DEPARTMENT OF LANDS (ANNUAL REPORT ON).

Appendix to the Journals of the House of Representatives, 1908 Session I, C-01

C—l

1908. NEW ZEALAND.

DEPARTMENT OF LANDS (ANNUAL REPORT ON).

Presented to both Houses of the General Assembly by Command of His Excellency.

Genera., Report ~„„e appendix lII— Page Result of - Land Laws Amendment Aot, 1907 " 1 Drainage operations, Hauraki Plains (Piako) 78 Land opened for Selection during Year ..4 ( ' Land seleoted during Year .. .. .. 5 Inspections by Rangers .. .. .. 6 Appendix IV— Bush Fires .. .. .. (; Timber Industry, Auckland .. .. 80 Improved- farm Settlements .. .. .. 7 Village Settlements .. .. .. 7 . Revenue 7 Rebate* of Rent .. .. .. .. 8 Ka-P l ' l Island Bird Sanctuary.. .. .. 82 " Thirds " and " Fourths "to Local Bodieß .. 8 Timber and Flax Royalties .. .. .. 8 Tables— Medical Assistance to Settlers .. .. 8 Table I.—Lands absolutely disposed of from the Land-for-s.-nlements Estates .. .. 9 Foundation of the Colony SumCrown Purchases of Maori Lands .. .. 11 mary of .. 85 State Nurseries and Plantations .. .. 11 . 2.—Lands opened for' Sale or' Selection Waipoua state Forest .. .. .. 12 during the Year.. 85 Scenery Preservation .. .. .. 13 . 3.—Lands taken up during the Year' Tonganro National Park .. .. .. 13 Summary of ' 8 6 Kaphi Island ••.•••• •• 13 - I— Holdings taken up during' the Year', Drainage of Hauraki Plains (Piako) .. .. 13 Analysis of .. 88 South Island Landless Natives .. .. 14 . s.—Lands sold for Cash during'the Year 89 Workers' Dwellings ..14 » 6— Deferred-payment Lands 90 J >omaln ? 14 . 7.-Perpetual - lease aud Small - area Cemeteries .. .. .. .. .. 14 Lands .. 91 Departmental and General 14 . B.—Occupation - with -right- of'-'purchase Expenditure of the Department .. .. 16 Lands .. .. .. g 2 Appendix I- " 9--^""-in-P«'pet U ityLaiid.." '.'. 93 Settlement of Crown Lands- ' ?-*£"*££ lT'l't % " " 95 Auckland 17 " xl — A ß rlculcnr al-lease Lands .. .. 96 Hawke'sßay '.'. " Ofi * 12 -- 0c «"P ati " nL « aBe ? u The Mining Taranaki.. .. Qfi lao?,' Land oocu P atlon Act, TUT IT '" '* JO ( J4 .... Oft E"" ton la " «—Village Settlements .. " 97 Marlborough '. . 38 * 14 -- V, ' la B e . Settlements, Summary of Westl d " " 1 ' losition of .. 99 Canterbury '.'.'.'. 44 * Associations .. 100 r.. J " ■■ . lo.—Homestead Lands IDI " ta f, n . .' « . 17.-Small Grazing-runs " im South,and 53 I . 18-Pastoral Licenses.. ~ ]] }q2 Cheviot Estate .. .. .. .. 48 » 19.—Miscellaneous Leases and Licenses 103 Appendix II- " Revenue received during the Land for Settlements- . 21.-Lands reserved and'alienated ." JSU V. \\ " " g 22.-Forfei,,res and Surrenders during ,^ wXSon :: :: :: ■ £ • 23 -- Tl ;Xn" spring 9 Distrioti Lan^,^ n ° fi ® eh ?" ••. 63, „ 24.-Native Townships Lands '.'. " m? Jf"l bor °vuS h 6a . 25—Bush felled. Area of . "' lu7 cs f tla . nd 65 , 26.-Selectors on Books of Department' Canterbury 65 Number of P ' 108 o n ta ?u lcin ,- 73 • 27.-Crown Tenants, Number ' of, Area Southland 77 held, and Arrears of Rent .109

ii

C—l

Tables — continued. Page ' Table 28.—Endowments: Lands taken up during the Year .. .. .. 110 , ■ 29.—Endowments : Revenue received during the Year 111 30. —Cheviot Estate : Summary of Receipts for the Year .. .. 11l , 31.—Cheviot Estate : Outlay and Income 111 31a.—Arrears of Rent due to the Crown .. 112 32. —Improved-farm Settlements .. 113 . 33.—Land for Settlements Acts, Land acquired and leased under .. 116 , 34.—Selectors and Lands selected under Settlement Conditions : Comparative Statement for past Ten Years . 124 35.—Transactions under " The Bush and Swamp Crown Lands Settlement Aot, 1903" .. .. .. 125 36.—Rebates of Rent granted during the Year 126 37. —Crown Lands proclaimed under Local Bodies' Loans Acts, the Amount borrowed, and the Amount repaid to Publio Account .. .. 126

Tables — continued. Table 38.—Blocks of Land proclaimed under the Page Government Loans to Local Bodies Acts, and Report of SurveyorGeneral thereon.. .. .. 127 39. —Work done for other Departments and for Local Bodies .. .. 134 40. —Crown Grants, Certificates of Title, &c, prepared during the Year .. 134 , 41.—Payments to Local Bodies from " Thirds " and " Fourths " during the Year .. .. 134 Maps— Hauraki Plains (Piako) Drainage, facing page 78 Showing Land Transactions during the Year, North Island .. .. .. • • At end. Showing Land Transactions during the Year, South Island Showing Land-tenure, North Island Showing Land-tenure, South Island

α-i.

ANNUAL EEPOET. The Under-Secretary for Lands to the Hon. the Minister of L.ands. Sir ' — Department of Lands, Wellington, Ist June, 1908. I have the honour to submit herewith the thirty-first annual report of the Department of Lands, and shortly to touch upon its cognate branches, the full reports on which you will lay before Parliament in their ordinary sequence. I have, <fee. Wm. C. Kensington, The Hon. Robert MoNab, Minister of Lands. Under-Secretary for Lands. Result of "The Land Laws Amendment Act, 1907." As a preliminary to the recording of statistics showing the progress of settlement during the year, it may not be considered out of place to briefly state what was the result of the passing of the above Act. I mean by this, what additional labour did it entail upon the Department—(a) In the withdrawal of lands already open for selection, and enumerated in the several Land Guides; (b) in the reopening of the same under the altered conditions imposed not only by the Act of 1907,' but also by those enacted by the National Endowment Act of last session; (c) in the framing and gazetting of fresh regulations to suit the altered circumstances. The lands necessarily withdrawn from selection soon after the Ist December, 1907 (the Land Laws Amendment Act only becoming law on the 20th November), amounted to 2,118,188 acres, as more particularly enumerated in the attached. Table A—Area of land in each Land District advertised in Land Guides at time of passing of " The Land Laws Amendment Act, 1907," and which had to be withdrawn and reopened. Auckland 633/T9l 0 o Hawke's Bay 19797 0 0 Taranaki ... 35974 0 Q Wellington 5982 0 0 Nelson ••■ ■•■ •■• ... ... 254,576 0 0 Marlborough ... ... ... ... 138,132 0 0 Wescland ... ... ... 881,199 0 13 Canterbury ... ... 45,673 0 32 ota ?° ■■• ... ... 49,024 0 0 Southland ... ... ... 54040 0 0 Total area ... ... ... ... ...2,118,188 1 5 The lands readvertised for opening for sale or selection (including national endowment lands) in the short time left before the close of the financial year on the 31st March, 1908, amounted to 1,277,072 acres, specified in Table B. This, I venture to submit, was a most creditable performance, more especially as the new regulations (set forth in Table C) all had to be carefully thought out, submitted to yourself for approval, then sent to the Crown Law Officers for perusal and revision, -forwarded to His Excellency the Governor and (in most cases) the Executive Council for execution, and finally published in the Gazette. These regulations embraced eight different subjects, contained in 163 different clauses and eighteen schedules, and dealt with various matters enacted by the new Land Act, but not set forth in detail in that statute. Table fl.—Area of land in each Land District advertised for sale or selection from passim; of " The Land Laws Amendment Act, 1907," to 31st March, 1908. Area. Remarks. Auckland 94,732 111 Includes 2,583 acres, national endowment. Hawke's Bay ... ... 21,754 0 12 Taranaki ... ... ... 23,516 215 Includes 9,537 acres 3 roods 24 perches, national endowment. Wellington 28,272 121 Includes 370 acres 1 rood, national endowment Nt'lson ... 70,801 033 Includes 42,530 acres, national endowment Marlborough ... ... 295 0 00 Wertland 859,102 000 Includes 17,701 acres, national endowment Canterbury ... ... ... 47,038 3 29 Otago ... ... ... 105,884- 2 30 Southland ... ... ... 25,674 3 21 Total area ... 1,277,072 012 Includes 72,722 acres and 24 perches, national endowment.

I—o. 1.

•I

C.—l

Table C. —Regulations issued under " The Land Laws Amendment Act, 1907," &c. Section of Act. Subject. Clauses. Schedules. 12 Arbitration of improvements ... ... ... 20 3 27 Land Board election ... ... • ■• ... 25 3 28 Declarations on applying for land ... ... ... 1 5 20 Purchase of fee-simple ... ... ■•• ■■■ 3 2 58 Flax-cutting and flax-leases ... ... 23 0 66 Ballot for land, and preference ... ... 16 0 72 Wood-pulp industry ... ... ••• ... 27 1 Part II Land for settlements (revised) ... ... ... 48 4 163 18 Alterations in existing Acts by "The Land Laws Amendment Act, 1907." In natural sequence will now come the effect of the Act of 1907, and the following is a short itatement giving a synopsis of its principal provisions which may be found useful at this juncture. No less than seventy sections and five schedules of "The Land Act, 1892," and its amendments, were affected by the new Act, whilst twenty sections of the Land for Settlements Act, and fourteen sections of other Acts were amended. Acquisition of Freehold. Lessee! in perpetuity of ordinary Crown land may acquire the freehold (under section 20) on payment of the capital value at time of purchase. Regulations prescribing the conditions under which this may be done were gazetted on the 9th January, 1908. Settlement lands are specially exempted from the concession. Change of Tenure. Holders of Crown leases may in several cases exchange them for renewable leases, as under :— Ordinary Crown lands lessees in perpetuity may change under section 18, paying rent at 4 per cent, on the capital value, which may be either the original or present value, at lessee's option. Settlement land lessees in perpetuity may change under section 18 also, when rental on new lease is reduced from 5 per cent, to 4i per cent, on capital value, fixed as above. " Mining Districts Land Occupation Act, 1894," leases may be changed under section 19, as well as pastoral leases under special regulations issued under " The Mining Act, 1905," and " The Land Act, 1892." Disposal of Land for Special Purposes. Areas not exceeding 5 acres may be sold for sites for dairy, cheese, or fruit-preserving factories, churches, &c, at prices not less than £1 per acre. (Section 62.) Crown land may be exchanged for private freehold land, if the latter is required in the public interest. (Section 73.) Crown selectors who do not hold sufficient land for the maintenance of themselves and families are- allowed to acquire additional Crown land, without competition, up to the prescribed limit. (Section 70.) Certain areas may be set aside for disposal by sale, lease, Arc., among persons whose vocations do not enable them to reside on the land so disposed of when special regulations enabling modifications of the residential, improvement, and other conditions of "The Land Act, 1892," to be made have been approved of by the General Assembly. (Section 22.) Flax Leases. Areas of Crown land not exceeding 2,000 acres each may be leased for the purpose of growing and cutting flax for a period of fourteen years, with a right of renewal for a further term. Regulations giving effect to this provision were gazetted on the 27th February, 1908. Limitation of Area. Two alterations have been made with respect to the limitation of area a man may hold : — First, as regards Crown lands: As a certain proportion of the Crown lands remaining for disposal is only suitable for disposal in large areas, another class of land has been added to the two now existing, and selector may now take up either 640 acres of first-class land, or 2,000 acres of second-class land (as formerly was the case), or else not more than 5,000 acres of inferior land, which has been classified as third-class land.

3

C—l.

Secondly, as regards private freehold land (see Part IV of the Act) : To prevent the aggregation of large estates it is also enacted that when the freehold of Crown lands is disposed of in the future no subsequent owner of such land shall be capable of holding more than the area allowed to a Crown tenant. In order to give effect to both the above provisions the Act provides for the classification of land that has not already been classified by the Crown. Members of Land Boards. The Crown tenants in each land district are given the privilege of electing one member to the Land Board for their district. Regulations detailing the procedure were published in the Gazette of 28th November, 1907. Pastoral Runs. The holder of a pastoral run is now encouraged to cultivate portions of his run, and also to clear and burn bush and scrub, and he may grass the whole or any portion of his run. The value of all such improvements is determined by arbitration, and the amount is payable to the outgoing lessee by the incoming tenant, or by the Crown if the lease is not renewed. Such amount is in addition to the value of other improvements as already allowed by " The Land Act, 1892." L'ayment for Estates acquired compulsorily. Power is given to acquire estates compulsorily upon payment of (a) the value for improvements : (b) the unimproved value as given in the district valuation roll plus 10 per cent, if value under £50,000, and 5 per cent, for any sum in excess; together with (c) an additional 2 per cent. on the total amount of compensation payable. The owner of an estate may require the ValuerGeneral from time to time to raise the unimproved value of his land to what he considers to be a proper value. Preference at Ballot. In reference to the above, the Land Board is given very wide powers. In cases where there are more than one applicant for any section, the Land Board may, at the ballot, give preference to any applicant who does not hold an area which, in the opinion of the Board, is sufficient for the maintenance of himself and family, and to such applicants who have families dependent on them, or have competed unsuccessfully within the previous two years at other ballots for Crown lands. To give effect to these provisions the Board may set apart one-third of the allotments to be balloted for, and apportion them amongst such special applicants. New ballot regulations were published in the Gazette of 12th December, 1907. Private Lands remain subject to Limitation of Area. All lands disposed of for cash, or the freehold of which has been acquired under the occupation-with-right-of-purchase or lease-in-perpetuity tenures, remain subject to the provisions of Part IV of the new Act-—that is to say, no future owner can hold such lands in excess of the limits of area prescribed by section 36. (Sections 93 to 100.) Renewable Leases. The lease-in-perpetuity system is abolished, and in the case of ordinary Crown lands, a lease for sixty-six years with perpetual right of renewal for further terms of sixty-six years is substituted therefor. The rent for the future terms is computed on the unimproved value of the land at the expiration of the first term, and in both cases is based at 4 per cent, on the unimproved value. The whole of the improvements are conserved to the lessee, and if he declines to accept a renewal of his lease the market value of his improvements is paid to him by the incoming tenant. In regard to estates acquired under the Land for Settlements Act the same conditions apply, except that the term of the original and subsequent leases is for thirty-three years, and the rental is 4J per cent, instead of 4 per cent. This, however, is one-half per cent, less than the rate under lease in perpetuity. Provision is made for enabling holders of renewable leases, and lessees in perpetuity, to pay off 90 per cent, of the capital value of their holdings; and, after 33 per cent, has been paid off, the lessees are freed from all the restrictive conditions of occupation contained in their leases, except payment of rent and residence. " National Endowment Act, 1907." With regard to the National Endowment Act, the following is a synopsis of its provisions :— This Act provides for the immediate setting-apart of 7,000,000 acres of Crown land as a permanent endowment for education and old-age pensions, and, in addition, land already held under "The Land Act, 1892," on the small-grazing-run tenure, or selected after the passing of the former Act either on that system or by way of renewable lease, is from time to time added to the national endowment until the total amount set apart as aforesaid reaches 9,000,000 acres.

C—l.

4

The rights of local bodies with reference to " thirds " and " fourths " remain unaltered, and the cost of administration by the Department of Lands, &c, is a first charge on the funds derived from the endowment. In addition to the ordinary method of raising money for the construction of roads and bridges under " The Local Bodies' Loans Act, 1901," on areas of Crown lands to be opened for selection, power is given by this Act to raise an additional sum, not exceeding £50,000 in any one year, to supplement such loans on national endowment lands. No national endowment land shall be disposed of on the occupation-with-right-of-purchase tenure, or for cash, except as sites for educational, religious, and other public purposes, when areas not exceeding 5 acres at any one time may be sold. Power is given to take out of the national endowment area, as if it were ordinary Crown land, all reserves required for public purposes. Land opened for Selection, 1907-8. The lands enumerated in the following table comprise lands opened under " The Land Act, 1892," prior to the passing of " The Land Laws Amendment Act, 1907," and also those reopened subsequent to the passing of that statute: —

Table D.—Lands opened for Sale and Selection during the Year ended 31st March, 1908.

The area opened as above comprised 248,896 acres in the North Island, and 546,270 acres in the South Island. At a glance it will be seen that the Department is not standing still, but that energy has been shown in its operations. Lands being prepared for Settlement on 31st March, 1908. The lands under survey for settlement purposes on the 31st March last consisted of :— Acres. Ordinary Crown lands (for selection under optional system) ... 262,803 National endowments (for selection on renewable lease) ... ... 74,169 Settlement lands (for selection on renewable lease) ... ... 61,808 405,340 distributed in the various land districts as follows:

District. 8 by Optional Ca " h Au '- n t ' on Pastoral System. : Auct } on . A , >pllca . u , cnt6 . ">">stion. I | I ] S.G. Small | Huns, Qraiing. Land tor i uns. settlemeuts. Lease in Perpetuity only. Lease iu Perpetuity, Land for Settle incuts. Renewable Renewable Lease, Lease Land for only. ! sett ements. Native Towns. Totals. Acres. Acres. 51,303 230 5,358 14 10,059 19 56,147 125 3,51 2 83 1,174 Acres. Acres. 2,060 130 1,248 36 I 45,572 ! 707 12,053 43 33 185 1 Acres. Acres. Acres. 14,200 2,478 Acres. 192 Acres. 4,914 53 19 234 4,204 8 Acres. 5,273 Acres. 2,337 21,642 Acres. Acres. 80,509 30,923 11,089 126,878 73,343 76,971 124,590 1,265 253,212 16,889 Auckland .. rKwke's Bav rarai aki .. Wellington.. kelson tfirl no rough ■Vestland .. 3antirbury. . 23,352 13,127 74,550 118,000 1,947 956 36,015 1,196 2,483 2^402 229 "9 2 271 J 259 1,661 : 141 1,776 754 4,072 548 33,612 61,109 9,854 147i551 '.'. 2,209 550 1 3,742 187 Jtago southland .. 3,304 651 Totals .. 131,261 1,627 63,383 2,640 1302,992 164,229 1,947 43,601 13,175 11,934 58,368 795,li I

District. Crown Land. „ N ati °™l Endowment. Settlement Lands. Total. Auckland Hawke's Bay Taranaki Wellington ... Marlborough Nelson Westland . . Canterbury ... Otaoo Southland Totals ... Aores. 20,750 53,450 50,543 81,000 8,900 6,200 4,500 27',460 10,000 262,803 Acrf s. 24,179 6,000 15,190 18,000 6,500 10,800 80,669 Acres. 12,798 5,178 18,063 Acres. 57,727 59,450 65,733 86,178 26,900 30,763 15,300 25,829 27,460 10,000 25,829 61,868 405,340

5

C.—l

Lands selected during 1907-8. The demand for land is still unsatisfied, and this is evidenced not only from the number of applicants during 1907, but the same holds good for those lands opened in 1908, since the passing of " The Land Laws Amendment Act, 1907." The table below sets forth the total selections under every form of tenure; but it is only fair to remark that, for the reasons already referred to there were practically three months—viz., IVovember, December, and January-during which no lands could be offered for selection, hence the total number of selectors and areas selected do not equal those of 1906-7. Lands disposed of for cash have increased in number and area; the larger area is, however, accounted for by the fact that under a special Act the trustees of the Canterbury Agncultural College were allowed to purchase two considerable pastoral areas of 16 400 acres winch intruded into their endowments and could be utilised in conjunction therewith,' but were practically inaccessible from the Crown's point of view. Selectors of " settlement " lands (as estates acquired under the Land for Settlements Acts are known) and the area taken up by them exceed, however, those of the previous year by eighty-one tenants and 2,450 acres. The average size of holding (excluding pastoral runs and miscellaneous leases) is 388 acres for each of the 1 589 selectors. It will be noticed in the following table that the renewable-lease tenure appears for' the first time, select.ons under it having been made during February and March last both of ordinary and "settlement" lands, thirty-two selectors and 3,535 acres representing the first period and 151 selectors and 49,100 acres the second period.

Table E.—Number of New Selectors and Area taken up, from 1st April, 1907, to 31st March, 1908, and Revenue received during the Year.

Nature and Tenure or Lands selected. It S3 a j l<° Area selected. Cash received on Past and Current Transactions. Ordinary Crown LandTown iands sold for cash Suburban lands sold for cash .. .. ,. Rural lands sold for cash Perpetual leases made freehold .. .. .' Occupation with right of purchase made freehold Lease in perpetuity made freebold Deferred-payment instalments Perpetual leases Occupation with right of purchase.. Lease in perpetuity Rene*ab e leHsu .. Agricultural lease Village settlement, cash deferred payment perpetual lease . made freehold occupation with right of purchase lease in perpetuity » renewable lease Village-homestead special settlements Special-settlement associations— Perpetual lease Leave in perpetuity Improved-farm special settlements . made freehold Occupation leases, Mining Districts Land Occupation Act Small grazing-runs Pastoral runs Ti'ermal springs, Rotorua.. Miscellaneous leases and licenses Miscellaneous Cheviot Estate— Lease in perpetuity Village-homestead special settlement Grazing-farms Pastoral runs .. .. .. - Miscellaneous leases Land for Settlements Acts — Cash Lease in perp3tuity . (village) Renewable lease Special-settlement associations (lease in perpetuity) .. Small grazing-runs Pastoral runs Miscellaneous leases Miscellaneous 160 112 114 354 214 17 3 3 3 70 15 ' 8 A. R. P. 102 0 23 368 0 23 28,005 2 18 187,799 0 35 63,871 2 5 8,427 1 0 83 3 32 3 0 24 2 3 22 2,300 3 32 108 1 37 410 0 30 £ s. d. 19,789 7 10* 9,113 7 11 33,037 14 10 1,032 0 0 2,221 11 0 3,003 5 3 42,875 17 9 • 36,737 12 9 56 11 8 27 3 6 25 10 0 41 10 0 253 3 0 248 11 3 11 2 0 3,977 2 7 1 12 7 2,065 5 1 49 0 10 6,422 2 4 4,800 11 4 1,632 12 2 983 3 7 30,299 18 3 74,158 8 6 2,149 0 7 79,563 16 Of 25,473 1 6 73 61 90 3,046 2 22 216,600 1 19 572,076 0 12 521 134,511 1 24 i 5,889 12 0 790 10 3 7,215 9 9 193 3 8 204 17 2' 2 130 1 0 ' 18 213 2 151 43 0 39 34,495 2 13 0 3 16 67,107 1 29 685 17 8 179,968 17 11 325 18 5 12,346 19 7 147 15 6 24,192 11 2 121 13 0 5,645 5 5 6,292 14 7 "8 10,157 0 0 *23 2,128 1 16 Totals 2,225 [1,326,780 2 31 624,076 10 2 • Excludes i'358 lis. 9d. paid on uncompleted purchase of cash lands. t Includei

6

a—l

Lands selected on the Optional System only. Table F.—Lands selected on Optional System, showing Preference of Tenure.

A glance at the above table shows that of the ordinary Crown lands opened under the optional system the occupation-with-right-of-purchase tenure still holds the foremost place. Inspections by Rangers. The appended table ia tin must convenient form in which to present the results of the Rangers' work during the year. The widespread bush-fires of the past season (referred to in the succeeding paragraph) not only rendered their work specially difficult, but greatly delayed them in carrying oul the usual routine duties, as they were required to make special and urgent examinations of the burnt areas in many parts of their districts. The brunt of this fell upon the Rangers in the Auckland, Taranaki, and Wellington Land Districts, energetically seconded by members of the survey staff where necessary.

Table G. —Number of Inspections made by the Rangers for the Year ended 31st March, 1908.

Results of Severe Bush Fires (morb particularly in the North Island). As an addendum to the foregoing paragraph, giving the results of the inspections by the Crown Lands Rangers, there naturally follows a short paragraph dealing with the efforts made by the Government (and intrusted to this Department to carry out) to alleviate in some measure the severe losses experienced by settlers of all descriptions-both freeholders and Crown leaseholders—through the effects of the disastrous bush-fires which swept over large areas of the North Island and to a lesser extent in the South Island, in the Land Districts of Marlborough, Nelson, and Southland, during the months of January and February, 1908. Very little rain had fallen in New Zealand from October, 1907, until March, 1908, and this, combined with an unusually ' hot summer, culminated in severe fires, which swept not only forest, but fern and grass country destroying homesteads, fencing, Ac, and causing great (though in many cases only temporary) distress amongst the struggling class of settlers .incidental to newly settled districts. To meet the ereat destruction of grass-producing lands, the Government decided to advance grass-seed to all classes of settlers who were not otherwise in a position to obtain it, and, in order to hasten the distribution of seed, urgent instructions were sent to the several Commissioners of Crown Lands to enlist the services of every Ranger, and (if necessary) of Government surveyors, to ascertain the

I Occupation with Right of Purchase. Number. Area. Lease iu Perpetuity. Cash. Number. Area. Number. Area. 343 Acres. 186,338 41 Acres. 17,305 43 Acres. 10,573 i'ear, 1907-8

Value of Improvements. Number of Defaulti in. O Ci ■ . -3 «fl District. S3 £ - Is? SB* Area. O'-Oi-OJ.g.P-a* 1 | a I g -s Ci Required. Actually made. Total. Auckland ... Hawke's Bay Taranaki . . Wellington Nelson Marlborough Westland Canterbury Otago Southland ... 2,507 693 736 1,527 407 467 632 2,146 9*8 615 A. B. P. 632,926 0 0 347,604 2 23 261,429 3 32 1,079,357 8 15 90,064 1 20 128,599 0 0 72,250 0 0 600,276 0 37 252,620 3 5 115,514 0 29 £ s. d.; 125,435 0 0 L43.965 5 0 70,611 0 0 41,974 8 3 15,066 4 5 61,955 0 0 23,318 14 3 280,253 11 7 106,374 13 7 45,761 18 8 £ s. d. 257,638 0 0 532,619 7 9 171,734 18 6 132,407 19 0 40,143 13 7 132,337 0 0 63,522 2 0 531,300 18 0 192,561 7 6 81,996;i6 0 216 53 61 26 111 8! 36 69 48 311 62 77 33 93 99 67 14 18 18 ia 8 527 127 138 62 204 107 133 50 87 66 Total ... 110,658 3,580,643 0 1 914,715 15 9 (2,136,262 2 4 694 792 15 1,501

7

C.—l

areas burnt in this manner, and to arrange for an immediate supply of grass-seed. As a result, every settler who was in need of seed, and unable to buy it immediately, was either given an order upon a seed-merchant nominated by himself, or supplied by the local Commissioner of Crown Lands direct, with seed in such mixture as applied for, the terms of payment being the signing of a promissory note for amount owing, payable in two, three, or four years without any interest thereon being chargeable. These very liberal terms were availed of by 647 settlers in the North Island, who have been supplied with grass-seed to the value of £24,082. In the South Island sixtyseven cases have been dealt with, for a value of £2,756. The several land districts and their disbursements are shown in the accompanying table.

Table H. —Return showing Number of Settlers to whom Grass-seed has been supplied by the Government and the Cost of such Seed.

Improved-farm Settlements. Very satisfactory reports on these settlements have again been received from the Commissioners of Crown Lands. Some indication of their general prosperity is shown by the fact that since the initiation of the system in 1894 to 31st March last improvements to the value of £177,537 have been placed on the land. Full particulars regarding each settlement will be found in Table 32. It is hoped during the present year to open a number of sections in the Waimarino Block in the vicinity of the Main Trunk railway-line for the benefit of workers thereon, as the line is now approaching completion, when many of the men now emplo.yed will be anxious to settle on the land with the money they have saved. Details of the land for occupation in this manner are not yet available. The various blocks of Native lands in the Aotea Rohepotae districts, the purchase of which is now being concluded, are either too far removed from the railway-line, or are not of sufficiently good quality to warrant their subdivision into the small areas required for improved farms. It is very doubtful, therefore, if any considerable area of land can be placed at the-disposal of applicants under these conditions. Village Settlements. As foreshadowed in last year's report, owing to the absorption of this class of settlement into the general system of the prevalent land-tenures, no special report will be published. The settlements themselves have fulfilled the purpose for which they were originally created, but with the changing conditions of land-settlement, it has not been found necessary to provide for their continuance, more especially so as the Workers' Dwellings Act and the Government Advances to Workers Act have met most of the needs for which the village settlements were originally designed. Revenue. The total receipts amount to the handsome sum of £658,794, being an amount considerably in excess of the estimated revenue. Territorial revenue (which embraces all the ordinary receipts from Crown lands proper) totalled £288,317, or £32,317 beyond what was expected; whilst nonterritorial revenue (which includes rents of land-for-settlement estates, endowments of all kinds administered by the Department of Lands, State forest receipts, Ac.) realised £370,476, or £60,276 over the estimate. In the following table is shown the amounts received from each land district.

\ Number of Settlers Amount Q , Seed gQ w.th 8 G P r P as ed seed. M District. Amount of Seed sown on Burnt Areas on Crown Land. Cost. Value of Seed. Auckland Hawke's Bay... Taranaki Wellington Nelson Marlborough ... Southland 197 iy 103 328 44 22 1 lb. 217,511 39,415 58,400 467,087 36,577 72,523 790 £ 7,913 905 1,686 13,578 1,022 1,717 17* lb. 24,000 39,342 1,420 18,360 18,152 34,546 16,146 £ 784 1,345 50 578 787 1,550 403 Totals ... 714 892,303 26,838£ 151,966 5,497

C.—l

8

Table I.—Gross Revenue for Year ended 31st March, 1908.

Rebates of Rent. Remissions to the amount of £7,820 17s. 3d. have been granted to 8,855 tenants during the preceding twelve months, under the provisions of " The Crown Tenants' Rent Rebate Act, 1900," whilst under " The Land for Settlements Consolidation Act, 1900," 3,367 tenants have received rebates amounting to no less a sum than £18,575 19s. Bd., and the tenants on the Cheviot Settlement participated to the amount of £712 Is. 3d.; the total remissions so made under all classes of settlement being £27,108 18s. 2d. Payments of " Thirds " and " Fourths " to Local Bodies. In accordance with the provisions of " The Land Act, 1892," and its amendments, the sum of £30,710 has been paid over to the various local bodies towards the formation and maintenance of roads through blocks of land opened for settlement purposes by the Crown, detailed proposals specifying where and in what manner the accrued revenue was intended to be spent having first been approved by the Land Boards of the districts affected. In certain districts where local government is not in full operation, or where the governing bodies neglected to submit proposals, the accrued revenue, which totalled £2,071 6s. 10d., was spent by the Department of Roads under the provisions of section 121 of " The Public Works Act, 1905." Timber and Flax Royalties. In additioo to the " thirds " and " fourths " payable under the Land Act, as mentioned above, local bodies also receive half the proceeds derivable from the sale of timber or flax on ordinary Crown lands, the total amount paid over during 1907-8 amounting to £15,4.34. Medical Assistance to Settlers in sparsely populated Districts. In addition to the subsidies specified in the two foregoing paragraphs, a third mode of assistance to settlers is rendered by the granting of monetary help towards the location of medical men in districts where the settlers are too scattered to otherwise secure the services of a medical man, but with a subsidy from the Government are enabled to guarantee a sufficient income for the residence among them of a doctor. To this end the formation of medical clubs has been encouraged in outlying districts, and the following subsidies have been granted thereto : — £ £ K-.itT.ia Medical Club .. .. 50 Raetihi Medical Club .. .. 100 Kawakawa „ .. 50 Rtglan „ .. 50 Kawhia „ .. 50 Taumarunui „ .. 50 Little River „ .. .. 50 Te Nui „ .. 50 Morrinsvillo „ .. 30 Tologa Bay „ .. 75 Ohura „ .. .. 100 Waiau District Settlers' Association .. 25 Owaka „ .. .. 150 Wanaka Medical Club .. .. .. 100 Preservation Inlet „ .. 50 Whangaroa County Council (as Medical Club) 50

Territorial. Non-territorial. Land District. Total. Auckland Hawke's Bay Taranaki Wellington ... Nelson Marlborough Westland Canterbury... Otago Southland... £ s. d. 60,035 6 5 19,033 0 5 12,149 4 0 32,248 0 7 10,197 8 9 12,002 19 4 13,326 4 0 53,708 2 4 59,925 8 1 15,692 2 10 £ s. d. 49,801 12 4 50,801 3 6 3 8 65,014 7 5 18,872 14 5 20,952 6 0 4,214 3 3 87,639 6 2 45,563 12 1 16,381 5 10 £ s. d. 109,836 18 9 69,834 3 11 23,385 7 8 97,262 8 0 29,070 3 2 32,955 5 4 17,540 7 3 141,347 8 6 105,489 0 2 32,073 8 8 Totals 288,317 16 9 370,476 14 8 658,794 11 5 Estimated revenue £256,000 0 0 £310,200 0 0 £566,200 0 0 Difference ... £92,594 11 6

9

C.—l

Land for Settlements Estates. The progress, present position, and prospects of each settlement are given in the report of the Commissioners of Crown Lands embodied in the succeeding table. Owing to the unusually dry spring and summer of the past season, circumstances have operated rather adversely in several of the newly selected areas, as it is undoubtedly the fact that the first two years are the most trying from the settlers' point of view. Thirteen additional estates have been acquired and opened for selection, and in nearly all cases the applicants were far in excess of the number of allotments available.

Table J.—Summary of the Settlements established upon Estates acquired and dealt with under the Provisions of the Land for Settlements Acts, up to the 31st March, 1908.

2—C. I,

Land District and Name of Settlement. Selec- , Realtors. | dences. Principal Purpose for which Holdings are utilised. IdurfnfYear. Present Position. Prospects. Auckland— Opouriao Okauia .. Rangiatea Karapiro ' Fencourt Whitehall Bickerstaffe Matamata Selwyn .. Mangapouri Mangawhero Waimanaf Teasdalef Rewif .. Hamlets— Cradock Hetana Kitchener Methuen Plumer Waari 93 8 20 18 37 11 33 181 82 10 17* 24 33 77 7 18 11 33 10 24 138 37 6 15 Dairying General farming Dairying .. .. , Cattle raising Dairying Mixed farming Dairying .. . Excellent Nil Moderate Good Moderate Pair Good Moderate Good .. ! Very satisfactory Not satisfactory Satisfactory Very satisfactory Satisfactory Very satisfactory Satisfactory Very best. Gloomy. Fair. Very best. Pair. Bright. Pair. Bright. 9 30 11 28 16 8 9 22 10 22 16 7 1 V Workmen's homes Moderate to good Satisfactory Hopeful. 669 462 Prosperous Hawke's Bay— Raureka 19 18 Agricultural, dairying, and fruit-culture Pastoral .. .. Agricultural Very fair Good. Elsthorpe Waimarie Pouparae Tomoana 47 18 9 13 27 16 9 12 Mahora Willows Hatuma Manga-a-toro Kumeroa Argyle .. Wigan .. Lindsay Mangatahi Forest Gate Te Mata* Pourerere} Raumati} Kanakanae} Te Arai} 34 22 62 26 j 15 62 17 66 23 29 8 5 20 7 51 32 14 59 25 14 60 14 61 20 25 Agricultural, dairying, and fruit-culture Ditto Agricultural Agricultural and pastoral .. Pastoral Pastoral and dairying Agricultural and pastoral .. Pastoral Agricultural and pastoral .. Pastoral Agricultural and pastoral .. Very good Very fair Very good Very fair » Very good Very fair 553 406 Taranaki— Tokaora Spotswood Clandon Huinga .. 13 8 6 9 U 8 5 8 Dairying Workmen's homes Dairying Good .. Not good Good Satisfactory .. ( Not satisfactory ] Satisfactory .. I Good. Not promising. Good. 36 35 Wellington— Paparangi 37 30 Residential sites, dairying, &o. Dairying Good Prosperous .. i Very good. Ohakea .. Te Matua Aorangi 15 13 37 15 12 ■10 Dairying and residential purposes Grazing'and cropping Dairying .. .. .. [ Very good Very prosperous 1 Excellent. Langdale Mangawhata 31 7 23 8 Good" .. Very satisfactory C Good". * Includes 5 selectors who also selected land in Selwyn Settlement, ibese settlements. ♦ Now settlements not reported on. 1 No inspections

10

C—l.

Table J.—Summary of the Settlements established upon Estates— continued.

Land District and SelecName of Settlement. tors. Residences. Principal Purpose for which Holdings are utilised. durinTYelJ Present Position. Prospects. Wellington— contd. Epuni Hamlet .. Maungaraki Linton Longbush Tablelands Normandale 42 20 B 8 10 31 42 j 18 5 6 9 27 Residential sites, market gardening, &c. Ditto Dairying Grazing Fair Fair .. Satisfactory Good Good .. Very satisfactory .. Very prosperous Fair. Very good. Excellent. Residential, poultry farming, &c. Grazing and cropping Grazing Fair Fair .. Satisfactory Fair." Tawaha Hikawera Mahupuku Dyer .. 24 5 10 35 20 8 5 33 Indifferent Uncertain Good .. Prosperous I nd i tie rent Good Unoertain. Very good. Grazing and oropping 330 302 Nelson — Wangapeka 14 14 10 Agricultural and pastoral .. Very good Good Very good Very encouraging. Marlborough— Blind River 14 19 14 10 19 12 Sheep - farming and graingrowing Ditto Grazing Sheep - farming and graingrowing Ditto Grazing Good .. Satisfactory Good Improved. Omaka Puhipuhi Starborough 13 2 196 13 2 196 10 100 Fair .. I Good .. Good Fair .. Satisfactory Fair Good .. Fair Fairly good. Good. Richmond Brook Waipapa North Bank Rainford Flaxbourne 11 4 8 11 131 11 4 8 11 131 10 4 6 9 84 Dairying Sheep - farming and graingrowing Good Reasonable Fair Good .. Very satisfactory Good .. Satisfactory Reasonable Improving Fair .. Fairly satisfactory Good .. Trying, but hopeful Decidedly good Good. Moderate. Decidedly good Moderate. 395 235 Wrstland— Poerua 395 20 20 14 Grazing for dairy oows for butter-factory; fattening sheep and cattle for looal market Ditto Good .. Good .. Prosperous Good. Kokatahi 8 7 28 21 Canterbury— Pareora (No. 1) .. 28 24 Small farming and dairying Well main- Satisfactory tained Ditto .. Good. Studholme Junct. Kapua Rosebrook Otaio The Peaks Roimata 4 12 14 9 12 27 2 12 13 8 1 25 » Mixed farming Residential and market gardening Grazing Residential and matket gardening Small farm Partly pastoral; partly dairying Dairying Small farming Mixed farming and dairying .. Good".. Fair. Good. Patoa Braco 4 14 2 14 Fair. Good. Epworth Ashley Gorge 2 10 1 12 Kereta Orakipaoa Highbank Rakitairi Waiapi .. Otarakaro .. j 4 27 76 22 15 7 3 20 59 17 14 7 Good .. Very good .. | Very good. Residential and market gardening Workmen's homes Mixed farming '.'. Good" .. Good". Wharenui Albury Marawiti .. .. | Horsley Down .. J Hekeao Pawaho Waikakahi 26 75 I 13 26 1 15 25 184 26 59 12 25 13 24 j 157 .. Very good Very good. .... . ..I Workmen's homes Partly pastoral; partly mixed farming Workmen's homes Pastoral Mixed farming and dairying Small farming Mixed farming Mixed farming and dairying Principally pastoral Mixed farming and dairying Workmen's homes Principally pastoral Workmen's homes Market gardening Workmen's homes Principally pastoral I .. Good" Very good Excellent Good". Very good. Tamai Takitu Pareora (No. 2) .. Rautawiri Papaka Punaroa Lyndon (No. 1) .. Kohika Tarawahi Raincliff Puhuka ..j Kaimahi Kapuatohe .. I Rapuwai .. I 40 5 82 6 9 17 8 15 24 1 10 12 ; 1 40 5 32 6 :i 17 9 15 24 1 10 11 11 5 I Good .. Good Very good Very good „ Excellent Good .. Good .. .. .. Very good Very good Good .. Good Very good Very good .. i Good .. Good .. Good. Very good. Good. Very good. Good. Very good. Good. w • . M ' • • • 3 .. Fairly good Improving. "„ .. Good".. .. I Good"

11

α-i.

Table J.-Summary of the Settlements established upon Estates-continued.

Crown Purchases under " The Maori Land Settlement Act, 1905," and Amendments. Negotiations for the purchase of numerous blocks of suitable Maori land in the four North Island districts have now culminated in the completion of the following areas :— Auckland l"3i Taranaki - 127,821 2 35 " a : ke ' sßa - V - 13,294 2 23 Welhn e ton • • 109 0 0 263,001 3 12 Notwithstanding anything that has been said to the contrary, the Maori owners have been dealt with both fairly and liberally by the several land-purchase officers, whilst the State has no reason to feel dissatisfied with the returns it has received for its monetary expenditure. COGNATE SUBJECTS. Report on State Nurseries and Plantations. The usual report upon the operations of the Afforestation Branch by the Chief Forester ii printed as a separate paper, and shows that very substantial progress has been made in those nur-

Land District and Name of Settlement. Selectors. liesidences. Principal Purpose for which Progress Holdings are utilised. during Year. Present Position. Prospects. Canterbury—co?ifrf. Lyndon No. 2) .. Maytown Eccleston Mead Chamberlain 9 11 4 21 20 9 11 4 19 23 Principally pastoral Small farming and dairying Mixed farming Good | Good .. Good. Partly pastoral, partly mixed farming Ditto Mixed farming Dairying and grass so. ding .. Grazing Dairying and small farming Very good Very good . Very good. Annan .. Rosewill Morice Kinlooh Mills .. Homestead-sites, Ac. 43 154 29 30 21 47 40 145 29 24 21 4 Fair Fairly good Fair. Good .. „' Good. Otago— Pomahaka Downs Te Aneraki Tahawai Maerewhenua Puketapu Ar3gowan Makareao Momona Tokarahi Janefield 1,236 38 22 8 74 11 66 34 14 79 21 1,074 14 15 8 58 10 50 23 ia 46 19 Grazing and cropping , Dairy-farming Mixed farming Dairj-farming Mixed and dairy farming .. Very fair Pair Good .. Good .. Fair .. Good .. Good. Fair. Good. Dairying Mixed farming Chiefly growing roots and vegetables Mixed farming Very good Good Sound.. Good .. Sound.. Very good. Good. Elderslie Barnego Earnscleugh Windsor Park No. 1 Windsor Park.'No. 2 Duncan 34 24 13 37 10 7 24 16 8 23 8 4 Fruit-growing Mixed and dairy farming .. Mixed farming Mixed and dairy farming Very fair Good Good .. Sound.. Doubtful Good Fair. Good. Poor Unsatisfacton .. Not at all encouraging. Fair. Good. St. Helen's Greenfield Steward 3 41 47 3 40 41 Mixed farming Fair Good Fair Satisfactory Good Plunket.. Totara Kurow Airedale Otekaike Taumata 18 27 13 12 57 9 14 25 12 11 Mixed farming and woolgrowing Mixed and dairy farming .. Dairy-farming Mixed and dairy farming .. Mixed farming Mixed and dairy farming .. 709 485 Dairying and stock-raising .. Southland— Merrivale 49 40 Very good Very good Very encouraging. Encouraging. Otahu .. Beaumont Ringway Glenham Edendale 6 12 8 33 139 5 7 8 28 119 Farming and grazing Mixed farming and grazing.. Dairying, farming, and grazing Fair Satisfactory .. I Go"od '.'. Very good Fair Very good .. j : Fair. Encouraging. Excellent. 247 207 Grand total 4,217 3,237

12

C—l

series and plantations where the climatic conditions afford reasonable prospect of success. During a recent inspection in January of the Waiotapu and Whakarewarewa Plantations, in the North Island I was struck with the luxuriant growth of nearly all classes of trees (the various species of which'are set forth in the Chief Forester's report), as the past season has been a particularly favourable one. The same may be equally well said of the plantations of Tapanui, Conical Hills, and Dusky Hill, in Otago, which were very recently visited by yourself, the preceding twelve months having been exceptionally favourable for the growth of all kinds of plants and trees; and the fact that in both the Conical Hills and Dusky Hill Plantations the trees have now grown beyond the stage when their roots are affected by the severe frosts, enables much greater progress to be made in their growth than heretofore. Vigorous operations are also in progress at Hanmer Plains in the Canterbury District, but it has been found that, as regards the Starborough Nursery and Dumgree Plantation, in Marlborough, and the Kurow Nursery in Otago, climatic conditions will necessitate their early closing. The severe drought at Dumgree points to the absolute futility of even filling in the gaps in this plantation, and it has been reluctantly decided to discontinue further planting in that district. After a fair trial the results point to the necessity of concentrating the operations of this branch of the Department of Lano> in those districts where fairly successful results may be anticipated. This brings me to a subject slightly touched upon ,n last year's report-viz., the fact that whilst the expenditure must necessarily increase to keep pace with the national requirements, the revenue which up to now has been limited by the provisions of "The New Zealand State Forests Act, 1885," and its amendments, must for the future be augmented by considerable additions from the Consolidated Fund. A very careful estimate of the revenue likely to be derived from all State forest sources during the coming year is appended for general information, and a glance will show that a little over £18,000 is all that can reasonably be expected, whilst at the present moderate rate of expenditure at least £24,000 is required for operations within the year, leaving some £6,000 which must be provided for out of the Consolidated Fund. It must be borne in mind that in the past the kauri forests in the Auckland District have furnished the chief source of revenue for State forest purposes, but this is rapidly drawing to a close. Waipoua State Forest. A valuable report on this forest reserve, situated north of Auckland, has been prepared by Dr L Cockayne, and is published as a separate parliamentary paper. It is of interest both to the layman and the scientist, and it is noticeable as being the first detailed account ever published of a kauri forest. The remarkable fact that the kauri, and more than one hundred other plants, do not grow southward of latitude 38° is dealt with, and an ingenious theory propounded in explanation More important still are the details regarding the life-history of a kauri forest, since they have an important bearing on general plant geography, and are also of economic importance in connection with forestry. The biology of the forest and its plants is also treated of, and will be of great value to students, teachers of botany, and for nature study. Finally, there is a list of the flowering plants and ferns, with their Maori, English, and Latin names, and a brief description of each The forest contains about 80,000,000 superficial feet of timber, worth about £50,000, but more than half the area contains no kauri whatever. Owing to urgent representations made to the Government as to the necessity of retaining one large area of primeval kauri forest, it is now being considered whether the Waipoua Forest, of 22,000 acres, would not form the most suitable locality for such a reservation, and if it is so decided the forest will no longer be an asset for the purposes of the State Forests Account. Estimate op Revenue payable into State Forests Account, 1908-9. £ s. d. Auckland District 15 > 160 9 U Hawke's Bay District ... ... 80 0 0 Taranaki District ... ••• ••• ••• ■■■ 3 10 0 Wellington District ... ••• ••• ••• - 20 ° ° ° Marlborough District ... ••• ••• -•• 940 0 0 Nelson District ... ••• ••■ ••• Nll Westland District ... ... ••■ •■• ■•• " Canterbury District ■•■ 37 ° ° ° Otago District ••• ••• ••• 12 ° ° ° Southland District ... ••• 1 2 50 ° ° Total £18,123 19 11

C.—l

13

Scenery Preservation. During 1907-8 meetings of the Auckland, Taranaki, Wellington, Nelson, and Canterbury Scenery Preservation Boards were held, and a number of recommendations submitted to the Governor. An area of 8,130 acres was acquired and proclaimed under " The Scenery Preservation Acts, 1903 and 1906," during the same period, and £5,484 was expended on payment for land and necessary expenses. Owing to the great extent of bush-fires during the summer it was deemed inadvisable to proceed with the purchase of large areas of forest country; but several matters that were thus unavoidably held over are now receiving attention. Full details regarding this subject are given in a separate report (C.-6). Survey of Tongariro National Park. In January, 1908, Mr. E. Phillips Turner, Inspector of Scenic Reserves, and Dr. Cockayne, of Christchurch, proceeded to the park, with the object of thoroughly inspecting its present features, and reporting as to the advisability of enlarging its boundaries. Mr. Turner made a rough topographical survey of the whole area, and Dr. Cockayne made an exhaustive botanical survey of the ground. As a result of their explorations and inspections recommendations were submitted enlarging the extent of the park from 62,300 acres (as defined by " The Tongariro National Park Act, 1894," to 137,900 acres, including several areas of fine forest, which hitherto had been just outside the boundaries, the present mountain hut near Ruapehu and the road of access thereto, together with several typical "plant associations" or areas of land specially interesting on account of the characteristic examples of mountain vegetation they possess. The original boundaries of the park were arbitrary lines and circles that embraced areas of steep slopes, mountains, and waste stretches covered with volcanic cinders and ash. The proposed new boundaries contain various fine species of beech forest, unique collections of the alpine flora, mineral hot springs, ice glaciers, mountain lakes, and streams, and are designed so as to afford much easier fencing boundaries and divisions, while all land estimated to be suitable for settlement has been carefully excluded. The Tongariro National Park Board, constituted under the Act of 1894, is now taking into consideration the various recommendations submitted, with a view to the better utilisation and accessibility of the magnificent park we have in the midst of the North Island, whose attractions only require to be better known to insure increased visits from all classes of tourists and residents of the Dominion. Dr. Cockayne's botanical report is made the subject of a separate paper, and the map attached thereto serves to indicate the extent of the park and its position with regard to the Main Trunk Railway and main roads in the locality. Kapiti Island. An interesting report on the birds of Kapiti Island, by Mr. J. Drummond, F.Z.S., is printed as an appendix to this report, and the Department is much indebted to Mr. Drummond for his contribution, it being undertaken solely at his own expense, and in the interests of science. The caretaker (Mr. Newson) having resigned, Mr. Richard Henry, of Resolution Island, was offered the position, and accepted the same. He hopes to take over charge of the island at the beginning of June. During the recent dry summer a fire started upon the Maori land at the north end of the island, but fortunately did not enter the main forest, and was confined to the fern and grass country. Drainage of the Hauraki Plains (formerly known as Piako). For some considerable period the necessity of rendering available for settlement the large area of Crown land (some 90,000 acres) in the Ohinemuri and Thames Counties has been apparent, and from 1902 to 1907 comparatively small sums have been appropriated by Parliament with a view of securing a complete set of levels over the whole area, so that some well-devised scheme of drainage might be initiated. This preliminary work, involving an expenditure of £1,322, was excellently carried out by the Department of Roads, under the immediate supervision of the District Road Engineer at Auckland, Mr. A. B. Wright. It, however, became apparent that the magnitude of the work required the services of an engineer who could devote his whole time and energies to the work of reclamation. This Department was fortunate enough to secure the services of Mr. W. C. Breakell, C.E., who had recently so successfully drained the Makerua Swamp, in the Wellington District, and he assumed charge in August, 1907, though, owing to the exceptionally wet winter, little progress could be made until December. However, from August to the 31st

0.-1.

14

March last a sum of £5,070 has been spent in drainage and other works, with most satisfactory results, about 29J miles of drains having been cut up to date. On the 31st March a staff of 156 men were employed upon the works, and it is hoped to make very marked progress during the ensuing year, when an expenditure of probably £13,000 to £14,000 will be involved, which will include the purchase of two Priestman dredges manufactured to order and the necessary pontoons for them. Mr. Breakell's report is also an appendix to this report, and I may add that the experience gained up to the present date points to the fact that the Crown will recoup twice over any expenditure incurred in reclaiming the area. Both the Right Hon. the Prime Minister (Sir J. G. Ward), the Hon. Mr. McGowan, and yourself have visited the works, and recognise the immense benefit to the State derived from a drainage of the plains. Personally —and I understand you concur in the view—l am of opinion that special legislation is needed to enable a proper control to be kept over the expenditure on and revenue from these lands. South Island Landless Natives. The necessary surveys are in some cases incomplete, but schedules for considerable areas in Southland and Westland have been checked, and aYe ready for gazetting in the Kahiti as soon as proofs have been returned from Messrs. S. Percy Smith and J. Mackay, the former Commissioners. I trust, however, within nine months from now that the whole of the titles will be able to be issued. "The Workers' Dwellings Act, 1905." Since the publication of last year's report the remaining workers' dwellings—nineteen in number —have all been let, and additional dwellings—four—off Coromandel Street, Wellington City, have been constructed, whilst six more are almost ready for selection. These, together with additional houses at Sydenham, Christchurch, and Petone, near Wellington, are being erected under directions from the Hon. Minister of Labour, and the Department of Labour employ their own architect (Mr. Temple) in constructing them, the buildings being handed over to the respective Land Boards to deal with as soon as they are completed. Mr. J. E. March, who has acted as Inspector for this Department in connection with the Act, is now retiring upon superannuation, and his active co-operation will be much missed by both the Labour and Lands Departments. Domains. On the 31st December, 1907, the total number of domains was 440. Every Domain Board is required by " The Domain Boards Act, 1904," to furnish an annual statement of its operations, and a synopsis of these statements is published in a separate report. The various Boards are actively co-operating with the Department in endeavouring to obtain the best results for the public benefit. Cemeteries. Twelve areas, comprising 55 acres, have been gazetted during the year as cemetery reserves. The applications for assistance in clearing and fencing new cemeteries continue to increase, and without small subsidies it is difficult for the settlers to put the reserves in order. Departmental and General. It is with great regret the Department has to chronicle the loss by death of Mr. John Hay, Commissioner of Crown Lands and Chief Surveyor of the Southland District, which occurred on the Ist August, 1907. Mr. Hay literally died in harness, after a short but painful illness. He was a man of the most sterling character, who took the greatest interest in his work, and, being always cheerful and optimistic, he was a loss not only to his own Department but to the public at large. Mr. Hay has been in the Government service since the Ist May, 1867, less an absence of eighteen months in 1872-3, and successively filled the positions of District Surveyor in Southland ; Chief Surveyor of Otago, from January, 1897, to January, 1901; taking charge of the Southland District as Commissioner of Crown Lands and Chief Surveyor on the latter date. His death was the more sad as it was followed only a few months afterwards by the enforced retirement, occasioned by a severe and dangerous illness, of his brother, Mr. James Hay, Chief Draughtsman of the Napier office, who, like Mr. John Hay, was a licensed surveyor of New Zealand, and had formerly carried out extensive and difficult surveys for the Department. Mr. James Hay's charao

15

C—l

ter is of an equally sterling nature. He is now under medical treatment in Sydney, and the sympathies of the Department are extended towards him in earnest wishes that be may recover, as his withdrawal from the Government service is deplored by all who know him. Following upon the death of Mr. John Hay, the Department lost one of its most promising officers by the sudden death of Mr. T. M. Grant, acting Chief Surveyor and Chief Draughtsman of the Nelson Land District. Mr. Grant, whilst inspecting some road surveys in the Buller Valley, met with an accident, caused by the overturning of a vehicle, which resulted in a broken leg. He was under medical treatment at Murchison, when unfavourable symptoms set in, terminating in his death on the 7th December. The late Mr. Grant entered the Department in 1877, but resigned shortly after, joining again in 1887 as a member of the Head Office staff. After passing his examination as a licensed surveyor he was appointed Chief Draughtsman in the Hokitika office in February, 1902, being transferred to Nelson in a similar capacity on the Ist July, 1906. He was .in energetic and painstaking officer of high character, and was universally respected. Mr. E. H. Wilmot (Chief Draughtsman, Hokitika) was promoted to the vacant position of Commissioner of Crown Lands and Chief Surveyor for Southland, and Mr. H. G. Price (Land Transfer Draughtsman, Wellington) to the Chief Draughtsmanship at Napier, whilst Mr. H. M. Skiet (District Surveyor, Taranaki) filled Mr. Wilmot's place as Chief Draughtsman at Hokitika The following officers voluntarily retired from the Department during the last year, viz. : Messrs. C. W. McFarland, G. H. Davis, and W. C. Wall (staff surveyors), and R. Mitchell (draughtsman), who leave the Department with its best wishes for their future success. In addition to the foregoing, and ere this report is laid before Parliament, a number of old and valued officers will come under the operation of "The Public Service Superannuation Act, 1907," having reached the age of sixty-five years or upwards, and retire from the active list of the New Zealand Civil Service. Among those whose names call for special mention, and who, besides their long and zealous service under the General Government, were formerly in the employ of different Provincial Governments before the abolition of provinces, are Messrs. J. E. March (Superintendent of Village Settlements and Inspector of Workers' Dwellings), Llewellyn Smith (Chief Draughtsman, Wellington District office), and C. B. Shanks (Chief Draughtsman, Christ church District office), who have given the best years of their lives to the work of settlement, both in " the field " and in the office. Another valued officer is Mr. G. E. Reade (Receiver of Land Revenue, Dunedin), who has served well and faithfully under both the General and Provincial Governments; and the same may be said of Mr. Francis Kilfoyle, who has been in charge of the preparation of titles in the Auckland office for many years; whilst long and faithful service has been rendered by Crown Lands Rangers John Barron (Taranaki), George Mackenzie (Otago), Duncan Campbell (Southland), and W. H. Williams (Canterbury), who have all reached the age of retirement, but who can look back with pleasure and pride to the high standing which they, with other Rangers, have always occupied both in the Department of Lands and in the eyes of the general public. I can only say that personally I am very thankful that the Superannuation Act of last session became law before these officers retired from the service. # I also regret to have to record the voluntary retirement, through ill-health, of Mr. Frederic Samuel, for many years Clerk of Titles in the Head Office. Although not of a robust constitution of late years, Mr. Samuel did his work manfully and well, and it is hoped that he may be spared to enjoy a well-merited superannuation allowance for a long time to come. Another officer with long service who similarly retired (but on compensation) was Mr. Frederick Bull, Receiver of Land Revenue, Napier. Mr. Bull had previously filled the position of Chief Accountant at the Head Office, and always attended to his duties in an assiduous manner, earning the respect of all with whom he had been associated. The work of the Head Office has necessitated the most unremitting attention by all the officers. I have to thank the Chief Clerk and all the staff for the loyalty and zeal with which they have carried out their duties. In addition to the work of Chief Clerk, Mr. O'Neill has dealt with a large amount of immigration details, which is largely increasing. Amongst other officers, I feel it is only just to mention Messrs. Jourdain (also secretary to the Scenery Preservation Board), upon whom has devolved a good deal of the work in connection with the preparation and gazetting of the new land regulations, <fee.; Hawthorne, who has now taken over the duties of Clerk of Titles; Hardy, who supervises all the details in connection with the opening of lands for selection, made doubly arduous owing to the new land legislation : and last, but not least, Messrs. Gambrill and Verschaffelt, respectively in charge of revenue returns and records.

C—l

16

Expenditure of the Department. The following is a summary of the expenditure of the Department, certified to by Mr. Paterson, Chief Accountant: —

Summary of Statment of Expenditure for Twelve Months ending 31st March, 1908.

The work of this branch has increased to such an extent that, in addition to Miss Woodhouse, who is a very competent assistant, the office had to be strengthened by the addition of two cadets. The deposits on immigration from those persons who desire to bring out to New Zealand near relatives form no inconsiderable item in the accounts. Mr. Paterson has also had large dealings with Native-land purchases, necessitating special ledgers being opened for every block of native land. Conclusion. In conclusion, it may not be out of place to state that my own share of the work has been made much easier by your knowledge of every portion of New Zealand, as you have now personally visited every settled district from the North Cape to Stewart Island. I am also glad that from your personal knowledge you will bear me out in recording that the whole of the Commissioners of Crown Lands and Chief Surveyors, together with their staffs, are doing their utmost to advance settlement and to render loyal and efficient service to the Government of this Dominion, work which may not be realised by the public generally, but which is nevertheless bearing ample fruit at the present time, and likely to do so even more in the great future which awaits New Zealand and its inhabitants.

Vote No. Name of Vote or Account. Amount voted (Net). Expenditure (Gross). Recoveries. Expenditure (Net). 70 71 109 120 121 122 123 125 Lands and Survey ... ... 149,232 Lands and Survey, Miscellaneous 61,620 I in migration ... ... 10,000 Improved Farm Settlements ... 4,950 Lands, Miscellaneous ... 9,550 Irrigation and Water-supply ... 3,000 State Forests Account ... 31,147 Scenery Preservation Account... 12,475 £ 149,232 61,620 10,000 4,950 9,550 3,000 31,147 12,475 £ s. d. 159,435 6 1 37,620 9 7 20,591 9 7 3,690 10 7 5,797 11 0 1,555 6 3 25,841 17 8 6,260 18 7 £ s. d. 22,893 19 3 135 19 6 11,460 12 0 1,478 11 1 2 19 0 14 8 10 11 4 776 11 6 £ s. d. 136,541 6 10 37,484 10 1 9,130 17 7 2,211 19 6 5,794 12 0 1,554 1 7 25,831 6 4 5,484 7 1 Totals ... ... 281,974 281,974 260,793 9 4 36,760 8 4 224,033 1 0 Consolidated Fund Unauthorised Account... Special Acts, Deposit Accounts, &c. Land for Settlements Account ... Cheviot Estate Account Maori Land Settlement Account 1,437 13 11 21,226 5 8 46,952 4 9 8,872 10 6 145,954 16 2 1,298 1 1 139 12 10 21,226 5 8 46,952 4 9 8,872 10 6 142,921 17 5 3,032" 18 9 Totals Grand totals 224,443 11 485,237 0 0 4 4,330 19 10 41,091 8 2 220,112 11 444,145 12 2 2

C—l

APPENDICES. APPENDIX I.—SETTLEMENT OF CROWN LANDS. EXTRACTS FROM THE REPORTS OF THE COMMISSIONERS OF CROWN LANDS ON SETTLEMENT OPERATIONS DURING THE TWELVE MONTHS WHICH ENDED ON THE 31st MARCH, 1908. AUCKLAND. The Settlement of Crown Lands. The following schedule will show clearly what might be termed the " new business " of this Department in the Auckland Land District for the past twelve months. Although it necessarily forms a basi.-; for comparison in connection with the general progress of the Department in its operations for the promotion of settlement, to arrive at a correct estimate of the position the variety of interests which go to make this vast district must be taken into consideration. Some account must also be taken of the interruption of the general rhythm of the work following upon the coming into operation of "The Land Laws Amendment Act, 1907," and the extensive inspections and transactions entailed by the assistance rendered to settlers who suffered by the bush and grass fires.

Number of New Selectors and Area taken up, from 1st April, 1907, to 31st March, 1908, and Total Amount of Revenue received during the Year.

3-C. 1.

Nature and Tenure of Lands selected. Number of Selectors. Area selected. Cash received on Past and Current Transactions. Town lands sold for cash Suburban lands sold for cash Rural lands sold for cash Perpetual leases made freehold Occupation with right of purciiase made freehold Deferred-payment instalments Perpetual leases Occupation with right of purchase Lease in perpetuity... Renewable lease Village-settlement (lease in perpetuity) Village-homestead special settlements Repayments of advances ... Special-settlement associations (lease in perpetuity) Improved-farm special settlements Occupation leases, Mining Districts Land Occupation Act Small grazing-runs ... Pastoral runs Thermal springs, Rotorua Miscellaneous leases and licenses Miscellaneous Land for Settlements Acts— Cash Lease in perpetuity Renewable lease ... Small grazing-runs Miscellaneous leases Workers' Dwellings Act 9 21 35 167 17 1 15 7 2 14 4 14 119 4 2 7 6 A. K. P. 24 0 13 34 1 32 2,749 0 2 69,716 0 28 5,512 3 9 261 2 0 38 3 31 £ s. d. 241 14 0 418 13 6 1,200 11 6 782 16 6 6,288 8 3 142 16 3 869 2 1 14,807 9 6 6,682 7 5 3 6 0 114 18 2 162 0 11 344 1 6 297 11 2 478 l 28 402 17 11 326 2 7 16,421 2 31 1,392 0 0 223 1 27 ... 608 13 6 477 19 8 2,149 0 7 46,049 18 8 5,520 17 9 38 3 26 20,449 2 18 ' 208 1 7 8,210 0 0 768 0 10 1 1 18 520 9 4 16,294 17 1 59 2 8 253 5 10 2,691 17 11 731 16 2 Totals 444 444 126,523 1 25 108,442 16 5

18

C—l

Lands offered and disposed of during the Year. During the year now closed the operations of the Department have resulted in the following area being thrown open for selection :— " Acres. North of Auckland City .. .. ■ • • • • • 14 - 427 South of Auckland City • • • • • • • • • • • • 66 > 082 Total 80,505 At the beginning of the year the following area was available for selection :— Acres. North of Auckland City 109,435 . South of Auckland City .. .. • • • • • • • ■ 693,869 Total 803,304 This with the area opened during the year, made a total open for selection us follows :— Acres. North of Auckland City .. ..... .. .. •• 123,862 South of Auckland City 759,951 Total : . ■• 883,813 After the 20th November, 1907, by the coming into operation of the new Act. the whole of the lands in the Guide were withdrawn from application. In round figures the area taken up during the year has been— North of Auckland, chiefly in the Counties of Hokianga, Mangonui, Wha- Aores - ngarei, and Otamatea .. •■ •• •• •• •• 32,400 South of Auckland, chiefly in the Counties of Piako, Opotiki. Waikato, Whakatane, Waitomo, and Waipa .. .. .. .. 94,100 Total 126,500 Conditions and Progress of Settlement. A healthy spirit of prosperity appears to permeate the entire district, even those settlers who have been deterred in their operations by indifferent access, and those who later, having already encountered the ordinary trials of pioneer life, suffered loss by fire, showing no signs of being disheartened. At the present moment inquiries from all parts of the Dominion are being made about Auckland lands, doubtless on account of the scarcity of ordinary Crown lands in other districts, as also from the fact that putting blocks regularly in the market is drawing the attention of residents of ot'> r parts of the Dominion to Auckland's mild climate and well-distributed rainfall, making land profitable to work that in other districts would hardly be practicable. Rangers' Reports. The Crown Lands Rangers have during the year had a very busy time, and their duties have been performed without any semblance of friction with the settlers. Although a Ranger's principal duty is, of course, to make the statutory inspections of holdings provided for by the Land Act, during the year, as in previous years, this work has been greatly interfered with owing to the necessity of utilising the services of the Rangers in a variety of other directions. A Ranger who is working methodically through a particular district may at any moment receive directions to immediately visit a locality far removed from the scene of his operations ; and the demands of timber, flax, kauri-gum, scenic, Native, trespass, and other matters probably cut into his statutory work to a very great extent. The Rangers report as follows : — North of Auckland. The steady increase of bona fide settlers of a desirable class in the northern district which I referred to last year still continues, fifty-one selectors having taken up land during 1907, thirty-five of these being in Hokianga County, where there is still a considerable area of good second-class land available. Mangonui comes next in favour. In the Bay of Islands and Whangaroa the most of the Crown land available is of too poor a quality to be dealt with in small sections. During the year there has been a decided increase of substantial improvements effected by settlers throughout the district. The area of bush felled is 3,832 acres, as against 1,880 acres last year. The dairying industry is slowly but surely pushing its way to the front, especially in the Mangonui County. There has been great activity in timber, gum, and flax industries. During the last month bush-fires have been raging in many places and doing a considerable amount of damage. In some instances settlers have lost almost all they possessed. Fortunately, the State 'forests have escaped with very little injury. The settlers in this district are nearly all prosperous and contented. k" j Bay of Islands County (Part I). —There is very little Crown land fit for settlement left in this county, but there is a large area of first-class Native land lying idle which ought to be utilised. The chief industries

19

A—i

arc stock-raising, dairying, flax, timber, and gum. The settlers as a whole are prosperous and contented. The chief townships are Russell, Kawakawa, and Ohaeawai. The best Crown settlement is ' •kaihau. Bay of Islands County (Part II). —Hukerenui : This district was formerly settled under the villagesettlement conditions, but the holdings arc now principally under the lease-in-perpetuity tenure. The settlers are sending their cream by rail to Hukerenui, where a well-established butter-factory exists. Generally speaking, the settlers are prosperous and hopeful for the future ; but. unfortunately, the flax industry is on the wane, owing to the low price ruling for that product having the effect of stopping that industry for the time being. The timber and gum industries have been active during the year, and there has been a good demand for labour of all kinds at a fair remuneration. Hokianga County (Part I). —Settlement in this county is progressing at a very satisfactory rate, thirty-five selectors having taken up land during the past year. The chief industries are stock-raising, dairying, timber, and gum. The best settlements are Waimamaku, Waiotemarama, Motukaraka, Utakura, Broadwood, and Herekino. There are two thriving townships—Kohukohu and Rawene— both on the Hokianga Harbour. There are still about 60,000,000 ft. of kauri on Crown lands undis-posed-of, besides large quantities of rimu and other milling-timbers. Hokianga County (Part II). —The pioneer settlers in the Tufamoe and Waipoua Survey Districts are making fair progress, and of the new settlers in Tutamoe who last year took up land, some have done very well, whilst others were handicapped in making improvements by the scarcity of labour, but all are hopeful for the future. Mangonui County. —The settlers in this county are in a fairly prosperous condition, owing in a great measure to their increased interest in thje dairying industry. They have two co-operative factories and two creameries in lull work, and propose erecting two more creameries for next season. The timber, flax, and gum industries provide plenty of work for all those not actively engaged in farming. Settlers have felled during the year 928 acres of bush, and owing to the dry season have had very satisfactory burns. Whangaroa County. —This county is almost at a standstill as Ear as new settlement is concerned, only two new selectors coming into it during the past year. The chief industries are stock-raising, shipbuilding, timber, and gum. The two latter are, however, nearly exhausted, and settlers are being forced by circumstances to pay more attention to their land. They have felled 412 acres of bush this year, as against 260 acres last year, an increase of 152 acres. There is very little Crown land fit for settlement left in the county. Whangarei County. —The ordinary Crown tenants in this county are with few exceptions doing very well. Otamatea County. —The Crown tenants in this county are doing fairly well. This is especially true of the Tokatoka tenants, who have made great progress during the year. There are three creameries in operation in the Tokatoka district alone —one at Tokatoka and two at Raupo. Hobson County. —The Crown tenants in this district are progressing fairly well, more especially in the Kaihu and Manguru Survey Districts. Waitemata County. —All Crown sections in this county were inspected, and generally settlers were found doing fairly well and to be contented with their holdings. The land being principally secondclass, settlers' operations are confined to stock-raising and fruit-growing. Several large timber contracts are in progress, affording work for a number of men, and the ground, having been previouslyrich in kauri timber, affords good scope for gum-diggers. The natural hot springs at Helensville have been developed, and baths erected, and, being within easy reach of Auckland, a great number of sufferers are enabled to participate in the benefits to be derived therefrom. Several large industries are to be seen in full swing in the manufacture of bricks and tile pipes, thus providing employment for a large number of hands. Rodney County. —An inspection of all Crown sections in this county shows that, although land is only second-class throughout, settlers through hard work and perseverance have all done well, and are contented and prosperous. Stock-raising is the chief use this class of land is put to, and stock have greatly increased in numbers, particularly sheep. There is a great inquiry for land in this county, and properties are continually changing hands at satisfactory prices to both parties. Dairying is also being carried on successfully. The class of land in this county seems specially adapted for fruit-growing, apples and grapes doing exceptionally well, and many fine orchards are to be seen, thus proving that the land, although not rich enough for agricultural purposes, can be made by judicious working and management to give far better results financially than are obtained by grazing. Timber operations provide employment for a number of men, and, having been rich in kauri, the land naturally provides employment also by way of gum-digging. South of Auckland. Waitomo, Awakino. Kawhia, Raglan, and West Taupo Counties. —There has been a considerable influx of settlers and an increase in the number of cattle and sheep, notably the latter. A large area of bush has been felled, and of open country large areas have been ploughed and grassed. The area sown in grass last season has given great satisfaction, and there are strong evidences that once the land is fairly grassed the pastures will be permanent. The extensive bush-fires that occurred, while temporarily embarrassing to the settler of small means, will ultimately prove of great advantage, the fires having thoroughly cleared the ground of all rubbish. Where grass-seed has been sown over the new burns really good pastures will be the result. Schools, dairy factories, and flax-mills are being erected, and there is every sign of a progressive district, and every indication that the settlers who have gone into the backblocks are satisfied with their

C—l

20

hold ngs. The greater number of these are residing on the land, but in a few instances some selectors are non-resident owing to the isolated position of their sections. This latter disability will be removed as soon as the roads are made within a reasonable distance of such lands. Thames County. —ln this county the majority of settlers are making good progress and improvements, and, considering that the greater portion of land available for selection has been broken, hilly country, settlers have done exceedingly well, and, generally speaking, are prosperous. The dairying industry plays an important part in the success of this county, and the Thames Valley Dairy Association hold the proud position of having obtained the highest marks against all comers in the various exhibitions. Stock-raising is also carried on largely, and a marked increase is noticeable, espec'ally in cattle. Being a mining district, settlement is greatly curtailed through most of the unoccupied land being bush-clad, and therefore withheld from Hauraki Pastoral Lease Regulations, a tenure that is becoming more popular every year. Large contracts have been let for the removal of kauri timber, and when these are completed settlers will be able to obtain land under the renewable-lease tenure, there being a lot of fern land on the timber leases. The mining industry a'so plays an important part in the progress of this county, a large number of men being employed in the mines. A large amount of employment is also obtained through gum-digging operations, and this class of workman is always fairly successful, notwithstanding that gum is getting scarce. New schools have been erected in the outskirts where fresh settlement has taken place, and where required new roads are being energetically pushed on by the local bodies, and will be the means of inducing settlers to take up land in the vicinity. The large tract of rich swamp land owned by the Crown on the Piako River is now being drained in a comprehensive manner, and in a few years will provide large areas of land for settlement, and at no distant date for flax-culture. Owing to the low prices ruling for fibre, the flax industry at the present time is very quiet; but, through judicious management, up-to-date plant, and satisfactory contracts, several mills are still carrying on operations. Generally speaking, this district is very prosperous, good roads, railways, and water-carriage all contributing largely to the welfare of the district. Coromandel County. —Settlement is steadily increasing, and generally the settlers are making fair improvements, and are thrifty and prospering. The greater portion of the land in this county being very broken, settlers confine most of their operations to stock-raising; but in some instances settlers have gone in for separators, and produce a good article, which is readily disposed of at good prices in the district. The erection of saleyards in the district has been a great boon to the settlers, and a great number of applications, comprising thousands of acres of land, have been made under pastoral-lease regulations. Several large timber contracts are at present in full swing, thus providing employment for all classes competent to do the work, and being also the means of enabling settlers to dispose of their products locally and at remunerative rates. The kauri-gum industry also provides employment for a large number of men. New schools have been erected in several parts of the district where required, and new roads are gradually being made. Stock has greatly increased in numbers. No fires of any consequence occurred in this district. Waikato County. —From inspections made, settlers were making good improvements, and all had splendid burns owing to a very dry season. Stock were looking exceptionally well, and still increasing in numbers, especially cattle. Dairying and stock-raising are the princ'pal occupations of the settlers, who are all prosperous and contented. There are many inquiries for land in this county. New roads are being pushed ahead wherever required. Manukau County. —An inspection of all Crown sections was made in this county, and it was found that with few exceptions good improvements were being made, and that settlers generally were contented and prosperous. Stock-raising and dairying are the principal uses this class of land is put to, with good results. Bush-fires temporarily harassed settlers through loss of feed, but most of them look upon the fires as a ga n rather than a loss, owing to the amount of weeds destroyed and general clearing-up of old burns, thus practically making new pasture. New roads are being made where necessary, and schools erected where required. Tauranga County. —As in all parts of the east coast, land here is in great demand, the dairying industry having proved such a great success. The late dry summer has also been a good advertisement for this district, it having withstood the drought better than the greater portion of the North Island. The cutting-up of the forest lands in the Otanewainuku and Rotorua Survey Districts in the vicinity of the Tauranga, Oropi, and Rotorua Coach-road has not been a success, owing to the sections being cut up into too small areas. lake all bush lands, the settler must have capital, and the area must be sufficiently large. There have been a lot of inquiries for Crown lands in Te Papa and Apata Parishes. These lands have been withdrawn from sale for resurveying and reading, and when opened will find ready sale. The whole of the county is moving ahead, the butter-factories having done very well for the season, and the drought and fires having done little damage. Opotiki County. —Settlement in this county is progressing apace. All the bush country lying between the Opotiki settled lands and the Motu on the Gisborne side is being eagerly sought after, and rapidly taken up when thrown open for selection in large areas varying from 500 to 1,000 acres. The reason of this is that the country is steep and broken generally, and is naturally a grazing district. A very good class of settler has already taken up a larg • area of these forest lands, and in spite of the rough country they have felled some thousands of acres, some areas of which are already stocked with some ten thousand sheep. The long spell of dry weather this season has been just what the settlers needed : they have all had good burns, and about 4,700 acres is now being sown in grass. This county has a great future as a first-class agricultural and pastoral district. II hakatane County. —Flax being at a good price during the last two years, flax-mills have sprung up round the edges of the big Whakatane and Matamata Swamps, and a great output of fibre has been the result; but, owing to a big drop in price, the five mills were shut down. Then came the long spell of dry weather, and with it fires which destroyed most of the standing flax. As regards draining opera-

21

C—l

tions, the Rangitaiki Drainage Board has carried a resolution in favour of cutting an outlet through the sandhills, which, if successful, will be the means of settling the whole drainage problem of this swamp, as it will keep the flood-waters of the Rangitaiki River from flowing all over the large area of swamp as it does at present. As regards the upl nds in this county, land is in great demand and all the available Crown lands have been taken up. Bushfelling, house-building, and grass-sowing have been going on satisfactorily. The long spell of dry weather has been an advantage to tha settlers very little damage being done by fires. Rotorua County.— Progress in this county is pretty much the same as last year as regards the Crown settlers. It has been stated that a scheme to erect a butter-factory in the vicinity of Mamaku has failed. The cattle-disease is given as the reason, but it has been found that as the land gets more stock on and gets well trodden this disease dies out. This has been proved over the northern parts of the county. The milling industry is in full swing, and, taking tha district as a whole, the fires have done very little damage to the forests throughout. Forfeitures and Surrenders. In the large majority of cases forfeitures have taken place either by reason of the holdings being abandoned, or at the direct request of the selectors. It is unfortunately the case that persons who have no intention of farming have in the past secured holdings with some, other motive in view. It may be that they imagined that the area selected would yield gum or flax, or it may be that they have simply taken up the land because it could be worked in conjunction with an adjacent contract, and then the necess.ty having passed, they threw up the land. The forfeitures for the non-fulfilment of conditions or through inability to carry on have, been surprisingly few. The policy of the Land Board has been never to forfeit unless it is found beyond doubt that a man is either an impossible settler, or has no intention of complying with either the spirit or the letter of the law. Rebates of Rent. The total amount granted as a rebate for prompt payment reached the sum of £2,829 19s 8d and' was secured by 2,787 settlers. Arrears of Rental. The arrears, exclusive of the current payment ending on the 30th June next, on ordinary Crown lands amounted to £1,602 175., which was owing by 355 tenants, out of a total on the books of 5 027 paying an annual rental of £40,853 lis. 7d. Of land-for-settlements tenants for the same period, 54 tenants, out of a total of 664, owe £1 200 16s. 4d., out of gross rentals amounting to £19,263 4s. 2d. There are many and varied' reasons' for such arrears, such as the settler who spends every penny on his holding, with the one aim in view of bringing it into profitable occupation and money-earning within the shortest possible time ; then there is the settler who entirely underestimates the cost of what he has taken in hand, although his intentions have been bona fide all through ; the difficulty of getting produce to market accounts for much ; and there is the ne'er-do-well and the speculator, who are simply an incumbrance to the soil. This'year, however, the drought and the fires have closed down the incomes of settlers in the middle of their moneyearning season, and not a few have had to start again from the beginning, just as they were getting on their feet. It will thus be readily seen that great discrimination is required in dealing with arrears where there is so much pioneer settlement going on, although the liabilities of settlers to the State in this respect are kept before them. Crown Lands under Part 111 of the Act. The operations of clause 47 of " The Land Laws Amendment Act, 1907," will result in a satisfactory settlement of the position in regard to many holdings selected for cash under Part 111 of " The Land Act, 1892." In this district a very large number of selectors under this tenure had, either through ignorance or neglect, failed to effect the improvements required within the time specified. Owing to there being no direction in the 1892 Act as to what action (beyond the non-issue of title) would follow this default, these selections remained on the books in the names of the selectors. The new power will settle the old transactions, and obviate a recurrence of this in future. "Thirds" and "Fourths" and "Halves" from Timber and Flax. On account of "thirds" and "fourths," proposals have been rece'ved for the expenditure of over £8,000, and, with the exception of a few cases received just about the end of the year, the amounts have been paid over to the local bodies. There is a considerable sum still standing to the credit of local bodies for which no proposals have been made. The difficulty appears to be that in a large number of cases the amounts are so small (£5 and under) that it is considered hardly worth while making proposals until a larger amount accriies. Action is, however, being taken to carry out the provisions of section 121 of " The Public Works Act, 1905." A sum of £8,699 ss. 4d. has been paid to the local authorities under the provisions of " The Timber and Flax Royalties Act, 1905." But as the policy of the Auckland Land Board has been to get the latter royalties received by the local bodies spent on backblocks roads, the neighbourhood of where the timber came from having preference, some correspondence has ensued with the local bodies on this account, but on the whole the wishes of the Board have been met in the fairest spirit. Hauraki Pastoral Leases. During the year a number of remote sections held under this tenure have been inspected. To effect improvements at the rate of 2s. per acre within three years from the date of selection is the only

A—i

22

obligation (other than {payment of rent) under this class of holding. The Rangers visited fifty-three selections, on which improvements to the value of £1,120 should have been effected, and it was found that the improvements actually made are worth £3,700. In addition to this, although, as stated, residence is not compulsory, there were thirty-seven selectors who had made their homes on or adjo : ning their Hauraki pastoral-lease holdings. The area covered by these leases is, as a rule, rough broken fern and bush country suitable for grazing. In the localities over which this tenure may be exercised, there are two distinct classes of settlers. In the north the lessees are farmers making their living off the land ; in the south they are mostly business people, contractors, &c, who employ labour on their holdings. Mining Districts Land Occupation Act. The main difference between selections under this tenure and that of Hauraki pastoral lease is that, whereas improvements are required under the latter, res'dence only is the feature of the mining-districts-land-occupation holdings (also, holdings are limited to 100 acres in the laiter case, 1,000 acres be : ng the maximum in the former). There were seventy-two inspections made, covering an area of 4,620 acres. Of these, forty-two selectors were residing, and they had carried out improvement-works to an estimated value of £5,076. This tenure is not producing such energetic settlers as the Hauraki pastoral leases, for the lessees do not depend on their areas for a living, and are consequently more careless as to their condition and development. A number of areas are held as adjuncts to other holdings : this is particularly the case in proximity to goldfield towns, where a few acres are of great use to residents. Tim her. Four parties, comprising ten men*, have been busily engaged measuring timber to meet the requirements of applicants. Since last report 55,614,536 ft. of various kinds of timber have been disposed of by public tender, the value of which is £44,875, and revenue received during the same period amounted to £41,604, as against £34,629 for the previous year, being an increase of £6,975. Timber-floating Licenses. —Forty-six new licenses were issued, and thirty-three renewals were granted during the year. Bush-fires. —Every known precaution has been taken to preserve Crown and State forests from the ravages of tires. Four caretakers are employed, two full and two half time. The late fires extended over wide areas, and a great deal of damage to private property resulted. Fortunately, Crown forests largely escaped, with the exception of the scorching of some trees in Kauri Park and a small scenic reserve 'at Herekino, also some mixed timber standing on worked-out kauri areas. Flax Industry. During the early part of the past year operations in the above industry were exceptionally active, owing to the then ruling high market prio < obtained for fibre. In consequi rice thereof a large number of applications for flax cutting and cultivating areas were received and dealt with by this office, resulting in keen competition and record royalties being obtained for green flax, the gross royalty amounting to £1 627 17s. 3d. Amongst the more important areas dealt with was the lease for fourteen years of the flax area situated on th.- wist coast south of Kawhia in the Whareorino Survey District, the amount realising in the aggregate for royalties and rent about £4,500. During the latter part of the year several applications for flax were withdrawn owing to the lesser demand and present values for fibre, but inquiries are still being made regarding areas suitable for flax planting and cultivation. Considerable quantities of green flax have been destroyed in different parts of the district by the recent fires. Fires. Towards the end of the year the district was overrun with files. An soon as it became known to the Government how extensive the fins had been, prompt instructions were received to render assistance to those who were financially embarrassed, repayment being made by promissory notes extending over several years as the circumstance of individual casts demanded. In this district the services of Rangers and surveyors were requisitioned to make inquiries with a view to supplying those in need with grass-seed to resow the grassed areas that had been destroyed. I personally visited the locality where the most extensive fires took place, and since my return to Auckland have with my staff of Inspectors been kept continuously busy in making outside inspections and in examining the applications lor seed, ordering, supervising, and despatching the required quantities as soon as the applications were approved. In all 296 applications war received. Of these 197 were approved, and seed was supplied to the value of £7,913 on the Government conditions of repayment. Although the loss sustained by many settlers has been very severe, there are many compensations, areas of fallen bush which selectors had for some seasons despaired of ever firing have been swept clear, and the ultimate result must be decidedly beneficial to those so situated. The assistance rendered by the Government to settlers who were quite incapable of financing the resowing of large areas will be most apparent next season, anil, given favourable climatic conditions, and provided the settlers who were almost ruined can hold out, the season should result in prosperity to all concerned. In many worthless farms have suddenly been converted into profitable holdings, the carrying-capacity when regrassed being often more than doubled, and I feel that a rough estimate of .')<) per cent, is low in view of the increased carrying-capacity in the fire-swept districts, and a general ultimate increase in value of at least £1 per acre. Correspondence. The Record Clerk reports that 32,480 letters and parcels and 2,168 telegrams were received, and 49,735 letters and parcels and 2,196 telegrams were dispatched. These figures show a gross increase on last year's returns of 1,648.

