D.—l 3

1888. NEW ZEALAND.

CROWN LANDS AND ROADS IN THE WAITOTARA DISTRICT (RETURNS RELATIVE TO).

Return to an Order of the House of Representatives dated Ist November, 1887. Ordered, " (a) That there be laid upon the table a return showing (1) the area of the various blocks of land, including education reserves, belonging to the Crown, and situate wholly or in part in the Electoral District of Waitotara ; (2) what moneys have been expended or liabilities incurred in the construction of roads into or for the purpose of opening up such blocks; (3) what reports have been received as to the suitability or otherwise of such blocks for settlement, (b) The return also to show (1) the amount expended on the several roads in the Waitotara Electoral District during each of the three last years, ending 30th September ; (2) the number of new roads laid out in the district, and to what settlements or places they were severally intended to give access ; (3) what portion of the work was done by contract, (4) what by day-labour, (5) the names of the several persons employed as engineers, surveyors, and inspectors, (6) the names of all persons (other than contractors aud day-labourers) who received money in connection with said roads, and the amount paid to each; (7) out of what fund was the money provided ; (8) the names of the Ministers who gave authorities for the work." —(Mr. Hutchison and Major Jackson.)

A. 1. The area of the various blocks of land, including education reserves, belonging to the Crown, and situate wholly or in part in the Electoral District of Waitotara.—Eight hundred thousand acres. 2. What moneys have been expended or liabilities incurred in the construction of roads into or for opening up such blocks.—By Public Works Department: Expenditure, £24,436 18s. 8d; liabilities, £5,886. By Survey Department: Expenditure, £10,331 17s. 9d.; liabilities, £2,381 2s. Id. Total expenditure, £34,768 16s. 5d.; total liabilities, £8,267 2s. Id. 3. What reports have been received as to the suitability or otherwise of such blocks for settlement.—Eeports in more or less detail have been received on most of the Native blocks recently surveyed. No general statement would define correctly the suitability of the 800,000 acres for settlement. B. 1. The amount expended on the several roads in the Waitotara Electoral District during each of the three last years ending the 30th September, 1887. —By Public Works Department: 1885-86, £232; 1886-87, £9,494; 1887-88, £5,761. By Survey Department: 1885-86, £603 os. lid.; 1886-87, £1,272 13s. lOd.; 1887-88, £1,284 18s. Totals: 1885-86, £835 os. lid.; 1886-87, £10,766 13s. lOd.; 1887-88, £7,045 18s. 2. The number of new roads laid out in the district, and to what settlements or places they were severally intended to give access. —The number of new roads laid out in district —about thirteen ; settlements or places to which they give access^Murimotu, Pipiriki, Patea River, Waitotara River, Motuwhero Valley, Maungakaretu, Momahaki, &c. 3. What portions of the work were done by contract.—By Public Works Department, £7,494; by Survey Department, £5,539 3s. lOd. : total, £13,033 3s. lOd. 4. What portions done by day-labour.—By Public Works Department, £13,879; by Survey Department, £637 os. 9d.: total, £14,516 os. 9d. Done by Road Boards, £2,003 19s. 5. The names of the several persons employed as engineers, surveyors and inspectors.—J. Rochfort, engineer; J. Anderson, assistant engineer; R. H. Reaney, assistant engineer; H. T. Lewis, surveyor; C. D. Brown, surveyor; R. A. Brown, surveyor; C. D. Turner, surveyor; G. D. Beere, surveyor; G. TP. Robinson, Crown Lands Ranger; J. Annabell, surveyor; P. Mabin, surveyor; A. D. Wilson, surveyor; W. Small, inspector; R. Garrett, inspector; J. Twigg, overseer; J. B. Ross, overseer; D. Nicoll, overseer; G. Baird, overseer; —Reid, overseer; — Hooper, overseer; — Cullen, overseer. 6, 7, 8, Schedule A. 6. The names of all persons (other than contractors or day-labourers) who received money in connection with said roads, and the amount paid to each. —T. Mabin, £590; J. Twigg, £129 Is.; G. F. Robinson, £28 6s. Id.; W. Smail, £6 4s. 6d.; J. Annabell, £369 3s. 6d. ;R. Garrett, £67 55.; R. H. Reaney, £9 4s. 4d.; A. D. Wilson, £413 17s. 9d.; H. T. Lewis, £167 16s. 9d.; J. Anderson, £44 Is.; Wanganui County, to Engineer, £275 155.; Wairoa Road Board, £1,140; WanganuiWaitotara Board, £763 195.; Upper Wangaehu Soad Board, £100; Bangitikei Advocate, £8 Bs.;