DEPARTMENT OF LANDS AND SURVEY (ANNUAL REPORT ON).

Appendix to the Journals of the House of Representatives, 1897 Session II, C-01

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Sess. 11.—1897. NEW ZEALAND.

DEPARTMENT OF LANDS AND SURVEY (ANNUAL REPORT ON).

Presented to both Houses of the General Assembly by Command of His Excellency.

COJ^TZEIDTTS.

Page General Report op the Surveyor-General— Lands — Work of the Department.. .. .. i Land Transactions .. .. ii Summary of Selections for past Nine Years .. iii Forfeitures and Surrenders .. iv Improved-farm Settlements .. iv Village Homestead Settlements .. .. v Special Settlement Associations .. .. v Pastoral Runs .. .. v Pastoral Tenants' Relief Act .. .. vi State Forests and Plantations .. vi Reserves .. .. .. vi Mining Districts Land Occupation Act .. vii Settlement Conditions .. .. .. vii Thermal Springs .. .. .. vii Cheviot Estate .. .. .. viii Land for Settlements Act .. .. ix Native Townships .. .. ix Territorial Revenue .. .. ix . Comparative Statement of Receipts on Account of Land Revenue .. .. .. x Arrears .. .. .. .. x Surveys— Summary showing Nature and Extent .. xi Trigonometrical and Topographical .. xi Explorations .. .. .. xi Settlement Surveys .. .. .. xii Native Land Court Surveys .. .. xii Mining Surveys .. .. .. xii Road Surveys .. .. .. .. xii Miscellaneous Work .. .. ..xii Board of Examiners for Surveyors .. .. xiii Roads, &c. — Summary, Mileage constructed and Expenditure xiii Average Earnings, Co-operative Contracts .. xiii Publications .. .. .. .. xiv Departmental Changes .. .. .. xiv Head Office — Report of Chief Draughtsman—Maps, &c. .. xv „ „ Clerk —Correspondence .. xvii „ „ „ Crown Grants and other Deeds .. ..xviii Report of Chief Accountant—Accounts . .xviii Report of Auditor .. .. .. xix Appendix No. 1— Land-settlement: Administration— Auckland .. .. .. .. 1 Hawke's Bay .. .. .. ..3 Taranaki .. .. .. .. 5 Wellington .. .. .. ..8 Nelson .. .. .. .. 17 Marlborough .. .. .. .. 18 Westland .. .. .. ..20 Canterbury .. .. .. .. 21 Cheviot Estate .. .. .. 24 Otago .. .. .. ..26 Southland .. .. .. ..32

Page Appendix No. 2— Survey Operations— Auckland .. .. .. .. 34 Hawke's Bay .. .. .. ..35 Taranaki .. .. .. .. 36 Wellington .. .. .. ..38 Nelson .. .. .. ..41 Marlborough .. .. .. .. 42 Westland .. .. .. .. 42 Canterbury .. .. .. 43 Otago .. .. .. .. 44 Southland .. .. .. .. 45 Appendix No. 3— Road Construction and Maintenance— Auckland .. .. .. .. 45 North Island Central .. .. .. 53 Rotorua and Taupo .. .. .. 55 Hawke's Bay .. .. .. ..57 Taranaki .. .. .. .. 58 Wellington— Wanganui District .. .. .. 62 Central and Eastern Districts .. .. 65 Marlborough .. .. .. ..75 Nelson .. .. .. ..78 Westland .. .. .. ..79 Canterbury .. .. .. .. 80 Cheviot Roads and Drainage .. .. 81 Otago .. .. .. ..82 Southland .. .. ..85 Works undertaken by Southland County Council 87 Appendix No. 4— Co-operative Work— Auckland .. .. .. .. 89 North Island Central (C. W. Hursthouse) .. 89 Rotorua and Taupo (R. H. Reaney) .. .. 89 Hawke's Bay .. .. .. .. 90 Taranaki .. .. .. 90 Wellington— Wanganui District (G. T. Murray) .. 91 Central and Eastern Districts (Capt. A. C. Turner) .. .. .. ..91 Nelson .. .. .. ..92 Marlborough .. .. .. .. 92 Westland .. .. .. ..92 Otago .. .. .. ..93 Southland .. .. .. ..93 Appendix No. 5 — Reports on Improved-farm Settlements— Auckland .. .. .. ..94 North Island Central .. .. .. 94 Hawke's Bay .. .. .. 95 Taranaki .. .. .. .. 95 Wellington .. .. .. ..97 Otago .. .. .. ..99 Southland .. .. .. ..100 Table showing Position and Transactions .. 101

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Page Appendix No. 6— Village-homestead Settlements .. .. 102 Appendix No. 7— Report on Landing Service, Port Robinson .. 103 Appendix No. 8— Report on Thermal Springs— Rotorua .. .. .. .. 105 Hanmer .. .. .. .. 107 Report by Medical Officer .. ..108 Appendix No. 9— Report on Mount Cook Hermitage and Glaciers .. 109 Appendix No. 10— Forest Trees Plantations— Auckland .. .. .. .. 110 Otago .. .. .. ..11l Southland .. .. .. .. 114 Appendix No. 11— Explorations .. .. .. .. 115 Ruapehu .. .. .. .. 115 Lake Ohau to Paringa .. .. .. 116 New Routes to the Hermitage .. .. 118 Fiord County .. .. .. .. 119 Appendix No. 12— Wanganui River Improvement Works .. 121 Appendix No. 13— Sketches of Official Career of Officers of the Department — Mr. J. S. Browning (Nelson) .. .. 123 Mr. H. J. Baker (Wellington) .. .. 123 Mr. G. N. Williams, deceased (Southland) .. 123 Appendix No. 14— Sanctuaries for Wild Animals .. .. 124 Little Barrier Island (Hauturu) .. .. 124 Resolution Island .. .. .. 125 Fanny Bay .. .. .. .. 127 Notes on Fish.. .. .. .. 128 Tables — Table 1. —Summary of Lands disposed of up to 31st March, 1897 .. .. 130 „ 2.—Lands opened for Sale and Selection, 1896-97 .. .. ..130 3.—Summary of Lands taken up during Year 1896-97 .. .. .. 131 4.—Analysis of Holdings .. .. 132 „ 5. —Lands sold for Cash during Year 1896-97 .. .. ..132 6.—Deferred-payment Lands .. .. 133 7. —Perpetual Lease and Small Areas .. 134 B.—Occupation with Right of Purchase .. 135 9.—Lease in Perpetuity Lands .. .. 136 10.—Agricultural-lease Lands .. .. 138 11. —Occupation Leases under Mining Districts Lands Occupation Act .. 139 12.—Village-settlement Lands sold for Cash 139 13.— Vii I age-settlement Deferred - payment Lands .. .. .. 140 14.—Village-settlement Perpetual-lease Lands 140 15.—Village - settlement Occupation with Right of Purchase .. .. 141 16.—Village-settlement Lease-in-Perpetuity 141 „ 17. —Village-homestead Special Settlement Lands .. .. .. 142 „ 18. —Village Special Settlements, Position of, at 31st March, 1897 .. .. 143 19.—Improved Farm Special Settlements .. 144 „ 20.—Special Settlements Association Lands.. 145 21.—Homestead Lands .. .. 146 22.—Small Grazing-runs .. .. 146 23. —Pastoral Licenses .. .. 146 24.—Miscellaneous Leases and Licenses .. 147 25. —Revenue for Year .. .. 148 „ 26.—Summary of Areas at 31st March, 1897.. 149

Page Table 27.—Land Reserved or Alienated by Scrip, &c. .. .. .. .. 149 „ 28. —Area of Bush felled on Land Sold by Crown .. .. .. 150 „ 29. —Selectors on the Books of the Department .. .. .. 150 „ 30.—Total Number of Crown Tenants .. 151 „ 31. —Endowment Lands taken up during the Year .. .. ..152 , 32.—Revenue received from Endowments .. 152 „ 33.—Conditions and Settlement of Lands under Land for Settlements Acts .. 153 „ 34.—Cheviot Estate—Revenue for Year .. 154 „ 35.—Cheviot Estate—Revenue from Ist April, 1893 .. .. ..154 „ 36.—Cheviot Estate—Return of Outlay and Income .. .. .. 154 „ 37.—Comparative Statement of Selectors under Settlement Conditions .. 155 „ 38.—Outlay and Income of Estates purchased under Land for Settlements Acts .. 156 „ 39.—Surveyors employed, and Work on Hand * .. .. ..160 40.—Crown Grants and other Instruments of Title from Crown prepared .. 160 „ 41. —Plans placed on Crown Grants .. 160 „ 42.—Work under Land Transfer Act .. 160 „ 43.—Work done for other Departments .. 161 44.—" Thirds " and " Fourths " paid to Local Bodies .. .. ..161 45. —Expenditure and Work done on Roads 165 „ 46.—Work on Co-operative System .. 203 47.—Blocks of Land proclaimed under Government Loans to Local Bodies Acts 215 „ 48.—Field-work executed by Surveyors .. 217 Maps— Showing Land Transactions, 1896-97 .. Facing p. xx Showing State of the Public Surveys, 1897 Follows Showing Roads to open Crown Lands for Sale, surveyed and constructed during 1881-1897 Follows Plan of Summit of Tongariro .. Facing p. 115 Topographical Plan of Landsborough and Clarke Country .. .. .. Facing p. 116 Topographical Map of Portion of Fiord County, Western Otago .. .. Facing p. 121 Map to accompany Report of Wanganui River (J. T. Stewart) .. .. .. Facing p. 122 Plan of Wanganui River, with longitudinal Section extending from Kanihinihi to Karatia Follows Report Wanganui River Trust—Sectional Drawings showing Flood Levels .. .. Follows Sketch Map of Resolution and surrounding Islands, showing Distribution of Birds .. Facing p. 124 Portraits— Mr. J. H. Baker and Mr. J. S. Browning Facing p. 123 The late Mr. C. W. Williams .. Follows " Process " Illustrations— Falls on Kohuratahi Stream, Taranaki Facing p. 38 Putikituna Stream, Taranaki .. Follows Waikaremoana —The Wairau Arm, looking northeast from Wai-o-paoa .. .. Follows Waikaremoana —Looking north-east from Te Ure-o-patea Island .. .. Follows Tiraumea Bridge—Saunders's Crossing Facing p. 73 Tiraumea Bridge—Edward's Crossing .. Follows Mackenzie Pass (west side) .. .. Backs p. 121 From Saddle at Head of Cockburn, looking towards Dusky Sound .. .. .. Backs p. 121 Head of Southspey Valley, from Plateau Camp (2,900 ft.), Western Otago .. Backs p. 121 Looking North from Leaning Peak, Western Otago Backs p. 121 Gairloch, on the Seaforth River Head of Seaforth River, from Mackenzie Pass „ Seaforth River, at Confluence with Kenneth Burn Backs p. 121 Mountain Tarns, north-west from Leaning Peak Backs p. 121

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Sess. 11.—1897. NEW ZEALAND.

Presented to both Houses of the General Assembly by Command of His Excellency.

The Secretary of Crown Lands and Surveyor-General to the Hon. the Minister of Lands. Sir, — Department of Lands and Survey, Wellington, 10th June, 1897. I have the honour to furnish herewith the annual reports on the operations of the Lands and Survey Department for the twelve months ending the 31st March, 1897. I have, &c, S. Percy Smith, Secretary for Crown Lands and Surveyor-General. The Hon. J. McKenzie, Minister of Lands.

LANDS. No alteration in the laws relating to Crown lands properly so called took place during the last session of Parliament, but an amendment in the Land for Settlements Acts was passed which materially affected the system of ballot for lands acquired under those Acts, and which is referred to further on in this report. A series of regulations, made under the authority of the above-named Acts, was published in the New Zealand Gazette of the 4th February, 1897, and subsequently in pamphlet form for the use of selectors. In accordance with established custom, the following table has been compiled in order to show at a glance the total transactions in lands during the past period, the details of which will be found in the several tables attached hereto as appendices. The New Zealand land system comprises a great variety of tenures which differ but little in detail. This is a source of some confusion to the public, who"find a difficulty in grasping the distinctions between them; and, moreover, this diversity leads to a great deal of book-keeping, and numerous tables are required to illustrate their operations. It would not be advisable to alter them, however, for the expense of doing so would be considerable. Some of them will disappear in process of time by the expiry of the Acts under which the selections were made. This has already occurred before—several systems which were in force some years ago are no longer recognised. The constant tendency for some years past has been in the direction of retaining the freehold in the State, a fact which the table below brings out strongly. i-G. 1.

DEPARTMENT OF LANDS AND SURVEY (ANNUAL REPORT ON).

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A few items in the above table require notice. The town, suburban, and rural lands disposed of, as shown in the first three lines, are sold for cash at auction, or, in the case of rural lands, are sometimes selected under the optional clauses of " The Land Act, 1892." These latter transactions, however, are few in number, as will be seen below. There were no selections under the deferred-payment system, for it is obsolete, except in the few cases which come under section 114 of the Act, which authorises those who already hold under that tenure to select additional land under the same terms where it adjoins their holdings. The same section has been taken advantage of to select nineteen sections under the obsolete system of perpetual lease. Both classes of selection must shortly cease through the fact of all adjacent lands being taken up. Included in the cash received under the head of perpetual leases is the large sum of £53,807 3s. lid., which represents the extent to which the right of purchase has been exercised in such cases, as authorised by the Act of 1887. It seems probable that this last system will, like the deferred-payment, become extinct within a short time, as it is obvious from the returns of the last few years that the right of purchase is very largely taken advantage of. The reason is not far to seek. Until the passing of " The Government Advances to Settlers Act, 1895," perpetual leases were not considered very eligible securities for borrowing on, and since the passing of that Act it is found that money is now borrowed from the Advances to Settlers Office in order to obtain the freehold, which, of course, enables larger sums to be raised. Under the optional clauses of the Land Act the following selections were made : — Number. Acres. Cash ... ... .. ... ... ... 90 9,835 Occupation with right of purchase ... ... ... 277 59,647 Lease in perpetuity ... ... ... ... ... 278 62,229 Lands selected under section 114 ... ... ... 7 508 115 ... ... ... 31 6,310 117 4 41 To bring the figures contained in the first table into a comprehensive view, the items are summarised below under a few headings, in which are included all the selections under the various Acts administered by the department, with the exception of endowments and miscellaneous leases:—■

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Nature and Tenure of Lands selected. Number of Purchasers or Selectors. Area. Cash received on Past and Current Transactions. 'own lands sold for cash Suburban lands sold for cash iural lands sold for cash deferred payment .. 'erpetual lease (includes perpetual leases made freehold, £53,807 3s. lid.) Occupation with right of purchase jease in perpetuity.. Agricultural lease /illage settlement, cash „ deferred payment.. „ perpetual lease .. .. .. „ occupation with right of purchase .. „ lease in perpetuity /illage-homestead special settlement (lease in perpetuity) special-settlement associations (lease in perpetuity) :mproved-farm special settlements (lease in perpetuity and occupation with right of purchase) Occupation leases, Mining Act small grazing-runs .. .. . Pastoral runs Miscellaneous leases and licenses jheviot Estate— Cash lands Lease in perpetuity Village-homestead special settlements (lease in perpetuity) Grazing-farms Pastoral runs .. .. Miscellaneous Ijand for Settlements Acts— Lease in perpetuity Lease in perpetuity, village settlement Special-settlement associations (lease in perpetuity) .. Small grazing-runs Miscellaneous 147 63 165 A. B. P. 122 0 38 254 1 8 28,087 1 26 I & s. a. 20,095 17 7 19 9,105' 2 28 38,022 6 0 79,589 15 7 277 278 2 4 59,647 3 20 62,229 3 15 13 1 0 3 2 13 3 2 7 1,280 1 27 319 0 20 28,084 1 17 4,881 3 24 8,732 17 6 13,641 18 6 241 7 0 26 11 3 564 1 9 1,126 8 3 7 7 9 1,070 12 1 2,341 7 3 10,072 16 10 247 19 2 4 91 15 142 45 48 25 129 271 2,817 0 7 63,752 3 28 1,187,771 3 17 99,396 3 14 81 17 9 20,570 4 11 73,124 16 2 19,756 3 9 13 5 3 20 2 37 320 1 31 40 2 0 336 2 0 5,973 14 4 869 4 7 16 227' 0 30 6,311 13 1 262 3 8 1,607 3 5 376 11 42,377 1 10 37 0 6 18,043 16 1 342 0 4 135 19 3 158 10 6 999 0 7 "2 22 5,180 3 5 4,718 3 36 Totals.. 2,173 1,600,695 0 24 324,353 16 11

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In comparing the total number of selectors for the past period with those of previous ones a considerable fabing-off will be noticed. Taking the selectors under all headings shown in the first table there are 2,173, as against 2,865 in 1896, and 2,547 in 1895. An examination of the foregoing table will show that the decline in numbers is general, but, at the same time, principally in the lease-in-perpetuity selections. The reason for this is that there has been less land of good quality thrown open under the optional clauses of the Act, and, further, that the eagerness to obtain blocks of land under the association system has declined. Deducting from the total number of selectors (2,173) those who took up town, suburban, pastoral, and miscellaneous lands, we get 1,391 selectors who may be said to have selected homesteads or farms, greater or smaller, in most of which residence and improvement are compulsory. Of this number 389 were selectors of lands acquired under the Land for Settlements Acts. Excluding the pastoral and village holdings, the average size of the farms selected during the year is 138 acres, or 24 acres less than the average for the previous year. If the selections under the optional clauses of the Act alone are considered, in which the selector himself determines the size of his farm, it is found that the average area is 220 acres. The following table summarises the lands of all descriptions selected for the last nine years to the 31st March last :—

From the above table it will be seen that the number of selectors on the books of the department is one hundred and fifty-six less than at the 31st March, 1896, notwithstanding that 1,848 selections other than for cash were made during the year. The reason of this is that some of the terminating tenancies are running out. Deferred payment and perpetual leases, for instance, are gradually disappearing by the properties becoming freehold, when they cease to appear on the departmental books. The deferred-payment lands made freehold during the year were 507 in number; area, 67,480 acres: perpetual leases, 190 in number; area, 64,174 acres: homesteads, 10 in number; area, 1,607 acres. The forfeitures, surrenders, and expiries, which have been numerous during the past year, also tend to reduce the number; they amount to 1,076, covering an area of 2,015,986 acres. Consolidated leases under the Pastoral Tenants' Belief Act reduce the number by 12, and 209 miscellaneous and temporary leases expired. A large amount of land has been thrown open for selection or offered for auction during the past year ; it amounts to about 477,000 acres more than in the previous year, due to the large amount of pastoral country reoffered. The figures given below include all classes of land, whether ordinary Crown lands, lands acquired under the Land for Settlements Acts, Cheviot Estate, &c, but exclude endowments. A good deal of this land represents forfeited and surrendered sections again thrown open for selection. It also comprises both surveyed and unsurveyed lands : — Acres. For Optional selection ... ... ... • .... ... 261,522 Perpetual lease ... ... ... ... ... ... 9,753 Lease in perpetuity ... ... ... ... ... 35,207 Village allotments ... ... ... • •. ... 1,931 Cash lands offered at auction ... ... ... ... 12,554 Leases of Crown lands and reserves ... ... .... 6,217 Small grazing-runs ... ... ... ... ... 156,435 Pastoral runs ... ... .... ... ... ... 1,348,673 Total ... ~. ... ... 1,832,292

1895. 1896. 1897. Tenure. Number. Area. Number. Area. Number. Area. Cash Deferred payment Perpetual lease Occupation with right of purchase Lease in perpetuity Pastoral runs Occupation and agricultural leases, Mining Acts Acres. 415 I 38,719 49 5,497 3 1,263 428 75,500 1,082 166,037 123 I 568,293 492 6 7 434 1,461 188 72 Acres. 26,584 - 455 1,427 84,970 199,093 2,156,378 2,967 392 19 281 966 156 50 Acres. 28,489 9,106 59,652 139,571 1,256,706 2,830 2,050 855,309 2,660 2,471,874 1,864 1,496,354

Year. Number of Selectors or Purchasers. Area taken up during the Year. Territorial Revenue. Total Revenue collected. Number of Crown Tenants on the Books. 1888-89 1889-90 1890-91 1891-92 1892-93 1893-94 1894-95 1895-96 1896-97 2,529 2,653 2,420 2,519 3,071 2,876 2,547 2,865 2,173 Acres. 2,313,611 4,155,472 2,154,138 1,453,082 1,663,339 1,393,918 1,015,577 2,662,344 1,600,695 £ 310,061 304,842 352,417 320,483 274,399 282,067 338,166 291,673 272,954 £ Not given. 322,885 364,938 324,470 310,523 347,343 375,879 345,331 360,993 Not given. 12,164 11,995 12,735 14,261 15,081 15,326 15,683 15,527

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IV

Much of this land is of second-class quality ; indeed, if the lands acquired under the Land for Settlements Acts are excluded, it may be said to be, in a general way, all second-class land, the fact being that the Crown owns no large areas of first-class land available for settlement. It has been the case for some years that the lands available for selectors consist of rough, hilly, forest-clad country, requiring large expenditure for clearing and grassing before any return can be obtained, and which is difficult of access. Large sums are spent annually in constructing roads to and through these lands, but the work is in its nature slow, whilst the amount to be done is enormous. A considerable area of land is under survey at the present time prior to being thrown open for selection, the principal localities being: In Auckland, the Tokatoka Swamp, and the Opuatia districts ; in Hawke's Bay, some considerable areas of good land in the Forty-mile Bush; in Taranaki, a good block near the Egmont Forest Eeserve, and considerable areas in the inland districts; in Wellington, some additional areas in the Awarua County, as also in the Upper Whanganui districts, and in the Wairarapa country. In Marlborough some 37,300 acres of excellent country to the south of Kaikoura ought to be open for selection in September, and about 28,000 acres of second-class land on the north bank of the Waiau, in the same district. In Canterbury the lands to be dealt with are mostly those acquired under the Land for Settlements Acts. In Otago there will be further areas prepared in the Tautuku Forest, and smaller areas in other parts. The amount of land granted to the Midland Bailway Company during last year was 119,054 acres, for which provisional titles had been issued previously. This makes a total acreage now granted to the company of 191,155 acres. Forfeitures and Surrenders. As has already been stated, a considerable number of forfeitures took place during the last year, through want of compliance with the conditions under which the lands were taken up. They amount in all to 493 cases, covering an area of 211,502 acres, the rental of which was £3,047 6s. Id. Included in these amounts are twelve pastoral runs, covering 126,938 acres. The principal items that go to make up the total are : Special-settlement associations, 133 cases, covering an area of 26,296 acres ; and improved-farm selections, numbering 115 cases, comprising 10,392 acres. Of the special-settlement-association cases forty-three were in the Taranaki District and eighty in the Wellington District, where the bulk of the association blocks are situated. It has been pointed out before that in the eagerness to obtain lands, through the facilities offered by the association system, many people joined them who were unfitted either by capacity or monetary means to carry out the obligations they undertook when becoming members. Many also were actuated, no doubt, by the belief that money was to be made by selling out to others at a profit. The Land Boards, whilst using a wise discretion in the cases where they saw that bond fide efforts were being made to settle on the lands, have invariably exercised their powers of forfeiture where it was found no attempt at compliance with the law had been made. Again, with respect to the improved-farm settlements, it is undoubtedly the case that many people took up land under this system not at all in the spirit in which the regulations were intended, but rather with the view of obtaining employment in the improvement of the lands and concurrent road-works. Therefore, directly the employment ceases, even for a time, having no heart in the matter, they make default, and their holdings are forfeited. The final result of the forfeitures is that, as a rule, the lands are reselected by those who are better able to comply with the law, and who have a better chance of succeeding in the end. Improved-farm Settlements. This system of occupation of land, as authorised by " The Lands Improvement and Native Lands Acquisition Act, 1894," has been fully explained in previous reports, but, in brief, it is intended to settle people on the lands who would otherwise have little chance of so doing. Blocks of land are chosen on which groups of people are settled, the Government advancing the cost of clearing up to certain limits, and assistance is also given in house-building—the total cost so advanced being made a charge on the lands, and the interest on advances becoming a part of the rent. During the year forty-five additional selectors were allotted lands, with an area of 4,881 acres, and, in addition, arrangements have been made for the location of 205 other persons, to occupy 19,303 acres, but, as these last are only in the initiatory stages, they do not appear in this year's tables. At the date of last year's report thirty-nine settlements had been formed, covering an area of 63,597 acres, one of which, in Taranaki District, was subsequently cancelled. During the year five new settlements were started, the number of selectors being forty-five, which makes a total to date of forty-three settlements, covering a total area of 70,196 acres, held by 646 selectors (exclusive of those in the preliminary stage). The amounts advanced up to the 31st March last were: For houses, &c, £2,918 Bs. lid.; for bushfelling and other works, £33,174 4s. 2d.; or a total of £36,092 13s. Id.; whilst the value of the improvements on the lands was (including the above figures) £49,690 os. Bd. There were at the same date 1,229 persons living on the lands, and the area cleared and in grass was 9,724 acres. The length of roads formed in connection with these settlements was 145| miles. It has already been pointed out that there have been 115 cases of forfeiture in this class of settlement for default of the conditions of residence and improvement, and the reasons have been indicated. It is much too soon to say what will be the ultimate success, but from the indications at present it is clear that amongst those who have taken up the lands there are a large number who evidently intend to settle down, and will do their best to make permanent homes for themselves. The system has been the means of witndrawing from the ranks of the unemployed a considerable number of people who probably for the first time in their lives experience some hope of becoming landowners. It is cheering to behold in some of these settlements what has been done, as, for instance, in the Whanga-momona Valley, in inland Taranaki, where a continuous strip of settlement now extends for some ten miles along the main road-line,

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with a varying width of grass-land that two years ago was wild unknown forest. Comfortablelooking cottages have been erected, and others are in course of building, while patches of cultivation and gardens here and there indicate that many of the settlers intend to give the system a fair trial. With a little assistance on the road-works, and where the settlements are judiciously situated amongst larger holdings, there is no reason why this class of settlement should not be a success. The scheme itself is one of the most liberal ever tried in this country, or perhaps in any other. Success must depend largely on the efforts of the people themselves. Notwithstanding the difficulties due to remoteness and other inherent drawbacks, they certainly commence under more favourable conditions than large numbers of the early settlers in this country who have made successful careers. Village-homestead Settlements. Full particulars respecting these settlements will be found in the report by the Superintendent, and also in Tables 16, 17, and 18. It will be seen that 123 new selections have been made during the period under review; the area of land allotted was 1,725 acres, an average of 14 acres to each settler. On the other hand, eighty-eight allotments were forfeited or surrendered, representing an area of 2,469 acres. The total number of settlers under this system on the 31st March last was 1,543, holding an area of 35,247 acres, or an average of 22j acres to each settler. The annual rent and interest is £4,904 2s. 2d. The amount actually received for the past year was £4,905 14s. lOd.; and the total payments since the scheme was initiated in 1886 have been £27,014 6s. 9d.— namely, rent £20,806 ss. 7d., and interest £6,208 Is. 2d. The number of settlers in arrear is 268, and the amount owing £1,820, which is less than for the corresponding period of last year. The total amount advanced for dwellings, bushfelling, &c, is £25,849; but of this amount £1,911 has been repaid, leaving £23,938 now outstanding. The total value of all improvements made by the settlers, and now on the land, is £109,529. Special-settlement Associations. No very large amount of land was selected under this system during the past period when compared with previous years, the figures being—l 42 selectors for 28,084 acres, the number of new associations being three. They are situated in Auckland, Taranaki, and Wellington. The total number of selectors under this system — i.e., held under deferred payment, perpetual lease, or by lease in perpetuity under the Act of 1892 —have been 2,594 ; but, owing to forfeitures through non-compliance with the residential and improvement conditions, by exchange, or purchase, there remained, at the 31st March last, 1,204 selectors, holding 214,559 acres. The forfeitures amounted to 133 cases, covering an area of 26,296 acres, situated principally in the Wellington District, where the bulk of this class of settlement exists. Many of the blocks selected by the associations were remote, and difficult to open up with roads ; in other cases the selectors find their sections of too small an area (the average size is 200 acres) for the nature of the country. But the chief reason of failure in many of these settlements is due to the want of means and experience on the part of the selectors, which renders them incapable of undertaking the work of pioneer settlers —a work which, in the remote districts, is an arduous one. Notwithstanding this, however, the Bangers report a large amount of improvements as having been made in the settlements where the conditions are favourable. The forfeited lands are being taken up in larger holdings more suited to the general character of the lands. In addition to forfeitures, fifty-five selectors surrendered their holdings, which cover an area of 11,192 acres, with a rental of £491 19s. 6d. Pastoral Buns. A considerable number of pastoral leases were dealt with during the year just past, largely due to the termination of those held under the Marlborough and Nelson Waste Lands Acts of 1867. These runs were classified under the Act of 1892, and wherever portions suitable for settlement were found they have been resumed for that purpose. Most of the resumed land lies in Marlborough, in the southern part of which district some 52,000 acres of good land is now being prepared for closer settlement. Some of this is excellent land, and, though but a small quantity is adapted for small farms, the bulk of it can be utilised with advantage in grazing-runs up to 1,500 acres in size. The Classification Commissioners visited all the runs in Marlborough which fell in, and rearranged boundaries to conform to fencing-lines. Under the powers given by section 4of " The Land for Settlements Act, 1894," several exchanges with owners of freeholds were made for. consolidating the Crown estate, and for securing homestead-sites. The Commissioners were greatly struck with the deterioration of much of this country —which evidence proves to have been originally covered thickly with natural grasses —through the effects of constant burning, followed by the incursions of the rabbits. Some parts of the inland districts of Marlborough, through these causes, present a scene of desolation difficult to exceed. It was noticed with satisfaction that the rabbits are decreasing very rapidly in the seaward districts, though still plentiful inland;. and there are hopes that a continuation of the present policy with respect to their eradication will eventually lead to a very great diminution in their numbers, and a consequent improvement in the country. The greater part of the country both in Nelson and Marlborough has been relet at somewhat reduced rents, though some runs still remain on hand pending completion of arrangements under " The Pastoral Tenants' Belief Act, 1895," and the reordering of those which did not go off at the first sale. In Canterbury fifteen runs, comprising an area of 195,303 acres, were relet; in Otago thirtysix runs, comprising an area of 396,538 acres ; and in Southland eight, comprising an area of 47,915 acres. In Westland a number of pastoral licenses have been issued, generally for small areas. Until the Midland Bailway reservation is removed this is the only system that can be adopted over a considerable portion of that district,

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In addition to the ordinary pastoral runs, twenty-seven small grazing-runs, covering an area of 68,933 acres, have been let during the year. Pastoral Tenants' Belief Act. The dealings under this Act have now been completed. The results are shown in tabular form below, in which the last column indicates the total reductions in rent, &c. The relief in the case of the leases in perpetuity has been calculated as for a term of twenty years.

State Forests and Plantations. During the year an area of 11,368 acres of forest-land has been reserved, in which are included some scenic reserves, which are also forest-clad. Adding this to the area shown in the previous year's report (1,164,382 acres), and deducting 3,000 acres resumed for settlement, the total reserves on the 31st March last come out at 1,172,750 acres, in which are comprised all classes of forest reserves, whether for timber, climatic, plantation, or scenic purposes. Fire, the great enemy of forests, did little harm last year, but some of the forests are very open to destruction from this cause, especially so those in the north, where the drier climate and the inflammable nature of the woods render them peculiarly liable to damage. A considerable amount of timber that had been scorched in former years was disposed of last year, more particularly in Auckland, where the Commissioner sold a quantity valued at over £15,654, including damaged timber in both State forests and on ordinary Crown lands and endowments. In Wellington the timber on some valuable totara reserves was sold, realising a sum of £7,115 12s. A large amount of timber in Westland and Southland was also disposed of under the license system. In the first two cases the payments are spread over a term of years. Something has also been done in the way of planting. In Auckland three plantations of 5 acres each have been enclosed on the Kaingaroa Plains, along the Botorua-Galatea Boad, and planted with various trees. This has been done in order to ascertain whether this barren region will grow trees that may hereafter be useful commercially, whilst at the same time affording shelter for stock. The reports on the experiment go to show that so far the trees are doing very well, sufficiently so to encourage further trials, which have now been authorised. A small plantation of 15 acres has also been started at Tarukenga, and another at Mamaku of 6 acres, on the Botorua railway-line, with the idea of growing timber for railway purposes. These plantations are also doing well. The experiment has been tried in the case of Mamaku of planting trees in the standing forest ; they are reported not to be doing so well as the others in the open. In Otago, on the Maniatoto Plains, a central nursery has been established, and is doing satisfactorily, notwithstanding the dry season that has been experienced. About half a million young trees are now growing, and other lands have been inspected, with a view of extending the operations shortly. Near Tapanui another nursery is in process of formation. In this nursery plants can be grown sufficient for the supply of the southern parts of Otago and all Southland. An area of. about 800 acres near Dusky Hill is being enclosed for planting when trees are ready. In Southland about 300 acres in the Seaward Forest, which bad been cut over by sawmillers, has also been enclosed by wire-netting and partially planted. Detailed reports on these operations will be found in the Appendix No. 10. Beserves. The reserves made for public purposes may be summarised from Table 27, as follows : — A. B. P. Eecreation ... ... ... ... ... ... 139 3 10 Primary and secondary education ... ... ... ... 4,616 015 School-sites ... ... ... ... .., ... 204 1 14 Forest reserves, plantations, &c. ... ... ... ... 6,471 321 Preservation of native fauna, flora, historical and scenic purposes 4,896 329 Public domains .. ... ... ... ... ... 7,220 0 0 For the use of aboriginal natives ... ... ... ... 104 0 0 Miscellaneous reserves ... ... ... ... ... 786 3 12 24,439 3 21

V!

Number of Properties relieved. Number of Runs granted Extended Leases. Remission of Rent and Sheep-tax for One Year. ■ Total Reduction Total Relief for Loss per Annum ; of Rent for Whole Currency of for Currency of : Period of Old Leases. Existing Leases. Old and New Leases. I kelson ... ! 6 ilarlborough ... : 4 Vestland ... 12 Canterbury ... 160 )tago .... 402 Southland ... 49 6 1 3 24 38 16 £ s. 1,281 18 412 15 93 4 5,503 15 3,627 5 332 18 d. 0 5 0 4 0 0 £ s. d. 2,722 0 0 412 15 5 697 1 0 74,760 0 0 36,621 15 0 4,061 3 10 & s. d. 1,877 7 8 £ s. d. 40,858 10 0 67 19 6 7,559 6 7 8,018 4 10 531 5 10 526 5 0 82,986 5 0 61,692 17 0 3,728 5 0 Totals ... 633 88 11,251 15 9 119,274 15 3 18,054 4 5 189,792 2 0

G.—l

The above are the reserves made in the ordinary course during the subdivision of the country for settlement; but amongst them are a few that attention may be drawn to. The forest reserves are principally in the Thames Peninsula and in the Wairarapa district. Amongst the " historical " reserves is an area of 2,011 acres which has been set aside at Ship Cove, Queen Charlotte Sound, where Captain Cook, on his several voyages to New Zealand, stayed some time, refitting the ships and resting their crews. The reserve is nearly all forest, and is in much the same state as when Captain Cook first anchored in the bay, on the 15th January, 1770, in H.M. barque " Endeavour." The Commissioners of Crown Lands have instructions to reserve from sale or other disposal all places of historical or scenic interest, with a view of keeping them intact for future generations, in the belief that they will increase in interest as time goes on. It is to be regretted that this subject was not attended to earlier, for many places connected with both the Maori and European occupation of the country have been alienated in past years. The public domains referred to above included some islands in the Ashley river-bed. The exchange of the Patua Banges in Taranaki for Crown lands elsewhere has not as yet been effected, as the two gentlemen to whom the task of selecting an equivalent in land was delegated have not as yet been able to find a suitable locality. With respect to the Tongariro National Park, little has been done during the past season, except in grading a line of road from the lower country up to the Ketetahi hot springs, situated on the side of Tongariro. It is proposed to form this into a bridle-track during the ensuing spring. The Wellington Acclimatisation Society has also supplied some red-deer for the park, which were successfully turned out in April last. There are four of them, and latest accounts say they are doing well in their new home. In Appendix No. 14 will be found a report from Mr. Henry, the caretaker at Besolution Island, which gives particulars of his proceedings during the year. The Little Barrier Island has been handed over to the care of the Auckland Institute, and that body has appointed a caretaker, who lives on the island. The Government subsidised the Institute last year to the amount of £200 to defray part of the charges in connection therewith, and the Marine Department has arranged to allow the Government steamers to call there when passing. It is hoped by placing the Institute in charge that the native fauna will be here preserved, for the birds especially are fast disappearing on the mainland. " The Mining Districts Land Occupation Act, 1894." Under the above Act a few transactions have taken place—forty-eight selections in all, covering an area of 2,817 acres —in Auckland, Marlborough, Otago, and Southland. This class of selection is intended to offer to miners on the goldfields an opportunity of securing homes for themselves near their work, but the nature of the country where mining operations are going on is generally of such a character as to preclude a great deal of settlement. Where there is suitable land it is obviously of public interest that the miners should have the opportunity of becoming permanent settlers. Settlement Conditions. '..,-. _ As the greater part of the lands now alienated are subject to conditions of residence and improvement, constant inspection by the Crown Lands Bangers is necessary in order to insure due compliance on the part of the selectors. In the extracts from the reports of the Commissioners given in the Appendix hereto much detail on this subject will be found, and from them it will be seen that a very large amount of work is being done by the settlers. On the whole, 5,210 inspections have been made during the year. The acquisition of estates under the Land for Settlements Acts has added much to the duties of the Bangers, for the inspection requires to be more minute and exhaustive in view of the greater value of the lands concerned and the capital sunk in them. The forests, too, are demanding more attention from the Bangers, with a view of staying the depredations which are too common in them, and, moreover, those forests worked under license require careful periodical inspection. Thermal Springs, etc. It was mentioned in last year's report that the Government had taken over the establishment at " The Hermitage," Mount Cook, as this favourite resort for tourists had been closed, and one of the greatest attractions in the country likely to be unavailable for visitors. A caretaker was appointed, and the establishment has been run by the department in the interests of tourists since that time. A guide is also retained there to accompany visitors to the glaciers and other places of interest in the neighbourhood of Mount Cook. A considerable amount of repairs had to be done to make the house habitable, but it is now in good order, and can accommodate a considerable number of visitors. The road from Pukaki has also been improved, and, as the regular coach service now starts in October instead of November, a larger number of visitors may be expected this next season. The material for a new hut at the foot of the Malte Brun Bange, about fourteen miles above the terminal face of the Tasman Glacier, is on the ground, and will be built next season for the use of visitors, from which other glaciers and peaks can be-visited. At the Nuhaka hot springs, in northern Hawke's Bay, a large accommodation-house is in process of erection by the tenant to whom part of the reserve was leased, so that next summer visitors will fare better than hitherto. A large number of people already make use of these springs for the benefit of their healing properties who have hitherto had to live in tents. At Botorua improvements have been made in the water-supply, which is used both for the baths and the town supply, by the erection of settling-tanks for the collection of impurities, by which means the water has been improved. Much has been done also to the Sanatorium, and the

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grounds adjacent, by planting and the making of further paths. These grounds are already a great attraction, and will become in time beautiful places. The principal addition, however, to the thermal establishment at that place was the building of a ladies' swimming-bath 49 ft. long, 24 ft. wide, and 4 ft. deep in the deepest part. This bath is much appreciated by visitors. Eepairs and renovations have also been made to the other baths where necessary. The establishment can now accommodate a large number of visitors, who year after year are making use of the baths in increased numbers. A survey of the Eotorua Township for the purpose of affording an efficient drainage scheme has been made by Mr. Eobert Hay, and plans and specifications will shortly be ready on which to invite tenders. At Whakarewarewa, near Eotorua, the portion of land which was purchased by the Government has been much improved by making paths, planting, and by building a bridge over the stream suitable for wheeled vehicles. During the year the department lost the services of Mr. Camille Malfroy, who had been engaged in supervising the works connected with Eotorua since 1886. Mr. Malfroy died in harness, being at his work, in which he took the deepest interest, to within a day or two of his death. During the time he was resident there he advanced the interests of Eotorua by his skilful development of the natural thermal forces of the place and every other means in his power. His death was a serious loss to the Government. Mr. Beany, the Government Eoad Surveyor, has taken over the late Mr. Malfroy's duties for a time. At Hanmer Springs, in northern Canterbury, many improvements have been made, and a largely-increased attendance has taken place. A massage-room has been added to the establishment, awnings erected over the two swimming-baths, and additional water-supply laid on. The great drawback to the profitable use of these springs is in process of being removed by the erection of a commodious sanatorium near the baths, where sufferers unable to walk or drive far will be close to the springs. There is also an accommodation-house being built by private enterprise a short distance from the entrance to the ground. Hitherto visitors could not obtain lodgings nearer than a mile and a half away. The place is becoming the resort of many people other than those who seek the baths for remedial purposes, the fine climate and mountain scenery making it an attractive place to spend a few days. The following is a comparative statement of the baths taken at Eotorua and Hanmer :—

Cheviot Estate. The Commissioner of Crown Lands, Canterbury, reports that this settlement is progressing, and that the conditions under which the leaseholds are held are being very well fulfilled. Although the settlers have suffered from a dry season, they seem to have made very considerable improvements, and are evidently men of a bond fide character, all but two having fully complied with the requirements of their leases as to improvements, and only nineteen were not residing on their sections, but were living with their relatives adjacent to their holdings. The estate is held by 213 persons. The estimated population is 930 souls, who had, on the Ist January, made improvements to the amount of £47,295. The annual rental payable on the Ist January last was £14,631 6s. 3d., of which only £92 7s. Bd. was in arrear on the 31st March. The following will show, in brief, the state of the Cheviot Account: — Outlay. £ Income. £ Balance from previous year .. .. 271,726 ■ Prom freeholds disposed of .. .. 437 Road-construction .. .. .. 342 ; Rents paid and accrued to 30th June, Landing service, administration, and 1897 .. .. .. .. 14,620 contingencies .. .. .. 654 | Interest .. .. .. .. 233 Interest paid and accrued from 18th Shipping and port charges .. .. 869 April, 1896, to 18th April, 1897 .. 8,866 Balance .. .. .. .. 265,429 £281,588 £281,588 From the above statement and those of preceding years it will be seen that the cost of the estate to the country is gradually decreasing. The returns from the estate have paid off all the money spent in. improving it, with the exception of £5,200, exclusive, of course, of the purchasemoney, which was £260,220. At the present rate of decrease it would seem that the whole of the cost will be recouped to the State in about fifty-two years. If we deduct from the cost of the estate and the sums spent in improving it the proceeds of cash sales,-there-remains a balance of £282,186. The rents, &c, receivable will give a return of §•2 per cent. on.this sum.

in via

I L802. 18< 1893. 393. 1894. 1895. 1896. 18G7. Place. No. : Of Baths. Fees. No. of Baths. Fees. No. of Fees. Baths. No. of Baths. Feei3. No. of I Baths. Fees. No. of Baths. Fees. iotorua .. 17,521 [anmer .. 7,311 £ s. d. 277 13 1 258 17 8 I i £ a. a. I £ s. d. 17,838 288 7 017,032|313 4 6 7,530:242 19 2 6,9231217 18 5 ! ! £ s. d. £ s. d. £ s. d. 23,196434 11 3)28,906 502 17 0 33,158J 631 0 0 6,306202 17 6| 7,781240 4 8 9,627[ 290 4 9

ERRATUM (page ix of Report).

For the word " eight," in last line but one of second paragraph, read " twenty-seven."

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Land for Settlements Act. At the date of last report nineteen estates out of twenty-six purchased had been thrown open for selection. Since that date thirteen new estates have been offered to the public* and one small one—Omihi—remained on hand not offered. Table 33 shows the whole of these properties, thirty-three in number. *The following is the list of estates dealt with during last year as new selections: — „ Area. Number of a. B. p. Sections. Baureka, Hawke's Bay ... ... ... •■■ 427 2 0 20 Elsthorpe, Hawke's Bay ... ... ... ... 10,293 0 0 39 Waimarie, Hawke's Bay ... ... ... ■•• 430 1 30 17 Omaka, Marlborough ... .. ... ••■ 3,898 0 0 13 Orakipaoa, Canterbury ... ... ... ••• 384 031 27 Highbank, Canterbury ... ... ... ... 9,121 3 8 74 Bakitairi, Canterbury ... ... ... ••• 3,526 116 23 Waiapi, Canterbury ... ... ••• ■■■ 1,124 236 15 Otarakaro, Canterbury ... ... ... ••• 39 3 9 6 Wharenui, Canterbury ... ... ... •■■ 73 110 7 Ardgowan, Otago ... ... •■• ••■ 4,234 0 0 69 Makareao, Otago ... ... ■•■ ••• 4,903 231 35 Poerua, Westland ... ... ••• ••• 3,230 16 17 41,687 0 17 362 Of the above area, 637 acres 2 roods 26 perches remained unselected at the 31st March, of which 97 acres 1 rood 18 perches was in the Elsthorpe Estate, and 410 acres in the Poerua Estate. In the estates previously acquired there were forty-eight new selections; whilst the forfeitures during last year were nineteen. Eight selectors were in arrear, to the amount of £640 os. 10d., at the same date. - . ' . , On the 31st March the value of improvements on the whole of the thirty-three estates ottered for selection, and which had been inspected up to that time, was £44,448 3s. 6d. There were at the same date 1,051 souls residing, and 220 houses had been built. The total number of selectors, less forfeitures, was 771. --" Beference to the detail reports in Appendix No. 1 will show that excellent progress had been made on the estates that have been inspected ; but it is to be observed that the time for so doing has not arrived in several cases, and therefore the figures given above as to the amount of improvement and number resident are considerably beneath the real truth. In order to arrive at some idea as to whether these estates are paying or not, the following fio-ures are supplied : The net cost of the thirty-six estates paid for is £541,218 ; but of these, three had not been opened for selection, their value being £94,705. The cost, therefore, of the estates offered to the public is £446,513. The annual rental of the land disposed of is £22,292, which is equal to interest on the total cost at the rate of 4-99 per cent. ; but, as there are 4,424 acres still unlet, of the value of £17,877, the interest earned by the land which has been disposed of is 5-2 per cent. This allows a fair margin for rent in arrear and for failures. Native Townships Act. No more areas under this Act have been proclaimed during the past year, but it is probable that three or four cases will be taken in hand this year. The townships already proclaimed are Pipiriki, on the Wanganui Biver, and Tokaanu, at the south end of Taupo, where there are great numbers of hot springs. Owing to various reasons, but principally to the length of time it takes to comply with the provisions of the Act, neither of these towns have been offered for lease, but the first named will be ready in July, and the second probably some time later. Territorial Be venue. On the death of Mr. C. O'Hara Smith, the late Auditor of Land Bevenue, which took place in September last whilst he was on sick-leave in Sydney, this branch of the department was placed in charge of Mr. W. G. Buncie. _ In addition to the particulars given in Mr. Buncie's report, attached hereto, the following figures supply a summary of the year's transactions. The estimate of the territorial revenue supplied to the Treasury by the department was £270 000 ; that actually received was £272,953 13s. 9d., being an excess of £2,953 13s. 9d. This, however, 'does not represent the total sum paid to the Eeceivers of Land Bevenue, for, as will be seen below, this amounted to some £80,000 more, as follows :— £ s. d. Territorial revenue ... ••• ••• •• ■•■ 272,953 13 9 Government loans (interest on money borrowed on land for roads) ... 9,575 9 8 Land for Settlements Account .. ... ... _ ••• 19,628 19 6 Cheviot Estate ... ... ••• •■• ■•• ••• 15,333 8 1 Endowments ... ••• ■•• •■• ••• ••• 18,053 1 7 North Island Main Trunk Eailway Account ... ... 9,035 2 9 State forests 6,504 4 10 Lands and Survey vote (refunds, surveys, &c.) ... ... 3,107 10 8 Crown grants, fees, &c. ... ... ••• ••• ••• 1,285 1 1 Thermal springs ... ••• ••• ••• ••• 7'llj 7. % Lake Forsyth endowment lands ... ... ... • • • 1, "74 6 8 Miscellaneous ... ... ••• ••• ■•• ■•• 2 > 670 ° 9 £360,993 8 9 ii—C. 1.

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The details of the territorial revenue proper, given below, as compared with the previous period, shows a falling-off of £18,719 16s. Id. It cannot be expected that the revenue derived from the disposal of Crown lands properly so called will maintain its volume ; there are several reasons which will cause it to be a yearly decreasing quantity, amongst the chief of which are the less area sold»for cash, the decreasing quantity of land available, and the gradual acquisition by the holders of lands held under deferredpayment, perpetual-lease, and other tenures that allow of the purchase of the freehold, towards which the Government Advances to Settlers Act is largely helping.

Comparative Statement of the Receipts on Account of Land Revenue for the Financial Years 1895-96 and 1896-97.

The Auditor of Land Bevenue states that the deposits lying at the credit of the Beceivers on the 31st March amounted to £18,205 6s. 2d.; but just at that time they were inflated by a sum of about £12,000, being deposits with applications for lands which were at the moment awaiting decision. The amount has since been reduced to its normal state of about £6,000. It is somewhat worthy of note that at the same date there was to the credit of local bodies the large sum of £34,107 18s. 9d., being accumulated "thirds," &c, of land revenue which the local bodies had not applied for. These amounts are often small, and no doubt are not applied for in such cases until they accumulate to a sufficient sum to make them useful. There are 203 local bodies concerned in these deposits. As has been stated, last year's territorial revenue was less than that of the previous year, and is likely to fall still further through causes which have been mentioned. At the same time the extra territorial revenue is likely to increase somewhat, mainly due to the operations of the Land for Settlements Acts. Against this revenue as a whole—viz., £360,993 Bs. 9d.—may be placed the cost of the Lands and Survey Department, amounting to £119,141 7s. Bd., for the same period. In this latter amount is also included a considerable part of the cost of administration of the roads and other works carried on by the department, all but the cost of surveyors, inspectors, foresters, overseers, clerks, &c, which is a charge on the votes themselves. The number of selectors on the books of the department is 15,527. Arrears. The following table shows the arrears due under all headings for the past nine years :— 31st March, 1889 ... ... ... 3,862 selectors were owing £44,533 1890 ... ... ... 3,755 „ 52,891 1891 ... ... ... 3,548 „ 37,341 1892 ... ... ... 2,612 „ 25,256 1893 ... " 3,382 „ 28,875 1894 ... " . ... ... 3,104 „ 32,205 1895 .. ° ... ... 3,594 „ 37,514 1896 ... ... ... 1,673 „ 15,708 1897 ... ... ... 1,464 „ 12,807 It is satisfactory to see that such a considerable reduction in numbers and amount has been made during the last two years.

x

Land District. 1895-96. 1896-97. Excess, 1896-97. Deficiency, 1896-97. Auckland Taranaki Hawke's Bay Wellington ... Marlborough... ISI elson Westland Canterbury ... Otago Southland £ s. d. 24,799 6 2 31,928 5 9 20,938 14 6 60,537 11 4 8,993 3 7 17,026 18 10 1,042 12 10 48,287 10 1 61,215 2 9 16,904 4 0 £ s. d. 29,723 17 6 23,911 12 3 17,100 14 4 52,751 0 4 9,399 4 4 14,454 15 1 1,199 4 9 48,999 8 6 61,333 19 10 14,079 16 10 £ s. d. 4,924 11 4 £ s. 8,016 13 3,838 0 7,786 11 d. 6 2 0 406 0 9 156 11 11 711 18 5 118 17 1 2,572 3 9 2,824 7 2 ' 291,673 9 10 272,953 13 9 272,953 13 9 6,317 19 6 25,037 15 6,317 19 7 6 Net deficiency ... £18,719 16 1 £18,719 16 1

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SUEVEYS. No special feature characterizes the survey operations of the year, the summary of which appears below, beyond the largely increased area surveyed under the Mining Acts, in consequence of the greater activity in mining which has been a feature of the last two years. A- Co^rTcre. Major triangulation 914,000 acres 0 0 0-29 J, 105 17 7 Minor triangulation and topography ... ... 826,907 „ 0 0 0-y5 6,Abb t> 1 Topographical surveys for selection purposes ... 52,945 „ 0 0 s'oo 1,095 iy A Bural and suburban section surveys (1,968 sections)... 414,084 „ 0 1 5-28 29,615 3 9 Town section surveys (1,052 sections) 1,515 „ 1 6 6-36- 1,39512 11 Native Land Court surveys (186 divisions) 294,124 „ 0 0 3-90 3,581 18 6 Mining surveys (2,706 sections) 206,829 „ 0 5 564 56,579 611 Eoads (569-77 miles), per mile 12 0 4-80 6,846 15 6 Miscellaneous surveys, inspection, &c. ... ... ■•• •■• 8,750 Total cost of field work for the year ... ... ••■ £112,241 7 7 The total cost shown above is rather more than £18,000 over the cost of similar work done last year This is due to the very large increase in the mining surveys, the cost of which is defrayed by deposits lodged with the Bsceivers of Gold Bevenue. Deducting this class of work from the total, we shall find that the cost of the other surveys is much less than for the previous year as is also the amount of work turned out. The decrease is in the triangulation and section work principally. The average-sized section of rural land surveyed last year was 210 acres, and the cost per acre was Is. 5'28i., which is very near the average for many years past. Trigonometrical and Topographical Surveys. A very much reduced area of country was triangulated last year as compared with the previous period when the surveys in Tuhoe-land tended to make the output above the average. This year's work consisted principally in an extension of triangulation over parts of the Thames Peninsula to control minino- and road surveys. Mr. Skeet covered about three-quarters of a million acres m the south-east pari of the Taranaki District, effecting some very fair closures on to the Wellington and Hawera work. The country he was working in was all forest-clad and broken, so that the cost of id an acre is reasonable. Mr. Lowe was engaged on the triangulation of the country at the headwaters of the Eangitikei and on the flanks of the Euapehu Mountain, effecting a junction with the Hawke's Bay work, where a larger difference than usual is shown in the closures, which appears to be due to an initial difference in the standards used when the surveys were controlled by different departments An extension of Mr. Lowe's work next summer to connect with that resting on the Maketu base will afford the necessary check on this. A large amount of work has been done m Marlborough in connection with the adjustment of the new run boundaries, but only part of it has as yet beeri finally plotted. The country in which Messrs. F. S. Smith, Buckndge, Carkeek, and Gillies have been working is very mountainous, and considerable difficulties have been experienced in transit A large amount of topographical information, as the result of these Marlborough surveys, will be forthcoming next year. In the meantime the preliminary sketches served the purposes of the Commissioners who reclassified the runs. Including both major and minor work, an area of 1,740,907 acres was triangulated last year. Explorations. The result of Mr. Thomas Mackenzie's explorations of 1895-96 made it desirable to clear up some points left in doubt as to the course of rivers flowing into Dusky Sound, at the south-west corner of the Middle Island. To accomplish this, and also to fill in the blanks existing in the maps of that part Mr. District Surveyor Wilmot was sent out with a party last summer, and the result is that he fully sketched the topography of about 164,000 acres of country lying between Lake Manapouri (the proper name of which is Manawa-popore) on the north and Lake Hauroto (proper name Hau-roko—the southern equivalent of Hau-rongo) and Dusky Sound on the south. The result' of Mr. Wilmot's work shows that Mr. Mackenzie's Seaforth Eiver is identical with the Mackenzie Biver, Loch Maree being the same as the north-eastern arm of Lake Ida. The chief results of Mr Wilmot's explorations are : That a carriage-road from Manapouri to Dusky Sound is not practical, though fair foot-tracks could be made ; that a g< ,d pass exists between Manapouri Lake and the head of Smith Sound, passing over a saddle ily 2,100 ft. high, with fair grades obtainable all the way ; and that a good practical pass exists i ,r a road from the Hauroto Lake to the head of Dusky Sound. . District Surveyor Brodrick has also explored a route from Lake Ohtiu, in Canterbury, to the Paringa Biver, on the West Coast, with a view of ascertaining if a horse-route is practical, but his report is not of a very encouraging nature in that respect, though by a little improvement a foottrack could be made that would open up some interesting country. Mr Lowe supplies some interesting but brief notes on the present condition of Euapehu and Tongariro Mountains, both of which have shown unusual volcanic activity during last year. It is unwfse to predict anything connected with volcanic phenomena, but the increased activity of Euapehu seems to point to considerable changes going on in that mountain, which may result in more violent outbursts. Eeports from these gentlemen will be found m the Appendices.

* Cost per section.

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Settlement Surveys. The output of section surveys this last year is much less than that of the previous year, due principally to the decreased number of association blocks surveyed. A large amount of subdivision of estates acquired under the Land for Settlements Acts has, however, taken place, but, as the divisions are small as a rule, they do not swell the total quantity much. The largest amount of section work done is in the Wellington District, of which a considerable portion is on the Upper Wanganui Eiver, where the country is only suited for small-grazing-run holdings. Further subdivisions have also taken place in the Awarua Block. In Auckland some 80,000 acres, situated in several localities, have been cut up, and 42,178 acres in Canterbury, much of which is in the new estates recently acquired. In Otago 41,204 acres, and in Southland 41,640 acres, were also surveyed. These two latter items include the lands set aside in those districts for landless Natives. As most of the association blocks have been completed so far as survey is concerned during the past period, the number of surveyors temporarily employed has been reduced, though the services of others have been retained to meet the current requirements. There are considerable areas all over the colony being prepared for settlement by survey and roading, but none that need special mention, with the exception, perhaps, of some very fair blocks in the Waipawa County, some considerable areas in the inland parts of Taranaki, also in the Wellington District, including further areas in the Awarua Block, which, it is hoped, will be completed during the coming season. In Marlborough some large areas of good land near Kaikoura and other lands on the north bank of the Waiau are in preparation for disposal. In Otago some runs have to be subdivided for settlement, and further areas in the Tautuku Forest will also be taken in hand. In Southland various blocks will be prepared, including some recent acquisitions under the Land for Settlements Acts, and the survey of the large block lying west of the Waiau Eiver, which is now being prepared for selection by the landless Natives, will be proceeded with as fast as possible. Nearly the whole of the above surveys are in forest-country, and generally very rough, taxing the best energies of the surveyors to secure serviceable road-lines on practicable grades, and also good fencing-lines. Native Land Court Surveys. Last year's output of this class of survey comprised 294,124 acres, in 186 divisions, being so much land surveyed to carry out the orders made by the Native Land Court, most of which consists of subdivisions of blocks previously surveyed in larger areas. The area above shows a considerable decrease on the acreage surveyed during the previous year, whilst the acreage completed at the direct cost of private owners, the plans of which have to pass the department, is a gradually-decreasing quantity, owing to the change in the Native-land laws with respect to acquisition of Native lands. The area thus surveyed was about 107,000 acres. If we exclude Tuhoeland—about 600,000 acres —there is now not a great deal of the North Island that remains to be surveyed for the purpose of passing it through the Court. At the same time, the division of blocks already under Native Land Court title amounts to a large area. Mining Surveys. The most prominent feature in the survey year has been the very large area surveyed for mining purposes, due to the great activity in all kinds of mining transactions during the past two years. The bulk of these surveys are in the Thames Peninsula. Here 2,127 sections, comprising an area of 173,252 acres, have been surveyed, the cost being deposited by the applicants. In 1895 the area surveyed all over the colony was 4,959 acres; in 1896, 77,677 acres, in 1,239 sections; in 1897, 206,829 acres, in 2,706 sections, the greatest increase and the largest area ever dealt with, so far as the records show. A few months since there were between sixty and seventy private surveyors engaged in the Thames Peninsula on this particular class of work. The number has decreased since, but still the work is proceeding. All of the plans of this work have to be passed and recorded in the survey offices, and naturally the great increase in the Auckland District has been a heavy labour in addition to current work, and necessitated the employment of several additional draughtsmen. The Nelson District has also partaken of the same increase of output, but to a lesser degree, the number of sections or claims surveyed there being 277, covering an area of 19,364 acres. Eoad Surveys. The 569 miles of road entered in the returns for the year include all classes of roads surveyed outside those laid out in the subdivision of the country for settlement, such as those taken in exercise of the rights reserved under the Native-land laws and similar cases. A very large amount of work has been done in the Wellington District in legalising roads which had been laid out by the Provincial Government and by local bodies, but which had not been recorded on the maps. Since 1892 about 364 miles in Wairarapa North and South Counties, and twenty to thirty miles in Wanganui County, has been surveyed and mapped, and more remains to be done. Miscellaneous Work. The miscellaneous surveys and other work done during the year come under this heading, as it cannot well be given in detail. It consists of field inspection, special reports of all kinds made by the surveyors, explorations, road supervision, engineering surveys, supervision of settlement operations, and odd surveys that cannot be classified under other headings, besides detention through Native or other obstruction, and cost of work not fully mapped, &c.

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Board op Examiners for Surveyors. Owing to the changes which have been made in the positions of Chief Surveyors during the past year it was found necessary to reconstitute the Board. The following is now the personnel of the Board : The Surveyor-General, the Assistant SurveyorGeneral, the Chief Surveyor of Wellington, the Chief Surveyor of Nelson, the Chief Surveyor of Hawke's Bay, and the Chief Surveyor of Christchurch. Six Board meetings were held, and fifty-six applications for certificates without examination or for permission to come up for examination were considered and disposed of. Consideration of these applications involves what is practically an initial examination by the Board, and considerably increases the work. Three examinations have been held, and nine candidates have been examined, some of them presenting themselves subsequently for examination in subjects they were previously unsuccessful in passing. Six of the nine candidates have succeeded in obtaining certificates. Five certificates have been granted "without examination," upon satisfactory evidence being placed before the Board of the professional experience and good character of applicants. Many of the applications are for certificates " without examination " under Eegulation 21, section 1, (c), which reads as follows : " (c) That he has practised as a surveyor or a surveyor's assistant in New Zealand for not less than eight years, possesses adequate practical knowledge and skill, and is familiar with the Survey Begulations : Provided that no application under this subclause (c) shall be granted after the Ist day of March, 1898." So varied are the experiences and abilities of these applicants that the necessary scrutiny into their cases involves considerable preliminary correspondence and very thorough consideration by the Board. The last clause, as quoted above, fixes a date after which no applications under this head can be considered by the Board. The following are the names of candidates who have passed or have had new certificates issued to them:—Under section 9: (a), Nil; (b), F. Carrington, T. Brook, B. B. Couston, S. Orbell. Under section 21 : (a), P. E. Cheal, L. C. Sladden ; (&) (new certificates), P. Chambers, J. Causley, G. G. Sandison. H. P. Hanify ; (c), A. C. Koch. EOAD-CONSTRUCTION. Of main roads and roads intended for wheeled traffic there have been constructed 517 miles and maintained 1,397 miles. Of roads at first intended for horse-traffic only there have been formed 468 miles, and 647 miles have been maintained fit for service. Eighty bridges, all over 30 ft. span, were built on these roads. Engineering surveys for construction only have been made over 521 miles in anticipation partly of further operations. The total cost of these works for the year is £221,886. The work performed is somewhat less than in the previous year, the decrease being at bridge building, construction of new dray-roads, and in the length of main roads maintained, while there was increased work done in the construction and maintenance of bridle-roads. Provincially distributed, the mileage of roads constructed and maintained and the cost are as follow :— Cost. Cost. Auckland ... 1,106-24 miles; £55,821 Marlborough... 48-05 miles; £3,857 Hawke's Bay 108-72 „ 6,900 Westland ... 141-30 „ 9,454 Taranaki ... 309-24 „ 38,548 Canterbury ... 133-78 „ 3,821 Wellington 725-33 „ 62,053 Otago ... 153-6 „ 17,651 Nelson ... 228-56 „ 11,945 Southland ... 75-03 „ 13,125 Included in this are 34 miles constructed and 220 miles maintained, at a cost of £11,453, on behalf of the Mines Department. The new roads constructed are: — Auckland ... ... 210-50 miles. Marlborough ... 31-25 miles. Hawke's Bay ... ... 35-40 „ Westland ... ... 3-76 „ Taranaki ... ... 118-64 „ , Canterbury ... ... 12-14 „ Wellington ... ... 134-63 „ I Otago ... ... 43-74 Nelson ... ... 18-56 „ \ Southland ... ... 4657 „ The maintenance of the principal main roads through country not served by railways has cost £24,969, and the balance of the amount expended, £196,917, was chiefly on the improvement of Crown lands or lands recently disposed of on the understanding that some of the roads were to be constructed. As in previous years co-operative contracts were let generally to small parties of settlers, many of whom worked on the roads or on felling the bush on their sections for about eight months of the year. The average wages earned are 6s. 3id. per day, the highest average being 10s. 6fd. and the lowest 4s. Bd. per day. Considerable advance has been made on the Awakino-Te Kuiti Eoad, which at the Slst March last was completed as a cart-road to 17 miles from the coast. After another 4 miles now in hand has been made all the settlers near the road will have cart-road access. The continuation of this road on to Te Kuiti is a matter of importance, for it will open up some very excellent land ; indeed, there should be within a few years, and so soon as the Native title is extinguished, a continuous belt of settlement all through from Mokau to Te Kuiti, or over 70 miles, On the main road —now called Ohura, formerly Stratford-Ongaruhe —considerable progress has been made at the south end, though not much at the north. Starting from Stratford there was, shortly after the 31st March, a good cart-road open to the Whangamomona Village site at 42 miles, whilst the line has been opened as a bridle-track through the Whangamomona Settlement up to Tahora-parae, or 54 miles from Stratford. Beyond that place the lines have been properly graded and fixed all the way to the Mangaroa Stream, at 83 miles from Stratford. From Mangaroa the

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road is constructed as a cart-road to Kawakawa, 112 miles from Stratford, and where the road joins the central trunk railway-line. From Kawakawa to the tunnel—to which place a weekly goods train runs —a fair cart-road exists. The railway-station, at north side of tunnel, is 129 miles from Stratford and 146 miles from Auckland. The country through which the road has yet to be made up to Mangaroa is all of good quality, so much so that it appears certain that it will all be settled so soon as the road is through and the Native title is extinguished. There will then be over 80 miles of continuous settlement northwards of Stratford. Northward of Mangaroa the land becomes more patchy, and settlement will consequently be more detached. Publications. The report of the Chief Draughtsman gives the extent of the map and other publications of the department. The principal work is the production of maps showing the lands for disposal by the Crown, of which 112,550 impressions of 221 maps were printed. Of geographical maps the only new one is that of Wellington, Hawke's Bay, and Taranaki, printed on the eight-mile-to-an-inch scale. An interesting pamphlet on Tuhoe-laud, written by Mr. Elsdon Best, at present employed on the road-works in the Urewera country, was published; 5,000 copies were printed, and a portion circulated to the principal public places in Australia. The illustrations are good examples of the process-work of the Lithographic Office. A pamphlet by Mrs. Bullock describing Eotorua was also published and illustrated during the year. A series of guides for tourists is now in the printer's hands for publication. It is intended by these pamphlets to further describe how places of interest may be visited, and to give full details of distances, time required to perform journeys, and cost. There will be a general guide for the whole colony, and local guides in greater detail for the most interesting sections, illustrated by maps and photo-process pictures of many of the best scenes. The information has been compiled by the Chief Surveyors and other officers of the districts, or under their direction, and will therefore be correct and up to the most recent date. The new photographic gallery is now supplied with first-rate appliances for map and photoprocess work. The 30 in. by 30 in. photo-litho. plates now being worked give excellent results, the anastigmatic lens supplied by Eoss last year producing splendid work. When the printing plant is placed in the new building still better and more economical work can be done. Departmental Changes. The retirement during the year of Mr. J. H. Baker, Assistant Surveyor-General, and Commissioner of Crown Lands, Wellington ; of Mr. J. S. Browning, Commissioner and Chief Surveyor, Nelson ; and the sad death of Mr. G. W. Williams, Commissioner and Chief Surveyor at Southland, involved several changes amongst the senior officers of the department. Mr. A. Barron, Superintending Surveyor, was appointed Assistant Surveyor-General; Mr. J. W. A. Marchant, Commissioner and Chief Surveyor, Canterbury, has taken up similar duties at Wellington; Mr. T. Humphries, Commissioner and Chief Surveyor of Hawke's Bay, has been removed to Nelson ; Mr. Weetman, Commissioner and Chief Surveyor of Marlborough, to Canterbury ; Mr. David Barron, Commissioner and Chief Surveyor at Westland, to Southland; Mr. C. W. Adams, Chief Surveyor of Otago, has become Commissioner and Chief Surveyor at Marlborough; Mr. E. C. Gold-Smith, District Surveyor, Gisborne, has "become Commissioner and Chief Surveyor of Hawke's Bay ; Mr. W. G. Murray, District Surveyor, has become Commissioner and Chief Surveyor of Westland; and District Surveyor John Hay has become Chief Surveyor of Otago; whilst Mr. Llewellyn Smith, Inspector in the Wellington District, has become Inspector and District Surveyor at Gisborne. Brief notices of the official careers of Messrs. Baker, Browning, and Williams are given in the Appendices hereto. By the retirement of the two former and the death of the latter the department lost the services of gentlemen who had been connected with the land and survey operations of the colony for over the third of a century, and who had filled their respective offices with credit to themselves and profit to the country. In addition to the gentlemen named above, the department lost the services of Mr. C. O'Hara Smith, tbe Auditor of Land Eevenue, who died at Sydney on the 10th September, 1896, whilst on sick-leave; Mr. C. Malfroy, who died at Botorua on the 6th January, 1897; Mr. W. C. Wright, draughtsman in the Nelson office, who died on the 4th August, 1896; and Mr. Angus Macgregor, M.A., of the Head Office, who died on the Ist November, 1896; whilst Mr. Assistant Surveyor J. I. Philips left the service on the 30th June last.

HEAD OFFICE. Maps, etc. Mr. F. W. Flanagan, the Chief Draughtsman, reports : — Although the duties of the draughtsmen are primarily the compilation and drawing of maps and plans, yet more than a moderate share of their time has been devoted to work of a miscellaneous and semi-clerical nature, which, by reason of the technical knowledge requisite for its proper performance, may be regarded as amongst the routine of the office. The miscellaneous work done during the year would not admit of delay, and frequently it has been necessary to employ nearly all of the staff in working it off. While, however, there are no arrears under this head, the progress made with the 80-chain district maps has been considerably retarded in consequence. This points to the necessity of obtaining the services of a first-class draughtsman, whose whole time will be engaged in

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XV

compiling and drawing district maps. Hitherto two officers have been employed on and off with that object, but, as it is proposed, by your direction, to engage one of them in drawing the new tenmile map of the colony, his place should be filled by an equally skilled draughtsman. In addition to the departmental work of the year, assistance has been afforded to other departments in computing and drawing statistical maps, tables, and diagrams, and illustrations for reports, &c. The calls on the office in this connection have increased rapidly. A further duty performed by the draughtsmen has been the preparation of the data for the purposes of the Bepresentation Commission, which is referred to in detail below. The new 80-chain maps published during the year were Wangamoa, Mount Arthur, and Wangapeka districts, compiled and drawn in Nelson office ; and Wairoa, Omahine, and Momahaki districts, compiled and drawn in the Head Office. New editions of the following 80-chain maps were published —viz., Forest Hill Hundred, Aparima and Oreti Hundreds, Campbelltown Hundred, Jacob's Biver Hundred, Longwood, Wairio, and Opunake Districts. The miscellaneous maps published include Tuhoe - land; Albury, Arowhenua, Poerua, Makareao, Elsthorpe, Omaka, Ardgowan, and Highbank Estates; the improved-farm settlements of Whenuakura, Taihape, Akitio, Te Eau a Moa, Bangitira, Hautapu, Horopiti, Mangatiti, and Bongoiti, the Townships of Purangi, Makuri, and Seddonville, Tongaporutu Village, Greymouth Harbour soundings, Marlborough pastoral runs, explorations in Fox Country; fifty-three survey blocks on 20-chain scale, showing mining claims in the survey districts of Thames, Aroha, Whitianga, Ohinemuri, Waihi North, Coromandel, Otama, Tairua, Hastings, and Harataunga ; and general plan on 80-chain scale of the northern portion of Hauraki mining district, with alphabetical list of claims. Eighty-chain maps of Waikouaiti, Strath Taieri, Bock and Pillar; the northern portion of Wairarapa North County, embracing the survey districts of Mount Cerberus, Waimata South, Aohanga, Puketoi, and portions of Makuri and Castlepoint districts, drawn on mile-to-the-inch scale ; and the northern portion of Waitaki County, embracing the country between Otekaike Biver and Lake Ohau, drawn on two-mile-to-the-inch scale, have been transferred to stone, and will be published shortly. The 80-chain maps under preparation, and very nearly completed, are Southbridge, EUesmere, and Totara districts. The geographical map of Wellington, Hawke's Bay, and Taranaki, which includes that portion of the North Island south of latitude 39 S., has been drawn and photographed. It will be published on the four-mile and eight-mile scales respectively in three colours. The numerous corrections and additions which have been made to this map since it was put in hand have delayed its completion. It is, however, practically up to date, and is a valuable addition to the publications of the department. Among the maps, &c, done for other departments the following may be mentioned : Map of New Zealand in three colours, showing the land districts, for Immigrants' Bureau of Information, London; map showing sea-routes to New Zealand, specially compiled and printed in three colours, and process pictures of scenery—both for the Hon. W. P. fieeves's paper, " The Fortunate Isles " ; eight statistical diagrams, printed in three colours, and illustrations for Year-book ; diagrams, &c, for Government Insurance Department; statistical diagrams, printed in three colours, and architectural plans and certificate of award for Stock Department; school certificates and examina-tion-papers for Education Department; diagrams and railway time-table maps for Bailway Department, in three colours; plans for Public Trustee; map showing telegraph-routes and diagrams for Telegraph Department; and illustrations for report of Wellington Acclimatisation Society. Two hundred and twenty-one land-sale maps have been prepared, showing an increase of twenty-eight on the return of last year. Of these maps, sixty-five were for Auckland, fourteen for Hawke's Bay, nineteen for Wellington, nine for Taranaki, twelve for Marlborough, three for Nelson, forty-two for Canterbury, one for Westland, nineteen for Otago, and thirty-seven for Southland. The number of coloured copies printed and distributed among the land offices exceeded 112,550. This output was exclusive of the pamphlets which have been published containing maps, illustrations, terms, and conditions of disposal of estates purchased under the Land for Settlements Acts. The usual practice of printing and distributing small maps of blocks, estates, &c, for administration reports, correspondence, &c, has been continued. The preparation of data for the Eepresentation Commissioners and the describing and colouring off on maps the boundaries of the new electoral districts were promptly and efficiently done. This work necessitated reference to 823 Sub-Enumerators' books, and transcribing therefrom the distribution of population to four-mile maps of the colony; also, the mounting and colouring of 296 maps on large scale, showing the boundaries as finally determined by the Commissioners. Lithographed maps of North and Middle Islands, on sixteen-mile scale, printed in colours, showing the proposed and defined boundaries of the electoral districts, were issued to County Councils, Municipalities, Town District Boards, Boad Boards, and other local bodies. Some progress has been made in renewing county maps. Patea was completed early in the year, and Waitaki and Selwyn are well advanced. So many requests have been made by the public for the county maps of Wairarapa North and Wairarapa South that it is proposed to lithograph them in large sheets, and for that purpose tracings are being made at convenient times on tracing transfer-paper for direct transfer to stone. Sixteen schedules and twenty-seven plans for purposes of the Native Land Acts have been examined. Seventy-three descriptions of boundaries and seventy-seven maps have been prepared for subjects relating to the Land Act, Land for Settlements Act, and Loans to Local Bodies Act. Seventy-one descriptions of boundaries of registration districts, drainage districts, boroughs, road districts, mining districts, defence districts, harbour limits and reserves have been prepared.

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Nine schedules and sixteen plans have been examined for the Public Works Department. Fifty-eight schedules and 110 plans of lands taken under the Public Works Acts have been examined and recorded. Seventeen plans of towns for which Governor's approval is necessary have been examined. Six schedules of Local Bills have been revised for Local Bills Committee of the House of Bepresentatives. Twenty-seven wash-drawings of landscape scenery have been made. For tinting, etching, sets-off, corrections, touching up, &c, 360 lithographic stones have been worked on. The out-turn of the lithographic machines and presses amounted to 1,098,503 impressions. The complete copies printed were 716,944, showing an increase of 16,541 on last year's return. Of these, the hand-presses contributed 52,241 copies. 1,012 subjects were taken in hand. Forty-six plate transfers were pulled. The two litho-machines have been constantly running under conditions as regards housing in every respect unfavourable to their due preservation. Had not precautions been taken to prevent the wear-and-tear from exceeding safe limits, numerous stoppages would have occurred. To enable the office to meet the increasing work, and to relieve the large and small machines, it will be advantageous to obtain a new machine capable of bedding a stone 26 in. by 36 in. The photographic gallery, which has been specially built, was completed and handed over to the department on the 19th October, 1896. With the greatly-improved accommodation, suitable fittings, &c, Mr. Boss has kept pace with his work, the new arrangements enabling two cameras to be used simultaneously. As was anticipated, improved results in the quality of the work and greater economy in its production have followed the introduction of the double-anastigmat wideangle lens, which has been applied successfully to the reproduction of the geographical map of Wellington, Hawke's Bay, and Taranaki on one 30 in. by 30 in. plate. Mr. Boss took a splendid negative, which he transferred to stone, the proof showing sharpness, and no distortion at the extremities. The number of wash-drawings and photographs reproduced shows how popular the "process" work has become. The demands from other departments have greatly increased in this respect. In many instances the photographs which have to be operated upon are such as to make failure inevitable. Sunlight pictures, which throw dense shadows, render reticulation almost impossible, even though the coarsest screen be employed. 71,750 process pictures have been printed. Attention has been given to the photo-trichromatic or three-colour work, and its adaptability to lithography. By this process all of the colours and tints of an original painting or drawing are said to be produced in three printings. The difficulty of obtaining pure colour-filters and inks of the proper relative strengths and transparency has not yet been overcome. Eventually this process will lend itself more to lithographic than to letterpress printing, as there is greater certainty in registering colours accurately from stone.

Lithographic Printing and Photographing from 1st April, 1896, to 31st March, 1897.

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Printing. Number of Photographing. Department. Number of Impressions taken Separate Printings. By By Machine. Hand. Number of Silver Plates. Prints. Lands and Survey Public Works Mines Marine ... Agricultural and Stock Railways Native Land Purchase Government Insurance Eegistrar-General's Premier's General Assembly Library ... Postal and Telegraph Education 1,139 87 36 19 22 32 2 15 11 4 1 18 2 1 9 5 1 639,285 28,395 72,950 2,050 28,500 147,000 20,400 40,500 2,400 43,233 4,061 68 1,150 34 89 1,950 1,003 10 480 2,500 470 614 38 83 3 12 88 1 10 70 16 13,340 6,420 520 3,600 35,300 2,795 29 Government Printer Public Trust Agent-General Treasury 3 7 Totals 1,404 1,043,455 55,048 888 86

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Abstract of lithographs printed during the twelve months : — Head Office ... ... ... - ..; ... 1,098,503 Auckland ... ... ... ... ... ... 2,350 Otago ... ... ... ... ... ... 1,500 Total ... ... ... ... 1,102,353 Maps and tracings mounted at Head Office, 1,257. Correspondence, etc. Mr. W. S. Short, the Chief Clerk, reports : — The volume of work for the past year is quite up to that of any previous period. There were 16,800 letters and telegrams received, and 13,500 written and despatched, and 2,264 new subjects were recorded. A new and revised edition of the regulations and instructions of the department was prepared and issued. This is very complete, as it includes a digest of all the principal circulars on official subjects that have been issued to officers of the department for many years past. It also includes copies of regulations under many Acts that are commonly dealt with by the department. New regulations under the Land for Settlements Act were also prepared and published; and both these regulations have been issued in pamphlet form. Under the head of naval and military land-claims there were 506 letters received and replied to. A Bill was drafted dealing with the outstanding claims, and powers were taken thereunder for the appointment of a Commissioner to settle the same. An Act was passed last session somewhat on the lines of this Bill, and, a Commissioner having been appointed, the voluminous papers relating to the subject were forwarded to him. The Proclamations, Orders in Council, warrants, and notices dealing with land that were prepared during the year were as under : — Land Acts : Warrants opening land under Part 111., 60; warrants of sales of land by auction, 39 ; Proclamations setting apart village-homestead lands, 7 ; Proclamations withdrawing the settingapart of village-homestead lands, 3 ; Orders in Council fixing terms and conditions for setting apart village-homestead lands, 7 ; Orders in Council modifying original terms and conditions for setting apart village-homestead lands, 11; Proclamations setting apart village lands, 2 ; Orders in Council fixing terms and conditions of village lands, 2 ; Orders in Council altering terms and conditions of same, 2; Proclamations setting apart small grazing-runs, 6; warrants temporarily reserving lands, 14 ; warrants amending descriptions of reserves, 2; warrants permanently reserving lands, 4; Proclamation reserving educational endowments, 1; Orders in Council making regulations for special settlements, 3, and amending regulations for improved-farm settlements, 1; miscellaneous Proclamations, 7 ; miscellaneous warrants, 11. Land for Settlements Acts : Proclamations of land for sale as small grazing-runs, 2; warrants of land for sale on lease in perpetuity, 6 ; new forms under Act printed, 6. Cemeteries Act : Warrants appointing trustees, 28; Orders in Council delegating Governor's powers under, 2. Publio Domains Act: Orders in Council bringing reserves under, 11; Orders in Council delegating powers under Act, 34. Public Beserves Act : Order in Council changing purpose of reserve, 1; warrants changing purpose of reserve, 2 ; Orders in Council vesting reserves in local bodies, 21. Native Land Court Act: Application for exchange of land, 1. The following is a summary of the Proclamations and other instruments prepared and gazetted during the year that relate principally to roads, bridges, and ferries : — Proclamations— Public Works Act : Taking and laying off roads ... ... 48 Land Acts : Opening and closing roads, &c. ... ... ... 51 Government Loans to Local Bodies Act: Proclaiming loan areas... 9 Land for Settlements Act: Closing roads, &c. ... ... ... 3 11l Orders in Council — Public Works Act: Declaring road county road, taking Native land for road, &c. ... ... ... ... ... ... 4 Warrant under Public Works Act: Authorising construction of bridge .. ] Notices — Public Works Act: Intention to take land for roads ... ... 5 Governor's warrants: Authorising laying off of roads ... ... 23 Surveyor-General's warrant: Authorising laying off of roads ... 1 — 29 By-laws (various) ... ... ... ... ... ... 6 151 In addition to the above a Commission was issued to Mr. H. W. Bishop, Stipendiary Magistrate, Christchurch, to hold an inquiry relative to the control and maintenance of the Selwyn Bridge. The Chief Surveyor, Auckland, was authorised to inquire into an objection under the Public Works Act to the taking of land at Hukatere for a road; and a warrant was issued to myself, authorising the holding of an inquiry at Eketahuna on the subject of a heavy traffic by-law passed by the Eketahuna Boad Board. These inquiries were duly held. iii—C. 1.

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Crown Grants and other Deeds. The following is a return of Crown grants, warrants, certificates of title, leases, &c., received and issued from the 1st April, 1896, to the 31st March, 1897.

Accounts. Mr. H. J. Knowles, the Chief Accountant, reports : —■ The number of vouchers authorised for payment, credit, or refund during the year 1896-97 was— £ s. d. 5,234 charged to Lands and Survey vote, covering gross expenditure of ... 125,598 19 9 289 charged to Lands and Survey, Miscellaneous vote, covering gross expenditure of ... ... ... ... ... ... 3,485 1 6 187 charged to State Forests vote, cohering gross expenditure of .... ... 2,472 710 1 charged to Cheviot Estate expenses vote, covering gross expenditure of ... 7 4 0 121 charged to Land for Settlements expenses vote, covering gross expenditure of *2,099 5 9 13 charged to Immigration vote, covering gross expenditure of ... ... 701 6 3 102 charged to Main Eoads vote, covering gross expenditure of ... ... 4,288 16 11 316 charged to Miscellaneous Eoads and Bridges vote, covering gross expenditure of ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 11,195 811 4 charged to Local Bodies vote, covering gross expenditure of ... ... 152 2 3 750 charged to Development of Thermal Springs, &c, vote, covering gross expenditure of ... ... ... ... ... ... 16,026 3 3 4,263 charged to Lands Improvement Account, covering gross expenditure of ... 108,430 0 0 1,244 charged to Native Land Purchase Account, covering gross expenditure of 38,949 19 9 1,006 charged to Government Loans to Local Bodies Account, covering gross expenditure of ... ... ... ... ... ... 27,64114 0 35 charged to Cheviot Estate Account, covering gross expenditure of ... 12,336 12 11 769 charged to Land for Settlements Account, covering gross expenditure of *311,472 13 9 2 charged to Unauthorised Account, covering gross expenditure of ... 216 13 4 49 charged to Civil Service Act and general, covering gross expenditure of ... 4,680 2 5 1,210 charged to Eeceivers'Deposit Accounts, covering gross refund of ... 37,601 8 4 82 charged to Eefunds of revenue, covering gross refund of ... ... 4,171 8 2 12 charged to Eefunds of contractors' deposits, covering gross refund of ... 133 0 0 15,689 * Includes Land for Settlements Department charges. £711,660 9 1 Details of the net expenditure will be found in the various tables on other pages. In addition, 221 credit vouchers for work done by the department, 505 applications for imprest advances, and about 1,200 letters, memoranda, returns, &c, have been dealt with or prepared. Two hundred and forty-eight agreements (prepared in triplicate) have been issued, representing grants to local bodies of £60,562 13s. lid.; and the payments under grants amounted to £32,741 16s. 4d., including payments under grants of previous years. A seventy-page statement of the expenditure, liabilities, &c, in respect of the 932 separate appropriations, and a full statement from the commencement of the position of the Government Loans to Local Bodies Account, has been issued within the department during seven months out of the twelve, but in consequence of its large increase in volume (from twenty-four pages in 1892-93 to seventy in 1896-97) time would not permit of it being issued monthly. The authority and expenditure registers have been balanced as between themselves, and the latter have also been balanced with the Treasury. A complete set of the rules and regulations relating to accounts has been compiled in pamphlet form, and distributed among the officers of the department. A large amount of work has been performed during the year in preparing returns for departmental information, compilation of reports, statements, and tables for the last annual report,

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Provincial District. μ-i 0 *■ O) - S S So Area in Grants. "8 :» r; as a J Area in Warrant. Total Area in Grants and Warrants. I ii . r f a ,. o § g i ° d included m -» foregoing «.= c -g g granted to B33 t S g^ Natives. t3 »3 2 <z Area in Leases. a> °o a b o g o<5 <x> 6 1 . 'Qia O5 Auckland Hawke's Bay Taranaki Wellington Nelson Maryborough Canterbury Westland Otago ... Southland 6 1 1 4 Acres. ! 279i 16,761! 53 234i 37 10 14 31 14 2 15 1 12 3 Acres. 1153,717 29,068 30,376 78,997 89,495 7,630 I 62,347 1,567 14,543 837 Acres. , 153,996 i 45,829 ! 30,429 S 79,231 i 89,495 7,630 62,349 1,567 14,983 I 859 Acres. 134,499 18,916 1,293 47 162 136 153 392 237 15 86 20 106 60 8 3 14 16 48 3 3 83 9 1 Acres. 645 67 26 492 28,450 840 193 5,865 38,673 5,360 4 5 2 4 1 1 2 2 4 1 440i 22 1 Total 18 17,791 139 468,577 486,368 ! 154,755 1,367 188 80,611 14 5 I

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supplying information daily as to the condition of road and other accounts, preparation of Consolidated Fund, Public Works Fund, and other estimates under the direction of the head of the department, and general supervision of the accounts of the district offices. I regret to have to record the sudden decease of one of the staff (Mr. Angus Macgregor) on the Ist November last. The comparative statement below shows to some extent how the yearly increase of work in the department affects this branch : —

Audit. Mr W G. Buncie, Auditor of Land Eevenue, reports : — The total gross revenue for the year amounted to £365,199 4s. 3d., and, allowing for refunds of £4,205 15s. 6d., left £360,993 Bs. 9d. as the revenue of the department, being an increase upon the previous year's receipts of £15,650 4s. 6d. . . . The deposits lying at the credit of the various Eeceivers at the end of the financial year were as follow: — „ , £ s. d. Auckland 1 > 1 44 6 0 New Plymouth ... ... ... ••• ••• ••• 166 7 n Napier ... ... ••• •■• •■• ••• ■•■ 0 7 Gisborne... ... ... ••• ••• ■•• -•• fj- * 8 Wellington ... ... ■■■ •■■ ••• 1. 591 ° 10 Blenheim ... ... •■• ••• ■•• ••• 167 15 4 Nelson 829 10 6 Sub-offices —Ahaura ... ... •■• ••• •■• 28 7 0 Eeefton 49 19 0 Westport 249 14 10 Hokitika 54 10 6 Christchurch ... ... ... •■• ■■• ••■ 12,396 12 4 Dunedin 917 14 11 Invercargill ... ••• ••■ ••• ■•• ••■ 447 1 9 £18,205 6 2 I have to explain that under ordinary circumstances the total amount of deposits would not have exceeded £6,000, but the fact of the Waiapi and Bakitairi Settlements ballot taking place on the 31st March increased the Deposit Account of the Eeceiver at Christchurch by about £12,000. On the last week of the financial year he took in deposits over £12,000. It is now down to its normal condition by transfers to revenue and refunds. On the 31st March there was lying at the credit of the various Local Bodies' Deposit Accounts £34,107 18s. 9d., made up as follow :— £ s. d. Auckland ... ... •■■ ••• ••• ••• 3 ,107 0 3 New Plymouth ... ... ... ••■ ■■• 4,891 2 7 Napier. 2,843 2 2 Wellington :.. .. ... •■• ■■■ -■■ 10,278 1 10 Blenheim ... ... ••• •■• •■• •■• 191 4 10 Nelson 891 15 9 Hokitika 3 14 5 Christchurch ... ... ... ■•• •■• ••• l > lm b ° Dunedin ... ... ••• ••• •■ ■■- 3,561 12 6 Invercargill •■■ ■■■ 2,155 18 0 I think it is a great pity that County Councils and Boad Boards do not take vigorous steps to place themselves in a position to make proposals for the expending upon roadworks the sums lying at the credit of the different sections. From my experience as a Eeceiver, I know that the responsibility lies with the local body. This large sum is not exactly idle, as the Public Account is credited with interest that accrues on the Eeceiver-General's Deposit Account; still, if the local bodies interested would make proposals for spending the same on new works, they would help to dispel the " unemployed " difficulty.

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Year. Number of Vouchers. Gross Amount authorised for Payment, Credit, <fcc. Number of Appropriations. Number of Grants to Local Bodies. Amount granted to Local Bodies. Payments to Local Bodies under Grants. 1890-91 ... 1891-92 (9 months) j 1892-93 1893-94 1894-95 .. 1895-96 ... 1896-97 ... 9,810 8,355 10,676 13,071 14,367 15,422 15,689 £ 152,775 177,903 260,498 353,772 420,531 578,778 711,660 210 219 252 440 592 682 932 80 87 108 181 215 203 248 £ 17,782 23,391 21,568 42,847 52,892 33,761 59,712 £ Not compiled. 13,448 20,388 22,704 45,302 42,813 32,419

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Since I took charge of this office, I have visited the following land offices, and audited the Becoivers' books and accounts to the periods stated; Hokitika, from Ist January, 1893, to 26th September, 1896 ; Christchurch, from 6th January, 1894, to 26th September, 1896; Blenheim, from Ist April, 1894, to 21st November, 1896 ; Napier, from Bth December, 1894, to 26th December, 1896 ; Gisborne, from Bth December, 1894, to 26th December, 1896 ; Dunedin, from 16th February, 1895, to 30th January, 1897 ; Invercargill, from 26th January, 1895, to 30th January, 1897. As I have already sent you a report upon each office inspected, with a balance-sheet attached, I have little now to add but that the Beceivers I have come in contact with are generally very competent. The offices I have still to visit are Auckland, Nelson, New Plymouth, and Wellington. For the first-named I intend leaving at once. The examination of the cash-books and accounts goes on assiduously. We are necessarily always a little behind, and, with the exception of the deposit accounts, the books are nearly all audited to the end of the financial year.

XX

NEW ZEALAND SHEWING LAND TRANSACTIONS 1896-7.

NEW ZEALAND SHOWING THE STATE OF THE PUBLIC SURVEYS 1897

NEW ZEALAND SHOWING THE ROADS TO OPEN CROWN LANDS FOR SALE, SURVEYED & CONSTRUCTED DURING 1881-1897.

0.-4".

APPENDICES.

APPENDIX No. I.—ADMINISTEATION.

EXTBACTS FBOM THE EEPOETS OF THE COMMISSIONEES OF CEOWN LANDS ON SETTLEMENT OPEEATIONS DUEING THE TWELVE MONTHS ENDED THE 31st MABCH, 1897. AUCKLAND. I have the honour herewith to forward my annual report upon the land-transactions of this district for the year 1896-97, and, in order that the volume of the same may be readily taken in, I have placed in the forefront a summary, as I did last year : —

Summary of Land Transactions during the Year 1896-97.

Cash Lands show very little difference to last year. The total area is less, being 6,376 acres, but the receipts are greater, being £6,999, against £6,355 last year. Adding to this the perpetual leases made freehold, gives a total of cash land revenue of £10,934 155., exclusive of the deferredpayment sections made freehold. Deferred Payment. —The total number of sections and area still held under this system is 241 sections, with a total area of 27,227 acres. By some curious oversight, which must have occurred some years past (probably at the time when the East Coast district was cut off from-

•Including exchange from other tenures. fThis does not include £1,177 15s. lOd. survey fees received during - ■ ' the year. ...... -..,.'•.

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Transactions during the Year. Area held on 31st March, 1897. Revenue. received during the Year. Class of Selection. Number. Area. Number. Area. Area. CashTown Suburban Eural 25 10 81 A. 53 75 6,247 B. P. 0 0 1 30 3 14 A. H. P. S, s. d. Total cash Deferred payment ... Perpetual lease Perpetual lease, freehold Occupation, right of purchase Lease in perpetuity Lease in perpetuity under Land for Settlements Act Mining district land occupation Agricultural leases Village - homestead special settlement Special settlement association— Deferred payment Perpetual lease Lease in perpetuity Improved-farm settlement ... Homestead Small grazing-runs... Pastoral runs Miscellaneous leases Timber sold Thermal springs Other sources 116 30 123 *68 10 6,376 1 30 8,474 0 7 22,384 1 15 10,601 0 5 716 0 11 241 724 27,226' 3 23 184,508 2 30 6,999 0 3 1,886 3 6 3,933 0 1 3,935 15 0 1,676 3 7 1,015 17 4 615 9 9 800 434 68 149,371 3 34 81,330 2 28 6,599 3 23 6 209 0 17 22 7 178 1,017 3 7 625 2 27 7,306 0 7 6 4 0 408 18 ■ 0 47 11 9,229' 3 2 1,278 2 0 17 2 127 45 37 14 12 57 1,611 2 2 100 0 0 29,735 1 0 5,033 0 0 3,975 2 3 68,849 0 0 91,654 0 27 4,357 1 23 435 9 7 17 17 0 31 5 -6 '6 276 1 27 45,300,503ft. 595 1 13 582 19 6 51 12 0 3,027 0 7 8,720 6 0 1,158 18 0 1,981 5 0 231 trees 28 140 1,232 1 16 Total areas, &c. „ timber 445 231 trees 60,141 0 7 45,300,503ft. 2,925 664,535 3 10 136,483 4 .8

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Auckland), a large number of surrenders appear to have escaped notice. These amount to 142 in number, with a total area of 25,113 acres. These I have had to bring to account this year. The total area of 27,227 acres is absolutely correct. Twenty-six selectors acquired their freeholds during the year, for a total area of 3,103 acres. The selectors in arrears for nonpayment of instalments due number eighty-three, and they owe £487 19s. Bd. Perpetual Leases. —The total number of perpetual-lease holders at present actually on the books is 724, holding a total area of 184,508 acres, the revenue received during the year being £3,933. Thirty selectors also acquired the freehold of 8,474 acres during that period, paying in cash £3,935 15s. Again, as in the case of deferred payment, a large number of sections surrendered appear to have been embodied in the totals of each annual return. These number no less than fifty-two, for a total area of 18,925 acres. It is necessary that this should be put straight; the totals now given are correct. The revenue, however, is more by £1,722 than that returned last year. The forfeitures for the year amount to 9,859 acres, representing a rental of £221 15s. Bd. The selectors in arrear number 148, owing £933 Is. lOd. Occupation ivith Right of Purchase. —The number of selectors show a falling-off from previous years, being only 123, selecting a total area of 22,384 acres, the area surrendered and exchanged for the year being 1,185 acres. The selectors in arrear are 109, with a total liability of £296 2s. Lease in Perpetuity also shows a considerable falling-off in number of selectors and area, as they only number sixty-eight (which includes exchanges from other tenures), for an area of 10,601 acres. In addition to this, the lease-in-perpetuity selectors under the land-for-settlement conditions are forty-seven, for a total area of 9,230 acres, making a total of selectors under this tenure of 115, holding an area of 19,831 acres. The selectors in arrear number fifty-four, owing, in all, £164 13s. " The Mining District Lands Occupation Act, 1894." —The transactions are very small, being only six selectors for a total area of 209 acres. The land within the goldfields area is not generally of good enough quality to encourage the settlement of small areas under these conditions. Village-homestead Special Settlements. —This year there are only 178 selectors left on the books, holding a total area of 7,306 acres. The forfeitures have been twelve, and the surrenders and exchanges eighteen. The selectors in arrear are 152, and they owe for rent £555 12s. 3d., and for interest £900 13s. 3d. The value, however, of their improvements amounts to £20,365. . The settlements have made little progress during the past year, the small area of the holdings, the distance from a market, and other causes preventing these settlers from doing little more than holding their own. Special Settlements. —These I briefly summarise in geographical order :— Auckland Small-farm Association is situated on the main road Opanake to Hokianga. It is not, from various causes, as yet in a very flourishing condition, though the land is good, but is all forest. Out of thirty-three original selectors twenty-eight are still nominally holding, and about half of these are making improvements on the ground. There are sixteen sections, of a total area of 3,000 acres, unselected out of the original area set apart for the association. I have not as yet sent the Banger to make the inspection, but purpose doing so next month. Marlborough Association is south of the Auckland settlement, and also upon the main Hokianga-Opanake Eoad. Of the twenty-five original selectors, only six are residing upon their sections; thirteen others have effected the necessary improvements ; leaving six who have as yet done nothing. The situation of the settlement being at a high altitude (1,400 ft.) makes it more or less damp, and, in consequence, the burns have been bad. There is no doubt that when the forest has been got rid of the land will carry good permanent pasture. Avoca Special Settlement, situated about ten miles from Dargaville, up the Tangowahine Stream, is also nearly all forest. Of the twenty-four selectors, only three are as yet residing on their sections. Of the remaining twenty-one selectors, fourteen have - effected the necessary improvements, but are non-resident. The heavy rains of February and early March have spoiled the chances of any good burns this season, and this, as in the Auckland and Marlborough settlements, has militated against their success. Gordon Special Settlement is near Te Aroha. It is probably over its initial troubles, and is likely to be fairly successful. All the sections are occupied, and the recent completion of a bridge over the Waihou Eiver will give the settlers access to a creamery and a market for their dairy produce, as the land is well adapted for this class of farming. Tuakau Special Settlement, in the Baglan County, between Mercer and Waikato Heads, is a most flourishing settlement, and all the settlers have done well, the land being exceptionally good. Nearly all the deferred-payment sections have now, however, become freeholds. Papamoa Nos. 1 and 2 Special Settlements are between Tauranga and Te Puke, Bay of Plenty. It is scarcely fair as yet to judge of the progress of either of these two. Very few families are as yet resident upon their sections. The land generally, though of good quality, is broken, and only suitable for pasture. The North Island Land Association, near Whakatane, is practically defunct, owing to the almost utter impossibility of draining the large swamp area held, though many of the members manfully made the attempt at great cost. The volcanic ash from Tarawera has so elevated the bed of the Eangitaiki Ei\er as to practically abolish all fall or drainage by its means. Improvement Conditions. —The total number of inspections by Bangers has been 746 in number, over an area of 110,820 acres. The Bangers report generally that fair progress, though nothing exceptional, has been done. The principal and most noticeable advance of settlement has been in the Counties of Baglan, Kawhia, and portions of Otamatea and Manukau, where the increase of area under grass is very apparent. A good breadth of country has also been laid down in grass jn Hobson and Eodney Counties. Whakatane County has not made quite so much progress as last

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year. I think the goldfields are responsible for a certain decrease both in area of selections and improvements, as such a large number of young men have been attracted to them to the detriment of the settlement of the land. The area of bush felled in the whole district for the past year is estimated at 15,000 acres, but the burns generally have been very poor, and will necessitate a great increase of labour to properly clear and grass the areas so felled. The Forests. —A careful surveillance has been kept over both the State and general forestlands in the north, by Bangers Wilson and Maxwell, and also over those in the Hauraki Mining District by Banger D. H. Lusk. A large quantity of dead and scorched timber has been disposed of in the State forests, the amount received being £3,734 ss. 6d., whilst for green and scorched timber on Crown lands and other leases £7,208 ss. was received, and from endowment lands for leases and timber £4,711 16s. 7d. has also been received. The actual amount of timber sold and partially paid for amounts to 45,300,503 superficial feet. The severe drought in the early part of the spring and summer made me very apprehensive that a still further destruction of the Crown forests would take place, particularly as some portion of the Puhipuhi Forest was again swept by fire, but the rains of February made them safe for this summer. Banger H. S. Wilson and his assistant, Mr. McKay, are now branding and estimating the remaining dead and scorched timber in this forest, which will have to be sold to prevent further deterioration. Expenditure of " Thirds " and " Fourths." —Sixty-six separate schedules of proposed expenditure of the amounts that were standing to the credit of various local bodies were received and checked, representing a total amount of £3,649 os. 9d. Lands acquired under the Land for Settlements Acts. —Two estates have been acquired in this district under these Acts—the Opouriao Estate, at Whakatane, Bay of Plenty, and the Okauia, near Matamata. Of the first named, sixty lots, of a total area of 6,524 acres 3 roods 9 perches, were leased last year, with an annual rental of £1,268 10s. 4d. This year ten additional lots have been leased, of a total area of 716 acres and 11 perches, and an annual rental of £143 15s. lOd.; making a total area leased of 7,240 acres 3 roods 20 perches, in seventy lots, with a total annual rental of £1,412 6s. 2d. Against this there have been two forfeitures for non-fulfilment of conditions, of a total area of 560 acres 2 roods, and annual rental of £9 16s. 4d., thus leaving a balance of 6,680 acres 1 rood 20 perches held at present date, paying an annual rental of £1,402 9s. lOd. For the five lots in the Opouriao Estate which were opened for application on the 24th March there were no less than ninety-two applicants, but, at a special meeting of the Land Board held for the purpose, the number of those who were eligible for the ballot was found to be eighty-four. I think that, under the present regulations which govern the mode of selection, Government are far more likely to obtain a suitable class of settler. I am unable to furnish a report upon the improvements and general carrying-out of the conditions by the Opouriao settlers, because the Banger is only just at present making his first visit for the purpose. I believe, however, that all the conditions are being fulfilled. The settlers have had an anxious time of it for their first year, as the excessively dry spring season reaching to the end of January rendered it probable that the crops would be a failure, and this would have meant ruin to a good number. However, the timely rains of February and March effectually dispelled their fears, and I hear the crops are now promising good returns. The second estate, lately purchased, called Okauia, of 6,528 acres, just across the Waihou Eiver from Matamata, is now being subdivided for settlement into suitable sections, and I hope to report next year that it is all occupied by settlers. Office Work. —The staff of both Lands and Survey have had their hands very full, more particularly the book-keepers' branch, as the mining vouchers cheeked and recorded amount to 1,742, covering payments amounting to £39,319 14s. 7d., whilst the vouchers for ordinary expenditure —roads, &c.—amount to 2,033, representing payments of £50,194 4s. lOd. From the messengers' books which are posted up I find that 16,928 letters have been received, and 22,359 letters despatched; 2,029 telegrams received, and 1,803 telegrams despatched; 3,365 parcels received, and 4,106 parcels sent out. Every sitting of the Land Board has been occupied with a very heavy amount of business, and the transfers granted amount to eighty-eight, whilst the applications for timber-flotage licenses, both for new licenses and renewals, amount to twenty-two. These have all to be very carefully gone into, involving much time and anxiety. Lands available for Settlement. — The area at present open for selection scattered all over the land district is 496,705 acres. An additional 37,000 is now being subdivided for settlement in the Mangakahia district, Whangarei, and in what was originally the Tokatoka Swamp, in the Otamatea County (these rich lands have been scheduled for opening, and are well worth the attention of selectors); also a portion of the Opuatia Block, in the Baglan County, and other districts. Hokianga County has over 100,000 acres of heavy-forest lands of good quality, but which want roading to make them available for settlement. In the Kawhia County, from Pirongia southwards, there are 56,000 acres of Crown land of good quality, already under the control of the Land Board, but which it is not advisable to open until the purchase of the adjoining lands has been completed, and even then very extensive roading must be undertaken to make them at all useful or fit for settlement. Gerhard Mueller, Commissioner of Crown Lands.

HAWKE'S BAY. The total area of land opened for sale or selection during the twelve months was 76,862 acres, classified as follows : Under the optional system, 13,026 acres; cash by auction, 19 acres; lease by auction or application, 46 acres; village lands, 34 acres; pastoral runs, 47,327 acres; small grazing-runs, 16,410 acres.

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I ..: Summary of Land taken up. —The total area selected during the year has been 11,945 acres, by forty-six selectors, the favourite tenure being lease in perpetuity. Deferred payment and perpetual leases are fast disappearing from our books. Out of about one thousand original deferredpayment licensees, only forty-seven now remain, the others having acquired their freehold, and of those holding the greater part will probably acquire theirs during this year. Out of 375 perpetual lessees only 151 remain, the others having generally completed the final purchase of their holdings. The total number of tenants now on our books, including all tenures, is 703, an increase of fifty-nine over last year, and representing an annual rental of £11,500. Cash Sales. —Only one sale has been made, this being a small section in the Ormondville Township, containing 1 acre 2 roods 26 perches. Deferred Payments. —Eighteen licensees have acquired their freeholds, leaving thirty-five now on our books, holding 6,948 acres. Perpetual Leases. —Twenty-five holders have completed purchase, and six have exchanged their tenure to lease in perpetuity. One section of 165 acres has been forfeited, and one of 200 acres surrendered. Occupation with Right of Purchase. —Under this system 2,423 acres have been taken up by nine selectors, principally in the Waikopiro Block. There have been no forfeitures or surrenders. Lease in Perpetuity. —4,l73J acres have been selected, by seven selectors, 1,200 acres being in the Motu district, and the balance in the Pohue, Norsewood, and Takapau districts. There have been no surrenders or forfeitures. Village Settlements. —Nine selectors have taken up 51 acres 2 roods 4 perches, mostly in the Whetukura Village, two being for cash, one under the occupation-with-right-of-purchase tenure, and six under lease in perpetuity. Seven settlers have acquired their freeholds, and there has been one forfeiture of an acre allotment. Village-homestead Special Settlements. —We have two settlements of this class —Woodville and Puketitiri. Woodville is a very flourishing settlement. All the settlers —twenty-seven in number— are residing with their families, ten of whom are original selectors from 1886. They have all houses, orchards, paddocks, &c, and have effected improvements to the value of £5,240. The total number of persons residing in the village is 143, and the Crown Lands Sanger reports that they are getting on in a very satisfactory manner, the orchards particularly looking very well. The total advances made to the selectors up to the 31st March last was £764, out of which £257 has been repaid. The Puketitiri Settlement is a small one of 92 acres, held by only four settlers, of whom three are residing and one- is non-resident. Ninety acres have been put into cultivation, the total advances made to the settlers being £83. Special Settlement Associations. —Of these we have four—viz., Waipawa, Dannevirke, the Liberal, and Buahine. In Waipawa and Dannevirke, taken up in 1886, all save six settlers have acquired their freeholds. In the Liberal Association, formed in 1891, out of the fourteen original holders, twelve have forfeited or surrendered, and the remaining two have transferred their holdings ;so that none of the original selectors are now in the block. In the Euahine Settlement, owing to the want of road-communication, none of the selectors are residing, but a considerable area of bush has been felled and sown. The road now under construction will open up communication with the block, and enable settlers to get on to their sections with their wives and families. Small Grazing-runs. —Only one run has been taken up, by a Mr. St. Leger. It contains 5,000 acres, and is situated in the Hangaroa district. It was a part of a large pastoral run formerly held by Mr. St. Leger, which was subdivided into two, and loaded with the improvements effected by him. Pastoral Runs. —Three runs have been taken up during the year, containing 19,075 acres ; and one of 7,069 acres has been forfeited. Miscellaneous Leases. —Under this heading we have seventy-one miscellaneous leases and temporary licenses from year to year, covering an area of 4,886f acres, bringing in an annual rental of £442 17s. 4d. This is a very useful class of lease, for it enables us to utilise waste Crown lands until they are required for settlement. Revenue. —There is a decrease in the territorial revenue, but it is counterbalanced by an increase in revenue derived from lands leased under the Land for Settlements Acts, the gross total being £21,363 ss. 5d., as against £22,048 2s. Bd. last year. With the large blocks of good country which I hope will be thrown open for selection during this year, there is every prospect of .the revenue being largely increased. Arrears. —Considering the number of selectors on our books the arrears are not large, for .out of 703 holders only eleven are defaulters, and the arrears only amount to £80 6s. 10d., and these will probably be paid in a few weeks, as some of them have had a slight extension of time granted to them to pay up, and will probably pay their arrears before the time has expired. Generally speaking, I think the way that the Crown tenants within the Hawke's Bay District pay their rents is very creditable. We have no trouble in collecting them, and lam glad to say that up to the present we have had no occasion to go to the law-courts to recover them. Improvements. —Throughout the district the improvements effected are very satisfactory. Inspections to the number of 347 have been made by the Crown Lands Bangers, who report that only twenty : eight settlers are behindhand with their improvements, and these not to any great extent. The total value of improvements effected is £124,829 13s. 9d., as against £34,114 2s. 7d. required by the Land Acts, thus showing that improvements to the amount of £90,715 lis. 2d. have been made in excess of what was necessary. Land for Settlements. —Three blocks have been disposed of under the Land for Settlements Acts —namely, Baureka, Elsthorpe, and Waimarie Settlements. Baureka, a fine block of agricultural land, is situated near Hastings, and was thrown open for selection this year. All the sections were taken up, there being twenty selectors, holding an area of 416 acres and 38 perches, bringing

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in an annual rental of £543 2s. The Crown Lands Banger reports on this settlement as follows: " Improvements have been effected to the value of £1,330 ss. Sixteen selectors are residing, and four are non-resident. Eleven dwelling-houses have been erected, eight artesian wells put down, 228 chains of fencing erected, and 91 acres are now under root-crops, and looking very well. The four non-resident selectors have improved their sections, and probably when the first year's inspection is due, in May next, they will have taken up their residence on the land. On all the occupied sections I noticed the settlers had a few head of cattle or sheep. The settlers are satisfied with their holdings, and are under the impression that they will get on well." The amount of insurance effected on houses, &c, is £950. This settlement shows a very satisfactory progress. Elsthorpe Settlement was taken up this year by thirty-nine selectors, thirty-four of whom are now in occupation, holding 9,456 acres 2 roods 2 perches, at an annual rental of £2,269 7s. The Eanger inspected the settlement on the 18th March, and reports as follows: "On the rural sections classed as ' agricultural land' I found that improvements had been effected to the value of £1,833 10s. All the sections under this heading have been operated upon with the exception of three, one of which is forfeited, the others neither being occupied nor improved. Twenty selectors are residing, twelve houses have been erected, and the timber is on the ground ready to erect others before the winter. Of the six sections taken up under the village-homestead system, two selectors are residing, three are non-resident, and one has surrendered his section. The three village sections selected are neither occupied nor improved. The total value of improvements effected on the settlement is £1,851 10s. Generally, the progress of the settlement is satisfactory, and the settlers are hopeful of the future." Waimarie Settlement (Poverty Bay): All the sections in this settlement, with the exception of one containing 25 acres and 19 perches, have been selected, there being seventeen selectors, holding 400 acres 2 roods 35 perches, at an annual rental of £435 10s. This settlement was only open for selection in September last, so that the settlers have only been in occupation for six months. The Banger has inspected the settlement, and from his report I obtain the following information: The total value of improvements effected is £466 17s. 9d.; eight selectors are residing, and nine are non-resident; seven houses have been erected, and two are being erected; 64|- acres are under crop, principally maize; 296 chains of fencing have been put up, but the Banger points out that they are not legal fences. Generally, the settlement may be considered to be making fair progress. The section of 25 acres not selected has been let on a temporary lease. On the 21st of April next the Pouparae Settlement, of 336 acres, will be offered for selection. This is a fine estate, situated six miles and a quarter from the Town of Gisborne, and I have no doubt that all the sections will be taken up. Lands available for Settlement. —At present we have about 352,000 acres available for settlement, as well as 61,917 acres of small grazing and pastoral runs. A large area of this is returned as broken forest-country, which cannot be taken up until opened up by roads. During this year I hope to have ready for settlement 46,414 acres lately awarded the Crown in the Ngapaeruru, Waikopiro, and Tiratu Blocks, as well as a portion of the Tamaki Block. There are also some 4,000 acres in the Norsewood district under survey for settlement. All this area is suitable for settlement, and should be readily taken up. We shall also open the Pouparae Settlement, of 336 acres, under the Land for Settlements Acts, so there is every prospect of the number of our tenants being considerably increased during the year. Eric C. Gold-Smith, Commissioner of Crown Lands.

TAEANAKI. Land open for Selection. —The area open for selection comprises 32,000 acres of rough broken country (Eawhitiroa Block), covered with bush, and accessible at present by the Eawhitiroa Eoad at its south-western corner only. No applications have been received since the land was opened for selection as small grazing-runs in October last. The balance consists of 10,460 acres unsurveyed land to the east of the Patea and Whenuakura Eivers and up to the confiscation line, about 6,000 acres of the Taumatamahoe Block adjacent to the Ohura Eoad, as well as some scattered sections, and lands forfeited and opened for selection again. Lands opened for Sale or Selection. —The land opened for selection on the optional system comprised the portion of the Taumatamahoe Block before mentioned, and about 16,000 acres of sections in various parts of the district, mostly forfeited sections in special settlements, only a few of which have as yet been taken up. Lands offered for cash by auction were in Town of Stratford, Villages of Purangi and Tongaporutu. Only one section in Purangi was sold. The lands offered as small grazing-runs were one forfeited run and the Eawhitiroa Block before described. Area of Bush felled. —These items in the returns are estimated only, as we have no means of arriving at a correct statement of the area felled on lands sold by the Crown since the commencement of the settlement of the colony. Summary of Lands taken up. —The total area selected on the optional system falls short of last year's selections by about 1,800 acres, and there is a considerable decrease in the lands applied for under the improved-farm settlement system, there having been over 13,000 acres less than last year. The selections are mostly forfeited sections reallotted. The area returned for special settlement comprises the Moeawatea Association, which is the last one in this district to be balloted for. The lands taken up for cash were sections in Stratford, Tongaporutu, and Purangi sold by auction, and some outlying pieces of waste land sold under section 117 of " The Land Act, 1892." One village section in Matapouri was selected on lease in perpetuity, and one forfeited small grazing-run in Opaku district. The total revenue received from lands selected during the year, inclusive of miscellaneous leases, was £641 Bs. lOd.

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Analysis of Holdings taken up. —This shows the areas of selections to vary from 51 to 250 acres, and the sections under this column are principally special-settlement and improved-farm settlement lands, the sections in the former averaging 200 acres, and in the latter 100 acres. There are very few inquiries for sections over 250 acres. The lease-in-perpetuity system has been the most sought after, as was the case last year. The special-settlement and improved-farm lands are all taken up on the lease-in-perpetuity system. Cash Sales. —The town lands disposed of are situate in Stratford and the Villages of Tongaporutu and Purangi. At the sale of the Stratford sections, held on the 10th ultimo, twenty-two sections, comprising 5 acres 1 rood 21 perches, were sold, mostly at upset prices, for £380 10s., of which £172 has been received. Five sections in the Village of Tongaporutu and one suburban section in the same locality were disposed of at upset prices on 24th February last —10 acres 2 roods, for £67 10s.; also one section in Purangi Village, for £15, upset price. Deferred-payment Lands. —The number of holdings capitalised and converted to freehold has fallen off considerably during the year, the amount received for freeholds being £7,653 12s. Id., or about £3,000 less than the preceding year. The yearly decrease in revenue by the acquisition of freeholds is £927 16s. Bd. Perpetual-lease Lands. —Thirty-eight selectors converted their lands to freehold and one to lease in perpetuity during the year, the area of the latter being 315 acres, and the annual loss in this class of revenue is £15 15s. The yearly decrease in revenue by the acquisition of freeholds is £381 2s. 6d.; the number of freeholds is slightly less than last year. Occupation with Right of Purchase. —The number of selectors is seven less than last year, but the area taken up is slightly more. The selections comprised for the most part sections forfeited and reopened for selection under the optional conditions of the Land Act of 1892. There have been only two surrenders and forfeitures during the year out of eighty-nine selectors. Lease in Perpetuity. —There have been only twenty-three selections and exchanges, as against forty-one last year, the area taken up being about 2,000 acres less. Only three surrenders and forfeitures have to be recorded out of 123 selectors. One small-run holder converted 517 acres to this system, the annual rental under lease in perpetuity being now £20 13s. Bd.; and one perpetuallease selector converted 315 acres, the annual rental under lease in perpetuity being now £12 12s. Special Settlements. —The Moeawatea Association balloted for forty-eight sections, comprising 9,616 acres, on the 19th September, 1896, seven sections of the block being drawn for the Crown. The members elected to work under the Land Act of 1892, instead of remaining under the regulations of 1891. This settlement is situate on the south-east side of the Matemateaonga Bange, and comprises broken and precipitous country; it is reported unfit for occupation in 200-acre sections. The total amount of rent received during the year from lands held under this system is £532 18s. 4d. Personal residence is compulsory as from the Ist January last on the Milsom, Tanner, Oxford, and Lepperton Settlements, and the condition has been fairly complied with. The forty-three forfeitures are for non-improvement, and the twenty-three surrenders are mostly in cases where the selectors find on inspection of the land that it is unworkable in such small areas as 200 acres. The Kaitangiwhenua Block, which was returned last year as not balloted for, was abandoned by the association, most of its members having been taken to fill the places of those in preceding associations who had resigned their membership. Miscellaneous Leases. —These comprised small areas in the Towns of Stratford, Opunake, Manaia, and Waitara, let on a yearly tenancy terminable at three months' notice, with the exception of those in Opunake, which have been let for a term of seven years, with a view to eradication of gorse on the Crown lands. They also comprised a portion of the railway reserve through the Ngaire Block; a cemetery reserve at Purangi, on the Waitara Biver, on which the gorse has also to be kept down; and a ford reserve on the Manganui Stream, where it intersects the Junction Boad. The sum of £6 10s; Bd. was recovered for timber taken from the Ngaire Block. Statement of Revenue received. —This is £8,262 2s. 4d. less than was received last year, and about £4,000 short of the estimated revenue, caused by a considerable falling-off in the lands converted into freehold. I attribute this to the fact that settlers now mortgage their leases and licenses to the Advances to Settlers Office, instead of acquiring the freehold as formerly. Threefifths of the amount received this year came from lands made freehold. The receipts from lands held on the optional system are proportionate to the new selections. Of the amount received for transfer, &c, fees, nearly £100 is made up from deposits of 10s. per member forfeited by special settlers. The amount recovered for expenses of the Eanger in resuming possession of forfeited lands is £4 ss. 75., and survey office fees, sale of lithographs, &c, amounted to £43 7s. 7d. The sum of £17 ss. 3d. has been received from the sale of timber and grass-seed on improved-farm settlements, and will be credited to the settlers in reduction of capital values. A refund of £11 2s. 9d. was made to Lands Improvement Vote No. 118, overpayments for bushfelling, and £18 7s. 6d. for cost of felling done by department on frontage of a forfeited section on Eawhitiroa Eoad, to allow the road to dry, and which was afterwards repaid by the selector of the land. The sum of £160 3s. 2d. was recovered for survey liens. Summary of Arrears. —These compare favourably with last year's figures, being about £300 below them, the only increase being in the lease-in-perpetuity system, where the figures are doubled. Special efforts have been made during the year to reduce the amount in arrear, and the result is fairly satisfactory, considering what the arrears have been in past years. The special settlements have not paid up well; some of the Tanner and Milsom settlers are three payments behind. The Terrace End, Eltham, and Boss settlers that remain on the books do not commence paying until the Ist July next, the balance of the Moanataiari Association on the Ist January, 1899, the Mangaehu and Llewellyn Associations on the Ist January, 1898, the Whenuakura, Ist July, 1898, and the

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Moeawatea on the Ist January, 1899. The annual rental covered by the eight last-named*settle-ments is £1,393. Lands reserved, &c. —These comprise reservations for primary education, school-sites, firebrigade station at Stratford, growth and preservation of timber, travelling stock, police, recreation, cemetery, and pilot-station. The areas granted under Acts are for Native reserves, part of Patea foreshore, and several roads closed through West Coast settlement reserves in Hawera Survey District, aggregating 44 acres 2 roods 33-5 perches, vested in the Public Trustee. Number of Selectors en the Books. —The total number of selectors on the books of the department at the close of the year 1896-97 is 1,311, or 191 less than last year. Payments to Local Bodies. —Twenty-four proposals of local bodies for the expenditure of thirds and fourths were passed by the Land Board, representing the sum of £5,345 Bs. Id. Of this amount, £1,511 ss. lid. was authorised for payment of interest on loans raised by the local bodies for improving various roads by formation and metalling. Inspections by Crown Lands Ranger. —During the year 445 sections were inspected, comprising an area of 94,746 acres. The value of improvements required was £24,285, and the total value of improvements effected was £50,173 145., the area grassed being 19,385 acres, selectors resident 165, non-resident 258, 114 in total default, and 43 in partial default. Inspections were made for first year over Moanataiari Special Settlement, five complied out of fifteen ; Eltham Settlement, four complied out of sixteen; Eoss Settlement, nine complied out of eleven ; Terrace End Settlement; eleven complied out of forty-three; Mangaehu Settlement, six complied out of forty-four; Llewellyn Settlement, none complied out of twenty-three. For the second year over Gatton Settlement, six complied out of sixteen. The inspections made over the lands held under ordinary conditions of the Land Acts disclosed a very satisfactory result, there being only thirty defaulters out of 244 holdings. The first year's inspection of the Ngaire Block, near Eltham, which has been drained by Government under the control of this department, shows nearly double the value of improvements effected to .that required by Act, while out of twenty-six selectors only three are in default, one having made no improvement. The Banger resumed possession of fifty forfeited sections during the year, and made several special inspections, as required. Probable Future of Crown Lands. —The area available for settlement is, roughly, 560,000 acres, of which 73,499 acres are in the market at present for selection on the optional system and as small grazing-runs. There are now ready for notification some 6,316 acres of scattered sections, mostly forfeited special-settlement lands, and there will shortly be sent you for notification a block of 9,691 acres adjoining the Egmont Forest Eeserve, in the Cape and Egmont Survey Districts. I anticipate that a considerable portion of this will be selected, as numerous inquiries have already been made respecting the probable date of sale. Three surveyors are now engaged on surveys of about 19,000 acres of the Taumatamahoe Block; most of this will very probably be ready for sale before the close of the year. The large block of unsurveyed land in the Opaku and Kapara districts, adjoining the Taranaki and Wellington provincial boundaries, and comprising 11,260 acres, is now under survey, by resolution of the Land Board, into areas conforming to the nature of the country; at least one-half should be in a state to offer for selection during the year. I also hope to have two blocks in Mimi and Waitara Survey Districts, aggregating 20,000 acres, ready. These blocks consist for the most part of from fair to good agricultural and pastoral country (of papa formation), not over broken, and covered generally with light forest. Provision is made under section 5 of " The Eeserves Disposal and Exchanges Act, 1895," and section 10 of " The Eeserves and Crown Lands Disposal and Enabling Act, 1896," for the exchange of an area of 5,500 acres Native lands in the Oakura district for a block of Crown land of equal value, and this exchange will most likely be completed during the year. The 5,500 acres in Oakura district will then be reserved for the preservation of native fauna and flora. I would again, as in former reports, urge the more expeditious acquisition of Native lands for settlement in the Mohakatino-Parininihi, Whitianga, Maraekowhai, Ohura, and Eata-tomokia Blocks, and feel satisfied, after what you saw in passing through them recently, that you will use your utmost endeavours to meet the imperative demand of more lands for settlement. The Whangamomona Improved-farm Settlement reaches to the southern boundary of the Whitianga Native Block at fifty-three miles from Stratford. As you are aware, the Ohura (late East) Eoad has been formed as a dray-road from the southern or Stratford end for a distance of 39 miles, and from thence as a bridle-road to 54 miles (in Tahoraparoa clearing); from thence to Paparata Saddle (at 68f miles) a horse cannot at present be taken, but from this saddle to Mangaroa Stream (at 84J miles) a fair pack-track has been cut through the bush, and can be ridden over easily. From thence to the junction of the Ongaruhe-Stratford and Central Eailway routes (near Kawakawa) (at 112 miles 30 chains), and on to the Poro-o-te-rau tunnel (at about 130 miles from Stratford), the road has been nearly all formed for dray-traffic; and, as a matter of fact, a dray can now come from the tunnel to Toitoi, on the Ohura Biver; and were that river spanned by a dray- instead of a horse-bridge, then for another three miles to Mangaroa Biver, or a distance of some 45J miles. John Strauchon, Commissioner of Crown Lands.

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WELLINGTON. Lands offered and disposed of during the Year. —The principal areas of Crown lands thrown open for disposal and selected or exchanged during the year are as under:—

It is proposed to complete the survey of Kaitieke Block, and to draw the attention of the inland settlers of Waikato, Taupo, &c, to its capabilities. In addition to the foregoing, the following lands were reopened : Thirty-seven forfeited sections in the Palmerston North Knights of Labour, Wanganui United Bast, Marton Nos. 1 and 2, Hall, Stirling, and other blocks, and in Pongaroa, Mangamahu, Pa Creek, and other village settlements, comprising an area of 6,460 acres, of which 6,078 acres have been reselected; also twenty-eight revalued sections in the Makuri district, of an area of 12,576 acres ; and six revalued sections in the Momahaki Village Settlement, of an area of 466 acres. All of the revalued sections have been reselected, with the exception of six sections in the Makuri district, of an area of 2,618 acres, which are about to be reopened at a reduced valuation. Four lots of totara timber, comprising an area of 601 acres, in the Bketahuna Forest Eeserve, were offered by auction, with the result that three, containing 441 acres, realised £7,115 12s. The unsold portions of the White Eock Block, in South-east Wairarapa district, opened for selection last October, and of the Kaiparoro, Kaitangata, and Te Mare Blocks, west of Carterton, which were opened for selection in September, 1893, were all recently withdrawn from sale, with a view to their being more fully explored, back-lines defined, road-access provided, and new schemes of subdivision submitted for approval by the Land Board prior to being reopened for selection. The total number of formal applications for land received and dealt with during the year was as follows :— System Number of Number of " ' Applications received. Applications approved. Cash ... ... ... ... ... ... 71 49 Occupation with right of purchase ... ... ... 459 72 Lease in perpetuity* ... ... ... ... 389 140 Village homestead, lease in perpetuity ... ... 86 21 Perpetual lease ... ... ... ... ... 21 21 Miscellaneous licenses ... ... ... ... 13 13 1,039 316 The following summary of land transactions gives fuller particulars of sales, &c. :—

Date. Name of Block. I District. Area offered. Number of Sections selected. Area disposed of up to 31st March, 1897, I Surveyed. April 28, 1896... Aug. 12, „ ... Te Ngaue ... ... Momahaki ... I Ohtew^ua-Otamakapua-Pakihikura Apiti Wainuioru ... ... Wainuioru ... I 1,546 7,462 23 7,462 Dec. 9, „ ... Mar. 24, 1897... 654J 5,630 3 5 654| 2,977April 28, 1896... Unsurveyed. Kaitieke ... ... Kaitieke „,, ., -o , ( Kaiwaka White Eock ... J Haurangi ... 46,550 Nil. Oct. 14, „ ... I 13,700 2 3,000

Transacts >ns during the Year. Area i 31st ander Lease at March, 1897. Class of Selection. Eevenue received during the Year. Number. Area. Number. Area. A. B. P. 2,313 3 21 32 0 8 8 0 25 A. B. P. £ a. d. Cash, rural „ suburban ... „ town 9 8 32 Deferred-payment holders... Deferred payment made freehold ... Perpetual-lease holders Perpetual lease made freehold ... Occupation with right of purchase 49 2,354 0 14 75 17,498 0 19 J 2,859 10 10 1 +304 10 10 J 3,932 1 6 J +1,918 4 0 9,420 18 5 26 19 4,489 9,105 3 32 2 28 390 156,041 2 25 73 34,741 2 26 31,523 2 6 72 20,392 1 28 321 90,009 2 15 3,230 6 6 * Inclusive of farm-bo: :estead and improved-farm selei :tions. t Endowment revenue.

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Note. —Excluding freeholds under deferred payment and perpetual lease and conversions, the new transactions are reduced to 316, the area selected to 64,215 acres and 25 perches, and annual rental payable £3,343 Is. 7d. Cash Lands. —Under this system there were nine purchasers of rural lands, for an area of 2,313 acres 3 roods 21 perches, of which 1,000 acres was cut out of a forfeited small grazing-run, No. 55, Kaiwhata district, and put up for sale to enable certain Natives to obtain the freehold. Two other sections, in the Makuri and South-east Wairarapa districts respectively, aggregating over 1,100 acres, were purchased on the cash system in preference to settlement conditions; and the remaining six selections were of small areas, mostly made with the object of perfecting boundaries of present holdings, &c. The town and suburban selections comprised, with two exceptions, sections in the Pohangina Township, in the Wanganui Harbour Board Endowment Block. Deferred-payment Lands. —There now remain only seventy-five selectors, occupying 17,498 acres and 19 perches, the yearly instalments of which amount to £4,376 ss. 7d. Twenty-six holdings, of an area of 4,489 acres 3 roods 32 perches, were made freehold during the year ; as against twentyeight last year, of an area of 6,342 acres and 11 perches. Only one holding was forfeited, the area being 590 acres. Three persons were in arrear with their payments, to the extent of £38 os. 9d. Perpetual-lease Lands. —Under this heading there were nineteen selections during the year, of an area of 9,105 acres 2 roods 28 perches, representing an annual rental of £435 Bs. Bd. These, with one exception, were Makuri-Puketoi sections previously surrendered with others in terms of section 159 of "The Land Act, 1892," and sections 156, &c, of " The Land Act, 1885." The other selection was made in terms of section 114 of "The Land Act, 1892," which permits a selector under the Land Acts to select additional contiguous land on the system under which he at the time is occupying. There are at the present time 390 selectors on the books, holding an area of 156,041 acres 2 roods 25 perches, the annual rental being £7,889 ss. lid.; seventy-three freehold titles, comprising an area of 34,741 acres 2 roods 26 perches, and a capital value of £31,523 2s. 6d., were acquired during the year. Compared with last year, this shows a decrease of sixteen titles in number, but an increase of 6,778 acres in area. The decrease in number is due doubtless to the greatly-reduced number of selectors under this system. It is satisfactory to record that there were no forfeitures during the year. The arrears amounted to £539 10s. 4d., owing by twenty-eight selectors. _ Occupation with Right of Purchase. — Under this system seventy-two selections were made during the year, representing an area of 20,392 acres 1 rood 28 perches, producing an annual rental of £1,183 15s. Bd. As these figures show a falling-off of about one-half as compared with last year, it is necessary to explain that the decrease is attributed to the reduced area offered for sale, and the general inaccessibility and remoteness of the lands from railways and markets.

* Bent. t Interest.