23

C—l

Receiver of Land Revenue. In the Receiver's Office 8,947 ordinary revenue receipts and 138 provisional-title receipts were issued, covering a gross revenue of £109,836 18s. 9d.. an increase on the previous year of £15 000 In the Deposit Account, 1,935 receipts for a sum of £41,643 lis. 4d. and 796 cheques'for refunds'and disbursements were issued. The sum Of £22,258 Bs. 2d. was paid into the Local Bodies Account, from which was disbursed by 139 payments to eighty-three local bodies the sum of £15,714 19s. 2d. In conclusion, I wish to acknowledge the valuable assistance I have received from the officers of this branch of the Department, particularly those in charge of the various sub-branches with whom I come more directly in contact. James Mackenzie, Commissioner of Crown Lands. HAWKE'S BAY. Lands opened for Sale or Selection. The condition and progress of closer settlement jn Hawke's Bay District during the past financial year may be considered as very satisfactory. The lands opened for sale or selection as ordinary Crown lands, under the various tenures, during the year amounted to 9,227 acres. Of this, 8,529 acres were offered for the first time, and 698 aercs had been previously offered. Under the Land for Settlements Act 21,694 acres were offered for the first time, comprising sections situated in Te Mata. Pourerere, Raumati, Kanakanaia, and Te Arai Settlements. The small area still open for selection—viz., 1,299 acres—clearly shows the unabated demand for Crown lands in the district.

Summary of Land Transactions, 1907-8.

Transactions during Year. Leasehold Lands held at 31st March, 1908. Tenure. Number. Revenue received during Year 1907-8. Number. Area. Area. Cash Occupation with right of purchase made freehold Perpetual lease Deferred payments ... Occupation with right of purchase Lease in perpetuity ... Village settlements — Cash ... ... ... I Occupation with right of purchase Lease in perpetuity ... Village - homestead special settlements Special - settlement associations —Lease in perpetuity Improved farms Small grazing-runs Pastoral runs Timber-cutting Miscellaneous leases Transfer and lease fees Crown-grant fees ... Survey liens Other sources Land for settlements — Lease in perpetuity Lease in perpetuity (village) Small grazing-runs Miscellaneous leases Buildings, etc. Renewable lease Renewable lease (buildings) Native townships ... Endowments A. B. P. 48 132 2 28 22 4,760 3 7 6 597 1 23 1 0 1 31 3 2 3 22 15 1,247 3 8 1 2,478 0 0 11 385 3 9 9 648 2 0 ! 2 0 3 16 , 2 5* 2 16 83 ; 20,168 2 1 j 7 ■ 33 3 30 11 1 258 209 10 73 27 14 16 87 16 A. B. P. 3,352 0 23 1,415 0 0 136,751 3 23 104,404 1 11 47 3 36 3,902 1 5 160 1 18 3,111 0 19 1,830 0 0 251,416 3 2 103,703 0 0 £ s. d. 1,368 4 6 2,497 7 9 132 5 0 42 10 0 6,536 5 10 3,465 9 11 9 0 0 1 11 3 1,565 13 8 49 0 5 127 14 9 198 18 7 2,320 19 l 722 6 0 786 18 6 1,247 7 10 253 7 6 44 "11 8 49 1 9 581 8 0 92 63,748 0 20 427 16 16 11 119,740 0 17 34 3 0 19,681 0 0 374 3 3 34,180 19 6 13 14 5 4,180 10 8 269 1 4 683 12 3 7,806 1 7 62 10 3 343 3 0 294 8 11 83 20,168" 2 1 108 27 723 1 10 9,797 3 36 Totals ... 210 30,463 0 31 210 30,463 0 31 1,502 844,363 1 24 69,834 3 11 • Exclusive of 12 holdings, covering an area of 21,430 acres 2 roods 1 pel ,he year, but were renewed. rch, the leases of whi ich expired during

A—i

24

Small Grazing-runs. Twelve holdings, covering an area of 21,430 acres, erpired during the year, but were all renewed under the terms and conditions of their leases at advanced rentals in each instance. It was found that none of these areas was suitable for closer settlement. Only one new selection was made during the year, containing an area of 2,478 acres, and paying an annual rental of £298. Thirty-nine holdings, comprising an area of 131,481 acres 3 roods, and paying an annual rental of £1,936, were set apart under the provisions of " The National Endowment Act, 1907." Of thirteen leases expiring during the year seven, comprising an area of 11,526 acres, have been offered to existing lessees for a further term of twenty-one years at greatly increased rentals, and six holdings, covering an area of 16,868 acres, are to be subdivided and offered for selection during the year under the optional system. Inspection and Progress of Settlements. The total number of inspections made by the Crown Lands Ranger for the Napier portion of the district was 622, including special inspections covering an area of 272,261 acres. The total value of improvements as required by the Act is £77,088, and the value of improvements effected £228,560. There were thirty defaulters for non-residence and forty-five for improvements. There were 1,724 souls residing on the properties inspected. The Crown Lands Ranger for the Gisborne portion of the district reports that he inspected 237 holdings and made thirty-three special inspections. Altogether he made 270 inspections, comprising an area of 233,937 acres, on which he found 500 souls residing. The value of improvements required was £66,876, as against £304,058 actually effected. Thirty-two of the holdings inspected were defaulting for residence-conditions, and eight for improvements. ' The very large value of improvements placed upon the holdings, and the very small proportion of defaulters for non-residence and improvements, emphasize the success which has attended Crown settlement in this district, Generally speaking, the district has progressed very satisfactorily Rebate of Rent. Rebate for prompt paymentjof rent amounting to £4,990 18s. lid. was granted to 947 tenants. These figures show an increase over last year's returns of eighty-two selectors and £433 10s. 3d. Arrears of Rental. There are seventy-nine selectors in arrears with one or more payments amounting to £1 235 13s. Hd., comprising an area of 62,092 acres, being an increase of £981 15s. Id. This is greatly due to the long dry season experienced throughout the district during the past summer, and also to the bush-fires occurring in various parts of the district, Forfeitures and Surrenders. There were seven forfeitures for non-compliance with conditions, comprising an area of 106 acres 1 rood and 4 perches. Five surrenders were accepted, containing an area of 14,085 acres 2 roods and 16 perches. Transfers. Owing to the high value of land and the prosperous condition of the country no less than 171 selectors transferred their holdings during the year, and twelve were refused by the Land Board. Disposal of Remaining Crown Lands. A block of 10 000 acres, portions of the Waimarama, Waipuka, and Okaihau Blocks, situated about twenty to thirty miles from Hastings ; and 9,641 acres, portion of Piripiri and Manawatu Blocks, adjoining Mangatera and Matamau Railway-stations, and only about three miles from Dannevirke ; a'so 11 523 acres in Tuahu Survey District, near Waikaremoana, are now under survey, and will be ready for offering about the end of the year. 16,868 acres of small-grazing-run holdings will expire during the year, mostly in the Gisborne district; and it has been decided to subdivide these runs, and offer" them under the optional system before the end of the financial year. Besides the foregoing there will be about 8 000 acres in the district that will be thrown open for selection during the year. I have very good reason to anticipate that all the land to be offered will be applied for, as there is such a demand for land in this district. Reserves, Forests, etc. Reserves with a total area of some 2,975 acres have been made and permanently gazetted, while 266 246 acres have been set aside under the National Endowment Act of last session. There have been 8 400 acres withdrawn from forest ressrves in the Waikarara and Makaretu Survey Districts as being of no further use for the purpose for which they were reserved, and these lands will shortly be opened for selection. BUSH-FIRES, ETC. Owing to an exceptional period of drought extending over several months, settlers have been sorely tried in making provision for feeding and watering their stock, and, as an outcome of the exceptionally hot and dry season, certain portions of the district in the neighbourhood of Ormondville Norsewood, and Dannevirke were subsequently devastated by extensive bush-fires, which caused considerable loss of stock, fences, and pasture, and in a few instances of buildings. The Department issued instructions for assistance to be afforded those needing same, by providine them with grass-seed to resow their holdings, and allowing payment to be made therefor by instalments extending over a period of from one to four years ; and a number of claims have been dealt with in that manner. The bush-fires a'so spread over considerable tracts of Crown lands near Dannevirke which are beine prepared for settlement, and these are also being resown with grass-seed. In connection with these fires there is a compensating phase of the question, which is that, although the damage done is very

25

C.—l

serious in some instances, the general effect will be of ultimate benefit to the settlers, inasmuch as tinland has heen more thoroughly cleared of stumps and logs than could have been accomplished under the ordinary system of clearing. "Thirds," "Fourths," and "Halves." The sum of £3,640 Bs. sd. was paid to the local bodies, and expended in the following manner : 765 chains formation, 101 chains bush-olearing, £100 for bridges and culverts, £1,483 4s. for maintenance of roads, and £860 interest on loans borrowed for the formation of roads. The amount still to the credit of local bodies is £4,265 17s. 9d. I >i:i'.\!C I.MENTAL. The volume of departmental work continues to increase as further settlements are brought into the market and other business is placed under the management of the Department. Correspondence inwards and outwards, circulars, applications, parcels, fee., show a total of 39,658. The total cost of the Department for stamps during the twelve months was £157 Ifa. 6d Cheques were drawn to the amount of £17,467, and 684 vouchers dealt with, while receipts for rents, deposits, &c, totalled 3,450. The following changes in the Land Office staff occurred during tin- year : Mr. P. Bull. Receiver of Laud Revenue at Napier, retired after a set vice of thirty-six years ; Mr. J. H. O'Donnell was transferred from the Gisborne office to succeed him ; and Mr. H. P. Robinson, from the Auckland office, was appointed in the latter's place. In September last Mr. Denham Goldsmith, shorthand clerk and typist, was transferred to the Invercargill office, his post being afterwards filled by Mr. T). M. Yeates, formerly of the Government Life Insurance Department, Wellington. I have conducted several important land-ballots, notably Raumati, Kanakanaia, and Te Arai, at each of which the number of applicants was evidence of the steady demand for land. In concluding this report I would like to acknowledge the manner in which the officers of the Land Office staff, both at Gisborne and Napier, have carried out their several duties, as well as responded to extra demands made upon them from time to time. Hknry Trent, Commissioner of Crown hands. TARANAKI. The land transactions for the year ending the 31st March, 1908, are shown in the subjoined summary : —

4—o. 1.

Transactions during Year. Held at 31st March, 1908. Revenue Class of Selection. received during Number. Area. Number. | Area. I.. It. P. A. H. I". £ t, d. Cash ... ... ... 11 44 0 11 ... ... 43J 16 0 Perpetual lease made freehold 1 L80 0 0 ... ... Mil' 0 0 Deferred payment ... 1 99 0 0 8 16 LO Perpetual lease ... ... 12 8,781 0 16 219 2 9 Occupation with right of pur- 45 42,150 2 L8 449 246,684 0 6 6,105 2 1(1 chase Occupation with right of pur- 9 2,580 0 8 ... ... 3,658 15 7 chase made freehold Lease in perpetuity ... 4 2,231 3 12 170 178,746 3 36 5,004 15 i Lease in perpetuity—Land for 3 587 2 20 35 4,022 2 15 3,276 6 9 settlements Village settlements — Occupation with right of ... ... 9 8 10 3 9 0 purchase Lease in perpetuity ... ... ... 10 69 0 8 9 5 2 Special settlements —Lease in ... ... 87 16,210 1 16 867 L9 1 perpetuity Improved-farm settlements... 8 UO 0 30 247 32,681 I 6 1,661 2 11 Small grazing-runs 7 1 26 17 16,660 0 12 236 10 1 Miscellaneous leases ... 17 133 135 111 1,341 3 25 ass 3 10 Miscellaneous leases — Land ... ... 1 18 8 L6 340 I 5 for settlements Transfer and other fees ... . ... ... 198 2 0 Crown-grant fees ... ... ... 28 15 3 Endowments ... ... 2 143 3 12 47 0 0 Timber licenses and royalties ... ... ... ... 29 3 7 State forests ... ... ... ... 6 10 0 Survey liens ... ... ... ... 286 11 1 Survey fees, searches, litho- ••■ ••• ■•■ ••• 61 14 11 graphs, Ac. Miscellaneous ... ... ... ... ... 184 3 3 Totals ... ... 93 48,275 1 0 1,454 500,442 1 8 23,385 7 8

26

C—l

The volume of business transacted is not nearly so much as last year, the sales for cash having fallen off and the sell ctkms under th fturi sb« ing only about half the number. Had the land . doubt th re been very much larger but towards the end of 1907 every available section was taken up. and there were no m w lands ready to offer. The revenue pmper last y £25.528, which would have been maintained had there been more sales for cash, these always being a fluctuating quantity. Crown Lands offered for Selection and disposed o*. The area open for selection on the Slst March, 1907, wi s 54,590 acres, and 11,033 acres were offered dmiM the year m of 65,623 acres available. Out of this, 52 selections were made, comprising an area of 44,969 acres, and 3.755 acres will be returned next year. An area of 9-11 acres was withdrawn for reoflering under "The National Endowment Act 1907 and 3888 acres wen- also withdrawn to b.- reoffered under "The Lane] Laws Amendment Act, 1907. lhis leaves 3,800 acres open for application al the close of the year. The only land off red for the firs, time w« re sev< n allotments m the Ohura and Heao Survey Districts, comprising an area of 1.859 acn s, which were keenly eomp. ted for. The remainder of the se<tions offered were turf, itrd holdings in various parts of the district. _ The remaining sections in the Huinga Settlement, near Toko, three m number, were taken up, but one was abandoned for no appan ... reason. Applications have already bi i n made for it. Five reserves were offered for lease by public auction, and all were taken up. Two sections totalling 3 acres, wen- sold as sit s for dairy factories—one at Nihomho and the other at Aria—under the provisions of section 62 of " The Land Laws Amendment Act 1907. _ The land offered for cash by public auction consisted of eighteen allotments in the lown ol iManaia, eleven being disposed of at upset prices. There has been such a steady demand for land durmg the year that there is now practically none open for selection. Principal Systems of Tenure. These are confined to the occupation with right of purchase and leases in perpetuity, and when lands were offered under the optional conditions the preference was given to the former tenure, as the following figures will show: Occupation with right of purchase, 45 selections, area 42,150 acres ; lease in perpetuity, 1 selection, area 755 acres; cash, nil. Conditions and Progress oi Settlement. The evidence of substantial progress over the whole of the Taranaki District has been very marked during the past year. The report of the Ranger for the central and southern part of the district disit ttood urOftjress is being made, and with very few exceptions the improvements effected are x, the holdings inspected being 330, having a total area of 121,188 The required improvements by the Act were valued at £48,014; the improvements actually effected were 1 1 . f -PQ7 The Ranaer for the northern and more lately settled part of the district reports having visited 406 holdings, Comprising an area of 140,241 acres. The requirements of the Act were improvements to the value of £22,597, and the value of improvements actually effected was 274,411. He remarks that th- non-fulfilment of required improvements is generally due to the scarcity.ud high cost of •hour H-also reports the first cattle-sale at on He 19th Apiff, when 800 head were so d. Three schools and several post and telephone offices have been opened during the year, and a doctor is now resident at Mangaroa. Rebates of Rent. Durine the year 800 tenants holding under lease-m-perp. tuity and oceupation-with-right-of-pur-chase conditions of the Land Acts were grant d 10 per cent, rebate on the,,- annual instalments, amounting to £985 2s 4d., and thirty-two land-for-settlements tenants n ceived a rebate of 10 per cent., equal to £250 18s. 2d. These figures show an increase of twenty-five selectors and £191. Arrears of Rent. Excluding the current instalment, the number of tenants in arreai-was sixty-one as compared with fifty-five last year ; but the amount owing was £323, as against £465, a decrease of £142. Tabng nto onsideration the current instalment, a substantial decease is shown both in nuniber of tenants in arrear and the amount owing-vi*., 182 selectors, £1,487 ; last year, 229 selectors fI.JiJJ It is, however! only by constant attention and oi, sort to legal proceedings that this fairly sat,,factory position can be maintained. Forfeitures and Surrenders. Twenty-one holdings under ordinary conditions of the Land Acts were resumed .luring the- year -two less than the prfevi tly for non-improvement. In some of tin se cases the for--tv the _ usual hardshipsi of .ion to the so, ' bihtytoobtoHiaßSWtanc . bushfalling The difficulty in obtaining th °M» Wchsbieoiie most pronounce.: v , no I n possessed of suffi pital to work their holdings, and there has Ken too much

27

C.-l

land taken up by people who have, no idea of what the conditions in the back country are, consequently when they get on the ground their expectations are not immediately realised, and they allow the land to revert to the Crown. Now that the Land Boards can examine applicants before admitting tin mas selectors, it is probable there will be more permanency in the holding of land. Three holdings under r.nnd for Settlements Act« were Abandoned —two in Spotswood and one in Huinga Settlement. Reserves, Forests, etc. An area of 14,740 acres was reserved for preservation of forest and scenery, and 2,687 acres for primary education. The remainder of the area reserved during the, year, 473 acres, comprised schoolsites, recreation-grounds, and other purposes. Bush ahd Grass Fires Relief. During February, disastrous fires, occasioned by the long dry summer, swept over various parts of the district, some settlers losing their homesteads and farm buildings, and many others having most of their available pasture swept away by the flames, which spread with great rapidity. The districts round Mount Egmont, principally on the northern side, appear to have been the greatest sufferers, in a few instances the settlers' Btook being burnt, while owing to the loss of pasture the cattle fell off in condition, which was especially felt by those dependent upon the dairying for their livelihood. In many of the eases relieved by the Government the assistance was most opportune, as otherwise these sufferers would have been compelled either to obtain the I on terms that might have hampered them for years, or. on tin- other hand, to see the burnt areas '■■ main unsown. It is. however, admitted that, though in many instances the immediate loss was most serious, yet generally the beneficial effect of these fires will be most marked within the next, twelve months, as areas which for years past remained only partially cleared were, owing to the unusually dry season, swept clean by the fires ; the ground, bi ing nsown, can now be brought into full profit. One hundred and ninety-five applications were dealt with, and about 58,0001b. seed issued to 103 persons, at an approximate cost of £1.686. Disposal of Remaining- Crown Lands. None of the blocks mentioned in my last report were in a condition to offer for sale during the year just closed, but that in the Ohura and Piopiotea West Survey Districts, 14,747 acres, will be offered in June next under the provisions of " The National Endowment Act, 1907." There are also surveys in progress for opening other lands under i' "Hows: 5,000 acres in the Totoro Survey District, on the smith bank of the Mokau River ; 4,500 acres in the Mahoe and Pouattt Survey District, between the Taiigarakau and Heao Rivers; 4,000 acres in .the Piopiotea. West Survey District, near Taumarunui Township. In conjunction with the blocks in the Totoro and Piopiotea West Survey Districts, there will be about 3,500 acres offered under the ordinary conditions of settlement; 5,000 acres in Otamati and Tangitu Blocks, portion of Rangitoto-Tuhua Block, lately purchased by the Crown, near the Main Trunk Railway; and about 6,000 acres of the Whakailuiwaka and Tauniataniahoe Blocks, lying between the settled country east of Strathmore and the Wanganui River, also newly acquired. Tin- demand for good grazing-];,ml in this district is still I siu former years, inquiries being received daily from all parts of tin- Dominion, and occasionally from foreign countries. During the coming year an area of about 17,000 mprising forfeited sections in various parts of the land district, will he reoffered, and no doubt will be eagerly sought after, as the access is gradually improving. Office work. The correspondence inwards and outwards, circulars, applications, parcels, &c, totalled 21,932; cheques-drawn for wages, &c, 793; vouchers dealt with, 680; transfers recorded, 195; receipts for rents, refunds, &c, 3,237; provisional titles issued, 75; cards furnished to the Auditor of Land Revenue, 277 : total, 27,189 —a considerable increase on last year's business. As in past years, the ordinary clerical work b ged by the corn otion of areas of holdings resulting from completion of surveys of land disposed of during the last three years under the " provisional area " system : tin- greatest objection to this method of alienation of land being the delay in issuing titles to the selectors, who in many cases have to borrow for making improvements, thereby necessitating special surveys. Fbans. Simpson, I ■ ' .own Lands.

C.-l

28

WELLINGTON The subjoined summary shows the land transactions for the year ending the 31st March, 1908 :—

Lands open for Sale or Selection. The total area of Crown land offered during the year was 126,375 acres, which, added to the area standing open on the Ist April, 1907—viz., 7,129 acres —made a total area of 133,504 acres available for selection. Of the area of 126,375 acres placed in the market during the year, 101,800 acres were offered for the first time. Only one lot, comprising an area of 200 acre 3, was offered subject to the provisions of " The Bush and Swamp Crown Lands Settlement Act, 1903." The principal operations during the year were as follows : The Tapui Block, 636 acres ; North Waimarino Block, 23,967 acres ; and Retaruke Blocks, 31,142 acres, were opened for selection on optional system. A run of 45,000 acres in the Rangipo North Block, and Mana Island, 525 acres, were offered for lease by public auction for terms of twenty-one and fourteen years respectively. The Nireaha and Hukanui Village Settlements, comprising an area of 672 acres, and Tapui Village, 35 acres, were opened for application. A successful auction sale was hi Id at Raetihi of the Ninia, Ohakune, and Raurimu Townships ; and in Wellington of freehold allotments in Cuba and Wallace Streets. Four workers' dwellings in Coromandel Street, Wellington, were offered and leased under " The Workers' Dwellings Act, 1905." The demand for some of the lands offered was very keen, particularly for one section offered in Tararua Survey District, for which there were 520 applications, and for sections in North Waimarino Block, for some of which the applications considerably exceeded 200 ; also for village lots in Hukanui and Nireaha Settlements, for some of which the applications ranged up to the number of 145. The total number of land applications received during the year was 2,419. Expiring Small-Grazing-Run and Pastoral Leases. During the year renewed leases for further terms of twenty-one years were granted to the lessees of twelve small grazing-runs, comprising an area of 13,050 acres ; and renewals of leases of sixteen small grazing-runs, comprising an area of 13,014 acres, have been offered to the present lessees under section 209 of " The Land Act, 1885." Renewals have not been granted in the cases of two small grazing-runs, comprising an area of 1,693 acres, which have consequently reverted to the Crown. As the lessees of eleven pastoral runs, comprising an area of 23,352 acres, mostly sand-drift on the west coast, will expire in February next, new leases were offered by public auction, all of which, with the exception of one, were disposed of

Number Cash received on Nature and Tenure of Lands selected. of Area selected. Past and Current Selectors. Transactions. a. B. p. ' £ s. d. Town lands sold for cash ... ... ... ... 113 32 1 6 j) Suburban lands sold for cash ... ... ... 14 39 1 34 f 9,352 15 11 Rural lands sold for cash ... ... ... ... 6 348 1 12 .' Perpetual leases maiie freehold ... ... ... ... ... 2,690 3 8 Occupation with right of purchase made freehold ... ... ... 19,232 14 9 Deferred-payment instalments ... ... ... , ... ... 5 0 0 Perpetual leases... ... ... ... ... 206 15 6 Occupation with right of purchase ... ... ... 65 53,596 8 12 10,761 8 6 Lease in Derpetuitv ... ... ... ... 10 6,441 0 8| 5,377 4 10 Renewable lease ' ... ... ... ... 1 200 0 0 5 0 0 Village settlement— Cash... ... ... ... ... ' ... 1 1 0 38 4 0 0 Lease in peruetuity ... ... ... 25 712 1 7 1,719 7 2 Renewable lease ' ... .... ... ... 2 2 0 24 0 5 0 Village-homestead special settlements ... ... ... ... 414 16 6 Special-settlement associations —Lease in perpetuity ... ... ... 4,927 12 6 Improved-farm settlements ... ... ... ... ... 2,235 7 2 Small grazing-runs ... ... ... ... 12 13,068 2 0 1,975 12 10 Pastoral runs ... ... ... ... ... 10 19,982 2 0 2,436 14 5 [mproved farms made freehold ... ... ... ... ... 1,632 12 2 Miscellaneous leases and licenses ... ... ... 44 45,824 1 1 1,548 10 3 Miscellaneous ... ... ... *10,920 13 0 Workers' dwellings, Coromandel Street ... 4 0 0 32 54 18 2 Land for Settlements Acts— Lease in perpetuity ... ... 8 203 3 22 13,276 1 3 Workers'dwellings, Petone ... ... ... 12 10 8 553 13 4 Small grazing-runs ... ... ... 1,732 7 6 Miscellaneous leases ... ... ... 1 2 10 1,165 17 3 Miscellaneous... ... ... ... ... 4,190 3 8 Nature and Tenure of Lands selected. Totals ... ... ... ... 328 140,456 0 39 96,419 15 4 * Inoludes £111 paid under section 10, (7), of "The Land Laws Amendment Act, 1907."

29

C.-l

Inspections and Rangers' Reports. These comprise 1,046 inspections by the two Rangers in the east coast district, of an area of 223,780 acres, being a decrease of forty-eight in number, but an increase of 79,616 acres on last year's figures. The value of the improvements required to bo effected was £28,104 ; the amount actually spent was £107,657, being £79,553 more than was required to be spent. In the west coast district 481 inspections were made by the two Rangers, of an area of 855,577 acres, being a decrease of 253 in number and an increase of 707,591 acres in area from last year's figures. The amount required to be spent on improvements was £13,870, whereas £24,750 was expended, being £10,880 in excess of requirements. The grand totals for both districts are as follows : Number of inspections made, 1527, over an area of 1,079,357 acres : being a decrease on last year's figures of 301 in number, and an increase of 787,208 acres in area. Improvements were required to be effected to the value of £41,974, and improvements actually made amounted to the value of £132,407 : exctss, £90,433. Out of the holdings inspected, only sixty-two selectors had not complied with requirements. Note. —-These figures include inspections in Te Ohu and Okahakura Blocks, also pastoral runs along coast. On these large areas no improvements were required. Rebates" of Rental. Rebate amounting to £2,902 2s. 6d. was granted to 2.372 selectors for prompt payment of rental, being an increase over last year's figures of £405 2s. ©d. in amount, and fifty-eight in number. Arrears of Rental. One hundred and two selectors "Were in arrear with two or more payments—£l,o29 4s. 2d., of an area of 14,841 acres, being a decrease on last year's figures. The total arrears, including the current half-year's payment, are 331 in number, £3.163 7s. Bd. in amount, and 51,382 acres; being an increase over last year's figures. Small Grazing-runs. Five leases expired by effluxion of time during the; y. i.r, the annual rent being £120 Is. Bd., and the area 4,802 acres. All these runs have been offered to and accepted by the late lessees at new valuations, in terms of section 209 of " The Land Act, 1885." Forfeitures and Surrenders. During the year there were i ight forfeitures of ordinary Crown leases, four under the Land for Settlements lease-in-perpetuity tenure, and three Native-township leases ; being a total area of 2,307 acres; the annual rent;! being £179 Bs. 4d. There were six surrenders accepted, aggregating 834 acres, and an annual rental of £78 12s. lOd. Reserves and Endowments. 9,712 acres 1 rood 34 perches were set aside during the year for the following purposes : Scenery, gravel, primary education, public buildings, Sec. Cash Lands. The area disposed of under this heading was 420 acres, comprising one section of 133 acres, under Part 111 of " The Land Act, 1892,"' and 113 lots of town land, aggregating 32 acres ; fourteen suburban lots, of 39 acres, and five rural lots of 250 acres, were disposed of without option. " Thirds " and " Fourths." The allocation, under " The Land Act, 1892," of the proportion of rent from Crown lands taken up under the various systems of tenure has been made, and the due amounts have been passed to the credits of the respective local authorities, to whom during the twelve months £9,296 18s. 4d has been paid for approved proposals for road-works, and under hypothecation certificates. Five hundred and seventy-'our proposals for expenditure for " thirds " and " fourths " were received from the local bodies, and after careful examination 527 of these v ere submitted to the Land Board for favourable consideration, and were approved. Pour certificates of hypothecation were also approved of by the Land Board and issued under the signature of the Chairman. Acting under instructions, I had schedules prepared showing the " thirds " and " fourths " accrued to the 31st October, 1905, and for which the local authorities had failed to make any satisfactory proposa's. In order that the provisions of section 121 of " The Public Works .Act. 1905," might be carried out. the District Koad Engineers, in conjunction with one of my officers, prepared proposals for the expenditure of these over-accrued "thirds" and "fourths." These proposals were approved by the Land Board, and forwarded for the Minister's action. However, the Hon. the Acting Minister for Public Works decided not to enforce the Act, but to give the local authorities the further opportunity of making proposals for these sums. I regret to add that only a few of the local bodies have availed themselves of this consideration. On the 31st March, 1908, £14,579 10s. 9d. was in the Receiver of Land Revenue's Deposit Account to the credit of the County Councils and Road Boards. This amount includes the over-accrued " \ birds " and "fourths." During the past year, as stated above. £9,296 18s. 4d. has been disbursed, which is an increase of above £3.(K)0 on last year's payments. Issue oj Promissory Notes fob Payment kor Grass-seed. Owing to the unusual continuance of dry weather during the summer months, disastrous bush and grass fires swept over practically the whole of this land district, and in consequence many settlers suffered more or less severely in the loss of buildings, furniture, fences, stock, &c. ; and in accordancn

r.-i

30

with your instructions, assistance has been given to settlers to regrass the destroyed areas of their holdings by the issue of promissory notes for the cost of the grass-seed required to resow The same. 328 settlers were supplied with 167.087 Ib. of grass-seed, to the value, of £13,579. Clerical. The miinher of letters received during tl mounted to 16.980. and those despatched, m eluding telegrams, rent-notices, lithographs, fee., to 40,000. A grand total of 56.980 letters, &<•.. wwe received and despatched during the year. Si hundred and ninety-one cheques were drawn on imprest accounts, for a total of £6,300. The number of vouchers dealt with was 1,800, representing a total of 154,024. John Strauch >:.. Commissioner of Crown Lands. XXI.SON. Settlement of Crown Lands. The year ending 31st March, 1908, generally speaking, has witnessed a steady advance in settlement right throughout the district. * The settlers in the o'd-establislied localities are fairly prosperous and sanguine, and the new settlers in the backßlocks engaged as they an- in the preliminary work of felling, burning, and sowing -have made headway under difficulties ottly known to the pioneer settler, and are quite satisfied with their prospects. What is particularly noticeable in the old-established settlements extending along and fringing the Wavmea Plains, and extending back from the seaboard of Tasnian and Golden Bays, is the unmistakable movement towards more efficient farming. Settlement in the localities referred to dates back as far as 1842, and mixed farming has been carried on there more or less ever since, but the progress made, except in a few notable instances, has not been equal to that in other less-favoured districts in the Dominion, nor at all commensurate with the capabilities of the land, much of which is of a fir t-rate quality. Recently, however, the settlers have become inspired with the spirit of enterprise : they are clearing their land of blackberries and noxious weeds, extending their grazing-areus. improving the breed of stock, manuring exhausted lands, and adopting more modern methods of farming. The primary cause of this progress!, eness is no doubt the advent amongst them of farmers of wide practical experience from other provincial distrusts, who appreciate the productive power of the land more thoroughly than those men born and bred on it, and who have become in a sense creatures of environment. The condition of settlement in that portion of southern Nelson known as the Inangahua Valley has made but slow progress. Along this fertile valley the best of the lands are freehold, overrun in many instances with noxious weeds. It is only recently that Crown lands have been opened up there. I have, however, observed indications lately of a desire to clean and cultivate the waste lands for dairying purposes. The potentialities of the Inangahua Valley should grow in the hands of an energetic body of settlers. There is no doubt but that the Crown lands recently leased will be brought under cultivation during the current year. In Buller County mining interests are paramount, and absorb the labour of a large portion of the local population. Thore is no systematic land-settlement there. The ranks of the farmers are added to occasionally by men who have relinquished mining, and labourers who have saved a little money. There are in this country excellent tracts of freehold land capable of utilisation as dairy farms, but here again the unimproving freeholders block the way. Their lands are covered with blackberries and noxious weed, and they make uo attempt to clear them. It is against the public interests that these owners be allowed to evade their responsibility in this respect. As a rule the lands in question are riverflats, the very best land in the district, and are for the most p rt infested with weeds. If they were available the Land Board could dispose of them to settlers who would improve Them. The most interesting feature of The year is the progress of new settlement iii central Buller. Only quite recently the placing of settlers in this portion of Nelson was looked upon as a hazardous experiment. Not alone by strangers, hut by many residents of Nelson, the lands lying between the Hope River and the Manila River were for years regarded as be'ow the standard of inferior grazing-lands in other districts of the Dominion.' A densely wooded country —-as viewed from the main coach-road— principally birch —practically uninhabited save for a few miners on the Buller River and its tributaries —the consensus of opinion obtained that it was no better than it looked. It has, however, become common knowledge that this very country comprises an area of 127,000 acres well adapted for pastoral purposes. An area of 99,000 acres has been selected already, and in the instances where energetic settlers have reached the experimental stage in cultivation, the results have exceeded their most sanguine anticipations—grass has taken well on the clearings, and all kinds of stock fatten rapidly upon it. The principal timber on this land is birch growing on limestone, marls, and granite, thus affording a refutation of the generally accepted theory that various kinds of timber indicate the grades of the land. An estimate may bo formed of the possible growth of the pastoral interests in the central Buller when I state that within a radius of thirty miles from the Town of Murchisonjthere is an area of 300,000 acres of country capable of carrying three hundred settlers, allowing an average of 1,000 acres to each holding.

31

C—l

A season of drought, unprecedented for fifteen \ ears, iwleiidmg from -November to March last I detrimental to many settlers in northern Nelson. Turnip, rape, and potato crops, and also in a lesser degree hops, suffered ; hut oats, wheat, nd barley crops were equal to previous years. The bush-fires, which occurred during the drought, and to which I specially refer in another paragraph, swept a large area, the probable outcome of which will be the grassing of the burnt country, and consequently an increased carrying-capacity for siock. In view of The establishing of freezingworks in Nelson at an early date (a company has been formed and capital subscribed)'several farmers have already commenced to bring waste lands into cultivation. There is no doubt but that freezingworks successfully established will mean the regeneration of .Nelson from a pastoral point of view. The Crows lessees in this district are observing the term-, and conditions of their leases in as satisfactory a manner as can reasonably be expected in bush-clad country. Bush setilement requires nursing in its early stages, it is inevitable that a settler here and there shall fail in his efforts to succeed on land, just as a man will fail in any oilier walk of life. Where, however, the settler is possessed of energy, perseverance, and industry, and desires to establish himself on the land, the Board treats him gonerously, affording him all the assistance permissible by law —and the Land Act is read liberally in this regard. Writing with a personal knowledge of most of the backblocks settlers in this district, and having witnessed their submission to the hardships associated with pioi r .settlement, I have nothing but admiration for their qualities. A. the same time the Government ol the Dominion by expenditure on roads, extension of telegraphs, telephones, postal and* educational facilities, is doing its share in the work of creating and furthering settlement, and the settler recognises this. The following t dm!,:. - hows the land transactions during the year, the area under lease at the 31st March, 1908. and the revenue received during the past year : —

Tenure Transactions during thp Area under Lease at 31st Vnar. March, 1° Revenue received during the Year. ie Arcu. under Lease at 31st March, l: Number. Number. Area. Ordinary ( Wown Lands. Cash Deferred payment ... Deferred pavme.nt m hold a. K. P. a. K. r. £ s. d. 28 4,975 0 9 ... L,856 13 8 24 2,919 (I 27 394 I Q 5,948 0 i .\ Perpetual lease Occupation with right of purchase Occupation with right of pur-i-ii;> freehold Lease in perpetuity ... petuity made freehold Lease in perpetuity I .ami for settlements Mining districts land occu- ; pation lease Small grazing-runs Small grazing-runs— Land for settlements Pastoral runs Pastoral licenses within mining disti: Miscellaneous leases and licenses, including coal and timber royalties Other sources — Renewable lease 11 L.922 2 13 19 13 0 9,268 3 11 206 45,45] 3 2 676 10 2 6 L.510 3 39 ... 514 10 5 63 20,214 2 21 881 L08.625 0 8 1,151 17 0 1 11 2 0 ... ... 1,032 0 (i 14 4,204 0 9 13 4,099 0 9 681 9 8 s 40 2,085 I 32 51 17 I ■J. 1,084 8 18 8 I d.757 3 Is 8g 16 5 1 1,947 0 i» I 1,947 0 0 24 8 8 2 165,829 i) o 817 10 0 is 4,215 i) 30 in 10 0 30 106 14 5 Lfifl 21,217 8 7 710 185,«8? 1 36 4,816 11 9 Hli 11 1 Totals 79,611 135 1,437 542,553 2 10 11,851 (ill Enduiriucilt Luiuls. Ijease in perpetuity Village - homestead 8] settlenn Mining districts land-QCC tion lease Miscellaneous IV R lyalty on coal and lirnl 4 DO l.'» ll 21) 100 3 7 1-14 9 7 276 3 1 l 1,551 2 11 111 12 J IH i) 'i 8,920 0 in 1,266 17 6 .. ' ... ... ... is 5 itals 0 39 I .('lit 559,510 8 5 29,070 3 2

■32

A—i

Communis on ink TENURES. Cash. 4,975 acres were sold for cash to twenty-eight purchasers -the total amount realised being £1,689 lis. lid., or £1,613 less than the previous year. Of the areas mentioned 243 ■) acres of rural land were sold Io four owners of adjoining lands under section I 11 of " The Land Act. 1892 " : 4,711J acres of rural land were opened on the optional system : 243j acres of rural land were opened without option: and 19j acres were town allotments. I anticipate a much-reduced revenue from cash lands during the current year. Existing township lands are exhausted, and the National Endowment land has absorbed nearly the whole of the area hitherto available for cash purchase. Lease ni Perpetuity (ordinary I'imr,, Lands). —About one-half of the area offered during the past year was confined to lease-in-perpet inly tenure, and that proportion was maintained in respect of the area selected. An area of 20,21 I.' acres of ordinary Crown lands was disposed of to sixty-three selectors il„. average area of the holdings being 321 acre-, and the average rental per acre per annum Id. : and an area of 4,204 acres acquired under "•The Land for Settlements Consolidation Act, 1900," •was disposed of to fourteen selectors. It is undeniable that [ease in perpetuity was a popular tenure in this district, and it is problematic;. I if the privilege of acquiring the freeholds of their leaseholds conferred on the 381 selectors holding 108,625 acres of ordinary Crown 'ami- by " The Land Laws Amendment Ac». |<)07." will lie largely exercised As a matter of fact the man who takes up land to establish a permanent home thereon does not worry himself to acquire the fee-simple of the land. His concern is to improve and develop it. and so long as he has a permanent tenure, and the value of his improvements secured to him. with the security of reasonable advances from the State if necessary on the security of his interest in his lease, discussions on Land-tenures are regarded by him with indifference. Since the passing of "•Tin- Land Lajws Amendment Act. 1907." up to the 31st March last only three applications lor the purchase ol the freehold have been made by lessees in perpetuity. occ-.pa.uwi iriih Right of Purchase. -Twenty-three selectors took up an area of 9,268j acres, and six selectors holding 1.51 I acres acquired the freeholds of their holdings. Hitherto the option of selecting land mi oocupation-with-right-of-purchase tenure had I n confined to a comparatively small area fringing the earliest-set tied portions of Nelson, extending smith between Tasman Bay and Upper Motupiko and outside the boundaries of the mining district, and nearly the whole of this area is now absorbed by the National Endowment. There are 15.151 acres held by 206 selectors. Minimi Districts Land-occupation .Leases. Under the regulations for the leasing of land in mining districts up to 100 acres lor a term of twenty-one years, authorised by "The Mining Districts Land Occupation Act. 1891." 5.~>8 acres of ordinary Crown lands were granted during the year to eight selectors. These figures are a marked advance on last year's transactions the latter being 128 acres to eight selectors. The conditions under which this tenure served a good practical purpose an- rapidly changing in this district. Alluvial mining is declining, and as it declines so does the necessity diminish for the use of a system which, while adequate for a man who derives his whole livelihood from alluvial mining, provides an area of land far too small and too variable in qiialit. to enable him to support himself and family by cultivating it. Already men who have abandoned mining pursuits are experiencing this drawback. To meet altered conditions is the object of section 19 of "The Land Laws Amendment \,.. 1907." Under this Bection the lessee may surrender his lease and obtain in lieu thereof a renewable lease (provided tin- Warden approves of the latter being granted) and so become qualified to hold an extended area. The total area held up to the ..Is. March. 1908. is 2,085 acres; selectors, forty. BmaU Grating-runs. —This tenure is not adapted to the requirements of this district— the country being practically forest and BCTub land. Two runs comprising 4,035 acres of ordinary Crown lands and one run containing 1,947 acres \v\f selected under the Land for Settlements Act. There are only ten areas on siiiall-grazing-run tenure in this district. Pastoral /.<■</«•.-• >n,der Part VI of " The Lund Ad, 1892."—The total area held under this tenure is 165.829 acres, comprised in two leases. These two leaseholds practically include all the available Crown land iii this district of any extent which is not bush-clad, and which is suitable for pastoral farming on an extensive scale. Village Settlements.— At Seddonville, close bj the State Coal-mines of that name, there has been established for some years a special settlement on village-homestead conditions. This settlement is is a very prosperous condition. There are twenty selectors holding allotments therein of an average area of 5 acres ; sixteen of these selector- are resident on their allotments, and four are non-resident. Seventy-seven acres out of a total of 100 acres are cultivated. The improvements effected up to date are valued by the Crown Lands Clanger at £1,832. The total resident population of this settlement is sixty-one (men. women, and children). An area of 3t acres situated a short distance from the Town ol Murchison was set apart as a village settlement a few months ago, and subdivided info twelve allotments lor disposal on lease in perpetuity, but so far only three allotments have been applied lor. Occupation of Pastoral Lands m Mining Districts.—A system peculiarly applicable to a mining district the regulations thereunder permitting of tin- u.-e of the surface of the land without in any way impeding the mining industry. A total area of 6,510 acres was grnnted to twenty-nine applicants— the average area comprised within a license being 221 acres. Compared with last year's figures the transactions under this tenure show an increase of 4,735 acres and ten applicants. Miscellaneous Leases am! Licenses.- The miscellaneous leases and licenses granted over ordinary Crown lands during the year cover a total area of 18,922 acres. Included m this area are 44 tem-porary-occupation licenses, comprising 16,334 acre: 2 tlax-cutting licenses, of 5 acres; 14 mineral leases; 63 sawmill licenses, reserved limber areas, timber warrants, and sleeper-cutting warrants. The licenses relating to timber and minerals were granted by the Warden; the rents and loyalties received from these is territorial revenue, for which the Lands Department is responsible.

33

C—l

Weslport Harbour Board Endowment. —The transactions during the year in connection with the lands comprised in the Westport Harbour Board Endowment were as follows : viz., 1,585 acres disposed of on lease in perpetuity to four selectors; 276.2 acres disposed of on occupation lease under "The Mining Districts Land Occupation Act, 1894," to 7 lessees; 1 coal lease, covering 1,999 acres ; 26 timber-cutting warrants granted ; and 8 miscellaneous licenses granted. The total revenue received during the year from rents and royalties derived from the endowment was £17,218 16s. 3d. Land opened for Sale or Selection. The area of Crown lands opened for sale or selection during the year ending 31st March, 1908, was 73,343 acres —nearly all forest land. Of this area 60,746 acres were opened for the fust time, and 38,441 acres were subject to the provisions of " The Bush and Swamp Crown Lands Settlement Act, 1903." Of the 73,343 acres mentioned, 36,015 acres were offered for disposal on lease in perpetuity under " The Land Act, 1892 " ; 4,204 acres were offered for disposal under " The Land for Settlements Consolidation Act, 1900"; 3,512 acres were offered on the optional system; 83 acres were offered for sale for cash ; 12,053 acres were offered on lease by tender under " The Public Reserves Act, 1881 " ; 1,947 acres were offered on the small-grazing-run tenure under " The Land for Settlements Consolidation Act, 1900" ; 2,402 acres were offered on renewable lease ; and 13,127 acres were offered under special regulations for the occupation of pastoral lands in Qlenroy Block, central Buller. The total area disposed of amounted to 45,203 acres, the number of selectors being 139. To these totals must be added an area of 1,862 acres situated in the Westport Harbour Endowment taken up by 11 selectors, thus making a general total for the year of 47,065 acres disposed of to 150 selectors. Lands proposed to be opened during the Year 1908-9. It is proposed to offer for selection an area of 63,464 acres of unsurveyed Crown lands, and an area of 18,063 acres of land under " The Land for Settlements Consolidation Act, 1900 " —a total area of 81,527 acres. Of this total, an area of 43,731 acres is National Endowment land. These lands are principally second-class land, forest-clad, and of fair average quality, suitable for pastoral purposes when cleared and grassed. The numerous inquiries which have been received sespecting these lands from a good type of settler is satisfactory evidence that there is a demand in this district for cheap payable country. The following are the names, areas, localities, and brief descriptions of the blocks to be opened for selection :— Braeburn Settlement (subject to the provisions of the Land for Settlements Act). —Containing 18,063 acres, situated in Inangahua County, in the valleys of the Mangles, Tutaki, and Tiraumea Rivers, about eleven miles from the Town of Murohison. Mixed agricultural and pastoral land of good quality. Formation chiefly calcareous shales and sandstone resting on blue marl. Between 2,000 and 3,000 acres open land in English grasses ; the balance forest. Mangles-Blackwater Block (ordinary Crown lands). —■Containing 8,458 acres forest land lying to the west of and adjoining the Braeburn Settlement. Chiefly pastoral country suitable for subdivision into areas averaging 650 acres. Flat land on each farm sufficient for growing crops for winter feed. General formation, sandstone and shales. Nuggety Block. —Containing about 6,000 acres, adjoining Braeburn Settlement on the west and extending to the head-waters of the Mangles River and the basin of Nuggety Creek. Forest land of good average quality, suitable when felled and grassed lor sheep-grazing. Formation, calcareous shale. This block will be subdivided into areas averaging 1,000 acres. Inangahua Junction Block (National Endowment land). —-This block contains 4,220 acres of chiefly hilly forest land with limestone outcrops, provision illy subdivided into seven farms. These farms can be profitably worked, when felled and grassed, as grating-areas.. The block is situated in Inangahua County on the western bank of the Inangahua River, extending from the confluence of that river with the Buller River in a south-westerly direction, and including the valley of Hard Creek. Distance to Westport and Reefton, twenty-seven and sixteen miles respectively. Matakitaki Block (National Endowment land). —This block is situated in Inangahua County between the Maruia North Block and the Matakitaki River. It contains about 6,500 acres of forest country eminently suitable for sheep-grazing when cleared. Distance, two miles from the Town of Murchison. Extension Maruia North Block (National Endowment land). —This block lies between the Maruia North Block and the Buller River. It contains about 1,800 acres of hilly country, forest clad. Will make good pastoral farms. Partly limestone formation. Distance from Murchison, three miles. Wangamoa Block (National Endowment land). —This block contains 12,580 acres of hilly country, mostly forest-clad, portions of which have been swept by fire. When cleared and sown in grass this land will make excellent pasture for sheep, thus enabling the small farmers in the Wangamoa Valley to extend their holdings. This block is situated in Waimea County, twenty miles from the City of Nelson by the main road Nelson to Blenheim. Dart Block (National Endowment land). —This block contains 7,931 acres of chiefly forest-clad country capable of being worked into good pastoral farms. The land is of fair quality; formation, decomposed granite. Situated in the Waimea County in the valley of the Dart River (a branch of the Wangapeka River), where there are flats* suitable for homestead-sites. Distance from City of Nelson, thirty-one miles by rail, thence by road eleven miles. Extension of Lee River Block (National Endowment land). —This block contains about 5,500 acres, and is practically an extension of the Lee River Block already disposed of. The land is rough and hilly, forest-clad, but suitable for sheep-grazing when stripped. It has a special value in that it is situated in Waimea County only thirty miles from the City of Nelson.

5— C. 1.

A—i

34

Extension of Wairoa Forks Block (National Endowment land).—This block adjoins the Lee River h ireinbefore described, and his I h tics. It contains about 7,000 acr Upper Aorere Block—Av~-.x. 3,475 acres. Situ tid i C tunty, in the basin of Brown's River and tributaries of th i Aorere Bi. -track Aorere to Hcaphv River. Forest-clad, principally hilly. Will make good p from Collingwood 18j miles. Reports and Inspections by Crown Lands Rangers. Crown Lands Rangers Harris and Hursthous < very valuable work during the year. The evidence of their integrity and tact is afforded by the fact that tin v enjoy the confidence of the Land Board and of the Crown tenants. The sin d policy under which the Crown tenancy is increasing yearly depends to a very large extent upon the character of the men whose duty it is to move about amongst the tenants and Bie th. 1 the obligl times of the letter to the State are fulfilled. It is but natural that settlers in the baokbloeks struggling in face of difficulties should resent. the application of the law if enforced in a cold, unsympathetic manner; hence the value of the official who combines in his methods the suaviter in modo with the fortiter in re. Tin- reports oi Messrs. Harris, Hursthouse, and Wesley are furnished below. Thoseof the two first-named officers show that 407 proper. of 90,064 acres, were visited and inspected during the year. They, hie of tin imp lired by law on these properties i 5.115,066; the value of the improvements actually made thereon is £40,143. There were 111 defaulters in respect of improvements, and ninety-three i. -ions. The great majority of the defaulters .ire iv the Buller County, and it is only right t ption of the statutory period within which improvements had 1" be . fleeted prevailed in the minds of many tenants in cases where the land had been selected as " unsurveyed." Crown Lands Ranger Harris reports ;s follows: "During the year I have visited and inspected 162 leasehold sections, covering an area of 66,402 acres. The value of improvements required thereon by law was £12,110 ; the value of improvements ell', oted was £21,980. The number of defaulters for improvements was forty-one, ..ml for no. I Idition to the inspections I have mentioned an area of 51,800 acres of Crown 1: ported upon for the Land Board with the view of opening it for Ham mis inspections and reports were made respecting hue!. 11. x. timber, n serves, Ac. In the Collingwood ami i wnti< a three 1. hold sections were inspected, covering an area of 1,408 The value of improvements required by law was £425, the value of improvements effected £1,590. The lessees had complied with all conditions of their leases. In Buller and Inangahua Counties forty-four inspections were made, covering an area of 16,620 acres. The value of improvements required by law was £1,998, and the value of improvements effected was £2,456. I found that fifteen lessees had not complied with the improvement conditions of the lease, and that five were non-residents. In Waimea and Sounds Counties 115 inspections wen- made, covering an area of 48,379 acres. Value of improvements required was £9,686, while the value effected was £17,934. The number of defaulters for non-compliance with the improvement conditions of lease was twenty-six, while foe: I failed to reside on their land. Speaking generally respecting settlement in this district. ' ; that the Crown tenants and freeholders have prospered during tl prices having been obtained for wool, sheep, cattle, and produce, thus encour s under cultivation. There was keen competition for all lands opened lion during the year, and those who were successful at the ballots are very well satisfied with their present pots. I estimate the area of bush lands brought under cultivation during 1. about 7,000 acres, and I am quite within the limit when I say that 5,00' if bushmen could have been obtained. I anticipate a scarcity of bushfel-ers during the coming 'though high p being offend. Bush that would have been felled some three o for 15s. per ..ere now costs £1 ss. However, owing to the general prosperity ruling in the district, settlers are quite willing to give the ruling price for felling, they being so anxious to g< t tie [ v lands brought under cultivation." Ranger Hursthouse reports that during the ;. 245 inspections of land held on lease in perpetuity, occupation with right of pure! Mining Districts Land-occupation Act lease, in Buller County, covering f 23,661 acres. The value of improvements r. quired by law was £2,957, while the improvements effi i I £18,163. Seventy selectors had not complied with the necessary improvement conditi nty-four had not complied with the residence conditions of their leases. In addition t the inspections above mentioned seveial inspections have been made respecting fli x, t. . both for ad for the Warden. Ranger Wesley, whose duties are confined to timber-ranging principally, reports that during the year 170 miscellaneous inspections have been made for the Land Board and Warden on matters relating to timber, flax, and coal. Revenue. The total gross revenue collected from all sources, including rents from the Westport Harbour Board Endowment and royalties on timber and coal, amounted to £29,070 3s. 2d.—an increase of £3,132 4s. 4d. on the previous year's revenue. Rebates op Rental. Rebates of rent granted under " The Crown Tenants' Rent Rebate Act, 1900," and " The Land for Settlements Consolidation Act, 1900," during the year amounted to the sum of £70 12s. 7d. Two hundred and twenty-three tenants participated in the grant.

35

C—l.

Payment of " Halves " to Local Authorities under " The Timber and Flax Royalties Act, 1905.'' The total amount paid during the year under the authority of the above-named Act was £606 10s. Id. The Inangahua County Council received £219 7s. Id., and the Buller County Council £387 2s, 9a. of this sum. Arrears of Rent. The total amount of arrears of rent is very much less than it has ever been in this district. Exclusive of the current half-yearly instalments, the arrears amount to £348 —made up of small amounts— distributed amongst thirty-eight tenants. Only £5 is owing on land held on occupation-with-right-of-purchase tenure, and £4 on land held on lease-in-perpetuity tenure. Of the balance, £160 is owing on mineral leases granted by the Warden. Out of 600 tenants whose holdings are on the principal tenures —viz., lease in perpetuity and occupation with right of purchase—there are only four in arrear, to the value of £9. This result is in a great measure due to the excellent methods of the Receiver of Land Revenue. Forfeitures and Surrenders of Lands held on Permanent Tenure. During the year five holdings were forfeited for non-payment of rent. These comprise one license held on occupation-with-right-of-purchase tenure, two leases in perpetuity, and two occupation leases under "The Mining Districts Land Occupation Act, 18J4." Five lessees surrendered their holdings —two of them with the view of obtaining lands on a more permanent tenure than mining-district s-land-occupation lease, one because the area was too small, and one lessee assigned no special reason. The surrendered areas are in every instance small. " The Bush and Swamp Crown Lands Settlement Act, 1903." An area of 38,441 acres was opened during the year subject to the provisions of " The Bush and Swamp Crown Lands Settlement Act 1903," under which remission of rent and rates are allowed up to four years. Of this area 26,409 acres were selected by seventy-three selectors. The amount of rental remitted per annum was £442 16s. 4d. Reservatio A total area of 56,967 acres was reserved under section 235 of " The Land Act, 1892," for various purposes during the year. Of this area 46,196 acres were set apart as scenic reserves. These scenic reserves include the forest around the margins of Lakes Rotoroa and Rotoiti, and a belt of beautiful forest scenery extending for forty-three miles along the main coach-road Nelson to Westport from the Hope River, at intervals, to the Buller Coal Reserve, about fourteen miles from Westport, thus including the celebrated Buller Gorge, one of the principal beauty-spots of the Dominion. " Thirds " and " Fourths." Pursuant to section 126 of "The Land Act, 1892," payment of "thirds" and ''fourths" was made during the year to the undermentioned local authorities : Waimea County Council, £328 os. lOd. ; Takaka, County Council, £68 7s. lOd. ; Collingwood County Council, £57 17s. ; Inangahua County Council, £85 16s. 6d. ; Buller County Council, £32 12s. ; Waimea West Road Board, £4 18s. 3(1. ; Stoke Road Board, £32 Is. ; Upper Moutere Road Board, £12 19s. 7d. ; Dovedale Road Board, £7 10s. 9d. : Suburban North Road Board, £2 17s. Transfers. Forty-six transfers were approved by the Land Hoard during the year. Thirty-four related to leases in perpetuity, fifteen to occupafion-with-right-of-purehase selections, and seven to occupation leases under "The Mining Districts Land Occupation Act, 1894." The Land Board exercised discrimination and judgment in dealing with this important branch of its functions, the dominant motive of the Board being to preve ition in Crown lands : and 1 have no hesitation in affirming that it has been successful in attaining that end. Coal Industry. The principal seat of the coal industry in the Dominion is on the west, coast of Nelson, between Westport and the Mokihinui River. In this coalfield there are located ie Westport Coal Company's mines. Denmston and Millerton ; the Seddonville State Coal-mine; and the coal area about to be mined by the Westport-Stockton Coal Company. The areas held by the Westport Coal Company comprise 5,451 acres, and there is in that area an approximate known supply of coal sufficient to last for eighty years at present rate of output ; the.output from 1 he Denfiistbn and Millerton Mines for the year ending 31st.March, 1908, was 610,759 tons—an increase of 9,846 tons over the previous year; 45,000 tons were [exported beyond the Dominion and 565,759 tons were consumed within the Dominion ; the total number of men employed by the Westport Coal Company is 1,094. The Seddonville State coal area comprises 2,951 acres : the output during the year was 35,426 tons ; there are ninetytwo men employed in this mine. The Westport-Stockton Coal Company holds an area of 2,000 acres, hut has not yet started operations; an expenditure 0f,£45,000 has. however, been incurred in development ; tenders have been let for the rolling-stock and machinery for the bins ; the power-house and bin-buildmgs are in course of construction ; the laying of the rails on the formation is proceeding, and the erection of the overhead work of the electric system is being taken in hand ; provided no delays occur in the delivery of the machinery, the company expects to ship coal about the end of the present year.

36

C—l

The State briquette-works established at Westport are doing good work. The output at present averages about 300 tons of briquettes per week. The number of hands employed is fifteen. It is satisfactory to note that the Westport Harbour Board realises the importance of undertaking works of port-equipment of considerable magnitude in view of the immense possibilities of the coal industry in the Buller district. The proposal of the Hoard is to make Westport an efficient harbour for coaling His Majesty's ships -a worthy object of Imperial as well as local concern. In the Inangahua district the coal industry has remained stationary during the year. The mines in that district are worked on a small scale, the output being consumed locally. The coal in this portion of Nelson District is equal to any in the Dominion for household purposes. The number of hands employed in connection with coal-mining is thirty-nine ; the output for the year is roughly estimated at 12,300 tons. . . Of the northern portion of the Nelson District the most that can be said is that if the industry has not developed it has not declined. Although large areas of coal-bearing country are held, the output is very small. It is acknowledged that there are both quality and quantity of coal to warrant more active operations. The Puponga Mine, which gave promise of permanency, has closed down temporarily owing to another change in management. The Pakawau property is not yet established as a coal-producing mine, but prospecting on the area is being carried on vigorously. The Timber Industry. Little or no improvement has taken place in the timber industry through the northern portion of the Nelson District during the past year. The mills are of small capacity, ill-adapted for a large output, and the scarcity of timber does not warrant the expenditure involved in establishing up-to-date plants. I predict that during the next few years cutting will continue off and on to meet local requirements as heretofore. In about ten years all the available milling-timber will have been cut out between Nelson City and the Tadmor Saddle, and between Motueka and Cape Foulwind. The recent bushfires have accelerated the extinction of the industry, about 600 acres of good forest on private property and 2,000 acres of State forest having been destroyed. In the Buller County a slight improvement is noticeable in the timber industry. The majority of the mills there are at work continuously, and large quantities of timber are exported to other districts. Between Westport and Karamea nearly all the mills cut timber off Crown lands, royalty being paid at schedule rates. The principal timber cut is rimu. It is estimated that in about fifteen years the millingtimber on the flats and slopes will have become exhausted. An important consideration in relation to the Crown forests in the district is the preservation of areas for mining purposes. The expansion of coal-mining in Buller County has induced the Land Board to reserve areas of forest for the supply of timber for the mines. In Inangahua County the mills cut for local consumption, the timber being utilised principally for purposes in connection with the mining operations which are carried on in the vicinity of Reefton. The revenue derived from timber during the year—viz., £2,Bso—taking last year for comparisonplaces this district third in value of importance in the Dominion, Auckland and Westland Districts taking precedence. The administration of this portion of the public estate is now run on business lines. Close olhce supervision and effective field inspection, and the assistance of the Warden, make evasions of the regulations a matter of extreme difficulty. These safeguards are, however, accompanied by a liberal interpretation of the regulations. There is no friction existing as between the sawmillers and the Departments— a result in no small degree due to the manner in which the Rangers carry out their duties. The reports of the Rangers in respect to the timber industry are summarised as follows :— There are eighty sawmills in the Nelson Land District, eight of which are cutting timber off Westport Harbour Board Endowment lands, forty-eight off freehold lands, and twenty-four off Crown lands. The cutting-capacity of these mills per annum is 69,700,000 superficial feet. Fourteen mills are worked with water generating 145-horse power, and sixty-six with steam generating 765-horse power —tptal horse-power, 910. " Fifty-nine sawmills supply timber for local purposes, twelve for local purposes and export to other districts, and nine for export only. „„.„„„. _» ■ , i The output during the year of different classes of timber cut was 12,047,358 superficial feet rimu, 2 220,565 superficial feet kahikatea, 540,000 superficial feet matai, 925,747 superficial feet birch, 155,000 superficial feet totara, 742,617 superficial feet yellow-pine, 400 superficial feet cedar—total, 16,631,687 superficial feet, an increase of 37,288 ft. over the previous year. The value of the output is approximately £76,008. The number of persons employed in the timber industry is 493, the number of horses 302 and of' bullocks 123. There are eighty-one miles of tramway used in connection with the mills. ' During the past year eight new mills have been erected. Of the eighty sawmills in the district, twenty-three are situated in the Buller County, fifteen in Inangahua County, and the remainder— orty-two —in the northern portion of the Nelson District. The Dairying Industry. The development of the dairy industry is a matter worthy of notice. In the localities where the industry has been taken up seriously the results show that there are great possibilities ahead of it. There are nine factories established in this district, seven of them in northern Nelson, one at Karamea, and one at Cronadon in the Inangahua Valley. There is a creamery at Ikamatua connected with a factory at Grey Valley, Westland District. There are about 4,100 cows supplying the factories mentioned The yield of butter for the'year is roughly estimated at 270 tons, valued at about £31,000. Dairying in the settled districts around Nelson City suffered a check owing to the unfavourable conditions attending an unprecedentedly lengthy season of drought. In several localities the farmers ran short of water and pasturage.

37

C—l

At Karamea dairying is now established on a solid basis, and remarkable development has taken place during the last two years. The number of cows supplying the factory is 400, an increase of 100 during the year. The dairy herds are far above the average. The output of butter for the season—• September,'l9o7. to Slst March. 1908—is 62.400 lb., valued at £3,120 approximately. I anticipate an increased output of butter from the Karamea district during the coming year, for there is a large area of splendid country admirably suited for dairying. The factory recently re-established at Cronadon is turning out about 7,2001b. of butter per month, all of which finds a local market. There are about 360 cows supplying this factory. Farmers are engaged clearing their lands in Inangahua Valley with the view to providing milkwalks. Doubtless as the industry develops more attention will be paid to the breed of the dairy herds, and there is urgent need for a reform in that direction. The Flax Industry. The flax industry has declined during the year. Following on reduced price of fibre, mills have been working short-handed, and turning out in consequence thereof a reduced quantity of fibre. The price of fibre is the lowest for a number of years—viz., £22 —a drop of £9 per ton. In the northern portion of the district there are seven mills, employing sixty-four hands, the quantity of fibre produced being about 300 tons, approximate value £6,600. In the southern portion of th district there are six mils, employing forty-nine hands, the quantity of fibre produced being about 330 tons, valued at £6,600 approximately. All the Crown lands in this district carrying flax are under lease. Cutting is done on Crown and freehold lands. The flax is naturally grown, no attempt being made to cultivate it further than by draining the swampy ground. There is a large extent of swampy pakihis in Buller County very suitable for the cultivation of flax. The capabilities of this class of land have been tested by an enterprising settler there, who has in three years converted an area of 600 acres of barren swamp into fields of flax by cutting sixteen miles of drains through it. It appears that the seed lies dormant in the swampy ground until drains are cut, when it germinates and grows with rapidity. Bush-fires. During the drought which I have referred to in another paragraph eight rural localities in Waimea and Takaka Counties were swept by fire. Altogether about 25,000 acres were burnt, and a very large portion of this area consisted of noxious weeds, fallen bush, and rubbish, on freehold lands—the accumulation of years—the existence of which helped to spread the fire. The regrettable fact is that the clean farmer suffered for the sins of his neighbours. The actual damage done by the fire has been grossly exaggerated. No doubt several small grazing-areas and some fencing were destroyed, and farmers who could ill afford the loss were compelled to sell their stock at prices below its value. The Crown is, however, the greatest loser, 2,000 acres of State forest containing good fhilling-timber having been burnt or scorched. Regarded from every point of view the fires were a blessing in disguise, for lands that were lying idle have since been sown down in grass. In order to compensate the settlers for the losses which the fires entailed, the Government generously authorised a supply of grass-seed to them, and a total expenditure of £1,022 Bs. lid. has been incurred in this connection on behalf of forty-four settlers —freeholders and Crown lessees —on the security of promissory notes for terms extending from one to four years, as the cases justified, bearing no interest. A further expenditure has been authorised for the purpose of sowing about 2,000 acres of burnt Crown forest, with the object of disposing of the grazing rights thereof on lease, and thus recouping the Government for the outlay. Land Board. Eleven ordinary meetings and two special meetings of the Land Board were held during the year at Nelson. Special meetings of the Board were also held at Westport and Reefton for the convenience of the settlers in southern Nelson, and for the purpose of enabling the members of the Board to visit the various localities and familiarise themselves with the actual conditions and requirements of settlers, and the value of the land. The aim of the Board is primarily directed to the settling of bona fide settlers on suitable land at rentals fair to the settler and to the State, and to this end the Land Act is administered in a liberal manner. A vacancy occurred in the membership of the Board on the 15th December, 1907, and in accordance with the provisions of section 27 of " The Land Laws Amendment Act, 1907," which amends the constitution of Land Boards, an election was held on the 31st December, 1907, and resulted in the return of Mr. Sinclair, the retiring member. Departmental. The number of letters and telegrams received and despatched during the year was 13,540. The number of vouchers passed through the books for the year was 739, representing a sum of £16,504 12s. 9d. The work of this district has increased very materially, owing in a large measure to the fact that the Crown tenants are in touch with the Commissioner and the Land Board. It is recognised by the settlers that any applications for assistance will be acceded to, and that any genuine grievance will be inquired into and, if possible, remedied. I have paid several visits to various parts of the district during the year on special business. My thanks are due to both the office and field staffs for their valuable assistance. I could not desire a better or more efficient staff. F. W. Flanagan, Commissioner of Crown Lands.

38

C—l

MARLBOROUGH. The table below gives a summary of the land transactions within this land district for the year ended 31st March, 1908. The area dealt with is 81,954 acres, selected by sixty persons ; and the amount received during the year is £32,955 ss. hi., or £30 10s. 3d. less than last year ; but, as the rent in arrear is this year £90 16s. 10d. more that it was at this time last year, the gross rent we should have collected shows an increase of £60 6s. 7d.

Table showing Transactions and Revenue.

