ON OTAGO HUNDREDS.

11

c—No. a.

open for selection in the adjoining Moeraki Hundred, but it is unfit for farming purposes. I am aware that a block of land was thrown open for sale about a year ago, which is included within the limits of the proposed hundred. I believe all of it was bought which was fit for agricultural purposes. Of the 10,000 acres within the boundaries of the proposed hundred, I should say about one-third may be classed as available agricultural land. There is a small portion of land on Run 80, within the limits of the proposed hundred, which would probably sell ; but Ido not know of any buyer. I know that if the proposed hundred was proclaimed, it would be of no benefit to the population resident about Macraes Flat, which is the only resident population on this side of the proposed hundred. There are between thirty and forty families in and about Macraes Flat. Mr. Laurence Flinn, being duly sworn, states :lam a butcher. I have been resident here nearly six years. lam well acquainted with the country in the proposed hundred. I cannot say whether there is any land open for selection in the vicinity of the proposed hundred. Of the 19,000 acres, Ido not think more than a fourth fit for agricultural purposes ; and that I believe is nearly all sold. With the exception of a portion of land on Run 80,1 do not think the proclamation of the proposed hundred would induce any further purchase. I do not see that there will be any material benefit to the residents in and about M.acraes by the proclamation of the proposed hundred; aud I believe most of them are adverse to tho hundreds system in this district. Waihemo Hotel, Tuesday, 20th December, 1870. Mr. Bernard Luks, being duly sworn, stated: I am proprietor of the AVaihemo Hotel, and farm 100 acres of land—so freehold, and 50 under agricultural lease—adjoining the proposed hundred. lam well acquainted with the land in proposed hundred, having been here eight years. Of the whole 19,000 acres, I do not think there is more than 500 acres, beyond that already sold, which may be classed as available agricultural land. If the proposed hundred is proclaimed, I think the 500 acres might sell, but no more, at the upset price of 20s. There is no land open for selection in the vicinity ■of the proposed hundred. I believe more land is required to be opened in this district, and would be taken up for settlement, if judiciously selected; but not as proposed in the present hundred. The whole of the available agricultural land, within a trifle, in the proposed hundred is already alienated consequently throwing open the hundred is not likely to induce settlement. The only persons who would benefit by by it are those who have already purchased. Under the agreement made by the Provincial Government with Air Bell, pastoral tenant of Runs 109 and 80, the depasturing privileges of a hundred are to a certain extent granted to purchasers within the block already opened. Air. Lorenzo Moore, being duly sworn, stated: I am manager for Air. Dillon Bell, and have resided here for two years. lam pretty well acquainted with the country in the proposed hundred. Of the 19,000 acres contained in it, I should say not more than one-fourth may bo considered available agricultural land. A block of about 11,000, included within the limits of the proposed hundred, has been already opened for selection, of which about 2,850 acres (exclusive of auriferous reserves embracing about 020 acres) have been sold. Of the remaining S,OOO acres of the block unsold, I consider none of it practically available for agricultural settlement. Of the 8,000 acres outside the block and included in the proposed hundred, I consider not more than 500 acres arc available for agriculture, and the remainder fair sheep country. There is an agreement entered into between tho Provincial Government and Air. Bell, whereby the Government agrees not to declare any portion of the 11,000-acre block into a hundred, nor to alienate tho grazing rights over such land from the pastoral tenant, except under the provisions of such agreement. I believe portions of the laud along the river arc auriferous, including some of the land already purchased. Hunter s Accommodation House, Tuesday, 20.7. December. Mr. Archibald Kennedy, being duly sworn, states : I am farming 170 acres of land in the Dunbach district, within the limits of the proposed hundred, and am acquainted with tho country generally in the proposed hundred. Of the whole 19,000 acres, I consider one-third available agricultural land, of which about 3,000 acres have been already sold, and I am of opinion that the greater part of the remaining available country is outside the original block, and chiefly lies in run No. 80. 1 think this would sell if put up iu sections of from 60 to 120 acres each. If the proposed hundred is declared, I know there arc persons who are prepared to purchase in it. The proposed hundred would be better ■ adapted for settlement if extended at the south-east end to Tipperary Gully, aud an equivalent area might be advantageously takeu from the south-western portion. lam of opinion that the proclamation of the proposed hundred would conduce to settlement in its present form, but more so if the hundred is extended as suggested. Palmerston, Wednesday, 21st December, 1871. Mr. John McKenzie, being duly sworn, states : I am farming about 320 acres in the block included in the proposed hundred, and am well acquainted with the remainder of the country within the proposed boundaries. Of the whole 19,000 acres in the proposed hundred, I consider fully one-third available agricultural land. I think the proclamation of the proposed hundred would tend to further settlement, with a modification of the boundaries. The modification I would suggest is, that the main road line should be the northern boundary including the few sections already sold north of the road, and an equivalent for the land excluded on the north bo made up by extending the western and southern boundaries. There is a desire for more land to be opened, and if the proposed hundred is proclaimed with the boundaries altered as suggested, I know there are bond fide purchasers ready to invest in it. Several parties have been mining in the southern portion of the piroposed hundred, and are still continuing their operations there. Mr. John Muir, being duly sworn, states : I am farming about 2,000 acres of my own in Shag Valley, and am well acquainted with the country in the proposed hundred. Of the 19,000 acres comprised in it, one-third, in my opinion, may be considered available agricultural land. The best portion "of the laud in proposed hundred is already sold, but I think more would be sold if the hundred was because it is intersected by two main roads to up-country market's: viz., Macrae's, Hogburn,