IMMIGRATION TO THE RESPECTIVE PROVINCES. (CORRESPONDENCE RELATIVE TO).

Appendix to the Journals of the House of Representatives, 1873 Session I, D-09

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1873. NEW ZEALAND.

IMMIGRATION TO THE RESPECTIVE PROVINCES. (CORRESPONDENCE RELATIVE TO).

(Presented to both Houses of the General Assembly by command of His Excellency!) No. 1. The Hon. G. M. Wateehouse to Superintendents of Peoyinces. (Circular No. 59.) Sic, — Colonial Secretary's Office, Wellington, 4th December, 1872. I have the honor to inform you that instructions have been sent to the Agent-General to ship from Great Britain, for New Zealand, an aggregate of emigrants equal to 8,000 statute adults during the course of the year 1873 ; such number to be exclusive of nominated emigrants, and those sent out under arrangements with Messrs. Brogden. Of the 8,000 he has been directed to send to tho Province of The Government are well aware that from the experience of the past year there will probably be little disposition to rely with confidence upon calculations affecting tho future. They cannot, however, but believe that after that experience, and considering the very explicit instructions they have given as to the arrangements for the future carrying on of the service, there will be such an improvement in its conduct as to insure the anticipations the Government entertain regarding the introduction of immigrants during the ensuing year being realized. I beg to assure your Honor that any suggestions or observations upon the subject of immigration which you may desire to bring under the notice of the Government, shall at-all times receive the most careful consideration ; and that it is the wish of the Government to co operate to the extent of their ability with the Provincial authorities in carrying out the great Colonial policy of immigration, more especially as regards the care and distribution of immigrants upon arrival, and the charge of tho barracks and quarantine buildings. I have, Ac, G. M. Waterhouse, His Honor the Superintendent. (for Hon. Colonial Secretary). Auckland, 800; Hawke's Bay, 600; AVellington, 1,000; Marlborough, 100 ; Canterbury, 2,250; Otago, 3,250.

No. 2. The Hon. G. M. Waterhouse to Superintendents of Provinces. (Circular No. 63.) Sir, — Colonial Secretary's Office, Wellington, 20th December, 1872. In reference to my circular of the 4th instant, informing your Honor of the intended action of the Government as regards the amount of immigration proposed to be introduced into the Province of during the year 1873, I think it advisable to inform your Honor that the Government by no means desire that that letter shall be regarded as conveying their final decision, but that they will be prepared to reconsider the amount of immigration to be supplied to your Province, should your Honor be of opinion that the number may be advantageously altered. I have, Ac, G. M. AVaterhouse, His Honor the Superintendent. (for Hon. Colonial Secretary).

No. 3. The Hon. G. M. Waterhouse to His Honor the Superintendent of Nelson. Sir, — Colonial Secretary's Office, AVellington, 29th November, 1873. I havo the honor to inform you, that in the absence of any specific information from tho Province of Nelson, the Government lias not yet instructed the Agent-General to forward any immigrants I—D. 9.

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there; but if your Honor is of opinion that immigrants may be advantageously introduced into the Province, the Government will bo happy to give effect to your wishes upon the subject. I have, Ac, G. M. AVaterhouse, His Honor the Superintendent, Nelson. (for Hon. Colonial Secretary).

No. 4. His Honor the Superintendent of Auckland to the Hon. the Colonial Secretary. Sir, — Superintendent's Office, Auckland, 30th December, 1872. I have the honor to acknowledge tho receipt of your circular No. 59, dated the 4th instant, informing me that instructions have been sent to the Agent-General to ship 8,000 immigrants during the year 1873, of which he has been directed to send 800 to this Province. Permit me to remark that the number ordered to be sent to this Province seems entirely disproportionate to the number for the whole Colony, and I fail to perceive any good grounds for directing such a limited stream of immigration to this Province. Its capacity for absorbing a judiciously selected class of immigrants would warrant the introduction of a much larger number. Your circular does not inform me of the classes of immigrants proposed to bo included in the 800 souls sent for, nor their proportions, nor the numbers nor dates at which they may be expected to arrive. These matters you have, no doubt, considered and arranged for, as they are of great importance to the success of the scheme. I shall take advantage of your invitation, at an early date, to offer some suggestions and observations on the subject of immigration generally to this Province. I have, Ac. Thomas B. Gillies, Superintendent. P.S.—Since writing the above, I have received your circular No. 63, of the 20th instant, and am glad to see that you are prepared to re-consider the amount of immigration to be supplied to this Province.—T. B. Gillies.

