42

This is our word to you 0 Governor Browne, that you may return it (the land,) to us Natives, as it has been given by Matara (Mr. Mantell,) to the Natives. From all the people of Kaiapoi, (Signed,) llakapa, Peta te Hori, " Apekahama, Te Aika. His Excellency the Governor, t Auckland. H A X A P A. The names mentioned by the Natives do not appear in the reserves named by Mr. Mantell in the Murihiku deed, and if the letter be literally translated the allusion stands thus :—" We have something to say to say to you respecting the road to Kakahuera, to Poamoko, and to Kawari, upon, over, or through, the boundaries of lands reserved for the Maories." The reserves set apart by Mr. Mantell and surveyed by Mr. Kettle are—l. Tuturau. 2. Omani. 3. One. 4. Aharirua. 5. Oraka. 6, Kaioaputaputa. 7. Onetota. A road clause has been inserted in the Deed of Sale, thus :—" And if His Excellency the Governor sees fit that a road shall hereafter be made in the lands now reserved for us, we agree to give up a portion of the land free of any expense, that the road which he may wish to lay out may be properly or rightly done." Chief Land Purchase Commissioner's Office, Auckland, October 5, 1857. Sir, — I feel much obliged for your having brought under notice the necessity of sending an officer to Port Cooper to settle with the Natives for their claims to Arahura and Kaiapoi; and lam directed by f His Excellency the Governor to inform you that your suggestions on the subject will be acted upon by having an officer of this department detached to your Province at an early date. His Excellency hopes that the total sum for extinguishing the Native title to Kaiapoi and Arahura will not exceed three hundred pounds. I have, &c, (Signed,) Donald McLean, Chief Commissioner. J. W. Hamilton, Esq., Lyttelton, Canterbury. Chief Land Purchase Commissioner's Office, Auckland, October 22, 1857. Sib,— I have much pleasure in conveying to you, by direction of His Excellency the Governor, the thanks of the Government for your attention in furnishing an authenticated Map of the Native Eeserve at Onuku, Wainui, and Wairewa, and also a copy of the deed of purchase to the chief and resident Natives of each of those places. The thanks of the Government will also be conveyed to the Chief Surveyor for his kindness in preparing the Map of their reserves referred to by you. I have, &c, (Signed,) Donald McLean, Chief Commissioner. J. W. Hamilton, Esq., * Lyttelton. Lyttelton, November 16, 1857. Sra,— Referring to my report of proceedings at Kaiapoi on the sth February, 1857, in effecting the purchase of Native Lands from Kaiapoi to the Waiauua, and to my other communications addressed to you on the subject of unextinguished Native Land claims in this Island. I have the honor to report for the information of Government as follows :— 1. Having called the Maories together for Thursday, 12th instant, as the most convenient day for Mr. Aldred to lend me his assistance in interpreting, I proceeded to Kaiapoi on the Wednesday afternoon, 4th November ; (£200) two hundred pounds in silver had been sent up on the Monday in charge of a policeman, and by him delivered over to the care of the Sub-Inspector, William Revell, Es^. 2. On the 12th, very heavy freshes, caused by thirty six hours North West hot wind, rendered the river Courtenay (Waimakariri,) impassable ; it was expected to continue so for another day. At eleven o'clock, I received a message from Mr. Aldred saying he could not cross and had returned to Christchurch, and would come when sent for. 3. I thought it very undesirable to delay the distribution of the money, the Natives having all assembled, and that as there were no negotiations to enter upon, my slight knowledge of Maori would suffice for the business of the day.