17

D.—6

Payment of Purchase. —1. I propose to pay one-tenth within three months after lodgment of plans with Chief Surveyor, as per subsection 2, clause 24, Land Act Amendment Bill; the entire balance to be paid within two years, but, if paid in cash within twelve months from date of agreement, a discount of 10 per cent, to be nllowed. Purchase-money may be payable to Agent-General. 2. That all land orders or certificates of payment issued by me shall be countersigned by the Agent-General, and that he be instructed to countersign such land orders, provided he has in hand from me such sum of money as may represent in cash the number of acres stated in such land orders, at the price agreed upon as payable by me. This will afford full security both to the emigrant and to the Government. 3. That, whereas I am now entitled to a Crown grant of 2,936 acres on No. 2 Settlement, as per enclosed official return from Crown Lands Ranger, and having paid the Government in full for the land, and having complied with all the conditions as to the erection of houses and introduction of emigrants, I hereby authorize the Government to withhold the issue of such Crown grant to me, and retain same from me as a further security for the due performance of my proposed undertaking, and which security would now represent a cash value of at least £5,000. The Government would thus have this security in addition to the deposit and the land orders countersigned by the Agent-General; as, of course, no person would think of purchasing land without being fully satisfied I had power to sell it, and obtaining a copy of the agreement. I will always retain in the Agent-General's hands a sum of money in excess of any land orders I may issue. I propose to employ Captain A. C. Turner, of Tauranga, your late Resident Engineer, as my surveyor, which I am sure will be a matter of satisfaction to the Government and yourself, as he richly deserves the widespread confidence that is reposed in him. I should also desire to extend Katikati Settlement No. 2 by about 1,600 acres of land adjoining same, and would be glad to know if you would be disposed to comply with my desire upon the basis of the present proposed agreement, the valuation of the land to be left to Mr. Percy Smith, or any other suitable gentleman you may select. I have, &c, The Secretary for Crown Lands, Wellington. Geo. Vesey Stewart.

No. 42. Mr. J C. Firth to the Hon. the Minister of Lands. (Telegram.) Tauranga, Bth January, 1880. Eighty bond fide settlers want to settle on Te Puke Block. I would advise you to set apart six thousand acres for them, and get Bryce to complete purchase of Rangiuru Block, adjoining, without delay The Hon. the Minister of Lands, Wellington. J C. Firth.

No. 43. The Hon. the Minister of Lands to Mr. J C. Firth. (Telegram.) Wellington, 10th January, 1880. Re your telegram of Bth, as area of Te Puke Block is limited 1 do not see that it would be desirable to further curtail the extent available for special settlement by increasing the extent of deferred-payment area, especially as there are other lands in the district available for sale on deferred payments. Government is auxious to do what is right between all parties interested. Mr. J C. Firth, Tauranga. W Rolleston

No. 44. The Commissioner of Crown Lands, Auckland, to the Under-Secretary for Crown Lands. (Telegram.) Auckland, 14th January, 1880. At the preliminary meeting of the Land Board, held this morning, I was requested to telegraph the following resolution for the consideration of the Hon. Minister of Lands—namely, that as a rumour current prevails that a block of land, variously estimated at from 25,000 to 50,000 acres, in the Bay of Plenty District, is about to be granted to Mr. Vesey Stewart for special settlement purposes, the Board, without desiring in any way to interfere with the functions of the Government, earnestly hope that the rumour referred to is without foundation. The Under-Secretary for Crown Lands, D. A. Tole, Wellington. Commissioner of Crown Lands.

No. 45. The Hon. the Minister of Lands to the Commissioner of Grown Lands, Auckland. (Telegram.) 15th January, 1880. Rumour current in Auckland re agreement with Mr. Vesey Stewart is not correct as reported by you. Government has agreed to let Mr Stewart have only 15,000 acres out of the Puke--3-D. 6.