Crown Land Office, Otago, September 15th, 1853. Sir, — I have the honour to request instructions as to the disposal of the Sections selected under the ■' Otago Scheme" for the New Zealand Company, if that is those sections have with the rest of the late Company's lands reverted to the Crown. I would a'so request similar instructions as to the sections reserved for purchase by a future Corporation. If the unoccupied (N. Z. C.) section be open for sale on the same terms as the unselected lands, many would be purchased ; but the general opinion seems in favour of their being disposed of by auction on any person's depositing the upset price; but in this case perhaps a month's notice in a local paper might be allowed to supersede the necessity of reference to Wellington. It appears that the late Resident Agent of the Company gave to individuals possession of some of the sections (N. Z. C. and municipality), by documents similar to the enc osed, which were styled by him " missives." These (of the legality of which Captain Cargill is said to have been answered by Mr. Fox) gave possession for three years on certain terms, which do not appear to have been complied with. In many cases the parties are still in occupation, and would be ruined by ejectment, while such a proceeding would, I respectfully submit, not tend so much to the public good as the sale to them of the land or section so occupied, with or without, as His Excellency may determine, first insisting on payment of the rent due for the first and only authorised period of three years. I have the honour, &c., (Signed) Walter Mantell, Commissioner. The Civil Secretary.

Dunedin, 4th October, 1848. Sir, — I hereby agree, on the part of the New Zealand Company, to let to you the Town Allotment number forty-four, Block seven, for the period of three years, from the present date, at the rate of four pounds a-year, on the following conditions, namely—lst. That you immediately enclose the whole of that Allotment with a fence, to be approved of by Mr. Kettle, being strong enough to keep out cattle and close enough to keep out pigs and dogs, and that you maintain and deliver over such fence in good condition at the close of the lease. 2nd. Such fence being completed and approved of, the same shall be forthwith valued, and the amount being deducted Irom twelve pounds, of the whole three years' rent, the balance shall be paid by you in cash by three yearly equal instalments, the first of which to be paid on the Ith October, 1849. 3rd. You shall be entitled at the close of the lease to remove and take away the materials of such buildings as you may have erected, or to sell them to the Company as they stand, as may be mutually agreed upon. I have, &c., &c., , /W (Signed) 0. Cargill, '" / Resident Agent. Mr. J/mes Gilfillen, / v Uunedin.