18

1.—13

5. Memo, of agreement, original, signed by Whitaker to take sections in Schedules 1 and 2 at Ids. and ss. 6. List of 13 sections to be added to Schedules with areas. 7. Copy of tracings of swamp. I have, &c, E. L. Geeen, The Hon. Sir Donald McLean, K.C.M.Gr. For General Government Agent.

Memorandum from the Hon. Native Minister to Hon. Dr. Pollen. Forwarding proposals from Mr. T. Russell relative to construction of a road across the great swamp from Hamilton to head of Piako River. General Government Agent's Office, Auckland, 17th March, 1873. With reference to the accompanying proposals, I shall be glad if Captain Heale and you will inform me as to the following points : — 1. What is the average value per acre of the block ? 2. What would be a fair estimate of the cost of making the proposed road, so that it shall bo fit for wheeled carriages ? 3. Generally any suggestions you may think desirable to give on the subject. Donald McLean.

Auckland, 22nd March, 1873. The making this road involves the main drainage works of the great swamp, since it is only by the effectual un-watering of it that the road would be practicable, the side drains of the road being probably a leading part of the system of drainage. It is impossible to make any reliable estimate of the cost of such works, or even to assert their practicability, without some explanation, and the taking of flying levels over the whole swamp. Upon the information thus derived, and the conclusion as to its drainability to be deduced therefrom, a fair estimate of the value of the land itself can only be made. These are Mr. Heale's views, and have my complete concurrence. Daniel Pollen, General Government Agent.

Memorandum for the Hon. Mr. Vogel. Me. Heale says that the exploration of the great swamp and the taking of flying levels over it will occupy one month at least. Mr. Russell, I understand, presses for an immediate answer to his proposal. It is to be regretted, I think, that the necessary information is not available upon which to make a fair valuation of the land, so that on the one hand the enterprise of the projectors might receive due encouragement, and the interest of the public at the same time cared for. Under the circumstances, however, I think the land might be offered at ss. per acre, with the Understanding that the Government will contribute at the rate of 2s. 6d. per acre towards the cost of making a road or a light railway from Hamilton to the head of the navigation on the Piako, a distance of about twenty-five miles, over an apparently level country. This line of communication is of very great importance ; it may indeed be regarded as the certain outlet of the Waikato country, and the best approach to the Thames and Auckland. Daniel Pollen, 28th March, 1873. - General Government Agent.

Mr. H. T. Clarke to the Hon. the Native Minister. Mr. Whitaker has called at this office several times with a view to come to some definite settlement in regard to the block of swamp land agreed to be sold under the arrangement of the 27th February, 1875, made by the representatives of the company with the Hon. Dr. Pollen. I have consulted with Mr. Marshall on the subject, and we are both agreed that it would not be advisable to hand ovei> any of the land south of the red line indicated thus on the tracing hereto attached. It is quite possible that the land to the south of that line may not be required by the Natives, but the Government should not be placed in the false position of not having land should it be applied for by the Natives. I therefore recommend that the land north of the line above mentioned be handed over to the company. 18th May, 1876. H. T. Claeke. I concur.—Donald McLean.

Mr. Heale to the Hon. the Native Minister. Sib, — Inspector of Surveys' Office, 2nd June, 1876. The map of Hungahuuga claim was sent to the Native Land Court for adjudication at Cambridge, and has not yet been returned. It had on it a number of subdivisions which the Court has largely altered, and they have now to be marked on the ground and delineated on the map. lam this day completing the map of the Piako Swamp, purchased by Mr. Russell and others. The roads, the necessity of which for the public convenience was the great object to be looked for in making the sale of this land, are, as I now understand from Mr. Sinclair, in a state of completion, and the advantage to the whole Waikato District to be derived from these is certainly a full compensation for the price of this deep and hitherto impassable swamp, which has not only intercepted communication between Central Waikato and the Upper Thames country, but which for years made even the making a survey line across it impracticable. The drainage operations prove that the conviction previously entertained, that they could only be undertaken as a whole, and by extensive works, was perfectly well founded; and had the engineering