G.—2. (Appendix E.)

No. 6. —Deed of Cession, dated Ist August, 1872, of the Kopua Block-, being the first Block acquired within the Confiscated Territory, under Sir Donald McLean's instructions of January, 1872.

[Translation.] Let all men know by this deed, made the first day of August, in Ihe year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and seventy-two, that we, the Maori chiefs and people of the hapu of Ngatimaru, whose names are signed below, have agreed to sell, and to entirely part with, and fully convey to Victoria, the Queen of England, to her heirs, and to kings and queens, her successors, all that portion of land called the Kopua, the boundaries of which are as follows : Commencing at the mouth of the River Mangamoeahu at its junction with \\ aitara, thence it follows all the windings of the said Eiver Mangamoeahu till it reaches Te Aratawa, here it turns and goes to Waitara in a straight line to the clitf on Waitara called Kurakino (the mouth of Makino Eiver is on the opposite side of the Waitara River, and this is the point where tiie boundary strikes the Waitara), here it turns and goes in the Waitara Stream, following all its windings to the mouth of the Mangamoeahu River, the commencing point of the boundaries of said land. The plan of the said land is drawn on the margin of this deed. The purchase-money decided by Mr. Parris for said land, and agreed to by us, is two hundred and thirty (£230) pounds sterling. This money we have this day received from Mr. Parris. There is to be no further payment for the said land than the money we have this day received, as we are the only people who have resided permanently there during many years past. In witness of our agreeing to the conditions herein we have written our names.—(Here follow tho signatures.)

I declare that the above is a true and correct translation of Te Kopua deed of cession.—James Grindell, Licensed Interpreter.

No. 7. —Deed of Cession, dated 22nd Mat, 1874, of the "Waipuktt-Patea Block. (700-acre Eeserve at Stratford.)

[Translation.] Know all men by these presents that this deed, made the twenty-second day of May, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and seventy-four, witncsseth that we, tlie Maori chiefs and others of the Ahitahi Tribe, whose names are written underneath, do hereby consent to sell, hand over, and finally give up to Victoria, Q.ueen of England, her heirs and successors, all that block of land called Waipuku-Patea, the boundaries of which are as follows : Commencing at the Waipuku River, going in a straight lino to the Eiver Manganui, crossing over and going on to Piakau to Kohori, straight on till it gets to the Patea River, turning here and following up that river to its source, turning here and going straight to Tahunaatutawa, the line of the land lately sold to the Government called Waipuku, turning here and following that line down to the source of the Waipuku Eiver, following down that river to where the line commences. Mr. Parris has agreed to give up seven hundred (700) acres of this land. The plan of the said block of land is drawn in the margin of this deed. The purchase-money for the said land, as fixed by Mr. Parris and agreed to by us, is two thousand five hundred (£2,500) pounds, which sum we have this day received from Mr. Parris. This is the final payment for that land. Iu token that we consent to the conditions of this deed as written we subscribe our names.—(Here follow the signatures.)

Ko. B.—Letter from the Hon. J. C. Eichjiond, Native Minister, relating to the Land between Patea and Whenuakura Eivers.

Wellington, 16th October, 1867. Eriend Tattrua, —The Government hare received your request that some land between Patea and Waitotara should bo returned to the Ngarauru. They regret that you are discontented, and wish to explain. It is intended by the following arrangements to satisfy your appeal. No Europeans will be located upon the land lying between Patea and Whenuakura Bivers, excepting only the township at the mouths of those rivers. This land will be set apart as a reserve for the people of Ngarauru and Ngatiruanui, that is, the people who formerly occupied the land between Patea and Waitotara. It is probable that a portion may be wanted for Government Maoris, in accordance with the decision of the Court; but the Government will endeavour lo retain it, if possible, solely for the people who were in arms against the Queen. With a view to this, the Government will ascertain whether the Government people can all be located elsewhere, and this land be available for all the people of the two tribes who were living between Patea and Waitotara before the war. There will also be other pieces of land of small area set apart outside of this reserve for some of those people residing between Waitotara and Whenuakura, they having a slight claim to the reserve. The places that are highly valued and tlie sacred places will be retained for the people who formerly owned the land. The Government have no desire to see the Maoris landless, and in a dependent position ; therefore it has been deemed advisable to make this reserve. At a future time, when peace has been firmly established, the Native Land Court will subdivide the land to each individual; however, it will not be taken, but will be secured to them by Crown grant in blocks to each family, either for their occupation or to lease, but alienation by sale will be restricted. The township, situate between the mouths of the Patea and Whenuakura Rivers, shall extend from one river to the other, and one mile and a half inland from the sea. Half the balance of the money accruing from tho sale by auction of the sections of the township, after deducting the cost of survey, will be paid to the Maoris between Waitotara and Patea ; but, if disturbances again arise, the proceeds of the sale of that township will be withheld until peace is again established. When this is assured, the money will be paid over to the Maoris.—From your friend, J. C. Eichmond.

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