I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your communication, bearing date the 12th June, in which you recommend the purchase by the Government of the Native reserve in the Oruru Valley, granted to the late chief Nopera Panakareao.

Not approved at present.

In reference thereto I have the honour to inform you that His Excellency is not at present prepared to authorize the proposed purchase, but defers giving a final answer until further information shall enable him to form an opinion as to the expediency of the course recommended by you. I have therefore to request that you will state more particularly your reasons for recommending the alienation of this reserve by the family of the late chief Noble; also to express the opinion of the Government that ample provision ought to be made in landed property, to be secured to his heir, and that it is not apparent why the Oruru is an unfit or undesirable locality for this purpose. The annoyance caused to the European settlers through the irregular occupation of the reserve by Noble's followers might possibly be removed by leasing it for a term of years. Upon the expediency or otherwise of such an arrangement you will-have the goodness to report.