SPECIAL SETTLEMENT ON THE TE PUKE BLOCK (CORRESPONDENCE RELATIVE TO THE).

Appendix to the Journals of the House of Representatives, 1880 Session I, D-06

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1880. NEW ZEALAND.

SPECIAL SETTLEMENT ON THE TE PUKE BLOCK (CORRESPONDENCE RELATIVE TO THE).

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

No. 1. Mr. Richard Blake and Others to the Hon. the Native Minister. Sir, — Tauranga Working-men's Land Association, 9th April, 1878. We, the undersigned, being empowered by the Tauranga Working-men's Land Association to write to your Honor the following : — A number of families having formed themselves into an association for the purpose of special settlement, about eight months ago we applied to the Waste Lands Board for a portion of the Te Puke Block. The reply of the Board was, that as soon as the laud mentioned came into their hands they would favourably consider our application. Having heard that private parties are making overtures to the Government for this block, we would urge your Honor to use your influence to reserve this land for small settlers under the deferred-payment system or the Homestead Act (the latter preferred) There arc upwards of forty families in our Association, numbering about two hundred souls, the majority of whom are agriculturists, ready to settle and cultivate as soon as the land is made available. We would beg to remind your Honor that this block is the most suitable of any in the Tauranga District for small holdings. We have, Sec, Richard Blake, Chairman. Francis Anquetil, Secretary. The Hon. the Native Minister, Wellington. Thos. Allely

Enclosure in No. 1. Petition of the Tauranga Working-men's Land Association This Association was started in January, 1877, amongst the working-men of this district, for the purpose of acquiring a block of land from the Government to form a special settlement. The Te Puke Block being well adapted for small holdings, it was decided that a portion of the said block should be applied for; and a petition, signed by forty-eight applicants, was forwarded to the Waste Lands Board for 4,000 acres under the deferred-payment system. The reply of the Board was, that as soon as the land mentioned came into their hands for disposal our petition should receive favourable consideration. Since the first application of forty-eight settlers, the Association has doubled its numbers, and it was thought necessary to apply for a larger area than at first, and a petition signed by between seventy and eighty members has been forwarded to the Hon. the Minister of Lands, urging the Government to reserve 10,000 acres for the purpose of a settlement under the deferred-payment system, to which they are anxiously awaiting an answer. The applicants are mostly agriculturists, well able to manage the land if they can get it, and also to fulfil the requirements of the Land Act, but not able to purchase land at public auction. The applicants would be glad to get a favourable answer from the Minister of Lands.

No. 2. The Undek-Secretaky for Crown Lands to Mr. Richard Blake. Sir,— General Crown Lands Office, Wellington, 27th September, 1878. Your letter of the 9th April last, addressed to the Hon. the Native Minister, asking for the Te Puke Block to be set aside for sale under the deferred-payment system, having been I—D. 6.

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referred to this department, I am instructed by the Hon. the Minister of Lands to inform you that at present the block is not in a position to be dealt with by the Government. I have, &c, Mr. Richard Blake, Tauranga. H. J. H. Eliott.

No. 3. Mr. George Vesey Stewart to the Hon. Mr. Macandrew Sir,— Katikati, 30th August, 1878. ******* I should here observe that my late movements have attracted New Zealand to the notice of capitalists and farmers from all parts of the United Kingdom who would otherwise not have entertained the idea of settling in this colony, and, as emigration begets emigration, I feel confident that I have laid the foundation for an extensive current of most desirable emigrants to all parts of the colony The main element pervading special-settlement parties consists in uniting a class of people with kindred feelings and associations who would proceed to the Antipodes in a body, but who would not emigrate as isolated families. It would therefore be most desirable if arrangements could be made to accommodate a further lai'ge body of settlers in this district. I understand that a block (Te Puke) containing some 25,000 acres, south of Tauranga, has just been secured by the Government, and I should feel much obliged to you to inform me if the Government of New Zealand would be disposed to enter into arrangements with me to place a further special-settlement party upon these lands. Again thanking you, the Government, and those members of Parliament who have given me such generous support, I have, &c, The Hon. Mr. Macandrew, Wellington. George Vesey Stewart. [Note. —The former portion of this letter relates to the question of closing the Belfast agency, and is in no way connected with the special-settlement question.]

No. 4. The Under-Secretary for Immigration to Mr. George Vesey Stewart. Sir, — Immigration Office, Wellington, 23rd September, 1878. I have the honor, by direction of the Hon. the Minister for Immigration, to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 30th ultimo, addressed to the Hon. Mr. Macandrew, and, in reply, to request that you will be good enough to inform him of the nature of the arrangement which you made for keeping open the agency at Belfast, and the total amount of the liability which you have incurred by so doing. The Minister is fully sensible of the advantages which have accrued to New Zealand through your exertions in inducing persons possessed of capital to become colonists, and he is assured that you have the best interest of the colony at heart. With regard to your inquiries respecting the Te Puke Block, I am to inform you that it is not at present in a position to be dealt with by the Government; but, when the land becomes the property of the Crown, the Government would be willing to enter into negotiations with you for an extension of the special settlement which has been formed by you with so much success. I have, &c, George Vesey Stewart, Esq., Katikati. H. J. H. Eliott.

No. 5. Mr. George Vesey Stewart to the Hon. the Minister for Immigration. Sir, — Mount Stewart, Katikati, 14th October, 1878. ******* I feel much obliged for your kind expressions of appreciation for my services in the cause of emigration, and also for your promise of entertaining my proposal for forming a third settlement party upon Te Puke when these lands have been acquired by the Government. I have, &c, The Hon. the Minister for Immigration, George Vesey Stewart. Wellington. [Note. —This letter is in acknowledgment of that of 23rd September, relative to the Belfast agency. The only portion referring to the Te Puke Block is the concluding paragraph, as given above.]

No. 6. Mr. Richard Blake to the Hon. the Minister of Lands. Sir, — Tauranga, 27th November, 1878. In order to explain more fully the objects of the petition, I beg to state that the petitioners are mostly agriculturists, and have formed themselves into an Association for mutual

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help and protection in the formation of a special settlement. The Association numbers upwards of eighty heads of families, representing more than two hundred and fifty persons. I have, &c, Richard Blake, The Hon. the Minister of Lands, Wellington. Chairman.

Enclosure in No. 6. Mr. T Allely and 74. Others to the Hou. the Minister of Lands. Tauranga, 16th November, 1878. The petition of the undermentioned members of the Tauranga Working-men's Land Association humbly showeth that, as the Te Puke Block is now in the hands of the Government and the Native title extinguished, your petitioners would beg to remind your Honor of our former application (answer received 27th September, 1878, No. 2,585), for a portion of the said block to be set aside for a special settlement under the deferred-payment system. 2. That your petitioners are anxiously awaiting the final issue of their application in order to go at once and occupy the land. 3. That your petitioners now number upwards of eighty members, and are fully competent to fulfil all requirements of the Act, although not capable of purchasing land at public auction. And your petitioners will ever pray, &c. kThomas Allely, And 74 Others,

No. 7. Mr. George Vesey Stewart to the Hon. the Minister of Lands. Sir, — Katikati, December, 1878. As Chairman of the Tauranga County Council, I have been requested to submit to your consideration copy of the resolution passed unanimously at the meeting the Council held this day I need not point out to you the necessity that exists that this block of land should be thrown open to bond fide settlers for occupation and cultivation. Trusting that this resolution will meet with your favourable consideration, I have, &c., Geo. Vesey Stewart, The Hon. the Minister of Lands, Wellington. Chairman.

Resolved, That the Chairman communicate with the Government re the Te Puke Block, requesting them to place it in the hands of the Waste Lauds Board as soon as possible. John H. McCaw, Clerk.

No. 8. The Under-Secretary for Crown Lands to the Chairman of the Tauranga County Council. Sir,— Wellington, 25th February, 1879. I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of December last, transmitting copy of a resolution of the Tauranga County Council, requesting that the Te Puke Block may bo placed in the hands of the Auckland Land Board for sale. In reply, I have to inform you that the reserves to be made out of the block for the Natives are now being surveyed, and, so far as can be ascertained at present, the block will probably be in a position to be dealt with by the Board by April next. I have, &c., The Chairman, Tauranga County Council, Tauranga. H. J. H. Eliott.

No. 9. Mr. George Vesey Stewart to the Hon. the Minister of Lands. Sir, — Mount Stewart, Katikati, 20th December, 1878. I have the honor to forward you by this post a copy of the Bay of Plenty Times of the 19th instant, giving a verbatim copy of the Waste Lands Board's Ranger's official report of his visit of inspection to the Katikati settlers, which I am sure you will consider satisfactory Referring to your letter dated 23rd September last, I would respectfully remind you that the Te Puke Block has since been fully acquired by the Government; and 1 could induce a large number of most eligible and respectable immigrants (persons possessed of capital and position) to settle in a body upon these lauds if you would kindly make arrangements with me for that purpose ; and I would therefore ask you to be so good as to instruct me to proceed to Wellington as soon after Christmas as would suit your own convenience, for the purpose of making the arrangements promised in your letter to which I have referred.

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With 20,000 acres settled at Katikati, north of Tauranga, and 20,000 to 25,000 acres settled at Te Puke, south of Tauranga, by a class of settlers such as I am prepared to introduce, I believe will considerably add to develop the resources of the entire East Coast, and enhance the value of all the Government lands in this extensive area. I have, &c., The Hon. the Minister of Lands, Wellington. Geo. Vesey Stewart.

