No. 12.
Mr. Commissioner Johnson to the Chief Commissioner.

I have the honor to report that I arrived at this place on the 1st instant, and have held a meeting of the Natives at Maraekura, the residence of the Chief Te Tirarau, in the Wairoa river, at which it was arranged to offer the Maunga Tapere block for sale to the Government, containing from Eighteen thousand to Twenty thousand (18,000 to 20,000) acres for the sum of Two thousand pounds (£2,000), the Chief Tirarau being guaranteed a pre-emptive right of purchase of One thousand (1,000) acres at the rate of Ten shillings (10s.) per acre.

I intend to make a sketch survey of the place to-morrow, and expect by an early date to be able to transmit to you a full report recommending the completion of the arrangements by the Government.