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The unsurveyed lands are unsuited for settlement; indeed, the larger portion is very broken, precipitous mountains, good for nothing but the firewood on them. The average per acre will thus come out on the whole between 335. and 345. per acre. S. Percy Smith, The Commissioner of Crown Lands, Auckland. Chief Surveyor.

No. 10. The Commissioner of Crown Lands, Auckland, to the Hon. the Attorney-General. Sir,— Auckland, Bth October, 1880. I have the honor to forward, for your information, the accompanying copy of a letter from Captain Steele, in which, on behalf of Messrs. Grant and Foster, he signifies his acceptance of the terms and conditions transmitted to you in my letter of yesterday's date relative to the proposed sale of a part of the Te Aroha Block as a special settlement for a party of Lincolnshire farmers. Tou will, however, observe that he stipulates that such acceptance is to be regarded as conditional upon the extinguishment, by the Government, of Mr. T. Eussell's claim; and he asks that a written assurance to that effect may be given to him. I have, &c, D. A. Tole, The Hon. the Attorney-General. Commissioner of Crown Lands.

Enclosure in No. 10. Captain W. Steele to the Commissioner of Crown Lands, Auckland. Sir, — Auckland Club, Bth October, 1880. ' I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 7th instant, covering resolutions passed at a special meeting of the Waste Lands Board, called to consider certain modified conditions proposed by me, on behalf of Messrs. Grant and Poster, for the purchase of a portion of the Te Aroha Block, containing 17,600 acres. I beg to say that, as agent for Messrs. Grant and Poster, I accept the terms and conditions as stated in your communication, on the understanding that Mr. Eussell's claim be extinguished ; and I am anxious to receive your written assurance to that effect. As a number of settlers may shortly be expected to arrive here for the purpose of settling upon the above-named block, I beg to express a hope that no time be lost in settling Mr. Eussell's claim, so as to prevent disappointment or obstacle to the occupation of the land upon their arrival in the colony. I may add that I have telegraphed to my principals the acceptance of the Waste Lands Board's proposals. I cannot conclude without expressing my sincere thanks to you personally, and through you to the members of the Waste Lands Board, for the courtesy, patience, and. consideration shown to me in this matter. I have, &c, W. Steele, D. A. Tole, Esq., Commissioner Waste Lands, Auckland. ' Agent for Grant and Foster.

No. 11. The Surveyor-General to the Chief Surveyor, Auckland. (Telegram.) Wellington, 19th October, 1880. Grant and Poster have telegraphed from London that Eussell's claims are preventing their dealing with the land they want. Mr. Eolleston hopes you will put work of inquiring into those claims before all other. J. McKerrow, The Chief Surveyor, Auckland. Surveyor-General.

No. 12. The Surveyor-General to the Chief Surveyor, Auckland. (Telegram.) Wellington, 19th October, 1880. Hon. Mr. Eolleston earnestly wishes you to report on Eussell's claim as soon as possible, as Grant and Poster are telegraphing from London complaining of delay. Papers were sent to Auckland by "TeAnau." J. McKerrow. The Chief Surveyor, Auckland.

No. 13. The Chief Surveyor, Auckland, to the Surveyor-General. (Telegram.) Auckland, 20th October, 1880. Re Russell's claim to Te Aroha, have already commenced by sending out for certain information. The Surveyor-General, Wellington. S. Percy Smith.

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