No. 10. The Under-Secretary for Crown Lands to Mr. George Vesey Stewart. Sir, — General Crown Lands Office, Wellington, 7th January, 1879. I am directed by the Hon. the Minister of Lands to acknowledge receipt of your letter of the 20th ultimo, asking for a portion of the Te Puke Block to be set aside for a special settlement, and that you be instructed to proceed to Wellington for the purpose of making arrangements ; and to inform you that there is no law under which your request can be complied with, but there can be no objection to your visiting Wellington to consult with Ministers. The Hon. the Minister of Lands is expected here about the end of the current month. The Government are very much pleased with the satisfactory report of the Crown Lands Ranger on the first Katikati settlement. I have, &c., G. V Stewart, Esq., Katikati. H. J H. Eliott.

No. 11. Mr. George Vesey Stewart to the Hon. the Minister of Lands. Sir, — Mount Stewart, Katikati, 19th January, 1879. I have the honor to acknowledge receipt of your letter dated the 7th instant, and regret that there is no law under which my request can be complied with; but I think that the Waste Lands Bill, passed in 1876, gives the Government such power I would refer you to a short debate on the motion of the Hon. G. M. O'Rorke, reported in Hansard, p. 676, October 27th, 1876, wherein it is stated by Major Atkinson that the clauses of the Waste Lands Bill would make provision for Mr O'Rorke's request, and under which the Government did subsequently sell me 10,000 acres for the present flourishing settlement of Katikati. I should feel exceedingly obliged by your kindly looking into this matter, as, if the settlement is still to be further increased, the question of time is a most serious consideration in bringing it to a successful issue; and it will afford me much pleasure to wait upon you in Wellington so soon as you are settled there, and confer with you on the matter. Hoping you will kindly excuse the trouble I am giving, I have, &c., The Hon. the Minister of Lands, Wellington. G Vesey Stewart.

No. 12. The Under-Secretary for Crown Lands to Mr. George Vesey Stewart. Sir, — General Crown Lands Office, Wellington, 28th January, 1879. I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 19th instant, in which you require that further extension of the Katikati Settlement may be allowed, and expressing your opinion that the Waste Lands Administration Act of 1876 gave necessary power to do so. In reply, I have to point out to you that the above-named Act was repealed, with the exception of a few sections —which do not bear on this question, however—by " The Land Act, 1877," copy of which I enclose for your information, I have, &c., G. V Stewart, Tauranga, Auckland. H. J H. Eliott.

No. 13. Mr. George Vesey Stewart to the Hon. the Minister of Lands. Sir,— Mount Stewart, Katikati, 10th February, 1879. I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 28th ultimo, enclosing me a copy of "The Land Act, 1877," for which I t'eel obliged. As I feel it is a matter of the greatest importance to keep up the stream of immigration to this colony of the class I have lately introduced, I would respectfully suggest that an agreement should be entered upon for a further special settlement, subject to the sanction of Parliament, which would effect a considerable saving of time; and, if this proposition should receive the sanction of the Government, I am satisfied that the Opposition members would also support it. This having been the course suggested by Major Atkinson when Premier, as reported in Hansard, page 676, 27th October, 1876, he could not now oppose a similar proposal.

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I do not ask for Te Aroha Block of 63,000 acres, from which Mr. Broomhall was lately relieved, and which will far more than satisfy all the local demand for land for many years to come, but am willing to plant the settlement upon any fair average land that the Government may desire, commencing with Te Puke in this neighbourhood. I trust you will kindly excuse me for thus troubling you, but as I believe the members of the present Government are anxious to see the country settled, and the North Island covered with smiling farms and homesteads, I have been consequently urged to press my proposals upon your notice and kind consideration. I have, &c., The Hon. the Minister of Lands, Wellington. Geo. Vesey Stewart.

No. 14 The Under-Secretary for Crown Lands to Mr George Vesey Stewart. Sir, — General Crown Lands Office, Wellington, 27th February, 1879. I have the honor, by direction of the Hon. the Minister of Lands, to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 10th instant, requesting that the Government would enter into a provisional agreement with you for a further extension of the special settlement at Katikati, subject to the sanction of the General Assembly, and, in reply, to inform you that the Government cannot accede to your proposal. I am to suggest, however, that you should petition Parliament with a view to obtaining the necessary legislative authority for an extension of the settlement. I have, &c., G V Stewart, Esq., Katikati, Tauranga, Auckland. H. J H. Eliott.

No. 15. Mr. George Vesey Stewart to the Hon. the Minister of Lands. Sir,— Katikati, 10th March, 1879. I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letters of the 20th and 27th ultimo, and regret that you are unable to accede to my proposal, as much valuable time and desirable immigrants will be lost by the delay that must thereby ensue. I have to thank you for your suggestion to petition Parliament with a view to obtaining the necessary legislative authority for an extension of the settlement on Te Puke Block in this ' (Tauranga) district, and would feel much obliged to you if you would kindly retain jurisdiction and management of these lands in the General Crown Lands Office, Wellington, till the result of the proposed petition has been concluded, and to inform me whether you would be so good as to present the petition to the House, and give it your support and that of your colleagues. I have, &c, The Hon. the Minister of Lands, Wellington. George Vesey Stewart.

No. 16. The Under-Secretary for Immigration to Mr. George Vesey Stewart. Sir, — Immigration Office, Wellington, 7th April, 1879. 1 have the honor, by direction of the Hon. Mr. Stout, to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 10th ultimo, and in reply to inform you that he will give the subject of the extension of the Katikati Settlement his consideration. I have, &c., G. V Stewart, Esq., Tauranga. H. J H. Eliott.

No. 17 Mr. Richard Blake to the Hon. the Minister of Lands. Sir,— Tauranga, 22nd February, 1879. At a Committee-meeting of the Tauranga Working-men's Land Association, a resolution was passed that a letter be sent to your Honor reminding you of a petition forwarded 27th November, signed by eighty of its members (heads of families), for a portion of the Te Puke Block. Trusting that your Honor will favourably consider our petition, as your petitioners, with others who have joined since, are anxiously awaiting a reply to their request, I have, &c., Richard Blake, The Hon. the Minister of Lands, Wellington. Chairman.

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No. 18. The Under-Secretary for Crown Lands to Mr. Richard Blake, Chairman, Tauranga Working-men's Association. Sir,— Wellington, Bth March, 1879. I have the honor, by direction of the Hon. the Minister of Lands, to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 2.2nd ultimo, referring to a petition which was sent to the Government by the Tauranga Working-men's Association, praying that a portion of the Te Puke Block may be set apart for a special settlement. In reply, lam to inform you that, when the block is in a position to be dealt with, portions of it will be sold on immediate payments, and portions on deferred payments; but the Government has no power under the existing law to set apart land for special settlements. I have, &c, R. Blake, Esq., Tauranga. H. J H, Eliott.

No. 19. Mr. George Vesey Stewart to the Hon. the Minister of Lands. Sir,— Katikati, 15th April, 1879. I trust you will kindly excuse me for troubling you so much, and trespassing upon your valuable time; but, having received by recent mails from the United Kingdom so many inquiries from parties who might be induced to settle in this country, that I am unable to send them any definite reply till I hear from you in answer to my letter dated 10th March last. Will you kindly give that your favourable consideration, support, and reply ? 1 should also feel obliged for you to state whether you will be disposed to grant any assisted passages to approved nominated emigrants, so as to secure a superior class of practical colonists, and which I further have the honor to submit for your consideration. I have, &c. The Hon. the Minister of Lands, Wellington. George Vesey Stewart.

No. 20. The Under-Secretary for Immigration to Mr. George Vesey Stewart. Sir, — Immigration Office, Wellington, sth May, 1879. I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the loth ultimo, and in reply to inform you that the same shall be submitted to the Hon. Mr. Stout on his arrival in Wellington next week. l^our letter of the 10th March last, to which you refer, has been taken to Auckland by the Hon. Mr. Sheehan, and I would suggest that you communicate with that gentleman on the subject. I have, &c., G. V Stewart, Esq., Katikati. H. J H. Eliott.

No. 21. Mr. Richard Blake, Chairman of the Tauranga Working-men's Land Association, to Mr. Allan McDonald, M.H.R. Sir,— Tauranga, 13th October, 1879. I have the honor to bring under your notice the following facts:—l have been informed that Mr. G. V Stewart and others are endeavouring to treat with the Government for Te Puke Block, which block, as you are well aware, the Working-men's Land Association have been in treaty for the last three years. Now I, as Chairman, on behalf of the Association, consider that we had a priority of claim on the said block, and therefore do not wish to come into collision with any other party treating for the same. In fact, we wish to take up the said land as a body, and act together to form a special settlement. Now, trusting to you as our representative, I feel all confidence in your watching over our interest. I may, in conclusion, state that this communication is merely to put you in possession of certain facts which wo want you to guard against, and that in all probability some member of our Association will proceed to Wellington in order to be in direct communication with you. Hoping you will do the best you can for us, I have, &c, Richard Blake, A. McDonald, Esq., M.H R. Chairman Working-men's Association.

No. 22. Mr. Fitzgibbon Louche, C.E., to the Hon. the Minister of Lands. Sir, — Castle Grace, Katikati, 28th October, 1879. I beg respectfully to apply for 25,000 acres of land of Rangiuru and Pohiko, in the Bay of Plenty District, for the purpose of establishing a special settlement.

