G.—7

Enclosure 5 in No. 87. LIST of LANDS awaiting Survey, Negotiations for which have commenced.

I have considered it advisable to leave the price of the above-mentioned blocks an open question until it is convenient for the District Officer to accompany me, when I have promised the Native owners to visit the ground and there conclude the matter in the presence of the most of the Natives interested, though it is understood the land is not to average over 2s. per acre. In going over the district map with Mr. Percy Smith, we have been able to estimate the area, and think there will be over 100,000 acres. I think the blocks here mentioned of considerable importance, inasmuch as the land is above the average quality, and they close up present spaces, which would give large unbroken tracts of country to the Government. The expense of survey would be very small in most cases, as two or three sides of each block are bounded by Government land. Herd's Point, June, 1875. E. T. Beissenden,

Enclosure 6 in No. 87. List of Blocks I have a doubt about being able to complete. I therefore exclude them from the No. 1 return, where they otherwise belong, as they have passed the Court. Advanced. Eakauawahia ... ... ... ... 1,422 acres at 1/K., n n n Pukewharariki 2,552 „ j *110 ° ° 3,974 £110 0 0 Herd's Point, June, 1875. E. T. B.

Enclosure 7 in No. 87. Mr. Percy Smith to Mr. E. T. Beissenden. My. deab Me. Beissenden, — Herd's Point, Hokianga, 12th June, 1875. In accordance with your request I enclose you herewith a rough description of the blocks now under negotiation by you. In some few cases 1 have been obliged to trust to information derived from the surveyors, but generally speaking the information is from my own observations. Trusting that it may be of service to you, I remain, &c, S. Peecy Smith, E. T. Brissenden, Esq., Land Purchase Agent, Hokianga. Chief Geodetic Surveyor. Maunganui Block, 38,000 Acres. —About one-third open; the rest forest, with the exception of some 5,000 or 0,000 acres on the coast. The soil of this block is excellent, of a volcanic nature. A valuable forest of kauri timber is found on the south-east part of the block, adjoining lands already let for the sake of the timber. Waipona Block, about 41,000 Acres. —Two-thirds forest; the soil generally excellent, a continuation of the volcanic soil of the Maunganui Block. Part of this block is a good deal broken, but some level and extensive flats are found on the plateau along the eastern boundary. Contains a good deal of kauri along the Waipoua and other streams. Waimamaku Block, about 15,000 Acres. —Soil good; nearly all forest, but broken. The "Waimamaku Valley would carry some twenty or twenty-five families of settlers, where the land is level and of easy access from the coast. A little but not much kauri on this block.

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Name of Blocks. No. of Acres. Price. Money Advanced. £ 8. d. £ b. a. Kohatuhupai Manukau Mangawhero Otariru Oporohu OmahutaNo. 5 ... Pututumutumu ... Pahikokuri Tautaro Tihitihi TeHoro o i 0 1 o i G 0 0 15 0 0 15 0 0 0 1 0 50 0 0 Total carefully estimated at over 100,000 80 0 0