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"The questions involved may be considered as consisting of two classes; viz.—

"1stly. Those between the Company and the Purchasers of its land.

"2ndly. Those between the Company and Her Majesty’s Government.

"First, with regard to the Company and the Purchasers of Land: Each of such persons, or his legal representative, is entitled to obtain—

"First, Beneficial occupation of the full quantity of land that he purchased:

"Secondly, The particular piece of land, if practicable, which was originally allotted to his purchase:

"Thirdly, If such appropriation be not practicable, then a just equivalent in land elsewhere:

"Fourthly, An instrument conveying to him absolutely a fee simple, or in other words, actual possession of his land, with a legal title to it."

To meet the cases comprised in the foregoing definitions, the Governor would be prepared to appoint some person to assess immediately the value of those portions of land originally allotted to Purchasers, of which they have not yet been put in possession, with a view to their obtaining a fair equivalent in land elsewhere; the Company having stipulated that the award in each case shall be in land, and not in money.

Generally, also, His Excellency is prepared to afford all the facilities that can be properly given for the adjustment of claims under the foregoing heads.

The Governor has, however, been led to understand, that other claims upon the part of the Land Purchasers exist against the Company in addition to those named; and that the final and satisfactory disposal of these would conduce greatly to the advantage both of the New Zealand Company and its settlers.

Until His Excellency is aware of the nature and extent of such claims, it would be impossible for him, on the part of the Government, to undertake to interfere in any way with their adjustment. But, as the whole tone of the correspondence between the Government and the Company is such as to convince him that the Company is sincerely desirous that these questions should be satisfactorily and speedily settled, His Excellency would be glad to see the claimants and yourself, either separately or together, for the purpose of ascertaining the practicability of an agreement between the Company and its Claimants, with respect to the basis of any arrangement of such a nature as will enable the Government to assist in carrying it satisfactorily into effect.

It is also obvious, in reference to claims of the first class alluded to, that the Government, possessing no powers which would justify its absolute and imperative interference, can only give its assistance in those cases which the parties interested mutually consent to leave to its decision.

I have, &c.,

(Signed) Alfred Domett,
Colonial Secretary.

Colonel William Wakefield, J.P.,
Principal Agent of the New Zealand Company.

Wellington, 4th September, 1848.

Sir,

I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of this day’s date, in which you acquaint me with the course that His Excellency the Governor-in-Chief intends to adopt in reference to the questions existing between the New Zealand Company and its Land Purchasers, which the Company proposed to refer to His Excellency’s arbitrement.

I beg that you will express to His Excellency my perfect satisfaction with that course, and my sincere desire to aid, as far as lies in my power, in carrying it out. I have, at the same time, to offer my best acknowledgments to His Excellency for having consented to assist in bringing the matters in question to an early and satisfactory conclusion.

I have the honour to be,

Sir,
Your most obedient, humble servant,

(Signed) W. Wakefield,
Principal Agent of the New Zealand Company.

The Honourable the Colonial Secretary.

Colonial Secretary’s Office,
Wellington, 4th September, 1848.

THE GOVERNOR-IN-CHIEF has been pleased to direct it to be notified that His Excellency will be happy to receive any of the Settlers interested in the subject of the foregoing correspondence, at Government House, on Saturday next, at 12 o’clock.

By His Excellency’s command,

Alfred Domett,
Colonial Secretary.

NOTICE.

A SPECIAL MEETING of the Justices for the Town and District of Wellington, will be held at the Resident Magistrate’s Court, on Tuesday, the fifth instant, at 12 o’clock noon, for the purpose of receiving applications for the transfer of Publicans’ Licences.

Rob. S. Cheesman,
Clerk to the R. M.

Resident Magistrate’s Court,
Wellington, 4th September, 1848.