TO A GRANT OF LAND.

5

G.—No. 15.

No. 14. Mr. W. Seed to Major Jackson. (No. 2,458.) Colonial Defence Office, Sir,— Auckland, 19th October, 1564. I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 17th instant, on the subject of grants of hind to men who served in the corps of Forest Rangers under your command. In reply, I am directed by the Minister for Colonial Defence to inform you, that the men of the old company, who took their discharge, and have not joined the existing company of Forest Rangers are not entitled to land. I have, Ac, Major Jackson, Commanding Forest Rangers, William Seed. Auckland.

No. 15. Major Jackson to the Hon. T. Russell. Sir, — Auckland, Bth November, 1564. I have the honor to state that on the 6th plugust, 1863, I received instructions from you to raise a corps of men for the purpose of following up the Natives in the bush, in a manner described by His Excellency the Governor in conversation I had with him that morning. The conversation was with reference to the duties to be performed by the corps, and the remuneration they were to get for the service they might render. The men were to have each a grant of land, and to any man who might distinguish himself, a special grant. With reference to myself, I was given io understand that I should have a large grant of good land, and, to prevent any mistake, I specially drew His Excellency and Mr. Russell's attention to the question. The words I made use of were, '" That by following up the Natives, I ran a great risk of being killed, and that His Excellency must not think I wished to show any disrespect to him if I spoke rather plain, as I thought a fair understanding then would save a great deal of unpleasantness afterwards." I also made use of the following words : " You" (meaning His Excellency and Mr. Russell) "say you will give me land ; I may therefore tell you, that it is not for the pay, neither am I anxious to get a name, but that if I get through, 1 shall expect a lump of good land." The words His Excellency said were, "We do not wish to bind ourselves too tight, but I will give you not merely a lump, but a large slice in the choicest part of Waikato; I will settle you down in Rangiawhia." And on the strength of those words I raised the company which was known as the Forest Rangers. His Excellency also said he thought the war would be over in three or four months. Mr. Russell instructed me to swear in the men only for three mouths. Tho men were particular about the land, which was promised to them without any condition, it being merely called the ordinary grant. I may also state that the men were disbanded at the end of three months ; also that they did all the work required of them, which was sometimes of a very harassing nature, being almost continually in the bush day and night in a wet winter. Hoping you will give the subject your early attention, so that the land may be set apart for our benefit, I have, Ac, The Hon. Thomas Russell, AVm. Jackson, Major, Defence Minister. Commanding Forest Rangers.

No. 16. Mr. J. Botd to the Hon. T. Russell. Sir, — Sheppard's Bush, 11th November, 1864. AVould you be kind enough to inform me the best steps to pursue, in order to secure the land which I am entitled to for my service in Major Jackson's first company of Forest Rangers ? You would confer a great favour oil Your humble Servant, The lion. Mr. Russell. James Botd.

No. 17. Minute by the Hon. T. Russell. Reply.—That the Government recognize the claim of Major Jackson and his men to a grant of good land, in accordance with His Excellency's promise, made to Major Jackson in August, 1863. State that the Government think Major Jackson and his men should be located at Rangiawhia; but, as the present Government retire from office in a few days, they can do nothing more than recognize the claim he prefers. 15th November, 1864. T. Russell. [Letter No. 2,541, 16th November, 1864.]

No. 18. Mr. AY. Seed to Major Jackson. (No. 2,541.) Colonial Defence Office, Sir, — Auckland, 10th November, 1564. I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the Bth instant, in which you request that land may be set apart for yourself and the company of Forest Rangers that you raised in 2