DEPARTMENT OF LANDS (ANNUAL REPORT ON).

Appendix to the Journals of the House of Representatives, 1909 Session II, C-01

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1909. NEW ZEALAND.

DEPARTMENT OF LANDS (ANNUAL REPORT ON).

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

GOITTBMTS.

General Repoet — p age Introductory .. .. .. .. 1 Amendment of Regulations .. .. .. 1 Lands opened for Selection during the Year .. 1 Lands being prepared for Settlement .. .. 2 Land selected under all Tenures during the Year 2 Improved-farm Settlements .. .. .. 3 Village Settlements .. .. .. .. 3 Inspection by Crown Lands Rangers .. .. 4 Forest Fires of Last Year .. .. .. 4 Revenue .. .. .. .. .. 4 Rebates of Rent .. .. ... .. 5 Payment of " Thirds " and " Fourths " .. 5 Timber and Flax Royalties 5 Medical Assistance in Sparsely-settled Distriots 5 Land-for-settlements Estates.. .. .. 5 Crown Purchases from Maori Owners .. .. 8 Land for Landless Natives in the South Island.. 9 Forests generally and State Forests .. .. 9 Botanical and Descriptive Paper on Stewart Island 9 Botanical Report on Waimarino Forest and District .. .. ... .. .. 9 Sand-dunes .. .. .. .. 9 Kapiti Island .. .. .. .. 9 Scenery-preservation .. .. .. 10 Drainage of Hauraki Plains .. .. .. 10 Recreation Reserves.. .. .. .. 10 Cemeteries .. .. .. .. .. 10 Survey of Crown and Native Lands .. .. 10 Departmental and General .. .. .. 10 Expenditure of Department .. .. .. 11 Appendix I— Settlement of Crown Lands— Auckland.. .. .. .. .. 12 Hawke's Bay .. .. .. .. 14 Taranaki.. .. .. .. .. 16 Wellington .. .. .. .. 17 Nelson .. .. .. .. .. 19 Marlborough .. .. .. .. 23 Westland.. .. .. .. .. 24 Canterbury .. .. .. .. 26 Otago .. .. .. .. .. 29 Southland .. .. .. .. 32 Report on Protective Works to prevent Encroachment of Rivers, and upon other Works, Westland Land District .. .. 25 Cheviot Estate .. .. .. .. 28 Appendix ll— Land for Settlements — Auckland.. .. .. .. .. 33 Hawke's Bay .. .. ~ ~ 34 »

Appendix ll—continued. P age Lands for Settlements— continued. Taranaki .. .. .. .. .. 35 Wellington .. .. .. .. 35 Nelson .. .. .. .. ~ 35 Marlborough .. .. .. .. 36 Westland .. .. .. .. 36 Canterbury .. .. .. .. 37 Otago .. .. .. .. .. 38 Southland .. .. .. .. 39 Appendix 111— Timber Industry, Auckland 40 Appendix IV— The Mountains of the Tongariro National Park 41 , r v Appendix v— ,-,,,., , ,„„„ Eruption of Ngauruhoe, 11th March, 1909 .. 45 Tables — Table 1. —Lands of the Dominion, Position of (approximately) .. .. .. 4V „ 2.—Lands opened for Sale or Selection during the Year.. .. .. 48 „ 3.—Lands taken up during the Year, and Summary of Settlement Lands 49-51 „ 4.—Holdings taken up during the Year, Analysis of .. .. .. 52 „ s.—Lands sold for Cash during the Year 53 6.—Deferred-payment Lands .. .. 54 „ 7.—Perpetual-lease Lands .. .. 55 „ B.—Occupation - with-right-of - purchase Lands .. .. .. .. 56 j „ 9.—Lease-in-perpetuity Lands.. .. 57 „ 10.—Renewable-lease Lands .. .. 59 j „ 11.—Agricultural-lease Lands .. .. 60 „ 12.—Mining Districts Land Occupation Leases .. .. .. .. 60 „ 13.—Village Settlements .. .. 61 „ 14.—Village Settlements, Summary of Position of .. .. .. 64 „ 15.—Special-settlement Associations .. 65 „ 16.—Homestead Lands .. .. 66 „ 17.—Small Grazing-runs .. .. 66 „ 18.—Pastoral Licenses ... .. .. 68 „ 19.—Miscellaneous Leases and Licenses .. 70 20.—Gross Revenue received during the Year .. .. .. .. 71 „ 21.—Lands reserved and alienated .. 73 „ 22.—Forfeitures and Surrenders during the Year ~ .. .. 74

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Tables — continued. Page Table 23.—Thermal - springs District, Lands taken up within.. .. .. 74 24.—Payments of Capital Value under Section 191 of the Land Act .. 75 25.—Bush felled. Area of .. .. 75 26. —Selectors on Books of Department, Number of .. .. • • 76 27.—Crown Tenants, Number of, Area held, and Arrears of Rent .. 77 28. —Endowments: Lands taken up during the Year .. .. • ■ 78 29.—Endowments : Revenue received during the Year .. • ■ • • 79 30.—Arrears of Rent due to the Crown .. 79 „ 31.—Improved-farm Settlements .. 80 32.—Land for Settlements Acts, Land acquired and leased under .. 81 33.—Selectors and Lands selected under Settlement Conditions: Comparative Statement for past Ten Years 82 34.—Transactions in Bush, Swamp, and Scrub Lands under Section 127 of the Land Act .. .. • • 83 35.—Rebates of Rent granted during the Year .. .. .. ..84 36.—Crown Lands proclaimed under Local Bodies' Loans Acts, the Amount borrowed, and the Amount repaid to Public Account .. .. 84 37.—Blocks of Land proclaimed under the Government Loans to Local Bodies Acts, and Report of SurveyorGeneral thereon.. .. .. 85

Tables— continued. Page Table 38.—Work done for other Departments and for Local Bodies .. .. 92 39.—Crown Grants, Certificates of Title, &c, prepared during the Year .. 92 40. —Payments to Local Bodies from " Thirds " and " Fourths " and "Halves" during the Year .. 92 " Process " Illustrations — Crater Lake, Ruapehu .. .. Pacing page 42 Ngauruhoe from Mountain Hut .. „ 42 Wangaehu Glacier .. .. .. „ 43 Crater of Ngauruhoe .. .. » 43 Southern Crater of Tongariro .. „ 44 Ruapehu from Rangataua side , „ 44 Ngauruhoe in Eruption .. .. „ 45 Maps— Showing Tongariro National Park and its Surroundings .. .. • • Facing page 46 Showing Tongariro and adjoining Area with the Craters and tne latest Lava Flows .. -• ■• •• - 46 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 ..

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ANNUAL EEPOET.

The Under-Secretary for Lands to the Right Hon. the Minister of Lands. Sir, — Department of Lands, Wellington, 25th May, 1909. I have the honour to submit herewith the thirty-second annual report of the Department of Lands, which also shortly touches upon its subsidiary branches, the full reports on which will be laid before Parliament as usual. I have, &c, Wm. C. Kensington, Under-Secretary for Lands. The Eight Hon. Sir Joseph George Ward, P. 0., K.C.M.G., Minister of Lands.

As a commencement to the annual report of 1908-9, it is not out of place to state that the Lands Department of the Dominion has entered upon the fifty-first year of its existence, and therefore is one of the oldest of the Government Departments. The first Minister or Secretary for Lands held office from 1858 to 1861. It is also interesting to trace the successive legislation dealing generally with the Crown lands of New Zealand, quite apart from the Provincial Administrations, which came to an end in 1876. In 1841 the Legislative Council passed " The Land Claims Ordinance, 1841" ; but the first statute dealing with Crown lands was " The Crown Lands Ordinance, 1849," passed in the tenth session of the Legislative Council. The Legislative Council terminated, and its place was taken by the General Assembly, which ill its first session, in 1854, passed the Waste Lands Act. This was followed in 1858 by " The Waste Lands Act, 1858." Then came " The Crown Lands Act, 1862," whilst in 1877 the first general Colonial Act was passed, applying to the lands in every district throughout New Zealand. Following upon it came " The Land Act, 1885," which divided New Zealand into land districts, each with its own Commissioner and a Land Board. It was followed by " The Land Act, 1892," and its amendments, which were all merged and consolidated in " The Land Act, 1908," under which the lands are now being administered. Amendment of Regulations. The Consolidated Statutes of 1908 necessitated the rearrangement and reissue of all the regulations dealing with Crown lands, and many additional regulations were found necessary and have been brought into operation. A complete revision of the Crown Forest and State Forest Regulations has also been given effect to. Land opened for Selection during Year ended 31st March, 1909. A glance at the schedule appearing below will show that the output of Crown lands for the past year has been largely in excess of its predecessor, and comprises a grand total of 2,654,086 acres. The schedule gives the details of how the area is made up under the several systems. Of the 393,846 acres of ordinary Crown lands, opened under the renewable-lease tenure, 306,113 acres were national endowment lands, whilst about 83,000 acres were opened under renewable lease because they were within proclaimed mining districts, and the respective Wardens would not agree to their being opened under the optional system. Then, again, 2,185 acres were opened under renewable lease because they were found to be coal-bearing lands.

Table A. — Land opened during Year 1908-9.

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Optional System. Lease by Auction and Application. Renew; Lble Lease. District. Cash by Auction. Village Allotments. Pastoral Runs. Small Grazing-runs. Totals. Crown Land. Land for Settlements. Auckland .. lawke's Bay taranaki .. Vellington.. ■Telson larlborough Vestland .. Canterbury )tago iouthland .. Acres. 57,124 21,375 11,363 15,223 1,005 Acres. 119 4 67 150 Acres. 969 18 46 72 526 20 748 21 4,820 Acres. 167 53 1,088 244 Acres. 141,794 11,296 Acres. 10,350 26,870 5,622 Acres. 32,605 1,072 14,747 937 281,826 588 . 56,688 Acres. 33,788 2,294 461 5,274 20,115 Acres. 276,916 62,982 26,684 28,366 302,946 1,358 844,335 286,237 699,844 124,418 827 7,245 12,866 32,561 147 93 92 786,800 249,801 662,816 81,498 1,227 1,652 3,731 28,296 21,169 1,716 Totals.. 159,589 672 7,240 1,552 1,934,005 44,069 393,846 113,113 2,654,086

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Lands being prepared for Settlement. On the 31st March, 1909, the Lands Department had under survey and being prepared for opening for settlement no less an area than 1,046,682 acres, made up as follows : — , Acres. Ordinary Crown lands (optional system) .. .. .. .. 372,941 National endowment (renewable lease) .. . . .. .. 347,672 Native lands for Maori Land Boards, Native land settlement . . .. 326,069 Total .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 1,046,682 The areas given as above were distributed in the following proportions : —

Lands selected under .All Tenures, 1908-9. The number of selectors who took up land during the past year exceeds the total number of last year's selectors by 378, the figures for this year being 2,603, and the area selected under all conditions 916,521 acres. Including town, suburban, and rural lands offered by auction or opened under the optional system, the selectors who have paid cash number 350, and the total area selected by these amounts to 42,129 acres. Of this area 7,672 acres are held under conditional-purchase tenure, as set forth in section 166 of " The Land Act, 1908," the condition being that the improvements so set down must be completed within seven years. If the selector fails to do this, then, under section 168 of " The Land Act, 1908," the area may be forfeited and reverts to the Crown. In the area of 42,129 acres is also included an area of 31,880 acres of Crown lands which was transferred to the Otekaike Estate and was dealt with as part of that estate under Land for Settlement conditions. Occupation-with-right-of-purchase selectors numbered 382, selecting 123,116 acres, whilst renewablelease selectors of national endowment lands numbered 440, occupying 124,238 acres. As the subjoined Table B gives the full particulars of all transactions, it is only necessary to refer to the Land for Settlements selectors, who numbered 288, selecting 95,698 acres. The twenty-one cash sales refer solely to areas sold under the powers conferred by section 70 of " The Land for Settlements Act, 1908," as sites for dairy factories, religious institutions, and other purposes.

Table B.-Return showing Selections during the Year, together with the Net Area held at 31st March, 1909.

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Land District. Ordinary Crown Lands. National Endowment. Maori Lands, chiefly for Settlement. Auckland Hawke's Bay Taranaki Wellington Nelson Marlborough Westland Canterbury Otago Southland Acres. 53,410 26,800 63,070 50,561 28,300 450 1,000 Nil 138,000 11,350' Acres. 31,878 7,750 17,930 Nil 31,405 47,122 23,091 Nil 188,496 Nil Acres. 170,547 41,390 58,930 26,702 Nil >> )) 28,500 Totals .. I 372,941 347,672 326,069

Selections during the Year. Net Area held at 31st March, 1909. Tenure. Number. Area. Number of Selectors. Area. Ordinary Grown Lands, — Cash lands Deferred payment Perpetual lease Occupation with right of purchase Lease in perpetuity Renewable lease, town and rural (N.I.M.T. Railway) Agricultural lease Homestead Mining districts land occupation leases Village settlement, cash .. ,, deferred payment .. .. ,, perpetual lease ,, occupation with right of purchase ,, lease in perpetuity ■ ,, renewable lease (N.I.M.T. Railway) . . 350 382* 193f 81 A. R. P. 42,129 1 22 123,116 1 30 106,184 1 15 940 2 26 46 494 4,897 5,174 81 16 A. R. p. 16,961 3 19 86,908 3 16 1,656,308 3 24 1,528,657 1 5 940 2 26 521 1 29 36 11 1,490 0 2 16 2 18 580 24,633 0 13 9 102 31 1,095 111 164 3 3 • 1,459 2 16 62 2 14 22,919 0 14 691 2 13 109 689 1 29 * This number includes 45 selectors of 23,386 acres 1 rood 29 perchi tad not been returned owing to want of surveys. f This number includes 189 selectors of 105,899 acres 3 roods 15 percl tad not been returned owing to want of surveys. ;s who sele scted unsurveyed lam ds in previ ms years, but which tes who sell ected unsurveyed Ian ids in prev 3us years, but which

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Table B.—Return showing Selections during the Year, &c. —continued.

Improved-farm Settlements opened under the Lands Improvement and Native Lands Acquisition Act. The total area now held is 73,126 acres, for which there are 595 selectors, who have received advances to the total amount of £64,299 7s. 6d., but whose improvements are valued at £186,897 4s. sd. Those situated in the Auckland District have not made much advance. In the Ohura country, Taranaki, the Commissioner of Crown Lands says in his report, " The improved-farm settlements established in this portion of the district have made excellent progress, and will undoubtedly prove a great success." In the Wellington Land District this class of settlement has made excellent progress, but, as the Commissioner of Crown Lands, Wellington, remarks in his report, " The most of the smaller farming tenures, including improved-farm settlements, &c, are gradually coming under the general provisions of the Land Act, and following dairying wherever possible." In last year's report a hope was expressed of opening additional areas under this system for workers who had been engaged upon the North Island Main Trunk line. Owing, however, to the very valuable nature of the milling-timber upon most of the areas suitable for settlement, it was decided to open smaller areas under the village-homestead conditions of " The Land Act, 1908." This is more particularly referred to in the next paragraph. Village Settlements. Under the provisions of " The Land Act, 1908," areas adjoining the North Island Main Trunk line were opened during the year, the applications being confined to workers on the railway, and with the preference to married men. It was considered that areas from 1 acre to 10, 20, or 30 acres would stand a better chance of being thoroughly cultivated than larger areas. One hundred and nine men availed themselves of this class of settlement, selecting 690 acres. There are at present 2,170 persons holding 42,401 acres under village settlement conditions, but these figures do not include those selectors who selected land under that system but who were permitted to exchange into other tenures.

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Tenure. ; Sclectic ms during the Year. Net Area held at 31st March, 1909. i Number of , Selectors. Arc!u Number. Area. Ordinary Crown Lands —continued. Village-homestead special settlement Special-settlement associations Improved-farm special settlements Small grazing-runs Pastoral runs .. .. ... Pastoral licenses in mining districts under special regulations Miscellaneous leases 2 43 52 443 A. R. P. 3,555 0 0 151,980 3 37 9,118 1 15 91,488 3 22 612 662 595 250 451 200 3,184 A. R. P. 13,601 1 10 115,731 2 22 73,126 2 6 459,696 1 20 6,772,210 3 37 37,332 2 11 607,230 1 14 Totals 1,702 530,710 0 16 18,590 11,419,159 1 32 Cheviot Estate, — Lease in perpetuity Village homestead Grazing-farms .. .. .. . . Pastoral runs Miscellaneous leases 118 92 49 1 52 24,387 2 2 2,480 1 0 45,782 0 7 1,642 0 0 1,293 0 24 3 12 3 20 Totals 3 12 3 20 312 75,584 3 33 Land for Settlements, — Cash lands Lease in perpetuity Renewable lease Village lease in perpetuity ... .. .. ,, renewable lease .. .. Special-settlement associations .. .. Small grazing-runs Pastoral runs .. Miscellaneous leases 21 228 2 47 0 10 93,294 0 20 9 2 16 3,663 373 46 2 11 112 2 204 676,370 2 18 155,972 3 7 438 1 28 9 2 16 2,114 1 9 211,004 0 33 953 2 38 6,777 0 2 37 2,347 2 33 Totals 288 95,698 1 39 4,413 1,053,640 2 31 National Endowment Lands, — Renewable lease .. .. ■ ■ • • • • ,, village settlement Small grazing-runs Pastoral runs .. • • • • ■ • Pastoral licenses in mining districts under special regulations Miscellaneous leases.. 383 57 8 30 31 101 123,770 2 4 468 0 20 25,434 0 0 69,957 2 16 5,624 2 38 64,844 3 24 412 70 423 221 124 333 128,260 1 1 574 1 33 1,129,732 2 13 4,265,916 0 34 22,156 1 39 163,001 1 28 * Totals 610 290,099 3 22 1,583 5,709,641 1 28 Thermal springs, Rotorua 306 6,057 0 2 Grand totals 2,603 916,521 1 17 25,204 18,264,083 2 6

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Inspection by Crown Lands Rangers. The answer to the question as to whether the improvement-conditions of all classes of settlement are being fulfilled lies in the reports of the Crown Lands Rangers. It is true that it is often stated that these reports give an exaggerated value to such improvements, and that they should be heavily discounted. lam glad to say that close inquiry does not substantiate this accusation, but, on the other hand, goes to show that our Crown Lands Rangers are singularly accurate in their estimates of such values. Throughout the Dominion the Crown Rangers number twenty-nine, and their work is faithfully done. The subjoined Table C gives the results of the inspections for the past year.

Table C. — Return of Number of Inspections made by the Rangers for the Year ended 31st March, 1909.

Note.—The above figures do not include miscellaneous inspections where improvement and other conditions were not involved. The Forest-fires of Last Year. In last year's report a table was given on page 7 showing the amount of grass-seed granted to 714 settlers, and its value. Below I give particulars of additional assistance rendered, which was not brought to account in the previous year's return. I have also shown the amount of advances repaid up to the 31st March, 1909. Value of additional grass-seed supplied to settlers .. .. .. 1,539 Value of seed sown on Crown lands .. .. .. .. .. 1,851 Amount repaid by settlers up to the 31st March, 1909 .. .. .. 3,179 Revenue. The total amount received as revenue from all sources amounts to £696,375, or £37,581 more than last year, and has exceeded the estimated revenue for this year by £32,713, a most gratifying result. The territorial revenue (which this year excludes all lands within the national endowment schedules, and also all lands selected during the year under renewable lease) amounted to £224,526, whilst non-terri-torial (inclusive of national endowment lands) realised £471,849. Table D, below, gives the details :

Table D. — Revenue received during the Year ended 31st March, 1909.

It will be noticed that the revenues received from the Auckland and Otago Districts are almost equal. lam glad to say that the estimated amount to be received from national endowment—viz., £73,547 —was more than realised, the actual receipts being £76,510.

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Value of It tprovements. Numbi sr of Def; tu Iters. District. Number of Properties visited. Area. Required. Actually made. is! J» IN 'I £ *r"3 a 8 .5 " fr 01 O "o g 2. oi Is >r I £ S c H Auckland Hawke's Bay Taranaki Wellington 'Nelsonjj*:.. Marlborough Westland Canterbury Otago Southland 1,416 488 284 1,297 492 504 440 1,699 981 378 A. E. P. 483,221 0 0 305,105 0 7 107,658 1 27 236,900 3 6 195,615 0 0 253,841 0 0 65,850 0 0 386,088 1 20 446,111 0 0 83,328 0 35 £ s. d. 121,867 0 0 136,948 13 5 29,395 0 0 77,537 1 8 23,688 0 0 91,310 0 0 23,618 15 0 281,918 2 2 123,680 0 5 42,073 13 3 £ s. d. 325,309 0 0 530,847 14 8 74,509 0 0 241,828 1 1 44,671 0 0 211,841 0 0 66,522 10 0 509,378 3 7 243,794 11 4 97,069 3 6 97 31 18 12 111 11 2 64 57 2 179 77 22 55 29 57 40 16 12 5 119 4 11 10 8 3 7 3 1 395 115 44 70 151 79 50 83 69 10 3 Totals 7,979 2,563,718 3 15 952,036 5 11 2,345,770 4 2 405 492 158 11 1,066

District. Territorial Revenue. Non-territorial Revenue. Total Revenue. Auckland Hawke's Bay Taranaki Wellington .. Nelson Marlborough Westland Canterbury .. Otago Southland .. £ 50,233 22,925 12,077 31,660 8,298 9,577 2,720 29,079 46,107 11,850 £ 74,243 55,028 13,877 55,940 25,123 24,914 12,488 112,066 77,979 20,191 £ 124,476 77,953 25,954 87,600 33,421 34,491 15,208 141,145 124,086 32,041 Totals 224,526 471,849 696,375

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Rebates of Rent. Under " The Crown Tenants' Rent Rebate Act, 1900," now embodied in " The Land Act, 1908," rebates amounting to £8,295 13s. 2d. have been granted to tenants. Under section 55 of " The Land for Settlements Act, 1908," rebates to the amount of £19,881 16s. 4d. have been granted to 3,631 tenants. The tenants'of the Cheviot Estate have also been similarly dealt with to the number of 191, the amount remitted being £705 6s. sd. The total rebates of all kinds amounted to £28,882 15s. lid. Payment of "Thirds" and "Fourths" to Local Bodies. ■ Local bodies have benefited to the amount of £35,340 16s. 6d., as provided for by section 145 et seq. of " The Land Act, 1908," and in districts where local government is not in operation a sum of £1,563 18s. Id. has been expended by the Roads Branch of the Public Works Department. It must be remembered that the various Land Boards, before passing the several amounts due from time to time to county authorities and Road Boards, have to be furnished with complete schedules showing in what manner it is proposed to expend the sums which have accrued, and the Land Boards have to be satisfied that the local body proposes to expend the moneys to the best advantage of the settlers. Timber and Flax Royalties. Local bodies have also benefited to the amount of £20,515 18s. 2d. by the share of royalties payable under section 319 of " The Land Act, 1908." Here it may not be out of place to remark that many local bodies in the North have been under the impression that they were to get halves from revenue accrued from timber-sales under " The State Forests Act, 1908." This is not so, as clearly laid down in section 319 of " The Land Act, 1908," which distinctly states that only halves from royalties paid into the Consolidated Fund go to local bodies. No revenue from State forests is paid into the Consolidated Fund, but it is all paid direct into the State Forests Account, and the revenue so paid into that fund is the sole source of income (up to now) from which is paid all the cost of reafforestation represented by the State nurseries and plantations. Medical Assistance to Settlers in Sparsely Settled Districts. Subsidies under the above heading have been paid to the settlers' medical centres in the several localities set-forth below, amounting in all to £1,086 ss. " .. ._ . A Q m ° K U ", tof Amount paid 1908-9. Name of Medical Society. Subsidy. 1 £ £ s. d. Clevedon .. ... . . .. 25 20 16 8 Kaitaia .. .. .. :. ..50 50 0 0 Kawakawa .. '.'... ... .. .. 50 50 0 0 Kawhia.. .. -.. .. .. ..50 50 0 0 Little River ..50 50 0 0 Ohura 100 100 0 0 Owaka 150 150 0 0 Preservation Inlet .. .. :. 50 50 0 0 Raetihi .. ' 100 100 0 0 Raglan.. .. .. .. V. ..50 50 0 0 Morrinsville 30 30 0 0 Taumarunui .. .. .. V. ..50 50 0 0 Tinui .. .. .. .. • • 50 50 0 0 Tolaga Bay .. .. .. .. 75 93 15 0 Waiau ..25 25 0 0 Wanaka .. [ '. ..100 100 0 0 Weber .. ..50 16 13 4 Whangaroa .. .. .. .. ..50 50 0 0 1,105 1,086 5 0 It is, however, a question whether subsidies of this nature, originally given by the Lands Department to assist settlement in the backblocks, should not now be dealt with and provided for by the Health Department rather than by the Lands Department, which naturally cannot control or supervise in any complete way the services rendered. - Land for Settlements Estates. The table E, appended below, shows the position and prospects of each settlement. The past year has been a very favourable one, and capital progress has been made by the settlers. Six additional estates have been acquired and opened for selection —viz., three, in the North Island and three in the South Island. The last two estates balloted for just at the close of the financial year were Kauroo Hill in Otago and Carrington in the Wellington Land District.

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Table E. — Summary of the Settlements established upon Estates acquired and dealt with, under the Provisions of the Land for Settlements Act, up to the 31st March, 1909.

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. — aumma: the Prov ry_ of isions the be if the ttlements established upon Estates at Land for Settlements Act, up to th> •quired and, dealt wit, >, 31st March, 1909. ,, urn Land District and Name of Settlement. Selectors. Residences. Principal Purpose for which Holdings are utilised. Progress during Year. Present Position. Prospects. Auckland — Opouriao Okauia .. Rangiatea Karapiro Fencourt Whitehall Biokerstaffe Matamata Selwyn Mangapouri Mangawhero Waimana Teasdale Tautari* Rewi* Cradock Hetana Kitchener Methuen Plumer Waari 93 8 20 18 37 11 33 186 87 10 18 25 39 15 1 13 32 12 28 16 8 77 6 18 12 36 9 29 154 51 9 18 18 13 Dairying Grazing Dairying Grazing Dairying Grazing Dairying Not inspected Considerable Fair Substantial Fair Considerable Little Substantial Excellent Satisfactory Excellent Fair Satisfactory Bright. Hopeful. Good. Bright. Good. Hopeful. Bright. Doubtful. Good. Bright. Hopeful. Residences Fair Fair 13 27 10 24 15 6 Residences Fair Fair Hopeful. Encouraging Satisfactory Bright. Fair Fair Hopeful. 710 545 Hawke's Bay— Raureka 19 18 Agricultural, dairying, and fruit-culture Pastoral Agricultural Very satisfactory Ditto Prosperous Good. Elsthorpe Waimarie Pouparae Tomoana 48 18 9 13 27 36 26 12 Mahora Willows Hatuma Manga-a-toro Kumeroa Forest Gate Argyll Wigan Lindsay .. I Mangatahi ' Te Mata Pourerere Raumati 34 22 76 26 15 29 62 17 68 23 8 5 30 32 41 59 25 14 25 60 32 61 21 7 4 17 Agricultural, dairying, and fruit-culture Ditto .. Agricultural Agricultural and pastoral Pastoral Pastoral and dairying Agricultural and pastoral Very fair .. Very good .. Satisfactory Very fair .. Pastoral Agricultural and pastoral Pastoral Fruit-culture Pastoral Dairying Very good .. Fair Very satisfactory Ditto Kanakanaia Te Arai Waipuka* 7 54 11 56 Pastoral Agricultural and pastoral 583 584 Taranaki — Tokaora Spotswood 13 9 12 11 Dairying Grazing Good Unsatisfactory Satisfactory Satisfactory Unsatisfactory .. Fair. Not good. Clandon Huinga 6 9 5 10 Dairying Dairying and sheep I Satisfactory Fair. 37 38 Wellington— Paparangi Ohakea Te Matua Aorangi 36 17 13 37 36 15 12 40 Residential sites, dairying Dairying Good Very good .. Good .. Prosperous Good. Very good. Langdale Mangawhata Epuni 30 7 42 24 7 42 Dairying and residential sites Grazing and oropping Dairying Residential sites, market gardening, &c. Ditto .. Dairying Grazing Good Fair Very prosperous Prosperous Very satisfactory Satisfactory Excellent. Good". Fair. Maungaraki Linton Longbush Tablelands Normandale 21 5 7 9 29 18 5 6 9 28 Good Very prosperous Good. Excellent. Residential sites, poultryfarming, &o. Grazing and cropping Grazing Fair Satisfactory Fair. Tawaha Hikawera Mahupuku Dyer Hawtrey* Carringtori* 24 3 8 36 4 23 21 3 8 35 Good Good .. Prosperous Good. Very good. Grazing and oropping Very good .. Very prosperous Excellent. •• 351 309 * N, sw settlements, recently selected, not reported on.

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Table E. — Summary of the Settlements established upon Estates acquired and dealt with, under the Provisions of the Land for Settlements Act, up to the 31st March, 1909— continued.

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Land District and Selec- Resi- Principal Purpose for which Progress present Position Name of Settlement. tors. donees. Holdings are utilised. during Year. Prospects. Nelson— Wangapeka 14 1.0 Agricultural and pastoral.. Excellent .. Very good Very encouraging. Ditto. Braeburn 12 7 Very good .. Good .. Marlborough— Blind River 26 17 17 13 Sheep-farming and graingrowing Ditto .. Grazing Sheep-farming and graingrowing Ditto '.. Grazing Good Satisfactory Good. Omaka Puhipubi Starborough 13 193 11 104 Pair Good Very satisfactory Excellent. Richmond Brook Waipapa North Bank Bainford Flaxbourne 11 4 7 11 117 10 4 6 11 87 Dairying Sheep-farming and graingrowing Satisfactory Good .. Pair Satisfactory Decidedly good. Good. Pair. Decidedly good. Much enhanced by prospective opening of the railway. Very good .. 375 246 Westland— Poerua 19 15 Grazing, dairying, and fattening stock for local markets Ditto .. Good Prosperous Good. Kokatahi Miscellaneous licenses 8 2 7 29 22 Canterbury— Pareora (No. 1) .. Studholme Junct. Kapua Rosebrook Otaio Peaks Roirnata 28 4 12 14 9 12 27 24 2 12 13 8 1 25 Small farming and dairying Steady Satisfactory Good. Patoa Braco Epworth Ashley Gorge Kereta Orakipaoa Highbank Rakitairi Waiapi .. ... Otarakaro 4' 14 2 10 4 27 78 22 15 7 2 14 1 12 3 20 58 17 14 7 Mixed farming Residential and marketgardening Grazing Residential and marketgardening Small farm Partly pastoral and partly dairying Dairying Small farming Mixed farming Mixed farming and dairying Ditto .. Residential and marketgardening Workmen's homes Mixed farming Good Excellent Very good Good .. Very good. Wharenui Albury Marawiti Horsley Down Hekeao Pawaho Waikakahi 26 75 13 26 15 25 184 26 58 12 23 18 25 159 Satisfactory Excellent Very good Excellent Very good Tamai Takitu .. Pareora (No. 2) .. Rautawiri Papaka Punaroa Lyndon (No. 1) .. Kohika Tarawahi Rainolifi Puhuka Kaimahi Kapuatohe Rapuwai Lyndon (No. 2) .. Maytown Eccleston Mead Chamberlain 40 5 32 6 9 17 8 15 24 1 10 12 12 5 9 21 20 40 5 32 6 9 17 8 15 24 1 10 11 11 5 9 11 4 19 22 Workmen's homes Partly pastoral and 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 Very good .. Good Very good .. Satisfactory Excellent Good .. Very good Excellent Good .. Very good Excellent Good .. Good. Very good. Good". Very good. Good". Steady Good Fairly good Very good Fairly good Satisfactory Good .. Very good. Improving. Good" Steady Good Good". Small farming and dairying Mixed farming Partly pastoral and partly mixed farming Ditto .. Mixed farming .. Good Fairly good Very good Very good. Annan Rosewill 43 154 39 145 Very good .. Excellent

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Table E. — Summary of the Settlements established upon Estates acquired and dealt with, under the Provisions of the Land for Settlements Act, up to the 31st March, 1909— continued.

Reports on Matters which are controlled and supervised by the Lands Department. Crown Purchases from Maori Owners. In last year's annual report 263,002 acres were reported as being purchased. Additional areas amounting to 6,936 acres have since been acquired at a cost of £5,974. It is proposed to continue purchasing suitable lands direct from the Maori Land Boards whenever the Maori owners are wishful

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Land District and Selee- Resi- Principal Purpose for which Progress j p, esen * Position Name of Settlement. tors. deuces. Holdings are utilised. during Year. Prospects. Canterbury — eontd, Morice Kinlooh Mills Culverden Homestead-sites, &o. Miscellaneous oooupation licenses 29 30 21 43 9 43 27 26 21 31 5 Dairying and grass-seeding Grazing Dairying and small farming Pastoral and mixed farming Good Fairly good Good Fairly good. Improving. Good. 1,286 1,102 Good Good .. Otago— Airedale Ardgowan Barnego Duncan Earnscleugh Elderslie 12 66 24 7 13 34 11 50 18 4 8 24 Dairying and general farming Ditto .. .. Grain-growing and sheepgrazing Grain-growing and dairying Fruit-growing General farming, raising fat lambs, and woolgrowing General farming, dairying, and wool-growing Dairying and residential .. Indifferent.. Verv fair .. Good Sound.. Not satisfactory Satisfactory Very good Good. Very fair. Doubtful. Good. Very good. Greenfield 41 40 Good .. Janefiela .: Kauroo Hill* Kurow 21 39 14 19 2 13 Fair Satisfactory Very fair. Maerewhenua 75 56 Dairying and general farming General farming, dairying, wool-growing, and raising fat lambs Fairly good Good Good .. Good. Very good. Makareao Makareao Ext'sion Meadowbank 1 35 Ditto .. Fair Good. . 22 Momona Otekaike Plunkot.. Pomahaka .. Puketapu St. Helen's Steward Tahawai Taumata 8 14 66 18 27 11 3 47 8 9 7 14 54 17 14 9 3 43 8 8 General farming, grazing, &o. Dairying Wool-growing, grain, and general farming Dairying, wool - growing, and general Grain-growing, grazing, &c. Dairying and general farming General farming General farming, sheepraising, &c. Dairying Grain-growing and general farming Dairying and general farming General farming, dairying, and raising fat lambs Dairying and general farming Grain - growing, dairying, and general farming Ditto .. Substantial Good Fair Good Fair Good Fair Good Very sound Good .. Fair Good .. Fair Good .. Fair. Good. Fair. Good. Teaneraki 23 15 Fair Fair Fair. Tokarabi 79 47 Good Good .. Very good. Totara 27 25 Fair Fair Fair. Windsor Park No. 1 37 24 Good .. Good. Windsor Park No. 2 10 8 Southland — Merrivale Otahu Beaumont Ringway Glenham 768 563 Grazing and dairying Farming and grazing Very good .. Good ..j Fair Very good Satisfactory 48 6 12 8 35 38 5 7 8 32 Good. Grazing Farming, dairying, and grazing Ditto .. .. • .. Good .' '. Good".. Encouraging. Fair. Very encouraging Excellent. Edendale 142 122 Very good .. Very good Grand total 251 212 4,416 3,638 I__ * Just open. od. Will be used for general fi Li-ming and wool I-growing.

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to sell. The Maori Land Boards have this power, and there will be no additional cost to be provided in salaries for Land-purchase Agents. Land for Landless Natives in the South Island. Under the provisions of " The South Island Landless Natives Act, 1906," an area of 128,617 acres has been reserved and gazetted during the year for the purpose of granting the same to landless Natives in the South Island. The area is distributed as follows :— Westland Land District . . .. .. . . 4 475 Otago Land District . . . . . . . 7176 Southland Land District .. .. .. .. ..116 966 Total •• ■■ •• •- .. .. 128,617 These areas have been subdivided into suitable allotments, varying generally from twenty to fifty acres, and thirteen warrants for the issue of certificates of title to 295 Natives have been executed during the year by His Excellency the Governor. Regulations as to the leasing of the lands and for the disposal of timber were gazetted on the 4th March, 1909. Forests generally and State Forests. In addition to the usual report dealing with reafforestation and the progress of State forest plantations, an exhaustive report dealing with forestry in New Zealand is also being prepared, and will be laid before Parliament as a separate paper. Its object is to show exactly how much forest now exists in this country, how much of it is available for milling and commercial purposes, and how much it is necessary to retain in a state of nature for climatic, scenery, and soilprotection purposes. The report will also indicate the various uses to which the classes of timber in New Zealand are at present, and may in the future, be put; the countries and localities from which timbers outside the Dominion may be procured; and, finally, what is being done by the Government to reforest the denuded areas in New Zealand and provide future supplies. Roughly speaking, the report will be divided and dealt with under five heads, with a general summary and conclusions. It may be interesting to note that in 1907 the estimated amount of milling-timber in New Zealand was set down as thirty-six thousand million superficial feet (36,000,000,000), but now, at the close of March, 1909, it is estimated at thirty-four thousand million superficial feet (34,000,000,000). This is, however! without taking into account the milling-timber within the area of 2,485,900 acres in the Sounds National Park. Botanical and Descriptive Paper on Stewart Island. A very comprehensive paper upon the plant-life of Stewart Island and other matters by Dr. Cockayne appears as a separate paper. Dr. Cockayne was officially engaged to furnish this report, and it has been given with his usual thoroughness and carefulness of detail. Botanical Report on Waimarino Forest and District. A botanical report upon the Waimarino Forest and district by Mr. E. Phillips Turner appears as a separate paper. It has been dealt with in a most painstaking manner, and it also contains a list of all the indigenous plants in the forest and their botanical names. As this report has been written without interfering with Mr. Turner's inspection and survey of scenic reserves, he deserves all the more credit for its production. Report on Sand-dunes by Dr. Cockayne. During the summer Dr. Cockayne was engaged officially in making an examination of the sanddune area on the Wellington coast from Foxton towards Patea, with a view to suggestions as to the best method of dealing with sand-encroachment. It was only intended as a preliminary report, with a view to more complete investigations at a future date. His report will be printed as a separate paper. Kapiti Island. The Crown portion of Kapiti Island, in the Wellington District, is now under the charge of Mr. Henry, -formerly of Resolution Island. In order to secure more regular communication with the mainland, an oil-launch was built for Mr. Henry's use, and is now in working-order. If the island is to be kept strictly as a sanctuary for Native fauna, further action in the shape of acquiring the remaining Maori interests will be necessary, though no trouble has arisen as yet, the Maoris themselves, being most anxious to further the Government's views,

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Scenery-preservation. The Board has held several meetings during the year, and made recommendations to the Governor as to acquiring ornamental forest-areas in several localities. The area proclaimed as reserved during the past year amounted to 5,045 acres, the expenditure for the same period being £5,765 ss. 2d. The Inspector, Mr. E. Phillips Turner, has personally supervised the surveys of the areas acquired along the North Island Main Trunk Railway-line, and negotiated with the owners or lessees. Two survey parties have now been at work cutting out the areas on the ground, and capital progress has been made with this important national work. Drainage of the Hauraki or Piako Plains. Excellent progress has been made with the drainage-works carried on under the direction of Mr. William C. Breakell, C.E. Briefly to summarise the operations up to the 31st March, 127 miles of drains have been constructed, and the work of forming roads and tracks of access is being proceeded with. From the Piako River mouth to its junction with the Waitoa all snags have been removed ; for the next three miles the stream has been cleared of logs to a width of 25 ft., and all willows removed along the whole distance. From the Waitoa River all logs have been removed for three miles. The main canal, fifteen miles long, has been opened along its entire length by a drain 9 ft. wide at surface, 6 ft. wide at base, and 3 ft. deep. Of the two Priestman dredges of special make, imported direct from the makers, one is now at work at the north, or Waitakaruru end, and the other will shortly be at work at the south end. Eight flood-gates have been erected, and twenty more are to follow. Two wharves have been constructed, and two more are under construction. One office, one cottage, and nine workers' dwellings have been erected at Waitakaruru, and a cookhouse is now in hand. About 145 men are now employed on the works ; the average for March was about a hundred. The amount expended during the past year was £25,683, and the amount expended since 1906 to date is £30,792. In order to prepare the land for opening for settlement, two survey parties have commenced work, and these will be further increased. It is hoped to have 20,000 acres offered for selection in nine months, and another 10,000 acres within six months after. If the demand for flax again becomes general the Crown will be able to furnish a supply from a large and extending area at the lowest royalty rates ; and, the waterways for the carriage of the green flax being so extensive, the cost will be much minimised. Recreation Reserves brought under Part II of " The Public Reserves and Domains Act, 1908." These, numbering some 457, are supervised by the Lands Department, though locally managed by Domain Boards consisting of selected trustees or local bodies. A general report will be laid before Parliament as usual. In the case of newly dedicated areas, small grants are made from parliamentary appropriations towards the clearing and fencing. The total amount given during the past year amounted to £922. Cemeteries. Fourteen new cemetery-sites have been gazetted during the past year, and small subsidies towards clearing, &c, have been granted, totalling in all £214 Is. 2d. Survey of Crown and Native Lands. The financial aspect of these surveys may be briefly noticed, as dealt with by the Under-Secretary; and, looking at the keen demand by the public for the opening-up of Crown land and purchased estates for settlement, and the recent determination of the Government that all surveys for the Maori Land Boards, who are opening Maori lands for lease or sale (as the result of. the labours of Sir Robert Stout's Commission) should be conducted by the Lands and Survey Department, I cannot see that any diminution of the amount asked for to be appropriated by Parliament can be made. Rather it would seem that a vigorous prosecution of Native surveys will demand that £15,000 to £20,000 should be appropriated in addition out of the sums granted to the Native Department. Departmental and General. Owing to the coming into force of the provisions of the Public Service Superannuation Act, considerable changes in the personnel of the staff have taken place, and, in addition to those mentioned on page 15 of last year's report, the following old and valued officers have either retired or are about to retire : viz., Thomas Humphries, Surveyor-General; David Barron and Henry Trent, Commissioners of Crown Lands and Chief Surveyors at Dunedin and Napier respectively ; W. D. B. Murray and S. Thomson, Chief Draughtsmen at the Head Office and Dunedin respectively ; Messrs. Montgomerie and Snodgrass, District Surveyors ; Messrs. W. E. Sessions and G. Fannin, Chief Clerks at Dunedin and

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Invercargill respectively ; Messrs. A. Morrow, W. C. Spencer, G. A. Beere, E. W. Laseron, E. H. Featon, W. Tole, and H. T. Wadie, Draughtsmen ; E. C. Douglas, Explorer ; and Messrs. W. B. Harlow, D. M. McGoun, J. Rodger, and H. J. Taylor, clerks. All these have served the Dominion very faithfully, and, in the cases of most of the senior officers, with marked ability. The promotions which necessarily follow on these retirements will more properly be dealt with in next year's report. A statement of the expenditure of the Department, which is under the charge of Mr. R. A. Paterson, is appended. The Chief Clerk of the Head Office, Mr. F. T. O'Neill, has shown a full appreciation of the responsibilities of his position, and I am indebted to him and Mr. Paterson for the successful carryingon of the Immigration Branch of this Department. Mr. Jourdain also merits special notice from the fact that he was selected as Secretary to the Timber Commission, and is now engaged on its duties. Expenditure op the Department. The following is a summary of the expenditure of the Department for the Year ended 31st March, 1909:—

Conclusion. May I, in conclusion, express the honour conferred upon and the pleasure given to the Department by having the Prime Minister as its Ministerial head. I think lam right in saying that it is the first time that any Prime Minister has taken the portfolio of Lands with his other duties. It also enables me to bring under your immediate notice the faithful and loyal service rendered by all the Commissioners of Crown Lands and their seconds in command, together with the whole of the staff of surveyors, draughtsmen, and clerks, and, last, but not least in rank or service, the good work done by the Receivers of Land Revenue and the Crown Lands Rangers. The discipline of the whole Department is admirable, and personally I am more than grateful for the help I obtain from all ranks and grades in the service.

V °' e Name of Vote or Account. ; t"S 0 /5?« No. ; voted (Net). Expenditure (Gross). Recoveries. Expenditure (Net). £ 71 j Lands and Survey ... ... 165,678 72 | Lands and Survey, Miscellaneous 96,252 109 j Immigration ... ... 10,000 120 | Improved-farm Settlements ... 4,950 121 ! Lands, Miscellaneous ... 12,200 122 [ Irrigation and Water-supplv ... 5,000 123 | State Forests ..." ... 30,496 125 ■ Scenery Preservation... ... 17,275 £ 165,678 96,252 10,000 4,950 12,200 5,000 30,496 17,275 £ s. 174,754 19 80,9.25 9 35,020 19 2,721 14 15,639 10 1,968 4 27,003 1 5,872 12 rl. 4 7 8 9 2 6 9 8 £ s. d. 19,207 8 5 4,305 15 7 19,944 9 3 778 4 8 7 10 6 1 15 8 41 1 9 107 7-6 £ s. d. 155,547 10 .11 76,619 14 0 15,076 10 5 1,943 10 1 15,631 19 8 1,966 8 10 26,962 0 0 5,765 5 2 Totals ... ... 341,851 341,851 343,906 12 5 44,393 13 4 299,512 19 1 Consolidated Fund, Unauthorised Account Special Acts Deposit Accounts, &c. Land for Settlements Account (including votes 126 and 127) Cheviot Estate Account Maori Land Settlement Account (including vote 128) Hauraki Plains Settlement Account 935 19 58,595 16 598,253 16 8,881 2 4,802 17 7 7 3 8 4 359 11 8,583 10 8 5 576 7 11 58,595 16 7 589,670 5 10 8,881 2 8 3,013 2 11 1,789 14 5 11,672 5 6J 11,672 5 6 Totals 683,141 17 11 10,732 16 6 672,409 1 5 Grand totals ... ' ... ; 1,027,048 10 4 55,126 9 10 971,922 0 6

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APPENDICES.

APPENDIX I.—SETTLEMENT OF GROWN LANDS.

EXTRACTS FROM THE REPORTS OF THE COMMISSIONERS OF CROWN LANDS ON SETTLEMENT OPERATIONS DURING THE TWELVE MONTHS WHICH ENDED ON THE 31 st MARCH, 1909.

