G.—7

them (7th July). They were dark and dissatisfied at the neglect of the Government officer of their district, saying he had not been near them, nor offered them the slightest assistance in the time of their great trouble. I took the liberty of providing them with a few necessary comforts, and gave them £25 in cash on Government account, which I hope will meet with your approval. I have, &c, The Hon. the Native Minister, "Wellington. E. T. Brissenden.

Enclosure in No. 52. SCHEDULE of Blocks of NATIVE LANDS purchased for Government North of Auckland.

No. 53. Memorandum to the Hon. Donald McLean, on Matters connected with the Land Purchase Branch of the Native Department. On visiting the district North of Auckland, I found the Natives generally satisfied with Government measures. They did not appear to have any strong feeling on the subject of " The Native Lands Act, 1873," as asserted by interested Europeans, but professed to know very little about it, as no business had been transacted under it. The grand point upon which they insist, when discussing this question, is that complete facilities should be given to them to pass their lands through the Court when they sell or lease, and determine the interests of families and individuals, which they suppose the Act provides for. They do complain at the great delay that occurs on the part of the Government in completing transactions for lands that their agents have negotiated with them for. They think the small deposit paid by Government agents is a trick to tie up their lands. I experienced considerable difficulty in renewing negotiations for the blocks formerly arranged for by other agents, and only succeeded by promising to comply with their demands —viz., that action should be taken at once to survey and pass their lands through the Court, when they would receive payment in full. I hope the Native Minister will see the advisableness of enabling me to fulfil this promise without delay.

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No. Name. Quantity. Price. Descbipiion asd Rbhaeke. Pekapekarau 5,025 2/6 Price fixed by T. B. Gillies, Esq., while Superintendent of the Province. Inferior broken kauri bush land at the back, with rich alluvial flats on river front. Mangakahia. Kauri bush land, like the former in character. This is the land claimed by the Rev. — Baker. The Natives accepted the Bum here mentioned in full satisfaction. Between Mangakahia and Tautoro. Fair quality rolling fern land and open mixed bush, very good. Victoria Valley. Principally very good mixed open bush land, well adapted for settlement. Victoria Valley. Same as the former; price of both pieces fixed by Lieut. - Colonel McDonnell. North and West of the Victoria Valley. Two-thirds poor open rolling land, one-third fair flat land. North of Kaikohe. About one-half good open fern hills, the balance kauri bush. Between Kaikohe and Mangakahia. Open fern and good land in mixed open bush. North of Kaikohe. Same description as the former block. Very good open mixed bush, volcanic fern land, part grassed. Same description as above. Same description, but inferior to the former. Between Kaikohe and Hokianga. A good kauri bush and good mixed bush land, but broken. Head of Waiho Hokianga. About 500 acres kauri bush, the balance good flat and rolling land. First-rate open bush land, part of the block rough and broken. Price fixed by Lieut.-Colonel McDonnell. First-rate open bush land, part of the block rough and broken. Price fixed by Lieut.-Colonel McDonnell. Hokianga. Flat and undulating splendid land ; all been under cultivation. Hokianga. Light mixed splendid bush land, with three magnificent bits of kauri bush. Adjoining the Kaikohe and Waoku Blocks. A large kauri bush, part open bush, flat and fern land. Light mixed bush, fern, flax, and grassed ridges; back portion broken country. Hokianga, North side. Good rolling country in front of block, kauri at the back. Principally poor open ridges, with a few patches fairly good mixed bush land. 2 3 Kairara Totarapaka Opuhete, One 15,000 5.9G8 1/ £160 4 Awaroa ... 10,000 1/6 5 Takahue ... 25,000 2/4 6 TJwhiroa ... 35,000 2/4 7 Epakauri and Tauroa 20,000 0/3 8 Kakauwahi 12,000 1/ 9 Wharoro... 10,000 1/6 10 H 12 13 14 Oikura ... Tautoro ... Putuniutumu Mangawhera Mataki ... 12,000 6,000 4,000 6,000 9,000 if 1/ 15 Waitaroto 7,590 1/1 16 Waoku ... 17,650 1/5 17 Waoku No. 2 15,000 1/5 19 IS One Omahuta... 2,700 45,000 4/ 1/6 M Maunganui 20,000 1/6 21 Waipona... 40,000 1/6 22 Ngatuaka.. 1,762 2/ L':s Tautoro South 25,000 0/3 Total acres 350,695 Auckland, 24th Ju; ly, 1874. E. Toeeens Bbisseoten.