45

C—No, 3

[Memorandum] In extinguishing- the Native Title to the Middle Island, the claims of the Akaroa Natives to a portion of their district had not been finally settled by Mr. Mantell, who recommended that a payment of one hundred and fifty pounds should be made to the Natives, and certain reserves laid off for them. This case was however overlooked until Governor Browne visited Canterbury in 1856, when the Natives urged their claim upon His Excellency's notice, An officer of the Land Purchase Department was instructed to proceed to Canterbury to investigate the claim; and after a careful inquiry it was found that the Natives of Akaroa were fairly entitled to three reserves of four hundred acres each, at Onuku, Wairewa, and Wainui, and to a money compensation of one hundred and fifty pounds, which sum was paid to them by Mr. Hamilton on the 10th December, 5856. Mr. Hamilton was requested on the 16th of August, 1856, to undertake the settlement of these outstanding questions, and full instructions were issued to him for this purpose. The Akaroa claims being adjusted, the next question of importance was a settlement with the Kaiapoi Natives for their unextinguished claims over upwards of a million of acres claimed by them in the Canterbury and Nelson Provinces. The Ngatitoa tribe who had made a partial conquest of the country as far South as Kaiapoi, had sold the land to the Government; but the Aboriginal Natives occupying the land protested against the sale, and it was found by Mr. Hamilton, who thoroughly investigated the case, that they had a fair and legitimate right to be compensated to the extent of five hundred pounds; four hundred pounds of •which have been paid, and the remaining sum of one hundred pounds is authorised. This payment extends over a tract of country as far North as the Waiauua in the Nelson Province; and the Deed of Cession is now in this Office. There are still two outstanding claims in the Nelson Province. One on the East side of the Island from Waiauua to the White Cliffs, including the Kaikoura district, where a reserve is required by the Natives. The amount of money requisite for settling this claim will probably be one hundred and fifty pounds. A similar amount of one hundred and fifty pounds, with a reserve of 400 or 500 acres, will be necessary to settle with the Arahura Natives on the West Coast of the Nelson Province, The amount of disbursements made by Mr. Hamilton is furnished herewith. (Signed) Donald McLean. Chief Land Purchase Commissioner's Office, Auckland, June 22, 1858. A Statement of all Expenditure on Account of the Akaroa and Kaiapoi Land Purchaseb between 4th December 1856, and 15th February, 1858.

Disbursements by Mr. Hamilton, Agent for the Land Department as per his Account rendered to Sub-Treasurer (15th February of Imprest monies advanced.)

1856 December 11th Purchase Monies paid. Akaroa Lands - - - - - £ s. d. £ 150 s. d. 0 0 1S57 February oth Kaiapoi 1st payment -•-''.---- " 2nd payment -'--.-" 200 0 0 200 0 0 400 0 0 1856 Dec, 8th to 24th i ! Sundry Disbursements, As per approved account .--■-.- 44 12 G t 1857 Feb.2ndtol2th i ■ As per approved account - - - - - 9 17 11 i 54 10 5 1857 April 20th Disbursements by the Colonial Sub-Ttemurer exclusive of his advance to Mr, Hamilton (accountedfor) . Payment to Mr. Hamilton for effecting the purchases at Akaroa and Kaiapoi - Payments for presents to Revd., John Aldred in acknowledgment of his services as Interpreter (Mr. Aldred having refused remuneration)- - - Scotts , Bible and Commentaries 6 vols - Pocket Map of Canterbury Province - i — 4 SO 0 0 15 0 604 10 5* 50 I 0 0 May 6th 5 i 5 0 Carried forward - - -j £659 15 5 * The Cross Entry of £150 advanced from the Provincial Chest, and repaid thereto, is excluded from this statement-