A.—No. 2A.

March. They actually left a month later, the difference being mainly due to the fact that the work here took longer than was expected to complete. I have done my utmost to j>ress this matter forward, although the inability or unwillingness of the Honorable the Defence Minister to name any definite time within which he would post military settlers at Patea, in such positions as to cover the survey parties, has rendered it impossible for me (believing, as I distinctly told Colonel Haultain, that the country was very unsafe) to urge any to go who felt doubtful about it. This has made the party smaller than I expected to send, but those who have gone will be able to do all that can be done, until posts are taken up along the edge of the bush, in a very short time, and Mr. Smith has been distinctly given to understand that he must, as soon as possible, put on more hands, and that otherwise a part of the work will be let to some one else. I have given my services in this matter voluntarily and gratuitously, hoping to be able to assist the Government in difficult times, but if, as would appear from the tone of your communication, I have failed to discharge this self-imposed duty to the satisfaction of the Government, I trust that no time will be lost in making such arrangements as may be thought more beneficial to the public service. I have the honor to enclose copies of the agreement made with Messrs. Percy S. Smith and G. W. Williams, and of a Memo, by Mr. 0. Carrington as to the Patea surveys. At an interview which I had with the Honorable the Defence Minister at Colonel Warre's house, he will remember that it was agreed that it would be desirable not to place the whole of the 400 men on one connected block of land, but to divide it into two portions, leaving a space between, which would immediately become valuable for sale, and which, being taken up by a different class of settlers, would be beneficial in other ways. If this plan is adhered to, the survey of the most northerly block will be quite separate from that on which Mr. Smith has already begun, and can be commenced at once ; if the General Government can find surveyors willing to undertake it without protection. I have, &c, H. It. Richmond, The Hon. the Colonial Secretary, Wellington. Superintendent. Enclosure in No. 21. Memo, for Superintendent—Patea Surveys. Before I can scheme out the settlement at Patea, it is necessary to have the surveys of the coast, rivers, swamps, (fee, carefully laid down, which I hope to have ready in about a fortnight or three weeks, of as much of the district as can with safety be surveyed under existing circumstances, when I will proceed to Patea, and do all I possibly can to expedite the work. The contractors, Messrs. Smith and Williams, at present employ two assistants (four surveyors in all). With this staff it will take about ten weeks to complete from ten to twelve thousand acres. As soon as the Government find protection, Messrs. Smith and Williams are prepared to employ other surveyors ; nevertheless, if it is thought desirable to hasten the work, other surveyor.-; who may be ■willing can undertake contracts of portions of the district. The surveyors left here on the 20th instant ; they were unable to land at Patea, and obliged to go to Wanganui, where they were detained several days, no steamer plying between that place and Patea. Octa Cakbinqton, Survey Office, Taranaki, 28th April, 1866. Chief Surveyor. Enclosure in No. 21. CONTRACT SUIIVEYB AT PATEA. Survey Office, Taranaki, April 19th, 1860. Rural Allotments (any area down to five-acre allotments). For forest cutting, 2s. per chain, £8 per mile „ fern „ Is. „ M „ „ open traverse 6d. „ £2 „ Branded, chiselled, or painted pegs of hard wood (the material to be furnished and delivered at Tatoa at the Government expense) of a thickness not less than two inches, to be well driven (one foot ?t least) into the ground, and projecting six inches above, at the corners of each allotment, and at all the angles of roads at both sides ; about 12 inches from the peg a lockspit to be, dug, one spit deep and three feet long in the direction of either line. Lines to be cut and cleared, at least 5 links in width ; in the forest the trees to be marked one in about every five chains, and entered in the field book. The plan to be on mounted paper, plotted to a scale of 10 chains to the inch. Main and traverse lines to be marked red ; the page and number of the field-book shewn ; the linkages ot the boundaries of each allotment and the contents ; also the measure of the angles to be distinctly written on the plan, which is to be so completed that Crown Grants can be prepared immediately after it is received at this office. Town Allotments.—(lnclusive of lots up to five acres area). For forest cutting 2s. 6d. per chain, £10 per mile. " fern, " Is. Gd. " £6 " " open traverse Is. " £i " Allotment pegs, chiselled or branded, of hard wood (the material to be furnished and delivered at.

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