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Should the Government grant me these lands, I am prepared to pay the sum to be agreed on, and to proceed to the United Kingdom to bring out a sufficient number of families possessed with capital to take up the said land. I propose to apportion one-fifth of the quantity of land so granted for settlement by colonists. I trust that the Government will give this application their favourable consideration, and that they will not dispose of these lands without first acquainting me of their intention to do so, as several families (intending emigrants) are awaiting my reply as to the place of their location iv the colony I have, &c., The Hon. the Minister of Lands, Wellington. Fitzgibbon Louche, C.E.

No. 23. The Commissioner of Crown Lands, Auckland, to the Under-Secretary for Crown Lands. Sir, — Crown Lands Office, Auckland, 31st October, 1879. I have the honor, at the request of the Land Board, to forward the enclosed copy of a resolution passed at its fortnightly meeting on Thursday last. I have, &c, The Under-Secretary for Crown Lands, Wellington. D. A. Tole.

Enclosure 1 in No. 23. The Commissioner of Crown Lands, Auckland, to the Chief Surveyor, Auckland. (Memorandum.) Will you have the goodness to inform me, for the information of the Land Board, what progress has been made towards preparing the Te Puke Block for disposal, partly by public auction, and partly by settlement on the deferred-payment system. You may remember that a resolution of the Board, indicating its wishes on the subject of rendering this block, or, rather, a portion of it, immediately available for sale and settlement, was forwarded to you on the 27th June last. D. A. Tole, Commissioner of Crown Lands. Crown Lands Office, Auckland, 30th October, 1879.

Enclosure 2 in No. 23. The Chief Surveyor, Auckland, to the Commissioner of Crown Lands, Auckland. (Memorandum.) The contracts for the survey of To Puke were withdrawn from competition, by order of the Surveyor-General, on the 13th August. Therefore nothing whatever has been done in respect to the survey S. Percy Smith. 30th October, 1879.

Enclosure 3 in No. 23. Extract from Minutes of Meeting of Waste Lands Board. It was resolved, — '' That a copy of the Chief Commissioner's memorandum, and reply thereto, be forwarded to the Hon the Minister of Lands, with an expression of regret on the part of the Board that the Te Puke Block, Tauranga District, should, without reference to the Board, and in opposition to a resolution which it had passed on the subject, have been withheld from survey for settlement purposes. Further, the Board respectfully begs to be informed of the reasons which moved the Government to take the action above referred to. The Board will be glad to learn that Government have no objection to this land being at once surveyed and rendered available for sale and settlement, in order that the numerous demands of applicants for land in this block may be satisfied." D. A. Tole, Commissioner of Crown Lands.

No. 24. The Under-Secretary for Crown Lands to the Commissioner of Crown Lands, Auckland, Sir, — General Crown Lands Office, "Wellington, 13th November, 1879. I am directed by the Hon. the Minister of Lands to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 31st ultimo, No. 1,547, covering copy of a resolution of the Land Board with reference to the survey and sale of the Te Puke Block. I have, &c, 11. J. H. Eliott, The Commissioner of Crown Lands, Auckland. Under-Secretary.

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No. 25. The Coaimissioner of Crown Lands, Auckland, to the Under-Secretary for Crown Lands; Sir, — Auckland, 3rd December, 1879. I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter No. 761/1, of date 13th November last, and, in reference to the subject-matter thereof, to forward to you the enclosed copy of a resolution of the Waste Lands Board. I have, &c, The Under-Secretary of Crown Lands, D. A. Tole, Wellington. Commissioner of Crown Lands.

Enclosure in No. 25. Extract from Minutes of a Meeting of the Waste Lands Board. It was resolved, — " That, in reference to the reply of the Hon. the Minister of Lands, No. 761, dated 13th November, relative to the stoppage of the survey of the Te Puke Block, the Board regrets that the pressure of parliamentary business appears to have prevented the Hon. the Minister of Lands giving due consideration to its resolution of 30th October last, and respectfully urges upon the Hon. the Minister of Lands its further consideration, inasmuch as a great desire exists for portions of the Te Puke Block to be brought into the market, more especially as the Bay of Plenty District, in which the Te Puke Block is situated, has been kept back for many years, owing to the impossibility of obtaining land in that district." D. A. Tole, Commissioner of Crown Lands.

No. 26. Mr. Fitzgibbon Louche to the Hon. the Minister of Lands. (Telegram.) Tauranga, 4th December, 1879. Referring to application for land of Rangiuru and Pohiko, special settlement, these lands will pass through the Court here within next fortnight. Mr. Young is working hard for Government, as the Lands Bill has now passed. I will be obliged by a definite reply to my application. The Hon. the Minister of Lands. Fitzgibbon Louche.

No. 27 The Hon. the Minister of Lands to Mr. Fitzgibbon Louche, Tauranga. (Telegram.) Wellington, 6th December, 1879. As Land Bill has not yet become law, I cannot enter into any arrangements at present with reference to special settlements. Fitzgibbon Louche, Esq., Tauranga. W Rolleston

No. 28. Petition of G. Norris and 85 other Settlers ; presented by Mr. McDonald, 4th November, 1879. To the Honorable the House of Representatives of New Zealand. The humble petition of the undersigned showeth, — That a number of your petitioners have resided in the Tauranga district of Auckland for the past ten years, and have witnessed the introduction by George Vesey Stewart, Esquire, during the past four years, of two shipments of special settlers to Katikati, in the said district. 2. That your petitioners can testify the said special settlers have introduced a large amount of capital into the colony, they having expended during the foregone twelve months a sum of at least £10,000 on their homesteads alone. 3. That the said settlers have settled on areas of from eighty to five hundred acres. 4. That your petitioners can testify that a very small minority of the settlers so introduced by George Vesey Stewart have not settled on the areas allotted to them, and that the larger portion of such minority have taken up other lands and made homesteads in the district. 5. That your petitioners believe that the capital which has been introduced by the said settlers would not have been brought into the colony but through the instrumentality of George Vesey Stewart, and that the colonial revenue would have thereby proportionately suffered. 6. That your petitioners believe that the lands now occupied by the said special settlers, comprising Nos. 1 and 2 shipments, would, but for the introduction of these settlers, now have been waste lands, instead of being covered by comfortable homesteads, occupied by a thriving population. 7 That the official reports authorized by the Auckland Waste Lands Board show conclusively that both introductions of the said special settlers to Katikati have proved successes

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beyond precedent in the history of the colony, and no other special settlements have been so successful. 8. That your petitioners further believe, from the experience of the past, and in view of the great desire evinced by the agricultural farmers of the United Kingdom for emigration, which at present, it is believed, is streaming to Canada and the United States, would, if any assistance were rendered to George Vesey Stewart to enable him to carry out his scheme for further settlement or settlements similar to those already formed by him, be the means of bringing to this colony a class of settlers who would prove themselves not only a boon to the colony, but add greatly to its wealth and the development of its resources. 9. That your petitioners believe that there arc large blocks of land in the Bay of Plenty District equally as suitable for settlement as those of Katikati. Your petitioners therefore pray that your honorable House will authorize the Government to grant to George Vesey Stewart such lands for special settlement, and offer such facilities for settlement thereon, as to your honorable House may seem fit. And your petitioners, as in duty bound, will ever pray. G. Norris, And 85 Others.

No. 29. Report of the Waste Lands Committee on the Petition of G. Norris and Others, of Auckland. The Waste Lands Committee, to whom was referred the petition of G Norris and others, of Auckland, relative to setting apart certain lands for special settlement, has directed me to report that the Committee is of opinion that this petition be referred to the Government for their favourable consideration. Henry Bunny, Chairman.

No. 30. Petition of R. Blake and Others; presented by Mr. McDonald on the 7th November, 1879. To the Honorable House of Representatives, now in Parliament assembled. The humble petition of the members of the Tauranga Working-men's Land Association, of Tauranga, in the Colony of New Zealand, showeth, — That your petitioners are known as the Tauranga Working-men's Land Association, and number sixty-seven members, besides their wives and children; amounting in all to three hundred persons. That the Association consists of agriculturists and mechanics, and is formed for the purpose of acquiring a portion of the Te Puke Block, near Tauranga, for the purposes of a special settlement, for which application was made to the Auckland Waste Lands Board; but the conditions as to price—namely, £3 per acre —made it impossible for your petitioners to take it up. That your petitioners now ask your honorable House to set apart a sufficient area of the said block for their use under the homestead system, or such other terms as will make it possible for industrious people with limited means to become prosperous settlers. That, should your honorable House grant our petitioners the land on the terms required, they would in the course of a year have a number of their friends from the " Old Country " to settle with them, whose capital, combined with your petitioners' experience, would make the settlement an undoubted success. Your petitioners therefore humbly pray that your honorable House will take their position into favourable consideration and grant their request. And your petitioners will ever pray, &c. Richard Blake, And G6 Others.

No. 31. Report of the Waste Lands Committee on the Petition of Richard Blase and Others. The Waste Lands Committee, to whom was referred the petition of Richard Blake and others, praying that certain lands be set apart for occupation under the homestead system, has directed me to report that the Committee is of opinion that this petition be referred ito the Government for their favourable consideration. Henry Bunny, 3rd December, 1879. Chairman.

