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Sess. 11.—1884. NEW ZEALAND.

ECCLESIASTICAL ENDOWMENTS IN THE COLONY (RETURN OF ALL).

Return to an Order of tlie House of Representatives, dated 29th August, 1884. Ordered, " That there be laid upon the table a return of all existing endowments for ecclesiastical purposes in the colony, exclusive of building sites for churches and chapels, and church and chapel schools, and the revenues arising therefrom, distinguishing endowments made by the Imperial Government from those made by the General or Provincial Governments of the colony; and stating the denominations respectively to which these revenues are paid over." — (Mr. Seddon.)

Memoeandum for the Hon. the Minister of Lands. Theee is no department of the public service which contains, or is in a position to obtain, the information called for in the Order of the House of Eepresentatives No. 11, dated the 29th of August last. As you are aware, the Presbyterian Church holds valuable properties in Otago, as also does the Episcopalian Church in Canterbury, but in neither case were the properties acquired as endowments out of the public estate, the associations forming the original settlements of Canterbury and Otago having acquired the land by purchase. There is no means of obtaining information as to the revenues arising from the landed properties of the Churches except by applying to their respective agents or factors, who would not be likely to supply it. General Crown Lands Office, H. J. H. Eliott, Wellington, sth September, 1884. Under-Secretary. By Authority: G-eobgb Didsbury, Government Printer, Wellington.—lBB4.