DEPARTMENT OF LANDS AND SURVEY (ANNUAL REPORT ON).

Appendix to the Journals of the House of Representatives, 1916 Session I, C-01

James Mackenzie, I.S.O., F.R.G.S.

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1916. NEW ZEALAND.

DEPARTMENT OF LANDS AND SURVEY (ANNUAL REPORT ON).

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

CONTENTS. General Report— Pli R e Appendix I— continued. l >li se Oonaition of Settlement .. .. .. 3 Wellington .. .. .. .. 12 Reoent Lan3 Legislation .. .. .. 3 Nelson .. .. .. .. .. 13 Lan3s openea .. .. .. .. 4 Marlborough .. .. .. .. 14 Lanas to be openea .. .. .. 4 Westlana.. .. .. .. .. 14 Lanas selected .. .. .. .. 4 Canterbury .. .. .. .. 15 Lanas maae Freehoia .. .. .. 4 Otago .. .. .. .. .. 16 Revenue .. .. .. .. • ■ 5 Southlana .. .. .. .. 17 Expenaiture .. .. .. .. 5 Postponement of Rent .. .. .. 5 Appendix II — Remission of Rent .. .. .. 6 Lana for Settlements — Revaluation of Crown Leasehoias .. .. 0 Estates openea auring Year, ana Summary of National Enaowment .. .. .. 0 Position of all Settlements at 31st Maroh, Inspections by Crown Lanas Rangers .. 6 1916 .. .. .. .. 18-21 Inspection of Offices .. .. .. G Aucklana .. .. • • • ■ 22 Sana-aune Reclamation .. .. .. G Hawke's Bay .. .. •• •• 22 Departmental Changes .. .. .. 7 Taranaki .. .. .. • • • • 22 Expeaitionary Forces, Officers joining, &c. .. 8 Wellington .. • • • • • • 2 '2 Reports on Cognate Subjects .. .. 8 Nelson .. .. .. • • • • 23 Heaa Office .. .. .. .. 8 Marlborough .. .. •. • • 23 Westlana .. .. •• •• 23 Canterbury .. .. - • ■ • 23 Appendix I — Otago .. .. .. • • • • 24 Settlement of Crown Lanas— Southlana .. .. • • • • 24 Aucklana.. .. .. .. .. 10 Hawke's Bay .. .. .. -• 11 Appendix lII— Taranaki .. .. .. .. .. 11 Lana-arainage Operations .. .. 24

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Tables — Page Tables— continued. Page Table I.—Lanas of the Dominion, Position of Table 20.—Arrears of Rent .. .. 43 (approximately).. .. .. 27 , 21.—Payments to Local Boaies from 2.—Lanas openea for Sale ana Selection "Thiras," "Fourths," ana auring the Year.. .. .. 28 "Halves" .. .. .. 44 „ 3.—Lanas taken up auring the Year .. 29 , 22.—Payments of Capital Value under 4.—Comparative Statement of Lands Seotion 191 of the Land Aot, 1908 44 seleotea for Ten Years .. .. 30 „ 23.—Forfeitures and Surrenders during s.—Lands sold for Cash during the Year 31 the Year .. .. .. 45 6.—Deferred-payment Lands (Land Aots, „ 24.—Seloctors, Number of, Area held, ana 1877 ana 1885) .. .. .. 31 Area maae Freehoia .. .. 46 7.—Deferred-payment Lands (Land Laws „ 25.—Endowments: Lands taken up during Amendment Acts, 1912 ana 1913) .. 32 the Year .. .. .. 47 B.—Perpetual-lease Lands .. .. 33 „ 26. —Return of Educational Endowments 48 9.—Occupation-with-right-of-purchase „ 27.—Village Settlements .. .. 49 Lands .. .. .. .. 33 „ 28. —Special settlement Associations .. 49 „ 10.—Lease-in-perpetuity Lands.. .. 34 „ 29. —Improved-farm Settlements .. 49 „ 11.—Renewable-lease Lands .. .. 35 „ 30.—Land for Settlements Aots, Land , 12. —Agrioultural-lease Lands .. .. 36 acquirea ana leasea umier .. 50 13.—Mining Districts Land Occupation „ 81.—Transactions in Bush, Swamp, and Leases .. .. .. .. 37 Scrub Lands under Section 127 of 14.—Pastoral Licenses in Mining Distriots 37 the Land Aot .. .. .. 50 15.—Small Grazing-runs .. .. 38 „ 32. —Rangers' Inspections .. .. 51 16.—Pastoral Runs .. .. .. 39 „ 33. —Lands reserved and alienatea .. 51 17.—Miscellaneous Leases and Licenses .. 40 „ 34.—Advances obtainea for the Purpose 18.—Gross Revenue receivea auring the of roaaing Crown Lanas, showing Year .. .. .. .. 41 the Amount borrowea and the 19.—Rebates of Rent granted during the Amount ropaid .. .. .. 51 Year .. .. .. .. 43 MAPS. Showing Land-tenure, North Island .. .. At end. | Showing Land-tenure, South Island .. .. At end. ILLUSTRATION. James Mackenzie, 1.5.0., F.R.G.S ... .. .. .. .. .. .. .. Frontispiece.

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ANNUAL EEPOET.

The Under-Secretary for Lands to the Eight Hon. the Minister op Lands. Sir, — Department of Lands and Survey, Wellington, Ist May, 1916. I have the honour to submit herewith the report on the operations of the Department of Lands and Survey for the year ended 31st March, 1910. I have, &c, T. N. Brodriok, The High! Hon. W. F. Massey, P.C., Minister of Lands. Under-Secretary.

REPORT. Owing to the abnormal conditions existing at the present time it is not proposed to enter at length into the varied and numerous operations undertaken by the Department, but to touch briefly upon the salient features of the past year's transactions. Condition of Settlement. In the North Island farmers generally have experienced a very successful season, with high prices ruling for all classes of I'ann-producc. The fact thai wool realized record prices at the wool-sales and that there was a strong and conximied demand for Frozen meat naturally placed sheep-farmers, particularly the well-established ones, in a very fortunate position. 'Hie prices obtained for butter-fat, milk, and the general produce of dairy farms were much in advance of former ruling prices, and in the Taranaki District and in certain parts of the other districts farmers had exceptional returns. Ihe dairying industry has undoubtedly developed to a considerable extent during the past few years, and each twelve months shows a marked increase. The practice of growing root and fodder crops is increasing, with good- results, in the Auckland District. Weather-conditions were fairly satisfactory throughout the year, and contributed largely to a successful season. Many Crown tenants have joined the Expeditionary forces, and in all cases the Land Hoard of tiie district has sympathetically considered and dealt with any application I'm- postponement or remission of rent required owing to the tenant's absence, or any necessary exemption from compliance with residential or improvement conditions of the lease or license. In the South Island Canterbury and north Otago experienced an unusually dry season. Marlborough suffered in a similar manner, but in the other districts the climatic conditions were more favourable. Although farmers in the drought localities sustained losses of stock and failure of crops, yet in south Otago, Southland, and Westland farmers have done well, and, in common with those in the North Island, obtained higher prices for produce than the average, Taken altogether, a successful season was experienced, and the reports of the Commissioners of Crown Lands in Appendix I disclose how each district has progressed. It may not be out of place to draw attention to the assistance now given under the land hnvs to Crown tenants who require help. Tf the value of their holdings has decreased they can apply for a revaluation and reduction of price or rental; the prompt payment of rent is rewarded by a rebate; postponement of rent may Ik- allowed for suitable periods; whilst in necessitous cases remission of rent may be granted under the Land Act, the Land for Settlements Act, and also to members of the Expeditionary Forces and discharged soldiers. It will therefore be seen thai every effort is made to assist Crown tenants to successfully occupy their hinds. Notis on Recent Legislation, The following is a short rixnnif of the legislation passed last session affecting the administration of the Department. hand Laws Amend merit Act, 7,97/7.—The majority of the sections comprised in this Act might be termed machinery sections, the most important section being No. 15, which repeals former provisions in regard to the revaluation of Crown land, and provides that all revaluations shall in future be made by a committee of three, consisting of the Commissioner of Crown Lands, an officer of the Valuation Department, and one other person to be appointed by the Minister.

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Section 19 authorizes the acquisition of the fee-simple of Crown hind leased under Part VII] of the Land Act, 1908 — i.e., mining districts land occupation leases—and section 20 authorizes the acquisition of the fee-simple of land leased under the Westland and Karamea Mining Districts Regulations. Another important section is No. 24, which authorizes agents to apply for land on behalf of members of Expeditionary Forces during the absence of such members from the Domin ion. Discharged Soldier* Settlement Act, 1915. —This Act was passed for the purpose of settling discharged soldiers on Crown and settlement lands. The lauds may be set apart under the "ordinary tenures" of the Act, and disposed of under the provisions of the Land Act, L9OB, or the Land for Settlements Act, 1908, or the land may be set apart under "special tenures" and allotted to discharged soldiers for cash, on the deferred-payment system, or on a lease with a purchasing clause. There is power to assist selectors under the " special tenures " financially, in order to enable them to bring the land into profitable occupation. Regulations under this Act have been prepared and gazetted. Education Reserves Amendment Act, 191,'). —A short Act providing for registration under the Land Transfer Act, 1915, of leases of education reserves not already under the provisions of the last-mentioned Act. Kauri-gum Industry Amendment Act, 1916. —The most important section of this Act is No. .'i, which provides for the setting-apart of lands within a kauri-gum district for the purpose of promoting the systematic recovery of kauri-gum and other valuable products contained therein. Scenery Preservation Amendment Act, 1915. —A short Act which authorizes the Governor by Proclamation to remove the reservation over portions of scenic reserves deemed to be auriferous. Swamp Drainage Act, 1915. —This Act authorizes the constitution of drainage areas in any part of the Dominion, and the undertaking of drainage, reclamation, &c, in order to render swamp land fit for settlement. Money for such works will be raised by the Minister of Finance, and will be repayable by a rate on the lands within any drainage area : such rate to be payable in proportion to the benefit the various lands received from the expenditure. Reserves, &c, Disposal Act, 1915. —This Act, which authorizes special dealings with land, &c., contains 140 clauses, and is the largest Act of its kind yet placed on the statute-book. Lands offered for Selection. During the year an area of 653,313 acres of land was offered for selection under the various tenures provided by the Land Act, Land for Settlements Act, and Education Reserves Acts. In addition, the Crown also dealt with an area of 95,909 acres comprised in endowment areas, the administration of which is carried out by the Department acting under special statutory authority. Under the optional system an area of 72,734 acres was advertised, the bulk of the land being in the North Island. Under renewable lease an area of 142,355 acres was offered, 75,402 acres being land-for-settlement holdings with a right to acquire the freehold, and 66,893 acres national-endowment and ordinary Crown land. Ihe pastoral-run area comprised 172,090 acres, and in the Otago District an area' of 221,480 acres was offered under the stuall-grazing-run system. In dealing with this large area the various Land Boards of the Dominion have kept in view the question of excluding from ballots men eligible for military service. The demand for good land in accessible localities continues, and consequently there were numerous applications for the blocks situated in the more favourable localities. It may be ]minted out, however, that 824,907 acres of bind in various parts of the Dominion is lying open for selection in the " Crown Lands Guide," so that any applicant with a genuine desire to settle on the land may obtain a section. Lands to be opened. It is estimated that a gross area of 968,887 acres will be made available for selection during the current year under the various tenures provided by statute. The following shows the land districts contributing to this total : Auckland, 87,000 ; Hawke's Bay, 101,605; Taranaki, 38,209 ; Wellington, 68,645; Nelson, 50,000; Marlborough, 4,700; Westland, 7,400; Canterbury, 196,000; Otago, 395,328; Southland, 20,000. Land selected. The total selections during the year covered an area of 914,824 acres by 1,926 selectors. The ordinary Crown lands holdings represented 457,534 acres, land for settlements 74,114, national endowment 361,884, and 21,292 acres educational reserves and other classes. Full particulars of these transactions under the various tenures are given in Table 3 published in the appendix. Freeholds acquired. The freeholds acquired during the year under the powers conferred by the Land Laws Amendment Acts of 1912, 1913, and 1914 covered an area of 98,666 acres, in 424 holdings. This now brings the total to 302,973 acres, acquired by 1,546 selectors, the total price being £517,172.

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Revenue. During the year the revenue received v. as m excess of last year's figures by £123,397. The amount collected in each land district was as follows: — £ Auckland ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 223,072 Hawke's Bay ... ... ... ... ... ... 210,475 Taranaki ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 75,103 Wellington ... ... ... ... ... .. ... 186,733 Nelson ... ... ... ... ... ... .. 34,279 Marlborough ... ... ... ... ... .. 58,381 Westland ... ... , ... ... ... ... ... 19,068 Canterbury.. ... ... ... ... ... ... 267,882 Otago " ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 146,051 Southland ... ... ... ... ... .. ... 64,880 Total ... ... ... ... ... ... .£1,286,524 Ihe following analysis shows the sources from which the revenue was derived : — £ Cash sales and purchase of freeholds ... ... ... ... 276,787 Deferred-payment instalments ... ... ... ... 68,55l Perpetual lease rents ... ... ... ... ... 2,378 Oceupation-with-right-of-purehasc rents ... ... ... 115,779 Lease-in-perpetuitj rents ... ... ... ... ... 218,566 Renewable-lease rents ... ... ... ... ... 169,558 Pastoral licenses in mining districts under special regulations : Rents 2,959 Small-grazing-run rents ... ... ... ... ... 90,415 Mining districts land-occupation leases: Rents ... ... ... 1,443 Pastoral-run rents ... ... ... ... ... ... 78,646 Educational and other endowments ... ... ... ... 123,746 Other leases and licenses and miscellaneous receipts ... ... 137,666 Total ... ... ... . . ... ... £1,286,524

EXPENDITURE. Summary of Expenditure approved during the Year ended 31st March, 1916.

Postponement of Rent. Under tin- provisions of .section 13 of tin- Land Laws Amendment Act. 1912, postponements of rent amounting to £18,894 were granted to 278 tenants. Under ordinary Crown lands the amount postponed was £3,001 and the number of tenants 82; "D latid-for-settleiuent holdings 1'15,216 to 180 tenants, and on national-endowment lands £677 to 16 tenants. The total amount remaining postponed at tho 31st March last was £23,514.

Vote No. V *° NameofVoteorAooount. fTTn Ex ,J*, imdil , ure 1 No. ■ voted (Net). (Gross) Recoveries. Expenditure (Net). Consolidated Fund. £ £ 08 Lands and Survey .. .. .. 159,325 190,90] 09 Lands and Survey, Miscellaneous .. 55,732 50, <SS7 Y\ 0 State Forests Account .. .. .. 33,773 30,413 118 | Scenery-preservation Account .. .. 11,702 2,783 119 Land for Settlements Expenses .. .. 9,350 2,981 £ 42,005 1,128 100 55 £ 148,890 55,759 30,313 2,728 2,981 113 114 Public Works Fund. 113 Improved-farm Settlements .. .. 11,010 4,917 11.4 Lands, Miscellaneous .. .. .. 8,390 4,573 3,554 1,303 4,573 Totals .. .. .. 289,942 293,455 293,455 46,842 46,842 246,013 Special Acts, Deposit Accounts, &c. .. .. .. 5,121 Land for Settlements Account .. .. .. 12,317 llauraki Plains Settlement Account (unauthorized) .. | 11,334 Itangitaiki Land-drainage Accounl .. .. .. 1-1,329 National Endowment Account .. .. .. 6,923 Native Land Settlement Account .. .. .. 38,409 Kauri-gum Industry Account .. .. .. 24,403 5,121 12,317 14,334 14,329 0,923 38,469 24,403 '99 88 5,121 12,317 14.334 14,329 0,923 38,370 24,315 '(19 88 Totals.. .. .. .. .. 115,896 i_ 115,890 187 187 115,709 Grand totals .. .. .. .. 409,351 409,351 ■17,029 47,029 362,322

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The amount postponed during the year is almost double that of the previous year. This increase can to a large degree be attributed to the effects of the abnormally dry season experienced in many of the land districts. Remission of Rent. Daring the year £1,992 was remitted to thirty-six settlers who suffered losses through bush fires and other causes. Revaluation of Crown Leaseholds!. During the year sixty-two holdings were revalued under section 13 of the Land Laws Amendment Act, 1913. as amended by section 14 of the Land Laws Amendment Act, 1914. The capital values were reduced from £108,204 to £77,690, and the annual rentals from £5,042 to £3,602. At the close of the year there were still forty-six applications lodged but, not yet dealt with. National Endowment. The national-endowment lands at the close of the year covered a total area of 8,644,677 acres, of which 6,590,083 was held under lease or license at an annual rental of £107,472. The gross revenue received during the year was £115,201, which will be dealt with in accordance with the statutory provisions governing the endowment. Inspections by Crown Lands Rangers. The statutory inspections carried out by the Crown Lands Rangers covered an area of over 3,000,000 acres, comprised in 6,967 properties. The value of the improvements actually effected showed a marked increase over the amount required by law, as will be seen from a perusal of Table 32 published in the appendix. Inspection of Offices. In November, 1914, an Inspector of Offices was appointed to visit and report upon the work carried out in the district and other offices of the Department. Mr. A. C. Turnbull, the officer appointed, has now completed the first year of such duties, and has inspected the Auckland, Gisborne, Napier, Hokitika, Christchurch, Dunedin, and Invercargill District Offices, furnishing full reports on each. In addition he has submitted special reports on the Head Office and the Forestry Branch offices, as well as on many other matters that came tinder his notice during his investigations. He was also engaged for some three weeks by the Public Service Commissioner on work for another Department, and acted as relieving officer in the Department when necessary. As the result of the conference of clerical officers in May, 1914, new systems of office procedure were adopted and duly introduced into District Offices. These related chiefly to records, accounting and collection of land revenue. Land Hoard minutes, Hangers' inspections, returns, journals, &o. A g 1 deal of the Inspector's time was taken up in assisting to bring these new methods into force. It is pleasing to report that they are being readily adopted in our offices, with good results both as regards efficiency and economy in administration. The aim of the Department to standardize the work in District Offices is therefore brought nearer, realization than was the case previously. A programme of inspection of the remaining District Offices has been arranged, and when completed a general report on the staffing of the various offices with a view to standardizing the <* same will be submitted. Sand-dune Reclamation. Owing to the heavy drain on the public purse due to the present war the extensions of sanddune reclamation that had been proposed had to lie deferred. The Inspector reports that at Waikato Heads the belt of marram that was planted in the spring of 1914 had suffered severely from drought, and that a considerable amount of the grass had died ; however, what has survived looks well, and will serve as a supply from which to obtain grass for restocking the failures and for future extension wdien possible. Behind the marram-belt a contiguous belt was broadcasted with tree-lupin seed, but, though it came up well at first, the dry weather that subsequently prevailed destroyed most of it. When money is available it is desirable that the fore- • dune be replanted with marram and an autumn sowing of lupin-seed tried to the rear of the marram-belt. The erosion of the coast up to the start of summer had been very severe at the Heads, but then there seemed to be a tendency for the current to revert to the south side of the estuary. At Run 24, on the Rangitikei coast, the drought also did a, great deal of damage to the marram-grass that had been planted in 1913-14. At this locality it had been intended last year to considerably extend operations, but owing to the wai- the proposal was abandoned until financial conditions are more favourable. A reliable man from the Rotorua plantations was sent down, and he has been occupied in erecting barriers (formed of drift-wood from the beach) in the wind-channels with the object of making a regular foredune prior to the planting of trees to the rear. This method of forming an even foredune is very inferior to the orthodox palisading, but for the latter there is no suitable timber or stakes available within reasonable distance. There have also been split and stacked about sixty good posts that will come in when fencing is done here. A small experimental plot was planted with different trees to ascertain those most suitable for the locality when tree-planting is started. The Inspector reported that the grant to the Motutara Domain Hoard had been well spent in planting with marram the whole of the sand area in the Domain. As regards future work, until the war is over it is not proposed to do anything beyond the minimum necessary to maintain what has already been done.

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Departmental Changes. Retirements. The Under-Secretary, Mr. James Mackenzie, 1.5.0., F.8.G.5., retired at the end of September. Mi-. Mackenzie joined the Lands and Survey Department in the old Provincial days of 1867, and qualified as a surveyor in Dunedin in 1871. He was appointed Assistant Surveyor in 1872, District Surveyor in 1874, Chief Draughtsman and Office Surveyor in Wellington in 1879, and promoted to be Commissioner of Crown Lands and Chief Surveyor for Taranaki in 1901, holding similar positions at Auckland in 1904 and Wellington in 1908. He was appointed Surveyor-Genera] in April, 1912, and on the Ist April, 1911, was made permanent head of the Land and Survey Department as UnderSecretary. He held other important offices, amongst which might be mentioned the following: Member of the North Island Representation Commission for determining electoral boundaries, from 1901 to 1908; School Commissioner for the Auckland, Taranaki. and Wellington Land Districts; Chairman of the New Zealand Surveyors' Examination Hoard (federated with the Australian Surveyors' Hoards); Chairman of the Scenery Preservation Hoard for the Dominion; member of the Land for Settlements Purchase Hoard, and also the Native Laud Purchase Board; member of the State Advances Hoard, Public Trust and Government Insurance Hoards, &C. In his forty-nine years' service Mr. Mackenzie accomplished much valuable and important work, and on his retirement through attaining the age of sixty-five years he leaves a record of which any man may be proud. Mr. J. D. Climie retired at the end of 1915. He commenced practice as a surveyor in Victoria, and joined this Department in August, 1875, rising to be Inspector of Surveys. He undertook a large amount of standard-survey work, including the standard survey of Wellington, and was well up in all branches of surveying, the conspicuous points about his work being thoroughness and accuracy. Mi-. Henry Mackay, Chief Draughtsman. Napier, retired as medically unfit. He was formerly Land Transfer Draughtsman in Wellington, and during his service of twenty-seven years proved himself to be an excellent officer. Mr. Charles Fynmore, draughtsman, retired after a service of forty-eight years. He was a most painstaking and conscientious officer, whose whole term of office was passed in Dunedin, where he accumulated a large store of local knowledge of great use to the Department. Mr. H. W. Saxton. draughtsman in the New Plymouth office, retired after thirty-seven years' service. He was a hard-working and able officer, with a considerable amount of local knowledge. Mr. C. B. M. Straubel, draughtsman in the Christchurch office, retired through ill health. It is regretted that defective eyesight lost the Department the services of a good officer. Deaths. Mr. John Langmuir, whose death at the age of sixty-one ocourred suddenly on the 9th March, entered the Service in January, 1874. as a cadet with Mr. C. W. Adams, and at the time of his death had risen to be Inspector of Surveys at Auckland. In this capacity he had charge of the secondary triangulation and of the standard survey of the City of Auckland, He was of a retiring nature, but a thoroughly capable and conscientious officer, and was looked up to as an authority in the higher branches of the profession. , v » Mr. H. R. Schmidt, draughtsman in the Christchurch office, died on the 23rd November, 1915, whilst on sick-leave. He had thirty-seven years of meritorious service to his credit, and his death left a gap in the office. Mr. M. D. McPhail, in charge of the local Land Office at Timaru, died suddenly on the 28th March, 1916. He was formerly in the State Fire Office, and for the two years preceding his tleath had been an officer of the Lands and Survey Department, lb- was a conscientious and willing worker.

Promotions.

