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lump sum; but, having received no communication from him by letter, I now forward you my original acceptance of Sir Donald's offer. I have, &c, Colonel J. 11. H. St. John, Auckland, E. T. Beissenden.

No. 63. Sir D. McLean to Mr. E. T. Beissenden. Sib, — Auckland, 23rd January, 1875. With reference to the offer made to you of a commission on lands purchased by you for the General Government, north of Auckland, and to your letter of the 30th December on the same subject, I have the honor to once more state the terms on which commission will be given. 1. On all lands purchased by you from the Native owners, north of Auckland, and handed over by you to the Government, with a clear and undisputed title (except such lands as are referred to in a subsequent paragraph), you will be allowed a commission of twopence per acre. 2. All moneys and allowances received by you up to the 30th October, on account of your transactions in the North, will be charged against your commission ; and you will understand that all expenses for interpreters, Ac, after the same date, will likewise be borne against the same. It would be desirable that you should consult the District Officer in the various stages of your negotiations, as he will be able to inform you if any latent claims exist, which might cause difficulty hereafter. The lands having once passed through the Court, you can deal then with them so as to obtain a clear and legal title for each block : you will then be able to complete the transaction. I have to request you to close up and bring to a conclusion each negotiation in which you are engaged, as I consider that, beyond the blocks already under negotiation, there is little land which the Government at present desire to acquire. In asking you to finish the Northern transactions, I have to except the Takahue and Uwhiroa Blocks, Victoria Valley, amounting to 10,000 acres, which Lieut.-Colonel McDonnell undertook to purchase some time ago, and which he is to carry through and complete. Where any complication or difficulty is likely to arise between contending parties of Natives with respect to land, no purchase is to be proceeded with. I have, Ac., E. T. Brissenden, Esq., Post Office, Auckland. Donald McLean.

No. 64. Mr. Bbisbenben to Lieut.-Colonel St. John. Sib,— Auckland, 26th August, 1874. Since writing for the " Luna " mail, I received your telegram ye Pakiri Block. I note all you say, and will give the recovery of the sums therein mentioned my best attention. Mr. Stannus Jones's lease for the forest on the Pakiri Block has been absorbed by the Government purchase. lam endeavouring to purchase the third portion of the block, now in the hands of the Native owners; when done, I shall make the title good at the first sitting of the Native Land Court at Kaipara. I am much annoyed at being detained another week from my duties in the North, owing to the want of funds. Major Green tells me he has received £3,000 ; in sending that sum forward, tho Treasury Department say they will instruct him how to distribute it. In the meantime lam detained. Considering the several private parties in the field North, I may consider the delay will give me much to undo, through the procrastination of the department. The sooner the new system of commission is adopted the better it will be for the Government, and, I may add, for myself. The present one will not answer me. I have, &c, Colonel J. H. H. St. John, Wellington. E. T. Bbissenden.

No. 65. Lieut.-Colonel St. John to Mr. Beissenden. Native Office (Land Purchase Branch), Wellington, Sib,— ' 29th August, 1874. I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 26th instant, and in reply have to inform you that £2,500 has been placed in the hands of Major Green for your disposal in land purchases. If you require more, all that will be necessary will be for you to apply for it through Major Green, specifying blocks for which it is wanted. I have, &c, E. T. Brissenden, Esq., Auckland. J. H. H. St. John.

No. 66. Lieut.-Colonel St. John to Mr. Brissenden. Native Office (Land Purchase Branch), Wellington, Sik, — 3rd September, 1874. I have the honor to enclose for your information a return of amount of money paid on blocks now under negotiation by you, made before you undertook their purchase. I have, &c, E. T. Brisscnden, Esq., Auckland. J. H. H. St. John.

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