No. 5. His Honor the Superintendent of Hawke's Bay to the Hon. the Colonial Seceetaey. Sic, — Superintendent's Office, Napier, 24th December, 1872. I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your circular letter No. 59, of the 4th instant, informing mo that the Agent-General has been directed to ship from Great Britain an aggregate of emigrants equal to 8,000 during the year 1873, and that 600 are to be sent to Hawke's Bay. From a recent telegram from the Agent-General, which the Government has published since the date of your circular, I gather that the Agent-General has made arrangements for sending out at once a larger number of immigrants than the circular proposes for the year; whilst 800 is the number named by the Agent-General as arranged to be sent direct to Hawke's Bay. I trust the Government will leave unaltered the arrangement of the Agent-General so far as this Province is concerned, as I take it the immigrants referred to are in fulfilment of an arrangement made by me with the General Government w-hen Mr. Gisborne was Minister for Public AVorks and Immigration, under which a definite order for immigrants was sent, and land was set aside for settlement, and hUs since been surveyed and prepared for the location of the immigrants. The ready way in which the immigrants who have recently arrived here have been absorbed, proves that a very largo demand for- labour exists, both to meet the growing requirements of this rapidly advancing district, and to carry out the public works which are in course of construction. So far, also, as I am able to judge, the wants of the other parts of the Colony will be very insufficiently met by the introduction of 8,000 adults during the year 18G3 ; and I would strongly recommend the number proposed to be brought out should be increased. With respect to immigration to this Province, I would request that instructions be given to the Agent-General to send a ship direct to Napier every three months, and that at least fifty single women be sent by each vessel; the remainder to be made up of ordinary immigrants and nominated immigrants. I would also point out the advisability of a large shipment arriving in the month of November, the time of the year when there is the greatest demand for labour. Some time ago, the Agent-General reported he had arranged to send out some vine-growers, and sent in advance a box of rooted vines: these last have been well cared for, and a large number of additional cuttings struck, ready for the immigrants. I also reserved for the location of these people a very suitable block of land at Whangawohi, Mahia Peninsula, where there is a good harbour, excellent land, and where the vine grows luxuriantly. From the reports I have heard of this place, I believe no more suitable position in the Colony can be found for the cultivation of the grape; and as an evidence of the climate, I may say that, early as are the seasons at Napier, all kinds of produce are two or three weeks earlier at the Mahia. I hope soon to hear of the arrival of the people for this settlement. AVith the most sincere desire to aid the Government in giving effect to the Colonial policy of immigration, I have, Ac, The Hon. tho Colonial Secretary, AVellington, J. D. Ormond, Superintendent.

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No. 6. The Hon. J. Hall to His Honor the Superintendent of Hawke's Bay. Sir, — Colonial Secretary's Office, Wellington, 4th January, 1873. I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 24th ultimo, containing suggestions in reference to the number of immigrants to be sent to the Province of Hawke's Bay during the year 1873. I have, Ac, His Honor the Superintendent of Hawke's Bay. John Hall.

No. 7. His Honor the Superintendent of Wellington to the Hon. the Colonial Seceetaey. Sic, — Superintendent's Office, Wellington, Gth December, 1872. I have the honor to acknowledge tho receipt of your letter of the 4th instant, relative to immigration. The establishment and maintenance of a large and continuous stream of immigration to New Zealand for the next few years is, in the opinion of the Provincial Government, of tho most vital importance. Without it the public works policy cannot be expected to succeed as it otherwise would. If these views are, in the main, correct w-ith regard to New Zealand generally, they apply with especial force to the North Island. Entertaining these opinions, it w rould have been satisfactory had you been enabled to inform me that the aggregate number proposed to be sent out during the year 1873 had been at least double that mentioned in your letter; although I readily admit that the number intended for this Province is fully as large as it is proportionably entitled to. Outside the normal absorption of immigrants in the labour market of this Province, respecting which I am not at this moment sufficiently informed to bo able to advise you effectively (in regard to which, however, I will institute early inquiries, and communicate further), I would observe that any advice upon the question of distribution of immigrants will depend on the question of the localities in which railway works may be expected to be carried on, and also on the question of suitable blocks of land for settlement. On these two points I observe, — 1. That the prosecution of the tramway from Masterton to the Manawatu Gorge is of great importance, and that the proposed line passes through land well adapted for settlement. 2. That there is a block of land of 30,000 acres north of Waitotara, to which I drew the attention of a former Government, and respecting the settlement of which I believe the views entertained by the Provincial Government were sound, and if I thought that there was a hope that the proposals formerly made would be likely to meet with acceptance, I should be glad to have a conference with the Government. I beg to assure you, on behalf of the Provincial Executive, of our sincere desire to co-operate with the Colonial Government in carrying out the great Colonial policy of immigration and settlement. I have, Ac, AVilliam Fitziierbeet, The Hon. the Colonial Secretary, Wellington. Superintendent.

