more I exteuded visit is made by themselves, pro- I bably leading to the construction of light I railways as feeders to the main line, and 1 opening up by easy and rapid eommuniea- i tion a large area of good Crown land that ' would be quickly settled ; also the further i acquisition of suitable blocks of land for I the dnirying industry under the Lands for Settlement Act, involving the Land Board having, at least, fortnightly meetings." jsJTheii followscheduleß prepared carefully, Bliowing how very largely this district preponderates over Marlborough and Wai mea and Collmgwood, which each have separate Land Boards, in the numbers of stock that are carried, and this is a good test of the exent and productivity of the lands of the district. The following return shows how much of such land 3 are the property of and administered by the Crown, though we are informed by Mr A. F. Matthews, who was responsible for tin 1 drafting of the letter and preparation of the tables, that it was impossible to get uli exact estimate, for the reason that the figuics for the extensive Nuhaka district, revenue from which goes direct to Napier, are not available : — Number of Government leaseholds, 250 (not including Nuhaka district). Annual return from leaseholds, £3000. An-a of leaseholds, 251.0C3 acres. * Area leased from Natives to Europeans, 114,000 acres. Area sold by Natives, 445,000 acres. Area acquired from Natives, but not disposed of, 174,000 acres. Area of Crown lands, 375,000 acres. Area sold by Crown last year, 15,000 acres. Amount received from above, £6800. Average number of co-operatives, 50men. Monthly expenditure on roads, £500. Lands and Survey staff, 10 in number. Annual expenditure (over) £10,000. Government Advances to Settlers, amount lent, about £47,000. The figures are quite sufficient to justify our demand that the control of the district lands and public works expenditure Bhould be taken out of the hands of the gentlemen from Hawks's Bay and placed with local officials, aided by a representative local Board. Members of the Natives' Association are reminded of the meeting to be held this evening at eight o'clock in the Wesley schoolroom, Captain Cumming went in charge of the hulk Prince of Wales, which left yesterday afternoon for Wellington, Captain Wheeler acting as first officer. 