Hikurangi.

To April 1st, 1874, the 10-per-cents accrued on this block amounted to £1,653 7s. 2d. It was agreed, after an exhaustive discussion of the whole subject, that £361 13s. 7d. should be deducted to pay for the bridge, and £57 7s. for expenses of management. I required that £645 16s 9½d. Should be devoted to hospital and educational purposes, which was agreed to, Natives asking that the schools should be established at their villages. The sum of £588 9s. 9d. remained for distribution to the sellers and their representatives.

On the deed of cession of Hikurangi are the signatures of the Waiuku chiefs Te Katipa and Aihepene Kaihau. On my proposing to set aside some money for these Natives it was opposed strenuously by the Ngatiwhatua sellers, who asserted that they had no right as owners of the sold land, but had only been paid some money on account of the murder of a relative there. Aihepene Kaihau and Te Katipa's heirs are now in the King country, and until they can have an opportunity of stating their case I propose to retain the sum of £100 14s. 7d., which will cover the outside limit of their claim. I paid the sum of £487 15s. 2d. amongst Te Watarauihi's people and the original territorial owners of, Hikurangi.