REPORTS ON CONFISCATED LANDS.

Appendix to the Journals of the House of Representatives, 1873 Session I, C-04a

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1873. NEW ZEALAND.

REPORTS ON CONFISCATED LANDS.

Presented to both Souses of the General Assembly by command of His Excellency.

No. 1. Mr. C. A. Wrat to the TJnder-Secretart, Crown Lands. Confiscated Lands Office, Sir,— Patea, 15th August, 1873. I have the honor to report on the general state and progress of the department since my appointment to the charge of the Confiscated Lands, on the West Coast, in January last. Native Reserves. It having been decided by the Government that the Natives who had, since the outbreak in 1868, been excluded from the district should be permitted to return, it became necessary in consequence that a settlement should be come to with regard to the Native Reserves previously set apart, and that due provision should be made for the Pakakohi tribe and others whose lands had been confiscated. The Hon. the Minister for Native Affairs accordingly visited the district at the commencement of the present year, when arrangements were concluded with the various hapus, which I have summarized in the Schedule A, attached; the different reserves being tinted green in the accompanying sketch map. In order to avoid confusion I have classified these reserves as follows:— 1. Native Reserves set apart before 1868. 2. Reserves made by the Hon. D. McLean, for allocation of tribes whose lands had been confiscated. 3. Reserves awarded to Natives for special services. The reserves in the Ist class having been shown on the plans of the district from the commencement, and having been the subject of former reports by my predecessor, it will not be necessary for me to supplement the information afforded in the Schedule A annexed, which gives the locality and the Province in which they are situated, together with the numbers on the district maps, &c. With regard to the 2nd class, however, it will be necessary that a more detailed account should be recorded. I will take the reserves as they stand in the Schedule. Reserves to the extent of 3,000 acres for the Ahitahi tribe have been made inland of the Native Contingent Block, Ketemarae. 1,500 acres have been surveyed by Captain Blake, and the remaining 1500 acres will be surveyed when practicable. Captain Blake informs me that it will be necessary to set aside an additional 1,000 acres for the Ngatitupaea, and I have accordingly dotted it on the sketch on the western side of the Whareroa Reserve, but this will require to be referred for the decision of the Hon. the Minister for Native Affairs. This reserve was made for the chief Tauroa and his hapu, who were prisoners at Otago, and who originally owned the block between the Patea and Whenuakura Rivers. 1,000 acres have been laid off by the' survey staff, and the remaining thousand will be surveyed as soon as possible. I—C.-A.

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1,000 acres for the Pukorukoru (dotted in pencil on the sketch), on the north bank of the Whenuakura River, has not yet been surveyed. The Pukorukoru formed part of Tauroa's tribe who have lately returned from Otago. These are places of special value to the Natives from tradition, which have been surveyed and reserved by order of the Hon. D. McLean. 400 acres have been reserved at the mouth of the Whenuakura for a fishing settlement (Pakakohi), but have not yet been marked out. Fifty acres at Waipipi Point, and fifty acres at Okahuuha, near Waitotara, have been reserved for similar purposes (not yet surveyed). Section No. 352, Okutuku, including an old eel fishery, has been reserved for the Pakakohi. The original arrangement made by the Hon. D. McLean with regard to the reserves for the Ngarauru, was that they should have 200 acres at Ihupuku (Waitotara River) ; 2,000 acres on the north-west bank of the Waitotara River, inland of the Compensation Court awards ; and 500 acres for Pehimana and people, the locality to be settled by Captain Blake. At a subsequent meeting of the Natives, however, at which Major Kemp, Captain Blake, and Mr. Booth, R.M., were present, great dissatisfaction was expressed at the location being made so far inland, and upon Captain Blake's recommendation the Hon. D. McLean permitted an exchange, whereby the Natives gave up the 2,000 acres as originally allotted, taking instead 1,340 acres in one block, between the Mamahaki Stream and the Railway Reserve; sixty acres at Otoroa, on the Waitotara River, and 500 acres near Ihupuku, leaving the allocation of the remaining 100 acres to be settled at some future time. The 500 acres for Pehimana and people, shown on the sketch, is not yet surveyed, its exact position not having yet been determined. The following special reserves have also been made:—Rural Section No. 46, Whenuakura District, awarded to Lucy Grey. Fifty acres in the Railway Reserve, Ketemarae, for Lucy Grey, and fifty acres for Rahiri, wife of Hone Pihama. 400 acres to Major Kemp, Okutuku District, subject to lease to Mr. Vincent. 200 acres to Kupapas serving under Sir George Grey. (Locality not determined). The reserves in the Province of Taranaki for Natives amount to 27,686 acres, and in the Province of Wellington to 5,116 acres. With regard to these reserves generally, I may state that none of them appear to have been gazetted, and that it is highly desirable that they should be placed on a thoroughly clear footing. It would be a great help to the Government, to the Natives themselves, and to everyone concerned, if a decision could be finally arrived at as to what particular hapus or individuals were entitled to the several reserves, and Trustees appointed in every case. It would be far easier to do this now than hereafter, and trouble has already been experienced on account of the Natives confusing old tribal rights to particular lands, with the present reserves, losing sight of the fact of confiscation, and ousting natives who have equal rights, on the grounds that they were not the original owners in that particular locality ; the result being that from want of individualizing the reserves at the commencement, more land has to be given. Compensation Court Awards, 1866-7. By direction of the Hon. D. McLean, these awards formerly administered by Mr. G. B. Worgan were included with the confiscated lands placed under my charge, and by the aid of a clear and concise statement drawn up by Colonel St. John and Mr. Gill, I was enabled to gather sufficient information to clear up a number of transactions which at first appeared somewhat complicated, owing to the peculiar manner in which the whole question had been previously dealt with. The annexed Schedule marked B will shew the present position of these awards, which although they are now in a far more satisfactory condition, still require a considerable amount of attention, and a final settlement consequent on the varied interests intermixed with some of Mr. Worgan's operations. Certain propositions made by Mr. Worgan, acting as agent for private individuals interested therein with regard to that portion of the 8352 acre block, commonly known as the " Turner Lease," have been submitted by me for the consideration of the Government, and until some definite action is proposed it will be unnecessary for me to enter mere fully into the subject. In order to validate the purchases of awards made by Mr. Worgan and myself for the Crown, it will be necessary, in the terms of the award, and in accordance with the 9th clause of the Compensation Court that a final order by the Court should be obtained, and the Attorney General has decided that even if the Government Agent and the claimants had agreed to the allocation within the six months allowed by the regulations, the action of the Court would still be necessary to validate and complete transactions. Such being the case, I would suggest that the necessary notice of two months for the sitting of the Court should be published at as early a date as would be convenient to the Judge, in order that a final settlement of the purchases made for the Government should be arrived at, thus enabling available lands to be sold or otherwise dealt with, and some return reaped for the expenditure incurred. This would also allow of an opportunity being given on the one hand to individuals who have purchased or leased direct from Native owners to legalise and complete their titles, and on the other, would afford a means to Native claimants who may consider that they have been unfairly dealt with to state their cases before the Court, and in the event of any trickery on the part of agents being proved, to hold possession of their lands.

