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No. 11. Fokm of Claim to Compensation wheee Lands ace taken.—Under the authority of "The Public Works Act, 1882." To the Hon. the Minister for Public Works. Wheeeas by a Proclamation by His Excellency the Governor of New Zealand, dated the day of , 188 , the lands specified below were taken for the purpose of a battery, and were vested in Her Majesty, and I have an interest in such land as owner: This is to give notice that I claim the sum of £20,000 as compensation for all loss and damage done to me arising out of the taking of the said land. Given under my hand, at Auckland, this nineteenth day of January, 1886. E. A. M. Stack, Claimant. Description of Land taken : Section 3, and part 4, section 2, Parish of Takapuna, County of Eden, 28 acres and 16 perches.

No. 12. The Eailway Land Puechase Offices to the Hon. the Ministee for Public Woeks. Public Works Office, Auckland, 20th January, 1886. Sic, — Ec Land at Takapuna taken for a Battery. I have been to the North Shore, and got all the information possible re value of land therr\ I find a great deal of land is selling at so much per foot, and that Mr. Stark's property could be cut up so as to give 8,300 ft. of frontage. A person who has cut up his land into sections next to Mr. Stark's is asking £4 per foot frontage, and various other properties changed hands at from £2 10s. to £6 per foot. I find also that Professor Thomas, who has just bought a property next to Mr. Stark, gave at the rate of £600 per acre for it. Mr. Stark's property consists of 28 acres and 16 perches. This, at the same rate, would be £16,800 ; while the buildings, &c, are worth about £3,500. My idea is that Mr. Stark should be offered £17,500. This would be 10 per cent, over the property-tax valuation, and a little allowance for compulsory-taking and necessary expenses that he will be put to through leaving, &c. Ido not think Mr Stark will agree to this; but, if he will do so, I consider the Government will get the property at a moderate price. I have, &c, The Hon. the Minister for Public Works, H. M. Beeweb, Auckland. Land Purchase Officer.

No. 13, The Eailway Land Puechase Officee to the Hon. the Ministee for Public Woeks. (Memorandum.) Public Works Office, Auckland, 20th January, 1886. Should the Government decide upon taking the whole of Mr. Stark's property, I would advise that, instead of taking it by Proclamation, it should be taken by conveyance. The property is under the Land Transfer Act, and the expense would be small; while, if taken by Proclamation, a special survey would have to be made, and other expenses incurred. H. M. Bee wee, The Hon. the Minister for Public Works, Auckland. Land Purchase Officer.

No. 14. The Hon. the Ministee for Public Woeks to Mr. Stake. Sic, — Public Works Office, Auckland, 20th January, 1886. I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of this date, in which you claim £20,000 for your property as described therein, containing 28 acres and 16 perches, together with house and improvements, and all your interest in same. Eeferring to the several interviews we have had on this subject, I now, without prejudice, have, on behalf of the Government, to offer you the sum of £17,100 for the said property—this amount to cover all claims of every sort whatever you may have against the Government in connection with this land, and to be paid to you as soon as a good and complete title is given by you to the satisfaction of the Law Officers of the Government. . I have, &c, B. A. M. Stark, Esq., Auckland. Edwaed Eichaedson.

No. 15. The Bailway Land Purchase Officee, Auckland, to the Undee-Seceetary for Public Woeks. (Telegram.) Public Works Office, Auckland, 22nd January, 1886. Enclosed I forward Mr. Stark's acceptance of the Government offer for land taken for battery at Takapuna. The negotiations for the purchase of this property have been conducted entirely by the Hon. the Minister for Public Works and Mr. Stark, and I have had nothing to do with the settlement, so I have no report or valuation to forward. In accordance with instructions received from the Minister, I have forwarded-voucher to Mr. Buddie, and requested him to report upon title and make out conveyance. H. M. Beeweb, Land Purchase Officer. C. Y. O'Connor, Esq., Under-Secretary for Public Works, Wellington,

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