FURTHER PAPERS RELATIVE

Ministers are aware that the existing system is by no means unexceptionable, in theory, or in its practical operation. The changes required, however, are not, in the opinion of ministers, in the direction of Mr. Sewell's proposal. By clause 13 of the heads of Mr. Sewell's Bill, it is provided that the Governor shall lay out districts for purchase with reference solely to their suitability for systematic colonisation—excluding consideration of the state of tribal title and of the disposition of the natives to release their rights. Ministers are in general opposed to the plan of buying piecemeal whatever small and inconveniently shaped blocks the caprice of the natives or the state of their titles may from time to time induce them to offer. At the same time, they are of opinion that it would be in the highest degree impolitic for the Government to bind itself rigidly by the rule laid down by clause 13. It is often impossible to acquire a footing in a native district, or to disentangle the complications of native land disputes, otherwise than by operations which the clause in question would altogether prohibit. Besides which, the plan is absolutely inapplicable to all that portion of the northern island which lies north of Waikato Heads, where, from the way in which native lands and Crown lands are already intermixed, it is quite impracticable to proceed by such extensive operations as Mr. Sewell contemplates. No one can doubt the desirability of operating only upon large blocks; but it is often quite impracticable to do so; and the difficulties are of a nature which no lapse of time would remove, without the intervention of the Land Purchase department. Though the Government may, in certain cases, find it expedient to purchase small blocks, it does not follow that these should be thrown open for immediate settlement. The advantages of systematic colonisation are undeniable. But those advantages may secured by retaining the blocks acquired until be the extent of territory at the disposal of the Crown in a given district is sufficient for the formation of a regular settlement. To many of the minor features of the Bill, ministers see no objection. Under " The Bay of Islands Settlement Bill, 1858," a settlement is to be formed somewhat on the plan which Mr. Sewell's scheme appears to contemplate where Maori proprietors, holding Crown grants, will be intermixed with the European immigrants. Ministers consider that this system may be advantageously extended, and that the prospect of obtaining the advantages which such a plan secures would be found a strong inducement to the natives to release their territorial rights. (Signed) C. W. Richmond.

No. 4. COPT OF A LETTER FROM HIS LORDSHIP THE BISHOP OF NEW ZEALAND, W3I. MARTIN, ESQ., D.C.1.., AND THE HON. MR. SWAINSON, TO HIS EXCELLENCY GOVERNOR GORE BROWNE, C. B. 12th May, 1860. Sir,— In answer to your Excellency's letter of 25th April, 1860, requesting our opinion on the measures to be inaugurated at the approaching meeting of Native Chiefs, and on Maori matters generally, we have the honour to forward to you our separate opinions, together with an abstract of the points in which we all concur. We have the honour to remain, Your Excellency's obedient and faithful servants, G. A. New Zealand, Wμ. Martin, Wμ. Swainson. To His Excellency, Thomas Gore Browne, Esq., C. 8., &c, &c, &c.

Enclosure 1 in No. 4. MEMORANDUM BY THE BISHOP OF NEW ZEALAND. The subject which your Excellency has proposed for our consideration seems to include the following points :— I. The subordination of the Native Race to the authority of the Crown. 11. The relations between the Native race, and the Representative System of the English Colony. 111. The internal Government of the Native race, under the authority of the Crown. IV. The Native Land Title, as regards the actual occupation of Land by the Natives themselves. V. The Native Land Title, as regards the alienation and transfer of land from the Native owner to the English Colonist,

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