"LAND FOR SETTLEMENTS ACT, 1894" (REPORT ON).

Appendix to the Journals of the House of Representatives, 1896 Session I, C-05

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1896. NEW ZEALAND.

"LAND FOR SETTLEMENTS ACT, 1894" (REPORT ON).

Presented to both Houses of the General Assembly in compliance with Section 39 of " The Land for Settlements Act, 1894."

The Land Purchase Inspectob to the Hon. the Ministek of Lands. Sik, — Department of Land for Settlements, Wellington, 27th June, 1896. I have the honour to report on the transactions under "The Land for Settlements Act, 1894," for the twelve months ending the 31st March, 1896. By the Amendment Ace of 1895 the number of the members of the Land Purchase Board was increased from three to five. The Board as now constituted consists of the Land Purchase Inspector as Chairman, the Surveyor-General, the Commissioner of Taxes—these for the whole colony; with the Commissioner of Crown Lands, and a member of the Land Board in each land district, who are members only for the business arising within their respective districts. This came into operation on the Ist November, 1895, and has removed the deadlock which formerly existed whenever any one of the three members could not attend to form a quorum of that number. There were twenty meetings of the Board held during the year for business in the following land districts: Auckland, 2 ; Hawke's Bay, 2 ; Wellington, 2; Marlborough, 1; Westland, 4; Canterbury, 6 ; and Otago, 3 meetings. Estates of a total area of 541,966 acres were offered during the year. Of that area more than onehalf was found on inspection to be more suitable for pastoral than agricultural occupation, and, not being adapted for close settlement, was declined. Of the remainder, the Board recommended the purchase of estates of an aggregate area of 71,877 acres, fit certain prices, which, being approved by Government, were submitted to the owners and accepted for fifteen estates, containing 43,195 acres, at a total price of £214,627, or an average price per acre of very nearly £5. In this is included the Ardgowan Estate, of 4,241 acres, taken compulsorily in terms of the Act of 1894. The award fixed by Compensation Court, held in September, 1895, was £34,600, or £8 3s. per acre. Since the commencement of the system of purchase of land for settlements, in October, 1892, to 31st March, 1896, 28 estates of a total area of 86,919 acres have been bought, for £377,553 6s. The cost of roading, surveying, and administration was £11,761 11s. 7d. additional. The land acquired has been of two classes —namely, rural arable land for farms, and suburban land for garden-cultivation in 1- to 5-acre lots. A large number of small areas around Christchurch have been offered from time to time, but the prices asked, in most cases, have been more on the scale of building-lots than of garden or small-farm lots, and practically prohibitive for the latter purpose. Four areas, comprising in all 190 acres, have been purchased within from a mile and a half to three miles from the Christchurch Post-office. Two have been settled on, in lots of Ito 3 acres, and the other two areas, having only been recently acquired, are now in process of preparation for settlement. Nearly all the lands purchased under " The Land for Settlements Act, 1894," have been much improved, and are in excellent heart and condition. Unless they are kept up in this state by skilful husbandry, and by settlers who have the means to do so, they will deteriorate and fall in value. It therefore becomes imperative in the public interest that in the administration of such valuable lands the conditions of the leases in respect of rotation and limitation of cropping, upkeep of fences, and so on, should be strictly enforced. In the eagerness to obtain such lands artful combinations of families and friends lend themselves as applicants for some favourite section, so as to obtain as many chances of a successful draw at the ballot as possible. This acts most unfairly to those who do not resort to that practice. Some power of check should be given the Land Boards to prevent the scramble. During the year considerable attention has been given to the question of dealing with the pastoral country of Nelson and Marlborough Land Districts, the leases of which run out in the latter half of 1896, but are carried on to 28th February, 1897, as a more convenient time of the year for shifting stock should there be any change of tenants. In nearly all the runs the lower slopes and valleys have been made freehold, thereby either shutting off'the higher-lying Crown lands from access, or, by spotting, rendering the adjacent Crown lands practically worthless. Section 4 of " The Land for Settlements Act, 1894," gives power to deal with this either by purchase or exchange of lands. A large number of adjustments will require to be made if all the Crown lands are to be available for future occupation. A beginning has been made in this important work, but very much more remains to be done. I have, &c, James McKekbow, The Hon. the Minister of Lands. Land Purchase Inspector. I—C. 5.

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Return of all Lands offered to Government under "The Land for Settlements Act, 1894," and how dealt with, from 1st April, 1895, to 31st March, 1896.

Land District where Land situated. Area offered. Price asked per Acre. Area declined without going to Board. Area not recommended by Board. Area recommended by Board. Offer accepted or rejected by Owner. Remarks. A. B. P. 50 0 0 2,924 0 0 858 0 0 12,168 0 0 300 0 0 12,066 0 0 3,546 0 0 £ s. d. A. B. P. 50 0 0 2,924 0 0 858 0 0 12,168 0 0 300 0 0 12,066 0 0 . A. B. P. A. B. P. Auckland 0 12 6 2 0 0 0 6 7 Not considered suitable. i' 0 0 4 0 0 Not suitable. 3,546 0 0 3,546 0 0 Owner would not accept offer. Total 31,912 0 0 28,366 0 0 •• Hawke's Bay 1,452 0 0 427 0 0 907 0 0 891 0 0 4,560 0 0 5,500 0 0 1,250 0 0 1,600 0 0 19,000 0 0 4,539 0 0 8,485 0 0 425 0 0 58,580 0 0 732 0 0 6,767 0 0 119,669 0 0 113 0 0 8,000 0 0 807 0 0 5 3 4 27 0 0 25 0 0 20 0 0 427' 0 0 Accepted Under consideration. Land suitable for settlement. Not suitable. 907 - 0 0 891 0 0 •■ 4,560 0 0 5,500 0 0 Rejected Owner would not accept offer made. 1,250 0 0 1,600 0 0 19,000 0 0 4,539 0 0 Land not suitable. 8,485* 0 0 ■• Under consideration. Land not suitable. t 25 0 0 0 13 0 2 0 0 27 10 0 3 0 0 20 0 0 58,580 0 0 732 0 0 6,767 0 0 119,669 0 0 113 0 0 Under consideration. 1 •• Total 243,704 0 0 212,250 0 0 10,283 0 0 10,487 0 0 Under consideration, 10,684 acres. •• Taranaki 2,140 0 0 8 10 0 Under consideration. Total 2,140 0 0 - Under consideration, 2,140 acres. •■ ■■ •• Wellington 4,236 0 0 138 0 0 9,000 0 0 6,765 0 0 6,513 0 0 375 0 0 5 15 0 15 0 0 i 4,236 0 0 Withdrawn by vendor. Not suitable. Under consideration. Land suitable. Not suitable. 138 0 0 20 0 40 0 0 6,513 0 0 6,765 0 0 Rejected 375' 0 0 ■• •• Carried forward 27,027 0 0 Under consideration, 9,000 acres. 6,651 0 0 375 0 0 11,001 0 0

