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1873. NEW ZEALAND.
THE PATEA RAILWAY RESERVES, (CORRESPONDENCE RELATIVE TO).
Presented to both Houses of the General Assembly by command of His Excellency.
No. 1. The Hon. A. Domett to Mr. J. S, Smith. (No. 123.) Sib, — General Crown Lands Office, Wellington, 24th March, 1868. It being the intention of the Government to give leases for depasturing or other purposes of the land known as the Railway Reserve, between Waingongoro and Waitotara, I have the honor to request you to make the following arrangements for that purpose : — In the first place, you will instruct Mr. Carrington to subdivide, on the plan, the reserve into such portions as in his and your opinion would be most likely to meet the requirements of persons who may wish to occupj r them on lease, taking as the nominal size of a block, 200 acres. You will then be good enough to send a copy of the plan of the reserve so subdivided to Lieut.-Colonel Gorton, Militia Office, Wanganui; and another copy or tracing of the same to this office. Advertisements (as enclosed) must then be inserted in the Taranaki papers, calling for tenders to lease any portions of the reserve, to be sent in on or before the Loth May next. The plan and any conditions not inserted in the advertisement. —those, namely, contained in the Government regulations for the sale and disposal of lands in the districts of Ngatiawa, Middle Taranaki, and Ngatiruanui, published in the Order in Council of the 12th of March, 1868, —are to lie in your office for inspection by persons desirous of tendering, As tenders are also to be received at Wanganui, it will be necessary that they be all sent on unopened to this office when they shall have been all received by you. You will be good enough to report, when the plan of the block is forwarded, whether you recommend any, and if any, what, restrictions as to cutting timber upon any of the blocks, and to take care that Colonel Gorton is furnished with a clear statement of these restrictions (without waiting for a confirmation of your recommendations), and of the particular blocks they may apply to. And I have to request you will cause the plans to be sent with the least possible delay, as some time should be given to the public to make their arrangements. I have, &c, Alfbed Dosxett, The Commissioner of Crown Lauds, Taranaki. , Secretary for Crown Lands. Patea Railway Reserte between Waitotaba and Waujgo^goko. Tendebs from persons desirous of leasing portions of the above-named reserve, will be received at the Militia Office, Wanganui, and at the Crown Lands Office, New Plymouth, up to 4 o'clock p.m. on the 15th May, 1868. The lands will be leased for either seven or ten years, and must be left laid down in grass at the end of the term. The other conditions required by the regulations for leasing lands of the above description) made by Order in Council of the 12th March last, may be seen at the above-named offices, where also a plan of the Patea Railway Reserve will shortly be open for inspection, showing the blocks to be leased. Tenders to be sealed and indorsed " Tenders for Lease of Patea Railway Reserve," and addressed to Lieut.-Colonel Gorton, Militia Office, Wanganui, or to the Commissioner of Crown Lands, NewPlymouth, as the case may be.
No. 2. The Hon. A.- Domett to Lieut.-Colouel Gobton. (No. 124.) Sic, — General Crown Lands Office, Wellington, 25th March, 18G8. It being the intention of the Government to lease the reserve called tlu; Patea Railway Reserve, for depasturing or other purposes, they are desirous of availing themselves of your assistance in carrying this object into effect, as there is no officer of the Government specially charged with the administration of the lands, at present resident at Wanganui. I have therefore the honor to request you will be good enough to cause the enclosed advertisement to be inserted a sufficient number of times in the Wanganui newspapers, which can be signed by yourself. I—C. 5.
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As it is intended to advertise for tenders also at New Plymouth, it will be necessary that the tenders, when received, should be forwarded to this office to be opened. I shall be obliged by your accompanying them with any remarks or suggestions you may think proper to offer. 1 have instructed the Commissioner of Crown Lands at New Plymouth to forward you, with the least possible delay, a plan of the Patea Reserve subdivided into blocks for leasing. 1 also forward to you a copy of the New Zealand Gazette of the 12th March, 1868, containing the regulations which relate to lands of the nature to be now leased. 1 have requested the Taranaki Commissioner, who will have the assistance and advice of the surveyor of the reserve, to state what, if any, restrictions should be imposed as to cutting timber with respect to any of the blocks to be leased, and to forward to you full particulars of the same, which I beg you to be good enough to make known to intending lessees in such manner as you deem expedient. I have, &c, Alfbed Domett, Lieut.-Colonel Gorton, Wanganui. Secretary for Crown Lands.
No. 3. The Hon. A. Domett to Lieut.-Colonel Gortox. (No. 48.) Sik, — General Crown Lands Office, Wellington, 29th June, 18G8. I have now the honor to send you a schedule of the tenders for leasing the Patea Railway Reserve, which have been accepted by Government. These tenders are in all cases the highest sent in. AVill you be good enough to inform the successful competitors accordingly ; and that printed forms of lease will be forwarded to you for their signature with as little delay as possible. ■I regret that the absence of the Minister having the management of confiscated lands has prevented my sending this schedule sooner. I have. &e., Alfbed Domett, Lieut.-Colonel Gorton, Wanganui. Secretary for Crown Lands. [No. 219. —Letter of similar tenor and date to J. Stephenson Smith, Esq., Commissioner of Crown Lands, New Plymouth.] Enclosure in No. 3. (Ma -Zealand Gazette No. 37, 4th July, 1868.) Native Secretary's Office, Wellington, 3rd July, 1868. Schedule of Tenders accepted for the lease of sections in that part of the Patea Railway Reserve within the Provinces of Taranaki and Wellington, in accordance with the regulations for the sale and disposal of lands in the Districts of Ngatiawa, Middle Taranaki, and Ngatiruanui, made by Order in Council dated 12th March, 1868. J. C. RlCHMOHD.
PROVINCE OF TARANAKI.
PROVINCE OF WELLINGTON.
No. of Section. X- r r> ,r l ■ B»tO JName of Person A enuerincr. ° I per Acre. Period of Lense. No. of Section. Name of Person Tendering. Bate per Acre. Period of Lease. i 1 2 :s 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 12 13 14 | £ s. d. Maillard Noalsc ... ... I 0 1 0 Maillard Noake ... ... f 0 10 Maillard Xoake ... ... 0 0 '.» Maillard Noake ... ... 0 0 9 G. S. Whitmore ... ... 0 1 Oi Maillard Noake ... ... ; 0 1 0 Maillard Noake ... ... 0 L o Maillard Noake ... ... 0 1 0 G. S. Whitmore ... ... 0 1 0-J (J. 8. Whitmore ... ... i 0 1 0\ Freeman B. Jackson ... 0 0 G Freeman B. Jackson ... 0 0 (> Thomas II. Hirst and John II. Ilaigh ... ... 0 1 Oj I Thomas H. Hirst and John H. Haigh ... ... 0 1 Oi Years. 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 26 87 B8 29 G-. S. Whitmore ... G-. S. Whitmore ... Thomas Bayly Thomas Bayly Thomas Baylv J. 0. Wors'ley ... Edmund James Morgan Henry Wright Davis Canning John Rankin James Ball Edmund Bradley James and Henry Williamson: Pot first 5 years For last 5 years £ s. d. 0 0 9i 0 0 9} 0 0 7 0 0 7 0 0 7 0 0 6 0 10 0 1 54 o o ioi0 0 6 0 10 0 12 Years. 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 15 7 Oil 0 2 0 }» 7
£ s. d. Years. SO William Kitchie ... ... 0 17 10 il Alexander Mitchell ... ! 0 1 3 10 2 William Wilson ... ... j 0 1 0 10 3 ' William Wilson ... ... 0 10 10 4 William Wilson ... ... \ 0 0 6 10 7 I W. P. Abrem, A. Kickards, and A. Cunnabell ... I 0 1 1 10 8 W. P. Abrem, A. Eickards, and A. Cunnabell ... Oil 10 9 10 11 ; £ s. d. I Years W. P. Abrem, A. Kickards, j and A. Cimnabell ... ! 0 1 1 10 W. P. Abrom, A. Eickards, and A. Cunnabell ... 0 1 1 10 W. P. Abrem. A. Kickards, ■ and A. Cunnabell ... j 0 1 1 10 John Jackson ... ... 0 17 10 John Jackson ... ... 0 14 10 L8 11
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No. 4. Lieut.-Colonel Gorton to the Hon. A. Domett. (No. 343.) Sir,— Militia Office, Wanganui, Gth July, 1808. I have the honor to report, in compliance with the request contained in your letter No. 249, of 20th ultimo, I have written to inform the successful competitors for the leasing of the. Patea Railway Reserve, their tenders have been accepted by the Government, and, excepting to Lieut.-Colonel Whitmore, that printed forms of lease will be sent to me for their signature with as little delay as possible. That for Lieut.-Colonel Whitmore's signature had better be sent direct to him at Napier. Persons whose teuders have been accepted have asked me if the Government will expect rent for this reserve during the period the present disturbance at Patea lasts. I informed them, in reply, I could not say for certain, but thought they would. 1 have, &c, Edwaud Gorton, Lieut.-Colonel, Commanding W. M. District. The Secretary for Crown Lands, Wellington.
No. 5. The Hon. A. Domett to Lieut.-Colonel Gorton. (No. 358.) Sir, — General Crown Lands Office, Wellington, Ist September, 1868. With reference to your letter of the Gth of July last, in which you intimate that the financial condition of one of the lessees of a portion of the Patea Railway Reserve is "not of the best," <fee., I have the honor to inform you that the Government does not think it worth while to require security for the payment of rent, as, if not paid, the lease would be declared void, and the land let to some one else. The lessees, of course, will be expected to pay rent whether there are disturbances or not, as it is presumed that they were aware, at the time they tendered, of the state of the, district. T have, &C, Alfred Domett, Li cut.-Colonel Gorion, Wanganui. Secretary for Crown Lands.
No. 6. The Hon. A. Domett to Lieut.-Colonel Gorton. (No. 200.) Sir, — General Crown Lands Office, Wellington, 3rd .July, 1808. I have the honor to inform you that it is the intention of Government to lease that portion of the Patea Railway Reserve, adjoining the Waitotara River, marked on the plan "not surveyed," and that they desire again to avail themselves of your services in carrying the matter into eil'ect. I have, therefore, to request you will be so good as to cause advertisements of the same to be inserted in the Wanganui papers as before, and to act in the matter as you have heretofore done. I return you the tracing, for which 1 am much obliged. I have, Ac, Alfred Do.mktt, Lieut.-Colonel Gorton, Wanganui. Secretary for Crown Lands.
