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Summary. .Acres. Sold to Crown ... ... ... ••• 757,159 „ privately ... ... ••■ ••• 17,818 Leased or under negotiation ... ... ... 217,763 For public works, &c. ... ... ... ••• 110 Total 992,850 Timber Leases. The large area under lease or rights for timber-milling purposes lies generally to the east of the railway between Te Kuiti and Taumarunui. Much of the land is not suitable at present for the grazier. On the other hand some excellent grazing-country is affected by the rights of the timber companies, and will not be immediately available for settlement. We have not had an opportunity of looking into"the titles and considering the terms and conditions on which the companies hold and work the timber areas, and how far those areas may be placed at the disposal of the grazier without infringing existing lawful rights, and without encroaching on areas which it will never pay to clear and grass, but may yield a handsome revenue under an intelligent system of reforestation. Coal Leases. The coal-prospecting rights are confined to Te Awaroa Block to the south of Kawhia, and are held by Te Awaroa Coal-mining Syndicate. There is nothing in the agreements to prevent the disposal of surface rights, subject to the prospecting and mining rights of the syndicate. MOKAU-MOIIAKATINO BLOCK. The history of this block is stated briefly in item 17 of the First Schedule to " The Special Powers and Contracts Act, 1885." It was afterwards alleged by Mr. Joshua Jones that the concessions made to him by this Act were interfered with by subsequent legislation, and by the action of the Government and its officers. A Royal Commission inquired into these allegations, and made recommendations that were adopted by Parliament in " The Mokau-Mohakatmo Act, 1888 " (see Vol. ii, Appendix to Journals of House of Representatives, G-ic) The report of the Commission is interesting as a sample of what occurred in the old days of free trade. The latter Act set at rest all doubtful matters in connection with Mr. Jones's lease, and secured its completion and registration. ■ . . ■, The lease was for fifty-six years from the Ist July, 1883, with right to mine, cut timber, &c. It has a currency of thirty-two years from now. The area included in it is 26,480 acres, being Subdivision F of Mokau-Mohakatmo No. 1. The annual rental is £25. The present valuation is 7s. an acre on this subdivision of the block. The land-tax, which by law is paid by the lessee, who deducts it from rent, is £17-odd. Coal is known to exist on some portion of the land, also limestone, and there is a provision for payment of royalty for coal and other mineral products; but the land is reported to be for the most part unsuited tor pastoral or agricultural purposes. . . - j tx.Pepene Eketone, representing the Mokau Maoris, informed us that this area was lying idle. He naively remarked that if it were still in Maori hands there would be a loud demand to have it utilised. We have stated the facts in connection with this land to show that, although it is included in the gross area owned by the King-country Maoris and now under lease they are compelled to accept the rental of £8 net per annum; the lease cannot be disturbed, as Parliament will not venture to disturb the undoubted right of a European: the tenant cannot be compelled to make any improvements. Whatever the facts may be, the land must be assumed to be under profitable occupation, because it is under European occupation. _We may add that this lease was granted under the " free-trade " system, and it is we are afraid not the only lease granted under that system that is not beneficial to the Maori owners nor to the people of the colony.