THE EARTH HUNGER.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 247, 11 July 1908, Page 3

THE EARTH HUNGER.

OPENINC UP THE LAND. DEPARTMENTAL REPORT. The annual report nf the Lands Department, presenter! to Parliament yesterday, states that the lands disposed of for oasli during tho year ended Marc.li 31 increased in number and area. Selectors of lands for settlement lands showed an increase of 81 tenants, representing 2150 acres on tho previous year. The average size of holdings (excluding pastoral runs and miscellaneous leases) v/as 388 acres for. each of tho 1559 selectors. Tho total number of selectors under all heads was 2225, and tho total area selected (including pastoral and small grazing runs) was 1,326,780 acres of ordinary Crown lands. 28,005 acres were sold for cash, 187,790 acres, were. taken up under tho o.r.p. tenure, 63,871 under lease in perpetuity (now abolished), and 3427 under the 'new renewable lease system. THE FAVOURITE TENURE. The returns regarding the lands disposed ■of under the optional system show that occupation with right of purchase still holds the foremost place, 186,338 acres having been taken up under this tenure, as against 17,305 acres under lease-in-perpetuity, and 10,573 acres under the cash system. The total area of all classes of land opened for' selection during the year was 795,166 acres, comprising 248,896 acres in tho North Island; and 546,270 acres in the South Island. The area, in the Wellington district was 126,375 acres. '

UNDER SURVEY. The lands under survey for settlement purposes on March 31 consisted of 262,803 acres of ordinary Crown lands (for selection under tho optional system), 74,169 acres of national endowments (for selection under renewable lease), and 61,868 acres (also renewable lease). In the Wellington district the proportions were: Croivn lands, ,81,000 acres, and 5178 acres of settlement lands. RESULT OF THE NEW ACT. The result of the passing of last year's Act was that 2,118,188 acres wero withdrawn from selection under tho existing tenures and re-opened under the new conditions. Tho total revenue for the ■ year was £658,794, which was £92,594 in excess of the estimate (£566,200). The revenue from tho Wellington district was £97,262. The total remissions to- tenants during the year, amounted to £27,108. Negotiations for the purchase of Maori lands m the North Island had resulted in the completion of tho following areas'— Auckland, 121,776 acres; Taranaki, 127,821 acres; Hawke's Bay, 13,294 acres; and Wellington, 109 acres.