(205)
Commissioners had appointed the end of June to apprehend any unprovoked aggression from
last to investigate claims to land in the valley of the native population.
the Wairau, and, but for the recent fatal colli-
sion all claims in that district would in all pro-
bability at this moment have been disposed of.

His Excellency would avail himself of the
present occasion to remind the settlers of Nel-
son, and the colonists generally, of the prin-
ciples upon which the British Government
undertook the colonization of this country.-

That the Queen, in common with Her Majesty's
predecessor, disclaimed for herself, and her sub-
jects, every pretension to seize upon the islands
of New Zealand. -That by the Treaty of Wai-
tangi Her Majesty has guaranteed to the chiefs
and tribes of New Zealand the full, exclusive,
and undisturbed possession of their lands; and
that in the Royal Instructions under the sign
manual, Her Majesty has distinctly established
the general principle that the territorial rights of
the natives as owners of the soil must be recog-
nized and respected.

With reference to the statement contained in
your communication, that the natives "had
burnt down a house built by a servant of the
New Zealand Company, upon land which it
claims to have purchased, and which claim has
not yet been proved to be invalid," I'am direc-
ted by His Excellency to say, that he feels him-
self called upon to remind you that with regard
to all lands in the Colony acquired under any
other title than that of Grants made in the name,
and on behalf of, Her Majesty, Her Majesty's
Government have determined "that the title of
the claimants should be subjected to the investi-
gation of a Commissioner to be appointed for
that purpose;" that by virtue of the provisions
of the Land Claims' Ordinance, a'l lands which
have been validly sold by the aboriginal natives
are vested in Her Majesty as demesne lands of
the Crown; and that with reference to the
claims of the New Zealand Company to land in
this Colony, by the terms of an agreement en-
tered into between the Company and Her Ma-
jesty's Government, they are to have assigned
to them, subject to the investigation of the Com-
missioner, in consideration of past expenditure,
land in blocks of a prescribed size and figure, to,
be selected by them, under the sanction of the
Local Government; and that they forego and
disclaim all title, or pretence of title, to any
lands purchased or acquired by them in New
Zealand, other than the lands so to be granted
to them.

His Excellency deems it proper now to in-
form you, that the New Zealand Company has
not selected any block of land in the valley of
the Wairau, nor has the Local Government yet
received any intimation that it is the intention of
the Company to select a block in that district.

A detachment of the 96th regiment has been
despatched to Port Nicholson, and placed at
the disposal of Major Richmond, to be em-
ployed by him in maintaining peace in the
Southern District, His Excellency has, how-
ever, great satisfaction in being able to assure
the Settlers in the South, that he sees no ground

I have the honor to be,

GENTLEMEN,

Your most obedient Servant,

(For the Colonial Secretary),1

WILLIAM CONNELL.

DAVID MONRO, Esq., J. P.,
ALFRED DOMETT, Esq.,
Wood's Hotel, Auckland.

In conclusion, I am instructed to say, that no
time has been lost in supplying the vacancies in
the several important Public Offices, occasioned
by the late deplorable catastrophe; and the
Settlers of Nelson may confidently rely on all
means in the power of the Local Government
being used to promote the advancement of that
settlement. It will scarcely be necessary for His
Excellency to give the assurance you require,
"that the case shall not be prejudged, that im-
partial justice shall be done, and that the penal-
ties of the law shall certainly overtake those
whom its verdict shall pronounce to be guilty."

CROWN GRANTS.

Colonial Secretary's Office,
Auckland, 15th August, 1843.

THE undermentioned Deeds of Grant are
now lying ready for delivery to the gran-
tees, on application to this Office, on or after
Monday, the 21st instant, and on presentation
of the Colonial Treasurer's receipt.

In cases where it is impossible for the grantee
to attend in person to receive his Deed, it will be
delivered to the bearer of an authority according
to the subjoined form, certified by a Magistrate,
or by a Solicitor of the Supreme Court.

The days for delivery of the Deeds, will be
Monday and Tuesday in every week.

Form of Authority above referred to:

I hereby authorize A, B. of to receive
the Deed [for the Town, Suburban, or Country,
as the case may be,] Allotment No. of
Section No. in the District of , pur-
chased by me at the Government Sale of the
day of 184 , for which he will
produce the receipt of the Colonial Treasurer.
(Signature of Grantee.)

WITNESS,
Signature of a Magistrate or of a
Solicitor of the Supreme Court. }

Deeds now lying at this Office, ready for
delivery.

TOWN OF AUCKLAND.

189. ELIZA ANN Hobson, one acre and five
     perches. Lot No. 1, of Section No. 13.
190. ELIZA ANN Hobson, thirty-five perches.
     Lot No. 2, of Section No. 13.
191. ALEXANDER BLACK, thirty-six perches.
     Lot No. 11, of Section No. 13.