WELLINGTON GOSSIP. SETTLEMENT ON LANDS. Wellington, Sept. 3.

Te Aroha News, Volume VI, Issue 296, 5 September 1888, Page 3

WELLINGTON GOSSIP.

SETTLEMENT ON LANDS. Wellington, Sept. 3.

The Minister of Lands furnishes me with some important statistics showing that (/he I public have taken greater advantage of th present land laws, which di&penac with State aid in any form than those of the former two years, which included the selections under the Village Homestead and Special Settlement System. These apply specially to the Auckland district in the year 1886. The selections taken up in that district numbered 181, the area being 23,695 acres, and in 1887-8 there were 259 selections comprising 18,705 acres. The new Land Act had only been in force four and a-half months on August) 18th, but on that date 163 selections had been taken up, the area being 20,585 acre*. Applications arc teporfced by the oificials a& coming in steadily instead of with a rush, and the increase of applications is daily becoming greater.

THE DAIRY INSPECTOR. Mr JVlcCallura, the Dairy Jnsnector, has returned iroin fcho North in ill health, and does not piopose to return. After making Mb report, which he is now writing in Wellington, he will quit the Government service. He found his lectures well attended, and apparently appreciated in the bu&li district of Wellington, but lefts' interest i*< shown in Waikato and other Auckland districts. Mr McC-ill urn's course ot lectures in the South Island has been abandoned in accordance with medical advice.

THE STOCK OF DEPARTMENT. The Minister for Lands i« taking steps tor the leorganisation ot the Stock Department One ot the first steps will be the discharge (Jhief Sheep Inspeeter.

RELIEF OP CROWN TENANTS. In accordance with a promise given to the House immediate meabiueb will be taken by the tiovernmenl for the relict of Crown tenants. Any petitions received for reduction of rents will be forwarded to bhc Land Boards of tlie \aiiGtis districts find ieport& will be invited tiom the local rangers on the question. Thcso icports will be forwarded to the Ministers for their decision, but any reductions that may be made will be re quiied to be validated by Parliament ne\ t <=efcsion.

MININCi EXHIBITS. The bulk of exhibits of oie that are being collected by the Mine? Department are fiom all the goldfialds of the colony, and Mr (Jonlon will be sent adoss to Melbourne in charge of them.

ACCIDENT TO MR FRASER. Mr Frasor, member tcr Thames, received a rather painful injuiy to hi.s foot in being Iran '•feared from the steamer Waihi to the Kaineii on the Wairau Bar yesterday, lie is not, however, disabled.

A MINISTERIAL VISIT. The Colonial Secretary leavcb for Auck land to-moirow in connection with the Avon dale Lunatic Asylum difficulty, and will be absent about a week. The Hon. Mr Mitchelhon will probably leave for Auckland dm ing the piesenb week.

BANQUETS. A ines^-dinuei to the Defence Ministei and Lo Captain Hume will be gi\en by the \oluntcer ollicei-> at Christchurch on the 10th inst. , and at Hunedin on the 15th.