D.—No. 2A.

No. 0. The Superintendent, Auckland, to the Hon. the Colonial Secretary. Sib,— AVellington, 22nd September, 1865. I have the honor to acknowledge receipt of your letter dated 20th instant, addressed to myself and the other members of tho Deputation appointed by the members for Auckland, in which you request a statement, in as precise terms as the case allows, of the conditions on which it would be reasonable to ask the Provincial Government of Auckland to undertake the administration of the confiscated lands within that Province. The Deputation having considered the main question,—viz.: that of the disposal and management of the confiscated lands —concur with me in the following propositions: — Firstly.—That the confiscated lands should be handed over to the Province of Auckland as soon as the necessary arrangements can conveniently be made. Secondly. —That these lands should be made subject to the following liabilities, — (1.) Compensation to Natives in fulfilment of awards in Mr. Fenton's 'Court. (2.) Compensation to settlers for losses incurred through the war, —amount to be ascertained and made payable by the Provincial Government. (3.) Charge on Province of sums expended for the permanent advantage of the Province of Auckland under "The Loan Appropriation Act, 1863," the amount of such sum to be ascertained by a Commissioner appointed for the purpose. Thirdly.—That the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th AVaikato Regiments should be permanently located in AVaikato; the Ist AVaikato Regiment, at Tauranga, or elsewhere on the East Coast. Fourthly. —That the Provincial Government should be empowered to raise money on the confiscated land in anticipation of the sale of those lands, for the purpose of meeting engagements to Natives, and to settlers, and of carrying out public works to be undertaken within the confiscated district or for the advantage of such district. Fifthly. —That the Province shall engage to expend the whole proceeds derived from confiscated lands in AVaikato, in colonizing and otherwise for the general advantage of that district; thereby restoring confidence and ensuring as far as possible the success of the military colonization and AVaikato immigration schemes, undertaken by the General Government. Sixthly. —That the Provincial Government shall takeTe Papa, subject to the following liabilities, — (1.) Compensation to the Church Missionary Society and their tenants, the amount to be settled by arbitration. (2.) Giving town allotments to Military Settlers, the whole quantity not to exceed three hundred and fifty acres. Seventhly. —That should it be found necessary to purchase any land at Tauranga or on the East Coast for the more convenient and useful location of the Military Settlers, the expenses of purchase and location shall be borne by the General Government. Eighthly. —That every facility shall be given to the Provincial Government towards negociations with the Natives for the purchase of lands in the Tauranga District, in continuation of Mr. Clarke's arrangements with tho Ngaterangi Tribe. Permit me to add that, unless some such arrangement as that proposed be agreed to, there will remain but little hope of carrying out the AVaikato scheme of settlement as originally contemplated, and that great hardships, and even destitution —a period of which is close at hand—must inevitably follow, to the serious endamagement of the good faith of the Colony, which is pledged to those who have been induced by promises, direct or implied, to engage with the General Government, I may be allowed to observe, that the matter has now arrived at that critical point which renders it necessary that immediate action should bo taken in the event of your agreeing to these propositions. I suggest that, in order to avoid confusion in the carrying out of these and other works connected with the Province of Auckland, the Government agency should be given to the Superintendent of the Province. I have, &c, Robert Graham, The Hon. the Colonial Secretary, Superintendent of the Province of Auckland, AVellington. (for self and the other members of the Deputation.) No. 7. MEMORANDUM relative to Confiscated Lands. It appears that the total acreage confiscated in the AVaikato is Acres. Acres, about ... ... . ... ... 1,170,000 At Tauranga ... ... ... ... ... 50,000 1,220,000 Of this there will be wanted for Military Settlers ... ... 200,000 For other settlers ... ... ... ... 50,000 For Natives ... ... ... ... ... 250,000 500,000 Balance to be handed over to Auckland... ... ... 720,000 Say ... ... ... ... ... ... -J" 0. 0!00^ The money charges already payable by the Province of Auckland £ s. d. £ s. d. under the Settlements Act, is ... ... ... 189,000 0 0 Additional charges for locating settlers ... ... ... 31,000 0 0 220,000 0 0

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CONFISCATED LANDS IN TIIE PROVINCE OE AUCKLAND.