MAORI LAND PURCHASE OPERATIONS (REPORT UNDER "THE MAORI LAND SETTLEMENT ACT, 1905," FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31st MARCH, 1907).

Appendix to the Journals of the House of Representatives, 1907 Session I, G-03a

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1907. NEW ZEALAND.

MAORI LAND PURCHASE OPERATIONS (REPORT UNDER "THE MAORI LAND SETTLEMENT ACT, 1905," FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31st MARCH, 1907).

Presented tn both Houses of the General Assembly by Command of His Excellency.

Sir, — Department of Lands, Wellington, Ist June, 1907. In accordance with your request of the 9th April, I have the honour to forward herewith a statement of the land-purchase operations which were initiated in May, 1906, under " The Maori Land Settlement Act, 1905." I have, &c, William C. Kensington, The Hon. J. Carroll, Minister for Native Affairs, Wellington. Under-Secretary for Lands.

REPORT. In April, 1906, Cabinet decided that extensive areas of Native lands should be negotiated for in such Maori land districts as were not excluded by the schedule to " The Maori Land Settlement Act, 1905 " —viz., Tokerau (taking in the country north of the City of Auckland and extending to the North Cape) and Tai-rawhiti (taking in the area extending from the East Cape to some little distance south of Wairoa, Hawke's Bay)—and, with your full approval, that such operations should be conducted under the supervision of the Under-Secretary for Lands. Acting upon your instructions, Messrs. W. H. Grace, James Mackay, and Dean Pitt were engaged, with salaries at the rate of £350 per annum and travelling-expenses. To Mr. W. H. Grace was intrusted the purchasing of a district extending roughly from Mercer, on the Waikato River, to Taumarunui, on the Whanganui River, and extending southwest to the Ohura Valley ; whilst Mr. James Maekay's district embraced roughly the Counties of Coromandel, Thames, and Ohinemuri, together with portion of Piako County ; and Major Dean Pitt negotiated for lands principally in the Bay of Plenty district. In addition to these gentlemen, Mr. Sheridan undertook the purchases of very valuable Native lands in the Hawke's Bay District, and Captain Gilbert Mair, and afterwards Mr. H. Dunbar Johnson, negotiated for considerable areas adjoining the Whanganui River, chiefly situated in the Taranaki District, but portions also in the Wellington District. The operations of all these officers have been singularly successful, and the price paid for the land purchased has never been less than that fixed by the Valuation Department, and in the greater number of cases it was considerably exceeded. The following schedule shows the areas under negotiation, but in many cases up to the 31st March considerable areas had been finally purchased, notably those in Hawke's Bay, under Mr. Sheridan. Schedule of Native Lands that have been purchased or are under Negotiation, 1906-7. Auckland Land District — a. r. p. By Mr. W. H. Grace .. .. .. .. .. 167,820 1 0 „ Mr. James Mackav .. .. .. .. .. 24,938 1 13 „ Major Dean Pitt .. .. .. .. .. 12,257 2 0 Total .. .. .. .. .. 205,016 018 Hawke's Bay Land District — By Mr. P. Sheridan .. .. 7,953 3 36 Taranaki and Wellington Land Districts — By Captain Mair \ „ Mr. H. D. Johnson .. .. .. .. .. 107,975 0 0 „ Mr. A. F. Puckey ) Grand total ~ .. .. .. ~ 320,945 0 9

