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No. 42. The Commissioner of Crown Lands, Christchurch, to the Surveyor-General. (Urgent telegram.) Christchurch, 24th March, 1893. Submit for approval following number of sheep : Wart, 16,500 ; Tormore, 20,500; Waiau, East and West, 11,500 ; Homestead, 7,700 ; Hurunui,;7,ooo; Port Hills, 6,000 ; Benmore, 8,500; and Seaward, 10,800: making 100,000 in all. Would Hon. Mr. McKenzie advise me as condition—delayed? J. W. A. Marchant, Surveyor-General, Wellington. Commissioner of Crown Lands.

No. 43. The Chief Surveyor, Christchurch, to the Surveyor-General. Department of Lands and Survey: (Memorandum.) District Office, Christchurch, 25th March, 1893. Re Cheviot. The draft conditions for leasing Cheviot in blocks have been prepared by the Crown Solicitor, and the conditions will be available on Monday, the 27th instant. A copy shall be posted for your perusal and revision. I have had to anticipate your approval of my proposals, but of course we can amend the conditions in any way you may decide. I expect to be on the estate again on Monday afternoon. I forward six copies of litho. by same mail. J. W. A. Marchant, The Surveyor-General, Wellington. Chief Surveyor.

No. 44. The Under-Secretary for Crown Lands to the Commissioner of Crown Lands, Christchurch. Re Cheviot. 25th March, 1893. In reply to your memorandum of 22nd instant (S. 2335), your recommendation as to resumption of lands under heading of " Cropping " is approved. As regards proposed employment of Mr. Sinclair and others, please delay any engagements for the present. Referring to Mr. Darrock, if the Government sell the land in October the settlers could do the stubble and turnip lands themselves. With reference to the road and railway proposals, this matter will be further considered by Government. Regarding special conditions of lease, condition No. 5 as to taxes is not necessary. As to question of number of sheep, this has been answered by telegram to-day. The Commissioner of Crown Lands, Christchurch. A. Barron.

No. 45. Commissioner of Crown Lands, Christchurch, to the Surveyor-General. (Urgent telegram.) Christchurch, 27th March, 1893. Be Cheviot. —I understand your memorandum of 28th to mean that you do not intend to deal with stubble and turnip lands before termination of leases on 18th October. Is that correct ? J. W. A. Marchant, Surveyor-General, Wellington. Commissioner of Crown Lands.

No. 46. The Under-Secretary for Crown Lands to the Chief Surveyor, Christchurch. (Telegram). 28th March, 1893. In reply re Cheviot: Following is limit of sheep for each run : Wart, 13,000; Tormore, 16,000; Waiau East and West, 11,500 each; Homestead, 7,700; Hurunui, 7,000; Port Hills, 7,000; Benmore, 9,500; Seaward Range, 13,000. Will reply to your letter 22nd instant by to-day's mail. The Chief Surveyor, Christchurch. A. Barron.

No. 47. The Under-Secretary for Crown Lands to the Commissioner of Crown Lands, Christchurch. (Telegram). 29th March, 1893. In reply re stubble and turnip lands Cheviot. Yes, these lands are to be leased till 18th October, as other lands. The Commissioner of Crown Lands, Christchurch, A. Barron.