AUCKLAND. The Settlement of Crown Lands. In reviewing the statistics of the .Department so far as. they relate to its operations during a period of twelve months, it is interesting to compare the figures with those of the corresponding previous period. It will bo noticed that there is a difference of five only in the number of selectors who have been allotted sections, compared with the number that were selectors during the previous twelve months. The area disposed of is, however', less by 20,000 acres than it was in the former year. In the interests of closer settlement it is satisfactory to know that whereas 441 selectors took up 126,523 acres last year, this year a total of 439 divided 106,320 acres between them. There is also another item in the comparison which should be noted, and that is the increase in the gross revenue of the district. In the previous twelve months the total sum amounted to £109,836, and the total this year comes to .£124,476, being an increase of £14,640. Therefore, so far as the transactions of the Department for this year are concerned, if there is any tightness in the money-market it has not materially affected the revenue derived from the operations in this district. Conditions and Progress op Settlement. There is no doubt that the conditions and progress of settlement depend very largely on the state of the road access. To those unaccustomed to the difficulties which attend the pursuits of a pioneer settler, it is a matter of the greatest surprise that so much is accomplished in the face of the hardships endured by those who go into the backblocks. Collateral with the pushing-on of roadworks is the progress of the settler, and in districts where horse-roads have been widened out .for wheel traffic the whole face of the country is being changed; bush land is giving place to grass, and tents and rough huts to comfortable cottages. There is another feature which marks the demand for land and the progress of settlement in this district, and that is the attention being paid to the development of what is known as the poor lands of the far north. In travelling through that district it is a matter for comment that many of the settlers are men who have lived for many years in the southern latitudes of the Dominion. Much of the land has remained unoccupied, neglected, and unappreciated by those whose homes were in the vicinity or whose business brought them into the locality. It is probable that the scarcity of land in other parts has directed attention to the district referred to, but, be the reason what <it may, settlers from the south are acquiring the lands, and are astonished that they should have heen so long despised as unsuitable for settlement. Ranoers' Reports. The amount of miscellaneous work required of Crown Lands Rangers has been commented on in previous reports, and this year the enormous volume may be gauged when it is seen that the number of miscellaneous inspections made by Rangers covered not less than 266,860 acres. The total number of inspections of all kinds was less than the number made in the previous j'ear, but this is counterbalanced by the fact that, although a less number of individual inspections were made, the area covered in these inspections exceeded that of the former year by 117,155 acres. The statutory inspections continue to show that in bond fide settlement the selectors effect improvements far in excess of the value which the law demands. It is also an encouraging sign that, whereas there were 527 defaulters during the previous year, this j'ear the number did not exceed 395. General. From personal observation in the localities I have visited, and from the information I have received from officers who have to travel all over this land district, I am convinced that, notwithstanding the difficulties attending pioneer settlement, the selectors as a whole are more than holding their own. Owing to the progress that has been made in opening bridle tracks and widening existing tracks into cart-roads, and the gradual linking-up of the roads, the few settlers who are behind with their improvements and not residing will no doubt now be able to fulfil their conditions. The great climatic variations common to so large a district have a corresponding effect upon the nature of the operations of the settlers. In the north fruit-growing and viticulture are established industries increasing in importance from year to year. The gum-lands have also become increasingly appreciated as a valuable asset, and one which has yet to be further developed. The gum-diggers are very anxious to have the industry recognised at its full import-

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ance, and are conferring together for the protection of their interests. Sawmilling is general throughout. In travelling through the district it is very noticeable that logs are being milled which a few years ago would never have been brought into a mill. In fact, in some instances areas which many years ago had been abandoned as worked out are now being reworked, and the remaining timber taken out. Even small trees are now cut and milled. But we must come to the dairy farms, the.raising of stock, and the cropping of our farm lands to get a correct idea of the principal occupations of the large number of Crown tenants now on the books. Dairy farming has been and will continue to be a very valuable source of revenue to the farmer struggling along to bring his farm into such a state as will provide him with a comfortable income. During the previous year the extensive bush-fires which threatened to ruin many settlers were actually, owing to assistance rendered by the Government in the supply of grass-seed, a benefit to those affected. The whole of the country overrun by the fires is now looking remarkably well, grass is plentiful, and the prospects are most encouraging. In many places there was a thorough clean-up of the land, so that with the opportune assistance rendered in the supply of grass-seed many years of labour wex saved. The stock-carrying capacity has increased at least 25 per cent. The increase in grassed area, and the corresponding increase in stock, has necessitated the erection of further creameries, and the country generally has the appearance of being in a very prosperous state. A feature of the dairy industry is the improvement apparent in the class of dairy stock. This will, of course, have a marked effect in the future upon the output. There is also an increase in the number of home-separators in use. ThH r adoption of home-separating has very obvious advantages. It removes the necessity of a daily visit to the factory, and the consequent addi tional labour and loss of time, and it enables the farmer to feed his calves with fresh milk twice daily, whereas the milk returned from the factory is often sour. In passing through the district it will be noticed that there is a fine class of young stock being bred, but at present the prices ruling at the sales have not been satisfactory. Another, factor which has affected the results of sales is that the auctioneers are not disposed to allow any latitude for payment, and ready cash is not always available. Those settlers who have cut down large areas of bush have been fortunate in securing good burns. The area of bush felled would, no doubt, have been greater had there been more labour available. Many instances were reported by settlers, and the Rangers confirmed the statements that inability to effect improvements was due to the scarcity of bushfellers. Maize, oats, turnips, potatoes, and other crops have all yielded satisfactory results during the past season, and in the Bay of Plenty the maize-crop was the largest known for some years. There has been a brisk demand for land in all districts, and those who are successful in landballots consider themselves fortunate. The Department has established a policy of encouraging the thrifty, hardworking settler, often encumbered with difficulties, by dealing leniently with those who, through unfortunate circumstances, have been unable to "fulfil the law's requirements. It also has adopted a rigorous course in the case of those who have apparently no intention of becoming farmers, and who take up land to suit some transient circumstance, such as proximity to a contract, or who desire to hold out sufficiently long to benefit by the increase in value caused by energetic neighbours and then sell out. Wherever bond fide settlers are to be found the presence of the speculator is a hindrance to the progress of settlement, and the Land Board has on many occasions been asked to deal with such persons and remove a disability from the locality. The fact that there were 132 defaulters less this year indicates two things—viz the existence of a majority of successful bond fide settlers, and the fact that the Land Board has been successful in insisting on a fair fulfilment of the obligations incumbent upon those who take up Crown lands, thereby purging the records of many who were the cause of drawbacks in th> district. From this general review of the state of the selectors in this district and their occupations and progress it will be seen that, taken as a whole, the statistics, together with the results of personal observation, go to show that even if there are difficulties such as bad roads, scarcity of labour low prices ruling for stock, and other tribulations, there is every reason to believe the settlers are making substantial progress, and bringing their farms rapidly to the self-supporting stage I have no fear in stating that the signs of progress indicate that the future before this district is one the success of which is not at present fully appreciated nor adequately anticipated. Land Board. There were twenty meetings held during the year, and at these 445 applications to transfer were considered, nine being declined. The mortgages approved numbered sixty-eight The Board paid a visit of inspection to the Te Akau Block, in the Raglan County, lately* purchased from the Natives. On the same trip it also inspected the Tautari and Rewi Settlements, inthe Waikato. Forfeitures and Surrenders. The area which has reverted to the Crown under this heading is considerable, but in reviewing the causes it must be remembered that many cases where forfeiture has ensued have been at the selector's own request. The possibility of an applicant who has spent considerable sums in inspecting land prior to application being thrown out in the ballot has resulted in applicants, in many instances, applying first and then, if successful, inspecting what they have secured. In many cases although the land drawn may not be poor land, it may not, for some personal reason, appeal to the successful applicant, and he therefore applies to forfeit. But this cause does not account for the whole o the forfeitures. There are many who have been for periods extending over years wilfully neglecting to carry out their obligations, but making plausible requests for time Such cases as these have been thoroughly looked into in the interests of settlement, and where there could be no doubt there was an absence of bond fides, forfeiture has ensued. That there have been only

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one or two appeals is proof that when the Department faced the position the accuracy of its judgment in re-entering has been substantiated. Rebates of Rent. There was an increase in the number of selectors who secured a rebate for prompt payment, which is an indication that money was circulating in this district, enabling the selectors to reap the benefits accruing from payment at the due date. Arrears of Rental. Another proof of the prosperity of the selectors is that the number in arrear this year has fallen to 259 as against 409 for the previous twelve months. The question of arrears was one which the Department had to face in a businesslike manner, obtaining on the one hand a compliance with the conditions of settlement, and at the same time exercising discretion, to avoid indiscriminate application of pressure, which would bear heavily upon the poorer settlers struggling to make homes in the backblocks. Conversions of Tenure (under Sections 192 and 193 of " The Land Act, 1908 "). There has been a total of twenty applications to convert to renewable lease. Of this numberthere is only one applicant under the lease-in-perpetuity system, one under the village-homestead system (" Land Act, 1885 "), ten under Hauraki pastoral lease, and eight under mining district land occupation lease. Purchase of Fee-simple of Lease in Perpetuity (under Section 177 of " The Land Act, 1908 "). Thirty-three applications have been received since -this section came into force. In the majority of cases where the valuations have been made there has been an increase in the In two cases this increased valuation was objected to by the lessees, and on the matter being referred to arbitrators, in accordance with the regulations, the objections were upheld., "Thirds," "Fourths," and "Halves." There has been a considerable increase in the amount paid over under this heading by the Receiver of Land Revenue to local bodies. It is a feature of the proposals by the local bodies that quite the major part of the money received is devoted to maintenance of existing roads. The Land Board has, of course, no power to interfere with the expenditure, except to see that the proposals embrace the construction or maintenance of roads and bridges leading to or opening up the land from which the accrues. Settlers frequently call upon the Land Board to bring local bodies to task for not expending the money in the proper places, whereas there is no penalty beyond that mentioned in clause 151 of the Act. It is a question for consideration whether the law should not be amended to provide that the local body shall every year supply a schedule showing the proposals as approved by the Land Board and the works as carried out. Correspondence. There were 27,088 letters, 1,167 packets, and 1,662 telegrams received, and 38,847 letters, 10,321 packets, and 1,794 telegrams despatched, making a gross total of 80,879. The approximate number of new files started was 2,900. Receiver of Land Revenue. In the Receiver's Office, 10,059 ordinary revenue receipts and 185 provisional title receipts were issued covering a gross revenue of £124,476 4s. Bd., an increase on the previous year of nearly £15,000. In the Deposit Account 1,872 receipts, for a sum of £25,536 15s. 4d., and 1,004 cheques for refunds and disbursements, were issued. The sum of £15,056 10s. Id. was paid into the Local Bodies' Account, the disbursements from that account amounting to £19,900 10s. Id., by 141 paj-ments to eighty-four local bodies. Conclusion. I have to acknowledge the assistance which has been rendered me by officers of this branch of the Department. Coming into the district as a stranger, I have found that loyal support was accorded me by those with whom I have been associated. In leaving to return to Wellington I shall carry away pleasant recollections of my brief stay in the Auckland District. John Strauchon, Commissioner of Crown Lands.

HAWKE'S BAY. Lands open for Sale or Selection. The area of Crown lands opened for sale or selection during the year was 62,982 acres. Of this area, 50,353 acres were offered for the first time, the balance, of 12,629 acres, being land previously offered. Included in the former may be mentioned the Piripiri and Waimarama Blocks. There were 2,294 acres dealt with under " The Land for Settlements Act, 1908," the principal portion of which represents additional sections at Raumati, Hatuma, Lindsay, and Te Arai.

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Small Grazing-runs. Renewed leases -were granted for a further term of twenty-one years, at greatly advanced rentals, over nine holdings, of an area of 12,676 acres. Inspection and Progress of Settlement. Owing to the stringency of the money-market, the settlers have had to considerably curtail their expenditure, and, as a consequence, the area of bush felled for the year was greatly reduced; however, in spite of this, a healthy spirit of prosperity appears to permeate the whole district. The value of the improvements effected by selectors is still largely in excess of the amount required by the conditions under which the lands are held. There was keen competition for all lands opened for selection during the year, and most of those who were successful at the ballots are very well satisfied with their present position and prospects. In the Gisborne district the two freezing-works were unable to cope with the supply of fat stock offered. It is pleasing to note that there is every prospect of a freezing-works being started at Tokomaru Bay, and this will not only be a great boon to the surrounding districts, but will also relieve the two freezing-works already established at Gisborne. The total number of defaulters for non-residence is seventy-seven; a great number of these are single women, who under the condition of the Act can claim exemption from personal residence, while in some cases it is owing to the isolated position of their selections, and the want of improved access, which will shortly be remedied by the construction of the necessary roads. The total number of inspections made by the Crown Lands Ranger for the Napier portion of the district was 416; this includes 207 special inspections, covering an area of 59,476 acres. The total value of improvements as required by the Act is £30,452, and the value of improvements effected £72,970. The number of stock was 30,597 sheep, 3,662 cattle, 419 horses, and 815 pigs. The Crown Lands Ranger for the Gisborne portion of the district reports that he inspected 279 holdings. The total value of improvements required was £106,496, the value of those effected being £457,878 Arrears of Rent. Considering all the disadvantages the tenants have been subject to in various ways for the last twelve months, it is very gratifying to this Department that so few arrears of rent exist; taking the number of tenants as a whole, but 2 1 ? per cent, are in arrears, amounting to a sum of £565 lis. 6d., which from an annual rental of £81,308 is highly creditable. Forfeitures and Surrenders. Since the introduction of the system of examination of all applicants applying for land, insuring thereby a better class of settlers, remarkably few forfeitures and surrenders have been dealt with. From the permanent tenures only five holdings were resumed and four surrendered. Transfers. The number of transfers this year shows a decrease of twenty-nine from last year. The main reason for this is due to the action of the Land Board in enforcing compliance with the conditions of the Land Act—that is to say, occupation of fulfilment of conditions for a period of two years— thus reducing the speculative tendency. Disposal of Remaining Crown Lands. It is proposed to offer for selection about 54,000 acres, included in which is the Tamaki Block, situated near Dannevirke, containing 4,397 acres, which is now under survey, and will probably be open for selection late in the spring. This land is well adapted for dairying, The remaining portion of Piripiri Block, 3,177 acres, will be available at the end of the year, when the existing timber-cutting rights will expire. It is proposed to dispose of portions of the Aorangi Block, of 831 acres, to the adjoining settlers in the Mangatahi Settlement, in order to get better fencing boundaries and water-supply. The balance of the area will be thrown open under the optional system. In the Nuhaka district is an area of 2,248 acres, being an expired small grazing-run which the Land Board retained for subdivision for settlement. The land is improved, and is good sheep country, which will be offered in two allotments for selection. In the Ngatapa Survej- District an area of about 15,000 acres is now under subdivision for closer settlement; this block was originally- included in Pastoral Run No. 47, held under license by Messrs. Hutchinson Bros. The country is at present covered with forest, which, when cleared, will make good sheep-farming country, and will be readily taken up. The projected line of railway between Gisborne and Rotorua will pass within a few miles of this block, and, from the present rate of progress in the extension of the present line in that direction, it will not be very long before the settlers in this locality will be within easy reach of railway-communication with Gisborne. There is upwards of 19,000 acres, divided into areas varying from 2,000 to 7,000 acres, which, when ready for disposal, will be offered as small grazing-runs. These lands are situated in the Hikurangi, Tuahu, and Tutamoe districts. Reserves, Forests, etc. During the year under review 892 acres has been permanently reserved. Out of this area .816 acres was set apart as educational endowments, and the balance for miscellaneous purposes.

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Departmental. The amount of office-work is steadily increasing, owing to the continual advance of settlement, as will be seen by the following details. The volume of correspondence totalled 29,199 letters, &c. The total value of stamps used on departmental business amounted to £162 7s. 9d. Vouchers dealt with represent an expenditure of £23,308; in addition to which the usual numerous notices, dispatches, &c, of the routine description were dealt with. Several land-ballots have been held during the year, of which special mention can be made to those of the Piripiri Block (held at Dannevifke), Wairnarama (at Hastings), and Tutamoe and Moanui Blocks (at Wairoa 1 ), the number of applicants in each instance being clear proof that the demand for Crown lands is still very keen; and it is pleasing'to note that the applications were confined to persons possessing the necessary qualifications for admission to the ballot. During the year the Land Board held twenty-two meetings, including several special meetings held for the examination of applicants for lands referred to in the above remarks. In closing this report, which will be the last I shall have the honour of preparing, owing to my retirement from the service, I desire to express my sincere thanks to all the officers of the Hawke's Bay staff for the manner in which they have carried out their respective duties, and to assure them that I fully appreciate the way in which they have assisted me in conducting the business of the office: and in parting with them I desire to tender them by best wishes for their future, advancement in the service. Henry Trent, Commissioner of Crown Lands.

.'■'■■ TARANAKI. Settlement of Crown 'Lands. The new transactions show an increase in number of selectors, but less area, than last year, the principal sales being town lands for cash; and the selections under leasehold tenure being occupation licenses with right of purchase and renewable lease. It is noticeable that whenever the option is given, the occupation-with-right-of-purchase tenure is the one generally chosen. The last of the deferred-payment holdings was converted to fee-simple, but the conversions from occupation with right of purchase to freehold are not numerous, considering the number of holdings eligible for that purpose. The revenue shows an increase of £2,568, principally from cash sales and rents of leases in perpetuity, the latter being caused by transfers of land upon which the rent had been originally conceded under section 127 of " The Land Act, 1908." Up to the present date nine leases-in-perpetuity tenants have given notice of their intention to acquire the freehold of their leases, but, the majority of them being held subject to section 135 of " The Land Act, 1908," the right of the tenants to acquire the freehold is awaiting the judgment of the Supreme Court. Crown Lands offered for Selection and disposed of. The rural lands offered under optional conditions comprised eighteen sections, of a total area of 11,363 acres, scattered over the land district, of which only one section, of 521 acres, remains unselected.' Under the renewable-lease tenure nineteen sections of national endowment land in the Ohura and Piopiotea West Survey Districts, comprising an area of 14,747 acres, were offered, and all taken up. Thirty-five allotments in the Spotswood Settlement and one in the Huinga Settlement, comprising a total area of 461 acres, were reoffered, but only two allotments, of a total area of 10 acres 3 roods 10 perches, were disposed of. The demand for rural land is still so great that a block is no sooner opened than it is eagerly applied for. In the Towns of Mangaroa and Aria and Villages of Matire and Tatu eighty-two allotments were offered, and quitted at very satisfactory prices. The leases of seven subdivisions of the Opunake Railway Reserve, one recreation reserve near Eltham, and Native-school sites at Mawhitiwhiti and Pariroa, were offered and disposed of, and a section of 2 acres near Hawera was sold by public auction at the upset price. Condition and Progress of Settlement. The Ranger for the northern portion of the district reports on the settlement around Tongaporutu, and states that the settlers appear to be holding their own, having taken every opportunity of extending the areas of their farms, either by taking up adjoining land or selecting other land close by.. Most of them in that locality depend upon dairying for their living, though the country is not all suited for that purpose. There are portions of this locality which would give better returns of produce when the loading facilities have been improved. Eastward from Tongaporutu to Mangaroa the new country continues to make good progress, and yielded an increase of exported produce. In the more northern portion of the district the progress has been very steady, the last sale of stock having given double the results of two years ago. There is every indication that this portion of the country will export a considerable amount of dairy produce in the near future; indeed, there are already three butter-factories established, which, owing to various reasons, are not yet working to their full capacity. The few small sawmills in this part of the district have been unable to cope with the demands made upon them. Postal and telephone- services are being extended to the outlying settlements, and naturally will prove of the

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greatest benefit. The improved-farm settlements established in the portion of the district now referred to have made excellent progress, and will undoubtedly prove a great success. The Ranger for the central and southern portions of the land district reports that generally the progress has been good. The present year has been a prosperous one, and the majority of settlors have made improvements in excess of the requirements, though a greater area of bush would have been felled had the necessar_y labour been available. The Stratford—Ongarue Railway is being pushed on, and this, in conjunction with the four miles of new metal on the Ohura Road, will add materially towards making thing* easier for the settlers in the country affected thereby. In other portions of the district as well the steadj- progress of road-formation is being maintained, thus tending to open up the country, and improving the lot of the pioneer settlers, in bringing them into closer touch with the more settled parts. The general prospect for the dairying portion of the district seems fairly bright, though there has been a fall in the price of butter. Most of the factories are still running, though one or two have closed down on account of bad roads and decreased yield. The sheep and cattle farmers have had a vary fair year, and, though there has been a tendency towards lower prices for stock in the latter end of the year, wool has gone up, and there is a good prospect of beef and mutton doing the same. The members of the Land Board made a general tour of inspection of the newly settled country in the northern portion of the district, which, no doubt, had the best effect, not only in making the members acquainted with the country with which they have to deal, but the experienced advice were able to give will tend to strengthen the feelings of confidence between the Board and its tenants. On various occasions during the year I made personal inspections throughout the district, principally in the more newly settled localities. Arrears of Rent. The position remains in a fairly satisfactory state, a reduction having been made in the arrears, exclusive of the current instalment, while including that instalment some of the tenures show a small increase. Forfeitures and Surrenders. The district has been exceptionally fortunate this year in the class of tenants who have taken up land, the number of forfeitures being half that of the previous year. In one instance the forfeiture was the outcome of utter neglect of improvements and insufficient stocking. The forfeiture of selections of more recent date are due to the difficulties of access, or apparent unsuitability of the land to the particular requirements of the selector. If, however, a forfeited section is in any way attractive at all it is the subject of great competition, and finds a ready disposal. Disposal of remaining Crown Lands. The following blocks will be ready for offering during the coming year, under the ordinary conditions of the Land Act: 1,370 acres in the Totoro Survey District, near the Mokau River; 1,000 acres in the Piopiotea West and Rangi Survey Districts; 3,370 acres in the Tangitu Survey District. It is confidently expected that surveys will be finished to enable the additional blocks enumerated below to be offered during the year : 2,000 acres in Tangitu Survey District; 5,500 acres in Omara Survey District; 5,000 acres in Mahoe Survey District: total, 18,240 acres. In addition to these blocks, I anticipate that about 10,000 acres of forfeited sections will be reoffered. With regard to national endowment land, there are at present 5,798 acres in Mahoe and Pouatu Survey Districts and 5,031 acres in Totoro Survey District ready for offering, and the survey of 4,000 acres in Rangi and Piopiotea Survey Districts almost completed. It is expected that another 2,000 acres in Tangitu Survey District will be completed in time to be opened for lease during the year, making a total area of 16,829 acres. Office-work. The correspondence inwards and outwards, circulars, applications, parcels, fee, totalled 21,169; cheques drawn for wages, fee, 787; vouchers dealt with, 775; transfers recorded, 252; receipts for rents, refunds, fee, 3,404; provisional titles issued, 71: total, 26,458, a decrease of 731 documents on last j'ear's business. The office staff, however, has been kept fully employed, and has responded readily to any demands for extraordinary work that had to be performed. Francis Simpson, Commissioner of Crown Lands.

WELLINGTON. Prospects and Progress of Settlement. Although I have not been able to visit personally the whole of the ordinary Crown lands settlements in this land district, I am satisfied, from the visits I have made, and also by the very full reports of the different Crown Lands Rangers, that our Crown tenants as a body are establishing,, themselves solidly on the land ; whilst in the older districts the days of bad road and tracks are almost things of the past, in most cases dray-roads, many of them metalled, taking the place of the

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old order of things. Of course, the newer settlements along the Main Trunk Line and Upper Wanganui districts are still in the pioneer stage, where settlers are struggling with the earlier difficulties of settlement; but, broadly speaking, with these exceptions, the life of the man on the land bears no comparison with what it was even ten years ago. Wherever one travels the appearance of the homestead and surroundings show that the occupants are prosperous, and doing well. Probably progress is most marked along the west coast in the following localities : Horowhenua, Pohangina, Apiti, Rangiwaea, Hunterville, Mangaweka, and Taihape districts; whilst on the east coast, settlers in the neighbourhood of Pahiatua, Makuri, Pongaroa, and Eketahuna may be specially mentioned as evidence of what can be achieved by men who stick closely to the land; but the progress throughout the entire district has been so steady .and sound that it is almost invidious to draw comparisons, particularly as circumstances govern so many individual cases as well as localities. Bush-fires of 1907-8. . In the course of travelling through the land district at various times I have been much impressed by the way in which the settlers have, as a body, recovered from the severe check the fires of last year undoubtedly gave to many of them. The great bulk of our tenants are, however, now in a better position than they were before the fires—their grazing areas have been largely increased, and considerable areas, largely the aggregated results of previous "bad burns," together with rough useless faces, have in many instances now become money-earning. Lands opened for Sale or Selection. The total area of Crown lands offered during the year was 28,366 acres, which, added to the area standing open on the Ist April, 1908—viz., 273, acres —-made a total of 28,639 acres available for selection. Of the area of 28,366 acres placed in the market, 23,951 acres was offered for the first time. The principal operations during the year were as follows: — Portion of the South Waimarino (Ruatiti) Block, subdivided into 21 lots, and comprising an area of 14,178 acres, was offered on the optional system, with exemptions from rent and rates for a period of four years, under section 127 of " The Land Act, 1908." This was the only land in this district offered during the year subject to this exemption. Portion of the Awarua Block, in Ruahine District, of an area of 2,755 acres, was offered on the small-grazing-run system. The Carrington Settlement, comprising 5,120 acres, near Carterton, subdivided into 28 lots; and the Hawtrev Settlement, comprising 127 acres, near Johnsonville, subdivided into 102 lots, were offered under renewable lease under " The Land for Settlements Act, 1908." With the exception of the Hawtrey Settlement, all the lands mentioned above were eagerly competed for. Eight workers' dwellings in Coromandel Street, City of Wellington, and three in Heretaunga Settlement, Petone, were selected on dates of offering. The following new village settlements were placed in the market : Ohakune, 545 acres, subdivided into 74 homesteads; Rangataua, 125 acres, 24 lots; Horopito West, 303 acres, in 68 lots; Kakahi Village, 11 lots; Pukeroa Village, 4 lots. With the exception of the Horopito West, all the above settlements have been disposed of. Although the area offered during the year is smaller than usual, the revenue for new lands is considerable, amounting as it does in the case of lands selected on the cash system alone to about £8,145. This result was brought about principally by the recent sales of lands in townships along the Main Trunk Railway, yvhich were offered by auction as follows : Ohakune Township, 54 lots; Rangataua Township, 53 lots; Horopito West, 82 lots; Owhango, 44 lots; Kakahi Village, 20 lots; Piriaka Township, 28 lots; Ninia Township, 4 lots; Raetihi Township, 14 lots. Of the above amount, £1,550 was realised by the disposal to adjoining owners, under section 131 of " The Land Act, 1908," of three small lots on Te Aro foreshore, City of Wellington. When offering -the above-mentioned townships, the opportunity was taken of the power given by section 124 of "The Land Act, 1908," to open for selection a considerable number of the sections on renewable lease for thirty-three years. The result has been very successful, many applicants choosing this tenure in preference to purchasing sections available for cash. The lands so offered were 42 lots in Rangataua Township, 67 lots in Horopita West Township, and 39 lots in Owhango Township. The opening of the Main Trunk line has given an immense fillip to settlement along the central portion of the land district. Settlers seemingly, notwithstanding the slump elsewhere, are in good heart, as new markets are being opened up to them. The total number of statutory land applications received during the year was 995. On the 31st March last the settlers on the books numbered 3,496, whilst the total new transactions for the year, including cash, amount to 30,302 acres, selected by 380 persons. This shows that, notwithstanding the depression of the past year, whatever diminution has taken place in the public's demand for private lands, there is still as great a competition as ever for all Crown lands placed in the market for disposal. During the year the expiring leases of fourteen small grazing-runs, comprising an area of 13,410 acres, were renewed for further terms of twenty-one years, under section 209 of " The Land Act, 1885," at new rentals aggregating £987 15s. 2d., as against £398 18s. previously paid. This large ircrease demonstrates not only the rise in rentals which has taken place, but also the extra value to the State of a twenty-one years' revaluation. Renewals of their leases have been offered to eleven tenants, whose runs comprise a total area of 7,631 acres deemed to be unsuitable for further subdivision, and whose leases will expire during the coming year. Notice of resumption has been given in the case of one run of an area of 369 acres, situated near Pongaroa.

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Inspections and Rangers' Reports. The total number of the inspections made by the Rangers in the east coast district amounted to 883, covering an area of 111,310 acres, being a decrease as compared with the figures of last year. The improvements required to be effected amounted to £46,117 in value, whereas an amount of £127,501 was actually spent, being £81,384 in excess of requirements. On the west coast district the two Rangers made 414 inspections, the area being 125,591 acres. The value of the improvements required to be effected was £31,419, but £114,326 was actually expended, being a surplus over requirements of £82,907. Forfeitures and Surrenders. These were very light, being only four altogether, which indicates a fair compliance with Land Act requirements, and also contentment on the part of the tenants. "Thirds," "Fourths," and "Halves." The allocation under "The Land Act, 1908," of the proportion of rent from Crown lands under various systems of tenure, and of timber and flax royalties, has been made, and the sum of £12,794 17s. 9d. has been paid to the respective local authorities for expenditure on approved proposals for roadworks and under hypothecation certificates. This shows a considerable increase over last year's payments. On the 31st March, 1909, the sum of £9,827 lis. was in the Receiver's Deposit Account at credit of the various local bodies in the Wellington Land District. A change has been made in the method of dealing with local bodies' proposals, with a view to facilitating the work. Until quite recently settlers were asked to give their consents in writing to the proposed expenditure of " thirds " accrued on their holdings. These being obtained, the proposals were examined, and submitted to the Land 'Board for consideration and approval. Settlers were thus able to delay the expenditure by refusing their consent, frequently without good cause, and 1 have therefore dispensed with this requirement. Proposals are now being examined on the ground by an officer of this Department, and if they are found to be fair, having due regard to the claims of the settlers concerned, they are submitted at once to the Land Board for approval. This arrangement has proved very satisfactory, and promotes settlement by helpinglocal bodies to give better access to tenants. Clerical. During the year 15,000 letters were received, and 45,820 were despatched. These latter included letters, telegrams, rental and other notices, lithos, plans, fee, the grand total received and despatched being 60,820. There were 797 cheques, amounting to £7,169, drawn on the Imprest Account, the total number of vouchers dealt with being 1,512, for £46,658. In conclusion, I have to express my thanks for the able and loyal assistance I have received since I took charge of this district on the Ist May last from the Chief Clerk and all the subordinate officers. My duties, coming into a new district again, have been much lightened by the aid always cheerfully given. James Mackenzie, Commissioner of Crown Lands.

NELSON. Conditions and Prospects of Settlement. The year just closed has been a satisfactory one, both as regards the area of land disposed of to new settlers and the improvements effected on lands already selected. The seasons were propitious for bush settlement, consequently a comparatively large area of forest was felled and burned off. The activity with which the year opened is unabated—the demand for land continues, and the prospective settler is of a good type. Evidence of the general progress of closer settlement in this district is furnished by the clearings noticeable on the recently selected bush lands, and the extension of the grazing areas on the older selections, the forest-clad hills having given place to green pastures. This is very gratifying, for it is evidence of something done under rather adverse circumstances. The peopling and profitable occupation of backblocks situated as are those of Nelson, distributed in comparatively isolated areas over a wide stretch of country, and many miles distant from a railway-station or seaport, is a problem in the solution, of which the chief factors are patience and strenuous labour on the part of the selector and facilities for settlement in the nature of road and railway construction afforded by the State. That these factors now obtain in this district to a reasonable extent is, I think, beyond doubt. Here and there a selector falls by the way. He is, however, in most cases one who expects the State,to do everything for him, forgetful of the fact that the State cannot furnish brains for the incompetent, industry for the indolent, or perseverance for the half-hearted. The weeding-out process is applied carefully and judiciously from time to time to undesirables who fail from one cause or another, with the result that the personnel of the selectors is improving, all the vacated areas being readily selected by men of a good stamp ; thus the foundation of settlement is being laid firm and solid. A pronounced steadiness, satisfaction, and optimism characterises the new settlers, and it is therefore safe to assume that the year just entered upon will see an advance on the preceding year. This prediction may be hazarded in respect to the bush settlements in the Central Buller. These settlements extend

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from the Owen River to the Maruia, covering an area of 150,000 acres. For many years this portion of Nelson district was looked upon as useless except for mining or scenic purposes, but now it is winning its way into favour as a desirable place for settlement. Expectations respecting its capabilities for pastoral purposes when cleared have been fully realised. The results achieved by the pioneer selectors afford a stimulus to further improvement. The grass-producing qualities of the land in an ordinarily good season* are surprising—the growth is prolific. For both cattleraising and sheep-grazing countrj', and, at a later date, dairying, I doubt if there is better in the Dominion. It is, therefore, reasonable to assume that in a few years, with improved facilities for transit by railway to Port Nelson and the establishing of the Nelson freezing-works on a firm basis, an increase of the producing population and in flocks and herds may be relied upon. The progress which has marked the recently established settlements in Nelson is having its effect in many directions upon the older settled portions of this district. The advent of new settlers on Crown and private lands with new ideas has done much to improve the methods of cultivation formerly obtaining. Farmers are moving off the old track—they are commencing to utilise the land to the best advantage. The ancient prejudice against scientific farming is dying. The establishing of freezing-yvorks is the latest indication of the spirit of enterprise amongst the farming community. The fact that an ocean liner has berthed at Nelson wharf, and taken 15,0Q0 carcases of frozen mutton, is evidence that the possibilities of the district are becoming seriously realised. Lands proposed to be opened during 1909-10. It is proposed to offer for sale or selection during the current year an area of 51,900 acres of unsurveyed lands. The following are brief descriptions of the blocks : — Howard Block (27,000 acres ordinary Crown lands and 3,000 acres National Endowment). — This block contains about 30,000 acres of forest country, above the average in quality. Twenty thousand acres of the area stretches over the basin of the Howard River ; the balance, 3,000 acres, comprises the basins of several streams flowing into the Buller River. Situate within ten miles of the Hope Junction, on the main coach-road Nelson to Westport. Extension of Lee River Block (National Endowment). —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 (where freezing-works are now in operation), thirty miles from the City of Nelson. Extension of Wairoa Forks Block (National Endowment). —This block adjoins the Lee River above described, and possesses the same characteristics. It contains about 7,000 acres. Anatoki Block (National Endowment). —This block is situated in the Takaka County, about four miles and a half from the Port of Waitapu, and about three miles and a half from the Village of Takaka. It contains 4,400 acres of hilly forest-clad land, principally birch intermixed with scattered rimu. Waimea Block (ordinary Crown lands). —This block contains about 5,000 acres. It is situate at the head-waters of the Serpentine and Miner Creeks, about twenty-three miles from the City of Nelson. The country comprises undulating and broken land, suitable for grazing when cleared and sown. Inspections by Crown Lands Rangers. The Crown Lands Rangers inspected 492 holdings during the year. The area inspected covers 195,615 acres. The value of the improvements required is £23,688. The value of the improvements actually made is £44,671. Eleven hundred acres of forest was felled on lands selected during the year; 8,400 acres was felled during the year on lands selected in previous years. The total area felled on Crown leaseholds up to 31st March, 1909, is 50,617 acres. The Crown Lands Ranger who inspected the northern portion of the district reports as follows : During the year 1908-9 I visited and inspected 366 leasehold sections in North Nelson, comprising an area of 170,561 acres. The value of improvements required thereon by law was £21,399, and the value effected £38,303. Eighty-five selectors had not complied with the improvement conditions of their leases, and twenty-five were non-resident. In addition to the above, I inspected and reported, for the information and guidance of the Land Board and Warden, on 27,000 acres. I also made sixty-four miscellaneous inspections and reports respecting timber, flax, reserves, fee. Regarding settlement in this district, it has undoubtedly progressed during the past year, both as regards freehold and Crown lands. The demand for freehold land has not been so keen as in former years, while that for Crown lands has been very marked. As each, block has been thrown open for selection the applications in most cases covered more than the area available, and those that were successful have already begun to improve their holdings. No doubt this fresh enterprise is due to the freezing-works which have been established in the district. These works were completed at the end of January, and since that date sixteen thousand sheep have been frozen, thus giving the farmers splendid encouragement to cultivate their lands and improve their stock, to command a better price and compete with other districts. I have not the slightest hesitatjon in saying that this district has a big future before it, and during the course of a few years it will be very productive. Land has been opened up more speedily these last few years, and whereever opened up good roads have been made thereto. During my visits of inspection to Central Buller I have observed improvement in the cultivation of the land. Where a few years ago nothing more than forest-clad hills were visible, now for miles in extent it is all down in English grasses, homesteads have been erected, and other improvements effected. During the past year about 6,200 acres of bush lands have been felled and the area grassed, and I anticipate a much larger area this coming year.

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In the Collingwood, Takaka, Waimea, and Sounds Counties marked improvements have been made during the past year in the cultivation of freehold and other lands. A few years ago manyacres that were covered with fern and noxious weeds have been cleared, and are now cultivated with rape and turnips for the purpose of fattening sheep for freezing and cattle for dairyingpurposes. The farmers are now realizing the advisability of cultivating and improving their lands in a profitable manner, and ere long I anticipate all the available land in this locality will be under profitable cultivation. The Crown Lands Ranger who inspected the holdings in the Buller County reports as follows on the state and progress of settlement therein : — The demand for land for settlement purposes is still very keen, and the country that was at one time looked upon as worthless is being taken in hand by a good class of settler. The forestclad hills are giving place to grassed clearings. In the northern portion of Buller County, extending from Seddonville to Karamea, there is ample evidence of the progress of small settlement. Clearings appear in nearly all the selections taken up during the year, besides a considerable amount of bush has been felled on the other holdings. The lateness of our summer or dry season was in some degree detrimental to the burns. In spite of the denseness of the bush, want of roads, and many other difficulties to be overcome, the now settlers appear to be in great heart, and their energy seems to be putting new life into the old settlers. The village-homestead special settlement at Seddonville shows little advance on the prosperous condition of it at the end of the last year. Most of the selectors are resident, being content to keep their homesteads in order. During the year I have inspected 126 holdings, covering an area of, approximately, 25,054 acres, the value of improvements effected being £6,368, and that required by the Act £2,288. Thirty-seven selectors have not complied with the improvement conditions of their leases, and 15 have not fulfilled the residence conditions. The period of four years allowed by law within which residence must take place has not expired in many cases. I have also inspected and reported, for the information of the Land Board, on eighty-four applications relating to land, timber, flax, coal, fee., and, for the information of the Warden, inspections and reports have been made on 161 applications for mining privileges, fee. The office-work and writing in connection with these has been a heavy item in my year's work. Tenures. As practically the whole of the land suitable for settlement in this district is either within the boundaries of the mining district or the National Endowment area, the permanent tenures are limited to ic-newable lease, occupation leases under Part VIII of " The Land Act, 1908," and licenses for the occupation of pastoral lands in mining districts. The pastoral run and small-grazing-run tenures are not availed of, the country being forest-clad. Eighteen lessees in perpetuity notified their intention to purchase the fee-simple of their holdings under section 177 of " The Land Act, 1908." Fourteen of the lessees have completed the . purchases, the total purchase-money being £3,319 for an area of 7,123 acres. Arrears. Of the total arrears, £1,085 (inclusive of endowment lands), no less than £760 is owing on timber and mining leases administered, even to the collection of rents, by the Wardens. £260 of this has since been paid. Of the balance of total arrears £150 is owing on land for settlements, and will be paid shortly. The £58 owing on occupation-with-right-of-purchase and lease-in-perpetuity holdings has since been reduced to £30. Excluding amounts owing on leases under Warden's jurisdiction, the question of rent-payment is very satisfactory, there being not one settler hopelessly in arrear. The Dairy Industry. Dairy-farming is essentially a small man's industry, for the unfailing regularity of the monthly cheque from the factory pays his herd and farm expenses, and enables him to carry on free from financial embarrassment. The industry is on the up grade in this district, and modern methods of manufacture are responsible for this. Milking-machines are taking the place of dairymen. There is scope, however, for further development. There are stretches of country in Nelson which are eminently reliable for dairy farming. At Collingwood there are two factories (proprietary); at Takaka one factory (co-operative); in Waimea County there are four factories, three of them proprietary and one co-operative; at Karamea there is one factory (proprietary). In the localities named the initial stages have been passed, and the industry is flourishing. A factory (proprietary), supplied by 320 cows, has been started at Cronadun, in the Inangahua Valley, and the success of the undertaking should be beyond doubt, for both quality of the land and the nature of the climate are favourable. Proposals are now almost complete for the establishing of a factory at Fern Flat, near Murchison, Central Buller, with a branch at Braeburn Settlement, only eleven miles distant. The settlers in the neighbourhood of Murchison have guaranteed to milk six hundred cows. The large area of splendid dairying land at Fern Flat, capable of carrying about eighteen hundred cows—and probably double that number when cultivated and laid down in suitable grasses and winter feed provided for. —affords reasonable grounds for the opinion that in a few years Murchison will have become the centre of one of the most important dairying districts in the Dominion. Summarised, the position of the dairy industry in Nelson district is as follows: There are nine factories supplied by 3,900 cows;" the output of-butter last season was 365 tons, valued at £31,617.

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The Timber Industry. There has been a general slump in the timber business throughout the district during the past year. Several reasons are alleged for the depression. It is a fact that the mills supplying export requirements were not cutting to any extent during the year. In the northern portion of Nelson district little improvement of any note has taken place in the industry, the timber cut being principal}' for local consumption. There are forty-seven mills in the district, four of them on Crown lands, and forty-three en private lands. The approximate output of timber amounts to 5,325,000 superficial feet. In the southern portion of the district —Buller and Inangahua Counties —there are thirtythree mills, twenty-nine of them on Crown lands, and four on private lands, the output being 9,765,718 superficial feet. The total quantity of timber cut for the year is 15,090,718 superficial feet, or a shortage over last year of 1,540,869 ft. Included in this output were two small shipments of white-pine sent from the Karamea district to Australia, yvhile a large portion was used in connection with the mining industry. The Flax Industry. The flax industry has been practically at a standstill during the year, owing to the fallen price of fibre, £20 per ton being the lowest price realised for a number of years. There are seven mills in the northern portion of the district; five of them are in operation cutting small quantities of flax off freehold lands, the quantity of hemp produced being about 230 tons. In the southern portion of the district there are six mills, but only two have been working, and then for a few months only, the flax being obtained principally from freehold lands. About 50 tons of fibre has been produced. Notwithstanding the state of the hemp market, millers are still sanguine, and are engaged in draining swamp lands, and otherwise improving and extending their flaxgrowing areas. The Coal Industry. The coal industry in the northern portion of Nelson district has shown no signs of improvement during the past year. The output is very small considering the large areas held for coalmining purposes. There are six leases current, and from only one of them is coal exported. This mine supplies local, Nelson, and Wellington markets. Prospecting is being carried on vigorously, but the results are not considered good enough to warrant expenditure on extensive works. The number of men employed in the industry is sixty. The annual output of coal amounted to 6,200 tons. In the southern portion of the district (Buller County) the industry has made considerable progress until a few weeks ago, when a serious fire broke out in the Millerton Mine, necessitating the closing-down of the works. This was followed by the discharge (temporarily) of from four to five hundred men, and the loss of an output of coal amounting probably to 25,000 tons. The fire occurred during very dry weather, when water was unusually scarce. The mine is still closed down, but it is anticipated that the recent rains will afford a supply of water to flood the mine, and so extinguish the fire. The Westport-Stockton Mine began operations at the beginning of the year. At this mine the most up-to-date plant in the Dominion is erected, everything in connection yvith the operations being worked by electricity. The output from this mine is small in comparison with that of other mines in the neighbourhood, owing to no market being obtainable. When this difficulty is surmounted it will compare favourably with other mines, as the coal is of a very good quality, while tlic quantity already in sight warrants many years' steady work. The output of coal produced for the year from the Buller district amounts to 622,000 tons, an increase of 9,241 tons over the previous year. In the Inangahua district no improvements of any moment have taken place. Large deposits exist there, and the quality is quite equal to that of any household coal in the Dominion. No market is obtainable. When an export trade is worked up this locality will become a large coalproducing district. The quantity of coal produced for the year is 12,000 tons. The total output for the whole Nelson district for the year is 740,200 tons. The area under lease for coal-mining purposes in. Nelson district is 28,521 acres, held by sixty-six lessees. The Fruit Industry. The fruit industry in the northern portion of this district—at Motueka, Riwaka, and neighbouring localities—flourished during the past year. Both soil and climate are favourable for fruit-growing purposes. During the year over 500 acres have been planted with apple trees. Orchardists have ascertained by experience that the apple is the most profitable fruit. During last season thousands of cases of all kinds of fruit have been exported to other parts of the Dominion. A large quantity of fruit is used at the local factories. There are two canning establishments at Motueka. In the southern portion of the district very little interest is taken in fruit-growing, although several localities are well adapted for the purpose. Noxious Weeds. The eradication of the blackberry from large areas throughout Nelson district, particularly the Counties of Buller and Inangahua, is a matter which merits prompt attention. The local apathy on the subject is scandalous. Large tracts of land, principally freehold, and of excellent quality, have become almost worthless by the spread of this pest. I estimate that the area in the Inangahua Valley covered by blackberry is about 900 acres, and nearly all of this land is rich alluvial soil, excellent for agricultural purposes. It will take thousands of pounds to clean it.

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It is regrettable that the penal clauses of the Noxious Weeds Act are not enforced, for it is a national loss that so valuable an estate, which might be made a source of wealth, is being wasted. The Government spends large sums of money annually in eradicating this weed on Crown lands, but the freeholders make no effort to assist, although manifestly it is in their own interests to assist the Government in the campaign against the weed. It is a popular opinion that the blackberry has spread from Crown lands to private lands. As a matter of fact, they have spread from bush lands worked out by sawmillers, who stripped the country of milling timber and have allowed it to lie in an uncultivated state ever since. Land Board. The Land Board held eleven ordinary meetings during the year at Nelson and two special meetings—one at Westport and one at Reef ton. The business at Westport has increased enormously during the last two years, and there are indications that activity in laud settlement is commencing in the country between Reefton and the Grey River. Alluvial mining and gold-dredging arc practically dead in the old seats of these industries in southern Nelson,"hence the trend towards the pastoral and agricultural occupations. Departmental. Consequent upon the expansion of settlement in this district the work of all branches of the office has increased very materially. There are now 2,153 selectors on the books, many of whom are in correspondence with the Board on one subject or another. Both the office and the field staff have aided me loyally and assiduously, and to them I owe my thanks. The number of letters and telegrams received and despatched during the year was 13,341. The number of vouchers passed through the books for the year was.BB3, "representing a sum of £20,896 2s. 4d. F. W. Flanagan, Commissioner of Crown Lands.

