of the Lot as irregular, proposed that the rental should be what is now demanded; but, believing my right to the ground to be unquestionable, I question the proceedings of the Committee on this point, and contend that, unless they had other reasons for doubting my title, I should have been allowed an opportunity of defending my right to the lands, before they determined on taxing it with a heavy additional rental, in consequence of what I must consider and can prove to be an irregular entry in the books of the Land Office. I was however allowed to remain in possession of the lot unquestioned, from August 1842 till this time, and have never had any official intimation of my claim being disputed, nor am I officially informed why the rental has been assessed at the average rate of the auction sales of January 1844, it having been granted, measured, leased, and occupied in 1842.
I am told that no measurement of the ground appears in the Land Office books, which tends to invalidate my claim to it; for this I am not to blame, nor should it be raised as an objection, for I am prepared to prove that the ground was regularly measured by the Assistant Land Officer then acting, Dr. Sargent of the 18th Regiment, who is now here and ready to confirm his measurement; Scan also proved it by Mr. Lena's evidence, who was present on the occasion, and I have it in writing, from Captain Mylius, the Land Officer, that he had desired Mr. Meek to enter an addition of 10 feet to Young's lot, all showing that, though there may have been irregularity, it seems confined to the book kept by Mr. Meek in the Land Office.
Colonial Secretary.