A.—No. 3,

EDUCATIONAL RESERVES.

51

Section 42, in Christchurch (grant recorded, book 4, p. 338), is used as a cemetery by the members of the Church of Rome, is fenced in, and is opposite to the cemetery of the Church of England. Section 43, in Christchurch, used as a cemetery by the Dissenters. The Custom House Reserve in Lyttelton was dealt with by an Ordinance of the Superintendent and Provincial Council of Canterbury, Session IX., No. 5, "Lyttelton Custom House Ordinance." See sections 1, 2, 3, and 4.

Friday, 7th January, 1870. Mr. Anderson, being duly sworn, states :My name is John Anderson. I reside in Christchurch, and am an ironfounder. lam one of the trustees named in the grant of sth January, 1855, recorded in book 4, p. 340, comprising 3 acres. Upon section 1,179 has been built the first and principal Free Church of Presbyterians in Canterbury, wherein for ten years and upwards Divine Service has been regularly performed. The building—of timber, shingled —accommodates about 500 worshippers. The land is fenced in, and planted with trees and shrubs. There was also a schoolhouse on this ground, but the number of children attending increased so much that we purchased five acres of land on the Lincoln Road and built a schoolhouse thereon for their accommodation, known as the Christchurch High School, and attended by an average of 130 scholars. It stands next in order to the Christchurch College, and is conducted by a rector, classical master, and junior teacher. Section 1,180, containing 2 acres and 20 perches, is fenced in, and has a manse —of timber, shingled —built upon it. Has been occupied since its erection by the Rev. Mr. Fraser. The land is cultivated partly as a garden ; the residue is used as a paddock. The whole is prettily laid out and nicely kept. Mr. Townsend, being duly sworn, states :My name is Robert Townsend. I reside in Akaroa, and am a surveyor for the Provincial Government of Canterbury. I know the land comprised in grant dated 24th July, 1865, recorded C. 16, p. 242, comprising 10 acres of land on Banks' Peninsula, (Okain's Bay). The schoolmaster's house is built on it. The land, or greater part, is fenced in. There is a good garden there. The house is of timber, shingled —I should think of ten rooms. The section is numbered 87. Section 148, grant recorded C. 17, p. 8, is used as a cemetery for all denominations. It is, or so much as is in use is, fenced in with post and rail fence. It comprises five acres of land. Section 149, grant recorded C. 17, p. 9, comprising 2 acres and 1 rood of land. Has a church of stone built upon it. It is slate-roofed, and would accommodate, I think, about 120 worshippers. The land is fenced in with a live fence. There is a schoolhouse built on this reserve under the charge of the master, who resides on section 87. It is a timber building, shingled, and is attended by about 40 or 50 boys and girls, in about equal numbers. The schoolmaster is a married man. They begin with the rudiments, and some of the elder boys are taught Latin and Greek. Section 160, in red, is used as a landing-place for craft, and contains about ten acres. Is fenced in by tho sections adjoining being fenced. Section 139, in red, in the Town of Akaroa, comprising 2 acres ; recorded 0. 20, p. 55. Is fenced on one side. Is not in use. The burials take place in other grounds around. The reserve was for a cemetery. I know the reserve comprising sections 138 to 144, both inclusive, and 148 to 154, both inclusive, in Akaroa Town. Reserved for purposes connected with Roman Catholics. Grant recorded C. 21, p. 127. There is a small wooden church built upon it. The land is fenced in, and used as a paddock. It is let. Ido not know the rent. Sections 159 and 158, Akaroa Town; grant recorded C. 21, p. 126. I know that one is either whole or partly enclosed, and has some few graves in it. The other is unenclosed and unused. Section 116 (grant recorded C. 21, p. 145), comprising 2 acres, reserved for purposes connected with the Roman Catholics. Is partly enclosed and used as a cemetery by the Roman Catholics. Section 97 (grant recorded C. 29, p. 204), comprising 2 roods and 14 perches, is included with section 55 in Akaroa Town. Is not used at present. It is partly fenced in by adjoining sections, and is let for £1 per annum. Section 90, in red, in Little Akaloa, comprising 10 acres (grant recorded C. 29, p. 178), is not used. It is reserved for a site for a church and school. Section 117, in red, in the Town of Akaroa, comprising 2 acres (grant recorded C. 29, p. 179), is not used at present. Section 56, in the Town of Akaroa, reserved for a Church of England Cemetery, comprising , is partly fenced in and used as a Church of England Cemetery. Section 172, in red, in Pigeon Bay, comprising 10 acres (grant recorded C. 29, p. 207), is not in use. It is reserved for a church and school. Sections 54 and 53 are let with sections 55 and 97, and are included in the rent. Upon section 54 a church formerly stood, but was removed to a more convenient place. Section No. 82, in red, is a reserve in Akaroa Town, used partly for a school under the Canterbury Education Board. On this reserve are the Resident Magistrate's Office, and Survey Office, and Police Barracks. Section No. 81, in red, is the Custom House Reserve. Mr. Pavitt, being duly sworn, stated :My name is Frederick Pavitt. I reside at Papanui, and I am steward of the estate of the Church of England in the Province of Canterbury. Of the sections comprised in the grant to the Church Property Trustees of 20th May, 1858, recorded book 6, p. 452, the rentals of such as are let are before me, and I will furnish an account showing the annual rental. Some of these sections are held in trust for general Church purposes. Some have been conveyed to the Corporation of Christ's College, under authority of an Ordinance of the Provincial Council of Canterbury —the Church Property Trust Ordinance, Session 11., No. 3. Of the sections comprised in the grants dated 24th April, 1856, recorded in book 13, p. 47, section 339, at Ohopa, Mandeville District, comprising 250 acres, has been dealt with; 101 acres have been sold for £520. The purchase money was laid out in the purchase of other lands in the 14