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Purchases and Negotiations by Mr. W. H. Grace. I Area. Area. A R. P A Tl P TeAkau(part) .. .. .. 11,000 6 6 Kinohaku Bast No. 2, Section 1 .. 222 120 Rangitoto Tuhua 3d (Taraunui) .. 620 0 0 „ No. 3a, Section 2 .. 29fi 0 0 21 .. .. .. 7,157 0 0 Pukenui No. 2z .. .. .. 312 0 0 24 .. .. .. 976 0 0 „ No. 21, Section 2 . . .. 1,068 0 0 26f .. .. 6.634 2 0 Mangauika No. 3 .. .. .. 100 0 0 29c No. 1 i .. .. 63 036 Kakepuku 3a, Section 2 ... . . 60 0 0 32b ' .. .. 1,304 3 0 „ 4a .. .. .. 72 0 0 37 .. .. .. 5,527 0 0 „ 5c .. .. .. 160 0 0 57a .. . . 6,772 0 0 „ 6a .. .. .. 60 010 58 (Whatitokarua) .. 21,100 0 0 Hurakia B .. .. .. .. 1,895 0 0 60a (Pukepoto) .. 2,506 0 0 Tokanui 0 No. 12 .. .. .. 418 236 60c (Pukepoto)' .. 2,382 0 0 „ No. 15 .. .. 376 2 8 61b (Puhanga) .. 1,500 0 0 „ No. 16 .. .. .. 308 3 4 61d (Puhanga) . . 2,820 0 0 „ No. 19 .. .. .. 180 239 72 .. .. .. 18,837 0 0 „ No. 20 .. .. .. 502 011 77 A 2 .. .. 20,815 2 0 „ No. 21 .. .. .. 1,284 220 77c .. .. 3,676 2 0 „ No. 1a .. .. 290 0 0 77 F2 .. .. 785 0 0 Pirongia West 3b, Section 2b .. .. 271 0 0 77 F3 .. . . 1,060 0 0 Otorohanga No. 4 .. . . .. 1,667 0 0 Rangitoto A No. 6 .. .. .. 759 0 0 Taumatatotara 1b .. .. 407 0 0 No. 8 .. .. .. 1,328 0 0 „ No. 2 .. .. .. 310 0 0 No. 9 .. .. .. 2841 0 0 Kapua No. lo ... .. .. 225 0 0 No. 12 .. .. .. 320 ' 0 0 „ No. In .. .. .. 50 0 0 No. 31 .. .. .. 1,422 0 0 „ No. Is, Section 2b '.'. .. 1,610 0 0 No. 32 .. .. .. 1,154 0 0 Parihoro 1B .. .. '.. .. 280 323 . „ No. 34 .. .. .. 901 0 0 Waiwhakaata No. 3c .. .. .. 328 220 No. 37 .. .. . . 2,276 0 0 Pehitawa No. 2 .. .. .. 2,056 0 0 No. 50 . . . . .. 1,233 0 0 Maungarangi 2b .. .. .. 231 1 13 No. 56 .. .. .. 1,326 0 0 Taharoa A .. .. .. .. 16,188 0 0 No. 60 .. .. .. 1,700 0 0 „ B No. 1b .. .. .. 1,240 0 0 No. 61 (Pukepoto) .. 364 0 0 Maraeroa A, Section 3 .. .. 5,873 0 0 No. 60 .. .. .. 568 0 0 Kinohaku West N. No. 2 .. .. 304 0 0 Total .. .. .. 167.820 1 0 Purchases and. Negotiations by Mr. James Mackay. Area. Area. A. R. T. A. K. P. Horahia-Opou No. 2b .. .. 450 0 0 Kopuarahi No. 3d .. .. .. 223 1 0 No. 3 . . .. .. 745 0 0 Makumaku No. 4 .. .. .. 340 0 0 No. 4 .. .. .. 2,110 0 0 Ngatitamatera No. 1 .. .. .. 2,870 0 0 Kopurarawai No. 1 .. .. .. 479 0 0 „ No. 1, Section 3 .. 159 0 0 No. 2 .. .. .. 400 0 0 Ngatiipuaa No. 3 .. .. .. 290 0 0 Koukourahi No. 1 .. .. 489 0 0 „ No. 4 .. .. .. 960 0 0 No. 2 .. .. 100 0 0 „ East .. . . .. 175 0 0 No. 3a .. .. .. 74 0 0 Tiritiri No. 1 (part) .. .. .. 192 0 0 No. 3b .. .. .. 926 0 0 Te Await.i No. 7 .. .. .. 100 0 0 „ No. 4d .. .. .. 17 1 13 „ No. lc .. .. .. 70 0 0 Kaikahu No. 1 .. .. .. 600 0 0 Wairau .. .. .. .. 662 0 0 No. 2 .. .. .. 100 0 0 Ngaromaki .. .. .. .. 2,000 0 0 Kopuarahi No. 1 .. .. .. 1,020 0 0 Puhangatcuru .. .. .. 570 0 0 No. 2 .. .. .. 800 0 0 Waitakarnru (part) .. .. .. 7,000 0 0 No. 3a 475 0 0 No. 3b .. . . 275 0 0 Total .. .. .. 24,938 113 No. 3c .. .. .. 266 3 0 Areas purchased by Major Dean Pitt. Area . a. R. p Kapuarangi 1 West .. .. .. .. .. .. 11,474 2 0 Rangatira No. 3 .. .. .. .. .. .. 783 0 0 Total .. .. .. .. .. .. 12.257 2 0 Areas purchased in Hawke's Bay District. Area. Area. A. R. P. A. R. p. Okaihau No. 1 .. .. 1,125 1 0 Waipuka No. 3 .. .. 1,006 2 0 No. 2 .. .. . . 155 0 0 Pukokura East . . .. .. 682 1 0 No. 3 .. .. .. 1,408 0 0 „ West .. .. .. 1,070 225 Waimarama No. 1 . . .. .. 339 312 Aorangi .. .. .. .. 846 0 0 No. 2 .. .. 263 1 7 No. 3a . . .. .. 964 032 Total .. .. .. 7,953 336 Waipuka No. 1 .. .. .. 93 0 0 Areas purchased and under Negotiation in the Taranaki and Wanganui Districts. Area. Whakaihuwaka .. .. .. .. .. .. 63,700 0 0 Taumatamahoe 2 No. 2b .. .. .. .. 42,565 0 0 Taorua 2a, Section V .. .. .. .. .. 1,710 0 0 Total .. .. .. .. .. .. 107,975 0 0 It must be borne in mind that though the area given above is under negotiation, it does not follow as a matter of course that all will be purchased, though it is more than probable the Crown will eventually acquire the full area. In order that full information may be afforded, copies of the separate reports

