Province of Wellington.

Wainui Reserves.—Te Puka, sixty acres. This land has, at the request of the Natives interested been let to Mr. F. Smith for fourteen years, to date from 4th April, 1872, at a rental of £6 a year, to be paid to Aperahama Mira.

Wainui Town.—The unused sections of this land, with the exception of sections numbered fron 1 to 25 and from 109 to 114, were, at request of the Natives interested, let to Mr. J. Smith for seven years, to date from 26th April, 1872, at a rental of £9 a year, to be paid to Ropata Tangahoe for distribution.

Pakuratahi—Hutt.—Messrs. Sennex and Whightman, whose tenders for Sections 3, 4, and 7 were accepted (vide my report of last year), having failed to pay rent or comply with the stipulations of letting, the reserves were again advertised in the Wellington papers for lease by tender. Mr. Gladman Smith's tender for the three sections of £60 a year for first seven years, £70 a year for second seven years, and £80 a year for the remainder of the term, was the-highest, and was accepted. Mr. Smith has paid six months' rent in advance.

Ramaroa.—The death of the Ngatitoa chief Ropata Hurumutu rendered it necessary to ascertain who were the Natives beneficially interested in this reserve. At a general meeting held at Porirua on the 1st March, 1876, called by Gazette notice, it was determined that the rent receivable from Mr. Mackay should be divided in equal shares amongst the following Natives: Rapehana te Otaota Ropata Tangahoe, Keritu, Ruihi, Huria te Waari, Haani Tunei, Aperahama Mira, Marekay Hare Reweti, Riria, Hema, Hiniri, Heta, Pumipi Pikewhera, and Parekahu Whakataupoki. The two first-named were appointed to receive the rent from the Commissioner, and distribute it.

Tararua—Takapuwahia.—At a general meeting held at Porirua on the 26th October, 1875, to determine who were the Natives beneficially interested in the occupation and rents of the reserves at Takapuwahia, it was decided that Wi Parata Stubbs and Raiha Puaha were the rightful owners of a piece of land adjacent to Section No. 108, lying between the Wellington Road and the Porirua Stream, and comprising about 83/4 acres; also that the rents of Reserves 1 and 2, let to Mr. King, should be divisible amongst twenty-seven named adult Natives and one child. The Natives beneficially interested in the Kumuore Reserve, Nos. 77, 88, 97, comprising 300 acres, at Makara, have placed the land with the Commissioner of Native Reserves for administration. The reserve is let to Mr. J. Bryant at £30 a year.

Komanga.—The Native Land Court having defined the interests of the Natives claiming, rent from this land, a re-arrangement of the leases became necessary. By agreement with the Ngatitoa, it has been arranged that Mr. Whitehouse, who has improved the land, shall have a renewal of term for twenty-one years, from 1st January, 1876—for the southern portion at £54 for first year, and £60 for remainder of term; and with the Ngatitama, that he shall have the northern portion for a similar term, at £40 a year. These arrangements give an aggregate rental of £100 a year, against £50 a year hitherto.

Sections 120 and 121, Hutt Valley.—These sections, comprising 197 acres were purchased by the Governor in 1851, in order to supplement the land available in the Hutt District for the use of the local Natives. They were let to Hemi Parai and others, on the condition that as soon as the amount page 99of rent paid by them into the Treasury equalled the purchase-money the land should become absolutely theirs. In 1867 the full amount had been paid in. A difficulty was occasioned by the decease of some of the Natives, and the relative extent of share being undetermined. This having been got over, the land was proclaimed a Native reserve by Order in Council, on 17th August, 1876, and a Crown grant issued under "The New Zealand Native Reserves Act, 1856," to Hemi Parai, for the whole of the land. Deeds of conveyance of similar date with the grant were executed by Hemi Parai to the several Natives or their assigns who had subscribed the purchase-money, the land having been previously surveyed by me into twelve separate parcels for them respectively.