No. 7. Lieut.-Colonel Gorton to the Hon. A. Domett. (No. 844) Sir, — Militia Office, Wanganui, Gth July, 1808. I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter No. 260, of 3rd instant, requesting me to insert an advertisement in the local papers, calling for lenders for the leasing of thatportion of the Railway Reserve, adjoining the Waitotara River, marked on the plan " not surveyed," and to act in the matter as I have heretofore done. Before I iusert this advertisement, you would oblige by sending me instructions on the following point: — The first portion of this reserve for which tenders to lease were inserted, was divided into sections, and the acreage of each specified; and persons tendering were obliged to tender for one or more sections. In the present instance, the acreage of the land to be leased is not specified, and, from its appearance oe the map, I should say is equivalent in acreage to from ten to twelve sections of that portion of the reserve already leased. I think it is more than probable there are many persons who would like to rent a portion of this land about to be leased, but who would not feel inclined to hire the whole ; therefore, in advertising, am I empowered to say the tender to state the boundaries, as nearly as possible, of what is required, and the rate per acre to be given; or must any one wishing to lease any of the land, tender for the whole ?
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It would be better for the Government to adopt the former plan : and after the tenders have been received and accepted, the survey could be made accordingly. I have, &c, Edward Gorton, Lieut.-Colonel, The Secretary for Crown Lands, Wellington. Commanding W. M. District.
No. 8. The Hon. A. Domett to Lieut.-Colonel Gortox. (No. 282.) Sir.— General Crown Lands Office, Wellington, 14th July, 1868. With reference to the subject of leasing the Patea Railway Reserve, I have the honor to inform you that the Government has decided to lease that portion of the said reserve which adjoins the Waitotara River. I have, therefore, to request you to be so good as to advertise for tenders to lease the sections on the same terms as the sections previously advertised and let. The tenders are to be received by you up to 4 o'clock p.m. on Monday, the 24th of August next, and to be forwarded to this office to be opened as before. ] send you herewith a tracing of the sections to be let. I have, &c, Alfred Domett, Lieut.-Colonel Gorton. Wanganui. Secretary for Crown Lands. [No. 253. —Letter of similar tenor and date to the Commissioner of Crown Lands, New Plymouth.]
No. 9. Mr. .1. S. Smith to the Hon. A. Domett. Sib,— Crown Lands Office, New Plymouth, 15th July, 18G8. I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 29th June last, No. 248, enclosing a schedule of the lenders for leasing the Patea Railway Reserve, which have been accepted by Government. I would beg to draw your attention to my letter of 18th April, addressed to you from Patea, in which I called your attention to a portion of the tracing of the above reserve, enclosed, some of the sections on which were numbered in pencil and no contents inserted, stating, as my reason for their omission, that as they ran through lands in the occupation of the Natives.it was deemed advisable that they should not be ottered at present. The section No. 2 in the Wellington Province is one of these, and the schedule informs me that it is let to Mr. Wilson. A number of Maori whares and cultivations .are on this land. Taking into consideration our critical position willi the Natives at this time, do you not think it would be better to reserve the portion of this section on which the Natives are located, if not the whole of it ? I enclose a tracing of that portion of the reserve which has since been surveyed. Mr. Carrington informs me that allotments Nos. I and 2 are in the occupation af the Oika Natives. I have, &c, J. Stephenson Smith, The Secretary for Crown Lands, Wellington. Crown Lands Commissioner.
No. 10. The Hon. A. Domett to Lieut.-Colonel Gorton. (No. 352.) Sir, — General Crown Lands Office, Wellington, 31st August, 18G8. I have the honor to inform you that the Commissioner of Crown Lands, Taranaki, having stated that portion of the Paten Railway Reserve (namely, sections Nos. 1 and 2 in the Wellington Province) is still in the occupation of the Natives, and that it is considered advisable that these sections should not be let at present: I have therefore to request you will be so good as to inform Mr. W. Wilson, whose tender to lease section No. 2 has been accepted, that the land in question will not now be leased. T have, &c, Alfred Domett, Lieut.-Colonel Gorton, Wauganui. Secretary for Crown Lands.
No. 11. Lieut.-C'olonel Goeton to the Hon. A. Domett. (No. 552.) Sib, — Militia Office, Wanganui, 7th September, 1868. I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter No. 352, of the 31st August, 18C8, and to inform you I have complied with the instructions contained therein. I haye, &c, Edwaed Goeton, Lieut.-Colonel, The Secretary for Crown Lands, Wellington. Commanding W. M. District.
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No. 12. Messrs. llibst and llaigh to the Hon. A. Domett. Sib, — New Plymouth, 3rd August, 1868. Wo have received from Colonel Gorton, of Wanganui, a notice stating that our tender for sections Nos. 14 and 15 of the Patea Railway Reserve has been accepted by Government, and that printed forms will be sent to us shortly to sign for the above tender. Having been compelled to leave the Patea District owing to the unsettled state of affairs there, we beg to send in our claim or give up any claim to the above sections Nos. 14 and 15 of the Patea Railway Reserve. Hoping you will acknowledge the same at your earliest convenience, We have, &c, Thomas Henbt Hibst, John Heselton Haigh. Address —Care of F. 11. Gledhill, Esq., New Plymouth, Taranaki. The Secretary for Crown Lands, Wellington.
No. 13. Lieut.-Colonel Gobtow to the Hon. A. Domett. (No. 520.) Snt, — Militia Office, Wanganui, 25th August, 1868. In accordance with instructions contained in your letter No. 282, of 14th July, 1868, relative to the Patea Railway Reserve, I have the honor to inform you I advertised for tenders in the local papers for the lease of the same. I herewith enclose three tenders, unopened, I received previous to four o'clock p.m. yesterday. 1 have, &c, Edwahd Gorton, Lieut-Colonel, The Secretary for Crown Lands, Wellington. Commanding W.M. District.
No. 14. Mr. W. Marshall to the Hon. .1. C. Richmond. Sib, — Wanganui, 18th August, 1869. I beg that you will take the following matter into your consideration : — When the Railway Reserve at Patea was let by Government to parties who tendered for the lease of the ground, No. 28 was let to a party of the name of Broadley. The said Broadley has left this country and gone to Australia, and, 1 believe, will never return here again. Had the Natives kept quiet I should have been in partnership with him in the aforesaid section No. 28. I own land near this section, and wish to settle there now the Natives are quieted in that district, and beg to say that in case Broadley should not return, I am willing and thankful to take No. 28 on the same terms as he holds it from the Government at present, or subject to such terms aa may be required. I have, Ac., The Hon. J. C. Richmond, Commissioner of Crown Lands. William Marshall.
No. 15. Mr. H. J. Masters to Mr. W. Marshall. (No. 462.) Sib,— General Crown Lands Office, Wellington, 20th October, 1869. I have the honor, by direction of the Secretary for Crown Lands, to acknowledge receipt of your letter of the 18th August last, addressed to the Hon. J. C. Richmond, stating that Broadley, to whom lot 28 of the Patea Railway Reserve was let, had left this country, and expressing your willingness to take the land on the same terms that Broadley held it, &c, and to inform you that you are considered the approved applicant in Broadley's place for the lot in question, and that you will have the lease of the same whenever it is issued. I have, &c, Henky J. Mastebs, Mr. William Marshall, Wanganui. Senior Clerk.
No. 16. Mr. W. "Wilson to Majoe Noake. Sib,— . No. 2 Line, 15th November, ISG9. I have enclosed the copies of letters accepting my tender for the leasing of the Patea Reserve by the Government. 1 shall feel obliged by your informing me if my tender for section No. 2 will now stand valid, as 1 contemplate fencing the land in shortly; also, when the printed form of lease will be ready for signature. Awaiting your reply, I have, <fee, Major Noake, Commanding Militia and Wm. Wilson. Volunteers, Wanganui.
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Enclosure 1 in No. 10. Lieut.-Colonel Gorton to Mr. W. Wilson.' Sir,— Militia Office, Wanganui, 3rd July, 1868. I have been directed to inform you, by the Hon. the Secretary for Crown Lands, that your tender for the leasing of the sections numbered as per margin * in the Patea Railway Reserve, in the Province of Wellington, has been accepted by the Government at the rate per acre specified therein, they being the highest received for those particular sections ; and that printed forms of lease will be sent to me for your signature with as little delay as possible. I have, &c, Edward Gorton, Lieut.-Colonel, Commanding W.M. District.
Enclosure 2 in No. 16. Lieut.-Colonel Gorton to Mr. W. Wilson. Sib,— Militia Office, Wanganui, 7th September, 1868. I have been directed by Government to inform you that No. 2 section of land in the Patea Railway Reserve, in the Province of Wellington—your tender for the lease of which was accepted— cannot now be leased, the Natives being still in occupation of the same. I have, &c, Edward Gorton, Lieut.-Colonel, Mr. W. Wilson, No. 2 Line, Wanganui. Commanding W.M. District.
No. 17. Mr. E. Phakazyn to the Hon. A. Domktt. (No. 22.) Sir, — Confiscated Land Commissioner's Office, Wellington, Ist June, 1870. During my late visit to Patea and Wanganui, I was informed by Messrs. James and Henry Williamson, and by Messrs. Eitchie and Mitchell, that they were amongst those whose tenders for lease of sections of the Railway Reserve were accepted: that they had made improvements upon the land, and were ready to pay the rent agreed upon ; but that the leases were not made out by the Government, owing to the disturbed state of the country at that time. These persons, and many others who are in a similar position, think that they have an equitable claim to the land improved by them under such circumstances, and asked me to bring the matter before you. I think some general rule should be framed to meet such cases ; and I am inclined to think that the simplest plan would be to put up all the sections of the Railway Reserve which are to be let to auction, protecting improved sections by putting a valuation upon them. 1 have, &C., ROBERT PjIATtAZYN. The Secretary for Crown Lands, Wellington. Confiscated Lands Commissioner.
No. 18. Mr. E. Pharazyx to the Hon. A. Domett. (No. 103.) Sir, — • Confiscated Lands Office, Wellington, 28th September, 1870. As 1 understand that the Government has decided to lease the Railway Reserve sections by auction, 1 have the honor to call your attention to the fact that it will be necessary to have the sections surveyed and pegged off, and that J shall require an authority for incurring the required expenditure. 1 have, &c, Roisert Pharazyn, The Secretary for Crown Lands, Wellington. Confiscated Lands Commissioner.