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With the assistance of Messrs. Booth and Parris, the following sections have been purchased since January last from Kative owners, at an average price of £1 per acre : —■ Section 12a ... ... ... 400 Acres. Section 98b ... ... ... 1G Acres. „ 13a ... ... 400 „ „ 102b ... ... 1G „ „ 52a 400 „ „ 104b 16 „ „ 47a 400 „ „ 105b 16 „ „ 43a 400 „ „ 83b 10 „ „ 49a ... ... 400 „ „ 88b ... ... 16 „ „ 50a ... ... ... 400 „ „ 91b ... ... ... 16 „ „ 51a ... ... 400 „ „ 101b ... ... 1G „ „ 5Gb 16 „ „ 9b 16 „ „ 81b 10 „ „ 95b 16 „ „ 84b ... ... ... 16 „ The purchase of the following sections, on which advances had been made by Mr. Worgan, has been completed, and the deeds signed:— Section 18a ... ... .. 400 Acres. Section 18b ... ... ... 16 Acres. „ 16a ... ... 400 „ „ 86b ... ... 16 „ 7a 400 „ „ 15b ... 16 „ 19b 16 „ „ 77b 16 „ „ 21b ... ... ... 16 „ ., 14b ... ... ... 16 „ „ 13b ... ... 16 „ „ 108b ... ... 16 „ „ 1b ... ... ... 16 „ „ 17b ... ... ... 16 „ „ 5b ... ... 16 „ ., 109b ... ... 1G „ 22b ... ... ... 16 „ „ 7b ... ... ... 16 „ „ 107b ... ... 16 „ „ 99b ... ... 16 „ 6b ... ... ... 16 „ „ 103b ... ... ... 16 „ „ 16b ... ... 16 „ „ 110b ... ... 16 „ 2b 16 „ „ 97b 16 „ „ 106b 16 „ „ 111b 16 „ » 100b 1G „

There remained in the hands of Native owners on the 31st July eight sections under Schedule A, aggregating 3,080 acresj and 27 sections, Schedule B, 432 acres, out of the original award of 17,264 acres. Land Sales. Having already reported upon the land sales that have taken place in my district, I will merely give the total amount realized, and the number of acres disposed of since January. Acres. £ s. d. Whenuakura sale .... .... .... 4,709 . . 12,100 15 8 Patea and Okotuku sale .... .... .... 9,023 ... 24,264 8 0 Manutahi and Hawera sale .... .... 110 .... 220 0 0 Other lands ... ... .... .... 293 .... 502 5 0 Leases.... ... .... .... ... ... 77 10 0 Due by Major Durie for lease .... ... .... 50 0 0 Sold to Andrew Young .... .... ... 200 .... 400 0 0 14,335 37,614 18 8 For the work performed which has led to the satisfactory results I have been enabled to record during the past few months, much is due to the late Commissioner, Mr. Robert Pharazyn, who against many difficulties placed the Confiscated Lands Department on an intelligible footing, evolving order out of what before was certainly approaching chaos. On taking over the office from Mr. Pharazyn I found everything straight-forward, clear, and in order, so that there was no difficulty in carrying on the system he had initiated. Surveys. The Survey Staff has been principally engaged in preparing lands for sale, defining Native reserves and awards. There is still a very considerable area of bush land at the disposal of the Government, as may be seen on reference to the return marked C, a large proportion of which is well adapted to the support of an industrious population. In most places the bush is light and could be easily cleared, when the land would be superior to any of the open country recently sold at such high prices. I annex copy of a report by Mr. Williams on the state and progress of the surveys, and containing other remarks on the district generally, suggested to him in the course of his experience, and including some practical suggestions of a useful nature. It being important that the Native reserves and awards still unsurveyed should be marked out without delay, I would recommend the employment of an additional surveyor for this work. It was intended by the Hon. D. McLean that the duty of surveying the reserves should be performed by Captain Blake, but that officer's time is entirely taken up with Native matters, and the Mountain Road, which he is superintending, and there is no chance of his being able to do so.

