5

D.—s

for occupation, fell a part of bush, &c, and, by the spring, be in a position to go upon their sections. The timber now supplied them will be their own property, and can be removed to their holdings. To enable this plan to be carried out, I am having portions of the block taken for settlement by the Proclamation of the 19th November last surveyed into sections, and now enclose a tracing of the same. This work is nearly completed, so that the land will be ready for apportioning on the. arrival of the immigrants. The cost of the survey will be about £4 10s. to £5 a section. The sections are chiefly laid out abutting on two lines of road (branch roads), which were first carefully laid out, and which connect the present main road through the Seventy-Mile Bush with the tramway line. One of these roads, the one nearest the Mangata-wainui river, has been made out of provincial funds, so that all the sections along it can be occupied at once. The other line I propose to open with the labour of the immigrants, and shall have to expend a portion of the vote for locating immigrants upon the work, unless the Public Works Department can provide for it. That explains, I think, the steps I have taken for providing for the " Fritz Reuter" immigrants. I shall be much obliged if you will be good enough to arrange with the Minister for Public Works for the employment of these people upon the tramway work. 1 should propose that they be employed for the first two weeks at day work, clearing the line, and after that that the work be let out to parties by the piece. It will be necessary to provide for taking the people and their baggage to the Seventy-Mile Bush, and also in some way for rationing them for a short time after their arrival there, during which time they will be occupied in getting up shelter for themselves, and not earning money. I should propose to pay for rations for them for say three weeks, the cost to be repaid and added to the cost of the land. From the experience of the Norsewood and Danevirk settlements, I am sure this is necessary, and that without some provision of the kind no trader would supply them with food. I think I have now stated the principal points that occur to me in connection with this subject, and as the vessel may arrive at any time, I shall be glad if you will inform me, as early as you conveniently can, how far you approve what I propose doing. I need not, I feel sure, press upon you the importance, for the successful carrying out of the Public Works and Immigration scheme, of actual settlement upon land, and I only regret that the urgent demand for labour has prevented more being done in this direction. I have, &c, J. D. Oemond, Tho Hon. the Minister for Immigration, Wellington. Superintendent

No. 11. The Hon. the Ministee for Immigbation to His Honor the Supeeintendent, Napier. (No. 55.) Sib, — Immigration Office, Wellington, 15th March, 1875. I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 9th instant, relative to the location and employment of the Scandinavian immigrants expected shortly to arrive by the " Fritz Reuter," to which I replied briefly in general terms this day by telegraph. 2. The Government entirely approve the proposals submitted to me by your Honor with regard to the location of tho immigrants upon arrival and ultimate settlement upon the block adjoining Norsewood, which was taken under the Immigration and Public Works Act by Proclamation dated 16th November last. The Regulations of 24th November, which appear in the Gazette of 3rd December, 1874, apply to this and two other blocks as well as to Norsewood, so that there need not be any delay in carrying out your wishes with regard to this settlement. 3. Upon the subject of the employment of the immigrants, I have conferred with the Minister for Public Works, and he will be prepared to employ upon the tramway as many as can profitably be employed upon the work. Mr. Carruthers and Mr. Knorpp leave for Napier by steamer to-day, and will confer with your Honor as to the necessary arrangements. 4. With regard to the construction of the branch road upon which the sections of the block referred to above abut, the Public Works Department will not be able to provide for the work. The expense will therefore have to bo charged to the Hawke's Bay vote for tho location of settlers. I have, &c, His Honor the Superintendent, Napier. H. A. Atkinson.

No. 12. The Geneeal Goveenment Agent, Napier, to the Hon. the Ministee for Immigbation. General Government Agent's Office, Sic, — Napier, Bth April, 1875. I have the honor to enclose copy of a letter from Mr. Friberg, reporting the arrival, at the Seventy-Mile Bush, of the "Fritz Reuter" immigrants. The people are at present in tents, but will be hutted as soon as the timber is cut. Work on the tramway was ready for the men on their arrival, and lam glad to learn from Mr. Beere, the engineer in charge, that they are working well. The survey of the land on which they are to be located is finished, and, as soon as the plan is completed, I propose to have them draw for order of selection. The single men and single women by the " Fritz Reuter" have all found employment, as also did some married tradesmen, who were unsuited for the work at the Seventy-Mile Bush. When the tramway on which the " Fritz Reuter" people are employed is completed and connected