Owing to the limited area of suitable Crown lands within this district, tin- progress oi settlement has been very slow, but the demand for good land is as keen as ever. The total number of selectors now stands at 1,074, or thirty-four more thin last year: tins chiefly on some sections taken up in the Rai Valley ; selections under Section 115 of " The Land Act, 1892 " generally in the northern portion of the district ; and some miscellaneous licenses. The reasons why section 115 is so greatly used in this district are, chiefly, because in tin- early days ol the settlement all the river-flats and much of tne lower slopes of the hills were either purchased or held under lease for a long time, leaving only the poorer lands behind, inaccessible without going to the expense of acquiring expensive road-rights through the freeholds—rights which generally would exceed the total value of tin- lands to be benefited. This .ofm of s< ttlement, although valuable in enabling the settlers to extend small sections and make th ir holdings large enough to make a living from, greatly increases the ( ~,st of the surveys. The settlers in th,- northern division of the district have very much to contend with, because the soil is frequently poor, is much, subject to reversion to fern and rubbish, and appears to be singularly suitable to the growth of all kinds of noxious weeds ; it is also frequently broken and roekv land. Fortunately, it has a much, greater rainfall than the district south of the Wairau River; hut even this part has suffered a good deal by the drought, and consequently there has been a meat deal of damage done by bush-fires, causing loss of fencing, grass, and stock. G MASS-SEED. The Government has assisted'the sett.eiß in tl is part of the district very materially by supplying lie m with grass-seed, to be paid for within four years. Twenty-two settlers have had assistance given to them in This way, at a total cost of £1,717. About 1,650 acres of Crown land, which had the bush burnt off it, has been sown at a cost, up to date, of £1,550 3s. Od. This will be recovered by loading its cost on to the land as it is selected. The tires causing the loss of grass, stock, and fencing, although considerable, have dime an immense amount of good in clearing off many badly burnt clearings, which, under normal conditions, would have taken a great deal of labour and years to have got into the same state as they now present, and when the soreness of the loss is healed the fire will be appreciated as probably one of the best things that could have happened to the settlers. The area of bush felled during the year has been roughly estimated at 900 acres, but there has also been burnt a considerable area of standing bush. The flax-dressing industry, although just now in rather a depressed condition, has been of considerable assistance to the settlers during the year, and in some cases has formed a welcome addition to the receipts.

Nature and Tenure of Lands selected. Number of Selectors. Area. Cash received on Past and Current Transactions. Suburban lands Rural lands sold for cash Occupation with right of purchase made freehold Perpetual leases Occupation with right of purchase Lease in perpetuity Village settlements — Perpetual lease ... ... * ••• Lease in perpetuity Special-settlement associations — Perpetual lease ... Occupation leases, Mining Districts Land Occupation Act Small grazing-runs ... Pastoral runs Miscellaneous leases and licenses Miscellaneous Land for Settlements Acts— Lease in perpetuity ... ... ■-, Small grazing-runs Miscellaneous leases 1 5 A. B. P. 16 8 0 189 2 33 £ s. d. 418 15 0 475 1 1 490 17 6 30 10 8 535 13 8 8,878 3 5 4 10 1,017 0 0 3,229 1 15 12 6 15 15 6 "s 713 0 0 14 14 11 46 7 9 ... 2 17 74,750 0 0 1,955 2 11 2,905 3 5 3,918 12 2 2,470 18 8 163 4 1 12 78 2 3 11,065 15 11 6,874 9 8 650 4 5 i 50 0 Totals (iO 81,954 3 22 32,955 5 4

C.—l

39

A small quantity of gold is still being obtained in the Wakamarina and other valleys, but I fear the amount won gives but a poor return for the labour expended. . The southern portion of the district south of the Wairau River contains most of our tenants and the Land for Settlements estati s, which are reported upon separately. This portion also contains most of the pastoral country, chiefly rough mountainous country, and some futile pi; n a and valleys, and also the Kaikoura district, a very fine tract of country, where the settlers arc making very good progress and, owing to the greater rainfall, have done relatively better than those farther north. The last year'has been phenomenally dry all over the district, but it has been exceptionally so on the country between the Wairau and Clarence Rivers. By the kindness of some of the meteorological.observers I em able to give the winter and summer rainfalls for the year, the mean annual fall, and the quantity this year's fall is below the mean of other years : —

This shows a very material decrease from the mean of other years. The details ol the monthly rainfalls, if they could be obtained, would probably give some striking results. I may mention tint the average rainfall for most of the stations available—e-xcluding Manama, in the Pelorus Sound—was only -'12 in. from the Ist October, 1907, to the end of February, 1908. a period of five months ; and when it is remembered that during a considerable portion of this time there was a strong dry wind blowing, it is not very surprisiim thai many of the small streams dried up, and that most of the crops were not up to the average yield, except in localities where the land is of a naturally damp nature. The shortness of "rass the almost complete failure of turnip and rape crops, both locally and in Canterbury—which latter not only deprived the settlers of their best market for store sheep, but rendered it almost impossible to hold them until better conditions prevailed—have seriously affected the receipts Erom pastoral lands. Some of the settlers, taking warning by previous dry seasons, have erected dams for the purpose of storing part of the usually abundant rainfall : I feel sure that if others could see then" way to do more of this work they would be amply repaid for their outlay. The settlers in the Kaikoura district have made very good and substantial progress during the year, and, as they were only slightly affected by the drought, and have good soil to work on, their prospects are good. I may remark that, notwithstanding the severity of the drought, and the subsequent drop in the value of store sheep, the low price of wool, and the losses by fire, there appears to be no appreciable drop in the value of the goodwill of the leaseholds throughout the district. Out of the various tenures under which Crown land has been taken up within this district, the lease in perpetuity still holds pride of place. The total number of holdings is 1,074 : out of this number, lease-in-perpetuity lessees hold 201,748 acres, held by 659 holders. .«__,„ . . Small Grazing-runs. -The area held by 109 persons under this tenure, is 255,118 acres—that is, thirteen less than last year, and 5,023 acres less in area. This represents a surrender, and several exchanges of small holdings to lease in perpetuity. . , onj „ ,„. Occupation Licenses under " The Mining Districts Land Occupation Act, 1894. —There were eight selections and one forfeiture made during the year, leaving twenty-six selectors, holding 1,813 acres, now on our books. These pay an annual rental of £56 16s. Most of these licenses are situated in the W-kaniarina Valley. Some of these have made good use of their holdings ; but some are doing very little to improve them, and appear to be satisfied with a residence and a little grazing for a cow or two. Now that these holdings can be exchanged for renewable leases under section 19 of " The Land Laws Amendment Act, 1907," they may be able to increase the size, and then better reisults may be expected. Rebates of Rent. Rebates for prompt payment of rents during the year have amounted to £2,130 7s. 2d., distributed among 612 Crown tenants. Surrenders. There were five forfeitures and one surrender during the year ; two of the forfeitures were at the request of the holders, who could not pay the rent, and three were for non-payment of rent. These surrenders are generally only small areas of poor land of no great value ; but three ol them have been taken up again by other persons. Departmental. Twelve ordinary meetings of the Land Board have been held during the year. Ninety-nine transfers and 119 mortgages were dealt with. The number of letters received and despatched wi b 5,618, and 2 148 rent notices were issued : total, 7,866 ; also large numbers of sale plans, &c. In the office

Winter Fall, Station. April to September. Summer Fall, October to March. Total Fall, Year 1907-8. Mean Annual Rainfall of Previous Years. | Last Year below Mean Annual Rainfall. In. Manaroa, Pelorus Sound ... ... 35-50 , Marshlands, north-east Wairau Plain 18 61 Grovetown, middle Wairau Plain ... 1358 Timara, south-west end Wairau Plain 1423 Starborough Nursery ... ••• 1332 Cape Campbell ... ••• ••• 18 ' 80 In. 1701 4-80 5-48 4-79 40 3-29 In. 52-51 23-41 1906 19-02 1732 2209 Iu. 59-33 28-77 25-73 27-71 24 09 26-76 In. 6-82 5-36 6-67 8-69 6-77 4-67

A—i

40

of the Receiver of Land Revenue, besides the gross revenue for the year, amounting to £32,955 ss. 4d., for which 1,884 receipts were issued, a sum of £1,826 14s. 6<l. was paid into Deposit Account, against which 395 receipts and chequi s were issued. A sum of £2,212 19s. 9d. was paid into the Local Bodies Deposit Account, out of which £1,260 Os. lid. was paid to the local bodies. In the Accountant's office 192 vouchers, totalling £2,011 os. 10d., were drawn against the Imprest Account, and 118 vouchers, representing £6,284 18s. 3d., were passed through for pre-audit and payment, making a total of 310 vouchers, representing an expenditure of £8,295 19s. Id. F. Stephenson Smith, Commissioner of Crown Lands.

WESTLAND. Crown Lands opened for Selection. The following table exhibits the manner in which Crown lands were opened for sale or lease dining the year : —

Land disposed of. The subjoined table sets forth the results of land-administration in this district for the year : —

Renewable Lease. Lease in Perpetuity. Village Homestead on Lease \ Pastoral Runs, in Perpetuity. fffered for first time offered previously ;;; Acres. 3,577 495 4,072 Acres. 1,407 1,076 2,483 Acres. 33 33 Acres. 118,000 118,000 4,072 2,483 33 118,000 "X , V 1 -J A3 , IWAJiJ

Class of Selection. [Transactio: I Number. ,, ,, Leasehold Areas held on is during the Year. 8]rt Mar(jh> 19Q7 Area. Number, i Area. Revenue received during the Year. Perpetual lease Occupation with right of purchase Lease in perpetuity Lease in perpetuity, land for settlements Lease in perpetuity, village settlements Renewable lease ... Mining Districts Land Occupation Act Pastoral runs Miscellaneous leases Miscellaneous leases, land for settlements Endowments Timber licenses Flax licenses Other sources Transfer lease and license fees Village settlements for cash 53 2 14 19 36 33 1 A. R. I'. 9,124 0 19 7 106 489 27 580 18,590 68,062 4,990 B. P. 1 8 0 24 0 20 1 4 £ s. d. 27 2 4 526 4 7 1,013 10 11 535 17 0 0 1 30 2,847 0 0 331 3 2 12 14 25 198 2,847 468 2 17 0 0 0 5 12 7 0 46 10 0 17 2 2 64,421 1 29 21,913 1 28 210 254 1 603,995 96,659 8 1 33 0 0 2 0 962 3 7 668 10 0 1 2 0 3 1,621 2 5 3,415 2 0 9,693 1 9 296 17 9 152 3 2 161 5 0 12 10 0 Totals ... ... I 158 98,639 2 28 1,148 798,020 3 36 17,540 7 3 158

41

A—i

Revenue. The revenue for the year amounts, as shown above, to £17,540 7s. 3d., or £265 10s. Bd. above the estimate, and £2,216 18s. 6d. more than last year. The revenue for the coming year is estimated at £20,882 lis. 10d., and is based upon additional timber and coal royalties, and also upon rentals now becoming due on leaseholds hitherto rent-free under the provisions of the Bush and Swamp Crown Lands Settlement Act, and likewise upon increased receipts from new lands to be offered during the coming year under the various settlement tenures. Review of the Current Systems of Tenure. Cash. —Only three sections in the Kokatahi Village Settlement have been sold for cash during the year. As the whole of this district is within a mining district, no rural lands have been offered for" cash. Occupation with Right of Purchase. —The area held under this tenure remains the same as last year, as there have been no new selections and no cancellations during the year. The improvement conditions have been satisfactorily performed, as is evidenced by the fact that the required improvements amounted to £7,377 Bs. 10d., and improvements have actually been effected to the value of £13,713 18s. Lease in Perpetuity. —Twelve sections, comprising an area of 2,484 acres, were offered during the year. Of these, three sections, of 1,401 acres, were offered under the provisions of "The Bush and Swamp Crown Lands Settlement Act, 1903." 1,575 acres were selected by four tenants. In addition to these, 7,549 acres, offered during former years, were selected by forty-nine tenants. A number of inquiries have been received from holders under this tenure who desire to take advantage of the opportunity of acquiring the freehold as allowed by section 20 of "The Land Laws Amendment Act. 1907." Mining Districts .Land Occupation. —On account of the minimum area allowed under the regulations for the occupation of pastoral lands in Westland being 25 acres, this is the only tenure available for miners and others who desire to obtain leases of small areas in portions of the district which are contiguous to gold-workings. Most of the leases include residence areas, the holders of which have to surrender these before obtaining a new title to the extended acreage. There are at present twentyfive lessees, holding 468 acres, of which 332 acres, included in nineteen leases, have been taken up during the year. Pastoral Runs. —Eleven runs, comprising an area of 62,152 acres, have been selected during the year, and of these, three, of 50,000 acres, are under section 189 of " The Land Act, 1892," the remainder being temporary grazing licenses. Most of the areas held under this tenure are bush-covered, and as the'licensees formerly could not be granted the right to fell and grass, the runs were used almost exclusively for cattle. The power given by section 55 of " The Land Laws Amendment Act, 1907," to allow areas to be cleared and grassed will considerably increase the carrying-capacity of these runs, while the right to full valuation for all improvements effected will popularise this system of tenure, and will encourage settlers in outlying districts to expend their money and labour in making the runs more reproductive. Pastoral Lands within Mining Districts. -As ruining operations -ire al present being carried on in the northern portion of the district, this is the only tenure under which settlers can select land in fairsized areas with sufficient security of tenure to warrant their laying out money in improvements. Areas that would in other districts he available for selection under the optional system are therefore leased under these special regulations, and the settlers appreciate the assistance given them by section 19 of " The Land Laws Amendment Act, 1907," by which they are entitled, with the consent of the Warden, to exchange to renewable lease. I anticipate that the whole of these lessees will, as opportunity offers, take advantage of this right. The Land Board has insisted on survey of all areas granted under this tenure. An area of 14,534 acres is at present held by ninety-five tenants, paying an annual rent of £295. The improvements due under the leases total £1,132, while the actual value of improvements effected is almost £6,000. These figures fully evince the bona fides of the selectors, who have thus been enabled to take up lands from which they were previously debarred. These regulations have proved a splendid solution of the settlement of areas within the goldfield—alike satisfactory to the miners and farmers. Twenty-five leases, covering an area of 2,269 acres, have been granted during the year. Miscellaneous Leases. —During the year thirty-three miscellaneous leases, of which six are flax leases, have been taken up, the total area amounting to 21,913 acres. These selections bring the total up to 254 leases, covering 96,659 acres. A number of these leases are situated in districts where the Warden would not agree to more permanent tenures ; but as the gold becomes worked out, the areas will be surrendered and permanent titles applied for. Renewable Lease. —Only one poster of land under this tenure was issued during the year, and 75 per cent, of the sections offered were selected. There are at present fourteen leases held, covering an area of 2.847 acres.

(3—C. 1.

C.-l

42

Inspections and Reports. The Crown Lands Rangers have inspected each permanent leasehold in the district, and submitted reports to the hand Hoard, which has considered each case of default on its merits, and where it was proved that bona fide settlement was intended extension of time for compliance has been allowed. Lessees in the southern portion of the district have been treated with extra leniency on account of the inaccessibility of their holdings, but in every case the Land Board has given them to understand that non-compliance with the conditions of their leases will not be tolerated. The Crown Lands Rangers have been fully occupied with inspections and reports for the Land Board, special inspections for Wardens, and general oversight of timber-cutters and sawmillers. .Mr. Hanger Meharrv reports that during the past year he made 210 inspections of the different mills, and has made eighty reports for the Warden on sawmill areas, besides inspecting the sleepercutters, firewood-cutters, and mining-timber cutters. Mr. Macfarlane reports that during the past year 422 holdings have been inspected and reported upon, of a total area of 62,250 acres. The required improvements were £23,318 14s. 3d., and improvements effected £63.522 2s. Also. 130 inspections have been made for the Land Board, fourteen resi-dence-sites and eleven timber areas for the Warden, and seven flax-mill areas, making a total of 584 inspections. Position and Progress of Settlement. The whole of the district has-been favoured with splendid weather, and the oaten and meadowcrops are far above the average. The northern end of the district from Ross to the upper Grey still shows steady improvement among the tenantry, new areas being cleared for grazing and dairying purposes. The means of access being good and markets handy, the tenants at this end have a decided advantage over those in the south. Two milking-machines have been installed, one at Kokatahi and the other at Arahura, and the owners are quite satisfied with results. We are given to understand that six more machines will be in operation next season at Wanganui Flat, where a cheese-factory is now in course of construction, and no doubt as soon as the Wanganui and Wataroa are bridged other factories will be erected at Wataroa and Waiho. All the flax-mills with the exception of the one at the Cascade have shut down, slump in the price of flax being the cause. Taking the whole of the district from one end to the other, the harvesting operations have been first-class. Some very good yields of turnips in the far south have been recorded, but as a rule the turnip and cabbage crops have been ruined by the white fly this season. Fat stock have been plentiful, and large numbers of stores have been purchased and taken south. The butter-factories in the district are all doing well. The present outlook for the district is decidedly encouraging, and many of the settlers who formerly utilised their holdings for rearing and fattening cattle are now turning their attention to dairying. There are now three dairy factories in the district, while another is now in course of erection at the Wanganui River. Reports furnished during the year show that settlers are effecting substantial improvements and keeping their holdings in good order. The following schedule shows the position with reference to improvements on each of the permanent tenures :— Improvements mprovements required effected. £ s. d. £ s. d. Lease in perpetuity 11,150 14 9 26,842 12 0 Occupation with right ol purchase .. 8.078 11 10 15,668 3 0 Leases under regulations within mining districts 1,182 9 0 5,824 0 0 Lease in perpetuity, land for settlcm nts .. 2,211 14 8 12,134 2 0 Township of Runanga. —The progress noted last year in this township has been fully maintained, and lessees still continue to improve their sections and erect houses of very fair quality. During the year the Land Hoard has forfeited thirty-four leases for non-compliance with improvement conditions. Residence will shortly be due on a number of these sections, and steps will be taken to procure a report in order that the Land Board may deal with all cases of default. Rebates Rebates ol rent wen- allowed during the year to the amount of £131 3s. 5d., an increase of £60 6s. lOd. over the amount allowed last year. Arkkars oi Rental. Payments of rent due during the year have been made very promptly, as evidenced by the increase in rebates. The arrears amount only to £6 18s. 9d. due by ten tenants.

C.-L

43

Forfeitures and Surrenders. On account of failure to comply with the conditions of their leases, the holdings of thirty-four lessees in the Runanga Township and also one holding in the Runanga Village Settlement were forfeited. One pastoral license and eight miscellaneous leases were forfeited for non-payment of rent, while the holdings of three other miscellaneous lessees were forfeited, as the land was required for settlement. The surrenders include one lease in perpetuity, the holder of which was enable to comply with conditions ; twelve miscellaneous leases and temporary grazing-leases. which were surrendered by the lessees and taken up by them on permanent tenures ; and one pastoral license, the holder of which was deceased. Forests. The timber industry has increased for the year by 6,423,773 ft., the total output for the year being 51,357,586 ft. Fifty-two mills are working, against forty-seven last year, an increase of five mills. Up-to-date machinery is being used to the greatest advantage so its to minimise the cost of production as much as possible. The greater part of the milling is still in the northern part of the district, but as the means of access by the extension of the railway southwards improves, much of the southern forests will be utilised. Inquiries keep coming in for extra timber areas. Over, a thousand hands find employment directly in connection with sawmilling; and, with the sleeper-cutters, firewood-splitters, and others engaged in obtaining timber for mining purposes, another 250 hands are employed. Everything points to a profitable year, as prices are good. Being mostly an export trade, with a return of ready money, the whole district reaps a benefit, The sleepers cut number 85.000. 1,800 telegraph-poles, all of silverpine, also 250 extra-large heart-of-rimu poles for electric power have been cut. Wood-pulping. The provisions of section 72 of " The Land Laws Amendment Act, 1907," have opened the way for a new industry in this district, where there are large areas of mountainous country covered with small timber which is useless for sawmilling or other industrial purposes. Two areas, aggregating 50,000 acres, situated on both banks of the Teremakau River, have been set apart for the purpose, and a company is to be floated to install a plant to work the area, and I hope to see the industry started at an early date. Should this venture prove successful, it is probable that other mills will be started, as there are large areas available in different parts of the district carrying timber suitable for the manufacture of wood-pulp. Flax-milling. During the year steps have been taken by the flax-millers at Wataroa, Paroa, Poerua, and Barrytown to procure permanent titles to areas of land for the purpose of growing flax. Considerable sums have been expended in draining, but the unfortunate slump in the flax-market has had the effect of stopping operations. We trust, however, that the stoppage will only be temporary, as enterprise of this nature is deserving of reward. Royalty has been paid on 5,117 tons of green flax cut from Crown lands, but unless the value of hemp increases it is improbable, that as much will be cut during the coming year, as the cost of getting the (lax to market is heavy. Crown Lands for Disposal during the Year. The Crown lands at present available and to be thrown open during the year are set out in table below :—

The town and suburban lands comprise sections in the Townships of Runanga, Ahaura, Rohutu. and Roa, and in the Village of Waitaha. The areas of rural land include land• withdrawn from selection to be reoffered under " The Land Laws Amendment Act, 1907," and also areas of bush-clad land at present in course of survey in all parts of the district. The whole of the rural land, being situated within the mining district, will be offered on renewable lease only.

Town and Suburban Lands. Rural Surveyed. Rural Lands. 1 Lands. Unsurveyed. 'astoral Runs. Lands now open for Selection. Acres. Acres. 34 1,225 Acres. I | Acres. 68,000 Lands to be thrown open for Selection. 98 41,499 88 ,320 679,800 Total lands available during the year ... 132 42,724 38,320 747,800

C—l

44

Payments to Local Bodies. Payments to local bodies have been made during the year as under : — Westland County. ' b Grey County. £ s. d. £ s. d. "Halves "under "The Timber and Flax Royalties 1,346 7 0 3,089 18 9 Act, 1905 " "Thirds"under "The Land Act, 1892" .. 658 8 9 145 17 6 £2,004 15 9 £3,235 16 3 The total payments for the year amount to £5,240 125., being an increase of £1,627 os. 3d. over the amount paid last year. These amounts have been paid over only after careful consideration of the proposals for expenditure submitted by the local bodies. Eradication of Noxious Weeds. An unexpended balance of £152 Bs. 9d. was brought forward under this heading from last year, and of this £147 4s. 3d. was expended under the supervision of the Inspector of Stock in clearing ragwort and Californian thistle from river-bed and Crown lands to prevent these weeds from spreading on to adjoining alienated land which had already been cleared. A large amount of necessary work still remains to be done. Departmental. Thirteen ordinary and special meetings of the Land Board have been held during the year. 1,028 applications for land were received and dealt with. In addition to these, many applications for approval of transfers and mortgages, Rangers' reports, and other business were dealt with. The number of letters dealt with was 8,000 : notices sent out, 4,134. The Receiver of Land Revenue's dealings totalled £17,540 7s. 3d., for which 1,574 receipts were issued. Three hundred and seventy-three leases have been made out, 384 returns and reports submitted, 175 audit cards sent, and 1,166 posters forwarded to applicants for land. In the Accountant's branch 1,488 vouchers, and 2,590 cheques, for £21,461 Bs. 3d., were drawn on Imprest Account. I have much pleasure in acknowledging the faithful help which has been rendered by the staff during the past year, and would especially record my thankful appreciation of the able administration of the Department by the who was so cordially assisted by the other officers during my recent illness. G. J. Roberts, Commissioner of Crown Lands.

CANTERBURY. Lands opened for Selection. The area of land offered for public disposal during the past year has been very small, owing to the paucity of available Crown lands in the district. The total number of allotments offered for disposal after public advertisement was 122, comprising a total area of 1,265 acres 2 roods 1 perch. The lands offered for cash sale at auction consisted of sixty-four allotments in the Township of Hinds, and 22 allotments in the newly established Tekapo Village, at the southern end of Lake Tekapo, on the coach-road to Mount Cook : out of these two blocks fifteen allotments were sold, nearly all at the upset prices, and realised £95. The rural lands similarly offered consisted of three allotments in the Weld, Hororata, and Shepherd's Bush Districts ; the upset price was £600, and the price realised was £920. The rural allotment of 271 acres in the Fighting Hill District, offered under the optional system, was selected for cash. The ten village-homestead allotments offered for renewable lease are situated in the Stour Village Settlement, near the Mount Somers Coal-pit, and were previously open under the lease-in-perpetuity system ; there does not, however, appear to be any demand at present for small lots in this locality. The seventeen blocks offered for lease by auction or tender are situated in various localities, and were all disposed of, the total upset rentals being £84 7s. 6d. and the rentals realised £193 os. 6d. per annum. • Land Transactions. The following table shows the number of land transactions during the year, and the area represented thereby ; the number of selectors^ and under the various tenures at the 31st March, 1908 ; and the total revenue received from all sources during the year : —

45

C.--1

The transactions for the year show a very marked decrease from the previous period the figures for winch were 171 selectors, areaj>3.l9l acres.li.rood 20 decrease appears under the heads of small grazing and pastoral runs, miscellaneous occupation licenses, and land for settle-

Tenure. iTransactions during Year. jTransactioi iHi • GO >ns during Ye Area. Area held at 31s March, 1908. 2 e 2 "o "o Area. 5 EC | Revenue received duriDg the Year. Cash lands— Town Suburban Rural Deferred payments— Rural and pastoral Village Made freehold Perpetual lease— OrdinaryVillage " Made freehold Occupation with right of purchase— Ordinary Village Made freehold Lease in perpetuity— Ordinary, Crown ... ... ! Village, Crown Lake Ellesmere Conversions to lease in perpetuity— Ordinary Village homestead ... ... j Farm homestead ... ... j Village - homestead special settlement — Perpetual lease Lease in perpetuity, Crown Lease in perpetuity, Lake EllesA - R - p - a r. p. £ s. d. 9 11 2 26-2 ... ... 95 0 0 5 17,081 o 5 ;:; !,«;■■ 610 4 8,914 0 10 1,028 12 5 7 64 3 3 24 13 0 1 300 0 0 0 26 1,443 1 35 111 10 7 1 198 2 7 86 2 4 3 584 1 38 ... ... 793 2 2 , 25 4,608 2 23 249 8 1 8 2 2 0 3 9 4 * 1 125 0 0 ... ... 187 10 0 246; 75,604 2 23 3,828 9 4 181 8 2 (1 8 2 10 68 13,937 0 0 1,265 9 4 5 93 2 2 2 50 0 0 67 1,389 2 36 196 10 1 193 7,176 2 4 638 14 4 57 1,419 13 280 3 9 mere Farm homestead— Perpetual lease Lease in perpetuity, Crown Small grazing-runs, Crown ... I Pastoral licenses— Crown ... ... ... I Miscellaneous occupation licenses— ] Crown ... ... ... ! Lake Ellesmere Endowment ... State forests... Timber licenses Mineral licenses Other sources ... 10 669 0 8 49 0 10 20 1,867 2 9 92 12 6 55 133,734 0 19 5,975 14 1 3 1,164 I 0 1383,430,204 2 32 34,744 0 7 72 3,982 0 32 604 77,254 2 21 3,406 6 4 2 122 0 0 17 1,250 2 10 92 10 3 ... ' 195 0 0 1 3,842 0 0 22; 12,139 2 14 360 14 0 4 880 2 0 22 3,730 18 216 5 6 2 128 3 9 8 1,527 3 9 78 8 0 583 17 11 Cheviot Estate. Lease in perpetuity Village homestead Grazing farms ... Pastoral licenses Miscellaneous occupation licenses... ..- .. „. 118 24,392 1 2 5,889 12 0 92 2,480 1 0 790 10 3 49 45,846 1 26 7,215 9 9 ••■ 1 1,642 0 0 193 3 8 2 130 10 60 1,377 3 26 204 17 2 Land for Settlements. I lease in perpetuity Renewable lease Farm homestead Small grazing-runs Miscellaneous occupation licenses Other sources Cash sales Workers' duellings 7 4 0 14 1,142 175,238 0 3 , 59,888 14 0 1 462 0 0 1 462 0 0 194 17 6 11 2,114 1 9 147 15 6 44' 81,161 0 26 9,662 8 6 8 9 1 15 38 969 0 6 281 2 4 "• •• ••• ! ••• 386 10 5 1 1 I 3 ••• ... 45 15 11 4 0 3 22-2 13 3 0 2-4 300 17 1 Totals ... ... ] 129 28,973 1 16-4 ,3,194 4,112,832 1 14-4 '141,347 8 6

46

C.—l

ments, the last-named because no fresh estates have been acquired and offered during the year. The number of selectors and area held at the close of the year show an increase of forty-one selectors, but a decrease of about 21,000 acres in the area held, owing to deductions from the areas occupied under pastoral license. The total revenue for the year represents an increase of £9,833 os. 7d. over the previous period. Payments of Rent, Rebates, and Arrears. The total annual rental payable by the 3,194 Crown tenants, who occupy an area of 4,112,832 acres 1 rood 14 perches, is £142,987 10s. Id., and,the actual rental-payments received in respect of these lands for the. year amounted to £137,701 ss. 3d. The arrears due at the close of the year (excluding payments for current unexpired periods) amounted to £1,220 18s. 3d., owing by fifty-six tenants, occupying a total area of 16,291 acres 3 roods 36 perches. These arrears represent, as regards the number of tenants, a percentage of If, and as regards the amount owing, under 1 per cent., of the total. The percentages for the previous year were, of tenants 3 per cent., and of rental 1J per cent., and, considering that "the past season has not been a favourable one for the farming community, the result may be regarded as satisfactory. The customary rebate of 10 per cent, granted under the provisions of " The Crown Tenants' Rent Rebate Act, 1900," and " The Laud for Settlements Consolidation Act, 1900," was obtained by 1,934 tenants, the amount so remitted being £8,335 19s. 10d., an increase of 179 tenants and £389 7s. sd. on the preceding year. Forfeitures and Surrenders. During the year thirteen holdings, comprising an area of 249 acres 1 rood 23 perches, were forfeited, and surrenders were accepted at the request of the occupiers in respect of eight holdings, comprising 2,435 acres and 10-2 perches. Of these, three leases in prepetuity, totalling 59J acres, were forfeited; one lease in perpetuity, of 462 acres, surrendered ; and one workers-dwelling lease of 36-2 perches surrendered; and all the other tenancies forfeited and surrendered belonged to the miscella-neous-occupation-license tenure. Transfers and Exchanges. The total number of settlement holdings transferred during the year has been 179, with an aggregate area of 39,250 acres 1 rood 33 perches, made up as follows :— 6 Number. Aim. A. R. F. Leases in perpetuity, all classes .. .. .. 127 19,833 129 Village-homestead leases, all classes .. .. .. 32 1,041 29 Small grazing-runs and grazing-farms .. .. .. 12 17,333 016 Occupation-with-right-of-purchase licenses .. .. 5 981 311 Other tenures .. .. • ■ •• • • 3 60 ° £ 28 The figures show a decrease of twenty-one holdings and 3,964 acres from the transfers effected during the previous year. Seven holdings, comprising an area of 143 acres 2 roods 2 perches, were exchanged from perpetual lease to lease in perpetuity prior to the abolition of the latter tenure. " The National Endowment Act, 1907." Under the provisions of this Act an area of 1,330,000 acres in the Canterbury District was set apart for the purposes of the National Endowments. The whole of this area is occupied under existing pastoral and small-grazing-run licenses. The aggregate rentals now being derived from these lands are as follows :— Area in Acres. .Rental. Pastoral-run licenses 1,209,827 . 17,876 12 il Small-grazing-run leases .. . •■ 93,962 3,28111 8 Educational Endowments. Two blocks of land which have hitherto been administered by the Crown have this year been handed over to educational governing bodies. The first consisted of a block of 16,700 acres of pastoral land in the vicinity of Hakataramea. This block was sold for a nominal sum of £500 to the Board of Governors of the Canterbury Agricultural College under the provisions of " The Canterbury Agricultural College Reserves Act, 1905," the Board being already the owner of an adjoining endowment reserve, with which the other land could most conveniently be worked. As a sum of money was received in respect of this dealing, it appears in the tables as land disposed of for cash. The second block was known as the Coldstream University Reserve, in the Ashburton County, and comprised an area of 1,480 acres 2 roods 8 perches. This has been handed over to the Board of Governors of Canterbury College, in terms of "The Canterbury College Endowment Act, 1907," that body receiving also the accumulated rents collected in respect of the reserve since the Ist April, 1881. Reserves. During the year an area of 3,926 acres 2 roods 36 perches has been set apart as reserves for various purposes the principal area being a block of 3,850 acres at Mount Oxford for forest and climatic purposes in'connection with the conservation of sources of water-supply for the adjacent district.

(3.-4

47

SI'ENRRV-PRKSERVATION. In my last report reference was made to the acquisition ol an urea of 52 acres 2 roods 39 perches, known as Kennedy's Bush, on the summit of the Pm-i Hills, near Christchurch, comprising one of the best of the few remaining areas of native bush in this vicinity. The reserve sn made has recently been extended by he purchase of an additional adjoining area of 11 acres 1 rood 1 perch, the funds being provided jointly by the Government and the citizens. Steps are now being taken for the improvement of the road which leads along the summit of the hills to the bush. An area of 480 acres 2 roods of excellent native bush situated at Peel Forest has also been acquired from the owners, the trustees of the late Messrs. Tripp and Acland, who were granted Crown lands of equal value by way of exchange, under the powers obtained by section 73 of " The Land Laws Amendment Act, 1907." This locality has for many years been a favourite picnic and holiday resort, and it is hoped that its acquisition will secure its preservation for popular enjoyment. Timber, Forests, etc. Notwithstanding the exceedingly dry season experienced during the past year, it is satisfactory in report that no serious bush-tires have occurred on Crown lands in the district. The number of splitting and sawmilling licenses in existence at the close of the year was twentytwo, covering an area of 3,730 acres 1 rood 8 perches, from which a revenue of £216 ss. 6d. in fees and royalties has been received. The Mackenzie County Council continues to carry on planting operations on reserves in the treeless Mackenzie country, the revenue beings derived from the occupation of reserves set apart for this purpose. Mineral Leases. There arc now in existence in the district eight mineral leases for coal-mining on Crown lands: the area occupied is 1,527 acres 3 roods 9 perches, and the revenue received £78 Bs. One of these leases is situated in the .Malvern Hills, near Whitecliffs ; two at Broken River, near the Midland Railway line, but these arc not yet worked, pending the completion of the railway- to a point at which the coal can be brought out to a market : lour near Mount Sinners : and one recently opened up at the Waitohi Hills. near Geraldine, Workkrs' Dwellings. Thirteen workers' dwellings, situated at Sydenham, are now in occupation, and the sum of £300 17s. Id. has been collected in rents during the year. The rents arc regularly paid, and the properties are maintained in neat condition by the tenants. The erection of eleven more dwellings of four. live, and six rooms on the same block is now in hand. Rangers' Inspections, and Conditions of Settlement. Exclusive of the land-for-settlcments holdings, which are dealt with in a separate report, the majority of the Crown lands occupied under settlement conditions in the district have been held for extended periods, and statutory residence and improvements are no longer compulsory. The Ranger for North Canterbury reports that the only recently selected lands were the five small grazing-runs in the Hororata District, and these holders have fulfilled requirements for the first year of occupation. Amongst the holdings of the low-lying lands around Lake Ellcsmerc, a few lessees are deficient in value of improvements effected, owing to the damage periodically caused to fences and other improvements by the rising of the lake-waters ; stock, however, thrive well on the native vegetation which grows when the water subsii'i s, and with the advantage of creameries in the vicinity most of the tenants are doing well. In the Oxford District the settlers on the plains suffered from the dry season, which killed out the cultivated grasses ; some damage also resulted by grass-fires, but fortunately' not to any serious extent. In the Ashburton County the Ranger reports that most of the tenants appear to be in a prosperous condition ; the farmers devote more attention to growing turnips and sheep, and less to grain-crops, whereby the land is kept in better order. In South Canterbury the tenants on the lighter plain lands have suffered from the dry season, and will experience a shortage of winter feed, accentuated by partial failure of root-crops. On the hill lands between Geraldine and Fairlis, and from Burkes Pass to Waimate, which are occupied under the lease-in-perpetuity and small-grazing-run tenures in fair-sized blocks, the tenants have not felt the effects of the season so severely ; the holdings are well kept, and, although in some cases the improvements bill short of the rather large amounts required by law, still the lessees have generally effected as much as can reasonably and profitably be placed on the land. The holdings are kept in good order, and surface-sowing has been done to some extent, with satisfactory results. The reports on the village settlements in all parts of the district show that the conditions of occupation are satisfactorily fulfilled ; the holdings are well kept, and the tenants are in fairly comfortable circumstances, being generally able to obtain a reasonable amount of employment near their homes. Departmental. Owing to the very limited area of land that has been available for selection during the year, only thirty-nine statutory applications for land have been received, but the Land Board has dealt with large numbers of applications for transfer of Crown leases, besides the very numerous other questions arising out of the occupation of Crown lands under the 3,194 leases and licenses existing within the district. The inward and outward correspondence has totalled over 23,000 letters, and

C—l

48

over 1,000 sale plans and posters have been distributed. In the Accountant's office 253 vouchers, representing a sum of £10,326 Os. lid., have been passed through for pre-audit and payment, and 238 vouchers, of a value of £2,229 17s. 6d., have been drawn against the Imprest Account. In the office of the Receiver of Land Revenue 5,964 receipts were issued for the year's revenue of £141,347 Bs. 6d. ; a sum of £2,777 17s. Id. was paid into deposit account, against which 154 receipts and cheques were drawn. A sum of £1,405 4s. sd. was paid into the Local Bodies' Deposit Account, and £1,242 16s. 7d. was paid out to local bodies for expenditure upon approved works. Eric C. Gold Smith, Commissioner of Crown Lands. REPORT ON THE CHEVIOT ESTATE. No fresh lands have been offered for disposal during the year, and, with the exception of a slight alteration of the area held under temporary occupation license, the number of holdings and areas occupied under the several tenures remain unchanged. The total receipts from all sources during the year have amounted to £14,293 12s. lOd. ; rents are generally well paid, with the exception of those for the grazing-farms, the lessees of which arc excluded from the benefits of the 10-per-cent. rebate, and are somewhat dilatory in remitting their payments. • Seven leases in perpetuity, comprising a total area of 1,221 acres i.nd 25 perches, and one grazingfarm of 966 acres 2 roods have changed hands by transfer during the year. The following is the Crown Lands Ranger's report on the general condition of the estate :— " It was to be expected that the long spell of dry summer weather would affect the returns from this estate, yet some of the crops gave unexpectedly good results. The 700 acres of wheat that was grown turned out an average of forty-five bushels per acre of good quality, as the best land is almost always selected for wheat-growing. The oat-crop varied a good deal: the area on which this cereal was grown was 2,320 acres, about 500 acres of which had been threshed, yielding an average of fiftytwo bushels to the acre; the remainder will be cut for chaff. Only 170 acres of barley was grown, chiefly of the Cape variety. About 3,000 acres were cultivated for turnips, but the bulk turned out poor, owing to the dry weather, and the same may be said of the 1,900 acres of rape. The total area cultivated this year was (approximately) 8,200 acres for crops of all kinds, and 400 acres of grass-seed harvested. From inquiries made I ascertained that on'y half the number of fat stock left Cheviot for market that went away during the corresponding period last year. From November to March 40,000 sheep (approximately) were sold by the farmers, but half that number were stores; after the rain during the first week in March the pastures and rape-crops recovered rapidly, consequently there will be more fat stock to dispose of later. The storms in the early spring played havoc with "the young lambs ; still, the average lambing was over 85 per cent. Eighty-nine thousand sheep were wintered on the leaseholds, and in addition to this flock the farmers had 1,150 cattle and 1,000 horses. Pigs are not a favourite stock, numbering only 280. There are 26,000 acres growing exotic grasses, some only surface-sown ; and 40,000 acres remain in native grass and tussock. It need hardly be said that the general condition of the estate is very good, and the remarkably quick recovery of the pastures after the long dry summer shows what excellent stock-raising land Cheviot is. The numerous plantations are becoming each succeeding year a more prominent feature of the landscape ; there arc (excluding the 140 acres within the homestead block) 347 acres growing shelter and ornamental trees. The area in gardens and orchards is 128 acres. The existing unprovements £.re kept in good order, and are being slightly added to, but the addition in value about equals the usual depreciation ; the value can be set down at the same as last year—viz., £100,000." Eric C. Gold Smith, Commissioner of Crown Lands.

49

C—l

OTAGO. Land Transactions. The Following table shows in n concise form the transactions thai have taken place during tinvear, and tin- total revenue received from all sources within the period :

Number of New Selectors and Area taken up, from 1st April, 1907, to 31st March, 1908, and Total Amount of Revenue received during the Year.

The results of the year as regards revenue have been highly satisfactory, the gross estimate having been exceeded by the sum of £11,416. This large excess, however, is to be accounted for partly by the fact that a sum of upwards of £4,000 was included in the year's receipts on account of the valuation for improvements on the Blackstone Hill and Home Hills Runs, and also by the fact that under the Land Laws Amendment Act of last session rents for the broken period between the date of selection and the ordinary half-yearly-rent period in the case of land for settlements had to be collected at the date of disposal. But, apart from these facts, there is a substantial surplus of receipts over the estimated amount, sufficient to indicate that the year's transactions in respect of both ordinary Crown lands and land for settlements have been of a satisfactory nature, there being an excess of revenue under each head. For a time—as was somewhat the case the previous year—the early part of the season was characterized by extremely dry weather, which in some parts threatened serious loss to the settlers ; but a general break-up of the drought having occurred at an opportune date, the situation was saved, so that the general outcome of the year's operations was favourable. Settlement of Ordinary Crown Lands. Transactions under this head continue to be comparatively few, as the available area of ordinary Crown lands for selection on settlement conditions becomes gradually less. During the year there was opened under various tenures a total area of 253.212 acres, of which 37,354 acres were under the Land

7—C. 1,

Nature and Tenure of Lands 'elected. Number of Selectors. Area selected. Cash received on Past and Current Transactions. Town lands sold for cash Suburban lands sold for cash Rural lands sold for cash Perpetual leases made freehold Occupation with right of purchase made freehold Deferred-payment instalments Perpetual leases ... ... .?. Occupation with right of purchase Lease in perpetuity ... Renewable lease Agricultural lease ... Village settlement— Deferred payment Perpetual lease Occupation with right of purchase ... Lease in perpetuity Renewable lease ... 11 5 22 14 40 1 3 I 4 A. B. P. 4 0 21 6 1 0 599 1 IH £ s. d. 1 13 0 0 37 0 0 885 2 3 2,759 0 (I 51 0 0 432 3 0 989 14 8 1,228 5 3 5,282 9 3 1 15 8 27 3 6 4,174 0 17 12,419 3 32 118 3 0 88 3 32 49 3 31 2(1 3 21 3 2 8 31 11 9 1 2 6 142 14 5 1 7 7 (R. 82 IH 11 11. 35 3 0 Village-homestead special settlements... Special-settlement associations— Lease in perpetuity Occupation leases, Mining Districts Land Occupation Act Small grazing-runs ... Pastoral runs Miscellaneous leases and licenses Miscellaneous Land for Settlements Acts — Cash Lease in perpetuity Renewable lease ... Renewable lease (village) ... Small grazing-runs Pastoral runs Miscellaneous leases, &c. ... Endowments SO 44 14 107 2 31 63 "k 938 1 12 180,589 3 24 262,781 3 23 26,504 2 3 3 0 0 5,561 1 29 46,268 2 21 108 12 1 437 7 7 15,428 18 10 26,626 5 8 2,170 12 6 5,522 16 (i 30 15 0 30,691 13 10 4,286 17 10 312 4 0 1,254 8 5 121 13 0 H61 11 9 5,530 8 1) 1,337 2 13 Totals 400 400 |541,471 2 20 105,489 0 2

50

C. 1

for Settlements Acts. In respect of ordinary Crown lands, 150,044 acres were opened for the first time, and 65 814 acres had been opened previously. Under the Land for Settlements Act 37,294 acres were opened for the first time, and 60 acres had been previously opened. The area opened for the first, time included the Kuvnw. Airedale. Otekaike. and Tau.nata Settlenients. The large number of applicants nt the various ballots shows that there is still a very considerable demand for land ol good quality. The area of land a mailable for selection during the present year is, as far as at present known much less than list vein It will in all probability- include, in addition to the areas mentioned under the heading " Pastoral Runs," about 27.270 acres of Ort.ia S Tade Station (Runs 200 and 200 a), now in pro,,.ss d subdivision as small grating-runs, also about 16,000 acres of Clutha Trust Endowment, landa under the BTnau-gra-dng-rur. system ; and under the Land for Settlements Act the Bfoadowbank Estate of 4 343 acres, the ballot for which was held on the 25th April, 1908, and the Kauroo Hills Estate of some 19 000 acres jus. acquired which will probably be opened for selection towards the end of the present year These.' with the lands al present available for selection, will constitute the principal areas to be dealt with during the present year. In respect of the runs falling in ,v, the Ist larch, 1910, referred to under "Pastoral Runs." there will in all probability be something like 335,000 acres retained for sale as small grazing-runs. about 320,000 acres of which come within the area already set apart as NationaiP'.ndowinents. Summary of. Trans actions. It will be seen that, as compared with the previous year, the transactions were more numerous both in number and area—in number by ninety-four selectors, and m area by 206,117 acres; while the revenue was greater by t.,5.856 ss. sd. Then- are now 3,836 holdings mi the books, representing a total acreage of 5.726,706 acres, at an annual rental of £100,644 19s 6d., inclusive of land for settlements and endowments- an increase over previous year of 232 holdings, 266,029 acres, and £10,931 17s. 3d. annual rental. The Various Tenures. Cash Soles were less Iban during the previous year by seventeen in number. 372 acres iv area, and-I'M 10- 5d : ceived; while the conversions from leasehold to freehold were less m number by five and in area by 146 acres, the consideration, however, being greater by E9O 2s. 6d. ' Holding* under the. Otxupation-icilh-right-of-purchase System have increased by five only in number 2 798 acres ... area, and £51 13s. 4d., annual rent ; for, although there were fourteen new selections, then" wen- seven forfeitures, one surrender, and one purchase. There are now 259 selectors, holding 47 878 acres, at an annual rental of £1,305 2s. Fnder Lease in Perpet.uit; then- are now. in respect ol ordinary Crown lands, 815 selectors, with an area of '>04 967 acres, at £5.945 4s. lid. yearly, being an increase of thirty selectors, 12,299 acres, '~,,,1 .-K)0 28 ."id annual rental. Under the Land for Settlements Act there are 544 selectors holding 109 663 acres at an annual rental of £34,631 19s. 2d., an increase of twentv-mne selectors. 5,44 acres, and' £*> 031 3s Id annual rental. The increase would, of course, have been greater but for the substitution by the Land Laws Amendment Act of the renewable lease for lease in perpetuity. The Agricultural lamsc Occupation Lease unßer Mining Districts Land Occupation Act, and Village Settlement tenures call for little or no remark. They remain much the same as last year, with the exception of occupation leases, which have increased by twenty-seven in number, 862 acres in area, and £47 18s. 2<l. in annual rental. Small Grazing-runs have increased by twenty-two in number, 144,567 acres in area, and £2,147 8s 8d in annual rent, there now being in respect of ordinary Crown lands 295 selectors, with an aggregate area of 725.053 acres, at an annual rental of £15,478 17s. 4d. Of this area 528 553 acres arei included in the National Endowment scheme, held by 210 lessees, at an annual rental of £10,200 16s. lOd. The increase of holdings comprises for the most part the subdivisions ot the l.lacl.stone Hi 1, Lauder, Home Hills, and Lee St ream Runs, referred to in last year's report. There is no alteration in the number of small grazing-runs under the Land for Settlements Act. Pastoral Runs.— As compared with the previous year, ordinary pastoral runs show an increase of five in number 40 218 acres in area, and £843 7s. 4d. annual rent, there now being, exclusive of land for settlements and University and Clutha Trust endowment*, an aggregate.number 0.221 holders, with an area of 4,199,496 acres, at an annual rental of £26,447 7s. 2d. Of tins area 1,675,429 acres held by fifty-four lessees at an annual rental of £13,241 19s. 6d., come within the. National Endowment scheme In 1910 some tbirty-nine pastoral licenses will expire, comprising an aggregate area of 1 228 703 acres a considerable proportion of which will be dealt with at the end of the present year, either" for reletting as pastoral runs or retaining for closer settlement. The present annual rental of this area is £9 05*> 7s lOd the proportion for ordinary Crown lands being 506,695 acres at £..,649 os. M. per annum, for National Endowments 659,968 acres> £6,252 lis. Bd. per annum, and for Clutha Trust Endowment 12,040 acres at £150 10s. per annum. Renewable Teases.—The transactions under this system, which was inaugurated by the Land Laws Amendment Act of last session, have been limited, in so far as ordinary Crown lands are concerned, to one lease over 118 acres 3 roods, at £3 lis. 4d. per annum, and four village-homestead allotments, comprising 29 acres 3 roods' 24 perches, at £1 14s. per annum. Under the Land for Settlements Act however there have already'been sixty-three selections, with a total area of 46,269 acres, at an annual rental of £5 368 3s. 6d., embracing the allotments in the "Otekaike and Taumata Settlements, J the Meadowbank Settlement will furnish eight additional selectors over an area of 4,343 acres, at an annual rental of £890 ss. lOd.

51

C—l

National .Endowments. —ln terms of the National Endowments Act of last session the following aggregate areas of land at present under lease or license are embraced within the scheme as from the Ist April, 1908 :— Number. Area. Annual Rent. Renewable Lease— a. b. p. £ s. d. Ordinary Crown lands (rural) .. 118 3 0 11 4 Ordinary Crown lands (village homestead) .. .. 4 29 3 24 1 14 0 Small grazing-runs .. ..210 528,553 0 0 ' ).20i) 16 10 Pastoral runs .. .. .. 54 1,675,429 0 0 26,447 7 2 Totals .. ..269 2,204,130 2 24 36,653 9 4 Inspections and Rangers' Reports. The value of the improvements effected by selectors, as shown by the reports of the Crown Lands Rangers, is still largely in excess d the amount stipulated in the conditions under which the lands are held. A reference to the tables will show that at the date of the last inspections the excess over actual requirements in respect of the holdings inspected amounted to no less a sum than £86,187. This, of itself, must be regarded as eminently satisfactory. As regards the progress of settlement generally, it is pleasing to be able to state that, notwithstanding a considerable check through drought in the early part of the season, the final outcome of the year's operations has been of a favourable and successful character. The low price of wool is certainly a matter for regret, but as against that the prices for sheep have been good, while the proceeds from graingrowing and the dairying industry have been satisfactory. In confirmation of this, attention is directed to the following remarks of Crown Lands Ranger O'Neill :— '• Ordinary Crown Lands. —The past season has not been altogether favourable to settlers in the northern part of Otago. Owing to drought the ground was too hard to admit of seasonable cultivation. The spring set in dry, and, though the early part of the season showed promise of good grass, the continuance of drought and heat caused an unfortunate set-back. The grain-crops did fairly well until about January, but for want of rain the grain in many cases did not properly develop, the result being that yields came short of the general standard. In the Oamaru district many good yields of wheat have been obtained, and the grain is of excellent quality. The prices obtaining are good, and what the fa mer lost in point of small returns has been more than made up by the excellence of prices. The dairy industry also suffered greatly through the drought. The pastures did not get a fair chance during any part of the s'aason, hence milk-yields were low, and the cattle became poor in condition. Those following pastoral pursuits were heavy losers through the low price of wool, and many farmers received only half as much for their clips as they did the previous year. Good lambing percentages have been obtained, and the stock generally are now in fair condition. The root-crop has been poor, and, should a severe winter follow, it is to be feared that heavy losses of sheep may result through want of sufficient winter feed. "In the Central Otago district practically the same conditions exist. The drought has been severely felt, and has left provision for winter very short. An open mild winter, however, may be hoped for, and under such circumstances the loss of root-crops may not be so great. Perhaps the part of the central district most affected is the low-lying country, where in many cases the creeks actually ceased running. The higher or pastoral country escaped well —in fact, was the part that produced the only reliable feed during the past two seasons. " In the southern district the .season was much drier than usual, and many of the smaller streams dried up altogether. The south, however, has a better rainfall than the north or central, and it is also better adapted for resisting the direct effects of drought. Good grain-yields prevailed, and the rootcrops have done very well under the circumstances. Dairying has not been up to the usual standard in all caws, but some localitii s have more than held their own. " Generally speaking, the Crown tenants in Otago have made fair progress during the year. The grain-yields were not large, but the good prices more than made up for any loss in that direction. Smaller farmers and dairymen will feel the want of root-crops during the coming winter, but, as there is this year a much greater quantity of straw available than then- was last season, the loss of roots may not be "so badly felt. The settlers as a whole have no serious giievanccs, and their prospects arc good." With regard to the lakes district, Rang, r Mackenzie states that in the Hawea, Wanaka, and Tarras Districts the yield of grain has been exceptionally large this year, and of first-class quality. In the Shotover District continued drought caused generally poor crops, although the grain was of fair quality. At Earnslaw, Glenorchy, and Upper Wakatipu the crops were poor, the land being of inferior quality. In the Makarora District very little progress has been made, and the flax-mills have all but closed down. Although the season was a very dry one, the lakes district is upon the whole in a fair state of prosperity, and inquiries for land are being continually made. R nger Mackenzie in his report makes r to further matters as follows: "The prosperity of Cromwell and tin- Cluthi Valley depends greatly on water for irrigation. A private company is ring to proem ily from tie river, which will be a great boon if successful. Another thing urgently required is a fruit -preserving I fruit-growing, there being a deplorfruit under present conditions. There I thcr destructive fin- at the Rcre Like Bush, but tl first sup] the fire began close to the lake and ran wi 11 up the hill. Every effort has been made to trace the origin of these fires, but so far without success."

('. 1

52

Fires both as regards bush and grass have been frequent during the dry season, but the damage done in this district has not been anything like so great as represented in many cases. In fact, in not a few instances bush-burning has been attended with considerable advantage, assisting settlers in clearing their land, and thus paving the way for grass-sowing, &c. It is quite true that there have been cases of hardship, and assistance in providing grass-seed for resowing has been tendered and in a few instances accepted. Rebates of Rent. From the Table of Rebates it will be seen that the total amount remitted during the year was £.'1.570 Is. 9d., as against £2,924 4s. 3d. the previous year. Of that amount the sum of £639 13s. 4d. was granted to 1,138 tenants on ordinary Crown lands holding 253,647 acres, and the balance (£2,930 Bs. 5d.) to 531 tenants holding 112,473 acres under the Land for Settlements Act. The amount of rebates in respect of the latter class of tenure will necessarily increase year by year as additional estates are opened for selection, the rentals of which are of course much higher than those of ordinary Crown lands. Arrears of Rent. It must be patent from the fact that the receipts for the year were so largely in excess of the estimate that the amount of outstanding rents is comparatively small. The total amount owing on the 31st March, exclusive of the current half-year, was only £1,382 2s. Bd. for all tenures, £474 13s. (id. in respect of ordinary Crown lands owing by sixty-nine tenants, and £907 9s. 2d. on account of land for settlements owing by thirty tenants. This is less than the previous year by £327 os. 5d., notwithstanding the fact that there are now 232 holdings on the books. The granting of rebates is doubtless accountable in a large measure for the smallness of the amount of arrears, which would certainty be smaller still if the same concessions were made in the case of small grazing-runs, as previously pointed out. The percentage of tenants in arrear is 2-5 and the amount owing 1-3 per cent. of the total annual rental. Forfeitures and Surrenders. During the year there were 36 forfeitures and surrenders over a total area of 100,191 acres at an annual rental of £912 Is. 10d., 7 more in number than the previous year, but less in acreage and rental by 85,781 acres and £807 respectively. Of 31 forfeitures, 9 were for non-compliance with conditions as to residence, &c, 21 for non-payment of rent, and 1 for abandonment ; and of 5 surrenders, 2 were for subdivisional purposes, 1 for sale of land, 1 for reduction of capital value, and 1 for grouping purposes. The aggregate number, therefore, of forfeitures for breach of conditions is relatively small, and bears favourable comparison with the transactions of former years. Transfers. Tie- number of transactions by way of transfers continues to afford evidence of considerable traffic in Crown leases and change of tenants, the following being the numbers and areas under this head in respect of the various tenures for the past year : — .. . Area. Acres. Perpetual leases . . .. 32 3.672 Occupation with right of purchase 14 1,454 Lease in perpetuity (ordinary Crown lands) . . . . 70 18,003 (land for scttlenu tits) .. . . 63 8,785 Occupation leases (Mining Districts Land Occupatio t).. 16 848 Small grazing-runs .. .. .. •• ..37 132.824 Pastoral runs .. .. .. .. .. 36 1,761,918 Miscellaneous .. .. .. .. •• 39 41,242 297 1.968.746 During 1906-7 the total number of transfers was 229. covering an area of 949,686 acres. There is therefore an increase nf sixty-eight transfers during 1907-8. the area dealt with bi ing greater by 1.019.160 acres. Reserves, Forests, btc All aggregate area of 1,195 acres has been gazetted during the year lor various purposes, 39 acres being under " The Scenery Preservation Act, 1903," 988 acn a for State forests, and 168 acres for schoolsites and other public purposes. A total area of 4,612 acres has now been proclaimed under the Scenery Preservation Act. During the year negotiations were conclude d for the purchase of an area of 176 acres situated on the banks of the Taieri River a few miles below Henley. This land was formerly part of the Native reserve, and contains some very handsome bush. The well-known " Maori Leap " forms part of it. In the vicinity of Dunedin the reserves fortunately escaped damage from bush-fires during the recent dry season. The question of fencing off the reserves where necessary is receiving attention, and steps are also being taken to afford easier access to some of the hilltops near the city. Worki.rs' Dwellings—Windle Settlement. Altogether twenty houses have been erected, and these have all been occupied at one time or another. At 31st March last eighteen houses were occupied and two were vacant, but since that date one house has been taken, leaving only one vacant house in the settlement. Each house contains five rooms and a bath-room, and the rents range from 10s. 6d. to lis. 7d. per week, including fire-insurance premium and local rates. There are seven different designs, twelve houses being of one story and eight of two stories. The one-story houses are more popular and let much more readily than the twostory ones.

C—l

Tin- following figures give particulars at 31st March, 1908 : — Number of houses erected, 20 ; number occupied. 18. Receipts. £ a. d. Rents 359 17 6 Rents for grazing ol vacant sections .. .. ..100 Fire-insurance premiums •■ . . 12 14 8 Total £373 12 2 Arrears of rent . . . . • • • • £ 21 15 3 General Review. In reviewing the veai's transactions .mil tin- progress of settlement generally throughout the district, much the same features present themselves as those that characterised the remarks made in last year's report. The continuance of steady and solid progress, the same unsatisfied demand for land of a suitable quality for elos.-settlement purposes, the same buoyancy of revenue, the same conditions as to rents outstanding with still hopeful prospects as to the future, constitute what may be regarded as a thoroughly satisfactory outlook in the matter of land-settlement in this district. One of the chief features of the year's transactions was the inauguration of the renewable-lease system under the provisions of " The Land Laws Amendment -Vet, 1907," but it is yet too early to comment on the success or otherwise of this iv w method of leasing. The fact, however, remains, that, whatever system of leasim. be adopted, there is likely to be a constant demand for the land. Upon the whole there is every reason to be satisti d with the general progress made throughout Otago during the past year. Departmental. There is a constantly increasing amount of administrative work in connection with the business now intrusted to this Department. The rapid growth of the land-for-settlcmcnts scheme, with its numerous csl .< 8 or settlements necessitating so many separate accounts, the negotiations and oversight in regard to scenery-preservation, irrigation. National Endowmi nts. and various other matters. involve a great amount of time and attention. The volume of correspondence and general clerical work in this office is now very large, and entails a great amount of work and care on the whole staff. I have great pleasure in again testifying to the efficient services of all officers in both the lands and survcv branches of the office. Through the e.oming into force of the Civil Service Superannuation Act, Messrs. Reade, McKenzie, II i low, and MicGoun have been advised of their retirement. All these officers have done good work dining tie- many rears they have been in the service, and their loss will be severely felt in this district. Mr. Reade has been Receiver of Land Revenue for, I understand, nearly forty years, a great part of th time being spent in this office. The duties carried out by him have been exceedingly onerous and r sponsible. The methods adopted by him have been so system tic and complete that the work has been done to the satisfaction of all concerned. Ringer .Mckenzie, who also n tires, has been a valued and trusted officer in the goldfields portion of this district. His intimate knowledge of the requirements of sell!-ment has been of great assistance to the Land Board and myself. Messrs. MacGoun and Harlow have also been diligent and painstaking in the work intrusted to them. 1). Barron, Commissioner of Crown Lands. SOUTHLAND. Before entering upon my report oi the transactions of the pas. financial year it is fitting that I should refer to the somewhat sudden and unexpected death of mv predecessor, the late Mr. John Bay. \fter an illness which extended over two months, and was not lor some time considered serious. he passed away on the Ist August. 1907, deeply lamented by his family and friends. His loss was keenly felt by all his officers, and very numerous expressions of sympathy and regret came from all over the district and from many parts of the Dominion. By his kindliness, his goodness ol heart, and his .renial manner he endeared himself to all with whom he came in contact, and he gamed their respect by his conscientious and straightforward administration. Throughoit the district 1 find that the Crown tenants used to look to him for advice, and feel his loss to be that of a personal friend. Lands disposed of. The following tabulated suiumarv of the lands disposed of, and other transactions during the financial year ended 31st March. 1908. shows a falling-off in the number of selections made, which is partly attributable to unavoidable delay in opening lands to selection which it was hoped would be offered before the end of the year under review, and to the withdrawal from selection of lands previously open, in consequence of the passing of " The Land Laws Amendment Act, 1907." Nevertheless, the total results for the year are eminently satisfactory, the gross revenue being £32,073 Bs. Bd,

53

C.—l

54

which gives an increase of £4,829 1s. 9d. on the preceding year, while the increase in the number of selectors in the district is thirty-three.

Lands opened for Sale or Selection. The area opened for sale or selection for the first time during the year was 3,653 acres, which included 117 aces on the optional system, all of which was selected; 472 acres for cash by auction, of which 463 acres were sold ; and burned-bush areas grassed by the Department which were offered on temporary lease, the greater portion of which has been taken up. The area opened during the year of lands which had been previously offered was 13,236 acres ; of this area 1.329 acres were under the optional system, of which 669 acres were selected; 477 acres of village-homestead lands were offered on renewable lease, of which 76 acres were selected. Two pastoral runs containing 9.851 acres were offered, one of 2.711 acres being purchased : the other is on the west coast of Stewart Island, and probably will remain unselected for some time. The operations in connection with the several tenures are summarised as follows :— Amongst the areas sold for cash was the greater part of the Township of Greenhills, on the Inver-cargill-Blufi Railway line, which had lain unused and unsought for a number of years, a considerable

Transactions during the Area held under Lease at, Slst Vriu. March, 1908. Gross Revenue Nature of Selections. ived during tin- Year. Number. Area. Number. Area. Cash by auction ... 37 l,0Si 2 19 ... 1,178 2 7 Cash by application . ... 6 1,155 3 35 ... ... o31 2 9 Deferred payments ... 4 5,946 1 14 li>, 8 6 Perpetual lease ... ... •• 58 9,624 3 7 367 8 Perpetual lease made freehold 6 2,348 0 i ... 1,796 5 7 Occupation with right of pur 14 3,114 3 22 324 73,250 1 16 1,449 9 4 chase Occupation with right of pur- 1 168 1 26 ... ... 116 10 7 chase made freehold Lease in perpetuity ... 11 1,100 1211 345 101,998 2 10 2,050 6 , Exchange to lease in perpetuity 2 11 0 L6 ... ... ••• Occupation lease (Mining Die 1 31 2 28 42 1,201 3 12 109 b 5 tricts Land Occupation Art i Village settlements — Deferred payments made free- 1 10 8 6 ... ... 13 14 4 hold Perpetual lease ... 74 1,006 3 30 134 6 5 Perpetual lease made freehold 6 83 1 23 ... ... L98 11 3 Occupation with right of pur- ... ... 1 3 0 21 1 9 11 Renewable lease 9 76 1 29 9 76 1 29 Lease in perpetuity .12 251 3 15 305 4,781 114 888 18 8 Exchange to lease in per- 5 16 1 26 petuity Village - homestead special ... ... 46 523 3 34 127 4 6 settlement Improved-farm settlement ... 45 1.732 1 16 302 4 9 Small grazing-runs (National ... ... 19 64,436 0 13 764 10 0 Endowment) n „ , . Pastoral runs (ordinary) 11 147,584 0 0 65 702,188 1 0 3,952 1b 5 Pastoral runs (National Endow- ... ... 26 668,660 0 0 Miscdfaneousleases and licenses 69 3,304 1 32 387 32,958 0 11 1,455 19 9 Timber-cutting ... ... i 11,585,456s. ft. ... 4,028 12 7 Other miscellaneous revenue ... ... ... ■ ■■ ••• 53o 18 11 Totals ordinary Crown 187 163,113 130 1,753 1,671,338 130 19,670 7 6 lands Land for settlements — Lease in perpetuity LO 2,757 3 18 234 48,712 0 36 10,127 2 11 Small grazing-runs- 2 2,808 1 0 210 12 4 Miscellaneous 1 0 2 2 11 1,166 3 39 639 10 7 163,113 1 30 1,753 1,671,338 48,712 2,808 1,166 1 30 0 36 1 0 % 39 19,670 7 6 10,127 2 11 210 12 4 639 10 7 2,757 6 2 2 234 2 11 — j i 10,977 5 10 Totals land for settle- ; 11 2,758 1 20 247 52,687 0 35 10,977 5 10 ments Endowments ... 1 310 1 5 69 131,332 3 37 1,425 15 4 2,75s 1 20 247 52,687 0 35 310 1 5 69 131,332 3 37 1,425 15 4 Gross totals ... 199 166,482 0 15 2,069 1,855,358 2 22 32,073 8 8 166,482 0 15 2,069 1,855,358 2 22 32,073 8 8

C—l

55

proportion of the land being deep swamp, or swampy scrub hunL The. who c township was resur veyed, and the unsold portions reclassified as part suburban and part rural lan*^C«eK^ auction with the result that of 46 acres suburban land 31 have been sold, and of 220 acres of rural duri ng the ',-:!. a decrlase of thirteen as compared with la the number of selectors ...,1tlie tenure remains the sane' a- I.i-t vi-at VIE., 324. , / ;::;;,. „, s?** b.seiec,,,,, ,100- ; --* - = of twenty-one on those of last year. The net area now held on his tenure 18 01,998 .v r, s th, numln of lessees hei,,- 345 which is an increase of eight lessees over the number holding last year. V/l -Tin- total number of lessees in the numerous village settlements in this district is 438 De mi an increase of nine on the preceding year. Twenty-one new selections were made dur ntr the war t.me of which wee on renewable lease. The total area held is 6,392 acres. PrTfliT-The number of pastoral-run licenses held is ninety-one, covering an area of 1 370 ad vie ling an annual rental of £4,152 19s. 4d. Of these, twenty-six have been brought under theSriWof " flu- National Endowment Act, 1907." One pastoral run containing 159 700 acres! and Chalky Inlets, was forfeited, and the area has since been added to the West Coast National Park. The Bush and Swamp Crown Lands Settlement Act. The total area opened to selection under this Act during the year was 768 acres, comprising 135 acres heavy bush land, 93 acres scrub land, and 540 acres swamp land. £ area held being 21,995 Sfv^ft an r oui'd I ttv liavelt made any fmproveLents. wan, of ~ ad-access being the ably morethan , • W( th a ,. ( , r( . sldlll , iulj()lulllg . |he to-uTval!.::;■;.;; 2 £4,295 8, 6d., being £2,568 -fs. in excess ... the reipnred improvements. " The National Endowment Act, 1907." In accordance with the provisions of this Act, 670,000 acres of pastoral country have been set apart for the Act, P the whole of which is held under license, and returns an annual rental of £U Nin;.,cen small grazing-runs. containing 64,436 acres and yielding an annual rental of £735 17s. 10d., are also brought under * rf *hjs on contaim 76 ,7 H)s. g 6d., come within the provisions of the National Endowment Act. Rebates of Kent. . )„ ordinary Crown land rebates of rent for prompt payment were made to 644 lessees, the amount bein l?iTndtr 2 s d ettlements the rebates made to 181 tenant* amounted to £764 10s. Id Arrears of Rent. T |„. „„„,„« ol ice. «1 ordinary Crown tad. in arr,.r i. thirtv-nv,, th. tot*, .mount « decrease of £359 3s. 2d. on last year. Forfeitures and Surrenders. +.- 1,..,5es -md licenses over ordinary Crown lands were forfeited, the area bein !Z%SIZZ pastor 5 containing 159,700 acres. One lease under he Land for Settlements Act was forfeited, area 253 acres There were four surrenders of ordinary Crown leases, area 181 acres. Freehold Titles issued. The number of provisional titles issued by the Receiver of Land Revenue during the year was fifty-seven, tt area purchased being 4,101 acres, under the tenures shown by the following table :- Selectors. „ ~ Tenure. *• ■ .' 1 10 3 6 Deferred payment .. ■• . g ~ ~,,, , .„, Perpetual lease •• •• •■ |(>8 1 26 Occupation right of .. -• . ( . Cash under " The Land Act, 1892 .. • ■ ™ g .... Auction sales • ■ ■ • • • " 57 4,101 2 18

C—l

56

Transfers. The total number of transfers approved during the year was 187, the area dealt with being 388,320 acres, comprising lands held under the tenure' shown hereunder : — Vraa Tenure. '■'"-" v R . p. Lease in perpetuity .. .. •• '" 17,601 3 .'1 Occupation with nght'of purchase .. .. .. 4,309 125 Perpetual lease .. ■• •• 16 2,752 0 4 Lease in perpetuity, land for settlements .. .. 22 2,998 216 Pastoral licenses .. .. .. .. .. 31 355,738 0 0 Certificates ol occupation .. .. .. .. 1 796 1 9 Deferred paymen. .. .. .. •• •• 6 i 36 Miscellaneous licenses .. .. .. •• 20 1,004 2 14 Small grazing-runs .. .. .. .. • • 2 2,594 2 0 Mining District Land Occupation Act .. .. .. 3 117 3 13 Sawmill licenses . . . . . . • • 2 400 0 0 Totals 187 388,319 3 21 Selectors on the Books. The total number of Crown tenants in this district is 2.069. comprising 1.753 on ordinary Crow, lands holding 1.671.338 acres; 217 on land-loi-scttlements estates holding 52.(587 acres, and 69 lessees of endowment lands holding 131.333 acres. The total area held is 1.855.358 acres. Ranoers' Inspections. The Crown Lands Rangers have made 591 inspections of selectors' holdings on lite mainland, covering an area of 112.577 acres, and their reports in the main have been very satisfactory, the large majority of the lessees having complied with the conditions of leases and made improvements considerably in excess of the value required. ' Ranger Traill has reported on t went v-loiir Crown tenants on Stewart Island, who hold 2.937 acres. and have made improvements to the value of £3,81 I 18s.. which is £2,162 in excess of the requirements. The position of the selectors may be reckoned as fairly satisfactory, Considering the conditions under which they live. Reservations. During the year under review 252.875 acres were permanently reserved. Of this area 43.966 acres in the Jacob's River Hundred and the Waiau and Longwood Survey Districts were reserved for scenic purposes, and 208,650 acres on Stewart Island were reserved for the preservation of the fauna and Bora : the balance of the total area was reserved for various public purposes. Land proposki. to BE opesed FOB Settlement. The block of land in Invercargill Hundred. Blocks XXIII and XXIV, mentioned in last year's report, comprising some 6.500 acres, has now been surveyed and will be thrown open during the ensuing year. ~ , , , An area of 10,000 acres in Blocks VI and XI. Alton Survey District, has been under survey, and this block will also be opened during the year. There is a strip of land between Longwood and Orepuki, of some 4,000 to 5.000 acres in extent, which has up till recently been held as sawmill areas, but as the timber has now been cut out the land has-become available lor settlement. A start has accordingly been made with the survey of this I,lock, and it is expected that the greater part will be placed iv the market during the year. Departmental. .lust before the close of the financial year Mr. Duncan Campbell, Crown Lands Ranger, gave notice of his intention to retire on the 13th June next. By the time of his retirement Mr. Campbell will have completed sixteen years' continuous service in this office. He originally joined the public service in 188. end served for several years as Koresl Ranger. Office Work.— Without entering into details of figures, which are generally uninteresting, I may state that the volume of the inward ami outward correspondence and other matters dealt with by the clerical branch has largely increased, and has taxed to the utmost the energies of the several officers employed therein. The writing-up of the new allotment-books, a work that has occupied some considerable time and entailed much search and careful investigation, has been completed, and the books will be of much use in the future. In conducting this report. I would wish to acknowledge my indebtedness to all the officers of the Department lor the manner m which they have assisted me. By the willing way in which they have placed their services and local knowledge at my disposal they have made the taking-up of mv duties here as Commissioner much easier, and for this I now take the opportunity of thanking them. E. H. WILMOT, Commissioner of Crown Lands

57

α-i

APPENDIX lI.—LAND FOR SETTLEMENTS (REPORTS OF COMMIS SIONERS OF CROWN LANDS ON). AUCKLAND. The farms in these settlements continue to show that the settlers are prosperous. There is only one settlement (Okauia) which cannot be classed as a success and has not advanced during the year. On the other hand Opouriao, Matamata, Fencourt, &c, show most encouraging results, and the outlook generally is as favourable as could be wished. Workers' Hamlets. The reports this year show a decided improvement in these hamlets, and with the exception of Waari there appears to be a general tone of improvement, and the prospects of the hamlets are more encouraging. New Settlements. The new settlements which have not yet been held a year, and which in consequence have not been inspected in detail, are Waimana, Teasdale, and Rewi. Ranger's Reports. The Ranger reports on the several settlements as follows :— Opouriao Settlement. —This settlement is one of the most progressive in the North Island. There are two large cheese-factories and one butter-factory which are supplied with milk from this settlesettlement. In spite of the dry season the average output has been a good one for the year. In the early stage of the settlement the settlers tried maize-growing, but the summer frosts which the Opouriao Valley is subjected to played havoc with the crops. Then they turned their attention to dairying, and since that date the settlers have all prospered, and during the past year have erected six milkingmachines on the settlement, at a cost of £1,771. Nearly every selector is a married man with a family. They have built themselves good homes, so the future prospect of this settlement is a bright one. Okauia Settlement. —This is the poorest settlement we have, and is situated seven miles from Matamata Railway-station. I cannot report any advancement during the year —in fact, there is a deficiency in improvements ; land that has been cleared and grassed for some years has gone back again almost to a state of nature, and fences are very bad. One settler supplies milk to a creamery about six miles away, while the remainder go in for grazing. Prospects are not promising. Rangiatea Settlement. —This settlement, which is situated in the Te Aroha district, has now been in existence nine years, and the Auckland-Paeroa Railway runs through the centre of it. The improvements effected by the settlers and exclusive of those originally on the land are valued at £9,697. The principal industry of this settlement and the main source of revenue is dairying, but unfortunately, owing to the drought last summer, the milk-supply was far less than during the previous year. The area in white crops this year yielded a good average considering the dryness of the spring and summer, but the green crops suffered considerably, and very few of the settlers had anything approaching a crop. The roads through this settlement are in very good order ; all things considered this is a prosperous little settlement, and the settlers appear to be satisfied with the conditions and prospects. Karapiro Settlement. —This settlement is within a mile of Cambridge Railway-station and is 100 miles from Auckland by train. The land is of good quality and suitable for any kind of farming. There are two creameries within a mile of the settlement, and dairying is the principal source of revenue. The roads are metalled and in good order. The conditions are satisfactorily filled in all cases, and the settlement is prosperous. Fencourt Settlement. —Situated three miles from Cambridge Township and 100 miles from Auckland by rail. There is a creamery on the settlement and a butter-factory adjoining, and with the exception of two settlers all are suppliers of milk. Owing to the exceedingly dry season experienced there has been a considerable decrease in the milk-supply. The Drainage Board formed about twelve months ago has almost completed the main drain through the settlement, and it has proved a great benefit to settlers. A great deal of low-lying land hitherto useless in winter has now been brought under the plough, and some of the best land in the settlement can now be made productive. Some good white crops were grown and well saved. Roads through the settlement are in very good order. This settlement has proved very successful. Whitehall Settlement. —Situated about six miles from Cambridge Township, which is 100 miles from Auckland by rail. The land consists of rolling downs of good quality, and first-class stock-raising and sheep land. There is no creamery on this settlement; two of the settlers take their milk to the nearest creamery, about six miles away. The remainder go in solely for cattle and sheep raising, and there are no white crops grown ; 286 acres of green crops were looking remarkably well. The settlers appear satisfied, and have good prospects before them. Bickerstaffe Settlement. —This settlement is now three years in existence, and is situated in the Otamatea, Matakohe, Waipu, and Hukatere Survey Districts, and about eighty-three miles north of Auckland. The area of level land is small, no crops of any description are grown. Most of the settlers have cream-separators of their own, and the cream is taken either to Maungaturoto or Whakapirau

B—C. 1.