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The western bounday of the Whareroa reserve has been started under a chainman, with a party of the Armed Contabulary. Captain Blake, however, in order to push on with the Mountain (Egmont) road, discontinued this work after the end of June. It will be resumed early next month, and carried to the confiscated boundary. The country through which this line passes is easy of access, and well adapted for settlement. Future Survey. As soon as the survey of the Railway Reserve is completed, I propose to detail one surveyor to cut the boundary line between the Provinces of Taranaki and Wellington, and I have every expectation that by this means some first class land available for immediate settlement will be found, in which case a block might at once be prepared for sale. Another surveyor might be employed in laying out roads, and generally completing the Compensation Court award blocks in the Okotuku district, and Mr. Williams could carry on the triangulation of the district, exercising a general supervision of the surveys in progress. The appointment by the Hon. D. McLean of Mr. Degennes Frazer as clerk, &c, will be of great assistance, and he will doubtless, after a little experience, be able to undertake a considerable portion of the duties of draughtsman, thus relieving Mr. Williams, who is anxious to devote more of his time to field work. Messrs. Northcroft and Rawson are pushing on the survey of the railway reserve, a scheme for the subdivision of which was forwarded in my letter No. 283, dated July 24th, 1873, and which I propose to offer for sale in October next. I understand that some of the settlers at Hawera, Manutahi and Wairoa are anxious that bush reserves should be made by the Government near those places for the use of surrounding settlers. I am of o pinion that it is not desirable to make reserves of this nature, experience having proved that where a number of people have access to a bush common to all, great waste accrues, and I consider it preferable that the land should be sold, when the supply of timber, &c, being a matter of private enterprise on the part of owners of bush land, a fresh industry is started, and the danger of waste is avoided. In addition to this, the settlers who have bush sections already to which they have to look for a living, would be deprived of a market for their labour; so that what may be desired by one class ©f settlers is opposed to the interests of others. I approve of the suggestion made by Mr. Williams, that where possible small bush sections may be laid out, in order that those settlers who are without bush land may have an opportunity of purchasing, and will recur to the matter at some future time. The arrears of Crown grants are being worked off as speedily as possible, and I have, by the courtesy of Major Turner, obtained the services of Constable Baggett, of the Armed Constabulary, for this and other clerical work, which has proved of considerable assistance. Owing, however, to the great press of office work, and the many and varied calls upon my time and attention, further help is urgently required, and I trust that Mr. Fraser, of whose appointment I was informed in June last, will bo sent to Patea with as little further delay as possible. I have, &c, C. E. Haughton, Esq., C. A. Wray, Under-Secretary Crown Lands, In charge of Confiscated Lands, West Coast. Wellington.

Enclosure 1 in No. 1. SCHEDULE A. NATIVE RESERVES made in 1867-68, in the PATEA DISTRICT.

Locality, &e. Area. Total Aeea. 1st Class. Province of Taranaki— Rural Sections 6 and 7, Native Contingent Block Rural sections 18, 19, 20, 21, 22 (Katene), Native Contingent Block K'aukuia Reserve. Hawera Block ... [ngahapa Eiver Reserve ... faugalije River Reserve ... tVhureroa Reservo tfokoua Reserve... faumaha Reserve Rural Section Taumalia (3G1) a. e. p. 100 0 0 285 0 0 400 0 0 250 0 0 60 0 0 10,500 0 0 6,000 0 0 2,800 0 0 127 0 0 A. E. P. Province of Wellington— Hural Section No. 16, Okotuku District No. 39, „ No. 40, „ „ No. 43, „ „ No. 61, „ No. 131, No. 177, „ Dika Reserve Putahi Reserve, Part Taranaki .hupuku Reserve 20,522 0 0 37 0 0 12 3 0 50 0 0 29 0 0 65 2 0 51 0 0 52 3 29 330 0 0 400 0 0 200 0 0 1,228 0 29 21,750 0 29

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Enclosure 2 in No. 1. SCHEDULE B. RETURN showing position of COMPENSATION COURT AWARDS, Ngutiruanui Coast Block, on the 31st, July, 1873.

SCHEDULE A.— continued.

ATITE Ieseetes mai .on. >ONALD iKAN, in uy, !, am 'sequent iyLocality, &c. AliEA. Total Aeea. 2nd Class. Peotince op Takanaki— Inland pf Military Settlement (Kitemarae) ... » „ „ ior Ngatitupaea Otauto, for Palakohi tribe Whenuakura, North of Pukorukoru Wai-o-Turi, Section 84, Whenuakura District A. E. P. 3,000 0 0 1,000 0 0 2,000 0 0 1,000 0 0 14 0 0 A. B. T. Pkovince op Wellington— Potakataka, Seel ion 87, Whenuakura District Matangiru Reserve, Turu's houBe Paraunui, Rural Section 85, Whenuakura Whenuakura mouth ; fishing reserve Ngarauru, Waitotara Waipipi Point; fishing station Okahuuha Point; fishing station Eel cut, Rural Section No. 325, Okotuku 7,014 0 0 16 0 0 5 0 0 5 3 0 400 0 0 2,700 0 0 50 0 0 50 0 0 61 2 13 3,288 1 13 3ed Class. Awarded to Individuals— Railway Reserve, Kitemarae, L. Grey ,, Rahiri ... Section 46, Whenuakura, L. Grey ... Waiau, Major Kemp Kupapas serving under Sir George Grey 50 0 0 50 0 0 50 0 0 400 0 0 200 0 0 750 0 0 Synopsis— 1st Class ... 2nd Class ... 3rd Class ... 21,750 0 29 10,302 1 13 750 0 0 11,052 1 13 32,802 2 2

Class. Paeticulaes. Aeeas. Remarks. A. B. P. Purchased for Government with complete Title, 8, 9, 12, 13,14, 15, 20, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 113, part Purchased, and Deeds signed, but wanting Succession Order, 7,16,18,52 Purchased, subject to lease, 1, 2, 4, 5, 6, 11... Leased to Province, 17, 53 Purchased by Taylor, 10, 43, 44, 45 Leased by i'aylor, 3 Purchased by Nicholson, 118, 119... Surrendered to Government, 19* ... In hands of Natives, 46, 54, 55, 114, 115, 116, 117, 113, part ... Purchased by Government, with complete Titles, 38 sections ... „ „ „ 8 sections, (Worgau) ... Purchased by Government, with complete Title, Deeds signed, Succession, 4 sections Waiting succession and Deeds, sections 3 and 20 In hands of Natives, 27 sections ... 4,920 0 0 1,600 0 0 2,400 0 0 800 0 0 1,600 0 0 400 0 0 800 0 0 3,080" 0 0 608 0 0 128 0 0 64 0 0 32 0 0 432 0 0 * Mr. Worgan informs me that lie ascertained through Mr. W. S. Atkinson, formerly Crown Agent, that the claimant, BaheruTiwai had surrendered this section to the Government, she not being equitably entitled to an award by the Court. 17,264 2—C4a.

