LANDS FOR SETTLEMENT.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 265, 1 August 1908, Page 7

LANDS FOR SETTLEMENT.

THE ANNUAL REPORT. Tho annual report of tho Lauds for Settlement Department states that, during tho year ended March last, 129 estates, comprising 1.033,300 acres, wero offered to tho Government. Of thoso 48 wore inspected, and the Government was recommended to purchase 35, of an 'area of 294,521 acres. The transactions completed (including estates agreed to bo purchased during tho previous year) numbered 16 estates, comprising 120,867 acres for which £565,727 was paid, whilst £47,967 was' expended on roads, workers' dwellings, and other contingencies. There. wero also seven estates, containing 74,04.3 acres, purchased -for £334,597, which wpro to be paid for and opened for selection during tho. current year. Rents, interest, and other revenue received during tho year amounted to £249,273. . Tho total aroa acquired, up till tho end of March last, was 1,122,135 acres, for which £4,807,369 was paid, whilst £409,885 had been spent on roads and in preparing the land for settlement. Tho capital value of the land acquired is thus £5,217,254. The total area leased is 979,094 acres, held by 4292 tenants. Of this area 679,410 acres arc held undor lcase-in-perpetuity, 07,107 acres under renewablo lease, and\ 232,577 under small grazing run leases and other tenures. The area opened and unlet at March 31 was .115,184 acres, estimated to be worth a rental if £6669.