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Return of all Lands offered to Government under "The Land for Settlements Act, 1894," and how dealt with, from 1st April, 1895, to 31st March, 1896— continued.

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Land District where Land situated. Area offered. Price asked per Acre. Area declined without going to Board. Area not Area recommended recommended by Board. by Board. Offer accepted or rejected by Owner. Remarks. A. R. P. 27,027 0 0 304 0 0 100 0 0 & s. a. A. R. P. 6,651 0 0 304 0 0 A. H. P. 375 0 0 A. R. P. 11,001 0 0 Brought forward Wellington 910 0 Not suitable. Under consideration. Total 27,431 0 0 6,955 0 0 375 0 0 11,001 0 0 Under consideration, 9,100 acres. Marlborough 1 3,898 0 0 1,182 0 0 1,000 0 0 2,550 0 0 2,082 0 0 6,500 0 0 13,104 0 0 14,188 0 0 14,000 0 0 3 4 0 3 0 0 3 0 0 4 18 0 1 10 0 6 10 0 10 0 0 8 5 4 10 0 3,898 0 0 Accepted Land suitable. Not suitable. 900 0 0 1,000 0 0 •• 2,550 0 0 2,082 0 0 " " 6,500 0 0 Rejected Land suitable. Not suitable ; pastoral country. Not suitable. Under consideration. 13,104 0 0 14,188 0 0 .. •• Total 58,504 0 0 31,924 0 0 2,182 0 0 10,398 0 0 Under consideration, 14,000 acres. Westland 450 0 0 4,865 0 0 3,230 0 0 3 0 0 2 15 0 15 0 4,865° 0 0 3,230 0 0 Declined Accepted Under consideration. Land suitable ; still under consideration. Land suitable. 8,545 0 0 t Total •■ 8,095 0 0 Under consideration, 450 acres. Canterbury 29 0 0 104 0 0 360 0 0 200 0 0 125 0 0 43,979 0 0 54 0 0 480 0 0 40 0 0 354 0 0 386 0 0 22 0 0 727 0 0 591 0 0 636 0 0 111 0 0 712 0 0 518 0 0 906 0 0 133 0 0 1,546 0 0 508 0 0 53 0 0 33 0 0 29 0 0 104 0 0 •• - Too high priced. Unsuitable. Land suitable. l4' 0 0 360 0 0 200 0 0 125 0 0 Rejected 2 10 0 20 0 0 2 0 0 43 0 0 0 14 1 25 0 0 54 0 0 480 0 0 43,979' 0 0 Land not suitable ; mostly pastoral. Land not suitable. 40 0 0 i I 354 0 0 Accepted 22 0 0 727 0 0 591 0 0 636 0 0 111 0 0 386* 0 0 Land suitable. Land not suitable. Not suitable. No further action taken ; land sold privately. Not suitable. 16' 0 0 5 0 0 17 0 0 6 10 0 71S 0 0 Rejected Land suitable. Too high priced. Not suitable. 7 0 0 10 10 0 11 0 0 10 10 0 518' 0 0 906 0 0 133 0 0 1,546 0 0 508 0 0 . •• •• Carried forward 52,521 0 0 45,443 0 0 1,783 0 0 5,295 0 0

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Return of all Lands offered to Government under "The Land for Settlements Act, 1894," and how dealt with, from 1st April, 1895, to 31st March, 1896— continued.

Land District where Land situated. Area offered. Trice asked per Acre. Area declined without going to Board. Area not recommended by Board. Area recommended by Board, Offer accepted or rejected by Owner. Remarks. a. R. p. 52,521 0 0 7,000 0 0 61 0 0 440 0 0 390 0 0 50 0 0 95 0 0 9,120 0 0 160 0 0 777 0 0 880 0 0 856 0 0 40 0 0 5,191 0 0 100 0 0 35 0 0 79 0 0 97 0 0 44 0 0 25 0 0 32 0 0 75 0 0 26 0 0 78 0 0 18 0 0 75 0 0 £ a. d. A. R. P. 5,295 0 0 A. R. P. 45,443 0 0 A. R. P. 1,783 0 0 Brought forward .. Canterbury Under consideration. Not suitable. No further action taken. Land suitable. Owner would not dispose of land. Under consideration. Land suitable. Too high priced. Under consideration. 40 0 0 6 5 0 25 0 0 61 0 0 440 0 0 390 0 0 50 0 0 Rejected 30 0 0 6 17 6 120 0 0 23 0 0 12 0 0 4 10 0 35 0 0 5 0 0 45 0 0 50 0 0 45 0 0 50 0 0 160 0 0 856 0 0 9,126' 0 0 Accepted Not suitable. Under consideration. Not suitable. Under consideration. 5,191 0 0 70 0 0 93 0 0 85 0 0 65 0 0 62 0 0 40 0 0 t Total 78,265 0 0 11,613 0 0 45,443 0 0 11,733 0 0 Under consideration, 9,476 acres. •• Otago 514 0 0 23,597 0 0 360 0 0 115 0 0 337 0 0 5,095 0 0 13,736 0 0 530 0 0 11,138 0 0 14 0 0 23,264 0 0 258 0 0 8 10 0 17 6 16 0 0 7 16 6 9 5 9 3 5 0 3 5 0 12 0 0 7 5 0 8 0 0 115 0 0 23,597° 0 0 360 0 0 337' 0 0 2,728 0 0 514 0 0 •• 2,367' 0 0 13,736 0 0 Accepted 1 Accepted Rejected Land suitable. Not suitable ; mostly pastoral. Not suitable. Land suitable. Not suitable ; mostly pastoral. Under consideration. 23,264' 0 0 Not suitable. Under consideration. I •• Total 78,958 0 0 115 0 0 50,286 0 0 16,617 0 0 Under consideration, 11,940 acres. Southland.. « .. .. 8,057 0 0 3,173 0 0 1,277 0 0 4 5 0 4 10 0 3,173 0 0 Under consideration. Not suitable. Under consideration. Total 12,507 0 0 | 3,173 0 0 i Under consideration, 9,334 acres. Grand Totals for the Colony 541,966 0 0 294,396 0 0 Under consideration, 67,124 acres. 108,569 0 0 71,877 0 0

