SETTLEMENT OF CONFISCATED LANDS.

17 C—No.

17

Secondly, as to the utility of my office. —The enclosed statement will show that at the very lowest estimate the "General Government have on the West Coast an estate of 200,000 acres, which may be indefinitely increased by purchases which Mr. Worgan and Mr. Parris are authorized to make. The same reasons which two years ago rendered it necessary to employ some one to manage it loaally,* still exist, but with increasing force, as the Native claims which have hitherto so hampered all my proceedings are being rapidly extinguished. At the same time the surveys have approached a stage at which they will become reproductive, and a host of small but, to the persons affected by them, important questions, are constantly being settled in consequence. In short, if this office is abolished, the old state of confusion will again occur; what is done will not be done either well or quickly, and much of what has been done will be wasted. In my opinion, the true way to effect a saving is to give me larger powers than I have at present, to settle each question as it arises. To save the salaries of myself and clerk, and other contingent expenses connected with this office, amounting in the whole to less than £550 per annum, is very false economy unless it can bo shown that what is done in this office can be better done elsewhere. While saying this, I am fully aware that very much more might be done with the lands under my charge than has been done, but for this I am not responsible, as will be proved by reference to my reports, &c, noted in the margin, and by the whole course of my correspondence with the Government. Looking at the subject as impartially as I can, I fail to see that any advantage would arise from making a change in the management of the confiscated lands of this district, unless it be in tho direction indicated in my letter of the 24th of January, 1872, and fully discussed with the Secretary for Crown Lands, who is in possession of my ideas on the whole land question. I have, &c, EOBEET PhaEAZTK", Commissioner of Confiscated Lands. P.S.—Most of my minutes are in Crown Lands Office Eecords. —E. P. Memorandum on Area of the Confiscated Lands, West Coast District. Acres. Between Waitotara and Wairoa Streams, seaward of military settlers' land, surveyed ready for sectional survey. Mr. Worgan proposes to satisfy floating Native claims out of this if necessary ... ... ... ... ... ■•• ••■ 9,000 Between Wairoa Stream and the Whenuakura. (Of this 2,500 is surveyed for Hawke's Bay military settlers; this was selected at my office on Ist May.) ... ... 8,000 Whenuakura Block, in course of survey and partly divided into sections ... ... 8,000 Eailway Eeserve, kept for Immigration purposes ... ... ... ... 12,000 By scalcing new map, there is in the Province of Wellington, inland of military settlements, bush land ... ... ... ... ... ••• •-• 35,000 Ditto, Province of Taranaki to the Waingongoro Eiver, bush chiefly ... ... 140,000 Total 212,000 EOBEET PIIAEAZYJC, Confiscated Lands Office, Wanganui, Commissioner of Confiscated Lands. 28th May, 1872.

No. 3/70, May 20, 1870. To Sec. Crown Landa. Wo. 15/70, May 28,1870. To Sec. Crown Lands. WoTSO/TOTMay 31, 1870. To Hon. W. Fox. NoT2B/70, June 7, 1870. To Sec. Crown Lands. No. 44/70, June 16,1870. To Sec. Crown Lands. No. 62/70, July 6, 1870. To Hon. D. McLean. N07~99/70, Sept. 12,1870. To Sec. Crown Lands. No. 125/70, Nor^ 14, 1870. To Hon. W. Fox. No. 200/71, Sept. 7, 1871. To Sec. Crown Lands.

No. 25. Mr. It. Pharaztn to the Seceetaey for Ceowk Lands. (No. 193-72.) g IE Confiscated Lands Office, Wanganui, Bin June, 1872. I have had an application from a Mr. Wells, a settler at Patea, for " protection " in the event of his discovering coal in that district; and he also wishes to know if the Government is prepared to offer a " bonus" for any such discovery. I informed Mr. "Wells that I have no power under the regulations to grant the protection asked for, and I am not aware that any bonus can be claimed, but that I would refer the matter to the Government. Prom the geological formation of the district, there is every probability that coal exists in it, and I have reason to believe that a largo quantity of brown coal or lignite has actually been found by Mr. Wells, or persons with whom ho is associated. Under these circumstances I would suggest that I be empowered to promise Mr. Wells a right of purchase (on terms similar to the provisions contained in clause 23 of the Ecgulations) over 100 acres of land, if within twelve months from the date at which he claims protection on the score of having discovered coal or any similar deposit, he produces not less than 100 tons of marketable fuel. In view of the railway which is likely to be constructed between New Plymouth and Wanganui, and of the whole question connected with the Immigration and Public Works policy, tho subject is one which is well worthy the consideration of the Government. I have, &c, BOBEJJT PIIAEAZTN, The Secretary for Crown Lands, Wellington. Commissioner of Confiscated Lands. * See Mr. Fox's memorandum for the Colonial Secretary, Gth April, 1870, offering me tho appointment of Commissioner of Confiscated Lands. —R. Phaeazyn. 5