CLAIMS UPON LANDS TAKEN OVER BY THE PROVINCE OF AUCKLAND FROM THE GENERAL GOVERNMENT. (FURTHER CORRESPONDENCE RELATING THERETO).

Appendix to the Journals of the House of Representatives, 1875 Session I, C-03a

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1875.

NEW ZEALAND.

CLAIMS UPON LANDS TAKEN OVER BY THE PROVINCE OF AUCKLAND FROM THE GENERAL GOVERNMENT. (FURTHER CORRESPONDENCE RELATING THERETO).

Presented to both Houses of the General Assembly by Command of His Excellency.

No. 1. Mr. James Mack ay to the Hon. the Colonial Secretary. Sir, —■ Auckland, 17th July, 1875. Referring to my Memorandum of the 7th instant, on Sir George Grey's letter of the 19th May last, addressed to you on the subject of land purchases, I have the honor to transmit herewith a return showing approximately the value of the property held by the proprietors of saw mills within the District of Hauraki. This information has been principally obtained from the mill-owners themselves, who have given me every facility in their power to complete the return. The totals are cost of erecting fifteen saw mills with working plant, £106,855. Payments to Natives for timber, including in some cases cost of survey of the blocks on which it is growing, £42,045. Value of logs in stock, £64,982. Total value of Mills, working plant, standing forest, and logs in stock, £209,732. The annual average production of timber is valued at £120,750. The number of men employed in these mills is 678. Vessels employed in the carrying trade, 27, manned by 82 men. These figures are slightly different from those mentioned in my memorandum of the 7th instant, that was, however, my own estimate before the return was completed; the alteration is so small as to be hardly worth noticing. The more I consider the scheme proposed by Sir George Grey, to give compensation to the mill owners for their rights, the more I feel convinced that it is impracticable and detrimental to the best interests of the country. The goldminer is one of the largest consumers of sawn timber, and his industry would be retarded and suffer loss if the sawmills ceased to supply his demands. I previously drew attention to the fact that supposing the proprietors of sawmills were bought out in the manner suggested by Sir George Grey, the Colony or Province would derive no equivalent advantage, because the system of granting timber licenses, heretofore pursued by the Provincial Government, gave but small receipts, when compared with the value of the privileges granted. In proof of the correctness of my assertion, I enclose herewith a return compiled by Mr Tole, the Commissioner of Crown Lands, showing the amount paid for timber licenses over Crown Lands within the Coromandel Peninsula, and the District of Hauraki, during the fifteen years commencing Ist July, 1860, and ending 30th June, 1875. The total is £192 l'Os. I have no hesitation in saying that any mill owners would under other circumstances have paid to the natives for the timber cut on the Mahakirau block alone, four times the total sum shown by Mr. Tole as having been paid to the Crown for licenses over the whole of the blocks specified by him. I enclose copies of correspondence with the Mercury Bay Saw Mill Company respecting a proposed reduction of the term of years for which they hold the right to cut timber on the Taranoho and Kaimarama blocks. It has been stated recently that some of the deeds of grant or leases of timber held by sawmill proprietors confer rights other than those required for the cutting and removal of timber from the forests to their mills. If such privileges have in any case been granted by the native owners, they have not been exercised or desired by the lessees or grantees, and would, I believe, be relinquished at once, the on application of the Government. I have discussed the question of ordinary agreements and leases on all their bearings with the principal owners qf timber residing here, and am convinced they are willing to make favourable terms with the Crown, and merely desire to be confirmed in their claims to Kauri timber, with necessary easements in the shape of roads and water. rights, to enable them to convey it to their mills, with the privilege to cut any other timber or firewood required for their own use. If these rights were secured and confirmed to them, they would be perfectly satisfied; and there would not be the slightest danger of any future misunderstanding arising between them and the mining population, who are the only persons liable to have any conflicting interests, as the land on which Kauri grows is unfit for agricultural purposes and settlement. I have, &c, The Hon. the Colonial Secretary, Wellington. James Mackay.

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Enclosure 1. Return showing approximately, the Value of Saw Mills and of Forests and Timber, owned by Saw Mill Proprietors within the District of Hauraki, on June 30, 1875.

