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Wellington, 18th September, 1886. Do not return papers about opening land on deferred payment at Hukerenui until surveyor has reported. Ask surveyor, through Mr. Percy Smith, to see the County Chairman, Mr. R. Thompson, on the subject, if he can conveniently do so. H. J. H. Eeiott.

The Hon. the Minister of Lands, Wellington. Whangarei, 20th October, 1886. Reply to your telegram of 18th September, re Hukerenui: I regret that no further steps appear to have been taken to open this block for settlement under the deferred-payment system. R. Thompson, County Chairman.

R. Thompson, Esq., County Chairman, Whangarei. 21st October, 1886. I will make inquiry as to delay respecting land at Hukerenui which you want opened on deferred payments. Did surveyor see you, as promised in telegram of 18th September ? H. J. H. Eliott.

The Commissioner of Crown Lands, Auckland. 21st October, 1886. Befebbing to my telegram, 18th September, about opening land at Hukerenui on deferred payment : What has been done in matter —was surveyor instructed to communicate with Mr. Thompson, County Chairman ? H. J. H. Eliott.

The Under-Secretary of Crown Lands, Wellington. Auckland, 22nd October, 1886. Plan and report on Hukerenui lands will be posted to you to-morrow. Surveyor did not see Mr. Thompson, who lives at a great distance from Hukerenui, D. A. Tole, Commissioner of Crown Lands.

The Under-Secretary, Crown Lands, Wellington. 26th October, 1886. I foewaed to you the attached memorandum, in which is embodied the surveyor's report on the nature and quality of the soil in that portion of the Hukerenui Block referred to in Mr. Thompson's application. It could be seen that the land as a whole is characterized as unsuited for settlement on deferred payments. It has been withheld from sale for some time past in the belief that some portion of it would be required for railway purposes. The land in Block IX. (shaded red) is land of excellent quality, and well suited for settlement. D. A. Tole, Commissioner of Crown Lands.

Memorandum re Lands for Deferred Payment, Hukerenui Survey District. In reference to the above, I have obtained some information as to the lands, which leads me to believe that it is scarcely suited to deferred-payment purposes, inasmuch as it is stated to be so wet that settlers could not live on it. There is, however, a narrow strip of good land along the banks of the Waiotu and Wairua, which has probably induced settlers to apply for it; but, as the road must go along this, a considerable portion will be thereby absorbed. You will remember that these lands have been withheld from sale on account of railway, but this objection would not possibly have force to the same extent in leaseholds. If, however, Government are anxious to let settlers have the land on deferred payment, then, no doubt, a selection of scattered sections of 320 acres to 100 acres could be laid out, taking in the most suitable lands within the area edged blue on the map. It is stated that Block IX. is much more suitable for settlement on any system; the land is fairly good, moderately level or undulating, and covered with bush, a good deal of which contains kauri or totara. The swamp lands in Hukerenui cannot be made available until an obstruction is removed in the Wairua Eiver, estimated to cost £40,000. S. Percy Smith, Assistant Surveyor-General.

The Minister of Lands, Wellington. Whangarei, 3rd November, 1886. Please inform me if any steps are being taken to open the Hukerenui for settlers under deferredpayment system. I regret that applicants should have been so cruelly treated by Government. R. Thompson, County Chairman.

R. Thompson, Esq., County Chairman, Whangarei. Wellington, Bth November, 1886. Fbom reports which I have received, it appears Hukerenui Swamp is not suitable for settlement, as settlers could not live on the land. I am informed that there is only a narrow strip of good land along the banks of the Waiotu and Wairua Rivers, but, as the road must go along this, a considerable portion of the land will be absorbed. I regret you should think that due consideration has not been given to this matter; but no time has been lost in obtaining a report upon the swamp, and that you have been kept informed of what was being done. J. Ballance.

g IEj General Crown Lands Office, Wellington, Bth November, 1886. Adverting to my letter, No. 891, of the 27th August last, relative to your application for a block of land in the Hukerenui District, to be opened either on the homestead or deferredpayment systems, I have now the honour, by direction of the Minister of Lands, to inform you that a report upon the land in question has been received from the Survey Department, by which it appears that it is unsuited for settlement on the deferred-payment system, being so wet that settlers could not live on it. The narrow strip of good land along the banks of the Waiotu and Wairua would be required for a road, which would absorb a considerable portion of it. I have, &c, H. J. H. Eliott, E. Thompson, Esq., County Chairman, Whangarei. Under-Secretary.