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Land Board on the 14th instant, xvhen it was decided to submit the case for the Hon. the Minister's reconsideration. It will be observed that one of the most important points in Mr. Bartram's report is in connection with the area which the Crown Lands Ranger recommended should be acquired for tlit* purpose of securing homestead sues and road access. It appears that the land within the area mentioned is quite unfit for homestead purposes, being verj steep and broken; then the cost of removing the existing boundary fences, and fencing along the road, which xvould entail several miles of fencing (the entire cost of which xvould fall upon the tenants, whereas the upkeep of tin- present fences is divided between the adjoining holders) is not desirable. When writing my former Letter, 2549 126, dated (ith April last, 1 commented upon the value placed upon the land referred to as being very high as compared with that placed upon the run: but, taking the report then before the Board, which represented the advantages it offered in affording the necessary sites for homesteads, 4c, it was considered the circumstances warranted the purchase. I am not aware as to the result of the negotiations with the Messrs. Bloomfield, having received no further advice since writing my memo., 2459/136, of the 4th May last. It will be seen by the tracing accompanying this that the present proposal is to subdivide the block into two parts, to which access can be given at a reasonable cost, as shown approximate!} thereon. By this means the present lessee xvill be offered the portion embracing about 2,483 acres, taking in his homestead and improvements, and the balance to he disposed of under the optional By stem. 1 would respectfully ask - you to bring this matter before the lion, the Minister of Lands in order that it may receive reconsideration as recommended by the- Land Board in compliance with the lessee's request. Hkniiy Trent, Commissioner of Crown Lands. K. .closures : Copy of report ; one tracing.

Department ..I' Lands. Wellington, 28th August, l!) 08. The Hon. the Minister of Lands. Small Grazing-run No. 45, Waingaromia Survey District. .\± you xvill see by the accompanying precis of correspondence beneath, this run is at present leased by Mr. .1. A. A.'Ca-sar, whose term is about to expire shortly. The- Land Board in February last adopted the Ranger's report as to the suitability of the run for subdivision, ami recommended such course lor your approval. As the- Banger had reported that a strip of land (119 acres) between part of the run and the' adjoining road was necessary for inclusion with the run so as lo render it suitable for the proposed subdivision, negotiations were opened with the Messrs. Bloomfield (owners of the strip of land), ami they made an oiler to sell at £8 I Os. per acre. As Mr. Caesar had applied for a rehearing of the ease-, the Board appointed Mr. Bartram, a member of the Board, to revise the former report by the Ranger, and after careful inspection he states that the 119 acres in question is quite unsuitable for inclusion with the- run, and that its acquisit ion is unnecessary, Mr. Bartram also recommends that the run be divided into two portions of !!()() acres anil 2,483 acres respectively, that the first area be offered to public competition under the optional tenure, and the larger area offered to the present lessee under a new small-grazing-run lease. The- Land Board has adopted these recoinmendat ions, and now forwards then, for your approval. I think this is a case in which the Valuer-General might he asked to obtain a special report from his officer. Plan and report attached (see Commissioner's letter, 18th August, with Mr. Bartram's report). \V\.. C. Kkxsinoton, Under-Secretary. Valuer-General, For report on question of suitability for subdivision of Run No. 45. R. MoNab. .11/8/1908.

Department of Lands, Wellington, Ist September, 1908. The Valuer-General, Wellington. Small Grazing-run No. 45. Waingaromia Survey District. In accordance with the decision of the lion, the Minister of Lands, 1 enclose for youi information copy of the correspondence which has passed with the Hawke's Bay Land Board in connection with dealing with the above run in the- Gisborne District upon the expiry of the small-grazing-run lease under "The Land Ac. 1885." The Hawke's Bay Land Board on the 18th February, 1908, reported on Small Crazing-run 45 of 3,358 acres as suitable for subdivision. They also stated that it was necessary in connection with the subdivision of this run into suitable portions that two areas, of 10" and 10J acres respectively, should he purchased from Messrs. Bloomfield Bros., in order that each subdivision should have a frontage to a formed road. This proposal is shown on tracing marked "A attached herewith. The Minister agreed that tin- Land Purchase Department should endeavour to negotiate with Messrs. Bloomfield Bros, for the purchase of the 1 17i acres. The lessee of (Inrun (Mr. J. A. A. Caesar) having applied for a rehearing in accordance with the provisions of the