Oct. 23.] THE NEW ZEALAND GAZETTE. 3239

SCHEDULE.

AUCKLAND LAND DISTRICT.—OHINEMURI COUNTY.—WAIHOU
SURVEY DISTRICT.—PART OF HAURAKI PLAINS.

Second-class Land.

| 32 | XIII | 160 0 0 | 720 0 0 | 18 0 0 | 14 8 0 |
| 41 | " | 289 0 0 | 1,450 0 0 | 36 5 0 | 29 0 0 |

IMPROVEMENTS.

The improvements which are included in the capital value of the sections are as follows: Section 31—Half-share in about 85 chains of drain on south-eastern boundary. Section 33—Half-share in about 49 chains of drain on north-western boundary; also half-share in about 11 chains of drain on eastern boundary. Section 34—Half-share in about 12 chains of drain on eastern boundary. Section 35—Half-share in about 12 chains of drain on eastern boundary. Section 36—Half-share in about 34 chains of drain on eastern boundary. Section 38—Half-share in about 78 chains of drain on southern boundary. Section 39—Half-share in about 78 chains of drain on northern boundary. Section 40—Half-share in about 79 chains of drain on southern boundary. Section 41—Half-share in about 79 chains of drain on northern boundary; also whole of 87 chains of drain on southern boundary. Section 42—Whole of about 10 chains of surface drain on northern boundary; half-share in about 20 chains of subdivisional drain; also full share in about 60 chains of fencing on northern boundary and along road frontage. Section 43—Whole of about 30 chains of surface drain, and half-share of 29 chains of subdivisional drain on southern boundary. Section 44—Half-share in about 20 chains of subdivisional drain on northern boundary; half-share of 15 chains of drain on southern boundary; also whole of 26 chains of fencing along road frontage. Section 45—Half-share of 29 chains of subdivisional drain on northern boundary; also half of 29 chains on southern boundary. Section 46—Half-share in 15 chains of subdivisional drain on northern boundary, and whole of 23 chains of fencing on road frontage. Section 47—Half-share of 29 chains of subdivisional drain on northern boundary. Section 48—Half-share in 13 chains of subdivisional drain on south-western boundary; whole of 12 chains of fencing on road frontage; and half-share of 21 chains of fencing on southern boundary. Section 49—Half-share in 29 chains of subdivisional drain on southern boundary. Section 50—Half-share in 42 chains of subdivisional drain on western and northern boundaries, and also full share in 10 chains of drain on southern boundary.

GENERAL DESCRIPTION.

All the sections are situated at the edge of the foot-hills lying to the west of the Piako River. The road access is from Morrinsville Railway-station, distant about twenty-four miles by the Morrinsville-Waitakaruru Road, which is formed for dray traffic for the whole distance. The Waikaka Tramway Road, which is at the present time under construction, leads to the Piako River, one mile and thirty chains from the eastern boundary of the block. At this point on the river there is a wharf, to which launches from Thames (about twenty-three miles down the river) deliver goods at regular intervals. The road to Waitakaruru, twenty miles from the Waikaka Tramway Road, is formed for dray traffic for about eight miles, after which there is a riding-track for about four miles, the balance being formed dray-road. The gap of four miles of unformed road is at the present time under construction, and the major part will probably be completed during the year.

The land consists of partially drained swamp land and several dry spurs. The spurs are situated along the Morrinsville-Waitakaruru Road, and have a light soil, resting on a clay subsoil. Adjacent to the spurs are several rich alluvial flats, which are covered with cabbage-trees, manuka, and flax; but the majority of the sections consist of good and inferior peaty swamp, varying in depth at the present time from a few inches to several feet, and resting on timber and a clay subsoil. The sections are all situated above flood-level, and average from 10 ft. to 80 ft. above sea-level.

Sections 31 and 32 are covered with flax, rushes, and small manuka, the formation being rich peat on Section 31 and inferior on the frontage of Section 32. Sections 33 to 36 and 23 to 30 are covered with flax, manuka, kamaka, cabbage-trees, and scrub, the soil being of a rich peaty nature, resting on a clay subsoil on timber. On Sections 33, 34, and 35 there is a small patch of kahikatea and pukatea bush. The frontage to the Patetonga Road of Sections 37 to 41 is good, consisting of shallow peat, resting on clay and timber, whilst the back of these sections runs into deeper peat country. The vegetation on these sections consists of flax, raupo rushes, and scrub. Sections 42 to 50 are of excellent quality, the frontages to the Patetonga Road being all shallow peaty soil, resting on a clay subsoil and timber. Further back the country is alluvial, whilst the frontage to the main Morrinsville Road consists of several low-lying easy spurs, covered with fern and manuka, the soil being light, on a clay subsoil. With the exception of Sections 46 and 50, all the sections have a small area of kahikatea and pukatea bush, the balance of the sections, except the spurs, being covered with manuka, flax, cabbage-trees, makaka, and rushes.

All the necessary main drains and roads to sections have either been constructed or are under construction, and the same applies to all necessary bridges and culverts. There are main outlet drains along each road, whilst in addition there are two large outlet drains, one being situated on the reserve along northern boundary of Section 37, and the other along the southern boundary of Section 41. In addition there is a small drain along the southern boundaries of Sections 42 and 43 and 44 and 45; also along the western and southern boundaries of Section 50. It is intended to construct drains on the southern boundaries of Sections 38 and 40.

The Waikaka Outlet Drain, on the reserve between Sections 36, 31, 32, and 37, carries good water from the Waikaka Stream all the year round; consequently a good supply of water can be obtained for stock. In addition, good water can also be obtained from the subdivisional drain on the southern boundary of Section 50, as this drain taps a creek rising in the hills.

At Waikaka there is a store and post-office, known as Patetonga, which has telegraphic communication with Thames over a private line. The nearest school and creamery is at Tahuna, some eight miles distant by formed road. A village (to be known as Patetonga) is now being laid out in the vicinity of the lands to be offered, and in due course will be put up for public auction. Creamery and school sites are laid off in this vicinity.

SPECIAL CONDITIONS.

The lands are offered for selection subject to the following special conditions:—

(1.) Sections must be ring-fenced by the successful applicants before stocking, and all drains made by the Department securely fenced off, so as to prevent damage to drains or road by stock. The right is reserved to at any time enter and make and deepen drains through any section without payment of compensation.

(2.) The successful applicant for any section shall himself maintain all boundary, catchment, or surface drains within his section; but the Department will maintain all road-drains or drains that its officers may deem to be outlets or portions thereof until such time as the maintenance rating clauses of the Hauraki Plains Act come into force.

(3.) The Department reserves the right from time to time to take any timber necessary for culverts, tram-lines, &c., from any section, and also to take any manuka, &c., for fascines.

Full particulars may be ascertained and plans obtained at this office.

H. M. SKEET,
Commissioner of Crown Lands.