The Acting Native Secretary to Mr. J. Mackay, Junr., Assistant Native Secretary.

Sir, —

I am desired by the Minister for Native Affairs to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 12th February, reporting the existence of a payable gold field on the Native Reserves at Taitapu, and forwarding the agreement entered, into by you on behalf of the Government with the Native proprietors of that reserve, for the carrying on of gold mining there.

In reply, I am desired to convey to you the entire approval of His Excellency and the Government, and to express to you the high sense they entertain of the skill and good judgment evinced by you in all the steps you have taken. It is with great satisfaction that the Government have learnt the willingness of the Natives to permit the peaceable pursuit of gold mining on their own land, and the promptitude with which you have met and provided for what might have been a great difficulty.

It does not appear that further powers are necessary to be sent you at this moment; and the Government rely entirely on your prudence and discretion in taking upon yourself any new responsibility that the exigencies of the case may hereafter require.

I take this opportunity of enclosing you an extract from the deed of cession of Taitapu, with the plan annexed, in order that you may have them for any reference that may become necessary.

Enclosure 1 in No. 2.
Extract from Mr. McLean's General Report on the Purchase of Land in the Province of
Nelson, dated 7th April, 1856.

This deed provides that the land exhibited on the plan thereto attached shall be reserved for the Natives; it is, together with what they elsewhere possess, of sufficient extent for their present and future requirements, even if they have a considerable increase of cattle and horses; it is situated within natural boundaries, requiring no outlay for surveys, and lies on a part of the West Coast as yet remote from European settlers; but which the Natives were particularly anxious to retain. A Government right of road, should it in future be required, is provided for by a clause to that effect inserted in the deed.

Enclosure 2 in No. 2.
Extract from Deed of Sale by Ngatirarua and Ngatitama Tribes, executed 10th and 13th November, 1855.

One place is excluded from this new sale, and reserved for our use; viz., the land beyond the Whanganui, commencing at Mangamangarakau; thence to the sea side at the Iwituaroa; thence inland to the first ridge of the hills which look eastward to the sea.

We agree that the Government shall have power to make roads through these reserves, for ourselves and for the European settlers.