D.—s

6

with Napier by the railway, a very large timber trade will be done, and a much larger population than is now settled in the Seventy-Mile Bush will find profitable employment there. I have, &c, The Hon. the Minister for immigration, Wellington. J. D. Osmond.

Enclosure in No. 12. Mr. B. E. Feibeeg to Mr. Oemond. Sic, — Waipukurau, 3rd April, 1875. In reference to those immigrants ex " Fritz Router " who were moved to the Seventy-Mile Bush, I have the honor hereby to render a brief report. The first batch, numbering 99 souls, arrived at Takapau on the 26th ultimo; the second batch, counting 109, arrived atthe named place on the 31st. The night before their arrival at Takapau both parties slept in the Immigration Barracks at Waipawa, where on each occasion the contractor for the delivery of rations had excellent food in readiness. The carters carried out their agreement in the best manner possible, and we were also favoured with fine weather all through. Two camps are formed • 'fn'the Porangahau, immediately at the edge of the bush, the one camp containing Danes and Swedes, I the otheß ; ,for Germans an^ Poles. Change of diet, camp life —combined with the unavoidable hardships which newcomers' helplessness to a great extent brings on —have, as might be expected, caused some amount of sickness ; but only two cases of a seemingly serious nature have, as yet, come under my notice. Three young persons obtained private services in this neighbourhood. Three German girls returned to Napier, there to seek places. Bushfelling, clearing the line, commenced on the 30th ultimo ; earthwork on the 2nd instant. I have, &c, J. D„ Ormond, Esq., General Government Agent, Napier. B. E. Feibebg.

No. 13. His Honor the Supeeintendent, Hawke's Bay, to tho Hon. the Ministee for Immigbation. Sic, — General Government Agent's Office, Napier, Ist June, 1875. I have the honor to enclose copy of a letter and plan sent by me to Mr. Beere, the Engineer, who has been directed by the Hon. the Minister for Public Works to take charge of the road work required to open the lands allotted to the " Fritz Reuter " immigrants. The lands being all forest, roads are absolutely necessary to enable the people to occupy, and the expenditure I have authorized, in accordance with your authority, only provides for formation and bridges; the metalling not being possible until next summer. As the expenditure to open these roads may not come to account within the present financial year, I would suggest that the unexpended balance of the vote for the location of immigrants, Hawke's Bay, should be re-voted to provide for works authorized, and I trust next year more may bo done in the way of settlement on land than has been possible during the year now ending. The probability of the railway line being open to the Seventy-Mile Bush during the next year will greatly facilitate settlement, and when the bush is tapped by the railway the timber trade will give employment to a large population. I have, &c, J. D. Oemond, The Hon. the Minister for Immigration, Wellington. General Government Agent.

Enclosure in No. 13. The Geneeal Goveenment Agent, Napier, to D. M. Beeee, Esq., Engineer. g IE General Government Agent's Office, Napier, 21st May, 1875. From a telegram from Mr. Knowles, copy of which I enclose, I gather you have received instructions from the Public Works Office to direct certain road works at Norsewood. I now enclose a tracing showing the main road from Norsewood to the tramway line, and the cross roads required to give access to the lands on which the immigrants are to be located ; also an estimate by Mr. Weber of the probable cost of felling the bush and formation, which, without metalling, he estimates at £3069. The Hon. the Minister for Immigration has authorized the necessary expenditure to open the road, but the amount available at present will not include metalling, for which provision will, I hope, be made next summer. I shall be obliged if you will have the main line from Norsewood to the tramway b'ne proceeded with first, and when that is done, the cross roads, the work being let by the piece. By carrying out this work, the immigrants will be able to settle on their land next spring, and access to the tramway line will also facilitate work upon it. The expenditure on this road should be charged to Immigration, and the vouchers sent through this office. I have, &c., J. D. Oemond, D. M. Beere, Esq., Waipukurau. General Government Agent.

No. 14 The Hon. the Ministee for Immigbation to the Geneeal Goteenment Agent, Napier. g IE Immigration Office, Wellington, 12th June, 1875. I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of Ist instant, and to thank you