Xo. 19. The Hon. A. Domett to Mr. B. Phabazyn. (No. 476.) Sin, — General Crowa Lands Office, Wellington, 21st July, 1871. With reference to your letter of the 28th of September last, on the subject of leasing the Patea Railway Reserve, I have the honor to inform yon that the Government has decided that there is no objection to leasing it, of course with the conditions saving the rights of Government to carry out the purpose for which the reserve was made. At the same time, I would inform you that the portion of the reserve between the W'aingongoro and Patea Eivers, and the part surveyed within the Okotuku Block, are already subdivided by creeks and roads traversed in the original survey j and if there be no objection to increasing some of the areas by throwing two sections into one, it will only be necessary for a surveyor to see that the corner pegs are easily to be found. This course should be adopted. * Wellington Province. —Mr. Wilson, Patea : Sections 2 and 3 at Is. per acre ; Section 4 at 6<l. per acre.
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Aa a number of tenders to lease portions of this reserve were formerly accepted, I have to request you will be so good as to prepare an advertisement calling on the such accepted lessees to inform you whether they are ready at once to take up leases on the terms agreed upon, as in such case they will be issued accordingly. I have, &c, Alfeed Domett, The Commissioner of Confiscated Lands, Wanganui. Secretary for Crown Lands.
No. 20. Mr. E. Phakaztn to the Hon. A. Domett. (No. 135.) Sir, — Confiscated Lands Office, Wanganui, 29th July, 1871. I have thehonorto acknowledge the receipt of your letter No. 47(5, 21st July, 1871, in reply to mine of the 28th of September, 1870, directing me to take action in the matter of the Railway Reserve, which at that time it seemed desirable to let. Before acting upon your instructions, I think it my duty to call the attention of the Grovernment to the fact that a period of nine months has allowed time for considerable changes to have occurred in the circumstances of the West Coast district, and in that of the Colony as a whole, which may render it advisable to reconsider the matter. From what I can learn, the Engineer's survey of the line of railway from Wanganui to Taranaki does not coincide with the Eailway Beserve along its whole course, and that consequently there is no occasion to keep all this land for the permanent way and deviations ; and as there is now every probability that the railway will be actually commenced during the next year, it seems a pity to tie up land for any length of time, as leasing it would do, when it might bo sold at a price the interest on which would amount to many times the annual rental, especially as, under the regulations, no purchasing clause can be given. At any rate, whether the reserve is let or sold under a regulation framed to meet the altered circumstances of the case, I suggest that nothing should be done till the survey of the lino of railway is completed. I have, &c, EOBEBT PIIAEAZYN. The Secretary for Crown Lands, Wellington. Commissioner of Confiscated Lands.
No. 21. The Hon. A. Domett to Mr. E. Phaeaztn. (No. 55G.) Sib, — G-eneral Crown Lands Office, Wellington, 17fch August, 1871. Adverting to your letter of the 29th ultimo, relative to leasing the Railway Reserve, I have the honor to inform you that Mr. Blackett has reported to Government that plans of the line of railway as surveyed will shortly be received in the Public Works Department, which will show how far the line differs from that selected for the reserve, and is of opinion that it will be found that a new reserve will he needed. I have therefore to request you will be so good as not to take any action in the matter at present. I have, &c, Alfeed Domett, The Commissioner of Confiscated Lauds, Wanganui. Secretary for Crown Lands.
No. 22. Mr. R. Piiakazyn to Mr. W. S. Moorhouse. (No. 42.) Sir, — Confiscated Lands Office, Wangauui, Bth February, 1872. ' I have the honor to inform you that the Wairoa settlers have applied for ten acres of the Railway Keserve, near sections ;il and 41, to be laid off and reserved as a public cemetery. I recommend that their application should be granted under section 3 of the Begulations. Upon obtaining the sanction of the Government, I will forward the necessary notice, describing the reserve, for gazetting. I have, &c, BOBEBT PhaEAZYN, The Secretary for Crown Lands, Wellington. Commissioner of Confiscated Lands.
No. 23. Mr. E. Phabazyn to Mr. W. S. Moouhotjse. (No. 82.) Sib,— • Confiscated Lands Office, Wanganui, 9th March, 1872. I have the honor to enclose herewith press copy of a letter forwarded to the Hon. ths Minister for Public Works by this mail. I have, &c, BOBFET PIIAEAZYN, Commissioner of Confiscated LanoU The Secretary for Crown Lands, Wellington.
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Enclosure 1 in No. 23. Mr. E. Phveaztn to the Hon. the Mxntstxb for Public Wobks. (No. 81.) Sib, — Confiscated Lands Office, Wanganui, 9th March, 1872. As requested by the Under Secretary for Public Works in his telegram of 7th March, 1872, I have the honor to report as follows, on the suitability of the Railway Reserve for settlement: — As I have already stated in my telegram of the Bth instant, in reply to that above noted, the Railway Reserve consists of a narrow strip of country having an average breadth of half a mile and a length of forty, its furthest point being about, sixty miles from Wanganui. Its acreage is about 12,000 acres, and of this 10,000 acres consist of excellent level or rolling land fit for the plough. The soil is of excellent quality, rather light and loamy, and free from timber, of which, however, there is plenty in the neighbourhood. The original vegetation consists of fern and tutu, which is being rapidly displaced by clover. I should fix the upset price of this land at £2 per acre (the highest allowed by the Regulations) were it for sale, and it would probably sell for more, in parts at any rate. So far as situation and quality of soil are concerned, the Railway Reserve is admirably adapted for large farms of 500 acres ; the only drawback being that farms of that area would be very long in proportion to their width, as will be seen by the accompanying tracing. As nearly the whole length of the reserve is bounded by private properties, mostly occupied by small farmers, no alteration of form can be made. On the other hand, a greater frontage to the main road is thus obtained ; and from the lay of the country a greater number of streams are cut across, and a better supply of water would thus be afforded to each farm. The proposed railway to New Plymouth runs through or near the reserve, and it would be as well if its course and that of the main road were marked upon the tracing before it is forwarded to the Agent-General. By clause 20 of the Confiscated Land Regulations, the Government is empowered to let all or any part of the reserve in question for a period not exceeding ten years, so that a fresh regulation would have to be issued by Order in Council if it is otherwise dealt with. My own idea is that very liberal terms should be offered to persons who would undertake to expend a certain amount of capital upon the land, the small-farm element being rather in excess in this district, and capital deficient. In view of the land being required for some such purpose, I recommended delay when, some months ago, the Secretary for Crown Lands (Mr. Domett) instructed me to advertise for tenders for lease. The result was that the land was left free to be dealt with, and there is now nothing to prevent my having some twenty farms laid off within a month after receiving instructions. I may mention that in 1868 tenders were called for and accepted for the lease of the various blocks on the plan. The outbreak of the war, however, prevented the actual issue of the lenses, and no rent having been paid on the one side, or demanded on* the other, the land reverted to its original position. In some cases, however, persons whose tenders wen- accepted began to occupy and improve their sections. They did this, however, at their own risk, and entirely without the sanction of the Government ; and I do not think such unauthorized occupation of Government land should be allowed to interfere with any scheme of settlement that the Government may have in contemplation. At the most, all that they could claim, as a matter of grace and not of right, would be the difference between the value of their improvements and the rent which they would have been called upon to pay had their leases been granted. With this exception, the Railway Reserve is perfectly free from all complications, either European or Native ; and I cannot but think that it presents a most favourable field for the Government to try an experiment of capital settlement in, which, properly conducted, would be equally advantageous to the persons immediately concerned and to the district in which they would be located. I have, &c, ROBKRT PhABAZYK, Commissioner of Confiscated Lands. The Hon. the Minister for Public Works, Wellington.
No. 24. Mr. T. Farrah to the Hon. W. Fitztterbeet. Sik,— Wanganui, 27th September, 1872. At the instruction of Messrs. W. P. Abrem, A. Riekarde, and A. Cunnabell, of Patea, I have the honor to enclose herewith a true copy of a circular letter sent to them by Edward Gorton, Colonel Commanding District, in reply to their tender to lease certain hind therein mentioned, and stating that the tender had been accepted. The intending lessees are anxious to have the printed form of lease forwarded to them for execution, as they have made all their arrangements for settling on the land, and have laid out a considerable amount on improvement. I have, &C., Thomas Fareah, The Hon. the Secretary for Crown Lands, AVellington. Land Broker.
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Enclosure in No. 24. Lieut.-Colonel Gorton to Messrs. Abresi, Bickards, and Cunnabell. (Circular Letter No. 337.) Gentlemen, — Militia Office, Wanganui, 3rd July, 18G8. I have been directed by the Hon. the Secretary for Crown Lands to inform you your tender for the leasing of the sections, number as per margin, in tho Patea Eailway Eeserve, in the Province of Wellington, has been accepted by the Government at the rate per acre specified therein, it being the highest received for those particular sections, and that a printed form of lease will be forwarded to mo for your signature with as little delay as possible. I have, Ac, Messrs. W. P. Abrem, A. Eickards, and Edward Gorton, Lieut.-Colonel, A. Cunnabell, Patea. Commanding W.M. District.
Sections JTos. 7, 8, 9, 10, and 11, Is. Id. per acre.
No. 25. Mr. W. Wilson to the Hon. W. Fitzherbert. Sir,— Elslea, Wairoa, 25th October, 1872. T would wish to draw your attention to the decision of the Petitions Committee in reference to my lease of sections 2, 3, and 4 of the Patea Eailway Reserve, and to know when tho lease will bo forwarded for signature, as I have made preparations for carrying out the improvements as required by the Government when the tenders to lease tho Eailway Eeserve were first called for. It is a matter of importance to me to have the matter finally settled as soon as possible, as at present I am overrun with my neighbours' stock, with which I do not wish to interfere until after the signing of tho lease. I shall feel greatly obliged by receiving an early answer to this application. I have, &c, W. Wilson, The Hon. the Minister for Crown Lands, Wellington. Elslea, Wairoa, Patea.
No. 26. Mr. W. Wilson to the Hon. J. Hall. Sir, — Elslea, Wairoa, 20th December, 1872. I would wish to draw your attention to the report of the Public Petitions Committee, re my claim to the lease of threo sections of the Eailway Reserve on the Okotuku Block, in the Patea District, West Coast. In accordance with that report, I am anxiously waiting for the Government to forward lease for signature, as, until I get it signed, I am debarred from carrying out the conditions of the lease, at the same time putting me to much inconvenience. I wrote some months ago to the Government on the same matter, but received no answer. Awaiting your reply, I have, &c., The ITon. the Colonial Secretary. W. Wilson.
