D.—7

2

locality indicated to them by me, and mark out such quantity of totara bush as could be found there. As in such a large extent of unexplored bush in which the totara occurs in detached places only, it will be a matter of considerable difficulty to decide on the best reserves, I am compelled, by the urgency required, to do so to the best of my knowledge, and will lose no time in doing so. I have, &c, John T. Stewart, J. Knowles, Esq., Under Secretary, District Engineer. Public Works Department.

No. 4. His Honor the Superintendent, Wellington, to the Hon. the Colonial Secretary. Sir, — Superintendent's Office, Wellington, 26th August, 1872. I have the honor to forward herewith tracings of Colonel Feilding's selection in the Manawatu District, embracing the 10,000 acres and the 10 acres of town land at Palmerston. I may state that within the boundary lines shown on the tracing are included— 100,000 acres as purchased by the Hon. Colonel Feilding. 5,000 acres road reserve. 1,000 acres to be selected by the General Government, and paid for to the Provincial Government. I have, &c, William Fitzherbert, The Hon. the Colonial Secretary, Wellington. Superintendent.

No. 5. Mr. A. F. Halcombe to the Hon. the Minister for Public Works. Sir,— Wellington, 16th July, 1872. I am advised by the last mail that a rumour had reached the Board of Directors of the Emigrant and Colonist's Aid Corporation of the intention of the Government to alter the position of the railway line through tho Manchester Block. As considerable sales of land are being effected by the Corporation, and as not only those sales but the whole plan of the Company's operations have been determined by the position of the railway line, as laid down in the charts furnished to Colonel Feilding, it is obvious that any alteration would be a serious disaster to the Corporation, and the mere rumour of a change would probably give rise to difficulty and delay in the operations of the Directory. As the rumour is not without foundation, from the fact that a petition to alter the line was forwarded to the Government, that it was strongly supported by the Hon. the Premier, and that the survey of an alternative line was thereupon ordered, I have the honor to request that I may be enabled to give an authoritative assurance to the Board of Directors in England that no such change is in contemplation. I have, &c, A. F. Halcombe, Director, Emigrant and Colonist's Aid Corporation. The Hon. the Minister for Public Works, Wellington.

No. 6. Mr. J. Knowles to Mr. A. F. Halcombe. Sir,— Public Works Office, Wellington, 20th July, 1872. In reply to your letter of the 16th instant, in which you state that a rumour had reached the London Board of Directors of the Emigrant and Colonist's Aid Corporation of the intention of the Government to alter the position of the railway line through the Manchester Block, and request that you may be enabled to give an authoritative assurance to the Board that no such change is in contemplation, I am instructed by Mr. Ormond to assure you that the line of railway originally laid out through the Manchester Block is the one which it is intended to adopt. I have, &c, John Knowles, A. F. Halcombe, Esq. Under Secretary.

No. 7. His Honor the Superintendent of Wellington to the Hon. the Colonial Secretary. Sir,— Superintendent's Office, Wellington, 30th October, 1872. Beferring to my interview this morning with the Hon. Mr. AVaterhouse respecting Colonel Feilding's contract, I shall be obliged if you will send me copies of all the correspondence relating to the matter, also copy of Colonel Feilding's power of attorney, and a copy of one of the bills signed by him.