7

D.-7

Memo.—The Government store was sold to Mr. Dolphin on the 27th March, 1877. Flour at Dolphin's store was raised on the 20th June, to 245. per 100 lbs., and on the 19th July to 265. Tea was raised to 3s. 6d. on 2nd August. This was owing to it having to be packed from Westport, a distance of 50 miles.

Fibst Peospectus. Karamea Special Settlement. 1. That about 3,000 acres of land on the left bank of the Karamea be set aside in the first instance for a special settlement. 2. That a person be placed in charge, to whom be intrusted all stores and Government property, who will superintend all public works, and from whom the new immigrants may obtain advice and tuition in bush and road work, and in cultivating the land, &c. 3. That thirty families be the first settlers; the head of each family to be employed on public works for one month, at 6s. per day, full time, and for three days in each week for six months certain; afterwards at a wage of Bs. per working day, if desired. 4. That rations be served out to those requiring them for the seven months they are engaged on public works at cost price ; payment of same to be a first charge on the wages earned. 5. That an allotment of fifty acres of land, also an allotment of about five acres, be leased to each' head of a family for fourteen years, at an annual rental of 2s. per acre, and at the end of fourteen years a Crown grant to be given to each leaseholder without further payment. 6. That the land so allocated be chosen by lot. 7. That one of the settlers be appointed storekeeper, under the control of the overseer, on terms to be agreed upon. 8. That 5 cwt. of seed potatoes and 1 bushel of oats or rye seed be given to each family, to make provision for winter use. 9. That a tent-cover or tarpaulin be furnished to each family if required, the cost of which to be deducted in equal monthly instalments from the wages due to such family. 10. That tools be furnished to the settlers at cost prices, and payment be taken in equal amounts monthly. 11. That a boat be placed under the control of the overseer for the use of the settlement. The Waste Lands Board will be recommended not to grant leases to any persons of lands selected under these regulations, unless the persons selecting or applying to lease such lands shall personally occupy the same, and give sufficient evidence of their intention to become bond fide settlers thereon, by clearing and cultivating or otherwise improving a fair proportion of the land allotted to them. A fee of £1 will be payable to the Waste Lands Board upon every application for each separate block of land applied for, and also a deposit of 6d. an acre towards the expense of the survey for every acre of land applied for; but the amount so deposited for survey will be placed to the credit of the applicant towards the payment of his rent. AVm. Rout, Nelson, 20th November, 1874. For Provincial Secretary.

Second Peospectus. Nelson Special Settlements. 1. Special settlements will be formed in the Province of Nelson, on land especially reserved for that purpose, under arrangements with the General Government, and subject to regulations, of which the following are a general outline. 2. Persons deemed eligible will be allotted at least fifty acres of land per head of family, at an annual rental of 2s. per acre for fourteen years ; at the expiration of that term the leaseholder, without further payment, will be entitled to a Crown grant of the land. 3. The head of each family will, at his request, be employed on public works, such as roads and streets, in connection with the settlements; during the first month at 6s. per day full time, or at the option of Government on piece-work estimated at that rate of wage; afterwards he may obtain employment for half-time during the ensuing six months at the rate of Bs. per day, or at the option of the Government on piece-work estimated at that rate of wage. 4. Provisions and other necessaries will be supplied by the Government at cost price until the settlement has received a fair start. Payment for the goods thus supplied will constitute a first charge upon the money earned by parties obtaining them. 5. When necessary a person will be stationed at each settlement, from whom settlers may obtain advice and tuition in bush, road, or other work. 6. The primary object of forming the special settlements being to assist immigrants and others in making homes upon the land, to insure that result the Provincial Government reserve to themselves the absolute right to refuse both work and provisions to any disorderly persons, or to such persons as may neglect to clear or cultivate the land allotted to them. 7. As soon as practicable a public school will be established at each settlement. 8. Special regulations will be made in the interest of settlers to provide assistance in obtaining cattle, sheep, pigs, poultry, seeds, plants, fruit trees, &c, for such settlers as may require it. 9. The Waste Lands Board will be recommended not to grant leases of lands selected under these regulations unless the persons selecting or applying to lease such lands shall personally occupy the same, and give sufficient evidence of their intention to become bond fide settlers thereon, by clearing and cultivating or otherwise improving a fair proportion of the land allotted to them. 10. A fee of £1 will be payable to the AVaste Lands Board upon every application for each separate block of land applied for, and also a deposit of 6d. an acre towards the expense of the survey for every acre of land applied for, but the amount so deposited for survey will be placed to the credit of the applicant towards the payment of his rent.