G—6a

My reasons for applying for two surveyors are, first to expedite, as much as possible, the negotiations in which I am employed in this district, in order that a country may be opened up for the Wairarapa settlers, in which most of them may be able to obtain runs from the Government, and discontinue, without much disadvantage to themselves, the present system of leasing from the Natives. Secondly, Hapuku, the principal chief, would be exceedingly jealous and displeased, if the land offered by a rival chief Tareha, should be surveyed before his, which is forty miles distant; although it is essential that Tareha's land in the neighbourhood of the Ahuriri harbour, where settlers are most likely to form their earliest establishment, should, if there is only one surveyor, be attended to first. By carrying on simultaneous surveys this jealousy could be avoided, and from the preliminary arrangements I shall make, awaiting further instructions, I hope to be able to superintend both parties and conduct the service at less expense of both time, and means, than would eventually result from having only one surveyor. The inner boundary of the Ahuriri block borders on the Taupo country, which will render a distinct survey of that part very necessary, if His Excellency favours this application by sending surveyors. Shortly I shall write to the Taupo claimants to meet me at the interior boundary, to prevent their raising fresh claims or future difficulties. The blocks of land offered for sale by the Natives are not extensive but as the tribes with whom I am negotiating are claimants to large tracts of unoccupied country, extending from Hawke's Bay to Manawatu and Wairarapa, I am in hopes that the Government may be enabled to carry on purchasing steadily towards these districts. The acquisition of the Ahuriri country will of itself be of great importance, from possessing the safest, and I may say, only harbour ■on this side of the island, between Wellington and Tauranga on the North East coast. Until the surveys are progressed, and the country further explored, I cannot convey any idea of the terms of payment to be submitted for the consideration of Government. The proximity of Wairarapa renders the ideas of the Natives most extravagant on this subject. I have, &c, Donald McLean, Land Commissioner. The Hon. the Colonial Secretary, Wellington.

District of Napier No. 3 'The Chief Commissioner to the Hon. the Colonial Secretary, Wellington Hawke's Bay, January 23rd, 1851. Sir, — I have the honor to report that since my letters of the 21st and 28th ultimo, the Natives off Ahuriri have agreed to sell another fine district of land in extension of the block offered by them at the public meeting held at the Waipukurau, the particulars of which I have already communicated. There are several portions of land such as the head land, and water frontage at the Ahuriri river and harbour which the Natives are retaining for the purposes •of fishing and trading, and which together with some belts of timber reserved by them, it would be very desirable to purchase, even at a higher price than is usually paid for waste lands. Wood is rather scarce in this district and the land about the harbour would be indispensable for the purpose of a Government settlement. To prevent the expense of future negotiations, and obviate the difficulty of hereafter acquiring land when its value is enhanced by the location of English settlers, I shall act until further orders under the impression that it is the desire ■of Government to acquire, consistently with a due regard to the interests of the Natives, as great an extent of land, especially between this and the Wairarapa as it is possible for me to purchase. From the desire by several parties, some of whom are named in the' margin, to obtain sheep runs for which this country is peculiarly adapted, I have reason to expect that in a few years a considerable revenue may be realized from the Ahuriri. With a view to extending the coast frontage of the block offered for sale at the Ahuriri harbour, I intend in a day or two, to visit some of the claimants

General.

J. Thomas, Esq., —. Tiffen. Mr. Golland. Mr. Alexander. Mr. Munn. Mr. Villiers.

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