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Nainu of Owner. Cost of Mill and Plant. Date of Erection of Saw Mill. Situation of Timber Purchased. Date of Purchase of Timber. Amount paid for Timber, including Surveys of Land. Value of liOgS ill Stuck in Bush or at Mill. Estimated present value of Mills,Plant,i and Standing Forests. Total Value of Mills, Plant Standing Forests & Timber in stock. ill < I'S.fcH g IS h u ! Average ' Amount of i Timber Cut Annually. Average Annual Value of Timber Cut. Remarks. £ 23,000 1864 3,000 & 5,500 26,000 £ 31,500 100 3 i I 10 Feet. 3,000,000 18,500 1. Tairua Saw Mill Company 2. Mercury Bay Saw Mill Co. 9,000 1S63 Tairua Mercury Bay 1864 1863 5,500 8,UGG 12,000 20,066 70 2 8 2,500,000 11,250 Forests are extensive, but timber difficult to get out to mill. A good deal of the timber has been cut; but there is work for several yeara to 3. Schapp and Anaemic 4. C. A. Harris 5. C. A. Harris 4,500 15,000 10,000 1863 1802 1865 Mercury Bay ! Whangopoua 1863 1862 to 1870 3,750 2,500 ) 4,025 i 5,000 8,000 13,000 35 2 6 \ , 1,500,000 6,750 come. Same as above. 15,000 40,000 55,000 125 | 0 18 5,000,000 22,500 Many years' cutting still in forests ; large quantity shipped annually to Middle Island, South Sea Islands, and New Caledonia. 0. Cruickshank and Co. 7. It. Cashmore 8. Pollard and Co 4,500 5,000 2,500 1863 18G2 1865 Kennedy Bay Cabbage Bay Port Charles 1863 1862 1863-64 2,600 2,500 1,200 3,000 3,400 2,500 5,000 3,000 4,000 8,000 6,400 6,500 to 2 1 2 6 3 S 2,000,000 1,000,000 1,800,000 9,000 4,500 8,100 Timber will be cut out in a short time. Forests nearly cut out. Forests not very extensive ; will only last a few years. Mill generally idle ; forest being nearly all cut. Coromandel timber nearly cut out; mill will probably be removed to Mata-niata-harakeke. Forests extensive ; a great deal of timber has been cut. This mill has not hitherto been in full work ; timber chiefly consumed at G-rahamstown and Shortlaud ; forests extensive ; timber difficult to get to mill. This mill cuts white pine occasionally as well as kauri. 0. Charles King 2,700 1859 Coromandel 1S59 1,000 150 2,000 2,150 i 1 500,000 2,250 10. A. J. Cadmau 3,500 1865 Goromandel and Malamataharakokc. 1864 and 1872 1,150 1,000 5,000 6,000 20 2 300,000 1,350 11. W. C. Daldy 8,000 1865 Waikawau and Mata Rivers and tributaries. Waiwhakaurangi River and tributaries. 1864 2,500 3,000 7,000 10,000 39 2 6 2,000,000 9,000 12. Shortland Saw Mill Co. ... 9,291 1872 1869 5,427 11,666 15,000 20,666 B0 1 3 3,500,000 15,750 13. Joha Gibbons 4,700 1874 Kirikiri, and on bank of Waihou and Ohiiiemuri Rivers. Turua Forest, Waihou or Thames River. 1871-72 2,200 4,750 6,000 10,750 65 2 0 1,900,000 8,550 14 Hauraki Saw Mill Co. ... 3,964 1869 1868 3,843 650 10,000 10,650 tin 2 8 2,900,000 6,000 This mill cuts white pine only. A great part is shipped to Foreign Markets, the remainder is consumed at Grahamstown and Shortland ; forest extensive. This mill is situated at Grahamstown, and is connected with window-sashjdoor-making, and wood-dressing machinery; the product is consumed in the district. 15. Holdship and Co. ... 1,200 Otuturu Block ... 1870 850 700 1,750 500,000 2,250 1868 2,450 20 2 Totals ... 106,855 64,982 209,732 678 27 "Si 127,500,000 ... 42,045 144,750 120,750 15th July, 1875. James Mackay. *

