No. 17.
The Native Secretary to the Commissioners for Native Reserves, Otago.

Gentlemen,—

The attention of the Government having lately been drawn by Mr. Mantell to various questions connected with the Native Reserves in the Province of Otago, they have had under their consideration the necessity of issuing rules under section four of the Native Reserves Act for the guidance of the Commissioners. As these rules will probably be forthwith framed and published, I am desired to convey to you in the meanwhile the wish of the Government that no step whatever may be taken by you as to dealing with any of the reserves until the receipt of a further communication which will be made to you by the next mail.

In the meantime I am to request that you will at your earliest convenience transmit to me a statement in a tabular form of every transaction which has been entered into by yourselves as Commissioners under the Act.