a—9

1893. NEW ZEALAND.

CHEVIOT ESTATE (COPIES OF CORRESPONDENCE RELATING TO THE ACQUISITION OF THE, BY THE GOVERNMENT).

Laid on the table of the House by the Hon. Mr. J. McKenzie, by leave.

No. 1. The Teustees of the Cheviot Estate to the Commissioner of Taxes. Sic,— Christchurch, 30th Septemher, 1892. We, as'trustees of the estate of the late Hon. W. Robinson, hereby give you notice— (1.) That we are dissatisfied with the amount at which that part of the lands of our trust estate, which lie within the County of Cheviot, is assessed : (2.) That we call upon you either reduce such assessment to the sum at which such land was valued in our return, or else to purchase such land at the said sum at which the same was valued in such return. We think that it will be admitted that by taking this course we offer the best proof in our power of our belief in the accuracy and sufficiency of our return. We have, &c, E. E. Eobinson. C. R. Campbell. Emily Campbell, by her attorney, Geo. G. Stead. Jos. Palmer. H. D. Bell. Eleanor Lance, by H. D. Bell. To the Commissioner of Taxes, Wellington.

No. 2. The Commissioner of Taxes to the Hon. the Colonial Treasurer. Wellington, 11th October, 1892. The trustees in the estate of the late Hon. W. Eobinson have called upon me to reduce the value of the Cheviot property from £304,826, the assessed value, to £260,220, the value entered in the owner's return, or else take over the property, &c. The area is 84,222 acres. The improvements are assessed at £54,300, and were returned at £60,150. I should be glad to have a report from an officer of the Survey Department, and suggest for your consideration that Mr. Marchant, Chief Surveyor, Christchurch, should be authorised to inspect the property, and report. C. M. Crombie, Hon. the Colonial Treasurer. Commissioner.

No. 3. Mr. J. A. Brown to the Commissioner of Taxes. Sir,— 14th October, 1892. Beport on Cheviot Hills Estate. I have the honour to report to you as to the quality and character of the land on this estate. I am of opinion that there are 20,000 acres of agricultural land fit for farming purposes, and about 20,000 acres of arable land suitable for growing turnips and English grasses. It is impossible for me to fix an exact area as the map does not show the base-line of the hills. The remaining 43,630 acres is purely pastoral land, of which 35,600 acres is of first-class quality. There is no large I—C. 9.