Position to which promoted. Officers promoted and Previous Position. Date. Under-Secretary .. .. .. T. N. Brodrick, Commissioner of Crown Lands. Wellington Commissioner of Crown Lands, Wei- G. H. M. McClure, Commissioner of Crown lington Lands. Southland Commissioner of Crown Lands, South- H. D. M. Haszard, Commissioner of Crown land Lands, Westland Commissioner of Crown Lands. West- W. F. Marsh, Chief Draughtsman, Auckland land Chief .Draughtsman, Auckland .. H. J. Lowe, Chief Draughtsman, New Plymouth Chief Draughtsman, New Plymouth.. F. Carrington, Draughtsman, New Plymouth Chief Draughtsman, Napiei .. John Cook, Land Transfer Draughtsman, Wellington Land Transfer Draughtsman. Welling- W. T. Morpeth, Land Transfer Draughtsman, ton Dunedin Land Transfer Draughtsman, Dunedin | II. F. Edgecumbe, District Surveyor. Auckland Senior shorthand-writer and typist .. Miss A. C. Affleck, Shorthand-writer and Typist, General Post Office I Oct., 1915. 27 5 Nov., „ 15 Dec, 2 „ „ 4 „ 5 Jan., 1916 20 Mar., „ 17 Feb., „ 21 „ „

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Expeditionart Forces. In addition to those officers mentioned in last year's report, the following have volunteered and either joined the Expeditionary Forces during the past twelve months or are now waiting to go into camp : — Surveyors and B. Burrell (cadet. Auckland), J. M. Hemphill (assistant, Otago), C. Kenny (Auckland), A. T. Leeds (Auckland), G, H. McKenzie (Auckland), A. Morpeth (assistant, Thames), S. Parkinson (Nelson), W. Paora (Taranaki), H. L. Primrose (Hawke's Ray), C K. Robinson (Taranaki), T. S. Hoe (cadet, Hawke's Bay), 11. G. Shannon (Auckland), J. S. Straw-bridge (assistant, Thames), J. C. Thomson (cadet, Southland). Draughtsmen. —R. G. Applogarth (Auckland), C. C. Rest (Auckland), S. O. Esam (Auckland), R, C. Caiman (Wellington), H. D. Henderson (Christchurch), T. R. Jameson (Hawke's Hay), I!. E. L. Mitchell (Auckland), A. P. McConnell (Auckland), K. J. Miller (Auckland), J. C. O'Hara (Auckland), R, V. Parker (Dunedin), S. B. Smith (Dunedin), A. Turner (Thames), E, S. Wood (Invercargill). Clerks. —A. C. Turnbull (Inspector, Head Office), R. W. Gumming (Auckland), W. 1*:. A. Gibbs (Taranaki), G. H. Harvey (Invercargill), D. E. Gold Smith (Invercargill), G. J. Hawkesby (Auckland), 11. 0. llulme (Dunedin), A. D. McCartney (Blenheim), D. M. G. Mackay (Thames), F. W. E. Mitchell (Invercargill). 'P. H. Reid (Head Office), J. 11. Robertson (Auckland), It. Sine! (Dunedin). Forestry. —D. J. Lowry (Tapanui), H. J. Screen (Tapanui), 11. Smith (Auckland). Casualties. Killed, in Action. —E. Carr (employed on a Government survey party in Hawke's Bay), D. M. McDonald (Crown Lands Hanger, Canterbury), George Pirritt (surveyor in the Auckland District), Valentine Blake (surveyor in the Wellington District). Believed to lie Dead. —G. C. B. Cairnie (draughtsman in the Auckland office), E. A. Ingram (draughtsman in the Hokitika office), H. L. Wake (draughtsman in the Gisborne office). Wounded.- K. A. Bayne, If. J. Cornwell, W. M. Gray, W. H. Quennell, W. S. Thompson, F, W. Watson, E. H. Whiting. The loss of the above-mentioned officers who died whilst gallantly lighting for their King and country will be severely felt by the Department, and the sincerest sympathy for their relatives and friends is respectfully tendered by (he Department, more particularly by those officers who were privileged to be associated with them in the course- of their duties. Reports on Cognate Subjects. As in former years, separate reports are required to be laid before Parliament in connection with many of the operations carried out by the Department. They comprise— State Nurseries and Plantations. —Particulars of the tree-planting carried on in the Rotorua district in the North Island, and in the Otago, Southland, and Hannier districts in the South Island, are fully detailed in parliamentary paper C.-3. .Swamp-drainage. —The report required by the Swamp Drainage Act, 1915, is contained in parliamentary paper C.-4. As the Act has only been in operation for a few months; little beyond preliminary work has been accomplished. Scenery-preservation. —Comparatively little reservation has been effected under the Scenery Preservation Act during the past year. Details arid statement of accounts are included in parliamentary paper C.-6. Advances for Reading of Crown Lands. —The necessary report submitted in accordance with section 63 of the Land Laws Amendment Act, 1913, appears in parliamentary paper C.-7. Drainage Operations in Hauraki Plains. —Tin- full and complete report of the Chief Drainage Engineer on this subject is included in parliamentary paper C.-8. It discloses a very satisfactory state of affairs in connection with the drainage-works undertaken. Discharged Soldiers Settlement. —A new report under the Discharged Soldiers Settlement Act, 1915, is furnished by the Department in parliamentary paper C.--9. As the Act has not boon long in force the transactions thereunder are necessarily small, but there is no doubt that its provisions will be largely taken advantage of in the future. Public Domains. —The usual statement regarding the condition of the domains in New Zealand is oomprised in parliamentary paper C.-10. Rangitaihi Land Drainage. —The annual report on the operations in the Rangitaiki Plains shows that they have been uniformly successful. Parliament ary paper 0.-1 1 contains full particulars of the works in progress. Kauri-gum Industry. —The report of the Kauri-gum Superintendent on the works under his supervision and the condition of the industry appears in parliamentary paper C—l2. llhad Office. Coincident with the additional duties from time lo time devolving upon the Department, the work of this office shows a corresponding increase. Correspondence : During the year 28,205 letters, telegrams, &c, were received', and 28,799 despatched, being a gross filial of 57,004, showing an increase of 3,817 over the previous year's figures. Cemeteries: At the, beginning of the year there were 522 public cemeteries under the control of the Department. Eight new ones wen- added during the year, four were vested in local authorities, and the purpose of one was changed to recreation. There were therefore 525 on the books of the Department at the close of the year.

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Public Domains : 'The public domains on the books of the Department now number 567. There were 561 at the commencement of the year, seven new ones were made, and one was vested in a local authority. Land Guide: The usual four quarterly issues of the " Crown Lands Guide " were published, a total of 8,000 copies being printed for distribution. Land-sale Posters: 134 sale posters were published during the year, totalling altogether 90,400 copies; and twelve editions of the monthly poster giving a summary of the lands advertised from time to time were issued. The total number of copies printed amounted to 32,400. The attached summary gives details of other work undertaken in the Head Office : —

Summary showing the Number of Proclamations, Orders in Council, Warrants, and Notices prepared and issued during the Year ended 31st March, 1918.

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j Proclama- Orders in Warrants and tions. Council. Notices. Jnder the Land Act and the Land for Settlements Act 89 13 530 Jnder the Public Reserves and Domains Act .. .. 107 111 Jnder the Scenery Preservation Acts .. .. 7 .. 15 Jnder the Native Land Act .. .. .. 15 Jnder the Education Reserves Acts and Public Bodies' .. .. 29 Leases Act Jnder the State Forests Act .. .. .. 2 Jnder the Reserves and other Lands Disposal and Public 12 4 5 Bodies Empowering Acts Jnder the Cemeteries Act .. .. .. .. .. 1 02 Hiscellaneous .. .. .. .. .. 15 5 14 Total. 632 221 22 . 15 29 2 21 53 34 Totals .. .. .. .. 140 130 759 1,029 i

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APPENDICES.

APPENDIX I.—SETTLEMENT OF CROWN LANDS.

EXTRACTS FROM THE REPORTS OP THE COMMISSIONERS OF CROWN LANDS ON SETTLEMENT OPERATIONS DURING THE TWELVE MONTHS WHICH ENDED ON THE 31BT MARCH, 1916. AUCKLAND. (H. M. Skeet, Commissioner of Crown Lands.) Lands opened. —The area of Crown land open for selection within the district at the beginning of the year was 250,753 acres, and a total area of 51,104 acres was opened during the year, including 21,323 acres offered under the optional system. There were not any noticeably large ballots, but there has been satisfactory competition for most of the areas offered. The total area of land taken up under settlement tenures was 02,359 acres. General Condition of Settlement. —The reports received from the Crown Lands Rangers have been generally of a satisfactory character, and show that, notwithstanding the difficulties caused by the scarcity of labour and the cost of building anil fencing material, grass-seed, and manures, tenants generally are continuing to develop their holdings as well as circumstances permit, and conditions are on the whole being well fulfilled. The disadvantages mentioned, and the absence of many Crown tenants who have gone to the war, will necessarily retard the development of many holdings, and receive due consideration in dealing with cases where fulfilment has fallen short of requirements. Settlers on holdings which have been occupied for some time and reached the reproductive stage have been enabled, by the high prices ruling for produce, to clear off liabilities, and will therefore be in a better position to meet future contingencies. The past season has been generally favourable, although parts of the district suffered to some extent from unusual dryness, hut not sufficiently to seriously affect the agricultural community. In the bush districts good burns were obtained, but there was a satisfactory absence of destructive fires. There lias been a healthy tendency towards the improvement of the classes of stock kept, and the growing of green-fodder crops is increasing, with good results. A great development is noticeable, especially in the north, whose genial climate and hitherto-unknown possibilities are now attracting settlers to Crown and other lands from distant parts of the Dominion. The Bay of Plenty lands and the King-country are also attracting land-seekers. The Land Board has during the year dealt with a number of applications for leniency in regard to fulfilment of occupation conditions; those from tenants who have joined the Expeditionary Forces are granted as a matter of bare justice to the men who are risking their lives for their country, and in other eases such reasonable concessions were granted as circumstances demanded to enable selectors to overcome their difficulties. Transfers. —lhe number of transfers dealt with and approved by the Land Board-—sBB— shows a small decrease from the previous year. A few cases were refused after full investigation, principally on account of aggregation. The Land Board is applying to transfer the same rule as regards applications for land by refusing to entertain applications in favour of single men eligible for military service. Revenue. —The total revenue of the district for the year was £223,672, showing, notwithstaml ing abnormal conditions, an increase of .£18,288 over the previous year. The collection of this revenue from 7,865 tenants, occupying an area of 1,945,977 acres, as well as from a large variety of subsidiary sources, involves a heavy amount of work. Lands to he opened. —The total area of Crown land open for selection at the end of the year was 225,971 acres, and I estimate that an area of about 87,000 acres will be opened during the ensuing year, a considerable portion being already under survey or in course of preparation for advertising. The areas to be opened will include some blocks in the North Auckland district, for which there have been many inquiries. Probably some 200,000 acres of land of which the survey is now nearly completed will be set apart for discharged soldiers. Notwithstanding the difficulties which present conditions impose on new settlers, there is a large and steady inquiry fur Crown lands in most parts of the district, while the inquiries from soldiers have added very materially to the volume of work in that line. Education Endowments. —The total area of education endowments administered by the Land Board is 126,353 acres, of which 78,051 acres are leased at an annual rental of £5,796. Renewals of expiring leases over an area of 6,008 acres have been arranged during the year, at an increase of .£296 over the previous rent; these renewals are in the majority of cases arranged on the basis of the Hanger's report without the necessity- for resorting to arbitration. The reports show that the holdings generally are well worked and improved.

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HAWKE'S BAY. (W. H. Skinner, Commissioner of Crown Lands.) The total area offered for sale or selection during the year ended 31st March, 1916, was 28,595 acres. The lands placed in the market comprised, mainly — Gwavas Settlement, 5,989 acres; OtamaUfi Settlement, 6,887 acres; Mangamaire Block, 8,594 acres. In addition, scattered sections in various parts of the district were offered and selected. The number of applications dealt with during the year was 899, and the area selected under all tenures comprised 170,769 acres by 110 selectors. A good few applications were rejected in the public interest from single men of military age, and who were unable to produce evidence from the military authorities of their unfitness for active service. Lands to be opened. —lt is anticipated that an area of 101,605 acres will be offered for selection and selected during the ensuing year. Ihe greater part of this area is to be opened for discharged soldiers. Settlers throughout the whole of the Hawke's Bay and Poverty Bay districts have, generally speaking, had a good year on account of the high prices ruling for stock, wool, and all farm products. In the Poverty Bay district a mild winter was experienced, with warm rains early in the spring, which brought on a great flush of pasture, and prospects generally looked very bright. Dry weather, however, set in about the middle of September and continued right through to February. Crops which promised well in the early spring were not as successful as they might have been. Oats were badly affected by blight or " rust," and were also attacked by caterpillars, while maize and pumpkins were also affected by blight. Cape barley, however, was slightly above the average, ami rye-grass also did well, but threshed out on the light side. Dairy-farmers had splendid prospects at the beginning of the season, but the continued dry weather brought down the milk-supply rapidly, although the high prices ruling improved matters considerably. The well-established sheep-farmer, however, is reaping a rich harvest owing to the abnormal prices of wool and fat stock. During the j T ear a new freezing-works was established (the fourth in the Poverty Bay district), and killing was started in February last. This has already been the means of relieving the congestion in fat stock, and will greatly assist the farming community, especially the small farmers, who feel the lack of freezing-spaces most acutely. Amongst items of interest is the Tobaoco Company's farm at ('live Grange, and the crop is expected to yield some 90,0001b. from an area of 100 acres, A factory is now being erected at Port Ahuriri for the manufacture of (lie tobacco for market. The Hawke's Hay Fruit-canning Company opened their new factory at Hastings in December last, and this promises to be an important industry. A new cheese-factory has also been erected by the Norsewood Dairy Company. This industry is seriously threatened owing to the lack of space for shipping the cheese output to England. If the position becomes more acute the factories will have to turn their attention for a time to the production of butter. The demand for medium-sized areas of good land is still unsatisfied. At the recent ballot for sections in Mangamaire Block 291 persons from all parts of the Dominion applied for thirteen sections. The season has been a very prosperous one: good prices have been obtained for stuck, wool, and all farm-products. "»* The revenue received is a record for the district, and the outstanding rents are very small. Transfers. —The Land Board dealt with 170 applications to transfer, covering an area of 104,013 acres, the value of improvements effected according to the Crown Lands Hangers reports being £131,507, and the consideration paid £306,491. Twenty-seven were declined, principally on account of the high consideration asked for the goodwill, or the proposed transferee not being landless, or being of military age and unable to produce evidence of inability to serve his country. Land Board. —The Land Board held sixteen ordinary meetings at Napier and Gisborne, and there were also three special meetings held at Waipawa, Waipukurau, and Napier, in connection with ballots for Gwavas and Otamauri Settlements and Mangamaire Block. Mr. George Wright, whose term as nominated member expired, was reappointed. Land, for Members of Expeditionary Forces. —The concession made in last year's amendment of the Land Act permitting those absent with the Expeditionary Forces to apply for and to participate in the ballots for lands through accredited agents has been greatly appreciated by all parties concerned, and already taken advantage of in a number of cases. In the ballot for the Mangamaire Block in December three out of the four absent soldiers applying drew sections, and the land is being farmed by their parents or accredited agents during their absence. In the recent ballot of the Otamauri Estate (land for settlements) both returned (discharged) soldiers and those still at the front participated, and three members of the Expeditionary Force who are serving at the front drew sections. , \

TARANAKI. (G. H. Bullard, Commissioner of Crown Lands.) From a farming point of view, owing to favourable weather-conditions generally, resulting in a plentiful supply of feed, coupled with high prices for farm-products of all classes, the past year has bet:] eof the best ever experienced in Taranaki. This is specialty the ease with those settlers who were well established and handling a payable number of stock, the returns from wool, butter-fat, and fat stock has been unprecedented.

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The position, however, of those settlers who more recently, with limited means, have taken up the more remote unimproved or even partly improved lands, without the advantage of drayroads, has been less satisfactory since the outbreak of the war, owing to the prevailing prices of labour, fencing-material, grass-seed, &C, and the majority of the defaulters in the matter of statutory improvements that have been dealt with by the Land Board from time to time have been settlers in this category. These, through the stress of the times, have been unable to secure the necessary labour to develop their holdings. For the same reason other selectors better circumstanced havo been compelled to " mark time " and merely effect sufficient improvements to comply with bare requirements of their leases. Sheep and cattle graziers have had a good season, but, owing to fat-stock buyers having to regulate their operations by the amount of space available at the various freezing-works, there was a considerable set-back on this account. This loss, however, was compensated for to a large extent by the high prices obtained for " stores." In the earlier part of the season, with a plentiful supply of feed, some dairy herds in tin: northern part of the district averaged over £2 per cow per month, an experience probably unique in the history of those parts of the country which are not yet fully developed. Lands opened for Selection. —A total area of 26,889 acres, representing sixty-tine sections, was made available for selection, most of it for the first time, and in addition 292 acres of township and suburban areas were offered for sale or leasing by auction and tender throughout the year. In view of the general prevailing conditions, and also the decision of the Land Hoard to exclude from land ballots all single men of military age (not specially exempted from service), the competition in ballots during the year, especially for the unimproved country put on the market, has been quite as good as could be expected. Lands to be opened. —The total area of the lands proposed to be put on the market during the current year amounts to 38,209 acres. It is proposed to make 18,122 acres available under the ordinary and special tenures of the Discharged Soldiers Settlement Act, 1.915. Education Endowments. —During the year twenty-one leases of education reserves expired by effluxion of time, and were relet, after revaluation, in most cases to the former holders. In some cases where the old leases were not renewable new leases were submitted for competition at revised rentals. In every instance the Endowment Fund has benefited very materially by the increased rents secured. The general appearance and position of the education reserves in this district is fairly satisfactory. In a few instances the Land Board is having difficulty with regard to the eradication of noxious weeds by the tenants. A number of the old leases are also without improvement conditions, and this, coupled with the fact that personal residence on the land is not compulsory, has had a tendency to produce slackness and neglect in the past. Land Board.—The Land Hoard held twelve ordinary meetings tit this centre, also one special meeting at Taumarunui in connection with a land sale and ballot at that place. During the year Messrs. W. W. Jones and A. Coxhead retired from the Board owing to removal from the district, and due acknowledgement of their services to the Department has been placed on record. One of the vacancies has been filled by the appointment of Mr. J. W. H. Martin, of Pukearuhe. General. —Nearly seventy of our Crown tenants are known to the office to be on active service abroad in connection with the war, and in this matter the Land Board has given them every encouragement, by granting where necessary an extension of time for residence completion of improvements, and fulfilment of other statutory requirements under their [eases. A large number of them have also applied for a rental remission, provision for which was made by recent legislation, and such cases tire now receiving the fullest consideration of the Land Board. Indifferent road access, and in some cases the lack of it, is still a heavy handicap on many of the way-back settlers, a circumstance brought about as the result of settlement having gone too far in advance of reasonable reading facilities. In view of this, and also the ruling high prices of all farming requirements under present conditions, it is well worth considering whether it would be more politic to push on with roading in country already settled and to hold back the more isolated areas until at least a pack-track can be provided for every section before it is opened.

WELLINGTON. (G. H. M. MoCI.UBE, Commissionei of Crown Lands.) The year has been a favourable one for farmers, notwithstanding the exceptionally dry summer; the spring was a moist one. and an abundance of pasture was available when the dry weather set in. Cereal crops were well above average yield, but prices were lower than 1915; turnips and rape were disappointing, but oats were heavy. Dairying returns were at a high level, though in some of the newer districts (he output was lower owing to the continued dry weather. Stock and wool realized very high prices, lambs fattened early, and fat sheep and cattle were turned off in large numbers. Pig-raising was a profitable industry. These unprecedented returns are, of course, owing to the demands on Ihe resources of the Dominion caused by the European war.

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The high price of fencing and building material, together with shortage of labour owing to so many enlisting, has had the effect of retarding improvements, but settlement has in other ways made steady progress, as most holdings now have access by dray-roads which are improving each year, only a few isolated sections being served by bridle roads. The conditions of occupation as regards improvements and residence have been satisfactorily performed with very few excepI ions. Lauds opened during the Year. The area offered was 12,291 acres. An area of 73-1 acres. containing 13,303,500 superficial feet of milling-timber, situated near Ohakune, was offered by auction at an upset price of £7,466, and after brisk bidding realized £14,506. Exemptions from Rent , under Section, '23 of the Land Laws Amendment Art, /!)/,'>. - Seven applications from soldiers on active service were recommended by the Land Board under the above-mentioned authority, the amount required to be appropriated being £138 for the vear ended 31st March, 1916. Improved-farm Settlements. —ln the North Waimarino Settlement practically no fencing has been done during the year owing to the high price of wire, and very few other improvements effected without Government assistance. This is also attributed to the shortage of labour owing to so many having enlisted, and the settlers, taking advantage of high wages offered by sawinillers and others, have gone out to work. Four out of the eighty settlers are still unable to reside, their sections mil having been sufficiently cleared of milling-timber, and forty-six have not yet obtained their licenses. Six sawmillers are operating in the locality. The high prices ruling for butter-fat and stock should assure the fulfilment of the settlers' obligations for rent and other payments, though in some instances the holdings are too small and unsuited for dairying. The output of the factory receiving supplies from these settlers has increased from 60 to 90 tons. Transfers. —The number of dealings approved by the Hoard under this head was 296, a considerable increase on last year's business. Land Board.—Twelve ordinary meetings were held, and the Hoard met al Levin. Kakahi. and Palmerston North for examination of applicants for land. Educational Endowments. —The lease of an area of 380 acres having expired, the land being in a well-settled district was divided into three holdings, the leases of which realized a substantial increase from £130 10s. to £559 per annum. There were only two renewals of expired leases. comprising 207 acres of farm land, the aggregate rentals for new leases having increased to £261 per annum as against £96 per annum. Tin Hangers have been instructed to report on each property, and the inspections so far as they have been made disclose satisfactory compliance with I he conditions of occupation.

NELSON. (I' 1 . A. TnoMi-soK, Commissioner of Crown Lauds.) During tin- year, in spite of war exigencies, agricultural, pastoral, and dairy farming have continued to progress in a most satisfactory manner. The Crown tenants have in most cases far overtaken the statutory conditions of their leases, and Ihe high prices of farm-produce have 'tmeouragoil them to further extend their improvements. The scarcity of labour throughout Ihe district, except at unusually high lates. has in some cases been a drawback io developing the new country, bul. generally speaking, all ihe settlers are prosperous, and the number of efficient selectors has increased, whilst the demand for land shows so far no I'alling-oIT. As a rule more thorough farming anil tillage is the order of the day. The increasing number of agricultural and pastoral shows in the more westerly districts, which have hitherto been considered purely mining centres, evidences the fact that land-settlement is progressing, and that prosperity is increasing in these localities. Lands offered for Selection. —The total area opened for sale or selection during the year was about 61,000 acres, of which about 40,000 acres were disposed of. Lands to be offered. —Portions of the following blocks have already been surveyed; the surveys of other portions practically completed except for plotting, which will be finished during winter recess; and the balance will be placed with the surveyors early in the spring : Okari Block, 17,000 acres; Rainy River South Block, 12,000 acres; Slips Block, 12,000 acres; Blackwater Soutli Block, 2,ooo'acres; Sabine Block, 10,000 acres; D'Urville Hlock, 10,000 acres; MatiriOwen Block, 3,000 acres; Maruia South Block, 9,000 acres; South Terrace Block, 2,000 acres; Tidal Creek Block, 2,800 acres; Mole Block, 5,000 acres; Orikaka Block, 2,000 acres; Waitapu Hlock, 1,000 acres; Rough River Block. 4,200 acres. Land Hoard. —Twelve monthly meetings were held at the principal Land Office. Mr. Patterson was re-elecled a member, and Mr. Baigenl reappointed to the Hoard, during the year. For the sake of economy no special visits were made by the Board. I aspect ions by Crown Lands Rangers. —The three Rangers have kept their inspections up to dale in their respective districts. A perusal of the table relating to Rangers' work shows that in the matter of improvements the selectors are well in advance of statutory requirements. The number of defaulters, considering all things, is not unreasonably large. Fruit Industry. Further areas are being planted with f riiit-l roes, and Ihe canning-factories are kept busy. This industry employs a considerable amount of labour, and the trade with the outside world seems to be extending. A scheme for providing fruit-farms on a somewhat extended scale is under consideration.

