D.—No. 7a,

PAPERS RELATING TO STEWART'S ISLAND.

20

Probable yearly cost. The surveyor finding his own instruments and equipments, the probable yearly cost would not, I think, exceed— Salary to surveyor for acting as land officer, and connecting the surveys, making duplicates of plans, &c. ... ... ... £150 0 0 One chainman, say nine months, at 6s. per diem ... ... ... 69 10 0 Contingencies ... ... ... ... ... ... ~. 25 0 0 £244 10 0 Cost to settler. The cost to the settler would of course depend on the area of land granted to him, and its distance from the main settlement. Simplest method for Government to pay cost of survey, allowing it to remain a charge on the land. The most simple method would be for the Government to pay the whole cost of survey, allowing it to remain a permanent charge on the land, bearing interest for a certain number of years. This, however, would necessitate a much greater outlay on behalf of the Provincial Government in th« first instance. I have, &c, John H. Baker, Inspector of surveys, Southland district.