3

C—4b,

4th. The Ahitapu were to be provided for nearer to the Waingongoro, but inland of the settlements. This has since been done, and they have received 1500 acres. sth. The returning Natives were to understand that the whole of the confiscated territory between the two rivers, not otherwise disposed of, was to be at the disposal of the Government. Legal opinion having been obtained as to the claims put forward by the original accepted tenderers for leases of the railway reserve, protection was given for all improvements in accordance with the 23rd clause of the Confiscated Lands Regulations of 11th May, 1871 ; and that portion of the reserve lying between the Waitotara and Patea rivers was sold in June, 1873, realising £24,264 Bs. Od., for 9150 acres. The returned rebels have re-occupied part of their reserves, and have entered into agreements to lease other portions. The following is a return of the confiscated lands lying between the Waitotara and the Waingongoro. Return of Confiscated Lands between Waitotara and Waingongoro. a. r. p. Amount granted to Military Settlers ... ... ... 38391 315 Amount granted to Natives for Military Service ... ... 7311 0 0 Amount granted to Natives for Special Services ... ... 750 0 0 Amount granted by Compensation Court Awards, 1866 ... 17264 0 0 Amount of Native Reserves ... ... ... ... 30965 0 0 Amount of Railway Reserves, sold ... ... ... 4350 0 0 Amount of Railway Reserves, unsold ... ... ... 6000 0 0 Amount of Land Sold by General Government ... ... 17939 1 33 Amount of Land at disposal of the 1 lying between bush and sea ... 5500 0 0 Government on 27th June, / bush land ... ... 166528 232 Acres ... ... 295,000 0 0 £ s. d. Amount realised by Sales by Government .. ... ... 45681 12 2i Average price per acre ... ... ... ... ... 2111 Of the total of 295,000 acres lying between the two rivers, it is roughly calculated that 90,000 are in the Province of Wellington. And that of the area at the disposal of the Government, as per return, there are in Wellington Province— Between Bush and Sea ... ... ... ... ... 3800 acres. Bush Land ... ... ... ... ... ... 49000 acres. The remainder is in the Province of Taranaki. Within this district lies an University Reserve of 10,000 acres. The district itself is composed of a strip of fine open land, averaging seven or eight miles from sea to bush. Thence inland to the boundary of confiscation bush prevails, in parts more or less broken, in parts running in undulations and small flats. The timber consists of Rimu, Matai, Kahikatea, Tawa, &c, and the country is traversed by the Whenuakura and Patea rivers, and intersected by numerous streams. II. — Between Waiiigongoro and Waitara. On the 30th January, 1865, a proclamation was issued by the Governor bringing under the operation of the New Zealand Settlements' Act, the district of middle Taranaki (situated within what was afterwards defined as Ngatiruanui Coast), and announcing in it as sites for settlement two districts, Oakura and Waitara South. These districts were chiefly apportioned to military settlers, and numerous claims within them arose made by Natives who averred their loyalty. In July, 1866, a Compensation Court sat at New Plymouth to investigate these cases, but a difficulty was found in arriving at a decision ; the matter was left to the Government, and was settled out of Court. In Oakura the Native claimants accepted the balance left after the military settlers, about 10,000 acres, which were to be sub-divided by the Government, the Natives themselves paying for the Crown grants. In Waitara South friendly Natives were compensated to the amount of 9,725 acres. •The following is a return shewing the state of the lands in this part of the country:— Return. acres. Amount granted to Military Settlers ... .. ... ... 30,065 Amount of compensation to Friendly Natives ... ... ... 19,725 Amount returned to Arama Karaka, Wiremu Kingi te Matakatea, and others 50,000 Amount returned to Hone Pihama (at Oeo) ... ... ... 500 Amount sold ... ... ... ... ... ... 440 Amount granted at Opunake ... ... ... ... ... 735 Amount at disposal at Opunake ... ... ... ... 647 Amount not otherwise disposed of ... ... ... about 457,588 559,700 The acreage is arrived at by scaleing: in.— North of Waitara. This is all within the district of Ngatiawa Coast. The three blocks taken up for military settlers in this are Tikorangi, TJrenui, and Pukearuhe.