CROWN GRANTS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume I, Issue 309, 8 November 1864, Page 5

CROWN GRANTS.

To tlie Editor of the New Zealand Herat.d. gjj^—Some few days ago, I noticed an article in your paper, relative to the unnecessary delay persons are subjected to 111 conieqiionce of not being able to obtain their Crown grants for land, for -which they havo faithfully served and resided in the piovincc 111010 than the lawful time, which delay you most properlv state as arising through gross carelessness or negligence in the Waste Land or other offices, which may have to do with that particular subject. As if you were relating my particular case, you say : " A gentleman stated that he had frequently callec fjr his papers during t.l;c last twelve months, anc had been put off;'' such in truth is my case. Aboui five years ago, 1 retired from the army for the ex press purpose of settling in the Province of Auckland On arrival, I at once legistered my claim for 40( acres, which was duly entered. About twelve month; ago, I applied for my deed, when I was told by : clerk, that I should have them in n few days, I

hen obliged, through milifit duties, to proceed to he Front, and consequently ould not attend. Three"" nonths ago I left the miKt'a, came to town, and" inquired about niv dec'", I was thei. told that the map of the particular district had teen mislaid, but -hat X might depend on mv business being soon settled. On my last visit, I was told that they were then lying before the Governor for his signature, iliat was three weeks ago. In fact I have been mo6t const-nit in. my attendance, but without any results us yet; a 1 this time I have been at great expense fcr boaru ai d lodging, and other necessary expenses. In fact, my little stock of money, which I saved pui - posely to expend on my land, has dwindled to a . hadow. Now, Mr. Editor, is this not monEtious condurt to men who have served them faithfully ior five years, both as a civilian and a soldier, the latter durirg th-ir time of peril, not to speak of my previous services in the Imperial army. It is enough to drive res >clablo people from the country; but I leave them to you, who, I hope, in your widely read paper, w ill not fail to lub them up. But I suppose the Maori Pft's rations, blankets, icc.. &c., are of ti;ore import mcc than settling down men, who, I th nk, if let to themselves, would settle the ilaori question as our forefathers, or brothers, or cousins did with the Indians in America, years ago, which would answer bettertban the old nominal way thin i' .: are being done here by our imbecile Governor and party. Wliv is hi. now away on his pleasure trip, instead of attending to his duties, for which he is well paid? Trusting you will pardon me for troubling you with this long letter, I am, &c., A Victim to Red Tape. Auckland. November 5. P.S.—You may implicitly rely on the truth of the above statement. I enclose my name, not necessarily tor publication, but in good faith to you. If Ido not K cr iny papers in a few days, I must leave town for want of tunds ; whereas, had I them, I could raise money ; and, were I to leave, I might have tbo same delay. Is there 110 way of hastening any of these officials ? [We are sorry to say that complaints of a similar natiire are being daily represented to us as occurring to other " victims of red tape." AVe trust that an end will soon he put to the mismanagement which has been the < of them.—lm>. N. Zl H.]