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quantity measured was spread over the whole area of the section—2os acres—it would give a much truer average for the whole district. There was no doubt in my mind that the totara measured very much exceeded the average, and that if it were taken at one-fourth it would be about right. This would give a result per acre as follows—that is, dividing the quantity measured by 205. Rimu ... ... ... ... ... 5,027 superficial feet per acre. Matai ... ... ... ... ... 1,524 White-pine ... ... ... ... 3,700 Totara ... ... ... ... ... 162 10,413 Estimating the area covered with convertible timber at 16,000 acres, we have — Rimu ... ... ... ... ... 80,432,000 superficial feet. Matai ... ... ... ... ... 24,384,000 White-pine ... ... ... ... 59,200,000 Totara... ... ... ... ... 2,592,000 166,608,000 at 6d. per 100ft. = £41,652. I have entered somewhat into details in case it might be required to know by what formula the estimate has been obtained, and the average contents per tree may be useful for future estimates. The area of flat land in each valley is deduced from a survey made by Mr. Pickering about 1873, and should be fairly accurate. For the information in the report relative to the cost of tramway, &c, I am indebted to Mr. W. H. Smith, Messrs. Brownlee and Co.'s manager. It will be seen that at the head of the Ronga and Rai Valleys, the boundary of land available for settlement encroaches considerably on the reserve for climatic purposes, but since the latter was unfortunately proclaimed in the absence of reliable topographical data, its boundaries will have to be amended. Sidney Weetman, "'. Chief Surveyor.

APPENDIX F. Marlborough. Beport on Bai Valley District. Sir, — Department of Lands and Survey, Blenheim, 26th July, 1894. As directed by your memorandum of 2nd June, No. 14662, I have the honour to report that I inspected the Rai Valley during that month, spending eight days there, to ascertain from actual measurement, as accurately as it is possible to do so, the quantity of convertible timber, including rimu (red-pine), matai (black-pinej, kahikatea (white-pine), and totara, growing on an average acre of Crown land, on which to base an estimate of the total quantity of accessible timber growing on the flat and hill-sides, commencing at the junction of the Pelorus and Rai Rivers, and extending to the head of the Opouri or Upper Rai, including the smaller valleys of the Brown, Ronga, Tunakino, and Tunapai. Timber. — I estimate that the area within which the milling-timber is confined, and fairly accessible —say up to a height of 300ft. above the valleys—amounts, in round numbers, to 16,000 acres (shown by a red line on the attached map), and the quantity of timber per acre is as follows :—■ Rimu ... ... ... ... ... 5,027 superficial feet per acre. Matai ... ... ... ... ... 1,524 White-pine ... ... ... ... 3,700 Totara ... ... ... ... ... 162 Total ... ... ... ... 10,413 This would give over the 16,000 acres a total as follows: — Rimu ... ... 80,432,000 superficial feet. Matai ... ... 24,384,000 White-pine ... ... 59,200,000 Totara ... ... 2,592,000

166,608,000superficial feet at 6d.per 100ft.=£41,652. As the above estimate is based on what is known as miller's measurement, it may safely be taken as a minimum quantity. It will be seen from the above that the quantity of rimu is far in excess of any of the other timbers, white-pine coming next, matai third, and totara last, as might be expected. As far as my inspection went, the heaviest timber is to be found up Rimu Gully, the Ronga Valley, and the head of the Opouri or Upper Rai, beyond the Tunapai Stream. As to the best means of removing the timber, Messrs. Brownlee and Co.'s tramway, which is practically a railway, extends from the mill at Blackball up the Pelorus Valley for a distance of about nine miles, i.e., nearly up to the junction of the Pelorus and Rai Rivers. This line was completed about 1887, at a total cost of about £21,809, or £2,243 per mile, although I am informed that the last three miles cost only £1,000 a mile, the first six miles being much more expensive on account of bridges, cuttings, and embankments. The total cost mentioned includes freehold o right-of-way.