No. 8. The Hon. G. M. AVaterhouse to His Honor the Superintendent of Wellington. Sic,— Colonial Secretary's Office, AVellington, 15th December, 1872. I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 6th inst., on the subject of immigration to the Province of Wellington, and other matters connected therewith. If your Honor is of opinion that the Province of AVellington can readily absorb a larger amount of immigration than has been allotted to it for the coming year, the Government will be happy to reconsider their decision. It is the desire of the Government to provide a continuous and steady flow of immigration not violently affecting tho labour market, Ac. AVhile desiring to proportion the supply of labour to the demand, they recognize that not only in the interest of the labourers themselves but of tho Colony, it is better that the supply should be within the demand, than that, by an overflow of the labour market, the unemployed should be led to seek employment elsewhere, and 1 have every confidence that in advising as to the number of immigrants to be introduced in the course of the succeeding year, similar views will influence your Honor's opinion. AVhile not controverting the opinion expressed by your Honor as to the desirability of prosecuting the tramway from Manawatu to Masterton, I may state, and probably your Honor will agree with me, that in the present state of public works it seems premature to take any action in the matter. AVith reference to the block of land north of AVaitorara, I shall be happy to discuss tho subject with your Honor should you deem it desirable; but I must remind you that in the present state of matters regarding confiscated lands, the Government could not sanction the occupation or disposal of those lands until the Native title had been satisfactorily extinguished. So far as there may be lands in the possession of Government over which no complications of title exist, I shall be happy, as far as I consistently can, to co-operate with your Honor in rendering them available for immediate occupation. I have, Ac, G. M. AVateehouse, His Honor the Superintendent, AVellington. (for Hon. Colonial Secretary).

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No. 9. His Honor the Superintendent of Wellington to tho Hon. the Colonial Secretary. Sir, — Superintendent's Office, Wellington, 23rd December, 1873. I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your circular No. G3, of the 20th inst., and in reply, I beg to refer you to the last paragraph but one in my letter of the 18th inst., addressed to the Hon. G. M. Waterhouse, for the number of immigrants it is desired should be introduced into this Province during the year 1873. lat the same time invite your attention to the last paragraph of the letter referred to. I have, Ac, William Fitzherbeet, The Hon. tho Colonial Secretary, Wellington. Superintendent.

Enclosure in No. 9. Exteact from His Honor the Supeeintendent of Wellington's Letter, dated 18th December, 1572. Sir, —' Superintendent's Office, Wellington, 18th December, 1872. "Should you favourably entertain the question of the immediate construction of this line, whether under your direct control or indirectly through the agency of the Provincial Government, in either case the Provincial Government will render a cordial co-operation; and I should, with such prospects before mo, and in special reference to your circular of tho 4th instant, be prepared to recommend the introduction of 2,000 adults into the Province during tho year 1873. " The class of immigrants which I have reason to believe to be most suitable to the requirements of this Province is that of young married people and single women."

No. 10. His Honor the Superintendent of Marlborough to the Hon. the Colonial Secretary. Sic, — Blenheim, llth December, 1872. I have the honor to acknowledge receipt of your letter of the 4th instant, informing me that the Agent-General has been instructed to send 100 immigrants to Marlborough during the ensuing year. I beg to make the following suggestions: — 1. That of these a considerable portion should consist of young unmarried females suitable for house service. 2. That the full number should not be scut at once here, nor by one shipment. 3. That the time of year in which it is most desirable to send working men, shepherds, Ac, to this Province, may be taken to be the last quarter of any year, when a considerable number can be drafted off for country work. I have, Ac, The Hon. the Colonial Secretary, Wellington. A. P. Seymoue.

No. 11. The Hon. G. M. AVaterhouse to His Honor the Superintendent of Marlborough. Sir, — Colonial Secretary's Office, AVellington, 18th December, 1872. I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter No. 305, of the llth instant, containing suggestions relative to tho class of immigrants best suited for the Province of Marlborough, and the fittest season for sending them ; and in reply, to inform your Honor that it has been referred to the Hon. the Minister of Immigration. I have, Ac, G. M. Waterhouse, His Honor the Superintendent, Marlborough. (for Hon. Colonial Secretary).

