PARLIAMENTARY GOSSIP.

Auckland Star, Volume XXVIII, Issue 247, 25 October 1897, Page 2

PARLIAMENTARY GOSSIP.

NOTES FROM THE GALLERY.

(By Telegraph.—Parliamentary Reporter.)

WELLINGTON, this day. LAND PURCHASES IN THE NORTH ISLAND. The Minister for Lands laid on the table to-day a return of land purchased and leased from natives in the North Island to March 31st, 1897. The summary ot areas are : —(a) Finally acquired to March 31st, 1896,6,426,105 acres ; finally acquired during 1896-7, 317,490 acres. Total area finally acquired to March 31st, 1897, 6,471,594 acres. Ofthe 315,490 acres as above finally acquired during 1596-97, the work of that period is represented by 83,482 acres ; and the progress on uncompleted purchases during 1896-97, 250,875 acres. Total results for the year ending 31st March, 1897, 334,357 acres ; uncompleted purchases on 31st March, 1897, 1,527,350 acres; lands passed through Native Land Court, 78,776 acres. Total, 1,606,156 acres. Expenditure to 31st March, 1897 ; General loans, £1,077,829; from North Island Main Trunk Railway loan, £219,987 ; native lands purchase account by debentures, £9,700; by cash, £482,280. Total £1,789,833.

The lands finally acquired North of Auckland are, speaking generally, all suitable for settlement, and their value will be considerably enhanced by the completion during the ensuing year of the purchase of the bulk of other lands partially acquired in the Thames and Coromandel Peninsula. The lands dealt with during the year are all more or less auriferous and valuable, both from a mining and settlement point of view. Considerable purchases in Rotorua and the Bay of Plenty districts must increase the tourist traffic. The King Country purchases have special value in consequence of their proximity to the North Island Main Trunk Railway line and general good quality of land. Receipts from native lands during the year 1897, £224,222 ; expenditure, £128,909 ; £93,596, in public account and in the hands of the Government officers, £1,263.