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furnished by Messrs. Grace, Mackay. Pitt, and Dunbar Johnson are appended, and their efforts and results are clearly given. Messrs. Grace and Mackay both show a larger area in their reports than is returned in the above schedule, but as negotiations had not been actually entered into prior to the 31st March they were not included in the schedule. The actual expenditure incurred to the 31st March, 1907, is as follows : — Maori Land Settlement Act Account. Expenditure for 1906-7. £ s. (I. Charges and expenses on issue of debentures .. .. . . 767 10 0 Purchase of Maori lands .. . . .. . . .. 99,873 10 4 Survey liens paid off .. .. . . .. .. 4,041 6 0 Salaries and general administrative expenses .. .. .. 1,706 16 5 Total .. .. .. .. .. .. £106,389 2 9 Balance available for 1907-8 .. .. .. .'. £96,574 4 7 Attached to this report will be found maps illustrating the position of the several purchases, and which will enable the operations and their localities to be easily understood. Areas obtained in Lieu of Liens. In many portions of the districts over which the Land Purchase Officers were operating it was found that, in addition to the liens held by the Crown for surveys, private surveyors were owed considerable sums for work performed for Native Land Court purposes. It was therefore decided to pay off these liens and take over the liabilities of the several Native owners, and in conjunction with the purchased areas arrange for land being cut off for the Crown in full satisfaction of all survey liens. These have been apportioned in the several districts as follows : — Acres. Areas awarded in satisfaction of liens in the Taranaki District .. .. 5,152 Liens purchased from private surveyors, and for which areas will be obtained in the Auckland District . . .. .. .. .. 3,082 Areas to be obtained in lieu of liens already held — Auckland District .. .. .. .. .. .. 25,000 Hawke's Bay District .. .. ..' .. .. .. 5,000 Wellington District .. .. .. .. .. .. 15,000 Total .. .. .. .. .. .. 53,234

APPENDIX. REPORTS OF NATIVE LAND PURCHASE OFFICERS. Report of Mr. W. H. Grace. Sir,— Kihikihi, 20th May, 1907. Re Purchase of Native Lands. I have the honour to report as follows : Considering we did not actually start purchasing until about the middle of October last, Ido not think we can complain of the result to date. Of course, a great deal of detail work had to be done prior to the time when purchasing really started; besides, a great deal had to he done to induce Natives to make a start to sell, as in all matters of this kind there are many elements to contend with so as to induce them (the owners) to fall in with one's wishes. For instance, in this district a large section of Natives strenuously opposed selling or dealing in any way with the land, and many meetings were held in different places with the above object. Other leaders of the people tried hard to stop business by trying to persuade them to do nothing until some effort was further made to get the law T altered so that free trade in Maori lands might be brought about. Others, again, advocated having the powers of the Maori Land Boards increased, and that the lands should only be leased through the said Boards, and all money coming from the lands leased should be handled by the Boards ; also that such Boards should be intrusted with funds by the Government for roading, cutting up, and bringing the said lands into the market. The system of forming corporations was generally condemned, all the people objecting to the Public Trustee having the handling of the money accruing from the lands as provided by the Act. I may here state that trustees for infants absolutely refuse to sell, for the reason that the consideration-money must be paid to the Public Trustee. They say they are just as capable of looking after the welfare of their children as the Public Trustee. This fact has greatly gone against me in my purchasing-work, not a sale having been made where the money had to be paid to the Public Trustee, with the result that I have not been able to acquire large

