C—4,

6

Enclosure in No. 2. Memorandum by the Hon. Mr. McLean. The settlement of the confiscated lands on the West Coast between Waitotara and Taranaki requires the earliest possible attention, as upon the settlement of this question the peace and prosperity of the West Coast mainly depends. The confiscated lands on the West Coast may be divided into two classes—namely, those north and south of the Waingongoro River. The lands south of the Waingongoro comprise: 34,897 acres 2 roods 9 perches, allotted to military settlers; lands disposed of by auction, 2,984 acres 1 rood 3 perches; awards to Natives by the Compensation Court, 17,264 acres; special reserves made to different tribes, 21,361 acres 2 roods 31 perches; and lands allotted to Natives for services during the rebellion, 6,980 acres. This latter class have been allotted chiefly to Wanganui Natives, who do not require the land for their own use ; and it should be purchased from them at a fair price—say, £1 per acre. To satisfy outstanding claims of military settlers and others, about 5,000 acres is still required; leaving land available for subdivision and sale, 34,499 acres. The awards ofthe Compensation Court to the Natives have not yet been defined; and it is important that this should be done, and the claims of those who are willing to sell should be bought out at a price not exceeding £1 per acre. Claims have been advanced by Wanganui and other Natives to large portions of this block; but the grounds on which they make them are not definite. It seems, however, that the Wanganui Natives consider themselves entitled to make a claim in consideration of their past military services, and from a desire to be in a position to restore a portion of the land to the original Ngarauru owners, whom they helped to conquer, and with whom it appears they had some compact on the subject. After careful inquiry, these claims have been rejected by the Compensation Court. Moreover, the Wanganui Natives who acted with our troops received, subsequent to the decision of the Court, a bonus of £2,500, iv addition to their pay, for services rendered, and in full satisfaction of any unsettled land claims they might have. Major Kemp, of Putiki, the most prominent of these claimants, requested that his case should be again inquired into aud decided. A Commission of Inquiry was granted, but ho did not proceed with his statement to the Commissioners from a fear that his action might embarrass the Government by inducing numerous Natives to bring forward fresh claims; and it certainly would be embarrassing to have questions revived that have been already disposed of by the Compensation Court. An officer who can fully explain the whole of the questions connected with the confiscated lands in this district to the Natives, and who will survey the boundaries of their awards, and, if found necessary, subdivide them, is most essential; and this duty is intrusted to Mr. G. B. Worgan, who is requested to give it his early and diligent attention, consulting with Mr. Parris on any question on which he may require information relating to past transactions connected with these lands. The lands north of the Waingongoro as far as Stoney River, although nominally confiscated, are, with the exception of 1,400 acres at Opunake, quite unavailable for settlement until arrangements are made with the Natives for lands sufficient for their own requirements. Mr. Parris will provide for the location of the Natives as much in the neighbourhood of the Kaupokonui and Oeo as possible, and compensate the Native owners for all lands they may relinquish south and north of that river, in order to free them from all difficulties and obstructions, at rates not exceeding ss. per acre. In effecting these arrangements Mr. Parris will use his own judgment as to the most suitable time for commencing negotiations ; all that I must urge is the importance of due attention being paid to the subject whenever a seasonable opportunity for doing so presents itself. In the meantime Mr. Parris will use his best endeavour to extend the telegraph line from New Plymouth so as to connect it with the station at Opuuake. Wanganui, 20th January, 1872. Donald McLean.

No. 3. Memokandum by Mr. J. Mackay for the Hon. the Native Ministek. New Plymouth, 14th April, 1879. In accordance with your request, I beg to report as follows on the question of confiscated lands, from the River Waitotara on the south to Parininihi (the White Cliffs) on the north. For tbe purposes of the present memorandum, and for convenience of reference, 1 propose to divide the territory included within those limits into three districts—viz., —- Northern District —commencing at Pukearuhe on the north, and terminating at the River Hangatahua on the south. Central District —commencing at the River Hangatahua on the north, and terminating at the Waingongoro on the south.