CROWN LANDS

Evening Post, Volume CXXX, Issue 27, 31 July 1940, Page 4

CROWN LANDS

SATISFACTORY YEAR

OVER 36,000 TENANTS

The annual report of the Depart ment of Lands and Survey on the settlement of Crown lands records that, although severe climatic conditions caused fairly heavy stock losses, particularly where supplementary winter feed was not available, the year on the whole was a satisfactory one for Crown tenants. Prices for fat lambs, wool, and general farm- produce were good, but owing 'to weather conditions the wool clip was light, while surplus sheep, and particularly store cattle, were difficult to dispose of at a satisfactory figure owing to a general shortage of suitable feed. In the cropping districts" of the South Island ah increased area was sown in wheat and, generally speaking, good yields, were obtained. During the year close attention was given to the question of land development and extensive operations were proceeded with on Crown-owned areas. In view of the situation created by the war the Department is fully seized of the necessity of all areas under its control being brought into a state of productivity as soon as possible, and development work is being extended with this end in view. PRIVATE PROPERTIES. The question of the acquisition of suitable privately-owned properties in order to provide land for settlement purposes also engaged attention, and several areas are under negotiation. In co-operation with the State Advances Corporation good progress was made in the amalgamation and regrouping of a number of uneconomic Crown leaseholds. The adjustments effected, which should result in the settlers*concerned being established on a sound basis, have up to the present been confined mainly to the Canterbury district, but it is intended to take similar action in other districts wherever possible. The question of land erosion is one which affects lands of the Crown, and officers of the Department have been associated with those of other Departments in investigating the statutory and administrative questions connected with this matter. There was a decrease in the revenue figures compared with the previous year, this being accounted for mainly by a reduction in the amount received from the freeholding of Crown leaseholds and lower rental payments following on reductions in the annual rental of leaseholds as a result of adjustments made under the Mortgagors ! and Lessees Rehabilitation Act, 1836. Selections. of Crown and settlement lands on all tenures during, the 'year totalled 315,343 acres. At March 31 the (tenants on the books of the,.. Department numbered :&6,286, , occupying a total area of approximately 18,001,430 acres. Pastoral runs account for 8,232,882 acres, and 1,760,084 acres of purchased estates are held under the provisions of the Land for Settlements Act. *