No. 32. Mr. George Vesey Stewart to the Hon. the Minister of Lands. Sir,— Wellington, 20th July, 1879. I have the honor to enclose you a requisition, signed by the leading inhabitants of Tauranga, requesting me to make arrangements with you for the settlement by bonafide settlers of further lands in that neighbourhood. 2—D. 6.

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A large proportion of the lands referred to are at present in the possession of the Government, and upon the remainder the Native title can be forthwith extinguished, subject to which I am prepared to make arrangements with the Government for the purchase of the entire area as stated. I beg to refer you to the parliamentary report of the Crown Lands Ranger upon No. 1 Settlement at Katikati, and to the report on No. 2 Settlement submitted last week to the Waste Lands Board, and which has been ordered by Parliament to be laid on the table and printed. These official reports will satisfy you that the confidence placed in me by the Government of New Zealand has been fully carried out by the results. Many of the settlers whom I have already introduced desire their friends and acquaintances to be settled within their own district, and the lands for which I am now applying are the only suitable lands available, being situated about twenty miles south of Tauranga, whereby, if settled, the Township of Tauranga would be placed in the centre of the three combined settlements. I have no wish to monopolize the area applied for with immigrants; but, on the contrary, desire that colonists and colonists' sons should be located with the proposed new settlers upon such terms as you may direct. I regret to state that, in my opinion, a portion of the Auckland Waste Lands Board is opposed to progress, and, I believe, will thwart me, if possible, in my endeavour to settle this part of the country; and, as these lands have been handed over to their administration, I would respectfully ask you to recommend His Excellency to issue a notice withdrawing the lands of Te Puke from sale or lease, as provided by section 167 of "The Land Act, 1877 " This is necessary to preserve the block from being spotted, to the detriment of any settlement that may be hereafter formed. I should further add, as a reason for making this request, that, although the Te Aroha lands reserved for Mr. Broomhall have been long since handed over to this Board, as yet they have not been offered for sale; but in the case of Te Puke they have already issued advertisements for surveying and cutting up this block by tender. I might further state that the leading Press of the colony, representing various political opinions, has been unanimous in advocating the present application. The Government have already acquired, or can procure almost immediate possession of, 228,544 acres in this neighbourhood, as per schedule attached : if, therefore, you would sell to me the blocks of Te Puke, Rangiuru, Pukaingataru, Papanui, and Otawa, containing about 48,000 acres subject to a large area for Native reserves, such a settlement as I propose to form would greatly enhance the value of the adjoining Government land. Trusting that you will take this application into your favourable consideration, I have, &c, The Hon. the Minister of Lands, Wellington. George Vesey Stewart.

Enclosure 1 in No. 32. Schedule. Maungatapu, 400 acres ; Tapuaitu, 57 acres; Tutukeranga, 150 acres; Ngatihi, 8,173 acres; Maungatawa, 1,295 acres; Ngatihi, 1,496 acres; Ngapotiki, 11,700 acres; Waitaha, 7,000 acres; Te Puke, 25,972 acres; Rangiufu, 12,255 acres; Kaituna, 2,200 acres; Pukaingataru, 3,585 acres; Papanui, 5,843 acres; Kaikokopu, 40,284 acres; Otamarakau, 90,074 acres; Pahiko, 18,000 acres : total, 228,544 acres.

Enclosure 2 in No. 32. Alexander Tovey and Others to Mr. George Vesey Stewart. Sir,— We, the undersigned inhabitants of Tauranga and neighbourhood, having viewed the success that has attended the special settlement founded by you at Katikati, and the consequent advantages conferred thereby to this district, request you will apply to the Government for the following blocks of land—Paengaroa or Papanui, 18,600 acres or thereabouts ; Kaituna, 6,686 acres or thereabouts; To Puke, 25,972 acres or thereabouts; Matata Blocks, 19,995 acres or thereabouts—with the view of founding a third similar settlement on the south side of Taurauga, reserving therefrom for bond fide settlement such acreage as may be agreed on (under the homestead system) for the Tauranga Working-men's Land Association. We have, &c, Alexander Tovey, George Vesey Stewart, Esq., Katikati. And 30 Others.

No. 33. Mr. George Vesey Stewart to the Hon. the Minister of Lands. Sir,— Wellington, sth August, 1879. Referring to my letter of the 29th July last, applying for a further sale of land for the o rmation of a special settlement composed of colonists and immigrants with capital, I have the

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honor to draw your attention to the sales of land in the Tauranga and adjoining counties for the past year, as published in the Government Gazette of this evening: Tauranga, £3,155 18s. 5d.; Whakatane, £704; Taupo, £18 155.; Thames, £177 17s. 6d. I have further to state that the Government land sales in Tauranga and Whakatane Counties above referred to, have been almost entirely confined to sales within the Townships of Tauranga and Opotiki, in the Tauranga and Whakatane Counties, leaving but a very small proportion of returns for the sale of rural lands, and therefore, unless extraordinary means are not adopted for the settlement of land as proposed by me, the Government need not expect any considerable addition to the land revenue of this part of the colony for many years. The capital introduced by my last body of settlers has been estimated to exceed £100,000. I have, &c., The Hon. the Minister of Lands, Wellington. Geo. Vesey Stewart.

No. 34. Mr. George Vesey Stewart to the Hon. the Minister of Lands. Sir,— Wellington, 6th August, 1879. In reference to our interview of this morning, in which you requested me to submit further proposals for the formation of the special settlement, I beg to refer you to the general terms of my last agreement with the Waste Lands Board, for Katikati No. 2 Settlement, as given in D.-3, page 5, 1878. I would, however, ask some modifications, which the experience of the last settlement suggests : — 1. As the proposed area is five times the extent of No. 2 Settlement, and taken in one continuous block or ring-fence, we may reasonably infer that in such an extended area a large quantity is not suitable for agricultural operations, therefore that the number of persons should be one to each hundred acres. I should, however, here remark that, though I was only bound to introduce 132 adults for No. 2 Settlement, I introduced in the ship " Lady Jocelyn" alone about 400 souls, and the remainder of my party reached New Zealand in five other vessels. 2. That the Agent-General's certificate be dispensed with, and that the Agent-General be instructed to afford every reasonable facility without compromising the Government in any way 3. That, in consideration of the increased area, it would not be advisable to plant a large body simultaneously, and that the time for placing them thereon be extended, say, for four years from date of signing the agreement. 4. That the terms be 10s. per acre net, payable as follows : 20 per cent, within twelve months of the agreement being signed, and the balance by annual instalments of 10 per cent, till repaid. 5. That such portion of the block shall be reserved by me for colonists or colonists' sons as may be considered expedient. There are other minor matters of detail which could probably be arranged hereafter. I would, however, draw your attention to the fact that the autumn and early winter months at Home is the only season for collecting persons of the agricultural class, when their crops are gathered and easily disposed of; and, further, would enable the first contingent to reach New Zealand at the close of our winter months, with a long spring and summer before them. It would therefore be a matter of vital importance that I should be enabled to return to Great Britain forthwith ; and, though Mr. G. M. Heed and such agents are highly respectable men, and well known in the colony, they have not the same influence as what my combined experience and position at Home have given me. The last two agreements were dated 24th June, 1874, and 31st July, 1877, and both parties arrived here on the August of the following year. I have, &c., The Hon. the Minister of Lands, Wellington. George Vesey Stewart.

No. 35. The Under-Secretary for Crown Lands to Mr. George Vesey Stewart. Sir, — General Crown Lands Office, Wellington, 19th August, 1879. I have the honor, by direction of the Hon. the Minister of Lands, to acknowledge the receipt of your three letters, dated respectively the 29th July, the sth August, and the 6th August, setting forth the terms upoii which you would be willing to undertake the formation of further special settlements on the east coast of the North Island, and requesting that certain blocks of land which are now available to be dealt with by the Government may be withheld from sale pending a settlement of your proposed scheme. In reply, I am to inform you that the Government is not at present in a position to entertain your proposals; but, in the event of the Te Puke Block being surveyed and placed in the

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market before the next session of the General Assembly, the Government would be prepared to recommend the Governor to withdraw that block of laud from sale until you had an opportunity of bringing your proposals before Parliament, I have, &c., G. V. Stewart, Esq., Katikati. H. J H. Eliott.

No. 36. Mr. George Vesey Stewart to the Hon. the Minister of Lands. Sir, — Wellington, 17th December, 1879. As the Land Act Amendment Bill has now passed, I have the honor to refer you to my letters of 29th July and 6th August last, and would feel much obliged if you could kindly direct the preliminary steps to be taken to give effect to the special-settlement clauses of the said Amendment Act. I propose to form an extensive special settlement, of farmers and capitalists, subject to any guarantees and conditions you may direct, upon portions of the following lands—namely, Te Puke, Rangiuru, Pahiko, Papanui, Pukaingataru, and Kaikokopu—and which lands would be required to make up a rectangular block of, say, 50,000 acres. The Native title has been extinguished upon Tc Puke, and will be completed in a few days, and weeks upon the adjacent blocks, with regard to which latter I should feel quite satisfied with a simple agreement from the Governor, that on the alienation of the Native title such lands would be included in the proposed settlement, and which I would accept at my own risk, without any liability on behalf of the Government. I have a large number of families with considerable capital hanging on at Home, waiting for my instructions; and one shipload could be formed after my return to Great Britain, and long before they could reach the colony and be settled upon the Government lands now available for settlement the remaining blocks would be ready for further relays of settlers. The great mistake in the last settlement was the small area of land (20,000 acres), by which many wealthy capitalists were prevented from joining my party, as I had not sufficient scope, the result being that these parties emigrated to the Transvaal. I would also suggest it would not be advisable that these several shiploads should come simultaneously : there should be an interval of at least three to four months between the arrival of each ship, else exorbitant rates will be extorted for temporary accommodation, labour, and building materials ; and, further, the class of people I will introduce cannot rise up at a moment's notice to dispose of their properties, and the land could thus be taken up as it falls into the hands of the Government. I give herewith a schedule of the several blocks and their areas that the Government is now acquiring in a ring-fence, and which must be trebled in value by the iormation of an extensive settlement such as I propose. In conclusion, I beg to refer you to the petition presented to Parliament by the inhabitants of Tauranga on 4th November last, and to the two previous agreements already published, which would assist in drawing up the necessary documents between the Government and myself. I have, &c., The Hon. the Minister of Lands, Wellington. George Vesey Stewart.

