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desirous, to accept the same arrangement as was made with Messrs. Morrin and others, and evidenced by a document dated 24th March, and (copy) appended hereto. (Vide No. 3). The case of my clients is exactly analagous to that of Messrs. Morrin and others, and I am fully empowered to bind my clients to the full performance of all the conditions entered into with the General and Provincial Governments by Messrs. Morrin and others. The lands, the subject of this communication, are two blocks of open country, containing respectively 40,000 and 15,000 acres, and are delineated on the sketch map attached, and coloured red, and marked " Russell and Howard." As Government is already assured of the bond fides of my clients, I need not say a word on that score, but sinrply express a hope that considerations of public policy will, as in the case of Messrs. Morrin and others, induce an acceptance of this offer. I have, &c, The Hon. the Native Minister! W. S. Moorhouse.

No. 5. The Hon. the Native Minister to Mr. Moorhouse. Native Office (Land Purchase Branch), Sir, — 'Wellington, 11th September, 1874. With reference to your letter of the 13th of May, in -which you state that, with regard to the Native leasehold runs held by your clients, Messrs. Russell and Howard, in the Murimotu and inland Patea Country, they are desirous to accept the same arrangement as was made with Messrs. Morrin and others, I have the honour to inform you that the Government are prepared to grant to your clients similar terms, a copy of which is annexed. The lands in question are those mentioned in your letter, viz., two blocks of open country, containing respectively 40,000 and 15,000 acres, delineated on a sketch map forwarded by you, coloured red, and marked " Russell and Howard." I have, <kc, W. S. Moorhouse, Esq., Wellington. " Doxald McLean.

No. 6. Notes of a Meeting held at the Government Buildings on the 2nd September, 1874, re Muriiiotu. Present: The Hon. Sir D. McLean, Major Kemp (as representing the Wanganui claimants to the Murimotu Country), Winiata te Puhaki, Nehanera Te Kahu, Aropeta Haeretuterangi, &c, Sec, Mr. Moorhouse, representing Messrs. Morrin and Co., Messrs. Howai-d and Russell, and the Native claimants to Murimotu. Maps showing the position and estimated acreage of the land in question having been laid on the table.Mqjor Kemp said : The land known as Murimotu, as shown on the maps lying on the table, belongs to us, the Wanganui Natives. One block of 46,000 acres has been surveyed and passed through the Native Land Court. There is a block at Ruanui, containing by estimation 40,000 acres ; also a block adjoining the Patea country, estimated to contain 100,000 acres, in which Topia Turoa has an interest; there is also another block containing 15,000 acres. This land belongs to us, the Wanganui Natives. For many years it was left undisturbed. At length Europeans went and saw the land. They desired to purchase or lease it. After many discussions we agreed to lease the blocks shewn on the map to Mr. Russell and others. We had merely a verbal agreement. We did not sign any deed of lease. After this, and before any deed had been signed, Mr. Booth came to Wanganui; he came from the Government. He told us that our leases must be made in accordance with the law. To this, after some discussion we agreed. In the meantime, Mr. Russell and the other gentlemen, on the strength of our agreement to lease, had stocked the land in question with cattle and sheep. I said . let the stock remain on the land until a lease can be made through the Government. We now ask yon to allow ns to lease these blocks of land to Mr. Russell and the other gentlemen. Hon. Sir Donald McLean : You can lease the land to Government, who will again lease a portion of it to the gentlemen you mention. Major Kemp : Has this arrangement got the sanction of Mr. Russell and others 1 Mr. Moorhouse: Yes. Major Kemp: The rent we ask is sixpence per acre yearly rental, the term 21 years, and the rent to be raised at the end of each period of five years. Sir Donald McLean : I will give as a yearly rental the sum of £10 for every 1,000 acres for the whole term of 21 yeai-s. Major Kemp : We want an increase of rent at the end of each period of five years. Sir Donald McLean : I will agree to this then : I will give £10 for 1,000 acres for 14 years, and ,£ll per 1,000 acres for the remaining seven years of the term. Major Kemp : We agree to your terms ; but we wish to make reserves for our own use out of the block, for a township or for other purposes. Sir Donald McLean : I agree to your making reserves. Winiata te Puhaki : A distinct arrangement was made by myself and others with reference to the block marked on the map to contain 40,000 acres. The price offered by Mr. E. Moorhouse and others and agreed to by us was £435 a year. Mr. Moorhouse : stated on behalf of his clients that, as a special arrangement had been made with reference to the 40,000 acre block, if Government would agree to confirm the arrangement entered into