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areas which but for the law the trustees of the infants would have sold to the Crown. I would therefore respectfully suggest that steps be taken to alter the present state of affairs. Some of the most intelligent men amongst the people say that they are insulted by the existing state of the law, and add that as parents they are better capable of attending to the welfare of their offspring than an irresponsible person who cannot have any interest as to how the children are being reared and brought up. If the present state of things continues, I will be unable to complete the purchase of any block wherein minors are interested, and the result will be we will have blocks interspersed amongst those acqi ired by the Crown owned by infants and held by them to the detriment of settlement, besides getting all the benefits from roading and increased value caused by European settlement, &c. Lately the Natives have been showing a greater desire to sell, but they, of course, offer the bad blocks first; and in a very great many instances I have had to refuse to buy—as, for instance, a number of the Rangitoto Tuhua blocks, lying in the Tuhua Survey District, the same being pumice country, and rough, and therefore unfit for close settlement. Where the Natives are interested in many different blocks it is difficult to deal with them, for they know as well as we do the good land from the bad ; therefore they do their best to sell the bad land first, with a view of hereafter getting a better price for the good. I will now try and give you an idea of the class of land in the various blocks I have been buying. Of course, to comply with the Act I have had to take the valuations put on the land by the Government Valuer, and the values and information set forth in the circular you sent me and supplied by the Lands Department. I have also in certain cases acted on my own general knowledge of the country ; also from surveyors and Europeans who are conversant with the character of the land in the localities in which they reside. Re Tokanui Blocks. All these can be classed as good pastoral and agricultural land, and every effort should be made to acquire them. Taking these blocks as a whole lam of opinion that they are worth £1 10s. per acre to buy from the Natives, and then leave a good profit after cutting up, &c. When put on the market you will notice that for blocks near Kihikihi, the main road to Otorohanga and Kihikihi, and the railwayline, I am paying £1 an acre, except in one block —viz., Tokanui No. la—for which I have gone to £1 10s. per acre. For those blocks further away towards the south-east lam paying only 15s. per acre; but the quality of the land is the same throughout, situation being the only cause for making a difference in price. To put these blocks in the market will cost very little, as they are all accessible to roads already made. Korakonui Block, adjoining at the east end, containing 2,000 acres, is good land. I hope to be able to acquire about half of it, and add to the Tokanui blocks. The price is £1 an acre, which 1 had to give, that being the value put on the land by the Government Valuer. Re Rangitoto A Blocks. These blocks are subdivisions of the large block of above name. Those to the north of a line drawn from Pamotumotu Trig. Station to Otoru Trig. Station comprise good land for close settlement, and are worth over £1 per acre to buy from the Natives. So far, the highest price I have paid is 15s. per acre. If all the blocks to the north of the above boundary could be acquired, a splendid farming settlement would be the result. The blocks lying to the south of above boundary also contain good land, mostly bush and somewhat rough, and for the most of these blocks I am paying 7s. 6d. per acre, but for two at the extreme south lam paying 10s. per acre. These two blocks are worth the money, as there is good milling-timber on them, which will be very valuable before long. Re Kakepuku blocks, in a few of which I have been buying, the price being paid seems high, but I had to go by the value put on them. The land is really good, and all that can be purchased will be readily taken up by settlers, besides helping to fill up gaps between sections already acquired by the Crown. I have also bought in some Kopua and Mangauika blocks, and the land being good will also come in to get the district more closely settled by Europeans. Re Taumatatotara and its Subdivisions. The Commissioner of Crown Lands and the Europeans [settled around this block are most anxious that the same be acquired. Owners are only now showing a disposition to sell. The block, you will see from the plan, is situated in Kawhia South, and lies in the middle of Crown lands or lands taken up by European settlers. It will take time to acquire the most of this block. Re Hauturu East and Wesigßlocks. There are numerous blocks held by Maoris scattered about, and interspersed amongst the lands acquired by the Crown, and settled upon. The owners of these various blocks are not keen to sell, although I have bought in a few. These blocks near to the railway I have made every effort to buy, but so far without success. The above remarks may also be taken to apply to blocks held by Natives in Kinohaku East and West. The other day I received a request from a number of owners to say that they are now willing to discuss matters with me as to sale of some blocks, and to meet them at Oparure. This I have agreed to do as soon as time will permit. There are other blocks under purchase which I need not remark upon ; but all are shown in the progress report I herewith send you. Re Rangitoto Tuhua Blocks. In* these blocks I have, m some, purchased considerable areas, as for instance in Rangitoto Tuhua Nos. 72, 77a No. 2, 57a, and 58. All these blocks are somewhat rough, but will, when cut up, be a great

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means of getting the country settled. In regard to Rangitoto Tuhua No. 61 Block, I have been unable to persuade the owners to sell, except in one or two subdivisions. They ask a higher figure than 10s. per acre. On receipt of your memo, re these blocks I made a further effort to acquire them, but so far without effect. No doubt they will sell in the course of a little time ;it only makes matters worse to show any great desire to buy. In Rangitoto Tuhua No. 21 (Ngairo) Block, I have acquired a good many interests. This block will be a valuable asset when all acquired. It is all good timber land, so also the 3,000 acres adjoining, called Rangitoto Tuhua No. 51, cut off for survey costs and other expenses, which has been wholly acquired, the Chief Surveyor being one of the parties to sale. These two blocks at 7s. 6d. per acre are cheap, and if the Government put them into the market the timber alone would bring in a splendid profit, but I would not advise such a step until all or nearly all the Native owners have been bought out, and no private dealings by Europeans from now should be allowed for timber or otherwise. Some owners are holding out from selling, thinking that they may get better terms from private sources. Several of the Rangitoto Tuhua blocks situated in the Tuhua Survey District have been offered me by the owners, but as they are not very suitable for settlement, except perhaps in very large areas, the soil being of a pumice nature and therefore poor, besides being rough, and also in compliance with your recent memo, to curtail entering into fresh purchases, &c, as funds were now pretty well appropriated, I have refrained from buying in them. As to other Rangitoto Tuhua blocks in which I have been buying, and situated to the south-east of Otorohanga, and east of Te Kuiti, all comprise good country for farming purposes, and every effort should be made to acquire as much land in that locality as possible, especially as same can be easily roaded, and is in proximity of the railway-line. I have, &c, W. H. Grace, Native Land Purchase Officer. Wm. C. Kensington, Esq., Under-Secretary for Lands, Wellington.

