D.— No. 3

No. 14. The Hon. W. Gisbobne to His Honor J. D. Oemond. (Telegram.) Government Buildings, Ist December, 1870. We desire to make arrangements as soon as possible about railway line to Napier and New Plymouth, the payment of which, as you are aware, will depend greatly on land. Will you inform me what land you consider can be put apart, under " Public Works and Immigration Act, 1870," for construction of railway in Ilawke's Bay Province, and for introduction of immigrants into that Province. His Honor J. D. Ormond, Napier. W. Gisboe^e.

No. 15. His Honor J. D. Orsio:nd to the Hon. W. Gisboene. (Telegram.) Napier, 2nd December, 1870. In reply to yours respecting land that can be put apart under " Public Works and Immigration Act, 1870," for construction of railway in Hawke's Bay Province, and for introduction of immigrants, —as I read the Act, it will be necessary to obtain the assent of the Provincial Council before such land can be assigned. Is this so ? Ido not doubt the Provincial Council will readily give the necessary assent, but if needed, I should require to call Provincial Council together and obtain assent, so as to avail of Mr. Vogcl's mission. The land most valuable and available, both for paying railway and for immigrants, is the Tamaki Bush. This, you are aware, has to be purchased, and negotiations are in progress. Certainly the land will be bought. If hurried, the difference in price will be considerable. There will be about 300,000 acres of available land when purchase is completed. Of lands, now Crown lands, the following blocks can be set aside: —Bush land between foot of Ruahine Range and Ruataniwha Plain, from 20,000 to 25,000 acres ; some of this is clear, mostly bush, and good soil. At Mahia, good land, suitable for settlement, especially for Germans, vine-growing, &c, 15,000 acres. This is really good land, and with water communication. Mr. McLean can speak as to it. Also the Nuhaka Block, 14,000 acres. This block has a quantity of good land in it. It belongs to Hawke's Bay : 10,500 are situated in the Hawke's Bay Province, remainder is in Province of Auckland. Mr. McLean knows this block also. The above are the only suitable lands this Province can offer. There are blocks of considerable extent towards Taupo, but they are unfit for settlement. Have no doubt the Provincial Council will set aside the above, or such portions as may be required, and shall like to hear from you, so that, if approved, I may take necessary steps for Council meeting to set lands aside. The question of purchase of Tamaki is purely one of price. The Natives all consent to sell. The sole point at issue is the price to be paid. Without doubt, it will be settled before long. Mr. McLean is communicating with some principal claimants on West Coast, and making advances on account of purchase. Will send by mail, tracings of Crown lands now available, and shall await your reply. The Hon. W. Gisborne, Wellington. J. D. Oemokd.

No. 16. His Honor J. D. Ohmoud to the Hon. W. Gisborive. Sic, — Superintendent's Office, Napier, sth December, 1870. Referring to my telegram of the 2nd instant, on the subject of setting apart land, under the Public Works and Immigration Act, for construction of railways and for introduction of immigrants, I have now the honor to transmit a plan showing the different blocks I described as available for the purposes above named. I shall be obliged if you will inform me as soon as possible whether it is not necessary, under the Public Works Act, reference should be made to the Provincial Council for their assent before lauds can be so set apart. I have little doubt they will approve, but hesitate, at this busy season of the year, summoning the Council and withdrawing the members from their avocations. I have already by telegram given you some description of the different blocks. The block adjoining the Ruataniwha is bounded entirely on one side by freehold land ; and the Mahia Block, as you will observe, is admirably situated for settlement, and contains very good land. With regard to the Xuhaka Block, about 14,000 acres of the best of the land is situate in this Province, and the remainder is within the Province of Auckland. The land, however, was purchased by and belongs to this Province. I hope the early completion of the purchase of the Tamaki Block may enable that district to be opened by railroad and diverted to purposes of colonization, and I would suggest that, pending that being accomplished, a start in the railroad works that will eventually connect Napier and Wellington should be made, and the portion of the railroad from Napier to the Paki Paki, through the Ahuriri Plains, be contracted for and formed as early as arrangements can be completed. The line between the points I have named will be a dead level, would run through one of the very richest districts in the Colony, and, at the Paki Paki, would meet the entire trade of the inland districts of this Province. I have no doubt the Provincial Council will readily authorize the block of 20,000 acres at the foot of the Euahine being set apart for the construction of the line, and a railway would, I believe, pay at once with the present traffic. I suggest this in the hope that advantage may be taken of Mr. Towel's proposed mission to England to start these works. I shall be glad to hear from you upon this, and would further suggest that the necessary plant for this portion of the line should be procured and sent out, and arrangements for entering upon the work advanced, so that, at the earliest date at which the authority of the Legislature can be procured, the work can be started. I have, &c, J. D. Oemokd, The Hon. the Minister for Public Works, Wellington. Superintendent.

HAWKE'S BAY.