LANDS DEPARTMENT,

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume XLII, Issue 7523, 25 July 1902, Page 4

LANDS DEPARTMENT,

■ ANNUAL BEPORT TO PABLIA4 MENT. Tbo report Bhows that during the year a total area of 641,994 acres of ordinary Crown land was placed on the market, i in addition to 80,415 acres acquired ! under the Lands for Settlement Acts. Of the Crown lands, 192,438 acres were opened for the first time, and 449,556 acres were re-opened for selection. I Of ordinary Crown lands, a large area ' of new country was opened in the Auckand district, and lesser areas ia Hawke's Bay, Taranaki, Wellington, ' Nelson, Marlborough, "Westland, and Southland, but the bulk of the areas opened in the remaining districts comprised blocks which reverted to the Crown by expiry of leases or by their forfeiture or surrender. These latter lands are not usually ot a character suitable for close settlement, and the supply from these sources, except for the reopening of runs, must diminish ; hence the future extension of settlement depends upon the opening-up of the remaining Crown lands in Auckland, Taranaki, Poverty Bay, Wellington, Nglsoh, Westland, and, to some extent, ' in Southland, *En view of the fact that the undisposed of Crown lands comprise as a rule, hilly, forest-clad country, remote from centres of population, unconnected by railway or roads, it is imperative, cays the Secretary for Crown Lands, that ample funds be provided for opening them up for settlement, and that the department spares no effort to explore, survey, and preparo the areas for selection as early as possible, having a due regard to the requirements and convenience of the future occupants. There were during the year 2159 purchasers or selectors, and the total area taken up by these amounted to 1,094,086 acres; the average holding was a little over 506 acres, and the cash received on past and current transactions amounted to £402,124. The report says that these figures show a decrease in the number of transactions for the year of 153 selectors, and a falling off of over half a million acres, principally under the pastoral runs, occupation with right of purchase, and lease in perpetuity systems, and a loss in revenue of about £4200. A closer investigation shows that the area of cash sales fell from 58,700 to 27,289 acres, and the receipts from £63,987 to £22,317. As might have been expected, there is a laige reduction in the perpetual-lease and deferred-payment revenue; selections under the occupation-with-right-of-purchase rural system aggregated 447, whilst those under the lc-asein-perpetuity system were only 241, with a similar disparity in areas ; but the selections under both systems fall far short of ihose in the year 1900-1901, though, of course, the balance of revenue is in favour of the later period. The next principal item, village settlement lease in perpetuity and village homestead selections, total 62, against 103 for the preceding year, with a proportionately less area. The disparity is maintained under the improved farm , and pastoral runs, but the comparison of occupation licenses under the Mining Act and email grazing runs (as to area), and miscellaneous leases and licenses, is in favour of the year 1901-2, as are also the figures under the Land for Settlements Act, which show an increase of 62 selectors and 26,592 acres, when compared with the transactions of the previous year, and under this heading the items lease in perpetuity and small grazing runs show a substantial improvement also. The causo of the ' lower figures recorded in the foregoing instances is attributed to the fact that suitable land was not available for selection. Nevertheless, says the re1 port, it appears reasonable to conclude that, notwithstanding unavoidable drawbacks, the results are satisfactory in the three essentials of number, area, and revenue. The Crown Land Hangers throughout the colony made inspection of 7464 holdings of an aggregate area of 1,980,586 acres. The improvements effected amount to L 1,147,495,, 147,495, the amouut required by statuta being L 623.498. There were 826 selectors whose holdings were found deficient in improvements, 910 were not complying I with the conditions of residence, and i there were 146 defaulters from other i causes, chiefly overdue rent, which , necessitated special visits to ascertain ( the tenants' circumstances and requirements. The following observations are made in reference to the improved farm settlements :—": — " A perusal of the ! ranger's reports affords a bright and ' cheering conception of the happy results • attained by the settlers in many of these ; settlements. The report upon tha [ Auckland improved farms is not en- , couraging, whilst, on the other hand, ' those in Hawke's Bay are progressing satisfactorily. The Commissioner of 1 Crown Lands for Taranaki reports that the improved farm settlements are, with ■ a few exceptions, prosperous. The means of subsistence are stock-raising, dairying, and employment upon public works. In Otago and Southland steps have bscn taken to place the settlements on a better footing, which it is hoped will lead to their ultimate sue- : cess." The present position of village settle- , meats of all classes is as follows :—: — , There are 183 villages, with an aggregate area of 35,174 acres, held by 1845 '■ tenants. The area of pasture or other , cultivations is 24,114 acres, while the value of improvements ia £154,772, and the annual rental £5240. Eeviewiog the reports and particulars ( as furnished by the Commissioners and ■ rangers, "it is fair to conclude, says the report, that on the whole the Crown tenants have complied as far a« practicable with the conditions of their leases, Indeed, it may safely bo said that the back-block settlers have manifested in the fullest degree true griti energy, and industry under the most trying and disadvantageous circumstances." The total forest land under reserve was 2,356,480 acres, and during the year additions were made as follows :—: — Auckland, 321 acres; Auckland, 6190 acres ; Westland, 17,000 acres ; Canterbury, 150,000 acreß ; plantations generally, 715 acres; for scenery preservation, 1782 acres; river protection, 6900 ucreß ; and an area also for the conservation of water supply. The total revenue from State forests during the year was £17,188 ; and the expenditure ! was £10,334. Eighteen estates, containing 85,023 acres, wero offered for selection during the year under the Land for Settlements Act. During the year twentyeight estates, comprising 114,672 acres, were handed over to the several chief surveyors for survey and disposal. Since the initiation of the land for settlements policy, ninety-seven estates, containing 418,720 acres, have been surveyed, valued, classified, and submitted to selection by public competition. With few exceptions the areas have been readily taken up, and there are now 2038 tenants of the Crown occupying 386,529 acres, who pay an onnnal rental of £101,057 14s, The number of forfeitures and surrenders was 121 less than in the preceding year. ; . The total cost of survey field work finished during the year was £69,870 178 4d * ____—