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1890. NEW ZEALAND.

PURCHASE OF TOWNSHIP OF ROTORUA (PAPERS RELATING TO THE).

Return to an Order of the House of Representatives dated 25th June, 1890. Ordered, " That the papers and correspondence relating to the purchase of the Township of Rotorua be laid before this House."—(Mr. Kkrk.)

W. Kelly, Esq., M.H.E., Eotorua, to the Hon. the Native Minister. (Telegram.) Eotorua, 26th September, 1888. Township can be purchased reasonable if commenced at once. You should send agent and start buying. W. Kelly. The Hon. the Native Minister.

The Hon. the Native Minister to W. Kelly, Esq., M.H.E., Eotorua. (Telegram.) Wellington, 26th September, 1888. In reply to your wire : Mr. Lewis will shortly visit the district and hold a meeting with the Natives with the object of arranging for the purchase of the township. W. Kelly, Esq., M.H.E., Eotorua. E. Mitchelson.

W. Kelly, Esq., M.H.8., to the Hon. the Native Minister. Sir, — Grafton Eoad, Auckland, 29th September, 1888. I have returned from Eotorua and received your telegram, in which you say Mr. Lewis will go to Eotorua and arrange with the Natives re the purchase of the township. I discussed the matter with most of the leading Natives when there, and they all seem inclined to sell. My opinion is that if you fixed upon a price and sent an agent there you would have most of the shares purchased in a very short time. If you get Mitchell to move in the matter for you he would soon put it through, or if you intend to send Mair you ought to start at once while the Natives are inclined to sell. It would be better for you to purchase all the shares you could right off, and if there were any Natives that did not like to sell you could call a meeting then and explain matters. I have, &c, The Hon. the Native Minister. W. Kelly.

W. Kelly, Esq., M.H.E., Eotorua, to the Hon. the Ministee of Lands. (Telegram.) Eotorua, 29th October, 1888. Is Mr. Lewis or any one else coming re purchase of township ? The Hon. the Minister of Lands, Wellington. W. Kelly.

The Hon. the Ministee of Lands to W. Kelly, Esq., M.H.E., Eotorua. (Telegram.) Wellington, 30th October, 1888. Mattee not forgotten, but in abeyance at present, as Mr. Lewis cannot get away during Native Minister's absence. W. Kelly, Esq., M.H.E., Eotorua. G. F. Eichaedson.

W. Kelly, Esq., M.H.E., Eotorua. to the Hon. the Ministee of Lands, Wellington. (Telegram.) Eotorua, 30th October, 1888. Taekata's wife died last night. She was a woman of great rank. Now is the time to purchase township. The Hon. the Minister of Lands, Wellington. W. Kelly.

The Hon. the Ministee of Lands to W. Kelly, Esq., M.H.E., Eotorua. (Telegram.) Wellington, 31st October, 1888. As Mr. Lewis cannot leave at present, Mr. Lush will be instructed to proceed to Eotorua and ascertain what can be done re purchase of township and Whakarewarewa. Ido not see that buying out a portion of the interests will improve the position of Government or the occupiers. W. Kelly, Esq., M.H.E., Eotorua. G. F. Eichaedson. I—G. 10.