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Transactions during the Year. Area under Lease at 31st March, 1897. Class of Selection. Bevenue received during the Year. Number. Area. Number. Area. Lease in perpetuity Conversion to lease in perpetuity Village settlement— Deferred payment Perpetual lease 79 A. E. P. 21,200 2 16 268 78,041 B. P. 1 1 £ s. d. 2,070 10 9 9 3,101 0 32 8 6 20 46 0 28 0 1 32 6 4 9 7 10 f *580 3 10 I +71 2 0 Lease in perpetuity 21 260 1 13 256 4,476 1 7 Conversions to village settlement, lease in perpetuity 16 213 2 23 Village - homestead special settlement 2 29 2 19 139 1,698 0 29 j *395 12 11 1 +279 7 11 3,693 10 1 Special settlement, deferred payment Special settlement, deferred payment made freehold ... Farm homestead, perpetual lease ... Farm homestead, lease in perpetuity Improved farm ... Small grazing-run Pastoral leases ... Miscellaneous leases Other sources 76 47 14 7,685 2 39 9,238 2 15 1,219 3 36 150 7 574 25 76 22 45 14,884 1,400 2 26 0 0 51 13 6 4,972 11 9 185 9 0 1,899 19 10 247 2 2 654 15 1 3,280 0 9 106,537 2,246 74,134 40,791 1,976 0 9 3 36 1 22 0 0 1 10 13 413 3 16 Total 516 114,447 1 17 2,362 589,801 2 28 71,612 7 6

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There were five forfeitures, of 1,208 acres, and four surrenders, of 1,674 acres 1 rood 18 perches, during the year. There were seventeen selectors in arrear on the 31st March, to the extent of £243 18s. lid. Lease in Perpetuity. —Under this system seventy-nine selectors selected 21,200 acres 2 roods 16 perches during the year, returning an annual rental of £1,022 17s. The 268 selectors who are now on the books hold 78,041 acres 1 rood 1 perch, and pay an annual rental of £3,378 19s. 9d. There were nine exchanges from other systems, which increase the area by 3,101 acres, and the annual rental by £121 Is. 4d. Fifteen selectors were in arrear at the end of the year, with payments amounting to £107 15s. lid. Village-settlement Lands under Lease in Perpetuity. —Under this heading twenty-one persons took up 260 acres 1 rood 13 perches, producing an annual rental of £37 7s. Bd. There were twentysix forfeitures, representing an area of 1,039 acres and 1 perch. A gross area of 4,476 acres 1 rood 7 perches is now occupied under this system by 256 persons, the annual rental being £587 2s. 3d. Seventeen selectors were in arrear, with £25 18s. 9d. There were sixteen conversions, of 213 acres 2 roods 23 perches, from village-homestead-special-settlement system during the year. Village-homestead Special Settlements. —There were only two selections, of 29 acres 2 roods 19 perches, made during the year, and these were made in terms of section 13 of " The Land Act Amendment Act, 1895," making a total of 139 selectors on the books, holding 1,698 acres and 29 perches, the annual rental and interest on advances amounting to £289 19s. lOd. The interests of two lessees in 41 acres and 14 perches were cancelled during the year, and the sixteen conversions referred to under the last heading were effected. No advances were made during the year, and consequently the total advances stand at the same amount as last year—viz., £6,561. The arrears of rent and interest on advances amounted to £120 35., due by thirty-four selectors. Special Settlement Associations. —This heading embraces the following systems: (a) Land selected on the deferred-payment system under special-settlement regulations of the sth December, 1885; (b) farm-homestead associations on perpetual lease under the regulations of the 15th December, 1891 (both of which have been repealed); and (c) special settlement associations under sections 162, &c, of "The Land Act, 1892." There still remain under the first-named regulations— (a) 150 selectors, in fourteen associations, holding 14,884 acres 2 roods 26 perches. The total number of holders, including those who have acquired freehold titles, reported on as residing on the land is 265, and they occupy an area of 28,057 acres 3 roods 7 perches. There were seventy-six freehold titles acquired during the year, aggregating 7,685 acres 2 roods 39 perches, and there were only four persons in arrear with their instalments of rent, the amount being £17 Is. lid. In last year's returns will be found 639 selectors, holding an area of 119,891 acres 1 rood 18 perches, in thirty-nine associations, under " The Land Act, 1892," (b) and (c). As the Marton No. 3 Association, comprising an area of 8,228 acres 3 roods 15 perches, was registered during the year, together with six other sections,, comprising 1,009 acres 3 roods, being incomplete selections in blocks already taken up, the total number of selectors now on the books should be 686, holding 129,129 acres 3 roods 33 perches; but, as 105 forfeited or surrendered their interests in 21,192 acres 3 roods 24 perches during the year, the net results are 581 selectors and 107,937 acres and 9 perches remaining on the registers. 131 persons were in arrear with their payments, to the amount of £1,239 Is. lid. Rangers' Reports. —The Crown Lands Eanger on the West Coast reports with respect to the farm-homestead blocks in his district as follows :— " Wanganui United West: The original members of this association were persons engaged in business or trade in Wanganui, who either surrendered their sections to the Crown or forfeited them. The consequence is, there are only two original members remaining, and it is very doubtful if one of these will hold his section much longer. The sections forfeited or surrendered are being readily taken up again by another class of settlers. " Wanganui United East: There are four of the original body of selectors residing on their sections. They all seem to be doing fairly well, and are men apparently of some means. They have built comfortable houses, done a considerable amount of bushfelling and other improvements ; they all speak hopefully of their prospects. Their cattle seem to do well in the bush, and to prefer the bush undergrowth to the grass, and come out of the bush in splendid condition. Several of the settlers complained of wild or Maori dogs killing their sheep. " Clifton No. 1 : I did not see much improvement in this association block which had been effected since my last visit a year ago. The settlers are, on the whole, a good class of men, and I feel sure this association will prove a success in time. " Clifton No. 2 : As the road-access to this association block is very bad there are only two settlers residing on their sections ; but others have taken stock in to their grass, and some more bush has been felled this last season. I do not think more than five settlers will settle on their sections. " Waimarino: Ten settlers are residing on their sections, and the others who are not residing have done improvements. They are all good men, and if they had some means would do well; as it is now they have to depend on the co-operative works to earn a little hard cash, and some of the settlers informed me that all their earnings went to pay store accounts. I mention some of the prices charged at the stores in Baetihi: Flour, 19s. 6d. per hundredweight.; sugar, 12s. 6d. per bag; oatmeal, ss. 6d. per 251b. bag. These prices are at the stores, and it costs from 7s. 6d. to 15s. per pack-horse (each horse carrying 1-| cwt.) to take the stores to the settlers' homes. From this you will see that the settlers here have an uphill battle to fight, and I think these people are worthy of every consideration from the Government. " Gladstone : I found only two original selectors residing; eight others have, however, done some improvements to their sections. I am. sorry to say none of the settlers could burn their felled bush this season, owing to the unfavourable weather and the natural dampness of the ground. The

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soil is rather poor, and the block is, in my opinion, not suitable for 200-acre sections. The road is very bad, and will be almost impassable in the winter. I was told the pack-men refuse to take their pack-horses in here in the winter, and the settlers have to carry stores, &c, in on their backs. " Marton No. 3: Only five settlers have done any improvements, and, from what I could gather from conversation with people here, I do not think the others are at all likely to go on with their sections. There are no roads in the block. " Marton No. 4 : Only two settlers have done any work on their sections, and no one is residing. I do not think there is any probability of the other settlers doing anything with their sections. No roads have been made, and I think the land should be offered in larger areas. lam sorry to say that the progress of the Waimarino district, as a whole, during this year does not come up to my expectations : the settlers made such a good start the first year that I expected to find far more improvements done than there are now. lam told there is every probability of a butterfactory starting at Baetihi before long, and this will be a great help to the settlers ; the only drawback will be the steamer charges. "It will be a great boon to the settlers when the Parapara Boad is completed ; then they can reach Wanganui in a day from Eaetihi, and will be able to bring their produce to a market with their own teams and in their own time, thus saving an outlay in ready cash, which is a most important item to these people. " I have also lately inspected the Hunterville No. 1 Association. Here I find that six original settlers have made improvements, but only two are residing. lam not surprised at so few on this block, as there are no roads whatever made, and, in consequence, they have to pay very heavily for bushfelling, and it is with difficulty they can get provisions in. I strongly recommend that the roads in this block be pushed on. " I am happy to say that the trafficking in sections has been put a stop to now, and, as far as I know, all sections are taken up in a bona fide manner. " Deferred Payment and Perpetual Lease : I have inspected thirty-five holdings under these systems. That the improvements conditions have been well carried out is best shown by the fact that 2,872 acres and other improvements to the value of £4,906 have been effected over and above the requirements of the Act, and there are only three defaulters. " Special Settlements, Deferred Payment: The settlers in these settlements are all doing well. I have only had occasion to inspect a few holdings, as all inspections required by law have already been done; but as I ride through these settlements from year to year I notice that the holdings are constantly being improved, and that they present a general look of prosperity that is very pleasant to see, especially when one remembers that this country was standing bush only a few years ago. Good metal roads, constructed through the settlers' own efforts, and nice cottages and gardens are now to be seen where a couple of years ago everything had to be packed in on horses to the settlers' slab whares " Small Grazing-runs : I find the lessees of these runs are complying with the improvement and residential conditions. Several of them find their runs too large, and have applied to subdivide. I think this is rather a good thing, as we get more people on the land and the additional lessees are, as far as I know, bond fide settlers. " Lease in Perpetuity : I have inspected thirty-two holdings under this system. Improvements to the value of £1,124 over and above the requirements have been effected, and there are only three defaulters. I think this shows a very good result, considering these are mostly new blocks, where the roads are far from being in an advanced state. " Occupation with Eight of Purchase : This seems the favourite tenure, possibly because it is more negotiable. I have inspected fifty holdings. Improvements to the value of £1,739 over and above the requirements have been effected. There are thirteen defaulters. You will notice that the surplus here is not as large proportionally as that under lease-in-perpetuity tenure. This, I think, is due to the fact that more land is taken up for speculative purposes under this tenure than under lease in perpetuity when the rent is lower, this being an item taken into consideration by bond fide settlers. " Village Settlements: Except where the settlements are near a populous centre and a good market the settlers have a hard struggle, especially as there are such a number of improved farms, the holders of which receive considerable assistance from the Government. Wherever a settlement is near a market, or in a settled district where the selectors can get work, they are doing well. " General: There has not been a large area of bush felled this season, and, unfortunately, of this area only a small portion has been burnt, on account of unfavourable weather." The Crown Lands Banger for the Wairarapa district reports : — " Deferred Payments and Perpetual Lease: The conditions, on the whole, have been well complied with. " Village Homesteads : Improvement conditions have been complied with in all cases. There are a few instances where selectors are not residing or have sublet their sections. " Occupation with Bight of Purchase : Improvements effected very satisfactory. "Small Grazing-runs: Only a few selections in this district. Improvement conditions well complied with. " Farm-homestead Settlements: A number of selectors are residing on their sections, although residence is not yet due on all the settlements. The improvements completed are, in many cases, far in excess of requirements, and, taken as a whole, are highly satisfactory. " Village Settlements on Lease in Perpetuity : At Pongaroa dwellings are being erected rapidly ; a new school will shortly be opened, and the mail-service is now bi-weekly. At Bakaunui the recent action of the department in increasing the area by grouping adjoining sections has had a good effect, and should be continued. A school has been opened and a bi-weekly mail established. Improvements have been complied with."

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Rangers' Reports as to Improvements. —An analysis of Bangers' inspections shows that, as regards rural lands held under "The Land Act, 1885," 244 sections were reported on during the year, comprising first-and second-class land. On first-class land the area required to be cultivated was 13,443 acres ; the area actually cultivated was 27,799 acres : showing an excess over the area required by law of 14,356 acres. On second-class lands the amount required to be spent was £4,509 ; the amount actually spent was £16,677, being over three times the amount required. The number of defaulters was twenty-eight; the deficiency in the area cultivated by them was 543 acres; the deficiency in money-value was £1,388. As regards rural lands held under " The Land Act, 1892," 625 holdings, comprising first- and second-class land, were reported on. On the first-class land the amount required to be spent was £15,921, whereas the sum actually spent was £46,865, being nearly three times the amount required. On second-class land the amount required to be spent was £5,656, the sum actually spent being £18,490, or over three times the amount required. The number of defaulters was eighty-three, the deficiency in the value of improvements effected by them being £1,946. Of village lands held under " The Land Act, 1885," 118 lots were reported upon, with the following results : The cultivated area required was 950 acres, and the value of improvements required £150; the area actually cultivated was 1389 acres, and the amount spent on other improvements £9,289: showing ah excess in area cultivated of 439 acres, and in the amount spent of £9,139. None of the holders of these lands were defaulters as regards improvements. As regards village lands held under "The Land Act, 1892," 209 holdings were inspected, on which the amount required to be spent was £1,217, and the amount actually spent was £11,763, showing the amount spent on improvements in excess of that required by law to be £10,546. Of these selectors, only five were in arrear with their improvements, the deficiency in the amount spent by them being £18. This appears to disclose a satisfactory state as regards improvement conditions. The defaulters have been, or are being, dealt with by the Land Board, and a number of them have already sent in statements showing they have complied with the conditions, which remain to be verified by the Bangers when they next visit the sections. With regard to non-residence, the following notes show that the actual defaulters are comparatively few, owing to— (a) Exemptions obtained by selectors under the Act of 1885 who effected double improvements'; (b) the expiration of the six years and ten years limits of residence under the two Acts respectively (the latter applying to converted sections); (c) the fact that the great bulk of the holdings of bush-lands has not yet been held four years (section 141, " Land Act, 1892 "), and that residence is therefore not yet due on them.

Remarks on non-resident selectors reported on during the year ended 31st March, 1897.

System. Number not residing. Remarks. )eferred payment 'erpetual lease ipecial settlement, deferred payment imall grazing-run 20) 89[ 351 7 Double improvements have been completed in lieu of residence in accordance with the conditions under which the lands have been selected, and therefore residence is not obligatory. In some cases the residential period has expired; in another the selector has been allowed to transfer to a settler who has undertaken to comply with the residential conditions; in a third the lessee is residing on adjoining land ; and in the remainder of the cases steps are being taken to enforce compliance with the conditions of the leases. jease in perpetuity i'arm homestead, lease in perpetuity )ccupation with right of purchase >mall grazing-run (1892) Tillage settlement, deferred payment tillage - homestead special settlement 53 302 87 2 Eesidence has not yet fallen due except in a few cases, and in these steps are being taken to compel compliance with the conditions. Double improvements in lieu of residence. In a number of special cases exemption from residence for varying periods has been granted by the Land Board, and steps are being taken to compel the remainder to fulfil the conditions of their leases. Ullage homestead, lease in perpetuity 87 In the majority of these cases residence has not yet fallen due ; a number of others are converted village-homestead allotments on which the residential period has expired; and in the remaining cases steps are being taken to enforce compliance, excepting a few in which temporary exemption has been granted by the Land Board under special circumstances. Total 711

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Since my reappointment to the charge of this district I have visited nearly the whole of the back-country settlements, and have ascertained their requirements and general progress and condition. I spent sixty days on this duty, and travelled over three thousand miles. I extended my inspections as far as Pipiriki, Kaitieke, Tokaanu, Moawhango, and Akitio, including the Awarua and Waimarino Blocks, the Forty-mile Bush and Eastern Puketoi country, and the village settlements ; but I have still to visit some of the older settlements and one or two of the new. lam therefore in a position to understand and appreciate the settlers' wants, and to deal with the numerous questions affecting them and their holdings. I was surprised to find that roads and settlement had been extended into the wild back-country which I had known in its virgin state six years previously. Great credit is due to those settlers who have gone so far back to carve out homes in the wilderness. It is true that numbers of the farm-homestead blocks have not been occupied and improved as was expected—or, indeed, as is required by law; but, as the men who lacked means and experience to cope with the hardships, drawbacks, and very real difficulties of back-country life have mostly withdrawn, it is anticipated that their places will be filled by a better class, and that those settlers who are persevering and who have proved their courage and bona fides will, where advisable, enlarge their holdings. They will require proper road-access, and generally a certain measure of employment during some years of their struggle to create homes for themselves and their families. Many of the homesteads I visited have been established under extraordinary difficulties. Many families are suffering from deficient house-accommodation, are in want of reasonable facilities of access, and are labouring under the drawbacks of having few, if any, neighbours, no available church, school, or store, or the hundred and one advantages of the older-settled districts. Time, however, and due effort on the part of all concerned, will doubtless remedy present deficiencies, overcome obstacles, and accomplish in these latter settlements a full measure of substantial and prosperous occupation. One step towards this object is to compel equal compliance by all selectors with the conditions of improvement and occupation. The Land Board is giving its attention to this. Another is to provide roadaccess as fast as the progress and requirements of the settlements demand. This would also afford employment for the settlers at certain seasons when they could spare time and leave their holdings, I am of opinion also that encouragement should be offered to a limited number of settlers of sufficient means to take up suitable areas amongst the multitude of 100- and 200-acre lots, so as to supplement the facilities for employment of labour, to lead in the improvement of methods, introduction of superior stock, machinery, &c, and to combine with the smaller settlers in all matters affecting the advancement and welfare of themselves and the district. With respect to the village settlements, nearly every one of which I have visited, I have to report that their evident progress and improvement generally are very satisfactory. The failures have been in every case due to circumstances beyond the control of the villagers. Revenue. —The revenue collected during the year, inclusive of £2,222 14s. received for sales in the Wanganui Harbour Board Endowment Block, amounted to £71,612 7s. 6d., being £12,707 7s. 6d. over the estimate, and £2,169 Bs. lid. in excess of last year's receipts. This is principally due to a very large amount received on account of perpetual leases made freehold, which realised over £11,500 above the estimate. Arrears. —-The payments in arrear at the end of the year amounted to £2,686 4s. 4d., due by 277 selectors. This is a very considerable decrease on last year's return, which showed £4,515 Bs. 6d., due by 417 selectors. In dealing with the question of enforcement of payments, consideration is given by the Board to the circumstances of each selector. Extension of time has been allowed in every instance where good and sufficient reasons have been advanced by the tenant; but the Board has insisted upon payment by all who are believed to be in a position to meet their obligations. Those in this category who fail to pay, and those who neglect to acknowledge the Board's notices, are being summarily dealt with, and their leases are being cancelled. Forfeitures. —-The following table shows the forfeitures which have taken place during the year:— System. Number. Area. A. B. P. Deferred payments ... ... ... . . 1 590 0 0 Occupation with right of purchase ... ... ... 5 1,208 0 0 Lease in perpetuity ... ... ... ... 1 200 0 0 Village homestead, lease in perpetuity ... ... 26 1,039 0 1 Village-homestead special settlement ... ... 2 41014 Farm-homestead special settlement ... ... 105 21,192 3 24 Improved farm settlements ... ... ... 2 220 0 0 Small grazing-runs ... ... ... ... 1 3,150 0 0 Miscellaneous leases .. ... ... ... 3 70 0 32 Totals -... 146 27,711 0 31

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It will be observed that forfeitures were few in all the systems excepting village homestead, lease in perpetuity, and farm-homestead special settlements. In respect to the former, the bulk of the cancellations comprise lots in Pa Creek, Pongaroa, Bakaunui, Bakautoru, Welford, and other village settlements, most of which proved insufficient in area, or were too remote from markets, for labour to be successfully occupied. In other cases the lessees were unable or neglected to make reasonable effort to comply with the regulations, particularly as to residence. As regards the 105 forfeitures of farm-homestead special-settlement lots, the explanation is that the rougher and more inaccessible sections were unoccupied, unimproved, or unpaid for, or that selectors having insufficient means, energy, or experience were unable to cope with the difficulties, drawbacks, and hardships with which the backwoods settlers have inevitably to contend. Some of them failed to sign their leases; others wrote in abandoning their sections; whilst a number were reported by the Bangers as being defaulters, and others failed to pay the rents due to the Crown. Insufficient road-access was also probably one of the main causes of some of these holdings being thrown up. Lands for Future Disposal. —-The absorption of Crown lands by the farm-homestead associations during the past few years leaves but little attractive and accessible land for future settlement. The following particulars on this subject are submitted for your information : —

Summary of Crown Lands now open for Selection.

System. I Area. Block. Locality. 'erpetual lease jease in perpetuity lllage homestead, lease in perpetuity >ptional... Acres. 1,341 637 115 Surveyed: First Class. Makuri Makuri Makuri (Revaluation). Makuri. Mangamahu, Pongaroa Village Settlement. Waimarino. North of Hunterville. u • • * • •* it • • • ' ■ • „ if ... ... 2,547 4,357 520 1,086 3,003 850 200 1,336 Gladstone Farm Homestead Hunterville Nos. 1, 2, and 3 Farm Homesteads Palmerston North Knights of Labour Farm Homesteads Awarua Farm Homestead Marton Nos. 1 and 2 Farm Homesteads Pohangina and Umutoi Farm Homesteads Delaware Pahiatua Nos. 1, 2, and 4 Farm Homesteads Masterton - Reform Farm Homestead Christchurch Farm Homestead ... Woodville Farm Homestead Mekalickstone Farm Homestead... Waiwera Farm Homestead w West of Mangaweka. East of Rangiwahia. South-east of Rangiwahia. North-eastern Wairarapa. it • • • 1,400 // it • • • if • • • 2,000 2,150 500 200 it n „ ... ... it North-west of Eketahuna. Total 22,242 'erpetual lease ... optional... f f ... ... a ' • • ' •' ti • • • 1/ ' • • ' • ■ 640 1,546 900 200 200 11,760 600 646 1,605 6,439 Surveyed: Second Class. Makuri Te Ngaue Gladstone Farm Homestead Hunterville No. 2 Farm Homestead Sommerville Farm Homestead ... Awarua Farm Homestead Marton No. 2 Farm Homestead ... Pohangina Farm Homestead Onslow Farm Homestead Dannevirke - Centennial Farm Homestead Bast Puketoi ... Mangahao Tiraumea-Makuri and Middle Makuri Waikanae Waiohine Wainuioru Makuri (Revaluation). Waitotara. Waimarino. North of Hunterville. North of Kawatau River. South of Kawatau River. South-east of Rangiwahia. East of Rangiwahia. North-east of Alfredton. if • • • f f ... ... a • • • it • • • • ' • 2,564 238 861 South-east of Pahiatua. North of Makuri Township. 1,808 1,720 2,702 Waikanae. South Wairarapa. Wainuioru. Total 34,429

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Summary of Crown Lands now open for Selection— continued.

Aores. Acres. Surveyed, first class ... ... ... ... ... 22,242 „ second class... ... ... ... ... 34,429 56,671 Unsurveyed, first class ... ... ... ... 32,655 „ second class ... ... ... ... 30,175 62,830 Total area of land open 31st March, 1897 ... ... 119,501

Crown Lands being prepared for Disposal.

Clerical Branch. —The correspondence shows a large increase during the year, as the following figures show : The number of letters, &c, received and despatched was 46,245, and during the year 1895-96 42,500, being an increase of 3,745, and an average of about 150 per day. This statement includes circular notices re payments and improvements, &c, to selectors; Surveyors' and Bangers' reports, circulars, various returns, records received from other departments, &c. 981 vouchers were passed [for payment, to the amount of £18,064 10s. 5d., and 358 cheques were drawn on the Chief Surveyor's imprest account for wages, &c, representing a sum of £2,858 12s. 2d. There are 2,362 selectors now registered on the books on settlement conditions. This is a slight decrease on last year's figures, due principally to the large number of farm-homestead sections which were forfeited or surrendered and are not yet reselected. I have much pleasure in stating that since I took charge last November I have received the most cordial assistance and advice from the Chief Draughtsman, Chief Clerk, and the other principal officers and staff generally. The arrangements for carrying on the vast business of the offices are admirable in many respects, and reflect great credit on the staff and upon Mr. J. H. Baker, my predecessor. J. W. A. Marchant, Commissioner of Crown Lands.

System. Area. Block. Locality. Iptional... it n Acres. , 22,975 i 5,400 1,060 ! 1,920 j 1,300 ! Unsurveyed: First Class. Kaitieke Waimarino Eangataua Waim arino- Atuahae Kawatau North Waimarino Block. South Waimarino Block. South-east of Waimarino Block. South Waimarino Block. East of Mangaweka. it • ■ ■ Total 32,655 Optional... 23,275 1,060 1,670 320 3,850 Unsurveyed: Second Class. Kaitieke Eangataua Wharita North Puketoi Waiohine South North Waimarino Block. South-east of Waimarino Block. North-east of Ashurst. North of Makuri Township. North of Featherston. /; * • • it it • • • Total 30,175

Class. Area. Block. Locality. First and second First Second Second Second Second First and second Acres. 20,000 10,800 26,700 5,800 6,700 20,000 42,000 Awarua ... Eangiwaea Tauakira Mangapapa East Puketoi Eetaruke Between Mangaweka, Taihape, &c. Between Wangaehu and Turakina Eivers. Near Athens, on Wanganui Eiver. East of Waitotara Eiver. East of Puketoi Eange. On Wanganui Eiver. Forfeited farm - homestead sections in various localities. In North-east Wairarapa. West of Eketahuna. West of Mauriceville. West of Carterton. East of Cape Palliser. Second Second Second Second Second 4,000 10,000 15,000 13,900 10,700 North-east Puketoi Kaiparoro Te Mare... Kaitangata White Eock Total 185,600

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Summary of Improvements effected on Selections in the Wellington District inspected during the Twelve Months ending 31st March, 1897.

Village Lands under "The Land Act, 1892."

Village Lands under "The Land Act, 1885."

Rural Lands under "The Land Act, 1892."

Rural Lands under "The Land Act, 1885."

First-class Land. Second-class Land or Small Euns. Defaulters. Residence. System. Area. o a of I E ? Improvem ents Land Act. Cultivated. Improvements effected. Other I Im- : , prove- _' ments. ihk §SMg a^ Cultivated. Improvements effected. Otner' provements. d. Area or Amount in Arrear. — Total I g . § I . § §« g Value. % |.2h>S .Sβ S a o p< oh 2 S a ! g (D rni+i Other rated Im " Xrea prove " Area - ments. j I Area. Value. Value. I i i Value. 111? I! Area. Value. Value.

Deferred payment Perpetual lease Special settlement on deferred payment Small grazing-runs A. K. P. I 4,842 3 24 50,962 0 4 4,329 3 26 12,846 0 0 72,980 3 14 30 156 41 17 £ ! Acres, i .. I 1,147 .. 110,687 .. ! 1,609 4,156 32,439 4,615 Acres. 2,862 22,266 2,671 £ 6,214 46,828 5,887 I £ 2,647 19,410 I 4,009 8,861 j 187 66,238 , 8,323 9,896 271 84,995 ' 8,781 75 3,434 Acres. 162 3,589 £ 304 5,450 £ 59 2,854 £ ) 363 1 8,304 22 5 8,010 .. 16,677 28 Acres, i £ . i 5 I .. j 10 20 33J 453 1,342 ! 67 ! 89 43 85 46 I 6 ; 35 14* .. ' 10 ■ 7 59 543 ' 1,388 ! 93 151 38 Acres 161* 3261 105J 755J 299 1.C00 3,694 5,923 2,087 5,000 •■ Total 244 .. |13,443 41,210 27,799 58,929 26,066 4,509 7,445 11,677

Gash Lease in perpetuity Farm homestead lease in perpetuity Occupation with right of purchase .. Small grazing-runs 360 0 0 26,867 0 11 79,660 1 31 28,729 2 32 6,906 0 0 2 ! 88 421 108 6 18,436 79,347 21,511 3,110 9,879 2,932 1,873 10,430 1,963 4,193 . 3,218 23,509 : 9,249 4,269 ' 2,427 7,511 32,758 6,596 180 9,959 11,175 8,932 84 180 2,251 1,427 1,628 170 64 3,003 1,433 1,567 2,513 151 I 8 5,401 1,630 3,138 1,393 3,072 657 2,340 ; 700 14,102 4,388 159 7,031 i 4,531 3,729 3,040 1 i 10 46 26 21 I 432 569 924 35 119 21 1 2 I 53 302 87 2 0 40 28J 19* 66| 28$ 180 305J 189| 266 1151 •■ •• I •• - Total 142,523 0 34 625 119,294 15,921 14,266 3JL.971 114,894 46,865 30,330 I h i 15,656 I 8,580 18,490 83 I 1,946 179 446 .. -. 228

Village settlement on deferred pay- I ment .. .. .. .. 17 1 20 2 .. 10 130 13 19 100 119 .. .. .. .. .. 1 1 50 8; Village homestead special settlement 1,769 0 37 116 .. 940 20 1,376 3,753 9,189 12,942 88 28 76 15; Total .. .. 1,786 2 17 118 .. 950 150 1,389 3,772 9,289 13,061 89 29 75J 1S|

illage - homestead lease in petuity per3,359 1 32 209j j 11,651 .. ! 1,217 1,217 14,393 I 58,498 1,625 j 3,728 1,625 j 3,728 45,079 ! 98,400 8,035 11,763 11,763 i 5 18 ! J122 87 ! J 58J 16 58£ 16 40f j 184| 16 •• Total 3,359 1 32 209 11,651 8,035 39,111 •■ 5 25,779 9,388 ;35,167 116 •• " 18 1 543 3,352 122 87 Grand total 58,284 156,684 10,165 16,025 483 713 [220,650 0 17 1196 130,945 I I

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NELSON. The selections of settlement lands during the past year were 109, precisely the same number as those of the previous year, and the total area taken up 14,563 acres, an average of 133 acres to each settler. It is more than probable that this would have been trebled had the lands within the Midland Bailway area, which embraces about three-fourths of the land district, been available for selection. Bepeated applications have been made to the Land Board for land within this area, and some 350 were previously made to the railway company, so that in the interest of settlement it is to be hoped that the restrictions will soon be removed. The only tenure that can be granted by the Board is a pastoral license ; but the demand is for small mixed agricultural and pastoral holdings, with some security of tenure and protection for improvements made. In my travels I have found that many miners and others (some of whom had in the past applied to the company) have built houses, have felled and cleared small areas, and generally have improved the land. They have no title whatever to it, but have occupied it no doubt with the idea that it would be secured to them when it is free to be selected, and this is a very unsatisfactory state of things. The country outside the Midland Bailway area is at the northern part of the district, and nearly all the available land is settled upon. Speaking generally, only distant isolated areas that could be profitably occupied are left, and these, in the main, are rough second-class lands covered with forest, so that no great amount of new settlement can be looked for under existing conditions. Cash Sales. —The area sold was 7,827 acres 2 roods 7 perches. Of this, there were nine sales, comprising 800 acres, under the conditional cash system of the Act of 1892, the balance being purchases under the Nelson leasing system, which gives the lessee the right of acquiring the freehold during the currency of the lease. Deferred Payments. —During the year 141, with a total area of 13,610 acres 3 roods 13 perches, have become freehold, leaving an area in occupation at the present time of 82,613 acres, held by 779 persons. The total amount made freehold since the commencement of this system is 68,736 acres. These are not deferred payments under Part 111. of " The Land Act, 1885," but so-called leases under the Nelson appendices of the Land Acts, 1877 and 1885, under -which the lessees paid 10 per cent, on the capital value for fourteen years, which gave them the freehold; so that, though not so designated, nor coming within the definition given in the Land Act of 1885, they are to all intents and purposes deferred-payment holdings. Under this particular tenure there were neither residence nor improvement conditions, notwithstanding which the land is cleared, otherwise improved, and well settled. Occupation with Right of Purchase. —There were seventeen selectors under this tenure, who took up 3,546 acres 2 roods 17 perches, which makes the number now holding seventy-eight, with an area of 14,384 acres and 20 perches. Lease in Perpetuity. —The choice between this and the former tenure appears to be about equally divided, for there have been sixteen selections during the year, with an area of 3,087 acres 3 roods 6 perches, and there are at present on the books seventy-two lessees, holding 17,775 acres 2 roods 34 perches. Mining District Land Occupation. —Eleven small areas within the Buller Coalfields Beserve have been taken up during the year, with an average of 9 acres each, and applications received for sixteen others, but tbe transactions are not yet completed, owing to the surveys not having been made. A number of other applications have been received, but rejected by the Board, on account of the selections being within the Midland Bailway area. Village-homestead Special Settlement. —The only settlement is that at Mokihinui, thirty miles distant from Westport, which has an area of 107 acres, divided into twenty-one sections. The improvements made are considerable, and very satisfactory, being of a value of £1,159, and the advances made only amounting to £70. The District Surveyor, in reporting on this settlement, states, " On account of the closing of the Mokihinui Coal Company's mine several of the settlers have had to leave the district in search of work, and that in a few instances the fences have been allowed to fall into bad repair, and the holdings are somewhat neglected." The success of this settlement largely depends upon the prosperity of the mining industry in the locality, and the departure of a few of the settlers through the closing of one of the two mines in the vicinity is no more than could be expected. However, settlers with their families, numbering forty-one in all, are resident on thirteen sections. One section is vacant through the decease of the selector, and in another case the lessee resides on the adjoining section. The three abandoned sections will shortly be dealt with, and no doubt reselected. Pastoral Runs. —The adjustment of the boundaries of a number of runs in the Amuri district, dealt with under "The Pastoral Tenants' Belief Act, 1895," will be shortly effected, and licenses issued, as the requisite surveys are about completed. The extent of country covered by the new consolidated licenses will exceed half a million of acres. Three other runs, of the total area of 106,400 acres, which have fallen in, have just been reoffered, and will, without doubt, be taken up immediately ; and another expired license will be let on three years' occupation license, which will complete the occupation of the whole of the open country in the district from Tophouse to Hurunui, with the exception of a comparatively small amount of high mountain-tops, and some small areas at the Haniner Plains. Improvement and Residence Conditions. —ln the case of holdings under the Nelson leasing system, which number 779, no improvement or residence conditions were imposed, so that inspections have not been necessary; but there is no doubt that the amount effected far exceeds the amount required in other tenures. Inspections have been made of 115 sections selected under the Act of 1892, with very satisfactory results. According to the Bangers' reports, the total value of improvements effected is £5,569, as against £2,084, the legal requirement. Only ten of the number were found to be deficient, and those in a small degree. Seventy-eight were required to be 3—C. 1.

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residing, fifty-five of whom were found to be doing so. Of the remaining thirteen, one is dead, three had abandoned their holdings, and three were living on lands within a short distance of their selections, but not contiguous, as the law requires. Revenue. —The territorial revenue received by the Eeceiver of Land Bevenue on Crown land was £14,642 6s. 3d.; on endowments, £5,653 6s. 5d.; to which has to be added £861 9s. 9d. for royalty on timber licenses over forest in the southern part of this district, which passed through the books of the Eeceiver at Hokitika, making the total revenue for the district from all sources £21,157 2s. sd. The arrears of rents amounted to £772 Is. 3d., but £531 10s. of it is on miscellaneous leases of reserves and coal leases, the greater part of it on leases of the foreshore and wharves at the Port of Nelson, which it is hoped to recover shortly. Mines. —The output of coal, and royalty received, from the two working mines held under Land Acts previous to " The Coal-mines Act, 1891," is as follows : —

The railway now being constructed by the Point Elizabeth Coal Company to connect its mines with Greymouth, which is a large work, and includes a bridge over the Grey Eiver, is well advanced, and it is expected that there will be an output from these mines during the year. The working of the coal leases held by Messrs. Hamilton and Smith is also dependent on the construction of this railway. Thomas Humpheies, Commissioner of Crown Lands.

MABLBOBOUGH. Of the area shown as remaining for future disposal —viz., 491,268 acres—an area of 308,300 acres consists of pastoral runs, which I anticipate will shortly be disposed of. Cash Sales. —The area sold amounted to 9,966 acres 1 rood 9 perches, or 2,846 acres more than last year. With one exception, these were all purchases made by lessees under " The Marlborough Waste Lands Act, 1867." Occupation with Right of Purchase. —Only one section was taken up this year. This tenure does not seem to meet with much favour by settlers in this district. Lease in Perpetuity. —Under this tenure 6,783 acres were taken up, inclusive of 4,890 acres of land opened under the Land for Settlements Acts. In addition to the 6,783 acres taken up during the year, 13,064 acres were exchanged from pastoral and other tenures. The total area now held amounts to 53,624 acres. One settler on the Blind Biver Estate forfeited his holding of 122 acres. Occupation Leases under the Mining Districts Land Occupation Act. —In connection with this tenure, an area of 1,292 acres was cut up into eighteen sections, averaging 60 acres each. Two of these sections are situated in the Onamalutu Valley, and the remainder on the right bank of the Wakamarina Biver, about a mile and a half from Canvastown. Of this area, 1,150 acres were within a State forest, and legislation was required to enable the land to be dealt with. The open-ing-up of this land has undoubtedly been a great boon to the miners at the Wakamarina, as it provides them with a little land on which to build homesteads, and run a few stock in conjunction with their mining pursuits. The area taken up amounted to 947 acres, and 284 acres are occupied by roads and reserves for mining timber. By desire of the Warden, a width of 2 chains along the bank of the Wakamarina Biver, and also on each side of all the streams, has been reserved for the use of miners generally. Small Grazing-runs. —During the year 3,033 acres were taken up, and 3,452 acres were surrendered or exchanged for leases in perpetuity, leaving 32,785 acres now held under this tenure, or 419 acres less than last year. Pastoral Licenses. —The figures in this table show transactions of considerable magnitude, the area taken up being 475,161 acres, leases expired 856,964 acres, the surrenders and forfeitures 74,905 acres, and the exchanges 13,090 acres. The expiries consist of leases which have been held for the last twenty-eight years under "The Marlborough Waste Lands Act, 1867." These runs were remodelled and the boundaries made more in accordance with the natural features of the country, and in their new form were offered at auction last February. Of the 534,898 acres brought under the hammer, 226,598 acres were disposed of and 308,300 acres were passed in, the term or the rental not being considered satisfactory by the former lessees. Negotiations for the disposal of the unsold runs are being carried on, and I hope shortly to be able to report the greater part of them as having been taken up. Miscellaneous. —Six timber, ten flax, and five miscellaneous licenses were issued during the year, the area being 843 acres.

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Mines. Output. Boyalfcy. Less Dead-rent. Royalty received. J Buller Coalfields Eeserve— Westport Coal Company — Coalbrookdale Mine Ngakawau Mine Tons. 190,975 20,542 £ s. 4,774 7 513 11 a. 9 8 £ 620 b. d. 0 0 £ s. d. 4,154 7 9 513 11 9 Totals ... 211,517 5,287 19 5 620 0 0 4,667 19 6

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Territorial Revenue.— The total revenue collected shows an increase of £876 over last year. Cash sales and land for settlements show substantial increases, whilst pastoral runs and rents of reserves show decreases, the other items remaining much about the same, the only new ones being £140 under the head of State forests and £15 Mining Districts Land Occupation Act. Arrears.—Although somewhat larger than last year, the matter of arrears must still be regarded as very satisfactory. Of the five holders in arrear, four of them are settlers on the Blind Biver Estate; the other one is a small-grazing-run lessee, who, at the time of writing, is no longer m Reserves.— 4,B26 acres were reserved this year, as against 843 acres last year, 20 acres being for school-sites, 50 acres for stock resting, and the remainder for scenic purposes. Included m the latter is the area at Ship Cove, Queen Charlotte Sound, the favourite anchorage and refitting place of Captain Cook. This historic spot is now protected by Act of Parliament, and the forest and vegetation are to be retained in their natural state. 3 Number of Selectors.—There are twenty-seven more selectors this year than there were last year, only three tenures—namely, deferred payment, perpetual lease, and pastoral runs—showing Number of Crown Tenants .—This table does not call for any special remarks, beyond that the lease-in-perpetuity system now claims by far the largest number of selectors, being nearly double that of the next highest—namely, pastoral runs. Land for Settlements.— -Blind Eiver Estate: My predecessor s annual report for last year showed that 1,249 acres were still unlet on this estate. During the year one selector forfeited his holding and four new selectors took up sections, amounting to 1,053 acres. There are now only two sections containing 318 acres, unlet, and these have been applied for, but the applicant has not yet paid the half-year's rent and lease-fee. The Banger reports that a large amount of improvements has been effected during the year. Most of the holdings are now enclosed, or nearly so, with substantial wire fences. There are seventy-one people now resident on the estate, and the lessees appear to be contented, and satisfied that they will make their holdings pay. The improvements consist of buildings, yards, &c, value £741; fencing, £907 ; and land broken up £318 ; or a total of £1 966. The crops were as follow: Wheat, 249 acres; yield, 4,393 bushels : barley, 29 acres; yield, 461 bushels : peas, 107 acres; yield, 1,620 bushels : beans, 1 acre ; yield, 10 bushels ■ oats for chaff, 83$ acres; yield, 104 tons : potatoes, 13$ acres; yield, 75 tons: onions, 26$ acres; yield uncertain: green crops, 43$ acres. The stock running on the land consists of: Sheep, 4,195 ; cattle, 62 ; horses, 46 ; and pigs, 15. .-,'.", , , • Omaka Estate : This estate, comprising 3,898 acres, mentioned in last year s report as having been acquired and subdivided, was thrown open to the public on the 24th June last. Two of the sections, containing 640 acres, were acquired by the vendor of the estate as a homestead selection, and the remaining twelve sections were keenly competed for, over a hundred and twenty applications being received. The land, though inferior in quality to the Blind Biver Estate, is more conveniently situated, and has been taken up by persons possessing more capital than those on the Blind Eiver. The result is that already a large amount of improvements has been effected. Three comfortable dwellings have been erected, and most of the holdings enclosed with substantial wire fences. The population amounts to twenty-five, and the improvements are as follow: Buildings, value £457 ; fencing, £475 145.; land broken up, £144: total, £1,076 14s. The crops consisted of—Oats for seed, 120 acres; yield, 1,086 bushels: oats for chaff, 85 acres; yield, 38 tons: peas, 2 acres; yield, 10 bushels: and turnips, 48 acres; yield uncertain. The stock on the land is as follows : Sheep, 961; cattle, 17 ; horses, 18 ; and pigs, 2. . . . , In reference to the future settlement of the Crown lands, as mentioned m my remarks under "Pastoral Licenses," we have an area of 308,300 acres of pastoral runs, which, for various reasons, failed to find bidders at the recent auction-sale. Inquiries for some of these runs are constantly being made, and I have no doubt the greater part of them will be disposed of before long. Some 37,300 acres in the southern part of the district, between Kaikoura and the Conway, are being cut up into areas suitable for leases in perpetuity and small grazingruns and it is expected that the land will be available for selection about the end of June. _ About 7,500 acres, portions of the late Kincaid Bun, lying partly to the north of the Kaikoura suburban sections and partly on the left bank of the Hapuku Biver, will also be subdivided for settlement. A block of about 4,000 acres is now being cut up on the Woodbank and Shades Buns, and will shortly be open for selection. ,"'.'• On the north bank of the Wairau Biver there are some 28,000 acres, formerly forming portions of the Langley Dale and North Bank freeholds and leaseholds. A surveyor will start on these blocks in a few weeks, and they will be put into the market as soon as possible. There are some other large areas over which the former lessees have obtained temporary grazing licenses, pending negotiations for exchange of freeholds for Crown lands. As it is uncertain, however, whether and when these exchanges will be effected, it would perhaps be unsafe to anticipate any dealings with these lands during the current year. I append a summary of Bangers' reports for the year, from which it will be seen that the value of improvements made is over double that of the requirements. * C. W. Adams, Commissioner of Crown Lands.

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Summary of Holdings reported on during the Year ended 31st March, 1897.

Value of improvements in excess of requirements = £14,338 os. sd.

• WESTLAND. Summary of Lands taken up. —An area of 81,050 acres was open for selection under the various tenures during the last twelve months. Of this area, 3,825 acres have been taken up, leaving an available balance of 77,225 acres at the end of the year. Cash. —The total area disposed of under tbis only amounts to 115 acres, the bulk of the selectors electing to acquire their holdings under other systems. Deferred Payment. —As compared with last year's return, the area occupied under this system has been reduced by 281 acres, and a further reduction, by conversion to freehold, is anticipated during the coming year. Occupation with Right of Purchase. —The area returned under this title is less than during the preceding year, most of the available land outside of the Midland Bailway reservation and near the townships having been taken up. Lease in Perpetuity. —Under this heading 3,388 acres were taken up by twenty-two selectors. The selection of 2,717 acres by seventeen settlers on the Poerua Estate, under the Land for Settlements Act, is included in this area and number. In addition to the 77,225 acres mentioned above, we have an immense area of back-country. The whole area consists of rough, mountainous districts, bordered by forest-clad foot-hills, with a fringe of terraced coastal land, the bulk of which is not likely to be taken up unless the successful exploitation of the great mineral belt which runs throughout the country induces mining population, and thereby creates local markets. A large area of splendid tussock on our mountain-tops, above the timber-line, is at present lying waste. In the past the one or two attempts which have been made to utilise this country have failed, because the sheep were left there to brave the winter snow-storms, the owners becoming careless owing to having successfully wintered their stock in previous mild seasons. At present sheep may be safely pastured on the high lands for eight months in the year; but feed must be provided for them in the low country for the remaining four. We have one or two enterprising farmers who are successfully following out this method, and there is ample scope for a number of energetic settlers to copy their example. Hitherto sufficient attention has not been paid to the breed of sheep most suitable for these mountain pastures. The richest soil in Westland is on the middle mountain-slopes, and eventually, when these are cleared of the scrubby, stunted timber and grassed, stock may run quite safely throughout the year. We are patiently waiting for the removal of the Midland Bailway reservation. The locking-up of this vast area has paralysed, the farming and sawmilling industry: scores of young energetic Westlanders, born and bred to our local methods of bush-farming, have been compelled to swarm abroad, instead of settling around the parent hives. To instance this, we have only to note the number of applications for sawmilling areas which are periodically postponed by the Land Board, pending the longed-for resumption, and the daily-increasing numbers of temporary grazing-areas granted under the 219 th clause of " The Land Act, 1892," this being the only way any land can even be temporarily acquired within the reservation. Despite the short lease of three years, the insecurity of tenure, and the restrictions as to felling the large timber, we have 117 of these leaseholders, occupying 21,788 acres. The Banger reports all of these are bona fide settlers of the best class, who are clearing, building, fencing, and grassing their holdings, hoping that eventually they will have a chance of acquiring the land under more secure tenure. Land for Settlements Acts. —The Poerua Estate was opened for selection on the 26th June, and out of twenty sections, aggregating 3,128 acres, only seven, comprising 1,121 acres, were taken up. Since then ten sections, amounting to 1,597 acres, have been applied for and granted. We have thus only two sections, of 410 acres, left unapplied for, and these will doubtless be taken up at an early date. 131 chains of roading has been cleared, culverted, and partly formed, at a cost of £254 4s. 4d. Purther contracts will be taken in hand as the necessity for such arises. There is

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Tenure. O m SJ W }l a .2 a oi Area. Value of Value of Improvements Improvements J required. made. Number of Selectors resident. Number of Selectors absent. II! I )eferred payment... 'erpetual lease )ccupation with right of purchase jease in perpetuity imall grazing-runs Ullage settlements 11 8 9 A. E. P. 428 0 4 1,487 2 3 1,022 1 13 £ s. d. 400 17 0 439 11 6 133 6 0 £ s. d. 940 18 6 1,318 11 0 739 5 0 3 6 7 8 2 2 5 2 1 7G 52 8 29,709 1 35 27,049 0 0 187 1 22 11,525 2 11 817 11 8 148 1 6 15,814 2 6 8,758 1 6 231 12 6 58 6 18 9 2 13 4 2 1 Totals ... 164 59,883 2 37 13,464 10 7 27,802 11 0 123 41 27

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now no doubt about the ultimate success of the settlement. The Banger reports that a considerable amount of clearing and fencing is going on, and that a large area will probably be cleared during the coming winter. The settlers are all working-men for the most part with previous experience, and none of them are in arrears with their rentals. W. G. Mubbay, Commissioner of Crown Lands.

Ceown Lands Bangee's Eepoet. During the year the amount of timber cut has considerably increased, in consequence of the large export trade carried on. The returns attached do not represent the whole of the timber cut and. exported from this district, as there are five large mills working on freehold property. Of all the timber exported last year, the greater portion was cut in the Nelson District, and during the last six months another mill has been erected, capable of cutting 100,000 ft. a month. The mills at Eeefton and Westport cut for local requirements only. The number of mills now working is twenty-one, employing about 170 men, and five others on freehold property engage about sixty men. Holdings under lease in perpetuity and occupation with right of purchase are in a very satisfactory condition. The improvements are well up to the requirements of the Act. I have made two inspections during the year. The land taken up as temporary grazing-leases is being improved by bushfelling and grassing. J. Smith, Crown Lands Eanger.

Timber cut on Crown Lands, Westland. Bed-pine, 569,252 ft., at 3d. per 100 ft. ; royalty, £71 3s. Silver-pine, 594,702 ft., at 6d. per 100 ft; royalty, £148 13s. 6d. Total royalties, £219 16s. 6d. Timber cut on Mining Blocks, Westland. Eed-pine, 1,650,613 ft., at 3d. per 100 ft.; royalty, £206 6s. 6d. Silver-pine, 57,999 ft.; royalty, £14 10s. Total royalties, £220 16s. 6d. Number of Sleepers cut in Westland District: 25,216. Timber cut on Crown Lands, Nelson. Eed-pine, 4,648,306 ft., at 3d. per 100 ft.; royalty, £581 os. 9d. Silver-pine, 461,817 ft., at 6d. per 100 ft.; royalty, £115 9s. 2d.; black-pine, 21,821 ft., at 6d. per 100 ft.; royalty, £5 9s. 2d. Total royalties, £701 19s. Id. Timber cut on Mining Blocks, Nelson. Eed-pine, 1,117,850 ft., at 3d. per 100 ft.; royalty, £139 14s. Bd.; silver-pine, 79,174 ft., at 6dper 100 ft.; royalties, £19 16s. Total royalties, £159 10s. Bd. Timber cut on Grey Coal Reserve. Eed-pine, 536,941 ft., at 3d. and 6d. per 100 ft.; royalty, £87 17s. Number of Sleepers cut in Nelson District: 23,740.

CANTEBBUEY. Lands offered during the Year. —Besides the lands which have been offered for disposal in terms of the Land for Settlements Acts, the Crown lands which have been offered during the year may be summarised as follows :— Pastoral Runs. —Twelve runs, comprising a total area of 232,599 acres. These comprised some of the lands north of the Bakaia Biver, which had been classified by the Bun Classification Commissioners in January, 1896, as pastoral agricultural lands, but which, owing to the still pending claims of the Midland Bailway Company, could only be reoffered under the pastorallicense system. There were also runs situated in the Waimate, Mackenzie, and Vincent Counties, Soutli Canterbury, which had been surrendered, and abandoned by the lessees, owing to losses of stock and financial difficulties. These were reoffered at reduced annual rentals. Small Grazing-runs. —Twelve runs, comprising 42,508 acres. With the exception of one run at Ashley Gorge, these runs were situated in South Canterbury, near Burkes Pass, Cave, and Hakataramea, being sections which had been surrendered by former lessees on account of excessive rents, and which were then reoffered at reduced valuations. On the Optional System. —Ten sections, comprising 6,053 acres, situated at different parts of the district. On the Lease-in-perpetuity System only. —These comprised six allotments, of 347 acres, on the Cheviot Estate; one allotment, of 300 acres, at Lake Ellesmere; and fourteen village-homestead allotments, aggregating 240 acres, situated in South Canterbury, and comprising principally forfeited holdings. Cash Lands offered at Auction. —Under this system were offered two allotments of rural land in North Canterbury, comprising 24 acres; also sections in the Townships of Mackenzie, Bakaia, Ashburton, Hinds, South Eangitata, Arundel, Geraldine, Waimate, and the Makarora Village.

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Other Lands. —A few small areas have been offered at public competition during the year for occupation for grazing purposes. The Crown lands scheduled in the " Land Guide " for disposal remain practically the same as at the commencement of the year, most of them being lands either of inferior quality or too remote from a market to be capable of profitable occupation on settlement conditions. These lands could, for the most part, only be utilised by owners of adjacent properties, who would probably be debarred from selecting them, by the limitations of the Land Act. Land-transactions. —The following table shows the result of the land-transactions for the year :—

Note. —£254 Is., miscellaneous endowment revenue, was paid to Receiver-General's Deposit Account, not being territorial revenue. Applications for Land.— 2,ll4 applications for land were received and dealt with during the year, 209 of these being granted. By far the greatest proportion of these were for the blocks offered under the Land for Settlements Acts.

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Transactions during the Year. Area held at 31st March, 1897. Class of Selection. Revenue :eived during the Year. Number. Area. Number. Area. Cash — Eural Crown lands Suburban, Cheviot Town Crown lands Cheviot A. E. P. 709 1 27 12 0 8 32 1 7 8 2 29 A. K. P. £ s. a. *912 4 2 48 4 0 1,038 7 11 287 18 0 15 1 44 12 Deferred-payment holders (including pastoral deferred payment) Deferred payment made freehold Perpetual-lease holders Perpetual lease made freehold Occupation with right of purchase ... Lease in perpetuity — Ordinary Lake Ellesmere... Cheviot Land for settlements Conversions to lease in perpetuity (Crown) Village settlements— Deferred payment Deferred payment made freehold ... Perpetual lease ... Perpetual lease made freehold Occupation with right of purchase... Lease in perpetuity Village-homestead special settlement— Perpetual lease (Crown) ... Lease in perpetuity Cheviot Ellesmere Farm homesteads (Crown lands) —■ Perpetual lease ... Lease in perpetuity Land for settlement Small grazing-runs— Crown lands Land for settlement Grazing-farms, Cheviot Pastoral leases— Crown lands Cheviot Miscellaneous leases — Crown lands Cheviot Land for settlement Endowment Other sources 4 3 1 1 4 5 155 23 8 1 13 3 5 2,680 0 10 207 3 33 240 0 0 655 1 0 1,036 0 1 320 1 31 14,587 3 15 1,466 0 37 128 3 14 i o o 289 2 1 40 2 0 50 0 0 35 107 12 159 68 111 277 21 72 4 23 145 80 83 47 14,661 17,450 1,080 70,595 13,943 23,846 17,602 318 1,340 1 9 4,366 3,662 2,473 1,417 0 30 3 10 3 24 1 10 3 39 2 21 0 23 2 30 3 38 0 0 2 11 0 35 1 35 1 37 1 3 3,738 12 10 1,239 1 10 348 1 0 80 14 11 2,784 18 9 1,369 18 0 5,973 14 4 6,013 5 8 186 3 5 826 13 7 25 0 0 14 0 9 7 8 627 6 7 231 1 6 869 4 7 275 7 4 27 1 13 2,203 89 2,510 0 39 3 18 1 9 175 5 8 5 12 4 135 19 3 2 1 1,792 0 0 3,966 0 0 36 1 27 72,541 4,279 44,886 2 20 2 5 2 0 4,437 14 3 94 0 0 6,311 13 1 15 195,303 0 0 92 2 2,846,675 2,102 0 0 0 0 30,434 10 10 262 3 8 28 16 9 7 9,637 1 20 227 0 30 4,138 1 9 191 0 0 229 87 1 23 34,122 3,827 0 6,993 0 1 3 35 2 13 0 24 1,625 4 9 614 16 10 329 12 8 450 19 1 3,121 7 9 Total ... 3,193,002 1 30 74,885 10 3 376 237,720 3 32 1,783 * Include is £21 16s. 8d. scrr

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Transfers, Surrenders. Exchanges. —Transfers of land held under settlement conditions have been effected during the year in respect of seventy-nine leases and licenses, representing a total area of 14,790 acres. The principal items are —village-homestead leases, 31, 951 acres 3 roods 38 perches; leases in perpetuity, 23, 5,911 acres 1 rood 37 perches; perpetual leases, 16, 1,054 acres 1 rood 13 perches. In nearly all these cases selectors have been assisted by this office in the completion and registration of their transfers. This involves extra work, but insures the legal completion of the transactions, which lessees have otherwise been found rather apt to neglect. The Land Board has, with the consent of the Hon. the Minister of Lands, accepted surrenders of their leases from eleven small-grazing-run and lease-in-perpetuity holders, representing an area of 26,087 acres, situated in South Canterbury, principally in the neighbourhood of Burkes Pass and Hakataramea. The lessees represented that, owing to losses sustained during the winter of 1895, the increase of the rabbit-pest, and the low-ruling prices of stock and wool, they were unable to carry on at rentals fixed several years ago. The Land Board, after careful consideration, decided that the rentals were at the present time excessive, and, as there was no power to reduce them, the lessees were allowed to surrender their leases, and the lands were reoffered at reduced rentals, and weighted with valuations for improvements effected by the outgoing lessees. Owing possibly to the large cash deposit required for these improvements, the sections have not been again selected. I may remark that in nearly all cases where sections are offered for disposal weighted with a cash payment for improvements considerable difficulty is experienced in quitting the lands, and it will probably become necessary to reduce the valuations at the expense of the outgoing tenants. It is to be regretted that in some of the cases where lessees have been relieved of their obligations by the acceptance of surrenders they have endeavoured to retain the use and occupation of the lands without paying rent. Exchanges. —lt will be noticed that during the year thirty-eight holdings have been exchanged from the perpetual-lease to the lease-in-perpetuity system, representing an area of 2,089 acres. In many of these cases there are indications that the lessee's sole object is to secure the reduction of the rent by one-fifth, and that he does not sufficiently consider the liability to effect additional improvements which is involved in the exchange. It is probable that not infrequently the burden of the extra expenditure involved fully counterbalances the relief obtained by the reduction of rent. Rangers' Reports. —l append a tabulated statement showing the results of the Crown Lands Bangers' inspections of settlement holdings during the year. I shall deal with the Cheviot Estate and land-for-settlement blocks separately. During the year Mr. Ward has inspected a large number of the perpetual-lease and lease-in-perpetuity holdings on the Ashburton County plains. These holdings consist for the most part of light and in some cases very stony land, being either unsuitable for, or very difficult of, cultivation. On the whole, the Bangers' reports show that all the lessees have, under great disadvantages, made good use of their holdings, and improved them to a considerable extent, the proportion of defaulters being very small. Generally speaking, the defaulters in the North Canterbury district are (1) persons holding small and inferior areas of plainland, which will not yield any adequate return for the labour bestowed on them ; and (2) the holders of land around Lake EUesmere, which, owing to their very low-lying character and liability to annual submergence by the waters of the lake, are unsuited for strict enforcement of either residence or improvement conditions. The classification of most of these lands being " First Class," on account of the capital value exceeding £1 per acre, involves in very many cases an expenditure on improvements which is out of all proportion to the reproductive value of the land. The enforcement also of 10 per cent., 20 per cent., and 30 per cent., plus £1 per acre for the first, second, and sixth year on inferior Crown lands held under the Act of 1892, is regarded as excessive when compared with the 2$ per cent, per annum which is required on the superior lands offered under the Land for Settlements Acts, which are of a quality to repay a larger outlay. In the South Canterbury district the holders of hill-lands under settlement conditions labour under considerable difficulties, owing to the want of low-lying lands and easily-accessible homestead-sites; and, if such could be obtained at reasonable prices, the usefulness of the holdings would be much enhanced. Of the village settlements throughout the district, both Bangers note that the majority of the settlers are complying in a very satisfactory maimer, and have improved their holdings as far as can possibly be done with any profit. Many of the settlers have to struggle hard to maintain their position, owing to the scarcity of outside employment and the smallness of their holdings. In nearly all cases it is impossible to grant further areas unless such could be acquired under the Land for Settlements Acts, as the settlements were originally established on small available blocks of Crown land hemmed in by large tracts of freehold property. The Land Board has done its best to improve the condition of those settlers who had made good use of their first selections, by allowing them to acquire the selections of those who desired to sell out; but this is of necessity a slow and partial method of remedying the disadvantages under which the settlers labour. Both Bangers have been kept very fully employed with the many special inspections and inquiries which devolve upon them, in addition to the statutory inspections of settlement holdings, and both have found it impossible to go over the pastoral runs in order to see that the conditions as to burning and destruction of gorse, &c, are being fulfilled. Lands for Disposal during 1897-98. —These will probably consist mainly of the estates to be offered under the Land for Settlements Acts. Of the original Crown lands there remain none suitable for settlement disposal, and selections will be confined to forfeited or surrendered holdings that may be again placed in the market. The still-existent claim of the Midland Bailway Company over Crown lands north of the Bakaia Biver has prevented the proposed disposal of some suitable country as pastoral runs under the small-grazing-run or second-class lease-in-perpetuity tenures, and, until that claim is either satisfied or abrogated, these lands must remain locked up.

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Cheviot Estate. —During the last few months of 1896 Mr. Ward made a thorough inspection of the holdings on the Cheviot Estate, and the summary of results shows an exceedingly satisfactory state of affairs. Mr. Ward states that out of the 233 holdings, held by 213 persons, under conditions requiring residence and improvements, all but two have complied as to improvements, and all but nineteen are personally resident on their own holdings ; nearly all the nineteen are resident with relatives, either on adjacent holdings or on other parts of the estate. On the whole, the conditions under which the leaseholds are held are being very well fulfilled ; thorough and bond fide settlement is being effected, and the restrictions as to cropping and maintenance of the due proportion of the land in pasture are being satisfactorily observed; indeed, there is little danger of excessive cropping, as it is found that grass pays better than crops. As regards the value of improvements effected, Mr. Ward states that these amount to £38,795, on 233 holdings, or £22,764 in excess of requirements. The improvements effected consist of 395 miles of fencing, value £14,878; buildings, value £18,571; and gardens, drains, tree-planting, grass, &c, to the value of £5,346. To these might be added about £8,500 for forty miles of fencing, buildings, and other improvements on reserves and freeholds : making a total value of improvements effected since the first disposal of the land in November, 1893, of £47,295. In December last the approximate population of the estate was 930 ; number of sheep, excluding lambs, 75,000; cattle, 2,000; horses, 730; pigs, 500. As regards the condition of the settlers, those possessed of the larger and more exclusively pastoral holdings have generally done fairly well, but the smaller agricultural holders have suffered severely from the failure of the crops, owing to the unfavourable season experienced during the past two years. The exceedingly dry summer just past caused an almost total failure of seeds sown in spring, and a large proportion of turnips, rape, and grass had to be resown. Since the rains which came in February there has been a very satisfactory growth of crops and grass, and prospects have improved greatly, but some of the settlers will still have a struggle to recover from the losses they have sustained. The Waiau River shows a tendency to encroach on the north boundary of the estate, and the Ranger recommends that assistance in willow-planting be granted to some of the settlers fronting the river. The Cheviot Dairy Factory has been sublet by the company to Mr. F. A. Cook, of Christchurch, who is conducting it satisfactorily. Port Bobinson. —Owing to its being found necessary to obtain legislative sanction for the transfer to the County Council, the Port Robinson Slip, although under the control of the County Council, is financed by this department. Land for Settlements Acts. —During the year ended 31st March, 1897, the following estates have been opened in the Canterbury District under the Land for Settlements Acts : Orakipaoa Settlement, near Temuka, 27 lots, 384 acres and 31 perches ; Highbank Settlement, near Rakaia, 82 lots, 9,034 acres 3 roods 18 perches. The two foregoing estates, together with a few forfeited or not previously selected lots situated in the Ashley Gorge, Braco, Patoa, Pareora, and Kapua Settlements, were offered under the old regulations prescribed in terms of the Act of 1894. The whole of the Orakipaoa Settlement, and all the large sections at Highbank, were disposed of at the first ballots. The 10-acre sections at Highbank were all quitted after a short time; some of the 1-acre village lots in the same settlement still remain on hand. Since the passing of the Act of 1896, and the issue of amended regulations thereunder, the following estates have been opened for disposal : Waiapi Settlement, near Temuka, 15 lots, 1,124 acres 2 roods 36 perches; Bakitairi Settlement, near Temuka, 24 lots, 3,522 acres 1 rood 34 perches ; Otarakaro Settlement, near Christchurch, 7 lots, 39 acres 3 roods 9 perches ; Wharenui Settlement, near Christchurch, 26 lots, 73 acres 1 rood 10 perches. The whole of the Waiapi and Rakitairi Settlements were immediately selected, and six out of the seven lots of the Otarakaro Settlement. The Wharenui Settlement, at Middleton, was cut up into twenty-five small lots of from 1 to 3 acres, and one 10-acre lot, on which a large dwelling-house stood. The small lots were offered under the workmen's homes clauses of the regulations; seven sections have been taken up, and applications are coming in slowly for the remaining lots. The experience of the Roimata, Braco, Otarakaro, and Wharenui Settlements, in the neighbourhood of Christchurch, seems to indicate that there is not a keen demand for small suburban lots, more especially if there is not very easy and frequent communication with the centre of the city. Inquiries for sections at Wharenui tended to show that there would have been a greater demand for larger areas, but applicants appeared to consider the sections too small, in view of the fact that there are no adjacent industries at which workmen could find employment. Private owners have already met to a considerable extent the demand for small lots near such industries as the Addington Railway Workshops, and the Hornby and Islington Freezing-works. In the rural settlements it is found that the large lots are readily taken up, but lots of 10, 20, and 30 acres are not in great demand; and unless the small lots contain land of superior quality, and are not too far from a market, the holders of-them evince a desire for amalgamation of sections, so as to increase the size of their holdings. As regards the operation of the new regulations issued under " The Land for Settlements Act Amendment Act, 1896," perhaps the most noticeable change effected is the reduction of the number of applications lodged. As an instance of this, I may mention that, for the eighty-two lots into which the Highbank Estate was subdivided, 1,269 separate applications were lodged under the old regulations. For the Waiapi and Rakitairi Settlements, comprising thirty-nine lots, offered under the new regulations, only 298 separate applications were received. Thus, while in the latter case the number of lots was about half of that in the former case, the number of applicants had been reduced by three-fourths. This may be attributed partly to the necessity for lodging a monetary deposit with each application, and partly to the regulation requiring applicants to submit to examination by the Land Board. Of the ultimate result of the regulations in the direction of securing bond fide settlers well equipped for working the lands which they acquire, it is premature to decide, as time alone can show.

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But, generally speaking, the applicants appeared to be of a satisfactory stamp, and to be possessed of fair means and abilities for turning their holdings to successful use, while there was a decided absence of the practice of whole families, from the father and mother down to the youngest eligible son or daughter, entering for the ballots.

As regards the settlements which have been established for some time, the following table and notes embody the results of the Rangers' reports:—

Future operations: Three estates which have recently been acquired by the Government are now in course of preparation for disposal—viz., Albury Estate, 19,340 acres 3 roods 28 perches, purchased from the Assets Bealisation Board and from Mr. W. Butherford; part of Corwar, 2,028 acres 2 roods 33 perches, purchased from J. C. Wason, Esq. ; part of Horsley Down, 3,982 acres 3 roods 35 perches, purchased from Messrs. Mallock and Lance. These settlements will be offered early in the ensuing year, and will, no doubt, be followed by other blocks for which the Land Purchase Board is now in treaty. Departmental. —During the year Mr. A. P. O'Callaghan resigned the position of Crown Lands Banger for the South Canterbury district, and this department has thereby lost the services of a capable and energetic officer. It is satisfactory to know that, as Chief Valuer for Canterbury to the Advances to Settlers Department, his services are still retained by Government. His place as Crown Lands Sanger was filled by the appointment of Mr. W. H. Williams, from Southland. The work of the department in this district has nowise decreased during the past year ; indeed, the opening-up of lands under the Land for Settlements Acts, and the consequent increase of Crown tenants under conditions involving close attention and much correspondence, tend to permanently increase the work in all its branches. The following approximate figures will in some measure illustrate the amount of work passed through the clerical branch of the office : Inward correspondence, 5,000; outward correspondence, 10,000; notices to defaulters, about 1,200; requisitions, 90; returns, 144; lithographs and pamphlets distributed, over 6,000. In addition to the above, the Eeceiver of Land Eevenue reports as follows : Bevenue collected during the year, £74,623 13s. 9d.; revenue paid into Deposit Account, £16,532 12s. 3d.; deposit receipts issued, 678; revenue receipts issued, 3,251; refund voucher forms in duplicate, 117; cheques drawn on Deposit Account, 234; cheques drawn on local bodies' deposit account, 101; notices of payment due, over 4,000. The Accountant reports that he has written upwards of 260 memoranda, dealing with 950 vouchers, representing an amount of, approximately, £280,000. Sidney Weetman, Commissioner of Crown Lands.

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Name of Settlement. Area held, 31st March, 1897. Area open for Selection, 31st March, 1897. Value of Improvements O CO O fn g fl U a, in ||| PS Eemarks. Bequired. Effected. 'areora A. b. p. 537 3 17 A. E. P. 73 3 38 £ s. d. 363 18 10 £ b. d. 1,955 0 0 25 133 A good settlement, but holdings too small to maintain settlers without extraneous work. itudholme Junction.. 104 2 8 572 1 22 600 1 8 367 0 33 105 2 29 21 0 3 6,734 1 37 36 12 3 269 16 0 152 16 9 108 7 4 41 9 0 6 15 7 183 15 7 220 8 0 913 3 0 1,420 13 0 593 1 6 109 5 0 Capua tosebrook .. )taio Cereta jpworth 'atoa 3 10 9 i 1 18 42 50 16 4 All settlers doing well. A promising settlement. Should be successful. Crops have been good. 582"2 0 769* 0 0 2 Fifteen selectors residing on original holdings, Waitohi, Peaks Settlement. Successful. Very successful. Settlers complain that settlement is too far from work. First year of tenancy does not expire until July. Residence and improvements not due until July. Is likely to prove successful. ishley Gorge loimata iraoo 1,161 1 2 44 2 23 27 2 4 / , , 173 17 0 277 0 0 139 11 0 864 0 0 2,147 0 0 422 0 0 n 22 7 41 102 27 lighbank .. 9,026 3 18 8 0 0 2,470 7 0 27 )rakipaoa .. 384 0 31 5

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Area of Crown Lands, Canterbury, available for Settlement, 31st March, 1897.

Summary of Holdings reported, on for the Year ended 31st March, 1897.

OTAGO. I forward herewith the annual returns of land-transactions in this district during the twelve months ended on the 31st March, 1897, showing also the position at that date of the several systems of land tenure and occupation. Prom a perusal of these returns it will be seen that the year's transactions compare favourably with previous years, both as regards selections and revenue. Revenue, 1896-97. —The gross receipts for the year exceed those of the previous year by £4,858 6s. 9d., and were also in excess of the estimated revenue by £9,345 17s. 6d. The principal items of excess were perpetual leases made freehold, deferred payments, and land for settlements. I have already explained, in forwarding the estimates of revenue and expenditure for the current year, that the excess in deferred payments is accounted for by the number of selectors who, having obtained advances under the Government Advances to Settlers Act, have elected to complete their purchases, while, in the matter of the Land for Settlements Account, the excess is to a great extent owing to the fact that the current half-year's rent has been more promptly paid by a large number of lessees than was anticipated. _ The promptitude of payments may also be attributed in some measure to the better position in which many settlers find themselves as the result of the late favourable harvest and improved prices; but, unfortunately, this cannot be said of all, as in some places in Central Otago, owing to the dryness of the season, the crops have been exceedingly light, and in some instances a complete failure. Summary of Transactions. —The selections during the year, the areas held at the 31st March, 1897, together with the amounts received under the various systems of land settlement and occupation, are concisely compiled, and can be readily seen from the subjoined summary, which in form appears to have been generally adopted as a convenient method of exhibiting the yearly operations : —

County. System. Area (First-class). Area (Second-class). Total Area. A. H. P. l r o 71 2 0 57 2 12 151 1 15 33 0 0. 309 0 0 366 0 0 30 0 0 A. B. p. A. E. P. 110 Geraldine Ashburton Geraldine Waimate ... Selwyn Geraldine Ashburton Waimate Ashburton Geraldine Mackenzie Waimate Mackenzie Waimate Ashley Waimate Mackenzie Village lots Village homestead ... it • • • 280" 1 27 it Eural lands f f ... it 738" 0 0 if if it it Small grazing-runs 1,400 0 1,660 0 1,322 0 3,658 0 9,749 0 24,206 0 293 0 118,523 0 18,550 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 8,O4o" 0 0 33,955 0 0 Pastoral lands it •' • 137,366 0 0 it Totals 1,019 2 27 179,361 0 0 180,380 2 27

Tenure. Id u m CD 33 ■as Area. I Requirements of Act. Cultivation. IgggHow far complied with. bIs ft* o_2 111 SB P Cultivation. Improvements. )eferred payment 'erpefcual lease Icoupation with riglit of purchase jease in perpetuity r illage-homestead perpetual lease r illage-homestead lease in perpetuity iheviot Estate— Lease in perpetuity .. Village-homestead Grazing-farm jands for settlement .. 22 61 2 A. B. P. 507 1 4 13,562 3 1 164 0 11 A. B. P. 133 0 39 2,274 1 14 £ s. a. 678 0 6 5,478 16 11 91 9 0 j A. E. P. £ S. d. 476 2 8l 1,193 17 0 7,140 0 0il3,455 12 0 136 0 0 15 23 7 38 2 4 15 1 5 1 35 22 13,022 2 19 433 3 9 227 2 18 7,396 18 10 8,164 10 0 342 1 2 2,192 0 0 25 21 10 1 9 1 3 44 2,625 3 13 1,493 17 1 2,928 18 0 |21,989 0 0 1 : 6,360 0 0 ,10,446 0 0 j 6,324 19 6! 28 16 14 2 111 91 31 98 23,846 2 21 2,473 1 37 44,886 2 0j 10,942 2 26 I 6,037 19 4 848 18 10 9,143 8 9 1,076 16 8 96 70 23 56 15 21 8 42 10 11 4 12 1 M ■ •

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Summary of Land Transactions, 1896-97.

From a comparison of the foregoing summary with that for 1895-96 it will be seen that, while the transactions in the first column appear to be smaller, the aggregate area of land disposed of on settlement conditions is greater by nearly 9,000 acres, and that there is an increase in the second column of 156 holdings and 161,285 acres in area, the third column showing, as before stated, an increase of revenue to the extent of £4,858 6s. 9d. Lands opened for Selection. —There was opened for sale and selection during the year—under the optional system, 14,929 acres; for cash by auction, 369 acres; for lease by auction and application, 21 acres; village-homestead allotments on lease in perpetuity, 801 acres; pastoral runs, 360,604 acres; small grazing-runs, 56,635 acres, including 1,215 acres under Land for Settlements; for lease in perpetuity under Land for Settlements, 4,974 acres : together making a total of 438,333 acres. In addition to this several areas have been allotted under sections 114 and 115 of " The Land Act, 1892," and others disposed of under the improved-farm settlement scheme and the Mining Districts Land Occupation Act, as shown in the summary. There were

Transactions during Year. Area held at 31st March, 1897. Class of Selection. Number. Eevenue received during the Year. Area. Number. Area. Cash .-.. , 1 Deferred payments Deferred payments made freehold Perpetual leases Perpetual leases made freehold ... Occupation with right of purchase Lease in perpetuity Lease in perpetuity exchanged from other tenures Land for settlement— Lease in perpetuity ... Village lease in perpetuity Small grazing-runs ... Miscellaneous Agricultural leases Village settlements— Cash Deferred payments ... ... Deferred payments made freehold Perpetual leases Perpetual leases made freehold Occupation with right of purchase Lease in perpetuity ... Village-homestead special settlement Special-settlement association ... Improved-farm settlements Mining Districts Land Occupation Act 61 A. B. P. 812 3 4 A. B. P. £ s. a. *l,102 12 3 6,632 1 11 "48 13,544 3 22 130 34,672 0 12 9 15 494 91,950 2 16 3,802 17 11 1,771 2 0 667 7 11 2,245 3 11 2,838 1 39 95 17,784 1 25 1 66 21 11,849 1 19 6,880 3 2 I 480 132,854 2 8 3,019 13 6 102 1 1 12 2 6,208 1 19 5 0 2 1,214 2 3 568 1 14 13 1 0 195 3L 1 13 21 21,249 412 1,214 578 1,010 1 25 3 39 2 3 1 14 1 23 5,982 18 3 324 7 4 64 10 6 78 18 0 241 7 0 1 1 3 18 7 263 0 25 9 6 3 70 7 7 9 89 "3 13 1 2 40 1 19 2 0 0 42 933 2 33 69 5 1 35 0 0 0 19 0 "5 3 2 28 29 432 3 1 112 1,754 3 14 125 15 5 (E.112 19 7 |i. 63 17 3 114 19 1 31 3 8 60 8 4 I 87 1,436 0 17 11 18 1,645"'2 30 877 3 30 15 84 65 2,955 10,329 2,595 1 12 1 8 1 25 Homestead lands Small grazing-runs Pastoral licenses Coal and mineral licenses Timber-cutting Miscellaneous licenses... Survey fees Crown grant fees Other sources 13 36 53,309 3 28 396,538 1 21 4 247 255 401 489,370 4,173,881 3 24 2 20 3 33 11,050 7 10 t31,012 2 1 f 134 7 10 76 8 0 (1,750 0 4 310 15 0 J176 4 1 494 16 4 "l3 81 29o"o 0 72,755 2 12 1 335 81,730 2 16 Total Crown lands ... Endowments — Deferred payments made freehold Perpetual leases made freehold 552 572,165 3 27 2,718 5,067,383 3 20 69,386 19 4 1 143 3 7 1 - 56 47,198 0 0 1,760 3 2 1 320 0 0 Gross totals 554 572,629 2 34 2,774 5,114,581 3 20 71,147 2 6 Includes £9 15s. 6d. on account Canterl lury. f Includes £11 on account Canterbury, lount Canterbury. J I: icludes £1 Is. 0: ac<

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6,721 applications received for the land open for selection, of which 148 only were successful at ballot. This, of course, includes the applications for the Ardgowan Estate, reference to which was made in last year's report. Transfers, Surrenders, and Forfeitures. —The year's transactions also include eighty-eight transfers, sixty-five surrenders, and fifty forfeitures, as tabulated in the subjoined return, being twenty-nine transfers less, one hundred and twenty surrenders and exchanges less, and twelve forfeitures more than during the preceding year :—

Summary of Transfers, Surrenders, and Forfeitures during the Year 1896-97.

Mining Districts Land Occupation Act. —The applications for leases under this Act have been less numerous than previously. Eighteen leases, over an aggregate area of 877 acres 3 roods 30 perches, have been granted during the year, after careful inquiry in each instance to insure that mining interests were not injuriously affected on the one hand, and that no unnecessary injury was inflicted on pastoral tenants on the other. It is not expected that the transactions in this class of tenure will increase in number, but the system will doubtless continue to afford a means of small holdings being acquired by miners and others where no lands are available under the ordinary methods of selection. Arrears of Rent. —The arrears of rent due by Crown tenants amounted on the 31st March to £2,160 19s. 6d., owing by 184 tenants, holding 77,089 acres 3 roods 36 perches, including land for settlements, which I think must be considered remarkably small, and an evidence of the improved position-of many of our settlers, especially in view of the fact that there are now 2,718 Crown tenants on the books of the department, in addition to fifty-six holders of endowment lands.. The arrears at the date of last year's report amounted to £3,614 os. Bd., owing by 255 selectors, holding 169,934 acres 2 roods 22 perches. Thus the present arrears are less in amount by £1,453 Is. 2d., the selectors in arrear by seventy-one in number, and the area represented by those in arrear by 92,844 acres 2 roods 26 perches. Pastoral Tenants' Relief Act. —I stated in my last report that there were still a few small cases to be dealt with under this Act. There have been, as shown below, fifteen of such cases, in which the estimated total loss of stock was £592 145., and in which remissions of rent to the extent of £293 9s. Bd. were granted by way of relief.

"The Pastoral Tenants' Relief Act, 1895." —Leases dealt with between 1st April, 1896, and 1st April, 1897.

Settlement Conditions and Rangers' Reports. —Each of the Crown Lands Bangers has been very fully occupied during the year in the work of general inspection, valuing lands to be reopened after surrender or forfeiture or expiry of title, and reporting specially on the many miscellaneous applications and matters that are constantly requiring their attention. I append a general report

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Transfers. Surrenders (including Exchanges). Forfeitures. Totals. Tenure. Number. Area. Number. Area. Number. Area. Number. Area. Deferred payments Perpetual lease Occupation with right of purchase Lease in perpetuity Land for settlements Village settlement, lease in perpetuity Village - homestead special settlement Farm-homestead association Improved-farm settlements .. Small grazing-runs Pastoral licenses Occupation leases Miscellaneous 10 30 3 A. E. P. 2,257 1 29 3,897 2 8 798 1 37 4 28 2 A. b. P. 810 3 28 7,784 1 12 264 3 8 9 8 A. B. P. 2,307*2 8 1,398 3 32 U 67 13 A. B. P. 3,068 1 17 13,989 1 28 2,462 0 37 U 2 1 2,573 2 33 245 1 34 9 3 20 3 2 1 603 3 14 157 1 29 12 3 30 13 3 6 3,042 2 8 358 0 34 67 0 23 30 7 8 6,220 0 15 761 0 17 89 3 33 5 116 2 7 1 21 3 28 5 66 2 25 11 205 0 20 1 8 7 2 5 205 1 0 12,048 1 7 157,770 0 0 50 0 0 48 0 29 1 11 10 99 0 8 39,040 0 20 62,569 0 0 *2 1 790 "3 0 340 0 0 1 1 21 18 2 10 205 1 0 99 0 8 51,879 0 27 220,679 0 0 50 0 0 1,169 2 12 2 9* 2 0 '3 1,111 3 23 88 180,020 3 4 65 111,373 3 17 50 9,483 2 33 203 300,878 1 14

Tenure. !S B Area. Estimate of Reduction Net Loss of allowed in AnStock. nual Rents. Remission of Rent allowed. Remission of Sheeptax. Approximate Cash Value of Relief. 'astoral runs Imall grazing-runs 'erpetual leases jeases in perpetuity 2 6 1 6 A. B. P. 10,150 0 0 19,965 0 0 232 2 19 2,650 1 19 32,997 3 38 £ a. d. 17 0 0 383 14 0 * £ s. d. £ 8. d. 7 15 0 200 19 4 £ s. d. £ s. d. 7 15 0 200 19 4 * 192 0 0 84 15 4 84 15 4 Totals 15 592 14 0 293 9 8 293 9 8 Taken into cons: [deration with l> !ase-in-perpet lity holding.

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by Bangers Hughan and Atkinson as to the fulfilment of conditions of residence and improvements on ordinary Crown lands, together with special reports on the Swinburn Farm Homestead Association's Block, and the several estates under the Land for Settlements Acts. There is, upon the whole, cause for general satisfaction at the manner in which the large majority of Crown tenants are discharging their obligations under their respective leases and licenses. The Land Board has had in a few instances to require tenants to show cause why their holdings should not be declared forfeited for breach of conditions, and in a few cases holdings have been forfeited either for total abandonment, non-payment of rent, or other default. In the majority of cases, however, the inquiry has acted as a spur to the flagging energies of the selectors, and been the means of causing them to effect a proper compliance with the conditions under which their lands are held. Improved-farm Settlements. —No further improved - farm settlements have been proclaimed in this district during the year. The tables giving the transactions under this head show that an additional area of 1,645 acres 2 roods 30 perches has been allotted to eleven selectors, and that an additional sum of £2,919 6s. 3d. has been expended by Government for improvements on these lands. Up to the present there has not been in any of the settlements a cessation of the expenditure of Government money in the way of improvements, and consequently the annual rentals have not been in any case finally adjusted. Possibly this may be done in most of the settlements during the course of the present year. The Chief Surveyor, who has the oversight of these settlements, informs me that he has at your request furnished a detailed report in respect of each settlement. The Land for Settlements Act. —The following new estates were dealt with during the year under the Land for Settlements Act: — (1.) Ardgowan Estate : Area acquired, 4,245 acres and 9 perches; area for selection, 4,162 acres 3 roods 4 perches, in sixty-five allotments ; opened for selection on 12th May, 1896. (2.) Makareao Estate : Area purchased, 2,367 acres 3 roods 31 perches; area for selection on lease in perpetuity, 893 acres and 33 perches; as small grazing-run, 1,214 acres 2 roods 3 perches, an area of 298 acres and 21 perches being reserved for limestone quarry, railway, and other purposes ; opened for selection, 26th June, 1896. Taking the estates in the order in which they appear, I have to offer the following brief remarks thereon:— (1.) Pomahaka Estate: Five additional allotments, having an area of 1,132 acres 2 roods 2 perches, were taken up on this estate during the year, and a further allotment of 271 acres 3 roods 20 perches has been selected since the beginning of the present financial year. The settlers on the estate have just harvested a very favourable crop, the yield of oats in some instances being as much as 40 bushels an acre. The total value of improvements effected by selectors to 31st March was £2,180, while there has been cultivated during the year for oats 1,105 acres, and for root-crops 1,028 acres; total, 2,133 acres. lam in hopes that the remainder of the estate will shortly be applied for. At the end of the financial year there were twenty selectors on the estate, holding 4,974 acres 2 roods 24 perches, at an annual rental of £846 14s. 6d. There are besides two areas amounting to 326 acres 1 rood let on temporary license for grazing purposes, at an annual rental of £6. Total receipts during the year, £481 10s. 7d. (2.) Teanaraki Estate : A previously-forfeited holding of 5 acres and 2 perches has been again taken up, the whole of the estate —344 acres 1 rood 25 perches—being now occupied by twentythree selectors, at an annual rental of £281 9s. 6d. The total value of the improvements effected by the lessees on this estate to date is £1,022, and there has been cultivated during the year—for oats, 97 acres ; wheat, 94 acres; and root-crops, 26 acres : total, 217 acres. Total receipts during the year, £289 3s. 9d. (3.) Tahawai Estate: This estate, of 68 acres 2 roods 14 perches, remains occupied by eight selectors, at an annual rental of £35 14s. 4d. Value of improvements effected by settlers, £616; previously on the land, £25 : total, £641. Cultivation during the year, 10 acres in root-crops. Beceipts, £35 3s. 7d. (4.) Maerewhenua Estate: Two small allotments, with an acreage of 19 acres 3 roods 20 perches, have been taken up on this estate during the year, while four, with an acreage of 195 acres 1 rood 33 perches have been surrendered and forfeited, and there now remains to be taken up in five allotments an area of 190 acres 3 roods 20 perches. There were on the estate at the 31st March sixty-eight tenants, holding 10,722 acres 2 roods 8 perches, at an annual rental of £3,520 os. Bd., and, in addition, three areas of reserves were occupied under temporary licenses over 22 acres 3 roods 36 perches, at an annual rental of £3 2s. 6d. The prospects of this settlement are encouraging, and there have been excellent crops taken off the land at the recent harvest. The total value of improvements effected by lessees amounts to £4,876 10s., the value of those on the land when selected being £2,701 ss. 9d.; making a total value of £7,577 15s. 9d. The cultivation during the season has been —for oats, 1,179 acres; wheat, 3,139 acres; root-crops, 458 acres: total, 4,776 acres. Total receipts during the year, £3,428 9s. Id. (5.) Puketapu Estate : This estate, of 496 acres and 36 perches, is held by twelve lessees, at an annual rental of £189 7s. 4d. Improvements effected by selectors, £224; on the land previous to selection, £246 Bs. 7d.: total, £470 Bs. 7d. Cultivation during the season—oats, 40 acres; wheat, 19 acres: root-crops, 40 acres: total, 99 acres. Beceipts during the year, £94 14s. 2d. (6.) Ardgowan Estate: The whole of this estate, of 4,162 acres 3 roods 4 perches, which was opened for selection on 12th May, 1896, has been taken up, being now occupied by sixty-five selectors, at an annual rental of £1,893 2s. Bd. In addition, five areas of reserves, &c, over 20 acres 3 roods 37 perches, are occupied under temporary licenses, at a rental of £12 Is. lOd. per annum. Improvements have been effected by tenants during the year to the value of £2,659, there having been on the land previous to selection improvements valued at £1,688 19s. l-|d.; total, £4,347 19s. 1-J-d. There has been cultivated —for oats, 551 acres; wheat, 850 acres ; and for root-

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crops, 65 acres: total, 1,466 acres. The total receipts for the year amounted to £1,817 9s. Bd. The prospects of this estate are also encouraging. (7.) Makareao Estate: This estate, which is part of the late Colonel Kitchener's Waihemo Grange property, was opened for selection on the 26th June, 1896, and has all been taken up, 893 acres and 33 perches being held on lease in perpetuity by thirty selectors, at a rental of £241 lis. per annum; and 1,214 acres 2 roods 3 perches as a small grazing-run, at £129 Is. per annum. The portions reserved for limestone quarry, railway, and other purposes have also been let under five temporary licenses, at an annual rental of £20 65., the total area being 208 acres and 21 perches. Value of improvements on the land before selection, £274 lis. 9d.; effected by selectors, £522 : total, £796 lis. 9d. Cultivation for oats, 211 acres ; wheat, 54 acres ; root-crops, 6 acres : total, 271 acres. Total receipts during the year, £304 3s. 3d. In addition to the transactions hereinbefore mentioned as having taken place during the past financial year, it may be as well that I should offer a few observations with regard to the three other estates purchased in this district, and which have been disposed of since the 31st March last, and which will, of course, form part of the current year's operations, to be more formally referred to in next annual report. I refer to the Estates of Makareao Extension, Momona, and Tokarahi, as follows:— (1.) Makareao Extension : This additional purchase of portion of the late Colonel Kitchener's Waihemo Grange property was opened for selection on the 14th April. The area purchased was 2,535 acres 3 roods, and the area offered for selection, which included portions of closed road-lines, was 2,570 acres 2 roods 9 perches, and was disposed of in two small holdings on lease in perpetuity, 117 acres 2 roods 22 perches ; and two small grazing-runs, over 2,452 acres 3 roods 27 perches : the total annual rental being £296 15s. 4d. (2.) Momona Estate : This purchase, of 218 acres 2 roods 36 perches, partly in Mangatua Survey District, including also parts of river sections in West Taieri Survey District, and to which 5 acres 1 rood 34 perches of Crown lands has been added, was opened for selection on the 10th instant, and has all, excepting Biver Section 41, been taken up by fourteen selectors on lease in perpetuity, at an annual rental of £184 18s., with £25 ss. per annum additional for buildings for a period of fourteen years. Biver Section 41, containing 5 acres, has been reserved for a school-site, and has been let on temporary license at £4 ss. per annum till required for school purposes. (3.) Tokarahi Estate : The purchased area of this estate is 11,051 acres 2 roods 9 perches, to which has been added a few small pieces of Crown lands, amounting to 26 acres and 28 perches. Out of this, an area of 291 acres 3 roods 14 perches is occupied by roads and reserves, leaving 10,785 acres 3 roods 23 perches for selection. Of this, an area of 1,481 acres and 10 perches has been allotted to seven tenants on the estate, at an annual rental of £710 95., with £25 9s. 6d. additional in the meantime for buildings, and £3 9s. lOd. for an area of 35 acres 2 roods 25 perches of reserves on temporary license. The remainder was opened for selection on the 11th instant, and of this an area of 9,299 acres and 33 perches has been taken up by forty-one selectors, at an annual rental of £3,294 145., with £70 12s. 4d. additional in the meantime for buildings, and £18 for an area of 159 acres 2 roods 9 perches of reserves on temporary license. The immediate gross total annual income will therefore be £4,122 4s. Bd. In concluding this report I have to state that the increased work of the office could not have been overtaken without extra clerical assistance. It would not be any exaggeration to say that the correspondence, book-keeping, and clerical work generally of the department has increased at least 20 per cent, during the year ; and I am glad to be able to report the continuance of faithful and satisfactory services rendered by all the officers and clerical assistants employed. J. P. Maitland, ; ■'.. Commissioner of Crown Lands.

■ - Ceown Lands Bangebs' Bepoets. We have the honour to report for the year ending the 31st March as follows : — The work of inspecting the numerous holdings under the various tenures of the Land Act and the Land for Settlements Acts has been well attended to during the year. About 1,025 inspections have been made, 275 reports and sixty-two statutory valuations of improvements have been made, besides a large number of reports of a miscellaneous character. Much of the Bangers' time has also been taken up in reporting on applications for mining and other reserves. We herewith forward reports of the progress on the various settlements under the Land for Settlements Act—viz., Pomahaka Estate, Teanaraki and Tahawai Settlements, Maerewhenua Estate, Ardgowan Estate, Puketapu, and Makareao—from which it. will be seen that good progress has been made during the year, and that the conditions of the Act are being fairly complied with. On ordinary Crown lands held under the settlement conditions of the Act the conditions both with regard to improvements and residence are fairly well carried out. The results of the different tenures are as follow :— Deferred Payment. —There are very few holdings now held on this tenure, as they have been greatly reduced by purchase or exchange to lease in perpetuity. Conditions of the Act are fully complied with. Perpetual Lease. —The number of holdings under this tenure has greatly diminished, lessees having exchanged for lease in perpetuity, owing to the rentals being 1 per cent, less under the latter tenure. The conditions under this tenure are mostly complied with. In many cases lessees reside on adjoining land.

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Lease in Perpetuity. —This has now become the favourite tenure, owing principally to the rent being lower than any of the other systems. The improvement conditions are fairly well carried out, excepting in the bush districts, where the roads to the land have not yet been formed. In many of these cases fulfilment of the residence condition has not yet taken place. Occupation with Bight of Purchase. —The improvement conditions under this tenure are well complied with. Village Homestead on Perpetual Lease, and Lease in Perpetuity. —Under this tenure the conditions are very well complied with, and the selectors generally satisfied with their holdings. Small Grazing-runs. —The conditions under this tenure are well complied with. There are many inquiries after land of this class, and when runs of suitable areas are open they are eagerly taken up. Village Special Settlement. —The selectors under this tenure are doing fairly well, and appear to be well satisfied. The conditions are fairly complied with. Swinburn Special Settlement Association. —This settlement comprises an area of 2,955 acres. It is divided into fifteen sections, averaging 197 acres to each settler. Improvements to the value of £1,862 have been effected, being a small increase as compared with last year. The quality of the soil is good, and fairly well watered. The Otago Central Bailway is nearly completed to Byan's Crossing, and by this means the settlement will shortly be brought into direct communication with Dunedin markets, which will be a great advantage to the settlers. The unprecedented drought throughout the Otago Central districts during the past season has very materially affected the progress of this settlement, but with fair seasons and good prices the prospects of the settlers are good. The improvement conditions are well carried out. Pomahaka Downs Estate. —Good progress is being made on this estate. There are now nineteen selectors, eighteen of whom are residing on the land, and only one non-resident, who selected on the 31st March last. Five sections, containing 1,132 acres, were taken up last year, which, with one section containing 271 acres selected since 31st March last, makes a total of 5,245 acres selected, leaving a balance of 2,005 acres unselected. New homesteads have been formed and a good deal of fencing of a substantial nature has been erected. The oat-crops have yielded remarkably well, the average being much higher than last year. The improved prices will also be a great help to the settlers. A few of the settlers have manured some of their turnip-ground, the yield in consequence being very satisfactory. Turnips on the second furrow are fair, while those on the first furrow are not nearly so good. Teanaraki Settlement. —This settlement comprises an area of 344 acres, situated eight miles from Oamaru. Twenty-four settlers form the settlement, eighteen of whom are residing on the land. Of the non-residents five are single, residing near their sections; one is an old. man who resides occasionally. Fairly good progress has been made during the last year. Improvements to the value of £1,022 are now on the ground. The conditions are being fairly well complied with, the improved prices of the present year being of great assistance to the settlers. The settlers are complaining very much about the Canadian thistle, which infests some of the sections. They say they are quite unable to cope with the pest. Some of the sections are very badly infested, and if something is not done this weed is liable to spread over all the settlement. Tahawai Settlement. —Very good progress has been made on this settlement. Of the eight selectors forming the settlement five are now in occupation, and the others will shortly be residing. The improvements are of a very substantial character, the total value of which amounts to £641, as against £453 for last year. All the sections are irrigated by a small water-race, from which very satisfactory results have been obtained. The settlers are all very well satisfied with their holdings. Maerewhenua Estate. —During the past year splendid progress has been made on this estate, the buildings and fencing being of a most substantial character. The improvements effected by the settlers up to the present time amount to £4,876, as against £2,004 for last year. Considerably over 4,000 acres was under cultivation in wheat, oats, and turnips, the yield of wheat and oats being very good, many of the wheat-crops yielding 40 bushels per acre. Of the seventy-three selectors on the estate forty-five are residing on their sections, five are married persons residing on adjoining land, three have been granted exemption by the Board, two have surrendered, and eight have been forfeited for non-compliance with conditions. Ten have yet to effect residence, and will do so very shortly. The settlers speak in high terms of the quality of the soil, and generally as to their future prospects. Ardgowan Estate. —The land on this estate was offered for selection on the 20th May, 1896, all the sections being readily taken up at that time. Of the sixty-five selectors on the estate thirtyfive are now residing on the land, although the time for residence does not expire until the 20th May, 1897. Seven are exempt as persons residing on one-acre sections within one mile in the adjoining Township of Weston; many of the remainder are building, and will complete residence very shortly. Improvements to the value of £1,688 were on the ground at the time of selection. During the last eleven months improvements to the value of £2,659 have been effected by the settlers, most of whom appear to be of the right stamp, and are likely to do well. About 1,466 acres were under cultivation, and the yield was considered very satisfactory, considering the late period at which the ballot was held and the dryness of the season. Puketapu Settlement. —This settlement, containing 496 acres, was selected in March, 1896. Of twelve selectors on the 31st March last, only three were resident and nine non-resident. All the sections have been substantially fenced and otherwise improved, and several buildings are about to be erected. The improvements effected up to the present time amount to £470, as against £86 for last year. A considerable area has been under oats, wheat, and turnips, the yield in most cases being fairly good. Generally good progress has been made on the settlement. Since the 31st March last one settler has been granted exemption as residing on adjoining freehold; one, a youth of nineteen years, has been granted exemption as residing with his mother on adjoining land ; two

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have been forfeited ; two single women have been granted exemption for six months; and three have been notified that residence must be completed within two months, otherwise forfeiture will ensue. Makareao Estate. —The land on this estate was selected on the 26th June, 1896. Of the twenty-nine selectors seven are now residing and one deceased, and, of the remainder, many of them will be on the land before the time for residence has expired. Good progress has been made with building and fencing. Improvements to the value of £522 have been effected by the settlers within nine months. About 300 acres were in cultivation, and the yield in most cases was only medium. Several of the settlers are under the disadvantage of having no permanent water on their sections. Altogether, the progress made may be considered very satisfactory. Thos. t j r> E.Atkinson, 'j Crown Lands Bangers.

SOUTHLAND. Owing to the unfortunately sudden death of the late Commissioner, Mr. G. W. Williams, on the 3rd November last, I was deprived of the advantage of having a conference with him concerning this district, and, having been but five months in it, I am placed somewhat at a disadvantage in preparing the annual report for the past year. There has been a marked falling-off in the area of land taken up during the year ending 31st March, 1897. Excluding pastoral runs and miscellaneous leases, only 6,971 acres have been taken up, by 125 selectors, as against 12,859 acres, by 155 selectors, in 1895-96, showing that the holdings taken up have been in much smaller areas than formerly, but this I consider a healthy sign, as many of the failures of previous selectors have been due to their having taken up larger areas than they were in a position to work profitably. The area opened to selection, excluding pastoral runs, was 35,395 acres, against 44,880 acres last year. The number of selectors remaining on the books is 1,591, as against 1,628 last year, a loss of thirty-seven. The territorial revenue has also fallen off, being £2,750 9s. 2d. less than last year, but the greater portion —£2,468 lis. sd.—of this decrease is due to fewer perpetual leases and deferred-payment licenses having been made freehold, only £718 10s. having been received for perpetual leases, from seven selectors, against £2,311 17s. 2d. last year, from fourteen selectors; and, for deferred-payment lands, £2,954 4s. 9d., from forty-four selectors, against £3,829 9s. last year, from sixty selectors. The forfeitures and surrenders not for the purpose of exchange have been numerous, the total being sixty-five, comprising 12,867 acres, an area nearly double that taken up during the year, and in excess of the area taken up last year. This is apparently attributable to what was pointed out by Mr. Williams in last year's report—viz., that selectors try to acquire a greater area than they can profitably work, the inevitable result being inability to carry on. The arrears of rent are somewhat in excess of the previous year, being £862 12s. 2d., owed by 142 selectors, against £772 19s. 3d., owed by 110 selectors, in 1895-96—an increase of £89 12s. lid. Many of the selectors are struggling with the initial difficulties of bush settlement, and, having expended all their means in clearing and improving the land, obtain little return for a time, and find themselves unable to pay the rent. I might point out that the above arrears are very much less than what is shown in 1894-95, and will favourably compare with the majority of the other districts, and equal to about half the average arrears for the whole colony. Residence and Improvements. —The Crown Lands Banger reports that he has visited and inspected 635 holdings, besides a number of village-homestead selections, that much of his time has been taken up in reporting on timber and other reserves and State forests, and that he has furnished a large number of reports of a miscellaneous character in connection with the business of the Land Board. He remarks, "After inspecting the various holdings, I am glad to say that, on the whole, the tenants are making a good living on their selections, and, as the price of stock and oats are this year much better than usual, they seem to be highly pleased with their prospects. The number of selectors not living on their holdings appears large, but it must be borne in mind that most of them have four years' grace, the land being bush-clad." The result of his inspections is shown by the table hereunder : —

Summary of Crown Lands Rangers' Reports, 1896-97.

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Tenure and Terms. Number . _, . , _ o j Area in Partial Total Not I s e i ec t;ors Acres. Default. Default. Residing. Double Improve- Livi — X Residence. Residing. )eferred payment 'erpetual lease jease in perpetuity— First year Second year jands for settlement )ccupation with right of purchase— First year Second year Small grazing-runs ... 31 184 39 227 45 1,640 20,550 3,940 44,300 9,160 1 2 4 14 7 7 3 1 21 17 40 7 19 10 66 7 64 7 20 97 15 123 31 11 76 22 1,560 18,680 72,600 1 10 1 1 2 4 24 1 2 15 3 5 37 18 Grand total ... 635 ,172,430 40 13 115 19 174 346

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Small Grazing-runs.—Ta this district thirty-nine runs were laid off for disposal under this system. Twenty-two of these are now held, five were forfeited or surrendered, and the remainder were not taken up. Apparently, from the result, the system has not been a success here. This, so far as I can see, is to be accounted for by the land selected being unsuitable, and also by the fact that there does not appear to be the class of men in the district who desire to occupy land of this character under grazing-run conditions. Some of those now vacant will be grouped, while others should be again dealt with under ordinary pastoral-lease conditions. Mining Districts Land Occupation Act. —There is nothing special to report under this system. Miners are somewhat anxious to still further curtail the compensation clause of the regulations, more especially in the immediate vicinity of gold-workings. Land for Settlements Act. —Merrivale Estate : In reference to this, which is the only property acquired under the Act in this district, I would refer you to the reports by the Banger and Boad Inspector Williams. The latter has been intimately associated with the working of the estate since it has been acquired, so that his opinion is of considerable value. Banger Campbell reports as follows : " I have the honour to report that selections on this estate were made on the 20th December, 1895. The time of selection was so late in the season that none of the selectors had any crop ; they had solely to depend on their grass for that year. This year I find the number of horses on the estate to be 107; cattle, 443; sheep, 8,257; other stock, 7 : area in oats, 434 acres; in wheat, 48 acres ; in turnips, 26 acres ; in grass, 6,860 acres : fencing erected by the selectors, 4,122 chains, at 10s. : the value of the whole improvements made by the selectors, £3,907: county rates paid, £153 7s. lid., and not a yard of road made by the county on the estate as yet. I find that, owing to the dry season, the crops and grass are not nearly as good as usual. I am glad to say it is very seldom that settlers have to complain of dry weather for any length of time in Southland, so that this year has been an exception to the rule. I have spoken to almost every selector on the estate, and lam glad to say that, with very few exceptions, they seem well pleased with their holdings." Inspector Williams reports: "The Merrivale Estate, comprising nearly 10,000 acres, was purchased by the Government in April, 1895. The whole of the open lands had been ploughed and sown in grass by the original holders, so that the present holders of the sections had really no improvements to make beyond fencing their land before they received an actual return off their sections, which was undoubtedly a very great inducement for men of limited means to acquire good land, and, judging by the improvements made by the settlers up to date, the condition of the settlement undoubtedly points to success. A number of dwelling-houses have been erected, and others are in course of construction. The whole of the open land has been fenced, and a number of the bush sections have been fenced also. A blacksmith's shop has been built on the estate, and a school is shortly to be erected near the dairy-factory site. At present there are upwards of 159 people, including children, on the estate, and twelve months ago there was not a dozen. The settlement has been well provided with roads, and the principal rivers and creeks have been bridged, and in course of time a dairy factory will be erected. A number of settlers have done well for the first year. I know of one man supposed to have received £250 clear from sale of grass-seed off 50 acres of land." Timber. —The sawmilling industry has not been pushed on with as much vigour during the year as during the preceding one. The best and most accessible timber having been nearly all cut, sawmillers find it necessary to go back further and further every year. This, of course, means increased haulage and consequent expense. Smaller timber, too, is now taken—timber which millers a few years ago deemed worthless. In many cases areas which were thought to be worked out, and were therefore abandoned, have been recently taken up again, and cut over a second time. During the year 4,348 acres of bush land, held under license by sawmillers, have been surrendered ; eleven new licenses have been granted, seven over bush previously held in reserve, and four over new ground. If things have been quiet in the sawmilling line, the same cannot be said of the hewing and splitting business, no fewer than 170 special licenses having been issued during the year. Of this number, seventy-six were for sleepers, which the license-holders supplied to the Eailway Department. The seventy-six licenses authorised the holders to cut 14,362 sleepers. The other ninety-four licenses issued were mostly to persons who make a business of supplying wood-merchants and householders with firewood, and settlers with fencing material. Very few applications for free permits under section 234 of " The Land Act, 1892," have been received, most of the bush in this district being classed as " State forests." The following is a summary of Crown land surveyed, under survey, open for application before survey, or as pastoral runs : — Southland County — Acres. Surveyed rural lands, mostly second-class, partly open and partly bush-clad, in areas from 20 to 1,500 acres ... ... 68,823 Village-homestead sections, mostly first-class lands, in areas from 1 to 20 acres ... ... ... ... 1,568 Town lands ... ... ... ... ... ... 303 Four small grazing-runs, mostly hilly, and carrying fairly good tussock and other grasses ... ... ... ... 15,400 Unsurveyed lands, now being prepared for settlement, mostly forestcountry, but with fairly good soil ... ... ... 21,000 Carried forward ... ... ... ... 107,094 5—C. 1.

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Acres. Brought forward ... ... ... ... 107,094 Wallace County— Surveyed rural lands, mostly second-class and partly open country, in areas from 50 to 1,900 acres ... ... ... ... 21,496 Village-homestead sections, mostly first-class lands, in areas from 1 to 20 acres ... ... ... ... ... ... 730 Eight pastoral runs, high, rugged, poor country ... ... 120,173 Seven small grazing-runs, mostly hilly, open country, carrying tussock and other grass ... ... ... ... 17,216 Town lands ... ... ... ... ••• ■•• 115 Lake County— Surveyed rural lands, second class, in areas from 80 to 100 acres 1,499 One pastoral run, high broken country ... ... ... 23,930 Fiord County — Eighteen pastoral runs, high, rugged, broken country, principally on West Coast, and in the vicinity of the Sounds ... ... 1,068,200 Stewart Island County — Surveyed rural lands, mostly second-class forest-country ... 2,354 Unsurveyed land, but open for application, mostly second-class forest-country ... ... ... ... ••• 143,950 1,506,757 D. Barron, Commissioner of Crown Lands.

APPENDIX No. 2. -SUEYEYS.

EXTEACTS FBOM BEPOETS OF CHIEF SUEVEYOBS ON THE SUBVEY OPEEATIONS FOE 1896-97.

AUCKLAND. Triangulation. —This has been of a very limited nature, and consists of only 18,000 acres of minor work carried out by Mr. Spencer, as a means of check upon extensive road surveys in the Cape Colville district, and of 200,000 acres done by Mr. L. Cussen in Waikato-Hauraki district. Rural and Suburban. —The total area surveyed both by the staff and contract surveyors is only 80,056 acres, divided into 445 sections, and with a mean cost of l-655., which is higher than last year's average. Of this amount the staff have surveyed 59,544 acres at a mean cost of l-455. per acre, whilst authorised surveyors have surveyed at contract rates 20,512 acres at a mean cost of 2-20s. per acre. Of the total area surveyed by contract surveyors, and paid either by the costs being deposited at schedule rates, or under direct contract at the same rates, the larger portion by far has been surveyed by Mr. O'Neill in the Hohoura-Eangaunu districts in comparatively small areas, so that gum-diggers may be encouraged to become permanent settlers ; by Mr. Jordan, for the Papamoa No. 2 Special Settlement Association ; by Mr. W. Graham and Mr. Drury, of some 33 sections, of 4,382 acres, for the Opuatia Special Settlement, under Part 11. of " The Native Lands Court Act, 1894," averaging 132 acres per section; and by Mr. H. M. Wilson, in the Whangarei district, for settlers who deposited the costs. Town Surveys. —These comprise an area of 302 acres, subdivided into 452 lots, at a mean cost of 18s. per lot, and are principally a survey of the Waihi and Waitekauri mining townships by Messrs. Baber and H. D. M. Haszard, nearly the whole of the work having been done by Mr. Haszard, who had very great difficulties to contend with, owing to the absence of reliable information as to the position of the many business and residence sites which had been granted at so many different periods. Mr. L. Cussen also made a survey of some lots at Coromandel Town to settle disputed titles. Standards for local use have been laid down both at Coromandel and Paeroa. Native Land Court and Native Lands Purchase Surveys. —The total area under this heading by all classes of surveyors is 210,277 acres. This area, however, includes 168,000 acres, checked and revised by Mr. L. Cussen in the Kinohaku and other blocks, and also includes land-purchase surveys made by Messrs. Martin and Spencer, the latter surveying an area of 5,300 acres at Kuaotunu in several different blocks. The return of area surveyed by authorised surveyors is only 35,017 acres, at a mean cost of 7'26d. per acre, and this includes 23,650 acres by Mr. Mitchell at Galatea, the cost of which was advanced by the Land Purchase Department. Gold-mining Surveys. —Last year I pointed out the very great increase in this class of work, but the year passed has seen a larger output, as no less a number than 2,041 separate mining, survey plans have been received for a total area of 167,352 acres, contributed by forty-eight surveyors, and with a total cost, as shown by the vouchers lodged for approval, of £46,739 Bs. 9d., or a mean cost per acre of 5-58s. The additional 5,900 acres returned by the staff are practically resurveys of eighty-six sections by Messrs. Cussen and Haszard for inspection purposes only. Last

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year I gave 1,054 plans as received for that year. These, added to the 2,041 received for this year, make a total of gold-mining plans received and recorded for the two years of 3,095 plans, having a total area of 236,722 acres. For the first nine months of the year the pressure from the Warden and from the mining public was very great, but the office has been able to deal effectively with such extraordinary calls upon its energies. There is still a large number of plans on hand awaiting examination and record (nearly four hundred), and a large number of authorities for new surveys still outstanding; but I believe a very large number of them will be withdrawn, owing to the subsidence of a good deal of wild speculation, and the likelihood of the mining industry settling down into a practical winning of the ore from the ground. Surveys under " The Mining District Land Occupation Act, 1894." —These have been very few, only some seven sections, of a total area of 379 acres, costing £68 ss. 6d. Road Surveys. —The staff have graded and surveyed 136 miles, all in rough broken country, at a cost of nearly £12 per mile. Detention and Other Work. —The cost of detention is that incurred by Mr. Baber whilst endeavouring to survey roads at Whakarewarewa and Waiotapu, resulting in a Court case, which the department lost on technical grounds. The amount of £533 10s. BeL, under the heading of " Other work," includes cost of attending Native Land Court at Whangarei by Mr. Martin, during the subdivision of the Whatitiri Block, at the Judge's request; miscellaneous mining services for Warden by Mr. Haszard ; supervision of road-works and engineering surveys by Mr. A. H. Vickerman ; reports on kauri-forests ; and inspection of roads and other services by Mr. J. B. Thomson. Works in Progress. —These consist of triangulation from Cape Colville to Te Aroha, being a partial revision of the existing disjoined series of minor triangulation, and the carrying over the whole district a set of triangles with an average of ten-mile sides, most of the stations being either new ones or requiring re-erection and additional clearing. This is being carried out by Mr. Cussen himself, with the assistance of Mr. Spencer in erecting the new stations. The staff have some 107,076 acres of rural-section work in hand in various districts for settlement purposes, including some 8,000 acres of land acquired in the Okauia Block, near Matamata, under the Land for Settlements Acts. The staff have also actually in hand some eighty-nine miles and a half of road surveys, with another hundred miles which ought to be in hand shortly. Gebhaed Muelleb, Chief Surveyor.

HAWKE'S BAY. Topographical Survey for Selection.—The only survey of this class made during the year comprised an area of 25,000 acres of the Motu Block, which was surveyed by Mr. J. Stevenson, at a cost of l-2d. per acre. It is broken forest-country, since thrown open for selection and a portion of it taken up. Rural and Suburban. —The area surveyed this year was 4,708 acres, the cost being Is. 9d. per acre. These surveys are scattered over the district: 2,096 acres surveyed by Mr. Hay being portions of the Elsthorpe and Waikopiro Settlements; 712 acres surveyed by Mr. Boddick being subdivisional survey of the Waimarie and Pouparae Settlements, which are cut up into twentyseven sections for selection; 700 acres surveyed by Mr. Mouat at Nuhaka; and one section of 1,200 acres surveyed by Mr. J. Stevenson in the Motu Block. The Waikopiro, Nuhaka, and Motu Blocks are broken forest-country, the remainder being open. Town Section Surveys. —Only two surveys of this class have been executed, both done by Mr. Boddick, one being the survey of a village in the Elsthorpe Estate of 28 acres, which was subdivided into twenty-two allotments at a cost of £1 2s. Id. per acre (or £1 9s. lid. per allotment). It was necessary to survey Block XV., Buckley Township, at Tolago Bay, before sale, the old pegs having decayed or been removed, the 5 acres being pegged out into quarter-acre allotments at a cost of ss. 9-J-d. per allotment. Native Land Court Surveys. —Very little has been done during the year under this heading, only 37,251 acres having been survey3d, at a cost of l'9ld. per acre. Of this area Mr. Boddick has surveyed 37,207 acres, at a cost of l-85d. per acre, the others being small surveys. In Mr. Boddick's survey is included Te Kumi subdivisions (29,940 acres) and Baparapariki subdivision (820 acres), both of which are situated in broken forest-country, Te Kumi being difficult of access. The cost— viz., l'Bsd. per acre—is very reasonable, and creditable to the officer who made the surveys. Road Surveys. —Total roads surveyed during the year was 36 miles 50 chains, the cost being £176 per mile. This cost is above the average, and is owing to the high cost of some of Mr. Hay's work, seven miles and a half of which cost £36-13 per mile, due to loss of time on account of his being on several occasions taken off his road surveys to do other pressing work, and also to the very wet weather during the last month he was engaged thereon, through which very little surveying could be done. The other road surveys are not above the average, the 14-J miles surveyed in open country by Mr. Mouat costing £11 Is. lOd. per mile, and the 14 miles 50 chains surveyed by Mr. Eoddick in forest, £14 10s. per mile. Other work under this heading, but which cannot be returned owing to the plans not being completed, is Mr. Mouat's survey of the Gisborne-Eotorua Boad. The country between Mr. Newton's, Hangaroa Boad, and the Aniwaniwa Saddle, near Waikare-moana, has been explored, and a road-line located and graded throughout, the distance being thirty-five miles. Of this, a magnetic traverse and engineering survey has been made of fifteen miles, leaving about twenty-five miles yet to survey to complete its junction with the Botorua-Galatea-Waikare-moana Boad. Moving camp, &c, on this survey was difficult owing to there being no roads through the country, hence about twenty-one miles of horse-track had to be cut to enable communication to be kept up, which will add to the cost of the work; the total cost on this account to the end of March being £413 ss. 2d., which will be carried forward to next year.

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There is a class of road-work for which we get little credit, and that is the engineering surveys necessary to arrive at quantities, &c, on the co-operative works. Mr. H. M. Smith has done the necessary engineering on the Waikare-moana works, and the District Surveyor those at Poverty Bay, and other officers have been engaged taking cross-sections, computing quantities, preparing drawings, specifications, &c. Other Work. —Under this heading I have included all works of a miscellaneous nature which cannot be brought under the classes given in schedule. The total is £983 13s. lOd. Of this amount, £804 16s. lid. will be carried forward to next year, being the cost of surveys in hand the field-work of which is partly completed, but not mapped, and therefore cannot be returned. Field inspections, surveying bush felled on improved-farm settlements, and various inspections which were necessary to be made are also included. Field Inspections. —Seventeen field-checks have been made of Native Land Court and Land Transfer surveys. lam glad to be able to report that generally the work is satisfactory, but regret to say that there has also been some very incorrect work sent in, particulars of which have been reported on. Proposed Operations, 1897-98. —We have every prospect of a busy year, the Native Land Court having awarded to the Crown some large areas, which have to be cut out, roaded, and sectionised for settlement, the principal being Tahora No. 2 Block, 121,694 acres; Tiratu, 918 acres; Nga-paeruru, 33,900 acres; Waikopiro, 1,696 acres; and Tamaki Block, 34,100 acres: total, 192,308 acres. Of these, I propose that Mr. Eoddick shall complete the survey of Tahora No. 2, Mr. Hay shall survey Tiratu, Nga-naeruru, and Waikopiro, and Mr. Carroll should complete the survey of the Tamaki Block, which he has now in hand; the Government portion of it has to be roaded and sectionised on the completion of his subdivisional survey. The roading to open up these blocks and to put them in connection with the existing roads will be a work of some magnitude. Of the road surveys at present in hand, Mr. Mouat has twenty-five miles engineering survey of the Gisborne-Botorua Eoad to complete. Mr. Stevenson has explored the road from Norsewood to Te Apiti, distance about twenty miles, and has now to make the engineering survey. He has also to survey and subdivide for settlement 600 acres of Crown land situated on the said road. Mr. Llewellyn Smith is instructed to make a reconnaissance of the country between Ngatapa and Bua-tahuna, with a view of getting a stock-road from Poverty Bay to Botorua vid that route. We have also to make an engineering survey of the Waikare-moana Boad, which at present is only surveyed two miles beyond the termination of the construction now being carried out by cooperative labourers. There will also probably be some estates acquired under the Land for Settlements Acts which will require roading, &c, before selection. If all the works I have mentioned require to be carried out, an increase in the present field staff will be necessary to enable me to overtake the work. Office Work. —Office work in all its branches shows a large increase on last year; and extra work has also been thrown on the office this year in preparing plans required under the Government Valuation of Land Act of last year, and the demand has only been met by the employment of extra draughtsmen. Ebic C. Gold-Smith, Chief Surveyor.

TABANAKI. Major Triangulation. —An area of 750,000 acres has been completed by Mr. Skeet, at a total cost of £781 18s. 6d. or an average of Jd. per acre, giving a good connection with the Wellington system of triangulation, and bringing the minor triangulation in the south-eastern portion of this district into harmony with the northern. So far the differences in polygons vary from o'o3 link to o'6 link per mile. Bunning between the Waitara and Hawera base-lines, and as shown by new work, the difference works out 055 per mile. Taking the means, and working the triangles eastward, the closures against Wellington are l - 9 link and l - 8 link per mile less ; while by another series of Wellington triangles (evidently derived from a different base) the difference is l - 5 link per mile more. This work will be of great utility in future connections, and will furnish reliable data for checking inaccuracies in the smaller triangles near the Wanganui Biver. The further extension of this work is referred to in "Work for ensuing year." The past season was not a favourable one for trig, sights, although in several instances while waiting for clear weather Mr. Skeet was able to take up other work adjoining. Minor Triangulation (without Topography). —The total area scheduled under this heading comprises 68,215 acres ; total cost, £391 17s. Id., or an average of per acre. This includes work completed in the field last year but then unplotted, and consists mostly of breaking down from larger triangles, and is necessary for controlling current sectional work. Rural and Suburban Section Surveys. —ln this class of work 47,698 acres have been laid out in 181 sections, at a total cost of £5,537 9s. 2d., during the year, or at an average of 2s. 3 x B od. per acre, all being in heavy bush : a further area of 29,449 acres being well in hand ; indeed, 5,000 acres of it is completed in field, but plans are yet unfinished. The recurrence of another wet season has prevented the completion of a considerably larger area. With one exception, the average cost per acre is very satisfactory, considering the difficulty of access and cost of provisions. The cost of this work includes the grading and surveying of eighty-nine miles of roads, with attendant triallines necessary in broken bush-country. lam pleased to note that, among other improvements, the new issue of " Survey Begulations " gives a greater degree of latitude to the surveyor in pegging sides of roads in this class of country. Road and Railway Surveys. —The thirty-nine miles of roads scheduled as completed, at a total cost of £503 15s. Bd., or mean of £12 18s. 4d. per mile, consists in surveys of deviations of the

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Tongaporutu-Mokau Boad through several Native blocks and private lands for nearly half the total length shown. The different surveys were widely separated, and, with the exception of Tongapo-rutu-Mokau Boad (which is partly open, scrub, and light bush), were through heavy bush-country, the cost in one instance being greatly enhanced by the length of necessary connections. Other Work. —ln addition to field inspections made by myself throughout the district, Mr. District Surveyor Skeet made others in the Bata-tomokia, Taumata-mahoe, and Pukengahu Blocks; while Mr. W. H. Skinner investigated on the ground a number of Land Transfer surveys in the south-western portion of district, among them being the apparently-interminable Taumaha and Hursthouse Eoad disputes, which have assumed a magnitude out of all proportion to the value of lands in question. As you are aware, these surveys were originally done (and apparently well done) many years ago under circumstances of great personal risk to the surveyors engaged thereon, through Native hostility. Through lapse of time, clearing, &c, many—indeed, most—of the original pegs and marks have disappeared, and can only be replaced as nearly as possible by reference and connection to such undoubted marks and points as still exist in the neighbourhood. This we have done at considerable expense, but up to the present moment have been unable to come to a final settlement with the other parties interested. Under above heading is also included the cost of measuring up the areas of bush felled in the Whanga-momona Improved - farm Settlement, total area being 2,310 acres, on 118 different sections, at a mean cost of 9d. per acre; the redefinition of six miles and three-quarters of old railway survey-lines in the Taumata-mahoe Block; the exploration of the Whanga-momona Eiver from Ohura Eoad to its junction with the Wanganui Biver, and the cutting of twenty-two miles of walking-tracks in the same valley, and cost of preliminary report on suitability of block for settlement ; the renewing of sundry trig, stations and searching for others reported to be lost; the periodical soundings and survey of the harbour at Moturoa; fixing a few standard points of reference; cost of short deviation survey of Maude Boad ; redefinition of lost points in roads; inspection and preliminary survey of road through Native lands, Stony Biver, also picking-up of old marks outside of blocks under survey and one survey for Criminal Court purposes; cost of defining disputed town-section boundaries (Land Transfer), and cutting back lines not formerly cut in old surveys; a pilot-station reserve and proposed site for wharf were laid off on Native lands on south side of Mokau Biver, some slight opposition being shown to latter, as also to a similar one on north side of same river, near Mokau Township. A small survey of road deviation and encroachment was also made in the Awakino, District of Auckland. Field-work in Progress. —Mr. Skeet has yet in hand 150,000 acres of major triangulation in order to secure a thorough and complete connection with the northern work; this, with the supplementary series of triangles referred to around Mount Egmont in last year's report, would finally complete this class of work. Of minor triangulation, forty-four square miles for checking and connection purposes are also in hand, by seven of the other surveyors. Bural and suburban section surveys in hand total 81,000 acres, of which, as before noted, 25,000 acres is well in hand. Eailway surveys for land plans through Native blocks at south end of Stratford-Ongaruhe line are now in progress for some sixteen miles. Boad surveys through parts of Native Blocks Tutae-ariari, Toko, and Matemate-a-onga, before the right to take the roads expires, are also now in progress, and are necessary to give access to the back country. The early and desirable acquisition of further lands from the Natives in north-eastern portion of district will considerably increase section survey work. Proposed Course of Work for Ensuing Year. —The value of unfinished work on the 31st March, 1896, amounted to £3,807 7s. 4d. This, with exception of £799 6s. for survey of Kai-tangi-whenua Block, now in hand, has all been absorbed in the completed work now scheduled. The value of incomplete work now in progress, including the £799 6s. above referred to, and to be carried forward to next year, is £2,823 12s. 9d. This is for trig, work, section and road surveys in hand, and wholly or partly finished in the field. I do not propose this year to call in the field staff (during those months which have always been estimated to be " winter " months) to do their plotting at the District Office, as I have not found it satisfactory. During the past two years the months of June, July, and August have not been so wet as the later months, which during that time have proved phenomenally wet and unsuitable for outdoor survey-work, and I anticipate the proposed change will result in a substantial increase of work done at the end of next year. The various surveyors will complete the triangulation, section, and road surveys now in hand, and then continue such further settlement and township work as may be most urgently wanted. Office Work. —This shows no decrease as compared with last year, but rather the contrary. The preparation of maps and schedules required under the new Valuation of Lands Act has necessitated the putting-aside of all but the most pressing of the ordinary current work, to enable the staff to cope with the sudden call for these maps, &c. It was found that many of our office plans were far in arrear concerning subdivisions, &c. ; this, and the total want of county maps and proper Land Transfer record maps, has considerably enhanced the cost of production as well as retarded the progress. I trust the Valuation Department will be satisfied with the plans now prepared, every effort having been used in order to make them as complete and correct as possible. So far, 80 large mounted tracings of survey districts, towns, town districts, boroughs, &c, 70 small mounted tracings detailing subdivisions, and 101 mounted lithos., or a total of 251 plans, have been prepared, marked up with subdivisions, coloured in tenures with indices, and labels, &c. The bulk of sectionsheets have been examined, checked, and revised, the final revision up to 31st March and passing only being now on hand. These plans and section-lists comprise forty-five local districts. Proposed Office Work. —To complete the strong-room records and indices, compile a two-mile index plan of trig, work, draw plans for photo.-lithographing on 20- and 80-chain scales, complete

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Crown grant record maps, commence and continue on Land Transfer record maps, and also, if possible, with county maps, to continue compilation of and bring up to date existing block maps, are but an indication of a few of the larger and more urgently pressing of our necessities beyond the ordinary routine work of the office. Our draughting staff is but scant in view of work on hand. Points of Interest evolved in Field-work. —In Mr. Sladden's survey of the Taumata-mahoe Block, along the Tanga-rakau and Kohuratahi Streams, several picturesque spots were discovered, the two most notable being the "Falls on the Kohuratahi Stream," and a big "Snag Block" on the Tanga-rakau Stream at Patiki-tuna. Mr. Sladden took several photographs, and possibly you may deem some of these worthy of a place in the departmental annual report. John Stbauchon, Chief Surveyor.

WELLINGTON. Minor Triangulation and Topography. —Mr. H. J. Lowe was the only officer employed on this class of work. The large areas (451,000 acres and 300,000 acres respectively) he returned were commenced in 1894. His triangulation embraced the Upper Pohangina, Oroua, and Bangitikei districts, and the Inland Patea country, and emanated from the side AD, north of Mr. Alexander Dundas's Ohingaiti verification base, which was an extension of the original provincial Bangitikei triangulation. Mr. Lowe carried his series northward to a close upon the southern limits of the triangulation executed in the year 1871, and which was extended from the Hawke's Bay base across the Euahine Eanges to the flanks of Euapehu. On the eastward, Mr. Lowe's stations topped the Euahine Eanges; on the southward closures were obtained with Mr. Alex. Dundas's South Pohangina work; and on the westward, junctions were effected with triangulations executed in former years by Messrs. J. A. Thorpe, John Annabell, and A. D. Wilson. The results are shown in the following table : — Teiangulation Closuees. Comparison with Mr. S. Percy Smith's Inland Patea Series. O I tl IX. to X., Mr. Lowe = —20-2 in 444 chains = 36 per mile and bearings =+00 22 X. „ XII., „ = -19-7 „ 533 „ =3-0 „ =+0 016 XII. „ XIV., „ = -21-9 „ 533 „ =3-3 „ =+0 029 XIV. „ XVI., „ = -15-2 „ 369 „ = 3-3 „ =+0 026 Mean links, 3-3 Mean, 0 0 23 Mr. Lowe extended twenty-four miles from Ohingaiti and fifty-six miles from Bangitikei base, and closed upon Mr. Smith's Napier work forty miles from Napier base: total distance, ninety-six miles. Comparison with Mr. Dundas's Pohangina Triangulation. O I tl S to CC, Mr. Lowe = —3-4 in 335 chains = oB per mile and bearings = +0 0 42 CC „ A, „ = -5-1 „ 302 „ = 1-3 „ =+0 038 A „ Z, „ = -4-7 „ 313 „ = 1-2 „ =+0 043 S „ Z, „ = -6-0 „ 457 „ = 1-0 „ =+0 042 Mean links, 1-075 Mean, 0 0 40 Pt. Pt. Pt. E height, Mr. Lowe, 2,068 ... Pohangina trig., 2,078 ... Difference, 10 S „ „ 2,013 ... „ 2,038 ... „ 25 Mean difference, Mr. Lowe swept round from Ohingaiti base a distance of fifteen miles, and joined Mr. Dundas's work brought via Wharite Major trig., thirty-four miles : a total circuit of eighty miles. Comparison with Mr. J. A. Thorpe's Tiriraukawa Triangulation. T to F2, Mr. Lowe = -11-1 in 375 chains = 2-3 per mile and bearing = -0° 0' 04" Pt. Pt. Ft. E2 height, Mr. Lowe, 2,440 ... Original trig., 2,452 ... Difference, 12 F2 „ „ 2,122 ... „ 2,137 ... „ 15 T „ „ 2,056 ... „ 2,066 ... „ 10 Q „ „ 2,462 ... „ 2,466 ... „ 4 Mean difference, 10 Mr Thorpe's work extended from Messrs. Field and Annabell's, from Waipakura base, distance thirty-three miles. Mr. Lowe joined here, fifteen miles from Ohingaiti. Total distance between the main bases, eighty miles. Comparison with Messrs. Wilson and Annabell's Triangulation. XVI. to E2, Mr. Lowe = -1-0 in 700 chains = 0-1 per mile. Messrs. Wilson and Annabell's work was brought from Wanganui base, forty miles. Mr. Lowe carried his triangulation a distance of nineteen miles from Ohingaiti base. Total distance between the Bangitikei and Waipakura bases, ninety-one miles.

Falls on Kohuratahi Stream, Taranaki.

Putikituna Stream, Taranaki.

Waikaremoana —The Wairau Arm, looking north-east from Wai-o-paoa. From Sketch by S. Percy Smith.

Waikaremoana.-Looking north-east from Te Ure-o-patea Island.

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The differences in the computed lengths on the coterminous sides of the Inland Patea triangulation are consistent but large—3-3 per mile—and are probably due in a great measure to difference of standards used at the bases. The discrepancies in bearings, 23"—or 37", allowing for spherical excess—are slight, and very satisfactory when it is considered that the origins of the twc triangulations are about a hundred miles apart and the connecting series is the resultant of several surveyors' operations during the past thirty-two years. The close back on Mr. Alex. Dundas's Pohangina triangulation completed a circuit of eighty miles, of which the Bangitikei base is the key-point. Several surveyors took part in the work, and some as far back as the sixties. The differences of 1-075 link per mile in distance and 40" (48" corrected for spherical excess) in bearing cannot be considered excessive. The altitudes should have shown a closer agreement. The junction with Mr. Thorpe's triangulation closed the circuit of eighty miles between the Waipakura and the Bangitikei base to 4" (7" corrected for spherical excess), and is excellent; but the discrepancy in distance of 2-3 links per mile cannot be general, because Messrs. John Annabell and A. D. Wilson's adjacent triangulations, part of the Wanganui series, close with Mr. Lowe's to 0-1 link per mile. All the elements of Mr. Lowe's work are not yet available. As soon as they are I propose to fully investigate the results, and to submit for your consideration full particulars of the comparison with Mr. Cussen's Auckland triangulations also. It will be interesting to see how the geodesical elements accord. Mr. Lowe also revised 78,300 acres of the Awarua triangulation, at a cost of £130. This will necessitate an adjustment of the co-ordinates used by Messrs. Biggs, McKay, Boach, and others on their extensive sectional and Native Land Court surveys in Awarua Block. The country included within this triangulation comprised numerous flat-topped forest- and scrub-clad hills, impassable gorges, and formidable rivers, and many parts are remote and inaccessible. Several weeks were lost owing to prevailing fogs and the dense smoke from bush-fires, all of which are inimical to economical work. The cost, l-17d. per acre, appears reasonable. Topographical Survey of Land to be opened for Selection.—Mr. A. A. Seaton surveyed and mapped 21,262 acres, being part of the Waimarino Block, lying north-westward of the Marton Nos. 3 and 4 Farm-homestead Blocks, in order that the area might be opened for selection as " unsurveyed land " under the Land Act. There was no other survey of this class. Rural and Suburban Surveys.—ol the 94,623 acres returned, about one-third of the area is made up of Mr. Dalziell's Betaruke and Kirikau small grazing-runs survey; but much of the work consists of compass traverses, and no roads were laid off. Mr. C. A. Mountfort's quota is 11,551 acres in the Marton No. 3 Farm-homestead Settlement, Waimarino Block; Messrs. McKay, Biggs, and Morice contribute about 44,000 acres in the Awarua Block. The traverse closures, as per schedule below, from ten surveyors, show an average closure per mile of 1-55 links on meridian and 1-33 links on perpendicular, the maximum being 2 on meridian and 2-59 on perpendicular, with a minimum of 0-85 on meridian and 0-51 on perpendicular. This comprised traverse-work in all classes of country and under varied conditions, and may be considered satisfactory and as showing that the surveys have been carefully executed.

Schedule. —Traverse Closuers for the Year ending 31st March, 1897.

Town Section Surveys.—The bulk of the areas under this heading are Mr. Morice s Pipmki and Mr Biggs's Toka-anu Township, both upon Maori lands which are to be disposed of by lease m terms of " The Native Townships Act, 1895," which provides that the Governor may set apart nortions of Native land as sites for townships, which are to be surveyed in an approved manner, reserves being made for all public purposes, and also to include burial-grounds, whores, and other buildings- the unoccupied available area is then to be disposed of by public auction or tender for lease for'terms not exceeding twenty-one years. The proceeds, less costs of survey roading, administration, &c, are to be divided amongst the Native owners m proportion to their interests as defined by the Native Land Court. The Surveyor-General is intrusted with the negotiations and conclusion of the necessary arrangements.

Total Diffi olos erences in ling. Mean D: per! ifferences Mile. Name of Surveyor. Total Length of Traverses. Mer. Perp. Mer. Perp. J. D. Climie F. A. Thompson P. A. Dalziell J. McKay J. G. Littlejohn H. J. Lewis P. E. Earle H. Maitland J. M. Morice H.I. Biggs 4-03 4735 40-00 31-62 16-51 20-14 15-50 15-00 21-15 56-84 5-6 92-3 54-6 31-9 28-1 37-4 31-0 12-8 27-5 94-8 7-9 82-7 43-0 16-7 29-8 28-8 40-1 7-6 18-9 81-2 1-39 1-95 1-37 1-01 1-70 1-85 2-00 0-85 1-30 1-67 1-96 1-75 1-07 0-53 1-80 1-43 2-59 0-51 0-90 1-43 Totals and averages 268-14 4160 356-7 1-55 1-33* * = 2-04 lineal,

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The balance of the area under this heading is made up of the Townships of Wharangi, 20 acres ; Torere, 105 acres; Pongaroa, 21 acres ; and.Ohakune, 3J acres. Native Land Court Surveys. —The staff undertook but little of this class of work, but Mr. McKay defined the Awarua 3b No. 2 Block, of 2,864 acres. Nearly the whole of the balance is comprised in Messrs. Bichardson and Beardon's surveys on both sides of the Wanganui Biver — about 35,000 acres. In addition to the above, the plans of 261,033 acres were received from private surveyors, and represented surveys of new blocks or subdivision areas defined for the purposes of the Native Land Court. The principal blocks so surveyed are Owhaoko, OruamatuaKaimanawa, and Nga-Waka-a-Kupe. Boads.- —The surveys scheduled were chiefly of roads in use in the Wairarapa and Bangitikei districts —the Toka-anu, Wai-o-uru, and the Waimarino-Ohakune-Wai-o-uru Boads, which it had been decided to take and legalise as public roads in terms of section 100 of " The Public Works Act, 1894." Other Work. —The principal items in this class are : (1) Mr. L. Smith's services as Inspector and valuator; (2) Mr. J. D. Chime's standard surveys of Fending, and the establishment of 5 chain standards at Wanganui, Marton, and Feilding; (3) Mr. Lewis's Wanganui Biver survey; and (4) Bangers' duties performed by staff surveyors. Inspections. —Mr. L. Smith reports having made twenty-five inspections of the surveys of sixteen private surveyors. In some cases the work was excellent; with others, however, defective more or less seriously, and somewhat of the following nature, viz.: The work of three surveyors was bad, and carelessly done; whilst in other cases it was found that pegs had not been inserted ; lines were shown as cut and pegged on the maps, but not actually done on the ground; work altered on maps but not rectified on the ground. There were cases, also, of lines badly cut, and occasional mistakes in bearings and distances, &c. The Inspector's lists and report show the necessity for continued attention to this important duty. Mr. J. D. Climie, who succeeds Mr. L. Smith, is now actually engaged checking fieldwork, and has instructions to visit all staff and private surveyors. I also visited the following surveyors, and conferred with them as to their past and future operations : Mr. Littlejohn, at Aohanga; Mr. Morice, at Mangaweka and Kawatau ; Mr. Maitland, at Otaihape ; Mr. Biggs, on Awarua, between the Bangitikei and Moawhango; Mr. McKay, on his Bangiwaea Block, at the head of the Turakina; and Mr. Dalziell, on his Kaitieke Block, Waimarino. I also, met Messrs. Lewis and Thompson. I travelled over three thousand miles in sixty-two days in the Wellington District, principally in the back country, since I took charge last November. Captain Turner, Boad Surveyor, showed me over the whole of the roads under his charge. Land-valuation Maps. —This work consisted of the preparation of maps and section-lists upon which are to be based the valuations made under " The Valuation of Land Act, 1896," on which it was necessary to show all subdivisions of land down to the most minute, and the tenures under which they were held. The original maps of the Tax Department were sent to be revised, corrected, supplemented, and replaced where necessary, the searching of private subdivisions by officers of the District Land Begistry Office being limited to the period from July, 1891, to date, in order to save expense. The work is intended to be more thorough and complete than previous revisions, and is so ; but, as the errors prior to 1891 are incorporated, the result is an attempt to put a good superstructure on a defective foundation. Three extra draughtsmen have been employed solely in making enlarged tracings required by the extension of settlement and subdivision of private and Native lands; three more at the preparation of the primary index or key-maps, a work which requires knowledge of the survey system; two, and latterly three, clerks at the preparation of section-lists; and, for different periods of time, fourteen of the office staff have been employed at night-time, principally upon the key-maps. The compilation of county and district maps is very much in. arrear, but when the present pressure, due to the preparation of returns, land-valuation maps, and other work, is disposed of, and the vacancies in the office staff filled up, good headway should be made with the ordinary but very necessary current work. Land Transfer Surveys. —The work is well up to date, except seven hundred certificates issuing on warrant, which have to be prepared by an officer specially appointed and employed by the District Land Begistrar, and for which work the Survey Department is not responsible. During the year six Land Transfer survey inspections were made. Native Land Court Surveys. —Of the 103,000 acres on hand, over 96,000 acres comprise the Native orders in Awarua Block, which it is proposed, with your approval, to allot to Messrs. Morice, Biggs, and Mountfort. Boad Surveys. —The 141 miles are chiefly roads in use in settled districts, and roads to provide access through Native to Crown lands blocks. It is proposed to allot this work to the staff surveyors, as may be found convenient. Township Surveys. —The only area actually in hand is that of Otaihape. There is a considerable amount of miscellaneous survey-work which also will generally have to be effected by the staff, and in some cases by contract. Staff. —Mr. Llewellyn Smith, the Inspecting Surveyor, after serving twenty-six years in the Wellington District, was promoted to the charge of the Poverty Bay District on the Ist April, 1897. Mr. Smith has left a record in this district of his capabilities in the art of surveying, and, by his example, zeal, and devotion to duty, and kindliness of character, he was most deservedly respected and highly regarded. Proposals for 1897-98. —The current year opened with the following work on hand : 750 square miles of triangulation, about 210,000 acres settlement survey, about 103,000 acres Native Land Court survey, about 141 miles of road survey, and about 331 acres of township survey. It is proposed that Mr. H. J. Lowe continue the triangulation of Murimutu-Taupo districts, closing on to Mr. Cussen's work, and measuring a base of verification, and that the settlement

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surveys be allotted as under : Mr. Dalziell to survey Kaitieke Block, 46,550 acres ; Mr. McKay to survey Eangiwaea Block, 11,236 acres; Mr. Lewis to survey Tauakira Block, 26,650 acres; Mr. Thompson to survey Euahine Bange Block, 9,000 acres; Messrs. Mountfort, Biggs, Morice, and Maitland to survey portions of the Awarua Block, 29,685 acres; Mr. Littlejohn (mapping), to survey Mount Cerberus, 5,300 acres; Mr. Earle to survey Awhea and Makara Blocks, 22,500 acres ; and Mr. J. B. Annabell (by contract) to survey Mangapapa No. lc, 2a, 5,781 acres. Mapping. —Should opportunity offer it is proposed to construct survey district maps on the 40-chains-to-the-inch scale, and standard county maps on the mile-to-the-inch scale; to complete the whole of the Crown grant record-maps, to show every freehold and other title. During the preparation of the plans for the revaluation contemplated by the Valuer-General the urgent need of the aforesaid maps has been demonstrated. The publication of maps of the whole of the Wellington District on the mile-to-the-inch scale is still very backward. There are altogether eighty-eight survey districts, and of these only fourteen—viz., Puketoi, Mount Cerberus, Tararua, Wairoa, Omahine, Kopuaranga, Mangaone, Momahaki, Nokumaru, Waipakura, Westmere, Ikitara, Makuri, and Mangahao—have been published or are in your hands for publication. I know of no more useful, popular, or creditable work that could be undertaken. It would probably employ six draughtsmen a year to make the necessary reductions and compilations to complete this much-desired task. The cost would be about £1,080. J. W. A. Mabchant, Chief Surveyor.