MARLBOROUGH. In forwarding the usual annual return of land transactions within this land district, I have to remark that the past year has been devoid of any event of special importance from a settlement point of view. The very limited extent of unoccupied Crown lands in this district is the chief cause of the small extension of settlement, but there appears to be a large and keen demand by probably the very best class of settlers in the country —viz., the sons of old settlersmen who have been brought up on the land. This demand, I regret to say, we are unable to satisfy. The small balance of Crown lands in this district is chiefly of an inferior description, situated chiefly on inaccessible bush hill country at the head of the Pelorus River and its branches.' Besides these areas, there are a few isolated and quite inaccessible blocks, generally situated behind land selected long ago, and therefore useless to any one else but the owners of the frontages. It appears doubtful whether the purchase of lease-in-perpetuity holdings is likely to assume large dimensions in this district, considering that the holders are now only paying 4 per cent, as rent on a very low value, whereas they would probably have to pay at least 5 per cent, or 6 per cent, for the money to pay the present-day values of their sections,"which would probably average double the original value. So far no one in this district has taken advantage of section 191 of "The Land Act 1908 " which enables a Crown tenant to pay off up to 90 per cent, of the capital value of his holding and secure a proportional abatement of his rent, fee. The conditions under which the Crown tenants have worked during the past year have been upon the whole, fairly satisfactory. There yvas an abundance of rain during the "winter months' followed by a rather wet spring and summer ; this resulted in a good growth of grain, root-crops' and grass; and, although this summer rain interfered to a considerable extent with 'the harvest' it has produced an abundance of feed, and no great difficulty has been experienced in getting sheep and. lambs in good condition for freezing. The harvest" has, I think, been in quantity considerably above the average, but prices for barley, oats, and chaff have been very poor in comparison with last year's results; moreover, in many parts of the district considerable loss has resulted from an incursion of caterpillars, which in some instances have destroyed nearly the whole of a crop, and m others has necessitated cutting it in a green state, in the hope of saving at least something. Unfortunately, much of this has fallen upon the smaller holders who could ill afford the loss. The season has, I think, been better from a pastoral than an agricultural point of view, for, although the price of sheep has been rather low, the abundance of feed has given more fat stock than usual, and the price of wool has been fairly good. Taking all things into consideration, I think, on the whole, fairly good results have been obtained by the Croyvn tenants generally, and, given favourable conditions, they have a fair prospect of continued prosperity in future. 1 F. Stephenson Smith, Commissioner of Crown Lands,

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WESTLAND. The progress of settlement during the past year in this district has been highly satisfactory, and the indications for the coming year are very encouraging. The new selections total 176,163 acres, including 10,216 acres on permanent tenure (i.e., renewable leases, leases under regulations for ocupation of land in mining districts, and. mining districts land occupation leases), and 25,105 acres under temporary lease. A fair proportion of the latter area has been taken up by tenants who are debarred, by proximity to existing gold-workings, from obtaining a better tenure at present, but will, as opportunity offers, take steps to obtain a more secure title to their holdings. In many instances considerable improvements are being effected on these temporary leaseholds, and, although the lands cannot at present be included under the heading of " held on permanent tenures," yet these temporary leases should be regarded as preliminary titles. It is worthy of note that a number of these leases have been granted to miners who are now combining agriculture with mining, and have acquired areas under these leases, yvith the idea of securing more permanent tenures, and resorting wholly to agriculture as soon as their mining claims arc worked out. The number of selectors has increased from 1,148, holding 798,020 acres, to 1,365, holding 881,561 acres, the annual rent of which is £5,209. The revenue shows a decrease as compared with last year, but this is more than accounted for by the decrease in the amount received for royalties on coal, timber, and flax, the shortage in the former being due to the fact that one large mine has been worked out and closed down, and in the latter, owing to the present slump in the timber trade, which has compelled many sawmills to restrict their operations, while all flax-milling has been wholly suspended. The revenue from settlement lands shows a fair increase. At the commencement of the year the weather conditions were very unfavourable, and the prospects of good grass and early crops were poor, but the season improved as it advanced, and we have had a record summer. The turnip-crop promises to be very good, some surface-sown areas in the most southern parts of the district looking really well; while in the Kokatahi district, where lime is available, there are prospects of an exceptionally heavy yield. Other root-crops throughout the district have done very well. The potato-blight appeared, but fortunately it was somewhat less destructive than last year. The oaten and meadow haj'-crop has been well saved, and there should be no scarcity of winter feed. A cheese-factory has been established at Inter-Waiiganui, and is now in full working-order, dealing with the milk from 250 cows. This being the first year, some of the settlers were not ready in time, but the results are even better than anticipated, and the suppliers are well satisfied. A very good class of cheese is being produced, but the output exceeds the local demand, and some of it is therefore being exported. Ninety cases were recently shipped to London. Settlement in the vicinity of the factory is progressing rapidly, good roads and means of access to the holdings greatly assisting. It is anticipated that the number of suppliers will be considerably increased next season. The completion of the Wataroa Bridge is of great assistance to the southern settlers in getting their stock to the market, and when the Wanganui River is bridged the long delays in driving stock occasioned by floods will be overcome, thus removing one of the greatest drawbacks to settlement in the southern district. The butter-factories at Kokatahi and Arahura are thriving concerns, and the whole output from both is realising good prices. Owing to better access, it is expected that factories will shortly be opened at Wataroa and Waitaha. The northern portion of the district is steadily progressing, the facilities for getting stock to the market giving settlers in that part a decided advantage over the southern settlers. There is a butter-factory at Totara Flat, but comparatively few are supplying milk to it, the holdings being utilized principally for raising and fattening stock. Rangers' inspections show that lessees generally are effecting good and substantial improvements. The area of bush felled is slightly short of the previous year's total, but this is due principally to the difficulty in obtaining labour. There were fifty defaulters who had not complied with various conditions, and practically the whole of these were lessees of sections in Runanga Township who had built houses but had leased them to tenants. The Land Board, recognising the absolute necessity for preventing speculation in Runanga Township, declared thirty-two of the leases forfeited ; but further consideration was given to these cases at a special meeting held at Runanga, and in every instance where the improvement conditions had been complied with completion of the forfeiture was deferred for six months, in order to allow lessees time either to enter into residence themselves, or dispose of their leases to persons who would comply with the residenceconditions. The area of new land put in the market was 11,051 acres, and further areas totalling upwards of 20,000 acres were subdivided, but could not be offered during the year, on account of overlapping unexpired timber rights and pastoral runs. The only permanent tenure available in this district is renewable lease, as the whole area of the district is included in a mining district, although in some portions there are at present no indications that the land will ever be required for mining purposes. This limitation of tenures available no doubt hampers settlement to a considerable extent, as intending selectors who have a preference for either freehold or a lease with right of purchase are debarred from acquiring any land. There is a good demand for land in all parts of the district, but it is probable that the demand would increase were lands offered on the optional system. Upwards of thirty lessees have given notice of their intention to acquire the freehold of areas held by them under lease in perpetuity, and, of these, six have completed the purchase, further action towards completion in the other cases being held in abeyance pending the decision of the

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Court in the matter of the application of section 177 of " The Land Act, 1908," to lands acquired under section 121 of " The Land Act, 1892," under which section practically the whole of the land in this district has been dealt with. Village Settlements. There are only two village settlements in the district —viz., Kokatahi and Runanga. The former comprises 197 acres, of which 180 acres was in white and green crop this year. The Runanga Village Settlement is subdivided into areas sufficient for residence-sites only, and the sections are reserved for employees in the State coal-mine. There are forty-eight persons resident on these settlements, on which improvements have been effected to the value of £2,381. Mining Districts Land Occupation Leases. There have been only eight new selections. This system is favoured by intending selectors Only in cases where the area is less than the minimum allowed by regulations for the occupation of lands in mining districts. One lessee has exchanged his lease under this tenure to renewable lease. Pastoral Runs. Six runs the licenses of which were expiring were reoffered for lease by auction, and all disposed of at satisfactory prices. Areas totalling 10,921 acres were resumed for settlement from eleven runs. Right to improve areas totalling 2,180 acres, by clearing the bush and sowing grass, has been granted to ten licensees. Pastoral Lands within Mining Districts. New dealings total about same area as last year. Three leases have been exchanged to renewable lease. Good progress has been made by lessees. Miscellaneous Leases. Selections during the year comprise one lease of an area for brick-making purposes, and one for wood-pulping, the remainder being for grazing purposes, principally in localities where mining operations rendered the granting of better tenures inadvisable. Forfeitures and Surrenders. Five leases of sections in Runanga Township and six leases of rural land have been forfeited for non-compliance with conditions. In all cases every opportunity has been allowed to tenants to prove their bona fides before action has been taken, in the direction of forfeiting the leases, as the Land Board has always endeavoured to assist settlers rather than to deal with them harshly or too strictly in accordance with law. Surrenders of nineteen leases have been accepted, the area included in ten of these leases having been acquired by the former lessees on more permanent tenures. Eradication of Noxious W t eeds. A sum of £166 has been voted during the year for carrying out this most necessary work, and of this amount £120 has been expended chiefly in clearing ragwort and Californian thistle. Considerable difficulty has in some cases been experienced in compelling owners and lessees to clear their own lands, and protect them from this nuisance. Departmental. Fourteen ordinary and special meetings of the Land Board have been held, the items of business considered totalling 909. 3,200 letters were received and 4,842 and in addition to this upwards of 3,000 notices were issued. 1,697 sale-plans were also distributed to post-offices and intending applicants. There were 856 leases and other documents prepared and issued. £12,150 was passed through the Accountant's books, 412 vouchers being passed. The Receiver of Land Revenue issued 2,132 ordinary receipts and passed £1,862 ss. lOd. through his Deposit Account, issuing 517 receipts for that amount. Again I have much pleasure in recording my appreciation of the industry of the staff, and in acknowledging the willing assistance of each officer during the year. G. J. Roberts, Commissioner of Crown Lands.

REPORT UPON PROTECTIVE WORKS TO PREVENT ENCROACHMENT OF RIVERS, AND UPON OTHER WORKS, WESTLAND LAND DISTRICT. Totara Flat.— Expenditure, £259 15s. bid., together with a pound-for-pound contribution from the settlers interested and the Grey County Council; spent on a substantial wall of wire crates and stones, in order to prevent the encroachment of the Grey River, which at times flooded the settlers' holdings, and threatened to wash away a considerable amount of land. An earth stopbank was also erected. The works were under the direct supervision of the Grey County Engineer, and when I last visited the locality everything was standing well, and the river was gradually being forced into a new and safer channel. Poerua Settlement. —Expenditure, £105 is. lOd. A new channel, 45 chains in length, has been cut for the waters of Slatey Creek, which previously overflowed the sections. The channel has been fenced and willows planted, and if the settlers attend to it occasionally it is expected to prove a relief in flood-time. This work was carried out by two settlers on a subsidy basis.

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Protective Works, Totara River, Ross. —Expenditure, £26 -9s. lid. Three chains of substantial wire crate and stone protection were constructed for a settler on the banks of the Totara River. The river threatened to cut into the land and do considerable damage, but the danger has now been averted. The settler interested provided half the cost in labour. Protection Works, Kokatahi Settlement. —Expenditure, £12 10s. An amount of £25 on a subsidy basis was granted to a settler on the Kokatahi Settlement who has' done a considerable amount of work in. protecting his land. A sum of £12 10s. has yet to be paid. As the work is only just completed, it is difficult to say what the result will be in flood-time. River Protective Works, Wanganui River, South Westland. —Expenditure, £127 3s. 7d. These works, consisting of a barricade of posts and barbed wire, were constructed to prevent the overflow of the Wanganui River through the Wanganui Flat. Half of the money was found by the settlers, partly in cash fnd partly in labour. It yet remains to be seen what value the work possesses, as there have been no large floods since it was completed. The amount was inadequate to provide for an efficient safeguard, but, as the work was well and substantially built, it is to be hoped that it will be at least partially successful. Roa Township (Westland). —Felling bush prior to disposal of sections, £30 17s. Expenditure, £30 17s. A co-operative contract was let for the above work, which covered about 11 acres. The felled bush has since been burnt. Roads and Other Works in Runanga Township. —Expenditure, £2,442 15s. 4d. During the past twelve months the work of forming and metalling streets through this thriving toyvnship has been proceeding apace, and endeavours have been made to meet the demands of the residents where they proved reasonable. The Railway Department being unable to continue the loading of the necessary supply of gravel at Stillwater, we finally had to send a gang of men there to load the trucks. By employing the remainder of the men at drainage-works in the intervals of the gravelsupply we were enabled to keep them all fully employed. By utilizing the waste from the mine (kindly donated by Mr. Bishop, mine-manager) to cover the formation in places we have also economized a considerable amount of gravel. During the year the Railway Department delivered 6,059 tons of gravel. The centres of the streets in the township are now all formed, and the principal ones metalled. Side-drains have been dug where necessary, and creek-bends straightened. It will not be possible to carry out a comprehensive scheme for drainage until the construction of the proposed outfall drain through the adjoining section to the Seven-mile Creek. In addition to the completion of the formation and the metalling of the principal streets, numerous other small improvements have been undertaken, such as keeping the streets in repair for traffic, repairs and relaying of tramways for distributing metal, clearing stumps, fee, in front of public buildings, and generally carrying out the functions of a Town Board. . As soon as one of the staff is available, the surveys for a water-supply and drainage Scheme will be taken in hand. .',._„ : , . . ■ . : ... ~, . n., .. I beg to express my appreciation of the skill and tact displayed .by the Overseer in carrying out the. various constructive works in the township during the year. ... jj / G. J. Roberts, ; Chief Surveyor.

CANTERBURY. Lands opened for Selection. Exclusive of lands offered under the Land for Settlements Act, which are dealt with separately, the bulk of the lands placed on the market during the year were offered under the optional system and for pastoral license. Under the-optional system twenty-three allotments, containing an area of 7,245 acres, were offered; ten of these, comprising 466 acres, were small scattered areas previously offered but not taken up; eight allotments, comprising 2,727 acres, near Hanmer Springs, and two blocks, comprising 3,739J acres, near Hurunui, had previously. been held on pastoral license, and were now made available'for settlement occupation; the remainder of the lands offered under this system were small areas in various localities. Out of the 6,863 acres selected during the year under the optional system, ten allotments, comprising 6,000 acres, were taken up under renewable lease; one allotment, of 564 acres, under occupation-with-right-of-purchase license, and seven allotments, totalling 299 acres, were purchased for cash. Under pastoral-license tenure, fifteen runs, representing an area of 249,801 acres, were offered for disposal at auction. Fourteen of these were put up, as required by the Land Act, a year before the expiration of the existing licenses, and, with one exception, the new term of license was fixed at twenty-one years, in order to encourage the tenants by fixity of tenure to improve the Crown pastoral -property. Representations were made that some of these runs should be subdivided and made available for settlement occupation in limited areas by men of small means, but the Classification Commissioners, after inspecting the runs, and giving, the subject most careful consideration, were unable to recommend any further subdivision, as the character of the country, with its difficulties of access and risks of heavy loss of stock by snowfalls, rendered it unsuitable for occupation in smaller areas or by men whose financial position would be unable to stand the heavy losses liable to occur periodically in such country. Out of the fourteen runs offered twelve were sold, and two small runs, comprising 3,824 acres, are to be reoffered on slightly modified terms. The other lands offered during the year included one rural" allotment of 140 acres and two village allotments of 7 acres, offered for cash sale at public auction; two allotments, comprising 748 acres, offered for lease for terms of seven and forty-two years; and eleven allotments under the Workers' Dwellings Act. Two allotments, comprising• 2J acres in the Township of Anbury* South Canterbury, were offered for sale on behalf of the School Commissioners.

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,-•-•• Land Transactions and Tenure. v .Apart from the new selections that have taken place during the year, a review of the older forms of tenure shows that very few changes have taken place. Amongst the holders who have the right to acquire the freehold, one each under the perpetual-lease, ocCupation-with-right-of-purchase, and lease-in-perpetuity systems have exercised this right, the total area so alienated being 611 acres 3 roods. , „ . Two exchanges of tenure from perpetual lease to renewable lease, in respect of an area of 26-acres 2 roods 6 perches, have been effected-,- and two similar exchanges from lease in perpetuity to renewable lease under the Land for Settlements Act have also taken place. Payment and Arrears of Rent. The total annual rental, payable by the 3,249 tenants, who occupy an area of 4,137,296 acres 1 rood 39 perches, is £148*334 17s. 2d. The actual gross revenue received from all sources was £141,145 9s. 4d., of which rents represented £135,529 6s. lid., the balance being miscellaneous payments, • . '■ The gross total of arrears owing on all classes, of tenure on the 31st March, 1909 (excluding payments due in respect of current periods not yet expired) was £4,332 10s. 9d., owing by 139 tenants. These represent, as regards the number of tenants, just over 4 per cent., and, as regards amount, slightly under 3 per cent. The arrears are, for the reason explained in the land for settlements report, heavier than usual, but if the postponed payments in the Kinloch Settlement be -deducted the remaining ordinary arrears only represent about 1 per cent, of the total. Transfers. The ; total number of holdings under settlement tenures that were transferred during the year was-169, covering an area'of 38,717 acres 1 rood 27 perches, made up as follows: — Leases. A. , R. P. Leases in perpetuity, all classes ... .... . ... 116 19,835 0.11 Village homesteads, all classes ... ... ... 38 1,160 130 Small grazing-runs and grazing-farms ... ... 9 17,179 0 7 Perpetual and farm homestead leases, and occupa-tion-with-right-of-purchase licenses ... 6 542 3 19 ■ ' 169 38,717 1 27 These figures show a small decrease from the preceding year's dealings, which in their turn were less than those of the previous period. On the whole, however, the number of transactions has been normal, and the amount of consideration money that passes in most cases shows that Crown leaseholds maintain a good position in favour of those desiring land for bond fide occupation and cultivation. .....,» Timber and Forests. It is satisfactory to report that no serious fires have occurred during the year affecting the forests on Crown lands. The amount of available milling-timber remaining on such lands is now very limited, the only localities where regular milling operations are now carried on being the Oxford district (principally on Crown lands) and near Alford Forest, on freehold lands. The other areas of forest in the district are generally too remote, and the quantities of suitable milling-timber in'them too limited, to be capable of being worked; but any destruction of them would be a matter for regret, owing to the effect that such destruction would have on the sources of water-supply and the configuration of the country. There are now in existence in the Oxford district four sawmilling licenses, covering an area of 840J acres, and nine splitting licenses, covering an area of 1,931 acres 2 roods, the total revenue received during the year by way of royalties and license fees being £199 2s. 7d. Scenery-preservation. No fresh areas have been acquired for scenery-preservation during the year. _ The Kennedy's Bush Scenery Reserve, near Christchurch, is now being administered by a nominated Board of local representatives, which", has made arrangements for fencing-in portions of the reserve, and for replanting native trees. The road access to the reserve has also been improved by the formation of part of the Summit Road. The Peel Forest Scenery Reserve has been placed in charge of a caretaker residing on a small property immediately adjoining, who has enlarged his premises, and provides accommodation for visitors. With the exception of'local picnic parties, however, the number of visitors to,the forest has been limited this season,, and it is to be regretted that the beauties of Peel Forest, and its advantages as a holiday resort, are not more widely known. Workers' Dwellings. Eleven new workers' dwellings in the Camelot Settlement, Sydenham, were opened for application on the 6th October, 1908. Thirty-five applications'were received, and, after examination by the Land Board, all but one of the applicants were admitted to the ballot, at which the whole of the dwellings were allotted. The new dwellings, as well as those previously disposed of, are being satisfactorily occupied, and the premises and gardens generally are neatly kept. The number of dwellings occupied attthe'close of'the year was twenty-four, the total area being 5 acres 1. rood 32 - 5 perches, at a rental of £623 17s. per annum. The arrears of rent at the close of the year are larger than those for the previous period, a fluctuation that is inevitable where tenants are completely dependent upon outside employment.

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Rangers' Inspections and Condition of Settlement. The Crown Lands Ranger for North Canterbury reports that during the year he inspected 131 holdings, comprising an area of 25,213 acres, on which improvements to the value of £11,086 were required, and the value effected was £27,087. In a very large number of cases the periods of compulsory residence and improvements have expired. The Lake ■ Ellesmere leaseholds still labour under the disadvantage of periodical overflow from the lake water, and until the land is secured from this trouble further improvements cannot be expected, as at present fences have to be renewed every two or three years, and the lands can generally only be used for grazing purposes. If the present endeavours to prevent the lake from rising beyond a defined level should prove successful, further improvements may be looked for. On the small grazing-runs at Hororata, selected in March, 1907, the holders have all done the necessary improvements, and are making good progress. On the Oxford plains the settlers have experienced a better year than last, and satisfactory compliance is being effected. Generally speaking, the tenants throughout North Canterbury have done fairly well; the absence of any long period of dry weather, and the plentiful rains during spring and summer, kept the pastures good and feed "abundant, and also where cropping was attempted there were fair results. In mid Canterbury the Ranger states that all settlers are fairly prosperous, and are keeping their holdings in good order ; there arc a few cases of deficiency in value of improvements, which will no doubt be remedied as time and opportunity permit. In South Canterbury the Ranger reports that the past season has been a particularly good one for the small grazing-runs and pastoral leases in perpetuity, which form jhe bulk of the Crown lands holdings in this portion of the district. The heavy snow experienced in July last did not have such serious effects' as was at first anticipated, and the percentage of lambing has been good. Feed has been fresh and plentiful, and surface-sowing has been successful. The tenants of some of the larger holdings are deficient in respect of the large amount of improvements required, but have done as much as is reasonably necessary for the efficient working of their holdings, and in all other respects are complying very satisfactorily. The village settlements throughout the district do not disclose much change of condition, but continue to afford very useful homes for agricultural labourers and others, who devote their spare time to keeping their homesteads and holdings in good order, and with very few exceptions have amply fulfilled all the requirements of their leases. Crown Lands for Future Disposal. The Crown lands lying open for selection at the close of the year totalled 394 acres 1 rood 11 perches, made up as follows :—

Before the Ist March, 1910, steps will have to be taken to reoffer for disposal the leases of a number of pastoral runs, comprising a total area of nearly a million and a half acres, consisting principally of the back country runs in the Mackenzie and Ashburton Counties, with a few in the Arnuri, Selwyn, and Geraldine Counties. These will require careful inspection and classification to determine what blocks, if any, are suitable for disposal in smaller areas, to meet the pressing demand that exists in this district for land. Much of the country, however, is situated at high altitudes, liable to heavy falls of snow, and remote from centres of population, and can therefore probably only be successfully occupied in blocks of considerable size. Land Board Election. The first election by Crown tenants of a member of the Land Board under the amendment of the land-laws passed in 1907 was held on the 27th August last, three fresh candidates being nominated in addition to the sitting member, Mr. J. Scaly, who offered himself for election and was returned. Departmental. The usual current departmental work has been well maintained during the year, our endeavour being to insure that the requirements of the Crown tenants and others shall be dealt with as promptly and satisfactorily as possible. Eric C. Gold Smith, Commissioner of Crown Lands. REPORT ON THE CHEVIOT ESTATE. With the exception of a few transfers, there has been practically no change in the occupation of the holdings on the Cheviot Estate during the past year. The Crown Lands Ranger reports that, so far as the season and the crops are concerned, the tenants have experienced a good year.

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Tenure. j Area. Localities. .Ilural lands under optional system .. Village homestead allotments on lease in perpetuity Land for settlements A. r. p. 248 2 27 76 2 0 69 0 24 Selwyn and Geraldine Counties. Ashburton County. Annan, Highbank, and Eosewill Settlements ; Kapuatohe and Tarawahi Hamlets ; Culverden and Morven Townships.

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Grain crops were grown on 3,994 acres, an average return being obtained from wheat of about 33 bushels per acre, and from oats of about 50 bushels per acre, but only a small portion of the latter has been threshed, owing to low prices offered, and probably the bulk will be used as chaff. Green and root crops, consisting principally of turnips and rape, were grown on 5,250 acres, with good results. The area of pasture laid down in cultivated grasses was 24,302 acres, and 39,492 acres was in tussock and native pasture. Caterpillars made their appearance on the estate, but fortunately their ravages were confined to a comparatively small area. The number of sheep shorn was 80,070, and the lambing averaged about 90 per cent. ; the other live-stock on the estate comprised 1,290 head of cattle, 1,141 horses, and 223 pigs. A little dairying is being done, and good butter was obtainable for 7d. and Bd. per pound locally. In the centre of the estate there is an area of about 4,000 acres, occupied in small holdings, which is very suitable for dairy farming. The railway-station at Mina will tap this land, and butter-fat, if not made up there, where the water is good, could be railed to the dairy factories at Christchurch. It is to ,be regretted that at present there does not appear to be any movement for reopening the dairy factory. The landing-slip at Port Robinson is now permanently closed, and the approach thereto via the Bluff Road is blocked by landslips; all transport of goods and stock is now by railway. As regards improvements, the Ranger notes that new houses, and additions to those existing, continue to be built, and are of more pretentious dimensions and architecture than the original dwellings. Fencing, sheep-yards, and other improvements are maintained in good order, and the general working of the estate is commendable. The estimate of the value of improvements is £104,000. Private gardens, orchards, and plantations now occupy 485 acres, 10 acres more than at the time of the last return. Three Domain Boards are interested in 250 acres, part of which is planted. Although the term of compulsory residence has expired in the village settlements on the estate, very little difference in the number residing is,noticeable. Eric C. Gold Smith, Commissioner of Crown Lands.

OTAGO. The results of the year as regards revenue have been highly satisfactory, the gross estimate having been exceeded. There is a surplus of receipts over the estimated amount sufficient to indicate that the year's transactions in all respects have been of a satisfactory nature. Settlement of Ordinary Crown Lands. During the year there was opened under various tenures a total area of 699,844 acres. Included in this are the Meadowbank and Kauroo Hill Settlements, acquired under the Land for Settlements Act. The total number of applicants for these estates proves that there is a great demand for land of good quality. The area of land at present available for selection and open in the Land Guide is 7,794 acres, and an area of 614,385 acres, comprising part of Kawarau Falls, of Nevis, the Morven Hills, Kawarau, Matakanui, Linburn, and Ida Valley runs, which will be opened principally under the small-grazing-run system and under the provisions of the National Endowment Act. The Various Tenures. A reference to the tables will show that, apart from the purchase of the Otekaike runs under the Land for Settlements Act, the cash sales are not very large, nor are there many conversions from leasehold to freehold under the tenures which carry that option. As there are no further selections of holdings under deferred payment, perpetual lease, lease in perpetuity, and agricultural lease, with the exception of being diminished by a few forfeitures, surrenders, and purchases, the returns show very little alteration, and call for little or no comment. Of lands opened under the optional system, the occupation with right of purchase continues to be the most popular, and the selections under this tenure for the year were 3,252 acres; and, taking into account purchases and other dealings, the figures for this year show an increase of eighteen selectors and an area of 2,844 over that held at the end of last year. During the year the " Barewood " University Run (comprising 29,094 acres, exclusive of reserves) was offered in nine small grazing-runs, all of which were selected at ballot, at a total annual rental of £1,094 7s. lOd. Pastoral Runs. During the year 662,816 acres (excluding endowments) was offered under this tenure twelve montHS prior to the termination of the existing leases, and there was keen demand for the runs. The particulars appended below show the total pastoral leaseholds purchased: — Class. Number Area. selected. Acres. Ordinary Grown lands ... ... ... ... 23 423 531 National endowments ... ... ... ... 14 239 802 Ordinary endowment ... ... ... ... 2 25 590 Totals ... ... ... ... ... 39 688,923

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Run-classification. Special notice should be taken of the work under this heading. During the year upwards of a million and a quarter acres had to be inspected and dealt with, either by auction as pastoral runs or reserved for small grazing-runs or closer settlement. All the members of the Board were at various times engaged with me at this, and for the extensive area expeditious and good work was accomplished. Approximately half the area classified was dealt with under the pastorallicense system, and when offered at auction sold at satisfactory rentals; the remaining half is now under survey, and if a sufficient number of surveyors are available should be offered early in the ensuing year. The following return will be of interest, as showing how the classification works out: —

Renewable Leases. The area held under this system has been increased during the year by the selection of 3,003 acres, at an annual rental of £67 10s. Bd., all of which comes under the provisions of the National Endowment Act. The Meadowbank and Kauroo Hill Settlements, acquired under the Land for Settlements Act, were opened for selection under this tenure. The total number of selectors of renewable leases Settlement Lands on the books is 106, holding 76,146 acres, at a total annual rental of £13,487 18s. 4d. National Endowment Lands. The following table shows the areas of land at present held under the National Endowment clauses of " The Land Act, 1908." The aggregate area brought under the provisions of this part of the Act in this district is 2,217,030 acres 2 roods 35 perches : —

, j . 9 Inspections and Ranger's Reports. The value of the improvements effected by selectors, as shown by the reports of the Crown Lands Rangers, is still largely in excess of the amount required under the conditions on 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 to the holdings inspected amounted to no less a sum than £120,114, which must be regarded as eminently satisfactory. As regards the progress of settlement generally, it is pleasing to be able to state that on the whole the year's operations have been of a favourable and successfulcharacter.

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Name or Number of Run. Area for Pastoral Lease. Area for Settlement. Total Present Area. Kawarau Eun 354 Cowan's Eun Morven Hills Linburn .. .. Ida Valley .. .. Matakanui Euns 331 and 331a 204e .. Euns 204b, d, f, 205h, 306, 171d, c, g, 121 a, and k 96, 97, 98 95 and 430a Table Hill sections 5 of C .. 26 and 27 Acres. 66,000 29,130 21,600 90,000 16,000 Acres. 143,420 15,550 12,364 238,000 65,200 72,296 53,985 13,570 Acres. 209,420 44,680 33,964 328,000 81,200 72,296 53,985 45,480 2,382 46,884 31,910 2,382 46,884 132,600 49,200 375 2,000 58,060 10,400 66,600 24,600 132,800 49,200 375 2,000 58,060 10,400 66,600 24,600 8 12, 12a, and 18 .. 433 .. .. 647,741 614,385 1,262,126

No. Area. Annual Rental. )rdinary renewable lease tillage-homestead renewable lease Small grazing-runs 'astoral runs 16 5 210 54 3,098 54 528,443 1,682,422 R. P. 0 25 0 36 3 23 0 18 £ s. d. 70 2 0 2 14 0 10,204 10 6 13,241 19 6 Totals 285 2,214,018 1 22 23,519 6 0

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The Crown Lands Ranger reports: — " Ordinary Crown Lands. —The occupiers of ordinary Crown lands have made steady progress during the past year, notwithstanding the fact that many adverse circumstances operated against them. In parts of Central Otago the winter was most severe, owing to the very heavy snowfall, over such a large area of pastoral and small-grazing-run lands. The loss of stock, however, proved not nearly so heavy as was at one time anticipated, and this is in a very large measure due to the energy and self-sacrifice of the run lessees and their employees, who worked so hard and so fearlessly in ploughing tracks through the snow and in carrying artificial feed to the starving stock. Following the" disappearance of the snow, the weather was very dry till well on in December, with the result that feed became scarce, causing a somewhat poorer yield of wool, and operating in a measure against large lambing percentages. During the months of December and January good rains fell, and from that time onward feed has been plentiful, and there is every appearance of plentiful root crops and winter feed. Wool prices, though somewhat better than last year in certain lines, are still on the low side. The principal sufferers on this account, however, are the smaller holders who go in for mixed farming, but their losses in this direction may be more than counterbalanced by good grain and root crops. '' The southern and coastal parts of Otago have had a fairly dry season, but, on the whole, the crops, both grain and root, may be described as very good. Sheep have not been commanding as high prices as usual, and the fat-lamb trade has not been marked by such briskness as in previous years. The success of this trade is a very large factor in the success of a big majority of Otago farmers, and any prolonged depression in prices would be a very serious matter for them. It is to be hoped, however, that low prices will soon give way to substantially increased ones. The dairyfarmers have had a good year. Prices have been maintained, and feed has been plentiful. Fruitfarmers have been very successful, and when the returns for the fruit-growing districts are totalled it will probably be found that the past has been a record year. " Generally speaking, steady progress has been made all round, and the settlers have not any serious grievances. Notwithstanding the fluctuation in prices of certain lines of produce—and these fluctuations must be expected from time to time—the prospects of the Otago farmer are good." Arrears of Rent. Compared with last year, the arrears at end of this year are greater by £674 Is. 9cl. It must be remembered, however, that the previous year was an exceptionally prosperous one, and, when you take into account the fact of the increase of anual payments on holdings and the undoubted tightness of the money-market, the result must be regarded as fairly satisfactory. Forfeitures and Surrenders. A reference to the various tenure tables gives full details of dealings under this heading, and it may be observed that the number of forfeitures is comparatively small, and bears very favourable comparison with the transactions of former years. Transfers. The following list shows clearly the dealings under this head. It might be remarked that there is a falling-off of transactions, but this is mainly to be accounted for by the high prices asked for by the vendors and the reluctance of the financial institutions to advance money to intending purchasers at the present time : — Tenure. Number. Acres'. Lease in perpetuity ... ... ... ... ... 44 6,715 Occupation with right of purchase ... ... ... 17 2,026 Land for settlement ... ... ... ... ... 49 13,069 Small grazing-run ... ... ... ... ... 17 35,282 Perpetual lease ... ... ... ... ... 10 980 Occupation lease ... ... ... ... ... 11 422 Pastoral license ... ... ... ... ... 20 257,192 Miscellaneous ... ... ... ... ... 30 3,769 Total ... ... ... ... ... 198 319,455 Scenic Reserves. Little has been done this year in the way of acquiring further areas for scenery preservation, but some useful work has been done in connection with some of the large reserves near Dunedin. At Mount Cargill, tracks have been cut and direction-boards set up for the guidance of visitors, and at West Harbour, or Signal Hill, most of the scenic area has been fenced, so as to prevent the incursions of cattle. The administration of this reserve has been placed in the hands of a local Scenic Board, and it is the Board's intention to undertake the work of replanting some of the vacant spaces at an early date. Most of the reserves, naturally, have been made for the purpose of conserving the native forest, and every endeavour is being made to prevent its destruction by fire or timber-cutting. Departmental. The period under review has been a year of strenuous work for the whole staff; a greater volume of work had to be taken in hand and put through than has been the case for many years. All,, both field and office, have done good work, and to them I am much indebted for the successful results of the multifarious duties required in connection with land for settlements, run-classifi-cation, sales, and general working of the district under my control. D. Barron, Commissioner of Crown Lands.

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SOUTHLAND. A comparison of this year's returns with those of 1907-8 will show that there are now 2,120 Crown tenants in Southland, as against 2,069 at the end of last year, while the additional area held is 5,288 acres. The gross revenue for the is £32,040 15s. 6d., being about the same as that of last year. It was anticipated that two large blocks of land—one of 6,500 acres near Invercargill, and the other of 10,000 acres west of the Waiau —would have been open for selection during the year, but the former only was offered, the larger block being withheld pending its withdrawal from the Otago Mining District. The object of this withdrawal is that the land may be offered for selection under the optional system, the occupation-with-right-of-purchase tenure being the favourite in Southland. Had this block been available for settlement during the year the land transactions would have been much increased. During the year the last of the deferred-payment selections has been made freehold. That tenure is therefore now extinct so far as Southland is concerned. Section 138 of " The Land Act, 1908," has boon made use of by allowing a number of settlers near Oraki to increase their holdings, a block of 1,200 acres (old sawmill workings) having been cut up for that purpose. Arrears of Rent. It is satisfactory to note that the arrears of rent at the close of the year were slightly in decrease of last j'ear's arrears. Freehold Titles issued. Provisional titles to the number of forty-one over an aggregate area of 9,037 acres were issued by the Receiver of Land Revenue. The subjoined table shows the various tenures : — Tenure. . Selectors. Area " A. R. P. Deferred payment ... ... ... ... 4 5,946 114 Perpetual lease ... ... ... ... ... 4 888 036 Lease in perpetuity ... ... ... ... 2 1,174 212 Occupation with right of purchase ... ... 3 171 122 Cash under " The Land Act, 1892 " ... ... 11 767 3 6 Auction-sales ... ... ... ... ... 17 88 3 5 41 9,037 0 15 • Transfers. The total number of transfers completed during the year is made up as under: — Tenure. Lessees. Area - Acres. Lease in perpetuity ... ... ... ... 56 9,581 Occupation with right of purchase ... ... ... 20 5,205 Perpetual lease ... ... ... ... ... 9 1,077 Pastoral runs ... ... ... ... ... 6 24,066 Miscellaneous leases ... ... ... ... ... 9 6,655 Mining district land occupation leases ... ... 1 49 Sawmill areas ... ... ... ... ... 2 300 103 46,933 Reservations. Up to the present 3,494,887 acres in this district has been permanently reserved, chiefly for the preservation of flora and fauna, and for scenic purposes. Of this acreage, 284,469 acres has been reserved during the past year. Sawmilling Industry. At the present time there are sixty-three sawmills in this district, which command rights to cut over sawmill areas and reserves aggregating 36,753 acres. During the past six months the industry has fallen back from various causes, and several mills have had to shut down. During the year there has been a revision of the Timber Regulations, which it is hoped will enable the Crown and State forests to be administered with greater satisfaction than hitherto, both to the sawmillers and to the Government. As the industry gives employment to a large number, and in various ways contributes largely to the revenue of the Dominion, it is to be hoped that the present decline may be only temporary. Bush-fires. Fortunately, there has not been in any large way a repetition of the disastrous fires of the two preceding 3-ears. There was a small burn in some" old mill-workings in Seaward Bush, necessitating the sowing of about 150 acres with grass-seed. It is highly desirable that a lot of these old worked-out sawmill areas should be withdrawn from State forest, cut up, and opened for selection as soon as possible. Land Board Meetings. During the year there have been thirteen meetings of the Land Board, several of which have been two-day meetings, the business having been on these occasions of a troublesome nature, and requiring very careful consideration,

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Land proposed to be opened for Selection during 1909-10. Early in the year a block of land, west of the W T aiau River, recently surveyed, will be opened under the optional system. This block contains some 9,400 acres, and is subdivided into sections of from 200 to 400 acres. It is all bush-clad, with a considerable sprinkling of milling timber on it. The question of the disposal of this timber has engaged the attention of the Land Board for some time, and I am confident that the result will be satisfactory to intending selectors, in that they will not be harassed by having to pay down large amounts for the timber, while at the same time the Government's interest therein will be duly conserved. I expect there will be a brisk competition for sections in this block. I propose to cut up a block of 4,000 acres near Otautau and another of 2,000 acres on the west bank of the Waiau. The first consists of bush country through which the mills have worked; the other is covered with bush containing a large proportion of good milling timber. Both blocks should be readily taken up. Of land already open, in the Land Guide there is 26,085 acres, but most of this is of poor quality, and in many cases difficult of access. General Remarks. The progress of the district has been, as in the last few years, very satisfactory. The Crown tenants are doing good work in improving their holdings and making homes for themselves, and are acting generally well up to the conditions of their leases. Stimulated by the pushing-on of the railway to Tuatapere, the settlers in the western district have made marked progress, which will doubtless be more marked when the land on the western side of the Waiau is thrown open. The good work done by the drain-plough is evidenced by the bringing into cultivation of more and more of the sour and swampy lands. At present, owing to the tightness of money and the low prices of stock and produce, there is a little depression; but I feel confident that the outlook is good, and that Southland will ere long prove to be one of the finest agricultural districts in-the Dominion. Departmental. As must be expected, owing to the increase in the number of Crown tenants, the clerical work is steadily increasing. The fact that outward correspondence in the way of letters, telegrams, and notices comprised 9,310 items, and that 3,442 posters were distributed, will give some idea of the volume of correspondence. A considerable amount of extra work was entailed in the preparation of a large number of warrants in connection with Native lands. I take this opportunity of recording my appreciation of the willing and conscientious manner in which the various members of the staff have discharged their duties. E. H. Wilmot, Commissioner of Crown Lands.

APPENDIX lI.—LAND FOR SETTLEMENTS (EXTRACTS FROM REPORTS OF COMMISSIONERS OF CROWN LANDS ON).

AUCKLAND. It was in the year 1896 that the first estate purchased under the provisions of the Land for Settlements Act in this district was offered for selection. It is known as the Opouriao Settlement, and is situated in the Bay of Plenty district. The success which has been achieved by the selectors there has exceeded that of any other settlement offered under this Act. Since Opouriao was acquired, further purchases, to the number of twenty, were made in various parts of the land district. Of the estates so obtained there are practically three classes. Opouriao and thirteen others consist of large areas of rural land, most of which is suitable for agricultural purposes. The Opouriao, Fencourt, and Matamata Settlements stand out prominently as the most successful. Other settlements have been successful, but have not reached the high standard attained by the three mentioned. The Okauia Settlement, which is seven miles from Matamata, and was settled in 1898, has been in the past consistently the least prosperous. This was apparently due, in a great measure, to the fact that the wrong class of settler secured the sections. There were single men who lived a nomadic life, and there were men who had no practical experience in farming. Both factors operated against success, as the lands were neglected, and what work was done was not carried out in a husbandlike manner. This year, for the first time, it is satisfactory to be able to report that the settlement has assumed a new aspect. Several sections have changed hands, and the introduction of new settlers has resulted in a considerable increase in the output and a corresponding improvement in the appearance of the place. The more modern settlements are Selwyn, Mangapouri, Mangawhero, Waimana, Tautari, and Rewi. They are all too recently settled to compare their operations with previous years, but individual comparisons may be made. Waimana, Mangapouri, and Mangawhero all promise well. Of these, Waimana, with its present indications, coupled with the facts that it is situated in the same district as the Opouriao Settlement and that considerable discrimination was made in allotting sections, should attain the greatest success. Very optimistic opinions are also held as to the ultimate prosperity of the other two settlements referred to. In the case of Selwyn, Tautari, and Rewi, opinions differ, and it is doubtful what the results will be. Selwyn is the

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oldest of the three, but it has not exhibited, any great progress. Tautari seems handicapped on account of distance from railway and the high price of some of the sections. Rewi has attracted little attention, and only one selection has been made. In all. the settlements referred to in the foregoing, operations are divided between dairying, agriculture, and stock-raising. Excellent returns have been obtained from cows on the dairy farms in the Matamata, and there has been a very satisfactory yield in the crops. In the Opouriao Settlement, also, the factories have had excellent seasons, and substantial crops have been produced. One settlement, known as Teasdale, and situated near Te Awamutu, constitutes a class by itself. It is subdivided into small lots similar to suburban sections. When it is all occupied it will no doubt fulfil the purpose for which it was intended —that of residential sites. The third class of settlement land consists of sections in the vicinity of Auckland, not quite close enough to be called suburban areas, but sufficiently near to permit lesssees to make their homes and yet come into the city if their employment is in town. They are known as " workmen's homes," and should not be confused with "workers' dwellings." The "dwellings" are built on small sections close to the city, under quite a different statute, and are intended purely as homes for workmen in a healthy locality and at a reasonable rent. There are six of these hamlets, but two only can be considered successful. On these the selectors are engaged in market-gardening, fruit-growing, and poultry-farming, with considerable success. The absence of progress in the others is partly due to the quality of the land arid partly to the fact that the areas are not sufficiently large to render the holdings self-supporting. Notwithstanding the partial failure of the smaller classes of settlements to meet the purposes for which they were intended, in a criticism or review of the lands-for-settlements system the results must be gauged by settlement-land proper —that is, lots which have been disposed of in areas which constitute reasonably large farms that might be expected to be self-supporting. The success which has attended settlement on these areas is undoubted, and the tenure has been the means of helping many settlers to acquire farms which now return them a comfortable living. The estates which have not yet shown any indications of progress have been, as a rule, affected by conditions of an adverse nature which no statutory provision could provide against. In regard to the financial position of the settlers, the returns show that, although there is an increase in the number of selectors on the books, there are fewer settlers in arrear this year than in the previous twelve months. John Strauchon, Commissioner of Crown Lands,

HAWKE'S BAY. The only new selections under this heading taken up during the year were eleven sections in the Raumati Settlement, some of which were withheld from selection at the time the settlement was opened pending the expiration of timber-cutting licenses; these have now been leased. In dealing yvith this subject I find it necessary to divide the report into two parts—i.e., Hawke's Bay and Poverty Bay—as, owing to the nature of the country to the southward of Napier differing in some respects from that to the northward, the conditions of settlement differ to a certain extent. In the southern portion of the district are to be found lands adapted to nearly every kind of farming, in some instances suitable and used for stock-raising purposes only, while others are suited for dairying, cropping, fruit-culture, &c. In the first class may be mentioned the settlements of Argyll, Lindsay, Hatuma, and others, at which, at the present time, the abnormal growth of feed promises well for the winter season. Farm produce of all kinds is now harvested in large quantities, and can be procured at very reasonable prices. In the smaller settlements, such as Mahora, Raureka, and Tomoana, dairying, fruit-growing, and mixed farming are the principal sources of income, and have yielded very satisfactory results for the year's labour. In these localities from 10 to 15 tons of potatoes to the acre is not an uncommon crop. Bee-keeping and poultry farming are also en the increase, and promise, under careful and capable management, to be important items in the incomes of those settlers who follow them up. At the Agricultural and Pastoral Society's biennial shows at Hastings our settlers are generally included amongst the prize-winners for exhibits of agricultural produce of various kinds. The drawbacks generally experienced in new settlements with regard to schools have been ably met by the Education Department, as instanced at Mangatahi and famaki, where suitable schoolbuildings have been erected, and arrangements are now being made for one at Raumati. The roads through the settlements are practically all formed, and for the most part metalled. The district generally is capable of further development in agricultural farming than is at present the case, which is apparently due to the comparatively easily derived profits from sheep-farming. Dairying is usually resorted to by the smaller settlers'when wool and mutton are low in price. In the Poverty Bay portion of the district there are now six settlements —namely, Pouparae, Waimare, Willows, Wigan, Te Arai, and Kanakanaia respectively —having an area of 27,405 acres', divided into 125 holdings, carrying a population of 456 persons. The value of the improvements required by the Act amount to £24,003 16s. 10d., whereas those effected are valued at £55,821 Bs. Bd., which is most satisfactory evidence as to the energy and enterprise of the settlers. Included in the improvements are 202 buildings erected at a cost "of £26,385. Many of the settlers in the Pouparae, Waimare, and Willows Settlements have to add to their incomes by casual work round the neighbourhood, their holdings being of insufficient area to entirely support them.

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Upon a recent visit to the Te Arai and Kanakanaia Settlements, which were only established last year, I was pleasantly surprised at the wonderful progress made during so short a period. Many comfortable homesteads were in occupation, most of them well fenced, and in some cases divided into suitable paddocks. Considerable areas were under crop—oats, maize, turnips, rape, &c. —all of which were looking remarkably well. Dairying was being carried on in some instances—a few settlers milking from twenty to thirty cows apiece; but with the present price of wool and stock most of the settlers confine their attention to sheep-farming. There can be no question that, speaking of the Hawke's Bay district as a whole, the settlements generally are in a healthy and prosperous condition, and they afford a striking example of the success of the closer-settlement policy. The present stringency of the money-market prevents many a good settler from taking up land, as he cannot now get advances on stock, &c, as could be done a comparatively short time ago. , However, on the whole, there has been a steady advance in settlement in the district, and the right class of settlers, who, notwithstanding the fact that the outlook is not at present as bright as could be wished, are still full of energy and in good heart. In closing this report I wish to acknowledge my indebtedness to the Rangers at Napier and Gisborne for the assistance they have rendered me in compiling the same. Henry Trent. Commissioner of Crown Lands.

TARANAKI. The land-for-settlement estates in this district comprise the Tokaora, Clandon, Huinga, and Spotswood. The three former are all occupied,, with the exception of one section, and the tenants devote themselves almost entirely to dairying, with generally successful results, and there is every indication of their continuing to do so. With regard to Spotswood, many sections still remain unselected, and there is no immediate prospect of them being taken up under anything like favourable conditions. The sections under lease are held by people who are employed on various works in the neighbourhood. Francis Simpson, .......r Commissioner of Crown Lands.

WELLINGTON. The remarks regarding the progress of settlement upon ordinary Crown lands apply also to land-for-settlements holdings, with this marked exception, of course: that the latter comprise from the start lands all more or less improved, and that the tenure in all cases is leasehold only, yvithout any right to purchase. I have visited all the settlements with the exception of two small ones, and I was much impressed with the progress made and the splendid stamp of settlers that I found in occupation. The whole of the settlements in the Wairarapa district are devoted to mixed farming—the higher lands for grazing purposes and the lower for dairying and agricultural purposes. In the neighbourhood of Wellington the land is used generally for fruit-growing, market-gardening, and residential purposes. On the west coast the settlements are chiefly in the Feilding, Bulls, and Lower Oroua districts, and these are seemingly even more prosperous than the east coast—Aorangi being the most marked. These may be said to be used exclusively for dairying, cropping, and fruit-growing. • ;-..: , - ; James Mackenzie, .... . : .< ; , ; . ' Commissioner of Crown Lands.

NELSON. Wangapeka Settlement. —This settlement was established on the 26th June, 1907, and contains an area of 6,263 acres, subdivided into fifteen allotments. Improvements effected during the past year show that a great deal of good and useful work has been accomplished by the tenants in felling and sowing scrub land, fencing, and ploughing. The seasons have been very favourable, rape, turnips, and oat crops being exceptionally good.. On the purely pastoral portion of the settlement there has been an abundance of feed. Stock have done remarkably well, and satisfactory prices have been obtained for them. Wangapeka Settlement has been only, two years in existence, yet it is in a very advanced state, the factors in its favour being a locality suitable for mixed farming and the superior quality of the settlers. Braeburn Settlement.— This settlement was established in May, 1908. It is situated in the Mangles and Tutaki Valleys, distant eleven miles from the Township of Murchison by good drayroad, and 110 miles from the City of Nelson, fifty-four miles of the distance being by road and the remainder by the main ccach-road Nelson to Westport. The area of Braeburn Settlement is 18,063 acres, 2,500 acres of- which is good flat agricultural land formerly comprised in the Braeburn Estate, the remaining portion, being undulating to hilly land, covered with bush, well adapted tor pastoral purposes when cleared. Of the twenty-one farms into which the property is divided twelve are occupied, the annual rental being £781. The prospect? of this settlement are very good

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judging by the quality of the land and the activity of the settlers. The establishing of this settlement is in a sense an experiment, in that about four-fifths of each allotment is forest land, the remaining fifth being open country. That the settlers are energetic and enterprising is evidenced by their decision to establish a creamery in conjunction with the proposed dairy factory at Murchison. They have guaranteed 150 cows. Braeburn has all the essentials of a bright and cheery settlement, and I have no doubt of its progress and ultimate success. F. W. Flanagan, Commissioner of Crown Lands.