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Dairying Industry. —Thirteen butter-factories and creameries are now in operation, and the value of the industry is approaching £100.000 per annum. About nine thousand cows are supplying the factories. Coal Industry. —Two mines in the Collingwood County are producing coal, while another is being developed and is expected to be working in about six months. Generally speaking, the industry will not expand to any extent, as the coal is not in large enough quantities to build up an export trade, and all mined can be consumed in and around Nelson. The revenue this year is some £3,000 behind last year's figures, bul last year's revenue included about £4,000 of arrears owing from last period, so that actually there was an increase of revenue from this source.

MARLBOROUGH. (H. G. Price, Commissioner of Crown Lands.) The district has again experienced another dry year, which has been more particularly felt in the southern part, and materially affected the crops, but not to such an extent as the previous year. A good deal of wheat and barley was sown on Star borough, Flaxbourrie, and Blind River Settlements, but the return was below the average. In the northern part of the district the drought has not been so bad, consequently the crops have been fair and in many instances good. The dairying industry is also increasing in this part of the district, and there is a keen demand for any suitable land for this class of farming. The settlers on the Tuuakino Hlock that was opened during the year have been busy felling their bush, and those on the Opouri Block adjoining, which was opened the previous year, have felled and grassed a fair area, so in a few years' lime there will be a considerable dairying industry in this locality. Lucerne-growing is more extensively gone in for, the settlers recognizing that it is one of the most useful and profitable crops; a fair area of peas is also grown in the district. Stock have brought a fair price. especially cattle. Generally speaking, the settlers throughout the district have had a better year than the previous one, especially those in the northern part of the district, who have done well, and with the return of normal weather-OOllditions the prospects of settlement throughout the district will considerably improve, Lands offered for Selection. —lhe total area opened for sale or selection during the year was 51,013 acres, which was all taken up. Lands to be opened. —There will only be a small area of about 1,200 acres of Crown land in the Ronga and Rai Valleys opened for selection. There is about 5.900 acres in the Upper Opouri Valley now under survey, but will not be available till the milling-timber is cut put. Although there is a considerable area of Crown land in this district unselected. yet the greater part of it is rough bush country, principally birch: homestead-sites and road access generally are difficult to obtain, and in many cases a large percentage of it can only be worked to advantage by adjoining owners who already hold the frontage and homestead-sites. Flax Industry. —There litis been more activity in this industry owing to the high prices ruling. Mining Industry. —With the exception of the Golden Bar Mine at the Wakamarina, from which the returns of gold and scheelite continue satisfactory, there is not much doing in the -* district, although there has been more prospecting going on. There has also been some activity in prospecting for antimony in the Endeavour Inlet and Queen Charlotte Sound. Land Board. —The Land Board held twelve ordinary and two special meetings, and two tours of inspection were made to different parts of the district during the year. ' In only a fewinstances has it been necessary to exercise the provisions of the Land Laws Amendment Act of 1915, but no doubt as cases arise it will be taken advantage of.

WESTLAND. (W. F. Mahsh. Commissioner of Crown Lands.) The season has been particularly favourable to farming operations, and this, combined with the high prices offering for products, especially butter and cheese, has substantially enhanced the profit to farmers. The output of dairy-produce has steadily increased year by year since the inception of factories, and the very satisfactory progress made has been more than maintained in the past twelve months, with the result that the district generally, more particularly in the vicinity of the factories, bears every evidence of a healthy improvement, and the prospects for continued prosperity are decidedly bright. The recent drought in Canterbury has given Westland the opportunity of conclusively proving its exceptional advantages in the business of successful cattle-raising. Various local pastoralists have been progressive enough to place their surplus fat stock upon the Christchurch markets, and tli<- prices obtained therefrom havo been sufficiently remunerative to cause a keen demand from tin- Canterbury buyers for land in this district and a willingness to pay in excess of the prices hitherto ruling. At the same time it must be added that, doubtless owing to its present isolation. values in Westland are considerably below those for similar classes of land in other parts of the Dominion. There is no doubt a good future before the West Coast for cattle-raising and

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dairying, and it is expected that, the completion of the railway connection with Canterbury will mark the beginning of a new era of prosperity. The whole of Westland being within a mining district., the tenures available for settlement of new lands are restricted to renewable lease or license under the special regulations for the occupation of pastoral lands. Included in the proposals for offering for selection during the coming year are blocks of land of very fair quality tit Kaimata and Bell Hill. In the case of the former renewable-lease tenure will be offered, but as circumstances preclude this tenure from being adopted in the case of the latter, licenses under the special regulations only will be available. Arrangements have recently been completed to release from timber-cutting license portions of two education-endowment reserves at Wataroa, comprising land of (irst-olass quality, so that this will shortly be available for settlement. The portion adjacent to the Wataroa Dairy Factory and suitable for permanent settlement will be offered for selection on renewable lease by ballot, and the remainder, which would be unsafe for residence purposes on account of its liability to flood, will be offered for lease by public auction under the Public Bodies' Lenses Act. The whole of this laud will find a ready market. It is unpleasant to call attention to the absolute nonchalance with which too many settlers view Pile alarming growth and spread of blackberry and gorse. No whole-hearted or serious attempts are made to grapple with the evil, and lands which could carry good grass and profitably run more stock are rapidly becoming more and more overrun by these pests. The improvement in the market for Now Zealand hemp has given lo the flax industry, which has been languishing during recent years, a much-needed fllip. Mining operations continue to be carried on with varying success. Several propositions of some magniture are now being developed in close proximity to Hokitika, and the prospects give promise of a successful year. A most important stage has now been reached as far as the sawmilling industry is concerned, New Zealand timbers having recently lieen fairly established on the Australian market, where there is sufficient demand to absorb the whole of the surplus output of Westland, but this demand will continue only so long as the market is kept regularly supplied. At the present time considerable difficulty is experienced in securing the necessary shipping accommodation, and the failure to establish some constant and reliable service will undoubtedly lead to the curtailment of a very promising trade.

CANTERBURY. (C. R. PoLiiKN, Commissioner of Crown Lands.) The two principal factors on which the prosperity of the farmer depends— i.e., weather and market prices—have been abnormal all Ihe year. The whole of the Canterbury Plains, except ti strip near to the hills, and to which north-west weather extends, suffered an unusually dry year. On referring to the amount of rainfall recorded it will lie found that from Marcli of last year to February of this the northern half of the plain approximately averaged 17 in. only. ,and the southern 13 in. of rain; whereas near tin- hills and over the pastoral highlands the fall "was normal: along the front of the hills for two or three miles of plain 24 in. to 26 in. fell as far south as Orari Gorge, but soutli of that point the fall was only 16 in. The result of this was lirsl felt in the lambing season: the average dropped front west to east the same. As to stock-fattening facilities, large quantities of store cattle and sheep were sold to Southland and North Island buyers. An unusually large area of the plain was sown itt wheat and oats, which Came away fairly well at first, as moderate rains fell in October and November, but a late frost in November proved disastrous to thousands of acres, and then in December there was insufficient rain to develop the crops which the frost had not affected. The straw- was short and thin, and the harvest proved very unsatisfactory. Land which in normal seasons has produced 30 to 40 bushels of wheat per acre returned merely 10 to 15 bushels, and a large area w-as never reaped at all the stock turned in upon it or made into hay. Most of the Canterbury beef offered came from the hills, where there has been plenty of slock-feed all through the year —feed has actually been wasting in places. Rabbits increased in consequence of the mild winter and the plethora of food. The turnip and rape crops were subject lo Ihe same order of success. The western slopes had splendid strikes, and excellent crops may now be seen, but towards the coast their appearance rapidly altered for the worse, and the crops were faded and pest-ridden. The high market prices obtained for produce partially compensated for the losses caused by weather-conditions experienced by the settlers on the plains. Ihe pastoral country in the Mackenzie County has suffered wry little during the recent trying season. The stock are looking well and winter feed is assured. Some of the young plantations reported on so favourably last year have suffered considerably, while others have made good progress, and will soon become a marked feature in the landscape. Transfers. —The total number of transfers submitted to (Ik- Land Board was 259, of which fourteen were declined. Education Reserves. —Thirty-five leases over education reserves expired on the 31st March, 1916. twenty-nine of which, comprising 6,94!) acres, are being renewed to the present tenants at enhanced rentals. Eive, comprising 652 acres, are lo be sold at auction on lease for fourteen years, and one. of an atea of 69.'! acres, is being subdivided. »

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Many of these reserves are well situated for the growing of cereals, potatoes, and peas, and the restrictions as to cropping having been suspended during the war. the tenants have endeavoured to assist in meeting the demand for food crops, and every encouragement has been given to them to do so. The farms situated on Hanks Peninsula are nearly all devoted to dairying, cattle-raising, and cocksfoot-growing, and those on the plains to mixed farming, and those near to the foot of the hills to sheep-grazing. Generally the tenants have given satisfaction in the working of their holdings. In South Canterbury the education reserves are on much the same footing as the older settlements, and on the whole the lessees have farmed their holdings well. Cheviot Estate. — Twenty-seven Cheviot grazing-runs. after a term of twenty-one years, expired on the 29th February, 1916, and as it was not considered expedient in December, 1914, to deal with their future disposal, owing to the uncertainty of values at. the commencement of the war, it was decided to give the lessees of these grazing-farms an extension of one year, bringing them up to February, 1917. The necessary legislation was enacted to give effect to this. They all accepted, with the exception of one, whose holding has been subdivided, one section being available for reoffering. Tn anticipation of the expiry of these grazing-fa,rms in 1917, it has been decided to offer renewals to twenty-four tenants. Two grazing-farms are to be subdivided, and one is to be reoffered. All the buildings and other improvements on the grazing-farms and agricultural holdings are maintained in a satisfactory condition, the -lessees' interests in the farms now exceeding in value those of the Crown. The results of their work during the past year have varied considerably : some of the crops gave a profit, others, chiefly for Ihe reason of the absence of winter and early spring rains, were poor. The grass-grub was also in evidence. Some of the wheat was frosted, and the threshing returns were low in consequence. The pastures on the grazing-farms, especially where the holdings had been laid down in English grasses, suffered by the dry season. The native grasses stood better. Ihere were good rains in February, and subsequently gave the pastures a chance to recover, and winter feed is assured. The high values obtained for wheat somewhat equalized matters financially. Departmental. —During the year there were twelve ordinary and five special meetings of the Land Board held.

OTAGO. (Robhrt T. Sado, Commissioner of Crown Lands.) During the year ending the 31st March. 1916, two of the largest pastoral runs in Otago were subdivided and offered for selection—viz., the Omarama Runs, containing 140,695 acres, subdivided into ten runs, the successful applicants for which have made good progress in fencing. stocking, and building, and are all well satisfied with their holdings; and the Renmore Runs, containing 240,166 acres, subdivided into nine small grazing-runs, disposed of by ballot, and twelve pastoral runs put up to public auction with residence conditions. There were a very great number of applications for the small grazing-runs, and five out of the nine went to members of the Expeditionary Forces. The compel if ion for Ihe pastoral runs was keen, the prices realized being from 50 per cent, to 100 per cent, above the upset. One of these was obtained by a soldier at the front. An area of 12,170 acres on Omarama, and 12,179 on Benmorc. has been set apart for afforestation purposes, and the land is admirably- adapted for this purpose. Pending planting opera,! ions these areas are being let at good rentals on temporary licenses. In addition a condition is attached to the pastoral runs on the University Endowment, Benmore, requiring the licensees to plant and maintain certain areas during the currency of tin- license. On Renmore liuns an area of 23.000 acres in fifteen holdings, consisting of the best part of the cultivated land, has been set apart for discharged soldiers. The Galloway Huns, containing 130,000 acres, have been subdivided into five runs. The freehold lands and improvements have been purchased by tin- Crown, and it was deemed advisable to include the greater part of these, especially about 400 acres at Lit lie Valley, in the runs under the provisions id' the Land for Settlements Act to provide suitable homestead-sites and paddocks I'm- three of the runs. Approximately 1,200 acres on Galloway Flat, and 2,500 acres along the road to Tda Valley, have been kept back for close settlement: the former will be irrigated by the Manuherikia irrigation scheme, and the latter from the Manorbuni Dam just completed. A race belonging to the Crown is already available for the latter. These two areas will be subdivided at an early date, the surveyor being now on the ground. Owing to Ihe want of water for irrigation the 7,000 acres of Earnscleugh Run surrendered last year has not yet been settled, but the surveys of this are xvell in hand. One of the Puketoi Runs —21,360 acres in eight subdivisions—is being offered for ballot in April. The surveys of three large pastoral runs, known as Ihe " Dasher." " Kyeburn," and " Mount Rurk." are in progress to be ready for ballot on the expiry of the present licenses. With the exception of the Crown tenants in northern Otago. where a long and severe drought has been experienced, the settlers have done very xvell indeed owing to the high prices obtainable

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for all kinds of produce. The winter was a very mild, open one, with comparatively very little snow, this enabling stock to be kept back on what is generally deemed only summer country. The small quantity of snow—especially in Central Otago—is, however, to be deplored, as owing to the very low rainfall the country is dependent on the melting snoxvs for irrigation and to keep up the floxv of water in the streams. A very long and severe drought has occurred in northern Otago, and heavy losses in stock and crops have resulted. Lately prospects have improved somewhat, as this part of the district has had some good showers. Transfers. —The number of transfers brought before the Land Board xvas 332, of which nine were declined. Education Endowment Reserves. —All the reserves that are of any value to a tenant are let. Those unlet are scattered areas of indifferent quality. Owing to the heavy cost of an education reserve lease, a good many small township sections and other small areas with low rentals are let on year-to-year licenses.

SOUTHLAND. (H. D. M. Haszaud, Commissioner of Crown Lands.) The season, taken as a whole, has been one of the best ever experienced here, consequently all classes of stock have done well. There has been a marked increase in the number of both sheep and cattle available for the freezers, though the export has been considerably retarded on account of the shortage of shipping. The lambing on low land averaged from 90 to 120 per cent., and on the higher country and pastoral runs the percentage was from 70 to 90 per cent., which was much better than the previous year. The season has also been an ideal one for dairying, and it is a noteworthy fact that the output of cheese from Southland exceeds that, of Otago and Canterbury combined. Another item worth mentioning in connection with the dairying industry is the establishment of a sugar-of-milk factory at Edendale—the only one in the Dominion and the second on British soil. With whey from the different cheese-factories approximately £20,000 worth of sugar of milk is manufactured yearly. The grain crops are exceptionally heavy in straw, but are threshing out a little disappointingly, the average being about equal to last year. Grass has been very plentiful throughout the year, the result being that ow-ing to drought in the central part of the South Island thousands of sheep and cattle from Canterbury and Otago have been fed here for several months. Both grass and turnips compare more than favourably with former years, which assures ample feed during the winter months. The scarcity of labour and the increase in the cost of fencing and other material, caused by the war, have somewhat militated against the necessary improvements being effected in many ctises, but in such instances the Land Board, taking the extraordinary circumstances into consideration, has afforded the settlers relief by granting them time to comply with the conditions of their leases. It is pleasing to be able to report such a satisfactory year, from which it will be easily gathered that the settlers generally are in a prosperous condition. Liands to be opened for Selection. —The area of land to be opened for selection during the coming year should total about 20,000 acres. The surveys of part of this have been completed, whilst others are in progress and should be completed in time to have the lands on the market within the year. The sawmill has been through most of this country, which is now practically worked out. Apart from the above there will probably be two pastoral runs offered on account of subdivisions of expiring leases, and there will also be a number of expiring education endowments reoffered at auction. Arrears of Rent-. —The position is not as creditable as that of the previous year, but must, I think, be considered satisfactory, seeing that a number of new tenants on land-for-settlement sections have not yet had time to thoroughly establish themselves. Education Endowments. —There are more lessees of education-endowment land in this district than under any other tenure, and consequently the volume of work in connection with the administration of these lands is considerable. The total number of lessees is 783, holding 339,716 acres, and paying an annual rental of £16,140. This latter amount is nearly £600 in excess of the figures for the previous year. Each year now- there is a considerable number of expiries and renewals of leases to be dealt with. The tenants on the whole are a-good class of settler, and all concerned have shown their appreciation of the new leases which carry the perpetual right of renewal. It has been an incentive to further improve the land, with the result that tenants are liming freely and bringing their sections up to a high state of cultivation. All are fairly prosperous, and the conditions have been well complied with. Miscellaneous Leases and Licenses. —ln the course of their inspections during the year the Rangers have as far as possible inspected and reported on miscellaneous holdings, with the result that quite a number of township sections and outlying pieces of land have been disposed of at auction, and the rentals on several holdings have been revised, with the result that the revenue from this class of license has been increased by over £100 per annum.

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APPENDIX lI.—LAND FOP SETTLEMENTS.

The following tables show the estates opened for selection during the year and the present position of all settlements disposed of tinder the Land for Settlements Acts : —•

Estates opened for Selection during the Year.

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, 1916.

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Land District. Name of Estate. Number of Holdings opened for Selection. Area opened for Selection. Auckland Hawke's Bay j Gorton (Clifford (Gwavas (Otamauri . | Bartholomew I Wilford Wither Glenmark i Bellamy I Maraeweka 1 I 10 8 .. ! 12 15 6 35 13 27 II 7 Aores. 1,024 1,068 5,988 6,887 98 5 6,413 11,213 2,521 I .792 Wellington Marlborough Canterbury Otago Totals 144 37,009

APPENDIX II.—LAND FOR SETTLEMENTS. The following tables show the estates opened for selection during the year and the present position of all settlements disposed of under the Land for Settlements Acts :—• Estates opened for Selection durin<i the Ykak. T , _. . . . „ , — . ! Number of Holdings Area opened for Land District. Name of Estate. opfflwd f()) . Sol(!( . ti(m Selection. _ I I Acres. . ,, , (Gorton .. .. 10 1,024 Auckland.. •• | Clifford .. .. 8 1,068 „ , , u fGwavas .. .. 12 5,988 Hawke s Bay . . ■ „, . _ „ QQ „ lOtamaun .. .. 15 6,887 ,, r ,,• f Bartholomew .... 6 98 Wellington .. • ■ „rii , o* iWiltoi-d .... 35 •) Marlborough .. .. Wither .. .. 13 6,413 Canterbury .. .. Glenmark .. .. 27 11,213 Otaoo i Bellamy .. .. II 2,521 " " " "(Maraeweka 7 1.792 Totals .. .. .. Ill 37.<X)!I Summary of the Settlements establishes upon Estates acquired and dealt with, undeh the Provisions ov the Land for Settlements Act, ap to the 31st March, 11)16. Name of Estate. I g*J3!s. 1>ri " cil ' al Pm ' P ° minzed" 011 HoWin(,B ftre Remarks as to Present Position. Auckland —■ Balachraggan .. 24 2 Dallying .. .. . . .. Good. Bickerstaffe .. to 1 Grazing .. .. .. .. Good. Cadman .. .. .. .. Not offered. Carroll .. .. 1 Not offered. Clifford .. .. 7 .. Dairying .. .. .. .. New estate. Craddock. . .. 9 .", Homes and orchards .. .. Good. F.cclestone No. 2 .. 4 1 Homes .. .. .. .. G I. Fencourt .. .. ! 36 8 Dairying .. .. Wry good. Gorton .. .. 10 .. Dairying .. .. New estate. Hotana .. .. 43 40 Homes and orchards . . .. .. Good. Karapiro .. .. 16 2 Dairying .. . . .. .. Good. Kitchener .. 8 4 Homes and orchards .. .. .. Good. Lawry .. .. •• Homes .. .. .. Good. Mangapouri .. II 3 Dairying .. .. .. . . Good. Mangawhero .. 22 3 Dairying .. .. .. .. Good. Matamata .. 180 74 Dairying .. .. .. .. Very good. Mothuen .. .. 11 I!) Homos and orchards .. .. .. Good. Ohauiti .. .. 12 .. Mixed fanning .. .. .. Fair. Okauia .. .. 13 4 Dairying .. .. .. .. Good. Opouriao . . .. 84 23 Dairying .. .. .. .. Very good. Otway .. .. 17 .. Dairying .. .. .. .. Good. Parahi .. .. 9 . . Dairying and grazing . . .. .. Good. Plumer .. .. 8 13 Homes and orchards .. .. Good. I'rescott .. .. 2 1 Grazing lease only. I! ingiatea .. 17 3 Dairying .. .. .. .. Very good. ReWl . . . . 9 I Dairying .. . , . . .. Good. Solwyn .. .. 118 to Dairying and grazing .. .. .. Good. Tautari .. .. 39 .. Dairying .. .. .. .. Fair. Teasdale .. .. 58 45 • Business and residence.. .. .. Good. Waari .. .. 20 15 Homes and orchards .. .. .. Good. Waimana.. .. 23 12 Dairying .. .. .. .. Good. Waitakaruru .. 15 .. Dairying and grazing .. .. ., Fair. Whitehall .. 13 5 Dairying .. .. .. .. Good. Dairying Gracing Not offered. Not offered. Dairying Homes and orchards Homes Dairying Dairying Homes and orchards Dairying Homes and orchards Homes Dairying Dairying Dairying Homos and orchards Mixed farming Dairying Dairying Dairying Dairying and grazing Homes and orchards Grazing lease only. Dairying Dairying Dairying and grazing Dairying Business and residence.. Homes and orchards Dairying Dairying and grazing Dairying .. Good. .. Good. New cstalc. Good. Good. Very good. New estate. .. Good. .. Good. .. Good. .. Good. . . Good. Good. Very good. Good. .. Fair. Good. Very good. Good. Good. .. Good. Very good. flood. Good. .. Fair. .. Good. .. Good. . . Good. .. Fair. .. Good. Totals .. 889 336 Hawke's Bay — Argyll .. .. 00 2 Agricultural and pastoral .. .. Good. Clydebank .. 22 1 Pastoral .. .. .. .. Very good. Klsthorpe.. .. 47 5 Pastoral .. .. .. .. Very good. Forest Gate .. 25 4 Agricultural and pastoral .. .. Good. Gwavas .. .. 12 .. Agricultural and pastoral .. .. Very promisin) . Hatuma .. .. 73 0 Agricultural and pastoral .. .. Very good. Kanakanaia .. 7 •• I Pastoral .. .. .. .. Very good. Kumeroa.. ,. 14 2 1 Agricultural, pastoral, and dairying .. Very good. Agricultural and pastoral Pastoral Pastoral Agricultural and pastoral Agricultural and pastoral Agricultural and pastoral Pastoral Agricultural, pastoral, and dairying Good. Very good. Very good. Good. Very promising . .. Very good. Very good. Very good,

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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, 1916 — continued.

