C—No. 1

No. 43. MR. COMMISSIONER JOHNSON TO THE CHIEF COMMISSIONER. Wellington, Bth May, 1856. Sir, — I have the honor to enclose two surveys of land over which the Natives have been guaranteed : a right of purchase at the rate of ten shillings (10s.) per acre, situated in the Maunga Karamea block " t at Whangarei; and also to request that you will be kind enough to receive the purchase money at Auckland, when tendered by the applicants or their authorised agent. The Mangapae Reserve contains three hundred and eighty-six acres (386); and the price will accordingly amount to One hundred and ninety-three pounds (£193). The grant has been arranged to be issued in the joint names of Hemi Pea, Eruera Toenga, and Paora Keri, sons of the late Chief Motutara. The Mahakitahi Reserve contains one hundred and thirty acres (130), and the price will amount to Sixty-five pounds (£65); and the Natives request the Deed of Grant for this section to be made out in the joint names of Tirarau and Te Ahiterenga. The Manga Karamea Block can now be safely handed over to the Province; the external survey having been completed, with the exception of the place called Kaiahopukia, Kahuera, aud Paraoanui; all of which are situated on the Western boundary, and have been laid claim to by the Ngatimauku, a portion of whom reside with the Te Uri-o-Hau tribe. I much regret that these places are claimed by the Natives, as it is the first case in which any of the purchases in the Whangarei District have been disputed; but the present state of the block has arisen from a native quarrel over which I had no control, originating about land in another part of the District, and which, by a combination of circumstances, frustrated the arrangements which I had made for the perfect settlement of the Manga Karamea purchase. I have, &c, John Grant Johnson, District Commissiener. Donald McLean, Esquire, Chief Land Commissioner, &c, &c.

R. 56-61. Maunga Kakamea. Enclosing surveys of lands which are to be repurchased by the Natives. V. Letter No, 34. Mangapae R, Mahakitahi R.

No. 44. TEE CHIEF COMMISSIONER TO MR. COMMISSIONER JOHNSON. Land Commissioner's Office, Auckland, September 9th, 1856. Sir,— I have the honor to request that you will furnish me at your earliest convenience with a repart, 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 be 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 exertien 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, J. G. Johnson, Esq., J.P., Chief Commissioner. District Commissioner, Whangarei.

Genebal. .To furnish a Report of Blocks under negotiation.

No. 45. MR. COMMISSIONER JOHNSON TO THE CHIEF COMMISSIONER. District Commissioner's Office, Otaika, Whangarei, 16th September, 1856. Sir, — With reference to the letter which 1 had the honor to address to you last September, relative to a desire on the part of the Natives named in the margin,* to dispose of a small piece of land on the

R. 56-110. Respecting offet'of a small block on South side of Whangarei. V. Letter No. 32,

* Note.—Ngakapa, Te Fuihi, Matutou, Te Reweti, Te X.-m, Tukuku, Te Kiretiu, Kipepe.

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RELATIVE TO LAND PURCHASES.