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H.—loa

In testimony whereof we have caused this our grant to be sealed with the seal of our Province of New Ulster. Witness our trusty and well-beloved Sir George Grey, K.C.8., Governor and Com-mander-in-Chief of our said province and its dependencies, at Government House, Auckland, in the fourteenth year of our reign, and in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and fifty. G. Geby.

Copy of Minute made by Late Undeb-Secbetaey for Public Wobks, and laid before Minister. (Put in by Mr. Brewer as a testimonial.) This is the usual arrangement made with Mr. Brewer for land-purchasing on the sections of the line from Wanganui northwards. He is a very successful negotiator, and has had to resist some exorbitant claims, in which the result has been very favourable to the Government. He is considered, a valuable officer by the department. I recommend approval.

Deab Sib,— 17, Scherffs Buildings, 23rd September, 1885* Be adjustment of value of lease of and of land at Parnell recently taken by the Government, the value of money being at 6 per cent, per annum: The view I take of the matter is that you purchase the land of the Trustees for £6,000, and that the Government have to pay you (exclusive of difference of value by reason of its position) for their one-fourth thereof —namely, £1,500. Then you pay the Trustees the present value of £17 per annum for forty-eight [sic] =£266;'and the present value of the purchase-money (£6,000) at the date of the expiry of your lease—namely, forty-eight years, = £366 = £632. This is the simplest method of settlement. Yours, &c, G. S. Kissling, Esq. J. Waymouth. My fee, 10s. 6d.

My Deab Sib, — Bank of New Zealand, Auckland, 6th November, 1885. Eeferring to your letter of this date and to our subsequent interview on the subject of compensation to me for the portion of my property taken for a fort at Eesolution Point, I beg to submit the following : The amount of compensation (£1,950) offered me for my interest in the lease of the portion taken I consider inadequate, but I am prepared to accept £1,750 and a freehold of the balance not taken, I having to settle the claim with the Trustees for the value of their freehold interest. By this means the Government will save £200 if I were to accept your present offer, which I am not disposed to do. Yours, &c, H. M. Brewer, Esq.- G. S. Kissling. If the above plan is adopted the land will, of course, have to be taken under the Public W'orks Act, and the balance conveyed to me.—G. S. K.

Memohandum for G. S. Kissling, Esq., Bank of New Zealand, Auckland. In answer to yours of the 20th November, 1885, I beg to inform you that, on behalf of the Government, I accept the conditions of settlement proposed by you in that letter. The Proclamation taking the land is now out, and I trust the matter will soon be finally completed. H. M. Beewee, Public Works Office, Auckland, 14th January, 1886. • Land-purchase Officer.

Deab Sin, — Auckland, 19th November, 1885. The Government are taking, under the Public Works Act, the whole of the property now occupied by me at Point Eesolution. It is therefore necessary to ascertain how the compensation is to be divided between us. With this view I shall feel obliged if you will inform me by what process you would prefer to have the present value of your freehold interest ascertained. Yours, &c, W. S. Cochrane, Esq., Secretary, Church Trust Property. G. S. Kissling.

W. S. Cochrane, Esq., Secretary, General Trust Board. lie land required for battery at Point Eesolution : I am directed by the Hon. the Defence Minister to state that it is proposed to take the whole of the land at present in. the occupation of Mr. G. S. Kissling. The land being let for such a long term to that gentleman at a nominal rental, the principal part of the compensation will be awarded him. As, however, the Government wish your Board to be treated with every consideration, I am requested to state that the sum of £632 will be awarded for your interest. Will you please let me know at your earliest convenience if you accept this ■offer, so that arrangements can be made for paying over the money. If you do not accept it the case will have to go to the Supreme Court. H. M. Beewee, 20th November, 1885. Land-purchase Officer.

Dear Sir, — Auckland, 20th November, 1885. Beferring to our conversation this morning, I now beg to state what I understand to be the position of our negotiations with regard to Point Besolution. The Government have taken the whole of my property, for which they are to pay £6,000 for freehold and leasehold interest. Of this sum lam to receive £5,368, and the Trustees £632 = £6,000. The Government undertake to hand me back as a freehold the portion of my property not required by them—say, about three acres—for which I pay them £4,250. The total cost of compensation to the Goverpment will therefore be £1,750. Should it be found in settling with the Trustees that the 9—H. 10a.