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"THE LAND FOR SETTLEMENTS ACT, 1894." TABLE B.—Return of Lands recommended for Purchase by the Board of Land Purchase Commissioners under the above Act up to 31st March, 1896.

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[Note. —Wherever the land-tax value is absent, the tax val ue of the property offered cannot be separated from the rest of the estate.] Name of Seller and Locality. Area offered by Vendor. Price asked. i Tax Value. Price offered for Land. Cost of Koading, Total Price Admiuistra- Total Cost to iaid to Seller. tiou, Date. &c, to Date. Date of Deed. Remarks. Per Acre. ■ Per Acre. Per Acre. New Zealand and Australian Land Company, "Pareora," Canterbury Studholme's Trustees, " Stndholme Junction," Canterbury Studholme's Trustees, " Kapua," Canterbury Meek, W., " Teaneraki," Otago Douglas, J., " Pomahaka," Otago Auckland Auckland Auckland Fell, C. Y., " Blind River," Marlborough .. A. E. P. 620 2 13 107 2 17 574 1 5 £ s. d. Prom £10 16s. to £12 12s. 12 0 0 £ s. d. £ s. d. 11 12 0 12 0 0 £ s. d. £ s. d. £ s. d. 7,198 14 10 38 10 10 7,237 5 8 1,291 5 6 J 47 18 4 1,339 3 10 4,594 5 0 215 13 6 4,809 18 6 5,044 0 6 496 16 8 5,540 17 2 18,656 17 10 3,180 11 2 21,837 9 0 29/9/93 3/11/93 See report attached. 9 0 0 2"2 6 8 0 0 14 10 0 2 10 0 2/2/94 347 3 18 7,462 3 1 4,738 0 0 1,357 3 21 3,546 0 0 5,020 0 0 15 0 0 3 10 0 4 10 0 6 12 6 4 0 0 3 10 0 17/11/93 10/10/93 Owner refused price offered. 3 0 0 14,678 10 5 1,533 6 11 16,211 17 4 2/8/94 Offer accepted by vendor; purchase complete. See report attached. Owner refused price offered. See report attached. ' Owner refused price offered. Offer accepted by vendor; purchase complete. Owner refused price offered. Westland J. Meyer, " Epworth," Canterbury Canterbury Priogle, W., " Rosebrook," Canterbury 4,868 0 0 21 2 0 100 0 0 594 2 11 3 0 0 15 0 0 23 0 0 12 10 0 10 0 0 14 0 0 12 0 0 2 10 0 12 0 0 17 0 0 10 0 0 252 4 6 9 15 1 261 19 7 22/10/95 5,984 4 8 73 11 1 6,05715 <J 6/5/95 Canterbury Canterbury Canterbury Copland, A., "Otaio," Canterbury 177 0 0 200 0 0 416 0 0 376 2 30 11 0 0 14 0 0 17 10 0 13 0 0 7 10 0 10 0 0 13 0 0 12 0 0 11 0 0 Negotiations fell through. Offer accepted by vendor; purchase complete. See report attached. 4,143 11 3 53* 2 4 4,19613 7 2/4/95 Stringer, G., " Tahawai," Otago Borton, J., " Maerewhenua," Otago Elder, Smith, and Co., "Merrivale," Southland Southland Tonks, Norton, and Co., "Roimata," Canterbury 69 0 19 11,358 0 0 9,998 0 0 11 0 0 8 0 0 4 0 0 6 11 0 3 0 0 9 0 0 6 0 0 2 10 0 622 14 10 19 4 633 0 8 66,905 17 0 2,583 5 8 09,489 2 8 24,995 0 0 1,182 12 1 26,177 12 1 9/5/95 8/8/95 5/4/95 1,907 0 0 47 2 0 4 15 0 50 0 0 2 10 0 47 9 6 2 5 0 45 0 0 2,200 6 7 228~ 7 6 2,42814 1 - 21/8/95 Owner refused price offered. Offer accepted by vendor; purchase complete. Owner refused price offered. Canterbury Canterbury M. R. Co., " Patoa," Canterbury Hawke's Bay 75 0 0 448 0 0 7,347 0 38 6,964 0 0 75 0 0 8 17 6 10 0 5 15 0 0 15 0 3 5 9 50 0 0 6 0 0 0 18 0 4 0 0 6,612 10 3 80' 3 6 6,69213 9 13/3/96 Gould, J., " Opouriao," Auckland 7,604 0 0 4 9 4 3 4 0 24,261 3 3 668 5 9 24,929 9 0 See report attached. Owner could not complete title. See report attached. 7,504 acres purchased ; title to 100 acres not complete. Owner accepted offer: purchase not quite complete. Murray, Roberts, and Co., " Elsthorpe," Hawke's Bay 10,073 0 0 6 0 0 5 0 0 4 10 0 45,328 10 0 (To be paid.) ,

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"THE LAND FOR SETTLEMENTS ACT, 1894 "— continued. TABLE B.—Return of Lands recommended for Purchase by the Board of Land Purchase Commissioners — continued.