Enclosure in No. 36. Schedule of lands referred to (Tauranga District) in a ring-fence: Maungatapu, 400 acres; Tapuaitu, 57 ; Tutukeranga, 150; Ngatihi, 8,173 ; Maungatawa, 1,295; Ngatihi, 1,496 j Waitaha, 7,000; Tc Puke, 25,97.2; Eangiuru, 12,255; Kaituna, 2,260; Pukaingataru, 3,585; Papanui, 5,843; Kaikokopu, 40,284; Otamarakau, 90,074; Pahiko, 18,000: total, 228,544 aci'es. I would take the liberty of making the following suggestions as mere matters of detail :■ — 1. Letter from Hon. the Minister of Lands to Agent-General, recommending matter to his favourable attention. 2. Permission to domicile my letters at No. 7, Westminster Chambers. 3. " Hinemoa " or " Stella " to be allowed to tug emigrant ships to Tauranga, if advised from the North, en passant. 4. Single girls to be allowed free passages forming this party at the usual emigration contract rates. 5. Power to G. V Stewart to nominate a stipulated number of assisted emigrants at £o per adult as labourers for the settlement, to meet a most useful class of small farmers, with large families, to settle down on small farms, and whose sons could work for contract to the more wealthy capitalists and large employers of labour. The above is the result of my practical experience in the working of the previous settlements ; and I can only add that if I am intrusted by Government to form this settlement I will pledge my honor to make it the greatest success ever yet achieved in New Zealand, and one that will redound to the credit of the Government and myself.

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The last agreement was hammered into shape in four days without the facility of a previous agreement such as we now have, and it would be a matter of the most vital importance that I could at once return to Great Britain. G. V Stewart.

No. 37 The Surveyor-General to the Chief Surveyor, Auckland. (Telegram.) Wellington, 19th December, 1879. Hon Minister of Lands wishes report from you as to capabilities of Tc Puke Block, near Tauranga, for settlement, and its present cash value. Report and valuation required in connection with proposal of Vcscy Stewart for special settlement. Letter with fuller particulars by "llingarooma." This telegram will give you more time to arrange for visit to Tauranga should that be necessary after you receive letter. James McKerrow, The Chief Surveyor, Auckland. Surveyor-General.

No. 38. The Secretary for Crown Lands to the Chief Surveyor, Auckland. Sir,— Wellington, 19th December, 1879. Mr. Vesey Stewart has made proposals to Government regarding a special-settlement block of 50,000 acres, to comprehend part of Te Puke and adjacent blocks, near Taurauga. But, as the adjacent land is not yet declared Crown lands, and there may be some delay in its becoming so, the Government will not treat for more than Te Puke Block at present. By the Land Act Amendment Act just passed,, it is provided that "land in a special settlement shall be sold at a price to be fixed by competent valuation, not being less thau one pound per acre." It therefore becomes necessary to have a valuation made before Government can take any further steps in the matter. The Hon. the Minister for Lands desires that you would report for his information "the capabilities of Te Puke Block for settlement/ giving information particularly on the following points :—- -" 1. Nature of soil, aspect of country, whether level or hilly, if well watered, natural vegetation, proportion of arable land, growing timber. " 2. Accessibility, nature of road or track from Tauranga, aud distance; whether available for dray traffic, and, if not, probable cost of rendering it so. Is there water communication to block ? " 3. The present cash value of the land, classified according to natural advantages—say in blocks of 5,000 acres or thereabouts. "4. The present cash value of Te Puke Tslock if disposed of in one block to one purchaser. "5. General remarks; under this —say, if there is known to be any special demand for land by settlers within the district; also, if any public reserves for township or other purposes should be made." I do not know whether it will be necessary for you to visit the block —perhaps you are already familiar with it; but, whether or no, will you please take the matter up at your earliest convenience. Government is desirous of being off or on with the proposal without delay I have, &c, James McKerrow, The Chief Surveyor, Auckland. Secretary for Crown Lands.

No. 39. The Secretary for Crown Lands to the Hon. the Minister of Lands. (Memorandum.) Wellington, 3rd January, 1880. Accompanying is Mr Percy Smith's report on Te Puke Block, near Tauranga, obtained in connection with Mr Vesey Stewart's proposals for a special settlement. It will be seen from the report that Tc Puke is a valuable agricultural block, well adapted for settlement, and that, after deducting Native, Village, and proposed timber reserves, there are 21,752 acres for disposal, the value of which as it now stands being estimated at £26,735. The only material objection in report to proposal is in section 5, where it is stated that there is considerable local demand for land, and that the 3,000 acres immediately south of the proposed road-line, dotted on tracing, was, in deference to this demand, and with the sanction of the Land Board, proposed to be surveyed into small farms. If this should still be given effect to, the area for special settlement would" be reduced to 18,752 acres, and the price to £21,110.

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But probably Mr. Stewart would not care for either the swamp or forest land, and there is no objection to leave both out. There would then remain au area of 7,852 acres of open land suitable for special settlement, of a value of £14,722 10s. James McKerrow, Surveyor-General. As the Rangiuru Block will, apparently, soon come into the hands of the Government, Mr. Smith had better report on it after his next visit to the district. — J M.

Enclosure 1 in No. 39 The Chief Surveyor, Auckland, to the Surveyor-General. Sir,— 24th December, 1879. Upon my return from Katikati and Te Aroha yesterday, I found your memorandum, instructing me to report on Te Puke Block, awaiting me. As I have ample information with respect to the character of the lands, &c., I did not deem it necessary to personally visit the locality The accompanying tracing shows the position of Te Puke and Rangiuru with respect to Tauranga and Maketu, the two ports by which access is obtained to this part of the country From this it will bo observed that Te Puke occupies a nearly central position between the two places, the proposed village site being distant by the future main road fourteenmiles from the former and nine miles from the latter. Tauranga will as a rule be the port generally used, as Maketuis only suitable for small vessels and steamers under favourable circumstances, though it has this great advantage that the Kaituna River, flowing into it, is navigable by small steamers up to Kauaua, in Rangiuru, and by its branch, the Waiari, for whaleboats to the village site at Kahikatea, or to the crossing of the main road. The Kaituna is further navigable by boats along the frontage of Rangiuru to Pakr.tore. In the absence of made roads this water communication is a matter of the greatest importance to a young settlement. 1 consider that Tc Puke affords one of the best sites for settlement now available in the Bay of Plenty The soil is good, access comparatively easy, the aspect a gradual slope facing the rising sun; shelter from the worst winds is afforded by the ranges (forest-clad) lying immediately southwest ward j whilst the climate is acknowledged to be the best in the North Island. I will now answer your queries seriatim as far as I can. 1 The nature of the soil is light vegetable mould. The middle portion of the block (Blocks 1., 11., V., VI., and part of IX.) is generally level or undulating, with many streams, running in deep gullies ; vegetation in the open, high fern and tutu; a little swamp here and there. The timbered portion of Block IX. is suitable for settlement, but more broken; whilst that portion of XII., Otaniwainuku, is too much cut up by precipitous gullies decending from Otaniwainuku to be available for anything but a timber reserve. That portion of Tc Puke which is within Blocks 111. and IV., Te Tumu, and part of Block 11., Makotu, is too swampy to be immediately available for settlement, although it is believed to be capable of drainage into the Kaituna River. 2. Present access is by water (Kaituua River) or by rough Native tracks from Tauranga and Maketu, available only for horses, with some difficulty When the Waste Lands Board were about to deal with this country in July last, I recommended that a sum of .£3,200 should be placed on the estimate for opening a proper bridle-track from Tauranga to the village site, following the line indicated on tracing, which presents no engineering difficulties whatever, and on which good grades within survey office limits would be obtained. It was also estimated at the time that the cost of making a cart-road would be about £1,600, exclusive of a viaduct over a branch of the Tauranga Harbour at Hairini. This road would form part of the future main road from Tauranga to Opotiki. 3. There are in Te Puke, approximately, 6,300 acres of swamp and sand-hill, valued at 10s. per acre; and 11,252 acres of agricultural open land, valued at £2 per acre; and 4,600 acres of forest, agricultural, and pastoral (after clearing), valued at £1 per acre; with a remainder (exclusive of two Native reserves) of 2,240 acres of broken forest land, suitable only for a timber reserve, at 15s. per acre. Mr. District Surveyor Goldsmith places exactly the same value on these lands as I do (a fact I learn by telegraph to-day), and, as he has a good general personal knowledge of the country, I think the above may be taken as a fair valuation. It is what I estimated the Government would receive for the lands if cut up and sold as was proposed. To recapitulate: 6,300 acres swamp, at 10s. per acre, £3,150; 11,252 acres open agricultural land, at £2 per acre, £22,504; 4,600 acres forest, at £1 per acre, £4,600; 2,240 acres forest, at 15s. per acre, £1,680; 1,581 acres Native reserve : total, 25,973 acres ; value of Te Puke, £31,934. 4. The present cash value of the block, if disposed of to one purchaser (after deducting timber, Native, and Village site of 400 acres), would be subject to some deductions for survey and other charges, which I estimate at 2s. Gd. per acre. It would then stand as follows : Total area, 25,973 acres ; less reserve, 4,221 acres : area for sale, 21,752 acres. Total value, as above, £31,934; less timber and village reserves, and less 2s. 6d per acre expenses, £5,199: £26,735. 5. Unquestionably there is a considerable demand for land, and especially for that under consideration, by settlers within the district. There is an association at Tauranga called, I