Purchases and Negotiations by Mr. W. H. Grace. Area. Area. A. R. P. A. R. P. Te Akau (part), .. .. .. 11,000 0 0 Kinohaku East No. 3a, Section 2 .. 296 0 0 Rangitoto Tuhua 3d (Taraunui) .. 620 0 0 ~ No. 2, Section 25b .. 588 0 0 „ 21 .. .. .. 7,157 0 0 Kinohaku West N. No. 2 .. .. 304 0 0 24 .. .. .. 976 0 0 „ No. 12, Section 1b .. 389 0 0 26p .. .. .. 6,634 2 0 Pukenui No. 2z . . .. .. 312 0 0 29c No. 1 .. 63 0 36 „ No. 21, Section 2 .. . . 1,068 0 0 32b .. .. .. 1,304 3 0 Mangauika No. 3 .. .. .. 100 0 0 37 .. .. .. 5,527 0 0 „ No. 1b No. 2, Section 2 .. 992 2 0 57a.. .. .. 6,772 0 0 Kakepuku 3a, Section 2 .. .. 60 0 0 68 (Whatitokarua) .. 21,100 0 0 ~ 4a .. .. .. 72 0 0 60a (Pukepoto) .. 2,506 0 0 „ 4d .. .. .. 471 0 0 60c (Pukepoto) .. 2,382 0 0 „ 5c .. . . .. 160 0 0 61b (Puhanga) .. 1,500 0 0 „ 5d No. 1 .. .. .. 20 0 0 61d (Puhanga) .. 2,820 0 0 „ 6a . . .. .. 60 010 72 .. .. .. 18,837 0 0 Hurakiaß.. .. .. .. 1,895 0 0 77 A 2 .. .. 20,815 2 0 Tokanui No. I . . .. .. 1,366 3 14 77c-.. .. .. 3,676 2 0 No. 1a .. .. .. 290 0 0 77 F2 .. .. 785 0 0 Tokanui C No. 1 .. .. .. 421 3 38 77 F3 .. .. 1,060 0 0 „ No. 2 .. .. .. 180 2 39 61m.. .. .. 80 0 0 „ No. 12 .. .. .. 418 2 36 62 .. .. .. 3,000 0 0 „ No. 14 .. .. 346 128 25, Section 1a .. 701 0 0 „ No. 15 .. .. 376 2 8 25, Section 2.. .. 1,779 0 0 „ No. 16 .. .. 308 3 4 25, Section 3.. .. 1,079 0 0 „ No. 17 .. .. 120 1 39 25, Section 4.. .. 431 0 0 „ No. 19 .. .. .. 180 2 39 25, Section 5.. .. 4,503 0 0 „ No. 20 .. .. 502 0 11 60d .. .. 1,980 0 0 „ No. 21 .. .. 1,284 2 20 60f .. .. 627 0 0 Pirongia West 3b, Section 2b .. .. 271 0 0 Rangitoto A No. 6 .. .. 759 0 0 Otorohanga 2b No. 2 . . .. .. 183 2 16 No. 8 .. .. .. 1,328 0 0 2c No. 2 .. .. .. 259 1 24 No. 9 .. .. .. 284 0 0 „ No. 4 .. .. 1,677 0 0 No. 10 . . .. .. 71 I 0 0 Taumatatotara No. 1b .. .. 407 0 0 No. 12 .. .. .. 320 0 0 „ No. 2 .. .. .. 310 0 0 No. 31 .. .. .. 1,422 0 0 „ No. 4 .. .. .. 500 0 0 No. 32 .. .. .. 1,154 0 0 Kapua No. lo .. .. .. 225 0 0 No. 34 .. .. .. 901 0 0 i „ No. In .. .. .. 50 0 0 No. 37 .. .. .. 2,276 0 0: „ No. Is, Section 2b ..' .. 1,610 0 0 No. 46 .. .. .. 3,936 0 0 i Hauturu West F No. 2. Section 2 . . 400 0 0 No. 27 .. .. .. 4,073 0 0 Parihoro 1b .. .. .. 280 323 No. 25 . . .. .. 842 0 0 Waiwhakaata 3c .. . . .. 328 220 No. 36 .. .. .. 4,458 0 0 Pehitawa No. 2 .. . . .. 2,056 0 0 No. 50 .. .. .. 1,233 0 0 Maungarangi 2b .. .. .. 231 1 13 No. 51 .. .. .. 569 0 0 Korakonui .. .. .. .. 2,000 0 0 No. 56 .. .. .. 1,326 0 0 Taharoa A .. .. .. 16,188 0 0 No. 58 .. .. .. 652 0 0 „ B No. 1b .. .. .. 1,240 0 0 No. 60 (part) .. .. 1,700 0 0 Maraeroa A, Section 3 .. .. 5,873 0 0 No. 60 (part) .. ..' 1,381 0 0 „ B, Section 2 .. .. 4,476 0 0 No. 61 (Pukepoto) .. 364 0 0 Te Kuiti No. 2b No. 18 .. .. 433 2 0 No. 65 .. .. .. 344 0 0 „ No. 66 .. .. .. 568 0 0 Total .. .. .. 212,125 238 Kinohaku East No. 2, Section 1 .. 222 1 20