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Enclosure 2. Mr- James Mac£ay, to the Commissioner of Crown Lands, Auckland. SIR,— Auckland, 12th July, 1875. As I am procuring, for the information of the General Government, a return respecting the timber trade of this Province, I have the honour to request that you will be so good as to supply me with a return showing the number of timber licenses issued within the limits of the Coromandel Peninsula and District of Hauraki from the Ist July, 1860, to the 30th June, 1875, showing the block for which such license was issued, and the fees received in respect thereof, with the name of the person in the favour of whom it was granted. I have, ifec, James Mackay, The Commissioner of Crown Lands, Auckland. Agent General Government.

Enclosure 3. The Commissioner of Crown Lands, Auckland, to Mr. Mackay. Sir, — Crown Lands Office, Auckland, 13th July, 1875. In compliance with the request contained in your letter of yesterday's date, I have the honour to enclose a return showing the number of timber licenses issued within the limits of the Coromandel Peninsula and District of Hauraki, from the Ist July, 1860, to the 30th June, 1875, together with the name of the block for which such license was issued, the fees received in respect thereof, and the names of the persons in favour of whom such licenses were issued. I have, (fee, D. A. Tole, James Mackay, Jun., Esq., Commissioner of Crown Lands. Agent General Government, Auckland.

Sub-Enclosure to Enclosure 3. Return shewing the number of Timber Licenses issued within the limits of the Coromandel Peninsula and District of Hauvaki, from the Ist July, 1860, to the 30th June, 1875, together with the name of the Block for which such license was issued, the fees received in respect thereof, and' the names of the persons in favour of whom such Licenses were issued —

Total amount of Licenses issued. Name of Block for which License tree issued. Fee8 received iu respect of License. Name of Person to whom License was issued. —i I Awakanae Holio Ditto Purangi Mercury Bay Purangi Whenuakite Mahakirau Hoho ... Whenuakite Mahakirau Hobo Te Kauri Ditto Purangi Te Kauri Maliakirau Ditto Hoho £ s. d. 5 0 0 2 10 0 5 0 0 2 10 0 2 10 0 5 0 0 5 0 0 5 0 0 5 0 0 5 0 0 50 0 0 5 0 0 5 0 0 5 0 0 2 10 0 2 10 0 25 0 0 50 0 0 5 0 0 Heron Andrews and Matthews Thomas Carina Ditto Neill and Savage Vincent De Moitcli Neill and Savage Paraneha George Strong Joseph Baker Archibald Smith Thomas Sullivan John H. Graham Thomas Carina George William White Thomas Carina John F. Connolly Thomas Sullivan Ditto Antonio Joseph £192 10 0 D. Tole, Commissioner of Crown Lands. Crown Lands Office, Auckland, 13th Jul, -, 1875.

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Enclosure 4. Mr. James Mackay, to the Secretary, Mercury Bay Saw Mill Company. Sik, — Auckland sth July, 1875. Referring to the conversation I had with you some months ago respecting a proposed modification of the conditions of the timber leases held by the Mercury Bay Saw Mill Company, over the Taranoho and Kaimarama Blocks in the Mercury Bay District, by reducing the term of the leases from ninety-nine years to twenty-one. I have the honour to request that you will be so good as to inform me whether the Company are willing to make the proposed alteration. I have, &c, James Mackay, The Secretary, Mercury Bay Saw Mill Company, Agent General Government. Auckland.

Enclosure 5. The Secretary Mercury Bay Saw Mill Company to Mr. Mackay. Sir, — Custom House Street, Auckland, 13th July, 1875. In reply to your communication of sth instant, and conversation held between ourselves,"re leases of Kauri held by this Company, I am directed by the Directors of this Company to inform you that they have agreed to recommend to the Shareholders that the lea6e of the Kaimarama Block be reduced to twenty-one years and the Turanoho Block to foi'ty years. A meeting of Shareholders will shortly be held, the result of which I will inform you of. I have, &c, James Mackay, Esq., Agent General Government Benj. Gilmore, Secretary. Price M ]