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pekarau, and directed Mr. Parris to survey it: the price asked is 2s. Gd. an acre, but I have left this an open question. Another block of considerable size and fair land is offered for sale, called Totarapoka. The Natives told me that his Honor Mr. Gillies wished to obtain this block, and was going over it, but something prevented him. Should the Government desire this piece of land, the chief Paroro has claims adjoining, and wishes to accompany the officer sent to negotiate the purchase, so as to be able to protect his interests. Through fatigue arising from my bad journey I was detained at Mangakahia, but proceeded on the 6th to the Bay of Islands, en route for Mangonui; reached Ahipara on the 18th, and then held a meeting with the principal chiefs of the place in reference to the land called the Victoria Valley. Timoti Pohipi and others said they were not at all anxious to sell their land; that my visit had rather taken them by surprise; but that they were glad to see me, and would hear what I had to say to them. I pointed out that they could never use all their good land, and the best plan was to dispose of a portion so that immigrants could be placed upon it. They seemed to approve of this, only said that if they sold their lands cheaply for such a purpose, and no Pakehas came.to reside on it, they would have sold cheaply to no purpose. I then explained that if good land was sold by them Pakehas would not only be glad to come, but would remain and prove a lasting benefit to the Natives. " Tour land," I argued, "is as a fat ox, the whole of which you cannot consume; a part of which you offer for sale to buy utensils to cook and enjoy the remainder; but what a fool I would be to take what you offer—namely, the horns and the hoofs. No: sell me a quarter of your bullock, and the Government will then give you that which will enable you to turn the remainder to advantage." The result was, they agreed to have a meeting, and let me know what lands they would sell to the Government; that on my return to Auckland I should hear from them on this and other subjects. I was very much pleased with the appearance of these Natives; they are evidently well disposed, and anxious that their future should be prosperous. The children appear to be numerous and healthy in this district. On the 22nd of July I left Ahipara for Mangonui. I did not thiuk it prudent to press the sale of the land on these Natives after what had been said, for Natives, as a rule, are very jealous in dealing with their lands, and caution and judgment have to be exercised to obtain confidence in return and insure a favourable result. This is the reason I have not made myself as fully acquainted with the particulars of this block, and the road to Whangape, as under other circumstances 1 should have done, but I trust that the Government will be satisfied with the course I have adopted. I returned to the Bay of Islands on the 21th of July, but hearing that some hitch was likely to occur at Mangakahia, I returned there ; and, after leaving everything in that district in a satisfactory state, I reached Auckland via Kaipara on the sth of August, after an absence of thirty-five days. I have, &c, Thos. McDonnell, John Knowles, Esq., Under Secretary Public Works, Land Purchase Commissioner. Wellington.

No. 4 Major Green to the Under Secretary for Public Works. (Telegram.) Auckland, 11th August, 1873. No. 255. Eeply. 175 G. Area of block, 1,973 acres, out of which Natives will sell 1,300 acres. Edward L. Green, Under Secretary, Public Works, Wellington. (for General Government Agent).

No. 5. Lieut.-Colonel McDonnell to the Under Secretary for Public Works. Sin,— Auckland, 26th August, 1873. I have the honor to inform you that I have seen Mr. A. K. Taylor about the Waipapa land, and that gentleman informs me ho has a conveyance from the Natives of the whole of the block, 1,973 acres ; and that, after his purchase of a portion of this land is completed, he is to convey the remainder, 1,317 acres, to the Government, they paying the Natives £150, with some additional expenses such as surveys, &c. One of the eight Natives named in the deed is, I am informed, dead, so that a succession order from the Native Land Court is required appointing one in his place. I will make it my business to see the Natives, and obtain what is required ; and the Native Land Court holds a sitting soon, but, until then, nothing further can, I opine, be done ; and I recommend that no money be paid to the Natives till such time as the Court appoints a successor. I have, &c, Thos. McDonnell, The Under Secretary for Public Works, Wellington. Native Lands Commissioner.

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