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Name of Estate. holds Leaseholds. holds'. 1>rinc ' 1,al PHrl "° E u 3 tiiTze W d hiCh H ° m '" RS "• Bemarks as to Present Position. r ' ' Hawke's Bay —eontd. Lindsay .. .. (14 Mahora .. .. 31 Manga-a-toro .. 25 Mangatahi .. 23 Ngatapa .. .. 2(i Otamauri .. 15 Pouparae .. 8 Pourerere. . . . (i Raumati . . .. SO Raureka .. .. 16 Slierenden .. 21 Springhill.. .. 17 Te Aral .. . . 52 Te Mata .. .. !) Tomoana.. .. II Tongoio .. .. 12 Waihau .. .. 22 Waimarie.. .. IS Waipuka .. .. 1 Wigan .. .. 13 Willows .. .. 22 4 | Agricultural, pastoral, and dairying . . Good. 2 Agricultural, fruit-culture, and dairying .. Very good. 1 ' Agricultural and pastoral .. .. Good. Agricultural and pasti nil I .. ,. Very fair. 2 . Pastoral .. .. .. .. i Very good. | Only recently opened .. .. .. Promises well. 1 ' Agricultural and dairying .. .. Very good. ! Agricultural and pastoral .. .. Very fair. 2 1 Pastoral and dairying .. .. .. Very lair. 3 j Dairying and fruit-culture .. .. Very good. I Mostly pastoral .. .. .. Good. j Mostly pastoral .. ... .. Good. 7 Agricultural, pastoral, and dairying .. Very good. | Fruit-culture . . .. .. ' • • Good. :( Fruit-culture and dairying .. .. Very good. Mostly pastoral .. .. .. Very fair Mostly pastoral .. .. .. Very fair. Agricultural and dairying .. .. Very good. Mostly pastoral . . .. .. Good. 5 Pastoral .. .. .. .. Excellent. Agricultural and dairying .. ... Very good. Totals .. 702 50 Taranaki — Clandon .. .. 7 Huinga .. 10 Spotswood .. 42 Tariki .. .. 8 Tokaora .. .. 10 Dairying .. .. .. .. Good. Dairying .. .. .. .. Fair. 3 ; Homesteads .. .. .. .. Good. Dairying and grazing .. .. .. i Very good. <i Dairying .. .. .. .. Excellent. Totals .. 77 9 Wellington — Aorangi .. .. 32 Bartholomew .. <i Harrington .. 34 Dyer .. .. 37 Epuni Hamlet .. 38 Fallooh .. .. 6 Hawtrey .. .. 33 Heatherlea .. 2fi Hikawera. . .. •> Langdale.. .. 21) Linton .. ■. 5 . Longbush .. 0 Mahupuku .. 8 Mangawhata .. 2 Maungaraki .. 20 Normandale .. 30 Ohakea .. .. 9 Paparangi .. 33 Poroporo . . .. 15 Tablelands .. !l ' 1'awaha . . .. 24 TeMatua.. .. 12 Grazing licenses .. 7 5 Dairying and fruitgrowing . . .. Excellent. Reports not yet in .. .. .. New settlement. 1 j Dairying, &0. .. .. .. Fair. 2 j Grazing, dairying, and cropping.. .. Excellent. 4 Gardening, &o. .. .. .. Very good. Cropping and grazing . . .. .. Very fair. 2 \ Residential .. .. .. .. Fair. 1 | Dairying, poultry, lines .. . . Good. 1 Grazing sheep and cattle .. .. Excollent. 2 Dairying and grazing .. .. .. Good. Dairying and cropping.. .. .. Good. 3 Dairying and grazing .. .. .. Excellent. Dairying and grazing .. .. .. ] Excellent. 5 Dairying and grazing .. .. .. Excellent. Grazing, pigs, poultry .. .. .. Good. 1 Grazing, pigs, poultry .. .. .. Fair. 7 Dairying, cropping, &c. .. .. Excellent. 1 Residential, pigs, &e. .. .. .. Good. 1 Grazing, cropping, &c. . . .. .. Fair. Grazing, cropping, &c. .. .. .. Very good. 1 Grazing, dairying, &c. .. .. .. Good. 1 Grazing, dairying, &c. .. .. .. Sound. 1 Totals .. 427 38 Nelson — Braeburn.. .. 22 Lake .. 1 Wangapeka .. 15 Dairying and grazing .. .. .. Good. .. ' Dairying and grazing .. .. .. Not satisfactory. 1, Dairying and grazing .. .. .. Very good. Totals .. 38 . „ i Marlborough — Blind River .. 18 Flaxbourne .. 126 Hillersden . . 48 Hillersden Rush .. 3 Lynton Downs .. 11 North Bank .. II Omaka .. .. IS Puhipuhi .. .. 2 Rainf ord .. .. 11 Richmond Brook .. 12 Star borough .. 180 Waipapa . . .. 4 Wither .. .. 14 Sheep-fanning and grain-growing .. Fair. (i Sheep-farming and grain-growing .. Fair'. | Shoep-farming .. .. .. Satisfactory. Sheep-farming and grain-growing .. Doubtful. Sheep-farming .. .. .. Satisfactory. .. j Sheep-farming and light cropping .. Sound. Grazing . . .. .. .. Satisfactory. .. i Dairying .. .. . . • • (rood. .. | Sheep -farming and grain-growing .. Fair. 3 | Sheep-farming and grain-growing .. Fair. .. I Grazing .. .. .. .. Fair. 2 j Sheep-farming and grain-growing .. Satisfactory. 14 Totals .. -157

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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, 1916 — continued.

x . „ , w„*„+„ Lease- Free- Principal Purpose for which Holdings are Name of Estate. hold „ holds | utilized. L_ ! , L Remarks as to Present Position. Westland — Kokatahi.. .. 8 • • ! Dairying anf l grssing Poerua .. .. 24 .. ■ Dairying and grazing Totals .. 32 Canterbury — Albury .. ..78 I Sheep-farming and grain-growing Allanhiiline .. 8 .. Sheep-farming and grain-growing Annan .. .. 43 .. Mixed farming and grazing Ashley Gorge .. 9 I Dairy-farming and grazing Ashwick .. .. 8 .. Sheep-farming ami grain-growing Avenel .. . . 17 .. ; Mixod farming Avenel Extension .. 11 . . ! Mixed farming Aylesbury ' .. 6 ■ • Mixed farming Bourndale .. 7 .. Sheep-farming and grain-growing Braco .. .. 9 5 Market-gardening Buddo .. .. 13 Workers'dwellings Chamberlain '.. 21 .. Sheep-farming and grain-growing Clandeboye ' .. 10 .. ' Dairy-farming and grain-growing Clandeboye No. 2 .. 0 .. j Dairy-farming and grain-growing Claremont .. 11 .. Sheep and dairy farming and grain-growing Copland .. .. 2 .. Sheep and dairy farming and grain-growing Culverden .. 57 .. Mixed farming and grazing Douglas .. .. 31 I Sheep-farming and grain-growing Drayton .. .. 19 .. Agricultural . . Eccloston.. .. 4 .. Sheep-farming and grain-growing Epworth .. .. .. 2 Dairy-farming and grain-growing Finlay Downs .. 5 .. Dairy-farming and grain-growing Four Peaks .. 8 . . Sheep-farming and grain-growing Fyvie .. . . 5 .. Mixed farming Glenmark .. 28 1 Mixed farming and grazing Hekeao .. .. 13 3 Mixed farming Highbank .. 77 3 Mixed farming Hillboro .. .. 3 .. Sheep -farming and grain-growing Hornby .. .. 21 .. Agricultural and gardening Horsley Down . . 19 8 Mixed farming .. . . Kaimahi .. . . 11 2 Workers' homes and gardening Kapua .. .. 12 .. Small farming and dairying Kapuatohe .. 13 1 Workers'homes and gardening .. Kereta .. .. 4 .. Dairying Kinloch .. .. 32 .. Dairy-farming and grazing Kohika .. .. 17 .. Mixed farming Kohika No. 2 .. 4 .. Mixed farming Kowhatu .. .. .. .. Mixed farming and grazing Ladbrook's .. 14 j .. Dairying and mixed farming Lansdown .. 10 1 Sheep-farming and grain-growing Lyndon .. .. 9 .. Mixed farming Lyndon No. 2 .. 9 .. Mixed farming and grazing Marawiti .. .. 13 .. Mixed farming and grazing Maytown.. .. II .. Sheep-farming and dairying Mead .. . . 22 .. Mixed farming and grazing Moadows .. '.. 14 .. Sheep-farming and grain-growing Mills .. .. 21 .. Small farming and dairying Morice .. .. 31 .. Dairy-farming and grass-seed growing Mount Nessing .. II .. Sheep-farming and grain-growing Orakipaoa .. 27 .. Dairy-farming,grain-growing, andgardening Otaio .. .. 9 . . Small farming and dairying Otarakaro .. 0 1 Market-gardening Papaka .. .. 9 .. Mixed farming Pareora .. .. j 28 .. Sheep-farming and dairying Pareora No. 2 .. ! 30 3 Sheep-farming and grain-growing Patoa .. .. 2 2 Grazing and small farming Pawaho .. . . 18 7 Market-gardening Peaks .. 10 2 Mixed farming Puhuka .. .. 9 1 Workers' homos Punaroa .. .. 17 .. Dairy-and sheep-farming and grain-growing Raincliff .. .. 1 .. Sheep-farming and grain-growing Rakitairi . . .. 22 .. Sheep-farming and grain-growing Rapuwai . . .. 5 .. Sheep -farming and grain-growing flautawiri ... fi .. Shoep-farming and grain-growing Roimata .. .. 23 fi Workers' homes Rosebrook .. 14 .. Small farming and dairying Rosewill .. .. 155 5 Sheep-farming and grain-growing Ruapuna No. 2 .. 15 .. Mixed farming Scargill .. .. 8 .. Mixed farming and grazing Sherwood Downs .. 26 .. Sheep-farming and grain-growing Stoke .. .. 7 . . Mixed farming Strathmore . . 3 .. Mixod farming Studholme Junction 4 .. Small farming and dairying Takitu .. .. 5 .. Shoep-farming Tamai .. .. 34 6 Workers' homes Tara .. .. ' 8 1 Shoep-farming and grain-growing Highly satisfactory. Highly satisfactory. Excellent. Good. Established and prosperous, Well established. Good. Fair. Fair. Fair. Fair. Well established. Fair. Excellent. Fair. Fair. Fair. Good. Good. Indifferent. Indifferent. Good. Now freehold. Very good. Good. Bad. Uncertain yet. Well established and prosperous. Well established and prosperous, Fair. Fair. Well established and prosperous, Satisfactory. Good. Satisfactory. Good. Satisfactory. Very good. Very good. Uncertain yet. Moderate. Good. Well established and prosperous, Well established and prosperous, Well established and prosperous, Good. Well established and prosperous. Fair. Good. Satisfactory. Very good. Well established. Good. Well established ; satisfactory. Very good. Good. Exeollent Satisfactory. Satisfactory. Satisfactory. Well established. Excellent. Well established. Good. Well established. Well established. Satisfactory. Good. Very good. Good. Moderate. Fair. Good. Fair. Good. Excellent. Satisfactory Very good.

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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, 1916— continued.

Name of Estate. h 0 tdt • holds'. PurposetorjMch Holdings are Kemarks as to Present Position. _ I I _ . L_ i i Canterbury —continued. Tarawahi .. 24 5 Workers' homes .. .. .. Satisfactory. Teschemaker ,. 11 .. Sheep-farming and grain-growing .. Very good. Timaunga .. 17 .. Mixed farming .. .. .. Fair. Timaunga Extension 7 .. Mixed farming .. .. .. Good. Tripp .. .. 25 .. Sheep-farming and grain-growing .. Fair. Valverde .. .. 11 .. Mixed farming .. .. .. Indifferent. Waiapi .. .. 13 2 Sheep-farming and grain-growing .. Fair. Waikakalii .. 193 1 Sheep-farming and grain-growing .. Excellent. Waimate .. .. 34 .. Sheep-farming, grain and fruit growing .. Good. Wharonui .. 25 I Workers' homes .. .. .. Well established. Winchester .. I 10 | .. Sheep-farming, grain-growing, and dairying, Fair. Homestead-sites .. 10 Totals .. 1,688 71 Otago — Airedale .. .. 12 .. Dairying and general farming .. .. Suffered through drought. Ardgowan .. 65 3 Dairying and general farming .. .. Suffered through drought. Aviemore .. 1 .. Grazing .. ;. .. Good. Barnego .. .. 24 .. Dairying and general farming .. .. Good. Bellamy .. .. 15 .. Grazing .. .. .. Fair. Clareview.. .. 5 .. Dairying and general farming .. .. Fair. Conical Hills .. 45 I Grazing and general fanning .. .. Fair. Duncan .. .. 6 1 Dairying .. .. .. .. Fair. Earnscleugh .. 14 .. Fruit-growing .. .. .. Very fair. Elderslie .. .. 37 .. General farming .. .. .. Suffered through drought. Elderslie No. 2 .. 16 .. Genera) farming .. .. .. Suffored through drought. Greontield .. 44 .. Dairying, fruit-growing, fee. .. .. | Good. Janefield .. .. 20 1 j General farming .. .. .. ! Good. Kauroo Hill .. 42 3 General farming .. Fair, but suffered throughdrought Kurow .. .. 13 I General farming and dairying .. .. ! Suffered through drought. Maerewhenua .. 76 .. General farming .. .. .. Suffored through drought. Makareao.. .. 88 .. General farming .. .. .. | Suffored through drought. Makareao Extension 3 I .. General farming . . .. .. Suffered through drought. Maraeweka .. 7 ' .. General farming .. ., .. Suffered through drought. Xlatakanui .. 3 j .. Gonoral and grazing .. .. .. Fair. Meadowbank .. 11 ,. General farming .. .. .. Good. Momona .. .. ' 12 2 i Dairying .. .. | Suffered through drought. Otanomomo .. 25 .. Dairying .. .. .. .. Good. Otekaike .. .. 64 1 General and mixed farming .. .. Suffered through drought. Plunkot .. .. j 18 1 General and mixod farming .. .. Suffered through drought. Pomahaka .. 27 1 j General and mixed farming .. .. Very fair. Puketapu.. .. : II .. Dairying .. .. .. .. Suffered through drought. Rugged Ridge 1 .. Grazing .. . . .. .. Good. Steward .. .. 49 2 General and mixed farming .. .. Fair,butsuffered throughdrought » Spottis Creek .. 1 ; • • Grazing .. .. .. Fair. St. Helens .. 3 | .. General farming .. .. .. Suffered through drought. Tahawai .. .. 8 .. Dairying .. .. . . .. Fair. Taumata .. .. 9 •• j Mixed farming .. .. .. Good. Te Aneraki .. 23 • • I Dairying . . .. .. .. Suffored through drought. Te Puko .. .. 4 .. ! General farming .. .. .. Suffered through drought. Tokarahi .. .. 79 •• i General and mixed farming .. .. Suffered through drought. Totara .. .. 26 ■• General and mixed farming .. .. Suffered through drought. Waitahuna No. 1 .. 2 1 General and mixod farming .. .. Fair. Waitahuna No. 2 .. 6 1 Genoral and mixed farming .. .. Poor. Windsor Park No. 1 37 1 General and mixod farming .. .. Suffered through drought. Windsor Park No. 2 10 General and mixed farming .. .. Suffered through drought. Totals .. 907 20 Southland — Ardlussa .. .. 4 .. Pastoral .. . . .. Poor. Beaumont 10 2 Agricultural and pastoral .. .. Fair. Edendalo.. .. 126 24 ; Agricultural, pastoral, and dairying .. i Excellent. Ermcdalc. .. 13 1 [ Pastoral and dairying .. .. .. Fair. Fortification Hill 0 .. Pastoral .. . . .. .. Good. Glenham .. .. 39 4 | Agricultural, pastoral, and dairying .. Good. Knowsloy Park .. 9 .. Pastoral .. .. .. .. Doubtful. Maori Hill .. 15 .. Dairying and pastoral .. .. .. Good. Merrivalo-. .. 46 8 Agricultural, pastoral, and dairying .. Very good. Otahu .. .. 7 .. Agricultural and pastoral .. .. Good. Ringway .. .. 6 2 Agricultural and pastoral .. .. Good. Waiarikiki .. 7 .. Pastoral .. .. .. .. Doubtful. Totals .. 288 41 Grand totals .. 5,505 580

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EXTRACTS FROM REPORTS OF COMMISSIONERS OF CROWN LANDS. AUCKLAND. (H. M. Skkbt, Commisßioner of Crown Lands.) Two new settlements have been acquired and placed on the market during the year—the Gorton Settlement, near Cambridge, of 1,024 acres, divided into ten sections from 54 to 120 acres; and the Clifford Settlement, near Tirau, on the Rotorua Railway-line, consisting of 1,068 acres, divided into eight sections from 31 to 312 acres. There was a good demand for both settlements, the whole being readily disposed of. Negotiations have been completed for the purchase of a further block of 1,400 acres near Cambridge, which is now being prepared for disposal, and for which a keen demand is anticipated. The Ranger's reports on the established settlements disclose generally a very satisfactory state of affairs, the settlers being in a prosperous condition, and their holdings well farmed and improved. In a few cases where the condition of the lands at the time of selection was such as to necessitate considerable labour and expenditure to bring the holdings into reproductive condition the holders have not yet surmounted their initial difficulties, which are being accentuated at the present time by the price of materials required for improvements; but these difficulties will disappear in time, and the settlements will ultimately become prosperous. The small settlements in the neighbourhood of Auckland are in good condition, and in many cases the freehold is being acquired with a view to further subdivision.

HAWKE'S BAY. (W. H. Skinner, Commissioner of Crown Lands.) In the northern or Poverty Bay portion of the district all the settlements art- well established and in a very prosperous condition. The area devoted to cropping and dairying is very limited. The price paid for butter-fat this season was a record for this district, and as practically all the settlers who confine themselves Xo dairying have a few acres of lucerne they reaped the full benefit of the high prices. A big majority of the land-for-settlement lessees in this district are engaged almost wholly in the production of wool and fat stock, and have had a very successful year. All the lessees are fully complying with the conditions of their leases. In the southern portion of the district there are now twenty-one settlements, of which two were opened for selection during the year—viz., Gwavas, with twelve settlers holding an area of 5,987 acres, and Otamauri. with fifteen settlers holding an area of 6,887 acres. On the former eight selectors are already residing, and 246 acres have been ploughed and are in crop. Improvements are proceeding apace, and the prospects for this new settlement tire very promising. Otamauri, which adjoins Sherenden and Waihau, was only disposed of in March, 1916. The settlers in this part of the district engaged in pastoral and dairy farming, and these comprise by far the largest proportion, have all profited by the high prices ruling for their products, and may be said to have had a highly successful season. On several of the smaller settlements near Hastings the lessees for the most part are engaged in fruit-farming and agricultural pursuits, and these also have had a fairly successful year. It may be said that all the settlements tire in a, prosperous condition, and that with regard to the residence and improvement conditions of the leases a highly satisfactory state of affairs exists. A considerable number of the lessees have availed themselves of the right to acquire the freehold during the year.

TARANAKI. (G. H. Bullard, Commissioner of Crown Lands.) No new estates have been placed on the market during the year, and there are still five settlements on the books, representing 5,269 acres. All these settlements are well past the initial stages, and are now in a very satisfactory position. Favoured with good seasons, the past year has seen distinct progress and good returns, on the whole, from the land in occupation. Nine holders under this heading acquired the fee-simple during the year, either for cash outright or by way of deferred payments.

WELLINGTON. (G. H. M. McCltjre, Commissioner of Crown Lands.) The only new settlement purchased and offered during the year was the Bartholomew, at Levin, which was opened in June, and comprised six allotments, a total area of 97 acres 3 roods 30 perches. All the sections were selected. Good progress has been made in the Heatherlea, Poroporo, and Falloon Settlements, acquired during the last three years, though road access has yet to be completed to some of the Poroporo sections. The balance of the Tablelands Hikawera, Longbush, and Mahupuku—.'i,.">4B acres, will be dealt with undei the Discharged Soldiers Settlement Act, 1915, also 167 acres in Hall-Jones and Waddington.

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4 NELSON. (F. A. Thompson, Commissioner of Crown Lauds.) Iti this district there are three estates which have been opened under the Land for Settlements Act —namely, the Wangapeka, Braeburn, and Lake Settlements. In the Wangapeka and Braeburn Settlements some of the tenants engage in pastoral pursuits, but where cropping lias been undertaken good results have been obtained, and in both these settlements the dairying industry is in a very flourishing condition. The lessees have nearly all complied with requirements, and have erected up-to-date buildings, fencing, tfec. These settlements are now well established, and the settlers look forward to the future with satisfaction. In the Lake Settlement only one section is occupied, and the holder of it is on active service. In these circumstances the settlement is at present making no progress.

MARLBOROUGH. (H. G. Price, Commissioner of Crown Lands.) There are thirteen settlements in this district, containing 213,114 acres, held by 457 lessees, but, with the exception of Hillersden, Lynton Downs, and Wither, they are all old-established ones. The drought that has been experienced during the last two years has been a serious handicap to the more recently acquired estates, and also, but in a lesser degree, to the other settlements, more especially those in the southern part of the district; but in spite of the drought most of the settlers, with the exception of those on Lynton Downs, have had a fairly good year owing to the higher prices obtained for wool and produce. The Rainford Settlement, near Kaikoura, is about the only one where dairying is carried on; the others are more suitable for agricultural and pastoral farming. The crops, especially those in the northern portion of the district, have been better than in the preceding year, and lucerne-grow-ing is extending, the settlers recognizing that this is one of the most useful and profitable crops they can grow. Generally speaking, the settlers are satisfied, and with the return of normal weather-conditions their prospects will improve.

WESTLAND. (W. F. Marsh, Commissioner of Crown Lands.) The whole of the settlers ou both of the settlements (i.e., Kokatahi and Poerua) are well satisfied with their holdings, and none of the properties have changed hands during the year. Progress in these settlements has been very marked, and large goodwills are now offering"; but these fail to tempt the lessees to part with their homes. Both of the settlements tire occupied as '"dairy farms.

CANTERBURY. (C. R. Pollen, Commissioner of Crown Lands.) North Canterbury . Out of thirty-seven settlements in North Canterbury, twelve have become thoroughly and prosperously established, the tenants' interests exceeding those of the Crown. Twelve more are nearly so, seven have fair prospects, but the balance are not in too satisfactory a position. The season has not been good for cereal crops, wheat and oats in some cases being frosted, and the dry winter and spring prevented the usual growth of both the crops and grass. Farmers had to stock lightly, but luckily the high values obtaining for wool, mutton, cheese, butter, and oaten chaff made up partly for the deficiency in quantity. Wheat did not prove a paying crop generally. The rains in the autumn and the mild winter gave a good start to the root and rape crops, but the diamond moth appeared and ravaged a considerable area. The pastures have now freshened up and promise a good growth of grass for the coming winter. South Canterbury. Last year the settlers in Soutli Canterbury experienced a most trying season, and only the exceptional price of sheep and cereals, the result of the war, saved them from serious financial trouble. I have now to report- that this season has been even worse than the past one. The price of stock has been maintained, but the prices of cereals hardly pays for the labour involved in production. Fortunately the older settlements, on account of their prosperity, can stand the present strain, but the new settlements are suffering considerably.

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OTAGO. (Robert T. Sadd, Commissioner of Crown Lands.) The only new settlement opened during the year was Maraeweka. adjoining Kauroo Hills, about six miles from Maheno Railway-station; area, 1,791 acres, in seven holdings. This was readily selected at the ballot, and the prospects of the settlers tire good. The older-established settlements are somewhat improved as compared with last year; better crops have been obtained, and the high pi ice of wool, stock, and all produce- has added to the settlers' prosperity. Ihe settlers on Elderslie No. 2 till applied for a revaluation of their sections under the provisions of the Act of last session, and an inspection was made by the Revaluation Committee accordingly. Each section was visited and every settler gave evidence, and it was agreed by the Committee that it was absolutely necessary to make a substantial reduction.

SOUTHLAND. (H. D. M. Haszard, Commissioner of Crown Lands.) There are twelve settlements in this district, the total area under lease being 71,366 acres, held by 288 lessees, paying an annual rental of .£15,502. Under the legislation of 1912 and following years the lessees of settlement land acquired the right to purchase the freehold, and since that time thirty-three lessees have converted their holdings. The area thus acquired totals 6,966 acres, for which .£19,084 was received. Xo new settlements were acquired during the year, but the remaining section in Maori Hill Settlement and one section in Ardlussa Settlement were selected. The two remaining sections in Ardlussa Settlement have been readvertised, and will in all probability be selected. The Edendale Settlement is still the most prosperous, and is the best advertisement for land for settlements in Southland. All the settlements, with a few exceptions, are sound and progressive. Owing to the past season having been a good one for grain, grass, and turnips, the prospects are good, but it must be observed that in this connection a great deal depends on the war, as at present labour is very scarce and material for improvements has risen considerably.

