TO A GBANT OE LAND.

7

Q.—TSo. 16.

I may add, that I have not the slightest ground of complaint against my commanding officer ; on the contrary, he has always been very kind to me. Hoping that you will favourably consider my request, I have, Ac, William Jackson, Major, The Hon. Thomas Russell, Defence Office, Auckland. Commanding Forest Rangers.

No. 24. Memorandum by the Hon. T. Russell. I think the Forest Rangers should be separated from the Waikato Regiments. 21st November, 1864. T. Russell.

No. 25. Major Jackson to the Hon. Major Atkinson. Sir, — Camp, Forest Rangers, 16th January, 1865. I have the honor to inform you that, on or about the 18th October, 1864, I addressed a letter to the late Minister for Colonial Defence, in which I stated the grounds whereon I claimed to have a grant of land in Rangiawhia. I received, in answer, a letter, No. 2,541, dated 16th November, 1864, wherein I was informed that the Government recognized my claim to land in Rangiawhia, but as they were to retire from office in a few days, they could do no more than recognize the claim preferred. You would greatly oblige by informing me if any steps have been taken to cause the land in question to be set apart for my use. Hoping you will give the matter your early attention, I have, Ac, Wm. Jackson, Major, The Hon. the Minister, Colonial Defence, Auckland. Commanding Forest Rangers.

No. 26. Minute by the Hon. Major Atkinson. Replt.—The Forest Rangers will be detached from the 2nd AVaikato Militia, and made a separate corps. They will be located at Rangiawhia. 31st January, 1866. H. A. A. [Letter No. 2,732, 2nd February, 1865.]

No. 27. Captain Holt to Major Jackson. (No. 2,732.) Sir, — Colonial Defence Office, Auckland, 2nd February, 1865. In reply to your letter of the 16th ultimo, in which you again refer to your claim for land at Rangiawhia, I am directed by the Minister for Colonial Defence to inform you that the Forest Rangers will be detached from the 2nd Regiment of Waikato Militia, and made a separate corps, and that they will be located at Rangiawhia. I have, Ac, J. Holt, Captain, Major Jackson, Commanding Forest Rangers, Auckland. Acting Under Secretary.

No. 28. Major Jackson to Mr. W. Seed. Sir, — Camp, Forest Rangers, Kihi-kihi, 28th January, 1865. I have the honor to forward, for the favourable consideration of the Hon. the Minister for Colonial Defence, the enclosed letters signed by some of the members of my late company of Forest Rangers, requesting information concerning land due them for services performed, in accordance with the promise made to them in writing by the Government. I may add that the men who have signed their names did serve the Government until they were disbanded. I will in the course of a few days send you a list *.of all men entitled to land for services performed as Forest Rangers up to the 10th of November, 1863, the day they were disbanded. I have, Ac, Wm. Jackson, Major, William Seed, Esq., Colonial Defence Office, Commanding Forest Rangers. Auckland.

Enclosure 1 in No. 28. Mr. F. Russell to Major Jackson. Dear Sir, — Papakura, 9th January, 1868. Excuse the liberty I take in writing you a few lines concerning the grant of land of which you * List not received.