C—l.

58

factories. There is a tendency among the settlers to relinquish the dairying industry and return to sheep and cattle raising. Roads in the settlement are in good order. The settlers have made good improvements, and the prospects are promising. Matamata Settlement. —This settlement is situated on the Auckland-Rotorua Railway, 122 miles from Auckland. The improvements effected by the selectors are valued at £37,039 165., as against £5,577 Is. required by Act. Dairying is the main source of revenue. The settlement has suffered somewhat from the dry season, and there was a marked decrease in the supply of milk to the creameries, of which there are three on the settlement. Last year four were in operation, but this year one did not start. A large area of oats was sown, and good crops harvested ; turnip-crops were poor, and in many instances had to be sown a second time. A much-needed want has been supplied—viz., a new school (making two on the settlement), it having been erected during the last year, and having an attendance of eighteen children. All the roads are in good order. The settlers appear to be all prosperous, and the success of the settlement is assured. Selwyn Settlement. —This settlement is situated about 140 miles from Auckland on the AucklandRotorua Railway line/and has been in existence two years. The creamery on the settlement has been working since the commencement of the season, but the supply of milk has been only moderate. Most of the grass on this settlement was running out, and the settlers have broken up old pasture and put in during the hist twelve months 344 acres of new grass ; 296 acres of green crops had been sown, but owing to the dry season were comparatively a failure. White crops, comprising an area of 176 acres, were generally light owing to the dry summer, but the settlement appears to be in a satisfactory condition. Mangapouri Settlement. —This settlement, now just one year in existence, is situated in Piako County, and adjoins the Township of Tirau, which is 134 miles from Auckland by train. The soil is light sandy loam on sandstone. For a settlement in its infancy substantial improvements and buildings have been made and erected. There is a creamery on the edge of the settlement, and the majority of the settlers are suppliers. Dairying I consider will be the main source of revenue, the formation of the country being admirably suited for that purpose. Fencing has gone on rapidly, and there does not appear to be any reason why the settlement should not be a success. Mangawhero Settlement. —This settlement, which was opened for selection on the 25th March, 1907, is situated in the Piako County, and convenient to Matamata Railway-Station and Township. It is principally level to undulating country, of light loamy nature, resting on sandstone. There is a creamery in the centre of the settlement to which, with three exceptions, the selectors are suppliers of milk. The settlers arc all hardworking and energetic, and for the short time they have been in occupation have effected good and substantial improvements, and there is every reason to believe that in a short space of time this settlement will compare favourably with any in the district. Mcthuen Hamlet is situated near Avondale, which is a quarter of a mile distant. During the year several new homes have been erected, and building is still being carried on. Unfortunately two fires occurred and completely destroyed houses, but since then one has been re-erected at considerable cost. The buildings are all of a substantial character and very suitable for the holders. The improvements are excellent. j. Kitchener Hamlet is situated about six miles from Auckland. All the sections but one are occupied, and good houses are erected thereon. The land is of good quality. The improvements are well in advance of requirements, and selectors appear to be well satisfied with their holdings. Plumer Hamlet is situated at Henderson, fourteen miles from Auckland by rail. All the sections but one are taken up and good substantial houses built thereon. One settler utilises his holding for a poultry-farm and others go in for gardening, the land being very suitable. This hamlet is permanent and progressive. ii If Waari Hamlet is fourteen miles from Auckland by road or rail. The land is poor. Only eight sections have been taken up, five of which have comfortable houses erected thereon. The prospects of this settlement do not appear so bright, on account of the sections being small for the class of country, but the lots not taken are being grouped. Hetana Hamlet is within half a mile of New I.vim Station. This place has greatly improved since last year, several new buildings being put up and sections fenced. Most of the holders are labourers and work in the vicinity. The prospects are very hopeful considering the amount of improvements effected during the past year. Cradock Hamlet is six miles from Auckland, the land being fairly good. The buildings are very substantial, and improvements far exceed the requirements. On the whole I consider this place permanent and satisfactory to the tenants for residences. J. Mackenzie, Commissioner of Crown Lands. HAWKE'S BAY. Raureka Settlement. —This settlement, which was part of the Frimley Estate, was placed in the market in May, 1896. The area purchased was 427 acres 2 roods. The number of selectors is 19, and total population 99. Number of stock, 1,173, comprising 994 sheep, 101 cattle, 48 horses, and 30 pigs. Area in orchards, 12 acres ; area in white and green crops, 67 acres ; area ploughed and sown down in permanent pasture, 320 acres. There are eighteen dwellinghouses, of a total value of £2,815. The value of improvements effected by selectors amounts to £5,115 10s., as against £4,228 13s. required by law. Dairying and fruit-growing are the principal sources of income, and the settlement generally is prospering.

59

A—i

Elsthorpe Settlement.—The Elsthorpe Settlement is situated about thirty miles south of Napier, and the main road from to the sea-coast at Kairakau'Vuns through the property. It is distant from the railway about fourteen miles, with access thereto by good gravelled drayroad the whole distance. The settlement was opened for selection on the 24th June, 1896.. The area purchased was 9,740 acres. The present number of selectors is 47 ; total population,»lo7.' Number of sheep, 24,100 ; horses, 165 ; cattle, 600 ; pigs, 20. Area in grass, 9,050 acres ; area in white and green crops, 35 acres 3 roods ; balance bush and scrub. There are twenty-seven dwellinghouses in the settlement, of a total value of £4,500. The improvements effected by the settlers, and exclusive of those originally on the ground, are valued at £14,140 55., as against £8,226 ss. 6d. required by law. Mutton and wool growing are the principal sources of income to the settlers, who have continued to prosper from the inception of the settlement. Pouparae Settlement. —This settlement contains 337 acres 3 roods 4 perches, and it is situated on the main Ormond Road. It was opened for selection in April, 1897, in nine holdings, the whole of which have been selected. Nine dwellinghouses have bee, erected, and nine selectors are residing. There are at present fifty-two persons on the settlement. Seventy-six acres are under crop, the balance being laid down in permanent grass. The improvements effected are valued at £4,245 Is., as against £859 6s. 3d. required by the Act. This settlement has had another successful year, and the high prices for produce have been well sustained. Waimarie Settlement (Poverty Bay District).—This settlement contains 430 acres 2 roods 10 perches, and is situated about ten miles from Gisborne on the,main Ormond-OpotiM Road. Sixteen of the selectors reside on their holdings and two on adjoining sections. There are at present sixty-seven persons living on the settlement, and there arc sixteen dwellinghouses besides fifteen other buildings. The improvements effected are yalued*at £3.507 10s., as against £1,086 19s. 3d. required by the Axt. Only a few of the sections are large enough for the selectors to make a living on. the remainder being utilised as homes, the selectors finding work in the locality. Willows Stlt/ement. —This settlement is situated about four miles from Gisborne. It contains 775 acres 1 rood 36 perches, and was offered for selection in March, 1899. All the selectors are residing either on their allotments or on the adjoining sections. The improvements effected arc valued at £5,994, as against £1,913 4s. 7d. required by the Act. The principal industry of this settlement is dairying, and the settlers have had a most successful year. Number of persons, 78. Tomoana Settlement.— This settlement, which was part of the Frimley Estate, is situated near Hastings, and was placed in the market on the 2nd March, 1898. The area purchased was 111 acres 3 roods 38 perches. Number of occupied sections, 13 ; total population, 61. Total number of stock, 197, comprising 52 sheep, 18 horses, 82 cattle, and 45 pigs. Area in grass, 83 acres, out of which 33 acres have been ploughed, cropped, and again laid down in permanent pasture by the settlers ; area in white and green crops, 5J acres ; orchards and gardens, 20 acres. There are twelve dwellinghouses in the settlement, of a total value of £2,460. Eleven selectors are residing on their holdings. An apiary has been started on one of the sections, comprising at the present time some forty colonies. The improvements required by the Act amount to £310 Bs. and the value eif biprovements effected to £3,701 10s., showing a further increase in the value of improvements effected during the year. The season has been on the whole a favourable one for fruit, but too dry for dairying operations. Mahora Settlement.— This settlement, which was originally part of the Frimley Estate, is situated near Hastings, and was opened for selection on the 22nd March, 1899. The area purchased was 1,133 acres 3 roods. Number of selectors, 34 ; total population, 150. Number of stock, 3,840, comprising 3,204 sheep, 325 cattle, 94 horses, and 217 pigs. Area in grass, 870 acres, out of which 367 acres have been ploughed and resown in permanent pasture ; area in white and green crops, 183 acres ; and in orchards, 39 acres. All the sections are now taken up. There are thirty-two dwellinghouses, valued at £6,705. The improvements effected by selectors are valued at £11,680 55., as against £9,527 effected last year ; and the value of improvements required by law amounts to £3,466 7s. 2d. Dairying and fruit-growing are a steady source of income. One of the settlers is secretary to the Hawke's Bay Beekeepers' Association. He has on the ground eighty colonies of bees, and his output of honey for the past season was 2 tons, which sold locally at from 4Jd. to sd. per pound. The Mahora North school has a large attendance of pupils, and another school at Mahora South is now being arranged for. Hatuma Settlement. —This settlement is situated fifty-nine miles - from Napier, on the main trunk railway between Wellington and Napier, and lies near Waipukurau and between Oruawharo and Arlington Estates. It was placed on the market on the 25th April, 1901. The area purchased was 26,522 acres 3 roods 20 perches. The number of occupied sections is 59 ; total population, 259. Number of sheep, 48,657 ; horses, 283 ; cattle 1,376 ; pigs, 36. Area in grass, 22,800 acres, out of which 2,150 acres have been ploughed, cropped, and laid down again in permanent English grasses; white and green crops, 1,874 acres ; balance scrub. There are fifty-nine dwellinghouses in the settlement, valued at £14,123. The improvements effected are £40,492, as against £23,905 required by the Act. The value of improvements effected during the year amounts to nearly £2,000. Mutton and wool growing are the principal source of income to the settlers. Notwithstanding the dry season, the settlement is in a very prosperous condition. Manga-a-toro Settlement. —This settlement is situated in the southern end of the Hawke's Bay District, about eleven miles from Dannevirke Township and Railway-station, and was acquired from the Assets Realisation Board by the Government under the Land for Settlements Act. The area purchased was 19,581 acres 3 roods 12 perches. The number of occupied sections is 26 ; the total population is 114. Total number of stock, 32,432, comprising 30,630 sheep, 192 horses, 1,605 cattle, and 5 pigs. The area in grass is 16,000 acres, of which 3,000 acres has been regrassed, anel 550 acres of bush felled and sown ; area in white and green crops, 797 acres ; balance bush and scrub. All the sections are occupied. There are twenty-five dwellinghouses, or a total value of £7,380. Value of

C—l

60

improvements required by the Act amounts to £6,200 Bs. 10d., whilst those effected are £24,961 9s. 9d., and show an amount of £1,793 12s. as having been expended on improvements during the year. The Manga-a-toro Stream flowing through the settlement is now well stocked with fish, and during thjs season many visitors from outside the district have obtained some excellent trout-fishing. The settlement is prosperous, and settlers are in good heart. The Ongaha Road, giving an outlet to Dannevirke, has been formed for dray traffic, and the work of metalling is now in hand. Kumeroa Settlement. —This settlement was acquired from Mr. Thomas Crosse under the Land for Settlements Act, and was opened for application on the 12th May, 1902. The area purchased was 3,744 acres 2 roods 38 perches. The number of occupied sections is 15 ; total population, 75. Number of stock, 7,313, comprising 6,s7Bjsheep, 521 cattle, 65 horses, and 209 pigs. The area in grass is 3,598 acti s ; area in white and green crops, 61 acres 3 roods ; the balance bush, swamp, and scrub. The settlement is distant about six miles from Woodville by good metalled dray-road, the roads through the settlement being also metalled. There are fourteen dwellinghouses, of a of £3,010. Thirteen selectors are residing on their holdings, and one (a married woman) resides with her husband on land adjoining her section. The improvements effected are valued at £6,423 125., as against £1,655 6s. Bd. required by the Act. There are two creameries kept busy during the season, and the prici s ruling for butter-fat are 9d. and lOd. per pound. A Drainage Board has been constituted and engineering surveys completed, so that in all probability contracts will be let shortly for swamp.vela mat ion work. Forest Gate Settlement. —This settlement is situated in the western portion of the Hawke's Bay District, distant about fifty miles from Napier by rail and road, and ten miles from Waipawa Township and Railway-station. The area purchased was 8,822 acres and 13 perches. Number of occupied sections 28 ; total population, 103. Number of sheep, 14,840 ; horses, 160 ; cattle, 570 ; and pigs, 30. .Area in grass, 7,600 acres, out of which 1,456 acres have been ploughed and again laid down in permanent pasture ; area in white and green crops, 700 acres ; balance, light bush and scrub. This settlement was opened for selection on the 19th May, 1902. The value of improvements effected is estimated at £12,488 16s. 7d., as against £2,489 15s. required by law. There are twenty-five dwellinghouses, valued at £4,150, and nineteen settlers are resident on their holdings. The settlement is in a prosperous condition, notwithstanding the recent drought experienced this season in Hawke's Bay and elsewhere. Argyll Settlement. —This settlement, which was opened for selection on the 26th June, 1903, is situated in the Waipawa County, and is distant six miles from Waipawa Township, three miles from Kaikora North, and nine miles and a half from Pukehou Railway-station. The area purchased was 33,705 acres I rood 30 perches. The number of occupied sections is 62 ; total population, 255. Number of sheep, 51,724; horses, 458; cattle, 2,596; pigs, 150. Area in grass, 4,000 acres, out of which 1,000 acres have been ploughed, cropped, and again sown down in permanent pasture ; area in white and green crops, 3,198 acres ; balance scrub. There are sixty dwellinghouses in the settlement, valued at £11,915. The improvements required by law amount to £9,272, and the improvements effected are valued at £42,385, including £4,071 2s. estimated value of original improvements. Improvements to the value of £6,500 have been effected during the year, and the carrying-capacity of the settlement is increased by 7,664 sheep, 157 horses, and 60 cattle. Wigan Settlement (Poverty Bay District). —This estate is situated about eight miles from the Town of Buckley (Tologa Bay) and about forty-three miles from Gisborne, and contains 10,072 acres 1 rood 37 perches, and is divided into seventeen allotments. It was offered for selection in December, 1903. This settlement is purely pastoral country. Fourteen of the selectors are residing on the estate ; of the remainder, two are spinsters and reside with their parents in the locality, the third is residing at present with her husband in Taranaki. There are forty-nine persons living on the estate. The selectors have effected improvements to the value of £8,605 which with the original improvements makes a total value of £13,282 Is. lid., as against £3,418 19s. lOd. required by the Act. This is a most successful settlement, and all the settlers have had a very successful year. Lindsay Settlement. —This settlement, situated in the Waipawa County, was formerly known as the Mount Vernon Estate, and was acquired by the Government under the Land for Settlements Act. It is distant about forty miles from Napier, and adjoins the Townships of Waipawa, Waipukurau, and Ongaonga, and was opened for settlement on the 11th April, 1905. The area purchased was 13,574 acres. The number of occupied sections is 65 ; total population, 223. Number of sheep, 22,755 ; horses, 205 ; cattle, 1,025 ; pigs, 130. Area in grass, 4,000 acres ; area in white and green crops, 1,540 acres ; balance scrub. There are sixty-one dwellinghouses in the settlement. The improvements required by law should be worth £2,254, whilst those effected are valued at £18,828, which shows a substantial increase on last year's figures. This settlement is in a thriving condition. Mangatahi Settlement. —This settlement, originally part of the Olrig Estate, was acquired by the Government under the Land for Settlements Act, and opened for selection on the sth February, 1907. It is situated fifteen miles from Hastings and twenty-four miles from Napier, having good level formed roads from both places. It adjoins the well-known Maraekakaho Estate. The area purchased was 12,391 acres 1 rood 37 perches. The sections, ranging in area from 194 acres to 879 acres, are all occupied. Total population is 82. Total number of stock, 18,419, comprising 17,785 sheep, 537 horses, and 20 pigs. Area in grass, 11,000 acres ; area in white and green crops, 778 acres 3 roods ; balance light scrub. There are twenty dwellinghouses in the settlement, thirteen of which have been erected by the settlers themselves, and are valued at £2,266. Seven are original buildings, which are being paid for by instalments. Twenty selectors are now residing on their holdings. The value of improvements effected is put down at £8,408 18s. ; this is inclusive of original improvements valued at £2,688 10s.; the difference—viz., £5,720 Bs.—represents the value of improvements effected by the

61

C—l

settlers themselves during the last twelve months or since the inception of the settlement. The improvements required amount to £2,122 lis. Bd. As is the case in other parts of the district this settlement has suffered considerably from the very dry summer weather experienced. Feed has been very scarce, and in many cases settlers have been forced to reduce their stock on that account. During the year some seven miles and a half of road-formation has been put through this settlement by the Roads Department. Te Mata, Pourerere, Raumati, Kanakanaia, and Te Arai Settlements. —As the selections in these settlements were made at the end of the financial year, it is too early yet to report upon them. Henry Trent, Commissioner of Crown Lands. TARANAKI. Tokaora Settlement. —Situated about four miles from Hawera, comprising 1,505 acres 2 roods 8 perches, divided into sixteen sections, occupied by thirteen persons, and almost wholly devoted to dairying. There are sixty-eight persons resident, and the live-stock consists of 740 cows and 53 horses. The improvements effected by the tenants comprise eleven residences, valued at £2,680 ; outbuildings, fencing, &c, £1,558 : total, £4,238. The area in new grass is 186 grass, green crops 32 acres. The progress is very steady. Spotswood Settlement. —Situated about two miles and a quarter from New Plymouth, comprising 310 acres 3 roods 23 perches, divided into sixty-one sections for homes, and eight small dairy farms. There are seven persons occupying under the former tenure, and one under the latter. One holding was forfeited. Four houses on unoccupied sections are let to weekly tenants, and the grazing of all the vacant sections is let from month to month. There are thirty-eight persons resident, and the live-stock consists of 25 cows and 8 horses. The improvements effected by persons in occupation are seven residences, valued at £1,700 ; outbuildings, fencing, &c, £198 : total, £1,898. Clandon Settlement. —Situated about a quarter of a mile from Douglas Rv.ilway-Bte.tion, comprising 881 acres and 13 perches, subdivided into six dairy farms, occupied by six persons and almost wholly used for dairying. There are twenty-three persons on the land, and the live-stock consists of 365 cows and 8 horses. The improvements effected are two residences, valued at £550 ; outbuildings, fencing, stumping, &c, £601 : total, £1,151. The area in new grass is 25 acres, in green crop 11 acres. Good progress has been made during the year. Huinga Settlement. —Situated about three miles from Toko, comprising 1,880 acres 1 rood 13 perches, divided into ten farms, all more or less suited for dairying operations. Nine sections are occupied, the total number of persons on the land being 32. The live-stock consists of 623 cattle, 1,800 sheep, and 21 horses. Two residences have been erected, valued at £500, and four selectors have added to their houses at a cost of £171. Other improvements have been made consisting of outbuildings, fencing, stumping, &c. : total value of improvements, £1,084. The area in new grass is 8 acres, and in white crop 11 acres. The settlement has made good progress. Frans. Simpson, Commissioner of Crown Lands. WELLINGTON. West Coast. Paparangi Settlement. —The area purchased by the Government was 322 acres 3 roods 32 perches. Thirty-seven sections are under occupation, and all the selectors are residing on their holdings, the total population being 166 souls. The majority of the settlers use their sections for residential purposes, and go in for market-gardening and poultry-farming, but a few on the larger areas keep pigs and cattle, and pursue dairying as a means of livelihood. Two hundred and eighty acres have been laid down in new grass, 34 acres are in native grass, orchards, &c, and 10 acres are in green crops. The improvements on the land are valued at £5,425. The stock on the settlement consists of 89 cattle, 35 horses, and 261 pigs. As the settlement is situated conveniently to the railway-station, the landvalues have increased considerably since it was cut up. The settlers all appear to be prosperous, and the settlement may be fairly considered to be a very successful one. Ohakea Settlement. —An area of 1,745 acres 1 rood 30 perches was purchased by the Crown. Fifteen sections, aggregating 1,737 acres, are under occupation, and there are fifty-seven persons on the settlement. 1,334 acres are in new grass, 160 acres in white crops, and 139 acres in green crops. The improvements on the land are valued at £7,122. The stock consists of 2,801 sheep, 400 cattle, 81 horses, and 122 pigs. The settlers are all doing well, and have excellent prospects before them. This is a very successful settlement. Te Matua Settlement comprises an area of 702 acres and 19 perches, all of which has been selected by thirteen settlers, the total population being fifty-seven souls. The stock running on the land consists of 425 sheep, 303 cattle, 38 horses, and 150 pigs. Six hundred and six acres are laid down in new grass, 11 acres in white crops, 15 acres in green crops, and 63 acres are in native grass, orchards, &c. The total value of the improvements on the land is £4,340. The settlers are gradually improving the land, and are all doing well. This is a decidedly successful settlement. Aorangi Settlement. —An area of 1,785 acres was purchased by the Government. Thirty-seven sections, of a total area of 1,753 acres, are under occupation, and there arc 181 souls on the land. The

C—l

62

stock on the land consists of 1,456 sheep, 834 cattle, 98 horses, and 325 pigs. 1,497 acres are laid down in new grass, 32 acres in white crops, and 44 acres in green crops. The improvements are valued at £14,465. The settlers are all prosperous, and this is undoubtedly the most successful settlement on the west coast. Mangawhata Settlement. —The area purchased was 1,240 acres 2 roods 36 perches. Seven sections, aggregating 1,226 acres, are occupied, the total number of souls on the land being fifty-seven. The improvements are estimated to be worth £4,377, and the stock on the land consists of 1,200 sheep, 651 cattle, 67 horses, and 238 pigs. 1,159 acres are in new grass, 4 acres in green crops, and 64 acres in native grass, orchards, &c. The settlers have been troubled by floods during the year, but the protective works along the Oroua River have been put in good repair, and it is hoped that the flooding of the land by the river will now be obviated. The selectors are doing well, and the settlement as a whole is a decided success. Epuni Hamlet. —An area of 100 acres 3 roods 14 perches was acquired by the Government. Fortytwo sections are occupied, the total number of souls on the land being 180. Forty acres are in new grass, and an area of 54 acres is sown in native grass and orchards, &c. The improvements on the land are valued at £9,785, and the stock consists of 16 cattle and 19 horses. Most of the selectors use their holdings for residential purposes, but some on the larger areas go in for market-gardening, fruit-growing, poultry-keeping, &c. All the selectors appear to be doing well, and the settlement is a most successful one. Maungaraki Settlement. —This settlement comprises an area of 472 acres 1 rood 20 perches. Twentysections are now under occupation, and the number of souls now on the land is seventy-seven. One hundred and thirty-six acres are in new grass, and an area of 131 acres is occupied by native grass, orchards, &c. The total value of the improvements on the land is estimated at £3,799, and the stock consists of 48 cattle, 18 horses, and 30 pigs. The holdings are for the most part used for residential purposes, while some few settlers on the larger areas keep poultry and go in for market-gardening. The settlement is favourably situated-near the Petone Railway-station, and has proved a successful one. Linton Settlement. —The area acquired by the Crown was 551 acres 1 rood 36 perches. Five sections of a total area of 549 acres are under occupation, the total population of the settlement being thirtyfour souls. Four hundred and twenty-seven acres are laid down in new grass, 97 acres in green crops, and 43 acres are in native grass, orchards, &c. The improvements are valued at £2,306. The stock running on the land consists of 420 slice]), 156 cattle, 14 horses, and 62 pigs. The settlers are doing well, and the settlement is fairly prosperous. Normandale Settlement. —The area acquired by the Government was 1,623 acres and 9 perches. Thirty-one sections are under occupation, the total number of souls on the land being 118. Three hundred and thirty-nine acres are laid down in new grass, and the stock on the land consists of 31 cattle, 21 horses, and 10 pigs. The improvements on the land are worth £6,918. The sections are wholly used for residential purposes by nun who are absent during the day at their various callings. All have gardens under cultivation, and grow vegetables, &c, for home consumption. The settlers appear satisfied with their holdings, and the settlement is fairly prosperous. East Coast. Langdale Settlement. —The area purchased was 9,405 acres. The number of sections under occupation is thirty-one, and the total population is seventy-nine souls. The stock on the land consists of 14,475 sheep, 1,088 cattle, and 156 horses. 8,422 acres have been laid down in new grass, 139 acres were in white crops, and 279 acres in green crops, the balance being native grass, orchards, &c. Improvements to the value of £6,583 were required to be made, whereas 13,790 pounds' worth have been effected, being an excess of £7,207 over requirements. The settlement is well established, and the selectors, who are experienced and industrious men, seem to be prospering, and are well satisfied with their prospects for the future. Longbush Settlement. —The area purchased by the Crown was 3,021 acres 3 roods 26 perches. Eight sections are occupied, and the number of souls on the land is twenty-eight. The stock consists of 3,085 sheep, 455 cattle, 31 horsi 8, 30 pigs. 2,098 acn s are laid down in new grass, 5 acres in white crops, 23 acres in green crops, 115 acres in native grass, orchards, &c. The improvements on the land are valued at £3,309. The settlers are practical men who work on their holdings, utilising their sections for pastoral purposes. Although the season has been an exceptionally dry one, the settlers seem to be now well established, and the settlement is a most successful one. „ Table-lands Settlement. —An area of 5,496 acres 3 roods 30 perches was purchased by the Government. Ten sections are under occupation, and the total.number of souls on the land is twenty-seven. The stock consists of 7,969 sheep, 600 cattle, and 50 horses. 4,410 acres arc laid down in new grass, 30 acres in white crops, 59 acres in green crops, and 386 acres are in native grass, orchards, &c. The improvements on the land are valued at £4,057. The settlers are experienced men who work on their holdings, the sections being wholly used for grazing purposes. The settlement is well established and has proved a successful one. Tawaha Settlement. —An area of 2,328 acres 2 roods 31 perches was purchased by the Governmant. Twenty-four sections, of a total area of 2,304 acres, are under occupation, the total population being titty-nine souls. 1,714 acres are laid down in new grass, 314 acres in white crops, 144 acres in green crops, and 129 acres are in native grass, orchards, &c. The stock consists of 1,000 sheep, 678 cattle, 68 horses, and 95 pigs. The improvements are valued at £4,016. The settlers have experienced an adverse year owing to high floods late in the spring, and a drought during the summer months. Given a few favourable seasons, however, it is considered that the settlers would be satisfied with their selections and prospects for future prosperity.

63

C.—l

Hikawera Settlement. —The area purchased by the Crown was 2,615 acres 2 roods 33 perches. Five sections, aggregating 2,605 acres, are under occupation and the number of persons on the settlement is nine. 1,725 acres are laid down in new grass, and 28 acres are in native grass, orchards, &c. The improvements are valued at £1,388. The stock consists of 2,665 sheep, 265 cattle, and 11 horses. The settlers use their holdings wholly for pastoral purposes. A bad season has been experienced on account of the drought during the summer months, but otherwise the settlement is in a prosperous condition, and will doubtless prove a successful one. Mahupuku Settlement. —An area of 7,064 acres 2 roods 25 perches was purchased by the Crown, of which area 7,027 acres have been selected by ten selectors, the total population being sixteen souls. 4,579 acres are laid down in new grass, 40 acres in white crops, 10 acres in green crops, and 202 acres are in native grass, orchards, &c. Improvements to the value of £3,357 have been effected. The stock consists of 5,500 sheep, 545 cattle, 29 horses, and 12 pigs. The selectors use their holdings for pastoral purposes, and are making every effort to make a success of the settlement. Dyer Settlement. — The area purchased was 16,657 acres. Thirty-five sections, aggregating 16,439 acres, have been selected, the total population of the settlement being 117 souls. 15,742 acres are in new grass, 229 acres in white crops, 269 acres in green crops, and 208 acres in native grasses, orchards, &c. The whole of the improvements are valued at £10,647. The stock consists of 13,463 sheep, 2,627 cattle, 130 horses, and 180 pigs. The land is used principally for pastoral purposes, and the settlers seem well satisfied with their selections and appear to be prospering. When the selectors get thoroughly established on their holdings, this settlement ought to prove a most successful one John Strauohon, Commissioner of Crown Lands. NELSON. Wangapeka Settlement. —This settlement is situated 44£ miles from the City of Nelson, of which distance 42 miles is by railway to Tadmor and 2| miles by road. It is the only settlement under the Land for Settlements Act in Nelson District. It was established on the 26th June, 1907. The area offered for selection was 6,151 acres, subdivided into fifteen farms and one small grazing-run. The whole of the settlement is taken up excepting one small area of 105 acres which was surrendered recently. There are fourteen tenants, twelve of whom are residing, and thirteen have complied with the improvement conditions of their leases. The value of the improvements required by law is £451 12s. 3d.; the value of the improvements effected is £2,129 3s. 6d. The total population of the settlement is fortyone. A school has been established, the attendance of children thereat being eighteen. The livestock consists of 3,145 sheep, 56 cattle, 29 horses, and 2 pigs. Wangapeka Settlement contains both agricultural and pastoral land. At present the settlers are principally engaged in pastoral farming. The average percentage of lambs was 98. These lambs brought the highest price in Nelson District as " freezers." ' I have no doubt but that this settlement will be successful. The quality of the land, its locality relative to the Port of Nelson, and the character of the settlers thereon augur well for its future. Notwithstanding an unfavourable season prejudicial to all kinds of crops, the settlers are satisfied with their prospects. F. W. Flanagan, Commissioner of Crown Lands. MARLBOROUGH. Blind River Settlement. —Situated on the stream of that name, which flows into Cook Strait south of the Awatere River. Area purchased, 5,507 acres. Opened for selection in 1895, cut up into twentynine sections of various areas up to 320 acres. Was taken up by nineteen selectors ; this number has now been reduced by grouping into fourteen holdings ; only ten tenants are permanently residing on their sections, three others with near relations on the estate, and one resides occasionally ; the total number of persons residing is forty-four, living in twelve houses. They run the following stock : Sheep, 4,122 ; cattle, 18 ; horses, 57 ; pigs, 4. The area under white crops is 546 acres, green crops 289 acres ; land in cultivated grass, 1,742 acres ; and in native and surface-sown grass, plantations, gardens, &c, 1,930 acres. The settlement continues to improve, and the early-sown crops on the damper ground have done fairly well, but the recent drought has seriously affected the pastoral interest. The railway is now almost completed to the estate, which will derive a considerable advantage from it. Omaka Settlement. —Situated on the east bank of the river of that name, about eight miles southwest of Blenheim. The area purchased in 1896 was 3,898 acres, now held in thirteen holdings by thirteen holders, seven of whom are resident and the others reside on adjoining land with near relatives. The estate is generally good agricultural and pastoral land ; there are forty-nine persons living in ten houses on the estate. Stock, 3,660 sheep, 40 cattle, 47 horses, and 7 pigs. Six hundred and seventy-three acres of white and 210 acres of green crops ; 2,302 acres of land laid down in grass ; and 713 acres of native grass, plantations, gardens, &c. This settlement is doing fairly well, but, in common with the rest of Marlborough, has suffered a good deal by the drought. Puhipuhi Settlement. —This is a small' area of 320 acres of fairly good land, purchased in 1897 ; being two small sections of freehold land situated in the midst of a large area of Crown lands. The improvements are probably worth about £250, but, like the stock it is impossible to closely estimate them as the settlement is worked with larger blocks of Crown lands held by the Bame owners.

64

C—l

Starborough Settlement.— Area, 35,906 acres. Purchased in 1899. This settlement is situated on the right bank of the Awatere River, and also has a frontage on to the sea-coast. The general character of this estate is good agricultural and pastoral land, and, including the Township of Seddon, it is held by 196 holders. There are 100 houses, in which 409 persons reside. This is exclusive of nine houses situated on public reserves. The total value of improvements required by the Act is £19,124 ; effected, £55,753. Number of sheep carried, 35,893 ; cattle, 148 ; horses, 353 ; pigs, about 40. White crops, 2,965 acres ; green crops, 1,614 acres ; land laid down in permanent grass, 8,720 acres. The average yield from the white crop—chiefly barley and oats—over the whole of the estate must have been considerably below last year's returns ; but some of the early-sown crops were good, and, with the high prices ruling, must have been satisfactory to the owners of them. The pastoral aspect, however, is far from being so encouraging, owing to the unprecedented length and severity of the spring and summer droughts, all the grass being dried up, and, as the rape and turnip crops were practically a failure, the prospect for the stock is rather gloomy unless we have an exceptionally fine and mild winter. Richmond Brook Settlement.— Area, 5,854 acres. Situated on the right bank of the Awatere River, about six miles above the railway-crossing. This estate was settled in 1899. It is chiefly good pastoral country with some good flats and downs, upon which was grown last year 734 acres of white and 577 acres of green crops ; cultivated grass, about 2,850 acres. The estate carries 7,060 sheep, 31 head of cattle, 76 horses, and 7 pigs. The block is divided into eleven holdings, held by eleven tenants, all of whom reside on the estate, and live in ten houses.- Total number resident, 53 persons. This is a very successful little settlement, and, despite the unusually dry and trying season, the settlers are, I think, doing well, and have a reasonable of doing much better if favoured by more suitable climatic conditions. Waipapa Settlement— Situated on the right bank of the Clarence River, within about two miles and a half from the sea-coast. Area, 3,755 acres. Purchased in 1901. Divided into four holdings, held by four persons living in four houses, in which twenty-one persons reside. This block is a strip of generally flat land along the river-frontage, has not been marked on the ground, and is merged in the grazing-runs of Crown lands, and worked with them. It is, therefore, not possible to estimate the amount of improvements effected or the number of stock carried. Forty-five acres of white crops and 86 acres of green crops have been grown on the flat land, which is of excellent quality. The prospects are good, for, although the drought was felt a little there, it was very slight in comparison with the other estates further north. The settlers have much to contend with in the shape of rabbits, &c, and being far from markets for fat stock. North Bank Settlement.— Situated on the left bank of the Wairau River, about twenty-five miles above Blenheim. Area, 12,895 acres. Selected in 1901 in seven holdings by eight persons, who are all living on their sections. Number of persons residing, thirty-six, in six houses. Sheep on the estate, 3,390 ; cattle, 24 ; horses, 56 ; pigs, 3. Number of acres in white crops, 112 ; root-crops, 57 acres ; in grass, 680 acres. This estate is rather poor dry land, and the settlers have a great deal to contend with in the briar, blackberry, and other noxious weeds, and in preventing their holdings from reverting to fern and scrub. Rainford Settlement.—This is a small block of 246 acres, situated within about four miles of the Township of Kaikoura, and about two miles from a very prosperous cheese-factory. The land is all first-class dairying country. Taken up by eleven selectors, only nine of whom are now residing permanently on the estate ; there are forty-four persons residing in nine houses. The stock consists of 25 sheep, 116 cattle, 34 horses, and 16 pigs. There were, last year, 19 acres in green crops. The value of improvements effected was £1,971. The holdings on the estate are very small, but the land is very good, and the settlers appear to be doing well. The estate is abundantly well watered, and has suffered very little from the drought. Flaxbourne Setdement. —This estate has a frontage on the east coast between the Ure River and Cape Campbell, and also on Lake Grassmere, and contains 46,598 acres. It was opened for selection in 1905. Of the 106 holdings, ninety-eight are lease in perpetuity, held by eighty-four persons, of whom sixty-three are residing and twenty-one not complying with the residential conditions : these are mostly small holdings, not large enough to support the holders entirely, and they have to go afield for employment; it is hoped that when the railway is completed to the settlement a large number of these may become permanent residents. There are eighteen small grazing-runs on the estate: all the holders are residing, and all but three have complied with the improvement conditions, and it is anticipated that these will be up to the statutory requirements next year. There are also twenty-five miscellaneous leaseholds on Flaxbourne, upon which have been built four houses, in which seventeen persons reside. The number of houses on the estate is eighty-four, and 299 persons were residing in them at the end of the year. In addition to these there is a floating population of about twenty persons engaged in the flax-work and other industrial pursuits. The total number of sheep on the estate is 40,599 ; cattle, 856; horses, 317 ; and about 36 pigs. The total area of cultivated land is—under white crops, 1,644 acres ; green crops, 1,631 acres ; cultivated grass, 5,586 acres ; the balance being in native grass (surface-sown), plantations, gardens, &c. The total value of the required improvements is £15,887 3s. 6d. ; improvements effected £30,316. This estate suffered a great deal by the phenomenally dry season, which not only greatly injured the crops of barley, oats, &c, but almost destroyed the rape and turnip crops, and burnt up the other feed. Some of the early crops were fairly good, but the prospect of feed for the winter is very gloomy unless we have a mild season. Notwithstanding these drawbacks, the settlers are making considerable improvements, and have a good prospect of doing well if they get better climatic conditions than they had last year. F. Stephenson Smith, Commissioner of Crown Lands.

65

C—l

WESTLAND. Poeriin Settlement. —The Crown Lands Ranger reports that the tenants have had a very successful year as a whole. Very little more clearing has been done since last year, but some new sheds and additions to houses have been added. Eleven tenants are supplying the creamery with the milk of 229 COWS. One has a separator, and churns his own butter, and disposes of it at Greymouth, whilst the remainder go in for grazing alone. There have In wonderful crops of oaten and meadow haw all well saved ; the heads of the former being above the average, and quality first-class. All the barns are full, and on some farms it is in stack as well, so that there will be ample to keep the stock up to the standard during the winter months. On two of the farms the tenants are growing rye for winter feed, and lam informed this grain stands well when all grass has disappeared. The grass during the season has been phenomenal, and clover paddocks have been cut three times and made into hay. The potatocrop, with one or two exceptions, has been destroyed by blight. Carrots and mangels are good, but only small areas are planted. Turnips and cabbages have suffered from the ravages of the diamond-backed moth, the latter being practically destroyed altogether. The fruit-yield has been very good, especially apples, and the fine summer we have had is responsible for heavy crops of tomatoes, cucumbers, pumpkins, &c, all grown in the open. A good many porkers and vealers are sent down to Greymouth weekly, and are in great demand. Stock of all kinds are in good condition, and well able to stand the winter. Area, 3,230 acres 1 rood 6 perches; occupied sections, 19; population, 76. Horses, 73; cattle, 718; sheep, 634 ; pigs, 162. Area in grass, 1,643 acres ; area in white and green crops, 50 acres. Requirements of Act, £1,943 18s. Id. ; improvements effected, £8,082 2s. Arrears of rental, nil. Kokatahi Settlement. —The Ranger also reports that he made the usual yearly inspection of the above estate during the month of March, and found everything very satisfactory. There are four tenants supplying milk to the factory, the other three going in for grazing only. The main crop this year on the estate is hay, of which a splendid lot has been well saved. With one exception, the potatopatches have been ruined by the blight. Turnips are also a failure, owing to the ravages of the whitetlv, but as the areas in crop were small this season, the loss is not so great. Grass has been very abundant and stock in good condition, consequently the milk-yield has been good—ninety-two cows supplying milk. Area, 1,894 acres 2 roods 20 perches : under grass, 1,620 acres. Cattle, 238; horses, 32; sheep, 1,811 ; pigs, 37. White and green crops. 70 acres. Population, 38. Required improvements, £267 16s. 7d. ; improvements effected, £4,052. Arrears of rental, nil. Gh J. Roberts. Commissioner of Crown Lands. ('.XTERBURY. Lands opened during the Year. The lands available for selection at the beginning of the year comprised a total area of 16 acres 3 roods 13 perches, situated in the .Annan Settlement (Waiau Township). ELapuatohe Hamlet (near Belfast), Highbank Settlement, Rosewill Settlement (Cave Village), and Waikakahi Settlement (Morven Township), all open for selection under the lease-in-perpetuity system. In addition to these there were offered during the year one allotment of 1 rood 38 perches in the Cave Village under the lease-in-perpetuity system, and one surrendered all itment of 462 acres in the Kinloch Settlement under the renewable-lease system. The last-named section was immediately selected. The small allotments previously available for disposal under lease in perpetuity are now being reopened under the renewablelease system. Lands to be opened. The Government has taken steps to acquire under the Land for Settlements Act the Culverden Estate in the Amuri County, the property of the trustees of the late Sir J. C. Wilson. The estate com-prises-about 25,829 acres, situated immediately adjacent to the present terminus of the main north line of railway at Culverden. It will be opened for selection under the renewable-lease system on the 19th June, subdivided into twenty-nine allotments varying in size from about 228 to 2,892 acres. About 7,500 acres are hilly pastoral land ranging up to an altitude of 1,819 ft. ; the remainder is flat land varying in quality from light shingly soil to deep agricultural land. Land Transactions. As no fresh settlements have been opened during the year, the new selections consisted of only six allotments, totalling 3 acres 2 roods 14 perches, under the lease-in-perpetuity system, and one allotment of 462 acres under renewable lease. The total number of lessees under all tenures on the 31st March, 1908, was 1,236, occupying an area of 259,944 acres 2 roods 4 perches, and paying an annual rental of £77,228 6s. 6d. Payment of Rents. The total amount of rents and other payments received on account of all land-for-scttlements estates during the year was £70,607 4s. 2d., bringing the total receipts for the district since the inception of the system to £498,587 ss. lOd. The arrears of rent owing on the Slst March, 1908, exclusive of current payments, aim muted to £426 16s. lid., owing by twenty-six lessees occupying a total area of 1,595 acres 3 roods 10 perches. These arrears are due by slightly over 2 per cent, of the total number of tenants under the system, and the amount owing is less than |- per cent, of the annual rent-roll.

9—C. 1.

C—l

66

Transfers, Forfeitures, and Surrenders. Transfers were registered and completed of ninety-nine leases in perpetuity, comprising an area of 13,720 acres and 27 perches, and of eight small grazing-runs with of 14,666 acres 8 roods 31 perches. In some of the settlements which have acquii ourable reputation, the prices paid by the incoming tenants appear to show a large amount for goodwill alone, apart from the value of improvements, &<-... effected by the previous tenants. A surrender was accepted, at the request of the tenant, of a lease in perpetuity oi 162 acres (which has since been reselected) ; and two leases in-perpetuity of quarter-acre township allotments were forfeited for breach of conditions. Coxihtiox op Establish io 11 Settlements. The detail reports received from the ''''< »wn Lands Rangers upon the forty-eight settlements within the district continue to emphasize th itory results already disclosed cone-ruing the working of the land-for-si ttlene nts system. So far as compliance with the statutory requirements of the leases is cone rued, it may be said at once that the percentage of defaulters is very small indeed, and only in very rare cases does the default prove to b ofaserion ityofthi ■ those in which the lessees fail to bring their improvements up to the requi tint within the statutory period ; but the lessees nearly always show th< mselves anxious to effect co on as possible. It is noticeable also that as tenants' eire b permit, existing buildi nlarged or replaced by new buildings of an impi ttention is paid to tree-planting, as a whole the gee t of the settlements is found to i nrably mdd with the surrouni h<nd properties. As regards th'- cultivation conditions of the 1< tle-s- well observed. A very large amount. a< by the tenants in cleaning and improving their lands, which The twi which have b of much newly sown p id judicious relaxation of the cultivation conditions will be n list the h as, es in regrassing these lands. Probably tin- severest sufferers from tie- ■ ed Morice and Kinloch Settlements, near Little River, Banks Peninsul very unfavourable circumstances at the beginning of their career as Crown may be found to n consideration to enable th r their difficulti The general condition of the small suburban settlements near Christchurch and Timaru continues satisfactory, and many very comfortable little homes have b i upon then.. Amongst the ats on the workmen's homes a!!' tments, it is found thai sities of their employment sometimes compel them to remove for a. I lOther locality, and in such - inant will seek for leave of absence with permission to sublet, so as to retain, tin- home to which he hopes to return ; this, however, is a tendency that 'dug. as it is no part of the settlements policy that Crown tenants should in their turn become landlords, save under special circumstances and for strictly limited periods. Appended are notes upon the condition of the various settlements :— 1. Pareora No. 1 Settlement (near St. Andrew's, Waimate County).—Established January, 1894. Area purchased, 620 acres 2 roods 13 perches. Then- are twenty-eight holdings occupied, and the population is 110 souls residing in houses. During th son 147 ai ingraincrops, 95 acres in green and root crops, and 317 i ores in cultivated grasses; and the stock included 179 head of cattle, 41 h< 165 pigs. Th lue of improvement I is £1,144 ss. 2d., and the value effected £2,958 Os. 6d. The tenants an all complyin otorily, and hi Wished good homes on their small an. 2. Studholme Junction Settlement (near Studholme Junction, Waimate County).—Established January, 1894. Area purchased, 109 acres and 7pi robes. There are four sections occupied, and the number of souls is ten. residing in two houses, the other two sections being held by settlers living close by. The area under cultivation last season consisted of 43 acres in grain-crops, and 52 acres were in cultivated grasses. The stock comprised 26 head of cattle, 12 In 6 pigs. The v lue of improvements required is £214 7s. 10d., and the value effected £586 2s. The holdings are in good order, and the conditions satisfactorily fulfilled. 3. Kapua Settlement (near Waimate, V County).—Established March. 1894. Area purchased, 574 acres 1 rood 22 perches. Twelve set c occupied, each having a separate dwellinghouse, and the total number of souls is forty-three. The stock on tin- settlement consist of 149 head of cattle, 33 horses, and 40 pigs ; and the cultivated area comprised 205 acres in grain-crops, 42 acres in green or root crops, and 301 acres in artificial grasses. The value of improvements required is £977 Bs. 9<1., and the value effected £1,918 ss. Tin- set I in a satisfactory condition, the tenants apparently doing well, and most of them supplying milk to an adjacent creamery-. 4. Rosebrook Settlement (near Timaru, Levels County).—Established June, 1895. Area purchased, 600 acres 1 rood 8 perches. There are fourteen sections occupied, thirteen dwellinghou and a resident population of sixty-nine souls. During the past season the crops grown included 193 acres in grain, and 71 acres in green and root crops, and 285 acres were in cultivated grasses ; the stock carried were 54 sheep, 102 head of cattle, 68 horses, and 68 pigs. The value of improvements required is £1,061 16s. 4d., and the value effected £2,396 3s. 6d. The holdings are in good order, and the crops have been fairly satisfactory, but the tenants have suffered from shortage of water, as there has not been sufficient rainfall to fill the dams during the past two years. 5. Otaio Settlement (near St. Andrew's, Waimate County). — Established June, 1895. The area purchased was 373 acres 3 roods 14 perches, on which there are nine settlers, with eight dwellinghouses, inhabited by forty souls. The stock on the settlement comprise 120 sheep, 54 cattle, 23 horses,

C—l

67

and 15 pigs, and the cultivated area lasl season included 124 acres of grab-crops, 65 acres of green and root crops, and 178 acres of n, The value of improvements required is £692 6s. id., and the value effected £2,359 ss. 6d. The tenants are ,11 and keeping their holdings in good order?; there is a creamery in the vicinity, and mosl of them supply milk to it. 6. The Peals Settlement (between the Hurunui and Waitohi Rivers, Ashley County).—Established \ugust, 1895. The area purchased was 2.8 id 9 perches, and it was acquired with the object of extending the holdings I occupying small areas in an adjacent village .settlement which had I.ecu established in 1887. The settlers ti; reside on their original selections, and only two person- ually resident on the settlement, in one dwellbghouse. The area under cultivation during the, past season included 391 acres in wheat and oats, and 216 acres of green and root crops. .Most of the laud is light in character, but with husbandry gives fair returns. The stock on the settlement consisted of 1,830 sheep, 9 head of cattle, and 22 horses. The total value of improvements required is £2,357 17s. lid. and the value effected £2,351 15s. In three cases the improvement conditions have not been entirely fulfilled, but if the. improvements which have been effected are added to the value of the improvements on their village-settlement holdings, they will have complied on their grouped all. The plan adopted of increasing the areas for these settlers to occupy has turned on, well ; theic present position is a moderately good one, and their future prospects fair. 7. Roimata Settlement (at Woolston, a suburb of Christchurcli). -This settlement was established in August, 1895, being the first suburban block acquired near Christchurcli. The area purchased is 48 acres 3 roods 27 perches, and it is subdivided into twenty-seven allotments of from 1 to 3£ acres, which ere need for re. ; dential and gardening purposes. The number of dwellinghouses is twenty-live inhabited by 110 souls, and the value of improvements effected is £6,214, against £861 3s. (id. required. The Ranger slates that " all have done sufficient in value, but one settler has nol yet built a proper dwellinghouse and is not residing, and another has a house but does not continuously reside. The settlement as a whole is in a satisfactory stale. Most of the holdings are in a neat and clean condition, indicative of the class of tenants occupying them. The small orchards, shrubs, and hedges have now grown sufficiently to give a plea ice to the art; there is now no trouble with drainage; and the unimproved value of land in this locality is increasing." 8. Patoa Settlement (adjoining the Peaks Settlement). —Established November, 1895. The area acquired was 4,535 acres 3 roods 14 perches, on which there are four selectors. I wo of whom, representing fourteen souls, reside on their holdings, and two reside, on prior selection-, in the neighbourhood. The value of improvements required is £978 Bs. 5d., and the value effected £1,722. The land is generally of light quality, partly covered with manuka scrub, and is used principally for grazing. The stock on the settlement consisted of 1,516 sheep, 15 head of cattle, and 9 horses. Seventy acres have been in white crop, 490 acres arc laid down in cultivated grasses, and the remainder is in its native condition. 9. Braco Settlement (at Eendalton, a Suburb of Christchurcli). —The area purchased was 27 acres 2 roods 1 perches, which is occupied in fourteen holdings from Ito 3.1 acres in size. There are fourteen dwellinghouses, and a resident population of fifty-two souls. All the tenants are complying with the conditions, and have effected improvements to an aggregate value of £2,546, against £461 19s. Bd. required. Most of the land is used for gardening purposes, and very few stock are kept. The settlement is in a satisfactory condition. 10. Epivorth Settlement (close to Temuka, Geraldine County).—Established November, 1895, the area purchased being 21 acres and 3 perches. Held under two leases by husband and wife with five children. The value of improvements required is £41 7s. 2d., and the value effected £158 165., and the combined holding is kept in good order. 11. AsJdey Gorge Settlement (near East Oxford, Selwyn County).—Established December, 1895. The area purchased was 1,165 acres 3 roods 6 perches ; this is subdivided into ten small farms, and two blocks form homestead-sites for 2,812 acres of adjoining pastoral Crown land, held under the small-grazing-run system, the latter being included in the following figures. There are twelve dwellinghouses, occupied by forty-six souls. The value of improvements required is £1,891 19s. 5d., and the value "effected £4,942. The small farms are occupied principally for dairying, and only a little cropping is done. During the past season 71 acres were in white crop, and 34 acres in green crops. The stock wintered on the settlement comprised 2,641 sheep, 199 head of cattle (chiefly milkbg-cowB), 34 horses, and 14 pigs. All the occupiers have complied satisfactorily with the conditions of their leases. The position and prospects of the settlers are fair. 12. Kereta Settlement (near Timaru, Levels (bounty).—Established December, 1895. Area purchased, 105 acres 2 roods 29 perches. The number of holders is four, and the population twenty-seven souls, residing in three dwellinghouses. Tie I exclusively for dairying, and carries 103 head of cattle, 11 horses, and 15 pigs ; the only areas under the plough last season being 11 acres of grain-crops and 8 acres in green or root crops. The total value of improvements required is £230 os. Bd., and the value effected £909 17s. 6d. The >! i has suited this rich swampy land, and the settlement is prospering. 13. Orakipaoa Settlement (near Temuka, Geraldine Count iblished June, 1896. Area purchased, 384 acres and 31 perches, which is occupied by twenty-seven holders in areas from 5 to 58 acres. The number of dwellinghouses i.- md the population eighty-eight souls. The area cultivated 1 i included 138 acres in grain-crops, and 30 acres in green or root crops, while 215 acres were in artifici. . The settlement also carried 132 head of cattle, 43 horses, and 65 pigs. The total value of improvements required is £1,492 7s. 4d., and the value effected £2,338 19s. Some of the smaller allotments are held by tenants who permission on previous selections from the Crown in the Arowhcnua Village Settlement, a short i away. The tenants are doing well and the holdings are in good order, but great effort is needed to keep down twitch-grass.

A—i

68

14. Highbank Settlement (near Methven, Ashburton County). Established June. 1896, the area purchased being 9,121 a< res 3 roods 8 perches. Seventy-six sections are occupied, and there are fiftynine dwellinghouses, inhabited by 226 souls. The area under cultivation comprises 2.989 acres in graincrops, 1,160 acres in green or root crops, and 4,721 acres in cultivated grasses. The stock on the settlent number 7.859 sheep, 191 head of cattle. 272 horses, and 62 pigs. The value of improvements required is £13,907 lis. 9d.. and the value effected .19,748 15s. 9(1. The Ranger states that this settlement has had a prosperous year, the dry season having apparently done but little harm, and with ice, m tains both root-crops and grass for winter Iced are promising well. Some sections have changed hands during the year at high values, but the new tenants appear well satisfied with their purchases. The school on the settlement is well attended, and the store alongside does a good business. Altogether the settlement appears to be in a thoroughly prosperous condition. 15. Rakitairi Settlement (between Temuka and Hilton, in the Geraldine County). Established March. 1897. Area purchased, 3.526 acres I rood 26 perches, now occupied in tweutv-two holdings. The number of dwellinghouses is seventeen, in which seventy-four souls reside. During the past season the stock depastured on the settlement consisted of 4,150 slice]). 92 head of cattle. 124 horses, and 46 pies, ami there were 825 acres in grain-crops. 190 acres in green and root crops, and 1.899 acres of cultivated pasture. The value of improvements required is £4.915 2s. 3d., and the value effected £6,840 15s. 6d. This settlement is making fair progress: all the tenants are complying satisfactorily, and appear to be doing well. Crops have 1 n fairly good bul grass sown failed iv most cases owing to the dry season. The Ranger notes that more tree-planting might be done with advantage. • 16. Waiapi Settlement (near Temuka. Geraldine County). Established March, 1897. Area purchased, 1,124 acres 2 roods 36 perches. The settlement is divided into fifteen holdings, on which there are fourteen dwellinghouses, occupied by sixty-one souls. The area under cultivation during the past season included 319 acres in grain-crops, 156 acres in green or root crops, and 568 acres in artificial grasses. The stock comprised 850 sheep. 120 head of cattle. 71 horses, and 58 pigs. The value of improvements required is £1,821 6s. 9d., and value effected £4,184 lis. Id. The settlement is in a satisfactory condition, ami the tenants are doing fairly well: the majority of the holdings are under 20 acres, and are occupied merely as homes. Very little planting is done, as tenants fear to make shelter lor the birds. The crops have been light. 17. Otarakaro Settlement (at Fendalton, a Suburb of Christchurch). -Established March, 1897. The area purchased was il'.l acres 3 roods 9 perches, and the number of tenants is seven, representing twenty-four souls, occupying seven dwellinghouses. The value of improvements required is £201 19s. Id., and the value effected £1,729, all the tenants having complied satisfactorily. Twelve acres are devoted to gardens and orchards, and the balance of the land is in pasture, grazing 15 cows and 3 horses. 18. Wharenui Hamlet (at Riccarton, a Suburb of Christchurch). —This is the first workmen'shomes settlement in the district, and was established in March, 1897. The area purchased was 73 acres 1 rood 10 perches, which is occupied by twenty-six holders, each having a separate dwellinghouse. The population of the hamlet is 1 18 souls ; the value of improvements required £810 Is., and the value effected £5,748. Twenty-five acres are in gardens and orchards, and the remainder in pasture and small crops. With the assistance of a grant from the Government, drains have been cut intersecting the block, and it is hoped that the condition of the settlement during the rainy season will be considerably improved thereby. The settlement is generally in a healthy state of progress. 19. Albnni Settlement (at Albury, .Mackenzie County). Established April, 1897. The area purchased was 19,539 acres I rood 21 perches, and an adjoining block of 5,467 acres of pastoral Crown land was incorporated in the subdivision. Including the hitter the total number of holdings is seventyseven, and there are fifty-nine dwellinghouses. inhabited by 343 souls. The whole area depastures 26,256 sheep, 466 head of cattle, 486 horses, and 147 pigs ; and the a'-eas under cultivation last season included 1,946 acres of grain-crops, 2,035 acres of roots or green crops, and 9,454 acres in cultivated grasses. The value of improvements required is £18,793, and the total value effected £29,766 9s. lOd. The Ranger states that this settlemenl is still making good progress, the tenants are addine Io the improvements, and the holdings on the whole are looking yvell ; the land is well worked and kept clean, and the crops and grass returns have improved. With a few minor exceptions, the tenants are all complying satisfactorily, and are in prosperous circumstances. 20. Marawiti Settlement (between Rakaia and Methven, Ashburton County).- Established May, 1897. Area purchased, 2,028 acres 2 roods 33 perches, subdivided into thirteen sections. There are twelve dwellinghouses, in which sixty-nine souls reside. The crops last season consisted of 647 acres in grain, and 263 acres in root or green crops, while 970 acres had been laid down in grass. The stock owned by the settlers were 1,435 sheep, li.j head of cattle, lit) horses, and 18 pigs. The value of improvement s required is £3,089 ss. 7d., and value effected £4,610 Bs. 6<l. The Hanger's report shows that, in spite of the dry season, the crops have been fairly good ; the settlers are prosperous, and have good homesteads yvhich are well maintained. 21. Horsley Down Settlement (near Hawarden, Ashley County). —Established June, 1897, upon a purchased area of 3,982 acres 3 roods and 35 perches, now held by twenty-seven settlers, and carrying a population of ninety-nine souls in twenty-live dwellinghouses. Last season the crops consisted of 729 acres in wheat, oats, and barley, and 391 acres in tin nips, rape, and potatoes; the white crops gave moderate returns, but the green crops suffered from the dry weather. The stock wintered on the settlement consisted of 4,400 sheep, 128 head of mixed cattle, 106 horses, and 40 pigs ; and the lambing averaged about 91 per cent. The value of improvements required is £5,468 16s. 6d., and the total value effected is £12,762 19s. ; all the lessees have fulfilled the requirements of their leases, and the settlement as a whole is one of the most prosperous in the district.

69

A—i

22. Hekeao Settlement (near Mount Sinners. Ashburton County). Established March, 1898. Area purchased, 2,251 acres 2 roods II perches, divided into fifteen sections, and occupied by sixteen individuals, two of whom have been allowed to increase their small holdings. There are thirteen dwellinghouses, inhabited by forty-two souls. During last season 575 acres were in grain-crops and 339 aces in green or root crops, and 1,176 acres had been laid down in new pastures. The stock on the settlement comprised 2,375 sheep, 29 head of cattle, 58 horses, and 7 pigs. The value of improvements required is £3,i25 3s. 7d., and the value effected £5,315 12s. 6d. The crops on this settlement are reported to have been good, the holdings are well kept, and the settlers appear to be prosperous and contented. 23. Pawaho Hamlet (a Workmen's homes Settlement, situated at Heathcote Valley, adjoining the Christchurch-Lyttelton Railway).—Established April, 1898, on a purchased area of 52 acres and 18 perches, which is divided into twenty-five allotments. There are twenty-four dwellinghouses (one having been destroyed by lire in December last), occupied by ninety souls. The value of improvements required is £750, and the value effected £3,904 10s. lid. The Ranger states that there is one selector who does not continuously reside, the rest are complying. During the dry summer months the settlers had difficulty in obtaining sufficient water for their households; in a number of the wells that have been dug the water has so much mineral-matter in solution as to render it unfit for drinking or domestic purposes. Except for this trouble, the position of the settlement is satisfactory. . 24. Waikakahi Settlement (between the Waihao and Waitaki Rivers, Waimate County). —Established March, 1899 ; the area purchased being 48,262 acres 2 roods 34 perches. The holders number 138 of rural lease-in-perpetuity lands, fourteen of small grazing-runs, and thirty-two of leases in perpetuity in the Township of Morven. The total number of dwellinghouses erected is 157, in which 813 souls reside ; and the value of improvements effected is £92,453 12s. 6d., against £59,338 10s. 9d. required. The area under crop last season included 8,147 acres of grain -crops, and 4,084 acres of green and root crops ; while 32,264 acres had been laid down in cultivated grasses. The stock carried on the settlement comprise 44,847 sheep, 1,758 head of cattle, 1,126 horses, and 348 pigs. The Ranger states that this settlement is still progressing steadily : the tenants are in comfortable positions and thriving well while making excellent additions to their improvements. Morven Township continues to make satisfactory progress. The settlement as a whole is in good order, and presents a very satisfactory and prosperous app':/.ranee. Crops have been generally fair. 25. Tamai Hamlet (Workmen's Homes, situated at Woolston, a Suburb of Christchurch). —Established June, 1899. The area purchased was II acres and 28 perches, now divided into forty allotments, on which forty dwellinghouses have been erected, occupied by 169 souls. The total value of improvements required is £1,200, and the value effected £6,402 Bs. 9d. The Ranger reports that there is one tenant who is not residing, but the rest are complying with the residential conditions. In some cases the fencing is not up to the required standard, and the drainage is not yet satisfactory ; in other respects the condition of the settlement is fair, and its establishment has afforded a number of workpeople engaged ii; a variety of occupations the means of possessing comfortable and independent homes. 26. Takilu Settlement (on the North Side of the Waitaki River, between Glenavy and Hakataramea, Waimate County). —Established March, 1900, on a purchased area of 9,713 acres and 37 perches. This is subdivided into five small grazing-runs, on which twenty souls reside, in five dwellinghouses. Very little cropping is done, there being only 104 acres in white crops last season and 513 acres in green or root crops, but 8,776 acres were in cultivated grasses. The stock depastured on the settlement comprised 6,500 sheep and 5,000 lambs, 102 head of cattle, and 35 horses. The value of improvements required is £4,850 7s. 4d., and value effected £7,663 Is. 3d. The tenants have added considerably to the value of their improvements, and are doing well ; they have had ample feed throughout the season, and root-crops promise well for winter feed. 27. Pareora No. 2 Settlement (near St. Andrew's. Waimate County). —Established March, 1900. Area purchased, 8,132 acres and 31 perches. There are thirty-two separate allotments, on each of which a dwellinghouse has been erected, and 201 souls are in residence. The stock on the settlement consist of 7,545 sheep and 7,235 lambs, 326 head of cattle, 270 horses, and 91 pigs; and the area in crop last season included 2,197 acres in grain-crops, and 1,066 acres in green and root crops, while 4,629 acres had been laid down in new- grass. The value of improvements required is £13,328 18s. 9d., and the value effected £19,117 ss. 6d. The Ranger states that good substantial progress is being made on this settlement, alike in value and quality of improvements, the planting and cleaning of land, and other matters ; the homesteads are good, and the tenants doing well, and the whole appearance of the settlement is very prosperous. 28. Rautawiri Settlement (between Temuka and Winchester, Geraldine County).—Established April, 1900. Area purchased, 113 acres and 7 perches, on which there are six holders, six dwellinghouses, and twenty-two souls. The value of improvements required is £312 7s. 6d., and the value effected £1,171 17s. 6d. During the past season 53 acres were in grain-crops, 21 acres in green or root crops, and the balance in grass. The stock consisted of 26 head of cattle, 20 horses, and 20 pigs. The holdings are in good order, and the tenants doing fairly well. 29. Papaka Settlement (between Timaru and Pleasant Point, Levels County). —Established April, 1900, on a purchased area of 1,561 acres 2 roods 25 perches. There are nine holders, representing forty-two souls, residing in nine dwellinghouses. The cultivation last season included 533 acres of grain-crops, 15 acres of root and green crops, and 938 acres in artificial grasses ; and the stock on the settlement comprised 1,775 sheep, 54-head of cattle, 52 horses, and 24 pigs. The value of improvements required is £2,904 18s. 5d., and the value effected £4,327. All the tenants are complying satisfactorily, and have their holdings in good order. The crops have been light, as the settlement has felt the effects of the dry season.

c.—i

70

30. Punaroa Settlement (near Fairlie, Mackenzie County). —Established April, 1900. Area purchased, 7,029 acres 3 roods 5 perches, on which there are sixteen lease-in-perpetuity holders, and one small-grazing-run holder. There are seventeen dwellinghouses, occupied by sixty-six souls. During last season grain-crops were sown in 293 acres, root or green crops in 745 acres, and 4,031 acres were in cultivated grasses. The stock on the whole area included 7,544 sheep and 5,607 lambs, 133 head of cattle, 118 horses, and 36 pigs. The value of improvements required is £6,342 13s. 9d., and the value effected £9,772 2s. lOd. The tenants have put in excellent work in cleaning their lands, and are now reaping the advantage in heavier crops and more grass, as the land is of good quality and repays working. The homesteads and other improvements are well kept, and the lessees are prosperous and contented, and are complying satisfactorily yvith the conditions of occupation. 31. Lyndon No. I Settlement (near Waiau, Amuri County). —Established March,, 1901. Area purchased, 4,243 acres 3 roods 28 perches. Th ■, nine dwellinghouses, and thirty-nine souls on the settlement. The stock include 4,448 sheep, 37 cattle, 63 horses, and a few pigs ; and the area under cultivation during th'- past season has been 373 acres in grain-crops, and 416 acres in green or root crops, besides which 2,623 acres had bei n sown in artificial grasses. The value of improvements required is £5,093 135., and the value effected £8,161 12s. 4d. ; in one case the value of improvements effected is somewhat short of requirements, bht this deficiency will probably be made up during the ensuing year. The lambing was not si .tor;, as in previous years, an unexpected cold snap with snow having caught the bulk of the \ of their career. The holdings are of suitable size for profitable occupation, and the present condition of the settlement is satisfactory. 32. Kohika Settlement (near Otaio, Waimate County). —Established May, 1901, on a purchased area of 3,864 acres I moil It) perches', now occupied by seventeen holders. There are fifteen dwellinghouses, and a resident population of fifty-six s itils. The value of improvements required is £5,604 18s., and the value effected £6,478 Os. 9d. Ti In crop list season consisted of 561 acres iv grain and 540 acres in green and root crops, and 2,634 acres were in cultivi \ B. The stock numbered 4,086 sheep and 3,567 lambs, 77 cattle, 140 horses, and 33 pigs. 1 I the settlement is progressing satisfactorily ; the I keeping their homesteads in good order, and appear to he prosperous. Th,. crops ha prospects are favourable for winter' feed. In three cases the Improvi ill" amounts required for the sixth year, which recently expired, but th.. se defii ill probi bly be made good b. fore long. 33. Tarairalii Hamlet (Workmen's Homes, situated at Spreydon, v Suburb of Christchurch). — Established June, 1901. The area purchased was 3! s, which has been subdivided into twenty-four holdings ;on each of th ■ Uinghouse lias been ere. I there is a total population of ninety-six souls. The value of lmpro requiri d is r.720, and the value effected £5,883. Two of the lessees are not residing at present, hut in other respects the requirements have been satisfactorily fulfilled. The Ranger reports that "th f this hamlet is improving, ornamental hedges are taking the place of the old post-and-wire fencing, and the gardens and shrubs give it a homely look. Unfortunately the tomato-crop (a feature of the settlement) suffered a good deal from blight this paSt season, seriously affecting the returns. However, the settlement is on the whole in a satisfactory position, and the unimproved value of the land is advancing." 34. Raincliff Settlement (near Fairlie, Geraldine County).—Established June, 1901. The area purchased was 745 acres 2 roods ; 206 acres 3 roo ituted a State forest, and the balance is occupi holding, on which, three son in-crops have been grown on 75 acres, and 405 sown down in English grasses. The stock inoludi d 2 head of cattle and 10 horses. The value of improvements required is £522 3s. 3d., and value effected £571 Is. Id. 35. Puhuka Hamlet (Workmen's Hones at Washdyke, <!t :s■ t.. Tin., m). —Established July. 1901, on a purchased area of 39 acres 2 roods 7 perchi s. The number of hoi. , h possessing his own dwellinghouse, and there are thirty-five persons living in th lue of improvements required is £300, and the value effected £1,740 ss. lid. The re all complying satisfactorily and making good homes; it is a useful settlement and very conveniently situated for workmen's homes. 36. Kaimahi Settlement (situated at Papanui, a Suburb of Christchurch). —Established October, 1901. The area purchased was 100 acres 2 perch, and there are eleven holders, residing on allotments of from sto 10 acres each. ; re held by the local Roi d Bot r.l for a gravel-pit, and 10 acres, originally infested with Calilorniaii thistle, are occupied by the Agricultural Department for experimental purposes. The value of improi I is £404 16s. 9d., and the value effected £3,487 65., and there are forty-four persons residing in tl ate being satisfactorily fulfilled. The stock consists of 22 head of cattle, 9 horses, and 15 pigs. The small crops grown comprised —tomatoes, 2 acres; peas, 3 acres; cai : mangels, 3 acres; cabbage and cauliflowers, 5 acres ; potatoes, 10 acres ; oats, 13 acres ; and there are 11 acres in gardens and orchards. The crops were poor, owing to the dry season. 37. Kapuatohe Hamlet (Workmen's Homes at Belfast, about Six Miles from Christchurch). —Established October, 1901. Area purchased, 49 acr. s 3 roods 37 perches. El tions are residentially occupied, one is h< Id by the local Road 80, are uiis.-lecteii ; eleven dwellinghouses have been erected, in which t\ souls reside. The total value of improvements required is £336, and the value effected £1,520, all the tenants having complied with residential and improvement conditions. The stock owned by the holders consists of 10 cows, 1 horses, and 10 pigs ; but the laud is mostly used foi 38. Rapuwai Settlement (nei I P Pi h it, <!• ber, 1901. .Viva purchased, 2.217 aei slip. niia. which is i to five holdings, on which tweiitytwo persons reside, in five houses. During last season 227 acres were in grain-crops, 251 acres in root and green crops, and 1,607 acres were in cultivated grasses. The stock on the settlement consisted

71

A—i

of 2,370 sheep, 18 cattle, 40 horses, and 7 3 pigs. The value of improvements required is £2,619 13s. 2d. and the value effected £2,837 13s. 7d. ; in one case the improvements are short of the value required for the sixth year, but this will shortly be made up. Good work has been done in clearing gorse and scrub, and satisfactory- progress is being made by the settlement as a whole. Crops generally have been good, though thi holdings are used principally for grazing. 39. Lyndon No. % Settlement (near Waiau, Amuri Counti blished April, 1902, on a purchased area of 15,887 .1 into six lease-in-perpetuity holdings and three small grazing-runs. There are nin<- dwellinghouses. inhabited by thirty-three persons. The total value of improvements required is £3,321 175., end tie cted £8,517 15s. 9d. All the lessees are now complying with the conditions of occupation. The Rai - th.: t 371 acres were in grain-crops and 560 acres in green and root crops. Owing to the d returns from cropping were light, and at the time of his visit the turnip-cri to fail ; I on the level land was in a parched condition, but the hill land on the grazing-runs still pn ..il Bheep-feed. The stock, which appeared in fair ordi ed of 10.550 sheep, 44 I 111.-, and 63 horses. In two instances the lambing was poor, ami in the n i lair. 40. Maytown Settlement (close to Waimate Township, Waimate County).—Established April, 1902. 'I 3 roods 32 perches, and it is now occupied by eleven holders, with a population of forty-seven, residing in eleven houses. The stock on the settlement during last .Hi comprised 99 cattle, 23 ! ad 63 pigs. Ninety-six acres were in grain-crops, 54 acres in nor root crops, and 212 lures. The value of improvements required is £282 lis., and the valu £1,903 3s. lid. The holdings are all in good order, and the tenants appear to he prospering. 11. Eccleston Settl 9taio, Waimate County).—Established May, 1902. Area purchased, 1,246 acres 1 rood , on which there ai lers, representing thirteen persons. The value mprovements required is £496 4s. 10d.. and the value effected £2,912 17s. Bd. The area in crop in included 3:' id 1 Hi acres of root and green crops, and 787 acres had been laid down in grass. The s(. -red 1.020 sheep and 1.016 lambs, 28 cattle, 23 horses, and 6 pigs. The less. rorilv. and steadily improving their holdings, and appear to be doing well. 12. Mead Settlement (on the' North Side of the Rakaia River, near the Railway, Selwyn County). —Established January, 1903, the area |nirchased being 5.914 acres 3 roods 17 perches. There are . whom reside on adjacent previous selections; nineteen dwellinghouses hay. in which sixty-six souls reside. The value of improvements required is £982 16s. 2d., the value effected £6.429 ss. lOd. The area under crop has been small, consisting of 622 acres rain and 630 a or root crops, and 4,050 acres are in cultivated grasses. Owing to the dry seas. and youi n a failure. The stock on the settlement include 4,585 slice ' of cattle, 72 horses, and 4 pigs. A school has now been opened in the settlement ami is a great advant 43. Cha ar Albury, Mackenzie County).—Established March, 1903. Area aired, 10,500 acres 1 rood 9 ' i which is added a block of 9,523 acres of adjoining pastoral nole is divided into tin us. nineteen lease-in-perpetuity holdiine holding occupied under a twenty-one-years lease. Twenty-three dwellinghouses have be. ■'>T souls. The stock depastured by the tenants during the year included iB.l :ll head of cattle, 162 horses, and 33 pigs. The area cviii oiis and I.Hit acres in root and green crops; 6,867 acres hail been laid down m . i ! the balance was in native pasture. The value of improvements required is £8,06 d the total vali fleeted £12,264 9s. lOd. The Ranger states that this settlement is mal the tenants making good improvements, cleaning the land well, and obtain! eby. The crops have varied from lair to good. 44. Annan Settlerm imuri County).— Established June. 1903, on a purchased - of 32,858 i which there are ten small-grazing-run holders, twentyfive hole ad eight of township allotments. The number of dwellii i the population 169 souls. On some of the more recently selected township mentions have not vet been satisfactorily fulfilled, but in all other cases 1. its has been effected. The value of improvements required is £8,290 18s. 2d., and the total value effected £26,478 ss. sd. The Ranger states that in spite of the unusually di settlement have had good crops, oats in two instances yielding CO bushels per acre ; in somi had (air turnip-strikes which were looking well at the time of his inspection, thi c being far ahead of others in North Canterbury, while rape-crops also looked acuity under which the north .Amuri farmers labour is that when cially the latter, the market is so far away that they go off in driving. 1.855 acres wi which 800 acres were in white crops, chiefly oats, and the balance in turnips end rale, |lc, and carrots. The Hanger suggests that it would be well if the settlers havi. aild try lucerne, as it makes such good fodder in summer, and by its hal.it o down in I ivelly soil to find moisture it affords succulent food for stock when al 1 I dry. The pa-lure lands comprise 9.034 acres of exotic and 21,538 acres of nati une portions of the latter area having been surface-sown with cocksloot. 45. Roseiei/I Settlement (between' Timaru and Albury, in the Levels and Mackenzie Counties). — Established March. 1904. Area purchased, 38,683 acres 2 roods 15 perches, now occupied by two small-grating-run holders, 1 12 holders of rural leases in perpetuity, and ten village allotments on the same tenure. There are 145 dwellinghouses. and a resident population of 574 persons. The value of

C—l

72

improvements required is £13,956 4s. 4d.. and the value effected £57.700 13s. sd. The Ranger reports that the improvements made during the year are all substantial and useful, especially the construction of dams, as the tenants find that with plenty of storage-space only an exceedingly dry season could cause any serious shortage of water. The] have taken lull advantage of the dry season [or cleaning the land of twitch. Arc. A fair quantity ol planting is being done, though more might be done with advantage, especially in the direction of fruit-growing. The crops on the whole have been lair, some of them above the average, and the tenants arc all dome well. 46. Morice Settlement (near Little River, Akaroa County).—Established December, 1905. Area purchased, 2,261 acres and 27 perches. There are twenty-nine holders, whose holdings vary from 8 to 215 acres; all reside within the limits of the estate, and the improvement-conditions have been complied with by every lessee. The value required is £2,101 195., and the total value effected £6,596 ss. 2d. The population is ninety-five, in twenty-nine dwellings. Most of the tenants are dairy-farmers and cocksfoot-seed growers. This seed was harvested off 730 acres, the returns varying from one to five sacks of seed per acre : the best return came from the high country, which had the benefit of seamists during the long spell of dry weather : and good prices were obtained, which made up for the poor returns. There were 442 head of cattle (about two hundred of these would he dairy cows). 700 sheep, 42 horses, and 50 pigs at the time of inspection. The shortage of pasture was telling very badly on the dairy cattle. The Hanger suggests that as twenty out of the twenty-nine holders have holdings less, and in some cases considerably less, than 100 acres, they should be allowed when opportunity occurs to obtain one other section in the settlement in addition to the one they occupy. There is no land suitable for agriculture, and they must depend entirely on their cows and grass-seed. At present the young stock have to be sold off at any price, there being no room to rear young cows to take the place of those which become unfitted (through age or other causes) lor the dairy. The young stock included in the returns given are almost all located on the larger sections. 47. Kinloch Settlement (near Little River. Akaroa County). Established March., 1906. Area purchased, 13,042 acres and 2 perches, which is divided amongst twenty-six sheep- and four dairy-farmers : one sheep-farm which had been surrendered was recently reselected. There are twenty-four dwellinghouses, in which seventy-six souls reside : two other houses are being built ; and in three cases the lessees have not yet fully complied with the residential conditions. The total value of improvements on the estate is £11,127 10s. 5d., as against £4,974 os. 9d. required. • Three tenants have not yet done the required amount, but in two of these cases they have been waiting lor the completion of the road to their homestead-sites. In connection with the improvements effected, it may be pointed out that nineteen of the settlers have to lift all their goods, timber, and fencing up nearly 2,000 ft., and then bring them down nearly as far again to their homesteads. The lessees have been unfortunate in that the two years during which they have had possession of their lands have been unusually dry ; they depend almost entirely on grazing for their returns : the stock which they disposed of had to be sold as stores ; and this, together with the drop in wool, has placed the settlers in difficulties at the very beginning of their tenancy. The stock wintered on the estate consisted of 15,239 sheep, 547 head of cattle, 84 horses, and 35 pigs. Lambing was fair, but some losses were occasioned by the cold snap which came late in the season. 48. Mills Settlement (near Waimate, Waimate County).—Established March, 1906. Area purchased, 882 acres 2 roods 30 perches. There are twenty-one holders, occupying areas varying from 10 to 124 acres ; and the population numbers seventy-two souls, residing in twenty-one houses. The area under cultivation last season included 388 acres in grain-crops and 41 acres in root or green crops, and 436 acres had been laid down in artificial pasture. The stock on the settlement consisted of 201 head of cattle, 50 horses, and 68 pigs. The value of improvements required is £672 3s. 4d., and the value effected £3,427 19s. 6d. There have been two bad cases of non-compliance in this settlement, and the leases have since been forfeited ; in other cases the holders are doing good work, and complying satisfactorily. The holdings are in good order, crops have been fair, and some of the holders use their sections for dairying. Homestead-sites, Low-lying Lands, &c. —There are eleven of these blocks, comprising a total area of 1,227 acres 3 roods 36 perches, five held on lease in perpetuity, four under small-grazing-run lease (to agree with the tenure of the larger holding to which they are attached), and two under temporaryoccupation license. Four of the holdings are residentiallv occupied, by nine souls ; and the total value of improvements effected is £2,107 55.. against £618 7s. required. General Summary. The following is a general summary of the figures quoted in this report:— Number of subdivided settlements .. .. .. .. .. 48 ~ homestead-sites, &c. .. .. .. .. .. II Total .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 59 Number of tenants, — Lease in perpetuity .. .. .. .. .. .. 1,142 Small grazing-runs .. .. .. .. .. .. 44 Fa nn homestead .. .. .. .. .. .. II Renewable lease .. .. .. .. .. .. 1 Miscellaneous occupation licenses .. .. .. .. .. 38 Total .. .. .. .. .. 1,236

73

C.—l

Total area occupied .. .. .. .. .. .. 259,944 a. 2r. 4p. Number of houses erected .. .. .. .. .. 1,074 ~ souls resident .. .. .. .. .. 4,678 Number of stock, — Sheep .. .. .. .. .. .. ..246,755 Lambs .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 90,481 Cattle .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 7,463 Horses .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 4,902 Pigs .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 1,707 Area in cultivation, — Grain-crops .. .. .. .. .. 31,926 acres. Green and root crops .. .. .. .. .. 20,557 „ Cultivated grasses .. .. .. .. .. 139,450 „ Native grass, swamp, &c. .. .. .. .. 68,011 ~ Total value of improvements required .. .. .. £207,880 lis. 2d. effected .. .. .. £437,067 10s. Od. Eric C. Gold Smith, Commissioner of Crown Lands. OTAGO. I have the honour to submit the following report on land for settlements in the Otago Land District for the year ended 31st March, 1908 : — During the year four new settlements were disposed of—viz., Kurow, on 21st May, 1907 ; Airedale, on 25th June, 1907 ; Otekaike, on 3rd February, 1908 ; and Taumata, on 25th March, 1908. The aggregate area of these four settlements for disposal was 57,578 acres, of which 50,819 acres have been let. The first two settlements, comprising an area of 3,742 acres, were let on lease in perpetuity ; and the last two, comprising the balance of 47,077 acres, were chiefly let on renewable lease, there being four miscellaneous leases over an area of 809 acres. The particulars of each of these settlements will be given in their respective places. Since the close of the financial year there has also been disposed of a further settlement called " Meadowbank," near Palmerston South, comprising an area of 4,343 acres, opened for selection on the 22nd and balloted for on the 25th April, the whole being disposed of. Pomahaka Downs. —Established February, 1894. Area, 7,479 acres. Occupied holdings, 28, over 7,286 acres, at an annual rental of £1,153 14s. 6d., including four miscellaneous licenses, over 348 acres, at £7 15s. per annum. The whole area in this settlement is now in occupation. The number of dwellings erected is fourteen, and the number of souls resident forty-two. Improvements have been effected to the value of £7,159 lis. 6d. Of stock there are 3,000 sheep, 92 cattle, 68 horses, and 10 pigs. Area in new grass, 843 acres ; in white crop, 1,050 acres ; in green crop. 919 acres ; and in native grasses, <fee, 295 acres. The Crown Lands Ranger reports as follows : " The settlers have had a favourable year. The absence of heavy continuous rains suits the soil in that part of Otago, and the number of hot days during last summer was a decided advantage. The grain-crops were of a fair average, but, unfortunately, some of them were severely shaken when just about ready to cut. The root-crops are moderately good, but the grass is backward owing to the continued want of rain during December and January. The low price prevailing for wool has affected the Pomahaka settlers, most of whom keep a flock of sheep. Generally speaking, however, they have made good progress during the past year, and their prospects now appear to be brighter than they have been for a number of years past." Teaneraki. —Established February, 1894. Area, 351 acres. Present number of holdings, 22, over 335 acres, at an annual rental of £273 18s. 4d.; there having been one forfeiture during the year, over 9 acres 1 rood 15 perches, not yet redealt with. Number of dwellings, 15 ; souls resident, 74. Value of improvements effected £2,166. Sheep and cattle, 151; horses, 25 ; pigs, 34. Area in new grass, nil; in white crop, 71 acres ; in green crop, 26 acres ; native grass, &c, nil. The Ranger reports that this settlement, which has been in existence fourteen years, has not made much headway, there being fewer settlers on it now than at the beginning. In the face of all drawbacks, however, in the shape of high rents, droughts, and distance from railway, the settlers (whose chief occupation is dairying) have, with the assistance of outside employment, managed to hold their own. Tahawai. —Established August, 1895. Area, 70 acres 1 rood 35 perches. Eight holdings, over an area of 68 acres 2 roods 14 perches, at £35 14s. 4d. yearly. Houses, 8 ; population, 32 ; Sheep, nil; cattle, 36 ; horses, 10 ; pigs, 25. Area in new grass, 2 acres ; white crop, 19 acres ; green crop, 1 acre; native grass, &c, nil. Value of improvements effected, £1,438. The Ranger's report states that this settlement, aided by irrigation, is still in a prosperous condition, the settlers generally obtaining outside work, while their families work the land and supply milk for the creamery. Maerewhenua. —Established September, 1895. Area, 11,164 acres, there being seventy-four holdings over an aggregate area of 10,924 acres at £3,552 7s. 2d. per annum, including four miscellaneous licenses, over 13 acres, at £2 3s. per annum. Number of houses, 58 ; population, 242 ; Sheep, 5,505 ; cattle, 613 ; horses, 257 ; pigs, 112. Area in new grass, 999 acres ; in white crop, 2,828 acres ; in green crop, 940 acres ; native grasses, &c, nil. Value of improvements effected, £21,948 12s. 3d. The Ranger's report is as follows : " This settlement, which is one of the earliest-acquired under the Land for Settlements Act, is also one of the most successful in North Otago. The settlers suffered'through the late drought, but have made wonderful recovery since the drought broke up. The crops have been

10—C. 1.

