RETURN OF WASTE LANDS IN THE PROVINCE OF OTAGO AVAILABLE FOR AGRICULTURAL SETTLEMENT, ETC.

Appendix to the Journals of the House of Representatives, 1870 Session I, C-06

C—No. 6,

RETURN OF WASTE LANDS IN THE PROVINCE OF OTAGO AVAILABLE FOR AGRICULTURAL SETTLEMENT, ETC.

{Return to an Order of the Souse of Eepresentatives of 30th June, 1870.) That there be laid on the Table of this House —" A Return of the area of country in the Province of Otago, within and without Gold Fields ; the quantity of land in each part suitable for Agricultural settlement; the quantity of land already thrown open for settlement, either under the Hundred system or otherwise ; the amount of land alienated from the Crown in the various Hundreds in the Province, and also the quantity of land sold or leased under the Agricultural Lease System on the Gold Fields ; —such Return also to state the amount of land now available for settlement, and also the quantity of country (stating locality) over which freeholders or leaseholders on the Gold Fields have the privilege of depasturing their stock by paying the usual assessment." (Mr. Mervyn.) WELLINGTON. 1870.

C—No. 6

Mr. J. T. Thomson to the Seceetaey for Ceown Lands. Department of Lands and Survey, Otago, Sic,— Dunedin, 18th July, 1870. I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter dated 4th instant, and in reply now beg to forward tho Return of Lands required. The cost of preparing the Return is £5 10s., as noted at the foot. I must further note that there is a large quantity of land within the Province which is now being alienated from the Crown, and which is not included in the accompanying Return, viz.:— Reserve for Clutha River Trust... ... ... ... ... 50,200 acres. „ Benevolent Institutions ... ... ... ... 389,415 „ Hospitals ... ... ... ... ... ... 501,090 „ „ High and Grammar Schools ... ... ... ... 240,500 „ District Schools ... ... ... ... ... 863,000 „ ~ University ... ... ... ... ... 100,000 „ Total ... ... ... 2,144,205 „ The University Reserve has been already Crown Granted ; the other reserves have been set apart by resolutions of the Provincial Council, and grants are being applied for. I have, &c, J. T. Thomson, The Hon. the Secretary for Crown Lands. Commissioner of Crown Lands.

Telegeam to Commissioner of Ceown Lands, Dunedin, from Seceetaey, Crown Lands Office, of 26th July, 1870; with answer thereto. Question. —" In the second and third columns of the ' Return of area of country in Province of Otago,' are the amounts 312,200 acres and 570,000 acres still unsold, and not as yet thrown open for settlement ? Please answer quickly." Answer. —" Of the 882,200 acres, about two-thirds are under pastoral lease to Crown tenants, and the one-third is open for selection but is principally bush, so has not been sought after by land purchasers."

WASTE LANDS OF THE PROVINCE OF OTAGO AVAILABLE FOR AGRICULTURAL SETTLEMENT, ETC.

C—No. 6;

RETURN of the Area of Country in the PROVINCE of OTAGO, within and without Gold Fields; the quantity of Land in each part suitable for Agricultural Settlement; the quantity of Land already thrown open for Settlement either under the Hundreds system or otherwise; the amount of Land alienated from the Crown in the various Hundreds in the Province; and also the quantity of Land sold or leased under the Agricultural Lease System on the Gold Fields; the amount of Land now available for Settlement, and the quantity and locality of Country over which Freeholders or Leaseholders on the Gold Fields have the privilege of depasturing their Stock by paying the usual assessment.

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EETUEN OE WASTE LANDS IN PEOVINCE OE OTAGO, &c.

Area already thrown open for Settlement. Area alienated from the Crown in various Hundreds. Area leased or sold under the Agricultural Lease System on Gold Fields. Quantity of Country over which Freeholders or Leaseholders on the Gold Fields may depasture Stock. Total Area of the Province of Otago. Area within Grold Fields. Area not within Area now availiel Is. Proclaimed areas withdrawn from Pastoral Districts. ment. Hundreds. Names of Hundreds. Locality. Acreage. Acreage. Sold. Leased. Acres. 13,360,640 Acres. 6,117,360 Of which 312,200 acres are suitable for agricultural settlement. Acres. 7,243,280 Of which 570,000 acres are suitable for agricultural settlement. Acres. 1,384,400 Acres. •161,500 Dunedin East Taieri West Taieri Waihola North Toliomairiro South Tokomairiro East Clutha West Clutha Waitahuna Pomahaka Popotuna Oamaru Otepopo Moeraki Hawkesbury Waikouaiti Awamoko Kakanui Waikawa Catling Tuturau Mokoreta Toetocs Maruwenua Traquair Stuart 66,659 70,100 52,961 54,055 62,076 59,712 40,985 52,927 36,669 31,988 52,885 83,938 50,400 55,008 63,386 21,401 40,140 29,335 1,097 6,202 14,406 9,257 5,961 37,647 1,085 6,200 Acres. 1,996 Acres. 35,510 Acres. 6,206,200 About 1,000,000 acres of forest, and 1,500,000 acres ofutterly barren lands are included in the area here given. Shotover and vicinity of Lake Wakatipu j[294,600 Tuapeka & Waipori 83,600 Switzers Mount Benger Moa Flat Cookston Clyde Tiger Hill (Blacks) 4,500 20,000 1,000 1,500 10,500 2,100 Odd reserves, Crown granted and set apart by Ordinance. 1,000,480 )■ 56,050 13,360,640 6,117,360 7,243,280 1,384,400 461,500 1,062,530 1,996 35,510 6,206,200 417,800 Alfeed Domett, Secretar for Crown Lands.