Surveyor-General’s Office,
June 27, 1855.

Sir,—Referring to your Honor’s communication of the 26th instant, covering a copy of a letter addressed to you by the Colonial Secretary, dated 22nd June, 1855, I have the honor to state in reply, that I am unable to explain to what part of the said letter quoted by your Honor has reference, as I have received no communication myself on the subject from the General Government, and also to inform your Honor that the services of all the Officers attached to this department are required to carry on its duties.

I have, &c.,
C. W. LIGAR,
Surveyor-General.

His Honor
The Superintendent.

Superintendent’s Office, Auckland,
25th June, 1855.

Sir,—I have the honour to enclose for the information of the Waste Land Board the accompanying copy of a letter received by me from the Colonial Secretary, stating that the General Government is prepared to sanction the payment of the necessary expenses of the Waste Land Board.

I have &c.,
WILLIAM BROWN,
Superintendent.

The Secretary,
Waste Land Board.

WASTE LAND BOARD.

RESOLUTION No. 23.

With reference to the letter of His Honor the Superintendent No. 24 and its enclosure, the Board submits that the following staff is required to enable it to carry out with efficiency its present operations.

1 Surveyor to supervise contract surveys.
2 Draughtsmen.
1 Clerk.
1 Messenger.
Office accommodation and the contingencies connected therewith.

The Board is of opinion that the system of contract surveying, checked by a supervising Surveyor, will be found to be the best and most economical.

The surveys now most urgently required are the Township at Waingaroa, the Township at the Whau, extension of Township at Mahurangi, Special Occupation Land at Hinna and at Wairau. The Board requests that it may be authorised to incur the necessary expense in having the surveys performed.

...
READER WOOD,
Secretary.

Superintendent’s Office, Auckland,
30th June, 1855.

Sir,—I have the honour to acknowledge receipt of your letter of the 22nd instant, No. 135, informing me that His Excellency the Officer administering the Government is prepared to sanction the payment of the necessary expenses of the Waste Land Board, by the General Government out of the Land Fund, requesting me to state what staff would be requisite to carry on the surveys of the Lands placed under the management of the Waste Land Board, and to recommend for appointment proper persons for this service, regard being had to the claims of officers already in the employment of the Survey Department.

Acting on your communication, I have the honor to recommend for appointment to the staff required for the service of the Waste Land Board the persons named in the margin.

I have also to transmit for your information a copy of a letter of enquiry to the Surveyor-General, and of his answer, by which he informs me that the services of all the officers attached to his department are required to carry on its duties.

I take occasion to observe that in recommending so limited a number of appointments, the expediency of not raising the strength of the staff beyond what is supposed to be required to be performed has been considered. But if, as is possible, that upon actual experience, the staff may prove insufficient to the duties required, I shall in such event inform the General Government, and recommend the fitting increase of number. I have also the honor to transmit copies of the “Provincial Government Gazette,” in which are notified the appointments of Messrs. Charles J. Taylor, Joseph May, and George Owen Ormsby, to be Commissioners of the Waste Lands Board, observing that Mr. Ormsby is likewise Provincial Road Surveyor, at a salary of £400 per annum.

I have, &c.,
WILLIAM BROWN,
Superintendent.

The Honorable
The Colonial Secretary.

Colonial Secretary’s Office, Auckland,
2nd July, 1855.

Sir,—Referring to your letter of the 31st ultimo, No. 107, nominating certain gentlemen for appointments on the staff to be attached to the Waste Land Board, I am directed by His Excellency the Officer administering the Government to inform you that it is very desirable your Honor should state what salaries you would recommend should be attached to these appointments.

I have, &c.,
ANDREW SINCLAIR,
Colonial Secretary.

His Honor
The Superintendent.