No. 27. Mr. A. Mitchell to the Hon. G. M. O'Eorke. Sir,— Patea, 10th February, 1873. I have the honor to direct your attention to the copy of a letter I send herewith. I beg to inform you that the printed form of lease alluded to has never been forwarded to me. I had to leave the land when the last rebellion broke out, and was a large loser thereby. Since peace has been restored I have returned, and have made considerable improvements on the land. Would you kindly inform mo whether the Government would be prepared to carry out the arrangement as originally intended (in which case I should bo happy to comply with the conditions, the rent to commence from the date of signing the lease) ; or, if the Government does not intend to complete the arrangement, would any compensation be allowed me for my improvements ? I have, &c, Alexander Mitchell, (by his agent, G. F. Sherwood). The Hon. the Secretary for Crown Lands, Wellington. P.S. —Please address, in reply, to G. F. Sherwood, Patea.
Enclosure in No. 27. Lieufc.-Colonel Gorton to Mr. A. Mitchell. (Circular Letter No. 337.) Sin,— Militia Office, Wanganui, 3rd July, 1868. I have been directed by the Hon. the Secretary for Crown Lands to inform you that your tender for leasing section No. 31, at Is. 3d. per acre, in the Patea Railway Eeserve, in the Province of Taranaki, has been accepted by the Government at the rate per acre specified therein, it being the highest received for the particular section, and that a printed form of lease will be forwarded to me for your signature with as little delay as possible. I have, &c, Edward Gorton, Lieut.-Colonel, Mr. A. Mitchell, Patea. Commanding ~W. M. District. 2—C. 5.
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No. 28. [Mr. C. A. "VVeax to the Hon. D. McLean. (No. 52.) Sib— Confiscated Lands Office, Patea, 28th February, 1873. I have the honor to forward herewith, for your inspection, a scheme for the proposed subdivision of the Railway Reserve between the "Waitotara and Patca Rivers. In order to carry out your ideas as to periodical land sales, it occurred to me that it would not be advisable to put up the whole of the Railway Reserve for sale on the same day, and I have therefore at present submitted for your approval that portion between the Patca and Waitotara Rivers, adding thereto the isolated sections and waste lands in the Okotuku Block, which may be prepared for sale at the same time, and which, together, will afford sufficient inducement for a successful sale. I have carefully gone over the sections marked in the annexed Schedule B on the maps, and as I cannot see any reason for retaining them as reserves, and in their present condition they entail considerable trouble and tend to confusion, I have recommended that they may be withdrawn as reserves, by an Order in Council, and sold. The sections leased must bo surrendered to the Government after a month's notice, by clause 27 of the Regulations, and should any substantial improvements have been made by the lessees, they might be protected by valuation. The reserve for a cemetery near "Wairoa was recommended by Mr. Pharazyn a year ago, and is a suitable piece of ground for that purpose. I have also marked a section on the scheme as an Educational Reserve, there being none at present in the block. The ground selected is suitable for a racecourse, and has been applied for by some of the surrounding settlers. In the event of its being determined to grant the widow of the late Assistant-Surgeon "Webber 200 acres in the "Whenuakura Block, No. 89 might be set apart for that purpose. The adjoining piece, marked in the scheme as a Government Reserve, at Hukatere, on the Patea River, may at some future date become very valuable, as the main road and railway line cross the river at this point. Should you wish the sale to take place at an early day, the notices may be drawn out immediately and gazetted, it being understood that any slight variations in the areas found to exist after the lines are cut on the ground, can be rectified before the day of sale. If you desire the whole of the Railway Reserve to the AVaingongoro River to be sold at the same time, I will at once submit a scheme for your inspection. I have, &c, C. A. "Weay, The Hon. Donald McLean, Auckland. In charge of Confiscated Lands, "West Coast. No. 29. Mr. "W. "Wilson to Mr. C. A. "Wbat.
Sib,— Elslea, Wairoa, 25th March, 1873. I wish again to draw the attention of the Government to the decision of the Public Petitions Committee on the matter of my lease of the three sections of the Railway Reserve. I have twice written to the Government within the last four months respecting this matter, and have received no reply. I also saw the Hon. D. McLean, when in "Wanganui, and I explained the matter to him. He promised to look into the matter, and communicate to me the decision of the Government, but to this date I have received no reply. As the Government have commenced to survey the whole reserve for sale, I presume that it is not its intention to grant the lease. It is undoubtedly better for the welfare of the coast that the land should be held in reasonably sized blocks than in runs, which support but a small population, and I am prepared to forego my claim to a lease, on condition that the Government permit mo to buy one section, containing ISO acres, more or less, bounded by my freehold, the Whcnuakura Eiver, the Terry Reserve, and the road leading from my place to the Ferry at Oika, at the upset price. It is not all that I have improved, as you will see by the indorsed valuation. I see nothing imfair, but consider that the loss of that one section would be a serious one to mo. I have, &c, C. A. "Wray, Esq., Confiscated Lands Commissioner, Carlyle. W. Wilson,
Enclosure 1 in No. 29. Mr. "W. Wilson to Mr. T. Symes. Sin,— _ "Wairoa, 15th March, 1873. As I wish to have a value put upon the improvements, in the way of grass, that I have made on the section nearest ihe river, and joining my freehold, being one of three which were leased from Government by myself, and which at considerable trouble and expense I have made into tolerable pasture ground, I write to you asking you to put a fair value on. You saw the land soon after I entered upon it, when in its natural state, without grass on it, and you can now speak as to its improved value for grazing purposes at the present time. It is not every one that could value it, for
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unless it was known when I entered upon it, one could form little or no idea of its improvement. If you would state what you consider a fair money value per acre for improvement, you would greatly oblige, Yours truly, T. Symes, Esq., Wairoa. W. Wilson. P.S.—Please write your valuation on the half of this letter, and return same.
• Enclosure 2 in No. 29. Mr. T. Symes to Mr. W. Wilson. Dear Sic,— West Holm, 25th March, 1873. According to your note, you wished mo to value the improvements on that portion of the Railway Reserve that you havo leased from the Government nearest the river, which I havo done to the best of my ability. It is a little over three years since I first saw it. At that time it was all scrub, toi, and fern, so that wo could not ride through it, and now the same is in good grass. So I consider the improvements worth £1 10s. per acre oil from three to four hundred of the same. Believe me to remain, &c, W. Wilson, Esq., Wairoa. T. Syhes.
No. 30. Mr. C. E. Hauchton to Mr. W. Wilson. (No. 371.) Sic,— General Crown Lands Office, Wellington, 10th April, 1873. I have the honor, by direction of the Hon. the Native Minister, to inform you that your letter to Captain Wray, of the 25th ultimo, on the subject of your lease, has been referred to the Hon. Mr. McLean, and that he regrets that the delay of which you complain should have occurred. In answer to your request, I have to apprise you that, as it appears } rour settlement in the district took place at a time when such an example was highly salutary, and as the land in your occupation has been improved by you, instructions havo been sent to Captain Wray that you are to be allowed to purchase the section which you desire, containing 180 acres, more or less, at the upset price of £2 per acre. I have, &c, C. E. Hattghton, Under Secretary for Crown Lands. W. Wilson, Esq., Elslea, Wairoa, near Patea.
No. 31. Mr. C. E. Haughton to Mr. C. A. Weat. (No. 372.) Sik, — General Crown Lands Office, Wellington, 10th April, 1873. I have the honor, by direction of the Hon. the Native Minister, to inform you that you are authorized to sell to Mr. W. Wilson, of Elslea, Wairoa, the laud in his occupation, containing 180 acres, more or less, at the upset price of £2 per acre. 1 have, &c, C. E. Haughton, C. A. Wray, Esq., Patea. Under Secretary for Crown Lauds.
No. 32. The Hon. D. McLean to Mr. C. A. Weay. (No. 180.) Sib,— Wellington, sth April, 1873. I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 28th February, in which you forward a scheme for the proposed sub-division of the Railway Reserve between the Waitotara and Patea Eivers. I concur with you, that there is no necessity to offer the whole of it for sale at once, and I approve of the portion you select to offer at first. I approve of your recommendation to withdraw by an Order in Council, and to sell the reserves you mention in paragraph 2. The holders of leased sections should be warned that they must surrender them in accordance with clause 27 of the Regulations, but that any improvements they have made will be protected. Number 330, ten acres, may be reserved for a cemetery, as also number 339 for a school reserve. It is, however, doubtful whether the revenue accruing from it, if leased for a racecourse, will be equal to what could bo obtained were it in the hands of a farmer. On this point you will further inform me. The grant of land of 200 acres to the widow of the late Assistant-Surgeon "Webber must be selected in another locality north of the Patea River, as I cannot find any record of a promise from the Government that it should be given between the Patea and Whenuakura Rivers. The only ground for her claim in this locality seems to bo that Mr. O. Carrington took it upon himself to allocate her grant within these bounds.
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The proposed Government Eeserve at Hukalcre may be made. You will have the goodness to go on at once with the survey of the Eailway Eeserve, in accordance with the scheme proposed by you, and to prepare notices for an early Gazette. I have, &c, C. A. Wray, Esq., Patea, Donald McLean.
■ No. 33. Mr. C. A. Weay to the Hon. D. McLean. (No. 111.) Sib,— Confiscated Lauds Office, Patea, 26th March, 1873. I have the honor to forward, for your information, an application received from certain individuals who tendered for the lease of portions of the Eailway Eeserve in this district, in July, 1868, and who now request that these leases may be carried out. I have, in reply, referred these gentlemen to Mr. Pharazyn's letters conveying the decision of the Government in this matter, addressed to them in February, 1871, and which finally dealt with the question. I have, &c., C. A. What, The Hon. D. McLean, Auckland. In charge of Confiscated Lands, West Coast.
Enclosure 1 in No. 33. Messrs. J. and 11. Williamson and others to Mr. C. A. What. Sic,— Wanganui, 11th March, 1873. We, the undersigned persons who tendered for the lease of certain portions of the Eailway Eeserve situated in the Provinces of Wellington and Taranaki, and whose tenders were accepted by Circular Letter No. 337, dated July 3rd, 18G8, and by a notice in the New Zealand Gazette No. 37, page 327, dated July 4th, 18G8 (advertisement, copy of circular letter, and extract of Gazette, attached), and who have been waiting the convenience of the Government in accordance with the meaning implied in that circular letter of acceptance, now most respectfully call upon the Government, through you, to forward the printed leases referred to in that letter of acceptance, so that we may sign them, thereby enabling us to enforce the owners or occupiers of lands adjoining our respective sections to assist us in the erection of the necessary fences. Trusting you will be pleased to give this your earliest attention, We have, &c, James and Heney Williamson, Maillaed Noake, per James Livingstone, Feeeman B. Jackson, William: Eitciiie, TnoMAs Baylt, E. Eankin, Executrix to the late J. Eankin, A. Cunnabell, W. P. Abeem, E. A. EICKAEDS, Edmund James Moeoan, Heney Weight, H. S. Peacock, for Davis Canning, Alexandek Mitch kll, James Ball.