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Enclosure 3 in No. 1. SCHEDULE C. RETURN of CONFISCATED LANDS between WAITOTARA and WAINGONGORO.

No. 2. Report upon Surveys executed in the Patea District for the Financial Year ending 30th June, 1873. Native Awards. Towards the close of the preceding financial year, the survey staff was directed to co-operate with Mr. Worgan, late Native Agent, with a view of completing such work as would enable him to deal decisively with the various Native awards made since 1867, but which had hitherto only been vaguely shown upon the district plans, owing to incomplete surveys. River Traverses and Minor Triangles, Sfc. In pursuance of this object, traverses of the Patea, Whenuakura, and Waitotara Rivers commenced in April, 1872, were each extended for a considerable distance inland, the latter to within about four miles of the gazetted confiscated boundary. Conjointly with this work, systems of minor triangles were established up the courses of these streams in order to check the traverses. At Mr. Worgan's request, a provisional plan of the block awarded to Hata Rio and tribe (on the Waitotara River) was prepared as far as the data then to hand would admit of, and the various sections shown as allotted by the above mentioned officer. To give effect to this scheme the exterior boundaries of the block were then defined upon the ground, partly by cut and chained lines, and partly by a series of points fixed and calculated by triangulation. This method was adopted on account of the rugged and timbered country upon which some of the boundaries fell, which would have caused an ordinary survey to be both expensive and unsatisfictory. Momahaki Traverse and Native Reserves. The Momahaki Stream, which intersects the block in a north-westerly direction, was traversed, besides a number of Eel weirs and burial grounds upon its course. Native Awards. The awards to the south of the Railway Reserve were also schemed out, and the boundaries of most of these have since been marked on the ground. Subdivision of Whenuakura Block. The sectional survey of the Whenuakura block which had been set aside in order to push on the Native work was next resumed and completed, after traversing the Patea and Whenuakura rivers from the main road to the sea. A plan of this survey, which had been executed in accordance with the original instructions furnished to this office, was forwarded to Wellington by the late Commissioner of Confiscated Lands, and was returned to this office with directions to divide some of the sections into smaller lots, in order to bring the land within reach of small capitalists. This alteration had just been effected when Mr.

Abea. .mount granted to Military Settlers „ to Natives for Military Services ... „ to Natives for Special Services ... „ by Compensation Court Awards, 1867 .mount of Native Keserves „ of Eailway Reserve, sold „ u unsold „ of Land sold by General Government „ of Lands at disposal of the Government, on June 27, 1873 —lying between bush and sea ... „ „ „ „ ,„ bush land ... A. E. P. 38,391 3 15 7,311 0 0 750 0 0 17,264 0 0 32,052 0 0 4,350 0 0 6,000 0 0 17,939 1 33 6,500 0 O 165,ill 2 32 Total Areas 295,000 0 0 Amount realized by 9ales by Government"... Average price per Acre ... £45, ,861 12 2} 2 11 1

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Carrington was authorised to select 750 acres, and which was taken in a position that absorbed a number of the small lots. Small Sections. It is necessary to mention this as accounting for part of the expense of survey. Experience has proved that owing to the physical peculiarities of the district, and the fact that settlers will for a long time to come confine their operations almost exclusively to grazing land, not only will not be occupied in small lots, but is liable to fetch a less price as such, possible buyers being deterred from bidding by the fear that they may not secure a sufficient number of contiguous sections at the price they are prepared to give. A base of verification was measured between stations 28 and 29, situate in the Whenuakura block, the result proved that a very small amount of error had accumulated in extending from the Waitotara triangulation for a distance of twenty miles, and covering an area of about 100 square miles. Hawke's Bay Settlers Block. _ _ A number of alterations and additions to the block set apart for the Hawke's Bay and other military settlers in the Okotuku district, which had been found necessary just before the selection took place, had now to be defined upon the ground, besides various isolated sections for reserves, special applications, &c, &c, &c. Reduction of Staff. Last December the survey staff was reduced to one field party, which was retained to perform work in connection with Native awards and reserves. Native Reserves. In January, the necessary steps were taken to give effect to arrangements just made by the Hon. the Minister for Native affairs towards the settlement of Maori reserves. Those for the Pakakohi and Pukokokoro tribes first defined, are situate on the Patea and Whenuakura rivers, respectively, besides several smaller ones between those streams. Egmont Road. Between the Tangahoe and Waingongoro rivers a considerable amount of work has been done in cutting boundaries of reserves, under the immediate direction of Captain Blake, as also the cutting of the Egmont road behind that mountain. Owing to the urgent nature of this last undertaking, particulars of these operations have not yet been furnished to this office, but it may be stated that the important work of tracing the western boundary of the Whareroa reserve to its junction with the back boundary of the confiscated lands is nearly completed, and that the real lines of the Egmont road have been cut through to the northern terminus. Survey of Railway Reserve Sfc. Instructions have been received for the immediate subdivision and sale of the Railway Reserve and other waste lands from Waitotara to Patea, the temporary employment of an assistant surveyor, whose services had just been dispensed with, was recommended and agreed to. This work was commenced early in March, and shortly afterwards a plan and schedule of about 9,400 acres was submitted to Government for approval. The whole of this land, with the exception of the few hundred acres which were withdrawn, was sold on the 26th ultimo at higher prices than have been realized at any former sale. Surveys in Progress. The subdivision of the Railway Reserve from Patea to Waingongoro, a scheme of which has just been forwarded for approval, is now being pushed forward with vigour, and should the weather prove tolerably fine, it is anticipated that this and other waste lands will be ready for sale within three months. Office Work, Sfc. Working plans of the surveys in progress have been prepared and added to as information is received, and copies of these have been forwarded to the Crown Lands Office. A sketch map of the whole district was compiled to show Native awards and reserves, Government reserves, boundaries of military settlements, the approximate position of the back confiscated boundary, and the amount of land still at disposal of Government. This map has also been added to from time to time, and copies of it have been supplied to the Hon. Mr. McLean, the General Orown Lands Office, Mr. Worgan, and others. A number of Crown Grants have been prepared, including those of the Hawke's Bay settlers. Draughtsman. The services of Mr. Wray, who was appointed as draughtsman last year, were available for checking traverses, and attending to the clerical part of the work, but it was found that his other duties prevented him from undertaking much actual drawing; and as record maps are urgently

