MESSAGE No. 9.

The Officer administering the Government transmits to the House of Representatives the Returns called for in a Resolution of the House, dated the 27th ultimo, requesting that a Return might be furnished " of the names of all persons who have purchased land in the Province of Nelson since the Proclamation of His Excellency Sir George Grey, of 4th March, 1853; the number of acres purchased by each person, and the amounts paid for the same, and •whether such payments were made in Land or Scrip; also, of all moneys paid in deposits for the purchase of land in the said Province tvhich is not yet completed. Also of the number of persons holding depasturing licenses in the said Province; the number of stock depastured under each license; and the amount paid for depasturing the same. With the exception of the first Return mentioned, which His Excellency regrets cannot be furnished without reference to the records of the Land Office at Nelson , but a Return is forwarded, shewing the number of acres sold from the date ot Sir George Grey's Proclamation to the 31st March last, and the amount paid, distinguishing the scrip from the money payments. a R. H. WYNYARD. Government House, Auckland, 30th June, 1855.