C—l

74

generally good, the yields comparing favourably with those of past years. The percentage of lambs has been high, and good prices have been obtained for freezers. Turnips have come away well since the late rains, and the prospects for winter feed are encouraging. The settlers are in a sound position, and are well satisfied." Puketapu. —Established March, 1896. Area, 509 acres. Eleven holdings, over 496 acres, at £189 os. 10d., per annum. Houses, 10; population, 34. Sheep, 50; cattle, 118; horses, 27; pigs, 34. Area in new grass, 97 acres ; in white crop, 100 acres ; green crop, 41 acres ; native grasses, &c, 94 acres. Value of improvements effected, £1,585 Bs. 6d. The Ranger states that this small settlement continues in a satisfactory position. The settlers complain somewhat of the small size of the holdings, but the soil is good and the settlement is well situated close to Palmerston and the dairy factory. This compensates for the smallness of the sections. The crops have been good : one crop of oats threshed out at the rate of 100 bushels per acre. The settlers are satisfied with their prospects. Ardgouan. — Established May, 1896. Area, 4,268 acres. Holdings, 66, over 4,170 acres, at £1,897 ss. 4d. yearly, inclusive of two miscellaneous licenses, over 11 acres, at £5 lis. 6d. per annum. Houses, 50; population, 219. Sheep, 1,260; cattle, 890; horses, 182; pigs, 175. Area in newgrass, nil; in white crop, 734 acres ; green crop, 307 acres ; native grass, &c, 220 acres. Value of improvements effected, £14,079. The Ranger reports, " This is another of the earliest-established settlements in North Otago, which from the first has been continuously prosperous, the dairy industry, with the creamery in the centre of the settlement, being one the chief factors that have contributed to its prosperity." Makareao and Makareao Extension. —Established in June, 1896, and April, 1897, respectively. Total area, 4,973 acres, there being in all thirty-four holdings, with an aggregate area of 4,862 acres, at an annual rental of £721 35., including three miscellaneous licenses and lease of limestone quarry over 208 acres, at a yearly rental of £61 ss. 6d. ; also three small grazing-runs, over 3,667 acres, at £401 18s. lOd. per annum. Houses, 23; population, 84. Sheep, 3,010; cattle, 255 ; horses, 75; pigs, 41. Area in new grass, 123 acres; in white crop, 223 acres; green crop, 276 acres; native grass, &c, 2,962 acres. Value of improvements effected, £6,241 lis. 9d. The lessee of the limestone quarry and works is making every effort to insure success, and there are reasonable hopes that he will not be disappointed. The Ranger reports as follows: " This settlement is making steady progress in every way. The larger holdings carry a good many sheep. Wool and fat lambs are the principal sources of income, while the dairy industry is accountable for much of the present prosperity of the occupiers of the smaller holdings." Momona. —Established May, 1897. Area, 224 acres 1 rood 16 perches. Holdings, 14, with an area of 219 acres 1 rood 16 perches, at £185 Is. 2d. per annum. Houses, 13 ; population, 51. Sheep, nil; cattle, 128 ; horses, 24 ; pigs, 41. Area in new grass, 24 acres ;in white crop, 31J acres ; green crop, 32J acres ; native grass, &c, 11 acres. Value of improvements effected, £2,297. The Ranger's report is as follows : " Momona has had an excellent year. The dryness and heat of the past season gave the settlers an abundance of grass, and, being all milk-suppliers, they obtained excellent returns. The settlement has a dairy practically on the ground, and it has good roads. The land is of the very finest quality, and the settlers generally are industrious and persevering. Their greatest danger is a wet season, because, owing to the level nature of the surrounding country, there is no fall to take away the surface water. Until some comprehensive drainage scheme is adopted, this estate and the large area of adjoining land will always be subject to flooding, which in the case of dairy farms does an incalculable amount of damage. The Momona settlers have made good progress, and under the circumstances prevailing during the past season their prospects are good. Tokarahi. —Establish M v. 1897. Area 11,260 acres there being seventy-nine holdings, with an aggregate area of 10,978 acres, at an annual rental of £4,068 Bs. 6r1., including twenty-seven miscellaneous licenses, over an area of 194 acres, at £16 14s. lOd. per annum. Houses, 46 ; population, 194. Sheep, 5,700 ; cattle, 548 ; horses, 284 ; pigs, 70. Area in new grass, 444 acres ; in white crop, 2,727 acres ; in green crop, 927 acres ; in native grass, &c, 2,085 acres. Value of improvements effected, £20,864 6s. lOd. The following is the Ranger's report: " This settlement is also progressing very steadily. The improvements made are of a solid and substantial kind. The settlers on the larger sections go in for wool-growing and raising fat lambs, while the smaller holders patronise the dairy factory. The latter industry has proved a great boon to the small man —in fact, if it were not for the dairy factory he would have a hard time. There are many things which make for the success of this settlement. It is well situated as regards the railway, and is splendidly roaded, well watered, and the soil is of first-class quality. The settlers are doing well and are satisfied with their prospects." Janefield. —Established September, 1899. Area, 147 acres and 2 perches. There are twenty-one holdings, covering 143 acres 2 roods 37 perches, at £258 6s. 2d., per annum, inclusive of one miscellaneous license, over 10 acres, at £35 13s. 2d. per annum. Houses, 19 ; population, 83. Sheep, nil ; cattle, 48 ; horses, 29 ; pigs, 21. Area in new grass, 8 acres ; in white crop, 15 acres ; green crop, 21£ acres ; native grass, &c, 18 acres. Value of improvements effected, £3,691. The Ranger reports as follows : " Janefield is chiefly occupied by persons working in and about Mosgiel. Good progress has been made during the past season. Formerly the land was overrun with weeds of all kinds, but a much better state of things is now being established. There are quite a number of comfortable homes on the settlement, and the lease-conditions have been well complied with. The settlers have no grievances and their prospects are good. No grain is grown except an acre or so for settlers' own use, but root-crops and vegetables for the Dunedin market are largely produced. Owing to the drought of last summer these crops have not been up to the usual standard, but in ordinary years Janefield settlers can do very well." Elderslie. —Established March, 1900. Area, 11,619 acres, there being thirty-four holdings, with a total area of 11,507 acres, at an annual rental of £4,126 19s. 4d., inclusive of eight miscellaneous

C—l

75

licenses, over 246 acres, at £18 8s lOd. yearly. There are twenty-four houses, while the population is seventy-eight. Number of sheep, 7,870; cattle, 242; horses, 194; pigs, 33. Area in new grass, 876 acres ; in white crop, 2,473 acres ; green crop, 436 acres ; native grass, &c, 752 acres. Value of improvements effected, £15,833. The Ranger states that " this settlement is making very steady progress indeed. When purchased it was said by many people that too high a price had been paid for the land, but the settlers who were fortunate enough to obtain sections at the ballot know how wide of the mark that statement was. Certainly they had a succession of good seasons with high prices ruling for all farm-produce, but, independent of that, the very high premiums which are being paid for the goodwill of the leases show that the price paid was not too high. The principal sources of income are wool-growing, raising fat lambs, and the dairy factory. The improvements, consisting of buildings and fencing, are of a most substantial character, and the settlers themselves are prosperous and well satisfied with their prospects." Barnego. —Established May, 1900. Area, 7,079 acres, the holdings numbering twenty-four, and covering a total area of 7,054 acres, at £1,404 2s. 6d. per annum, inclusive of one miscellaneous license, over 19 acres 1 rood 5 perches, at £1 per annum. The dwellings number 16 ; population, 60. Sheep, 3,790 ; cattle, 291; horses, 81; pigs, 50. Area in new grass, 530 acres ; in white crop, 552 acres; green crop, 568 acres ; native grass, &c, 374 acres. Value of improvements, £8,521 15s. The Ranger, in his report, says, " The dry season has more or less affected the position of the settlers occupying the higher land. The want of rain during December and January gave both grass and root crops a considerable set-back, and, though a good growth has been experienced since early February, the turnipcrops are not up to their usual standard. The grain-crops are fair, and several good yields have been obtained. The fall in wool has rather Seriously affected those settlers who depend largely on sheep. As against this loss, however, good lambing-averages were obtained. The settlers on the flat land who go in chiefly for dairying have had a really good year. The season suited them, and, though their rootcrops may not come up to the average, they will have good grass, and their cattle are in good condition to begin the winter. The Barnego settlers generally have had a very fair season. Their position is sound and their prospects good." Earnscleugh. —Established December, 1901. Area 1,270 acres, there being thirteen holdings, over 1,239 acres, at £173 10s. Bd. per annum, inclusive of three miscellaneous licenses, over 17 acres 1 rood 4 perches, at £3 7s. 2d. per annum, and two pastoral homestead areas, of 954 acres, at £121 13s. per annum. Houses, 8 ; population, 50. Sheep, nil; cattle, 41 ; horses, 14 ; pigs, 11. Area in new grass, nil ; in white crop, 4 acres ; green crop, nil; native grass, &c, 891 acres. Value of improvements, £2,195 10s. The Ranger reports as follows : " This settlement has made fair progress during the past year. The various holdings are gradually' being planted in fruit-trees, and on such placei progress is not so marked as on agricultural areas. Each settler is doing a little every year in the way of planting, and during the past year a fair amount of fruit was forwarded to market. A steady watersupply for irrigation is indispensable, and so far the keen competition between miners and settlers for the available water-supply has resulted in the Earnscleugh settlers suffering to some extent through shortage of water. If the position of the water-right were decided in favour of the settlers, sufficient water would be available even in very dry seasons, but until the position of the right is definitely fixed there will always be more more or less friction and dissatisfaction. Beyond the water trouble the settlers have no grievances, and their position is fairly sound. The settlement conditions have been well complied with." Windsor Park. —Established May, 1902. Area, 3,822 acres. The holdings number thirty-seven, with an area of 3,799 acres, at an annual rental of £1,641 3s. There are twenty-three houses, the population being seventy-nine. Sheep, 2,235; cattle, 304; horses, 110; pigs, 55. Area in new grass, 286 acres ; in white crop, 768 acres ; green crop, 353 acres ; native grass, &c, 199 acres. Value of improvements, £5,660. (See Ranger's remarks under Windsor Park No. 2.) Windsor Park No. 2. —Established October, 1902. Area, 2,180 acres, there being ten holdings, over 2,178 acres, at £875 16s. Bd. per annum. Houses, 8 ; population, 40. Sheep, 992 ; cattle, 217 ; horses, 40 ; pigs, 21. Area in new grass, 13 acres ; in white crop, 449 acres ; green crop, 176 acres ; native grass, &c, 315 acres. Value of improvements, £2,672 6s. 3d. The Ranger reports on th 3 two Windsor Park Settlements as follows : " These two settlements are in a satisfactory position. The settlers have suffered more or less from drought during the last two years, but the fine rains recently experienced have enabled them to make a good recovery. Dairying and wool-growing, according to the size of the sections, occupy the time of the settlers. Although it will take some little time to recover fully from the effects of the drought, the settlers on the whole are in a fairly prosperous state and well satisfied with their prospects " Duncan. —Established December, 1902. Area, 634 acres. Holdings, 7, over 632 acres, at £238 Is. 2d. per annum, including one miscellaneous (coal) lease, over 1 acre 1 rood 16 perches, at £10 yearly. Houses, 4 ; population, 11. Sheep, nil; cattle, 43 ; horses, 11; pigs, 4. Area in new grass, 50 acres ; in white crop, 76 acres ; green crop, 8 acres ; native grass, &c., 112 acres. Value of improvements, £1,055. The Ranger states as follows : " This settlement has not made any progress during the past year. The dry season was against it, and the grass and crops were not at all good. The land was in a bad state at selection. It had apparently been heavily and continuously cropped, and weeds of all sorts had obtained a strong hold. If the settlers once had their farms well cultivated and laid down in grass, they would probably make it a success, seeing that there is a dairy factory on the ground. That, however, will take a few years of persevering labour. They are somewhat despondent now on account of the inferior yields and poor grass of last season, and their prospects are not by any means bright. The settlement conditions have been fairly well complied with.'" St. Helen's. —Established June, 1903. Area, 548 acres, all occupied, in three holdings, at £224 lis. per annum. Houses, 3 ; population, 8. Sheep, 122 ; cattle, 41; horses, 17 ; pigs, 9. Area in new

76

C—l

grass, nil; in white crop, 174 acres ; green crop, 19 acres ; native grass, &c, nil. Value of improvements, £771 14s. 9d. The Ranger reports that this settlement suffered rather severely during the drought. The improvements effected are of a substantial character. The soil is good, and in ordinary seasons the settlers do very well. Greenfield. —Established April, 1905. Area, 22,071 acres, there being forty-one holdings, with a total area of 21,785 acres, at £4,244 lis. Bd. per annum, including one miscellaneous license, over 3 acres, at £1 yearly, and one small-grazing-run lease, over 1,205 acres, at £173 3s. 2d. yearly. There are now forty houses in the settlement, with a population of 132 souls. Sheep number 15,963 ; cattle, 391 ; horses, 237 ; pigs, 54. Area in new grass, 1,566 acres; white crop, 1,716 acres; green crop, 1,941 acres; native grass, &c, 3,885 acres. Value of improvements effected, £11,350 Bs. 6d. With regard to this settlement the Ranger reports as follows : " This settlement is in a very thriving condition. The drought which was felt so seriously by the settlers of north Otago did not appear to affect Greenfield to the same extent. The crops generally were very good, and the yields iv most cases were considered satisfactory. Just when the harvest was secured a splendid rain set in all over the district, the value of which can scarcely be estimated. It established the turnip-crop and brought away the stubble feed, and so secured an abundance of feed for the stock during winter. The improvements effected are very substantial. The settlers appear to be well satisfied, and I think the prospects of the Greenfield Settlenu nt are very bright." Steward. —Established April, 1906. Area, 21,936 acres. There are forty-seven holdings, covering an aggregate area of 21,665 acres, at an annual relital of £4,954 10s. 6d., small grazingruns, over 5,861 acres, at £981 9s. 2d. per annum. There are already forty-one houses on the land, with a total population of 149 souk?. Sheep number 11,698 ; cattle, 313 ; horses, 166 ; pigs, 21. Area in new grass, 680 acres ; in white crop, 2,327 acres ; green crop, 1,998 acres; native grass, &c, 6,960 acres. Value of improvements effected, £12,807 ss. 3d. The Ranger reports as follows: " This settlement, in my opinion, will owe its success to the irrigation-race brought on to the estate. The settlers suffered a good deal the first year through drought and the non-completion of the race, which having been finished, proved a great boon to the settlers during the last dry season. The stock on this settlement had an ample supply of good water, while on other settlements in the same district they were dying for the want of it. The crops this year have been good, and when the branch races are finished the success of the settlement should be assured." Plunket (Corriedale). —Established February, 1907. Area, 6,136 acres. Eighteen holdings, over 6,126 acres, at £2,165 6s. 6d. yearly. Houses, 14 ; population, 51. Sheep, 3,960 ; cattle, 194 ; horses, 52 ; pigs, 28. Area in new grass, 76 acres ; in white crop, 578 acres ; green crop, 282 acres ; in native grass, &c, 2,810 acres. Value of improvements effected, £3,063 Is. The Ranger reports that, notwithstanding the late drought, good progress has been made on this settlement. Already, with one exception, all the settlers are residing, and that one will be resident shortly. Wool-growing and raising fat lambs are the chief occupations of the larger holders, while the smaller holders will become milksuppliers to the creamery as soon as they get their land into new grass. Substantial improvements have been effected, and general satisfaction appears to pervade the settlement. Totara. —Established March, 1907. Area, 3,161 acres. Holdings, 27, with at an annual rental of £2,603 16s. Houses, 25; population, 61. Sheep, 990; 170 ; horses, 81 ; pigs, 38. Area in new grass, 343 acres; in white crop, 1,438 acres; green crop, 281 acres; native grass &c, nil. Value of improvements, £2,572 Is. The Ranger reports, " This new settlement is in a thriving condition. • In most cases the improvements, consisting of buildings and fencing, are very substantial. It is matter for regret that a number of the sections are overrun with Californian thistle, which is a great drawback to begin with. The settlers affected have, however, done a good deal of work in coping with the evil, and are evidently prepared to do their best. Dairying will be one of the chief features of operation on this settlement." Kurow. —Established May, 1907. Area, 963 acres, the area in occupation being 950 acres, in thirteen holdings, at £347 6s. 6d. yearly. Houses, 12; population, 19. Sheep, 150; cattle, 10; horses, 4 ; pigs, 2. Area in new grass, 13 acres ; in white crop, 180 acres ; [green crop, 5 acres ; native grass, &c, nil. Value of improvements, £1,202 ss. The Ranger states that " this small settlement will, without doubt, prove a success. It is situated within one mile of Kurow Township. The land on the flat is of first-class quality, while that on the hill is good grazing-land. The settlers are nearly all residing, and the buildings and fencing are of a substantial character. The crops harvested this year were very good, and have given a favourable start to the settlers, who appear well satisfied with their prospects." Airedale. —Established June, 1907. Area, 2,794 acres, taken up by twelve selectors, whose areas aggregate 2,791 acres, at £1,466 2s. 2d. yearly, including one miscellaneous license over 59 acres at £17 17s. yearly. Already this settlement is making good progress, there being eleven houses, with a population of twenty-eight souls : sheep, 1,582 ; cattle, 80 ; horses, 26 ; pigs, 10. Area in new grass, 60 acres ; in white crop, 241 acres ; in green crop, 71 acres ; in native grass, &c, 680 acres. Value of improvements, £1,441 10s. The Ranger reports as follows : " The settlers have been hard at work since they went into occupation, building and fencing having taken up a good deal of time, and the improvements being of a very substantial character. All the settlers are now residing on the land. They appear to be of the right class, and I think in average seasons will do well." Otekaike. —Established February, 1908, the freehold area acquired being 17,495 acres, to which has been added an area of 33,033 acres of pastoral Crown land, making the aggregate area of the settlement 50,529 acres. There are at present fifty-four holdings under renewable lease and three miscellaneous licenses, the aggregate area occupied being 43,391 acres, at a yearly rental of £4,732 95.; while there is an unlet area of 6,758 acres, of a yearly value of £348 Bs. 4d. This latter area could have been leased but for the Court proceedings pending in connection with the two preference applications

77

c.-i

made under section 80 of " The Land Laws Amendment .\ct, 1907." The disposal of this estate having been so recent, particulars as to buildings, population, stock, and cropping are not yet forthcoming. The Ranger states as follows : " This estate has just been settled, and it is too soon to say anything about the prospects of the settlers. At the present time a good many of the settlers are residing on the land, and all are busy erecting buildings and fencing. A good many miles of the latter have already been put up, all of a substantial character. Many of the settlers are now ploughing and preparing the land for the coming season. The displenishing sale at Otekaike enabled those with the larger holdings to stock up with sheep bred on the spot, so that they are more likely to do well than sheep brought from outside the district. With good seasons Otekaike should prove a very good settlement." Taumata (Ashley Downs). —Established March, 1908. Area, 3,700 acres. Holdings, 9, over 3,687 acres, at £833 6s. per annum. This land having been so recently taken up, it is too early to| report as to progress being made. There is,however,Jgood reason for believing that it will be a successful settlement. Meadowbank. —This settlement was opened* on the 22nd and balloted for on the 25th April, the total occupation area of 4,343 acres being taken up in eight holdings, at an annual rental of £890 ss. lOd. It does not, however, come within the transactions for the year 1907-8. Summary. —The following is a summary of particulars in respect of these settlements, omitting Meadowbank:— Number of settlements .. .. * .. .. 26 Total area acquired .. .. .. .. .. .. 178,883 acres. Total number of holdings .. .. .. .. .. .. 709 Area occupied .. .. .. .. .. .. 169,964 acres. Annual rent of occupied area .. .. .. .. £42,366 12s. Unlet area .. .. .. .. .. 6,775 acres. Annual value of unlet area .. .. .. .. .. £357 18s. 3d. Receipts for the year .. .. .. .. .. £37,185 lis. Bd. Total receipts from inception .. .. .. £228,832 10s. lid. Rebates granted during year, to 531 tenants .. .. .. £2,930 Bs. sd. Arrears owing by thirty tenants, holding 4,997 acres .. .. £907 9s. 2d. Total population .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 1,821 Number of houses .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 485 „ sheep .. .. .. .. .. .. 65,512 cattle .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 5,091 „ horses .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 1,973 pigs .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 858 Area in new grasd , . .. .. .. .. .. 7,903 acres. „ white crops .. .. .. .. .. .. 18.379J „ „ green crops .. .. .. .. .. .. 9,456 „ „ native grass, &c. .. .. .. .. .. 22,423 „ Total value of improvements now on the ground .. .. £150,616. D. Barron, Commissioner of Crown Lands. SOUTHLAND Merrivale Setdement. —The whole of this settlement is under lease by forty-nine selectors, who have made good and substantial improvements. The past season has been a favourable one, and the crops have been good. Very few of the lessees now require to take outside work, and but five of them are in arrear with rent, to the amount of £79 12s. Bd., which is £181 lis. 4d. less than the arrears of last year. There are 150 persons residing. Dairying and mixed farming are the principal occupations of the settlers. The total number of stock upon the settlement is 6,174. The total value of the improvements effected is £10,691 ss. Otahu Settlement. —No change has occurred during the year in the holdings on this settlement. There are six selectors upon it, holding 5,954 acres ; number of residents, thirteen. There are no arrears of rent. The total value of improvements effected is £1,753 10s. which is slightly under the amount required, but the inferior character of the land will account for this. The number of stock is 2,563. The Ranger reports that owing to the dry season the turnip-crops on some of the holdings are almost a failure. The oat-crops were short and thin. The success of the settlers is only a matter of time, although the land is inferior. The Ranger is of opinion that if it were possible to irrigate the whole of the settlement there would be a vast improvement. Beaumont Settlement. —One new selection, of 257 acres, was made during the year. The tenants number twelve, and the total of the residents thirty-three ; the area held being 4,462 acres. The value of improvements effected is £1,973 145., which is about £600 below the required amount. The total number of stock is 1,717. The Ranger reports that the settlers seem to be more satisfied with their holdings than formerly, and that they understand the nature of the soil and its requirements better. He thinks they will now be able to live comfortably upon the land. He states that the improvements made are of a substantial character. Five lessees are in arrear for £171 18s. Id., which is £32 less than last year.

C—l

78

Ilingway Settlement. —A forfeiture and reselection of the same section took place, leaving the number of tenants as before—namely, eight—the area held being 2,236 acres. Nine persons live on the settlement. The value of the improvements effected is £1,737, which, is £472 under the required value. The number of stock is 2,184. Arrears, nil. The Ranger reports that, owing to the Canadian thistle having almost taken possession of the land, the settlers are not so progressive as they might be. Some of them are making good improvements in the way of buildings and fencing. He considers that in time the settlement will turn out better than expected at present, more especially if the Canadian thistle could be eradicated. Glenham Settlement. —Four new selections were made during the year ; area, 2,243 acres ; all the settlement but one section, of 269 acres, being now taken up. The number of tenants is thirty-three and that of persons residing is 161. The stock owned numbers 4,100. The total value of improvements made is £7,100, yvhich is £1,208 over the required value. The arrears owing by two lessees amount to £35 14s. 2d. The Ranger reports that the settlement is improving, and that those settlers who are liming their land are getting very good returns. The oat and turnip crops are excellent. The settlers arc more hopeful this year than formerly. The settlement only requires time and plenty of lime to make it a success. Edendale Settlement. —Five new selections of small sections in Brydone Village and Edendale Township were made during the year. Only one section of the settlement proper remains unselceted. The total number of tenants on the, settlements is 139, the area held being 19,169 acres. The number of persons residing is 508 ; number of houses, 119. The value of the improvements effected is £32,587 165., the required value being £6,209. The. stock on the settlement number 7,913, comprising 3,695 sheep, 3,386 cattle, 536 horses, and 296 pigs. Ten lessees are in arrear, to the amount of £268 lis. lOd. The Ranger reports that all the settlers are doing very well, and the crops of turnips and oats arc excellent. The, only complaints made were from some of the lessees who have no outlet for surplus water. He is of opinion that this settlement is the best in the Southland District, and has a great future before it. With regard to the complaints made to the Ranger as to lack of drainage, I may mention that it has been arranged that the available balance of the sum set apart for drainage on the settlement will be expended by the District Road Engineer on the necessary works, so that this cause of complaint will soon be removed. It is apparent from the foregoing summary of the position of the settlements under the Land for Settlements Acts in this district that, although very much progress has not been made on the smaller and generally inferior settlements, the position and prospects arc on the whole better than at any previous time. Upon the six settlements there are now 247 settlers, as against 239 last year ; the area held is 52,687 acres, an increase of 2,242 acres on the preceding year ; the number of inhabitants is 874, giving an increase- of 40 persons. ■ The total number of stock is 24,741, which shows an increase of 3,852 on last year. The results of the settlement of the lands in these estates appear to show conclusively that, where good first-class agricultural and pastoral land, well situated, is purchased, the selectors have little difficulty in making a good living off the land, they become prosperous and contented, pay their rents regularly, and make the settlement a thorough success ; but, where inferior land is purchased, the settlers who keep to their holdings have a long uphill struggle, and much loss and hardship are entailed ; the Department also suffers loss by frequent forfeitures and reopenings of sections, or by some of them remaining for long periods unselected upon permanent tenure : this leads to the conclusion that none but first-class land should be purchased for such settlements. E. H. WILMOT, Commissioner of Crown Lands.

APPENDIX lII.—DRAINAGE OPERATIONS, HAURAKI PLAINS (PIAKO). I have the honour to inform you that, in accordance with your instructions, I left Wellington in August last to make a preliminary inspection of the Piako Plains, and reported to you thereon on the 11th September last. Since sending you the above-mentioned report, I have had time and opportunity to explore the property, and have verified to a great extent the opinions I then expressed. I informed you that the principal causes of the submergement of a large area of the plains was due to the incapacity under the then-existing circumstances of the Piako and Waitakaruru Rivers to discharge the waters forced upon them. I have done nothing to the Waitakaruru River, but as soon as the dredges ordered from England arrive they will'commence improving the channel of this river. As to the Piako, this river was very much blocked by willows, snags, and logs. The logs (mostly kahikatca) are now being removed by the millers, and their removal will, I apprehend, cause a considerable scour, and this will materially increase the capacity of the channel.

C.-l

P LA N SHOWING CROWN AREA KNOWN AS "THE HAURAKI PLAINS BLOCK" (PIAKO SWAMP).

C.—l

79

I have already removed most of the snags from the river between Kiripeehi and Waikaka. The snags below Kiripeehi, for economical reasons, I am leaving until the sayvmillers have removed thenlogs. I have cleared the Piako River, for about six miles, of the willows which obstructed the flow of the water. The willows have been pulled out by the roots and delivered upon the banks of the stream. The Awaiti Creek has been widened, and the obstructing willows have been removed ; consequently a considerable area has been relieved from stagnant water. In my report of the 11th September, 1907, I drew your attention to the overflow of the Waihou River, and informed you that I considered that unless something is immediately undertaken to confine the Waihou River to its natural depth and channel a large area of the Piako Plains will be subject to floods from the Waihou River. I informed you that I considered that the Piako River, if cleared from obstructions, could supply outlet for its natural tributaries, and afford the necessary relief for local drainage, but to find escape for the overflow from the Waihou River is beyond its capacity. The accompanying plan shows the drains constructed and the original creeks opened up up to date in hard blue lines, and the drains in progress in dotted blue lines are principally surface drains, and will in the future when the canal is completed be subsidiary drains which will discharge their local surface water generally into the said canal, and also convey the water from the western watershed, which now inundates the plains, directly into the proposed canal. The proposed canal will also, in cases of up-country floods, give a quick discharge of the flood-waters into the Hauraki Gulf, as its course will be straight and about ten miles shorter than the present course of the Piako River. It is evident that the proposed canal will not "only prove beneficial to the local lands, but will relieve the low-lying lands adjacent to Waitoa and Piako Rivers at least as far south as the ThamesMorrinsville Railway line ; but for the scheme to be thoroughly effective, it must be remembered, as I have hereinbefore mentioned, that some action must be taken to prevent the overflow of the Waihou River, or a large area of valuable Government land adjoining the Awaiti River will be subjected to flood. About 29£ miles of drains has been constructed, including of course the opening-up of the original watercourses, which were completely blocked and in most instances were not traceable for miles. Originally the course of the creek was followed where practicable. The effect of the drains has exceeded my most sanguine expectations. Artesian Wells. —During the hot and dry weather the water in the drains was unfit for the men to use for drinking or cooking purposes, and water had to be obtained from the Thames by tanks on a large punt. I therefore tried driving for artesian water, and had good indications at 120 ft., but at 150 ft. we struck rock too hard for the appliances at my disposal. At Kerepeehi, close to the wharf, mineral water was struck at 40 ft. The Maoris drink it, and others use it for making tea. A sample has been sent to the Government Analyst, as, besides possibly being as valuable as Puriri water, it is possible it may be suitable for flax-fibre washing. If so, it is a valuable asset for that purpose, as the Piako is too muddy at Kerepeehi to give the fibre the required colour. Telephone. —Communication has been completed between Kerepeehi and Turua, consequently direct communication with the Thames is established. This was a very desirable undertaking. Number of Men. —There are now engaged on the work about 156 men, but the average for the month would not be more than about 110. There are twenty gangs of men on piecework, who number ninety-eight, but practically only eighty was the average who were continuously at work. Fires. —Two or three small fires occurred, but they were trifling. About the 13th February, however,.two large fires occurred. One was suppressed before doing any material damage to Government flax, but a quantity of flax on Native lands was damaged. The second fire was very extensive, and if means had not been taken to check it considerable damage would have been caused. The fires were all extinguished about the 9th March, and as we had a heavy downpour of rain any further spread of fire was checked. It is very difficult to estimate the area the fires traversed, but I think not more than 6,000 or 7,000 acres were affected. I consider that the fires did practically no damage to the vegetation on the areas burnt, as it was chiefly rushes, tea-tree, and swamp fern, with a few scattered small areas of flax. The above vegetation was so dense that any small flax-plants were completely choked, and it was impracticable for any flax-seed that had fallen to germinate. Ido not think that the roots of 30 acres of flax were destroyed, and the flax will grow thicker and stronger where the flax was burnt and the roots not destroyed. There were certain areas which have been drained, and the flax was improving, and would probably have been fit to cut in two years, but on account of the fire I cannot expect such areas to produce any profit for three or four years. The fire-traversed areas will ultimately, I think, prove profitable, but they caused a temporary loss—the expense of extinguishing them, and the loss of a certain amount of revenue next year, that is, of course, if the flax-market recovers. Although I used every precaution to prevent fires, yet, as I have before stated, I think they did a considerable amount of good; and it must be allowed that it is fortunate that they occurred this year instead of next, as the portion traversed by the fire wilLnot be liable to be affected by fire for, say, three years, and in that time the drainage-works will be in such a condition, and access to the swamp so comparatively easy, that if a fire broke out it could be easily extinguished or confined to a particular block. . . Grass-seed Souring. —As a portion of the area burnt was not flax-producing, but was sufficiently burnt to give a good seed-bed, I asked your authority to purchase seed for, say, 450 acres, and having obtained your authority I have taken steps to sow the said area. Flax-seed. —As there were hundreds-of acres from which the vegetation was burnt, but not sufficiently so as to give a bed for grass, I recommend the advisability of sowing flax-seed on a portion of same. Having your authority, and as March and April are the months when the flax-seed is ripe, I have obtained some seed locally. I also intend to plant (partially for experiment) a few acres of flaxplants on conveniently accessible swampy portions of the property.

C.—l

80

Native .Lands. —Reference to the plan attached hereto shows there are blocks on the eastern banks of the Piako River still partially in the hands of the Natives. If these blocks, fronting' the river— say, from two miles from the mouth of the river to, say, seven miles from same point—were acquired, the Government would have a complete block of very valuable land easy to reclaim, easy of access, and easy to cut up for settlement. I would point out the desirability of acquiring the Pouarua, Pipiroa, and Te Hopai Blocks on the west of the Piako River. Besides the question of desirableness of consolidation for purposes of roading and subdivision, there is another important matter to be considered : All the drainage-works, stop-bank works, floodgates, and works incidental thereto will benefit and improve the Native lands as much as the Government lands. In the case of the stop-bank, it would be extremely expensive if the work had to be intermittent. If the blocks above referred to were acquired, it would be quite practicable a year after their acquisition to have 15,000 acres ready for settlement, and I am of opinion that if put up to auction the above area would be readily sold at from £8 to £10 per acre—possibly more. The Land. —If the Government continue their present progressive policy as to Hauraki Plains, there is no doubt in my mind that the property will become a most valuable asset and return an enormous revenue. Even if the flax-market does not recover sufficiently to enable profitable milling, half of the property will prove splendid agricultural land, and the balance would prove good grazingcountry. Works proposed. —lf funds are available I intend, subject to your authority, to proceed with the following works during the coming financial year, and offer you an estimate of the amount required for expenditure during that period : — Surface drains, being continuation of those indicated on plan and as may £ be required .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 3,600 Removing willows and snags, Piako River, below junction with Waitoa River .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 450 Cost of two dredges in complete working-order, ready for work .. .. 4,120 Maintenance and working of two dredges, including wages for six months : Dredging bars in Piako River and in new canal .. .. .. 860 Grass-seed and flax-seed, and sowing same .. .. .. .. 350 Clearing .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 100 Erecting stop-bank, say eight miles .. .. .. .. .. 3,200 £12,680 Allow engineering expenses .. .. .. .. .. .. 350 Contingencies .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 500 Total .. .. .. .. .. .. .. £13,530 In conclusion, I feel assured that, when you next visit " the plains " and have time at your disposal, you will be satisfied as to the immense asset the Government possesses in this property: its capabilities are beyond my description. The Under-Secretarv for Lands, Wellington. William C. Breakell.

APPENDIX IV.—REPORT ON THE TIMBER INDUSTRY IN THE AUCKLAND LAND DISTRICT, BY THE TIMBER EXPERT. The timber industry has been brisk throughout the year, and the demand for kauri has been fully equal to, if not greater than, the supply. Mills with adequate supplies were employed to their utmost capacity, but the growing scarcity and attendant delay in delivering logs renders it impossible for other mills to keep running up to their full power continuously. Large mills originally erected for the sole purpose and utilised exclusively for years for the production of kauri timber, are now either partly engaged in cutting mixed timbers (kahikatea and rimu, &c.) or making arrangements to do so. This will prolong the life of such mills, and also tend to extend the time for converting the remaining kauri. The most notable feature during the year is the increasing use locally of timber other than kauri for general purposes—viz., rimu, totara, matai, kahikatea, &c, supplies of which are obtained coastwise, and delivered in logs by scows, the remainder is mostly procured sawn from mills situated from fifty to 108 miles south of the city and delivered by railway, also the introduction into Auckland (the home of kauri) of one or two shipments or part cargoes of Oregon pine (this timber for some purposes is a good substitute for kauri) and owing to the greater remoteness and scarcity of the latter, also the

81

A—i

increasing difficulty of obtaining adequate supplies of suitable native-grown timber to meet local requirements, regular importations of Oregon or other pine in increasing quantities must be looked for in the future. Timber-measurers have been fully employed in preparing timber for sale, thus meeting as far as possible the requirements of sawmillers, who generally make applications for Crown forests or clumps, also remnants or remaining timber in the locality of or adjoining their present bush workings or timbergetting operations. It is proposed to detail off early this year three parties of two each for measuring timber on the Motatau Block for the Maori Land Board of the Tokerau District. High prices were realised for the kauri timber offered for sale by public tender during the year, and record prices obtained for three of the lots disposed of in March—viz., 3s. lOJd. for one lot, and 4s. OJd. per 100 superficial feet for two lots. It is not expected these values will be maintained in the near future, as the former lot was good handy timber, and the successful tenderer for the latter lots was able to utilise his dead-work—roads, dams, booms, &c.—in connection with adjoining sections and other workings in the locality. Various kinds of timber, aggregating 55,614,536 superficial feet, as under, were disposed of during the year ; value, £44,875. Royalty received, £41,604, being an increase of £6,975 over previous years.

In addition to the above, the following timber was measured and disposed of for the Education Department:—

Export of Timber, December, 1906, to December, 1907.—From Kaipara, 32,616,266 superficial feet, value £128,487 ; from Auckland and other ports, 30,400,512 superficial feet, value £147,923 : totals, 63,016,778 superficial feet, value £276,410, being a decrease in quantity of 5,271,940 superficial feet and £1 in value as compared with similar periods for previous year. (The disparity between quantity and values is owing to the increased price of kauri.) Of the total exports it is estimated that about 45,000,000 ft. is kauri, and the remainder mostly kahikatea. Timber-fioalage. —Forty-six new licenses were issued and thirty-three renewals were granted during the year. In the past many timber-dealers, sawmillers, and others engaged in the timber industry neglected to take out licenses. This neglect also extended to lack of control of the logs after they were placed in the water—so much so that in some cases they were allowed to drift about or sink—if the former, to be picked up at the convenience of the owners, rafters, or others ; if the latter, to disclaim ownership or liability, until the abuse became so grave and complaints so numerous of the damage sustained or impending by local bodies and others, and the danger to small craft, launches, boats, &c, also the difficulty and delay experienced by settlers in reaching their homes owing to sunken and derelict logs and other obstructions impeding navigation, that the Marine authorities found it expedient to cause sunken logs to be recovered at the expense of the owners, and this Department took action against all known offenders, as the abuse became acute, owing to the increasing quantity of kahikatea, rimu, and other timbers (less buoyant than kauri) being utilised for milling purposes rendering such action necessary. Bush-fires. —Owing to the unusually dry summer, bush-fires covering large areas were prevalent throughout the province. With the exception of two small reserves, the undisposed-of portions of Crown forest containing kauri escaped injury, although the fires approached the boundaries of Omahutu, Puketi, and Waipoua State Forests. In a few instances fires passed over old kauri workings and other areas containing mixed timbers, scorching the standing trees. On the whole the loss sustained by the Crown through the fires in Crown forests this year is inappreciable. On the other hand, private owners in various districts suffered more or less severely through damage to standing bush, logs, dams, tramways, buildings, roads, camps, &c. Where opportunity occurred, the timber-measurers, caretakers, bush contractors with their employees, and others assisted to stay the ravages and also the spreading of fires. Gathering Gum, Waipoua and Warawara State Forests. —A small contract to strip and grade treegum in Waipoua has been let recently. Large returns are not expected, as incisions are restricted About 8J tons of tree-gum has been received from Warawara State Forest, 6 tons of which has been gathered by contract, and the remainder by the caretaker, part of whose time is utilised for this purpose. The object in stripping the gum is to remove the temptation for trespassing, and the practice is to gather the overflow outside of incisions only with a view to the preservation of the trees. H. P. Kavanagh, Chief Timber Expert,

11—C. 1.

Kauri. Rimu. Eabikatea. Totara. "■*"■ ilSSl Total. Value. Royalty received. !rown lands Itate forests Sup. ft. 30,589,895 10,207,472 Sap. ft. Sap. ft. Sup. it >5, 609,3955,193,088 1.224,1C !2,127,783 380,081 248,4( Sap. ft. 5,193,088 380,081 Sup. it 1,224,101 248,465 Sup. ft. 10,948 6,874 Sup ft. 10,439 Sup. ft. 42,643,801 12,970,675 £ s. d. 29,820 6 8 15,049 1 8 £ s. d 27,370 8 2 14,234 14 2 40,797,367 7,937,178' 5,573,169 1,472,566 17,817 16,439 55,614,536 44,875 8 5 41,604 17

Iduoation reserves 1,103,009 7,603 14,112 16,012 1,888 1,142,624 1,176 14 1

C—l

82

APPENDIX V.—THE KAPITI ISLAND BIRD-SANCTUARY. [By James Drummond, F.L.S., F.Z.S.] In 1907 Mr. H. G. Ell, M.P., who takes a deep interest in the bird-life of this Dominion, suggested that I should visit Kapiti Island and prepare a report on the birds found there. I told him that I should be very pleased to do so. Mr. W. C. Kensington, Under-Secretary for Lands, kindly gave me permission to visit the island, and when myj'annual holiday arrived in February of this year I made arrangements to spend several days amongst the birds on the sanctuary. I left Wellington in the " Queen of the South "at 8 p.m. on the 20th February. At daybreak next morning the steamer reached the island. She sounded her whistle, and this brought off the caretaker, Mr. E. A. Newson,* who took me ashore in his boat. I had taken a tent and a week's provisions, but Mr. Newson placed his cottage at my disposal,, and during the six days that I remained on the island, until the 28th February, I stayed with him. The cottage stands on a high terrace, looking down upon a grassy flat. This is the site of an old whaling-station. It is called Rangatira, and is about half-way down the coast on the eastern side of the island. Hills rise up immediately behind the terrace on which the cottage stands. These hills are covered with forest, and I found the site an excellent one for my headquarters, as it gave me easy access to the birds' haunts. The island is about 5,000 acres in area, six miles long, and a mile and a quarter broad along its whole length. It lies near the mouth of Cook Strait, and about three miles from the western coast of the Wellington Province. It is generally reached by sailing-boat from the Waikanae River, which is opposite Rangatira. It is a small, rugged, precipitous little island, and is much cut up into gorges, gullies, and creeks. Along the whole of its western coast there are high cliffs, which rise almost sheer from the water to a height of over 1,000 ft. -The highest peak on the island is Titeremoana, on the western side, opposite Rangatira. It is 1,780 ft. high. All the island belongs to the Government, except a small reserve on the east coast held by a European owner, and about 1,200 or 1,300 acres at the northern end in the possession of Maoris, who use the land for sheep-grazing. Their land has been cleared, and the southern end is also bare of forest, but in most of the other parts the island is well wooded. The forest is mixed, and, on the whole, low. In some of the forests, not far from the sea, where the ground is very stony, there is no undergrowth. In those forests large numbers pf tree-trunks stand apart, with only a few lianas hanging from the upper branches to the ground. This peculiarity makes some of the Kapiti forests quite dissimilar from the ordinary New Zealand forests, which are characterized by dense undergrowth.t The rugged nature of the island, and its situation a few miles from a long stretch of fine beach, make it an exceptionally attractive place. Some of the scenery in the forests and on the coast is of surpassing beauty. The island has an historical interest on account of the fact that it was one of the principal centres of the whaling industry in the early days of New Zealand, and was once the headquarters of the famous fighting-chief Te Rauparaha and his Ngatitoa warriors, who captured it in 1820.} I was delighted to find on the island large numbers of the smaller species of native birds. The forests seemed to be full of them. They were so tame that they often came down from the upper branches of the trees to inquire into the cause of the noise I made as I went along. All day, from sunrise to sunset, during the week I spent on the island, native birds were my companions. There were pigeons, tuis, bell-birds, robins, whiteheads, tomtits, grey-warblers, fantails, and others. There is one spot on the sanctuary which seems to be a meeting-place for all sorts and conditions of birds. It is the head of a little spring, which flows silently out from a rocky bank, and makes a shallow circular pool of water two feet in diameter and three or four inches deep. It is only fifty yards from the caretaker's cottage. A fallen ngaio-tree has formed a rough bridge over it. Karakas and ngaios shade it from the sun's rays. The clematis, the bush-lawyer, and the supplejack climb up high branches, and filmy ferns grow in the moist soil on the bank. Every hour scores of birds came to that little brook to drink and bathe, and rest in the pleasant shadows. They flew down from the heights, sweeeping gracefully through the air, alighted on the tops of the trees, and rapidly came down, branch by branch, until they reached the prostrate ngaio-tree. There they generally rested for a few seconds, as if'anticipating the pleasures that awaited them. Then they flitted down into the pool, in which they L waded knee-deep, daintily dipping in their bills and throwing the water over their heads. This beautiful brook seemed to be the most popular place on the bland. I had only to wait there long enough

* Since my visit Mr. R. Henry has been appointed caretaker in Mr. Newson's place. f Dr. L. Cockayne has written an exhaustive report on a botanical survey lie made of the island at the request of the Hon. R. McNab, Minister of Lands, in October, 1906 (see Parliamentary Paper C.-8, 1907). X The historical aspect of Kapiti is dealt with by Mr. James Cowan (see Parliamentary Paper C.-Ba, 1907; also „Te Rauparaha," by W. I. L. Travers).

83

C.-l

to see representatives of nearly all the birds on the sanctuary ; and I never saw anything but the utmost goodwill amongst those who came to drink of the peaceful waters. Tuis and robins, bell-birds and whiteheads, warblers and tits, came and drank, bathed, and sang their songs, and there was not a jarring note of discord, an angry gesture, or the slightest sign of a cantankerous spirit. All enmity was sunk, quarrels were forgotten, and peace and goodwill prevailed. A more charming sylvan scene could hardly be imagined. The first native birds I saw on the islandjwere whiteheads. They belong exclusively to the North Island, but they have close relatives in the yellowheads of the South. The two species are popularly classed together as bush-canaries. I had hardly entered the forest on the slopes of the hills behind Rangatira when I heard a noisy twittering in the distance. It was indistinct at first, and could hardly be heard above the rustling of the leaves in the breeze. It came nearer and grew louder until the higher branches seemed to be filled with it. Then a flock of about a dozen little birds flitted into view. They were the busiest birds imaginable. Their affairs, apparently, were of the utmost urgency. The excitement that prevailed amongst them was intense. They were never silent and never at rest. They turned completely round with one hop off the branch, and turned back again with another hop. I watched them for several minutes, trying in vain to fathom the cause of their activity. They had no time, evidently, to feed upon the small insects on the trees, but as soon as they saw me underneath they peeped down over the branches and through the leaves, and gave many signs of the interest and curiosity my presence had aroused in their breasts. While I was watching their strange antics, the twittering suddenly stopped for a few seconds. When'it began again, it was dying away in the distance over the tree-tops. The whole flock had suddenly thought of some urgent business in another part of the island, and had set out post-haste to attend to it. I saw very many whiteheads in the sanctuary afterwards, but I never saw one passing the time in idleness. I never knew one to be silent for more than a few seconds ; and I never saw any signs amongst them of fear at the presence of a human being. The rather oppressive silence of the forests was broken more frequently by whiteheads than by any other birds. The whitehead is one of the native birds whose doom has been announced, but it is satisfactory to learn that it is plentiful on both the Little Barrier and Kapiti sanctuaries, and also, according to information recently supplied, in many places on the mainland of the North Island. Bell-birds are plentiful in all parts of the island. Ido not think that there is any place in the Dominion where they are more plentiful. The tuis' graceful flight from tree to tree is a common sight in the sanctuary. These dark and handsome birds are seen in large numbers on the karaka-trees, where they find supplies of their favourite berries. I saw only a few fantails, kingfishers, kakas, parrakeets, and hawks, but many pigeons, robins, and tomtits. I seldom went more than a few yards through the forests without the pleasure of the company of a robin. The tomtits are not as well represented as the robins, but they are present in large numbers. Several of them were frequent visitors to a tree close to the caretaker's cottage. There are two species of robins and two species of tomtits in New Zealand, one keeping to the North Island and the other to the South Island. In both cases it is the northern species that inhabits Kapiti Island. I did not see any of the Antipodes parrakeets which Dr. Cockayne liberated on the island at the end of 1907, but Mr. Newson told me that he had seen these birds several times, and that they seemed to be tbiving well. The Auckland Island ducks (Nesonetta aucklandica) which were liberated at the same time have evidently taken well to their new home. They were placed in a swamp about a quarter of a mile from the caretaker's cottage, and close to the sea-shore. I saw several traces of them in the swamp, and one mght a dog found one of them in an old drain, overgrown with watercress and other plants, on the Rangatira flat. The only natural enemies the birds need dread on the island are cats, and I do not think that they are at all plentiful. I saw one opossum. The principal inhabitants of the island, after the birds, are wild goats. They are present in large herds. They roam all over the hills, and the tracks they form make walking through the forests fairly easy work. Amongst the foreign birds I saw large numbers of blackbirds, sparrows, English thrushes, goldfinches] starlings, and Californian quail, the last-named being exceptionally plentiful. I was much impressed with the manner in which the English and New Zealand birds live apart on the island. There seems to be no attempt to establish relationships of any kind, friendly or otherwise. The English birds do not interfere with the native birds, and the natives take no notice whatever of the intruders. They do not frequent the same parts. I did not see an English bird inside the fringe of the forest, and I saw hardly any birds in the open, outside of the forest, unless they were hurrying from one part to another. I noted the same position on the Little Barrier Island when I visited the northern sanctuary in February, 1907. The New Zealand birds, evidently, have nothing to dread from the presence of English birds. My visit to Kapiti showed me that the birds there are comfortable, and that they have every chance to increase. There are fewer species than on the Little Barrier, wbch is a better sanctuary because it is more difficult of access, and is much further from the mainland. I tbnk that some of the species which are supposed to be rare on the mainland, such as the huia, the North Island thrush and crow, and the saddleback, might be liberated on Kapiti. 1 was convinced during my visit that the presence of the Maoris will be a menace to the forest and the birds every summer. While I was on the island, a large grass-fire swept over the Maori land, and only stopped at the edge of the forest on the Government land. On another occasion a bush-fire might gain a good hold and sweep over the island. New Zealand birds will not live away from the native forest, and if the trees are destroyed the island will be quite valueless as a bird-sanctuary. In these circumstances it seems to be advisable to offer the Maoris some inducement to relinquish their rights in respect to the land they own on Kapiti.

84

A—i

I append a list of native birds I noted. It includes a few which I did not see, but which are noted by Mr. H.G. Drew, of Wanganui. These are marked with an asterisk.

Popular Name. Maori Name. Scientific Name. Grey-warbler White-breasted tit North Island robin Pied fantail Black fantail Whitehead Ground-lark White-eye Tui, or parson-bird Bell-bird or mocking-bird Kingfisher * Shining cuckoo * hong-tailed cuckoo Kaka Antipodes Island parrakeet Red-fronted parrakeet .. Bush-hawk Quail-hawk Pigeon * Wood-hen * Blue heron .. * Pied stilt White-fronted tern Blaek-backed gull Mutton-bird * Blue penguin Gannet .. .. .. * Black shag .. .. .. * Grey duck .. .. Flightless duck (Auckland Island) Riroriro Miromiro Toutouwai .. Tiwakawaka Tiwakawaka Popokatea .. Pihoihoi Tauhou Tui Makomako .. Kotare Pipiwharauroa Koekoea .. • Kaka Kakariki Karewarewa Karewarewa Kuku Weka Matuku Poaka Tara Karoro Oi Korora Takapu Kawau Parera Pseudogerygone igata. Petrceca toitoi. Miro australis. Rhipidura flabeUijera. Rhipidura fuliginosa. Certhiparus albicapillus. Anthus novm-zealandice. Zoslerops ccerulescens. Prosthemadera nova-zealandiw. Anthornis melanura. Halcyon vagans. Chalcococcyx lucidus. Vrodynamis taitensis. Nestor meridionalis. Cyanorhamphus unicolor. Cyanorhamphus novce-zealandioB. Nesierax australis. Nesierax novce-zealandice. Hemiphaga nova-zealandice. Ocydromus australis. Demiegretta sacra. Himantopus picatus. Sterna frontalis. Larus dominicanus. Puffinus griseus. Eudyptula minor. Sida serrator. Phalacrocorax carbo. Anas superciliosa. Nesonelta aucklandica. Christchurch, 10th April, 1907.

85

C—l

Table 1.—Summary of Lands absolutely disposed of from the Foundation of the Dominion, with Total Cash received to the 31st March, 1908.

Table 2. —Lands opened for Sale and Selection during the Year ended 31st March, 1908.

Land District. Optional System. Cash by Auction. Lease by Auction viii.»» and Pastoral Runs. Application. Allotments. Small Orazing-runs. 8.G. Runs, Lease in Land Lease in Perpetuity, for Perpetuity only. Land for Settlements. Settlements. Renewable Lease only. Keuewableleaee Land for Settlements. Native Towns. Totals. Auckland Hawke's Bay Taranaki Wellington Nelson Marlborough Westland Canterbury Otago Southland Acres. 51,303 5,358 10,059 56,147 3,512 1,174 Acres. 230 14 19 125 83 Acres. 2,060 130 36 45,572 12,053 Acres. 1,248 707 Acres. 23,352 •13,127 74,550 118,000 64,109 9,854 Acres. 14,200 2,478 147! 551 Acres. Acres. 192 956 Acres. 4,914 53 19 234 4,204 J8 Acres. 5,273 Acres. 2,337 21,642 229 Acres. 9 Acres. 80,509 30,923 11,089 126,375 73,343 76,971 124,590 1,265 253,212 16,889 795,166 1,947 36,015 1,196 2,483 2,402 271 1,661 1,776 2 259 141 754 185 3 1 4^72 548 33,612 : 2 1209 550 1 3,742 187 3^304 651 - Totals .. 131,261 2,640 302,992 43,601 13,175 11,934 58,368 9 1,627 63,383 164,229 1,947 * Pastoral licenses under special regulations. f Land for settlements. J This ar rea was also offered on renewable lease.

District. Total Area sold and held on Freehold. Total Area granted or reserved under Acts. Total Area sold or otherwise finally disposed of from the Foundation of the Dominion. Total Cash received to the 31st March, 1908, exclusive of Rents. Total Area disposed of on Leasehold Tenures of a Permanent Character. Total Area open for Selection on 31st March, 1906. Total Area remaining for future Disposal, exclusive of Area in preceding Column, and of Native Lands. Auckland Hawke's Bay Taranaki Wellington .. Nelson Marlborough Westland Canterbury .. Otago Southland 2,119,767 1 18 1,437,091 1 1 449,935 2 6 2,239,797 2 38 536,463 1 8 858,363 1 34 66,545 3 34 3,536,605 3 31 2,000,212 3 32 1,610,648 0 25 A. B. P. 3,560,646 3 29 395,660 0 8 712,337 2 18 1,345,491 3 31 905,220 3 2 217,994 0 15 201,122 1 20 1,548,772 1 18 707,356 3 35 3,183,259 1 29 5,680,414 1 7 1,832,751 1 2 1,162,273 0 24 3,585,289 2 29 1,441,594 0 10 1,076,357 2 9 267,706 0 8 5,085,378 1 9 2,707,569 3 27 4,793,907 2 14 £ s. d. 873,643 17 7 734,668 19 11 872,775 9 2 2,508,908 7 5 475,642 0 10 345,586 14 8 75,903 16 10 6,474,344 0 1 2,228,655 13 10 1,908,944 16 9 A. B. P. 1,323,244 0 38 666,016 0 35 498,912 2 35 680,090 1 32 183,806 3 24 473,429 2 18 95,734 3 38 582,735 3 8 1,195,834 3 29 319,102 2 15 4.258 0 12 1,299 2 21 3,800 0 0 273 0 0 168 0 0 8 0 0 1.259 0 0 86 0 0 308 1 9 398 0 0 1,541,981 3 39 156,623 1 31 230,000 0 0 172,000 0 0 2,338,000 0 0 105,000 0 0 1,550,691 2 1 483,531 0 0 498,942 1 3 400,000 0 0 Totals 14,865,531 2 30 12 862 2

A—i

86

Table 3 (Part I). — Summary of Lands taken up during the Year ended 31st March, 1908 (exclusive of Pastoral Runs and Miscellaneous Leases).

in o Tenures. Auckland. Hawke's Bay. Taranaki. Wellington. Nelson. Marlborough. Westland. Canterbury. Otago. Southland. Total Area taken up during Year. I Obdinaby Cbown Lands. Table 5—Cash lands 6—Deferred payment 7—Perpetual lease and small areas .. 8—Occupation with right of purchase 9 - Lease in perpetuity 10 —Renewable lease 11 —Agricultural leases 12 —Occupation lease under " Mining Districts Land Occupation Act, .1894" 13 —Village settlement, cash 13 —Village settlement, deferred payment 13 —Village settlement, perpetual lease 13 —Village settlement, occupation with right of purchase 13—Village settlement, lease in perpetuity 13 —Village settlement renewable lease 13 —Village - homestead special settlement 15 —Special-settlement associations .. 32 —Improved-farm special settlement.. 16 —Homestead . 17 —Small grazing-runs A. B. P. 2,807 2 7 A. R. P. 132 2 28 A. - B. P. 44 0 11 A. B. P. 420 0 12 4,975 0 9 206 1 33 A. B. P. 17,092 2 31 A. B. P. 609 2 39 2,187 2 14 28,475 3 24 69,716 0 28 5,512 3 9 261 2 0 4,76o' 3 7 597 1 23 42,150 '2 18 2,231 3 12 53,596 3 12 6,441 0 8 200 0 0 9,268 3 11 ■20,214 2 21 1,017 0 0 3,229 1 15 9,124 0 19 2,847 0 0 4,174 0 17 12,419 3 32 118 3 0 83 3 32 938 1 12 3,114* 3 22 4,100 1 26 187,799 0 35 63,871 2 5 3,427 1 0 83 3 32 3,046 2 22 473 1 23 558 1 37 713 0 0 331 3 2 31 2 28 » 0 1 31 1 0 33 1 2 0 3 0 24 ■2 3 22 •• "■ " •• 2° 3 22 38 2 21 1,247 3 8 712 1 7 0 1 30 49 3 31 251 3 15 2,300 3 32 2 0 24 29 3 24 76 1 29 108 1 37 410 0 30 410 0 30 •• 16,421 2 31 2,478 0 0 7 1 26 13,068 2 0 4,034 3 18 180,589" 3 24 -216, 600' 1 19 506,130 2 2 •■ Totals .. 95,231 2 39 9,219 3 39 44,844 0 17 74,442 0 16 39,051 3 16 5,166 3 8 12,304 3 11 17,092 2 31 199,014 2 11 9,762 3 14 Cheviot Estate. Table 5 - Cash lands . 9—Lease in perpetuity 13 —Village-homestead special settlement 17 —Grazing-farms i I I I " •• " -• Land fob Settlements Acts. „ 5—Cash lands 9—Lease in perpetuity 10 —Renewable lease 13 —Lease in perpetuity (village) 15 —Special-settlement associations 17 —Small grazing-runs 38 3 26 20,449 2 18 208 1 7 648 2 0 20,168 2 1 0 8 16 587 2 20| 203 3 22 4,204 0 9 78 2 3 1 1 13 4 0 14 462 0 0 3 0 0 5,561 1 29 46,268 2 21 2,757 3 18 .. 43 0 39 34,495 2 13 67,107 1 29 0 3 16 - 8,210 0 0 1,947 0 0 •• 10,157 0 0 •• •• • • •• •• •• Grand totals 124,138 2 10 30,037 3 16 45,431 2 37 '617.934 2 19 74,645 3 381 145,202 3 25| 5,244 1 ll! 12,304 3 ll| 17,560 0 1! 1250,847 2 2: 12,520 2 32 1

87

C—l.

Table 3 (Part II). — Summary of Lands: Transactions up to the Year ended 31st March, 1908.

00 "i a. tO o Tenures. Exchanges from other Tenures during the Year. Area held at 31st March, 1907. Total Exchanges during the Year. Total Forfeitures during the Year. Total Surrenders during the Year. Total Expiries during the Year. Total Area held on 31st March, 1908 : Past and Current Transactions. Total Area made Freehold to Date. _ _ Ordinary Cbown Lands. Table 5— 1'ash lands 6 — Deferred payment 7 — Perpetual lease.. 8—Occupation with right of purchase 9 —Lease in perpetuity 10 —Renewable lease 11—Agricultural lease 12 —Occupation lease under " Mining Districts Land Occupation Act, 1894" 13 - Village settlement, cash 13 Village settlement, deferred payment 13—Village settlement, perpetual lease 13 Village settlement, occupation with right of purchase 13- Village settlement, lease in perpetuity 13 —Village settlement, renewable lease 13 —Village - homestead special settlement » 15 — Special settlement associations .. . 32 —'mproved-farm special settlement.. 16 —Homestead 17 —Small grazing-runs A. B. P. 14,307 3 39 A. R. P. 30,741 1 10 105,521 1 29 1,454,988 1 21 1,387,541 0 0 A. B. P. 6* 2 36 1,641 0 1 A. B. P. 26,466' 3 8 12,534 3 17 A. K. P. 404 0 32 1,727 3 38 a. B. p. a. B. p. 24,565 2 15 ".1-2,627 2 10 1,579,102 3 23 1,450,382 0 37 3,427 1 0 76 3 24 521 1 29 24,906 0 11 a. R. P. 12,861,195 2 34 970,070 0 29 776,335 3 7 130,003 2 3 1,521 2 0 514 1 21 22,881 3 36 378 9 27 576 1 25 67' 1 35 140,895 3 23 76 1 26 225 2 0 1,703 3 31 61 1 10 11,986 3 25 49' 3 31 » • 7,117 0 14 12,228 3 31 164 3 3 45 1 28 385 2 19 19 3 38 128 1 0 10 1 23 1,507 0 22 64 0 32 2,576 3 5 7 0 0 32 2 0 23,250 1 31 . 23,045 1 37 114,156 3 10 71,211 0 23 1,407,795 2 14 12,352 0 3 131 0 0 1,069 2 19 3,103 0 0 2 2 39 108 1 37 13,652 2 16 114,023 0 11 67,916 0 5 61,028 2 24 1,568,324 0 28 91,347 0 34 1,934 3 30 80,452 3 10 1,018 2 19 Totals .. 14,384 1 25 4,632,370 0 27 14,859 1 25 44,010 1 10 3,253 2 3 61,105 2 8 4,964,543 3 30 15,075,687 1 20 Cheviot Estate. Table 5—Cash lands 9—Lease in perpetuity 13 Village-homestead special settlements . 17 —Grazing-farms 24,392 1 2 2,480 1 0 -• •• •• 24,392 1 2 2,480 1 0 6,842 1 25 45,846 1 26 45,846 1 26 Land fob Settlements Acts. » 5—Cash lands 9 - Lease in perpetuity lO —Renewable lease 13 -Lease in perpetuity (village) 15 —Special-settlement associations .. 17- -Small grazing-runs 648,481 0 10 446 3 28 2,114 1 9 207,508 0 30 2,29o' 3 29 9 1 15 1,215 1 34 678,971 3 30 67,107 1 29 438 1 28 2,114 1 9 217,654 0 33 93 3 7 1 0 24 Grand totals 14,384 1 25 5,563,639 2 12 14,859 1 25 j 46,340 2 14 4,470 0 21 61,105 2 8 6,003,549 0 27 15,082,623 2 12

C.—l

88

Table 4.— Analysis of Holdings taken up during the Year ended 31st March, 1908.

Average Holdings of Selectors. Tenures. No. of Selectors. No. of Selectors No. of Seleotors No. of Selectors 251 to 500 501 to 1,000 1,001 Acres Acres. Acres. and upwards. No. of Selectors under 1 Acre. No. of Selectors 1 to 50 Acres. No. of Selectors 51 to 250 Acres. Ordinaby Cbown Lands — Cash lands Deferred payment Perpetual lease Occupation with right of purchase .Lease in perpetuity.. Renewable lease Agricultural lease .. Occupation lease under "The Mining Districts Land Occupation Act, 1894" Village settlement, cash Village settliment, occupation with right of purchase .. Village settlement, lease in perpetuity Village settlement, renewable lease Village-homestead special settlement.. Special settlement associations Improved-farm special settlement Small grazing-runs Pastoral runs Thermal springs, Rotorua Miscellaneous leases and licenses 386 354 214 17 3 73 3 3 70 15 207 33 1 2 4 1 133 20 19 3 45 2 1 48 14 31 113 . 75 16 28 10 75 47 1 •• 3 79 31 •• 2 67 9 18 " 3 61 90 18 3 1 29 2 6 14 3 44 34 521 57 305 114 17 16 12 Totals .. 1,813 305 608 428 108 146 168 Cheviot Estate — Cash lands Lease in perpetuity Village-homestead special settlement Grazing-farms Miscellaneous - 2 "l 1 Land for Settlements Acts — Cash lands Lease in perpetuity Renewable lease Lease in perpetuity, village Small grazing-runs Miscellaneous 18 213 151 2 3 23 5 35 *2 13 75 31 47 50 39 53 17 13 4 4 10 7 1 3 1 Grand totals 2,225 351 738 533 251 177 175

C—l

89

Table 5. —Return of Crown Lands sold for Cash during the Year ended 31st March, 1908.

12—0. 1

Area disposed of. Avei ,ge Price pel Acre. Con Consideration received. asideration Town. Suburban. Rural. Total. District. Number of Purchasers. Area. Number of Purchasers. , Area. Number of Purchasers. Area. Number of Pur- 1 chasers. Area. Town. Suburban. Rural. Cash. Scrip. Total. A. Ii. P. A. R. P. A. B. P. 65 A. B. P. 2,807 2 7 £ s. d. £ s. d. £ s. d. . £ s. d. £ s. d. £ s. d. Auckland 9 24 0 13 21 34 1 32 85 2,749 0 2 15 14 6 j 6 14 8 | louiol* 1 ' 86 ° 19 ° 1,860 19 0 Hawke's Bay 44 12 1 28 4 120 1 0 48 132 2 28 105 6 5 0 15 9 ; 1,368 4 6 1 1,368 4 6 Taranaki Wellington Nelson Marlborough .. 7 113 10 9 8 0 32 1 6 19 8 37 2 14 1 31 1 11 39 1 34 16 3 0 2 6 is 5 3 0 0 348 1 12 4,955 0 12 189 2 33 11 133 28 6 44 0 11 420 0 12 4,975 0 9 206 1 33 30 18 5J 258 10 0 9 5 0 .. j 2 13 1 10 0 0 421 16 0 10 0 0 ]] 7 3}* 9,352 15 11 25 0 0 * \: 3}*: 893 16 1 4 iO 0 tY 16 10 .. I 5 18 4 " I J I 1,035 2 3 |2 9 4| in q oi* 3 17 8 [° 0l l 1} 1,709 5 4 421 16 0 9,352 15 11 1.689 11 11+ 893 16 1 Westland Canterbury 9 11 2 26 5 17,081 0 5 14 17,092 2 31 8 3 0 ( 1,457 16 10 J Otago 11 4 0 21 5 6 10 22 599 1 18 38 609 2 39 27 7 0 1,035 2 3 Southland 1 0 1 0 25 227 1 38 17 1,959 3 16 43 2,187 2 14 50 0 0 1,709 5 4 Totals 160 386 28,475 3 24 19,789 7 10 I 102 0 23 112 368 0 23 114 28,005 2 18 19,789 7 10 Land for Settlements — Auckland Canterbury Otago 7 13 9 5 0 2 0 7 1 2 25 1 21 0 3 13 3 0 0 14 2 2 38 3 26 1 1 13 3 0 0 12 12 9 60 0 0 13 15 0 19 0 0 10 5 0 r,20 9 4 15 15 11 30 15 0 520 9 4 45 15 11 30 15 0 •• " .. Totals 8 14 0 5 10 •• •• 29 0 34 IS 43 0 39 597 0 3 597 0 3 Wtiere two average prices are given, the Hist is for lands selected when an option was given to acquire them under other tenures, and the second when no such option was given. t Kxcludes .£167 Is. 9d. paid on an uncompleted purchase of cash lands. : Kxcludes £191 10s. paid on an uncompleted purchase of cash lands.

90

C—l

Table 6. —Return of Deferred-payment Lands: Transactions during the Year ended 31st March, 1908.

