LAND SETTLEMENT.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 15859, 3 September 1913, Page 6

LAND SETTLEMENT.

THE YEAR'S OPERATIONS. (From Odb Own Cobbespondekt.) WELLINGTON, September 2. In the annual report of the Lands Department it is stated that during the year 19 new estates were subdivided into 242 farms or holdings, aggregating 128,138 acres, and offered for selection. Two of the estates were situated in the Hawkes' Bay district, 14 in Canterbury, two in Otago, and one in Southland. -. '

The total number of holdings occupied under the provisions of the Land for Settlements Act is 5379, aggregating 1,366,518 acres, from which accrues an annual rental of £329,890. The number of sheep depastured on the lands is estimated at 1,010,000, horses 19,100, cattle and other stock 85,700. The total value of improvements at the date of last inspection was £2,371)366. The area of Crown land that has been dealt with under the system of improved farm settlement is 115,941 acres. Of this area 8169 acres has been acquired in fee simple by 94 settlers under the right of purchase conferred by their lease. The balance—viz., 107,772 acres—is at present held by 803 settlers.

The reports of the various commissioners of Crown lands showed that very satisfactory progress was being made on the settlements recently established, many of the settlers having commenced dairying operations, the Government supplying stock where necessary upon suitable terms of repayment.

• The total area of national endowment land held under lease or license at the close of the year was 6,324,608 acres, at a yearly rental of £89,559. The area within this endowment was now 8,551,250 acres. This area, was constantly benignadded to by selections of ordinary Crown lands under the renewable lease tenure and by conversions from the other tenures to renewable leases.