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Area offered by Price asked. Tax Value. Price offered for Land. Cost of Roading, Administration, &c, to Date Name of Seller and Locality. Total Price caid to Seller. Total Cost to Date. Date of Deed. Remarks. Per Acre. Per Acre. Per Acre. Williams, J. H., " Raureka," Hawke's Bay Wellington Marlborough Goulter, C, "Omaka," Marlborough A. R. P. 427 2 0 £ s. d. 27 0 0 £ s. d. 23 1 5 £ s. d. 24 0 0 £ s. d. 10,260 0 0 £ s. d. 12 12 1 £ s. d. 10,272 12 1 See report attached. 4,236 0 0 6,500 0 0 3,898 0 0 5 15 0 6 0 0 2 15 9 5 10 0 3 7 0 2 15 9 10,865 13 6 (To be paid.) 3,634 1 6 •• Withdrawn by vendor. Owner declined offer made. Purchase not quite complete ; sec report attached. See report attached. Owner refused price offered. Purchase not quite complete. Clark, C, " Poerua," Westland Canterbury .. .. .... Brown, M. L, " Highbank," Canterbury 3,230 1 6 200 0 0 9,120 0 0 15 0 14 0 0 6 17 6 6 5 0 12 6 13 0 0 6 10 0 59,209 12 7 (To be paid.) 109 11 3 98 9 4 3,743 12 9 98' 9 4 Canterbury Canterbury Quinn and Rooney, " Orakipaoa" Canterbury Canterbury Moore, G. H., Omihi Stock Reserve, Canterbury R. Hoare, " Kereta," Canterbury W. Boag, *' Braco," Canterbury Gould, Beaumont, and Co., " Ashley Gorge " 125 0 0 | 360 0 0 j 386 0 0 711 0 0 261 0 0 20 0 0 •• 25 0 0 6 10 0 25 0 0 15 0 0 13 0 0 19 0 0 7 0 0 20 0 0 5 15 0 21 0 0 12 0 0 7,683* 17 6 61 1 5 7,74418 11 Owner refused price offered. See report attached. Owner refused price offered. 240 0 0 7 9 8 247 9 8 23/3/96 See report attached. 105 2 16 27 2 0 I 718 0 0 \ 440 0 0 514 1 20 4,241 0 0 20 0 0 55 0 0 9 11 0 58 14 0 15 0 0 50 0 0 5 10 0 2 0 0 6 10 0 1,584 0 0 1,375 0 0 j 4,855 19 6 31 7 0 23 3 0 224 6 9 1,615 7 0 1,398 3 0 5,080 6 3 8/10/95 19/8/95 16/11/95 See report attached. See report attached. Cochrane, J., " Puketapu," Otago N. Z. and A. Land Co., "Ardgowan," Otago 8 10 0 8 3 0 3,308 14 10 34,600 0 0 (To be paid.) 7,168 3 8 (To be paid.) 176 0 4 582 0 10 3,484 15 2 582 0 10 23/8/95 See report attached. Taken by arbitration —award oi Court, £34,600. Purchase not quite complete. Kitchener, A. B., "Makareao," Otago .. 2,367 3 31 3 10 22 10 2 22 10 2 Auckland Hawke's Bay Hawke's Bay Marlborough 6,746 0 0 807 0 0 1,488 0 0 4,950 0 0 138,299 3 6 53 4 4 10 0 20 0 3 13 0 18 0 0 3 12 6 2 17 0 a ■ * Owner declined offer made. I I Owner refused price offered. Total area recommended to 31st March, 1896 Total amou sellers to 1896 Total amour: to sellers al int paid to 31st March, 220,382 6 3 11,751 11 7 232,133 17 10 Total area purchased and arranged to be purchased at 31st March, 1896 86,919 1 21 it to be paid ,t 31st March, 157,171 19 9

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"THE LAND FOR SETTLEMENTS ACT, 1894." Statement of Lands acquired to 31st March, 1896, prepared in Terms of Subsection 2 of Section 39 of the said Act.