• Forfeitures durir lg the Year. Exchanges during the Year. ,. , . . , I Net Area held on 31st March, Capitalised during the 1908) i nc i u a; ng Year - Capitalised Holdings. District. S3 "5 Area. \rH m Yearly Instalments payable. g o Yearly S3 -g Area. Instalments 1 ■% payable. ° « j I Yearly ° £ I Yearly Ingo Instal- 2% Arpft stalments a 8 Area ' ments g§ Area " and Interest 3»| payable. =3 payable. Yearly Instalments and Interest payable. Amount received during the Year ended 31st March, 1908. i Auckland Hawke's Bay Taranaki Wellington .. Nelson Marlborough Westland Canterbury Otago Southland A. B. p. I •• •• I £ s. d. A. R. P. .. 1 £ s. d. a. b. p. ; £ s. d. a. r. p. £ s. d. 2 320 0 0 7 5 10 17 1,184 3 23 30 13 3 1 1,415 0 0 42 10 0 1 99 0 0 8 16 10 1 213 0 22 1 16 4 \ 24 2,919 0 27 145 9 0 2 320 0 0 7 5 10 17 i 1 i 1,184 3 23 30 13 3 i 4i s n n 42 10 01 l,41o 0 0 V2. iu U! qq n fl! ft 16 101 £ s. d. 30 13 3 42 10 0 8 16 10 1 16 4 145 9 0 £ s. d. 142 16 3 42 10 0 8 16 10 5 0 0 394 4 0 .. .. I " 1 1 .. .. .. .. •- 9 213 0 22 1 ID 4 a 919 n 9.7 145 9 0 - 24 2,919 0 27 140 » Ui 4 8,914 0 10 660 0 8 13 3,873 3 39 88 3 10 4 5,946 1 14 189 2 4 A 4 19 a aid n in fifin 0 8i 8,914 0 10 bbO U u a a>7n 3 hq MR 8 10 .. 660 0 8 88 3 10 139 2 4 1,028 12 5 432 3 0 167 8 6 .. "i 6"2 36 0 19 8 13 A 3,873 3 39 88 3 IU K QAfi lid 139 2 4 1 2 320 0 0 4 7 5 10 65 — =- 5,946 1 14 139 -A 41 24,565 2 15 1,116 12 s| Totals .. 2,221 11 0 1 6 2 36 0 19 8 I Freehold acquired during the Year. Made Freehold from Commencement of System to 31st March, 1908. Selectors in Arrei 31st March, 191 on District. O CO -2 ° C Hi O CO &£ •2 ° S Hi ! Area. Total Amount realised, exclusive of Interest. O co -A g t> s Area. Amount. Area. a£ 3 m Auckland Hawke's Bay Taranaki Wellington Nelson Marlborough Westland Canterbury Otago Southland 2 57 1 1 A. b. p. 320 0 0 325 807 1,303 654 1,573 50 100 118 1,123 1,310 A. B. P. 40,145 2 26 83,906 1 20 157,098 3 13 136,987 1 31 148,171 0 38 4,638 1 30 4,571 3 12 18,881 0 34 188,750 3 36 186,918 0 29 £ s. d. 22,875 1 3 89,081 7 9 238,671 16 3 151,161 10 10 119,908 9 10 3,257 9 3 4,282 11 3 43,039 9 10 226,662 5 8 250,975 0 1 4 A. B. P. 184 3 17 £ s. d. 14 7 0 i 213 0 22 3 1 6 5,943 0 4 300 0 0 1,497 2 18 i 49 0 28 1 12 10 Totals .. 61 8,060 2 22 7,363 970,070 0 29 1,149,915 2 0 6 447 0 27 19 1 4

91

A—i

Table 7. —Return of Perpetual-lease Lands: Transactions during the Year ended 31st March, 1908.

ffa taken up during the Year. aken up dt V uring the Kxch Exchanges to other Tenures during the Year. lianges to < other r Tenures Forfeit A..rlr.~ A-U Forfeitures during the Year. ture 3S Jr.r.r Surrenders during the Year. Distriot. O m ■2 ° as rH™ Yeai Area. ur. Annual g S Rental -2 "S payable. | £ during th Area. ae Ye ear. Annual Rental. tA U during th Area. he Y .•ear. Annual Rental. 0 ~0 Area. Annual Rental. Auckland Hawke's Bay Taranaki Wellington Nelson Marlborough Westland Canterbury Otago Southland A. R. P. .. £ s. d. 1 1 A. B. P. 50 0 0 191 0 0 £ s. d. 15 0 4 15 6 A. B. P. £ s. d.| A. B. P. £ s. d. •■ » •• .. ... .. " 1 '1 48* 0 14 1,351 3 27 » 9 12 4 59 3 0 - - - " - .. .. Totals 4 1,641 0 1 74 15 10 L. | District. I o d . AH a s EM Freeholds acquired during the Year. Area. as = Hi •A™ Made Freehold from Commencement of System to 31st March, 1908. Area. Total Amount realised, exclusive of Interest. Net Area held on 31st March, 1908. 2 ° . Annual !§ Area - Rental. Amount received during the Year ended 31st March, 1908 (exclusive of Amount from Perpetual Leases made Freehold). rH™ Selectors in Arrear, 31st March, 1908. Area. Amount realised. Amount. Auckland Hawke's Bay .. Taranaki Wellington Nelson Marlborough .. Westland Canterbury Otago Southland 12 1 7 a. b. p. £ s. d. 2,144 3 16' 782 16 6 515 295 180 0 0 342 0 0 40l! 2,865 2 32 2,690 3 8 789| A. R. p. 1 ! 157, 048 0 26i 133,159 1 24 ! 101, 230 1 39; 1308,955 2 5, 1 9,181 0 30 925 3 24 482 3 20 1 15,595 0 11 j 27,966 0 11 21,791 0 17 £ s. d. 73,818 13 9 102,008 9 7 93,795 10 2 275,616 8 2 ! 3,122 5 6 447 5 0 482 17 2 23,792 6 9 22,114 1 2 16,432 19 9 207 11 12 14 11 5 7 20 175 58 A. B. P. 36,391 1 14 3,352 0 23 3,781 0 16 4,403 0 16 1,922 2 13 1,170 2 23 580 1 8 1,443 1 35 29,958 0 15 9,624 3 7 £ s. d. 1,060 4 11 127 11 6 199 2 2 173 5 3 37 1 6 33 17 6 28 0 4: 113 0 0 1,085 18 0| 351 5 0| £ s. d. 869 2 1 132 5 0 219 2 9 206 15 6 49 13 0 30 10 8 27 2 4 111 10 7 989 14 8 367 8 8 12 2 3 1 1,800 215 150 0 0 711 0 0 77 0 14 £ s. d. 38 2 11 8 9 0 27 12 4 0 14 3 r. 2 11 6 6 534 1 38 743 2 2 91 1 3,063 3 36 2,759 0 0 145; 2,348 0 7 1,796 5 7 92 8 2 2,029* 0 30 416 0 27 78 0 8 8 16 3 Totals ■V.) 11,137 0 9 9,113 7 11 92,627 2 101 3,209 6 2| 3,003 5 3 28 5,184 0 6 161 15 |2368 ; ;776,335 3 7 611,630 17 01 520

c—l

Table 8.—Return of Occupation-with-right-of-purchase Lands taken up during the Year ended 31st March, 1908.

92

Taken up Taken up during the Year. p during the Year. Forfeitures during the Year. Surrenders during the Year. Freeholds acquired duiing the Year. District. 3^ Area. Average Rent per Acre. "S oo Annual Jo Annual Rental |g Area. Rental payable. 3-3 7. * Annual Rental. 3 to 1 3 7, *H ■ 3 Hi 7™ |S , Annu o Area. T>„„f Kenti I "o Area. Annual Rental. **-t * ft CD O al 3d Area. Amount received. Auckland Hawke's Bay .. Taranaki Wellington Nelson Marlborough .. Westland Canterbury Otago Southland 167 22 45 65 23 4 69,716 0 28 4,760 3 7 42,150 2 18 53,596 3 12 9,268 3 11 1,017 0 0 s. d. £ s. d. 0 11-02 3,375 14 4 5 4-45 I 1,278 14 0 0 8-4 1,457 6 0 0 10 , 2,204 17 6 0 4 152 8 0 13 62 0 0 57 2 15 4 1 A. R. P. 13,540 1 2 40 3 6 9,348 1 19 726 2 23 35 0 0 £ s. d. 492 1 0 2 1 2 308 14 0 37 8 4 0 10 6 •• A. R. P. £ s. d. 1 49 7 9 52 6 1 a it p 1 £ s d 12,768 1 25 6,288 8 S 2,085 3 0 2,497 7 £ 2,530 0 8 3,658 15 7 16,764 0 26 19,232 14 i 1,510 3 39' 514 10 £ 561 0 0 490 17 £ 125 0 0 187 10 C 84 1 33 51 0 C 168 1 20 116 10 7 1 123* 2 0 7 0 0 1 17 2 0 6 1 •• 1 1 4 / 14 14 4,174 0 17 3,114 3 22 0 5-2 90 6 10 0 4-3 59 18 10 "l 10 1,050' 2 30 1,725 0 8 30 12 0 38 13 2 1 273 2 32 5 2 10 Totals .. 354 8,681 5 6 2 I 130 37,133 0 37 33,037 14 ll 187,799 0 35 96 26,466 3 8 910 0 2 404 0 32 7 6 1 Made Freehold from Commencement of System to 31st March, 1908. Net Area held on 31st March, 1908. Amount received during the Year ended 31st March, 1908 (exclusive of Amount paid for acquiring Freehold). Selectors in Arrear, 31st March, 1908. Distriot. 2 a 7a Area. Total Amount received. O co *- ft 3 IB 7,™ Area. Annual Rental. /-> .1 it On Past On the Years Transac . Total Transactions. 1 tions. o oq ; 3"3 ; Area. Amount. Auckland Hawke's Bay Taranaki Wellington Nelson Marlborough Westland Canterbury Otago Southland 231 37 34 161 18 6 43,138 2 5 18,114 3 0 7,659 0 1 52,360 0 11 3,519 0 37 1,318 1 0 £ s. d. 22,997 2 0 15,380 11 3 11,028 11 0 60,995 11 9 1,164 16 8 938 12 6 2,367 258 449 664 206 43 106 25 259 324 711,763 1 30 136,751 3 23 246,684 0 6 280,614 2 18 45,450 3 2 13,510 3 19 18,590 0 24 4,608 2 23 47,878 0 22 73,250 1 10 £ s. d. 23,272 16 1 7,864 1 1 9,948 4 0 14,431 19 7 854 19 6 588 1 1 601 4 0 247 13 6 1,305 2 0 1,761 16 6 £ s. d. 1,687 17 2 639 17 0 738 17 9 2,065 16 1 260 16 2 42 16 9 £ s. d. 13,119 12 4 5,896 8 10 5,366 5 1 8,695 12 5 415 14 0 492 16 11 526 4 7 249 8 1 1,176 4 7 1,419 9 11 £ s. d. 14,807 9 6 6,536 5 10 6,105 2 10 10,761 8 6 676 10 2 535 13 8 526 4 7 249 8 1 1,228 5 3 1,449 9 4 139 3 15 7 2 A. B. P. 18,350 0 0 1,591 0 0 6,056 1 38 3,067 0 0 344 0 0 £ s. d. 557 0 6 36 10 0 139 13 10 62 5 0 4 17 6 2 129' 3 17 1 12 6 8 4 22 j 618 2 29 278 0 36 2,996 3 4 1,109 9 5 199 0 0 2,391 18 3 52 0 8 29 19 5 7 9 811 2 7 2,282 2 10 21 4 6 33 19 11 Totals 521 4,701 32,632 1 32 857 3 9 130,003 2 3 116,205 12 10; 1,579,102 3 23 60,875 17 4 5,518 1 0 37,357 16 9 42,875 17 9 184

93

A—i

Table 9.—Return of Lease-in-Perpetuity Lands, 31st March, 1908.

District. Taken up during the Year. Exchanges from other Tenures during the Year. Annual x , . , Annual Rental .Number of Areft Rental payable. Selectors. Forfeitures during the Year. Number of Selectors. Area. Average Rental per Acre. Number of Selectors. | Area. Annual Rental. Ordinary Crown Lands— Auckland Hawke's Bay Taranaki Wellington . Nelson Marlborough Westland Canterbury Otago Southland 17 4 10 63 10 53 '.'. 40 11 A. B. P. 5,512 3 9 597 1 23 2,231 3 12 6,441 0 8 20,214 2 21 3,229 1 15 9,124 0 19 12,419 3 32 4,100 1 26 A. B. P. 5,512 3 9 597 1 23 2,231 3 12 6,441 0 8 20,214 2 21 3,229 1 15 9,124 0 19 s. d. 0 5-2 7 51 0 7-8 1 2 0 4 0 6 0 4-9 £ s. d. 120 4 8 222 0 0 66 13 2 371 3 2 334 19 2 80 9 2 188 17 0 14 1 i A. b. p. 6,096 1 26 191 0 0 2,341 3 2 £ s. d. 128 5 6 3 16 6 225 6 10 91 0 4 25 6 1 2 1 34 1 9 3 6,762 0 10 1 3,622 0 0 200 0 0 450 1 0 21 0 0 108 2 8 59 0 0 1,219 3 3 92 0 36 £ s. d. 205 7 4 85 11 6 10 0 C 6 15 C 0 8 e 45 10 If 1 3 6 29 10 1C 3 2 4 10 ! 3,556 1 6 12,419 3 32 4,100 1 26 0 5-8 0 3-9 29918 9 67 6 6 5 1 2 93 2 2 1,351 3 27 77 0 16 28 9 10 47 6 4 8 0 4 Totals 214 63,871 2 5 1,751 1 7 87 14,307 3 39 ->~tz— r^ - 532 5 8 I 12,534 3 17 387 10 i •• 82 Land jor Settlements — Auckland Hawke's Bay Taranaki Wellington Nelson Marlborough Westland Canterbury Otago Southland Totals 119 9 3 8 14 12 31 10 213 _ 20,449 2 18 648 2 0 587 2 20 203 3 22 4,204 0 9 78 2 3 4 0 14 5,561 1 29 2,757 3 18 34,495 2 13 1 3 4-4 7 2 10 9 11 4 4 0 15 6 3,446 8 10 232 7 10 316 16 8 116 1 8 826 17 10 61 6 0 - 10 1 3 4 1,666 3 25 1 2 36 236 1 20 71 2 35 245 4 ! 2 11 1( 154 12 ( 61 6 ! i o l ii ; 1 10 ( 41 3 7 9-5 3 1-6 8 8 8 2,167 11 6 432 0 0 - 2 1 1 0 2 0 60 0 0 253 1 22 9 15 I 16 10 ( 45 12 ! •• 7,607 19 0 23 2,290 3 29 537 1 •• ■' Cheviot Estate Ellesmere Endowment •- 1 I I Area made freehold during year in Nelson Land District: Number of selectors, 4 ; area, 1,521 acres 2 roodi

C.—l

94

Table 9.—Return of Lease-in-Perptuity Lands, 31st March, 1908— continued.

Surrenders during the Year. Net Area held on 31st March, 1908. Amount received during the Year ended 31st March, 1908. Selectors in Arrear, 31st March, 1908. Distriot. Number of Selectors. Area. Annual ' Number RentaK Selectors. j Ni Sel lumber . , of Area Annual lectors. rCa - Rental - Area. Annual Rental. ; 1 On On Past the Year's Transac- Total. Transactions. tions. i i i 7 . On the Year's Transactions. On On Past he Year's Transac- Total, ansactions. tions. Number of Area. Amount. Selectors. I I Ordinary Crown Lands — Auckland Hawke's Bay Taranaki Wellington Nelson Marlborough Westland Canterbury Otago Southland £ s. d. 8,479 17 7 3,832 8 3 7,232 8 6 6,792 11 10 1,777 15 5 3,448 13 0 1,611 4 2 4,291 2 6 5,945 4 11 2,328 10 4 £ s. d. 60 2 4 Hi 0 0 33 6 7 185 15 7 199 8 7 151 7 0 361 10 1 216"o 2 33 13 3 £ s. d. £ s. d. £ s. d. 60 2 4 i 6,622 5 1 6,682 7 5 111 0 0 3,354 9 11 3,465 9 11 33 6 7 4,971 8 6 5,004 15 1 185 15 7 : 5,191 9 3 5,377 4 10 199 8 7 955 8 5 1,154 17 0 151 7 0 | 2,7"26 16 5 2,878 3 5 361 10 1 652 0 10 1,013 10 11 3,828 9 4 3,828 9 4 216 0 2 5,066 9 1 5,282 9 3 33 13 3 2,016 12 4 2,050 5 7 1 . •• 1 1 1 A. B. P. 68 1 34 641 0 0 686 0 0 £ s. d. 1 0 6 12 16 4 10 5 10 a. B. P. £ s. 1,224 309,006 2 38 8,479 17 209 104,404 1 11 3,832 8 470 178,746 3 36 7,232 8 505 151.850 0 24 6,792 11 381 108,625 0 3 1,777 15 333 147,118 1 2 3,448 13 489 68,060 2 20 1,611 4 246 75,604 2 23 4,291 2 815 I 204,966 3 30 5,945 4 345 101,998 2 10 2,328 10 A. B. P. 1,224 309,006 2 38 209 104,404 1 11 470 178,746 3 36 505 151.850 0 24 381 108,625 0 3 333 147,118 1 2 489 68,060 2 20 246 75,604 2 23 815 I 204,966 3 30 345 101,998 2 10 d. £ s. d. I £ s. d. £ s. d. 7 60 2 4 i 6,622 5 1 6,682 7 5 3 111 0 0 3,354 9 11 3,465 9 11 6 33 6 7 4,971 8 6 5,004 15 1 10 185 15 7 5,191 9 3 5,377 4 10 5 199 8 7 955 8 5 1,154 17 0 0 151 7 0 | 2,7"26 16 5 2,878 3 5 2 361 10 1 652 0 10 1,013 10 11 6 .. 3,828 9 4 3,828 9 4 11 216 0 2 5,066 9 1 5,282 9 3 4 33 13 3 2,016 12 4 2,050 5 7 A. B. P. £ 8. d. 88 21,700 0 0 369 15 3 1 264 0 0 4 12 5 16 2,975 2 28 55 13 3 8 2,442 0 0 69 14 0 2 185 3 0 3 18 11 4 1,503 0 0 26 6 7 3 0 3 14 1 13 9 1 136 0 0 2 14 5 11 3,030 3 10 45 8 3 12 3,673 2 22 46 19 3 2 2 250 2 19 81 3 25 7 9 2 1 12 10 7 1 Totals 1,727 3 38 33 4 8 5,017 1,450,382 0 37 ; 45,739 16 6 1,352 3 7 35,385 9 2 36,737 12 91 146 35,911 2 34 626 16 1 Land for Settlements — Auckland Hawke's Bay Taranaki Wellington Nelson Marlborough Westland Canterbury Otago Southland — 3 618 2 0 78 1 6 j 638 118,442 2 37 427 119,740 0 17 35 4,022 2 15 313 j 39,586 0 34 13 4,099 0 9 317 | 54,477 2 33 27 4,990 1 4 1,142 ; 175,238 0 3 544 : 109,663 0 2 234 < 48,712 0 36 18,617 3 0 39,549 16 4 3,258 -2 8 15,265 18 2 805 17 10 12,330 19 6 538 11 8 65,660 8 0 34,631 19 2 10,748 9 10 1,744 7 5 14,550 9 8 16,294 17 1 116 3 11 34,064 15 7 34,180 19 .6 214 9 4 3,061 17 5 3,276 6 9 50 12 7 i 13,225 8 8 13,276 1 3 631 9 8 1 .. 631 9 8 46 15 2 11,019 0 9 11,065 15 11 535 17 0 535 17 0 8 2 3 59,880 11 9 59,888 14 0 1,799 18 3 28,891 15 7 30,691 13 10 216 0 0 9,911 2 11 10,127 2 11 51 11,488 2 7 1,067 1 10 10 794 2 12 279 8 0 3 7 2 15 15 17 0 10 683 0 0 i 221 4 0 i 1 1 0 22 27 1 13 105 0 0 1 1 39 16 2 42 7 4 21 0 0 0 3 8 - 17 2,900' 0 0 296°6 0 1 462"o 0 !36 15 6 23 1,318 1 20 374 6 11 27 4,974 0 24 893 6 4 22 5,154 0 39 555 16 9 163 27,320 1 37 3,703 6 10 •■ Totals 6 1,215 1 34 379 14 2 3,690 678,971 3 30 |201,407 1 2 4,827 18 7 [175,140 19 4 179,968 17 11 •3,703 6 10 1 Cheviot Estate Ellesmere Endowment " 118 24,392 1 2 68 j 13,937 0 0 6,450 14 6 1,399 13 2 5,889 12 0 1,265 9 4 5,889 12 0 1,265 9 4 • • •• *.

C.—l

95

Table 10. —Return of Renewable Lease Lands, 31st March, 1908.

Taken up during the Year. No. of .,_. Annual Selectors. Area - Eental. Net Area held on 31st March. 1908. Amount received during District. No. of Selectors.' Area. Annual Hental. March, 1906. I A. B. P. 261 2 0 i I i i Ordinary Crown Lands — Auckland Hawke's Bay Taranaki Wellington Nelson Marlborough Westland Canterbury Otago Southland A. B. P. £ s. d. 1 261 2 0 6 12 0 A. B. P. 261 2 0 1 £ s. d. 6 12 0 3 6 0 1 1 200 0 0 10 0 0 1 200 0 0 i 200 0 0 10 0 0 5 0 0 - 14 2,847 0 0 62 0 0 14 2,847 0 0 14 2,847* 0 0 62 0 0 46 10 0 .. .. 1 118 3 0 3 11 4 1 118 3 0 1 118 3 0 3 11 4 1 15 8 .. Totals 17 I 3,427 1 0 82 3 4 1 17 3,427 1 0 | I 1 I 82 3 4 I 56 11 8 Land for Settlements — Auckland Hawke's Bay Canterbury Otago 4 83 63 208 1 7 20,168 2 1 462 0 0 46,268 2 21 73 6 0 8,265 0 8 236 14 0 5,368 3 6 4 83 63 208 1 7 20,168 2 1 462 0 0 46,268 2 21 73 6 0 8,265 0 8 236 14 0 5,368 3 6 59 2 8 7,806 1 7 194 17 6 4,286 17 10 Totals 151 151 67,107 1 29 13,943 4 2 12,346 19 7 67,107 1 29 13,943 4 2

c—l.

96

Table 12.—Occupation Leases under "The Mining Districts Land Occupation Act, 1894," taken up during the Year ended 31st March, 1908.

Table 11. —Return of Agricultural-lease Lands taken up during the Year ended 31st March, 1908.

Taken up during the Year. Expiries during the Year. Net Area held on 31st March, 1908. Amounts received during the Year ended 31st March, '908. Coi Made Freehold from imencement of Svstem to 31st March, 1908. Seleotors in Ai 31st March, rrear on 1908. District. •2 o s ffl = 3 . i> .m ffl - o ire ffl 2 ° X 9 < Ph fl a. ; 3 3 , Yearlj 8 Area. Rentai 00 2 >ia. -a -g Area. *^s "3 06 S3 o Area. I & I £l* aj Area. Yearly jj S Rental, a 8 3*3 fed! Area. n_ ffl ffl H a> S3 £ £ 3 I £h.2 Total. jS_ & O to S3 S3 Hi 3 ffl 7 m Total Area. Amount realised. Amount. A. R. P. A. B. P. £ s. d. A. B p. £ s. d.l A. R. P. £ s. d. £ s. d.l £ s. d. £ s. d. A. B. p.l £ s. d. 2,750 0 0 590 5 0 V. B. P. £ s. d. Auckland Hawke's Bay Taranaki Wellington Nelson Marlborough WeRtland Canterbury Otago .. Southland Totals 8 3 .. .. .. .. .. •• •• " .. •• .. " •• • , - • - .. .. .. .. .. 67 32 .. 279 0 15 488 12 11 181,296 2 3131,580 12 6 6,570 1 5 6,570 5 0 83 3 32 27 3 38 2 5 6 i S 76 3 24 2 11 6 16 521 1 29 22 "i 3 1 19 6 25 4 0 27 3. 6 ,326 50 .. •■ •• ' 16 521 1 29 22 4 3 25 4 0 27 3 6 140,895 3 23139.229 15 5 83 3 32) 127 3 38 2 5 6 2 76 3 24 2 11 6 1 19 6 1,475

Taken up during the Year, j Forfeitures and Surrenders r ° during the Year. Net Area held on 31st March, 1908. Amount received during the Year. Selectors in Arrear on 31st March, 1908. : : District. O oo O co ll Area : Annual || Area Annual |J Area - Rental. | 8 Area ' Rental. 3 ffl 3 -ffl S3 ■2 ° 3 ffl Area. Annual Rental. On the Year's Transactions. l oth , e '' On Past fears Transransac- .. actions. O n 7\ m Area. Amount. Auckland Hawke's Bay Taranaki Wellington Nelson Marlborough Westland .. Canterbury Otago Southland A. B. p. £ s. d. 7 473 1 23 4 16 6 11 .1 A. B. P. £ 8. d. 507 0 18 33 12 0 174 8,894 3 20 £ s. d. 722 5 0 £ s. d. 2 8 3 £ 8. d. 323 14 4 30 a. B. p. £ s. d. 2,410 0 0 96 6 9 •• .. .. .. 40 2,085 1 32 26 1,813 0 0 25 468 0 5 72 0 2 56 16 0 18 9 0 8 558 1 37 19 4 0 8 713 0 0 27 2 2 1 19 331 3 2 13 8 6 30 938 1 12 51 6 0 3 1 31 2 28 0 15 10 73 3,046 2 22 116 7 0 15 61 0 0 1 10 0 26 13 3 15 13 7 11 1 11 25 3 10 3 30 14 2 6 0 3 189 1 39 14 6 2 75 3 2 3 1 10 270 10,442 3 22 42 1,201 3 12 436 3 2 108 8 8 55 14 2 0 7 11 381 13 5 5 108 18 6 2 316 "2 15 4 16 0 47 2 26 3 2 7 Totals .. 643 3 20 38 4 4 876 4 6 40 2.963 3 0118 11 6 577 24,906 0 11 1,414 2 0 111 19 1 I ~ I t Exchanges to other Tenures during the Year. No. Area. A. u. p. Auckland .. .. .. .. 4 308 1 7 Southland .. .. .. .. 1 70 1 20 Annual Rental. £ b. d. 8 11 10 7 0 10 Totals .. .. .. 5 378 2 27 15 12 8

97

C—l.

Table 13. — Return of Village Settlements during the Year ended 31st March, 1908.

13—C. 1

'akeu up during the Year. Exchanges to other Tenures during the Year. Made Freehold during Year. Made freehold from Commencement. District. Tenure. if i Area. Annual Itental. E o 01 OQ Area. Annual Kental. to Area. Amount realised. ci £ Area Total Ca8n Area - received. Auckland . Cash .. .. Lease in perpetuity .. Village-homestead special settlement Hawke '8 Bay .. .. Cash Deferred payment .. Perpetual lease .. Occupation with right of purchase .. Lease in perpetuity Taranaki .. .. Cash .. Deferred payment .. Occupation with right of purchase Wellington .. .. Cash ... .. Deferred payment .. Perpetual lease .. Renewable lease .. Lease in perpetuity .. Village-homestead special settlement Marlborough .. .. Cash , .. .. Deferred payment .. Village-homestead special settlement Westland .. .. Cash .. Lease in perpetuity Canterbury .. ■. Cash .. Deferred payment « .. .. Perpetual lease .. Village-homestead special settlement Otago .. .. Cash » .. .. Deferred payment .. Perpetual lease . .. .. Lease in perpetuity , .. .. Renewable lease Southland .. .. Cash , .. .. Deferred payment .. Perpetual lease .. Lease in perpetuity .. Village homestead special settlement . .. .. Renewable lease Totals .. 15 .. i 15 1 2 .. 25 1 2 1 4 .'. 12 '.. 9 .. 91 A. R. P. 1 38 "-2 21 0 1 31 £ s. d. 9 12 6 '8 A. B. P. £ s. d. A. B. p. £ s. d. • 38 A. r. p. £ s. d. 34 0 8 540 4 0 276 0 19 12 11 10 .. .. •• I 264 110 9 3 660 1 35 4,230 3 11 1,192 2 2 2,706 18 1 146 3 1 ' 293 18 1 2 10 15 0 0 853 3 9 6,945 10 9 2,289 2 36 10,907 12 11 4 3 0 28 10 0 488 0 2 3,795 8 5 970 2 36 3,789 5 4 324 0 88 1,035 3 1 2 3 22 1,247 3 8 2 18 0 283 15 0 - - •• •• 1 0 33 ! •• "' • • i 309 120 7 333 109 28 •• " ••I - .. 1 2 0 24 I 712 1 7 i 2"8 0 324 17 0 1 I .. .. 8 105"3 10 11 16 10 .. 9 5 22' 1 11 75 16 10 43 1 20 18 15 0 12 0 0 1 30 2 33 0 5 3 0 6 1 115 6 :: :: :. 1 50 0 0 i 50 0 0 18 166 521 32 14~ 1 21 110 0 0 - 1,208 0 1 5,481 17 4 2,550 3 1 21,549 18 1 733 3 3 1,499 0 1 •• 4 2 45 1 28 i 50 0 0 25 19 10 7 7 6 •• 103 103 25 889 2 19 1,756 3 5 1,130 0 38 2,908 10 7 609 2 22 1,231 0 0 • 49*3 31 29 3 24 I l"5 0 1 14 0 • • •• I •• I 1 10 3 6 26 14 11 6 81 1 23 198 11 3 579 272 49 2,946 1 28 9,230 10 3 4,051 2 18 9,680 6 7 762 1 26 1,841 2 B - 1 49 3 31 3 0 0 251 3 15 \ 65 11 6 76 1 29 7 10 6 4 26 1 35 10 6 0 .. .. 2,415 1 35 701 7 0 29 586 3 8 74 2 6 8 142 0 29 275 6 2 3,212 3 275 6 2 3,212 21,929 3 10 21,929 3 10 89,670 15 5 Land for Settlements — Hawke's Bay .. Cash , .. Lease in perpetuity :: '2 3 1 1 32 31 5 0 0 8 16 18 0 .. o Grand totals .. 93 2,416 1 11 702 15 0 1 29 586 3 8 I 74 2 6 8 142 0 29 { 275 6 2 3,215 89,702 0 5 21,931 1 2 I

A—i

98

Table 13 .—Return of Village Settlements during the Year ended 31st March, 1908.— continued.

Forfeitures during the Year. Surrenders durinj the Year. Net Area held on 31st March, 1908. Al rears on 31st March. 1908. District. Tenure. Amount ! received during * the Year. ° .__„ Annual Area - Rental. I to Annual Rental. X s 5 Annual Rental. EC E o A3 Hi ffl "ffl 03 Area. Total Annual Rental. •2 1 g 3 IE Area. Amount. Area. Area. Auckland .. Lease in perpetuity .. Village-homestead special settlement Hawke's Bay .. Cash .. Occupation with right of purchase .. , .. Lease in perpetuity .. Village-homestead special settlement Taranaki .. Occupation with right of purchase .. „ .. Lease in perpetuity Wellington .. Cash .. .. .. Lease in perpetuity .. Renewable lease .. .. Village-homestead special settlement Marlborough .. Perpetual lease .. Lease in perpetuity , .. Village-homestead special settlement Westland .. Cash . .. Lease in perpetuity Canterbury .. Perpetual lease made freehold » .. Deferred payment . .. Perpetual lease .. Occupation with right of purchase .. .. Lease in perpetuity a .. Village-homestead special settlement Otago .. Deferred payment m .. Perpetual lease . .. Occupation with right of purchase .. .. Lease in perpetuity .. Renewable lease .. „ .. '■ Village-homestead special settlement Southland .. Perpetual lease made freehold .. I Deferred payment . .. Perpetual lease .. Occupation with right of purchase .. .. Lease in perpetuity . .. Renewable lease .. .. Village-homestead special settlement £ 8. d. A. B. P. 114 18 2 I 3 11 0 1 506 2 5 .. 9 0 0.. 1 11 3 .. 1,565 13 8 4 63 3 2 49 0 5 . 3 9 0.. 9 5 2.. 4 0 0.. 1,719 7 2 1 0 3 0 0 5 0.. 414 16 6 .. 12 6.. 15 15 6 14 14 11 .. 12 10 0 .. 12 7 0 1 0 10 50 0 0 .. 24 13 0 .. 86 2 4 .. 3 9 4.. 8 2 10 935 4 5 .. 3 2 8.. 31 11 9 1 19 3 38 12 6.. 142 14 5 7 37 3 23 1 7 7 .. j 118 1 11 1 6 2 28 198 11 3 .. 13 14 4 .. 134 6 5 .. 1 9 11 .. 388 18 8 3 15 1 14 £ s. d. 2 0 0 3 14 6 1 0 0 0 17 0 - i A. B. P. 1 i 10 •• • •• £ s. d. 0 5 6 63 29 10 73 27 9 10 508 163 1 9 8 12 7 16 8 18 260 2 14 3 111 4 71 a. R. p. £ s. d. 2,669 1 29 163 13 4 1,186 2 9 114 19 2 47 3 36 6 6 8 3,902 1 5 1,663 16 8 160 1 18 61 13 4 8 10 2 9 6 69 0 8 10 5 8 9,757 3 10 1,914 6 4 2 0 24 2 8 0 2,103 3 17 305 16 3 10 0 0 15 0 153 0 35 22 3 4 58 0 19 7 16 0 198 2 17 14 19 4 64 3 3 16 5 4 198 2 7 57 13 10 2 2 0; 446 8 2 0 8 13 0 8,566 10 965 5 8 100 0 0 3 6 0 291 2 25 28 17 8 2 1 12 0 12 0 , 1,710 0 33 147 14 8 29 3 24 , 1 14 0 1,053 0 39 133 5 0 4 4 1 13 i ii 17 1 2 3 4 8 A. R. P. 396 0 0 170 3 25 15' 0 0 535 0 26 0 3 0 191 0 0 178 0 0 6"l 7 £ s. d. 7 5 3 10 11 10 i 2 6 202 4 9 0 2 3 37' 4 0 72 11 6 0 9 0 2l"o 0 6 15 6 64 2 8 9' 8 10 1 0 0 2 14 4 - 77 "0 17 i" 5 9 1 19 4 .. 64 1 7 24' 5 10 '• •• •• 1 9 2 i 31 0 24 2 10 0 74 4 305 9 46 1,006 3 30 131 4 8 3 0 24 1 13 2 ! 4,781 1 14 472 17 4 76 1 29 7 10 6 523 3 34 1 121 10 0 *8 i 93 3 4 5* 3 11 127 4 6 1 2 .3 35 0 12 0 10 0 15 i' 9 10 Totals 6,623 16 6 22 158 2 21 15 6 4 2 32 2 0 2 15 6 1,876 38,747 1 21 6,394 5 11 78 1,823 3 29 380 0 Cheviot Estate — Canterbury .. Lease in perpetuity 790 10 3 .. I 2,480 1 0 870 10 4 92 15 0 0 7 8 Land for Settleme nts— Hawke's Bay .. Lease in perpetuity Otago .. Lease in perpetuity 13 14 5 .. 312 4 0 1 9 1 15 7 ii 2 16 30 34 3 0 403 2 28 24 0 0 309 12 8 4 1 1 1 6 9 1 16 2 3 13 13 i ■■ •• Grand totals i 7,740 5 2 23 167 3 36 23 22 17 6 2 32 2 0 2 15 6 2,014 41,666 0 9 7,598 8 11 j 85 1,849 2 11 403 5 I

c.-l.

99

Table 14.— Summary of Position of Village Settlements at 31st March, 1908.

O O o ao A3 _i • 3S|8 £2-2 *. r\ 00 CO rri CO CO O to to o OD •* tNl rH Q0 CN o rH CN tO rH o o 00 o ffl o -, . -a^faj re co o o o © © CN © © X © © © oo t- O ,s § ■« CN rH rH o CN OS CO o OS ■** 8" rH © to © OS rH tO CO CN -* CM © CO t- © CN tCN CO tO CO Ht rH CO rH CO CS tH iH C-l © rH CN © rH CN CO © 00 «Sj3 3 a. fa o d . 3 oi" ao !§*§ is? CH 0 *3 rQ tO CO • 2 ° CO CO ~* rH *t O CO CO o i-H CO OJ fco CO rH a co -at rH os o CN rH CN rH rH CO rH O CO CO O rH t* © CO CO CO CN Oi CD o O 00 > rQ-g ffl d .- CS . A-Z u x. d 3 oo 3= o 3 d S3 £<5 CS O > ffl fa rH rrS t- © ■ • a .O CD *# ™ "S CN CO TH O rH 00 •H CN CD O o •o • rA o o CN <3 rH CD CN O CO CD trH -H -A* CN Ui © ■«* o rH CN © t- CN CM rH o A3 o. 3 00 E ffl £ CO O • d' 5 d co a s o a H a A3 o fl 111 01 rH CO — ri fc- =« CN CO CN IO t•o cn co co" o IO rH CO o rH o o s CN O CN tO CN *<*■ O tO rH r-H rH o o CN O IO o OS CM Oi .-I 00 0) •a «> - a co - IO rH CO OS Cl rH rH 05 o tCO_ CO o IO rH m o o o HI* ■H. CN CM O IO CO o rH O CO S CD* o o ce ■ fl o w rrj O cd O 00 OS o o o CD IO CO tCN o CO o o >o 00 o o 8 CN © o to o rH CO © »o rH fcto o Ol O IO I o CO CN O. rH ao" ffl A3 o a o CO -A "8 ffl > "0. _3 "ffl fl I fa o d d r. a . OCO 05 fl ffl S u a T3 00 fl 3 £ d "ffl ffl « •H CO » 3 CO CO CO CO rH CN lO rH Oi rH ui to ui co <N O fcCO -* OJ rH Ht Ht CN CN to O r-t "* a Ui rH CO CD Ui •Ht CO TH CO o rH O CO fcio ao co" o o CN ao CN 8 CO 3 C 4 13 " ■Sss 25 is osPh 3 d O ao o o rH CO rH o o 05 O o o o pj CN o rH o o CN CO o o CO o o 00 . 00 < o rH 8 CO CN tIO CN o" rH CM t00 OJ rH CO CN ao c-" CN 8 cn OS OS CO CO oo IBq co CO o CO CN* CO t00 CN T3 ffl '3, 3 o ffl o d ffl 3 - CO CO pj CO a Oi CO rH rH CO ■Ht rH t-l-t cn O CO rH rH r-H rH Oi rH CO Oi rH toBQ TO O o 00 CN o CO CO CO CN CN CO o Ui . Ui < CO co" © tCO to CO rH Oi <N CO Oi rH ° ** £ •HH CO OS CO rH CO 00* CO CO CO E 25 s a I CO efl a a; 'to OJ - a o CO o OS t-l-t CO o i-H o Ui CO CO CO CO o rH * 8 JO a s 3-" Szs ♦J D a) 3 § o CO ■ CN CO rH rH rH •Ht CN 8 rH Oi toCO 10 rH CO »o CO o CN I § : —J o 'S ■ 5 T3 3 oi O 3 H d m 00 "ffl S4 B d w 13 d a d E 03 EH 3 O ll OD 3 *» g o co 3 7, DO 3 O B O S3 'u d a "0 G 3 CO >> fa 3 rO fa ID 4l 3 d o ra c £ O 2 SP 3 5 iS OD "d A3 a EH 3 s «« W« i, ffl ■» 3 5 r* .3 a * > 3 "Sd .2° gffl O faj o CC d O

C—l

100

Table 15. — Return of Special-settlement Associations, under Section 163 of "The Land Act, 1885," and Part IV of "The Land Act, 1892," to 31st March, 1908, not included in the Special Returns.

Distriot. Tal fa SI a 3 7 in up during the Year. Capital , Value Area. per Acre. Amount received during the Year. Total Amount received on Current and Previous Transactions to 31st March, 1908. Made Freehold. From Commence. „ • ,, v ment of System During the Year. 1908. No. Area. No. Area. Number of Selectors required to reside, and actually residing, and Area. Number ,, ... required *otm]lj residing. to reside. ! No. Area. Area. 1908. Number required Actually residing. to - Area. to — reside. No. Area. a. r. p. £ s. d. £ S. d. 297 11 2 127 14 9 K67 19 4 4,927 12 6 £ s. d. 9,040 8 8 903 0 10 11,208 16 1 152,878 8 4 A. K. P. 52 54 5,217 0 25 4,809 3 12 68 14 56 333 60 3 67 309 A. R. P. 11,528 1 0 600 0 0 15,764 2 23 70,800 3 2 Auckland Hawke's Bay Taranaki Wellington Nelson ... Marlborough Westland Canterbury Otago Southland •• •■ .. - •- ■ 8i5 •• 81,320 0 37 " - 141 13 4 108 12 1 2,172 12 4 1,573 4 1 .. •• 4 5 10 660 3 11 1,980 0 36 .. ... Totals •• - 6,471 3 2 177,776 10 4 921 91,347 0 34 475 454 101,334 2 32 ■ •• Land for Settlements — Canterbury 1 147 15 6 1,981 12 5 232 0 0 " I Forfeitures during the Year. Surrenders during the Year. Net Area held, 31st March, 1908. Selectors in Arrear, 31st March, 1908. District. o oo 55 o 2 a* Si o as 3 ffl goo Area. Amount. o „j . fa 1-2 3 3 9. Area. Amount. "o m 3 ffl Area. Annual Rental. o oo a_ffl 3 CD Area. Amount. Auckland Hawke's Bay Taranaki Wellington Nelson .. Marlborough Westland Canterbury Otago Southland 1 A. B. P. 131 0 0 £ 8. d. 5 5 0 - •' a. R. p. 2 2 39 £ s. d. 0 2 4 69 14 87 431 A. R. P. £ 8. d. 11,336 1 38 230 9 7 3,111 0 19 101 16 0 16,210 1 16 872 19 0 78,063 0 29 4,461 7 7 3 1 0 9 A. R. P. 370 1 16 200 0 0 1,298 0 0 1,723 0 0 £ s. d. 12 7 11 3 4 0 28 11 9 128 6 0 •• - •• " - 30 14 2,536' 2 17 141*18 8 2,765 1 12 121 2 4 Totals 1 131 0 0 5 5 0 2 2 39 I 0 2 4 644 114,023 0 11 5,929 8 2 19 3,591 1 16 167 9 8 Land for Settlements — Canterbury - 11 2,114 1 9 162 7 8

C—l

101

Table 16. —Return of Homestead Lands: Transactions during the Year ended 31st March, 1908.

Table 17. —Return of Small Grazing-runs taken up during the Year ended 31st March, 1908.

Net Area held on 31st March, 1908. Made Freehold during the Year. Made Freehold since Commencement of System to 31st March, 1908 District. Number of Selectors. Area. Number of Selectors. Area. Number of Selectors. Area. .uckland .. Vestland .. Itago A. R. P. A. R. P. 464 39 22 76,096 3 10 1,480 0 0 2,876 0 0 Totals 525 80,452 3 10

Take; up during the Year. Forfeitures during the Year. Surrenders during the Year. District. "3 . ■a£ S3ra a-s 55 Area. Average Area. ffl CD :r w u ?a" Annual Rent gp?fa payable. fa ■ a a 3 7, Area. Annual Kental. fa CO S3 a 3 7a Area. Annual Kental. s. d. 0 1-6 2 4-86 £ s. d. 109 11 8 298 0 0 0 1 10 607 2 8 25 4 6 A. R. P. £ s. d. £ s. d. Auckland Hawke's Bay Taranaki Wellington .. Nelson Marlborough Westland Canterbury .. Otago Southland .. 2 1 i2* 2 16,421 2 31 2,478 0 0 7 1 26 13,068 2 0 4,034 3 18 A. •*. P. 8,210 3 15 2,478 0 0 1 0 0 1J 2 1,018 0 0 36 8 10 'l A. R. P. 1 *3 20 800 0 0 0 0 6 30 0 0 1,089* 0 0 2,017 1 24 i 858* 0 O 1 1,227 0 0 7 *3 0 216* 2 39 2 ii 0 44* 180,589* 3 24 4,104 "l 11 0 4*08 3,071 6 6 23 6 4 .. Totals .. 01 216,600 1 19 3,550 3 12 0 4-48 4,111 7 2 4 3,103 0 0 66 12 2 1,018 2 19! 32 14 6 Land for iettlements— Auckland Hawke's Bay Wellington .. Nelson Marlborough Canterbury .. Otago Southland .. 2 i 8,210 0 0 1,947 0 0 4,105 0 0 1,947* 0 0 0 2-73 0 6 93 7 10 48 13 6 1 0 24 0 *3 10 Totals .. 10,157 0 0, 3,385 2 26 0 9-92 142 1 4 1 0 24 0 3 10 Cheviot Estate: Canterbury Excl langes during ;he Year. Area held on 31st March, 1908. .mount received during the Year. -ears on 31st [arch, 1906. District. o as 7-S X Area. Annual Kental. ■2 i s a Area. On the Year's Transactions. On Past Transactions. CD S3 a 3 7a Area. Amount. Annual Kental. Total. lUokland lawke's Bay 'aranaki Wellington .. 'elson larlborough Vestland Jaqterbury .. )tago louthland .. 6,062 0 6 2,341 "3 2 £ s. d. 38 17 6 86 U 10 15 87 17 84 9 82 78,634 0 31 251,110 3 2 16,660 0 12 81,364 2 17 16,757 3 18 200,267 1 31 £ s. d. 658 7 3 3,800 9 2 235 1 10 2,687 13 11 109 1 10 2,727 6 5 £ s. d. 54 15 10 077 0 0 328 6 1 15 9 3 £ s. d. 553 17 8 1,643 19 1 236 10 1 1,647 6 9 68 7 2 2,905 3 5 £ s. d. 608 13 6 2,320 19 1 236 10 1 1,975 12 10 83 16 5 2,905 3 5 8 ■21 1 ■1 1 34,617 3 0 56,223 3 26 693 0 0 4,372 0 0 1,088 0 0 24,086 3 31 £ s. d. 183 4 2 544 2 9 5 8 4 82 6 0 25 0 0 238 2 6 3,948 1 1 49 7 3 55 295 19 133,734 0 19 725,053 0 5 64,436 0 13 6,061 7 6 15,478 17 4 735 17 10 2,734 0 7 5,975 14 1 12,694 18 3 764 10 0 5,975 14 1 15,428 18 10 764 10 0 '■2 17 5,438* 0 0 24,728 2 37 159 *7 6 288 19 8 Totals 112,352 0 3] 174 19 7 668 1,568,324 0 28, 32,554 3 1 3,809 11 9 '26,490 6 6 '30,299 18 3 68 151,248 1 14 1526 10 11 Land f or lettlementi I — Auokland Hawke's Bay.. Wellington .. Nelson Marlborough.. Canterbury .. Otago Southland 9 16 7 1 t31 44 9 2 37,346 0 0 499 3 2 19,681 0 0 4,440 18 6 9,127 0 0 1,795 5 4 1,947 0 0 48 13 6 54,850 J. 16 7,515 16 4 81,161 0 26 10,882 6 6 10,733 1 31 1,556 11 2; 2,808 10 201 7 4| 46 13 111 24* 8 3 206 11 11 4,180 10 8 1,732 7 6 6,874 9 8 9,662 8 6 1,254 8 5 210 12 4 253 5 H 4,180 10 : 1,732 7 I 24 8 : 6,874 9 ! 9,662 8 I 1,254 8 I 21Q 12 • I 3 : .. 1 14,597 0 0 "• 2,026* 0 0 133 14 6 16 17 8 Totals |119 217,654 0 33 26,940 1 io! 71 2 2 24,121 9 0 24,192 11 4 16,623 0 0 150 12 2 Cheviot Estate: Canterbury 40 45,846 1 26 6,871 13 21 7,215 9 9 ! 7,215 9 9 1 8,542 3 Ol 548 7 9 * Inclusive of rene -als. mr of these are not separate holders, but arc included in the 82 oi dinary Crown-landholders.

A—i

102

Table 18. —Number and Area of Pastoral Licenses for the Year ended 31st March, 1908.

Exchanges to other Tenures during the Year. : : Taken up during the Year. Forfeitures during the Year. Expiries during the Year. Surrenders during the Year. District. Area. Annual Rental Area. Number. Area. Number of Holders. Number of Holders. Number of Holders. Area. Number. Area. Auckland* .. Hawke's Bay Taranaki Wellington .. Nelson Marlborough Westland .. Canterbury .. Otago .. ■ Southland .. 14 io 2 36 3 14 11 1,392 0 6 19,982 2 0 74,750 0 0 64,421 1 29 1,164 1 0 262,781 3 23 147,584 0 0 £ s. d. 25 5 0 402* 0 0 790 0 0 117 6 2 129 4 10 2,191 15 0 535 8 0 1 A. R. P. 220 0 0 1 i l 10,956 0 6 200 0 0 5,089 0 0 • 1 8 13 5 6 11 A. R. p. :: I 120 0 0 .. 151,430 0 0 7,319 0 1 5 21,633 0 7 120,912 0 25 1 99,839 0 0 17,480 0 0 14,010 0 0 9,077 0 30 1 1 2,320 0 0 159,700 0 0 93,640 0 0 Totals 90 572,076 0 12 4,190 19 0 220 0 0 178,265 0 0 44 44 401,253 0 33 9 134,207 0 30 572,076 0 12 4,190 19 0 ' Net Area held on 31st March, 1908. Holders in Arrear on 31st March, 1908. I District. Number of Holders. Area, approximately. the Year. Number. Area. Amounl Average Holdings. Annual Rental. Area. Amount. Auckland Hawke's Bay Taranaki Wellington .. • Nelson Marlborough Westland Canterbury Otago Southland 142 16 38 47 210 138 221 91 A. R. P. 217,970 3 37 103,703 0 0 153,199 2 0 165,829 0 0 821,527 0 0 603,995 1 33 3,430,204 2 32 4,199,496 0 33 1,370,798 1 0 1,535 0 0 6,481 1 30 4,031 2 4 82,914 2 0 17,479 0 0 2,876 0 27 24,856 2 10 19,002 0 0 15,063 2 35 £ s. d. 934 2 8 762 10 4 4,992 18 0 330 0 0 4,008 18 0 933 11 6 32,755 2 4 26,447 7 2 4,152 19 4 £ s. d. 477 19 8 722 6 0 2,436 14 5 317 10 0 3,918 12 2 962 3 7 34,744 0 7 26,626 5 8 3,952 16 5 22 i 2 58,230 0 0 1,670 0 0 280 0 0 £ s. d. 113 6 3 5 10 0 10 0 1 2,263* 2 32 2 0 0 - Totals . 26 62,443 2 32 905 11,066,724 0 15 12,228 1 28 75,317 9 4 74,158 8 6 121 16 3 Cheviot Estate — Canterbury .. Land for Settlements — Otago 1,642 0 0 1,642 0 0 193 3 8 193 3 8 2 121 13 0 953 2 38 496 3 19 121 13 0 » Ini iludes Hai :i Pastoral Leases.

U.—l

103

Table 19. — Return of Miscellaneous Leases and Licenses, not otherwise enumerated, during the Year ended 31st March, 1908.

Objects for which leased. District. Goal and Mineral. Timber-cutting, etc. Flax-cutting. Miscellaneous. Total Area leased during Total Annual Rental Total of the Lands Amount released ceived during during the the Year. Year. Total Area in Occupation on 31st March, 1908. Lessees in Arrear on 31st March, 1908. d rH Area. Annual Kental. 0 7h\ Area. Amount received. 6 55 Area. Amount received. 0° Area. Annual Rental. 6 Area. Annual Rental. c 7. Area. Amount. Auckland .... Hawke's Bay Taranaki .... Wellington .... Nelson ..14 3,190 0 25 Marlborough Westland .... Canterbury .. 2 128 3 9 Otago .... Southland .. 1 40 0 0 . A. R. P. £ 8. d. 586 9 9* a. R. p. £ s. d. 42,162 1 6 786 18 6 A. R. P. £ 8. d. 1,627 17 3 4 11 17 43 68 13 27 73 89 58 A. R. P. 223 1 27 385 3 9 133 1 35 45,724 1 1 17,576 0 8 1,168 2 11 10,871 1 28 7,824 0 32 25,875 1 9 2,954 1 32 £ s. d. 37 0 0 80 0 0 59 14 3 491 9 6, 192 2 10 82 10 0 43 5 0 382 5 3 203 18 61 202 4 6 £ 8. d. A. R. P. 37 0 0 223 1 27 80 0 0 385 3 9 59 14 3 133 1 35 491 9 6 45,824 1 1 192 2 10 25,432 3 37 82 10 0 1,955 2 11 43 5 0 21,913 1 28 382 5 3 8,833 2 1 203 18 6 26,504 2 8 202 4 6 3,304 1 32 £ s. d. 1 £ s. d. 37 0 0 46,049 18 8 80 0, 0 2,291 4 2 59 14 3 405 9 11 491 9 6 1,548 10 3 541 4 4 4,422 6 2 82 10 0 2,470 13 8 49 5 010,658 9 6 441 4 9 4,061 18 10 203 18 6 2,170 12 6 215 4 6 5,484 12 4 211 92 114 286 750 1291 254 656' 795! 387 41,619 3 12 63,748 0 20 1,341 3 25 77,691 1 12 192,917 2 26 45,489 2 22 96,659 0 0 1 94,652 1 12 141,476 1 25 32,958 0 11 £ s. d. 1,342 13 9 1,190 14 6 339 3 3 1,942 12 2 2,727 6 6 1,003 1 10 695 14 4 3,684 15 2 1,610 18 7 971 5 5 30 19 21 29 3 3 9 7 A. R P. 2,500 2 7 2,307 0 2 115 2 27 210 3 0 4,717 2 37 24 2 12 91 0 36 426 3 29 213 0 15 £ s. d. 88 1 0 143 18 0 19 17 6 150 13 0 300 2 4 5 10 0 2 12 6 43 18 9 7 0 0 .. .. 1 100 0 0 03 4,661 3 4 173 13 6 4 787 0 0 54 9 3 *4 880 2 0 33 15 0 12 484 1 8 ii 3,190 0 26175 8 0 2 5 0 0 •• .. 11,042 0 0| 6 0 0 (i 2 128 3 9 13 19 6 144 3 26 310 0 0 7 0 0 40 0 0 6 0 0 Ii 3 Totals .. 117 3,358 3 34 3,358 3 34 195 7 6 84 6,913 2 19 43,210 17 9 17 11,501 3 26; jl,640 17 3 403 112,736 3 321 1,774 9 10134,511 1 24 2,201 10 1079,563 16 0 1,774 9 lOj 8,674 |788,544 1 5 15.508 5 6 127 10,607 2 5 761 13 1 |_| l—l ! ! l—l I 1_ Land for Settlements — Auckland .... Hawke's Bay Taranaki .... Wellington .... Marlborough Westland .... Canterbury .... Otago .... Southland .... i ■■ I •' I I •• I • I .. I •• I - 71 2 j "l 1 ] 768 0 10 5 2 16 2 1 0 5 0 0 64 18 0; 2 12 0 3* 7 6 5 0 0J 768 0 10, 5 2 161 2* 1 0 5 0 0 64 19 0 2 12 0 3 7 6 5 0 0 2,691 17 Hi 108 12 8 340 1 5 1,165 17 3 650 4 5 13 793 0 24 11 374 3 3 1 43 3 16 10 5,629 2 26 47 913 2 29 1 8 2 0 38 969 0 6 61 1,941 1 37 11 1,166 2 39 73 12 0. 123 15 6 44 16 1 761 9 2 321 17 0 10 0 286 10 4 378 12 6 30 1 2, "* 3 15 2 0 124 0 31 8 12 ' - 18 i2 ( - - " 3 8 1 9 1 15 1,337 2 13 0 2 2 36 8 6 273 18 6 0 10 0 9 1 15 1,337 2 13 0 2 2 36 8 6 273 18 6 0 10 0 281 2 4 268 17 1 138 12 4 i " 3 2 277 1 30 13 0 13 52*io ( 0 9 '. - •• ■• •• ' ! 5,645 5 5 193 11,840 3 20 12 80 3 i: Totals .... .. .. - ■23 2,128 1 16 386 14 6 2,128 1 16 386 14 6 2,021 13 9 430 0 34 — :— — Cheviot Estate: Canterbury 130 1 0 1 7 0 130 1 0 1 7 0 204 17 2 60 1,377 3 26 261 6 1 2 2 28 2 13 ( * Amount received.

C—l

104

Table 20.—Return of Gross Revenue received during the Year ended 31st March, 1908.

System. Auckland. Hawke's Bay Taranaki. Wellington. Nelson. Marlborough. Westland. Canterbury. Otago. Southland. Totals. Ordinary Crown Lands. £ s. d. Cashlands .. .. .. .. .. 1,860 19 Ol Perpetual lease made freehold .. .. 782 16 6i Occupation with right of purchase made freehold 6,288 8 3 Lease in perpetuity made freehold Village-settlement occupation-with-rightof-pur-chase lease made freehold Village-settlement perpetual lease made freehold Deferred payment, rural .. .. .. 142 16 3 Deferred payment, pastoral Perpetual lease and small areas .. .. 861 2 1 Occupation with right of purchase .. .. 14,807 9 6 Lease in perpetuity .. .. .. .. 6,682 7 5 Renewable lease .. .. .. .. 3 6 0 Agricultural lease Occupation lease under " The Mining Districts 326 2 7 Land Occupation Act, 1894 " Village settlement, cash Village settlement, deferred payment Village settlement, perpetual lease Village settlement, occupation with right oi purchase Village settlement, lease in perpetuity .. 114 18 2 Village-homestead special settlement .. .. 506 2 5 Village settlement, renewable lease Special-settlement association, perpetual lease .. Special-settlement association, lease in perpetuity 297 11 2 Improved-farm special settlement .. .. 402 17 11 Small grazing-runs .. .. .. .. 608 13 6 Pastoral runs .. .. .. .. 477 19 8 Coal and mineral leases .. .. .. 523 8 11 Prospectors' mining leases .. .. .. 63 0 10 Timbsr licenses and other leases, and sale of timber 27,674 11 10 Flax-cutting.. .. .. .. .. 1,627 17 3 Miscellaneous leases .. .. .. .. 1,564 1 11 Transfer, lease, and license fees, &o. .. .. 663 1 6 Rents of reserves .. .. .. .. 109 8 3 Miscellaneous .. .. .. .. 2,783 5 10 Crown-grant fees .. .. .. .. 149 7 4 State forests .. ,. .. .. 14,487 9 8 Survey liens on Native lands .. .. .. 1,925 3 1 Survey fees which do not form part paymentof land Survey fees which do form part payment of land £ s. d. 1,368 4 6 2,497 7 9 £ s. d. 421 16 0 342 0 0 3,658 15 7 £ 8. d. 9,352 15 11 2,690 3 8 19,232 14 9 £ s. d. 1,856 13 8 51410 5 1,032 0 0 £ s. d.i £ s. d. C s. d. £ s. d. £ s. d. £ s. d. 893 16 1 .. 1,649 6 10 1,035 2 3 1,709 5 4 20,147 19 7 .. i .. 743 2 2 2,759 0 0 1,796 5 7 9,113 7 11 490 17 61 .. 187 10 0 51 0 0 116 10 7 33,037 14 10 1,032 0 0 - - 42 10 0 132 5 0 6,536 5 10 3,465 9 11 8*16 10 219 2 9 6,105 2 10 5,004 15 lj 5 0 0 206 15 6 10,761 8 6 5,377 4 10 5 0 0 394 4 0 49 13 0 676 10 2 1,154 17 0 50 0 0 .. 198 11 3 248 11 3 369 17 11 44 19 8 34 3 10 999 18 6 658 14 6 387 3 4 133 4 8; 1,221 12 6 30 10 8 27 2 4 111 10 7 989 14 8 367 8 8 3,003 5 3 535 13 8 526 4 7 249 8 1 1,228 5 3 1,449 9 4 42,875 17 9 2,878 3 5 1,013 10 11 3,828 9 4 5,282 9 3 2,050 5 7 36,737 12 9 4610 0 .. 1 15 8 .. 56 11 8 27 3 6 .. 27 3 6 46 7 9 17 2 2 .. 437 7 7 109 6 5 988 3 7 .. .. 51 17 1 9 0 0 4 0 Oj 12 10 0 .. .. .. 25 10 0 24 13 0 3 2 8 13 14 4 41 10 0 12 0 .. 86 2 4 31 11 9 134 6 5 253 3 0 3 9 4 12 6 1 9 11 11 2 0 15 15 6 12 7 8 2 10 142 14 5 388 18 3 3,977 2 7 14 14 11 .. 835 4 5 118 1 11 127 4 6 2,065 5 1 17 7 .. 1 12 7 49 0 10 .. .. 49 0 10 92 12 6 108 12 1 .. 6,422 2 4 302 4 9 '7,481 2 11 2,905 3 5 .. 5,975 14 1 15,428 18 10 764 10 0 30,299 18 3 3,918 12 2 962 3 7 34,744 0 7 26,626 5 8 3,952 16 5. 74,158 8 6 381 5 0 77 6 0 709 7 8 290 6 9 3,035 5 5 12 0'.. .. 149 1 4 934 9 0 9,693 1 9 216 5 6 114 12 1 1,486 0 1 43,550 11 4 12 6 1 296 17 9 0 5 0 88 4 0 149 6 8 2,192 1 9 211 7 4 250 10 0 .. 1,063 11 6 1,016 6 4 6,503 9 3 105 8 0 161 5 0 277 1 0 458 4 6 231 1 0 3,066 16 4 837 2 6 36 15 0 3,406 6 4 77 17 1 .. 5,926 0 6 49 19 1 24 8 2 225 13 7 5,002 10 5 237 10 2 13,360 9 1 7 17 0 10 0 33 16 4 55 17 5 59 7 9 665 5 10 475 8 9 .. 360 14 0 117 0 2 2,542 12 6 18,207 6 5 7,021 10 9 126 15 0 47 2 0 .. 8 0 0 304 15 11 6 4 2.. 642 i 11 3 3 9 0 1,565 13 8 49 0 5 9 5 2 1,719 7 2 414 16 6 0 5 0 -• 127 14 9 198 18 7 2,320 19 1 722 6 0 867 19 4 1,661 2 11 236 10 1 4,92712 el •4,915 18 9 1,975 12 10 1 2,436 14 5 83 16 5 317 10 0 1,053 11 1 54 8 0 2,530 7 81 17 5 0i 531 10 7 208 18 6 235 4 3 107 7 10 104 2 3 30 10 6 786 18 6 10 16 1 103* 9 3 1,247* 7 10 253 7 6 182 7 6 324 10 9 44 11 8 43 19 10 49 1 9 90 12 8 198 2 0 297 11 2 184 3 3 28 15 3 6 10 0 286 11 1 61 14 11 528 1 1 510 7 4 743 8 5 4,421 0 7 180 10 10 173 11 6 4,760 14 10 .. 61 4 0 •• ! .. Totals .. .. .. 85,742 6 10 122,000 2 0 '19,703 12 0 75,446 14 2| 11,035 K) 6 | , 14,364 15 413,589 8 3,54,312 11 1 62,399 7 719,670 7 6 378,264 15 3 14,364 15 4, 13,589 8 354,312 11 1 * Includes £1,047 19s. 5d. received on account of ini] irovements on ini] iroved farms.

105

α-i

14-C. 1,

Table 20.—Return of Gross Revenue received during the Year ended 31st March, 1908— continued.

System. Auckland. Hawke's Bay. Taranaki. Wellington. Nelson. Marlborough. Westland. Canterbury. Otago. Southland. Totals. Brought forward £ s. d. £ s. d. 85,742 6 1022,000 2 0 £ s. d. 19,703 12 0 £ s. d. 75,446 14 2 £ s. d. 11,035 10 6 £ s. d. 14,364 15 4 £ s. d. £ b. d. £ s. d. 13,589 8 3 54,312 11 162,399 7 7 £ s. d. 19,670 7 6 £ s. d. 378,264 15 3 Lands for Settlements. 520 9 4 16,294 17 134,180 19 6 59 2 8 7,806 1 7 13 14 5 Cash Lease in perpetuity Renewable lease Lease in perpetuity, village Special-settlement associations Small grazing-runs Pastoral runs .. „ Miscellaneous 3,276 6 9 - 13,276 1 3 - 63i* 9 8 11,065 15 11 535* 17 0 45 15 11 30 15 0 59,888 14 030,691 13 10 194 17 6 4,286 17 10 312 4 0 147 15 6 9,662 8 6 1,254 8 5 121 13 0 667 12 9 487 19 7 10,127 2 11 597 0 3 179,968 17 11 12,346 19 7 325 18 5 147 15 6 24,192 11 2 121 13 0 12,026 17 5 253 5 10 4,180 10 8 2,691 17 11 1,015 3 10 - 1,732 7 6 24 8 3 6,874 9 8 ■• 210 12 4 358* 8 11 5,356 0 11 159 18 6 650 4 5 639 10 7 •• Totals 3,634 15 8 19,819 12 10 47,196 10 0 1 20,364 9 8 815 16 5 18,590 10 0 535 17 0 1 170,607 4 2 37,185 11 8 10,977 5 10 229,727 13 3 Cheviot F,statk. Cash sales ... Lease in perpetuity Village homesteads Grazing-farms Pastoral runs.. Miscellaneous leases Miscellaneous .. .. .. •• •• •• •• •• •• •• " •• - - - 5,889 12 0i 790 10 3 7,215 9 9 193 3 8 204 17 2 •• •• •• 5,889 12 790 10 7,215 9 193 3 204 17 - - - •■ Totals • •• •• — •• 1 •• — <t . ■ — j 14,293 12 IO! •• •• •• -- 14,293 12 1( Rotorua Town Council 2,104 8 1 ■• 2,104 8 1 Endowment lands 1,293 16 1 44 12 6 294 8 11 47 0 0 1 228 1 7 17,218 16 3 •• 3,415 2 0 1,833 3 4j 5,530 8 9 1,425 15 4] 31,286 12 Thermal-springs Districts Act: Rents •• •■ I •• - • ■ 44 12 •* Native Townships Act, 1895 " ! | i ! i I 100 6 3 343 3 0! 614 11 1 .. • • - - 1,058 0 - •• •• Workers' Dwellings 731 16 2J 608 11 6 300 17 1 373 12 2! 2,014 16 1 -• .. -• •• •■ •• Grand totals 69,834 3 11! 29,070 9 9 32,955 5 4 105489 0 2 109836 18 9 123,385 7 8j ,97,262 8 0| 17,540 7 3j 141.347 8 6: ;32,073 8 8 658,794 11

C— l

106

Table 21. —Return of Lands reserved and alienated under Acts, or for Scrip.

Table 22.— Forfeitures and Surrenders during the Year ending 31st March, 1908, showing under each Tenure the number of Selectors who have forfeited and surrendered their Holdings, and the Area and Rental of such Holdings.

Table 23. —Return of Land taken up during the Year ended 31st March, 1908, within the Thermal-springs District of Auckland.

District. During the Year ended 31st March, 1908. Total Area reserved, granted under Acts, etc., from the Area reserved [ . wanted I Arett 6 [ Total Area Foundation of for various j a r ! m Satisfaction | alienated during the Colony to the 31st Purposes. unaer ACCS ' of Scrip the Year. March, 1908. Auckland .. Hawke's Bay Taranaki Wellington .. Nelson Marlborough Westland .. Canterbury .. Otago Southland .. A. R. P. A. R. P. A. R. P. A. R. P. A. R. P. 18,917 3 26 .. .. 18,917 3 26 3,560,646 3 29 •2,975 1 30 .. .. 2,975 1 30 395,660 0 8 17,900 2 34 20 0 34 ' .. 17,920 3 28 712,337 2 18 9,712 1 34 .. .. 9,712 1 34 1,345,491 3 31 56,907 0 15 .. .. 56,967 0 15 905,220 3 2 884 3 8 .. .. 884 3 8 217,994 0 15 51,750 2 30 .. .. 51,750 2 30 201,122 1 20 3,926 2 36 59 0 33 .. 3,985 3 29 1,548,772 118 1,195 0 37 .. .. 1,195 0 37 707,356 3 35 252,875 1 23 .. .. 252,875 1 23 3,183,259 1 29 Totals.. 417,106 1 33 79 1 27 ' 417,185 3 20 12,777,862 2 5

Tenure. Forfeitures. Number. Area. j I I Surrenders. Annual Number Areft Annual Rental. Area. Rental. Surrenders. Ordinary Crown Lands. Occupation with right of purchase Lease in perpetuity Mining Districts Occupation Act.. Village Settlement, — Perpetual lease" Lease in perpetuity Homestead special settlement .. Special-settlement associations .. Improved farm special settlements Small grazing-runs Pastoral runs Miscellaneous .. Ordinary Crowi Occupation with right Lease in perpetuity Mining Districts Occu Villace Settlement.— N Lan ; of put ipation 'rchase 96 26,466 3 8 82 12,534 3 17 n Act.. 14 576 1 25 96 82 14 1 19 2 1 7 4 5 41 £ s. d. a. R. p. £ s. d. 910 0 2 2 404 0 32 7 6 1 387 10 2 7 1,727 3 38 33 4 8 35 14 0 , 1 67 1 35 ! 2 10 4 village settlement, — Perpetual lease" Lease in perpetuity Homestead special s Special-settlement assi Improved farm special Small grazing-runs Pastoral runs .. Miscellaneous .. i settlem iociatic 1 settle 1 19 3 38 19 129 0 0 nent .. 2 9 2 23 ] ons .. 1 131 0 0 Bments 7 1,069 2 19 4 3,103 0 0 5 178,265 0 0 41 9,747 8 28 10 0.. 11 15 0 2 32 2 0 ' 2 15 6 2 11 4 550 .. 22 39 024 22 3 10 66 12 2 i 1,018 2 19 3214 6 37 10 0 9 134,207 0 30 845 17 8 78 4 2 21 4,538 1 38 178 19 4 Total 27! 272 232,053 0 38 1,558 5 10 43 141,999 0 31 1,103 10 5 Cheviot Estate. Miscellaneous 1 10 0 1 100 0 0 4 0 0 16 0 0 Total 1 100 0 0 1 0 0 4 0 0 16 0 0 Land for Settlements. Lease in perpetuity Village lease in perpetuity Small grazing-runs 23 1 23 1 2,290 3 29 9 1 15 537 1 4 I 7 11 2 6 1,215 1 34 i 0 24 379 14 2 6 3 10 Total 24 21 2,300 1 I 544 12 6 6 1,216 2 18 379 18 0 Grand totals 297 231,453 2 2 2,103 18 4 I 50 143,219 3 9 1,499 8 5 Native townships 9 14 1 39 58 7 6 10 7 2 6 28 15 0

Locality. ;otorua".. Taken up during the Net Area held on 31st Selectors in Arrear on 31st Year. March, 1908. March, 1908. Amount ■g x - received -g d fa g Yearlv g g Yearly during the g g .a o Area. Rent pay- -= o Area. Rent pay- Year. -o S Area. Amount. g-S able/ S-f able/ f .2 g« I [_. a w a. R. p. £ s d. a. R. p. £ s. d. £ s. d. a. R. p. £ s. d. .. .. .. 3106,080 0 242,188 16 4 2,149 0 7 20 73 3 27 100 10 0 * Inclusive of Rotorua Town Council lands.

107

C.—l

Table 24. —Return of Lands disposed of under "The Native Townships Act, 1895," for the Year ended 31st March, 1908.

Table 25. —Return showing the Area of Bush felled on Lands sold or leased by the Crown from 1st April, 1895, to 31st March, 1908.

Area of Township. :en up during tl Year. Land Distriot. Name Date of of Township. Proclamation. Date when opened — p for Sale. claimed. 0f " ered - N °- Area. Rent payable. Auokland Hawke's Bay Wellington .. Kaimakau 14 July, 1897 .. Rotoiti .. 8 June, 1900 .. Parawai .. 29 June, 1900 .. Te Puru .. 26 Sept., 1901 .. Karewa .. 16 Oct., 1902 .. Te Puia .. 13 July, 1898 .. Te Araroa 4 Oct., 1899 .. Tuatini .. 14 Sept., 1899 .. Waipiro .. 25 Oct., 1900 .. Pipiriki .. 5 Aug., 1896 .. I Tokaanu .. 11 Mar., 1897 .. Potaka .. 26 July, 1899 Parata J U Au «"' 1899 • ■ parata j 2g lg99 .. I Hokio .. 1 Aug.,-1902 A. R. P. 190 0 0 78 0 0 485 0 0 23 3 37 55 0 19, 497 0 0 383 0 01 90 0 0 497 1 0 366 0 0 490 0 0 138 0 0 I 49 0 18! i 14 Oct., 1898 4 3 0 14 July, 1904 42 0 26 30 June, 1904 2 0 25 30 June, 1904 25 1 23 30 June, 1904 166 1 32 15 Feb., 1900 200 0 1 14 Dec, 1900 39 0 29 16 Jan., 1901 338 1 27 10 Feb., 1904 254 3 20 27 July, 1897 198 0 0 17 June, 1898 * 80 2 6 9 May, 1900 A. R. P. £ s. d. 2 25 1 34 7 12 6 1 0 0 37 10 0 4 8 0 39 14 5 0 I 0 2 0 7 0 0 33 0 4 11 Sept., 1900 19 2 25 11 Mar., 1903 i _ 1 0 3 0 0 15 0 39 3 30! Totals .. 9 35 0 30 30 12 6 Land District. Net Area held on 31st March, 1908. Name of Township. R . Number. Area. payab , e Forfeitures or Surrenders during the Year. Rent paid during Year. Number. Area. Annual Rent. Auckland Hawke's Bay Kaimakau Rotoiti Parawai .. Te Puru .. Karewa .. Te Puia .. Te Araroa Tuatini .. Waipiro .. Pipiriki .. Tokaanu .. Potaka Parata .. Hokio .. I 19 13 26 8 22 29 26 31 42 28 55 18 21 A. R. P. ■• 5 2 34 9 0 16 8 3 18 2 0 22 161 0 26 203 2 3 39 1 6 319 1 15 197 0 0 76 2 33 85 2 37 26 2 15 9 1 37 £ s. d. 46 10 0 61 2 6 95 5 0 31 2 6 78 13 0 83 19 0 129 15 0 184 2 6 165 6 10 197 8 4 191 19 0 82 4 0 12 6 0 6 1 4 1 1 2 1 1 2 A. R. P. £ 8. d. 1 2 6 17 15 0 0 3 28 5 0 0 1 1 19 15 7 6 10 0 6 0 0 2 i 22 3 15 0 10 1 4 26 6 0 0 10 15 0 2 0 12 8 0 0 2 0 34 4 0 0 £ s. d. 27 *8 9 48 7 0 17 10 6 7 0 0 55 15 0 70 0 6 89 18 6 127 9 0 177 6 8 174 18 3 162 7 6 86 0 8 13 18 0 Wellington ■ • Totals 338 338 1,144 2 22 1,144 2 22 1,359 13 8 1,359 13 8 19 22 0 5 87 2 6 1,058 0 4

Distriot. Felled during the Felled during the Year on Lands taken Year on Lands taken Total foiled Total felled up during up in at 3lst March, 1907. at 31st March, 1908. the Year 1906-1907. Previous Years. Auckland Hawke's Bay Taranaki Wellington Nelson .. Marlborough Westland Canterbury Otago Southland 6,058 0 0 605 0 0 2,500 0 0 1,300 0 0 860 0 0 200 0 0 2,000 0 0 620* 0 0. 13,643 0 0 11,158 0 0 3,000 0 0 13,800 0 0 7,000 0 0 700 0 0 1,500 0 0 63 0 0 800 0 0 118,075 0 0 123,192 0 0 47,580 0 0 672,760 0 0 33,257 0 0 92,057 0 0 61,620 0 0 137,776 0 0 134,955 0 0 53,810 0 0 687,860 0 0 41,117 0 0 92,957 0 0 65,120 0 0 23,35i 0 0 11,719 0 0 23,414 0 0 13,139 0 0 Totals 14,143 0 0 51,664 0 0 1,183,611 0 0 1,250,148 0 0

C.—l

108

Table 26. Statement of the Number of Selectors on the Books of the Lands and Survey Department on 31st March, 1908.

