D.—sa

21

The preliminary traverses and topographical surveys will occupy six parties for one year; the laying out of the road lines, eight parties for the same period ; and the pegging of sections sixteen parties, also for one year. The laying out of the towns will employ four parties for about six months. Presuming that the General Government are not sufficiently in possession of information from their recent surveys in these localties to enable the various blocks of land to be immediately chosen, the preliminary surveys before mentioned will therefore necessarily have to be undertake*. After the selection has been made of the four blocks, the exploration for road lines will require to be performed. Eighteen months will therefore probably elapse from the commencement of survey before the frontage pegs of sections can be determined, or, in other words, before the land can be occupied by settlers; but prior to this, immigrants may be sent to be employed on road works, waiting for and ready to make their selections. With reference to Mr. Calcutt's proposition, that the surveys be performed by the Provincial Government Survey Staff under the direction of a General Government officer, I have to remark that such an arrangement would be highly prejudicial in a professional point of view, as tending to create a diversity in that which can only be carried out by one authority. Setting apart the injustice such an arrangement would do to myself as the Chief Surveyor of the province within which the surveys are to be executed, I feel that it would weaken my authority in the department —not only iv the case of these particular surveys, but generally so ; whilst probably the adoption of a different system of survey, to accord with the ideas and wishes of a superior over me, would also tend to a derangement of that which has hitherto worked so well in this province, and would produce inevitable confusion and future disputes as to boundaries. I strongly recommend upon the consideration of the Provincial Government the necessity of objecting to this proposal in Mr. Calcutt's report, feeling convinced that if left to myself I shall be able to execute these surveys far better aud cheaper than if I was placed under control. I shall be prepared, on receiving instructions to this effect, to organize the requisite number of survey parties, and to commence the works without delay. Henry Jackson, 18th June, 1874. Chief Surveyor.

Enclosure 2 in No. 52. The Peoyiucial Engineee, Wellington, to His Honor the Supeeintendent. Sic, — Provincial Engineer's Office, Wellington, 2oth June, 1874. I have the honor to state, in continuation of my report, No. 158, that I estimate it will take eight engineers and their parties twelve months to explore and lay off the necessary road-lines in the 80,000 acres proposed to be set apart for the purposes of special settlement, and that the cost of the same would be approximately £5,200. I have, &c., J. D. Baied, His Honor the Superintendent, Wellington. Provincial Engineer.

No. 53. The Hon. the Ministee for Immigbation to His Honor the Supeeintettdent, "Wellington. Sic, — Immigration Office, Wellington, 3rd July, 1874. I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of 30th June, enclosing a report by Mr. Jackson, the Chief Surveyor of the province, with respect to Mr. T. Calcutt's recommendation as to the selection of certain blocks of land. 2. I do not think that Mr. Calcutt's recommendation as to the appointment of some one on behalf of the General Government to act in relation to the survey of the blocks was meant to be regarded as Mr. Jackson seems to regard it. 3. As it appears to me, Mr. Calcutt proposed that a certain quantity of land should be selected out of a much larger quantity indicated, and that, in order that the right of selection should still remain, he suggested that the surveying—which in the present case might be held to mean the selection —should be done under the direction of a surveyor appointed by the General Government, just as a private person who had to select a block out of a large area of land might employ the services of a surveyor. Ido not understand Mr. Calcutt to propose either to direct or to control Mr. Jackson's professional action in a manner to which it would be possible for him professionally to take exception. 4. I shall however be prepared to consider any plan of proceeding by which the real power of selecting the land would, as proposed by your Honor, rest with the General Government. I have, &c., His Honor the Superintendent, Wellington. Julius Vogel.

No. 54 His Honor the Supeeintendent, "Wellington, to the Hon. the Ministeb for Immigeatioit. Sic, — Superintendent's Office, Wellington, 2nd June, 1874. As a large number of immigrants are now on their way to this province, I must strongly urge upon you the necessity there is for the establishment of depots in the country districts. At present I would recommend that in addition to the depots already established, buildings should be erected at Poxton, Palmerston, and Castle Point or Warehama.