33

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No. 167.

(Telegram.) Auckland, 20th April, 1880. L. Cltssen, Esq., District Surveyor, Hamilton. —Chief Surveyor wires : " Engage a competent assistant, and push on with trig, survey, so as to produce speedily a sketch-map of proclaimed Patetere District for purpose of Native Land Court." —W. C. Kensington (for C. S.). No. 168. The Hon. the Native Ministee to Mr. S. P. Smith. Auckland, 28th April, 1880. Memorandum to S. PercY Smith, Esq., Chief Surveyor, Auckland —Some months since, thinking that the peace of the country might be endangered if the private surveys then going on, and the survey of Government blocks about to be commenced, were further prosecuted, I directed you not to authorize survey-parties to carry on their operations in the part of the Waikato country known as Patetere. I am now satisfied that such danger, if it ever existed, exists no longer; and have therefore to remove the restriction which I then imposed on surveying the proclaimed portion of the Patetere. 1 have no objection to the line being taken at some distance from the Waikato Eiver, if by that ineaus obstruction can be avoided. —John Bbyce. No. 169. (Telegram.) Auckland, 28th April, 1880. Distbtct Sueveyoe, Hamilton. —Hold yourself in readiness to carry out former arrangements re Patetere surveys. When I wire authority from Hon. Mr. Bryce to start, employ an assistant to put up stations. —W. C. Kensington (for C. S.). No. 170. (Telegram.) Auckland, 28th April, 18S0. O. M. Creagh, Esq., surveyor, Cambridge.—Hon. Native Minister has authorized the Patetere surveys being proceeded with. You are at liberty to resume yours at your earliest opportunity, in terms of the authority received from Mr. Smith. —W. C. Kensington (for D. I. of S.). No. 171. (Telegram.) Auckland, 29th April, 1880. Hon. Mb. Bbyce, New Plymouth. —There seems to be an understanding amongst the various persons interested in Patetere that you do not intend that D. I. S. should absolutely prohibit the subdivision surveys being proceeded with, but that they should not bo adjudicated upon until the Government survey is before the Native Land Court. I have been applied to by Messrs. Graham and Williams for authority to proceed with such subdivision surveys; but in the face of your memo, must refuse all surveys and plans within the district.—Wm. C. Kensington, Deputy Inspector, Surveys. No. 172. (Telegram.) New Plymouth, 2nd May, 1880. W. C. Kknsington (for Chief Surveyor,' Survey Department, Auckland). —You are quite right. Private surveys are not to go on at present —at all events, within the proclaimed block at Patetere. The limitation alluded to in my hastily-pencilled minute before leaving Auckland referred to my previous instructions that a strip might be left along the Waikato Eiver if by that means obstruction could be avoided. —John Bbyce. No. 173. (Telegram.) Auckland, 30th April, 1880. W. A. Gbaham, surveyor, Hamilton.—Hon. Mr. Bryce refuses permission for any survevs within proclaimed boundary of Patetere until Government block is before Native Land Court. This is final. It is now your interest to get Cussen's survey pushed on with all speed. —W. C. Kensington (for D.I. S.). No. 174. (Telegram.) Auckland, Ist May, 1880. Hon. Me. Beyce, Hawera.—Certain unauthorized surveys within the proclaimed Patetere Block, the plans of which are completed, have been presented to me for approval, for purpose of hearing at the Native Land Court, which, as a matter of course, I refuse to receive. Chief Judge raises the question as to whether your prohibition extends to plans of surveys already made. Messrs. Sheehan and Whitaker say that it does not, and that such plans ought to be received by this office, and approved for hearing. Kindly instruct me in this matter, as so much hangs upon the decision. —W. C. Kensington (for D. I. S.). No. 175. (Telegram.) New Plymouth, 2nd May, 1880. W. C. Kensington, Esq. (for D. I. S.), Auckland.—Private surveys within the proclaimed Patetere Block are not to be authorized at present. —John Bbyce. 5— G. 1.