A.—No. 2.

PEOYINCE OF AUCKLAND. No. ]. Copy of a Letter from the hon. c. w. Stafford to his honor f. whitaker. Sir, — Colonial Secretary's Office, Wellington, November 9th, 1805. I have the honor to transmit a copy of certain Resolutions passed by the House of Representatives on the 26tfa ultimo, relative to the transfer of the confiscated lands in the Province of Auckland; on certain conditions, to Provincial administration for the purposes of colonization. I do not propose at present to do more than refer to the second of these Resolutions, which provides that the General Government shall secure to the loyal natives the lands to which they are entitled, and shall settle such other natives as may desire to accept the Queen's authority and take Crown Grants for the lands allotted to them. Some promises have been made directly to certain natives with respect to specific portions of the confiscated lands, and it has also been proposed to assig-n to others allotments sufficient for their support, and it is obvious that the settlement and occupation generally of these Innds will be materially facilitated by an early settlement of all claims advanced by natives, whether in fulfilment of actual promises and engagements, or otherwise. Your Honor will be furnished from time to time with all such further information with respect to any such engagements which may be considered necessary after an examination of the records of the office of the General Government Agent at Auckland, which will be at your disposal. It is scarcely necessary for me to express my earnest desire to co-operate with your Honor in every way calculated to promote the early settlement of all matters affecting the colonization of the lands in question, in which the Colony and the Province of Auckland are mutually so largely interested. I have, &c, His Honor the Superintendent, Auckland. E. W. Stafford. Enclosure in No. 1. Extract from the jouriNals of the house of representatives. Resolvkd, — Thursday, the 20th day of October, 1805. 1. That it is expedient that the confiscated lands in the Province of Auckland should, with certain exceptions, and subject to certain conditions, be transferred to Provincial administration in that Province, for the purposes of colonization. 2. That the General Government cannot properly divest itself of the duty of securing to the loyal Natives the lands to which they may be entitled, and of settling those Natives who may desire to return to those districts comprised in such lands, and to accept the Queen's authority, and to take grants from the Crown ; that, therefore, this duty should be retained in the hands of the General Government: Provided also, that sufficient lands be retained to fulfil engagements with Military Settlers. 3. The Province to be liable for all sums expended under the " New Zealand Settlements Act," for the ]>ermanent advantage of the Province, including' charges which may still come in course of payment under that head for the completion of engagements with military and other settlers (except pay and rations to Military Settlers), the amount of such liability to be settled by Commission, and defined in Act or Acts of the General Assembly. 4. That as soon as the Provincial Government of the Province of Auckland shall, from the proceeds *»f the sale of confiscated land, have discharged the liabilities now chargeable on such land under these Resolutions, a payment shall be made to the General Government out of the proceeds of all subsequent sales of confiscated land, after the rate of two shillings and sixpence per acre : Provided that any lands which may be disposed of under the Auckland Waste Land Regulations, without a money payment, shall, for the purpose of estimating the amouut realised for such land, be reckoned at the rate of five shilling's per acre. 5. The Province to provide for any compensation to Natives in money that may be awarded by the Compensation Court under the '' New Zealand Settlements Act," and for compensation to the settlers in the Province of Auckland for losses incurred in the war. 6. Reg-iilations for the disposal of the lands to be made by Order in Council, as provided for by the " New Zealand Settlements Act" upon the recommendation of the Superintendent and Provincial Council. 7. In order to restore confidence and insure, as far as possible, the success of the Military Colonization and Waikato Immigration Schemes hitherto undertaken by the General Government, the Province, after recouping actual cash payments, to engage to expend the whole proceeds derived from confiscated lands in colonizing and otherwise for the general advantage of the confiscated districts. 8. That the Provincial Government be empowered to take the Te Papa property, subject to : — 1. Compensation to 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. True Extract. F. E. Campbkll, Clerk of House of Representatives.

FURTHER PAPERS RELATIVE TO THE SETTLEMENT OF THE CONFISCATED LANDS.