Name of Settlement. Area of each ; Block of Lan.l : as purchased. Locality of Land. Quality of Land. Name of Person or „ . ,., Company from whom A^n^Yl itw a a c s q r!d htOT «^«s«. Price to be paid where Transaction not complete at 31st March, 1896. Report and Valuation of Board. Report on Conditions and Valuation Settl T„ °* the of Board. aiia - Report of Board. «g™» Ll %nds acquired prim ' to 1st April £ s. d. 7,198 14 10 !, 1894. Pareora A. R. P. ■ 620 2 13 ! Block XII., Otaio, and Block Open level agriculIV., Patiti, Canterbury tural land, of good Land District quality The New Zealand and Australian Land Company (Limited) Trustees of the late M. Studholme £ s. a. The quality and position of the land are excellent, 11 12 0 and, from inquiries made, the Board believes there is a demand for small farms in the district, and therefore recommends the purchase of the block. Ditto .. .. .. .. .. .. 12 0 0 11 12 0 See Report attached. 11 12 0 Studhoi.me 107 2 17 Blocks XV. and XVI., Wai- Flat agricultural mate, Canterbury Land land, of good District quality 574 1 5 Blocks I. and II., Waitaki, All first-class land; Canterbury Land District partly reclaimed swamp 347 3 18 Block XII., Oamaru, and All rich agricultural Block VIII., Awamoko, land Otago Land District 1,291 5 6 12 0 0 See Report attached. 12 0 0 Kapua .. Ditto 4,594 5 0 Ditto .. .. .. .. .. 7 16 9 7 16 9 See Report attached. 7 16 9 Teanaraki Meek, W. 5,044 0 6 We recommend purchase at a price of £14 per acre, 15 0 0 and, in the event of this offer not being accepted, we are of opinion that £15 an acre would not be too high a price to pay for such land. We have ascertained the value and suitableness for 2 10 0 settlement of the lands, and respectfully recommend the purchase of the same at a price not exceeding £2 10s. an acre. 15 0 0 See Report attached. 15 0 0 Pomahaka 7,462 3 1 Blocks X., XL, XIII., and Mostly agricultural XIV., Pomahaka, Otago land 9,113 0 14 Land District Douglas, J. 18,656 17 10 36,785 3 8 2 10 0 See Report attached. 2 10 0 Total acquired to 31st March, 1894 Total price paid to 31st March, 1894 Lands acqw. ired from 1st April I, 1894, to 3i 1st March, 18: 95. 3 5 0 I See Report attached. Blind River 5,020 0 0 I Blocks XII. and XIV., Clif- Agricultural and ford Bay Survey District, > pastoral lands Marlborough Land District 600 1 8 ! Block XVI., Pareora, Canter- Open, flat, and undubury Land District lating down lands Fell, C. Y. I 14,678 10 5 In the belief that a demand exists in the district, 3 5 0 the Board recommends the purchase, at a price not exceeding £3 5s. an acre. The land is suitable for farms of about 50 acres 10 10 0 each. That there is a demand for such land in the district; that the Board recommends the purchase at a price not exceeding £10 10s. an acre. That the block is very suitable for subdivision into 12 0 0 small farms ; that there is an unsatisfied demand for land in the district; that the Board recommends the purchase at a price not exceeding £12 per acre That the character of the land is such as to render 9 0 0 it suitable for settlement in small lots; that there is a demand for land in the district; that the Board recommends the purchase at £9 per acre. That the land is good and suitable for settlement; 6 0 0 that the offering of such a property to the public would create a demand from outside in addition to a limited demand in the district. The Board recommends purchase at a price not greater than £6 an acre That the land is good and suitable for settlement; 3 0 0 that the Board believes there is a demand for this class of land in the district; that the Board recommends purchase at a price not exceeding £2 10s. an acre The land is good level agricultural land suitable for 45 0 0 small allotments. That the Board believes there is a demand for this class of settlement in the district. The Board recommends the purchase at a price not exceeding £45 an acre. That part of the land is fairly suitable for settlement; 0 18 0 that a demand exists for this block on the part of the Hurunui special settlers and others. The Board recommends Government to arrange the acquisition of the block at a price not greater than 18a. an acre, of opinion that there is a prospect of some part of the block no other than pastoral purposes, or, perhaps, not at all; but ir necessity that exists for providing extensions to the holdin settlers, without which—they inform members of the Board—tl must be abandoned, the Board thinks Government should be p: loss (if any) rather than that an industrious class of bond fie obliged to abandon their homes. Rosebroo Pringle, W. 5,984 4 8 10 10 0 See Report attached. Otaio .. .. 376 2 30 Blocks XII. and XVI., Otaio Open, flat land Survey District, Canterbury Land District Copland, A. 4,143 11 3 12 0 0 See Report attached. Tahawai 69 0 19 Block I., Kurow Survey Dis- Open, level ground, trict, Otago Land District deep rich alluvial silt Stringer, G. 622 1 4 9 0 0 See Report attached. Maerewhenua .. 11,150 3 36 Block III. and part of Block Low - lying downs II., Awamoko, and Block and flats III. and part of Block IV., Maerewhenua Survey Districts, Otago Land District Borton, J. 66,905 17 0 6 0 0 See Report attached. Merrivale 9,998 0 0 Waiau Survey District, Mixed agricultural Southland Land District aud pastoral; deep, rich, free soil Elder, Smith, and Co. 24,995 0 0 3 0 0 See Report attached. Roimata 48 3 37 Blocks XV. and XVI., Christ- Good flat land, dark, church Survey District, rich, alluvial soil Canterbury Land District Trustees of estate of late Sir H. Parkes 2,200 6 7 45 0 0 See Report attached. Patoa 7,347 0 38 Waipara and Waitohi Survey Pastoral country .. Districts, Canterbury Land District 34,611 1 8 New Zealand Midland Railway Company (Limited) 6,612 10 3 0 18 0 See Report attached. Total acquired from 1st April, 1894, to 31st March, 1895 34,611 1 8 Total price paid '. from 1st April, 1894, to 31st March, 1895 126,142 1 6 <. an acre. The Board is also le block not being selected for all; but in view of the great the holdings of the Hurunui e Board—their present holdings ;hould be prepared to face this of bona fide settlers should be Lands acqui I, 1895, to 3 1st March, 18: Opouriao ■red from 1st April )6. 3 4 0 See Report attached. 