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Mr. Haughton,—Has the road referred to in section 1 of Mr. .Russell's letter of 28th February, 1873, been approved of ? 2. Are the surveys made ? 3. Has anything been done to acquire from the Natives the swamp beyond the confiscated boundary line ? Reply to 3. —I believe that the swamp land is being negotiated for, if not by Mr. Mackay, by Mr. Preece, on behalf of Mr. T. Russell. H. T. Claeke. Reply to I.—Neither the direction of the road nor its description seems yet to have been settled. Reply to 2.—Not yet surveyed. The regulations provide for the land to be sold without previous survey. 14th August, 1874. H. Mastees.

The Under Secretary for Crown Lands, —The proposed regulations do not seem to cover the arrangements for the disposal of the 80,000-acre swamp to Mr. Russell. Mr. Russell, for the 80,000 acres, offers ss. per acre on condition that he is allowed to deduct 2s. 6d. per acre from the purchase money for the construction of a road from the Waikato to the Piako — i.e., practically, he will give £10,000 for the 80,000 acres, or 2s. 6d. per acre. The other £10,000 to be expended on the construction of the road must materially benefit the estate, as well as confer advantages on the colony in opening a connection between the Thames and Waikato. I am not aware whether the plan of the road has been approved by Government, as proposed, or whether Mr. Russell accepted the terms offered by Government. I think the terms, or rather the regulations composing the Schedule, should be explicit on these three points : — 1. Plan of road to be approved by Government. 2. Amount of purchase money that would be allowed to be expended in improvement of estate by means of the proposed public road. 3. What amount (if any) of cash is to be paid down. I think Mr. Masters, by carefully perusing the papers, could sketch the additional regulations that I suggest, and that they should be then submitted for Mr. Reid's revision. I further think that advantage should be taken of Mr. Russell's proposed visit to Wellington to have this matter definitely settled. 10th August, 1874. ■ G. M. O'Roeke.

Mr. J. Mackat to the Hon. Dr. Pollen. Sic,— Auckland, 23rd July, 1874. I have the honor to inform you that Mr. Thomas Russell showed me, a few days ago, a plan of the swamp land sold to himself and others between the Waikato River and the eastern boundary of confiscated lands. I observed carefully the position of the line of road which the company have agreed to construct from Hamilton to Piako. The line of road as drawn on the plan would be of advantage to the Hamilton settlers only, and not to those lower down the country. I would propose two lines to the Piako, and one from the Tamahere Reserve to the Mangawara Stream, in lieu thereof. The first mentioned commencing at Hamilton and going towards Te Au-o-Waikato, on the river Piako—this would be the main line from Waikato to the head of the navigation of the River Thames or Waihou. The second from Hukanui, near the Komakorau Stream, to Tauhei, and thence to the head of the navigation of the River Piako. The third commencing at a main road leading from Cambridge to Tamahere, thence northwards to the lines first and secondly described, and thence to Mangawara. I spoke to Messrs. Russell and Steele on this subject, and they concur in my views; and as the lines proposed by me suit the drainage of the swamp better than the line contemplated by^the Government, I do not anticipate any difficulty in arranging for the substitution of the three lines indicated herein for that first agreed on with the Government. I will, in my report on the Waikato district, enter more fully into this question, and on the sketch map accompanying it will show the various lines of road herein alluded to. The occupation and drainage of this hitherto impracticable and dangerous swamp, and its intersection by roads, will render the settlers on the eastern frontier of Waikato secure, and will effectually prevent the Piako Natives from again joining the King party. It has been for years a weak point and not defensible, and one from which the Natives could at any time approach unseen the settlements at Ngaruawahia, Hamilton, and Cambridge. I have, &c, James Mackax, The Hon. Dr. Pollen, Wellington. General Government Agent, Waikato.

For consideration of the Hon. the Native Minister, —Mr. Mackay's proposal seems to be reasonable, but would it not be advisable to ascertain the Hon. Dr. Pollen's views on the subject ?—H. T. Claeke.—l3th August, 1874.

Mr. T. Heale to the Hon. the Commissioner of Confiscated Lands. Sic, — Inspector of Surveys' Office, 7th August, 1874. A number of roads were laid off in parts of the Komakorau Swamp merely for the purpose of giving access to the 50-acre sections intended for the military, but which were not allotted.] Now that the whole swamp with the sections has been sold to one proprietor, these lines are not only useless but mischievous, as they lead nowhere, and obstruct the proper through lines both of roads and drains. If it can legally be done, it will be much better for the public if the Crown grant can be made out without the road lines, but with the ordinary road clause, allowing roads to be taken hereafter, as the necessity for these is developed. I have, &c, The Hon. the Commissioner for Confiscated Lands. T. Heale,