No. 42.
His Honor the Superintendent, Auckland, to the General
Government Agent, Auckland.
Sir,—
I have the honor to inform you that on a recent visit (unofficial) to Mangakahia, I was offered several blocks of excellent settlement land for sale by the Native owners. Their desire seemed to me to be to encourage European settlement in the district, and I promised them that a Government officer would be sent up to negotiate with them, as I did not feel at liberty to personally take advantage of their offers. The land I would recommend to be acquired by the Government, at a price not exceeding 2s. per acre, covering all charges.
I shall be glad to have a reply as soon as possible as to whether the General Government will undertake to purchase, as otherwise I shall be prepared to do so at once on private account.
One special block which I inspected lies between the Karaka Block, Baker's land claim, and the Mangakahia River, and is well suited for settlement.
I have, &c.,
Thomas B. Gillies,
Superintendent.