C—No. 1

COMMISSIONERS' REPORTS

purchase, with any other details connected with the cession of this Block that I think may be int»restiug and acceptable to the Government. I have, &c, H. T. Kemp, District Commissioner. The Chief Commissioner, Land Purchase Department, Auckland.

No. 74. MR. COMMISSIONER KEMP TO THE CHIEF COMMISSIONER. District Commissioner's Office, Bay of Islands, 10th June, 1859. Sir, — I do myself the honor to report, for the information of His Excellency the Governor, that as soon as the plan was prepared by the Surveyor, I proceeded on the 29th ult. to pay for the Kawa Kawa Block, accompanied by Mr. Clendon, the Resident Magistrate, Tamati Waka, and several of the Native Assessors. 2. After several addresses had been made by the Chiefs, as is the custom on these occasions, the Chief Marsh Brown Kawiti stated his unwillingness to receive the sum of Two thousand pounds (£2,000), which had been fixed by the Government as a fair and reasonable payment for the Block. 3. I have before reported that this Block was divided into two portions, one on the North bank of the river Kawa Kawa, the other on the South; Marsh Brown's claims being chiefly confined to the Southern portion. The two Blocks in point of value are nearly equal, but not in extent. 4. The proceedings were finally brought to a close by the Chiefs Tamati Pukututu, George, Renata, and others, who accepted the sum of (£1,000) One thousand pounds for the North side, which was paid to them and their followers, the Deed of Sale for that portion having been executed on the 2nd instant. The North side comprises the finest part of the land in the entire Block, and is a valuable addition to the Crown Lands in this District. 5. While abstaining from any comment on M. Brown Kawiti's general behavour throughout the negotiation, I nevertheless beg strongly to recommend that no addition be made to the sum of One thousand pounds (£1,000) set apart for his Block; as besides being its full value, the effect would be prejudicial upon the minds of the other section of his tribe, who have willingly met the terms of the Government, and are in other respects a well conducted body of Natives. I trust that these arrangements will meet with the approval of his Excellency the Governor. I have, &c, H T.Kemp, District Commissioner. The Chief Commissioner, Land Purchase Department, Auckland.

R. 59-308. Kawa Kawa. Reporting purchase of the Kawa Kawa Block. ~v7Letters Nos. 66, 73,

No. 75. MR. COMMISSIONER KEMP TO THE CHIEF COMMISSIONER. District Commissioner's Office, Bay of Islands, 10th June, 1859. Slß,^I have the honor to report, for the information of his Excellency the Governor, that the purchase of the M atawerohia Block, in the district of Whangaroa, was completed on the Bth instant, for which the sum of Two hundred and fifty pounds (£250) was paid to the Natives, and the Deed duly executed, which shall be forwarded to your office by an early opportunity. I have, he, H. T. Kemp, The Chief Commissioner, District Commissioner. Land Purchase Department, Auckland.

R. 59-309. Matawebohia, Reporting completion of the purchase of Matawerohia Block. Yrfcetters Nos, 62,72,

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