APPENDIX. 123 



The land on the east bank of the Plenty is the 

 property of Eobert Eead, Esq., of Eedlands, and 

 the thanks of the Commissioners are due to that 

 gentleman for the liberal spirit displayed by him 

 in offering, without restriction, the use of any 

 portion of his ground that the Commissioners might 

 deem most suitable for the object they had in view. 



After due exploration, a piece of ground, about 

 three acres in extent, half a mile above Mr. Eead's 

 residence, was chosen as the site of the ponds. 

 The ground thus selected offered every necessary 

 facility for the cheap and expeditious accomplish- 

 ment of the undertaking, and was at the same 

 time sufficiently elevated to protect it from the 

 reach of the highest known floods. By Mr. Eead's 

 further liberality, permission was obtained to 

 procure the necessary supply of water from his 

 main irrigation channel, by which the labour and 

 heavy expense of a long cutting to the river itself 

 was saved to the public. It was Mr. Eead's 

 desire that the use of his land should be gratui- 

 tous ; but the Commissioners deemed it desirable 

 that a small rent should be paid under a regular 

 and formal lease. 



A lease for fourteen years, at a yearly rental 

 of ^15, was accordingly prepared, and, on its due 

 execution, the Commissioners lost no time in com- 

 mencing the necessary operations. 