MARLBOROUGH. I have the honour to report shortly upon the present position, progress, and prospects of the settlement estates (of which there are nine) within the Marlborough Land District, containing a total area of about 115,000 acres. This area directly supports about a thousand persons, and is scattered about Marlborough generally; but the largest and by far the most important block is situated between the Awatere River and the east coast; this has an area of about 94,000 acres, and is composed of the Richmond Brook, Starborough, Blind River, and Flaxbourne Estates, and although chiefly pastoral land, has a large area of good agricultural land, where a considerable quantity of bailey, oats, &c, is grown. Although it may generally be considered a dry area, very fair results have been obtained from cropping, the past season being rather a favourable one for this class of farming; but, unfortunately, part of this country suffered considerably by caterpillars, which in many instances ruined nearly the whole crop. The price obtained for grain and chaff has been very disappointing when compared with last year's returns, but, on the other hand, wool has been higher, and I think I am right in saying that owing to the moist season this part of Marlborough has never produced so many fat sheep and lambs, and, although these did not command a very high price, they must have yielded a fairly satisfactory return to the owners. Cattle do not appear to be much kept in this central block, possibly from the generally exposed nature of the country or the little profit obtainable from them; on the other hand, the one small settlement at Kaikoura is used almost exclusively for dairying, and appears to be well adapted for it, owing partly to the richness of the land and partly to the proximity to a very fine cheesefactory. The total number of persons residing upon Settlement lands at the date of this return, exclusive of floating population engaged on the railway and road works, is 1,026, or an increase of seventy-one over last year's return. The total number of sheep depastured on the 115,000 acres is 98,457, an increase of 508 on last year; total number of cattle, 1,265, practically the same as last year's returns; the number of lutrses, 1,124, as compared with 963 last year, an increase of 161; the number of pigs was 230, an increase of 115. The land in white crops this year is 9,348 acres, as compared with 6,719 acres last year, an increase of 2,629 acres; total area in green crops, 6,333 acres, against 4,483 acres last year, an increase of 1,850 acres; and the total area under cultivated grasses is 26,852 acres, against 23,951 acres last year, an increase of 2,901 acres. It will be observed that, although all the stock except cattle show a small increase, there has been a considerable increase in the area of both white and root crops, without any reduction of the number of stock kept. By last year's return the total improvements were valued at £119,411 ; this year's return puts them down as £159,261, an increase of £39,850. As the prosperity of these settlements is necessarily very largely dependent upon so many things over which we have no control, such as climatic conditions and market prices of stock and farm produce, it is very difficult to give even a fairly reliable forecast of their future prosperity. It can, however, be safely stated that we have here a very fine class of settlers, and, unless the conditions are decidedly adverse, they may reasonably expect to do better in future, especially in the Flaxbourne Settlement, because it is anticipated that the railway will be opened up nearer the settlement at an early date, and it may reasonably be expected that the caterpillar pest will not recur two years in succession. F. Stephenson Smith, Commissioner of Crown Lands.

WESTLAND. Good progress has been made and good results obtained by the tenants on both Poerua and Kokatahi Settlements. Very little cropping is done on either settlement. The holdings are used for grazing, the only crops grown being used for feed. The oaten and meadow-hay crops have been well saved, and there should be no shortage of winter feed. Eighteen out of a total of twenty-six tenants are supplying milk to the factories, which are conveniently situated to both settlements, and very satisfactory results are being obtained. The combined herd of dairy cows totals 336, a number of which have been bred from good imported stock. The remaining eight tenants are utilizing their holdings for rearing and fattening stock for the market. G. J. Roberts, Commissioner of Crown Lands.

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CANTERBURY. Lands opened during the Year. One new estate, known as the Culverden Settlement, has been acquired and disposed of during the year. This estate, which comprised a total area of 25,829 acres, is situated about sixty-nine miles northward from Christchurch, at the present terminus of the main north line of railway. Twenty-five sections, comprising an area of 22,654 acres 3 roods, were opened for selection by public application; three sections, containing 2,627 acres 3 roods (which yvere selected by ballot out of the settlement), were allotted to employees on the estate; and two sections, comprising 282 acres 3 roods 15 perches, were granted to the holders of leases from the former oyvners. The lands comprised in the Culverden Township and some small adjacent areas were held over for later disposal. For the twenty-five sections, comprising 22,654 acres 3 roods, which were opened for application on the 19th June, 1908, 793 applicants lodged 983 separate applications, covering the whole of the sections offered. In the subsequent examination by the Land Board 107 applicants were rejected for various reasons. The largest number of applicants that entered the ballot for any one section was ninety-six, and the smallest three. The whole of the sections were allotted at the first ballot, but two of the selectors subsequently surrendered their holdings, and these two sections, comprising 2,564 acres 1 rood, were reoffered on the 2nd September, 1908, and immediately selected. The Culverden Township lands, comprising 80 acres 3 roods 3 perches, in thirty-three sections, were opened for selection on the 27th January, 1909, under the renewable-lease system, and nine sections, comprising 20 acres 1 rood 29 perches, have been selected. Five sections, comprising 3 acres, had previously been allotted to the holders of leases from the former owners. Payment of Rents. The arrears of rent owing on the 31st March, 1909, are considerably more than usual, owing to the fact that permission has been granted to most of the holders in the Kinloch Settlement (who have experienced considerable difficulties in the initial stages of their occupation) to postpone payment of the two half-years' rent which became due on the Ist July, 1908, and Ist January, 1909, and the former of these therefore appears in the returns as rent in arrear. The exclusion of the arrears on this settlement would bring the total for all other settlements down to £796, owing by thirty-nine tenants, this amount being slightly under 1 per cent, of the total annual rent-roll. In July, 1908, very severe floods were experienced in South Canterbury, and in some cases caused considerable damage to Crown leaseholds, principally in the Waikakahi Settlement. During the year rebates for punctual payment of rents due were granted to 1,149 tenants, the total amount granted being £6,621 9s. 2d. Condition of Established Settlements. A general review of the reports received from the Croyvn Lands Rangers on the condition of the forty-nine established settlements within the district again emphasizes the previous reports as to the valuable extent of bona fide settlement that has been secured by the operation of the Land for Settlements Acts in Canterbury. The extremely small proportion of tenants who have failed to fully comply with the obligations of their leases reveals a highly satisfactory condition of affairs, and in most of these cases the default consists merely in failure to bring improvements up to the full value required by the terms of the leases, a defect which experience shows will be remedied in nearly all cases as soon as settlers' means and the requirements of their holdings will permit. From one end of the district to the other the Rangers find, with few exceptions, a prosperous and contented tenantry, for the most part farming their holdings and maintaining their improvements in a manner at least equal to that achieved by occupiers of freehold lands. The subdivision of the large estates which formerly comprised many of the settlements has resulted not only in an enormous increase of the value placed on the land in the form of buildings, fences, and other permanent improvements, but also in a very marked and gratifying increase in the productiveness of the soil, owing to the bringing into cultivation of fresh areas or the renewing of pastures, resulting in an increased output both of crop-products and of stock. The Ranger's report on the Culverden Settlement, which was established in June, 1908, shows that every one of the rural tenants is residing; twenty neyv dwelling-houses have been erected, and the total value of neyv improvements effected is £9,180. Including families resident on township leaseholds, the population of the settlement is 143 souls. The number of sheep shorn was 17,548, and the lambing averaged about 90 per cent.; 575 acres was in grain crops, and 1,322 acres in root or green crops; the latter yielded fair returns, but oats, which formed the bulk of the grain crops, were put in too late in the season, and only gave poor returns. The tenants generally appear to be practical farmers, arid to be hopeful of success. The other settlements in North Canterbury are progressing satisfactorily, and generally are in a prosperous condition, and the requirements of the leases are well fulfilled. Crops have yielded fair returns, somewhat diminished in a few cases by the ravages of caterpillar pest. The two settlements in the vicinity of Little River, Banks Peninsula—namely, the Morice and Kinloch Settlements —established in September, 1905, and March, 1906, respectively, can hardly yet be described as having assured prospects of success. In the Morice Settlement the holdings are used principally for dairying and grass-seeding; the former has given fair returns, but the price of the latter had fallen off. In the Kinloch Settlement most of the holdings are used exclusively for sheep-pasturage purposes, and difficulties of access, adverse yveather conditions, and high rents have combined to prevent the settlers from making much progress. A good many of the

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settlers are now applying to exchange their leases in perpetuity to renewable lease under revaluation, as permitted by section 191 of " The Land Act, 1908 "; two of the exchanges have already been completed, and have afforded the tenants a considerable reduction of rent, and other applications of the same nature are now being dealt with. In the mid Canterbury district, from the Rakaia River to Temuka, the reports on the settlements are of a uniformly satisfactory character, disclosing excellent compliance with conditions both of residence and improvements, the holdings, yvhich are used principally for agriculture and mixed farming, being yvell worked, and the tenants generally prosperous and contented. The Ranger for the South Canterbury district states that the past season has proved to be one of the best experienced. Grain crops have yielded well, root crops are beyond the average, and there is abundance of feed. The settlers generally are doing well, possessing comfortable dwellings and well-laid-out homesteads and gardens, evincing the prosperity that has attended the settlement of a good class of tenantry on the excellent farming country of South Canterbury. The settlers generally practise mixed farming, accompanied by dairying in localities where creameries have been established; they pay attention to the cleaning of their lands, observe a good system of cropping, and keep their holdings generally in excellent order. On many of the larger sections especially, even on the older established settlements, the lessees continue to add excellent and valuable permanent improvements, and, although in a few cases the value effected is not up to the amount required by the terms of the leases, these are principally cases in which the sixth year of occupation (requiring the maximum value of improvements) has recently expired, and the lessees will no doubt before long bring their values up to the required standard. The Ranger notes that in many of the settlements the settlers, as their circumstances improve, are taking a greater interest in the planting of fruit and shelter trees. In some of the older settlements there is a decrease in the number of souls resident, due to the fact that a number of children have grown up and gone out to work, some of them having been successful in ballots for Crown lands in other districts. As regards the small settlements in the vicinity of Christchurch, the Ranger's reports show that these are generally in a very satisfactory condition. Most of the sections are in a high state of cultivation, and in many cases the settlers carry on market-gardening and fruit-culture. Very comfortable little homes, displa)dng a fair amount of artistic taste, have been created on many of these small allotments, which have enabled artisans, small tradesmen, gardeners, and others to establish themselves on convenient holdings in the neighbourhood of the city at ver}' moderate rents. The satisfactory results achieved generally on these settlements appear to fully warrant an extension of the system of providing suburban holdings of small areas for the artisan and labouring people near to the chief centres of population. Eric C. Gold Smith, Commissioner of Crown Lands.

OTAGO. During the j?ear two now settlements were disposed of—viz., Meadowbank, on the 22nd April, 1908; and Kauroo Hill, on the Bth March, 1909. The two estates comprised a leasing area of 23,497 acres, of which 23,272 acres was selected on renewable lease and the balance on miscellaneous license, the whole being subdivided into forty farms. The settlers holding land under the Land for Settlements Act in Otago are, speaking generally, making steady and satisfactory progress. In the early part of last year the settlers, especially in North Otago, Were under the disadvantage of suffering from a very severe and prolonged drought, which made their prospects anything but bright. The land was baked and dry, making ploughing very difficult in anything but stubble land, it being almost impossible to make any headway in lea land, the consequence being that there was not in North Otago a large area sown in winter wheat. In ,July climatic conditions underwent a complete change, nearly all of Otago, as well as Canterbury and elsewhere, being visited by a perfect deluge of rain on the low country and by heavy snow on the ranges and throughout the interior, which lasted for three days and resulted in heavy floods, which did a considerable amount of damage on the low-lying lands to both crops and fences. At the time, the damage done looked bad enough, and no doubt in some cases the land will take years to recover, but in many cases the vast amount of good which was undoubtedly done by the thorough soaking will in a great measure compensate for the damage done. In South Otago the drought of the earlier part of the year was not so apparent, and, although the land was unusually dry for that time of the year, farming operations were carried, on without the difficulty experienced in the north. After the rain large areas of land were broken up and sown in grain, and root crops have, on the average, produced fair yields, while later on the grass came away well and provided abundance of feed. The wheat-crop in North Otago has not been so heavy, being quite 10 bushels below the average of former years, but the price, being a good payable one, will to some extent make up for the deficient yield. The oat-crop has been fairly good,' although not up to the average of past years; and prices for this crop are very low, being hardly payable yyhen taking into consideration the high price paid for seed and the difficulties and price of labour. . The root crops are, on the whole, good. In South Otago, on the other hand, the crops both in wheat and oats generally have been very good, and the yield should be well up to the average of former years. The root crops have been generally good, and will provide plenty of feed well into the coming year. The fine rains of the winter and the growth of feed following in the spring have

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been the means of greatly assisting the dairy industry, which received a big set-back the previous year on account of drought. Farmers are now in a position to milk a very much larger number of cows, adding greatly to the milk-supply of the various creameries, which results in a very large monthly distribution of ready money. , The freezing of lambs has now become an established industry in Otago as well as elsewhere. The keen rivalry of the buyers sent out by the various firms and agents results in the highest prices being obtained by the settlers, increasing their income and providing them with the ready money so necessary for the following harvest. I think it may be safely said that the settlers in Otago, especially on the older established settlements, are progressing in a very satisfactory manner, and there is every reason to expect that those on the newer settlements will do quite as well after they are properly established on their holdings. The residence and improvement conditions are, generally speaking, being well carried out. This is especially noticeable on the Otekaike Settlement, which has been settled only a little over a year, and where the improvements are of a very substantial character, consisting of buildings and fencing (many miles of the latter having been erected), and there are very few settlers who are non-resident. D. Barron, Commissioner of Crown Lands.

SOUTHLAND. The operation of the system brought in by the Land for Settlements Acts has not been very extensive, but has been fairly successful. Up to the present time six estates have been purchased and 'opened up for settlement, of an aggregate area available for selection of 53,407 acres, and of this area only 353 acres remain unselected. The first settlement —Merrivale —was offered in 1895, after which followed, at intervals of from one to two years, Otahu, Beaumont, Ringway, Glenham, and finally, in 1904, Edendale, the largest and most successful of all. These settlements have provided homes for over tyvo hundred and fifty selectors, who with their families number close on one thousand souls. For the most part, the original selectors have proved to be a fine class of settler, and the standard is well kept up where, by transfers, others have taken their place. The number of transfers that have taken place during the last year is twenty-three. In almost every case, in changing hands, a large amount has been paid by the incoming tenant by way of goodwill. Improvements to the value of about £68,000 have been effected, and at the: present time over 50 per cent, of the land is in grass or crop (white and green). The improvements in the way of fencing and draining are of a very substantial and permanent character, and in many farms a high state of cultivation is attained. Under the Act a certain amount of improvements is necessary, but at the present time this amount is exceeded by £36,745. A conspicuous feature of the improvements is the up-to-date nature of the steadings. The old style of farmhouse —generally uncouth and often uncomfortable and insanitary— has given place to a modern house, convenient, compact, and generally of sightly, if not ornamental, appearance, which often has good surroundings in the way of gardens and orchards. The outbuildings are mostly of a substantial nature, and, in the case of the byres, are kept up to the fairly stringent requirements of the dairy regulations. Much good work has been done by draining and tilling in bringing into use the swamp lands, while the free use of lime has vastly improved much of what was considered the poorer lands in the settlements. The class of farming carried on is mixed, but chiefly dairying. This year where land has been cropped the results have been very good, yields of oats up to 110 bushels to the acre having been obtained, while the green crop is well up to the usual high standard of Southland. Those settlers who go in for dairying may well be proud of their clover and grass paddocks, which enable them to get large profits from their milking-herds; and they are well off in the way of dairy factories, which can take as much milk as can be supplied. The dairymen are fully alive to the advantages of the milking-machines, there being many instalments'on the farms. In connection with the Edendale Settlement there are three factories, the principal one being a private one and the other two co-operative. They are capable of dealing with a large yield, as much as 13,000 gallons having been delivered at the Edendale and Brydone Factories in one day. The first-named factory has the honour of turning out some of the best cheese manufactured in the Dominion. At Glenham there is a factory owned by the Government, but which is used by the settlers and run as a co-operative concern. The other settlements depend on outside private factories to take their milk-supplies. The Ranger's reports show that the conditions of lease have been well acted up to by the settlers generally, and that there has been no desire to evade them, while the general progress of the settlements lias been very satisfactory and fully up to the rate of former years. The advantages offered in the way of borrowing from the Advances to Settlers Department have been taken advantage of by 118 settlers, who have borrowed to the amount of £15,000. This amount is small in respect of the security, and represents the bulk of the money borrowed. The past two seasons in Southland have been very favourable to farmers, and, though present prices are not so good for stock or produce, the end of the year finds the bulk of our settlers prosperous, contented, and hopeful. E. H. Wilmot, Commissioner of Crown Lands,

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APPENDIX lII.—REPORT ON THE TIMBER INDUSTRY IN THE AUCKLAND LAND DISTRICT.

Throughout the year the demand for kauri timber has been well maintained. Inquiries for other kinds have slackened off somewhat. Orders for first-class kauri are ever present, so is the difficulty of obtaining a continuous and adequate supply of logs, owing to the increasing remoteness of the forests, which are now generally situated in country too rough and unsuitable for tramways. This necessitates numerous dams and booms costly to erect and maintain, also large expenditure in blasting boulders and clearing rough creeks; and, as the delivery is solely dependent on the rainfall, delay and deterioration ensues. This, with the loss in breakages, risk and loss through fires and floods, and numerous other disabilities, renders the production of kauri timber expensive— so much so that there seems no possibility of the present market value being reduced. With few exceptions, most companies are depending more or less on Crown forests to supplement their supplies of kauri, and five parties of timber-measurers have been constantly employed in preparing timber for disposal. One of these parties (Mr. Campbell's) has been temporarily lent to the Tokerau Maori Council during the latter part of the year to complete measuring commenced by the Department of about 50,000,000 ft. of various kinds of timber on Motatau No. 2 Block. To obviate unnecessary waste, all milling-timber in the various forests is now included in sale. Small clumps, fringes, and remnants, especially if adjoining present bush-workings, also residues on abandoned leases and cutting-areas, received special attention. In this connection priority is given to applications, thus sawmillers' requirements are met as far as practicable. With a few exceptions, all lots offered were disposed of, mostly with a slight margin over upset prices. During the year nine sale plans were prepared and issued locally, comprising thirty-five lots, of which twenty-three were disposed of, containing various kinds of timber, aggregating 31,185,965 sup. ft., value £29,113 ss. Royalty received, £42,760, being an increase of royalty of £1,156 over last year. The following table shows the various kinds of timber disposed of during the year: —

Export of Timber from Ist, April, 1908, to Slst March, 1909. —From Kaipara : Kauri 9,880,338 sup. ft., value £52,102; kahikatea 19,599,511 sup. ft., value £72,719; other kinds 117,904 sup. ft., value £413: total, 29,597,753 sup. ft., value £125,234. Auckland and other ports: Kauri 13,583,727 sup. ft., value £89,681; kahikatea 16,533,399 sup. ft., value £63,157; other kinds 707,642 sup. ft., value £2,374: total, 30,824,768 sup. ft,, value £155,212. Grand total, 60,422,521 sup. ft., value £280,446; being a decrease over last year of about 3,000,000 ft. in quantity, but an increase of about £4,000 in value. Imports of Timber, Auckland District. —From Ist January to 31st December, 1908 : Kaipara, 150,388 sup. ft., value £1,566; Auckland, 10,063,670 sup. ft., value £60,534; being an increase of 7,553,268 sup. ft., value £36,634, over a similar period for previous year. The most noticeable feature in connection with the timber industrjr is the quantity of Oregon pine imported during the period. In view of the increasing difficulty of obtaining full supplies of kauri, the introduction named is a necessity in this district, as the timber under noFice, although not equal to, is for many purposes an excellent substitute for, kauri, and stocks of Oregon on hand enable sawmillers, by recutting or otherwise, to sort up or execute orders promptly, thus obviating delay or disappointment to builders and others. Timber-floating. —Nineteen new licenses were granted, 50 renewals were granted, 12 transfers were approved, and 21 fresh licenses issued. As far as is known, all persons engaged in the. industry are complying with the conditions of the Timber-floating Act.

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Kauri. Eimu. Kahikatea. Totara. Matai. i^'f^g Total. Value. Royalty received. Grown lands State forests Land for settlements Sup. ft. Sup. ft. 8,929,3141,440,337 12,919,9701,461,967 2,356,059 21,849,284 5,258,363 Sup. ft. Sup. ft. Sup. ft 482,657 640,585 44,275 1,108,432 150,348 .. 113,715 23,07717,693 Sup. ft. 170,425 1,327,111 Sup. ft. 11,707,593: 15,640,717: 3,837,655 £ s. d. 10,775 14 11 17,069 14 5 1,267 15 8 £ s. d. 14,212 12 10 27,609 11 11 938 10 3 Totals 1,704,804 814,01061,968 1,497,536 31,185,965! 29,113 5 0 42,760 15 0 Sect', ions loaded toith value of I 790,000 I 81,733] 9,000| timber: — I 1,271,598| I 503 1 8| I ] 280,533 I 110,000 | I •• Timber measure/ d and disposed of for Edit i .. i ... r .. i ication De% xirtment : — I I 69,688 I I I 69,688| I 65 13 10| In addition to the above, the following quantity was measured on Motatau No. 2 Block, for the Tokerau Maori Council :— I 1,156,558| 1,676,642,18,970,798 :377,980j738~, 948;l,122,663|24,043,589| Total quantity measured during year, 56,570,840 sup. ft.

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... Bush-fires. —Two fires occurred in Pukete Forest, and one at Kauri Park. The former were put out by the Caretaker and timber-measurers, after passing over about 10 acres and scorching some three hundred kauri-trees. As the portion affected is under preparation for disposal, the damage is unimportant. With regard to Kauri Park, about one-third of the standing bush has been scorched during this and previous years, and the remainder will in all probability be seriously damaged as soon as the adjoining standing bush is being worked. This shows how difficult it is to preserve kauri forests, especially when adjacent to close settlement or standing bush, as in the present instance. Should any further damage ensue it may be found desirable to dispose of the whole of the timber in the park. Gathering Gum, Waipoua and Warawara State Forests. —Referring to last year's report, I have to state that small contracts for the above have been completed, and it is not proposed to renew them for the present, but to utilise a portion of the Warawara Caretaker's time for the purpose of stripping gum as circumstances permit. The amount of gum disposed of during the period is as follows: Waipoua —2 tons 17 cwt. 1 qr. 20 lb.; amount realised, £99 6s. 6d. : Warawara —11 tons 7 cwt. 3 qr. 131b.; realised, £549 ss. 4d : total amount realised, £648 lis. lOd. There still remains in the hands of the gum-brokers at Auckland for disposal about 1J tons second-class, and about 2J tons unassorted, gathered by the Caretaker, and still in Warawara Forest. This will be dealt with in due course. John Strauchon, Commissioner of Crown Lands.

APPENDIX IV. . THE MOUNTAINS OF THE TONGARIRO NATIONAL PARK: AN ACCOUNT OF THEIR MANY ATTRACTIONS, WITH NOTES REGARDING THE VARIOUS ROUTES, AND MAPS ILLUSTRATING SAME. [By H. E. Gibdlestone, Assistant Surveyor.]

The Tongariro National Park, taking in the mountains Ruapehu, Ngauruhoe, and Tongariro, and the surounding country, possesses a greater variety of scenery than any tract of the same area in New Zealand. Since the opening of the Main Trunk Railway, its many beauties have been brought before many hundreds of people, but very few have taken the opportunity of exploring for themselves the very many places of interest within easy reach. It is here intended to give a description of the routes generally followed, with notes as to times taken, camping-places, and points of interest. December is the favourite month for visiting the mountains, when the days are long, though the ideal day is after a frosty morning about March. Bush-fires during February prevent anything like a good view being obtained of the surrounding country. In December there is still a large amount of snow on the mountains, and travelling over the snowfields is quite an easy matter, but in March most of the loose snow is gone, and only the hard glacier-ice is left, which cannot be crossed without an ice-axe, so that most of the climbing is done up the rocky spurs. The following is an account of a trip occupying five days from Waiouru made by a small party one Christmas holiday, which takes in most of the principal points of interest:— The party met at Waiouru on a Friday night, bringing rugs and personal necessities, and obtained stores from the proprietor of the accommodation-house. First Day. —Left Waiouru on the following morning about 7 a.m. by coach which runs to Tokaanu. Leaving the coach at the nineteen-mile peg, the party walked from there to the hut, which is about four miles distant from the main road, across almost level country. The Ruapehu hut is beautifully situated in a sheltered position, with a large belt of bush immediately behind it, and the Waihohonu Stream passing about 5 chains in front. It is built of corrugated iron, double thickness, lined with pumice, and consists of two rooms, one of which contains a large fireplace. The floor is bare pumice, and there are three bunks in one room and two in the other. About half a mile away, to the south-east of the hut, is the source of the Ohinepango Stream, which is crossed lower down by the road to the hut. Here a large body of water comes bubbling up out of the ground at the foot of a bush-clad terrace, forming a long narrow pool of beautiful green-tinted water before it rushes away in a foaming mountain-torrent across the plains. The whole place reminds one very much of the Hamurana Spring at Rotorua. After having a good look around there, the party crosed over to the north into the bed of the Waihohonu and followed it up through the bush back to the hut, getting some charming peeps on the way. Second Day. —Next morning by 4.30 a.m.. we were well on our way for Ruapehu. For about two miles or more from the hut the tussock has been chipped off, making a track about 3 ft. wide, with large poles stuck up about every 5 chains. This leads up towards the main spur running up to the north peak (Te Heuheu), and by the time the track dies out, when the vegetation is left behind, there is no danger of getting off the proper route. There is a steady rise until a small saddle is reached about six miles from the hut, and from here to the top the climbing is fairly steep. We climbed steadily up a rocky spur with large snow-filled valleys on both sides, and kept to the spur until a little rocky knoll was reached a few hundred feet below the north peak. From here a snow-slope stretches upward, terminating in a perpendicular cliff about 100 ft. high, facing the north, but running away into the snowfields to the west. A detour was made to avoid the cliff and

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crossing the snow-slope to our right, it was found to be in splendid order for walking on, and after zigzagging upwards a few times we found ourselves on the north peak, having taken about five hours and a half from the hut. The view from here to the north is magnificent, the panorama taking inNgauruhoe, Tongariro, the Waimarino Plains, Lake Taupo, and all the bush country for many miles around. The view of the other peaks, snowfields, and cliffs to the south is a most interesting one. The crater-lake on Ruapehu cannot be seen from the north peak, but the basin in the snowfields, with the edge of the ice slopes down to it, can be easily distinguished. After leaving the north peak the descent was by a snow-covered spur to the west running down to an almost level snowfield reaching right up to the lake. In about twenty-five minutes' walking across snow we reached the lake. In previous visits this was a beautiful blue-green colour, and some of the party who slid down the snow-fall on the east reported that the water was only just lukewarm; but this time the whole place had the appearance of having been churned lip, and steam was rising from the surface slightly, though this would probably happen at a very low temperature up there. An advance was then made over towards Paretetaitonga Peak, which is the second highest on Ruapehu, being 9,025 ft., the highest point being Ruapehu Peak, 9,175 ft., to the south of the lake. This can easily be ascended by following on round from Paretetaitonga across a snowfield and up a spur to the summit, if time permits. A good many who have climbed by the north peak have returned the same way, but by far the most interesting return journey is made down the Wangaehu Glacier and across country. Intending to go this route, a start was made down the steep snow-covered slope running immediately from the north end of the lake, ail being roped together for safety in case of hidden crevasses. Good progress was made, and not a single crevasse was encountered, although away to our left the ice was piled up in a heap, and cracked in a dangerous-looking manner. Descending, the cliffs to the south gradually became higher, and presented a mass of dark-looking rocks streaked with thin threads of snow, with small streamlets making fantastic cascades and waterfalls. It is at the foot of this glacier.that the Wangaehu River takes its source, rushing out from a dark-looking cavern underneath the ice. No doubt there is a connection with the lake, as the Wangaehu water is about the same colour and temperature, and the lake always seems to keep the same level. We travelled down the glacier and came to where there is a sudden change in the slope, and here made over to the rocky spur to the north, eventually coming out at the foot of the steep part of the mountain, just where there is a pretty little waterfall dashing over the cliffs running into the Mangatoetoenui. From here we followed around the foot of the cliffs and came to another larger waterfall on a branch of the same stream, and then kept down this valley for about two miles or so till a point was reached where another large branch joins frofn the mountain, another waterfall showing where it leaves the lowest cliffs. Here we left the stream and struck across country direct from Ngauruhoe, reaching the track up to North Peak just about where the last pole is stuck up at the vegetation-limit. Once on the track the hut was soon reached. This is a fairly long day's journey, and should not be undertaken unless one is used to walking. Those who are not in the best walking-condition would do better to have a good look round the summit, and return the same way they went up. The round trip was made the reverse way during the Christmas holidays of 1907, and a very interesting experience in the Wangaehu Gorge was the result. The party managed to get down into the gorge about the foot of the steep slope of the mountain, and followed up the water until they were hemmed in by high perpendicular cliffs. Continuing upwards, we reached where the snow had choked up the gorge, and, climbing up on to the top of this, felt our way with poles, as the whole place was undermined by water. We crossed a treacherous-looking snow bridge, and rounded a corner to find ourselves face to face with a very large waterfall. Climbing some rocks on the left, we found ourselves about 10 chains below the foot of the Wangaehu Glacier. During this excursion some magnificent views of Mount Egmont were obtained. An easy route to the summit for riding parties is up the spur between the Wangaehu and the Waikato basins to the foot of the steep part of the mountains. The horses should then be tethered, with a little feed, which would have to be brought, and by making up the Wangaehu Glacier the crater-lake is reached. A good camping-place for this trip is to be found near the main coach-road, not far from the twelve-mile peg, in one of the clumps of bush to the east of the road. In climbing Ruapehu, snow-goggles are absolutely necessary, as the reflection from the snow is very trying. Veils are also very beneficial, as the sun acting upwards from the snow catches under the chin and the nose, making them very painful. The most comfortable' costume is knickerbockers and long stockings, with an extra pair of socks with the foot part cut off, put on and pulled down over the boot-tops to keep out scoria and snow. A light long-sleeved singlet is very good for climbing, but a thick woollen sweater should be carried to put on during halts. Good strong boots should be worn, with hobnails well scattered. If put too close together they act too much like a plate. An early start for Ruapehu trip is advisable, as the worst of the climbing is done before the sun gets too warm, and it also leaves plenty of time for exploring the summit and many interesting sights there It also very often occurs that the top of the mountain clouds over in the afternoon, but by that time climbers ought to be on their homeward journey. On no_ account should the cold ice-water be drunk, as it is very bad for the heated body. If one roust drink, put some snow in a hollow in a rock exposed to the sun, and wait until it melts and gets the chill off it; but it is much better to do without it whilst climbing. Third Bay. — A start was made with the idea of going across to the Ketetahi hut on the north side of Tongariro, and spending the night there. There is a horse-track hetween the two huts, marked with piled stones across the basins. This track keeps well to the right of Ngauruhoe. and crosses the old Oturere crater, but, as it was desired to ascend Ngauruhoe on our way, we followed the track across the Waihohonu, up a spur and down the other side, and continuing our journey almost straight for the low saddle between Ngauruhoe and Tongariro, arrived there about three hours after leaving the hut. At this point a start was made up the great side of the volcano. By keeping around to the west on a level grade for about 20 chains we struck a ridge of rocks,

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The Crater Lake, Ruapehu.

View of Ngauruhoe, with Waihohonu Stream in FOREGROUND, from the Ruapehu Mountain Hut.

[H. E. Girdlestone, photo.

Face p. 40.]

[H. E. Girdlestone, photo.

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LOOKING INTO THE Crater of Ngauruhoe from Castle Rock.

The Wangaehu Glacier.

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and found this excellent climbing. In thirty-five minutes the bieak in the outer rim of the crater was reached. The view from here looking across Tongariro towards Lake Taupo was one to be remembered. All the points of interest on Tongariro stood out prominently, whilst beyond shone Lake Taupo reflecting the surrounding hills like a gigantic mirror. Proceeding up a slope to the rightj we found ourselves on the edge of a small circular crater-basin, from which there were a few puffs of steam coming from amongst the stones at the bottom. . We followed on around the edge of this and came to an enormous chasm against the south-west portion of the outer crater, a narrow razorback ridge separating it from the little crater to the north. There was a perpendicular drop from the edge of the .outer rim right down into the awful depths. By getting on the top of a large boulder known as Castle Rock on the western edge, a splendid view of the great hole was obtained. It appeared to be about 10 chains across, circular in shape, with perpendicular sides about 500 ft. deep. We tried to gauge the depth by dropping stones and counting the time, but could only form a rough estimate. The bottom appeared to be an uneven mass of loose stones, and from all around the edge steam-jets were shooting out with a hissing noise. From the highest point, which is wearing away very fast, a splendid view of Ruapehu is to be obtained with the two .Nga-puna-a-tama Lakes in the foreground. Descending to the low saddle between Ngauruhoe and Tongariro the journey was continued towards the Red Crater across the large southern crater of Tongariro. The basin of the latter is almost level, with numbers of small loose stones scattered about. A small rocky bar runs down from the eastern wall, and we climbed up this round the rim, and up a short steep slope to find ourselves looking into the Red Crater, so called because the scoria composing the walls is of a dull-reddish tint. The last occasion that this trip was made the party left the Red Crater, and followed the rocky ridge to the highest point on Tongariro immediately to the north of the Southern Crater. The view of Ngauruhoe from there is a glorious one, and is well worth the trip. The Blue Lake and track down to Ketetahi hut can easily be distinguished separated by the large Central Crater. On this excursion we travelled down the north side of the Red Crater examining the active steam-jet near the bottom, and then pushed on to the pretty little green ponds lying immediately below. From the Red Crater a lava-flow of recent times has pushed its way into the basin of the Central Crater, its dark, black-looking masses forming an interesting spectacle. The horse-track from the Ruapehu hut crosses the basin and cuts through a gap to the north on the way to Ketetahi. We crossed this and climbed the rocky ridge to the east, and were soon overlooking the Blue Lake, a large expanse of clear blue water about 30 chains in diameter. Continuing northwards along the ridge between the Central Crater and the Blue Lake we decended to the track where it runs through the little saddle at the head of the Central Crater. Once on the grade the warm stream coming from the Ketetahi Springs was soon reached, and from here the hut could be seen. The hut at Ketetahi is very similar to the Ruapehu one, except that there is no fireplace, the cooking being done in a small shelter-shed about a couple of chains away. Fourth Day. —We left the hut about 10 a.m., and, keeping to the track to the top of the zigzag, struck across a gully to Te Mari blowhole, which could be seen steaming on the next ridge. The view from Tongariro looking north on a fine morning is a charming one. In the immediate foreground are patches of bush through which a recent lava-flow from Te Mari has eaten its way; beyond this is Roto Aira Lake, surrounded by tussock plains and patches of bush, giving it a parklike appearance, with the forest-clad slopes of Pihanga and Kakaramea in the background. Beyond this again, Lake Taupo's waters shimmer in the morning sun, with the distant peaks to the north just showing through the haze. A fairly easy climb brought us to the blowhole, which we found to be a steam-jet shooting up from a large crack on a rounded spur. The weather clouded up a,nd. distant thunder was heard, so we lost no time climbing up the steep spur to the south running up to the Blue Lake. The view from the top of the spur looking southwards is one of the most interesting on the route, taking in the Blue Lake, Red Crater, Ngauruhoe, and Ruapehu. A number of birds were noticed on a rocky point on the edge of the lake below, and on going down to investigate metiers we found sixteen nests, and heard afterwards that they were those of the tarapunga, or red-billed sea-gull, which come from Lake Taupo every season to breed there. A slight shower of rain here warned us that it was time to be moving, so we travelled over the ridge down to the horse-track, past the green ponds and the old Oturere Crater basin, and kept to the horse-track right to the Ruapehu hut. This trip covers a good deal of ground, and it is not always that the weather remains fine for the necessary time. For Ruapehu a fine day is absolutely necessary, as even a slight wind blowing off the snow is decidedly uncomfortable. The Ketetahi hut is easily reached from Tokaanu, there being a formed dray-road to the foot of the spur below the hut, and a horse-track from there up to it. Several walking enthusiasts have come from Tokaanu to the hut, spent a day or two there, and then gone on across the plains to Waimarino. This will be a magnificent drive when the road is formed right through. An excursion to the two Nga-puna-a-tama Lakes, about six miles from the Ruapehu hut, in the saddle between Ngauruhoe and Ruapehu, forms an interesting side trip to any one waiting at_ the hut for a suitable day to climb Ruapehu. The southern lake is the prettier of the two, being almost circular in shape, situated in a basin with sloping sides covered with vegetation, running down from abrupt faces of purple-coloured rocks, and terminating in a narrow sandy beach at the water's edge. The larger one, nearer Ngauruhoe, is more barren-looking, being surrounded by bare rocky ridges. It is just below here in a gully that the Waihohonu rises. The best route to the lakes is to follow up the bed of the Waihohonu almost the whole way, thereby avoiding the continual ups and downs of the little dry washouts running down from Ruapehu, and also the scrubby vegetation. The Ruapehu hut will always be the most popular base, as it is within easy reach of all the mountains. By cutting out the excursions to the Ketetahi Springs and Te Mari blowhole, the Ngauruhoe trip and Blue Lake could be worked from the Ruapehu hut in one day, though *he springs at Ketetahi and views to the north are well worth the extra day.

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Trip to the Southern Peak of Ruapehu (the Little Matterhorn) and Crater Lake, from the Round Bush. The Round Bush, situated about seven miles to the north of the Karioi Railway-station, forms a splendid base to ascend Ruapehu from the southern side. This bush is a circular patcli separated from the main body about 10 chains, and can be seen from the railway-line almost anywhere between Karioi and Waiouru. To reach this camping-spot excursionists taking horses should cross the stream running immediately to the east of the Karioi Railway-station by a small bridge just above the railway-bridge, and then make straight for Ruapehu till the foot of the low hills to the north is reached, so as to avoid several little swampy gullies. A well-worn track starts along the foot, heading off these bad places, and joins the old iNative track from Karioi to Tokaanu just under the Tahatehapua Trig. Station and. continues almost to the Round Bush, which can be seen standing out very prominently ahead. The route is almost level the whole way, and is easily walked in two and a rialf hours. A leading spur runs right from the Round Bush to the southern rocky peak known to many as the " Little Matterhorn," oyving to its resemblance to the famous peak of that name. The first mile and a half across the tussock plains, almost level walking, and then an easy rocky spur is met, which rises steadily until within a few hundred feet of the summit, where it rises somewhat abruptly, though not in any way precipitous. A good trip is to climb the south peak, and then cross over round the south side to the highest peak, descend to the lake, and return the north side to the leading spur again. An easy route to the summit of the rocky peak is up a steep rocky ridge immediately to the south of it. To reach the highest point, Ruapehu Peak, 9,175 ft., from here, it is necessary to descend the spur again some distance, and then skirt around the head of the Mangaehuehu Glacier, through a saddle, and up the ridge ahead. In March this glacier presents a magnificent spectacle, being cracked from top to bottom with large crevasses, and about half-way down there is a remarkable icefall which presents a series of tremendous crevasses, ice cliffs, razor-backed ice pinnacles and dark caverns, the greenish tint of the ice giving the place a beautiful effect. The view of the lake and surroundings from Ruapehu Peak is a marvellous sight. On a clear day the ocean can be seen on several sides, together with xMount Egmont standing out away to the west. The trip to the top from the Round Bush takes about six hours. The lake is easily reached by descending to the snowfields below, though late in the summer large crevasses appear near the edge, where the ice cliffs are falling into the lake, which might cause deviations to be made. From the lake the best route is round underneath the north side of the rocky peak, across the Wahianoa Glacier, to a saddle in the spur running down to the Round Bush. Early in the summer this glacier, as well as the Mangaehuehu Glacier and several small ice-filled gullies, is covered with soft snow, which forms splendid foothold, and it is possible to travel almost anywhere without much trouble; but late in the summer, about March, all the soft snow has disappeared, and only the hard ice remains, and it is then that the ice-axe is indispensable, and care has to be taken not to slip. The journey down can be, accomplished easily in a little over two hours from the lake. This route is a very popular one with people resident in the district, as it occupies little time, and forms an ideal excursion for riding-parties. Trip to Ruapehu Peak via the Mangaehuehu Stream from Rangataua. This route is a direct one from the Main Trunk Railway line, but will not be very popular until a pack-track is formed and a hut erected somewhere near the edge of the bush. The bush and river scenery throughout is magnificent. A good walking-track has been cut up the eastern side of the river from Rangataua to the open country at the foot of the mountain. Horses can be taken about three miles and a half in through a large clearing, and from there the rest of the journey has to be undertaken on foot. It takes about three hours and a half to go from Rangataua Station to a good camping-spot within a mile of the open country round the mountain, and from there five hours will see one to the summit of the highest peak. From Rangataua to the camping-spot it is a fairly even grade, and from the camp a good leading spur gives easy climbing until within about 500 ft. of the top, where it steepens a good bit though not at all formidably. The route keeps to the east of the Mangaehuehu River until the foot of the glacier is reached, and there it crosses over to the spur to the left of the glacier, giving a splendid view of the terminal face, about 50 ft. of solid greenish ice, with the river rushing away from it in a foaming torrent. The spur to the west of the glacier leads directly to Ruapehu Peak. A party climbed by this route on the 17th March, 1909, just after the Ngauruhoe eruption, and they found the ice and upper parts of the mountain covered with a grey mud, the effects of the recent rain on the ash. The advantage of this route is that it is very direct from the railway to the main peak. A pack-track could very easily be cut out, and if this were done, and a hut erected within half a mile from the open country, the route would become very popular. Trip to Paretetaitonga Peak prom Waimarino Side. On the west of Mount Ruapehu, immediately above the Erua Railway-station, is situated the hill known as Hauhangatahi, its forest-clad slopes, facing the railway-line, presenting a charming spectacle. From the summit a magnificent view can be obtained of Ruapehu. A good track has been cut by the Public Works Department up a leading spur situated about a quarter of a mile south of the Erua Railway-station.

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The Southern Crater of Tongariro.

Ruapehu as seen from Mangaehuehu Track, Rangataua.

Face p. U-l

The "Little Matterhorn " Peak is on the right. [H. E. Girdlestone, photo.

[H. E. Girdlestone, photo.

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Ngauruhoe in Eruption. View of Clouds of Fine Ash and Steam discharged from the Crater.

[C. T. Salm,on, photo.

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■ (The journey up Hauhungatahi occupies an Tiour and-a-half, and the return 'about ah hour. The bush- dies away at the.top of the steep face, and'from thence a long easy sloping spur covered with tussock and patches of mountain scrub leads to the top. Special notice must be taken going up as to where the track leaves the bush, as several climbers have had some difficulty in picking up the spot on the return journey. Between Hauhungatahi and Ruapehu there is a very low saddle, with several long clearings streaked with patches of scrub leading up to the spurs on Ruapehu. . There is a thick patch of scrubby,bush running round the steep eastern face of Hauhungatahi, and then, a large stretch of open tussock country with numerous small pools about 2 ft. to 3 ft. in depth scattered about.- From these pools a long avenue of tussock-covered country, almost level, surmounted on either side by long patches of bush, leads towards Ruapehu. Just where the bush on the left runs out there is a clear stream of water, and it was here that a party camped a short time back and made the ascent of Paretetaitonga Peak, accomplishing the journey in four hours. A very easy, spur, clear of scrub except for a small patch of stunted bush about 40 chains above the camp, runs up from this stream. , Within easy reach of this base, about, two or three miles to the-southward, there are two magnificent waterfalls on the Makatote Stream, about 10 chains apart, which are well worth a visit. The columnar structure of the cliffs over which the upper one falls is very interesting, and there are numerous specimens of the large yellow buttercup growing just where the spray from the falls reaches them The open country in the saddle, intersected with beautiful streams of water and dotted with patches of bush, makes a charming camping-spot. The only drawback at present is that, owing to the large stretch of bush to the north and south, the only available route is over Hauhungatahi, which is a pretty hard climb with tent, rugs, and other equipments. The Roads Department has started to complete road connection from Waimarino to Tokaanu, which is formed from the latter end and about three-fourths of the distance. The road leaves the main road a short distance below the turn-off to the Waimarino Railway-station, and runs towards Moturoa, an old Native village, aiid from there will continue on in a north-easterly direction till it reaches the other formation. If- a horse-track were cut in from near Moturoa through the bush up the Mangahuia Stream, it would have an easy grade all the way, and avoid the big climb over Hauhungatahi. The road from Waimarino to Tokaanu, when formed, besides being one of the prettiest drives in the North Island, will open up hundreds of beautiful camping-spots. The scenery on the Waimarino Plains is superb. The three mountains are visible from almost any part, and the sunset effects on a winter's evening is a sight worth coming a very long way to see. The tussock plains are intersected everywhere with greenish-tinted mountain-torrents tumbling down from Ruapehu in a series of cascades and waterfalls. Large and small patches of bush are scattered about everywhere, giving a most picturesque effect to the landscape. It is possible to ride for miles on the old Native tracks, though the different fords should be well known, as almost all the small creeks are boggy. This side of the mountains is becoming better known now that the railway is completed, and the beautiful scenery will be an incentive to tourists and others to explore the wonders of the region from the Waimarino Plains. A splendid camping-spot for ascending Ngauruhoe is to be found in a clump of bush to the north of Pukeonaki Hill, as on the west one of the ancient lava-flows has provided a prominent ridge of rocks which gives a good foothold. Ruapehu can be ascended almost anywhere, as the spurs all rise in steady slopes, there being no difficult rock-climbing on any of them. Parties have ascended via the Mangaturuturu Stream, which rises in a large glacier on the west, and several excursions have been made up the Makotuku Stream, but these have been more in the nature of exploring parties, and not much has been heard of them. At present the accommodation around the mountains is very meagre, most of the climbers preferring to pitch camp and bring their supplies and rugs. A few mountain huts, with caretakers, run on the same lines as the Egmont huts, would do a good deal to popularise excursions, and, once known, the park would be visited every year by hundreds of tourists from all parts of the world.

APPENDIX V. ERUPTION OF NGAURUHOE, 11th MARCH, 1909, AS SEEN FROM THE WAIMARINO PLAIN. ]' ) [By T. A. Johnston, Assistant Surveyor.]

No written description of the recent eruption and remarkable phenomena could do justice to such a weird and impressive scene. About 5 p.m. on Monday evening attention was suddenly arrested by a sound like thunder in the direction of Ngauruhoe. The noise soon developed into a series of eight sharp explosions like detonators, and a rumbling roar like a train rushing over a viaduct. All the mountains were, however, enshrouded in smoke; but above this suddenly rose a cloud of steam and volcanic dust, rolling and tossing as if eager to get away from the inferno. Caught at last by the rays of the setting sun, it shone with a lurid glare, while the booming of explosions alternated with the muffled rumblings For twenty minutes, as the dense cloud rolled and mounted upwards, there was a continuous roar, and visions of descending ashes and stones were easily conjured up. At 5.30 p.m., however, the initial explosion seemed to have spent itself, and the imprisoned titanic forces to have found a vent. As the evening closed in, the mountains,

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enveloped in a dark pall, were lost to sight, and the stillness of the night was only broken byoccasional rumblings, which served to remind one that across the few miles of plains Ngauruhoe was in the throes, of an eruption. ~ As day dawned on Tuesday the mountains stood out in bold relief against the clear sky. Dark smoke was curling from Ngauruhoe, and being driven by the breeze to the south-east. As the rnorning advanced, the activity became more marked. At 9 o'clock an immense dark column shot straight up from the crater for thousands of feet, gradually breaking into rolling billows, and spreading towards the Nga-puna-a-tama Saddle and the Karioi Plains. . Rolling masses and dense shafts were belched forth without cessation from the great vent, taking fantastic shapes in the air. As a rocket rushes up and scatters into myriad stars, so the great columns were thrust up thousands of feet to spread and shower down rocks and ashes. The great cloud of smoke and dust gradually darkened the western sky, and, rising over the mountain, seemed to dwarf it into insignificance. The ashes falling from this on the saddle made a weird and awe-inspiring spectacle, the bottom of the cloud seeming to extend down in streaks of varying thickness to the earth. To add to the iin,pressiveness of the scene, columns of steam and vapour issued from fissures on the north ridge of Ruapehu, extending down to the Ngapuna Saddle. By their intermittent action these resembled geysers, and the steam was sometimes shot hundreds of feet into the air, standing out in marked contract to the black smoke behind. Signs of activity were also apparent on the craters of Tongariro, but did not show the same life as the others. , Though little rumbling was heard, Ngauruhoe belched forth its lurid clouds all Tuesday without cessation, but the general appearance at nightfall seemed to indicate that for probably many years to come there would not be such a scene of majestic grandeur. Oh Wednesday and Thursday the wind changed slightly, and the snowfields of Ruapehu, which had glistened in the sun during Tuesday's eruption, were soon covered with ashes. : At the time of writing—Thursday night—the mountain is fairly quiet, though the geysers have shown fair activity throughout the day. On the south side Ngauruhoe presents a greyish appearance, though no lava-flow was noticed. The crater has been slightly altered, part of the top having been blown away. Apart from the geysers on the north slopes, where there was previously no sign of activity, Ruapehu seems to have been quiescent. Without exploration, however, it is impossible to say what changes have taken place.

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Table 1. — Return showing (approximately) the Position of Lands of the Dominion at 31st March, 1909.

