G.—s

6

Block XII. This block is situated along the coast and Waitutu River, and has been subdivided into sections varying in extent from 200 to 409 acres. The whole is forest-clad, the principal kinds being similar to those mentioned in Block XL, with some good milling-timber in places along Main Coast Road. The country consists of a series of terraces rising from the river, and undulating and broken towards eastern boundary. The land is generally of a very poor quality, with a covering of peat and moss, varying in depth from 1 ft. to 2 ft. There are a few patches of fairly good soil on the spurs and along the river in places. The whole is well watered, and at an altitude of from 10 ft. to 500 ft. Block XIII. This block is situated immediately along the coast, and has been subdivided into sections from 20 to 460 acres. The whole is covered with dense bush, principally birch, kamahi, rimu, rata, miro, and a little totara, with some fair milling-timber in places along Main Coast Road. The country consists of a series of terraces along the coast, and undulating and broken towards the northern boundary. The land throughout is of a very inferior quality, with a covering of peat and moss. The whole is well watered, with an altitude varying from 70 ft. to 500 ft. Block XIV. This block is situated along the coast and Wairaurahiri River, and has been subdivided into sections varying in extent from 38 to 376 acres. The whole is forest-clad, similar in nature to that described in Block XIII., with some good, milling-timber in parts along the Main Coast Road and up the Wairaurahiri Valley. The country consists of terraces rising from the river and falling to the west, undulating and broken to the north. The land, as in Block XIII, is generally of a very poor quality, with a covering of peat and moss, varying in depth from 1 ft. to 2 ft. There are a few patches of fairly good soil in places along the river, and in parts of sections to the north and west. The whole is well watered. Altitude, from 10 ft. to 750 ft. General. As a whole, this block is exceedingly difficult of access, the distance from Papatotara Post-office varying from thirty-three to fifty-five miles, twelve miles of which is along the beach, and the remainder over a rough and broken track. The timbers in places along the coast and other parts of the block are fairly suitable for milling purposes, but milling operations could not be successfully carried on for want of proper access by road, while approach by sea, owing to danger in effecting a landing, could not be taken into account. The country, if cleared, would carry grass very well, but clearing would be a difficult and anxious undertaking, owing to the exceptionally wet climate, and the peaty and mossy nature of the surface, which, being always wet and damp, would make it next to impossible to secure a good burn. It is also doubtful whether grass, when grown, would last very well in such country. As regards the climate, I may say that, after over three years' experience, I have found the rainfall excessive, and consider it as great as, if not greater than, that obtaining in any other part of the colony. With reference to prices, I have taken ss. per acre as a basis of valuation, but consider that this basis is much too high, my personal estimate of the value of the land being an average of about Is. per acre. My remarks given in the report on the block surveyed by Mr. T. G. Lilliecrona with reference to its suitability for Native occupation or settlement apply equally to this block. C. Otway, Surveyor.

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