G.—2

20

(10.) And generally to make inquiry (]O.) (a.) The area of Subdivision 6 will into any matter "or thing arising out of allow each of the forty .f our persons entitled to or connected with the several subjects . -~-vj- 1 ±<• A t of inquiry hereinbefore mentioned, or receive 105 acres ; but from the shape and posiwhich, in your opinion, may be of as- tion of the sections, if it be cut up, it is evident sistance in fully ascertaining, explain- that the value of each share will not, although ing, or assisting at arriving at a fair and it snom a be equal. None of the Natives reside lust conclusion in respect of the subiects -, ij.- x- j_i • i t■ ■ of inquiry, or any of them, or any part or have cultivations on this subdivision, thereof or in relation thereto, and also and we suggest that it can be considered to determine — whether the Crown should not acquire this land, which is suitable for settlement, and pay the Native owners its value. A lease has been granted to Mr. Bartholomew, giving him the right to cut timber on this section, but we believe no difficulty would be found in making an equitable arrangement with him, under which he would cut out of the bush as the land was required for settlement. (b.) A block of about 1,500 acres, forming the north-eastern corner of Subdivision No. 11, bounded by the north and eastern boundaries of that subdivision, the northern boundary of the township, and a swamp extending from Lake Horowhenua to the northern boundary of Subdivision No. 11, is not used by the Natives for dwellings or cultivations, is cut off from the remainder of the subdivision, and, as it stands, is of little practical value to the Natives ; it is suitable for settlement, and we suggest the advisability of considering whether the Crown should not also acquire this piece of land. The remainder of Subdivision No. 11 we recommend be vested in the Public Trustee, to hold in hand for the members of the tribe entitled to it. That portion of the Subdivision lying to the south of the Hokio Stream should, we suggest, be retained for the Natives to run their stock on; whilst that portion to the north of the stream not occupied by the Natives' dwellings and cultivations he leased so that the Native owners should have moneys regularly coming in. The Hokio Stream and Lake Horowhenua should be reserved as fishing-grounds for the owners of Subdivisions Nos. 9 and 11. Subdivision No. 12 is practically worthless for any purpose except a forest reserve. It lies between two forest reserves, and, if it be acquired by the Crown, the Natives will obtain its value in cash, whilst the Crown will complete the forest reserves on the west side of the Tararua Eanges. Mr. Peter Bartholomew has, it seems to us, a fair claim for the consideration of the Government. It appears that, in 1889, he paid Kemp .£5OO for the right to cut timber on 1,000 acres, part of Subdivision No. 11. He spent, in addition to the £500 paid to Kemp, about £150 in putting down a tramway. When he had obtained about fifty pounds' worth of timber the Crown took possession of the State Farm, including the before-mentioned 1,000 acres ; and Mr. Bartholomew has had to pay the Crown royalties, amounting to nearly £420, for cutting timber on this 1,000 acres, so that he has had to pay Kemp £500, and subsequently had to pay the Crown another £420 for the same timber rights. The following is the valuation of the block, made at our request by Messrs. Gγ. P. Richardson, A. Simpson, and J. Bell. Their report, accompanied by a sketch, forms one of the exhibits to the evidence :—

Subaivision. Areas. Per Acre. Total Value. Eemarks. 12a 12b 12c 4 . 7 8 ■6a . 6b 14 Acres. 4,800 4,700 3,637 512 312 265 2,750 1,870 1,191 £ s. 0 1 0 2 0 5 0 5 0 7 0 10 1 5 4 3 6 10 a. 0 0 0 0 6 0 0 0 0 £ s. 240 0 470 0 909 5 129 0 117 0 132 10 3,437 0 7,947 10 7,741 10 a. 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 High mountain country. Very high hill country. High hill country. High hill country, but falling into basin. Lower than Subdivision 4. Well into basin, but steep surroundings. Good ridge land, some a little high. Level land, ranging from rich to stony. Plat, mostly very rich land, 400 acres in grass, fenced, 100 acres felled. Good, but parts want draining. Small area very good, rest well grassed sandhills. ;aumatangi 9 100 1,200 5 10 3 5 0 0 550 0 3,900 0 0 0 iar. forward 1 '21,337 25,572 15 0