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Report of Mr. James Mackay. Sir— Paeroa, 15th May, 1907. In accordance with your request, I forward herewith a statement of the recent land-purchase operations conducted by me in this district to the present date. I premise my report by stating that as active business was only commenced in October last it is impossible to show as great results as might otherwise have been anticipated. The blocks that have been chiefly operated on are in the Waihou-Piako district, and are owned by the Ngatimaru and the antagonistic Ngatihako Tribes respectively. The former are some of the original land-league people, formed prior to the Waikato War of 1864-66, and were naturally not desirous of alienating their lands. The Ngatihako have always been persistent in opposing surveys, and any form of European dealings with their lands, on one occasion exemplified by shooting and severely wounding a member of a survey party. It therefore became a question requiring careful negotiation, considerable reflection, and correct gauging of the minds of the Natives before proceeding to the disbursement of the purchase-money. 1 The first payments in connection with land in this district were made by me on the 18th December last, from which period steady and satisfactory progress has been made, which is shown in the tabulated Return No. 1 enclosed herewith. The Ngatitamatera Reserve, of 3,029 acres, at Ohinemuri has been acquired with the exception of the interests of sixty-eight persons, for whom succession orders have been applied for, and will be dealt with by the Native Land Court sitting here on the 21st instant. The Ngaromaki Block, of 2,000 acres, at Tararu, Thames, has been arranged for, but it was found that the interests of three persons, the names of whom have been added under the provisions of the Equitable Owners Act, had not been defined by the Native Land Court which admitted them to the ownership of the block. In this case application has been made to the Native Land Court to ascertain the relative interests of the owners. This also comes on here at the sitting of the Court on the 21st instant. The Te Awaiti blocks, with two exceptions, have not been dealt with, as the Natives are not satisfied with the price. A considerable area of dry land contained in these is now used by the Natives for residence and cultivation, and adequate reserves must be made there. Negotiations for the Waitakaruru Block have been commenced, but the Natives are not satisfied with the price tendered. They have offered some other blocks in that neighbourhood, and lam awaiting the receipt of the the whole from the Crown Lands Office at Auckland before taking further action. The same applies to Pipiroa andjother the coast between the Piako River and the Miranda. In the Coromandel portion of the district the County Council have urged the purchase of large areas which principally belong to the Ngatitamatera Tribe, the majority of whom reside in the neighbourhood of Ohinemuri. Taking into consideration the fact that the lands occupied and cultivated by these people at Ohinemuri will shortly be rendered useless by the floods now frequently occurring through the siltingup of the Ohinemuri River, caused by the deposit of tailings and mining debris therein, I therefore recommend that this question be left in abeyance for the present. However, I beg to suggest that the lands owned by the Ngatiwhanaunga Tribe, in the Cape Colville Block, should be acquired, and a portion of those of the Ngatimaru and Tawera Tribes also. In the Matamata district the purchase of the Whangorau, Taramoarahi, and the Wairenga Blocks was authorised, it being particularly desirable that these should be acquired by the Crown in order to facilitate drainage operations connected with the special settlements in that neighbourhood. I have arranged the price with some of the persons interested, and others are unwilling to accede to the terms offered. The Native Land Court was sitting at Cambridge last month in cases in which the owners of the above block were interested, a circumstance which I took advantage of to discuss the question with them. It was, however, found that the list of Native owners was defective. The title to these blocks had been investigated several years ago when the custom of the Court was to record the names of the owners only, and leave their relative interests in the block undefined. In the case of the Whangorau Block an application had been made to the Court to ascertain the relative interests of the owners. I therefore caused similar applications to be made in respect of the Taramoarahi and Whakatakataka Blocks, and the Government arranged for a sitting of the Native Land Court to be held at Cambridge for the purpose of arranging these questions. The sitting will be held on the 21st instant, after which dealings with the above blocks will be resumed. Large areas in the neighbourhood of Te Aroha and Matamata have been offered for sale by the Natives, particulars of which, together with similar offers of land elsewhere, are shown in Return No. 2 forwarded herewith. In all dealings with the Natives I have, before purchasing their interests, ascertained that they were individually possessed of sufficient lands elsewhere for their occupation and support. It is also proposed to reserve from sale a considerable area at Te Kerepehi and Te Awaiti as a permanent inalienable reserve (papakainga) for the Ngatihako people. I anticipate by the 30th June next to be able to show very material progress in land operations, as meanwhile many obstacles will have been removed by the action of the Native Land Court. I have, &c, James Mackay,, Native Land Purchase Officer. The Under-Secretary, Lands Department, Wellington.

