Replies by Commissioners of Crown Lands to Circular dated the sth July, 1879. AUCKLAND. Sir,— Crown Lands Office, Auckland, 26th July, 1879. In reply to your circular letter No. 19, of the sth instant, requesting to be furnished with suggestions relative to the permanent management and disposal of the education reserves, I have the honor to point out that, so far as this district is concerned, the duties involved in the administration of these lands have hitherto been exceedingly slight, and have afforded but little opportunity of enabling a conclusive opinion to be arrived at as to the best method of management and disposal it would be advisable to adopt. I may, however, state that, so far as my experience has enabled me to form any judgment in the matter, the present mode of administration by the School Commissioners has worked very satisfactorily, and fully realized the object which their appointment was intended to secure ; whilst, at the same time, I know of no method the adoption of which would be attended with so little expense. I nevertheless think that when, in the course of years, these reserves come to be extensively dealt with, and the work resulting from their management and disposal is largely increased, the appointment, in connection with the Board of Education, of an officer specially charged with the duty of their administration will probably be found to be attended with greater advantage and convenience. I have, &c, The Under Secretary for Crown Lands, Wellington. D. A. Tole.

TAEANAKI. Sin,— Crown Lands Office, New Plymouth, 21st August, 1879. In reply to your Circular No. 19, dated sth July, 1879, requesting suggestions as to permanent management and disposal of education reserves, after conferring with the Chairman and Secretary of the Education Board hero, I have the honor to report — Ist. That the present system of a Board of School Commissioners specially appointed for the management of the education reserves is working quite satisfactorily in this district. The Board here, at present, consists of the Commissioner of Crown Lands, the District Judge, and one other member nominated by His Excellency the Governor, and of two members elected by the Education Board—viz., the Chairman of that Board, and Mr. Parris. It appears desirable that the Commissioner of Crown Lands and the Chairman of the Education Board—the former having special knowledge of the reserves to be dealt with, and the latter being almost required by his position to have some knowledge as to revenue available from reserves —should be ex ojjicio members. A suggestion originating with the Secretary may bo mentioned: that, instead of apportioning one-fourth of the reserves for secondary education, it would very much simplify the matter if "The Education Keserves Act, 1877," could be so altered as to enact that one-fourth of the total revenue from the reserves should be set apart as endowment for secondary education. lam not aware of any other suggestion I can make on the subject. I have, &c, Wb, Watkins, The Under Secretary for Crown Lands, AVellington. (for Commissioner of Crown Lands.)

WELLINGTON. Sib,— Crown Lands Office, Wellington, Bth July, 1879. In reply to your Circular No. 19, of the sth instant, I have the honor to inform you that the management and disposal of educational reserves by the School Commissioners, under " The Education Keserves Act, 1877," so far as this Land District is affected, works well, and at very small cost. The Act above referred to has only been in operation for eighteen months —scarcely long enough to reveal any weak parts, should such be there. lam unable to suggest any alterations calculated to secure improvement for the permanent management and disposal of educational reserves. I have, &c, JOS. G. HoiiDSWORTH, The Under Secretary for Crown Lands, Wellington. Commissioner of Crown Lands.

HAWKE'S BAY. Sib, — Crown Lands Office, Napier, 6th June, 1879. The School Commissioners' management of the reserves is, I think, very satisfactory. Since entering on their duties last year many reserves have been leased from which no revenue had previously been derived; and, as a consequence, the annual income has been increased more than one-half. A provision existing in " The Education Reserves Act, 1877," as to town reserves, might be extended to other classes, more especially to bush lands — in certain cases with advantage —namely, that power be given to lease for a longer period than seven years when deemed advisable. I have, &c, J. T. Txlee, The Under Secretary for Crown Lands, Wellington. Commissioner of Crown Lands.

SIABLBOROUGH. Sie,—- Crown Lands Office, Blenheim, 12th August, 1879. In reply to your circular letter, requesting me to furnish Government with any suggestions or recommendations I might he prepared to make as to the method which it would be most expedient to adopt for the perm&nent management and disposal of educational reserves, I have the honor to inform you, for the information of the Hon. the Minister of Lands, that I referred your letter to the School Commissioners, who at present have the management of the education reserves here, but have not received any reply. I am, however, given to understand by their Secretary that the present system is

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