C—s

4

Extract from Results of Sale of Licenses of Otago Runs held at Dunedin on Thursday, the 28th February, 1889. (Forwarded with above Memorandum.) Runs with Possession on the 1st March, 1890.

Mr. Thomas Duncan, M.H.R., to the Hon. G. F. Richabdsox. Dioais 81K,— Pukeuri, 16th March, 1889. I now write to ask you to be good enough to explain how the Otekaike bungle has occurred, and why you did not stop the sale of this swindle in time. I also wish you to forward plans of the Canterbury runs as formerly held, and also the new plans as proposed by the Commissioners. I think a great mistake is being made in hurrying this sale, as proposed by you, in April. There should be at least three months' notice, and also several weeks for the residents to look into the classification and see if this is done in a manner suitable to the localities and wants of the people in each district. Most of the sales heretofore have been so hurried that there was not sufficient time to look into the matter properly; and their insufficient local publicity has caused a deal of grumbling and lost time. It is now six years since the Hon. W. Rolleston promised me, in the House of Representatives, that all land-sales in Waitaki should be locally advertised in the Oamaru papers, and that all such land-sales should be held in Oamaru. I hope this will be given effect to in future. I hear of several complaints about the water-frontage being cut off the sections that are being prepared for sale in the last of the Kurow Block, and the delay ia having them sold. I have not got a plan of this yet, so I cannot say how the sections are being cut up; but I think there has been unnecessary delay in this matter. Is the land company paying rent and keeping down rabbits upon this land? if rent, how much? Is the company (Campbell and Sons) paying rent for the islands in the Waitaki ? if so, how much ? Is John McLean paying rent for the islands opposite his property on the Waitaki ? I hope you can answer these few questions soon. lam anxious to know how the Canterbury Commissioners have dealt with the Canterbury runs as to areas and classification. I hope this will be satisfactory. I hope you will reply soon. Yours, &c, Thos. Duncan.

The Hon. the Ministek of Lands to Mr. Thomas Duncan, M.H.R. Sic, — General Crown Lands Office, Wellington, Ist April, 1889. I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 16th ultimo, in which you ask for information concerning the Canterbury runs, and also to explain how the Otekaike bunsle occurred ; and why I did not stop the sale and this swindle in time. What you term the " Otekaike bungle " occurred through my writing 228 and 228 a in error for 28 and 28a in a telegram sent to the Commissioner of Crown Lands, Dunedin. The sale of Runs 28 and 28a was not stopped because it had actually taken place before I had any knowledge that a mistake had been made. As the expression " this swindle " cannot be applied to the sale of these runs at public auction and under keen competition, and as I feel sure you did not intend to apply it to the concerted action taken to obtain 28 and 28a for small grazing-runs, this portion of your question must remain unanswered until your meaning is made clear. Your remaining questions I will reply to seriatim. In regard to the date of the sale of the Canterbury runs, I have to state that ample time will now be given for publicity, as it is intended to offer the country south of Rangitata by auction at Tiinaru on the 30th May, and the remaining land at Christchurch on the 4th June. As to the New Zealand and Australian Land Company paying rent and keeping down rabbits on unoccupied lands at Kurow, I have to state that until you asked the question I was not aware that there was any arrangement for the occupation of the land by the company. I find, however, that on the 23rd May last the Land Board granted temporary permission, terminable at any time, to the company to occupy 2,200 acres, being Run I of 23, Kurow (reserved for settlement, and the survey of which has just been completed), on condition of keeping the same clear of rabbits to the satisfaction of the Rabbit Inspector. lam also informed that on the 4th April, 1888, similar authority was given by the Board to Messrs. Campbell and Sons to occupy islands between the Otiake and Maruwhenua tributaries of the Waitaki River. Messrs. J. and A. McLean had a license for an island in the Waitaki (90 acres), Section 49, Block VIII., Papakaio, at a rental of £1 per annum ; but it lapsed on the 31st December, 1873. I have, &c, G. F. Richakdson, Minister of Lands.

Run, tun. 28 28a Area in Acres. I A Area in Acres 20,000 11,880 s.~ Term of Years. Upset Rental. Rental realised. Purchaser. £ £ 21 200 301 : E. Campbell and Sons (Limited) 21 125 251 Purchaser.