APPENDIX lII.—LAND-DRAINAGE OPERATIONS. (J. B. Thompson, Chief Drainage Engineer.)

During the past year the Land Drainage llranch has been actively engaged in attending to matters pertaining to land-drainage and river-protective works generally. The passing of the Swamp Drainage Act, 1915, will tend still further to increase the scope of this branch. Special inspections and reports were made in connection with the following : Rewi Settlement, Ruakura Farm drainage, Kumeti drainage, Ody's Swamp drainage, Eureka-Motumahao Swamp, Rukuhia Farm, Moutoa Estate, Waitaki River erosion, Steward Settlement, Waddington Settlement, Paranui Drainage District, Seaward Moss, Tokatoka Swamp, and also on other minor schemes. Work done by local bodies ovit of Government grants and subsidies was inspected, plans and specifications for such works Iteing examined for approval or otherwise. Vouchers in this connection, totalling £3,099 ss. Id., were prepared and certified to for payment lo the local bodies through the Treasury. Hereunder is a short report on works that have been carried out in connection with various grants, &c. : — Hauraki Plains: Orchard East, Road Extension. —This work connects the Orchard Road with the Turua-Netherton Road, and is the direct outlet for the Piako River Bridge at Ngatea (Orchard). A contract has been let by the Thames County Council for the erection of this bridge. The road was cleared for a distance of 1 mile 40 chains, and the road formed for 1 mile. The expenditure was £453. Hauraki Plains; Waikaka Tramway Road. —The ballasting of tin- tram-line was continued and the whole line raised for a distance of 1 mile 70 chains. Expenditure during year was £471. Hauraki Plains, Metalling Roads in. —The work done under this heading has been given in detail in the Hauraki Plains report. Shortly, some 8 miles 40 chains were metalled during the year, spread over the following roads : Kerepehi-Netherton, Kerepehi-Kopuarahi, Orchard West, Pipiroa-Orchard, Orchard East, Pipiroa-Waitakaruru, and Ngartia. The cost of work done during the year amounted to £5,006. Hauraki Plains: Maintenance existing Drains, &c. —This vote is for maintaining drainageworks on settled portions of Hauraki Plains until such times as the rating clauses of the Act are enforced. The expenditure during the year was £1,628.

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Hukerunui Swamp Drainage. —Contracts for 2 miles of drain were completed at an expenditure of £141. Ngarua Road and Canal.—Some 55 chains of this canal was dredged, which necessitated the removal of 58,649 cubic yards of spoil, 'this will eventually be the main road between the Piako River and Crown settlers on western portion of Hauraki Plains. The cost of the w-ork w-as £618. Rangitaiki Drainage District: General Road-construction. —The work done is dealt with under the separate report on Rangitaiki drainage operations. Some 9 miles 27 chains of roadformation was done out of special grants. Expenditure during the year was £2,286. Kaitaia Drainage Area. —The work done during the year comprised the compiling of all necessary data, and the following engineering surveys have been done to date: Traverses, 20 miles 6 chains; levels, 45 miles 78 chains; check levels, 5 miles; cross-sections, 22 miles 20 chains; soundings, 11 miles. The plans of all the above were practically completed, but the weather considerably retarded field-work generally. The expenditure during the year was £140 2s. 9d. Poukawa, Drainage Area. —This is one of the drainage areas to be proceeded with under the provisions of the Swamp Drainage Act, 1915, and comprises an area running alongside the Napier-Poukawa Railway-line in the vicinity of Te Ante. The area to be included in the drainage district has been sent forward for gazetting, and early in March the engineering survey was taken in hand. To the end of that month 5 miles of traverse and levels were completed, and soundings taken over 6 miles of lake. Plans were also commenced and a fair amount of plotting done. The construction-work will proceed at an early date. Opouriao Protective Works. —lhe chief work has been repairs and maintenance of existing works. New work completed during the year was the erection of 920 ft. of groynes, 75 ft. of wire-netted stone groyne, 7 chains of wire-fence groyne, and cutting off bend at Section 6, Block XII, Whakatane. Maintenance of works such as these will continue to be heavy until the banks of the river are lined by well-established willows. Two exceptionally heavy floods occurred during the year. Though considerable damage was done to boom groynes, the work as a whole demonstrated its utility, and no land of any appreciable extent was eroded. We can expect to lose groynes, as it. is inadvisable to build a groyne to stand up against the heavy drift timber and masses of debris that come down during floods and jam on the groyne. If the groyne did not break then the accumulated mass would hold and probably force the river into a dangerous position. Each year will tend to lessen the danger, as the improvements define the channel and protect same by willows. Establishing willows is a slow process, as a scour is liable to occur until the trees are a fair size and the roots well established. Labour in this locality has been very scarce. The expenditure during the year was £648. Waimana River Protective Works. —During the year 1,298 ft. of timber groyne have been erected, and a channel scooped to straighten the river tit Low's Bluff. Maintenance of existing works has also received attention. The work done has benefited settlers considerably, and no land has been washed away excepting a piece at Savage's section. The remedy for this erosion is a cut through Woolfield's, and work has been delayed through non-agreement as to the price of land to be taken. However, the matter is now practically settled, and the work will proceed. Expenditure during the year amounted to £541 19s. lOd. Waihi Swamp (Maketu) Drainage. —The field-work in this connection has been completed, and the Priestman dredger ordered last year was successfully finished in October. The pontoon for carrying the dredge was built by our own men on the ground. Actual dredging operations were commenced on Kaikokopu Stream. At the outset an exceptional amount of log timber was met, the logs being piled on top of each other in an irregular mass. Fortunately this timber ran out quickly, and little trouble in this connection is expected farther on. A distance of 57 chains has been completed, necessitating the dredging of 56,330 cubic yards of spoil. Already the settlers up-stream have received benefit from the work done. The expenditure on works during the year was £2,846 lis. 10d., but this does not include the cost of imported machinery. In future this area will be dealt with under the Swamp Drainage Act, 1915. Monavale Swamp, Cambridge. —The plans for this scheme were completed, and all information furnished in a report to you for use of the interested settlers. Otway Settlement. —The work done on this block consisted of forming 2 miles of road and cleaning 160 chains of drains, for an expenditure of £251 15s. 3d. Waipori Lake and River Engineering Survey. —Details of this work are as follows : Traverse and levelling, 19 miles 23 chains; compass traverse, 6 miles 71 chains; cross-sections numbering 155 taken over 13 miles 2 chains. The plans have been plotted, but are not quite complete. Lees Valley Drainage Scheme. —Engineering surveys were undertaken, and to date the following work has been done: Traverse and levelling, 5 miles 45 chains; traverse and levelling main drains, 12 miles 52 chains. It has been found impossible to procure the necessary labour to proceed with construction-work. 'Taieri River Engineering Survey. —This field-work has been completed from Ferry Bridge to Outram, some 19 miles 44 chains of traverse and levels and cross-sections having been completed and mapped. Dam-contours have not yet been obtained owing to no substitute being available to fill the place of an officer engaged on the work who joined the Expeditionary Forces. The following large schemes were carried out by this branch, and of course comprises the major proportion of the works : (1) Hauraki Plains drainage-works, (2) Rangitaiki drainageworks. These works are treated in separate reports, to comply with the respective Acts governing each.

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The schedule hereunder shows the principal works carried out in various localities during the past year. There are, however, many works of a minor nature that it is impossible to summarize :— M. ch. Double drain and road formation ... ... ... 9 50 New drain and road formation ... ... ... ... ... o 2 Deepening and widening road-drains ... ... ... ... 24 0 Clearing and grubbing roads ... ... ... ... ... 4 30 Cleaning road-drains ... ... ... ... ... ... 74 46 Outlets ... ... ... ... ... ... ... i 6 76 Deepening and widening outlets ... ... ... ... ... 73 27 Cleaning outlets ... ... ... ... 78 4 Deepening stop-bank drain ... ... ... ... ... 6 70 Cleaning stop-bank drain ... ... ... ... 20 69 Strengthening stop-bank ... ... ... ... ...- 2 50 Weeding creeks ... ... ... ... ... 2 20 Forming roads... ... ... ... ... ... ... 20 13 Shelling roads ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 073 Sanding road ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 1 20 Widening roads ... ... ... ... ... ... 1 40 Metalling roads ... ... ... ... ... ' ... 8 40 Diskingroads ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 16 0 Spoil dredged ... ... ... ... ... 427,155 cubic yards. Artesian wells sunk ... ... ... ... 19 (number). Flood-gates built ... ... ... ... 2 Culverts built ... ... ... ... ... 11 ); Bridges built ... ... ... ... ... 7 ~ Boom groynes erected ... ... ... ... 2,293 lineal feet. Tram-sleepers laid ... ... ... ... 1,790 (number). Fascines laid ... ... ... ... ... 2,367 bundles. Shell for roads ... ... ... ... 1,870 cubic yards. Gravel for roads ... ... ... ... 12,637 ~ Office. —The total expenditure certified for payment during the year was £50,807 3s. 9d., vouchers for this amount being prepared at the Thames office. Of the above amount direct Treasury payments amounted to £15,459 15s. 6d., payments through Thames and Whakatane imprest accounts £34,913 19s. 2d., and payments through Post Office £433 9s. Id. Some 180 piecework contracts were in operation. Inward correspondence amounted to 1,780 and outward 2,000, and some 1,395 vouchers were prepared and passed through the books. A considerable number of engineering, road, survey, and other plans were made and tracings for photo-litho. purposes prepared. The expenditure quoted represents the amounts actually expended on the various works, but will not necessarily agree with the figures shown in tables as submitted to Parliament, as portion of the expenditure would not be brought to charge at end of year.

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Table 1. — Return showing (approximately) Position of Lands in the Dominion at 31st March, 1916.

District. Total Area sold and held on Freehold. 8om or, and held on or ' Freehold. Total Area granted Total Area under Acts without of Crown Lands Money Payment leased Total Area or reserved for Public under all Tenures open Purposes from (exclusive of j for Selection. Foundation of Reserves leased j Dominion. by Crown). reserved for Publii Purposes from ic ui nder all Tenures (exclusive of >s fc open or Selection. Total Area of Native Land. of Native Land. Estimated Area and f Wmth?ess Estimated Area *?°' a iA™ a „ r 1 ?|_*'^i ng .„_ Country occupied for Future Disposal, Total Area not already by BoadsTBivers, eXclU Bh l ™ °^ an(1 r __. B,,. included under Lakes, See. p„„±7el m „« *" District, any of the other Preceding Columns. Headings. r iccuuai. Foundation of Dominion. I Reserves leased by Crown). I I Auckland Hawke's Bay .. Taranaki Wellington Nelson Marlborough Westland Acres. 2,480,509 2,445,642 518,522 3,273,118 596,844 779,137 141,442 Acres. 3,579,016 436,307 714,107 896,525 315,955 222,204 308,568 Acres. 1,850,053 981,334 596,757 820,095 848,115 1,487,072 1,751,581 Acres. 225,971 10,256 12,898 1,320 69,947 12,895 466,329 Acres. 3,520,638 1,318,297 311,946 1,617,509 30,743 Ill I Acres. Acres. Acres. Acres. 660,173 1,209,180 13,525,540 150,160 166,904 5,508,900 67,163 183,107 2,404,500 36,500 195,240 210,693 7,051,000 , 1,573,000 60,000 1,220,396 4,715,000 131,447 100,315 34,930 2,768,000 750,000 154,189 291,769 3,863,878 Canterbury 3,621,323 1,352,043 3,833,507 191 207,140 445,283 18,558 9.478,045* Otago Southland 1,975,564 1,600,020 610,051 3,558,204 5,536,505 1,718,101 3,408 21,692 I 573,600 263,305 132,567 9,095,000* 626,479 140,544 217,329 7.882,369 ' i Totals 17,432,121 17.432,121 11,992,980 19,423,120 824,907 6,799,133 11,992,980 19,423,120 824,907 6,799,133 3,898,166 2,236,372 3,685,433 66,292,232 i I * Alteration made in land district boundaries during year.

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Table 2.— Lands opened for Sale and Selection during the Year ended 31st March, 1916.

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System. Sale a Cj Dkfeii .T AOCTl VSH OR I iked Pa [OH FOE ON SfMENT. Optional Syptem. Honevvable Lease. Small Grazingruns. Pastoral Huns. *£■« ■ audi" o.2 to o Io a'3 d G u 3 5 _ to hr O CO $ Ias w X a S « • .2 a« to o fl fl to 9 Si I 2* Totals. Town. Suburban. Rural. Ordinary Crown Lands — Auckland Hawke's Bay Taranaki Wellington Nelson Marlborough Westland Canterbury Otago Southland Acres. 84 4 3 24 2 **7 Acres. 15 174 Acres. 335 163 93 Acres. 21,323 9,(559 21,184 7,592 2,246 6,517 Acres. 632 ' 23| 13,674 Acres. Acres. 5*300 14*000 37,570 Acres. 3,286 Acres. 16,958 110 62 141 2,192 1,007 2,948, 954i 51 Acres. 42,633 15,073 21,586 7,780 15,922 22,802 39,311 2,993 43,277 4,724 4 730 *28 134 45 2 798 426 3,787 41,860 Totals 124 124 351 1,436 72,734 14,333 98,730 4,0161 24,377 216,101 Land for Settlements — Auckland Hawke's Bay Taranaki Wellington Nelson Marlborough Westland Canterbury Otago Southland 1 3 I 1 3 56 18 2,570 13,419 i 14 28,i96 14 2,58(1 13,419 173 28,210 .. I 14,767 5,475 10,921 2,449 io3 14,768 8,087 10,92] Totals 5 5 71 75,462 2,449 177 78,167 f National-endowment Lands — Auckland Hawke's Bay Taranaki Wellington Nelson Marlborough Westland Canterbury Otago Southland 5,763 1 5,541 3,953 34,535 10,000 5,763 I 5,541 3,953 44,685 2,462 1,730 11,446 15,638 295 10 221'480 59,181 280,956 10 Totals 52,560 221,480i 70,911 11,4461 350,397 Thermal springs districts leases .. 17 17 Education endowments •2,631 Grand totals 129 129 351 1,510 72,734 |142,355 221,480 172,0901 15,462 24,571 653,313 Other endowments 796 94,793 380 95,969 * The following shows the Land E Taranaki, 55 acres; Wellington, 380 i Southland, 1.510 acres. With the exce; (Otago) ottered for cash sale, these lani listricts itcres; > ption of Is were i in whic lelson, i 274 ac: Dffered 1 :h these 60 acres res (Cai for sele< lands wer. ; Marlbon iterbury) o jtion undei e situati ough, 1 iffered fi r the Pu id: Auckli acre; Cai ir lease b >lic Bodiei and, 10-3 aci nterbury, E ly auction i B' Leases A, ■es; Ha\ 174 acrei imd app] Bt, 1908. pke's Bi i; Otan licatiori ay, 102 acres ; ;o, 141 acres ; i, and 5 acres

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Table 3. — Return of Lands selected during the Year ended 31st March, 1916.

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Table 3. —Iveturn of Lands select 'ED D ring the Year ended 31st March, 1911: ST 1\ ARCH, Average Holdings of Selectors. 1» !| 11 o s Ten art;. Number of Selectors. °*S °tfS °s1 °« °e< °£l &£ U)-" 0 aj-So , CD*SQ 0> 3 J- £ ! •§i: lis 111 I.SS P§ £UE g*f |3s £«S |*S |* S gig I a 8 I J X! CS Ordinary Crown LandsCash, lands Deferred payment Occupation with right of purchase Renewable lease Mining districts land occupation leases Small grazing-runs Pastoral licenses in mining districts under special regulations Pastoral runs Miscellaneous leases and licenses 301 1 205 29 43 1 ■ 98 172 24 6 1 j '.'. 72 I 100 53 29 5 5 7 !) i 4 3 (i .. 38 5 98 Acres. 7,053i 50 59,234 5,830 977 3,009 7 I 05 12 580 7 25 18 16 .. 2 22,840 133,437 •226,038 .• 12 13 57 330 125 20 11 31 )22 57 i2 31 Totals 1,303 162 035 289 100 02 I!) 457,534| 'Jheviot Estate — Cash lands Miscellaneous leases 1 8 1 i 6,233 2 ! "3 3 Totals 9 1 2 3 3 6.288J Land for Settlements — Cash lands Deferred payment (Land Laws Amendment Acts, 1913, &o.) .. Renewable lease Pastoral runs Miscellaneous leases and licenses 16 10 156 32 8 4 5 1 12 4 34 'io 58 -> 7 I 28 29 3 1 0 38 430 08,959 2,483 2,198 3 2 Totals 219 ! 69 67 31 38 74,114 13 6 tfulional-endowment Lands —■ Renewable lease Pastoral licenses in mining districts under special regulations Small grazing-runs .. Pastoral rims Miscellaneous leases and licenses 174 I 49 11 7 42 8 I 32 44 5 23 47 10 29 4 14 1 11 7 2 64,738 14,201 147,445 98,015 30,885 "l 'i5 13 9 j 2 Totals 283 9 52 80 72 | 36 35 301,884 thermal springs districts leases 8 6 2 I 16 Educational-endowment Lands — Primary Secondary Cash sale 93 . 10 1 34 5 35 5 1 15 3 4 2 14.941 90 5 Totals 104 39 41 15 15,042 Grand totals 1,920 230 801 454 212 134 96 914,824 Other endowment lands 28 4 18 3 2 5,718 I

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Table 4. —Comparative Statement of Selectors and Lands selected under Settlement Conditions for the Ten Years ended 31st March, 1916.

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:l< I'll ! I I Mining Districts n .-v, Deferred Lease in _,_.„.,,,.. , „„ Occupation with Agricultural Laud Small cash. Payment. Perpetuity. Kenewaoie Lease, night of Purchase. Lease. Occupation OraziDg-runs. Year ending Leases. 3l8t March, Pastoral Licenses Kegulations. Totals. I I l__ ! L_ ___ ! No. Area. No. Area. | No. Area. No. Area. No. Area. No. Area. No. Area. No. Area I No. Area. No. Area. No. Area. I I I Acre-. Acres. Acres. Acres. Acres. Acres. Acres. Acres. 1907 .. 462 20.377 .. .. 654 156,517 .. .. 451 220.061 .. .. 26 j 1.044 51 114,854 I I Acres. Acres. 51 114.854 I i Acres. Acres. I •.. .. 79 14.391 1 Acres, j 79 14.391 1,723 i 1,72 Ac i 3 527,; Ac es. 527,244 1908 .. 407 28,522 .. .. 499 100.669 183 70,643 360 188,212 3 84 73 3,047 64 226,757 64 226,757 ' .. .. 57 7.876 I 57 7,876 1,646 1,64 6 ; 625,* 625,810 -„..-_. _-_..-.-.--. -_-__-_„ 1909 .. 382 142,194 .. I .. 193 106,184 860. 219,172 382 123,116 .. .. 36 1,490 10: 28,989 10 28,989 .. .. I .. .. 83 14.743 1 83 14,743 1,946 1,94 8 535. i 535,888 1910 .. 381 8,886 .. .. 4 1,011 694 184,904 528 141,757 .. .. 60 2,068 45 ! 298,494 45 I 298,494 t .. .. 71 11,946 1 71 11,946 1,783 1,78 3 649,( 649,066 1911 ... 274 j 9,547 .. .. 15 1,877 612 124,268 498 136,007 .. .. 73 2,687 22 128,764 22 j 128,764 : .. .. 106 27,421 1 106 ! 27,421 1,600 1,60 9 430,; 430.571 1912 .. 409 I 6,096 .. .. .. .. 628 187,082 388 132.869 .. .. 55 1.426 23 144,617 23 144,617 18 5,061 18 5.(161 192 53.114 1 192 53.114 1,713 1,71 3 530. S 530.265 ! ; 1913 .. 352 4,625 .. .. .. .. 585 207,606 362 104,935 .. .. 36 773 10 37,749 1914 .. 312 5,948 .. .. .. .. 539 213,402 489 117,366 .. .. 61 2,398 4 14,691 1915 .. 288 5.742 18 27 .. .. 325 88,400 428 110,729 .. .. 29 1,285 6 14,803 1916 .. 319 7,097 11 486 .. .. 359 139,533 265 59,234 .. .. 43 977 12 150,514 10 37,749 142 6,847 4 14,691 59 3,340 6 14,803 102 20,948 12 | 150,514 103 15,037 1 I 142 6,847 121 28,606 1 59 | 3,340 145 28,037 I 1 I 102 J20.948 114 36.951 I 1 : 103 15,037 114 37,041 1 1 121 28,606 1,608 145 28,037 | 1,609 114 36.951 j 1,310 114 37,041 1,226 1,60 1,60 1,311 1,22' 8 391.1 9 385,1 ) 278, i 5 409. 1 391.141 385,182 278,885 409.919

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Table 5. —Lands sold for Cash during the Year ended 31st March, 1916.

Table 6.— Return of Deferred-payment Lands, under the Land Acts, 1877 and 1885, at 31st March, 1916.

Town. Suburban. Rural. Totals. *| Area. ! ll *l ! Area. „| |_ Area. *£ %£ Area. P 51 11 ■ 51 li 5g , 11 fig 1 h u «£_J h u j ag | g £ | gg Ordinary Grown. Lands — Acres. £ Aores.: £ Aores. £ Acres. Auckland .. .. 14 5 446: 10 26 641 60 1,774 4,409 84 1,805 Hawke's Bav .. .. 5 3 105 5 243 320 10 246 Taranaki .. . .. 4! 1 71 25 135 1.(180 12 214 12,180 41 350 Wellington .. .. 23 16 1,089 11 836 2,33:1 31 852 Nelson .. .. .. 1 1 20 7 624 | 412 8 625 Marlborough .. .. I 1 3 4 28 245 0 1,236 2,225 II 1,265 Westland ' .. 1 31 62 1 31 Canterbury .. 1 _ 3 I I 281 934 12 281J Otago .. .. .. 9 5 122 (i 18 158 15 456 867 30 479 Southland .. 57 102 1,473 13 1,017 985 70 1,119 i Totals .. .. 57 32 1,856 103 309_ 3,600 141 6.712 14,727 301 7,058} " 8 . SI it £ 5,496 425 3,331 3.422 432 2,473 62 937 1,147 2,458 ; 20,183 Cheviot Estate — Canterbury .. .... .. .. .. .. .. 1 J 10 1 1 10 liand for Settlements — Auckland .. .. I 1 51 6 24 158 7 25 Wellington . . 1 I 20 I 1 Marlborough .. .. 2 2 20 1 5 28 3 7 Canterbury .. .. .. .. .. .. fi 5 117 5 5 Totals .. .. 3 3 71 13 35 323 16 38 Educational Endowment (Primary) — Otago .. .. 1 5 26 1 5 Grand totals .. .. 60 35 1.927 1(13 309.13,600 156 6,752_ 15,086 319 7,097 : — ' 2(19 20 48 117 394 26 20,613 Other Endowment Lands —■ Wellington .. .. 2 2 88 I 2 2 S8

District. Auckland Hawke's Bay Taranaki Wellington Nelson Marlborough Westland.. Canterbury Otago Southland Net Area held on 81st March, 1016, including Capitalized Holdings. Yearly InNumber j stalments of Area. and Selectors. Interest payable. Acres. £ '.'. *7 132 17 4 700 16 'S 5 .£ <DSO_ to J3 _ X I- bt»T_l „ ■» a fl.a fl C <o o * = lH 5 £ Freehold during t] Number of Purchasers i ucuuired Made •''roeliolil from Selecl hi, v..o,. Commencement of System Arrear no nai. to 31st March, 1916. Marcl S_ A - £ircC,£ *- If P Acres. Acres. 333 46,003 972 91,324 1,424 159,479 1,579 219,491 1,592 150,467 55 4,682 100 . 4,572 643 30,278 1,237 193,155 1,586 196,916 tors in on 31st i, 191(i. 4* a o J £ 16 13 Totals II 832 33 29 9,521 I,096,367 I NO! :.— This tal ile Includes vlUage-setl element am I spocial-aottlement Iandii.

