LUNDON AND WHITAKER COMMITTEE.

15

H.—No. £

Table No. 3. Value of the Property of which Messrs. Lundon and Whitaker were deprived by the Native Lands Act, 1869. There are two methods of estimating the value of these lands. Firstly, by comparing the entire acreage of tho blocks with that of other blocks, the value of tho rental of which is definitely ascertained, and deducting therefrom the proportionate value of the lost blocks of land; and secondly, by ascertaining the number of feet frontage contained in those blocks, and producing evidence of the average value per foot frontage. And as to the first method, — The block known as Parareha Block contains sa. 3r. 20p. This block produces a rental of £1,200 per annum. To this fact the petitioner, F. A. Whitaker, can depose, as he is interested in this piece of land. Now the Block Kauaeranga 14 contains 10 acres and a few perches. According to the acreage, therefore, the annual rental of this latter block shoidd be £2,000, or very nearly thereabouts. The Block Kauaeranga 16 contains la. 3r. lp. The annual value of this should be £400 as nearly as possible. The Block Kauaeranga 24 contains Oa. 3r. Op. Therefore the yearly rental should be £150. The aggregate rental of these three blocks would consequently be as follows:— £ s. d. Block Kauaeranga 14 ... ... ... ... 2,000 0 0 do. do. 16 ... ... ... ... 400 0 0 do. do. 24 ... ... ... ... 150 0 0 Total ... ... ... ... £2,550 0 0 From this is to be deducted, as per Table 2 ... ... ... 240 0 0 2,310 0 0 The capital sum required to cover the loss of this total sum for twenty-one years would amount to about £ , which represents the loss of Messrs. Lundon and Whitaker by the legislation of 1869. Table No. 4. The other method alluded to of computing the loss sustained by Messrs. Lundon and Whitaker, viz., by the measurement of the number of feet of frontage contained in the blocks, must be proved by the evidence of persons intimately acquainted with the locality and conversant with the value of land upon the Grahamstown Flat. For this purpose your petitioners would beg to be allowed to call 1. Mr. Charles O'Neill, M.H.R. This gentleman represents the Thames Goldfields in the House of Assembly, and was for some time Chief Engineer of the District, and resident therein. He will prove — That in Block Kaueranga 14, there are contained 3861 feet frontage, at an estimated average value of 15s. per foot per annum, making the total value £2895 15s. yearly. £ s. d. In Block 16—660 feet frontage, at 20s. ... ... ... 660 0 0 330 „ „ at ss. ... ... ... 82 10 0 Block 24 —f acre, annual value ... ... ... 100 0 0 Block 14—as above ... ... ... ... 2,895 15 0 £3,738_5_ 0 The above is the estimate of Messrs. Charles O'Neill and Lowther Broad, who also state that the property is increasing in value.

(B.) Valuation op Property at Grahamstown by Messrs. C. O'Neill, and Lowther Broad. Block 14. 3,861 feet frontage, at 15s. per foot per annum... ... 2,895 15 0 Block 16. 660 feet frontage at 20s. ... ... ... ... 660 0 0 330 do. do. at ss. ... ... ... ... 82 10 0 Block 24. i acre annual value ... ... ... ... 100 0 0 £3,738 5 0 Memorandum. —The above is the estimated annual value at the present time, but we may remark that property is rapidly improving. Charles O'Neill, Wellington, 29th September, 1871. Lowther Broau.