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I shall make it my study when settling the Kaiapoi claim on the 4th proximo, to make further enquiry into the title of the West Coast or Putini Maories. With reference to purchase monies, I shall state that the payment for Akaroa of £150 will regulate all the others, for each of the three populations of Kaiapoi, Kaikoura, and Putini, rate themselves as equal in importance to that of Akaroa, and their lands as equal in value ; they would, therefore, not consent to receive any less sum than £]50. With Reference to the general question of Ngaitahu Title, the following observations suggest them- I selves. The Kongitona, now almost extinct, appears to have been the original occupants of the Northern portion of Middle Island, and might possibly maintain some kind of claim as far South as Waipapa or Waiau Toa (Clarence river.) They seem, however, to have been hemmed in on both sides by Ngatitoa and Ngaitahu, and lam not able in this part of the country to learn much about them. South of Waipapa, however, I am of opinion, as I have before stated, that the Ngaitahu Title is incontrovertible. Mr. Commissioner Mantell writes on the sth September, 1848, at the time the Ngaitahu were first treated with by Government for any of their land within the boundaries of the present Canterbury and Nelson Provinces: " The Natives to whom I entrusted this letter are going to Wellington to assert their right to the land between Kaiapoi and Kaikoura, included in the Nelson Block sold by Ngatitoa. From the account given by this tribe, I am much inclined to doubt the right of the Ngatitoa to sell the land in question : but, I may mention, that at the last payment for the Ngaitahu Block the sum apportioned by the Commissioners for the Kaiapoi District was by the Natives allotted to the land between Waimakariri and the Peninsula, and to that from Kaiapoi Pa to the Waipara." Again, the same gentleman writing to Lieutenant Governor Eyre, from Akaroa, 21 st September, 1848, says "At my late conference with the Ngaitahu Natives at Kaiapoi, I found them much excited at the cession of land North of that place by the Ngatitoa. I told them plainly my Mission had no reference to the land in question, but that I would willingly forward to His Excellency the Lieutenant Governor an abstract of their statement. Notes of their assertions on that occasion. Firstly, that the land was never occupied by the Ngatitoa : secondly, that the Ngaitahu have never ceased to dwell at or near the disputed land : and thirdly, that subsequently to the last inroad of the Ngatitoa the Ngaitahu successfully conducted an expedition against that tribe which has not been avenged." This evidence seems to me conclusive in favour of Ngaitahu, for Mr. Mantell's knowledge of the Cook's Strait Maories was so complete, that he could hardly be misled on noted facts in their history, or drawn on to express an opinion where he had not sifted his evidence. The very farthest point to ' which it seems possible to assert that the original Kaiapoi purchase extended is Waipara (about 10 miles North of Kaiapoi). But from thence to Waipapa, or Waiau Toa, the distance is 80 miles, and to Pari-nui-owhiti (the extreme Northern boundary of the Ngaitahu claim) 40 miles more ! In pursuing this enquiry, I am aware that I labour under the disadvantage of inability to correct myself by the Records of Mr. Kemp's transactions ; the deed of conveyance obtained by him from the Ngaitahu Tribe, or by the account of the negotiations between the New Munster Government and the Ngatitoa. To all these you will be able to reler at Auckland before you are concluded upon this question, which seems to become narrowed to the enquiry whether Ngatitoa only made an inroad instead of a conquest as far as Kaiapoi, and whether at the very farthest, they could claim possession South of Waiau Toa or Waipapa. I have felt it my duty to supply all the information that has reached me on this subject, believing that a primaface case of great injustice done them is already established by the Ngaitahu, and that the Government will no longer allow it to remain unadjudicated upon. I enclose a sketch of the Coast and Country from Waipapa to Kaiapoi, and beg you, for further explanation, to refer to the Admiralty General Chart of New Zealand. I have, &c, > (Signed) J. W. Hamilton. Donald McLean. Esq., Chief Commissioner, &c, &c, &c, Native Land Purchase Department, Auckland. Land Commissioner's Office, Auckland, March 31, 1857. SiE,— I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the Bth January last, respecting the unsettled claims of Whakatau and his tribe to lands between the White Bluff, and the Waianua. I feel exceedingly obliged for the trouble you have taken in enquiring so fully into the merits of this claim, which, from the sentiments of Whakatau, (who, I am informed, is a very upright and trustworthy chief,) deserve careful consideration on the part of the Government. The New Munster records are being searched, with the view of having copies of all documents connected with the purchases at the Middle Island examined ; to ascertain the merits of the claims referred to ; and in order that copies may be forwarded as records to your office at Canterbury, if you will kindly take charge of them. \