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believe, the Tauranga Small-Farm Association, which has made several applications to the Waste Lands Board for parts of this block; and, in drawing up the specification for survey in July last, provision was made to have 3,000 acres in Block 11., Maketu, specially subdivided into small farms to meet their wants. 1 would respectfully submit to the Government whether this Association has not a real claim to the consideration of the Government in view of the fact that they are bond fide settlers, that they have been waiting a very long time for these lands to be opened, and that a partial promise by the Waste Lands Board has been made that they should receive lands in this neighbourhood. Should the Government deal with the lands as proposed, I would recommend that they retain in their own hands the village sites (400 acres) at Kahikatea, which should eventually be extended to Reuaua, and that the broken land iv Block XII., Otaniwainuku, be also reserved for timber purposes. Although Rangiuru is not yet proclaimed waste land, I believe I am correct in saying that the block has been awarded to Her Majesty by the Native Laud Court now sitting at Tauranga. I have not full particulars with respect to this block, but my personal knowledge of the lands to the north-east leads me to believe that it is much the same as Te Puke, but perhaps somewhat inferior. Should you wish it I will visit the place, and report, on my projected journey to Tauranga in January I have, &c, S. Percy Smith, The Surveyor-General, Wellington. Chief Surveyor.

Enclosure 2 in No. 39. The Chief Surveyor, Auckland, to the Surveyor-General. Sir,— 24th December, 1879. Referring to the subject of the proposed sale of Te Puke to Mr. Vesey Stewart, I would suggest for your consideration that our block system should be carried out in the survey of the lands for the immigrants whom it is doubtless intended to settle on the lands. The country is well suited for it; and every detail for this and other survey matters was provided for in the specification prepared when we were about to survey the lands for Government in July last. I am presuming, of course, that the same arrangements will be made with Mr. Stewart in this case as in that of the other two special settlements initiated by him—namely, that the Crown grants issue to the individual owners as purchased from him, and that the surveys are made at his cost by surveyors appointed by him. I think that something more specific as to surveys should be embodied in the agreement with Mr. Stewart than was done in the last case. I am quite unaware as to what has been done with respect to progress and character of the surveys of the second Katikati settlement any further than that I have heard complaints as to the great delay in their completion (they have been twenty months in progress); but, seeing that the Government have to issue the Crown grants, I intend shortly to send the Field Inspector down to inspect the work. lam somewhat apprehensive that sufficient care will not be exercised in laying out the roads if these matters are left to the discretion of surveyors employed by private parties. In the case of Te Puke, I think the Government should undertake the necessary minor triangulation, and possibly lay out the main road. Should you wish to refer to the specification for Te Puke survey, you will find a copy in your office. I took considerable trouble about it, and think you will find it embodies many points which should be considered in dealing with Mr. Stewart. I have, &c., S. Percy Smith, The Surveyor-General, Wellington. Chief Surveyor.

No. 40. The Secretary for Crown Lands to Mr. George Vesey Stewart. Sir, — General Crown Lands Office, Wellington, 6th January, 1880. Referring to your letter of 17th December last, in which you propose to treat for a special-settlement block of 50,000 acres, to be selected in the Bay of Plenty District from 228,544 acres of Native blocks fronting the coast-line to the south-east of Tauranga, and, further, to your interview with the Hon. the Minister of Lands yesterday, I am instructed by him to state that, of the blocks enumerated by you in the letter of 17th December, Te Puke, 25,972 acres, is the only one that has as yet been declared Crown lands, and, therefore, the only one the Government is in a position to dispose of. This area is subject to the deduction of two Native reserves, a village site, timber reserves, and 3,000 acres to be selected on south side of track (Tauranga to Opotiki) for deferred-payment settlers. The block will therefore stand thus : Total area, 25,972 acres : two Native reserves, 1,580 acres; village reserve, 400 acres; timber reserves, 2,240 acres; deferred-payment block, 3,000 acres —7,220 acres : leaving for proposed special settlements, 18,752 acres. The valuation of this is as under : 7,852 acres open land at £2 per acre, £15,704; 6,300 acres swamp land at 10s. per acre, £3,150; 4,600 acres forest land at £1 per acre, £4,600 : total, £23,454. Deduct 2s. 6d. per acre for subdivisional survey expenses, £2,344: total present value, £21,110,

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You will, with this information before you, bo enabled to put your proposal before Government in a more definite shape. In doing so, bear in mind that the only reason that warrants Government entertaining your proposals is, the hojie that you will be the means of introducing desirable persons from the United Kingdom, who would not be likely to emigrate unless with the assurance that they could be associated together as neighbours after arrival in the colony You must therefore be prepared to state how many families and persons you would guarantee settling on the block within a specified time. Other conditions will be —satisfactory proof as to the eligibility of emigrants before embarkation; the occupation, improvement, and limit of land allotted to a family, as defined in sections 7-13, draft of agreement arranged between yourselves and the Hon. the Minister for Immigration (see No. 13, D.-3, Vol. 1., Appendix to Journals of House of Representatives, 1878) In your reply you will be good enough to say when you are prepared to pay the purchasemoney, should an arrangement be completed with you for the block. I have, &c, James McKerrow, G. V. Stewart, Esq., Wellington. Secretary for Crown Lands.

No. 41. Mr. George Vesey Stewart to the Secretary for Crown Lands. Sir,— Wellington, 7th January, 1880. I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of yesterday, and regret that the Government is not in a position to deal with the entire area for which I have applied. I have no desire to acquire a monopoly, and would not, therefore, unduly press for the reserve of 3,000 acres proposed for deferred-payment selectors; but I trust the Government will consent that the balance of such 3,000 acres which may not be taken lip within some definite period (say in six months) shall revert into my special settlement, to be sold by me to colonists or others of my own selection. But I would point out to you that the Auckland Land Board hold for immediate settlement in the Tauranga and Te Puna districts the following area, namely : Surveyed lands, 14,400 acres; unsurveyed lands, 38,498 acres: total, 52,898 acres. A large portion of this land is of first-class quality, and would be far more suitable for deferredpayment selectors than the 3,000 acres proposed to be deducted from Te Puke for that purpose, and which (if deducted) will considerably mar the benefits of my proposed settlement, by thus restricting the small area of really good land at present available on that block. Proposed Village Reserve, 400 acres. —Considering that, between Native reserves, the proposed deferred-payment reserves, and the timber reserves, nearly one-half of the good land on the block will be absorbed, and as I am paying the full value as a wholesale transaction, and in addition bound to settle and populate same (whereas in the settlement of the North Island the mere price of the land should be a matter of minor consideration), I would respectfully submit it would be but some slight act of justice and legitimate compromise to allow me to deal with this portion. The best site for village settlement is on the adjoining block, Rangiuru, only separated by a narrow stream, which block enjoys deep-water frontage on the Kaituna River, and will immediately fall into the hands of the Government, having passed the Native Lands Court. 1 herewith enclose tracing of the best site for village settlement. In the formation of special settlements, not only from motives of honor and justice, it is of paramount importance that the settlers should be fully satisfied with their selections. I would therefore propose only to stipulate at present for about 15,000 acres, be the same more or less, as per clause 4 of my last agreement, which, taken at your average, would be about £16,000; and I would suggest that the final boundaries shall be defined by my surveyor after a field survey, but that for concluding this agreement and enabling me to return to Great Britain, comparative boundary-lines be run, so as to conclude this agreement. Eligibility of Emigrants. —l fully appreciate the confidence Government proposes to place in me as to the class of persons with capital I intend to introduce, many of whom are but waiting for my instructions, and, unless they are brought out in a body, as proposed, will emigrate to the Transvaal or Canada. I propose to iutroduce at least one adult to each 100 acres —two children under twelve years to count as one adult; that the emigrants composing this proposed party No. 3 shall be fully equal to, if not better than, those forming parties Nos. 1 and 2; and I need not refer you to the published reports of the Crown Lands Ranger, which have been laid before Parliament, and further testified by the influential petition from Tauranga, presented to the House of Representatives, praying the Government to deal with me for further blocks. Specified Time for Settlement. —The last agreement proposed about eighteen months for landing of emigrants, but, as the present block is larger, I consider it would be expedient to extend the time to twenty-four mouths from the date of signing the agreement, though I expect the main body should reach in twelve months; still, it is not advisable to limit the time too much, as men of means and substance cannot dispose of their properties on short notice. Improvements. —l suggest these should be similar to those contained in my last agreement, including erection of weatherboard houses, no Crown grant to issue till such house be erected.

