Pastoral.

The total area of pastoral lands held under the Crown by 120 tenants on the 31st March, 1897, amounted to 438,475 acres. As the agricultural land is limited, settlers are turning their attention to the timbered mountain-slopes for grazing, purposes. These, when the timber is felled and burnt, and the ground sown with suitable grass, will, after three to four years, carry about two sheep to an acre on fair soil, and more on the limestone country. The cost of felling and burning, green timber is from 15s. to 20s. per acre; cost of mixed grass seeds and sowing about 15s. per' acre; and a good paling-fence on ordinary bush-lands with double No. 8 wires at top and bottom, with ½ in. palings and 7 in. posts sunk 2 ft. in the ground, can be erected at about 12s. per chain.