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Enclosure in No. 22. The Chief Suevetoe to His Honor the Supeeintendent, Westland. Sin, — Chief Surveyor's Office, Hokitika, 23rd January, 1875. I have the honor to inform you that the surveys at Jackson's Bay settlement are progressing satisfactorily on the whole. The town survey is completed, and I shall be able to submit map of it at return of next steamer from the settlement, The road survey from the bay to the Arawata, as well as the survey of the suburban sections, I did not find in as forward a state as I had reason to expect, owing to the survey of Smooth-Water Valley having been taken in hand by Mr. Browning, who was induced thus far to deviate from my instructions on finding a considerable extent (above 5,000 acres) of superior agricultural land in said valley. The survey of above road, and suburban sections is however now vigorously pushed forward ; and I do not think that the few weeks' survey in Smooth Water Valley will cause much inGonvenience to the settlers who have gone down by " Waipara," seeing they will be fully employed for a number of weeks at clearing General Government reserves for immigration barracks and depot, and erecting the same. By the time these works are completed, the suburban-section surveys will be sufficiently far advanced to enable them to make their selection. Tour Honor is aware that twenty-two immigrants went to Jackson's last week, and as many will leave for the settlement this week ; their families are proposed to be sent thither on a subsequent occasion. The order of work at which the men will be employed is as follows : — 1. Clearing reserves in town of Arawata. 2. Erecting twenty cottages and depot. 3. Road from site of proposed jetty towards Neil's Point. 4. Road from Neil's Point to Arawata River through suburban lands. 5. Jetty at Jackson's Bay. 6. Tramway bridge across Arawata River. In connection with the construction of road from Jackson's Bay to Neil's Point, a number of chains of stone wall will have to be erected, and to insure substantial work I purpose sending one of the tried Christchurch Road men to supervise that work as well as the blasting operations. The clearing through flat to Arawata River will be only 33 feet wide, and formation 10 feet. This is done under the supposition that either an ordinary tramway, or tram with iron rails, will be constructed. Should a road be decided upon, the clearing should be 1 chain, and the formation not less than 17 feet, equal to a 14-feet metalled road. As the construction of road or tramway from the bay to the flat land will occupy at least six months with the labour available, I have decided upon shortly setting a number of immigrants to clear and form road through flat country, so as to give access to sections with as little delay as possible. The steamer stayed at Jackson's Bay too short a time to admit of my doing all I intended to; the boats were all required for discharging cargo, and I had therefore no opportunity of taking soundings and finally fixing upon site for jetty. This work, however, is being attended to now, and plans and sections will be forwarded from Jackson's Bay by next steamer. A jetty is very much needed, and I would be glad to learn whether I might proceed with the construction of it soon, as in that case I purpose preparing plans, &c, at once. The store and eight of the cottages were taken to Jackson's on last week's trip, and the remaining twelve cottages will be sent there by next trip of the steamer. I have &c., Geehaed Mullee, His Honor the Superintendent, Province of Westland. Chief Surveyor.

No. 23. The Hou. the Ministee for Immigbation to His Honor the Supeeintendent, Westland. Sic, — Immigration Office, Wellington, sth February, 1875. I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letters of the numbers and dates quoted in the margin, having reference to the special settlement in Jackson's Bay, and to thank your Honor for the very full information afforded relative to the steps which have been taken towards starting the enterprise, and with which arrangements I beg to express my general approval. 2. The block of 60,000 acres, according to your request, will be taken under the Immigration and Public Works Acts, and the Proclamation will appear in the next issue of the Gazette. The Regulations forwarded by your Honor will be withheld from Gazette pending an intimation of your wish that they should be published. 3. With regard to the construction of the tramway, jetty, &c., with which you request authority to proceed, it will be necessary, considering the high price of labour, and that only £12,000 is available for all expenses connected with the settlement, that plans and specifications, and some reliable estimate of the cost should be prepared and submitted to me for the approval of the Public Works Department before I can decide upon authorizing any of the proposed works. 4. I would suggest to your Honor the advisability of not sending down more people at present to Jackson's Bay than are actually necessary. The scarcity of labour in Westland is so great that the removal of even a small number of efficient workmen from the settled districts where they are so urgently required will be severely felt, and must necessarily increase the cost and difficulty of carrying on the public works now in hand. 5. Copy of the correspondence with your Honor shall be forwarded to the Agent-General by the next mail, with instructions to give effect, as far as possible, to your wishes expressed therein. I have, &c, His Honor the Superintendent, Hokitika. H. A. Atkinson. 3-D. 5.

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