G.-6

4

Crown, and, say, 13,000 acres in occupation and under cultivation, the balance is 600,000 acres. Though this district has not been properly explored, those familiar with it know that the bulk of it is very rough, and suitable only for pastoral purposes in large areas/ requiring the expenditure of much capital, while a considerable area should also be permanently reserved for scenic effects and the protection of the existing lakes. On the north of this territory and to the west of it are the following large blocks unoccupied: .Matahina, 42,448 acres; Tuara.rangaia. 6,41)0 acres; Pokohu and Putauki, 26,485 acres; Whirinaki, 10,010 acres; Heruiwi, 2,484 and 6.290 acres: total, 94,207 acres. These lands are described as "pumice country, fit for small grazing-runs or pastoral runs only, suitable for settlement in large areas -only." Some land adjoining, owned by the Crown, purchased from the Native owners about twenty years ago, remain to this day unoccupied for want of access am! because of the uninviting nature of the country. (2.) In the East Taupo, portion of West Taupo, and Rotorua Counties are many large blocks unsuitable for settlement, except in large areas, as small grazing-runs or pastoral runs. These comprise the pumice areas of the central North Island district. So far the demand for settlement even of areas readily available for that purpose has not been keen or insistent. The farming of pumice lands of the nature of those lying to the north, east, and south of Lake Taupo may after much experimenting lie found profitable, but for present purposes these areas may be classed as pastoral runs. The following are the large or unoccupied blocks : — East Taupo County— Nameofßlcck. W Acres. Kunanga ... ... ... ... ... 8,630 TeHautu ... ... ... ... ... 99,300 Tapuioruahine ... ... ... ... ... 20,000 Kaimanawa ... ... ... ... ... 40,000 Waipapa ... ... ... ... ... 10,400 Ohuanga ... ... ... ... ... 5,986 Whakamaru-Mangaiti ... ... ... ... 3,737 Parts Pouakani, Tihoi, and Tauri ... ... ... 47,395 Tatua East ... ... ... ... 12,900 Tahorakuri ... ... ... ... 36,085 Tutukau East and West ... ... ... ... 7,794 lauhara North, Middle, and South... ... ... 49,324 Tauranga-Taupo 1, 2, and 3 ... ... ... '21,040 Pa its of Paeroa South and Rotomahana-Parekarangi ... 18,986 Rangipo North ... ... ... ... ... 31,236 Rangipo-Waiu ... ... ... ... ... 28,682 Parts Rangiwaea and iMuriniotu ... ... ... 15,564 457,059 Part West Taupo County— Part Tihoi ... «... ... ... ... 55,583 Pukekura ... ... ... ... ... 3,423 Taurewa ... ... ... ... ... 28,860 Part Okahukura 8 Block (approximate) ... ... 19,000 106,866 Part Rotorua County— Parts Rotomahana-Parekarangi . ... .. 56.018 Part Pokohu A, B, and C ... ... ... ... 13,922 Part Paeroa E ... ... ... ... 11,264 Ruawahia 2 ... ... ... ... 4,164 85,368 Kiwitea and Rangitikei Counties — Awarua Blocks ... ... ... ... ... 21,896 Pohokura ... ... ... ... ... 10,657 Utumore ... ... ... ... ... 10,000 — 42,553 Part Waimarino County— Urewera Block ... ... ... >. ... ... 12,429 Tawhai North ... ... ... ... 3,000 Tongariro ... ... ... ... ... 13,927 Ruapehu ... ... ... ... ... 15,488 Papatupu lands .. ... ... ... 4,474 49,318 Hawke's Bay County (Part) — Omahaki ... ... ... ... ... 15,710 Te Koau ... ... ... ... ... 10,300 Timahanga ... ... ... ... ... 21,900 47,910 789,074 These do not comprise the whole of the lands surrounding Lake Taupo. Lands that are partly occupied, such as Oruamatua-Kaimanawa (82,000 acres) and Owhaoko (167,000 acres), are not included in the above list; nor are the lands lying to the west, north-west, and south-west of Lake