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An Epitome of Official Documents Relative to Native Affairs and Land Purchases in the North Island of New Zealand

No. 21. — The Hon. the Colonial Secretary to the Native Reserve Commissioners

No. 21.
The Hon. the Colonial Secretary to the Native Reserve Commissioners.

Condition upon which Native Reserves can be let or sold. Colonial Secretary's Office, Wellington, 6th October, 1848

Gentlemen,—

Frequent applications having been made by Natives to let or sell lands which have been set apart for them, and are in their possession, on the ground that some of these are not required for their own use, and that others are not suitable, whilst by parting with them they may obtain the means of buying lands better adapted to their wants, I am instructed by His Excellency the Lieutenant-Governor to inform you that the Government are willing to accede to their wishes and allow of their either letting or selling lands which are in their possession, subject to the following conditions: First, that the Government is satisfied that the land proposed to be parted with is not necessary for themselves; secondly, that the arrangements or terms to be made are such as meet the approval of Government; thirdly, that all money received for lands sold shall be paid to the Government and reinvested in such lands elsewhere as the Natives may desire to have, instead of those sold; fourthly, that leases be made for short periods only, and due security given for punctual payments of the rents, which maybe received by the Natives themselves.

The Government being anxious to facilitate exchanges of land or other arrangements with regard to land, likely to be really advantageous to the Natives, His Excellency will feel obliged by your undertaking the general superintendence and direction of any such transactions upon the principles laid down in the foregoing conditions.

The Lieutenant-Governor would suggest that, where Natives wish to sell or let their lands, they should communicate with the Native Secretary, whose duty it would be to ascertain what lands they wish to part with, upon what terms, and the names of the parties desirous of taking them; also the locality, quantity, and cost of the lands (if any) they wish to purchase elsewhere. These particulars should then be laid before the Board in writing, and they can then advise whether the application should be sanctioned, and, if so, whether the terms of the proposed arrangement are considered equitable and just. This having been decided, it would probably be better to give public notice in the Gazette, especially in cases of sale, that the lands were open for disposal; and it might even be more desirable to permit them to be sold by public auction, taking the offer already made, if approved by the Board, as the minimum or upset price. His Excellency, however, desires to add that perhaps the Board would be good enough to consider the whole question and make such suggestions as they think would form useful regulations.

I have, &c.,

Alfred Domett,
Colonial Secretary.

The Board of Management for Native Reserves, Wellington.