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at the Mohaka river, about 30 miles north of this place, thence to extend my journey to Tauranga to give the people here time to save their wheat crops and. to acquire information for the Government respecting the Natives in that quarter, some of whom are interested in the negotiations in which I am now engaged. After my return from Tauranga another general meeting of the Heretaunga tribes will be held at Pa Tangata, to consider the boundaries and extent of the block recently offered for sale, after which it would be desirable to have the necessary surveys vigorously carried on. Hoping that you will have the goodness to notice these proceedings to His Excellency the Governor in Chief and the Lieutenant Governor. I have, &c, Donald McLean, Land Commissioner. To the Hon. the Colonial Secretary, Wellington.

Respecting the prices and mode of payment for Ahuriri Block, Te Hapuku's Block, and Mohaka Block.

District of Napier No. 6 The Chief Commission ek to the Hon. the Colonial Secretary, Wellington Wellington, 9th July, 1851. Sir I hare the honour to submit for the consideration of His Excellency the Governor-in-Chief, the terms of payment which the Natives of Hawke's Bay agree to accept for the blocks of land they offer for sale to the Government. Ist. The Ahuriri block of three hundred thousand (300,000) acres, including the harbour, was valued by Mr. Park the Surveyor, and myself at One thousand five hundred pounds (£1500) which sum the Natives agree to take for it, by receiving a first instalment of One thousand pounds (£1000), and a second and last instalment of Five hundred pounds (£500) next year. 2nd. Te Hapuku demands for a block of similar extent as the former, although much superior in quality, a sum of Four thousand eight hundred pounds (£4800), to be paid in four yearly instalments, and requests that he should receive a first instalment of one thousand eight hundred pounds (£1800) to satisfy all the claimants and induce many of them at Hawke's Bay, as well as at Wairarapa, to dispose of their lands to the Government; the remaining instalments he wishes to be paid in three equal annual amounts of One thousand pounds (£1000) in each year. 3rd. A block of about One hundred thousand (100,000) acres at the Mohaka river, recently surveyed for which a sum of eight hundred pounds (£800) in four equal annual instalments of two hundred pounds (£200) a year, will be sufficient payment. 4th. The total amount of land in the three blocks may be estimated at (700,000) seven hundred thousand acres, for the payment of which a first instalment of three thousand pounds (£3,000) will be required. This sum may at first sight appear large, although when divided among the several claimants, it will scarcely amount to eighteen shillings (18s.) each, while the average price of all the purchases, inclusive of Native reserves, will be under 2|d. per acre. sth. The remaining instalments will be comparatively moderate, amounting to One thousand seven hundred pounds (£1700) the second year, and twelve hundred pounds (£1200) in each year for the two subsequent instalments. I enclose herewith a translation of a letter from Te Hapuku to His Excellency, in which, with a few slight deviations, he relates the substance of a conversation I had with him and his followers, at a meeting held with them in April last, respecting the price of their land. At this meeting the Natives used some forceable speeches and appeals for a payment of from ten to fifteen thousand pounds for Te Hapuku's block, stating what was quite true, that they were in the habit of receiving large sums of money for letting small spots of land to whaling parties, with whom they carried on a profitable pork and flax trade, besides supplying the stations with provisions and receiving, during successful seasons, considerable sums as their share for working in the boats, and the various other employments about the fisheries, therefore they considered, when parting for ever with their greatest property, the land,

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