No. 34.
D. McLean, Esq., to J. W. Hamilton, Esq.
Sir,—
With reference to your letter of the 5th February last, recommending the payment of £200 to certain Chiefs for the relinquishment of their claims to land in the Middle Island, I have much pleasure in informing you that the Government have decided to act in accordance with your suggestion, and the Sub-Treasurer at Lyttelton has been instructed to pay that sum to you, which you will be good enough to distribute among the Chiefs in the manner indicated by yourself, leaving the question of a further sum of £100 to be paid or not as the Government may decide at some future time.