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Land Act, the Board met at Gisborne and decided to obtain further evidence in regard to the suitability of the run for settlement, and they appointed Mr. Bartram, a member of the Board to inspect the run in company with the Crown Lands Hanger, but at the last moment the Ranger left the matter in Mr. Bertram's hands, saying that he was already fully acquainted with the oountn and was prepared to indorse any decision arrived at. Mr. Bertram's report was considered In the •and Board on the 14th ultimo, when it was decided to submit the case for the Hon. the Minister of Lands decision. I enclose for your information oopy of the tracing which accompanied \|, Bartram a report, in whioh is shown approximately the two areas into which it is proposed to subdivide the run, together with the proposed road of access thereto, the lessee to be offered area of about 2,483 acres together with homestead, improvements, fro., and the bal.-. tbout 876 acres disposed of on the optional system. The Minister lias decided that this in which you should be asked to get a report from your officer as to the suitability of the run For sub division. In doing so 1 would ask that your Valuer decide whether, in his opinion, it is necessary to purchase a portion of Messrs. Hloomfield's property, as shown on tracing marked " \ " or whether in accordance with the last report from Mr. Bartram it is unnecessary Mr Bartram stales that the land within the area shown on tracing " ,\ " is quite unfit for homestead pin p. being very steep and broken, and the cost of fencing would be considerable and would fall upon the tenants. Please furnish a report on this matter for the Minister's information at your earliest convenience. Wμ. C. Kbnkinuton, Under-Secretai v

Valuation Department, Wellington, 15th September. 1908 Memorandum for the Under-Secretary. Department of Lands. Wellington. Small Grazing-run >,'>, Waingaromia. I APPHND for your information a copy of a report which I have received in this matter ii..,,, District \ aluer Lewis : — " I have carefully gone over the above run. and submit the following report thereon : "This run has a large area of broken, and indifferent oountrv of a pumicy nature while several of the faces are of a slippy nature-, and the altitude 2.000 ft. in parts, and 50,,,,, faces of .In' good land have bad aspect. 'The north-eastern portion which Mr. Bartram proposes to cut into a separate holding is practically the ears and eyes of this run, comprising as it does the major portion of the best land in the run, and it is on this portion, which I may point out is tl„. newer country that the greater carrying-capacity per acre- is shown, it being originally hush land, while the residue was originally fern and manuka land of indifferent quality and the cost of maintenance substantial and at present a fairly large area n-quires clearing of manuka, which is coming away fairly strong 'The- poorer portion of the run (marked 'Sub. No. 1 ' on Mr. Bartram's plan) is carrying practically all the improvements, as it is here where homestead, yards, woolshed, 4c , are situatedconsequently, if subdivided, the poorer portion of the run would be required to carry the gn loading tor improvements, as it would be difficult to avoid this, even if adopting subdivision into two lots, and this in my opinion would not be prudent. "As this run is situated some eighteen to nineteen miles inland from Te Karaka (which ; s nineteen miles from Gisborne) and has a very bad winter road, and as there is no fencing-timbei on the run. it will at once be seen that carriage is a serious item, and the difficulty of getting away small cuts of fat stock as occasion arises is somewhat great. " I may here add that several of the Kanakanaia settlers are already complaining of the cost of carriage. &c, and one settler pointed out to me a small two-roomed house- which had cost him up to the present (it is still incomplete) over £120, and this is some distance nearer Karaka than the run m question, while another states he would gladly walk out for actual cost of the improve ments he has effected. "It is possible to subdivide this run into two. but in my opinion not prudent, owing to the varying nature of the land and the difficulty of getting fence-lines and a second building-site The site proposed by Mr. Bartram would necessitate a road crossing over a broken gully of slippi country, and xvould entail a cost of from £200 to .£250. and it is questionable, from the nature of the country to be traversed, if it would stand long. "To summarise as to suitability of subdivision, I would point out, "(1.) The indifferent nature of the run as a whole as regards quality, cost of maintenance in keeping down manuka, 4c and refer you to the attached tracing, which gives, I think a fair idea of the patchy nature of this run. "(2.) The total absence of fencing-material, and the distance the same xvould have to be caned, or, rather, packed, xvhich is at present being done, for eighteen or nineteen miles (3.) Severance of the 875 acres as per Mr. Bartram's plan would leave almost entirely the poorer country to carry the burden of loading for improvements. " Generally, I am of opinion that subdivision is not advisable. "As regards the 117 acres offered by Messrs. Bloomfield Bros, adjoining this run the price asked is absolutely excessive, and, in my opinion, it is not required. With the exception of a small corner of bush, the area in question is miserably poor manuka land, and would require from four to five miles of fencing on a difficult and expensive line to maintain. "I attach a plan showing the respective portions of good, indifferent, and poor land and also return tracing of Mr. Bartram's proposed subdivision." G. F. C. Campbell, Valuer-General.