C.—4

1904. NEW ZEALAND.

MATAMATA ESTATE (REPORTS AND CORRESPONDENCE DEALT WITH BY THE AUCKLAND LAND BOARD IN DISPOSING OF THE).

Return to an Order of the House, of Representatives dated the sth October, 19Ui. Ordered, " That a return of all reports and correspondence dealt with by the Auokland Land Board in disposing of the Matamata Estate be laid on the table of the House."—(Mr. La wry.)

Memorandum. The order of the House asks for tlie return of all correspondence dealt with by the Auckland Land Board in disposing of the Matamata Estate. It is pointed out that, as the correspondence is very voluminous, it would not be possible to comply with the order at an early date, and it is suggested that a precis of the correspondence, attached hereto, may be taken as complying with the order. 4th November, 1904. Wm. C. Kensington, Under-Secretary.

Matamata Settlement. Copy of Minutes of Meetings and Resolutions passed by the Land Board in connection with the Opening of the above Estate. A special meeting of the Land Board for the Land District of Auckland was held at the Principal Land Office of the district on the 7th June, 1904, at 10 a.m. Present: Mr. Mackenzie (in the chair), Mr. Harris, Mr. Kenshaw, Mr. Armstrong, Mr. Greenslade. It was resolved to affirm the action of the Chairman in inserting the advertisement calling the attention of selectors to the necessity for presenting themselves before the Board on the Bth and 9th instant for examination, and requesting them to provide documentary evidence of their means to work the land, and also announcing that the ballot would take place at the Sailors' Mission Hall, Albert Street, on the 10th instant. The Board went into committee, and went through the applications by selectors of sections in the Matamata Estate, and settled the mode of procedure to be taken in examining the intending selectors who would present themselves before the Board on the Bth and 9th instant. The Commissioner stated that he had called the members together in order to run through the applications in a general way and familiarise themselves with the applications prior to the applicants being examined. There would, no doubt, be a considerable rush later on, when applicants would be crowding on each other, and having a little knowledge of each beforehand would doubtless help the members a great deal. Mr. Greenslade thought the Commissioner's forethought would be a great help to them in coming to conclusions, and the other members expressed themselves also in a similar strain. With regard to the homestead, the members expressed themselves strongly on the question of the capital required, and the class of men who should be allowed to get into possession. All agreed that a man without capital and necessary experience would endanger the Crown's interests, as well as that of the estate; stress being laid on the buildings, fences, and plantations getting into disrepair, and the risk that might be run of the Californian thistle in any way getting the upper hand on what the Board looked upon as the very eye of the estate. It was also agreed to by the members, particularly those who had been over the property, that a capital of from £2,000 to £3,000 was necessary for the efficient working, stocking, manuring, and cropping of the homestead—certainly not less than £2,000.

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