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No. 59. 15 Featherston Street, Wellington, 3rd September, 1907. Sir, — Re Leases of the Mokau-Mohakatino Blocks Nos. If, Ig, 2h, and lj. Referring to my letter to you of the 22nd ultimo, offering to sell the above property to the Government, I wou.d direct your attention to the iact that the offer was made in response to repeated requests from Mr. Barron that the property should be submitted to you so soon as it was legally vested in the executors of Mr. VVickliam .blowers (deceased), and also in response to your request made to Mr. Jennings, M.H.R. Not having received your decision in this matter, and as my time here is limited, I beg to inlorm you that I must now take other steps to realize the property. I have, <fee, The Hon. Minister of Lands, Wellington. H. Kemp-Welch.

No. 60. Office of the Minister of Lands, Wellington, 3rd September, 1907. Dear Sir, — Re Mokau Leases. I beg to acknowledge receipt of your letter of to-day's date. The decision ot the Government in connection with this matter was forwarded to you prior to the receipt of your communication. The matter was before the Crown iSoLcnors, and the reply is based upon their advice. 1 note your statement in the concluding sentences of your letter that you are now taking other steps to realize the property. Yours faithfully, Mr. H. Kemp-Welch, 15 Featherston Street, Wellington. Robert -Vlc^Nab.

No. 61. Sir, — Commercial Club Buildings, Victoria Street, Wellington, 14th May, 1908. Mr. Joshua Jones, of Mokau, having returned to New Zealand, is anxious, after many years of stress and turmoil, to end his time in peace, and has appointed me his confidential representative to approach you with a view to your Government acquiring the 50,000 acres in his estate, including all minerals, coal, timber, hydraulic limestone, chalk, &c. He is willing to accept valuation or sell at a fixed sum of £150,000, taking in payment a sum of £50,000, and the balance in Government debentures. Ihe unexpired lease is about thirty-five years, but this could readily be converted into a freehold for the Crown, and Mr. Jones is willing to give his services to make this acquisition at a price which he is quite satisfied your Government would appreciate. The land tor twenty-six miles is fronting a tidal river, and at the south-eastern corner of the block the railway (Main Trunk, Stratford-Kawakawa) runs within four miles. The alleged liability upon the property is £20,000. This Mr. Jones will himself arrange to liquidate, and i.s prepared to leave a sufficient sum with jour Government as a guarantee that this will be adjusted. J his liability, however, will be reduced (should accounts be called for) to between £5,000 and £6,000, and he will satisfy you that he can arrange these matters to your own and his satisfaction. As a matter of fact, he has an offer from the creditors to accept practically any settlement I will be glad if you will kindly give me the opportunity to wait upon you in re this matter, and also to arrange for Mr. Jones to meet you at your convenience to discuss all points in connection therewith. Thanking you, sir, in anticipation of your favourable consideration of the foregoing, I have, &c, Right Hon. Sir J. G. Ward, Prime Minister, Wellington. A. R. Hislop.

No. 62. Dear Sir, — Prime Minister's Office, Wellington. I am in receipt of your letter of the 14th May, in which you advise me that Mr. Joshua Jones, of Mokau, has appointed you his confidential representative to approach me with a view to the Government acquiring the 50,000 acres in his estate. In reply I have to say that I note the position regarding this estate, and, while 1 should be very glad to see you, I am sorry that, owing to my having to leave Wellington on Monday morning, it was not possible for me to give you an interview for some little time. However, I have sent pour letter to the Hon. Mr. McNab, and I would suggest that you see him and explain the business, so that he can bring it before me immediately upon niy return. Yours faithfully, J. G. W.AT?n. (Received Head Office, Lands and Survey, 4th June, 1908.) Saw Mr. Hislop and explained position as described by Solicitor-General. R. McXab. A. R. Hislop, Esq.. P.O. Box 21, G.P.0., Wellington. 2/6/08.