No. 53.
The Chief Commissioner to James
Preece, Esq., Coromandel.
Chief Land Purchase Commissioner's Office,
Auckland, 14th October, 1857.Sir,—
The Native Chief Karaitiana has been urging that a small payment should be made to Paora-te-Putu for his claims through the Waiohua for Tamaki.
I apprehend that making payments for lands that have been fairly purchased, and so long in the possession of Europeans, would form a most dangerous precedent, and I mention the circumstance to you in the hope that you will induce, as far as possible, the Natives of your district from reviving claims, the adjustment of which would, if admitted by the Government, be attended with endless difficulties, however necessary it may in some cases become to deviate from the principle here enunciated.
I have, &c.,
Donald McLean, Chief Land Purchase Commissioner.
James Preece, Esq., Coromandel.