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50 of the Land Act, 1882, to the extent of bringing a portion of the lands in question under the leasing clauses of the Act. In view of the fact that gold has been worked on some portions of the land, and in view of the other considerations which were pressed upon the attention of the Commissioners personally by him after visiting the district, as well as in my letter of the 19th ultimo, he is unwilling to believe that a course will be adopted which may prevent the land being offered on as advantageous terms to the public as would otherwise be the case. If the Commissioners are, as it would seem, of opinion that the public will not take up the lands on leasing terms, the lands could be otherwise dealt with after fair opportunity has been afforded for giving effect to the intentions of the Legislature. You are doubtless aware that the public have had no opportunity of taking up the best lands as yet. Please reply urgent to-day, if possible before two o'clock. H. J. H. Eliott, Under- Secretary. J. P. Maitland, Esq., Chairman, School Commissioners, Dunedin.

Enclosure 2 in. No. 13. The Secretary, School Commissioners, Dunediri, to the Under-Secretaey for Lands. (Telegram.) Dunedin, 3rd April, 1883. Chairman and all the Commissioners but one absent from town. Will send each a copy of your telegram immediately, and wire reply soon as possible. C. Macandrew, The Under-Secretary for Crown Lands, Wellington. Secretary.

Enclosure 3 in No. 13. The Under-Sbcretary for Lands to the School Commissioners, Dunedin. (Telegram.) Government Buildings, 6th April, 1883. In reference to my previous telegram, I have to inform you that, in order to avoid loss of time, and as the Governor was leaving Wellington, a Proclamation has been issued under "The Otago and Southland Education Reserves Leasing Act, 1878," setting aside the balance of twenty thousand acres for leasing. Mr. Eolleston hopes that the Commissioners will at once meet and take the necessary action for disposing of the land as prescribed by law, unless, as he hopes may yet be the case, the Commissioners may see their way to making the necessary request, under section 50 of the Land Act of last session, to enable the land, or some portions of it, to be dealt with on more liberal terms to the public. As directed by the Proclamation an Order in Council making terms for leasing under the Act of 1878 has been forwarded to Auckland for His Excellency's signature. In the meantime a copy will be sent to the Commissioners, so that no time may be lost in advertising the land. You will observe that, in respect of compensation for improvements, the new regulations are more liberal than those which were made for the first four thousand acres. H. J. H. Eligtt. J. P. Maitland, Esq., Chairman, School Commissioners, Dunedin.

No. 14. The Commissioner of Crown Lands, Otago, to the Under-Secretaey for Lands. (Telegram.) Dunedin, 7th April, 1883. Since receiving your urgent telegram of 6th, I have been doing all in my power to arrange a compromise with respect to the disposal of twenty thousand acres, but cannot yet give any certain assurance that such can be effected. I have arranged for another special meeting of Commissioners on Tuesday next, when I hope that proposal to open one-third of the sections on perpetual leasing may be carried. J. P. Maitland. Secretary for Crown Lands, Wellington.

No. 15. The School Commissionebs, Dunedin, to the Hon. the Minister of Lands. (Telegram.) Dunedin, 9th April, 1883. Are Commissioners to understand that, if they agree to let under perpetual leases one-third of Waikaia land, there will be no objection to deal with the Wyndham and Hokonui lands as proposed by them ? Please reply in time for meeting to-morrow morning. J. P. Maitland. Minister of Lands, Wellington.

* No. 16. The Hon. the Minister of Lands to the School Commissioners, Dunedin. (Telegram.) Government Buildings, 9th April, 1883. The introduction of the perpetual-leasing system being tentative, Government cannot pledge itself beyond the land now open for dealing with, namely, the twenty thousand acres which have been set