Deferred I Payment. Perpetual Lease. Occupation with Right of Purchase. Lease in Perpetuity new,ble ;ase. i 1 - 0 Occupation Lease -g-g under " The Mining co g Districts Land Occu- | g, pation Act, 1894." 3^ 4* ■2,3 hJ rH It — - win ° ) ' a r- if. CD.-S cd CO cS ~ oi e-° Sol 5 > rH Village Settlement, Lease in Perpetuity. a <u CD CO CD J £ a District. • CD . _£ a "i rO H rrt a = S c > cS O c! Orl -O^ *H | 13 A3 8 m SrS c a g a o [a 00 a a O a O CO a CO A3 a a °51Sc Sg 00 a a * H 1 .2 o ~ Hi A3 CO OM E o a'O 13 o 9 a a iS H iJ rH CD fa SP.S X A3 fa -S a a cd . CO ..2 » : S ■ fa H cd a 30 H 41 a CD . Srg S a o a ,"° i-3 a 1^ -2 Auckland Hawke's Bay Taranaki Wellington .. Nelson Marlborough Westland Canterbury .. Otago Southland .. 17 1 1 1 24 .. 207 1 11 5 12 .. 14 11 ■• 5 .. 7 20 1 175 10 58 11 2,367 258 449 664 206 43 100 25 259 324 5 .. 1,224 .. 470 .. 505 .. 381 .. 333 .. 489 .. 246 111 815 .. 345 .. 638 23 427 18 35 .. 313 .. 13 15 317 .. 27 1,1,142 68 i 544 9 234 44 13,690 177 1 '• 1 14 4 .. 174 83 .. • .... 40 83 26 25 1 .. 63 16 270 "" - ■__ 151 16 577 83 .. .. .. | 63 10 78 9 10 508 :: *i :: "o 12 7 16 8 18 2 14 3 111 74 4 305 9 105 34 1109 1(1 2 .. .. 4 4 1 30 4 4 9 1 ■• -• Totals ~ 5,017 111 I 46 4 — 15 65 1 520 33 4,701 District. j Sett a a 3. 3 Village-home-stead Special Settlement. Specialsettlement Associations. Improvedfarm Special Settlements. Small Grazing-runs. A3 a . fa a o • Hi O CD . G x rrj *A3 - m H rrj SrJ *£< 1^ CD .. c3 **r O a cd o Pastoral. 00 A3 . - a - u O CD « cd o S a iS a 9 .2 J "= g ~ -5 o o 03 pa iscellaneous. 2 c Ci Ci O . r- CO S3 — -h % a tn a U o eo" CD H i a o t7. a = °rH O i CD A3 A3 O CS > CO CD M ' CD O =3 a ■ ■ ° a Shi gs^ O CQ CD rrj -a CD CD ., fa Ph °S O £ 5 8 c a 00 a a "* 1 2^ Total. °rH o i Auckland Hawke's Bay .. Taranaki Wellington Nelson Marlborough Westland Canterbury Otago Southland Totals .. 29 27 '.'. 163 *8 '.'. 260 .. 71 46 .. 004 •• •■ 20 68 14 87 431 52 j 1 .. 16 147 206 .. .. •• ! 100 17 15 87 17 84 9 82 9 12 .. 16 2 .. *7 6 '.'. 1 .... 27 .. 44 .. 49 B 11 .. 2 3 .. 115 34 49 142 16 38 2 47 210 138 221 91 .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 1 211 .. 13 92 .. 11 114 .. 1 286 .. 10 750 .. 129 .. 47 254 . . 1 656j 60 38 795 .. 61 887 .. 11 3,674 60 193 355 23 *328 29 '.'. : 13 :: 18 .. 83 3281 66 108 ; 164 •• - 5,697 1,502 1,454 3,456 1,910 1,074 1,148 3,194 3,854 2,069 92 57 j *30 ! 14 | ii :: 55 295 19 'i '.'. 2 1 " '.'. 45 6 7 8 9 2 !— 77 644 11 466 hi7 ,663 905 1 2 14 338 39i |25,3! * Includes eij ihteen holders of endowment lands.

C.-l

109

Table 27. —Statement showing the Total Number of Crown Tenants, with Area selected or held, the Yearly Rent payable, and Rent in Arrear on 31st March, 1908.

Tenure. Total Number of Tenants. Total Area held by such Tenants. Total Yearly Rental or Instalment payable. otal Amount ol suoh Rents or Payments in Arrear. Ordinary Crown Lands. Deferred payment Perpetual lease Occupation with right of purchase .. Lease in perpetuity Renewable lease .. Agricultural lease Homestead Mining Districts Land Occupation Act Village settlements — Deferred payment Perpetual lease Occupation with right of purchase Lease in perpetuity Renewable lease Village-homestead special settlements— Perpetual lease .. • .. Lease in perpetuity Special-settlement associations — Deferred payment Perpetual lease Lease in perpetuity Improved-farm special settlements .. Small grazing-runs Pastoral runs Miscellaneous leases 65 520 4,701 5,017 17 16 24,565 2 15 92,627 2 10 1,579,102 3 23 • 1,450,382 0 37 3,427 1 0 521 1 29 £ s. d. 1,116 12 3 3,209 6 2 60,875 17 4 45,739 16 6 82 3 4 22 4 3 £ s. d. 19 1 4 161 15 5 857 3 9 626 16 1 577 24,906 0 11 1,414 2 0 118**11 6 9 105 34 1,109 15 164 3 3 1,507 0 22 64 0 32 23,250 0 31 108 1 37 19 11 4 219 1 2 15 5 10 4,418 9 8 11 12 6 6 15 6 14 9 253 3 8 261 343 4,565 2 2 9,087 0 14 635 5 11 1,074 19 6 89 19 2 28 17 8 10 634 583 663 905 3,674 669 0 8 113,354 0 3 71,101 0 24 1,508,324 0 28 11,066,724 0 15 788,544 1 5 48 4 0 5,881 4 2 4,251 8 5 32,554 3 1 75,317 9 4 15,508 5 6 167 9 8 359 14 2 1,526 10 11 121 16 II 761 13 1 Totals 19,258 16,822,997 0 29 252,415 2 3 5,100 12 11 Cheviot Estate. Lease in perpetuity Village-homestead special settlement Grazing-farms Pastoral runs Miscellaneous 118 92 49 1 60 24,392 1 2 2,480 1 0 45,846 1 26 1,642 0 0 1,377 3 26 6,450 14 6 870 10 4 6,871 13 2 193 3 8 261 6 1 7* 8 0 548 7 9 2 13 6 Totals 320 75,738 3 14 14,647 7 9 558 9 3 Land for Settlements Acts. Lease in perpetuity Renewable lease Lease in perpetuity, village Special-settlement associations Small grazing-runs Pastoral runs Miscellaneous 3,690 151 46 11 115 2 193 678,971 3 30 67,107 1 29 438 1 28 2,114 1 9 217,654 0 33 953 2 38 11,840 3 20 201,407 1 2 13,943 4 2 333 12 8 162 7 8 26,940 1 10 121 13 0 2,021 13 9 3,703 6 10 1516 6 150 12 2 80* 3 11 Totals 4,208 979,080 3 27 244,929 14 3 3,949 19 5 Workers' dwellings 83 14 0 17 2,250 9 4 21 15 3 Thermal Springs (Rotorua) 310 6,080 0 24 2,188 16 4 100 10 0 Grand totals 24,179 17,833,911 0 31 402,541 1 28 516,431 9 11 9,731 6 10 Endowments 841 12,460 0 2 101 18 2 Native townships 338 1,144 2 22 1,359 18 9 505 17 11

o.—l

110

Table 28.—Endowments: Lands taken up during the Year ended 31st March, 1908.

Cash Lands. Occupation with Bight of Purchase. Lease in Perpetuity. Small Grazing-runs. District. Nature of Endowments. O U : ll Ar _ a Amount Area realised. a. r. P. £ a. d. I fa CD 3 Area Annual a Area - Rental. •2 Area ADnual S Area Rental. S3 a s jj s 3 Z Area. Annual Rental. I I Nelson Canterbury Westport Harbour Board Ellesmere a. R. p. £ s. d. £ s. d. A. K. P. £ s. d. 4 1,585 0 0 31 17 10 A. R. p. £ s. d. .. Totals 31 17 10 •• 4 1,585 0 0 i I I \ l_ ' Small Grazing-runs. Occupation Leases under Mining Districts Land Occupation Act, 1894. Thermal Springs. Miscellaneous. District. Nature of Kiiilowmeiits. fa CD Si a a 7. ,™ Annual Area Rental. fa oi ■2 i„. Annual 3 Area Kental. K fa g Area. Annual Rental. o£ II 21 a. Area. Annual Rental. I " £ s. d. 7 A. R. P. 276 3 14 Nelson Canterbury Westport Harbour Board Ellesmere A. p. p. £ 8. d. 9 19 2 A. R. P. £ s. d. 8 82 0 20 2 ! 122 0 0 £ s. d. 6 10 0 39 10 0 •• Totals i •• 7 276 3 14 9 19 2 •■ 10 204 0 20 46 0 0

111

A—i

Table 29. —Endowments: Return of Revenue received during the Year ended 31st March, 1908.

Table 30. —Summary of Cheviot Estate Receipts for the Financial Year ending 31st March, 1903. £ s. d. Rents, lease in perpetuity .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 6,680 2 3 , grazing-farms .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 7,215 9 9 miscellaneous and pastoral leases .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 395 13 10 £14,291 5 10 Table 31. —Cheviot Estate: Return of Outlay and Incom* at Slst March, 1908. Dr. Outlay. £ s. d. Purchase-money .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 260,220 0 0 Roads-construction .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 45,158 10 0 Surveys .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 6,411 9 11 Landing-service—Administration and contingencies to 31st March, 1907 .. .. .. 12.352 14 11 Landing-service—Administration and contingencies, Ist April, 1907, to 31st March, 1908 .. 6 8 0 Interest to 31st March, 1907 .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 122,722 14 5 Interest, Ist April, 1907, to 31st March, 1908 .. .. .. .. .. .. 8,866 2 6 Cheese-factory .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 900 0 0 Total '.. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. £456,637 19 9 Cr. Iscomb. CashFreehold disposed of .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 39,196 16 4 Rents and royalties to 31st March, 1907 .. .. .. .. .. .. 188,537 0 6 Rents and royalties, Ist April, 1907, to 31st Maroh, 1908 .. .. .. .. .. 14,291 5 10 Interest to 31st March, 1907 .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 1,556 10 11 Interest, Ist April, 1907, to 31st March, 1908 Shipping and port charges .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 3,828 3 11 Rents and interest unpaid at 31st March, 1908 .. .. .. .. .. .. 3,240 19 6 Balance .. .. .. -.. .. .. .. .. .. .. 205,987 2 9 Total .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. £456,637 19 9

Tenure. I Revenue received. Cash lands Perpetual lease made freehold Occupation with right of purchase made freehold Deferred payments Perpetual lease and small areas Occupation with right of purchase Lease in perpetuity Mining Districts Land Occupation Act Village-homestead special settlement Village lease in perpetuity Small grazing-runs Pastoral runs Coal and mineral leases Timber licenses and royalties Miscellaneous leasee Rents of reserves Thermal Springs Distriot .. • » £ 8. d. 157 11 11 106 10 0 8 3 8 415 18 1 27 4 9 1,801 11 10 111 12 4 294 8 6 12 1 5 1,190 11 4 5,320 1 6 18,666 16 2 1,571 16 3 250 5 0 1,218 17 0 133 2 6 Total £31,286 12 8

C—l.

112

Table 31a. —Summary of Arrears due to the Crown on 31st March, 1908.

Tenure. HH 3 CD 7i m Exclusive of ci year's ] irrent Halftent. a s2 rj (j, fcco Inclusive of current Half-year's Rent. g ° 7i m Exclusive of current Halfyear's Rent. _ a o 2 A3 Area Amount § | Area " in arrear. v. *> Inclusive of cun Rei ent Half year'i it. Area. Amount in Arrear. , Amount Area in Arrear. Tenure. Amount in Arrear. Area. ■ Ordinary Crown Lands. Deferred payment Perpetual lease ■ .. Occupation with right of purchase Lease in perpetuity Agricultural lease Mining Districts Land Occupation Act Village settlements on deferred payment Village settlements on perpetual lease Village settlements on occupation with right of purchase Village settlements on lease in perpetuity Village-homestead special settlements Special-settlement associations 6 447 0 27 28 5,184 0 6 184 32,632 1 32 146 35,911 2 34 in 2,963 3 0 2 21 0 0 £ s. d. 19 1 4 15 101 15 5 99 857 3 9 565 626 16 1 605 I 118 11 6 150 1 6 15 6 20 A. R. P. 4,175 2 37 15,149 2 25 134,035 2 4 128,284 1 17 7,410 0 32 5 0 0 192 0 35 £ s. d. 145 4 3 438 0 3 3,030 6 7 2,671 5 2 335 6 9 0 18 8 23 16 7 Cheviot Estate. Lease in perpetuity.. Village - homestead special settlements Grazing-farms Miscellaneous Totals .. Land for Settlements. Lease in perpetuity.. Village lease in perpetuity Small grazing-runs.. Miscellaneous a. r. p.' 2 15 0 0 9 8,542 3 0 1 2 2 28 12 8,560 1 28 558 9 3 £ s. d. 7 "a 548 7 9 2 13 6 1 10 : ?3 9 53 a. r. p. 25 3 0 200 2 33 35*291 1 7 196 1 28 35,714 0 28 £ s. d. 7 14 7 40 15 0 8,180 8 1 62 1 10 3.240 19 6 2 15 3 0 14 9 4 36 3 9 4 1 11 163 5 27,320 1 37 3,703 6 10 10 2 22 : 15 16 6 ' 11.948 0 7 35 16 7 453 10 72,132 1 13 15 1 25 40 1,293 0 7 253 3 8 162 3,887 2 20 712 9 1 12 . 15 34 44,406 0 0 519 0 26 1,413 12 0 175 4 8 16,623 0 0 j 150 12 2 430 0 34 80 3 11 34 494 0 22 118 16 10 132 167 9 8 61 2,716 0 1 298 7 7 Totals .. 184 11,552 2 36 470 3 11 44,384 1 13 13,949 19 5 512 117.102 3 24 13,572 13 10 19 3,591 1 16 Improved farms Small grazing-runs Pastoral runs Miscellaneous (not otherwise specified) 36 3,764 3 15 63 151,248 1 14 26 02,443 2 32 127 10,607 2 5 359 14 2 110 1,526 10 11 275 121 16 3 96 761 13 1 425 12,733 2 6 657,925 1 9 262,028 1 26 108,303 0 25 900 9 9 8,391 13 1 547 5 9 2,019 15 11 Thermal Springs, Rotorua 20 73 3 27 100 10 0 87 3,372 464 3 39 382 15 8 (rrand totals 969 ; 363,637 1 38 ,9,709 11 7 1,501,718 1 13 37,185 11 3 Totals .. 753 1310,618 3 10 Native Townships .. 85 284 2 25 505 17 11 176 1310,618 3 10 5,100 12 11 2,720 1,348,436 1 2 19,989 5 3 670 3 30 865 19 6

C—l

Table 32. —Return showing Position and Transactions in Improved-farm Settlements from their Commencement to 31st March, 1908.

15—C. 1.

113

Name of Settlement. Areas. Number Dates of Gazette ,.„„?,'„„„ Proclamation. ft^ Settlement. Number of Settlers remaining in Occupation on 31 Mar., '08. Number of Persons resident. Area occupied. Area relied. Area grassed. Number of Cattle or other Roads felled Amount paid to Selectors for Improvements: Rent and Interest paid Value of and formed Past and Present Transactions. by Selectors. Improvements or partially , now on the ';™h. For Bush- -,_. During the From Com- '?,?£ I"^? 8 vL„V For Houses.; felling and i.J,°' a ,L Year ending meucement of h ''A at 'irn m «nt Year - other Works. ' *>•''"»"«■ :ti Mar., us System. l>> Government. on Allotin,'lits. formed during the Year. For Houses. Auckland — Te Rau-a-moa Paemako Mangatu Awatuna Katui Rangatira .. Tawai Earu Kakepuku .. Acres. 1,519 1,412 1,100 1,000 1,000 1,000 411 1,924 2,738 12,104 1896, p. 655 1897, p. 5 1895, p. 863 1895, p. 863 1895, p. 863 1895, p. 863 1896, p. 1541 1904, p. 1098 1904, p. 1904 12 13 10 10 10 10 19 11 16 12 13 10 10 10 10 19 11 16 12 10 3 1 4 2 7 3 10 12 10 3 1 4 2 7 3 10 35 40 20 3 . 24 9 15 34 A. R. P. 1,424 2 32 1,221 2 38 200 2 0 100 0 0 292 0 0 •200 0 0 91 3 27 850 3 25 1,536 0 0 Acres. 1,085 120 180 40 170 66 80 Acres. 1,145 625 180 38 160 66 76 85 190 750 475 86 6 75 28 45 25 45 Mis. ch. £ s. d. 237 16. 2 337 8 0 184 8 3 122 2 11 165 11 4 45 18 4 102 10 0 55 0 0 300 5 0 £ s. d. £ a. d. 1,737 16 1 1,975 12 3 37-. 8 709 14 8 1,466 17 8 1,651 5 11 989 12 11 1,111 15 10 901 0 0 1,066 11 4 146 8 0 192 6 4 487 0 8 589 10 8 55 0 0 300 5 0 £ s. d. 243 4 4 72 9 7 30 12 0 7 2 2 25 17 7 3 15 4 13 4 5 0 12 6 £ s. d. 994 16 2 751 15 11 352 16 1 133 2 5 388 18 3 75 2 5 119 13 4 3 9 6 2 6 0 £ s. d. 7,421 11 C 3,048 11 0 1,100 0 0 130 0 0 1,088 0 0 304 0 C 880 1 C 420 0 0 1,085 16 6 Totals 111 111 52 52 184 | 5,917 3 2 1,741 2,565 1,535 •• 1,551 0 0 6,101 2 0 7,652 2 0 402 17 11 2,822 0 1 15,477 19 Hawke's Bay — Waikopiro .. Akitio 1,880 145 1895, p. 79 1896, p. 656 15 2 15 14 2 2 17 16 14 2 64 1,685 0 0 145 0 0 1,684 145 1,684 ! 145 442 j " 139 14 4 20 0 0 1,708 5 0 1,847 19 4 152 4 5 172 4 5 198 18 7 2,532 15 10 154 15 7 7,321 0 820 12 •- Totals 2.025 17 16 64 1,830 0 0 1,829 1,829 442 159 14 4 1,860 9 5 2,020 3 9 198 18 7 2,687 11 5 8,141 12 Taranaki — Ngaire Tongaporutu Mangaere TJruti Taumatatahi Whangamomona Poti Maata Huiroa Okau Derwent 170 2,500 482 697 430 10,543 108 30 668 1,889 1,369 7 Feb., 1895 4 Oct., 1894 10 Jan., 1895 10 Jan., 1895 22 Oct., 1894 30 Jan., 1896 4 Juh 4 July, 1895 29 Nov., 1894 5 Mar., 1896 5 Mar., 1896 115 Aug., 1895 | 27 Nov., 1902 17 Sept., 1896 27 Oct., 1897 (18 Feb., 1904 (20 June, 1907 18 Feb., 1904 I 19 Mar , 1904 11 Jan., 1906 19 July, 1906 j 16 16 13 7 4 111 9 19 13 6 7 29 I 35 15 4 11 5 4 59 8 3 7 2 5 22 2 36 29 33 26 37 44 21 1 163 18 •2 26 30 30 159 I 30 450 1 16 442 2 16 502 0 0 404 0 0 7,524 0 16 108 0 0 30 0 0 568 1 28 188 1 11 696 0 0 166 529 460 494 290 5,205 106 30 522 506 596 166 529 460 494 290 5,205 106 30 522 506 596 125 337 239 140 600 2,609 75 16 450 30 305 •■ " •• 262 10 0 200 0 0 132 10 0 79 0 0 70 0 0 827 10 0 120 0 0 50 0 0 93 10 0 137 10 0 192 10 0 311 7 9 573 17 9 44 19 6 922 13 11 1,122 13 11 42 19 3 574 2 0 706 12 0 39 15 6 817 7 0 896 7 0 53 6 0 281 14 2 351 14 2 28 15 10 6,859 3 5 7,686 13 5 574 13 0 173 15 3 293 15 3 37 8 9 58 1 8 108 1 8 7 3 2 587 3 0 680 13 0 55 14 5 1,010 1 6 1,147 11 6 13 13 10 1,123 11 5 1,316 1 5 48 16 3 493 12 0 488 9 0 561 14 7 543 12 9 330 10 7 4,880 5 6 399 0 8 77 1 1 509 19 9 180 5 8 659 19 11 1,557 0 1,595 0 2,321 0 1,570 0 1,366 0 19,887 0 1,324 0 249 0 2,257 0 1,380 0 2,079 0 •• 1 Nihoniho j 3,190 55 3,037 3 0 941 1,026 555 155 10 0 1,093 18 6 1,249 8 6 165 11 4 629 0 3 679 0 3 15 8 8 286 5 6 316 5 6 10 1 9 435 0 2 4,457 0 Greenlands .. Mangapoua .. 603 702 9 7 199 1 10 200 0 0 236 108 236 108 165 120 50 0 0 30 0 0 190 8 5 104 14 7 795 0 490 0 -. " " --------- 1,321 4 7 1,608 14 7 ; 128 5 9 1,700 4 5 2,300 4 5 208 14 6 1,259 6 4 1,606 16 4 185 15 5 Totoro 6,642 101 6,482 0 30 1,292 1,854 1,085 287 10 0 162 10 3 5,652 0 Mangapapa .. 5,322 128 5,328 0 9 1,573 2,067 982 540 0 0 i 270 14 2 6,894 0 Paorae 6,784 97 6,320 2 5 1,138 1,199 501 347 10 0 257 19 7 4,086 0 Totals 42,129 356 247 795 19,069 0 8 22.644 10 8 1,661 2 11 32,631 1 6 14,192 15,394 8,334 ■• 3,575 10 0 I 22.644 10 8 1,661 2 11 10,545 13 8 57,959 0 "

α-i

Table 32. —Return showing Position and Transactions in Improved-farm Settlements from their Commencement to 31st March, 1908— continued.

114

Name of Settlement. Areas. Dates of Gazette Proclamation. S3 Hi . o Hi a fa c £ 1 CO fafagg ? . o co .a-- j a S <s c— * IfS Number of Persons resident. Area occupied. Area felled. Area grassed. Number of Cattle or other Freeholds during Year. Amount paid to Selectors for Improvements : Past and Present Transactions. Rent and Interest paid by Selectors. Land, including that paid for byGovernment. Value of Improvements on Allotments. No. Area. Rent. For BushFor Houses, felling and other Works. Total Payments. During the Year ending 31 Mar., '08. From Commencement of System. Wellington— Pemberton .. Acres. 1,390 (20 Dec, 1894 10 Sept., 1897 2 Feb., 1903 31 Oct., 1894 31 Oct., 1894 (18 Sept., 1895 (24 Sept., 1896 130 Apr., 1896 21 Dec, 1896 20 Apr., 1898 23 Aug., 1898 24 May, 1899 2 Oct., 1894 19 Dec, 1894 ( 7 Apr., 1896 (27 Dec, 1899 17 Apr., 1896 16 Nov., 1897 20 Apr., 1898 2 Dec, 1898 27 Mar., 1904 ( 1 Sept., 1896 110 Nov., 1897 113 Dec, 1897 (l9 Mar., 1902 ,21 Dec, 1896 (14 Oct., 1897 115 Aug., 1898 h| 14 Apr., 1899 17 Sept., 1901 28 Oct., 1901 10 Dec, 190.3 24 May, 1899 24 May, 1899 19 Sept., 1901 3 April, 1902 126 Aug., 1904 [22 Oct., 1904 12 Nov., 1903 12 Nov., 1903 I a. r. p. Acres.' 991 2 23 1,200] Acres. 1,200 A. R. P. 68 2 10 £ s. d. £ 8. d. 15 11 10 227 0 0 £ s. d. 1,828 10 li £ b. d. £ s. d 2,055 10 1 142 15 7 £ s. d. 2,573 2 0 £ s. d. 9,100 0 0 13 10 80 1,475 1 Kawhatau Hautapu 1,000 1,204 I 12 12 8 11 38 42 666 2 24 638 973 0 0 850 1,065 1 37 1,000 638 850 950 630 1 101 0 0 230 0 ,0 13 9 4 265 0 0 959 14 61 859 2 10 | 1,189 14 6 89 17 8 1,124 2 10 98 12 5 1,260 5 11 1,196 18 4 6,500 0 0 5,420 0 0 Masterton-Tenui 1.168J ' 12 \ 11 48 1,000 2,220 220 0 0 627 0 1 847 0 1 113 7 4 1,173 5 7 5,450 0 0 Akitio 4,880 44 81 21 3,467 1 22 3,823 300 0 0 142 150 3 10 204 2,394 3 33 2,310 1,370 0 0 600 3,612 6,092 343 0 18 36 10 11 606 10 0 3,084 9 1 3,690 19 1 366 17 4 3,540 3 0 10,750 9 3 Horopito Otaihape 2,000 200 12 10 6 6 90 142 204 120 150 •2 27 3 24 60 0 0 10 2 10 259 0 0 333 1 4 405 12 0 393 14 30 18 10 664 12 0 23 1 5 1,941 0 11 208 19 7 250 13 8 532 10 2 800 0 0 4,100 0 0 Ohutu 2,881 I 34 I 1 28 140 2,310 1,750 ti 499 3 33! 53 6 8 307 0 0 1,634 0 11 2,049 13 8 14,150 0 0 Otuarei 1,500 \ 11 7 40 1,285 2,500 180 0 0 368 14 5 548 14 5 159 16 7. 880 10 8| 3,350 0 0 Rongoiti 1,087| 27 396 0 0 656 816 1,600 96 2 0 12 12 0 87 10 0 376 13 1 464 3 1 64 15 0 3,340 13 0 315 1 9 574 12 11 2,820 0 0 Mangatiti 5,356 24 3,164 3 38 3,630 3,396 306 15 0 3,033 18 0 2,992 4 1 9,959 3 5 86 24 4,048 Oraukura Sommerville Taihape Horowhenua 1,819 1,600 567 138 111 8 6 1 10 1 6 1 50 37 26 1,819 0 0 800 200 0 0 640 567 1 16 360 138 18 85 1,840 2 1 522 2,698 2 9 224 600 0 0 167 820 780 360 85 615 625 250 40 141 0 0 101 0 0 30 0 0 10 0 0 365 17 2 181 14 9 73 10 0 30 0 Ol 506 17 2 134 5 8 282 14 9 93 6 0 103 10 0, 208 19 7 40 0 0 17 15 9 120 15 0 44 1 5 836 18 4 479 7 1 365 10 3 35 16 7 4,700 0 0 2,650 0 0 2,230 0 0 150 0 0 Namunui 1.841J 24 24 16 3 7 522 110 120 15 0 55 3 9 1,694 0 0 Raketapauma Tapui 3,141 600' 16 44 21 224 157 650 91 '.'. 60 0 0 84 8 9 84 8 9 66 1 6 60 0 0 46 11 3 74 2 10 85 11 5 1,013 0 0 880 0 0 .. I

115

C—l

■go -a 1 Kauaekeke = ° 2 Kaketapauma .. . = 5 -Mangatiti g*-| Otuarei j≤ " J Sommerville 2001 19 Sept., 1901 1 1 1 7 1 200 0 0 609 0 19 776 0 0 200 0 0 1,400 0 0 ] 150 i - 150 270 I - - •• - ■• •• 10 2 6| 15 15 450 0 .. Totals 32,572 273 223 742 25,989 3 0 17,991 18,551 24,186 14 1,137 0 5| j 141 12 93,090 15 0 14,367 2 oj 17,457 17 0 [2,235 7 2 18,973 5 3 86,166 12 Southland— Haldane (withdrawn, 143 acres) 2,057 1895, p. 176 22 19 68 1,463 420 2,087 0 18 1,426 394 10 0] 4,613 4 1 5,007 14 1 137 4 8 943 3 7 4,220 7 Waikawa (withdrawn, 1,113 acres) [ 655 1,480 670 (1895, p. 1222 i 1895, p. 1447 ( (erratum) 1894, p. 1618 1895, p. 1526 : 6 I 9 570 3 37 300 275 58 229 12 0 3,581 4 2 3,810 16 2 40 15 5 227 5 8 1,532 2 Papatotara .. iUoturimu 15 14 14 9 34 34 l",527 3 2 546 1 39 962 199 931 206 238 22 67 19 0 210 0 0 2,565 14 1 395 11 10 2,633 13 1 605 11 10! 80 7 1 43 17 7 592 19 5 317 9 2 2,854 18 1,184 10 Totals 4,862 93,692 57 145 4,732 1 16 2,924 2,838 41,177 738 902 1 0 11,155 14 2 12,057 15 2 61,832 8 7 302 4 9 2,080 10 10 9,791 18 7 •• ■• Grand totals 814 583 1,930 |71,101 0 24 38,677' 35,235 14 1,137 0 5 141 12 9 9,279 0 4 13,553 8 3 i4,800 11 4 37,109 1 3, 177,537 3 6 i

C—l

116

Table 33 (Part I).— Return of Lands disposed of under the Land for Settlements Acts to the 31st March, 1908.

Name of Settlement. Date when Land opened for Selection. Area acquired, including ascertained Surplus or Deficiency. Area occupied by Roads and Reserves unlet. Area of Land unlet, including Land forfeited, New Selections and Addition to Holdings during the Year. Total Lands leased at Date. resumed and not relet, and also Land not yet offered for Selection. No. of Selectors. Annual Rent payable. No. of Selectors. Annual Rent now payable. Area. Area. Auckland — Opouriao . Okauia .. Rangiatea Karapiro Fencourt Whitehall Bickerstaffe Matamata Selwyn Mangawhero Mangapouri Teasdale Waimana Rewi Cradock Hamlet .. Hetana Hamlet .. Kitchener Hamlet Methuen Hamlet Plumer Hamlet .. Waari Hamlet .. J Feb. 12, 1896.. Feb. 21, 1898.. June 22, 1898.. Oct. 21, 1898.. Mar. 12, 1900.. April 9,1900.. Dec. 7,1903.. June 2,1904.. Dec. 18, 1905.. April 23, 1906.. Mar. 25, 1907.. Mar. 25, 1907.. Aug. 26, 1907.. Aug. 5,1907.. Jan. 28, 1908.. April 22, 1902.. April 22, 1902.. April 22, 1902.. April 22, 1902.. April 22, 1902.. April 22, 1902.. 7,419 2 31 5,920 0 0 4,004 0 0 2,335 0 24 7,105 3 5 8,959 0 0 12,480 0 19 42,738 3 2 I 159,302 0 0 -. A. R. p. 253 1 28 1,598 0 10 79 3 0 48 2 31 49 0 29 9 1 28 532 3 19 283 3 13 2,756 3 32 159 2 26 20 0 10 17 1 29 0 3 5 A. R. P. 10 0 325 0 0 2,597 0 33 856 1 0 96,131 2 6 34 1 20 1 *5 2 27 •17 10 33 24 A. R. P. 430 3 30 1,535 1 19 2 3 0 15,647 2 18 4,802 2 34 2,728 0 33 82 0 29 4,364 1 1 £ s. d. 88 18 0 255 19 6 2 5 0 293 9 6 1,009 9 0 587 8 2 268 14 0 •1,101 2 2 93 8 20 18 37 11 33 181 82 *17 10 33 24 A. R. P 7,160 1 2 3,996 3 30 3,924 1 0 2,286 1 33 7,056 0 16 8,949 2 12 9,350 0 7 41,579 3 29 60,394 1 32 £ s. d. 1,432 3 10 224 1 10 714 10 2 442 4 4 1,626 19 10 366 1 0 1,862 18 4 6,989 8 10 2,244 15 2 1,010 11 8 547 7 2 268 14 0 1,101 2 2 5,001 0 0 2,572 1 13 169 3 31 4,365 2 6 1,717 1 0 33 0 9 451 1 34 26 3 35 77 3 14 74 0 0 427 2 32 68 2 24 4,805 1 34 2,550 0 33 82 0 28 4.364 1 1 3 3 14 42 3 9 3 2 21 6 2 22 6 2 1 28 0 26 1,717 1 0 11 0 5 315 2 11 2 0 0 4 0 29 6 0 3 367 2 1 1 9 12 0 22 0 0 4 0 0 29 7 0 9 30 11 28 16 8 18 0 30 93 0 14 21 1 14 67 0 3 58 1 25 32 0 5 45 13 4 79 7 2 55 4 4 189 6 2 50 14 0 12 0 10 6 1 1 11 3 38 2 0 0 4 1 33 33 8 10 2 6 0 1 13 6 Totals 102,437 2 12 3,678 0 8 669 156,790 0 28 19,263 4 2 265,181 2 15 5,901 2 33 137 29,635 3 35 Hawke's Bay — Raureka Elsthorpe Waimarie Pouparae Tomoana Mahora Willows.. Hatuma Manga-a-toro Kumeroa Forest Gate Argyll .. Wigan Lindsay Mangatahi Te Mata Pourerere Raumati Kanakanae Te Arai May 6,1896.. June 24, 1896.. Sept. 9, 1896.. April 21, 1897.. Mar. 2,1898.. Mar. 22, 1899.. Mar. 22, 1899.. April 25, 1901.. Jan. 21, 1902.. May 12, 1902.. May 19, 1902.. June 23, 1903.. Dec. 15, 1903.. April 11, 1905.. Feb. 5, 1907.. Nov. 4, 1907.. Jan. 22, 1908.. Jan. 28, 1908.. Feb. 18, 1908.. Mar. 25, 1908.. 427 2 0 9,740 0 0 430 2 10 337 3 4 111 3 38 1,133 3 0 775 1 36 26,522 3 20 19,581 3 12 3,774 2 38 8,822 0 13 33,705 1 30 10,072 1 37 13,574 0 0 12,391 1 37 82 3 10 2,214 1 28 4,116 3 0 5,296 0 0 10,773 3 19 11 1 2 145 1 27 4 2 16 1 1 32 1 3 35 17 1 5 649 1 2 159 3 12 29 2 38 65 0 15 102 2 37 27 2 1 290 2 18 114 1 3 30 1 10 4 1 21 40 1 20 i' 0 16 3 i 1 32 2 0 0 19 47 18 9 13 34 22 62 26 15 29 62 17 66 23 8 5 20 51 416 0 38 9,593 1 37 425 3 34 336 1 12 110 0 3 1.110 1 35 775 1 36 25,873 2 18 19,422 0 0 3,745 0 0 8,756 3 38 33,602 2 33 10,044 3 36 13,281 2 26 12,277 0 34 52 2 0 1,830 3 6 2,544 3 0 5,296 0 0 10,496 3 35 543 2 0 2,314 13 0 463 0 0 405 8 0 135 2 0 1,638 2 2 758 10 2 7,841 10 10 4,727 16 4 1,688 13 6 2,602 10 8 8,464 0 4 2,799 12 10 5,404 5 2 4,247 3 4 105 0 0 875 4 6 745 8 6 1,202 5 0 5,442 2 8 i 596 0 0 127 7 10 i 2 36 379 1 1 1,531 2 20 1 8 5 20 7 51 5 0 0 52 2 0 1,830 3 6 2,544 3 0 5,296 0 0 10,496 3 35 2 0 0 105 0 0 875 4 6 745 8 6 1,202 5 0 5,442 2 8 103 0 24 173 3 0 Totals 163,885 3 12 1,799 0 38 2,087 1 33 20,823 1 33 8,501 8 6 553 159,999 0 21 52,403 11 0 *1ncludes five selectors who also selected land in Sep Settlement.

117

α-i.

Taranaki— Tokaora Spots wood Clandon Huinga ' * Nov. 20, 1901.. May 5,1903.. Nov. 16, 1903.. Oct. 4, 1906.. 1,505 2 8 310 3 23 881 0 18 1,880 1 13 4,577 3 17 14 3 23 9 1 35 268 0 15 •• - 13 8 6 9 1,490 2 25 33 1 13 881 0 13 1,661 1 20 1,581 6 2 114 4 4 583 4 7 1.024 3 8 26 1 33 192 2 0 '3 587 2 20 316 16 8 Totals 60 3J1 460 2 15 3 587 2 20 316 16 8 -si 4,066 1 31 3,302 18 9 Wellington — Paparangi Oliakea.. Tβ Matua Aorangi Langdale Mangawhata Epuni Hamlet .. M-unigaraki Longbush Tablelands Normandale Tawaha... Hikawera Mahupuku Dyer "I — Feb. 28, 1898..' Deo. 27, 1899.. Deo. 27, 1899.. April 5,1900.. Mar. 19, 1901.. May 14, 1901.. June 25, 1901.. Dec. 20, 1901.. Sept. 17, 1902.. June 16, 1903.. June 16, 1903.. Dec. 15, 1903.. Mar. 26, 1906.. June 5, 1900.. June 5, 1906.. June 25, 1906.. Sept. 17, 1906.. 322 3 32 1,745 1 30 702 0 19 1,785 0 0 9,405 0 0 1,240 2 36 100 3 14 472 1 20 551 1 36 3,021 3 26 5,496 3 30 1,623 0 9 2,328 2 31 2,615 2 33 7,064 2 25 24 2 31 8 1 24 31 3 29 150 0 37 14 1 36 7 0 10 97 1 16 2 0 0 19 0 22 30 1 30 4 0 13 24 3 10 10 2 33 37 2 25 2 2 15 107 3 0 ■1 20 0 0 5 16 0 37 15 13 37 31 42 20 5 8 10 31 24 5 10 298 1 1 1,737 0 6 702 0 19 1,753 0 11 9,254 3 3 1,226 1 0 91 0 29 267 1 4 549 1 36 3,002 3 4 5,466 2 0 1,618 3 36 2,303 3 21 2,605 0 0 7,027 0 0 308 10 2 1,129 3 10 527 7 4 1,342 16 10 1,560 2 8 826 10 0 515 13 8 209 1 8 314 1 2 866 18 10 1,387 3 2 456 13 0 1,851 6 6 663 13 10 1,534 6 0 6 1 183 3 22 2 10 ' lib 5 8 3 7 6 I 16,657 0 0 55,133 3 21 217 2 30 35 16,439 1 10 4,328 19 0 Totals 330 680 2 26 110 1 15 206 0 22 119 9 2 54,342 3 20 17,822 7 8 Nelson — Wangapeka June 26, 1907.. 6,263 1 24 112 1 15 105 0 0 15 6,151 0 9 875 11 4 1-1 6,046 0 9 854 11 4 Totals 6,263 1 24 112 1 15 105 0 0 15 875 11 4 6,046 0 9 6,151 0 9 It 854 11 4 Marlborough — Blind River Omaka .. Puhipuhi Starborough Richmond Brook Waipapa North Bank Rainford Flaxbourne '■ Jan. 16,1895.. June 24, 1896.. Feb. 25, 1897.. Mar. 13, 1899.. Aug. 18, 1899.. Feb. 25, 1901.. Feb. 27, J 903.. Aug. 31, 1903 .. June 22, 1905.. 5,507 0 0 3,898 0 0 320 0 0 35,906 0 0 5,854 0 0 3,755 2 0 12,895 0 0 246 0 21 46,598 0 0 272 0 15 69 1 0 904 2 87 185 0 0 100 0 0 57 0 0 5 2 25 61 1 29 10 3 2 30 25 0 0 19 13 2 196 11 4 8 11 131 5,229 1 0 3,828 3 0 320 0 0 34,939 3 14 5,669 0 0 3,655 2 0 11,144 0 0 246 0 21 45,209 1 3 882 8 4 585 19 4 24 10 0 5,876 1 8 1,305 0 6 408 10 8 352 3 0 315 15 4 10,418 4 0 1,694 - 0 0 689 3 8 696 3 29 B 79 3 13 41 6 0 Totals 114,979 2 21 2,277 3 20 2,458 0 3 13 83 2 3 66 6 0 395 110,241 2 38 20,168 12 10 Westland— Poerua Kokatahi " June 26, 1896.. Nov. 4,1902.. 3,230 1 6 1,894 2 20 93 1 6 32 3 16 20 8 3,137 0 0 1,861 3 4 271 15 2 267 16 6 Totals 5,124 3 26 126 0 22 28 4,998 3 4 539 11 8

C—l

118

Table 33 (Part I). —Return of Lands acquired and leased under the Land for Settlements Acts, &c.— continued.

Name of Settlement. Date when Land opened for Selection. Area acquired, including ascertained Surplus or' Deficiency. Area of Land unlet, New Selections and Additi Area occupied including Land forfeited. during the Yel by Roads surrendered, or and Reserves resumed and not relet, unlet. and also Land not yet No. of . offered for Selection. Selectors. Area. in to Holdings r. Total Lands leased at Date. Annual Rent payable. No. of Selectors. Area. Annual Rent now payable. Canterbury — Pareora.. Studholme Junction Kapua Rosebrook Otaio The Peaks Roimata Patoa Braco Epworth Ashley Gorge Kereta .. - Orakipaoa Highbank Rakitairi Waiapi Otarakaro Wharenui Albury Marawiti Horsley Down R.S. 1862 Hekeao Pawaho Waikakahi Tamai Omihi Valley Pt. R.S. 2682 Adj. R.S. 36469 .. Adj. R.S. 36231 .. Adj. R.S. 36056-7 Takitu .. Pareora No. 2 Rautawiri Papaka Punaroa Adj. R.S. 36228 .. Lyndon Kohika .. Tarawahi Raincliff Puhuka Kaimahi Kapuatohe R.S. 36278 Rapuwai J J J I I 1 c 1 J J 3 3 I 1 i 1 I J 3 3 C c I I Jan. 18, 1894.. Jan. 18, 1894.. Mar. 24, 1894.. June 26, 1895.. June 26, 1895.. Aug. 1,1895.. Aug. 14, 1895.. Nov. 27, 1895.. Nov. 27, 1895.. Nov. 27, 1895.. Dec. 4,1895.. Dec. 14, 1895.. June 22, 1896.. June 24,1896.. Mar. 22, 1897.. Mar. 22, 1897.. Mar. 24, 1897.. Mar. 24, 1897.. April 12, 1897.. May 7, 1897.. May 31, 1897.. Oct. 21, 1897.. Mar. 9,1898.. April 5,1898.. Mar. 20, 1899.. June 26, 1899.. June 28, 1899.. June 29, 1899.. June 29, 1899.. Deo. 14, 1899.. Dec. 30, 1899.. Mar. 1,1900.. Mar. 23, 1900.. April 19,1900.. April 19, 1900.. April 19, 1900.. May 17, 1900.. Mar. 5,1901.-. May 13, 1901.. June 25, 1901.. June 25,1901.. July 29, 1901.. Oot. 15,1901.. Oct. 15, 1901.. Nov. 14, 1901.. Dec. 9, 1901.. Ian. 18, 1894.. Ian. 18, 1894.. Mar. 24, 1894.. lune 26,1895.. lune 26,1895.. Aug. 1,1895.. Aug. 14, 1895.. Nov. 27, 1895.. Nov. 27, 1895.. Nov. 27, 1895.. Dec. 4,1895.. Dec. 14, 1895.. June 22, 1896.. June 24, 1896.. Mar. 22, 1897.. Mar. 22, 1897.. Mar. 24, 1897.. Mar. 24, 1897.. April 12, 1897.. May 7, 1897.. May 31, 1897.. Oct. 21, 1897.. Mar. 9,1898.. April 5,1898.. Mar. 20, 1899.. June 26, 1899.. June 28, 1899.. June 29, 1899.. June 29, 1899.. Deo. 14, 1899.. Dec. 30, 1899.. Mar. 1,1900.. Mar. 23, 1900.. April 19,1900.. April 19, 1900.. April 19, 1900.. May 17, 1900.. Mar. 5,1901.-. May 13, 1901.. June 25, 1901.. June 25, 1901.. July 29, 1901.. Oot. 15,1901.. Oct. 15, 1901.. Nov. 14, 1901.. Deo. 9, 1901.. A. R. P 620 2 13 109 0 7 574 1 22 600 1 8 373 3 14 2,811 0 S 48 3 27 4,535 3 14 27 2 4 21 0 3 1,165 3 e 105 2 2S 384 0 31 9,121 3 c 3,526 1 26 1,124 2 36 39 3 i 73 1 1C 19,539 1 24 2.028 2 3£ 3,982 3 3£ 20 0 C 2,254 2 11 52 0 If 43,262 2 34 41 0 <& 20 C ( 6 2 4 154 3 S 98 3 3C 58 0 If 9,713 0 3* 8,132 0 31 113 0 ' 1,561 2 2£ 7.029 3 £ 100 3 2J 4,243 3 2c 3,864 1 1C 31 3 C 745 2 ( 39 2 1 100 2 1 49 3 3' 618 2 C 2,247 2 11 A. R. P. 620 2 13 109 0 7 574 1 22 600 1 8 373 3 14 2,811 0 9 48 3 27 4,535 3 14 27 2 4 21 0 3 1,165 3 6 105 2 29 384 0 31 9,121 3 8 3,526 1 26 1,124 2 36 39 3 9 73 1 10 19,539 1 24 2.028 2 33 3,982 3 35 20 0 0 2,254 2 11 52 0 18 48,262 2 34 41 0 28 20 C 0 6 2 4 154 3 2 98 3 30 58 0 16 9,713 0 37 8,132 0 31 113 0 7 1,561 2 25 7.029 3 5 100 3 23 4,243 3 28 3,864 1 10 31 3 0 745 2 0 39 2 7 100 2 1 49 3 37 618 2 0 2,247 2 11 A. R. P. 8 2 38 4 1 39 2 0 0 6 2 21 12 0 0 4 0 30 17 3 26 4 2 4 85 3 30 3 3 22 139 2 33 2 0 0 33 2 16 53 1 26 1 3 14 151 3 38 3 2 32 • A. R. P. 4 0 0 1 l A. R. P. 6 0 14 i o o » £ s. d. 0 5 6 6 io o 28 4 12 14 9 12 27 4 14 10 4 27 78 22 15 26 79 13 27 1 16 25 198 40 1 1 1 1 1 5 33 6 9 17 10 17 24 1 10 12 13 1 5 A. R. p. 611 3 15 104 2 8 572 1 22 600 1 8 867 0 33 2,799 0 9 44 0 24 4,517 3 28 27 2 4 21 0 3 1,161 1 2 105 2 29 384 0 31 9,031 3 18 3,521 0 28 1,124 2 36 39 3 9 73 1 10 19,398 0 39 2,026 2 33 3,948 3 30 20 0 0 2,201 0 25 50 1 4 48,094 2 36 37 1 36 20 0 0 6 2 4 154 3 2 98 3 30 58 0 16 9,674 0 36 8,078 0 17 118 0 7 1,554 0 25 7,021 0 27 100 3 23 4.216 3 28 3,828 3 25 27 1 24 538 3 0 36 3 4 90 1 14 47 1 37 618 2 0 2,245 2 11 £ s. d. 396 18 6 73 4 6 270 3 4 307 13 6 216 14 8 196 12 6 136 19 10 170 16 6 72 8 4 13 11 2 258 1 0 82 18 0 397 10 8 3,042 8 4 1,069 18 0 518 19 10 111 18 0 271 16 2 3,435 4 8 748 15 10 1,072 5 10 3 7 4 631 5 2 130 2 0 16,827 9 0 233 11 4 13 5 0 2 16 25 14 0 17 15 6 14 18 10 1,250 16 2 3,700 0 8 132 17 8 947 6 0 1,681 16 6 12 11 4 847 2 8 1,450 4 2 275 13 0 85 3 10 75 13 10 231 17 8 175 19 2 25 1 8 480 16 8 5 0 0 39 0 1 54 0 14 *7 2 0 8 2 18 27 0 0 35 1 25 4 1 16 206 3*0 2 3 3 12 0 10 0 27 10 0 2 'i o o *5 3 2 2 0 0

119

α-i.

Lyndon No. 2 Pt. R.S. 30791 May town Pt. K.S. 36226 .. Eccleston Mead .. Chamberlain Annan Rosewill Morice Kinloch Mills .. Walker April 21, 1902.. April 28, 1902.. April 28, 1902.. Oct. 16,1902.. May 12, 1902.. Jan. 21,1903.. Mar. 9,1903.. June 15, 1903.. Mar. 31, 1904.. Dec. 16, 1905.. Mar. 21, 1906.. Mar. 31, 19C6.. 15,887 0 0 100 0 0 391 3 32 46 1 26 1,246 1 5 5,914 a 17 10,500 1 9 32,858 2 33 38,683 2 15 2,261 0 27 13,042 0 2 882 2 30 3 3 15 42 0 0 0 3 21 5 2 8 0 3 19 8 11 12 1 8 430 3 14 401 0 0 133 2 21 263 2 2 0 2 24 0 2 0 3 3 11 1 "i 5 0 0 2 2 0 6 12 6 4 10 0 10 11 1 4 22 21 44 158 29 30 21 1 15,845 0 0 99 0 19 384 1 2 46 1 26 1,245 1 26 5,906 2 16 10,488 0 1 32,426 3 19 38,298 3 37 2,123 1 27 12,778 2 0 882 0 6 3 3 15 2,281 10 2 17 0 0 284 11 4 5 3 0 569 11 2 975 11 0 2,169 19 10 5,136 11 4 13,670 13 8 2,258 1 0 6,748 1 10 940 6 4 33 16 0 i 462 0 0 236 14 0 1 3 3 15 33 16 0 Totals 1,236 262,195 1 24 2,225 0 4 24 1 38 11 475 1 29 281 11 2 259,944 2 4 77,228 6 6 Otago — Pomahaka Downs Teaneraki Tahawai Maerewhenua Puketapu Ardgowan Makareao' Makareao Extension Momona Tokarahi Janefield Elderslie Barnego Earnscleugh Windfior Park No. 1 Windsor Park No. 2 Duncan.. St. Helens Greenfield Steward Plunket Totara .. Kurow Airedale Otekaike Taumata Feb. 20, 1894.. Feb. 7,1894.. Aug. 21, 1895.. Sept. 10, 1895.. Mar. 18, 1896.. May 12, 1896.. June 26,1896.. April 14, 1897.. May 10,1897.. May 11, 1897.. Sept. 13, 1899.. Mar. 20, 1900.. May 15, 1900.. Deo. 18, 1901.. May 28, 1902.. Oot. 28,1902.. Deo. 29,1902.. June 29, 1903.. April 11, 1905.. April 9, 1906.. Feb. 5,1907.. Mar. 25, 1907.. May 21, 1907.. June 25, 1907.. Feb. 3, 1908.. Mar. 25, 1908.. 7,478 2 2 351 0 39 70 1 35 11,163 8 31 509 0 6 4,267 3 28 2,383 0 4 2,589 2 12 224 1 16 11,259 2 36 147 0 2 11,618 2 4 7,078 2 1 1,269 3 5 3,821 2 16 2,179 2 17 633 2 3 547 3 20 i2,071 1 30 21,935 2 7 6,136 0 0 3,161 0 22 962 2 12 2,793 3 14 50,528 2 0 3,69U 3 22 192 3 39 6 3 9 1 3 21 237 1 2 12 3 10 97 '1 35 91 1 4 19 0 3 5 0 0 281 2 1 3 15 111 2 26 24 1 31 30 3 1 23 0 8 2 0 6 1 2 13 9 1 15 30 0 5 1 i 1 2,038 2 32 10 0 147 3 28 2 1 10 » 271 2 4 0 5 0 52 0 0 0 11 6 § 38 22 74 11 81 3 14 re 21 :!4 ■24 18 10 7 11 47 is 18 12 57 'J 7, '285 2 3 335 0 14 68 2 14 10,923 2 29 496 0 36 4,170 1 33 2,291 3 0 2,570 2 9 219 1 16 10,978 0 35 143 2 37 11,506 3 18 7,054 0 10 1,239 0 4 3,798 2 8 2,177 2 11 631 3 30 547 3 20 21,785 1 3 21,664 3 2 6,126 0 9 3,129 1 20 950 1 28 2,791 0 17 43,391 1 4 3,686 2 27 1,153 li 6 273 18 4 35 14 4 3,552 7 2 189 0 10 1,897 5 4 424 7 8 296 15 4 185 1 2 4,068 8 6 258 6 2 4,126 19 4 1,404 2 6 173 10 8 1,641 3 0 875 16 8 238 1 2 224 11 0 4,244 11 8 4,954 10 6 2,165 6 6 2, t>03 16 0 347 6 6 1,466 2 2 4,732 9 0 833 6 0 286 0 27 266 0 5 9 3 31 31 3 2 12 0 24 2 2 37 379 0 5 13 0 35 4' 3 0 i 2 12 57 60 0 0 98 0 37 950 1 28 2,791 0 17 43,391 1 4 3,686 2 27 16 10 0 90 1 0 347 6 6 1,466 2 2 4,732 9 0 833 6 0 6,758 0 31 Totals 178,883 0 24 2,143 3 20 6,775 1 6 102 53,167 2 23 7,809 13 6 709 169,963 3 37 42,366 12 0 Southland — Merrivale Otahu .. Beaumont Bingway Olenham Edendale Deo. 18, 1895.. Nov. 4,1897.. Jan. 26, 1898.. Dec. 20, 1901.. Mar. 24, 1902.. April 15, 1904.. 9,998 0 0 6,153 0 36 4,484 0 4 2,253 2 8 11,484 2 10 19,809 3 11 178 3 29 128 2 25 21 1 5 17 1 30 164 0 23 263 3 2 69 3 36 1 1 4 5 257 2 36 253 1 22 2,243 1 9 3 3 33 17 14 4 45 12 2 364 5 2 4 18 4 49 6 12 8 33 139 9,813 0 11 5,954 2 15 4,462 2 39 2,236 0 18 11,051 1 27 19,169 1 5 1,429 2 6 360 4 2 457 16 2 460 19 0 1,931 18 6 6,339 18 0 269' 0 0 386 3 4 Totals 54,183 0 29 764 0 34 725 3 0 11 2,758 1 20 432 10 0 247 52,687 0 35 10,979 18 4 Grand Totals 1,110,408 3 13 16,081 3 23 115,184 2 2 397 113,889 0 34 22,081 7 0 4,217 979,080 3 27 244,929 14 3

120

a—l

Table 33 (Part II). —Return of Lands acquired and leased under the Land for Settlements Acts up to the Year which ended 31st March, 1908.

Name of Settlement. Yearly Value of Unlet Land at Slst March, 1908. Occupied Land. Amount advanced to Selectors for Buildings, <fcc. Arrears on 31st March, 1908. Rent and other Payments Total Receipts from Inception to :ilst March, 1908. No. of Houses on Holdings. No. of SouIb resident on Holdings. Value of Improvements. During previous Years. During Year. Total. No. Area Rent in Arrear. received during the Year. Auckland — Opouriao Okauia Rangiatea Karapiro Fencourt Whitehall Bickerstaffe Matamata Selwyn Mangawhero Mangapouri Waimana Teasdale Rewi Tautari Cradock Hamlet .. Hetana Hamlet .. Kitchener Hamlet Methuen Hamlet Plumer Hamlet .. Waari Hamlet .. £ s. d. 1 10 0 62 6 0 £ s. d. 39,423 12 9 2,966 14 0 9,740 3 0 5,385 5 0 13,798 11 0 5,740 12 0 5,329 15 2 42,627 0 6 7,895 10 0 1,656 8 0 792 4 0 £ s. d. £ s. d. £ s. d. A. R. P. £ s. d. £ s. d. ! 1,374 4 5 ; 308 6 2 665 17 6 396 11 4 1,842 9 10 301 13 9 2,481 7 3 6,894 15 3 1,903 14 2 972 6 4 460 16 2 739 7 10 559 11 3 74 10 6 80 0 6 49 5 10 84 17 3 90 13 6 267 4 1 241 8 3 30 11 8 £ s. d. 16,209 13 0 1,915 14 5 6,721 9 5 3,898 13 5 12,778 10 11 2,767 6 6 9,256 6 4 25,251 19 6 5,508 1 8 972 6 4 460 16 2 739 7 10 559 11 3 74 10 6 80 0 6 254 5 2 369 9 2 305 16 1 975 12 8 414 16 11 91 3 2 114 3 4 131 14 10 2,288 6 4 7 4 6 77 7 18 11 33 10 24 138 37 15 6 411 15 108 51 181 35 79 496 147 41 23 - " - - - •• *3 2 ••• i 21 20 492* 2 0 47 3 10 321 2 0 5,563 1 6 19,628 0 19 70 *8 6 20 11 6 27 6 7 478 8 6 539 15 3 -• - r • 126 0 0 660 18 10 .. •• •• •■ I 20 5 0 245 16 0 4 4 0 8 0 8 3 6 9 137 3 8 9 22 10 22 16 7 32 91 46 89 24 14 1,250 5 0 1,695 10 0 1,113 2 0 3,316 19 3 1,473 6 9 437 0 0 130 0 0 198 10 0 284 0 0 380 10 0 263 10 0 92 10 0 - I 127 10 0 80 0 0 135 0 0 130 0 0 326 0 0 314 0 0 515 10 0 263 10 0 92 10 0 4 1 1 1 15 2 35 2 0 0 10 3 37 • 3 2 20 6 4 3 24 2 8 82 11 11 17 2 - - Totals 3,810 19 11 462 1,883 144,641 18 5 L44,641 18 5 1,349 0 0 292 10 0 1,641 10 0 54 26,085 2 7 .9,819 12 10 89,605 10 11 1,200 16 4 19,819 12 10 Hawke's Bay — Raureka Elsthorpe Waimarie Pouparae Tomoana Mahora Willows.. Hatuma Manga-a-toro Kumeroa Forest Gate Argyll Wigan Lindsay Mangatahi Te Mata Pourerere Raumati Kanakanae Te Arai J 2 16 3 18 27 16 9 12 32 14 59 25 14 25 60 14 61 20 99 107 67 52 61 150 78 259 114 75 103 255 49 223 82 5,115 10 0 14,140 5 0 3,507 10 0 4,245 1 0 3,701 10 0 11,680 5 0 5,994 0 0 40,492 18 0 24,961 9 9 6,423 12 0 12,488 16 7 42,385 5 6 13,282 1 11 18,828 2 0 8,408 18 0 5,115 10 0 1 ,1 1 Af\ K A 14,140 5 0 O KA7 IA A ■ 1 4 2 1 15 1 35 1 1 6 41 0 26 16 0 39 10 3 0 2 3 0 22 8 6 19 11 0 548 10 4 2,118 14 11 460 0 11 397 14 7 123 5 8 1,421 1 6 717 0 3 7,057 4 11 4,266 8 2 1,512 2 2 2,786 18 11 8,256 19 5 2,725 9 2 4,837 2 9 2,031 13 9 52 10 0 819 12 2 1,306 13 5 1,794 6 7 3,963 0 5 7,196 10 0 548 10 4 2,118 14 11 460 0 11 397 14 7 123 5 8 1,421 1 6 717 0 3 7,057 4 11 4,266 8 2 1,512 2 2 2,786 18 11 8,256 19 5 2,725 9 2 4,837 2 9 2,031 13 9 52 10 0 819 12 2 1,306 13 5 1,794 6 7 3,963 0 5 6,288 12 3 27,172 0 2 4,977 9 4 4,176 18 4 : 1,319 17 0 l 13,933 16 9 I 6,423 19 0 52,255 19 3 26,424 9 3 9,092 15 5 14,069 7 5 39,261 8 6 11,433 12 10 15,280 13 11 4,274 4 3 52 10 0 819 12 2 1,306 13 5 1,794 6 7 3,963 0 5 244,921 6 3 3,507 10 0 I ■ J I -, 1 A " 4,245 1 0 Q -7A1 1A A • 3,701 10 0 1 1 CGA K A - *2 46 0 35 57 2 0 11,680 5 0 K CtCtA A A 5,994 0 0 An AdO IO A I I ; •• I '" I ~ 111 2 0 16 4 0 40,492 18 0 Ol OKI O O 24,961 9 9 A /IOO IO A • •• - i 79 0 0 30 12 3 6,423 12 0 1 i> ,4 00 if rr \ - - 12,488 16 7 .40 OQCH EC fi - i 278* 3 0 65 5 11 42,385 5 6 1O OQO 111 - 214 0 13,282 1 11 i o ooo o n 4 l 216 2 37 5 0 0 65 13 11 10 0 18,828 2 0 Q A AO 1O A • 8,408 18 0 • 147 19 0 922 17 0 " - " - - • • - " - - - - • • 195* 9 10 I I I I I •• •• Totals 1,774 215,655 4 9 — 1,271 16 1 406 115,655 4 9 ■• •• 18 811 1 18 290 3 7 47,196 10 0

121

C—l

16—C, 1.

Taranaki — Tokaora Rpotswood Clandon Huinga 739 19 10 93 17 0 14 8 5 8 68 38 23 32 4,238 0 0 1,898 0 0 1,151 0 0 1,084 0 0 337 10 o 837 10 0 3 7* 2 15 1517 0 j 1,666 10 7 280 11 1 646 1 8 1,041 12 4 3,634 15 8 9,786 19 : 1,430 6 ( 2,736 0 l: 1,603 14 ! ■ Totals -L 833 16 10 833 16 10 35 8,371 0 0 337 10 0 15 17 0 161 337 10 0 I 3 Wellington — Paparangi Oliakea Te Matua Aorangi.. Langdale Mangawhata Epuni Hamlet Maungaraki Linton .. Longbush Tablelands Normandale Tawaha Hikawera Mahupuku Dyer Holworthy* Waddington* Hall-Jones* Pitt* Melling* Wilford* Loughnan* Hawtrey* •• I 14 4 11 39 13 6 7 2 15 15,557 0 11 14 4 11 39 13 0 36 15 12 40 23 8 42 18 5 6 9 27 20 3 5 33 ' • 166 57 57 181 79 57 180 77 34 28 27 118 59 9 16 117 5,425 0 0 7,122 0 0 4,340 0 0 14,465 0 0 13,790 0 0 4,377 0 0 9,785 0 0 3,799 0 0 2,306 0 0 3,309 0 0 4,057 0 0 6,918 13 4 4,016 0 0 1,388 0 0 3,357 0 0 10,647 0 0 514 0 0 514 0 0 8 10 0 0 37 17 0 303 15 0 1,119 19 7 527 7 1 1,366 9 3 2,391 3 7 869 8 6 624 16 7 554 16 0 381 15 10 812 9 9 1,381 8 9 461 17 1 756 13 9 645 15 11 1,484 4 11 4,202 19 7 202 10 0 1,020 17 9 34 19 6 15 0 0 25 0 0 917 19 0 28 16 0 174 6 3 3,598 4 5 9,761 8 11 4,524 11 11 10,924 2 4 12,221 2 9 5,912 10 1 4,631 0 6 1,450 13 1 1,733 16 7 4,359 6 8 7,038 12 11 1,625 12 2 2,658 6 11 1,868 8 10 3,975 5 0 7,909 8 11 787 10 0 1,175 12 6 79 .9 6 29 10 0 48 13 0 992 7 3 38 12 0 178 6 3 .. | •■ 250 0 0 1,421 0 0 250 0 0 1,421 0 0 i 2 1 2 0 0 2 10 0 40 0 14 0 0 26 12 0 9 15 0 •• •• 325 0 0 1 1 1 286 0 0 284 0 0 83 0 0 82 0 0 44 10 0 18 0 0 325 0 0 " -i " I- - •• ' •" - •• - - ■ - •• "" " I I I ■ I I i •■ I •" •• ■■ - I I- - •• Totals 53 18 5 <r» e-iA a n 1 2,510 0 0 10 683 0 0 53 18 5 302 1,262 99.101 13 4 I I 2,510 0 0 2,510 0 0 221 4 0 20,364 9 8 Nelson — Wangapeka 21 0 0 I — | 87,517 12 21 0 0 10 2,129 3 6 11 815 16 5 815 16 Marlborough — Blind River Omaka Puhipuhi Starhorougb Richmond Brook Waipapa North Bank Rainford Flaxbourne 0 12 2 - 50 0 0 0 12 2 50 0 0 31 15 4 100 0 0 12 10 100 10 4 6 9 84 44 49 409 53 21 36 44 299 6,382 0 0 6,435 0 0 250 0 0 55,753 0 0 8,785 0 0 6,500 0 0 3,019 0 0 1,971 0 0 30,316 0 0 119,411 0 0 - 1 4 100 0 0 1 1 15 7 10 0 4 6 0 939 12 2 573 14 1 22 17 0 5,164 13 1 1,174 11 4 449 1 8 422 4 5 291 6 4 9,552 9 11 10.447 19 7 6,759 19 5 234 10 0 48.448 16 0 10,440 9 2 3,239 17 1 2,620 10 3 1,413 5 8 28,492 7 6 " - 31 15 4 *2 1 13 3,549 0 0 12 0 34 1,387 2 22 89 2 11 7 7 6 223 9 3 100 0 0 Totals 182 7 6 182 7 6 21 5,050 0 31 235 955 - 331 15 8 18,590 10 0 112,097 14 8 Westland — Poerua Kokotabi 14 7 76 38 8,082 2 0 4,052 0 0 2,905 14 4 1,369 0 3 •• 292 16 0 243 1 0 •• Totals 21 114 12,134 2 0 •• •• •■ • ■ 535 17 0 4,274 14 7 N.

122

C—l

Table 33 (Part II). —Return of Lands acquired and leased under the Land for Settlements Acts, &c.— continued.

I V. Occupied Land. No. of Souls resident on Holdings. 1 Amount advanced to Selectors for '■ HuildingB, &c. Duri K vi ° U8 During,, Tota.. No. Arrears on 31st March, 1908. .... Rent in Area. Arrear. Bent and other Paymeuts received during the Year. Name of Settlement. y< of 3 Yearly Value of Unlet Laud at 31st March, 1908. 'early Value Unlet Laud at 31st March, MM No i.£>t Houses Occ Occupied Land. cupied Lam s'o. of Souls esident on id. Value of Amount adva Hui ng previous ,. Years. " anced to Selecti lildinge, &c. Juring Year. tors for Total. No. Arr rears on 31st Man Area. ith 1<HIN Total en, ijo». Kent and other Receipts Paymeuts from Incc))tion received during to Kent in the Year. 31st March. Arrear. 1908. No.>>f Houses' onTIoldings. 1908. £ 8. d. on nTloldings. T esiaent on Holdings. ! Improvement*. £ s. d. £ s. d. 10 0 0 230 0 0 404 0 0 801 10 0 645' 0 0 175 0 0 270 0 0 £ 8. d. 50 0 0 60 0 0 £ s. d. a 10 0 0 .. ■2 ;; 1 230 0 0 1 a 404 0 0 . . 4 851 10 0 1 645 0 0 2 175*0 0 '.'. 4 330 0 0 .. a. R. p. 47 3 38 115 2 33 i 30 2 14 118 1 14 424 2 0 7~ 0 31 2 2 0 307 1 26 402 - 3 21 1 0 0 187 3 15 110 40 0 0 £ s. d. £ a. d. ■ £ s. d. 23 12 0 364 9 7 J 5,270 12 8 65 18 4 970 17 2 234 5 11 3,631 15 1 28 14 1 302 8 8 3,816 19 4 210 8 10 • 2,725 17 8 194 0 0! 2,289 9 'J 127 8 5 1,688 7 2 164 10 0 ! 1,952 19 8 65 7 3 I 840 14 2 12 4 2 159 13 0 246 12 8 3,063 1 6 74 12 4 989 5 4 11 0 6 341 6 8 . 4,507 12 'J 19 15 1 2,788 9 1 35,266 11 0 58 7 4 975 16 0 I 10,993 7 10 471 1 6 5,392 16 9 23 8 4 96 1 4 1,133 10 1 15 2 8 258 17 4 2,927 3 8 32 3 11 3,260 8 1 ! 35,510 1 7 684 19 0 7,807 17 5 969 7 4 11,415 6 3 3 0 8 32 17 0 543 3 4 5,895 19 6 130 6 8 1,428 16 8 H2 1 6 15,208 18 10 140,714 16 7 8 12 8 280 16 11 2,072 10 11 13 5 0 119 5 0 1 17 6 108 11 1 88 2 8 212 1 0 1C 0 0 143 19 4 13 9 0 115 16 9 1,147 16 3 9,300 0 0 39 18 4 3,364 12 7 27,486 1 1C 122 13 2 1,016 2 9 867 11 2 6,964 0 5 1,660 13 0 12,330 4 10 11 6 4 93 13 2 760 14 0 5,468 16 1 1,308 8 4 9,615 4 10 21 14 8 249 10 3 1,523 5 4 76 13 6 1,377 14 10 76 3 0 448 1 2 59 15 9 248 9 11 1,317 11 6 177 6 9 1,075 12 7 22 11 6 147 19 10 433 11 2 3,106 0 10 2,479 2 11 12,083 12 5 15 6 0 93 10 0 Canterbury — Pareora Studholme Junction Kapua Kosebrook Otaio The Peaks Roimata Patoa Braco Epworth Ashley Gorge Kereta Orakipaoa Highbank Kakitairi Waiapi .. .. Otarakaro Wharenui Albury .. Marawiti Horsley Down R.S. 1862 Hekeao .. Pawaho Waikakahi Tamai Omihi Valley Pt. R.S. 2682 Adj. R.S. 36469 .. Ad] R.S. 36231 .. Adj. R.S. 36056-57 Takitu .. Pareora No. 2 Rautawiri Papaka Punaroa Adj. R.8. 36228 .. Lyndon Kohika.. Tarawabi Raincliff Puhuka Kaimahi Kapuatohe R.S. 36278 Kapuwai Tjyndon No. 2 Pt. R.S. 30791 .. 22 8 33 1 0 19 9 10 4 10 24 2 12 13 8 25 2 14 1 12 3 20 59 17 14 7 26 59 12 25 1 13 24 157 40 1 5 32 6 9 17 1 9 15 24 10 11 11 5 9 110 10 43 69 40 2 110 14 52 7 46 27 88 226 74 61 24 118 343 69 99 1 42 90 813 169 "3 '20 .201 22 42 66 3 39 56 96 3 35 44 25 22 33 2,958 0 6 586 2 0 1,918 5 0 2,396 3 6 2,359 5 6 2,354 15 0 6,214 0 0 1,722 0 0 2,546 0 0 158 16 0 4,942 0 0 909 17 6 2,338 19 0 19,748 15 9 6,840 15 6 4,184 11 1 1,729 0 0 5,748 0 0 29,766 9 10 4,610 8 6 12,762 19 0 21C 0 0 5,315 12 6 3,904 10 11 02,403 12 6 6,402 8 9 167* 8 0 397 11 0 7,663 4 3 19,117 5 6 1,171 17 6 4,327 0 0 9,772 2 10 507 9 0 3,161 12 4 6,478 0 9 5,883 0 0 571 1 1 1,740 5 11 3,487 6 0 1,520 0 0 403 10 0 2,837 13 7 8,517 15 9 50 2 0

123

α-i.

Maytown Pt. R.S. 36226 .. Eccleston Mead Chamberlain Annan .. Rosewill Morice Kinloch Mills Walker .. 15 2 4 11 6 11 1 4 19 23 40 145 29 24 21 47 2 13 66 107 169 574 95 76 72 1,903 3 11 371 5 0 2,912 17 8 6,429 5 10 12,264 9 10 26,478 5 5 57,700 13 5 6,596 5 2 11,127 10 5 3,427 19 6 •• ■■ .. .. 249 19 6 4 12 10 519 19 0 925 16 8 1,982 3 6 3,894 15 7 12,724 9 0 2,168 16 0 6,105 7 4 844 12 10 25 7 0 1,575 10 3 25 15 H 3,162 17 5 4,555 6 11 10,993 6 0 20,955 3 2 51,293 6 0 5,439 1 6 12,267 8 i) 1,747 8 4 25 7 0 2 8 2 18 2 io 0 •• •• • • i Totals 64 11 8 j 1,074 4,678 437,067 10 0 2,535 10 0 110 0 0 2,645 10 0 i 26 1,595 3 10 426 16 11 498,587 5 10 70,607 4 2 Otago — Pomahaka Downs Teaneraki Tahawai Maerewhenua Puketapu Ardgowan Makareao Makareao Extension Momona Tokarahi Janefield Elderslie Barnego Earnscleugh Windsor Park No. 1 Windsor Park No. 2 Duncan.. St. Helen's Greenfield Steward Plunket Potara Kurow Airedale Otekaike Taumata 7 11 2 0 15 0 13 9 '.'. 348* 8 4 14 15 8 58 10 50 23 13 46 19 24 16 8 23 8 4 3 40 •11 14 25 12 11 42 74 32 242 34 219 84 51 194 83 78 60 50 79 40 11 8 132 149 51 61 19 28 7,159 11 6 2,166 0 0 1,438 0 0 21,948 12* 3 1,585 8 6 14,079 0 0 6,241 11 9 2,297 0 0 20,864 6 10 3,691 0 0 15,833 0 0 8,521 15 0 2,195 10 0 5,660 0 0 2,672 6 3 1,055 0 0 771 14 9 11,350 8 6 12,807 5 3 3,063 1 0 2,572 1 0 1,202 5 0 1,441 10 0 I 9 : 1 8 . ■ ■■ ..I 1 I 4 i 2,921 1 25 9 1 16 38 1 35 113 2 14 23 3 36 133 2 30 458 3 5 457 5 8 13 18 6 6 16 6 26 6 2 19 0 25 9 1 188 18 4 1,680 7 10 276 4 2 35 19 10 3,220 19 10 170 11 10 1,741 19 3 584 5 1 229 16 8 237 19 4 3,829 10 1 291 0 7 3,655 13 7 1,536 8 5 169 18 10 1.550 11 1 869 0 2 48 15 10 202 2 0 3,757 3 2 4,847 15 4 997 18 5 1,230 11 3 429 18 9 1,295 12 6 3,667 17 4 621 10 6 11,220 2 9 3,628 16 0 432 13 2 42,444 11 4 2,126 1 9 22,120 7 10 110,064 13 7 2,213 0 8 43,125 16 9 1,979 0 6 30,682 2 11 9,858 1 9 1,135 16 6 I 9,580 10 6 4,477 12 10 728 13 1 1,056 16 6 11,753 5 6 9,620 15 7 2,080 7 11 2,488 3 11 429 18 9 1,295 12 0 3,667 17 4 621 10 6 .. ■• .. t 436 ' 3 25 133 4 5 1 1 799 2 0 60 3 27 47**9 5 6 17 1 •• .. .. i •• I "" . • • •• Totals 357 18 3 357 18 3 485 1,821 150,616 7 7 j 30 4,996 2 13 907 9 2 37,185 11 8 228,832 10 11 Southland — Merrivale Otahu Beaumont Ringway Glenham Edendale 2 12 6 " 37 7 0 82 17 0 2 12 6 - 40 5 7 8 28 119 150 13 33 9 161 508 \ 10,691 5 0 1,753 10 0 1,973 14 0 1,737 5 0 7,100 15 0 32,587 16 0 5 2 10 I 1,417 3 2 l,64i 1 13 306 3 12 1,788 1 12 79 12 8 171 18 1 1,595 12 4 420 17 7 473 8 2 784 5 8 1,967 6 6 5,735 15 7 17,076 12 10 3,155 0 7 3,170 17 7 2,851 19 0 9,175 16 .8 21,795 17 6 37 7 0 82 17 0 35 14 2 268 11 10 Totals 72 16 6 72 16 6 207 874 55,844 5 0 57,226 4 8 22 5,154 0 39 555 16 9 10,977 5 10 Grand totals 6,669 5 2 6,669 5 2 3,237 13,563 1,244,972 4 7 6,732 0 0 402 10 0 7,134 10 0 184 j 44,384 1 13 1,339,435 17 2 3,949 19 5 129,727 13 3 I I I I

C—l.

164

Table 34. —Comparative Statement of Selectors and Lands selected under Settlement Conditions for the Ten Years ended 31st March, 1908.