No. 12. His Hon. the Superintendent of Nelson to the Hon. the Colonial Secretary. Sir, — Superintendent's Office, Nelson, 29th January, 1873. I have delayed in replying to your letter of the 29th November, —in which y-ou inform me that if I am of opinion that immigrants may be advantageously introduced into this Province, the Government will be happy to give effect to my wishes in that respect, —until I should be in a position to place before you a definite proposition on tho subject. In the absence of efficient means of communication with the interior of the country, and in view of the fact that so large a portion of the lands of the Province are auriferous and more or less occupied by gold miners, and that there is little land of good quality still unalienated outside of the gold fields, which, from its position, is at present available for settlement, and while no great public works are iv progress or have been authorized, it is evident that the introduction of immigrants must be of a limited character, and conducted with the utmost caution.

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The effect of extensive or indiscriminate immigration in the present position of this Provinco would, in my opinion, induce an excessive competition in the labour market, and have the effect of driving the best and most experienced settlers from the country, to be replaced by immigrants who, from their inexperience of Colonial life and pursuits, must necessarily be less able to contend with the difficulties inseparable from the settlement of a new country. I am, however, of opinion that by the formation of special settlements upon a limited scale, to bo afterwards extended as success might appear to warrant, the permanent settlement of the interior of the Province may be promoted, and a safe and advantageous addition made to our producers and taxpayers. In this view I am supported by resolutions agreed to by the Provincial Council in their last session, copies of which I have the honor to forward herewith. In accordance with these resolutions, a Bill was introduced into the General Assembly, and passed into law, intituled " The Nelson Special Settlements Act," empowering me to reserve a block or blocks of land, not exceeding in the whole 100,000 acres, for the purpose of special settlement. I have since caused a careful examination of the upper and central parts of the Buller A'allcy to bo made by Mr. Brunncr, Consulting Surveyor to the Province, in order to fix upon blocks of land most suitable for the experiment; and I enclose herewith a copy of Mr. Brunncr's report, with a sketch plan of the district, showing the blocks of land which he recommends for reservation under the Act; two of which, namely, those marked Hampden Block and Matiri Block, comprising an area of about 39,000 acres, I have reserved by proclamation under the power granted by the Act above referred to. In accordance with the 7th and Bth resolutions of the Provincial Council, I have now to request the assistance of the Colonial Government in the manner provided in the 9th part of " The Immigration and Public Works Act, 1871," viz., the purchase of the reserved blocks, or such portion of them as the Government may decide upon, at the upset price .of £1 per acre, and the introduction of suitable immigrants for their gradual occupation; the purchase money to be devoted, as provided in the Bth resolution of the Council, exclusively to the settlement of the land, and to providing work for the occupiers in tho construction of roads during the first twelve months after they have been placed upon it. I regret that the Assembly saw fit to reject the clause in the Special Settlements Bill which left it open to persons already resident in the Colony to participate in the advantages which are offered to immigrants introduced at the expense of the Colony. There is, however, nothing in that Act as it stands to prohibit such an arrangement, aud unless the Government consider themselves to be absolutely debarred from doing so by a literal construction of " The Immigration and Public Works Act, 1871," I earnestly hope they will consent to what I believe to be the unanimous wish of the people of this Province in that respect. In introducing the subject of special settlements to the Provincial Council, in my opening address on the 30th April last, I made use of these words : —" These proposals will be founded mainly upon tho provisions of the 01st and succeeding sections of " The Immigration and Public AVorks Act, 1871;" but with the modification that any land set apart for special settlement shall bo open to persons already resident in the Colony upon tho same terms as to newly arrived immigrants," and it will be observed that, by their 6th resolution, the Provincial Council adopt the same view. It would surely be unjust to exclude persons already resident, and in many cases born within the Colony, from facilities in obtaining possession of land ; reserving those facilities for the exclusive benefit of immigrants introduced at the public expense, to which the very persons so excluded are called upon to contribute. Before entering upon the questions of the number and class of immigrants whom it would be advisable to introduce to carry out the proposed scheme of special settlements, I await the decision of the Government upon the application I have herein made for the purchase of the land from Colonial funds under tho provision made by the Legislature for that purpose, upon which, in fact, the wholo scheme must necessarily depend. I defer also any suggestions as to the conditions upon which the land should be thrown open to occupation; but I may nevertheless ask your attention to the 3rd, 4th, and sth resolutions of the Council, and express my general concurrence in their terms. In the meantime I am only prepared to recommend the introduction of young unmarried women, suitablo for domestic servants, to tho extent of one hundred per annum, in numbers of about twentyfive every three months. I enclose a copy of the Provincial Gazette (No. 6, 31st January, 1873,) containing the proclamation withdrawing the blocks referred to. I have, Ac, Oswald Curtis, The Hon. the Colonial Secretary, AVellington. Superintendent.