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Payment of Purchase. —1. I propose to pay one-tenth within three months after lodgment of plans with Chief Surveyor, as per subsection 2, clause 24, Land Act Amendment Bill; the entire balance to be paid within two years, but, if paid in cash within twelve months from date of agreement, a discount of 10 per cent, to be nllowed. Purchase-money may be payable to Agent-General. 2. That all land orders or certificates of payment issued by me shall be countersigned by the Agent-General, and that he be instructed to countersign such land orders, provided he has in hand from me such sum of money as may represent in cash the number of acres stated in such land orders, at the price agreed upon as payable by me. This will afford full security both to the emigrant and to the Government. 3. That, whereas I am now entitled to a Crown grant of 2,936 acres on No. 2 Settlement, as per enclosed official return from Crown Lands Ranger, and having paid the Government in full for the land, and having complied with all the conditions as to the erection of houses and introduction of emigrants, I hereby authorize the Government to withhold the issue of such Crown grant to me, and retain same from me as a further security for the due performance of my proposed undertaking, and which security would now represent a cash value of at least £5,000. The Government would thus have this security in addition to the deposit and the land orders countersigned by the Agent-General; as, of course, no person would think of purchasing land without being fully satisfied I had power to sell it, and obtaining a copy of the agreement. I will always retain in the Agent-General's hands a sum of money in excess of any land orders I may issue. I propose to employ Captain A. C. Turner, of Tauranga, your late Resident Engineer, as my surveyor, which I am sure will be a matter of satisfaction to the Government and yourself, as he richly deserves the widespread confidence that is reposed in him. I should also desire to extend Katikati Settlement No. 2 by about 1,600 acres of land adjoining same, and would be glad to know if you would be disposed to comply with my desire upon the basis of the present proposed agreement, the valuation of the land to be left to Mr. Percy Smith, or any other suitable gentleman you may select. I have, &c, The Secretary for Crown Lands, Wellington. Geo. Vesey Stewart.

No. 42. Mr. J C. Firth to the Hon. the Minister of Lands. (Telegram.) Tauranga, Bth January, 1880. Eighty bond fide settlers want to settle on Te Puke Block. I would advise you to set apart six thousand acres for them, and get Bryce to complete purchase of Rangiuru Block, adjoining, without delay The Hon. the Minister of Lands, Wellington. J C. Firth.

No. 43. The Hon. the Minister of Lands to Mr. J C. Firth. (Telegram.) Wellington, 10th January, 1880. Re your telegram of Bth, as area of Te Puke Block is limited 1 do not see that it would be desirable to further curtail the extent available for special settlement by increasing the extent of deferred-payment area, especially as there are other lands in the district available for sale on deferred payments. Government is auxious to do what is right between all parties interested. Mr. J C. Firth, Tauranga. W Rolleston

No. 44. The Commissioner of Crown Lands, Auckland, to the Under-Secretary for Crown Lands. (Telegram.) Auckland, 14th January, 1880. At the preliminary meeting of the Land Board, held this morning, I was requested to telegraph the following resolution for the consideration of the Hon. Minister of Lands—namely, that as a rumour current prevails that a block of land, variously estimated at from 25,000 to 50,000 acres, in the Bay of Plenty District, is about to be granted to Mr. Vesey Stewart for special settlement purposes, the Board, without desiring in any way to interfere with the functions of the Government, earnestly hope that the rumour referred to is without foundation. The Under-Secretary for Crown Lands, D. A. Tole, Wellington. Commissioner of Crown Lands.

No. 45. The Hon. the Minister of Lands to the Commissioner of Grown Lands, Auckland. (Telegram.) 15th January, 1880. Rumour current in Auckland re agreement with Mr. Vesey Stewart is not correct as reported by you. Government has agreed to let Mr Stewart have only 15,000 acres out of the Puke--3-D. 6.

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Block, at the price fixed by its valuer—the conditions of " The Land Act, 1879," being strictly complied with. I explained the whole matter to Mr. Firth, as member of the Board, when he was here lately Three thousand acres will be set aside on deferred payments, as recommended by the Board. The Commissioner of Crown Lands, Auckland. W Rolleston

No. 46. The Hon. the Minister for Immigration to Mr. George Vesey Stewart. Sir,— Wellington, 19th January, 1880. I have the honor to enclose herewith for your information a rectified copy of the terms and conditions which have been mutually agreed upon for the formation of a special settlement on the Te Puke Block, in the Bay of Plenty District. These conditions will hereafter be embodied in an Order in Council, as provided by "The Land Act Amendment Act, 1879," copies of which will be duly forwarded to you after it has been executed. I transmit to you the enclosed draft conditions* in their present shape, as I understand you are anxious to leave Wellington to-day, in order to make the necessary arrangements for your proceeding to the United Kingdom by the next mail-steamer, so as to immediately proceed with the formation of the special settlement. I have, &c, W Rolleston, G V Stewart, Esq., Wellington. Minister for Immigration.

No. 47. The Hon. H. A. Atkinson to the Agent-General. Sir, — General Crown Lands Office, Wellington, 29th January, 1880. I herewith transmit for your information copies of a draft agreement which has been entered into by the Hon. the Minister of Lands and Mr. George Vescy Stewart for the formation of a special settlement in the Te Puke Block, in pursuance of " The Land Act 1877 Amendment Act, 1879." Copies of the Order in Council, embodying the terms of the agreement, are also forwarded. You will observe that under the agreement Mr. Stewart is to pay you the sum of £3,000 on or before the 15th July next; and by the Ist January, 1882, the sum of £16,700, or other balance of purchase-money You are required to countersign each land order issued by Mr. Stewart as an acknowledgment of receipt of the money for the area of land disposed of under the Land Act. It is not intended that you should take any responsibility as to the persons to whom Mr. Stewart may issue the orders. Copies of the form of laud order are also forwarded for your information. You will be good enough to take care that you only countersign such orders as are strictly in accordance with this form. I have, &c, H A. Atkinson, The Agent-General for New Zealand, London. (for the Minister of Lands.)

Enclosure 1 in No. 47 Te Puke Block set apart for Special Settlement. Hercules Robinson, Governor. A PROCLAMATION In pursuance and exercise of the powers and authorities conferred upon me by the twenty-fourth section of "The Land Act 1877 Amendment Act, 1879," I, Sir Hercules George Robert Robinson, the Governor of New Zealand, do hereby proclaim and declare that the block of land described in the Schedule hereto shall be and the same is hereby set apart and declared open for a special settlement, to be formed by George Vesey Stewart, of Katikati, in the Colony of New Zealand, Esquire, upon such terms and conditions as are fixed by the Order in Council of even date herewith, and made under the twenty-fifth section of the said Act.

SCHEDULE. Te Puke Block, Maketu District, Bay of Plenty, Provincial District op Auckland. All that block or parcel of land in the Maketu District, Bay of Plenty, known as "Te Puke/ containing by admeasurement 25,972 acres, more or less. Bounded towards the North by the Bay of Plenty ; towards the East by a line and by the Kaituna and Waiari Rivers; towards the South by the Oturuturu and Mangatoi Creeks, and thence by a line to Otanewainuku Mountain; and towards the West by the Tauranga confiscation line from Otauewainuku to the sea at

* Subsequently embodied in Order in Council of the 27tli January, 1880.

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Wairakei, the point of commencement: excepting from the above-defined area two Native reserves containing respectively 1,081 acres and 500 acres, more or less; a village reserve containing 400 acres, more or less; a timber reserve containing 2,240 acres, more or less; and a deferred-payment block to contain ,'3,000 acres, more or less, to be hereafter selected south of the proposed main road line through village reserve aforementioned : as the same is delineated on the plan deposited in the District Survey Office, Auckland. Given under the hand of His Excellency Sir Hercules George Robert Robinson, Knight Grand Cross of the Most Distinguished Order of Saint Michael and Saint George, Governor and Commander-in-Chief in and over Her Majesty's Colony of New Zealand and its Dependencies, and Vice-Admiral of the same; and issued under the Seal of the said Colony, at the Government House, at Wellington, this twentyseventh day of January, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and eighty H A. Atkinson God save the Queen !