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required by the District Land Registrar, besides a good deal more work of a similar nature, a competent draughtsman could be well employed in the manner just indicated, the work contingent upon past and future sales, and the preparation of Crown Grants having lately prevented these arrears from being attended to. If, however, such assistance cannot bo obtained, every effort will be made to complete the above work as soon as possible after the next sale. Future Operations. Referring to further operations, it is important that the triangulation of the district which was recently set aside in order to prepare land for the market, should be resumed with the least possible delay, and extended to the Waingongoro River. Trig. Survey. It is also recommended that a trig, station be erected on the summit of Mount Egmont, which would be of great practical utility in ascertaining the position and extent of the blocks of land lying along the route of the Egmont road, which are now being offered for sale by the Natives to Government. This might be done for a trifling cost, and would save a good deal of the expense of ordinary surveying through forest country. Forest Land for Sale. The greater part of the land in this district hitherto disposed of by sale or otherwise, contains little or no timber, most of the margin of the forest being in the hands of the Natives. To meet this growing demand, it would be advisable to set apart, divide, and sell small blocks of bush land, in the following positions :—One at or near Okotuku, in rear of Wairoa ; one adjoining the inner reserve, set apart for the Pakakohi tribe, up the Patea river ; one between Manutahi and Kakaramea ; and another as near to tho Waihi as the reserves will admit. Land to be Surveyed for Sale. It is expected that a considerable quantity of good land may be prepared for sale between the Whenuakura and Waitotora rivers, besides a large area which will be opened up by the construction of the Egmont road. Survey Staff". The survey staff, which at present consists of one district and two assistant surveyors, will, it is thought, be sufficient to perform the work already indicated. It must, however, be remembered that after the Railway Reserve is disposed of there will not be any great extent of entirely open land remaining, and that surveys in forest land will be more costly, and take longer than those hitherto executed. In connection with the question of expense, the practice of frequently moving field parties from one part of the district to another, and altering work already completed, has obtained to some extent, and has naturally increased its cost. Emergencies will, of course, arise which must be attended to ; but this mode of proceeding adds greatly to the cost, and should be avoided as much as possible. Siuce writing the above, I proceeded to Waihi for the purpose of inspecting the Whareroa reserve line, the Egmont road, and other works in progress in that locality, besides improvements made upon portions of the Railway Reserve. The Whareroa line has been cleared out from the Hawera settlement to about two and a half miles inland from the Mangi Mangi stream, which it crosses. There is a good deal of rich fertile land between this stream and the farthest point reached, consisting of fern, scrub, and forest, and although the line crosses several deep gullies which discharge their waters into the Mangi Mangi, the land is undoubtedly good, and well adapted for a hardy class of settlers who would not be averse to cultivating bush land. Up to the present time, little timber of any kind has been met with, but the line, which has as yet only entered the main bush, will, when continued, pass through timber of a superior kind for building and other purposes. I understand that this work has been discontinued for the last three weeks, partly to hurry on the Egmont road, and also because it had reached a distance which made the work of supplying the party engaged upon it with rations expensive and difficult during the short days and bad weather. A track for this purpose has been commenced, which would avoid most of the rugged features, and enable the duty to be performed by means of a pack horse. Before the clearing of this line is resumed, it is recommended, in the interests of economy, that this track should be opened at least as far as the present termination of the line, which it is hoped will shortly enter upon moderately level forest country, situate between the Mangi Mangi and Tangahoe streams. The clearing of the Egmont road is proceeding rapidly, in spite of the unfavourable weather lately experienced, the forest having been felled one chain wide for a distance of about eight miles in from the head of the Kitemarae clearing, and through the centre of the road a track has been made, passable for pack horses, which are daily employed in conveying rations to the working party in adrance.

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A second party is following up the first, and clearing the pack track of all impediments for a width of at least six feet, along which a dray might be taken. This part of the work has been completed for about two miles in from the entrance. Egmont Road. This route lies through a fine, open, and almost level country, with occasional clearings and capital timber. Much of the bush is light, and easily cleared. The work is being well and thoroughly done. As the traverse lines have been cut through to New Plymouth, I am of opinion that if the Natives would agree, the felling, if not the clearing also, might be done cheaper and more expeditiously by contract. Another survey, with a large party of Natives, has lately started clearing at the northern end. A line forming the boundary between the Native contingent block, and a proposed Native reserve for Ahitahi has been cleared from the point where the Egmont road enters the forest to the Waingongoro river. Owing the unavoidable absence of Captain Blake, under whose directions the works have been carried on, I am unable to give full particulars as to distance, cost, &c, but it is presumed these will be furnished when he returns. The attached return shows the extent and cost of the various surveys which have been executed during the financial year just closed. G. W. Williams; District Surveyor.

Enclosure in No. 2. RETURN of WORK EXECUTED in the PATEA DISTRICT for the financial year ending June 30, 1873.

DESCRIPTION OP WORK. QUANTITY. COST PER ACRE OR MILE. AMOUNT. REMARKS. £ s. d. 25 Miles ... £5 5s. per Mile 131 0 0 131 17 0 250 10 0 ~\ Inclusive of trianguhtion up I the river, embracing about f 20,000 acres, Whenuakura J and Okotuku district. Traverse of Whenuakura River Minor trig of Native awards, &c. Sectional surveys. 152 sections Measuring verification base ... Survey pegs, making, and transporting Fern traverse ... 14,280 Acres 4id. per Acre ... 60 0 0 58 MUes ... 20 16 3 212 11 0 Whenuakura and Okotuku districts. Whenuakura and Okotuku districts. Whenuakura and Patea districts. Forest traverse... 37.2 Miles... 370 16 0 Ranging boundaries ... Trig blocks Minor trig, Whenuakura and Okotuku districts, including fixing points in old survey ... Office work, general direction of surveys Crown grants, defining isolated sections, &a ... 30 0 0 10 0 0 50 0 0 352 4 11 Total ... £ 1619 14 11