Enclosure 1 in No. 12. Copy of Resolutions passed by the Nelson Provincial Council on Tuesday, llth June, 1872. 1. That, to promote the settlement of the Province, power should be given to the Superintendent to reserve land for special settlements. 2. That such authority exteud to not more than 100,000 acres in such place or places, and in such block or blocks, as the Superintendent may from time to time think fit. 3. That the provisions of " The Nelson Crown Lands Leasing Act, 1871," be adopted, except as to land being first offered for sale by auction. 4. That the price of land shall not be less than ss. nor more than 10s. per acre. 5. That not more than 200 acres shall be allotted to each person. 0. That in the regulations to bo framed it shall be left open for persons already resident in the Colony to take part in such settlement.

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7. That blocks so reserved should be offered to the General Government for tho purpose of special settlement under the provisions of section 63 of " The Immigration and Public Works Act, 1871." 8. That the price of land to be received from the General Government, under the provisions of " The Immigration and Public Works Act, 1871," shall be paid to a special account, to be called the Immigration Fund, and after providing for the cost of survey, be applied solely in promoting settlement and providing work on roads for tho heads of families during the first year. 9. That the survey of such lands as are intended to be reserved for special settlement be at onco commenced, with a view to prepare for the reception of immigrants.

Enclosure 2 in No. 12. Mr. T. Beunnee to the Peovincial Seceetaey, Nelson. Sic, — Brookside, Nelson, 4th January, 1873. I have the honor to inform you that, in accordance with instructions contained in your letter of the 9th November ult., I have travelled over the district specified, and although it is almost, if not entirely, impossible to comply strictly with the memorandum attached to your letter, I have endeavoured to do so as nearly as the nature of the country would permit, and propose to select five blocks of laud which I consider suitable for the purposes of settlement, viz.: — Acres. The Owen Block, containing about ... ... ... ... 10,000 The Matiri Block, „ ... ... ... ... 25,000 The Roto Roa Block, „ ... ... ... ... 17,000 The Hampden Block, „ ... ... ... ... 14,000 The Maruia Block, „ ... ... ... ... 21,000 Making a total of about ... ... ... ... ... 87,000 There being many blocks, or rather patches, of land, on tho banks of the Buller River all the way from the Grip to the Owen, also up tho valley of the Hope, that I feel certain will be settled on when a more available line of road is made, and there never having been any payable ground found, although the whole district has been well prospected, I should advise the alteration of the boundaries of the South-west Gold Fields, so that this portion may be excluded and open for selection under the Nelson AVaste Lands Leasing Act, without making it a block for special settlement. I will now proceed with a description of the boundaries of the blocks I. have selected, and give a brief description of each in the order I have given them. The first will therefore be the Owen Block, which is bounded by a line running in a northerly direction from the bank of the River Buller, at a point near peg 2GO on Mr. Forster's traverse, for a distance of six miles ; thence by a line west, magnetic, for a distance of four miles ; thence by a line running in a southerly direction to the mouth of a small stream running into tho River Buller at about fifty chains west of the River Owen ; aud thence by the bank of the River Buller to the point of starting. The gross extent of this block I estimate at 10,000 acres, of which I calculate there are about two-thirds of level terrace land on the banks of the rivers Owen and Buller and its tributaries. The only open land of any consequence in this block is included within the boundaries of the run held by Messrs. Baigent and Cole: all the rest is forest or timbered land, covered chiefly with trees of the birch tribe and the usual growth of under-scrub, and a few red and white pines. All the soil in this block appears nearly of tho same quality, and judging from the crops growing on the run, and at Mr. Dillon's, I should say that all the terrace land is suited for agricultural purposes, and that the wholo of the land included in the block will grow very good crops of grass. The Matiri Block commences at a point on the bank of the Buller River near the peg numbered 430 on Mr. Forster's traverse ; thence north for a distance of six miles ; thence west for a distance of seven miles ; thence south to the bank of the River Buller at the mouth of the small stream running into the Bulier at the western boundary of Mr. Jecklyn's freehold land; and thence by the bank of .the River Buller to tho point of starting. This block contains a gross acreage of about 25,000 acres, but as the boundaries given have been chosen more for the sake of being able to define tho block on the plans of the district now in the Survey Office, than to define the boundaries of the actual available land, I should estimate the land available for agriculture at about 15,000 acres, the greater portion of which is on the banks of the Matiri and its tributaries ; but without actual survey it is impossible to calculate the actual area of good land. From what I have seen and heard, I think there are many large flats of land covered with trees of tho red and white pine, and of the very- best quality of soil. There arc also large terraces covered with birch timber and the usual growth of underbrush. If one can judge of tho soil from the land already cleared about here, I should say the whole of this land is of good quality, and will produce excellent crops and good garden produce. There are some few persons engaged working for gold on tho banks of the Buller River, and also several leases held under the Gold Fields Act, and if the Government think it necessary they can be defined and exempted from this block. On the south bank of the River Buller, the first block I propose to reserve I call the Hampden Block, the boundaries of which commence at the mouth of Doughboy Creek, on the bank of the River Buller ; thence in a south direction for a distance of four miles; thence in an east direction for a distance of six miles, crossing the rivers Matakitaki and Blackwater, one of the tributaries of the River Mangles, to the bank of the River Mangles; thence by the western bank of the River Mangles to its junction with the River Buller; and thence down the bank of the River Buller to the point at which tho boundary of this block commences. This block contains a gross acreage of about 14,000 acres, of which about 8,000 may be called available for agriculture, and is on the banks of the rivers Buller,

