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No. 48. Memorandum from the Chief Surveyor, Christchurch, to the Surveyor-General. Department of Lands and Survey : District Office, Christchurch, 4th April, 1893. Re Cheviot. Tenders for grazing rights over Cheviot subdivisions close to-morrow at noon. You shall have telegraphic notice of tenders. Will you please notify me at earliest possible moment whether any tenders are accepted. Mr. W. Robinson offers to lease the manager's house, the adjacent buildings known as " the store," and stable, with the paddock extending therefrom along the Tea Block, and comprising some 70 acres, he says. He also wants to carry on the butchery business, and for that purpose wants the use of the slaughter-house and paddock attached thereto. He is willing to pay 5 per cent, on value of the buildings and land as rent per annum for a period of eleven months. The buildings were valued at £1,000 and £1,400 respectively; and the land might for the purpose be put down at £4 per acre capital value as regards the Tea Block, but the other could be taken at the average price. If approved I will close with Mr. Robinson on the basis indicated, after an inspection and after conserving public interests. It would be an advantage to have Mr. Robinson on the property for a time, as he is at all times ready to afford information and assistance. He would keep a livery stable and paddock for horses, and make fair charges. Kindly wire if I may proceed to arrange with Mr. Robinson on lines indicated. In regard to your telegram of 30th March, 1893, as to estimated cost of surveys and road formation, Cheviot, I am not prepared to name a sum off-hand, but will consider the matter and report at a future time. J. W. A. Marchant, The Surveyor-General, Wellington. Chief Surveyor.

No. 49. The Commissioner of Crown Lands, Christchurch, to the Surveyor-General. (Urgent telegram.) Christchurch, sth April, 1893. Cheviot tenders as follows, for periods advertised for.—Wart: W. T. Robinson, £1,232, and J. H. Davison, £330. For Tormore: Acton-Adams, £1,219; and Davison, £330. For Benmore : W. B. Clarkson, £955 ; Colin Stewart, £616 ; and Davison, £275. For Seaward: W. Grant, £662. For East Waiau :H. A. Knight, £504. For West Waiau: C. T. Todhunter, £451. For Hurunui: Clarkson, £500. For Port Hills : Randall and Musgrove, £200; and Clarkson, £450. But as latter will only take two blocks presume Randall and Co. have preference. No tenders for Homestead. Please wire decision at once. J. W. A. Marchant, Surveyor-General, Wellington. Commissioner of Crown Lands.

No. 50. The Under-Secretary for Crown Lands to the Chief Surveyor, Christchurch. (Urgent telegram.) 6th April, 1893. Cheviot tenders for leasing. The following are accepted.—For Wart Block: W. Robinson, £1,232 for eleven months. For Tormore Block : Acton-Adams, £1,219 for eleven months and six months. For Benmore Block :W. B. Clarkson, £955 for eleven months. For Seaward block : W. Grant, £662 for eleven months. For East Waiau Block :H. A. Knight, £504 for six months. For West Waiau Block :C. T. Todhunter, £451 for six months. For Hurunui Block : W. B. Clarkson, £500 for six months. Total, £5,523. The Port Hills Block and Homestead Block to be at once readvertised for tender in one block, and the tenders of Randall and Musgrove and Clarkson declined. Mr. Robinson could have manager's house and paddock as proposed from month to month, but it may depend on how Homestead Block is taken up. The Chief Surveyor, Christchurch. A. Barron.

No. 51. The Commissioner of Crown Lands, Christchurch, to the Surveyor-General. (Telegram.) Christchurch, 10th April, 1893. Cheviot.—Tenders for Port Hills and Homestead Blocks combined, are Randall and Musgrove, £550, and Jos. Wharton £200 ; both for six months. The first is at rate of Is. Bfd. per acre a year, whilst average for seven blocks already let is 2s. Id. Considering all circumstances, I recommend accepting Randall and Musgrove's tender. The total annual rental on all nine blocks, comprising 13,300 acres, at rate of about 2s. an acre, or a total of £1,448. Please reply if possible by 3 o'clock. J. W. A. Marchant, Surveyor-General, Wellington. Commissioner of Crown Lands.