Enclosure 2 in No. 47 Terms and Conditions of Special Settlement in the Te Puke Block by Mr George Vesey Stewart

Hercules Robinson, Governor. ORDER IN COUNCIL. At the Government House, at Wellington, this twenty-seventh day of January, 1880. Present: His Excellency the Governor in Council. Whereas by "The Land Act 1877 Amendment Act, 1879," it is enacted that the Governor in Council may fix the terms and conditions upon which the lands in any special settlement shall be disposed of, and the mode of payment for the same : And whereas the Governor has, by Proclamation in the New Zealand Gazette, bearing date the twenty-seventh day of January, set apart eighteen thousand seven hundred and fifty-two acres of a block of rural land in the North Island of New Zealand, known as the " Te Puke Block/ as a special settlement under and for the purposes of the said Act as therein mentioned : Now, therefore, His Excellency the Governor, in pursuance and exercise of the power and authority conferred upon him by the hereinbefore in part recited Act, and by and with the advice and consent of the Executive Council of the said colony, doth hereby fix the following terms and conditions as those upon which the said special settlement shall be disposed of, and the mode of payment for the same, that is to say, — If not inconsistent with the context, the following words and expressions shall have the meanings hereby assigned to them, that is to say, — " Governor" means the Governor of the Colony for the time being. "Agent-General" means the Agent-General of the Colony for the time being in London, and includes any officer appointed to do any act required under these conditions to be done by the Agent-General. " Selector" means George Vesey Stewart, of Tauranga, landowner, and includes his assignee or legal representatives respectively " Settler" means any person over eighteen years of age, not being a resident of the Australian Colonies, who shall purchase land from the selector and emigrate to New Zealand. 1 On or before the 15th day of April next, the selector shall choose out of the said block at least fifteen thousand acres of land (such selection to be subject to the approval of the Governor), and shall cause a plan of the exterior boundaries to be deposited with the Chief Surveyor at Auckland. 2. The price to be paid for the fifteen thousand acres shall be nineteen thousand seven hundred pounds, being a competent valuation at the rate of twenty-six shillings and threepence per acre. No less an area than fifteen thousand acres (exclusive of roads) shall be selected, and, should a greater area be included, then for each acre in excess there shall be paid one pound sterling. 3. The selector shall, at his own expense, cause the said land to be properly surveyed and laid off in sections of convenient size for occupation by the settlers within one month after their arrival. The cost of the minor triangulation shall be borne by the Government of the colony 4. Main and occupation roads shall be laid out through the land so surveyed. Road areas shall remain vested in Her Majesty the Queen, and be deemed to be public highways. 5. All surveys shall be conducted in accordance with instructions to be given from time to time by the Surveyor-General of the Colony, and subject to his approval in every respect. 6. Within three months after the deposit of plan of exterior boundaries as aforesaid, and not in any case later than the 15th day of July next, the selector shall pay to the xVgentGeneral, in London, the sum of three thousand pounds sterling; and before the first day of January, one thousand eight hundred and eighty-two, sixteen thousand seven hundred pounds, ■or other balance of purchase-money, in instalments as hereinafter provided.

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7 The special settlement to which these conditions apply shall be formed as <)]( v, — («.) The selector shall, as herein provided, introduce from the United Kingdom or elsewhere (save from the Australian Colonies) at least two hundred (200) adult emigrants. (b.) The selector shall issue land orders in the form set forth in the Schedule, or to the effect thereof, to each settler purchasing land from him under these conditions. Every such order shall be issued in duplicate, one of which shall be left with the Agent-General, who shall countersign each such order as hereinafter provided. (c.) The selector and settler shall be jointly responsible for the due and proper performance of the conditions necessary to be fulfilled before issue of Crown grant. (d.) The Agent-General shall countersign each land order on receiving payment from the selector of the amount fixed under these conditions to be paid per acre on the area represented by such order, and every such order shall be duly signed and completed by the selector and settler before such order is countersigned. (c.) On the balance of said purchase-money being received by the Agent-General, as above provided, the selector may issue land orders as against the three thousand pounds deposit until the same is wholly absorbed. (/.) But should the selector fail to complete the embarkation for the Colony of New Zealand of not less than two hundred adult emigrants as agreed, on or before the first day of January, one thousand eight hundred and eighty-two, the deposit of three thousand pounds, or so much of it as may remain unallotted, shall be forfeited to Her Majesty the Queen, and shall be held and retained by the Agent-General, subject to such directions as he may receive from the Governor. (g.) All moneys received by the Agent-General under this agreement shall be deemed to be and shall be dealt with as revenue derived from the sale of Crown lands in the district. (h.) For the purposes of the foregoing conditions an "adult emigrant" means a person of either sex being not less than twelve years of age, but two persons under twelve shall be reckoned as one adult. Infants under twelve months shall not be reckoned 8. In the event of deaths occurring among the settlers on the voyage, or other unforeseen casualty happening, the Governor may, at his discretion, extend the period within which such settlers may be placed on the land for such a period, to be fixed by him, as will enable the selector to carry out these conditions. 9. As soon after arrival as possible, the settlers shall be placed on the land selected, in such blocks or allotments as they may have agreed on with the selector; but no one person shall be entitled to occupy more than one block of five hundred acres, and no family shall be entitled to occupy more than one thousand acres in the whole: but at least fifteen families of settlers must be settled on the land set apart for the purposes of this agreement. 10. Within twelve months after arrival the selector shall erect or cause to be erected on the land forty dwelling-houses, to be well and substantially built of timber or other durable materials, each of such dwelling-houses to contain at least three rooms; and there shall be a dwelling-house to each block occupied by a settler If the selector fails to erect such dwellinghouses, no settler shall be entitled to his grant till this condition be complied with. 11 Each settler shall continuously reside on the land selected or occupied by him until the first day of January, one thousand eight hundred and eighty-six. One-fifth of the land so occupied shall be brought into cultivation before the said first day of January; and for the purposes of these regulations, cultivation shall mean — (1.) Fencing the land with timber or other durable materials, not being a brush fence; or (2.) Breaking up and laying down the same in English or other cultivated grass ; or (8.) Breaking up and planting or sowing root or other crops therein. 12. Each settler occupying a block of land shall have the right, at any time prior to the first day of January, one thousand eight hundred and eighty-six, to acquire such block by purchase, at a price per acre and payable in such manner as may be agreed upon between the selector and the settler; but the settler shall be entitled at any time to pay up the balance unpaid of such purchase-money, and to get his Crown grant hereunder 13. Each settler shall be entitled to his grant upon proof to the satisfaction of the Governor that he has fulfilled the conditions herein contained as to cultivation, and also that he has paid to the selector the price agreed upon for the purchase. The written statement of the selector that he has been paid in full shall be sufficient evidence that full payment has been made. 14. If at any time previous to the first day of January, one thousand eight hundred and eighty-six, the said selector shall have faithfully performed the foregoing terms and conditions as hereinbefore required, then the Governor shall cause a Crown grant to be issued to the said selector for so much of the land as has not been taken up by settlers. 15. Every grant issued under these regulations shall contain an express power to the Governor at any time to take not exceeding five per cent, of the land comprised therein for roads,. railways, or other public works, without payment of any compensation for the land so taken, and each grant shall be issued subject to the payment of the usual Crown-grant fees. 16. If the selector shall not well and faithfully fulfil the terms and conditions of these regulations, or shall commit or suffer any breach thereof (of which the Governor shall be sole judge), or shall fail in the observance or performance of all or any of the said conditions, then these regulations and every clause therein contained shall cease and be void, and neither the said selector nor any settler or other person whomsoever shall have any claim or demand to or in respect of the said land, nor for any compensation ou account thereof. Provided that, if any

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settler lias fulfilled all the conditions hereinbefore prescribed, he shall nevertheless be entitled to his grant; and the Governor may receive and act upon such evidence as he shall deem sufficient, as to the payment of the purchase-money by the settler to the selector, and the grant may issue accordingly 17 The selector shall not be at liberty to assign his rights or privileges as such selector (otherwise than in accordance with the foregoing terms and conditions) without the written consent of the Governor first obtained.

SCHEDULE. Land Obder foe Special Settlement, at Te Puke, Bay op Plenty, New Zealand. Me. , of [address and occupation^, having duly contracted with me to become a settler in the above-named special settlement, is hereby granted this land order, entitling him to select and occupy acres of land in the said settlement, subject to the terms aud conditions fixed by the Governor in Council under the authority of an Act of the General Assembly of New Zealand, and called " The Land Act 1877 Amendment Act, 1879." Dated this day of , 18 (Signed.) Witness to signature:

I, , accept this land order, subject to the above-mentioned terms and conditions (which, so far as they affect me. are printed on the back hereof), and I have made arrangements for the following persons to accompany me to the said special settlement. (Names in full.) Dated this day of , 18 (Ages.) Witness to signature:

Mb. George Veset Stewart has paid to me the sum required to be paid by him under the abovementioned terms and conditions, in respect of the area of land comprised in this land order. Dated this day of , 18 Agent-General. FOBSTER GrORING, Clerk of the Executive Council.

No. 48. Mr. R. Blake to the Hon. the Minister of Lands. (Telegram.) Tauranga, 27th January, 1880. The members of the Working-Men's Land Association wish to know what area of Te Puke Block has been reserved for them, and the terms they will be allowed to settle on the same. An early reply will oblige. R. Blake, The Hon. the Minister of Lands, Wellington. Chairman.

No. 49. The Hon. H. A. Atkinson to Mr. Blake. (Telegram.) Wellington, 28th January, 1880. The Minister of Lands is absent from Wellington. I am, however, informed that no land has been specially set apart for your Association in Te Puke Block. A deferred-payment block of 3,000 acres and a village site of 400 acres have been omitted from the total area. Any person desirous of settling can take up either a deferred-payment or a village-site section when they are proclaimed open. Ample notice will be given before the land is opened. Mr R. Blake, Tauranga. H. A. Atkinson

No. 50. The Commissioner of Crown Lands, Auckland, to the Hon. the Minister of Lands. (Telegram.) Auckland, 28th January, 1880. At a meeting of the Land Board held yesterday, the following resolution was come to on the subject-matter of your telegram of the loth instant re Te Puke Block, viz., "That, after the explanation given this day by Mr. Firth of the action of the Minister of Lands relative to Te Puke Block, the Board is of opinion that no other course was open for adoption by the Government." D. A. Tole, The Hon. tie Minister of Lands, Commissioner of Crown Lands. Wellington.

By Authority : Geokok Didsbuby, Government Printer, Wellington. —1880. Price Is.]