Enclosure 2 in No. 33. Mr. C. A. Weax to Messrs. J. and H. Williamson. (No. 107.) Qartuaas,— Confiscated Lands Office, Fates, 21th March, 1873. I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 11th instant, and enclosures, relative to certain leases of the Eailway Eeserve in the Patea District, tendered for by you in July, 1868, and which you now call upon the Government to conclude. In reply, I beg to inform you that the late Commissioner of Confiscated Lands communicated to you, more than two years ago, the decision of the Government with regard to these leases; and I forward herewith copy of a letter addressed to Mr. Henry Wright, one of the tenderers, which enters fully into the subject. Similar communications were made by Mr. Pharazyn to other applicants. As stated in Mr. Pharazyn's letter, all improvements made by persons on the lands for lease of which they had tendered, will be protected by valuation when the adjoining sections are put up for sale. I have, &c, Messrs. James and Henry Williamson, C. A. What, Wauganui. In charge of Confiscated Lauds, West Coast.
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Sub-Enclosure to Enclosure 2 in No. 33. Mr. R. Piiauazyn to Mr. 11. Wkigiit. (No. 25.) Sin, — Confiscated Lands Office, Wellington, 25th February, 1871. In reply to your letter of 20th February, in which you request to be informed whether it is the intention of the Government to conclude the lease of the section of the Railway Reserve for which your tender was accepted in July, 18G8,1 have the honor to state that as no rent was either offered or demanded at tho time, in consequence of the disturbed state of the district, the Government has come to the conclusion, after taking legal advice on the subject, that ib would be fairer to the parties concerned, and most conducive to the public interest, to ignore all previous transactions connected with the Railway Reserve. The Railway Reserve will therefore be dealt with in precisely the same manner as it would have been had no tenders been called for, with the exception that in all cases in which improvements have been made by any person upon the section for which that person's tender was accepted, these improvements will be protected by valuation in the event of the Railway Reserve being let or sold, as all or part of it may be should it be found, upon survey, that the railway line cannot conveniently be constructed upon it. I have, &c., Robert Piiaiuzyn, Mr. Henry Wright, Manutahi, Patea. Commissioner of Confiscated Lauds.
No. 34. Messrs. J. and 11. Williamson to Mr. C. A. What. Sin,— Wanganui, 28th March, 1873. Wo have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 24th instant, in which you inform us that the late Commissioner had intimated to us the decision of the Government relative to the Railway Reserve. We beg to inform you that we have taken legal advice upon the matter, and submit that there is no authority by which the Government could alter tho terms or conditions of leases, after once tenders were accepted, without our consent being first obtained. Had the Government desired to withdraw from the contract, they should have informed each individual w rhose tender was accepted: they would then have ascertained our views on the subject, and if an arrangement had been arrived at, they could have notified such in the New Zealand Government Gazette. As the matter now stands, there is only one course which the Government can legally follow, and that is to forward the leases for our signature, as promised in our letter of acceptance. AYe have now suffered serious pecuniary loss through the leases having been withheld so long, and in all cases the parties are held liable who fail to perform their j)art of any contract. What we desire is to bo justly dealt with, and with that view, we trust you will forward all tho papers and correspondence relative to this matter to the Colonial Secretary with as little delay as possible. We have, <fee, James and H. Williamson, C. A. Wray, Esq., Patea. For ourselves and other Claimants.
No. 35. Mr. C. A. Wray to the Hon. D. McLean. (No. 129.) Sib,— Confiscated Lands Office, Patca, 7th April, 1873. Referring to 3 rour telegram of tlio sth April, relative to claims of certain individuals to leases of portions of the Railway Reserve, I have the honor to forward the following statement of the whole matter, so far as I have been able to trace it by the records in this office, and my own personal knowledge. It was first proposed to lease the Railway Reserve in 18G8, and the whole block, extending from Waingongoro to Patea (exclusive of that portion between the Patca and Whenuakura Rivers, not then surveyed), was accordingly schemed out into sections of 200 to 300 acres each, which, however, were never actually defined on the ground. Colonel Gorton, then in command of the Wanganui Militia District, received instructions to call for tenders for the leases of these sections, and he accordingly issued notices in the Wanganui papers, which resulted in the acceptance by the Government of the tenders, which were gazetted on the 4th July, 18G8. In a letter dated 3rd July, IS6B, Colonel Gorton informed the successful tenderers that, being the highest bidders, the Government had accepted their tenders, and that printed forms of lease would be sent to him (Colonel Gorton) for their signature with as little delay as possible. Further than the price per acre to be paid by the lessees, I have been unable to find what were to be the conditions of the proposed leases; but I presume that occupation and improvement of the land formed part of the agreement. At about the date of acceptance, Native affairs assumed a threatening aspect, and in a few weeks the state of the district became such as to render settlement extremely precarious, and consequently the tenderers were glad to say nothing further about their leases, no tender of rent was either mado or demanded, aud in fact the whole matter dropped.
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On the 9th July, 1870, more than two years after tendering, Messrs. J. and IT. Williamson wrote to Mr. Pharazyn, asking when the printed forms alluded to by Colonel Gorton would be forwarded for their signature, and were informed by the Commissioner that the officers of the Crown, to whom the question of the rights of the accepted tenderers had been referred, had not yet decided whether they were entitled to them or not. Other tenderers, attracted by the very different circumstances of tho district and the enhanced value of the leases, followed suit, and in February, 1871, were informed hj Mr. Pharazyn that as no rent was either offered or demanded at tho time, in consequence of the disturbed state of the district, the Government had come to the conclusion, after taking legal advice on the subject, that it would be fairer to the parties concerned, and most conducive to the public interest, to ignore all previous transactions connected with the Railway Reserve. In a letter (No. 81, 9th March, 1872,) [addressed by Mr. Pharazyn to the Hon. J. Ormond, on the suitability of the reserve for settlement, he expresses himself as follows:—"I may mention that in ISGB tenders were called for and accepted for the lease of tho various blocks on tho plan. The outbreak of the war, however, prevented the actual issue of the leases, and no rent having been paid on the one side, or demanded on tho other, the' land reverted to its original position. In some cases, however, persons whose tenders were accepted, began to occupy and improve their sections. They did this, however, at their own risk, and entirely without the sanction of the Government; and I do not think that such unauthorized occupation of Government land should bo allowed to interfere with any scheme of settlement that the Government may have in contemplation. At the most, all that they could claim, as a matter of grace and not of right, would be the difference between the value of their improvements, and tho rent which they would have been called upon to pay had their leases been granted." In conclusion, I would remark that the Railway Reserve is a most valuable property, and if put into the market to-morrow, could hardly realize less than £20,000, and probably more; and further, that by selling it, a class of population would be obtained, who, being the bond fide owners of the soil, would, hy their occupation and improvement, render valuable aid to the advancement and prosperity of the district; whilst its possession by a few leaseholders for five or ten years, would simply mean a withdrawal of all those benefits for that period, and at a time when immediate settlement and an influx of population is of vital importance. The few occupiers who have made improvements would, I am satisfied, be content were they permitted to become purchasers of a portion of their lenses at tho upset price. With regard to the others, I cannot but look upon it as a case of attempted imposition on the known liberality of the Government, and, as such, deserving but scant consideration. I have not seen tho Attorney-General's opinion on tho case, as submitted to him ; and cannot, therefore, say whether any necessity exists for again referring the matter for his decision. I have, &c, The Hon. D. McLean, Wellington. C. A. Wbay.
No. 36. Mr. C. E. Haughton to Mr. C. A. Wbax. (No. 389.) Sin, — General Crown Lands Office, Wellington, 18th April, 1873. With reference to your letter of the 7th instant, on the subject of leases of a portion of tho Railway Reserve, I have the honor, by direction of tho Hon. the Native Minister, to inform you that he quite concurs in the conclusions of your very clear and comprehensive report; and further, to inform you that the instructions already issued from tho Native Office provide for the protection of persons who have actually made substantial improvements. I have, &c, C. E. Haughtox, C. A. Wray, Esq., Patca. Under Secretary for Crown Lands.
No. 37. Mr. C. A. We ay to Colonel St. JonJf. He Railway Reserve. (Telegram.) Palea, Bth April, 1873. Argument of lessees is based on Colonel Gorton's letter of 3rd July, 1872, that printed forms of lease would be sent to him (Gorton) for their signature with as little delay as possible. On the other hand, the leases were never executed, no rent was tendered or accepted, and legally or morally, with two or three exceptions, they have no claim whatever. Colonel St. John, Wellington. C. A. Wbay.
No. 38. Mr. C. E. Haughtos- to Mr. C. A. Wray. (JS To. 373.) (Telegram.) Wellington, lOlli April, 1873. Hox. Mb. McLean agrees with your opinion expressed in telegram of Bth instant, re Railway Reserve section leases. Define the cases where most moral obligation exists. C. A. Wray, Esq., Patea, C. E. Haughtoi*.
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No. 39. Mr. C. A. Weay to Mr. C. E. Haughton. (No. 143.) Sic,— Confiscated Lands Office, Patea, 18th April, 1873. Eeferring to your telegram (No. 373, 12th April, 1873,) relative to leases of sections on tho Eailway Eeserve, I have the honor to inform you that the only case in which any moral obligation may be considered to exist in that portion of the block to bo offered for sale between the Patea and Waitotara Rivers, is that of Mr. William Wilson, of Elslca, Wairoa, whose claims will be settled in terms of your letter of tlie 10th instant. With regard to that portion of the Eailway Eeservo situated to the north of the Patea Eiver, there are two or three cases which can be settled in the same manner, and which I will report upon at an early date. I have, 4c., C. E. Haughton, Esq., Under Secretary for Crown Lands, C. A. Whay. Wellington.