Manawatu—Palmerston North.—Suburban Sections 218, 219, and 220, of one acre each, have been let by public tender to Mr. H. S. Palmerson, at the following rate per section: First seven years, £1 per annum; second seven years, £1 10s. per annum; and £2 per annum for remainder of term of twenty-one years. Lessee to fence, plough, sow with grass, and erect on the land one cottage value £100, or two cottages value £50 each, within seven years. Mr. James Mitchell's public tender to rent Section 276, of one acre, for twenty-one years, has been accepted. The rent is to be £1 a year for first seven years and £1 10s. for remainder of term. He is to lay down grass, and leave on ground, a cottage of value of £50. Mr. Mitchell's term commences 1st June, 1876, and Mr. Palmerson's on 1st'April, 1876. These reserves, with others at Palmerston mentioned in my report of last year, were purchased about ten years since for the Natives of Waiwhetu, with money derived from the sale of Native Reserves Nos. 1 and 4 at Wainuiomata. The latter were original reserved "tenths," but were too swampy for Native use. As with the advance of the Palmerston District the reserves became valuable and were let, it became necessary to determine who were the persons entitled to participate in the rents. A general meeting was therefore called, by Gazette notice, of all claiming to be interested beneficially in the reserves. On the 14th September last a full meeting of the local Natives took place in Wellington, when it was unanimously agreed that the following twenty-two persons were those entitled to share equally in the rental, namely: Huhana, Ramari, Karepa, Tini Wiremu, Paratene te Poho, Wi Hapu Pakau, Meri Pararaki, Epiha Karema, Hamuera, Miriana, Ripeka, Mohi, Hare Parata, Mohi Puketapu, Pitama, Maraia te Ua, Ihaia Porutu, Tipene, Hori Ngaukaka, Karena te Hau, Miri Kauamo, and Herapiko. It was also agreed that the Commissioner of Native Reserves should administer the trust, paying the money to Ihaia Porutu for distribution.

Pipitea Street—Part of Section 543.—A new lease has been granted, with the consent of the Governor in Council, to Mr. James Holt for this improved property. The former ground-rent was £12 per annum. By arrangement a professional valuator was called in, and on his valuation £18 a year was fixed as the rent on the new lease, for a term of twenty-one years from 1st July, 1875. The lease, has since been transferred to Mr. W. Freeman. For another portion of this reserve, comprising twenty-five perches, the Governor's consent in Council was obtained to a new lease, for a term of twenty-one years, to Mr. J. E. Smith, at a rental on a valuation of £6 a year, in place of £3 a year paid formerly. The following reserves in the Wellington District have been sold by the Natives. They were awards of Colonel McCleverty, and not under the control of, the Grovernment, namely: Opau, near Cape Terawhiti—Section 12, containing sixty-six acres, to Mr. R. C. Cook for £33; and Section 14, of sixty acres, to Messrs. H. and W. Cook for £30. These lands are poor and broken, only fit for grazing purposes.

Pipitea Pa.—Subdivision No. 23 they have sold to Mr. W. Ebden for £120. No. 11, containing 19½ perches, they have sold to Mr. J. Barry for £115; and No, 13, containing 20 perches, to. Mr. J. Walden for £216. For sanitary and other reasons it was desirable that these pa lands in the town should cease to be Native property. The propriety of investing the proceeds of the sales was urged on the vendors, and in some instances successfully. The following lands not under Government control the Natives have been assisted to let, namely: Subdivision 14 of Pipitea Pa was let to Mr. John Styles, for twenty-one years, at £20 a year for first seven years, £25 a year for second seven years, and £30 a year for remainder of term. No. 15 was let to same tenant, for twenty-one years; at £20 a year for first seven years, £30 a year for second seven years, and £40 a year for remainder of term. No. 20 was let to Mr. D. Egan, for £40 a year for first seven years, £50 a year for second seven years, aud £60 a year for remainder of term. No. 22 was let to the same tenant for twenty-one years, at £10 a year for first seven years, £15 a year for second seven years, and £20, a year for remainder of term. Honana te Puni has placed with Commissioner of Native Reserves the northern portion of No. 23, containing 33½ perches. It has been let to Mrs. Salmon for £20 a year.

Hutt District—Part of Section 20, containing 4, acres 3 roods 17 perches, has been let to Mr. D. Everest, for twenty years, at £12 a year for first eight years, and £22 a year for remainder of term.

Te Aro.—The following town acres, near Luxford's farm, Te Aro, have been let, after advertisement, to the highest tenderer, namely: Sections Nos. 864, 893, 1,098, 1,099, and 1,100, to Mr, G. W. Schwartz, at a rental of £10 a year.

Plans.—In accordance with the direction contained in the 23rd clause of "The Native Lands Act, 1873," 189 plans of Native reserves have been made in this office during the year for the use of the district officers under that Act.

I attach a debtor and creditor account of receipts and expenditure for the period from 1st July, 1875, to 31st May, 1875.