CORRESPONDENCE RELATIVE TO BUILDINGS AND LAND IN NEW ZEALAND THE PROPERTY OF THE WAR DEPARTMENT.

Appendix to the Journals of the House of Representatives, 1870 Session I, D-41

D.—No. 41.

CORRESPONDENCE RELATIVE TO BUILDINGS AND LAND IN NEW ZEALAND THE PROPERTY OF THE WAR DEPARTMENT.

PRESENTED TO BOTH HOUSES OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY, BY COMMAND OF HIS EXCELLENCY. WELLINGTON. 1870.

D.—No. 41

No. 1. Governor Sir G. F. Bowen, G.C.M.G., to the Bight Hon. Earl Geantille, K.G. (No 21.) Government House, Auckland, My Loed— New Zealand, 12th February, 1870. With reference to previous correspondence on the same subject, I am requested by my Responsible Advisers to transmit herewith, and to recommend to favourable consideration, the enclosed Ministerial memorandum respecting the proposed sale of certain small allotments of land (amounting in the whole to less than four acres) situated within the grounds of the barracks at Auckland and Wellington, of which Her Majesty's Government have ordered the transfer to this Colony on the final removal of the Imperial troops. 2. The Commandant in New Zealand (Colonel Elliot, of the 18th Boyal Irish Regiment,) has suspended the proposed sale by public competition of these allotments, pending the decision of the higher authorities. I have, &c, The Eight Hon. Earl Granville, K.G. G. F. Bowen.

Enclosure in No. 1. Memorandum by the Hon. D. McLean. Auckland, 7th January, 1870. His Excellency the Governor is respectfully requested to move General Sir Trevor Chute, pending reference to the Imperial authorities in England, to cause the advertisement relating to the disposal of certain allotments of land situate within the grounds of the Albert Barrack, Auckland, and of the Lower Mount Coolc Barracks, Wellington, to be withdrawn. The New Zealand Government will, if required, repay the original cost of the land, or make other equitable arrangements for its possession. It seems evident that had the special circumstances affecting the land in those barracks been known to the Imperial authorities, a mode of sale by which private persons might obtain possession of any of the allotments would not have been sanctioned. The public interest requires that the whole of the land within the barrack wall should come into the hands of the Colonial Government. Donald McLean. His Excellency the Governor.

No. 2. Copy of Advertisement. Auckland, 4th January, 1870. Sealed Tenders, in duplicate, will be received at this office until noon of Monday, 31st January, 1870, from persons desirous of purchasing the undermentioned pieces of land, viz.: — Albert Barracks, Auckland, Section 13. No. I.—l rood 5 perches. No. 2.—35 perches. No. 10.—1 rood, with small cottage thereon. No. 11. —36 perches, ditto. Mount Cook Barracks, Wellington. One-third of acre No. 84, situated on west side of upper barracks. One-third of acre No. 85, ditto. Acre No. 226} Adjoining each other, with frontage to Buckle Street, with the Imperial GovernAcre No. 223 ) ment buildings thereon. The highest or any tender not necessarily accepted. Further information can be obtained at the office of the Commanding Engineer, Albert Barracks, Auckland. Barracks, Auckland, Commissariat, N.Z. Feancis Innes, D.A.C.G.

No. 3. Memorandum by the Hon. D. McLean. General Government Offices, Auckland, 23rd March, 1870. With reference to Lieutenant-Colonel Elliot's letter to His Excellency, of the 22nd instant, stating that he is prepared to hand over the Albert Barracks on Friday next, the Defence Minister requests

CORRESPONDENCE RELATIVE TO WAR DEPARTMENT PROPERTY IN NEW ZEALAND.

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WAR DEPARTMENT PROPERTY IN NEW ZEALAND.

that His Excellency will be good enough to name Major Tisdall, Acting Colonial Storekeeper, Auckland, as the officer appointed to take over the property on behalf of the Colonial Government. The Government are prepared to guarantee the payment of the sum of one shilling per annum^for each of the allotments in the Albert Barracks originally purchased by the Imperial Government, pending the receipt by Lieutenant-Colonel Elliot of definite instructions from the War Office. Lieutenant-Colonel Elliot's letter is herewith returned to His Excellency. Donald McLean. His Excellency the Governor.

No. 4. The Right Hon. Earl Geanville to Governor Sir G. F. Bowen, G.C.M.G. (No. 45.) Sib,— Downing Street, 9th May, 1870. With reference to your Despatch No. 21, of 12th February, enclosing a memorandum from your Ministers respecting the proposed sale of certain small allotments of land within the grounds of the barracks at Wellington and Auckland, I transmit to you a copy of a letter from the War Office, with a copy of the answer which I caused to be returned to it, from which you will learn the course proposed to be taken by Her Majesty's Government on the subject of these allotments. I have, &c, Governor Sir G. F. Bowen, G.C.M.G. Geanyille.

Enclosure 1 in No. 4. Sir E. Lugabd to the Undeb Seceetaey of State, Colonial Office. (No. 2-628.) Sib,— War Office, 23rd April, 1870. With reference to the letter from this office of the 31st July, 1869, (New Zealand, 2-600,) and former correspondence, respecting the disposal of War Department property in New Zealand on the withdrawal of the Imperial troops from the Colony, I am directed by the Secretary of State for War to forward, for the information of Earl Granville, a copy of a communication addressed to the Officer Commanding the Troops by the Governor of New Zealand, intimating the desire of the Colonial Government to retain certain allotments at Auckland and Wellington, originally acquired by purchase by the War Department, and which, with the approval of the Treasury, it was proposed to dispose of to the best advantage, the proceeds to be paid into the Imperial Exchequer. It will be observed that the New Zealand Government has proposed to repay, if required, the original cost of the land, or make other equitable arrangements for its possession. At Auckland, the plots referred to are situate in the middle of the barrack enclosure, and under the representation that the public interest requires that the whole of the land within the barrack wall should come into the hands of the Colonial Government, Mr. Cardwell is disposed, although the property has been improved in value by the erection of buildings thereon, to comply with the request of the Colony to purchase the premises for the original cost of the sites. With respect to the plots at Mount Cook, Wellington, it would appear from the information in this office, that they are either altogether detached from the barrack enclosure or situate on the outside margin of the barrack premises ; buildings have moreover been erected on the detached portions, at a cost to the War Department of about £3,000. Under these circumstances, Mr. Cardwell is of opinion that if the Colonial Government require this property it should pay, for the land and buildings, a sum representing their present selling value. Before, however, making any communication on the subject to the local officers of this department. Mr. Cardwell desires to be informed whether Earl Granville concurs in the course proposed to be adopted. I have, &c, The Under Secretary of State, Colonial Office. Edwaed Luoaed.

Enclosure 2 in No. 4. The TJndee Seceetaey of State, Colonial Office, to the Under Seceetaby of State, War Office. Sib, — Downing Street, 9th May, 1870. I have laid before Earl Granville your letter of the 23rd ultimo, with its enclosures, respecting the application of the New Zealand Government to retain certain allotments of land at Wellington and Auckland, which had been originally purchased by the War Department. I am directed to express his Lordship's concurrence in the course proposed to be adopted with reference to these pieces of land. I have, &c, The Under Secretary of State, War Office. Feedeeic Rogers.