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CONFISCATED LANDS ON WEST COAST. (PAPERS RELATIVE TO.) Presented to both Houses of the General Assembly by command of His Excellency. No. 1. The Hon. the Native Minister to the Hon. the Premier. Sir, — Wanganui, Ist February, 1873. I have the honor to transmit for the information of Ministers a Memorandum, showing the steps I have taken in connection with the confiscated lands between the Waitotara and Waingongoro Rivers. On the 3.lst ultimo, a meeting was held in the Court House at this place, of which I forward an account in a local newspaj<er, and at this I announced to the assembled Natives the decision to which I had arrived. It will be seen that this decision relates to two large branches of the former Native owners —the Pakakohe, lately in confinement at Dunedin, whose lands were about Patea; and the Ngarauru, a Waitotara tribe ; and that the additions made to former awards in their favour amount only to between three and four thousand acres. I also informed them that they were at liberty to occupy the lands thus set apart for them, but that I would myself see the Europeans in the district before their return to them. The Pakakohe, Tauroa's tribe, expressed their satisfaction with the arrangements made, and I have since found that some of those who raised objections, have now acquiesced in my proposals, and accepted the present state of things. I am of opinion that the Government can rely on the promises made by the chiefs of the two tribes, and that they will observe a good behaviour. There is still one section of Natives on the settlement of which no decision has yet been arrived at, but this will present no difficulty, and will not require any large addition to the reserves already in existence ; whatever this may be, it will be made inland of the military settlements. There is now in the district, ready for actual sale, in round numbers, an amount of twenty-four thousand acres, including the Railway Reserve and the Whenuakura Block ; and the approximate acreage contained in the remaining part of the confiscated territory between Waitotara and Waingongoro, and which is at the disposal of the Government, is estimated at about one hundred and fifty thousand acres. Of this a part is rough forest, interspersed in places with portions of level country well adapted for settlement. I have, &c, The Hon. the Premier, Wellington. Donald McLean. Enclosure. [Memorandum.] It is most desirable that all doubts should be cleared away with respect to the lauds between the Waitotara and the Waingongoro, and that the owners of soil in that locality, whether Europeans or Maoris, should occupy their respective portions without the fear of future misunderstandings. The question of the confiscated lands in this district has been carefully enquired into, and the following conclusions have been arrived at with a view of affecting their settlement:— Ist. One thousand acres are to be given to the Pakakohe tribe at their old kainga, Otauto, to the north of the Railway Reserve, and the boundaries are to be defined by Captain Blake. They are also to have one thousand acres of forest land. There will likewise remain in their possession the following originally allotted reserves : —Mokoia, six thousand acres ; Tamahere. two thousand eight hundred acres; Taumaha, one hundred and twentyseven acres ; and Tangahoe, two hundred and fifty acres. To these lands the Pakakohe have now permission to return. A reserve of ten acres will also bu made for them at Turi's spring ; also of five acres, about the site of Turi's house. The rest of the lands originally possessed by the Pakakohe between the Waitotara and Tangahoe Rivers, up to the inland boundary of confiscation, will be at the disposal of the Government. In consideration of Tauroa's good behaviour, and of the faithful observance of the pledges made by him and his people on their release at Dunedin, a sum of money will be granted for the purchase of agricultural implements, to enable him and his tribe to cultivate the lands allotted to them. 2nd. With the exception of such portions of their awards which they have already disposed of, or

1873. NEW ZEALAND.

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agreed to sell or lease, the Ngarauru are to have all lands granted to them by the Compensation Court, including that part inland of the Waitotara purchase on the southern bank of the river which was abandoned by the Crown Agent in 18o'6. In case that this tribe should become short of land, a block of two thousand acres will be allotted to them inland, on the north-wt-st bank of the Waitotara. A reserve of about two hundred acres for a fishing station will be also made for them near Ihupuku. There are a few other reserves of a smaller acreage, sites of old villages, or burial grounds, (fee, which are to be preserved for the Natives. The chiefs of the different tribes thus settled will be expected to maintain peace and order among their people, and to use every endeavour to avoid disagreements with European settlers. All cases of dispute arising from any causes should be referred to the Resident Magistrate of the district, and Captain Blake will be on the spot to explain matters between Europeans and Natives, so as to remove any false impressions or misunderstandings which may arise. Captain Blake will also have to lay off the boundaries of the various reserves ; and if in the execution of this portion of his duty any land disputes should arise, he will apply to Mr. Commissioner Parris for advice and guidance. The Government rely on the assurances given by the Pakakohe and Ngarauru chiefs that they will keep on peaceful and friendly relations with the Europeans; and Major Kemp, who has also pledged himself for their good behaviour, will visit the district periodically, and, in conjunction with Major Turner, will exercise a general supervision over them. If, at a future period, the natives should wish the land to be subdivided among the various hapus, the Government will be prepared to have the survey carried out. Donald M'Lean. Whanganui, 30th January, 1873.

