KATIKATI SPECIAL SETTLEMENT (REPORT AND RETURN SHOWING THE NATURE AND EXTENT OF IMPROVEMENTS EFFECTED IN THE, TO THE END OF NOVEMBER, 1878).

Appendix to the Journals of the House of Representatives, 1879 Session I, H-10

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1879. NEW ZEALAND.

KATIKATI SPECIAL SETTLEMENT (REPORT AND RETURN SHOWING THE NATURE AND EXTENT OF IMPROVEMENTS EFFECTED IN THE, TO THE END OF NOVEMBER, 1878).

Presented to both Houses of the General Assembly by Command of His Excellency.

No. 1. The Commissioner of Crown Lands, Auckland, to the Undee Secretaet of Crown Lands. Sic, — Crown Lands Office, Auckland, Bth January, 1879. I have the honor tn forward herewith, for the information of the Hon. the Minister of Lands, copy of the Crown Banger's report on the nature arrd extent of the improvements effected by the Stewart special settlement selectors, on their holdings at Katikati. I have, &c, The Under Secretary for Crown Lands, D. A. Tole, Wellington. Commissioner of Crown Lands.

Enclosure in No. 1. C. 11. Hill, Crown Lands Hanger, to the Commissioned of Crown Lands. Sir, — Auckland, 9th December, 1878. In compliance with your request contained in letter No. 1664, of date 21st ultimo, that 1 would proceed 1o make an inspection of and report on the nature and extent of the improvements effected by the Stewart special settlement selectors, on their holdings at Katikati, I have the honor to state that I proceeded to that settlement, and made an inspection of the improvements ejected ; and now enclose a schedule containing all the information I could collect. I beg to state, for the information of the Land Board, that very many of the settlers have done a great deal of work on their lands, and, as a result, have now farms that would he a credit to any district of much longer standing. They were all apparently happy and quite content with their future prospects. I did not hear a sirrgle complaint—indeed, quite the reverse —perfectly satisfied with the district, and spoke in the highest terms of Mr. Stewart. 1 respectfully beg to suggest to the Laird Board that, in cases where the terms of tho agreement may not have been strictly complied with, they will take a lenient view of the matter, inasmuch as I arrr informed some of tho settler's have had many troubles and difficulties to contend with incident to persons endeavouring to make a home for their families. In the schedule there appears tho name of . I was aware, before I left Auckland, that the land selected by him had been declared by tho Board forfeited. I beg to state it was at his urgent wish I took the liberty of including his name in the schedule, and trust my having done so will have tho approval of the Board. Having seen his farm near Tauranga I can say ho is a good settler, and one who, I believe, would advance Katikati, had he a title to the land taken up by him in that district. For the information of the Board, I may state that tho roads through the district are good; and over some of them there would be no difficulty in driving a carriage and pair. A large bridge is now being erected over the Uretara Hirer, at tho head of the navigation of that river, by which the upper and lower parts of the settlement will be connected. Mr. has been at considerable expense in cutting a roadway around the cliffs, in order that he may have access to tho river from his farm. Although it docs not come within the limits of my present report, I take the liberty of stating, for the information of the Board, that several of the last body of settlers (No. 2, as they are termed) are busily engaged clearing and ploughing their lands and erecting houses, some of them of a very substantial character. Those of the settlers I mot expressed themselves well pleased with New Zealand, the district they have cast their lot in, and the lands they have settled upon. In conclusion, I may say I was agreeably surprised to find the district progressing so rapidly, and tho settlers so prosperous and hopeful. I have, &c, The Commissioner of Crown Lands, C. H. Hill, Auckland. Crown Lands Hanger.

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2

RETURN showing the Nature and Extent of the Improvements effected in the Katikati Settlement to the end of November, 1878.

Extent of Holding. Cereal or Hoot Crops* Forest Trees Planted. Laid down in Grass. Stock. Fencing. Dwelling-house : Dimensions and Material. Value of Improvements. No. Orchard. Remarks. Horsea. Cattle. Sheep. Area enclosed. Nature of Fence. Eo 1 2 3 4 Acre9. 120 230 280 100 Acres. 7 13 1. Acres. 10 li 500 500 Acres. 20 51 60 22 2 2 3 3 2 0 9 12 AcreB. 40 18 150 50 Ditch and bank, top brush „ and wiro 22 x 12, weather-board ... 24x16 „ 34 x 16, raupo and boards 24 x 12, weather-board ... 190 433 685 813 Thirty-six acres fallow. Orchard partly planted. - II ji Posts and rails A public-house and a store, &o., erected 0:1 iliii property. ... M O 1 1 CO B a 15 5 6 7 8 9 10 It 12 18 It 15 16 17 18 19 20 220 220 120 180 220 120 180 280 80 220 80 120 80 80 ■ 140 220 12 7 3 23 20. "9_ 41 3 "a i. 100 530 500 2S 50 53 30 25 15 40 30 16. 17 18 21 20 25 117 50 2 2 2 6 5 3 2 2 4 1 5 6 3 G 28 3 12 15 14 5t 2 7 9 G 38 12 22 60 40 90 50 30 30 100 50 G5 Ditch and bank ii ... ,j ... ... ,, ,, ... ... j, ... ... Posts and rails Ditch and bank, posts and rails 24x13 „ 38x14 32x28 10 x 12 3Gxl6 20x12 26x20 22x15, slab 22 x 12, weather-board ... 26 x 14, slab 20 x 12 „ 18 x 12, weather- board ... 24x16 „ 23x12 „ 35x25 36x33 217 543 485 347 420 187 230 295 338 421 70 238 300 240 2,500 1,000 Also store. Fifteen acres ready for turnips. Twenty acres fallow. » a <_> 1 g a. D ■ 6 7 4 8i 14 '"i 1 12 4 i 37 30 18 90 70 jj jj Had also several outbuildings, stockyard, &c. _ 2 150 100 jj jj Ditch and bank, post and rails (also wire) Ditch and bank, posts and rails 21 22 23 300 200 80 20 12| 1 1 1,000 50 7S 16 3 9 48 2 70 150 30x25 27x14 20x12, slab 1,200 2,000 83 Also quarter-acre in nursery. ' 1 ii jj Thirty-five chains ditch, bank, posts, and two wires Ditch, bank, posts, rails, and wires Ditch, bank, quicks ... Ditch and bank Thirty chains ditch and bank ... Ditch and bank w 24 25 27 88 29 •30 180 300 280 240 300 100 300 12_ 18 5 "k 60 90 50 140 60 26 70 6 2 2 23 28 70 7 2 20 151 80 100 53 68 x 38.,weather-board... 30x25 „ 21x12 „ 12x10 36 x 14, raupo 22 x 16, slab One 20 x 12; ono 12 x 14, weather-board 26 x 20, weather-board ... 18x14 „ 16x14 „ 26x13 12x8 1,304 1,500 380 149 200 250 800 Also barn, 40 x 17 feet. Also 45 chains fencing, ditch and bank, two rails. 124 'I oo to 6 3 5 2 _ 2 "25 3 1 5 60 40 GO Also outbuildings. ,, (posts, rails, wire) 31 32 33 34 35 1,000 120 80 160 80 40 l 150 18 19 28 21 13 1 1 11 95 12 9 416J 140 Forty chains posts and rails Thirty-five chains ditch and bank Fifty drains ditto (posts and rails) Posts and wires 1,000 137 95 200 235 100 acres fallow. ".. 21 ... ... * Cereal or root crops consist of wheat, oats, barley, maize, potatoes, mangold, &c. t Five »l '3. % Ninei, k [8.