C.—No. 1,

Mr. Russell.

2.—Mr. Russell. I, Theodore Russell, of Pembroke, in the Province of Otago, Colony of New Zealand, hotel keeper and boat proprietor, make oath, and say : — Ist. That I am desirous of obtaining land for agricultural purposes. 2nd. That I am prepared to take up 100 acres, and that I am in a position to commence the improvement of tho land. 3rd. That at the time I built the Wanaka Hotel, I endeavoured to obtain permission from the runholder to occupy a small paddock for agricultural purposes, to save the expense of buying horsefeed, which I have to obtain from Dunediu. Theodore Russell.

No. 57. (Mr. Badger to the Commissioners.) Memo. —The revenue from this place, and district amounted during the year 18C8 to £1500. The gold forwarded by the Bank of N.S.W. per Escort from Cromwell during tho year ending 22nd February, 18G9, amounted to 15,000 ounces. This does not include the whole of the gold produced in the district, some being taken away by private hand. Two miners left Cromwell for England some time since )R. Thomas and C. Tippett), each having 100 ounces. The fines have been considerable : during part of 1866-7 they amounted to no lens than £200. The district is shamefully neglected since the Provincial Government reduced the Goldrields staff, there being no Clerk here excejrt during the sitting of the Court—once a, fortnight—and an occasional day that the Receiver comes to make out his monthly Returns. The consequence must be the falling off of the Reveniie. The Resident Magistrate refuses to hear cases in the Extended Jurisdiction at this Court, consequently persons suing for more than £20 have to go to Clyde, although they may reside in Cromwell or at the Wanaka Lake, a distance of 35 miles from this place, they must go to Clyde. It is said that a Clerk is to be appointed here at a salary of £50 per year, and Mr. Pyke has the appointment. Nothing could bo more absurd. Apart from the necessity of having a competent person, he should be also a Receiver or Deputy Receiver.

No. 57. Mr. Badger's Memo.

PART V.—EVIDENCE TAKEN AT QUEENSTOWN.

Wednesday, March 3, 1869. ! No. 58. Mr. Henry John Cope being duly sworn, examined ; — I think the people of this district who want land get it very readily under the Agricultural Lease system. 1 never met with anyone unable to obtain land. There is a largo quantity available. In all the Lake district I should not think more than about 2500 acres arc under cultivation. More than twice that quantity has been taken up that lias not as yet been improved in any way. The holders have Generally from 50 to 200 acres. In some few cases more land is held, but that is by companies and large families. There is a considerable! area of ground fenced in, upon which sheep are being depastured. This has also been taken under the. Agricultural Lease system. I repeat that there is no question about plenty of land being open for agricultural purposes in this district. I would recommend that Agricultural Leases bo "ranted on areas not exceeding 200 acres instead of 50, for the reason that the land will not bear cropping for any length of time. The demand for cereals being necessarily limited on account of the isolation of the district, farming and grazing operations must be combined to make them pay. Most of the land here is worked out after three or four crops ; and manure cannot be relied upon, because it cannot be procured. I think depasturing block*—say, of from 500 to 2000 acres of hill country might be given to promote settlement round the centres of population, with right of sale at 10s. per acre. This land of course, should be leased for a, proportionably less rent than the amount now paid for agricultural land. I think we must come to that. A great confusion and loss must eventually ensue amongst the holders of small flocks unci herds now running on what is understood as the commonage. The appointment of Wardens does not lessen this evil, because it would not prevent the mixing of the cattle, as no boundaries are kept. To successfully keep small flocks or herds, the areas held by each person must be fenced in. Respecting the rent, I would recommend that the 2s. Gil. per annum, which is a heavy rental, should go, wholly or partially, towards the purchase of the land. Also, that the leases should be issued, at furthest, within three months of the applications being approved. That, at the expiration of the three or seven 3 r cars the lessees should bo absolutely entitled to purchase. At present, an application to purchase has to 'do made to the Waste Lands Board, and it is in their discretion to refuse it or not. This uncertainty impairs the value of people's properties, .1 would recommend that the provision which requires the sanction of the Superinti mien!; to a transfer of a lease should be repealed. My reasons are, that agriculturists are unable to contract liabilities on a< count of having no security to give, as they cannot mortgage their leases without such sanction. Ihe majority of agriculturists require monetary

No. 58. Mr. Cape. 3rd March, 1869.

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ADMINISTRATION OF CROWN