No. _. [Memorandum.] The Hon. the Native Minister to Captain Wray. It is expedient for the interests of the public, service that the management of the confiscated lands on the West Coast should be in the hands of a local officer, who would be on the spot to answer all questions, and to give the fullest information to persons, whether residents or strangers, who visit the district for the purpose of obtaining land. Captain Wray will take charge of the confiscated lands lying between the Waitotara and Waingongoro Rivers, and will manage all matters connected with their sale, lease, or survey. The survey portion of the work will remain as before with Mr. Williams, who will be assisted by Captain Blake. When the latter officer is not employed on Native affairs connected with the return of Natives to their reserves, he will be available to define the boundaries of the reserves, and perform other surveys where Native claims are concerned. The summer season is to be taken advantage of to strike the back boundary of confiscation, and to cut it from Waitotara to Tangahoe. The direction of the line under professional guidance may be all that is necessary, and an intelligent subordinate might be left with some slight assistance to continue it. In all cases of land sales, whether within the Railway Reserve or not, and in Native Reserves and awards, the right of the Government to take as much laud as is required to make the railway line, or for the site of a terminus, is to be reserved, and the rights of roads are also to be maintained. As it is highly desirable that settlement should be encouraged in the district, those lands which are now all ready and surveyed will be placed in the market without delay, the provisions of the Confiscated Lands Regulations being strictly adhered to, and Captain Wray will see that a survey goes on of such fresh lands as may be available, in order that the increasing demand for land in this district may be met by periodical sales. The Railway Reserve will be cut up into farms, varying from fifty to five hundred acres, in order to give opportunities for industrious settlers of small means as well as for capitalists. In the disposal of this and of other lands, there will be found a few cases where settlers have made improvements on the land entitling them to consideration ; in these instances, the improvements are to be valued, and the valuation added to the upset price, to be returned to the occupier should anyone else purchase. Every assistance and information is to be freely and frankly given to intending purchasers, and maps and plans shewing the position of lands available for purchase. Native Reserves, &c, should be at hand for inspection in the office. In consideration of the additional duties and responsibility devolving upon him, Captain Wray will receive an increase of eighty pounds per annum to his salary. Captain Wray and the other officers of the Patea department will in all cases bear in mind that the strictest economy is to be carried out in the conduct of surveys and in all other duties. In reporting matters such as surveys of Native awards, lands available for sale, the periods at which they can be disposed of, and generally the progress of works in charge, Captain Wray will, until otherwise instructed, communicate directly with myself; in the ordinary details and correspondence, he will proceed as heretofore. Patea, 7th February, 1873. Donald McLean.

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No. 3. The Hoa. the Native Minister to Major Turner. Sir,— Patea, 7th February, 1873. In the different interviews I have had with you since my arrival at Patea, you have been fully informed of the views of the Government with reference to the return of the Natives to the reserves set apart for them between Waitotara and Waingongoro. The settlement of the West Coast district, so long the scene of continual hostilities, is looked upon with considerable interest by the inhabitants of the Colony ; and, in your capacity of Officer Commanding the District, you will be expected to do more in co-operation to carry out satisfactorily such a desirable object, than if your duties were confined to those of a purely militarj character. You will therefore afford every assistance towards the peaceable settlement of the Natives on their reserves, and towards the establishment of a good understanding between the Europeans and them. That differences will from time to time arise between incoming Natives and settlers, is to be expected ; but by mutual forbearance and timely explanation, and by judicious intervention, they can be easily adjusted. All that is required is an active and earnest co-operation, on the part of the local officers, to carry out in a cordial spirit the intentions of the Government, and it will be your duty to see that they act in such a spirit. Captain Blake is to be detached from his present duties, and will assist the settlement of the Natives by pointing out the boundaries of their reserves, ifcc. Hf; must also be at hand to explain any difficulty which may arise between Europeans and Natives from trespass, <fee. This duty requires constant vigilance and attention, and you will have the goodness to see that it is properly carried out. ¥ou are authorised to enrol into the Armed Constabulary three intelligent half-castes, two of whom are to be attached to Captain Blake, to carry on his survey work, ifec, the other to be retained by you for interpretitlg or other purposes. It is an ess£iitial part of the province of the Armed Constabulary force to perform police duties, and this is all the more necessary on frontier posts, where no Provincial police exist. You will, therefore, have the goodness ta> tell off a steady man at Hawera. There are two other places where police are required, Waitotara and Wairoa. To each of these places you will send three men, with strict orders to be very careful in their efforts to prevent or quell any disputes, and to report at once to you any differences arising between Europeans and Natives. I have, &c, Major Turner, Commanding Wanganui and Donald McLean. Patea District.

Enclosure in No. 3. Memorandum for Captain Blake. Patea, 7th February, 1873. Captain Blake's chief duty will be to go about the country, frequently visiting the returned Natives, and to be at hand to enquire into any questions of dispute, whether arising from trespass, or any other cause. It will be also his duty to point out the boundaries of the Native reserves, and he must lose no time in doing this for Tauroa and his party, as it is essential they should soon be in a position to commence providing for their owu support, by getting lands ready for cultivation. The boundaries should be well defined, and whenever possible in the presence of one or more of the Native owners ; where no streams can be adopted as a boundary, posts must be driven into the ground, and this must be done especially in the vicinity of the European settlements ; as boundaries have so often been the cause of quarrels too much care cannot be exercised in having them clearly and properly defined. The cutting of the inland boundary, up to the Tangahoe, will require attention before the wet season sets in, and on this line a good mark at the starting point will be necessary, and the blazing of conspicuous trees. There are some eel cuts, such as about the Mamahaki, which have to be defined, and at each of these one or two acres may be reserved for Native fishing grouuds. On all Native occurrences Captain Blake will report to Major Turner, keeping him fully informed of what passes with regard to them. On survey matters he will correspond with Captain Wray. As Captain Blake will be exposed to extra expense, while travelling he will, on the satisfactory performance of his duty, be allowed, to cover this, a sum of money, the amouut of which will be fixed at a future period. Donald McLean.

No. 4. Captain Blake to the Hon. the Native Minister. Sir,— Waihi, lGth April, 1873. I have the honor to submit for your information the following report upon matters connected with Native affairs in this district:— Native work is progressing favorably ; the Natives are beginning to accept the situation, seeing pretty plainly that it is useless making any further direct opposition, but better to fall in with the views of the Government, and make the best terms they can under the circumstances. The process of bringing Native difficulties to an end on this Coast will of course be slow, but the solution has begun, and will advance steadily and surely; still it will require time to work out.

