THE LANDS REPORT.

Timaru Herald, Volume XIC, Issue 13337, 13 July 1907, Page 7

THE LANDS REPORT.

WORK OF THE YEAR, (Special.—By Telegraph.) WELLINGTON. July 11. annual report of the Lands Department was presented to Parliament to-day. It shows Unit during the year ended March 31st last, the total area of land opened under all classes of tenure, amounted to 640,262 acres, or 871 acres less than last year. This area consists of 287,853 acres m tha North Island, and 352,409 acres in the South Island, the urea in the latter Island (with the exception of Nelson), being principally pastoral runs. The land district showing the largest area taken up Is Auckland with 165.894 acres, Southland being second with 152,287 acres, and Otago third with 114,483 acres. The land selected during the year totalled 958.652 acres, of which 215,528 acres were taken up under the occupation with right of purchase system, and 73,545 acres under lease in perpetuity system. Rural lands sold for cash accounted for 19,896 acres; small grazing runs for 73,851 acres, and pastoral runs for 370,588 acres. Under the Land for Settlements Act 180.691 acres -were selected on the lease in perpetuity tenure. The balance of Crown lands" still available is stated at 2.288.722. which is increased to 2,610,466 acres bv the addition of 521.744 acres being purchased under the Maori Land Settlement Act, 1905. The total' unmber of selectors who took up land during the twelve months was 2380. The receipts during from all sourcecs amounted to £578,223, or £27,981 in excess of the previous year's receipts. The total 'estimated revenue for the current rear is £566.200. Ten additional* estates had been opened for seleection under the Land for Settlements Act, and a portion of an estate previously acquired -. making a total area for selection of 189.633 acres. The area elected during ,the year -was 1C5.239 acres. Up to the present a total area of 1.017.588 acre* (comprising 149 estates) had been acquired.