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No. I.— Lands dealt with or under Negotiation for Purchase. Hauraki District. Area. Are.v. a. r. p. a. r. p. Ngatitamatera Block .. .. .. 2.870 0 33 VVan-au Nos. 2 and 3 . . .. .. 552 0 0 (separate).. .. 159 019 Kaikahu No. I .. .. .. 600 0 0 Ngatiipuaa No. I .. .. .. 16 2 0 .. No - 2 .. .. . 100 0 0 No. 2 .. .. .. 2SB o 0 Te Awaiti No. 7 .. .. .. 100 0 0 No. 3 .. . . .. 290 0 0 •• No- lc .. .. .. 70 0 ,1 „ No. 4 .. .. .. 960 (i 0 Te Awaiti Blocks—Nos. Id, 1j No. 2, la, Bast .. .. .. 175 0 0 2b, 1b No. 2, 1h No. 2, and No. 5 .. 5,000 0 0 Kopuarahi No. 1 .. .. .. 1,020 o 0 Ohinemuri No, 20f .. .. .. 249 0 0 „ No. 2 .. .. .. 800 0 0 Waitakaruru Nos. I and 5b .. ..' 8,000 0 0 No. 3a '.'. '.'. 475 0 0 Kpiroa .. .. .. .. 4,000 0 0 No. 3b .. .. 275 0 0 Puhanga te Urn No. lit .. .. 201 0 0 No. 30 .. .. .. 266 0 0 .. No. 2b .. .. 232 216 No. 3d .. .. .. 223 (I 0 .. No. 3b .. .. 114 2 0 Koukourahi No. 1 . . .. .. 489 0 0 Otakawe No. 1b .. .. .. 182 1 0 No. 2 .. .. .. 100 0 0 Ngaromaki, Tararu .. .. .. 2,000 0 0 No. 3a .. .. . . 74 0 0 No. 3b .. .. .. 926 0 0 T °tal •• .. •• 36,148 230 No. 4d .. .. .. 17 I 13 Horahia-Opou No. 1 . . .. .. 450 0 0 Matamata District. No. 3 . . .. .. 745 0 0 Whangorau .. .. .. .. 1,483 2 0 No. 4.. ... . 2,100 3 0 Taramoarahi No. 1 .. .. .. 250 2 9 No. 5 .. .. .. 200 0 0 „ No. 3 .. .. .. 86 0 0 Kopuraruwai No. 1 .. .. 479 0 0 Wairenga ~ .. .. .. 42 2 8 No. 2 .. . . .. 400 0 ,) No. 4 .. .. .. 75 0 0 Total .. .. .. 1,862 217 Tiritiri No. 1 .. .. .. 292 3 21 .. No. 4b .. .. .. 64 239 Total Hauraki District .. 36,148 230 ~ No. 4a .. .. .. 48 2 9 Total Matamata District . . 1,862 217 Makumaku No. 2 .. .. . . 125 0 !) —. No. 4 .. .. .. ' 340 ,) 0 Grand total .. . . 38.011 1 7 No. 2. — Blocks offered for Sale by Natives. Matamata District. Area. Hauraki District. Area. A. R. P. I A. P.. P. Te Tapui .. .. .. .. 5 033 0 0 j Hoe-o-Tainui North .. .. .. *1,000 0 0 Whakatakataka .. .. .. 1,409 0 0 ] Wharckawa No. 4 .. .. .. 4,000 0 0 Maungatautari .. .. .. *2,000 0 0 Waiharakeke Eas, .. .. .. *400 0 0 Total .. .. .. 5,000 0 0 Maurihoro X .. .. .. 1,378 0 0 Okauia .. .. .. .. *6,000 0 0 Coromandel District. Mangatotara No. lc .. .. .. 250 0 0 | Moehau No. 1, or Waikawau .. .. *2,500 0 0 No. 3 .. .. .. 1,000 0 0| „ No. 2a No. 2 .. .. 2,345 0 0 No. 1 .. .. .. 3,580 0 0I „ No. 2c .. .. .. 469 0 0 No. 2 .. .. .. 2,830 0 0 i Huruhuru No. 2 .. .. .. 770 0 0 Whakamarama No. 2.. .. .. 7,145 0 0 j Torehine .. .. .. .. 325 0 0 Total .. .. .. 31,025 0 0 Total .. .. .. 6,409 0 0 Grand total .. .. 42,434 0 0 * Approximate.

