in consequence of any reduction of ground-rent that might be sanctioned. At the same time I feel certain that unless some measures be adopted for the relief of the present landholders, the revenue derivable from the land will continue to decrease, as many of them will, as some have already done, abandon their lots altogether.
18. In support of this view of the case, I now enclose for Your Lordship's information, Return of all the Lands that have been alienated since this colony has been established, which shows that 630 lots measuring 209 acres, 3320 yards and 3 1⁄2 feet have been alienated by the Government at an annual rent of £. 15,699.19,- and that 130 lots, measuring 56 acres, 3844 yards, have been abandoned, whereby a loss of £. 4,300 has accrued to the Government, being about 27 per cent, or rather more than one quarter of the whole landed Revenue of the colony.
Extract (Signed) MacFarlane, Colonial Secretary.
Colonial Secretary 308