L—4

26

" The Superintendent accordingly had an interview with the Hon. the Minister for Public Works on the subject about the 3rd of April, and gave him all the information required. " Oswald Cuetis, Superintendent." Eegarding the prospecting license granted to Mr. Albert Walker, your Committee finds that Mr. Walker applied for 6,720 acres, by letter, dated Auckland, March 7th, 1873. His application was granted for sis months by the Waste Lands Board, March 19th. On the 28th March, the Westport Coal and Eailway Committee telegraphed to the Superintendent, recommending "that no further rights be granted over coal fields in the district, in view of pending arrangements with the General Government relative to the construction of a railway from Westport to Ngakawau. On the 28th March, a letter was received from the Warden at Westport, enclosing a letter from Messrs. McLeod and Organ, apprising the Government of the discovery of coal at Waimangaroa, and applying for grants of land in that neighbourhood, and other rights to enable them to construct a railway. The Warden, in his letter, remarks " that should the coal beds turn out to be extensive and easily workable, its situation would render it highly important, being nearly on the proposed line to Ngakawau, and only half the distance." On the 7th April, the Warden also telegraphed to the Superintendent, "With reference to applications for coal prospecting licenses in the district, I would suggest for your consideration whether it would not be better to refuse all such, and grant only leases to such parties as are prepared to take and work them. I fear that prospecting licenses will injuriously lock up ground and hinder others from doing anything." No record appears of Messrs. Organ and McLeod's application having been dealt with by the Waste Lands Board until June 3rd. On the 24th April, the Waste Lands Board considered the application made by Mr. Albert Walker, in a letter dated Auckland, March 25th, in which he inquires the result of his former application, asks what he will have to pay, and requests that the time of his prospecting license be exteuded to twelve months ; the extension asked for was granted, and a license was subsequently issued, dated April Ist, having a currency of twelve months, comprising 6,720 acres of the reserve, including the Waimangaroa. At the same meeting the following applications for prospecting licenses enclosed by the Warden at Westport on March 28, were suspended in consequence of a telegram from the Westport Coal and Eailway Committee, dated March 28: —■ Mulholland and others, G4O acres, Waimangaroa. Eochc and others, 1,200 acres, Waimangaroa. Martin and Findt, 1,200 acres, south of Mount Eochfort. Tl:e refusal of the Board to entertain the above application for part of the reserve already awarded to Mr. Walker appears strange, considering that not only was the land already disposed of, but the Board had at the same meeting conceded an extension of rights to Mr. AValker, thereby practically disregarding the spirit and letter of the Westport Committee's recommendation. This has been attributed by the Superintendent and the Commissioner of Crown Lands to the Waste Lands Board, supposing that Mr. Walker's license included only the table land upon the Mount Eochfort plateau. The following resolution, passed by the Waste Lands Board, June 3, 1873, may, if acted on, prevent Mr. Walker from claiming any advantage derivable through the exertions of those who have discovered coal in quantities at Waimangaroa, where a seam is now being proved at the expense of the Colony: — " That the Board granted a prospecting license to Mr. Albert AValker on the 19th March, with the understanding that any application made by him for a lease would be upon the table land of the Mount Eochfort range, and they will not include in any lease which may be granted to Mr. AValker any of the small portion of land within the area of his prospecting license which extends beyond the western edge of the table land." In conclusion, your Committee recommends the following resolutions for your adoption:— 1. " In the opinion of this Council it is desirable that no further rights or privileges should be granted over any portion of the Mouut Eochfort Coal Field without the concurrence of the General Government, pending their decision as to the construction of the railway from AVestport." 2. " That, in the event of any contingency arising to prevent the General Government proceeding with the Mount Eochfort Coal Field Eailway, the Provincial Government should then make arrangements either with private persons or with a public company for the construction of the railway and other works necessary for the adequate development of the Coal Field." 3. " That the important matters intrusted to tho Waste Land Boards make it desirable that the number of members of tho Board should be increased to five." E. J. O'Conoe, Nelson, June 12, 1873. Chairman.

Mekoeanduh of Applications for portions of the Buller Ecservc and .adjoining Country not in force on June 13th, 1873. June 26, 1872, T. J. Jones, Mohikinui, CIO acres. March 1,1873, A. Beetham, Ngakawau, G4O acres. Granted March 19; withdrawn by letter from Mr. Dobson, dated April 24. March 8, 1873, T. Field and others, Ngakawau, CIO acres. Refused by the Waste Lands Board, 19th March, 1573. April 1, 1873, Mulhollaud and others, Waimangaroa, 640 acres. April 1, 1873, Martin and Findt, Paparoa, 1,200 acres. April 12, 1873, E. Eoche and Co., AVaimangaroa, 1,280 acres. The consideration of these three applications was deferred at the request of a Committee at "Westport, on April 24th. April 24th, 1873, A. Beethain, Ngakawau, 040 acres. Eeuewal of former application by letter from Mr. Dobson, dated April 24th. McLeod and Organ, Waimangaroa. Grant for construction of a railway to WaimaDgaroa. Considered by the Board on June 3rd.