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Mr. Ewing's evidence which needs correction. He did not make the belt from Naseby across Kyeburn extend far enough. When he said that the belt should extend from Naseby across Kyeburn to the Kakanuis, I should say that it should extend from Naseby across Kyoburn to the northern boundary of the Kyeburn Hundred. 155. With regard to the Kakanuis Mr. Ewing seemed to think that they could be used for small pastoral areas : could they be cut up so as to be of advantage to settlers in Kyeburn Hundred P—l think they would be of benefit to those settlers. They could be cut up in areas of from 1,000 to 3,000 acres, taking for boundaries the natural features, either ridges or creeks. 156. Would the settlers be much benefited by getting the opportunity of taking up these small pastoral areas?— Very greatly; in fact, they are very anxious to get these pieces of pastoral land, some of them find difficulty in subsisting on the smaller areas lower down. Some of the settlers who are limited to 'a deferred-payment section find that it is too small for agriculture ; they cannot live on such small areas, when they have only the facilities of disposing of their produce afforded by the local market. 157 How do you think it would be best to treat the Maniototo Plain below the auriferous belt that Mr. Ewing has referred to: let us start at the Kyeburn ? —ln the first place, I would suggest that two hundreds be taken out of it immediately on the expiration of the leases. A hundred, around Naseby, immediately below the mining reserve, to be laid out of about 10,000 acres; this would adjoin a 5,000-acre block on Stuart and McKenzie's run, 206 a, and also two smaller blocks, Eun 219. The other hundred would be probably on 222 and 225, starting on the northern side of the Gimmerburn Block, extending along the road passing Hollands' station, and north by the Wedderburn to the main road ; thence along the main road to E web urn ; and southerly along the Eweburn to join Chapman's block, between the Pastoral Company's station and Chapman's station. 158. Would you have it to extend to the Taieri? —No, I would not take it so far down, because there is a belt of poor country there. This would secure the right to the pasture of the hundred to the Grimmerburn and Eweburn Blocks settlers. This hundred would be on Eun 222, and partly on liun 225, and would be about 21,000 acres. 159. Would that give any facilities at all to the Sowburn people ? —No ; but there is a block to be laid off between the township of Hamilton's and the Taieri Eiver, extending from, that to the Sowburn, and, as portion of that block is not well adapted for agriculture, the probability is that it might be made a hundred. The extent of this is between 5,000 and 6,000 acres. 160. Then following the Taieri to its sources, what would you propose ?—I think that the country, although what might be termed agricultural country, will not be required for some considerable time, and that before the blocks are thrown open for settlement it might be well to have them re-leased for short periods in smaller runs. That applies to all the country to the head of the Serpentine. It can be re-leased till required for settlement. 161. Then, as to the Ida Valley ? —I suggest that a hundred be laid off along the Ida Valley, extending from the main Dunstan Eoad along the valley to Poolburn, keeping sufficiently far from the foot of the range so as not to interfere with mining, and making, where necessary, reserves of a few chains in width for mining outlets. Their width would depend on the creek beds. Such reserves have been made in nearly all existing blocks. In the Blackstone Hill Block a difficulty exists, but that was because miners at the time were not sufficiently alive to the fact that outlets were required, and they had to go to a considerable amount of trouble, and Government to a considerable amount of expense, in having these outlets surveyed from time to time. 162. Is the principle adopted that outlets are as a rule not preserved, unless the miners agitate and point them out ? —No ; but Government was not, in the instance of the Blackstone Hill Block, aware of the necessity which existed for having these outlets, and consequently the surveyor did not go to the trouble of laying them off. 163. Are there no standing instructions given b3 r Government in regard to outlets ?—I do not think there is any instruction ; but it is an understanding that outlets be reserved. 164. Th§n a great deal depends on the surveyor's knowledge ? —Tes; on his local knowledge. 165. Mr. Rolleston.~\ Would he not be failing in his duty if he did not point out the necessity of making a reserve of the kind ? —Tes, certainly 166. Mr. De Zautoiir.] Do you think there would be any practical obstruction to settlers if a hundred of these outlets recommended by Mr Ewing were reserved ? —No ; at least not to any great extent. If there were a reserve of several chains in width there would be free right of grazing over it. As a rule settlers fence across these reserves, and so have a free right to graze over a few acres more than they purchased. Settlers would not be retarded from taking up land by the knowledge that they would not have the right to the banks of the creek : the only difficulty is that of allowing them sufficient pure water for domestic purposes. Taking the case of the Gimmcrburn Block lately laid off: mining at Garibaldi has gone on for many years ; the creek at Gimmerburn has silted up, and the settlers there have that difficulty, and it occasions them inconvenience. The Government race, however, would command all these blocks, and water could bo very easily stored on the plain owing to its natural features. 167 You are well acquainted with the Maerowhenua side. Can you explain the effect which Pringle's section there has of obstructing the outlet of the mines? I want to get an example before the Committee of how one small alienation may, to a degree, block a gold field. Does not Pringle's lease go right across a mining outlet ? —Tea ; a main gully runs through this section of Pringle's, and he can demand anything he likes for the right to mine there, or, rather, run tailings through his land. 168. And he has demanded it ?—I believe he did stop the miners for a time because they did not pay sufficient. 169. It is in his power to levy blackmail from them ? —Tes. 170. And have not Campbell, and Borton and McMaster the same right ? —Tes; but Mr. Campbell has sold a portion of his freehold, and has given the miners outlets to work it. He sold a portion or mining purposes. The purchasers have the right of outlet into the Maerewhenua.