NELSON. Permit me, at the outset, to refer to the difficulty I have experienced in making a report on matters that, owing to my recent arrival in the district, I have had no personal acquaintance with. Added to this, I have been deprived of the valuable assistance through illness of the Chief Draughtsman, in whom all the knowledge appears to have centred; consequently, I trust you will excuse what may possibly be considered a somewhat meagre report. Triangulation. —Only 11,000 acres was executed, and this was done for the purpose of connecting a number of mining surveys in the Beefton District. Settlement. —28,161 acres, in eighty sections, was surveyed by the staff, at an average rate of slightly under Is. an acre About half of it was in open country ; the remainder isolated sections scattered about the district. The surveys were principally at Waiau and the northern part of the district, and for obvious reasons none were needed on the coast south of Westport, as there is no land available for settlement in that locality. Mining. —Forty-eight claims have been surveyed by the staff, and 229 by contract surveyors, the bulk of them being at the new finds at Mount Arthur, Mokihinui, and the Victoria and Paparoa Eanges, in the Eeefton District. The office work in connection with these surveys has thrown much work on the staff, and, owing to the mining boom in the vicinity of Eeefton, the District Surveyor was required to be in close attendance at the office there, preventing him following his usual field duties. The surveys of a large number of claims are now in progress, mainly by contract surveyors; but there appears to be a falling-off in the applications, which will opportunity of working off the arrears in this class of work. Roads. —Thirty-eight miles of road have been surveyed, at an average cost of £11 16s. per mile; about eight miles was in rough forest-country, the remainder in open, or partly so. Office Work. —The time of two draughtsmen has been almost entirely taken up in compiling and drawing district maps for photo-lithography, and it is hoped that by the end of this year the settled part of the district on the mile-to-the-inch scale will be lithographed. Seventeen deposited maps under the Land Transfer Act have been examined and passed, eighty-nine other instruments passed, and 2,350 diagrams drawn on Crown grants, certificates of title, leases, &c, by the office staff. It is almost needless to say that the large undertaking of the preparation of maps and schedules for the Tax Department for valuation purposes has seriously retarded the regular work of the office, and thrown it very much into arrear. Future Operations. —The amount of work actually in the hands of the staff surveyors is fifty miles of triangulation, 5,510 acres of rural settlement, 28 acres town, twenty-four miles of road, and four mining claims, of 215 acres. The contract surveyors have on hand the survey of sixty-two mining claims, covering 5,420 acres. In addition to the above there requires to be done about seventy square miles of triangulation, covering the country between Mount Arthur and the Aorere Eiver, and an extension of the triangulation from Beefton to Maruia. This will be taken in hand should the opportunity arise, as the topography of these portions of the district is much needed, for prospecting is going on over parts of it with varying success, and the department may be called upon, at short notice, to provide fixed points for mining surveys. There will be the settlement selections during the year to survey, for the applications will be for "unsurveyed lands," and also the usual amount of mining claims. A certain amount of road survey will be required for taking roads under Public Works Act, or resumption, as holdings without legal roads are numerous in this district, and applications for proper access are many. During the first six months of the year the time of the District Surveyor at Westport was chiefly taken up in superintending the repairs to the Belgrove-Beefton-Westport Boad, as almost constant attention to it was imperative, in consequence of the extensive damage done by the floods during the early part of the year. lam glad to say that he has been relieved of this duty, and able to resume his usual fieldwork, which had in the meantime fallen greatly into arrear. Thomas Humpheies, Chief Surveyor, 6—C. 1.

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MAELBOEOUGH. Minor Triangulation. —There is only one entry under this heading in the return—viz., 71,192 acres, by Mr. F. Stephenson Smith, in the Acheron, Greenburn, and Mount Fyffe Survey Districts, as this is the only triangulation effected during the past season of which the maps have been completed and sent in. Mr. Carkeek has completed the fieldwork of 150,000 acres of triangulation and topography, but as the plans are not finished it cannot appear in this return. Mr. Buckeridge, also, has completed the fieldwork of about 160,000 acres of triangulation and topography, but it is not yet mapped. Mr. McFarland, also, has about 10,000 acres of triangulation and topography completed in the field, with 10,000 acres more on hand : plans not ready. Topographical Survey. —There is no entry under this heading, although a large amount of work has been done in the field. Mr. Gillies has done 100 miles of fence and river traverse in conjunction with Mr. Carkeek's triangulation. Mr. Hughes, also, has traversed 145 miles of rivers, fences, &c, including the erection of sub-trigs, and topography; but the plans of all the above are still unfinished. Rural and Suburban. —29,ll4 acres have been laid off into ninety-eight sections, which give an average of 297 acres each. The cost varies from 7d. to Is. 6d. per acre, the average being Is. 2d. per acre, which I think is very moderate, considering that the land, almost without exception, is rough and precipitous, and for the most part covered with bush. Town Section Survey. —Only seven sections were laid off this season (at Kaikoura). Native Land Court Survey. — Fifty-eight sections, comprising a total of 8,424 acres, have been laid off, at an average cost of Is. sd. per acre, which is a low cost, considering the nature of the ground, which is rough and mostly bush. Gold-mining Survey. —Only ten sections, comprising an area of 205 acres, were surveyed this season. The cost per acre was 155.; but the areas were small and isolated. Two of these were dredging claims, each extending for a mile along the banks of the Wakamarina, through bush. Roads, Railways, and Water-races. —ln this column I have entered some works which cannot be termed either roads, railways, or water-races, but, as the cost has been reckoned as so much per mile I thought it was the most appropriate column in which to place them. The entries, in order, are as follow : E. W. Buckeridge, 9f miles traverse of Clarence Biver, with levels and crosssections; A. Simpson, 2f miles of road survey; C. W. McFarland, 3 miles of road survey; and E. J. Johnston, 32 miles of road survey. Traverse Closures. —Mr. T. W. Hughes is the only surveyor who has sent in a table of closures. He has traversed eighty miles, in which distance there were thirty-eight closures, and the average rate of error per mile was 0-97 link on meridian and 1-5 on perpendicular. Taking these numbers as the two sides of a right-angled triangle, the hypothenuse gives the general lineal error as a trifle under 1-9 links per mile, which is very creditable, considering the nature of the country. Field Inspections. —As I have only taken charge of the Marlborough Survey District since the beginning of this year—lB97—l have not had time to make many inspections. In February I accompanied my predecessor, Mr. S. Weetman, to Kaikoura; and then went with the District Surveyor, Mr. F. S. Smith, through the Mount Fyffe, Hundalee, and Greenburn districts, visiting the survey camps of Messrs. T. W.Hughes, E. J. Johnston, E. H. Farnie, and M. McNicol. On the return journey I visited Mr. E. W. Buckeridge, in the Puhipuhi district. In March I visited the Blind Biver Estate, chiefly to see what was required in the way of roads. I also spent four days inspecting tracks and roadworks on both sides of Tory Channel; and I also inspected proposed site for a bridge over the Omaka, near Benwicktown. Office Work. —The recent visit of the Land Classification Commissioners and Land Purchase Board entailed the mounting and colouring of about eighty lithographs, besides the compilation of a very complete topographical plan to 40-chains scale of a large portion of the district. The work in connection with the valuation maps was very arduous, including the preparation of seventeen subdivisional tracings of various sizes, the mounting and colouring of 162 lithographs, and rewriting 579 section-lists. Proposed Operations, 1897-98. —The District Surveyor at Kaikoura, with certain assistant surveyors, will finish the surveys they are now engaged on, and then proceed with surveys rendered necessary by the agreements to exchange and consolidate lands on the Messrs. Symons's run at Kekerangu, and the subdivision of land for settlement in the Mount Fyffe district. Mr. M. Carkeek will complete the triangulation he is now engaged on; and Mr. D. W. Gillies, after he has finished the traverse of the Clarence Biver, would be available for any surveys that may be required on Mr. Thomas Carter's Stronvar Bun. Mr. C. W. McFarland will be kept fully employed in subdividing land on Mr. W. Adams's Langley Dale Bun and Messrs. Bell Brothers' North Bank Bun. Mr. A. Simpson will probably be kept constantly at work in the Sounds County. C. W. Adams, Chief Surveyor.

WESTLAND. Topographical. —This comprises the features of the mountainous country adjoining the area of the triangulation mentioned below. Minor Triangulation. —This includes a small area completed by Mr. Wilson in the Teremakau and Otira districts, and covers the bulk of the country now being explored for minerals, and in which ten special claims and three prospecting areas have been taken up. We have several trig, stations fixed in this block, and are thus able to apply checks to all future surveys in the locality. Rural and Suburban. —Of the 4,702 acres completed during the year, 640 acres were new surveys of old selections scattered over the district, and the remainder comprised revision surveys in the Waimea and Kanieri districts.

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Gold-mining Survey. —Forty-six special claims, aggregating 3,398 acres, were surveyed during the year. All of these were controlled by the Westland triangulation. Should the present mining revival continue, we may expect an increase during next season. Road Surveys. —Of road surveys a total mileage of six has been finished, comprising portions of the Doughboy and Hokitika Valley Eoads. Proposed Operations for 1897-98. —It is proposed that Mr. Wilson make the necessary surveys for widening Cook Eiver Flat Boad; construction of track to Fox Glacier and Upper Cook Eiver; to lay off certain spotting selections at Waikupakupa, Cook Valley, and Paringa district; and to cut up the block between Karangarua and Makawhio Eivers recently set apart for landless Natives. Mr. Smyth to complete surveys of Hokitika Valley and any other roads in the northern district which may be authorised ;to proceed with revision work in Kokatahi and Kanieri districts; and to attend to mining and other surveys, as may be required. W. G. Mtjeeay, Chief Surveyor.

CANTEBBUEY. Rural and Suburban.— 42,l7'B acres were surveyed into 358 sections, at a mean cost of 9-9 d. per acre. Of this area, 34,601 acres comprise lands acquired under the Land for Settlements Acts, Mr. Brodrick having surveyed 20,619 acres, forming the Orakipaoa, Highbank, and part of the Albury Settlements; Mr. McClure, 6,243 acres, forming the Waiapi, Horsley Down, and part of the Bakitairi Settlements ; Mr. Mathias, 4,389 acres, forming the Marawiti and part of the Eakitairi Settlements ; and Mr. Farnie, 3,350 acres, forming the Otarakaro, Wharenui, and part of the Albury Settlements. The remaining area under this heading—with the exception of 3,005 acres, Midland Eailway, Block 65 —comprised ordinary settlement surveys by Mr. Brodrick, Mr. Mathias, and Mr. McKenzie; also a reserve by Mr. McClure. In addition to the above, Mr. McClure has completed the fieldwork of 65,526 acres, 60,100 of which are Midland Bailway blocks, and the balance comprise the Broomfield and Loburn Buns ; and Mr. Mathias has completed the fieldwork of 54,000 acres of Midland Eailway blocks. Town-section Survey. —Only one small survey was made under this heading —viz., a one-acre allotment in the Township of Eangiora, for the Police Department. Roads, Railways, dc. —Mr. Brodrick completed the engineering survey plans of thirteen miles of the Mount Cook Boad, the fieldwork of which was finished in 1894. His more recent work has been the reconnaisance survey of routes between Lake Tekapo and the Mount Cook Hermitage, and the exploration of routes to the West Coast. Mr. McClure surveyed two miles and a half of roads in the Patoa Settlement. Other Work.— The sum of £1,709 Is. 6d. under this heading is distributed as follows : Mr. Brodrick, £269 9s. 9d.; Mr. McClure, £815 3s. 3d.; Mr. Mathias, £570 2s. Bd.; and Mr. Farnie, £54 ss. lOd. The work includes unmapped surveys, reconnaisance surveys, inspections of roadworks, water-races, and various other duties.

Traverse Closures.

Proposed Operations for 1897-98 —.The survey of 121,386 acres has been completed in the field, and requires mapping. Of this area, 114,100 acres comprise Midland Bailway Blocks Nos. 42, 43, 53, and part of 54, and, as the company is pressing for the completion of the plans, I propose that Messrs. McClure and Mathias should get them out of hand as soon as possible. The balance of the unmapped area is made up of 1,860 acres, being a rural section in the Opuha district surveyed by Mr. Brodrick, and 5,426 acres, being agricultural pastoral runs, Broomfield and Loburn, surveyed by Mr. McClure. The area of land requiring survey is 66,832 acres, but, as far as we know at present, the only surveys urgently required are as follow : 45 acres, county and Native reserves in the Akaroa County; 367 acres, rural sections in the Ashburton County; 25,100 acres, educational endowment, and one rural section, 900 acres, Geraldine County; 213 acres, two rural sections in the McKenzie County ; total, 26,625 acres, leaving 40,207 acres to be surveyed later on.

Name of Surveyor. U <D <V S-i 0 m JJ a s CO o I O 8 I Sz; f-j Sum of Differences. (Links.) ago OPmB Mean Differences per Mile. (Links.) f ® A w .3II Remarks. (Nature of Country.) '. N. Brodrick ... . H. M. MeClure... 1, 0. Mathias 34 11 22 521 168 147 99-07 42-00 3500 76-4 14-0 15-3 82-8 18-8 14-0 0-77 0-33 J 0-44 0-83 0-45 0-40 Open, flat, undulating, and rough hilly country. Open, flat, and undulating country. Open, level, and undulating country. Open, flat, and rolling downs. i. H. Farnie 18 141 36-72 20-1 17-7 0-54 0-48 Totals and means 80 977 212-79 125-8 133-3 0-59 0-62

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Office Work. —During the year twenty-three plans have been received from surveyors, checked and passed, leaving no arrears of examination on our hands of current work, but there are still a number of plans unrecorded. The work done by this office for the Property Tax Department has been very heavy, two of the draughtsmen having been engaged for about three months on the work, and it will take another month to finally complete the road districts, town districts, and ridings in the several counties, leaving the Sydenham, St. Albans, and Kaiapoi Boroughs yet to be done. The foregoing work has been the cause of our arrears increasing, which it is hoped, with the assistance of the extra draughtsmen asked for, will be overtaken at an early date. The most important and urgent work of the year has been the checking of the surveyors' plans and preparation of copies for photo-lithographing, and of schedules, in connection with the several properties acquired for settlement, and a large amount of miscellaneous work attached to the same. I was transferred from the Marlborough District as from the Ist January, 1897, but I did not commence my duties regularly here until the 6th February. Between that date and the 31st March I have spent nine days in the country on various duties. Sidney Weetman, Chief Surveyor.

OTAGO. Minor Triangulation and Topographical. —During the year no work was done under this heading. Topographical Survey for Selection. —Mr. McCurdie completed a topographical survey of the large Tautuku Native Eeserve, and Mr. Neill completed the subdivision of part of Bun 260b into small grazing-runs. Rural and Suburban. —The bulk of the work performed for the year is under this heading. The total area subdivided for settlement amounted to 41,204 acres. Of this area, 15,022 acres were under the Land for Settlements Act, and was made up as follows : Tokarahi Estate, 12,175 acres; Waihemo Grange, 2,574 acres; and Thomson's Estate (East Taieri), 273 acres. Boundaryplans and sale-plans were made of these estates, in addition to the ordinary working-plans. On the sale-plan of the Tokarahi Estate Mr. Langmuir showed all the cultivated land. Although entailing a great deal of extra labour, this will be of great assistance to intending applicants. Of the remainder, 1,700 acres were occupation leases near Livingstone, and were very intricate surveys. Mr. Wilmot's area is made up of various applications scattered all over his district. Mr. Calder subdivided for settlement several runs in Naseby, Maniototo, and Gimmerburn districts, having a total area of 9,635 acres. Mr. McCurdie completed the subdivisional survey of the large Tautuku Native Eeserve, containing 9,000 acres. In connection with this survey the lines were cut right through the bush, not merely the ranging lines. Mr. Edie completed, portion of Block XIV., Bimu district, all heavy bush-country. Gold-mining Surveys. —During the year 222 mining applications were surveyed, having an area of nearly 10,000 acres. These applications had to be surveyed within six months of the date of applications, and, as the staff surveyors were all engaged on settlement surveys, the majority of the applications were put in the hands of private surveyors, who, I am pleased to say, did their utmost to have the applications surveyed within the prescribed time. Now that the rush of applications is over, I anticipate that the staff surveyors will be able to keep this work well in hand. Roads and Railways. —Mr. Langmuir levelled eight miles and a half of roads on the Ardgowan Estate. His cost of £17 18s. 7d. per mile includes fifteen longitudinal and twenty-six cross-section sheets, all the necessary specifications, as well as the supervision, &c, of the whole of the work. Mr. Neill made a flying survey of the road from Berwick to Waipori, and levelled several roads in the Catlin's district. Mr. Edie took levels of eight miles of roads in the Catlin's and Glenomaru districts. Other Work. —The principal item under this heading is the cost of inspecting and reporting on the various applications for land in Naseby and adjoining district. Proposed Operations for 1898. —Mr. Langmuir will finish the subdividing of Tokarahi Estate in about a month, and will then be available for further work under the Land for Settlements Act. When Mr. Wilmot returns from the west coast it will take him some time to overtake the work in his district. Mr. Calder has several runs in his district to subdivide for settlement. He will also have several mining applications to survey. Mr. McCurdie will finish the subdivision of Block XII., Tautuku, and will then commence Block X., on the north side of the main Catlin's-Waikawa Boad. Mr. Neill has on hand the subdivision of Buns 260 a and 260b in the Mount Hyde and Lee Stream districts. Mr. Edie will level several roads in the Catlin's, Glenomaru, and Woodland districts, and will then continue the survey of Block XIV., Bimu. Office Work. —Mr. Adams left this district on the 4th January to take up the duties of Chief Surveyor and Commissioner of Crown Lands in the Marlborough District. The office staff have been very busy since January preparing new valuation-maps for the Land-tax Department. lam pleased to report that all the officers have worked exceedingly well, and will have all the maps completed within the prescribed time. Since taking up my duties here I have visited various parts of the district in connection with survey and roadworks, and as soon after the close of this month as I can make it convenient I intend visiting all the districts now unknown to me and the various survey parties under my control, thereby making myself better acquainted with the land district generally. Before concluding this report, I would herein beg to thank all the office staff and field officers for the very ready and able assistance accorded me on all occasions since my appointment here. John Hay, Chief Surveyor.

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SOUTHLAND. Topographical. —The work carried out for the year has been the exploration of the country lying between Lake Manapouri and the West Coast Sounds. This embraces an area of 164,000 acres of hitherto practically unknown country. The report by Mr. Wilmot (which I trust will be published) of the work done by him is exceedingly interesting, and his observations have set at rest many disputed theories in connection with the various routes and rivers between Manapouri and Dusky and Smith's Sounds. The discovery of such a low pass to the latter sound is very satisfactory, and should form another interesting route between the east and west coasts. I attach a copy of Mr. Wilmot's report.* Rural and Suburban. —The area surveyed for the year was subdivided into 111 sections. The greater part of this has been in bush-country, where the usual difficulties of weather, and consequent broken time, have to be taken into consideration. Town Section. —95 acres, subdivided into forty allotments, comprise the area dealt with. This being in open country, it has been carried out at a very low rate. Landless Native Surveys. —Three surveyors have been almost continuously employed on this work. The area actually mapped is 14,834 acres, but in addition to this Mr. Treseder has been engaged for fifteen months roading and cutting boundary-lines of a block of 60,000 acres west of Waiau Eiver. Under the heading of "Eoads" will be seen how much has been done in this direction, and, should the subdivisional work be required of small "family" areas, the early completion will necessitate the employment of another surveyor. Gold-mining Surveys. —These have been carried out by authorised private surveyors under the fee system. 1,155 acres have been surveyed into twenty-four special claims or licensed holdings. The greatest number and most difficult of these have been in Preservation Inlet district, a locality which, I believe, has the greatest rainfall in the colony. It can be readily understood, therefore, the hardship surveyors have to encounter in this bush-clad broken country. Roads. —The work under this heading should be debited, and will eventually appear, against landless Native surveys, but, as the block in which these have been laid off has not yet been completed, they appear now, and will form part of the subdivisional work when surveys are carried out. The cost has been very considerable, but as against this the country is very broken. Other Work. —This includes reporting on various matters, cutting landless Native block-lines, which will also again appear as referred to above, and one or two minor matters which do not call for special remark. Work on Hand, and Future Operations. —The work now in hand comprises 19,230 acres of settlement, and 60,110 of landless Native surveys. In addition, it is anticipated that a considerable area will be acquired under the Land for Settlements Act. This will more than fully employ the limited staff for the ensuing year. I would like to again have the services of Mr. Wilmot, for the completion of the work he has so well begun, in carrying the topography and exploration north and south of what he has already done. In this connection he might also have a party under his control grading a proposed line of track from Spey Biver to Deep Cove, on Smith Sound. So far Mr. Wilmot's mineral discoveries have been disappointing, but, as the time at his command was limited, I anticipate that a more lengthened season's work may lead to something more practically beneficial to the country. With this object in view, I would ask that Mr. Wilmot's services be placed at the disposal of this office, so that he may commence work early in October. D. Baeeon, Chief Surveyor.

APPENDIX No. 3.—EOADS.

EXTBACTS FBOM EEPOBTS OF CHIEF SUBVEYOES AND OTHEES ON EOAD CONSTBUCTION AND MAINTENANCE FOE THE TWELVE MONTHS ENDED 31st MAECH, 1897.

AUCKLAND. Main Eoad, Nobth Shobe-Awanui. In Mongonui County. —About forty miles of the road passes through the Mongonui County— from Awanui to Mongonui. The road has all been formed, and about one-third of it has been metalled, though a considerable portion of the metal has been destroyed owing to the want of repairs. Several of the culverts and bridges are now rotten, and must shortly be replaced. From Mongonui to the Whangaroa boundary the road is only available for horse-traffic ; portions have been formed, but are now sadly out of repair. A considerable sum will be required to form this road, and widen the bridges, now only about 6 ft. wide, across the two mouths of the Oruaiti Eiver. This year's grant is being expended in metalling and renewing some bridges and culverts, and in general repairs. In Whangaroa County. —About twenty-two miles of road passes through the county. From the Mongonui boundary to Kaeo the road has been formed in places, but is not available for wheeltraffic ; considerable work has yet to be done in widening-out of the embankments across mangrove

* See Appendix Explorations, No, 11,

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swamps, bridges, &c. From Kaeo to the boundary of the Bay of Islands County the road has been partly formed, but it is far from safe for wheel-traffic. The grant this year is being expended in improving the worst places. A considerable sum will have yet to be expended before the road throughout is available for wheel-traffic. In Bay of Islands County. —About forty miles passes through the county—from the Whangaroa boundary to Kawakawa. The road ought to go via Black Bridge, but, as the settlement is all towards Ohaewai and Waimate, the road has been formed by that route. From the Whangaroa boundary to Waimate very little formation has been done; but, with the exception of the Waipapa, all the big bridges have been erected. This bridge ought to be made at once, as there have been several narrow escapes from drowning by persons attempting to cross the river when there was even a moderate flood. The country being open, and mostly gum-land, a cart can be used; but the tracks are now so water-worn and cut into ruts that even for carts the road is getting impassable. From Kawakawa to the Whangarei boundary the road has been formed, and about three-quarters metalled. The greater part of the grant authorised this year for expenditure is being spent between Kawakawa and the Whangarei boundary in repairing the bridges, metalling, and altering some portions which were several feet under water during floods. In Whangarei County. —About forty-eight miles of road passes through the county—from the northern boundary to terminus of railway from Whangarei. The road is formed, and in places metalled ; it is a good summer road, but in winter becomes almost impassable, and in two places is covered with several feet of water during heavy floods. From the terminus of railway to Whangarei the road is mostly metalled, and in fair order, now that the heavy traffic has been discontinued. In places the metal is now, however, very thin, and ought to be renewed. From Whangarei to Mangapai the road is nearly all metalled, and, beyond the necessary general repairs, in good order. From Mangapai to Waipu the road is only metalled in places, and, though fair in summer, it is during the winter almost impassable, especially through the Buakaka Valley. From Waipu to Otamatea boundary the road is fairly good, though many of the bridges will require to be rebuilt, and some of the sharp corners taken off. Most of this year's grant is being expended in improving the road towards the railway-line, and in patching up some of the worst places. In Otamatea County. —About thirty miles of the Great North Eoad passes through this county. From the Whangarei boundary the road is formed and metalled in a few places, and is in fair condition as far as Maungaturoto. From Maungaturoto to Kaiwaka is where the greater part of this year's vote is being expended, in the repairing of bridges, and metalling some of the worst places, and putting in culverts. From Kaiwaka to Topuni Bridge, the county boundary, the road passes through open gum-land, and, with the exception of the necessary clearing out and rebuilding of some culverts, is in fair order. In Rodney County. —About forty-four miles of the Great North Boad passes through this county. From Topuni Bridge to Wellsford the road is only partly formed; it goes through open gum-land, so that up to the present time carts could get along; but the line is now so cut up by ruts that it is almost unsafe to attempt travelling in a vehicle. A portion of this year's vote is being expended in general repairs to this part of the road, and in improving the worst places. From Wellsford to Mahurangi there is a very fair road, half of which is metalled. As the most of the local traffic is along this portion of the road, a part of the grant is being expended in metalling another half-mile. From Mahurangi to Waiwera the road is very much out of repair, only about one-fourth being metalled, and some of that is much worn and cut up. The grades on this portion of the road are steep. The work done between these two points is the metalling of the hill from Waiwera northwards, about 50 chains, and a few chains of metalling near Puhoi. In Waitemata County. —From Waiwera to Wade the road is in very bad repair, but the road over the hill immediately behind the springs and a portion of the road towards Orewa is being improved and metalled. The road near the Wade is almost impassable in winter, being made in a sticky clay soil. From the Wade to the Okura is also in a very bad state. Where it has been metalled most of the metal has disappeared, and there are so many springs in the road—the culverts and water-tables being blocked —that it is almost impossible to get through with a light vehicle in winter. From Okura to Takapuna the road generally runs along the top of a range of hills, and, with the exception of a few places where there have been cuttings, is in good order summer and winter. From Takapuna to the North Shore the road is all metalled, and in good order. Miscellaneous Boads, Beidges, Etc. Mongonui County Roads. —The expenditure of this vote was carried out by the Mongonui County Council, and consisted chiefly of repairs to the Fairburn Eoad. Oruru-Hikurangi. — This vote is for the purpose of giving access to settlers at Hikurangi. There was considerable difficulty in settling the question of compensation, as the road had to be taken through private property. No works have been undertaken as yet, pending the payment of compensation. Waitangi-Kaikohe. — The Bay of Islands County Council are now expending this vote in improving the road, which, owing to the heavy gum-traffic from Ohaewai and Kaikohe, had got into a very bad state of repair. Opua-Waimate. — This road has now been formed into a bridle-track from Opua to the Pakaraka-Waitangi Eoad. The money still available will be expended in cutting off some of the sharp corners, and widening portions which have slipped away. Hokianga Bridge. —There being some uncertainty as to the exact bridge referred to, the county are holding over the expenditure of this grant, awaiting definite instructions from head office.

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Hokianga Heads-Ohaewai-Mawene.— The Hokianga County have during the year repaired two bridges damaged by floods, and improved about one mile and a quarter of the road between Bawene and Ohaewai. The road between Bawene and Hokianga Heads ought to be resurveyed before money is expended on it. Okaihu-Victoria Valley. —This road traverses three counties, and is about forty miles m length, and ought to be considered the Great North Boad, as it is the most direct route from Kawakawa to Awanui, and goes through the centre of the Island. It is available for wheel-traffic between Okaihu and Bangiahua, but from Bangiahua to Mangamuka it is only available for horse-traffic, and from Mangamuka to the Takahue Block it has not yet been formed, the traffic going north via the Mangamuka-Fern Flat Boad. During the year little beyond repairs has been done. I would strongly recommend that this road be formed, for, as stated, it will be the most direct road to Awanui, besides opening up some valuable Crown lands. Whangaroa County Moads.— The expenditure of the vote is being carried out by the Whangaroa County Council, and is mostly being spent in improving the road between Kaeo and Whangaroa and the roads in the Totara Biding, and the Great North Boad through the county. Kaeo-Waimate.— A portion of the Great North Boad. The money voted this year is being expended by the Whangaroa County Council in metalling and improving the road. ' Waipu North.— The grant is being expended by the Whangarei County Council in metalling and generally improving the road. Grahamstown— Nothing has yet been expended of this vote. Whangarei Foot-bridge. —Nothing has yet been done. Parua Bay.— Works carried out with the vote are being done by the Whangarei County Council, and consist of constructing about one mile of road and general improvements. Marsden Point Wharf.—The work done consisted of the replacing of old piles eaten through by the Toredo, and the redecking of a considerable portion of the wharf, and it was carried out under the supervision of the Whangarei County Council. .',.,, Parua-Taheke. Works were completed last year. About a mile and a quarter of bridle-track has been constructed by the Whangarei County Council. Maungakaramea.— The vote has been given to the Whangarei County Council to expend, but as yet nothing has been done. . . Whangarei Bridge, £1 for £I.— The construction of the swing bridge is being carried out by the Whangarei County Council, but the plans and specifications were prepared by this office. The approaches to the bridge have been made some time, and the work of constructing the bridge is now in hand. , , _ . _ _. .. Waipu Cove.— The vote was practically expended last year by the Whangarei County Council in improving the road and erecting one bridge. Kaitara.— The vote has been expended by the Whangarei County Council in generally improving the road into the Kaitara Settlement. The work was let in four contracts, and consisted chiefly in making drains, culverts, and erecting two small bridges. Te Kopuru-Tikiuni. — This is a portion of the main road connecting the township on the west bank of the Wairoa Biver. About half a mile of dray-road was constructed and another half mile improved by the Hobson County Council. Arapohue.— The road is from the Mititai landing to the Arapohue Settlement. The settlers have done a considerable amount of work on it at their own cost. Under the Hobson County Council 53 chains of the road have been metalled, and another 10 chains have still to be done. Dargaville-Aratapu.—Nothing has been done this year to the road, though an authority for £50 has been granted to the Hobson County Council. -,-,,, TT , Mititai-Tokatoka.— -The grant for this road has been expended by the Hobson County Council in metalling 48 chains of dray-road. Tokatoka Post-office. —This is a road between the wharf and the lokatoka Post-office, of a length of about four miles and a half. The work done during the year consists of metalling about 9 chains, the construction of all the required culverts, an embankment, and a quarter of a mile of formation. To make this road passable for vehicles at least another £150 will be required. Matakohi-Tokatoka.— This is the main road through the Otamatea County. During the year the balance of last year's vote was expended in improving that portion of the road already formed. There still remains a considerable portion of this road to be constructed, and I have recommended in this year's estimates that a further sum be granted for the purpose. Valley Moad-Paparoa.— -This road has been widened, and in places formed; total length, about two miles Several culverts have been erected, and the road throughout, though narrow, is now available for cart-traffic. I have asked for a further small amount this year to redeck and repair some of the bridges. . Kaukapakapa-Port Albert.—The vote is being expended by the Bodney County Council. Up to date very little has been done beyond repairs. ~,.,/, Awhitu Moad and Wharf.— -Tenders for improvement to and safety of this wharf have been accepted on plans prepared by this office. The work is being carried out by the Awhitu Boad Board, under my supervision. . . . ... , , , . ~ ... , Hunua Mailway-station.— The vote is to be expended by the department in the construction of a deviation laid out by Mr. Burd, Assistant Boad Surveyor.and in selecting and grading a more direct route from the end of the deviation to the railway-station. Wairangi to Maihoay-station.—The vote has been expended by the Whangamarmo Boad Board in improving three miles of dray-road. .„',", , „-, •, , , .., Mangariri to Mailway-station.—The Whangamarmo Board have metalled one mile of road with scoria, the scoria being delivered from Auckland by train.

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Track, Kauri Forest, Waitakerei. —The grant for the improvement of the road leading to the forest, and for the construction of a bridle-track along the Nihutipu Stream through the forest, has been given to the Waitemata County Council to expend. No work has as yet been done. Waiwera Springs. —Half of this authority has been granted, and with it I am having the worst portions of the road between Orewa and the Hot Springs Hotel metalled and repaired, and intend to spend the balance in improving the road near Takapuna and through the Wade district. Huia-West Coast. —The money authorised for expenditure on the road has been given to the Waitemata County Council to be expended; but as yet nothing has been done, owing to the Bailway Department being unable to supply the scoria required for metalling. Te Aroha Domain Board. —The Te Aroha Domain Board have made a track 5 ft. wide from the Domain to the Bald Spur. Some pipes for hot water were renewed, one new bath-room constructed, and an excavation made to open up two new springs, at a total cost of £75 17s. sd. Tairua- Whenuakite. —The works have been carried out by the Coromandel County Council. During the year half a mile of road has been formed, and several culverts and bridges repaired. Victoria Valley to Main Road. —Considerable difficulty has been experienced in obtaining a line satisfactory to all parties, and in negotiating with the Peria Natives as to the portion of the line going through their land. I think the matter is now satisfactorily arranged, and when the survey is completed, and the title to the road secured, I propose to go on with the construction. This road has good grades, and will. be a great boon to the Victoria Valley Settlement, giving them a direct outlet to Mongonui, the seaport town. The present line is utterly useless for dray-traffic. Ahipara-Herekino. —This road connects Awanui with the Herekino Village Settlement. The line passes mostly through Native land, and is very expensive to keep in repair. The Mongonui County Council will not assist towards its maintenance. Takahue-Herekino. —This road opens up a large area of Crown land of fair quality, and well suited for pastoral and fruit-growing purposes, especially at the Herekino end. It will give a direct route from Herekino Village Settlement, through the Takahue Village Settlement, into Victoria Valley, and thence by Victoria Valley to main road into Mongonui. During the year about eight miles and a quarter of road, 6 ft. to 8 ft. wide, have been constructed. Lamer's—Takahue. —The vote is being expended by the Mongonui County Council in giving better access to the settlers in Block VI., Takahue Survey District. Hauhoura-Awanui. —The Mongonui County Council are repairing and improving the road north of the Awanui Bridge with the money granted this year. Maungataniivha. —The vote was expended in making a road from Victoria Valley-Peria Boad (old road) to the road now made through the Maungataniwha Block. I have laid off a continuation of this road so as to connect with the new road about to be constructed between Victoria Valley and main road, which will secure better access to the block. Hukerenui-South Waiotu Valley. —The construction of this road is for the purpose of opening up the lands in the Waiotu Valley. It will be one of the roads of access to the Buapekapeka Block, now cut up and open for selection. The expenditure of the vote is being carried out under the Bay of Islands County Council. Main Road, Lot 2, Block IV., Hukerenui Survey District. —This is a portion of the road from the Wairua Biver Bridge, near Hikurangi, towards the Bamarama Valley. The authority is being expended in widening the present bridle-track, so as to make it available for wheel-traffic. Hukerenui Block, I. and XI. —Nothing has as yet been done with reference to the expenditure of this vote. Ngapipito. —This road gives access to 4,000 acres of Crown land, and when constructed will become the main road between Kawakawa and Kaikohe. The line is now formed into a bridletrack as far as Ngapipito, though it has been surveyed and graded to junction with the MangakahiaKaikohe Boad. There are still about four miles to construct and several bridges and culverts to make. Tirohanga-Pakaru. —The vote is being expended by the Bay of Islands County Council in giving access to the settlement near Taumarere. Towai-Ruapekapeka. —During the year £50 of the vote for this road was expended by the Bay of Islands County Council in widening and forming about one mile of the road and in constructing two fords. Main North Road-Waiotu. —The expenditure of the vote has been intrusted to the Bay of Islands County Council, and is being expended in repairs to bridges and raising some of the embankments, which, when there is a flood in the Wairua Biver, are several feet under water, and dangerous to cross. Kaikohe-Taheke. —The vote is being expended by the Bay of Islands County in improving and metalling the road. Waimamaku-Punakitere. —This road begins at the Canterbury Special Settlement, Waimamaku, and runs up the Valley of the Waimamaku Biver, through the Auckland Special Settlement, joining the Opanaki-Hokianga Eoad on the top of the dividing-range. A considerable portion of the land abutting on this road is now taken up. During the year the road has been kept open for traffic throughout, and about four miles constructed, and 100 chains of bridle-track is being metalled. There is no doubt but that if all the land were taken up it would become one of the best settlements in the north. Auckland Special Settlement, Mangakahia. —Owing to the position of this settlement on the top of the dividing-range it attracts a good deal of moisture, and in consequence most of the bush clearings have had bad burns. Some of the settlers are, however, making great improvements to their holdings. During the year the road leading from the Opanaki-Hokianga Eoad through the settlement, being a part of the Waimamaku-Punakitere Eoad, was formed into a bridle-track. A track branching off this road in a southerly direction has also been roughly formed some four miles and a half.

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Marlborough Association. —This settlement is situated midway between Opanake and Taheke, on the Opanake-Hokianga Eoad, which passes through the middle of it. During the year about two miles and three-quarters of bridle-track, 6 ft. wide, with temporary bridges and culverts, was made, branching off from the main Opanake-Hokianga Eoad, to give access to the back sections, and two miles of dray-road. Road to Native Land near Waihou. —The vote has been granted to the Hokianga County Council, but has not yet been expended. Mangonuiowae. —A bridle-track has been constructed from the Herd's Point-Takahue Eoad, through Crown land in Blocks IV. and V., Mangamuka Survey District, to give access to the sections at the south end of the Mangonuiowai Block, and to open up the Crown lands. With the expenditure of previous votes, the track was made as far as the boundary of the Mangonuiowae Block, about five miles. This year's grant is being used to carry on the construction as far as possible through the block. Waimamaku-Pakanae. —The road is the most direct route from the settlements in the Waimamaku Valley to Oponone Wharf, where the steamer from Auckland discharges and receives goods. The grades throughout are good, but, the grants being small, I have been unable to make it available for wheel-traffic. During the year a quarter of a mile of road has been widened, some culverts put in, and the road repaired throughout. Kohukohu-Motukaraka. —This road is for the purpose of giving better access to the Kohukohu Settlement, and to the settlers living on the sections adjacent to the Hokianga Harbour, between the two points named. During the year the road has been selected and graded out a total distance of one mile and three-quarters. The work of construction will be undertaken shortly. Kohukohu-Rakautapu. —This is another outlet from the Kohukohu Township. The grades, however, are steep, and when the Kohukohu-Motukaraka Boad is constructed will not be much used except by those resident along it. Herd's Point-Takahue is the main road connecting the Hokianga and Mongonui Counties, and it opens up a considerable quantity of Crown lands. The total length of road now widened and made available for wheel-traffic is about seventeen miles from the Hokianga Harbour northwards. The bridge across the Mangonuiowae, of a total length of 125 ft., consisting of two spans of 20ft. and one of 25 ft., and one truss of 60 ft., has been erected, with a considerable length of protective works, as the banks of the river, which are alluvial deposit, are liable to be washing away with each heavy flood. Besides being the main connection between Hokianga and Mongonui, this road, as far as Broadwood, will be the main road to open up the Crown lands in the vicinity of the Whangape Harbour. Mangonuiowae-Whangape. —The vote is to be spent in continuing the construction of the road under the title " Mangonuiowae " in appropriations. Mangapai-Waikiekie. —The Whangarei County Council carried out the work, consisting of metalling and repairs. Hikurangi. —The money is being expended in repairs and metalling the road over the Hikurangi Swamp and renewing culverts. It is a portion of the Great North Eoad. Whananaki-Ngunguru. —The Whangarei County are constructing about two miles and a half of bridle-track. The road gives access to all the sections lately taken up along the sea coast between Whananaki and Ngunguru, and from it travellers may get glimpses of some exquisite scenery. Bridge over the Wairua River. —This work is undertaken for the purpose of opening up Crown lands on south side of Wairua Eiver and giving a connection to the Mangakahia Eoad. The site for the bridge has been selected, and plans are now being prepared for a bridge of two 25 ft. and one 100 ft. spans. Opuawhanga-Whananaki. —Some improvements have been made to the road by the Whangarei County Council, but this year's authority has not yet been expended. Opuawhanga. —Nothing has been done this year. Waipu-Mareretu. —The deviations laid out by the Whangarei County Engineer have now been constructed. During the year about half a mile of dray-road has been constructed under the supervision of the Whangarei County Council. Kauri Mountain Road. —The Whangarei County Council has spent £100 in metalling about three-quarters of a mile of road, 6 ft. wide, and making other improvements. Purua-Ruatangata-Mangakahia. —This road gives access to the Purua and Kaueranga Settlements. Considerable deviations have been made, and others are required, so as to obtain a good grade. This year's vote is being expended in metalling and the construction of two bridges. Purua Bridge. —The bridge is being erected by the Whangarei County Council over the Moengawahine Eiver to give access to settlers near and at the back of the Kaueranga Block, lately thrown open for selection. Waipu Wharf. —The vote has been given to the Whangarei County Council to expend, but as yet nothing has been done. Otuhe Forest. —The road will open up a considerable acreage of Crown lands. The Whangarei County Council has expended the vote of £200 in metalling 30J chains of road and other improvements. A considerable amount of timber has been and is being carted over this road from the Otuhe Forest into Whangarei. Hikurangi-Jordan Flat. —This road is the outlet of the Bamarama Valley towards Hikurangi and Whangarei. The vote has been expended by the Whangarei County Council in the construction .of embankments on the flat, which is covered for days with water when the Wairua Biver is in flood. Maungatapere. —Nothing has been done this year. 7—C. 1.

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Manua-Otuhe. —This is a road for the purpose of giving better access to the Maungatapere settlers. The deviation referred to in my last year's report has been metalled for about another 30 chains by the Whangarei County Council, who had the expenditure of the vote for 1895. Marsden Point-Kaimanuka and Finlayson's Road. —The vote is being expended by the Whangarei County Council in repairs to bridges, enlarging the ditches, &c. Whareora-Taheke-Pataua. —Nothing has been done this year. Ngunguru Ferry. —Nothing has been done this year. Tokatoka-Mangapai. —The road is now available for horse-traffic throughout, though some of it is yet unformed. During the year improvements were made near Tokatoka. Drever's-Otonga East. —Three contracts have been let by the Whangarei County Council for formation of about half a mile of road and metalling 18 chains. The works are now in operation. Otonga East-Whananaki. —Six contracts have been let by the Whangarei County Council, who have the expenditure of this vote. The works are now in hand, and consist chiefly of reformation and repairs. Dargaville-Tangiteroria. —This is at present the only road connecting Dargaville with Whangarei. The expenditure of the vote isunder the control of the Hobson County Council, who have work in hand for formation. Opanaki-Hokianga. —This road, which connects Hokianga with the termination of the railway from Dargaville, opens up a considerable amount of Crown lands of very fair quality. The road is now formed throughout; but to make this road available for wheel-traffic it must be metalled, especially on top of the dividing-range. The nature of the soil is such that it becomes a quagmire after very little traffic, and there is now a considerable traffic on it. Owing to the scarcity of timber at the north end, all the culverts had to be built of stone, of which there is abundance on the ground. At the south end the timber is plentiful and the stone scarce, which will make metalling expensive. I have, where stone was available at the north end, metalled a track 4 ft. wide ; in the worst places at the south end ballasted with a rubbly rock. During the year four miles and three-quarters have been formed 14 ft. wide, and the road maintained throughout. Opanaki-Mongonui Bluff. —The Hobson County Council metalled about 30 chains near the Opanaki Eailway-station. Tangihua. —Nothing has been done. Tangihua No. 2. —During the year 46 chains of dray-road have been constructed and three miles maintained. Pahi-Waikiekie or Paparoa-Waikiekie. —A portion of the main road connecting the Otamatea County with Whangarei. During the year the road near the Mongonui Biver was formed, and a contract is now in hand for further works. There is still about three miles to widen so as to make the road available for wheel-traffic throughout. The grant this year has been handed to the Otamatea County Council, but as yet nothing has been done with it. Pahi-Maungaturoto. —A deviation was laid off, and altogether four miles and a half graded— from Maungaturoto towards Pahi. The earth formation was constructed, and some pipe culverts were put in. Another £100 is required to complete the road and make it available for horsetraffic. Paparoa-Maungaturoto. —A deviation was laid off last year, and during this year it has been constructed, the Otamatea County having acquired the necessary lands. Another £150 is required for constructing bridges and metalling some soft places, and when this is done there will be a fair road from Paparoa to within two or three miles of Maungaturoto. Braigh, Jordan's, and Matakohe Roads. —Nothing has been done. Tokatoka Swamp. — The works done have made 5,000 acres of marsh land available for settlement, and improved another 6,000 acres. The reclamation was made by forming an embankment 3 ft. high along the banks of the Wairoa Eiver, erecting floodgates at the mouths of the various creeks, and constructing large catch water-drains to prevent the water from the surrounding high lands from spreading over the marsh. As there is no fresh water available on the swamp, I have asked for a further grant to construct an artesian well, and also a wharf to give the settlers better access to the land. I have also recommended that a sum of £3,000 should be granted for the construction of a tram-line, as there is a considerable quantity of kahikatea and kauri timber on the swamp, and a royalty charged for haulage of this timber to the river will give Government a handsome return for the outlay. Hukatere. —Pending settlement of compensation, nothing has been done. Mareretu. —The portion of the road from Paparoa to the junction with the Waikiekie Eoad has been widened and made available for wheel-traffic. During the year about three miles has been formed, to a width of 14 ft. Matakohe-Mongonui. —Nothing has been done beyond a rough exploration of the country. Paparoa. —Most of the vote has been expended in erecting a wharf at Breadon's, on the Otamatea Biver, and in repairing the bridge and earth cutting on the Pahi-Paparoa Boad. The balance will be spent in making a rough road to the wharf. Pahi Wharf and Road. —The Otamatea County are expending the vote in metalling a portion of the Pahi-Maungaturoto Boad. Block XII., Paparoa. —Nothing has been done yet. Warkworth Main Road (Block VII., Pakiri). —Nothing has yet been done. The vote is for the purpose of giving access to Crown lands in Block XIII., Pakiri. Kaipara Flats-Tauhoa. —With the money authorised the road is being widened and made available for wheel-traffic as far as possible. Warkworth-Tauhoa. —The Eodney County Council are carrying out this work, which consists of metalling and constructing culverts.

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Matakana Bridge. —lt is proposed to alter the site of the bridge, and make a deviation in the road, but no action has been taken by the Eodney County Council, pending the settlement of compensation. Tauhoa. —Nothing has yet been done by the Eodney County Council, who are to expend the vote. Pakiri is the continuation of the Hoteo-Waiwhiu Boad, to open up Crown lands in the Pakiri Block. Two contracts are now in operation. Hoteo-Waiwhiu. —The road has been graded out, and compensation for taking it through Section 4, Hoteo, has been paid. Works are now in operation for constructing a bridle-track 6 ft. wide. Waikomiti-Huia. —The grant is being expended under the supervision of the Waitemata County Council. Waikomiti-Swanson. —The Waitemata County Council are expending the vote chiefly in metalling with scoria. Matakana Ranges. —Nothing has been done yet. Swanson-West Coast. —Under the supervision of the Waitemata County Council, about a mile and a quarter of this road is being widened and about 10 chains metalled. Mangapai-Waikiekie. —The Whangarei County Council are expending the vote, and have let six contracts for repairs and about three-quarters of a mile of metalling. Henderson. —-The Waitemata County Council are expending the vote in metalling the main road near Henderson with scoria. Waikomiti West. —The Waitemata County Council are expending the vote in metalling the road towards the Waihotapu. Maioro Swamp. —During the past year about 60 chains of drains and a portion of the road towards the Maioro Settlement, near the Waikato Heads, have been constructed. This road is of great advantage to the settlement, as their present outlet is being covered by encroaching sand. Wairoa River-Otau. —A bridle-track is being constructed to give access from Clevedon to the sections situated on the west side of the Otau Block. During the year one bridge and a breast cutting and filling of about 11 chains in length have been made near Clevedon, and half a mile of dray-road and four miles and a half of bridle-track formed. Awaroa Swamp. —No works have yet been undertaken. Ramarama Valley. —This road will take a considerable part of the traffic off the Great North Eoad between Towai and Hikurangi. It opens up some excellent land, all of which abutting on the road has now been taken up. About five miles of road are now being widened and made available for wheel-traffic. Abram's Gully. —The Waiuku Eoad Board have spent a portion of the vote in improving this gully on the south side. The balance is now being spent in improving the north side. This is the most direct road from Waiuku to Akaaka Swamp. Pukekohe. —The Pukekohe Boad Board are expending the vote in remetalling the road from the railway-station to the Eoad Board boundary, and in increasing the width of the metal road from the railway-station through the Pukekohe Village. Otau. —Out of the balance of the vote £115 has been paid in compensation for lands taken for road purposes. About half a mile of bridle-track has been formed and 133 ft. of bridging erected. To complete and improve the roads in this block a further sum of £1,000 is urgently required. Akaaka Swamp. —The Akaaka Drainage Board have constructed 141 chains of drains, averaging 5 ft. wide and 4 ft. deep, on the eastern boundary of the swamp. Kaueranga Valley. —The Thames County Council have made about three miles of dray-road leading towards the valley, and improved three miles of bridle-track. Waingaro-Ngaruaivahia. —The road is now available for wheel-traffic as far as the landing at Waingaro ; but for the safety of the settlers several bad bends must be cut off and portions of the road widened. This year's grant is being expended in removing some of these objections and metalling boggy places. Onewhero (Sections 128 and 129). —The grant is being expended in constructing the road through these sections. It was the only break in the road between the Tuakau Punt and OpuatiaEaglan Eoad. Bregmen's Landing and Mercer Road. —Nothing beyond the survey of the road has been done, pending settlement of compensation for land required. Tuakau Punt. —A punt has been built and is now in full working-order at the ferry; the work having been carried out under my supervision by the Eaglan County Council. Huntly-Kahuhuru. —The Eaglan County Council expended the vote in general repairs. As before stated, if a deviation were made round Pukemiro this would be a comparatively level road through to Baglan, vid Waingaro Hot Springs. Lawson's Hill. —A mile and a half of side-cutting, averaging 8 ft. wide, has been made along the south side of this hill, which has cut off the worst portion of the old track. Mangapiko-Maire. —About a quarter of a mile of dray-road has been constructed, giving access to the boat-landing on the Maire Stream. The road will be a portion of the Tuakau-Baglan Eoad. Awaroa, Xl. —This road, giving access to Block XI. from the boat-landing on the Maire Stream, has been roughly formed about three miles and a half in length, and the road has been selected and graded through the block itself, so as to give a connection to the road made through what is known as Murray's Settlement. Road, Auckland University Reserve. —The Huntly Boad Board are to expend this grant, but nothing has been done yet. Matahuru. —Works have been carried out under the Huntly Eoad Board, consisting of roadformation and the construction of a bridge over the Matahuru Eiver.

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Wairangi-Matahuru. —The Whangamarino Eoad Board have improved about three miles of dray-road. Whangamarino Parish. —Two miles have been improved on various roads, the works being carried out under my supervision by the Whangamarino Boad Board. Waikare Lake-Onewhero. —Nothing has yet been done. Ohinewai-Matahuru. —Under my supervision the Huntly Boad Board have been and are carrying out works, consisting of about three quarters of a mile of formation, 38 chains outfall drains, half a mile of fascining, and four culverts. Blocks X. and XL, Rangiriri Survey District. —Nothing has yet been done. Wairangi (Sections 482 and 486). —Nothing has yet been done. Hunua-Ararimu (Whiskey Creek). —A deviation has been laid off at the junction of this road with the Hunua Main Eoad, and also another deviation at the end of the present formation, through Sections 61, 45, and 71, Parish of Hunua. Nothing further is being done, pending the settlement by the Hunua Eoad Board of compensation required for land taken. Pye's Pa. —Under the Tauranga County Council about five miles of bridle-track, 8 ft. wide, have been improved. Village Settlements. Waimamaku, which is one of the best of the settlements in the north, is considerably handicapped on account of bad roads. The land, now the bush is cleared, is continually slipping, and with it several portions of the road. During the year most of the money allocated for the settlement has been expended in repairs and metalling some of the boggy places. Motukaraka. —During the year the roads in the settlement have been kept in repair, and a portion along the Hokianga Harbour, which will be a part of the Kohukohu-Motukaraka Eoad, has been formed. Fern Flat. —The. road from Oruru Valley into the settlement follows up the valley of a stream flowing into the Oruru Eiver, and considerable difficulty has been experienced through the encroachments of the stream, and by slips. The money allocated this year has been spent in repairs and improvements to this road, and in metalling about a quarter of a mile of road and re-forming one mile. Awatuna, on the Opanaki-Hokianga Boad, is the second settlement from Opanaki, the road passing through the middle of it. Of the three bush settlements, I consider the soil of this is the poorest; the subsoil being clay seems to keep the ground very wet on the surface. Several of the settlers have left; those remaining, four in number, are making fair improvements. Rangatira. —The sections in the settlement have not yet been taken up, because it is only within the last few months that the Opanaki-Hokianga Eoad was available for traffic so far. The road runs along a part of the south and western boundary of the settlement. To give access to the back sections some roads will have to be constructed, but I have not undertaken their formation yet. The land in this settlement is of good quality, and those who have taken up and improved their sections are fully satisfied with the results. Katui. —This settlement is situated near the Mongonui Bluff, and is one of the best in the north. The land is of excellent quality, being of a volcanic nature. The settlers, with only one exception, have made great improvements, and are now anxious to increase their holdings. The completion of the road through this settlement to the Mangatu junction with the Opanaki-Hokianga Boad would give these settlers a practically level road to Opanaki. The present road via the Bluff has some very steep gradients. Mangatu. —This is the first settlement from Opanaki on the Opanaki-Hokianga Boad. All the sections which are available by road have been taken up. The land is of fair quality, and the settlers are making considerable improvements. Takahue Block. —During the year the road giving access to this block (a portion of the Okaihau-Victoria Valley Boad) has been widened to a width of 12 ft. Nothing has been done to the road in the block itself. Maungataniwha Block. —The road has been graded through this block, and four miles of bridle-track, 6 ft. wide, constructed. 70 chains of bridle-track giving access to this block was made to connect with the old Victoria Valley to Peria Boad. lam anxious, however, to give more direct access to the south-east end of the block, by constructing a road through the Peria Block. Maungataniwha VI. Block. —Nothing has yet been done. Takahue-Whangape Block. —l have already reported on this road under the title " TakahueHerekino." Waipoua Block. —The block is partly opened by the Opanaki-Hokianga Eoad, and the vote is being expended on that road. Ruapekapeka. —No further moneys have been expended on the roads in the block, which were formed into bridle-tracks during 1894. The land is of fair quality, but so far only two of the sections have been taken up. Motatau. —The loan raised on this block has been expended on the Bamarama Valley Boad, on which I have already reported. Opuawhanga-Whangarei No. 1 Block. —This loan was expended on the Whananaki-Ngunguru Boad, which has already been reported on. Ngunguru Block. —This, block has now been well roaded by the construction of twelve miles of bridle-track, 6 ft. wide, with all required bridges, culverts, &c. The whole of the land has been taken up by settlers. It is proposed to erect a bridge over the Ngunguru Biver, near Kiripaka, to connect the block with the Kiripaka-Whangarei Boad, but works have been deferred, as there is a considerable amount of timber still being floated down the Ngunguru Biver from inland districts. Tokatoka Swamp Block. —See Tokatoka Swamp. Pakiri Block. —Nothing has been done this year, though in 1895 four miles and a half of bridletrack were constructed to open up and give access to the block.

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Tauhoa Block. —Nothing has been done this year. Ahuroa Block. —No work has been done this year. Maropui Block. —Under my supervision the Hobson County Council formed one mile of drayroad and maintained one mile. Avoca Block. —During the year the Hobson County Council formed 25 chains of dray-road and cleared about seven miles and a half of bush 1 chain wide along the line of roads to and through the settlement, and erected one bridge of 30 ft. and one of 53 ft. spans. Akaaka Swamp. —No construction-works have been done during the year to this swamp by the department. Works carried out by the Akaaka Drainage Board have already been reported on. Taupiri Block. —A road has been partly surveyed through this block. No other works have yet been undertaken. Okaihau-Horeke. —This vote is being expended by the Hokianga County Council in general repairs. During the year about one mile and a quarter has been so repaired. Utakura Road Deviation. —A deviation has been laid out by the Bay of Islands County, but nothing has been done towards its formation. Kaueranga. —During the year about six miles and a quarter of bridle-track have been constructed, and several bridges. There are yet, however, several bridges to be constructed. The land opened up is of fair quality, and the most of the sections have been taken up. Mangatangi Bridge. —Its plans for a bridge of three spans of 26 ft. in length, were prepared by the Whangamarino Boad Board from a sketch supplied by this office, and the bridge was erected by the Board. Tuakau-Opuatia-Kahuhuru. —This is the main road through the Eaglan County. During the year about three miles and a half of road, 14 ft. wide, have been constructed, and four miles of road are now under construction. The bridge across the Opuatia, about 70 ft. span, has also been erected, and the plans for the bridge across the Eamarama are now complete. The road gives access to some excellent land, nearly all of which along the road has been taken up. There yet remains about twelve miles to construct and improve, and seven bridges to erect, and there are several places that must be metalled to make the road available for wheel-traffic throughout the year. Genebal. About 130 plans and specifications for various county works have been examined, corrected, and approved of. In many instances new plans, &c, had to be drawn, which entailed a lot of extra work on the officers of the road branch. In nearly all cases Mr. Wright, Mr. Burd, or I have examined the works carried out by local bodies before final payments have been made. There were 287 co-operative and other contracts undertaken by this office last year, under the direct supervision of Mr. A. B. Wright and Mr. Burd, assisted by Mr. H. J. Kallender in the office, and by four inspectors in the field—Messrs. G. G. Menzies, W. C. Breakell, E. McLeod, and E. B. Menzies, and a few temporary men as occasion required. Gebhaed Muellee, Chief Surveyor.

NOBTH ISLAND CENTEAL. Hamilton Bridge. —Eepairs to this are being carried out by the local body under the usual agreement, and I believe satisfactory progress is being made. Whatawhata Bridge. —The repairs, tarring, and painting of this bridge have been satisfactorily carried out under agreement with the Eaglan County. Aotea-Raglan Road. —Maintenance: Only a small balance of old authority has been spent by me during the year. The road requires repairing. An agreement has just been entered into with the local body for expending £100 on it, and the work will be put in hand immediately. Raglan-Waipa Road. —£loo has been well spent on this road, under the supervision of the Eaglan County, in maintenance, repairs, and a little metalling. The road is in fair order, but the grades are too steep to allow of its ever becoming a first-class road. Whatawhata Swamp. —Nothing, so far, has been done to the road crossing this swamp. Waitomo Caves Road. —Owing to the very small traffic nothing has been required so far this year for maintenance, but the road will be cleaned up shortly so as to be in good order for the approaching winter. Te Rore Bridge. —Nothing has been done to this as yet, but the specification for repairs, painting, &c, has been submitted to me by the Eaglan County Council for approval. Waitetuna-Waingaro Road. —The widening of two miles and a half of this road from a dilapidated bridle-track to a 9 ft. dray-road is in hand, and nearly completed. This is all the work that can be done for the amount voted, and will make the road passable for drays in fine weather. It is, however, very narrow, and should be widened as soon as possible, and repairs done to other parts which are urgently needed; also a small bridge built across a stream near Waitetuna, to cross which when in flood travellers have to trespass on private property. Waitetuna-Aotea Road. —Under this name I include all the expenditure on the cart- and bridle-road to open up Blocks X. and XL, Karioi Survey District, and also work on KarioiAlexandra Boad. The work done embraces four miles of dray-road and eleven miles of bridle-road, all in bush-country, and mostly side-cutting, but not of a- heavy nature. The road opens up a good forest-country of a somewhat hilly nature, but generally speaking the hills are not steep. It will make a good grazing- and dairying-country, the soil being good, especially the inland part. A further vote is required to extend the road to the open country at Te Kauri, in the Kaniwhaniwha Valley, when it will connect with the roads in the old settled district, and to convert the bridle-road already made into a dray-road.

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Alexandra-Kawhia Road.— This road has been maintained in as good order as the funds provided would allow. Extensive repairs are now in hand, and are near completion, of the part between Pirongia and Te Bauamoa. Kihikihi-Waotu Road. —A substantial stone culvert has been built and 21 chains of dray-road made at Lawson's Creek ; half a mile of old road has been improved in other parts. Besides these works, the settlers and Maoris have done other improvements, consisting of side-cuttings, formation, and waterways to the value, I should think, of about £100. More works are required to grade this road; the only other part that has been done at public cost is the south approach to the Waikato Bridge. The north approach should be graded as soon as possible, and culverts with approach grades to them made at the stream-crossings. Pirongia-West Road. — This is being made by the Te Bauamoa settlers under co-operative contracts. It leaves the Alexandra-Kawhia Boad at the north-west corner of the settlement, and runs towards Pirongia Mountain. It will open up fair and good bush-land, which I understand has been acquired by the Government. The road is now made for one mile and three-quarters from the junction ; it is being felled from 1 to 1-J chains wide and formed 9 ft. wide. Tokanui-Wharepapa Road. —Nothing has been done under this head, as, owing to the land offered for sale in the Wharepuhunga Block, to which the road would give access, not having been taken up, the road is not at present required, unless thought advisable to construct it as a means of inducing settlement. Te Kuiti-Awakino Road. —During the year seven miles and three-quarters of 6 ft. bridle-road has been converted into a 16 ft. dray-road, and 37 chains of new 16 ft. dray-road made, making a total of 8 miles 17 chains dray-road at the southern end, which, added to that previously done, makes fifteen miles of dray-road at that end. Of this, however, there is half a mile which has not been finished, but which will be very soon properly completed. In addition to the above, 2 miles 27 chains of dray-road, with temporary culverts, has been made in the Paemako Improved Farm Settlement, making a total for the year of ten miles and a half. The whole length at the southern end is in pretty heavy side-cutting and bush-country. The average cubic yards per chain in the part widened, exclusive of the previously-made bridle-road, is earthwork 80 and rock 14 ; in the 37 chains of new dray-road 142 and 16 respectively. At Paemako, in 1 mile 37 chains, the average is earthwork 48 cubic yards and rock 2-J cubic yards; the other 70 chains at this part is surface forming, costing 6s. per chain. In addition to the above, 2,040 cubic yards of slips have been removed on contracts during the execution of the work, and paid for to the contractors. The maintenance and removal of slips on the part previously-made has cost for the year a little over £360, but there are still slips to be cleared that will cost about £100. I think the slipping has now passed its worst stage, and in future the expense will be very much less. Two miles and a half of bush has been felled, burnt, and grassed with cocksfoot and clover. Mangauika A Ik. —20 chains of dray-road, 15 of which is side-cutting, is all the work done on this block; it gives the only three settlers who are at present there cart-access to their holdings from the end of the Maoris' Boad, which enables them to cart to and from Pirongia and other places. Kihikihi-Otorohanga-Te Kuiti Road. —The only work done has been a few small repairs, and building a temporary cart-bridge across the Mangaorongo Stream, towards which Mr. Ellis, a settler near there contributed one-half. The further forming of this road will be put in hand as soon as possible, as it is really very much required. Wharepuhunga No. I. —No construction-works have been undertaken. An engineering survey of 27 miles 34 chains of roads giving access to and within the block has been made; plans and quantities are ready for starting the construction whenever desired. Stratford-Ongaruhe Road. —North end: no additional length has been added to road-con-struction. Three bridges across tributaries of the Ohura have been built, of a total length of 202 ft., and timber cut for another bridge of 34 ft. in length. The road from its junction with the Taumarunui-Ohakune Eoad to where it crosses the Ohura, a length of twenty-five miles, was put in good order early this summer, but recent heavy rains have caused many small slips, and one scour out of a small embankment. The road is now being cleared again, and shortly will be ready for wheel-traffic. Taumarunui-Ohakune Road. —End of railway at Te Porootarao Tunnel to Taumarunui. Three new culverts have been built, with necessary approaches and embankments, and 20 chains of road made, including the approaches to the Maramataha fords. Floods on the 29th and 30th January and the 27th February last have damaged two of the small bridges by cutting away the streambanks and scouring the beds, and also washed away two small embankments, which have now been repaired. The bridges have been made passable for horsemen, but before they are safe for wheeltraffic they must be taken to pieces and rebuilt; one of them will probably have to be lengthened. This work I propose doing directly I have time to arrange the necessary details. The road is in good order for any kind of traffic from the end of the railway to the junction with the StratfordOngaruhe Eoad, and is being thoroughly repaired between that point and Taumarunui. Karu-o-te-Whenua. —The work done was one mile and a half of dray-road in open land, mostly side-cutting, but does not include culverts which were not done the previous year. Miscellaneous Roads and Bridges in Native Districts. —About fifteen miles of bridle- and carttrack has been maintained and improved in places between Te Kuiti and Paemako, and eight miles has been very much improved on the track between Paemako and Pukerimu, on the StratfordOngaruhe Eoad, near Nihoniho Settlement. Wherever possible, and in the great majority of cases, the works have been done by co-opera-tive contract. No new country hitherto unexplored has been entered during the year's operations, and nothing remarkably interesting met with. C. W. Huesthouse, Eoad Surveyor.

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EOTOEUA. Boads tjndee Maintenance. Oxford-Rotorua Road. —Thirty-one miles of this road have been maintained in fair order, four of which have been re-formed. Three bridges, of a total length of 330 ft., have been redecked. One new culvert has been built and one old one repaired ; total length, 64 ft. Two maintenance men have been kept on the road throughout the year, and extra men engaged to redeck the bridges. Tokaanu-Taupo Road. —Thirty-six miles have been maintained in as good order as funds would allow, 4 miles 10 chains of which have been entirely re-formed. This road is more used each year, and, as much of it has never been properly formed, and most of it runs through very loose pumicecountry, it is in a rough state. Two men have been steadily employed on it, and three for some months. Tauranga-Napier Road. —This road extends from the southern boundary of the Tauranga County to Pohui, a distance, including loops, of 159 miles. It has been maintained in fairly good order throughout the year by a staff of twelve men, and 32 miles 3 chains of its length has been re-formed. Four bridges, of 226 ft. total length, have been repaired, and 170 ft. of culverts have been built, varying in size from 12 in. to 5 ft. square. All the bridges south of Taupo require more or less extensive repairs. Your attention has been called to this by a special report. Most of the original culverts are in a state of decay, causing the road to be washed away in times of flood by their collapse under embankments, and there are few of the surface-culverts left, the result being that during heavy rains the water is kept on the road, doing much damage to it, instead of being able to get away. If there were a reasonable number of surface-culverts the present staff of men would be able to keep the road in much better condition. In short, a considerable expenditure is necessary to place this road in the condition in which it should be. Some of the steep grades between Taupo and Napier also require attention before the winter sets in. Atiamuri-Liehfield Road. —Fourteen miles of tliis road have been maintained during the year, a mile and a half of which has been re-formed. One man has been employed. Maketu-Rotorua Road. —The Government portion, twenty-one miles in length, has been maintained by a staff of three men, 7 miles 40 chains having been re-formed. 62 chains of drains have been cut, and 8 chains of metalling have been done. Three small bridges have been built, being 41 ft. in length. The Morea Bridge has been temporarily repaired, its length being 78 ft.; and twenty-eight culverts have been built. As soon as plans can be prepared tenders will be called for a new bridge at the Morea. Rotorua-Wairoa Road. —This horse-road is seven miles in length, and has been maintained during the year, and generally improved and re-formed. Eight culverts of split timber have been built. The total mileage of roads under maintenance in this district, of which thirty-seven are horseroad, the remainder dray, is 401 miles. The weather up to the end of January was on the whole good, and the roads generally in fair order; heavy rains then setting in caused floods, which damaged the roads all through the district. Three bridges, of from 50 ft. to 70 ft. span, were seriously damaged, and the roads blocked with slips and wash-outs, entailing considerable expenditure ; indeed, it will take some time and money to get the general formation of the roads back into a good state of repair. Boads undeb Suevey and Construction. Rotorua-Ngongotaha Mount Road. —An engineering survey of 4 miles 5 chains has been made, and 2 miles 10 chains of horse-road formation has been constructed. This road should certainly be widened out into a carriage-drive, as it would then be a great resort for tourists, the views obtained of the lake and district from the spurs all the way up being very fine. Rotoiti-Tarawera, via Okataina Road. —An engineering survey of five miles of this road has been made, starting from the Village of Te Bauto, on the shores of Eotoiti Lake, and extending towards the Okataina Lake. Explorations are now being carried on round this lake, both sides of which are precipitous and rocky, the intention being to effect a junction with the Eotorua-Te Wairoa Boad near the Tikitapu bush. Waimana Block Road. — 3 miles 60 chains of engineering survey has been made. Four miles of bushfelling, 2 miles 20 chains of bush-clearing, and 60 chains of horse-road formation have been done. The work on this block has been done in accordance with the wishes of the Commissioner of Crown Lands. Waiotahi Block Road. —On this block 1 mile 10 chains of dray-road has been constructed, with 117 ft. of culverting and 1 mile 7 chains of bush-work. The work has been carried out in conformity with the wishes of the Commissioner of Crown Lands. Papamoa Block Roads. —Engineering surveys of 13 miles 11 chains of these roads were made; 1 mile 45 chains of 12 ft. dray-road has been formed over the swamps, and 2 miles 10 chains of horseroad 6ft. wide. Owing to the large swamps lying between the main road and the block the roading of it will cost more than was allowed in last year's estimates. This work has also been done in accordance with directions received from the Commissioner of Crown Lands. Arahiwi and Mamuku Railway-station Road. — 1 mile 16 chains of this road has been scrubbed and 60 chains cleared 33 ft. wide. Several contracts have been let, and given up before completion. It is therefore intended to call for public tenders for the work as soon as possible. Rangitaiki-Ruatoki-Waiotahi Road. —40 chains of this road has been constructed, and 1 mile 14 chains has been re-formed; 40 chains of bush-felling and -clearing done, and the whole length of thirty miles has been maintained. Te Teko-Opotiki Road. —The portion of this road lying between Te Teko and Whakatane has very little resemblance to a road, and is, in fact, one huge swamp, all the bridges being either

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burned or otherwise destroyed. Instructions have been given to open up the drains, fascine the swamps, and rebuild bridges and culverts, but, owing to the heavy rains of the last two months, it has been quite impossible to get near the work. Further, before the work can be proceeded with the question of settlers' drains connected with the road drains will have to be settled. This matter has been submitted for your consideration. Botorua-Te Teko Boad. —During the past year 12 miles 64 chains of 16 ft. dray-road has been constructed, which completes the formation of the road to the Tarawera Biver. The work, which comprised a good deal of heavy rock work, was done on the co-operative system, twenty-nine culverts have been placed in position, giving a total length of 780 ft., which completes the culverting of the road to the Botorua Lake ; 23,000 ft. of timber, kauri and rimu, are on the ground, which, when wrought, will complete the culverts a distance of seven miles further. As the work has proceeded the road has been maintained for a distance of twenty-one miles. Two huts have been built for stores and roadmen. These works were stopped in December for want of funds. Next season tourists will be able by this road to drive along the shores of Lakes Botoiti, Boto-ehu, and Boto-ma, which comprise sights far surpassing anything else in this district. I would suggest that some steps be taken to induce tourists to go there more than they do now, such as getting Messrs. T. Cook and Sons to advertise and run the place in connection with an accommodation-house, which I understand is to be started at Tupunaeharuru next year. Photographs of the lakes might also be published and circulated. It seems a pity that such a place should be so little known and visited, more especially as it is now so accessible. Botorua-Galatea-Waikaremoana Boad Surveys. —On this road very little progress has been made with the engineering surveys, owing to obstructions by the Natives, Mr. C. B. Turner, who was in charge of the work, broke up his party on the 4th June, and it was not until the end of December that the difference with the Natives as to the general route the road should take was settled. This matter entailed several trips into the Urewera-country for me, and the loss of much time and work by Mr. Turner. However, it was settled finally in a satisfactory manner by the Natives conceding everything we wanted, a result doubtless brought about by the firm treatment their deputations received in Wellington. I must here say that, notwithstanding their differences, all negotiations between your officials here and the Natives have been conducted in a friendly way, and we have always met with the best of treatment at their hands. During the year three miles of plans and quantities were completed of surveys done last year; three miles of surveys and plans ail done this year, and six miles of surveys not yet plotted have been done: in addition to which four miles of the road has been graded that is not yet surveyed; ten miles explored, but not yet graded; and seven miles of pack-tracks through some very rough country has been made. The distance by the road from Te Whaiti to where we first touch the lake will be about forty miles, and round the lake about another ten miles to the Aniwaniwa Stream. The grades from the Tarapounamu Saddle will be, for the first three miles, from 1 in 22 to 1 in 15, mostly the latter, and the country is rough ; after this, with the exception of about 40 chains near the Buatahuna Stream of 1 in 15, they are easy up to seven miles of the main Huirau Saddle, when there will be about two miles of 1 in 15, the remainder being 1 in 30. From the the Saddle to the lake they will be about 1 in 20 and lin 30. After the first six miles and a half from Tarapounamu the construction will be comparatively easy; none of the work to be done will be as costly as the first sixteen miles from Te Whaiti. I understand it is your intention to start the work from the lake end as soon as the surveys are through. This will be well, as provisions will be very costly from this end. Owing to Native obstruction, and the consequent delay of surveys, no construction has been done beyond the end of last year's work at the Tarapounamu Saddle; but a considerable amount of work has been done between Galatea and that point, work positively imperative in order to make the road safe for wheel-traffic. Eight contracts have been let for improvement of the road, and four for removal of heavy slips, 15,500 cubic yards of earthand rock-work having been excavated, materially improving the road for a distance of twenty-two miles by easing grades and taking out dangerous bends. Cuttings along precipitous rock-bluffs which were really only wide enough for horse-traffic have been also widened to a safe width. 45 chains of formation has been done at Galatea, and 53 chains of metalling. 71 box-culverts have been made and put in, having a length of 1,637 ft. 37,000 ft. of timber has been sawn and 500 posts been split for fencing on dangerous parts of the road. The old portion of the road between Botorua and Galatea has been considerably improved, having been re-formed for ten miles, 26 chains of drains cut, one mile of pumice metalling, and seven culverts being put in, having a total length of 145 ft. As soon as possible the road should be re-located across the Kaingaroa Plains, avoiding the present long gully at Galatea, and coming out on the Bangitaiki Biver somewhere near the present ford. Mr. A. Cross, who is in charge of the construction-works on this road, as well as its maintenance beyond Galatea, reports that a good bridge-site is obtainable some little distance above the ford on that river. The Waikomuku Stream, near Waiotapu, should also be bridged soon ; the present ford is a bad one, and the stream is often. unfordable and dangerous, besides being difficult to get in and out of. A bridge is also required across the Mangawhiri Creek, between the Bangitaiki and Te Whaiti, whereby the grades on both sides of the stream, which are now very steep, would be much improved; and as soon as the road is through a bridge should be built over the Whirinaki at Te Whaiti, as the ford is dangerous and likely to scour out. A Government store has been kept open at Te Whaiti throughout the year, but arrangements are now being made for closing it. The total length of the road under maintenance is sixty-nine miles. Motowhero-Wairakei Moad. —Mr. D. Lines Barron has located this road from its crossing of the Waikato Biver to Wairakei, with branch roads to the springs at Ohaki and to the Aratiatia Bapids, near Wairakei, a distance of 20 miles 40 chains, and has also made an engineering survey of it. Satisfactory explorations have been made for connecting this road with the wonderful sights at Orakikorako. Mr. Barron reports that this route will lessen the distance from Botorua to Taupo

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by about four miles; it will be a quicker route to travel, and cost less for maintenance than the present road, and will be a much more interesting one. Arrangements should, however, be made for bridging the Waikato Biver during the coming year. A comfortable hotel has been erected at Waiotapu, and I understand comfortable accommodation for travellers will be made near the Waikato Biver when the road is open, from which places the springs at Waiotapu, Ohaki, and Orakikorako can be visited, making this one of the most interesting routes in the colony. On that portion of the road from the Waiotapu Springs to the Waikato Eiver, which was partially constructed last year, seven miles of formation has been re-formed and constructed, and 65 chains has been metalled ; five bridges, having a total length of 223 ft., and thirty-two culverts, totalling 900 ft. in length, have been constructed, and thirteen miles has been maintained. The construction of the road beyond the Waikato Eiver towards Wairakei is now in hand, forty-five European and Native workmen being employed, and, as the work all through is of a light nature, connection with Wairakei should be made before the spring. All works in this part of the district are in charge of Mr. D. Innes Barron, Assistant Surveyor. Orokikorako. —Arrangements have been made with Watene to act as guide, ferryman, and caretaker for the hot springs and alum cave. I would suggest that during the winter a considerable quantity of trees should be planted about this place—which is one of the most wonderful and attractive sights of the district, and can be easily visited on horseback either from the new road to Wairakei, from Wairakei, or Atiamuri—and that the horse-tracks from these places be kept in good order and repair, which can be done at little cost. County Grants. —Plans and specifications have been approved for works on the TaurangaCambridge Boad for a grant of £100; for work on the Paengaroa Boad for £25 ; and for repairs to bridges necessitated by floods to the extent of £200, all in the County of Tauranga. The work on the Tauranga-Cambridge Boad has been passed, and a certificate forwarded to you. Te Ngae Landing Road. —A distance of 20 chains of formation has been constructed from the lake up to the main road, enabling passengers from the launches to get into the coach for Tikitere or elsewhere on the shores of the lake. Te Ngae Native School. —This has been removed from a point on the Botoiti Lake and re-erected at the Ngae. The work was done by contract for the sum of £316 by Mr. Allerby, of Tauranga, in a satisfactory manner. Rotorua Wharf. —Plans of this work have been completed and approved by you, and it is proposed to complete the work during the winter. Opouraio Estate. —24 chains of dray-road has been constructed, and 2 miles 4 chains maintained. Whakarewarewa. —34 chains of horse-road 8 ft. wide, and 56 chains of dray-road 16 ft. wide, were constructed, and 198 ft. of water-pipes were laid to properties. A considerable number of trees were planted under the supervision of the late Mr. Malfroy. The bridge across the Puarenga Stream was also completed. Bobebt H. Beaney, Boad Surveyor.

HAWKE'S BAY. The total length of roads constructed in the district during the year is 41f miles ; 65 chains of dray-road and one mile and a half of bridle-road have been improved, and sixty-six miles of road maintained. Of the 41f miles of roads constructed, 11-J miles have been made by local bodies out of grants, the plans, specifications, &c, having to be approved by the department; the balance, 30} miles, has been constructed by co-operative working under the supervision of officers of the department. Wairoa-Gisborne. —Out of a grant of £200 to the Cook and Wairoa County Councils 1 mile 67 chains has been metalled and one bridge constructed. Muriwai-Mahia. —A grant of £50 was made to the Cook County Council, with which they constructed one mile of bridle-road, which was very much required, the portion formed being very bad during the winter months. Tokomaru-Huiarua.— A grant of £200 was made to the Waiapu County Council, with which they constructed one mile of dray-road, with necessary culverts, it being a continuation of a drayroad from Tokomaru giving access to a number of small grazing-runs. Nuhaka-Gisborne. —On this road two bridges, 7 chains dray-road, and 1 mile 47 chains of bridle-road were constructed and repaired. The bridges were respectively 30 ft. and 40 ft. long. Gisborne-Opotiki. —Sixty-six miles of this road, running through rough forest-country, have been maintained, five men being engaged throughout the year improving the road, clearing slips, putting in new culverts, &c. The Whakatane Council have expended a grant of £85 on improving half a mile of the road within their county. Tologa-Marunga-Tauwhareparae. —5 miles 34 chains of an 8 ft. bridle-road, with all necessary culverts, has been constructed by co-operative labour. This road, which is cleared a chain wide, is in heavy forest-country, some of the work being in heavy side-cutting. The work throughout has been well executed. This end, when completed, will open direct through communication between the Tauwhareparae-Tologa Eoad and Giborne, vid Waimatu, saving the long round by the coast, which at present has to be taken by travellers from Tauwhareparae to Gisborne. Waimate-Tauwhareparae. —This is a continuation of the Tauwhareparae-Waimate Eoad last mentioned (under the vote "Tologa-Marunga-Tauwhareparae"), 1 mile 47 chains of which has been widened into a dray-road, with all necessary culverts, by the Cook County Council out of a grant of £200. Tologa-Arakihi. —The Cook County, out of a grant of £199 15s. 2d., have built twenty culverts, with necessary inlet and outlet drains, on the Tologa-Arakihi dray-road. This road will give good communication through to Tologa Bay to a number of Arakihi and other settlers. Napier-Wairoa. —3 miles 15 chains of dray-road has been constructed by co-operative labour, and I hope this year to be able to complete dray-communication between Mohaka and Wairoa. It B—c. i.

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will be a great advantage to get this road constructed through from Napier to Wairoa, but, the estimated cost being about £26,000, I fear we shall not be able to complete it for some years yet. Miscellaneous. —(Under this heading is a vote of £150 granted to Cook County Council to assist them in forming a dray-road to Bun 46, Maungatokerau. With this, assisted by other moneys, six miles of dray-road has been constructed. The work has been well carried out, and will be of benefit to the settlers of Maungatokerau Valley. Hikurangi Block. —s miles 62 chains of 8 ft. bridle-road has been constructed from Ihunga to the Mata Biver, to give access to Crown lands, a portion of which has been selected. The works were done by co-operative labour, and are well executed. This road puts the settlers in good communication with Waipiro Bay. Ruakituri Block. —3 miles 12 chains of the road up the Buakituri Valley has been widened to an 8 ft. horse-track, with all necessary culverts, &c. The work was done in a satisfactory manner by co-operative labour, and will be of great service to the settlers. Pohui Block. —Under this heading is a grant of £100 7s. 6d., being a grant of £1 for £1 to the Hawke's Bay County Council, which was expended on the erection of a bridge. Ruahine Block. —51 chains of dray-road in the Euahine Block, with necessary culverts, outlet and inlet drains, &c, has been constructed by co-operative labour. When the remaining portion of this road (about three-quarters of a mile : now under construction) is completed it will put the Euahine settlers in communication with the Township of Blackburn. Motu Road (widening). —A grant of £500 was made for widening this road, but, only being authorised late in the year, we have only constructed chains, which have been widened from 8 ft. to 12 ft., at a cost of £96 15s. The work has been done by co-operative labour. When the road is widened to the edge of the bush, which will be the case, I hope, before the winter, it will be a great advantage to the Motu settlers. Waikopiro. —1 mile 23 chains of dray-road, being main road through the Waikopiro Settlement, has been constructed, and portions metalled. Also 1 mile 16 chains of bridle-road) with necessary culverts and bridges, has been completed by co-operative labour. These roads were very necessary to give settlers access to their sections, and, in fact, much yet remains to be done before the necessary roads are completed. I would urge on the department the necessity in these new settlements of pushing on the road-works, as otherwise it is difficult for settlers to get on to their sections, and it retards progress and disheartens the settlers. A bridge is also necessary over the Manawatu Eiver. Takapau-Kopua. —The only expenditure on this road was £85, cost of survey. Roads on Estates purchased under Land for Settlements Act. —Under this heading a sum of £1,500 was authorised to be expended on the new settlement at Elsthorpe, and £180 at Eaureka Settlement. At Elsthorpe 1 mile 46 chains of dray-road has been formed, with all necessary culverts. At Eaureka 1 mile 26 chains of dray-road has been improved and metalled, all the work being done by co-operative labour. Rotorua-Galatea-Waikaremoana (including Frasertown, Waikaremoana). —4 miles 66 chains of this road has been widened from 6 ft. to 10 ft., which completes coach-communication from Wairoa to Waikaremoana Lake, and 2 miles 33 chains of 6 ft. bridle-road has been constructed round the lake in the direction of Galatea. All this work has been done by co-operatives working under Mr. Strauchon's supervision. The bridle-road runs through very hard country, and is expensive to construct. I find that instructions were given when the works started not to clear more of the forest off the road-line round the margin of the lake than was absolutely necessary for the construction, the idea being that to fell the timber would spoil the road from an artistic point of view ; the consequence is that it is only cleared from 15 ft. to 20 ft. Looked at only from the artistic side it may be correct, but from an engineering point of view it is bad, and before a good road can be maintained it will be necessary to clear it a chain wide. I think most travellers will appreciate a good road, even at the sacrifice of the bush, and, looking at it from an artistic point of view, I think the ferns, flowers, &c, which spring up after a few months on the cleared portion of the road are more pleasing to the eye than the forest, of which by the time the traveller arrives at Waikaremoana from Galatea he will have had quite enough. Since the completion of the road to the lake a number of travellers have visited it, and they have found a singular object which has attracted much attention, a report on which may be interesting. There is a large rock situated near the middle of the new bridle-road round the lake. Beside it there grows a rata-tree which, in the course of its growth, and when a sucker, has crept through a crack in the rock ; now the full trunk has penetrated through, and detached a slice of the big rock, and carried it up in its growth, and it is now nursed by the tree. The piece of rock so lifted is 24 ft. long, 4 ft. thick, and 4-J ft. wide. It is quite a curiosity, and I have given instructions not to destroy it. Eeic P. Gold-Smith, Chief Surveyor.

TAEANAKI. Mohakatino Bridge. —During the year the bridge has been screwed up, the lower parts tarred, and the upper parts painted. The northern bank of the stream, for a length of 10 chains above the bridge, has been planted with three rows of willow-stakes, in order to stop the scouring and fretting away the banks in floods. A post-and-wire fence has been erected to protect the willows from travelling stock. Junction Road-Purangi. —This work includes—first, the extension of metalling onwards and eastwards from Matara Eoad towards Purangi; and second, metalling Junction Boad between Kaimata Boad and Tarata. Of the former, about one mile has been completed to date, and the remainder is in progress ; and, of the latter, the whole of the previously unmetalled gap between Inglewood and Tarata has been metalled. There is now a continuous metalled road from

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Inglewood eastwards of about nineteen miles. The work was under charge of Clifton County Council and Moa Boad Board. Mimi-Mangaroa Moad.— The contract for this work was let by Clifton County Council during the last financial year, though owing to the early winter but little was done beyond opening the gravel-pits. The work is now in progress, about 40 chains having been completed to date. The metal is similar to Ohaero gravel, and will make an excellent road. The portion being metalled lies between five miles and a half to six miles and three-quarters from the Old North Boad, and is about a mile and a quarter in length. On account of the low nature of the ground, it will be necessary to metal several miles of the road before it will be suitable for coach-traffic in winter. Tikorangi Bridge. —Tenders have been accepted for the construction of a suspension draybridge over Waitara Biver at Tikorangi, at a cost of £695, in addition to material on the site, the span between piers being 200 ft. The work is now well advanced, and the bridge will probably be completed and open for traffic in May next. The cables are of straight wires, the anchor-blocks of concrete; the main parts should therefore be very durable, and the bridge require but little attention for many years beyond the ordinary maintenance. Bridge over Purangi. —Tenders were invited during the year for the erection of a dray-bridge over Waitara Biver at Purangi, but the tenders received were declined, being too high. Thiswas partly on account of the difficulty of getting timber and other material to the bridge-site, over three miles and a half of the road being only 8 ft. wide, and along which the timber and iron would have to be sledged or dragged. The settlers in Milsom and Tanner Blocks have, therefore, still to rely on the cable and cage for crossing the river and obtaining supplies, the ford being frequently dangerous or impassable. Moanatairi Special Settlement. —In consequence of the revival of gold-mining at the Thames (from whence the Moanatairi settlers were to come), but few improvements have been effected on Moanatairi Block, and none of the selectors are resident. It was therefore unnecessary to further improve the pack-track from Putiki towards Moanatairi. In order, however, to assist the Greenland Improved-farm settlers, whose land lies between Putiki and Moanatairi, sufficient work was done on the track to give them access. Tongaporutu Ferry. —Nothing has yet been done, beyond the preparation of a plan for the punt, towards the establishment of this ferry. The convenience is much required, as at times—during and after floods—the crossing is dangerous through shifting sand-bars and -banks, and travellers who do not know the right ford are in danger of losing their lives. A ferryman's house will have to be erected, and there is now no one living near the ferry reserve. Moki Boad.—The lower portion of this road, called Uruti Boad, for a length of two miles has been formed as a dray-road by the Clffton County Council, they receiving from this vote a subsidy of £1 for £1 on the cost of the work. No felling or formation on Moki Boad towards Moanatairi has yet been commenced. Pukearuhe inland to Mohakatino. —Mimi Boad : During the past year the felling and stumping the road through from Lepperton Special Settlement to Tongaporutu crossing has been completed, and the heavy side-cutting required in crossing the main ridge has also been made. About one mile of draining and forming on the Mimi side, and four miles of similar work on the Tongaporutu side, are still required to complete this portion of the work, and render the road available for vehicular traffic to Tongaporutu crossing. During the year a dray-bridge, 81 ft. long, over Uruti Stream has been completed ; also a similar one 50 ft. long has been built over the Mangahia Stream. A bridge 45 ft. in length over Mimi Stream is still in progress. 204 chains of draining and forming along Mimi Valley through Lepperton Special Settlement, 192 chains of heavy siding in papa rock in crossing the dividing-ridge, and 1,724 lineal feet of culverts are the chief works on this road for the year. Fifteen miles of the road has also been kept free from slips, and generally maintained. The workmen were all dismissed in January, 1897, the votes being expended, otherwise the draining and forming I have referred to as being still required would have been completed. The heavy rains in February brought down a large number of slips, which should be removed before winter, as otherwise the winter rains may carry portions of the road away. The cost of removal will be'fully £300. o , Upper Waitara-Mangaere.— Junction Boad : The formation of this road as an 8 ft. wide bridleroad is now completed between Purangi and Ohura Boad; and the Milsom and Tanner settlers have connection from their lands to Stratford, as well as to Ingle wood. _ The work completed during the year included 55 chains engineering survey and plans, 111 chains of 8 ft. wide bridleroad formation—principally heavy sidings in papa rock, and 257 lineal feet of culverts. A sum is asked for on the estimates "to keep this part of the road open, as heavy slips will no doubt occur during the coming winter. The expenditure has included six miles of road maintenance. Carrington Boad.— This road leads into and through the Patua Block, about 11,000 acres, the sectional survey of which was completed this year. About 240 chains of the road has been felled, stumped, and cleared, and 8 chains formed as a bridle-road, during the year. Work is still in proWaiweranui (Parihaka Boad).— -127 chains of road has been felled, stumped, cleared, and partly formed, and 87 lineal feet of culverts constructed. Work is still in progress. Motukawa—This road has been completed as an Bft. and.sft. bridle-road to Makino Stream, the work for the year consisting of three bridges totalling 134 ft. in length, 32 chains of road-forma-tion in heavy siding, and 108 lineal feet of culverts. Access has been given to all lands loading for road-making purposes was imposed, and the loading has been all expended. £150 was voted as a special grant to complete the road to Makino Stream. Kohuratahi.—The Kohuratahi Block lies eastwards from Whangamomona Improved-farm Settlement, and reaches to Tangarakau Stream. The Kohuratahi Boad branches off from Ohura Boad at about forty-seven miles from Stratford, and when made will give access by way of Tangarakau Stream to Wanganui Biver. Four miles of engineering survey and plans have been made, six miles of the road has been felled, stumped, and cleared, and 63 chains has been formed as a

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dray-road. At about a mile and a half from Ohura Eoad a branch road is laid off to run down Putikituna Stream to Tangarakau, and this road will, when made, give access to Tangarakau Stream about two miles nearer Wanganui Eiver, and avoid some difficult rapids. Putiki. —This road branches off Mimi Boad, near Tongaporutu Stream, and runs up the latter. When opened it will give access to Okau, Mangatawa, and Greenland Improved-farm Settlements. 91 chains of road has been felled, stumped, and cleared, and this is being formed as a bridle-road. Work is still in progress. Huiroa Township (Bushfelling). —As the survey of the township had been completed before this vote was granted, and the felling and burning the bush would have destroyed the survey-pegs, no action has been taken towards felling the bush, and the vote will not be required. Autawa and Pita Roads. —The vote includes also Pukemahoe Eoad. On the above roads 32 chains has been felled, stumped, and cleared; 42-| chains has been formed as bridle-road; and 56 lineal feet of culverts has been constructed. Denbigh Road (Subsidy). —This road is under control of Manganui Eoad Board, who have raised a loan of £1,000 for metalling the road from railway-line towards Derby Boad, and draining and forming parts of the road in Block XVI., Egmont. The subsidy will be spent in conjunction with the loan, though specially for draining and forming. Through delay in letting the work it is not yet in progress. Anderson Road and Bridges. —The Hawera County Council have let two contracts for metalling on this road (which is now named Eawhitiroa Eoad), one of four miles and three-quarters in length, starting at Eltham, to be of machine-broken metal laid 11 ft. wide by 8 in. deep, value of contract £3,363 ; and one of two miles and a half in length, to be of shell-rock, laid 11 ft. wide by 9 in. deep, commencing at Pukengahu Eoad and extending to Mangamingi Eoad, value of contract £1,050. Of the former contract, four miles and a quarter has been completed, and the whole contract would have been finished but for the recent wet weather. Of the latter contract, about 40 chains only is completed. Tenders were invited for gravelling about three miles and three-quar-ters lying between the above contracts and including the portion of road crossing the ridge between Ngaire and Mangamingi Block, but those received were too high, and were declined. Five miles of this road were maintained for the greater part of the year. Mangamingi. —During the year 63 chains bridle-road formation was made on Wingrove Boad, including 128 lineal feet of culverts. Part of the expenditure under this heading was for work completed the previous year. Huiroa Roads. —This is referred to under the heading " Toro Block." Mangaotuku Road.- —8 chains of the road has been felled, stumped, &c, 12 chains of bridleroad formed, 37 lineal feet of culverts constructed, and about four miles maintained. The balance of vote is being retained for building a bridge (now in progress) over Mangaehu and Mangaotuku Streams at their junction on Mangaotuku Eoad. Ohura. —This vote was for metalling Ohura Eoad onwards from the end of the present metal for a distance of nine miles and a half from Stratford, as a subsidy of £1 for £1 on a loan to be raised by the Stratford County Council. Through disagreements amongst the settlers interested the loan was not raised, and consequently no metalling was done. About four or five miles of metalling, in sections, in continuance of that completed last year, is urgently needed, as the traffic increases yearly, and the earth road remains good for a period barely exceeding five to six months. Ngaire. —With the exception of about 45 chains now in hand, the whole of the draining of Ngaire Swamps is completed, the total length of main drains being eleven miles and a quarter, and of circuit drain sixteen miles and three-quarters. Of these, ten miles and a quarter has been dug this year. Thirteen miles has also been maintained, and some of the main drains deepened. This latter is a heavy and expensive work, as the bottom of the drain is usually a mass of timber, which has to be blown out by dynamite. Fortunately, but a moderate amount of this work has to be done in the parts where the subsidence is greatest. Though it is yet early to judge as to the full beneficial results to be derived from the drainage, yet the benefits already achieved are very encouraging. Where previous to the draining there existed only a wet quaking morass there is now fairly firm and dry ground, on which (where the surface-growth has been burned and grassseeds have been sown) luxuriant pasture is growing, maintaining small herds of young cattle and small mobs of sheep. What is now required is that each settler should (as some are doing) cut their boundary drains —the water from which will flow into the main drains —burn off the surfacescrub and rushes, sow grass-seeds, and stock the land with young cattle or sheep. From the results already attained, I have no doubt that if the settlers act quickly, and with judgment, the whole of the swamp-lands will be firm and luxuriant pasture within four years. The average cost of cutting the main drains 13 ft. wide at top, 6 ft. wide at bottom, by 7 ft. deep, has been £4 15s. 4-|d. per lineal chain, or 7'oBd. per cubic yard; and for cutting the circuit drains Bft. wide at top, 2ft. wide at bottom, by 6 ft. deep, £2 12s. 2Jd. per lineal chain, or B'94d. per cubic yard, the higher relative cost of circuit drains being in consequence of the excessive amount of timber we had to cut through. The surface has not subsided as much as was anticipated, the greatest subsidence being where the drains are free from timber. In no instance will the subsidence affect the good results derived from the drains. In addition to draining the swamps, and in connection with the vote, 211 chains of service-roads has been felled, stumped, and formed in the block, and 92 lineal feet of culverts constructed. Central Patea Valley. —No work has been done on the Maben or Ball Eoads leading into this valley, but £73 17s. has been expended in compensation for lands taken for roads. Boad-felling and formation will probably commence in spring. - Kaimanuka and Rawhitiroa. —The expenditure was on the maintenance of sixteen miles of road. Mangamingi Township.- —Forty-three acres have been felled and burned, and will shortly be sown in grass. This township is situated at the junction of Anderson and Mangamingi (now Eawhitiroa) Boads, and is sufficiently level for the purpose required.

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Patea Bridge. —This bridge is intended to span Patea Eiver at the crossing of the Eawhitiroa Eoad, about thirteen miles east from Eltham. Plans are prepared, the road is made to and from the site, and arrangements are now made for cutting the necessary timber within Mangamingi Block. Should the further money required be voted, the bridge will be erected next year. It is urgently required, being the key to all the country to the eastward, and the present ford is dangerous with even a slight flood. Waitotara Widening. —Waitotara Boad is formed as a dray-road from Waitotara Township to Kaimanuka (Mangaone), twenty-two miles, and as a bridle-road to Eawhitiroa Block, a further distance of eighteen miles and three-quarters. It is now proposed to widen a portion of this latter into a dray-road, commencing at Mangaone, and the work was started in January last. To date, 120 chains of the road has been widened and culverted, and the work is still in progress. Ball Road. —The vote for this road was a contribution towards the cost of metalling the worst places on Ball Eoad, part of which, near Alton, is too flat to remain trafficable in winter. The road is now a leading thoroughfare for a large extent of settlement in Opaku district, and the settlers have already specially rated themselves to grade and form it. Unfortunately, suitable material for metalling is not procurable in the immediate vicinity of the road, and will have to be obtained at great expense from between Eltham and New Plymouth. Arrangements for the work were entered into too late for its being done this season, but it will probably be put in hand early next spring. Weraweraonga. —This money was granted to complete the felling and forming Weraweraonga Eoad, within Wellington Land District, between Waitotara Eoad and Taranaki boundary-line. The whole distance is about four miles and a half, of which three miles and a quarter required forming, and part of it felling, stumping, &c. It is intended to form about two miles of the three and a half as a dray-road, in continuation of the portion already made ; the remainder to be a bridle-road similar to that made within the Taranaki district, and shown under the heading " Opaku-Kapara." To date, 72 chains of formation and 64 chains of felling and stumping has been completed. The whole work will probably be finished in May next. Okoke Block. —ln continuation of last year's work, 278 chains of Okoke, Piko, and Eaka Boads has been felled, stumped, &c, and bridle-road formed. About ten miles of road has been maintained. Oxford Association Block. —Nearly all the settlers have abandoned this block, which was too rough for special-settlement purposes in small areas. The Land Board has now grouped sections together, and they will be thrown open on the optional system. No further work will be done on the roads until the land is again selected and occupied. Lepperton Block.— 204 chains of draining and dray-road formation has been done on the Mimi Boad, within the block, in conjunction with the formation on Mimi roadworks. Moanatairi Block. —As explained under heading of " Moanatairi Special Settlement," those who selected this block, and who reside in the Thames district, have not yet put in an appearance on the land, and consequently no roadwork has been started within the block. Mangaere Block. —260 chains of dray-road formation, 10 chains of felling, stumping, &c, 777 lineal feet of culverts, and 40 lineal feet of bridges has been made on the road within the block during the year, and about eight miles of the road has been maintained. The loading money on the block being now spent, no further work on these roads will be done by the department. Ross 810ck. —267 chains of Ohawe and Tawhiwi Eoads has been felled, stumped, &c, and 122 chains of bridle-road formed. Work is still in progress, and each settler will be given access to his land as far as the loading money will enable us to do so. Eltham 810ck. —164 chains of felling, stumping, &c, 134 chains of bridle-road formation, 90 lineal feet of culverts, 102 lineal feet of bridges, including a truss-bridge of 50 ft. main span over Mangaotuku Stream, were made on the roads in this block during the year. Bridle-road access has been given to every section in the block. The cost of Mangaotuku Bridge was assisted by a contribution of £100 from the Strathmore settlers. Manganui Block. —s3f chains of felling, stumping, &c, 137 chains of draining and forming as dray-road, and 110 lineal feet of culverts and small bridges has been made on the roads within the block during the year. A further small amount of draining and forming on Badnor Boad is now in progress, which will absorb the balance in hand of the loading put upon the block. The work will be finished in April next. Gatton 810ck. —257 chains of felling, stumping, &c, 161 chains of bridle-road formation, and 346 lineal feet of culverts has been done on the roads in the block during the year. Nearly all the sections have bridle-road access, or will have when Mangaehu Bridge, now in progress, is completed. The whole of the loading has been expended, and was insufficient to complete the work required. Llewellyn Block. —No work has yet been done on this block, which lies eastward of Mangaehu (Puniwhakau) and Terrace End Blocks, access being through them. Until the roads are made through Terrace End and Mangaehu Blocks it would be useless making them through Llewellyn Block. Puniwhakau Block. —This on the lithographs is named "Mangaehu Block." It lies between Terrace End and Llewellyn Blocks, and until the roads are made through Terrace End Block we cannot start roadwork in this one. Terrace End Block. —715 chains of felling, stumping, &c, 528 chains of bridle-road formation, and 1,120 lineal feet of culverts has been made within the block within the year. The loading is now nearly all expended, and over £1,000 more will be required to open up the roads in the block sufficient to give each settler access. The vote being exhausted, the men have now been struck off roadwork. Patua Block. —The work in this block is shown under " Carrington Boad." Egmont Block. —44 chains of felling and stumping, 5 chains of dray-road formation, 19 lineal feet of culverts, and 44£ chains of track-cutting has been done within the block during the year.

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Some small works are still in hand, and deviations outside the block on the leading roads are being made with the assistance of the Boad Board. Kaitangiwhenua No. 2. —Eawhitiroa Eoad : As explained in last year's report, this is an inland connecting road between Waitotara Eiver (about thirty-eight miles above Waitotara Township) and Eltham. During the year 220 chains of dray-road formation, 770 chains of felling, stumping, &c, 690 chains of bridle-road formation, 2,173 lineal feet of culverts has been made, leaving only about three miles and a half to be felled and formed to complete the through connection. The settlers in Matemateonga Block contributed £600 (raised by special loan) towards the cost of above work. From Eltham to Waitotara Biver the distance is about 44-J- miles, of which about thirteen is of dray-road width. Ton Block. —The vote for this road represents a special loading put on Section 23, Block IV., Huiroa, for forming Toro Eoad, but as part of the road requires deviating, and no offer has yet been made for the land to which it leads, no action has been taken towards doing the work. Opaku-Kapara Block. —These works include Mataimoana, Weraweraonga, and Eidge Eoads, and during the year 1,242 chains of felling, stumping, &c, 1,190 chains of bridle-road formation, and 380 lineal feet of culverts has been done. Access has been given to all the lands disposed of, and to portions still remaining Crown lands. Rawhitiroa Block. —This block, though surveyed, has not yet been disposed of, and until this is done it would not be prudent to fell and form the roads, as without traffic they would soon grow up with scrub, and become impassable through slips. Moeawatea Block. —Eawhitiroa Eoad has been formed, felled, &c, along part of the town side of this block, but no service-roads have been made through the block, as, though surveyed and allotted, none of the special settlers have yet attempted to occupy it. Maraekowhai. —The expenditure under this heading was for road-work to Mangaere Saddle, sawing timber for bridges, and for maintenance of part of Ohura Eoad. Whenuakura Block. —Eawhitiroa Eoad has been felled, formed, &c, through the middle of this block, but the side-roads have not been made for the reasons given in Moeawatea Block. Stratford-Ongaruhe. —Ohura Boad : Very little work beyond maintenance and necessary repairs was done on this road during the past year until January, 1897, since when a strong party has been at work on the heavy siding going down from Pohokura-Mangare ridge towards Whangamomona, forming the road of dray-road width. Three miles of this work—now in hand—is exceptionally heavy, and the most costly of any part of Ohura Boad between Stratford and Ohura Biver, but afterwards the work will be of a lighter description. Two hundred chains of dray-road formation has been done during the year, bringing the effective coach-road to a point over thirty-nine miles from Stratford. Three miles and a quarter felling and clearing for dray-road, two miles and a quarter of similar work for bridle-road, 758 lineal feet of culverts, and one bridge 66 ft. long are also among the works done during the year. As some parts of the road for the last two winters were very muddy—impassable for dray-traffic—and metal was scarce and costly to obtain, an experiment was tried by placing a coat of 12 in. of a dry yellow sand (found in some of the cuttings) on the lower or wet parts of the road. It has answered very well, and will assist in keeping the road open for light-dray traffic. It binds well in wet weather, and throws off the water that otherwise would lodge. Its cost is only one-third of that of a light coat of metal. During the past summer four miles and a quarter of this sanding has been done between Makuri Bridge and Pohokura Bridge, in sections, as urgently required, and the road is much improved in consequence. Ohura Boad, being the main channel for the traffic from lands lying for miles on each side of it, is quite unable, on the unmetalled parts, to sustain the heavy strain thrown upon it, and each year the difficulty of supplying the various settlements during the winter months becomes greater. Unless the worst parts between the end of the present metal (nine miles and a half from Stratford) and Pobokura are metalled, settlement of the outside lands cannot progress satisfactorily. The worst portion is to Douglas Eoad, about two miles, and a further two or three miles in sections at Makuri and Mangaotuku would suffice for a year or so ; but if possible the work should be done in a continuous length. The shell-rock metalling completed last year has made a splendid road, and has shown its suitability, when laid under proper circumstances, for carrying the heaviest traffic. Geneeal. The total number of contracts let during the year was 613, in addition to the fifty-seven in operation on the Ist April, 1896, making a total of 670. Of these, 632 have been completed, leaving thirty-eight in progress. Of the 670 contracts, 667 were co-operative and three only by ordinary tender. The following works are proposed for the coming year : Continuation of Ohura Eoad formationworks, and metalling; completion of Mimi roadworks ; formation of Mokau Eoad ; commencement of Moki Boad ; completion of Eawhitiroa Boad ; and the opening-up of roads through the various improved-farm settlements and special settlements. G. F. Eobinson, Eoad Surveyor.

WANGANUI. Pipiriki-Waiouru Road. —A large amount of work preparatory to metalling has been done during the year, but owing to an unusually wet summer a comparatively small amount of metal has been placed on the road. Four contracts, covering a length of 297 chains, are in progress, and three of them are nearly completed, though none of the work done on them has been entered on this year's returns. 1,751 cubic yards of shell-rock have been broken at three faces ; this involved 5,494 cubic yards stripping, and 36 chains of service roads, 12 ft. wide. Nine chains of metalling were done at Huikumu. Shell-rock breaking is still proceeding at two faces. With the exception of Kaukore and Waipuna sidelings, which do not cut up badly in winter, the road will (when the metal now being broken is spread) be metalled in all the worst places from Pipiriki to Toanui, a distance of 21£ miles. This is about thirteen miles of actual metalling. The road has been main-

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tamed throughout, and very much improved on the Eaetihi Flats. There has been a considerable amount of tourist and settlement traffic during the summer- months. Ohingaiti-Tokaanu Road. —The traffic on this road is still becoming heavier, especially from Mangaonoho to Taihape. On account of the traffic, the cost of maintenance is very heavy. Seventeen metalling contracts have been let during the past summer, eleven of which are completed. 6,096 cubic yards have already been laid down. This includes a large amount of broken stone. The remaining six contracts, comprising 2,800 cubic yards, will be completed during the present month. 11 chains of dray-road access to metal-pit and 33 lineal feet culverts has been completed. By an exceptionally high flood the Oturere Bridge, at 24f miles, on the Tokaanu Eoad, was washed away. A good ford has now been made, and other damage of a serious nature is being repaired. Moawhango-Te Horo Road. —Besides maintenance, the only new work is the completion of the sheep-bridge, 115 ft. span, across the Moawhango Eiver. Mangawhero-Murimotu Road (Fields). —Maintenance work only; some of the bridges have become very shaky, and are now being repaired. The traffic returns are as follow: Travellers on horseback, 2,211; pack-horses, 959 ; cattle, 171; sheep, 200. Kaitieke Block. —Up to the end of December a considerable amount of work was done, but only maintenance since then owing to want of funds. The Oio Road has been opened out for 190 chains from the Kaitieke Creek, and the road down the Eetaruke has been extended to within two miles of Waituna. The work done consists of five miles engineering survey, 769 chains bushwork, 410 chains 6 ft. formation, 220 lineal feet culverts, and maintenance. This block has been withdrawn from sale, and all work stopped. Taumarunui-Ohakune Road. —One contract has been completed immediately north of the open country and six contracts south of the Manganui-a-te-ao. The part between the Makotuku Valley and the open country should be well cleared and ditched as soon as possible. This route from Pipiriki to Tokaanu will form a much more direct and picturesque tourist-road than the present one via Waiouru. The work done consists of seven miles engineering survey, 375 chains bushwork, 20 chains 6 ft. formation, 30 lineal feet culverts, and maintenance. Manganui and Ruapehu. —This work is being done on the Gladstone Block. Five contracts are at present in progress on the Taumarunui-Ohakune Boad through the block, and the Pukaka Boad is being cleared by two parties of settlers. The completed work comprises 120 chains of clearing. Waimarino. —This includes the following roads : Makotuku Valley, Middle, Pipipi, Waipuna, and Tawhito-ariki. On the Makotuku Valley Eoad 151 chains has been cleared, 43 chains formed 16 ft. wide, 20 chains 6 ft. wide, and 118 lineal feet of culverts. The last mile of bushwork and one ditching contract are now in hand. This forms part of the future main road Pipiriki-Waimarino-Tokaanu. On the Middle Eoad, opening up the free-selection block, 212 chains bushwork, 109 chains formation 6 ft. wide, and 116 lineal feet culverts has been done. Pipipi Eoad: The work done comprises 25 chains bushwork, 11 chains 6 ft. formation, and 84 lineal feet culverts. Waipuna Boad :39 chains bushwork and formation 6 ft. wide. Tawhito-ariki includes dray-bridge, 66 lineal feet, across the Mangawhero Eiver at Mr. McDonnell's small grazing-run. Waimarino No. 2. —This comprises maintenance work scattered over all the roads mentioned under " Waimarino," a total length of one mile dray-road and nineteen miles bridle-road. Raetihi-Ohura Road. —Extensive repairs have been effected over the first two miles, the worst places on which, for the total length of one mile, are now being metalled; 24 chains of new dray-road formation has been done, and 26 acres bushfelling in Eaetihi Township. For opening out the main body of the Waimarino Block this is the most important road of all. Raetihi-Parapara Road. —Owing to want of funds, this road is still progressing very slowly. At the southern end the seven miles formed two years ago had become perfectly impassable; they are now being thoroughly repaired. At the northern end the work clone comprises 124 chains bushwork, 60 chains haulage-track, 10 acres bushfelling at Mangawhero Bridge site. The bridge foundations are being excavated; 10,000 superficial feet squared and 8,000 superficial feet sawn timber have been prepared, and are now being delivered. The bridge will be completed and a rough track formed through by next Christmas. Clifton Block. —Eangataua Portion : On the Makaranui Eoad 76 chains of bushwork, 9 chains formation 12 ft. wide, and 72 lineal feet culverts has been done; on the Eangataua Eoad 34 chains horse-track and 6 chains dray-road, with 25 lineal feet culverts, has been formed. Waimarino Portion : 191 chains of bushwork has been done, extending into the boundary of the Eaetihi Native Block. Wanganui Block. —On the Ohakune portion three miles and a quarter of scrubbing and clearing has been done on the Eata-maire Eoad, and on the Hukaroa Eoad (Waimarino portion) 65 chains of bushwork has been done ; 211 chains of engineering survey has also been done on this road, and fresh contracts will shortly be started. Otaranoho Road.— Jerusalem : A contract for £63 ss. for 57J chains horse-track formation has been laid out, but the work is at present stopped by the Natives. Awarua. —This includes the following roads : Mangaweka and Eakautoru, MangawekaTe Kapua, and Mangawharariki. Mangaweka and Eakautoru: These are mostly streets and by-roads in and around Mangaweka giving access to village-settlement sections on the Cage Eoad ; 63 chains bushwork and 17 chains dray-road formation has been done ; on the Terrace Eoad, 58 chains of bushwork and 40 chains dray-road formation; Cemetery Eoad, 30 chains bushwork and horse-track formation ; School Eoad, 5 chains bushwork and dray-road formation ; on the Mangaweka-Te Kapua Eoad a large amount of work has been done, including 543 chains bushwork, 601 chains formation, 24 lineal feet bridge, and 40 ft. papa cut. A dam and large filling are at present being put across the Makohine; when this filling is completed this road will be open for horse-traffic from Mangaweka to Te Kapua.

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Mangawharariki Road. —A contract for metalling 66 chains, from Mangaweka Creek to and across the bridge, is now nearly completed. This makes continuous metalling fron the main road to the Mangawharariki-Kawhatau Junction. Mangaweka Bridge (Bangitikei River). —This bridge is to consist of two spans of 121 ft. each, with two end spans of 40 ft. each, equal to 322 ft. in all. The understructure consists of two concrete abutments, two concrete piers, and one central pier of cast-iron cylinders 6 ft. in diameter; the superstructure of two standard 40 ft. spans and two 121 ft. timber spans, with iron lower chords. The work was started in May, 1896, some preliminary work being previously done to the approaches. The excavations for the concrete piers were sunk 14 ft. below the river-level in solid papa. The concrete work, consisting of 453 cubic yards, was completed in October, costing, with timbering, excavations, &c, somewhat over £1,000. A contract for the supply of 56 tons cast-iron cylinders was let to Messrs. Luke and Co. on the 22nd September, 1896, and completed in March, 1897, at a cost of £778, landed at Mangaonoho. Plans and specifications have been prepared, and tenders are now being invited, for the supply of ironwork for lower chords, plates, bolts, &c, for the central spans. In December a start was made with the temporary scaffolding. This was extended to the centre of the river, when an exceptionally high flood took away the whole fabric on the 31st January, causing a loss of about £250. A start was again made in February. A large supply of piles, &c, were obtained, and about 90 ft. of temporary scaffolding was driven from the Mangaweka side, when another fresh again cleared everything away, causing a further loss of nearly £100. Driving is again being started, but this time from the eastern side of the river, where the scour is less. The trouble is that there is only about 7 ft. of gravel down to the papa, and the piles, not being able to get sufficient hold to resist the tremendous current, are scoured out. All the material is now on the ground for the cylinders sinking ; 50,000 superficial feet totara and 2,000 superficial feet of dressed maire are also ready, but not all delivered. The ironwork is all to be delivered by the middle of August. If the season turns out at all favourable the whole bridge should be completed about next Christmas. Otara, Bridge. —80 chains of formation and metalling has been completed on the western approaches to the bridge. The department paid £600 towards the cost of this. A suspension bridge was proposed here, but a plain cylinder and standard 80 ft. truss bridge has been adopted, and the drawings are now in preparation. Mangaonoho. —Only maintenance work over one mile of road has been done. Te Kapua. —The work done comprises six miles engineering survey, chiefly on the Whaka and Ngauinga Eoads; 475 chains bushwork; 492 chains horse-track; 30 lineal feet bridge across Mangaone ; 30 lineal feet culverts. Of the side-roads, the Pukemapou Eoad is now finished ; the Wairepu Eoad East and West will be so during April; one mile and three-quarters of the Quarry Eoad is done; two miles and three-quarters of the Whaka Boad is completed, and the two miles more remaining will soon be started. The block is now becoming well settled. The main road is being repaired, but will shortly require conversion into a dray-road. Turakina Valley Road. —By making use of about three-quarters of a mile of bush-track horses can now easily get as far as Harper's Track. The work done comprises five miles and a half engineering survey, four miles of traverse and plans, 327 chains bushwork, 200 chains horse-track, 100 lineal feet culverts, three miles dray-road and seven miles horse-track maintenance. Surveys and estimates are being prepared for widening out about two miles, up to the Berepapa Waterfall. Settlement is now progressing in a much more satisfactory manner ; all the men employed on the roads are settlers. Hunterville, 1, 2, 3. —The only road that has been worked upon during the year is the Mangamahoe Valley, on which the work done comprises six miles engineering survey, 650 chains bushwork and horse-track formation ; papa cut 4 chains long, 8 ft. wide, and from 8 ft. to nothing in depth, over which a dray-bridge is now being erected. This cut carries the whole Turakina Eiver, except in high floods. The roads in this block urgently require pushing on, as most of the sections are still inaccessible even by horse-track. Momahaki Village Settlement. —The main through road has been completed, and the works, after being put into good repair, were, on the 14th October, 1896, handed over to the WaitotaraMomahaki Boad Board. The work done during the year comprises 57 chains dray-road formation, 88 lineal feet culverts, and maintenance of two miles and a half for six months. Mangamahu Village Settlement. —A subsidy of £73 ss. 7d. was granted for this settlement, £50 of which has been expended on part payment of suspension-bridge for horse-traffic, which is to be 81 ft. clear span, with two end spans 24 ft. each, across the Wangaehu Biver, a short distance above Mangamahu Stream. Tangarakau River. —The snagging of this river was started about the Ist December. It was intended to have cleared a canoe-channel 15 ft. wide through the snags and shallows from the confluence to Putikituna, a distance of about fourteen miles; but, owing to the very unfavourable season since the middle of January, only ten miles has been done ; and even in this channel the floods have lodged some trees that require reclearing. The work is now stopped for the season, and the gear stored at Pipiriki in readiness for a fresh start next spring. There is still sufficient money in hand to clear a good canoe-channel to Putikituna, and probably to Kohuratahi, two miles further on. . Wanganui River Steamer Subsidy. —The mail-service has been carried on with perfect regularity to Pipiriki throughout the year, except from the 26th December to the 12th January, when, owing to the lowness of the river, the steamers were unable on six occasions to get the whole way up, and the mails and through passengers were carried by canoes. No steamers have yet gone beyond Pipiriki. The tourist traffic to and from Pipiriki this season has been fairly large, but the number of through passengers is still small. Messrs. Hatrick are having a new light-draught steamer built in England for the extension of the river traffic to and possibly up the Tangaraka'

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Biver, and eventually also to Ohura. This steamer is specified to be 77 ft. long, 12 ft. beam, with a draught, when light, of 11 in., and a speed of thirteen miles an hour for four hours' continuous run. She is to be furnished with twin turbine screws, quadruple-expansion engines, and Thornycroft's water-tube boilers. This boat is expected to be on the river before next summer. Wanganui Office. —A vote of £300 for the erection of new buildings was on last year's appropriations, but, chiefly owing to pressure of other business, the work has not yet been started. G. T. Mueeay, Eoad Surveyor.

WELLINGTON. Te Ngaue Road. —This road is situated in the Kaimanuka and Te Ngaue Blocks, and a sum of £200 was granted to the Patea County Council for its construction. The record of work done during the past year is as follows : Two miles of bush felled and cleared, 73 chains of scrub felled and cleared, 2 miles 67 chains of road formed 12 ft. wide, 103 chains of drains made, and 54 culverts put in, of a total length of 1,070 lineal feet. This road will afford access to the sections in the Te Ngaue Block. Kawatau Valley Road. —This road has been widened out for dray-traffic for a distance of 2 miles 45 chains fronting the Kawatau Improved-farm Settlement. 74 chains of road has been graded and pegged; 46 chains of bush felled and cleared; one plain bridge, with a 25 ft. span, erected; one culvert, 12 in. by 12 in., 25 ft., laid ; 4,759 cubic yards of slips removed ; 120 chains of water-tables opened; 1,835 cubic yards of rock excavated ; 65 chains of drains made; and 1-J-chains of embankments formed. 1 mile 17 chains of road has been maintained. The old dray-road formation which passes along the Bangitikei Eiver cliffs has been very expensive to maintain; the papa rock still continues to break away from the cliff's overhead. The recent heavy flood in the river has also done considerable damage to the road. Several chains of road will require to be widened during the coming year before the road can be used for dray-traffic. Kawatau Valley Road (Marton No. 1 Block). —80 chains of bush has been felled and cleared; 33 \ chains of road formed ; three log bridges, with a total length of 46 ft., erected ; three culverts (12in. by 12 in., 12 in. by 18in., and 4 ft. by 3 ft., a total length of 80ft.) laid; 1\ chains of drains made; 1 chain of embankments formed; and 1-J-chains of widening to 16ft. This road, which passes through the Marton No. 1 Block, has been formed chains as a horse-road, on sideling ground, thus making the road open for horse-traffic as far as the Kew Boad. Bushfelling and clearing has been done beyond that point for a distance of one mile; but this portion will not be available for traffic until it is formed. Ngaio Road. —According to my last annual report, the above road, which is a horse-road, had been formed on steep sideling ground to the Kawatau Eiver, a distance of 52 chains. The only work done during the year was the clearing of slips and widening out parts of the road which haid been washed away by the Kawatau Eiver. 40 chains of road was maintained, and 130 cubic yards of slips of earth and rock removed. Totara Road (Kawatau Block). —The work done on this length of road (about 54 chains) has made it passable for dray-traffic. The road branches off from the Kawatau Valley Eoad, and gives access to four sections in the Kawatau Improved-farm Settlement. 40 chains of road has been maintained during the year, 2 chains was widened to 16 ft., and 1 chain of embankment was formed. Keiv Road (Marton No. 1 Block). —When my last annual report was made work on this road had only just commenced, 40 chains of bush having been felled and cleared. During the past year a further 48 chains of bush has been felled and cleared; 53 chains of road, 6 ft. wide, on sideling ground, formed; two log bridges (one 19 ft. and one 20 ft.: total, 39 ft. long) erected; and 380 cubic yards of rock taken out. The 53 chains of formation mentioned above is now open for horse-traffic. Further bushfelling contracts are now in hand for another 56 chains, which will connect with the Titirangi Boad. Titirangi Road (Marton Nos. 1 and 2 Blocks). —This road passes wholly through a forest country, and is passable by a 4 ft. horse-track for a distance of 2 miles 18 chains from its junction with the Lagoon Boad. During the year 2 miles 8J chains of road has been graded and pegged; 1 mile 73f chains of bush has been felled and cleared; 2 miles 18 chains of road formed; two bridges, total length 20 ft., erected ; 540 cubic yards of slips cleared ; and 7,243 cubic yards of rock removed. To make this road passable by a 6 ft. track to Section 7 a further expenditure of money will be required. Titirangi Road (Kawatau Block). —This road passes through dense forest country, and during the year the bush has been felled and cleared for a distance of 2 miles 36 chains from the Kawatau Valley Eoad, and the road has been graded and pegged for two miles on sideling ground. The formation will be started shortly. The road is not yet passable for horse-traffic. Lagoon Road (Marton Nos. 1 and 2 Blocks). —The formation of this road, 6 ft. wide, has been carried from the Auputa Boad to tap Section 11, a distance of chains, 58-J- chains of which pass through heavily-timbered flat. On the northern end, between traverse-peg lx. and the Titirangi Boad, the Lagoon Eoad has been widened in places from a 3 ft. to a 6 ft. horse-track, a length of 63 chains. This road requires the expenditure of a small sum of money on necessary culverts, bridges, tunnels, grubbing of roots, stumps, &c, in order to make it passable as a 6 ft. horse-track. During the year 63-J- chains of road has been graded, &c. ; 135 chains formed; one bridge, 8 ft. wide and 40 ft. in length, erected; eight culverts built—sizes 12 in. by 12 in. and 12 in. by 18 in., total length 146 ft. ; 2,108 cubic yards slips cleared; 70 chains water-tables opened; 4,923 cubic yards of rock excavated; and 3 chains of drains made. 9—C. 1.

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Kelpie Road (Marton Nos. 1 and 2). —With the exception of a wire bridge 40 ft. in length which has been built over the Mangawharariki Eiver, the footbridge by which the river had hitherto been crossed by the settlers and the children going to school having been washed away by the recent flood, nothing has been done on the Kelpie Boad. To make the road more passable for horse-traffic by grubbing out roots, stumps, &c, and improving the condition of the ford to the Mangawharariki, would involve the expenditure of a very small sum of money. Auputa Road (Marton Nos. 1 and 2 Blocks). —20 chains of this road has been formed 4 ft. wide; two miles maintained; three 12 in. by 12 in. culverts built, total length 51ft.; 481 cubic yards slips removed; and 320 cubic yards of rock excavated during the past twelve months. This road is at present passable for horse-traffic, but there are many places which ought to be widened from a 3 ft. to a 6 ft. horse-road, in order to render the horse-traffic safe during the coming winter. The white-pine log bridge across the gorge, between pegs 3m. 14 eh. and 3m. 54 eh., being in use for upwards of three years, will have completed its term of service before very long. Mangatohu Road (Marton Nos. 1 and 2 Blocks). —26-J- chains of bush has been felled and cleared on this road from its junction with the Auputa Boad to Section No. 8, and one 12 in. by 12 in. culvert built 12 ft. in length. It passes through heavily-timbered forest flat, and is passable for horse-traffic for the full length of the clearing. Mania Road (Marton Nos. 1 and 2 Blocks). —This road is passable from the Auputa Clearing to traverse-peg xxx., a distance of 2 miles 8-|- chains, and passes through a heavily-timbered forest country. chains of bush has been felled and cleared, and 20 chains of road formed, besides 10 chains of road graded and pegged ; two 12 in. by 12 in. culverts were built, total length 30 ft. ; 2,592 cubic yards of slips cleared; and 250 cubic yards of rock excavated. Te Parapara Road (Marton Nos. 1 and 2 Blocks). —Passes for 1 mile 27 chains through a heavily-timbered flat, and from thence it is made passable for horse-traffic by a road 4 ft. in the solid. The formation has been carried to traverse-peg lxxx., just far enough to tap Section 7. During the year 9 chains of road has been graded and pegged, and 9 chains formed 4ft. wide; 4 miles 10 chains has been maintained; one 10 ft. 12 in. by 12 in. culvert was built; 603 cubic yards of slips cleared; 58 chains of water-tables opened; 96 cubic yards of rock removed; and 14 chains of embankments formed. West Mangahuia Road (Marton Nos. 1 and 2 Blocks). —57 chains of bush has been felled and cleared during the past year; 7 chains of road formed 6 ft. wide ; tw T o bridges erected, one of hewn timber, 15ft. in length, and the other a sft. bridge, 37ft. in length; 50 cubic yards of slips was cleared; and 240 cubic yards of rock was excavated. The road passes through heavy forest country, and is passable for 1 mile 6-J chains from the Main South Boad. 40 chains pass through a heavy flat, and the remainder is sideling formation. Zig-zag Road (Kawatau Block). —A contract was let during the year for the formation of this road, which leads from the Mangawharariki Boad, across the Mangawharariki Biver, into the above block. Ruahine School. —A sum of money was granted by the Government to assist in the erection of this school, which is connected with the Pemberton Improved-farm Settlement, and a contract was let and completed for the sawing of 3,132 ft. of timber, and the work is now in progress. Mangawharariki Road. —6 miles 12 chains of road has been graded and pegged; 3 miles 23} chains of formation done ; 36 miles maintained; twenty-six culverts, varying in size from 12 in. by 12 in. to 3 ft. by 3 ft., of a total length of 684 ft., laid; 13,724 cubic yards of slips cleared; 272 chains of water-tables opened ; and 27,248 cubic yards of rock excavated. Six contracts are now in progress on this road, four of which will be completed very shortly. There are still about 30 chains to be widened from a 6 ft. to a 16 ft. road, and when this is finished the whole length will be ready for dray-traffic. That portion of the road between Fraser's Creek and the Bangitikei Biver is narrow 7 in places, owing to the solid foundation having broken away, and, as it passes through a steep papa gorge, the rotten papa on the upper side very often comes down in large quantities on to the road and impedes the traffic. As three men are now working at the bad places, it is expected that within three months from now the portion of the road above referred to will be in a very good position. Pukerimu Road. —A surfaceman has been regularly employed on this road clearing slips, opening out water-tables, and attending to their general repair. The cutting on the Pukerimu Hill has been deepened, reducing the grade from about 1 in 8 to 1 in 16, which is a great improvement. During the past year 8 chains of road has been graded and pegged ; 8 chains of formation done; eighteen miles of road maintained; one culvert, 12 in. by 18 in., built, 24ft. in length ; 2,741 cubic yards of slips cleared ; 185 chains of water-tables opened; and 1,564 cubic yards of rock excavated. Mangarere Road (Hautapu Block). —This road passes wholly through a forest country. It consists of 62-J- chains of side-cutting and 15J chains flat formation, making a total length of 78 chains, which is now passable for horse-traffic. Five men are at present engaged on the road, two building bridges and culverts, and three formipg a 6 ft. horse-track. 1 mile 15 chains of road was graded and pegged; 62f chains of road formed; two bridges, one 15ft. and one 12ft., total 27 ft., erected; one 12 in. by 12 in. 16 ft. culvert laid ; 340 cubic yards of slips cleared ; 66 chains of water-tables opened; and 3,496 cubic yards of rock excavated. Mangarere Road (Hautapu No. 2 Block). —This section of road, which is a horse-road, has been completed during the year. A large amount of work has been done on it. 18 chains of bush were felled and cleared; two miles of road, 6ft. wide, formed; eleven log bridges, various sizes, 205 ft. long, erected; fifteen culverts (seven 10 in. by 10 in. and eight 12 in. by 12 in., a total length of 151 ft.) erected ; 1,700 cubic yards of slips cleared ; and 11 chains of drains made. The portion of the above road in the Hautapu Block is not quite completed. Peka Road (Hautapu No. 2 Block). —This road, which passes through heavily-timbered country, has been bushfelled and sideling formed, and is now open for horse-traffic for a distance of

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2 miles 12 chains. Good work has been done during the year. Two miles of road were graded and pegged; 41 chains of bush was felled and cleared; 1 mile 51 chains of sideling formed 6 ft. wide; five log bridges, various sizes, with a total length of 96 ft., erected ; four culverts built, 12 in. by 12 in., total length 58 ft; and 300 cubic yards of rock excavated. Cross Road (Hautapu Block). — This road is passable for horse-traffic a distance of 3 miles 70 chains, and two men are at present engaged at formation, 6 ft. wide. During the year three miles of road were maintained, 31 chains of formation done, 432 cubic yards of slips cleared, 3 miles 40 chains of water-tables opened, 100 cubic yards of rock removed, and 25 chains of road graded and pegged. The above road passes through forest country. Conspicuous Road (Marton Nos. 1 and 2 Blocks). —21 chains of this road has been graded and pegged, 6 chains of bush felled and cleared, 12 chains of road formed 6 ft. wide, 130 cubic yards of slips cleared, and 180 cubic yards of rock removed. One contract is about being let, and the expenditure of a small amount of money on this road would give access to Section No. 13. 1 mile 44 chains of road has been maintained. Oroua Main Road (Mangiora-Goal Greek Block). —13 chains has been formed on this road, 10 ft. and 14 ft. in width; 33 ft. of widening has been done; 5,432 cubic yards of rock excavated ; and 2 miles 65 chains of road maintained. Table Flat Road (Pohangina Block). —Good work has been done on this road during the past year. 87 chains were graded, &c. ; 2 miles 36} chains of bush has been felled and cleared; 1 mile 59 chains of road formed 6 ft. wide, and 19 chains widened to 12 ft. ; 2 miles 23 chains of road maintained; and four culverts, 6 in. by 8 in., totalling in length 40 ft., laid; also 30 cubic yards of slips cleared. Apiti-Norsewood Road (Salisbury Block). —53 chains of bush was felled and cleared during the year; chains of road formed 6ft. wide; 3 miles 6-J- chains maintained; and ten culverts built, nine 6 in. by 8 in. and one 3 ft. by 3 ft., total length 120 ft. Umutoi Road (Pohangina Block). —On this road during the past twelve months very satisfactory progress has been made. 2 miles 17} chains of road, 6 ft. wide, has been formed; 2 miles 65} chains of bush has been felled, &c.; 2 miles 67 chains of road engineered ; 2 miles 4 chains maintained ; 33 culverts laid, their sizes varying from 6 in. by 6 in. to 12 in. by 12 in., and their total length being 334 ft.; 270 cubic yards of slips was cleared ; 154 cubic yards of rock excavated ; and 4 chains of drains made. Umutoi Road (Umutoi Block). —Last year 1 mile 53 chains of bush had been felled and cleared. This year 196 chains of road has been graded and pegged, 81J chains of bush has been felled and cleared, 15 chains of formation done, 42 chains of road widened, 50 cubic yards of slips cleared, and 750 cubic yards of rock excavated. Tunipo Road (Salisbury Block). —In my last annual report it was stated that 1 mile 20 chains of bush had been felled. This year a further 14 chains has been felled and cleared, 80} chains of road formed 6 ft. wide, 107J chains engineered, and 1 mile 27 chains maintained. Makoura Road (Salisbury Block). —During the past year 2 miles 3} chains of road was formed 6 ft. wide ; one plain bridge, 20 ft. in length and 14 ft. wide, with hand-rails, erected ; and no less than twenty-nine culverts laid, their sizes ranging from 6 in. by 8 in. to 3 ft. by 3 ft., a total length of 434 ft. ; 5 chains of drains were also made ; 4 miles 60 chains of road were maintained. Coal Creek North Block. —The Government granted £100 to the Pohangina County Council for assistance in constructing a track from Coal Creek to the Main Bidge Eoad, and during the year 120 chains of clearing has been done and 6 chains of horse-track formed. The northern end of this road has been deviated through private property, to obtain an easy gradient. The work will shortly be completed. Makiekie Road (Salisbury Block). —Since my last annual report an additional 50 chains of bush has been felled and cleared, and 119} chains of road formed 6ft. wide; also twenty-one culverts laid, of a total length of 230 ft. —nineteen were 6 in. by 8 in. and two 12 in. by 12 in. 3 miles 20} chains of this road is now formed, and is open for traffic. It will be necessary to complete this road through the Delaware Block to meet the road-line being constructed by the Pohangina County Council, which will save to the settlers a distance of quite eight miles. 3 miles 20 chains of road were maintained. Umutoi Road (Salisbury Block). —According to my last year's report, 61 chains of horse-road had been formed, and 5 miles 30 chains of bush had been felled and cleared. This year a very satisfactory amount of work has been performed. 5 miles 69 chains of road has been engineered; 81 chains of bush has been felled and cleared; 5 miles 57 chains of horse-road formed ; 1 chain widened; 4 miles 4 chains maintained; forty-three culverts, of different sizes, ranging from 6in. by 8 in. to 3 ft. by 2 ft., total length of 513 ft., built; 346 cubic yards of slips removed; 7 cubic yards of rock excavated; and 1 chain of drains made. Takapari Road (Salisbury Block). —When my last annual report was presented 2 miles 26 chains of bush on this road had been felled 66 ft. and cleared 33 ft.; since then an additional 21 chains has been felled and cleared, making a total of 2 miles 47 chains to date. One mile of formation 6 ft. wide has been made; two bridges, of a length of 12ft. erected; and fifteen culverts, of varying sizes, from 12 in. by 12 in. to 2 ft. by 2 ft., of a total length of 60 ft., laid. Pohangina Valley Road (Salisbury Block). —65 chains of road 6 ft. wide has been formed during the year; one 10 ft. bridge erected; and eight culverts, five 12 in. by 12 in. and three 18 in. by 12 in., total length of 80 ft., built. Pohangina Valley Forest Reserve. —A sum of £150 was granted to the Pohangina County Council for forming the road to give access to the Pohangina Valley Forest Eeserve and to settlers in the valley ; also to repair or re-form the breach in the road on the river-bank. The Council intended to form protection-works at the Totara Eeserve Bluff, but the idea has been abandoned in favour of a deviation, the line for which is now being surveyed, and when this is done the work will be proceeded with.

