A.—No. 23

6

SURVEY OF NATIVE LANDS PROVINCE OF WELLINGTON.

paid to the Province for the year ending December 31st, 1868, and that for the future an annual subsidy of £1,000 should be granted for the trigonometrical survey, &c, of Native lands, as proposed by Mr. Jackson in his memorandum on Mr. Heale's letters, a communication to which I beg particularly to call the attention of the Government. I am not sure if any such suggestions and recommendations as I have made come within the scope of my duties as referee, but as the whole question has been placed before me in a general manner, I have thought it proper to make them. Practically my decision will remain unaffected, whether the Government adopt the course I propose or not, so far as the past is concerned, provided the total amount awarded is paid over to the Provincial Government. Amount claimed by Province : — £ s. d. To December 31st, 1866 ... ... ... ... ... 850 19 8 Copying plans, 67 ... ... ... ... ... ... 200 0 0 Part Salary of Chief Surveyor ... ... ... ... 100 0 0 Stationery, &c. ... ... ... ... ... ... 10 0 0 Expenses allowed, 1868 ... ... ... ... ... 752 0 0 £1,912 19 8 Amount awarded to end of last year, 31st December, 1868, being the total sum to which I think the Province is entitled, taking all the circumstances into consideration ... ... ... £1,482 0 0 The effect of my award is to strike off the sum of £430 19s. Bd. from the amount claimed by the Province, and I am of opinion that the balance, being £1,482, should be paid over to the Provincial Government of Wellington, in full of all demands for survey work performed for the Colony up to the 31st December, 1868. I have, Ac, To the Honorable the Colonial Treasurer, Robert Piiaeazy*-. Wellington.

Memoeandxtm. This award is defective in one particular : it does not say anything as to the costs of reference. 25th January, 1869. J. Woodward. I have no remarks to make. The award goes beyond the commission, but it does not appear desirable to take exception. The charges were last year made local. 19th February, 18G9. J. C. Richmond.

No. 4. The Hon. E. W. Stafford to His Honor I. E. Featiierstctn'. Colonial Secretary's Office, Sib,— Wellington, 2nd March, 1869. I have the honor to enclose a copy of the award of Mr. Robert Pharazyn on the claims (submitted to him) of the Provincial Government of Wellington on account of certain surveys of Native lands in that Province. As expenses of this kind are paid in other Provinces as provincial charges, and as the General Assembly has provided no other funds out of which such payments can be made, the amount awarded, £1,482, can only bo now paid on the understanding that the question will be submitted to the Legislature next Session, with whom it will rest to decide whether this charge shall ultimately be borne by the Colony or the Province concerned. I have, &c, His Honor the Superintendent, Wellington. E. W. Stafford.

No. 5. His Honor I. E. Featheeston to the Hon. E. W. Stafford. Superintendent's Office, Sib— Wellington, 3rd March, 1869. I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 2nd instant, enclosing a copy of the award of Mr. Robert Pharazyn on the claims (submitted to him) of the Provincial Government of Wellington on account of certain surveys of Native lands, and intimating that the amount awarded, £1,452, can only be now paid on the understanding that the question will be submitted to the Legislature next Session, with whom it will rest to decide whether this charge shall ultimately be borne by the Colony or the Province. After this intimation of the intention of the Government, I presume the amount will be paid to the Provincial Treasurer without further delay. I have, &c, The Hon. E. W. Stafford. I. E. Featiieeston, Superintendent. The award in question to be paid to the Provincial Government of Wellington so soon as the Superintendent signs a receipt, specifying that the General Legislature is to determine whether the amount is to be charged provincially or otherwise. E. W. Stafford. Mr. Batkin will present the receipt in the above form when the Superintendent applies for the money. 10th May, 1869. E. W. S.