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His duty to his Canadian friends, demands that he should complain, at least, of the unnecessary delay that has occurred, and has kept them in suspense. If the determination of the General Government is thus correctly expressed, it is clear that it •would be useless to expect any further movement in the matter ; your petitioner cannot, however, imagine but that some mistake has occurred, and would fain hope that further consideration would be given to this subject; your petitioner, has reason to believe, that the Natives still expect to sell the land to the Government; he has been informed, that they have recently renewed the offer to sell Victoria valley, by letter addressed to the Acting Governor; if no intention to buy exists, on the part of the Government, it would be but justice that their minds should be disabused of any expectations in the matter. As a matter of course it would not be the desire or the duty of your petitioner to question the policy of the Goveinment in refusing to buy land in the North of the Province of Auckland; but it might be permitted in him to suggest that in no part of this Colony could it be possible to form a Canadian settlement to better public advantage than at Mongonui. The practical experience gained in the backwoods of Canada would serve as an example, in many cases, to the New Zealand Colonists, and not be without a benefit in an infant settlement. Moreover, when we remember that many of the individuals who desire to come to New Zealand, are the sons of men who suffered for their loyalty and attachment to the British Crown during the American Revolution, in many instances losing houses and lands to a considerable extent by confiscation for the sake of principle ; it cannot be denied that they have demonstrated a practical loyalty that deserves well of their kindred and country. Surely, under any circumstances, it must be the greatest interest of this Colony and people to increase the amount of its population, and to facilitate the settlement of the lands. The Native population desire the introduction of Anglo-Saxon settlers among them, convinced that they will learn, by example, their habits of patient industry so necessary to the accumulation of wealth, 'which is their greatest ambition. Under any view of the case, your petitioner can readily leave the decision of this matter in the hands of your Excellency, convinced that it is impossible that you can be influenced by any sectional views or local politics, and that a chief aim of your Excellency's administration will be to encourage the industry and develope the resources ot the country. Should it be the pleasure of your Excellency still further to entertain the consideration of this subject, to prevent the possibility of any further delay, will you permit your petitioner to declare, that any reasonable sum of money required by the Natives will be readily advanced to the Land Department if such is required ; that the land will be surveyed according to the directions of the Surveyor-General by a Government Surveyor; proper plans and specifications furnished to the department; that the lands shall be sold for 10s. per acre ; that the Government, at the end of six years, shall be at liberty to claim all lands then vacant, except a settler can be found located upon the block for every 200 acres; that the proceeds of the land sales, after paying the original outlay to the Natives, the expense of survey, and the legal interest of 10 per cent shall be paid over to the •Government, the party binding themselves to fulfil the contract now offered to the Government. It is also suggested that no legal difficulty can be offered to the setting aside this block by the Land Board, as special occupation land, if so required, provided a contract to purchase a large tract of land be entered into with the Natives. It is,very evident that if this settlement succeeds, more land will be speedily required in the neighbourhood, consequently it would be good policy to make a considerable contract with the Natives, payable upon certain conditions When the land is set apart as special occupation land, the Land Board can appoint an agent in Toronto to dispose of the land ; the agent would receive but a trifle for his trouble, and the remainder of the money could he paid after the arrival of the emigrants in this country. Should it be the pleasure of your Excellency to approve of the plan herein proposed, youi petitioner will, as in duty bound to" his Canadian friends, proceed to Mongonui and report upon the eligibility of the locality for the formation of a settlement; will also prepare an account of the climate and of the nature of the country, for publication in the Canadian periodicals,—a circumstance that will be the means of calling attention to the Colony of New Zealand, and without doubt be the inducement for many persons in that country to try their fortunes in this part of the world. Trusting that your Excellency will condescend to give as early attention to the subject as convenience will permit, your petitioner will, as in duty bound, ever pray, &c„ &c. (Signed) Samuel John Stratford. Colonial Secretary's Office, Auckland, Bth October, 1855. Sir, —In reply to your memorial to the Governor on the subject of the purchase of some Native land at Mongonui for a proposed settlement of Canadians, I am directed to inform you that