LAND SETTLEMENT.

Lake Wakatip Mail, Issue 2643, 28 August 1906, Page 5

LAND SETTLEMENT.

PROGRESS OF'I TIE YEAR. The annual report of the ?L»m!a Departmeut, laid on the table of the House yesterday, states that 641.133 acres wore opened for selection under varioiu tenure —225,128 acres in the Nor'h Island and 416,005 in the South. It was estimate] that the amount of land still available for settlement was 3,439,100 acres. The revenue fiom all sources amounted to £550,248, or some £40.000 in excess of last) ear. In addition to £7034 remissions of rent under the Bu»h and Swamp Crown Lands Settlement Act. a further rebate of rents had been made to tenants on ordinary Crown Lands during the year of £6461. In regard to Land for Settlements estates, the reports of the Commissioners showed that the lessees were earnestly endeavoring to thoroughly work their sections. During last year eight additional estates wire opened, with a total aiea of 260,043 acres. The amount given by way of subsidy to wards providing medical assistance to settlers in sparsely-stttled districts had been materially increoseJ. To keep up lh* supply to meet the ever-increasing demand for settlement land a vigorous prosecution of the acquisition, by purchase, of improved lauds for Settlement was recommended, or by acquisition by purchase of lands, held by Maori owners, which are not in profitable use, and by the Maoris themselves opening these lands for settlement by Europeans. The portion of the report relating to Southland showed that the area dealt with during the year was 130,180 acres, of which 14,328 acres wai dealt with under the O.R.P. tenure and 92,615 as pastoral runs. The general result of the year's transactions showed sn increase of 49 in the number of tenants, and an increase of £1387 in revenue, and of 73,747 acres in the area held as compared with last year. O.R.P. waß evidently the farorite tenure in the district, 66 new sections having been made. Under the'Buih and Swamp Crown Lands Settlement Act 5597 acres had been opend, and th" total area selected was 8665 acre 3 by 47 selectors. There had been £912 allowed in rebates of rent, and only £75 had been remitted on account of advene circumstances.