I.—lo.

II

It will therefore be seen that this huge territory is lying undeveloped, and is in no sufficient degree contributing its due share to the production, prosperity, and taxation of the Dominion. 5. That an extension of the Taupo Timber Company's line to Taupo would at once tap the entire district, and would lead to a large amount of settlement that at present is impossible. The cost of cartage of the necessaries of settlement and of products for market and export renders settlement under present conditions virtually impossible. 6. That your petitioners are of opinion that it would be inequitable that a large tract of Native land should be greatly increased in value without in some way contributing to the cost of the railway which would cause that increase. 7. That your petitioners arc aware that the Native owners recognize the facts stated in paragraph 6 of this petition, and would be prepared to sell to the Taupo Totara Timber Company a reasonable proportion of the total area at the present values, thus enabling tin , company to secure an additional asset upon which money could be raised for the construction of the railway. 8. That without some such additional asset your petitioners cannot see any hope of caking fche capital required, and consequently the prospects of opening up and developing the Taupo country may be postponed for many years, to the detriment of the Dominion. 9. That the demand for the opening-up of available land for settlement is so great ami incessant that your petitioners believe the bringing in of bhe Taupo countrj for settlement would be of immense and immediate benefit to the Dominion ; wlii'st the increase of State revenues from land-tax, postal services, stamp duties, &c, arising from settlement in the ana would lie very considerable. 10. Thai your petitioners are prepared to abide by any reasonable stipulations, conditions, and limitations as to area, tenure, terms. &c., imposed upon then regarding the settlement of the lands proposed to be acquired by them from the Natives. 11. That the opening of a railway passenger eervice to Wairakei and Taupo would mean the rapid development of a tourist district now not fully known. Taupo being the finest fishing resort in the world and this would result in largely increased passenger traffic upon the Government railway to and from Putaruru. 12. That the development of the Taupo country would result in an enormous increase of the railway traffic in passengers and goods to and from Auckland. 13. That for the reasons stated your petitioners pray the House of Representatives will favourably recommend the Government to issue an Order in Council empowering them to do the following things : — (a.) To purchase and dispose of, on such terms, conditions, and limitations as may be stipulated, an area of Native land in the districts to be affected by the Putaruru-Taupo Railway of not exceeding 200,000 acres as an additional asset of the company, and thus enable the line to be completed and tKe work of settlement in the Taupo country to be advanced. (b.) To extend their tramway from the present line to Lake Taupo in the Taupo township. F. G. Dalziell. [seal.] R. S. Abraham.

Petition of Residents of the District. To the Honourable the Speaker and Members of the House of Representatives in Parliament assembled. The petition of the undersigned residents of the district bounded by Oruanui on the north, Tokaauu on the south, and Runanga on the east (an area of approximately 600 square miles), including the townships of Onekeneke, Oruanui, Taupo, Tokaanu, Wairakei. and Waitahnui. in the Provincial Districts of Auckland and Wellington, humbly ahoweth — 1. That application is being made to your honourable House by the Taupo Totara Timber Company (Limited) for the granting of a charter empowering it to complete its existing railway by an extension from Mokai, via Wairakei, to Taupo. 2. That such extension is of vital necessity to the convenience, social, intellectual, and material well-being of your petitioners, the further development of the tourist traffic, and the settlement of vast areas of land at present unoccupied, and lying waste. ."?. That such extension will enhance the prosperity of the Dominion, and become a valuable asset of the State. And your petitioners, as in duty bound, will ever pray.

Signatures.

Name. Occupation. Address. A. S. Graham F. M. Graham John Home W. Sadler Jack Kahu A. J. Parkin Jack Collii'i Henrietta Cleall W. B. Calder Miss M. Thompson .. W. G. Cleall Alfred Bullock W. Macleland W. Stanley Gillies .. Manager, Tourist Resort .. Wairakei. Domestic duties. . .. Wairakei. Clerk .. .. .. Wairakei. Hotel servant .. . . Wairakei. Coachman . . .. Wairakei. Surveyor . . . Wairakei. Cook .. .. . . Wairakei. Domestic duties.. . . Wairakei. Landholder .. . . Oruanui. Domestic duties.. . . Oruanui. Gardener .. . . Wairakei. Guide .. .. .. Wairakei. Coachman .. .. Wairakei. Motor expert .. .. Taupo.