LANDLESS NATIVES IN SOUTH ISLAND (REPORT RELATIVE TO SETTING APART LAND FOR).

Appendix to the Journals of the House of Representatives, 1899 Session I, G-01

g.—i

1899. NEW ZEALAND.

LANDLESS NATIVES IN SOUTH ISLAND (REPORT RELATIVE TO SETTING APART LAND FOR).

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

Department of Lands and Survey, Wellington, 16th June, 1899. Sib,— We have the honour to furnish a further (the third) report on the allotment of lands to landless Natives in the South Island. Little has occurred since the date of our last report (30th June, 1898), for the reason that our own .special duties have prevented our meeting during the year until last month. Beports have been obtained from the surveyors as to lands suitable on which to locate the rest of the Natives. After a careful consideration of these, the following blocks were recommended to the Government to be set aside for the purpose : — Stewart Island ... ... ... ... ... 7,600 acres. Wai-raurahiri ... .. ... ... ... 50,000 acres. This recommendation has met with the approval of the Government. The land at Stewart Island is fair, and of about equal quality to the adjacent block at Lord's Eiver, already allocated. That at Wai-raurahiri is situated some twelve or fifteen miles to the west of the Waiau Block, already allocated, and fronts on to the Foveaux Strait. So far as the information to hand shows, it is of fair quality, covered with forest. It will probably turn out that part of the area is too broken for settlement, but this will be cut out on survey. . The survey of the Waiau Block is now complete, and ready for occupation by the people. The number of individuals who have to be provided with land at Stewart Island and Wairaurahiri is about 1,828 (these figures include the Marlborough and all other claims as far as they are known). We have, &c, S. Peecy Smith. The Hon. the Minister of Lands, Wellington. A. Mackay. Approximate Cost of Paper.—Preparation, not given; printing 1,375) copies), 18s.

By Authority: John Mackat, Government Printer, Wellington.—lB99. Price 3d.]