C—3a

1874. NEW ZEALAND.

SALE OF CONFISCATED LANDS ON WEST COAST, (REPORT RELATIVE TO).

Presented to loth Souses of the General Assembly by command of His Excellency.

Mr. C. A. "Weat to the TJndeb Secbetary for Crown Lands. Sir, — Confiscated Lands Office, Patea, 27th March, 1874. I have the honor to report the result of the sale of confiscated lands which took place at Patea on the 12th instant, in accordance with Gazette notice of the 28th February last. The conditions as to maintenance of telegraph line on Sections Nos. 333, 513, 517, 519, 530. 538, 539, 540, 543, 544, Patea District, together with the notice under the Confiscated Lands Eegulations of the Ist June, 1871, and 12th March, 1874, including the provisions for taking roads, &c, were dulyread by me before proceeding with the sale. There was a very large attendance of settlers and intending purchasers from different parts of the colony, and owing to the limited extent of land for disposal, many had to return unsatisfied. The sale was conducted by me personally, according to instructions ; and I had no difficulty in disposing of every section offered —the best land at unprecedented prices, as may be seen on reference to the account sales attached. With few exceptions the land has passed into the hands of bond fide settlers, the high prices ruling being a sufficient bar to mere speculation. The total area sold was 5,095 acres 1 rood 5 poles, which realized the sum of £20,515 175., or rather more than £4 per acre. In considering this average of £4, it must be remembered that a number of bush and sandy sections were offered at an upset price of ss. per acre, and that therefore the average for the better quality of land would be far higher. As the demand for land is unabated, and it is of the utmost importance, politically and socially, that the settlement of this part of the colony should be fostered in every way, I would take this opportunity of suggesting to the Government the necessity for placing all available lands in the market without delay. I refer more particularly to the compensation awards in the Okotuku district purchased by the Government, which, I understand, there is some legal difficulty in dealing with, and to the waste land between the boundary of the Wellington Province and the Waitotara Kiver inland of the military settlements, over which Native difficulties, caused by the improper attitude of the Ngarauru Tribe, at present exist. The bush land between Tangahoe and Waingongoro also affords a suitable field for settlement, and I trust that the arrangements now in course of negotiation by Mr. Parris with the Natives may soon result in these lands being handed over to this department for survey and sale. I have, &c, C. A. Wbat, C. E. Haughton, Esq., Officer in charge of Confiscated Lands, Under Secretary, Crown Lands, Wellington. West Coast.