RELATIVE TO LAND PURCHASES.

67

G-No. 1

their content, by their relatives in the North Island; ar.d as the land they hold, is net cf much greater cx;ent tl an they would really require as a rtseive, I did not deem it prudent at present to urge a settlement of this particular question upon them. 36. Ihe only tribe having claims upon this purchi.se, whom it was impossible forme to visit, are a small remnant of the Ngaitahu, about twenty-five (25) in number, residing at Arahura on the West Coast, a remote, and, as yet, almost inaccessible, part tf the country. From a settlement of their claims, I do not apprehend any difficulty; but, as a matter of justice, if the district is occupied by Europeans, a reserve of three hundred (oOO) or four hundred (400) acres should be secured to them, together with a small amount of compensation for their claims. 37. In conducting this purchase through its several stages, involving the interests of so many different, and diffeiently disposed tribes, and altogether the most complicated, as it was also the last, in the Middle Island, I found the limited time at my disposal so fully occupied with the necessary "/toreros," or debates, attending it, that I was unable to see some of the surveys completed to my satisfaction. I would gladly have done this myself, in order to prevent any possible question being raised hereafter about the boundaries. These details, however, can be easily arranged by the Government Surveyor, under the directions of Major Richmond, in whom the Natives place implicit confidence, and to whom I shall communicate additional information respecting these surveys, besides the Memoranda already furnished. 38. In tie meantime, even these unfinished details are so fully understood by the Natives, that I am nut aware that there can be any objection to the land being now handed over to the Crown Commissioner, preparatory to its being disposed of in the usual manner. 39. In a separate communication I shall hereafter detail the steps taken by Major Richmond and myself to adjust some disputed rights to land comprised within the limits of Mr. Commissioner Spain's award. I have, &c, Donald McLean, Chief Commissioner. The Hon. the Colonial Secretary, Auckland.