Gentlemen,
Referring to the Government Notifications under dates the 21st of August last and 12th Instant published in the Gazettes of the 24th of August and the 14th Instant,
I am directed by His Excellency the Governor to request you will at as early a period as possible furnish for the consideration and ultimate instructions of Government the result of your inquiries into the equitable claims of all Holders of Lands in this Colony.
In fulfilling this important duty to the State and to Individuals, His Excellency the Governor wishes you to bear in mind the following remarks.
1st. In all cases where the Original Purchasers or Grantees are in possession of lands and have laid out money in improving such lands, they are by the orders of Her Majesty's Government entitled to the most liberal consideration.
2nd. When persons have either bought or had transferred to them by the Original Purchaser or Grantee under proper authority any lands and have subsequent to such purchase or transfer laid out money on them, they are likewise to be entitled to the like liberal considerations.
3rd. When persons have either purchased lands from or had them granted by the then existing authorities in this Colony and have not taken steps to improve them, they are to be considered to still belong to the Original Purchaser or Grantee.
4th. When persons have bought lands from or had them transferred even under proper authority by the Original Purchaser or Grantee and yet have not improved them, such lands are to be assumed as still belonging to the Original Purchaser or Grantee.