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a—B

Memorandum from Inspector Douglass to the Hon. the Minister of Lands. Dunedin, 18th April, 1889. In accordance with_ your instructions I have inspected Buns 28 and 28a, Otekaike, and have the honour to report on their suitability for smaller subdivision, as follows : — With the exception of some very small valleys in the south-east corner of Run 28, there is hardly an acre of'arable land in the two runs, the country being all high, very stony, and much broken with deep gullies. A glance at the map shows the general elevation to be from 2,000 ft. to 6,000 ft. above the sea-level. At the time of my inspection snow was lying on the higher mountains and extending downwards I,oooft. to 1,500 ft. No doubt four or live blocks of, say, two thousand acres each along the northern boundary could be worked with advantage in connection with adjoining low freehold country, being well grassed and with good aspect, but this would render all the back and higher country quite useless ; if, on the other hand, it was attempted to make boundaries of subdivisions run right back to main range, the cost of fencing would be very heavy, and there are no natural boundaries. The dotted track shown on map along the eastern boundary frequently crosses and recrosses the Otekaike River, and there are no flats suitable for homesteads. The back boundary of Robert Campbell and Sons' freehold and perpetual-lease sections run well up the hills. The area of arable land being so very limited and the country so high, I think smaller subdivision into either pastoral or small grazing-runs would be a great mistake. Alfred Douglass.

[Approximate Coat of Paper. — Preparation, nil; printing (1,200 copies', £2 18s. 6d.].

By Authority : Geobge Didsbuey, Government Printer, Wellington.—lBB9. 2—C. 8.