G.—s.

1. Between "Waipingao (White Cliffs) and Titoki— Acres. There are twelve compensation awards made in 1866-69, amounting to ... ... 3,458 Government awards for Ngatitama tribe ... ... ... ... 1,300 4,758 The land available in this district is on the coast between Waipingao and Pukearuhe, then inland of a block surveyed for military settlers to a line drawn south-east from Titoki; but though this block forms a portion of the boundary a resurvey of that boundary must also be made, it being only an old compass survey. The coast would require traversing, and the back and side lines cut, and also subdivision lines for the individual awards. The nature of the country is rough and uneven, covered with forest, and I estimate it would take a surveyor about nine months to complete the work. 2. Titoki to Urenui : Here a large area is wanted, viz. : — Acres. Thirty-five compensation awards ... ... ... ... ... ... 6,450 Bequired for Chatham Islanders, estimated ... ... ... ... 10,000 Proportion of awards to Ngatimutunga, say ... ... ... ... 1,500 Promised to Heni Paraone and another ... ... ... ... ... 500 18,450 The land available for these awards lies behind the military settlers' land, south-west of a line drawn inland from Titoki, then from the coast inland between the Mimi and Urenui Bivers ; but as this coast-line, and a portion of each of the rivers has been properly traversed, work be somewhat facilitated. Still, with the exception of about 2,000 acres, the land is very hilly, and covered with bush, and at the present time comparatively inaccessible. Also, some difficulty will arise in laying out anything like satisfactory lines of roads. This work will probably employ two surveyors for at least twelve months. 3. Urenui to Eau-o-te Huia :— Acres. Eequired for fifty-two compensation awards ... ... .., ... 3,450 Proportion of awards to Ngatimutunga ... ... ... ... ... 1,500 And a block of land between Onaero and Eau-o-te-Huia, the actual disposition of which is not yet decided upon ... ... ... .., ... 2,800 7,750 The land to be operated upon, with the exception of the 2,800 acres, lies behind the block surveyed for the Native Contingent, and forms part of the Onaero-Urenui-Taramouku Block acquired from the Natives ; it is all forest land, and in some places very rough. A portion of one of the boundaries has been properly surveyed, and it is possible that the traverse of the Onaero may be made available by means of trial and tie lines. As the subdivisions required are most of them small, and the land some considerable distance from a main road, the survey will most likely employ a surveyor for twelve months. 4. Ngatirahiri Block, of 15,000 acres. This block is surrounded, except on the coast, by lands previously compass-surveyed, some for military settlers and others for acquirement from Natives; but these surveys were hurriedly made, and cannot be relied upon for present purposes, and a complete resurvey of the whole must be made. The work abutting on the military settlements will, however, be somewhat simplified owing to the extension of triangulation in the district near the coast. The survey, without subdivision (which the Natives, however, are anxious to have done), would engage a surveyor about twelve months. 5. The Eimutauteka Block, of 17,000 acres. This block lies very far inland, and is probably in a worse condition for survey purposes than the previous one, the boundaries being very irregular. A portion of the survey of the Ngatirahiri will, however, form a part boundary, and also the line on the western side can be used; still, from its remoteness and consequent inaccessibility, the survey will be somewhat expensive, probably taking a surveyor ten months. 6. Between Oakura and Stony Eiver there are about 8,700 acres awarded to Eopata Ngarongomafce, Porikapa, Komene, and others. This is a very rough block, including the Patua Banges, and from the irregular shape of its north and west boundaries will give considerable trouble. These boundaries are formed by military settlements, but the survey is of such a nature that it can neither be relied upon nor used. This, with its subdivision for three awards, will take about eight months. There are also reserves amounting to 1,500 acres in the Ngatimaru country not yet surveyed. There is also a probable award to Wiremu Kingi Te Bangitake's people, aud a compensation award to the Ngatirahiri for land of theirs taken and occupied by military settlers at Tikorangi, and several reserves between Bell Block and Waitara, yet to be Crown-granted, which may require resurveying or adjustment —most likely enough work to employ a surveyor for nine months. The completion of the survey of the Stony Eiver Block, with its subdivision, will take about four months. The boundaries and subdivision survey of that portion of the Opunake Block restored to Wi Kingi Matakatea and Arama Karaka, of the Ngatihaumite hapu, and lying between the rivers Taungatara and Waiaua, will take a surveyor about six months; whilst the survey of the larger portion of the same block, lying between the Waiaua and Moutoti, will engage another surveyor at least six months also. Summing up the work to be done, I find it would most likely employ my present staff of four surveyors about two years and one month, and the probable cost of the whole Survey Department for that period would be about £9,500. My calculations with regard to quantity of land required have been based upon the report of the West Coast Boyal Commission. Mr Humphries, Chief' Surveyor of Taranakj, has kindly given me every information relative to the state of previous surveys ; and knowledge of the physical features of the country has been derived from personal observation. I have, &c, The Hon. Sir W. Vox, K.C.M.G-., H. Ltjfkin Seeet, West Coast Eoyal Commissioner, Chief Surveyor, West Coast Eoyal New Plymouth. Commission.

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