C—No. 1

No. IS. W. B. WHITE, ESQ., RESIDENT MAGISTRATE, TO THE CHIEF COMMISSIONER. Resident Magistrate's Court, Mangonui, June 25, 1856. Sir — I have the honor to call your attention to the very serious difficulties the settlers and resident Natives at Oruru are subject to, in consequence of no steps having been taken to extinguish the claims of certain Natives acknowledged by the District Commissioner, Mr. Johnson. When Mr. Kemp visited this District, he informed me that certain promises had been made to Tipene, by : which his claim was computed at One hundred pounds ; Pororua's is One hundred and fifty pounds, the Rarawa Fifty pounds. Tipene is constantly at variance with the people at Oruru, and is making vigorous efforts to return to settle there. Pororua the same. Between the two, the settlers are kept in a constant state of excitement, and a sense of insecurity very much cripples their enterprise. Moreover a portion of Mr. Campbell's land has been occupied, but I cannot interfere in consequence of the unsettled question of payment. May I request you will take the earliest opportunity of setting this question at rest, as it causes many disputes; one has lately occurred which the Natives are apprehensive will lead to serious difficulties. I have, &c, W. B. White. The Principal Commissioner Land Purchase Department, Auckland.

R 56-73. Oruru. ■ Reporting difficulties aris" . ing out of the non-settle- . ment of claims to Oruru V. LetterTNos. 1, 2, n~

No. 14. THE CHIEF COMMISSIONER TO MR. COMMISSIONER KEMP. Land Commissioner's Office, Auckland, July 31, 1856. Sir, — I have the honor to transmit for your information and guidance a copy of Mr. Johnson's Report on the claims adduced by the Ngapuhi and Rarawa Tribes to the Oruru valley. I think it necessary that you should be furnished with a copy of this Report, as the Resident' Magistrate (Mr. White) informs me that the settlers at Oruru may be subject to annoyance from' Pororua, Tipene, and other claimants, if this question is not speedily settled; and I am now bring-' ing under the notice of His Excellency the propriety of your proceeding to Mangonui to effect a final adjustment of these claims. In the meantime, and pending His Excellency's authority for undertaking this duty, I shall feel obliged by your fully acquainting yourself with the merits of this case ; in order that you may guard against any future claims being adduced to this debateable territory, beyond those stated in the Enclosures herewith. I have, &c, Donald McLean, Chief Commissioner. H. T. Kemp, Esq., District Commissioner, Bay of Island*.

: Oruru. Forwarding Mr, Com-. . missioner Johnson's Report on Oruru. . V. Letters Nos. 1, 2,11,13

No. 15. MR. COMMISSIONIR ILEMP TO THE CHIEF COMMISSIONER. ] District Commissioner's Office, Waimate, Bay of Islands, 13th August, 185«. Sir, — In my Report of the 13th April last, I had the honor to bring under the consideration of the Government, offers of two distinct blocks of land on the North and South sides of the Whangaroa Harbour, and the prices at which I thought they might be purchased. The negociations for the purchase were entered upon very soon after my appointment to this district, under the general instructions I then received. In both cases the details have been so fully entered into, that I think it would be very desirable indeed if a definite and speedy reply could be given to the Native sellers. The extent and position of the Blocks are such as to make them a valuable acquisition to the Government, and the sums recommended are, I think, as low as they could be made to meet the several claims.

R 56-103.

Taraire and , Whakai-aku. Requesting authority to purchase Taraire and Whakapaku. V. Letter No, 12.

9

RELATIVE TO LAND PURCHASES.