No. 4.0. Mr. C. A. What to Mr. C. E. IlAvanTOs-. Sic,— Confiscated Lands Office, Patea, 2Gth April, 1873. I have the honor to forward herewith, for insertion in the next Gazette, notice of sale of sections in the localities marginally noted,* prepared in accordance with scheme approved by the Hon. the Minister for Native Affairs, and to take place at Patea on tho 19th June next. Those sections which have been occupied under protection of improvements, or leased, are noted in the column of remarks. They have been inspected by the District Surveyor, and adequate valuation will bo placed on each section at the sale. Under this head are included the section which lam authorized to sell to Mr. William Wilson, of Wairoa, at £2 per acre (No. 3-13); Major Durie's sections near Waitotara (300 and 309) ; Wilkie's (303); and Baynton's (281). With regard to the section allotted to Major Durie, adjoining the Native Reserve at Ihupuku, approved in your letter of marginal date, it has been found more convenient to increase its area to 257 acres, as, from the nature of tho laud, it would be useless to cut off the surplus of 57 acres; and Major Durie having suffered some inconvenience in building and improving on the Native Eeserve, the privilege of purchasing the additional 57 acres would be a set-off to him, and no loss to the Government. In the block of land at Kakaramea lately leased to the Patea Flax Company, an alteration has been made in the main road by the Engineer in charge of Public AVorks, which cuts off about 80 acres (mostly sand), and which I have not included in the schedule for sale, as suburban sections 58 and 5!) would be deprived of their frontages, and it may on that account bo necessary to throw that piece into those sections. The right of entry for telegraph purposes, drawn out for sections in the Whenuakura District, in the form of conditions to bo read at the sale, will, I presume, be applied to such sections as the line may pass through. As it appears, from Mr. Knowles' memorandum attached to your letter, that the surveyed line of railway is subject to deviation, I would suggest that conditions be drawn out by the Public Works Department, reserving what rights may be considered necessary on the reserve. A right of entry for the purpose of procuring gravel for road works should also be reserved by the Public Works Department. The General Government Eeserves, as shown in the recapitulation annexed, should be withdrawn by an Order in Council before the sale, and the Confiscated Lands Eegulations amended so far as to allow the sale of the Eailway Eeserve. A supply of (say GO) lithographed maps at an early date would materially assist the sale, as intending purchasers will be inspecting the various sections as soon as the notices are issued. I have already recommended that Mr. Finnitnore's services should be retained, and I trust that tho Government will accede to his appointment, as I am assured that such a course will materially assist the success of the sale, and more than repay the outlay. Tou will observe that I have inserted Mr. Finnimore's office as the place where the plans may bo inspected at Wanganui, in Gazette notice. Should, however, my recommendation not be carried out, it will bo necessary to substitute some other place. With reference to the sections to be offered for sale in tho township of Wairoa, I have found it necessary to class them as suburban lands, as, according to the Confiscated Lands Eegulations, all town lands must be sold in quarter-acre sections, at a minimum upset price of £20 per acre. The Wairoa sections contain one acre, and are not worth more than £5 a piece. I have, &c., C. A. Weay. C. E. Haughton, Esq., Under Secretary for Crown Lands, Wellington.
No. 41. The Hon. Colonel Whitmoee to the Hon. the Colonial Seceetaey. Deab Sib, — Eiseington, Napier, 17th April, 1873. In the year 18G8, certain lands, called the Bailway Eeserve, situated in tho Patea District", *1. Railway Reserve, Patea to Waitotara. 2. Waste Lands, Okotului. 3. General Government Reserves, Okotiiku District. 4. Suburban Sections, Wairoa Township. 5. Waste Lands, Kataramca, Patea.
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were offered by the Government for lease by public competition. I tendered for a lease of a portion of this land, and my tender was accepted, first by notice in the Government Gazette No. 37, dated 4th July, 18G8, and secondly by letter from Colonel Gorton, the officer in charge of the department, by which I was informed that a lease would be forwarded for my signature at the earliest convenience of Government. The disturbed state of the district has sufficiently accounted for a part of the long delay in completing the lease, but as time goes on, I fear the matter has been forgotten. I am desirous of occupying and stocking my portion of the land, or am willing even to purchase it, if that in any way suits Government better. But as I contemplate an absence, more or less protracted, from the Colony before very long, it would be satisfactory, and I would esteem it a favour, if the matter could bo put in train, and the lease completed at an early date. I have, &c, The Hon. the Colonial Secretary. G. S. Whitmobe.
No. 42. The Hon. D. McLean to the lion. Colonel Wiiithoiie. (No. 37c.) Sir,— Native Office, Wellington, 10th July, 1873. I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 17th April last, on the subject of completing the lease in your favour of certain sections in the Patea Eaihvay Eeserve for which you tendered; and to express my regret that, owing to the necessity of certain references and inquiries, you have not been communicated with at an earlier date. As you are fully aware, the land has been disposed of by sale, and I beg to forward you a copy of the opinion of the Attorney-General by which the Government have been guided in the matter of your own and similar claims. I have, <fee, The Hon. Colonel Whit more, C.M.G., Eissington, Napier. Donald McLean.
No. 43. Mr. C. A. What to Mr. C. E. llaitgiiton. (No. 207.) Sib,— Confiscated Lands Office, Patea, 21st May, 1873. I have the honor to forward application received from Mr. W. Wilson, to purchase the section occupied by him (No. 350, Okotuku), and protected by improvements, without public competition. The section is one of those advertised for sale on tlio 2Gth proximo, but I see no objection, if Mr. Wilson so wishes it, to allow him to purchase at the upset price of £2 per acre, under clause 23 of the Confiscated Lands Regulations. I have, Ac, C. E. Haughton, Esq., Under Secretary for Crown Lands, C. A. What. Wellington.
Enclosure in No. 43. Mr. W. Wilson to Mr. C. A. AVray. Sin,— Elslea, Wairoa, 15th May, 1873. I would ask the Government the favour of purchasing the section over which I have a protective right, at the upset price, without its going to public competition. My reason for making this request is, that at auction I might be compelled to pay a price far in excess of its value by any person who, knowing that I am bound to purchase, might choose to run up the price without any intention of buying, in order that they would compel me to buy them off. I have dug a drain, about 1,400 feet in length, to drain the wet spots, some parts in which I had great difficulty in completing, on accouut of sunken wood. I have also sown twenty-five bags of grass seed on it this season, and by the sale I shall have it enclosed. Any unprincipled person knowing the facts might, as I have said before, attempt to extort money from me, and in the event of my noncompliance, would run up the price. Trusting that this application may be favourably received, I have, &c, C. A. AVray, Esq., Confiscated Lands Commissioner, Carlyle. W. Wilson.
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No. 44. Regulations foe Sale of Land under" the New Zealand Settlements Acts. G. A. Aeney, Administrator of the Government. ORDER IN COUNCIL. At the Government House, at Wellington, this twenty-first day of May, 1873. Present:—His Excellency the Administeatoe of the Government in Council. TViteeeas by " The New Zealand Settlements Act, 1863," it is provided that after setting apart sufficient land for all persons who shall be entitled thereto under the contracts therein referred to, it shall be lawful for the Governor in Council to cause towns to bo surveyed and laid out, and also suburban and rural allotments ; and that all such town, suburban, and rural lands shall be sold, occupied, and disposed of for such prices, in such manner, and for such purpose!!, upon such terms and subject to such regulations, as the Governor in Council shall from time to time prescribe for that purpose: And whereas by "The New Zealand Settlements Amendment and Continuance Act, 1865," it is enacted that the order and manner in which land taken under the authority of " The New Zealand Settlements Act, 18G3," and " The New Zealand Settlements Amendment and Continuance Act, 1865," should be laid out for sale and sold should be at the discretion of the Governor, who shall have power to cause such land or any part thereof to be laid out for sale and sold from time to time, in such manner, for such consideration, and in such allotments as he shall think fit, and subject to such regulations as he shall, with the advice of the Executivo Council, from time to time prescribe : And whereas by " The New Zealand Settlements Amendment Act, 1866," it is provided that the said lands shall be sold for such consideration, or at such price, and whether for cash or otherwise, as the Governor shall from time to time prescribe, and that all lands taken under the authority of the said " New Zealand Settlements Act, 1863," and " The New Zealand Settlements Amendment and Continuance Act, 1565," or either of them, and sold or disposed of under the authority of the said firstrecited Act, shall be sold or disposed of under regulations to be made by the Governor in Council, which regulations shall be published in the New Zealand Gazette : And whereas under the hereinbefore in part recited powers the Governor in Council did, on the eleventh day of May, one thousand eight hundred and seventy-one, make and issue certain regulations for the sale and disposal of confiscated lands as therein provided : And whereas the said regulations provide for the making of reserves of such lands for the purposes therein specified, and it is provided that the purposes for which any reserves have been made may be changed, or the reservation of the same withdrawn by the Government, but so that no change or withdrawal shall be made except after notice of three months in the New Zealand Gazette, and by special order of the Governor in Council: And whereas the several parcels of land hereinafter particularly mentioned have been reserved and set apart under the said regulations, and it is expedient that they should cease to be such reserves : And whereas it is further expedient that the formalities required by the hereinbefore iv part recited regulation should be dispensed with, and that regulations should bo made for the purpose of enabling the said parcels of land to be sold or disposed of: Now, therefore, His Excellency the Officer Administering the Government, in pursuance and exercise of all powers and authorities vested in him in that behalf, doth hereby, with the advice and consent of the Executive Council of the Colony of New Zealand, make the following regulations for the sale and disposal of the parcels of land mentioned in the Schedule to such regulations. Regulations. 1. Upon the publication of this Order in Council in the New Zealand Gazette, the sth, 6th, 7th, 26th, and 27th of the hereinbefore in part recited regulations shall be and the same are hereby repealed in so far as respects the several reserves or parcels of land mentioned and set forth in the Schedulo hereto, and such lands shall thereafter cease to be reserves for the purposes in the said Schedule mentioned, or for any other purpose whatsoever under the Confiscated Land Regulations. 2. The said parcels of land shall and may be sold and disposed of under the said Confiscated Land Regulations in like manner as other land subject thereto may be sold and disposed of; and, subject to the regulations hereby made, all the provisions of the said Confiscated Land Regulations shall, in so far as applicable, extend and apply to the said parcels of laud, and the sale or disposition thereof. 3. For the. purposes of these regulations, the term " Confiscated Land Regulations " shall mean the regulations attached to and made by the Order in Council of the eleventh day of May, one thousand eight hundred and seventy-one, hereinbefore mentioned.
SCHEDULE.
Description of Lands. Purposes for which Eescrved. Railway Reserve, Patea to "Waitotara. lections 310, 311, 312, 313, 314, 815, 31G, 317, 318, 319, 320, 321, 322, 323, 324, 325, 327, 329, 330, 831, 332, 333,334, 335, 336, 337, 339, 340, 341, 342, 343, 281, 88, 89, 90, 91, 92, 93. > Railway. Okotuku. lections 36,42, 5G, 85, 100, 121, 125, 129,132, 154, 155, 179, 214, 217,219 General Government. FOESTER GoitlNO, Clerk of t: ie Executive Council.
