83

D.—l

No. 80. Memorandum No. 74, 1873, for the Agent-Geneeal, London. Herewith is forwarded copy of a letter addressed by the Superintendent of Auckland to the Colonial Secretary, under date 4th April instant, respecting a body of immigrants with whom Mr. Farnall has been negotiating. The leader of the body, which consists of from forty to fifty families of the farmer class, is represented to be a gentleman of means and position, and the whole party to be possessed of sufficient capital to enable them to start independently of Government aid beyond the ordinary land grants to immigrants in the Province of Auckland. " The Auckland Waste Lands Act, 1870," copies of which I furnished when writing to you on the subject of establishing a settlement of Moravians at Mongonui, permits every person eighteen years of age and upwards to occupy forty acres of land, the maximum to one family being limited to 200 acres. The occupier is bound to survey his land, and must continue in hona fide occupation for three years, and have one-fifth of his land then cultivated. He is then entitled to his grant. The General Government proposes, if the Superintendent is unable to set apart 10,000 acres of first-rate land for the projected settlement, to undertake the task. They think that Tauranga would form a very eligible site, as the land is good, harbour good, distance from the Thames Gold Fields short, and steamers running regularly to and from Auckland. I propose a block of 10,000 acres in order that these immigrants may have ample room of choice of selection, and would endeavour to enlarge the block to, say, 20,000 acres, if I thought the first body would bo supplemented by the relations or friends of the pioneer immigrants. I most earnestly entreat you to leave no stone unturned to accomplish this project of emigration which Mr. Farnall has brought under the notice of the Superintendent of Auckland, and by him so warmly approved. Immigration Office, Wellington, New Zealand, G. Maubice O'Roeke. 14th April, 1873.

Enclosure in No. 80. His Honor T. B. Gillies to the Hon. the Colonial Secbetaey. Sic, — Superintendent's Office, Auckland, 4th April, 1873. I annex the copy of a letter just received from Mr. Farnall relative to the immigration of a very valuable body of settlers to this Province, together with a copy of my reply thereto. The importance of obtaining and settling on good land such a large body of practical settlers can scarcely be over estimated, and I think you will agree with me that no niggardliness in regard to grants of land should be allowed to interfere with the prospect of obtaining them. From private information, I have reason to believe that the movement of so many families hinges greatly on the one leader, and it seems to me that a special grant of land beyond 300 acres would be well bestowed on such a person. This could only be done, so far as I can see, by the Governor taking the lands which might be selected by these immigrants under section Cl of the Act of 1871, and then making regulations for their occupation on the special conditions agreed upon under section 65 of the same Act. In like manner, should these immigrants desire to settle on confiscated lands at Tauranga or elsewhere, these lands could be proclaimed waste lands under section 22 of the Act of 1870, and then retaken and regulations made under the above sections of the Act of 1871. I shall feel obliged by your informing me, as soon as possible, whether your Government arc prepared to give effect to the wishes of the Provincial Government in this matter, as intimated in my letter to Mr. Farnall, so that I may inform him by next mail. I may add that I have reason to believe that the immigrants referred to would be ready to embark in July or August first, and have all but made up their minds to come to the Province of Auckland, the main attraction to them being the Homestead law of 1870. I have, &c, . Tiiomas B. Gixlies, The Hon. the Colonial Secretary, Wellington. Superintendent. Sub-Enclosure to Enclosure in No. 80. Mr. Faenall to His Honor the Superintendent of Auckland. Sic,— 24 Corporation Street, Belfast, 6th February, 1873. I. have been in communication with a gentleman of some standing and influence in this country who has made \ip his mind to emigrate to New Zealand, but has not quite decided in what Province to settle. He will be accompanied by forty or fifty families of the farmer class, all of them with sufficient means to settle down and commence farming on their own account; an Episcopalian clergyman and a doctor will also be of the party. The gentleman I refer to is desirous of knowing what terms in the shape of land grants will be allowed him and his party should he ultimately decide upon settling in the Province of Auckland. I have informed him that, under the terms of " The Auckland Waste Lands Act, 1870," each adult will be allowed forty acres in the Province of Auckland, provided that no family claims more than 300 acres, and I have explained the terms under which Crown grants will be issued for land so selected. He and those going with him are quite satisfied with thess terms, but would like to have their land in one block, and he considers that he is entitled to a large selection. You will oblige me, therefore, by informing me whether the Provincial Government of Auckland are prepared to offer terms of this nature to a gentleman emigrating from this country and settling in the Province of Auckland, and who takes with him a certain number of families. I have addressed the Agent-General on this subject, but