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Auckland with as little delay as possible, and endeavour to negotiate with the Natives to purchase on reasonable terms these lands, and any open lands which it may be thought expedient to acquire. On reaching Auckland you will put yourself into communication with Mr. Civil Commissioner Kemp, who is already in treaty for certain blocks of land in the direction of Kaipara and the back of "Whangarei district; and you should arrange between yourselves regarding the perfection of these negotiations. Perhaps it will be advisable for Mr. Kemp to complete them and avoid possible complications. You will be good enough to report to this office from time to time the progress you are making, and the sums of money you will be likely to want for these purchases, being careful to specify the sums required for each particular block. You are also authorized to engage, through Captain Heale, any surveyors who may be required to survey the lands you propose to purchase. Care should be taken that the plans when complete are submitted for examination and approval to the Inspector of Surveys, and that copies of them are forwarded to this office. Should you be in want of other assistance you are authorized to obtain it, reporting to this office the necessity for doing so, and the salary you propose. I have, &c, H. T. Clarke, E. T. Brissenden, Esq., Wellington. Under Secretary.

# No. 26. Memorandum by Mr. Brtssen\de>" to Sir D. McLean. I arrived here on the 15th instant, and on the 16th arranged with Mr. C. E. Nelson to assist me in negotiating for the purchase of Native lands, at a salary of one guinea a day with actual travelling expenses : and sent him forward at once to arrange a few preliminary matters in the Kaipara district, there being a few small pieces of good land, partly forest, that I think it would be desirable for the Government to have, though I know it has been usual for the Government agents to pass by such blocks, they not considering them worth their time to acquire, as they often entail as much trouble as the acquisition of large blocks and thus leave the agent no acreage profit. Ido not mean to allow any selfish motive to stand in my way, but to secure all useful Native lands that I can, be the blocks small or large: therefore, if you notice at first sundry small purchases, you will kindly understand my object. I have put myself in communication with Mr. Commissioner Kemp, who freely gave me all necessary information. He purposes making a visit to Whangarei district, where he has two blocks in process of negotiation, on one of which there is a dispute about price. "When this is settled I understand him to say that he will pass the whole business over to me. I have also arranged with Captain Heale on the score of surveys, so that nothing stands in the way of my successfully carrying out the work you have appointed me to execute. The only possible check I may experience 1 presume would be from Colonel McDonnell, who, not knowing my position, is likely to oppose me in negotiating for the purchase of land. Competition would be sure to induce owners to ask for a higher price. I feel sure that you will see the advisability of removing this possible obstacle to my success in carrying out your wishes with economy. Auckland, 18th March, 1874. E. T. Bhissendex.

No. 27. MxtKauXDUM to the Hon. Sir Donald McLean on .Native Matters generally in the Province of Auckland. I stated to you in my last, dated the 18th March, that I arrived here on the 15th, and on the l(3th arranged with Mr. C. E. Nelson to act as interpreter and to assist me in purchasing land for one guinea per day, with actual travelling expenses ; that I had sent him forward to arrange a few preliminary matters in the Kaipara district. I joined him on the 19th, and returned on the 26th, after visiting the settlement known as the Sand Hills—namely, Pukekohe, Hiorckata, Kapuronui, To Muriwai, Makarua, Puatahi. During my visit, I was struck with the religious revival which has taken a firm root in the minds of those of the Ngatiwhatua Natives who had, if not entirely receded from Christianity, quite favoured the creed of Pai Marire. Now these Natives have built a church, and have requested me to intercede for them with the Government relative to the establishment of a school in the district; and I would again Urge the necessity of establishing one, in consideration of the great number of children in the.se settlements. The elder portion of the Natives seem to consider Helensville as the more convenient place for a school, and Paora Kauharu offers to give one acre of land for the purpose. I entered into preliminary negotiations for a block of land known as Oneonenui, 720 acres : the quality of the land is first class, proven by its luxurious vegetation. And I am also ottered a piece of land containing 520 acres, a great portion of which is covered with dense kauri forest. At Makarau and Puatahi all the Natives were alike earnest in soliciting me to request the Government to erect schools, and one of them, named Hapana, told me they were now " aware that knowledge alone would save his people from extinction ; that money in payment for land was like dew on the taro leaf." He also stated that he intended to dispose of more of his land, of which he holds a large tract at Mangakahia, inasmuch as it was a mistake to keep the land lying idle. In consequence of this determination on his part, 1 have agreed to take him with me North at once. However, as there is to be a large meeting of Natives at Makarau on the 9th or 10th, when many influential chiefs of the Ngapuhi will be present, he (Hapana) advised me to attend, in order to get their opinions

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