Mr. Edward Shortland, of this Department, having written to me on the subject of the anxiety expressed by the Natives of his District for the completion of the purchase of certain portions of land which have been some time under offer to Her Majesty's Government, I do myself the honor to bring the subjoined extract from Mr. Shortland's communication under the notice of His Excellency the Officer Administering the Government, requesting you will have the goodness to convey to me His Excellency's opinion of the proposition recommended therein:—