Whereas several companies of Pensioners have from time to time been enrolled for service for a period of 7 years in the Colony of New Zealand, and the expense of sending out such Pensioners, and of settling them in the Colony has been borne by Her Majesty’s Imperial Government: And Whereas amongst other conditions on which such Pensioners were enrolled, it was provided that each Pensioner should have the occupation of a cottage with an acre of land attached thereto, to become at the termination of the seven year’s service for which the enrolment was made, the absolute property of such Pensioner, provided he should have fulfilled the Conditions of his agreement: And whereas from various causes there are several such Cottages erected at the expense of Her Majesty’s Imperial Government, which have not become the property of Pensioners according to the terms of their said enrolment, and her Majesty’s Imperial Government have requested that the same may be sold and the proceeds thereof paid over to Her Majesty’s Imperial Treasury.