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Kimbolton Road. —The work of metalling this road has been carried on for a distance of 1 mile 45 chains; 68 chains of road has been graded and pegged; 68 chains of road formed; 880 cubic yards of earth has been excavated; and 167 chains of drains made. The weather for the work of metalling during the latter part of February was most unfavourable, but the work will be completed in a few days. For work on this road the Kiwitea County Council received a grant of £250. 4 chains of road, 14 ft. wide, were formed, and 34 chains of metalling done. The latter work is being proceeded with. Oroua Bridge. —Two grants, of £500 and £800 respectively, were made to the Pohangina County Council to aid in the construction of this bridge, which has been completed during the year. Its length over all is 231 ft., and it is both truss and plain, and consists of five spans—one of 16 ft., two of 80 ft., one of 30 ft., and one of 25 ft. Two of the piers are built of concrete, and the centre pier is formed of iron cylinders. Pakihikura Road and Bridge. —The Government granted the Kiwitea County Council the sum of £90, and this sum, together with a balance of £75 standing to the credit of the Boad Board, which body was subsequently merged into the County Council, has been expended on the erection of one truss bridge with a 12 ft. roadway, 45 ft. in length, and 600 cubic yards of metalling. This road is awaiting final inspection. Mangatoro Valley Road. —23 chains of road was formed during the period ; 3-| chains of riverdeviation ; 29 chains of metalling, 12 ft. wide, done ; seven miles of road maintained ; one bridge, 25 ft. in length, widened; two culverts, 12in. by 12 in., 46 ft. in length, laid ; 4,172 cubic yards of slips cleared ; 7 miles 52 chains of water-tables opened ; A\ chains of corduroying work ; 33 chains of drains made; 10 chains of embankments formed. In addition, a tunnel 50ft. in length was lined with timber; and 4 miles 3 chains of river-bank was planted with willows. Dannevirke-Weber-Wimbledon Road. —The Government having granted £400 towards this road, the Weber Boad Board will undertake its construction. When the plans and specifications have been received and approved of the work can be proceeded with. Towai Road, Goonoor Block.— During the year on this road 22 chains of bushfelling and clearing has been done; 64 chains of road-formation, 16ft. wide; 20 chains of road widened; 13 chains of road metalled; five miles of roads maintained; three culverts laid, one 9 in. by 9 in., one 12 in. by 12in., and one 24in. by 24 in.—a total length of 81 ft.; 31 cubic yards of slips cleared ; 25 chains of water-tables opened ; and 1,338 cubic yards of rock excavated. Towai Road (Rising Sun Farm Homestead Association). —Beyond bushfelling and clearing, of which 4 miles 28 chains has been completed, and 2 miles 75 chains of road graded and pegged, nothing further has been done. The formation of the road, it is to be hoped, will be gone on with directly, as the settlers in the district are deserving of every encouragement, they being persevering and very hard-working. There are at present two contracts in operation. Upper Makuri Road. —Ten miles of this road has been maintained, 2,486 cubic yards of slips removed, and 22 miles 17 chains of water-tables cleared out. Alfredton-Weber Road. —A very considerable amount of work has been done on this road during the past twelve months. 52 chains of bush was felled 66 ft. and cleared 33 ft. ;44 chains of road formed 14 ft., 16 ft., and 18 ft. wide; 35 chains of road widened by 3 ft., 5 ft., and 6 ft. respectively; 1 mile 35 chains widened from a 6 ft. horse-road for dray-traffic : seven bridges erected, one of 110 ft. in length, consisting of a truss span of 46 ft., two plain spans of 22 ft. each, and one of 20 ft.; one truss bridge with an 80 ft. span; one under-strut, 40 ft. span ; one truss, 29 ft. span ; three with 17 ft. spans ; total length, 310 ft. : twelve culverts placed, seven 12 in. by 12 in., two 18 in. by 18 in., three 24in. by 24in. —a total length of 296 ft.; 11,355 cubic yards of slips cleared; 17 miles 64 chains of water-tables opened ; 1,171 cubic yards of rock excavated ; 46|- chains of corduroying work done ; 72 chains of drains made ; 11 chains of embankments formed ; 5 miles 67 chains of road grassed ; 25 chains of road metalled with burnt papa ; about 22,000 ft. of timber obtained for three bridges in hand. This line of road will be liable to slips for many years to come, owing to the peculiar nature of the country through which it passes. There are several contracts, in various stages of completion. Waihi-Akitio Road. —On this road during the past year 40 chains has been graded and pegged; 2 miles 33} chains of bush has been felled 66 ft. wide and cleared 33 ft. ; 2 miles 55 chains of road, 6 ft. wide, has been formed; one rough-timber bridge, with a 6 ft. opening, has been erected; fiftytwo culverts, one 18 in. by 18 in., five 24 in. by 24 in., and forty-six 12 in. by 12 in., a total length of 608 ft., have been laid; 448 cubic yards of slips has been cleared; three chains of embankments formed ; 60 chains of water-tables opened; and three miles of road maintained. A contract for sawing timber for a 46 ft. span bridge has just been completed, and upon the erection of this bridge the formation of the road will be continued. The total quantity of bush felled and cleared on this road is 6 miles 70} chains, and of 6 ft. road-formation 3 miles 29 chains. One contract is now in progress. The road passes through a dense forest. Akitio Road. —On this road during the year 40 chains of bush has been felled and cleared and 2 miles of road maintained. Five 12 in. by 12 in., one 18 in. by 18 in., and one 24 in. by 24 in., being a total of seven culverts, with a total length of 169 ft., have been laid; 2,276 cubic yards of slips has been cleared ; 40 chains of water-tables was opened; 5} chains of corduroying done ; also 4 chains of fascining. This road opens up the Akitio Improved-farm Settlement, in conjunction with other roads. Pukewhinau Road. —This road is in the Akitio Improved-farm Settlement, and during the past year 72 chains of engineering survey has been done. Mount Arthur Road. —The bush on the road has been felled 66 ft. and cleared 33 ft. for a distance of 2 miles 54| chains ; 2 miles 59 chains has been graded and pegged; 64 chains of road, 6ft. wide, has been formed. In addition, 633 cubic yards of slips has been cleared; 25 chains of water-tables opened ;60 cubic yards of rock excavated; 14 chains of drains made ; and one culvert,

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20in. by 24 in., 24ft. in length, laid; 5 chains of embankment has also been formed. Four contracts are at the present time in operation. Kawakawa Road. —Three miles of road has been graded and pegged, and 3 miles 9} chains of bush has been felled 66 ft. and cleared 33 ft., and the formation of the road will be proceeded with shortly. Waihapu Road. —During the year 35 chains of bush has been felled 66 ft. and cleared 33 ft., and there is one contract in operation. This road runs through dense forest. Kaituna Road (Pahiatua No. 2 Farm Homestead Association). —On this road during the year 1 mile 54-J- chains of bush has been felled 66 ft. and cleared 33 ft. Waipatukaka Road (Pahiatua No. 1 Farm Homestead Association). —On this road during the year 4 miles 39 chains of bushfelling and clearing has been done and 4 miles 39 chains graded and pegged. It has only recently been started, and good work is expected during the coming year. Akaroa Road (Pahiatua No. 2 Farm Homestead Association). —1 mile chains of bush has been felled 66 ft. and cleared 33 ft., and 41 chains grassed, since my last annual report, when 41-Jf chains had been felled and cleared. Manuharahara Road (Pahiatua No. 1 Farm Homestead Association). —When I last reported upon this road 40 chains of bush had been felled and cleared. This year 3 miles 57 chains of bushfelling 66 ft. and clearing 33 ft. has been done ; 40 chains of formation has been grassed. Paraengahuata Road (Pongaroa Village Settlement). —One mile and a half of horse-road, 6 ft. wide, was formed during the past year, and four culverts, 12 in. by 12 in., 64 ft. in length, were built; 30J chains of drains were made ; 2 chains of embankments formed ; and 1 mile 54 chains grassed. Huia Road (Pongaroa Village Settlement). —48-| chains of bush has been felled and cleared since my last annual report, and 39 chains of road formed ; three culverts, 12 in. by 12 in., laid—a total length of 42 ft.; and 64 chains of formation grassed. Last year 64 chains of bush was felled and cleared. This road passes through heavily timbered country. Waihi Road. —2 miles 20 chains of bush has been felled and cleared during the year, and one mile of road formed 6 ft. in width; 4 miles has been maintained. No less than fifteen culverts have been built; their sizes are as follow : ten 9 in. by 9 in., one 12in. by 12 in., three 18 in. by 18 in., and one 24 in. by 24 in.—a total length of 258 ft. ; 37 cubic yards of slips was cleared ; 1 mile 13 chains of water-tables opened ; 3f chains of corduroying done ; 3 chains of drains made ; and 2 miles 40 chains grassed. Waihi Valley Road. —The whole road-line, a distance of 62-J- chains, has been felled and cleared, and 4 miles 50-J- chains has been graded and pegged. The formation will be put in hand at an early date. Range Road (Masterton Reform Block). —During the past year 3 miles 27 chains of bush has been felled and cleared ; 24J chains of road formed 6 ft. wide ; 4 chains widened ; three miles maintained ; three temporary bridges constructed, 69 ft. in length ; six culverts constructed, two 9 in. by 9 in., three 12 in. by 12 in., one 18 in. by 12 in.—a total length of 82-| feet; 361 cubic yards of slips cleared ; 79 chains of water-tables opened ; 1-J- chains of embankments formed ; 213 chains of formation grassed ; and a ford constructed at 1 m. 35 eh. peg. Cross Road (Makuri Block). —1 chain of this road has been re-formed during the year, and two miles maintained; two 12 in. by 12 in. culverts placed, totalling in length 20ft.; 114 cubic yards of slips cleared; 1 mile 18 chains of water-tables opened; and 15 cubic yards of embankments formed. Makuri Pongaroa Road. —Seventeen miles of road has been maintained since my last annual report was sent in, and the following work done : eleven miles graded and pegged ; 1 mile 62 chains bush felled and cleared ; 2 miles 58 chains scrub felled and cleared; 2 miles 47-J- chains formed, varying in width from 14ft. to 21 ft.; 73|- chains widened; 70-J- chains of metalling; fifty-three culverts laid, sizes varying from 9 in. by 9 in. to 4 ft. by 4 ft., a total length of 1,494 lineal feet; 4,237 cubic yards of slips cleared; 8 miles 75 chains of water-tables opened; 9,585 cubic yards of rock excavated; 1 mile 57f chains of corduroying work ; 10 chains drains made ; 4 chains of embankment formed ; and three miles of formation grassed. The total length of dray-road formed is 4 miles 10} chains. Mangatiti Road (Pahiatua No. 4 Farm Homestead Association). —This road has only just been taken in hand, and during the year a mile of bush has been felled and cleared. Makuri-Aohanga Road. —Six miles and a half of 6 ft. horse-road has been maintained, 1,950 cubic yards of slips cleared, 5 miles 15 chains of water-tables opened; and 200 ft. of culverts cleaned out; 6 chains of corduroying, 5 chains of drains made, and 2 chains of embankments formed. Rakaunui Village Settlement. —32 chains of road in this settlement was graded and pegged during the past year. Aohanga-Gorge Road. —With a view to further work, a mile and a half of road was recently surveyed, graded, and pegged. The Akitio Boad Board received a grant of £800 for the construction of this road, which was completed during the previous year, but not finally passed until this year. Mecaliekstone-Aohanga Road. —One mile of engineering survey has been done during the year. Huia Road (Woodville Block). —96-J- chains of road, 6 ft. wide, has been formed; 3 chains of bush felled and cleared ; 7 chains of road widened; 3 miles 70 chains maintained; five culverts placed, of sizes ranging from 9 in. by 9 in. to 12 in. by 18 in., a total length of 62 ft. ; 1,594 cubic yards of slips cleared; 4 miles 8 chains of water-tables opened; and 40 cubic yards of rock excavated. Bone Greek Road (Mecaliekstone Block). —1 mile 8 chains of engineering survey work has been done on this road during the year. Spur Road.(Dannevirke Centennial Block). —1 mile 10 chains of engineering survey work has been done on this road during the period.

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Waihoki Valley Road (Mecaliekstone Block). —Good work has been done on this road during the twelve months just passed. 60 chains of road has been graded and pegged ; 6 miles 60J chains of bush felled and cleared; 82 chains of scrub felled and cleared; 1 mile 50 chains of road formed 6 ft. wide; ten culverts placed, seven 12 in. by 12 in., two 18 in. by 24 in., and one 24 in. by 24 in., totalling in length 187 feet; 200 cubic yards of slips cleared; and 690 cubic yards of rock excavated. 2 miles 37 chains of horse-road has been formed up to date. Owing to the want of funds this road cannot at present be further extended. Waiowaka Road (Mecaliekstone Block). —On this road work has only just started, and since the Ist April last 1 mile 31 chains of bushfelling and clearing has been done and 2 miles 35 chains engineered. Waikereru Road (Mecaliekstone Block). —3 miles 14 chains of bush was felled and cleared on this road last year; but during the past period nothing beyond engineering-work has been done. 2 miles 24} chains were graded and pegged. Burling's-Mecalickstone Road. —Very little has been done on this road during the year just gone. 46 chains has been maintained, 280 cubic yards of slips cleared, 36 chains of water-tables opened, and a ford over Main Creek 1 chain in length metalled. One large culvert is now under construction, and the road is being proceeded with. Pttketoi Road (Christchurch Block). —A new road just commenced, and one mile of bush has been felled and cleared. Utewai Road (Christchurch Block). —During the year 21 chains of scrub-felling and clearing has been done, also 21 chains of formation, and 22 chains graded and pegged ; 4 miles 16 chains of road was maintained; two culverts laid, one 9 in. by 9 in. and one 12 in. by 12 in., a total length of 38 ft.; 412 cubic yards of slips cleared ; 3 miles 10 chains of water-tables opened ; 20 cubic yards of rock excavated ; and 5 chains of drains made. Otawhao Road. —This road, for which a sum was granted to the Kumeroa Boad Board, has been finally completed during the year. The road is a horse-road, 6 ft. wide, 1 mile 59 chains in length. Makairo Road. —A quantity of work of a varied description has been done on this road during the year. One mile has been graded and pegged; one mile and three-quarters of scrub has been felled and cleared ; 71 chains of dray-road formed 16 ft. wide ; 5 chains widened by 5 ft.; 12 chains metalled 4 ft. wide; 12 miles of road was maintained; two culverts placed, one 10 in. by 12 in. and one 12 in. by 12 in., 40 ft. in length ; 3,235 cubic yards of slips disposed of; 2 miles 9J chains of water-tables opened, and 3,085 cubic yards of rock excavated; and, in addition, 979 cubic yards of other excavating done. Pahiatua West Village Settlement. —The sum of £75 has been granted to the Pahiatua County Council, but so far has not been used. Tiraumea Bridge (Hull's Crossing). —This bridge, which is a truss bridge of one span of 108 ft. and two land spans of 29 ft. each, was completed last year, but not finally passed until April last. It affords access to Thompson's Boad, Ngaturi, Woodville-Aohanga, Makairo, and Tiraumea Valley Boads. Malton Block. —The only work done on this block during the year has been bushfelling and clearing, and of this, 3 miles 13 chains has been felled 66 ft. and cleared 33 ft. Want of funds has prevented any formation being done. Ballance to Manawatu Gorge Road. —When my last annual report was furnished work on this road had only just commenced. During the year 4 chains of bush has been felled and cleared, 8-J- chains formed 14 ft. and 16 ft. wide, 82 cubic yards of slips cleared, and 5,169 cubic yards of rock excavated. Timber has been provided for the erection of a large bridge. The first 40 chains of this road was very expensive, owing to the presence of rocky cliffs, and the fact that two large-sized bridges had to be erected within this distance. Pahiatua-Paimerston Road. —Nothing has been done on this road for some months past, but since the commencement of the year the following has been undertaken : 6 chains of bush was felled and cleared, 1 mile 24 chains widened, 4 chains of metalling, nine miles maintained, one 4 ft. 12 in. by 12 in. culvert placed, 265 cubic yards of slips removed, 22f chains of corduroying work, 3 chains of drains made, and 6 chains of embankments formed. Mangaramarama Road. —Two miles and a half of road were maintained, 7 chains of metalling done, and a large amount of work, such as replacing, blinding, raking in, and breaking metal, has been put through. North Tiraumea Road. —During the period 70 chains of road was maintained, chains of drains was made, and the metalling kept in order. Nothing is being done at present. Woodville-Aohanga Road. —The year's work comprises 12 chains of bush felled and cleared, 106 chains of formation ; 1 chain of metalling; five miles and a half of maintenance; two culverts placed, 12 in. by 12 in., 20 ft. in length; 995 cubic yards of slips cleared; 4 miles 6 chains of water-tables opened; 2 chains of corduroying work ; and 1 chain of drains made. Makuri Township Roads. —One mile and a half of maintenance has been done; one 3 ft. wire suspension-bridge, 74 ft. in length, erected; one culvert, 10 in. by 8 in., 20 ft. in length, has been placed ;10 chains of water-tables opened; and 2 chains of embankments formed. Toritea-Makuri Road. —The whole length of the road, seventeen miles, was maintained during the year. About 4 chains of metalling was done, and the road generally kept in repair by the extensive use of a great quantity of metal; 8 chains was widened; 2,212 cubic yards of slips cleared; 15 miles 26 chains of water-tables opened; 250 cubic yards of rock excavated ; and 55 chains of drains made. The above road is now in first-class order for wheeled traffic. Mangaone Valley Road. —During the past year seven miles of road was maintained, 122 cubic yards of slips was cleared, 89 chains of water-tables was opened, and 20 chains of drains made. There is nothing doing on this road at present.

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Tiraumea Valley Road. —Seven miles of road was maintained, 48 chains metalled, and 20 chains repaired during the past twelve months; 490 cubic yards of slips was cleared ; 2 miles 6 chains of water-tables opened ; 84 ft. of tunnelling ; and 1 chain and 821 cubic yards of embankments formed. Tiraumea River, Pa Valley Road (Mangaone Block). —Work was only started on this road during the year, and 1 mile 72J chains of bush has been felled and cleared. Bridge Road. — 91J chains of road has been engineered, and will shortly be let out by contract. Hukanui-Hawera Road. —£soo was granted to the Eketahuna Boad Board, in two sums, for forming and metalling this road. The work is now completed. The road now affords easy access to the Hukanui Bailway-station from the Eketahuna-Woodville main road at Hamua. Eketahuna Roads. —A grant of £200 was made to the Eketahuna Eoad Board for repairing Easter flood-damages to the Hawera, Central, Parkville, Mangaoronga North, Tawataia, and Pa Valley, and other roads. The work was finally passed this year. Pori Road. —A sum of £150 was granted to the Wairarapa North County Council for the erection of a bridge over Pori Creek, and for the formation of Pori and Saunders Boads. So far nothing has been done under this grant. Mount Marchant Road. —The Pahiatua County Council received a grant of £200 for work on the Mount Marchant and Pori Eoad. During the year 40 chains of bush has been felled and cleared; 85 chains of scrub felled and cleared; 85 chains of road formed 14ft. wide, for draytraffic; ten culverts placed, in sizes of 12in. by 12in. and 18 in. by 18in., 213 ft. in length; and 60 cubic yards of rock excavated. Tiraumea Bridge (Saunders). —In my last annual report it was stated that this bridge was well under way. It has since been completed. It consists of one 114 ft. truss span and one 9 ft. land span. Mangatainoka Valley Road (Kaiparoro Block). —-3 chains of road, 15 ft. in width, has been formed since my report upon this road last year. This was a very expensive piece of work, on account of rock-excavation. Ruamahanga Road (Te Mara Block). —43 chains of this road has been graded and pegged; 121} chains of bush has been felled and cleared ; 38 chains of road formed 6 ft. in width ; one plain bridge constructed, 30 ft. in length; one culvert laid, 36 in. by 36 in., 12 ft. long; and 1 chain of embankments formed. This road gives access to Messrs. Hoar and Johanson's sections, and also to unsold Crown lands. Ruamahanga Bridge (repairs). —£so was granted to the Taratahi-Carterton Eoad Board for the erection of groins and for the protection of the river-bank. Plans have been received, and the work will be proceeded with during the coming year. Makakahi Road (Kaiparoro Block). —In my annual report of last year it was stated that 1 mile 33 chains of bush had been felled and 25 chains formed 6 ft. wide ; since then 16 chains of bush has been felled, &c. ; 29} chains of road formed 6 ft. wide; 3 culverts constructed, two 12 in. by 12 in. and one 12 in. by 18 in., a total length of 57 ft.; and 29} chains of road graded and pegged. This road is at a standstill for want of funds. Tenui Bridge. —A contribution of £300 was given to the Wairarapa North County Council for the reconstruction of the Tenui Bridge. Plans and specifications have been written for. Uruti-Castlepoint Road. —A subsidy of £100 was granted to the Wairarapa North County Council for general repairs to the above road, and for excavating through a sharp spur. Work is now in progress. Eketahuna-Parkville Road. —A sum of £500 was granted to the Eketahuna Eoad Board for maintenance and repairs to the above road. The work has been done and everything completed during the year. Eketahuna-Alfredton Road. —A sum of £50 was granted last year to the Wairarapa North County Council to assist in repairing storm-damages. Work has been completed during the year. Bowen's Road, Haslwell. —With the aid of a subsidy of £50 to the Mauriceville Eoad Board, 13 chains of road has been formed 13 ft. wide for dray-traffic, and 85 ft. of culverting, 10 in. by 12 in., constructed during the year. Bowen Road. —10 chains of bush has been felled and cleared ; 23 chains of road formed 12 ft. wide; nine culverts laid, their sizes being seven 12 in. by 12 in., one 12 in. by 18 in., and one 24 in. by 24 in., a total length of 126 ft. This road gives access to the settlers on the Mount Baker Block whose sections front the road. Barton's Road-Wairere. —The Mauriceville Eoad Board received a contribution of £250 for the construction of this road, and during the year 64 chains of road 13 ft. wide was formed, and 278 ft. of 10in. by 12in. culverting placed; also 134 ft. of 12in. by 18in. The above road goes through forest-country. Mangaone Road (Norling's). —The sum of £200 was granted to the Eketahuna Boad Board for the formation of the above road, which is being proceeded with. This road gives access to a portion of the northern part of the Mount Baker Block. Mauriceville Road (flood-damages). —For repairing damages the Mauriceville Boad Board received a grant of £200. The work done consisted of the re-erection of a plain bridge of three spans—a centre span of 30 ft. and two side spans of 15 ft. each; also the removal of 3,180 cubic yards of slips. The above bridge was wrecked by a recent flood, but most of the material was fortunately saved, and was used in its reconstruction. Ruamahanga Bridge (repairs). —The Wairarapa South County Council has received a subsidy of £200 towards the repair of this bridge over the Euamahanga Biver (Kokotau). This work has been completed during the year. Mikumiku Road (Te Mara Block). —This road gives access to Messrs. Pain and Pederson's sections and to unsold Crown lands. During the past year 61} chains of bush has been felled and

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cleared; 9 chains of road formed 12 ft. in width; and one culvert laid, 24 in. by 18 in., 20 ft; in length. Black Greek Road (Te Mara Block). —This road was started in August last, and good work has been done on it during the past year, 108 chains of bush having been felled and cleared ; 11 chains of road formed 10 ft. wide; one log bridge, 22 ft. in length, constructed; two culverts laid, one 12 in. by 12 in. and one 3 ft. by 3 ft., a total length of 26 ft. ; 3 chains of drains made ; 4J chains of embankments formed ; and 51 chains of stumping done. This road gives access to Mr. A. Johnston's sections, also to other lands of the Crown in the Te Mara Block as yet unsold. Mangatariri Road (Kaitangata Block). —167 chains of road has been graded and pegged; 63i chains of bushfelling and clearing has been done; 1 mile 58 chains of road formed 6 ft. wide; one bridge 20 ft. in length and one log bridge 8 ft. in length constructed ; three culverts, 12 in. by 12 in., 31 ft. in length, laid; 1 chain of embankments formed; and 61 cubic yards of rock excavated. Affords access to twenty-two settlers in the valley in this block. It is now being continued, but more funds will be required shortly. Mangatarere-Valley Road. —Out of a grant of £125 to the Taratahi-Carterton Boad Board 53 chains of bush has been felled 66 ft. and cleared 14 ft. wide, and 75 chains of road formed 10 ft. wide, during the past twelve months. The money available was not nearly sufficient to complete the works in accordance with the plans submitted. This will not be passable for horse-traffic during the winter. Waingawa Road (Te Mara Block). —93 chains of bush has been felled and cleared; 4 chains of scrub felled and cleared ; 30J chains of road formed 6 ft. wide; 30 chains of road graded and pegged; two bridges constructed, one plain 20 ft. long and one log 8 ft. in length; five culverts laid, one 12 in. by 18 in., three 18in. by 24in., and one Bft. by 4ft., a total length of 60ft.; and 2 chains of drains were made. This road will give access to Messrs. Gunderson and Christensen's sections, in the Te Mara Block, and to other unsold Crown lands. Waingawa Road (Kaitangata Block). —During the year 4 chains of road was graded and pegged; 4 chains bush felled and cleared; 2 chains formed 12ft. in width; one 12ft. bridge constructed; one 2ft. by 3ft. 6in. culvert placed, 12ft. in length; 2 chains of drains made; and 25 chains of fencing done. North Wairarapa (flood-damages). —£2oo was granted last year to the Wairarapa North County Council to repair flood-damages. This work has been completed. Gladstone-East Coast Road. —The Taratahi-Carterton Eoad Board received a grant of £200 for work on this road, and during the period fifteen miles of water-tables has been opened and a quantity of slips cleared. The whole work of restoring will shortly be completed. Kaiwhata Valley Road. —On this road during the past year 45 chains has been graded and pegged; 48 chains formation; 4 culverts built, three 12 in. by 12 in. and one 12 in. by 18 in., a total length of 60ft.; and 3 chains of embankments formed; one plain bridge, 23ft. in length, erected ; and 50 cubic yards of rock excavated. This road gives access to the settlers in the Bewa Survey District, and passes through Chalmer's Eun. The Wairarapa North County Council received from the Government a subsidy of £62 19s. 2d., and the work is in progress. Rocky Hill-Wainui-oru. —The Taratahi-Carterton Eoad Board, for the purpose of constructing this road, had two grants made to it, one of £200 and the other of £50. Work is being proceeded with, Turner's Road (Wainui-oru). —Two grants, of £200 and £50 respectively, were made to the Taratahi-Carterton Boad Board during the year. Work is being proceeded with. Waiohine Bridge (Matarawa). —This bridge, which is a truss and plain bridge of nine spans, two land spans of 34 ft. each, two truss spans of 58 ft. each, and five spans of 60 ft. each, total length 484 ft., was recently opened by the Hon. the Minister of Lands. The Government gave a subsidy of £1,000 to the Greytown Borough Council to assist in its erection. This bridge is now in use, but has not been finally passed. Waiohine Road (Kaitangata Block). —On this road during the year 96 chains of bush has been felled and cleared; 11 chains road graded and pegged; 10} chains formation done ; one 12 ft.-span bridge, 23 ft. in length, erected; also, one 16 in. by 12 in. culvert, 16 ft. in length, laid. Dalefield Road (Kaitangata Block). —During the past year 30 chains of road has been formed and 30 chains graded and pegged ; 3 chains embankments formed ; and 25 chains 8-wire fencing erected. This road is intended to give access to Messrs. W. G. Waterson and others' holdings and to unsold Crown lands, but more funds will be required than are at present available. There is only sufficient to form the road half-way. Tokomaru Bridge. —Government having granted the sum of £450 to the Horowhenua County Council, the plans and specifications have been inspected and approved, and the bridge, which is 175 ft. in length, consists of two land spans of 12 ft. 6 in. each, two truss spans of 45 ft. each, and one truss span of 60 ft., and is now well under way. Waikanae-Hutt Road. —£100 was granted to the Horowhenua County Council for repairing and metalling the road between Waikanae Bailway-station and the Fruit-growers' Block, and work is nearing completion. A sum of £70 6s. 4d. was granted to the Hutt County Council for expenditure on this road. The money was devoted to clearing and opening up the track from Eikiorangi to the saddle for horse-traffic, and the erection of a plain bridge, 20 ft. span. A sum of £150 was also granted to the Hutt County Council, and is being appropriated in the removal of land-slips snd in opening out the old bridle-track for horse-traffic from the end of the present dray-road, Akatarawa, to the saddle. This road will be a great convenience for horsemen and drivers of stock between the Hutt and Wairarapa wishing to cross to the coast, shortening the distance by many miles, and will be the means of affording employment to many settlers in the district. Whiteman s Valley Road. —In my last report it was stated that 62 chains of this road had yet to be completed 12 ft. in width. 62 chains of 6 ft. horse-track are being widened into al2 ft. dray-road, and metalled 9 ft. wide for a distance of 10 chains on the worst portions of the road.

Tiraumea Bridge—Saunders's Crossing. From Photo, by G. Ibbetson.

Tiraumea Bridge-Edwards's Crossing. From Photo, by G. Ibbetson.

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116 ft. of culverting was laid, varying in size from 9 in. by 9 in. to 15 in. by 15 in. Two grants of £200 each were made to the Hutt County Council for this road. Paikakariki-Waikanae-Hadfield Road. —A subsidy of £453 7s. lid. has been given by the Government to the Horowhenua County Council for the prosecution of this work, and it is now in progress. A sum of £500 has also been granted to the Hutt County Council for this road. When this road is completed the connecting-link on the main road from Wellington to Palmerston North will be formed, and will prove of great benefit to the settlers for stock-driving purposes, as at present cattle have to be driven round by the sea-beach. Geneeal. The total number of contracts let during the past period was 426. In addition to these, thirtyone were in progress at the beginning of the year, making a total of 457. Completed contracts numbered 353, and seventy-four are in various stages of completion. 13 miles 38} chains of dray-road and 45 miles 54 chains of horse-road has been made, and 4 miles chains of dray-road and 4 miles 2 chains of horse-road has been widened; 76,097 cubic yards of rock has been excavated ; 10,432 cubic yards of slips removed ; fifty-three bridges, with a total length of 2,506 ft., constructed ; and 506 culverts laid, totalling in length 8,969 lineal feet. 87 miles 54} chains of bushfelling and clearing have been done, besides scrub-clearing, widening, tunnelling, corduroying, fascining, &c. 112 miles 54-J chains of water-tables were cleaned out and opened up, and 4 miles 62 \ chains of road metalled. 110 miles 18 chains of dray-road and 107 miles 55-J chains of horse-road was maintained; and various other work done, such as road-grassing, stumping, erection of fencing, willow-plantmg, and sawing timber. In dealing with such a large number of contracts, a heavy strain has been placed upon my staff generally. The Eoad Overseers are deserving of thanks for the manner in which they have one and all performed their respective duties. In many cases they are called upon to do Bangers' work, such as reporting upon sections and farm and village settlements. In the office the draughting work has been severe, which may be inferred from the fact that 101 miles 5 chains of engineering plans have been dealt with during the year, including a large amount of bridging. The number of vouchers checked and paid was 1,324, involving an expenditure of £28,670. The correspondence inward and outward, besides reports upon improved-farm settlements, monthly and quarterly returns, together with other work of a varied kind, has kept the clerical staff busily engaged, their time being very fully occupied. Alfeedton-Tieaumea Boad-bbidges. The Alfredton district is one of the oldest-settled parts of the Wairarapa North County, and, owing to the absence of roads, and consequent inaccessibility, it was to the early pioneers and travellers a terra incognita, and it was not until comparatively recently that a system of roading and bridging was taken in hand which has enabled the settlers to send their produce to market. The roads thus opened afford access to large areas of Crown land (principally forest) on the eastern slopes of the Puketoi Eanges, where a large number of settlers are now located, clearing the bush and preparing the land for sheep and pasture. The arterial line connecting this district with the railway system of the North Island is the Eketahuna and Tinui Eoad, situate between the Township of Eketahuna and Tinui, which connects these two places, vid Alfredton and Tiraumea. This line is formed as a dray-road throughout most of its length, fourteen of fifteen miles being metalled, and most of this work has been accomplished by the settlers themselves, through the Eoad Boards and County Councils, aided by loans advanced by Government under the Loans to Local Bodies Act, supplemented occasionally by grants direct. Under this system works of great magnitude have been undertaken, not the least of which has been the bridging of the three crossings of the Tiraumea. which is a rapid and at times dangerous river, and which joins the Manawatu Biver at Ngawaparua, about four miles south of Woodville. These bridges, which are shown in the plates accompanying this report, are from photographs taken on the spot by Mr. George B. H. Ibbetson, of the Eoads Branch of the Wellington District Office. They are constructed on the Howe principle of a combination of diagonal struts and vertical ties, and consist each of one main span and one or two short spring spans. The first two views (Nos. 1 and 2) are of the bridge commonly known as "Napier's Crossing," and are taken from the opposite banks of the river. The bridge consists of a main span of 126 ft., with two smaller approach spans 22 ft. and 12 ft. respectively, and is 14 ft. between the girders, and 16 ft. in height over upper and lower booms. The Government grant for this bridge was £1,000. Views Nos. 3 and 4 are of the same kind of bridge, known as "Saunders's Crossing" and "Tiraumea Bridge No. 3." Each bridge occupied about six months in building, and was constructed from designs by Mr. C. E. Bremner, Wairarapa North, County Engineer, ably assisted by Mr. Duncan McLachlan and staff. Bubnt Papa as Metal. Owing to the absence of road-metal on the Alfredton-Weber Eoad, it was decided to ascertain if papa rock, after being subjected to a great heat in a kiln, would not serve as a substitute, and accordingly a kiln was built, the capacity of which was 150 cubic yards. After a burn, the metal was placed on the road last April, and h „s had a fairly severe twelve months' test, owing to the bullock-dray traffic which has passed ver it. So far good results have been obtained, the metal having stood the wear remarkably ,'ell. A larger kiln was then excavated out of the side of a hill, of a capacity of 400 cubic yards. When everything was ready, and the kiln about to be fired, the exceptionally heavy rainfall experienced at the time caused immense slips of liquid mud and timber debris to descend and co npletely fill the kiln on two separate occasions, causing considerable expense. After surmounting these difficulties the kiln was charged with the blue papa, and a successful burn obtained. This material has been used in metalling the roadway in the vicinity 12 ft. wide and 10 in. deep, the total length laid now being 25 chains, at a cost of about £3 10s. per chain, not including the expense of the excavation of the kiln, and this will be put to a fair test, which will, I trust, prove satisfactory. 10—C. 1.

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The cost of the burnt material at the mouth of the pit will not exceed 2s. 6d. per cubic yard. Everything taken into consideration, the experiment may be looked upon as a success, and should be the means of saving great expense in the future, metal being so scarce upon the line of road that the benefit to those using the road will be incalculable. Should the metal which has just been laid also prove satisfactory, I would recommend that kiln 3 be erected at intervals along the line of road, where gravel cannot be procured, for the purpose of manufacturing the material. The following engineering surveys have been made during the year ended 31st March, 1897 :—

Name of Road. j Surveyor, Inspector, or Overseer. Length of Eoad. Total Length of Road. Mecalickstone Block— Waihoki Valley Waiowaka Waikereru Bone Creek Mecalickstone-Aohanga R. Forster ... It • * * M. oh. 0 60 2 51 3 41 1 8 1 0 M. ch. It 9 0 It II • • • Akitio Improved-farm Settlement— Waihi-Akitio ... Mount Arthur... Kawakawa Akitio Pukewhinau ... lt ... It • • ' 1 25 2 59 1 0 1 59 0 72 7 55 Pongoroa Village Settlement— Huia... Paraengahuata „ 1 29 1 51 3 0 Pahiatua No. 1 Farm Homestead Association — Manuharahara Waipatukaka ... tf 4 73 4 35 Pahiatua No. 2 Farm Homestead Association—Akaroa ... Masterton Reform Association—Waihi Valley... Coonoor Farm Homestead Association—Towai (widenings) Christchurch Farm Homestead Association—Utewai Eising Sun Farm Homestead Association—Towai Dannevirke Centennial Farm Homestead Association—Spur Bridge Eoad Makuri-Pongaroa Eoad Makairo (widening) Eakaunui Village Settlement Aohanga-Gorge Eoad Alfredton-Weber Eoad Tiraumea River, Pa Valley Eoad Salisbury and Delaware Farm Homestead Block— Umutoi Tunipo „ ... il It It It it • ' ' 2 0 9 52 4 0 0 22 2 75 1 10 1 11 11 0 1 0 0 32 1 0 4 69 1 72 9 28 2 0 9 52 4 0 0 22 2 75 1 10 1 11 11 0 1 0 0 32 1 0 4 69 1 72 it It it it It • • • E. p'.' Greville H. Snow 5 69 1 28 7 17 // Pohangina Farm Homestead Block— Table Flat Umutoi a •' • 1 17 2 67 "Umutoi Farm Homestead Block—Umutoi Eoad Marton Nos. 1 and 2 Blocks— West Mangahuia ... ... ... Titirangi ... Mania Lagoon Te Parapara ... Conspicuous ... it a • • • 2 36 4 4 2 36 P. J. Moran it it 0 7 2 9 0 10 0 64 0 9 0 21 3 40 6 12 0 8 0 25 0 68 1 15 2 0 2 0 0 74 a it a Mangawharariki Road Pukerimu Road ... ... ... ... ... ■ Pemberton Improved-farm Settlement Kimbolton Eoad ... Hautapu Block—Hangarere Eoad Hautapu No 2 Block—Peka Eoad Titirangi Road Kawatau Valley Road ir a u 6 12 0 8 0 25 0 68 1 15 2 0 2 0 0 74 J. Gibson ... n a • ■ • Totals 101 5

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The following roads have been maintained during the year ended 31st March, 1897: —

A. C. Tuenee, Road Surveyor.

MARLBOROUGH. Brown River Bridge. —This work, situated in the Rai Valley, on the Blenheim-Nelson Road, comprising a truss bridge of 45 ft. span and 15 chains of embanked approaches, is now complete, having been executed under contract from a design prepared in and under the supervision of this office. The construction of this bridge minimises the inconvenience caused by back-water from the Rai Valley impeding traffic. Spring Creek Bridge. —The old bridge over this creek, having got into great disrepair, has been removed and replaced by a substantial structure in two spans of 30 ft.; the approaches have been rebuilt, and 5 chains of road-metal laid. Clarence Bridge. —Repairs to the approaches of this bridge, consisting chiefly of slips on the right bank of the liver, have been effected, and a traverse made of the river, and survey of flooddamages to the left or north bank. Flood-waters in the Clarence River have had lately a tendency to cut into the bridge embankment on the north side of the river. The removal by the bridge contractors of the heavy boulders from the river-bed close under the left bank to form groins impaired the regime of the river-bed, and permitted this left branch to become almost, if not quite, the main stream, to the detriment of the left bank. The floods of June and July, 1896, have partially rectified this by bringing down more boulders, the greater number replacing those removed. This has reduced the velocity in the left branch, and lessened the scour, and has also perceptibly caused the flow of this branch to revert to the central or main stream. The repairs to the groins damaged by the floods have not as yet been commenced. Tracks, Queen Charlotte Sound. —A bridle-road leading from Section 36, Otenarua Bay, to a saddle 850 ft. above sea-level in the range on Arapawa Island, between Queen Charlotte Sound and Tory Channel, has, in answer to a petition from the settlers of the district, been laid off, graded,

Name of Road. Dray-road. Bridle-road. Total Length o; Road. M. ch. 1 17 M. ch. M. oh. 1 17 0 40 0 40 2 0 4 10 6 45 3 0 4 13 3 0 1 44 2 65 2 23 3 6i 2 4 1 27 4 60 3 20 4 4 7 0 5 0 10 0 37 0 3 0 2 0 4 13 3 0 2 0 17 0 6 40 3 70 0 46 4 16 12 0 9 0 2 40 0 70 5 40 1 40 17 0 7 0 7 0 Kawatau Valley... Ngaio ... Totara ... Auputu... Te Parapara Manga wharariki Pukerimu Mangarere (Hautapu No. 2) Cross (Hautapu)... Conspicuous Oroua Main Table Plat Apiti-Norsewood Umutoi (Pohangina) Tunipo... Makoura Makiekie Umutoi (Salisbury) Mangatoro Valley Towai (Coonoor) Upper Makuri ... Alfredton-Weber Waihi-Akitio Akitio ... Waihi ... Bange ... Cross ... Makuri-Pongaroa Makuri- Aohanga Huia (Woodville) Burling's-Mecalickstone ... Utewai... Makairo Pahiatua-Palmerston 6 45 3 0 0 40 0 40 2 0 4 10 4 13 3 0 1 44 2 65 2 23 3 64 2 4 1 27 4 60 3 20 4 4 7 0 3 40 10 0 31 40 1 40 5 40 3 0 2 0 4 13 3 0 2 0 12 0 6 40 3 70 5 0 0 46 2 0 4 0 2 16 8 0 9 0 Mangaramarama North Tiraumea... Woodville-Aohanga Makuri Township Tiritea-Makuri ... Mangaone Valley Tiraumea Valley 2 40 0 70 5 40 1 40 17 0 7 0 7 0 Totals ... 110 18 107 55£ 217 73£

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and the work of forming commenced. This will connect with a forked branch to be formed in the direction of Sections Nos. 29 and 30, on the west side of Otenarua Bay, and each branch will connect at the saddle with a bridle-road graded, and in course of construction, from this point to Okukari Bay, Wekenui Bay, and Te Awaiti, in Tory Channel. A short branch is to be graded and formed to put Okukari in full connection, ultimately to be extended to Onopopiti Bay. Whatamonga-Port Underwood. —This bridle-road has been extended an additional three miles during the past year, and 27 chains of repairs has been effected. The abnormal rains of June and July, 1896, caused heavy slips between Waikawa and Whatamonga, and put the creek in high flood. The trees floating down from the bush, coming in contact with the long foot-bridge, severely strained and canted it before the flooded state of the creek permitted of their removal. The slips were all cleared and the repairs to the road effected to an extent sufficient for safety. The bridge was temporarily repaired until such time as the bed of the creek might be dry. This has recently occurred, and the permanent repairs commenced. Twisted wires, securely stayed, have been thrown across the creek a few chains up stream from the foot-bridge, to hold back floating logs until they can be anchored or brought to bank. These works have been carried on by a working overseer and eight men—residents of Whatamonga and Port Underwood. Arapawa-Te Awaiti. —The laying-off and grading of this bridle-road between Wekenui and Okukari Saddle nas been completed, and the work of bushfelling and cutting the line commenced. This work has been mentioned under the heading of " Tracks, Queen Charlotte Sound." It forms a connecting-link between Otenarua Bay, in that sound, and Tory Channel. This work is much appreciated in the district, and will, when completed to Te Awaiti Post-office, be of great service to the settlers. Further grants will be required to complete this road to Te Awaiti, and also its extension to Onopopiti. These have been recommended. Manaroa-Hopai. —This bridle-road forms a section which will, when completed, give, almost without a break, land-communication with Havelock, connecting a long series of bays and settled districts with the main roads of Marlborough. During the past yea.r it has been extended 3 miles 10 chains in the direction of Manaroa, and work ceased only because funds were exhausted. The heavy rainfall of June-July, 1896, caused serious landslips. Bemedying these absorbed an undue proportion of the working funds, but was unavoidable. Had the season remained normal the line would have been completed as far as Manaroa. It is intended that it should stop there. The work has been carried on by a working overseer and four resident settlers. White's Bay-Port Underwood. —During the past year this section of bridle-road has been extended 3 miles 33 chains, 42 chains of which were through bush-land requiring felling, stumping, and clearing. The section from White's Bay to Eobin Hood Bay has received attention in the matter of removal of heavy slips, drainage, and general repairs. This line of bridle-road is now open from Cloudy Bay to Ocean Bay, Port Underwood; rather more than four miles remain to complete and connect it with the Whatamonga-Port Underwood Eoad, where it terminates in Kakahaka Bay. A balance in hand of £128 19s. 3d. will during the current year be expended in this direction, but it will require to be supplemented to complete the work. Manaroa-Okoha. —Only a short length of this line —about half a mile—has been executed during the past year, and that in continuation of the preceding year's work. Authorities for further expenditure on this road, as also on Anakoa-Manaroa line, having recently been received, the works are to be resumed, and carried on on co-operative lines. Grail Bay. —2 miles 73 chains of bridle-road has been executed in this district, connecting Crail Bay with Kenepuru Sound at Te Mautau-a-Mahi Bay. This road crosses a saddle about 600 ft. above high-water sea-level, and is chiefly through heavy bush-country. The bush on the flats has been felled and cleared 1 chain wide, and that on the sidelings 33 ft. The saddle on this line, being nearly 400 ft. less in height than the pass between Kenepuru and Manaroa, will, it is expected, as soon as the Hopai-Manaroa and Hopai-Crail Bay lines are completed, make it the favourite route for stock. Kenepuru-Anakoa Track. —Work on this line of road has temporarily ceased, pending completion of agreements with resident settlers for diverting the old road from the flat to low down on the north-west sideling, in the valley. This diversion is recommended to avoid at least eight bridges, irrespective of culverts, within a distance of two miles, which would be required were the old line of road adhered to, and also to avoid the effect of recent floods which, from the Kenepuru Eiver, overspread the road-line and surrounding flat. During the rain season floods are frequent, rapidly overflowing the valley, owing to the high elevation and the large area enclosed by the watershed, including a part of Mount Stokes and neighbouring peaks. Kenepuru-Manaroa. —This bridle-road, connecting Clove and Waitaria Bays, had for several years past become almost impassable, partly by reason that it lies through heavy bush-country, unusually wet, and partly owing to increased traffic. Attempts were made to repair it, but they met with scant success. Eecutting, forming, and metalling was then decided on, the line of road being an important one. These works have been completed, and accomplished all that was desired. The absence of wheel-traffic necessitated that special measures be taken to consolidate the metalling. For this purpose a combined truck and roller was constructed, and the specifications provided that it should be loaded with road-metal and hauled over the blinded metalling on the down grade, returning up empty. The wide wheels of the roller overlapping each other made a continuous bearing of 3 ft. This made good work of consolidating, and the road now is the best of its class in the Sounds, considered apart from the height of the saddle, which is 985 ft. above highwater mark. The length of bridle-road recut, formed, and metalled is 2 miles 73 chains. Anakoa-Manaroa. —No work has been executed on this line during the past year, the authority for expenditure not arriving in time. This being now to hand, the extension of this bridle-road will be resumed at an early date, under co-operative contracts. Torea Neck. —A small co-operative party has been engaged to put this cart-road in repair as far as the amount voted will permit, and data collected for framing the specification. As the amount voted and at command will not complete the repairs and metalling, a further sum has been

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recommended, and placed on the office estimates. This line of road forms the main connection between Queen Charlotte Sound, Kenepuru Sound, and the Pelorus. Crail Bay-Homeivood. —The explorations of this new line of bridle-road are to be commenced in April; altogether, about ten miles of road will require making to put Homewood in connection with Crail Bay and Kenepuru Sound. An additional vote is recommended for this work, which will traverse for the greater part through heavy bush. It is proposed to make a clearing at first for a cattle-drive, the earthwork to be held over pending a further vote. Robin Hood Bay-Ocean Bay. —This line of bridle-road forms a connection of the main line, White's Bay-Port Underwood. During the past year 53 chains have been laid off, graded, and formation completed, and 44 chains of bush felled and cleared. These works exhausting the votes, the men were withdrawn. An extension of this line will be resumed at an early date, an authority for further expenditure having recently been received. Beatrix Bay-Kenny's Isle. —For this work the authority has been received. It will be commenced in or about the latter end of May or beginning of June next, in connection with the Anakoa-Manaroa Eoad, off which it will branch. The amount voted will allow of a good start being made, but its completion will necessitate an additional grant. Kenepuru Sound. —A 66 ft. road has been laid off and surveyed around the head of this sound to connect existing bridle-roads on the north-west and south-east. As it trespasses on freehold property, the owners require, as compensation, other land in exchange, and until this is given them they refuse permission to open up and form the road, as a part of it, of necessity, will go through the stockyard. A section of land proposed to be given in exchange has been considered, and recommended by the Board. As soon as a final adjustment of this matter is effected the road can be commenced, and the amount voted (£250) expended. Ohinitaha-Te Mehia. —l mile 33 chains of this bridle-road has been laid off, graded, and completed, the work of bushfelling, clearing, and road-forming being executed by a co-operative party of settlers, residents of Pelorus, Mahau, and Kenepuru Sounds. The line has been laid off and graded to Te Mehia Bay, and the earthwork is still being carried on. The completion of this line and the connecting-road to Portage has been long desired by settlers, as it will relieve them of taking stock along a very rough beach, and make them independent of the tides. It will also put them, for stock purposes, in readier communication with the provincial main roads, vid Havelock and Picton. Te Mehia-Portage. —This section of bridle-road has been undertaken in connection with the preceding line, and will complete, when finished, a length of road from Havelock, at the head of Pelorus Sound— via Mahau Sound, Kenepuru Sound, Waitaria, Manaroa, Hopai, and vid Manaroa to Beatrix Bay —exceeding sixty miles ; and from Havelock vid the same route to Hopai, in Crail Bay, fifty miles, the only break in each case being the section at the head of Kenepuru Sound, mentioned previously, though this last, it is anticipated, will be completed at or near the same time as the section of road under report in this clause. Grove Wharf. —Preliminary surveys of this structure and the goods-shed have been made, for the purpose of preparing the required plans and specifications for the renewal of piles and general repairs. It is to be completed in June. Tawhitinui-Rai. —4 miles 38 chains of this bridle-road has been formed, a mile and a half of bush felled, and 1 mile 67 chains of burnt bush logged up and cleared, at an expenditure (inclusive of laying-off and grading/constructing fords, and blasting rock) of £207 3s. 9d. A working overseer and six men, all residents of the district, were employed on the work. The continuation of this road will be resumed in May, after completing the necessary grading. The work will consist of bushfelling and making a cattle-clearing along the face of the country facing Tawhitinui Eeach and Tennyson Inlet until the vote is exhausted. The bush is of heavy character, and the country generally rough. A further vote is recommended for this line, and is placed on the estimates, so as to continue the bushfelling and cattle-clearing to the head of Tennyson Inlet, where open country will be reached. At present cattle to and from this district have to be driven along an exceedingly rough beach, at intervals between low and half tide, journeying slowly, and to their detriment. The proposed cattle-clearing will remedy this. That portion of this road included in the above 4 miles 38 chains was constructed for postal and educational purposes, chiefly the latter, a school having recently been started in this district. Tory Heads. —l7o chains of track were finished, at a cost of £94 2s. Picton-Waikaioa. —The cost of maintenance for repairs and foot-bridge on this road amounted to £50 Is. 6d. Blenheim-Havelock Ferry House. —A six-roomed house has been erected between the Opawa and Wairau Biver fords for accommodation of the fords caretaker. The grant-in-aid of £200 was supplemented by a sum of £25 (see Annual Eeturn for the year 1895-96). Blenheim-Kaikoura and Waiau. —During the year the Awatere Eoad Board expended £300 in repairing flood-damages to the road, and £90 on formation of the Ore Boad. The Kaikoura County Council expended £109 18s. on repairs to Garrett's Bridge, £361 6s. in clearing slips, repairing roadway and fords. Nelson-Havelock, and Bridges. —Nothing was done during the year on this work. Awatere Road-Jordan Bridge. —During the year this bridge was completed at a cost of £1,000 (see Annual Eeturn for the year 1895-96). Nydia Bay-Havelock. —An extension of this bridle-road has been lately made along the northern shore of Nydia Bay, in the direction of Chance and Penguin Bays ; length, 2 miles 9 chains. Flood-waters from the Pelorus Biver having damaged about 7 chains of this road, near its connection with Nelson-Havelock Boad, a contract has been entered into for necessary repairs, and for a short bridge that crosses the tram-line near this point. Kaikoura-Clarence. —The work done by Kaikoura County Council out of subsidy comprised repairs to Garrett's Creek Bridge, clearing slips, and making up fords across creeks. Blind River Roads. —The exceptional rainfall of June and July last—the heaviest experienced —caused an overflow of the river, and damage to the recently-formed roads. Eepairs have been

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executed by resident settlers. I have explored for and have found a practicable road across the Starborough Downs to connect the Blind Biver Estate with the Bedward Pass Boad. This road can be constructed at a moderate cost, and it would form the main road through the Starborough Estate, and would be used as the mail-coach road, as it has better grades than the Taylor Pass Boad and would shorten the distance by six miles. Roads, Omaka Estate. —A 20 ft.-span bridge has been erected over Mill Creek, on this estate, and 8 chains of 33 ft. roading and embankment approaches to the bridge completed. The roadmetalling has been commenced, and will be finished in April. The bridge-work was let by special tender, and the earthwork executed by a co-operative party formed of settlers on the estate. Miscellaneous. —ln the foregoing report the heavy rainfall during June and July has been alluded to. All the work in progress suffered material damage by the floods. On the bridle-roads, earth-slips were frequent, in many cases carrying completely away the road, and in others causing serious subsidence. Mahakipawa-Kenepuru, Hopai-Manaroa, and Whatamonga-Port Underwood Boads suffered more severely than others. As soon as possible after the flood-damages occurred repairs were undertaken. On the main provincial roads, and notably the Blenheim-Clarence Boad, the damages were heavy—wash-outs carrying away culverts, bridges, and approaches, fords scoured out and deepened so as to be impassable, and, on the road specially mentioned, the face of the hills immediately over the sideling road near Kekerangu came away in places, overwhelming the road ; and it still threatens to slip in such a mass as must, in the near future, destroy the road. Special journeys to ascertain the extent of these damages were made, and an overlook kept on the works under repair, paid for by Government grant. A survey has been made over Look-out Hills, from Kekerangu to Lagoon Flats, for a proposed road-diversion; this, if possible, should be completed at an early date, in order to remedy the inconvenience that must arise should the road be permanently blocked by slips, which at present appears inevitable. C. W. Adams, Chief Surveyor.

NELSON. Belgrove-Tophouse-Tarndale Road. —This road has been improved southwards from Tophouse, and is now open for dray-traffic as far as the Bainbow Accommodation-house. Beyond that, through the Wairau Gorge, repairs are being made to the bridle-track, as it is now completely washed away. Waimea West. —£100 has been granted to the Waimea Boad Board for roadworks in this locality, £51 Bs. of which has been spent to date. Waimea County Roads. —The County Council has spent the vote of £200 in general repairs to the roads injured by the floods of the early part of last year. Wakefield-Stanley Brook. —This work was done under the control of the Waimea County Council, and consisted of 236 chains of formation and 50 chains of metalling, together with culverts and repairs. Maitai Valley. —An authority has lately been received for the expenditure of the £200 grant on this road, which is for the purpose of giving a road to settlers, who have been for some years without means of access. The work will be undertaken shortly. Dove River Bridge. —The expenditure of this vote was intrusted to the Waimea County Council, and a new bridge, 80ft. in length, has been constructed. The Council has painted it and made the road approaching it out of its own funds. Quail Valley. — £100 has been spent and a mile and a half of dray-road improved and partly metalled, which was much needed so as to form an outlet for the settlers in that locality to the railway at Belgrove. Ferntown-Pakawau. —The Oollingwood Boad Board has spent £85 of this vote in forming 27 chains of new road. Nelson-Havelock. —This main road is for some distance under the control of the Waimea County, and a grant of £100 was made to that body towards its maintenance. Wairoa Gorge. —£lso of the vote was spent by the Waimea County Council in improving two miles of the worst of the road and converting it from a bridle-track into a dray-road. Riwaka Valley. —The work done was forming two miles of dray-road in extension of what had been previously done up the valley. Wangapeka Track from Rolling River to Kiwi Creek. — The expenditure on this work has been in generally improving and repairing sixteen miles of this bridle-road, which had become quite impassable for horses. The road was widened in places where there had been heavy slips, culverts renewed, and a temporary bridge put over the stream at the place known as the " Man-trap" or "Jacob's Ladder," where travellers have been blocked up for many days together. The road throughout is now in fairly good order. Richmond-Gollingwood. —Three miles of the hill on the main road from Biwaka to the Saddle was formed and metalled in the worst parts. This was a much-needed work, and will be greatly appreciated by persons travelling that road, especially in the winter time. Takaka-Collingwood-Inland Road. —The Collingwood County Council formed one mile of the Inland Boad. The object of the road is to avoid the crossing of the Parapara Stream on the beach, which is tidal and somewhat dangerous at times. Canaan Road. —The Collingwood County was also intrusted with the expenditure of £100 of this vote, with which they constructed four miles of bridle-track. Belgrove-Westport-Reefton Road. —Heavy expenditure was brought about through the extensive damage done to the road by the floods in the early part of last year, details of which appeared in last year's report. The large expenditure by this department was for the reconstruction of bridges washed away, and general repairs and maintenance up to the end of August, when the supervision was taken over by Mr. Wither, and Mr. Snodgras, the District Surveyor at Westport, who previously had charge, was relieved of this work, which had so very much interfered with his regular duties.

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Reefton-Maruia. —1 mile 2 chains of horse-track was converted into a dray-road by the Inangahua County Council. Granity Greek. —The Buller County Council, with a grant of £100 out of the vote, made 70 chains of dray-road. Mud Flat, Karamea. —24 chains of a 6 ft. bridle-track was formed and metalled ; the bush also was cleared 1 chain wide the whole length. Wangapeka—Wanganui. —The expenditure on this road, and for a bridle-track of 1 mile 10 chains, was made at the Wanganui end. This was first cleared 1 chain wide, and after formation a 4 ft. strip of metal was put on it. The balance of the expenditure was at the Wangapeka end, on which four miles of bridle-track was made. Seddonville-Mokihinui. —Part of this vote was expended by the Buller County Council in forming 25 chains of very necessary dray-road between the places. Fairdown-Waimangaroa. —The Buller County Council formed a bridle-road of 50 chains, and generally improved the road. Thomas Humpheies, Chief Surveyor.

Belgrove-Westport-Reefton Road. The supervision of the maintenance of that portion of the Belgrove-Westport-Eeefton Eoad between the Hope Junction and Westport and the Inangahua Junction and Eeefton was transferred to me as from the Ist September, 1896, and since then the ordinary maintenance has been well attended to. Owing to the nature of the country through which the road passes necessitating crib-logging and a great number of bridges and culverts, the maintenance is very heavy, and the constant renewal of crib-logging and timber bridges and culverts, besides the building of extra culverts to carry off storm-water, makes the work more costly. In consequence of the extraordinary floods in March, 1896, when a great amount of damage was done to the road, a very heavy expenditure had been incurred before I took charge, and the bulk of the work of repairing damage caused by those floods had been finished. Since the Ist of September last several new pieces of crib-logging have been put in and several small bridges have been repaired and redecked, and the channels have been cleared of Larry's and Boatman's Creeks, and some protective work has been done at Larry's. Fairly good weather prevailed for six months, and no unusual work was rendered necessary until the beginning of this month, when the rivers were again flooded; and, on the 10th March, 1897, it was found that the road was damaged in places, though, as compared with that of March, 1896, it was trifling. Very few slips came down this time, but the damage was chiefly confined to bridges and bridge approaches. The centre pier of the Newton Bridge is partly swept away, one bridge at Husband's Creek is swept away, and the approaches to the others are damaged, and a small bridge at Hunter's sawmill is also damaged. At Landing Creek the crate which was recently built to divert the stream and protect the road is considerably damaged, and below the stream itself is choked with driftwood in two places. I estimate the cost of repairing the flood-damage at £500. During the year 1897-98 a considerable sum will be required for repairing bridges—viz., Waitahu Bridge, £400 ; Inangahua Junction Bridge, £400; Owen Bridge, £200 ; Matiri Bridge, £150 ; and sundry small bridges, £350: total, £1,500. For painting bridges £500 will be required. For widening the approaches to Eeefton Bridge and fencing them, to guard against accident, about £100 will be required. For ordinary maintenance, including metalling, inspection travelling-expenses, and contingencies, £4,400 will be required : making the total required for the year £7,000. I have not been able to go into particulars of the cost of constructing the bridges for which authorities have been issued, but so far as I can see the votes are not sufficient. For instance, at Landing Creek £200 is voted, and the road must be raised on either side of the bridge for several chains, and the bridge must be high enough to give a good water-way, and, owing to drift timber, a clear span of about 80 ft. will be required. The approaches to the other bridges will be a considerable item, and deviations will be required for coach-traffic while the bridges are being built. Prospecting Track, Lyell to Larry's. —A start has been made from both ends, and a track has been cleared a few miles from the Lyell end towards the open country on the Brunner Bange, and at Larry's end a track has been cleared through the bush from the open country to Larry's. If a pack-track is to be made a considerable'sum will be required. Fbedebick Withee, Boad Surveyor.

WESTLAND. Stafford-Waimea. —The bushfelling, clearing, and formation has been completed for a further distance of 13-J chains on this road, and the culverts have been built, but no metalling has been done. Lower Arahura Bridge (repairs). —This bridge was thoroughly overhauled and repaired, and should be safe for traffic for some years to come. Mount Howe Track. —The authority for this work was issued to the Grey County Council, and about half a mile of bridle-track has been formed and metalled by that body. Westland Ferry Service. —The amount voted has been issued to the Westland County Council, and has been duly expended by them in maintenance of the ferries over the various rivers in the county. Whitoombe Valley Track (Kokatahi). —Mr. C. E. Douglas and party have explored and graded by clinometer a fairly good road, with a minimum slope of 1 in 10, through the worst portion of this valley, and there is no doubt about the successful issue of this survey. Lake Mapourika. —We have a balance of £88 Is. 9d. still in hand for this work, and this we hope to expend at an early date in the widening of this road. Haast Pass Track. —During the year a considerable amount of maintenance work has been done on this road, including the renewal of a number of small bridges and culverts. Eock-blasting

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is now proceeding at the portion of the Clark Bluff cribbing which has slipped away, and hereafter this portion of the track will be permanent. Hokitika Valley. —This is a portion of the road on the east side of the Hokitika Eiver, connecting the Whitoombe Valley with the Koiterangi farming district. A serviceable rough pack-track has been blazed through the bush to provide access for the co-operative workmen, who will be put on as soon as Mr. Smyth finishes the survey. Great South Road. —This road (from Mikonui Eiver to Mount Hercules, a distance of thirtyone miles) was taken over from the County Council of Westland by the Government in December last. The road was in such a bad state that it has been practically re-formed and the culverts and bridges almost renewed. Franz Josef Glacier. —The road from the Waiho wire foot-bridge to the glacier has been put in a thorough state of repair, and is now fit for horse-traffic throughout. Tracks to Fox Glacier. —Mr. Wilson is now under instructions to survey a route for this road from the Clearwater Flat to the glacier, and the work will be put in hand at an early date. Hokitika-Christchurch Road. —On this road two small foot-bridges, at Bangiriri, were repaired, and that over Wellesley's Creek, in the Otira Gorge, has been renewed. Slight damage by flood occurred in the Otira Gorge on three occasions. With these exceptions very little loss by storm has taken place, and the road is now in excellent order throughout. Greenstone-Teramakau.- —A further portion of this road, which is intended to give the Teramakau settlers an outlet, has been formed and metalled during the year, and other contracts have just been let, which, however, do not quite take up the whole of the unfinished portion. Kanieri Forks-Kanieri Lake. —This money was granted to the Westland County Council to repair flood-damage. The works consist of a deviation of the road, with stone-walling, and a protecting crate in the Kanieri Biver, and these have been satisfactorily carried out. Woodstook-Mahinapua. —A traffic-bridge of two spans of 25 ft. each has been built at Fisherman's Creek, and the approaches have all been formed and metalled. A ballast-pit has been opened, and a tramway laid from it to the road, and a small section of about six chains has been metalled. In consequence of the amount of traffic on this newly-formed road, the formation had to be made good before the metal could be laid. Dawson Road. —Very little work has been done during the year; the formation has been completed, and about half of the gravelling is done. Turnbull River Road. —One of the deviations formed the previous year has been metalled, and the remainder of the track which was cleared has been formed. Contracts are now in hand for further work. Block 112, Kokatahi. —One mile of this road has been formed and metalled, and a bridge 20 ft. long has been built over Davis's Creek, and all the requisite culverts have been put in. Greenstone Bridge. —A grant has been made to the Grey County Council for the construction of this bridge, and the work is now in hand. Cook's River (Upper). —Mr. Wilson has been instructed to make a survey of this road, on the completion of which the work will be commenced. W. G. Mueeay, Chief Surveyor.

CAN TEBBUBY. White's Cutting, Patoa Settlement. —This work comprised a side-cutting along a steep terrace, to give the settlers access to the river-bed, and was carried out by the settlers in two contracts, on the co-operative system. The men had no broken time, and earned 7s. 11-Jd. per day. Costello's Road, Patoa Settlement. —This work comprised formation and gravelling and the construction of twelve fords, and was carried out by the settlers in two contracts, on the cooperative system. The men had no broken time, and earned 12s. 7}d. per day, which includes the use of four horses, two drays, plough, and scoop owned by the contractors. Roads to Dairy Factories on the Peninsula. —The £300 voted for this work, the character of which was reported upon last year, has now been paid over to the Akaroa County, who carried out the work. Roimata Roads and Drain. —This work comprised the metalling of 48} chains of road to a width of 16 ft., and gravelling the footpaths on each side, and was carried out under the supervision of Assistant Surveyor Farnie. With respect to the drain on the north-east boundary of the settlement, constructed last year, the 9 in. pipes laid down in the underground portion were found quite inadequate to carry off the flood-water during ten days' incessant rain last winter. The low-lying portions of the settlement were, in consequence, flooded, which brought forth many complaints from the settlers. On inquiring into the matter, 1 found that since the drain was constructed the catchment area has been enormously increased, owing to the water of Ensor's Boad and the adjacent lands having been run into it. When providing for the requirements of our own 48 acres, the draining of the district was never contemplated. Hokitika-Christchurch Road. — The cost of maintaining this road during the year is lower than that of former years, owing to the exceptionally dry winter and fine summer which has been experienced. The road throughout has been maintained in splendid order, and no interruption to the traffic has occurred. The work of maintaining the road has been chiefly of the usual character —namely, shingling, tussocking, removing landslips and stones that have fallen into the cuttings, repairs to the Bealey Gorge Bridge, repairing fords and tracks across river-beds, repairing and making new wheelbarrows, and repairing huts. Provision will require to be made for shingling portions of the road between the 3 m. and 20 m. pegs—a length of four miles—that gets into a bad state during the winter. Clearing Water-races, Highbank Estate. —The work has been carried out in one contract, under the supervision of the Ashburton County Engineer, who reported it efficiently completed in May last.

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Construction of Water-races, Highbank Estate. —This work was also carried out by contract under the supervision of the Ashburton County Engineer, and comprised the construction of 470 chains of water-races, in addition to the laying-down of thirteen pitched fords. All the sections on this settlement are now provided with a water-supply. Ashley Irrigation-works. —A grant-in-aid of £300 was made to the Board for this work during the year. The Board having expended the amount of its loan in the construction of eight main channels, of a total length of twenty-five miles, which do not touch many of the properties of the small settlers or cottagers, the above vote has been devoted to providing such in the Cooper's Creek subdivision of the district with a water-supply. This entailed the construction of twenty miles of loop-lines, which, on inspection by District Surveyor McClure, were found satisfactorily carried out. A further grant of £900 has been made for the extension of this work, but no proposals for its expenditure have been submitted to me. Ruapuna Village Settlement Water-supply. —The £75 voted for this work has now been paid over, and I regret that the result of the expenditure has not been more satisfactory. It appears that the source of supply is not a permanent stream, and during the late dry season entirely failed, and the settlers had to drive their stock three miles to the nearest race. The Ashburton County have replied to my communication on the subject that nothing can be done to bring in a supply from the Ashburton or Bangitata Eivers on account of the excessive cost. Planting Willows and Poplars, Lake Pukaki. —£B9 14s. sd. of the £100 voted for this work has been expended during the year, under the supervision of the Mackenzie County Council, and, so far, about eight thousand willows and a small number of poplars have been planted along the northern shores of the lake and adjoining streams, all of which had to be cut and carted from the Council's plantations, on the Opihi Eiver. Cliff Road. —The £200 granted to the Waimate County in 1894 in aid of the construction of this road has now been paid over. District Surveyor Brodrick inspected the work last September, and reported it in good order from beginning to end, and open for wheel-traffic. It will always, however, be a rather dangerous road, and expensive to keep open ; but, the country being steep and rocky, it could not be much improved, except at considerable cost. Pukaki-Mount Cook Road. —This work comprised surfacing and making fords, inspections, tents, and repairs to same. The road is now in good order throughout, and should keep so for the remainder of the season. The advantage gained by employing the surfacemen this year has been most marked, and since they were sent up the coaches have never been stopped. Tracks to Mount Cook and Glaciers. —This work comprised the making of 287 chains of horsetrack, remaking and improving 480 chains of old horse-track, widening and improving 75 chains of the old Hooker foot-track, chipping and forming about 80 chains of the new Hooker track, re-forming and widening about 80 chains of the Mount Ollivier track, re-forming 12 chains of the old track near the wire-rope in the Hooker, and improving the approaches to the cage on each side. The improvements and additions to the horse-track from the Hermitage to the Ball Hut have made it a perfectly safe, and for a large portion of the distance pleasant, riding-track, on which the journey of twelve miles can very easily be done in from two and a half to three hours, on horseback. The erection of the new hut on Malte Brim has been deferred till next season. Two of the five men engaged to carry forward the timber took ill and returned home, which left too small a party for the work. All the material now lies in a secure place near the foot of the Tasman Glacier, and early next season will have to be carried forward. Cheviot Eoads and Drainage. The Cheviot County Council has expended £2,524 6s. 4d. on the above works, the Government contribution to date being £1,572 19s. 9d. (out of Vote 74, £3,000). The total expenditure is made up as follows : — Manuka Bay Road. —£l3o expended. The work comprised the formation of 43 chains of road, 10 ft. wide. Gums Road, Leamington. —£l2l expended. The work comprised the formation of 55 chains of road, 14 ft. wide. West Waiau Road. —£23o expended. The work comprised the formation and shingling of 180 chains of roads. East Waiau Road. —£23s expended. The work comprised shingling 160 chains of road, in addition to constructing fords and improving cuttings. Small Bridges on East Waiau Road. —£47 expended. The work comprised the construction of six small bridges, to give access to the several holdings. Parnassus Road. —£450 expended. The work comprised shingling 269 chains of road. Gaverhill Road. —£23s expended. The work comprised shingling 160 chains of road. Gerrard Road. —£103 expended. The work comprised the shingling of 70 chains of road. Stewart's Road. —£122 expended. The work comprised shingling 70 chains of road, in addition to the construction of culvert-boxes. Miller Street. —£50 expended. The work comprised formation and shingling 19 chains of road. Darroch Road. —£l4o expended. The work comprised the shingling of 136 chains of road. Campbell's Road. —£l22 expended. The work comprised shingling 65 chains of road in addition to the construction of fords. Homestead Willows Road. —£226 expended. The work comprised the shingling of 240 chains of road. Jed Drainage. Jed Main Channel. —£2o2 ss. Bd. expended. The work the construction of 89-J chains of main channel. 11—C. 1.

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Crystal Brook Channel. —£98 16s. 4d. The work comprised the construction of 55 chains of channel. Spring Creek Channel. —£l2 4s. 4d. expended. The work comprised the construction of 8-J chains of channel. Bluff and Brothers Roads, Cheviot Estate. The expenditure during the year out of the grant of £500 for these roads has been £357 155., and is made up as follows : — Brothers Cutting. —£92 15s. expended. This work, which is now completed and traffic resumed, comprised the removing of slips, and was carried out in one contract. Bluff Road. —£26s expended. The contractor for this work (which comprised the removal of slips) was considerably behind time with his contract. However, the road was made sufficiently clear in time to allow of the settlers carting their season's grain to Port Eobinson, a boon which they highly appreciated. Sidney Weetman, Chief Surveyor.

OTAGO. Dunback-Swinburn. —The Waihemo County Council re-formed and gravelled 2 miles 28 chains of the main road up to and beyond the Swinburn. This road is now in very fair order. Normanby, Mount Cargill. —The North-east Valley Borough Council re-formed and metalled the worst portions of the road from the Botanical Gardens to the Upper Junction; distance, three miles. Connecting Road, Block IX., Moeraki. —With this vote the Waitaki County Council formed 42 chains of road opposite Shag Point Eailway-station. Two expensive arched culverts, 4 ft. span, had to be built. At this place the road, which is really the Main South Eoad, used to run along the beach, and was almost impassable at high tide, and was at all times very awkward for stockdriving. A good road has now been formed on the railway reserve. Ravensbourne Road. —The road from Burkes to Sawyer's Bay (distance, four miles) has now been widened to 22 ft., and all the worst places metalled. This road is now in first-class order. Waitati Road. — Under the supervision of the Waikouaiti County Council 80 chains of this road were re-formed and 475 cubic yards of metal put on. The vote was spent on the Waitati side of the saddle. Water of Leith Protective Works. —A retaining-wall of stone and cement 2 chains long and 8 ft. high was constructed by day-labour under the supervision of the Maori Hill Borough Council. The dry stone wall was also rebuilt for a distance of 4 chains. Taieri Mouth Punt. —A punt has been erected at Taieri Mouth, but it is not working yet, as the approaches and pontoons are not yet commenced. This work will be put in hand at once by the Bruce County Council. Tuapeka Mouth Punt. —This work was really completed before 31st March, 1896, but the money was not all paid over until the past year. It was reported upon in last year's statement. Cargill Street, Caversham. —The road round Hillside Bailway Workshops has been re-formed by the Caversham Borough Council with rotten rock. Formerly this road was impassable in wet weather, but a great improvement has now been made. Lindis Pass. —The Vincent County Council let a contract for widening the existing road up the Lower Lindis Gorge and at Black Pinch ; retaining-walls and culverts were also built. Lake Wanaka Wharves.- —The Manuka Island Domain Board have extended the wharf 84 ft. by seven 12 ft. spans. Tracks to Western Sounds. —The track has been completed from the north-west arm of Lake Te Anau to George Sound; distance, fourteen miles. The track has been cleared 6 ft. wide and log bridges put across the creek. Lake Te Anau to Sutherland Falls. —The track from the head of Lake Te Anau to the Sutherland Falls has been kept in repair during the tourist season. Snow-poles have been erected over the pass. This work is now under the supervision of the Chief Surveyor, Southland. Pembroke-Matukituki. —In order to give a safer road to Mount Aspiring, the Lake County Council constructed a track 24 chains long and 8 ft. wide, thus avoiding two dangerous crossings of the Matukituki. Makarora-Haast. —The road up the Makarora Valley has been re-formed along lake side, and the pack-track repaired as far as the Vincent County boundary. The track from the pass down the Haast now requires attention. Livingstone-Kyeburn.— -With regard to the northern end, Mr. Browne, engineer of the Maniototo County Council, reports : " Improvements between the Pass Hotel and the ' Government formation ' up the creek have been effected by the County, to make the unformed portion passable, including the reconstruction of timber portion of the traffic-bridge at German Creek, near the hotel mentioned; the total expenditure above the Pass Hotel to date is about £150. I propose further improvements to the extent of £50 to connect satisfactorily with the ' Government formation.' The cost of these improvements to the extent of £200 will be charged to Grant No. 999, vote 91, item 69, 'Kyeburn District —Maintenance Eoads and Bridges.' With the above improvements the road will be a good summer road. The maintenance and improvements previously reported as being necessary for reducing the sharp rocky points and filling in at quick bends will require to be provided for, say, £100 per annum for two or three years." With regard to the southern end of the road, Mr. Barr reports as follows : " On the Ist February last I reported the completion of these works as executed by the co-operative system of labour. The total length of roa.d opened up has been seventeen miles, the greater part of the country traversed being rough. The nine miles of that next the Maerewhenua were done under the direction of the engineer to the Waitaki County Council, and included long grades in very bad ground between the two branches of that river. The

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remaining eight miles, under the direction of the writer, includes a grade a little over a mile in length, rising to the summit at Dansey's Pass, at a height of 3,100 ft. above sea-level, and another grade of three miles falling into the Valley of the Kyeburn. Fortunately the greater part of the formation is in side-cutting, but it should also be mentioned that by far the greater part of it was rock, and sometimes of a character very hard to deal with. On the Kyeburn side of the summit two considerable side creeks required heavy embankments, in addition to large culverts (13 ft. span). These were constructed of old railway-iron, with blue-gum planking on top. One bridge across the Maerewhenua Biver, with span of 46 ft., was also built of the same material, with concrete abutments. The wages paid for ordinary labourers varied from 3s. 3d. to 10s. 10d., the average being 6s. 7d. The works executed were not continuous over the whole lengths above stated, but all parts which in their natural condition were impassable or dangerous for wheeled traffic were improved so that when the works were completed drays or buggies could be taken with ease between the Wai-taki-Oamaru County and the Maniototo County ; and, as the former is a large producer of agricultural goods, and the latter has an extensive population of consumers, the facilities now given for the carriage of commodities, and generally also for travelling between the two districts, should be of immense advantage to both communities." Lower Hawea and Lower Wanaka. —Out of this vote a well was sunk 60 ft. The water will be used by settlers on the village settlement. A punt was also erected on Clutha Eiver, above Hawea Junction, for the use of settlers on the Fork Eun. These works were under the supervision of the Vincent County Council. Rough Ridge, Poolburn. —The Maniototo County Council re-formed and gravelled 1 mile 45 chains of the main road up Ida Valley. Run 206k. —The Maniototo County Council formed 1 mile 35 chains of road to give access to the subdivisions of this run. In addition to the formation and culverts, 15 chains were gravelled. Run 206v. —Contracts have been completed, under the supervision of Maniototo County Council, for gravelling 4 miles 69 chains of the main road through the subdivision of this run; also the formation of 74 chains in Block XII., Maniototo. Hamilton Bridge. —The Maniototo County Council replaced the old superstructure by two iron-arched ribbed girders, similar to those on the Ohau Bridge. Capburn Bridge. —This work was carried out by the Waihemo County Council, to the entire satisfaction of the Public Works Department. It is a horse- and stock-traffic suspension-bridge of 271 ft. The total cost of the bridge was £541. Dart River Road. —This vote was spent by the Lake County Council in improving the track for a distance of sixteen miles, and thus opening up a large extent of good pastoral country. Beaumont and Rankleburn. —From Eankleburn Punt towards Beaumont the road has been formed for a distance of 266 chains. Then there is a block on the road of 202 chains on which nothing has been done. At the end of this, the Tuapeka County Council have let two contracts of 105 chains, and join the main road from the Beaumont —distance, 360 chains. From the above you will see that the total distance from Eankleburn to the Beaumont is 11 miles 53 chains, of which 202 chains have still to be formed. The road is through heavy bush, and will cost £4 per chain, or a total cost of £800. This road would open up the Eankleburn bush, as well as complete the road up the Clutha Eiver. All the above works have been carried out by the Tuapeka County Council, partly by ordinary contract and partly by co-operative labour. I would strongly recommend that this road be completed. Glenomaru. —Kennedy's Eoad, Block 11., Glenomaru : This road has been formed for a distance of 1 mile 40 chains from the railway-line to the village settlement. A further vote will be required to give all the sections an outlet. Woodlands. —The following roads have been formed in the Woodland district—viz.: (1.) On Shaw's Eoad, 40 chains of formation, with necessary culverts. To make this road of much service it will require a bridge over the Purakanui Stream. (2.) Three contracts for felling and formation, extending over 88 chains, were completed on Table Hill Eoad. (3.) Four contracts for bushfelling and formation, 10 ft. wide, extending over 83 chains, have been completed on Waikoata Boad. A further expenditure will be required on this road. (4.) In addition to these works, 1 mile 23 chains of bush was felled in Blocks VII. and X., but no formation has been done. Long Point Road. —This road has now been widened from 6 ft. to 10 ft. for its entire length. The small balance in hand will be required for felling bush on road-line and repairs. Hunt's Road. —This road has now been completed through to the clear, a distance of 143 chains, and has thus given an outlet to all the sections. A contract for the erection of a bridge over Tuck's Creek is now being prepared. Barr's Road. —This road has been continued for a distance of 67 chains ; formation, 10 ft. wide. A good deal of hard rock was met with in making this road, and a deep gully had to be crossed, materially adding to the cost of the road. This road requires to be continued for about 80 chains to be of service to all the settlers. Cannibal Bay. —A contract was let for surfacing the first mile and a half of this road, timber cartage having cut it up very much. Seven contracts were let for the completion of this road to the ocean. This road crosses a swamp over 20 chains in length, and the material to cover it has to be run out on trollies. There only remains now some few chains of light formation to complete this road to the bay. Catlin's Road. —This vote was expended on felling 105 chains of bush on road leading into Block VIII. The contracts also included 40 chains of formation. A small vote would complete this road to the Catlin's Biver, and would be a great benefit to settlers up Catlin's Valley, this being a short way to Owaka. Catlin's and Tautuku. —The road down the Fleming Eiver was made out of this vote. It is now open for traffic from the Main Waikawa Eoad to the beach, and will be used and appreciated by the Tautuku settlers in carting their goods from the boat-landing in Tautuku Bay.

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Tahaukupu, —The road is now in very good order up to the sixth mile-post. A contract was let for claying 23 chains of swamp and widening the cuttings. In addition to the work done by the department, the Clutha County Council have done a lot of metalling on this road out of the rates. Glenomaru (Block IV.). —Out of this vote Christie's Eoad was filled as far as the saddle; levels have now been taken, and the formation will be put in hand at once. These sections have been taken up for some years, but until now they have had no access whatever. Glenomaru (Block V.). —A contract was let for felling bush on 68 chains of road-line 66 ft. wide and logging up 33 ft. The formation will be put in hand as soon as possible, and thus give an outlet to Sections 36, 37, 39, and 41. Kaler's Road. —A contract has been let for felling all the bush on this road to the full width. When the road was formed the bush was only felled 40 ft., and, as many of the trees overhang the formation, the road was always wet. When the contract is completed the road will have a better chance of drying. Oivaea, Campbell's. —A contract was let for felling 50 chains of the bush on this road 66 ft. wide and logging 30ft. The levels have now been taken, and the formation will be put in hand at once. Wingfleld Road, Ratanui. —This vote was expended on forming 27 chains of road, partly across a swamp, to give access to sections in Block 1., Woodland District. This work is now being continued, and will be an outlet for Blocks 11. and VIII. Block 1., Catlin's. —Two contracts were let for bushfelling and logging and 40 chains of formation on the road through Block 1., Catlin's. The formation is now being continued as far as Section 60, and will be an outlet to Block VII., Catlin's. Katea Dairy Factory. —Two contracts were let for work on McPhee's Boad for a bridge over Tuck's Creek. The present vote will not be sufficient to complete the road so that the settlers can get to the factory. Warnock's. —This road has been widened to 10 ft. for a distance of 80 chains. There are still about 60 chains more of this road requiring to be widened to render it fit for traffic. Rimu (Block XIII.). —Seven contracts were carried out on centre road of this block, including bushfelling, culverting, and formation; total distance, 125 chains. A contract for formation is still in progress, but the authority will not be sufficient to complete the work. A road has also been formed from the Tahakopa Valley Boad to Centre Eoad, Block XIII., Bimu, the formation being of a light nature. A ford was made to cross the Tahakopa Biver, and a bridge, 34 ft. span, was built over Back Creek. Tautuku. —Miscellaneous works are being carried on with this vote —viz. : Completion of the Fleming Boad, repairs to the main road within Tautuku district, and the building of two goodssbeds, one at Tautuku Bay and the other at Tautuku Bridge. These sheds are not yet completed. Waikawa-Catlin's. —A great deal of work has been done on this road during the past year. Over two miles have been re-formed and a mile and a half metalled. This work has been done principally by day-labour, and has been spread over twelve miles of road, according to its needs. It will be continued as long as the weather permits. The stone obtained is not so good as could be desired, but there is very little good stone in the district. This road has hitherto been impassable for dray-traffic in winter, but it is expected that when the works now in hand are finished it will be in fairly good order all the year round. Purchase of Roads. —A road had to be taken through Sections 8, 9, and 10, Block VII., South Molyneux District, so as to give an outlet to sections in Blocks IV. and V., Glenomaru. Woodland District (Block IX.). —A pack-track 86 chains in length was made down the McLennan Biver to enable settlers to pack their goods.* Rimu (Block XV.). —A road has been constructed from the McLennan Eiver to the Tahakopa Biver across Mouat's Saddle; distance two miles. A contract has been let for the erection of a bridge over the McLennan Eiver.* Block 11., Woodland. —A contract was carried out for the bushfelling and logging of 25 chains of this road, but as there is no outlet at present the work will not be of any service.* Waipati (Block XII., Tautuku). —Since the close of the felling season the settlers have been engaged clearing this settlement; total distance, 334 chains. Contracts have been let for the formation of this road, but none of them are completed yet.* Glenomaru. —£100 was spent on forming a road to Mokamoka, Block VI., Glenomaru, from the boat-landing to the mouth of the Owaka Eiver. This road is greatly used by settlers and pleasure parties. Clarendon. —The sum of £100 was expended by the Bruce County Council on forming a road 51 chains in length to give access to Sections 60 to 65, Block VI., Clarendon District. Catlin's (Block II.). —A 6 ft. track 34 chains in length was formed to give access to Sections 15 and 16, Block 11., Catlin's. Glenomaru (Blocks 111., IV., V., VII., X.). —The following works were carried out with the loading on the sections in these blocks: (1.) McKenzie's Eoad (Block X.): A sledge-track 10ft. wide is being formed to give access to Section 34, Block X. The present authority will not be sufficient to complete this work. (2) G Wynne's Eoad (Block IV.): This road was "completed to the saddle, and gives access to Sections 32 and 33. (3.) Murray's Eoad (Block V.) : This track was formed to give access to Section 29, Block V., and has been carried round above the cliffs at Eoaring Bay. Maniototo. —The subdivisions of Section 3, Block XVI., Maniototo, near Taieri Lake, have been opened up by 110 chains of formation. The work was carried out under the supervision of the Maniototo County Council.

* See also Appendix No. 5, Improved Farm Settlements.

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Ardgowan Estate. —On this estate twenty-four co-operative contracts were completed, including the following works : 8 miles 42 chains of road-formation to standard widths, 40 chains of bushfelling, clearing, and stumping, and 84 chains of metalling. Also the following works : Three fords; drains, 27 chains ; bridges, 52 lineal feet; pipes, 2,090 lineal feet; culverts, 124 lineal feet. These works were carried out under the co-operative system, and have given an outlet to every allotment on the estate. John Hay, Chief Surveyor.

SOUTHLAND. Mr. N. L. Falkiner, Eoad Surveyor, reports:— Forest Plantation, Seaward Bush (Section 34, Block XXIV., Invercargill Hundred). — The average rate of wages has been 6s. 2-J-d. per day. The property has been surrounded with a rabbit-proof fence. Block 1., Longwood Main Road. —It is proposed to build a stone culvert, with old railroad iron on top, at Deep Creek, and raise the road about 10ft. ; also to make a deviation through Sections 4 and 5. These works, along with gravelling and cutting on some steep hills, will absorb all the vote. Waikawa—Catlin's Road. —The greater portion of the expenditure has been for metal. Cooperative labour was employed as far as possible; average wage, 7s. ll}d. per day. The portion of this road in the Southland District is in good order now. The worst portion of the road has been metalled, and if a surfaceman is employed during the winter the road will stand well, as the banks are becoming consolidated. I would ask for another £500 to spend on this road during the ensuing summer. That amount will put the road into first-rate condition. A considerable portion of the work on this road has been done by the Heathfield settlers, who have made very good wages. Waikawa Goods-shed and Jetty. —These premises have been relet at a reduced rental this year. Scrubby Hill Road. —This work was done by adjoining settlers. The average wage could not be ascertained, as no time was kept, but the men seemed satisfied with the prices. The road is open for dray-traffic up to the end of the settlement. It will be necessary to build a timber bridge, 25 ft. span, to allow the settlers to cross the last branch of the Waikawa Eiver, as they are sometimes prevented from crossing the ford for three or four days; and, as they send milk to the creamery, it will injure them considerably if they are stopped. Coster's Road through Sections 12, 13, 14, Block IV., Waikawa. —Two contracts were let on this road to the adjoining settlers, but there is not sufficient money to complete the work. It will be necessary to ask for another £70 to take the road through to the open country. The same remarks with regard to the dairy factory apply to this road. Ford across Waikawa River (Section 20, Block VI., Waikawa). —This work was carried out by the settler who was most interested, and gives him an outlet from his farm. Waikawa-Otara Road. —All the work was done by co-operative labour, the average wage being 6s. 6}d. per day. This is a good summer road from Fortrose to the Six-mile Beach, but it cuts up badly in the winter, as the greater portion of it is still unmetalled. The bush is fallen and logged up from Haldane improved farms to Waikawa. It will take about £600 to complete the road-formation. It will be a great boon to the settlement when this road is formed, as it will considerably lessen the cost of provisions to the settlers, and will open up a timber trade between a sawmill and the settlement. A considerable portion of the work has been performed by the Haldane settlers. Wallace Rock Road. — The expenditure on this road has been used in making a halftide road between Waikawa Jetty and the spit. This work has'been marked off with guideposts, so that traffic can be carried on at high water. The work was partly co-operative and partly day-labour; the average wages was Bs. sd. per day. This was tidal work, making the average hours worked about ten hours per day. Road through Blocks XV. and 1., Longwood. —Balance of vote to be spent improving the present formation between sections 8 and 9, Block XVI., and the south boundary of the block. The settlers in the district have petitioned that the money for the Longwood district be handed over to the Wallace County Council. Lower Waiau Ferry Road. —This work was done by the Papatotara settlers, on the co-operative principle. The road is now open for dray-traffic from the ferry to the Clifden Eoad. Average wages, 3s. B}d. The traffic on the ferry is carried by a small boat worked by Eobert Drummond, and is found sufficient for the present requirements of the place. Orepuki-Wairuarahiri Road. —This road is open for dray-traffic from Orepuki as far as Camp Creek, in Sections 12 and 13, Block XVII., Longwood, a distance of about nine miles and a half. From this on to the Ferry Eeserve the road has been fallen, logged up, and stumped. It will be necessary to form and culvert this road, so as to give the settlers to the west of the Waiau an outlet. Length of unformed road, about two miles and a half. Roads in Blocks XV., XVI., and XVII., Longwood. —The average wage was 4s. 6d. per day. The principal work done on these roads was falling and logging up. There is a 6 ft. bridle-track to the back sections. It will be necessary to spend about £500 on the roads in these blocks before all the sections are opened up. Waiau Mouth. —There is a considerable amount of traffic at the Waiau Mouth just now, owing to the gold-rush about two miles west of the Waiau. It will be necessary to make some provision to facilitate this traffic, as at the present time there are only two crazy old boats, without any ferryman to look after them. I would suggest that the Government put on a couple of boats, and appoint a trustworthy man to look after them, and put people across, giving him the fees and some small remuneration, holding him responsible for the boats.

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Waikawa-Otara Block, Graham's Road. —This road is to give access to Sections 40 to 45, Block VI., Otara. £114 ss. 3d. was spent in falling and logging up on this road. It will need about £250 to stump and form it, but, as this road is the only outlet for this portion of the block, it will be necessary to complete it. The work was carried out by settlers who were in arrears with their rents ; but they have paid up the arrears, and will be able to work their farms to advantage if the formation is done. Spark's Road.— Fronting Sections 23, 24, 30, 34, Block VI., and Sections 10 and 12, Block IV., Otara. It gives an outlet to most of the land taken up in that portion of the blocks, but will have to be extended when the back sections are taken up. Average, ss. lid. per day. Block XXIII., Invercargill Hundred. —The expenditure on this block has been used in falling and logging up road-line. The average wage has been 3s. l-|d. per day. It is proposed to spend all the vote in falling and logging up. Campbelltown Point Road and Campbelltown. —Contracts have been laid off, and work is being carried on by the Campbelltown Borough Council. Hokonui and Forest Hill Block. —£78 15s. was spent mostly for purchase of land for road and fencing. Clifden Ferry. —This vote was expended by Wallace County Council in formation and gravel. Riverton and Colac Bay. —This work was carried out by the Wallace County Council in a satisfactory manner. Track to McLaren's Run (40). —This sum was expended the previous year. Lillburn Roads. —£27 lis. 3d. was expended on working the Lower Waiau Ferry, £127 6s. 4d. on approach to Lower Waiau Ferry, and the balance in connection with Clifden Ferry, and roads in that locality. Half-moon Bay Wharf, and Half-moon Bay Tramway. —Plans and specifications for this work were prepared by the Southland County Engineer, and the work was carried out by the Stewart Island County Council; contract price, £269. The work specified and carried out was as follows: To widen the present jetty 10 ft. and lengthen it 40 ft. Twelve piles 35 ft. long, and twenty-one piles 40 ft. long, have been driven, and securely fastened with waling-braces, sills, floor-beams, and decking complete, bolted and spiked in a proper manner. The tramway is 17 chains long, formed of timber, and is a substantial structure. Village Settlements, Orion Road, Makarewa Village. —2o chains of ditching on Orion Boad were completed during the year. £20 16s. 9d. was spent for year ending 31st March, 1897, together with an outstanding account of £65 14s. Id. from previous year, making a total of £86 10s. lOd. Waiau Bridge. —The only expenditure was £111 os. 4d., under the Public Works Department, for survey and preliminary expenses. Makarewa Bridge. —This work has been carried on under the Public Works Department, and the expenditure for the year was £291 19s. Id. Forest Hill, McDonald Road. —This work was also constructed by the Public Works Department, but no report done has been furnished. Wages on Lower Ferry Boad, Longwood roads, and roads in Invercargill Hundred are calculated from the time handed in by the men, and have been proved to be wrong in some cases. The prices are about equal to those given in other districts.

Mr. Willams reports : — Track to Preservation Inlet. —A 10 ft. walking-track is to be made from the Blue Cliff to Preservation Inlet. The work will be commenced shortly. Mr. Clark, of the Mines Department, has laid off about nine miles of this track, and graded it. The country is very rough, and I understand there are several large rivers to cross. When the track is completed it will be of great service to prospectors. It will be necessary to build about three shelter-huts along the line. Merrivale. —The main road through the block, starting from the junction of the Eastern Bush Boad and terminating at the Main Otautau Boad, has been completed, thus giving access to the respective sections. The length of this line is about 6 miles 15 chains. During the year several portions of this road were so bad, owing principally to the settlers carting their building material in the winter, that it was necessary to expend money in gravelling and fascining portions of the road. The creeks have been bridged, and a good strong traffic-bridge has been built over Orawia Eiver ; its length is 150 ft., with a width of 18 ft. over all, giving 17 ft. clear working measurement—sufficiently wide to allow two drays to pass. The branch road leading to the lower ford of Orawia Biver is completed. This line gives access to sections at the lower end of the block. Several portions on this line of road have also been fascined, the ground being soft and not at all suited to stand the heavy traffic during wet weather. Formation has also been completed on two branch roads giving access to the various sections. The formation in many parts of the block has been very heavy. Bridge approaches were also heavy work. The settlement has been well provided with roads and bridges. During the erection of the bridge across Orawia Eiver we had two very large floods—the largest known for many years. Considerable damage was done to banks of river where the bridge was being erected, so much so that it necessitated an additional expenditure, which brought the cost to a greater sum than was originally anticipated; and to further protect the banks of the river it was absolutely necessary to build five groins, which it was found had the desired effect, and prevented further damage being done to banks of river. Owing to the large flood having taken, place prior to the completion of the bridge, it was necessary to make a new road along the banks of the river to keep the traffic going. All this additional expenditure was due to the damage done to roads by the floods. Eoad from Waiau Ferry to join road through Merrivale Block to Otautau : This is known as the bush road, and when constructed it will shorten the distance to Otautau from Clifden by three miles. If constructed, it will practically divert the greater portion of the through traffic.

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Mr. Howorth, County Engineer, reports. — Bluff Road (Vote, £500). —This was a grant to the Southland County Council for the purpose of putting the road between Invercargill and Woodend into a passable state, the funds of the local body being insufficient to cope with the extremely heavy traffic, which consists to a great extent of the cartage of firewood by the small settlers in Seaward Bush, who are dependent on this work for a living. The re-forming and gravelling of 80 chains and the repairing with gravel of a further 160 chains of road have been completed. Gore Bridge (Vote, £510). —This work was completed last winter, at a total cost of £2,900, apportioned as follows: £1,000 by Government grant, £950 by county vote, and £950 from the funds of the Gore Borough. The bridge is 400 ft. long, in five spans of 80 ft. each, supported on concrete piers founded on the rock. The width of the roadway provides for two lines of traffic. The main timbers are of Australian ironbark, and the flooring, bracing, &c, of Tasmanian blue-gum. The workmanship, which is of the very best description, was carried out by Mr. James Holland, of Gore. The bridge was severely tested by the flood of last July, and since by heavy traffic, and has given full satisfaction. Lynd's Bridge to Makarewa River (Vote, £100). —The work completed to date is 50 chains of outfall drain and one 10 ft. span sill bridge. Reaby Retreat Road (Vote, £100). —A further sum of £100 was granted to the County Council for the purpose of extending the work and repairing a portion of the metalled road. The vote benefits the Croydon Village Settlement, and gives access to grazing-runs in the Hokonui Mountains. 20 chains of forming and metalling and the delivery of 400 cubic yards of gravel have been completed. Makarewa to Grove Bush (Vote, £100). —The work completed consists of 42 chains of formation and gravelling on some of the worst portions of the road. The vote benefits to some extent Crown lands in Grove Bush, and is the southern outlet for the Forest Hill district. Otapiri Road (Vote, £200). —This road passes across Heale Bidge, and is the outlet for a considerable area of Crown lands recently opened for sale between the Lora and Otapiri Gorges. The work which is completed consists of chains trimming old formation, 86 chains of gravelling, 6 chains of formation, 228 cubic yards of gravel for repairing old road, and seven 6 in. by 6 in. log culverts, each 20 ft. long. Campbelltown Hundred and Campbelltown (Vote, £600). —Out of this vote £400 was allotted to the County Council for the purpose of reconstructing the road between Greenhills and the Bluff, a distance of about three miles. The contract provided for the lifting and breaking the large boulders with which the road was originally made, and blinding the metal so broken with gravel, which work has been satisfactorily completed. The road gives access to Crown lands in Campbelltown Hundred. Girdler's Road (Vote, £50). —This was a grant to give access to Crown lands in Block IV., Campbelltown Hundred, the work being as follows : 27 chains formation and ditching, 7 chains of fascining, and two 18 in. stone culverts. Hillend Bush-Dipton Flat (Vote, £320). —The vote was for the purpose of constructing the recently-surveyed road through Hillend Bush, and is of great benefit to a large number of settlers at South Hillend and Dipton Flat. It also tends to open up the bush-lands. The work consists of 101J chains of formation and gravelling, 90 chains of bushfelling, clearing, and grubbing, and ten log culverts, all now completed. Waimea Valley (Vote, £200). —This road connects the Waimea Valley with the Waimea Plains Bailway at Biversdale, and the work which is now completed consists of 40 chains of forming and gravelling, 20 chains of forming, and 200 cubic yards of maintenance gravel. Bluff Harbour (Vote, £400). —This vote, which is an extension of the first item of this report, was given for the purpose of completing the road from Invercargill to Woodend; also for partly renewing and constructing portions of the main road from Woodend to Greenhills. The work is in progress, and up to date 40 chains of road has been gravelled, and various portions, extending over about three miles, have been regraveiled with 1,500 cubic yards of gravel. This road is the outlet for Crown lands in part of Campbelltown Hundred. Waikawa-Wyndham Valley Road (Vote, £210). —The balance of this vote was handed to the County Council for expenditure, with which 20 chains of road was formed and metalled. Oteramika (Vote, £200). —The amount available for expenditure for the year 1896-97 was £100, which, with £200 of county revenue, was spent in forming and gravelling the road leading to Kapuka Eailway-station. Altogether, 84 chains of road was formed and gravelled. Timpany's Mill to Gorge Railway-station (Vote, £200). —Provision has been made by this vote for a track through the bush to the new settlement on the Mataura Eiver, in Blocks IX. and XIV., Oteramika. The work is 107 chains of bushfelling and clearing, 7 chains of fascining and ditching, one 4 ft. by 2ft. log culvert, and two 18 ft.-span bridges. Millwood Special Settlement (Vote, £75). —This road is situated between Blocks VII. and VIIL, Invercargill Hundred, and gives access to the settlement from the main road. 20 chains of forming and gravelling has been done out of this vote. Invercargill Hundred (Vote, £400). —The amount available for expenditure this year was £200, of which £150 has been spent in carrying out the following work : 13 chains of gravelling, 15 chains of formation, 900 cubic yards of gravel. It is proposed to expend the balance of £50 during April and May in gravelling some of the worst portions of the roads in Blocks XIV. and XV. Hedgehope-Mataura (Vote, £300). —The amount available for expenditure this year was £200, The work is now in hand, and up to date 30 chains has been formed and gravelled, and 500 cubic yards of gravel delivered. This work gives access to the Forest Hill Tramway and the Hokonui Bush.

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Mabel District (Vote, £500). —£300 has been authorised for expenditure this year. Two contracts have been let, one for forming and gravelling 55} chains, which is completed, and another for gravelling about two miles of road, which work is in hand. Access is given by this work to Crown lauds in Mabel district. Eyre Creek Bridge (Vote, £300). — Plans and specifications are being prepared for a light traffic-bridge, but it is expected that a further sum of £200 will be required to make a satisfactory job. Otamita Retreat (Vote, £150). —The small grazing-runs in the Hokonui district are given an outlet to the Waimea Plains Bailway at Mandeville by this road. The work, which is completed consists of 105| chains of formation and grading, two 12 ft.-span bridges, and twenty-one stone culverts. Mokoreta, Blocks VII. and IX., £1 for £1 (Vote, £100). —The letting of this work has been delayed owing to formalities in connection with road exchanges not having been completed. So soon as this is done the work will be pushed on. Invercargill Hundred, Block X. (Vote, £200). —Formation and gravelling to the extent of 68 chains is in progress, but, owing to the late date at which the work was let, it will be impossible to complete the work before winter. Farmer's Road, Winton (Vote, £50). —Plans and specifications are being prepared for formation and culverts on the worst portions of this road. The vote gives access to deferred-payment and perpetual-lease sections in Block 11., Winton Hundred. Dipton to Balfour (Vote, £100). — The Caroline Bush and grazing-runs adjoining will be greatly benefited by this expenditure. The contractor is making good progress with formation and gravelling. It is expected that the work will be completed by the end of May. Waimumu Bridge (Vote, £100). —This bridge is on the main road between Edendale and Mataura, and it is proposed to renew the old structure (which is unfit for heavy traffic) with a new bridge, at a cost of £200, the extra amount over the vote being found by the County Council and the Mataura Borough Council. Southland Bridges and Fortrose Jetty (flood-damages) (Vote, £800). —This was a grant-in-aid co the county funds for the purpose of repairing the damage caused by the July flood. The bridges repaired were New Biver Ferry, Tokanui Bridge, Mataura Island, Joe's Creek, Lora, Otapiri, Winton, Mataura, Dipton, and Fortrose Jetty. Tisbury (Vote, £200). —This road, which leads to the Seaward Bush Eailway at Tisbury, runs south through Block XXII., Invercargill Hundred, and gives access to small settlers and Crown lands. The work, which is completed, consists of 48 chains of formation and gravelling. Invercargill-Tisbury (Vote, £400). —This road runs parallel with the Seaward Bush Eailway through the Borough of South Invercargill, and is an outlet to a large number of settlers in Seaward Bush. The road for 120 chains has been gravelled with river-gravel hauled from the county pit at Opora, amounting to 1,500 cubic yards. There have also been five new culverts put in. Tisbury to Waimatua (Vote, £300). —This is an extension of the above-mentioned road adjoining the Seaward Bush Bailway, and gives further access to Crown lands and small settlers. One mile of formation is partly completed. Mataura Island Dairy Factory to Pine Bush Railway-station (Vote, £250). —Plans and specifications are prepared for the work, and tenders will shortly be called. The vote is for the purpose of giving access to the Seaward Bush Eailway at Pine Bush. Mill Road, Makarewa, Block X., Sections 32 and 33 (Vote, £200). —Owing to some proposed road-alterations the letting of this work has been delayed, but it is now agreed to go on with the work and carry it out on roads as laid down. Ditching, culverts, and formation will be necessary. The Crown lands in Blocks X. and XII. will be benefited. Forest Hill (Vote, £300). —This vote is for the purpose of completing the gravelling of road adjoining the Forest Hill Tramway, at Winton Bush. The work is in hand. David Babeon, Chief Surveyor.

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APPENDIX No. 4.

EXTBACTS FEOM EEPOETS OF CHIEF SUEVEYOES AND EOAD SUEVEYOES ON THE WOEKING OF THE CO-OPEEATIVE SYSTEM FOB THE TWELVE MONTHS ENDED 31st MABCH, 1897. AUCKLAND. During the year, with the exception of some large bridge contracts and jobs done by day-labour, all works have been undertaken under the co-operative system. On reference to my co-operative return, you will notice that there is not much difference between the maximum and minimum wages earned, except where caused by men workinolonger hours. The average wage earned throughout the year by all parties is 7s. per day of eight hours. I attribute this to having employed local settlers, and allowing them to select their own parties. As a rule, there are always some men in these parties who have a knowledge of roadmaking. In nearly all cases the men have had to supply their own tools, tents, &c, and I have hired to them screw-jacks if required. There is no doubt that the co-operative system has considerably increased the work of the road branch—in the office owing to the multiplicity of accounts and vouchers for individual workers, and in the field owing to the much greater number of inspections which are required. Geehaed Muellee, Chief Surveyor.

NOBTH ISLAND CENTEAL. During the year fifty-three contracts were completed, averaging £56 9s. each. They include bushfelling and clearing, earth and rock excavation and embankment, and sawing timber for culverts. The highest wage earned per day of eight hours was 9s. IOJd.: this was on a small bushfelling contract of £24, and the men were exceptionally good at that kind of work. The lowest wage per day was Is. 8-J-d., but these were Maori men and boys, and they only worked three and a half hours per day. The average wage on all the work for all weathers was ss. l}d., which is at the rate of lOd. per hour for the time actually worked, or 6s. Bd. for a day of eight hours. The loss of time through wet weather was about one-ninth, which is nearly double that of last year. This, I think, is accounted for by the very wet weather experienced during the last three months, which are generally the finest in the year. The workmen have been very well behaved, and appear satisfied with the work. There has been no grumbling, and no complaints have been made, either by the men or by the storekeepers who supply them. Applications for work have been much more numerous during the last month than for the previous year. Nearly all who have applied to me for work have just come from the Thames and Coromandel mining districts, and from what they say they are likely to be followed by large numbers who cannot obtain work in the mining districts. C. W. Huesthouse, Boad Surveyor.

ROTORUA. Sixty-four contracts were let, employing an average of about a hundred men throughout the year. At present there are 212 men employed in the district. It has been found expedient, in constructing roads through Native lands, to employ as many Natives as Europeans on the works. I find that Natives as road-makers are quite equal to Europeans as to the class of work they do. They are satisfied with less pay, and give less trouble, and their employment is of considerable relief to them. Only Natives are employed who have an interest in the land through which the road is being taken. Committees are elected for the selection of the men to be employed and for the settlement of troubles connected with the work. I find it is not possible to limit or regulate them as to numbers or time of working, so that no records have been kept as to their average hours or daily earnings, more especially as I did not think the information was required in connection with them. You will therefore understand that all such information in table of " Co-operative contracts let " refers to Europeans only. The contracts were let on the Rotorua-Te Teko, Rangitaiki, Ruatoki-Waiotahi, Waiotahi Block, Papamoa Block, Rotorua-Galatea-Waikaremoana, and Ngongotaha Eoads. The highest average earnings were 10s. Id. per day on the Botorua-Te Teko Boad, where the men were good workmen, and worked long hours. The lowest average was 4s. 5d., on the Eangitaiki Eoad. 12—0. 1.

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I think in a district like this, where the majority of the works are long distances from supplies, it would be better to have the work almost all done by Natives, who are quite satisfied to work for 6s. a day, as they grow their own supplies, whereas Europeans on roads such as the Waikaremoana must earn from Bs. to 10s. to enable them to pay their way and keep their families. This, of course, makes a material difference to the cost of the work ; also, there is, up here, little land good enough for the men to establish homes upon, and they naturally gravitate back to their old haunts. On such places as the Papamoa and Waiotahi Blocks, on the coast, I would give the work to the settlers in the district, who should, however, provide themselves with all appliances, and be bound to time, otherwise too much of the vote is absorbed in contingencies. I cannot add more to my remarks of former years, nor do I see any reason for changing them, except that I consider the system far more applicable to those parts of the colony where there is good land than to a district like this. Eobeet Eeaney, Eoad Surveyor.

TARANAKI. With the exception of three, all contracts let during the past year were on the co-operative system, and in most cases the work has been finished in a satisfactory manner. A departure has this year been made from the original instruction that men should earn only 6s. per day of eight hours. In Whangamomona district men were heavily handicapped through having to pay 30 per cent, to 50 per cent, more for their food than the prices ruling on other works, and therefore the contract-values were raised, so as to permit them to earn from 6d. to Is. 6d. (according to location) more per day. Excepting on Ohura roadwork, all co-operative men have for some months provided their own tents and tools. In some cases they purchase them from the storekeepers, in others we supply them at actual cost, and deduct the amount from the first and second pay they subsequently receive. On Ohura Eoad also we are now adopting this system, and we find, in consequence, that men are more careful with their tents and tools than they were when paying only a weekly rental. During the past year there has not been nearly so many applicants for work as during previous years —in fact, for about three months last spring it was an unusual matter to receive an application at all. In January and February this year we made large reductions in the number employed, and many of these have applied to be again taken on. Fully half the number of men on our co-operative works are improved-farm settlers, whose time for nearly six months in each year is occupied in felling bush, building houses, fencing, &c, the remaining time being on roadwork. About one-half of the remaining workers (making threequarters of the whole) are special settlers, who also work on their land a portion of the year, the remaining time being on roadwork leading to their lands. The remaining 25 per cent, of the co-operative workers are men taken on so as to give them or their families temporary assistance, and some of these apply for and obtain improved farms, and become settlers. Our proportion, therefore, of the real unemployed is but a small one. The intermittent or part-time system has this year been brought into operation in the Whangamomona Improved-farm Settlement so far as the single men are concerned, but we cannot yet judge as to its effect. A few of them have made the improvements required, but many are trusting to appeals made to Government to be reinstated on the works, without having made the required improvements on their lands at their own cost. On some of the smaller settlements, such as Uruti, Huiroa, Mangaere, Taumatatahi, the part-time system has been in operation for over a year, both as regards married and single men, and has worked fairly well, but up to date the Whangamomona married men have been excused, their difficulties being greater. It has, however, been decided to bring them under its operation almost immediately. The average of men on the works for the year has been 354, the highest number being 417 in November, 1896, and it naturally follows that amongst such a number there will be a few dissatisfied agitators. These number, perhaps, about 2 per cent, to 2-J- per cent, of the whole. The chief grievances are the rate of pay and the insistance of the Inspectors that contracts must be properly completed. They totally ignore the fact that definite instructions have been issued as to rates, and that local officers merely do their duty in requiring work to be done according to the contract. The disparities in wages earned are not now nearly so great as in former years, the men being more equal in quality. In very few instances have high rates been earned, and in the few where rates have been below the average the men were old or inexperienced at the work, and could not be expected to earn the average wage allowed. John Steauchon, Chief Surveyor.

HAWKE'S BAY. All the roads constructed in the district during the year have been by co-operative labour. In all, eighty-eight contracts have been let, giving employment to two hundred men, eighty-one contracts being for road-construction, and seven for bushfelling on the Waikopiro Improved-farm Settlement. The maximum wages earned was lis. 7c1., on the Waimata-Tauwhareparae roadworks, and the minimum 3s. 5d., on the Waikopiro Eoad, the average daily wage earned per man, all weathers, being 6s. l}d. On the bushfelling contracts, Waikopiro Improved-farm Settlement, the maximum was 16s. 4d. and the minimum 4s. Id., the average daily wage earned per man being ss. lOd. The maximum in this case was made by a settler who had six of his sons assisting him off and on, so that it is not the earnings of one man, but of the family.

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There is nothing in the prices given on the various works or in the nature of the country to account for the large difference in the wages earned. It can only be accounted for from the fact that we have to employ all conditions of men, and when men of varied physique and skill have to work at the same prices it will always be the case, for a glance at the return will show that a strong party can earn very good wages, but a weak one, working on the same conditions, only earn enough to cover their working-expenses. You may notice that the highest wages are earned by parties working in the Poverty Bay portion of this district; they have no advantage in any way that can account for it in the prices given or nature of the country, but throughout the district there are very good hard-working men experienced at roadwork. The works generally have been carried out in a satisfactory manner, and will compare favourably with those constructed by the local bodies under ordinary contracts. Eric C. Gold-Smith, Chief Surveyor.

WANGANUI. The nature of the works done under this system comprises bushfelling, grass-seed sowing, stumping, clearing, and forming of bridle-tracks and dray-roads, metalling, ditching, sawing, squaring, culverting, bridge-building, stone-breaking, concreting, &c. The wages earned have not given satisfaction to certain of the workmen, and, in consequence, complaints have been made. As a result of the complaints, two inquiries have been held to consider the alleged grievances. The first inquiry was held in May, 1896, and in August instructions were given to somewhat raise the scale of prices, besides other regulations. The prices have since been raised, but in several cases the parties still fail to make wages. At bushfelling on improved farms, the prices paid being merely in the nature of advances, the wages earned in many cases have been very low. Fully 75 per cent, of the men employed are now settlers, and about half of these belong to the improved farms. Settlers work so intermittently that it is difficult to estimate what wages they really do make, and the settlers as a class, being drawn from all manner of previous occupations, are not sufficiently experienced to make fair wages, even at good prices, at roadworks and other severe manual employment. Good navvies such as would be picked by a contractor would make much higher averages. They would camp on the spot, work every available hour, and have nothing to distract their attention, and work in a more practical manner. Settlers are always given the preference in the selection of men for work, and justly so, for, without convenient work at fair rates being thus found for them, most of them would assuredly have to leave their sections in a very short time through want of means. The number of contracts completed has been 202, the average number of men in each party being three. The average wages, wet and dry, has been ss. 10} d., as against ss. 9}d. last year, though, deducting bushfelling for advances, the average is 6s. Id. for all weathers, and 6s. 10} d. for actual working-time. The highest wages earned —10s. 10} d. —was at a small metalling contract at Mangaweka Bridge approaches, and included the hire of a dray and two horses. The lowest earnings—2s. a day—were made at bushfelling in the Ohutu Block by a man entirely inexperienced at that class of work. The average earnings at bushfelling has been only 4s. s}d. all weathers. At this kind of work it is difficult to get the settlers to work together. There is a strong inclination on the part of the settlers to take in outside labour, but this is distinctly against the regulations. As in previous years, the character of the work done has been good, but owing to the works being scattered over such a large area, and with only a few men at any one place, the cost of inspection and contingencies has been comparatively large. The contracts have to be made so small, and estimated so accurately, that in this particular the co-operative system entails much more preliminary expense than was incurred under the ordinary contract system. G. T. Muebay, Boad Surveyor.

WELLINGTON EAST. In my last year's report I suggested that the intermittent system should be modified, and that, if possible, settlers should be employed, say, for three-fourths of the year for two or three years to come, and at the same time that the rate of wage should be increased, and that larger contracts should be let. This was adopted after the Commission sat, and has been the means of satisfying the men to a large extent, although at one time it became necessary for me to put my foot down in order to prevent certain prominent characters assuming absolute charge of the works. Comparatively few applications have been made to me for employment during the past year, which would seem to indicate a healthy state of things in the labour-market. With regard to the average wage earned, I might state that the cause of the minimum rate of 2s. w r as owing to the fact that several old men were engaged on some of the contracts ; and as to the maximum amounts —12s. Id. and 13s. 7}d. —the roads on which these contracts were let were partly cleared by the settlers before the work was commenced, and the estimate was made accordingly, in order to recoup them. The average wage earned on all roads was 6s. 2-J-d., but, when taken in conjunction with the improved-farm settlement contracts, was reduced to 6s. 2d. Some of the settlers on the farms took contracts for work at exceptionally low rates, in order to save increasing the rentals of their holdings. Provisions and Tools. —On the Alfredton-Weber Boad, at Mount Wolff, Weber end, there has been established for the past two years a Government store, which has for its object the supply of all classes of goods to the workmen employed on the different contracts. No money passes, the value of the provisions, &c, being deducted on the vouchers and pay-sheets from the amounts due

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to the men whenever a payment is made. The system is most successful, and has given great satisfaction to the workmen. A storeman has charge of the store, and accounts regularly to the overseer in charge for all goods obtained and disposed of. Supplies to the value of £2,009 14s. 6d. were bought and paid for during the past year. The supply, &c, of tools to the men is also a tax upon the various overseers, as the demand for these amongst such a number of co-operatives must necessarily be great. All charges for hire, &c, are promptly deducted from the men's earnings. A. C. Turner, Boad Surveyor.

NELSON. The only work done on the co-operative system in this district was roadwork at the Karamea Mud Flat and the Wanganui-Wangapeka Boad. In the first case there was only one contract, which was let to ten men. The amount of the contract was £108, and the men, by their own showing, made 6s. 9d. a day all weathers. My predecessor considered it inadvisable to employ an overseer, no doubt feeling that one could not be fully occupied in looking after only one contract. In lieu of the overseer, the District Surveyor supervised and passed the contracts, the workmen thus getting the benefit of earning the money that would otherwise have been paid to an overseer. On the Wangapeka-Wanganui Boad five contracts were let, and the amount earned was £353 12s. The contractors were settlers, and averaged 7s. 6d. per diem all weathers. The highest rate of wages earned on any one contract was 9s. 6d., the lowest, 6s. Bd. The average rate of wages earned all weathers was 7s. 3}d. T. Humpheies, Chief Surveyor.

MABLBOBOUGH. Dueing the past financial year only £28 10s. 6d. has been expended under this system, and the locality was the Blind Eiver Estate. Most of the roadworks, especially in the Sounds, were done by day-labour, as I find that the sum expended on day-labour (and supervision) amounted to £1,140 16s. Bd., while ordinary contracts absorbed the sum of £420 9s. lOd. This being the case, I have no report to make on the past working of the co-operative system in this district; but I have already taken steps to replace day-labour wherever practicable by co-operative contracts at the end of the present financial year, and I trust that the result will meet with your approval. C. W. Adams, Chief Surveyor.

WESTLAND. Dueing the year twenty-eight co-operative contracts have been completed, five of which have been for bridge-construction alone, two have been under the Land for Settlements Act, and five were taken in hand on behalf of the Mines Department. Generally, the system has worked fairly well in this district, and there are no very great differences between the highest and lowest daily wage earned. In two cases the minimum is ss. Bfd. and ss. 9d. respectively, but in both instances the men were not up to the average; in the former case the men were all old and weak, and in the latter the party would not work harmoniously together, and were unsuitable. In the bridge contracts, where skilled labour was required, and the men had to find the tools for that skilled labour, the rates at which the work was priced were estimated to give a return of about 10s. per man per day, instead of Bs. as in the case of roadwork. In the eases of the Turnbull Eiver Eoad and Block 112, Kokatahi, the high maximum was obtained by the extra skill and strength of the contractors. Mr. Wither reports that during the year twenty-five co-operative contracts have been completed under his charge, particulars of which are given below :— Pine Tree Road. —This is a small contract to make a dray-road between the Hokitika-Boss main road and the Kanieri Tramway to give settlers access. It is llf chains long, and it has been formed and metalled, and one culvert has been put in. The daily average wage earned is 6s. 2d., the men being old. Waikukupa Track. —A mines authority to improve this track was issued, and the track was repaired from the beach a distance of about three miles and a half up the valley, and then a new piece of track was made for about a mile and a half to avoid a rough piece of river travelling. The average earnings were 9s. OJd. per man per day. Turnbull River Road. —A co-operative contract for metalling a portion of the road formed the previous year, and for forming a further portion up to the crossing of the river, was put in hand and completed. The daily average wage earned was 10s. 6Jd. White's Creek Bridge, Kokatahi. —This work was done under most favourable circumstances, and the contractors did not lose an hour after they began to build the bridge. The bridge is 50 ft. long, being two spans of 25 ft. each, and piles were driven for the piers. The piles, caps, corbels, braces, and walings are silver-pine, and the remainder of the timber is heart of rimu. The wages earned per man per day was lis. Id. In all cases of bridge-work the rates at which the work is priced are such that skilled labourers can earn more than ordinary labourers. Frosty Greek Bridge. —This bridge is composed of one truss of 40 ft. and two end spans of 20 ft. each, and was built to replace one washed away in March, 1896. The timbers for this are similar

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to the timbers in White's Creek Bridge, but, instead of piles being driven, sills were put in and trestles were built. The average wages earned per man per day was 10s. 7d. Woodstook-Mahinapua Road. —A bridge over Fisherman's Creek has been built in connection with the Woodstock-Mahinapua Boad, and the approaches have been formed and metalled. A small section about 6 chains in length has been metalled, but to do this the formation had to be made up again, because there has been considerable traffic along this newly-formed road. A ballastpit has been opened and a tramway laid from it to the road. The daily average wage earned is 9s. 4£d. Okarito River Bridge. —The old road bridge over the Okarito at the Forks had become unsafe for traffic, and a new bridge has now been built. The previous bridge was under-strutted, and I noticed that in flood time drift-timber caught in these struts ; in fact, some of them were torn away, so a truss of 55 ft., leaving the whole water-way clear, and two short land spans of 7 ft. each, have been built. The ironwork was prepared in Hokitika, and so were the hardwood blocks, but all the other timber was got locally, and is almost all silver-pine. The average wages earned per man per day was 10s. 3^cl. Poerua Settlement Roads. — Crooked River Road. —The bushfelling and clearing on this road, which extends from the Bell Hill Boad to the Crooked Biver, a distance of 1 mile 51 chains, has been done ; 12 chains of fascines have been laid through a swamp, and the formation on the fascines has been finished, the stuff for formation having been obtained from two side-drains. The culverts on the upper section have also been built. The daily average wage earned was 9s. 3d. Greenstone-Teremakau. —The Teremakau settlers constructed a further length of this road, amounting to 26-J- chains altogether, with the culverts. They completed the bushfelling, clearing, forming, and metalling, and earned an average daily wage of 6s. Bd. Hokitika-Southward Road. —Since the work of making tracks behind the bluffs between Okarito and Bruce Bay has been done travelling has become much easier, but it was found that frequent delays were caused by the tide at the Karangarua Lagoon. To obviate this a bridle-track 76 chains in length, in continuation of a piece made on the edge of the lagoon, has been made and metalled, with two bridges each 50 ft. long. The average daily wage earned was 9s Bfd. Block 112, Kokatahi. —This road, which starts from the Koiterangi Boad, and gives access to settlers, has been pushed on during the year, and the bushfelling, clearing, forming, and metalling of one mile has been completed, as well as all the culverts required, and a bridge 20 ft. long over Davis Creek. The average daily wage was 10s. 7d. The men working on this road were settlers, and were strong, able men, and anxious to get the work done. Waimea-Stafford. —Work has been continued on this road, and the bushfelling, clearing, and forming of 13J chains has been completed ; also the culverts. The daily wage earned has averaged 6s. 7d. Stafford-Awatuna Road. —This is another name for the Waimea-Stafford Boad. The bushfelling and forming has been finished on 53 chains more, and four culverts have been built. 35 chains still remain untouched to connect with the main road from Hokitika to Kumara. No metalling has been done on any of this road. The daily average wage has been 7s. 2d. on this work. W. G. Mubeay, Chief Surveyor.

OTAGO. Most of the roadworks carried out have been under the co-operative system, except the road repairs, quarrying, and metalling, which were carried out by day-labour. The average rate of wages earned (which are fairly uniform) all weathers has been 4s. Bd. per day, but by the actual time worked a little over 6s. The minimum of 3s, per day was earned by an inexperienced gang, who did not work full time, while Bs. 4Jd. was earned by an experienced gang of quarrymen on the Ardgowan Estate. I might add that the co-operative system has worked very satisfactorily this year, and the works have gone on smoothly. The men employed are all settlers, and, as a rule, are more experienced and better workers than the men from the towns, and, being settlers, they have an interest in doing the work well. In my road report I have given full details of the work performed on each road. John Hay, Chief Surveyor.

SOUTHLAND. I have not been sufficiently long in this district to offer an opinion on the success or otherwise of this system in Southland. So far as I have seen, it does not work quite so well as I would like. The tendency in this district seems to be towards rather a low rate of wages, hence slight dissatisfaction. I will, however, endeavour to impress upon surveyors and Inspectors, if possible, to regulate prices so that an average workman will not earn less than 6s. In a district such as this, where there is a surplus or floating labour population of men perhaps skilled in many branches of labour, but totally unfitted for bush- or road-work, a great difficulty occurs, as these men scarcely recognise their unfitness or inability to earn fair wages at these contracts, or that they are unable to work alongside, and do as much work as, those who have been trained to roadand bush-work. The co-operative system to this class of labourers is only a temporary means of assisting them until they again find employment at work for which they have been trained. A difficulty also to contend with is the want of proper appliances for the use of these men ; ploughs, scoops, and graders in open country have so reduced the cost of roading that the professional contractor has everything in his favour. This, with the further difficulty of obtaining gravel, greatly handicaps the system. D. Baeeon, Chief Surveyor.

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APPENDIX No. S.—IMPEOVED-PAKM SETTLEMENTS.

AUCKLAND. The total number of settlements under the improved - farm settlement conditions is seven in this land district, of which number four are under my own supervision, and upon which I follow with special reports. Of the other three, two —Te Eau-a-moa and Paemako —are under the supervision, for convenience, of Mr. Hursthouse, who will doubtless report to you direct, and the last (Tawai), at Awakino, is being administered by the Chief Surveyor, New Plymouth, as being almost within the boundaries of his district. The most northerly of these settlements, named Bangitira, is situated on the main Opanake (Kaihu)-Hokianga Boad, and is only occupied as yet by four settlers, doubtless from want of road-access, which has only just been completed to its boundaries. The land, though of a high altitude, is of generally better quality than that of the two adjoining settlements. The resident settlers have felled 34 acres of bush and grassed 4 acres. They hold 100 acres each. The total advances made to them for houses, bushfelling, &c, amount to £93 4s. 9d., whilst the total value of their improvements amount to £126 13s. Awatuna, the next settlement to the south, and on the same road, is not progressing very satisfactorily, the land being not only of a high altitude, but also rather wet, owing to the number of springs. Out of ten original selectors only four are now resident, and these are making considerable improvements. The total area of bush felled is 214 acres, and 201 acres has been grassed. The total amount of advances made to this settlement from the commencement is £630 17s. Bd., whilst the present value of the improvements does not come up to that amount. Still going south, the next on the main road is Mangatu. There were ten original selectors, and there are now ten settlers resident on their sections, and making fair progress. The land is fairly good, and the settlers have had plenty of work felling kauri, on a royalty. The area of bush felled is 266 acres, and 238 acres has been grassed. The total amount advanced to this settlement is £829 Is. 7d., whilst the present value of their improvements amounts to £1,334 Bs. I feel sure that the settlers in this case may be considered permanent. Off the main road, and situated in a westerly direction, towards the Manganui Bluff, and not far from the sea, is the Katui Settlement, on a northerly slope, with good volcanic land. This is certainly one of the most successful settlements, chiefly because the land is good and the situation warmer, from being lower in height and nearer the sea. The settlers have all made good progress, and done plenty of fencing and building. The original settlers were ten in number ; of these, nine are now resident. They have felled 223 acres of bush, and grassed 212 acres. The total amount advanced is £594 18s. 3d., and the present value of their improvements is £990 Bs. The men on the three last-mentioned settlements have all, more or less, had employment for some months, felling kauri on Crown land, paying a royalty of 4d. per 100 ft. This has now been increased to 6d. per 100 superficial feet. I am glad to say that the Board of Education are at last erecting two half-time schools at Katui and Awatuna, which will greatly encourage the settlers and their families to remain on their lands. Of the three settlements before mentioned south of Auckland, the first under Mr. Hursthouse's supervision is Te Bau-a-moa, situated on the slopes of Mount Pirongia, and upon the main Pirongia-Kawhia Boad. It has ten resident settlers, all of whom seem quite satisfied with their prospects. The bush felled amounts to 250 acres, and 83 acres has been grassed. The total advances made amount to £479, whilst the improvements are valued at £720 6s. The second settlement, also under Mr. Hursthouse's supervision, is situated about eighteen miles south-west of Kuiti Bailway-station, and is called " Paemako." It is on what will be the main road to Awakino and Mokau. There are here also ten resident settlers, holding 1,178 acres. As the settlement is in its infancy there are no advances to record, and the improvements to date only amount to £50. The last settlement, Tawai, at Awakino, is entirely under the supervision of the Chief Surveyor at New Plymouth, who will include it in his report. Geehabd Muellee, Commissioner of Crown Lands.

NOBTH ISLAND CENTEAL. Te Rauamoa Improved-farm Settlement. —This is a bush settlement, situated on the AlexandraKawhia Eoad. It is occupied by ten settlers, who have their families living with them on the land, the average size of the holding being 141 acres. During last season 250 acres of bush was felled by the settlers, but, owing to the very wet weather experienced since January, most of them have been unable to burn their fellings. Unless others have been able to burn during the last few days, only three have done so, the area amounting to 100 acres. Adding the 250 acres to that previously felled brings the total up to 333 acres, 83 of which were grassed in 1896. Grass- and clover-seed has been bought for the 250 acres, but only that required for the portion burnt has been delivered, as the settlers have not safe storage-room, and there is no Government building in the settlement fit for the purpose. In addition to the felling, an aggregate of 19 acres of the older clearings has been cleared of logs and the smaller stumps, for garden and cropping purposes. Six of the settlers have planted fruit-trees, to the estimated total value of £16. Each settler has a fairly good slab whare or hut, valued at an average of £11 10s. each. Only one has received the £10 aid towards building, and his cottage is valued at £30. Fencing to the value of £30 has been erected. Most of the

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settlers have cattle and horses, and all have gardens, and some small crops. I understand'that the Education Department intend building a school at this settlement at once, where there are numerous children ready to attend it. Te Karu-o-te-whenua (Paemako) Improved-farm Settlement. —Originally land was allotted to twelve persons, of which number three have surrendered their sections, and one has joined the settlement, thus leaving, at the present time, two sections unoccupied, the allotment of one of which is now under consideration. The average area of the holdings is 117 acres. Five of the settlers have their families with them on their land; one has his family at Te Kuiti, one at Awakino, that of another is still in Oamaru, another's in Australia, and one settler is a widower with a daughter at school at Oamaru. The men only went on to their land in November and December last. They have all built huts or whares of a more or less temporary nature, worth from £3 to £15 each; some have garden patches; most have horses, and one or two cows. As there is very little more bush on this land than should be left for shelter, fencing, and firewood, none has been felled with the object of clearing the land. Fern and scrub have been burnt and roughly cleared on about 100 acres, on which grass and clover is now being sown. Fencing will be erected immediately, so that stock can be kept on the grass when ready, and prevent the growth of fern next spring. The land is good, about 30 per cent, quite level enough for cropping in the usual way. The men are employed on roadwork in the settlement, of which a length of two miles and a quarter (being part of the Te Kuiti-Awakino Boad) has now been made, excepting culverts, which are only temporary until stone can be got to the sites. C. W. Hursthouse, Boad Surveyor.

HAWKE'S BAY. Improved-farm Settlements. —We have two of these settlements, one at Waikopiro and one at Akiteo. With regard to the latter, there are only two small sections, totalling 145-J acres, this being only a portion of a large settlement situated on the Wellington side of the provincial boundary ; but as these two sections are in our district they have for this year been looked after by this office. It would, I think, be advisable if they were thrown in with the remainder of the settlement, and administered by the Wellington office. Waikopiro is a good settlement, and is making very satisfactory progress. It contains 1,765 acres, which are held by fifteen settlers, who have effected over four thousand pounds' worth of improvements, including the amount paid by Government. The Banger's report on the settlement is very satisfactory. Eeic C. Gold-Smith, Commissioner of Crown Lands.

TARANAKI. Ngaire (170 acres 1 rood 30 perches; thirteen settlers). —123 acres felled and grassed to 31st March, 1896 ; 26 acres felled in 1896, and now ready for grassing. Eleven settlers have built houses, to a total value of £375, and are resident upon their sections, with their wives and families, there being thirty-eight children. About 160 chains of fencing has been erected, valued at £72. Fifty-eight head of cattle and eight horses are now on the land. Poti (108 acres ; seven settlers). —68 acres felled and grassed to 31st March, 1896; 24 acres felled, and now ready to be grassed. Five settlers have built houses, to the value of £148, and are resident, with their wives and thirty children. About 75 chains of fencing has been erected, valued at £34. Nine head of cattle and five horses on the land. Maata (30 acres; two settlers). —23 acres felled and grassed to 31st March, 1896. The two settlers have erected houses, to the value of £40, and are both resident, with their wives and one child. 15 chains of fencing, valued at £6 155., has been erected. Three head of cattle and one horse on the land. These three settlements being close together, in Ngaire Block, are practically one settlement. They are situate near Eltham, on or adjoining Eawhitiroa (Anderson) Eoad. They comprise twenty-six sections of from 10 to 18 acres each, and, being close to an old and settled district, form admirable homes for working-men and their families. The whole of the bush on the farms is now felled excepting 34 acres. Eighteen houses have been erected, and the owners are resident with their families; and these eighteen selectors have made improvements, including value of stock, at their own cost, and beyond Government assistance, to the average value of £53 10s. 6d. each, and are still making further improvements. The remaining selectors have not held their lands so long as those above mentioned, and are not, therefore, so far advanced. The above settlement goes to prove that where improved-farm settlements are laid off close to old settled districts, on good land, and the numbers in the settlement are not too great, a fairly certain successful result may be anticipated. Huiroa (668 acres 1 rood 21 perches; eight settlers). —153 acres felled and grassed to 31st March, 1896 ; 201 acres felled this season, and now ready to be grassed. Five settlers have erected houses, to the total value of £140, and are resident, with their families, which include twenty-one children. About 50 chains of fencing has been erected, and most of the settlers on the land have stock. This settlement is situate at the junction of Makuri and Douglas roads, about fourteen miles from Stratford. The land is accessible by Makuri Eoad, and the clearings are fairly well stocked. Mangaere. —(4B2 acres 2 roods 13 perches ; twelve settlers). —232 acres felled and grassed to 31st March, 1896; 142 acres felled, and ready to be grassed. Ten selectors have built houses, at a total value of £240, and are resident, with their wives and families, numbering thirty-seven children. About 170 chains of fencing has been erected, valued at £125, and the settlers have a

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number of cattle and horses with them on the land. This settlement is situate on the Ohura Eoad, about twenty-two miles from Stratford, and is one of the most prosperous we have. In addition to the 232 acres felled and grassed in 1895-96, there was this season felled 142 acres, and the clearings made are well stocked. A large portion of the school reserve has been felled and grassed by the Education Department, and a school erected, which is well attended. 23J acres of Mangaere Township has been felled this season, and will shortly be surveyed into town allotments. The settlers as a rule now obtain sufficient employment (when they can be spared off their farms) on the various local works in the district, and require but little further aid from Government. Uruti (697 acres; six settlers). —382 acres felled and grassed to 31st March, 1896; 120 acres felled, and ready to be grassed. Seven houses have been erected, at a total value of £130, and five settlers resident, with their wives and families, there being fourteen children. About 100 chains of fencing has been erected, valued at £60, and ninety head of cattle and five horses are on the land. This settlement consists of seven sections, six of which are occupied. Settlers obtain a considerable amount of work from the local bodies and from other settlers in the district, and are not now entirely dependent upon Government work. Tongaporutu (2,500 acres; fifteen settlers). —372 acres felled and grassed to 31st March, 1896 ; 268 acres felled, and now ready to be grassed. Eleven houses have been erected, representing a total value of £305. Thirteen settlers are resident, with their wives and twenty-two children. About 80 chains of fencing has been erected, valued at £40, and a considerable number of cattle, horses, and sheep are on the land. This settlement consists of sixteen holdings. A great drawback to this, the Okau, Derwent, and Greenland Settlements is the difficulty of access, Tongaporutu Eiver being uncertain, and at times dangerous, for vessels to enter ; and no dray-road is yet open between Waitara and Tongaporutu or Mokau and Tongaporutu. Derwent (1,369 acres; eleven settlers). —197 acres felled and grassed to 31st March, 1896; 368 acres felled last year, and now ready to be grassed. Six houses and one whare.have been erected, valued at £170. Ten settlers are resident, with their wives and twelve children. 30 chains of fencing has been erected, valued at £15, and there are a few head of cattle, sheep, and horses on the land. This settlement consists of thirteen sections. Okau (1,889 acres 2 roods ; fifteen settlers). —298 acres felled and grassed up to 31st March, 1896; 302 acres felled in 1896, and now ready to be grassed. Twelve settlers have built houses, to a total value of £240, and eleven of them are resident. Of these, nine are single men, one married man is not resident, and there are six children on the settlement. This settlement is situate on Tongaporutu Biver, above Putiki. Three of the selectors will shortly build. So far no stock has been put on the land, as access has been by canoe only ; but the road is now being pushed on, and stock can soon be taken there. No fencing has been erected. Whangamomona (10,543 acres; ninety-one settlers). —948 acres felled and grassed to 31st March, 1896 ; 1,254 acres felled in 1896, and now ready to be grassed. Sixty-four houses have been built, valued at £1,370, and sixty-two settlers are resident; of these, thirty-seven are married men, with a total number of one hundred and fourteen children. About 300 chains of fencing has been erected, valued at £150. This is the largest improved-farm settlement in Taranaki. It commences at about"4of miles and ends at about 53 miles from Stratford, and fronts, for a length of YA\ miles, to Ohura Boad, besides which some of the settlers have access to their lands by Whangamomona, Mangare, and Prospect Boads. A large number—over 300 head—of stock is now running on the settlement, a fair proportion being cows. Sixty houses have been erected, and are occupied by the selectors and their families (where they are married men), and other houses will be erected when this season's felling is grassed. Some of the sections were found to be unsuitable for small settlement; these have been abandoned, and the vacant sections, where possible, will be grouped to make larger holdings, which can be dealt with under the optional system. Of the fifty-four miles of road mentioned from Stratford, thirty-nine are a good dray-road, the remainder being bridle-road. A strong working party are now pushing forward with the dray-road work, and before winter we hope it will extend to the south boundary of the settlement. Taumatatahi (430 acres ; four selectors). —66 acres felled and grassed up to 31st March, 1896 ; 20 acres felled, and ready to be grassed. Three settlers have built houses, to a total value of £95, and are resident, with their families, there being twelve children. One settler with three children will be required to build and reside on his section about June next. Fencing has been erected to the value of £24, and there are about forty-two head of cattle and five horses. This settlement is situate on Waitotara Boad, Kaipara Block. The settlers do not depend upon Government work, being able to obtain work from the larger landholders in the vicinity. Niho Niho (1,406 acres ; five selectors). —51 acres felled and grassed up to 31st March, 1896; 49 acres felled in 1896, and now ready to be grassed ; three settlers have built slab huts, to a total value of £30; five are resident, one being a married man with ten children, and he is quite a new settler. There is no fencing, although there are by now thirty head of cattle on the land, and three horses. This settlement is situate on the Stratford-Ongaruhe Eoad route, about 130 miles from Stratford and forty miles from the railway terminus at Poro-o-te-rau Tunnel. This settlement has not been so successful as others, principally in consequence of its being in Native country, and far distant from any European settlement. The land, however, is good, and when Eatatomokia Block is sold this settlement will no doubt make good progress. In connection with the settlement and the Eatatomokia Block generally, nine miles and a half of roads has been felled, stumped, and formed as bridle-road, including 1,058 lineal feet of culverts. To assist settlement a bridge will be required over the Ohura Stream, plans for which are prepared, and the timber (11,850 superficial feet) sawn. Greenlands (603 acres ; six selectors). —This settlement was allotted on the 27th May, 1896, to six settlers from Woodville, and is situate about six miles inland from Putiki, on the road-line which will eventually run through from the coast at the Tongaporutu Biver to the Ohura Eoad,

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135 acres were felled in 1896, and are now ready for grassing. Each settler has felled sufficient bush to enable him to build with safety when the time arrives. Four of them are married men, the number of children being eleven. At present the settlers are engaged in making the road to their lands. Tawai (411 acres ; nineteen selectors). —This settlement is in the Auckland District, Awakino Survey District, and is administered by this department at the request of the Commissioner of that land district. 69 acres were felled and grassed to 31st March, 1896; 213 acres now felled, and ready to be grassed. Five settlers have built houses, valued at £175, and are resident, the married men with their wives and seven children in all. There are thirteen single men here out of the nineteen selectors. About 50 chains of fencing has been erected, valued at £28. There are twenty-nine head of cattle and eighteen horses in the settlement. 202 chains of Manganui (service) Boad has been felled, stumped, and cleared, and 8 chains formed. Taken as a whole, these settlements may be considered to be fairly successful up to the present time. On the earlier settlements rent becomes due this year; this, together with introduction of part-time system of work, will no doubt test the bona fides of the settlers. In addition to the foregoing, there is the Burfoot (" Mangapoua") Improved-farm Settlement, which has been surveyed but not yet balloted for. John Stbauchon, Commissioner of Crown Lands.