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Matakitaki, Blackwater, and Mangles, and contains some of the finest land in this Province. It is chiefly timbered or forest land, including most of the trees usually known as the pine tribe, also the birch, with its usual amount of underscrub. There is a large quantity of hill land included within the boundaries of this block, but from its position, and the quality of the soil, I believe that a very large portion may and will be cultivated. There are about eight persons digging for gold on the banks of the rivers Buller and Matakitaki, but I cannot tell how to define their workings so as to exclude them from the block, as the land they are working is the river banks. There are also several leases taken up under the agricultural clauses of the Gold Fields Act, but they can be easily defined if the Government desire to reserve them. The next is the Roto Roa Block, which commences at a point on the bank of the River Buller one mile below the junction of the River Gowan with the River Buller; thence in a south direction for a distance of five miles ; thence in a west direction for a distance of four miles ; thence in a south direction for a distance of two and a half miles; thence in an east direction for a distance of six and a half miles; thence in a north direction for a distance of about eight miles, or to the bank of tho River Buller ; and thence by the bank of tho River Buller to the point from which the boundary of this block commences. This block contains within the bouudaries given, a gross acreage of about 17,000 acres, of which I estimate about 10,000 acres may be considered available for agricultural purposes, and much of the remainder may be considered available for pastoral purposes, and some may be considered too steep for either purpose; but I have preferred to take boundaries that can at once be defined on the plans in the Survey Office, to watersheds or other natural features. The level land is in blocks on the rivers Buller and Gowan, on the banks of the Roto Roa, and on the bridle track from tho Roto Roa to the Mangles. There are some few open patches of land in this block, but for the most part the land is covered with forest, in some places the usual growth of the red and white pine, and the rest with tho birch tribe, with its usual growth of underbrush. Some of the land in this block I consider to bo of very good quality, and a large area much above the average of land in this Province. The Marina Block commences at a point on tho bank of the River Marina four miles below tho junction of the River AVarwick with the River Marina; thence east for a distance of about three miles, or to the bank of the River AVarwick ; thence by the bank of the River Warwick to the junction of the branch called Deception ; thence south for a distance of eleven miles ; thence west for a distance of two miles; and thence by a straight line drawn from the last-named boundary to the point on tho bank of the River Marina where the boundary of this block commences. This block contains within the boundaries given a gross acreage of about 21,000 acres. The land comprised in this block is nearly all level, and is chiefly in terraces covered with grass, with some few patches of forest land of the birch tribe. In some places the soil seems very good, as is shown by the portions now under cultivation by Mr. Moonlight, but the land broken up by Mr. Walker does not seem to promise so well; but the soil in the portion called Frog Flat seems of first-rate quality, as also portions on the track to the Matakitaki and on the banks of the River Marina ; and I believe the whole may be taken as a fair average block of land. From its position, the Marina Block cannot be said to be suited for an immediate settlement, as it may be some time before it can be connected,by a good dray road with the other districts; but a good bridle or packing track can be easily made from the Horse Terrace at the Matakitaki, and at a small outlay, as the present track only requires some few deviations and metalling, and then this block would be available for small dairy farms. Clause No. 7 in your ilemorandum prevents any blocks being selected on the two rivers Marina and Matakitaki, as, on examination, I found it quite impossible to define any block of land and say that it was proved not to be auriferous; and from what I have seen I believe that much of the land that is now considered poor ground will be worked when a road is made into the district, and a more settled population is fixed in the locality, and who will be willing to work if they can earn good wages. It may, I think, be fairly stated that the whole of the Buller Valley, from the Grip to the Lyell, with all its many tributaries both great and small, contain patches of land available for the small producer, and that both the soil and climate may be called very good for all agricultural purposes ; and w-ithout withdrawing it from the gold fields, I trust the Government will be able to devise some means by which these lands can be occupied. I make this suggestion because I feel certain that there are many places in w-hich small farms would be commenced at once, but the rent and stipulations for leases for agricultural land under the Gold Fields Act prohibit the speculations. AVhen I first received your letter and the instructions, I thought it would be necessary to spend some time in exploring all the many valleys in the district; but when on the spot I found it next to impossible to do more than I have done without an actual survey, and this, I feel sure, the result will not justify. I therefore confined myself to a general examination of the district, taking notes in my progress, and I have reason to believe that I can furnish tho Government with any information they may desire from the knowledge thus obtained. To make a more definite report, the land w-ould require the division of the same into sections, when each could have its description ; but not being able to do this, I have confined my report to a more general description of the blocks. There are some peculiar features in this district with reference to the vegetation, as the forest tree called the rimu is rarely to be found, as also the supple-jack ; and then in all the clearings made on the sides of the various tracks, a rapid growth of the fuschia has taken place, although it is not often found in the bush before the clearing. My visit through the district being in the summer, I found tho tracks good everywhere ; but I was astonished to find that so much good work had been done on the tracks since I last travelled them. Great improvements have been made on the track over the Lake Hill, but on looking over the line of country I thought it a pity that so much work should have been done in repairing the old track by small deviations, instead of seeking for a new and better road; and the same remark will apply to nearly all the tracks in this district except between tho rivers Hope and Owen, where it is at once