District. Total Area sold and held on Freehold. Total Area reserved, granted under Acts, &c, from Foundation of Dominion to 31st March, 1909. Total Area of Crown Lands leased under all Tenures. Total Area open for Selection. Total Area of Native Land. Estimated Area Estimated Area of Barren occupied and Worthless by Roads, Bivers, Countrv. Lakes, &c. Total Area remaining for future disposal, exclusive of Land shown in Preceding Columns. Total Area in Land-District. I ----- -- -I ...| . Auckland Acres. Acres. Acres. Acres. Acres, Acres. Acr*s. Acr.s. Aeres.1,515,500 Acres. 13,858,000 2,133,092 3,566,283 1,656,378 326,803 4,006,771 fiKS 173 653,173 653,173 Hawke's Bay 2,594,120 433,596 872,084 4,403 1,493,979 504,035 160,783 6,063,000 504,035 Taranaki 448,012 700,343 520,021 870,513 971 2,490 351, 359 M 700 52,792 343,801 2,417,299 •■ 52,792 4,464,568 869,149 125,031 36,500 142,702 142,702 300,000 6,810,953 Wellington .. 1,411,935 i 54,589 1,544,000 60,000 60,000 4,686,000 Nelson 542,746 282,974 752,457 37,299 Marlborough 833,475 202, 450 1,343,525 ! i 7 140,000 100,000 100,000 148,543 2,768,000 Westland Canterbury .. 120,252 205,862 879,940 731,867 1,375,500 154,016 154,016 427,450 3,894,887 3,732,526 1,360,133 3,765,397 394 301, 586 " 444,009 " 444,009 9,604,045 8,882,800 7,583,892 Otago Southland 1,978,126 715,395 5,518,312 7,794 200,000 263, 200 263, 200 139,760 199,973 1,560,039 3,494,887 1,729,313 33,195 233,698 139,760 393,000 _l— Totals. 18,406,956 11,831,072 17,907,940 1,145,223 6,031,729 3,831,284 2,513,687 4,900,985 66,568,876

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Table 2.— Lands opened for Sale and Selection during the Year ended 31st March, 1909.

District. Optional System. Cash by Auction. Lease by Auction and Application. Village Allotments. Pastoral Runs. Small Grazing-runs. Rent-wable Lease. Totals. Ordinary Crown Lands — Acres. Auckland ... ... ... : .. .. 57,124 r; Hawke's Bay .. .. .. .. „ 21,375_" Taranaki.. .. .. .. ''".'." .. 11,363 ; Wellington .. .. .. ' ... .. 15,223 Nelson .. .. .. .. .. ,. 1,005 ■ Marlborough .. .. .. '•■ :. Westland .. .. .. .. .. 827 C .. .. -:.. :, . .; ..: .7,245 Otago .. .. .. .. .. :.. I 12,866 Southland .. .. .. ::* , .. 32,561 Acres. : 119 4 67 150 147 93 92 . Acres. r.^969 18. 46 72 526 20 748. 4,820 Acres. 167 . . 53 1,088 244 1 Acres. 124,874 11,296 Acres. 10,350 -21,05.0.. . 3,912 Acres. 7,352 1,072 - - 59 40,411 : ' '588' 32,868 Acres. 200,955 .54,868 - 11,476 20,504 41,416 1,-358 651,015 '257,941469,081 122,702 617,300 249,801 454,470 -' 81,498 1,652 3,731 ?! -'•■■■■■ Totals .. .. .; ;... ... 159,589 672 . 7,219 1 ,'552 1,539,239 35,312 87,733 1,831,316 ,, Land for Settlements— . ■ * i/ Auckland .. .. . , .. .. .:."; Hawke's Bay .. .. .. .... .. .. Taranaki J" -Wellington .. .. '.. ->.;' .. .. ■ Nelson : Canterbury .. ".. .. '"..'" .. ;.:.'."-■ Otago ■ -Southland .. .. .. ." .. : .. ' : .'..'■' ; . : ■•.. - 33,788 2,294 461 5,274 20,115 28,296 21,169 1,716 113,113 33,788 2,294 - 461 ■ 5,274 20,115 28,296 21,190 1,716 113,134 "21 .. " \ i Totals .. .. '..' .. .. 21 -••--.- National Endowment — Auokland .. .. ., ■ . . ; . . .. '..-,. Hawke's Bay , .. ., :;-..,' n ..J.'■■'-" Taranaki.. ' .". .. ., .. .. I .. Wellington .. .. . j ' .. .. ... i Nelson .... .. . j" .. . ."i — Westland - --.-. —— --.-.- .. .. -■■;.-■■ Otago .. .. .. ... .. „ . , „ , ...... . .■■••- 16,920 1 5,820 1,710 2.5,253 14^747 878 241,415 23,820 .42,173 • 5,820 - 14,747 2,588 241,415 193,320 209,573 Totals .. .. .. .. | 1,552 169,500 208,346 394,766 1,934,005 ■ 1,227 ■ 306,113 709,636 2,654,083 8,757 Grand totals .. .. ..j 159,589 44,069 i 672 7,240 506,959 I ■ 1

49

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Table 3 (Part I). —Summary of Lands taken up during the Year ended 31st March, 1909 (exclusive of Pastoral Runs and Miscellaneous Leases).

at '3 t-H at tH fr Tenures. Auckland. Hawke's Bay. Taranaki. Wellington. Nelson. Marlborough. Westland. Canterbury. Otago. Southland. Total Area taken up during Year. Obdinaby Cbown Lands. Table 5—Cash lands 8—Occupation with right of purchase 9—Lease in perpetuity 10 —Renewable lease 12 —Mining districts land occupation leases „ 13 —Village settlement, cash 13 —Village settlement, renewable lease 30 —Improved-farm special settlement.. 17 —Small grazing-runs A. B. P. 2,322 2 9 44,489 2 27 381* 0 0 A. B. P. 147 1 7 15,141 0 20 •• • A. B. P. 92 1 22 14,996 0 11 A. k. p. 64 0 22 14,840 2 11 244 2 0 940 2 26 A. B. P.I 4,979 1 7 24,267 1 29* 105,899 3 15f 657 1 0 i A. B. P. 683 0 0 A. B. P. 34* 2 36 A. B. P. 782 1 1 564 1 32 .. •• A. B. P. 32,206 3 23 3,252 2 9 ' •• 417 0 6 A. B. p. 851 2 11 5,564 2 11 40 0 0 A. B. p. 42,129 1 22 123,116 1 30 106,184 1 15 940 2 26 1,490 0 2 7 1 10 110 8 0 8 689 1 29 •• 16 2 18 689 1 29 I ■• 3,555 0 0 .. 3,555* 0 0 ■ • •■ Totals .. 47,200 2 61 I 15,289 2 27 ' 15,088 1 33 20,342 1 16 34 2 36 6,456 0 22 278,121 3 22 135,803 3 11 683 0 OJ 1,346 2 33! 35,876 1 38; Land fob Settlements Acts. „ 5—Cash lands 10 —Renewable lease „ 13 —Renewable lease (village) 9 3 12 15,857 1 5 18 1 0 1,954 0 23 0 10 10 3 10 3 2 18 4,543 0 27 12,299 0 0 6 0 30 95 1 7 4 0 30 28,248 1 10 29,900 1 38 9 1 16 5 0 0 385 2 20 47 0 10 93,294 0 20 9 2 16 ■ •• - • •• ■• 390 2 20 Totals 15,867 0 17 1,972 2 23 ! 10 3 lol 4,546 3 5 28,252 2 0, 29,909 3 14 93,350 3 6 12,299 0 0 : 101 1 37 National Endowment Lands. Table 5 - Cash lands „ 10 —Renewable lease (ordinary) 13 —Renewable lease (village settlements) 17 —Small grazing-runs 561 3 8 107 1 32 55,706 3 19 4,264* 3 20 ; 243 3 12 7,277**2 2 0 3 0 6,000' 1 30 2,979 1 25 24 1 12 1,815* 0 5 24 2 37 123,770* 2 4 46>8 0 20 23,214 0 23 67 0 7 6,857* 1 32 15,093 0 0 •• I 23,882 0 0 1,552 0 0 25,434 0 0 i [ 30,739 1 32 48,001 3 2 15,093 0 0 7,278 1 2 6,000 1 30 Totals 23,281 0 30 669 1 0J 55,706 3 19 4,508 2 32 4,555 2 37J 1,839 3 2 |149,672 2 2. Grand totals 86,348 3 13 30,192 1 3 i ! 25,558 1 21 203,809 2 30 5,293 0 29l 7,312 3 38 35,599 2 231 70,342 0 9| 8,686 2 4 521,145 1 l: * See footnote to Table 8. t See footnote to Table 9.

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Table 3 (Part II). —Summary of Settlement Lands: Transactions up to the Year ended 31st March, 1909.

'3 43 CD o at O fr Tenures. Exchanges from other Tenures during the Year. Area held at 31st March, 1908. 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, 1909 : Past and Current Transactions. Total Area made Freehold to date. Obdinaby Cbown Lands. A. b. p. Table 5—Cash lands i, 6—Deferred payment 7—Perpetual lease.. 8—Occupation with right of purchase 9~Lease in perpetuity 10 —Renewable lease 1 1—Agricultural lease I, 12 —Mining districts land occupation .. « 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 .. 31 —Improved-farm special settlement.. « 16 —Homestead v 17 —Small grazing-runs A. E. P. i A. E. P. A. B. P. A. E. P. A. B. P. A. E. P. A. E. P. 13,116,999 8 3f 977,673 3 2£ 780,939 1 £ 153,718 1 16 20,060 3 ie 24,565 2 15 92,627 2 10 1,579,102 3 23 1,450,384 0 37 100 0 0 996 2 35 22,836 1 33 4,897 0 37 785 2 17 7,617 0 11 16,961 3 19 86,908 3 16 1,656,308 3 24 1,528,657 1 5 940 2 26 521 1 29 24,633 0 13 717 "o 0 521 1 29 24,906 0 11 865* 1 23 274* 0 34 27* 3 33 140*895 3 2£ 399* 1 3 7*133 2 35 12,228 3 31 164 3 3 164 3 3 1,507 0 22 64 0 32 i 10 0 0 010 1,459 2 16 62 2 14 2,614 1 11 8 1 lf 23,250 1 31 57 3 28 19 2 34 22,919 0 14 18 1 £ 9 0 16 2 0 24 13,652 2 16 25* 2 22 691 2 13 13,601 1 10 " 114,023 0 11 j 67,916 0 5 92 2 0 115,731 2 22 73,126 2 6 91,358 2 14 2,856 1 17 80,452 3 1C 462,399 0 8 571* 0 0 1,240 0 18 75,638 0 35 459,696 1 20 .. Totals .. 726 0 16 3,855,087 0 37 1,572 0 5 29,280 1 16 9,936 2 34 75,666 0 28 4,002,385 2 10 i 15,386,959 2 IS Cheviot Estate. Table 5—Cash lands 9—Lease in perpetuity „ 10 —Renewable lease 13—Village-homestead special settlements (lease in perpetuity) 13—Village-homestead special settlements (renewable lease) 17 —Grazing-farms •• 24,392 1 2 2,480 1 0 24,387 2 2 2,480 1 0 6,842 1 2! 45,846 1 26 45,782 0 7 Totals .. 1 ■• 72,718 3 28 72,649 3 9 6,842 1 2,

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Table 3 (Part II). —Summary of Settlement Lands: Transactions up to the Year ended 31st March, 1909— continued.

51

EC' © CD tH o fr Tenures. Exchanges from other Tenures during the Year. Area held at 31st March, 1908. 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, 1909, Past and Current Transactions. Total Area made Freehold to date. Land foe Settlements Acts. A. E. P. A. B. p. 144 0 4 Table 5—Cash lands » 9—Lease in perpetuity 10 —Renewable lease » 13 —Lease in perpetuity (village) 13 —Renewable lease (village) „ 15 —Special-settlement associations 17--Small grazing-runs A. E. P. A. B. P. a. e. p. A. B. P. A. E. P. A. E. p. " 678,971 3 30 1,386 0 26 1,062* 2 6 292 2 38 18 1 10 5,522 0 30 676,370 2 18 155,972 3 7 438 1 28 9 2 16 2,114 1 9 211,004 0 33 1,386 "o 26 438 1 28 __ 2,114 1 9 217,654 0 33 •■ 3,694* 0 0 2,956* 0 0 •• Totals .. 11,386 0 26 899,178 3 20 1,386 0 26 5,049 1 4 8,496 2 0 1,045,909 3 31 144 0 4 National Endowment Lands. Table 5—Cash lands 10 —Renewable lease (ordinary) „ 13 —Renewable lease (village settlement) 17 —Small grazing-runs 1,954 1 29 128,260 1 1 574 1 33 1,129,732 2 13 3,427 1 0 106 1 13 1,105,925 0 20 186 2 0 705 1 32 434 1 31 Totals .. 1,954 1 29 1,109,458 2 33 620 3 31 705 1 32 1,258,567 1 7 Grand totals 4,066 2 31 5,936,443 2 88 2,958 0 31 34,950 2 11 19,188 2 26 75,666 0 28 6,379,512 2 17 15,393,946 0

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Table 4.— Analysis of Holdings taken up during the Year ended 31st March, 1909.

Average Holdings of Selectors. Tenures. No. of Selectors. No. of Selectors No. of Selectors No ' ° £ f Se 0 e r ° n tors No 0 ° £ f &l^ 0TS N °™? f 4 Se J e °'° rS ' N °V ± S ! le ° t0rS under 1 Acre. 1 to 50 Acres. 51 to 250 251 to 500 501 to 1,000 1,001 Acres Acres. Acres. Acres. j and upwards. Ordinary Crown Lands — Cash lands Occupation with right of purchase Lease in perpetuity.. Renewable lease Mining districts land occupation leases Village settlement, cash Village settlement, renewable lease Small grazing-runs Pastoral runs Pastoral lioenses in mining districts under speoial regulations .. Thermal springs, Rotorua Miscellaneous leases and licenses 350 382 193 81 36 11 109 2 43 52 194 75 **5 6 111 47 6 5 25 6 103 31 172 45 11 8 91 56 5 55 61 1 17 25 1 12 10 *5 27 *5 14 1 3 1 1 18 443 *71 218 103 *25 12 14 Totals I ■ ! 1,702 351 543 394 199 138 77 Cheviot Estate — Cash lands Renewable lease Village-homestead special settlement (renewable lease) Grazing-farms Miscellaneous 3 *3 •• Totals 3 3 Land for Settlements Acts — Cash lands .. .. .. Renewable lease Renewable lease (village) Miscellaneous .. .. .. 21 228 2 37 4 21 1 2 17 60 1 21 51 *29 *47 *20 11 "2 1 ■■ Totals 288 28 99 62 31 48 20 National Endowment Lands — Cash lands Renewable leaBe (ordinary) .. Renewable lease (village settlements) Small grazing-runs Pastoral runs Pastoral licenses in mining districts under speoial regulations .. Miscellaneous leases and licenses 383 57 8 30 31 101 71 4 *28 53 104 .. 91 1 2 4 9 68 21 7 5 10 7 44 13 19 43 1 3 *2 Totals 610 75 142 i 179 107 35 72 Grand totals 787 1 635 337 2,603 454 258 132

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Table 5. —Return of Crown Lands sold for Cash during the Year ended 31st March, 1909.

53

Area disposed of. Average Price per Acre. Consideration received. Town. Suburban. Rural. Total. District. Number of Purchasers. Area. Number of Purchasers. Area. Number of Purchasers. Area. Number of Purchasers. Area. Town. Suburban. Rural. Cash. Scrip. Total. Ordinary Crown Lands— 65 A. e. p. 24 1 26 A. B. P. A. E. P. A. B. P. £ s. d. £ s. d. £ s. d. (1 0 10 | 1 1 19 7 j* ( 2 4 10 1 (12 10 4 f* 13 5 10 11 10 0 j 0 6 3 ) 1 1 0 0 } * 0 8 0 £ s. d. £ s. d. ! £ s. d. Auckland 42 2,298 0 23 107 2,322 2 9 258 12 0 9,332 15 2 I 9,332 15 2 Hawke's Bay 2 2 0 0 1 3 2 0 11 141 3 7 14 147 1 7 37 0 0 12 0 0 493 0 0 493 0 0 Taranaki Wellington 37 74 16 3 23 21 0 21 10 4 63 2 15 21 1 1 5 2 I 11 3 24 21 3 0 52 80 92 1 22 64 0 22 54 15 6 290 0 0 6 4 0 6 7 0 1,470 14 2 8,027 0 7 | 1,470 14 2 | 8,027 0 7 Nelson 17 4,979 1 7 17 4,979 1 7 • • 1,199 9 4 1,199 9 4 Marlborough Westland 1 683 0 0 1 683 0 0 273 4 0 53 0 Of 1 273 4 0 53 0 0 - ( 1 12 4 1 1 3 13 4 J* ( 1 4 4 \ \ 0 10 1-6 ) * ( 0 10 4-1 j t 0 18 10 f * Canterbury 20 782 1 1 20 782 1 1 2,255 8 10} 2,255 8 10 Otago 5 1 3 28 7 15 1 33 20 32,189 2 2§ 32 32,206 3 23 20 0 0 2 13 16,519 0 10 .. ! 16,519 0 10 Southland 1 0 3 0 16 88 1 5 10 762 2 6 27 851 2 11 30 0 0 5 0 3 920 2 1 920 2 1 Totals 38 192 0 14 - 40,543 15 0 40,543 15 0 184 67 0 18 128 41,870 0 30 350 42,129 1 22 Land for Settlements — Auckland Hawke's Bay Wellington Marlborough Canterbury Southland 1 10 0 1 1 I 0 3 10 5 0 0 5 7 2 8 3 12 18 1 0 2 3 8 6 7 3 2 2 1 9 3 12 18 1 0 3 2 18 6 0 30 4 0 30 5 0 0 42 0 0 50 0 0 14 0 0 39 8 1 19 6 4 16 0 0 389 15 0 352 11 3 84 19 5 140 0 0 163 1 0 15 0 0 389 15 0 352 11 3 84 19 5 140 0 0 163 1 0 15 0 0 i 1 1 0 30 0 2 0 'i 1 3 2 30 5 0 0 58 19 9 280 0 0 6 7*2 3 0 0 .. ., .. Totals 3 2 2 30 2 5 3 10 16 38 2 10 21 47 0 10 1,145 6 8 1,145 6 8 Grand totals 187 ! 69 3 8 40 197 3 24 144 41,908 3 0 I 42,176 1 32 1 371 41,689 1 8 j 41,689 1 8 * Where two average prices are given, the first 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 Payment received for excess area on survey of areas selected as unsurveyed land. } Of this amount £191 10s. was received during previous year, but was not returned, as purchase was not completed till after 31st March, 1908. A forfeited deposit on an incomplete purchase, together with an excess payment, totalling £li 0s. 3d., is excluded from the sum £2,255 8s. lOd. § Includes an area of 31,880 acres of Crown land which was transferred to the Otekaike Estate, and dealt with under the Land for Settlements Act.

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Table 6.— Return of Deferred-payment Lands at Year ended 31st March, 1909.

Forfeitures durii ig the Year. Exchanges during the Year. Capitalised during the Year. Net Area held on 31st March, 1909, including Capitalised Holdings. Amount receivec District. tH IH 3 <" izjco Area. Yearly Instalments payable. «rl W *H rj fr, Area. Yearly Instalments payable. rj q Area. ! | Yearly Instalments payable. O at * o ■go 9 3 £CO. Area. Yearly Instalments and Interest payable. Year ended 31st March, 1909. Auckland Hawke's Bay Taranaki Wellington .. Nelson Marlborough .. Westland Canterbury .. Otago Southland A. B. P. £ s. d. i A. B. P. .. •■ £ s. d. 3 A. B. p. 87 1 10 •• " £ s. d. 7 18 6 14 1 1 14 A. B. P. 1,097 2 13 ! 1,415 0 0 213 0 22 1,651 2 6 £ s. d.l 22 14 9i 42 10 0 1 16 A. 8 8 0! £ s. d. . 79 3 5 21 5 0 8 16 2 73 14 10 " •• " .. I ■• .. • ■ •• 4 12 8,914 0 10 3,670 2 8 860 0 8! 66 4 0 756 10 9 155 3 5 687 19 9 ■ • .. '■ I Totals .. •• •• — 3 87 1 10 7 18 6| 46 16,961 3 19. 801 13 9 1,782 13 4 Freehold acquired during the Year. Made Freehold from Commencement of System to 31st March, 1909. Selectors in Arrear on 31st March, 1909. District. O at 33 C CD Area. *° at rj Q oi 9, go 3 3 l-rCO Area. Total Amount realised, exclusive of Interest. Area. Amount. Auckland Hawke's Bay Taranaki Wellington .. Nelson Marlborough .. Westland Canterbury .. Otago Southland 3 i 10 4 A. B. P. 87 1 10 99 0 0 1,267 2 21 328 807 1,304 654 1,583 50 100 118 1,124 1,314 A. E. P. 40,232 3 36 83,906 1 20 157,197 3 13 136,987 1 31 149,438 3 19 4,638 1 30 4,571 3 12 18,881 0 34 188,954 1 27 192,864 2 3 £ s. d. 22,923 4 9 89,081 7 9 238,795 11 3 151,161 10 10 120,783 9 10 3,257 9 3 4,282 11 3 43,039 9 10 226,840 0 0 254,519 4 2 1 A. B. P. 213 0 22 £ s. d. 4 19 10 203* 1 31 5,946 1 14 Totals .. 19 977,673 3 25 19 7,603 2 36 7,382 1,154,683 18 11 213 0 22 4 1!

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Table 7. — Return of Perpetual-lease Lands at Year ended 31st March, 1909.

Exchanges to other Tenures during the Year. Forfeitures during the Year. Surrenders during the Year. Freeholds acquired during the Year. District. O at " o go 3 3 Area. Annual Rental. go 3 .2 Area. Annual Rental. ° al >h a IrS Area. Annual Rental. o at « 3 •2 ° 3 3 3 'tD Area. Amount realised. Auckland Hawke's Bay Taranaki .. Wellington Nelson Marlborough Westland Canterbury Otago Southland A. E. P. " . £ s. d. | A. B. P. £ s. d. A. B. p. £ s. d. I 13 2 '.'. 2 A. E. P. 1,697 1 21 500 0 0 . £ s. d. 779 6 0 292 10 0 365 0 0 266 7 6 " 1 '*. i 2 4 750 1 18 54 3 0 347 3 3 888 0 36 324 16 10 54 15 0 241 2 6 546 15 8 •• •• ! - " . i 1 996 *2 35 27 0 4 .. Totals .. 1 25 4,603 1 38 i 2,505 13 996 2 35 27 0 4 Made Freehold from Commencement of System to 31st March, 1909. Net Area held on 31st March, 1909. Amount received during the Year Selectors in Arrear, 31st March, 1909. District. enueu orao xvxaicti, 1909 (exclusive of of Amount from Perpetual Leases made Freehold). go 3 3 3 'id Area. Total Amount realised, exclusive of Interest. H4 O at go 3r2 -j tx> Area. Annual Rental. o at CD 5 go 3-2 S <D gee Area. Amount. * A. E. P. £ s. d. 34,693 3 33 1,014 15 1 2,852 0 23 112 19 0 3,781 0 16 ; 199 2 2 3,862 2 27 ! 153 16 4 1,922 2 13 37 1 6 420 15 17 12 6 580 1 8 28 0 4 1,388 2 35 110 5 2 28,670 2 5 1,046 15 0 8,736 2 11 324 5 10 £ s. d. 810 0 2 100 12 5 231 9 6 170 8 8 29 12 2 23 6 8 6 16 0 94 0 5 1,004 7 10 338 18 10 £ s. d. 46 11 7 Auckland.. Hawke's Bay Taranaki .. Wellington Nelson Marlborough Westland Canterbury Otago Southland 528 297 401 791 27 8 6 92 147 96 A. E. P. 158,745 2 7 133,659 1 24 101,230 1 39 309,320 2 5 9,181 0 30 1,676 1 2 482 3 20 15,649 3 11 | 28,313 3 14 i 22,679 1 13 £ s. d. 74,597 19 9 194 102,300 19 7 9 93,795 10 2 12 275,882 15 8 12 3,122 5 6 11 772 1 10 4 482 17 2 7 i 23,847 1 9 19 22,355 3 8 : 172 I ! 16,979 15 5 54 614,136 10 6 , 494 11 2 2 8 1 3 1 A. E..P. 1,487 3 11 552 0 0 378 0 0 370 1 8 38 2 17 607 2 37 211 1 0 28 14 0 5 10 7 18 19 4 2 2 6 16 3 0 3 6 0 Totals .. 2,393 780,939 1 5 86,908 3 16 3,044 12 11 2,809 12 8 23 3,645 2 33 121 7 0

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56

Table 8. —Return of Occupation-with-right-of-purchase Lands at Year ended 31st March, 1909.

Taken up during the Year. Forfeitures during the Year. Surrenders during the Year. Freeholds acquired during the Year. District. "o m •h a <D O £CG Area. Annual Rental payable. O to A co Area. Annual Rental. O at go 3,2 ; 3 o Area. Annual Rental. go So. Area. Amount received. Auckland Hawke's Bay .. Taranaki Wellington Nelson Marlborough .. Westland Canterbury Otago Southland 170 54 30 25 *49 A. B. P. 44,489 2 27 15,141 0 20 14,996 0 11 14,840 2 11 24,267 1 29 £ s. d. 1,766 15 0 4,224 18 0 701 11 0 1,671 14 10 422 10 9 46 1 9 *2 A. E. P. 15,219 0 17 17 0 22 6,026 1 20 716 0 0 £ s. d. 442 1 4 10 0 216 9 0 17 12 0 1 •• A. B. p. 100 0 30 3 0 11 £ s. d. 2 10 0 56 6 8 44 3 0 16 4 32 10 0 1 2 4 4 1 3 A. E. p. 6,511 2 37 1,401 2 '0 2,765 2 31 11,018 2 20 245 3 8 912 0 28 £ s. d. 3,821 10 11 1,665 4 6 2,960 11 3 14,297 19 8 97 11 6 1,124 3 11 " ■' 1 21 32 564 1 32 3,252 2 9 5,564 2 11 32 10 0 110 8 0 350 2 8 •• 1 6 115* 2 20 742 0 34 2 3 6 13 14 2 1 1 564 1 32 117 3 24 518 0 0 169 3 27 171 1 22 323 15 0 127 10 0 169 19 0 ■• . " Totals .. 382 65 3 23,714 3 13 ■- i 24,588 5 9 123,116 1 30 9,280 10 3 22,836 1 33 693 0 0 785 2 17 37 5 10 126 Freeholds acquired from Commencement of System to 31st March, 1909. Net Area held on 31st March, 1909. Amount received during tl 31st March, 1909 (exclusive for acquiring Freel e Year ended of Amount paid lold). Selectors in Arrear, 31st March, 1909. District. 4i at O >H 3 8 O at rD O go a 3 3 ID H fH CD O s "3 Area. Total Amount realised. Area. Annual Rental. On the Year's Transactions. On Past Transactions. Total. Area. Amount. Auckland Hawke's Bay Taranaki Wellington Nelson Marlborough Westland Canterbury Otago Southland 287 43 42 205 20 10 A. E. P. 49,650 1 2 19,516 1 0 10,424 2 32 63,378 2 31 3,765 0 5 2,230 1 28 £ s. d. 26,818 12 11 17,045 15 9 13,989 2 3 75,293 11 5 1,262 8 2 1,596 9 10 2,434 305 462 654' 2491 39j 106 24 277 347 A. E. P. 734,422 0 13 150,474 1 21 252,875 0 4 286,254 3 0 "68,384 3 35 12,595 2 20 18,590 0 24 4,090 2 23 50,722 0 14 77,899 0 30 £ s. d. 24,402 16 9 12,004 13 9 10,282 4 0 17,335 11 2 1,235 0 7 532 4 1 601 4 0 231 9 8 1,401 8 4 2,089 15 0 £ s. d. 883 7 6 2,112 9 0 351 7 5 980 1 6 190 15 9 £ s. d. 16,222 8 6 7,391 18 10 5,885 11 10 11,121 1 2 437 5 1 430 4 0 473 0 4 221 11 6 1,195 17 1 1,490 16 9 £ s. d. 17, 10 5 16 0 9,504 7 10 6,236 19 3 12,101 2 8 628 0 10 430 4 0 473 0 4 238 1 6 1,249 11 1 1,665 18 1 67 11 20 7 3 11 A. E. P. 21,012 1 34 4,424 0 0 3,951 0 17 8,418 2 0 1,275 0 0 509 2 16 1,223 2 18 £ s. d. 395 16 0 109 17 3 70 7 8 292 3 3 24 15 4 13 6 9 34 0 8 9 5 25 1,136 2 29 448 0 23 3,168 0 26 1,433 4 5 326 10 0 2,561 17 3 16 10 0 53 14 0 175 1 4 4 2 656* 2 1 457 1 36 14 16 0 5 16 1 Totals 646 153,718 1 16 140,327 12 0 4,897 41,928 1 2 960 19 0 1,656,308 3 24 70,116 7 4 4,763 6 6 44,869 15 1 49,633 1 7 132 * This includes i5 selectors, of 23,386 acres 1 rood 29 perches, who selected unsurveyed lands in previous years, but which had not be een returned owing to want of surveys.

57

C.—l

Table 9. —Return of Lease-in-Perpetuity Lands at Year ended 31st March, 1909.

B—o, 1,

Exchanges to Renewable Lease during the Year. Forfeitures during the Year. Surrenders during the Year. Freeholds acquired during the Year. District. 02 O O oi co at *S o rL" O O id Yh "3 CO Area. Annual Rental payable. at O o ~* O r5 'O 00 at tH 14 O Annual Rental j ° § payable. ! d •§ ! Hh Area. Area. Annual Rental payable. Area. Amount realised. Ordinary Crown Lands — Auckland Hawke's Bay Taranaki Wellington Nelson Marlborough Westland .. Canterbury Otago .. .. Southland - A. B. P. 100 0 0 £ s. d. 10 0 0 7 1 A. B. P. 2,375 3 32 280 0 0 £ s. d. 53 8 10 7 0 0 A. B. P. 1,591 0 0 £ s. d. 27 9 10 A E. P. 2,562 2 20 1,099 0 0 £ s. d. 3,547 11 0 961 12 6 1 1 7 1 1 3 1,138* 0 0 623 1 36 68* 6 0 11 19 4 8 3 2 3,597 2 16 1,081 3 19 415 3 10 46 4 0 13 11 8 7 8 0 1 14 2 6 1 3 2 1,980 0 0 7,123 3 8 1,203 0 0 1,211 3 8 39 0 0 2,145 2 8 1,174 2 12 1,485 0 0 3,319 9 9 712 17 0 690 6 2 123 10 0 740 14 6 1,468 4 4 •• - 7 , ; 449* 0 26 11* 3 2 - I i I. 2 930* 3 6 26 11 10 30* 2 23 4 18 0 Totals I 10 0 0 : 4,897 0 37 156 15 4 37 18,539 1 16 1 100 0 0 20 16 7,617 0 11 121 5 4 13,049 5 3 Land for Settlements — Auckland Hawke's Bay Taranaki Wellington Nelson Marlborough Westland Canterbury Otago Southland 2 238 1 26 i 145* 9 0 " 8 1 14 574 3 5 44* 2 28 58 1 36 I 113 3 4 21* 0 0 41 13 2 i l 60 0 5 0 0 '7* 1 10 I 12 0 0 17 0 0 '■ 0 13 8 ■• • •• •• I •• 'i 1,147 3 0 588 15 0 3 1 1 93 3 22 8 1 35 282 1 0 138 0 0 1 18 0 28 18 8 •■ .. i •• .. •• •' .. .. Totals * 1,386 0 26 734 4 0 28 1,062 2 6 344 13 2 2 18 1 10 29 13 8 Grand totals .. 5 48 ! 18 7,635 1 21 150 19 0 37 18,539 1 16 13,049 5 3 1,486 0 26 744 4 0 5,959 3 3 501 8 6 Taken up during the Year. District. No. of Selectors. Area. Annual Rental payable. Ordinary Crown Lands — Wellington .. ... . Nelson Southland 3 189* 1 A. B. P. 244 2 0 105,899 3 15 40 0 0 £ b. d. 12 18 10 2,013 5 1 1 12 0 Totals 193 106,184 1 15 2,027 15 11 * Selections of unsurveyed lands in previous years, but which had not been returned owing to want of surveys.

58

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Table 9. —Return of Lease-in-Perpetuity Lands at Year ended 31st March, 1909— continued.

Freeholds acquired from Commencement of System to 31st March, 1909. Net Area held on 31st March, 1909. Amount of Rent received during the Year ended 31st March, 1909. Selectors in Arrear, 31st March, 1909. District. Number of Purchasers Area. Total amount realised. Number of Selectors. Area. Annual Rental. On the Year's Transactions. On Past Transactions. Total. Number of Selectors. Area. Amount. Ordinary Crown Lands — Auckland Hawke's Bay Taranaki Wellington Nelson Marlborough Westland Canterbury Otago Southland .. 7 1 1 18 2 6 1 3 2 A. E. P. 2,562 2 20 1,099 0 0 1,980 0 0 8,645 1 8 1,203 0 0 1,211 3 8 39 0 0 2,145 2 8 1,174 2 12 £ s. d. 3,547 11 0 961 12 6 1,485 0 0 4,351 9 9 712 17 0 690 6 2 123 10 0 740 14 6 1,468 4 4 1,208 207 473 528 555 328 474 : 245 810 346 5,174 302,377 0 26 103,025 1 11 178,790 0 1 146,086 1 29 209,147 3 2 144,833 1 23 65,985 1.16 75,565 2 23 201,889 3 6 100,956 1 28 £ s. d. 8,337 2 7 3,808 18 7 7,214 5 0 6,967 17 4 3,716 4 5 3,411 1 2 1,569 11 6 4,287 4 6 5,894 12 9 2,306 17 6 £ s. d. 18 *3 5 £ s. d. 7,454 0 1 3,795 9 6 6,028 17 10 6,037 16 8 2,332 10 9 2,957 14 3 858 11 5 3,826 13 11 5,419 17 0 2,003 14 4 £ s. d. 7,454 0 1 3,795 9 6 6,028 17 10 6,056 0 1 2,332 10 9 2,957 14 3 858 11 5 3,826 13 11 5,419 17 0 2,004 10 4 62 2 15 8 14 2 28 2 20 7 a. B. p. 20,062 3 31 464 0 0 3,377 1 32 1,619 0 0 3,155 0 0 738 1 1 946 0 12 185 0 0 6,533 2 18 2,479 0 18 £ s. d. 560 7 2 .925 67 19 3 42 19 0 33 18 11 23 19 11 42 3 0 3 18 11 123 15 11 26 12 10 0 16 0 Totals 41 20,060 3 16 14,081 5 3 1,528,657 1 5 47,513 15 4 18 19 5 40,715 5 9! 40,734 5 2; 160 39,560 1 32 934 17 4 _! Land for Settlements — Auckland Hawke's Bay Taranaki Wellington Nelson Marlborough.. Westland .. Canterbury Otago Southland .. •■•■ '• : •• 635 426 34 311 13 303 27 1,137 543 234 117,867 3 32 119,734 0 17 4,017 2 15 39,169 3 22 4,099 0 9 54,411 3 27 4,990 1 4 173,996 1 21 109,654 0 7 48,429 1 24 676,370 2 18 18,503 19 8 39,537 16 4 3,241 2 8 15,036 15 8 805 15 10 12,288 12 8 538 11 8 64,841 8 8 34,623 18 0 10,719 11 2 17,127 13 0 35,084 6 8 3,279 3 8 14,915 4 7 491 5 11 11,463 17 3 439 12 0 53,767 4 7 31,234 13 7 9,356 10 0 17,127 13 ( 35,084 6 I 3,279 3 I 14,915 4 ' 491 5 1. 11,463 17 1 439 12 I 53,767 4 ' 31,234 13 ' 9,356 10 I 45 11 3 15 2 14 1 62 20 23 11,651 1 11 531 1 1 123 1 35 1,616 0 0 589 0 0 1,859 1 35 253 3 0 12,725 0 38 4,604 0 35 5,770 3 6 1,189 13 4 289 9 £ 17 16 1 437 1 e 150 6 S 148 1 11 31 14 4 3,380 10 f: 1,071 18 C 414 13 11 " •• ■• •■ • • •• . •• Totals I — r 3,663 200,137 12 4 6,424 7 6 •' 177,159 11 3| 177,159 11 3 196 39,724 2 1 292 0 0 7,131 5 c 29 4 C Cheviot Estate (Canterbury) 118; 24,387 2 2 5,761 3 5 5,761 3 5 1 ■• Grand totals 41 114,081 5 3 8,955 ; 2,229,415 1 25 |254,075 15. 2 18 19 5 223,636 0 5 79,576 3 33 ■8,095 7 ( J20.060 3 16 223,654 19 10 : 357 Ellesmere Endowment .. j . 68 13,937 0 0 1,399 13 2 1,275 15 2 1,275 15 2 i •• •• •• .. ••

59

C—l.

Table 10.— Return of Renewable-lease Lands at Year ended 31st March, 1909.

Taken up during the Year. Exchanges from other Tenures during the Year. Forfeitures during the Year. Surrenders during the Year. Amount of Rent received during the Year ended 31st March, 1909. Net Area held on 31st March, 1909. Distriot. 82 3 U o Area. Annual Rental payable. at U r. •2« o_ Area. Annual Rental payable. a. -a S At o Area. Annual Rental. CO 03 ° 82 3 to O Area. Annual Rental. at r< rf I* 3 <D goo o Area. Annual Rental. On the Year's Transactions. On Past Transactions. Total. £ s. d. 747 16 10 1,736 16 0 880 16 0 66 3 2 1,144 6 2 145 4 8 281 0 ' 0 342 8 0 66 10 8 65 19 0 ' National Endowment — Auckland Hawke's Bay Taranaki Wellington Nelson Marlborough Westland Canterbury .. Otago Southland - 63 17 21 5 130 10 103 10 15 9 A. B. P. 23,214 0 23 6,857 1 32 15,093 0 0 561 3 8 55,706 3 19 4,264 3 20 7,277 2 2 6,000 1 30 2,979 1 25 1,815 0 5 7 A. E. P. 1,251 2 14 £ s. d. 36 14 6 ' A. R. P. £ s. d. A. E. P. 200 0 0 £ s. d. 6 0 0 A. B. P. 24,527 0 37 6,857 1 32 15,093 0 0 575 1 8 55,994 0 28 4,264 3 20 10,008 0 10 6,026 3 36 3,098 0 25 1,815 0 5 £ s. d. 785 4 4 1,736 16 0 8S0 16 0 53 15 2 1,155 3 0 145 4 8 343 10 0 348 7 8 70 2 0 65 19 0 £ s. d. 542 11 5 1,264 17 0 808 1 4 56 8 1 803 8 3 330 9 4 386 18 11 250 5 7 54 4 0 52 10 4 £ S. d. £ s. d. 542 11 5 1,264 17 0 808 1 4 60 0 6 803 8 3 330 9 4 412 18 11 250 5 7 57 11 9 52 10 4 I 1 70 17 21 5 134 10 118 12 16 9 i t ::- •• 1 186 2 0 22 *8 0 *4 287 "l 9 10 16 10 3 12 5 *4 2 389 0 0 26 2 6 8 *2 0 5 19 8 *3 505**1 32 7 12 0 26 0 0 I " 3**7 9 .. •• • • ■• Totals 383 123,770 2 4 17 4 705 1 32 13 12 0 128,260 1 1 •• 4,582 14 5 5,477 0 6 1,954 1 29! 61 13 0 186 2 0! 22 8 0 412 5,584 17 10 4,549 14 3 33 0 2 Land for Settlements — Auckland Hawke's Bay Taranaki Wellington Nelson .. Marlborough Westland Canterbury Otago Southland — '-- •■ 51 31 2 27 16 3 15,857 1 5 1,954 0 23 10 3 10 4,543 0 27 12,299 0 0 95 1 7 770 10 8 1,142 9 0 20 5 0 1,852 6 2 967 11 6 31 6 8 2 ■ •• 238 I 26 89 0 6 i 292 2 38 147 2 0 - i 108 "o 0 60 i 6 55 112 2 29 13 3 16,065 2 12 21,721 3 26 10 3 10 4,781 2 13 10,039 0 0 95 1 7 843 16 8 9,200 6 2 20 5 0 1,941 6 8 802 8 6 31 6 8 555 8 0 664 17 3 11 1 3 1,375 1 0 930 15 3 17 1 9 10 6 2 4,028 0 9 565 14 2 4,692 18 0 11 1 3 1,375 1 0 930 15 3 17 1 9 .. •• 3 2,260 "o 0 165 3 0 ! - - I •• .. i 51 44 3 28,248 1 10 29,900 1 38 385 2 20 6,562 11 4 8,123 12 2 31 1 0 *2 1,147* 3 0 406 10 0 •• ■• '3 2 3,122**1 0 31 3 30 556 i 0 11 10 4 51 105 3 26,735 3 10 76,137 0 29 385 2 20 6,649 11 4 13,480 5 4 31 1 0 5,931 8 7 7,142 9 0 19 2 7 2,279 7 111 5,931 8 7 9,421 16 11 19 2 7 •• . ., 1 •• •• • ■ I •• •• 228 •• Totals 93,294 0 20 19,501 13 6 .4 1,386 0 26 495 10 6 292 2" 38 792 18 10 373 155,972 3 7 33,000 7 4 22,964 19 6 1 147 2 0] 5,522 0 30 16,647 4 14 10 Ordinary Crown Lands — -, ■ - Wellington .. 81 940 2 26 264 12 2! .. I 81 940 2 26 ! 264 12 21 122 17 6 Grand totals 692 218,005 1 10 25,243 6' 2 21 3,340 2 15 479 0 38 122 17 6 27,670 11 5 557 3 6 2 [ [169 10 0 13 |6,227 2 22| [806 10 10 : 866 i i285,173 2 34! ,350 15 0 38,849 17 4 21,319 16 51 I

C.—l

60

Table 12. —Return of Mining Districts Land Occupation Leases under Part VIII of "The Land Act, 1908," at Year ended 31st March, 1909.

Table 11. —Return of Agricultural-lease Lands at Year ended 31st March, 1909.

Expiries during the Year. Net Area held on 31st March, 1909. Amounts received during the Year ended 31st March, 1909. Made Freehold from Commencement of System to 31st March, 1909. Selectors in Arrear on 31st March, 1909. District. "3 at •H K td o go 3r2 Zco Area. I Yearly 1 Rental. O m tH W 3 O 3 3 3 <d Area. L>> " — 3 % A 0 44 i>H a * o P3 a . 2 =3 at A *H r-j S&H 3 a r^'-S o tH /4. tH -^ "So Total. A o 33 r-J CO Area. Total Amount realised. O at a 0 Area. 3r5 3 o Amount : A. B P. £ s. d. A. B. P. £ s. d. £ s. d. £ s. d. £ s. d. 2,750 0 0 279 0 15 131,296 2 3 6,570 1 5 £ s. d. 590 5 0 488 12 11 131,580 12 6 6,570 5 0 A. B. P. j £ s. d. Auckland .. Westland .. Otago Southland .. " i 27 *3 33 110 : ,—- 16 521 i 29 22 13 3 1 i 0 25 *9 5 26 10 5 67 32 1,326 50 •• ! • • Totals .. " 1 27 3 33 110 16 521 1 29 22 13 3 110 110 1 25 9 5 26 10 5 1,475 140,895 3 23 139,229 15 5 .. •• 1 I In the Otai ;o Land Distriot one lease over an area of 27 acres 3 roods 31 perches, annual rental £1 Is., was renewed during the year.

Taken up during the Year. Forfeitures and Surrenders during the Year. Exchanges to other Tenures during the Year Net Area held on 31st March, 1909. Amount received during the Year. Selectors in Arrear on 31st March, 1909. District. O at w O 2 3 2 o S3 3 0) Area. Annual Rental. O at CD -u A o 3 CD t-,C0. Area ' Annual Rental. O M • S , Annual a a Area. — , , g id ; Rental. r-( OJ "o d g ° 3-2 3 cd grM Area. Annual Rental. ° ntl , e On Past „ Years TransTr^nsao - actions, tions. O m " O g o 3,2 3 © Total. Area. Amount. ( I.J Auckland Nelson Marlborough Westland Otago Southland 8 8 A. B. P. 381 0 0 657 1 0 £ s. d. 25 3 0 24 14 10 6 1 A. E. P. 368 2 23 20 3 17 £ s. d. 32 0 0 10 0 *4 A. E. P. £ s. d. 331 2 31 14 5 0 287 1 9 10 16 10 172 41 26 31 271 39 A. B. P. 8,575 2 6 2,221 1 1 1,813 0 0 390 3 3 10,585 1 11 1,047 0 32 £ s. d. 701 3 0 82 12 6 56 16 0 23 9 0 435 15 4 96 7 0 £ s. d.! 12 11 6 26 13 8 £ s. d. 635 15 3 80 19 0 50 15 5 8 5 9 495 4 5 95 7 11 £ s. d. 648 6 9 107 12 8 50 15 5 43 19 9 533 13 6 95 7 11 18 : 1 2 1 A. B. P. 1,018 2 9 100 0 0 93 0 0 10 0 0 59 3 0 94 3 0 £ s. d. 138 16 S 1 17 e 2 11 4 0 5 C 2 16 S 6 18 £ *8 12 34**2 36 417 0 6 8 10 0 12 12 2 i 11 11 *3 38 271 3 39 10 0 10 2 0 *i 100 0 0 2*i6 0 35 14 0 38 9 1 " I " - t3 12 146 i 23 11 18 8 Totals 36 I 1,490 0 2 71 0 0 19 673 1 37 44 2 0 865 1 23 39 10 6 580 24,633 0 13 1,396 2 10 113 8 3 1,366 7 9 1,479 16 0 26 jl,376 0 9 153 4 * Exchanged to renewable lease, f Exchanged to lease in perpetuity, being uncompleted transactions finally dealt with di Lring the year.

Table 13. —Return of Village Settlements at Year ended 31st March, 1909.

a—l.

61

Taken up during the Year. Exchanges to other Tenures during the Year. Made Freehold during Year. Made Freehold from Commencement. District. Tenure. at O O "3 CO X4 O o CD 'a Area. Annual Rental. ca at A fc Area. Amount realised. 54 D CC cd o T3 fc Area. Annual Rental. Area. Total Cash received. Ordinary Crown Lands Auckland . — A. B. P. 7 1 10 £ s. d. A. E. P. £ s. d. A. B. P. £ s. d. A. B. P. 41 1 18 5 3 34 661 2 35 1,192 2 2 146 3 1 2 10 853 3 9 2,289 2 36 5 3 0 496 0 10 970 2 36 324 0 33 9 0 23 £ s. d. 716 15 9 101 7 3 4,255 13 11 2,706 18 1 293 18 1 15 0 0 6,945 10 9 10,907 12 11 34 10 0 3,913 18 5 3,789 5 4 1,035 3 1 284 0 0 Hawke's Bay Taranaki .. Wellington.. CashLease in perpetuity Cash Deferred payment Perpetual lease Occupation with right of purchase Cash Deferred payment Qocupation with right of purchase Cash Deferred payment Perpetual lease ,. Lease in perpetuity Village-homestead special settlement Renewable lease Cash Deferred payment Cash 3 *4 *4 l"l 0 8**0 8 •' I 3 '• 1 5 3 34 10 0 101 7 3 •• •• 6 0 0 41 3 268 110 9 3 309 120 8 337 109 28 3 l '■ I I •• *3 9 0 23 284 *0 0 109 -A 9 "o 16 10 0 .. ! 689 "l 29 431 6 10 9 5 18 166 521 32 22 1 11 43 1 20 14 1 21 1,208 0 1 2,550 3 1 733 3 3 75 16 10 18 15 0 110 0 0 5,481 17 4 21,549 18 1 1,499 0 1 Marlborough •• Westland Canterbury.. •• " Otago Deferred payment Perpetual lease Village-homestead speoial settlement Cash Deferred payment Perpetual lease Lease in perpetuity Cash Deferred payment Perpetual lease Occupation with right of purohase i 10 "o 0 16 2 6 5 0 0 2 9 8 2 • •• 3 0 28 i 116 *5 0 103 103 25 579 272 51 1 889 2 19 1,130 0 38 609 2 22 3 0 28 2,946 1 28 4,051 2 18 799 3 32 0 1 18 1,756 3 5 2,908 10 7 1,231 0 0 116 5 0 9,230 10 3 9,680 6 7 1,916 4 2 7 5 0 Southland 2 1 37 2 6 0 1 18 75 1 6 7 5 0 Totals .. 120 706 0 7 431 6 10 3 12 57 0 29 589 18 9 3,235 3 22,003 2 17 90,581 5 11 31 5 0 Land for Settlements — Hawke's Bay 35 2 22 | 8 9 8 | — Cash Renewable lease i 1 0 "l 0 9 1 16 1*2 6 7 13 0 I ... .. 1 1 32 •• Otago 3 1 1 32 Totals 2 9 2 16 8 15 6 i ] 31 5 0 National Endowment L Auckland Wellington Marlborough Westland Otago Southland ands — Renewable lease ,. 14 6 29 3 1 4 67 0 7 107 1 32 243 3 12 0 3 0 24 1 12 24 2 37 34 0 0 34 12 0 47 16 0 3 12 0 10 0 2 16 0 i I Totals 57 468 0 20 123 16 0 Grand totals 179 1,183 3 3 563 18 4 3 35 2 22 8 9 8 12 I ! 57 0 29 589 18 9 3,238 22,005 0 9 90,612 10 11

C—l.