WELLINGTON. Since my return to this district I have inspected the whole of the improved-farm settlements. Of the four under Captain Turner's control and management, the Kawatau and Pemberton farms present a satisfactory state of improvement and progress, and should always afford the advantages of comfortable homes and at least part livelihood for settlers of energy and industrious habits. The other two settlements, Akitio and Mangatiti, comprise generally scattered sections in the eastern Puketoi country, rough, hilly, and remote from markets. Captain Turner reports : — A total area of 7,950 acres 1 rood 6 perches was allotted under this system during the year. The new improved-farm settlements which comprise this area are Horopito, Mangatiti, and the extension of Akitio. The Kawatau is the only settlement on which the improvements were completed so as to enable the sections to be finally registered on the books during the year. This settlement comprises twelve selectors, and an area of 999 acres 3 roods 36 perches. This makes the total number now registered on the books twenty-five selectors, holding an area of 2,246 acres 3 roods 36 perches. The number of selectors who hold sections but have not been registered is 174, holding an area of 15,782 acres 3 roods 8 perches. The arrears of payments on the registered holdings, not including the current half-yearly payment, amount to £4 19s. 10d., due by one selector. Two forfeitures took place during the year on account of non-pay-ment of rentals. Four ballots were held, two of which were for forfeited sections, and two for forfeited sections in farm-homestead special settlement blocks, which had been subdivided and proclaimed under improved-farm regulations. The total number of allotments disposed of in these ballots was 162. As the number of sections held is 199, and the number of persons who have applied for land under this system is 820, it will be seen that 621 applicants have been unsuccessful owing to the available land suitable for settlement on these conditions being so limited. It is quite evident that there is a considerable demand for holdings under this excellent system, and it would appear advisable to select the settlers rather than ballot for them, to insure that married men of good character and qualifications obtained preference. Our chief difficulty, however, is the want of good land in suitable positions to meet the requirements of applicants and afford them a reasonable prospect of establishing homes for themselves and families. Akitio Improved-farm Settlement. —During the past year 503-J- acres was felled, but owing to the unfavourable weather only 282 acres was burned, and some of this not well burned. 103 acres of grass was sown, 20 acres this season and 83 acres last autumn. There are at present on the farm forty-one settlers, representing seventy-six persons, occupying 4,271 acres. The stock on the settlement at present consists of three head of cattle, three horses, and 240 sheep. Kawatau Improved-farm Settlement. —During the year 32 acres of bush has been felled and burnt, and grass-seed sown. The two sections which were forfeited last year have been taken up, and are now occupied. There are twelve settlers (nine married and three single), with sixty-five persons dependent on them, making a total of seventy-seven persons, on the settlement. A good amount of fencing has been done, and other improvements effected, by the settlers during the year. Two of the settlers have their sections fairly well stocked, but the majority who have no stock have let the right to graze sheep to outside settlers. The stock on the settlement comprises nineteen head of cattle, six horses, fourteen pigs, and ninety sheep. Mangatiti Improved-farm Settlement. —l69f acres of bush has been felled on this settlement, which is occupied by ten settlers, with twenty-six persons dependent, who have taken up 1,030f acres between them. The bushfelling on the farm has only been done recently. Pemberton Improved-farm Settlement. —Only 10 acres of bush has been felled on the settlement during the past year, most of the land being already under grass. There are now thirteen settlers on the farm (nine married and four single), with forty-three persons dependent on them. The stock has increased slightly, and there are now 112 head of cattle, ten horses, nineteen pigs, and 654 sheep on the settlement. The settlers continue to make substantial improvements, and are apparently prospering. The schoolhouse mentioned in my last annual report has been sanctioned by the Government, and is now in course of erection. Mr. Murray reports on the settlements under his charge as follows :— There are now seven improved-farm settlements in the Wanganui district, the oldest of them having been only about two years and a half in existence, the others are really only starting. 13—C. 1.

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The Hautapu, Ohutu, and Masterton-Tenui are the most promising ones, the others being more or less handicapped by difficulty of access or the smallness of the holdings. Most of the settlers so far have been depending for a living on the Government expenditure, in the way of advances on improvements, or in the construction of roads. Many of the original holders have left, but the sections have again readily been taken up. The drawbacks to the success of the settlements in this district are the lack of experience on the part of the settlers themselves, the scarcity of outside employment, the inability of the settlers to procure stock owing to want of capital, their earnings being required to keep themselves and families, and the absence of a convenient market for most of the produce that they do raise. To be successful, the settlements require specially-selected men, the land must be first-class, and in such a situation that grass will grow all the year round. At bushfelling for Government advances, the settlers as a rule make low wages. The work on the whole has been well done. The specifications require that everything shall be felled except totaras, maires, and ratas over 2 ft. in diameter. Owing to an exceptionally wet summer the burns have, as a rule, been very poor, in fact several of the settlers have not been able to burn at all. The grass sown last season has in all cases come on well, but has been partially spoilt through the settlers not being able to stock their clearings. The following details show the progress of the various settlements: — Horopito Improved Farm, Waimarino District; size of holdings, 100 acres each. —There are only three settlers on it, the remaining nine sections being withdrawn from sale, because the bush is heavy and suitable for milling. The settlers have worked almost constantly on Government works since May, 1895. They have now 86 acres in grass, but only one settler has yet any stock. Rongoiti Improved Farm, Awarua : size of holdings, 100 acres each.—So far only two settlers have effected any improvements, they having felled and grassed 37 acres between them. There is no dray-road access yet, and the elevation is rather too great, though some of the lower sections contain first-class land. Hautapu Improved Farm, Motukawa ; size of holdings, about 100 acres each.—A lot of work has been done here, both by the expenditure of Government money on improvements and roads, and by private enterprise. Eight settlers are now resident; 151 acres of bush have been felled and grassed, seven houses built, three miles and three-quarters of fencing have been done, and four miles and a quarter of road constructed. These sections are now all accessible by bridle-track, and six of them by dray-road. The land here is good and the settlers mostly experienced men, but the elevation of the block and its distance from markets militate against its success. Most of the settlers have worked constantly throughout the year for the Government. In the matter of roads the work done here comprises five miles engineering survey, 175 chains horse-track formation on the Waiparuparu Boad, 104 chains dray-road formation on the Pongaroa Boad, and 250 lineal feet culverts. These roads will all be completed during April. Taihape Improved Farm, Awarua; size of holdings, 12 to 16 acres each.—Only six of the original sixteen selectors are now left, though the forfeited holdings have been all taken up again. The settlers have been constantly employed at bushfelling or road-work, and have effected very few improvements on their sections at their own expense, and they have so far scarcely any stock. The land is good, and close to a rising township. Access by dray-road is now available to every section. If the country behind is cut into large blocks and taken up by selectors with some capital, this farm may yet prove a success. All the interior roads through the farm have now been completed as 10 ft. roads with the exception of that part running through Section 8. The work done during the year comprises 68 chains bushwork and 118 chains formation. Taihape Township. —95 acres of bush has been felled, but very badly burnt. 36 acres has already been sown, and the rest is now in progress. Taihape-Paengaroa Road. —Two contracts for bushwork are in progress. The portions felled last year have been sown. Engineering survey of three miles has been completed. Otuarei Improved Farm, Awarua. —The work only started there last winter, 38 acres of bush being felled. All the original holders except four have forfeited their interests, and new settlers have taken their place. Bushfelling and road-works will be pushed on next winter. This farm will average about 2,500 ft. above sea-level, and is too high and remote from markets to be a success in 100-acre lots, though there are several good settlers on it. It will probably be some years before dray-road access is possible to the farm, though all the sections are already accessible by horse-traffic, most of the country being open. One bushwork contract is in progress on the Kaiangaroa Boad, and two miles and a half of engineering survey completed for contracts on the Pukeokahu Boad. It is proposed to run this road down to and across the Moawhango till it meets the Torere Boad. 335 chains of bush has been felled along this Pukeokahu Eoad, at a cost of £57, but, owing to the unfavourable season, would not burn. Ohutu _ Improved Farm, Awarua; in lots from 13 acres to 130 acres.—This promises to be the most successful of all the farms in this district, though still only eighteen months old ; several of the sections have been forfeited but have been eagerly taken up again. The land is first-class, though rather high; the settlers are of a good class; the farm is surrounded by free-selection sections, many of the holders of which are in a position to employ labour. There will be a fair market for produce for years to come on the Main Trunk line, which is now in progress close to the farm. The work done comprises 351 acres bushfelling and grassing, and 162 chains of roads. Most of the settlers are now in the block and working on the roads, though not yet actually resident on their sections. Four miles engineering survey has been completed, and two miles more is nearly so. The bridge across the Hautapu Eiver, 83 ft. span, was finished last June. 77 chains bushwork, 101 chains dray-road formation, and 40 lineal feet culverts have been completed on the Torere Eoad, and 136 chains additional will be finished during April. 37 chains scrubbing has been done on the Gorge Eoad, and nearly two miles of road-line has been felled and burnt. On this, as on all the other improved farms, only settlers themselves are employed on the road eon-

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tracts. The Torere Boad serves a large area of free-selection land as well as the improved farm, and will eventually be the main outlet to all the country across the Moawhango Biver. Masterton-Tenui Improved Farm, Awarua ; in 100 acre lots.—None of the sections have so far been forfeited. This also promises to be a successful farm. The class of settlers is good; the quality of the land is first-class, though some of the sections are very rough, but all are now accessible by dray-roads, and all are near Mangaweka, which will prove a good market for the settlers' produce for years to come. Besides, there will be a large amount of labour required for years on the adjacent large holdings and on the Trunk Bailway, which is now being constructed through the farm. 288 acres of bush have been felled and grassed, and 80 chains of roads constructed. The settlers have not been much of their time employed by this department, some of them being on the railway-works, and others being on outside work of various descriptions. The only access road constructed towards this farm is the Terrace Boad. All the sections are now accessible by drayroad except Section 39. This section is cut off by a deep railway-cutting, now in progress. J. W. A. Marchant, Commissioner of Crown Lands.

OTAGO. "Waipati" (Block XII., Tautuku). —This settlement contains 3,000 acres, and has been subdivided into twenty sections, nineteen of which have been taken up. All the settlers are residing on their sections, and the majority of them have built substantial houses. Last year they felled altogether 246-| acres, making the area now in grass 375 acres. Last season being very dry, almost all the settlers had good burns. They are now clearing their lines preparatory to fencing their holdings. A Dunedin company have decided to start a cheesefactory next summer in connection with this settlement and the Heathfield Block. This will be a great assistance to the settlement, and in another year it should not require any further assistance from the Government. During the summer months the men have been employed clearing and forming the roads in the block; total length of road felled and logged up, 334 chains, but the contracts for the formation have not yet been completed. The great handicap to this settlement is the heavy cost on provisions in the winter. The settlers cannot afford to take in large supplies, and have therefore to pay a very heavy cartage in the winter. I think the department should consider the advisability of starting a Government store in the Tautuku district, and have the goods carted in in summer time, and thus save the roads from so much winter traffic. Rimu (Block XV.). —This settlement contains 1,600 acres, divided into sixteen sections, all of which have been allotted, and are in occupation. All the settlers are residing on their sections, there being eleven married and two single men. The total number of individuals is fifty, including women and children. Buildings have been erected on ten of the sections, the settlers having taken advantage of the Government advances for building. A commodious school-building is in course of erection on the school reserve. This settlement is three parts surrounded by the Tahakopa and McLennan Eivers; the latter river is now being bridged to connect the settlement with the main road. In the meantime their supplies are obtained by boat. This settlement promises to turn out well. Some of the settlers have gardens and a few head of cattle, and the advancement made is satisfactory. 133 acres was felled last winter, making a total of nearly 200 acres in grass. The settlers have been employed on co-operative contracts, bushfelling and forming a road through the block upwards of two miles in length. A considerable amount of roading is still required on the block to give access to sections. One of the settlers has a brick-kiln, and is turning out some splendid bricks. Puaho (Block IX., Woodland). —This settlement contains 1,003 acres, divided into seven sections, all of which are taken up but No. 3. Only five settlers are residing on their sections, one married with his family and two married without their families, three sections being held by five single men. The settlers in this settlement have not done as well as they might. Only one settler has taken advantage of the Government advances for house-building. 54 acres has been felled and grassed. Only two of the settlers have any stock. Most of the settlers have been employed on co-operative works. Purakauiti No. 2 (Block IX., Woodland). —This settlement contains 1,514 acres, divided into twelve sections, all of which have been taken up. There is only one married man with his family residing on this settlement, and one married man without his family. There are two others married holding sections, but having only recently obtained them they have not taken possession of them yet. Eight sections are held by single men, five of whom reside on their sections. 68 acres has been felled and grassed, and three settlers have availed themselves of the advances for buildings. Several of them have a few head of cattle; none of them have any but rough log fencing done, and no gardens. The condition of this settlement is not satisfactory, owing to there being too many single men in it, which fact has retarded the progress of the settlement. Block 11., Woodland Settlement. —This settlement contains 1,207 acres, and has been subdivided into nine allotments, all of which have been taken up. None of the settlers are, however, residing on them, as none of the roads leading to this block have been cleared. No bush was felled on this block last year. To make this settlement a success the roads leading to it will require to be cleared and formed as soon as possible, so as to allow the selectors to get to their holdings. John Hay, Chief Surveyor.

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SOUTHLAND. Five settlements are in operation in this district—viz., Heathfield, Waikawa, Haldane, Moturimu, and Papatotara. Mr. Falkiner, Eoad Surveyor, who has at present the immediate oversight, reports :— Heathfield (Block XL, Tautuku) is situated on the Waikawa-Catlin's Eoad, fifteen miles from Waikawa, and twenty-seven miles from Owaka. There are twenty-seven sections in the settlement, twenty-six of which have been selected by twenty-four settlers ; two sections have been selected by one man, and one section abandoned during the year. 141 acres of bush was felled and burned; 79} acres of last year's felling was burned, and 178 acres was sown down in grass. Only a small amount of roadwork was done on the settlement—viz., a 20 ft.-span wooden bridge across the Hakihaki Creek, 13f chains of road-formation, 13 chains of bridle-track, 6| chains of repairs, 3 chains of corduroying, grass sown along road-line for about 55 chains, and two culverts, 12 in. by 12 in., 26 ft., and one double, 3 ft. by 2 ft., 20 ft. About £50 would complete the bridle-tracks so as to give access to all the sections. Ido not think any more money should be spent in this settlement, as the sections are now loaded to about £2 10s. per acre, which, at 4 per cent., means a rent of 2s. per acre. If it is still found necessary to find work for the settlers it should be found outside. Considering the amount of money that has been earned by some of the settlers, they ought to be independent; but there is a want of thrift among them, and a fear of doing any work without getting paid for it. They mostly look to the Government for work, and, with some exceptions, never think of looking for work outside. There are a few exceptions, to whom the above remarks do not apply. These settlers are doing good work, and making comfortable homes for themselves. There is a prospect of a dairy factory being erected somewhere in the vicinity. If this is done it will give the energetic men a certainty for making a living. Waikawa. —This settlement is a portion of Block XVII., Waikawa District, and is about five miles from Waikawa Jetty and two miles and a half from Niagara School. The access by road is at present very circuitous, but when the bridge is built at Niagara, and a road formed along the east bank of the Waikawa Biver, the communication will be direct. Only 25 acres of bush has been felled on this settlement during the past year, as it was considered more advisable to form the roads to the back sections than to fell bush, as a large quantity of the previous year's felling (about 112 acres) lay unburned, owing partly to its being in an unfavourable position, where the wind could not get to it. A considerable portion of this has been burned and sown down during last summer, but there is a quantity still unburned. I think it would be a mistake to do much bushfelling this year, as there is no logging-up done on the sections as yet, very little fencing, and only about six of the settlers have any stock on their sections. If it is necessary to find work for the settlers it should be outside the settlement, as the loading on the land is steadily increasing, and as yet there is no return from the sections. When the road fronting Sections 1, 2, 3 is completed the sections will be loaded quite heavily enough. The loading up to the present is about £1 13s. 7d. per acre. Haldane. —This settlement comprises portions of Blocks IX. and X., Waikawa District, and is situate on the Waikawa-Otaro Boad, thirteen miles from Fortrose and seven miles from Waikawa. Access from Fortrose is good during the summer; but from Waikawa there is as yet no formed road. 142} acres of bush was felled and burned during the past year, and a considerable quantity of last year's felling was also burned and sown down in grass. There are still about two miles and a half of road to form in the settlement, which will cost about £700. I would not recommend that much bush be felled this year, as there are not sufficient fences to keep strange cattle out, nor a sufficient number of cattle amongst the settlers to eat the grass they have. If outside work could be provided at remunerative prices, and the settlers induced to stock and fence their sections, there is no doubt that the settlement would be a success. Papatotara. —Portion of Blocks I. and 111., Alton District; situated on the west side of the Waiau Biver, distant from Orepuki by Waiau Mouth twelve miles, and by the Lower Waiau Ferry sixteen miles. This settlement is the most heavily handicapped of any of the Southland settlements, both as regards situation and quality of land. The settlement is on the extreme outskirts of civilisation, and up to the present road-communication has been bad. The bush on most of the sections is very heavy, and the land, which is of a very inferior quality, is covered with moss. With the exception of two or three cases, there is a great want of energy shown by the settlers. The grass on some of the sections is very poor, owing to the mossy nature of the land. Beyond building houses and fencing in gardens scarcely any improvements have been done on the sections except felling and sowing grass-seed, which work has been paid for. There were fifteen sections available for allotment; fourteen are now occupied by fifteen selectors, and one surrendered during the year. Gold has been found within four miles of the settlement, and several of the selectors have gone prospecting, with, in some cases, satisfactory results. The cutting of the track from Waiau to Preservation Inlet will employ the remainder of them for two or three months. Moturimu. —Portion of Block VIII., Campbelltown Hundred. This settlement adjoins the Government township of Woodend, on the Invercargill-Bluff Eailway, six miles from Invercargill and eleven miles from the Bluff. It is the most conveniently situated of the Southland settlements being within easy reach of sawmills, freezing, and other labour-employing works, besides being close to the Town of Invercargill, consequently the amount of work done at Government cost is comparatively much less than on the other Southland settlements. Only 52} acres of bush was felled during the year, and 61} acres sown down in grass. No roadwork has been done in this settlement up to the present, but the settlers are now asking for a road to and through the settlement, a total distance of about 140 chains. The total number of sections in the settlement is fourteen ; nine sections are allotted, eight occupied, one surrendered during the year, and two allotted. One selector is an absentee. This settlement should be a success, owing to its favourable position. D. Babeon, Chief Surveyor.

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IMPROVED -FARM SETTLEMENTS. Return showing Position and Transactions from their Commencement to the Year ending 31st March, 1897.

Names. Areas. Dates of Gazette Proclamation. Number of Allotments in each Settlement. Number of Settlers who have been allotted. Number of Persons resident. Area felled. Areas felled and grassed. Number of Number of Roads felled and Amount paid to Selectors for Improvements: Value of Past and Present Transactions. Improvements now on the Vnr TtiiRh Land, including For Houses felling and Total Pa y~ that P aid for For Houses. ments byGovernment . Remarks. on Allotments. on Allotments. or partially formed. Auckland — Mangatu Awatuna Katui Rangatira Te Rau-a-moa Paemako Tawai Hawke's Bay — Waikopiro .. Taranaki — Tongaporutu XJruti Huiroa Taumatatahi Niho-niho Derwent Mangaere Ngaire Poti Maata Okau Wangamomona Greenlands .. Mangatawa .. Wellington — Horopito Hautapu Otaihape Kawatau Pemberton .. Otuarei Acres, j 1,100 1,000 1,000 1,400 1,410 1,412 403 1895, p. 863 1895, p. 863 1895, p. 863 1895, p. 863 1896, p. 655 1897, p. 5 1896, p. 1541 10 10 10 10 10 10 19 10 10 9 4 10 13 19 10 4 9 4 10 10 30 Acres. 266 214 223 34 333 100 213 Acres. 238 201 212 4 83 60 17 76 10 8 8 2 20 6 18 Mis. ch. 7 0 4 40 6 0 2 60 £ s. d. 102 6 0 85 5 11 110 5 6 28 19 0 10 0 0 £ b. d. 726 15 7 545 11 9 484 12 9 64 5 9 469 0 0 £ s. d. 829 1 7 630 17 8 594 18 3 93 4 9 479 0 0 £ s. d. 1,334 8 0 489 10 0 990 8 0 126 13 0 720 6 0 69 40 10 29 2 20 2 42 55 6 0 309 9 0 364 9 0 544 9 0 [bush. Scrub and fern felled, not Under supervision of Commissioner C. L. , Taranaki. 1,880 1895, p. 79 16 15 633 633 5 3 139 14 4 1,287 8 6 1,427 2 10 4,100 0 0 2,500 697 668 430 1,406 1,369 482 170 108 30 1,889 10,543 603 2,978 1894, p. 1505 1894, p. 30 1895. p. 1722 1894, p. 1691 1895, p. 1248 1896, p. 398 1894, p. 30 1895, p. 233 1895, p. 1053 1895, p. 1053 1896, p. 398 1896, p. 149 1896, p. 1542 1896, p. 1629 16 7 9 4 16 13 13 16 8 3 19 111 6 29 15 6 8 4 5 11 12 13 7 2 15 91 6 48 25 30 18 16 27 54 60 40 5 19 213 268 120 354 85 49 368 374 26 24 372 382 153 66 51 197 232 123 68 23 298 948 59 90 33 42 30 27 86 58 9 3 8 5 4 5 3 4 20 8 5 1 1 29 0 70 150 0 0 59 0 0 63 10 0 30 0 0 891 8 11 817 7 0 472 14 7 136 11 5 141 10 8 790 7 3 548 1 6 286 1 11 148 19 10 58 1 8 915 14 0 3,557 9 4 189 13 4 1,041 8 11 876 7 0 536 4 7 166 11 5 141 10 8 867 17 3 653 1 6 424 13 9 158 19 10 88 1 8 1,023 4 0 4,152 9 4 189 13 4 1,191 8 11 1,006 7 0 636 4 7 255 11 5 181 10 8 967 17 3 823 1 6 803 4 11 373 11 4 109 16 8 1,139 4 0 4,802 9 4 199 13 4 Also 30 sheep. 0 46 11 63 2 42 0 42 0 34 28 56 1 51 5 13 9 54 1 5 77 10 0 105 0 0 138 11 10 10 0 0 30 0 0 107 10 0 595 0 0 Also 27 sheep. \ Improvements to an aveI rage value of £53 10s. 6d J each selection. 302 2,242 135 288 Also 21 sheep. 2,000 1,204 200 1,000 1,260 2,000 J 800 I 368 1894, p. 1505 1894, p. 1637 1894, p. 1950 1894, p. 1637 1895, p. 30 1896, p. 631 1895, p. 1526 1896, p. 1629 [ 1896, p. 655 11897, p. 6 1896, p. 631 1896, p. 1511 1897, p. 7 12 12 15 12 13 20 3 12 15 12 13 19 6 29 26 77 56 1 86 151 158 478 1,094 38 86 151 158 478 1,033 38 19 68 12 19 112 4 21 10 6 10 1 0 50 4 20 2 3 5 51 6 71 30 0 0 50 0 0 50 0 0 76 10 0 10 0 0 215 9 0 291 9 0 622 13 5 790 12 0 1,674 9 6 55 16 10 245 9 0 341 9 0 672 13 5 867 2 0 1,684 9 6 55 16 10 295 14 0 1,508 18 4 1,213 7 7 1,564 12 5 2,934 5 0 92 5 11 29 pigs and 75 sheep. 14 pigs and 90 sheep. 19 pigs and 654 sheep. ■■ I Masterton-Tenui ] 12 12 47 288 288 56 8 1 0 50 0 0 600 0 4 650 0 4 820 0 4 15 pigs. Akitio 2,258 24 23 28 22 46 ) 45 11 610 103 3 3 7 76 20 0 0 805 19 6 825 19 6 921 5 6 Also 240 sheep. Ohutu Rongoiti Mangatiti Otago— Heathfleld .. Purakauiti No. 2 Puaho Woodland .. Rimu Waipati Southland — Papatotara .. 2,217 2,189 4,379 2,400 1,515 1,003 1,207 1,600 3,000 1895, p. 438 1895, p. 29 1895, p. 30 1895, p. 927 1895, p. 927 1895, p. 1584 27 12 7 9 16 20 28 40 27 12 6 9 13 19 8 101 10 351 37 170 1,108 68 54 32 187 386 351 37 970 68 54 32 187 12 256 24 13 2 18 3 2 12 5 18 0 11 0 53 0 25 2 57 4 14 106 2 3 1 43 1 2 640 11 8 85 19 11 228 17 5 3,728 13 4 775 11 1 640 11 8 85 19 11 228 17 5 3,834 15 7 818 12 3 1,134 6 10 90 19 11 251 15 2 4,782 5 4 1,200 0 0 37 chains bridle-road. y Approximate. 13 19 43 101 7 83 14 6 133 18 5 ■ 39 14 6 973 18 4 1,849 11 8 39 14 6 1,057 12 10 1,983 10 1 50 0 0 1,700 0 0 2,100 0 0 ) 1,480 1894, p. 1618 (1891, p. 585 \ 1895, p. 1222 (1895, p. 1447 1895, p. 176 1895, p. 1526 15 16 19 593 382 14 6 1 75 110 0 0 2,322 14 8 2,432 14 8 2,432 14 8 Waikawa 1,768 }„ 17 54 517 441 53 7 4 19 123 0 0 2,715 14 10 2,838 14 10 3,326 16 10 Haldane Moturimu .. 2,200 670 24 14 26 9 78 34 506 97 418 96 42 15 14 2 61 105 0 0 29 10 0 1,661 6 1 253 16 4 1,766 6 1 283 6 4 2,092 16 7 382 1 4 Totals 70,196 764 13,372 9,724 1,806 646 1,229 298 145 57 |2,918 8 11 133,174 4 2 136,092 13 1 [49,690 0 8

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APPENDIX No. 6. VILLAGE-HOMESTEAD SETTLEMENTS. The following are details of village-homestead settlements in each of the provincial districts of the colony on the 31st March, 1897. The position of the settlements at that date was as under : — Number of settlements in the colony— In the North Island ... ... ... ... 51 In the Middle Island ... ... ... ... 107 158 Number of original settlers ... ... ... ... ... 2,205 Original settlers now remaining ... ... ... ... ... 1,202 Number of present settlers— Resident ... ... ... ... ... ... 1,046 Non-resident ... ... ... ... ... 488 Not reported on ... ... ... ... ... 9 1,543 Number settled on the land, including wives and families— In the North Island ... ... ... ... 2,338 In the Middle Island ... ... ... ... 2,335 4,673 The total acreage originally taken up was— Acres. Acres. In the North Island " ... ... ... ... 30,219 In the Middle Island ... ... .. ... 25,230 55,449 (The area in the North Island includes Auckland and Parnell endowments, now transferred to the city and borough respectively.) The total area now held is— Acres. Acres. In the North Island ... ... ... ... 15,719 In the Middle Island ... ... ... ... 19,528 35,247 Average area to each settler ... ... ... ... ... 22f Total area laid down in pasture or cultivated— In the North Island ... ... ... ... 7,917 In the Middle Island ... .., ... ... 10,348 18,265 The total amount advanced from the commencement of the £ £ system to the 31st March last was ... ... ... 25,849 Advances repaid, 1896 ... ... ... ... 565 1897 ... ... ... ... ... 1,346 1,911 Remaining unpaid— In the North Island ... ... ... ... 18,872 In the Middle Island ... ... ... ... 5,066 23,938 Value of land disposed of and now held by settlers ... ... 83,522 Total ... ... ... ... £107,460 The total annual rent, including interest on advances was— £ £ In the North Island ... ... ... ... 1,685 In the Middle Island ... ... ... ... 3,219 4,904 Equivalent to a rental of 2s. 9d., per acre, and equal to 4-J- per cent, on capital. The amount received for rent and interest for the year ending 31st March last was— £ £ In the North Island ... ... ... ... 1,880 In the Middle Island ... ... ... ... 3,025 4,905 Equal to 4-J per cent, on capital. The total amount received for rent and interest from the commencement of the system to the 31st March last was £27,014, classified as under :— £ £ North Island—Rent, £7,596; interest, £4,238 ... ... 11,834 Middle Island—Rent, £13,210; interest, £1,970 ... ... 15,180 27,014

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The arrears of rent and interest on 31st March last were— £ £ North Island—Arrears of rent, £635 ; arrears of interest, £971 1,606 Middle Island —Arrears of rent, £181; arrears of interest, £33 214 1,820 The value of improvements now on the land is— £ £ In the North Island ... ... ... ... ... 59,098 In the Middle Island ... ... ... ... ... 50,431 109,529 The financial position of the settlements on the 31st March last was briefly as follows : — Amount advanced to settlers, less amount repaid ... ... ... 23,938 Present annual rent and interest ... ... ... ... ... 4,904 Rent and interest paid during past year ... ... ... ... 4,905 Total payments made for rent and interest... ... .... ... 27,014 Arrears of rent and interest ... ... ... ... ... 1,820 Value of improvements now on the land ... ... ... ... 109,529 Equivalent to £71 to each holder. It is satisfactory to note that the village settlers on the Cheviot Estate have paid during the past year £869 4s. 7d. as rent and interest, and the total amount paid by them since they occupied the land is £2,674 15s. sd. Only one settler was in arrear on the Slst March last. Throughout the colony the conditions are very well complied with, and this is best shown by the improvements placed on the land, which are valued at £109,529, or £3 2s. per acre. Many of the settlers, however, complain of the small area of their holdings, especially where the settlement is some distance from a market. One condition under which village homestead settlers hold their land is permanent and continued residence; they are thus debarred from holding other land where residence is also compulsory. I would respectfully recommend, therefore, that in all cases where it is advisable for a village settler to increase his holding he should be enabled to do so, the Land Board dispensing with the conditions relating to residence, provided the settler has fully complied with the terms and conditions of the land he at present holds. Assistance on a somewhat more liberal scale is now being granted to small settlers towards the erection of cottages, &c, on their holdings, under the Improved Farm settlement conditions and under the regulations for Workmen's Homes. I am still of opinion, and beg to recommend, that where new Village Homestead settlements are formed similar assistance should be given to that granted under the regulations for Workmen's Homes. The figures in this report prove conclusively the successful progress of these settlements. J. E. Makch, Superintendent of Village Settlements.

APPENDIX No. 7.

REPORT ON THE TRADE AND REVENUE OP THE PORT ROBINSON LANDINGSERVICE. Owing to its being found necessary to obtain legislative sanction for the transfer to the Cheviot County Council of the Port Robinson Slip, &c, it still remains under the control of this department. I append a copy of the Harbourmaster's report for the year. Sidney Westman, Commissioner of Crown Lands.

Poet Robinson Landing Service. Herewith is attached statement of revenue and working-expenses at Port Robinson, from Ist April, 1896, to 31st March, 1897. The boatmen, when not required at shipping, were employed repairing and maintaining the roads on either side of the port. You will see from the statement that their wages for this work is separate from shipping expenses. Duringthe year the s.s. " Wakatu " has made ninety-nine working trips—viz., forty-six from Wellington and fifty-three from Lyttelton; on six occasions the sea was too rough to work her, and she had to pass on. Four sailing-vessels have visited the port during the year : the masters of. same complain very much of there being no moorings or beacons to direct them clear of the sunken rock at the outer end of Mid-bay Reef. There has been no accident of any kind during the year, and everything has worked well. The machinery is in good order. The boiler has not yet been inspected for the incoming year.

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The slip will require about 60 ft. of the centre groove renewing before very long. I find the Teredo is attacking a few of the totara piles, but as yet not to any great extent. If this had been a favourable season for grain, the store would not have been large enough for the requirements, as it is almost blocked now. I would therefore urge the necessity for putting an addition to the present building before another season. The storage dues derived from use of same would, I think, cover interest on its cost. The groins near the slip have been the means of accumulating a considerable bank of shingle on the foreshore, aud this has effectually maintained the reclamation that has and is being done for storage from being scoured away by the sea. I should advise that these groins be kept in repair, and be made good whenever the sea has made breaches to them. The amount of unpaid accounts due Landing Service to 31st March, 1897, is £115 10s. I have entered all charges that I have so far received from Land Office against the port in my working-expenses statement, and should there be any further charges it will have to be charged against, or carried on. J. Sinclair, Harbourmaster.

\ . Return of Receipts and Expenditure for the Year ended 31st March, 1897. Receipts. £ a. d. Expenditure. £ a. d. Merchandise .. .. ~ .. 600 12 7 Wages .. .. .. .. .. 455 14 3 Timber .. .. .. .. .. 139 10 2 Stores .. .. .. .. 28 19 0 Posts .. .. .. .. .. 213 0 Roadworks (boatmen's wages for time at) .. 207 11 4 Sundries .. .. .. 29 4 4 Balance .. .. .. .. .. 133 7 9 Storage .. .. .. .. 48 14 3 Passengers .. .. .. .. 418 0 £825 12 4 £825 12 4 J. Sinclair; Harbourmaster.

Statement of Classified Merchandise, &c, imported and exported during Period Ist April, 1896, to 31st March, 1897. Inward Cargo. General merchandise .. .. 1,192 tons 9cwt. Coals .. .. .. .. 275 tons 15 owt. Flour .. .. .. 143 tons Fencing-posts .. .. .. 636 Sharps .. .. .. 70 sacks Timber .. .. .. 230,060 ft. Bran .. .. .. 98 „ Sundries and parcels .. .. 485 Oatmeal .. .. .. 73 „ Passengers .. .. .. 57 Pearl barley .. .. .. 10 „ OutwardlCargo. Wool, in bales .. .. .. .. 2,483 Potatoes, in saoks .. .. .. .. 28 Wool, in bags .. .. .. .. 45 Cheese, in crates .. .. .. .. 63 Skins, in bales and bundles .. .. .. 129 Butter, in boxes .. .. .. .. 31 Wheat, in sacks .. .. .. .. 2,063 Eggs, in boxes .. .. .. .. 3 Rye corn, in sacks .. .. .. .. 25 Sundries .. .. .. .. .. 407 Pease, in sacks .. .. .. .. 82 Passengers .. .. .. .. .. 47 Grass-seed, in sacks .. .. .. .. 44 J. Sinclair.

Statement showing how Expenditure was apportioned each Month.

J. Sinclair, Harbourmaster.

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1896-97. Shipping. Casual. Coal and Oil. Road-works. Totals. £ s. a. 38 5 7 44 4 3 24 19 1 23 18 11 32 17 3 26 16 9 40 16 7 30 3 5 52 7 10 44 16 6 30 1 7 36 17 10 £ s. a. & s. a. 1 16 0 3 9 0 2 15 0 15 0 3 8 0 15 0 2 10 0 2 0 0 3 9 0 2 15 0 13 0 3 4 0 £ a. a. 19 2 6 5 16 7 24 12 6 30 11 5 23 9 10 20 U 3 18 5 11 16 12 2 5 19 1 7 17 10 17 1 11 17 7 4 £ s. a. 59 4 1 56 18 i 52 6 7 57 10 10 63 1 2 49 0 0 64 17 3 51 12 7 69 0 3 57 8 10 48 6 6 62 18 2 Lpril day one uly Lugust .. September )ctobec .. November December 3 '8 6 1 15 6 3 6 1 0 4 0 3 4 9 2 17 0 7 4 4 1 19 6 anuary .. February tfarch 5 9 0 Total .. 28 19 0 426 5 7 29 8 8 207 11 4 692 4 7

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Statement of Working-expenses and Revenue for the Period Ist April, 1896, to 31st March, 1897. Working-expenses. £ a. d. £ a. d. Bevenue. £ s. d. Shipping wages .. .. 426 5 7 Inwards revenue .. .. .. .. 590 9 0 Casual-labour wages .. .. 29 8 8 Outwards revenue .. .. .. 235 3 4 Coals and oil .. .. .. 28 19 0 Fat for greasing slip .. .. 4 15 0 One tarpaulin for cargo-boat .. 6 19 0 Ropes and surf-lines .. .. 15 810 Small bolts and sewing-twine .. 0 11 5 Flue-brush .. .. .. 0 3 3 Kerosene and linseed-oil .. 12 0 72ft.6-inch by 2-inch red-pine,and spikes .. .. .. 0 9 5 Block for signal-halyard .. 0 2 0 Six oval eyes .. .. .. 0 3 0 Deferential hoisting-block .. 18 0 Ironbark timber for slip purposes 6 13 9 One ledger .. .. .. 17 6 Way-bill books .. .. 12 6 Stationery .. .. .. 111 3 One labour diary .. .. 0 7 6 526 17 8 Boatmen's wages for time at roadwork .. .. .. .. 207 11 4 Refund of storage on wheat to Stevenson Brothers by order of Cheviot County Council, 18th July, 1896 .. .. .. .. 15 7 1 Credit balance .. .. .. 75 16 3 £825 12 4 £825 12 4 J. Sinclair, Harbourmaster.

Statement of Trade and Revenue for the Period 1st April, 1896, to 31st March, 1897.

John Sinclair, Harbourmaster.

APPENDIX No. 8.

REPORTS ON THERMAL SPRINGS FOR THE TWELVE MONTHS ENDED 31st MARCH, 1897.

ROTORUA. Owing to the death of Mr. C. Malfroy, I took temporary charge of these works early in January last. Rotorua Water-supply. Double settling-tanks have been constructed of concrete, 70 ft. long, with an average width of 4 ft., and branch inlet and outlet flumes of concrete with two flushing 9in. socket pipe drains connecting with open drains, the whole enclosed by 140 ft. of close-boarding fencing 8 ft. high. The 14—C. 1.

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Inwards. Outwards. Totals. Class of Goods, &o. No. Weight. Sup. Ft. Revenue. No. Revenue. ' No. Weight. Sup. Ft. Revenue. /Ierchandise Joals Mmber 'osts Sundries (parcels) Store dues .. 'assengers .. Vool (bales) Vool (bags and fadges) ikins (bales and packages) Wheat (sacks) 'ease (sacks) xrass-seed (sacks) 'roduce : cheese, eggs, butter.. lye corn (sacks) 'otatoes (sacks) Tons cwt. 1,192 9 275 15 £ s. d. 346 13 9 67 3 0 139 10 2 2 13 0 18 6 5 13 8 8 2 14 0 • ■ i Tons cwt. 1,192 9 275 15 £ s. d. 346 13 9 67 3 0 139 10 2 2 13 0 29 i 4 *48 14 3 4 18 0 124 3 0 15 0 4 12 0 *50 14 7 2 9 2 0 19 0 17 4 0 11 3 0 14 6 230^060 .. ' 230,060 636 506 • • ! 636 949 443 10 17 11 35 5 7 2 4 0 124 3 0 15 0 4 12 0 50 14 7 2 9 2 0 19 0 17 4 0 11 3 0 14 6 57 •• ■47 !2,483 45 129 2,063 82 a 69 25 28 104i 2,483i 45| 129 2,063 82 44 69 25 28 " I .. •• .. 590 9 0! I 235 3 4 t!5 7 1 825 12 4 tl5 7 1 Totals 219 16 3 1,468 4 230,060 590 9 0 1,468 4 230,060 810 5 3 * Less refund, £15 17s. Id., to Stet Refund. r enson Brothers o: storage of grain, b; order Cheviot C' lunty Council, 18th July, 18( )6.

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framework carrying the water-race has been repaired, and at various times cleared of vegetation for a width of 5 ft. from the flume. In many places the supply-pipes have been so damaged by sulphur that they have had to be replaced. On this account 36 ft. of 4 in. pipes, and various lengths of service-pipes from lin. to 2in. in diameter, have been replaced. The new pipes have been laid in rough boxes, in a mixture of sand and gas-tar, which is calculated to counteract the action of the sulphur and protect the pipes. The Purenga Stream has been in heavy flood several times, and burst through a weak place in the rocks into the tunnel, through which the race passes, causing some damage. The necessary urgent repairs have been done, but in the near future all the timber-work in the tunnel will require overhauling, and much of it replacing. The water-race has also been damaged by recent slips, and in places has sunk several inches. It is now being repaired. The expenditure for the year is £202 18s. Works at Rotorua. The Sanatorium. The concrete baths approaching the main entrance have been renewed. Four of the large swing-doors have been repaired and recovered. The men's sitting-room has been cleaned and painted, and other urgent repairs to the building have been done. The gardens and grounds are in fair order; numerous trees have been planted, and 180 chains of outside paths have been re-formed. The Blue Bath. The bottom of the bath has been reconcreted and graded, having settled, which caused a leakage. These repairs have greatly facilitated the supplying, emptying, and cleaning of the bath. The concrete curbing around the bath has been repaired, and the surrounding paths reconcreted and cemented. Drains have also been formed for storm-water. A new douche bath has been constructed, new dressing-rooms added, and other necessary repairs executed. Pavilion Baths, containing Priest's, Rachel, and Ladies' Swimming-baths. The most important work carried out in connection with these baths is the construction of the new ladies' swimming-bath, the size of which is 49 ft. in length, 24 ft. in width, 4 ft. deep at one end and 3 ft. at the other. Its superficial area is 1,176 ft., and it has a capacity of 26,000 gallons. The building over the dressing-boxes and part of the bath, also that of the end shed, is substantially constructed, The fence enclosing the bath is 8 ft. high, and close boarded, all the outside timberwork being painted. The bath cost £548 Bs. 7d. Four of the private Rachel baths have been lined with white tiles, and four supplied with cold showers, and a shower has been fixed in the Ladies' swimming-bath. The roofs over the Priest's and ladies' Rachel baths have been overhauled, repaired, and covered with patent roofing-felt. New frames, ventilators, and skylights have been prepared and are ready for fixing on the roofs of the Priest's and Rachel baths at the close of the season. New approach-steps have been fixed to the gentlemen's Priest bath. 118 ft. 4in. castiron pipes, with necessary Peat's valves, have been fixed to supply the Ladies' Swimming-bath with Rachel water. 363 ft. of 4 in. gland-socket pipes, with cleaning eyes at 60 ft. intervals, has been laid to convey surplus water from the Oruawhata (or Blue Bath) Spring to the cooler, which supplies the Ladies' Swimming-bath with cool Rachel water. The front of the Pavilion Bath has been repainted, and the approaches to the main entrance improved. A new entrance-gate has been fixed, and a footpath formed from the bath-entrance gates to the front entrance of the bath, which is a great convenience to the public. The Postmaster Bath. The roofs over the dressing-boxes have been repaired, and also over the present waiting- or entrance-room. New stops have been fixed to all dressing-box doors. The road and path from the Pavilion Bath have been placed in good order after the late heavy storms. It is very necessary that a supply of cold water should be laid on to this bath for showers and drinking purposes; the cost would be about £100. The cost of general works at Rotorua, exclusive of water-supply and Ladies' Swimming-bath, is £475 13s. Whakarewarewa. During the year carriage-drives and footpaths have been laid out by Mr. J. Baber, District Surveyor. 56 chains of the drives have been formed 16 ft. wide, and 34 chains of paths 8 ft. wide. A considerable number of trees have been planted, and twenty seats have been ordered, and will be placed at convenient places along the paths. A stand-pipe and 198 ft. of piping have been fixed and laid, taking a supply of water into the settlement. A new bridge of 62 ft. span has been built over the Purenga Stream. The expenditure for the year is £495 7s. All the new works carried out during the year were completed by Mr. Malfroy, who stuck to his duties with great fortitude right up to his last moments. He was assisted by Mr. B. S. Corlett, who is now Foreman of Works. Since taking charge I have only had time to attend to general maintenance and urgent repairs, and that at the expense of some of my other duties. Robert Reaney, Road Surveyor.

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Works Carried on by the Rotorua Town Board. I have the honour to report as follows, re the works carried out by this Board during the year ended 31st March, 1897 ; also, please find attached hereto a return of the receipts and expenditure of this Board for that period :— Public Works. 203 chains of rural and suburban roads were formed. 125 chains of rural and suburban roads were reformed. 750 chains of footpaths were reformed and gravelled. 250 chains of streets were maintained and reformed. 720 chains of main roads were maintained. 170 chains of rural and suburban roads were planted with trees. 5f acres of the Town Belt were cleared, ploughed, diso-harrowed, and planted with ornamental and forest trees. A total of six thousand trees were planted out during the planting season. 24 chains of old paling fencing were removed from around the Town Square, and partly re-erected round the public pound section. The public pound was re-roofed and repaired, and the floors of the covered sheds were paved with stone ; also, new pound notice-boards painted, lettered, and erected. 3 acres of the Pukeroa Recreation Reserve were substantially fenced off and planted with ornamental and forest trees. The field- and wicket-gates were given three coats of white zinc-paint. 5 acres of the cemetery reserve were cleared of scrub, and fenced in with posts and sawn rails on higher and drier ground than the position usually used. Entrance gates were erected and painted ; also an old two-roomed cottage removed and re-erected inside the gates for the use of the clergy, and the storage of the necessary appliances for interments. Thirty-six sets, of cast-iron garden-seat legs were obtained, and the seats made locally, and placed at convenient points for the use of invalids and visitors. 20 acres of scrub around the old township and on the vacant sections within the new township, which were being used for purposes endangering the public health, were cleared and burned off. This, combined with the establishment of a nightsoil system on approved sanitary principles, has so materially improved the sanitary state of Rotorua that there has not been a single case of typhoid during the year. Baths. The number of baths taken during the year was 33,158, being an increase of 4,252 over the preceding year, and the receipts from this source were £631, being an increase of £128 lis. 3d. Receipts and Expenditure. The revenue of the Board has been entirely inadequate to meet the requirements of the place, and it is so be hoped that due provision will be made during the current year to enable the Board to proceed with urgently required improvements to the streets and roads, and other works of a public nature, with a view to enhancing the general attractions of the place as a health resort. A statement of the receipts and expenditure for the year ended the 31st March, 1897, is appended hereto. R. D. Dansey, Chairman.

Statement of Receipts and Expenditure of the Rotorua Town Board during the Twelve Months ended the 31st March, 1897. Beceipts. £ s. d. Expenditure. £ s. d. To Balance on 31st March, 1896 .. .. 254 14 6' By Public works .. .. .. 680 1 2 Bath fees .. .. 631 0 0 Under Licensing Act .. .. .. 52 18 5 Local licenses .. .. 131 0 0 Salaries and offices expenses .. .. 38 3 9 Rents.. .. .. 34 15 0 Other expenditure .. .. .. 205 16 2 Other sources .. .. 78 19 10 875 14 10 976 19 6 Deposit on contracts refunded .. .. 12 12 0 Deposit on contracts .. .. .. 12 12 0 Balance at 31st March, 1897 .. .. 153 910 £1,143 1 4 £1,143 1 4

HANMER. As you will see by return of baths shown, the springs have been better patronised this year than any of the preceding years. Visitors from all parts of the world in search of health, others for pleasure-trips, and I think more tourists would have come but that a rumour got out that there was no accommodation here. This was partly true, as for some time nothing but shakedowns could be had at either place. Next year we hope to have more, as the new sanatorium now in course of erection, and another house being built by Mr. Hood, should afford ample room for all travellers. These places were greatly needed. Some invalids complain of the long distance between the baths and accommodation-houses, and I think that, on account of the houses being closer to the springs, we shall have more people in winter. There were several cures effected this season. People suffering from rheumatism, &c, and numbers of visitors who have been here before with rheumatism came back for their holidays this season, and are now quite well; in fact, in most cases the baths do great good, if they do not actually cure. All rheumatism taken in time will soon be cured by the use of these baths. Suggestion. I think, if the Government would issue tickets on all the southern railway-lines at a reduced rate to people coming to the baths, it would largely increase the revenue of the railway,. and also the number of visitors to the springs.

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Baths. The total number of baths for each month under their different headings was as follows:—

The total amount of cash received for bath-fees was £290 4s. 9d. This shows an increase of £50 over last year, and also an increase of 1,846 in the number of baths taken this year. Improvements. During the year the Postal Department put a small porch on to the office. This is a great convenience to the public and ourselves. There has also been a small room, 10 ft. by 10 ft., built at the back of the old bath-house for a massage-room. This work was formerly carried on in one of the baths. Two awnings have been erected, one over ladies' swimming-pool, the other over gentlemen's. This is a great improvement in summer time, and makes a bath in the pool very enjoyable. There has been a water-supply pipe laid on to the bowling- and tennis-greens. Painting and Repairs to Bath-houses and Cottage. During last winter and spring we gave the two bath-houses and cottage three coats of paint and varnished the inside of the old bath-house. This has greatly freshened up the appearance of the buildings. New Plantations. Last spring we planted 4,200 trees on the south and east boundaries of the enclosure. This completes the new plantation around the springs 66 ft. wide, with seven rows of trees. Thermal Action. On the 27th February, at 9.10 p.m., there was a sharp shock of earthquake, which caused the springs to be very active for several hours afterwards. New Works and Salaries. £ a. a. Material and cartage ... ... ... ... ... 142 10 3 Gardening and general work ... ... ... ... ... 141 12 0 Supplies to baths ... ... __ . .... . ~. ... ... 27 10 6 Piles for sanatorium... ... ... ... ... ... 18140 Caretakers' salary ... ... ... ... ... ... 220 0 0 Subsidy to doctor for medical attendance at springs ... ... 100 0 0 £650 6 9 J. Rogers, Caretaker.

Report by Visiting Medical Officer. During the past season the tourist traffic has been very extensive, the present well-conducted accommodation-houses being inadequate to cope with it. While the greater number of the visitors has been of the tourist class, there has been a large number of invalid visitors. There seems reason to believe that, on the completion of the Government Sanatorium, the latter class will considerably increase. Visitors have come from all parts of this island, and also from the North Island, while even Australia has contributed a few. Many tourists complain of the length of the journey to Hanmer, and some have asked about the possibility of an issue of special excursion tickets from remote parts of the island. During the past season about twenty-five of the visitors have been patients of mine. I have little doubt that were my circuit less wide this number would be increased considerably. ;

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1896-97. Is. 8d. 6d. Free. Totals. Number of Visitors taking a Course of Baths. April May June July August ... September October ... November December 7 3 8 1 4 6 14 13 44 28 19 15 695 282 131 191 101 351 365 756 744 1,292 1,026 779 284 131 19 34 40 88 119 228 568 562 265 208 22 1,008 416 158 226 145 474 547 1,023 1,382 1,905 1,341 1,002 110 43 29 27 22 48 60 84 128 140 103 73 29 49 26 26 28 31 January... February March ... 157 6,713 2,546 211 9,627 867

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As the medical man of this district is resident at Culverden, twenty-four miles from the Thermal Springs, direct telephone communication between the springs and Culverden would be of much advantage. This has been borne out by several cases during the past season. My patients have been mainly rheumatic and pulmonary cases. One cannot help feeling that much valuable information is lost by the lack of " case-books " at Hanmer. This is in a measure unavoidable, as patients not under treatment by the visiting medical man naturally will not volunteer information as to their ailments. The keeping of " case-books " at the Sanatorium will be of advantage. The nucleus of a library now exists at Hanmer. It is to be hoped that visitors will add to this as occasion serves. As far as one can at present judge, the outlook for the coming season is encouraging. Charles T. Little, M.A., M.8., Ch.B., Ist June, 1897. Visiting Medical Officer to the Hanmer Thermal Springs.

APPENDIX No. 9.

REPORT ON MOUNT COOK HERMITAGE AND GLACIERS. During the year the management of the Mount Cook Hermitage has been placed in the hands of Mr. and Mrs. Alexander Ross, formerly of Glentanner Station ; and Mr. T. C. Fyfe has been engaged to act as guide to tourists wishing to explore the wonders of the Mount Cook district. Considerable sums have been expended by the Government in putting the place into thorough order, catering for the requirements of visitors, and improving the coach-road from Pukaki to the Hermitage, and tracks to the neighbouring glaciers. During the early part of the season there was, unfortunately, no regular coach-service from Fairlie Railway terminus, and the number of visitors was therefore somewhat limited, owing to the uncertainty of means of going and returning. Since January last a regular bi-weekly coach-service has been established under contract with the Postal Department, and the number of visitors has increased considerably. The arrangements made for the comfort and convenience of visitors appear to have met with general appreciation, and I think there is every reason to anticipate a very successful working during next year's tourist season. I append herewith reports by the guide and by the Crown Lands Ranger as to the condition of tracks, and of the Hermitage generally. ■ . Sidney Weetman, Commissioner of Crowu Lands.

Report by the Guide. A good number of visitors made use of my services—the Ball Hut and Tasman Glacier being the favourite excursions. All expressed their satisfaction with the accommodation of the hut, and their great delight at the beautiful scenery of the Tasman Glacier. Another hut is in the course of erection on a site situated about fourteen miles from the terminal face of the Tasman, on the Malte Brun side, and the view from this is most extensive, and one, if not the, best to be obtained on the Canterbury side of the higher peaks of the Alps. Here, too, can be seen to perfection the magnificent sunrise effects on Mount Cook. During February I accompanied Mr. Malcolm Ross in an endeavour to discover an easy pass over the divide into Westland, and ultimately, after much difficulty and danger, we succeeded in crossing the Lendenfeldt Saddle at the head of the Tasman, and we came to the conclusion that the pass known as "Fitzgerald's" is the only one of any practical use in the vicinity of the Hermitage. I think that if a track were formed up the Copland, and a hut erected in Welcome Flats, and also a track carried up as far as possible on the Hermitage side, there would then be no great difficulty for an average pedestrian to cross and make the connection. And if this were done now this pass would gradually become known, and, I believe, soon justify further improvements. The tracks around the Hermitage are now all in good order, with the exception of the suspension bridge across the Hooker, which is about to be repaired. T. C. Fyfe.

Report on the Repairs and other Work which have been effected at the Hermitage, Mount Cook. Both outside and inside the house is now in good order and condition, and comfortable. Furniture. —This is all in good order. Linen and everything very clean and tidy. For the dining-room, passage (new part), and smoking-room, linoleum for the floor; for the dining-room windows, cretonne curtains; for the bedrooms (12), muslin curtains; and for the ladies' sittingroom, one couch, two easy-chairs, two small chairs, and curtains and poles for the windows ; these, with cretonne for covering couch and chairs in different rooms, have all been supplied new, and will arrive at the Hermitage on the 27th April. When all these are put down, and in their places, they will make the house very comfortable indeed, and for the next season everything will be in proper order for visitors. The repairs going on for nearly the whole of the past season renctered it impossible for Mrs. Ross to have the house as comfortable as it is now. A piano and billiard-table are very much needed, and should be procured in time for the opening of the season in October.

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A supply of books for a library is also wanted, together with a supply of the daily and weekly papers. Fencing. —Mr. Ross has enclosed a paddock of about 35 acres, by erecting a length of 56 chains of six-wire and standard fence, for a sheep-paddock, and he has enough material left to enclose a paddock of similar size. Bush. —Though the greater part of the bush has been burnt, there is a little left near the house, and by next spring, when the blackness is washed off, and the Mount Cook lilies and plants are green, it will not look so bare as at present. Some cocksfoot grass-seed should be scattered over it in the spring. Mr. Ross also intends to procure some of the seed of the mountain-birch and sow it on the burnt part. Vehicle. —A light station wagon or buggy should also be provided, as during the winter season, if any one was hurt or seriously ill, they could be brought down with the Hermitage horses. This would mean a trap and a set of double harness, which would cost about £35. I may say that the Hermitage is now in good order, and will in future be fit for a large number of tourists at any time of the year ; and if it is properly advertised a very successful future may be anticipated. The coaching season should start on the Ist October, and not November as now, as the Australian people like to come over early, and get back home for the Christmas and New Year. Mr. and Mrs. Ross are very enthusiastic in their work, and take great pains to make all alike comfortable. The visitors' book contains many notes in their favour. The house and surroundings are well kept, and I do not think any more could be expected from them. W. H. Williams, Crown Lands Ranger.

APPENDIX No. 10.

REPORTS IN CONNECTION WITH PLANTATIONS OF FOREST TREES.

AUCKLAND. Kaingaroa Plains. On my last visit to the Rotorua and Taupo district I embraced the opportunity of examining the experimental plantations. The one between Taupo and Rangitaiki is only now in progress. The principal reason for so great a delay was the amount of work in hand in connection with the roads, and more especially, lately, with the floods along the Napier Road. Along the Galatea Road there are three plantations of 5 acres each, and the trees therein looked exceedingly well. The only failures that did take place were in connection with the bluegums and the native totara; but lam informed by Mr. Fairley, who had the work in hand, that he never expected the blue-gums to succeed; the young trees had evidently been too long on the road, for they showed signs of failing before they were put in the ground. Similar reasons account for the failure of the young totara trees —too long a time had elapsed between their being lifted and planted; but the spruce, larch, oaks, sycamore, ash, golden willow, red-gum, chestnut, and pines are everything that could be desired. They looked splendid, although immediately after they were planted there succeeded a long drought, and, as Mr. Fairley informed me, he feared that the whole of them would prove a failure. One acre also of Chewing's fescue has been sown on the Galatea Road. It is coming on, but somewhat slowly. I am exceedingly pleased with the tree plantations, and I am personally satisfied that they will prove a complete and great success. The one at Turakenga also, where 15 acres were planted, looks very well. The plantation at Mamaku, 6 acres, lam informed is in fair condition ; but the young trees in the bush are getting very thin and lanky in appearance. What they evidently want is sunlight. However, it is perhaps too soon to speak of the success or otherwise of plantations in forests. Along the Galatea Road, as already stated, there are three plantations of 5 acres each, which of course increase the cost per acre, inasmuch as there is so much more fencing connected therewith than with the 15-acre plantation at Turakenga. The cost of the plantation along the Galatea Road comes in round numbers to about £12 per acre. The cost of the plantation at Turakenga is about £5 10s. Of course there was a very much heavier expense connected with the Galatea plantations in connection with freight, cartage, &c. I have gone carefully into calculation and find that a square mile (640 acres) can be fenced and planted at the rate of £4 per acre exclusive of cost of trees, and I strongly recommend the Government to face this matter and set about immediately to put the Kaingoroa Plains to good use by planting at least six square miles every year. The £4 expenditure per acre will in thirty years (allowing compound interest) swell up to £16 per acre, and against this there would be an acre of trees, or allowing an average of 30 ft. between the trees, there would be seventy-five trees per acre. The value of fifteen of these would fully cover the £16 cost to the Government and leave the value of sixty trees per acre, or deducting the expense of cutting, removal, and disposal, leave a profit of about fifty trees per acre. This planting of our pumice lands should be carried on continuously; no less than six square miles should be planted every year, thus securing a forest plantation of about two hundred sqifare miles in thirty years, when some of the timbers will be large enough for cutting, and thence-

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forward would arise a steady increasing revenue to the Government, which in less than fifteen years would reimburse the Government for all the outlay incurred during the preceding thirty years. The planting I would suggest not to be continuous, but somewhat in the shape of a chessboard, one mile planted and one mile left free, and so on. There are other considerations upon which I have not touched, but which may strongly be urged in favour of carrying out the plan I suggest—one of these is, that the planting of deciduous trees will probably improve the unplanted portions of the plains to such an extent as to make them fit to carry grasses which grow on poor soils. Gerhard Mueller, Commissioner of Crown Lands.

ROTORUA. Tree-planting. —As an experiment, on the Kaingaroa Plains three five-acre allotments, at Turakenga, and one nine-acre allotment have been cleared, ploughed, harrowed, fenced in, and planted with trees; and at Mamaku one five-acre allotment of standing bush has been fenced in, and lines have been cleared through the bush, and trees planted along them. A portion of the Rotorua Town Belt has also been set apart and prepared as above, and planted with trees. On these various allotments 12,600 trees have been planted, as follow: Ash, 3,600; larch, 4,200; spruce, 3,500; Abies menziesii, 100; chestnuts, 600; Pinus austriaca, 100; Pinus rectinata, 50; Abies douglasii, 50 ; red-gum, 100 ; blue-gum, 100; oak, 100; golden willow, 100. All the trees, with the exception of the gums and totaras, which were planted rather late, appear to be doing very well. lam told, however, by settlers who have made similar experiments that the trees thrive to a certain extent, but make no wood ; this, however, remains to be proved. Grass Paddocks. —Two allotments of one acre each have been cleared, ploughed, and fenced in different parts of the Kaingaroa Plains, on which it was intended to sow some Chewing's fescue and oats. The oats were sown, and a fairly good crop resulted; the fescue, however, arrived too late in the spring, but will be sown this autumn. The expenditure for the year for trees and grass has been £475 ss. 9d. Lands and Survey Paddock at Rotorua. —An area of 17J acres has been set off, cleared, and drained for this purpose, and will be fenced in shortly, all the material for which is on the ground. R. H. Reaney, Road Surveyor.

OTAGO. State Forests Branch. —ln appending the report of Mr. Matthews, Forester, detailing the work that has been accomplished by him between 19th August, 1896, and 31st March, 1897, in connection with the establishment of the central state nursery in the Maniototo Plain, I am glad to be able to state that this has been carried out in a most satisfactory manner, In starting a nursery in that locality, as' will be observed from Mr. Matthews's report, many climatic difficulties had to be surmounted, the past season having been one of the driest ever experienced in the district; but these have been successfully overcome, and there are at the present time approximately half a million of young well-rooted trees of species which have been carefully chosen both with regard to their suitability for the district and quality of timber. It will also be observed that an area of 75 acres intended for a forest reserve has been fenced with rabbit-proof netting, and is in course of cultivation for permanent planting, as is also an area of 25 acres. These areas have been leased meanwhile for cropping, so as to save expense in preparing the ground for the reception of the trees when they are ready for transplanting. Altogether, the necessary preparations for in due time planting timber trees in the Maniototo and surrounding interior districts are well forward, with every prospect of success in the future. Mr. Matthews has also carefully inspected and reported on the Tapanui district, with the view of establishing a nursery there, for which he has selected an excellent site, and also an area for planting, which he considers will be very suitable for the purpose, while of little or no value for settlement. The difficulties of soil and climate experienced in Maniototo will not occur in Tapanui, as the latter district will be found suitable generally for the growth of many valuable timber trees which can only be grown in special spots in the interior. I may state that Mr. Matthews, under arrangement with the Commissioner of Crown Lands, Invercargill, is preparing to grow in the Tapanui Nursery trees for Southland plantations. It will also be seen that Mr. Matthews has inspected land in the Southland District, both for a nursery and permanent plantation. I think Mr. Matthews is specially qualified for the position he holds, as he is enthusiastic in his work, and in every way capable of filling it in such a manner as will be a credit to both the Government and himself. His nursery at Maniototo is creating a great deal of interest in the district, and may be regarded as an excellent object-lesson for the settlers in that treeless locality, and which I trust will in time encourage many of them to look upon the planting of useful trees as an important part of their work in connection with the cultivation of their farms. As an indication that the nursery at Eweburn is attracting attention, I append a copy of a descriptive notice of the same which appeared in the Mount Ida Chronicle of the 6th February last. J. P. Maitland, Commissioner of Crown Lands.

The Central State Nursery at Eweburn. Immediately after receiving my appointment as Forester, on August 19th, 1896, I proceeded to Maniototo district to inspect various plantation reserves, with the view of selecting a site for the establishment of a central State nursery. Having reported thereon to head-quarters, I then received instructions to commence operations at Eweburn, and accordingly made arrangements

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for the supply of necessary tools, fencing material, &c. On the 23rd September a start was made on an area of 20 acres situated in the centre of Eweburn Township Reserve (a block of 740 acres), distant about one mile from the proposed railway-station. The choice of this locality was determined upon chiefly on account of its central position relative to the various plantation reserves in the district, none of which are more than ten miles distant therefrom; but soil, situation, altitude, and water-supply were also factors in making a final selection. The soils here are of various qualities, from heavy loam on an open clay subsoil to light friable soil on a gravel bottom. Neither of these characters of soil is sufficiently fertile to render the growth of nursery stock too luxuriant for successful transplanting. The site having been finally fixed upon, active operations were at once begun. The boundaryfence consists of hardwood posts, at intervals of half a chain, with iron standards between 8 ft. apart. Wire-netting is sunk to a depth of 6in. in the ground, and securely fastened to wires. At a distance of 3 ft. inside the fence-line a laurel hedge has been planted on northern and eastern sides, 30 chains in length, the total number of laurels required being 1,500, of which about 1 per cent, has succumbed to the effects of the exceptionally dry season. The ground for these was prepared by trenching 2 ft. deep and 3 ft. wide, all gravel patches met with being removed and good soil substituted. It is not intended to plant any tali-growing shelter-trees within the enclosure, as their presence would ultimately cause nursery stock grown to become delicate, and unable to withstand the withering blasts so prevalent in this treeless region. Preparations are at present being made for the continuation of hedge along remaining sides. Simultaneously with the erection of fencing, about half an acre was trenched 2 ft. deep for the sowing of various tree-seeds. Circumstances beyond my control prevented the performance of this work during the previous autumn, during which season it ought to have been done in order to allow of the rotting of the turf and the general subsidence of the soil by the action of winter rains. During the second week of November the sowing of seeds was accomplished, and in order to protect them from the scorching rays of the sun and blighting winds during germination, as well as to afford a covering during the hard winters experienced in this climate, semi-cylindrical-shaped frames were provided. These conveniences consist of two 18 ft. lengths of hardwood laid edgewise at a distance of 3 ft. 6 in. apart, and connected by half-moon-shaped bands of hoop-iron 18 in. apart. At right angles to the frames are three equidistant bars of ordinary standard iron, held in position by flush-headed bolts. From the centre of these bars Hessian canvas shades are suspended on either side, and kept rigid by fin. round-iron rods in 9 ft. lengths, the shades being inserted in the lower edges by means of a hem. These shades can be rolled up or down as the weather requires, and are taken off and stored indoors during the autumn until heavy frosts set in. Under the eighty shade-frames now in use there are approximately half a million of young trees, and although they are very dwarf, as a result of the exceptionally bad season experienced, they have abundant fibrous roots, a feature much more desirable than superabundant top growth. The principal species grown are Pinus laricio, Pinus austriaca, Larix europea, and Abies douglasii ; while in lesser numbers are Abies excelsa, Abies menziesii, Pinus strobus, Pinus ponderosa, and a few species of Picea and Eucalypti for experimental purposes. It may be mentioned that many of the common deciduous European trees—viz., ash, oak, elm, birch, lime, &c.—do not succeed on the Maniototo Plains unless planted in sheltered valleys at the base of surrounding hills, the cause of failure being frequent summer frosts, which kill the entire fresh growth of a season. Numerous examples of this are to be seen at various homesteads, where eight- or ten-year-old trees are found not to exceed 2 ft. in height. Poplars, willows, alders, and sycamores are also injured in the same way, but in a lesser degree. In the seed-beds, Abies douglasii (Oregon pine) has so far quite surpassed the other species in regard to growth, having made at least double the amount of progress that others have done, although the various seeds were sown at the same time. This valuable timber and shelter-tree (Oregon pine) has proved itself admirably adapted for planting on the poor gravelly patches to be met with throughout the plain, and good examples of its successful growth are to be found at Naseby, where it thrives luxuriantly in gravel tailings which are quite destitute of soil. Pinus austriaca, Pinus laricio, and Larix europea are growing in similar places, and give promise of good results. The ground for sowing next season's tree-seeds has been trenched and cultivated with vegetables and other green crops in order to bring the soil into good working-order, and a manuka-scrub shelter-fence has been erected to prevent damage from heavy north-east gales. An area of 4 acres has been ploughed and sown with oats, and will be subsoiled with the plough during the present autumn, and then sown with a leguminous crop to be ploughed in at the proper time. This portion is intended for lining out, during next autumn, the seedlings now in beds. The seedlings will remain lined out for one or two years, according to variety, before being planted out in their permanent quarters. At either end of the northern boundary large dams have been constructed for the storage of water during summer. These are fed by a stream flowing through the property, but it has, unfortunately, failed this season for the first time during twenty years. Provision has, however, been made against a recurrence of this contingency by sinking wells in the nursery (where even in the past dry summer the flow of water has shown no signs of diminution), and from these water can be pumped into the dams by means of a powerful windmill pump. This work, together with the laying of the necessary piping, has entailed considerable expense ; but the past season has proved that treeraising here without such provision could not be accomplished during exceptional seasons. The total rainfall since the inception of the undertaking has only been 4-91 in.—viz., October, 0-23; November, O'OO ; December, 0-58 ; January, 1-86 ; February, 0-25 ; March, 2-0.1. A commodious sun-dried brick building, 50 ft. by 18 ft., has been erected for the nurserymen's accommodation, together with workshed, stable, &c. Concrete floors have been laid throughout, and every convenience provided for efficiently carrying on the various works in connection with the nursery. Leading from the entrance-gates to and around the building a roadway has been formed and gravelled, ample provision being made for carrying off storm-water.

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Readings of barometer, thermometer, and rain-gauge are taken at 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. daily by the nurseryman in charge, and these should prove valuable for future reference. I have to express my gratification at the excellent work performed by J. Gleeson and A. W. Roberts (nurserymen), who have also rendered the duties of supervision extremely agreeable to me. Other Forest Reserves. An area of 25 acres on Section 3, Block XVII., Maniototo District, has been set apart as a plantation reserve, and is now under crop preparatory to planting. Seventy-five acres of what is known as the " Survey paddock," near Naseby, has been fenced with rabbit-proof netting, and leased at a small rental for cropping purposes during the next two seasons, when the young trees will be fit for permanent planting. It is also proposed to fence a portion of Gimmerburn Forest Reserve at an early date, and tenders will be called for the right to crop the enclosure for two seasons previous to planting. I need scarcely point out that, in leasing these areas for cropping, the cost of preparing the ground is not only saved, but a rental varying from Is. to 2s. 6d. per acre is obtained for the privilege. Tapanui District. —l have inspected and reported on certain lands in this district, with a view to the establishment of a nursery and the reservation of plantation areas. About 20 acres of firstclass land has been selected for a nursery-site, situate about a mile from Tapanui Township; and a small grazing-run of 800 acres, eight miles north-east of Kelso, has also been set apart for planting. Authority has just been received from head-quarters to proceed with the formation of the Tapanui Nursery. Southland District. —l have inspected and reported on several blocks of land in this district, both for the establishment of a nursery and for permanent plantations. Owing to there being no suitable Crown lands within convenient rail-communication for nursery purposes, I have suggested the purchase of, say, 10 acres at Longburn or Makarewa Junction, both of which places are eminently suitable for the purpose, and they also have railway - sidings running along their boundaries. No authority has yet been received to commence operations in this district. Henry J. Matthews, Forester.

Central State Nursery, Eweburn. [Extract from the Mount [da Chronicle, 6th February, 1897.] During a recent visit to Eweburn a representative of this journal had an opportunity of inspecting this infant nursery founded by the Government in the beginning of October. The project is so full of beneficently potent possibilities for the future of Central Otago that we are sure our readers will be glad of a short description of the progress already made. The nursery reserve consists of 20 acres, situated in the centre of the Eweburn Township Reserve, a block of 740 acres, which, we understand, will shortly be cut up for disposal. The chief reason that determined the selection of this site was its position, which is as nearly as possible in the centre of the Maniototo Plain. This central situation will reduce to a minimum the difficulties of the transport of the trees to their permanent plantations, and at the same time economise the labour of those engaged in the work. It may here be noted that the general plan for the future will be the planting of broad long belts of trees radiating from the centre of the plain towards the surrounding hills. Of course, water-supply, suitability of soil, subsoil, and aspect were also factors in determining the site. The boundary-fence, with substantial posts half a chain apart, and iron standards between, is rendered rabbit-proof by 1-J-in. wire-netting. A laurel hedge has been planted within the boundary-fence, and seems to be thriving excellently, giving promise of great value as shelter for the young trees. On passing through the entrance-gates, which are as neat and light as they are strong, one is at once struck with the surprisingly large amount of solid work that has been accomplished since the first sod was turned a short four months ago. Fencing, ditching, trenching, digging, planting, dam-construction, building, all have been making rapid advance, and about the place there is now an air of order and method as pleasant to see as it is profitable in operation. Nothing necessary for the success of our embryo forest has been omitted so far as foresight and observation can provide. A 6 ft. shelterfence of manuka scrub has been erected to the windward of the seed-beds to prevent damage by the heavy north-west gales. The ground underwent no other preparation for the reception of the seeds than trenching —not even manuring. For the protection of the young plants during the early stages of their growth from the scorching rays of the sun the beds have been provided with Q -shaped arching light iron frames like a half-moon, and extending from end to end of the beds in long rows. Attached to the ridge of each frame is a shade of canvas which can be rolled down or up on each side as weather requires, the canvas being kept rigid when in use by long iron rods inserted, in the lower side of the canvas. Of the frames just described, which are 2 ft. high in the centre, 3 ft. 6 in. in width, and 18 ft. in length, there are at present eighty in use. They contain approxi- i mately half a million young trees apparently in vigorous growth. By far the larger portion of the trees belongs to the Tyrolese variety of the European larch, a tree which has already proved itself, where judiciously planted, eminently suited to this district. As a timber tree, it would be a matter of extreme difficulty to overstate its value. When to this we add its great adaptability to nearly every condition of soil not wet, altitude, diversities of climate, its rapidity of growth and ease of culture, it must be evident that no other tree can be ranked on a par with the larch. Next in quantity is the Corsican pine (Pinus laricio), of which there are about a hundred thousand. This tree is of very rapid upright growth, well suited for planting even in the most exposed and wind-swept situations. A non-fastidious subject as to soil, it furnishes a valuable timber, and is cheaply and easily raised from seed. It may be added that one or two good specimens may be seen just inside the gate of the Anglican Church of this town. Next we come to the beds of the young Austrian pines (Pinus austriaca), another tree that has already been proved, by the fine specimens growing in different parts of the district, to be very well suited to Maniototo. Resembling the Corsican pine in appear15—C. 1.

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ance, it is of a more robust and spreading habit. Few soils, even of the poorest, come amiss to this tree, and, besides providing a timber of no mean quality, it is one of the best shelter-trees yet introduced. Large numbers are growing of the Douglas fir (Abies douglasii), which furnishes the celebrated Oregon pine of America. Many good specimens of this tree are to be seen in the recreation reserve, Naseby, where it is flourishing with remarkable vigour. Of the Norway spruce (Abies excelsa), about fifty thousand young trees are in the beds. This tree, which has already proved itself suitable to this district, produces the well-known deal of commerce. Amongst other trees grown in smaller quantities may be mentioned Abies menziesii, a rapid-growing tree with timber almost identical with that of the Oregon pine; Pinus ponderosa, a durable coarse-grained timber; Pinus strobus, and American black spruce (Abies nigra). It will be observed that from this list are absent such trees as Cupressus macrocarpa and Pinus insignis, and such trees as have a value only as shelter, and not as timber trees. The reason of this is, Mr. Matthews states, that on this point his instruction from the Government was to the effect that only those trees producing useful timber were to be planted. The above list will, we venture to say, prove that this instruction has been thoroughly carried out. Noticing a large number of young cabbage-trees at the lower end of the nursery, we learned, on inquiry, that Mr. Matthews has furnished these from his own nursery, and that when the planting season arrives he intends to distribute them gratuitously to any settlers who may visit the nursery at that time. We hope that during the coming season full advantage will be taken of this generous offer, for, to our mind, no other tree gives a home such a characteristically New Zealand look as does the cabbagetree. For the preparation of the ground for the reception of the young trees next season about 4 acres have been put into crop on the eastern boundary, where the trees will remain for one or two years, according to the variety, before being planted out in their permanent quarters. As a water-supply is an essential to the growing of trees in their earlier stages, we find, as we expected, that here, as in other departments, nothing has been left to chance. We learn that water can easily be got all over the property by sinking in suitable places from Ift. to 5 ft. In one place near the nursery, rising out of a gully, a fine supply was struck after half an hour's work, much to the surprise of a farmer who had worked on the ground, and who said that if he had known water was there he would have had it long ago. Just so. So would every one else who required it—if they knew it was there. But how could he know without a trial? And we verily believe that this farmer is not singular in thirsty Maniptoto. Close to the men's quarters a hole about sft. in diameter by 3 ft. deep was dug for rubbish. To their surprise, in the morning it was full of water. The hole was at once enlarged, and yields, even in this dry season, an unfailing supply. A Farringdon pump has been erected over this hole, and is connected by pipes with the seed-beds, which by means of a hose are thus provided with the necessary supply of water. A powerful windmill is being erected to raise water from this and other springs on the property. On the northern and higher boundary two large dams have been constructed to store water for use during a dry season. Even if the creek which supplies these dams should run dry, as it has done this season, arrangements are being made to keep the dam full by forcing the water up from the springs before mentioned by means of a windmill. A complete set of meteorological instruments is in use, and observations are taken daily at 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. As showing how largely the success of the nursery is dependent upon irrigation it may be mentioned that the rainfall since the commencement of this work until the date of our visit has been only 0-73 in. A large and commodious building has been erected of sun-dried bricks. In one end comfortable'quarters are provided for horses; next to the stable is the shed for traps —a very necessary convenience in this climate of extremes; the other end is occupied by the workshed and the men's quarters. The whole of the foundations and floors are laid in cement concrete, which, owing to the plentiful supply of gravel close at hand, has been found cheaper as well as more suitable than timber flooring. The rapid progress made, and the success so far attained in this new undertaking, reflects the greatest credit on the Forester, Mr. Matthews, and his two nurserymen, Messrs. Gleeson and Roberts, who, by the way, both served their apprenticeship under Mr. Matthews at his wellknown nurseries at Dunedin, a success all the more creditable seeing the work has been initiated in one of the worst seasons ever experienced in the Maniototo district. Of course it will be said, and truly said, that in this important undertaking its managers have only begun to climb the first brae of the Hill Difficulty, that the first winter and the planting process have yet to be faced, but the abundant precautions taken to attain success in its earlier stages favours the hope that an equal success will follow the later stages of this undertaking. In the meantime the thoughtful farmer who visits the Eweburn Nursery will meet with every courtesy from Mr. Matthews and his assistants, will see much to instruct him, and will, we trust, take home with him a number of new ideas on which to chew the cud of reflection at his leisure.

SOUTHLAND. Forest Plantation. —An area of 304 acres has been fenced and wire-netted in Seaward Forest for this purpose, and I would draw attention to the following report by Mr. Matthews, Forester, on the work now undertaken there. Shortly after my arrival here I asked Mr. Matthews to visit the reserve on which this planting is now being carried out, and his advice will be generally followed:— "In accordance with your instructions, I have inspected the Seaward Bush Forest Plantation Reserve, and now report as follows : One chain in width of bush has been felled around boundary and the underscrub partly burnt, but logs have been left, necessitating removal to a safe distance from fence-line before clearing. A large number of logs and stumps are abutting against fence from outside, thereby rendering the rabbit-proof netting ineffective by affording easy ingress. At

Plan of the summit of Gongariro

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the southern boundary another chain in width has been scrubbed; also about 15 acres on the southeast corner; but the burning has not been done in season, and undergrowth is again showing through, making the work of burning a difficulty, especially if left till the weather breaks. Trees planted last season have been considerably destroyed by rabbits—fully one-third of the total number having succumbed by having their bark peeled. Larch, Austrian pines, and beech seem to be the most affected. The oaks, ash, and chestnuts are overgrown, crowded, nursery stock, 6 ft. to 8 ft. high, and of crooked growth, and stunted. Red-birch are healthy, but have been planted too close to allow of anything like full development. This tree is also unsuitable for low-lying retentive soil. Totaras are doing very well, but have been planted like the other trees, with mathematical accuracy as to distance apart, irrespective of proximity to stumps or logs. lam not aware of any trees of true totara having been seen south of Tautuku River. Recommendations: A competent nurseryman should be placed in charge at the earliest possible opportunity; the scrub already cut on southern boundary and on south-west corner should be burnt at once ; logs on either side of boundary-fence should be removed to safe distance and burnt; scrub-cutting should be discontinued until winter; temporary netting fence ought to be erected along inside line of trees, and around clearing on south-west corner; a small portion same—say, J acre —should be mocktrenched for lining-out of young trees to be planted permanently next autumn, thereby reducing risk of transplantation to a minimum, besides stimulating the production of fibrous roots by removal; oaks, ash, and chestnuts might be headed down in early spring, and the strongest shoot left for leader; weeds and underscrub must be kept clear of all trees ; pits should be made as soon as possible for autumn planting of trees : this will allow the soil to sweeten before coming in contact with the roots; creeks and low-lying places ought to be cleared of debris, and drains cut to prevent stagnation during winter. Further netting used should be 42 by 16 by 1-J-, as per instructions from Surveyor-General. I shall be glad to furnish you with a list of suitable trees obtainable, and prices of same, should you desire it." D. Barron, Commissioner of Crown Lands.

APPENDIX No. 11.—EXPLOEATIONS.

MOUNT RUAPEHU. For more than a month I watched for a good opportunity to ascend Ruapehu, and, the fog at last clearing off, we left for a camp at head of the Manga-toetoe-nui, and ascended the mountain next day. First we went up the Manga-toetoe-nui, then along the watershed between it and the Wangaehu, and then, for the last 1,500 ft., up the northern glacier. This glacier was, of course, full of many and deep crevasses, containing many chambers and caverns of large size and great beauty—those to the right opening out into the Manga-toto, and those to the left into the Wangaehu, being all interlaced together. It was therefore necessary to travel backwards and forwards, in order to jump them. As we ascended, the smell of sulphur became noticeable, and when we reached the plateau was very strong indeed. . This plateau, on top of Ruapehu, about a mile wide, contained a lot of vertical holes, as if gigantic earthworms had been at work, which I attribute to a recent escape of steam, probably during the choking-up of Te Mari (mentioned below). The mass of ejecta upon which the trig, is placed rises about 200 ft. above the plateau, and was quite bare of snow. Steam, however, issued from many crevices in it, and the rock was quite warm in places; and stones kept falling off on to the plateau. Having ascended this mound, we looked right down into the crater lake, which was all boiling up, and of a yellowy-blue colour, somewhat similar to a sulphur flame. The dark-coloured steam crept round and round the edge with a loud, hissing sound, and, suddenly rushing into the centre, rose in vast columns, and completely hid our view to the eastward. Having erected a new trig, on the old site, and built a cairn, we went down to get a closer view of the lake. The fluid was only about 25 ft. below the eastern margin of the crater, and must have recently overflowed, as the Wangaehu Glacier was all coloured yellow. As the old trig, did not overlook the Rangipo country, we crossed to another peak, and while erecting a station there, a loud explosion took place in the crater, and the mountain trembled. We could not, however, investigate this, as we were now surrounded by fog and had to consider our return. It was rather difficult crossing the crevasses in the semi-darkness, but luckily when some way down the glacier we found our footmarks of the morning, and arrived in camp all right. After another long period of rain and fog, the mountains again became clear; and we then went up to Tongariro. On ascending, we gave Te Mari—from which dense columns of steam were arising—a wide berth; but after erecting the trig, we decided to visit the crater. As we approached northward from Tongariro we found the ground full of holes, like a sponge, from which steam had evidently been recently pouring out, lifting out rocks, &c. We descended until we stood right over Te Mari crater, and as it has, I believe, altered since the late eruption, I will describe it as it appeared to me. First, there was a large funnel-shaped crater, from which dense volumes of steam and some smoke rolled up. Immediately to the north of this was a large vertical steam hole, thudding and hissing with deafening noice, and throwing a large column of steam hundreds of feet into the air, far surpassing in force and size anything I have seen in the Hot Springs district. To the right or east was a huge rent in the hill, from which several columns of steam arose, and to the left was an immense pile of debris, ash, and burning sulphur, while to the north of all was a deep sulphur lagoon; the whole surpassing in grandeur anything I have ever seen. Attacked by vertigo and sickness we could not stay half long enough to admire it, and had to hasten on to fresher air.

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From what I could note I should say that a landslip had taken place last spring and choked up the old vent, the steam escaping along to Ruapehu, and that the recent eruption was merely an attempt to get rid of this. The surrounding hills for a couple of miles are covered with sand and ash, and the vegetation has been subjected to boiling water. There may be another landslip, and, consequently, another eruption at any time. The Tongariro crater lake was quite cold, and the Red crater between it and Ngauruhoe was only emitting two small steam-jets, and had one large mound of burning sulphur and a small sulphur lagoon. I have not been quite up to the summit of Ngauruhoe yet, but, from what I can see, the old trig, and the land adjacent have fallen into the crater. H. J. Lowe, Assistant Surveyor.

EXPLORATION OF ROUTE FROM LAKE OHAU TO PARINGA. The plan I now send is compiled largely from the topographical surveys of Messrs. Mueller and Roberts, of the Westland District. My own work embraces everything on the Canterbury side of the Southern Alps, but beyond the range is confined almost entirely to the immediate vicinity of the route itself. I should have liked very much to have taken observations to fix the heights of some of the peaks south of Mount Stokes, for neither Mr. Roberts nor I have so far been able to observe them very accurately, but they were never clear of fog. Altogether, we were most unfortunate in the weather ; it rained incessantly, and that, with the flooded rivers, made the trip very long and unpleasant. I found that up to the foot of the Huxley Pass a good, almost flat, horse-track can be made for a very small outlay ; thence down to where Matheson took his horses (see plan) is all open, and, although steep in places, with a little benching might be made good enough to take loaded horses along with comparative ease. Between that point and the bend of the creek is very steep, and only clever animals, accustomed to hills, would ever be able to go down it; beyond that, as far as the crossing on the Landslip Creek, all is flat, or gentle slopes, and there are no obstacles except the bush. After that the hill becomes steep again, but by cutting the bush it might be made fit for active horses, though they would not be able to carry very heavy loads. Onward from the top of the forest to Paringa the only real difficulty is the steep descent from the terminal face of the Otoko Glacier to the flat near the Roberts; for about 20 or 30 chains this is very steep, and it would cost a large sum to make it passable for horses. Down the Otoko the spurs are easy, and there are long stretches of flat, and very little more than cutting the bush and scrub is required to make it possible to ride a horse right up the Roberts Glacier. The passes are lower than any between Haast's Pass, at the head of the Wanaka, and Whitcombe's Pass, on the Rakaia. They are entirely free from snow in the summer. A very good foot-track could be made by cutting the bush and scrub along the route, and setting up a few marks on Solution Range. The distance from the fork of the Huxley to Paringa Post-office is only about thirty-two miles, and to the Powers' horse-track about eight miles less. Having to cross the Landsborough River is a great drawback ; it is a long way to descend (to about 900 ft. above sea-level), only to rise again; and when the river is in flood it is impassable, though if it is low it can easily be forded in many places. I judge from the marks that it sometimes rises 10 ft. or 15 ft. above the fordable level; this would, however, probably be in spring, while the winter's snow is melting. We found that although the West Coast rivers rise rapidly during heavy rains they fall just as quickly when it clears up. On this trip, after the Otoko had risen higher than it appeared to have done for years, it fell sufficiently in twentyfour hours to let us ford it. We examined several other lines for a better route than the one marked in the plan, and I have no hesitation in saying it is the best and only practicable one in that part of the country. Were the bush and scrub cut, a very moderate walker should be able to go from the Huxley Fork to Paringa it two days. The country we passed through was interesting in many ways, and the scenery fine ; the glaciation of some of the mountains presents quite a different appearance to what we are accustomed to in Canterbury, and generally form a complete fringe of ice round them. We have no peaks as low as Mount Dechen, so completely covered with an ice-cap as it is, and, as I remarked in reporting to you in 1890, it is the whitest-looking mountain I have seen. Mount Hooker is a very fine mountain too; it has the fringe of glacier, but the peak is quite bare rock, without any snow on it at all. The Landsborough Valley is wide and open, with many small grassy flats on both sides of the river; it would make an excellent place for deer, which would no doubt find their way down if a track was cut. We saw their spoor in the Huxley River, not far from the Pass. Mark's Flat, on the Clarke, with its springs and ponds; the Kea Cliffs ; the flowing of the Clarke River close past the Otoko Glacier, which it looks as if it ought to tap, but is divided from by a narrow lateral moraine; the marked stratification of Mount Matheson and the Solution Range, where the parallel strata of sedimentary rocks, mixed with large veins of quartz, stand most prominently above the ground, and look like walls; the terminal face of the Roberts Glacier, which nearly fills the Otoko Valley, and dams up the water of a small creek sufficiently to make a large pond, which was covered with tiny icebergs when we visited it; and the valley of the Otoko itself— all these are objects of interest or beauty. The upper valley of the latter is only about 40 chains wide, the 40 chains consisting of forest and scrub-covered flats and easy spurs, flanked on both sides by almost perpendicular faces of bare rock rising thousands of feet before forming a ledge, which, on the north side, supports a fringe of glaciers, and above that again tower the rocky peaks. There are only three small patches of open land between the Roberts Glacier and the terminus of the Powers' horse-track; the first is at the upper ford, the second on Jack's Creek, about 20 chains from its junction with the Otoko, and the third (where we camped) about half-way between Jack's Creek and Powers' track. Below that there are several even flats, on which the Powers run their sheep; the largest is just opposite the Paringa River junction,

TOPOGRAPHICAL PLAN OF LANDSBOROUGH AND CLARKE COUNTRY

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In the Landsborough are some fine birch (or beech— Fagus) trees, and a variety of others, besides shrubs, but no valuable timber. The forest-line reaches the same altitude as it does on the Canterbury side of the range, viz., about 4,000 ft. The variety of trees, shrubs, and ferns in the Otoko Valley is much greater; we saw birch, totara, mountain-pine, and most of the common trees and shrubs, but birch predominated. There are, however, very few trees of any commercial value in the upper part of the valley ; lower down red-pine is very common, and on the Paringa all the pines are fairly represented. The only plants I have not seen in other parts of New Zealand were a variety of lancewood with exceedingly narrow leaves, and a species of ground lawyer, or bramble, bearing a tasteless scarlet berry, almost If in. long, and-J in. in diameter ;in appearance, it is not unlike a large alpine strawberry. Rabbits are numerous in the Landsborough Valley, on the grassy flat immediately below the Huxley Pass, and there remain a few old traces of them on other flats on both sides of the river, but they appear to have died out or been destroyed by stoats and weasels. These latter vermin are very numerous, for we picked up several birds that had been killed by them, among others a grey and white petrel (several kinds of petrels go inland at night), and I saw a weasel kill a full-grown rabbit. The native crows and thrushes, which were so plentiful in the Landsborough seven years ago, have disappeared, and extermination will certainly be the fate of our charming New Zealand birds, for their confiding ways and habits of nesting in places accessible to the vermin make them an easy prey. The English blackbirds, thrushes, and goldfinches, which were numerous, are far too wary to be caught easily by anything. Already wekas, blue ducks, and robins are very scarce, though, strange to say, kiwis and kakapos are still numerous, but it requires an experienced eye and ear to detect their presence, because of their nocturnal habits; and it may be worth mentioning, as I have not seen it stated before, that kakapos, when feeding on grass, never swallow the fibre; it is invariably rolled into pellets about the size of a marble, sucked until it has the appearance of tow, and then put out again. We saw these on every grass-flat we visited, high or lew, from the Huxley Pass to Paringa, but they were generally more plentiful just above the bush-line, and nearly every night we heard both kakapos and kiwis crying out. On the Paringa, pigeons, kakas, and ducks were plentiful, but there were very few anywhere else. We found no gold, though the country looks to be auriferous ; quartz is plentiful, and there is an outcrop of it on Mount Matheson. Matheson says he found another reef in the Landsborough bush, between Mount Gow and Solution Hill; he also states, in his account of his month spent in the Landsborough Valley, that his party prospected the valley in a superficial way, but found very little gold. Below Jack's Creek we saw a prospector's holes in the bush, but lam told very little prospecting has been done. Mica is so plentiful in the Otoko it would be very easy to overlook gold. Directions for following our Route from Lake Ohau to Paringa. From Lake Ohau to the Huxley Forks requires no description ; it is smooth river-bed or grassy flats all the way, and can be ridden over with ease and comfort. Although horses have been taken over the Huxley Pass, and a track cut up the river where necessary to enable this to be done, it is only waste of time to take them beyond the slip about a mile higher than the forks; from there the track can be followed on foot for some distance, and the east bank of the stream should be kept till the crossing-place marked on the plan is arrived at. Time can be saved in one or two places at the bends by going through the bush, and if the proper places are chosen for doing this flat leads will be found. After crossing the Huxley, and climbing the burnt spur on to the flat immediately below the pass, cross the creek flowing from the glacier on the west and follow the smooth lead between it and the steep face of the pass westwards for about 20 chains, or till the tracks made by Mr. Matheson's horses are seen; they lead upwards in an easterly direction, and do not turn westward until they reach the crown of a leading spur above a small pond. From there to the summit of the pass follow the natural trend of the country. When descending on the other side, after going down a few hundred feet strike along a grassy ridge in an easterly direction, cross the creek, and keep about half-way between it and the rocky and precipitous side of the mountain until within 20 chains of the bush ; then follow the grassy spur down to the creek, and the creek down to Matheson's old camp, marked by poles and fireplace; cross there, and ascend some 50 ft. to a point above a steep bank, where an open place will be found in a hollow, and a few chains down is where we camped. It is most important to keep upwards, in a westerly direction, from this point until the top of the spur is gained, otherwise difficult, not to say dangerous, places, which took us many hours to surmount, will be encountered at the lower levels, though it is easy going at first. The spur thus ascended should be followed right down to the bend of the creek, as shown on the plan. From there down to the open grassy flat on the Landsborough is easy going, and the creek may be followed if it is preferred, but I should recommend crossing it at the bend, and going down its western side. The Landsborough fords are good when the river is low, but as they often shift it is useless to describe them. The river is, however, generally fordable at the places marked, though during floods it is quite impassable. Until a track has been cut, the best way, after crossing the river, is to go up the bed of the Landsborough Creek to the bend, and afterwards follow the crown of the spur nearest the creek to the top of the bush ; then make for the top of Solution Range, going north-east so as not to do more climbing than necessary. Having arrived on the summit, keep the top of the range over Mount Matheson, and descend to what looks like the terminal face of the Otoko Glacier, and follow along the narrow flat in front of it. This is a rather peculiar place. The Clarke River takes its rise beyond the Otoko Glacier, and, though flowing close past, is separated from it by a lateral moraine. After reaching the end of the above-mentioned flat, which is about opposite the terminal face of the Otoko Glacier, a gradual descent must be made along the shingle-face to the upper edge of the scrub, striking it not far from the Otoko River. The route will be seen at a glance ; it is not nearly so difficult as it looks, and we found it—not the first time —in a thick fog and rain, and went down with heavy swags on our backs. From the edge of

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the scrub keep the crown of a small spur to the flat near the pond; cross below the terminal face of the Roberts Glacier, and follow the river as far as the open extends; then leave it and keep up through the scrub (the best line is not far from the foot of the mountains) till an open creek-bed, situated about a mile and a half from the glacier, is reached; go down this, and cross the river just below its junction and above a small island, where there is a good ford. From here onward it is a matter of taste whether the river, with its huge rocks to climb over, or the dense scrub and bush is followed. We did both at intervals, as appeared best at the time, but found it much quicker, as a rule, to go through the bush. We also travelled on both sides of the river, but it is best to cross to the flat shown on the plan, and follow the Powers' horse-track down to Paringa. T. N. Brodrick, District Surveyor.

RECONNAISSANCE SURVEY OF NEW ROUTES TO THE HERMITAGE. The following is District Surveyor Brodrick's report : — According to instructions, I visited the Mackenzie County, and thoroughly explored it for new routes to the Hermitage, and have now the honour to submit for your consideration four schemes for shortening and improving the road. It will perhaps be more convenient to give the total lengths of the rival routes here, and afterwards describe them in detail. The present road vid Pukaki is ninety-six miles long, divided as follows : Fairlie to Tekapo, twenty-six miles; Tekapo to Pukaki, thirty miles; Pukaki to the Hermitage, forty miles. By the Mackenzie County Council's proposed route via the Clay Cliffs and Burnett's the length would be fifty-nine miles; by Old Braemar Road to Burnett's, thence by new route same as above, the length would be sixty-three miles; by Lake Pukaki route, with steam-launch, the distance would be seventy-seven miles; and by bridges across island from Braemar to Jack's Creek it would be sixty-five miles. It is not possible to shorten the first route vid Pukaki by more than two miles, but the road can be made into an excellent one by the expenditure of sufficient money—from Pukaki Bridge to Birch Hill, by following the lake, by making slight deviations here and there, and by forming where it is required ; this might be done for about £2,500. From there to the Hermitage the road should always have a surfaceman on it, for no formation would ever stand. This part is, however, by no means a bad road. Following the lake round would make it a more interesting drive for the tourists than it is at present, and the long toilsome pull uphill for miles, only to zigzag steeply and awkwardly down to the lake again, would be avoided. The time saved by the new route along the lake cannot be estimated by the difference in the lengths of the two roads. The cost of the new piece would be about £1,400. The route vid the Clay Cliffs, as proposed by the Mackenzie County Council, from Tekapo to trig. L is roughly formed, but it is a good enough summer road, equal to the one now in use between Tekapo and Pukaki, with an excellent ford over the Fork Stream. From trig. L to Z very good gradually-ascending grades and a good ford over the Landslip Creek can be got, but from there to the Jollie River, a distance of about three miles, the grade could not be made easier than 1 in 13 without a zigzag. The Jollie would have to be bridged at the gorge with a one-span bridge from rock to rock of 86 ft., and a deep cutting made to get at it from the south side. From there to Block Point, four miles and a half, it is flat formation on a shingly soil, with the exception of 61 chains of side-cutting, half of which is very heavy. At this point the real difficulties commence, which are, in my opinion, so great as to condemn the route at present, because of its great cost, for from this point to the site of the proposed bridge across the Tasman (two miles) the river often runs right into the foot of the hills, and the only way to make it quite certain that traffic would not be interrupted is either to cut a road along the hillside (which has an average slope of 40°, and for one-third of the distance is solid rock, and for the remainder a loose mixture of rock and clay, which would most certainly slip when cut into) or to build it up with rubble along the foot of the hills. Indeed, I am of opinion that the latter is the only plan which could be adopted, and then it is probable that part of it would be destroyed from time to time by the river. Then comes the Tasman Bridge, of 35 chains in length, the cost of which would, of course, depend on the kind of structure required, which would in any case have to be very strong; and from there to the road (about a mile) is a high gravel-bank of old formation, cut through here and there by channels from the Hooker overflow and the creeks, which might stand for ages, but might, on the other hand, be washed away by the next flood. The road, with the bridge over the Jollie, could, at a rough estimate, be made at from £4,000 to £4,500, but the bridge would be a costly addition, for the pipes would have to be driven very deep. By the old Breamar to Burnett's Road, thence as above, the new formation from trig. L to Burnett's and the steep incline into the Jollie would be saved ; but the length would be four miles longer, and at least £1,200 would have to be spent on the old road to make it at all passable. The lake route : This seems to me to be the most passable of any. From Tekapo to the deviation the road is already formed, and is in places metalled ; and is, in fact, a fair summer road. No doubt, should it ever be made the main road, more formation and metalling would have to be done ; but it is no worse in this respect, than the coach-road now in use between Tekapo and Pukaki, which for a great proportion of its length is neither formed nor metalled. The four miles and a half of new formation to the navigable water of the lake can be made at a good grade for about £500, and a steam-paddle ferry-boat capable of carrying the coach and horses might be employed to ply between this point and Boundary Creek —say, one similar to those employed on Sydney Harbour ; or a simple steam-launch, to carry passengers and luggage only, would do very well, with a coach for each side of the lake. About £1,000 spent between the lake and the Hermitage would now make that portion of the road very passable indeed. I think this route would not be a very wearisome one-day journey to tourists. The distance would be broken and monotony relieved by the four

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miles steam across the lake, and with good horses the journey could be done very quickly. The number of horses now employed would be sufficient to run right through to the Hermitage, and the work for them would be much lighter, and consequently they could do it more quickly and better than at present. There should be three stages: Fairlie to Tekapo, 26 miles, say, four hours ; change horses; Tekapo to ferry-boat, 20 miles, three and a half hours; lunch and boating across the lake, one hour ; new coach and fresh horses to Hermitage, (27 miles) say, four hours and a half : total, thirteen hours—say, from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. I have estimated the journey at the low rate of six miles an hour, which speed could always be maintained without fail. Should a weekly service only be required, each horse would not have to travel more than a maximum of fifty-four miles and minimum of forty miles per week. At present they are doing eighty, and some of them a hundred and sixty, which accounts for their poorness, and utter inability to do the journey in a reasonable time. And yet the company has at least four sets of horses. There is deep water at both sides of Lake Pukaki at the points indicated as landing-places, and only small stages, and a boathouse, with a hut for the boatman, would have to be erected. I may say that enough horse-feed can be, and is at times, grown on the freehold at the head of the lake to feed all the horses that are ever likely to be employed on the road. It was no use making extensive and costly surveys, with exact estimates of the different routes, at this stage of the proceedings ; but I have measured all that was necessary to enable me to speak accurately in the general way that I have done, and this, I am sure, will be near enough for you to decide whether the survey of any particular route should be undertaken. If it is thought worth while to bridge over the Tasman in preference to any other scheme, it would be as well to consider whether it is not less costly to put the bridge across the two streams opposite Braemar, and make a raised causeway, protected by wire fence and willows, across the island and swamp. Both swamp and island are always wet, and at times flooded in places, but neither are ever in the slightest degree washed away. Sidney Weetman, Chief Surveyor.

EXPLORATION AND TOPOGRAPHICAL SURVEY IN FIORD COUNTY. As you are aware, the object of the exploration was to ascertain whether or not there was a practicable route to Dusky Sound from Lake Manapouri via the Spey and Mackenzie Rivers, as suggested by Mr. Thomas Mackenzie when he was out in that country, to ascertain the courses of the Seaforth and Mackenzie Rivers, and at the same time to sketch in the topography of the country thereabout. This would naturally include looking for any other passes that might be of use for roads or tracks from the lake to the sounds. Starting about the middle of January last with a strong party of six men, and provisions to last for three months, I pitched my first main camp at the head of the west arm of Lake Manapouri. Thence I cut and blazed a track up the Spey River to the Mackenzie Pass, and from there down the Seaforth River to Dusky Sound. From this main line I made several branch lines, taking out flying camps and ascending a good many hill-tops, so as to obtain the best views of the country, and points of vantage from which to fix the topography. On most of these points I built cairns, about 7 ft. high, which came in very useful as means of identifying the various peaks. To insure accuracy in the sketching of the topography I measured carefully a base nearly a mile long at the head of the lake, and from this fixed the position of Leaning Peak and two other peaks, and worked from these as a base, using for this work a 4 in. theodolite. The heights were carefully taken by barometer, and checked by reciprocal vertical angles. On my return I carried true bearings from View Hill, east of Manapouri, to Leaning Peak, and thence to a number of the tops on which I had built cairns; and also from a small base at View Hill I fixed the position of that peak. By these means I have secured a thorough check on the work. Judging from the nature of the country that a triangulation survey will not for many years, if ever, be carried out there, I have endeavoured to make a thorough topographical survey, and not merely a reconnaissance. The area included in the survey will be about 200,000 acres, and it is approximately bounded by lines running from Supper Cove, Dusky Sound, to Deep Cove, Smith Sound; thence to South Arm, Lake Manapouri; thence to point on the Grebe River five miles below South Arm; and thence to Supper Cove again. This will be plotted and shown on a map drawn on a scale of one mile to an inch. I have also carefully examined all passes in order to ascertain their suitability for roads or tracks. To do this involved a considerable amount of hard climbing, as the country is extremely broken, and it was very difficult to trace the course of the streams, as they branch and double about in a very eccentric manner. I returned to the main line to Manapouri, and then went up the south arm of the lake. From this point I cut a track some five or six miles up the Grebe River, and intended to have continued it through to Lake Monowai, but, very foggy weather having set in, I deemed it advisable to stop the work for this season. The trip occupied about eleven weeks, of which three or four were wet. No hitch of any kind occurred, and for this, in great measure, I have to thank the men who accompanied me, who proved themselves first-rate bush hands, and well earned the extra wages paid. The whole country travelled over is excessively rugged and broken, the valleys and sides of the mountains to a height of over 3,000 ft. being densely bushed, where not absolutely precipitous, and the tops to the west of the Grebe and Mackenzie Rivers for the most part bare broken rock, rising to heights varying from 4,000 ft. to 5,000 ft. To the east of these rivers, however, the tops are rather smoother, and those on the east of the Grebe River are well grassed. The bottoms of the maiu valleys vary from a few chains to half a mile in width; the side valleys are mere ravines, with precipitous sides. When open patches occur in the bush they are almost invariably peat swamps. The valley at the head of the Seaforth, described by Mr. T. Mackenzie as a lovely valley,

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opening out wide, grassy, and sunny, with streams wandering through groups of shady trees, &c.,is in reality a large swamp, the peat and moss many feet deep, with rocky knobs projecting here and there, covered with stunted birch. In many places even the main valleys are filled up to a considerable extent with huge rocks which have fallen from the mountain-sides. These are now covered with moss, and the bush has grown over them. There is scarcely any land fit for cultivation. The timber consists for the most part of silver-birch, with the usual undergrowth of fern and scrub. Here and there patches of black- and white-birch take the place of the silver-birch, and occasional trees of black-, red-, and white-pine, totara, and kamai are met with. The whole of it is ill-grown, and quite worthless for milling purposes. I found no rare ferns; in fact, excepting the usual rough fern and the crape fern (Todea superba), the fern family is not well represented. Treeferns only occur here and there. Above bush-level the alpine plants flourish in large variety. At the head of the Seaforth I found three varieties of the mountain-lily, besides Celmesias, Ranunculi, Edelweiss, and others in abundance. In this country the absence of animal and bird life is particularly noticeable. One may travel miles through the bush and not hear or see a bird except a robin. But, still, there must be some ground-birds about, for at night we could hear the kakapo, and on various occasions our dog caught specimens of these birds, as well as wekas and large grey kiwis. We only saw one small kiwi, however. The rivers are poorly stocked with duck, excepting the lower reaches of the Seaforth, where teal, grey, and paradise ducks are fairly plentiful. I saw scarcely any kakas or pigeons. Of course, we all kept a keen look out for the takahe (Notornis mantelli), but saw no signs of that rare bird. Ido not know what to attribute the scarcity of small birds to, for, though the number of each variety was few, a great many varieties were represented, such as crows, saddlebacks, thrushes, tuis, canaries, wrens, rifiebeaks, fantails, and many others. English blackbirds were numerous in places, especially up the Grebe River. As a rule, too, in the bush, rats are very troublesome, but we saw very few, and were not troubled by them. Traces of rabbits were to be seen on almost all the hill-tops, even west of the Seaforth, but the rabbits are very few. Our dog caught two or three in the Spey Valley. Ferrets or weasels are evidently scattered about, and one of my men says that a ferret paid him a visit in his tent one night. Insect life is chiefly represented by the sand-fly and the blow-fly, which are everywhere in myriads, making the daylight hours spent in camp a misery. Fortunately there were no mosquitos. I noticed particularly, too, the absence of grasshoppers, having seen only one all through the trip; whilst on the rocky tops, where on a sunny day they are generally disporting themselves, there were no lizards. The geological formation of the country varies but little. The rock is chiefly gneiss, syenite, or granite, with here and there a hard mica-schist, and on the very tops of the peaks now and again, as at Mount Gladstone, small patches of hard sandstone. In the bed of a creek running from Wilmot's Pass into the Lyvia River I found a small boulder of white marble, but did not see any in situ. I prospected the wash in the valleys in several places, but got no trace of gold; nor did I see any indication of any other minerals ; but the country is so heavily bushed in the valleys, and the tops so broken, that such indications might very easily be missed. I was a little disappointed in the scenery. Doubtless a stranger would think it far grander than I would, who have been so much among similar scenery. When in the valleys one can see very little on account of the bush, whilst from the tops there is too much to be seen. The peaks in every direction are crowded and crushed together, till, looking over the scene, one appears to be viewing a petrified ocean, and a feeling of isolation comes over one. . But here and there are some fine contrasts. For instance, standing on the saddle between Lyvia and Seaforth Rivers, on the one side one looks down a grassy slope, starred with daisies and lilies, on to the grassy valley of the Seaforth, with " its groups of shady trees and pretty waterfalls trickling over granite faces from sparkling lakelets nestling in sunny nooks in the mountains " (as I have said, the grassy flat is a peat swamp; mais, nimporte, the picture is the same); on the other side is a sheer precipice of hundreds of feet, which rises to the summit of Mount Gladstone. From the foot the Lyvia River runs away through a dark narrow valley, between vast cliffs, huge mountains 5,000 ft. high towering on each side, whilst yet, to deepen the gloom, in the darkest part of the valley a sparkling lake is set. These lakes are quite a feature of this part of the country. They are scattered everywhere—some low in the bush, others right on the tops, but mostly near the heads of the streams, a little above bush-level. They vary from, small tarns to lakes over half a mile long. There are some fine waterfalls, too, notably one about four miles up the Spey River from Lake Manapouri, discovered by Mr. Mackenzie, and another on the Seaforth River, about four miles from its source. Here two falls come down side by side, and I have christened them the Twins Falls. As to the principal results of the exploration, they may be thus summarised : — 1. That the Seaforth River runs into Supper Cove, Dusky Sound, and is the same as the river explored by Mr. Mackenzie, and named, after himself, the Mackenzie River. (The latter name, together with the name Lake Ada, and the names given to a number of mountains, will therefore disappear from the maps.) That the passes or saddles between the Spey and Seaforth Valleys— viz., Pillan's Pass, Murrel's Pass, and the Mackenzie Pass —are unsuitable for through-road routes, their altitudes (from 3,200 ft. to 3,500 ft.) being too great; and the valleys leading up to them, being crossed by steep benches, and very narrow, render it impossible to get grades without immense expense in rock-cutting. Moreover, from the appearance and altitude of these passes, they will be covered in snow during several months of the year. It is, however, possible to make a foot-track by either Pillan's or Mackenzie Pass, and the former is the better, being a little lower, and the route more direct. 2. That no other practicable passes exist from Lake Manapouri to any of the sounds between Dusky Sound and Smith Sound. At the head of the Dashwood or Takahe Stream I discovered a good pass to the latter sound. The altitude is below 2,100 ft. above sea-level; bush grows on it; it lies well to the sun and north-west wind, and apparently the snow does not lie there long at any time. Easy grades can be obtained to it from each side without much rock-cutting, and the dis-

TOPOGRAPHICAL MAP OF PORTION OF FIORD COUNTY-WESTERN OTAGO

Mackenzie Pass (West Side).

From Saddle at Head of Cockburn, looking towards Dusky Sound.

Head of South Spey Valley from Plateau Camp, 2,900ft., Western Otago.

Looking North from Leaning Peak, Western Otago.

Gairloch, on the Seaforth River.

Head of Seaforth River, from Mackenzie Pass.

Seaforth River, at Confluence with Kenneth Burn.

Mountain Tarns, N.W. from Leaning Peak.

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tance between Lake Manapouri and the head of Smith Sound, allowing for windings of the road, would be, I believe, under thirteen miles. From the relative positions of Lake Manapouri and the sounds it is evident that no shorter route can be got as low. The pass from Te Anau Lake to Milford Sound is more than half as high again, and the distance between lake and sound more than twice as long. 3. That from the view obtained of the country from Leaning Peak it appears very unlikely that any passes exist between either the Mica Burn, the Aweburn, or the Truman Burn and any of the sounds, the general altitude of the country appearing to rise towards the north. 4. That there is a pass below bush-level, at the head of the Hauroto Burn, giving through communication between Hauroto Lake and Dusky Sound by way of the Hauroto Burn and Deadwood Creek. 5. That a low pass or flat saddle exists at the head of the Grebe River, giving an easy through route between the south arm of Lake Manapouri and the north end of Lake Monowai. I have not been at this saddle, and so cannot state its altitude, but it appears to be very low. I should be pleased at some future date to continue this work, either by boat on Manapouri or by boat on the sounds. I have obtained a few photographs, which, if on development they prove good, may be of interest, and I will forward you copies. E. H. Wilmot, District Surveyor.

APPENDIX No. 12.—WANGANUI EIYER.

REPORT ON THE WORKS CONNECTED WITH IMPROVEMENT OF THE WANGANUI RIVER FOR STEAMER TRAFFIC, UNDERTAKEN BY THE WANGANUI RIVER TRUST, AND SUBSIDISED BY GOVERNMENT. For the year ending the 31st March, 1897, there has been expended an amount of £1,915 6s. This included the construction of two new working-punts, each 60 ft. long and 15 ft. wide, built of kauri and totara timber, and each fitted with derrick and crab-winch for snagging and lifting stones and boulders, and for loading and carrying and depositing stone -in training-walls; the requisite tools, ropes, plant, and material, and working-gear for the punts and work; towage by steamer of stonepunts, and wages of working-parties; repairs to a punt got on loan from the Harbour Board for a time before the new punts were built; and the wages of labour on survey of river for two months. The amount received by the Trust for river-dues during the year ending the 31st March, 1897, has been £81 3s. 6d. A grant was made by Government this year of £1,600, of which £1,000 has been received by the River Trust up to the 31st March. The total amount expended by the Wanganui River Trust since its inauguration in 1891 has been £4,148 6s. 7d. Below Pipiriki, in the early part of the year, 250 cubic yards of stone were deposited in trainingwalls, and some snagging done. During the winter months, when the river was too high for general work, advantage was taken of the easy navigation in such a state of river to bring down by the punts a quantity of stone for training-walls, and, as this stone had to be brought from considerable distances, the use of one of the river-steamers was got for a time for towage of the punts in this service, as without this too much time in shifting the punts up and down the river would occur. By this means 1,820 cubic yards of large stone were deposited in different localities, and afterwards placed in position by the punts with working-parties, who also at the same time took out snags and large boulders from the channels at various places. Above Pipiriki, in the latter part of the year, work was going on in clearing channels and training currents in the rapids as far as the junction of the Manganuioteao, and in snagging as far as Tieke, about thirteen miles above Pipiriki. It was hoped to have completed this portion this season, but the unusual wet weather for the time of the year, and consequent higher level of water for a great part of the time, prevented this being done ; and the portion of the work requiring very low river, such as blasting papa reefs on the bottom and sides of channels, and blasting and removing rocks, &c, has had to be left till next season, when this is intended to be the work first undertaken as soon as the river is low enough. The months of February and March are usually looked to as suitable for low-river work, but this year in February only nine days' work was got, and in March also there was considerable disadvantage to work owing to the amount of water in the river. Viewing the comparatively short season of low river generally available for advantageous work, it was considered advisable to increase the number of punts, as without punts an increased number of men cannot be utilised in this work. Consequently two new punts have been added to the plant. This makes four punts, and will allow of four parties at work, and it is intended to utilise the punts so as to do as much work as possible when work can be done to most advantage —viz., at low-river periods. This season one punt was placed at the disposal of the Survey Department, who were carrying on work in the Tangarakau River. Next season it is proposed to continue the work between Pipiriki and the Tangarakau River junction, and probably also to have a punt and party below Pipiriki, going from Hiruharama downwards, and taking out such snags and boulders still desirable to remove, and which are to be got at in very low river only in various places in the channels, and doing sundry other work. In connection with the Tangarakau River, by request of the Minister oi Lands, the Chairman prepared a specification and called for tenders for clearing a light steamer channel, 33 ft. wide, for fifteen miles up the Tangarakau from its junction with the Wanganui. The Minister of Lands, however, afterwards decided, in the meantime, to clear a canoe channel only, and this work has 16—C. 1.

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been proceeding under the officers of the Survey Department. It is proposed, however, if found practicable, to increase afterwards the channel to make it passable for light steamer traffic. It is evident that the main highway afforded by the Wanganui River can only be made useful to its full extent by branch navigation such as this, where found practicable, and still more by roadlines opening on to the river where the nature of the country admits of this being done on either side of the river, as has already been done at Pipiriki. The river service by the two steamers " Wairere " and " Manuwai " has been efficiently kept up with regularity and completeness, except in a short period of exceptionally low river, extending from the 26th December, 1896, to the 13th January, 1897, when for three Tuesday and two Friday trips the steamer did not run the full distance through to Pipiriki, going only part of the way up. The risk of damage to vessel, and the labour involved in taking up and down boats of the size and weight at present on the river, in such low state of river, when the channels are of limited width, being considerable, besides the consideration that no cargo could then be taken. Mails and passengers were forwarded on from where the steamer remained by canoe service to Pipiriki, and similarly from Pipiriki to the steamer. The River Steamer Company are procuring a boat of smaller dimensions and lighter draft, which it is expected will obviate the occurrence of those few partially incomplete trips. It is satisfactory that, on this highway to the interior, hitherto we have not had to record any serious damage to the improvement works already done between Wanganui and Pipiriki, by the heavy floods occurring from time to time in the river; nor is it found that snags or timber have obstructed the cleared channels after floods (a few days work removing the small number lodged hitherto, on some occasions only), and this is remarkable considering the large number of snags that were removed out of the channels before they were practicable for steamer navigation at low river levels. This renders it hopeful that the river may continue a valuable means of communication, and one requiring moderate maintenance, not only for the distance now available, but for much further into the inland country. The maps of the river survey done last season by Mr. Lewis, of the Government Survey Department, from Kanihinihi to Kawana, near Ranana, have been prepared by him, but not yet handed over to the River Trust. It is desirable that this survey should in the meantime be completed as far as Pipiriki, a further distance of ten miles. This survey, made last season, shows not less than 2 ft. of water on any of the rapids or shallows at low summer level in the cleared channels. No doubt the Wanganui River is capable of much further improvement, although the limited means at the disposal of the River Trust allows of improvement to a limited extent only ; the means adopted being clearing the channels of snags and boulders, papa reefs and rocks, and confining and training the water over shallows to increase its depths in the channels at low river. Viewing the probability of the steamer service being next year extended to the junction of the Tangarakau River, on the right bank of the Wanganui Biver about twenty-six miles above Pipiriki, and eighty-three miles from Wanganui by the river, it would be well now to consider the improvement of the river beyond this, past the junction of the Retaruke, on the left bank, to the junction of the river Ohura, on the right bank, about fifty-two miles above Pipiriki, and about 109 miles by river above Wanganui. From information gained during a visit in 1885 it was found that there are fifty-six rapids of more or less importance between the Taugarakau and Ohura junctions. In forty-six of these the work of clearing would be moderate, many of them requiring little or no work. In the remaining ten the clearing would be more difficult. Training-walls would also be required in places. Between the Tangarakau and Ohura there were noted at same time twenty-four good, clear, main reaches of river, of varying lengths, occurring between the rapids. There is little doubt but that the improvement of this portion for steamer navigation is practicable in the same manner as in the portions of river already dealt with, the banks generally being stable and well defined. But it might be advisable to make the next stage of clearing continue fourteen miles higher up the Wanganui River, above the River Ohura junction, or to about 123 miles by river above Wanganui. There are forty-one rapids of more or less importance in this further extension. There are also numerous quiet clear reaches of river, and the general character of this part is similar to the portion above referred to. This latter point is where the more decided gorgy character of the river begins and continues downwards. It is about four miles above Whenuatere, and the Natives said a line of road could be got from here to Taumaranui and also to the Ohura Valley. Above this, for the thirteen miles by river to Taumaranui, the river presents greater difficulties for improvement for steamer navigation, and this portion may be left until the portions indicated are cleared and improved. Should the steamer navigation reach the point mentioned, about thirteen miles by river from Taumaranui (where the North Island Main Trunk Railway route abuts on the Wanganui River), communication might be continued by a road to Taumaranui, and thence by the road-line up the valley of the Ongaruhe River to the point south of the main tunnel, where the rails are laid to from Auckland. The Ongaruhe joins the Wanganui River at Taumaranui. The importance of penetrating with steamer service so far directly into the inland country, and the large extent of land which would be benefited on both sides of the river, need scarcely be more than referred to. The accompanying map shows the different points mentioned. P.S.—ln the Public Works Statement of last year it was mentioned that it was intended to continue the construction on the line of railway from Auckland as far as the junction of the Stratford-Ongaruhe Road. This is a considerable way south of the tunnel, and about ten miles from Taumaranui, so that there would be about twenty-one miles of road communication to be used between the point proposed to be reached by steamer on the Wanganui River and the rails on the railway to Auckland. Of the portion of this distance lying between junction of Stratford-Ongaruhe Road and Taumaranui, the District Road Surveyor says in last year's report: " Beyond the junction, to Taumaranui, the road has been maintained only as a bridle-road, but last month I had it made good enough to allow of an ordinary vehicle to pass as far as Taumaranui. There are five

WANGANUI RIVER. MAP TO ACCOMPANY REPORT BY MR. J.T. STEWART.

PLAN OF THE WANGANUI RIVER WITH LONGITUDINAL SECTION EXTENDING FROM KANIHINIHI TO KARATIA

Report of Wanganui River Trust.

Report of Wanganui River Trust.

Mr. G.W. WILLIAMS.

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fords on this road, all of which are good when the rivers are not flooded." This leaves, say, about eleven miles of road to be laid out and formed from Taumaranui to head of proposed navigation to complete communication. John T. Stewabt, Chairman, Wanganui River Trust.

APPENDIX No. 13.

SKETCH OF THE OFFICIAL CAREERS OF MR. J. S. BROWNING, OF MR. H. J. BAKER, AND OF MR. G. W. WILLIAMS (DECEASED), LATE COMMISSIONERS OF CROWN LANDS AND CHIEF SURVEYORS OF NELSON, WELLINGTON, AND SOUTHLAND RESPECTIVELY.

Me. J. S. Beowning, late Commissionee op Ceown Lands and Chief Sueveyoe, Nelson. Mr. John S. Browning, Commissioner of Crown Lands and Chief Surveyor at Nelson, retired from the public service on the Ist October last after a service of thirty-nine years. Mr. Browning went to India in September, 1844, as a sailor, and in 1856 came to New Zealand as captain of a vessel trading from Australia. He entered the New Zealand Government service in 1857, his first appointment being in the Public Works Department in Canterbury, as Assistant Surveyor and Draftsman. In 1859-61, as Engineer at Timaru, he graded and supervised the construction of and opened for traffic the Timaru-Waimate inland dray-road. In 1862, the Canterbury Public Works Department being broken up, he entered the Survey Department as Assistant Surveyor. In 1863 he gave evidence on a Commission to report on the best means of making Port Lyttelton a safe and commodious harbour ; and a plan which was submitted by him, and afterwards by the Government, to a commission of engineers in England, was recommended with a very slight deviation. That plan was adopted, and the work carried out as it now exists. In consideration of his services the Government gave Mr. Browning an appointment on the Marine Board, and he was appointed Warden of the Ports of Lyttelton, Akaroa, and Timaru, and notified to take up his residence in Lyttelton. It was found, however, that the Marine Boards Bill had been disallowed, and Mr. Browning returned to his duties as Assistant Surveyor. In 1864-65 he was sent to explore the passes of the main range between Canterbury and Westland for road-lines, when gold was discovered on the West Coast. His success here was recognised by his being appointed District Surveyor on the West Coast, with nine or ten assistant surveyors,.and he supervised the initial survey operations among some thousands of miners who rushed to the coast. In 1876 Mr. Browning received the appointment of Chief Surveyor from the Nelson Provincial Council, and when the provinces were abolished he carried out the present General Government system of survey organized by the late Mr. Thomson. He also assisted in the astronomical work necessary in laying down the true meridian required in the Nelson circuits as Geodesical Surveyor. In 1891 Mr. Greenfield was appointed Magistrate and Warden, and Mr. Browning took over his work as Commissioner of Crown Lands; and he has continued to fulfil the duties of Commissioner and Chief Surveyor up to his retirement. Me. H. J. Bakes, late Commissionee of Ceown Lands, and Assistant Sueveyoe - Geneeal, Wellington. Mr. Baker commenced his official career as a cadet in the Provincial Government Service of Canterbury in January, 1858. After serving in that capacity for three years, he was appointed Assistant Surveyor on the Southland staff in May, 1862. In June, 1865, he was appointed Chief Surveyor of that district, and retained that position until the union of Otago and Southland, when he was appointed Inspecting Surveyor of the same district. In January, 1877, on the abolition of provinces, he was selected by Mr. J. T. Thomson, who was then organizing the various provincial departments into one service, to be Chief Surveyor of Canterbury. In 1884 Mr. Baker also took over the duties of Commissioner of Crown Lands of the same district. In 1891 he was transferred to the Wellington District in the same capacity, and on the Ist March, 1892, he was appointed Assistant Surveyor-General, whilst still retaining the office of Commissioner of Crown Lands for the Wellington District. Owing to failing health he retired from the service in June, 1896, after a service of thirty-seven years. Me. Geoege Watkyn Williams (deceased), late Commissionee of Ceown Lands and Chief Sueveyoe foe Southland. Mr. Williams joined the General Government Survey Department in Auckland in 1862, and in 1865 he was despatched to Taranaki to assist in surveying the military settlements in that province. In April, 1866, he went to the Patea district and aided in the survey of the military settlements there, a work which was accomplished under exceptional difficulties and dangers, owing to the hostile attitude of the Natives, through which the surveyors engaged had several narrow escapes of losing their lives. On the termination of this work Mr. Williams paid a visit to the Old Country, and on his return to the colony went into business as a mining agent at the Thames. He re-entered the service in 1871 as District Surveyor at Patea. Subsequent to 1874 he was appointed Inspector of Surveys under the Native Land Court Act for the Wellington District. Whilst holding that office he accompanied the late Major-General Scratchley when surveying the different sites chosen by him for the permanent defences of the colony. He was next removed to Auckland as Field Inspector; and in May, 1887, he was appointed Chief Surveyor and Commissioner of Crown Lands for Hawke's Bay. In 1891 he was transferred to Invercargill in the same capacity. He died suddenly on the 3rd November, 1896, after a faithful service of thirty years.

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APPENDIX No. 14.

SANCTUARIES FOR WILD ANIMALS.

HAUTURU, OR LITTLE BARRIER, ISLAND. (Lat. 36° 12' S. ; long. 175° 7' E.) Aftee considerable difficulty and many vexatious legal delays the Crown at last obtained peaceable possession of the Island of Hauturu, or Little Barrier. This, however, was not carried out without the help of the Permanent Force, and the residence on the island for some months of one of the torpedo-men, and eventually the removal by a specially chartered vessel of all the live-stock on the island claimed by the Maoris. Having thus obtained possession, the next consideration was how to best carry out the object for which the island was purchased —viz., that of the preservation of native birds. This, it was felt, could best be done by the Auckland Institute, and it was agreed that the Government should grant £200 to cover the expenses of management for one year ; that the Institute should appoint a resident curator; that the Government steamer, when making her periodical visitations to the northern lighthouses, should, when convenient, call at the island and land stores for the use of the curator. A sum of £250 was also granted for the erection of a house for the curator upon the island. Since the island was formally handed over to the authorities of the Institute, Mr. Cheeseman, the secretary, reports : " The curator, Mr. Shakespeare, has maintained a strict supervision over it, and has taken care that no collectors have landed thereon. Rough tracks have been made to several of the highest peaks—some 2,000 ft. above the sea-level—and also to the eastern and western ends of the island. At present the northern side can only be reached by water, but it is hoped that during the coming summer a practicable track may be found across the centre of the island. Wild cats appear to be scarce, but a dog and several pigs have been killed—all of them, apparently, living upon the petrels and other sea-birds which visit the higher portions of the island for breeding purposes. It is satisfactory to state that land-birds are still plentiful. Mr. Shakespeare reports that the whole of those mentioned by Mr. Reischek in his memoir published in the ' Transactions of the New Zealand Institute ' for 1886 (vol. xix., page 183) can still be found, with the exception of the saddleback (Creadion carunculatus), which he has not yet observed. The stitch-bird, which is now said to be found nowhere else except upon the Little Barrier, is not common, but a few pairs can always be seen near the foot of the higher peaks. Bell-birds and white-heads, which have altogether disappeared from the adjacent mainland, are abundant all over the island. Nearly every gully contains a few pairs of robins, while tuis, parrakeets, riflemen, &c, are common enough. Material is being obtained for the preparation of a complete list of all birds found on the island, with remarks on their comparative numbers, nesting habits, &c. At the same time, a list of the indigenous plants will be compiled. A record will thus be obtained of the present position of both avifauna and flora. A large amount of the curator's time has of necessity been given to establishing himself upon the island. A garden has been formed, and stocked with vegetables. Preparations have been made for fencing some small paddocks, to prevent his cattle and sheep from roaming over the island. Improvements have been made to the landing-place, but much more is required to make the launching and drawing-up of a boat easy in even a moderately rough sea. The Institute would suggest that steps be taken to transfer to the island specimens of the huia, and other species not at present found thereon, and which there is reason to believe might be successfully acclimatised." I have nothing more to add to this report of Mr. Cheeseman's as it goes fully into the whole situation up to the present date. Geehaed Muellee, Chief Surveyor.

RESOLUTION ISLAND. (Lat. 45° 40' S. ; long. 166° 38' E.) Dusky Sound, 31st March, 1897. The following is an outline of my year's work: — Early last year I went to the head of the Sound and inland with Mr. Mackenzie's exploring party. In February my man went away for a holiday, and I went two trips to Cascade for birds. When he came back in May we camped out at Dry Point, Green Point, Mount Foster, Pickersgill, Fanny Bay, Beach Harbour, and several times at Cascade, generally staying about a fortnight to catch and transport birds, and then coming home to Pigeon Island for a shave and a drying and more " tucker." I enclose a tracing of the islands to show the position, number, and kind of birds liberated. We put out 273, making a total of 408 birds. There are many shallow estuaries about Dusky. In Goose Cove, Cormorant, Cascade, Supper Cove, Duck Cove, and Fanny Bay there are considerable areas dry at low water, with abundance of tiny shells and crabs in the mud, and swarms of green shrimps in every little shallow; yet very few ducks —only about one pair of Paradise and a few teal and grey duck in each cove—which may be accounted for by the almost total absence of grass, for there are big streams of fresh water to form those mud flats. With the wild weather here I foresaw we would be many a day idle at Pigeon Island, and decided to cut down bush and try a few acres of grass. The first year we were here there was a genial spring, and the neck of our peninsula grew splendid rye-grass, so that I was encouraged, though I could see the soil was peaty. Even now the grass grows fairly along our pathways, as if it required tramping, as well as more earthy matter. I hoped to have got goats for that purpose, but I find that I cannot bring goats here, and I am beginning to think that grass will not grow without the animals that need it. Moas may have acted that part on the East Coast. However, there

Sketch Map of RESOLUTION and Surrounding Islands Shewing distribution of Birds

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was a goat living at Beach Harbour in Breaksea Sound, and we went there to see his effect on the bush. We met him the very first morning, within a few hundred yards of where he was liberated a year before—a fine brown billy in good condition, and so tame that he followed us a little way for company. We stayed fourteen days bird-hunting; often met the goat, and had ample time to understand his work. He seemed to devote his whole attention to the kakapos' favourite trees (Panax arborum, Scheflera digitata, and another Panax). The first and best of these he uses very wastefully, by eating the bark and leaf-stalks, but not the leaves. Near where he lives the place is comparatively open, for it seems that most of this undergrowth can stand very little tramping. Then the unexpected happens, for there is more young Panax growing up on his beat than elsewhere, though I suppose he will soon stop that, or at least a few more of his kind would do so. On the whole, it was evident that goats would be bad for the bird reserve, but a blessing to the dismal bush on the mainland, where the ground bird cannot long remain, for the animals will get there somehow. When deer are liberated it should be near scrubby land-slips, or leading spurs, so that they would be more likely to reach the grass, for I am not sure that they would thrive without doing so. After a stay of two years and a half I went away for a holiday on the Bth December, and returned on the 29th January, finding Pigeon Island as I left it, with the exception that it had the appearance of a long spell of dry weather, which was a great contrast to the previous December and January, when it rained 28 in. and 31 in. respectively. Last February was also fine and dry, but unfortunately it rained very heavily just before we came home, and we could not get our patches of bush to burn well. However we gave our house a couple of coats of paint, including iron and shingle roofs. Since then we went to Cascade, shifted camp to the head of the harbour, and cut about four miles of track to get on to some high grass-land, which we did not reach on account of not finding the best way at first, and under-estimating the time it would take. Then, bringing a few birds, we came home on the 10th March, expecting the steamer to call and leave us a larger boat, which I have to receive and secure. The kakapos did not breed this season in Dusky Sound —not one of them, for there was no drumming heard. It is very curious that they can all come to such a unanimous agreement about it, and the fact is well worth noting by everyone that has an opportunity, because by-and-by it will not be believed. We saw plenty of opossum tracks on the trees around Beach Harbour, so that some of those liberated have thriven there. Rainfall for 1896.— January, 31-35 in.; February, 13-74 in. ; March, 1946 in.; April, 12-84 in.; May, 14-87 in.; June, 5-71 in.; July, 9-81 in.; August, 8-80 in. ; September, 15-57 in. ; October, 16-61 in. ; November, 11-04 in. I have, &c, Richaed Henby.