4 10 n Elsthorpe Raureka 7,604 0 0 10,073 0 0 427 2 0 7,604 0 0 Blocks V., IX., XIII., Wha- Deep,alluvial soil,of katane, and Block II., good quality Waimana Survey District, Auckland Laud District 10,073 0 0 Blocks III., VII., and XII., Soil and situation Oero Survey District, good, suitable for Hawke's Bay Land Dis- mixed farms trict 427 2 0 Block III., Te Mata Survey Rich alluvial soil .. District, Hawke's Bay Land District Gould, J. (Gould's Trustees) Buchanan's Trustees Williams, Joseph Heathcote 24,261 3 3 10,260 0 0 45,328 10 0 The land is excellent in quality, and suitable for sub- 3 4 0 division into farms of from 100 to 400 acres. That, from inquiries made, there is a considerable demand in the Bay of Plenty District and the Government is therefore recommended to purchase the land The Board believes the land could be profitably oc- 4 10 0 cupied in mixed farms ; that there is a fair demand in the district for such class of holdings, and the purchase is therefore recommended The land is good and suitable for settlement in small 24 0 0 farms. The Board believes there is a demand for such land in the district; that the Board recommends the purchase at £24 an acre The land is good and suitable for settlement; there is 2 15 9 a demand for such land in the district. The Board recommends the purchase at £2 15s. 9d. an acre 4 10 O 24 0 0 See Report attached. 2 15 9 Omaka 3,898 0 0 3,898 0 0 Block VI., Aron Survey Dis- Good agricultural trict, and Block I., Taylor land Pass Survey District Marlborough Land District 3,230 1 6 BlocksX. and XIV., TeKinga Mica schist silt on Survey District, Westland shingle Land District Goulter, Charles .. 10,865 13 6 Poerua 3,230 1 6 Clark, Charles 3,634 1 6 To meet the strong desire for land on the part of the 12 6 people residing in the district, that Mr. Clark be offered £1 2s. 6d. an acre as a final price, and that the proposed road and other expenditure on the land be such that the total expenditure on which rental will be charged does not exceed £2 an acre on an average The land is good and suitable for settlement in various 6 10 0 sized farms. There is a demand for this land in the district. The Board recommends the acquisition of this land at £6 10s. an acre 12 6 See Report attached. HlGHBANK 9,119 3 2 9,119 3 2 Blocks I. and II., Corwar All flat land, soil Survey District, Blocks IV. good and VIII., Spaxton Survey District, Canterbury Land District 384 0 31 Blocks III. and VII., Aro- Rich alluvial soil .. whenua Survey District, Canterbury Land District Brown, M. Ingle .. 59,209 12 7 6 10 0 20 0 0 See Report attached. 6 10 0 Orakipaoa 384 0 31 Quinn and Rooney.. 7,683 17 6 20 0 0 • Omihi Stock Reserve .. Kereta Ashley Gorge 20 0 0 105 2 16 1,166 0 24 20 0 0 Block XVIII., Waikari Arable land Survey District, Canterbury Land District 105 2 16 Block IX., Arowhenua Survey Alluvial swamp land District, Canterbury Land District. 1,166 0 24 Blocks III., IV., and XVI., Deep marshy soil on Ashley Survey District, and flats; the hill land Block IV., Oxford Survey fair pasture District, Canterbury Land District Moore, G. H. Hoare, Richard Gould, Beaumont, and Co. (Ellis's Trustees) 240 0 0 1,584 0 0 4,855 19 6 The land is good and suitable for settlement in 8 or 20 0 0 10 allotments of from 5 to 10 acres each, and the rest of the estate, approximately, as at present fenced. There is a demand in the district. The Board recommends the acquisition of the property at £20 an acre, the area on which payment is made to be decided after survey The Board recommends Government to acquire 20 12 0 0 acres out of Mr. Moore's " Glenmark" Estate, situated on Waipara-Cheviot Road, at a price not exceeding £12 an acre The land is good and suitable for subdivision into sec- 15 0 0 tions from 20 acres upwards. The Board believes there is a demand for a few sections in the neighbourhood. The Board recommends the Government to purchase the land at a price not exceeding £15 an acre. That the land known as the " Homestead Block " is 5 10 0 good and suitable for settlement. There is a demand for land in the district. The Government is recommended to purchase this block and 185 acres in addition at a price of £5 10s. an acre. With regard 2 0 0 to the 440 acre block near the Ashley Bridge, as this case comes under subsection (3) of section 4 of the Act it is considered advisable to acquire this land, as low-lying country necessary for the working of the high pastoral country behind belonging to the Crown, at a price of £2 an acre The land is good and suitable for settlement. The) 6 10 0 Board believes there is a demand in the district. The Government is recommended to purchase the land at £6 10s. an acre, conditionally on the title to parts of Sections 4 and 7, Block I., Hawkesbury, being completed The land is good and suitable for settlement. That 7 0 0 there is a demand for land in the district. The Board recommends Government to acquire the land at a price not exceeding £7 an acre. (Taken by arbitration — Award of Compensation Court, £34,600, or £8 3s. an acre) The land is good and suitable for settlement. There 3 10 is a demand for land in the district; the Board recommends the purchase of 2,368 acres of the land at £3 Is. an acre 12 0 0 See Report attached. 15 0 0 See Report attached. 5 10 0 See Report attached. 2 0 0 12 0 0 15 0 0 5 10 0 2 0 0 PtJKETAPU 509 0 6 Block IV., Moeraki Survey; Good hill-slopes, all District, Otago Land Dis- ploughable trict 509 0 6 Cochrane, J. 3,308 14 10 6 10 0 See Report attached. 7 0 0 6 10 0 ARDGOWAN 4,241 0 0 Blocks I. and II., Oamaru Good agricultural Survey District, Otago land, the whole Land District of which may be ploughed 4,241 0 0 New Zealand and Australian Land Company 34,600 0 0 7 0 0 Makareao 2,367 3 31 2,367 3 31 Blocks VII., IX., XII., XV., Limestone hill land Moeraki Survey District, and arable flats and Block IV., Dunback along banks of Survey District, Otago Shag River Land District 21 0 3 Block II., Arowhenua Survey Loamy soil on banks District, Canterbury Land of stream District Kitchener, A. B. 7,168 3 8 3 10 See Report attached. 3 10 Epwobth 21 0 3 Meyer, John 252 4 6 The land is suitable for subdivision into smaller areas. 12 0 0 There is a demand for land in this district. The Board recommends the Government to acquire the land at £12 an acre The land is good and suitable for division into small 50 0 0 lots of from 1 acre upwards. The Board believes there will be a demand for such lands. The Board recommends Government to purchase the laud at a price not exceeding £50 an acre 12 0 0 See Report attached. 12 0 0 Bbaco 27 2 0 Block X., Christchurch Sur- Level land, good soil, vey District, Canterbury suitable for market 43,194 3 39 Land District gardens 27 2 0 Boag, W... 1,375 0 0 50 0 0 See Report attached. 50 0 0 Total acquired from 1st April, 1895, to 31st March, 1896 43,194 3 39 57,455 1 1 157,171 19 9 Grand total area acquired to 31st March, 1896 86,919 1 21 36,919 1 21 Grand total price 377,554 6 0 3—C. 5.

