C—No. 6

Mr. J. T. Thomson to the Seceetaey for Ceown Lands. Department of Lands and Survey, Otago, Sic,— Dunedin, 18th July, 1870. I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter dated 4th instant, and in reply now beg to forward tho Return of Lands required. The cost of preparing the Return is £5 10s., as noted at the foot. I must further note that there is a large quantity of land within the Province which is now being alienated from the Crown, and which is not included in the accompanying Return, viz.:— Reserve for Clutha River Trust... ... ... ... ... 50,200 acres. „ Benevolent Institutions ... ... ... ... 389,415 „ Hospitals ... ... ... ... ... ... 501,090 „ „ High and Grammar Schools ... ... ... ... 240,500 „ District Schools ... ... ... ... ... 863,000 „ ~ University ... ... ... ... ... 100,000 „ Total ... ... ... 2,144,205 „ The University Reserve has been already Crown Granted ; the other reserves have been set apart by resolutions of the Provincial Council, and grants are being applied for. I have, &c, J. T. Thomson, The Hon. the Secretary for Crown Lands. Commissioner of Crown Lands.

Telegeam to Commissioner of Ceown Lands, Dunedin, from Seceetaey, Crown Lands Office, of 26th July, 1870; with answer thereto. Question. —" In the second and third columns of the ' Return of area of country in Province of Otago,' are the amounts 312,200 acres and 570,000 acres still unsold, and not as yet thrown open for settlement ? Please answer quickly." Answer. —" Of the 882,200 acres, about two-thirds are under pastoral lease to Crown tenants, and the one-third is open for selection but is principally bush, so has not been sought after by land purchasers."

WASTE LANDS OF THE PROVINCE OF OTAGO AVAILABLE FOR AGRICULTURAL SETTLEMENT, ETC.