C—No. 4a,

18

REPORTS ON THE

No. 26. Mr. E. Phabazyn to the Seceetaet for Cbown Lands. (No. 225-72.) Sie, — Confiscated Lands Office, Wanganui, 13th July, 1872. I have the honor to forward a copy of a memorial from the Manutahi settlers requesting that an extension of time may be granted to them for the purchase of their ten-acre sections at £2 per acre. I strongly recommend that this request be acceded to. The ten-acre settlements at Hawera and Manutahi were originally established by the Hon. Mr. Fox. To get over the difficulty of selling any part of the Railway Eeserve, caused by clause 26 of the old Eesulations, clause 37 of the amended Regulations of June Ist, 1871, was framed. Under this clause most of the Hawera sections have been sold within the period of one year, which I had recommended should be allowed, and which was approved by the Colonial Secretary. Owing to various causes, most of the Manutahi sections are still held on lease with a right of purchase during the period of seven years, at a price to be fixed by the G-overnment. What I now want is the authority of the Colonial Secretary to sell these sections during the ensuing six months at £2 per acre. I have, &c, EOBEET PHARAZYN, The Secretary for Crown Lands, Wellington. Commissioner of Confiscated Lands.

No. 27. Mr. E. Phaeazyn to the Seceetaet for Ceown Lands. (No. 264.-72.) Sir, — Confiscated Lands Office, Wanganui, 24th August, 1872. In accordance with instructions contained in your telegram, No. 371, August 22, 1872, I have the honor to forward a copy of the proposed subdivision for sale of the Whenuakura Block, made by Mr. Lomax, in order to save the time of the survey staff. I also forward the notice and schedule of sale for gazetting, as required by clause 10 of the Regulations. The date of sale has been carefully arranged to suit public convenience, and I recommend that it be adhered to. The sections are priced according to estimated value, on the Surveyor's report. The blank space on plan between Carlyle and sections 21, 23, and 24, is intended to be divided into suburban sections at some future time ; but as much of the land in this locality is swampy —though it could be easily drained —I agree with the District Surveyor, Mr. Williams, that it is not advisable to delay the sale of the rest of the block till this is surveyed. For the same reason, if it is determined to adhere to the present mode of disposing of the confiscated lands, it would, I think be unwise to delay giving the necessary Gazette notice till a perfect plan is produced. I adopted the course now proposed in the case of a private sale of land belonging to myself, which was surveyed by Mr. Williams, with satisfactory results, and no inconvenience whatever arose from the advertised area of sections not being precisely identical with that finally calculated. It would, I think, be worth while to have a few lithograph copies of the plan sent to the various local offices, together with the usual extract from the Gazette, and the sale should bo advertised here as on the last occasion, partly in full and partly by reference to the Gazette notices posted up. If this is left to my discretion, a saving will be effected. I have, &c., EOBEET PHAEAZYN, The Secretary for Crown Lands, Wellington. Commissioner of Confiscated Lands.

No. 28. Mehoeandum for the Hon. the Pkemiee. (No. 299-72.) Me. Cakeington, M.H.8., informs me that he proposes to exercise his scrip issued under the Carrington Land Grant Act in the Whenuakura Block. He maintains his right to tender his scrip and to receive its value in land, as per Gazette notice attached. I hold that he must compete at auction or use his scrip after the land has been put up and passed, and has become open for sale without auction, under clause 22 of the Confiscated Lands Regulations. As this is a question of law, and one which may arise in other cases (see the McGregor and Others Compensation Bill), I think the Attorney-General's opinion should be taken upon it, and that I should be instructed how to act. I have, &c, EOBEET PIIAEAZYIT, Wellington, 27th September, 1872. Commissioner of Confiscated Land s.

No. 29. Memoeandtjm for the Hon. the Peemiee. (No. 298-72.) Eefereing to the interview I had with you on Saturday last and to-day, from which I gather that it is in contemplation to withdraw the land gazetted for sale on the 25th instant, with the view of restoring it to the Natives in pursuance of pledges made to the Legislature re confiscated lands, I think it my