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Table 7. —Return of Deferred-payment Lands held under the Land Laws Amendment Acts, 1912 and 1913, at 31st March, 1916.

32

Selections ____ the ._•_ Conversions from other Net Area held on 31 selections nuring cne Yeai. Tenures during the Year. 1916. Convei Tenure; ■sions from other Net Area held on 31 1 during the Year. 1916. 1st March, District. ... .".... I Number Annual Number ! Annual Number , of Area. Instal- of Area. lustal- of Area. Selectors. ment. Selectors. ment. Selectors. Annual Instalment. Ordinary Crown Lands Auckland Hawke's Bay Taranaki Wellington Nelson Marlborough Westland Canterbury Otago Southland Tut a Is Acres. £ Acres. £ Acres. .. I I 50 6 II 10,833 377 86 25,476 6 7,678 4 1,262 66 12 2,830 30 12,070 1.31 I 81 22,380 6 2,379 53 19 5,816 9 2 ,497 3 74 17 6 186 .. .. .. .. 4 40 17 4 275 .. .. .. .. 7 763 38 33 2,924 I 50 6 95 27,421 1,878 256 70,062 £ 733 461 240 2,513 131 62 15 27 192 4,374 . i __i Land for Settlements Auckland Hawke's Bay Taranaki Wellington Nelson Marlborough Westland Canterbury Otago Southland Totals Grand totals 8 118 96 34 7,133 78(1 162 15,631 11 5,631 1.934 34 1(1,838 6 38 82 , 20 623 I 18 33 7 2,941 965 15 3.372 2 1,816 5 7.233 1.384 8 11,510 '.'. 9 191 201 28 2*400 .... .. .. I 9 8 7 2,875 3 586 125 5 136 .__ , I 10 436 129 79 24,062 5,479 282 49,561 II 486 135 174 51,483 7,357 538 1119,623 . " i 2,558 3.914 683 1,116 187 i 2,276 975 561 101 12,370 10,744 District. Freehold Hi-iuiired Ma,ll! h '"chold from Commence- Selectors n Amount ' ,V„h,,,, I,_ I,, „ '"e nt of System to 31st March, on Mat IV receivod curing the Year. ](u6 m6 during the Year -.„,„, ended Total vi.t Number Number Amount Number 1*1 B of Area - of Are »- I realized, of Purchasers. Purchasers. exclusive Selectors. c\t Tnlei-ARt. Freehold acquired during the Year. Made Freel ment of S hold from Commencelystein to 31st March, 1916. Selectors on 31st 19 In Arrear Marc) i, L8. Number of Area. Purchasers. Number of Purchasers. Total Amount Area. I realized, exclusive of Interest. Number I of Selectors. < ! Amount. [of Interest. I I Ordinary Crown Lands — Auckland Hawke's Bay Taranaki Wellington Nolson Marlborough Westland Canterbury Otago Southland £ ! Acres. Acres. £ 2,559 7 2,418 13 3,642 3,611 7,422 3 3,680 ! 5 1.279 6,935 1,048 3 632 4 797 ! 960 .. 10,702 10 3,130 14 4,337 8,053 194 I 76 5 2,514 ! 1,019 5 .'* 101 .'. '.'. '.'. '.'. '.'. '.'. ..216 I 2 1 2 125 811 4 549 4 549 738 696 2 41 12 533 720 ' Acres. 7 2,418 3 3,680 3 632 10 3,130 I 76 13 5 4 14 5 Acres. £ 3,642 3,611 1.279 6,935 797 ! 960 4,337 8,053 2.514 ! 1.019 £ 5 125 ' I "2 4 549 2 41 1 4 12 2 125 549 738 533 720 Totals .. 23,749 31 i 10,528 58 16,653 122,161 8 ' I I. 31 10,528 68 16,653 ! 22,161 5 125 Land for Settlements —. Auckland Hawke's Bay Taranaki .. Wellington Nolson Marlborough Westland Canterbury Otago Southland.. .. 12,870 26 4,794 64 6,174 14,588 6 .. 17,139 4 1,255 6 1,311 9,679 2,894 2 175 2 175 3,209 1,629 1 I 2 131 1,794 311 4,180 2,622 3 6 8 6 359 '.'. 1,780 .. .. 1,378 3 341 3 341 2,049 12,870 17,139 2,894 1,629 311 4,180 26 4,794 4 1,255 2 175 1 I CI 6 2 2 6,174 j 14,588 1,311 9,679 175 3,209 131 1,794 6 55 . 2,622 1,780 I ,378 3 (i 3 341 3 3 6 359 341 2,049 Totals .. 44.8(13 39 : 6,572 80 8.138 31,678 6 44,803 39 6,572 55 80 8,188 31,678 8 Grand totals 68,552 70 17,100 138 24,791 53,839 11 68,552 70 17,100 138 24,791 53,839 I I 180 j

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Table 8. —Return of Perpetual-lease Lands at 31st March, 1916.

Table 9. —Return of Occupation-with-right-of-purchase Lands at 31st March, 1916.

s—o. 1.

33

_, _£___«_ Forfeitures Kxpir HS&Z! "uring the Year. during the DUtrict. •« . ~ — _i"~ — _T~ °8 ' °S S 11 Area. A"""'! 1 -M Area. Annual || fl o> Rental, fl o Rental, g « Forfeitu: ring the res Year. dui Expirii •ing the is Fre Year. di iehoids aci uring the ' quired Year. Annual _ 1 Rental, go Area. Amouu t roalized Area. Area. Acres. £ j Acres. £ Acres Auckland I .. .. .. 6 274 13 I Hawke's Bay .. .. .. ,. .. Taranaki .. .. .. ...... Wellington .. .. .. 1 18 2 Nelson .. .. .. .. ..' | .. Marlborough .. .. .... Westland .. .. .... Canterbury .. .. .. 3 74 10 Otago .. .. .. .. 4 40 12 Southland .. .. .. 1 31 2 .. .. .... Acres. Acres. £ Acres. 2,242 816 £ 1,076 510 15 1 3 13 119 *2 126 94 7 I!) 3 151 2 ,276 82 893 2,037 107 Totals .. .. .. 15 ! 432 39 ■ .. to ■" Area held on 31st March, 31st March, 1916. l * 10. District. i7_ j _.. iT" o 2 Total o _ Si , Amount |g A , •2.C Area. realized, sz Area. b„„V„i exclusive of If! j E<inta1 ' £ g Interest. £ «> Aoiii,u 4* A c ?■( * y _■' Auckland .. .. .. 600 172,741 81,700 137 19,677 508 Hawke's Bay .. .. 314 136,450 104,570 2 399 23 Taranaki ..' .. .. 407 101,973 94,856 7 3,012 146 Wellington.. .. .. 831 311,449 278,734 32 2,053 112 Nelson .. .. .. 32 10,137 3,499 5 666 14 Marlborough .. .. 11 1,824 880 13 341 21 Westland .. .. .. 9 I 682 685 4 381 19 Canterbury .. .. 146 17,424 27,146 85 2,505 290 Otago .. .. .. 244 39,721 32,490 174 18,934 754 Southland.. .. .. 192 26,113 22,134 119 7,387 402 Totals .. .. 2,786 ' 818,514 646,754 578 55,355 2,289 £ 81,760 104,570 94,856 278,734 3,499 880 685 27,146 32,490 22,134 137 >> 7 32 5 13 4 85 174 119 Acres. 19,677 399 3,012 2,053 666 341 381 2,505 18,934 7,387 £ 508 23 146 112 14 21 19 290 754 402 o __^ r q _ aj r <i £ 536 38 146 128 15 26 17 363 717 392 to to X i. i to :aai .§5. S to • ■< p, 50 7 1 i i *7 4 2 5,706 Sel An Mai al lectors in rear, 31st rch, 1916. Amount. 4,836 £ 13 1 *3 2 38 13 3 646,754 578 55,355 2 ,289 2,378 23 73 NOTE.—This table includes village-settli ment and special-settlement lands.

_ District. Taken 1. to Q B _ 3 s 3 o up during the Year. *™ . Annual || A,ta ' Itental. |_ feitures dui Year. Area. ring the Annual ltental. Sun o!S fl _ renders during Freeholds acquit the Year. the Yeal A-' tXl. f! Area. 5 3 *X ed during Amount realized. Auckland Hawke's Bay Taranaki Wellington Nelson Marlborough Westland Canterbury Otago Southland 133 12 30 45 5 22 1 Aores. £ 24,692 ! 2,685 4,386 1,508 10,679 j 875 8,414 1,023 2,131 103 6,110 583 112 8 51 1 8 3 2 1 Acres. 10,584 i 125 3,828 4,719 820 8 £ 664 13 302 300 49 4 Acres £ Acres. 157 41,228 17 8,589 20 11,107 55 20,418 4 865 1 215 2 379 1 373 7 831 18 2,685 £ 24,916 8,429 8,766 23,137 289 269 190 373 346 1,779 2 15 2*52 **8 2,458 193 8 II 1*344 I 2,440 40 75 Totals .. 265 59,234 6,981 85 23,868 1,447 282 86,690 I 68,494 District. Free Commi 8 U <_> II II ■holds acquire encement of S 31st March, 1! id J 3ys 916 nd from System to Net Area held on 31s 1916. on 3ii 16. it March, J'S'S 0^ _ £ x« Annual s »„■£•§ 3 Rontal. o .5 _ to o 'E SWISS'S Sel An Mai |i 3 to So lectors in rear, 31st rch, 1916. 916. li _l Area. g _ Area. Total Amount realized. Amount. Auckland Hawke's Bay Taranaki Wellington . . Nelson Marlborough Westland Canterbury .. Otago Southland .. Totals .. 1,128 169 I 50 570 88 24 24 24 58 151 .. 2,386 Acres. 259,366 85,170 59,604 169,747 15,336 6,535 4,510 3,519 8,898 30,930 £ 149,138 78,737 53,956 197,389 6,169 6,106 2,748 4,194 4,876 17,341 Acres. 2,894 772,010 356 138,388 705 311,395 832 318,537 212 67,386 83 25,387 86 14,394 24 3,556 299 53,337 452 92,258 £ £ 49,465 44,024 22,871 21,281 19,979 17,873 25,258 ; 24,264 1,143 1,322 1,707 1,485 472 456 438 408 1,612 1,432 3,518 3,234 239 7 44 23 13 £ 5,004 128 1,152 852 74 i 7 12 5 52 18 643,615 includes villa 520,654 5,943 11,796,648 nt and improved-farm-sf 126,463 115,779 344 7,287 Noti.—This table nge-settlemei rttlement lands.

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Table 10. —Return of Lease-in-perpetuity Lands at 31st March, 1916.

34

For: feitures d the Yea) luring Surrenders during the Year. Conversior Deferred Pa; during the is to anient Year. Pn eeholds acquired luring the Year. f. District. k O % | a to S to Area. 3 to X _ 3 a a < _ * O 4> h £ Area. go _ a§ § 3- O B fl to CO "o 2° a. 'A Area. 73 -43 a to X 73 3 fl a fl 3 X O x 3 to » Area. "5 0 I* a . fl'O O to a-a hdinary Crown Lands — Auckland Hawko's Bay Taranaki Wellington Nelson Marlborough Westland Canterbury Otago Southland 2 .. i 1 '.'. i Acres. 132 258 106 57 £ 3 .. **7J:: 2 .. 1 Acres. £ 9 4 4 5 Acres. 3,038 1,262 1,703 2,175 £ 61 33 74 31 55 14 I!) 73 10 2 4 10 6 15 Acres. 13,430 4,466 6,057 17,517 1,866 223 840 685 1,150 1,302 £ 10,456 6,715 9,877 28,459 816 173 477 1,337 1,041 1,002 I "l 1 '.'. 6 *732 23 . Totals •• 5 553 13 1 28 8,910 222 208 47,530 60,353 ,and for Settlements — Auckland Hawke's Bay Taranaki Wellington Nelson Marlborough Westland Canterbury Otago Southland .. 2 1 105 17 10 1 4,277 3,489 o 455 1,185 io 29 9 1 5 6,189 3,889 85 305 14,741 21,724 1,913 4,136 5 '.'. 99 .. 8 1 3 453 9 586 174 8 125 31 2 12 3,302 31 2,181 21,558 581 6,907 I Totals ..3 105_ .. I 8 658J 104 .. 40 8,816 1,957 89 15,985 71,560 Orand totals 117 1 2,179 297 63,521 63 131,913 68 17,726 District. Freeholds acquired froi Commeucement of Systet 31st March, 1916. s _ £ "■! o „■ a> g g Area. < * _ aS $ a a o u to Net An m o h held on 31st March, 1916. a to X Area. 3 3 a 3 to to > . to to to .. *> d<_ X Ofl _li ° 3h ■_____ Sell Arr Mai to ectors in •ear, 31st rch, 1916. Amount. ■w O flj e_ 8 3 S o K EH i. t So ■2^ 3 — £ o fl - aS fcH Ordinary Crown Lands- — Auckland Hawke's Bay Taranaki Wellington Nelson Marlborough Westland Canterbury Otago Southland Acres. i 293 66,108 52, 64 20,055 26, 67 16,678 24, 351 54,693 86, 103 36,740 17, 32 9,984 6, 73 17,385 8, 57 8,004 13, 59 10,060 8, 170 27,426 21, £ 52,841 26,640 24,999 86,009 17,101 6,814 8,720 13,350 8,486 21,659 1,037 277 750 1,247 407 319 382 416 855 481 Acres. £ 238,412 6,917 86,780 5,242 204,541 9,505 183,475 10,822 143,280 2,549 136,953 3,274 44,167 1,161 76,459 4,730 192,289 5,785 75,604 2,262 £ 6,596 4,850 8,820 10,454 1,775 2,989 1,030 4,412 5,328 2,106 £ 243 50 15 4 36 3 20 7 17 7 136 55 319 184 32 40 52 15 Totals 1,269 267,133 266,619 6,171 1,381,960 ,381,960 52,247 48,360 459 1 ,076 L,and for Settlements — Auckland Hawke's Bay Taranaki Wellington Nelson Marlborough Westland Canterbury Otago Southland 126 26 5 24 17,596 6,491 453 2,162 39,141 37,771 10,687 27,330 435 396 26 264 13 282 28 1,033 555 206 86,408 109,338 2,842 35,771 4,097 52,999 4,988 160,443 106,159 42,802 14,376 35,585 2,026 12,885 823 11,877 538 56,681 33,803 9,707 15,012 33,719 2,121 12,202 785 10,770 498 51,887 27,418 9,262 19 8 2 12 15 1 13 7 3 360 112 4 102 167 3 1,848 12 141 61 5 26 4,633 346 4,582 32,939 4,419 13,660 Totals 273 36,263 165,947 3,238 605,907 178,301 163,674 110 2,749 Cheviot Estate, Canterbury .. 210 26,806 7,294 6,532 39 Grand totals 1,542 303,396 432,566 9,619 2,014,733 1237,842 218,566 270 3,864 Rote. —This table im iludes villi ige-settleme: mt, special-i lettlement, and improve! 1-farm sett! lenient lands.

c—l.

Table 11. —Return of Renewable-lease Lands at 31st March, 1916.

35

Exc ot] ihanges from her Tenures during the Year. Cor 1 1 version Deferred meut du ;he Year is to 1 T„,l cen up ( the Yei luring ur. Forfi litures during ;he Year. Sum mders during ihe Year. J Pay: 1 1 ring '. District. A 02 O Is fl to H to ___ Area. 7s a o X 73 3 a a < <_ <t-l O ll II •A _ ® a _ to o Area. 5 * & _ _ fl g I" 73 -.a fl 01 X Area. „ to 3 fl fl to co o * _ ll y, 73 a to Area. „ 1 3 a fl to en o h t _o a « aS S5 Area. 3 S m x % 3 fl a < National Endowment — Auckland Hawke's Bay Taranaki Wellington Nelson Marlborough.. Westland Canterbury Otago Southland 47 9 6 73 2 20 Acres. 12,024 4,051 3,920 37,339 1,125 3,745 £ 485 239 539 1,084 40 88 4 4 3 7 Acres. £ 3,090 123 22 2 1 6641 23 13 281 9 .. 1,165 38 2 22 *2 13 Acres. £ 6,018 234 1,481 90 100 6 6,097 148 3 1 10 1 5 1 Acres. £ 345 10 I ,430i 136 5,457 ! 131 337i 20 800; 49 1,856 116 Acros. £ 2 586 12 -3 4 2'610 524 119 43 2 130 4 '.'. *4 291 6 4 Totals 174 64,738 2,637 20 5,330 197 44 5,330 44 14,573 496 21 10,225 462 Land for Sittlements — Auckland Hawke's Bay Taranaki Wellington Nelson Marlborough.. iji Westland Canterbury Otago Southland 34 28 11 is 5,672 13,419 169 28*272 2,108 4,256 *206 2,749 4 1 1 1,147 248 543 108 10*162 472 4*72 2 2 2 551' 299 2,498 145 1,459; 225 17 4 6 3 "s 2,856 2,142 38 92 33 238 651 72 57 53 29 34 2 11,371 5,691 4,365 5,734 2,242 496 *2 3 "10 "li 477 120 i7 120 3 I 8| \o 3151 103 1 38 24 Totals 156 68,959 17,791 11 965 10 4,831 787 I 34 5,199 1,095 12,339 Ordinary Grown Lands —■ Auckland Hawke's Bay Taranaki Wellington 17 1 11 5,488 314 34 1,644 6 37 1 345 28 1 1 649! *52 li 1 j 650; 53 15,7064,302 8 25 21 **7 *48 33 Totals 29 5,836 1,687 9 370 49 2 7 48 33 Grand totals 359 139533 22,115 20| I 5,330 197 64 27,282 1,510 33 41 5,247 1,128

c—l.

Table 11. — Return of Renewable-lease Lands at 31st March, 1916— continued.

Table 12. —Return of Agricultural-lease Lands at 31st March, 1916.

36

District. National Endowment — Auckland Hawke's Bay .. Taranaki Wellington Nelson Marlborough . . Westland Canterbury Otago Southland Totals .. Freeholds acquired Freeholds acquired to 31st Net Area held on 31st March, during the Year. March, 1910. 1910. j| *- reaSl. jl Area. £g || Area. Annual t Acres. £ Acres. £ Acres. £ .. 623 166,543 7,866 .. .. .. 61 20,888 4,078 .. 145 57,117 4,234 .. 83 23,432 2,302 .. 458 198,943 4,015 .. 103 19,370 677 .. 351 46,500 1,358 .. 16 4,734 394 .. 241 33,590 1,286 .. 176 22,134 967 .. 2,257 593,063 27,837 £ 7,800 4,078 4,234 2,302 4,015 077 1,358 394 I ,286 967 Selectors in Amount of ! Arrear, 31st Bent ! March, 1910. roceived —— during the o „; *i Year ended f> a § 31st March, *o 2 WW. 1| | j ; *- £ £ 5,680 71 1,40! 3,412 I II 2,000 9 19: 2,393 3 61; 2,679 47 30: 551 3 ].' 1,057 26 7( 368 2 2S 1,133 4 14 893 7 2E 20,772 173 2,67i £ 5,680 3,412 2,600 2 ,393 2,079 551 1,057 368 1,133 893 71 I i) 3 47 3 26 2 4 7 £ 1,405 18 192 615 303 13 70 22 14 23 27,837 20,772 173 2,675 Cheviot Estate — Canterbury . . 14 j 659 509 14 j 600 509 483 1 31 483 1 31 Land for Settlements — Auckland Hawke's Bay . . Taranaki Wellington Nelson Marlborough . . Westland Canterbury Otago Southland .. 11 2,535 5,677 71 18,637 18,426 245 j 44,561 7,587 .. 1 I 38 245 I 93,269 32,351 2 4 234 30 j 1,170 976 1 243 1,820 2 244 1,91(1 126 10,955 0,574 .. 23 19,240 1,272 1 1,106 6,331 2 1,209 7.421 86 102,272 11,587 '.'. 2 1 90 2 1 90 539 258,164 65,309 2 885 3,350 3 1,112 4,950 233 99,703 22,301 3 385 793 63 26,830 5,597 18,426 38 234 1,910 7^421 245 ! II ,861 245 I 93,269 30 j 1,170 126 , Hi,955 23 19,240 86 102,272 7,587 32,351 976 6,574 1,272 11,587 7,688 31 718 30,269 3 285 971 6,786 13 394 1,080 12 915 9,340 9 836 65,247 58 6,262 18,165 7 11 4,004 7 639 7,030 30,269 971 6,786 1,080 9,340 31 3 13 12 9 718 285 394 915 836 90 1,950 793 539 258,164 233 99,703 63 26,830 65,309 22,361 5,597 05,247 18,165 4,004 58 7 7 6,262 II 639 Totals . . .. 17 4,770 17,268 86 21,593 33,862 1,590 002,164 153,614 33.862 1,590 662,164 153,614 142,904 140 10,000 142,904 140 10.060 Ordinary Grown Lands — Auckland Hawke's Bay .. Taranaki Wellington Totals .. .. 11 1,922 352 .. 39 12,006 3,600 .. 9 1,197 07 ..3 4 149 6 12 304 251 0,166 718 ..3 4 149 (i 12 304 310 21,351 4,737 304 11 1,922 39 12,006 9 1,197 251 6,166 352 3,600 07 718 343 3,189 I ,091 2 43 776 34 211 5,399 30 254 343 3,189 1,091 776 2 34 43 211 149 12 149 12 304 310 21,351 4,737 5,39!) 36 254 v A ii« -r j. a, vv* ...».✓ _ .,,,,. Grand totals .. 20 4,774 17,417 92 21,605 34,100 4,171 1,277,237 186,097 17,417 21,605 34,166 4,171 1,277,237 188,6 169,558 350 13,020 13,020 186,097 169,558 350 I iment and in iproved-farin-»ettlcment lands. i i Note.—This tabic includes village-settlement and improved-farin-»ettloment lands. 'E.— Thii i tabic incl lodes vi illage-settlei

District. Auckland Westland Otago Southland Totals .. Expiries Renewals Net Area held s'g Made Freehold from Selectors in during the during the on 31st March, °'2to Commencement of System to .,, V __ _? Year. Year. 1916. _§_ 31st March, 1916. WWMj-OB, i to „ _j ; " li Area. 11 If Area. M || Area. If fjl I] Area. ™»?™» jj j a 1 " , g« »* | aB | 25(S I" I Acres £ Acres £ Aeres. £ £ Acres. £ £ 67 2,750 590 .... 32 279 489 '. .. .. 16 541 23 16 1,326 131,297 131,581 I .'.' .. 50 6,570 6,570 .. .. ' L 16 I 541 I 23 I 16 1,475 140,896 j 139,230 .. .. I I 16 i 541 23 | 16 1,475 140,896 \ 139,230 i i i i i

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Table 13. —Return of Mining Districts Land Occupation Leases under Part VIII of the Land Act, 1908, at 31st March, 1916.

Table 14. —Return of Pastoral Licenses in Mining Districts under Special Regulations, at 31st March 1916.

