G.-7.

1879. NEW ZEALAND.

REPORT OF THE COMMISSIONER OF NATIVE RESERVES (FROM 1ST JULY, 1878, TO 30TH JUNE, 1879).

Presented to both Houses of the General Assembly by Command of His Excellency.

Mr. Chaeles Heapht to the Undee Secretary, Native Department. Sik— Wellington, 11th July, 1879. I have the honor to forward herewith my report, as Commissioner of Native Reserves, for the year ending 30th June, 1879. I have, &c., Chaeles Heapht, The Under Secretary, Native Department. Commissioner, Native Reserves.

REPORT. A Royal Commission, dated 11th May, 1878, directed the Commissioner of Native Reserves to examine and report upon claims of Natives to the reserves in the "Wellington District known as the " Native Tenths " and " Colonel McCleverty's Reserves." The Commission sat during fifty-seven days, at "Wellington and Pitone. One hundred and ten cases were brought before it for hearing. Natives came from various parts of the West Coast and. Taranaki to prefer claims to these lands. Ninety-nine plans, from surreys made at the expense of the claimants, were submitted. Sixty cases have been reported on : in nearly all the claimants are recommended for Crown grants. Owing to the Natives not being prepared in many cases with the necessary evidence and plans, the period for making the final report has been extended, by Orders in Council and Gazette notification, from 11th May, 1879, to 31st December, 1879. During the inquiry it appeared from the evidence that the Te Aro Natives, amongst whom were several old and infirm persons, had not much land fit for cultivation. Upon my recommendation the Hon. the Native Minister authorized the distribution amongst them of the sum of £96 10s. 6d. from the General Purposes Account, which amount was paid on the 15th March last, in equal sums, to seventeen heads of families of that place. In order to afford road communication from the Hutt Road at Pitone, towards the beach and Waiwhetu, I purchased of Henere te Puni, for the Public Works Department, 33 perches of land in Native Reserve No. 2, for the sum of £20. For the site of the railway from Wellington towards Masterton, I purchased on 22nd March last, from Retimona te Korou and others, 2 acres of land in the Manaia Native Reserve, for £35. For the site of a new Railway Station at Pitone, I purchased on the 7th June last, 3 roods and 34 perches in Sections 2 and 3, of Hapurona Hamama and other Natives. In each of these cases I took a conveyance of the land to the Queen. The lease of the Native Reserve at Paikakariki of 145 acres, recently held by Mr. F. W. Smith at £15 a year, expiring on the 30th June, 1879, a new lease has been promised to him for twenty-one years at £27 a year, a rate fixed after consultation with a professional valuator mutually appointed. Wairarapa 5 per cents. On the 30th of June, 1879, the sum of £711 4s. 3d. was in the hands of the Public Trustee to credit of this account. Auckland 10 per cents. On the 30th of June, 1879, the sum of £1,415 Bs. lid. was in the hands of the Public Trustee to credit of this account. Chaeles Heapht, Wellington, Ist July, 1879. Commissioner, Native Reserves.