No. 7.
The Chief Protector to the Hon. the Colonial Secretary.
Auckland, 17th August, 1842.
Sir,—
With reference to the tract of land offered for sale by the Chief Kaihau and others, estimated to contain twenty thousand acres, a sketch of which has been lately forwarded to you, I have the honor to inform you that the chiefs are willing to alienate the said lands for the sum of Five hundred pounds sterling: but as some considerable time will probably elapse 'ere the purchase can be finally adjusted in consequence of instructions lately received from your office relative to this subject, they are desirous that a deposit of One hundred pounds be paid down as security.
page 279I should strongly recommend the adoption of this line of proceeding in reference to purchases of land made from the Aboriginies, as it tends to allay their natural impatience, whilst it gives them ample assurance of the fulfilment of the contract.
I have, &c.,
George Clarke,
The Hon. the Colonial Secretary Chief Protector.