Dusky Sound, 7th August, 1896. So far we have had a beautifully fine winter—very light frosts and bright sunny days—sometimes a fortnight without rain. We were out often until the 7th July, and put out about sixty birds on the islands. I had given up " our farm " as useless even for goats after the wet of last summer, but now I think the mildness of the winter will make up for the wet of the summer. On the coldest mornings the temperature of the sea-water is 50°, and as yet not a speck of snow on Pigeon Island this year, and it never feels cold. About the house and along our pathways the grass grows well, and keeps growing all the winter, but where the peaty soil is very loose it does not thrive, and lately I have been thinking that the tramping of animals may be of use to the grass. Since we came home we have been cutting up and burning our fallen bush, and, though it is such a little piece, it may yet be valuable to give animals a start. The surface of Pigeon Island is not covered with moss like the mainland, and the bush on it will stand very little traffic, for our few journeys through it near the house have greatly altered it for the better since we came, and a dozen goats would do more in a week. I would like something more valuable, but there is no doubt goats are the best pioneers, and in years to come they could be replaced by deer. Some one should have a deer-farm to supply others with stock. The month of May is the time to send animals here, because there are few sandflies and milder winter than in Dunedin. Details. On the 2nd June we sailed for a place we call "Green Point," about one mile south-east of Cooper Island. There are two large kakapo gardens, consisting mostly of Schefflera digitata (I do not know its common name), which bears a heavy crop of berries, and holds many of them until the end of winter. We heard many kakapos there, and expected to get a lot easily, but we only got eight one day and four the next. It was thirteen miles to Duck Cove, where we wanted to land them. We could not trust the wind for a return, so had to take camp and dogs; and then the twelve cages were enough to stow in our little boat, which is not roomy enough for that, but in every other way suits to perfection. Thus our thirteen miles was a two days' trip, because we cannot pull a dozen miles against a light wind in an afternoon; therefore we were five days putting a dozen kakapos on Resolution, and they were five beautifully fine days, so you may imagine what it would be in a spell of rough weather. I mention this because the explorers were talking about forty kakapos per day at Preservation. Hunting. —Hunting with a muzzle for live birds is quite a different thing to hunting with a retriever for dead ones. Our dog often drives a bird into a crevice among rocks or stones or up a tree where we cannot get it. And, again, we cannot go near a noisy creek, though it is often the best place for birds, because we cannot hear the dog, and if he finds a bird he will not come away, and we cannot find him, and have a very bad time of it. If we do not find him he will have the poor thing nearly dead, and only fit to chop its head off. Altogether, there is not much fun in the

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hunting. The kakapos from Green Point- were all splendid birds, both for beauty and size and rolling fat; but I did not prefer them, because they were changing for the worse. Green Point is a happy land for kakapos. Those from the west side of Cascade would have a change for the better at Duck Cove. However, they will probably be better off mixed up a little—that is, if they speak the same language, and have no tribal enmities. Last year we put nine in the same place from Mount Foster, and when we bring a few from Cascade there will be a meeting of very distant relatives. On the evening of the 6th June we went to Cascade, and came away on the 11th with ten kakapos and four roas. The latter we put on Indian Island and the kakapos we brought to Facile Harbour, east of Pigeon Island. I will get a map ready some day with the number and locality of all the emigrants marked on it. Lake. —On the 14th June we went down to Useless Harbour to have a look at our new lake that we saw from Mount Phillips a year ago. It has been like a phantom lake to us, because we tried several times to get to it, but did not succeed until to-day. It is about 300 ft. above the sea in the west end of the peninsula formed by Wahopai Harbour. The whole peninsula is a maze of abrupt hills and hollows, as rough as it could be, and the lake has no level or sloping banks, and I called it "useless" lake. It discharges westward down a very steep gully, more like a rift in a precipice, and that way is within a few hundred yards of the sea. Its area may be 200 or 300 acres. The water looks black and stagnant, and " useless "is a very good name for it. I thought it might be a good place to sow some of the Canadian rice you sent me ; that is why I went to it to-day. There is little or no water here suitable for the rice, but I may find a place yet. We only saw one pair of paradise ducks in Cascade, and there appears to be no grass at all, so we spent three days from the 17th June clearing and burning a little strip at the head, half a chain from the tide-mark, leaving a belt of scrub and flax for a breakwind. There are a good many acres there of a low swampy flat, covered with timber of course. It is not a very promising place, but it is sunny and sheltered, and may do for an experiment. Went to Pickersgill on the 20th and came home on the 22nd, bringing two roas for Long Island and eight kakapos and one kiwi for Resolution. We had the most beautiful weather, as bright and mild as it could be in Auckland. On the 26th went to Mount Foster, up at Wet Jacket, and only just got ready for work when the rain began, and it rained 8 in. in six days, and in every way our luck was all out, and we came away on the 7th July with only four kakapos and one kiwi. June was our driest month this year—only six wet days, and 571 in. of rain. I propose not to go out again until they (the birds) are laying, when I want to get eggs and embryos for Dr. Parker. I will do something towards boatshed, shingle-splitting, and piles, &c, and we have a standing job at clearing. Geese. —Captain Neal left me three geese, and I was very glad to get them for an experiment. I send you a specimen of seaweed very abundant here. It stands constant cropping, and is the mainstay of the rats. A lighthouse-keeper told me that a man could live on it for a while, and in theory it is just the thing for geese. It is quite soft when growing. If the geese will not eat it I will not keep them here. In October we gave up our clearing operations for good, intending to spend all our time bird-hunting. The first season we were here some seed dropped out of packing-cases, and the grass grew up to my knees, and I thought it was right for grass. I could see that we would be many a day weatherbound here and started a little clearing in hopes of a burn, but it would not burn ; and then, having done so much, I did not like to leave it, and spent a lot of time at it this season. Last season I took to be exceptionally bad, but this season has been worse for growing, there having been so little sunshine, though not so very much wet. On the 2nd November we went to a place on the south coast, which we call " Dry Point," not for want of rain, but because we could not get fresh water handy on account of loose stones. It is opposite the middle of Long Island, a good place for kakapos, but the greater part of it is too steep to walk on. Stayed fourteen days, and put over on Long Island thirty-four kakapos, ten kiwis, and one roa. Long Island is a good place for them, and we consider it stocked now. I enclose a tracing showing the number of birds put over on all the islands. I have written fourteen pages foolscap about woodhens. The only items of importance are that they are outrageous egg-eaters, and that they would probably be very valuable in orchards. If any acclimatisation society is willing to introduce them to fruitgrowers I will be happy to send them anywhere under your directions. I could get them from the islands where I put kakapos, so that they would be no loss here, and in the land they are going to their trustful manners would be security against their becoming a nuisance. On the 22nd November went to Breaksea Sound, to put birds on the north of Resolution. Our camp was in Beach Harbour, two miles east of Acheron Passage, a sheltered warm place where we had twelve dry days, and could go hunting without oilskins. It was only three miles and a half to Resolution, and, though the heads of Breaksea are protected by two islands, the waves came in at the least wind, and the tide made a confused sea at the head of Acheron, where we wanted to cross. Got over twice quite comfortably, and then had a rough passage. Of course, I should not have ventured only we had a lot of birds, and it was quite impossible to protect them from the sandflies, and that made me anxious to go. On the 26th November I liberated thirteen kakapos and one kiwi above Occasional Cove ; on the 28th November, thirteen kakapos and one kiwi in Occasional Cove ; on the 2nd December, eleven kakapos and five kiwis in Occasional Cove ; on the sth December, six kakapos, three kiwis, and one roa, a mile southward : making the total liberated, forty-three kakapos, ten kiwis, and one roa. We had a fairly good place for birds, but soon hunted out the best of it, and found it useless to go over the ground a second time. The first day we went eastward, and got nine kakapos, and the last day we were there we went over the same ground a long march, and only got two. The dog

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Can scent them a long way off, and seldom passes one, even when up a tree. Got several out of trees this trip. Of course, we went up and down the coast in the boat to all places convenient to leave the boat, but the greater part of that country is too steep to walk on. Beach Harbour is formed by two islands, one of which lies close in shore, leaving only a strip of water like a river. The other island stretches out in the sound, so that there is no sign of swell at the anchorage; and, though we could see smoking squalls out in Acheron, there was hardly any wind at our camp. There were a few pairs of paradise ducks about, a pair of teal, and a pair of grey ducks. There were also black oyster-catchers or red-bills hatching their eggs, and plenty of wekas about them, but the eggs are exactly like the stones around, and may thus escape notice. We saw plenty of moki, tarakihi, and sharks, but cod appeared to be scarce. One fine morning there was a grand parade of about a hundred grampus going up the channel. We saw them coming, and got up on a rock in the narrowest place and reviewed all their antics in the clear water. Some stood on their heads for a second, with their noses in the mud, as if after shellfish or flounders, while others evidently hunted swift fish with wonderful activity, coming up for a breath and going over backwards like a flash; and in one place there were about a dozen close together, flashing among each other in such a way that no fish could escape them. Many of them were over a dozen feet long and three feet through, and it took them a long time to pass by, so that we had a treat. Some often passed by during the fine days, and were nearly always to be seen spouting in the sound, and to be heard at night, as if they never went to sleep. At intervals one of them gives a short loud bellow like a cow, not for a signal, because they have a much better way than that. When we frighten one they all know it instantly, without coming to the surface for information, and then they will stay under water for a long time. On the north of Resolution there are no high mountains, many of the ridges and knobs being under 500 ft., and quite possible to climb, but all in ups and downs. There were small kakapo gardens, where we let them go, but in general that face next the sea is not nearly as good as where we brought them from. However, they can live anywhere this time of year, and over the ridges in the hundreds of valleys they are sure to find the conditions they require. And, on the whole, I think it is a safe place for them, because no one is ever likely to land there with dogs or cats, for there is nothing like a decent harbour for twenty-five miles of that coast—that is, east, north, and west of Resolution—though, of course, there are plenty of landings. Richaed Heney.

(Enclosure.) Fanny Bay. The last takahi which was caught on Lynwood was near a large patch of bog-pine known as " The wilderness" ; and recently I learned that the one caught on Resolution was in Duck Cove, where there are also patches of bog-pine—a sort of country that I never hunt, because there are no kiwis or kakapos on it. With this idea I thought I would have a hunt for a takahi, and went to Fanny Bay, where there is plenty of that sort of bush, and, as we were going on a wild-goose chase, I kept in mind that Fanny Bay was near Mr. Carrick's auriferous belt No. 4, so that we might have a chance of two birds with one stone. I think it is a gold country, but greatly tossed about, and we did not raise a colour. Sailed in there on 16th October, and camped in the second backwater, on the east side near the head, which is the only good camping-place in'the bay; and it would have saved us a lot of trouble if we had known where it was at first. On the 17th went up the river, which is a rushing torrent for about a mile to where it comes out of a little lake. This lake is over a mile long, and half a mile wide at its upper end, where it is deep ; but at the lower end it is scrubby and full of old stumps of trees, like others of its class on the coast. Perhaps the one earthquake caused all those landslips a couple of hundred years ago. We blazed a track nearly to the far end, and saw that some one had been there previously— probably Mr. Docherty, because he told us he found a route to Preservation, but did not say where. Above the lake the river comes for a mile along the foot of a great precipice, and then tumbles down several hundred feet in a series of falls into the south corner of the lake. South-east of that precipice I suspect there is a big lake, but it would have been a long day's journey for us, and it was so awfully wet we dare not face it any day that we remained. Spent three half-days hunting in the wet, but the dogs were almost useless, and we only got one kakapo. There were a good many black teal on the lake, all in pairs for breeding, one pair of paradise, but no wekas at all, though it appeared to be a good place for them, and we heard none around Fanny Bay. At night there were kiwis and kakapos calling on the west side of the river, which is very steep, but none on the east coast, which is better travelling. Swans. —When we came into the backwater there were a pair of swans with four little young ones, but next day there were only two. The old ones are such wild fools they go away out in the bay and keep the little ones swimming and hungry, until they fall behind for enemies, or die. When they saw me on the point, out they went again, but one of the little ones, through some one's thoughtfulness, got on its mother's back and went sailing away, while the other was left far behind. Yet they had lost them all next day. Perhaps a fish took them, or they may have got weak for want of food, and then the old ones left them. However, they are of no use in this country, and I have an idea that they injure flounders, either by eating their food or spawn. Fish. —There were plenty of groper in the bay. We got a flounder in one, and another had a cod-fish, which is the flounder's greatest enemy ; and a blue-cod had a lump of white blubber 2 in. in diameter. There were plenty of small fish like young barracouta splashing on the surface, but we could not catch one, or see them plainly enough to know them. Fanny Bay is the beginning of a great gap in the mountains on the south side of Dusky. We climbed Rocky Spur about 2,000 ft., and could see south-south-east turning east far enough to join the head-waters of Chalky and Preservation. It appeared to be a fine country for a waterproof

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explorer or prospector, and a likely place for surprises, but it is the windiest, wettest, and coldest place we have been in. This was the second time we had been there, and we took such a dislike to it that we packed up and came away on the 22nd westward, looking for a good camping-place, which we did not find for ten miles along the south coast —no place to pull out the boat except one on loose stones, where there is no fresh water near. So we put the kakapos on Long Island and came on to Pickersgill. Here we hunted two half-days in the wet, and came away with three kiwis, three kakapos, and one roa. The latter we put on Indian Island, and brought the three kiwis to Resolution. I enclose a sketch-map of Fanny Bay, which will give a better idea than either of the charts I have, on which there is no peninsula shown at the heads, but one of them has 50 fathoms marked where there is 50 acres of a peninsula 200 ft. high.

Appendix. On the 20th June we went round from our camp in Cascade to Pickersgill Harbour, and spent the day there. We got four kakapos, and had a good look round the old place. On our previous visit we could not locate the place where Cook moored his vessel, because there are several likely nooks. But now, having read up his account of it, we were able to fix the site of this landing-stage to within a few yards, and to realise the old story of the Maori sitting on the high bank abreast of the ship listening to the bagpipes and drum, and of Captain Cook conducting the chief to the stage : " But before he set foot on it to come into the ship he took a small green branch in his hand with which he struck the ship's side several times, repeating a speech or prayer. When this was over he threw the branch into the main chains and came on board." The berth I have marked is the only one where a ship could lie so close ashore and have a stream of fresh water " above a hundred yards from her stern." Crayfish Island is high and rounded, and all is heavily timbered to the water's edge. Cook's Creek is the most convenient watering-place imaginable, but the mooring was rather exposed to the worst wind here, from the north-east, for Indian Island is a mile away. There is plenty of rata, the best of firewood, and evidence that the wood-cutters have often worked there a great many years ago, so that sealers and whalers may have often called there, but I do not think it a safe harbour, though convenient in being near the open sea. It is a sunny and windy place, where old tree-stumps might last a century. Some of those we saw were old-looking enough to have been cut down by Captain Cook, and were only there now in form so frail that I could thrust the bill-hook through them. A Gossip about Fish. When we were going south to Cascade, on the 6th June, there were shoals of fish in all directions, especially east of Indian Island. Some were mullet and others " mendos," and others again that we did not know, but they may have been the horse mackerel, and, of course, there were larger fish hunting them ; also crowds of seagulls, with a few mollyhawks, gannets, and albatross. One royal albatross let us come quite close to it. The reason of all this show of fish is that their food has come to the surface of the water. It is the transparent whale-food, like a small shrimp, but it always darts forwards instead of backwards like the shrimp. They have a variety of dangerous names, such as larval crustaceans, &c, so we call them " squid." I used to think the red whalefood, in numbers, was the greatest race on earth or sea, but now I think the squid can beat them on that point, and millions of small fish have a standing dish for about six or eight months in the year. When the mullet comes up they ruffle the surface like a breeze of wind. The Mendosoma lineata keep wider apart, and make distinct splashes, and the mackerel splash more and travel faster than either. When a gannet takes a header into a large shoal and the fish all kick up at once the noise can be heard half a mile away, and the same when some enemy charges from below, so that they are very noticeable on a calm day. When going into Cascade Harbour a great flock of groper followed our boat, but would not take a bait. They had been after the mullet, I suppose. On the 11th June we went into a nook near our camp where we used to see a few groper, intending to try and get one to take home, but the place was just full of them of all sizes. The water was clear and calm, and we could see a long way down, and fish everywhere. A reef point with a frayed end was trailing in the water, and every now and then one of them would rush at it and give it a good shaking. We had fun with them for a little while, and caught four in about as many minutes; then a big one broke my line, but we did not want him, for we had more than enough for all, including dogs and wekas. They were a lively lot, and a fly fisher could have had grand sport with them, but he would have needed a large basket. The groper vary greatly in colour according to where they live, and this lot were mostly blue on the back, suggesting that they may have been a tribe of deep-water hunters after the shoals of fish. Sometimes we do not see a groper for months. The red whale-food came in here this year about the 10th May, and all the fish and birds had an extra. The blue-cod in particular were so gorged they would hardly take a bait, and must have been very hard up for room. Out of those great red armies few will ever return home, and it is a wonder they can always keep coming. They did not come in here at all last year. I suppose the water was too brown with all the rain, but it has been very clear since March last. I think the blue-cod always live in one place, and never travel far, because we can catch them in almost any fresh place, but after a while there appears to be no more cod there; even when we have not been there for months it is the same —either a few little ones or none at all. Yet they are very plentiful, especially along the south coast, and up the passage; but the refrigerating fishing-vessels will soon clear them out, and the fishers will have to depend on the travellers, for which there is a great abundance of food nursed here in the squid.

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When we were coming home from Cascade on the 22nd June, instead of the shoals of fish, the sound appeared to be full of grampus, all in a hurry on business, and I think there will be a lot of fish missing, for each of those great brutes require a large basketful for breakfast. But it is all fair. They will avenge the squid, and pay the mullet and " mendos " off in their own coin. I caught a shark some months ago with seven pieces of white blubber 4 in. in diameter in his stomach. Ido not know if a grampus has such thick blubber, but I suspect it came from one of them that got paid off like the mullet. If the grampus have such blubber they would be very valuable, but impossible to catch except with a net, and I would not be sure of that, because they are exceptionally clever and quick-sighted. But such a net might be useful otherwise, even if it failed to catch grampus. I know that many fish mature very early, but I never got milt or roe in a moki, though I have caught them at all seasons up to 16 lb. weight. A full-grown moki may weigh hundreds of pounds. It is said that its cousin, the trumpeter, does not mature under 15 lb., and that they have been caught up to 60 lb. weight on a line in 70 fathoms deep ; but there is no catching moki on a line, because they will not go near a bait, but are very easily netted, and I should not wonder if there were monster mokis outside Dusky Heads. 4th August: All fish appear to be scarce here now, though there are a few mokis ; and a few days ago we saw a shoal of Mendosoma on the surface after squid. The red whale-food has not all gone yet. There are a few butter-fish about, and I sometimes spear one 5 lb. or 6 lb. weight. The water is so clear that you could see the bottom 40 ft. deep. The Mendosoma do not come into shallow water now at night, and we cannot net them. It seems they only come in for security when there are many enemies about —that is, from November to May. Eichaed Heney.

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Table 1. —Summary of Lands Disposed of from Foundation of the Colony, with Total Cash received, &c., for the Year ended 31st March, 1897.

Table 2. —Lands opened for Sale and Selection during the Year ended 31st March, 1897.

130

District. J Total Area sold. Total Area granted or reserved under Acts. Total Area sold or otherwise finally disposed of from the Foundation of the Colony. Total Cash received. Total Area open for Selection on 31st March, 1897. Total Area remaining for future Disposal, exclusive of Area in preceding Column and of Native Lands. Auckland Hawke's Bay Taranaki Wellington .. Nelson Marlborough Westland Canterbury .. Otago Southland A. B. P. 1,910,980 2 15 1,133,188 0 37 334,604 3 37 1,983,296 2 21 1,264,055 3 28 816,886 1 16 60,986 3 0 3,113,149 0 18 2,082,198 0 17 • 1,549,145 1 11 A. B. P. 3,240,125 3 28 241,721 3 9 580,750 0 18 818,937 1 14 263,767 1 13 185,599 3 8 101,922 2 16 814,252 2 1 591,874 2 19 589,838 0 3 A. B. P. 5,151,106 2 3 1,374,910 0 6 915,355 0 15 2,802,233 3 35 1,527,823 1 1 1,002,486 0 24 162,909 1 16 3,927,401 2 19 2,674,072 2 36 2,138,983 1 14 £ s. d. 713,035 3 1 651,762 8 0 743,681 16 3 2,235,001 7 7 478,376 9 3 292,151 17 10 70,179 19 11 6,240,979 7 1 2,163,714 9 6 1,857,972 15 0 A. B. P. 496,705 0 0 44,257 3 36 73,499 1 7 119,501 1 9 302,400 0 0 5,580 0 0 77,225 0 0 63,731 1 1 83,960 2 11} 1,637,797 0 0|| 2,904,657 1 24 A. B. p. 1,918,307 0 20 413,691 0 0 461,018 0 0 904,463 0 17* 5,150,857 0 Of 491,268 0 0 331,056 0 35 1,592,534 1 39 5,450,602 2 33§ 577,481 0 0 17,291,278 2 31 Totals 7,428,790 0 9 21,677,282 0 9 15,446,855 13 6 14,248,492 0 0 * Includes 64,000 acres of barren hill-tops and worthless country. t Includes barren mountain-tops. t Exclusive of pastoral runs. § Includes 3,504,000 acres of barren mountain-tops, lakes, &c. II Inclusive ol pastoral runs.

District. Optional System. Cash by Auction. Lease by Auction and Application. Village Homestead. Village Lots. Pastoral Buns. Small Runs. Lease in Perpetuity. Perpetual Lease. Totals. Auckland Hawke's Bay Taranaki Wellington .. Nelson Marlborough Westland Canterbury .. Otago Southland .. Acres. 90,983 13,026 22,759 82,726 1,553 2,643 Acres. 1,307 19 143 157 195 9,842 Acres. 1,030 46 Acres. 34 276 Acres. 5 Acres. 47 1327 Acres. 3,381 16,410 33,364 Acres. 733 2 1233 Acres. 9J753 Acres. 97,439 76,862 56,266 95,560 108,148 493,740 3,128 301,376 438,333 161,440 1,832,292 415 106,400 475,698 20 2,337 3,200 3,128 15,419 4,974 5,520 6,053 14,929 26,850 122 369 400 4,425 21 ' 260 250 801 555 232,599 360,604 126,045 42,508 56,635 1,800 io Totals 156,435 261,522 12,554 6,217 1,916 15 1,348,673 35,207 9,753

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Table 3. —Summary of Lands taken up during the Year which ended 31st March, 1897 (exclusive of Pastoral Runs and Miscellaneous Leases).

18—C. 1.

131

Hawke's Bay.I Taranaki. Nelson. Marlborough. Westland. Canterbury. Otago. Southland. Total Area taken up during Year. Exchanges from Other Tenures during the Year. Revenue received for Sales, Rents, &c, on Lands selected during the Year. Area taken up during Previous Years to 31st March, 1896. Total Exchanges to 31st March, 1897. Total Forfeitures to 31st March, 1897. Total Surrenders to 31st March, 1897. Total Expiries to 31st March, 1897. Total Total Area held Revenue on 31st received March, 1897 : during Year Past and on Current Current and Previous Transactions. Transactions. Total Area made Freehold to Date. For Details see Auckland. Wellington. A. R. P.| 6,376 1 30; A, B. P. 1 2 26 A. R. P.j 21 1 17 A. B. p. 2,554 0 14 A. R. P. 7,827 2 7 A. R. P. 9,966 1 9 ; A. R. P. 115 0 17 A. R. P. 741 2 34 A. R. P. 812 3 4! A. R. P. 246 3 34 A. R. Pj 28,463 3 32 A. R. P. £ s. d. 20,017 7 2 . A. E. P. 13,043,397 2 37 A. R. P. A. R. P. . , A. B. P.j A. R. P. A. B. P. £ s. d.j 20,682 7 6 A. K. P. 113,071,861 2 29 ?able 5 —Gash lands 6 - Deferred payments 1,285,187 2 18 61,735 3 28: 190,468 1 8 32,569 2 15 247,304 0 30 39,940 10 0 753,109 2 22 7 —Perpetual lease 9,105 2 28 9,105 2 28 330 13 3|| : 1,327,414 0 8 150,798 2 22 150,171 1 321 91,990 3 0 632,045 2 3j: J26,461 5 11 311,513 1 19 8 —Occupation with right of purchase 9 —Lease in perpetuity 22,384 1 15 2,423 0 0 5,479 2 0 20,392 1 28! 3,546 2 17 126 0 0 362 0 01 240 0 0 2,838 1 39 1,855 2 1 59,647 3 20 1,283 6 4 322,554 3 31 300 0 0 20,316 2 31 16,251 0 2 345,335 0 18! I 8,772 17 6 9,327 3 10 | 4,173 2 0 6,264 0 0' 21,200 2 16! 3,087 3 6 1,893 0 0; 670 0 0 650 1 0 11,849 1 19 3,108 2 4 62,229 3 15; '33,573 1 37 : 1,482 1 11 550,178 1 28 35,479 0 37; 24,336 2 6 586,165 3 37 13,671 18 6 „ 10 —Agricultural lease 13 1 0 13 1 0 0 3 6j 288,300 0 36 43,204 3 28 i 18,645 3 17! 4,177 0 26 80,475 3 31 1,636 0 10 241 7 0 140,173 2 4 „ 11 — Occupation lease under "The Mining Disbriots Land Occupation Act, 1894 " , 12— Village settlement, cash „ 13 —Village settlement, deferred payment „ 14 —Village settlement, perpetual lease „ 15 —Village settlement, occupation with right of purchase 16 —Village settlement, lease in perpetuity 17 —Village - homestead special settlement „ 19 —Improved farm special settlements 20 —Special-settlement associations 21 —Homestead 209 0 17 947 0 0 877 3 30 783 0 0 ; 2,817 0 7 23 7 10 2,931 1 19 55 2 16 5,692 3 10 31 17 9 113 1 3 18 0 1 32 3 2 13 26 11 3 6,969 3 18 26 11 3 6,973 1 31 14,841 0 11 98 1 39 i 2,013 1 83 134 0 23 1,472 1 38 564 1 9 11,122 1 38 6,822 2 3 491 1 34 [ 1,158 1 14 30 0 0 4,213 2 32 1,126 8 3 929 0 3 0 2 7 2 0 0 10 0 3 2 7 0 9 3 26 2 29 2 10 27 3 36 7 7 9 49 2 34 2 3 35 260 1 13 2 0 0 432 3 1 532 2 24 1,280 1 27 213 2 23 77 3 4 10,524 3 37 2,244 1 13 309 0 31 9,465 2 3 1,070 12 1 29 2 19 289 2 1 319 0 20 32 4 4 34,986 1 16 2,911 3 39 ) 11,170 1 5 ! 1,693 3 4 19,529 1 28 2,341 7 3 1,278 2 0 295 2 0 1,219 3 36 1,645 2 30 442 0 88 4,881 3 24 .. 41,739 0 34 I 5,828 3 30 ! 3,461 0 20 37,331 0 8 247 19 2 9,229 3 2 9,616 0 0 9,238 2 15 ! 28,084 1 17 . , 25 3 10 417,399 1 4 617 1 8 \\ 90,562 2 23 67,452 0 12 212,049 0 22 10,072 16 10 74,802 1 36 89,489 0 34 8,337 2 25; 643 2 24 4,377 1 27 76,130 1 38 „ 22 —Small grazing-runs 5,000 0 0 618 0 0 3,033 0 0 1,792 0 0 53,309 3 28 63,752 3 28 542 7 3 1,253,785 2 38 10,978 0 32 2119,010 2 37, 1245,602 2 30 941,947 0 7 20,570 4 11 Totals 48,805 3 34 11,945 0 30 22,001 3 12; 63,801 1 9 14,461 3 30 15,967 1 9 1,147 0 17 3,718 1 35 71,784 0 9 6,970 1 13 260,603 1 38 33,787 0 20 23,840 19 3 18,696,549 1 1 271,136 3 30 655,410 0 20, ,488,707 1 9 80,475 3 31 3,048,593 1 29 145,879 13 4 14,446,616 0 20 Cheviot Estate — Cash lands Lease in perpetuity Village - homestead special settlements Grazing farms Land fob Settlements Acts — Lease in perpetuity (village) Special-settlement associations Small grazing-runs 20 2 37 320 1 31 40 2 0 20 2 37 320 1 31 40 2 0 336 2 0 194 9 8 10 9 4 5,320 1 4 24,822 1 30 2,746 1 35 0 2 0 1,296 1 0 313 1 38 23,846 2 21 2,473 1 37 336 2 0 5,973 14 4 869 4 7 5,340 2 1 46,172 2 0 1,286 0 0 44,886 2 0 6,311 13 1 716 0 11 10,880 2 5 32 0 4 4,890 3 o! 2,717 3 0 14,587 3 15 6,208 1 19 5 0 2 2,376 0 0 42,377 1 10 37 0 6 10,540 8 5 22 9 2 40,784 1 8 427 3 39 2,799 0 9 4,989 3 5 20 0 2 288 3 0 i 1,194 2 0: 10 3 14 76,977 1 13 434 0 29 2,510 1 9 18,043 16 1 342 0 4 135 19 3 t 3,966 1 2 1,214 2 3 5,180 8 5 142 17 2 313 1 3 5,494 0 8] 158 10 6 Grand totals .. 49,522 0 5 22,857 2 39 22,001 3 12 63,801 1 9 14,461 3 30 20,858 0 9 j3,864 3 17 22,654 1 0 79,211 3 33 9,346 1 13 308,580 1 7 33,787 0 20 35,087 15 0 18,819,935 2 9 271,136 3 30 663,604 3 25: :489,912 2 23, 80,475 3 31 3,205,215 3 26: il78,O5O 13 6 14,451,956 2 21

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Table 4 .— Analysis of Holdings taken up during the Year which ended 31st March, 1897.

Table 5. —Return of Crown Lands sold for Cash during the Year which ended 31st March, 1897.

132

Aver ,ge Holdi: igs of Selectors. Description of Land. No. of Selectors. No. of Selectors No. of Selectors No. of Selectors under 1 Acre. 1 to 50 Acres. Acres No. of Selectors { No. of Selectors 251 to 500 501 to 1,000 Acres. Acres. No. of Selectors 1,001 Acres and upwards. Cash Perpetual lease Occupation with right of purchase Lease in perpetuity Agricultural lease Occupation Lease under " The Mining Districts Land Occupation Act, 1894 " Village settlement, cash Village settlement, occupation with right of purchase Village settlement, lease in perpetuity Village-homestead special settlement Special-settlement associations Improved farm special settlements Small grazing-runs Pastoral runs Miscellaneous leases and licenses .. .. .. .. > ., 375 19 277 278 2 48 129 143 73 3 148 163 14 6 54 53 I 11 10 17 18 5 56 41 2 25 "2 3 23 4 4 91 15 142 45 25 129 271 3 1 2 1 1 3 89 14 1 4 141 41 3 23 45 4 9 10 8 9 6 10 73 16 50 15 144 Total 1,725 186 538 ifi:S 150 79 109 Cheviot Estate — Cash Lease in perpetuity Village-homestead special settlement .. .. Miscellaneous Land for Settlements Acts — Lease in perpetuity Lease in perpetuity, village Small grazing-runs Miscellaneous 13 5 3 16 10 3 2 3 16 "3 376 11 2 22 4 4 194 7 Lll 47 20 3 16 2 1 1 1 Grand totals 2,173 207 779 78 198 99 112

Area disposed of. Average P: ice per Acre. Consideration rece: ived. Town. Suburban. Rural. Total. District. Number of Purchasers. Area. I Number ! 1 of Purchasers. Area. I Number •■ of Purchasers. I Area. Number of Purchasers. Area. Town. Sub :ban. Rural. Cash. Scrip. Total. Auckland Hawke's Bay Taranaki Wellington Nelson Marl borough Westland Canterbuiy Otago Southland 25 10 32 1 A. K. P. 53 0 26 7 2 0 8 0 25 0 2 0 10 1 1 8 1 A. R. P. 75 1 30 1 2 26 5 2 0 32 0 8 19 3 16 58 2 37 61 0 11 81 4 9 29 6 2 15 11 8 A. K. P. 6,247 3 14 8 1 17 2,313 3 21 7,807 0 31 9,966 1 9 115 0 17 *709 1 27 747 0 27 172 0 23 116 1 15 49 31 6 2 59 61 35 a. b. p. £ s. d. 6,376 1 30 7 11 9 1 2 26 I 21 1 17 50 4 7 2,354 0 14 ; 51 7 5-2 7,827 2 7 :30 0 0 9,966 1 9 ( 115 0 17 741 2 34 32 3 1-1 812 3 4 22 5 9-81 246 3 34 21 6 0 £ s. 2 13 10 0 6 0 6 12 3 0 d. £ s. d. £ s. d. 9 10 5-64; 6,999 0 3 0 .. 16 12 6 0 5 15 5 322 9 5 I 2-25 0 16 11-25J 2,577 8 3 0 0 7 0 2,701 13 0 0 9 0 3,661 3 3 L 0 12 4-7 125 2 2 L 1 5 8-6 J 1,928 15 5 ! 1-8 0 18 3-59: 1,092 16 9 6 0 19 0 648 17 2 £ s. d. £ s. d. 6,999 0 3 16 12 6 322 9 5 2,577 8 3 2,701 13 0 t-3,661 3 3 {125 2 2 §1,950 12 1 1,092 16 9 648 17 2 44 21 14 32 1 7 G 3 20 13 3 0 29 13 2116 8 4 3 7 2 Totals 122 0 38 63 28,087 1 26 375 28,463 3 32 I 20,073 18 2 147 254 1 8 165 21 16 8 20,095 14 10 i ianterbury •■ I 12 I 8 2 29 I 1 I 12 0 8 I I Cheviot Es )ate. ! 13 20 2 37 I 33 3 3 I 4 0 0 I I 336 2 0| i 336 2 0 * Includes excess area, 51a. 3k. 36p. ti t Survey-fees, £81, included. Su: I Survey-fees, £15, include § Survey-fees, £8 10s.

19—C. 1.

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Table 6. — Return of Deferred-payment Lands—Transactions during the Year which ended 31st March, 1897.

133

Foi ■feitures during the Year. Surrenders during the Year. Exchanges during the Year. Capitalised during the Year. W irici O m 11 3 CD Area. Yearly Instalments μ-i ■s ° S-2 Area. Yearly Instalments. I Area. Yearly Instalments. μ-i O g Area. • Yearly Interest payable. A. R. P. 101 0 16 £ s. a. 4 13 0 A. E. P.I 25,715 2 34! £ s. d. ;3,537 3 3 ■ A. B. P. £ s. d. A. R. P. 318 1 26 313 3 18 7,590 1 32 1,232 0 0 £ s. d. 10 2 2 7 4 10 175 15 8 50 15 0 Auckland Hawke's Bay .. Taranaki Wellington Nelson Marlborough .. Westland Canterbury Otago Southland 2 1 1 590 0 0 52 0 32 • • 48 16 8 2 12 0 143, • ■ 6 3 16 6 4 810 3 28 32 is 8 1 3 800 0 604 3 0 8 3 4 11 14 0 2 342 2 25 6"8 0 i i Totals 1,085 3 33 62 9 8 143 25,715 2 34 ! 3,537 3 3 810 3 28 32 13 8 10,139 1 36 263 15 0 Total Area 189' Capita held on 31st March, 7, including Jised Holdings. Freehold acquired during the Year. Made Commenc to 31S1 freehold f] jment of £ March, 16 rom System !97. Selectors in Ai 31st March, :rear on 1897. District. M-i O m w o Area. Yearly Instalments and Interest payable. Amount received during the Year ended 31st March, 1897. o m\ jo Area. J2, CQ Area. Total Amount realised, exclusive of Interest. <4-( O g s| S — ■3 CD Area. Amount. mckland .. lawke's Bay; 'aranaki .. Vellington kelson Jarlborough Vestland .. 'anterbury )tago louthland.. 241 35 242 •75 J 779 14 13 35 130! 162 A. R. P. 27,226 3 23 6,948 0 14 29,860 3 18 17,498 0 19 82,613 2 34 1,426 1 4 1,307 0 36 14,661 0 30 34,672 0 12 31,089 3 0 £ s. d. 1,398 9 10 376 12 3 2,380 4 0' 4,376 5 7 4,611 10 3 78 13 4 92 3 2 1,229 0 2 1,598 11 3 1,006 11 6; £ s. el. 1,886 3 6 1,296 14 3 10,179 2 10 t5,850 5 6 6,803 7 8 255 13 5 65 13 10 3,738 12 10 6,632 1 11 3,172 14 3 26 18 681 26 ; 141 6 5 4 48 31 A. B. P. 3,102 3 4 2,611 1 32| 11,359 3 7: 4,489 3 32 13,610 3 13 439 2 0 281 0 36 2,680 0 10 13,544 3 22 4,894 0 36 114 772 1,109 626 831 36 85 87 j 998 1,164 A. B. P. 15,071 2 34 78,533 2 19 127,205 1 29 120,022 1 34 68,736 0 35 3,212 0 26 3,209 0 39 13,134 0 14 160,300 3 39 163,683 2 33i £ s. d. 12,558 0 0 83,001 5 2 204,574 16 11 130,118 9 4 54,251 0 3 2,672 0 9 2,953 13 1 30,583 16 0 200,186 7 10 1230,111 5 6 83 7 3 4 A. E. P. 8,352 0 20 38 0 8 1,417 1 28 758 2 0 406 2 8 £ s. d. 487 19 8 15 6 43 0 6 38 0 9 27 17 0 7 1,045*0 36 135 18 1 14 17 4,135 3 0 2,468 2 26 74 13 7 98 16 10 Totals .. 1,726 247,304 0 30 17,148 1 4 39,940 10 0 373 57,014 2 32 5,822 753,109 2 22 951,010 14 10 136 18,622 1 6 907 11 11 * Includ' Includes l: is nin< hold. i holders of em irs of endowm< lowment land mt land: 375 1,522 acres ,cres 1 rood roods 8 perohes perohes; yearly ; year renta' ly rental, £220 8s. i, £41 19s. 6d. f Includes mdowments, £1,918 4a.

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Table 7. —Return of Perpetual-lease and Small-area Lands.— Transactions during the Year ended 31st March, 1897.

134

Taken up during the . Year. Previous Transactions to 31st March, 1896. Exchanges to other Tenures during the Year. jPorfeitures during the Year. Surrenders during the Year. District. si fell Area. Annual Rental payable. 1-3 Area. Annual Rental payable. "oS m Area. Annual Rental. Area. Annual Rental. o o 03 Area. Annual Rental. Auckland Hawke's Bay Taranaki Wellington Nelson Marlborough Westland Canterbury Otago Southland A. K. P. .. 19 9,105 2 28 £ s. d. 435 8 8 a. e. p.; 1,109 280,032 1 T 375 157,136 3 9! 544' 130,467 1 5 I 890 341,538 1 21 43 12,385 2 0: 19 3,358 1 29' 17 1,363 0 28 262' 87,357 3 13 959: 225,600 0 21 305! 78,174 0 35! £ s. d. 6,689 1 9 6,405 11 3 6,523 7 0; J16,682 15 9 294 0 0 105 19 4 70 5 8 5,950 2 9 ill,414 6 7 2,974 10 11 4 6 1 6 A. R. P. i £ S. d. 561 3 8 16 17 6 3,059 3 211 91 6 0 315 0 0 15 15 0 1,107 0 0 77 13 4 23 1 A. K. P. 9,859 0 19 165 0 o! £ s. d. 221 15 8 54 7 4 6 1 A. B. P. 19,624 1 13! 200 0 0 £ s. d. 14 2 10 5 0 0 I I 25 I 1 11,486 1 o' 226 1 32 860 7 7 4 4 9 1 129 2 32 3 17 10 I 3 IS 2 1,035 3 17, 67 13 10 5,918 1 6 226 7 0 321 0 id 15 6 10 3 9 3 1,095 1 12 2,307 2 8 160 2 32; 63 3 0 .. 80 8 4 10 5 12 2 .. 1,866 0 6; 70 17 0 '' i " i '' 435 8 84,3281,327,414 0 8 39 13,587 2 31 I 378 3 8 91 33,403 0 11 954 12 3 Totals .. 19 9,105 2 28 67,110 1 0 (II 12,448 2 14; 514 17 4 _J

Total Area held on 31st March, 1897. Amount received during the Y'ear ended 31st March, 1897. Freeholds acquired during the Year. Made Freehold from Commencement of System to 31st March, 1897. Selectors in Arrear, 31st March, 1897. District. o o r-\ q> Area. On Past "g o ! Trans- ri ~S ' actions. : Jz; -3 CO Area. a: OO Area. Total Amount realised, exclusive of Interest. Annual Rental. On Year's Transactions. Amount realised. °s Area. Amount. Auckland Hawke's Bay .. Taranaki Wellington Nelson Marlborough .. Westland Canterbury Otago Southland 724 151 249 390 42 11 9 107 494 169 A. E. p. I 184,508 2 30 69,182 2 5 62,762 2 18 156,041 2 25 11,965 3 8 1,796 2 7 692 1 321 17,450 3 10 91,950 2 16 35,693 3 12 £ s. d. 4,471 4 7 2,630 1 7 3,046 5 3 7,889 5 11 289 15 3 52 2 3 33 12 10 1,237 2 10 3,015 10 10 1,381 1 0 £ s. d. I •• 330 13 3 £ s. a. 3,933 0 1 2,695 5 3 3,198 7 0 J, 090 5 2 243 18 7 56 0 2 40 1 7 1,239 1 10 ! 3.802 17 11 1,153 0 lO; A. B. P. 30 8,474 0 7 25 9,678 1 29 38 | 7,840 1 28 73 34,741 2 26 £ s. a. 3,935 15 0 7,799 4 8 7,567 13 9 31,523 2 6 I 89 162 174 412 4 27 37 30 A. k. p. 25,377 2 2 70,093 3 2 42,818 2 10 155,226 3 0 194 0 0 300 0 0 370 2 36 2,530 2 9 8,176 2 24 6,424 3 16; £ s. d. 12,113 16 9 56,963 4 2 38,735 11 8 145,830 6 5 97 0 0 82 10 0 370 14 6 4,005 7 2 6,169 9 6 5,405 16 9 148 1 28 28 6 A. E. P. 36,260 1 34 218 0 0 8,448 1 37 15,967 2 19 1,306 1 23 £ s. d. 933 1 10 2 0 10 206 18 0 539 10 4 19 18 7 ■• 2 1 52 32 271 0 16 89 0 0 10,304 3 39 7,114 1 36 13 11 0 1 11 0 308 0 7 149 8 10 3 207 3 33 9 I 2,245 3 11 3 ' 838 2 27 348 1 0 1,806 2 0 597 0 0 Totals 2,346 632,045 2 3 24,046 2 i\ 330 13 3 53,576 18 11 937 25,451 18 5 181 64,027 0 1 311,513 1 19 1269,773 16 11 298 J79,980 2 4 2,174 1 0

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Table 8. — Return of Occupation-with-right-of-Purchase Lands taken up during the Year ended 31st March, 1897.

135

Taken up during the Year. Previous Transactions to 31st March, 1896. Fo: 'feitures during the Year. L Surrenders during the Year. District. CO CO Area. i Annual Rental payable. Area. Average Upset Eent per Acre. Annual Bental payable. *, 8 o o CO Area. Annual Bental. « g is Annual Rental. Area. Auckland Hawke's Bay Taranaki Wellington Nelson Marlborough Westland Canterbury Otago Southland 123 9 17 72 17 1 3 1 15 19 A. B. P. 22,384 1 15 2,423 0 0 5,479 2 0 20,392 1 28 3,546 2 17 126 0 0 362 0 0 240 0 0 2,838 1 39 1,855 2 1 s. d. 0 6-48 1 1 1 2-9 0 41 0 6 0 4-5 1 3 0 9-56 0 11J £ s. A. 606 3 8 131 2 6 312 9 10 1,183 15 8 63 7 0 3 3 0 6 15 0 15 0 0 94 10 4 89 9 6 728 60 80 264 61 21 100 101 A. b. p. 135,912 3 1 26,625 3 0 20,319 0 25 75,877 2 5 10,837 2 3 ' 1,009 1 13 i 3,889 2 13 3,542 3 32 18,163 0 26 26,377 0 33 | 322,554 3 31 £ s. d. 3,408 10 9 1,142 14 4 1,401 19 0 4,478 13 0 182 11 10 31 4 0 98 9 0 308 15 10 789 4 6 964 19 8 15 1 5 A. E. P. 2,763 0 14 270"0 0 1,208 0 0 £ s. d. 61 5 4 16 4 0 75 10 6 6 1 4 A. E. P. 885 1 8 230 0 0 1,674 1 18 £ s. a. 22 3 6 39 8 0 102 11 4 •• • 1 150*0 0 3 15 0 1 8 10 194 1 8 1,398 3 32 2,566 3 37 10 18 8 74 2 6 100 16 8 2 264 3 8 8 18 Totals J I 277 1,452 12,807 1 11 |. 8,401 1 11 ! 338 17 8 14 175 19 6 59,647 3 20 2,505 16 6 40 3,204 1 34

Exchanges during the Year. Total Area held on 31st March, 1897. Amount received during the Year ended 31st March, 1897. Selectors in Arrear, 31st March, 1897. District. oj - o Area. Annual Eental. O o Area. Annual Rental. On the Year's Transactions. On Past Transactions. *3 Area. Amount. Auckland Hawke's Bay.. Taranaki Wellington Nelson Marlborougb .. Westland Canterbury Otago Southland 1 A. E. p. 300 0 0 £ s. d. 10 10 0 A. E. P. 149,371 3 34 25,263 1 0 22,077 2 25 90,009 2 15 14,384 0 20 1,135 1 13 2,991 2 7 1,080 3 24 17,784 1 25 21,236 1 15 £ s. d. 3,777 18 11 1,153 11 4 1,487 0 8 5,289 0 2 245 18 10 34 7 0 73 2 10 86 15 6 721 8 8 808 16 0 & s. d. 188 19 11 65 11 3 147 6 8 736 13 5 26 15 7 1 11 6 6 6 5 7 10 0 57 16 10 44 14 9 £ s. d. 1,487 3 8 846 8 4 1,126 14 7 2,493 13 1 79 5 11 11 0 4 *88 1 6 73 4 111 609 11 li 674 7 9 A. E. P. 15,841 0 30 1,197 0 0 1,189 0 0 4,924 1 28 728 1 38 £ s. d. 296 2 0 10 12 11 55 19 7 243 18 11 13 6 11 800 64 87 321 78 10 25 12 95 103 i 109 2 6 17 i 7 4 283 2 34 4 17 6 ■• q 10 1,311 1 26 2,969 0 22 •• 42 11 4 74 9 6 ■• Totals 1 300 0 0 10 10 0 1,595 I 345,335 0 18 ' I 164 13,677 19 11 1,283 6 4 7,489 11 2 28,444 1 18 741 18 8 " Includes £40 survey-fees.

A—i

136

Table 9.—Return of Lease in Perpetuity Lands taken up during the Year ended 31st March, 1897. Ordinary Crown Lands.

Taken up during the Year. Exchanges from other Tenures during the Year. Previous Transactions to 31st March, 1896. Forfeitures during the Year. District. No. of Selectors. Area. Average Upset Rent per Acre. Annual Rental payable. No. of Selectors. Area. Annual Rental payable. No. of Selectors. Area. Annual Rental payable. No. of Selectors. Area. Annual Rental. Auckland Hawke's Bay Taranaki Wellington Nelson Marlborough Westland Canterbury Otago Southland 55 7 21 79 16 6 5 1 66 22 A. R. p. 9,327 3 10 4,173 2 0 6,264 0 0 21,200 2 10 3,087 3 0 1,893 0 0 670 0 0 655 1 0 11,849 1 19 3,108 2 4 62,229 3 15 s. d. 0 4-21 0 6} 1 1-4 0 Hi 0 3§ 0 6 0 5-4 0 4-8 0 7-35 £ s. d. 163 15 8 117 1 0 316 11 6 1,022 17 0 39 11 6 47 9 2 15 1 0 13 2 2 362 19 2 112 7 2 13 6 2 9 1 17 A. K. P. 1,273 0 35 3,059 3 21 832 0 0 3,101 0 32 3,574 1 28 13,064 2 32 £ s. d. 32 14 1 73 0 10 33 5 8 121 1 4 42 17 9 235 9 4 406 98 112 195 55 67 7 148 420 205 A. K. p. 81,533 1 11 54,344 2 17 33,135 3 2 59,483 1 14 I 11,113 2 0 i 29,983 2 14 590 0 0 I 83,120 3 39 121,514 2 19 75,358 2 32 j £ s. d. 1,866 2 1 1,673 17 7 1,804 12 2 2,477 18 1 155 19 10 605 7 8 11 16 0 4,182 16 4 3,860 1 11 2,485 1 2 14 1 1 1 13 24 A. B. P. 3,240 0 6 360 0 0 200 0 0 £ s. d. 69 13 11 13 5 4 8 8 0 23 21 _ 2 94 1,466 0 37 6,880 3 2 321 0 10 279 15 2 213 1 2 12 5 10 990 0 0 3,042 2 8 8,811 2 8 44 11 0 111 14 0 281 5 10 Totals 278 2,210 15 4 33,573 1 37 1,043 11 2 I 1,713 I 550,178 1 28 .. 19,123 12 10 Si 16,644 0 22 528 18 1 Cheviot Estate. Canterbury •■ I 5 I 320 1 31 I 11 7-8 I 186 14 6 I I •- I I 110 I 24,822 1 30 I 6,532 1 6 | I I Un ider the Land for Settlements Act; i i Auckland Hawke's Bay.. .. Marlborough Westland Canterbury Otago Southland 10 66 17 17 155 102 9 716 0 11 10,880 2 5 4,890 3 0 2,717 3 0 14,587 3 15 6,208 1 19 2,376 0 0 4 1-4 6 2 3 0 1 7 7 4-2 7 5-96 2 3 143 15 10 3,375 16 0 743 8 10 224 6 6 5,361 15 0 2,327 10 4 267 16 10 60 15 130 105 38 6,524 3 9 3,914 0 0 f 5,139 1 29 17,215 2 30 7,422 1 20 1,268 10 4 730 19 11 1,871 8 8 4,711 10 10 1,160 1 4 1 5 3 I 122 0 0 31 0 2 497 2 2 166 5 4 358 0 34 I 67 11 7 .. Totals 376 42,377 1 10 12,444 9 4 358 I 40,216 1 8 9,742 11 1 9 977 2 36 264 17 1 ..

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Table 9.—Return of Lease in Perpetuity Lands taken up during the Year ended 31st March, 1897— continued. Ordinary Crown Lands.

137

Surrenders during the Year. Total Area held on 31st March, 1897. Amount received during the Year ended 31st March, 1897. Selectors in Arrear, 31st March, 1897. District. No. of , Annual Selectors. Eental. No.of Selectors. Area. Annual Rental. On the Year's Transactions. On Past Transactions. No. of Selectors. Area. Amount. Auckland Hawke's Bay Taranaki Wellington Nelson .. Marlborough Westland Canterbury Otago Southland Totals .. 2 8 3 A. E. p. ■1,328 3 17 566 0 0 1,700 0 0 £ s. d. 12 1 3 12 7 0 { 87 0 0 434 107 120 268 72 87 10 159 480 189 A. E. P. 81,330 2 28 60,686 1 28 35,136 3 2 78,041 1 1 17,775 2 34 44,941 1 6 1,100 0 0 70,595 1 10 132,854 2 8 63,704 0 0 & s. d. 1,836 10 6 1,829 32 1 1,880 5 10 3,378 19 9 238 9 1 888 6 2 23 13 0 3,712 17 4 4,151 18 1 2,165 11 2 £ s. d. 81 18 5 61 0 7 158 5 9 636 5 3 65 6 3 141 18 5 *33 4 0 14 17 2 233 2 6 56 3 7 £ s. d. 933 18 11 1,275 10 10 1,219 6 10 1,434 5 6 76 1 0 98 18 7 54 2 8 15 9 1 3 34 28 A. B. P. 9,001 0 6 612 0 0 2,770 0 0 i 3,299 3 5 i 1,364 1 14 150' 0 0 2,535 0 0 12,576 0 32 16,284 3 17 £ s. d. 164 13 0 18 10 7 115 5 11 107 15 11 19 13 0 6,386"o 0 '' 603 3 14 626 3 30 •• i j 387 6 10 37 1 4 17 17 10 2,770 1 7 2,780 19 1 1,600 14 3 1 10 0 102 6 8 274 5 8 414 0 10 '11,211 2 21 553 14 3 ! I 1,926 12,189 16 7 154 48,593 0 34 1,218 1 7 586,165 3 37 : 10,106 3 0 1,482 1 11 Cheviot Estate. Canterbury •■ 1 I I I 111 J 23,846 2 21 | 6,393 8 2 | 194 9 8 I 5,779 4 8 | 1 I 265 2 0 I 14 0 U'i nder the . Land for 68 63 31 17 277 195 47 Settlements A* ts. ; 543 11 10 Auckland Hawke's Bay Marlborough Westland Canterbury Otago Southland Totals .. .. | 2 560 2 0 3 634 0 0 .. I 2 157 1 29 7 1,351 3 29 9 16 4 151 8 0 6,680 1 20 10,246 1 5 8,682 3 0 2,717 3 0 17,602 0 23 21,249 1 25 9,798 1 20 1,402 9 10 3,224 8 0 1,443 8 7 224 6 6 6,981 17 8 6,690 16 2 1,427 18 2 71 17 11 3,180 9 5 652 17 7 181 19 2 4,285 5 0 2,034 0 11 133 18 5 261 2 0 1,728 0 8 J3,948 17 4 1,021 15 10 17,503 7 8 4 ~6 11 682 0 0 184 1 29 2,842 1 15 8l'*4 0 50"l 7 509 3 0 19 IS 0 •■ 180 19 4 698 21 3,708 3 4 640 8 7 76,977 0 13 21,395 4 11 J10.540 8 5 * Includes £30 surve; v-fees.

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Table 10. —Return of Agricultural Lease Lands taken up during the Year ended 31st March, 1897.

138

Taken up during the Yei Exchanges during the Year. Expire: during the ,t. ear. District. I •2"° a ,2) j3 CD d CD s 5 ri O -1 O 111 a § Area. K CD R Area. CD M A. B. P. A. B. P. £ a. d. A. B. P. £ s. d. A. B. P. £ s. d. Luckland •• 19 950 0 0 83 0 9 Vestland .. )tago.. 2 13 1 0 6 2 20 0 7 0 1 129 2 20 12 13 0 5 446 3 15 43 12 0 iouthland Total Is .. 13 1 0 6 2 20 0 7 0 1 129 2 20 12 13 0 24 1,396 3 15 126 12 9 Total Area hel March, li d on 897. ilst Amounts received during the Year ended 31st March, 1897. Mad menci b Freehold iron iment of Syster March, 1897. Comto 31st Seleci ;ors in Arrei March, 18! ,r on 31st 17. District. s| ■2 o JZJCQ Area. 4. ■a J7<o 03 oj cfl § to a „» S O " '43 OS§ IS __£ P^ O w sj 1 Area. Total Amount realised. 03 o o <u 13 GQ Area. Amount. A. E. P. £ s. d. 1 l £ s. d. £ s. d. A. B. P. £ s. d. A. E. P. £ s. d. Auckland.. 7 625 2 27 30 12 9 67 1,739 2 10 590 5 0 Westland 32 279 0 15 488 12 11 Otago 21 1,010 1 23 91 7 8 0 3 6 241 3 6 1,319 130,574 0 24 130,983 14 2| 6 932 1 9 70 14 9 Southland 50 6,570 1 5 6,570 5 Oj Totals 28 1,636 0 10 122 0 5 0 3 6 241 3 6 1,468 139,163 0 14 138,632 17 1 932 1 9 70 14 9

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139

Table 11.— Occupation Leases under "The Mining Districts Land Occupation Act, 1894," taken up during the Year ended 31st March, 1897.

Table 12. — Return of Village-settlement Lands Disposed of for Cash during the Year ended 31st March, 1897.

District. Taken up during thi Selectors, i Area, I I Year. No. of Selectors. i Taken up in previous Years. [Area. Annual Rental. Annual Rental. A. B. P. £ s. d. A. E. p. £ s. d. Auckland 6 209 0 17 10 3 0 17 864 1 6 41 9 0 Marlborough 15 947 0 0 25 3 4 Otago .. 18 877 3 30 29 1 8 47 1,717 1 35 90 17 3 Southland 9 783 0 0 21 0 2 5 349 2 18 14 5 0 Totals 85 8 2 69 2,931 1 19 146 11 3 48 2,817 0 7 Surrenders during .he Year. Total An :a held on 31st March, 1897. Amount receii the Yei red during »r. District. No. of Selectors, j Area. Annual Rental. No. of Selectors. Area. Annual Rental. On the Year's Transactions. On past Transactions. A. B. P. £ s. d. A. H. P. £ s. d. S, s. d. £ s. d. Auckland 1 i 55 2 16 8 10 6 22 1,017 3 7 43 1 6 2 10 0 3 14 0 Marlborough .. 15 947 0 0j 25 3 4 15 5 5 Otago 65 2,595 1 25j 119 18 9 5 12 5 54 15 11 Southland 14 1,132 2 18 35 5 2 *119 15 0 Totals 1 55 2 16 8 10 6 116 5,692 3 10 : 223 8 9 143 2 10 58 9 1 * Survey-fees.

Amount realised during the Year 1896-97. To from C< ;al Area made immeneement 31st March, Freehold of System to .897. District. No. of Selectors. Area. No. of Selectors. Area. Total Amoun realised. lawke's Bay ?aranaki Vellington iarlborough "anterbury )tago Southland 2 A. B. P. 113 £ s. d. 15 0 0 248 308 262 9 166 102 558 A. B. P. 633 1 26 853 0 9 451 0 29 22 1 11 1,208 0 1 888 1 23 2,917 0 12 £ s. d. 4,127 11 10 6,935 10 9 3,276 3 5 75 16 10 5,481 17 4 1,746 3 5 8,905 6 6 1 1 l' - 3 18 0 1 32 9"6 3 2 5 0 Totals 3 2 13 26 11 3 1,653 6,973 1 31 30,548 10 1

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Table 13. —Return of Village-settlement Deferred-Payment Lands: Transactions during the Year ended 31st March, 1897.

Table 14.—Return of Village-settlement Perpetual Lease Lands: Transactions during the Year ended 31st March, 1897.

140

Total Area on 31st March, 1897. Amount received on Past Transactions Made Freehold during the Year. Freeholds acquired from Commencement of System to 31st March, 1897. Selectors in Arrear on 31st March, 1897. he' Dietrict. I S during the Year ended 31st March, 1897. s>. 8,2 Area. cs,S ca II Area. Amount realised. Mi Area. Amount realised. o Area. Amount. I ■ Hawke's Bay .. Taranaki Wellington Marlborough Canterbury Otago Southland 6 1 8 5 21 41 A. B. P. 65 1 0 31 2 17 20 0 28 43 1 20 318 2 30 263 0 25! 730 0 38, £ s. d. 10 14 7 12 10 8 136 4 5 9 4 8 84 13 4 34 0 4 91 11 10 £ s. a. I 26 1 4 I it 94 6 11 ! 1 32 6 4 i .. 8 5 11 J .. 186 3 5 i 8 70 7 7 I 9 146 10 3 ! 13 A. R. P. 150 3 20 23 0 0 £ s. d. 253 19 4 121 5 i 104 119 101 i.. E, P. 1,127 1 2 2,257 3 19 950 2 8 £ s. d. 2,586 0 1 10,601 12 2 3,684 5 4 A. B. P. i £ s. d. .. i .. S ■• 128 3 14 89 3 13 99 2 9 675 10 10 268 18 0 282 10 11 510 96 236 2,398 1 21 935 2 1 3,452 3 27 11,122 1 38 20,356 5 8 2,446 9 1 8,327 16 11 48,002 9 3 1 28 2 32 16 0 4 46 3 19 4 16 10 5 75 2 11 6 2 10 Totals 89 492 0 16 1,602 4 5 1,166 1,472 1 38 378 19 10 564 1 9 35 i

Forfeitures during the Year. Exchanges during the Year. Total Area held on 31st March, 1897. CM § o> co Made Freehold during the Year. Freeholds acquired from Commencement of System to 31st March, 1897. Selectors in Arrear on 31st March, 1897. District. Area - : Rent. |1§ A. B. P. £ S. d.' u o i> n o a pl§ O g ll Area. Annual Bent. S-l a .s Area. p i! a* Area. Amount realised. a .2 Area. Amount realised. 8.3 Area. Amount. — A. B. p. £ s. a. A. B. P. 25 3 20 46 0 1 10 0 0 1,340 3 38 933 2 33 1,857 0 20 £ s. d. 2 5 6 6 4 4 15 0 336 0 4 90 7 2 234 16 8 £ s. d. 2 5 6 9 7 10 15 0 826 13 7 69 5 1 217 11 3 A. K. P. 45 0 0 £ s. d. 83 15 0 A. B. P. 120 3 21 278 0 32 £ s. a. 248 12 6 910 16 4l a. k. p. £ s. d. Hawke's Bay Wellington Marlborough Canterbury Otago Southland I 4 50 0 0 27 0 0! 20 114 2 2612 16 61 .. 430 1 20: ;282 0 2 1 6 1 72 42 124 3 1 1 4 10 0 40 1 19 60 1 35 25 0 0 35 0 0 121 10 0 8 22 10 7 9 238 1 21 184 1 37 107 0 12 538 0 5 247 0 0 283 12 3 I " 5 106 3 38 3 113 3 15 21 203 3 22 33 9 5 9 5 8 I 26 5 6 I Totals .. 11 246 146 3 14 265 5 0 56 I 29 j 424 2 35 69 0 7 164 2 2639 16 6 20 430 1 20 282 0 2 4,213 2 32i 670 19 0 1,126 8 3 929 0 3 2,228 1 6

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141

Table 15. — Return of Village-settlement Lands disposed of on Occupation with Right of Purchase during the Year ended 31st March, 1897.

Table 16.—Return of Village-settlement Lands disposed of on Lease in Perpetuity during the Year ended 31st March, 1897.

Under Land for Settlements Acts.

20—C. 1

Village Sections taken up during the Year. Forfeitures during the Year. Total Area held on 31st March, 1897. Amount during 1 en 31st Maj i received the Year ded rch, 1897. Selectors in Arrear on 31st March, 1897. District. ■2 11 O m Si ! ■2 u 3 a> Area. Annual Rental. On the Year's Transactions. On Past Transactions. ll Area. Amount. Area. Annual Rental. Area. Annual Rental. a. B. p. 0 2 7 £ s. d. 0 7 6 1 0 6 0 '.'. 0 5 0 1 A. E. P. 10 0 £ s. d. 0 5 0 A. R. P. 6 2 8 13 1 0 10 0 3 2 28 3 2 0 £ s. d. 2 5 0 4 10 1 12 0 0 19 0 2 0 0 £ s. d. 0 3 9 \& s. d. 0 12 6 2 11 0 14 0 0 16 0 1 15 0 A. H. P. £ S. d, 12 0 0 4 6 Hawke's Bay .. Taranaki Canterbury Otago . .. Southland 1 2 1 2 0 0 10 0 •• ! •• I ! •• i •• 8 5 4 0 3 0 0 2 6 2 1 0 0 I 100 "l 0 2 0 I 0 5 C 2 0 0 0 9 6 Totals 4 3 2 7 0 18 6 2 2 0 0 15 0 38 27 3 36 10 17 0 0 9 3 J 6 18 6 3

I Taken up during the Year. 61 »*■*»- *»*• th ° Year. * ear ' Surrenders during the Year. Total Area held on 31st March, 1897. Amount received during the Year ended 31st March, 1897. Selectors in Arrear on 31st March, 1897. District. g o Annui ■g "S Area. Renl Annual Rent payable. -5 IS Area. Annual n g Kent LS-S payable. g -f Area. Annual ,§ 5 Rent, i g S Annual Rent. if Area. Annual Renl payable. ., °, n , i On Past the Year's ™ Trans Irans1 ™ ns actions, actions. O m I-I Area. Area. Area. Amount. Hawke's Bay Taranaki Wellington Marlborough Canterbury Otago Southland 6 1 .. 21 .. ! 2 .. 29 .. ! 32 A. B. P. 49 2 34 2 3 35 260 1 13 2 0 0 £ s. d. 6 7 8 0 7 2 37 7 8 0 16 0 A. K. p. 1 £ s. d. 16 213 2 2331 8 Oj 1 26 A. E. P. 23 2 30 1,039 0 1 £ s. a. 1 18 0 334 1 0 •• 6 A. B. P. 58 0 24 £ s. d. 6 19 6 j A. K. P. 34 137 3 6 9| 68 0 8 256 ! 4,476 1 7! 6 1 151 0 35 23 i 9 2 11 112 1,754 3 14 160 |2,867 3 2 £ s. d. 39 12 10 ! 7 5 0 ! 587 2 3 21 7 4 10 0 6 143 1 0 264 17 2 £ s, d.i £ s. d. 5 14 10j 30 9 2 1 0 3 7| 4 3 5 1 24 11 9 626 14 1 0 16 0 : 20 11 4 9 7 8 20 17 2 110 10 2 25 0 0! 191 12 11 17 A. B. P. 259 1 36 £ a. d, 25 18 £ 432 3 1 532 2 24 32 1 4 50 0 0 1 6 11 0 1 Oj 67 0 23; 184 1 30! I 0 '6 6 5 7 6 19 16 8 1 3 I 12 3 30 54 1 32 1 11 2 4 6 2 "2 4 0 2 0 92 0 13 267 3 12 0 6 e 10 12 4 19 13 i Total .. ' 91 1,280 1 % 16 213 2 23 31 8 0 12 16 10 600 J9.465 2 3 1,073 6 1 ! 77 3 4J 993 8 9 34 619 3 21 56 10 11 126 19 ioi 45 1,314 2 4J361 9 8 10 125 2 6

Hawke's Bay Otago .. Total .. I 10 32 0 4 29 9 0 .. .. j 1 5 0 2 4 16 2 1 .. ..11 37 0 6: 34 5 2 .. 1 I i I _ 2 ! 10 3 14 5 18 0 8 31 5 18 ol 39 21 0 30 412 3 39; 434 0 29; 23 11 0 317 3 10 340 14 10 17 13 0 .. .. 4 16 2 319 11 2 8 106 0 24 65 4 22 9 2 319 11 2 8 ilO6 0 24 65 4 lJ j j 2 10 3 U 5 18 ol 39 434 0 29i 340 14 10

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142

Table 17. —Return of Selectors under the Village-homestead Special-settlement Regulations for the Year ended 31st March, 1897.

I - Taken up during the Year. Forfeitures during the Year. Exchanges to other Tenures during the Year. Surrenders during the Year. Total Area held on 31st March, 1897. District. j> S Area "I g allotted. Average Area to each Selector. Average Rental per Acre. CD s Area. Rental. 0 Area. Rental. S Area. Rental. Us •A w Area. Rental, including Interest on Advances. A. B. P. A. E. P. £ s. d. A. E. P. 519 2 7 £ s. d. 41 19 5 A. R. P. £ S. A. 411 1 27! 36 8 6 A. E. P. 375 2 23 £ s. d. 57 3 3 A. K. P. 7,306 0 7 193 2 30 1,698 0 29 234 0 24 8,028 2 30 1,436 0 17 632 2 11 £ s. d. 569 1 3 66 6 10 289 19 10 22 13 6 951 6 0 176 19 6 156 3 4 Auckland Havvke's Bay .. Wellington Marlborough .. Canterbury Southland 2 29 2 19 13 I 289 2 1 14 3" 9J 22 1 ' 3-1 ! •• .0 2 6 0 i 10 12 2 2 5 1 41 0 14 : 9 2 31 66 2 25 4 0 21 10 4 10 2 15 4 7 12 0 0 10 0 8 16 213"2 23 39"4 8 .. 10 * l"3 21 •• 0 12 0 178 31 139 14 225 87 60 .. 1 2l"3 28 12 0 i '■ •• .. .. .. _ .. Totals I 15 319 0 20 625 0 10 75 13 2 11 I 399 1 32 I 58 17 3 19,529 1 28 2,232 10 3 22 641 0 18 63 1 71 24 734 Cheviot Estate. Canterbury .. I 3 I 40 2 0 |13 2 0 JO 6 7£| .. I •• I •■ I I I I I I 83| 2,473 1 37) 869 19 0 Total Amount advanced to Selectors and remaining unpaid: Past and Current Transactions. Payments made by Selectors during the Year. Total Payn by Sel lents made ectors Selectors in Arrear on 31st March, 1897. District. For For House, *£**££? Works. of Syi item. Amount. Value of Improvement! now on the Land. No. Area. Total Advances. Rent. Interest. Rent. Interest. Rent. Interest. Auckland Havvke's Bay Wellington Marlborough Canterbury Otago .. Southland £ s. d. 5,516 18 1 400 0 0 2,310 0 0 70 0 0 2,180 0 0 1,100 0 0 756 0 0 £ s. d. 7,341 7 6 190 1 3 3,113 5 3 18 15 0 £ s. d. 12,858 5 7 590 1 3 5,423 5 3 88 15 0 2,180 0 0 1,541 5 0 1,106 2 2 £ s. a. 217 16 11 37 15 2 395 12 11 17 10 0 747 8 1 112 19 7 89 15 7 £ b. d. 191 1 1 30 18 11 279 7 11 4 9 0 111 0 0 63 17 3 41 14 10 £ s. d. 2,777 11 9 372 14 8 2,625 5 8 178 17 6 5,989 18 6 809 19 0 969 13 1 £ s. d. 1,755 9 7 373 6 6 2,038 8 5 41 10 4 995 10 0 503 17 7 417 16 9 152 34 A. E. P. 6,310 1 29 7 0 9 523 3 24 £ s. d. 555 12 3 1 12 1 51 13 1 £ s. d. 900 13 3 2 4 11 68 9 11 £ s. d. 20,365 0 0 5,867 0 0 21,928 0 0 1,082 0 0 17,821 3 0 6,775 0 0 8,885 0 0 441 5 0 350 2 2 7 ■ 8 12 303 0 0 149 3 27 122 1 34 40 13 2 7 18 11 12 6 9 3 15 0 8 9 8 11 9 4 Totals 12,332 18 1 6,125 19 2 215 7,416 3 3 669 16 3 11,454 16 2i 23,787 14 3; 1,618 18 3 722 9 0 13,724 0 4 995 2 1 82,723 3 0 Cheviot Estate. lanterbury •• I 70 0 0j I 70 0 0| 865 14 7; 3 10 0 |2,667 10 5j 7 5 0| 2 I 45 0 38| 7 6 2 I 0 5 0 I 3,570 0 0 * Portion of a lease onl;

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143

Table 18. —Statement showing Position of Village Special Settlements, as at 31st March, 1897.

! Number of Present Settlers. Total Interest which should have been paid back by Settlers to 31st March, 1897. Total Interest actually paid to 31st March, 1897. Further Advances for which Government will be liable. Value of Dwellinghouses, Outbuildings, and Fencing now on the Ground. District. J Number of Original Settlers. ] Original Settlers Resident. N ° n ", resident. Total Acreage originally taken up. Total Acreage now remaining. Total Acreage laid down in Pasture or cultivated. Advances to Settlers remaining unpaid on 31st March, 1897. Arrears of Interest on 31st March, 1897. remaining. Acres. 21,229 Acres. 9,124 Acres. 3,830 £* 12,858 £* 2,656 &* 1,755 £* 901 &* 20,365 Auckland 461 150 153 65 Hawke's Bay .. 78 47 49 24 405 352 239 590 375 373 2 4,701 Wellington 510 265 266 129 8,494 6,174 3,848 5,423 2,178 2,110 68 22,393 Marlborough .. 22 9 11 3 342 234 170 89 41 41 784 Canterbury 468 271 290 65 14,984 11,919 7,044 2,260 1,008 1,004 4 23,887 Otago 342 215 154 85 5,444 3,770 1,720 1,541 512 504 8 6,755 Southland 292 220 113 107 4,355 3,499 1,330 1,106 429 418 11 8,885 Totals t2,173 1,177 1,036 I 478 55,253 6,205 35,072 18,181 23,867 7,199 994 J87,77O • To nearest £1. t Exclusive of endo . ment lands. I Value of cultivation not included.

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Table 19. —Return of Improved-farm Special-settlement Associations under Regulations issued in pursuance of "The Lands Improvement and Native Lands Acquisition Act, 1894," for the Year ended 31st March, 1897.

144

Lands allotted during Previous Years. Lands allotted during Year ended 31st March, 1897. Lands allotted during Year ended 31st March, 1897, but not registered in Office Books, as full Improvements not completed. Forfeitures during the Year. Surrenders during the Year. Total Area held on 31st March, 1897. District. l≤ ■2 o as Area allotted. Average Area to each Selector. I o m || Area allotted. Average Area to each Selector. Number of Selectors. Area allotted. No. Area. No. Area. It a.2 Area. Kental. A. B. P. 4,997 1 0 1,865 0 0 19,102 1 34 1,247 0 0 8,782 2 26 5,744 3 14 A. B. P. 109 0 6 116 2 10 82 1 14 95 3 27 118 2 29 89 3 2 A. B. P. ; 1,278 2 0 295 2 0 A. R. P. 116 0 0 98 2 0 A. E. P. 147 0 0 A. B. P. 5; 147 0 0 A. B. P. 831 0 0 A. B. P. 5,444 3 0 tl,910 2 0 16,097 2 4 2,246 3 36 10,399 1 8 5,144 2 0 £ s. d. Auckland* Hawke's Bay Taranaki Wellington Otago .. Southland 61 16 232 13 74 64 3: 14 11 : 1,219 3 36! 1,645 2 30! 442 0 38! 87 0 22 149 2 17 73 0 33 5 44 10 3,695' 2 0 35 3,210 1 30 2 220 0 0 8 "7 1 11 625 0 0 99 "0 8 1,034 2 12 2,589 2 20 64 : tl7i 195 25J 84j 57 76 5 10 305' 17 2 1,537 3 10 Totals 460 41,739 0 34 45 4,881 3 24 27 442; 41,173 2 8 382 3 0 ■ ■ 59 5,380 1 10 42 3,577 1 30 .. I 101| Lands allotted but not registered, pending the Completion of Improvemen 8,674 3 2| 85 3 22| .. I .. | .. | 146 | 13,922 3 18 | 73| ts. 6,814 3 12| .. I I 174 1 15,782 3 8 Wellington Amount paid to Selectors for Improvements during the Year. Total Amount paid to Selectors for Improvements: Past and Current Transactions. Selectors in Arrear on 31st March, 1897. Value of Improvements now on the Land, including that Paid for by Government. Kent paid by Selectors during the Year. Rent paid by Selectors from Distriot. F For Bushocc. Works. Total Payments. t. For BushLT For felling Ko " ses ' and other &c - Works. Total Payments. Commencement of System. No. Area. Amount. Auckland Hawke's Bay Taranaki Wellington .. Otago Southland £ s. d. 92 11 9 79 14 4 1,198 7 3 6 10 0 268 1 8 134 10 0 £ s. d. 825 16 5 557 14 2 3,868 0 6 63 0 0 2,651 4 7 1,825 18 11 £ s. d. 918 8 2 637 8 6 5,066 7 9 69 10 0 2,919 6 3 1,960 8 11 £ s. d. 391 16 5 149 14 4 1,366 1 10 86 10 0 366 16 4 367 10 0 £ s. d. 2,599 14 10 1,345 11 0 8,954 1 5 2,465 1 6 7,367 8 11 6,953 11 11 £ s. d. 2,991 11 3 1,495 5 4 10,320 3 3 2,551 11 6 7,734 5 3 7,321 1 11 £ s. a. 14 "l 3 185' - 9 0| 31 3 8 £ s. d. 14' 1 3 263 10 4 78 11 9 1 A. E. P. 29 "o 0 £ s. d. 4 19 10 £ s. d. 4,255 14 0 4,187 13 0 12,490 0 11 4,498 17 5 19,832 5 4 8,234 9 5 • • Totals 1,779 15 0 9,791 14 7 11,571 9 7 ! 2,728 8 111 29,685 8 7 4 19 10 43,499 0 1 32,413 18 6 230 13 11! 356 3 4 29 0 0 Lands allotted but not registered, landing the Completion of Improvements. .. I 147 0 0| 2,079 0 2)2,226 0 2| 200 0 0| 3,546 16 3| 3,746 16 3| I Wellington .. I •• I I I 6,328 18 * Includes Tawai Settlement, which lias been shown under Taranaki previously. t Includes part of Akitio. J Approximate.

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Table 20. — Return of Special-settlement Associations under Section 163 of "The Land Act, 1885," and Part IV, of "The Land Act, 1892," for the Year ended 31st March, 1897.

21— G. 1.

145

Old Transactions. 'ew Selections taken up di iring the Yi sar. Made Freehold. Total Area held, 31st March, 1897: ■ Total Amount received on Current and Previous Transactions to 31st March, 1897. No. of reside i [electors required to id actually residing, and Area. Forfeitures during the Year. Surrenders duri) ig the Year. Selectors ii 31st Marc Arrear, .,1897. District and Survey District. J Names of Special Settle- j merits. Original Tenure. Original Area of Block. I- I 1 t I * ° a 'CSS £S H o≤1 No. °$ ° °«| Area. Total Area of Block. Average Area of each Selector in the Block. Price per Acre. Amount received during the Year. Prom CommenceT-, . ,, , T ment of System During the Year. to 31st M y archj 1897. Past and Current Transactions. "o o m Area. No. required to reside. No. actually residing. Area. ■ J o o Area. Amount. 6 g I CD \ Area. "o o \ Amount. Area. Amount. No. Area. No. Area. Auckland— Wairere Onewhero Waoku Matata and Rangitaiki Gordon Tuakau Canterbury North Island Land Association Marlborough Avoca Papamoa Auckland No. 1 .. Papamoa No. 2 Deferred payment .. Perpetual lease Lease in perpetuity A. E. P. 3,320 1 38 3,032 3 18 717 0 0 20,000 0 0 33 80 15 41 8 8 2 24 A. B. P. A. R. P. A. E. P. / £ s. d £ s. a. 270 8 1 165 1 6 17 17 0 31 5 6 £ s. d. [3,510 3 0 (10 A. E. P. 989 3 15 1,298 3 4 12 23 A. E. P. 1,194 2 15 2,411 0 8 10 7 2 24 A. E. P. 1,013 0 14 598 1 28 100 0 0 12,005 0 0 A. E. r A. E. P. £ s. d. 4 2 A. E. P. 180' 2 34 550 0 0 £ s. a. 910 16 0 0 5 6 2 24 A. B. P. 448 1 16 599 2 12 100 0 0 1,205 0 0 £ s. d. 25 4 4 44 15 0 10 15 0 700 8 0 •794 16 2 Swamp 4 946 0 0 21 17 8 Waipona Hobson Tauranga 4,550 0 0 3,601 3 38 1,300 0 0 25 24 12 3 22 24 12 33 14 6,726' 3 2 2,503 0 0 6,726 3 2 2,503 0 0 203 "3 5 178 3 5 0 12' 6 0 14 6 112111 1 +184 19 0 326 5 0 303 19 4 168 15 0 696 6 4 328 1 6 25 24 12 28 14 4,550 0 0 3,661 3 38 1,288 2 0 5,726 3 2 2,503 0 0 25 24 12 28 14 5 3 2 3 2 1,045 0 0 500 0 0 390 0 0 603 0 0 350 0 0 5 1,000 0 0 6210 0 Hawke's Bay— Norsewood Waipawa Dannevirke Liberal Ruahine Deferred payment .. 3,221 1 39 1,899 1 32 2,800 0 0 2,400 0 0 33 25 14 12 18 13 2 4 6 } 38 9 2i 5,127 6 6 |31 121 3,068 2 29 1,588 1 13 2 4 2 12 152 3 10 311 0 19 400 0 0 2,400 0 0 2 152 3 10 Lease in perpetuity 3 4 10 33 9 10 2 i 206' 0 0 8 12 10 Ruataniwha, Wakarara, and Makaretu Taranaki— Ngatimaru 35 26 22 14 19 48 14 15 12 49 23 51 12 11 1 7 4 7 1 16 12 1 12 10 27 4 5 10 44 21 41 48 Mimi Omona Omona and Ngatimaru Ngatimaru Waro and Pouatu Ngatimaru Omona and Ngatimaru Taurakawa and Mahoe Taurakawa and Omona Milsom Tanner Oxford Lepperton Gatton Terrace End Eltbam Moanataiari Ross Mangaehu Llewellyn Whenuakura .. Moeawatea Perpetual lease 6,700 0 0 5,200 0 0 4,000 0 0 2,800 0 0 3,800 0 0 9,535 0 0 2,800 0 0 2,948 2 22 1,912 0 0 9,815 0 0 4,594 0 0 10,227 0 0 i i 2 2 1 1 102 19 6 95 1 8 10 3 2 146 10 7 111 14 2 17 14 0 23 0 0 242 14 6 270 13 0 30 9 7 301 15 10 134 14 4 26 17 9 42 0 0 3,095 0 0 2,000 0 0 200 0 0 2,275 0 0 2,000 0 0 5,335 0 0 800 0 0 993 1 7 1,715 0 0 8,817 0 0 4,194 0 0 8,228 0 0 9,616 0 0 16 12 1 12 12 11 1 8 4 7 1 2,295 0 0 1,900 0 0 200 0 0 1,583 0 0 800 0 0 1,400 0 0 200 0 0 1 3 5 16 6 10 2 200 0 0 700 0 0 1,000 0 0 3,200 0 0 1,200 0 0 1,955 1 15 197 0 0 9 14 6 42 6 10 49 14 0 125 0 0 54 0 0 87 18 2 9 17 0 4 i 2 906' 0 0 200 0 0 400 0 0 53 7 2 12 6 4 21 0 0 10 11 4 2 1 1,800 0 0 1,800 0 0 786 0 0 400 0 0 200 0 0 95 5 7 120 18 11 24 10 3 26 11 5 5 14 5 Lease in perpetuity 1 "8 4 19 0 8 17 6 4 19 0 8 17 6 10 1,715' 0 0 Perpetual Lease 4 2 10 798 0 0 400 0 0 1,999 0 0 24 18 6 15 0 0 60 11 4 48 9,616 0 0 11,024' 0 0 200 1 13 11 18 9 11 18 9 0 12 6 Wellington— Makuri Apiti Makuri and Mangahao Mangahao Mangaone, Tararua Woodville-Tiraumea Feilding Pahiatua-Puketoi Woodvillc-Mangahao .. Wellington Parkville Awahou-Pohangina Birmingham Sandon Masterton-Mangahao .. Woodville-Mangatainoka Masterton-Hawera Pemberton Hufct.. McKenzie Sommerville Deferred payment .. 5,006 1 8 9,259 3 13 5,080 3 0 5,327 1 15 9,537 2 36 5,112 0 21 6,494 2 28 8/790 0 0 5,339 3 10 4,996 2 33 4,560 0 0 3,074 3 32 7,048 0 34 4,276 2 19 1,448 3 10 8,000 0 0 50 91 50 52 96 50 61 87 53 63 46 32 70 40 14 37 22 51 13 20 63 26 22 63 19 32 28 18 29 18 4 1 5 24 2 20 11 14 18 27 23 19 4 4 22 11 7 6 40 7 4 139 19 8 73 13 2 24 11 0 592 18 7 319 17 4 159 12 4 254 1 9 449 14 10 32 13 0 427 9 0 21 5 5 308 4 0 849 2 8 224 9 9 117 6 3 5,155 9 8 8,409 14 11 4,514 13 8 4,962 7 6 8,182 17 11 5,761 16 8 5,719 13 4 9,253 11 0 5,068 1 6 4,562 10 4 6,821 2 8 3,661 3 0 5,868 12 8 5,975 4 11 630 16 5 356 18 7 6 2 3 12 6 4 13 9 1 1 5 6 8 607 1 28 203 0 0 225 0 0 1,119 2 17 601 3 2 420 2 0 1,324 0 0 892 2 0 109 2 0 101 2 0 486 1 0 681 0 8 913 2 24 43 82 39 47 57 34 43 78 35 57 44 24 87 26 4,402 3 24 8.430 3 19 4,084 3 32 4,972 3 15 5,814 1 24 3,428 1 37 4,743 1 6 7,956 2 0 3,537 0 0 3,708 1 31 4,368 0 0 2,314 3 32 5,820 1 36 2,956 2 35 6 8 6 3 37 16 11 7 16 4 2 6 13 15 13 12 602 0 0 820 2 34 609 3 0 311 2 0 3,665 3 27 1,633 3 31 1,135 2 22 733 2 0 1,602 3 10 321 0 32 192 0 0 578 0 0 1,227 2 38 1,449 3 32 1,351 3 26 2,402 0 0 5 30 5 22 13 14 25 45 28 22 4 4 37 11 9 6 500 0 0 3,210 0 0 516 2 0 2,225 2 32 1,808 0 35 2,110 0 6 2,754 0 20 4,403 0 0 3,302 0 0 1,749 0 34 392 0 0 587 2 0 3,616 2 0 1,383 0 0 1,054 0 0 1,197 0 0 'i 1 102' 1 0 106 2 0 313 1 7 12 2 i 101 1 15 i 17 0 Pohangina Apiti Apiti and Ongo Mangahao i 98 2 0 319 8 Mangahao and Mangaone Mangahao Ohinewairua, Maungakaretu, and Tiriraukawa Makotuku TJmutoi and Pohangina Mangahao and Tararua Apiti and Umutoi .. Makotuku and Karioi Tiriraukawa Waimarino Delaware Kakariki Salisbury Clifton No. 1 .. Palmerston North Knights of Labour Coonoor Pioneer Masterton Reform Stirling Pahiatua No. 1 No. 2 No. 3 No. 4 Perpetual lease 7,200 0 0 3,000 0 0 5,000 0 0 11,000 0 0 4,650 0 0 11,000 0 0 34 14 24 50 22 57 2 7 256 13 4 31 9 6 131 16 0 359 12 7 190 4 9 232 8 0 580 4 9 47 9 6 389 2 0 790 13 4 408 8 9 595 12 10 27 3 18 36 19 24 5,500 0 0 600 0 0 3,600 0 0 7,009 3 0 4,133 3 22 4,810 0 0 13 6 10 1,950 2 34 i 1 9<j' 3 24 100 0 0 12 10 6 5 10 0 3 598' 0 0 29 18 0 1 2 s 1 12 8 3 2 95' 1 8 400 0 0 1,809 2 18 200 0 0 2,200 0 0 1,600 0 0 710 0 0 350 0 0 6 3 4 20 0 0 83 12 10 16 10 0 122 16 9 66 6 0 18 11 11 17 2 0 3 3 2 2 10 5 12 1 9 3 0 2 00 1 3 1 1 11 6 13 200 0 0 2,200 0 0 1,352 0 0 2,635 0 0 1 1 2 200 0 0 150 0 0 400 0 0 11 12 0 7 10 0 24 0 0 i 200 0 0 1212 0 3 450 0 0 26' 0 0 Mount Cerberus and Makuri .. Mangaone Mount Cerberus and Makuri .. Tararua Mount Cerberus 3,000 0 0 3,700 0 0 10,000 0 0 4,800 0 0 11,000 0 0 8,400 0 0 7,600 0 0 5,000 0 0 14 13 49 24 54 40 36 22 2 6 10 6 7 9 4 2 2 42 8 6 105 7 0 137 1 6 185 11 2 340 18 11 160 4 9 125 3 8 53 10 10 239 1 5 245 1 4 347 6 10 376 16 7 703 2 0 345 19 9 250 19 7 92 2 0 12 13 19 16 40 17 12 6 2,500 0 0 2,323 0 0 3,650 0 0 3,190 0 0 7,315 0 0 3,078 0 0 2,303 0 0 1,056 0 0 7 11 6 8 9 4 2 2 1,640 0 0 1,923 0 0 750 0 0 1,550 0 0 1,822 0 0 766 0 0 463 0 0 300 0 0 1 200 0 0 12 0 0 8 3 7 6 9 4 3 4 1,720 0 0 638 0 0 1,400 1 4 1,190 0 0 1,420 0 0 700 0 0 583 0 0 578 0 0 71 8 0 18 14 2 84 0 4 65 10 0 64 10 0 28 10 6 33 14 8 34 5 2 - 2 1 1 1 200 0 0 190 0 0 13' 0 0 11 8 0 i 200' 0 0 16' 0 0 i 4 859 0 0 41 7 2 Aohanga, Mount Cerberus, Makuri, and Puketoi Puketoi Umutoi Mangahao i 100' 0 0 5 10 0 Christchureh Pohangina Palmerston North Forest Reserve Clifton No. 2 .. Wanganui United Waiwera' Wellington Fruit-growers Marton No. 1 .. „ No. 2 .. Urrmtoi Hall .. Dannevirke Centennial.. Hunterville No. 3 Kaikoura Mekalickstone Woodville No. 2 Onslow Marton No. 4 .. Hunterville No. 1 No. 2 Rising Sun Gladstone Malton Marton No. 3 .. 6,000 0 0 6,600 0 0 4,000 0 0 26 28 15 2 1 4 6 2 1 62 5 3 80 6 8 96 18 1 121 5 6 200 9 9 295 18 6 7 12 12 1,400 0 0 1,970 0 0 2,395 2 0 5 6 2 2 1,200 0 0 300 0 0 400 3 0 3 600 0 0 46 15 0 1 200 0 0 16 10 0 i 1 2 800 0 0 150 0 0 403 0 0 54 14 6 9 13 6 15 18 11 Makotuku Karioi and^Makotuku Mangahao and Tararua Kaitawa Haiitapu Umutoi Mangahao Aohanga Tiriraukawa Puketoi 1,950 0 0 10,000 0 0 3,900 0 0 2,620 0 0 10,000 0 0 10,000 0 0 3,400 0 0 3,200 0 0 9,700 0 0 8,000 0 0 2,600 0 0 6,000 0 0 5,990 0 0 11,000 0 0 10,000 0 0 10,000 0 0 10,'000 0 0 11,000 0 0 8,500 0 0 1,200 0 0 10 43 20 27 29 42 11 17 38 30 12 28 22 12 40 43 41 32 17 12 "2 ii 2 2 4 1 1 1 1 2 3 6 13 6 1 2 4 1 2 1 5 1,000' 0 0 13 0 49 12 6 120 5 9 71 15 1 322 15 3 408 6 6 246 17 3 19 0 0 235 8 8 6 19 0 77 16 0 18 0 0 79 7 6 79 3 0 8 0 0 54 0 0 98 12 3 104 0 0 75 10 0 122 13 0 270 1 1 178 18 3 901 14 2 904 15 2 548 7 9 60 0 0 443 1 10 17 6 0 167 12 0 66 0 0 185 14 0 206 16 0 19 10 0 72 0 0 183 16 9 174 0 0 141 1 9 6 11 13 27 32 19 5 13 1 8 2 11 9 2 4 11 10 14 16 10 39 950 0 0 2,212 0 0 2,500 0 0 2,620 1 37 6,400 0 0 3,796 2 0 1,000 0 0 2,400 0 0 200 0 0 1,600 0 0 400 0 0 2,150 0 0 1,630 0 0 400 0 0 803 0 0 2,200 0 0 1,800 0 0 2,800 0 0 2,650 0 0 1,008 0 29 7,828 3 15 5 2 4 7 14 7 1 2 4 1 2 4 350 0 0 806 0 0 821 0 39 2,800 0 0 1,400 0 0 200 0 0 361 0 0 800 0 0 200 0 0 350 0 0 730 0 0 2 3 2 1 1 432 0 0 600 0 0 400 0 0 206' 0 0 200 0 0 23 16 4 33 4 0 23'l2 0 10 8 0 12 0 0 2 1 1 1 400 0 0 206' 0 0 206' 0 0 150 0 0 23 0 0 11 16 0 12 0 0 7 10 3 4 6 1 4 1 2 1 3 1 2 2 1 3 1 3 5 500 0 0 788 0 0 1,100 0 0 300 0 0 801 0 16 200 0 0 400 0 0 180 0 0 600 0 0 200 0 0 450 0 0 300 0 0 200 0 0 604 0 0 200 0 0 600 0 0 1,000 0 0 19 15 0 37 11 9 47 11 9 24 7 6 71 2 6 11 16 0 12 0 0 9 0 0 34 12 0 6 0 0 21 0 0 17 0 0 7 0 0 25 2 10 4 10 0 20 0 0 38 10 0 Umutoi Makotuku and Manganui Tiriraukawa "3 3 No. rep. 2 3 3 No repor 4 606' 0 0 600 0 0 1 2 30 5 7 9 200 0 0 400 0 0 5,997 0 0 1,000 0 0 1,400 0 0 1,803 0 0 12 0 0 13 0 0 248 17 10 49 0 0 69 0 0 87 3 4 1 4 1 2 200 0 0 800 0 0 200 0 0 1,167 0 0 8 0 0 40 0 0 10 0 0 34 3 6 Mount Cerberus Waimarino Gorge Lease in perpetuity .. 606' 0 0 i 100 0 0 310 0 Perpetual lease 41 8,228' 3 15 10,000' 0 200 *2 32J 1 3' 2} 15 0 0 15 0 0 1 200 0 0 '2 400 0 0 18' 1 10 Canterbury— Waitohi and Waipara Hinds Waitohi Medbury Hinds The Peaks 2,192 1 8 830 2 38 14 18 1 1 2 2 2 116 11 2 58 14 6 5 12 4 329 16 7 126 8 10 8 8 6 11 16 1 1,456 1 8 746 3 31 89 3 18 1 3 2 2 467 2*0 103 1 33 1 270 0 0 14 7 0 i 24' 3 20 i'l4 2 Lease in perpetuity Otago— Swinburn Swinburn Farm Homestead Association 2,955 1 12 15 5 10 114 19 1 231 11 7 15 2,955 1 12 14 14 2,754 2 32 i 190 0 0 3 12 Totals 461,577 0 24 2,580 532 530 142 28,084 1 17 30,253 3 2 10,379 6,11 108,673 5 4 99 9,974 1 18 753 74,802 1 36 1,191 212,049 0 22 198 528 77,038 3 35 133 26,296 0 39 1,241 18 4 55 11,192 2 34 491 19 6 202 33,282 2 29 2,315 2 1 NDEE lAND FOB SbTTLEM :nti Acts. Janterbury— Wakohi 2,888 3 27 135 19 3 237 10 1 The Peaks Lease in perpetuity 14 13 2,510 1 9 288 3 0 14 8 10 415 0 15 13 2 * Including £763 survey■fees. t Stu :vey-fees.

C.—l

Table 21. —Return of Homestead Lands—Transactions during the Year ended 31st March, 1897.

Table 22. —Return of Small Grazing-runs taken up during the Year ended 31st March, 1897.

Table 23. —Number and Area of Pastoral Licenses for the Year ended 31st March, 1897.

146

Total A M M Past Ti irea held on 31st larch, 1897: ; and Current transactions. Made Fi tl reehold during ie Year. Made Commen to 31: Freehold since icement of System it March, 1897. District. No. of Selectors. Area. No. of Selectors. Area. No. of Selectors. Area. Auckland Westland Otago .. 37 A. B. p. 3,975 2 3 9 1 A. E. P. 1,567 0 7 40 0 0 428 39 17 A. R. P. 72,196 1 7 1,480 0 0 2,454 0 31 "i 4()i 3 24 Totals 41 4,377 1 27 10 1,607 0 7 48] 76,130 1 38

Taken up during the Yeas Forfeitures dl Year, iring the Surrenders during the Year. Exchanges t( Tenures dl the Yea 3 other iring ir. Tota 31st Pasi Ti il Area held on March, 1897: t and Current ransactions. Amount reci the - ended 31st 1 iived during ifear March, 1897. Arrears on 31s 1897. st March, District. Area. j Average Area. I Area. a 1 Area. Annual Rental. 2s xi fid Annual Rental payable. Annual Rental. Area. Annual Rental. si II Area. On the Year's Transactions. On Past Transactions. J 1 Area. Amount. Auckland Hawke's Bay Paranaki Wellington tfarlborough Canterbury )tago .. Southland 1 1 A. E. P. 5,000 0 0 618 0 0 A. E. P. 5,00o"o 0 618 0 0 s. d. 0 3} 0 8 £ s. d. 65 0 0 7 14 6 A. E. p. 13,150 0 0 t "I 2 7<J0 3 0 21,116 1 0 £ s. d. 13 2 6 1 A. E. P. £ s. d A. E. P. £ s. d. 14 50 M 76 63 36 247 19 A. B. P. J 68,849 0 0 133,396 2 18 14,043 0 0 74.1H4 1 22] 32,785 2 25 72,541 2 20 489,370 2 20 56,826 0 22 £ s. d. 32'10 0 3 17 3 27 16 4 81 18 4 396 5 4 £ s. d. 582 19 6 1,198 19 7 188 12 4 1,899 19 10 382 17 7 4,355 15 11 10,654 2 6 764 10 5 5 1 1 20 1 3 28 3 A. B. P. 19,689 0 0 2,868 0 0 1,547 3 20 18,108 1 20 454 0 0 8,291 0 0 44,279 3 22 7,514 2 28 £ s. d. 129 18 8 38 10 0 9 13 6 332 19 10 2 16 9 325 3 3 749 17 9 46 19 5 8 2 13 I 3,033 0 0; 1,792 0 0 53,309 3 28 I I 379 0 0 896 0 0 4,100 3 2 0 3 1 2-2 0 3-67J 37 15 9 106 14 4 816 14 0 1,430 0 0l 252 0 Oj 20,279 0 0 39,040 0 20 5 19 2 3 3 0 1,030 1 10 1,114 10 4 1 g 6 517 0 0 1,994 0 32 3,200 0 0 12 18 6 36 16 -6 28 2 0 IT 11 7 38 2 611 13 19 2 .. Totals 25 63,752 3 28 5 5,057 0 0 62 1,033 18 7 65 4 2 19 61,001 0 20 2,153 14 4 10 5,711 0 32 77 17 519 941,947 0 7 542 7 3 20,027 17 8 102,752 3 10 1,635 19 2 ianterbury— Grazing-farms J__ Cheviot Estate. 1-1 44,886 2 0 1 6,311 13 l| 2! 3,033 2 0 27 70 6 10 Land for Settlements Acts. 'anterbury )tago .. 1 1 3,966 1 2 3,966 1 2 1,214 2 31,214 2 3 0 8'8 I 146 11 10!.. 2 1-5 129 1 0j.. I 1 •4,279 2 5 1,214 2 3 78 6 8 64 10 6 15 13 4 Totals 5,180 3 5 275 12 10 .. 5,494 0 8 142 17 2 15 13 4 • 313 acres 1 rood 3 perches taken up previous year, and forms part of a run not under Land for Settlements Acts.

'aken up during the Year. Exchange duri s to other Tenures ing the Year. Forfeitun js during the Year. Expiries during the Year. Surrendei rs during the Year. District. Number. Area. No. of Holders. Area. Annual Rental. No. of Holders. Area. Number. Area. No. of Holders. Area. A. E. P. £ s. d. A. E. P'. A. R. P. 30,056 3 13 7,069 0 0 5,000 0 0 9,130 0 0 •943 0 0 54,400 0 0 340 0 0 20,000 0 0 126,938 3 13 A. R. P. k. B. P. Auckland .. Hawke's Bay Wellington .. Nelson Marlborough Westland .. Canterbury .. Otago Southland .. '3 19,075 0 0 240 C 0 1 1 18 19 30 15 36 8 37,330 0 0 475,161 0 0 16,448 2 36 195,303 3 0 396,538 1 21 47,915 0 0 81 12 6 1.970 6 4 66 10 0 2,212 4 8 1,614 18 2 204 17 8 "ll 13,090 0 0 5 2 14 23 1 12 12 4 138,847 0 0 856,964 0 0 2,000 0 0 225,036 3 0 159,416 0 24 22,835 0 0 1,405,098 3 24 4 5 3 10 3 65,575 0 0 37,000 0 0 59,700 0 0 62,569 0 0 11,274 0 0 236,118 0 0 1 1 1 Totals 12 66 25 129 1,187,771 3 17 6,390 9 4 11 13,090 0 0 Distriot. Total Area held EMdeiL— Area, approximately. Total Area held O] 31st :arch, 1897. iverage Rent paid during oldings. the Year No. Holders in Arrei ir on 31s1 [arch, 1897. Arei i. Amount. Auckland Hawke's Bay Wellington .. Nelson Marlborough .. Westlana Canterbury .. Otego Southland ;; t tl2 17 22 120 G5 167 92 255 181 A. R. l>. 91,654 0 27 142,225 2 0 40,791 0 0 438,475 0 0 546,449 0 0 530,794 0 36 2,846,675 0 0 4,173,881 3 33 1,254,792 0 0 7,i 8, 1, 3, 8, 3, 30, 16, 15, K. P. J37 3 13 166 0 33 )54 0 22 S58 0 0 107 0 0 L78 1 25 342 0 19 564 2 2 191 0 0 £ s. d. 51 12 0 917 16 4 247 2 2 2,227 14 11 3,912 15 10 676 4 6 30,434 10 10 31,012 2 1 3,644 17 6 6 A. R. P. 72,896 1 28 £ s. d. 219 18 6 6 19,400 0 0 132' 6 0 17 1 72,679' 0 0 39,200 0 0 131* 0 2 5 0 0 Totals 831 831 10,065,737 3 16 73,124 16 2 30 204,175 1 28 488 4 8 Cheviot Estate. 2,102 o o I 1,051 o 0 Canterbury 7 .. •• I 2 I 262 3 8 I I * This represents area of land resumed by Crown from several runs, area, under the Pastoral Tenants' Belief Aot. t Error of one holding last year, { During the year 20 licenses were surrendered and 8 issued in lieu over the 8»mo

C— 1

147

Table 24. — Return of Miscellaneous Leases and Licenses, not otherwise enumerated, issued during the Year ended 31st March, 1897.

22—C. 1.

Object for which leased. ! Total Amount received during the Year ended 31st March, 1897. Total Area in Occupation on 31st March, 1897. Less ! on sees in Arrear 31st March, 1897. District. Timber-cutting. Flax-cutting. Miscellaneous. Total Area. Total Annual Rental. d Area. Amount received. d Area. Amount received. d Area. Annual Rental payable. No. Area. Annual Rental. d Amount. Auckland .. Hawke's Bay Taranaki .. Wellington Nelson Marlborough Westland .. Canterbury Otago Southland A. R. P. £ s. d. 8,720 6 6 a. k. p. £ s. d. 6 13 12 13 16 4 36 28 81 A. R. P. 276 1 27 84 0 2 37 2 14 413 3 16 1,714 0 29 35 2 0 132 2 16 9,637 1 20 72,755 2 12 13,123 2 38 £ s. d. 25 15 0 24 1 6 22 18 8' 86 2 6 30 11 0 19 0 0 31 15 0 ! 283 18 6 953 17 4 163 9 6. A. B. P. 276 1 27 84 0 2 37 2 14 413 3 16 1,714 0 29 831 2 Oj 132 2 16 9,737 1 20: 73,045 2 12 13,123 2 38 £ s. d. 25 15 0 24 1 6 22 18 8 86 2 6 30 11 0 19 0 0j 31 15 0 283 18 & 990 14 8| 163 9 6 1 £ s. d. 11,747 16 7 57 342 9 8 71 239 7 6j 93 654 15 l! 45 1,555 8 10 281 J726 9 10 54 60 2 3 65 1,625 4 9 229 1,955 16 2 335 §868 15 101 270 A. K. P. 4,357 1 23 4,886 2 13 979 0 29 1,976 1 10 31,927 3 5 30,801 0 0 254 0 32 34,322 0 1 81,730 2 16 71,071 2 24 £ s. d. 879 14 4 442 17 4 316 16 4 432 16 1 5,773 17 9 516 13 8 66 14 9 1,420 5 1 872 8 4 938 7 2 £ s. d. •• f6'lO 8 2 10 33 5 10 0 16 0 10 16 13 2 531 10 0 •• 6 406 0 0; +142 18 6 2 390 0 0 5 13 0 1 13 100 0 0 290 0 0 56 3 8 35 13 6 14 7 5 3 28 10 0 11 16 7 25 15 0 4 0 0 ■" Totals 20 796 0 0 8,961 12 10 2 390 0 0 5 13 0 249 98,210 3 14 1,641 9 0 99,396 3 14 1,678 6 4! 19,756 3 91,501 i i 262,106 2 33; 11,660 10 10 81 639 15 7 Cheviot Estate. Canterbury 161 227 0 30 107 6 8 227 0 30 107 6 8 614 16 10| 87| 3,827 3 35: 695 15 5 8 13 5 8 Marlborough Canterbury Otago Southland •• •• 12 Land for I 12 0 0 4,138 1 9 568 2 27 Settlement 3 3 0 475 2 0 40 11 4 ■S Acts. 12 0 Oi 4,138 1 91 568 2 271 3 3 0 475 2 0 40 11 4 18 3 0 329 12 8 32 11 i\ 2 1 13 112 0 0 0 2 13 578 1 14 20 0 0 18 3 0 .. 15 9.. 41 10 4 2 10 0 .. •■ I " •I •• I •■ ■• Totals — 22! 4,718 3 36 518 16 4 4,718 3 36 518 16 4 380 7 0 17 710 3 27 63 9 1 .. • • .. • • I * 45,300,503 ft. kai ri timber. t Recoverii :s on ex] lired license, J £140, State forests, § Includes £6 15s., Endowment revenue, and £2 10s., Land for Settlements revi

a—i.

Table 25.—Return of Territorial Revenue received during the Year ending 31st March, 1897.

148

System. Auckland. Hawke's Bav Taranaki. Wellington. Nelson. Marlborough. Westland. Canterbury. Otago. Southland. Totals. I i i £ s. a. 6,999 0 3 3,935 15 0 £ s. d. 16 12 6 7,799 4 8 83 15 0 1,221 2 11: 75 11 4 2,695 5 3 911 19 7 1,336 11 5 £ s. d. 322 9 5 7,567 13 9 £ s. d. 2,859 10 10 31,523 2 6 £ s. d. 2,701 13 0 £ s. d. 3,580 3 3 £ s. d. 110 2 9. £ s. d. •1,920 5 5 348 1 0 25 0 0 1,120 0 7 2,618 12 3 1,239 1 10 80 14 11 2,784 18 9 £ s. d. fl,102 12 3 1,771 2 0 35 0 0 6,035 16 0 ! 596 5 11 ! 3,802 17 ll| 667 7 II 1 3,014 1 7: 241 7 0 60 8 4i £ s. a. 648 17 2; 597 0 0: 121 10 0 2,954 4 9 218 9 6 1,153 0 10 719 2 6 1,656 17 10, £ s. d. 20,261 6 3 53,541 18 11 265 5 0 34,513 7 0 3,508 19 0 25,782 11 8 8,732 17 6 13,641 18 6 241 7 0 81 17 9 Cash lands .. .. Perpetual lease made freehold "Village settlement perpetual lease made freehold Deferred payment Deferred payment, pastoral Perpetual lease and small areas Occupation with right of purcbaso Lease in perpetuity Agricultural lease Occupation lease under " The Mining Districts Land Occupation Act, 1894 " Village settlement, cash Village settlement, deferred payment Village settlement, perpetual lease Village settlement, occupation with right of purchase Village settlement, lease in perpetuity.. Village-homestead special settlement .. Special-settlement association, deferred payment Special-settlement association, perpetual lease .. Special-settlement association, lease in perpetuity Improved-farm special settlement Small grazing-runs Pastoral runs Goal and mineral leas=» Prospectors' mining leases Timber licenses and other leases Plax-cutting.. Miscellaneous leases ,, Transfer, lease, and license fees, &c. Bents of reserves Miscellaneous Crown-grant fees State forests Survey liens on Native lands Survey Fees, — Amounts which do not form part payment for land 1,886 3 6 3,933 0 1 1,676 3 7! 1,015 17 4 6* 4 01 408 18 0 435 9 7 17 17 0 31 5 6 15 0 0 26 1 4 2 5 6 0 16 3 36 4 0 68 14 1 38 9 2 10,179 2 10 3,198 7 0 1,274 1 3 I 1,377 12 7 I I 94 6 11 a* 11 0 4 7 0 3,932* 1 6 9,420 18 5 3,230 6 6 2,070 10 9 32 6 4 9 7 10 651 5 10 675 0 10 3,693 10 1 51 13 6 4,972 11 9 185 9 0 1,899 19 10 247 2 2 6,863' 7 8 243 18 7 106 1 6 141 7 3 • ■ 255' 13 5 56 0 2 12 11 10 240 17 0 15 5 5 8* 5 11 1 5 0 21 7 4 21 19 0 65*18 10 40 1 7 54 7 II 1 3 4 0 i 186' 3 5 826 13 7 14 0 9 7 8 858 8 1 175' 5 8: 5 12 4j 9 6 3 70 7 7 69 5 1 0 19 0 131 7 4 176 16 10 I 2 5 0 146 10 3 217 11 3 1 17 6 216 12 11 131 10 5 •• 26 11 3 564 1 9 1,126 8 3 7 7 9 1,070 12 1 2,341 7 3 4,167 8 10 244 16 2 5,660 11 10 247 19 2 20,570 4 11 73,124 16 2 893 9 10 13 0 0 7,657 10 2 18 3 0 2,880 9 10 2,000 0 8 4,594 18 1 4,253 3 6 1,302 0 8 6,236 17 8 99 16 0 582 19 6! 51 12 0 531 17 10 3 4 10 14 1 3 1,231 9 7 917 16 4 532 18 4 17 5 3 192 9 7 410 13 11 3,912 15 10 4,437 14 3 30,434 10 10 57 16 6 3 0 0 2 0 0 114 19 1 31 3 8 11,050 7 10 131,012 2 1 134 7 10 5 0 0 76 8 0 ■• •• 764 10 5 3,644 17 6 68 13 8 10 0 158 7 0 10 0 0 6 0 0 177 1 0 774 17 2 109 14 8 95 18 2 1,038 1 10 2,227 14 11 100 14 0 676* 4 6 .. 40 0 130 16 0 7,208 5 0 ■• 6 10 8 75 3 6 8 3 0 28 0 6 88 17 0 475 2 10 4 2 0 17 8 2 140 0 0 209 12 9 332 6 0 63 15 6 1,200 19 4 196 4 11 3,734 5 6 325 6 5 155 6 8 17 3 3 690 3 9 57 12 1 65 6 5 226 2 0 174 1 1 47 13 2 135 10 9 102 18 1 206 8 6| 421 1 0 1,212 8 6 331 0 3 1,299 4 0 99 16 0 397 14 3 127 0 0 1,029 10 5 171 0 10 161 0 0 28 0 0 76 5 0 32 2 3 20 0 1 2 0 0 278 1 6 1,605 2 0 634 17 10 129 2 3 1,717 11 5 332 13 0 2 2 7 162 3 4 §176 4 1 25 6 4 153 4 8 160 3 2 1 104 7 10 4 19 0 42 0 0 512 2 8 36 3 0 104 0 0 1,117 0 4 Amounts which do form part payment for land 9S 10 8 91 13 4 91 10 8 i 22 15 8 348 12 4 81 0 0 85 0 0 8 10 0 1 274 12 0 17 0 0 1,119 4 8 301,909 8 5 Totals J34,709 7 6 ■ 17,831 10 6; 15,755 11 4 [25,670 2 10 69,389 13 6 14,624 13 9 9,454 15 1 1,235 1 4 50,302 7 4 62,936 5 3 Land I for SetHet nents Acts. Lease in perpetuity .. Lease in perpetuity, village Special settlements .. Small grazing-runs Miscellaneous 615 9 9 3,180 9 5 17 13 0 I •• 1 I ■■ I 913 19 71 181 19 2 6,013 5 8: 5,982 18 3 324 7 4 1,155 14 3 18,043 16 1 342 0 * 135 19 3 158 10 6 999 0 7 18* 3 0 135 19 3 94 0 0 899 9 7 64 10 6 78 18 0 2 10 0 Totals 615 9 9 3,198 2 5 932 2 7 181 19 2 7,142 14 6 I I 6,450 14 lj 1,158 i 3 19,679 6 9 .. * Includes £7 15a. 6d. collected in Dunedin on Canterbury lands. f Including £9 15s. 6d. on account of Canterbury lands. § Including £1 Is. on account of Canterbury lands. J Including £11 on account of Canterbury lands.

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Table 26. —Summary of Arrears due to the Crown on 31st March, 1897.

Table 27. —Return of Lands reserved, alienated by Act, Scrip, &c.

149

System. Area. Amount in Arrear. Deferred payment Perpetual lease Occupation with right of purchase Lease in perpetuity Agricultural lease Village settlements on deferred payment Village settlements on perpetual lease Village settlements on occupation with right of purchase .. Village settlements on lease in perpetuity Village-homestead special settlements Special-settlement associations Improved farms Small grazing-runs Pastoral runs Miscellaneous (not otherwise specified) 136 298 164 154 6 5 29 3 34 215 202 1 62 30 81 A. E. P. 18,622 1 6 79,980 2 4 28,444 1 18 48,593 0 34 932 1 9 75 2 11 424 2 35 2 0 0 619 3 21 7,416 3 3 33,282 2 29 29 0 0 102,752 3 10 204,175 1 28 13,738 2 6 £ s. d. 907 11 11 2,174 1 0 741 18 8 1,218 1 7 70 14 9 6 2 10 69 0 7 0 9 6 56 10 11 1,664 18 4 2,315 2 1 4 19 10 1,635 19 2 488 4 8 639 15 7 Totals 1,420 539,090 0 14 11,993 11 5 ■Cheviot Estate— Lease in perpetuity Village-homestead special settlement Grazing-farms Miscellaneous 1 2 2 8 265 2 0 45 0 38 3,033 2 0 163 0 30 14 0 7 11 2 70 6 10 13 5 8 Land for Settlements Acts — Lease in perpetuity Lease in perpetuity, village Special settlements 21 8 2 3,708 3 4 106 0 24 415 0 0 640 8 7 65 4 1 15 13 2 Totals.. 1,464 546,827 1 30 12,807 4 11

iring the Year em led 31st March, 1; S97. Total Area reserved, granted under Acts, &c, from the Foundation of the Colony to the 31st March, 1897. District. Area reserved for Various Purposes. Area granted under Acts. Area granted in satisfaction of Scrip. Total Area alienated during the Year. Auckland .. Hawko's Bay Taranaki Wellington.. Nelson Marlborough Westland .. Canterbury .. Otago Southland .. A. B. P. 6,740 3 23 779 3 0 1,248 3 12 2,900 3 4 153 1 36 4,826 0 0 39 1 3 7,453 3 36 240 0 39 56 2 28 A. B. P. 134,033 0 0 175 2 32 40 3 1 13,610 3 13 A. B. p. A. E. P. 140,773 3 23 779 3 0 1,424 2 4 2,941 2 5 13,764 1 9 4,826 0 0 208 0 35 58,642 0 14 454 0 39 56 2 28 A. b. P. 3,240,125 3 28 241,721 3 9 580,750 0 18 818,937 1 14 263,767 1 13 185,599 3 8 101,922 2 16 814,252 2 1 591,874 2 19 589,838 0 3 168 3 32 51,173 2 9 214 0 0 14 2 9 Totals.. 199,416 3 7 24,439 3 21 14 2 9 223,871 0 37 7,428,790 0 9

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Table 28. — Return showing Area of Bush felled on Lands sold or leased by the Crown up to 31st March, 1897.

Table 29 .—Statement of the Number of Selectors on the Books of the Lands and Survey Department on the 31st March, 1897.

150

District. On Lands taken up during the past Year. On lands taken up in previous Years. Total. Auckland* Hawke's Bayf Taranaki .. Wellington Nelson J Marlborough Westland .. Canterbury Otago Southland .. A. B. P. 15,000 0 0 50 0 0 1,180 0 0 1,364 0 0 a. r. p. 18,000 0 0 8,750 0 0 165,630 0 0 455,245 0 0 A. K. P. 33,000 0 0 8,800 0 0 166,810 0 0 456,609 0 0 3,100 0 0 286 0 0 58,500 0 0 18,269 0 0 61,600 0 0 18,555 0 0 338* 0 0 60 0 0 18,289 0 0 1,310 0 0 18,627 0 0 1,370 0 0 Totals .. 21,378 0 0 743,993 0 0 765,371 0 0 * Information only on land selected during the last three years. I During year. J No data.

Deferred Payment. Perpe' Leas tual Oecups with Ki| Purch ition ght of iase. Lease Perpetuity. CD o "3 3 T3 o an Oocupati under " T Districts I pation Ai ion Lease 'he Mining jand Occuct, 1894." as CD r 1 CD Ph (U CU CO QJ l>0 § s fl ce l& i—i 4) l≤1 43 O S CD P< O PI ie. i: District. 3 rO i a o ™ I co I'a H oil °l -all jn m h "S O CQ a 1 ,3 s 1 . CQ % % a a CO . a CO II CO a a e d o g^ O CO a p e « o CO d a St-1 Auokland Hawke's Bay .. Taranaki Wellington Nelson Marlborough .. Weatland Canterbury Otago Southland 241 35 242 66 768 14 13 35 130 162 1 724 151 249 390 42 11 9 107 494 169 11 16 800 64 87 321 78 10 25 12 95 103 6 434 107 120 268 72 87 10 159 480 189 68 63 17 1 7 22 6 1 8 1 8 17 *9 11 25 *6 31 17 277 195 47 15 5 1 6 21 ii 5: 1 iii 68 6 7 21 65 14 21 7 41 72 42 124 4 5 4 Totals 698 99 28 116 25 89 240 38 1, '06 48 2,346 1,595 ,926 111 Vii lage Seti lent Lea Perpetu: r illi ite: Se age ad ittli 3-homi Specii ement 8Spei 3ettU .ssoci oial me iatic at >ns. l I C> -4 > < II Smal jzing-: 0) gl 5 istori Miscel laneo is. Gn ins. in ill •yDistrict. 03 T3 g d o w- 2 I as CO CO i i-i co n3 a C o ■a 0) . t- CO O c3 O H 13 a a 5 Cβ O o 9 GO o H3 M o CO "3 1 I 0 IS 3 '> to o -43 d d> . 1 (3 i g o co n3 l=! a IS c3 o >■ CO lo CO -«a - s a) o 43 Total. Auokland Hawke's Bay Taranaki Wellington Nelson Marlborough Westland ■Canterbury Otago Southland 178 31 1 146 20; 251 731 45 17 214 25 14 50 14 76 8 3 12 17 1 :s7 57 71 93 45 281 54 65 229 335 270 45 2,875 703 1,311 2,362 1,432 378 318 1,783 2,774 1,591 34 9 256 8 14 "e 139 14 21 I . G3 22 120 65 167 92 255 81 2 14 12 23 1 23 112 160 31 9 225 ! 87 60 83 47 "28 15 13 84 57 36 247 19 l l 13 3 27 *2 *4 i 4 87 1 13 1 Totals 600 39 I 734 83 69 1,191 13 442 519 27 27 831 2 41 1,500 87 17 111 15,527

Cr-1.

Table 30. —Statement showing the Total Number of Crown Tenants, with Area selected or held, the Yearly Rent payable, and Rent in Arrear on 31st March, 1897.

23—C. 1.

151

Tenures. Total Number of Total Area held by such Tenants. Total Yearly Rental or Payments payable. Total Amount of such Eents or Payments in arrear. Tenants. Deferred payment Perpetual lease Occupation with right of purchase Lease in perpetuity Agricultural lease Homestead Mining Districts Land Occupation Act Village settlements— Deferred payment Perpetual lease Occupation with right of purchase.. Lease in perpetuity Village-homestead special settlements— Perpetual lease Lease in perpetuity Special settlements — Deferred payment Perpetual lease Lease in perpetuity Improved-farm settlements .. Small grazing-runs.. Pastoral runs Miscellaneous leases 1,726 2,346 1,595 1,926 28 41 116 A. B. P. 247,304 0 30 632,045 2 3 345,335 0 18 586,165 3 37 1,636 0 10 4,377 1 27 5,692 3 10 £ s. d. 17,148 1 4 24,046 2 4 13,677 19 11 20,106 3 0 122 0 5 £ s. d. 907 11 11 2,174 1 0 741 18 8 1,218 1 7 70 14 9 223' 8 9 89 246 38 600 1,472 1 38 4,213 2 32 27 3 36 9,465 2 3 378 19 10 670 19 0 10 17 0 1,073 6 1 6 2 10 69 0 7 0 9 6 56 10 11 734 19,529 1 28 2,232 10 3 1,664 18 4 173 36 982 442 519 831 1,500 13,968 16,960 0 17 3,703 0 39 191,385 3 6 41,173 2 8 941,947 0 7 10,065,737 3 16 262,106 2 33 1,333 6 3 260 3 0 8,938 9 10 382 3 0 22,003 15 7 69,618 14 8 11,660 10 10 193,887 11 1 87 1 3 67 3 8 2,160 17 2 4 19 10 1,635 19 2 488 4 8 639 15 7 Totals 13,380,280 1 38 11,993 11 5 Cheviot Estate — Lease in perpetuity Village-homestead special settlement Grazing-farms Pastoral runs Miscellaneous Land for Settlements Acts — Lease in perpetuity Lease in perpetuity, village Special-settlement associations Small grazing-runs Miscellaneous 111 83 27 2 87 23,846 2 21 2,473 1 37 44,886 2 0 2,102 0 0 3,827 3 35 6,393 8 2 869 19 0 6,410 0 0 262 3 8 695 15 5 14 0 7 11 2 70 6 10 13 5 8 698 39 13 2 17 76,977 0 13 434 0 29 2,510 1 9 5,494 0 8 710 3 27 21,395 4 11 340 14 10 185 18 2 306 19 6 63 9 1 640 8 7 65 4 1 15 13 2 Totals 15,047 13,543,543 2 17 230,811 3 10 12,807 4 11

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152

Table 32. —Endowments: Return of Revenue received during the Year ended 31st March, 1897.

Table 31. —Endowments: Lands taken up during the Year ended 31st March, 1897.

Auckland. Hawke's Bay. Taranaki. Wellington. Nelson. "Westland. Canterbury. Otago. Southland. Totals. Cash lands Perpetual leases made freehold Deferred payments Perpetual lease and small areas Occupation with right of purchase Lease in perpetuity Occupation lease, Mining Act Village-homestead special settlement .. Village lease in perpetuity Small grazing-runs Pastoral runs Coal and mineral leases Timber licenses and royalties Miscellaneous leases Rents of reserves Rotorua leases £ s. d. 3 10 0 30 11 0 15 9 0 77 4 1 19 7 2 30 2 2 £ s. d. £ s. a. £ s. d. 304 10 0 £ s. d. £ s. d. 18 14 0 £ s. d. £ s. d. £ s. d. £ s. d. 326 14 0 430 11 0 4,135 4 8 1,025 18 8 24 7 2 1,505 18 1 7 12 6 292 6 10 9 9 6 791 17 9 753 8 9 5,512 7 9 5,633 18 0 20 7 6 503 19 0 1,158 18 0 22,132 19 2 168 11 1 1,918 4 0 102 14 0 400 0 0 336 19 6 216 17 4 1,761 18 2 563 6 2 5 0 0 48 4 0 52 1 11 I,369'l8 0 5 12 0 6 5 0 7 12 6 10 14 6 275 7 4 123 "l2 6 25 11 0 112*19 6 9 9 6 310 16 6 462 10 10 244 9 3 265 6 11 4,711 16 7 2 10 0 10 0 1,158 18 0 5,512' 7 9 17 10 2 904 11 3 293' 19 8 16' 0 0 33 0 0 159' 4 4 1717 6 6'l5 0 Totals .. 6,205 16 6 333 12 6 293 19 8 ! 2,222 14 0 5,660 18 11 956 5 3 1,804 9 8 1,760 3 2 2,894 19 6

Cash Lands. Village-homestead Lands. Lease in Perpetuity. Occupation with Right of Purchase. Occupation Licenses under | " The Mining Districts Land! Occupation Act, 1894." Small Grazing-runs. Miscellaneous Leases. District. Endowments, &c. O U Is Area. Amount realised. O oi to 2 s <D I Area. Annual Instalments. a Area. Annual Rental. CD g a Area. Annual Rental. CD a Area. Annual Rental. Area. Annual Rental. CD 0 SCO Area. Annual Rental. E 3 A. e. p. 51 1 0 £ s. d. 34 1 0 A. E. p. £ s. d. A. e. p. .. £ s. d. 2 A. k. p. 92 0 0 £ s. d. 2 6 0 A. B. p. £ s. d. A. K. P.I £ s. d. A. e. p. £ s. a. .uckland .uckland .uckland .uckland Wellington felson Vestland.. ianterbury Museum University Rotorua Leases Girls' High School Wanganui Harbour Westport Colonial University Ellesmere " I 14 38 *2 8 304 10 0: .. •• - i '8 965"o 6 " 22 "2 2 " » " I 101 2 8 8'l8 0 2 2,763"o 0 46 17 6 •• 28 595 1 13 163 0 0 .. *5 50 0 0' 8 10 0 "i l,036"o 1 52 '0 4 1 '2 7 l"o 12 191 0 0 4 0 0 20 19 6 •• 1 1 - Totals .. 17 84 3 8 92 0 0 2 6 0 11 101 2 8 8 18 0 2 2,763 0 0 46 17 6 1 37 787 1 25 187 19 6 338 11 0 50 0 0 8 10 0 12 |2,001 0 7! 74 2 6 ! Note. —In the Auckland District also 17,296,576 ft. of timber on the Girls' High School Endowment was sold foi £9,588 4s. 10d., and the sum of £4,794 2s. 5d. received oi account of the purchase during the yc iar.

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Table 33. —Report on the Condition and Settlement of all Lands acquired under the Land for Settlements Acts of 1892 and 1894 on the 31st March, 1897.

Estates acquired but not dealt with at 31st March, 1897.

24—C. 1

153

Name of Estate. Area Purchased. Taken up during the Year. Selections of Previous Years occupied. Rent and other Payments Area of Land Value of Area occupied ™?2?££ Improvements «-£«* 1897. B '■ d£ffl S3 I i o o 0 W Date when Land opened for Selection. Arrears of Rent on 31st March, 1897. is o Total Receipts from Inception to 31st March, 1897. No. of Selectors. Area. Annual Rent I No. of payable. Selectors. I Area. received during Annual Rent the Year, payable. Auckland — Opouriao Hawke's Bay— Raureka Blsthorpe Waimarie .. M&rlborough— Blind River Omaka Canterbury— Pareora Studholme Junction .. Kapua Rosebrook Otaio Patoa The Peaks .. Roimafca Kereta Braco Ep worth Ashley Gorge Omihi Stock Reserve .. Orakipaoa Highbank Rakitairi Waiapi Otarakaro .. Wharenui Horsley Downs Otago— Pomahaka Teanaraki Tahawai Maerewhenua Puketapu Ardgowan Makareao Southland — Merrivale Wescland — Poerua A. R. P. 7,604 0 0 A. B. P. Y16 0 11 £ s. d. 143 15 10 A. R. P. 5,964 1 9 £ s. d. 1,258 14 0 £ s. d. 619 i 9 A. E. P. 298 1 17 A. B. P. 625 1 3 £ s. a. 6,729 1 0 Feb. 12, 1896 £ s. d. £ s. d. 1,255 11 11 10 58 102 33 427 2 0 9,938 0 0 430 1 30 20 34 17 416 0 38 9,450 2 2 400 2 35 543 2 0 2,269 7 0 435 10 0 552 10 11 2,425 16 6 219 15 0 11 1 2 192 0 20 4 2 16 97 1 18 25 0 19 1,330 5 0 1,851 10 0 466 17 9 16 20 8 11 ' 12 7 May 6, 1896 June 24, 1896 Sept. 9, 1896 552 10 11 2,408 14 6 219 15 0 5,507 0 0 3,898 0 0 5 13 1,065 0 0 3,837 3 0 157 5 2 589 6 8 15 3,892 0 0 714 19 9 390 18 8 541 3 11 344 0 0 60 1 0 318 0 0 1,966 0 0 1,076 14 0 71 25 16 6 Jan. 16, 1895 June 24, 1896 902 10 1 541 3 11 • 620 2 13 107 2 17 574 1 5 600 1 8 373 3 14 4,535 3 14 2,811 0 9 48 3 7 105 2 29 27 2 4 21 0 3 1,166 0 24 20 0 0 384 0 31 9,121 3 8 3,526 1 16 1,124 2 36 39 3 9 t73 1 10 3,982 3 35 1 50 0 0 22 10 0 26 4 11 15 9 i 13 27 i 13 2 10 537 3 17 104 2 8 522 1 22 600 1 8 367 0 33 4,224 3 28 2,510 1 9 45 0 36 105 2 29 26 2 8 21 0 3 1,161 1 2 348 10 0 73 4 6 247 13 4 307 13 6 216 14 8 156 3 6 185 18 2 140 5 9 82 18 0 69 17 0 13 11 2 258 1 0 341 14 9 101 9 2 246 2 2 279 7 8 268 18 5 87 18 4 135 19 3 129 19 9 69 10 0 55 13 0 13 11 2 242 7 8 8 2 38 3 0 9 2 0 0 73 3 38 1,955 0 0 220 8 0 913 3 0 1,420 13 0 593 1 6 133 18 42 50 16 25 3 10 9 4 Jan. 18, 1894 Jan. 18, 1894 Jan. 24, 1894 June 26, 1895 June 26, 1895 Nov. 27, 1895 Aug. 1, 1895 Aug. 14, 1895 Deo. 4, 1895 Nov. 27, 1895 Nov. 27, 1895 Dec. 4, 1895 June 22, 1896 June 24, 1896 Mar. 22, 1897 Mar. 22, 1897 Mar. 24, 1897 Mar. 24, 1897 46 i 8 4 1,107 12 7 217 9 1 674 7 4 573 17 5 421 5 1 122 5 2 237 10 1 207 1 6 114 7 0 91 17 2 20 6 9 390 9 0 6 2 21 17 3 26 12 0 0 4 1 14 293' 0 0 J 769 0 0 2 •{ 15 13 2 "2 1 6' 3 36 2 11 4 2,147 0 0 109 5 0 422 0 0 102 4 27 22 1 7 3 18 11 "2 4 2 4 20 0 0 864 0 0 41 11 27 74 23 15 6 7 384 0 31 9,026 3 18 3,518 1 34 1,124 2 36 34 1 9 25 3 3 397 10 8 3,039 13 6 1,061 7 8 518 19 10 96 19 8 106 16 10 397 15 2 3,554 0 7 530 12 4 259 9 11 54 0 3 73 19 11 300 0 0 86 3 30 3 3 22 80 0 4 0 0 * Oft 397 15 2 3,55.4 0 7 530 12 4 259 9 11 54 0 3 73 19 11 300 0 0 5 2 0 47 2 7 7,462 3 1 347 3 18 69 0 19 11,150 3 36 509 0 6 4,234 0 0 2,367 3 31 7 1 "a. 1,458 3 2 5 0 2 33 0 29 191 11 6 4 16 2 9 8 8 15 22 8 67 12 3,842 0 22 339 1 23 68 2 14 10,712 1 15 496 0 36 661 3 0 276 13 4 35 14 4 3,513 14 6 189 7 4 481 10 7 286 15 8 35 3 7 3,428 9 1 94 14 2 1,817 9 8 304 3 3 200 2 26 3 3 31 0 2 5 237 2 8 12 3 10 106 0 24 2,285 2 0 190 3 20 2,580 0 0 1,022 0 0 641 0 0 7,577 15 9 470 8 7 4,347 19 2 796 11 9 28 28 9 77 4 46 12 Feb. 20, 1894 Feb. 7, 1894 Aug. 21, 1895 Sept. 10, 1895 Mar. 18, 1896 May 12, 1896 June 26, 1896 509 3 0 65 4 1 11 8 1,313 1 11 645 15 4 55 8 10 5,260 19 4 189 7 10 1,817 9 8 304 3 3 69 36 4,183' 3 1 2,315 3 17 1,905 4 6 390 18 0 40 0 22 9,998 0 0 10 2,376 0 0 270 6 10 38 7,422 1 20 1,160 1 4 1,158 4 3 199 2 20 3,901 0 0 159 41 Dec. 20, 1895 2,358 0 4 3,230 1 6 17 2,717 3 0 224 6 6 181 19 2 101 3 6 410 0 0 277 10 0 11 June 26, 1896 181 19 2 Totals 96,440 2 39 397 43,141 3 24 12,381 8 4 373 42,964 2 22 9,910 18 2 19,680 8 8 1,943 2 29 4,424 1 7 44,448 3 6 1,051 220 640 0 10 27 27,354 18 4{ 1 1 * Residence, &c, not c> impulsory till July next. t Workmen's homes. I Adjustme: ts will have ti be made in the Treasury figures by reducing them by £89 18s. r d. to agree with this total.

Name of Estate. Area purchased. Auckland— Okauia Hawke's Bay— Pouparae Frimley Canterbury— Marawiti Albury Otago— Tokorahi Momona Makareao No. 2 A. E. P. 6,528 0 0 337 3 4 110 2 1C 2,028 2 33 19,340 3 38 11,051 2 9 218 2 36 2,535 3 0 Totals 42,152 0 16

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Table 34. —Summary of Cheviot Estate Revenue from 1st April, 1896, to 31st March, 1897.

Table 35. —Summary of Cheviot Estate Receipts from 1st April, 1893, to 31st March, 1897.

Table 36.— Cheviot Estate: Return of Outlay and Income as at 31st March, 1897.

154

Cash sales, land „ sundries £ s. d. 336 2 0 100 11 6 £ s. d 436 13 6 Rents, Lease in perpetuity „ Grazing farms „ Pastoral runs „ Temporary grazing charges „ Miscellaneous pastoral leases Less refund .. £500 4 7 10 9 6 £193 3 8 5 17 6 6,793 13 11 6,311 13 1 489 15 1 688 16 3 Interest, Cash conditional Interest on advance to Cheviot Dairy-factory Company 188 6 6 45 0 0 13,794 3 3 Port Robinson Landing-service Less refund £869 14 10 0 10 0 233 6 6 869 4 10 869 4 10 Recoveries, Sale of tools „ Fencing boundary Harbour Reserve .. 9 15 6 2 13 0 15,333 8 1 12 8 6 £15,345 16 7

.Particulars. 1893-94. I 1891-95. 1895-90. 1896-97. Total. Proceeds fire insurance policies Cash sales, land „ sundries Leases in perpetuity Grazing farms Miscellaneous pastoral leases Interest on cash, conditional Interest, Cheviot Dairy-factory Company Port Robinson Landing-service Fencing adjoining Homestead Reserve Timber-cutting licenses £ s. d. 1,400 0 0 4,595 5 8 11 5 10 3,349 9 8 1,842 10 1 6,922 8 1 100 0 o £ s. d. £ s. d. 26,613 16 7 903 9 8 166 12 8 144 17 6 5,142 8 4 ] 6,410 17 10 3,637 1 1 j 5,440 8 3 1,058 3 1 J 687 17 7 370 9 3 J 194 11 10 £ s. d. 336 2 0 100 11 6 6,793 13 11 6,311 13 1 688 16 3 188 6 6 45 0 0 £ s. d. 1,400 0 0 32,448 13 11 423 7 6 21,696 9 9 17,231 12 6 9,357 5 0 853 7 7 45 0 0 301 18 1 1,050 12 8 I 730 11 7 0 7 6 110 869 4 10 2,952 7 2 0 7 6 110 Eecoveries — Passage-money, tools, &c, refunded Cheviot rabbit-fence Share fencing Harbour Reserve Rebate fire insurance premiums Cement sold 18,522 17 5 38,040 12 2 I 14,512 14 3 15,333 8 1 ! J 86,409 11 11 I 367 7 5 86 8 9 10 9 10 7 10 0 56 5 10 34 3 6 9 15 6 J 474 1 6 7 10 0 2 13 0 56 5 10 34 3 6 2 13 0 J 18,890 4 10 38,134 10 11 14,613 13 5 15,345 16 7 86,984 5 9

Outlay. Balance from previous year Soad-construction.. janding-service, administration, and contingencies .. '.nterest paid and accrued from 18th April, 1896, to 18th April, 1897 i • £ .. 271,726 342 654 8,866 Totals .. £281,588 Income. ?rom freehold, &c, disposed of Sents on account of lands disposed of, paid and accrued, to 30th June, 1897 interest Shipping and port charges Balance .. T £ 437 14,620 233 869 .. 265,429 Totals 4 .. £281,588

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Table 37. —Comparative Statement of Selectors and Lands selected under Settlement Conditions for the Ten Years ended 31st March, 1897.

25—C. 1.

155

Year ending 31st March, Cash. Deferred Payment. Perpetual Lease. jease rpetuity. Occupation with Right of Purchase. Agricultural Lease. Occupation Leases.* Village Settlement: Cash. in Pi No. Area. No. Area. No. Area. No. Area. No. Area. No. Area. No. Area. No. Area. Acres. 28,229 Acres. 41,100 Acres. 72,401 ; Acres. Acres. 15 Acres. 1,222 Acres. Acres. 66 1888 554 319 367 68 1889 613 68,498 397 54,419 768 204,749 .. " .. 11 150 143 664 1890 543 46,922 304 41,376 756 236,905 1 53 159 656 1891 573 100,014 258 34,091 788 288,917 4 551 87 210 1892 492 40,501 223 40,467 824 282,547 j 2 90 89 429 1893 552 36,326 169 21,084 385 122,557 126 55,320 16: 61 54,271 4 193 75 528 1894f 497 34,998 96 12,669 17 3,854 612 179,993 46: 61 108,133 5 365 3 2 1895f 392 38,694 ■ 47 5,453 3 1,263 372 91,799 391 98 75,477 2 44 23 23 1896t 476 26,574 6 456 7 1,427 696 122,350 43: 31 84,968 3 36 69 2,931 16 9 1897t 388 28,451 19 9,106 659 104,927 27' 77 59,648 13 48 2,817 4 4 Year ending 31st March, Villi Settler Defe: Payrr ige nent: cred lent. Sett Pe: r illa> Jem rpefr jeasi ge Lent: ual Vill agehomestead Special Settlement. Specialsettlement Associations. Impro\ Farm ■ed Sma Grazing anc Grazing.11 [-runs 1 Homestead. 3. e. i farms. No. t rea. No. •ea. No. ! Area. 1 No. j Area. No. Area. No. Area. No. Area. 1888 147 Veres. 1,316 , Ac Acres. 309 Acres. 9,451 309 Acres. 31,740 28 Acres. 4,220 Acres. 83 Acres. 156,482 1889 99 1,182 36 622 24 345 209 19,905 11 1,050 81 161,652 1890 75 782 76 1,729 20 270 46 4,970 19 1,751 35 60,340 1891 51 369 56 954 10 350 2 71 9 945 43 86,161 1892 23 182 59 893 140 2,213 13 1,922 8 1,010 80 159,464 1893 29 390 (164 I §2 2,636) §4/ 33 493 838 ,157,381 1 38 39 92,926 1894f 16 {1 §208 §3,953 118 2,549 290 68,852 142 252,693 1895f 130 :23 I §232 §4,050 60 2,742 262 ; 51,345 107 9,731 60 117,845 1896t 13 \2 §193 §3,364 19 794 238 44,237 315 28,348 32 46,407 1897t \i t* §102 §1,317 18 360 142 28,084 45 4,882 27 68,934 * " Mining Districts Li ind Occupt r illage sett: ition i [emeni L ot, 1894." t ] i, occupation wil Cnclusive o: ih right of ] Cheviot Estate, and 1; mrcliase. § Villi mds dispoi Lge settlen: >ed of Til lent, leai ider the Lai se in perpet id for S< tlity. sttlements Acts.

156

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Table 38. —Statement showing Outlay and Income of Estates purchased under the Land for Settlements Acts, 1892 and 1894. (Continued from Table No. 37 of 1895-96.)

