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No. 11. The Hon. G. M. O'Koeke to Mr. G. V. Stewaet. Sib, — General Government Office, Auckland, 22nd May, 1874. I beg to return herewith the Superintendent's letter to you of the 13th instant, and to inform you that, as I have intimated in previous letters I must refer you to His Honor for a settlement of the matter of setting apart a suitable block of land for your immigrants. I have, &c, G. V. Stewart, Esq., Auckland. . G. Maueice O'Eoeke.

No. 12. Mr. W. Kelly to the Hon. the Peemiee. (Telegram.) Auckland, 21st May, 1874. Self, Morris, and Johnston, M.P.C.'s, waited upon Superintendent yesterday, requested him to carry out arrangement with Stewart for Kati Kati Block, Tauranga. He replied Kati Kati lands not handed over to province yet. When handed over he would endeavour to make arrangements with Stewart. He has no objection to General Government dealing with him direct. lam greatly afraid that he is not inclined to give Tauranga lands to Stewart if handed over to him. I would therefore strongly urge the advisability of General Government dealing with Stewart at once, and get population to the district. The Provincial and General Government may want their assistance presently. Stewart prefers dealing with the General Government. Whatever arrangements entered into by Agent-General, on behalf of General Government, with Stewart, should be strictly carried out, and no obstacle thrown in his way. The Hon. the Premier, Wellington. William Kelly.

No. 13. The Hon. the Peemiee to Mr. Keht. (Telegram.) Wellington, 22nd May, 1874. When I saw you in Auckland I told you we were considering plan for throwing Tauranga blocks open to settlement. I explained outline, and understood you approved. After very great trouble, Dr. Pollen finally arranged terms with Superintendent, and they are being prepared for proclamation. I believe they would be of great advantage to the district, and that to delay them would be a public loss. I have no faith in Mr. Stewart's eiforts. It is true that in July last the Agent-General wrote to him that the Government would give him a right of selection over the whole lands of the Province of Auckland, whether General or Provincial. In the same letter this was modified by the sentence, "If the Superintendent is unable to set apart first-rate land from the provincial territory, then the General Government will be ready to grant land for the purpose at Tauranga, on the East Coast." In September the Agent-General enclosed a new and extraordinary project of Mr. Stewart's, which he wrote, " will show the Government that Mr. Stewart is not prepared to carry out the original proposal." In October the original project seems to have been revived, for Dr. Featherston wrote to Mr. Stewart stating certain terms ; but Mr. Stewart seems to have taken no advantage of them, and later in the month to have arranged with the Agent-General for a passage to and from New Zealand. In the Agent-General's introductory letter to the Superintendent in December, he wrote, " On discovering that little or no progress was being made with the scheme, and that not a single family had actually pledged itself to join in it, I adopted the course suggested by Mr. Gillies, and offered to defray the cost of Mr. Stewart's passage to and from the colony." It seems to me, therefore, that even if Mr. Stewart had an implied right to Tauranga land, it was ended, by the fact that his efforts were entirely fruitless. I confess to having no faith in Mr. Stewart's success, and the terms of a circular about his proposed settlement which he addressed to Orange Lodges convinced me that if any arrangement is made with Mr. Stewart, the details will have to be carefully elaborated. Having made these explanations, I have to add that I recognize you represent the district, and that I shall be prepared to attach much weight to your advice. There are three courses open —1. To leave Mr. Stewart to return home, and if he can organize a party, to let him make arrangements with the AgentGeneral ; suitable land to be provided when the immigrants are really coming. 2. To hand over the land to the Superintendent, leaving him to make arrangements with Mr. Stewart; the General Government to be free from all responsibility therewith. 3. To reserve the Tauranga land from sale until Mr. Stewart reaches home and makes arrangements with the Agent-General satisfactory to the latter, instructions to be sent (which Mr. Stewart would see) to the Agent-General as to the nature of the stipulations which on this side we think necessary. You are at liberty to show this telegram. W. Kelly, Esq., Auckland. Julius Vogel.

No. 14 The Hon. the Peemiee to His Honor the Supeeintehdent, Auckland. (Telegram.) Wellington, 22nd May, 1874. I foewakd to your Honor attached copy of telegram from Mr. Kelly, and of my reply to him. I understand that your Honor has expressed willingness that the General Government should act in the matter, but I should be glad to receive any remarks of your Honor upon the subject, or, if you think it desirable, the opinion of the Provincial Council. His Honor the Superintendent, Auckland. Julius Vogel.

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