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evident care has been taken to select a line that will ultimately make a good dray road without reference to the present bridle track, and I trust tho same care may be exercised in laying out the road from the Grip to the Hope. If the same care had been used on the road between Mr. David Kerr's and the Roundell, a nearly level line would have been found and made at a less cost than the present one ; but as roads do not come within the instructions given me, I will only express tho hope that the Government will feel the vast importance of making a good dray road as far as the River Matiri during this summer, the result of which will, I predict, be greatly increased prosperity to Nelson and suburbs. The plans annexed to this report are only to show the boundaries, but if tho Government requiro more details, or that the blocks should be drawn on map of the Province, I have the means of doing so at once from the memoranda made during my trip. AVhen at the Matakitaki Mr. Lightfoot left me a note asking me to define the road from Mr. Rowe's to the ferry on the Matakitaki, and both Mr. Rowe and Mr. Kerr requested me to give them the boundaries of their land; but I was unable to do so without more detail than I had with me, but I promised that I would endeavour to get your instructions to return to the district and do the work required. I would also propose to the Government to stake out the boundaries of all the sections sold in the township of Hampden before the present landmarks are quite destroyed. As I made the original survey on which the sections have been plotted, I can easily define the sections on the ground, and shall therefore be pleased to receive your instructious as. soon as I have finished the survey of the land in the district of the Ratou. I have, Ac, Thomas Brunner, Tho Provincial Secretary, Nelson, Consulting Surveyor.

No. 13. The Hon. the Colonial Secretary to His Honor the Superintendent of Nelson. Sic, — Colonial Secretary's Office, 4th February, 187.3. I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter No. 73-111, of the 29th January last, enclosing resolutions of the Nelson Provincial Council, and other papers relating to the introduction of immigrants into the Province of Nelson, and to inform your Honor that your communication shall receive the consideration of the Government. I have, Ac, His Honor the Superintendent, Nelson. John Hall.

