a—9

14

10. I venture to call the attention of the Minister to the state of the Hurunui Bridge, and to inform him that this requires very urgent attention; and I stated that there is a report in the Public Works Department—l believe from an engineer who was sent to ascertain its condition some months ago. This bridge is insured in the name of the Queen at present. A serious fire occurred at the south end of it some time ago, and this was patched up at the time by the trustees. 11. The Minister promised to give directions that policemen should be in attendance at the sale to protect the plantations and buildings from the risk of fire. The trustees will take every precaution on their part; but the difficulty is that when property is once known to belong to the Government it is impossible to induce strangers to take proper care. 12. I have undertaken to meet the trustees, and ascertain definitely whether they would be prepared to accept debentures at, say, six months' currency. I informed the Minister that I would not accept debentures at 4 per cent, but that I would be satisfied personally to accept debentures at 4|- per cent., but that some of my co-trustees objected to anything but cash. 13. With regard to the Cheviot title, 1 requested that I might be placed in direct communication with the Solicitor-General, in order that I might lay before him the proposals I have to make, to satisfy him, and in order that, if he be not satisfied, I may at once take the opinion of the Court as to whether what I propose is not satisfactory. Mr. Palmer, one of my co-trustees, is also agent under a delegated power for my co-trustee, Mrs. Lance, who is in England, and Mr. Palmer informs me that he will decline to sign the conveyance on behalf of Mrs. Lance. The four trustees other than Mr. Palmer will sign an undertaking to obtain Mrs. Lance's signature, and will also obtain a cablegram from Mrs. Lance authorising them to do so. They have sent Home a power of attorney, and they will further obtain a cablegram from Mrs. Lance to the effect that she has executed the power; otherwise lam satisfied that no exception could be taken to the title; but lam anxious that no question should arise after the date on which we give delivery, as on the day on which it is arranged that delivery should be taken interest must commence on the amount due by the Government to us. I shall, therefore, be obliged if I receive instructions to communicate with the Solicitor-General on the question of the title. This is not with regard to the details of the title, which will, no doubt, be examined by the Crown solicitors, but with regard to the actual execution of the conveyance. 14. With regard to the small piece of land on the other side of the Waiau, the trustees will probably consent to sell this to the Government at a valuation if the Government desire to purchase it. I have, &c, The Commissioner of Taxes, Wellington. H. D. Bell.

No. 21. Cheviot Estate. Notice is hereby given that the right of pasturage over the Cheviot Estate, comprising about 85,000 acres, for a period of eleven (11) months, from Ist May, 1893, will be offered at auction at the Lands and Survey Office, Christchurch, on Tuesday, 28th February, at eleven o'clock a.m., at the upset rental of £867 per month. The Government reserves the right of resuming, after the Ist October, 1893, 30,000 acres of the estate for settlement, a proportionate reduction in the rent to be allowed the lessee for the area thus resumed. A copy of the conditions of lease may be seen at this office after the 15th instant. J. W. A. Marchant, Commissioner of Crown Lands. Lands and Survey Office, Christchurch, 13th February, 1893.

No. 22. The Commissioner of Taxes to H. D. Bell, Esq. Sir, — Land and Income Tax Department, Wellington, 15th February, 1893. By way of reply to your letter of the 10th, I have of state that I have laid it before the Hon. the Minister of Lands, who agrees with me that it correctly summarises what took place at the interview. It was understood that you should place yourself in direct communication with the SolicitorGeneral. Yours, &c, H. D. Bell, Esq., Wellington. C. M. Crombie, Commissioner.

No. 23. The Under-Secretary for Crown Lands to the Commissioner of Crown Lands, Christchurch. 23rd February, 1893. Cheviot Estate. The conditions prepared by the Crown Solicitor have been very slightly added to and are herewith returned, also one copy in type. The Minister has named Mr, Matson as the auctioneer, if his terms are reasonable. The Telegraph Department ask that ten acres should be allowed them for horses and cows, but I think the reservation in No. 9is sufficient. I was not aware there was a lineman's place at the Gower confluence. The Telegraph Department has no title.