Name Date of Purof Estate. chase. Outlay. Income. Particulars. Amount. Particulars. Amount. Balance from previous year Incidental expenses Interest from 1st July, 1896, to 30th June, 1897 £ s. a. 1,349 17 10 Rents on account of lands disposed of, paid, and accrued from 1st July, 1896, to 30th June, 1897 Balance £ s. a. Studholme Junction 27 July, 1893 47 4 11 73 4 6 1,323 18 3 Total 1,397 2 9 Total 1,397 2 9 'aroora 16 Aug., 1893 Balance from previous year Incidental expenses Interest from 1st July, 1896, to 30th June, 1897 7,265 19 1 6 0 0 254 10 1 Rents on account of lands disposed of, paid, and accrued from 1st July, 1896, to 30th June, 1897 Balance 375 17 7,150 11 Total 7,526 9 2 Total 7,526 9 Pomahaka.. 10 Oct., 1893 Balance from previous year Incidental expenses Interest from 1st July, 1896, to 30th June, 1897 22,670 13 6 454 6 6 809 7 6 Rents on account of lands disposed of, paid, and accrued from 1st July, 1896, to 30th June, 1897 Rents paid in advance .. Balance 749 16 7 35 9 7 23,149 1 4 Total Total 23,934 7 6 23,934 7 6 Kapua 11 Nov., 1893 Balance from previous year Incidental expenses Interest from 1st July, 1896, to 30th June, 1897 4,836 2 8 4 5 3 169 7 4 Rents on account of lands disposed of, paid, and accrued from 1st July, 1896, to 30th June, 1897 Balance 258 19 0 4,750 16 3 Total 5,009 15 3 Total 5,009 15 3 Te Aneraki.. 31 Jan., 1894 Balance from previous year Incidental expenses Interest from 1st July, 1896, to 30th June, 1897 5,517 3 6 193 1 3 Rents on account of lands disposed of, paid, and accrued from 1st July, 1896, to 30th June, 1897 Rents paid in advance Balance 281 8 6 2 10 1 5,426 6 2 Total Total 5,710 4 9 5,710 4 9 Blind River 20 Aug., 1894 Balance from previous year Portion of purchase-money not previously charged .. Incidental expenses Interest from 1st July, 1896, to 30th June, 1897 16,692 9 4 127 14 10 294 11 5 Rents on account of lands disposed of, paid, and accrued from 1st July, 1896, to 30th June, 1897 Balance 832 8 0 16,881 6 11 598 19 4 Total 17,713 14 11 Total 17,713 14 11 Rosebrook.. 15 Feb., 1895 Balance from previous year Incidental expenses Interest from 1st July, 1896, to 30th June, 1897 6,083 19 4 Rents on account of lands disposed of, paid, and accrued from 1st July, 1896, to 30th June, 1897 Balance 212 19 8 307 13 6 5,989 5 6 Total 6,296 19 0 Total 6,296 19 Otaio 25 Feb., 1895 Balance from previous year Incidental expenses Interest from 1st July, 1896, to 30th June, 1897 4,194 19 7 1 3 10 146 16 11 Rents on account of lands disposed of, paid, and accrued from 1st July, 1896, to 30th June, 1897 Balance 216 14 8 4,126 5 8 Total 4,343 0 4 Total 4,343 0 4 Merrivale .. 17 Apl., 1895 Balance from previous year Incidental expenses Interest from 1st July, 1896, to 30th June, 1897 25,820 17 2 1,699 8 11 Rents on account of lands disposed of, paid, and accrued from 1st July, 1896, to 30th June, 1897 Balance 963 3 9 1,242 7 11 27,241 1 11 Total 28,483 9 10 Total 28,483 9 10 Tahawai .. 25 ApL, 1895 Balance from previous year Incidental expenses Interest from 1st July, 1896, to 30th June, 1897 627 9 3 Rents on account of lands disposed of, paid, and accrued from 1st July, 1896, to 30th June, 1897 Balance 21 19 5 35 3 7 614 5 1 Total 649 8 8 Total 649 8

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Table 38. —Statement showing Outlay and Income of Estates purchased, &c. — continued.

Outlay. Income. Name of Estate. Date of purchase. Amount. Particulars. Amount. Particulars. £ a. d. 6,732 7 7 170 2 0 £ s. a. 'atoa, and Peak's Farm 3 May, 1895 Balance from previous year Incidental expenses Interest from 1st July, 1896, to 30th June, 1897 241 12 0 Rents on account of lands disposed of, paid, and accrued from 1st July, 1896, to 30th June, 1897 Balance 355 14 11 6,788 6 8 ioimata .. Total 7,144 1 7 Total 7,144 1 7 29 June, 1895 Balance from previous year Incidental expenses Interest from 1st July, 1896, to 30th June, 1897 2,386 1 11 334 11 7 Rents on account of lands disposed of, paid, and accrued from 1st July, 1896, to 30th June, 1897 Balance 95 4 0 140 5 9 2,675 11 9 Total 2,815 17 6 Total 2,815 17 6 24 July, 1895 Balance from previous year Incidental expenses Interest from 1st July, 1896, to 30th June, 1897 1,589 11 10 Rents on account of lands disposed of, paid, and accrued from 1st July, 1896, to 30th June, 1897 Balance 55 11 8 79 10 0 1,565 13 6 Total 1,645 3 6 Total 1,645 3 6 !aerewhenua 27 July, 1895 Balance from previous year Incidental expenses Interest from 1st July, 1896, to 30th June, 1897 68,486 5 0 6 11 11 2,404 4 3 Rents on account of lands disposed of, paid, and accrued from 1st July, 1896, to 30th June, 1897 Rents paid in advance Balance 3,545 19 0 3 11 7 67,347 10 7 Total 70,897 1 2 Total 70,897 1 2 Sraco 5 Aug., 1895 Balance from previous year Incidental expenses Interest from 1st July, 1896, to 30th June, 1897 1,376 5 11 14 19 0 48 13 0 Rents on account of lands disposed of, paid, and ao- ' crued from 1st July, 1896, to 30th June, 1897 Rents paid in advance Balanoe 70 2 0 15 8 1,368 10 3 Total 1,439 17 11 Total 1,439 17 11 .shley Gorge 9 Aug., 1895 Balance from previous year Incidental expenses Interest from 1st July, 1896, to 30th June, 1897 5,015 6 3 41 2 0 Rents on account of lands disposed of, paid, and accrued from 1st July, 1896, to 30th June, 1897 Balance 177 0 2 258 10 4,975 7 5 Total 5,233 8 5 Total 5,233 8 5 Ipworth .. 14 Aug., 1895 Balance from previous year Incidental expenses Interest from 1st July, 1896, to 30th June, 1897 257 12 9 Rents on account of lands disposed of, paid, and accrued from 1st July, 1896, to 30th June, 1897 Balance 9 11 13 11 2 253 2 8 Total 266 13 10 Total 266 13 10 'uketapu .. 18 Nov., 1895 Balance from previous year Incidental expenses Interest from 1st July, 1896, to 30th June, 1897 3,476 0 0 39 6 10 122 19 9 Rents on account of lands disposed of, paid, and accrued from 1st July, 1896, to 30th June, 1897 Rents paid in advance Balance 94 13 8 0 0 6 3,543 12 5 Total Total 3,638 6 7 3,638 6 7 Imihi S.E. 16 Jan., 1896 Balance from previous year Incidental expenses Interest from 1st July, 1896, to 30th June, 1897 251 19 8 15 11 3 Balance .. 276 17 5 9 6 6 Total Total 276 17 5 276 17 5 'oerua 3 Feb., 1896 Balance from previous year Incidental expenses Interest from 1st July, 1896, to 30th June, 1897 3,804 7 1 708 15 0 157 18 0 Rents on account of lands disposed of, paid, and accrued from 1st July, 1896, to 30th June, 1897 Rents paid in advance Balanoe 183 11 10 16 16 10 4,470 11 5 Total .. Total 4,671 0 1 4,671 0 1

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158

Table 38.— Statement showing Outlay and Income of Estates purchased, &c .—continued.

Outlay. Income. Name of Estate. Date ol Purchase. Particulars. Amount. Particulars. Amount. ;aureka .. 9 Mar., 1896 Balance from previous year Incidental expenses Interest from 1st July, 1896, to 30th June, 1897 £ s. d. 10,387 13 4 208 17 7 Rents on account of lands disposed of, paid, and accrued from 1st July, 1896, to 30th June, 1897 Balance £ s. d. 370 17 3 571 9 5 10,395 18 9 Total 10,967 8 2 Total 10,967 8 'pouriao .. 20 Mar., 1896 Balance from previous year Incidental expenses Interest from 1st July, 1896, to 30th June, 1897 24,572 16 1 669 19 0 883 9 2 Rents on account of lands disposed of, paid, and accrued from 1st July, 1896, to 30th June, 1897 Rents paid in advance Balance Total 1,647 0 8 65 12 11 24,413 10 8 26,126 4 3 26,126 4 3 Total irakipaoa .. 20 Mar., 1896 Balance from previous year Incidental expenses Interest from 1st July, 1896, to 30th June, 1897 7,831 10 5 43 15 7 Rents on account of lands disposed of, paid, and accrued from 1st July, 1896, to 30th June, 1897 Rents paid in advance Balance 275 12 9 397 13 8 0 4 0 7,753 1 1 20 Apl., 1896 Total Total )maka Purchase-money Incidental expenses Interest from 20th April, 1896, to 30th June, 1897 8,150 18 9 10,865 13 6 299 7 3 Rents on account of lands disposed of, paid, and accrued to 30th June, 1897 Balance 8,150 18 9 466 17 0 589 6 8 11,042 11 1 Clsthorpe .. Total .. 11,631 17 9 Total 11,631 17 9 21 Apl., 1896 27 Nov., 1896 Purchase-money* Purchase-money Incidental expenses Interest to 30ih June, 1897 42,870 10 0 550 0 0 743 15 4 1,896 8 0 Rents on account of lands disposed of, paid, and accrued to 30th June, 1897 Rent paid in advance Balance 2,550 9 6 0 5 0 43,509 18 10 ■lakareao .. Total 46,060 13 4 Total 46,060 13 12 May, 1896 14 Dec, 1896 Purchase-money Purchase-money Incidental expenses Incidental expenses of a previous year .. Interest from 12th May, 1896, to 30th June, 1897, on £7,312 6s. 9d. Interest from 14th Dec, 1896, to 30th June, 1897, on £5,071 7,168 3 8 5,071 10 0 121 12 11 22 10 2 Rents on account of lands disposed of, paid, and accrued to 30th June, 1897 Rent paid in advance Balance 385 0 2 0 10 12,385 6 8 290 5 2 96 5 11 Total Total 12,770 7 10 12,770 7 li Highbank .. 18 May, 1896 Purchase-money Incidental expenses Incidental expenses of a previous year Interest from 18th May, 1896, to 30th June, 1897 59,209 12 7 1,037 11 8 98 9 4 Rents on account of lands disposed of, paid, and accrued to 30th June, 1897 Sale of crop Rents paid in advance Balance 2,997 6 1 565 0 0 0 19 3 59,150 7 2 2,367 18 11 Ardgowan .. Total 62,713 12 6 Total 62,713 12 6 23 May, 1896 Purchase-money Incidental expenses Incidental expenses of a previous year Interest from 23rd May, 1896, to 30th June, 1897 Rents on account of lands disposed of, paid, and accrued to 30th June, 1897 Rent paid in advance Balance 34,600 0 0 3,571 0 4 1,938 1 6 0 0 6 38,312 16 10 582 0 10 1,497 17 8 Total 40,250 18 10 Total 40,250 18 10 Waimarie .. 21 July, 1896 Purchase-money Incidental expenses Interest from 21st July, 1896, to 30th June, 1897 8,608 15 0 70 1 3 Rents on account of lands disposed of, paid, and accrued to 30th June, 1897 Rents paid in advance Balance 286 0 1 191 12 28 2 8,745 7 Total 8,965 2 4 Total 8,965 2 ♦ 553 acres, value £2,458, deducted and exchanged for 111 acres 3 roods 38 perches of Frimley Estate, which see.

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Table 38. —Statement showing Outlay and Income of Estates purchased, &c.— continued.

Land for Settlements Account.

Outlay. Income. Name of Estate. Date of Purchase. Particulars. Amount. Particulars. Amount. £ s. d. 1,990 6 3 72 7 11 £ s. d. itarakaro .. 4 Sept., 1896 4 Sept., 1896 ' Purchase-money j Incidental expenses Interest from 4th Sept., 1896, to 3oth June, 1897 Rents and refunds received prior to disposal Rents paid in advance Balance 5 10 5 48 9 10 2,067 15 8 59 1 9 Total 2,121 15 11 Total 2,121 15 11 'harenui .. 28 Oct., 1896 28 Oct., 1896 Purchase-money Incidental expenses Interest from 28th Oct., 1896, to 30th June, 1897 4,765 6 3 34 11 11 Rents and refunds received prior to disposal Rents paid in advance Balance 20 11 6 53 8 5 4,838 13 8 112 15 0 Total 4,912 13 2 Total 4,912 13 2 [orsley Down 1 Jan., 1897 Purchase-money Incidental expenses Interest from 1st January, 1897, to 30th June, 1897 1 Jan., 1897 20,022 5 8 96 17 5 Rents received prior to disposal Balance 300 0 0 20,166 8 0 347 4 11 Total Total 20,466 8 0 'rimley 20,466 8 0 2,458 0 0 Balance 2,500 12 7 31 Dec, 1896 Purchase-money Incidental expenses Interest from 31st Dec, 1896, to 30th June, 1897 42 12 7 Total Total 2,500 12 7 2,500 12 7 'ouparae .. 31 Jan., 1897 31 Jan., 1897 Purchase-money Incidental expenses Interest from 31st Jan., 1897, to 30th June, 1897 7,768 16 6 10 16 0 Balance 7,891 10 2 111 17 8 Total 7,891 10 2 Total 7,891 10 2 ;akitairi .. 31 Mar., 1897 31 Mar., 1897 Purchase-money Incidental expenses Interest from 31st March, 1897, to 30th June, 1897 19,362 7 6 261 7 10 Rents paid in advance Interest and sinking fund Balance 525 11 4 5 10 19,264 7 0 171 4 0 Total Total 19,794 19 4 19,794 19 4 Waiapi 31 Mar., 1897 31 Mar., 1897 Purchase-money Incidental expenses Interest from 31st March, 1897, to 30th June, 1897 9,553 2 3 70 5 7 Rents paid in advance Interest and sinking fund Balance 232 4 0 27 5 11 9,447 17 4 83 19 5 Total Total 9,707 7 3 9,707 7 3 Ibury 31 Mar., 1897 31 Mar., 1897 Purchase-money Incidental expenses Interest from 31st March, 1897, to 30th June, 1897 Balance 66,499 4 0 65,294 11 8 629 6 2 575 6 2 Total .. Total .. 66,499 4 0 66,499 4 0

Outlay. Income. Particulars. Amount. Particulars. Amount. Dβ. 3alance from previous year Purchase-moneys foads, and incidental expenses of estates paid for at 31st March, 1897 Incidental expenses of estates agreed to be purchased, but not paid for, at 31st March, 1897 VUscellaneous expenses incidental to offers declined or not yet accepted liand-purchase Inspector's salary Interest paid and accrued from 1st July, 1896, to 30th June, 1897 £ s. d. 234,049 12 6 300,159 0 10 Cβ. Rents on account of lands disposed of, paid, and accrued to 30th June, 1897 Bents, &c, received prior to disposal Rents paid in advance Miscellaneous receipts Balance £ s. Jβ. 21,140 18 7 326 1 11 1,014 13 0 597 6 11 541,217 11 7 11,860 4 1 259 18 3 489 9 8 803 0 8 16,675 0 0 Total 564,296 12 0 Total 564,296 12 0

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Table 39.— Showing Surveyors employed and the Work on Hand on 1st April, 1897.

Table 40. —Crown Grants, Certificates of Title, Leases, and other Instruments of Title from the Crown prepared or examined from 1st April, 1896, to 31st March, 1897.

Table 41. —Plans placed on Crown Grants and other Instruments of Title from the Crown from 1st April, 1896, to 31st March, 1897.

Table 42. —Work done under the Land Transfer Act, &c, from 1st April, 1896, to 31st March, 1897.

160

Surveyors employed. Wor] on Hand. Chief Surveyors. Staff. Temporary. District. Trig. Settlement. Native Eoads, T Blocks, &c. &c. ■ rown - Mining and Mineral Leases. G. Mueller E. Gold-Smith .. J. Strauchon J. W. A. Marohant T. Humphries C. W. Adams W. G. Murray .. S. Weetman J. Hay .. D. Barron 8 t 8 5 2 8 3 6 1 9 3 5 5 Auckland Hawke's Bay Taranaki Wellington .. Nelson Marlborough Westland Canterbury .. Otago Southland .. Sq. Mis. 830 199 750 120 1,230 Acres. 114,623 41,514 81,000 209,942 5,510 81,850 9,545 188,218 23,835 19,230 Acres. 800 155,794 102,987 1,600 3,544 3,660 Miles. 89 40 28 141 24 42 37 Acres. 182 350 331 28 Acres. 35,000 6 5,635 1 3 60,110 2 216 Road Surveyors B. H. Reaney C. W. Hursthouse (in charge of Road 3 2 Districts). Kotorua North Island (central) Wanganui .. 86 19 G. T. Murray 50 Totals 46 37 3,129 775,267 328,495 558 891 40,851

Number. District. Cost. Singly. j In Duplicate, i In Triplicate. Total Copies. Auckland .. Hawke's Bay Taranaki .. Wellington Nelson Marlborough Westland Canterbury Otago Southland .. 6 18 25 89 3 38 4 31 36 29 160 32 518 130 121 1,099 59 17 7 190 582 106 1,732 390 375 3,391 210 113 93 628 2,066 387 £ s. d. 97 0 0 31 0 0 30 19 0 140 0 0 11 0 0 16 14 0 22 0 0 35 0 0 34 10 6 40 0 0 5 Totals 54 422 2,829 "i 9,385 458 3 6

Number. District. Singly. numDer. In Duplicate. In Triplicate. Total Copies. Cost. Auckland .. Hawke's Bay Taranaki .. Wellington Nelson Maryborough Westland .. Canterbury Otago Southland .. Totals •■ I 31 3 7 807 9 '2 99 21 979 164 338 5 38 55 7 34 29 640 32 577 654 92 697 607 43 7 203 352 172 2,090 2,641 293 2,974 1,940 143 89 669 2,435 601 & s. d. 200 0 0 65 5 0 81 15 0 123 12 0 184 9 6 46 7 9 11 10 3 90 1 10 130 12 6 96 0 0 1,342 3,404 13,875 1,029 13 10

District. Deeds No. of and Plans other Inpassed.I struments 1 passed. No. of Plans placed on Certificates of Title. Miscellaneous Plans, &c. Cost. Singly. In Duplicate. In Triplicate. luokland lawke's Bay 'aranaki Vellington .. Poison larlborough Vestland !anterbury .. )tago louthland 180 89 854 247 17 6 98 227 44 56 1,304 ] ,865 89 663 102 21 257 1,429 100 31 19 1,007 1,868 301 "74 10 2 23 2 £ s. A. 389 0 0 203 1 5 256 8 4 675 12 0 108 15 0 9 19 1 20 9 10 746 7 0 257 7 6 149 0 0 799 2,835 1 1,887 16 22 133 11 24 Totals .. 1,818 6,392 2,103 5,033 256 61 2,816 0 2

161

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Table 43. —Summary of Work done for other Departments, and for Local Bodies, from 1st April, 1896, to 31st March, 1897.

Table 44. —Summary showing Payments to Local Bodies during the Twelve Months ended the 31st March, 1897, from "Thirds" of Deferred-payment, Perpetual-lease, and Lease-in-perpetuity Lands, and "Fourths" of Small Grazing-runs.

Statements showing Payments to Local Bodies during the Twelve Months ended 31st March, 1896, from "Thirds" of Deferred-payment, Perpetual-lease, and Lease-in-perpetuity Lands, "Fourths" of Small Grazing-runs.

District. Amount. District. Amount. Auckland Hawke's Bay Taranaki Wellington Nelson Marlborough £ s. d. 4,213 0 8 750 16 11 774 6 5 1,702 15 0 262 18 10 146 16 0 Brought forward Westland Canterbury Otago Southland £ s. a. 7,850 13 10 681 0 2 1,271 7 11 506 16 7 436 18 6 Carried forward Total .. 7,850 13 10 £10,746 17 0

Districts. a* "Thirds," '5-£ Deferred"o § payment and Q g leased Lands. o≤ If) " Fourths," Small Gr az ingruns. ■ Total Payments. 4 si Lenj ;th, Locality, Description, and Particulars of Work authorised by Waste Lands Board. ■ &0 o ! o Bridges, i Culverts. Maintenance. 4k Auckland .. Hawke'sBay Taranaki .. Wellington Nelson Marlborough Westland .. Canterbury Otago Southland £ s. d. 1 I 3,536 11 11 2 ' 3,895 2 4 3 ! 5,298 12 7 4 ! 9,920 3 0 5 ! 1,382 18 10 6 54 3 5 7 I 76 19 1 8 1,999 4 7 9 4,684 19 10j 10 i 1,728 2 8 1 I ' .. |32,576 18 3: £ s. d. 112 8 10 302 14 10 46 15 6 468 6 10 45 17 1 £ s. d. 3,649 0 9 4,197 17 2 5,345 8 1 10,388 9 10 ' 1,382 18 10 100 0 6 1 76 19 1 3,317 18 9 8,173 17 10 1,776 3 3 Ch. 1,109 313 239 398 329 61 Ch. 1,221 79 182 i Oh. 2,523 2,225 1,255 2,364 452 72 & s. d. 169 5 6 99 4 5 400 3 8 431 3 0 17617 3 £ s. d. 18718 7 100 8 4| 25710 5 19 2 0 I £ a. d. £ s. d. 964 7 1 938 13 3 1,180 5 11 313 18 3 373 12 11 16 9 7 76 19 1 562 8 4141 0 8 ;3,593 12 8 303 6 4 1,318 14 2 ;3,488 18 0 48 0 7 i 448 77 60 495 106 2,760 3,249 1,549 49 2 11 52 7 6 101 0 0 32 131lj 52119 7; 19013 2 Totals .. 5,831 15 10 I 38,408 14 I 1 i '2,964' '2,143 16,449 1,479 4 3 1,310 6 0 8,323 13 5141 0 8

Lei igth, 1 jocaliti authoi ', Description, and Particulars of Work 'ised by Waste Lands Board. Local Bodies. "Thirds," Deferredpayment and leased La,nds. "Fourths," Small Grazingruns. Total Payments. As if II O-J3 Culrerts - tenat'e. Bridges. STj* 'BMBNT No. .UOI XAN. £ s. d. g B. d. 39 0 5 £ s. d. 39 0 5* 329 18 1 263 7 3t 34 16 2 58 16 3 135 15 0 30 11 2 874 12 3 24 16 9 44 5 0* 236 17 7 359 18 9 118 112 13 6 16 5 6 10 10 1 2 5 4 3 12 11 0 15 10 66 7 8 Ch. Oh. Ch. £ s. d. £ s. d. £ s. d. East Taupo O.C. .. Hokianga 0.0. Kawhia County Mongonui O.C. Manukau CO. Otamatea G.C. .. i Piako CO. Raglan CO. Rodney C.C. Rotorua County Tauranga C.C. Whangarei C.C Whangaroa CO. Waitemata C.C. Awhitu R.B. Ahuroa R.B. AlbertlandN'thR.B. S'th R.B. East Tamaki R.B... Gordon Special Settlement Huntly R.B. Humia R.B. Hikurangi R.B. KarakaR.B. Kirikiriroa R.B. Komokoriki R.B. .. Matakohe R.B. Maunu R.B. 329 18 1 231 11 11 34 16 2 58 16 3 135 15 0 30 11 2 874 12 3 24 16 9 33 0 6 206 9 0 359 18 9 118 112 13 6 16 5 6 10 10 1 2 5 4 3 12 11 0 15 10 66 7 8 381 364 342 50 15 7 21 li 2 31 11 1 31 15 4 7 18 100 149 10 620 6 15 0 13"6 1 101 190 13 6 1 8 8 11 28 19 10 2 10 4 4 5 3 17 4 2 147 11 10 15 0 7 267 118 8 3 31 15 3 10 3 11 4 6 30 8 7 192 336 181 2 1 59 5 4 118 90 12 3 6 16 3 6 16 9 29 109 35 17 9 10 8 0 14 52 24 30 15 7 3 10 1 3 13 4 5 6 0 10 9 0 14 4 io 80 49 9 9 2 5 6 0 14 10 1 5 11 27 12 7 3 5 4 24 10 9 .13 16 3 49 9 9 2 5 6 0 14 10 1 5 11 27 12 7 3 5 4 24 10 9 13 16 3 23 41 37 9 10 0 119 2 5 6 0 14 10 1 5 11 2 12 4 0 18 9 0 13 0 4 15 10 27 12 7 89 10 15 12 4 12 17 0 * Spent under Mr. Reaney's super 1 r ision. tS] ient under Mi •. Hun ithouse's supervision.

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Table 44. —Showing Payments to Local Bodies, &c.— continued.

162

Lei <th, Lc Dcality, author: , Description, ised by Waste md Particulars of Work Lands Board. Local Bodies. " Thirds," Deferredpayment and Perpetuallease Lands. " Fourths," Small Grazingruns. Total Payments. II O 5S cj © a=1 a .' o Bridges. O"*™*. te'nate. Mercer R.B. Mangawhai R.B. .. Matakana West R.B. Maraetai R.B. Maungakaramea R.B. Mainene R.B. Mauku R.B. Opaheke R.B. Omaha R.B. Opotiki R.B. Otonga East R.B. .. Otonga R.B. Onewhero R.B. Pukekohe East R.B. West R.B. Pirongia R.B. Parua R.B. Puhoi R.B PollokSet'm'ritR.B. Paparata R.B. Ruarangi R.B. Tauhoa R.B. Te Puke R.B. luhekaiamea R.B. Up'rMahurangiB.B. Wairoa R.B. Whanga,paraoa R.B. Whakatane R.B. .. Waipu North R.B. Whareora R.B. WaipipiR.B. Whan gamarino R.B. Wharehine R.B. .. Waikiekie R.B. Waiuku R.B. Waitoa R.B. Great Barrier Islana Kermacfeo Islands STi £ s. d. 3 10 10 3 16 4 16 12 9 0 13 4 1 12 9 .TEMENT £ s. d. o. 1.—AUCB £ s. a. 3 10 10 3 16 4 16 12 9 0 13 4 1 12 9 :lan: Ch. >— co , , Ch. ttinuei Ch. £ s. a. £ s. a. £ s. a. 3 10 10 3 16 4 5 *8 013 4 0 16 9 3 18 9 6 14 10 22 8 0 34 2 7 128 6 0 19 5 3 3 0 8 116 0 5 7 2 10 0 6 0 13 1 1 10 15 1 27 18 0 0 15 4 11 19 10 6 14 9 30 11 4 42 13 7 0 3 4 7 4 8 22 9 10 3 2 0 21 7 3 10 12 8 4 3 3 11 6 2 41 14 9 0 3 2 25 18 4 58 7 5 128 5 4 16 18 3 15 15 11 .. 3 18 9 6 14 10 22 8 0 34 2 7 128 6 0 19 5 3 3 0 8 116 0 5 7 2 10 0 6 0 13 1 1 10 15 1 27 18 0 0 15 4 11 19 10 6 14 9 30 11 4 42 13 7 0 3 4 7 4 8 22 9 10 3 2 0 21 7 3 10 12 8 4 3 3 11 6 2 41 14 9 0 3 2 25 18 4 58 7 5 128 5 4 16 18 3* 15 15 11* 10 130 12 6 12 7 20 34 is 17 4 4 18 134 11 5 66 10 1 5 7 8 17 33 21 8 'a ii 9 6 0 1 12 0 3 14 10 7 3 1 12 15 2 7 3 4 2 11 10 0 17 6 27 4 4 0 18 8 3 5 9 9 4 2 0 11 7 3 0 0 13 0 5 10 0 11 9 6 1 34 4 10 4 2 11 7 6 6 19 4 8 4 17 7 21 5 11 0 3 4 7 4 8 5 6 7 16 6 11 10 14 36 33 3 30 4 1 7 10 0 2 14 10 10 15 11 2 17 6 7 18 5 1 16 6 9 14 6 3 9 0 3 2 43 2 45 11 40 2 0 0 150 56*'l 5 110 10 1 Totals 3,536 11 11 112 8 10 3,649 0 9 1109 1221 2523 169 5 6 187 18 7 964 7 1 To be spent iy the Departmej nt —no work <3 lone ye it. statem: CNT No. 2.—I IAW1 CE'S : BAY. !ook-C.C Vairoa C.C. Vaipawa C.C. Vaiapu C.C. lawke's Bay C.C. .. aimeroa R.B. laharahara R.B. .. Torsewood R.B. foodville R.B. Veber R.B. Vaikohu R.B. langaatua R.B. .. •atutahi R.B. Irmond R.B. Vaimata R.B. 267 15 2 165 9 4 295 9 6 191 13 6 340 9 11 459 9 9 120 16 2 61 14 11 60 8 2 1,430 19 3 73 2 11 62 10 1 340 18 1 227 19 5 295 9 6 216 15 3 357 14 11 459 9 9 120 16 2 61 L4 11 60 8 2 1,493 10 9 14 12 6 2 2 8 246 12 2 3 2 2 296 10 9 4 51 275 94 500 312 59 92 11 4 4 17 14 8 7 15 2 19 1 11 15 11 3 181 14 6 20 3 4 18 11 3 25 1 9 17 5 0 20 53 60 62 11 6 14 12 6 240 15 722 21 18 7 1 13 4 38 18 4 3 0 0 8 19 6 46 18 11 6 3 0 107 4 0 14 2 4 11 14 5 60 8 2 270 2 7 14 12 6 2 2 8 150 0 1 2 10 0 79 4 5 2 2 8 246 12 2 3 2 2 248 19 8 6 4 7 0 12 2 47 11 1 120 Totals 3,895, 2 4 313 79 2225 99 4 5 100 8 4 938 13 3 302 14 10 4,197 17 2 STATE [ENT No. 3. -TA] tANAI KI. I 150 182 218 178 1 12 11 186 Jlifton C.C. 'atea West R.B. .. lawera C.C. loa R.B. itratford T.B. Vaiwakaiho R.B. ,. 'Ianganui R.B. Vaimate R.B. 'aranaki C.C. Itratford C.C. 'arihaka E.B. Vairoa R.B. 364 6 3 107 18 4 1,452 5 6 1,044 6 5 0 7 6 11 17 9 302 17 10 1,283 2 4 11 2 0 441 15 7 264 2 6 14 10 7 42 15 6 0 15 5 3 4 7 364 6 3 150 13 10 1,453 0 11 1,047 11 0 0 7 6 11 17 9 302 17 10 1,283 2 4 11 2 0 441 15 7 264 2 6 14 10 7 69 45 12 32 106 6 30 8 201 2 4 169 15 10 23 0 0 13 17 8 27 9 11 27 14 5 20 0 0 22 19 2 33 19 3 202 4 5 368 12 4 28 11 4 422 4 1 11 2 0 65 10 1 33 11 10 14 10 7 102 25 0 0 'i 10 261 56 4 5 6 28 14 8 93 14 7 Totals 239 182 1255 257 10 5 5,298 12 7 46 15 6 5,345 8 1 400 3 8 1,180 5 11 N.B. —Amouni authorised for 'menl of interest on loans. £1,511 5s. lid.

163

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Table 44. —Showing Payments to Local Bodies, &c. — continued.

26—0. 1.

Local Bodies. lease Lands. ] luns - Total Payments.* II II "! Brldses - o o a i Length, Locality, Description, authorised by Wasti and Particuli 3 Lands Boari us of Work 1 I. Culverts. Maintenance. statem: 5NT No. 4.—\" miA JNGT 'ON. £ s. d. 1,095 8 1 1,442 11 3 498 15 0 99 16 6 827 17 11 32 8 1 10 16 8 2,106 12 5 314 12 4 197 5 2 797 8 4 94 8 6 £ s. d. £ s. d. 1,095 8 1 1,476 8 2 498 15 0 171 0 0 849 11 5 32 8 1 10 16 8 2,106 12 5 314 12 4* 197 5 2* 846 13 4 128 12 0 Chs. 46 Chs. Chs. 217 163 115 56 181 11 £ s. d. 38 12 1 £ s. d. £ s. a. 17 9 Eketahuna R.B. .. Kiwitea C.G. Masterton R.B. Mangawhero R.B. .. Mauriceville R.B. .. Manawatu R.B. Motoroa R.B. Pahiatua G.G. Patea C.C. Pohangina O.C. Rangitikei C.C. Taratahi - Carterton R.B. Te Horo R.B. Upper Wangaehu R.B. Waitot'ra-Momabaki R.B. Waitotara C.C. Wairarapa North C.C. Wirokino R.B. 33 16 11 71 8 6 21 13 6 49 5 0 34 3 6 40 30 39 166 660 656 90 58 10 0 1 18 0 10 0 331 2 11 1 12 0 10 16 8 90 8 7 11 "7 1 10 17 0 76 3 4 478 1 9 172 12 6 76 3 4 650 14 3 77 20 164 11 15 3 148 5 9 324 14 0 324 14 0* 1,285 11 3 85 11 11 85 11 11 1,285 11 3 34 35 27 8 2 237 12 5 237 12 5 125 Totals 9,920 3 0 468 6 10 10,888 9 10 398 2,364 431 3 0 313 18 *Note. —The payme therefore represent the jnts in this colui. cost of the works * All are paid m include thi in the follow) i under hypothecation < pse made under hypotl ing columns. certiifi* ,hecati< sate. )n and ordinary reve 3nue certificat es, and do not Suburban North R.B. Stoke R.B. Waimea West R.B. Dovedale R.B. Upper Moutere R.B. Riwaka R.B. Motueka R.B. TakakaR.B. Collingwood R.B. .. Waimea C.C. Buller C.C. Inangahua C.C. Grey C.C. Amuri C.C. Cheviot C.C. 30 17 11 36 8 4 0 9 5 39 10 9 62 6 0 57 12 11 12 9 9 171 19 10 150 12 9 j 484 5 5 133 1 2 114 2 1 53 10 6 6 6 0 29 6 0 STAT! BMENT No. 5.—NE 3LS01 ST. 7 1 , 30 17 11 36 8 4 0 9 5* .. 39 10 9 62 6 0 57 12 11 74 12 9 9* .. 171 19 10 155 150 12 9 484 5 5 60 133 1 2 114 2 1 40 53 10 6 6 6 0 29 6 0*! ... 6 19 0 0 10 11 14 6 22 143 6 5 0 7 6 10 22 143 6 14 0 18 10 9 8 2 0 45 12 4 207 91 17 9 17 48 0 0 a r\ 207 17 40 0 8 0 104 6 9 65 0 0 72 4 7 53 10 6 6 6 0 . • 40 12 '6 0 I Totals 452 176 17 3 452 19 2 0 373 12 11 1,382 18 10 1,382 18 10 329 * Not expended. 'elorus R.B. Vairau R.B. C.C. Totals STATEMENT No. 6.—MARLBOROUGH. 42 10 5 I 35 2 0 77 12 5 51 .. 58 14 8 10 15 1 11 19 9 .. .. 5 10 8 4 .. 10 8 4 54 3 5 ! 45 17 1 100 0 6 51 72 12 8 1 J 116 0 I 2 5 6* .. 16 9 7 Totals 54 3 5 45 17 1 100 0 6 51 72 * River protection. STATEMENT No. 7.—WESTLAND. 'estland C.C. 76 19 1 76 19 1 .. .. i 76 19 1 76 19 1 .. I „ .. .. .. _76_19 1 Totals 76 19 1 76 19 1

164

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Table 44. —Showing Payments to Local Bodies, &c.— continued. STATEMENT No. 8.—CANTERBURY.

Length, Locality, Description, and Particular! by Waste Lands Board. of Work authorised Local Bodies. " Thirds," Deferredpayment and Perpetuallease Lands. "Fourths," Small Grazing-runs. Total . Payments. a g 4 1 f 1 ! co En Bridges. T2 »9 ■g eg l<3 o Cost of taking Road under Public Works Act. "a § u I Maintenance. £ s. d. 33 0 0 13 14 7 88 12 0 174 4 1 0 10 0 7 14 8 44 3 0 3 0 8 0 19 4 232 3 2 2 16 8 £ s. d. £ s. d. 33 0 0* 13 14 7 88 12 Of' 174 4 1 0 10 0 7 14 8t 44 3 0t 3 0 8 0 19 4 1 269 16 7 2 16 8 Chs. Chs. 5 £ s. d. 1 £ s. d. £ s. d. 18 11 9 28 12 6 £ s. d. £ s. d. Inama R.B. .. .. T.B. .. joldstream R.B. ieraldine R.B. .. .. ieraldine T.B. .. Hampstead T.B. .. ■ Levels C.C. .. .. j je Bon's Bay R.B. Jongbeach R.B. Mackenzie C.C. .. Handeville and Rangiora R.B. Mount Hutt R.B. .. | Mount Peel R.B. .. j tfount Somers R.B. Dxford R.B. Pigeon Bay R.B. Port Levy R B. .. iakaia R.B. .. .. itangitata R.B. .. South Rakaia R.B. springs R.B. .. .. ! Pemuka R.B. Jpper Ashburton R.B. .. /incent C.C. .. .. iVaimate C.C. .. .. | iVaipara R.B. .. .. /Vakanui R.B. 165 0 9 84 19 11 20 10 6 138 2 7 0 2 0 0 14 7 37 0 9 384 8 6 51 0 0 2 18 2 46 9 8 159 12 3 3 7 3 245 11 4 18 0 2 40 8 0 •• 37 13 5 19' 6 5 : 32 8 9 165 0 9 84 19 11 39 16 11 1 170 11 4 0 2 0 0 14 7t 37 0 9 i! 403 13 2 51 0 0§ ! 2 18 2 ! 46 9 8 i 159 12 3 3 7 3 858 0 11 ; , 615 11 6 40 8 0 220 30 9 '74 105 44 146 1 3 2 1 t 5 0 7 22 6 1 2 12 0 1 oio 0 100 2 14 10 6 0 0 4812 0 1 19 10 58 7 6 2 10 0 9 15 0 9 9 0 8 13 6 11 19 5 12 15 8 21 3 1 0 8 0 4 7 0 19 4 8; 728 •• : 23 16 0 39 18 9 2 0 0 20 104 215 3 411 455 190 12 0 0 105 6 3 19 6 5 12 2 6 612 9 7 597 11 4, 60 124 15 0 68 1 10 16 2 2 ;22 '9 0 128 5 0 Totals 1,999 4 7 1,318 14 2 ! !3,317 18 9 (10 2,760 49 2 11 32 13 10 562 8 4 141 0 8 69 7 *£ll8s. J £34 11s. 5d. unexpended. § Plantation, £7 6s. 2d. Sd. unexpended. I Unexpended. 1 Length, Locality, Description, authorised by Wastf and Particuli 3 Lands Boan of Work 1 I. Local Bodies. " Thirds," Deferredpayment and Perpetuallease Lands. 'Fourths," J Small Grazingruns. Total . a Payments. ■ oi 1 .2 Bridges. Culverts. Maintenance. stat: £ s. d. 679 0 8 530 13 5 135 15 7 213 11 2 581 9 7 280 19 10 830 0 7 17 1 6 220 5 8 I JMENT No. ' £ s. d. 1,084 8 4 1,622 9 9 594 14 6 546 6 0 853 14 11 329 9 6 1,818 7 3 132 8 1 836 17 5 55 17 9 299 4 4 9.—O: 'AGO, Taieri G.C. Maniototo C.G. Vincent O.C. WaitakiG.G. Waihemo C.G. Waikouaiti G.C. .. Olutha C.C. Bruce C.C. TuapekaC.C. Lake C.C. Balmoral R.B. £ s. d. 405 7 8 1,091 16 4 458 18 11 332 14 10 272 5 4 48 9 8 988 6 8 115 6 7 616 11 9 55 17 9 299 4 4 Ghs. Chs. 49 390 Ghs. £ s. d. 1,074 16 12 5 1,286 18 15 6 275' 41 95 16 19 7 170 159 75 42 32 1 £ s. d. 3 2 10 287 15 8 £ s. d. 387 6 9 342 2 6 472 10 7 853 14 11 233 17 10 374 8 1 8 10 7 682 19 8 39 7 11 198 13 10 423 22 3 20 36 225 16 1 0 8 3 3 8 11 1 7 10 ' * 1 Totals 8,173 17 10 448 3,593 12 8 4,684 19 10 3,488 18 0] 495 3,249 52 7 6 521 19 7 Southland C.C. Wallace C.C. Stewart Island G.C. Invercargill R.B. .. Oteramika R.B. Tuturau R.B. Waimumu R.B. S. Invercargill Boro' 922 9 7 544 16 9 8 0 0 56 14 1 158 9 8 5 2 2 21 19 11 10 10 6 statem: 5 2 0 40 16 5 INT No. 10.927 11 7 585 13 2 8 0 0 56 14 1 158 9 8 7 4 4 21 19 11 10 10 6 SOI 30 10 THL 20 I 36 .ND. j 310 973 12 0 0 80 0 0 50 0 0 128 1 8 37 0 0 240 17 4 8 0 0 10 0 0 7 9 0 31 50 30 231 9 0 0 10 0 0 2 11 6 2 '2 2 6 k Totals 1,728 2 8 48 0 7 1,776 3 3 77 106 1549 101 0 0 190 13 2 303 6 4

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Table No. 45.—Statement showing the Expenditure and Work done on Roads, &c., under the Control of the Department of Lands and Survey, for the Twelve Months ended the 31st March, 1897.

IGS

i I |F frifS re i89 f 6°£ Engineering S. a, t i? vT iHo? Surveys made 52 Name of Work according to Item on Appropriations, i chargeifto Autho fronl lst A P ril > I rities issued out of Mareh" ?897 S the Item named. Maich, 18H7. I Boads constructed. Impr< >ved. Maintained. Area of Crown Land rendered more accessible. Remarks. Dray- Bridleroad, track. Bridges constructed over 30ft. Span. Drayroad. Bridletrack. Dray- Bridleroad, track. £ s. a. 7 4 0 M.oh. M. oh. M. ch. No. Length. Ft. M. ch. M.oh. M.oh. M. ch. Acres. 74 Cheviot Estate Expenses __ 96 Main Roads. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 Auckland — North Shore-Awanui 16 0 0 4 0 0 301 15 3 111 12 0 0 60 •• '■ ■■ ! ■• ! 10 chains metalling. 342 0 0 213 11 0 040 0 29 •• I Mangare Bridge Tamaki Bridge Hamilton Bridge Whatawhata Bridge Oxford-Rotorua Tokaanu-Taupo Maketu-Rotorua 029 92 6 0 250 0 0 340 17 1 300 2 0 172 1 9 I Work done durin J 1895-96. 4 0 4 10 31 0 36 0 Total, Auckland 2,144 5 1 0 40 1 9 8 39 .. 67 0 See also Vote 99, Iten 12. Hawke's Bay — Wairoa-Gisborne 200 0 0 1 20,000 14 1 67 Total, Hawke's Bay 200 0 0 1 67 .. 1 20,000 Bridge 175 ft. long ii progress. Metalling and repairs. 15 Wellington — Bridges over Tokomaru, Ohau, Waikawa, and Otaki Rivers (contribution) Eketahuna-Alfredton .. Paekakariki-Waikanae-Hadfleld ■• •• I 16 IV 50 0 0 6 6 5 ■ Total, Wellington 56 6 5 18 22 Nelson — Belgrove-Tophouse-Tarndale Waiau Bridge Repairs (to account) 88 5 5 11 0 •• Total, Nelson 88 5 5 • • 11 0 ••

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166

Table No. 45.—Statement showing the Expenditure and Work done on Roads, &c., under the Control of the Department of Lands and Survey, for the Twelve Months ended the 31st March, 1897— continued.

I I i Name of Work according to Itein on Appropriations. Expenditure from Eneineerine 1st April, 1896, to gurrevs made 31st March, 1897, jrSra ist^orf] charged to Autho- tr °™ 6 1 £ .^, ] rities issued out of M arch° 3897. j the Item named. ; ' Koads constructed. ?oaT I S2t -nsSedover loart. J track. 30 ft. Span. lloa.ds constructed. Dray- Bridleroad, track. Improved. Dray : Bridleroad, track. Maintained. Area of 3rown Land rendered more accessible. Remarks. ■96 Main Roads — continued. Marlborough — Brown River Bridge Spring Creek Bridge Clarence Bridge (repairs) £ s. d. M.ch. 200 0 0 0 20 200 0 0 Length Ft. 45 60 19 20 21 M.ch. 0 17 0 5 M. ch. No. 1 1 M.ch. 0 3 M. ch. M.ch. M.ch. Acres. .. Total, Marlborough .. 400 0 0 0 20 0 22 2 105 0 3 •• Canterbury — Orari Bridge (to account) Opihi Bridge (to account) I ' ! 23 24 .. -. I .. Total, Canterbury • • Otago — Dunback-Swinburn Taieri River Bridge, Kokonga (to account) Normanby-Mount Cargill Waikouaiti Bridge (repairs) Waipahi Bridge (subsidy) I 25 27 28 29 250 0 0 J 2 28 10,000 •• •• •• 150 0 0 I •• 2 0 " Land all sold. •■ Total, Otago 400 0 0 4 28 I 10,000 .. .. •• Work done during 1895-96. 30 81 Southland — Bluff Road Gore Bridge 500 0 0 500 0 0 1 0 7 0 •• •■ • • ■• Total, Southland 1,000 0 0 1 0 .. 7 0 Total, Vote No. 96 .. 4,288 16 11 0 60 4 18 I 3 105 I 30 70 I 67 0 •• 1 30,000 •■ •• 97 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Miscellaneous Roads and Beidges. Auckland — Mongonui County roads Oruru-Hikurangi Waitangi-Kaikohe Opua-Waimate Hokianga Bridge Hokianga Heads-Ohaeawai-Rawene Okaihau-Victoria Valley Whangaroa County roads 600 0 0 255 6 0 1 0 0 40 2*40 20 0 8 0 ■■• 4,000 - 135 0 0 41 11 0 300 0 0 1*26 23 0 I 031 i' o 0 6 i 0 12 0 7^000 4 0 .. Carried forward 2 40 2 46 5 26 55 0 12 0 11,000 1,331 17 0 0 31 •• .. ■•

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Table No. 45.—Statement showing the Expenditure and Work done on Roads, &c., under the Control of the Department of Lands and Survey, for the Twelve Months ended the 31st March, 1897— continued.

167

o o S ' S fi i S Expenditure from 1st April, 1896, to Name of Work according to Item on Appropriations. SS^a^iiitrS rities issued out of the Item named. Engineering Surveys made :om 1st April, 1896, to 31st March, 1897. Boads constructed. I Bridges constructed over 30ft. Span. Dray- Bridleroad, track. Improved. Dray- Bridleroad, track. Maintained. Area of rendered more accessible. Remarks. Drayroad. I Bridletrack. i I Brought forward £ s. d. Brought forward .. .. 1,331 17 0 M. oh. 0 31 M. ch. 2 40 M. ch. 2 46 No. Length. Ft. M. ch. 5 26 M. eh. M. ch. 55 0 M. ch. 12 0 Acres. 11,000 97 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 Miscellaneous Roads and Bbidges — contd. Auckland —continued. Kaeo-Waimate .. .. . j Waipu North Grahamstown Whangarei Foot-bridge Parua Bay Marsden Point Wharf Parua-Taheke Maungakaramea Whangarei Bridge, £1 for £1 Waipu-Cove Kaitara Te Kopuru-Tikinui Arapohue Dargaville-Aratapu Mititai-Tokatoka Tokatoka Post-office Matakohe-Tokatoka Valley Road-Paparoa Kaukapakapa-Port Albert Awhitu Road Wharf Hunua-Rail way-station Aotea-Raglan Raglan-Waipa Whatawhata Swamp Wairangi—Railway-station Rangiriri-Railway-station Paraiti Bridge Tauranga County flood-damages Pnkaingaturu Tauranga-Cambridge Sundry Roads, Bay of Plenty Rotorua-Wairoa Rotorua Wharf Rotorua Water Supply Miscellaneous Roads and Bbidges — contd. I iuckland —continued. Kaeo-Waimate .. .. ., 100 0 0 Waipu North .. .. .. 100 0 0 Grahamstown .. .. .. 100 0 0 Whangarei Foot-bridge Parua Bay .. Maraden Point Wharf .. .. 100 0 0 Parua-Taheke .. 100 0 0 Maungakaramea Whangarei Bridge, £1 for £1 125 0 0 Waipu-Cove .. .. 100 0 0 Kaitara .. .. .. 100 0 0 Te Kopuru-Tikinui .. .. .. 100 0 0 Arapohue .. .. .. .. 100 0 0 Dargaville-Aratapu .. .. .. Mititai-Tokatoka .. .. .;}■■ 50 0 0 Tokatoka Post-office .. .. .. 60 16 9 Matakohe-Tokatoka .. .. 121 1 8 Valley Road-Paparoa .. .. .. 9 19 10 1 10 1 5 0 45 0 30 1 60 1 5 •• I '■ 045 6'aij I I I iio 053 0 48 4 40 3 40 0 45 2,000 2,000 10,000 400 300 [=2,324 ft. timber. Fourteen piles 12x12 Workcomplet'd, '95-96. Being constructed. Work oomplet'a, '95-96. i 71 I I Kaukapakapa-Port Albert .. .. I •• 2 0 400 Awhitu Road Wharf .. .. .. ! 1*20 •• Hunua-Rail way-station Aotea-Raglan .. .. .. 73 12 11 Raglan-Waipa .. .. .. 100 0 0 ■■ I 15" 0 22 0 Whatawhata Swamp .. Wairangi-Railway-station .. .. 100 0 0 Rangiriri-Railway-station .. .. 100 0 0 3' 0 1 0 10,000 Paraiti Bridge Tauranga County flood-damages Pnkaingaturu .. .. .. 47 12 0 Work done during 1895-96. ■ " 5." 0 Tauranga-Cambridge .. "• I ** Sundry Roads, Bay of Plenty Rofcorua-Wairoa .. .. .. 10 16 0 Rotorua Wharf .. .. .. 0 9 0 Rotorua Water Supply .. .. 144 16 6 j See Vote 99, Item 16. „ 17. „ 18. .. i i .. Total, Auckland 8 32J 2 46 3,266 1 8 4 31 16 17 5 0 98 5 12 0 36,100

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168

Table No. 45.—Statement showing the Expenditure and Work done on Roads, &c., under the Control of the Department of Lands and Survey, for the Twelve Months ended the 31st March, 1897— continued.

c I 55 I Expenditure from i Engineering 1st April, 1896, to su^emacfe Name ol Work according to Item on Appropriations. charged t'oAutho' trom lst Apra ' ritiel isBued out of March° 1897 the Item named. March ' 1897 ' Dray- Bridleroad, track. Boads com (tructed. Impr< tved. Dray- Bridleroad, track. Maintained. Area of >own Land rendered more accessible. Remarks. Bridges constructed over 30ft. Span. Drayroad. Bridletrack. 07 Miscellaneous Roads and Bbidges — contd. Hawke's Bay — Pakarae Road and Punt Muriwai-Mahia £ s. d. 50 0 0 M. ch. M. ch. M. ch. 1 0 No. Length. Ft. M. ch. M. ch. M. ch. M. ch. Acres. 40 11 Total, Hawke's Bay 50 0 0 1 0 ■• •• •■ •• 42 44 45 46 17 48 49 50 51 52 53 54 55 56 57 58 59 60 61 62 63 61 65 Wellington — Mangaonoho Upper Manawatu roads Lower Gorge Bridge (to account of contribution, £2,000) Pahiatua-Palmerston .. Akatarawa-Waikanae Tiraumea Bridge (subsidy, Hull's crossing) .. Mangatainoko Bridge (subsidy) Eketahuna-Parkville Bowen's— Hastwell North Wairarapa flood damages, £1 for £1 .. Mauriceville roads (storm damages) Eketahuna (flood damages) Wingate Road Alfredton-Tenui (contribution) Tenui Bridge (contribution) Kaiwhata-Rewa Waiohine Bridge (Matarawa) Turner's Road-Wainuioru Gladstone-East Coast (restoring) Rocky Hill-Wainuioru Waikanae-Hutt Whiteman's Valley Chatham Islands roads Waitangi Bridge (Chatham Islands) 115 18 0 22 8 1 I 159 11 8 261 10 0 100 0 0 300 0 0 103 10 8 200 0 0 200 0 0 200 0 0 •• 6"36 •• i i 164 60 ! 1 28 I •• 1 0 9 0 I •• I j Repairs. ■• •• i [1895-96. Work done during Metalling. Repairing flood damages. Repairing flood damages. i 532 18 4 020 i 484 •■ 100 0 0 •• Restoring road. " 60 0 0 300 0 0 - - I ! I i I 072 p I One 20 ft. span bridge. - 24 12 6 ' -. .. .. I .. Total, Wellington 2,680 9 3 0 36 0 20 3 708 0 72 1 28 1 0 9 0 •• Nelson — Lloyd's Valley Brooklyn Valley Waimea West Waimea County roads ! 06 67 68 69 51 8 0 200 0 0 i"o Flood damages. Carried forward 251 8 0 .. •• 1 0 •• •• ••

169

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Table No. 45.—Statement showing the Expenditure and Work done on Roads, &c., under the Control of the Department of Lands and Survey, for the Twelve Months ended the 31st March, 1897— continued.

' Engineering constructed. 6 d St toh im Surveys made 55 55 Name ol Work according to Item on Appropriations. from 1st April, es I I I I ] I Leneth. Roads constructed. Impr< )ved. Dray- Bridleroad, track. Maintained. Area of >own Land rendered more accessible. liemarks. Drayroad. Bridletrack. £ s. d. M. ch. M. ch. M. ch. No. Ft. Brought forward .. .. 251 8 0 97 Miscellaneous Roads and Bridges— contd. Brought forward 97 Miscellaneous Eoads and Bridges— contd. Nelson —continued. 70 Maitai Road 71 ! Wakefield-Stanley Brook 72 I Wangamoa 78 ! Dove River Bridge 74 ! Quail Valley 75 Neudorf-Dovedale 76 Pigeon Valley-Dovedale 77 Takaka roads and bridges 78 Ferntown-Pakawau 79 Seddonville Cemetery .. ! M. oh. No. Length. Ft. M. oh. 1 0 M. ch. M. ch. M. ch. Acres. ! M. eh. M. oh. Nelson —continued. 70 Maitai Road 71 ! Wakefield-Stanley Brook .. .. 200 0 0 •■ 3 0 I 72 ! Wangamoa 73 Dove River Bridge .. .. • • 200 0 0 .. .. .. 1 80 74 ! Quail Valley .. • ■ • • 100 0 0 1 '80 i ■• i'4O '■ I • • 75 Neudorf-Dovedale "' '■ 76 j Pigeon Valley-Dovedale .. 77 Takaka roads and bridges 78 Perntown-Pakawau .. • ■ • ■ 1 50 0 0 j .. 0 27 027 • ■ I I .. .. i i 7Q Sfirlflnn-oillp. Cemetery .. •• •- ■• •■ .. .. .... " „ . „ , 801 8 0 0 27 1 80 5 40 Total, Nelson ■■ .. . Marlborough — 80 J Tracks, Queen Charlotte Sound 81 : Whatamonga-Port Underwood Track 82 ' Double Bay.. 83 Tory Heads-Whatarnonga-Picton 84 I Picton-Waikawa 85 i Tophonse-Wairau Gorge 86 ' Blenheim-Havelock, Ferry-house 87 Omaka Bridge (contribution) 88 j Footbridge, Taylor River 89 ! Taylor Creek footbridge Total, Marlborough. 113 2 9 89 14 4 99 7 8 97 6 0 200 0 0 " ■ ■ 3 0 2 18 3 3 0 60 I •• 0 27 Works commenced. In charge of Wairau Road Board. __ ., I i .. .. .. .. ■• •• 599 10 9 i 9 1 0 27 j ! Repairs to various roads in Grey Valley. Completion of repairE to bridge. Subsidies paid to ferrymen for maintenance over fifteen rivers. .. • ■ ■■■ •■ •• Wcstland — 90 Grey County (flood-damages) 91 I Stafford-Waimea I 92 i Lower Arahura Bridge (repairs) 93 ] Mount Howe Track 94 Westland Ferry Service 35 0 0 248 13 2 100 0 0 150 0 0 0 13* ■• ■■ ■■ •• I •• ■ I 500 0 37 I I •• I •■ 300 ! i i ■■ . Total, Westland Canterbury — 95 Roads to Co-operative Dairy Factories, Akaroa 96 Cliff Road 97 Tengawai, £1 for £1 .. Cheviot roads 533 13 2 o 134 0 37 800 .. ! 300 0 0 200 0 0 0 591 2 40 2 7j Most of money for this work has been speni during present year. ■• 632 5 2 \ 3 57 14 50 I 2 0 Total, Canterbury 1,132 5 2 I 6 76J| .. 16 57ii 2 0 •-

170

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Table No. 45.—Statement showing the Expenditure and Work done on Roads, &c., under the Control of the Department of Lands and Survey, for the Twelve Months ended the 31st March, 1897— continued.

i a R lTip&£°£ s^™f e Roads constructed. Name of Work according to Item on Appropriations. S2»^?i n tw from 1st April Brideps rities issued out of ioad" track constructed over the Item named. March, 1897. road. track. 30fl . gpan _ Roads constructed. Dray- Bridleroad, track. Improved. Maim iained. Area of 3rown Land rendered more accessible. Remarks. Drayroad. Bridletrack. 97 Miscellaneous Roads and Bridges — contd. . £ s. d. M. eh. M. ch. M. ch. No. Length. Ft. M. ch. M. ch. M. ch. M. ch. Acres. 98 99 100 101 102 103 104 105 106 107 108 109 110 111 Otago — Connecting road, Block IX., Moeraki Port Road-Beach, Moeraki Kartigi Road Ravensbourne Waitati Water of Leith Protective-works* Gladstone-Upper Junction Peninsula Beach Road (prison labour) Taieri Mouth Punt Tuapeka Mouth Punt Blackhill-Main Dunedin Road Matau Bridge (contribution) Cargill Street, Caversham Leith Protective-works 220 0 0 .. 160 13 2 120 14 0 100 0 0 0 42 •• ■• ! 4' 0 1 0 •• " .. •• Land all sold. [labour. Work done by prison Erection of punt. Tuapeka Mouth punt completed. 16 9 0 165 0 0 100 0 0 •■ .. __ .. 100 0 0 .. 6 16 Land all sold. .. .. •• .. •• Total, Otago ; 982 16 2 0 42 5 16 ! Southland — Fairfax Bridge (to account) Owari Bridge-Mokoreta Valley, £1 for £1 Makarewa Bridge Lynd's Bridge Campbelltown Point Road .. 81IW .. ! Under supervision oi the Engineer-in-Chiei 112 113 114 115 116 291 19 1 •• •• ! •• i 'i 12 49 10 b 0 25 0 25 ,. '■ 1 __ Total, Southland I 341 9 7 0 25 0 25 .. 1 12 I General — Works unprovided for i 117 807 15 2 0 30£ ! ■• I I •• •• Total, Vote No. 97 .. 11,195 8 11 13 54J 5 101 5 21 0 36,900 4 56 17 124 ! 800 44 42J 6 55 Local Bodies. Payment of "thirds" and "fourths" to local bodies under "The Land Act, 1892," to be recouped out of North Island Main Trunk Railway Loan Application Deposit Account j 98 152 2 3 ' Total, Vote No. 98 .. 152 2 3 •• .. .. * Retaining-wall constructed under supervision of Maori Hill Borough Council

Table No. 45.—Statement showing the Expenditure and Work done on Roads, &c., under the Control of the Department of Lands and Survey, for the Twelve Months ended the 31st March, 1897— continued.

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171

Expenditure from | Eneineerine 6 d If April Ifl9*to Su^ylmale fc £ Name of Work according to Item on Appropriations." " from lst A P r i^ © d . cnargea to Aunno- ioor + m 3iof I 1 rities issued out of Maron ?897 i> g the Item named. Maron, ltW. ?o r aT i S' over roaa. tract. Span . Roads constructed. Dray- Bridleroad, track. Improved. XTQin*m'MC.7 Avq6 Maintained. Area of ' Crown Land rendered 1 Dray- Bridle- more road. track, j accessible. Slaintained. Area of Remarks. £ s. d. M. oh. M. ch. M. ch. No. Length. Ft. M. ch. M. oh. M. ch. M. ch. I ■■ I Acres. 99 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 Development of Thermal Springs and Natubal Sceneky. . Auckland — Track to Kauri Forest, Waitakerei Waiwera Springs Huia-West Coast .. ,, Works at Te Aroha Springs ,. ,. Te Aroha Domain Taupo Domain .. ,, ,. Baths and Water-supply, Tokaanu Wharf, Tokaanu Track to Orakei-Korako .. Waiotapu-Springs, &c. Tauranga-Napier via. Taupo Maketu-Rotorua .. ,. Rotorua-Ngongotaha Mount Morea Bridge .. ,. ,. Rotoiti-Tarawera via Okataina ,. ,, Rotorua-Wairoa Rotorua Wharf Rotorua Water-supply.. Works at Rotorua Te Whaiti Gorge Waitomo Caves 14 12 3 57 18 0 75 17 5 T ' 0 40 •• "■ •• •• Laying hot-water pipes and improving bathhouse. Lichfield-Atiamuri included. 2,211 6 5 216 16 11 27 14 6 I ■• I •■ •• I - I 33 43 7 40 173' 0 21 0 4 5 1 2 10 I 44 i 0 69 5 6 5' 0 V ° 7 0 ! •• •• 1 24 11 7 1,144 13 6 •• I •• i •• :: ) Plans approved. See Appendix No. 6, " Report on Thermal Springs." - ._•• 0 40 2 10 I 41 3 . .* 5 0 _ Total, Auckland ,. ,, 3,887 0 1 9 5 7 0 199 0 . 7 0 22 23 Haivke's Bay — Nuhaka Springs Moawhanga-Te Horo ] 1 1 1 ii5 5' 0 10,000 218 19 6 - Total, Hawke's Bay .. I 1 Work carried on by South Egmont Forest Reserve Board. 218 19 6 115 5 0 10,000 TaranaJci — . Tracks and Huts, Mount Egmont 52 12 0 ■ ' 1 24 •• •• •■ 25 26 27 Wellington—. '■ ' '. '-'"' • ■ fhS.i. :;:::..■ Tongariro National Park .. Wanganui River Steamer Subsidy ..' Mount Holdsworth Tracks " .. "™ .. 298' 5 1 Subsidy carrying mails. •■ •• ..-. \ •• Total, Wellington ... • 298 5 1 .. 1 I .. .. • • .■ -.-

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Table No. 45.—Statement showing the Expenditure and Work done on Roads, &c., under the Control of the Department of Lands and Survey, for the Twelve Months ended the 31st March, 1897— continued.

0 6 s a Name of Work according to Item on Appropriations. Expenditure from Eneineerine let April. 1896, to surveys mfle 31st March. 1897, ( rSra lst^rafl charged to Autho- fr ?S 6 t* mg? 1, rities issued out of Maroh ?RQ7 the Item named. March ' 1897 ' Dray- I Bridleroad, track. Eoads con: itructed. Imprc ived. Dray- Bridleroad, track. Maintained. Area of >omi Land rendered more accessible. Bemarks. Bridges constructed over 30ft. Span. Drayroad. Bridletrack. Length. Pt. ME. ch. 99 Development of Thermal Spbings, etc. — continued. £ s. d. M. ch. M. ch. M. ch. No. M. ch. M. ch. M. ch. Acres. Nelson — Belgrove-Westport-Eeefton Tracks, Mount Arthur Works at Hanmer Hanmer Eoad 4,498 8 8 •• 20 0 28 29 30 31 248 15 1 ■• i I ! •• •• Eepairs and improvements to the Sanatorium and grounds. Total, Nelson I . i ! ! 4,747 3 9 - .. ■ I 20 0 Marlborough — Picton-Queen Charlotte Sound .. Blenheim-Kaikoura-Waiau .. ,. Nelson-Havelock, and bridges I 32 33 34 359 8 10 255 0 0 •• .. J •• 16* 0 Grant for flood-repairs distributed over 10C miles of road. Total, Marlborough ,, ,. 614 8 10 16 0 •• •• I I I I Westland — Wbitcombe Valley Track (Kokatahi) Lake Mapourika .. .. ,, Haast Pass Track .. .. ,, Hokitika Valley Great South Eoad .. ,, Pranz Josef Glacier .. ,. Tracks to Pox Glacier .. ,. ,. Hokitika-Christchurch .. ,, 307 4 11 11 0 6 85 17 5 4 0 0 8 0 2 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 1,090 12 8 3' 0 I .. 37' 0 15' 0 i' 0 948 19 0 I 41 0 -. Total, Westland i 0 10 78 0 16 0 2,443 14 6 7 0 i - - ■• .. Canterbury — Hokitika-Christchurch Fairlie-Pukaki Pukaki-Mount Cook Tracks, Mount Cook and Glaciers Mount Cook Hermitage (Works at) Hooker Bridge Pukaki-Omarama , *42 43 44 45 46 47 48 1,394 16 1 50 0 0 I 55 0 1 •• ■■ 36 4 210 7 8 - i 4*32 8' 7 40 0 Grant to Mackenzie County; work done last year. See Appendix, Thermal Springs, &c. Grant to Mackenzie County; work done last year. 50 0 0 •■ •• Total, Canterbury .. ; ... i 4 32 8 7 95 0 ... j 1,708 10 1 .. .. •• - ■ * Item 42, expenditure separated between Westland and Canterbury.

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Table No. 45.—Statement showing the Expenditure and Work done on Roads, &c., under the Control of the Department of Lands and Survey, for the Twelve Months ended the 31st March, 1897— continued.

s a o e Name of Work according to Item on Appropriations. Expenditure from Engineering 1st April 1896 to surleyfmaae 31st March. 1897, f { t » ., charged to Autho- U V™ R !„ £?t rities issued out of Marcn ?iW7 the Item named. March ' 1897 ' I Dray- Bridle- Bridges road trark constructed over road. tracK. 30ft g Boads constructed. Dray- Bridleroad, track. Improved. Maintained. rendered more accessible. Area of Remarks. Drayroad. Bridletrack. 99 Development of Thermal Springs, etc. — continued. Length. Ft. M. ch. M. ch. M. ch. Acres. £ s. d. M. ch. M. ch. M. ch. No. M. ch. 49 50 51 52 53 54 55 56 57 58 59 60 61 62 Otago — Lindis Pass Lake Wan aka Wharves Martin's Bay-Lake Wakatipu Glendhu-Roy's Peninsula Tracks to Western Sounds Lake Te Anau-Sutherland Falls Hollyford Valley Pembroke-Matukituki Tracks, Head of Lake Wakatipu Lake Te Anau-Wakatipu Tracks, &c, Hawea Lake Tourists' Accommodation-house, Morven Hills Albert Burn Track Makarora-Haast Valley Ravensbourne 200 0 0 30 0 0 1,249 19 1 216 1 7 206' 0 0 6'24 0 40 7 0 14 0 26,000 30,000 Manuka Island Domain Board extended wharf by 84 ft. Tourist traffic. Stock traffic. 150 0 0 0 2C 6*50 3 7 1 9 0 .. Totals, Otago 3 47 7 0 23 0 56,000 2,046 3 2 0 50 0 24 .. ! 63 64 65 66 Southland — Mossburn-Te Anau Manapouri-Te Anau Te Anau-George Sound Manapouri-Dusky Sound 5 16 6 3 0 0 13 I 0 17 .. I .. •■ •• Totals, Southland 5 16 6 3 0 0 13 0 17 •• General — Miscellaneous 44 67 07 •• 1 23 115 22 17 I I Totals, Vote No. 99 16,022 13 6 19 5 6 66 1 358 0 I 46 0 66,000 118 Lands Improvement Account (Roads and Bridges, etc.). Auckland — Victoria Valley-Main Road Ahipara-Herekino Takahue-Herekino 300 1 2 3 106' 0 0 i o 0 4 1 1 i 0 7,000 I Carried forward 1 5 4 0 7,300 100 0 0 1 0 • •

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Return No. 45.-Statement showing the Expenditure and Work done on Roads, &c., under the Control of the Department of Lands and Survey, for the Twelve Months ended the 31st March, 1897— continued.

174

! R S e^ r iSt e 2! Engineering Roade constructed. 6 i 1st April, 18Mb, ,V> Surveys made , fc fc Name o( Work according to Item on Appropriations. charged to Autho- T, rav Rri fl lfl Bridges S a ritielissued out of Sen 'S97 road" track constructed over o 2 ■ the Item named. 1-aich, .897. road. track. 30ft. Span. Roads constructed. Dray- Bridleroad, track. Improved. Dray- Bridleroad, track. -Maintained. Area of Crown Land rendered more accessible. "Remarks. M. oh. 1 5 M. eh. No. Length. Ft. M. ch. M. ch. M. ch. M. ch. 4 0 Acres. 7,300 Brought forward £ s. d. 100 0 0 M. eh. 1 0 118 Lands Improvement Account, etc. — continued. Auckland —continued. Larmer's-Takahue Houhoura-Awanui Maungataniwha Hukerenui South-Waiotu Valley Main Eoad, Lot 2, Block XIV., Hukerenui S.D. Hukerenui, Blocks I., XI. Ngapipito .. Tirohanga-Pakaru Towai-Ruapekapeka Main North Road-Waiotu Block .. Kaikohe-Taheke Waimamaku-Punakitere Auckland Special Settlement-Mangakahia .. Marlborough Association Road to Native land near Waihou Manganuiowae Waimamaku-Pakanae Kohukohu-Motukaraki Kohukohu -Rakautapu Herd's Point-Takahue Manganuiowae-Whangape Mangapai-Waikiekie Hikurangi .. Whananaki-Ngunguru Bridge over Wairua River Opuawhanga-Whananaki Opuawbanga Waipu-Mareretu Kauri Mountain Road.. .. ... Purua-Ruatangata-Mangakahia .. Purua Bridge Waipu Wharf Otuhe Forest Hikurangi-Jordan Flat Maungatapere Maunu-Otuhe 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 17418 0 •• ■■ • 15,000 4,700 3,000 800 500 4,000 77 15 0 o'es 6 0 50 0 0 i' 0 i^000 ■• I •• 205 18 0 •■ 1 4 6 4 40 2 60 6 0 2,000 289 13 0 2 0 " 2,000 49 5 6 166 9 8 9 10 60 0 0 555 5 2 2 10 1 60 - i 6" 18 J :: ! •■ I 1 6 0 1 2,000 3,000 j 3,000 I 4,000 Grass-seed, &o. Work done last year. l' 2 163 1 125 12' 0 0 45 0 40 4 30 1 Work done last year. 116 12 1 100 0 0 :.■ I •• 5,000 5,000 5,000 39 15 10 057 •• 150 0 0 100 0 0 97 9 8 0 50 0 70 •■ 100,000 J Work done last year. •• 200 0 0 100 0 0 •• ■■ •• 100^000 Work completed, '95-96 Work completed, '95-96 '" 203 10 11 ! ■ -■• - Work completed, '95-96 ..,- •• Carried forward 2,845 13 10 5 72 9 28J 12 14 1 125 4 30 12 0 12 0 22 0 I 269,300

175

Q.--1.

Table No. 45.—Statement showing the Expenditure and Work done on Roads, &c., under the Control of the Department of Lands and Survey, for the Twelve Months ended the 31st March, 1897— continued.

i - ■ ■ . Expenditure from 6 ... . . 1st April,, 1896, to £ Name of Work .according to Item on Appropriations. cSrg^dii^AutS § ■ ■ ■ rities issued out of g . the Item named. Engineering Surveys made :om 1st April, 1 1896, to 31st March, 1897. road. track. 3Qft gpan^ Roads oonstrueted. Improved. Maintained. Dray- Bridle- Dray- Bridleroad, track. road. track. Area of Grown Land rendered more accessible. Remarks. ■ ' ■ ■ ■ • i Length. Ft. 125 ■ ' ■ ' Mr Ch. 12 0 -' ,.,.,-. ., .. ..■■■.. Brought forward .'.' £ ■ b. a. 2,845 13 10 5 72 M. oh: 9 28J M.- ch. 12 14 No. 1 M. ch. i 30 M.. eh. M. ch. 22 0 Acres. 269,300 . 118 40 ' 41 42 : 43 ; 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 51 52 53 54 55 56 57 58 59 60 61 62 63 64 65 66 67 68 69 70 -71 72 : 73 Lands Impeovembnt ' 'Account, :etc. — continued,. Auckland —continued. Marsden Point, Kaimanuka, and Finlayson's Road Whareora-Taheke-Pataua Ngunguru Ferry Tokatoka-Mangapai Drever's-Otonga East .. .. .; Otonga East-Whananaki :: Dargaville-Tangiteroria Opanaki-Hokianga Opanaki-Mongonui Blufi Tangihua .. Tangihua No. 2 ■.. '.'. Pahi-Waikiekie ;. '.'. Pahi-Maungaturoto Braigh, Jordan's and Matakohe Roads ".. ■ Tokatoka Swamp Hukatere .. .'.- Mareretu Matakohe-Mongonui .. ',*. .. Paparoa Pahi Wharf and Road (to account) Block XII., Paparoa '.'. .'. .. : Warkworth-Main Road (Block VII., Pakiri).. Kaipara Flat-Tauhoa .. .. .. Warkworth-Tauhoa .. ■ ■■'-' .. - .- -■',,': Matakana Bridge .. .. Tauhoa .. .. . / '.'. Pakiri ... Hoteo-Waiwhiu .. .. ... Waikomiti-Huia Waikorniti-Swanson Matakana Ranges . ... ■ ._ ».,;-- .." Swanson-West Coast .. Mangapai-Waikiekie Henderson .. .. 91 16 0 2,102 4 10 50 0 0 •• 82 17 6 108- 13 7 1,479'" 4 5 6'55-5 4 40 010 4*51 0 46 0 40 4 40 23* 0 2 2 i S •• •• • • •• •• ■ 60 , - 46 3 58 0 30 i 1 ;; . t -.-. -; >. •• 26' 0 3' 0 - - ■• .. - - - _ " I - •• ■ - 23 0 : "9OO 1,000 1,500 90,000 500 12,000 •• - liiooo 1,000 * . - - . .'.. .~ , Five floodgates constructed. ._ 135 3 6 274 ■ •• . \ • • i •• ■• .. • ■ 48 16 7 I 0 10 0 64 •• ". -. •• •• ■• One wharf constructed. 6 6 0 040 ■• •• •• •■ Work not completed. •• •• •• 1 40 0 15 •:• : ■•■ I 1 16 ', 000 10,000 i 29o' 0 0 I •• •• • • •• • • - •• - \ 100 0 0 045 •• 4'30 •• •• --■ .. .. • • .. ■ •• •• Carried forward ,,. 7,340 16 3 ; ; il 7'5 24 48J 36 69 5 231. 12 68 35 0 45 0 407,200 :"; '"'USAiu , :::\, ."::, 1 • ■ -. J .-■ ■L-α jl_l >

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176

Table No. 45.—Statement showing the Expenditure and Work done on Roads, &c., under the Control of the Department of Lands and Survey, for the Twelve Months ended the 31st March, 1897 — continued.

s a o e > S I Name of Work according to Item on Appropriations. Expenditure from 1st April. 1896. to 31st March. 1897, charged to Authorities issued out of the Item named. Engineering Surveys made from 1st April, 1896, to 31st March, 1897. Drav- Bridle- Bridges ri a j f" pV constructed over road. track. goft g Roads constructed. Dray- Bridleroad. track. Improved. .Dray- Bridleroad, track. Maintained. Area of Crown Land rendered more accessible. Kemarks. £ s. a. 7,340 16 3 M. ch. 11 7-5 M. ch. 24 48J M. ch. 36 69 No. 5 Length. Ft. 231 M. ch. 12 68 M. ch. M. ch. 35 0 M. ch. 45 0 Acres. 407,200 Brought forward 118 74 75 76 77 78 79 80 81 82 83 84 85 86 87 88 89 90 91 92 93 94 95 96 97 98 99 100 101 102 103 104 105 106 107 108 109 Lands Improvement Account, etc. — continued. Auckland —continued. Waikomiti West Maioro Swamp Wairoa, River-Otau Waiuku-Pukekohe Awaroa Swamp, £1 for £1 Raniarama Valley Abraham's Gully Pukekohe .. Otau .. .. Akaaka Swamp Kauaeranga Valley Waingaro-Ngaruawahia Onewhero (Sections 128, 129) Brigmen's Landing and Mercer Road Te Rore Bridge Tuakau Punt Waitetuna-Waingaro .. Huntly-Kahuruhuru .. Lawson's Hill ... Mangapiko-Maire Awaroa (XI.) Road to Auckland University Reserve Waipa Bridge, Ngaruawahia (subsidy, £1 for £1) Waitetuna -Aotea .. .. .. Matahuru .. .. .. .. Wairangi-Matahuru .. Whangamarino Parish Waikare Lake-Onewhero Ohinewai-Matahuru Blocks X. and XI., Rangiriri Survey District Wairangi (Sections 482 and 486) Hunua-Ararimu Pye's Pa .. Paengaroa Te Aroha and Waitoa Drains Waimana 59 2 6 69 0 0 134' 10 7 16 0 0 438~ 4 5 226 'lO 0 213 18 9 250 0 0 3 7 0 61 6 3 59 5 b * 4~40 0 40 1 20 0*60 0 40 i 40 0 10 3' 0 1 40 1*20 4'40 6'-4O *3 90 3' 0 12' 0 3 - 40 2,000 2] 000 2^000 141 chains drain constructed. Perry over Waikato at Tuakau. 159' 3 7 1 38 4 0 8 0 0 24 i'ss 353 200 0 0 146 2 9 100 0 0 50 0 0 150 0 0 2 4 3 0 3 0 i 75 4,400 2,500 2' 0 • • 065 Huntly Road Board ii charge of work. [ 016 9 2 40 5' 0 156 'l5 6 54 0 5 360 •■ I 0 60 .. •■ I Carried forward 9,889 0 3 37 5-5 42 31J 47 60 396 14 68 8 0 35 0 60 40 420,100

Table No. 45.—Statement showing the Expenditure and Work done on Roads, &c., under the Control of the Department of Lands and Survey, for the Twelve Months ended the 31st March, 1897— continued.

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177

d d * ** Name of Work according to Item on Appropriations. Expenditure from 1st April, 1896, to 31st March, 1897, charged to Authorities issued out of the Item named. Engineering Surveys made :rom 1st April, 1896, to 31st March, 1897. £fr teaclT consSfover roaa. tracK. 3Mt gpfm Eoads constructed. Improved. Dray- Bridleroad, track. Maintained. Area of Crown Land rendered more accessible. Hemarks. Drayroad. Bridletrack. £ s. d. 9,889 0 3 M. ch. 37 5-5 M. ch. 42 31J M. ch. 47 60 No. 9 Length. Ft. 396 M. oh. 14 68 M. ch. 8 0 M. ch. 35 0 M. ch. 60 40 Acres. 420,100 Brought forward 118 Lands Improvement Account, etc. — continued. 110 111 112 113 114 115 116 117 118 119 Auckland —continued. Waiotahi Waioeka (Blocks II., III., IV.) .. Papamoa S.S., Te Puki MiniDg District Matata-Te Teko Arahiwi and Mainaku Railway-station Mamaku-Rotorua-Oxford Alexandra-Kawhia .. .. Wharauroa Purchase of Roads • .. Miscellaneous and Engineering I •■ •• •• 3S' 3 0 i 16 127' 6 0 7 0 0 150 33' 0 191 19 9 •■ •• Total, Auckland .. .. 10,250 9 0 37 5-5 42 81 49 30 9 16 4 60 40 420,100 396 8 0 68 a • ■ 120 121 122 123 124 125 126 127 128 129 130 131 132 133 134 135 136 137 ,138 139 140 Haicke's Bay — Mata Valley Tokomaru-Huiarua Tauwhareparae-Crown Lands Tauwhareparae-Arakihi Gisborne-Waimata (metalling) Gisborne-Opotiki Waikohu Bridge (£1 for £2) .. ] ! Tauwhareparae-Tokamaru Tologa-Marunga-Tauwhareparae.. Waimata-Tauwhareparae .. Tologa-Arakihi Waikohu-Motu Nuhaka Nuhaka-Gisborne Opoiti Bridge (to account) Puketitiri .. Ruahine Block approach Napier-Wairoa Holder's Road Whakaraia Road and Bridge Ormondville-Waikopiro 660 7 11 410 9 3 200 0 0 30 10 2 i' 0 i'47 •• •• •• 5'34 "•I .6 40 66 0 30,000 13^000 10,000 10,000 5,000 Widened from 8 ft. to 12 ft. Twenty culverts constructed. Repairs. 6 6 0 300 0 0 2 6' 7 i'47 14',000 •■ * " •• I 79l' 4 1 315 •• I 20',000 - I Carried forward 5 62 5 34 4 102,000 2,398 17 5 0 47 1 47 66 0 >"■■ i I \:;.'. J [ , mo

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178

Table No. 45.—Statement showing the Expenditure and Work done on Roads, &c., under the Control of the Department of Lands and Survey, for the Twelve Months ended the 31st March, 1897— continued.

c 1 * Expenditure . from 1st April, 1896, to Name of Work according to Item on Appropriations. . to^AuS . a rities issued out of the Item named. Engineering Surveys made from 1st April, 1896, to 31st March, 1897. iads constructed. Impr< >ved. Main* ined. Area of i Urown Land rendered more accessible. Remarks. Drayroad. Bridletrack. Bridges constructed over 30ft. Span. Drayroad. Bridletrack. Drayroad. Bridletrack. ■ £ s. a. 2,398 17 5 M. eh. M. ch. 5 62 M. ch. 5 34 No. 4 - Length. Ft.. M. Ch. 0 47 M. ch. 1 47 M. ch. M. ch. 66 .0 •■ Acres. 102,000 118 141 142 143 144 145 146 Brought forward Lands Improvement Account, etc.— continued. Hawke's Bay —continued. ■ Oporae .. .. Woodville (Block II.) .. ... Manawatu Bridge (Waikopiro) Dannevirke-Weber-Wimbledon Norsewood-Apiti .. •' Miscellaneous and Engineering • ' ... ; - J, * H- WJjAMfs i ■- •••■ 1216 9 :: j I ;. IV Total, Hawke's Bay ..•• 4 ■ 0 4.7 1 47 102,000 i 2,411 14 2 5 62 5 34 66 . 0 . ; Taranaki — Mohakatino Bridge* Junction Eoad-Purangi, £1 for £1 Mimi-Mangaroa Road (metalling), £1 for £1..Tikorangi Bridge Tikorangi-Te Tarata Bridge over Purangi (to»account) .. Moanatairi Special Settlement Tongaporutu Perry .. Moki Eoad .. .. Pukearuhe Inland to Mohakatino Cpper Waitara-Mangaere ..'' Carrington Waiweranui ... !.'.')•• Motukawa .. Kohuratahi.. Putiki .. .. Huiroa Township (bushfelling) .. Autawa and Pita Roads .^, Denbigh Road (subsidy) Anderson's Road and Bridges Mangamingi Huiroa Roads Mangaotuku Ohura (contribution) .. - ' ... '•. . Ngaire Central Patea Valley .. Kaimanuka and RawhitiroaJ .. .. — 147 148 149 150 151 152 153 154 155 156 157 158 159 160 161 162 163 164 165 166 167 168 169 170 171172 173 28 6 2 -1,260 14 10 t6' 0 - 362 13 5 In progress. 1 16 0 ••■■ 190 6 8 4,192 7. 9 529 13 11 94 8 8 99 0 0 ISO 0 0 256 19 10 18 12 0 10 20 055 2 0 2 32 1 31 1 33 1 47 0 32 6 0 1 11 ~2 119 is'.' b 5' 0 ii~ooo Clifton County in charge of works. 1 0 2 0 *3 134 ... 6 63 ■ ; •■ 38' 2 11 0 42J! 62 3 11 ' 122 8 4 016 5*40 - ;;.,. ] 063 Metalling 4 miles 60 chains. ; • 161 1 5 879 7 0 3,912 3 8 73 17 0 677 12 6 6'45 6'20 4' 0 [and clearing. Also 5J miles felling Draining 23 miles 21 Compensation, [chains. ' j 1468 2 40 1 19 'i 66 "''■■■■•: " : 2 51 ■■ I • •' •• - r •• • ■ I •• .. Carried forward 13,111 16 0 32 28 1 i 6 11,000 9 10 16 10J ! 319 26 40 9 0 * Bridge painted and screwed up, and willows planted. + Metalling, under control of Clifton County and Moa Road Board. I Work shown in Kaitaingawhenua No. 2, Vote 119, Item TO.

179

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Table No. 45.—Statement showing the Expenditure and Work done on Roads, &c., under the Control of the Department of Lands and Survey, for the Twelve Months ended the 31st March, 1897— continued.

28—C. 1.

6 0 S 8 Name of Work according to Item on Appropriations. Expenditure from 1st April, 1896, to 31st March, 1897, charged to Authorities issued out of the Item named. Engineering Eoads constructed. Surveys made t from 1st April, „ ., 1896, toSlst Dray- Bridle- ■ f™ g< ¥ March, 1897. road. track, constructed over Roads constructed. Dray- Bridleroad, track. Improved. Dray- Bridleroad, track. Maintained. Area of Jrown Land rendered more accessible. Remarks. Brought forward Lands Impbovemeht Account, etc. — continued. Taranaki —continued. Mangamingi Township Patea River Bridge (to account) .. Waitotara, widening (contribution) Ball Eoad (Blocks IX., X., XIII., XIV., Carlyle and Opaku S.D.), contribution Weraweraonga Wingrove Eoad Miscellaneous and Engineering k, s. d. 13,111 16 0 M. oh. 32 28 M. ch. 9 10 M. ch. 16 lOJ No. 6 Length. Ft. 319 M. ch. M. ch. M. ch. 26 40 M. ch. 9 0 Acres. 11,000 118 174 175 176 177 69 12 7 18' 5 0 3 0 140 0 40 13 0 43 acres felled. •• i 178 179 180 2 10 0 7 0 0 72 0 64 2 0 Grassing. 9 7 9 .. Total, Taranaki 26 40 24 0 11,000 13,211 11 4 42 28 11 42 17 34J 6 319 181 182 183 184 185 186 187 188 189 190 191 192 193 194 195 196 197 198 199 200 201 202 203 204 205 206 Wellington — Lands and Survey Office, Wanganui Okahuitiria Pipiriki-Waiouru Eaetihi-Ohura Waimarino Hunterville 1, 2, 3 .. .. Turakina Valley Taihape-Paengaroa Ohingaiti-Tokaanu Taihape Township Rangitikei Bridge (Mangaweka) .. Mangapapa.. Awarua Pahiatua-Palmerston (Bridge) Eangitikei Bridge, Vinegar Hill, £1 for £1 .. Eangitikei Bridge (Otara), £1 for £1 Mangawharariki Salisbury and Delaware Hautapu-Ruahine Hautapu Pemberton— Wairaki (Pukerimu) Pohangina Valley Forest Reserve.. Oroua-Coal Greek Mangoira-Coal Creek Upper Pohangina Valley Norsewood-Apiti 2,438 15 5 431 11 3 839 2 9 982 12 9 878 1 10 83 13 2 1,900 0 6 216 1 2 3,061 5 5 2,902 15 1 0 40 4 0 6 0 5 40 3 40 0 74 0 36 0 24 1 9 I I Oil I 6'67 611 8 10 4 7 i •• s'79 1 i .. i •• i 63 0 9 16 40 2 - 45 060 41 40 7 40 1 0 3 10 1 0 91 50 3* 4 19 0 9 0 7 0 5 0 16' 0 50,000 50,000 20,000 5,000 5,000 5,000 100,000 50,000 20,000 [acres sown. 95 acres bush felled; 36 Not completed. 1,076 0 0 600 0 0 1,932 4 10 1,153 10 10 402 11 5 148 19 4 48 15 9 50 0 0* 110 10 10 296 10 8 612 073 0 23J I •• i I 073 645 Under supervision of Engineer - in - Chief; not completed. See Item 69, Vote 119. See Item 65, Vote 119. 1 15 0 8 .. 0'8 " 3' 0 3 0 " ! I I •■ i|l50 013 .. 2 65 Bushfelling. 33 ft. of bridle-track improved. .. 34 19 7 O'S4J "i 3' 6J '' I Carried forward 4 24§ : 28 1* 1 63 19,588 2 7 27 69 20 7 0 60 158 29 58 71J 306,150 * Bei ■ini flood-damages.

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180

Table No. 45.—Statement showing the Expenditure and Work done on Roads, &c., under the Control of the Department of Lands and Survey, for the Twelve Months ended the 31st March, 1897— continued.

Expenditure from 1st April, 1896, to §> £ Name of Work according to Item on Appropriations. •8 I rities issued out of p. j £ the Itein named. Engineering Eoads constructed. Surveys made ________ from 1st April, . n 1896, to 31st Dray- Bridle- ? ri( l ge , B March, 1897. road. track. con^ t uc s t^over Eoads constructed. Dray- Bridleroad, track. Improved. Maintained. Area of , Crown Land rendered Dray- Bridle- more road. track. accessible. Maintained. Remarks. Brought forward £ s. a. 19,588 2 7 M. oh. 27 69 M. ch. 4 24J M. ch. 28 1J No. 1 Length. Ft. 63 M. ch. 20 7 M. ch. 0 60 M. ch. 158 29 M. ch. 58 71i| Acres. 306,150 118 207 208 209 210 211 212 213 214 215 216 217 218 219 220 221 222 223 224 225 226 227 228 229 230 231 232 233 234 235 236 237 238 239 240 241 242 Lands Impkovbment Account, etc. — continued. Wellington —continued. Ngaio Conspicuous Road Kimbolton— Wairaki Tunipo Eoad, Apiti, Norsewood Oroua Bridge (Apiti), £1 for £1 Pakihikura Kelpie Otawhao Horowhenua 11b Makairo-Kumeroa Ballance-Manawatu Gorge Tiraumea North Tiraumea Valley Mangatoro Valley Makairo .. .. Mount Marchant (£1 for £1) Bridge Road to Makakahi Makuri Township (unsold) Upper Makuri Valley Waewaepa (£1 for £1) .. Makuri-Pongaroa Mangaramarama Mangaoronga* Hukanui-Hawera (£1 for 10s.) Aohanga Gorge Pahiatua No. 1 Pahiatua No. 2 Pahiatua No. 3 Pahiatua No. 4 Smith's Footbridge, Totara Reserve Parkville-Man gatai n oko Mangaone (Norling's) Towai Mangaone Valley Makuri-Aohanga Tiraumea River Road-Pa Valley 77 11 9 225 19 3 63 2 5 1,199 11 11 75 0 0 39 18 0 200 0 0 19 6 2 678 15 4 13 13 2 157 1 0 466 12 11 464 6 6 200 0 0 17 0 7 770 1 7 1 0 1 11 •• 0 8J 0 23 0 71 1 5 159 1 1 1 1 231 45 40 '74 ■• i'45 0 48 0 29 0 17 0 70 7 0 7 0 4 0 1 40 27 0 I 0 40 1 44 i'27 •• "• 8 0 I •• ! •• ! i^800 600 cubic yards drayroad improved. Work done during 1895-96. 0 12 • • 3,173 3 5 196 6 5 189 0 0 100 0 0 220 13 0 539 17 0 207 0 2 54 8 5 34 0 0 11 0 1 0 9 28 2 0 2'47j' 2 51 0 1 0 TOJ 0 7 5 0 2 40 14' 0 .. 4,700 Metalling. Clearing slips. • ■ ■■ I ■• I •• ! .. See Item 476, Vote 118. Bushfelling. " ■" ■ I. .. ! 374 0 3 46 19 8 104 4 0 164 1 7 0 64 033 3*40 7 0 i'40 640 6,700 1 72 I Carried forward 29,659 17 1 55 20 12 54J 29 61j| 453 24 28J 0 60 223 59 92 22j| 319,350 * Road purchased through Bketahuna Native Reserve.

C.—l.

Table No. 45.—Statement showing the Expenditure and Work done on Roads, &c., under the Control of the Department of Lands and Survey, for the Twelve Months ended the 31st March, 1897— continued.

181

i 0 s Expenditure from Enffinefirine 1st April. 1896, to sufl'™ male Name of Work according to Item on Appropriations. ohareed to Autho' f rom lst Apr11 ' rities issued out of ,& to the Item named. March ' 189r tads com ■ucted. Impri >ved. Dray- Bridleroad, track. Maintained. Area of 3rown Land rendered more accessible. Bemaorks. Drayroad. Bridletrack. Bridges constructed over 30ft. Span. Drayroad. Briaietrack. £ s. d. 29,659 17 1 M. ch. 55 20 M. ch. : 12 54£J M. ch. 29 61J No. 5 Length. Pt. 453 M. ch. 24 28J M. oh. 0 60 M. ch. 223 59 M. ch. S 92 22JJ Acres. 319,350 118 243 244 245 246 247 248 249 250 251 252 253 254 255 256 257 258 259 Brought forward Lands Impbovement Account, etc. — continued. Wellington —continued. Woodville-Aohanga Alfredton- Weber Rising Sun Association Huia Burling's-Mecalickstone Ruamahanga Bridge (Upper Opaki), £1 for £1 Pori Barton's Road-Wairere Barton's Road Christchurch Association Masterton Reform Association Uruti-Castlepoint Waihi Kaiwhata Valley Ruamahanga Bridge Kaiwhata Run (near Brancepeth) Ruamahanga Bridge (£1 for £1), MastertonGladstone Road Ruamahanga Bridge (Taratahi-Carterton) flood-damages Kaitangata Miscellaneous and Engineering 122 11 7 5,550 12 9 190 5 9 507 3 5 200 0 0 313 17 0 415 19 10 4 69' 2 75 6*22 9 52 6'44064 1 26 0 66J 1 16J 0 21 0 24J *5 - • • I 364 1 0 0 77 1*60 6' 7 6' 4 31 40 046 2 0 5 40 5 40 3'70 2*16 I 3 0 I 10,000 2,500 435 2 7 237 0 10 50 0 0 0 12 0 r o 0 28 4*13 0 60 Repairs. See also Item 258, Vote 118. 260 See Item 79, Vote 119. Repairs, &c. . •• . . 261 262 859 14 6 0 2 . ■ Total, Wellington 14 64J 35 4 10 26 25J ; 116 41J I 331,850 38,542 17 4 72 78 817 2 51 257 65 263 264 265 266 267 268 269 270 271 272 273 Nelson — Wairoa Gorge Rawson's Creek (Riwaka) Maruhau Valley Tadmor-Motupiko Riwaka Valley Little Sydney and branch track Motueka River protection Motueka-Waiwera Valley Takaka-Riwaka Purchase of roads Miscellaneous and Engineering 150 0 0 300' 0 0 2' 0 •• I •• 2 0 .. ■• i I "■ 5'ooo " ( _ 100' 0 0 20 0 0 i'39 .. ! Compensation for land taken. •• ■• 1 Total, Nelson .. I 5,000 570 0 0 2 0 .. 3 39 ••

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Table No. 45.—Statement showing the Expenditure and Work done on Roads, &c., under the Control of the Department of Lands and Survey, for the Twelve Months ended the 31st March, 1897— continued.

182

6 is t> 3 a F 'lTA d TJrS re i8% 0 S Engineering 1 Roads constructed. 1st Aprn, iojo, uu Surveys made Name of Work according to Item on Appropriations. from 1st April, T~T~ . "S. to Aut f>o- lg96 t 31 Drav- Bridle- Bridges Smnfmed 0 ' ""■ ™* ""^g^™ 1 Boads constructed. Improved. Maintained. Area of _____ Crown Land rendered Dray- Bridle- Dray- Bridle- more road. track. road. track. accessible. Improved. Remarks. Length. Ft. 118 Lands Improvement Account, etc. — continued. £ s. A. M. oh. M. eh. M. ch. No. M. ch. M. ch. M. ch. M. ch. Acres. 274 275 276 277 278 279 280 281 282 283 284 285 286 287 288 289 290 291 292 293 294 295 296 Marlborough, — Arapawa-Tawhiti Manaroa-Hopai White's Bay-Port Underwood Manaroa— Okoha Crail Bay Track Kenepuru-Anakoa Kene[iuru-Manaroa Anakoa-Manaroa Torea Neck Torea Southwards Crail Bay-Hoinewood Robin Hood Bay-Ocean Bay Beatrice Bay-Kenny's Isle Kenepuru Sound Te Mehia Bay-Portage Bay Ohinetaha-Te Mehia Grove Wharf and Shed Tawhiunui-Rai Jordan Bridge, Awatere .. .. i Nydia Bay-Havelock .. .. .. I Blenheim-Kaikoura-Waiau (additional) .. j Awatere Bridge, Limestone Gorge (to account) Awatere Railway and Traffic Bridge (Lands contribution) .. .. .. | Okiwi-Ronga .. .. .. j Ronga Valley .. .. Miscellaneous and Etigineerin 249 10 0 202 19 3 101 16 11 168 16 6 31 4 6 199 19 9 49 14 6 ■" •• 3 10 3 33 0 40 2 73 Work commenced. Expenditure on preliminary work, &c. 2'73 1 5 .. ■• 50 0 0 6*53 i 11 7 4 .. i 33 207 3 9 600 0 0 77 17 0 210 11 2 060 .. 0*40 4 38 2 9 1 155 Works in charge o1 Kaikoura County. 297 298 2S9 1 17 6 20 6 6 Inspecting work dons by local bodies. t Total, Marlborough .. .. j 0 40 22 47 1 2,183 4 8 0 60 155 Westland — Greenstone-Teremakau Kanieri Forks—Kanieri Lake Woodstock-Mahitiapua .... Dawson's Road Turnbull River Road .. Block 112, Kokatahi (Gropp'a Road) I 300 301 302 303 304 305 147 11 1 310 0 0 225 6 6 69 11 3 120 8 0 157 9 10 0 26J 1 ■• 400 o'e 0 20 i *50 0 17 500 2,000 3,000 1,500 7,400 10 0*79 • • Carried forward 1,030 6 8 1 52J 50 1 16

C—i.

Table No. 45.—Statement showing the Expenditure and Work done on Roads, &c., under the Control of the Department of Lands and Survey, for the Twelve Months ended the 31st March, 1897— continued.

183

6 o I 6 Expenditure from t?~~;~ 1st April, 1896, to S rSTIe Name of Work according to Item on Appropriations. SKLJSfS? 1 !,,«?!' f r ° In 1st April, rities issued out of *° fl% the Item named. 1897. Dray- Bridle- Bridges road traok constructed over roaa. tract. 3M g Eoads constructed. Dray- Bridleroad, track. Improved. Dray- Bridleroad, track. Maintained. ray- BridleDad, track. Area.of _ Crown Laud rendered s- more accessible. Bemarks. £ s. d. 1,030 6 8 M. ch. M. oh.! 1 52£ M. ch. No. 1 Length. Ft. 50 M. ch. 1 16 M. oh. M. ch. M. ch. Acres. 7,400 Brought forward • • 118 Lands Improvement Account, etc. — continued. ■ 306 307 308 309 ■ Westland —continued. Greenstone Bridge Waimea-Stafford Cook's Eiver (Upper) Miscellaneous and Engineering 219' 9 7 ■• •• •• Work done last year. 6 15 10 - - ■" • • I •• i __ Total, Westland 1,256 12 1 1 52J 1 50 1 16 • ■ 7,400 Water-races. 310 311 312 313 314 315 316 317 318 Canterbury — Ashley Irrigation Ashley Bridge (to account) Oxford Bush Road Extension Reserve 1496, Ashburton Te Moana Gorge Arowhenua Native Road Clements' Road .. .. Pareora Bridge (to account) Miscellaneous and Engineering 188 14 10 45 0 •• .. I •• •' ! ■• ! ■• 515 5 •• ! .. •• Total, Canterbury 1 1 , 194 10 3 45 0 1 319 320 321 322 323 324 325 326 327 328 329 330 331 332 Otago — Livingstone-Kyeburn Puketiraki Station-Beach Lower Hawea and Lower Wanaka Roughridge-Poolburn-Tuapeka Chatto Creek, Tinker's.. .. .. Galloway Station, Ida Valley Bendigo-Matakanui .. .. Ophir District Water-supply Kyeburn District Run 206a, Naseby .. .. ... Run 206f, Maniototo .. .. .. Hamilton Bridge .. .. ... Lauder-Blackstone Capburn Bridge 1,341 0 5 328 1 0 100 0 0 4 0 8 0 145 j .. - I .. •• I •■ ! 2,300 Also 9miles constructed by Waitaki County. Well sunk 60 ft. Punt erected over Clutha River under supervision of Vincent County Council. •• 1 1 ■• i 150 0 0 300 0 0 350 0 0 135 0 74 469 ! 2*000 6,000 1 ioo 300 0 0 1 271 • • .. •■ I Carried forward 2 2,869 1 5 4 0 11 74 371 4 69 10,300

o.—l

184

Table No. 45.—Statement showing Expenditure and Work done on Roads, &c., under the Control of the Department of Lands and Survey, for the Twelve Months ended the 31st March, 1897— continued.

o o > 6 Name of Work according to Item on Appropriations. Expenditure from 1st April, 1896, to 31st March. 1897, charged to Authorities issued out of the Item named. Engineering Surveys made :rom 1st April, 1896, to Slst March, 1897. Roads constructed. Impri ■ed. Maintained. Area of •own Land Drayroad. Bridletrack. Bridges constructed over 30ft. Span. Drayroad. Bridletrack. Dray- Bridleroad, track. rendered more accessible. Remarks. £ s. d. 2,869 1 5 M. eh. 4 0 M.ch. 11 74 M. oh. No. 2 Length. Ft. 371 M.ch. 4 69 M.ch. M.ch. M.ch. Acres. 10,300 Brought forward .18 Lands Improvement Account, etc. — continued. 333 334 335 336 337 338 339 340 341 342 343 344 345 346 347 348 349 350 351 352 353 354 355 356 357 358 359 360 361 362 363 364 365 366 Otago —continued. Runs 219c, 306, 306a Block XI., Maniototo .. Block XVI., Maniototo Upper Taieri and Rock and Pillar Dart River Road Maungatua and Waipori Blair Taieri Beaumont and Rankleburn Leithen Bush Track Otago Peninsula (B. II., from Section 60, through 71, &c.) Glenomaru Woodlands Long Point Road Hunt's Road Barr's Road Cannibal Bay Catlin's Roads Gatlin's and Tautuku Tahaukupu Glenomaru (B. IV.) Glenomaru (B. V.) McCabe's Coalpit, Gibbston Purakauiti Stream Kaler's Road (felling) Owaea (Campbell's) Tautuku River Landing-sheds, &c. Rimu, Block XIV. Owaka Railway-station, £1 for £1 Block VIII., Catlin's Wingfield Road, Ratanui Block I., Catlin's Ratanui-Whitehead .. Katia-Dairy Factory, Owaka Warnock's Road 100' 0 0 123 6 7 i' 5 0 101 14 5 475 17 10 341 19 0 397 6 3 268 2 4 371 13 1 165 12 4 209 5 3 123 1 9 20 2 0 54 8 0 i 15 1 26 0 32 1 40 2 51 1 43 1 63 0 67 1 75 0 14 •• .. 1 40 16' 0 7^000 500 Tourist traffic. 266 chains work done by Tuapeka County. Land sold. Land sold.* Land sold. Land sold. Land sold. Bushfelling 1 mile 23 chains. Land sold. [Land sold. Bushfelling 47 chains. Bushfelling 68 chains. Land sold. 0 38 500 5,000 2 6 i 12 6 0 57 4 8 37 2 0 I 439 Bushfelling 50 chains. Land sold. 50' 0 0 32 12 0 l' 0 027 0 40 1 * 600 900 Land sold. Land sold. 13 8 0 35 9 10 0 20 1 0 I Carried forward 2 5,848 11 9 9 47 25 10 0 14 371 12 0 16 0 6 0 25,800 * Bushfi slling 1 mile 23 chains.

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Table No. 45.—Statement showing the Expenditure and Work done on Roads, &c., under the Control of the Department of Lands and Survey, for the Twelve Months ended 31st March, 1897— continued.

185

! o o fc fc Name of Work according to Item on Appropriations. S S Expenditure from 1st April. 1896, to 31 cr \Im-f>Vi 1ft<V7 Engineering Surveys made ■om 1st Apri] 1896, to 31st March, 1897. Dray- Bridle- Bridges road trark constructed over roaa. tract. 30f g Roads constructed. Dray- Bridleroad, track. Improved. Maintained. Area of Crown Land Remarks. charged to Authorities issued out of the Item named. Drayroad. Bridletrack. rendered more accessible. Brought forward £ s. d. 5,848 11 9 m. ph. 9 47 M. ch. 25 10 M. ch. 0 14 No. 2 Length. Ft. 371 M. ch. 12 0 M. eh. 16 0 M. ch. 6 0 M. oh. 25,800 118 367 368 369 370 371 372 373 374 Lands Improvement Account, etc. — continued. Otago —continued. Riniu Tautuku Pomahaka-CIutha Pomahaka Bridge (Clydevale) Pomahaka Bridge, Kelso (to account) Waikawa-Catlin's Purchase of Roads Miscellaneous and Engineering 313 7 0 352 18 6 2 5 0 18 •• 1 34 500 1,296 5 1 145 2 11 114 3 10 1 -26 I i 1 3' 0 1,000 [chased for road. 75] chains land pur3 acres have been cleared, and 26 chains fenced; 70 chains of track have been formed by settlers. ■• "■ ,, ■■ Total, Otago 8,070 9 1 9 47 27 33 0 14 4 431 16 0 9 0 27,300 375 376 377 378 379 380 381 382 383 384 385 386 387 Southland — Reaby Retreat Makarewa-Grove Bush Centre Bush-Otapiri Otapiri Wallacetown — Spar Bush and Waimatuku Plat Campbelltown Hundred and Campbelltown .. Oampbelltown Girdler's Road Hillend Bush (Dipton Flat) Black Creek Bridge and Road Waikawa District Waimea Valley Orion and Minerva Roads. Makarewa, £1 for £1 Bluff Road .. Waikawa-Wyndham Valley Oteramika Kingswell Creek-Seaward Bush, £1 for £1 .. Timpany's Hill to Gorge Railway-station, Oteramika Millwood Special Settlement Invereargill Hundred Hedgehope-Mataura 100 0 0 100 0 0 100 0 0 100 0 0 600 0 0 50 0 0 320 0 0 159 14 5 200 0 0 0 50 i'21 0 50 0 6 I 0 15 1 21 129 i 0 40 .. t .. I •• •• ! •• .. •• 0 20 1 6 i' 0 0 25 6'10 6'10 '■ ■■ 300 •■:: 5,000 Work done last year but not paid for till this. Work done in 1895-96. Work done last year but not paid for till this. •• 25 0 0 6'40 0 68 100 388 389 390 391 392 98 1 5 0 20 0 39 I •• ! __ \ 0 84 0 10 ijooo •• . 50 393 394 395 200 0 0 75 0 0 200 0 0 100 0 0 1 27 0 20 2 40 0 30 1 27 I 0 20 ! 2 40 0 30 I 2 36 0 50 0 22 1,000 200 •■ I .. Carried forward 9 17 2 . 7,650 2,427 15 10 6 28 ., 36 4 62 1 43

A—i

186

Table No. 45.—Statement showing the Expenditure and Work done on Roads, &c., under the Control of the Department of Lands and Survey, for the Twelve Months ended the 31st March, 1897— continued.

I 6 1 Expenditure from ??„„;„„ ■ „ 1st April, 1896, tO R nr £»re tyi«H« Name of Work according to Item on Appropriations. {? „ TV i tvT' from let April, ritS? fs d sued A o U ut b o°f «£, j> ™ the Item named. March, 1897. n.,. -Rvirllo Bridges road track constructed over road. track. 3Mt Span _ Roads constructed. Dray- Bridleroad, track. Improved. Maintained. Area of Crown Land . rendered more accessible. Remarks. Drayroad. Bridletrack. £ s. d. 2,427 15 10 M. ch. 6 28 M.oh. 9 17 M.ch. No. 2 .Length. Ft. 36 M.ch. 4 62 M.ch. M. ch. 1 43 M. ch. Acres. 7,650 Brought forward 118 Lands Impbovement Account, etc. — continued. 396 397 398 399 400 401 402 403 404 405 406 407 408 409 Southland — continued. Mabel District Dunsdale Eyre Creek Bridge Otamita Retreat Mokoreta, Blocks VII. and IX., £1 for £1 Invercargill Huudred, Block XVII.-XX. Invercargill Hundred, Block XV. Invercargill Hundred, Block X. .. Invercargill Hundred, Block XXII. Tanner's Road, Winton Dipton-Balfour Waimumu Bridge Small grazing-run 23 .. Southland Bridges and Fortrose Jetty (flooddamages) Tisbury Invercargill-Tisbury .. Tisbury-Waimatua Mataura Island Dairy Factory-Pine Bush Railway-station Mill Road-Makarewa (Block X., Sections 32, 33) Haberfield's to Beach Waikawa-Otara Acker's Village Waikawa, Block VII. .. Waikawa Bridge Forest Hill Forest Hill-McDonald Eoad Seaward Bush Roads Toetoes, Block X. .. • Longwood (XVI. and I.) Riverton and Colac Bay Track to McLaren's Run Lillburn Roads ■ 200 0 0 100 0 0 0 56 0 40 0 56 I 0 40 •• I I •• 0 25 . •• 0 28 1 •■ I 150 0 0 •• "200 Work done last yeai but not paid for til] this year. •• •• 05 0 0 5 0 "100 ■• "loo 500 "■ 410 411 412 413 0 48 1 40 i^ooo .. __ 414 100 415 416 417 418 419 420 421 422 423 424 425 426 427 19 7 5 843 4 10 050 i 20 i 1 i ! 1 io 20 I 3,500 50 100 .. 1 I Extension of tramwayline ; under supervision of the Bngi-neer-in-Ohief. ■_ .& I I 1 ! f I 50 1 201 14 2 200 0 0 40 0 0 383 11 1 1 35 135 035 1 is 0 31 039 .. 6,000 2,000 Work done during 1895-96. Carried forward 13 47 j 0 35 4 64 9 23 21,350 4,566 3 4 9 49 •■ 2 22 • •

Table No. 45.—Statement showing the Expenditure and Work done on Roads, &c., under the Control of the Department of Lands and Survey, for the Twelve Months ended the 31st March, 1897— continued.

c—i.

29—C. 1.

187

o G Expenditure from ! En2ineBririt , d 1st April, 1896, to surreramade « Name of Work according to Item on Appropriations. t, „ ?<■ i *'i from 1st April, I rities issued out of 8 *' *° ?*!* S the Item named. 1897. I Dray- Bridleroad, track. Eoads constructed. Impr< ived. Dray- Bridleroad, track. Maintained. ray- Bridleoad. track. Area of Crown Land rendered !- more accessible. Remarks. Bridges constructed over 30ft. Span. Drayroad. Bridletrack. ! £ s. d. 4,566 3 4 M. ch. 9 49 M. oh. 13 47 i M. ch. 0 35 No. 4 Length. Ft. 64 M. ch. 9 23 M. ch. M. ch. 2 22 M. ch. Acres. 21,350 Brought forward 118 428 429 430 431 432 433 434 435 436 437 438 439 440 Lands Impeovement Account, etc — continued. Southland —continued. Avondale Saddle Waimatuku Bush Mararoa Bridge Orepuki-Wairaurahiri Waiau Bridge, Clifden (to account) Glifderi Ferry-Eastern Bush (Limestone Gorge) Lonaker's Settlement Longwood (XV., XVI., XVII.) Lower Waiau Ferry Halfmoon Bay Wharf Halfmoon Bay Tramway Purchase of Roads Miscellaneous and Engineering 367 7 7 111 0 4 200 0 0 1 71 1 71 16 0 4 0 Preliminary expenses in testing for bridge foundations. .. 24 17 6 150 0 0 100 0 0 039 6'39 1 50 17 chains tramway constructed. Inspecting miscellaneous works. 147 1 1 i^000 Total, Southland 15 77 16 35 5 5,666 9 10 11 79 114 13 23 2 22 22,350 441 442 443 444 Grants in- Aid — Co-operative work for unemployed Advances to co-operative workmen Schools on Improved-farm Settlements Miscellaneous 1,900 0 0 686 9 5 •• Advances for schoolbuildings. 6 - 68 10 0 2 65 0 53 2'23 5,000 Total, Grants-in-Aid 2,586 9 5 0 68 10 0 2 65 0 53 2 23 5,000 ■■ •• Improved-farm Settlements — Auckland — Awatuna .. Rangatira Katui Mangatn Terauamoa ! : Felling, clearing, &c. 445 446 447 448 449 70 17 8 121 6 0 34 17 7 144 12 2 751 2 7 i> •■ ■■ " " f/ ,. ■• Felling 250 acres, logging 19 acres, grassing 83 acres, and cottage. .. Total, Auckland 1 0 ' ! 1,122 16 0 •• I ■• . . Hawke's Bay — Waikopiro i 1 450 488 5 5 Felling, clearing, and liouse-building. Total, Hawke's Bay 488 5 5

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188

Table No. 45. Statement showing the Expenditure and Work done on Roads, &c., under the Control of the Department of Lands and Survey, for the Twelve Months ended the 31st March, 1897— continued.

s Expenditure from : En gi nee rin g o - lst A P nl - J 89 ?!*}, 0 Surveys made fc Name of Work according to Item on Appropriations. charged to Autho- f^SEL, 1 ?* &S? ' rities issued out of i«O7 $ the Item named. March, 1897 ' Dray- Bridleroad, track. Koads com itructed. Bridges constructed over 30ft. Span. Dray- Bridleroad, track. Improved. Dray- Bridleroad, track. Maintained. Area of Crown Land rendered more accessible. Remarks. 118 451 452 J 453 ! 454 J 455 456 457 458 459 460 461 i 462 463 464 465 Lands Improvement Account, etc. — continued. Improved-farm Settlements —continued. Taranaki — Tawai Tongaporutu Greenland s Uruti Okau Derwent Burfoot .. Ratatomokia Mangaere Whangamomona Huiroa Poti Ngaire Maata Taumatatahi- £ s. d. M. ch. M. ch. M. ch. No. Length. Ft. M. ch. M. ch. M. ch. M. ch. Acres. 461 0 1 626 13 0 188 13 4 249 14 8 908 1 3 678 19 5 0 40 1 20 2 42 Bush felled— 212 acres; 5 houses. 268 , 10 „ 135 „ 120 „ 7 houses. 302 „ 11 , 368 „ 6 „ 451 452 453 454 455 456 457 458 459 460 461 462 463 464 465 •• i' 5 __ 220 0 46 1,700 6 3 329 0 8 4,751 15 10 564 3 3 26 10 1 257 19 7 42 1'6 9 69 4 11 6 - 29 9 40 8 0 48| ., 142 „ 9 houses. 1,292 „ 60 „ 200| „ 4 „ 23J , 11 „ 1 „ 20 „ 3 „ 0 42 462 2 3 60 •■ 0 34 042 •• Total, Taranaki 0 76 21 17 2 10,854 19 1 34 40 8 0 •• I I 70 acres sown, 13 acres felled; 3 houses built. 466 467 468 469 470 471 472 473 474 475 ! 476 I 477 466 467 468 469 470 471 472 473 474 475 476 477 Wellington — Hautapu Horopito .. Rongoiti .. .. • • . Taihape .. Masterton-Tenui Mangaweka Ohutu Otuarei Pemberton Kawatau Akitio Mangatiti 787 0 2 132 19 0 60 1 11 389 18 8 321 0 11 1,294 14 4 87 17 0 75 8 0 247 17 1 1,467 15 10 258 9 5 5 0 2 0 4 40 2 40 1 24 134 1 21 2 15 i ! •• i " 83 .. I 1 24 2* 0 i 6i 2 15 12,000 5,000 10,000 38J acres bush felled. 0 25 •• •• 7 55 3 39 5' 0 Bushfelling. • • • ■ Bushfelling. Total, Wellington 5,123 2 4 i 83 J 5 5 ! 7 15 27,000 21 55 4 24 5 54 •■ 478 479 480 481 Otago — Woodlands Rimu Woodlands (B 2) .. Waipati 169 17 4 719 9 10 23 2 0 1,330 0 2 2,242 9 4 2 2 3J000 j Bushfelling and gingBushfelling 25 chains. 334 chains felled and cleared. - S\000 6,000 Total, Otago 2 2 .. • • • •

189

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Table No. 45.—Statement showing the Expenditure and Work done on Roads, &c., under the Control of the Department of Lands and Survey, for the Twelve Months ended the 31st March, 1897— continued.

Expenditure from ' Enc , ineerinE , 6 d l8t A P ril - 1896 ' to Su?vev^afe 55 !B Name of Work according to Item on Appropriations. i, _ I , *„ i, ii; ' from 1st April, I i rities issued out of March fs97 £ a the Item named. Marcn, 1OT. iads com ;ructed. Imprc ivea. Maintained. Area of vrown Land rendered more accessible. Remarks. Drayroad. Bridletrack. Bridges constructed over 30ft. Span. Drayroad. Bridletrack. Drayroad. Bridletrack. Length. Ft. 118 Lands Impbovement Account, etc. — continued. Improved-farm Settlements —continued. Southland — Heathfield Papatotara Haldane Waikawa Moturimu £ s. d. M. oh. M. eh. M. oh. No. M. eh. M. ch. M. ch. M. ch. Acres. 708 1 8 126 8 3 698 19 0 824 10 0 95 12 10 0 13 0 13J 0 7 3 50 2 18 0 13 0 3 0 6J 482 483 484 485 486 1 20 2 28 1 7 ■• 400 .. .. "200 Bush-clearing and sowing grass-seed. ■• .. ! I .. Total, Southland 6 8Jj 0 13 1 600 2,453 11 9 3 48 20 0 3 0 6J •■ General — Farms unprovided for 487 •■ Total, Improved-farm Settlements 13 30J 28 4 4 103 0 3 33,600 Bushfelling, repairs, &o. 22,285 3 11 59 63 5 llji 15 15 488 489 490 491 492 493 494 ] Village Settlements — Auckland Wellington Nelson Canterbury Otago Southland General 134 18 5 497 2 11 40 0 0 231 13 6 86 10 10 0.1,290 4 8 3 .32 2 0 1 79 0 36 •• 1 51 2',000 Work done in 1895-96. •• ■• •■ Total, Village Settlements 1 51 3 79 i 2,000 972,600 Cr. 299 19 0 3 32 .. 0 36 Total, Vote No. 118 106,929 12 1 283 60-5 153 SM 180 21* 44 2,385 76 12J| 28 54 368 58J 284 39J 119 1 2 3 4 5 7 8 9 Government Loans to Local Bodies Account — KOADS, ETC., TO OPEN UP GbOWN LANDS. Auckland — Takahue Block Maungataniwha Block llaungataniwha (VI.) Block Takahue- Whangape Block Waipoua Block Ruapekapeka Block MoUtau Block Opuawlianga-Whangarei No. 1 Block Ngunguru Block 198' 0 6 663 16 6 0 70 •■ •• 4 0 9 28 ■• •• - - 9' 0 2,000 4,700 800 7,000 . •■ 18,000 3,000 •• '■ •• 661 9 9 12 0 12 0 2,000 Carried forward 1,523 6 9 ! 12 70 ! 25 28 9 0 37,500

C.—l

190

Table No. 45.—Statement showing the Expenditure and Work done on Roads, &c., under the Control of the Department of Lands and Survey, for the Twelve Months ended the 31st March, 1897— continued.

d c d I—( Expenditure from w««1st April 1896 to Name of Work according to Item on Appropriations. j?if « 97, '™m "ist ™prfl, rities issued out of Sh w the Item named. Mai eh, .897. Roads constructed. I Improved. Maintained. Area of }rown Land rendered more accessible. Remarks. Drayroad. BridleBridges constructed over 30ft. Span. Dray- Bridleroad, track. Di-ay-road. Bridletrack. Brought forward £ s. d. 1,523 6 9 M. ch. 12 70 M. ch. M. ch. 25 28 No. Length. Ft. M. ch. M. ch. M. ch. M. ch. 9 0 Acres. 37,500 119 10 11 1-2 13 14 15 17 18 20 21 22 23 24 Government Loans to Local Bodies Account — Roads, etc., to open upCbown Lands— contd. Auckland —continued. Tokatoka Swamp Block Pakiri Block Tauhoa Block Ahuroa Biock Auckland Special Settlement Block Maropiu Block Avoca Block Akaaka Swamp Block .. Taupiri Block Karioi-Alexandra Block Kohuruhuru Block Kaimarama Block Waiotahi Block Waimana Block Waiawa Block Karioi 2,375 0 0 16 4 0 100 0 0 354 16 5 92 16 4 i' 0 i' o 0 25 7 40 ■• 2 I 83 •■ •■ 1 0 0 25 ■• 4,000 2,000 400 6,000 See Vote 118, Item 54. See Vote 118, Item 16. 931 15 11 k' o 9 36 See Vote 118, Item 83. I 750 13 9 63 0 8 110 •• I •• I I ■• I •■ See Vote 118, Item 109. Total, Auckland 6,207 13 10 13 70 4 35 32 68 2 83 9 36 1 25 9 0 49,900 25 2G 27 28 29 80 31 Hawke's Bay — Hikurangi Block Waiau Block Huirau Block Ruakituri Block Pohui Block .. v. '/_ Rnahine Block Umutaoroa Block 349 0 2 274 16 0 100 7 6 187 8 0 .. .. I 5 62 3 12 1 4,000 4,800 4,000 4,800 0 51 1 •• •■ -■ .. I .. Total, Hawke's Bay 911 11 8 0 51 8 74 , 2 • • .. 17,600 82 34 35 3G Taranaki — Okoke Block Oxford Association Block Lepperton Block Moanatairi Block Milsom Block 450 1 0 146 7 8 3 40 2 - 40 3 58 .. 10 0 .. 2 0 4 040 Carried forward 3 58 598 9 0 3 40 2 40 10 40

191

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Table No. 45.—Statement showing the Expenditure and Work done on Roads, &c., under the Control of the Department of Lands and Survey, for the Twelve Months ended the 31st March, 1897— continued.

i X s P t e AmS re i896°™ Engineering 6 ' 6 ' lst April, l»yb, to Bnrvpvs Tnarlp » * Name of Work according to Item on Appropriations. | jj^egjt™ Autho from ls * A P ri, . 1 I I rities issued out of March° W i> J S the Item named. JOT. ?oaT teacL" consSdover roaa. track. 30ft gpan^ Roads constructed. Dray- j Bridleroad. I track. Improved. rendered Dray- I Bridle- more road. track. accessible. Maintained. Area of Remarks. • Brought forward .. .. 598 9 0 M. ch. 3 40 M. oh. 2 40 M. oh. 3 58 No. Length. Ft. M. oh. M, oh. M. ch. M. ch. 10 40 Acres. 119 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 51 52 53 54 55 Government Loans to Local Bodies Account! —Roads, etc., to opeh up Geown Lands — continued. Taranaki —continued. Mangaere Block Boss Block .. .. .. .. J Eltham Block Manganui Block Autawa Block Gatton Block Llewellyn Block Puniwhakau Block Torrace End Block Rangowhakaoma Block Patua (Egmont V., VII., XI.) Block Egmont (VI.) Block .. Kaupokonui Block Kaitangiwlienna No. 2 Block .. .. Toro (Section 23, B. IV., Huiroa) Block Opaku-Kapara Block Rawhitiroa Block Moeawatea Block Whenuakura Block 1,353 10 8 210 2 8 140 13 5 4-18 5 4 884 19 10 1,725 14 5 26 14 5 72 3 9 4 7 6 1,757 5 3 1,540 8 1 3 11 li 3 40 1 40 1 60 1 57 2' 0 7 0 3 20 1 57 0 10 3 27 2 4 0 54 3 17 8 75 1 2 40 102 3 0 4 0 5* 0 4 0 6 0 .. 10*20 " 1 47 0 44 0 30 9 50 I 10 20 2 40 1 .30 240 j 24* 0 15 0 15 42 I ■• 8*0 I ' ' .. •• Total, Taranaki I 8,766 6 3 56 37 9 77 49 58 1 172 5 40 61 40 I •• •■ Wellington — Momaliaki Village Settlement Block Te Ngaue Block Waimarino (No. 2) Block Clifton Block Kaitieke Block .. .. I Wanganui Block .. .. Manganui and Ruapehu Block Te Kapua Block (Sommerville, and Palmerstori North Knights of Labour) .. .. ! Kawatau Block .. .. I Hautapu-Rualiine Block Hautapu No. 2 Block 406 7 0 ! 200 0 0 92 18 1 421 1 3 1,160 11 10 383 7 3 153 6 10 1,063 2 11 262 10 8 914 1 8 648 18 3 ! j 56 57 58 59 60 61 62 63 406 7 0 200 0 0 92 18 1 421 1 3 1,160 11 10 383 7 3 153 6 10 0 57 2 67 2 20 Maintenance; see alsc Vote 118, Item 185. 0 10 5 0 2 51 0 32 2 36 9 49 1 4 " "■ 6*32 2*36 9 49 ! 1 4 0 10 0 10 50,000 •• 120 chains bush-work. I I 64 65 66 1,063 2 11 262 10 8 914 1 8 648 18 3 ! 6 0 2 0 3 40 2 0 5 75 ' ' i i I 0 2 14 0 0 40 6 10 10,000 J 5*67| 4 51 ■ * I -40 J 6" ij 4,200 Carried forward 5,706 5 9 I 1 j . 29 42J 1 40 0 1J 0 2 2 62 ■• 33 59 i 64,200 5,706 5 9 21 21 4 6 \

192

o.—l

Table No. 45.—Statement showing the Expenditure and Work done on Roads, &c., under the Control of the Department of Lands and Survey, for the Twelve Months ended the 31st March, 1897— continued.

d I 6 v. a Name of Work according to Item on Appropriatioi Expenditure from 1st April. 1896, to charged to Authorities issued out of the Item named. Engineering Surveys made •orn 1st April 1896, to 31st March, 1897. Bridle- Bridges ,.,„,, constructed over tracK. 30ft. Span. iads constructed. Impr< ived. Dray- Bridleroad, track. Maintained. Area of Urown Land rendered more accessible. Remarks. Drayroad. Drayroad. Bridletrack. £ s. <1. 5,706 5 9 M. ch. 21 21 M. ch. 4 6 M. ch. 29 42J No. 1 Length. Ft. 40 M. ch. 0 U M. ch. 0 2 M. ch. 2 62 M. ch. 33 59 Acres. 64,200 Brought forward 119 67 68 70 71 72 73 74 75 76 77 78 79 Government Loans to Local Bodies Account —Roads, etc., to open up Cbown Lands— continued. Wellington —continued. Mangoira-Coal Greek Block Malton Block Salisbury and Delaware Block Pohangina Block Umutoi Block Kaiparoro Block Kakariki Block Te Maru Block Mecalickstone Block .. Puketei-Aohanga Block Ohinewairua Block Gladstone Block .. .. Kaitangata Block Te Ngaue No. 2 22 17 9 302 0 0 691 19 0 759 8 2 290 18 7 192 8 5 11 3 8 242 4 0 519 4 7 202 17 0 7 17 4 4 2 36 •■ 0 3 •• 12 5} 2 17| 0 15 0 29J •■ 6' 1 6" 42 •• 12 4 200 1,500 400 2,000 i'ooo See Item 204, Vote 118. Bushfelling. Repairs, &o. 022 6'68* 1 50 9 0 See Item 247, Vote 118. * ■ * * " ■•• ■• I 595 12 7 075 2 18| 4,800 Bushfelling, drains, &c. I ; i Total, Wellington 9,536 19 1 43 78 5 26 49 7J 1 40 0 1J 0 45 2 62 45 63 74,100 J i ; Nelson — Tadrnor Valley Block .. I I I •• >* 80 81 Marlborough — Hundalee Block •• 82 83 ■ ; Canterbury — Broomfield Block Ruapuna Block i i miles 46 chains waterraces. 75 0 0 • • • ■ • • - i ! Total, Canterbury 75 0 0 •• •• •• I I •• 84 85 86 87 88 Otago— ' Domet and Maruwenua Catlin's Block Waikoikoi Township Block Glenomaru (III., IV., V., VII., X.) Block .. Tiger Hill Block 26 2 0 0 34 •• i Land sold. 130 15 4 1 60 I 1 2 1 40 ■■ I •• •• Land sold. ■■ • ■ ■ • i i Carried forward 1 36 156 17 4 1 60 .. 1 4C

193

c.-i

Table No. 45.—Statement showing the Expenditure and Work done on Roads, &c., under the Control of the Department of Lands and Survey, for the Twelve Months ended the 31st March, 1897— continued.

I '. Name of Work according to Item on Appropriations. Expenditure from Eneineerine 1st April. 1896, to si«t is<w. suiveyB made Boaris constructed. Improved. Maintained. Area of charged to Authorities issued out of the Item named. from let April, 1896, to 31st March, 1897. Dray- I Bridle- Bridges D Briaie- Drayroad. I track. con |of t U( g^ n ovel road. track. road. Bridletrack. rendered more accessible. Remarks. 119 Brought forward Government Loans to Local Bodies Account —Roads, etc., to open up Cbown Lands — continued. Otago —continued. Lauder-Tiger Hill Block Lower Wanaka Block Teviot Block Beaumont Block Swinburn Farm Homestead Block Maniototo Block Maniototo No. 2 Block Naseby No. 2 Block Blackstone-Gimmerbum Block Maniototo No. 3 Block Lauder-Blackstone Block Gimmerburn Block I 156 17 4 : M. ch. 1 60 M. ch. M. ch. 1 30 No. Length. Ft. M. ch. M. ch. M. ch. 1 40 M. ch. Acres. 89 90 91 92 93 94 95 96 97 98 99 100 I 100 0 0 ! 1 20 •• .. .. •• •■ I " I •• I •■ I 40 " I .. I ■• I 1 Total, Otago 256 17 4 1 60 1 20 I 1 36 1 40 40 •• •• Southland — Mokorfita Block Waikawa-Otara Blocks Oteramika Block Invercargill Hundred (XXIII.) Block Ackers Village Block Hokonui and Forest Hill Block .. Waikawa (II.) Block I I I 101 102 103 104 105 106 107 1,629 1 4 147 19 6 31 10 0 78 15 0 2" 30 235 4 76 j .. I •• 5 35 •• I ! 500 5,000 2,000 1,000 50 2,000 •• I 2 m. 35 ch. busbfelling. Work in progress. Compensation for roadline .. .. .. .. Total, Southland 1,887 5 10 4 65 4 76 5 35 10,550 •' •■ Total, Vote No. 119 I 295 0 1J 10 1 16 42 I 152,190 27,641 14 0 120 70 26 45 142 3J 9 116 23 120 Native Land Purchase Account. Native Land Purchases, etc. — Surveys .. .. ... ! 10,090 11 7 •• •■ •• •• Koads and Bridges, etc. — Auckland — Okaihau-Horeke Utakura Koad deviation J j 7 8 1 26 6 0 •• Carried forward ' I 1 26 6 01 i .. ■ • i

C.—l

194

Return No. 45.—Statement showing the Expenditure and Work done on Roads, &c., under the Control of the Department of Lands and Survey, for the Twelve Months ended the 31st March, 1897— continued.

Expenditure from Eneineerine A lBt April, 1896, to I SnrlfiVB mnln fc fc Name of Work according to Item on Appropriations. chareed to Autlio' trom l8t , A P ril > I I rities issued out of March° W £ S the Item named. March, .897. Dray- Bridieroad, track. Roads constructed. Bridges constructed over 30ft. Span. Impri ived. ped. Maintained. Area ol i Crown Land| rendered I Bridle- Dray- Bridle- more track. road. track. accessible. Remarks. Drayroad. £ s. d. M. ch. M. cli. M. ch. No. Length. Ft. M. ch. 1 26 M. ch. M. ch. 6 0 M. ch. Acres. Brought forward 120 9 ! 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 Native Land Purchase Account — contd. Eoads akd Bridges, etc. — continued. Auckland —continued. Kaueranga .. Tuakau-Opuatia-Kahuruhuru Ofcawa Nos. Iα and Iβ .. Papamoa No. 1 Rangit-aiki-Ruatoki-Waiotahi Te Teko-Oputiki Te Kumi Mangafcangi Bridge Kihikihi-Waotu Eotorua-Te Teko Whakarewarewa Taumata Nos. Iα, 2a, 3b East; 3b West No. 1; 3c East A; 3c West No. 1 Okoheriki Id Rotorua-Galatea-Waikaremoana.. Rotowhero, via Waiotapu-Wairakei Pirongia West Tokanui-Wharepapa .. Karu-o-te-whenua, &o. Te Kuiti-Awakino Ouruwhero No. 2 and Puketarata.. Mangauika A Iα Hautura East Kihikihi-Otorohanga-Te Kuiti Kinobaku East Wharepunga No. 1 374 4 8 1,165 12 7 361 6 1 1,304 5 2 17319 6 4,786* 8 10 439 18 2 7 40 13 11 021 3 35 1 45 •• I 0 24 12 64 0 18 6 14 I I 2 10 0 40 I •• 1 1 1 70 *78 64 5 0 0 40 6*56 1 14 6*34 15 0 21 0 30 0 •• •• 10,000 21 22 23 24 J 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 5,040 8 9 1,932 19 8 73 19 7 6 0 20 40 5 31 i 2*33 5 223 32 0 7 0 69* 0 13 0 46,000 1 55 150 5 0 3,183 18 5 8*53 1 40 8 17 10 0 5 0 '■ 3 9 6 020 li 9 0 30 0 254*11 10 27*34 I Total, Auckland 19,257 16 9 83 39 35 29J 11 17 8 435 46 42 1 48 134 0 65 0 56,000 Pukeamaru Whakaangiangi Waihuka Ahomatariki Gisborne via Tologa Bay-Hick's Bay Opotiki-Easfc Gape Tahora Gisborne- Waikaremoana I i 34 35 37 38 89 40 41 .; ... 49 6 I I .. I I .. I i Carried forward 4 9 6

195

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Table No. 45.—Statement showing the Expenditure and Work done on Roads, &c., under the Control of the Department of Lands and Survey, for the Twelve Months ended the 31st March, 1897— continued.

30—C. 1.

5^s P t e l d priT' e i89 f 6°Si Engineering Eoads constructed. O O I Ql«t MinvVi 1RO7 ourvtjyb indue . fc SB Name of Work according to Item on Appropriations. to Authi fr °™ £pril, | Bria t i rities issued out of March ?897 road" track" constructed over |J g the Item named. m ™' ibJ '' roaa - track - 30ft. Span. Eoads constructed. Dray- Bridleroad, track. Improved. Dray- Bridleroad, track. Maintained. rendered more accessible. Area of Remarks. 120 43 44 45 46 47 Brought forward Native Land Pdbohase Account — continued. Roads and Bridges, etc. — continued. Hawke's Day —continued. Frasertown-Waikaremoana Mohaka Southwards Ngapaeruru Motu Road (widening) Waikopiro Takapau-Kopua, £1 for £1 £ s. d. 4 9 6 440 3 7 1,056 8 10 85 0 0 M. oh. M. ch. M. ch. No. Length. Ft. M. ch. .. ■• M. ch. I M. ch. M. ch. .. M. ch. I Acres, j See Vote 120, Item 22. .. .. .. .. .. 0 41J 1 23 116 4 .. .. 0 18 .. .. 18,000 j .. .. Work done last year. 18,000 I .. Total, Hawke's Bay 1,586 1 11 1,586 1 11 1 64i 1 16 4 J 0 18 .. 48 49 50 51 52 Taranaki — Tauranga No. 1, &c. Ohura South K No. 5, and L Maraekowhai Stratford-Ongaruhe Tangarakau River (clearing), to account 500 0 0 242 17 4 4,156 2 4 263 7 2 500 0 0 242 17 4 4,156 2 4 263 7 2 5 48 ! ■• .. See Vote 120, Item 22. See Vote 120, Item 22. 11 0 .. 4 m. 20 ch. sanded. ! Snagging, &c. 5 48 2 40 5 40 4 268 54 0 i ■• I Total, Taranaki 5,162 6 10 5,162 6 10 5 48 5 48 2 40 5 40 . * 268 I j ! 54 0 11 0 36 0 50,000 ■■ 53 54 55 r>6 57 58 59 60 61 Wellington — Taumarunui-Ohakune Rotoaira-Waimarino .. Taurewa-Okahukura .. .. Okahukura 8m Raetihi-Parapara Wanganui River Trust Mangawhero-Murimotu Ruanui 2a and 3a .. .. .. Rangiwaea .. .. .. 744 4 8 [ 348 13 11 1,400 0 0 153 16 0 744 4 8 ■ 348 13 11 1,400 0 0 153 16 0 2 45 t ■ ■ 0 40 2 45 0 40 0 50 o'l6 ■ 3 38 0 60 i .. 0 10 20 0 2 50 36 0 50,000 ! : •• 12 0 20,000 12 0 20,000 Snagging and groining 40 0 20,000 J from Wanganui to j Manganuiateao. •• .. p> 40 0 20,000 • • • ■ .. .. Total, Wellington 2,046 14 7 2,C46 14 7 3 5 3 5 0 66 4 18 0 10 •• J 22 50 : J 88 0 90,000 General — Miscellaneous roads and bridges in Native districts To new purchases 43 0 3 : ' 62 ! 63 43 0 3 272 8 0 . . 15 0 .. .. Total, General 43 0 3 38,786 11 11 92 12 43 0 3 2 72 43 32 8 0 15 0 Total, Vote No. 120 38,786 11 11 92 12 30 11 16 703 46 70 1 48 210 50 179 0 164,000

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196

Table No. 45.—Statement showing the Expenditure and Work done on Roads, &c., under the Control of the Department of Lands and Survey, for the Twelve Months ended the 31st March, 1897— continued.

