C—No. 4a,

14

REPORTS ON THE

No. 18. Mr. E. Piiaeazyn to the Secbetaky for Ceown Lands. (No. 58-72.) Sie,- — Confiscated Lands Office, Wanganui, 21st February, 1872. Since the appointment of Mr. Worgan as Native Commissioner, the services of a draftsman at the Patea Survey Office are more than ever required, both to facilitate the settlement of Native claims, and the getting of land into the market in the most speedy and economical manner. I have therefore the honor to request that Captain Wray's offer (made through Mr. Williams, a copy of whose letter I enclose) be accepted, and that he bo paid at the rate of £100 a year as draftsman, in addition to his present salary. A similar proposal was made to Mr. Cooper on the 3rd June last, in reply to a telegram from him; but as certain contemplated work was not carried out, it was found possible to do without a regular draftsman up to this time, and the matter remained in abeyance, though I ascertained that Colonel Gorton—in whose department Captain Wray is employed as sub-storekeeper at Patea—had no objection to the appointment being made. Captain Wray may bo thoroughly depended upon to carry out anything he undertakes ; and as a judicious combination of offices is in accord with the policy of tho Government, I trust that tho proposal, which I make in conjunction with the Native Commissioner, Mr. Worgan, will meet with its approval. I have, &c, BOBEET PhaEAZYN", The Secretary for Crown Lands, Wellington. Commissioner of Confiscated Lands.

No. 19. Mr. R. Phaeazyn to the Hon. the Native Mikisteb. (No. 07-72.) Sie, — Confiscated Lands Office, "VVanganui, 29th February, 1872. In accordance with instructions contained in your memorandum of marginal number and date (No. 966, New Plymouth, 23rd February, 1872), I have the honor to inform you that the Haw era settlers were originally allowed to occupy the ten-acre sections under an arrangement made by the Hon. Mr. Fox, " on a lease for seven years with a right of purchase or valuation during or at the end of the term," at an annual rental of Is. per acre. The assertion that Mr. Fox's " promise " has been " cancelled" by the Gazette notice is incorrect, for the simple reason that no such promise was ever made. On the sth of May, 1870, soon after my appointment as Commissioner, I attended a meeting of the Hawera settlers, at which an unanimous opinion was expressed that it was unfair to the occupants to leave the price of their sections to be fixed by the Government at a time when they might be greatly increased in value. I agreed with them, and promised to endeavour to obtain for them the right to purchase at £2 per acre. On my return to "Wellington, I saw the Secretary for Crown Lands (Mr. Domett) on the subject. After a good deal of discussion, it was finally decided to allow the settlers on the ten-acre lots at Hawera and Manutahi to purchase the whole of their allotments at £2 per acre, provided they exercised this right within twelve months from the date at which a new regulation, under which this privilege could be granted, was gazetted. Failing the exercise of this right, Mr. Fox's original arrangement was to hold good. A letter to the above effect was addressed to the officers in command at the two posts above mentioned, with the request that its contents should be communicated to the persons interested. Oil the Ist June, 1871, the new regulation alluded to was gazetted, and during the last few months several sections have been purchased under it, occupation and improvement being in all cases insisted upon. It will bo seen from the above that the Hawera settlers have really nothing to complain of, as those who prefer to abide by the original agreement can do so, while those who wish to purchase have tho option of doing this at a price of £2 per acre. I have, &c, EoBEET PIIABAZTN", The Hon. the Native Minister, Wellington. Commissioner of Confiscated Lands.

No. 20. Mr. E. Phaeazyn to the Hon. the Minister for Public Woeks. (No. 81-72.) Sir,— Confiscated Lands Office, Wauganui, 9th March, 1872. As requested by the Under Secretary for Public Works, in his telegram of the 7th March, 1872,1 have the honor to report as follows, on the suitability of the Railway Keserve for settlement : — As I have already stated in my telegram of the Bth instant, in reply to that above noted, the Bailway Keserve consists of a narrow strip of country having an average breadth of half a mile and a length of forty, its furthest point being about sixty miles from Wangauui. Its acreage is about 12,000, and of this 10,000 consists of excellent level or rolling land fit for the plough. The soil is of excellent quality, rather light and loamy, and free from timber, of which, however, there is plenty in the neighbourhood. The original vegetation consists of fern and tutu, which is being rapidly displaced by clover. I should fix the upset price of this land at £2 per acre—the highest allowed by the regulations —were it for sale, and it would probably sell for more, in parts at any rate.