This settlement, which comprises portion of the well-known Flaxbourne Estate, recently acquired from Sir George and the Messrs. Clifford under "The Land for Settlements Consolidation Act, 1900," is situated on the sea-coast of Marlborough, and extends for ten miles north from the Ure River to within five miles of Cape Campbell; it adjoins the thriving Starborough and Blind River Settlements. The northern portion is five miles and a half distant by road from the Town of Seddon, the present terminus of the Main Trunk Picton-Waipara Railway, and 115 miles from Culverden, the terminus of the railway from Christchurch. The route for the continuation of the railway has been laid off through Flaxbourne, entering the property at a point just twenty-two miles from Blenheim. The Main South Road also traverses the settlement from north to south, from which easy access to all the small grazing-runs and farms will be obtainable when the new roads have been formed. The boat-landing at the mouth of the Flaxbourne River, about three miles distant from the proposed township which is being laid off, and fifty miles from Wellington wharf, provides for landing or shipping goods and produce by coastal steamer in fine weather. At Picton, Home ships load in the harbour, and there are meat-freezing works there also.

Flaxbourne Settlement lies at an altitude rising from sea-level to about 1850 ft., and varies considerably in contour and quality. The settlement generally comprises hilly and undulating country, with flats and valleys, as delineated on the plan and specified in the descriptions published with this pamphlet. It has the reputation of being very healthy sheep-country page 6 and, where cultivation is possible, grows good crops of barley, oats, and roots. Detailed descriptions of the soil and character of each section and small grazing-run will be found on pages 17 to 40 of this pamphlet.

The coastal range consists chiefly of limestone formation. The inland hills are clayey, with outcrops of sandstone and volcanic tuff. The downs consist of clay, as a rule, overlying papa; and the lower lands are of fluviatile formation. The climate is dry and healthy; the mean temperature in summer is about 60°F., and in winter 43°F. There are occasional snow-falls in winter, but the snow does not remain long on the ground. The mean rainfall for twelve years is about 42 in. on one hundred days a year. Periods of dry weather are sometimes experienced.

With the exception of about 3,500 acres which have been cultivated and are now mostly in English grasses or clover, and a few hundred acres which have been surface-sown, the country generally is in its native state; the vegetation is mainly tussock and other native grasses, with some flax, &c., in the gullies and swamps; but there are areas of fern on some of the hills, with scrub and bush in the immediate vicinity of some of the creeks on the hilly country, as to which see the detailed descriptions. The country generally is well adapted for grazing and breeding sheep, and the percentage of lambing and the wool-clip have been in the past very good. A few head of cattle can be de-pastured on those farms and small grazing-runs which contain valleys and swamps, or where the flats have been laid down in English grasses. Formerly rabbits were numerous on the property, but they are now reduced to almost a negligable quantity owing to the excellent management of the late proprietors, who met the difficulty by wire-netted fences and poisoning. Of recent years it has only cost £60 to £70 per annum over the whole property to keep down the rabbits.

The area to be opened for application at present contains 44,087 acres, which has been subdivided into page 7 sixty-four allotments, varying in area from 5 to 906 acres, and eighteen small grazing-runs, varying in area from 1,041 to 2,943 acres.

The farms are for disposal on lease in perpetuity (999 years); and the small grazing-runs are for lease for terms of twenty-one years, with right of renewal for further periods of twenty-one years.

A township has also been laid off on the settlement, and the allotments therein will be offered to the public at an early date.

Each farm and small grazing-run has a good home-stead-site and a sufficient area of agricultural land to enable the land to be worked in the most profitable manner.

The boundaries of the farms and small grazing-runs in many cases have been made coterminous with existing fences.

The Main Kaikoura Road has been deviated through Sections 9 and 10, Block IX., Sections 1, Block XI., and Small Grazing-runs 171, 172, 173, 174, and 175; and the public shall have the free right of travelling over the road now in use until the new deviation is formed.

On the homestead allotment (Small Grazing-run No. 178) there is a one-story dwellinghouse, containing fifteen rooms, detached room, bachelors' quarters, wool-shed, stables, harness-room, store-room, groom's room, blacksmith's shop, slaughterhouse, and two small huts; all valued at £775.

There are other buildings on the settlement, particulars of which are given in the detailed descriptions of the sections and small grazing-runs. These buildings will become the properties of the tenants by payment of the half-yearly instalments set out in the Schedule on pages 15 and 16 of this pamphlet for seven or fourteen years; or, should they prefer to do so, they may, with the consent of the Minister of Lands and the Land Board, at any time, but in not less than seven years, pay the whole or any less page 8 number of their future instalments, under a duly proportionate rebate of interest.

The Flaxbourne, Needles, and Tachall's river-beds are the property of the Crown. Tenants of the allotments through which these rivers flow will be permitted to depasture their stock thereon without payment of rent, on condition that they keep the river-beds free of rabbits.

A man will be available at the Flaxbourne homestead to show intending selectors over the land and point out the boundaries of the sections and small grazing-runs.

Possession of the farms and small grazing-runs will be given on the day of ballot.