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General. The block as a whole is exceedingly difficult of access, the distance from its centre to the formed road'at Waiau Mouth being thirty-five miles. The timber in places is fairly suitable for milling purposes, but milling operations could not be successfully carried on for want of proper access by road, while the sea is out of the question, except on very rare occasions. The land, if cleared, would grow grass fairly well, but clearing would be a difficult undertaking owing to the peaty and mossy nature of the surface, which, being always wet and damp, would make it impossible to secure a good burn. After three years experience of this locality, I am of opinion that the.rainfall is as great as, if not greater, than that of any other part of New Zealand. It is also doubtful whether grass would last very well in such a country. The conditions under which settlement would have to progress make this locality quite unsuitable for Native occupation, while the very inferior quality of the soil generally makes it unfit for settlement of any kind. C. Otway, Authorised Surveyor.

General Report. Blocks 111., V„ VI., VII, VIII., IX., XL, XII., XIII., and XIV., Waitutu Survey District, being Land set apart for Landless Natives West of the Wairaurahiri River. Block 111. This block has been subdivided into sections varying in extent from 276 to 354 acres. The whole is covered with dense forest of a mixed nature, the principal timbers being birch of various kinds, miro, and rimu. The country is mostly undulating terraces near the river, and hilly and broken towards the western boundary. The soil is generally of very poor quality, papa formation with a covering of peat and moss, varying in depth from 6 in. to 2 ft. The whole is well watered. Altitude, from 500 ft. to 1,000 ft. Block V. This block has been subdivided into sections from 30 to 584 acres in extent, and is also covered with dense bush, the principal timbers being similar to those enumerated in Block 111., with some good milling-timber in places. The land is flat, undulating, and hilly, rising gradually from Lake Poteriteri. The land throughout this block is of fair quality, varying in formation considerably; light and heavy soil on papa, with a covering of peat and moss. Elevation, from 100 ft. to 1,000 ft. Block VI. This block has been subdivided into sections, varying from 133 to 381 acres in extent, and is also forest-clad, chiefly birch of various kinds, and a little rimu, miro, and totara in places. The country is flat,"undulating, and broken. The land varies in character from patches of fair soil on papa formation to very inferior, with a covering of peat and moss. The whole is watered. Altitude, from 300 ft. to 1,600 ft. Block VII. This block is situated immediately on the east shore of Lake Poteriteri, and has been subdivided into sections varying in extent from 293 to 338 acres. Rising abruptly from the lake, and undulating towards the eastern boundary. The whole is covered with dense bush, principally birch, with a little rimu, miro, and totara in places. The soil is fairly good, on papa and granite formation along slopes near lake, but very inferior towards back boundary, with a covering of peat, moss, and boulders beneath. Warm and sunny aspect; well watered ; altitude, from 100 ft. to 800 ft. Block VIII. This block has been subdivided into sections from 19 to 362 acres in extent, and is covered with dense bush of a mixed nature, principally birch of various kinds, with a little rimu, miro, and totara in places. The whole block is mostly broken, with flats along road and terraces in places along the river. The land varies considerably from very inferior with peat and moss to patches of heavy and fair soil on papa formation ; well watered ; altitude, from 400 ft. to 1,300 ft. Block IX. This block is situated to the east of Lake Poteriteri and Waitutu River, and has been subdivided into sections from 20 to 450 acres, and is also forest-clad with mixed bush similar to that described in Block VII. The country is mostly broken with steep slopes along the lake, terraces near the river, and undulating towards eastern boundary. The formation and nature of soil are similar in every respect to Block VII. ; well watered ; altitude, 100 ft. to 1,000 ft. Block XI. This block is situated to the west of the Wairaurahiri River, and has been subdivided into sections varying in extent from 236 to 366 acres. The whole block is covered with dense bush, principally birch, kamahi, rimu, miro, and a little totara in places. The country is mostly undulating and broken, with terraces towards the river. The land is generally of very poor quality, with peat and moss. There are patches of fairly good soil on some of the spurs and in places along the river and western road. The whole is well watered ; altitude, from 300 ft. to 1,000 ft.

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