EXTRACTS FROM THE BLUE BOOK. Copy of a Despatch from Governor Grey to Earl Grey.

New Zealand Spectator and Cook's Strait Guardian, Volume IV, Issue 289, 6 May 1848, Page 3

EXTRACTS FROM THE BLUE BOOK. Copy of a Despatch from Governor Grey to Earl Grey.

Government House, Auckland, April 5, 1 847. My Lord — Adverting to Mr. Gladstone's despatch, No. 37, of 2nd July, 1846, directing me to do my utmost to procure for the New Zealand Company the block of land at Taranaki to which in the terms of Mr. Commissioner Spain's award they were entitled, but which award had been set aside by my predecessor, and referring at the same time to my despatch, No. 26, of the 2nd ultimo, on the subject of the land question at Taranaki, I have now the honour to enclose a copy of the memorandum of instructions which I gave to Mr. M'Lean, the officer whom I appointed to carry out the arrangement which 1 intended to adopt for the adjustment of the disputes relative to land at New Plymouth. I trust that the course I have pursued in this case may be satisfactory to your lordship. The matter was beset with difficulties, and was complicated in an extraordinary degree. Your lordship will perceive that in this, as in the other similar cases, the portion of the purchase money to be refunded by the New Zealand Company will hereafter have to be decided by her Majesty's Government ; but this case will be embarrassed by one peculiarity — in all other purchases which I have made for the Company, the Commissioner appointed by her Majesty's Government to inquire into the Company's titles to land decided that they had not purchased the districts they claimed ; but in the case of Taranaki, he decided that the Company were entitled to a Crown grant for 60,000 acres of land in that district, w:th certain exceptions. I have, in all cases, enforced Mr. Commissioner Spain's decisions when they were adverse to the New Zealand Company, and it therefore remains to be considered whether they are entitled to the benefit of this decision of Mr.-Spain in their favour. If this question should be decided in favour of the Company, then it will have to be determined whether the Government should or should not pay the sum which must be expended in re-purchasing the tract of land awarded to the New Zealand Company at Taranaki, as this re-purchase has been rendered necessary by the fact of my predecessor having set aside Mr. Commissioner Spain's award. Practically, this question may not be one of very great importance, for I have never in any part oi the world seen such extensive tracts of fertile and unoccupied land as at Taranaki. I I have, therefore, but little doubt that so large a tract of country will ultimately be purchased by the Government in that districc for a comparatively small sum, and that the lands required by the New Zealand Company will bear but a very small proportion to the whole district acquired by Government. I have, &c, (Signed) G. Grey. The Right Hon. Earl Grey, &c, &c, &c.

Enclosure in No. 11. Memorandum of course to be pursued in reference to the contemplated occupation of lands at New Plymouth. — March 5, 1847. 1. Mr. Commissioner Spain reported that the New Zealand Company were entitled to a Crown Grant of a block of 60,000 acres, lying within certain defined limits. 2. The Governor (Captain Fitzßoy), did not take the same view of the question as Mr. Spain, and would not confirm that gentleman's award ; on the contrary, in November, 1844, he sanctioned a totally new purchase of a small block of land, of 3,500 acres, by the Agent of the New Zealand Company, and he made certain promises to the natives, which have induced many of them to return to lands which, they state, they understood Captain Fitzßoy to guarantee to them in permanent possession ; on these lands they have now extensive pahs and cultivations included in the block awarded by Mr. Spain. 3. Thus, on the one hand, the New Zealand Company claim the rights (if any) which they may have acquired under Mr. Spain's award, while, on the other hand, the natives claim the dis-allowance of that award by the Governor ; the rights which the late Governor promised to maintain to them in all their integrity, and the fact of their present occupation of the land under the sanction of the Governor. 4. It is proposed to evade, in as far as practicable, the various difficulties which have arisen under these conflicting circumstances, by in the first place, reserving to the several tribes who claim land in this district, tracts which will amply suffice for their present and future wants ; and 2ndly, resuming the remaining portion of the district for the European population, and when the extent of the land so resumed has been ascertained, to determine what price shall be paid to the natives for it ; this amount not to be paid at once, but in annual instalments, extending over a period of three or four years ; at the end of which time it may be calculated tbas the lands reserved for the natives will haye^ become so valuable as to yield them some income, in addition to the produce raised from those portions of them [ which, they cultivate.

5. Every effort should be made to acquire for the European population those tracts of land which were awarded to the New Zealand Company by Mr. Spain ; and where blocks are reserved for the natives within these limits, portions of land of equal extent (greater, if possible) must be purchased without the limits for the New Zealand Company. 6. If possible the total amount of land resumed for the Europeans should be from 60,000 to 70,000 acres ; a grant of this tract of land will then be offered by the Government to the Company. 7. The price paid for any portion of land should not, under any circumstances, exceed Is. 6d. per acre, and the average price should be below this amount. The greatest economy on this subject is necessary. 8. No time should be lost in completing these arrangemements. 9. Two surveyors and parties, upon the most economical scale, must be engaged for this purpose. The police should, in as far as practicable, be employed on it. 10. This arrangement should be- carried out, in the first instance, with those parties who have given their assent to it, including the natives who have offered a tract of land for sale to the south of the Sugar Loaves. 11. Where land without the block, awarded, by Mr. Spain, is now acquired, and required} for immediate use by the Company's settlers,-. sections must be surveyed for them. 12. Those natives who refuse to assent to this arrangement, must distinctly understand that the Government do not admit that they are the true owners of the land they have recenty thought proper to occupy. 13. Mr. M'Lean is intrusted with the conduct of these arrangements, but in all matters of importance he must consult with Captain King, and acquaint him with the steps which he proposes to take. 14. In reserving the blocks intended for the natives, the surveyed lines of the Company should, in as far as practicable, be observed ; but, whenever there is. a necessity for a departure from this course, the lines must be run as Mr. M'Lean thinks proper. (Signed) G. Grey. March 5, 1847.