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50. I hope that the foregoing explanations will facilitate an understanding of the terms used in the official correspondence which now follows : ■ District of Napier No. 1 The Chief Commissioner to the Hon. the Colonial Secretary, New Munster Ahuriri, December 21, 1850. Sir

General: Refers to the s-ile of land in the Waipukurau plains, and to the prohibition of settlers leasing land from the Natives.

I take advantage of a small schooner, the " Rose," sailing direct for Wellington to report that I arrived from Manawatu at te Waipukuraii the central Ahuriri plains on the 11th instant. On the 13th, the whole of the principal Chiefs from Ahuriri and the surrounding settlements assembled to meet me, and on the 14th, they agreed at a public meeting to dispose of a tract of land, the boundaries of which have been given to me in writing by Te Hapuku the principal Chief. On the morning of the 16th I went out with a body of Natives to examine the boundaries and take formal possession of the block offered for sale ; afterwards I proceeded with Te Hapuku to Pa Tangata, thence to the Aute, where a small but beautiful tract of land was offered to me by the Natives for a portion of which Messrs. North wood and Tiffin agreed to pay them £6O a year, as will be seen by a correspondence herewith enclosed. I am glad to state that the leasing of land from the Natives which was becoming general has been entirely prohibited in this district; the Chiefs, after various arguments in favour of the system, agreeing to co-operate with me in carrying out the provisions of the Native Land Purchase Ordinance, sess. 7, No. 19. Yesterday I had a large meeting of Natives at Ahuriri, when they described the boundaries of the land they have for some time wished to dispose of to Government. There is now sufficient employment for two active surveyors to mark off the Native reserves and cut the external boundaries, where there is no river or other natural feature to mark them. I may here be permitted to add that I should feel most happy if His Excellency would secure Mr. Park's services for conducting this survey, as he is not only an excellent hand at managing Natives, but he is both practical, correct, and expeditious in carrying out any duty with which he is entrusted. Natives to join the surveyors can be employed here at a moderate rate. It is essentially necessary that the utmost expedition should be used to acquire this splendid district, which is peculiarly adapted for sheep grazing, and which would be readily taken up by the Wairarapa settlers, whose flocks are increasing so rapidly that they must shortly have an outlet for them. I find also that an excellent line of road at a comparatively small expense could be carried across the country to Manawatu, and there is every probability that the central Ahuriri plains about the Waipiikurau, will eventually become the site of a flourishing little English settlement; there is abundance of wood, water, and rich soil in that vicinity. Hoping you will excuse this hurried communication. I have, &c, Donald McLean, Land Commissioner. The Hon. the Colonial Secretary, Wellington.

General: Further reference to the Waipukurau.

District of Napier No. 2 The Chief Commissioner to the Hon. the Colootal Secretary, Wellington Ahuriri, December 28th, 1850. SIE, I had the honor to address you on the 21st by the schooner " Rose," stating that I had held several meetings with the Natives of this district at which they agreed to dispose of certain tracts of land, and that there was sufficient employment for two surveyors, to survey the external boundaries, estimate the extent of the purchases, and mark off the Native reserves.

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