D.—No. 2.

See Mfa

In reference to tlie schedules of cash lands herewith, showing the number and contents of each lot, it is necessary the Governor in Council should carry out the provisions of the 17th and 18th sections of the New Zealand Settlements Act, by causing the land to be surveyed laid out and disposed of by public auction at an upset price of ( ) cash, per acre, on (date). The lands laid oft* for settlement in all cases include ample reserves for public purposes. None of the lands included in any schedules sent to Wellington should be sold earlier than the 13th of May next, as it will take three weeks after the plans are put into the hands of the lithographer before the copies can be printed. In reference to the remaining subjects into which I am to inquire, I am obtaining information on all the points noted in the memoranda. From their multiplicity and variety they are rather confusing at first. I have called for much of the information respecting the location of the Waikato regiments. I find that a survey of the public stores was made when the department was handed over to Captain Mitchell —a proceeding which will greatly facilitate the settlement of the store accounts. Mr. Eaton has not yet furnished any replies to my inquiries respecting the number and location of immigrants, &c. nor have we yet been able to obtain information respecting the progress of the surveys to the south of the Waikato. I am doing my best to hasten the surveys of lands for cash sales and for settlement of the immigrants. I have, &c, Cuables Knight, The Hon. the Colonial Secretary. Auditor. No. 53. The Hon. the Colonial Secbktaisv to Dr. Knight, Auckland. Sib, — Colonial Secretary's Office, Wellington, 25th April, 18(55. With reference to your letters, public and private, which have been received by the late mail, I have to inform you that Mr. Mantel] will proceed to Auckland by the " Airedale" onSaturday next, and will confer with you thereon. Meantime, as regards the proceedings of the Compensation Court, the Government will by this mail instruct Mr. Fenton (in accordance with the opinion of the AttorneyGeneral) to hold his Court by himself in case of need, without requiring the presence of other Judges. The question as to the extent, and the speediest mode of bringing lands south of the Waikato under the operation of "The New Zealand Settlements Act," is under the consideration of the Government. As to the sale of lands within the proclaimed blocks north of the Waikato, the Government desire that you will be good enough, without delay, to take steps for bringing into the market all such land as is available for immediate sale, namely, land not appropriated to the immigrants, or belonging to friendly natives, or reserved for public purposes. Tracings of plans were received from Mr. Heaphy on the 7th and 11th instants. Ido not send these tracings, as you will have access to the originals at Auckland. You will be able, with Mr. Heaphy and Mr. Fenton, to distinguish the lands available for sale. As regards the application of the proceeds of such land sales, 1 must point out to you that the arrangement between the General and Provincial Government of January last is now at an end ; that under any circumstances, in the terms of Mr. Sewell's letter to the Superintendent of Auckland of the sth January last, the first appropriation should be towards reimbursement of charges incurred by the General Government in compensation of native claimants, surveys, immigration, and location of settlers, and public works. No portion, therefore, of the proceeds of hind sales can be reckoned on as available towards the further employment of immigrants upon public works. As to the offer of the Tuakau Block to the Provincial Government for £18,000, the General Government will allow the Provincial Government their share of surplus revenue for the last year out of such purchase-money. As regards your taking over the charge of the Immigration business from the Provincial Government (which declines to act further in the matter), I have to request that you will be good enough to do so ; you will be fully authorised to make such arrangements and employ such persons for the future management of such business as you may think necessary. I need not further impress upon you the necessity of bringing to a close all expenditure in excess of the estimates within the period limited by my former instructions, subject to this qualification, that surveys absolutely required to place the settlers on their lands, or to bring the land into the market for sale, must be completed at all events, and that any specific engagement of the Government with immigrants must be fulfilled. I have, &c, Dr. Knight, Auckland. Feed. A. Weld.

40

CORRESPONDENCE RELATIVE TO MAINTENANCE

British Immiyn •nts. —Ten-Acbe Allotments. Reserved for Public Purposes. Contingent Land Locality. Lots Surveyed, No. ' Acreage. Lots. Acreage. Pokeno* Unknown. 7 10 114 83 Survey not complete. Waiuku 54 668, in 9 lota. Other blocks Sui •veys not completed. * 184 families located, and i5 lots mapped and approved of.