LANDS FOR SETTLEMENT.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 14281, 1 August 1908, Page 10

LANDS FOR SETTLEMENT.

(From Oue Own Correspondent.) WELLINGTON, July 31. The annual report of the Lands for bettlement Department states that during tho year ended March last 129 estate comprising 1,033,300 acres were offered to tho Government. Of these 48 were inspected and the Government was recommended to purehssß 35 of an area of 294,421 acres. The transactions completed (including estates agreed to be purchased ounng the previous year) comprised 15 estates of an aggregate of 126,867 acres for winch £565,727 was paid whilst £47.967 was expended on roads, workers' dwelling and other contingencies. There were also seven estates, containing 74,043 acres purchased for £334,597 which wore to be" uaid for and opened for selection during tho current year. The rents, interest, and other revenue received during the year amounted to £2*9.273. Tho total Lea aeqiured up hil the end of March last was 1,12Z,105 acres, for which £4.807,369 *aa pud whilst £409,885 had been spwit on roads and in preparing the land for <ettle mem. The capital vaJue of Hie land acquired was thus £5,217.254. The total aea leased was 978.094 ace* held bv 4292 tenants. Of this area 679 410 acres are held under loaw in perpetuity. %, y r U acr&s llmlci ' renewable lease, and <»2,d/v acres under small i-rihang run leases ami oiher tenures. The area opened and ,mJet on March 31 was 115,184 acre* estimated to be worth a rental of £6669 '