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dated the 22nd February. This latter memo, was sent for the express purpose ot drawing alien tion to the special proposals embodied in the reports upon Runs 42, 40', and 40, and the hnai portion of that memo, discloses my reason for so doing, which 1 considered was necessary in face of the agitation that existed as evidenced b> correspondence appearing in the papers. The .Minister's decisions, as conveyed in your memo, of the sth March, were announced to the Land Board on the 13th idem, and in drawing up the several notices tl was . tat certain matters required further explanation, and in the ease of .no. 4a the subdivision for closer settlement was undeistood to refer to the six portions as proposed by me V'aluei and recommended b) the Land Board; but in order to make sure that such was the intention, 1 made a note upon the letter to the following ellec With regard lo Small brazing-run 43 1 intended bringing this point to the notice of the Under-Secretary for Lands on his expected visit on the 11th instant, so that notice had better be held in abeyance meanwhile. 1 brought this matter before you accordingly, explaining my reason for so doing, and you remarked that 1 was right in mj opinion, and you then noted against that portion of the Valuer's report bearing upon that particular proviso the words " Yes. Do this," and initialled same, meaning that the Valuer's proposals were approved as stated. 1 then Mictions for the notice to go forward accordingly (as 1 left for Waikare at daylight the next morning;, and that explains how it was that my signature was not attached to the letter. particulars were given in my letter of the Ist instant. SVith reference to your remarks that the above notice was cancelled by the subsequent action of the Board, tin irrect, Mr. Black having made formal applii rehearing, at which he adduced reasons which the Board considered sufficient lo warrant Ihe recommendation conveyed to you in my memo. No. 24u I J / 142 of the 20th June last. As you say, Mr. Black, in asking for a reconsideration of the case, induced the Boarrescind the previous resolution, consequently the notice hrst given was therein cancelled. 1 have, however, stated the facts relating thereto. I enclose a copy of Mr. R. G. Black's last letter to me upon the subject. IIUNIIY Trent, Commissioner of Crown Lauds. Gisborne, 3rd September, 1908. Dear Sir, — Small Grating-run So. 4-i> Waingaromia. 1 have to acknowledge your letter ol the 19th August, informing me that " it has been finally decided that a renewal of the lease cannot be granted to you 1 have also your previous letter of the 14th May, 1908, in which you were good enough to inform me of the Board's earlier determination, and in terms thereof to offer me part (9UO acres; of the run for renewal. This letter and offer 1 understood, and still claim, to be a determination by the Board an offer made within its jurisdiction conferred by section 2U9 of the Act of 1885. My time tor election to accept or refuse the offer does not, 1 think, lapse until the term of my original lease is within three months of expiry. 1 prefer to take further time for consideration before exercising my election, as 1 am not without hope that an approved method of dealing with run more equitable to me as tenant may yet be found by your Board which would justify me in waiving any rights I may have under the determination and offer intimated to me in May. Yours, Sec., The Commissioner of Croxvn Lands, Napier. Robert G. Black.

Department of Lauds, Wellington, 14th September, 11)08. The Hon. the Minister of Lands. Small Grating-run No. Waingaromia Survey District (R. G. Black). In compliance with the instructions contained in your memorandum of the Bth instant, the Commissioner of Crown Lands, Napier, has been requested to explain the circumstances under xvhich Mr. Black was notified of the approval of the Board and yourself, and the accompanying letter of the 10th instant gives the Commissioner's statement. The explanation is an excessively lame one, as the Commissioner had no authority to make the statement contained in his letter of the 14th May to Mr. Black that you had " approved the recommendation of the Land Board that a lease of portion of the above holding, containing about 900 acres, be offered to you for a further term of twenty-one years," &c. As I stated in my memorandum lo you of the 4th instant, your approval of the first resolution of the Board was to the effect that Run 43 xvas to be subdivided for close settlement, and disposed of under the optional system. The Commissioner appears to have ignored, and continues to ignore, the fact that the Land Board rescinded its resolution of February, 1908, and verbally advised Mr. Black's father that his son would be recommended for a renewal of the whole area of his lease. No written notice was ever sent to Mr. Black of the rescinding of the former resolution of the Board, or of the fact that your approval was only as regards the subdivision of the run for closer settlement until apparently by the Commissioner's lettei of the 19th August, tin Commissioner contends that the verbal notice to Mr. Black's father at the Land Board meeting was sufficient notice to the son. Wm. C. Kensington, Under-Secretary. Under-Secretary.—ln view of the mistaken meaning given to my memo, of 4/3/1908. and Mr. Black's application for preference over one- of the three subdivisions, ascertain whether one of the areas of about 900 acres or thereabouts could be given him as a small grazing-run, and the other two put up on the optional tenure. —R. McNab. 14/9/1908.