37

it.__« „-_..(-. I Forfeitures "Tear mg Surrenders d District. -g _, . ! o _ I *■ - _ nK ® o _ ~ 01 o ■fl-g Area. no _o Area. ~S 58 ■ a - 3 _ <JM ISO Szita Acres. £ Acres,. Auckland . . 14 398 28 2 ; 35 Hawke's Bay . . . . . . . . Taranaki Wellington Nelson . . 2 195 Marlborough Westland ..3 4 4 12 Canterbury .. .. .. .. Otago .. ..26 575 49 2 84 Southland .. .. .. .. Total. .. 43 977 8.1 7 316 i and luring a a 3 01 -UBS o „ So 3® 3 to •A™ Ex Hene duri cchanges L ing tho Y to jeaso 'ear. Freeholds N t A hi acquired to j . \? . ___»_ 31st March, 1916.* on J18t Malcl] ■ft en <*- . O U 4-_l i O (fl v aV. ' u fi S » 3 S S o ■gS Area. o_ __ Area. = .- B73 as 3 a <■;, an i F at 31st 1 o i« U * 3 .- y° Selecti eld Arret 1, 1916. SlBt M Amount 191 received during _ the u g Annual Year. g S Kental. g to 3, JZjttl tors in lar on ilarch, 116. fl 3 O I Area. 73-^ 33 fl a fl to <X £ 2 Acres. 64 £ 3 Acres. £ j Acres. .. j .. .. | 224 10,645 £ £ 553 510 31 £ 113 II 5 2 3 1 91 281 1 3 8 1 .. ! .. .. 29f l.H'l .... .. 2 200 i .. 86 762 50 ! 57$ 2 8 15 1 124 124 5 3 5 8 i 3 2 130 *4 *2 | 9 40 324 10*031 .... .. 57 1,924 572 551 9 185 \ 186 1,492 I 1,443 48 14 II 9 567 19 2 9 40 722 25,323 143 * Theso freeholds wore all acquired during the year Includes £ 2 received from national-ondowment lease. t Inch udes one selector area 10 acres, annual ri ?.ntal £1, national endown ment.

Taken nn d„rin_ the __«_«-__- forfeitures Surrenders Freeholds acquired k <»> «P duung the other leiiures _ url the dllrlng the to 81st March, year. aunngtiie Year Yoar |;11( ., District. _ . «s . •- . w . - .,; Ihq m _ t-ig n is u % _a"3 |l Area, p™^ 1 |tJ Area, i |tS Area. |t5 Area. |J Area. 11| _ * Kentai. a a.- a*. a* 073 ° s *■* 1—1 Mi-1 1-1 ,—1 Hi—• — y : . .■ _fc« j a" l kj«> I fc™ 5I! 1 B ! ! I I I Ordinary Crown Lands — Acres. £ Acres. | Acres. | Acres. Acres. £ Auckland .. .. I 48 19,109 533 21 7,466 3 1,572 .. .. 6 823 632 Nelson .. ..5 785 22 1 204 5 483 I 7 1,494 1 95 10 Westland .. ..12 2,946 81 2 236 .. .. 2 239 Net Area hold o March, 1911 on 31st 6. Solei Arri 31st 1 y, r% ctors in ear on March, 916. 3 <o Area. Kent paid during the Year. fl fl o S fl Total Annual Rental. 299 130 88 Acres. 95,344 24,095 13,740 £ 2,475 505 340 £ 776 461 320 190 27 ; 8 £ 1 ,290 264 16 Totals.. .. 65 22,840 636 24 7,906 8 2,055 9 1,733 7 918 672 N a tional- endow ment Lands — Auckland .. 2 198 .. Nelson .. .. 18 2,506 67 2 573 8 3,565 2 333 Wetland .. ..31 11,695 302 4 928 2 563 4 281 Totals.. .. 49 14,201 369 8 1,699 10 4,128 6 614 517 133,179 3,320 I ,557 225 1,570 27 140 220 5,917 27,060 43,666 126 684 1,038 48 674 680 20 25 14 71 360 27 us: 76,643 1,848 1,402 59 458 (irand totals .. 414 37,041 1,005 32 9,605 18 6,183 15 2,347 7 918 672 672 904 209,822 5,168 2,959 284 2,028 ■ These freeholds were all acquired during the year. ig the year.

C—l.

Table 15. —Return of Small Grazing-runs at 31st March, 1916.

38

District. Taken up during the Year. di o °i _. . M IS §S 2 _» Area. a 0 3 I 'oar. ii a a fl« di _ 9 S 3 •a Expiric uring the Area. is Year. IS fl o fl to flg Be d a & ■A mowal of Leases Forfe uring the Year. during 1 —< . u 3 _ si Area. fl a fl Ar fl 01 g «SM I fc Acres. £ Ac 'orfeitur ing the 1 Area. ■es Surrenders STear. during the Year. §3 _ A S3 a a Area, a a a to I g a a Ordinary Crown Lands —• Hawke's Bay Wollington Totals Acres. £ 1 3,069 181 .. 1 1 3,069 181 1 £ 181 Acre*. £ Acres. £ Acres. £ i *758 "18 Totals .. .. .. 1 3,069 181 1 758 18 .. ISI 758 / '/, ...,../ I,' ..1,. I. Cheviot Estate — Canterbury National-endowment Lands — Hawke's Bay _5j Wellington Marlborough Canterbury Otago Totals Grand totals Cheviot Estate — Canterbury .. .. 5 4,296 507 .. / / ,.■,,/ Nat%onal-endowmenl Lands — Hawke's Bay.. .. I 2,534 30 1 fe, Wellington .. .. I 958 23 2 Marlborough .. .. .. 2 36,800 550 1 738 9 1 Canterbury .. .. 2 1,102 82 2 Otago .. .. .. 9 110,645 1,890 20 36,787 821 20 5 1 1 2 36,800 550| 1 I 2 '.'. *9 110*645 1,890 20 .. 11 147.445J2.440 25 .. 12 150,514J2,021 I 31 2,534 47 .. . 1,716 280 .. . 738 17 .. . 1,102 82 .. . 1 30,787 999 .. . 42,877 1,425 .* . I I ! Totals.. .. ..11 147,445J2,440| 25 42,119 965 26 42,877 1,425 .. . | •• __i 1 1 Grand totals .. ..12 150.514J2,621 31 47,173! l,49o! 26 I 1 I 1 Exchanges to other | Free _ olds aC q U ired horn Comnien duri_g D t"he e Year. during the Year Iggyrtsg squired icenieiit Net Area he 11 to on 31st March, 1, 1916. ft held rch, 1916. to -«_ Arrears on to m 31st March, '■ X a 1916. ■fl'E _ — Os_ ts *>13 to o _ -i £■_.* _ "S 5 §• |S § fl _•£ ~ w 3 S H 01 fl O g M **_ 3$ S on District. _ _ . "3 8 «_i o a " 2 is si si si fl Area. a fl a s\ Area. o- si a Area. g fla SB 5«;o_ -AX 1 *__[___ -fl* _E i§„ SS _o_ si to Area. _:_•_ as "" y, w _2 . „ SI to as _ 10 a S fl« y. Ordinary Crown Lands — Acres. £ Acres. £ Acres. Auckland .. 2 3,990 Hawke's Bay .. 1 1,301 Taranaki .. Wellington .. 1810,306 420 8 4,72712,811 11 7,994 Marlborough .. 1 244 270 1 244 Canterbury .. Otago .. 3 5,129 5,604 3 5,129 Totals .. .. 18 10,306 420 12 10,10018,085 18 18,658 Cheviot Estate — Canterbury .. Ijand for Settlements — Auckland .. 2 4,997 Hawke's Bay .. I 1,200 8,046 1 1,200 Wellington .. .. 3 2,847 618 Marlborough .. .. 3 7,200 813 1 2,748 Canterbury .. 1 916 5,849 I 916 Otago Southland .. 1 1,658 Totals .. .. 610,047 1,431 2 2,11613,895 611,519 National-endowment Lands — Auckland .. .. I 2,794 31 Hawke's Bay Taranaki .. Wollington .. Nelson .. Marlborough . . Canterbury .. Otago .. Southland . . Totals .. .. 1 2,794 31 Grand totals 2523,147 1,882 14 12,216 32,580 2430,177 Acres. £ "8 1 *8 4*72712*811 1 244 270 ii 1 2 1 Acres. 3,990 1,301 7*994 244 £ Acres. 1 2,756 2 17,374 3,885 48 114,932 6 5,750 18,866 40 42,108 270 9 4,928 10 22,541 1 5,604 82 192,068 2 48 6 40 9 10 82 3. £ 174 639 132 8,032 750 123 108 2,415 )28 113 541 1,579 068 5,370 £ £ £ 539 845 .. 032 8,215 2 197 123 161 . . 415 2,706 6 126 113 111 .. 579 2,235 .. 370 5,710 .. 3 5,129 5,604 3 3 5,i29 12 12 10,10018,685 18 18,658 131,381 197 399,701 197 701 18,271 i 271 19,983 8 323 I 29 40,714 29 714 6,278 278 7,477J 4 587 "l 1*200 8*046 ' 1 2 1 1 1 4,997 1,200 2*748 916 ' 1,479 4 18,588 ) 8,046 12 14,083 4 6,280 ! 4,999 28 41,950 i 5,849 42 80,536 10 10,953 ! 2,582 1 1,150 I 12 4 28 42 10 1 588 167 083 3,323 .80 1,176 950 5,996 536 10,715 953 1,615 150 77 167 135 .. 323 3,034 .. 176 l,533j .. I .. 996 5,748 1 148 715 8,883 3i 887 615 1,370 ..| .. 77 116 .. I .. 1 916 5,849 1 1 1*658 2 2 2,116 13,895 6 11,519 22,955 101 173,540 23,069 069 20,819 4 1,035 20,819 4 12 52 4 12 9 78 58 292 20 47,899 172,993 4,906 12,656 16,758 250,255 216,039 1,110,506 66,531 406 4,166 75 737 109 3,626 9,153 21,414 1,033 406 387i .. .. 166 3,945 4' 628 nz on I 75 30[ .. 737 412j 2 203 109 97 .. 626 3,563 6 132 153 9,598 3 631 414 23,153 4 50 _oo ri.i 387j 3,945 30 412| 97 3,563 9,598 23,153 951 4! 1 1 *2 6 3 4 033 951 .. 537 1,898,543 40,719 42,136 19 1,644 14 12,216 32,580 21 30,177i |54,336 864 2,512,498 88,337 90,415: 35 3,589 I

o.—l

39

Table 16. —Return of Pastoral Runs at 31st March, 1916.

District. Ordinary Crown LandsAuckland Hawke's Bay Taranaki Wellington § Nelson Marlborough Westland Canterbury Otago Southland Totals Exchanges to Taken up during the other Tenures Year. during the Year. o _ _ , o . si $1 too Si u Area. ■ a _ a Area. 38 08 SI sto Ah sb la* a* Acres. £ Acres. 1 5,300 27 '.'. '.'. '.'. i 3if> '.'. '.'. 8 110,370 77 '.'. 2 3,767 35 !! ['. 12 133,437 454 Forfeiture s Expiries during Kenewals during the Year. the Year. during the Year. oj ° 2 o £ S2 IS SS . s to Area. si « Area. & - Area. as as %s _ to a to „ 01 gen W n s<a _ Acres. Acres. Acres, f 1 400 1 | 18,000 1 18,000 7 112,917* 5 26,200 2 4,690 , 7 129,308 6 128,608 1 1,000 i 6 58,260 5 57,980 3 5,690 : 22 j 318,885 17 230,788 3 5,690 I 22 j 318,885 ■heviot Estate — Canterbury 1 1,619 I ~ ' Land for Settlements — Otago .. .. .. 5 2,483 326 i '' " National-endowment Lands —■ Auckland Hawke's Bay Taranaki Wellington .. .. 1 Nelson .. .. .. 1 Marlborough Westland, .. .. t Canterbury Otago .. .. .. 5 Southland 1 *234 100 ' '. 10,000 34 6,730 *5 '.'. '.'. .. 2 2*587 .. '.'. '.'. '.'. '.'. i 2,800 i 2*800 2 28,800 3 99,180 4 104,325 3 45,200 2 49,600 11 178,567 7 156,725 80,651 967 !! Totals •■ 7 98,615 1,106 Grand totals 24 234, S35 1,886 3 5,690 | 34 99,071 24 387,513 District. Sui durini S <• _ S to o 3s 3 j (_• Year. Net Are& held on 3lBt March. 1916o _ k o Ar__ «5 Area(approxi- Average Annual Area ' 3« mately). Holdings. Kental. 33 am Selectors in Arrear on 31st March, 1916. Iteut paid during jj the Year. X fl : S 1 S 3 i * * Ordinary Croum Lands — Auckland Hawke's Bay Taranaki Wellington Nelson Marlborough Westland Canterbury Otago Southland i 1 Acres. 15 .12 Acres. 75,733 63,402 Acres. ! £ £ 5,049 221 125 5,284 881 | 884 £ 12,000 4 2 33 66 70 168 81 100,813 105,829 552,846 1,062,902 1,791,682 2,359,756 675,914 25,203 ! 1,815 1,815 82,915 330 527 16,753 3,451 3,575 16,105 744 j 717 25,595 15,714 l 17,093 14,046 15,456 13,842 11,081 2,865 2,797 4 40 3*450 2 *54 Totals 2 15,450 431 0,848,877 15,890 41,477 41,375 6 94 Cheviot Estate — Canterbury 96 Land for Settlements — Canterbury Otago 725 3,288 I 365 42 409 830 431 •■ 9 Totals 4,013 451 1,261 National-endowment Lands — Auckland Hawke's Bay .. Taranaki Wellington Nelson Marlborough Westland Canterbury Otago Southland 1 i 2 2 1 i 2 8,854 10i000 34,500 8 1 14 1 13 22 50 55 27 84,210 186 28,115 10,000 276,640 280,780 1,227,384 1,212,470 069,820 I 10,527 ' 138 186 i 12 ! 2,008 , 765 10,000 ; 34 21,280 ; 830 ! 12,763 305 21,918 | 21,059 22,045 j 9,552 j 24,808 ! 2,166 ' 153 12 861 1**38 304 21,280 9,950 2,211 1 4 4 24 2 18,975 I I Totals 6 6 72,329 197 3,789,617 19,236 j 34,861 35,915 5 28 Grand totals 8 87,779 637 10,642,507 16,707 76,789 78,646 II 122 ♦ An area of 56,000 acres was transfei t Held in conjunction with runs of i ■red to the Otago 1 irdinary Crown lai .and id. listrict owing ti an alteration of boundaries.

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40

Table 17. —Return of Miscellaneous Leases and Licenses not otherwise enumerated at 31st March, 1916.

Transactions during Year ended 31st March, 1916. Total Area in Occupation Amo'unt 31st March, 1916. sistMarch, 1916. received during the Year -* 2 Annual £ | Area. g Amount. Coal and Mineral. Timber-cutting, &c. I Annual I Total I g Area. jEZH g Area. Amount g ! § Itental. = received. § Flax-cutting. 'lax-cutting. Miscellaneous. Total Area leased during the Year. District. Total £ Annual Area. Amount g Area. Renta , received. a i Ordinary Crown Lands — Auckland Hawke's Bay.. Taranaki Wellington Nelson Marlborough Westland Canterbury Otago Southland i ] Acres. 1 7 1,508 . . 1 15 £ Acres. 27 .. '.'. 1 200 '.'. 4 800 £ M87 Acres. Acres. Acres. £ Acres. £ 113 22,428 1,158 32 137,710 0,401 28 462 65 109 2,540 782 39 13,623 78 22 2,802 188 41 20,520 71 70 10,413 625 55 6,980 102 64 4,977 133 Acres. 23,996 137,710 062 2,540 13,623 3,602 20,520 10,413 0,980 4,992 I I I 21,420 551 121,138 5,586 43 9.136 149 110,398 8,176 5 752 187 2,642 624 10 14,695 547 71,750 3,332 67 2.137 364 132,032 1,310 25 3,331 204 41,203 1,217 5 956 578 142,221 943 39 5,236 717 i 189,663 3,737 41 2,597 1,034 100,624 1,510 18 4,657 475 : 35,249 1,344 .. i £ 192 33 23 244 85 38 55 226 20 •• •■ • : : i Totals 8 1,583 27 5 1,000 27 5 1,000 1,187 1,187 .. ■■ 573 222,455 9,603 225,038 64,917 4,806 I 952,980 ', 27,779 1253 916 ! : ; . ! I Cheviot Estate — Canterbury .. i r .. .. .. 8 6,233 605 0,233 1,057 59 7,257 .. 823 1 5 Land for Settlements — Auckland Hawke's Bay.. Taranaki Wellington Nelson Marlborough Westland Canterbury Otago Southland :: i :: • 5 3 4 7 1 6 3 2 418 565 149 622 6 173 259 6 44 213 193 143 94 95 2 418 565 149 622 6 173 259 6 184 324 1,311 275 3 364 933 122 43 15 18 52 4 45 93 13 1,295 287 3 1,493 4,383 41 1,193 2.449 88 211 3 153 .. 3 .. 648 1 394 1 3 .. 366 4 803 1 19 3 1 1 ■• 27 1 Totals .. .. n .. 1 ■— - . •' 31 2,198 785 2,198 3,516 j 284 11,232 2,600 10 33 i , Xational-endowment Lands — Auckland Hawke's Bay.. Taranaki Wellington Nelson Marlborough Westland Canterbury Otago Southland '■'■ 1+M- .. ! 3 ■■ 947 481 •• 14 8 947 481 2,076 15 15 2 23 3 90 ! 5 1,666 i 174 11,300 29,022 24 1,989 40,459 163 22 .. 5 256 .. 754 6 :: 1^720 14 1,720 ii 17 -- 18 2 6 2 ,288 28,800 2,649 29 68 60 2,288 28,800 2,049 10,028 310 132 4 238 23 106 2 100,130 31,484 17,780 19 605 22 258 .. 142 1 1 .. 56 4 Totals .. 1 ' 27 5 1,000 1,187 .. " 41 14,974 | 538 2,206 29 1 36,885 193 36,885 232,207 77 • - Grand totals .. 10 1,583 i 27 5 4,000 1,187 —- hri 053 267,771 11,186 270,354 84,464 5,687 1,203,676 33,408 293 1,031 * Includes coal and timber royalties and receipts from State forests.

C— 1.

Table 18. —Return of Gross Revenue received during the Year ended 31st March, 1916.

6—o. 1.

41

Tenure. _ fl w tf 'to . 3 ■« •*. 3 in o a _ I i 2 » a I E 3 - _ o <3 * to _j.O P & » a i 3 . O u o -._ s a _. ■ to i a ■ _ 3 a I 3 en I i _. 3 I I Ordinary Crown Lands, <Scc. Cash lands Perpetual lease made freehold (band Act, 1885) Perpetual lease made freehold (Land Laws Amendment Acts, 1913 and 1914) Oooupation with right ol purchase made freehold £ £ 5,349 850 943 510 133 33 £ £ £ £ I 3,703 3,335 364 2.71S i o i I .. .. .. 91 I .. 119 .. I 8,766 23.137 344 26! £ 2.718 94 £ 62 i £ 918 625 267 £ £ 1,168 2,687 1,741 107 2451 .. £ £ 9 2,687 21,154 I 197 4,020 5j . . 797 24,798 8.429 269 189 I 372 346 I.779 i 1.779 68,424 Lease in perpetuity made freehold .. Renewable lease made freehold Mining-districts-land-occupation leases made freehold Pastoral licenses in mining districts made freehold Small grazing-runs made freehold .. Deferred payment (Land Acts 1877 and 1885) Deferred payment (Land Laws Amendment Acts. Mil'.''. 1913. &c.) Perpetual lease Occupation with right of purchase .. Lease in perpetuity Renewable lease Agricultural lease Mining-dlstricts-lattd-oooupation leases Pastoral licenses in mining districts under special regulations Small grazing-runs Pastoral runs Coal and mineral leases and royalties Timber licenses and sale of timber Flax-cutting State forests Other miscellaneous leases and licenses Payments of capital value under section 191 of the Land Act, 1908 Miscellaneous 10,418! 6,682 9.711 28,403 824 17S 149 .. 173 474 I ,326 1, 041 I .002 I I.002 60,054 149 ) .. 40 40 .. 596 40 . . 636 2,559 7,422 12,81 11 .. 27(1 1,048 10,702 194 270 101 16 216 5,652 .. 13 .. 811 696 I .. 18,733 I .. 29 696 23,749 2.559 101 536 44,024 6,596 • 343 536 38 44,024 21,281 6,596 4,850 •343 3,189 146 128 15 26 17,873 24,264 1,322 1,485 8,820 10,454 1,775 2,989 1,091 776 .. 26 I ,485 2.989 17 456 1 ,030 17 456 ,030 i I 363 408 4,412 717 392 1,432 3,234 5.328 2,106 : 392 2,378 ! 3,234 115,779 i 2.106 48,360 5,399 1 . . 16 186 1,441 1 ,557 510 776 55 15 461 .. 15 124 320 16 .. 551 186 186 510 776 845 125 471 6,492 112 9,345 5,000 845 8,215 125 884 471 6.492 12 161 2,706 .. Ml 1,816 527 3.575 70, 359 .. 112 11,670 759 415 10 32 2 065 2,126 638 2,284 1,009 758 879 .. III 3,575 415 32 2,1261 758 717 42 10 47 2,235 17,093 4 5,710 .. 13,842 2,797 310 491 375 980 4 79 I .. 19,983 2,797 41,375 i 491 1,743 980 20,835 79 284 1,9141 11,677 i 1,193 27,378 879 2,797 491 980 79 1,914 I , 193 112 9,345 5,000 9,124 857 025 4,607 1,914! 1,908 1,193 1,668 52,071 134,373 8,05815,056 328 I.996 328 Totals 121,634 71,519 15.056 4,446 33,487 I I I,250 I 19.971 501,865 19.971 Land for Settlements. 79 14,635 5,655 90 21,724 92 21,511 121 5,847 2,622 51,887 65,247 8,883 830 12 19 59 581 3,341 368 6,907 71,307 17,202 13.893 1,378 44,803 9,262 163,674 4,004 142,904 116 20,819 I ,261 2 19 251 Cash lands Lease in perpetuity made freehold .. ' .. Renewable lease made freehold Small grazing-runs made freehold .. Deferred payments Leawyin perpetuity Renewable lease Small grazing-runs Pastoral runs Coal and mineral leases and royalties Tiinher licenses and sale of timber .. Flax-cutting Other miscellaneous leases and licenses Payments of capital value under section 191 of the Land Act. 1908 Miscellaneous 12,870 15,012 7,036 135 8,046 17,139 33,719 30.269 3,034 -18 1,913 4,036 .. 1,820 6,265 2,894 1,629, 311 4,180 2,121 12,2021 785 10,770 971 6,786, I,086 9.340 1.533: .. 5,748 2,894 2,121 971 1,913 48 6,265 4,180 10,770 9.340 5,748 498 1,780 27,418 18.165 1,370 131 6,907 1,378 9,262 4,004 116 5 231; 2 1 1 79 324 ' '. I '080j . ' 275 275 3 333 932 120 I2(lj 3,246 40 147 3 12 .. 101 3 101 53 140 54 550 54 Totals 55,646 114,492 7,902 7,902 29,329 2,182 36,727 36,727 501 157,457 54,218 21,843 21,843 480,297 Cheviot Estate. 10 6,532 483 7,477 95 10 6,532 483 7,477 95 Cash lands Lease in perpetuity Renewable lease Grazing-farms Pastoral runs Coal and mineral leases Timber licenses and sale of tiniIier .. Flax-eutting •Other miscellaneous leases and licenses Payments of capital value under section 191 of the Land Act. 1908 Miscellaneous' I ....'.. I ,057 I ,057 I " | " Totals 15,654 15,654 National-endowment Lands. Cash lands Renewable leases Small grazing-runs 5,686 387 3,412 3,945 2,600 2*393 2,679 551 30 412 97 3,563 2,600 30 1 ' 057 368 9,598 1,133 23,153 893| 20,772 951 42,136 Carried forward 6,073 7,357 2,630 2,805j 2,770 4,114 1,057 9,966 24,286 1,844j 62,908

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Table 18.— Return of Gross Revenue received during the Year ended 31st March, 1916 — continued.