No. 14. The Hon. the Colonial Secretary to His Honor the Superintendent of Nelson. Sir, — Colonial Secretary's Office, AVellington, 9th June, 1873. Referring to your letter of the 29th January last, and Mr. Hall's reply of the 4th February, upon the subject of immigration to the Province of Nelson, I have to inform your Honor that the question has received the most careful consideration at the hands of the Government. Your Honor has already been informed by telegraph that instructions have been forwarded to the Agent-General to send out the number of immigrants you recommended. I must at the same time remark that the Government differ with your Honor when you state that an extensive system of immigration to the Province of Nelson would have the effect of driving the best and most experienced settlers out of the country. In all other Provinces there is a great demand for immigrants, and the Government aro unable to understand why Nelson should not be capable of absorbing a proportionate share. However, in deference to your Honor's request, the number of immigrants to Nelson is limited to 100 female domestic servants. Upon tho question of special settlements, the Government agree with your Honor that by their formation the permanent settlement of the interior of tho Province may be forwarded, and they cordially approve of your action in reserving, under tho Nelson Special Settlements Act, the blocks described in your Honor's letter. With reference to the resolution of tho Provincial Council, enclosed by your Honor, which recommends that the Colonial Government should purchase the blocks as reserved under the provisions of Part IX. of "The Immigration and Public AA rorks Act, 1871," the Government are at a loss to understand that any special circumstances exist to induce the consideration of this proposai. The part of the Act referred to does not, in their opinion, apply to the case of the Province of Nelson, nor does it seem necessary to supersede the action of the Nelson Special Settlements Act, a measure passed for the express purpose of promoting settlement through the instrumentality of the Provincial Government. It would appear, from your Honor's letter, that what is really demanded from the Colonial Government is, that they should use the powers granted under the Act of 1871 to purchase land from the Province, and then give it not only to the proposed immigrants but to the present settlers as well. Your Honor's proposal, that the General Government should pay an upset price of £1 per acre for 39,000 acres of land, preparatory to their being allowed to introduce and locate immigrants in the Province, is therefore one that tho Government find themselves unable to entertain. If the Province really wishes special settlements, it seems but reasonable that it should give the land required for the purpose. I have, Ac, His Honor the Superintendent, Nelson. William H. Reynolds.

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No. 15. His Honor the Superintendent of Canterbury to the Hon. the Colonial Secretary. Sir, — Superintendent's Office, Christchurch, 6th January, 1873. I have the honor to enclose herewith copy of a resolution passed by the Provincial Council at its recent session, referring to the arrangement for the conduct of immigration to Canterbury by the General Government. In forwarding this resolution, I may state that I fully concur in the opinion there expressed. I have, Ac, AVilliam Rolleston, The Hon. the Colonial Secretary, Wellington. Superintendent.

Enclosure in No. 15. Provincial Council Chambers, 12th December, 1872. Resolved, " That the Council, having in view- the time of the year when labour is most required, and the entirely inadequate number of single women which have been introduced under the present system of immigration, are of opinion that the arrangements for the conduct of immigration to Canterbury by the General Government have not, up to the present time, been of a character suited to the requirements of the Province. "That the above resolution be transmitted to His Honor the Superintendent, with a request that he will bring it under the notice of the General Government."

No. 16. The Hon. J. Hall to His Honor the Superintendent of Canterbury". Sir, — Colonial Secretary's Office, Wellington, llth January, 1873. I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter No. 5, 1873, of the 6th instant, forwarding copy of a resolution passed by the Canterbury Provincial Council, in which your Honor concurs as to the arrangements for the conduct of immigration to Canterbury by the General Government. I have, Ac, His Honor the Superintendent, Canterbury. John Hall.

No. 17. His Honor the Superintendent of Otago to the Hon. the Colonial Secretary. Sir, — Superintendent's Office, Dunedin, 4th January, 1873. I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter, No. 63, of 20th December, 1873, on the subject of the amount of immigration proposed to bo introduced into this Province during the year 1873, upon which I have no comments to offer further than this Province can absorb a much larger amount of immigrants than is likely to be obtained, provided they are able-bodied and willing to work. I have, Ac, James Macandrew, The Hon. the Colonial Secretary, AVellington. Superintendent.

No. 18. The Hon. G. M. Waterhouse to His Honor the Superintendent of Otago. Sib, — Colonial Secretary's Office, Wellington, 26th February, 1873. I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter No. 12223-88, stating that the Province of Otago can absorb a much larger amount of immigration that that allotted to it in the Colonial Secretary's circular letter No. 63, of the 20th December last. I have, Ac, His Honor the Superintendent of Otago. G. M. AVaterhouse. By Authority : Geoege Didsbukt, Government Printer, Wellington.—lB73. Price 9...]

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