D.—No. 16,

4

PAPERS RELATING TO MAJOR HEAPHY'S APPOINTMENT

I do not think that it is necessary to advert more particularly to the duties referred to in Mr M'Lean's letter to you of the 13th ultimo, except that in any negociation with natives as to the Telegraph line running over their lands you should carefully guard against any promise or negociation that payment be made to them for their consent to that being done, except so far that arrangements will, whenever practicable, be made for paying them for the supply and erection of posts You will be appointed Sub-Inspector of Telegraphs, and receive for that office at the rate of one hundred pounds per annum. The balance of your salary will be paid out of funds appropriated by the General Assembly for Native purposes ; it being understood, however, that while you are employed in laying out main lines of road (as referred to in Mr M'Lean's letter) a fair proportion of your salary will be charged to the vote for Public Works in the North Island. I have &c, Major C. Heaphy, V.C, Wellington. W. Gisborne.

No. 3. Major Heaphy, V.C, Acting Commissioner of Native Eeserves, to the Hon. Mr. M'Lean. Sir, —■ Auckland, 17th December, 1869. Having in view the operation of the Native Lands Court at its intended sitting at Coromandel, early in January, 1870, I have the honor to draw your attention to the following circumstances :— 1. The Putukirikiri tribe of Coromandel is now fast divesting itself of its cultivated territory. Between Te Bau-o-te-Huia and Preece's Grant, its original tribal land, it has alienated about 4,700 acres, and has left only 1,020 acres, of which 850 acres are steep mountain or swamp. About twelve years since, this tribe had extensive cultivations on the Kapanga Flat. Much of this ground is, however, sold, and the tribe may be said to have abandoned Eapanga for Motu Tapere, an island in the Gulf, that was reserved by the Government for their use. The island comprises about forty acres, but of that probably not more than one-third is available for cultivation. It is therefore desirable that some fair land on the main should be made inalienable for their future use. I am aware that the tribe has decreased in numbers until it does not exceed at present twenty souls, but I think in all cases regard should be had to the possible want of even one or two survivors of a tribe that may hereafter adopt European habits, and require land to farm in the European manner. I do not think, therefore, that we should be justified in allowing a tribe, even if fast diminishing, to alienate all but some steep hill sides, however much that kind of land may suit their present mode of cultivation. I would propose that, in addition to the island of Motu Tapere, one hundred acres of the Kapanga Flat should be made inalienable. 2. At "Wangapoua there is very little land of the character that the Maoris like for cultivation; and the whole of the flat in the Waitekuri and Opitonui Valleys appears to have survey lines recently cut round it for purposes of sale. I would recommend that about 300 acres be reserved from alienation between Wangapoua and the Punga Punga Block, to the North. 3. Mercury Bay. The Natives that about fifteen years since had villages at Wharekahu and Ohuku, on the north side of Mercury Bay, are now scattered; some of them being at the Thames Goldfields ; some occupying land at Waitaia, and a few living at the saw mills and bush stations. Having due regard to the industries of the settlers in flax preparing, timber cutting, and gold mining, as well as to the wants of the Natives, I think that 300 acres should be reserved at or near Waitaia, on the northern side. With a view to securing these reserves, I propose that I should attend the next sitting of the Native Lands Court, which takes places at Coromandel on or about the 14th January next. I have, &c, Charles Heaphy, The Hon. the Native Minister. Acting Commissioner of Native Eeserves.

No. 4. The Hon. Mr M'Lean to Major Heaphy, V.C, Acting Commissioner of Native Eeserves. Sir, — Auckland, December 18th, 1869. In reply to your letter of the 17th inst, referring to the state of native rights at Coromandel, Wangapoua and Mercury Island, I have the honor to state that I quite agree with the suggestions you propose, and I shall be glad if you could find it convenient to attend the Native Lands Court, and confer with Mr Eenton on the subject. 1 have, &c, Major Charles Heaphy, V.C, Donald M'Lean. Acting Commissioner of Native Eeserves, Auckland.

No. 5. Major Heapuy, V.C, Acting Commissioner of Native Eeserves, to the Hon. Mr M'Lean. Sir, — Auckland, 27th January, 1870. I have the honor to report that with a view to prevent such an alienation of territory through the operation of the Native Lands Court as should leave the natives at Coromandel, Wangapoua and Witianga without sufficient land for their respective wants, I lately visited those localities and enquired into the circumstances of the natives, and the particulars of the extent to which they had parted with their lands. I also, at a subsequent period, attended the sitting of the Native Lands Court at Coromandel and conferred with Judge Eogan on the subject. Ist. At Coromandel some very small pieces of land, only, and those lying in the town were brought under the notice of the Court, as being within the claims of the Patukirikiri tribe, —that which has sold