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The first duty ot this Officer should be to enquire into the state of the Natives at the Nelson Gold diggings ; where I submit that an Officer should be stationed to arrange cases of dispute that may arise between the rarious Natives resorting to the diggings, and the Europeans, A young gentleman, Mr, J. Mackay, residing at Nelson, who has a good knowledge of Maori, would be eligible for such an appointment, at a salary probably not exceeding One hundred and fifty pounds a year. The next duty which should be assigned to the Officer who visits the Middle Island, should be to settle the boundaries of a reserve for the Natives at Arahura ; and to extinguish the whole of their claims ' to that portion of the Island ; also to have the Kaiapoi reserves finally settled, and the payment of One hundred and fifty pounds made to the Natives, in extinction of their general title. These questions being settled, he should proceed to Otakou, to ascertain and report upon the state of the Natives of that Province ; the reserves they possess ; and whether they would wish to subdivide them, and obtain individual Crown Grants for portions of them : if so, to suggest the best and most expeditious mode of carrying this into effect. The Revd. Mr, Turton, from his good knowledge of Maori and general ability, would be well qualified for this service ; if he could be induced to undertake it at the rate of Three hundred pounds a-year. (Signed) Donald McLean, Native Secretary. Native Secretary's Office, Auckland, Dec. 14th, 1857. Chief Land Purchase Commissioner's Office. Auckland, January 27, 1858. Sib, — I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 16th of November last, reportingthat you had paid to the Natives of Rapaki, Port Levy, and Kaiapoi, the sum of Two Hundred Pounds on account of their claims to land in the Middle Island. f I have the honor to be, &c, J. W. Hamilton, Esq., For the Chief Commissioner, Lyttelton, John Rogan, D.C. Canterbury. Lyttelton, February 17, 1858. SlK,— Referring to my letter of 16th November, I have the honor now to forward receipt of the Kaiapoi Maories for the second payment of £200 made to them on the 12th November, 1857. I have also the honor to enclose a complete statement of all expenditure on account of the Akaroa and Kaiapoi Land Purchases during the time of my employment on these services, viz., from 4th December, 1856, to 15th February, 1858, when I repaid into the Treasury Chest the balance (nine shillings and seven pence) of unexpended Imprest monies advanced to me, accounting duly at the same time for all disbursements whether of sums advanced from the Provincial or those advanced from the General Chests. There remains now but the question whether the further sum of £100 expected from the Government on account of the Kaiapoi purchase shall be paid at the time of settling Kaikoura's (Whakatau's) claim. Since this purchase was effected there have been discovered some 60,000 acres at least of available pastoral and agricultural country about the sources of the Hurunui, and an equal or larger quantity of , available pastoral country about the sources of the Ashley ; all which land is now in occupation. Recent exploration across to Arahura and along the Coast southwards for 90 miles, has not led to ( the discovery of much or valuable land to the westward of the Watershed ofthis part of Middle Island nor to the belief that any quantity of such land will eventually be found there. My letter of 15th February shews an estimate of £245 as the cost of effecting the Akaroa and Kaiapoi purchase, through a Commissioner sent from the North Island, up to completing the first payment. The whole cost, including the second payment and a gratuity to myself of £50, has actually amounted to £125 13s. lid., shewing a saving of £120, which would be increased to £220 or more if, taking into account a second payment by a Commissioner, or the time he would have "been delayed here waiting to receive instructions as to the paying at once the whole sum of £500 demanded by the Maories. I beg to remind you of your promise that copies of the original Deeds of Sale executed by the Maories. shewing how we derive our title as against themselves to the various portions of this Province, should be transmitted for record here; and that it has not, so far as I am aware been fulfilled. I have, &c, The Chief Commissioner, (Signed) J. W. Hamilton, &c.j &c, &c, Late Agent for Kaiapoi and Akaroa Purchase. Native Land Purchase Department, Auckland. P.S.—-Other duties to attend to have prevented my sending you in this statement of accounts sooner.