G.—7.

Parts Tutaimatai, Ngaiotonga, and Waikare Blocks" desired for scenic purposes on Russell tourist route. Estimated area, 600 acres. Waihaha lc (part), to include Kauri Rika Forest. Estimated area, 500 acres. Punakitere 2b 9 and 2b 8i (part). Estimated area, 1,000 acres. Pipiwai 2 Section 19, 2 Section 20 and 2 Section 23 (parts). Estimated area, 1,000 acres. Maungapohatu North (subject to special valuation re timber). Estimated area, 1,314 acres. Hokianga County—• Kahakaharoa (part), (subject to verification of valuation). Estimated area, 4,000 acres. Manukau A. Estimated area, 654 acres. together with other areas possibly in Paremata-Mokau, Motat.au 3, Maromaku, Kaikou B 1 and B 8, Punakitere 2b, Kohatutaka 6b 2, Whakatere-Manawakaiaia, Parengarenga, Pakohu, of a value sufficient to make up the balance (if any) of the amount of the compromise of £11,000, such areas to be defined later when the definite vacancies therein have been sufficiently ascertained under consolidation proceedings. J. Thomson. J. J. Dillon. Wm. Cooper. Wm. Taylor. M. V. Bell. O. A. Darby. 12th November, 1930.

SURVEY LIENS ON LANDS WITHIN THE KING-COUNTRY CONSOLIDATION SCHEME. Report of Subcommittee with regard to Proposals for effecting Discharge of Survey Liens. Subcommittee comprising Messrs. J. H. O'Donnell and R. J. Knight (Lands Department), and Messrs. G. P. Shepherd and P. H. Jones (Native Department). 10th, 11th, and 12th November, 1930, at Wellington. 1. Each series within the consolidation scheme shall be treated separately, consideration being given to the value of the land and its ability to pay. 2. In order to arrive at an equitable basis for consideration of the question of the payment of survey charges and liens on Native lands within the district comprised in the King-country Consolidation Scheme, we have endeavoured to investigate the position from the standpoint of the value of the various blocks of land and their capacity to bear the burdens imposed on them, and in arriving at our recommendation we have taken as a basis that the amounts which the various blocks might be asked to carry shall not exceed a sum representing 5 per cent, of the unimproved value of the land, with a maximum amount of 2s. 6d. per acre and a minimum amount of Is. per acre : Provided that no charge shall be increased beyond the amount actually due thereon, and that all charges or amounts of £1 and under, found to be due on the land after the application thereto of the above basis of settlement, shall be wholly remitted ; and provided further that the survey charges shall be wholly remitted where the value of the land on which the survey costs are charged does not exceed the sum of 15s. per acre. We are of opinion that where any block of land shall be handed over or transferred to the Crown in satisfaction pro tanto of survey charges within a consolidation scheme, the Crown will discharge the survey lien due on the block so handed over, and give credit on account of other survey liens to the full capital value of the block so handed over. We have not had the opportunity in the time at our disposal of ascertaining definitely the proportion of the whole amount due for survey charges and liens on the blocks included in the King-country consolidation which would be remitted under the basis recommended by us, but in those cases actually worked out in detail by us it would appear that on the average the remission recommended amounts in the aggregate to two-thirds of the sum due for principal and interest. We therefore beg to make a general recommendation that two-thirds of the sum due for principal and interest combined be remitted, leaving one-third to be paid for by the owners of the lands affected in such manner as may hereafter be arranged between the various lands within the Consolidation Scheme. The amount due for principal is £12,854 10s. 6d. and for interest £6,439 7s. 9d., making a total of £19,293 18s. 3d. ; the suggested remission amounts to £12,862 12s. 2d., leaving th'e balance due at £6,431. 3. The amounts found payable to the Crown to be liquidated in cash or land, or partly by one method and partly by the other. 4. The Government value of the land to be taken as the basis of assessment for the purposes of paragraphs 2 and 3. 5. That some policy shall be formulated whereby provision should be made for payment in advance of the cost of future surveys both for the purposes of partition of Native lands and for definition of areas vested in Natives on consolidation. 6. Upon the survey charges being satisfied in the manner recommended by us, or upon any other basis which may eventually be adopted by the Government, the liens to be extinguished. J. H. O'Donnell, G.' P. Shepherd, f Members of Subcommittee. P. H. Jones, J Separate Note by Messrs. O'Donnell and Knight.—With reference to paragraph 3, we consider that the situation of the land should be approved by the Minister of Lands or by the Chief Surveyor of the land district in which the land is situated. J. H. O'Donnell. R. J. Knight.

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