G.— 2. (Appendix A.)

8. That, although the term "takoha " (bonus or gratuity) is well understood by the Maoris, it is absurd to think for a moment that they do not look on any takoha payment made to them as being consideration for their lands, especially when the giving of it has been accompanied by the formality of executing a deed of cession to the Crown. 9. Te Whiti and others urge the long time they have been permitted to occupy the land since confiscation without any objection being made on the part of the Government; also, that they were promised that they would not be interfered with in the matter of any lands which they enclosed and occupied, in consequence of which promise they did fence in considerable areas, portions of which are included in the survey of Waimate Plains. I have given the above as being the principal reasons for the present attitude of the Natives in this provincial district. In doing so I wish it to *be understood that these are principally deduced from their own statements, and that those who have had more intimate official acquaintance and dealing with the question, 'may be able to furnish further and more accurate information than can possibly be given by one who has only had a limited opportunity of investigating the matter. I would recommend the following as a solution of the difficulty, viz.: — 1. That a Commission should be at once appointed to inquire into the nature and present position of the awards of the Compensation Court. In cases where the awards have been satisfied by the allocation of the claimants on specific pieces of land, such Commission should have the power to direct the issue of Crown grants to the persons interested. Where certificates or scrip entitling a Native to select land has been issued, but not exercised, then such Commission should at once arrange for the selection of the area to which the holder is entitled, and proceed to issue title as above. 2. That, in the case of lands surrendered or abandoned by the Crown, such Commission should have power to ascertain who were the original owners of such lands (which by law revert to their original status as Native lands), and, after conducting proceedings in the same manner as the Native Land Court, should determine the persons entitled to the same, and Crown grants should issue in the usual form. 3. That To Whiti and Titokowaru, and others who are interested in the Waimate Plains, Parihaka, &c, should be at once distinctly informed that certain portions of those blocks will at once be set apart for them and granted to the proper owners. As regards the portions retained and required by tho Government, there appears to be no alternative but to adopt the bonus or gratuity system (takoha) set forth in the instructions to Mr. Parris and Major Brown. 4. That, in the case of reserves now occupied by ex-rebels, the Commission should have power to ascertain tho persons entitled to the same, and order Crown grants to issue, such grants to contain a restriction against sale or mortgage, or a lease exceeding twenty-one years. I may mention here that there are reserves of the same nature at Pakaraka and Nukumaru, which require similar treatment, and might bo placed under the same Commission. Considering the large number of Natives in this district, and their possessing no lands elsewhere in the colony, it might be desirable to place a restriction in all Crown grants on the alienability of the lands by sale, mortgage, or lease exceeding twenty-one years, without the consent of the Governor in Council being first obtained thereto. My telegram of the 4th inst. gives the particulars of my interview with Te Whiti, which will sufficiently show the Native feeling on the subject. The recommendations now made are very similar to those contained in my telegram of that date. I enclose a map illustrating the divisions of the provincial district as set forth in this memorandum. James Mackat.

No. 15. Mbmoeandxjm by Mr. Blake for the Hon. the Natite Ministeh,

Wanganui, 24th September, 1879. The causes of the Waimate difficulty are, in my opinion, almost entirely confined to the question of confiscated lands between the Waingongoro and Hangatahua (Stoney River) ; and the trouble is, as to what manner the confiscation is to be carried outj or how best to deal with it. The matter of promises unfulfilled, and delays in carrying out reserves or awards, may have caused suspicion and doubt in the minds of Natives, and serve as examples for them to point an argument against us; but these are not the real reasons of the action taken by them in turning the surveyors off the Waimate Plains, and the ploughing on settlers' lands. The Maoris are by nature very suspicious, and our approaches to them have always been received with suspicion; and the matter of a few awards to some individuals not being carried out or settled has very little to do with their present discontent and disaffection. The persons to whom, awards were made, are those who did not join with their people in rebellion against us : some assisted, some were neutral. The grievances of these find little sympathy from the main body of the people affected by the confiscation question. Read the statements made by Sir Donald McLean, as printed in the Parliamentary Papers; his instructions to Mr. Parris and then to Major Brown ; his memorandum written at Hawera, of which I was told to take a copy for my guidauce in negotiating with the Natives, assisted by verbal directions from him as well. Sir I). McLean's idea then was, to make an amicable arrangement with the Natives north of Waingongoro : that they should give up a portion to the Government, and that they would be allowed tp retain a portion for their own use. The blocks were, if possible, to be arranged in alternate strips from river to river. For the portions taken by the Government the Natives should receive a money payment of ss. an acre. (This rate was afterwards extended to 7s. (id. per acre.) Sir D. McLean also had a long talk with Manaia at Hawera, and went into the matter fully. He questioned me about Manaia's position, and as to what he and his followers were entitled to get on the Plains. I said about 4,000 acres. Then he had a conversation with Wharerata, at Wellington, notes of which. I attach.

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