A.—No. 3

34

RELIGIOUS, CHARITABLE, AND

block, containing about 9-j acres, a full report of which I forwarded to them at the time of the investigation in 1860 upon the disputed claims. I have now taken the liberty of writing to the Crown Lands Commissioner of Nelson for a copy of the letter, which I now forward, trusting that it will be appended to this report, which might answer as a record of how the land became in the possession of the inhabitants of this district; and as a further proof that where the people have a direct interest and benefit accruing from such gift, there is little doubt but its progress will be quite certain to succeed. The block No. 1 contains about 10 acres, upon which the church, St. John's, stands, which has lately been enlarged for the accommodation of the inhabitants, by subscriptions from the people, aided by a small grant from the Synod, the erection of which will be better understood by reference to my letter of 1860 ; service regular once every Sabbath, and occasionally of a week-day evening ; a portion of the section being enclosed round the church for a burial-ground, and kept in order by the assistance of tho people when needed. The other portion, on which the schoolroom and master's house stands, was occupied by the master, and the Sunday and day school kept until some time after the Nelson Education Act was in force. The attendance of children becoming so numerous, the schoolroom, as then used, was not sufficiently large to accommodate the scholars then attending —and it was deemed advisable by the Central Board of Education to purchase one acre of land adjoining, and to erect a much larger schoolroom, rather than expend money by enlarging the schoolroom the property of the Church of England. The Nelson educational system being non-sectarian, no scriptural controversial teaching is permitted. I am happy to say that the school is largely attended, and will, I have no doubt, be of great advantage to the young of this district in after years. I mention the above to show that when tho Provincial school commenced in their own building, the Church day-school ceased, as none of the inhabitants considered it wise to keep two schools open for one object, viz., educating their children; but it was so arranged that the Church schoolroom should be used for a Sunday school. This school, I am happy to say, is still kept every Sunday, with an average attendance of about fifty. The master's house, after the removal of the master to the Provincial school, has been for some time the residence of the clergyman of the district, who was charged £14 per annum rent, the same being spent, with other donations of the people, in keeping the house and fences in repair. The house is at present unoccupied, the late clergyman having vacated the district some eighteen months ago, for England. The block No. 2, of about 9i acres, is the portion of land more particularly described in my letter of 1860, the grant of which conveys the land to the Bishop of the diocese, as trustee, and I remember well the late Bishop Hobhouse returning the grant to the Government to have'it made in accordance with tho other grant, which vests the other property belonging to the Church in this district in trustees appointed by the Synod. The grant being returned as first sent down, without any alteration, His Lordship then requested the favour of the Waimea trustees to undertake the management of this land for him, the which they willingly acceded to. This land was first let by Bishop Hobhouse to the then schoolmaster, for the term, I think, of four years, to clear and fence ; after that period a further term of three years was agreed upon —that he should plant a live quick fence, and pay a small annual rent. This person having given up the teaching of the school, and he having a large family, found that he could not comply with the agreement, gave up the land without making any payment; consequently, it has been unoccupied for a short time. About four months ago it was relet for a term of years, at the annual rental of £4 per year, which rent will be appropriated in keeping up the school and buildings, together with amounts supplemented by the inhabitants for keeping the above in repair. I might state that in the year 1865 no less a sum than £104 17s. 6d. was subscribed by tho people, independent of the clergyman's rent and grant of Synod, for improving the schoolhouse, church, and burial-ground. As I before have stated that public property, where tho people have a direct interest and voice in the advancement of the same, cannot but succeed in accordance with tho requirements of the district. Trusting I have made myself clear upon the above grants, and the management up to the present date, I have, &c. F. Wakefield Esq., Secretary to the Commission on E. Baigent. Religious, Educational, and Charitable Trusts, Wellington. Copy of a Letter from E. Baigent, Esq., to the Commissioner of Crown Lands, Nelson. Sir,— • Wakefield, Waimea South, 22nd November, .1860. Tou request me to inform you how the Church of England became possessed of a piece of land at Pitfuro, Waimea South. I cannot do better than give you a brief history from the commencement of this village, relating to the above property. It is eighteen years next February, since myself and others located ourselves in this district. My first care was to see to the education of our children, my own numbering six at that time; many of my neighbours having large families also, having prevailed on my wife to open an infant school in our little whare, rather than the children should be altogether neglected. The attendance in less than three months became so many, that our little room was too small for the accommodation of tho children wishing to attend. At the same time a gentleman of education, having squatted on a piece of unsurveyed land, where the present school stands, with the intention of opening a store for the district, he not being very successful in his object, myself and others thought it a good chance to offer him the care of the school in his own house. Our offer being accepted by him, it became necessary to procure funds for his maintenance as schoolmaster. Having solicited the Rev. Mr. Ray, the then clergyman of this Province, he kindly agreed to pay £12 10s. per annum out of the church funds towards the support of the school; the other part of his salary was made up by ourselves, in the shape of potatoes, some cash, or the best way we could afford. The school being fairly established, went on for some time, until the children became masters of the schoolmaster. Under these circumstances the school was closed for a few months. The master then making up his mind to leave the district, the building was