No. 24.
J. W. Hamilton, Esq., to D. McLean, Esq.

Sir,—

It has occurred to me that some slight acknowledgement from Government is due to Paora of Rapaki, and those Chiefs, not belonging to Akaroa, whose influence alone, in my opinion, has led to the acceptance by the Akaroa Natives of the terms offered for their lands.^* Some £5 or £10, spent in a present such as your experience will suggest as most suitable for those Chiefs whose services Mr. Aldred may consider to have chiefly contributed to a settlement of the Akaroa question, will not I think, be badly spent.

I should observe that not less than 50,000 acres have been surrendered to us for the small sum of £150, and contingent expenses, amounting only to £45.