LANDS FOR SETTLEMENT.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXIX, Issue 183, 1 August 1908, Page 9

LANDS FOR SETTLEMENT.

OVER A MILLION ACRES PURCHASED. AN INTERESTING REPORT; (By Telegraph.—Parliamentary Reporter.) WELLINGTON, Friday. The Lands for Settlement report was presented to Parliament this afternoon. For the year ending March 31st, 129 estates were offered to the Government for purchase. These comprised a total of 1,033,300 acres. Forty-eight properties were inspected on the ground, and the Board of Land Purchase Commissioners recommended the Government to purchase 35, of an area of 294,521 acres. Transactions were completed during the year for the purchase of sixteen estates of 126,867 &cres, for which £565,727 was paid. In connection with these properties £47,967 was also expended on roads, workers' dwellings, and other contingencies. In addition to these properties, there were seven estates containing 74,043 acres purchased for £334,397, which are to be paid for and opened to selection during the year 1908-9. The total area of land which has been acquired for settlement purposes Is 1,122,135 acres, for which £4,807,369 was paid, including the amount spent in roading, etc. The total capital value of the estates acquired is £5,217,254. During the year the area selected was 114,150 acres by 420 tenants. The total area which has been selected is 979,094j acres, leased to 4292 tenants. Of the area selected 308,507 acres are in new! grass, 68,975 in white crops, 48,621 in | green crops, and 552,977 acres in native grass, bush, orchards, etc. The total number of sheep depastured is 854,472, cattle 58,167, horses 12,456, and pigs 8160. The number of tenants of workers' dwellings is 84, and the assessed rent is £2250 per annum, equal to about £27 per year each. An area of 532 acres is still available for the erection of workers' dwellings in Wellington, and 213 acres in Auckland.