G.—lo,

6

As I before observed, a great deal of the delay in concluding the early purchases was from the want of a properly-organized staff of surveyors, as required under the provisions of the Native Land Act of 1873. But the difficulty was in a great measure removed by the energy of the Inspector of Surveys, and the officers working under him. By his Report, which has been laid on the table, it will be seen that a great deal of work has been done by his department. I will give his figures: — North part of Auckland ... ... 236,566 acres completed Thames and Waikato ... ... 52,919 „ „ Bay of Plenty ... ... 62,787 „ East Coast and Wairoa ... ... 406,745 „ „ Wellington ... ... 69,913 „ „ 829,030 „ „ , Surveys in progress— North of Auckland ... ... 18,000 estimated acres Bay of Plenty ... ... 261,000 „ „ East Coast and Wairoa ... ... 376,720 „ „ Wellington ... ... 10,000 „ „ 665,720 Making a total of ... ... 1,494,750 „ „ It will be seen by honorable members from the foregoing statement that the Government has not relaxed in its efforts during the past year to acquire on reasonable terms an estate for the North Island which, as immigration and settlement progress, will be found valuable for colonizing purposes.