THE PROGRESS OF THE COLONY.

Waikato Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2215, 18 September 1886, Page 2 (Supplement)

THE PROGRESS OF THE COLONY.

The following letter and enclosures will be read with interest :—: — "The Treasury, •'September Ist, ISS6. "Siu, — I have the honour, by direction of the Colonial Treasurer, to enclose herewith .statements giving statistical information asked for in your lettt 13 01 4th June and 21st July last, and at the same time to express regret that it \v,is nor, found possible to send 3 on the figures at an early date. There is an immense amount of labour involved in compiling both the Census and Piopeity Tax Returns, which cannol bo done in a month or two, and even now, as you will ob &eive, some of the figures given ate only estimated. It is thought, however, you may rely upon thorn as being pretty neatly aeeurate. Tiie gold export and general import and twpoit returns are not in eluded, as Hi<\y are published quaiterly in the Gazette in which probably you have already te -u them. It is hoped the information is not supplied too late for your purpose.—" I have, to , "J C\ (Jivix, " Socrefaiy to the 'I re.isury. "G. G. Stead, Emj , CluHtchuiuh." 1. Total number of freeholders, ISS(>, 7:5,000. 2. V.ilue <>f real property (exclusive of Crown and Native lands, 1 ail way. s, &c). 5!H>,832,f>40. 3. Value of real property as^es-od for the year ISSS, £111,000,000. Note — No. 3 us exclusive of native lands beyond five miles of any road suitable for horse traffic, and of all railway*, telegraphs and public works. The total amount of personal property has not yet been ascertained. Estimated Number of Live Stock on Ist Apiil, 188(5. Sheop . . . . 15,224,000 Hoises . . .. 200,000 Pigs . . 200,000 Cattle 8(54,000 (Exclusive of stock belonging- to natives). KAIMV.-US. Estimated Value of Lines Opened between 31st March and 30th June. Oxford-Lichheld . £41,000 Masterton-Manawatu . ... !)2,000 New Plymouth-Breakwater . l.">, 000 £148,000 This, added to the estimated cost of opened lines, March 31st, 188(>, viz., £12,472,811, gives the following estimated value of lines opened to 30th June, 188G £12,020,814 LAM). Approximate value of Crown Lands. North Island £2,2.")0,000 Middle Island, inclusive of Stewart Island 8,000,000 Total £10,000,000 Since 1870 an area of 4,274,000 acres has been purchased from the natives in the North Island at a cost of £000,000, the value of which may be taken at least at €1,.~>00,000; this is included in the £2,230,000 North Island, as above. The above estimates are for unsold Crown lands, and do not include education reserves, endowments for High Schools, Universities, hospitals, harbours, municipalities and other public purposes, the total value of which \\[\\ be at least two or three millions more. naKcmi'ii"-,. £ s d Land linos . . 4fi~>,l (;( > ?'» 0 Conk Strait Cables 8!,lN0 2 4 Telephone exchanges .. 4,001 1 7 Total £5S«,i:»O 11) 1