TO A GRANT OE LAND.

13

G.—No. 15.

Waikato ;wo will settle you down in Rangiawhia." His Excellency also stated, at the same time, that the war would be over in less than three months ; and, under instructions from Mr. Russell, my men were only enrolled for that time—namely, three months, which plainly shows that tho men were never intended to serve three years. After the men were disbanded, at their request I wrote to the Government respecting the grant of land, and, in answer, received letter marked (E); on the receipt of which I wrote again, drawing the attention of the Government more fully to the conditions under which I took service, and, in answer, received letter marked (D), acknowledging claim. Afterwards the succeeding Minister for Colonial Defence (Major Atkinson),in answer to question from a Member.stated that he believed a distinct promise had been given, and that the Government were prepared to carry it out. That Government retired from office, and not hearing anything more, I wrote to the next Colonial Defence Minister (Colonel Haultain) and received the letter (F), stating that they considered my claim had been fully met by the allotment of 400 acres of land at Rangiawhia, and that they would not reverse the decision conveyed in Mr. Russell's letter above mentioned and marked (E). In answer to further correspondence on the matter, I was informed that the letter (F), 23rd November, conveyed to me the decision of the Government in the matter. The land I now claim has no connection whatever with land that was allotted to me as a militiaman, but should it be decided that the claim I now make has been met by the allotment of land I now hold, I shall prefer my claim for distinguished services, and put in letter (D) as evidence ; —otherwise, I should not care to sound my own trumpet. The pay I received was only 15s. per day, and as I at the time remarked to His Excellency, it was not for pay I joined, but entirely on account of being promised land. It was well known at the time that it was no ordinary grant of land I was to get, or else why had Mr. Russell to get His Excellency to make me the promise ? and why did His Excellency mention the large slice? Mr. Russell's letter of November 9th plainly shows that the engagement on the part of the corps was completed, and it was impossible for them to serve three years, they being disbanded, as Mr. Russell stated —the term of their engagement having expired. AVhen the men were disbanded, it was understood that they would get land as soon as any was available, and it was not until twelve months afterwards that the Government ruled they were not entitled to any, and I believe that then they did not know the conditions under which the corps was raised; for when I again wrote, and produced the documents I forward to you herewith, the claim was admitted. I have, Ac, The Hon. T. B. Gillies, Wellington. William Jackson.

No. 42. Memorandum by Mr. Cooper. I nAVE read through the whole of this correspondence. Major Jackson received 400 acres of land at Rangiawhia, the richest part of the Waikato district. He was promoted to a Majority for distinguished service in the field. He has made application for more land to various Governments, and been refused. I strongly recommend that his present application be refused, not only because it is clear that he has been uncommonly well treated already, and has no case whatever, but also because appeals of this kind to one Government against the decisions deliberately arrived at by its predecessor are becoming so common as to amount to a positive nuisance, and ought to be discouraged. Major Jackson's case was referred by the late Defence Minister to the Cabinet, and decided upon by them. 30th July, 1870. G. S. Cooper.

No. 43. Minutes by the Hon. D. McLean. For the Cabinet to consider. D. McLean. To write to Dr. Pollen privately, and ascertain his views on the subject. D. McLean. No. 44. The Hon. Dr. Pollen to the Hon. D. McLean. My dear Mr. McLean, — Auckland, 27th January, 1871. I have read these papers, and concur with Mr. Cooper in thinking that the decisions come to by Ministers on a former occasion ought not to be disturbed in this instance. Major Jackson has done good service, and he has been very handsomely treated. He has the best piece of land in Waikato. He was kept on full pay for many months after the time of his location upon his land, and he received from the Government besides, £209, in compensation for losses on his farm at Wairoa, which he had left whilst he was on service. I have, Ac, The Hon. D. McLean. Daniel Pollen. No. 45. Mr. Cooper to Mr. Lewis. Mr. Lewis,— 23rd August, 1871. As you were in the Defence Office at the time when the Forest Rangers under Major (then Lieutenant) Jackson were enrolled, and afterwards attached to 2nd AVaikato Regiment to enable the Government legally to give them land, I should feel obliged if you would write a memorandum 4