus and their pakeha brethren had ever preserved peaceful and friendly relations and he assured them that no exertion on his part would be wanting to preserve this good feeling. With respect to the land, he would be prepared to enter into arrangements for the purchase of those portions to which they had an undisputed claim and that if the parties were agreed, he would then purchase more extensively The result of the meeting was that a block of land was offered for sale of no very great extent, and they were unable to reconcile all opposing claims , but they said the rust would eat into the iron.' Mr. McLean agreed to purchase the block offered, leaving the price to be decided after a surveyor (whom he promised to send) had gone over the ground, telling them at the same time that if they wanted European settlers amongst them they should be prepared to part with a sufficient quantity of available land for that purpose. On Wednesday the twenty-sixth a messenger arrived from Nuhaka who had been sent after Mr McLean to inform him that subsequently to his departure they had determined upon selling a large portion of land extending from Nuhaka river northwards many miles and that the assent of Ihaka and his party only was wanting to remove all difficulties. Ihaka and his friends, who accompanied us to the Wairoa, finding that Matenga and his people resident on the land were bent upon selling, gave in their consent, and it was decided that a large block should be sold in that locality They wished Mr. McLean to consider that the land was now handed over to the Government. The amount to be given for it, they said, could be determined when he was in possession of further information as to extent etc. They declared that they were fixed in their resolve to become loyal subjects of the Queen and they wanted white men to settle amongst them so that they might enjoy the advantage of English law and Government to bo British subjects not only in name but in reality Mr. McLean informed them that he would take the land and send a surveyor to survey it, and that the terms could be decided after the completion of the survey The boundaries were then given by the natives and taken down in writing. " This block of land computing from the native account, may probably be averaged at twenty miles square, and, according to this estimate, contains two hundred and fifty six thousand acres of land. The country generally, consists of undulating hills covered with a vegetation of grass and fern well adapted for sheep runs. The portion of it is held by Mr. Riddell under lease from the natives. The soil is apparently very fertile. In some places there are patches of bush and the flats are all agricultural. The river Nuhaka inside the bar is deep and broad for several miles inland with very little current. Large boats can very easily enter it in fine weather, and there is good anchorage within one hundred yards of the beach in any wind from North-east or North-west. The valley of Nuhaka itself is perfectly level from the coast several miles inland and the soil is of the most fertile description. The inland portions of the block consist of wooded hills, intersected by valleys all fit for cultivation. There is an excellent inland line of road to be had from this valley to Turanga by an old native track, which emerges from the bush at a native settlement called Maraetaha, about four miles from the southern side of Poverty Bay This line is described by those who have travelled it as being exceedingly good, and capable of being made an excellent road at a very trifling expense, comparatively speaking. Such a road would be the means of opening up considerable tracks of country well adapted for an agricultural population. As the natives at Turanga are now becoming more favourably disposed towards selling land, it may shortly be found advisable to open up this line in which case the province of Hawke's Bay could not fail of being largely benefited. " From the valley of Nuhaka the top of a stupendous hill can be seen in the background towering high above the surrounding hills, alone in its solemn ruggedness and grandeur. It is precipitous on all sides save one, where it is approachable only by a narrow and steep footpath. The natives of the country hereabouts once took refuge on its top from the Waikatos during the old wars." It will be observed from Grindell's account that the Nuhaka people subsequently reconsidered their offer to sell an area of no very great extent and they sent a messenger to Wairoa to inform Mr. McLean of their change of mind and that they had now determined to sell a large portion of land extending from the Nuhaka River northward many miles. The boundaries were given and recorded, and from the description of the area handed over it could be anything up to 256,000 acres. The claim of the petitioners that the sale by their elders was confined to the land south of the :39th parallel could only have been raised after and because of the discovery of the separate Gazette notices extinguishing the Native title. The 39th parallel as a boundary could have no significance in the mind of the Maori elders, and its adoption appears to be an attempt " to make the crime fit the punishment." The allegations are not supported by Grindell's narrative nor by the boundaries recited in the deed.

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