Year ending 31st March, l Cash. Deferred Payment. Perpetual Lease. Lease in Perpetuity. I Renewable %f'» at v , i ? n . T ease Wlth Rl 8 ht of l-ease. p urcha se. Agricultural Lease. Occupation Leases.* No. Area Area. No. t. ] No. Area. Area. No. No. Area. Area. No. j Area. No. Area. No. Area. No. Acres. Acres. H59.415 .. 458 Area. No. Area. No. Area. ' Acres. 37,400 1 Acres. 18 Acres. 18 1 1 Acres. 640 675 Acres. 109,950 Acres. 114 Acres. 1,449 1899+ 534 2 31 1900+ 491 23,936 2 2 624 656 153,531 .. .. 395 144,205 673 117,771 3 70 64 2,295 1901+ 362 58,703 27,290 1 *3 *3 2,499 489 262,729 1 23 53 2,123 1902+ 489 52 1 52 1 10 501 116,125 447 128,893 1 28 71 2,507 1903t 374 17,194 573 161,745 .. .. 403 118,557 3 36 52 2,434 1904t 1905t 435 371 22,481 18,990 894 194,515 .. .. 402 146,953 2 3 13 97 4,972 751 173,811 .. 330 138,206 218 10 1,914 1906+ 229 11,132 1 1 127 706 158,018$ .. 388 154,237 .. 412 157.432J 30 1,194 1907+ 1908+ 447 ■ 404 20,357 597 L* 215,530 se 1,044 28,519 427 98,367 16870,535 354 •35 187,799 3 84 73 3,047 i Villag. Settlemi Cash. Village Vi „ Vj . Settlement: Settlem 8 ent: holT Occupation L g with Right of n !■. o f. i Purchase. ln p «petu!ty. Settl llagelesteac lecial lemen Specialsettlement Associations. improved Farms. Smi Grazini an Grazing ;-runs d Totals. Year Settlement: Occupation ■" , ?"™™- {EST- settlement ending Cash. wUhBigMof L Per^ity . Settlement. Associations. March, . int: farms. No. Area. No. Area. No. Area. No. Area. No. Area. _ No. Area. No. Area. No. Area. No. Area. No. ' Area. No. rea. — I No. Area. Acres. Acres. Acres. Acres. Acres. 1899+ 21 30 3 2 106 2,115 12 134 5 607 Acres. 134 Acres. Acres. 64 4,823 40 77,632 64 Acres. 4,823 40 1,953 Acres. 394,324 1900+ 6 4 3 2 80 1,762 6 31 1 2 31 41 7,393 64 155,109 41 7,393 64 1,812 462,530 1901+ 35 22 .. | 2 96 1,082 7 376 1902+ 21 10 1 ..88 456 30 469 376 13 1,936 35 ' 86,076 13 1,936 35 1,767 559,774 469 1,618 36 112,947 1,618 36 1,632 390,406 1903+ '19 9 .. 1 | 40 619 34 1,512 29 5,761 19041 10 8 1 .. 21 514 23 272 4 729 1905+ 2 11 OJ 14 208 8 111 2 228 1906+ 39 40 2 0} 55 1,936 49 287 .. .. 1907+ : 15 20 ..- 41 32 1,012 17 173 1 4 1,512 30 4,032 45 113,925 30 4,032 45 1,602 425,824 272 106 19,436 58 \ 144,786 106 19,436 58 2,053 534,679 111 14 1,459 45 67,271 14 1,459 45 1,581 402,412 287 3 547 34 68,587 3 547 34 1,536 399,342 173 46 5,622 51 114,854 46 5,622 51 1,644 512,853 1908+ 3 3 3 3 | 87; 2,410* 3 410 64 226,757 3 410 64 1,589 617,934 ' "Mining Districts Land Occupation Act. 1894." t Inclusive of Cheviot Estate, and lam ; Inclusive of renewable-lease lands. Is disposed of under the Land for Settlem lilts Acts.

C—l

Total Area held at 31st March, 1908.

Table 35. —Transactions under "The Bush and Swamp Crown Lands Settlement Act, 1903," during the Year ended 31st March, 1908.

125

Heavy-bush Land. Heavy-bush Land. Light bush Land. 1" Scrub Land. Swamp Land. Totals. Diitriol. Ansa opened during Year. Selections during Year. Amount of No Area. J^^L remitted per A a num. Area opened duriug Year. elections duriDg Year. Amount of Area Rental Area ' remitted per Annum. Area opened during Year. No. Selections during Year. Area. Amount of Rental , remitted per Annum. Area opened during Year. Selections during Year. i Amoun of m„ «»„.> Rerita No. Area. , remitu Amount of Rental remitted per Annum. Total Area opened during Year. Total Selections during Year. Amount of m~ 1.0. Rental No. Area. remitted per Amount of Rental remitted per Annum. No. Area. per e« I A. K. p. Auokland .. 28.842 3 10 Hawke's Bay Taranaki .. 5,997 0 0 Wellington.. 200 0 0 Nelson .. 212 0 0 Marlborough Westland Canterburv Otago Southland .. 135 0 0 S2 40 4 13 1 I A. R. P. £ s. d. 47,098 2 8 2,447 7 2 39,992 3 ill, 398 19 0 4,353 0 0j 158 14 2 18,279 3 20 316 17 10 A. R. P. 217 0 0 6 a A. R. P. 839 2 36 737 3 12 £ >. d. 23 13 4 25 7 10 A. R. P. 48 0 22: 40 A. R. P. £ B. d. • 1,164 3 3 322 19 6 . 2,319 3 25 36 13 8 A. R. P.| A. R. P. 4 446 "l 4 i 388 0 0 3 466"o 34 £ a. d. A. R. P. 28,890 3 32 6,214 0 0 200 0 0 38,441 0 0 128 42 4 73 59,563 0 7 40,730 2 13 4,353 0 0 26,409 1 29 £ s. d. 2,794 0 0 1,424 6 10 158 14 2 442 16 4 7 2,441 0 0 37 9 2 1,158* 0 0 1,407 2 0 is 7 5,363* 1 20 5,397 2 0 238* 1 8 708 0 8 81 8 0 59 19 4 71 0 0 ii 92 1 20 7 211 2 2 59 197 0 0J 2 19 2 f 2,882 2 2 39 3 10 7 16 10 3 17 6 1,407 2 Oj 16 8,423 2 0 104 5 2 2 278 3 24 5 5 0 1,692 0 0 28 15 0 i 5 2 12 6 15 9 10 540 1 30 5 17 0 767' 3 10 '3 20 509 0 32 5,748 3 4 7 17 6 89 5 8 •• — Totals .. 35.386 3 10J 208 10 10 183 114,136 0 13 |4,393 7 4! 2,782 2 0: 36 13,284 3 4 6,564 0 30401 16 2 540 1 a 81,300 1 38 17 11 4 75,921 1 2j 286145,737 2 5t 5,021 5 8 I : 1 I i I 1 ' L

Heavy-bush Land. Light-bush Land. Scrub Land. wamp Land. Totals. District. Area held. j "on ■si ■1 1 Area held. A ?°™l? ( , e i' 1 tal (remitted). 00 Area held Annual Rental Area hem. (remitted). 00 q\ Area held. Annual Rental (remitted). Area held. Annual Rental (remitted). Auckland Hawke's Bay Taranaki Wellington Nelson .. Marlborough Westland Canterbury Otago .. Southland .. 405 .. 10 .. 218 .. 63 .. 81 6 .. 74 7 .. 23 188,248 1 27 12,986 0 0 171,068 3 36 61,050 2 37 28,762 0 30 3,637 0 0 16,640 3 22 E s. d. 8,359 12 8 434 16 8 5,923 5 10 2,637 2 10 562 3 10 72 8 2 272 5 6 A. H. P. 16,330 3 31 1,667 0 0 16,157 2 21 3,295 0 0 21,107 2 1 £ a. d. 524 5 10 37 10 2 625 5 9 198 0 10 346 3 4 A. R. P. 39,742 3 10 3,144 0 0 719 0 0 £ a. A. 1,056 17 2 63 9 0 26 12 4 A. R. P. 2,176 0 25 I £ s. d. 55 19 0 246,498 1 13 17,797 0 0 187,945 2 17 64,345 2 37 53,429 1 27 | 3,810 0 0 I 47,065 0 12 £ a. d. 9,996 14 8 535 15 10 6,575 3 11 2,835 3 8 961 12 10 75 17 4 862 8 2 34 27 66 117 •2 2 10 .. .. 566! 13l 247| 70 153 183 69 394 15 4 11 1 26 3,063 1 32 173 0 0 6.184 1 17 44 12 10 3 9 2 112 8 10 5 I ~* 496 1 4 [ 8 12 10 19,440 3 39 4,798' 3 14 8218 6 1,221 2 3 6,819 0 26 29 10 7 130 12 2 3 18 398' 3 28 8,027 3 36 5 18 6 173 8 0 •• I 12 4,314 0 16 58 3 6 i 12 77 0 32 2,833 2 4 018 6 39 7 10 ii 95 1,697 2 23 21,994 3 2 36 7 7 401 11 6 Totals .. 887 171 57,340 2 35 1,365 12 10 42 10,381 3 39 187 16 8 490,434 3 21 18,421 18 3 1245 86,425 3 36 2,305 7 9 1345J 144,583 2 11 22,280 15 6

C—l

126

Table 36. —Rebates of Rent granted under "The Crown Tenants' Rent Rebate Act, 1900," and "The Land for Settlements Consolidation Act, 1900," during the Year ended 31st March, 1908.

Table 37. —Crown Lands proclaimed under the Local Bodies' Loans Acts, the Amount borrowed, and the Amount repaid to the Public Account up to 31st March, 1908.

Land District. Number of Tenants' who have been | granted Rebate. Area held. Amount of Rebate granted. Ordinary Crown Lands. Auckland Hawke's Bay Taranaki Wellington Nelson Marlborough.. .. .. ... Westland Canterbury Otago Southland 2,338 521 800 2,107 217 300 313 477 1,138 644 618,959 0 0 246,694 0 0 204,082 1 20 398,903 0 0 64,206 1 21 140,398 2 34 30,935 3 35 89,941 1 16 253,647 1 7 120,000 0 0 £ s. d. 1,599 10 7 1,110 6 10 985 2 4 2,299 9 3 53 18 8 289 3 10 49 10 0 493 4 3 639 13 4 300 18 2 Totals .. 8,855 2,167,768 0 13 7,820 17 3 Land for Settlements. Auckland Hawke's Bay Taranaki Wellington Nelson Marlborough.. Westland Canterbury Otago Southland 449 426 32 265 6 312 24 1,141 531 181 106,061 0 0 233,254 0 0 3,521 0 34 37,922 0 0 1,271 0 9 103,214 3 9 4,348 3 4 249,873 1 24 112,472 2 24 37,000 0 0 1,230 9 1 3,880 12 1 250 18 2 602 13 3 16 13 11 1,841 3 4 81 13 5 6,976 17 11 2,930 8 5 764 10 1 Totals 3,367 888,938 3 24 18,575 19 8 Cheviot Estate. Canterbury 195 25,739 0 4 712 1 3 Grand totals 12,417 3,082,446 0 1 27,108 18 2

Land District. Area proclaimed. | Amount borrowed. Amount repaid to Public Account at 31st March, 1907. Luckland lawke's Bay taranaki Vellington Jelson .. larlborough Vestland !anterbury Itago louthland Acres. 965,344 328,563 539,197 650,205 319,518 161,552 7,864 2,154 176,066 112,577 £ 8. d. 176,071 0 0 55,050 0 0 127,596 0 0 166,692 0 0 35,592 0 0 21,829 0 0 1,691 0 0 456 0 0 21,539 0 0 23,842 0 0 £ s. d. 45,226 3 9 18,823 10 3 57,501 18 6 98,714 0 6 474 18 9 14,409 10 11 599 18 8 485 18 1 22,011 10 5 11,522 14 8 Totals .. 3,263,060 630,358 0 0 269,770 4 6

C—l

127

Table 38. —Statement showing the Blocks of Land which have been proclaimed under "The Local Bodies' Loans Act, 1901," and the Report of the Surveyor-General on the Value of such Blocks, and on the Necessary Works, and the Estimated Cost of the Works, and on the Moneys expended in respect of such Blocks out of Moneys borrowed under the said Act.

[iizeti iurveyor-i ieneral ieporl Expem .ure. Name of Block. limck.' No. Page. Date. 1 Valua I *•*■ *"&S?* T ° A F prTl Tot »' ,«»" oSTu'ftulu "* "&"• «*?£' March 31 j Block, borrowed. ' " Auckland Lan nd District. Acres. Ahuroa .. .. .. | 4,000 Akaaka Swamp .. 2,935 Auckland Special Settlement 8,995 : Avoca .. .. 3,668 . Awakino .. 1,210 AwaroaNo. 2 .. .. 3,767 Hauturu .. .. .. 63,186 Huehue .. 4,134 Kaikokopu .. 7,397 Kaimarama 3,179 Karioi-Alexandra . 12,912 Karioi Parish .. 550 Kauaeranga .. 3,556 Kawaka .. .. 3,420 Kawhia .. .. 4,927 Kenana .. .. 773 Ketetangariki .. 1,070 Kinohaku West .. .. 60,311 Kinohaku West No. 2 . . 23,004 Kiokio .. .. 4,349 Kohumaru .. .. 4,880 Kopua .. .. 4,263 Kowaunui .. .. 3,464 Mahoenui .. 6,471 Maioro Swamp .. .. 722 Maire .. .. .. 2,659 Mamaku .. .. 7,684 Manawahe .. .. ..43,248 Mangakahia .. .. 10,190 Mangakahia No. 2 .. 1,109 Mangamahoe .. .. 344 Manganuiowae .. 4,599 Mangaokahu .. .. 3,525 Mangawhara .. 9,669 Mangorewa-Kaharoa .. 23,987 Mareikura No. 1 .. .. 950 Mareikura No. 2 .. 584 Mareretu .. .. 5,060 Marlborough .. .'. 4,670 Maropiu .. .. .. 5,343 Maukoro .. .. 9,978 Maungaru .. .. 4,368 Maungataniwha .. .. 4,000 Maungataniwha No. 2 1,220 Marngataniwha No. 3 .. 470 Moeatoa .. .. 2,930 Motatau .. .. .. 5,803 Ngarua ..' 3,461 Ngunguru .. .. .. j 6,216 Ngutunui .. .. 1,657 OamaruNo. 1 .. .. 15,027 Oamaru No. 2 .. 3,243 Okohiriki .. .. 13,277 Okohinki No. Ie .. 2,626 Omanawa .. .. 3,380 Omawhake .. .. .. 5,094 Opanake .. .. .. 2,508 Opouteke .. .. ..12,240 Opuatea No. 1 ' .. .. 5,720 Opuatea No. 2 .. 8,030 Opuatea No 3 .. 4,337 Opuawhanga No. 1 .. 4,815 Opuawhanga-Whangarei No. 1 5,140 23 479 18 Mar., 1892 72 1273 15 Sept., 1892 i 78 1665 24 Oct., 1895 I 24 482 29 Mar., 1894 \ 97 2995 22 Nov., 1906 20 495 24 Mar., 1898 f 1 15 Jan., 1899 ; \ 31 750 28 Mar., 1901 ; 59 1620 23 July, 1903 16 435 23 Feb., 1899 j 71 j 1372 21 Sept., 1893 | 10 13 Feb., 1896 20 495 ' 24 Mar., 1898 91 2021 20 Dec, 1898 34 1152 1 28 April, 1904 70 1498 22 Sept., 1898 50 1755 22 June, 1906 16 529 23 Feb., 1905 j 100 ! 2198 ! 1 Dec, 1899 72 1572 1 Aug., 1901 ] 66 1726 j 21 Aug., 1902 83 1846 17 Nov., 1898 I 73 2109 1 Sept., 1904 63 2034 26 July, 1906 73 1602 8 Aug., 1901 80 1365 13 Oct., 1892 81 2343 6 Oot., 1904 : 24 564 7 April, 1898 83 2221 14 Sept., 1905 20 495 24 Mar., 1898 91 2032 2 Nov., 1899 56 1447 15 June, 1905 | 23 479 18 Mar., 1892 1 77 2113 1 Oct., 1903 ] ] 54 1047 6 July, 189S II 22 629 13 Mar., 1902 73 2109 1 Sept., 1904 91 2032 2 Nov., 1899 \ 77 1716 27 Oct., 1893 79 1773 3 Nov., 1898 ] 23 479 18 Mar., 1892 j 46 939 21 June, 1894 24 667 11 Mar., 1897 ! 54 1517 2 July, 1903 1 20 494 24 Mar., 1898 I 23 479 18 Mar., 1892 | 47 955 18 June, 1896 j I 84 2270 21 Sept., 1905 ' 68 1959 18 Aug., 1904 | I 23 479 18 Mar., 1892 ' ! | 24 885 , 2 April, 1903 97 2879 8 Dec, 1904 I 46 973 20 June, 1895 1 16 529 23 Feb., 1905 54 1518 2 July, 1903 j 17 648 1 Mar., 1906 49 1735 6 June, 1907 91 2021 20 Dec, 1898 I 70 1858 4 Sept., 1902 j 90 2694 10 Nov., 1904 75 2154 8 Sept., 1904 ! 24 563 7 April, 1898 j (1 29 8 Jan., 1903 I 25 923 5 April, 1906 9 254 2 Feb., 1899 I 83 1847 17 Nov., 1898 83 1846 17 Nov., 1898 I 23 412 30 Mar., 1893 ,77 2114 1 Oct., 1903 J 34 571 1 May, 1893 I 16 528 2B Feb., 1905 £ £ £ £ s. d. £ g. d. 2,500 Road-works 500 497 .. 497 2 5 2,093 Drainage .. 920 917 .. 916 12 1 3,698 Road-works 899 898 .. 898 0 1 1,834 „ 458 458 .. 458 0 0 985 , 482 300 10 10 300 10 10 2,185 „ 400 400 .. 400 0 0 j 29,585 „ 10,469 10,432 (MM 16 6 10,278 1 8 2,911 I . 827 1 827 .. 827 0 0 j' 2,774 ! „ 739 739 .. 738 18 2 1,560 . 318 318 .. 318 0 0 4,837 ! . 1,662 | 1,662 .. 1,661 14 6 206 ! . 55 55 .. 55 0 0 1,770 . 445 389 55 14 10 444 18 3 1,332 i 684 j 630 53 7 11 683 17 3 I 2,819 ; 616 j 616 .. 615 18 1 425 , 155 ' 7 102 15 5 110 1 0 663 ! . 26a 129 138 12 8 268 0 0 51,306 14,990 jt3,331 545 19 6 13,877 1 8 7,589 „ 5,753 f 4,301 1,374 13 10 5,676 0 10 3,812 „ 545 545 .. 545 0 0 1,700 . 600 ! 200 .. 199 17 1 2,264 . 894 309 584 16 10 894 0 0 1,595 „ 520 185 380 9 9 515 18 1 5,366 , 990 ! 990 .. 989 19 5 476 Drainage .. 225 225 .. 225 0 0 931 j Road-works 399 ' 277 119 19 8 397 6 0 3,842 . 700 700 .. 700 0 0 25,909 . 6,190 1,519 1,494 19 9 3,014 5 7 4,548 . 2,000 ' 1,395 75 2 6 1,469 14 1 671 . HI 111 .. Ill 0 0 356 , 112 I 1,745 . 500 500 .. 500 0 0 I 1,743 . 424 232 .. 232 0 0 6,073 . 2,416 1,806 457 13 10 2,264 0 6 j 9,997 ., 3,552 2,670 130 1 1 2,800 0 0 493 j . 120 120 .. 120 0 0 292 . . 70 70 .. 70 0 0 I 1,976 . 395 395 .. 395 0 0 2,043 . 467 467 .. 467 0 0 ! 2,712 . 656 642 10 19 4 653 9 10 I 5,729 1,490 1,496 .. 1,495 19 7 I 2,184 „ 460 I 160 .. 460 0 0 1,500 500 499 .. 499 1 6 487 , 120 j 120 .. 119 19 9 235 . 94 27 j 66 9 8 93 7 2 2,322 733 121 585 17 8 707 5 2 I 2,349 . 600 599 .. 598 10 7 2,153 . 849 849 .. 848 19 11 I 3,417 . 772 772 .. 772 0 0 1,053 . 210 9 90 8 8 99 4 8 j 9,821 . 3,734 1,061 1,447 13 6 2,508 11 11 2,587 1,293 .. 90 14 9 90 14 9 ! 5,091 . 1,550 1,547 .. 1,547 8 1 1,050 . 260 259 .. 259 2 3 2,047 . 845 844 .. 844 0 0 2,135 , 637 1,254 . 100 99 .. 99 1 0 1 7,991 . 3,248 .. j 298 8 3 298 8 3 I 2,288 . 858 858 .. 858 0 0 2,735 ! . 1,000 1,000 .. 1,000 0 0 i 1,976 j . 600 600 .. 600 0 0 I 1,917 . 500 500 .. 500 0 0 I 2,300 „ 500 500 .. 500 0 0 Carried forward .. 186,304 486,304 •• "■ : I |264,2J0 .. 83,485 62,335 8,251 12 9 70,388 2 0 The figures give the totals to the nearest >und for the year ending 31st March, 1907.

128

C— 1

Statement showing the Blocks of Land which have been proclaimed under "The Local Bodies' Loans Act, 1901," &c. — continued.

Gazetted. Survoyor-i lenerai Ieporl Ixpem :ure. Name of Block | Area of 1 Block. No. Pago. AUCKLi Works Estimated | To From Tota , Ul0ck - borrowed. 1908. lw - .and Land District— continued. AUCI Acres. Brought forward ..486,304! .. Otaenga 1,630 81 2343 Otanake Special Settlement .. 7,253 62 1727 Otau .. .. •• 18,510 71 1255 Otepo 463 16 528 „ , ■ a oar- I 83 1845 Otukai .. •• •• 8,946 - ( 7Q lg5G Oumauku 9,770 77 2114 Ouruwhero .. .. .- 2,615 49 1433 Owai •■ •• 3,378 73 1602 Paekotare I 752 20 494 Pakanae 999 73 , 1601 Pakeho 9,613 91 2032 Pakiri 1,125 85 ; 2335 PapamoaNo. 2 .. 1,443 7 273 Parabaki 1,933 \ 73 ! 1601 Pareokawa I 7,645 96 2148 PirongiaWest .. .. 16,960 14 361 Pukemiro 1,1" 68 1959 Pukenui 1,600 77 2113 Puketarata .. .. 5,347 ,1 1 Puketarata No. 2 .. .. 3,027 ; 104 2261 Puketarata No. 3 .. 2,370 65 1702 Puketiti .. - 603 17 680 Puriri .. •• 1,856 91 2022 Raetea 686 5 152 Rotokakahi 4,022 99 2638 Roto Ngaro 14,841 112 2949 Ruapekapeka .. .. 10,355 i 77 1345 Taeore 340 55 1428 Tahora No. 2 North.. j Su" | 24 5M Takahue 1*993 23 479 Takahue and Whangape .. 12,200 89 1864 Tangihua 4,660 104 2261 Tauhoa 4,069 15 336 Tauhoa-Komokoriki .. 2,585 35 573 Taumata 3,423 20 495 Taumata-Whakauma .. 3,269 62 1727 Taupin 7,442 45 860 Te Kauri 3,570 14 544 Brought forward Special Settlement u .. sro .. •e .. .No'.*2 i .. iva .. West o .. ita .. ita No. 2 it a No. 3 ahi .. aro .. ipeka rJo. 2 North .. and Whangape a .. Komokoriki .. k .. i-Whakauma i .. i .. uga .. a a a No. 2 a No. 3 laituna •keke a .. anui ii i .. , .. ingatakupu .. rino ahunga ri No. 1 u .. Acres. .. 486,304 I .. .. ' 1,630 81 2343 . .. 7,253 62 1727 .. 18,510 71 1255 463 16 528 ! „ q ._ W 83 1845 •• 8 ' 946 (70 1856 9,770 77 2114 2,615 49 1433 3,378 73 1602 .. I 752 20 494 ! 992 78 1601 9,613 91 2032 .. ' 1,125 85 2335 1,443 7 273 1,933 | 73 j 1601 .. | 7,645 96 2148 .. 16,960 14 361 1,111 68 1959 : 1,600 77 ' 2113 5,347 1 1 .. 3,027 104 I 2261 2,370 65 ' 1702 603 17 680 .. j 1,856 91 2022 ! 686 5 152 4,022 99 2638 .. 14,841 112 2949 .. 10,355 77 1345 340 55 1428 | SB? | « ™ ' 1,993 23 479 .. 12,200 89 1864 4,660 104 2261 4,069 15 336 2,585 35 573 3,423 20 495 \ '. 3,269 62 ] 1727 7,442 45 860 .. 3,570 14 544 8,606 70 1498 ! .. 3,228 3 80 4,505 73 2109 8,600 83 1846 7,991 .97 2880 .. 11,653 38 , 911 I ( I? 9 6°53° f I » 911 : 1,733 73 1601 448 j 14 544 8,187 12 495 1,783 97 I 2879 4,866 24 I 564 .. 16,870 5 94 2,116 27 758 .. 14,292 46 : 973 .. 15,723 20 496 6,050 71 2073 .. 3,226 62 1214 .. 58,200 74 1419 .. 6,257 65 1398 1,980 79 2299 5,108 75 2287 i 20,000 74 1298 8,548 17 301 975 73 1602 . .. 10,600 73 1602 3i 700 i l8 335 ; ■ oi.iou - ( 45 n37 j 5,628 51 1113 .. 12,457 49 1736 £ £ £ £ a. d. £ s. d. 264,240 .. 83,485 62,335 8,251 12 9 70,388 2 0 6 Oct., 1904 1,019 Road-works 326 6 Aug., 1903 5,440! . 1,813 1,131 30 2 0 1,160 19 1 8 Sept., 1892 6,941 . 2,350 2,350 .. 2,350 0 0 23 Feb., 1905 232 . 115 *I ?° V f " Jooo [ 5,014 . 1,059 696 .. 696 3 11 4 Sept., 1902 I lOct., 1903 2,931 . 1,465 1,463 .. 1,463 6 0 25 June, 1903 2,347 . 680 666 13 11 0 679 15 7 8 Aug., 1901 1,008 . 340 340 .. 340 0 0 24 Mar., 1898. 296 „ 80 76 .. 75 14 6 8 Aug., 1901 291 . 124 97 14 16 9 112 6 9 2 Nov., 1899 5,720 . 1,800 1,794 6 8 0 1,799 18 9 5 Nov., 1903 1,607; „ 369 369 .. 369 0 0 1 Feb., 1906 719 . 180 177 .. 177 5 1 8 Aug., 1901 568 . 193 11 .. 10 15 0 7 Nov., 1901 3,557 . 950 944 .. 944 8 7 15 Feb., 1900 10,874 . 2,121 2,091 27 0 1 2,118 0 9 18 Aug , 1904 450 „ 167 1 Oct., 1903 1,200 . 240 201 38 19 0 239 19 4 4 Jan., 1900 2,177 . 535 533 .. 532 11 7 14 Dec, 1899 1,487 . 378 378 .. 377 19 4 14 Aug., 1902 2,371 . 296 296 .. 295 19 4 1 Mar., 1906 737 „ 151 20 Dec, 1898 791 . 186 185 .. 185 6 0 21 Jan., 1904 349 . 137 5 14 11 5 14 11 16 Nov., 1905 3,571 . 1,207 406 111 4 0 516 15 9 21 Dec, 1905 4,655 . 2,225 18 179 5 11 197 10 11 6 Oct., 1892 3,982 . 500 495 .. 494 13 4 8 June, 1905 136 . 68 28 Feb., 1901 15,052 . 5,190 .. 517 0 3 517 0 3 18 Mar., 1892 946 . 300 300 .. 300 0 0 5 Dec, 1895 4,270 . 1,800 1,800 .. 1,800 0 0 14 Dec, 1899 2,106 „ 466 466 .. 466 0 0 18 Feb., 1892 1,675 „ 449 449 .. 449 0 0 4 May, 1893 949 ' „ 325 325 .. 325 0 0 24 Mar., 1898 2,188 . 428 428 .. 428 0 0 6Aug., 1903 2,100 . 817 815 .. 815 6 2 8 June, 1893 3,755 . 920 920 .. 919 18 10 18 Feb., 1904 2,616 Roads and 916 669 247 6 10 916 0 0 bridges 25 July, 1901 2,927 Road-works 777 776 .. ' 776 7 0 18 Jan., 1906 1,711 . 491 443 37 12 6 480 14 4 1 Sept., 1904 4,352 1,689 1,067 397 0 2 1,464 8 2 17 Nov., 1898, 3,440 : . 1,000 1,000 .. 1,000 0 0 8 Dec, 1904 1 4,730 . 1,599 1,553 45 11 6 1,598 18 9 26 May, 1898 20,712 Drains audi roads 10 273 10 260 13 8 4 10,272 18 8 26 May, 1898 10,226 | I 8 Aug., 1901 3,934 Road-works 1,474 j 1,474 .. 1,473 19 4 18 Feb., 1904 896 Roads and 448 j 448 .. 448 0 0 drains 19 Feb., 1903 2,550 Drainage- 1,275 1,274 .. 1,274 7 7 works and ! bridges over drains 8 Dec, 1904 1,689 Road-works 539 ; 22 184 8 6 206 8 6 7 April, 1898 2,433 . 480 479 .. 478 14 11 27 Jan., 1896 8,439 „ 3,268 2,500 .. 2,499 19 0 23 Mar., 1905 1,979! . 318 180 137 14 8 317 19 7 20 June, 1895 5,402 . 2,000 2,000 .. 2,000 0 0 24 Mar, 1898 10,847; . 4,258 2,996! 626 4 4 3,622 5 3 25 Aug., 1904 2,273 1 . 756 751 .. 750 13 9 10 Aug., 1893 1,613 . 322 27 135 0 10 16116 8 5 Oct., 1893 29,100 . 5,800 5,799 .. 5,799 5 5 1 Sept., 1898 1,570 „ 790 790 .. 790 0 0 29 Sept., 1904 1,641 » 483 269 210 17 10 j 479 19 6 30 Aug., 1906 9,332 . 3,830 VZ:;lll! X ?:SS 2, ™1 2 ' 2 * 0 ! 70 * 2 2 ' 310 4 2 8 Aug., 1901 439 . 170 170 .. 169 18 4 8 Aug., 1901 14,525 3,075 1,366 429 19 8 1,796 4 6 7 Feb., 1901 \ g g07 j 2 ,828 .. 1.063 3 7 1,603 3 7 is May, 1905 | °'™' \ 14 June, 1900 4,830! . 844; 843 .. 843 6 2 6 June, 1907j 10,859 . 4,567 Te Kuiti 3,506 70 1498 Te Pahu .. .. 3,228 3 80 TePuhi .. .. .. 4,505 73 2109 Te Puroa .. .. .. 8,600 83 1846 Te Rerenga 7,991 .97 2880 Tokatoka 11,653 38 911 Tokatoka .. • .. { } 3S 9U Tokatoka No. 2 .. .. l',7M I 78 1601 Tokatoka No. 3 .. .. 448 ( 14 Tumu-Kaituna .. 3,187 12 495 Turoto 1,783 97 ' 2879 Umurua .. .. 4,866 24 564 Waiawa 16,870 5 94 Waiharakeke .. B.Ufi 27 758 Waimana 14,292 46 973 Waimatanui .. .. 15,723 20 496 Waiotahi 6,050 71 2073 Waiotira 3,226 62 1214 Waipoua 58,200 74 1419 Waipu 6,257 65 1398 Wairere 1,930 79 2299 Waitoa 5,108 75 2287 i 20,000 74 1298 Waoku .. .. ,2,543 17 301 Whangaingatakupu .. .. 975 73 1609 Whareorino .. ..10,600 73 1602 I 1Q MM 97 2879 24 564 5 ' 94 27 758 46 973 20 496 71 2073 62 1214 74 1419 65 1398 79 2299 75 2287 71 1298 17 301 73 1602 . 73 1602 i 18 335 | 45 1137 51 1113 49 1736 ... „,„ i 18 335 Wharepuhunga .. .. 31.iOO - 45 n37 Whatitiri No. 1 .. 5,628 51 1113 Whitikau 12,457 49 1736 Totals .. .. |965,344 * The figures give the tota 553,185 176,071 121,95112,794 7 7134,547 14 11 give the total Is to the nearest iund for tl le year ending Slst March, 1907.

C—l

129

Statement showing the Blocks of Land which have been proclaimed under "The Local Bodies' Loans Act, 1901," &c. — continued.

17—C. 1.

Oazeiu'l * ... , Area of Name of Block. Block. No. Page. Date. bui-veyoi-deneral's Heport. ... . Estimated T Block. borrowed. Expenditure. mSVSi ' March 31. Ixpem ;ure. Taranaki Lani d District. :t. Aorangi . ■■ ■• 3,807 75 2153 I 8 Sept., 1904 Autawa .. .. •• 4,725 21 393 I 23 Mar., 1893 Eao . •• •• 17,218 77 2191 2 Oct., 1902 Kgniont, Block VI .. 1,683 57 1163 26 July, 1894 Eltbain .. 3,200 19 840 16 Mar., 1898 Gatton .. .. •• 3,800 19 340 16 Mar., 1893 Huiroa .. .. •• 6,438 72 1273 15 Sept., 1892 Hurimoana .. .. 3,190 79 1774, 3 Nov., 1898 Kaimanuka .. .. 9,987 72 1273 15 Sept., 1892 Kainikari 4,273 79 1775 3 Nov., 1898 Kaitangiwhenua No. 2 .. 33,430 27 510 5 April, 1894 ! KaitangiwhenuaSpecial Settle- 7,747 1 4 7 Jan., 1904 ment Kaupokonui .. •■ 230 62 1215 10 Aug., 1893 Kohuratahi 8,548 79 1774 3 Nov., 1898 Kuraiti .. .. 4,465 14 360 . 15 Feb., 1900 Kuri .. 13,989 75 2153! 8 Sept., 1904 Kururau .. .. •• 11,808 86 2323 28 Sept., 1905 Lepperton 2,775 83 1383 20 Oct., 1892 Llewellyn .. .. •• 4,594 15 j 397 9 Mar., 1896 Maben .. .. .. 4,680 65 1871 4 Aug., 1904 Makahu 6,551 66 1361 27 Aug., 1896 i Makino .. .. •• 8,608 24 521 28 Feb., 1901! Mangaehu .. •• •• 492 72 1273 15 Sept., 1892 Mangaere .. •• 7,432 30 526 27 April, 1893 Mangamingi .. •• 6,629 15 336 18 Feb. 1892 Manganui-Egmont .. .. 2,833 72 1510 4 Oct., 1894 Mangaowata .. .. 10,501 77 2191 2 Oct., 1902 Mangaroa .. .. •• 4,969 77 2192 2 Oct., 1902 £ £ £ I 2,631 Road works I 1,160 431 t 4,276 . 1,153 1,153 13,890 .. 6,361 5,725 ( 1,721 421 421 8,1 „ 800 800 8,860 950 950 .118 ., 2,093 2,093 2,981 : .. 797 797 .550 | „ 2,665 2,665 .2,1 582 582 15,667 , . 6,393 6,393 4,209 , .. 1,491 1,452 230 I . 58 M 3,019 . 738 738 1,855 i . 617 617 4,921 „ 1,985 1,923 I 7,568 . 3,490 1,523 1,5 2,998 .. 966 966 | 3,445 . 862 862 , 2,341 ., 900 900 I 6,180 . 1,468 1,468 | I 3,787 i ., 1,860 73 I 1 604 301 301 9,485 . 4,144 4,144 9,040 . 4,286 4,286 | 3,597 „ 894 I S9I 6,577 . 2,140 ! 1,812 i 4,560 Roads and 1,225 1,204 bridges Road works I I £ 1,160 1,153 6,361 421 800 950 2,093 797 2,665 582 6,393 1,491 £ 431 1,153 5,725 421 800 950 2,093 797 2,665 582 6,393 1,452 £ s. d. 605 11 8f 615**8 4 £ s. d. £ s. d 605 11 8f 1,036 16 1( 1,153 0 ( 615 8 4 6,340 18 1 421 0 ( 800 0 ( 950 0 ( 2,093 0 C 797 0 ( 2,665 0 ( 582 0 ( 6,393 0 ( 1,452 8 4 58 0 ( 738 0 ( 617 0 ( 60 19 0 1,984 2 ( 921 0 10 3,444 5 < 966 0 ( 862 0 C 900 0 C 1,468 0 ( 121 1 3 194 1 r t 301 0 C 4,144 0 C 4,286 0 C 894 0 C 304 2 9 2,116 2 1C 7 8 0 1,211 0 5 £ s. d. 1,036 16 10 1,153 0 0 6,340 18 1 421 0 0 800 0 0 950 0 0 2,093 0 0 797 0 0 2,665 0 0 582 0 0 6,393 0 0 1,452 8 4 Roads and bridges Road-works 58 738 617 1,985 3,490 966 862 900 1,468 1,860 301 4,144 4,286 894 2,140 1,225 1,270 1,027 260 284 1,750 12,595 1,822 1,940 2,369 2,793 1,200 1,636 3,580 1,784 550 1,926 1,144 789 1,421 58 738 617 1,923 1,523 966 862 900 1,468 73 301 4,144 4,286 894 1,812 1,204 " 58 0 0 738 0 0 617 0 0 1,984 2 0 3,444 5 9 966 0 0 862 0 0 900 0 0 ; 1,468 0 0 194 1 7 301 0 0 4,144 0 0 4,286 0 0 894 0 0 2,116 2 10 1,211 0 2 60 19 0 1,921 0 10 ># 12l"l 3 | " 304 2 9 7 8 0 Maneatawa.. .. •• 6,804 2 9 Jan., 1902 Marco .. .. •• 6,467 13 382 I 16 Feb., 1899 Mataro .. .. •• 1,486 42 953 18 May, 1899 Mauku .. .. •• 1,893 91 2031 2 Nov., 1899 Milsom .. .. •■ 6,686 21 374 23 Mar., 1893 Mnkau-Ohura .. .. 41,475 30 1007 14 April, 1904 Moki .. .. •• 8,734 99 2178 : 6 Dec, 1900 Ngatimaru, Blocks V, IX .. 4,565 I 23 412 30 Mar., 1893 Okoke .. .. •• 13,893 ' 51 1049 5 July, 1894 OpakuKapara .. ■• 18,620 4 26 j 12 Jan., 1 Oxford .. .. ..4,000 4 23 12 Jan., 1 Patua .. .. •• 9,692 24 667 11 Mar., 1897 1 Patupuremu .. 17,966 77 2190-1 2 Oct., 1902 1 Piko .. ■• 10,270 43 1009 25 May, 1899 Poarangi .. .. .. 3,835 14 361 15 Feb., 1900 Puniwliakau .. .. 10,641 19 340 16 Mar., 1893 Pntiki .. .. •• 6,595 64 1358 27 July, 1899 Putikituna .. .. •• 4,229 14 360 15 Feb., 1900 Rangiwhakaoma .. .. 10,005 72 1501 4 Oct., 1894 Rawhitiroa.. ".. Mjil } * 5 7 Jan - 1897 Rerekapa-Moanatairi .. 21*375 77 2189 2 Oct., 1902 All lU^CO 3,796 Road-works 1,270 1,270 4,040 . 1,027 1,027 668 ., 260 200 1,136 . 284 284 6,288 ,. 1,750 ! 1,750 27,175 . 12,595 12,033 I 4,708 . 1,822 1,822 4,745 ., 1,940 1,940 9,275 . 2,369 2,367 I 10,455 „ 2,793 2,793 1 3,550 „ 1,200 1,200 I 6,542 . 1,636 1,636 i 8,160 ., 3,580 3,566 6,928 . 1,784 1,782 2,419 . 550 550 7,615 1,926 1,926 3,020 ,. 1,144 1,148 2,664 . 789 4,428 . 1,421 1,421 3,680 . 46 46 Cr. 12,182 Roads and; 5,835 5,157 i bridges 1,270 1,027 260 284 1,750 12,033 1,822 1,940 2,367 2,793 1,200 1,636 3,566 1,782 550 1,926 1,143 789 1,421 .. 558 9 10 1,269 19 f 1,027 0 C 260 0 C 284 0 C 1,750 0 C 558 9 10 12,591 9 £ 1,822 0 ( 1,940 0 C 2,366 11 ] 2,793 0 C 1,200 0 C ; 1,635 19 K 14 1 4 3,580 0 C 1,782 7 £ 550 0 C 1,926 0 C 1,143 7 S 789 0 C 1,421 0 C -.42 8 1 3 11 II 553 5 4 5,710 0 C 1,269 19 8 1,027 0 0 260 0 0 284 0 0 1,750 0 0 12,591 9 3 1,822 0 0 1,940 0 0 2,366 11 1 2,793 0 0 1,200 0 0 1,635 19 10 3,580 0 0 1,782 7 9 550 0 0 1,926 0 0 1,143 7 2 789 0 0 1,421 0 0 14 1 4 46 46 Cr. 42 8 1 3 11 11 Roads and bridges Road-works I Roads and) 1 bridges ) Road-works : Roads and bridges Road-works . : 5,835 799 478 471 2,140 1,780 1,616 5,865 2,173 1,620 126 320 4,010 960 419 150 373 2,575 3,210 5,157 553 5 4 5,710 0 0 Rimuputa 5,609 77 1715 27 Oct., 1898 Ross .. .. •• 1,912 34 760 9 May, 1895; Tahora 2,311 90 1977 17 Oct., 1901 ! Tangitu .. ..11,805 90 1977 17 Oct., 1901 Tanner .. ..| 5,200 78 1361 10 Oct., 1892 Taumata .. .. I 8,223 j 84 2261 21 Sept., 1905 I o, E ™ I 77 2191 2 Oct., 1902 Taurangi .. .. ■■ 21,500 j 3Q 1007 | 14 April, 1904 Terrace End .. ■■ 11,118 60 1245 15 Aug., 1895 Tirangi .. •• •• 8,098 77 2192 2 Oct., 1902 Upper Waitara .. .. 840 13 240 i 23 Feb., 1893 Vera • 2,575 77 2189 2 Oct., 1902 Waiaraia .. .. •• 16,797 81 2343 6 Oct., 1904 Waikaka .. .. 4,016 77 2190, 2 Oct., 1902] UllU^CO 3,229 Road-works 799 799 2,564 . 478 476 1,422 „ 471 471 : 7,463 . 2,140 2,140 5,950 , 1,780 1,780 3,812 , 1,616 SO 1 112 976 -! K ? a ?j ,and V 5,865 5,752 1 1 f '■->""' \ bridges | .950 Road-works 2,173 2,173 568 - 1,620 1,613 1 914 , 126 126 1 1,573 . 320 320 9.163 „ 4,010 3,995 j 3,254 Roads and 960 621 S bridges 799 476 471 2,140 1,780 60 799 0 C 476 2 6 471 0 C 2,140 0 C 1,780 0 C 931 18 1 992 6 C 111 19 9 5,863 15 1C 2,173 0 C 5 0 0 1,618 6 ( 126 0 C 320 0 C 14 17 4 4,010 0 C 288 0 5 908 11 i 799 0 0 476 2 6 471 0 0 2,140 0 0 1,780 0 0 992 6 0 93118 1 5,752 111 19 9 5,863 15 10 2,173 1,613 126 320 3,995 621 5 0 0 - 2,173 0 0 1,618 6 6 126 0 0 320 0 0 4,010 0 0 908 11 3 14 17 4 288 0 5 Waikekeho .. 590 72 i 1522 , 16 Aug., 1900 Waikiekie .. . ■ • ■ 600 78 1698 ! 15 Oct., 1896 Waingarara.. ■• 1,634 78 1666 6 Sept., 1900 Waitangata .. •• 10,628 77 2190: 2 Oct., 1902 Waro 11,244 52 1620 < 23 July, 1903 „„ „„„ | 19 340 16 Mar., 1893 Whenuakura •• 10,927 j 4 57 1( ) Jan., 1901 1 ; ' oriages 1,178 Road-works 419 419 788 ; . 150 150 1,111 . 373 373 8,683 i . 2,575 2,441 6,678 ! . 3,210 3,206 (152 . 1,690 1,690 419 150 373 2,441 3,206 52**6 9 3 11 5 418 16 i 150 0 ( 372 16 4 52 6 9 2,493 2 i 3 11 5 3,210 0 ( 1,690 0 ( 418 16 9 150 0 0 372 16 4 2,493 2 3 3,210 0 0 1,690 1,690 1,690 0 0 Totals .. ..539,197 539,197 '359,343 .. 127,596 118,5986,! '359,343 127,596 118,598 6,126 14 0 126 14 0 123,725 19 ( 123,725 19 8 • The figures give the totals to the nearest pound for the year ending 31st March, 1907.

C.--1

130

Statement showing the Blocks of Land which have been proclaimed under "The Local Bodies' Loans Act, 1901," &c. — continued.

Name of Block. Gazette Area of Block. No. Page. Gazetted. ed. Date. Surveyor-General's Report. Worlca Estimated S» P'oP^d Block, 11 bo^ed . T From Mar % A P nl *■ Sw ' t»H, to 1! 5"- March 31, 1908. Expenditure. Total to March 31, 1908. Hikurangi No. 2 !awke's Bay L lND Disi UCT. Acres. 4,115 16 Nov., 1894 £ 3,217 Road-works £ 520 £ 497 £ s. d. £ b. d. 497 5 5 82 1663 19011 1902 f 1991 1388 521 857 1537 1620 479 1914 548 1365 1324 522 1521 1291 1939) I 955 i 522 1042 2222 2305 Huiarua 7,750 90 ! 21 Oct., 1897 2,695 1,000 737 736 10 7 Koranga Liberal Mangapoike.. Mangatoro, Block I .. Mangatoro Ia No. 1 .. Moauui Motu Ngapaeruru Ngapaernru No. 2 Nuhaka North Nuhaka No. 2 Nuhaka No. 3 Pohui Ruahine 17,422 2,800 14,627 1,700 5,017 24,865 33,045 58 83 24 38 60 59 23 ( 86 I 20 80 68 24 90 61 4 July, 1907 20 Oct., 1892 28 Feb., 1901 3 May, 1900 29 June, 1905 23 July, 1903 18 Mar., 1892 1 Dec, 1898 15 Mar., 1900 13 Oct., 1892 7 Sept., 1893 28 Feb., 1901 11 Nov., 1892 16 Aug., 1894 13,649 2,500 8,200 1,329 32,104 14,000 16,773 126,370 2,613 400 1,834 425 1,348 3,108 2,475 400 1,834 425 726 1,845 2,475 622 "6 3 952 4 2 400 0 0 1,833 18 2 424 19 5 1,347 19 8 2,797 5 0 2,475 0 0 44,816 11,000 11,000 11,000 0 0 9,549 777 4,138 4,306 4,800 4,632 486 5,351 3,655 2,225 568 58 1,034 538 840 568 58 1,031 538 824 568 0 0 58 0 0 1,030 18 5 538 0 0 824 1 9 Ruakituri 4,855 46 21 June, 1894 4,575 364 364 364 0 0 Tahora No. 2 South 43,037 24 (41 I 83 67 28 Feb., 1901 4 May, 1905 14 Sept., 1905 1 Aug., 1907 16,139 1 48,345 21,877 4,304 Tamaki 3,443 3,440 3,340 3,340 0 0 Tamaki No. 1 3,043 Roads and Bridges Road-works 3,043 1,228 16 0 1,228 16 0 Tauwharetoi Tuahu Tutamoe Umutaoroa Waiau Waipaoa 9,404 16,759 3,073 1,101 8,901 10,878 68 67 58 49 23 67 1324 1859 1992 939 412 2305 7 Sept., 1893 27 Aug., 1903 4 July. 1907 22 June, 1893 30 Mar., 1893 1 Aug., 1907 4,796 6,288 5,378 956 4,215 9,339 1,175 2,352 1,536 100 1,405 3,279 1,169 2,286 64 ' 2 3 323 11 4 1,169 0 0 2,350 7 5 323 11 4 100 0 0 1,182 14 6 359 10 5 100 1,183 Roads and Bridges Road-works 359 io 5 Waitahaia .. Whakapaupakihi Wliakarara, Section 14, Block XIII Wharekopae-Tahora No. 2 Woodville 14,380 14,379 508 52 52 16 1619 1619 342 23 July, 1903 23 July, 1903 1 Mar., 1894 8,462 12,498 406 2,990 1,798 38 2,139 1,798 38 795 15 4 2,934 19 8 1,797 18 8 38 0 0 14,401 254 24 49 522 939 28 Feb., 1901 22 June, 1893 11,869 286 1,440 25 1,432 25 1,431 18 0 25 0 0 Totals (328,563 1292,675 55,050 |36,832 |4,346 5 9 |41,177 14 5 Ahuahu 28,999 61 Wellington L. 1682 30 Aug., 1903 ND Disti I 15,115 IICT. Roads and Bridges Ditto Road-works 7,250 2,344 0 4 I 2,344 0 4 Awarua 1b .. Clifton Nc. 1 Dannevirke Centennial East Puketoi Gladstone .. Hall .. ' .. Hautapu, Blocks XI, XIV, XV Hautapu No. 2 Hautapu-Ruahine Hautapu Ruahine No. 2 Hikimutu .. Horopito Kaiparoro .. Kaiparoro No. 2 Kaitangata ■Kaitieke Kaiwaka, BlockB IV, VIII, XI Kakariki Kawautahi .. Kawhatau .. Kirikau Makotuku, Block III Mai ton Farm Homestead Manganui and Ruapehu Mangoira-Coal Creek Marton No. 3 Maungakaretu Mecalickstone Moumahaki Moumahaki Village Settlement Mount Baker Mowbanau Village Settlement Ngamatea-Maungakaretu Ngaurukehu Nireaha Village Settlement .. 18,291 4,650 11,022 83,500 7,597 3,175 6,188 6,895 19,804 16,771 16 ,290 400 9,409 400 7,105 45,500 4,789 5,000 7,677 5,644 13,642 1,608 1,208 7,350 6,500 9,078 508 6,011 526 824 8,291 380 8,315 1,092 552 104 28 19 23 24 19 92 65 74 87 49 72 60 BO 89 12 4 23 49 94 49 1 80 46 74 79 7 19 72 7 15 7 4 4 74 2723 23 Nov., 1905 539 31 Mar., 1892 340 16 Mar., 1893 479 18 Mar., 1892 482 28 Mart, 1894 340 16 Mar., 1893 1567 24 Nov., 1892 1272 24 Aug., 1894 1297 22 Sept., 1892 1841 28 Nov., 1895 1735 6 June, 1907 1505 2 Oct., 1894 1245 15 Aug., 1895 773 1 April, 1897 1863 5 Dec, 1895 283 14 Feb., 1895 56 10 Jan., 1901 413 30 Mar., 1893 1736 6 June, 1907 1951 21 Dec, 1894 1736 6 -Tune, 1907 4 7 Jan., 1904 1637 8 Oct., 1894 958 21 June, 1894 1297 22 Sept., 1892 2162 8 Oct., 1903 273 1 Feb., 1906 339. 16 Mar., 1893 1274 15 Sept., 1892 131 25 Jan., 1894 336 18 Feb., 1892 255 29 Jan., 1903 55 10 Jan., 1901 55 10 Jan., 1901 2619 22 Aug., 1907 16,132 4,081 5,233 83,500 5,822 4,871 5,469 7,207 22,154 11,152 21,126 350 6,414 150 4,215 41,700 1,768 5,786 10,814 6,625 18,584 1,860 944 6,337 8,204 8,050 571 4,834 440 6,311 8,710 5,320 6,491 1,092 5,648 6,610 1,163 2,494 19,375 1,899 794 1,573 1,714 6,931 4,192 4,072 100 1,174 50 884 11,375 598 1,562 1,919 1,425 3,410 402 302 1,838 2,031 2,270 254 1,503 156 1,360 2,487 380 2,078 409 250 768 i 1,163 2,494 19,375 1,898 794 1,567 1,714 6,932 4,192 2,072 15 8 2,840 15 0 1,163 0 0 2,493 19 10 19,375 0 0 1,898 8 3 794 0 0 1,567 0 0 1,713 15 10 6,931 12 3 4,192 0 0 104 13 0 104 13 0 1,174 50 884 10,893 598 1,562 471 8 4 1,174 0 0 50 0 0 884 0 0 11,364 14 2 598 0 0 1,562 0 0 97 1 4 1,425 0 0 242 3 2 402 0 0 302 0 0 1,838 0 0 2,030 0 0 2,270 0 0 254 0 0 1,503 0 0 156 0 0 1,360 0 0 2,487 0 0 378 7 9 2,078 0 0 408 19 2 249 18 4 97 "l 4 1,425 242 *3 2 402 302 1,838 2,030 2,270 192 1,503 156 1,360 2,487 378 2,078 409 61 12 4 Roads and Drains Road-works 249'ia 4 North-east Puketoi Ohinewairua Ohinewairua, Block XIII 13,300 7,462 876 15 11 4 336 18 Feb., 1892 242 28 Jan., 1897 55-6 10 Jan., 1901 16,455 7,491 2,734 3,990 1,865 481 3,990 1,864 481 3,990 0 0 1,864 1 3 481 0 0 Carried forward 1396,629 1389,760 102,620 179,223 |5,643 12 6 184,867 9 8 * The figures give the totals to the nearest pound for the year ending Slst March, 1907.

131

C—l

Statement showing the Blocks of Land which have been proclaimed under "The Local Bodies' Loans Act, 1901," &c. — continued.

Gazetti lurveyor-l leneral leporl Ixpeni ;ure. Name of Block. Area of Block. No. Page. Date. WorkH Estimated KTS onT? u'?h P—< Bl0Ck ' ° Pe H^- UCh cjo^ed. T From 'T 7 - March 31, 1908. Total to March 31, 1908. I I Well ington Land District--continued. Brought forward Ohinewairua-Pukeokahu Omahine, Block I .. Onslow Oraukura Oroua-Coal Creek Palmeraton North Knights of Labour Pohangina Pohonuiatane Acres. 396,629 I .. 9,785 | 4 455 ! 8 2,405 ; 34 4,456 78 5,630 15 10,995 28 56 152 640 1803 336 539 £ ,389,760 10 Jan., 1901 9,330 2 Feb., 1893 i 341 28 April, 1892 1,327 21 Sept. 1899 6,691 18 Feb., 1892 6,178 31 Mar., 1892 12,222 Road-works £ 102,620 2,935 114 601 1,114 1,050 2,749 £ 79,223 2,926 114 600 1,114 1,050 2,749 £ s. d. 5,643 12 6 9 4 7 £ 8. d. 84,867 9 8 2,935 0 0 114 0 0 600 0 0 1,114 0 0 1,050 0 0 2,749 0 0 4,722 28 27,754 19 11,379 {% 1,277 . 92 8,080 ' 49 16,055 49 18.5(h) b5 13,392 28 8,566 28 9,612 02 4,770 ! 28 117 I 1 539 340 1841 283 1933 1433 1736 2649 539 589 1738 539 3, 4 31 Mar., 1892 4,250 16 Mar., 1893 ' 26,476 28 Nov., 1895 I.. „,„ 13 Feb., 1896>} 11,ao ' 19 Dec, 1895 ' 1,027 25 June, 1903 2,457 6 June, 1907 20,386 11 Oct., 1906 13,875 .31 Mar., 1892 14,257 31 Mar., 1892 9,085 6 Aug., 1903 5,357 31 Mar., 1892 6,678 7 Jan., 1904 278 1,181 6,959 1,181 6,958 1,181 0 0 6,958 6 0 Pukeokahu 2,844 2,844 2,844 0 0 Puketoi-Aohanga Raupiu Retaruke Ruatiti Salisbury and Delaware Sommerville South Kaitieke Stirling Taihape Village Settlement Extension Taonui-Maraetaua-Pukewhakapu 319 385 4,014 4,625 3,348 2,142 2,403 1,193 117 319 385 3,348 2,142 257 i6 5 649 16 8 164**8 5 319 0 0 385 0 0 257 16 5 649 16 8 3,348 0 0 2,142 0 0 164 8 5 1,192 0 0 117 0 0 1,192 117 9,799 49 I 85 1,267 | J 15 1 17 3,993 19 20,736 72 3,549 of ) rr 18,700 f Jb 1,470 ! 54 1,545 4 5,622 | 4 2.1114 ' 65 2,200 | 28 1 1.201 24 20,900 1.5 8,900 28 6,222 19 2,608 72 1186 2486 560 677 340 1522 25 May, 1905 8,893 27 Oct., 1904 ) 14 Feb., 1907 \ 1,724 21 Feb., 1907 ) 16 Mar., 18.13 4,592 16 Aug., 1900 16,551 13 July, 1893 2,384 16 July, 1896 1,286 10 Jan., 1901 ' 4,256 10 Jan., 1901 5,250 2 Aug., 1906 2,614 31 Mar., 1892 1,675 7 April, 1898 15,851 18 Feb., 1892 , 16,880 30 Mar., 1893 4,101 16 Mar., 1893 6,046 15 Sept., 1892 8,543 2,450 332 18 3 332 18 3 Tapui Settlement 474 474 0 0 474 0 0 Tararua Tauakira Te Mara 998 2,592 998 2,592 998 0 0 2,592 0 0 1092 436 428 427 16 3 Te Ngaue Te Ruanui Tiriraukawa-Hautapu Tupapanui Umutoi Upper Makohine Waimarino Waiwera Wanganui .. Wellington Fruit-growers' Association 1106 55 56 2090 539 564 336 413 340 1274 367 386 1,686 653 550 3,230 7,837 1,460 1,556 1,304 367 386 1,686 367 0 0 386 0 0 1,686 0 0 174 14 11 550 0 0 3,229 19 11 7,835 10 6 1,460 0 0 1,556 0 0 1,304 0 0 174 14 11 550 3,230 7,836 1,460 1,556 1,313 Cr. 9 "o 0 Totals 650,205 042,578 166,692 128,664 7,697 11 9 1136,361 17 0 Nelson Lan y Distrii :t. Big Bush .. 14,309 73 | 2229 2230 2815 2323 611-12 2010 2862 2638 2423 5 2424 2276 ' 23 Aug., 1906 4,469 Road-works 715 530 6 0 530 6 0 Browerton Brighton Dart ilenroy Heaphy Hope Inangahua Inangahua Junction Kongahu Lee River 3,757 1,507 7,931 13,127 13,030 3,311 3,184 4.220 15,794 2,516 107 86 12 58 109 99 90 1 90 84 7 Dec, 1905 28 Sept., 1905 20 Feb., 1908 4 July, 1907 14 Dec, 1905 16 Nov., 1905 19 Oct., 1905 9 Jan., 1908 19 Oct., 1905 21 Sept., 1905 939 1,168 2,758 4,489 4,029 828 1,658 2,808 6,152 629 197 188 594 984 1,344 248 781 1,055 2,735 314 158 30 6 0 13 9 6 188 1 7 13 9 6 5 *8 8 . 5* 8 8 122 472 221 14 7 12111 6 693 16 6 Roads and Bridges Road-works Maruia Maruia North 22,554 19,311 90 60 l 90 , 15 I 3 1 17 42 47 90 90 90 2 99 95 90 95 109 95 47 75 14 ( 99 I 17 104 26 112 47 2122 1946 2423 569 80 649 1467 1673 2425 2423 1523 12.13 2638 2528 2424 2528 2862 2528 1674 2287 I 592 2639 649 3150 958 2950 1673 19 Oct., 1905 19 July, 1906 19 Oct., 1905 14 Feb., 1907 18 Jan., 1906 1 Mar., 1906 9 May, 1907 30 May, 1907 19 Oct., 1905 19 Oct., 1905 11 Nov., 1892 10 Jan., 1907 16 Nov., 1905 2 Nov., 1905 19 Oct., 1905 2 Nov., 1905 14 Dec, 1905 2 Nov., 1905 30 May, 1907 30 Aug., 1906 22 Feb., 1906 16 Nov., 1905 1 Mar., 1906 13 Dec, 1906 9 April, 1903 21 Dec, 1905 30 May, 1907 7,652 6,220 3,152 3,110 892 12 813 5 10 1,806 14 10 1,705 8 0 1,818 13 10 Matiri 11,711 [- 4,420 | 2,819 1,547 506 579 10 2 1,085 14 0 Matiri East 9,361 l Roads and I ( Bridges | 701 259 343 19 0 603 3 3 Maungatapu Mid Maruia Mokihinui .. Mount Arthur Mount Arthur No. 2.. Murchison Village Settlement Dparara 3rikaka Dtumabana .. Dwen Dwen East Rainv River.. Rappahannock Spooner Range fadmor 2,632 21,750 8,013 4,350 14,484 31 19,635 20,052 20,824 5,233 7,707 9,685 7,109 3,841 2,109 1,135 9,663 2,951 1,087 4,345 249 7,076 5,184 6,069 1,538 2,473 2,700 2,658 1,106 537 Road-works 197 2,175 1,133 326 1,086 62 2,699 2,506 2,603 623 549 726 711 96 116 109 168 12 4 12 11 2 70 12 9 216 19 7 199 8 11 168 12 4 12 11 2 70 12 9 326 0 0 199 8 11 417 251 12 144 9 9 295 16 2 528 13 11 561 7 4 546 19 3 540 15 11 108 53 10 7 7 10 5 53*10 7 116 0 0 fotaranui .. 7,546 [ 2,037 566 14 3 4 14 3 4 rotaranui No. 3 Wairoa Forks Wareatea Warwiok 1,990 7,978 829 5,821 497 1,995 326 2,338 100 576 163 582 Roads and Bridges Road-works Westport 2,276 104 2723 23 Nov., 1905 791 332 229 92 3 2 320 15 2 Totals 1319,518 1107,288 35,592 3,547 6,149 6 9,696 9 7 • The tt| ;ures live tin totals ;o the nearest md for til. year ending it March, li

o.—l.

132

Statement showing the Blocks of Land which have been proclaimed under "The Local Bodies' Loans Act, 1901," &c. — continued.

Name of Block. Gazetted. Area of Block. No. Page. Date. Gazetted. Surveyor-General's Report. Expenditure Wnrkn ! Estimated T From B? '■ ope™'eh ! P~d «£«. « Block. opei i 1 "V - to be 1907 - March 31, I B10CK - I borrowed. 1908. Surveyor-General's Report. Expenditure. e. Total to March 31, 1908. Marlborough L ind District. Bartlett's Creek Hundalee Kaitao Pine Valley Puhipuhi Rimu Gully Stag and Spey Tinline Waipapa Acres. .. | 4,481 46 1357 11 June,1903 oo qoo I 30 773 1 April, 1897 .. 3B,0Z9 I „ 7 20gl j 8No v., 1897 9,436 30 729 6 April, 1899 19,744 08 1177 10 Aug., L899 .. 24,800 91 2022 20 Dec, 1898 1 ,466 58 1991 4 July, 1907 .. 12,246 ' 34 821 4 April, 1901 1,650 18 527 0 Mar., 1902 19,410 2 1 9 Jan., 1902 j £ £ £ £ s. d. 1,617 Road-works 404 69 i 334 10 4 £ £ 8. d. 69 I 334 10 4 £ s. d. 403 19 5 £ s. d 403 19 ! j-24,540 7,500 7,500 .. 7. 7,500 7,500 0 0 ,500 0 ( 5,676 „ 2,500 2,000 499 17 5 2 7,452 i „ 1,863 | 1,189 255 9 11 1 4,169 4,169 .. 4 1,918 . 039 .. 92 13 2 : 11,148 „ 2,787 ! 2,787 .. 2. 805 . 201 201 17,662 „ 1,766 j 1,764 .. 1 2,000 499 17 5 1,189 255 9 11 4,169 92 13 2 : 2,787 201 1,764 2,499 17 5 1,444 5 6 4,169 0 0 92 13 2 2,787 0 0 200 18 6 ' 1,764 0 0 \— 20,861 14 0 !,499 17 ( ,444 5 ( : ,169 0 ( 92 13 . 1,787 0 ( 200 18 ( ,764 0 ( Totals .. 161,552 .. i 87,493; 21,829! ! 19,679 1,182 10 10! Westland Lai ID DlSTRl [CT. [ount Bonar faitaha 'ataroa 747 I 4,270 ' .. 2,847 I 73 | 2226 23 Aug., 1906 i >lay, 1901 ] 89 3025 10 Oct., 1907 250 I 5,362 1,300 Road-works 100 1,341 250 1,342 l,34i*10 6 Totals .. .. ! 7,864 6,912 1,691 1,342 1,341 10 6 Canterrury L, [D Disi LICT. Ruapuna .. .. 847 Waimate Reserve No. 1126 .. 634 Waimate Reserve No. 1128 .. 516 Waimate Reserve No. 1178 .. 157 80 • 1640 8 Nov., 1894 72 1273 15 Sept., 1892 72 1273 15 Sept., 1892 72 1273 15 Sept., 1892 1,270 6,269 7,268 2,193 Road-works I - 106 300 25 25 75 300 25 25 75 0 0 300 0 0 25 0 0 25 0 0 Totals .. .. | 2,154 2,154 17,000 456 425 425 0 0 Blackstone .. .. 22,535 ' Catlin's (Blocks IV, V, VI, 8,580 VII) Catlin's, Block II .. 196 Gimmerburn .. .. j 8,682 Glenomaru, Blocks III, IV, I . .„. V, VII, IX, X l i ' 4Jd Glenomaru, Block VI 25 Lauder-Blackstone .. .. j 3,809 Lauder-Tiger Hill .. ..28,823 Lower Wanaka .. .. i 3,368 Maniototo .. .. 277 Maniototo No. 2 .. .. 6,916 Maniototo No. 3 .. 6,295 Otago Lani ' 10 233 7 Feb., 1895 16 530 23 Feb., 1905 13 246 23 Feb., 1893 24 481 29 Mar., 1894 | 95 1606 8 Dec, 1892 I 18 246 23 Feb., 1893 62 1211 10 Aug., 1893 24 481 29 Mar., 1894 24 481 29 Mar., 1894 34 714 10 May, 1894 24 481 29 Mar., 1894 10 233 7 Feb., 1895 12 284 14 Feb.. 1895 / IK QQC tO T?«.k 1 QOO Otago Land DlSTRIC 22,535 8,580 10 16 288 7 Feb., 1895 530 23 Feb., 1905 24,748 3,828 Road-works 500 1,057 500 1,057 '* 500 0 0 1,056 17 9 196 8,682 13 24 | 95 1 13 62 24 24 34 24 10 12 ' 15 | 23 10 79 246 23 Feb., 1893 181 29 Mar., 1894 1606 8 Dec, 1892 246 23 Feb., 1893 1211 10 Aug., 1893 ■isl 29 Mar., 1894 •LSI 29 Mar., 1894 714 10 May, 1894 isl 29 Mar., 1894 7 Feb., 1895 284 14 Feb.. 1895 886 18 Feb.. 1892 479 18 Mar., 1892 234 7 Feb., 1895 1774 3 Nov., 1898 196 6,152 50 1,032 50 1,032 50 0 0 1,032 0 0 l 1,495 946 237 237 CV.58 0 0 179 0 0 25 3,809 28,823 3,368 277 6,916 6,295 80 3,608 22,112 1,250 245 5,911 6,001 25 476 1,000 101 104 907 300 25 476 1,000 101 100 600 300 25 0 0 476 0 0 1,000 0 0 101 0 0 100 0 0 600 0 0 300 0 0 Maruwenua .. .. 49,116 49,116 ' 15 336 18 Feb.. 1892 | 23 479 18 Mar., 1892 | 72,246 7,000 7,000 7,000 0 0 Naseby, No. 2 .. .. 2,444 Naseby, Maniototo, and Gim- 5,277 merburn 2,444 5,277 . y A.AJ 1 , 3AJ AA.O.1.., 3W3AA 10 234 7 Feb., 1895 79 1774 3 Nov., 1898 : i inn ir... on Ti,,„ lunri 2,038 3,677 313 910 313 910 313 0 0 910 0 0 Rankleburn, Block VI .. j 544 \ Rimu .. .. .. 1,609 Swinbum .. .. 1,790 i Tahaukupu .. .. 2,817 j Tautuku, Blcck I .. 3,850 544 1,609 1,790 2,817 3,850 i 102 1714 29 Dec, 1892 j "| 13 246 23 Feb., 1893 28 740 26 Alar., 1897 40 656 18 May, 1893 13 245 28 Feb., 1893 77 6 Oct., 1892 / ino i7io no ii„ 0 l qoo I 102 I 13 28 40 13 77 f 102 -j 102 I 13 15 1744 29 Dec, 1892 18 Feb., 1893 25 Mar., 1897 666 18 May, 1893 245 23 Feb., 1893 1346 6 Oct., 1892 1742 29 Dec, 1892 29 Dec, 1892 240 23 Feb., 1893 330 18 Feb., 1892 I 194 525 1,610 2,256 2,800 136 249 288 675 555 136 288 675 555 136 0 0 288 0 0 675 0 0 555 0 0 Tuapeka West, Blocks I, II, I 0 r.~ III, IV, VII, VIII I 2 ' 545 | 2,545 f 102 1742 29 Dec, 1892 \ 102 1745 29 Dec, 1892 I 13 246 23 Feb., 1893 | 1,681 11,225 367 367 367 0 0 Woodlands, Blocks II, V, VI, 13,400 VIII Woodlands, Blocks VII, X, XI 1,693 13,400 15 336 18 Feb.] 1892 74 1297 22 Sept., 1892 4,950 4,950 4,950 0 0 1,693 74 1297 22 Sept., 1892 1,384 307 307 307 0 0 Totals .. .. 176.086 174,713 21,539 120,979 ,0.58 0 0 ,20,920 17 9 Southland Li Southland La: JD DlST] [CT. Ackers .. .. • • 351 Alton No. 2.. 2,722 Hillend .. .. 856 \ 68 1327 7 Sept., 1893 21 831 22 Mar., 1906 ' 112 ! 2950 21 Dec, 1905 i n i.io on T n n i atir. 08 1327 7 Sept., 1893 21 831 22 Mar., 1906 112 ' 2950 21 Dec, 1905 i 7 149 30 Jan., 1896 I 89 1021- 27 April, 1905 81 2182 7 Sept., 1905 72 1273 15 Sept., 1892 702 1,269 433 Road-works 220 317 108 217 108 0 0 216 16 3 108 0 0 Hokonui .. .. .. 404 i 7 149 30 Jan., 1896 1021- 27 April, 1905 j 253 95 85 85 7 10 Hokonui No. 2 1,181 Invercargill Hundred, Block 1,403 XXIII Lillburn, Monowai, and Alton 30,745 Longwood .. .. .. 2,830 81 2182 7 Sept.', 1905 72 1273 15 Sept., 1892 83 1389 20 Oct., 1892 16 529 23 Feb., 1905 714 1,840 152 400 152 400 151 17 2 400 0 0 83 1389 20 Oct., 1892 16 529 23 Feb., 1905 23,059 1,322 8,000 330 8,000 64*i8 2 8,000 0 0 64 18 2 Carried forward .. -10,492 .. 1 29,592 ' 9,622 8,854 172 18 2 9,020 19 fj • The figun is give the totals to the nearest pi mnd for tl le year ending Slst March, 1907.

133

A—i

Statement showing the Blocks of Land which have been proclaimed under "The Local Bodies' Loans Act, 1901," &c. — continued.

18—C. 1.

Name of Block. Ga Area of Block. No. Page. Gazi i-.teil. Survi iyor-General's Beport. Works Estimated required to _j£'" , ope?, u V uc-h P~P"»" 1,l0l:k - borrowed. To AmTl Tot »> Mar 31, li'L't'' to "J 7 - March »1. "««* 31, 1908. Expenditure. Date. ValuaI tion of Block. Sout: iland Land Dii strict—Cl mtinued. £ s. d. 172 18 2 Brought forward Longwood, Blocks XVI and I Lora Mabel Mokoreta Otapiri Oteramika Paterson, Block I Waiau (Blocks XIII and XIV, Waiau Survey District) Waikawa Waikawa No. 1 Waikawa, Block II .. Waikawa-Otara Waikawa-Otara Extension Winton Acres. 40,492 5,659 2,913 343 7,400 616 6,253 633 5,472 90 73 73 98 73 71 23 88 1529 1884 1883 411 1883 1377 411 2221 11 Nov., 1892 3 Aug., 1905 3 Aug., 1905 30 Mar., 1893 3 Aug., 1905 21 Sept., 1893 30 Mar., 1893 14 Sept., 1905 £ 29,592 2,830 1,330 231 3,700 313 2,006 256 2,070 Road-works £ 9,622 1,400 332 58 492 78 625 158 732 £ 8,854 1,400 58 493 69 266 158 732 267 *8 4 Cr290*13 9 6 8 0 £ s. d. 9,026 19 5 1,400 0 0 267 8 4 58 0 0 201 19 5 75 14 10 265 16 1 158 0 0 732 0 11 6,000 1,194 307 31,025 1,647 2,023 23 81 90 23 07 77 412 2260 1901 411 1919 2019 30 Mar., 1893 21 Sept., 1905 21 Oct., 1897 30 Mar., 1893 11 Aug., 1904 24*Aug., 1905 3,000 66,3 643 15,500 664 1,515 1,500 381 186 7,750 199 379 1,500 107 57 7,750 17 1 2 5 0 0 1,500 0 0 124 1 6 62 4 8 7,749 12 5 107 4 0 379 0 0 107**4 0 379 Totals 112,577 64,313 23,842 21,823 285 5 11 22,108 1 7 SUMM, ,RY. Auckland Land District 'aranaki lawke's Bay Villingtoii kelson .larlborough Vestland lanterbury )tigo iouthland 965,844 539,197 328,563 650,205 319,518 161,552 7,864 2,154 176,086 112,577 553,185 359,343 292,675 642,578 107,288 87,493 6,912 17,000 174,713 61,313 176,071 127,596 55,050 166,692 35,592 21,829 1,691 456 21,539 23,842 121,951 118,598 ■ 36,832 128,664 3,547 19,679 1,342 425 [ 20,979 21,823 12,794 7 7 6,126 14 0 4,346 5 9 7,697 11 9 6,149 6 8' 1,182 10 10 134,547 14 11 123,725 19 8 41,177 14 5 136,361 17 0 9,096 9 7 20,861 14 0 1,341 10 6 425 0 0 20,920 17 9 22,106 1 7 Cr. 58 0 0 285 5 11 Totals 511,166 19 5 3,263,060 2,305,500 630,358 '473,840 138,524 2 6 * Theflgurei give t! te totals to the nearest lound for t! le year ending 31st March 1907.

C—l

134

Table 39. —Summary of Work done for other Departments and for Local Bodies during the Year ended 31st March, 1908.

Table 40.— Crown Grants, Certificates of Title, Leases, and other Instruments of Title from the Crown prepared from 1st April, 1907, to 31st March, 1908.

Table 41. —Summary showing Payments to Local Bodies during the Twelve Months ended 3lst March, 1908, from "Thirds" of Deferred-payment, Perpetual-lease, Occupation-with-right-of-purchase, and Lease-in-perpetuity Lands, "Fourths" of Small Grazing-runs, and "Halves" of Timbar and Flax Royalties.

By Authority : John Mackay. Government Printer, Wellington.—l9oB.

District in which Work was executed. District in which Work was executed. Cost. District in ' Cost. which Work was execut ted. Cost. I Cost. Auckland Hawke's Bay Taranaki .. Wellington Nelson Marlborough £ s. d. 2,934 12 8 850 3 0 3,021 16 5 Westland .. 6,811 9 5 Canterbury 1,881 15 5 Otago 286 19 2 Southland Brought forward £ 8. d. 15,786 16 1 635 16 5 2,380 11 1 467 2 10 347 12 2 Carried forward 15,786 16 1 ' Total .. 19,617 18 7

District. Number. Singly. In Duplicate. In Triplicate, jln Quadruplicate Total Copies. Cost. Luckland lawke's Bay Faranaki Vellington .. kelson ilarlborough Vestland lanterbury .. )tago Southland .. * 199 172 380 348 3,075 6 16 70 340 8 1 60 76 494 2 29 438 77 1,682 60 72 78 648 1 9 21 40 242 20 19 13 69 373 4 70 24 24 312 78 271 .. 969 2 47 17 43 319 199 *8 2 "l 20 4 "2 * 172 6 1 29 60 9 19 70 78 47 3,075 340 494 1,682 648 242 373 312 969 319 £ s. d. 109 18 0 21 5 0 10 15 5 168 4 0 48 12 0 15 15 6 75 1 0 23 8 0 48 9 0 40 0 0 109 li 21 I 10 li 168 '. 48 1! 15 li 75 ] 23 i 48 < 40 ( Totals 491 1,312 825 8,454 561 7 11

District. " Thirds," Deferred-payment, Perpetual-lease ,. Fourths .. 8mall \ ., Halves," G--- g -runs. Timber and Flax. and Lease-in-perpetuity Lands. Total Payments. lUckland lawke's Bay 'arauaki Vellington lelsoli .. larlborough Vestland ianterbury )tago louthland Totali £ a. d. 6,921 16 5 3,101 0 1 2,270 17 11 9,253 13 9 618 1 1 578 10 8 804 6 3 499 11 10 1,657 14 6 1,570 19 7 i .. 27,276 12 1 £ s. d. 88 6 11 337 18 7 22 8 5 43 4 7 14 19 8 234 14 2 615 10 5 •1,879 13 7 197 0 5 £ s. d. 8,699 5 4 201 9 9 606 10 1 446 16 1 4,436 5 9 63 17 2 26 0 4 954 2 3 £ 8. d. 15,709 8 8 3,640 8 5 2,293 6 4 9,296 18 4 1.239 10 10 1,260 0 11 5.240 12 0 1,178 19 5 3,563 8 f> 2,722 2 3 3,433 1C 9 15,434 6 9 46,144 15 7

C^l

C- 1

C.-l

C.-l

C— 1

c—4