9

C—s

REPORT OF THE SURVEYOR-GENERAL TO THE MINISTER OF LANDS.

Department of Lands and Survey, Wellington, 22nd June, 1896. Sib,— I have the honour to furnish the following information in order to comply with the latter part of section 39, (2), of " The Land for Settlements Act, 1894 " :— The accompanying table shows " the condition and settlement" of the lands acquired under the Act to the 31et March, 1896 :— Of the twenty-four estates shown in the table, five of them—viz., Eaureka in Hawke's Bay, Omihi and Orakipaoa in Canterbury, Makareao in Otago, and Poerua in Westland —had not been offered for selection prior to the 31st March, although the purchases had been completed, and therefore the details regarding them wiil not appear until next year's report. The Commissioners' reports, and those of the Eangers, speak very favourably of the progress of the settlements at the time of last inspection, and that in nearly all cases the conditions were being fully complied with. It will be observed that, at the date of the returns, there were 643 souls residing on the different estates, and that 133 houses had been erected, although in many instances the limit of time within which residence was compulsory had not nearly expired. Out of the whole of the lands purchased, 11,895 acres remain unlet. These cases may be noted as follows : Of the 840 acres in Opouriao, there are some few sections withheld from sale until the title to those particular parts is completed. The Commissioner of Crown Lands, Auckland, anticipates the sections will go off directly they are offered. In Blind Eiver, 1,249 acres remain on hand, but are open for selection ; and the reason they have not been taken up hitherto is the want of betteraccess : but, as sections continue to be taken up, the remainder will no doubt shortly be selected. The land in the Patoa Block which remains on hand—viz., 4,139 acres—is inferior in character, and only suited for a small run. In purchasing this block the Land Purchase Commissioners anticipated there would probably be a delay in letting this particular part; but it was necessary to include it to secure the other and better part of the block. The Commissioner of Crown Lands, Canterbury, is about to group the unlet sections and reoffer them, when it is anticipated the land will let. In the Ashley Gorge Estate an area of 123 acres remains unlet; this is more unfavourably situated than the rest, but is expected to let at any time. With regard to the 3,096 acres in Pomahaka as yet unlet, the Commissioner of Crown Lands sets this down to the low prices of produce and to the fact that settlers regard the rentals as too high, to which it is only just to add that the bad name the block acquired unjustly, through causes which are well known, no doubt tends to deter selectors. The only other estate in which any considerable area remains unlet is Merrivale, Southland, where an area of 2,376 acres is still on hand; this is nearly all bush, though the soil is very good. There is amongst the people of those parts a prejudice against bush land not known in the north. The Commissioner reports that the reason the whole of this estate was not selected is because the season was late when the land was offered, and applicants are holding back until the next half year to save paying rent. With better prices for produce, this area will be taken up. Much information of a detail character regarding these settlements will be found in the Lands Report for this year. With regard to the financial result from the estates purchased under the Act, those which have been offered for selection up to 31st March last may be summarised as follows : — At that date nineteen estates had been offered, and, after deducting forfeitures, the rental at which they were let amounted to ... ... ... ... ... £9,987 per arm. The amount of money sunk in the purchase, roading, surveys, and administration to that date was ... ... ... £209,559. This shows a return on the capital of ... ... ... 476 per cent. Or, deducting the arrears of rent... ... ... ... 456 „ Since the date of the return several of the forfeited sections have been again selected, which will tend to increase the percentage of return on the capital. The number of forfeitures during the year was twelve, and two of these selections have again been taken up. The annual interest on the £209,559 expended on the estates, at 4 per cent.—which is the interest paid, I believe —amounts to £8,382 ; so that, without reckoning the lands still unlet, there is a surplus to the good. I have, &c, S. Percy Smith, Surveyor-General, and Secretary Crown Lands. Hon. J. McKenzie, Minister of Lands. 4—C. 5.

Report on the Condition and Settlement of all Lands acquired under "The Land for Settlements Act, 1894," on the 31st March, 1896.

C.—s.