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Everywhere there is a strong feeling and wish to have matters settled once and for all, but at the same time there also follows the natural desire to obtain all they can possibly secure in the bringing of these affairs to a final settlement. I have arranged Heke's reserve for himself and hapu (Ahitahi), 1,500 acres in all, the survey of which will be completed in about two weeks. lat first intended making disposition as follows :—l,OOO acres at Araukuku, about 6 miles from Waihi, and 500 acres at or near Ngarango, about 34 miles from Waihi. Then some of the Natives proposed that it should be made in one block, and leave Araukuku as a " Papatupu." Mr Parris, who was down this way, consented to this alteration of arrangements whilst I was away at Waitotara, on the 18th ultimo, but not including part named "Oro Kowhai," and informed me that he had left this piece as a matter for future discussion between Ahitahi and the Government, and that the Natives had agreed to and accepted these arrangements. On this piece of land is a cemetery, in which are buried the remains of Te Pakeke; and a little beyond, is the site of an old flour-mill, built by Te Ngohi and others, and which would not cost much to re-construct and put in working order again. Heke and his people are now very well satisfied with the arrangements made, and the young men are working at the road with a will. Heke has persevered in this work in spite of a very strong opposition or objection from the tribe and many of his own hapu. At the commencement I could only get (8) eight men to start work, and one of these ran away after about two hours' work, so much afraid were they of the tribe. However, I went on gradually with the work, the Ahitahi became more confident as we went on, and now work away without any fear. The tribe (though most of them do not like the road going or) have with few exceptions withdrawn all active opposition, and to make matters better, Taongomoko and Te Morere have come down and given their consent together with three of Pakeke's sons. I have reached Matawhero with the felling and survey, and am now engaged in clearing out the roadway half a chain wide, and when this is finished up to Matawhero, I will arrange to go on to Horaporera, the half-way place ; I will then get on much more rapidly, as I expect to be able to put on a great many more hands, will have got into a better way of working, and will also be enabled to give out a good deal of the work by contract; but up to the present time I have been compelled to employ men at daily wages of ss. per diem. I began by making them provide themselves iv food, but finding that it would be better and more satisfactory to ration them, I arranged a supply of rations at the rate of about 66!., or less, a-day. I also propose giving part of the work of forming, <fee, to some Europeans, as I cannot get a sufficient number of Natives to turn to work. This proposal has been approved of by the Natives themselves. Once I get beyond Matawhero I shall have passed what is the " Rubicon" in this matter, and will consider myself safe from any further opposition as far as Te Whakangerengere, which is the limit of the Ngatiruanui portion of the country, and I think I may be able to take steps towards having the work begun from the other end, but not until I am safe on my way to Horaporera will I consider it expedient to commence there. It is worthy of notice that Te Pakeke opened this tract to the Europeans against a good deal of opposition, and it now falls to the grandson to finish the work his grandfather began over 30 years ago. Native surveys are not going on as fast as I could wish, in consequence of having to cut bush lines by the theodolite. I would nearly or more than do four times more work, by being allowed to use a circumferenter for rough bush country. I admit the necessity of cutting theodolite lines where the boundaries adjoin settlers' lands, but am of opinion that, in other cases, compass lines are quite sufficient for present purposes, more especially as you wish these Natives' lands laid off as rapidly as possible. In marking off these Native Reserves, the Hnes once cut will necessarily remain fixed as the boundaries, though it may be found afterwards that the correct bearings differ from those first laid down. The Natives will not look to the boundaries as laid down on paper, but will accept them as they are actually on the ground. So I beg to submit that all the Native survey required to be done in the rough and wooded parts of the country should be done by compass, so as to have the work pushed through as speedily as possible, and leave it to be corrected at some future time. It is absolutely necessary that the Native lands should be laid off at once, so as to prevent trouble and misunderstanding, and enable the Maori to know exactly the lines and boundaries of his lands. The connection of tho Native survey work with the main survey is a matter of lesser importance, and can easily be clone afterwards, when there is a less pressure of work and more time to spare. lam going up to Oeo to attend meeting there of Ngatiruanui and Ngatihine. I thought it better to attend this than the meeting at Omoturangi, as at Oeo all Ngatiruanui will be represented, and there the principal talk would take place. I will report fully on my return. I have, (fee, The Hon. the Native Minister, R. C. Blake, Captain. Wellington.

No. 5. The Under Secretary to Captain Blake. Sir,— Native Office, Wellington, 3rd May, 1873. I have the honor, by direction of Mr. McLean, to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 16th ultimo, reporting generally upon Native affairs iv the Patea district, and the progress made by the Natives in road work, (fee. In reply, I am to state that Mr McLean recognises fully the truth of the statements in your report, and considers that you place matters as to the feelings and prospects of the Natives in a clear light.

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The arrangement made by you as regards the land for the Ahitahi hapu is satisfactory, and meets with Mr. McLean's approval ; your proposal to give out road work by contract when you are further advanced, and the course you have pursued generally in the management of the road is also approved. With reference to your proposal to use a circumferenter in the bush surveys in the place of the theodolite, Mr McLean approves of the forest lines being worked with circumferenter where the theodolite does not seem fitting, but if any local magnetism is suspected the work must be checked with the theodolite. Mr Wray must be supplied with the " closes" in each case as well as the field plottings, but the work can proceed in the interim on your holding yourself responsible for the acccuracy of the survey. I have, &c, Captain Blake, Patea. G. S. Cooper.

No. 6. Return- of Confiscated Lands Between Waitotara and VVaingongoro. A. R. P. Amount granted to Military Settlers ... ••• ... ••• 38,391 3 15 Amount granted to Natives for military service ... ■•• ... ... 7,311 0 0 Amount granted to Natives for special services ... •■• ... ... 750 0 0 Amount granted by Compensation Court (awards, 18GG) ... ... ... 17,264 0 0 Amount of Native Reserves ... ... ••• ... ... 30,965 0 0 Amount of Railway Reserve, sold ... ... ... ... ... 4,350 0 0 Amount of do do unsold... ... ... ... ... 6,000 0 0 Amount of land sold by General Government ... ... ... ... 17,939 1 33 Amount of land at disposal of the Government ) Lying between bush and sea ... 5,500 0 0 on 27th June ■ / Bush land ... ... ... 166,528 2 32 Acres—295,000 0 0 £ s. d. Amount realised by sales by Government... 4-j,681 12 2| Average price per acre ... ... 2 11 1 C. A. WflAT. By Authority : George Didsbory, Government Printer, WeUugtoa.