25

D.—7

42. Is there any truth in the assertion made that you have acquired a large quantity of land at Karamea, to the extent of monopolizing all the rest of it? —The only land I have acquired are some freehold sections purchased from the Natives. The whole extent is under 200 acres, and upon that property I have expended money in clearing, grassing, fencing, &c, for the benefit of the settlers up to the present time, the settlers' cattle having had full enjoyment of my improvements. 43. Are you aware of any settlers or others finding any difficulty in bringing cattle to Karamea ; if so, under what circumstances did such difficulties arise? —Nearly every steamer which left Nelson for Karamea had vacant space. The owners of the vessels were allowed to take whatever cargo they thought fit for their own benefit. No cattle were ever refused shipment to my knowledge ;in fact, the only refusal ever made, either for cattle or freight that I can remember, was at my request. On the occasion of one of the steamers being just about to leave, two or three large pigs were brought down, when it was proposed to take them on board and turn them loose amongst some sheep. I objected to their being taken in that way, insisting that if they were taken on board they should be penned off in the usual manner. There was it appears no time for that, and they were left behind. 44. Referring to clause 2 and 9 of the prospectus of February, 1875, respecting the principle on which the special settlers were to acquire land at Karamea, please explain the mode adopted hitherto to carry out the conditions of clause 2, and in what position the settlers now stand in regard to the land they occupy ; also, whether they will receive a grant of such land in pursuance with the terms of the aforesaid clause, provided the occupants conform with the conditions ? —The clause has been drawn in accordance with clause 75 of " The Nelson Waste Lands Act, 1874;" therefore, in order to bring the special settlers under the operation of the said Act, all that was necessary was to insure that settlers complied with the provisions of the Act by making their application in due form for their land, and paying the necessary fees and deposit in the first instance, and by the subsequent payments of the rents when due, and also to insure that the Waste Lands Board did not assess the special settlement lands at more than £1 per acre. The applications have been made, and all preliminary fees and deposits paid. I have been informed, both by the late Superintendent of the Nelson Province, Mr. Curtis, and by the present Commissioner of Crown Lands at Nelson, that the Karamea Special Settlement lands have been assessed at the uniform rate of £1 per acre. No leases have yet been issued, consequently none of the settlers are as yet liable to pay rent. According to section 75 of "The Nelson Waste Lands Act, 1874," settlers will be entitled to Crown grants of their lands if they comply with the conditions set aside in clause 2 of the prospectus. 45. Were the terms set forth in clause 2 of the prospectus made with the cognizance of the Waste Lands Board, and has any record been made thereon ?—Yes ; but I know nothing of the record. 46. Please explain why the prospectus of February, 1875, was substituted for the former one issued in November, 1874 ?—To remedy certain discrepancies, and to make regulations generally applicable to Nelson special settlements. 47. Can you state the approximate cost of the tract from Little AVanganui to Mokihinui, also the length of road made ?—About £7,500, including survey and exploration ; the length is something under eighteen miles. 48. Does the track in question open up any land available for occupation; if so, please state approximate area?— Besides rendering the Karamea and the country north of it accessible, the track also traverses between Mokihinui and Little Wanganui some good land, and, although much of it is hilly, yet I believe that in course of time it will all be taken up by settlers ; at present it is locked up, and settlement upon part of it precluded, in consequence of its forming a portion of the Mount Rochfort Coalfield Reserve. I cannot hazard an opinion with regard to the amount of available land intersected by the road, for, although I have travelled it frequently, I have not had an opportunity of exploring the country on either side ; and, as the whole is densely wooded, my observations have been only of a superficial character. 49. Would it be advisable to expend a further sum in improving the track; if so, name the approximate amount in your opinion required to make it passable?—By clearing the slips and reparing two or three culverts and boggy places the track will be rendered available for summer use, either for horses or pedestrians. The cost would be about £60. But to render this track good in winter would enter entail a much larger expenditure, owing to the scarcity of road-metal along the line. It would be very advisable to keep the track in repair ; but I think that the expenditure above indicated should suffice for the present.

APPENDIX C. RETURN of POPULATION, STOCK, and AREA of CLEARED LAND, &c.

Locality. Males. Females. Children. Total. Houses. No. of Acres Cleared, including Bush newly felled. Stock. Horses. Cattle. Pigs. iramea South iramea North 20 33 20 23 39 52 85 108 20 30 55f 126 "a 28 200 43 66 59 43 91 193 50 181f 228 108 4—D. 7.