Ruakaka.

On this land, which lies between Whangarei and Waipu, there had, on the 1st April, 1874, accrued the sum of £473 16s. 10d. I went to Whangarei to meet the persons interested in the page 1010-per-cents, but they were so dispersed at Native meetings and gum-digging that I could make only a few payments. The chief Taurau, and those who were present, representing the sellers, agreed to £236 18s. 5d. being appropriated to education and hospitals, and £16 5s. 4d. to the expenses of administration. This left £220 13s. 1d. for distribution amongst the Native sellers. Finding that the Natives did not come to Whangarei, I convened a meeting for Mahurangi—a central place for the scattered people interested in this and the Mangawhai Block,—but they did not meet me there. Ultimately I found in various places a few more of those interested, and made payments to the extent of £35, but found it necessary to leave with Mr. Robert Mair, at Whangarei, and the Rev. Mr. Gittos, at Kaipara, blank receipt-forms to be signed by certain indicated Natives, to whom I can remit the respective amounts that have been decided upon. I may state that the Ruakaka Natives had entirely forgotten the stipulation relating to 10-per-cents.