E—No. 7

Take, for example, the Kaiapoi (or Tuahini) Reserve, which I have valued at £45,400. As far back as February, 1857, Mr. Hamilton, the Collector of Customs, in writing to the Chief Commissioner, makes the following statement:—" Not less than a sum of £40,000 now represents the value of the Kaiapoi Reserve alone. * * * The timber alone is now selling to sawyers at £35 per acre, and represents a value of .£35,000 ; whilst the land itself cannot be worth less than the Government price of £2. Much of it, however, has positive value of £4, £5, up to £10 per acre, if not higher. At the lowest value of £4, the land itself is woith £10,000." Some allowance, however, must be made on the bush land, the extent of which is much overstated in this estimate. Mr. Hamilton assured me the other day, and no one is better informed on these matlers, that a considerable part of the open land on that Reserve would realize now from £15 to i 20 per acre. It will he observed that I have fixed the average at £48 for the bush and £10 for the open land. Mr. Hamilton's estimate of £35 for the bush, five years ago, does not include the land on which it stands, but mine does, 'limber land, of much the same character, at Rangiora, a few miles from Kaiapoi, has realised more than double the price quoted above. I have thought it right to enter into these particulars, lest the aggregate estimate given in my Report should be looked upon, if not as extravagant, at least as questionable. At first glance, and without supporting data, the appraisement of 7000 acres of country land at £67,000 might seem exorbitantly high, but I am satisfied that the details now furnished must at once correct any such impression. I have, &c, Walter Buller. The Native Secretary.

If. Butler, Esq.

RETURN shewing the extent, position, description, and approximate value of the Native Reserves in the Province of Canterbury, New Zealand.

No. 17. OTAGO. REPORT FROM MR. ASSISTANT NATIVE SECRETARY STRODE. Otago, 20th December, 1861. Sib, — With reference to your circular letter of the 17th August last, I have the honor to forward to you a list of the different tribes to which the Natives in the Provinces of Otago and Southland

at. V. Stride, Esq.

36

REPORTS ON THE STATE OF THE NATIVES

Estimated value. Locality. .Extent. Character of Reserve. acre. Total. 1 2 3 4 5 Kaiapoi - Kaikaoui - Rapaki Port Levy Purau 2640 5 856 1361 10 400 (2140 acres open grass land | S<*0 acres bush - Open Terrace land - Hilly, open, fern land and bush Hilly, open, fern land and bush Open, fern land - 280 acres of bush, and 120 acres fern and flax land - - - - Nearly all bush land - Nearly all bush land - Open grass land - ( 150 acres bush land • \ 430 acres open grass land - - . Open grass land - - - - Open grass laud « ■ Open grass land - {15 acres bush land- ... 25 acres open grass landOpen grass land - f 10 48 5 2 5 W £ 21,400 24,000 25 1712 6805 100 6 Wairewa - 2 3 2 2 30 10 20 2 2 15 5 10 800 1200 800 160 4500 4300 400 374 34 225 12i 50 7 8 9 Wainui - Onuku Taunuitu40.0 400 80 10 Arowhenua 580 11 12 IS Timaru - Witireia - Waiteruati 20 187 17 14 Waimatemate - 40 15 Old Kaiapoi Paabout 5 Grand Total ... 7001 £67,010 Christchurch, October 17th, 1861. Walter Buller.