Table 13. —Return of Village Settlements at Year ended 31st March, 1909— continued.

62

Forfeitures during the Year. Surrenders durinj the Year. Net Area held on 31st March, 1909. Al rrears on 31st March, 1909. District. Tenure. Rent and other Payments received during the Year. at o CI 2 CC p o CD "3 0Q r-H O <D tH O ID CD I Area. Amount. Area. Annual Rental. Area. Annual Rental. Area. Total Annual Rental. Ordinary Crown Auckland Lands — Cash Lease in perpetuity made freehold .. Lease in perpetuity Village-homestead special settlement Cash Occupation with right of purchase .. Lease in perpetuity Village-homestead special settlement Occupation with right of purchase made freehold Occupation with right of purchase .. Lease in perpetuity Cash Lease in perpetuity made freehold .. Lease in perpetuity Village-homestead special settlement Renewable lease Perpetual lease .. Lease in perpetuity Village-homestead specialsettlement Lease in perpetuity Deferred payment Perpetual lease Occupation with right of purohase .. Lease in perpetuity Village-homestead special settlement Lease in perpetuity made freehold .. Deferred payment Perpetual lease Occupation with right of purchase .. Lease in perpetuity Village-homestead special settlement Perpetual lease made freehold Occupation with right of purchase made freehold Perpetual lease Occupation with right of purohase .. Lease in perpetuity Village-homestead speoial settlement £ s. d. 176 11 9 101 7 3 125 6 5 270 15 3 25 10 0 2 15 6 1,841 6 1 80 4 7 6 0 0 A. B. P. £ s. d. A. B. P. £ s. d. A. B. P. £ a. d. A. B. P. £ s. d. •• *2 3 *3 14 1 *4 6 1 i 2 0 0 0 16 0 *57 29 2,657 2 21 1,186 2 9 159**2 10 114 19 2 'I 1 397 0 0 47 1 4 39* 18 0 2 9 6 Hawke's Bay .. 10 71 27 1 2 18 0 13 10 i i 16 *2 26 2 0 0 47 3 36 3,883 1 11 160 1 18 0 6 3 1,661 2 10 61 13 4 6 412**0 15 123* 5 1 Taranaki 2 7 11 10 19 5 118 10 0 284 0 0 1,476 18 4 404 13 0 260 3 10 12 6 25 2 10 10 0 8 13 4 9 11 10 10 53 9 4 3 9 8 8.6 6 836-1 7 116 5 0 3 0 0 30 0 1 0 10 6 147 9 5 147 12 0 75 1 6 7 5 0 8 10 7 10 69 0 8 2 3 6 10 5 8 " Wellington 1 10 0 0 6 6 i 1 0 8 0 *6 10 506 172 111 1 • 9 8 12 7 15 7 18 259 9,511 0 29 2,069 0 17 691 2 13 10 0 0 153 0 35 58 0 19 198 2 17 64 3 3 188 2 7 2 10 8 2 0 8,549 2 34 1,900 8 8 311 11 7 433 14 10 15 0 22 3 4 7 16 0 14 19 4 16 5 4 52.13 10 3 12 0 8 13 0 957 6 0 ' 20 9 517 0 0 104 0 0 69* 10 9 54 8 9 Marlborough .. .. - I Westland Canterbury 1 6 "l 7 17 0 i 2 5 0 0 30 0 14 018 8 6 10 0 1 0 1 0 0 12 6 I '.'. I Otago . 7 129 1 31 13* 0 9 - 2 ■ 14 3 108 71 100 0 0 291 2 25 2 1 12 1,695 2 0 1,053 1 39 3 6 0 28 17 8 0 12 0 146 6 8 132 14 10 i 11 2 5 0 12 0 .. i 4 48**0 28 84 2 6 i' 2 10 17 3 0 Southland " 133 12 10 18 9 403 18 7 121 17 5 1 39 i 1 3 *3 2 i .. 72 3 304 46 969 1 24 2 3 6 4,742 0 13 523 3 34 127 9 8 1 5 10 469 14 2 121 10 0 12 124**1 2 8* 5 2 7.337 19 1 — 58 0 28 6 12 6 j 3 19 2 34 3 2 10 1,960 38,898 3 30 6,777 19 9 68 Totals 7 1,905 0 2T 337 19

C.—l

63

Table 13. —Return of Village Settlements at Year ended 31st March, 1909— continued.

Forfeitures during the Year. Surrenders during the Year. Net Area held on 31st March, 1909. •rears on 31st March, 1909. . District. Tenure. Rent and other Payments received during the Year. tH O o Area. Annual Rental. o <D 02 Area. Annual Rental. U o CD ID Area. Total Annual Rental. CO fH o a CD Area. Amount. Cheviot Estate — Canterbury £ s. d. 772 18 11 A. B. P. £ s. d. A. R. P. £ s. d. A. R. P £ s. d. 2,480 1 0 870 10 4 A. K. P. 165 2 33 £ s. d. 22 2 0 Lease in perpetuity '• 92 6 Land for Settleme Hawke's Bay .. nts — Lease in perpetuity Renewable lease Lease in perpetuity Renewable lease 27 7 9 0 19 9 309 13 9 6 14 0 16 30 1 •• •• 34 3 0 0 10 403 2 28 9 1 16 24 0 0 1 2 6 309 12 8 7 13 0 4 6 3 27 3 13 Otago Totals 344 15 3 48 3 13 National Endowm Auckland Wellington Marlborough .. Westland Otago Southland •• ■■ 448 0 4 342 8 2 4 6 3 27 ent Land — Renewable lease 23 14 9 25 15 5 53 8 8 2 14 0 1 19 9 10 6 9 14 6 29 3 5 13 •• 67 0 7 j 107 1 32 j 243 3 12 ! 0 3 0 i 54 0 36 i 101 0 26 | 34 0 0 34 12 0 47 16 0 3 12 0 2 14 0 10 6 6 •• Totals I i 70 ! 117 19 4 •• 574 1 33 133 0 6 •• Grand totals .. 8,573 12 7 7 3 19 2 34 3 2 10 2,170 78 58 0 28 6 12 6 42,401 2 27 8,123 18 9 2,077 3 7 363 14

a—i.

Table 14. —Summary of Position of Village Settlements at Year ended 31st March, 1909.

64

Number of Settlers in Occupation. Annual Rental or Instalments, including Interest on Advances. Amounts advanced to Settlers up to 31st Maroh, 1909. For r Houses. Bushfelling, Total. GrasBing, &c. Amount of Advances which have been repaid to 31st March, 1909. District. Area occupied. Area laid down in Pasture or cultivated. For Bushfelling, Grassing, &c. Total Amount of Interest paid to 31st March, 1909. Value of | Arrears of Improvements Interest on now on the 31st March, Land. 1909. Resident. Nonresident. For Houses. Ordinary Crown Lands — Auckland Hawke's Bay Taranaki.. Wellington Marlborough Westland Canterbury Otago Southland 74* 72 17 753t 11 11 246 98 370 12 36 1 36 7 1 60 100 55 A. B. P. 3,844 0 30 4,091 2 25 76 1 8 12,271 3 19 221 1 14 198 2 17 8,813 3 4 3,142 3 36 6,238 0 37 A. E. P. 2,153 2 31 2,420 3 15 76 1 8 10,693 0 0 172 0 0 198 2 17 7,692 1 4 2,060 0 0 3,690 0 0 £ s. d. 274 2 0 1,729 2 10 12 9 2 2,805 0 2 34 7 0 14 19 4 1,038 10 2 311 17 2 719 19 8 £ s. d. 958 0 0 580 0 0 £ s. d. 1,253 17 6 296 15 9 £ s. d. 2,211 17 6 876 15 9 £ s. d. 1,399 5 7 406 19 0 £ s. d. 3,101 11 1 671 6 8 £ s. d. 14,563 5 0 17,982 7 6 892 0 0 109,169 0 0 1,905 0 0 2,381 0 0 31,692 5 3 14,152 0 0 31,450 0 0 £ s. d. 2 9 6 123 5 1 3,024 17 6 85 0 0 3,670 19 11 18 15 0 6,69517 5 103 15 0 4,20215 10 15 0 0 141 19 11 92 15 8 33 3 6 2,460 0 0 1,101 5 0 756 0 0 440 0 0 350 2 2 2,460 0 0 1,541 5 0 1,106 2 2 1,137 0 0 363 17 6 241 17 6 2,041 8 10 1,168 9 9 975 13 10 2 0 0 10 1 9 Totals 29,156 2 35 170 19 10 1,652 308 38,898 3 30 6,940 7 6 8,965 2 6 6,030 10 4 14,995 12 10 7,766 15 5 8,193 5 9 1224,186 17 9 Cheviot Estate — Canterbury 69 870 10 4 120 0 0 23 2,480 1 0 2,327 2 0 120 0 0 120 0 0 26 0 0 12.620 18 0 Land for Settlements — Hawke's Bay Otago 3 30 14 1 35 0 0 413 0 4 31 0 0 273 0 0 25 2 6 317 5 8 482 10 0 3,488 0 0 3 13 0 •• ■■ Totals 33 15 448 0 4 304 0 0 I 342 8 2 ! I 3,970 10 0 3 13 0 • • : , National Endowment Lands — Auckland Wellington Marlborough Westland Otago Southland 141 8 21 3 67 0 7 107 1 32 243 3 12 0 3 0 54 0 36 101 0 26 225 0 0 34 0 0 34 12 0 47 16 0 3 12 0 2 14 0 10 6 6 . •■ " •• 984 0 0 *5 6 'v 20 0 0 20 0 0 . •• .. 98 0 0 320 0 0 .V •• . - •• Totals 39 31 574 1 33 265 0 0 133 0 6 j 1,402 0 0 ■■ Grand totals 8,286 6 6 9,085 2 6 6,030 10 4 15,115 12 10 7,886 15 5 8,219 5 9 242,180 5 9 .174 12 10 1,793 377 42,401 2 27 32,053 0 35 * Includes 16 holdings not reported on. t Includes 277 holdings not reported on. Not rei lorfced on.

C.—l

65

9—C. 1

Table 15. —Return of Special-settlement Associations at Year ended 31st March, 1909.

Tal :en up during tl e Year. Amount of Rent received during the Year. Total Amount received on Current and Previous Transactions to 31st March, 1909. Made Freehold. From CdfemenceDuring the Year. '. ™ e " t 1 * System ! B to 31st March, 1909. No. Area. No. j Area. Made Freehold. Number of Selectors required to reside, and actually residing, and Area. District., a o A o o I Area. Capital Value per Acre. 1909. Number Actually residing. to reside. No. Area. Ordinary Crown Lands — Auckland Hawke's Bay Taranaki Wellington Nelson .. .. Marlborough Westland .. Canterbury Otago .. Southland •• A. E. p. .. £ s. d. - £ s. d. 312 17 9 79 10 5 818 18 0 4,871 3 1 £ s. d. 9,353 6 5 982 11 3 12,027 14 1 157,749 11 5 A. LE. P. 52 54 11 1 20 816 A. - B. P. 5,217 0 25 4,809 3 12 81,331 2 17 30 14 45 337 59 3 75 324 A. B. P. 10,790 3 4 600 0 0 13,014 1 11 70,826 3 28 ■'■ 1 - 124* 13 11 109 0 8 2,297 6 3 1,682 4 9 .. • • 4 5 10 660 3 11 1,980 0 36 '.'. [ •■ ! 1 Totals .. I 6,316 3 10 184,092 14 2 11 1 20 922' 91,358 2 14 430 476 97,873 0 1( I Land for Settlements — Canterbury 147 1 1 | 2,128 13 6 11 1 20 922 232 0 ( 1 •■ ■• •' I 91,358 2 14 98,105 0 1( Grand totals •• 6,463 4 11 I 186,221 7 8 1 430 ! 477 Forfeitures during the Year. Surrenders during the Year. Net Area held, 31st March, 1909. Selectors in Arrear, 31st March, 1909. District. g o 33 3 2 Area. Amount. *0 BO 1_ rH i 3 *© Area. Amount. O rj3 g ° Sr2 rj CD Area. Annual Rental. -> o CD _£ ■Jo 3-2 3 CD Area. Amount. Ordinary Crown Lands — Auckland Hawke's Bay Taranaki Wellington Nelson Marlborough Westland Canterbury Otago Southland •• A. e. p. £ s. d. •• A. E. P. £ s. d. ■■ 68 14 87 449 A. B. P. 11,336 1 38 3,111 0 19 16,212 3 38 79,769 0 18 £ s. d. 230 9 7 1 101 16 0 2 873 3 2 ! 4 4,655 5 8 i 14 A. e. p. 153 0 0 400 0 0 780 3 16 2,699 0 0 £ s. d 2 0 C 5 18 ( 23 2 ( 98 9 ( - •• - •■ 30 14 2,536* 2 17 2,765 1 12 141 13 8 2 121 2 4 .. 112* 0 38 2* 18 £ •■ Totals .. •• 662 115,731 2 22 6,123 10 5 j 23 i 4,145 0 14 132 7 11 Land for Settlements — Canterbury 11 2,114 1 9 162 7 8 .. 6,285 18 1 23 "■ •■ ■ Grand totals 673 117,845 3 31 4,145 0 14 132 7 11 ■• •• •• •• ■• ••

66

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Table 17.— Return of Small Grazing-runs at Year ended 31st March, 1909.

Table 16. —Return of Homestead Lands at Year ended 31st March, 1909.

le Year. Renewal of Least Year ies during the ' Forfeitures during the c Year. Surrenders during the Year. Exchanges to other Tenures during the Year. 'aken up during tl Expiries during the Year. ft o 82 g © Area. Annual Rent payable. ri St 3 IB Area. Annual Rental. r, CD A a SB Area. Annual Rental. ri a SB Area. Annual Rental. J4 © a SB Area. Annual Rental. © 3 SB Area. Annual Rental. I ! I Ordinary Grown Lands — Hawke's Bay Taranaki Wellington Marlborough Canterbury Otago A. E. P. £ s. d. A. E. P. 12,712 3 0 £ s. d. 243 11 7 A. B. P. 12,676 1 5 £ s. d.i 848 6 9 .. 987 15 2.. A. E. P. £ s. d.j A. B. P. 1,214 0 0 £ s. d. 15 3 6 " 1 A. B. P. 571 "0 0 £ s. d. 17 3 0 2 3,555 0 0 I 195 0 0 14 13,712 0 6 398 17 10 14 13,410 3 15 .. .. 26 0 18 0 5 2 1 15 2,762 3 27 46,450 2 2 75,638 0 35 190 15 6 1,245 2 10 1 14 2,762 3 27 45,535 3 19 189 19 0.. 1,367 18 8 .. 3,393 19 7 .. ■• I 1 •• •• ■• I •• - " i 17 3 0 Totals 2 3,555 0 0 195 0 0 38 2,078 7 9 38 174,385 3 26 1,240 0 18 15 8 8 1 571 0 0 - - Land for Settlements— Auckland .. Nelson 1 1 1,747 0 0 1,947 0 0 87 7 0 1 48 13 6.. 2,956 0 0 36 19 0 •• " I I " Totals National Endowment — Hawke's Bay Otago 6 2 1 23,882 0 0 1,552 0 0 ■ 658 0 0 32 2 6 :- '• 2 '.'. i'i 3,694 0 0 434 "l 31 136 0 6 1 5 *8 6 .. 5 8 6. ; 141 9 0 2 2,956 0 0 ! 36 19 0 '• - •1 I Totals 8 25,434 0 0 28,989 0 0 690 2 6 885 2 6 - 1 2,078 7 9|38 74,385 3 26 1 3,393 19 7i 3 434 1 31 4,128 1 31 1 4,196 0 18 \ i 1 571 0 0 17 3 0 Grand otals 10 38 75,638 0 35 52 7 8 ! .

District. Surrenders during the Year. Number ofj » Selectors. ! Area " Forfeitures during the Year. Net Area held on 31st March, 1909. .. , r, u,.j h. ! Made Freehold since Made Freehold during the : CommenC ement of System Year - to 31st March, 1909. Area. dumber of, Selectors. Area. Number of Selectors. Area. Number of Selectors. Area. Number of Selectors. Area. Auckland Westland Otago .. A. E. P. A. E. P. A. E. P. A. B. P. 464 39 22 I A. B. P. ! 76,096 3 10 1,480 0 0 2,876 0 0 Totals .. 525 80,452 3 10

c—l.

Table 17. —Return of Small Grazing-runs at Year ended 31st March, 1909— continued.

67

Net Area held on 31st March, 1909. Amount received during the Year. Arrears on 31st March, 1909. District. On Past Transactions. Total. Number. Area. * i n 4 i On the Year's Annual Rental. Transactior , s . Number. Area. Amount. Ordinary Crown Lands — Auckland Hawke's Bay Taranaki Wellington.. Nelson Marlborough Westland .. ... Canterbury Otago Southland Totals 1 48 79 10 19 85 250 A. B. P. 18,778 2 6 119,014 1 39 7,288 2 19 72,401 2 32 5,557 3 31 £ s. d. 216 5 11 2,522 10 10 93 6 0 3,426 18 0 69 19 6 £ s. d. 97 10 0 | I .. £ s. d. 261 1 5 3,061 19 4 84 11 3 2,078 3 1 72*11 9 £ s. d. 261 1 5 3,061 19 4 84 11 3 2,175 13 1 72 11 9 1 1 11 A. E. P. 584 0 0 693 0 0 11,478 0 0 £ s. d. 3 13 8 5 8 4 267 1 6 39,771 3 21 196,883 0 32 2,778 19 4 5,421 8 4 407 17 0 2,680 10 7 5,018 3 1 2,680 10 7 5,426 0 1 7 10,469 0 26 131 12 0 " 459,696 1 20 14,529 7 11 j 505 7 0 13,257 0 6 13,762 7 6 20 23,224 0 26 407 15 6 250 Cheviot Estate — Canterbury 49 6,840 5 2 6,601 17 6 6,601 17 6 271 3 8 49 45,782 0 7 4,167 0 0 Land for Settlements — Auckland Hawke's Bay Taranaki Wellington Nelson Marlborough Westland Canterbury Otago Southland • 7 16 7 31* 7 16 7 31 44 9 2 32,643 0 0 19,681 0 0 9,127* 0 0 54,850 1 16 374 17 2 4,440 18 6 1,795 5 4 7,515 16 4 163 15 10 3,747 7 1 1,660* 14 7 6,311 .0 6 163 15 10 3,747 7 1 1,660 14 7 6,311 0 6 *2 •• 5,411* 0 0 90 3 8 44 9 2 81,161 0 26 10,733 1 31 2,808 1 0 10,882 6 6 1,556 11 2 201 7 4 10,425 16 1 1,447 4 9 90 18 8 10,425 16 1 1,447 4 9 90 18 8 i 1,425 2 0 111 7 4 i 1,658 1 0 62 3 8 Totals 116 23,846 17 6 23,846 17 6 4 8,494 3 0 263 14 8 116 211,004 0 33 26,767 2 4 National Endowment — Auckland Hawke's Bay Taranaki Wellington.. Nelson Marlborough Canterbury Otago Southland 14 47 8 8 9 72 36 210 19 14 47 8 8 9 72 36 210 1959,855 2 25 156,247 3 8 8,160 1 26 7,150 3 0 16,757 3 18 194,683 1 22 93,962 0 38 528,443 3 23 64,470 2 13 442 1 4 2,600 13 8 126 13 0 211 6 2 109 1 10 2,657 1 9 3,281 11 8 10,204 10 6 736 10 2 329 0 0 331 18 6 2,305 6 4 78 16 5 135 12 6 118 15 4 2,434 16 6 3,335 4 11 9,436 5 0 692 2 5 331 18 6 2,634 6 4 78 16 5 135 12 5 118 15 4 2,434 16 6 3,335 4 11 9,452 6 3 692 2 5 6 I 19,556 3 34 i 78 7 11 13 33,444* 0 0 424 0 8 16 1 3 30 3 69,628* 3 37 11,504 1 21 661 '7 6 46 0 1 Totals 423 423 1,129,732 2 13 20,369 10 1 345 1 3 18,868 17 10 19,213 19 1 52 134,134 1 12 1,209 16 2 170,020 0 38 | 2,152 10 0 Grand totals 838 68,506 5 6 850 8 3 62,574 13 4 63,425 1 7 81 838 1,846,215 0 33 * Four of these hold ordinary small grazing-runs in conjunction therewith, and are therefore not separate holders.

C.—l

68

Table 18. —Return of Pastoral Licenses at Year ended 31st March, 1909.

Taken up during the Year. Exchanges to other Tenures during the Year. Forfeitures during the Year. Expiries during the Year. Surrenders during the Year. District. Area. Number Annual Rental. of Seleotors. Area. Number. of Selectors. Area. Number of Selectors. Area. Number of Selectors. Area. Number of Selectors. Pastoral Buns. Ordinary Crown Lands — Auckland Hawke's Bay Taranaki Wellington Nelson Marlborough Westland Canterbury Otago Southland A. B. P. 17,113 0 0 £ s. d. 35 0 0 A. b. p. a. b. p. A. E. P. .. i A. B. P. 1 •• •• 11,000 0 0 I .. 1 21 1 12 7 6,500 0 0 44,640 3 20 987 1 0 73,855 3 17 8,884 0 0 60 0 0 51 9 0 65 0 0 645 5 10 134 0 0 ! 23 5 9 2 2 31,134 3 11 4 5,274 3 14 55,028 2 9! 3 6,024 0 0 325 0 0 28,405 0 0 1 2,263 2 32 32,205 0 0 '■ 43 1 ! 2,263 2 32 39 97,462 0 34 | 10 71,935 0 0 Totals 151,980 3 37 990 14 10 .. ■ • National Endowment Lands — Wellington Westland • 2 28 3,763 2 16 66,194 0 0 i 64 0 0 74 12 6 19 27 23,746 0 16 17,864 0 0 i 2,400 0 0 Totals 30 69,957 2 16 138 12 8 j 46 41,610 0 16 2,400 0 0 73 221,938 2 13 1,129 7 4 i " 1 2,263 2 32 Grand totals 85 139,072 1 10 11 74,335 0 0 I 'astoral Licen; ■es in Mining Districts u\ ider Specii al Regulations. Ordinary Crown Lands — Auckland Nelson Westland 15 34 3 2,835 1 7 6,071 0 8 212 0 0 77 10 4 137 8 3 5 10 0 *2 189 0 0 I 2 I 1 551 1 19 ! 321 0 0 1 100 0 0 Totals 3 872 1 19 100 0 0 52 9,118 1 15 220 8 7 189 0 0 National Endowment Lands — Auckland Nelson Westland I 62 12 0 56 5 0 2 819 3 23 3 619 0 0 13 18 3,321 2 38 2,303 0 0 i * ioo o o 3 919 3 23 1 29 2 0 Totals 4 648 2 0 1 31 5,624 2 38 118 17 0 ■• .. •• Grand totals 14,743 0 13 339 5 7 i 5 1,108 3 23 7 1,520 3 19 1 100 0 0 83

C—l.

Table 18. —Return of Pastoral Licenses at Year ended 31st March, 1909— continued.

69

Net Area held on 31st March, 1909. Selectors in Arrear on 31st March, 1909. District. Number of Holders. Area, approximately. Average Holdings. Annual Rental. mt paid durinj the Year. Number. Area. Amount. Pastoral Wins. Ordinary Crown Lands — Auckland Hawke's Bay Taranaki Wellington Nelson Marlborough Westland Canterbury Otago Southland 22 15 A. B. P. 116,320 0 8 92,703 0 0 A. e. p. 5,287 1 4 6,180 0 32 £ s. d. 264 4 4 749 0 4 £ s. d. 158 9 0 793 17 1 2 A. B. P. 1,006 0 0 £ s. d. 8 0 6 3 2 31 58 84 166 70 99,641 0 0 165,829 0 0 516,562 0 0 407,759 3 20 2,159,972 1 18 2,508,425 2 31 704,998 0 0 33,213 2 26 82,914 2 0 16,663 0 0 7,030 1 15 25,713 3 33 15,111 0 0 10,071 0 0 1,792 14 4 330 0 0 2,689 4 8 386 3 6 13,162 4 0 12,770 15 6 2,526 3 8 1,792 14 4 339 5 0 2,647 2 8 393 0 9 13,951 18 1 13,543 0 2 2,501 14 3 2 6,600* 0 0 510 6 Totals ,. 451 6,772,210 3 37 15,015 3 38 34,670 10 4 36,121 1 4 4 7,606 0 0 13 11 0 Cheviot Estate — Canterbury 1 1,642 0 0 1,642 0 0 193 3 8 193 3 8 Land for Settlements — Otago 121 13 0 2 953 2 38 476 3 19 121 13 0 National Endowment Lands — Auckland Wellington Marlborough .. Westland Canterbury Otago Southland 9 16 15 51 50 54 26 94,665 0 0 29,780 0 16 311,140 0 0 212,932 0 0 - 1,264,977 0 0 1,682,422 0 18 670,000 0 0 10,518 1 13 1,861 1 0 20,743 0 0 4,175 0 21 25,299 2 6 31,156 0 0 25,769 0 0 153 17 0 700 0 0 1,379 13 4 247 16 6 19,362 12 8 13,241 19 6 1,735 7 0 114 4 2 356 8 4 1,288 13 4 234 15 6 19,754 12 11 14,111 5 11 1,733 17 0 2 2 18,998 0 0 9,410 0 0 21 12 0 9 15 6 Totals 36,821 6 0 37,593 17 2 : 4 221 4,265,916 0 34 19,302 3 6 28,408 0 0 31 7 6 Grand totals 675 8 11,040,722 3 29 71,806 13 0 74,029 15 2 36,014 0 0 44 18 6 Ordinary Crown Lands — Auckland Nelson Westland Pastoral Licens :es in Mining Dist: ids under Special Regulations. 69 80 51 14,782 0 33 15,013 0 36 7,537 0 22 214 0 37 187 2 0 147 3 5 300 2 2 288 11 7 171 1 8 169 7 8 401 19 4 67 10 5 5 4 3 2,301 2 0 700 0 0 183 2 24 66 11 4 9 13 9 3 4 0 Totals 200 37,332 2 11 186 2 26 759 15 5 638 17 5 12 3,185 0 24 79 9 1 National Endowment Lands — Auckland Nelson Westland 51 13 60 10,161 3 1 3,321 2 38 8,673 0 0 199 1 0 255 2 0 144 2 8 208 16 2 62 12 0 173 9 6 172 13 4 5 4 9 160 0 6 9 1,912 0 0 50 14 1 Totals 124 22,156 1 39 178 2 29 444 17 8 337 18 7 1,912 0 0 9 50 14 1 Grand totals 324 59,489 0 10 1,204 13 1 976 16 0 21 5,097 0 24 130 3 2

J..

70

Table 19. —Return of Miscellaneous Leases and Licenses, not otherwise enumerated, at Year ended 31st March, 1909.

I -^©©COQ-^COCDOSCO d „; CM CO CO Iβ Iβ rH © CO CO fl >_i rH i—I T-i _.OS 2 nl -^!*(M(MOOHCOOa3 S© a HO0CDHCOH gOS <J rH CO CM . . "Jl & ©O^OOOt-ao-* fl O CMCOrHCO "■-■_3 ©rHCOO©CMrHCMCM _) © R .« f~> £>-^HO3C0CMCD-HSr-'©« " a -d .CDCOCD'OCOCMOCOt> EgrH CO - — •» •• l> © CO © Jβ CO CD CO 00 _____ co CM CO CO CO © © CO © © © CO Co ,_| t_ CM rH t> CO Jβ rH CO CM CO CO rH CO OS © CO Iβ CM -* CM © CD CO © O ■ ■ • CD CM ■ rH CO t> CO CO rH CD I Oi I CO CO CO rH t> rH OS © © t> CM CO © CM CO rH CO CO © CO OS © CO OS rH rH ■ t> t t> CM jrH__J CO CO CO CO • • • * CS CO CM CO • CO rH CM s CO CM I CM 'Hi CO O) rH 1 © 1 CO CM rH Iβ t> CO L^'l> CM Iβ r-i © ■ HJlHHKiH . I rH CO CO © 55 , -* r-i Iβ Jβ # Iβ I . . .CM OS I ©CDtHCMCM©-HH©CO OS' © © Iβ CM t"2 w o Iα o 2 «s m o _) o 3 • .COCOt>COU^rHrHCOCOCO O » d WrHrHrH rHrH Clc! CDCM "43 os <ic_i crtooco-^rHinrHcococoos PHOS rH rH rH rH rH CO rH -"COi—IOit-CO>0"*0>H(M Qp w COrHCMCMCOCOCMrH —ICO £<c3 pjcomHHHOOOHH C3 O g CM^H©^COrHrHCO^H-^ P 'rn _j Hh .cD_~CD©rH(Mt>©t>CM __, HOHCO^HQtHCOiO -*J rH O CMCMCOCOC^CMCOCD-^O E-< HHOJCICO^CNIO^O "N! CMrHrHCMCOrHCMCDt--HH , -D _ -iOCDOSCO-ffirHCOCDrH t>~ O fl - ~' rH -h .lOCOCOCOCS-HSt>COOrH -H rH rH O fl O m O COCOOCOCMHL-^-iO CO C H t- CM CO "*HO CO "(J- , ' 13 -tfCO C-7CMCO COCMO C3 &n -• rH t— Tfi tM CO © t> CM CO GO CM g'S 4 pq©CMCOrHCMCO©CMCOCO __itH roOH_)CNOHCCCOH< CNCSt>G0t-©O^flCOCM -*= q> & J CMCOOiCMOS©^CMC0 U C3-P CO CN CM iO CM CO ■* <_ Iβ rH ■ © t> CO~©~© © © C_TCO CD «S 'eg ro©0-^CMiOCMt>l>©CM j-i rH rH rH rH rH « S _oCOiniOCO©fc-rHW-HHfc-g _ H .•Ht-'*^COOHCMCOCO j COCMrHrH '-i pj©CMCOrHCMCOCMCMCMCO t« CD CO©rHCDOSCDCOCOOS-^ S _! J cm cs t-co To io en o to tg <3 CM CO OS © rH OS Oq OS Iβ CO CM rH CM Iβ "* rH rH ~ rH CO Iβ CM CM t> Jβ Ol 00 rH j 'OJsJ ■ CMCMCMt> C0CMt>*Ol I-I _-:::■:.:.: :S° o . pq o O O O « § c3 u ..--COt^--COO <J . 00 JO R CM r-i Cq ~— - - - _ fX) t I rrj CO O O O CD O 3 [» «".... -H . . §g « ' ' 'oh 'rot- ' rH -g SJ J d M.... 00 . 00 . ■t! <d .... a a ■ t- o o <o -< <! io oq -* i H cq co cm th rH I ~ • . • . CO CM • CM QO • I 5LS • • ■ ■ H ■__[ CM^COCMOSOt>-^rH rH rH rH rH rH rH rH CO (Ji IO CO CO i—I rH rH rH • 1C 00 t> CO CO CM rH rH CO CM r-1 00 CO OS rH CM OS CD tO O CM rH COCD-*©COCMrHcOiO CM CO trH rH CM CO ** © CO rH OS rH O trH CM CO H CM H H CO CM I © O Iβ CO CO CO CO CM CO CM CO CM T—i © CO CM S CD CM O CO OS CM rH OHCOHOtNCMHCM COrflCOCOHCOCOCOO £~ CO rH Iβ © CO -HH rH CM rH © t> l> CO CM © rH rH I • © O rH OS I t—I O "tf i CM CO OS Jβ I OS CM CO CM CM i—I i—I CO CO ~co~ CO CO rH CO CO CO © CO GO tt> j CO t> I t> '■*?_. GO CO CO CM Iβ COCMrHiOCOCMCOCOCN I rH rH CO -^t-H o I H H CD ' Oi CO i rH rH CO CO CM ©""t- CO tH ■«# © O CM rH rH I © CO CO CD © CO Iβ rH CO ©© rH r-i rH H rl H COt> •rHCO'-HOSCM^ CM © O CO CO CO CO t- CM CM CM © CO*" rH CO rH GO OS rH OS i CM r-i CM rH CM rH CO \ CM CM CD CM cm © co" CD CO -di 1C CO CO rH GO CM ' CO rH CM i CO CM CO CO o CO i-H CO o CO i-H OS CD CO as" oo i as I § © OOiCCROJ HHC0 © © O CO © CM "cb CO o CM i i-H CM CN CO CO CM rH CM i CO CO rH CO CO tH OS CM rH • CO - - rH >O CO CO CO CO rH CO CO CM ' rH t- CO rH CO CM ■ ■ - OS Iβ CO © t- rH < © T-i Iβ > CO CO CO I OS CD GO Iβ I ° " CM " O I " © © © © CO © rH O © « o o CM CM I CM OS © © OS CD CO • rH' • • rH CM rH rH © T3 CD rH OS CD Iβ © rH Iβ CO CM © © i • rH CM CO i o rH © rH IO co 1O CO o rH I CO CM rH © CM CD co' "i co OS 1 CO OS CO © CM CO I CM H © © © OS OS rH rH CO © © © CO© CM I • CO • • rH 1C CO CO CO CO rH CO CO CM rH L- CO rH CM HHHO1C0 rH rH " CO CO ; CM t> CO CM co © © ' CM I CO CN • CD Iβ i CM © < rH rH i o"©" rH Iβ ' I t> OS I ' O c<1 1—1 CM CO CM c5 I CO I ® o c<1 rH CM CO CM ©* co CO CO « i CM o , rH =0 CM DQ - I CO as =1 8 rH £ o _ iC 03 O fe g CO ■» tH fl b- g a o I j_ I I 3 [ : : : : : Qs i © © © rH rH 8 rH ■-H CM I CM I rH 1 :: f :::::: j I :::::! CO CO CO CO © CO o rH rH © rH © rH Iβ Iβ rH ■ • rH • rH * ' © OS CD t> rH CO o rH CM rH cq CO Iβ 1—" CD CM 00 CO CO CO c> CM 8 CO rH © CO I rH I CM © © t> i—i © © © CO CO ' CO rH rH t> Os OS CO ci cm" xh" • • • *O • I iQ I © » • • CM • I CM ' Iβ t rr\ i* - 1 f~^ 00 CO O O O b3 mOD-'-cq-oo'o 2 <JPh , co ■* i-i .3 1O CM a C3 . O rH O CO ■a * s • • • : . O 2 CO -CNO • CTJ O < < S3 Oi rrj CO CO © O © oJ GO • • • © © •© # CO CO 00 CM rH fc-TN CO CO lO'CM CD CO CO © '.'.', T-i '. —I CO Tfl rH "# t- CO Jβ Iβ CO rH Iβ CO t> t> Iβ © rH CO "* i-l Cβ Jβ CM Cβ • © CO © © CO ft tH CO © rH © CO rH s : : : : . CO • CM © • OS 1C J, CJS © © GS OS i—I CM CM CO • • • OS • OS OS OS © CO CD Iβ i—l i—I l—t •okt" : : : :"° : WrH ! •QR ~~ ~. . . - Iβ • rH rH • rH j 00 1 e 5s.tS<Dc3 S β-g % eea S 13■S-β g> ■» II^IIIJJJ I : I ::::::: : : I : I : : :S : 13 I 5 : 1 ' : ' : ' i • • • : : : : a § j I . I . S if Jiiiliii l jijtii J! ~ -e S g a -3 _ -2 5P-2 s -g £ a Js -g •okt :...-. ■ i !__!__ * ' I i K^ .2 I •!»>■■■„■■■■ 1-1 sm s ■* a s ° ii u rf 8-« > eS3 _ Tl "S -e M-f

c—l.

Table 20.—Return of Gross Revenue received during the Year ended 31st March, 1909.

71

System. Auckland. Hawke's Bay. Taranaki. Wellington. Nelson. Marlborough. Westland. : Canterbury. Otago. Southland. Totals. Ordinary Crown Lands. Cash lands .. Perpetual lease made freehold Occupation with right of purchase made freehold Lease in perpetuity made freehold Village settlement, perpetual lease made freehold Village settlement, occupation with right of purchase made freehold Village settlement, lease in perpetuity made freehold £ s. d. £ s. d. 9,332 15 2 493 0 0 779 6 0 292 10 0 3,821 10 11 1,665 4 6 3,547 11 0 961 12 6 £ s. d. 1,470 14 2 2,960* 11 3 £ s. d. 8,027 0 7 266 7 6 14,297 19 8 *1,577 2 0 £ s. d. 1,199 9 4 9711 6 3,319 9 9 £ s. d. 273 4 0 324 16 10 1,124 3 11 712 17 0 £ s. d. 53 0 0 •• 690 6 2 £ s. d. 2,077 19 1 54 15 0 323 15 0 123 10 0 £ s. d. 16,519 0 10 241 2 6 127 10 0 740 14 6 £ s. d. 920 2 1 546 15 8 169 19 0 1,468 4 4 75 1 6 7 5 0 £ s. d. 40,366 5 3 2,505 13 C 24,588 5 S 13,141 7 3 75 1 e 13 5 C 6 0 0 •• ... 101 7 3 284 0 0 116 5 0 501 12 3 Improved - farm special settlement, occupation with right of purchase made freehold Deferred payment, rural Deferred payment, pastoral Perpetual lease and small areas Occupation with right of purohase Lease in perpetuity Renewable lease (not national endowment) Agricultural lease Mining districts land occupation leases Village settlement, cash Village settlement, deferred payment Village settlement, perpetual lease Village settlement, occupation with right of purchase Village settlement, lease in perpetuity Village settlement, renewable lease Village-homestead special settlement Special-settlement association, perpetual lease .. Special - settlement association, lease in perpetuity Improved-farm speoial settlement, occupation with right of purchase Improved-farm special settlement, lease in perpetuity Small grazing-runs Pastoral runs Pastoral licenses in mining districts under special regulations Coal and mineral leases Prospectors' mining leases Timber licenses and other leases, and sale of timber 90 0 0 1,059 15 4 1,149 15 4 79 3 5 21 5 0 810 0 2 100 12 5 17,105 16 0 9,504 7 10 7,454 0 1 3,795 9 6 8 16 2 231 9 6 6,236 19 3 6,028 17 10 170 8 8 12,101 2 8 6,056 0 1 122 17 6 73 14 10 29 12 2 628 0 10 2,332 10 9 23 6 8 430 4 0 2,957 14 3 6 16 0 473 0 4 858 11 5 1 4 11 755 5 10 94 0 5 238 1 6 3,826 13 11 129 4 9 25 18 8 1,004 7 10 1,249 11 -1 5,419 17 0 120 9 5 567 10 4 338 18 10 1,665 18 1 2,004 10 4 338 18 £ 1,443 14 6 2,809 12 £ 49,633 1 7 40,734 5 2 122 17 e 26 10 £ 1,479 16 C 320 11 i 14 10 1C 218 4 £ 10 12 4 - 2610 5 533 13 6 648* 6 9 '.'. 176 11 9 25 10 0 •' 118* 10 0 107* 12 8 5o'l5 5 4319 9 95 7 11 2 15 6 2* 7 11 1* 2 6 11 10 10) 53 9 4 3 9 8 3 0 0 30 0 1 0 10 6 133 12 10 18 9 125 6 5 1,841 6 1 10 19 5 1,476 18 4 260 3 10 404 13 0 25 2 10 13 4 9 8 6 6 147 9 5 403 18 7 4,052 12 4 260 3 1C 1,871 4 e 47 7 S 6,268 16 £ 270 15 3 80 4 7 10* 0 8 ■• 836 1 7 47 7 2 77 6 9 147 12 0 121 17 5 . 312 17 9 79 10 5 818*18 0 4,871 3 1 - 109* 0 8 • 574 19 2; 1,882 0 9 155 15 6J 2,612 15 £ 86 14 2 248 13 11 1,814 16 4 417 18 3 148 17 11 2,717 0 7 261 1 5 3,061 19 4 158 9 0; 793 17 1 169 7 8' 84 11 3 2,175 13 1 1,792 14 4 339* 5 0 401 19 4 72 11 9 2,647 2 8 393 0 9 67 10 5 2,680 10 7 13,951 18 1 5,426 0 1 13,543 0 2 2,501 14 3 13,762 7 6 36,121 1 4 638 17 5 537 18 8| 7 10 0 14,212 12 10! 1,032 16 5 1713 9 918 0 328 15 1 786 2 11 22 5 0 1,091 0 6 1,474*12 11 381 15 0 115 9 3 199 2 7 794 0 6 380 15 3 1,527 19 3 2,996 1 7 39 13 0 20,013 9 7 1018 9 117 17 6 Carried forward 2,992 3 4 25,479 18 0 60,656 10 10! 24,008 5 1 19,692 14 10 57,701 1 9! 10,428 14 7 10,127 15 5 46,452 7 0 13,356 2 3 J270.895 13 * Includes £', 12 2s. farm homestead made freehold

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72

Table 20. — Return of Gross Revenue received during the Year ended 31st March, 1909— continued.

System. Auckland. Hawke's Bay. Taranaki. Wellington. Nelson. Marlborough. Westland. Canterbury. Otago. Southland. Totals. Ordinary Crown Lands —continued. £ s. d. £ s. d. £ s. d. £ s. d. £ s. d. . £ s. d. £ s. d. £ s. d. £ s. a.| £ s. d.J £ s. d. Brought forward 60,656 10 10 24,008 5 1 19,692 14 10 57,701 1 9 10,428 14 7 10,127 15 5 2,992 3 4 25,479 18 0 46,452 7 0 13,356 2 3 270,895 13 1 Flax-cutting.. Miscellaneous leases Transfer, lease, and license fees, &e. Rents of reserves Miscellaneous Crown-grant fees State forests Survey liens on Native lands Survey fees which do not form part payment of land Survey fees which do form part payment of land Payments of capital value under section 191 of "The Land Act, 1908" 53 3 9 2,079 5 0 634 1 0 142 3 3 1,368 1 5 203 18 1 27,609 11 11 564 17 1 1,776 1 7 165 3 0 152 15 6 846 19 8 36 5 4 70 0 0 664 1 11 110 0 7 155 16 0 358 9 5 518 5 8 73 10 3 6 10 0 26 3 4 1,028 4 7 351 13 0 614 4 2 3,226 16 5 169 5 0 200 4 5 954 12 6 116 3 3 450 15 5 400 19 0 • 377 5 6 177 15 0 51 8 10 2 8 4 170 11 8 65 12 0 696 14 1 21 5 7 11 19 8 868 7 ii 17 10 0 218 3 4 301 6 0 49 0 2 55 10 ll 6 13 ll 151 7 0, 2,741 8 2 209 9 0 54 1 4 390 8 6 13 10 0 1,153 13 9 279 7 6 60 2 6 2,007 7 0 36 9 6 426 10 10 38 0 0 779 8 1 145 13 0i 176 7 5 52 9 10 3,077 19 0 124 12 1 ! 7,766 4 0 2,650 17 6 :■ 5,192 2 9 j 8,607 18 1 696 1 9 32,649 12 7 2,209 14 10 260 8 4 73*15 6 ,_ 45 18 6 8 11 1 16 0 0 .. 50' 0 0 .. 415 10 0 214 15 10 2 5 0 135 9 1 137 14 1 680 5 10 • • Totals ... 64,577 0 11 11,960 13 10 11,964 14 S 93,361 12 4 27,719 12 1 21,357 0 1 3,640 7 8 29,074 15 6 50,573 8 3l 17,641 19 7; 1331,871 4 11 Cheviot Estate. Lease in perpetuity Village homesteads Grazing- farms Pastoral runs Miscellaneous leases .. Miscellaneous Payments of capital value under section 191 of "The Land Act, 1908" ■ I I ' 5,761 3 5 772 18 11 6,601 17 6 193 3 8 266 8 2 11 5 10 500 0 0 5,761 3 5 772 18 11 6,601 17 6 193 3 8 266 8 2 11 5 10 500 0 0 - - .. Totals i 14,106 17 6 14,106 17 6 Land for Settlements. Cash lands Lease in perpetuity Eenewable lease Lease in perpetuity, village Eenewable lease, village Special - settlement associations, lease in perpetuity Small grazing-runs Pastoral runs Miscellaneous Payments of capital value under section 191 of "The Land Act, 1908" 389 15 0 17,127 13 0 565 14 2 352 11 3 35,084 6 8 4,692 18 0 27 7 9 0 19 9 3,279 3 8 11 1 3 84 19 5 14,915 4 7 1,375 1 0 491 5 11 930 15 3 140 0 0 11,463 17 3 17 1 9 439 12 0 163 1 0 53,767 4 7 5,931 8 7 147 1 1 31,234 13 7 9,421 16 11 309 13 9 6 14 0 ■• ] ■ 15 0 0 9,356 10 0 19 2 7 I •• 1,145 6 8 177,159 11 3 22,964 19 6 337 1 6 7 13 9 147 1 1 163 15 10 3,747 7 1 1,660 14 7 6,311 0 6 .. 10,425 16 1 1,447 4 9 121 13 0 1,062 11 0 90 18 8 23,846 17 6 121 13 0 10,711 7 2 1,205 15 8 3,72810 6 1,171 15 10 221' 13 9 2,555 12 3 100 0 0 ll' 6 8 486 16 11 18 4 1,032 19 10 1,105 15 8 438*12 1 .. • ■ 1 ! Totals 237,647 7 1 21,975 8 6 45,077 6 4 3,511 18 8j 20,691 11 10 1,433 7 10| 18,418 16 5 44! 0 4 72,573 6 10f 43,604 7 01 9,920 3 4|

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73

Table 20.—Return of Gross Revenue received during the Year ended 31st March, 1909— continued.

