Majesty's Secretary Manual prohibits most strictly the alienation of Crown lands, except for religious or public purposes, and as Arthur Braine's application is made on purely private grounds, I could only
conditionally,
was our
meet his wish
as is shown in the copy of the Colonial Secretary's letter to 236 of the 18th Instant, the reply to which, of the 23rd Instant, contains an offer on the part
of Mr. Braine for the ground in question, at the rate of £5 per acre, which would literally amount to an increase to his
present annual rental of but £1.4.8. I am perfectly of opinion that
there is no
probability of purchasers offering for this land, which from its nature
and position does not appear to be of value to any person excepting the present applicant; and as the Surveyor-General
views
the
ground
in the same light, I beg to recommend
the offer of Mr.
215
of
Braine to the favourable consideration of Your Lordship, or that I may be permitted to alienate the whole of the vacant area, about half an acre, for
£5, if Mr. Braine
should be disposed to take it.
I have the honour to be
With the highest respect
Your Lordship's,
Most Obedient
Humble Servant,
J Graham