11

I -I a O a a o era a a er era o CO to CO Name of Estate. Auckland — Opouriao Hawke's Bay — Raureka Marlborough — Blind Biver Canterbury — Pareora Studholme Junction .. Kapua Rosebrook Otaio Patoa Boimata Kereta Braco Epworth Ashley Gorge Omihi Orakipaoa Otago — Pomahaka Teanaraki Village Settlement Tahawai Village Settlement Maerewhenua Puketapu Makareao Southland — Merrivale Westland — Poerua I a 1 Area purchased. A. B. P. ">7,604 0 0 f427 2 0 J5,507 0 0 620 2 13 107 2 17 574 1 05 600 1 8 376 2 30 "7,347 0 38 48 3 37 §105 2 29 H27 2 4 21 0 3 1,166 0 24 20 0 0 t384 0 31 7,462 3 1 347 3 18 69 0 19 11,150 3 36 509 0 6 f2,367 3 31 "9,998 0 0 f3,230 1 6 I- ) i J 5 3 3 3 3 3 1 3 3 5 3 3 No. of Selectors. 60 9 15 9 19 26 4 14 11 1 2 8 70 1 12 38 Taken up during the Year. Taken up in previous Years. I iSel Forfeitures during the Year. -D„„r „„ri „.>,„» S» £w« Area occupied Payments b R / Mn of receivedauriiag an / Keserves . Actors. Area ' Annual Rent. the Year ' 10 a 3? Area of Land v , f 30 , 5 o°£Wr I m p V ~t s J J Land opened »K "arch, *|i =°| Election. 1896. 1896 - o£a 6 « I M _r I r. rS Arrears £ s S of Rent on » £a=s 31st March, ,™ii«l 1896. 'sjr la § i Total Receipts from Inception to 31st March, 1896. Crc Area. Annual Rent payable. No. of Area Annual Selectors. paya Annual Rent No. of payable. Selectors. Area. a O «hT A. B. P. »7,604 0 0 f427 2 0 60 A. R. P. 6,524 3 9 £ s. d. 1,268 10 4 A. R. P. £ 8. d. A. R. p. £ s. d. £ s. d. 635 6 2 A. R. P. 239 0 31 I II' . „ „ , o . *\ A. R. P. £ s. d. 840 0 0 .. > .. .. Feb. 12, 1896 A. R. P. 840 0 0 £ s. d. a ! I 1 £ s. d. £ s. d. £ s. d. 635 6 2 £ s. c 635 6 •• •• a a •• •• O J5,507 0 0 9 2,628 0 0 468 10 0 7 1,854 0 0 370 7 7 1* 568 0 0 92 17 8 326 7 7 344 0 0 1,249 0 0 602 10 0 40 8 Jan. 16,1895 1,249 0 0 602 10 0 j 639 6 3 639 6 620 2 13 107 2 17 574 1 05 600 1 8 376 2 30 »7,347 0 38 48 3 37 §105 2 29 H27 2 4 21 0 3 1,166 0 24 20 0 0 t384 0 31 1 15 9 19 26 4 14 11 24 3 19 600 1 8 367 0 33 3,177 3 37 44 2 23 105 2 29 27 2 4 21 0 3 1,042 2 18 15 9 8 29 4 12 611 3 15 104 2 8 572 1 22 396 18 6 73 4 6 270 3 4 1* i I 24 3 19 15 9 8 366 2 1 42 15 5 50 0 0 22 10 0 189 6 0 294 9 9 152 6 8 1,552 3 0 47 11 0 135 17 8 77 1 9 44 17 0 36 4 2 6 15 7 148 1 4 8 2 38 3 0 9 1 3 23 1,854 11 0 124 23 Jan. 18,1894 220 8 0 17 2 Jan. 18, 1894 50 0 0 883 13 0 45 10 Jan. 24, 1894 1,002 12 0 48 9 June 26, 1895 345 0 0 14 2 June 26, 1895 4,139 3 0 360 0 0 » 1 1 Nov. 27,1895 780 0 0 56 ; 10 Aug. 14, 1895 64 0 0 3 2 Dec. 4, 1895 215 0 0 16 j 3 Nov. 27, 1895 » .. Nov. 27, 1895 123 2 6 280 0 0 17 I .. Dec, 4, 1895 1,854 11 0 220 8 0 883 13 0 1,002 12 0 345 0 0 360 0 0 780 0 0 64 0 0 215 0 0 a 8 16 9 ' 1 1 765 17 10 115 19 11 428 5 2 294 9 9 152 6 8 135 17 8 77 1 9 44 17 0 36 4 2 6 15 7 148 1 4 765 17 1' 115 19 1 428 5 : 294 9 I 152 6 I 135 17 : 77 1 ! 44 17 I 36 4 ! 6 15 ' 148 1 ■ > o I CD B. at 307 13 6 216 14 8 270 10 2 138 10 0 82 18 0 72 8 4 13 11 2 246 10 0 •• •• •• . i 9 1 37 29 2 1 4 1 14 50 0 0 4,139 3 0 8 16 9 •• ■• •• •• 123* 2 6 .. 20 0 0 280 0 0 ' •• .. .. » - .. " 7,462 3 1 1 259 3 26 47 2 2 22 5,561 1 29 927 0 0 6 1,439 2 3 227 19 10 192 13 1 20 2 0 17 13 8 153 3 3 200 2 26 3,096 2 20 1,967 0 0 41 13 Feb. 20,1894 3,096 2 20 1,967 0 0 395 6 2 14 395 6 2 14 842 0 2 842 0 ! CD O a 'i rH OO CO 347 3 18 2 15 0 0 12 17 6 22 344 1 25 281 9 6 2 3 3 31 5 0 2 1,004 0 0 81 13 Feb. 7, 1894 5 0 2 1,004 0 0 75 19 9 9 75 19 9 9 348 10 10 348 10 II 69 0 19 11,150 3 36 509 0 6 f2,367 3 31 8 70 12 lies 2 14 10,898 0 21 496 0 36 35 14 4 3,545 1 4 190 7 4 " ■• .. .. .. I •• 17 17 2 1,832 10 3 94 13 8 1,199 16 1 0 2 5 237 2 8 12 3 10 453 0 0 19 4 Aug. 21, 1895 15 1 7 2,904 12 0 120 33 Sept. 18, 1895 86 0 0 1 .. j Mar. 18, 1896 15 1 7 453 0 0 2,904 12 0 86 0 0 i .. 17 17 2 1,832 10 S 94 13 8 17 17 : 1,832 10 : 94 13 i "9,998 0 0 f3,230 1 6 38 7,422 1 20 1,160 1 4 - 199 2 20 2,376 0 0 .. » .. Dec. 18, 1895 2,376 0 0 a 1,199 16 1 1,199 16 : a •■ .. •• .. 1 ! I • Totals 60,074 2 36 60,074 2 36 3 301 301 33,724 3 20 9,048 2 19 2,319 3 5 12 1,315 1 13 11,8,95 0 35 11,§95 0 35 13,022 8 0 643 133 480 2 8 : 480 2 8 I 24 •M 7,815 17 j 8,092 9 10 96 3,655 2 22 424 1 10 5,946 4 8 13,022 S 0 7,815 17 5 Remarks: a Not time to show any progress of settlement. *> This includes The Peaks Farm-hi t Opened for selection since 31st March, but purchased before. I 487 acres surrendered leasehold included in the estate. imestead Settlement. c Residence and im] § Difference of 13 perches disclosed on survey. ►roveinents not due till December, II A small area of Crown land I III I ie till December, 1896. * Forfeited section relet. a of Crown land included in this. H Difference of i perches dis< 1896. * Porff included in this. i. sol I ' i i_ .losed on survey. iclosed on survey.