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than £30,000 for the block, but in order to settle this long-standing dispute the Crown might go so far as to give £35,000 for the land in question. To give you an idea as to how the values were arrived at in tin's case, I append the following particulars (see Exhibit No. 76). William C. Kensington. For Cabinet.— J. O.W.—23/3/10. In Cabinet, 24th March, 1910.—Offer £35,000. — J. F. Andrews, Secretary to Cabinet. The Secretary to Cabinet telephoned Monday, 28th, that Cabinet minute of 24th was ran celled pending further consideration.-—Wμ. C. Kensington.—29/3/10. No. 76. Particulars op Values. £ s. d. 4,700 acres (blue on plan) at 7s. 6d. per acre ... ... 1,762 10 0 30,671 acres (blue on plan) at los. per acre... ... ... 23,003 5 0 5.776 acres (purple on plan) at £1 per acre ... ... 5,776 0 0 2,160 acres (yellow on plan) at £1 ss. per acre ... .. 2,700 0 0 1,497 acres (yellow on plan) at £2 per acre ... ... 2,994 0 0 148 acres (yellow on plan), nil. 1,000 acres (blue on plan) at £1 15s. per acre ... 1,750 0 0 3,859 acres (green on plan) at £1 10s. per acre ... 5,788 10 0 685 acres (pink on plan) at £2 per acre ... ... 1,370 0 0 Total value ... ... ... ... ... £45.144 5 0 I also attach for your information the report by the Commissioner of Crown Lands and the two Crown Lands Rangers, together with the maps which accompanied the same. You will notice that the Commissioner and the Rangers agree as to the value of the block. Therefore, if the Crown goes so far as to give £35,000 for this block, it only leaves a margin of £10,000 for the necessary reading, surveys, &c. Personally, I should not like to see the Crown give more than £25,000 to £30,000 for the land in question; but as it is a policy question, and involves the settlement of long outstanding disputes, which have been before so many law-courts, the Court of Appeal, and the Privy Council, I think the Government would be justified in giving £30,000 to £35,000 to settle this matter. If, however, it would be possible to come to terms by which the land could be obtained for £30,000. it would bring it more on the safe side. Wμ. C. Kensington, Under-Secretiiw.

No. 77. Mokau Jones Estate. In Cabinet.—2Bth March, 1910. Former minute cancelled. The estate to be taken compulsorily, provided all parties agree as to the proportions of purchase-money to be paid to each. J. F. Andrews, Secretary to Cabinet.

No. 78. The Wellington. Lands Department. 4th April. 1910. Compulsory Acquisition of Native Land by Crown. The Crown is desirous of acquiring the Mokau-Mohakalino Block (as per minute of Cabinet dated 28th untimo, on papers herewith), and by direction of the Right Hon. the Minister of Lands 1 have the honour to ask your opinion on the following point :— Part XIX of the Native Land Act, 1909, apparently contains all the power by which the Crown can at the present time purchase Native land, but it is not clear whether there is also power to acquire Native land under the provisions of the Land for Settlements Act, 1908. This latter Act authorizes the purchase of " private land " either compulsorily or by mutual agreement, and the definition of " private land " in section 2 of the Act means " any land alienated from the Crown." The Native Land Act excludes from the operation of the Act Native land which has become subject to a contract of sale, or to any other contract of alienation of the fep-simplo thereof, and " alienation " means the making of certain leases, iVc. With regard to the Mokau Mohakatino Block, it appears that large areas have been granted on lease for periods exceeding twenty-one years, and it may therefore be considered that such arras have been " alienated," and may therefore be acquired under the Land for Settlements Act. These lands have also boon mortgaged to Europeans. I shall, therefore, be glad if you will kindly peruse the accompanying papers and advise whether the minute of the 28th March can _be given effect to, and. if so, in what manner. As the matter is one of urgency, your early answer will be appreciated. Wμ. C. Kensington, Under-Seoretnry. (Memo, attached giving legislative powers For Solicitor-General's information.)