E lTABrU re i8M°W Engineering Boads constructed. ist April. ioyo. to «iirvpviiiTifl(ifl SB fc I Name of Work according to Item on Appropriations. t o A uth£ '"Sl A P vi1 -' n „ . „ Bridges i i I I 1 ! I i T,.noth Boads constructed. Dray- Bridle- Dray- ; Bridleroad, track. road. track. Improved. r Maintained. rendered more accessible. Area of Remarks. Length. & s. d. M. oh. M. ch. M. eh. No. Ft. Land fob Settlements. M. oh. M. eh. M. oh. Length. No. Ft. M. oh. M. ch. M. ch. M. ch. Acres. Land fob Settlements. Auckland — Opouriao Settlement .. .. .. 450 6 11 .. 6 0 Auckland — Opouriao Settlement .. 6 0 Hawke's Bay — Raureka Settlement Blsthorpe Settlement 175 19 4 321 17 7 1 26 1 46 .. " •• I Total, Hawke's Bay .. 497 16 11 2 72 •• I Marlborough — Blind River Settlement Omaka Settlement 30 16 6 29 6 1 0 30 [&o. Flood-damage repairs, Timber and ironwork. 1 20 •• Total, Marlborough 60 2 7 0 30 I 1 20 1 •• Westland— Poerua Settlement Total, Westland 254 16 4 254 16 4 0 12 0 12 .. .. i .. 1 m. 51 ch. heavy bush "felled and cleared ; 66 ft. wide ; 12 ch. fascines laid, and four culverts made, 18 ft. x 12 ft. Inspection costs. Canterbury — Patoa Settlement Otaio Settlement Roimata Settlement Highbank Settlement j 156 16 0 0 16 1 330 4 4 75 13 6 0 66 •• •• Total, Canterbury 563 9 11 Constructing 470 oh. water-races, &o. 0 66 .. Otago — Ardgowan Settlement Tokarahi Settlement Puketapu Settlement Maerewhenua Settlement 2,034 17 11 10 0 11 8 15 0 4 1 5 8 48 8 42 ■' i 40 chains felling and stumping, 84 chains metalling, &c. Land all taken up. •■ I I Total, Otago .. I 2,057 15 3 8 48 8 42 ■■ Southland — Merrivale Settlement ! Bridge, six 25 ft. spans. 1 50 1 150 i 300 : Total, Southland 1,523 17 8 1,523 17 8 1 50 1 150 ; 300 1 50 1 50 .. Total, Land for Settlements 5,408 5 7 2 170 0 30 i 300 10 18 20 2 I .. * "48| chains metalling and gravelling footpaths.

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197

Table No. 45.—Statement showing the Expenditure and Work done on Roads, &c., under the Control of the Department of Lands and Survey, for the Twelve Months ended the 31st March, 1897— continued.

6 ] o ; E> I CD Name of Work according to Item on Appropriations. s S?~ie Boads constructed. 31st March. 1897, i charged to Autho- S to 3lft Drav RrirMo I Bridges Roads constructed. Dray- Bridleroad, track. Improved. Maintained. Area of : , _ Crown Land rendered Dray- Bridle- more road. track. accessible. Hem arks. I I 100 52 53 54 61 70 71 84 85 88 108 112 Work done foe the Mines Department. Roads on Goldfields — Nelsrm — Wangapeka Track, &c. .. Richmond-Collingwood .. Takaka-Collingwood (Inland) Road Canaan Road Belgrove-Westport-Reefton Reef ton-Marina Granity Creek—Ngakawau Mud Plat-Karatnea-Oparara Whangapeka- Wangan u i Road, Seddonville-Mokihinui Fairdown-Waimangaroa Length. £ p. d. M. ch. M. ch. M. ch. No. Ft. 3 10 4 250 0 0 .. 3 0 150 0 0 .. 10 100 0 0 .. .. 4 0.. 3,750 0 0 288 8 6 .. 1 10 100 0 0 .. 0 70 112 13 6 .. .. 0 24 683 10 2 .. .. 5 10 100 0 0 .. 0 25 200 0 0 i .. .. 0 50 M. oh. M. ch. 3' 0 1 0 M. ch. i 0 No. Length. M. ch. 1 M. oh.j 1 16 0 M. ch.i M. ch. 155 0 j Acres. 10 i000 20,000 iio 0 70 024 5 10 •• .. ■■ 8 1000 0 25 ' ' 050 .. _11_ _J_^_ •■ Totals, Nelson 5,738 2 6 6 25 10 4 J 16 0 38,000 155 0 127 135 138 139 143 149 162 165 Westland — Reeflon-Hokitika-Ross Drainage of Stafford Township Pine-tree Road, Kanieri Riding .. Kokotahi Road Karangarua Bridge New road, Stafford—Awatuna Okarito River Bridge Hokitika-Jackson's 3,266 5 2 ! 44 14 7 248 4 6 2 8 0 252 4 6 276 13 4 875 0 0 0 55 0 11J •• 42 0 .. .. Temporary road am bridge. •• 0 53 •• i •• .. .. .. ■• ■i 70 ...... See Item 42, Vote 99. ■ ■ •• - •• Totals, Westland 4,965 10 1 1 39* 1 70 .. .. 42 0 .. 0 40 0 23 Otago — Lawrence-Clyde Clyde-Queenstown I 1 174 j 175 500 0 0 ! 250 0 0 ] . ■■ Totals, Otago .. 750 0 0 0 40 0 23 I i

G.—l

198

Table No. 45. —Statement showing the Expenditure and Work done on Roads, &c., under the Control of the Department of Lands and Survey, for the Twelve Months ended the 31st March, 1897— continued.

6 o s a Name of Work according to Item on Appropriations. E S e ipr" e i896°S ; Fleering 31st March. 1897, f,™ charged to Autho- i^g 1 ?! A^ 11 ' rities issued out of m<, rU, istw the Item named. 1897. Eoads constructed. Bridle- Bridges ,1. constructed over track. 30ft Span> Dray- Bridleroad, track. Improved. Maintained. Area of Urown Land rendered more accessible. Bemarks. Drayroad. Drayroad. Bridletrack. 96 97 99 118 119 120 SUMMARY No. 1. Auckland District — Main Roads Miscellaneous Roads and Bridges Development of Thermal Springs, &c. Lands Improvement Account Government Loans to Local Bodies Account.. Native Land Purchase Account Land for Settlements Account £ s. d. 2,144 5 1 3,266 1 8 3,887 0 1 11,808 3 5 6,207 13 10 19,257 16 9 450 6 11 M. ch. 0 40 4 31 9 5 37 5J 13 70 83 39 M. ch. 1 9 8 32J 0 40 42 31J 4 35 35 29* 6 0" M. ch. 2 46 2 10 52 30 32 68 11 17 No. 2 8 Length. Ft. .. ' * 396 ! 83 435 M. ch. 8 39 16 17 41 3 16 4 M. ch. 5 0 7 0 8 36 9 36 148 M. ch. 67 0 98 5 199 0 68 0 1 25 134 0 M. oh. 12 0 7 0 60 40 9 0 65 0 Acres. 36,100 420,100 49,900 56,000 46 42 .. ! ; •■ 96 97 99 118 119 120 Total, Auckland 47,021 7 9 148 30J 98 17J 101 11 19 914 ! 128 25 31 40 567 30 153 40 562,100 Hawke's Bay District — Main Roads Miscellaneous Roads a,nd Bridges Development of Thermal Springs, &c. Lands Improvement Account Government Loans to Local Bodies Account.. Native Land Purchase Account Land for Settlements Account I I 200 0 0 50 0 0 218 19 6 3,149 19 7 911 11 8 1,586 1 11 497 16 11 1 67 j 1 J 20,000 1 C 1 4 2 4 115 5 0 10,000 107,000 17,600 18,000 11 62 0 51 1 64J 2 72 5 34 8 74 1 16 0 47 0 18 1 47 66' 0 • • ■• Total, Hawke's Bay 18 76i 1 16 44 hr 96 97 99 118 119 120 6,614 9 7 115 0 65 1 47 5 0 66 0 172,600 Taranaki District — Main Roads Miscellaneous Roads and Bridges Development of Thermal Springs, &c. Lands Improvement Account Government Loans to Local Bodies Account.. Native Land Purchase Account Land for Settlements Account 52 12 0 24,566 10 5 8,766 6 3 5,162 6 10 76 68 56 37 5 48 •• 12 38 9 77 2 40 38 514 49 58 5 40 8 4 4 319 172 268 26 40 5 40 £4 0 32 0 61 40 11 0 11,000 i •• •• I Total, Taranaki 24 75 93 69| 11,000 96 97 96 99 118 119 120 38,547 15 6 138 73 1(3 759 86 0 104 40 •• Wellington District — Main Roads Miscellaneous Roads and Bridges Local Bodies' " Thirds " Development of Thermal Springs Lands Improvement Account Government Loans to Local Bodies Account.. Native Land Purchase Account Land for Settlements Account 56 6 5 2,680 9 3 152 2 3 298 5 1 44,899 12 0 9,536 19 1 2,646 14 7 98 73 43 78 3 5 036 29 81 5 26 0 66 0 20 45 42 49 7| 4 18 .3 11 1 708 900 40 0 72 26 78J 0 li 0 10 128 2 51 0 45 i' 0 262 70 2 62 22 50 9 0 125 79J 45 63 88 0 •• ! •• 363 ', 850 74,100 90,000 .. ■ • ■■ Total, Wellington 60,270 8 8 145 76 35 56£| 99 7$ 15 1,648 28 2 4 44 289 22 268 62J 527,950

199

o.—l

Table No. 45.—Statement showing the Expenditure and Work done on Roads, &c., under the Control of the Department of Lands and Survey, for the Twelve Months ended the 31st March, 1897— continued.

6 o" ! Name of Work according to Item on Appropriations. £ I I H S"S£r«#S s^"| e Boads constructed. 31st March, 1897, i £0™ 1st i — ' charged to Autho- to 31?t Drav Bridle Bridges Koads constructed. Dray- Bridleroad, track. Improved. Maintained. Area of Grown Land i rendered ray- Bridle- I more oad. track. accessible. Remarks. Drayroad. 96 97 99 118 119 120 SUMMARY No. 1 — continued. Nelson District — Main Roads Miscellaneous Roads and Bridges Development of Thermal Springs Lands Improvement Account Government Loans to Local Bodies Account.. Native Land Purchase Account Land for Settlements Account Roads on Goldfields (Mines) Total, Nelson Marlborough District — Main Roads Miscellaneous Roads and Bridges Development of Thermal Springs .. I Lands Improvement Account Government Loans to Local Bodies Account.. Native Land Purchase Account Land for Settlements Account £ s. ,1. J 88 5 5 : 801 8 0 ; 4,747 3 9 .570 0 0 M. oh. M. eh. M. oh. 0 27 2 o :: 6 25 10 4 No. 1 Length. I Ft. M, eh. 11 0 80 5 40 2 0 M. ch. M. oh. •• 20 0 M. ch.j Acres. 5,000 See also (Mines). Vote 101 i •• ! i •• .. 100 5,738 2 (i '.'. 16 0 155 0 .. .. t .. i 1 I 11,944 19 8 8 52 10 4 1 80 34 40 • ■ 175 0 .. 5,000 96 97 99 118 119 120 400 0 0 599 10 9 614 8 10 2,183 4 8 0 20 0 60 0 22 0 40 9 1 21 42 2 1 105 155 0 3 027 16 0 60 2 7 1 20 0 30 96 97 99 118 119 120 Total, Marlborough 3,857 6 10 1 0 0 62 30 43 4 280 0 3 0 27 16 30 Westland District — Main Roads Miscellaneous Roads Development of Thermal Springs Lands Improvement Account Government Loans to Local Bodies Account.. Native Land Purchase Account Land for Settlements Account Roads on Goldfields (Mines) I I 533 13 2 2,443 14 6 J 1,256 12 1 7 0 0 134 ' 0 37 800 1 1 16 0 10 78 0 16 0 152J 50 7,400 100 254 16 4 4,9(15 10 1 0 12 1 39J| 42 0 I 1 70 Total, Westland 3 37j| 0 37 2 9,454 6 2 i 7 0 120 1 16 0 10 120 0 i 16 0 8,200 96 97 99 118 119 120 J Canterbury District — .. J Main Roads Miscellaneous Roads and Bridges Development of Thermal Springs Lands Improvement Account Government Loans to Local Bodies Account.. Native Land Purchase Account Land for Settlements Account Cheviot Estate expenses 1,132 5 2 1,708 10 1 334 10 3 75 0 0 45 0 6 76J| 4 32 16 57§ 8' 7 2 0 95 0 366 chains water-races. 563 9 11 7 4 0 0 66 •• . Total, Canterbury 3.820 19 5 45 0 7 62ji 4 32 97 0 ! I 16 57J 8 7

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200

Table No. 45.—Statement showing the Expenditure and Work done on Roads, &c., under the Control of the Department of Lands and Survey, for the Twelve Months ended the 31st March, 1897- continued.

I Expenditure from $ 6 1st April, 1896, to IB I fc Name of Work according to Item on Appropriations. ; charged ■g j a j rities issued out of j> i in i I the Item named. Engineering Surveys made Roads constructed. Improved. Maintained. Area of Crown L/and rendered more accessible. •om 1st April, i j ~ 1896, to 31st Dray- Bridle- ! Bridges March, 1897. road. track. j constructed over oUit. span. Dray- Bridleroad, track. Drayroad. Bridletrack. Remarks. 96 97 99 118 119 120 SUMMARY No. 1—continued. Otago District — Main Roads Miscellaneous Roads and Bridges Development of Thermal Springs, &c. Lands Improvement Account Government Loans to Local Bodies Account.. Native Land Purchase Account Land for Settlements Hoads on Goldfields (Mines) £ s. a. 400 0 0 982 16 2 2,046 8 2 11,144 11 11 256 17 4 M. ch. M. ch. M. cli. 0 42 '.'. 0 50 I 0 24 31 6 0 14 1 20 1 36 No. Length. Ft. M. ch. 4 28 5 16 3 47 16 1 M. oh. M. ch. M. ch. Acres. 10,000 9 47 1 60 4 431 7 0 16 0 9 0 1 40 23 0 56,000 35,300 40 100 2,057 15 3 750 0 0 8 42 .. 040 0 23 Total, Otago .. 17,638 3 10 11 27 42 0 1 74 4 431 10 63 23 0 101,340 96 97 99 118 119 120 29 52 23 0 Southland District — Main Roads Miscellaneous Roads and Bridges Development of Thermal Springs, &c. Lands Improvement Account Government Loans to Local Bodies Account.. Native Land Purchase Account Land for Settlements 1,000 0 0 341 9 7 5 16 6 8,306 12 5 1,887 5 10 0 25 3 0 15 47 4 65 1 0 i 0 25 0 13 22 5J J 16 48 4 76 j 1 6 12 134 ! ,. 0 17 ! 13 26 2'28J 5 35 •• 22,950 10,550 1,523 17 8 1 50 '.'. 1 150 300 97 120 Total, Southland 13,065 2 0 23 57 30 9J: 16 48 j 8 296 j 20 43 I 7 63J ~ 33,800 General — Miscellaneous Roads and Bridges, &c. Native Land Purchase Account 807 15 2 43 0 3 0 30J 2 72 , 8 0 15 0 120 Total, General.. 850 15 5 2 72 8 30Jj 15 0 .. •■ Surveys (Native) 10,090 11 7 ; I Grand Total 221, 886 1 9 521 23J 273 39f 383 O^ 81 1,459,990 74 96 97 98 99 118 119 120 4,643 243 63J 85 15 1397 254 646 62i SUMMARY No. 2. Cheviot Estate Expenses Main Roads Miscellaneous Roads and Bridges Local Bodies' " Thirds " Development of Thermal Springs, &o... Lands Improvement Account Government Loans to Local Bodies Account .. Native Land Purchase Account Land for Settlements Account 7 4 0 4,288 16 11 11,195 8 11 152 2 3 16,022 13 6 106,929 12 1 27,641 14 0 38,786 11 11 5,408 5 7 0 60 4 56 19 5 283 60J 120 70 92 12 4 18 '.'. 17 12J 13 541 1 23 j 666 153 3£! 180 2H 26 45 142 3J 43 32 30 11 20 2 3 5 1 44 9 36 2 105 800 115 2,385 ; 295 703 170 I j 30 70 44 42J 44 67 76 12J 0 li 46 70 6 55 I 22 17 28 54 10 1 1 48 67 0 101 5 413 0 368 58i 16 42 210 50 0 30 21 0 46 0 284 39J 116 23 179 0 30,000 36,900 66,000 972,600 152,190 164,000 300 .. 100 Roads on Goldfields (Mines) 210,432 9 2 11,453 12 7 521 23J 265 55f 7 64J 273 39| i 372 76J i 10 4 80 1 4,573 70 243 231 0 40 69 15 16 0 1177 251 220 0 646 621 1,421,990 38,000 •■ Grand Totals 221,886 1 9 521 23J ' 383 OM 4,643 243 631 1397 25J 1,459,990 81 85 15 646 62J

201

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Table No. 45.—Statement showing the Expenditure and Work done on Roads, &c., under the Control of the Department of Lands and Survey, for the Twelve Months ended the 31st March, 1897— continued.

d o 6 feS'tfto Engineering 1st; Apin. leyo, to Sdrvevs made Name of Work according to Item on Appropriations. chared ,rom lst A P riI > rities issued out of mHH-'J? ?hQ7 the Item named. March, 1897. rtrav TiviHic i Bridges road" track constructed over road. track. mt gpan Roads constructed. Improved. Maintained Area of Crown Land rendered Dray- Bridle- Dray- Bridle- more road. track. road. track. accessible. Improved. Remarks. SUMMARY No. 3. Summary on all Road Votes. Land Districts — Auckland Hawke's Bay Taranaki Wellington Nelson (Mines) Marlborough Westland & s. d. 55,821 8 9 6,899 12 4 38,547 15 6 62,053 0 11 6,206 17 2 5,738 2 6 3,857 6 10 4,488 16 1 4,965 10 1 3,820 19 5 16,901 14 10 750 0 0 13,125 2 0 M. ch. 148 30| 138~73 145 76 M. ch. 101 8j, 18 76J 24 75 35 56J 2 27 6 25 I 0 62 '< 1 78 1 39JLJ 7 62J 42 0 M. oh. I , 109 ilM 16 44 I 93 69J 99 7i 10 4, 1 30 43 ! 0 37 No. ' 19 12 16 15 1 1 4 1 1 Length. Ft. 914 115 759 1,648 80 70 280 50 70 M. ch. 128 25 0 65 J 28 2 18 40 0 40 I 0 3 1 16 M. ch. 31 40 1 47 4 44 16 0 0 27 0 10 M. ch. J M. ch. I Arivs. 567 30 ' 168 40 562,100 5 0 66 0 172,600 86 0 i 104 40 : 11,000 289 22 ' 268 62§! 527,950 20 0 .. 5,000 155 0 .. 38,000 16 30 78 0 16 0 8,200 42 0 97 0 10 40 23 0 101,340 23 0 7 63J .. 33,800 1 0 7 0 (Mines) Canterbury Otago (Mines) Southland 45 0 11 27 4 32 174 ' 4 431 16 57J 29 12 0 40 20 43 8 7 23 0 23 57 30 9Jj j 16 48 8 296 j Less credits (not located) 223,176 6 5 1,290 4 8 ! •• j .. : .. i .. Totals 81 646 62jjl,459,990 221,886 1 9 521 23J 273 39| 383 Ojj 4,643 243 63JI 85 15 1397 25J

C:—l.

Table No. 46.—SUMMARY of Statement showing Contracts completed under the Co-operative System from 1st April, 1896, to 31st March, 1897, in the several Land Districts.

202

Q O So S S5 o Character ol Work done. ! § 3 gag I 111 |l| gais o S Actual Cost. Name of Koad or Work. t > •a" 0 Si II so fib 21 S O o .3 a≤ fc O © : II S.6B 111 .Sag o o o o Eemarks. Auckland — Chief Surveyor .. C. W. Hursthouse 191 53 3-8 3-9 M. ch. 28 62 12 17 M. ch. 83 20 11 0 M. oh. 21 49 14 40 M.oh. 5 47-5 • • I £ s. d. 0 5 0 »0 1 8J £ s. d. 0 9 3 b 0 9 10J £ s. d. 0 7 oj; 8 0 5 1J 6-18 5 i i^0 £ s. d. 13,514 1 6 2,992 0 10 £ s. d. 1,562 17 2 1,059 0 9 £ s. d. 15,248 1 4 4,051 1 7 a Maori men and boys, working short hours. b By exceptionally good men at small bushfelling contract, £24. c Good men worked long hours. B. H. Reaney Taranaki — Chief Surveyor Chief Surveyor (Improved Farm Settlements) Hawke's Bay — Chief Surveyor Chief Surveyor (Improved Farm Settlements) Wellington — A. C. Turner Ditto (Improved Farm Settlements) 64 410 222 81 7 4-3 3 1-5 4-7 1 25 52 19 39J 0 76 13 30f 2 40 42 56J 12 28 17 77J 5 56 69 4 20 35| 16 47J 9 45 1 46 CO O o o 0 4 5 0 4 1 "0 3 10 0 3 5 0 4 1 c 0 14 2 d 0 9 7J 0 8 6 0 11 7 *0 16 4 0 8 0 8-25 0 6 4| 7-94 0 6 4| 8 0 6 If 7-27 0 5 10 j 7-3 8-25 7-94 8 7-27 7-3 A 100 T§(J 3,675 2 2 21,098 19 3 9,680 6 9 4,306 1 9 279 4 10 653 16 7 2,233 8 0 732 3 4 848 9 4 15 0 0 4,328 18 9 23,332 7 3 10,412 10 1 5,154 11 1 294 4 10 d Finishing contract drain. e Men inexperienced. 1 In this case contractor assisted by six sons. ■■ I 306 47 3-2 2-6 15 66 I 42 48 70 33J 1 574 s0 2 0 0 3 2 h 0 13 7| 0 J 5} 0 6 24 7-6 0 5 ?{ 7-25 7-6 7-25 13,308 8 0 900 8 8 1,436 6 2 118 3 8 14,744 14 2 1,018 12 4 e Several old men engaged. h Special arrangement to compensate settlers who had done work on job without pay previously. ' At bushfelling by wholly inexperienced man. i At small metalling contract. k Includes £i 13s. 6d., slips. .. G. T. Murray 202 3 8 29 51 24 59 6 & 601 a. *0 2 0 I |i 0 10 JOJ 0 5 lOJj 6-9 69 i¥o 9,812 17 7 1,641 9 7 11,454 7 2 Nelson — Chief Surveyor Marlborough — Chief Surveyor Westland — Chief Surveyor Canterbury — Chief Surveyor Otago — Chief Surveyor Southland — Chief Surveyor Ditto (Improved Farms) .. 6 1 25 4 5-8 6 4-6 3 3 7J 1 35 2 36 135 4 60 1 35 2 68 0 66 0 6 8 0 6 HI 0 5 8j| 0 9 6 |0 6 lj j 1 0 11 10 ♦0 12 7| 0 7 3| 8 0 6 lj 8 0 9 0J 6-7 8 8 6-7 8 i TOD 461 12 0 22 0 0 2,547 13 3 28 10 6 10 6 526 0 0 5 16 3 k 494 15 6 28 10 6 3,073 13 3 Chiefly removal of slips. 1 Skilled labour. 2 40 0 7 11J 0 10 6Jj 8 143 17 1 157 2 3 101 3-6 11 77 16 74 13 22 1 16J 0 3 0 0 8 4J 0 4 8 I 6 6 i 4,819 7 2 554 14 8 5,374 1 10 63 87 3-2 1-7 6 3J 1 72" 0 35 0 13 8 50£ 0 38 1 58£ 0 18 0 3 2 0 10 7 0 7 3 0 6 2J 7-6 0 6 lj 7-3 0 6 3J 7-6 7-6 7-3 4 3,998 6 9 1,839 13 2 1,187 8 5 748 15 11 5,185 15 2 2,588 9 1 - Totals and averages 1,870 3 150 12 285 6| 305 6} 26 39| See below t0 1 8 JO 16 4 7-6 Mk 93,400 0 9 13,358 10 4 §106,941 16 2 * See note on district statement. + See note, Auckland summary, t See note, Hawke's Bay summary. § Includes £183 5s. Id. {vide detail statemer Total " Other Work " for the Colony : Drains, 19 miles 23J chains ; bridges, 817 lineal feet, also No. 8 ; corduroying, 28 chains ; bushfelling, 3.988J acres ; seed-sowing, 85t culverts, 3,167 lineal feat, also No. 71; slips, 2,897 cubic yards ; rook excavation, 8,354 cubic yards ; scrub- felling and -clearing, 7 miles 32J chains ; fencing, 25 chains; fascining, 17 surfacing, 835 chains; logging-up, 10 chains; clearing, 1 mile 68J chains ; sawing timber, 48,000 superficial feet; squaring timber, lO.OOO.superficial feet; concreting, 453 cu 3 miles 46j chains ; burning, logging, and tree-planting, 6J acres ; erecting rabbit-fence, 160 chains ; erecting fence, 172J chains ; fencing-posts, 1,222; bushfelling, burning, and sc its). ij acres ; track, 4 miles 4 J chains; 7J chains ; stumping, 562 chains; bic yards ; road and track repairs, jwing, 6J acres.

203

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Table No. 46.—STATEMENT showing Contracts completed under the Co-operative System from 1st April, 1896, to 31st March, 1897, in the several Land Districts.

31—C. 1.

si a i *c Character of Work done. 'OSS a> u O © Actual Cost. a F? Name of Boad or Work. o>0. TO O ■5 do og .3-9 is a m 2 o 1 o iU. III gjlj III all. <1 Wan III oH ft Ik Si I iiil o ! O Eh Remarks. A ucklan: J. Chief Surveyor — Opanake-Hokianga Road.. Herd's Point-Takahue Road 23 5 3.4 5 M. ch. 4 51 1 8 M. oh. I M. eh. 4 51 M. oh. 3 58 M. eh. £ s. d. 0 6 0 i 0 5 10 £ s. d. 0 9 3 0 7 1| £ s. d. 0 7 6 0 6 5J 9 8 £ s. d. 1,808 13 2 484 10 10 £ s. d. 349 3 4 65 2 4 £ s. d. 2,157 16 6 567 10 9 .. £17 17s. 7d. compensation. One contract in hand. £194 0s. 2d. paid on Mongoiiui-Ouae Bridge. Takahue-Herekino Road") Takahue and Whangape y S.D. Waimamaku-Punakitere Rd Waimamaku-Pakauae Road Ngapipito Valley Road Rflmarama Valley Road .. Raglan-Tuakau Road Whaingaroa-Ngaruawahia Okaihau Victoria Valley Rd. Otau Block Roads Waipoua Bush Settlement Paparoa-Maungaturoto Rd. Tokatoka Post-office Road Paparoa Valley Road Matakohe-Tokatoka Road Kaueranga Block Roads .. Pakiri Block Roads Maungataniwha Block Rds. Mareretu Road Wairoa River-Otau Roads. Waiwhiu-Hoteo Road 12 5 3 2 4 8 3 3 5 4 6 1 4 1 4 5 4 3 4 3 4 3 2 4 2 5 5 3-5 5 3-3 0 18-5 0 68 1 40 3 35 1 40 9 28 4 6 0 6 0 40 1 0 2 59 4 6 068 2 0 0*40 5*0 12 0 12 0 0 5 9 0 6 3 0 5 3 0 6 2J 0 5 9 0 4 llf 0 5 6 0 6 6 0 6 0 0 6 4 0 6 3 0 7 0 0 6 5J 0 6 11 0 5 10 0 7 2 0 7 2| 0 6 9 0 6 10 0 6 7J 0 8 1 0 6 8 0 6 0 0 6 2J 0 6 10 0 7 6 0 7 0 0 7 2J 0 6 11 0 6 4 0 6 5J 0 6 8J 0 6 0 0 6 6J 0 6 5 0 6 3| 0 6 1J 0 6 0 0 6 0J 0 6 7 0 6 9 0 7 0 0 6 8 0 6 11 0 6 1 8 8 8 8 8 8.5 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 A A tV A 780 8 0 520 12 6 170 12 8 70 2 0 302 7 6 1,132 15 7 201 0 10 37 7 0 229 0 8 34 15 0 499 17 7 37 2 10 98 0 6 60 8 5 215 0 3 34 10 6 5 12 5 2 12 0 4 18 0 22 19 10 242 7 2 45 0 8 4 4 0 41 8 4 814 18 6 526 4 11 173 4 8 75 0 0 325 7 4 1,375 2 9 246 1 6 41 11 0 385 9 0 34 15 0 516 18 8 38 19 3 100 0 0 60 8 5 273 0 10 Five contracts in hand. Six contracts in hand. Five contracts in hand. Four contracts in hand. Opuatia Bridge included. Six contracts in hand. £115 paid in compensation. 4 40 0 21-5 1 71 0 9§ 023 A 17 1 1 1 16 5 1 19 6 One contract in hand. 4*40 A 6 14 1 40 4 0 3 0 1 20 A 58 - 0 7 4 1 4 6 5 5 0 5 9 0 6 4J 0 5 3 0 7 5 0 6 4J 0 6 5 0 6 7 0 6 4J 0 6 0 8 8 8 A 198 0 6 135 3 6 204 18 6 198 0 6 135 3 6 204 18 6 26 0 0 Two contracts in hand. 2 74 0 40 4 40 0 15 A One contract in hand. Two contracts in hand, £26 compensation. One contract in hand. •• I Kaipara Flats-Tauhoa Lawson's Hill Road Block XI., Awaroa Road .. 1 2 4 6 5 3 0 40 138 3 53 2 5 0 6 0 0 5 11 0 5 1J 0 6 2J 0 6 1 0 6 0 0 6 OJ 0 6 0 0 5 6J 8 8 8 A 43 10 0 81 12 0 137 7 2 10 16 0 20 0 8 43 10 0 92 8 0 157 7 10 North Shore-Awanui (Mongonui County) North Shore-Awanui (Whangaroa County) North Shore-Awanui (Bay of Islands County) 4 0 0 £20 0s. 8d. Includes cost of Eng. Survey. Five contracts in hand. I 4 0 0 Two contracts in hand. 0 60 0 60 .. I 385 16 9 20 8 5 406 5 2 One contract in hand. ..

Table No. 46.—STATEMENT showing Contracts completed under the Co-operative System from 1st April, 1896, to 31st March, 1897, in the several Land Districts— contd.

C—l.

204

Character of W< irk done. •p as 2 o G3 5 bo oJ Hi Eg* i3A o o 5 c3 Actual Cost. m Name of Eoad or Work. 2 c_) a, a If -4 .si O SQ !_; c WE M 8 •0 'A u CO 6D ■is 3 O CD O St * £ a© .5 a «;> lis! S* a £ i. o, oB P. o a B CD > to lis Ph .Sag o°w cd llll Cr. o o Remarks. AUCKL AND — cor ■tinued. Chief Surveyor — continued. North Shore-Awanui (Whangarei County)* North Shore-Awanui (Otamatea County) North Shore-Awanui (Rodney County) Waiwera Springs Road .. Hikurangi Swamp Road .. Tokatoka Swamp, drains, &c. Marlborough Special Settlement Road Auckland Takahue Block Road Paparoa-Waikiekie Road .. Ngunguru Block Road Opua-Waimate Road Village Settlement Roads.. 1 6 22 8 3 2 6 3-4 M. ch. 040 2"o M. ch. 23 0 2 60 M. ch. M. ch. o'io M. ch. 23 0 £ s. d. 0 6 5 0 5 11| 0 5 lOf £ s. d. 0 6 5 I 0 6 101 0 8 3 0 7 6 £ s. d. | 0 6 5 I 0 6 6 0 7 6 0 7 0 8 I 8 8 8 A £ s. d. 57 0 0 13 10 0 324 12 2 3,802 12 0 400 11 0 £ s. d. 11 12 0 3 16 10 20 3 0 487 3 7 2 16 0 I £ s. d. 68 12 0 2 0 0 2 5 1 17 6 10 344 15 2 4,289 15 7 403 7 0 Two contracts in hand. Pour contracts in hand. Pour contracts in hand. Two contracts in hand. Two contracts in hand. Two contracts in hand. Three contracts in hand. 1 3 5 3-3 4-4 3 2 0 55 0 40 4 40 0 6 3 0 6 3 0 6 3 8 16 4 0 30 0 0 81 7 6 604 13 11 174 3 6 140 3 8 16 4 0 30 0 0 82 17 6 647 8 11 193 12 9 165 13 11 Contract in hand. 3 9 4 28 0 40 12 0 2 40 2 0 1 0 0 5 11£ 0 5 10 0 6 1 0 5 0 0 6 7J 0 8 1 0 7 3 0 6 9 0 6 5| 0 6 7J 0 6 7 0 5 10* 8 ft 1 10 0 42 15 0 19 9 3 25 10 3 Two contracts in hand. - 191 3-8 28 62 83 20 | 5 47-5 56 63 0 5 0 0 9 3 0 7 0J 8 riff 13,514 1 6 1,562 17 2 1,5248 1 4 C. W. Hursthouse — Te Kuiti-Awakino 21 49 i Waitetuna-Aotea 30 : 23 I 3-58 i 4-37 8 17 4 0 11 0 2 40 12 0 I 0 3 0} I i>0 1 8J j a 0 9 10J 0 8 8 0 6 1J 0 3 11J j 6-64 | I 5-72 * A JA 1,919 13 4 1,072 7 6 733 8 4 I 325 12 5 1 | 2,653 1 8 1,397 19 11 a By exceptionally good men al small bushfelling contract o) £24. 0 Party composed of Maori men and boys, who only worked 3J hours per day. j ' I 12 17 11 0 I 14 40 ! 618 R. H. Reaney — Rotorua-Te Teko 53; ; 3-9 0 1 8J 0 9 10Jj 0 5 1J j 2,992 0 10 1,059 0 9 4,051 1 7 ! ! 34 ; 5 9 68 ! " ! 4 0 0 5 4 0 14 2 0 10 1 9 A 2,280 3 0 182 8 2 2,462 11 2 Europeans and Natives. Good men worked long hours. Europeans and Natives. Rangitaiki - Ruatoki-Waio-tahi Waiotahi Block Papamoa Block .. Rotorua-Galatea-Waikare-4 3 1 60 1 13 0 4 5 0 4 5 0 4 5 8 141 5 6 90 11 8 231 17 2 5 4 15 5 3 1 40 2 67 9 57 0 10 0 26 0 7 0 5 3 0 4 6 0 4 8 0 7 6 0 7 1 0 7 5 0 6 5 0 6 0 0 6 0 8 8-25 8 A 4 429 4 11 146 13 3 604 7 2 108 8 5 125 14 6 136 13 10 537 13 4 272 7 9 741 1 0 Europeans only. Europeans only. Europeans and Natives. moana Ngongotaha Mount 2 ; 5 2 40 i 73 8 4 10 0 0 83 8 4 Natives only. Europeans nol started. 64 4-3 25 52 2 40 5 56 ■■ 0 4 5 0 14 2 0 8 0 8-25 A A 3,675 2 2 653 16 7 4,328 18 9 Totals and averages .. 308 66 51 96 60 41 65 5 47-5 0 6 9f 7-97 23,628 1 8 8-9 56 63 0 1 8i 0 14 2 20,181 4 6 3,275 14 6 * Quarrying stone.

205

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Ihief Surveyor — Mohakatino Bridge Pukearube inland to Mohakatino Upper Waitara (Mangaere) Carrington Road.. Waiweranui Motukawa Kohuratahi Putiki Autawa and Pita Roads .. Anderson Road and Bridges Mangaotuku 1 84 5 3 4 2 13 9 1 1 1 3 3 3 4 3 4 3 3 2 4 3 232 i I 1 31 032 133 1 47 0 45 *2m. 44ch. t3 0 i 2 0 5 7 0 5 3 0 5 10 0 80 0 6 8 0 6 5 0 6 8 0 56 0 6 5 0 5 10 0 6 3 8* 7 8 8 A A 32 8 5 3,056 19 11 476 2 10 96 2 3 114 1 1 147 0 0 304 19 8 40 18 0 21 14 2 62 3 11 99 9 6 399 8 2 8 0 0 3 17 9 10 3 11 3 0 0 32 8 5 3,456 8 1 484 2 10 100 0 0 124 5 0 150 0 0 304 19 8 40 18 0 21 14 2 62 3 11 161 1 5 Bridge painted, screwed up, &c. Clifton County Council. 063 6 0 1 11 0 32 0 7 9 0 5 6 0 5 9 0 6 3 0 6 1 0 8 0J 0 7 1 0 5 9 0 6 3 0 6 1 0 7 10J 0 6 2 0 5 9 0 6 3 0 6 1 8 8 8 8 8 A i 0 16 0'42J 4 60 }16c'h. Hawera County Council. Also material for Mangaehi Bridge. a Finishing contract, drain. 012 6' 8 61 11 11 Ngaire Kaimanuka and Rawhitiroa. See KaitangiwhenuaNo.2. Mangamingi Township Waitotara (widening) Weraweraonga .. Wingrove Road Okoke Block Lepperton Block.. ' .. Mangaere Block Ross Block Eltham Block Manganui Block Gatton Block Terrace End Block Patua Block Egmont Block VI. Kaupokonui Block Kaitangiwhenua No. 2 Opaku-Kapara Block Stratford-Ongaruhe 83 2-95 1 19J 2 51 ♦10m. 21ch. 0 5 5| "0 9 7J 0 6 11J 7-S A 2,946 5 3 460 3 2 3,406 8 5 1 2 2 2 18 8 20 8 9 8 10 17 6 2 1 36 12 41 6 2 3 3 3 3 8 4 2-26 5 4 1 40 0 72 2 40 3 20 157 0 40 063 3 38 1 42 1 54 6'64 338 0 10 3 27 2 4 0 54 3 17 8 75 1 47 0 44 0 30 9 50 15 42 5 40 §43 acres *2m. 40ch. §23 J acres •lm. 57ch. »0 8 11 0 5 10 0 6 1 0 5 4} 0 5 6 0 6 3 0 6 1 0 5 10 0 6 1 = 0 4 24 0 5 10 0 6 2 0 5 3 0 5 5 0 6 7 d0 4 1 0 5 3 0 6 1 b 0 8 11 0 7 0 0 6 9 0 7 7J 0 6 8 0 6 9 0 6 11 0 6 7 0 7 2 0 6 6 0 6 8 0 6 7 0 6 5 0 6 7 0 6 7 0 9 2 0 9 5 0 8 4 "0 8 11 0 6 1J 0 6 5 0 6 4 0 6 1 0 6 4 0 6 If 0 6 1 0 6 7 0 5 6 0 6 2 0 6 4 0 5 9 0 5 10 0 6 7 0 6 10J 0 6 9 0 6 8 10 7-75 8 8 8 8 7-5 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 7-5 8 7 Nil Nil A A Too A 69 12 7 320 18 8 128 0 4 68 1 1 461 10 8 141 4 4 1,179 6 5 248 16 11 131 6 1 444 15 2 462 3 6 1,737 14 3 102 19 11 64 8 3 4 7 6 2,353 14 3 1,585 9 2 4,196 5 2 57 15 8 2 10 0 5 3 4 5 3 4 88 6 8 717 4 69 12 7 378 14 4 130 10 4 68 1 1 466 14 0 146 7 8 1,267 13 1 248 16 11 139 3 5 444 15 2 518 9 0 1,868 9 9 110 5 10 69 10 3 4 7 6 2,623 0 8 1,608 11 0 4,824 14 9 1 Settlers, picked men. 0 Stony ground. 2 1 6 48 0 8 0 5 •• 56 5 6 130 15 6 7 5 11 5 2 0 ||4m. 4£ch. a Inexperienced workmen. 2 40 8 50 14 70 269 6 5 23 1 10 628 9 7 2 40 e 4 20 e Sanding. • • 410 3-0 19 39J 1 42 56J 69 4 9 45 0 4 1 0 9 7J 0 6 3 0 6 4} 7-94 21,098 19 3 502 6 1 2,233 8 0 56 1 6 23,332 7 3 Tawai Improved Farm Settlement Tongaporutu Improved Farm Settlement Greenlands Improved Farm Settlement Uruti Improved Farm Settlement Okau Improved Farm Settlement Derwent Improved Farm Settlement Rataomokia Improved Farm Settlement Mangaere Improved Farm Settlement 20 17 4 9 1 1J 2-5 1 • • 1 0 2 42 1 5 §212 acres §268 acres §135 acres §120 acres 0 5 8 0 5 11 0 5 10 0 6 1 0 6 9 0 6 10 0 6 5 0 5 11 0 6 3 0 6 4 0 6 2 8 8 8-5 8 i A A 492 0 0 248 3 4 249 14 8 7 17 6 [ 108 15 0 558 7 7 499 17 6 248 3 4 I 249 14 8 J 876 2 11 5 houses. 10 „ 7 „ 10 3 2 19} §302 acres 0 5 4 0 7 1 0 6 7 8 J 767 7 11 11 5 1-75 0 14 0 46 §368 acres 0 5 7 0 6 9 0 6 3 8 i 607 5 6 76 7 9 683 13 3 6 27 3 9 40 8 59 §48f acres '0 3 10 0 8 6 0 6 5 8-5 i 1,581 12 3 147 10 0 1,729 2 3 'Men inexperienced. 5 2 0 42 §142 acres 0 6 2 0 6 11 0 6 6 8 A 281 1 10 281 1 10 9 houses.

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206

Table No. 46.—STATEMENT showing Contracts completed under the Co-operative System from 1st April, 1896, to 31st March, 1897, in the several Land Districts— continued.

Note.—Taranaki District: *Drains, 17 miles 2 chains; tbridges,3; f corduroying, 16 chains; § bushfelling, 3.206J acres; || track, i miles 4J chains; IF seed-sowing, 23J acres.

HAWKE'S BAY.

Chai ;ter of W< irk done. I §=3 i3 as p. S I! O O Actual Cost. 3 Name of Road or Work. O * 11 p o ft a! s s n bo 5 .2 ft g3»£ 9 Si c3 P.(jl> •si III § i*-f (H toOM 1 O Remarks. TAEANAKI— coi .tinned. Chief Surveyor — continued. Whangamomona Improved Farm Settlement Huiroa Improved Farm Settlement Poti Improved Farm Settlement Ngaire Improved Farm Settlement Maata Improved Farm Settlement Taumatatahi Improved Farm Settlement M. ch.l M. ch. 1 54 M. ch. 4 62 I M. eh. £ s. d. £ s. d. 0 4 4 0 7 4 £ s. a. 0 6 6 £ s. d. 4,180 2 1 £ s. d. 282 10 7 £ s. a. 4,462 12 8 109 1J §1,292 acres 7-5 A 60 houses. 7 1 §200f acres 0 6 3 0 7 1 0 6 7 8 A 439 1 10 439 1 10 4 1 1 §7J acres 0 5 3 0 7 4 0 6 2 8 A 26 10 1 26 10 1 4 6 1-15 0 34 §23} acres 0 4 6 0 7 7 0 6 0J 8 A 225 8 1 53 1 0 278 9 1 11 1 2 •• 0 42 123J acres 0 7 6J 0 7 6 0 7 6 8-5 Nil 42 16 9 42 16 9 1 house. 1 1 §20 acres 0 6 4 J 0 6 4 0 6 4 8 i 36 16 i 36 16 4 3 houses. 1-5 0 76 12 28 20 361 89 39} 8 iVi 9,680 6 9 Totals and averages .. 222 632 2-6 20 35| 55 il 9 45 0 3 10 0 8 6 0 6 4} 8 30,779 6 0 732 3 4 2,965 11 4 10,412 10 1 33,744 17 4 See below 0 3 10 0 9 ?4| 0 6 4}l

Chief Surveyor — Waimata-Arakihi Road .. Waimata-Tauwhareparae Hikurangi Road .. Motn Road (widening) Ruakituri Road Rotorua-G alatea-Waikare-moana Road Napier-Wairoa, Road 1 5 3 5 3 5 2 S 3 5 13 5 - 0 41J 2 65 2 49 5 62 312 2 33 2 58 1 66 2 45 6'46 2 13 •■ *1 0 8 8J 0 5 0 0 7 0 0 5 1} 0 5 0 0 8 8J 0 11 7 0 7 9J 0 10' 2 0 ? I| 0 8 8J 0 8 Hi 0 7 5 0 6 8 0 7 3 0 5 3 8 8 8 6-4 8 6-18 loo too" 196 2 5 368 3 8 289 5 0 77 15 0 209 5 2 1,176 3 0 35 16 1 78 10 9 73 10 2 19 1 0 89 17 8 203 2 5 231 18 6 446 14 5 362 15 2 96 16 0 299 2 10 1,379 5 5 466 18 5 3 14f 1 21 *4 t7 }2,187c. yds tl2 t27 0 3 7 lo 3 5 0 5 04 0 6 2J 0 9 4J 0 6 6 7-9 iVff 794 12 1 112 18 6 907 10 7 Waikopiro Road 27 4-5 1 23 1 16J 4 55£ 0 18 1 0 8 01 0 5 4 7 A% 705 10 0 173 19 2 879 9 2 Ruahine Special Settlement Elsthorpe Roads.. Raureka Roads 3 7 4 2 4 4 0 53 1 46J 1 26 I 0 60 0 3 0 5 8 0 8 8 0 5 3 0 7 9 6-8 7-3 g 174 17 1 185 3 8 129 4 8 16 8 6 25 16 6 19 8 7 191 5 7 211 0 2 148 13 3 Wages per man per day, &c, on these works are unascertainable on account of the use oi teams on the contracts. a In this case contractor was assisted by six sons. 1 28 .. • • ■ • •• .. •• 81 I 4-7 ! 0 11 7 I 0 6 11 7-27 4,306 1 9 848 9 4 5,154 11 1 Waikopiro Improved Farm Settlement 7 ! 1 I 13 30| 17 77J 16 47J 1 46 0 3 5 0 4 1 "0 16 4 0 5 10 7-3 279 4 10 15 0 0 294 4 10 §18Df acres Totals and averages .. 88 j 4-4 j 13 30| 17 77J 16 47£ 1 46 0 11 7 7-27 Mβ 4,585 6 7 863 9 4 5,448 15 11 See below 0 3 5 0 6 1J * Bridges, 5. + Culverts, 46. I Slips, 2,187 cubic yards. § BushfeUing, 185J acres.

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i...O. Turner— Kawatau Valley .. Kawatau Valley (Marton No. 1) Kew Titirangi (Marton No. 1) .. Titirangi (Kawatau) Lagoon Auputa Mangatohu Mania .. Te Para Para West Mangahuia Zig Zag (Kawatau) Mangawbarariki Pukerimu Mangarere (Hautapu) Mangarere (Hautapu No. 2) Peka .. Cross (Hautapu) Oroua Main Table Plat Apiti-Norsewood.. Umutoi (Pohangina) Umutoi (Umutoi) Tunipo Makoura Makiekie Umutoi (Salisbury) Takapari Pohangina Valley Kimbolton Towai Towai (Rising Sun) Alfredton-Weber WELLINGTON. 9 3 3 2 2 45 0*33J 0 46 1 0 ■■ I •• 050073059 064078072 7-25 7-75 315 6 11 30 4 9 33 11 5 5 0 6 348 18 4 35 5 3 5 4 4 8 1 1 4 1 5 1 32 3 4 7 6 1 2 5 4 8 2 1 5 4 9 3 3 2 4 4 28 2 3 3 2 2 2 2 3 3 2 2 3 3 3 2 5 3 3 4 3 4 3 3 4 3 3 1-5 5 3 3 0 53 2 18 0 48 1 73| 2 36 06508807 8J 073 077 06 11 045 082 050 066 073 058 066 070 066 06 11 073 06 11 056076059 037058037 054070059 066070066 054076062 05 10 076 05 11 052 06 10 051 06008807 2J 05607606 2J 066 070 066 07 10 08 10 084 044 069 053 041072054 04 0 072056 040 052 047 060 060 060 056074068 054 072 069 046 084 063 035 06 11 053 034 061 050 059 0 6 10 0 5 0 039 07 7J05 9J 0 5 OJ 0 6 6f 0 5 10 044096070 7-75 8 6 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 7-5 7-25 8 7-75 6-25 6-5 6 7-25 7-5 6-75 8 8 5 8 7-75 life 98 13 0 264 16 11 124 15 0 129 14 10 5 4 0 16 13 9 43 16 8 11 17 0 46 12 4 30 0 0 661 0 6 57 8 6 96 11 0 213 15 7 167 1 4 30 14 0 279 15 11 255 9 0 245 8 0 408 3 4 209 11 6 46 16 5 211 2 0 185 5 6 503 18 2 108 5 0 78 3 0 16 0 0 243 19 7 131 15 9 1,498 3 6 9 17 0 26 13 6 13 3 11 13 18 2 0 10 3 1 13 3 4 15 10 13 9 i 13 3 3 0 0 66 14 9 5 14 0 16 5 8 26 3 7 17 1 0 7 7 3 27 19 6 27 17 4 26 12 11 42 11 3 21 6 6 4 18 6 22 5 6 19 3 0 55 7 2 5 11 0 3 18 1 1 12 0 24 7 11 16 1 0 189 9 11 108 10 0 291 10 5 137 18 11 143 13 0 5 14 3 18 7 0 48 12 6 13 0 9 51 5 7 33 0 0 727 15 3 63 2 6 112 16 8 239 19 2 184 2 4 38 1 3 307 15 5 283 6 4 272 0 11 450 14 7 230 18 0 51 14 11 233 7 6 204 8 6 559 5 4 113 16 0 82 1 1 17 12 0 268 7 6 147 16 9 1,687 13 5 155 0 20 0 20 0 9 0 57 0 20 6'26 0 284 057 0 25 3 5 0 8 0*7 0 78 2 0 2 12 0 25 0 18 1 35 0 14 0 19 1 48 0 59 2 11J 0 57 1 274 2 3| 1 39J 5 57 1 0 0 65 2 36f 0 53 2 65| 0 14 •5,432o. yds m 0 50 1 8 0 21 0 68 0 64 0 22 2 10 0 57 0 13 A its 3"o J 1 "*5 031 flm. 18oh. •1,171 o. yds Waihi-Akitio Mount Arthur Kawakawa Kaituna Waipatukaka Akaroa .. Manuhatahara .. Paraengahuata Huia (Pongaroa).. Waihi.. .. , Waihi Valley Range .. Makuri-Pongaroa Mangatiti Huia 14 6 7 1 3 1 5 1 1 4 2 3 20 1 2 2 2 3 3 3-5 3 3-7 4 4 4.7 4 4 5 5 2-5 •• ■• I 2 50 0 64 2 34 1 48J 3 124 1 544 4 39 1 384 3 57 ■• I I 0 5 1J 0 12 0 0 6 11 04 5| 06 94 058 04 8| 09 3| 060 0 7 4074074 0 6 11J 0 8 4f 0 7 9| 0 12 1 0 12 1 0 12 1 06008607 24 05407606 8" 0 5 114 0 5 114 0 5 114 072 08 11 083 0 6 3f 0 6 3| 0 6 3} 07008207 64 03 6 09 7J060 050 063 060 069 069 069 7-75 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 7-5 8 8 8 8 8 411 15 6 159 6 11 218 11 1 51 6 0 211 11 3 51 9 6 208 6 0 68 0 8 45 9 6 317 17 1 51 11 3 214 6 6 1,722 14 6 68 0 0 72 16 3 56 9 5 19 17 10 28 11 3 5 2 7 21 3 1 5 2 11 20 16 3 6 16 0 4 10 11 31 15 8 5 3 0 21 8 7 172 5 5 6 16 0 7 5 7 468 4 11 179 4 9 247 2 4 56 8 7 232 14 4 56 12 5 229 2 3 74 16 8 50 0 5 349 12 9 56 14 3 235 15 1 1,894 19 II 74 16 0 SO 1 10 i'ire 1 40 ft Partly cleared by settlers befor work let, for which an allow ance was made. •• 2'474 i"o 0 244 0 48J 2 20 0 62J 2 27 1 62 1 0 0 3 o'toj •• {2m. 58ch. 1234

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208

Table No. 46.—STATEMENT showing Contracts completed under the Co-operative System from 1st April, 1896, to 31st March, 1897, in the several Land Districts— continued.

1 Character of Work done. a ° s a ols S!5 <d d o 3 5P Actual Cost. « Name of Boad or Work. a 55 go 55 S tg)g .a "8 SI I! .S-9 5 1 1 1 o S§§S .S a a s 3 III a 111 p>. o P S3 all 111 H — o a fl| 111 of r] "sill 3 Remarks. WELLINGTON— c< ontinued. A. C. Turner — continued. Waihoki Valley .. Waiowaka Puketoi Utewai Makairo Malton Block Ballance-Manawatu Gorge Tiraumea River, Pa Valley Mangatainoka Valley Ruamabanga Makakahi Valley Bowen Mikumiku Black Creek Matigatariri Waingawa Kaiwhata Waiohine Dalefield 8 1 1 1 3 4 6 1 1 4 2 1 2 2 7 4 1 1 2 M. oh. 5 i 4 I 3 j 0 21 5 0 71 3 6 i 0 84 6 3 0 3 5 3 4 ] 0 23 4 I 0 9 6 J 0 11 4 i .. 2 4 0 81 5 2 j 0 18 M. eh. 1 50 038 0 29| M. ch. 6 60J 1 31 1 0 0 21 3 13 0 4 1 72J 1 37 0 16 0 10 0 62 1 28 0 14 1 9 M. ch.j 0 12 o"4 {lm. 2ch. Jim. 60ch. }lm. 72Jch. £ s. d. £ s. d. ! 0 6 1J 0 18 7| 0 3 0 0 7 3 0 7 2 0 7 2 0 2 6 0 7 1 0 3 11 0 6 5£ 0 2 0 j 0 5 0 0 5 2A! 0 7 2 0 9 0"i 0 9 0 0 6 8 0 6 8 0 4 4 0 6 8 0 6 3,067 0 5 2 0 6 6 0 4 5 0 6 7 0 4 0 0 6 7 0 3 5 ! 0 6 2 0 4 1 0 6 0 0 4 11 0 6 9 0 5 2 0 6 1 0 5 2 0 7 0 i £ s. d. 0 8 2 0 7 0 0 7 2 0 6 0 0 5 4| 0 4 0 0 6 2| 0 9 0 0 6 8 0 4 11 0 6 5 0 5 10 0 5 2 0 4 3 0 4 10 0 4 3 0 5 10 0 5 1\ 0 5 10| 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 6-5 7-5 7 7 6 7 7 7 8 H 13 100 £ s. d. 450 3 1 55 10 0 82 0 0 42 5 0 289 1 2 214 19 9 588 1 4 137 6 9 54 19 0 124 15 8 47 13 9 41 14 0 42 19 0 62 7 10 163 3 8 82 12 7 73 9 8 73 14 0 42 7 0 £ s. d. 45 0 3 5 11 0 8 4 0 4 8 6 28 18 1 21 9 11 58 16 1 13 4 8 2 15 0 13 5 10 5 11 8 4 18 0 6 3 0 6 12 8 21 4 4 9 16 2 8 13 4 7 7 6 4 13 0 £ s. d. 495 3 4 61 1 0 90 4 0 46 13 6 317 19 3 236 9 8 646 17 5 150 11 5 57 14 0 138 1 6 53 5 5 46 12 0 49 2 0 69 0 6 184 8 0 92 8 9 82 3 0 81 1 6 47 0 0 Road partly cleared by settlers before work let, and estimat< made accordingly in order tc recoup them. Several old men engaged on som< of the contracts. 148 0 27 116 §25ch. 306 1-2 15 66 42 48 70 33J 1 57J 0 2 0 0 13 7| 0 3 2 0 7 5J 0 3 8 0 4 1 0 6 6 0 6 6 0 6 8(068 0 6 2J 7-6 13,308 8 0 1,436 6 2 14,744 14 2 Akitio Improved Farm Kawatau Improved Farm Mangatiti Improved Farm .. Pemberton Improved Farm 3-2 37 2 . 7 1 3 2 1 1 j 3 2 I .. 503J ac. 32 „ 169i „ 10 „ 0 5 7 0 3 10J 0 6 6 0 6 8 7-75 6-75 A 656 4 9 47 0 0 182 3 11 15 0 0 92 15 6 5 14 0 18 4 2 1 10 0 749 0 3 52 14 0 200 8 1 16 10 0 1 1 8« ! 1 * ' 47 2-6 715 „ 0 3 2 0 5 7i 7-25 A 900 8 8 118 3 8 1,018 12 4 15,763 6 6 !-6 •• 0 7 5Ji 353 3-1 !-l I 15 66 70 331 &715ac. 1 57J 7-6 14,208 16 8 1,554 9 10 G. T. Murray— Pipirild-Waiouru Road .. Makotuku Valley Boad Middle Road Waipuna Ridge Road Pipipi Road Tawhito-Ariki 42 48 See below 0 2 0 0 13 7| 0 6 2 iSs 10 10 3 2 1 2 8-8 3-2 3 2 2 2 0 36 0 63 1 71 2 52 0 39 0 25 1 71 2 52 0 39 0 25 •1,751c. yds i|118 lin. ft. ||116 lin. ft. 0 2 1| 0 3 0 0 4 11 0 6 0| 0 5 lj 0 6 l|l 0 9 Of j 0 6 Of; 0 5 Hi 0 6 4 0 5 1J 0 8 9f 0 7 0 0 4 9} 0 5 4 0 6 2* 0 5 if 0 7 6| 7-1 6-7 6-8 6-7 6-5 6-7 . ft 619 8 10 594 13 6 235 11 0 96 0 5 40 0 0 141 11 4 179 5 2 79 13 7 17 18 4 15 12 0 8 0 0 8 7 6 798 14 0 674 7 1 253 9 4 111 12 5 48 0 0 149 18 10 ||84 lin. ft. 1T66 lin. ft. * Rock excavation, 6,603 cubic ards. t Drains, 1 mile 18 chains. J Scrub-felling and -clearing, 7 miles 324 chains. § Fencing, 25 chains.

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Horopito Improved Farm.. Raetihi-Ohura Road Taumarunui-Ohakune Clifton Block Manganui Block Kaitieke Road Retaruke Valley Road Oio Valley Road .. Raetihi-Parapara Road .. Taihape Improved Farm .. Hautapu Improved Farm.. Rangoiti Improved Farm .. Otuarei Improved Farm .. 3 3 7 11 4 3 3 2 3 2 2-7 3-4 2-5 2-5 5-3 4-7 4 8-8 0 35 0 30 0 32 0 10 4 55 0 76 0 65 3 26 2 70: 2 20 1 4 15 acres 26 acres 4 55 0 76 4 5 3 26 2 70 2 20 •• •■ |j30 lin. ft. !|971in. ft. 0 5 1| 0 5 If 0 3 8J 0 4 Of 0 5 If 0 5 0 0 7 2i 0 4 7 0 5 7J 0 6 9| 0 7 9 0 8 4 0 7 3J 0 8 1 0 7 11 0 5 6J 0 5 3J 0 6 6| 0 5 3| 0 5 5J 0 5 6f 0 7 6J 0 9 o| 0 4 11J 65 7-2 6-2 6-8 7-1 7 8-4 7-6 6-8 A i 28 12 0 69 7 4 484 17 6 471 5 6 155 5 0 301 18 0 251 17 6 183 0 0 156 8 9 18 1 6 161 0 1 70 0 6 56 2 3 62 18 0 40 4 0 31 4 0 46 14 2 87 8 10 645 17 7 541 6 0 211 7 3 364 16 0 292 1 6 214 4 0 203 2 11 ::) •• •• 016 10 acres 1 44 ||220 1. ft. J **8,000s.ft. ftlO.OOOs.ft. 9 13 1 3 2-1 2-6 2 1-7 1 38 1 24 215 49 acres 38 acres 38 acres 4 15 251 ac. 2 77 79 acres ij2501in. ft. 0 3 7 0 2 9 0 5 10 0 3 4J 0 7 0 0 8 3} 0 5 10 0 4 9J 0 4 8f 0 5 10 0 5 10 0 4 0 7-1 6-8 68 7-1 ft ft 279 6 9 575 18 4 45 0 0 38 13 9 13 10 0 30 16 0 20 13 0 16 14 6 292 16 9 606 14 4 65 13 0 55 8 3 Ohutu Improved Farm 22 2 1 21 1183 ft. ||40 lin. ft. 0 2 0 0 7 9J 0 5 3| 7-3 A 620 19 8 167 14 3 788 13 11 Lowest wage. Masterton-Tenui Improved Farm Taihape Township Mangaweka Roads Mangaweka-Te Kapua 10 1-7 O 2 % 0 6 4J 0 3 6J 66 A 145 3 9 19 19 2 165 2 11 2 16 18 4-5 2-9 3-7 0 62 176 7 41 95 acres 1 76 6 63 1i24ffc. 40' papa cut 11453 c. yds. *'40,000s.ft. 1130 ft. 4ch. papa cut O 4 1} 0 2 10| ! 0 4 l| 0 4 11J 0 10 10| 0 10 6J 0 4 6J 0 5 0" 0 6 5j 6-3 65 7-1 A ft 176 18 0 445 15 8 1,041 19 2 23 0 0 73 7 11 36 4 8 199 18 0 519 3 7 1,078 3 10 Highest wage Mangaweka Bridge 7 2-7 0 5 0 4 0 0 5 3i 0 4 7£ 6-5 A 258 2 6 102 6 6 360 9 0 Te Kapua Block Hunterville 1, 2, 3 9 13 4 4-2 6 12 8 10 5 75 8 10 0 3 41 0 5 3 0 9 3f 0 10 9J 0 5 10i 0 7 9 7 6-9 ft 731 15 8 878 14 0 96 1 10 75 17 3 827 17 6 954 11 3 Momahaki Village Turakina Valley Road 2 10 4 3-9 0 57 4"7 4 7 ||100 lin. ft. See below 0 6 6J 0 6 6f 0 8 0 0 10 0 0 8 3| 0 8 If 7-2 7 1 I 91 10 0 653 3 8 12 8 0 147 5 5 103 18 0 800 9 1 202 3 8 29 51 24 59 6 & 601 a. 0 2 0 0 10 10J 0 5 10f ] 6-9 t% 9,812 17 7 1,641 9 7 11,454 7 2 Totals and averages .. 555 31 1 57J 0 6 Of 7-4 A 24 15 93 72 129 39J & 1316 a. See below 0 2 0 0 13 7j 24,021 14 3 3,195 19 5 27,217 13 8 * Rock excavation, 1,751 cubi< Note. —Wellington Distr: timber, 18,000 superficial feet; c yard! ■iot: *] tt squs Culverts i, 1,055 lineal ieet. IT Bridges, 208 lineal feet. ** Sawing timber, 48,000 superficial feet. tt Squaring timber, 10,000 su] 8,354 cubic yards; t drains, 1 mile 18 chains; } scrub-telling and -clearing, 7 miles 32J chains ; § fencing, 25 chains ; || culverts, 1,0 )0 superficial feet; It concreting, 453 cubic yards. NELSON. lerflcial feet. JJ Concreting, 453 cubic yards. )5 lineal feet; 11 bridges, 203 lineal feet; ** sawing look exc .ring tin :avation, iber, 10.0C Chief Surveyor — Karamea Mud Flat 10 0 25 0 25 0 25 0 6 9 0 6 9 0 6 9 8 108 0 0 •112 13 6 •Includes £4 13s. 6d., slips. N( inspector employed on thi: work. Wanganui-Wangapeka 5 1 10 1 10 1 10 0 6 8 0 9 6 0 7 6 8 1 353 12 0 28 10 0 382 2 0 5 Totals and averages .. 6 5-8 8 1 35 35 1 35 0 6 8 0 9 6 0 7 3| I 461 12 0 28 10 0 494 15 6 MARLBOEOUGH. Chief Surveyor — Roads, Blind River .. 1 6 .. 0 6 1J 0 6' 1J 0 6 1J j 8 ! Nil 22 0 0 6 10 6 I These works chiefly consisted 28 10 6 J soa "> ere| i slips caused- bj I floods, which required removl ing.

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210

Table No. 46.—STATEMENT showing Contracts completed under the Co-operative System from 1st April, 1896, to 31st March, 1897, in the several Land Districts— continued.

CANTERBURY.

ED •3 Character of Work done. re a:3 a ° s Ch 0>S oca O <O Actual Cost. Name of Koad or Work. 2; So a) ft CO 0) <3 I! °a ■a o <D d as if I 3 tub a> o o .sags I*§J 3 III 1 +j -i-i O O&Hft ill II! j a" a o O 1 EH Remarks. WE STL AN: ±y. Chief Surveyor — Pine Tree Road .. Waikukupa Track Turnbull River Road White's Creek Bridge Frosty Creek Bridge Woods t o c k - M a hi n a p u a Road Okarito River Bridge Poerua Settlement Roads, Crooked River Road Greenstone-Teremakau .. Hokitika Southward-Kara-ngarua Block 112, Kokatahi Waimea-Stafiord Stafford-Awatuna 1 1 1 1 1 2 4 5 8 5 5 5 M. ch. 0 llj 0 51 M. ch. 1 40 M. ch. ■ M. ch. 0 11J o'28 *1 t3m. 40ch. {51ft. {81ft. {81ft. £ s. d.i £ s. d.! 0 5 8J 0 6 7^ 0 8 5 0 9 8 0 9 3 0 11 10 0 11 1 0 11 1 0 9 4 0 11 10 0 7 9 0 11 0 > £ s. d. 0 6 2 0 9 0J 0 10 6| 0 11 1 0 10 7 0 9 4J 6-9 6-8 6-2 8 6-3 56 A A H £ s. d. 44 14 7 61 8 0 100 0 0 177 10 0 263 17 0 239 7 6 £ s. d. 23 0 0 8 8 0 15 16 0 28 7 0 64 15 1 £ s. d. 44 14 7 84 8 0 108 8 0 193 6 0 292 4 0 304 2 7 ' * 0 6 i! 2 5 I 4 012 1 51 {70ft. §12ch. *4 *5 {100ft. *1 {20ft.; *9 *4 0 8 11 0 11 8 0 8 4 0 10 2 0 10 3J 0 9 3 6-1 6-6 A 187 3 9 242 10 0 a 112 7 4 11 14 4 299 11 1 254 4 4 a Cost of ironwork and hardwood blocks included. .. 2 3 4 5 0 26J 0*76 I 0 26J 0 76 0 26J 0 76 0 6 3 J 0 7 1 0 9 6 0 9 11 ! 0 6 8 ; 0 9 8J 7 7-6 A 122 9 8 344 17 6 16 4 9 b 72 2 4 138 14 5 416 19 10 b Cost of ironwork for bridges included. 5 2 3 4 4 5 0 13J 0 53 1 0 0 13| 0 53 1 0 0 9 5 0 11 9 0 5 9 0 7 5 0 6 8 0 7 8 0 10 7 0 6 7 0 7 2 6-4 6-2 69 Tot) 321 14 7 124 18 10 317 1 10 28 8 0 34 8 9 110 8 5 350 2 7 159 7 7 427 10 3 Totals and averages 25 4-6 3 7£ I 2 36 ! I 0 5 8j| 0 11 10 0' 9 0J 6-7 3,073 13 3 4 60 2 68 See below 0 11 10 A 7 ij 2,547 13 3 526 0 0 * Culvi srts, 25. t Track repaired, 3 miles 40 chains. } Bridges, 373 feet. § Fascines laid, 12 chains.

Jhief Surveyor — White's Cutting, Patoa Settlement Costello's Eoad, Patoa Settlement 2 2 3 3 0 22 2 18 0 22 12 fords 0 7 11J 0 7 114 0 7 11J 8 8 Nil Nil 48 18 6 2 0 7: 3 15 8 52 10 10 104 11 5 £1 11s. 9d. was spent on material and carriage. £5 17s. 2d. was spent on material and carriage. 0 44 0 12 7j *0 12 7| 0 12 7|| 94 18 7 3 2 40 i Nil Totals and averages .. 4 0 66 12 fords 0 7 11| 0 12 7| 0 10 6J 143 17 1 5 16 3 157 2 3 * The 12s. 7id. earned per day includes the use of four horses, two drays, plough, and scoop, owned by the contractors. All the work was well done, and the men worked all weathers.

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32—C. 1

ihief Surveyor — Rimu, Block XIII. Fleming Tahakopa Valley Rimu Block XV... Woodlands, Block IX. II. .. X. .. VII. .. VII., Shaw's Table Hill Waikoata Warnock's Ratanui School Long Point Catlin's, Waikawa Barr's Hunt's Cannibal Bay Catlin's and Glenomaru, Block VIII. Catlin's, Blk. I., Iviniey's II. .. Glenomaru, Blks. IX. and X. Mokamoka Wingfield Glenomaru, Block II., Kennedy's Glenomaru, Block IV. Block V. „ Campbell's Block V. „ Goldsberry's .. McPhee's Woodlands, Block IX. .. Ardgowan Estate 7 3 5 2 1 2 3 4 2 1 5 1 4 4 7 4 3-8 3-7 2 5 1-5 3 2 2 4 4 4-7 4 4 3-4 6 37 55 3 42 1 45 0 38 0 23 i"o 1 6 0 40 1 8 1 3 1 0 0 6 1 43 0 67 1 63 1 75 0 40 1 5 2*9 0 25 0 76 0 27 6 - 52 1 1 1 25 0 12J 0 3 0 0 3 8J 0 3 10 0 5 0 0 3 1| 0 3 4 0 5 84 0 5 10 0 3 1 0 4 1J: 0 4 5J 0 5 8 0 4 9 0 5 4f 0 4 If 0 6 Of 0 4 1£ 0 3 l| 0 6 81 0 5 54 0 6 14 0 5 3 0 4 Of 0 4 84 0 5 4 0 5 84 0 6 04 0 3 9 0 5 5J 0 5 44 0 5 8 0 6 3| 0 5 4f 0 4 7 0 7 11 0 7 7 0 4 3J 0 4 5J 0 5 5f 0 5 2 0 4 OJ 0 4 8i 0 3 4J 0 5 8J 0 5 10f 0 3 64 0 4 8i 0 4 9J 0 5 8 0 5 0 0 5 4| 0 4 4J 0 6 14 0 4 11£ 0 4 If 5-74 6-29 7 7 629 7-46 6 7 7-22 4-77 6-11 5-8 6-22 5-6 5'67 6-53 7 6-39 6-76 m m M m> m 364 7 4 189 18 7 82 18 5 208 1 6 17 6 0 21 5 0 19 16 0 24 12 0 76 1 9 236 16 9 231 8 11 110 12 8 25 11 0 148 7 11 56 5 0 266 15 8 363 5 3 427 8 3 160 14 10 43 14 6 22 15 10 9 19 0 24 19 5 2 16 2 11 0 2 7 6 2 19 0 9 2 7 28 8 5 27 15 6 13 5 6 3 14 17 16 2 6 15 0 32 0 3 43 11 10 51 5 10 19 5 9 408 1 10 212 14 5 92 17 5 233 0 11 19 7 6 23 16 0 22 3 6 27 11 0 85 4 4 265 5 2 259 4 5 123 18 2 28 12 4 166 4 1 63 0 0 298 15 11 406 17 1 478 14 1 180 0 7 Widened from 6 ft. Bushfelling on road-line. 10 ft. road. Horse-track. 10 ft. road. Widened from 6 ft. 10 ft. road. 2 1 1 1 1 1 3-5 3 2-5 C 4 1 9 0 40 0 34 0 52 0 32 0 52 0 30 0 4 2 0 3 8J 0 4 lj 0 3 5| 0 3 0 0 4 4J 0 5 2 0 3 8J 0 4 14 0 3 5J 0 3 0 0 4 44 0 4 64 0 3 8| 0 4 14 0 3 51 0 3 0 0 4 44 6 5-14 624 4-94 4-56 596 m M 56 12 0 26 2 0 61 10 0 100 0 0 50 0 0 140 14 6 6 15 10 3 2 8 7 7 7 12 0 0 6 0 0 16 17 9 63 7 10 29 4 8 68 17 7 112 0 0 56 0 0 157 12 3 6 ft. track. 14 ft. road. 10 ft. road. 0 27 1 40 063 1 1 2 1 1 2 2 : 24 2 2-5 1 4 2-5 2 4 0 40 0 30 0 24 0 30 0 50 0 68 1 40 0 4 Of 0 3 3 0 4 24 0 3 04 0 4 10f 0 5 10 0 4 2 0 4 0 0 4 Of 0 3 3 0 5 0 0 3 OJ 0 4 10f 0 6 0 0 5 6 0 8 4J 0 4 OJ 0 3 3 0 4 3 0 3 OJ 0 4 10f 0 5 lOJ 0 4 3 0 5 1 4-61 4-73 5-64 6-43 7-22 6-7 7 Nil i 114 6 5 33 7 4 39 18 0 10 0 0 54 8 0 48 9 8 11 15 0 1,040 11 5 13 14 3 4 0 1 4 15 9 14 0 6 10 7 5 16 4 18 2 101 5 9 128 0 8 37 7 5 44 13 9 11 4 0 60 18 7 54 6 0 13 3 2 1,141 17 2 6 ft. track. Surfacing. 0 20 10 ft. road. 8 42 053 0 40 0 84 i 15 Totals and averages .. 101 3-6 11 77 6 16 74 13 22 1 164 2 55 0 3 0 0 8 4J| 0 4 8 4,819 7 2 554 14 8 5,374 1 10 SO jthlan: ihief Surveyor — Waikawa-Otara Block — Waikawa-Otara Road .. 0 4£ 1149 1. ft. \ 2 23 oh. 8 435 ch. " 4 155J ch. 1 304 1. ft. 0 5 6 0 9 8 4 0 9J 1 51J 0 6 6£i 7-5 i 737 2 1 310 7 9 1,047 9 10 Tokanui Road Road between Sections 8 and 10, Block VIII., Waikawa District 13 4 2 1 19 0 35 0 51 0 4 8£ 0 5 6 i 0 8 0 0 6 3 0 5 11 0 5 84; 7-5 7-6 i 281 6 6 46 7 6 46 16 10 110 328 3 4 47 8 6

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212

Table No. 46.-Statement showing Contracts completed under the Co-operative System from 1st April, 1896, to 31st March, 1897, in the several Land Districts— continued.

o ■3 Character of Work done. • Oβ •"Si I* "3 co Actual Cost. Name of Koad or Work. ■S-β o o> Si a> <1 Cβ "S ij S Cβ gira a> S I 3 o O a> +j .9 ft a P a; h o ft . I?! <1 If! o a *> a> Sfl o||| O o EH Remark*. SOUTHLAND— co mtinued. Chief Surveyor — continued. Road to give outlet from Sections 40 and 41 through Block III., Otara District M. ch. M. ch. ! M. eh. 1 47i M. ch. £ s. d. £ s. d. 0 6 0 0 8 0 £ s. d. 0 7 0 £ s. d. 113 7 3 £, s. a. 0 18 0 £ s. d. 114 5 3 Wallace Bock Road 4 5 0 13J 0 8 J 1 38 ] 1841. ft. 1 5 10ft. span J ; 5 26ft. span) 11081. ft. I 3 400 ch. ) 6 1 day a 0 6 0 0 10 4 0 5 10 0 10 3 0 8 54 0 7 111 7-8 71 j A 157 17 9 689 19 5 41 5 11 97 3 6 199 3 8 787 2 11 Waikavva-Catlin's Road .. 5 1 38 Waikawa-Wyndham Valley Ford across Waikawa Eiver, Section No. 4, Block V., Waikawa District Road to give access to Sections 11,12, and 13, Block IV., Waikawa District Scrubby Hill Road 1 1 0 4 .. I 0 6 0 7 5 10 I 0 6 0 7 5 10 0 Removing fallen trees. h 0 35 •• I i 36 1. ft. ) 2 20ch. } 51 15 0 13 1 11 64 16 11 3 0 20 3 3 0 50 ! 1601. ft. : 1788 1. ft. ) 5 150 1. ft. I 4 10ch. J '26Jch. J i 84 1. ft. \ 2 24 ch. 7 9f ch. »10ch. ) 2 195J oh.' 62 2 11 6 19 11 69 2 10 Merrivale Roads 14 3 1 50J 0 8 -j 0 5 5 0 7 8 0 6 6 1,114 9 9 426 12 2 1,541 1 11 P Earned by an old man for doing { a few chains of light work. Lower Waiau Ferry and Road h 3 ! 0 39 ■-! 0 1 8 b 0 6 0 0 3 8J 97 6 2 30 0 2 127 6 4 2 35§ ( 0 2 Oi 0 6 OJ 0 3 14 155 11 0 34 18 0 190 9 0 Block XXIII., Invercargill Hundred 3 4 State Forest Reserve, Seaward Bush h - J 8 13J acres\ 148J ch.° 6 J acres d I 160ch.« f 172Jch.i 1,222 s / 6J acres h 160 1. ft. 1 518 1. ft. I 2 148|oh. f '9 oh. J 1 34 ch. 0 6 0 0 10 7 0 6 2J 290 10 5 119 3 9 409 14 2 f c Clearing fence-line. d Burning, logging, and planting I trees. I e Erecting rabbit-fence. 'Erecting fence. \s Fencing-posts. h Bushfelling, burning, and sowing. 1 0 5 0 0 5 0 0 5 0 11 7 6 16 3 9 27 11 3 Lower Waiau Ferry Reserve 1 Longwood, Blocks XV. and XVI. 1 3 3 0 35 1 34| 0 3 8 0 5 4 0 4 6 167 10 8 36 0 0 203 10 8 , Makaiewa Village Settlement Roal 3 2 0 5 6 0 6 6' : 0 6 0 "■ 14 1 0 6 15 9 20 16 9 -• 63 3-24 0 6 2J 7-6 3,998 6 9 ! 1,187 8 5 5,185 15 2 6 3J 0 35 8 50J 1 58J 0 18 0 10 7 i . i i I I I I 1 I 1

213

A—i

i Culverts, 2,112 lineal feet. 2 Stumping, 562 chains. 3 Surfacing, 835 chains. i Fascining, 165J chains. 5 Bridges, 241 feet. 6 Loggmg-up, 10 chains. ' Drains, 83J chains. 8 Bushfelling, 396J acres. 9 Slips, 710 cubic yards. 10 Seed-sowing, 832 acres. v Corduroying, 12 chains. 12 Clearing, 1 mile 68J chains. Repairing road, 6J chains; burning, logging, and tree-planting, 6J acres ; erecting rabbit-fence, 160 chains; erecting fence, 172J chains ; fencing-posts, 1,222 ; bushfelling, burning, and sowing, 6J acres.

improved Farm Settlements — 1283 1. ft. 2 82J oh. 1 5 oh. I 3 710c. yds. 8 25 ac. 10 110| ac. ; 1 110 1. ft. 5 17 ft. 2 68J oh. 11 9 eh. i 2 lm.68Jo. 8 142J ae. '°417 ae. 8 22J acres 1 10 22j acres J 8 52J acres ] 10 61J acres J 8 141 acres\ i» 220| ac. 1461. ft. 5 20ft. span ii 3 oh. Repairing road,6Jcli., Waikawa 13 26 1 7 0 8J • • i 0 5 5 0 7 3 0 6 2J 7-5 666 15 9 223 14 8 890 10 5 Haldane 535 13 9 274 14 11 26 1-7 0 44| 0 29J 0 3 2 0 6 5 1 0 6 0 7-2 810 8 8 Papatotara 74 19 2 57 13 1 132 12 3 [ 17 1-2 0 7 Moturimu 9 1 68 16 5 58 1 2 126 17 7 Heathfield 0 13 0 5 8 0 6 6 0 6 3 134 12 1 628 0 2 22 1-8 0 13J 493 8 1 Totals and averages .. 0 3 2 0 7 3 0 6 If 87 1-7 1 72 0 13 0 38 j 73 if 1,839 13 2 748 15 11 2,588 9 1 j ; I 7 75J 0 48 9 8| 1 58J See below 75 ! 5,837 19 11 1,936 4 4 7,774 4 3 150 23 0 18 0 10 7 0 6 2J H

a—7.

Table No. 47. —Showing the Blocks of Land which have been proclaimed under "The Government Loans to Local Bodies Act Amendment Act, 1891," and the Report of the Surveyor-General on the Value of such Blocks, and on the necessary Works, and the Estimated Cost of the Works, and on the Moneys expended in respect of such Blocks out of Moneys borrowed under the said Act.

214

Ga: ;etted. Survi )yor-General's leport. Bxpenditu: '6. Area of Block. No. Page. Name of Block. Date. Valuation of Block. Works required to open up such Block. Estimated Cost proposed to be borrowed. To Mar. 31, 1896. April 1, 1896, to March 31, 1897. Total to March 31, 1897. 1891-92. Ahuroa East Puketoi Mangamingi Manganuiowae Mareretu .. Maruwhenua Maruwhenua (part) Maungataniwha Motatau Motu Mount Baker North-east Puketoi .. Oroua-Coal Creek .. Takahue Tauhoa, Sections 184 to 201 .. Acres. 4,000 83,500 6,000 5,000 5,000 36,090 13,000 4,000 5,000 33,000 9,200 13,300 6,000 1,900 4,069 23 15 23 15 23 15 479 336 479 336 479 336 18 Mar., 1892 18 Feb., * 18 Mar., „ 18 Feb., "„ 18 Mar., „ 18 Feb., " £ 2,500 83,500 9,040 2,500 2,500 49,200 10,000 1,500 1,875 14,025 9,600 6,455 6,440 712 1,675 Road-works £ 500 19,375 4,286 500 395 2,000 5,000 500 600 2,475 2,487 3,990 1,050 300 449 ( 1,000 t 6,837 2,000 4,950 £ 423 19,375 4,286 500 395 2,000 5,000 285 574 2,475 2,487 3,990 1,050 100 380 1,000 6,620 2,000 4,950 £ s. d. 9 0 5 198*10 0 0 3 0 £ "a. d. 432 0 5 19,375 0 0 4,286 0 0 500 0 0 395 0 0 2,000 0 0 5,000 0 0 483 10 0 574 3 0 2,475 0 0 2,487 0 0 3,990 0 0 1,050 0 0 100 0 0 380 0 0 1,000 0 0 6,808 15 7 2,000 0 0 4,950 0 0 It 28 15 479 336 18 Mar., " 18 Feb., , Waimarino 20,900 16,880 188*15 7 Waoku Woodlands, Blocks II., V., VI., VIII. 22,804 13,400 23 15 479 336 18 Mar., „ 18 Feb., „ 10,000 11,225 1892-93. 15 Sept., 1892 8 Dec, 23 Feb., 1893 22 Sept., 1892 15 Sept., „ Drainage .. 93 12 1 Akaaka Swamp Glenomaru, Blocks III., IV., V., VII., IX., X. Hautapu-Ruahine Huiroa Kaimanuka Kakariki Liberal Lillburn, Monowai, and Alton Longwood, Blocks XVI. and I. Maioro Swamp Mangaehu Milsom Mokoreta Momahaki Ngatimaru, Blocks V., IX. .. Nuhaka Opuawhanga No. 1 .. Otau Oxford Paterson, Block I. .. 823 916 12 1 2,935 I 1,495 28,600 6,433 9,987 5,000 2,800 30,745 5,659 722 492 6,686 7,400 626 4,580 9,577 5,000 18,510 4,000 633 72 I 95 1 13 74 72 1273 1606 246 1297 1273 2,093 946 21,000 5,318 5,350 5,786 2,900 23,059 2,829 451 604 6,237 3,700 550 4,762 4,664 1,875 6,941 3,550 316 Road-works 920 237 237 237 0 0 23 83 83 90 80 72 21 23 72 23 80 23 71 4 23 I 13 I 102 77 78 77 f 13 i 102 18 23 413 1388 1389 1529 1365 1273 374 411 1273 412 1365 412 1255 23 411 246 1744 1345 1361 1346 246 1742 1745 240 412 30 Mar., 1893 20 Oct., 1892 11 Nov., „ 13 Oct., 15 Sept., „ 23 Mar., 1893 30 Mar., 15 Sept., 1892 30 Mar., 1893 13 Oct., 1892 30 Mar., 1893 8 Sept., 1892 12 Jan., 1893 30 Mar., 23 Feb., 29 Dec, 1892 6 Oct., 1892 10 Oct., 6 Oct., 23 Feb., 1893 29 Dec, 1892 n Drainage .. Road-works 6,931 2,093 2,665 1,562 400 8,000 1,400 225 301 1,750 1,850 156 1,940 568 500 2,350 1,200 158 5,75S 2,093 2,665 1,529 400 8,000 1,400 225 301 1,744 490 156 1,940 568 265 2,350 813 158 1,014 3 1 12*'l 8 6"o 0 2 13 2 6,767 3 1 2,093 0 0 2,665 0 0 1,541 1 8 400 0 0 8,000 0 0 1,400 0 0 225 0 0 301 0 0 1,750 0 0 492 13 2 156 0 0 1,940 0 0 568 0 0 265 0 0 2,350 0 0 813 3 9 158 0 0 o"3 9 Rankleburn, Block VI. 544 I 409 136 136 136 0 0 Ruapekapeka Tanner Tautuku, Block I. .. 11,900 5,200 3,850 4,462 5,950 2,800 u 500 1,780 555 380 1,780 555 0 16 6 380 16 6 1,780 0 0 555 0 0 Tuapeka West, Blocks I., II., III., IV., VII., VIII. I 2,545 I 1,681 367 367 367 0 0 Upper Waitara Waiau Waikawa Waikawa-Otara Waimate Reserve No. 1126 .. Waimate Reserve No. 1128 .. Waimate Reserve No. 1178 .. Waiwera Woodlands, Blooks VII., X..XI. 840 8,831 6,000 31,000 634 516 157 3,900 1,693 72 411 1273 23 Feb., 1893 30 Mar., „ 15 Sept., 1892 1,914 5,621 3,000 15,500 6,269 7,268 2,193 4,101 1,384 H 126 1,405 1,500 7,750 300 25 25 1,460 307 126 837 1,500 5,763 300 25 25 1,460 307 o"4 6 1,972*19 5 126 0 0 837 4 6 1,500 0 0 7,735 19 5 300 0 0 25 0 0 25 0 0 1,460 0 0 307 0 0 23 74 413 1297 30 Mar., 1893 22 Sept., 1892 1893-94. 23 Mar., 1893 23 Feb., 10 Aug., 24 Nov., 1892 21 Sept., 1893 20 Oct., 1892 27 April, 1893 6 Aug., „ 22 Sept., „ 7 Sept., „ 2 Feb., 12 Dan., 1 May, 21 Sept., „ 11 Nov., 1892 31 Mar., „ 18 May, 1893 23 Feb., 4,276 196 80 5,469 1,580 2,998 12,845 1,163 8,204 485 341 10,455 2,300 2,631 3,655 6,678 1,610 2,256 Road-works 1,153 50 25 1,573 318 966 4,144 233 2,031 58 114 2,793 500 625 538 1,193 288 675 897 0 18 1 26 2 0 897 18 1 26 2 0 25 0 O 1,567 0 0 263 13 2 696 1 3 4,103 18 6 232 0 0 2,030 0 0 58 0 0 114 0 0 2,291 16 10 476 5 6 120 1 8 538 0 0 1,192 0 0 200 0 0 675 0 0 Autawa Catlin's, Block II. .. Glenomaru, Block VI. Hautapu, Blocks XI., XIV., XV. Kaimarania Lepperton .. Mangaere Mangaokahu Mangoira-Coal Greek Nuhaka No. 2 Omahine, Block I. .. Opaku-Kapara Opuawhanga-Whangarei No. 1 Oteramika Pohui Stirling Swinburn Tahaukupu 4,725 196 25 6,293 3,182 2,775 7,432 2,325 6,500 777 455 18,620 4,600 6,253 4,306 4,770 1,790 2,817 21 13 62 92 71 83 30 54 74 68 8 4 34 71 90 28 40 13 393 246 1211 1567 1372 1383 526 1047 1297 1324 152 26 571 1377 1521 539 656 245 H 25 1,567 263 535 2,648 232 2,000 58 114 751 476 113 437 1,192 200 675 0 13 2 161 1 3 1,455 18 6 30 0 0 1,540 16 10 0 5 6 7 18 101 0 0 II Carried forward 593,894 472,332 127,013 115,544 6,82310 2 122,367 0 2

G.—l.

Table No 47. —Showing the Blocks of Land which have been proclaimed under "The Government Loans to Local Bodies Act Amendment Act, 1891," &c. — continued.

33—C. 1.

215

Ga: jetted. Surveyor-General's leport. Expenditu: e. Name of Block. Area of Block. No. Page. Date. Vnliia Works Son oi required to TOoi-k open up such UlocK. Block. Estimated Cost proposed to be borrowed. To Mar. 31, 1896. April 1, 1896, to March 31, 1897. Total to March 31, 1897. Brought forward Acres. 593,894 £ 472,332 & 127,613 & 115,544 £ s. d. 6,823 0 2 £ s. d. 122,367 0 2 1893-94. 3,993 2,650 9,200 9,404 1,461 28 58,200 2,625 19 35 45 68 49 62 74 72 16 Mar., 1893 4 May, 8 June, „ 7 Sept., „ 22 June, 10 Aug., 5 Oct., 15 Sept., 1892 4,592 1,000 3,910 4,975 956 87 29,100 8,565 Road-works 998 325 920 1,175 100 29 5,800 1,313 998 325 134 1,169 28 998 0 0 325 0 0 134 0 0 1,169 0 0 28 7 1 Tararua Tauhoa-Komokoriki Taupiri Tauwharetoi Umutaoroa.. Waikoikoi Town Waipoua Wellington Fruit-growers' Association Woodville 339 573 860 1324 939 1211 1419 1274 5,693 1,313 0 7 1 0 16 6 5,69316 6 1,313 0 0 254 49 939 22 June, 1893 286 25 25 25 0 0 1894-95. 1,683 8,682 3,175 6,856 1,403 11,000 26 July, 1894 29 Mar., 16 Mar., 1893 24 Aug., 1894 15 Sept., 1892 16 Mar., 1893 1,721 6,152 4,871 8,860 1,840 6,600 Road-works 73 2 4 272 2 4 400 0 0 794 0 0 1,227 13 8 147 19 6 1,375 0 0 Egmont, Block VI. .. Gimmerburn Hall Hautapu No. 2 .. Invercargill Hundred Kaitangiwhenua Special Settlement Lauder-Blackstone Lauder-Tiger Hill Lower Wanaka Maniototo Mecalickstone Momahaki Village Settlement Okoke Pakiri Palmerston North Knights of Labour Pohonuiatane Ruahine Salisbury and Delaware Sommerville Teviot Tiger Hill Waiotahi .. Wanganui 3,809 28,723 3,368 277 6,010 824 13,893 2,950 10,995 57 24 19 68 72 19 24 34 24 19 7 51 21 28 1163 481 340 1272 1273 340 481 714 481 339 131 1049 387 539 29 Mar., 1894 10 May, 29 Mar., „ 16 Mar., 1893 25 Jan., 1894 5 July, 23 Mar., 1893 31 Mar., 1892 3,608 22,112 1,250 245 4,954 6,311 9,577 1,106 12,222 421 1,032 794 1,714 400 1,375 476 3,361 101 104 1,503 1,360 2,369 369 2,749 199 400 794 470 1,375 400 300 983 899 678 353 1,275 757 13 8 147 19 6 100 0 0 520 0 0 406 9 8 558 2 2 5 0 0 1,094 0 4 400 0 0 300 0 0 100 0 0 1,503 0 0 1,305 9 8 1,236 2 2 358 0 0 2,369 0 i 28,000 4,800 13,399 8,566 572 1,298 6,050 6,222 19 61 28 340 1291 539 16 Mar., 1893 16 Aug., 1894 31 Mar., 1892 28,000 2,225 14,272 9,085 337 433 2,269 6,046 600 840 3,348 2,142 166 65 756 1,556 600 94 2,536 2,142 230"l 1 812 0 0 600 0 0 324 1 1 3,348 0 0 2,142 0 0 42 44 57 19 786 828 1162 340 25 May, 1893 1 June, „ 26 July, 1894 16 Mar., 1893 750 13 9 469 13 9 750'13 9 1,062 13 9 593 1895-96. 351 3,668 22,535 15,081 4,650 11,041 12,301 3,200 3,800 1,040 7 Sept., 1893 29 Mar., 1894 7 Feb., 1895 20 July, 1893 31 Mar., 1892 16 Mar., 1893 27 April, „ 16 Mar., 702 1,834 24,748 6,215 4,081 5,233 10,023 3,150 3,860 Road-works 108 108 16 3 354 16 5 216 16 3 354 16 5 Ackers Avoca Blackstone Beaumont Clifton No. 1 Dannevirke Centennial Domet and Maerewhenua Eltham Gatton Glenomaru, Blocks III., IV., V., VII., X. Hikurangi No. 2 68 24 10 57 28 19 30 19 19 I 13 1 42 82 I 1 ? 60 89 27 12 1327 482 233 1113 539 340 524 340 220 458 3,233 1,886 1,163 2,616 1,974 800 950 42l"l 3 42l' 1 3 659 48 141 "o 0 897 6 4 800 0 0 945 6 4 Hokonui 4,148 3,223 246 783 1663 459 149 1245 1863 510 283 269) ' 270) 1215 1951 94 1637 958 1510 233 284 339 234 973 539 1933 340 1501 760 (939) 1955)' 1640 1528 1393 23 Feb., 25 May, 1895 16 Nov., 1894 7 Mar., 1895 30 Jan., 1896 15 Aug., 1895 15 Dec, 5 April, 1894 14 Feb., 1895 J 619 3,240 I 1,607 179 520 603 130 15 4 349 2 78 15 0 130 15 4 349 0 2 78 15 0 Kaiparoro .. Kaitangata.. Kaitangiwhenua No. 2 Kaitieke 9,392 4,785 46,045 45,500 6,414 3,871 27,627 41,700 1,174 656 5,765 11,375 822 294 13 2 595 12 7 1,972 7 10 1,299 9 3 1,116 13 2 595 12 7 4,784 7 10 2,674 9 3 2,812 1,375 Karioi- Alexandra 13,300 10 13 Feb., 1896 4,987 1,662 931 15 11 931 15 11 Kaupokonui Kawhatau Llewellyn MaltonF. Hd. Manganui and Ruapehu Manganui-Bgmont Maniototo No. 2 Maniototo No. 3 Moanatairi Naseby, No. 2 Ngunguru .. Pohangina Puketoi-Aohanga .. Puniwhakau Bangiwhakaoma Ross 230 5,700 4,594 1,028 7,350 2,833 6,916 6,295 3,148 2,444 6,125 4,722 1,277 10,695 13,650 1,912 62 94 5 80 46 72 10 12 19 10 46 28 92 19 72 34 10 Aug., 1893 21 Dec, 1894 23 Jan., 1896 8 Oct., 1894 21 June, 4 Oct., 7 Feb., 1895 14 Feb., 16 Mar., 1893 7 Feb., 1895 20 June, 31 Mar., 1892 19 Dec, 1895 16 Mar., 1893 4 Oct., 1894 9 May, 1895 230 6,588 3,445 944 6,337 3,597 5,911 6,001 2,503 2,038 3,210 4,250 1,027 7,604 5,487 2,564 58 1,425 861 302 1,838 894 907 1,282 786 318 772 1,181 319 1,926 1,707 478 337 4 7 6 262 10 8 302 0 0 153 6 10 519 5 8 4 7 6 262 10 8 302 0 0 153 6 10 856 5 8 387 661 9 9 778 12 0 288 1 11 661. 9 9 1,165 12 0 288 1 11 210 2 8 210 2 8 Ruakituri 4,855 46 21 June, 1894 4,624 364 40 274 19 6 314 19 6 Ruapuna 847 80 8 Nov., „ 26 Oct., 1893 28 Sept., „ 1,270 106 75 0 0 75 0 0 Swinburn No. 2 4,540 I 72 I 3,830 227 Carried forward 1,148,485 902,270 210,879 145,908 23,854 6 0 169,762 6

C—l.

Table No. 47. —Showing the Blocks of Land which have been proclaimed under "The Government Loans to Local Bodies Act Amendment Act, 1891," &c. — continued.

216

Gai ;etted. Surveyor-General's ;eport. Bxpendituj ■e. Name of Block. Area of Block. No. Page. Date. Valua- require to Estimated Cost proposed to be borrowed. To Mar. 31, 1896. April l, 1896, to March 31, 1897. Total to March 31, 1897. Brought forward Acres. 1,148,48! £ 902,270 £ 210,879 145,908 £ s. d. 23,854 6 0 £ s. a. 169,762 6 0 1895-96. 12,200 11,118 11,080 627 2,200 20,000 15,986 508 89 60 66 19 28 5 46 16 1864 1245 1399 466 539 94 973 342 5 Dec, 1895 15 Aug., „ 5 Sept., „ 19 Mar., 1896 31 Mar., 1892 27 Jan., 1896 20 June, 1895 1 Mar., 1894 4,270 8,950 5,923 627 1,675 8,000 5,994 406 Roadworks 1,800 2,173 2,890 115 550 2,500 2,000 38 Takahue and Whangape Terrace Enf Tokatoka Toro Umutoi Waiawa Waimana Whakarara, Section 14, Block XII. Woodland, Block IX. 663 16 6 1,725 14 5 2,469 15 5 663 1C 6 1,725 14 5 2,805 15 5 336 314 11 10 314 11 10 600 l,400"o 0 2,000 0 0 2,936 12 284 14 Feb., 1895 3,628 538 1896-97. 78 68 1665 1426 24 Oct., 1895 12 Sept., „ 3,698 4,228 Road-works 899 1,057 16 4 0 16 4 0 Auckland Special Settlement Catlin's, Blocks IV., V., VII., VIII. Gladstone .. Karioi Parish Mangataniwha No. 2 Maropiu Moeavvatea.. Ohinewairua Patua Rawhifciroa.. 8,995 8,580 7,597 550 1,220 5,350 11,000 7,462 9,692 32,746 24 33 47 24 24 11 24 1 482 665 955 667 668 22 667 5 28 Mar., 1894 3 May, 18 June, 1896 11 Mar., 1897 11 Mar., „ 28 Jan., 11 Mar., „ 7 Jan., „ 5,822 206 487 2,675 H 1,899 55 120 535 ioo"o o 100' 0 0 Te Mara 18,700 56 1092 13 July, 1893 7,491 6,542 8,186 1,376 W H 1,865 1,636 2,046 j 218 \ 218 367 386 1,338 I2614 5 3 11 11 242 4 0 26*14 5 3 11 11 242 4 0 Te Ngaue .. Te Ngaue No. 2 Whenuakura 1,470 1,546 11,000 54 71 19 1106 1542 340 16 July, 1896 17 Sept., „ 16 Mar., 1893 1,286 1,352 6,600 200 0 0 200 0 0 Totals 1,351,048 991,692 236,122 146,844 31,016 18 6 177,860 18 6

A—i

TABLE No. 48.—RETURN of Field-work executed by the Staff and Contract Surveyors, from 1st April, 1896, to 31st March, 1897. LAND DISTRICT OF AUCKLAND.

Note.—Gold-mining surveys are now paid for by the Warden.

LAND DISTRICT OF HAWKE'S BAY.

34-C. 1.

217

Topograpl Selection be under the hical for ifore Survey Land Act. Gold-mining Survey. Roads, Bailways, and Water-races. Detention by Native Opposition or other Causes. Total Cost Other Work. o f Surveyor and Party ' from 1st April, 1896, to Cost. 3lBt March, 1887. Mino] ■ Trii ai •aphi mgulation id ical Survey. »ural and Sub u-ban. 'own Section Survey. Natr 'e Land Coi irt Survey. Topog. Surveyor and District. Remarks. 8" Acres, to o 8 < Acres. Total Cost. Acres. $i U 4 \ oS -g.@ Total Cost. Acres. 6-s 8* Total Cost. 00 Acres. 0 Pi q> « g Total- Cost. 5* ! 3 Cost per Total Cost. Mile. Coat. Acres. Total Cost. Total Cost. Staff Surveyors. L. Cussen. Wa'ikato, Hauraki J.Baber, jun. Tauranga, &c. G. A. Martin. Whangarei, &c. J. I. Philips. Auckland, &c. H. D. M. Haszard. Wairoa, Ohinemuri A. H. Vickerman. Kawhia, &o. T. K. Thompson. Mangonui R. S. Galbraith. Rotorua, &c. A. B. Wright. Road Surveyor 200,000 d. 0-24 £ s. d. 204 18 10 d. £ s. d. 25 765 13,554 5,137 2,186 384 265 3 6 120 56 10 7 3 600 1-78 1-18 1-80 1-75 4-00 2-72 £ s. d. 7 10 0 68 0 0 800 0 0 466 2 1 191 2 0 76 16 0 36 2 0 2 300 450 s. 50-00 17-80 £ s. d 5 0 0 400 18 11 168,000 1,930 11 1 d. 0-29 6-46 £ s. d. 204 18 7 52"o 0 3,800 2,100 65 21 1-44 1-39 £ s. a. 273 11 0 145 19 6 7-00 8-025 4-00 9-50 £ 12-00 10-00 9-41 21-52 £ s. a. 84 0 0 86 5 0 37 13 0 204 10 0 £ B, d. 26C 7 0 5 "0 0 £ s. d. 166 2 0 33 0 0 TS"8 7 105 11 9 £ s. d. 1,112 0 0 578 0 0 948 0 0 297 0 0 813 0 0 790 0 0 759 0 0 787 0 0 180 0 0 Inspection surveys and resurveys. Open. All forest. Resurveys; attending Native Land Courb. Left the service 30tli June. Forest. 24-00 30-00 11-75 600 282 0 0 180 0 0 20 'o 0 All heavy forest. Forest. Engineering surveys only. Temporary Staff. W. C. Spencer. Coromandel, Ac. H. A. WamSr. Whangape, &o. J.B.Thompson. Opuawhanga, &c. B.P.Turner. Awaroa A. Wilaon. Maungaru, &c. .. A. J. Mountfort. Auckland, &c. 18,000 0-33 25 0 0 302 4,822 7,575 4,979 9,611 3,729 3 30 37 12 26 i 2-71 1-93 1-54 1-80 1-54 0-43 41 0 0 466 7 8 583 5 6 448 1 5 740 8 4 80 3 5 5,330 11 6-48 144 0 0 28-25 2-75 11-14 15-80 314 17 0 43 9 0 10 0 0 7 13 0 91 0 0 26 15 4 619 0 0 649 0 0 732 0 0 633 0 0 767 0 0 494 0 0 All forest; broken country. Broken forest. Mostly broken forest land. 11-50 4-25 6-375 16-18 8-94 19-29 186 3 10 38 0 0 123 0 0 Heavy forest. 3,729 acres forest reserve, left unfinished by Mr. Philips. Heavy forest. A. J. Paterson A. A. Seaton. Tokatoka, &c. .. E. W. Laeeron. Hunua, &c. .. D. H. Lusk, Ohinemuri, &c. 46 0 0 216 0 0 164 0 0 226 0 0 Open country. Very heavy broken forest land. 1,280 4,930 "6 4 1-56 0-91 100 0 0 225 10 0 4,330 8 5 452 17-96 405 18 11 175,260 23 0-55 400 18 7 5,900 86 1-42 419 10 6 136-25 11-59 1,579 17 10 271 7 0 533 10 8 10,810 0 0, Means and totals 218,000 0-25 229 18 10 59,544 327 1-45 302 Land-purchase survey. Authorised Surveyors. E. F. Adams. Thames W. Aitken .. P. Bedlington R. Campbell. Kaeo .. P. E. Cheal. Whitianga O. M. Creagh W. Cussen . ■ E. de C. Drury. Pirongia W. H. Dunnage. Tauranga .. E. Fairburn. Awaroa 866 200 550 2 "2 3 1-53 3-00 2-50 66 10 0 30 0 0 68 15 0 119 742 2 43-56 14-99 21 12 0 46 7 0 1,979 0 0| 42 0 0 35 0 0 121 0 0 11 0 0 4,247 0 0 Open and forest. Open. Mining District Land Occupation Act. A. L. Foster. Whakatane E. Frissell. Kawhia.. W. A. Graham. Opuatia 369 1,235 1,696 300 7 4 2 1 2-44 1-58 1-32 2-00 45 0 0 98 1 2 111 12 11 30 0 0 50 3,022 4,382 1 1 33 42-00 1000 26-62 8 15 0 125 19 2 486 1 10 313 1 2-47 38 16 0 182 0 0 Unsurveyed : Forest and open. „ Open. „ Forest and open. Native Land Court survey paid for privately. Forest: Unsurvoyed, and coal-mining lease. „ Native Land Court survey paid for privately. Open and forest. Under Part II., Native Land Act, 1894. Private association. Very broken forest. Forest: Land-purchase survey. Open anrl forest. Papamoa No. 2 Special Settlement. Open. J. Hannah. Waipu J.W.Harrison. Coromandel.. R. C. Jordan. Tauranga W.F.Hammond. Kaipara .. A. M. Kelly. Whitianga N.Kenny. Ohinemuri H. Mitchell. Rotorua, &o. .. A. B. Morrow. Great Barrier K. Neumann. Waoku, &c. .. W. C. O'Neill. Mangonui J. K. Patrick. Whangaruru .. J. I. Philips. Great Barrier .. J. Reilly. Coromandel L. Simpson. Matata J. W. Stewart H. M. Wilson. Opuawhanga Gold-mining surveyors 1,436 6 1-71 123 0 0 2,124 3 14-95 132 7 0 65 0 0 40 0 0 10 0 0 2,290 785 70 250 883 376 1,136 3,005 16 4 2 5 4 1 9 24 2-66 M8 4-21 3-50 2-12 1-66 2-72 3-28 305 9 5 46 7 1 14 15 0 43 15 0 93 9 0 31 6 8 154 18 0 492 17 5 24,050 26 1-89 190* 0 0 1,117' 0 0 Forest: Land purchase and private payment. 823 9 618 4 1 2-08 1-33 2-72 85 16 3 6 0 0 84 5 0 528 "l 22-01 48 8 7 179 0 0 484 0 0! 38 0 0 18 0 0 Forest and open. Open : Contract survey. Open and forest. Broken forest. Mining District Land Occupation Act. Open and forest: Unsurveyed. 3^615 1-83 330 1 7 217 0 0 77 0 0 Broken forest. Hauraki Goldfields, by forty-nine authorised surveyors. 15 167,039 2,040 5-59 46,700 12 9 Means and totals 20,512 111 2-20 2,261 19 6 35,017 67 7-21 1,059 10 7 167,35! 2,041 5-58 46,739 8 9 8,862 0 0 Grand means and totals 218,000 0-25 229 18 10 80,056 445 1-65 6,592 7 11 802 452 1796 405 18 1 210,277 90 1 -r; 1,460 9 2 173,252 2,127 5-44 47,158 19 3 1.-I6-K 11-59 1,579 17 10 271 7 0 533 10 8 19,672 0 0

Staff Surveyors. E. C. Gold-Smith. Poverty Bay 522 0 0] District Surveyor and Land Officer; appointed Chief Surveyor and Commissioner of Crown Lands, Hawke's Bay, 1st January, 1897. Transferred to Napier. "Other work," field inspection, &o. Forest country. " Other work " checks, surveying bush-clearing on improved-farm settlements, repegging roadlines for fencing, &c, inspeotion of roads giving aocesa to blocks, &c.; cadet assisting. Open country. " Other work " represents exploring, grading, &c, Rotorua-Gisborne Road; inspection of road-lines, &c. James Hay. Hawke's Bay .. 2,096 2/7-3 269 9 6 7-5 36-65 274 17 2 305 11 6 I 845 0 0 J. Mouat. Waipiro, Hangaroa 11-735. 34 4 3 14 4 0 11-1 160 18 9 459 13 8 629 0 0 44 6-458. 14-5 700 Temporary Staff. J. Roddick. Poverty Bay and Hawke's Bay J. Stevenson. Poverty Bay and Hawke s Bay 712 1-67 59 7 0 184 38 14 0 37,207 1-85 283 9 2 14-5 212 0 2 40 15 6 587 0 0 Open and forest country. " Other work " represents cost of sub-division-survey, Tahora No. 2 Block. Forest country. " Other work " represents exploring NorsewoodTe Apiti Road, and surveying Forest Reserve, Norsewood, for settlement, which is not yet completed. 27 -38 42 14-62 25,000 1-2 126 13 2 1,200 1 10- Id. 50 9 3 177 13 2 519 0 0 Contract Surveyors— G. Clayton .. ■■ •• Richardson, Eeardon, and Co. (Limited) G. J. Winter 114 0 0 107 0 0 156 0 0 Means and totala 413 10 0 33 42 18-4 38 14 0 37,251 1-91 297 13 2 36-62 17-6 647 16 1 983 13 10 3,479 0 0 25,000 1-2 126 13 ■ 2 4,708 3fl 1-75

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TABLE No. 48.—RETURN of Field-work executed by the Staff and Contract Surveyors, from 1st April, 1896, to 31st March, 1897— continued. LAND DISTRICT OF TARANAKI.

218

Surveyor and District. Majoi Trial igulation. Mino} and Topi ■Trii >grai insulation >hical Survey. Topogi befoi tl ■aphii fe Sui ie La] :al Selection 'vey under id Act. Itural and Su! mrban. 'own Section Sui *vey. Nati' 'e Land Coui rt Survey. Roads, Rail and Water-ra Iways, Lees. Detention by Native Opposit'n or other Causes. Total Cost Other Work. o f Surveyor and Party from 1st April, 1896, to Cost. 31st March, 1897. Remarks. Acres. Total Cost. Acres. 8 . is O Total Cost. Acres. 8 . a© g o Total Cost. oi u og p,j Acres. „- «S m o Total Cost. Acres. «-. § Cost per ° 3 Allotment ill j Total Cost. Acres. k OO ¥ Total Cost. i a m Cost per Mile. Total Cost. Cost. Staff Surveyors. H. M. Skeol, District Surveyor. Kapara, Opaku, Taurokawa, Ngaire, Hawera, Ngatimaru, Aria, Ohura, Mahoe, Pouatu, and Omara G. H. Bullard, District Surveyor. Egmont, Cape, Ngaire, and Omona d. 0-25 £ s. d. 781 18 6 Q. £ s. d. a. £ s. d S. d. £ s. d. £ s. d. £ s. d. s. d. £ s. d. £ s. d. & s. a. £ s. d. £ s. d. 90 12 0 £ s. d. 912 0 0 J. F. Frith, Assistant Surveyor. Taurakawa 750,000 13,000 1,615 0-65 35 0 0 20 3 9 11,584 5,334 4( 2 3-2 1 8'7 1,814 0 9 460 2 9 10 6| 9 0 0 13 3 1 90 0 0 \ 88 15 8 5 0 0 ! 16 0 0 53 2 4 37 13 0 752 0 0 377 0 0 724 0 0 Very broken, heavily-bushed country, difficult of access at present. No cadet assisting. " Other work " includes two inspections of the Ratatoniokia Block and one of two portions of the Taurnatamahoe Block surveys, and of survey of Pukengahu Road in land transfer subdivision. Heavily-bushed country. Cadet assisting for four months. " Other work" consists of searching for old survey-marks outside of block (re Patua Block exchange), defining radius-line, and inspecting a proposed road-line surveyed by Mr. O'Donahoo in Native block. Section-survey of Kaitangiwhenua Block; 25,000 acres in band. Broken, heavily-bushed country. No cadet assisting. "Other work" covers subdivision of a village section (Matapouri), and six months' furlough on half-pay. Heavily-bushed country. No cadet assisting. 11,000 acres. Section-survey also well advanced. "Other work" consisted of alterations sections in Tongaporutu Village and Improved-farm Settlement caused by road-devia-tions, definition of some small deviations (road), surveys of signal-station and wharf-sites in Native blocks, &c. Section-survey, revisional resurvey. " Other work " comprises replacement of trig, stations, land transfer survey inspections, inspections of disputed boundaries (Taumaha and Hurstihouse Roads), survey of a short road-devia-tion, &c. W. T. Morpeth, Assistant Surveyor. Mimi, Awakino North, Upper Waitara, and Tainui 1( W. H. Skinner, Office Surveyor. Paritutu, Waimate, Cape, Egmor t, Ngaire, Hawora, and Ngatimaru 100 2 3-1 11 6 4 99 15 8 111 0 0 Temporary Surveyors. A. G. Allom, Assistant Surveyor. Waro and Mimi 71 5 4 144 0 0 43 0 0 294 0 0 Heavily-bushed, broken country. No cadet assisting. Expensive district. " Other work " consisted of cutting of 180 chains of back boundary-lines. Mr. Allom resigned after four months' service. Densely-bushed, broken country. No cadet assisting. 5,000 acres of sectionsurvey also in hand. "Other work" comprised measurement of co-operative bushfelled areas, improved-farm setlements, 6,550 acres on 31 sections ; the exploration of Whangamomona Valley; and cutting of 22 miles of rough walking-tracks therefor, &c. Densely-bushed, broken country. No cadet assisting. In addition to work scheduled, 3,800 acres section-survey field-work completed, but plans not yet finished. Densely-bushed, broken country. No cadet assisting. 6,0.00 acres section-survey well in hand "Other work" comprised measurement of co-operative bushfelled areas, improved-farm settlements, 1,033 acres in 44 sections. Densely-bushed, broken country. No cadet assisting. Section-survey of 17,000 acres also in hand. Cost of isolated road-survey of one mile enhanced by a ridge-traverse for connection and proving purposes. Densely-bushed, broken country. No cadet assisting. Cost of this survey was considerably enhanced by the necessity of rerunning and regrading road-lines, and the expensive nature of district. Mr. Prentice terminated his engagement with department on completion of block. Densely-bushed, broken country. No cadet assisting. 3,649 acres section-survey in 23 sections well in hand, 1,000 acres being finished and plotted, but plan not sent in, as it will cover when finished the whole area noted. " Other work " comprised redefinition of old railway survey boundaries, and measurement of co-operative bushfelled areas, improved-farm settlements, 727 acres on 44 sec lions. Survey and grading of cross-road (extension of Carrington Road) between Hangatahua and Waiweranui Streams. 601 2 4-4 6j 22 3 1 C. Finnerty, Assistant Surveyor. Pouatu, Mahoe, and Ngatimaru 5,000 41 13 4 4,843 2 11 706 18 0 57 7 2 705 0 0 If Percy Holt, Assistant Surveyor. Omona, Kapara, and Opaku 24 145 0 0 856 16 4 683 0 0 13,600 14,181 62 1 2J W. Laing, Assistant Surveyor. Pouatu, Mahoe, and Ngatimaru 36 3 0 319 0 0 W. H. Murcott, Assistant Surveyor. Waitara and Upper Waitara 5,433 17 2 0 543 6 0 1 30 0 0 30 0 0 709 0 0 N. Prentice, Assistant Surveyor. Ohura and Aria 5,622 5 7 1,573 13 8 491 0 0 26 L. C. Sladden, Assistant Surveyor. Ngatimaru, Pouatu, Upper Waitara, and Mahoe 35,000 150 0 0 10 5 3 136 0 0 85 0 0 737 0 0 1-3 13J Authorised Surveyor. A. O'N. O'Donahoo. Cape 15 0 0 1J 10 0 0l 15 0 0 750,000 0-25 781 18 6 68,215 1-8 391 17 1 47,698 181 2-32s. 5,537 9 2 89 12 18 4 503 15 8 5 0 0 518 13 2 £6,829 0 0 DISTR: :ct of 'ELLi: )N. L. Smith (Miscellaneous) 624 17 11 734 0 0 Inspecting, land valuations, revision surveys, &c. Transferred to Gisborne, March, 1897. Mr. Climie was employed chiefly on standard survey work during the year—viz., Palmerston North, Petone, and Lower Hutt. Mr. Murray was ill during the period he was engaged in this district, and returned no work. Transferred to Napier in May, 1896. Sectional area also included practically a revision survey of 5,58C acres additional. "Other work " includes an item of £134 19s. Id., revision survey. Cadet assisting. Triangulation chiefly in back forest country; difficult of access. Employed in the upper Waimarino country ; difficult of access. Sectional area comprised small grazing-runs, Retaruke ; boundaries chiefly compass traverses; further road-access required. Forest country, Awarua Block. J. D. Climie. Bolmont, Kairanga, &c... 130 2 10 I-β 65 IS 8 282 5 10 774 0 0 W. D. B. Murray 79 0 0 F. A. Thompson. Tiffin, Mt. Adams, &o. 3,064 8 o 1175! 150 0 0 36 14 0 10 505 6 4 273 8 11 708 0 0 H.J.Lowe. Ruahine, Umutoi, &c. .. P. A. Dalzioll. Retaruke, &c. 451,000 1-17 2,206 3 5 31,095 0 5-8 684'l5 6 'l33 3 "oi 2o"o 0 205 5 0 787 0 0 941 0 0 8 i J. McKay. Hautapu, Pukeokahu, &o. J. G. Littlejohn. Mikimiki, Kopuaranga, &c. C. A. Mountfort. Manganui, Makotuku, &o. H. J. Lewis. Ikitara, &c. 10,344 58 2 0-6 1,065 3 2 105 16 6 66 7 0 2,864 21 0 0 6-9 16-3 18 16 10 3 11 7 130 0 0 58 6 4 10 0 232 3 10 661 0 0 648 0 0 50 1 1 7 11,551 58 2 8-8 1,579 4 0 16 10 14 11 171 19 0 46 6 8 715 0 0 Forest country, Waimarino; difficult of access. 347 2 0 11-3 16 7 0 479 16 9 468 0 0 Under the heading of " Other work " £467 0s. Id. has been spent on Wanganu River improvement and engineering surveys for the River Trust. Forest country, Waimarino. Transferred to Auckland, September, 1896. Transferred to Auckland, July, 1896. " Other work " includes £89 12s. 8d. while acting as Crown Lands Ranger. A. A. Seaton. Manganui, Kaitieke, &c. A. J. Mountfort. Makotuku, &c. P. R. Earle. Mt. Cerberus, &c. J. Dickie H. Maitland. Maungakaretu, Ohinewairua J. M. Morice. Hautapu, Ruahine, &o. H. 3. Biggs. Pukeokahu, &a. 21,262 9-7 861 0 4 3,300 0 ' 8-7 120 8 2 'k 21 0 '5 0 0 11 2 3 "5 0 39 0 0 10-2 9 *6 3 95 - 'o 0 75"o 0 135 17 8 435 0 0 375 0 0 532 0 0 104 0 0 784 0 0 "l 13 70 788 "8 1 ' 3-6 51 4 5 82-3 8 6 11 687*'1 6 14*'l 0 19.020 14,564 22 55 0 11-1 1 2-8 882 14 1 898 8 1 562 364 139 200 2 15 4 1 19 '£ 384 8 4 i391 18 1! Forest country, Awarua Block. Chiefly forest country, Awarua Block. 733 0 0 Total staff surveyors 451,000 1-17 2,206 3 5 21,262 9-7 861 0 4 94,073 215 1 1-9 5,448 4 5 1055J 472 1 17 6 884 18 5 3,127 0 8-2 106 15 8 167-7 9 16 1,647 13 2 2,392 11 7 10,062 0 0 Native blocks, Wanganui River, in which the Crown ia interested. Richardson and Reardon. Ikitara, WaHgaehu, &c. H. J. Wylde. Moutere A. P. Rawson. Mikimiki J. A. Thorpe. Nukumaru Kennedy Brothers. Motupuha and Ohinewairua Mason and Richmond. Kaitawa 550 Q 8 ' 3-6 9015 0 3° 32 0 15 5 24 14 35,045 25 0 7'6 1,110 12 0 3-1 4 15-8 5 19 a 20 ii 11 5 19 7 20 4 7 82"7 8 94 10 0 1,853 0 0 44 0 0 11 0 0 82 0 0 95 0 0 Foxton Sanatorium. 50 0 103 0 0 Revision and traverse work, Ngarara Block, required for Native Land Court. Total contract surveyors 232 550 3 3-6 90 15 0 20 32 0 15 5 24 14 6; 35,045 25 0 7-6 1,110 12 0 8 9 11 197 2 3 50 0 0 2,188 0 0 Grand totals 451,000 1-J7 2,206 3 5 21,262 9-7 861 0 4 94,623 217 1 2 5,538 19 1075} 504 1 16 1 909 12 11 38,17! 29 0 7-7 1,217 7 8 190-9 9 13 3 1,844 15 5 2,442 11 7 12,250 0

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TABLE No. 48. — Return of Field-work executed by the Staff and Contract Surveyors, from 1st April, 1896, to 31st March, 1897— continued. LAND DISTRICT OF NELSON.

35—C. 1.

219

Minor Triangulation and Topographical Survey. Topogri for Selecti Sur under the aphical ion before rvey Land Act. Rural and Sul iurban. 'own Section Sui ■vey. Native Land Court Survey. Gold-mining Survey.* Koads, Railways, and Waterraces. Other Work. Total Cost of Surveyor and Party from 1st April, 1890, to 31st March, 1897. Surveyor and District. Acres. +> 3 v. 3 Cost per : °3 Allotment/ li ! m> ag °'2 t< do o 'o a ft® Acres. *» g Total Cost. I I : Cost per To t a i cost. g , Mue. Remarks. IsJ Acres. S'S Total Cost. o< ° i : &© Acres, -g « o< Q Total Cost. Total Cost. Acres. Total Cost. Acres. Total Cost. Cost. Staff Surveyors. J. A. Montgomerie. Reefton 11,000 d. 1-2 £ s. d. 55 14 2 d. £ s. d. s. £ s. d. s. £ s. d. s. £ s. d. 1,250 21 s. 2-6 £ S. d. 164 2 3 £ £ s. d. £ s. d. 576 1 10 £ s. d. 723 0 0 Cadet assisting in office. Cost of other work, general office duties, preparation of mining licenses, &c. Cost of other work, mainly control of works on Belgrove-Reefton Road for six months. Surveys very scattered ; generally forest country. J. Snodgrass. Kawatere, Mokihinui, Ngakawau, Maruia, &c. Et. T. Sadd. Waitapu, Takaka, Aorere, and Pakawau •T. D. Thomson. Mount Arthur, Totara, Wangamoa, and French Pass D. J. Barron. Mytholm and Waiau .. 265 2,140 6,069 5 32| 36 4-5 3-3 1-6 59 12 6 355 3 0' 507 8 10 655 608 279 12 12 3 7-5 3-9 2-5 245 12 6 119 4 0 34 4 0 1-5 8 25 9-2 37 10 Oi 73 11 0 244 13 6 108 8 0 118 6 8 563 0 0 689 0 0 668 0 0 Surveys for the most part in hilly country, partly forest. 19,687 1\ 0-4 335 0 3 1 28-5 11-9 337 17 4 192 0 0 Transferred to Auckland District roads in August. 11,000 1-2 55 14 2 28,161 80 0-9 1,257 4 7 2,792 48 4 363 2 9 38 11-8 :448 18 4 1,047 10 0 2,835 0 0 Contract Surveyors. E. J. Lord .. J. A. Robertson. Reefton J. O'R. McCabi . Reefton J. B. Saxon. Keefton Saxon and McCabe. Reefton.. E. J. Lord. Mawheranui H. W. Young. Ahaura R. A. Young. Waitakere J. Shadick. Kawatiri C. Lewis. Mount Arthur J. A. Jennings. Oparara G. B. Sinclair. Lyell 37 0 Paid by fees. 16,572 229 5-9 4961 15 9 Means and totals .. 11,000 1-2 55 14 2 28,161 80 0-9 1,257 4 7 19,364 277 5-7 5524 18 6 38 11-8 '448 18 .4 1,047 10 0 2,872 0 0 .ND DISTRICT OF M. .RLBOROUi :H. Staff Surveyors. F. S. Smith. Hundalee, Acheron, &c... D. W. Gillies. Barefell, Acheron, &c. .. 71,192 296 12 5,293 573 1 d. 9-7 7-12 213 14 3 17 0 0 A. E. P. 6 3 36 54-25 18 19 9 104 4-9 25 9 4 502 16 11 2 12 4 709 0 0 621 0 0 Triangulation and topography in very high country. Settlementsurvey of Okarahia Block ; dense fern, scrub, and light bush. Total cost includes one hundred miles of fence and river traverse in rough and precipitous country. Maps incomplete. Total cost includes 160,000 acres triangulation and topography, and 4,000 acres of rural sections. Maps incomplete. E. W. Buckeridge. Whernside and Puhipuhi Temporary Surveyors. M. Carkeek. Barefell, Acheron, &o. .. 1,926 10 11-21 90 0 0 9J 4-86 45 0 0 779 0 0 s. 1-3 1-5 \ 201 3 10 150,000 acres triangulation and topography complete in field; very higli country. Very hilly country, chiefly bush. Rough, broken country, chiefly bush, adjoining old surveys. 789 0 0 A. Simpson. Cloudy Bay, Arapawa, &c. C. W. McFarland. Wakamarina, Onamalutu, &c. T. W. Hughes. Hundalee, &o. 4,291 6,661 16! 46 278 18 8 499 11 6 5,201 49 1-4 364 1 5 205 10 15 153 15 0 2| 3 95 9 26 2 6 27 0 0 58 17 0 660 0 0 767 0 0 E. H. Farnie. Hundalee, &c. 702 0 0 116 0 0 145 miles of rivers, fences, &c, including sub-trigs and topography. Under three months' work. Six miles of road-survey, and about 1,000 acres rural sections. Maps incomplete. Work consists of thirty-two miles of road-surveys in rough oountry, chiefly bush. Maps incomplete. R. J. Johnston. Hundalee, &c. 32 18-33 586 10 6 521 0 0 Contract Surveyors. A. D. Wilson. Gore, Arapawa, &o. R. F. Goulter A. P. Seymour. Orieri, Gore, &c. 4,863 7 1-13 274 9 0 197 0 0 217 0 0 Heavy bush in the Sounds District. 5,507 '*9 1-17 322 4 8 3,119 6 L-39 21617 6 All rough country, chiefly in bush. Means and totals 71,13: 296 12 8 29,1198! 1-16 1,695 17 8 6 3 36 54-25 IS 19 9 8,424 58 1-44 606 8 3 205 10 15 153 15 0 47 14-56 684 13 0 765 10 1 6,1.38 0 0 LAND Dli iTRIC , wbstlan: s. d. 2 5-3 s. d. £ s. d. Appointed Chief Surveyor, 10th November, 1896. Chiefly revision surveys in bush country in Arahura District. Within a goldfield. No cadet assisting. Very high, rough country for minor triangulation and mining surveys. Revision surveys in Totara District. No cadet assisting. Fees received for mining surveys, £359 11s. Along sea-coast, and easy of access. W. G. Murray, District Surveyor. Waimea and Kanieri 3,500 33 428 8 2 17 9 8 535 0 0 W. Wilson, Assistant Surveyor. Otira, Turiwhate, Totara, Waiho, Gillespie's, and Paringa E. J. Lord, Authorised Surveyor. Greymouth and Waimea J. N. Smyth, Authorised Surveyor 7,500 2-7 85 0 5 1,200 37 3 9-4 226 19 7 1,300 13 5 8-4 370 8 10 10 0 0 736 0 0 49 3 ! 12 34 30 5 0 2 1 25 0 2 10 0 824 14 7 6 309 3 0 20 5 0 3 0 0 Appointed Temporary Surveyor, 6th February, 1897. Rough, broken country, and heavily timbered. Fairly good country for road-construction. J. N. Smyth, Temporary Surveyor. Turiwhate, Waimea, Kanieri, Totara, and Toaroha J, C. Macfarlane, Authorised Surveyor. Turiwhate, Waimea, and Totara • • 6 6 20 9 6-3 122 17 2 24 0 0 1,225 6 4-4 389 17 6 Chiefly broken forest country. Within a goldfield. 16 Means and totals 46 6-47s.j 7,500 2-7 85 0 5 4,702 71 2-79s. 657 17 9 3,398 1099 14 4 1 20 9 6-3 122 17 2 47 14 8 1,298 0 0 LAND Dli STRIC CANTERBURY. Staff Surveyors. T. N. Brodrick. Arowhenua, Corwar, Spaxton, Tengawai, Opawa, Opihi, Opuha, Nimrod, and Otaio G. H. M. McOlure. Arowhenua, Opihi, Waipara, and Waitohi L. 0. Mathias. Opihi, Oorwar, Hororata, Fighting Hill, Hawkin's, Hale, and Westerfield G. Mackenzie. Maokerrow 24,987 6,254 171 58 1 0-5 0 7-7 800 0 6 328 6 4 13 2* 9 5 1 4 10 3-5 120 5 10 1 11 5 9 269 9 9 815 3 3 719 0 0 718 0 0 Comprises the Orakipaoa, Highbank, and part Albury Settlements. Open, flat, and undulating agricultural lands, and rural sections in South Canterbury rough and hilly. Open, flat, and undulating agricultural lands, comprising the Waiapi, Horsley Down, and part of the Rakitain Settlements. Open, flat, and undulating agricultural lands, comprising the Marawiti and part of the Rakitairi Settlements, Midland Block 05, and three small freehold sections. Flat and hilly sections in the Makarora Valley. 7,433 53 0 9-6 298 18 2 570 2 8 610 0 0 57 13 0 37 4 0 14 0 0 ' ' I Temporary Staff Surveyor. E. H. Farnie. Tengawai, Pigeon Bay, and Christchurch 3,447 70 1 5-9 275 17 3 1 69-85 3 9 10 54 5 10 320 0 0 Otarakaro, Wharenui, and part of the Albury Settlements, and three sections at Little River. Open, undulating country, and rough bush sections. Transferred to Marlborough, 11th January, 1897. Means and totals 42,178 358 0 9-9 1,740 0 3 69-85 3 9 ID 154 ,8 9 9 131 11 7 1,709 1 6 2,381 0 0 jold-naining si irveye are uow puid for by the Warden.

TABLE No. 48.—Return of Field-work executed by the Staff and Contract Surveyors, from 1st April, 1896, to 31st March, 1897— continued. LAND DISTRICT OF OTAGO.

SUMMARY. RETURN of Field-work executed by the Staff and Contract Surveyors, from 1st April, 1896, to 31st March, 1897.

By Authority : John Mackay, Government Printer, Wellington.—lB97.

220

Minor Tria an Topographs u angulation id cal Survey. To] Select undi >ogr&i] ion bt sr the ihical for ifore Survey Land Act. Rural and Suburban. To 1 rn Section Survey. Natr 'e Laud Court Survey. Gold-mining Survey.* Roads, Railways, and Waterraces. OtherWork. i Total Cost of Surveyor and Party from lstAnril,18%, to 31st March, 18B7. Surveyor and District. H Pi® Acres. ■* 'Z li o< Total Cost. Acres. o Total Cost. ■S I. L ■g g *. § Total Cost. __J§ « 1 o S *■ S Total Cost. ! © « 0) • 1 Xβ £ ft? ~P jo i Total Cost. r< I do o _» i Total Cost. i 1 8 & ID Total Cost. Cost. Remarks Staff Surveyors. John Langmuir. Maruwenua a. £ s. a. d. £ s. d. •13,911 176 s. 1-3 £ s. a. 881 0 7 A. B. P. £ & s. d. 3. £ s. d. 34 s. 8-8 £ s. a.! 15 0 0 8i £ s. d. 17 18 7 £ s. d fl52 8 0 £ s. d. 4 4 0 £ s. a. 1,037 0 0 * 12,175 acres under Land for Settlements Act. The cost includes the boundary survey and sale plan. f This includes the preparation and supervision of all contracts. Cadet assisting. X Nine months' work ; applications very much scattered. § Mining applications, very much scattered. E. H. Wilmot. Queenstown .. D. M. Calder. Naseby, Maniototo, and Gimmerbum W. D. R. McCurdie. Tautuku W. T. Neill. Moeraki, Akatore, and (ilenoniaru Temporary Sttrveyor. John Edie. Rimu .. Under Fee System. 1,935 9,635 20 61 1-4 1 135 6 8 487 13 9 2 1 16 1-16 7 0 0 {1,893 §925 3-8 5-3 369 1 8 267 17 0 40 18 0 167 15 0 623 0 0 1,017 0 0 6 r,2 34 3,000 3,683 i i 46 18 0 61 7 8 119,000 114,293 15 60 1-5 1-4 675 0 0 304 1 9 24 6 17 7 165 2 5 75 19 1 76 13 2 770 0 0 569 0 0 || Heavy bush country. A selection survey had been made of this area. II Of this area 2,847 acres under Land for Settlements Act. 2,430 33 2-9 349 3 10 ♦•8 10 0 0 80 0 0 47 0 0 496 0 0 * • Heavy bush country. R. Hay L. O. Beal, jun. L. D. Macgeorge J. Curniue Herbert Park N. M. Kirkcaldy L. H. Reynolds William Hutchison 2,826 1,128 1,070 10 1,025 297 125 122 65 ■22 ■20 1 16 7 2 2 5-5 5-2 3-8 15-4 4 5 4-4 6-4 780 15 11 291 18 0 202 0 0 7 14 0 205 7 0 74 1 6 27 6 0 39 1 0 Means and totals 6,683 108 5 8 41,204 365! 1-4 ;2,832 6 7 2 1 16 1-16 7 0 0 2,280 2 1 40J 9 1C i 397 10 5 412 9 3! 4,512 0 9,455 222 48 lND ust: HOT if sout: :land. 11,753 s. s. d." & ohn Hay, District Surveyor. Winton and iNokomai L Hodgkinson, Assistant Surveyor L. Falkiner, Temporary Assistant Surveyor. Waikawa ). McPherson, Temporary Assistant Surveyor. Lord's River (Stewart Island) i. H. Wilmot, District Surveyor 11,953 6,056 40 40 15 1-31 1-96 1-26 771 5 10 1,171 7 0 384 11 4 95 40 59 11 17 6 12 6 2 ! 3 0 0 : 9 10 0 716 0 0. 818 0 0 277 0 0 Hilly forest country and hilly open country ; settlement surveys; nine months' work, of which a part was partly completed during previous year. Mr. Hay appointed Chief Surveyor of Otago in January last. Mostly hilly forest country. Hilly forest country ; settlement survey. From 1st April to 31st July, 1896. Hilly forest .country. 9,264 1 1-5 736 14 6 719 0 0 t 164,000 323 9 1 This was ail exploration and topographical survey between the West Coast Sounds and Lakes Manapouri and Te Anau. Hilly forest country. 0.47 . H. Treseder, Temporary Assistant Surveyor I. R. Dundas \ S. Miller, Authorised Surveyor 20 24-25 485 0 0 269 10 0 750 0 0 939 17 2'34 227"l 9 331 5 823 9l"2 9 110 0 0 Rural and suburban ; includes sawmill areas and occupation licenses under Mining Act. Rural and suburban ; was hilly forest country; for settlement. 7 . Blaikie, Authorised Surveyor 675 5 1-72 58 4 0 824 17 6 6 267 15 0 22 0 0 Means and totals 164,000 047 323 9 1 41,640 UK 1-60 3,349 4 5 95 40 59 11 17 6 1,155 2i 6-26 361 17 9 20 24-25 485 0 294 12 2 3,418 0 0 N * Gold-mining surveys are now paid for by the Warden. I Major Triangulation.

Major Triangulat Mino] Trianguli don. and Topograp] Ltion j Topographical ! Survey forSe1 lection under "The liand Act, 1892." I . .-, Koads, Eailways, fc Rural and Suburban. Town Section Survey. iNatlv « ail( oourt Gold-mining Survey. and 0 hm vev - Water-races. « Detention by Native Opposition or other Causes. Detenti by Nati Jppositi or otht HanfiAi Total Cost of Surveyor and Party from 1st April, 1896, to 31st March, 1897. Other Work. ileal. Di«trict. u Acres. s. Is. |. Acres. U| o I o OS i-< " CO r* C Acres. g-£ Acres. *o 2, j Acres. 1 *$ $* ll| "I 1 j . !„,„___.__ — .ore,. °| || Acres. «] f| Acres. || k Acres. *J }j ' Miles. Oo-J. j ■ *i ii! g| I s ! ° i g , Causes Cost. Acres. Cost. Auckland Hawke's Bay .. Taranaki Wellington Nelson Marlborough .. Westland Canterbury Otago Southland 750,000 a. 0:36 ■' 218,000 68,215 451,000 11,000 71,192 7,500 d. 0-25 .. j 25,000 1-3 1-17 21,262 r :: 2-7 : .. .. .. I 6,683 a. 1-2 9-7 80,050 4,708 47,698 94,628 28,101 29,114 4,702 42,178! 41 ,204 41,640' 445 1-65 35 1-75 181 2-32 217 1-10 80 0-9 98 1-16 71 2-79 358, 0-99 365 ! 1-4 118 1-60 302 33 1075-25 s. 452 1 17-96 42 18-4 504 36-08 71 54-25 210,277 37,251 38,172 d. 90 1-67 1173,252 2127 9| 1-91 i '■20 7-7 '.'. j .. .. i 19,364: 277 58 1-44 205 10 3,398 46 .'. .. 9,455! 222! 1,155| 24 s. 5-44 5-7 15 6-47 136-25 36-62 39 190-9 38 47 6 15-5 40-5 20 £ £ s. a. 11-59 271 7 0 17-6 12-9 5 0 0 9-65 11-8 14-56 20-5 8-5 9-8 24-25 i £ s. a. 533 10 8 983 13 10 518 13 2 2,442 11 7 1,047 10 0 765 10 1 47 14 8 1,709 1 6 412 9 3 294 12 2 £ s. d. 19,672 0 0 3,479 0 0 6,829 0 0 12,250 0 0 2,872 0 0 6,138 0 0 1,298 0 0 2,381 0 0 4,512 0 0 3,418 0 0 " 6-9 8,424 164,000 I •• |o ; 47 4 1 2-35 95 1 69-85 6 1-16 40 5-9 4-8 626 Means and totals 914,000 .0-20 826,907 0-95 52,945 414,084 1,968: 1-44 1515-50 1052; 26-53 294,124 186i 8-9Q 206,829 2706 5-47 569-77 1202 276 7 0; 8,755 6 11 •62,849 0 0 — including £56,579 6s. lid. pi t,id for out of deposits for gold mining surreys.