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Confiscated Lands Office, Patea, 21st May, 1873. Notice.—lt is hereby notified for public information, that the under-mentioned Suburban and llural Sections in the Patea, Okotuku, and Whenuakura Districts, situated in the Provinces of Taranaki and Wellington, will be offered for Sale by Auction on Thursday, the 26th day of June, at the upset prices named in the Schedule hereunto attached. The sale will bo held at the Court House, Patea, and will commence at twelve o'clock noon. C. A. What. In charge of Confiscated Lauds, West Coast.
SCHEDULE.
Teems of Payment. One-fourth of the purchase money in cash on the fall of the hammer, the remainder at or before the expiration of three calendar months from the day of sale, to be paid at the office of the Commissioner of Confiscated Lands, Patea. By clause 18 of the Confiscated Lands Regulations, under which the sale is to take place, in the event of the second payment not being made as aforesaid, the sale will be void and the deposit forfeited.
No. on . Plan. Area' Upset Price. Remarks. No. on Plan. Area. Upset Price. Eemarks. r '\TEA DlST EICT. Okotui :u Distkic ! — continued. I A. B. P. 486 I 250 0 0 492 60 0 0 498 50 0 0 494 50 0 0 495 47 0 0 496 40 0 0 497 42 0 0 498 40 0 0 499 35 0 0 500 50 0 0 501 50 0 0 502 50 0 0 486 492 493 491 495 496 497 498 499 500 501 502 £ 8. d. 62 10 0 1211 0 0 100 0 0 100 0 0 91 0 0 80 0 0 84 0 0 80 0 0 70 0 0 100 0 0 100 0 0 100 0 0 311 312 313 314 315 316 317 318 319 320 321 322 323 324 325 327 329 330 331 332 333 334 335 336 337 339 340 311 342 343 344 315 346 347 348 349 350 A. K. P. 261 0 0 280 0 0 373 0 0 235 3 0 175 2 0 40 0 0 40 0 0 96 0 0 12 0 0 10 0 0 10 0 0 10 0 0 10 0 0 10 0 0 10 0 0 ]2 0 0 102 0 0 10 0 0 5 0 0 10 0 0 10 0 0 10 0 0 10 0 0 44 0 0 340 0 0 127 0 0 258 0 0 300 0 0 200 3 0 194 0 0 285 0 0 264 0 0 436 2 0 250 0 0 320 0 0 317 0 0 87 1 0 £ s. d. 522 0 0 561 10 0 746 0 0 471 10 0 351 0 0 80 0 0 80 0 0 192 0 0 24 0 0 20 0 0 20 0 0 20 0 0 20 0 0 20 0 0 20 0 0 24 0 0 204 0 0 20 0 0 10 0 0 20 0 0 20 0 0 20 0 0 20 0 0 88 0 0 680 0 0 254 0 0 516 0 0 600 0 0 401 10 0 388 0 0 570 0 0 396 0 0 654 15 0 93 15 0 480 0 0 634 0 0 174 10 0 Whe 88 89 90 91 92 93 INUAKUEA ] JlSTEICT. 88 313 0 0 89 240 0 0 90 161 0 0 91 205 0 0 92 125 0 0 93 199 0 0 626 0 0 I 480 0 0 322 0 0 410 O 0 250 0 0 398 0 0 ITEICT. Oi COTUKU Dli 36 17 0 0 42 6 2 0 46 40 2 0 56 44 0 0 67 36 2 0 85 13 3 20 100 23 0 0 321 34 0 0 125 37 0 0 129 30 0 0 132 28 2 0 136 205 0 0 137 126 0 0 138 258 0 0 139 68 0 0 154 18 3 0 155 27 3 0 179 32 2 0 213 51 0 0 214 55 0 0 217 26 0 0 219 3 2 0 237 259 0 0 239 36 0 0 250 155 0 0 264 60 0 0 281 50 0 0 282 100 0 0 283 100 0 0 300 100 0 0 303 100 0 0 309 257 0 0 310 156 0 0 36 42 46 56 67 85 100 121 125 129 132 136 137 138 139 154 155 179 213 214 217 219 237 239 250 264 281 282 283 300 303 309 310 34 0 0 13 0 0 81 0 0 88 0 0 18 5 0 27 10 0 46 0 0 17 0 0 37 0 0 15 0 0 14 5 0 102 10 0 63 0 0 258 0 0 68 0 0 37 10 0 55 10 0 32 10 0 102 0 0 110 0 0 39 0 0 7 0 0 129 10 0 18 0 0 77 10 0 60 0 0 100 0 0 100 0 0 150 0 0 200 0 0 150 0 0 385 10 0 312 0 0 Improvements protected. Improvements protected. Improvements protected. Improvements protected. Improvements protected. 2 5 8 9 12 14 15 19 23 26 27 30 32 33 38 40 44 Subtjeba: 10 0 10 0 10 0 10 0 10 0 10 0 10 0 10 0 10 0 10 0 10 0 10 0 10 0 10 0 10 0 10 0 10 0 * Towns ni: 5 0 0 5 0 0 5 0 0 5 0 0 5 0 0 5 0 0 5 0 0 5 0 0 5 0 0 5 0 0 5 0 0 5 0 0 5 0 0 5 0 0 5 0 0 5 0 0 5 0 0 Improvements protected. Improvements protected Improvements protected. ■ of Waieoa. Improvements protected. Improvements protected. » >» Improvements protected. » i> y> t> H >) it i» i* J) j» fi Improvements protected.
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The Eailway Eesorve, extending from the Patea to the Waitotara Eivers, lies in the centre of the settled district; it is admirably suited for farming purposes, and, from the superior quality of the land and advantages of position, affords an opportunity to persons of moderate means desirous of making a home, hardly to be equalled in any other part of New Zealand. The sections, laid out in convenient blocks averaging about 300 acres, have frontage to an excellent road—the main line between Wellington and New Plymouth. Some smaller sections have been laid out opposite the rising township of Wairoa, to meet the requirements of that place. The rural sections scattered throughout the Okotuku District, amongst those in actual occupation of private persons, and in blocks of sizes to suit all classes of settlers, differ in value, and have been priced accordingly. Plans may be inspected at the office of the Secretary for Crown Lands, Wellington; at the Survey Office, Patea; and at Mr. Pinnimore's office, Wanganui. Eegulations for the sale of the land may be seen in the New Zealand Gazette of the Ist June, 1871, and all required information obtained at this office. C. A. What, Patea, 21st May, 1873. In charge of Confiscated Lands, West Coast.
No. 45. Mr. C. E. Hatighton to Mr. C. A. "What. (No. 13c.) Sik, — General Crown Lands Office, Wellington, 10th June, 1873. Mr. Wray, of Patea, is informed, by direction of the Hon. the Native Minister, in reply to his letter of the 21st ultimo, that Mr. W. Wilson is to be allowed to purchase section No. 350, Okotuku, at the upset price of £2 per acre, under clause 23 of the Confiscated Lands Regulations. C. E. Haijghton, C. A. Wray, Esq., Patea. Under Secretary for Crown Lands.
No. 46. Mr. C. A. "What to the Hon. D. McLean. (No. 230.) Sib, — Confiscated Lands Office, Patea, 7th June, 1873. I have the honor to forward application made by Messrs. Livingstone and McMichael to purchase about 300 acres in the Eailway Reserve, and offering, should their request be granted, to surrender any claim they may have under original tender to lease. The applicants have purchased from Major Noake his interest in a certain tender, made in 18(J8, to lease sections 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 7, Bof the Eailway Reserve, containing 1,825 acres; have occupied portions of the lease, and own property adjacent to the piece which they wish to purchase, where they have made considerable improvements. The main line of road fronting their property has been diverted by the Public Works Department into the Railway Reserve, thereby cutting off their frontage; and they apply to purchase the narrow strip as shown in the annexed tracing, containing about 100 acres, at 20s. per acre, and the remainder of the section, containing 210 acres, part of which is slightly inferior to the average land, at 30s. per acre. By acceding to this arrangement there would be left out of the lease 1,515 acres available for sale, and considerable irritation and opposition would be removed, with little pecuniary loss to the Groverninent. I therefore recommend that Messrs. Livingstone and McMichael be allowed to purchase the land (310 acres) at the price stipulated under clause 23 of the Confiscated Lands Regulations,—they on their own and Major Noake's part surrendering all claims under tender to lease sections 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 7, and 8. I have, &c, The Hon. D. McLean, "Wellington. C. A. "Weat.
Enclosure in No. 46. Messrs. Livingstone and McMichael to Mr. C. A. Weay. Sic, — Wanganui, 3rd June, 1873. lief erring to our claim for leases of sections Nos. 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 7, and 8, Patea Eailway Reserve, we have the honor to inform you that we will waive our claim upon the reserve if we are allowed to purchase the strip of land between the old and new roads, being portions of sections Nos. 6, 7, and 8, extending between the Waihi and Waingongoro Rivers, at the price of £1 per acre ; also the remaining portion of No. 6at the price of £1 10s. per acre. "We make this offer without prejudice to our claim in any future issue, should the Government decline to accede to our proposal. "We have already informed you of the nature of our permanent improvements on the reserve, and that we have entered into a contract with parties to erect four miles of fencing upon the sections for which tenders for lease were accepted. An early reply will confer a great favour on us, as we would erect the fences to the best advantage upon the land in question in conjunction with our other property. "We have, &c, Livingstone and McMichael, C. A. Wray, Esq., Commissioner of Confiscated (per James Livingstone). Lands, Patea. .
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No. 47. The Hon. D. McLean to Mr. C. A. Wray. (No. 20c.) Sic, — General Crown Lands Office, Wellington, 12th June, 1573. I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 7th instant, in which you forward an application from Messrs. Livingstone and McMichael, to purchase a portion of the Eaihvay Reserve, with an offer to surrender any claim they may have under the original lease derived from Major Noake. In reply, I have to inform you that no claims based solely upon the leases tendered for in ISGB can bo recognized, and I forward a copy of the Attorney-General's opinion upon the subject; but the instructions jou have received from me provide for cases whore actual occupation and improvement have taken place on the portions of the Railway Reserve claimed to have been obtained from the Government by the leases of 1868. As far as Major Noake himself is concerned in the matter, he has no right whatsover. If, however, Messrs. Livingstone and McMichael, who purchased from him, satisfy you that they have really resided on and improved the land they now desire to purchase, I would be inclined to agree to their proposal, as recommended by you, provided always that they are actual settlers, as you seem to represent them to be. I have, &c., C. A. Wray, Esq., Patea. Donald McLean.
