Documents relating to the settlement of the boundaries of the Upper Manawatu Ahuoturanga Block and the purchase of the Awahou Block, shewing that the Upper Manawatu Block was formally returned to the Rangitane Tribe by the Ngatiraukawa, and that the Awahou Block was sold by the Ngatiraukawa Tribe without any other Tribe being consulted.

The District Commissioner to the Chief Commissioner.

* * * I had not an opportunity of making satisfactory enquiries upon the subject of the Forty Mile or Tamaki Bush, but from what I can elicit from natives at Heretaunga, I am inclined to think the Manawatu people will not listen favourably to overtures for its purchase so long as the question relating to lands in dispute between themselves and the Ngatiraukawa on the West Coast, remains in its present state.

The District Commissioner to the Chief Commissioner.

"In reference to the question of the purchase of the Forty Mile Bush, I have the honor to state that, from all I have heard from the Natives, I am inclined to think that they will object to treat for the sale of the bush lands, whilst their desire to dispose of their claims on the West Coast remains unsatisfied by the Government.

In this case I venture to suggest whether it would not be expedient, looking to the vast importance to the interests of this Province of the acquisition of the bush, to make them a payment for their claims upon the coast, as a preliminary step in the negociation for the bush.

I am quite aware that until the opposition of the Ngatiraukawa tribe to the sale of the coast districts is withdrawn or overcome, no final purchase of lands can be made there. But under all the circumstances, I trust that His Excellency tie Governor will see the propriety of expending a moderate sum to satisfy the Manawatu natives, more especially as the discussions to which such a payment would give rise, might possibly lead to the sale by Ngatiraukawa of their page lvii claims by conquest; and thus the acquisition of the valuable and important districts lying between the Manawatu and Rangitikei Rivers might be facilitated, whilst all obstacles in the way of acquiring the Forty Mile Bush would be removed.

Mr. Commissioner Searancke to the Chief Commissioner.

"I have the honor to submit for the information of His Excellency the Governor, the accompanying report, which I have this day received from Mr. Grindell, Interpreter, Native Land Purchase Department, containing some very generally interesting information respecting the Manawatu District.