D.—No. 15.

No. 1. Copy of a Letter from Messrs. Taylor and Maclean to Civil Secretary. Sir,— AVanganui, 10th July, 1552. We have the honor to submit to you, for the information of His Excellency the Governor-in-Chief that Aye haA'e, in accordance with His Excellency's instructions, selected a site Avith two hundred acres of land for the Industrial School which His Excellency contemplates establishing at AVanganui. The situation is indicated on sketch herewith enclosed, and Aye feel assured that it embraces all the necessary requirements for such an establishment. AVo have, &c, Eichard Taylor. The Civil Secretary, AVellington. Donald McLean. Description of Grant. District of Wanganui Industrial School, Grant for. — Containing 245 acres 32 perches. Bounded toAvards the north-west by a public road (the original boundary of the Town of Petre) 5300 links, toAvards the north-east by Victoria Avenue, 5300 links, towards tho south-east by Ingestre street, 3200 links, and toAvards the south and south-Avest by Asylum Eoad 2760 links and 1900 links respectively. No. 2. Copy of a Letter from the Commissioner of Crown Lands, AVellington, to the Hon. the Colonial Secretary. CroAvn Lands Office, Sir,— AVellington, 21th September, 1552. In compliance with orders I received from His Excellency the Governor-in-Chief I have tho honor to report as folloAvs on the proposal made by Mr. McLean aud tho Eev. E. Taylor for the selection of the site of tho proposed Industrial School at AVanganui. The OAvnership of all toAA*n and country lands in that settlement being ascertained, and the liabilities of the Government under contracts of the Ncav Zealand Company knoAA-n, there is now no obstacle in the way of the grant being issued for a site selected by Messrs. McLean and Taylor; but I Avould submit the expediency of altering the boundaries in a slight degree by making Victoria Avenue (the principal street in the town of Petre and the probable line that will be taken for the main road out to the country and to the nortliAvard) the N.E. boundary of tho school reserve. The alteration will only take off about 12 acres from the 200 proposed, but this quantity can, if necessary, be easily made up on another side. The Governor having directed me to make inquiries at AVanganui as to the opinion tho settlers might entertain of the scheme of an Industrial School I have further to state that I found, on explaining His Excellency's vieAvs to many persons, a great desire to see tho School established. Indeed the most pressing Avant just uoav is that of education. Every one complains of the evils consequent on there being no good school there. The Eoman Catholics, it is true, are making some efforts to provide iustruction for the children, but their means are very limited, and the establishment of a good school, on liberal principles as regards religious training, Avould, I Avas assured by every one to AA rhom I spoke on the subject, be hailed Avith the utmost satisfaction by the community. I have, &c, The Hon. the Colonial Secretary. • F. D. Bell. No. 3. Copy of a Letter from the Commissioner of Croavn Lands, Wellington, to the Hon. the Civil Secretary. Crown Lands Office, Sir, — AVellington, 27th January, 1553. I regret to have to report that Mr. T. 11. FitzGerald lately discovered a serious error in tho measurements given of the land granted for the Industrial School, at AVanganui. I have not been able to satisfy myself perfectly as to the origin of the error in the calculation of the linkages of the boundaries, but as Mr. Park made the plan, I can only account for it by the supposition that he measured them from a small plan he had in use at the time, whereon the dimensions had been incorrectly draAvn. It becomes necessary to correct the error, which, fortunately, can be done Avithout much inconvenience, as the grant has not been issued. May I, accordingly, beg you will obtain the Governor's sanction to the cancelling of the grant, and the preparation of a new one, for His Excellency's signature.

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CORRESPONDENCE RELATIVE TO GRANT OF LAND POR THE INDUSTRIAL SCHOOL AT WANGANUI.