C—No. 3.

Colonial Treasury, Auckland, July 20th, 1857. Witt reference to my letter of the Ist April last, No. 236, sactioning your advancing to J. W. Hamilton, Esq., a sum of Two Hundred pounds to purchase certain lands in the Middle Island, I am directed by the Colonial Treasurer to inform you that through inadvertence it was omitted to convey to you an authority for paying that gentleman a further sum of Ffty pounds for the same purpose which he had agreed to add to the sum of One hundred and fifty pounds originally placed at his disposal. The authorised expenditure for the purchase of these lands will therefore stand thus : — Originalsum ... ... ... ... ••• £150 Amount authorised April ]st ... ... ... 200 Additional sum now authorised ... ... ... 50 £400 I also enclose to you for payment certain accounts of expenses in connection with these purchases? amounting to Forty-four pounds twelve shillings and sixpence, and Nine pounds seventeen shillings and eleven pence respectively. I have, &c, (Sigued) W. Gisbohhe, Under Secretary. The Sub-Treasurer Canterbury.

Lyttelton, August 6th, 1857. g IK Referring to my letter of January Bth and February sth, 1857, so far as they treat of the lands in this and the neighbouring Province of Nelson yetunpurchased from the legitimate owners residing at Kaikoura on the East, and at Arahura on the West Coast; I conceive it my duty as connected with the recent purchases at Akaroa and Kaiapoi to urge upon your notice the necessity for making early arrangements for sending a competent Maori Scholar to Kaikoura and Arahura to obtain the surrender of the remaining Native Lands in this Island. The recent Gold discoveries at Nelson are so likely to raise the value of their land in the eyes of the Maories to the most extravagant pitch, that I fear any delay in accepting their proposals to treat may end in totally preventing the acquisition of the lands sought for by us. I have, &c, (Signed) J. W. Hamilton, Late Agent for purchasing lands at Kaiapoi. Donald McLean, Esq., Chief Commissioner, Native Land Purchase Department, Auckland. p, g. From Christchurch to Arahura the journey is 10 days—from Arahura back is 14 dayg. The difference is owing to the time required in poling up rivers. In 1850, the Arahura people came to Kaiapoi with their women and children in 14 days the journey can hardly be a very difficult one. From Nelson to Arahura would probably require six weeks. The road is very dangerous. Auckland, March 31st, 1857. * * * * The Government is placed at great disadvantage in not having an officer stationed at the Middle Island, who should be entrusted with the sifting of such information as would lead to a thorough knowledge of cases like these now adverted to by you. Consequently it has been inadvertently led to overlook claims that required greater consideration. I trust, however, that this may be rectified, and that in the course of next summer, which will be the best season of the year for collecting the Natives, and marking off their reserves, that a final adjustment of these outstanding questions may be effected, in order that the Government may not be reproached with overlooking the rights of the aboriginal proprietors of the districts referred to. I shall, therefore, not fail to keep the subject of your letter under the consideration of Hie Excellency's Government. I have, &c, (Signed) Donald McLean, ; j Extract of a letter to | I J. W. Hamilton, Esq. J Chief Commissioner. Kaiapoi, October 7, 1857. Friend the Governor, — Salutations to you; great is our love for you. Sir, ours is a word to you respecting a road to Kakahuera and to Poamoko, and on to Kawari is the boundary to the Natives, all has been taken for a road for Europeans ; the Natives have been there and seen that such is the fact, and on the sth of October we went to see the portion set apart for the Natives.

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