I.—B.

B. PAPERS RELATING TO PETITION OF W. LINDSAY AND OTHERS. The Hon. the Ministee of Lands to the Chaieman, Otago Alleged Evasion of Land Act Committee. Sic, — General Crown Lands Office, Wellington, 26th July, 1883. In reply to your letter of the 6th instant, requesting to be informed as to what had been done with respect to the petition of William Lindsay (No. 385), which was referred to the Government by the Waste Lands Committee of last session, I have the honour to transmit, for your information, copy of a memorandum which was forwarded to the Commissioner of Crowm Lands at Dunedin on the 19th August last, covering copies of the petition, together with the report of the Waste Lands Committee thereon, and requesting him to take care that the provisions of the law were strictly complied with with respect to the holdings referred to in the petition. I further transmit, for the information of the Committee, the report, which was received on the 19th instant, from the Commissioner of Crown Lands on the deferred-payment holdings at Waitahuna West. I have, &c, The Chairman, Otago Alleged Evasion Wm. Eolleston, of Land Act Committee. Minister of Lands.

Memoeandum from the Undee-Seceetaey of Ceown Lands to the Commissionee of Cbown Lands, Dunedin. General Crown Lands Office, Wellington, 19th August, 1882. I teansmit herewith, for your information, a copy of a petition presented to Parliament by William Lindsay and others, together with a copy of the report of the Waste Lands Committee thereon. Will you please take care that the law is strictly complied with in the cases referred to in the petition. H. J. H. Eliott, Under-Secretary.

No. 385.—Eepobt on the Petition of William Lindsay and Others. Petitionees applied for sections, on deferred payment, of Eun No. 106, County of Tuapeka, which was thrown open for selection; but they were out-bidden at the sale; and they believe that their successful competitors are, in some cases, owners of nrfbre than 640 acres, and, in others, were employed by the late lessee of the run. They consider that some of the purchasers are not bond fide selectors, and they pray for an inquiry into the matter. I am directed to report: That the attention of the Government be directed to the allegations in the petition, with a view of seeing that the regulations are enforced. James Fulton, Bth August, 1882. Chairman.

Report of Deferred-Payment Holdings in the under-mentioned Districts.

_ Note.—All the land in this return is ring-fenced, only three internal fences erected. Arrangements are being made to have division fences erected. J. P. Maitland, Commissioner of Crown Lands.

By Authority : Geobge Didsbury, Government Printer, Wellington.—lBB3.

46

d n B 2 Purchaser's Name. I 4 o 3 District. Area. Where Purchaser's usual Residence. Nature of Buildings and Value of same. What Yards and Fencing on Sections. What Improvements: Cultivation, Grasssowing, &c. !041 J. M. Smith .. 17 V. Waitahuna West A. B. P. 313 3 7 On his section House and stables, £300 Ditto, £450 80 chains fencing, £60 110 ditto, £82 .. Ploughing and clearing 100 acres, £90. Ploughing 150 acres, £95. !042 James Smith, jun. V. 207 3 3 At present at Timaru, usually on his section On his section 18 A. A. Wymar .. 117 0 10 House and outbuildings, £100 House, £20 100 ditto, £75 .. Clearing and ploughing 30 acres, £35. Ploughing 40 acres, £26. Clearing and ploughing 60 acres, £55. Clearing and ploughing 50 acres, £45. Ploughing 60 acres, in cultivation 20 acres; £75. In cultivation 260 acres, £312. Clearing and ploughing 30 acres, £30. Ploughing 25 acres, £15. Ploughing and clearing 5 acres, £4, 1043 19 V. 1044 John Hughes .. 20, V. 318 3 29 120 ditto, £65 .. !046 Robert Lowe .. 11 IX. 314 2 35 House, £35 130 ditto, £97 .. !047 William Jamie12 IX. 310 2 2 House, £100 40 ditto, £26 !048 son William Durrant 13, IX. 317 1 16 House and stables, £200 90 ditto, £60 !049 William Smith 14 IX. 297 1 1 Ditto, £100 160 ditto, £104 .. !054 E. F. Ball 16 XI. 319 2 5 House, £25 50 ditto, £37 !055 John Gilliand.. 17 XI. 317 3 36 House and outbuildings, £108 House, £30 95 ditto, £71 i050 Henry Eadie .. XI. 69 0 16 6 ditto, £4 16s. .. 18 <*&,