•P.-iNo. 8.

in November, 1864), and I requested him to make known the matter to the House. On asking Mr. Gledhill what he did for me in the matter of the Iron Sand, he says he really does not know what ho did with my documents, but he thinks he gave them to Mr. J. C. Richmond when that gentleman was Colonial tseeretary. He says "they had better look among the papers in the Colonial Secretary's room!"' 16th July, 18GG. Fred. A. Careington. No. 2. Copy of a Letter from Mr. Gisborjje to Mr. F. A. Cabbington. (No. 604.) Colonial Secretary's Office, Slß,— Wellington, 7th August, ISG6. I have the honor, by direction of Mr. Stafford, to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 17th ultimo, referring to the proposed inquiry into the Taranaki Iron Sand question, and enclosing the copy of a letter which you addressed on the 23rd November, 1864, to Mr. Commissioner Beckham on that subject. Your letter has been submitted to the Select Committee of the House of Representrtives, now inquiring into the claims of Dr. Samuel and Mr. Morshead, with respect to the Taranaki Iron Sand leases, and that Committee states that an inquiry into your claim does not come within the scope of the order of reference appointing the Committee. I have, &c, F. A. Carrington, Esq., W. Gisbohne, New Plymouth. Under Secretary. No. 3. Copy of a Letter from Mr. P. A. Caeriugton to the Hon. E. W. Stafford. Slß,— New Plymouth, 14th August, 186 G. I have this day had the honor of receiving a letter from the Under Secretary, dated the 7th instant, in answer to mine of the 17th ultimo, in reference to the Iron Sand question of Taranaki. By your direction 1 am informed that my " letter has been submitted to the Select Committee of the House of Representatives now inquiring into the claims of Dr. Samuel and Mr. Morshead, with respect to the Taranaki Iron Sand leases, and that the Committee states that an inquiry into my claim does not come within the scope of the order of reference appointing the Committee." In reply, I beg to state that I have used every proper means in my power, since the 2:Jnl November, 1864, to show to the Colonial Government and the House of Representatives my claim upon the Iron Sand, —I trust an equitable claim upon the Colony, —and that I was the first person who, after expenditure of money, time, and labour, brought to light, ascertained, and made known the real worth of Taranaki Sand. If my claim has not been brought before the House of Representatives, so as to ensure to me justice in this matter, I submit that the fault is not mine. I now again repeat that which I stated in my letter (which letter I sent to the Government and to the House of Representatives) dated 23rd November, 1864, viz.: —lron made from New Plymouth Sand is worth from £37 to £42 per ton. In fact, from the Iron Sand of Taranaki the most valuable iron of commerce can be made. It is not generally known, even in the iron trade, that England imports annually about five thousand tons of iron at the high price I have named. This fact I ascertained after no little perseverance, time and trouble. From the year 1844 to the year 1856 (twelve years), I devoted more or less of my time and money in developing and endeavouring to bring into use this valuable article of commerce, —Taranaki Iron Sand, and had it not been for the great wrong I sustained by the passing of the Land Orders and Scrip Act of 1856, as is clearly shown in my letter to Governor Gore Browne, of the 21st September, 1857, and my letter to yourself of the 13th July, 1866, there cannot bo a just doubt but that I should have obtained the grant of the beach, giving me a right to collect the sand and to erect smelting works and foundry, as was the avowed object of my returning to New Plymouth, together with the construction of a harbour at the Sugar Loaves. I now, therefore, earnestly solicit your kind interposition in this my case, and I trust that you ■will be pleased to make known the whole of the facts elucidating my claim upon the Taranaki Iron Sand to the Honorable the House of Representatives. I have, &c, The Hon. E. W. Stafford, Colonial Secretary. Fred. A. Carrington. No. 4. Copy of a Letter from Mr. Gisboene to Mr. F. A. Caerington. (No. 651.) Colonial Secretary's Office, Slß,— Wellington, 29th August, 186 G. Referring to your letter of the 14th instant, I have the honor, by direction of Mr. Stafford, to inform you that, in accordance with the request made in that letter, copies of the correspondence relative to your claim in connection with the Taranaki Iron Sand, will be laid on the table of the House of Representatives. I have, &c, W. Gisborne, E. A. Carrington, Esq., New Plymouth. Under Secretary.

4

CORRESPONDENCE RELATIVE TO TARANAKI IRON SAND.