No. 42.
Memorandum by Mr. Commissioner McLean relative to the settlement of the Ngaitahu claims to land at Akaroa, and North of Kaiapoi.

In extinguishing the Native Title to the Middle Island, the claims of the Akaroa Natives to a portion of their district had not been finally settled by Mr. Mantell, who recommended that a payment of £150 should be made to the Natives, and certain reserves laid off for them.

This case was, however, overlooked until Governor Browne visited Canterbury in 1856, when the Natives urged their claim upon His Excellency's notice.

An Officer of the Land Purchase Department was instructed to proceed to Canterbury to investigate the claim; and, after a careful inquiry, it was found that the Natives of Akaroa were fairly entitled to three reserves of 400 acres each, at Onuku, Wairewa, and Wainui, and to a money compensation of £150, which sum was paid to them by Mr. Hamilton on the 10th December, 1856.

Mr. Hamilton was requested, on the 16th of August, 1856, to undertake the settlement of these outstanding questions, and full instructions were issued to him for this purpose.

The Akaroa claims being adjusted, the next question of importance was a settlement with the Kaiapoi Natives for their unextinguished claims over upwards of a million of acres claimed by them in the Canterbury and Nelson Provinces.

The Ngatitoa tribe who had made a partial conquest of the country as far south as Kaiapoi, had sold the land to the Government; but the Aboriginal Natives occupying the land protested against the sale, and it was found by Mr. Hamilton, who thoroughly investigated the case, that they had a fair and legitimate right to be compensated to the extent of £500; £400 of which have been paid, and the remaining sum of £100 is authorised.

This payment extends over a tract of country as far north as the Waiau-ua in the Nelson Province; and the Deed of Cession is now in this office.

There are still two outstanding claims in the Nelson Province. One on the east side of the Island from Waiau-ua to the White Cliffs, including the Kaikoura district, where a reserve is required by the Natives. The amount of money requisite for settling this claim will probably be £150. A similar amount of £150, with a reserve of 400 or 500 acres, will be necessary to settle with the Arahura Natives on the west coast of the Nelson Province.

The account of disbursements made by Mr. Hamilton is furnished herewith.