Civil Secretary's Office, Wellington, 24th January, 1853.

New Zealand Spectator and Cook's Strait Guardian, Volume IX, Issue 787, 16 February 1853, Page 4

Civil Secretary's Office, Wellington, 24th January, 1853.

Gentlemen, — You are most probably already aware that the Government has now the power of carrying into execution all the most important provisions of the New Zealand Company's Land Claimants Ordinance. 2. The mode in which this power arises » so fully explained in a despatch from the Secretary of State to Sir George Grey, dated 31st July, 1852, and which has been published among the papers ordered by the Legislative Council at its late session to be printed, a copy of which is herewith enclosed, that no remarks on this point are necessary. S. In exercise, therefdre, of the power so given, the Governor-in-Chief has directed me ito inform you that Government has decided that the provisions of the Ordinance relating to j the issue of scrip shall be carried out without further delay. 4. The enclosed extract from the proceedings of the Executive Council on January 18, 1853, explains the character of the scrip it is intended to issue. 5. You will, therefore, be good enough to proceed with the investigation, and report upon the claims of land-owners in Nelson who may be desirous of receiving Government Scrip in satisfaction .of their claims to land. 6. Among these, probably the largest number are those of the absentees to lands to be given in compensation. 7. You will see, from the 14th clause of the despatch alluded to, that it will be your duty to propose to this class of claimants, as an alternative, either the compensation given by the Ordinance, or the arbitration given by the resolutions of July, 1847, which, as shewn by the published opinion of the Law Advisers of the

vernment with respect to the true meaning and intention of the clause of the Ordinance relating to these claims, and which appears to be in accordance with the equity of the case. 9. I am, therefore, to instruct you, in awarding the compensation to be given to absentees, to be guided in the interpretation of the Ordinance by the general principle laid down in the minute last alluded to. I have the honor, &c, (Signed) Alfred Domett, Civil Secretary. To John Poynter, Esq., &c., &c, &c. And The Honorable Constantine Augustus Dillon, &c, &c, &c.

[The despatch from Sir John P«kington and the opinion of the Law Advisers of the Crown above referred to were printed in the proceedings of the Legislative Council.]