2

D.—4

Conditions upon which a Contract may be entered into for the Formation and Encouragement of a Special Settlement, under Sections 63 and 66 of " The Taranaki Waste Lands Act, 1874." The block to be cut up into fifty sections of 100 acres'each, and to include the whole frontage to the main road on the eastern side thereof, between the Manganui and Piakau Streams, and to extend thence towards the East by a leading road, as far as level land suitable for small farms can be obtained ; the sections to be laid out on each side of the said road, but if sufficient suitable land cannot be obtained in such a direction, side roads to be laid off to accommodate sections off the leading road; the price per acre to be one pound (£1), to be paid as follows : A deposit of 10 per cent, six months from the date of the Contractor being furnished with a large scale tracing of the block, the survey having been completed ; 10 per cent, two years after payment of the deposit; and further payments of 10 per cent, each at intervals of twelve months thereafter, until the full amount of 20s. per acre shall be completed. The Contractor shall expend two thousand pounds (£2,000) upon the construction of roads through the block, one part of which shall be paid at the time of tho payment of the deposit, the other at the end of twelvemonths from that date, and shall undertake to furnish names of purchasers of each section within twelve months from payment of deposit. No person to take up more than 200 acres, with the exception of 400 acres which the Contractor proposes to reserve for himself. A title to issue to purchasers in their own names on completion of payments and fulfilment of these conditions, but, as a protection to the Contractor, no title to be issued without his consent being first given. The Contractor to bo allowed to claim, either for himself or owners of sections, immediate titles to any section or sections upon paying up balance of purchase-money on such section or sections ; provided that no title shall be so claimed until the Board shall be satisfied that £250 has been expended upon the roads, and that titles shall only be claimed at the rate of 100 acres for every £50 actually expended upon roads. No education or other reserves, except a school site or school sites, to abut upon the leading road through the block, unless same be at extreme end of said road. Boads to be first surveyed, after which Commissioner of Crown Lands, Chief Surveyor, and the Contractor to decide manner of laying off sections, &c. An agreement embodying these conditions to be prepared and signed with as little delay as possible. A. Ceaceoet Fookes.

No. 2. The Seceetaey for Ceown Lands to the Commissionee of Ceown Lands, New Plymouth. Sic, — General Crown Lands Office, Wellington, 3rd September, 1877. With reference to your letter of the 26th July, forwarding resolution of the Waste Lands Board, recommending that a block of 5,000 acres of land be set apart as a special settlement at the instance of Mr. A. C. Fookes, I am directed by the Hon. the Secretary for Crown Lands to inform you that no objection will be made to the formation of the proposed settlement, provided that the conditions are made more explicit. This is especially the case with respect to the £2,000 to be spent on roads, in regard to which it must be provided that the money be paid over either to the Waste Lands Board or the Road Board for expenditure on the roads agreed upon by Mr. Fookes. £1,000 to be deposited at the time of completing the survey, and the other moiety at the expiration of twelve months from the time of the first payment. I have, &c., The Commissioner of Crown Lands, New Plymouth. • J. Giles.

No. 3. Memo, from the Undee Seceetaey for Ceown Lands, Wellington, to the Commissionee of Ceown Lands, Taranaki. Fookes's Settlement. Wellington, 25th October, 1876. I eoewaed draft contract for approval of the Waste Lands Board, and shall be obliged by your returning it as soon as possible with any alterations, omissions, or additions which the Board may wish to have made. The Order in Council, which will be published at the same time as the Proclamation setting aside the land, will set forth the terms or conditions agreed upon, and will therefore have to stand over until the return of this draft. J. Giles.

No. 4. The Commissionee o£ Ceown Lands, Taranaki, to the Undee Seceetaey for Ceown Lands, Wellington. Sic, — Crown Lands Office, Taranaki, 7th November, 1877. I have the honor to transmit the draft copy of contract between His Excellency the Governor and Mr. A. C. Fookes, forwarded with your memorandum No. 2329, of 25th ultimo, as amended by the Taranaki Waste Lands Board; also copy of a resolution passed by that body at the meeting held on Monday, the sth instant, approving of the contract as amended, and copy of a letter from Mr. A. C. Fookes, which I was directed by the Board to forward. I have, &c, The Under Secretary for Crown Lands, C. D. Whitcombe, Wellington. Commissioner of Crown Lands.

Sub-enclosure to Enclosure 2 in No. 1.