CORRESPONDENCE BETWEEN MR. BUSBY

D.—No. 24.

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4. A first selection of land in pieces of not less than 1,000 acres from the following blocks, viz. : — Mokau ... ... ... ... ... ... 5,000 acres Piako 8,000 „ Mata Mata ... ... ... .... ... 3,000 „ 16,000 acres £8,000 5. Parnell allotments ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 1,025 6. Land to be selected in pieces of not less than 500 acres, from the Tokatoka Block at Kaipara, from the Block at Wangarei, and from the Bay of Islands, in all 5,550 acres ... ... ... ... ... ... .'.. 2,775 % . £36,800 James Busby.

No. 2. Copy of a Letter from Mr. J. Busby to the Hon. E. W. Stafford. Sic,— Wellington, 16th June, 1869. Eeferring to my letter of the 10th instant, and the scheme of settlement therein proposed, I have the honor to inform you that in addition to Messrs. Clark and Macffarlane, the following Auckland Members have authorized me to use their names as agreeing to the proposed compromise, which they consider reasonable and fair to the Province, viz., Messrs. Ball, Earmer, Carleton, Swan, and Eussell. These seven form a majority of the Eepresentatives of the Province of Auckland, exclusive of the Superintendent and Members of his Executive Council. Other Members have expressed themselves as favourable to the scheme so far as regards myself, but object to it as considering that the Colony and not the Province should be held liable. I have, &c, The Hon. the Colonial Secretary. James Busby.

No. 3. Copy of a Letter from Mr. J. Busby to the Hon. W. Eox. g IE Wellington, Ist July, 1869. I trust you will excuse my anxiety that your Government should give its early attention to my case, and deal with it with as little delay as possible. I have the honor to refer you to my letters of the 10th and 16th ultimo, by which you will perceive that a compromise was suggested by two of the Auckland Members of the House of Eepresentatives which was subsequently agreed to by five others. May I be allowed to suggest that the proposed compromise should form the basis of a Bill to provide for the settlement of the claim in cash or debentures. The difficulty which stood in the way of a settlement last Session of providing the means out of Provincial funds being now removed by the increase of the revenue of the Province of Auckland, which was so great that the whole sum awarded for special damage might be paid out of the excess of the revenue during the last December and March quarters over the corresponding quarters of the previous year, and leave a balance of about £7,000 in favour of the Province. I have, &c, The Hon. W. Fox, Colonial Secretary. James Busby.

No. 4. Copy of a Letter from the Hon. W. Gisbokne to Mr. J. Busby. ("No 510 ) Colonial Secretary's Office, Sic,— Wellington, 6th July, 1869. I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the Ist instant, referring to your land claims, and to state that the Government will offer no objection to the adoption of a compromise of the kind mentioned by you, provided that compromise be agreed to by His Honor the Superintendent of the Province of Auckland, and a majority of the Members of the House of Representatives from Auckland. I have, &c, "VV. GrISBOEJjTE James Busby, Esq., Wellington. (for the Colonial Secretary).

No. 5. Copy of a Letter from Mr. J. Busby to the Hon. W. Fox. Sib,— Wellington, Bth July, 1869. I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 6th instant informing me that " the Government will offer no objection to the adoption of a compromise of the kind mentioned by me, provided that compromise be agreed to by His Honor tho Superintendent of the Province of Auckland and a majority of the Members of the House of Eepresentatives from Auckland." I beg to say that' unless the influence of the Government should prevail to bring about such an agreement, so far as regards the Superintendent, there is no hope of its being effected; as it