0.—9

18

The above are the main subdivisions of the estate as fenced. The term of lease in each case will date from 18th April, 1893. The mansion, woolshed, store, stables, slip, shed at port, and other large buildings and cottages are excluded from the blocks. An unprecedented opportunity is offered to persons requiring one or more of the above blocks of splendid country on favourable and advantageous terms. Tenders marked on the outside, " Tender for the Right of Pasturage over the Block, Cheviot Estate," and addressed to the Commissioner of Crown Lands, Christchurch, will be received at the District Lands and Survey Office, Christchurch, up to 12 noon on Wednesday, sth April, 1893. No tender will be accepted unless accompanied by a deposit of one month's rent, either in cash, bank-draft, or cheque, marked good for fourteen days. The highest or any tender not necessarily accepted. J. W. A. Marchant, District Land and Survey Office, Christchurch, Commissioner of Crown Lands. 21st March, 1893.

No. 41. The Chief Surveyor, Christchurch, to the Surveyor-General. Cheviot. Department of Lands and Survey : District Office, Christchurch, 22nd March, 1893. Advertisement and Plan. —In compliance with your telegraphic instructions of the 21st instant, I have inserted advertisements in the Christchurch morning papers calling for tenders for right of grazing the Cheviot blocks. See plan attached.* Preservations. —You will observe that I have excepted 1,119 acres round the mansion, woolshed, and other buildings at the Homestead, of which about 464 acres surround the mansion, the remainder will, with your approval, be allotted for working the woolshed, and leased advantageously as may be arranged subsequently. The other exceptions comprise Section 7, north of the Waiau, and reserves at the slip, Gore Bay, post-office, Kaiwara, Rabbit Board's cottage, &c. Woolshed, Slip, do. —The lessees will be allowed to use the woolshed and dip free ; and if they require the use of the slip and homestead buildings, which may be available, the terms will be subject to arrangement and payment of reasonable charges or rent. Cropping. —The stubble and turnip paddocks fall within the six months' leases. I presume we can deal with such paddocks specially as may be decided later on. Mr. Darrock wants to continue cropping, and I have no doubt that it would be well to deal with the stubble lands at once. In any case it appears necessary to break up the whole area and sow same by early spring. If so, we must take the right to resume the lands before the 18th October. I should like the Hon. Mr. McKenzie's opinion on the subject, as the conditions of sale are being drawn up. Interviews : Mr. Campbell, Mr. Sinclair, and others. —Last Saturday I visited the Cheviot, and saw the several persons indicated by the Minister of Lands. I have ascertained Mr. C. R. Campbell's views, but I have to see him again on my return. Mr. Sinclair is willing to take employment under the Government at £240 a year. Mr. Painter, the boatman, is also willing to remain. Mr. Ward will be pleased to act as Ranger; he could combine the duties with his present work for the present. Thebutcher and blacksmith will probably remain. Mr. Butt has permission to stack his material. Mr. Darrock's application to crop should not be entertained, except as regards putting the stubble and turnip lands in the best possible state at the proper time. Main Boad. —Mr. Pritchard, the road contractor, is anxious to complete one and a half miles of road from the Hurunui terrace towards the Homestead. He undertook to form the road 20ft. wide, crown 18 (far too much), and to place nearly 9in. thickness of shingle by 12ft. in width on top, the price per chain being 325. 6d.; the average lead is three-quarters of a mile, and the cost very reasonable. I informed Mr. Pritchard I would have the road properly located, and see him again on the subject. I strongly recommend that you authorise the construction of the road from the Hurunui Bridge to the Homestead ; otherwise it will be impassable next winter, and affect the sale of the lands; no time should be lost, lam having the work laid out in anticipation that an officer will be specially appointed to carry out road-works under my directions. Baihvay-line.—We are waiting for the Public Works Department to lay-off the railway-line. They should also report on the Hurunui Bridge, the slip, and the road to port. The Crown Solicitor has been requested to prepare fresh conditions, modified as follows : (1.) Maintenance will be confined to fences, hedges, plantations, yards, and huts. All large buildings, slip, &c, having been reserved for future disposal and arrangement. (2.) Accommodation for travellers will not be specified for or enforced. I hope to have a store and accommodation-house opened by a respectable person. (3.) Right to resume, on 18th June, 1893, if the Hon. Jno. McKenzie so decides, the area which Mr. Darrock has had under crop. (4.) Provision for access through the blocks to enable lessee of back blocks to drive stock on and off, &c. (5.) Lessees to pay proportion of taxes for period of lease. As the mail is closing I have only time to add that I shall be glad if you will fix the number of sheep or cattle you think we should allow on each block. I have forwarded advertisements to Oamaru and Dunedin papers; and will insert one in Nelson Blenheim, and Invercargill papers. J. W. A. Marchant, The Surveyor-General, Wellington. Chief Surveyor.

* Sale-plan and advertisement thereon will be out on Friday.