I.—sc.

16

[C. J. B. BICHABDSON.

Mr. Anderson : lam not going to give names, because it might injure the settlers. Ido not mind giving the information to the Committee. Mr. R. W. Smith raised the question of whether the decision of the Committee on the matter should be hung up in order to get the agreements from Invercargill. The Committee decided to get Mr. Hosking to forward the agreements and also Mr. Massey's letter to the Commissioner of Crown Lands. This concluded the evidence.

APPENDIX.

Department of Lands and Survey, Wellington, 22nd October, 1912. Sir, — Massey's Sawmill Areas. Referring to your request to be supplied with a copy of a letter in connection with this matter, I now forward a certified copy of same for your information as requested. I have, &c, The Clerk, Lands Committee, Wellington. John Strauchon, Under-Secretary.

Dear Sir, — Invercargill, 15th August, 1910. In reply to your letter of this date, I have no objection whatever to settlers procuring firewood, posts, rails, &c, from off my bush reserves, and I never have had, but I must ask you to protect the sawmilling timber thereon. It has not been my policy to lock up bush —indeed, the very opposite. I have six mills running, and I am endeavouring to work all I have as quickly as possible, but I cannot work it unless I can sell it, and my efforts in that direction are increasingly retarded by the competition of the new sawmills that are erected on new lands thrown open. I am, &c, H. A. Massey. The Commissioner of Crown Lands, Invercargill.

I hereby certify that this is a true copy of the original letter which is filed in my office, and that it is correct in all particulars. —G. H. M. McClure, Commissioner of Crown Lands, 16/10/12. Approximate Cost of Paper. —Preparation, not given ; printing (1,200 copies), £10 12s. 6d.

Authority : John Mackay, Government Printer, Wellington.—l9l2.

Price 6d.]