D.—s

10

in connection with their being landed on the block, and my own inspection, with the Chief Surveyor and Mr. Macfarlane, I have forwarded through the Immigration Officer. I propose, if possible, sending down the first shipment of West Coast settlers early in January, so as to get the work of the settlement fairly started and available during this summer. In connection with the first start of the settlement, it will, I think, be necessary that the Government should provide a small stock of tools and provisions, but I expect the competition of ordinary traders will soon render this unnecessary. As the formation of the settlement proceeds, there will doubtless be many matters arising which will require careful consideration, but in the meantime I think all has been done to insure its successful commencement. It will, however, be now desirable that no time should be lost in getting a start made in the introduction of immigrants, as it will be an advantage to have as many as possible located during the summer months. I have, &c., Jas. A. Bonae, The Hon. the Minister for Immigration, Wellington. Superintendent.

Enclosure 1 in No. 20. Heads of Pboposed Ageeement between the Goteenment of the Colony, the Colonial Teeasueeb, and the Supeeintendent of Westland. 1. In accordance with the provisions of section 7 of "The Provincial Public Works Advances Act, 1874," a sum of not exceeding £20,000 shall be advanced to the Province of Westland, for the purpose of settling and locating immigrants and others on the block of land hereafter mentioned. 2. £12,000 of the above sum has been appropriated by the General Assembly, and is available for the purposes aforesaid, and such sum shall be paid and issued to the province in such manner and at such time as the Minister for Immigration shall direct. The balance of the above sum of £20,000 shall only be available on appropriation by the General Assembly, and shall be subject thereto. 3. For the purposes of carrying this agreement into effect, the Government shall appoint the Superintendent to be Government Agent, and he shall act under the direction of the Minister for Immigration: Provided that if the person now holding the office of Superintendent shall cease to hold such office, the Government shall not be bound to appoint his successor as such Government Agent. 4. The number, class, and description of persons to be settled, and the time and manner of their location, shall be determined from time to time by the Minister for Immigration on consultation with the Government Agent. 5. The block of land to be settled shall consist of that tract of country in the Province of Westland extending from Jackson's Bay on the south to the Haast River on the north, and estimated to contain upwards of 60,000 acres; but the limits of the block may be increased or diminished upon agreement between the parties hereto, and such block shall be set apart for the purposes of settlement under this agreement. 6. The Government Agent shall cause such surveys of the block to be made as may be necessary to facilitate settlement, and at such time as may be considered expedient. Regulations shall from time to time be made for the sale, disposal, and occupation of the land to such settlers; but all persons who may be located in the settlement by the Government Agent prior to the making of such regulations, shall be deemed to be entitled to select land under such regulations, unless any other agreement has been made with them. The expenses of such survey shall be borne by the province, except to the extent of £2,000, which shall be advanced out of the moneys available as aforesaid for the purpose of making such surveys. But no part of this money shall be payable to the ordinary survey staff of this province, but only for special assistance. 7. The regulations so to be made shall provide, among other things, as follows: — The lands shall be divided into town lands, suburban lands, and rural lands. Towns shall be divided into allotments of | acre each. Suburban and rural lands shall be divided into sections of such convenient size as may be determined, according to the class of land. Reserves may be made by the Governor for the purposes of the Government of the colony or of the province, for railways, tramways, wharves, decks, quays, and ferries ; for churches, schools, and for the endowment of schools ; for hospitals and charitable institutions ; for municipal purposes, markets, recreation grounds ; and generally for any purpose of public convenience or utility. Such reserves may be withdrawn, and the purposes for which made changed in such manner as may be provided by the regulations. 8. Until the making of such regulations, the Government Agent shall do all things necessary for surveying such parts of the settlement as may be considered fitted for settlement; and from time to time may, with the consent of the Governor, make temporary reserves for all or any such purposes as aforesaid. He may also employ such person or persons as he thinks fit to assist in the management of the settlement, and in the location of settlers therein, and may make such terms aud agreements with any such person or persons as he may think fit. In order to encourage the expenditure of capital, he may also, subject to the consent of the Minister for Immigration, make such agreements with persons willing to erect saw-mills in the settlement, or to engage in the construction of public works, providing for the lease of lands to such persons, or for the granting of such other privileges or concessions as he shall deem likely to promote speedy settlement. 9. It is agreed between the Colonial Treasurer and the Superintendent, that the moneys advanced under the authority of the said Act shall be repaid as follows : — One-half the gross proceeds of the receipts from the sale and disposal of lands in the settlement shall from time to time be deducted and retained by the Government, towards paying back advances made.