Report op Mr. Dean Pitt. Dear Sir,— Opotiki, 4th May, 1907. In accordance with instructions received in your memo, of the 16th April last, I have the honour to report, for your information, that on the 26th May, 1906, I proceeded to Torere, and had a meeting with the Ngaitai Tribe in reference to the purchase for the Government of the Kapuarangi No. 1 West Block, of 11,474 acres 2 roods. I found the Natives willing to sell, and fixed the price, but had a good many meetings with them before they agreed to go in for incorporation. After that we got no Court to sit until the 28th August, 1906. Everything went very well, and the Court closed on the 30th August. On the 29th September the Committee was elected at Torere. On the 21st January, 1907, I completed the deed at Torere, and commenced to pay out to shareholders. I paid about seventy of them at Torere, and have been making payments in different places ever since, only about thirty being unpaid now, most of them living in places a long way off, and I am arranging to send the money to them. On the 24th September, 1906, I started for Waimana to purchase Waimana Nos. Ibl of 500 acres, Ib 2 of 100 acres, lc of 3,140 acres, Id of 1,250 acres, and Ie of 636 acres ; Tahora Nos. 2aE No. 1, 2aD, and 2aE3 ; reached Waimana Settlement that night, and the following day I started inland to Te Wai-iti to see Te Maikoha, the chief of the Waimana people. He declined to sell any land at all, or allow his people to do so. On the 10th October I again proceeded to Waimana, having written to tell them I was coming up to see them about some of the Tahora lands, but found on arrival that my letter had not come to hand. I returned the following morning, having told Tiopira te Maikoha to hold a meeting and inform me of the result, which he did some time afterwards, declining to sell. Too many Europeans have been amongst them trying to get leases of their lands. On the 12th December I started for Whakatane to see what could be done as regards dealing with the Natives for Sections 28, 29, 30, 31, and 32, in the Rangitaiki Parish. All these lands are in the same position as the Waimana land. The Natives decline to sell, having too many Europeans

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running after them trying to lease their lands. I have been up there several times, but find it is impossible to deal with them in any way at all. On the 12th March, 1907,1 left Opotiki for Rotorua en route for Waiotapu to find the owners of Paeroa South A No. 3, of 495 acres, and B No. 2of 1,763 acres. I had to proceed to Taupo to interview the principal Native in the block. I found him, but could settle nothing at the time, as he had to consult other owners who were at a long distance. He has since written to me on the subject, declining to sell these lands at the price offered. On Monday, the Bth April, I went to Torere to see Ngaitai re the Takaputahi Block of 32,000 acres, which he had talked of selling. I found that, on the advice of Wi Pere, they had decided not to sell, but to lease. On Thursday, the 18th April, I started for Rotorua to see the Natives ie the Mangarewa-Kaharoa Block, and also part of the Rotomahana-Parekarangi Block. With regard to the former, they agreed to hold a meeting and inform me of the result. I think it probable, they will agree to sell at the price offered. As to the latter block, the Natives prefer to sell the block as a whole, and I think it could be obtained at a reasonable figure. I have, &c, Dean Pitt, Native Land Purchase Officer. Wm. C. Kensington, Esq., Under-Secretary for Lands, Wellington.

Report op Mr. H. Dunbar Johnson. Sir,— . Otaki, 6th May, 1907. In compliance with the request contained in your memo, of the 16th ultimo, I beg to furnish a report as to the areas purchased out of the Whakaihuwaka and Taumatamahoe No. 2b No. 2 Blocks. In January last, at Whanganui, I purchased five interests in the Taumatamahoe Block, aggregating IJ$ shares, the purchase-money amounting to £324 13s. At the same time I purchased 72 \ shares in the Whakaihuwaka Block, at a cost of £173 Is. lOd. On the 20th ultimo, at Wellington, 40| shares in the latter block were purchased at a cost of £97 Bs. 2d., the amount being paid out of Mr. Sheridan's imprest account. Up to the 20th ultimo the interests purchased in the Taumatamahoe Block aggregated 51 shares, representing an area of 17,587 acres, the total amount paid being £9,024 os. 4d., including the sum of £245 ss. 6d. overpaid to Paura Wharetuturu. The latter amount has been partly recouped by the transfer of two interests in the Whakaihuwaka Block. The deed has been signed, but lam not aware that the vouchers, totalling £81 3s. 6d., have been brought to charge. Up to the same date the interests purchased in the Whakaihuwaka Block aggregated 5,757 shares, representing an area of 36,696 acres 2 roods 5 perches, the total amount paid being £13,984 Is. 6d., including the sum of £81 3s. 6d. in respect of the two interests of Paura Wharetuturu previously referred to. The foregoing totals of shares, areas, and amounts paid may require some slight modification upon a further revision of the lists. I have, &c, H. Dunbar Johnson, Under-Secretary for Lands, Wellington. Native Land Purchase Officer.

jpitreximate Cost of Paprr. —Preparation, not given: printing 0.480 eopien;, £5 4».

Authority : John Mackay, Government Printer, Wellington.—l9o7.

Price 6d.

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PLAN SHOWING LAND PURCHASED FROM THE NATIVES KAWHIA, WAITOMO, AMINO and WEST TAUPO COUNTIES During the Year ending 31st March, 1907. AUCKLAND AND TARANAKI LAND DISTRICTS.

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PLAN Showing Land Purchased from the Natives IN THE THAMES AND OHINEMURI COUNTIES DURING THE YEAR ENDING 31st MARCH, 1907. AUCKLAND LAND DISTRICT.

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Plan Showing Land purchased from the Natives IN OPOTIKI COUNTY during the year ending 31 st March, 1907. AUCKLAND LAND DISTRICT

Bα Authority I John Hackay. Government Printer.

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