D.—No. 2A.

No. 1. The Superintendent, Auckland, to the Hon. the Colonial Secketaiiv. Sib,— Wellington, 19th September, 1865. I have the honor to lay before you for your information copy of a letter addressed to me by Mr. Eaton, the AVaikato Immigration Commissioner, in order that you may more fully understand the difficulties which have to be overcome, by the Auckland Provincial Government, in carrying out to a successful issue the scheme of settlement which I have undertaken on your behalf. I trust however to overcome them finally, if assured of such reasonable support as the General Government have it in their power to afford. I also desire to recall your attention to the fact that one part of the arrangement under which in May last I undertook the management of the General Government Immigrants was this, that within two months from that date the Tuakau Block (at that time supjioscd to represent £18,000), was to le handed over to the Superintendent of Auckland in such a manner as would enable him to sell, lease, or raise money upon it. I need not remind you that the grant has not yet been made in such form as would enable me to accomplish any of the objects so contemplated. This delay has greatly affected the value of tho Block, which is now inadequate to meet the requirements of the case. Under any circumstances the Tuakau Block could not now be disposed of, except at a great' sacrifice, I would therefore suggest that, in order to obviate the necessity of forcing it into the market, General Government debentures be placed in the hands of the Superintendent to enable him to carry out the engagements entered into with those immigrants, such debentures to be charged against the Province as for the permanent benefit of the Province under " The Loan Appropriation Act." I have, &c, The Honorable the Colonial Secretary, Robert Graham, AVellington. Superintendent of the Province of Auckland. Enclosure to No. 1. Fred. J. Eaton, Esq., to the Superintendent. Sir, — AVaikato Settlement Office, Auckland, 22nd August, 1865. I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your note, dated AVellington, 15th instant, and to inform you that nothing of consequence has transpired since my previous letter. AVith respect to your wish that the immigrants should be armed without delay, I would suggest the advisability of deferring that step for a further period for various reasons. The rate of wages has been reduced, they are generally in debt and dissatisfied, and are ready at a moment's notice to rebel if means whereby they could ensure success were within their reach. That they must live is certain ; that they cannot live on nothing is equally true ; there is no work for them in the Province ; what alternative is there for them but to put their threats, already uttered, into execution, and clear off every available head of cattle they can ? The settlers are already beginning to fear the consequences of arming them. I would have them sworn in, for then we could check their leaving the Province in the wholesale manner they are now doing. The only question now under discussion, is the right of the immigrant to dispose of his land, and whether the Government should approve of any respectable person, or confine themselves to agricultural laborers. Everything in my power has been done to reduce unnecessary expenses ; a destitute ration, costing half the value of the one heretofore in use has beeu supplied. The Drury depot has been abolished. The seeds, &c, are approved and are now being supplied ; the whole of the sum required under this head will not exceed six hundred pounds for about four hundred applicants, and this almost includes tho price ofthe fifty tons of potatoes supplied by Mr. Ralph Simpson, thus leaving ten shillings per head for agricultural implements, should you deem it desirable to accede to their demands on this score. I think it unnecessary, as a large amount of Government tools will be available for sale to them shortly perhaps. Mr. Ralph Simpson, has completed deliveries upon his contract and in accordance with your verbal instructions, 75 per cent, has been paid him on the amount to which I considered he was entitled ; I was very careful to erase any sum upon which the slightest doubt, as to its being subsequently approved by your Honor, existed. I will not fail to communicate any occurrence of auy consequence. I have, &c, Ered. J. Eaton, R. Graham, Esq., M.G.A., Wellington. Immigration Commissioner. No. 2. The Superintendent, Auckland, to the Hon. the Premtee. Sib — Wellington, 20th September, 1865. I have the honor to enclose copy of a letter received from Mr. Jackson, Deputy-Superintendent

CORRESPONDENCE RESPECTING THE SETTLEMENT OF CONFISCATED LANDS IN THE PROVINCE OF AUCKLAND.