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

10—C. 1

System. Auckland. Hawke's Bay. Taranaki. j Wellington. Nelson. Marlborough. Westland. ] Canterbury. Otago. Southland. Totals. National Endowment Lands. Renewable lease, crdinary .. Renewable lease, village settlement .. Small grazing-runs Pastoral runs Pastoral licenses in mining districts under special regulations Coal and mineral leases Timber licenses and sales of timber Flax-cutting Miscellaneous £ s. d. ,542 11 5 23 14 9 331 18 6 114 4 2 172 13 4 £ s. d. 1,264 17 0 2,634* 6 4 £ s. d.' 808 1 4! 78 16 5 £ s. d. 60 0 6 25 15 5 135 12 5 356 8 4 £ s. d. 803 8 3 118 15 4 5 4 9| £ s. d. 330 9 4 53 8 8 2,434 16 6 ! 1,288 13 4 £ s. d. 412 18 11 2 14 0 234 15 6 160 0 6 £ s. d. 250 5 7 3,335 4 11 19,754 12 11 £ s. d. 57 11 9 1 19 9 9,452 6 3 14,111 5 11 £ s. d. 52 10 4 10 6 9 692 2 5 1,733 17 0 £ s. d. 4,582 14 5 117 19 4 19,213 19 1 37,593 17 2 337 18 7 3,791 15 6 737 11 5 1,309 12 1 4 13 0 8,009 15 8 11 3 0 200 18 0 742 4 5 13,111 3 3 11 3 0 799 11 3 .. 44 8 9' 401 17 6 14* 9 6 137* 17 a •• • - Totals ! 5,021 6 5 4,301 0 10 886 17 9 592 6 2 3,112 9 4 i 4,107 7 10 9,036 18 7 23,340 3 5 23,623 3 8 2,488 16 6 76,510 10 6 796 4 8 l I i 1 Native townships 42 6 2| 373 6 3 380 12 3 •• Workers' dwellings, ordinary 431 7 6 .. 440 11 4! 871 18 10 •■ Workers' dwellings, land for settlements 873 6 0 .. ; 641 11 8 514 19 1 2,029 16 9 •■ Endowment lands, ordinary 996 7 1 481 5 7 197 15 6: 285 5 6 16,914 10 2 2,089 6 2 1,609 14 9J 5,770 18 2 1,989 16 1 30,335 5 0 Thermal-springs Districts Act: Rents .. 2,205 18 2 ■ •■ 2,205 18 2 •• Grand totals 124,476 4 8 77,952 11 1 ! 1 25,953 12 0! 87,599 15 10 33,421 7 2 34,490 18 11 15,207 12 9 j 141,145 9 4124,086 16 2 32,040 15 6| :696,375 3 5

During the Year ended 31st March, 1909. 9' ! Total Area reserved, granted under Acts, &c, from the Total Area Foundation of alienated during the Dominion to the the Year. 31st March, 1909. District. | Area reserved for various Purposes. Area granted . Area granted under Acts. m Satisfaction of Scrip. he Year. 3: list March, 1909. Auckland .. Hawke's Bay Taranaki Wellington .. Nelson Marlborough Westland ... Canterbury ... Otago Southland .. Acres. 5,534 892 3,424 7,076 642 176 344 351 867 167,503 Acres. 1,693 Acres. Acres. 5,534 892 5,117 7,076 642 176 4,819 2,004 8,043 284,469 Acres. 3,566,283 433,596 700,343 869,149 282,974 202,450 205,862 1,360,133 715,395 3,494,887 4,475* 1,653 7,176* 116,966* Totals.. 186,809 131,963 318,772 I 11,831,072 * Land set apart under "The South Island Landless Natives Act, 1906," for the purpose of granting to landless Natives.

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Table 22. —Forfeitures and Surrenders during the Year ended 31st March, 1909, 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 within the Thermal Springs District of Auckland at Year ended 31st March, 1909.

74

Tenure. Number. Forfeitures. Surrenders. Area. Annual Rental. Number. Area. Annual Rental. Ordinary Crown Lands — Deferred payment Perpetual lease Occupation with right of purchase Lease in perpetuity Agricultural lease Mining districts occupation leases Village settlement, — Deferred payment Perpetual lease Occupation with right of purchase Lease in perpetuity Homestead special settlement Special-settlement associations Improved - farm special settlements Homestead .. . • ■ Small grazing-runs Pastoral r#ns Pastoral licenses in mining districts under special regulations Miscellaneous A. E. P. £ s. d. A. B. P. £ s. d. 1 65 996 2 35 22,836 1 33 27 0 4 693 0 0 *3 785 2 17 37 5 10 20 4,897 0 37 156 15 4 16 7,617 0 11 121 5 4 8 399* 1 3 33 10 0 ii 274* 0 34 10*12 0 i 0 10 0 12 6 6 57 3 28 6 0 0 3 19 2 34 3 2 10 i 92* 2 0 7 12 0 i 3 2,263 2 32 872 1 19 4 0 0 13 6 0 1 10 1 1,240 0 18 71,935 0 0 100 0 0 15 8 8 603 19 6 1 13 4 12 1,530 3 11 61 15 0 18 5,839 0 18 43 17 0 Totals 118 33,947 0 38 1,003 11 2 63 87,810 3 12 837 4 6 Cheviot Estate, — Lease in perpetuity Renewable lease Village-homestead special settlement Grazing-farms Miscellaneous 2 i 1 0 3* 2 0 Totals 110 3 2 0 Land for Settlements — Lease in perpetuity Renewable lease Village lease in perpetuity Village renewable lease Small grazing-runs Pastoral runs Miscellaneous 28 1 1,062 2 6 292 2 38 344 13 2 147 2 0 136 0 6 2 9 1 18 1 10 5,522 0 30 2,956* 0 0 29 13 8 792 18 10 36 19 0 *2 3,694 0 0 i 196* 1 10 60 0 0 Totals .. 32 5,245 2 14 687 15 8 12 8,496 2 0 859 11 6 National Endowment Lands — Renewable lease, ordinary Renewable lease, village settlement Small grazing-runs Pastoral runs Pastoral licenses in mining districts under special regulations Miscellaneous 1 1 186 2 0 434 1 31 22 8 0 5 8 6 i i 705 1 32 2,400* 0 0 13 12 0 310 "i 648* 2 0 13 5 0 5 3,151 0 32 13 0 0 12 5,348 0 38 26 2 10 Totals .. 11 4,420 2 23 54 1 6 17 8,453 2 30 42 15 10 Thermal springs 23 0 22 30 0 0 Grand totals 165 43,636 2 17 1,775 8 4 94 104,762 1 2 1,742 13 10

Net Area held March, 191 on 31st 39. Selectors in Arrei March, 191 a on 31st )9. Locality. O oa « o g ° 3r2 a o fcCO Area. Yearly Rent payable. received during the Year. O co !4 W O ° -O O 3-2 fc M Area. Amount. A. B. P. 306 6,057 0 2 £ s. d. £ s. d. 2,158 16 4 2,205 18 2 14 A. B. P. 47 3 13 £ s. d. 124 18 0 Botorua

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Table 24. —Return showing Payments of Capital Value under Section 191 of "The Land Act, 1908," during the Year ended 31st March, 1909.

Table 25. —Return showing the Area of Bush felled on Lands sold or leased by the Crown from 1st April, 1895, to 31st March, 1909.

75

Amount deposited during the Year. Tenants whose Deposits in the Aggregate are under 33 per Cent, of Capital Value. Tenants whose Deposits aggregate 33 or more per Cent, of Capital Value. Totals. Tenure. 44 o d fcl rl © ° g o 33 a i fc M A ■© A ea © S4 43 rr} a O as O cc 3 P4 *A o d J4 44 © a -a te 3 n fc H 2 ■© A © 4^ CD fc "c3 43 "S3 a o S © "rt tn c3 gt3 a a 5 "a d a a a © O 3§> 03 © C3 43 rrj Q Eh Bo o C3 T3 a Cfl rl © R ■rj Qj3 tt 3 £ © W a a cq o ca fc B 2 ■© c3 fc "3 - a . c3 © o 60-4 a •tH ca >> A a a ° C Pi a 2 a d a a a © o .2 ■S a° eh g-g 2:3 A _ © ■H c,pr3 a > © a a » 2 o . tH 44 © c 3 c fc^ © CD rl (0 fc r- a - C3 © © a a a a CO 43 • a a a 2 °"a - ° p. ■silo r 0 2 44 eh g"S ■S -2-a a © C8 CI = o "-a en Ordinaey Cbown Lands. Lease in Perpetuity — Ordinary Village" settlement Special-settlement associations A. B. P. £ s. d. A. B. P. £ s. d. £ s. d. £ s. d. A. E. P. £ s. d. £ s. d. £ s. d. A. E. P. £ s. d. £ s. d. £ s. d. 3 3 2 1,431 0 0 17 2 0 302 0 0 511 6 8 43 2 6 125 16 8 3 3 3 1,431 0 0 30 0 19 518 0 0 44 14 10 6 0 6 25 18 0 511 6 8 64 2 6 215 16 8 23 5 10 3 9 2 17 5 4 3 3 3 1,431 0 0 30 0 19 518 0 0 44 14 10 6 0 6 25 18 0 511 6 8 23 5 10 64 2 6 3 9 2 215 16 8 17 5 4 791 5 10 44 0 4 Totals — 8 1,750 2 0 9 j 1,979 0 19 76 13 4 791 5 10 44 0 4 — 9 1,979 0 19 76 13 4 680 5 10 '• Cheviot Estate. Lease in perpetuity I 1 106 3 0 500 0 0 I I 1 106 3 0 55 10 2 500 0 0 30 10 2 1 106 3 0 55 10 2 500 0 0 30 10 2 " —! Land fob Settlements. Lease in perpetuity 3 416 1 22 1,205 15 8 2,386 1 6 1 255 3 0 111 17 10 680 0 0, (77 17 10 2 160 2 22 71 9 6 525 15 8 46 3 8 3 i 416 1 22 183 7 4 1,205 15 8124 1 6 12 2,273 2 22 1 255 3 0 111 17 10 680 0 0' — 2,246 2 1 203 13 0 1,817 1 6 120 14 2 13 2,502 1 1 315 10 10 2,497 1 6Jl98 12 0 Grand totals ,77 17 10 12

District. Felled during the Year on Lands taken up during the Year. Felled during the Year on Lands taken up in Previous Years. Total felled at 31st March, 1909. Auckland Hawke's Bay.. Taranaki Wellington Nelson Marlborough .. Westland Otago Southland A. B. P. 5,006 0 0 435 0 0 1,270 0 0 4,000 0 0 1,100 0 0 543 0 0 500 0 0 A. B. P. 16,432 0 0 1,575 0 0 4,000 0 0 9,600 0 0 8,400 0 0 3,500 0 0 2,500 0 0 450 0 0 350 0 0 A. B. P. 159,214 0 0 136,965 0 0 59,080 0 0 701,460 0 0 50,617 0 0 97,000 0 0 68,120 0 0 23,864 0 0 13,539 0 0 50* 0 0 i Totals 12,904 0 0 46,807 0 0 j 1,309,859 0 0

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76

Table 26.— Statement of the Number of Selectors on the Books of the Lands Department on 31st March, 1909.

Deferred Payment. Perpetual Lease. Occupation with Right of Purchase. Lease in Perpetuity Renewable Lease. H fl fl < Mining Districts Land Occupation Leases. a fl o3 © © © © © m © s©l © a.1-1 o fl 6E © — Village Settlement, Lease in Perpetuity. Village Settlement, Renewable Lease. District. fe o •h p fl co j > fl fl — i i © o s © O cd a Hi a o O fl a en ? fl O cd H fl c o fl iH CO fln3 S a 9 ■5 CO O a 4) o © r^ o a L- 0 TTJ 8 a © cai3 CO a co e= a o ca fl M H o H _ a §!■§ .2 fe a -*rj o ca H a © a © lis .9 fe a -n c O G at is ■o a fl © . ca aiS kh a' a r=a a c ca r= "Crn o a cd fl - a rl to ■a o EC 2 CD i-l © fl a >» o ca a ■A fl rH fl r~ gas r4 □ cd 44 © ■a a n © CO L.3 Auckland Hawke's Bay Taranaki.. Wellington Nelson .. Marlborough Westland Canterbury Otago Southland 14 1 1 14 194 9 12 12 11 4 7 19 172 54 1 5 16 11 2,434 : 305 462 654 249 39 106 24 i 277 347 6 1,208 207 473 528 555 328 474 245 810 346 .. 635 426 311 13 303 27 1,137 543 234 23 .. 18 .. :: si 15 j .. 70 17 21 5 134 10 118 12 16 9 55 112 2 29 13 3 6 172 41 26 31 104 8 !. i 2 14 3 72 3 9 102 31 57 14 .. 71 16 .. .. •• ' 1 10 506 .. Ill 6 .. *9 '.'. '.'. '■'. 29 12 3 18 .... 108 30 4 .. 5 1 304 13 1,095 46 4 111 70 2 4 12 " 118 68 9 44 ■■ 177 ! 81 51 105 3 1 " : 16 271 ■ 39 1 ! •• Totals 46 1 494 33 4,897 7 5,174 118 3,663 412 373 6 16 i 580 104 Village-home st ead Special Settlement. Specialsettlenient Associations. Improvedfarm Special Settlements: Crown Lands. Small Grazing-runs. o <st o Pastoral. 1 Miscellaneous. C8 C O Woi Dwe: Llings. District. CC ■3 0 ca rH o rl Q © "cl 43 CO SI o o 111 ■a o ca H cd cq =a - O o M 03 CO CD Pi O H © O cc 9 O r-i co O C -IH © fl CD M « § a »■ .2 » a -4 a |3rg ■a o ca O a c6S Sri fl ca fl fe O © ■+a H o *> 03 O ill fl © h a ca © . Ill £ fl .3 & a ■a o ca O a cc fl c 0 H © LX O c c fl IH CD M © r! fl » IN K .3 fe a Ofl H DC a r= to fl fl c 5 to IH 03 fl 33 CO Total. Auckland Hawke's Bay Taranaki.. Wellington Nelson .. Marlborough Westland Canterbury Otago Southland 29 27 68 14 87 449 51 16 178 233 1 48 8 79 7 16 14 47 8 8 9 72 12 2 91 15 60 1 j 212 112 1 126 223 339; 142; 223: 656| 744! 4071 •• 13 12 2 1 5 1 .. ! 191 38 2 139 43 78 12 204 333 4 2 3 14 341 (3061 I 1*18)-] ■■ 24 j 5,794 l,5il 1,505 3,496 2,153 1,095 1,365 3,249 3,896 2,120 •• •' •• • • 72 •• 172 7 *5 49 3 82 31 109 84 166 70 .. j .. 16 13 15 111 50 54 26 12 25 ; 20 io 27 .. j .. *3 | •• **8 •• •■ ! 3 17 4 3 259 71 46 92 57 30 14 ii 19 85 44 9 2 36 210 19 1 2 1 2 ! •■ 52 24 i 20 45 19 3 *5 7 •• l 1 i i 1 : 13061 1*18 \ \ Totals 612 92 77 662 11 523 72 250 112 423 41 49 '■ ■ 651 345 16 i [3,184 52 391 36 69 j 26,184 * Endowments. t Includes pastoral licenses in mining districts under special regulations.

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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, 1909.

77

Tenure. Total Number of Total Area held by such Tenants. Total Yearly Rental or Instalment payable. Total Amount o such Rents or Payments in Arrear. Tenants. Ordinary Crown Lands — Deferred payment Perpetual lease Occupation with right of purchase Lease in perpetuity Renewable lease Agricultural lease Homestead Mining districts land occupation leases 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 — Occupation with right of purchase Lease in perpetuity Small grazing-runs Pastoral runs Pastoral licenses in mining districts under speoial regulations Miscellaneous leases .. .. • .. 46 494 4,897 5,174 81 16 *580 9 102 31 1,095 111 16,961 3 19 86,908 3 16 1,656,308 3 24 1,528,657 1 5 940 2 26 521 1 29 24,633 0 13 164 3 3 1,459 2 16 62 2 14 22,919 0 14 691 2 13 £ s. d. 801 13 9 3,044 12 11 70,116 7 4 47,513 15 4 264 12 2 22 13 3 1,396 2 10 19 11 4 210 . 6 2 14 0 0 4,392 16 6 433 14 10 £ s. d. 4 19 10 121 7 0 960 19 0 934 17 4 153 4 6 0 18 8 6 10 0 242 1 10 49 14 3 38 14 9 266 346 4,483 2 32 9,117 2 18 636 19 6 1,070 11 5 "lO 652 669 0 8 115,062 2 14 48 4 0 6,075 6 5 0* 8 5 131 19 6 265 330 250 451 200 31,445 3 39 41,680 2 7 459,696 1 20 6,772,210 3 37 37,332 2 11 2,968 7 4 ) 2,767 10 4 f 14,529 7 11 34,670 10 4 759 15 5 312 15 11 407 15 6 13 11 0 79 9 1 3,184 607,230 1 14 14,062 13 8 885 3 7 Totals 18,590 11,419,159 1 32 205,819 12 9 4,344 10 2 Cheviot Estate — Lease in perpetuity Renewable lease .. .. • • Village-homestead special settlement Grazing-farms Pastoral runs Miscellaneous 118 92 49 1 52 24,387 2 2 2,480 1 0 45,782 0 7 1,642 0 0 1,293 0 24 6,424 7 6 870 10 4 6,840 5 2 193 3 8 259 3 3 29 4 0 22* 2 0 271 3 8 63* 0 0 Totals 312 75,584 3 33 14,587 9 11 385 9 8 Land for Settlements— Lease in perpetuity Renewable lease Lease in perpetuity (village) Renewable lease (village) Special-settlement associations Small grazing-runs Pastoral runs Miscellaneous 3,663 373 46 2 11 112 2 204 676,370 2 18 155,972 3 7 438 1 28 9 2 16 2,114 1 9 211,004 0 33 953 2 38 6,777 0 2 200,137 12 4 33,000 7 4 333 12 8 8 15 6 162 7 8 26,767 2 4 121 13 0 1,480 6 9 7,131 5 8 313 0 263 14 8 158* 7 4 Totals . 4,413 1,053,640 2 31 262,011 17 7 7,557 0 8 National Endowment Lands— Renewable lease— Ordinary Village settlement Small grazing-runs Pastoral runs Pastoral licenses in mining districts under special regulations Miscellaneous leases 412 70 423 221 124 128,260 1 1 574 1 33 1,129,732 2 13 4,265,916 0 34 22,156 1 39 5,584 17 10 133 0 6 20,369 10 1 36,821 6 0 441 17 8 1,209 16 2 31 7 6 50 14 1 333 163,001 1 28 1,599 8 7 256 18 9 Totals 1,583 5,709,641 1 28 64,953 0 8 1,548 16 6 Thermal springs (Rotorua) 306 6,057 0 2 2,158 16 4 124 18 0 Grand totals 25,204 18,264,083 2 6 549,530 17 3 13,960 15 0 Endowments (ordinary) Workers' dwellings— Ordinary Orown lands Land for settlements 875 36 69 400,626 2 11 6 0 25-5 11 1 9-7 14,084 5 10 *88 19 7 *732 5 5 284 7 9 24 9 9 43 12 6 * Month] ly rent.

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Table 28. —Endowment Lands (other than National Endowment) taken up during the Year ended 31st March, 1909.

78

Cash Lands. Occupation with Right of Purchase. Renewable Lease. Small Grazing-runs. District. Nature of Endowments. IH CO if Area. Amount realised. rj - ©■ -fl a Area. Area. Annual Rental. Annual Rental. t. © A3 a a fc Area. Annual Rental. A. R. P. £ s. d. A. R. p. 81 2 20 £ s. d. 2 2 6 A. E. P. £ s. d. A. B. P. £ s. d. Auckland .. Taranaki .. Nelson Otago Museum University endowment Westport Harbour Board Educational (School Commissioners) University Clutha River Trust Educational .. ■• 12 1 - •• 4 171 1 34 7 16* 0 •• __ mm _ 89 0 27 48 19 0 '" • 9 3* 29,094 0 0 2,400 0 16 1,094 7 10 66 2 2 Southland.. 34 80 3 17 259 10 8 ., Totals 46 170 0 4 ; 308 9 8 1 81 2 20 2 2 6 4 12 31,494 0 16 1,160 10 0 171 1 34 7 16 0 I Mining Districts Land. Occupation Leases. Pastoral Euns. Miscellaneous Leases. District. Nature of Endowments. ri © 4LL 8 3 fc Area. Annual Rental. © 8 -t Area. Annual Rental. ri © a Area. Annual Renta A. B. P. £ s. d. A. P. P. -U S. d. A. B. P. £ s. d. Auckland .. Taranaki .. Nelson Otago Museum University endowment Westport Harbour Board Educational (School Commissioners) University Clutha River Trust Educational .. •• 7 61 6 4 10 3 0 • 1 30 10 "l 25 3,093 2 3 6 15 6 157 10 0 •• 1 1 582 0 0 13,550 0 0 16 19 6 310 0 0 3 52 0 0 2 0 10 Soutnland ■ •■ •• Totals 7 61 0 4 10 3 0 2 14,132 0 0 326 19 6 34 3,155 3 28 160 6 4 Renewals of leases.

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Table 29. —Endowments: Return of Revenue received during the Year ended 31st March, 1909.

Table 30. —Summary of Arrears due to the Crown on 31st March, 1909.

79

Tenure. Revenue received. £ s. d360 1 8 'ash lands 'erpetual lease made freehold .. )ccupation with right of purchase made freehold )eferred payments 'erpetual lease and small areas )ccupation with right of purohase jease in perpetuity tenewable lease dining districts land occupation leases tillage-homestead special settlement Tillage lease in perpetuity tillage renewable lease Imall grazing-runs .. 'aBtoral runs .. .. loal and mineral leases and royalty Mmber licenses and royalties liscellaneous leases lents of reserves liscellaneous receipts 8 3 8 362 3 9 36 12 6 2,027 7 1 2 9 0 87 14 3 255 18 4 18 3 6 1,766 4 0 5,458 8 4 17,569 16 8 961 18 3 372 1 6 1,024 9 6 23 13 0 Total £30,335 5 0

Tenure. Exclusive of Current Half-year's Rent or Instalment. O cd tH U © 3 . Amount A o Area. ■ . g cj ciioc m Arrear. a *© 5Z5CQ Inclusive of Current Half-year's Rent or Instalment. O cd : tn u ; «° , Amount | S ! Ar6a - in Arrear. a"© 'A™ Ordinary Crown Lands — Deferred payment Perpetual lease Occupation with right of purchase .. Lease in perpetuity Mining districts land occupation leases Village settlements, deferred payment Village settlements, perpetual lease Village settlements, occupation with right of purchase Village settlements, lease in perpetuity Village-homestead special settlements Special-settlement associations Improved farms Small grazing-runs Pastoral runs Pastoral licenses in mining districts under special regulations Miscellaneous (not otherwise specified) 1 23 132 160 26 A. B. P. 213 0 22 3,645 2 33 41,928 1 2 39,560 1 32 1,376 0 9 £ s. d. 4 19 10 121 7 0 960 19 0 934 17 4 153 4 6 3 74 619 575 78 A. B. P. 623 2 22 10,453 3 6 180,577 1 25 138,501 1 4 4,493 2 11 £ s. d. 8 11 9 285 4 7 4,438 8 1 3,007 6 9 269 11 4 1 5 0 0 0 18 8 4 14 1 5 5 1 11 2 30 0 14 6 10 0 15 3 146 3 8 2 10 25 6 5 0 13 9 43 1,498 2 5 242 1 10 166 4,981 2 34 726 0 1 22 23 30 20 4 12 371 2 8 4,145 0 14 3,945 0 23 23,224 0 26 7,606 0 0 3,185 0 24 88 9 0 132 7 11 312 15 11 407 15 6 13 11 0 79 9 1 93 62 102 86 19 32 1,830 2 20 10,621 3 12 13,167 3 0 151,782 2 25 85,868 2 9 9,903 0 24 217 9 10 408 4 11 867 7 1 2,828 3 5 150 13 9 158 17 11 127 14,439 3 27 885 3 7 382 69,741 1 29 2,315 5 0 Totals 626 145,174 0 39 4,344 10 2 |2,313 682,710 2 34 15,712 6 7 Cheviot Estate — Lease in perpetuity Village-homestead special settlement Grazing-farms Miscellaneous 1 6 5 7 292 0 0 165 2 33 4,167 0 0 190 3 8 29 4 0 22 2 0 271 3 8 63 0 0 2 12 86 17 301 0 15 222 2 28 42,590 0 35 595 2 10 60 13 6 60 12 5 3,374 18 3 115 0 6 Totals .. 385 9 8 3,611 4 8 19 4,815 2 1 67 43,709 2 8 Land for Settlements — Lease in perpetuity Renewable lease Village lease in perpetuity Small grazing-runs Miscellaneous 196 4 4 15 39,724 2 1 6 3 27 8,494 3 0 313 3 26 7,131 5 8 3 13 0 263 14 8 158 7 4 485 16 4 15 37 89,283 2 10 7,743 2 18 6 3 27 33,457 0 20 1,069 2 9 18,963 11 11 1,015 11 2 6 15 0 1,392 4 2 348 3 8 Totals 21,726 5 11 219 48,540 0 14 7,557 0 8 557 131,560 3 4 National Endowment Lands M — Renewable lease (ordinary) Renewable lease (village settlements) Small grazing-runs Pastoral runs Pastoral licenses in mining districts under special regulations Miscellaneous 52 4 9 134,134 1 12 28,408 0 0 1,912 0 0 1,209 16 2 31 7 6 50 14 1 24 7 173 23 22 7,227 0 38 34 3 8 474,422 0 21 276,747 0 0 4,397 1 37 149 6 5 3 15 9 5,561 12 11 369 17 1 88 17 0 21 4,398 0 36 256 18 9 53 27,300 2 36 494 9 5 TotalB 80 168,852 2 8 1,548 16 6 302 790,129 1 20 6,667 18 7 Thermal springs, Rotorua 14 47 3 13 124 18 0 67 904 3 6 352 1 10 Grand totals .. 964 367,430 0 35 13,960 15 0 3,306 1,649,015 0 32 48,069 17 7 Workers' dwellings (Crown lands) Workers' dwellings (land for settle4 15 0 3 32 2 2 29 24 9 9 43 12 6 9 26 2 0 27 4 3 10 42 3 5 94 7 3 ments

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Table 31. —Return showing Position and Transactions in Improved-farm Settlements from their Commencement to 31st March, 1909.

80

District. I Area. I Number j Total of Settlers Nl]m v„,r Number of remaining | :« u ™ Del Sections inOccu- Persoas m the pation on : 1 . ( , sident Settlements. 31st March, rB1 > lueuu 1909. Area occupied. Number. Total Area made Freehold. Area felled. Area grassed. Number of Stock on Allotments. Area. Total Amount received. ■I . I 51 16 250 233 45 191 64 872 811 A. 5,971 1,830 32,732 27,859 4,732 b. p. 2 29 0 0 2 - 7 3 34 1 16 Auckland Hawke's Bay Taranaki Wellington .. Southland Acres. 12,104 2,025 42,127 32,572 4,862 111 17 356 273 57 2 1 34 A. K. 242 0 86 0 P. 3 0 £ s. 181 10 272 17 d. 0 3 Acres. 1,843 1,829 15,803 19,228 2,945 Acres. 2,759 1,829 17,463 19,943 2,844 2,011 10,222 26,734 1,394 2,528 1 14 3,433 4 0 Totals 93,690 814 595 1,938 73,126 2 6 37 2.S56 1 17 3,887 11 3 1 41,648 44,838 40,361 District. Past Ti For Houses. 'ransactions. For Bushfelling and other Works. Amount paid to Selectors for Improvemente. Duri For Houses. ing Year. | For Bushfelling Total Payments, and other Works. Rent and Interest paid by Selectors. Value of Improvements no 1 Past Transactions. During Year. DUri elded Yeal * From Commence31st March, 1909. ment of System. including those paid for by Government. Auckland Hawke's Bay Taranaki Wellington .. Southland .. £ s. d. 1,457 5 0 159 14 4 3,575 10 0 3,090 15. 0 902 i 0 £ s. d. 6,101 2 0 1,860 9 5 19,069 0 8 14,367 2 0 11,155 14 2 £ s. d. 280 0 0 £ s. d. 289 10 11 1,991 3 0 £ s. d. 7,847 17 11 2,020 3 9 24,915 13 8 17,457 17 0 12,057 15 2 £ h. d. 661 13 4 , 248 13 11 1,814 16 4 2,299 19 0 304 13 5 £ s. d. 3,483 13 5 2,936 5 4 12,360 10 0 21,272 1 3 2,385 4 3 £ s. d. 16,969 0 0 8,141 12 9 61,160 0 0 90,480 8 2 10,146 3 6 Totals 9,185 5 4 52,553 8 3 j 280 0 0 2,280 13 11 64,299 7 6 5,329 16 0 42,437 17 3 186,897 4 5

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Table 32. — Return of Lands disposed of under the Land for Settlements Acts to the 31st March, 1909.

11—C. 1.

81

District. Area of Estates acquired and opened for Selection (including ascertained Surplus or Deficiency). Area occupied by Roads and Reserves unlet. Area of Land unlet, including Land forfeited, surrendered, or resumed and not relet, and also Land not yet offered for Selection. New Selections and Additions to Holdings during the Year. Total Lands leased at Date. Number of Selectors. Area. Annual Rent payable. Number of Selectors. Area. Annual Rent now payable Auckland .. Hawke's Bay Taranaki .. Wellington Nelson Marlborough Westland .. Canterbury Otago Southland.. A. B. P. 276,972 2 4 164,556 1 12 4,577 3 17 60,493 0 32 24,326 1 24 114,979 2 21 5,124 3 26 288,024 1 24 202,798 1 14 54,183 0 29 A. B. P. 7.497 0 1 1,817 0 20 50 3 11 851 0 14 112 1 15 2,585 2 36 121 0 22 2,345 2 10 2.498 2 32 764 3 6 A. B. P. 102,043 3 21 1,229 1 34 454 3 5 6,515 0 28 10,076 0 0 2,457 0 2 51 34 2 27 16 4 1 62 64 6 A. B. P. 15,857 1 5 2,090 1 23 10 3 10 4,543 0 27 12,299 0 0 106 1 7 5 0 0 28,332 0 25 30,692 3 33 1,714 1 19 95,651 1 29 £ s. d. 770 10 8 1,206 10 6 20 5 0 1,852 6 2 967 11 6 42 6 8 10 0 6,653 0 4 8,195 11 8 86 17 4 710 583 37 351* 26 375f 29 1,286 768 251 167,369 2 28 161,486 1 36 4,072 1 1 53,120 2 35 14,138 0 9 109,928 2 33 5,003 3 4 285,046 0 37 200,279 3 5 53,054 0 3 1,053,499 2 31 £ s. d. 19,796 5 6 53,330 18 0 3,306 3 9 18,783 9 10 1,608 4 4 20,094 14 10 540 11 8 82,857 11 6 50,536 7 2 11,027 11 0 261,881 17 7 627 0 9 13 0 35 353 1 20 Totals 1,196,036 3 3 18,644 1 7 123,769 3 34 267 19,795 19 10 4,416 I i Occupied Land. Amount a< Ivanced to Selectors for 3uildings, &c. Arrears on 31st March, 1909. Yearly District. Land at 31st March, 1909. Rent and other Payments received during the Year. Total Receipts from Inception to 31st March, 1909. Number of Houses on Holdings. Number of Souls resident on Holdings. Value of Improvements. During Previous Years. During Year. Total. Number ■ of Selectors. Area. Rent in Arrear. Auckland .. Hawke's Bay Taranaki .. Wellington Nelson Marlborough Westland ... Canterbury Otago Southland.. £ s. d. 5,081 7 5 651 14 1 510 10 6 2,413 9 3 541 2 10 192 7 6 545 584 38 309 17 246 22 1,102 563 212 2,309 2,189 200 1,343 71 1,026 117 4,830 2,158 932 £ s. d. 183,722 5 9 260,757 9 2 8,795 0 0 119,991 0 0 4,721 17 0 159,261 0 0 12,716 2 0 477,684 12 8 188,815 6 6 67,591 11 0 £ s. d. 1,641 10 0 £ s. d. 348 15 0 £ s. d. 1,990 5 0 45 15 3 15 2 20 2 68 25 24 A. B. P. 11,651 1 11 538 0 28 123 1 35 1.616 0 0 589 0 0 7,279 2 24 262 I 0 14,433 2 28 4.617 2 2 7,429 0 6 £ s. d. 1,189 13 4 293 2 9 17 16 1 437 1 6 150 6 2 246 6 3 32 14 4 3,638 18 0 1,074 4 8 476 17 7 £ s. d. 21,975 8 6 45,077 6 4 3,511 18 8 20,591 11 10 1,433 7 10 18,418 16 5 441 0 4 71,467 11 2 43,604 7 0 9,920 3 4 £ s. d. 111,580 19 5 289,998 12 7 19,068 19 7 108,109 4 4 2,249 4 3 130,516 11 1 4,715 14 11 570,154 17 C 272,436 17 11 67,146 7 6 337 10 0 2,510 0 0 337 10 0 2,510 0 0 318 19 2 3 19 33 9 0 2,645 10 0 115 "6 0 2,760*10 0 •• Totals 9,746 1 6 3,638 15,175 1,484,056 4 1 7,134 10 0 463 15 0 7,598 5 0 219 48,540 0 14 7,557 0 8 236,441 11 5J 1,575,977 8 * Excludes one holder of a miscellaneous lease in Waddington Settlement not yet opened for selection, covering an area of 141 acres, and paying an annual rental of £130. I Includes four holders of small grazingruns, who also hold ordinary Crown lands in conjunction therewith, J Excludes il,2Q5 15s. 8d., payments of capital value under section 191 of " The Land Act, 1908,"

82

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Table 33. —Comparative Statement of Selectors and Lands selected under Settlement Conditions for the Ten Years ended 31st March, 1909.

Cash. Perpetual Lease. jease srpetuity. Renewable Lease. Occupation with Right of Purchase. Agricultural Lease. Mining Districts Land Occupation Leases. Village Settlement: Cash. ending 31st March, in P. No. Area. No. Area. Area. No. Area. i No. Area. No. Area. No. Area. No No. I Area. I Acres. 23,936 Acres. 624 Acres. 153,531 Acres. Acres. 117,771 Acres. 70 Acres. 2,295 Acres. 4 656 395 3 64 6 1900* 491 2 1901* 362 58,703 3 2,499 489 144,205 673 262,729 1 23 53 2,123 35 22 1902* 489 27,290 1 10 501 116,125 447 128,893 1 28 71 2,507 21 10 1903* 374 17,194 573 161,745 403 118,557 3 36 52 2,434 19 9 1904* 435 22,481 894 194,515 402 146,953 2 13 97 4,972 10 8 1905* 371 18,990 751 173,811 330 138,206 3 218 40 1,914 2 1 1906* 229 11,132 1 127 706 158,018*} 388 157,432$ 30 1,194 39 40 1907* 447 20,357 597 154,237 412 215,530 26 1,044 15 20 1908* 404 28,519 427 98,367 168 70, 135: 354 187,799 3 84 73 3,047 3 3 1909*t 371 42,177 193 106,184 692 218, 105 382 123,116 36 1,490 11 17 101 S( Year 0 ending wi 31st 1 March, Ni Villagi ettleme )ccupat : th Rigt: Purch ai snt: ion it of se. Villag Settlem.; Leasi in Perpet ;e 3nt: Setl Re: r illage tlement: newable liease. Vi hor S: Sett illagi nestf pecis ilemi 3sad a ait. Specii settlem Associat allent ;ions. Improved Farms. Smc Srazing am rrazing5,11 j-runs Totals. d ■farms. iuity. i. . An No. | A :ea. No. j Area. No. Area. No. Area'. No. Area. o. Area. No. Area. :a. Acres. 2 Acres. 1,762 Acres. 6 Acres. 31 Acres. 2 Acres. 7,393 64 Acres. 155,109 1,812 Acres. 462,530 1900* 3 80 1 41 1901* 2 96 1,082 7 376 13 1,936 35 86,076 1,767 559,774 1902* 1 33 456 30 469 1,618 36 112,947 1,632 390,406{ 1903* 1 40 619 34 1,512 29 5,761 30 4,032 45 113,925 1,602 425,824 1904* 1 21 514 23 272 4 729 106 19,436 58 144,786 2,053 534,679 1905* 1 0i 14 208 8 111 2 223 14 1,459 45 67,271 1,581 402,412 1906* 2 0i 55 1,936 49 287 3 547 34 68,587 1,536 399,342 1907* 41 32 1,012 17 173 1 4 46 5,622 51 114,854 1,644 512,853 1908* 3 3 72 2,302 15 108 3 410 64 226,757 1,589 617,934 1909*f 168 1,167 10 28,989 1,863 521,145 :nclusi ■e of Chedot Esi :ate. and 1; Lnds di { Incl isposed of ludes 1 sel undei lector the Land -area 52 at for Si ires-—d ettlementi leferred pi Acts. Lyment. t Nation! l1 endowmi mt lam Is.

83

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Table 34.— Transactions in Bush, Swamp, and Scrub Lands, under Section 127 of "The Land Act, 1908," during the Year ended 31st March, 1909.

Heavy-bush Land. ight-bush Land. Swamp Land. Totals. District. Selections during Year. ■elections during Year. Si lections durii ig Year. Total Selections .uring Year. Area opened during Year. No. Area. Amount of Rental remitted per Annum. Area opened during Year. Area. Amount of Rental remitted per Annum. Area opened during Year. Area. Amount of Rental remitted per Annum. Total Area opened during Year. Amount of Rental remitted per Annum. No. No. No. Area. A. B. P. | A. B. p. £ s. d. A. B. P.! A. b. p. £ s. d. A. B. P. A. K. P. £ s. d. A. B. P. A. B. P. £ s. d. Auckland Hawke's Bay Taranaki Wellington Nelson .. Marlborough Westland Canterbury Otago .. Southland - 14,178* 0 0 20 13,268 0 0 1,563* 5 0 " - •• 14,178* 0 0 •• 20 13,268* 0 0 " 1,563* 5 0 •• .. , - " - - - .. •• ••■ •• Totals 14,178 0 0 13,268 0 0 1,563 5 0 20 13,268 0 0 1,563 5 0 20 •• •■ •• 14,178 0 0 ■ ■ Total Area held at 31st March, 1909. Heavy-bush Land. Light-bush Land. Scrub Land. Swamp Land. Totals. District. CC <ri w 4= o © Area held. Annual Rental (remitted). CQ o © Area held. Annual Rental (remitted). DQ ■go o © fc*© LLC Area held. Annual Rental (remitted). cd 6 © LLC Area held. Annual Rental (remitted). CQ 44 JH r5© Area held. Annual Rental (remitted). Auckland Hawke's Bay Taranaki Wellington Nelson.. Marlborough Westland Canterbury Otago .. Southland 293 7 149 35 274 6 67 A. B. P. 146,148 2 35 8,564 0 0 129,322 3 9 39,185 1 37 139,760 2 28 3,637 0 0 15,501 0 14 £ s. d. 6,650 19 2 271 19 2 4,341 9 6 2,591 12 10 2,675 13 0 72 8 2 251 16 10 21 21 A. B. P. 7,363 2 20 12,687* 1 37 £ s. d. 213 10 4 485*14 0 32 3 A. B. P. 9,755 1 4 1,779* 0 0 £ s. a. 264 2 5 58* 8 4 4 A. B. P. 520 1 14 £ s. d. 17 18 0 350 7 173 35 319 6 109 A. B. P. 163,787 3 33 8,564 0 0 143,789 1 6 39,185 1 37 154,993 3 13 3,637 0 0 28,881 3 32 £ s. d. 7,146 9 11 271 19 2 4,885 11 10 2,591 12 10 2,913 14 4 72 8 2 448 15 2 30 10,608* 1 28 167* 2 0 7 3,369* 2 28 49 2 6 *8 1,255* 0 9 21 16 10 27 8,950 2 27 125* 4 8 10 2,872 3 27 47* 4 4 5 1,557* 1 4 24**9 4 0 18 6 8 13 73 3 11 4 13 629 0 10 3,831 3 0 11*15 9 70 12 0 *3 20 398* 3 28 5,118 2 38 518 6 107 18 0 *7 2,882." 2 2 20,659 1 21 1 5 77* 0 32 481 2 38 **8 51 1,105 0 30 12,314 2 38 18 12 9 225 15 1 39* 3 10 Totals 848 486,580 2 13 16,938 6 5 ! ! 45,127 3 18 1,105 7 6 458 1 5 23 3,891 2 17 1,058 128 59 556,259 1 29 18,574 19 3 i

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Table 35. —Rebates of Rent granted under Section 116 of "The Land Act, 1908," and Section 55 of "The Land for Settlements Act, 1908," during the Year ended 31st March, 1909.

Table 36. —Crown Lands proclaimed under the Local Bodies' Loans Acts, the Amount borrowed, and the Amount repaid to the Public Account up to 31st March, 1909.

84

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 2,573 479 904 2,143 204 319 581 463 1,102 715 A. B. P. 692,159 0 0 225,681 0 27 277,588 1 1 406,706 0 0 61,114 2 16 144,498 1 24 81,803 0 16 85,642 2 23 289,834 2 4 120,525 0 0 £ s. d. 1,762 3 9 1,126 13 2 1,134 13 4 2,279 11 10 50 3 9 342 10 7 125 17 9 478 8 1 643 14 7 300 18 3 Totals .. 9,483 2,385,552 2 31 8,244 15 1 Cheviot Estate — Canterbury 191 25,228 0 18 705 6 5 Land for Settlements — Auckland Hawke's Bay Taranaki Wellington Nelson Marlborough Westland Canterbury Otago Southland 522 498 31 278 21 308 43 1,149 601 180 124,875 0 0 153,714 2 24 3,487 1 14 43,938 1 26 11,120 0 9 100,846 1 27 7,333 2 13 250,800 0 17 176,238 0 23 36,895 0 0 1,457 12 5 4,296 6 7 270 5 6 1,033 16 0 69 9 3 1,825 4 5 39 7 1 6,621 9 2 3,532 13 1 735 12 10 Totals .. 19,881 16 4 3,631 909,248 2 33 National Endowment — Auckland .. Taranaki Wellington Marlborough Westland Otago Southland 14 11 3 25 39 9 8 6,167 0 0 9,117 0 0 254 0 8 423 0 5 3,084 3 30 837 3 11 729 0 0 11 17 4 29 13 10 0 13 6 1 19 10 4 8 9 0 19 9 15 1 Totals 109 20,612 3 14 50 18 1 Grand totals 13,414 3,340,642 1 16 28,882 15 11

Land District. Area. Amount borrowed. Amount repaid. luckland lawke's Bay taranaki Wellington lelson .. larlborough Vestland Janterbury )tago Southland Acres. 1,004,672 344,940 556,517 651,314 353,122 173,669 21,091 2,135 176,086 118,020 £ s. d. 186,886 0 0 65,210 0 0 136,531 0 0 175,138 0 0 37,868 0 0 21,979 0 0 2,801 0 0 456 0 0 21,539 0 0 25,832 0 0 £ s. d. 53,758 5 5 22,337 1 10 65,116 4 3 108,894 14 10 1,889 16 3 16,250 12 9 730 12 11 518 2 1 22,948 6 1 12,297 0 3 Totals 3,401,566 674,240 0 0 304,740 16 8

c.—i.

Table 37. —Statement showing the Blocks of Land which have been proclaimed under "The Local Bodies' Loans Act, 1908," 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.

12—C. 1.

85

Name of Block. Gazette Area of Block. No. Page. Gazetted. ed. Date. Survi Valuation of Block. )yor-General's Report. Works Estimated required to _ r ~° 8 ' a open up such pr t ° p ?, 9 e ea Block - borrowed. T From Mar 11 April 1 ' 1908 1908 - to 18 f i - March 31, 1909. Expenditure. Total to March 31, 1909. Auckland Lai SD DlSTE] ICT. ihuroa ckaaka Swamp L uckland Special Settlement Lvoca Lwakino Lwaroa No. 2 Acres. 5,049 2,935 8,995 3,668 1,210 3,767 23 72 78 24 97 20 u 59 16 19 71 33 479 1273 1665 482 2995 495 1 750 1620 435 837 1372 1,099 18 Mar., 1892 15 Sept., 1892 24 Oct., 1895 29 Mar., 1894 22 Nov., 1906 24 Mar., 1898 5 Jan., 1899 28 Mar., 1901 23 July, 1903 23 Feb., 1899 12 Mar., 1908 21 Sept., 1893 21 April, 1904 £ 2,184 2,093 3,698' 1,834" 985 J 2,1851 Road-works Drainagejl.. Road-works £ 500 920 899 458 482 400 £ 497 917 898 458 301 400 £ s. el.. £ a. d. 497 2 5 916 12 1 898 0 1 458 0 0 466 4 2 400 0 *0 165*13 4 lauturu 63,186 j. 29,585 10,469 10,278 10,278 1 8 luehue Laikokopu .. ... Caimango .. [aimarama Cakepuku .. 4,134 7,397 600 3,179 2,732 2,911 2,774 600 1,431 3,074 827 739 210 447 683 827 739 318 7 8 5 129 0 0 649 2 1 827 0 0 738 18 2 7 8 5 447 0 0 649 2 1 Roads and drains [arioi-Alexandra Carioi Parish .. Cauaeranga Cawaka Lawhia [enana Cetetangariki [inohaku West Cinohaku West No. 2 [iokio Lohumaru .. . • • • [opua .. . • [owaunui lahoenui laioro Swamp laire lamaku .. . ■ ■ lanawahe langakahia langakahia No. 2 .. langamahoe langanuiowae .. langaokahu langapu langawhara langorewa-Kaharoa lareikura No. 1 lareikura No. 2 lareretu larlborough laropiu laukoro laungaru laungataniwha laungataniwha No. 2 laungataniwha No. 3 loeatoa 12,912 550 3,556 3,420 4,927 773 1,070 60,311 23,004 4,349 3,993 4,263 3,464 6,471 722 2,659 7,684 43,248 10,190 1,109 344 4,599 3,525 1,203 9,669 23,987 950 584 5,060 4,670 5,343 9,978 4,368 4,000 1,220 470 2,930 10 20 91 34 70 50 16 100 72 66 83 73 63 73 80 81 24 83 20 91 56 | 23 1 77 j 54 I 22 11 73 91 77 79 23 46 24 54 20 23 47 84 68 f 23 1 24 97 f 46 116 54 17 49 70 91 70 90 75 24 | 25 9 83 83 ( 23 1 77 | 34 81 62 71 16 (2691 (270) 495 2021 1152 1498 1755 529 2198 1572 1726 1846 2109 2034 1602 1365 2343 564 2221 495 2032 1447 479 2113 1047 629 558 2109 2032 1716 1773 479 939 667 1517 494 479 955 2270 1959 479 885 2879 973 529 1518 648 1735 2,402 2021 1858 2694 2154 563 29 923 254 1847 1846 412 2114 571 528 2343 1727 1255 528 13 Feb., 1896 24 Mar., 1898 20 Dec, 1898 28 April, 1904 22 Sept., 1898 22 June, 1906 23 Feb., 1905 1 Dec, 1899 1 Aug., 1901 21 Aug., 1902 17 Nov., 1894 1 Sept., 1908 26 July, 1906 8 Aug., 1901 13 Oct., 1892 6 Oot., 1904 7 April, 1898 14 Sept., 1905 24 Mar., 1898 2 Nov., 1899 15 June, 1905 18 Mar., 1892 1 Oct., 1903 6 July, 1893 13 Mar., 1902 13 Feb., 1908 1 Sept., 1904 2 Nov., 1899 27 Oct., 1898 3 Nov., 1898 18 Mar., 1892 21 June, 1894 11 Mar., 1897 2 July, 1903 24 Mar., 1898 18 Mar., 1892 18 June, 1896 21 Sept., 1905 18 Aug., 1904 18 Mar., 1892 2 April, 1903 8 Dec, 1904 20 June, 1895 23 Feb., 1905 2 July, 1903 1 Mar., 1906 6 June, 1907 10 Sept., 1908 20 Dec, 1898 4 Sept., 1902 10 Nov., 1904 8 Sept., 1904 7 April, 1898 8 Jan., 1903 5 April, 1906 2 Feb., 1899 17 Nov., 1898 17 Nov., 1898 30 Mar., 1893 1 Oct., 1903 1 May, 1893 23 Feb., 1905 6 Oct., 1904 6 Aug., 1903 8 Sept., 1892 23 Feb., 1905 4,837 206 1,770 1,332 2,819 425 663 51,306 7,589 3,812 3,299 2,264 1,595 5,366 476 931 3,842 25,909 4,548 671 356 } 1,745 j 1,743 1,733 6,073 9,997 493 292 1,976 2,043 2,712 5,729 2,184 1,500 487 235 2,322 Road-works Drainage .. Road-works 1,662 55 445 684 616 155 268 14,990 5,753 545 1,430 894 520 990 225 399 700 0,190 2,000 111 112 500 424 601 2,416 3,552 120 70 395 467 656 1,496 460 500 120 94 733 1,662 55 445 684 616 110 268 13,877 5,676 545 200 894 516 990 225 397 700 3,014 1,470 111 500 232 2,264 2,800 120 70 395 467 653 1,496 460 499 120 93 707 7 ".5 2 1,11218 4 77 1 8 387 "8 6 4 "0 0 897 *7 0 281 15 3 601 0 0 151 18 11 1,661 14 6 55 0 0 444 18 3 683 17 3 615 18 1 117 6 2 268 0 0 14,990 0 0 5,753 2 6 545 0 0 587 5 7 894 0 0 519 18 1 989 19 5 225 0 0 397 6 0 700 0 0 3,911 12 7 1,751 9 4 111 0 0 500 0 0 232 0 0 601 0 0 2,415 19 5 2,800 0 0 120 0 0 70 0 0 395 0 0 467 0 0 653 9 10 1,495 19 7 460 0 0 499 1 6 119 19 9 93 7 2 733 0 0 25 14 10 lotatau 5,803 J 2,349 600 599 598 10 7 Igarua 3,461 2,153 849 849 848 19 11 Igunguru 6,216 J 3,417 772 772 772 0 0 fgutunui >amaru No. 1 lamaru No. 2 (amaru No. 3 Ikohiriki )kohiriki No. 1e hnanawa Imawhake ipanake 1,657 15,027 3,243 17,000 13,277 2,626 3,380 5,094 2,508 1,053 9,821 2,587 12,750 5,094 1,050 2,047 2,135 1,254 210 3,734 1,293 4,250 1,550 260 845 637 100 99 2,509 91 110 15 4 1,210 11 7 837 4 6 6 17 5 210 0 0 3,719 3 6 927 19 3 6 17 5 1,547 8 1 259 2 3 844 0 0 1,547 259 844 *99 99* 1 0 Ipouteke 12,240 j 7,991 3,248 298 1,190 4 4 1,488 12 7 (puatea No. 1 Ipuatea No. 2 .. .. )puatea No 3 5,720 8,030 4,337 2,288 2,735 1,976 858 1,000 600 858 1,000 600 858 0 0 1,000 0 0 600 0 0 Ipuawhanga No. 1 .. 4,815 j- 1,917 I 2,300 500 500 500 0 0 Ipuawhanga-Whangarei No. 1 Itaenga Itanake Special Settlement .. (tau Itepo 5,140 500 500 500 0 0 1,630 7,253 18,510 463 1,019 5,440 6,941 232 326 1,813 2,350 115 1,161 2,350 244**3 9. 1,405* 10 2,350 0 297,183 94,792 73,899 8,097 10 5 81,996 11 6 Carried forward 535,857 * The fii •es ;ive the totals to the nearest pound for the year ending 31st March, 1908,

c—l.

