FINNIMORE CORRESPONDENCE.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 119, 26 July 1873, Page 8

FINNIMORE CORRESPONDENCE.

<► The following is a copy of the letter addressed by Mr Finnimore to C. E. Haughton, Esq, Under-Secretary for Lands, read onThursday in the House of Representatives : [PEIYATE AND CONFIDENTIAL.] Taupo Quay, Wanganui, N.Z., 11th July, 1873. My deab Sib, —You have no doubt seen by account sales that the last land realized nearly ten thousand pounds above upset price, —and although the next to be offered will be from 50 to 70 miles from this place, still I think it will find purchasers at good vates ; at any rate, my utmost powers of persuasion will be used to extract as many half-crowns as possible above the upset price per acre. Of course, in the present gigantic operation the Government, five or ten thousand is a mere bagatelle; and I have an opinion that every one has a right to go in for legitimate speculation if a chance offers, seeing which, I have jotted down a few ideas which have lately presented themselves to me, and which may be made mutually advantageous. What I propose is this : that you advocate the sale to me of the whole of the land to be next offered to public competition ; and if the Government consent to my terms, as herein given, I will undertake to pay you one-half the net profit derived from the sale on completion of the purchases, giving you a guarantee to that effect. As the Government are no doubt anxious to allocate population as speedily as possible, the land, if bought by me, will be sold according to Government survey and schedule I do not wish to retain one acre of the land myself, although I might possibly, during the sale, be compelled to protect one or two blocks to make other lots bring a good price. I have it from good authority that Peat and Alexander offered to buy the whole of the Whenuakura Block prior to auction at the upset price, but you see the difference between their buying an 4 mine is this —they would hold the land against all comers, as a cattle and sheep run, while I go in to sell to the highest bidder.

This is a most important point, as it would assist in developing the Government scheme of settlement. Without further preface, I will indicate my proposals. Ist. I am prepared to advance on the upset price, giving £2 5s per acre for the whole of the Railway Reserve to be offered, and other lands I will give the upset price for, if, after inspection, I approve of the value placed on them. 2nd. The sale to go on as usual, under the control of the Commissioner at Patea, my name not to appear, nor the sale to me to be made public in any way. The transaction, if entered into, to be strictly private and confidential, the Government simply giving me an order on the Commissioner at Carlyle for the payment of balance of sum realised from the sale over and above the original price named in the contract or memo of sale. 3rd. The Government to complete survey according to- schedule, furnish lithograph plans as usual, and to advertise sale in Government Gazettes free of costs to me, all other expenses of local advertising, commission, and clerks to be borne by me. 4th. On the acceptation of the Government of my offer I will pay one thousand pounds (£1000) at Wellington, free of exchange, as a guarantee of good faith and in. part payment of the principal sum to be hereafter ascertained. From the date of the completion of the surveys and the handing to me of the correct schedule, I will allow the Government to the day of sale interest on the balance of the purchase money after rate of five per cent per annum. The usual printed Government conditions of sale, as heretofore, to he strictly adhered to j forfeiture of deposits, if any, to be credited me. I think I have put the matter fully and fairly as a matter of business. I advance on the upset price, take all the risk of altered times and the cooling of the land fever, and tear a fair proportion of expenses of sale ; and, all things considered, it is a good and equitable offer which the Government should accept, as the onus of making the land profitable is thrown on my shoulders, while the security is ample, the land itself being sold subject to the control of the Resident Commissioner. I hate begging, or else, as an old resident in the colony of some thirty years’ standing, having seen hard service in the different native wars, and having been twice ruined by them, I might, with some show ot reason, ask for a large slice of land, as I have as yet never had one single rood given me by either General or Provincial Governments. This ought to weigh with the Government, as I have, both in the field and out of it, worked and fought hard for them. If the venture is successful, as you participate equally with me, there is the prospect on the one hand of putting a large sum in vour pocket; while, on the other, you have no risk, and consequently no loss. Let me hear what you think of it by first mail, and believe me Yours, very truly, W. Finnimobe. C. E. Haughton, Esq, Under Secretary Crown Lands, Wellington. July 24th, 1873. My reply to Mr Finnimore was as nearly as I can remember — “ Mr Finnimore, —I cannot consider your letter private and confidential. I have accordingly forwarded it to the Native Minister.” C. E. Haughton. The Hon Native Minister.