35

G.—B,

matter was amicably arranged. Hunia himself had remained behind at Horowhenua. On Saturday, the 27th, they accompanied me as far as the Government boundary south of Waikanae, erecting posts along the beach at certain points, the position of which were taken by Mr. Thompson to be shown on the map. That night I and Mr. Thompson slept at Paikakariki, and the Natives returned to Otaki. On Sunday morning I arrived in town. I beg to suggest that measures be taken to have a sitting of the Land Court advertised at once for November next, at Otaki, from which place, I presume, it could be adjourned to Poxton, when necessary. If the publication of Te Kahiti, containing the advertisement of the sittings, be delayed till the completion of the surveys, very much time will be lost unnecessarily. I have, &c, The Hon. the Minister of Public Works James Geindell. Wellington.

No. 44. His Honoe the Supeeintendent of Wellington to the Hon. the Ministee for Public Woeks. Sib, — Superintendent's Office, Wellington, 22nd November, 1871. I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 18th instant, in which yon state that Kawana Hunia and his tribe offer to dispose of a block of land containing about 46,975 acres, and desire to be informed whether it is my wish that the land should be acquired under the 34th clause of the "Immigration and Public Works Act, 1871." In reply, I beg to state that I consider it very desirable that the purchase should be effected. I have, <fee, The Hon. W. Gisborne, Minister for Public Works, William Pitzheebeet, Wellington. Superintendent

No. 45. The Hon. the Native Ministee to Major Kemp. Sib, — Wanganui, 4th December, 1871. I have the honor to inform you that you have been appointed a Commissioner for the purchase of a block of land called Parae Karetu, containing about 45,500 acres, and situated between the Eangitikei and Turakina rivers. Tou will be good enough to take care that all the particulars of boundaries, reserves, &c., are clearly understood, so that no future misunderstanding may arise with reference to them ; and also report fully the nature of the land, the extent and locality of the reserves, and any other information respecting it. During the time you are employed in connection with these purchases away from home you will receive payment at the rate of one pound a-day. Mr. E. Woon will assist you in any way that he can in connection with your negotiations. I have, &c, Major Kemp, Wanganui. __^^^___^^^^__ Donald McLean.

No. 46. Mr. E. Woon to the Hon. the Native Ministee. Sib, — Whanganui, 30th December, 1871. Eeferring to your letter of the 18th instant, I have the honor to inform you that Mr. Monro will forward a report to the Native Office relative to the capabilities of Te Parae Karetu block. Major Kepa started yesterday to look over the Turakina side of said block. He went unaccompanied by any European, according to instructions received by wire. The writer of this expected to have hecn allowed to go with him. In the tracing forwarded by Mr. Monro, I beg to call your attention to the south-west boundary. You will perceive the Turakina river is not the boundary the whole way —two bends in said river have been purposely excluded. As the road from the town of Whanganui must go that way, 1 take it no time should be lost in negotiating for the purchase of that particular portion so as to make the Turakina river the western boundary. We have not said anything yet as to what will be given for the whole block. I consider a lump sum of ten to eleven thousand pounds sterling ample for it. I consider, to a speculator, it is worth that, and had I not been asked by you to assist in the purchase for the Government, I have little hesitation in saying that ore this I should have obtained a purchaser at the sum named. I have, &c, Edwin Woon. The Hon. D. McLean, Wellington. Licensed Interpreter.

No. 47. Major Kemp to the Hon. the Native Ministee. [Teanslation.] Putiki, 4th January, 1872. On the 29th December I started for Whangaehu, where I slept. The people who own that laud— Parae Karetu—were present. Te Eei Pirere stood up and addressed me about the unfair manner in which the money for their land had been divided by Aperahama Tipae. They are very angry about it