Enclosure in No. 47. The Attorney-General to the Hon. the Secretary for Crown Lands. Except in cases where the Government has expressly authorized the accepted tenderer to occupy on the terms of the lease, and he has paid or offered to pay the stipulated rent, I think that there is no equity to have the contract performed. If the tenderer had given notice, soon after the tenders were accepted, that he was ready to take up the lease, and had subsequently, and during the disturbed state of the district, exhibited a desire to have the lease notwithstanding those disturbances, then he would in fairness, perhaps; be entitled to a lease. However, so far as I can see, there is no case amongst these in which —as between subject and subject —the Supreme Court would order a performance of the contract. ' lGth May, 1873. J. Pkenderoast.
No. .48. Mr. C. A. "What to Mr. C. E. Haughton. (No. 261.) Sib,— Confiscated Lands Office, Patca, 12th July, 1873. I have the honor to report, for the information of the Government, the very successful result of the sale of confiscated lands in the Patea, Whenuakura, and Okotuku Districts, which took place at the Court House, Patea, on the 2Gth ultimo, in accordance with Gazette notice of the 22nd May. Before commencing the sale, I read the conditions as to maintenance of telegraph line on the sections as was directed in the case of the former sale in the Whenuakura District. There was a very large attendance of settlers from the surrounding districts, from AVanganui, and from different parts of the Colony, and the greatest excitement prevailed throughout the sale, every lot being eagerly contested excepting where the improvements of old established settlers had been protected ; and 1 have no hesitation in affirming that three times the quantity of land offered would have met with a ready sale at the same advanced prices, had that amount been ready for disposal. It is with particular satisfaction that I am enabled to state that the bulk of the land has passed into the hands of settlers who will occupy at once, and the sale will thus be the means of adding materially to the population and wealth of the district, the one requirement necessary to raise it to the position in the Colony it must, from its great natural advantages and capability of maintaining a large population, attain at no remote period. The total amount realized by the sale was £21,2G-1 Bs. for an area of 9,150 acres, which would give an average of £2 13s. per acre throughout. It must, however, be borne in mind that a number of sections were sold at the upset price to settlers who had occupied and improved, and that some of the waste lands in the Okotuku District were of inferior quality, the upset price in some instances being as low as 7s. Cd. and ss. per acre. The average for the Bailway Reserve, for the suburban sections at Kakaramea, and other lands of like quality, would therefore be far greater than that quoted above, and a glance at the attached schedule will show that in many instances the price realized doubled the upset price of sections offered at £2 per acre. The sale was conducted by Mr. Finnimore, auctioneer, with his usual ability, and I have every reason to suppose that his exertions added materially to the success of the sale. Sections Nos. 343 and 350, Okotuku District, were sold to Mr. "William Wilson, under clause 23 of the Confiscated Lands Regulations, as per authority received from the Hon. Donald McLean, and I extended the same privilege to Mr. E. J. Baynton, for section 281, under similar circumstances, ho being too ill to attend the sale, and there not being sufficient time to refer the matter to Wellington. The amount realized for these sections will not therefore appear in Mr. I'innimoru's account sales ; but I have included them in the annexed schedule.
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The Survey Staff are now engaged in the survey of the remaining portion of the Railway Reserve and available lands in the Patea District. I have prepared a scheme of the former, which will be forwarded for approval, and I would propose that the sale should take place within three months of the present date, the demand for land being undiminished, and the next sale eagerly looked for. I have, <fee, C. A. AVeay, In charge of Confiscated Lands, AVest Coast. C. E. Haughton, Esq., Under Secretary, Crown Lands, AVellington,
ACCOUNT of LANDS SOLD at Government Land Sale, Carlyle, on the 26th June, 1873; with Names of Purchasers and Prices realized.
No. of Sections. Purchaser. Area. Upset Price. Price Realized. 486 492 493 494 495 501 502 139 239 250 264 312 313 339 340 341 496 497 498 499 500 89 90 91 92 93 36 42 303 2 121 125 347 46 56 129 132 137 282 324 27 67 85 100 136 15 23 38 40 19 154 155 179 213 214 323 33 Thomas Bayly J. Patterson W.Williams Do. D. and J. Peat ... Do. Do. ... ... Do. Do. Do. Do. Do. Do. Do. Do. Do. W. Napier Do. Do. Do. Do. P. Bourke Do. Do. Wm. Porteous ... E. Bramwell R. Johnstone J. and D. Wilkie Do. Do. E. N. Hawes Do. Do. Mrs. Bearen A. C. Fookes (agent) Do. Do. Do. Do. Do. Do. A. 250 63 56 59 45 51 50 GS 36 155 64 280 373 125 260 292 38 43 41 34 53 242 161 206 128 200 17 6 100 1 34 ■ 37 250 40 44 30 28 126 100 10 1 36 13 23 163 1 1 1 1 1 18 27 30 51 55 10 1 H. P. 0 0 2 8 2 0 1 30 1 4 3 0 3 14 0 0 3 30 0 0 3 15 3 0 0 0 2 16 2 26 1 15 3 0 0 32 1 23 1 0 0 0 0 34 3 11 3 31 0 15 2 31 0 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 3 20 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 3 0 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 £ s. d. 62 10 0 127 0 0 113 0 0 118 10 0 90 10 0 103 10 0 101 10 0 68 0 0 18 7 6 77 10 0 64 15 0 561 10 0 746 0 0 251 0 0 521 0 0 584 10 0 77 10 0 86 0 0 82 10 0 68 10 0 106 0 0 484 0 0 323 0 0 413 10 0 265 0 0 401 0 0 34 0 0 13 0 0 150 0 0 5 0 0 17 0 0 37 0 0 93 15 0 81 0 0 88 0 0 15 0 0 14 5 0 63 0 0 100 0 0 20 0 0 5 0 0 18 5 0 27 10 0 46 0 0 81 10 0 5 0 0 5 0 0 5 0 0 5 0 0 5 0 0 37 10 0 55 10 0 30 0 0 102 0 0 110 0 0 20 0 0 5 0 0 £ B. d. 187 10 0 269 17 6 176 11 3 251 16 3 158 7 6 239 6 10* 177 12 6 102 0 0 23 17 9 85 5 0 84 3 6 884 7 3 1,212 5 0 439 5 0 1,094 2 0 1,278 11 10| 198 11 10! 231 2 G 226 17 6 209 15 7! 245 2 6 937 15 0 849 3 9 1,085 8 9 352 0 0 601 10 0 36 2 6 15 15 0 155 0 0 5 15 0 35 14 0 38 17 0 106 5 0 83 0 0 90 4 0 16 10 0 15 13 6 69 6 0 105 0 0 5G 0 0 5 11 0 20 1 6 2S 19 0 47 3 0 89 13 0 5 10 0 5 17 6 5 12 6 5 10 0 5 15 0 38 8 9 56 17 9 34 10 0 108 7 6 123 15 0 61 5 0 6 6 0 E. Sangster Livingstone and McMichael H. Newing W. H. Watt and Broughton Do. Do. Do. Do. Do. J. B. Walkington W. McDonald J. Ion — Bremer A. and O. Symes ... W. Symes A. and O. Symes ...
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Accorvr of Lands Sold — continued. No. of Sections. Purchaser. Area. Upset Price. Price Realized. 217 21!) 342 848 350 237 9 281 2S3 300 309 310 311 345 346 314 315 316 317 318 319 320 321 322 329 325 327 331 12 14 32 330 332 333 334 335 336 337 3 IS 138 349 5 8 26 30 44 W. and G-. Newland "W.Wilson Do. Do. Do. John Henson Do. E. J. Baynton — Thomas D. S. Durie Do. Do. Do. Do. Do. J. Cheyne J. Shields Morton and Lupton Do Do. Do. Do. Do. Do. Do. S. Caldwell Do. Do. Do. Do. Do. — Fyfe — G-ouger J. Dickie Do. W. Milne Do. J. Mitchell — Bull Do. D. S. Taylor Do. — Manson Do. J. Alexander A. Riches A. 40 3 200 194 87 260 1 50 100 100 19S 156 261 202 436 235 175 40 40 95 14 10 10 10 94 10 12 4 1 1 1 10 10 10 10 10 42 308 320 358 317 1 1 1 1 1 n. 0 2 3 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 2 3 2 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 2 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 p. 0 0 0 0 0 28 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 27 0 0 0 0 0 8 26 0 0 0 23 0 0 24 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 15 26 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 £ b. d. 60 0 0 7 0 0 401 10 0 388 0 0 174 10 0 130 0 0 5 0 0 100 0 0 150 0 0 200 0 0 297 0 0 312 0 0 522 0 0 303 7 6 654 15 0 471 10 0 351 0 0 80 0 0 80 0 0 190 10 0 28 0 0 20 0 0 20 0 0 20 0 0 188 10 0 20 0 0 25 0 0 9 0 0 5 0 0 5 0 0 5 0 0 20 0 0 20 0 0 20 0 0 20 0 0 20 0 0 84 0 0 737 0 0 480 0 0 258 0 0 634 0 0 5 0 0 5 0 0 5 0 0 5 0 0 5 0 0 £ s. 62 0 8 11 572 2 388 0 174 10 2G0 0 5 12 100 0 155 0 205 0 306 18 491 8 1,109 5 328 13 873 0 766 3 552 16 135 0 145 0 345 5 36 15 28 15 51 5 50 0 565 5 60 0 87 10 15 15 5 15 5 1 6 5 62 10 48 15 52 10 38 15 38 15 201 12 1,160 15 520 0 296 14 840 0 5 10 5 12 5 5 5 2 5 2 d. 0 6 9 0 0 0 6 0 0 0 0 0 0 1* 0 9 6 0 0 n 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 6 0 0 0 0 6 0 6 6 9150 3 12 13,752 0 0 24,204 8 0 Bj Authority: Gbobgb Didsbubt, Government Printer, Wellington.—1873. Price lsJ
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Bibliographic details
THE PATEA RAILWAY RESERVES, (CORRESPONDENCE RELATIVE TO)., Appendix to the Journals of the House of Representatives, 1873 Session I, C-05
Word Count
16,658THE PATEA RAILWAY RESERVES, (CORRESPONDENCE RELATIVE TO). Appendix to the Journals of the House of Representatives, 1873 Session I, C-05
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