C—No. 1

As you so fully concur with Mr. White and myself in withholding, if possible, the grant of any land in the Valley to Pororua, I would respectfully urge the propriety of having placed at my disposal, and without delay, an additional sum of Two hundred pounds (£200) to meet any new difficulties that may arise, and as by your instructions the sum of Three hundred pounds (£300) already advanced, is not to be withdrawn from the Sub-Treasury until the Natives have, in the first instance, signed over their claims, I shall proceed at once to the District to comple' c these arrangements if I can, and in the mean time I trust that a further sum of Two hundred pounds (f200) will be made available at the Sub-Treasury in the event of its being required, or any part thereof. You will no doubt see the policy of this arrangement when I add in explanation that the planting season has already begun, and the difficulties that generally follow, when the Natives obtain a firm footing on the land. Hitherto, Tipene's party have abstained from cultivating, at Noble's request, and lam in great hopes of still finding it an open question, and if so, of bringing it to a conclusion, without much additional trouble and expense. I have, he, 11. T. Kemp, Donald McLean, Esq., J.P., District Commissioner. Chief Commissioner, Auckland.

No. 18. THE CHIEF COMMISSIONER TO MR. COMMISSIONER KEMP. Land Commissioner's Officej Auckland, Bth September, 1856. Sir,— I have the honor to request that you will furnish me, at your earliest convenience, with a Eeport, for the information of His Excellency the Governor, of the lands under offer to the Government by the Natives of your district, describing the position, extent, capabilities, price and probable time that it may take to complete the purchase of each block; together with the surveying strength that may be requisite in order to define the external boundaries and reserves for the Natives in each purchase. The boundaries of each block must bo carefully perambulated, as well as the reserves for the Natives, and a plan made of the same to be attached to the Deed of Sale before any payment is made to the Natives. The periods at which monies will be required to complete purchases should be distinctly stated. Every exertion should be used during the spring and summer months to acquire such lands as may be approved by the Government for the purposes of colonization. I have, &c, Donald McLean, H. T. Kemp, Esq., J.P., Chief Commissioner. District Commissioner, Bay of Islands.

General. To report on Blocks of land under offer in his District.

No. 19. THE CHIEF COMMISSIONER TO MR. COMMISSIONER KEMP. Land Commissioner's Office, Auckland, September 16th, 1856. Sir,— I beg to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 7th instant, in reply to mine of the 29th August, in reference to the settlement of the Oruru claims. I am most anxious that you ; should not lose any more time in effecting the arrangement proposed in your letter of the 12th April' last, as any further delay in adjusting this matter may lead to the conjectural difficulties alluded to in your communication of the 7th instant. Mr. White, tho Resident Magistrate, has been written to, requesting that he may assist you in settling this case, and I feel satisfied that you may rely on that gentleman's cordial co-operation. I have the pleasure to inform you that Mr. White's services have been secured to this Department upon the same terms as those with which he was connected with the Surveyor-General's. Your application for a further provisional sum of Two hundred pounds (£200) in addition to what has been already authorized, is more than I can, under the present circumstances, recommend the Government to advance. I have, &c, Donald McLean, 11. T. Kemp, Esq., J.P., Chief Commissioner. District Commissioner, Bay of Islands,

Oruru. To lose no time in ef. fecting settlement of claims to Oruru. V. Letters, Nos. 1, 2, H' 13, 14,16, 17.

11

RELATIVE TO LAND PURCHASES.