Statement showing the Blocks of Land which have been proclaimed under "The Local Bodies' Loans Act, 1908," &c. — continued.

86

Name of Block. Gazette Area of Block. No. Page. Gazetted. ed. Date. Survi syor-General's Report. Works Estimated From required to ° ose d Mar - 31 - tS to' open up such P r0 P° sed i 90 8. J 908 : '° rannk t0 be " March 31, J3io0K ' borrowed. 1909. Expenditure. Total to March 31, 1909. Valuation of Block. Aucn iAnd Land Dis r TBIOT — CO mtinued. Brought forward Oue .. -',. Acres. 1535,857 ! 6,248 78 f 83 1 70 77 49 73 20 73 91 85 81 2609 ' 1845 1856 2114 1433 1602 494 1601 2032 2335 2658 15 Oct., 1908 17 Nov., 1898 4 Sept., 1902 1 Oct., 1903 25 June, 1903 8 Aug., 1901 24 Mar., 1898 8 Aug., 1901 2 Nov., 1899 5 Nov., 1903 22 Oct., 1908 £ 297,183 I 5,014 Road-works £ 94,792 1,685 £ 73,899 £ s. d. 8,097 10 5 £ s. d 81,996 11 6 Otukai 8,946 1,059 696 300 1 11 996 5 10 Oumauku .. Ouruwhero Owai Paekotare .. Pakanae Pakeho Pakiri Papakauri 9,770 2,615 3,378 752 992 9,613 4,125 2,025 2,931 2,347 1,008 296 291 5,720 1,607 2,119 1,465 680 340 80 124 1,800 369 506 1,463 680 340 76 112 1,800 369 11 12 5 1,463 6 0 679 15 7 340 0 0 75 14 6 123 19 2 1,799 18 9 369 0 0 Roads and bridges Road-works Papamoa No. 2 Parahaki Pareokawa Pirongia West Pukemiro Pukenui Puketarata .. Puketarata No. 2 Puketarata No. 3 Puketiti Puriri .. Raetea .. .. Rotokakahi Roto Ngaro Ruaoterei Ruapekapeka Taeore Tahora No. 2 North .. "1 1,443 1,933 7,645 16,960 1,111 1,600 5,347 3,027 2,370 603 1,856 686 4,022 14,841 570 10,355 340 18378 of 62,699 1,993 12,200 4,660 4,069 2,585 3,423 3,269 7,442 13,436 7 73 96 14 68 77 1 104 65 17 91 5 99 112 78 77 55 273 1601 2148 361 1959 2113 1 2261 1702 680 2022 152 2638 2949 2609 1345 1428 1 Feb., 1906 8 Aug., 1901 7 Nov., 1901 15 Feb., 1900 18 Aug , 1904 1 Oct., 1903 4 Jan., 1900 14 Dec, 1899 14 Aug., 1902 1 Mar., 1906 20 Dec, 1898 21 Jan., 1904 16 Nov., 1905 21 Dec, 1905 15 Oct., 1908 6 Oct., 1892 8 June, 1905 719 568 3,557 10,874 450 1,200 2,177. 1,487 2,371 737 791 349 3,571 4,655 428 3,982 136 180 193 950 2,121 167 240 535 378 296 151 186 137 1,207 2,225 142 500 68 177 11 944 2,118 240 533 378 296 ' 115 0 151 0 0 177 5 1 10 15 0 946 3 7 2,118 0 9 239 19 4 532 11 7 377 19 4 295 19 4 151 0 0 185 6 0 136 5 1 646 11 2 379 5 1 8 7 6 494 13 4 185 6 517 198 130 10 2 129 15 5 181 14 9 8 7 6 495 J 24 522 28 Feb., 1901 15,052 5,190 517 1,943 16 7 2,460 16 10 Takahue Takahue and Whangape Tangihua Tauhoa Tauhoa-Komokoriki .. Taumata Taumata-Whakauma Taupiri ' .. Te Akau 23 89 104 15 35 20 62 45 45 479 1864 2261 336 573 495 1727 860 1626 18 Mar., 1892 5 Dec, 1895 14 Dec, 1899 18 Feb., 1892 4 May, 1893 24 Mar., 1898 6 Aug., 1903 8 June, 1893 11 June, 1908 946 4,270 2,106 1,675 949 2,188 2,100 3,755 25,696 300 1,800 466 449 325 428 817 920 6,382 300 1,800 466 449 325 428 815 920 300 0 0 1,800 0 0 466 0 0 449 0 0 325 0 0 428 0 0 815 6 2 919 18 10 1,615 13 4 Roads and bridges Ditto Road-works 1,615 13 4 Te Kauri Te Kuiti Te Pahu Te Puhi Te Puroa Te Rerenga Tokatoka 3,570 3,506 3,228 4,505 8,042 7,991 11,653 14 70 3 73 83 97 38 544 1498 80 2109 1846 2880 911 18 Feb., 1904 25 July, 1901 18 Jan., 1906 1 Sept., 1904 17 Nov., 1898 8 Dec, 1904 26 May, 1898 2,616 2,927 1,711 4,352 3,033 4,730 20,712 916 777 491 1,689 1,076 1,599 916 776 481 1,464 1,000 1,599 9 *3 8 221 19 6 916 0 0 776 7 0 489 18 0 1,686 2 8 1,000 0 0 1,598 13 9 Tokatoka Tokatoka .. Tokatoka No. 2 Tokatoka No. 3 f I ( 4,090 of 11,653 125 of 11653 1,733 448 j 38 I 38 ) 73 14 911 911 1601 544 26 May, 1898 26 May, 1898 8 Aug., 1901 18 Feb., 1904 10,226 | 1,250 | 3,934 896 Drains and roads Tramway and road-works Roads and drains Road-works Roads and drains Drainageworks and bridges over drains Road-works - 10,765 1,474 448 10,273 1,474 418 302 17 6 10,575 16 2 1,473 19 4 448 0 0 Tumu-Kaituna 3,187 12 495 19 Feb., 1903 2,550 1,275 1,274 1,274 7 7 Turoto Umurua Waiawa Waiharakeke Waimana Waimatanui Waiotahi Waiotira Waipoua Waipu Wairere Waitoa .. Waoku i i 1,783 4,866 16,870 2,116 14,292 15,723 6,050 3,226 58,200 6,257 1,930 5,108 20,000 2,543 975 16,600 97 24 5 27 46 20 71 62 74 65 79 75 74 17 73 73 (18 t 45 51 49 2879 564 94 758 973 496 2073 1214 1419 1398 2299 2287 1298 301 1602 1602 335 1137 1113 1736 8 Dec, 1904 7 April, 1898 27 Jan., 1896 23 Mar., 1905 20 June, 1895 24 Mar., 1898 25 Aug., 1904 10 Aug., 1893 5 Oct., 1893 1 Sept., 1898 29 Sept., 1904 30 Aug., 1906 22 Sept., 1892 9 Mar., 1893 8 Aug., 1901 8 Aug., 1901 7 Feb., 1901 18 May, 1905 14 June, 1900 6 June, 1907 1,689 2,433 8,439 1,979 5,402 10,847 2,273 1,613 29,100 1,570 1,641 9,332 10,000 1,462 439 14,525 j 8,907 539 480 3,268 318 2,000 4,258 756 322 5,800 790 483 3,830 2,000 395 170 3,075 206 479 2,500 318 2,000 3,622 751 162 5,799 790 480 332 11 6 343 5 5 631**8 5 150 5 10 539 0 0 478 14 11 2,843 4 5 317 19 7 2,000 0 0 4,253 13 8 750 13 9 312 2 6 5,799 5 5 790 0 0 483 0 0 854 16 7 3 0 6 854 16 7 I 2,310 84 13 9 2,394 17 11 Whangaingatakupu .. Whareorino 170 1,796 1,050 11 6 169 18 4 2,846 16 0 Wharepuhunga 31,700 2,828 1,063 1,021 19 4 2,085 2 11 Whatitiri No. 1 ■■:, Whitikau 5,628 12,457 4,830 10,859 844 4,567 843 841'10 8 843 6 2 841 10 8 Totals ■ .. 100,467,2 605,402 186,886 1134,547 18,420 1 8 152,967 16 0 * The flgun is give the totals to the nearest pi mnd for the year ending list March, 1908.

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Statement showing the Blocks of Land which have been proclaimed under "The Local Bodies' Loans Act, 1908," &c. — continued.

87

Name of Block. Gazette Area of Block. No. Page. Gazetted. Led. Date. Surveyor-General's Report. Expenditure Works Estimated T From Valua- „„„?,"! to Cost Mar % April J - tion of ooenno such P ro P°sed M fl^ h 1908, to Block. 0pe ? 11 " p t SUcn to be % 0H - March 31, ciocK. borrowed. 1909. Expenditure. e. Total to March 31, 1909. Tabanaki Lai D DlSTB] ;ct. Aorangi Aria Autawa Bao Egmont, Block VI .. Eltham Gatton Huiroa Hurimoana Kaimanuka Kaipikari Kaitangiwhenua No. 2 Kaitangiwhenua Special Settlement Kaupokonui Kohuratahi Kuraiti Kuti Kururau Lepperton Llewellyn .. Maben Makahu Makino Mangaehu Mangaere Mangamingi M.anganui-Egmont Mangaowata Mangaroa Acres. 3,842 39 4,725 17,218 1,683 3,200 3,800 6,433 3,190 9,987 4,273 33,430 7,747 75 93 21 77 57 19 19 72 79 72 79 27 1 2153 3006 393 2191 1163 340 340 1273 1774 1273 1775 510 4 8 Sept., 1904 26 Nov., 1908 23 Mar., 1893 2 Oct., 1902 26 July, 1894 16 Mar., 1893 16 Mar., 1893 15 Sept., 1892 3 Nov., 1898 15 Sept., 1892 3 Nov., 1898 5 April, 1894 7 Jan., 1904 £ 2,519 532 4,276 13,890 1,721 3,150 3,860 5,318 2,981 5,350 2,136 15,667 4,209 Road-works £ 1,160 265 1,153 6,361 421 800 950 2,093 797 2,665 582 6,393 1,491 £ 1,037 1,153 6,341 421 800 950 2,093 797 2,665 582 6,393 1,452 £ s. d. 107 19 7 20 1 11 & s. d. 1,144 16 5 1,153 0 0 6,361 0 0 421 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 1,491 0 0 3811 8 230 3,548 4,465 13,989 11,808 2,775 4,594 4,080 6,551 8,608 492 7,432 6,629 2,833 10,501 4,969 62 79 14 75 86 83 15 65 66 24 72 30 15 72 77 77 1215 1774 360 2153 2323 1383 397 1871 1361 521 1273 526 336 1510 2191 2192 10 Aug., 1893 3 Nov., 1898 15 Feb., 1900 8 Sept., 1904 28 Sept., 1905 20 Oct., 1892 9 Mar., 1896 4 Aug., 1904 27 Aug., 1896 28 Feb., 1901 15 Sept., 1892 27 April, 1893 18 Feb. 1892 4 Oct., 1894 2 Oct., 1902 2 Oct., 1902 230 3,019 1,855 4,921 7,568 2,998 3,445 2,341 6,180 3,787 604 9,485 9,040 3,597 6,577 4,560 58 738 617 1,985 3,490 966 862 900 1,468 1,860 301 4,144 4,286 894 2,140 1,225 58 738 617 1,984 3,444 966 862 900 1,468 194 301 4,144 4,286 894 2,116 1,211 45 "l 1 58 0 0 738 0 0 617 0 0 1,984 2 0 3,489 6 10 966 0 0 862 0 0 900 0 0 1,468 0 0 1,521 2 8 301 0 0 4,144 0 0 4,286 0 0 894 0 0 2,140 0 0 1,225 0 0 1,327 "l 1 Roads and bridges Road-works 23*17 2 13 19 10 Mangatawa Marco Mataro Mauku Milsom Mohakatino Mokau-Ohura Moki' Ngatimaru, Blocks V, IX Okoke Opaku-Kapara Otunui 6,804 6,463 1,486 1,893 6,681 4,600 41,475 8,734 4,565 13,893 17,496 14,747 2 13 42 91 21 42 30 99 23 51 4 19 3 382 953 2031 374 1513 1007 2178 412 1049 26 838 9 Jan., 1902 16 Feb., 1899 18 May, 1899 2 Nov.. 1899 23 Mar., 1893 28 May, 1908 14 April, 1904 6 Dec, 1900 30 Mar., 1893 5 July, 1894 12 Jan., 1893 12 Mar., 1908 3,796 4,038 668 1,136 6,232 3,475 27,175 4,708 4,745 9,275 6,996 14,573 1,270 1,027 260 284 1,750 1,700 12,595 1,822 1,940 2,369 2,793 6,970 1,270 1,027 260 284 1,750 12,591 1,822 1,940 2,367 2,793 1,269 19, 8 1,027 0 0 260 0 0 284 0 0 1,750 0 0 12,595 0 0 1,822 0 0 1,940 0 0 2,366 11 1 2,793 0 0 2,473 6 11 3 10 9 Roads and bridge Road-works 2,473**6 11 Oxford Patua Patupuremu Piko Poarangi Puniwhakau Putiki Putikituna Rangiwhakaoma Rawhitiroa .. .. i 4,000 9,692 17,966 10,276 3,835 10,641 6,595 4,229 9,974 736 of 32,746 21,375 4 24 77 43 14 19 64 14 72 23 667 2190-1 1009 361 340 1358 360 1501 12 Jan., 1893 11 Mar., 1897 2 Oct., 1902 25 May, 1899 15 Feb., 1900 16 Mar., 1893 27 July, 1899 15 Feb., 1900 4 Oct., 1894 3,550 6,542 8,160 6,928 2,419 7,615 3,620 2,664 3,823 1,200 1,636 3,580 1,784 550 1,926 1,144 789 1,421 1,200 1,636 3,580 1,782 550 1,926 1,143 789 1,421 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 l» 5 7 Jan., 1897 3,680 46 4 3 11 11 Rerekapa-Moanatairi 77 2189 2 Oct., 1902 12,182 Roads and bridges Road-works 5,835 5,710 124 19 10 5,834 19 10 Rimuputa Ross Tahora Tangitu Tanner Taumata 5,609 1,912 2,311 11,805 5,200 8,223 77 34 90 90 78 84 j 77 1 30 ' 60 77 13 77 81 77 1715 760 1977 1977 1361 2261 2191 1007 1245 2192 240 2189 2343 2190 27 Oct., 1898 9 May, 1895 17 Oct., 1901 17 Oct., 1901 10 Oct., 1892 21 Sept., 1905 2 Oct., 1902 14 April, 1904 15 Aug., 1895 2 Oct., 1902 23 Feb., 1893 2 Oot., 1902 6 Oct., 1904 2 Oct., 1902 3,229 2,564 1,422 7,463 5,950 3,812 799 478 471 2,140 1,780 1,616 799 476 471 2,140 1,780 992 799 0 0 476 2 6 471 0 0 2,140 0 0 1,780 0 0 1,615 19 4 ( Roads and) 1 bridges j Road-works 623 13 4 Taurangi 21,500 112,976 5,865 5,864 5,863 15 10 Terrace End Tirangi Upper Waitara Vera Waiaraia Waikaka 10,393 8,098 840 2,429 16,797 4,016 8,739 3,563 1,914 1,488 9,163 3,254 2,173 1,620 126 320 4,010 960 2,173 1,618 126 320 4,010 909 1 13 6 2,173 0 0 1,620 0 0 126 0 0 320 0 0 4,010 0 0 960 0 0 Roads and bridges Road-works 51**8 9 Waikekeho Waikiekie .. Waingarara.. Waitangata Waro 590 600 1,634 10,562 11,244 72 78 78 77 52 (19 1 * 1522 1698 1666 2190 1620 340 , 57 16 Aug., 1900 15 Oct., 1896 6 Sept., 1900 2 Oct., 1902 23 July, 1903 16 Mar., 1893 10 Jan., 1901 1,178 788 1,111 8,617 6,678 419 150 373 2,575 3,210 419 150 373 2,493 3,210 54**1 3 418 16 9 150 0 0 372 16 4 2,547 3 6 3,210 0 0 Whenuakura 10,927 | 5,652 1,690 1,690 1,690 0 0 124,725 4,909 6 8 129,635 6 4 Totals 556,517 ,373,377 136,531 * The figures give the totals to the nearest pound for the year ending 31st March, 1908.

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Statement showing the Blocks of Land which have been proclaimed under "The Local Bodies' Loans Act, 1908," &c. — continued.

88

Name of Block. Ga: Area of Block. No. Page. ;etted, Date. Sur Valuation of Block. lyor-General's Report. Works Estimated required to _ r ~° s ' a open up such pr f ° p ?l ea Mock to be a,oaK - borrowed. tit From Mar Rl A P riI !> lona ' 19»8, to 1908 - March 31, 1909. I Expenditure. Total to March 31, 1909. [awke's Bay L. L.ND DlST] HOT. Hikurangi No. 2 Acres. 4,115 16 Nov., 1894 £ 3,217 Road-works £ 520 £ 497 £ s. d. £ s. d. 497 5 5 82 1663 1901 } 1902 f 1991 1388 521 857 1537 1620 479 1914 548 1365 1324 522 475 Huiarua 7,750 90 | 21 Oct., 1897 2,695 1,000 737 736 10 7 Koranga Liberal Mangapoike Mangatoro, Block I .. Mangatoro 1a No. 1 .. Moanui .. Motu Ngapaeruru .. 1 Ngapaeruru No. 2 .. J Nuhaka North Nuhaka No. 2 Nuhaka No. 3 Piripiri 17,422 2,800 14,628 1,700 5,016 24,865 33,045 58 83 24 38 60 59 23 ( 86 j 20 80 68 24 13 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 18 Feb., 1909 13,649 2,500 8,260 1,329 32,104 14,000 16,773 I 26,370 2,613 400 1,834 425 1,348 3,108 2,475 400 1,834 425 1,348 2,797 2,475 807 16 6 303 19 6 807 16 6 400 0 0 1,833 18 2 424 19 5 1,847 19 8 3,101 4 6 2,475 0 0 44,816 11,000 11,000 11,000 0 0 9,549 777 4,138 8,276 4,632 486 5,351 ! 53,356 568 58 1,034 4,132 568 58 1,031 568 0 0 58 0 0 1,030 18 5 Roads and bridges Road-works Pohui Ruahine 4,306 5,154 90 61 1521 1291 (9391 I955f 522 1042 2222 2305 11 Nov., 1892 16 Aug., 1894 3,655 2,704538 840 538 824 538 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 1 83 67 28 Feb., 1901 4 May, 1905 14 Sept., 1905 1 Aug., 1907 16,139 } 48,345 21,877 4,304 Tamaki 3,443 3,440 3,340 3,340 0 0 Tamaki No. 1 3,042 RoadB and bridges Road-works 3,043 1,229 1,646 19 3 2,875 15 3 Tauwharetoi Tuahu .. .. Tutamoe Umutaoroa Waiau Waimarama ... 9,404 16,723 3,073 1,461 8,961 8,490 68 67 58 49 23 11 1324 1859 1992 939 412 395 7 Sept., 1893 27 Aug., 1903 4 July. 1907 22 June, 1893 30 Mar., 1893 11 Feb., 1909 4,796 6,288 5,384 956 4,215 64,167 1,175 2,352 1,536 100 1,405 6,028 1,169 2,350 324 100 1,183 975 il 3 1,169 0 0 2,350 7 5 1,299 2 7 100 0 0 1,182 14 6 10,732 13,820 14,379 508 67 52 52 16 2305 1619 1619 342 1 Aug., 1907 23 July, 1903 23 July, 1903 1 Mar., 1894 10,439 8,660 12,498 406 Roads and bridges Ditto Road-works 3,279 2,990 1,798 38 360 2,935 1,798 38 1,749 16 11 55 0 4 2,109 7 4 2,990 0 0 1,797 18 8 38 0 0 Waipaoa Waitahaia Whakapaupakihi Whakarara, Section 14, Block XIII Wharekopae-Tahora No. 2 ... Woodville .. .. ... 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 344,940 |411,981 65,210 |41,179 |5,539 3 9 [46,716 18 2 Wellington L, .ND DlST] SICT. Ahuahu 28,999 61 1682 30 Aug., 1903 15,115 Roads and bridges Ditto Road-works 7,250 2,344 2,383 19 3 4,727 19 7 Awarua In.. Clifton No. 1 Dannevirke Centennial East Puketoi Gladstone Hall Hautapu, Blocks XI, XIV, XV Hautapu No. 2 Hautapu-Ruahine Hautapu-Ruahine No. 2 Hikimutu Horopito 18,291 4,650 11,022 83,500 7,597 3,175 6,188 6,895 19,804 16,771 16 ,290 400 104 28 19 23 24 19 92 65 74 87 49 72 2723 539 340 479 482 340 1567 1272 1297 1841 1735 1505 2661) 2670^ 2673 J 1245 773 1863 283 56 2497 2670 413 1736 1951 1736 4 1637 958 1297 2162 273 339 1274 131 23 Nov., 1905 31 Mar., 1892 16 Mar., 1893 18 Mar., 1892 28 Mar., 1894 16 Mar., 1893 24 Nov., 1892 24 Aug., 1894 22 Sept., 1892 28 Nov., 1895 6 June, 1907 2 Oct., 1894 16,132 4,081 5,233 83,500 5,822 4,871 5,469 7,207 22,154 11,152 21,126 350 6,610 1,163 2,494 19,375 1,899 794 1,573 1,714 6,931 4,192 4,072 100 2,841 1,163 2,494 19,375 1,898 794 1,567 1,714 6,932 4,192 105 2,804 9 1 5,645 4 1 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 2,600 17 9 2,496 i 9 u Horopito West 365 "I 22 Oct., 1908 9,861 2,731 Kaiparoro Kaiparoro No. 2 Kaitangata Kaitieke Kaiwaka, Blocks IV, VIII, XI 9,409 400 7,105 45,500 4,789 60 30 89 12 4 (73 181 23 49 94 49 1 80 46 74 79 7 19 72 7 15 Aug., 1895 1 April, 1897 5 Dec, 1895 14 Feb., 1895 10 Jan., 1901 24 Sept., 1908 22 Oct., 1908 30 Mar., 1893 6 June, 1907 21 Dec, 1894 6 June, 1907 7 Jan., 1904 8 Oct., 1894 21 June, 1894 22 Sept., 1892 8 Oct., 1903 1 Feb., 1906 16 Mar., 1893 15 Sept., 1892 25 Jan., 1894 6,414 150 4,215 41,700 1,768 1,174 50 884 11,375 598 1,174 50 884 11,365 598 9 18 1,174 0 0 50 0 0 884 0 0 11,373 15 10 598 0 0 Kakahi Village Settlement 17 710 231 Kakariki Kawautahi Kawhatau Kirikau Makotuku, Block III Malton Farm Homestead Manganui and Ruapehu Mangoira-Coal Creek Marton No. 3 Maungakaretu Mecalickstone Moumahaki Moumahaki Village Settlement 5,000 7,677 5,644 13,642 1,608 1,208 7,350 6,500 9,078 508 6,011 526 824 5,786 10,814 6,625 18,584 1,860 944 6,337 8,204 8,050 1,311 4,834 440 6,311 1,562 1,919 1,425 3,410 402 302 1,838 2,031 2,270 254 1,503 156 1,360 1,562 97 1,425 242 402 302 1,838 2,030 2,270 254 1,503 156 1,360 1,168 13 0 1,774 2 1 1,562 0 0 1,265 14 4 1,425 0 0 2,016 5 3 402 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 II Carried forward |356,743 |347,130 93,642 172,931 10,636 9 10 |83,566 13 0 * The li| [ures ;ive the totals to the nearest lound for the year endini 31st March, 1908.

c—l.

Statement showing the Blocks of Land which have been proclaimed under "The Local Bodies' Loans Act, 1908," &c. — continued.

89

Name of Block. Ga Area of Block. No. Page. Ga: setted. Surveyor-General's Report. wn*ir= Estimated „, Valna works „ . To tionof required to °°£, d Mar. 31, B°ock f ope ",« p 6U * To P °bo e 19 ? 8 - ™ OOK ' borrowed. Expenditure From April 1, 1908. to March 31, 1900. Expenditure. e. Total to March 31, 1909. Date. Welli ington Land I )ISTB1CT■continued. Brought forward .. | Mount Baker .. Mowhanau Village Settlement Ngamatea-Maungakaretu Ngaurukehu Nireaha Village Settlement .. Acres. |356,743 8,291 380 8,315 1,092 552 15 7 4 4 74 336 255 55 55 2619 18 Feb., 1892 29 Jan., 1903 10 Jan., 1901 10 Jan., 1901 22 Aug., 1907 £ 347,130 8,710 5,320 6,491 1,092 5,648 Road-works £ 93,642 2,487 380 2,078 409 250 £ 72,931| 2,487 ! 3781 2,078: 409! 250J I 1 £ s. d. 110,636 9 10J )[ £ s. d. |83,566 13 0 2,487 0 0 378 7 92,078 0 0 408 19 2 249 18 4 Roads and drains Road-works ■■ 3,990 0 0 North-east Puketoi 13,300 15 336 26691 26971 242 55-6 56 152 640 1803 336 23711 2374 J 539 18 Feb., 1892 16,455 3,990 3,990^ 1 I Ohakune Village Settlement .. 539 »>] 22 Oct., 1908 6,434 2,776 93 15 3 93 15 3 Ohinewairua Ohinewairua, Block XIII Ohinewairua-Pukeokahu Omahine, Block I .. Onslow ... Oraukura Oroua-Coal Creek 7,462 876 9,785 455 2,405 4,456 5,630 11 4 4 8 34 78 15 28 Jan., 1897 10 Jan., 1901 10 Jan., 1901 2 Feb., 1893 28 April, 1892 21 Sept. 1899 18 Feb., 1892 7,491 2,734 9,330 ' 341 1,327 6,691 6,178 1,865 481 2,935 114 601 1,114 1,050 1,864: 481 2,935' 114 600 1,114 1,050 i ■" 1,864 1 3 481 0 0 2,935 0 0 114 0 0 600 0 0 1,114 0 0 1,050 0 0 I I Owhanga 35 81 | 22 Oot., 1908 1,600 795 Palmerston North Knights of Labour Pohangina Pohonuiatane 10,995 28 31 Mar., 1892 12,222 2,749 2,749 I 2,749 0 0 Pukeokahu Puketoi-Aohanga Rangataua Raupiu Retaruke Ruatiti Salisbury and Delaware Sommerville South Kaitieke Stirling Taihape Village Settlement Extension Taonui-Maraetaua-Pukewhakapu 4,722 27,754 11,379 1,277 153 3,080 16,055 18,500 13,392 8,566 9,612 4,770 117 28 19 ( 87 I 10 92 (73 [a. 49 49 85 28 28 62 28 1 539 340 1841 283 1933 2497 2671 2674 1433 1736 2649 539 539 1738 539 3,4 31 Mar., 1892 16 Mar., 1893 28 Nov., 1895 13 Feb., 1896 19 Dec, 1895 24 Sept., 1908 22 Oct., 1908 25 June, 1903 C June, 1907 11 Oct., 1906 31 Mar., 1892 31 Mar., 1892 6 Aug., 1903 31 Mar., 1892 7 Jan., 1904 4,250 26,476 1 11,957 1,027 I 4,418 1,181 6,959 2,844 319 1,913 385 4,014 4,625 3,348 2,142 2,403 1,193 117 1,181 6,958 2,844 319 385 258 650 3,348 2,142 164 1,192 117 I 1 . . ; 1,671 11 10 1 1,552 7 5 1,181 0 0 6,958 6 0 2,844 0 0 319 0 0 385 0 0 1,929 8 3 2,202 4 1 3,348 0 0 2,142 0 0 1,755 19 0 1,192 0 0 117 0 0 2,457 20,386 13,875 14,257 9,085 5,357 6,678 278 I : 1,691 10 7 1 1 Tapui Settlement 9,799 1,267 49 85 1 I 5 17 19 72 1186 2486 560 677 340 1522 25 May, 1905 27 Oct., 1904 14 Feb., 1907 21 Feb., 1907 16 Mar., 1893 16 Aug., 1900 8,893 I 1,724 2,450 474 333| 474 ! 53 8 4 386 6 7 474 0 0 Tararua Tauakira Te Mara 3,993 20,736 3,549 of 18,700 1,470 1,545 5,622 2,614 2,200 14,201 20,900 3,900 6,222 2,608 4,592 16,551 998 2,592 998 2,592 998 0 0 2,592 0 0 I I 56 1092 13 July, 1893 2,384 1,286 4,256 5,250 2,614 1,675 15,851 16,880 4,101 6,046 8,543 436 428 : 427 16 3 Te Ngaue Te Ruanui Tiriraukawa-Hautapu Tupapanui Umutoi Upper Makohine Waimarino Waiwera Wanganui Wellington Fruit-growers' Association 54 4 4 65 28 24 15 23 19 72 1106 55 56 2090 539 564 336 413 340 1274 16 July, 1896 10 Jan., 1901 10 Jan., 1901 2 Aug., 1906 31 Mar., 1892 7 April, 1898 18 Feb., 1892 30 Mar., 1893 16 Mar., 1893 15 Sept., 1892 367 386 1,686 653 550 3,230 7,837 1,460 1,556 1,304 367 386 1,686 175 550 3,230 7,836 1,460 1,556 1,304 ■ 338 13 10 1 367 0 0 386 0 0 1,686 0 0 513 8 9 550 0 0 3,229 19 11 7,835 10 6 1,460 0 0 1,556 0 0 1,304 0 0 1 1 ' Totals 651,314 166,341 175,138 136,363 15,937 17 1 152,299 14 1 Nelson Lan: DlSTBIi JT. 3ig Bush 14,309 73 | , 2229 2230 2815 2323 611-12 2010 2862 2638 2423 5 2424 2276 t 23 Aug., 1906 4,469 Road-works 715 530 184 14 0 188 0 16 10 13 ! 130 3 3 272 0 5 5 j 335 14 11 122 694 7 18 0 278 5 10 580 18 11 313 15 9 715 0 0 3rewerton Brighton Dart 3-lenroy Heaphy Hope Inangahua Inangahua Junction .. iongahu jee 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 Oot., 1905 9 Jan., 1908 19 Oct., 1905 21 Sept., 1905 939 1,168 2,758 4,489 4,029 828 1,658 2,303 6,152 629 197 188 594 984 1,344 248 781 1,055 2,735 314 188 18 5 143 12 9 272 0 5 341 3 7 121 11 6 701 14 6 278 5 10 580 18 11 313 15 9 Roads and bridges Road-works Hanglea-Blackwater.. tfaruia tf aruia North ,1 atakitaki 8,108 22,445 19,311 4,728 67 90 60 102 2308 2422 1946 3150 27 Aug., 1908 19 Oct., 1905 19 July, 1906 17 Dec, 1908 3,839 7,601 6,220 1,773 608 3,143 3,110 591 1,705 : 938 8 7 1,819 ,1,289 17 11 2,643*16 7 3,108 11 9 Carried forward |137,278 48,855 16,607 5,076 J4.332 14 5 9,409 10 0 * The figures give the totals to the nearest pound for the 'ear ending 31st March, 1908.

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Statement showing the Blocks of Land which have been proclaimed under "The Local Bodies' Loans Act, 1908," &c. — continued.

90

Name of Block. Gazetted. Area Of J Block. No. Page. Date. Survt Valuation of Block. lyor-General's Report. Works Estimated To required to nr „ ° S ,L d Mar. 31, open up such pr ..° P ?,l 1908. moolt - borrowed. From April 1, 1908, to March 31, 1909. Expenditure. Total to March 31, 1909. Ne: .son Land Dis: 3UCT— CO', ntinued. Brought forward Acres. 137,278 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 26 Nov., 1908 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 18 June, 1908 9 April, 1903 26 Nov., 1908 21 Dec, 1905 30 May, 1907 £ 48,855 I 4,386 I 2,819 £ 16,607 £ £ s. d. 5,076 4,332 14 5 £ s. d. 9,409 10 0 Matiri Matiri East Maungatapu Mid Maruia Mokihinui Mount Arthur Mount Arthur No. 2.. Murchison Village Settlement Nuggety Oparara Orikaka Otumahana Owen Owen East Rainy River.. Rappahannock Spooner Range Tadmor 11,620 9,361 2,632 21,750 8,013 4,350 14,484 31 5,698 19,635 20,052 20,824 5,233 7,707 9,584 7,109 3,793 2,109 I 90 (15 {1? 42 47 90 90 90 2 93 99 95 90 95 109 95 47 75 14 ( 99 I 17 104 47 26 93 112 47 2423 569 80 649 1467 1673 2425 2423 1523 12,13 2992 2638 2528 2424 2528 2862 2528 1674 2287 592 2639 649 3150 1688 958 2992 2950 1673 1,135 9,663 2,951 1,087 4,345 249 2,407 7,076 5,184 6,069 1,538 2,473 2,700 2,658 1,092 537 Road-works (Roads and) 1 bridges j Road-works 1,536 701 197 2,175 1,133 326 1,086 62 712 2,699 2,506 2,603 623 549 726 711 96 116 1,086 401 6 0 603 97 16 9 169 28 7 2 13 476 10 2 71 683 16 7 326 199 664 9 11 21 "(1 0 109 0 4 561 61 12 2 547 541 165 14 5 54 116 1,487 0 0 701 0 0 196 19 6 489 1 4 754 9 4 326 0 0 863 18 10 21 0 0 109 0 4 622 19 6 546 19 3 706 10 4 5310 7 116 0 0 Totaranui 7,547 I 2,037 566 14 14 3 4 Totaranui No. 3 Upper Aorere Wairoa Forks Wangamoa Wareatea Warwiok 1,990 3,475 7,978 11,940 829 5,821 497 1,043 1,995 5,371 326 2,338 100 87 576 298 163 582 '.'. 31 *4 1 376 3 7 31* 4 1 376 3 7 Roads and bridges Road-works Westport 2,279 104 2723 23 Nov., 1905 791 332 321 320 15 2 Totals 353,122 353,122 121,622 37,868 9,697 17,449 15 7 17,146 5 2 1 1 Bartlett's Creek 4,481 a 1357 773 2081 729 1477 2022 1991 2659 821 527 4 -ABLBOBOUGH I 11 June, 1903 1 April, 1897 18 Nov., 1897 6 April, 1899 10 Aug., 1899 20 Dec, 1898 4 July, 1907 22 Oct., 1908 4 April, 1901 6 Mar., 1902 9 Jan., 1902 AND DlS! 1,617 j 24,540 JBIGT. Road-works 404 403 19 5 Hundalee Kaitao Pine Valley Puhipuhi Rimu Gully Ronga Valley No. 1 .. Stag and Spey Tinline Waipapa 38,329 9,436 19,744 36,329 1,456 588 12,246 1,650 49,410 .4,481 38,329 9,436 19,744 36,329 1,456 588 12,246 1,650 49,410 46 j 30 1 97 30 68 91 58 81 34 18 2 5,676 7,452 15,709 1,918 1,615 11,148 805 17,662 404 7,500 2,500 1,863 4,169 639 150 2,787 201 1,766 7,500 2,500 1,444 4,169 93 2**4 8 310**4 5 7,500 0 0 2,499 17 5 1,446 10 2 4,169 0 0 402 17 7 2,787 201 1,764 2,787 0 0 200 18 6 1,764 0 0 Totals 173,669 173,669 | ._._ -j L 88,142 21,979 120,862 312 9 1 |21,174 3 1 Bruce Bay Clearwater Haast River Mount Bonar Okuru Punakaiki Waitaha Wataroa 2,806 772 2,527 747 1,044 6,078 4,270 2,847 Westland Lai id Dist: HOT. 2,806 20 772 83 2,527 83 747 73 1,044 59 6,078 52 4,270 52 2,847 89 894 2708 2709 2226 ! 2026 1774 1160 3025 19 Mar., 1908 29 Oot., 1908 29 Oct., 1908 23 Aug., 1906 30 July, 1908 2 July, 1908 23 May, 1901 10 Oct., 1907 800 312 1,200 250 300 2,195 5,362 1,300 Road-works 240 75 100 100 100 595 1,341 250 239 18 9 99 19 9 239 18 9 99*19 9 1,342 1210 4 12 10 4 1,341 10 6 45 2 3 45**2 3 Totals 21,091 21,091 11,719 2,801 1,342 397 11 1 1,739 1 7 Iantebbuby Land Disi 1ICT. Ruapuna Waimate Reserve No. 1126 Waimate Reserve No. 1128 Waimate Reserve No. 1178 847 626 505 157 80 1640 72 1273 72 1273 72 1273 8 Nov., 1894 1,270 15 Sept., 1892 6,269 15 Sept., 1892 7,268 15 Sept., 1892 2,193 Road-works 106 300 25 25 75 300 25 25 75 0 0 300 0 0 25 0 0 25 0 0 Totals 2,135 17,000 456 425 425 0 0 * The fl| (ures jive the totals to the nearest pound for the year ending 31st March, 1908.

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Statement showing the Blocks of Land which have been proclaimed under "The Local Bodies' Loans Act, 1908," &c. — continued.

I Surveyor-General's Report. Expenditure. Gazetted. Name of Block. Area of Block. No. Page. 1 Date. wuriri Estimated Valua- ,. "f-Sf t„ Cost tlono( onen up such P™P°*ed Block. ope i,"L to be B10CK - borrowed. To Mar. 31, 1908. From April 1, 1908, to March 31, 1909. . Total to March 31, 1909. Otago Land DlSTBIC £ 500 1,057 £ s. d. Blackstone Catlin's (Blocks IV, V, VI, VII) Catlin's, Block II Gimmerburn Glenomaru, Blocks III, IV, V, VII, IX, X Glenomaru, Block VI Lauder-Blackstone Lauder-Tiger Hill Lower Wanaka Maniototo Maniototo No. 2 Maniototo No. 3 Acres. 22,535 8,580 10 16 233 530 7 Feb., 1895 23 Feb., 1905 £ 24,748 3,828 Road-works £ 500 1,057 £ s. d. 500 0 0 1,056 17 9 196 8,682 j 1,495 25 3,809 28,823 3,368 277 6,916 6,295 13 24 ( 95 1 13 62 24 24 34 24 10 12 < 15 j 23 10 79 246 481 1606 246 1211 481 481 714 481 233 284 336 479 234 1774 23 Feb., 1893 29 Mar., 1894 8 Dec, 1892 23 Feb., 1893 10 Aug., 1893 29 Mar., 1894 29 Mar., 1894 10 May, 1894 29 Mar., 1894 7 Feb., 1895 14 Feb., 1895 18 Feb., 1892 18 Mar., 1892 7 Feb., 1895 3 Nov., 1898 196 6,152 ] 946 80 3,608 22,112 1,250 245 5,911 6,001 50 1,032 237 25 476 1,000 101 104 907 300 50 1,032 179 25 476 1,000 101 100 600 300 50 0 0 1,032 0 0 179 0 0 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 [72,246 7,000 7,000 7,000 0 0 Naseby, No. 2 Naseby, Maniototo, and Gimmerburn 2,444 5,277 2,038 3,677 313 910 313 910 313 0 0 910 0 0 Rankleburn, Block VI 544 ( 102 1 13 28 40 13 77 f 102 - 102 13 15 1744 246 740 656 245 1346 1742 1745 246 336 29 Dec, 1892 23 Feb., 1893 25 Mar., 1897 18 May, 1893 23 Feb., 1893 6 Oct., 1892 29 Dec, 1892 29 Dec, 1892 23 Feb., 1893 18 Feb., 1892 t 194 136 136 136 0 0 Rimu Swinburn Tahaukupu Tautuku, Block I .. 1,609 1,790 2,817 3,850 525 1,610 2,256 2,800 249 288 675 555 288 675 555 288 0 0 675 0 0 555 0 0 Tuapeka West, Blocks II, III, IV, VII, VIII I 2,545 j 1,681 11,225 367 367 367 0 0 Woodlands, Blocks II, V, VI, VIII Woodlands, Blocks VII, X, XI 13,400 4,950 4,950 4,950 0 0 1,693 74 1297 22 Sept., 1892 1,384 307 307 307 0 0 Totals 1176,086 [174,713 21,539 [20,921 |20,920 17 9 Ackers Alton No. 2 .. Hillend ■ .. Southland La: SID DlST] [CT. Hokonui 351 2,722 857 404 68 21 112 I 7 1 39 81 72 1327 831 2950 149 1021 2182 1273 7 Sept., 1893 22 Mar., 1906 21 Dec, 1905 30 Jan., 1896 27 April, 1905 7 Sept., 1905 15 Sept., 1892 702 1,269 433 j- 253 Road-works 220 317 108 95 217 108 85 247 19 6 216 16 3 247 19 6 108 0 0 85 7 10 Hokonui No. 2 Invercargill Hundred, Block XXIII Lillburn, Monowai, and Alton Longwood 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 Waimatua Winton 1,181 1,403 714 1,840 152 400 152 400 151 17 2 400 0 0 30,059 2,827 5,659 2,913 343 7,400 616 6,253 633 6,472 83 16 90 73 73 23 73 71 23 83 1389 529 1529 1884 1883 411 1883 1377 411 2221 20 Oot., 1892 23 Feb., 1905 11 Nov., 1892 3 Aug., 1905 3 Aug., 1905 30 Mar., 1893 3 Aug., 1905 21 Sept., 1893 30 Mar., 1893 14 Sept., 1905 13,299 1,322 2,830 1,330 231 3,700 313 2,006 256 2,070 8,000 330 1,400 332 58 492 78 625 158 732 8,000 65 1,400 267 58 202 76 266 158 732 16*14 10 64 10 6 8,000 0 0 81 13 0 1,400 0 0 331 18 10 58 0 0 201 19 5 77 9 10 281 3 9 158 0 0 732 0 11 115 0 15 7 8 6,000 1,194 307 31,615 1,647 6,131 2,023 23 84 90 23 67 70 77 412 2260 1901 411 1919 2402 2019 30 Mar., 1893 21 Sept., 1905 21 Oct., 1897 30 Mar., 1893 11 Aug., 1904 10 Sept., 1908 24 Aug., 1905 3,000 663 643 15,500 664 10,447 1,515 1,500 331 186 7,750 199 1,990 379 1,500 124 62 7,750 107 187**7 5 65 4 2 86**8 0 1,061 2 3 1,500 0 0 311 8 11 127 8 10 7,749 12 5 193 12 0 1,061 2 3 379 0 0 379 Totals 118,020 65,000 25,832 22,108 1,746 9 4 23,855 10 11 SUMMi .BY. Auokland Land District Taranaki „ Hawke's Bay Wellington Nelson Marlborough Westland Canterbury Otago Southland „ 1,004,672 556,517 344,940 651,314 353,122 173,669 21,091 2,135 176,086 118,020 605,402 373,377 411,981 666,341 121,622 88,142 11,719 17,000 174,713 65,000 186,886 136,531 65,210 175,138 37,868 21,979 2,801 456 21,539 25,832 134,547 124,725 41,179 136,363 9,697 20,862 1,342 425 20,921 22,108 18,420 1 8 4,909 6 8 5,539 3 9 15,937 17 1 7,449 15 7 312 9 1 397 11 1 152,967 16 0 129,635 6 4 46,716 18 2 152,299 14 1 17,146 5 2 21,174 3 1 1,739 1 7 425 0 0 20,920 17 9 23,855 10 11 1,746* 9 4 Totals 12,535,297! 674,240 54,712 14 3 566,880 13 1 |3,401,566 512,169 * The figures live the totals to the nearest pound for the year ending 31st March 1908.

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Table 38. —Summary of Work done for other Departments and for Local Bodies during the Year ended 31st March, 1909.

Table 40.— Summary showing Payments to Local Bodies during the Twelve Months ended 31st March, 1909, from "Thirds" of Deferred-payment, Perpetual-lease, Occupation-with-right-of-purchase, Renewable-lease, and Lease-in-perpetuity Lands, "Fourths" of Small Grazing-runs, and "Halves" of Timber and Flax Royalties.

Approximate Coat of Paper.— Preparation, not given; printing (1,500 copies), including maps and illustrations, £313 Is.

By Authority : John Mackay, Government Printer, Wellington.—l9o9. Price ss.]

District in which Work was executed. Cost. District in which Work was executed. Cost. Fob".* agSI Auokland .. Hawka'sfBay Taranaki Wellington Nelson ".. Marlborough £ s. d. 3,219 7 3 774 1 8 1,458 19 11 8,711 19 0 1,845 1 7 597 12 9 Westland .. Canterbury Otago Southland Brought forward £ s. d. 16,607 2 2 245 10 8 3,082 11 2 488 14 8 322 3 3 Carried forward 16,607 2 2 Total .. 20,746 1 11 Table 39, —Crown Grants, Certificates of Title, Leases, and other Instruments of Title from the Crown prepared from 1st April, 1908, to 31st March, 1909. Number. Number. Cost. Singly. In Duplicate. In Triplicate. In Quadruplicate Total Copies. Auckland .. Hawke's Bay Taranaki .. Wellington.. Nelson Marlborough Westland .. Canterbury.. Otago Southland .. 450 1 4 6 26 .30 115 14 *76 46 3 112 21 150 33 256 50 75 805 55 51 38 7 160 49 i 170 87 54 712 121 4 128 54 29 2,128 526 441 5,416 745 181 876 279 780 359 £ s. d. 110 0 0 26 6 0 10 0 4 159 8 0 55 17 6 12 0 0 221 18 0 20 18 6 38 0 0 21 0 0 Totals 517 i 570 1,546 1,359 11,731 675 8 4 i

District. " Thirds," Deferred-payment, Perpetual-lease, Occupation-with-right-of- purchase, Renewable-lease, and Lease-in-perpetuity Lands. " Fourths," Small " Halves," Grazing- ns. Timber and Flax. Total Payments Auckland Hawke's Bay Taranaki Wellington Nelson .. Marlborough Westland Canterbury Otago .. Southland £ s. d. 6,118 11 6 5,317 13 0 2,914 8 7 12,721 9 3 694 13 5 1,552 9 0 634 19 2 381 12 10 1,339 8 0 1,057 1 5 £ s. d. 119 14 3 312 19 7 29 15 4 73 8 6 11 16 4 883 7 7 £ s. d. 13,620 0 0 22 5 7 1 7 10 1,314 9 0 790 7 1 3,878 11 11 64 5 5 98 3 8 726 7 8 £ s. d. 19,858 5 9 5,652 18 2 2,945 11 9 12,794 17 9 2,020 18 9 3,226 3 8 4,513 11 1 844 1 0 2,134 3 0 1,866 3 9 398 2 9 696 11 4 82 14 8 Totals 32,732 6 2 2,608 10 4 20,515 18 2 55,856 14 8

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