42

« -" _ 1 i I 1 fr 1 Tenure ' I if 1 1 8 i| I 1 | | 5 I I s« I « . s._ _ o j e o < _ X I H | |S A P. * | O 5 g National-endowment Lands —continued. £ £ ££ £ £ £ £ £ £ £ Brought forward .. .. 6,073 7,357 2,630 2,806 _,776 4,114 1,057 9,966 24,286 1,844 62,908 Pastoral licenses in mining districts under 48 .. .. .. 674 .. 680 .. .. .. 1,402 special regulations Pastoral runs .. .. .. .. 153 12 .. 861 .. 1,138 304 21,286 9,950 2,211 35,915 Coal and mineral leases .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 502 .. 539 .. .. I 1,042 Timber licenses and sale of timber . . .. 2,611 .. .. .. 988 .. 8,965 .. .. 105 12,669 Flax-eutting .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 50 .. .. 50 Other miscellaneous leases and licenses .. 65 16 23 90 178 .. 474 132 238 .. 1,215 Payments of capital value under section 191 of the Land Act, 1908 Miscellaneous Totals .. .. .. 8,950 7,384 2,653 3,756 5,118 5,252 12,009 31,384 34,474 4,161 115,201 Educational-endowment Lands. Primary .. .. .. .. 4,035 9,395 5,898 10,128 848 477 281 27,170 4,33816,485 78,755 Secondary .. .. .. 1,422 1,911 859 2,743 130 86 100 405 857 236 8,749 Totals .. .. 5,457 11,306 6,757 12,87]' 678 563 381 27,575 5,195 16,72! 87,504 Other Endowment hinds. Cash lands .. .. .. .. 65 .. 88 .. 26 .. 179 Perpetual lease made froehold Occupation with right of purchase made freehold Small graaing -run freehold .. .. 3,103 .. .. .. .. .. 3,103 Deferred payments .. .. .. 1,455 .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 1,455 Perpetual lease .. .. .. .. 8 .. .. .. II.. .. .. 339 .. 358 Occupation with right of purchase .. .. 23 . . .. .. .. . • .. .. .. 23 Lease in perpetuity .. .. .. 16 .. .. 101 1,524 92 .. 1,733 Renewable lease .. .. .. .. 5 .. .. .. 99 .. .. .. .. 104 Mining districts land occupation leases .. . . .. . . .. 82 . . .. .. .. 82 Small grazing-runs .. .. .. 52 .. .. 175 .. 1,418 360 2,005 Pastoral licenses in mining districts under .. .. .. .. 58 .. .. .. .. 58 special regulations Pastoralruns .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 6,046 1,165 7,211 Coal and mineral leases .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 15,766 .. 1,291 .. .. .'. 17,057 Timber licenses and sale of timber .. .. .. .. .. .." 290 .. 29 .. 9 328 Flax-eutting Other miscellaneous leases and licenses .. 57 2 803 71 995 .. 10 62 520 26 2,546 MJsiSellaneous Totals .. .. .. 4,784 2 803 334 17,402 .. 1,330 1,586 8,441 1,560 36,242 Thermal springs districts leases .. .. 2,070 .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 2,070 Survey liens on Native land .. 19,380 4,859 1,830 3,354 102 11 .. 2 6 71 29,615 Miscellaneous .. .. .. 5,751 913 3,087 2,716 739 772 341 737 2,467 553 18.076 Grand totals .. .. 223,672 210,475 75,103 186,733 34,279 58,381 19,068 267,882 146,051 64,880 1,286,524

C-l.

Table 19. —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 the 31st March, 1916.

Table 20. —Arrears of Rent due to the Grown at 31st March, 1916

43

District. N umber of Tenants who have been granted Rebate. Amount of Rebate granted. District. *%&* have linen _ r .,„tcrl granted Rebate. 8™ntc.a. Ordinary Grown Lands — Auckland Hawke's Bay Taranaki Wellington Nelson Marlborough Westland Canterbury Otago Southland 5,608 .578 1,326 2,002 286 357 409 810 .. I 716 .. ; 765 £ 4,208 2,579 2,611 3,028 109 388 137 497 696 440 14,691 735 Land for Settlements —contd. Otago Southland Totals National-endowment Lands — Auckland Hawke's Bay Taranaki Wellington Nelson.. Marlborough Westland Canterbury Otago Southland £ 693 4,711 233 1,147 6,191 30,595 721 441 55 360 85 240 71 188 123 33 83 56 215 77 22 34 145 95 126 72 Totals 12,857 14,691 735 i\eistni. . Marlborough Westland Canterbury Otago .. Southland Cheviot Estate — Canterbury 402 Land for Settlements — Auckland.. Hawke's Bay Taranaki Wellington Nelson Marlborough Westland Canterbury 1,010 054 43 320 22 358 24 2,834 1,010 054 43 320 22 358 24 2,834 Totals 1,666 6,547 Grand totals 256 1,868 I Other Endowment Lands — 123 Nelson.. 2,423 Canterbury 50 11,804 Totals i 21,096 16 202 I ,646 47,617 3 132 1,596 21 8 135 I

District. Number of Selectors. Amount in Arrear, exclusive of current Half-year's Payment. District. Number of Selectors. Amount in Arrear, exclusive of current Half-year's Payment. Ordinary Grown Jjands — Auckland.. Hawke's Bay Taranaki Wellington Nelson Marlborough Westland Canterbury Otago Southland 560 15 71 135 109 9 77 55 62 14 £ 6,855 360 1,354 I .491 872 227 158 304 205 36 | National-endowment Lands — Auokland Hawke's Bay Taranaki Wellington Nelson.. Marlborough Westland Canterbury Otago Southland 92 5 9 5 78 9 66 5 9 7 £ 1.480 646 192 817 680 145 177 653 68 23 Totals 1,107 11,862 Totals 285 4,881 Cheviot Estate — Canterbury 7 Thermal springs (Rotorua) .. 662 29 194 Land for Settlements — Auckland Hawke's Bay Taranaki Wellington Nelson Marlborough Westland Canterbury Otago Southland 59 II .. I 2 .. ■ 26 12 26 I 108 15 10 I ,136 397 4 497 9.5 1,152 9,024 24 780 Education Endowments — Primary Secondary 122 22 1,581 203 Totals 144 1,784 Grand totals 1,842 33,315 13,932 Totals 270 Other endowment lands 76 422

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44

Table 21. —Statement showing Payments to Local Bodies during the Year ended 31st March, 1916, 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.

Table 22. —Return showing Payments of Capital Value under Section 191 of the Land Act, 1908, at 31st March, 1916.

District. "Thirds," I )eferreil-|ia,\ men!, Perpetual-lease, Occupfl,tion-with- " Fourths," right-of-purehase, Small Grazing-runs. Renewable-lease, and Lease-in-perpetuity Lands. . Ti " Halves," Timber and l-'lax. " Halve* 'imber anil Total Payments. Auckland Hawke's Hay Taranaki Wellington Nelson Marlborough .. Wesl land Canterbury Otago Southland £ £ 14,206 S.855 684 6,875 1 7,436 1,846 36 663 385 858 282 I . I 15 1.229 3,679 1,325 10 £ I .423 £ I .423 81 892 77 3,504 56 93 390 £ 18,629 9,539 6,957 7,436 2,774 I ,125 4,362 I ,453 5,001 I ,725 81 892 77 3,504 56 93 390 Totals .. 43,575 5.910 6,516 56,001

Amon mt deposltai the Year (1 during Total l'a> lients at :)lst March, 1916, o o Total ! Arln "al Original Payments """I? 1 Annual made on ,,,, ,Vi Rental Account of '*_??__, payable. Capital •»-«- value. p ayme _ tB System and Tenure. ,i h _ sj a I 3 to 305 z Area held. Amount deposited. to O _s 3. Area held. Ordinary Grown Lands — Lease in perpetuity Renewable lease 8 Acres. I ,868 £ 879 28 2 Acres. 5,552 I £ 300 5 £ 2,627 52 i £ 187 3 Totals 8' I ,868 879 30 5,553 305 2,679 I 190 Cheviot Estate — Lease in perpetuity 1 107 56 999 6 Land for Settlements — Lease in perpetuity 3 363 265 3.466 92 Grand totals 1,868 879 34 0,023 626 7,144 288 Withdrinvtilti during the Year. — Lease in perpetuity, land lor settlements, tliree selectoi X14 acres, amount £120. perpetuity, ordinary Orovn land, IS, area 2(16 acres, amount £2,116. two sel Renew; lectors, area able lease, 1 KM acres, .nd for sett] amount £109. Lease in Lements, one selector, area

45

U.-- 1

Table 23. —Forfeitures and Surrenders during the Year ended 31st March, 1916, showing under each Tenure the Number of Selectors who have forfeited and surrendered their Holdings, and the Area and Rental of such Holdings.

7—C. 1.

Forfeitures. Tenure. Number. Area. Rental 1 Number. '_ Surrenders. Annual Rental. Area. Ordinary Crown Lands —■ Acres. £ Occupation with right of purchase .. .. 85 23,868 1,447 Lease in perpetuity .. .. .. .. 5 553 13 I Renewable lease ' . . .. .. .. 9 370 49 2 Mining districts land occupation leases .. .. j 5 121 6 2 Pastoral licenses in mining districts under special 8 2,055 45 9 regulations Pastoral runs .. .. .. .. .. 3 ! 5.690 171 2 Miscellaneous leases .. .. .. .206 21,030 1.014 57 Acres. £ I 650 195 1,733 1 53 5 37 15,450 31,656 105 841 I Totals .. .. .. .. 321 53,687 2,745 73 JMnd for Settlements — Lease in perpetuity .. .. .. .. 3 i05_ 104 Renewable lease ' .. .. .. .. II 12,339 965 10 j Miscellaneous leases . . . . . . . . 9 385 394 7 j 111 ' ' ' ~ 1 Totals .. .. .. .. 23 12,829.1 1,463 17 K _ National-endowment Lands — Renewable lease .. .. .. .. ' 44 14,573 496 21 Pastoral licenses in mining districts under special , 10 4,128 129 6 regulations Pastoral runs .. .. .. .. .. 6 Miscellaneous leases .. .. .. .. 42 14,273 114 10 49,685 4*831 30 4,861 1,042 787 8 795 10,225 (ill 462 20 72,329 11,761 727 186 Totals .. .. .. .. 96 .32,974 739 43 32,974 739 43 94.929 1 ,395 Education Endowments — Primary .. .. .. .. .. 15 170] 821 i 12 Secondary .. .. .. .. .. | I 146 2 Totals .. .. .. .. 16 3164 ! 841 12 Grand totals .. .. .. 456 99,806f i 5,031_ 145 - ! ! 170] 146 821 2 12 1,094 I .094 319 319 16 316] 84. 12 99,806j ! 5.031 _ 145 150.569 3,551

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46

Table 24. —Return showing the Total Number of Selectors, with Area of Crown Land selected or held, the Yearly Rent payable, and the Area made Freehold at 31st March, 1916.

_, . . Total Total Arei Tenure **_£»■ Total Area Yearly Rental *,.___. " B " V Instalment ! "™f er Se,< "" t0rS P»vnble. [pn^ers. Ordinary Crown Lands — Acres. £ ('ash Deferred payment (Land Acts, 1877 and 1885) II 832 33 9,521 Deferred payment (Land Laws Amendment 256 70.062 4,374 58 Acts, 1912 and 1913, &..-..) Perpetual lease .. .. .. .. 578 55,355 i 2.289 2,786 Occupation with right of purchase .. .. 5,943 1,796,648 ! 126,463 2,386 Lease in perpetuity .. .. .. 6.171 1,381,960 52,247 1.269 Renewable lease '. . .. .. .. 310 21.351 4,737 6 Agricultural lease . . .. .. .. 16 541 23 1,475 Mining districts land occupation leases .. 721 25.313 1,491 2 Homestead . . . . . . . . .. . . .. 525 Pastoral licenses in mining districts under special 517 133,179 I 3.326 7 regulations Small grazing-runs .. .. .. 197 399,701 18,271 18 Pastoral runs .. .. .. 431 6,848,877 41,477 Miscellaneous leases and licenses .. .. 4,806 952,980 27,779 . made Freehold. Area. Acres. 13,171,706 1.096.367 16,653 818,514 643,615 267.133 12 I 10.896 9 80,453 918 18,658 Totals.. .. .. .. 19,957 11,686,799 282,504 19,957 11,686,799 282,504 10,254,934 Cheviot Estate — Cash Leaso in perpetuity .. .. .. 210 26,866 7,294 Renewable lease .. .. .. .. 14 659 509 (Ira/.ing-farms .. .. .. .. 29 40,714 ■ 6,278 Pastoral runs Miscellaneous leases and licenses .. .. 59 7,257 823 ,—.—. i ! 210 14 29 26,866 7,294 659 509 40,714 6,278 6,855 59 7,257 823 — j i Totals.. .. .. .. 312 75,496 14.904 312 i 75,496 '. 11.901 _ — 6,855 I . Land for Settlement* —■ ('ash Deferred payment (Land Laws Amendment 282 49,561 12.370 80 Acts, 1912 and 1913) Lease in perpetuity .. .. .. 3,238 605,907 178,301 273 Renewable lease .. .. .. .. 1,590 662,164 153,614 86 Small grazing-runs .. .. .. 101 173,540 23,069 6 Pastoral runs .. .. .. .. 9 4,013 451 Miscellaneous leases and licenses .. .. 284 11,232 2,600 Totals.. .. .. .. 5,504 1,506,417 j 370,405 \ 577 8,138 36,263 21,593 11.519 78,090 f* National-endowment Lands Renewable lease .. .. .. .. 2.257 593.063 27,837 Mining districts land occupation lenses .. I 10 I .. Pastoral licenses in mining districts under special 387 76,643 1,848 regulations Small L'razing-runs .. .. .. 537 1,898,543 40,719 Pastoral runs .. .. .. .. 197 3,789,617 34,861 Miscellaneous leases and licenses .. .. 538 232,207 2,206 Totals .. .. .. .. 3,917 6.590,083 107,472 3.917 6.590,083 107,472 Thermal springs (Botorua) .. .. .. 323 1.056 2,113 j __ 323 1 .056 2,113 Education Endowments — Primary .. .. .. .. .. 3,147 763,403 73,733 Secondary .. .. .. .. 375 38,388 8,535 _ — 3,147 375 763,403 38,388 73,733 8,535 Totals.. .. .. .. 3,522 801,791 82,268 3,522 801,791 82 ,268 Grand totals .. .. .. 33,535 20,664,642 859,666 33,535 20,064,642 ,664,642 859,666 .. 16,339,879 859,666 Other endowment lands .. .. .. 830 374.791 15,457 374,791 15,457 -~ Summary showing Total Land held in each Land District. ) in each Land District. District. Sele'ctors' Al ' ea neld ' Annual Renta Area held. Annual Rental. Acres. £ Auckland .. .. .. 7.845 1,942,196 108,956 Hawke's Bay .. .. .. 1.946 1,072,315 144,176 Taranaki .. .. .. 2,3111 650,633 45.573 Wellington .. .. .. 4,089 982.009 86,665 Nelson .. .. .. 2,108 864. so;, 15.101 Marlborough .. .. .. 1.357 1,522,084 17,594 Westland .. .. .. 2,315 1,772,335 , 8,122 Canterbury .. .. .. 3,689 4,216,642 228,885 Otago 4.902 5.579.617 128,018 Southland 2,974 2.060.846 46.576 Acres. £ 1,942,196 108,956 1.072,315 144,176 650,633 45.573 982.609 86,665 864.so;, 15.101 1,522,084 17,594 1,772,335 | 8,122 4,216.542 228,885 5.579.617 128,018 2.069.846 46.576 Totals .. .. 33,535 20.664.642 S59.666 20.664.642 859,666

o.—l

Table 25 .—Endowment Lands (other than National Endowment) taken up during the Year ended 31st March, 1916.

47

District. Nature of Endowments. Sold for Cash. o_' HI •oj_ Area. Ii ! _______ Leased under Education Reserves and Public Bodies' Leases Acts. u ~,~ee to __ si Area. a a I « Pastorul J_uii_. Pastoral Licenses „ , , in Mining DisB 5___ Me triotl under >*—*• Special Regulations. " I A„,,. |i I Area. || Miscollaneo 1 and othtir Lea Ills BBSS. 11 45 *- _ . to d^ a Area, as § 58 I j Aroa. s A I . Auckland .. Primary Secondary Hawte's Bay .. Primary Taranaki .. ,, ,, .. Secondary Wellington .. Primary Kelson .. ,, Marlborough .. ,, Acres. 1 Acres. ..] .. 11 *.*. :: o .. .. 13 .. .. 5 .. .. 7 .. ..4 .. .. 3 .. .. 1 .. .. 1 .... 3 1 5 12 .. .. 1 ., .. 35 ..! .. l Acres. £ Acres. 1,164 224 .. .. 41 4 .. .. 105 379 .. 947 123 .. .. 2 23 .. .. 398 573 .. I 66 10 . . 113 65 .. .. 5 3! ..! .. 8 1 ..; .. 274 107i ..! .. 278 158 .. .. 39 71.. .. 11,596 900 .. .. 1 7 .. .. £ , Acres. £ Acros. £ i £ Acres. £ ,, . . Secondary Westland .. ,, Canterbury .. Primary Otago .. .. ., .. ' .. i' "5 ,, .. .. Secondary SouthUuk) .. Primary „ .. Secondary .. Totals 1 6 1 5 103 15,0372,648 .. .. j Wellington . . Wanganui Harbour Board Nolson .. Westport Harbour Board Canterbury .. Lake Ellesmere Southland .. Otago University 2 2 2 2 .. 2 2 .. I 1 1 " .. 2 3,362 ..2 3,362 15,037 2,6481 2 j 3,362 II ! .. .. 6 ..j 3 801 21 3 214 5 10 ••I 2 * 8 i ;____ 43 3 801 21 3 214 5 18 43 3 801 21 3 214 5 18 6 10 2 19 1,272 48 35 26 3 Totals 2 2 18 64 1,339 Grand totals 3 7 3 7 103 103 18 1,339 64

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Table 26. —Return of Education Endowments at 31st March, 1916.

48

i to „_ Taken up during the Expiries during the I _ Year. Year. f °a° | ! _§ o District. eg a"C _ j£ 5 ft9 . S-8 a.„ u Annual si a,-™ Annu - C Sii _S Rental. 5 Alea ' Rent. «a <e o § H _ 1 g-t-i BtS § e-i <i a a I Arcs Annual A1CU " Rental. to SI a s A Renewal of Li during the Y Area. leases tear. Annual Rental. Primary Education. Acres. Acres. Acres. £ Acres. i Auckland .. .. 116,020 102 11 1,164 224 10 5,840 l: Hawke's Bav .. .. 80,186 102 5 105 379 2 2 Taranaki .. .. 51,112 50 13 947 123 17 138 i Wellington .. .. 94,674 380 7 398 573 2 207 i Nelson .. .. .. 10,335 66 4 66 10 1 10 Marlborough .. .. 1,120 .. 3 113 65 Westland .. .. 14,613 .. I 33 Canterbury .. .. 70,220 274 3 274 107 35 8,294 8,1' Otago .. .. .. 45,515 141 12 278 158 39 3,590 81 Southland .. .. 348,817 1,510 35 11,596 900 66 19,274 1,2! 10 2 17 2 1 Acres. 5,840 2 138 207 10 £ 123 6 80 96 2 8 2 7 2 1 Acres. 5,838 2 93 207 10 £ 412 77 107 261 8 1 35 39 56 33 8,294 3,590 19,274 3 3,171 397 1,222 1 28 32 33 1,549 7,801 9 545 929 Totals .. .. 832,618 2,625 93 14,941 2,539 163 37,388 5,1( 2,625 93 14,941 2,539 163 37,388 5,100 81 15,533 2,348 I Secondary Education. Auckland .. ..10,333 .. I 41 4 4 173 Hawke's Bay .. .. 7,484 .. .. .. Taranaki .. ..2,354 5 5 2 23 4 4 Wellington .. .. 12,178 Nolson .. .. .. 802 .. 1 1 Marlborough .. .. 284 .. 1 5 3 ... Westland .. .. 4,448 .. I 8 I Canterbury .. • • 1,024 .. .. .. Otago .. .. •■ 2,100 .. I 39 71 14 494 2 Southland .. .. 579 1 1 7 1 1 Sec conda wy Educ iation. 16 I 41 4 4 173 9 4 170 5 5 2 23 4 4 15 i 1 9 1 1 2 i 1 4 1 I 5 8 3 I 1 I 39 1 71 7 14 1 494 1 200 3 i3 455 221 Totals .. .. 41,586 5 10 96 109 24 673 2 5 10 96 109 24 673 229 19 627 250 Grand totals .. 874,204 2,630 103 15,037 2,648 187 38,061 5,3 2,630 103 15,037 2 ,648 187 38,061 5 ,329 100 l( 1,160 2,598 ■ ' ~ ~~ ; Forfeitures during Surrenders during Net Area held on ;)lst Marc the Year. the Year. 1916. is during ear. 3urrei tl iders durii le Year. Net .' rea held on :jlst 1916. larch, Selec Arreai Man itors in ■ on 31st sh, 1916. *> District. ° j i Area. __ S Area. _3 _| Area. |_ nu _ _ d-gjj 8 a a ffl Renta a a« a °X a<_ A «l S5 -«l A 'Pmimjl/Mi T?,cl.ii.r.fi.ii.twt to Area. _ _ ■9 '« 9 e_ a aX A < Amount o received . fl during .1 Area. ™ Jj» A Gross Amount received during the Year. Si a A a D o a •< ervmary mauaawm. Acres. £ Acres. £ i Acres. £ Auckland .. ..3 19 22 106 12 530 09,416 4,4! Hawke's Bay .. 213 80,085 9,81 Taranaki .. ..1 8 32 I 18 8 359 50,286 5,91 Wellington .. ..2 3 10 3 17 37 502 93,087 10,41 Nelson .. .. 92 5,457 4' Marlborough .. ..2 1 4 2 113 60 39 1,119 41 Westland .. 51 11,951 31 Canterbury .. 221 70,136 22,2: Otago .. .. ..I 1 .2 839 200 378 42,729 4,1! Southland .. 6 139 34 2 I 2 762 339,137 15,8! £ 2 \imary Eduoati Acres. £ 2 106 12 ion. Acres. £ £ 530 09,416 4,425 4,035 213 j 80,085 9,397 , 9,395 359 ! 50,286 5,956 5,898 502 93,087 10,469 : 10,128 92 i 5,457 470 ] 548 39 ' 1,119 451 ' 477 51 11,951 301 281 221 70,136 22,239 27,170 378 42,729 4,132 4,338 762 339,137 15,893 16,485 £ 227 100 335 262 26 4 38 560 15 14 32 10 4 i ' \H 8 3 17 37 2 113 60 2 839 200 2 I 2 12 1,094 319 28 12 19 28 (i 3 7 7 9 3 1 34 Totals .. .. 15 170_ 82. 12 1,094 319 3,147 763,403 73,7: 82i 3,147 763,403 73,733 78,755 122 1,581 flflAAl fi Mt»A I hi'fjn I ft fl 4"/t *-l/l/l Secondary Education. Auckland .. 162 1 8,635 1,3 Hawke's Bay .. 26 7,483 1,8 Taranaki .. 46 ; 2,295 9 Wollington .. 12 12,177 2,6 Nelson .. .. 28 770 1! Marlborough . . .... . . 4 262 Westland .. 30 , 3,209 I Canterbury .. .... .. .. 1 ,024 2 Otago .. . . .. 1 146 2 46 I ,954 8 Southland .. 21 579 2 St ccondary Educat ducat 'don. 162 8,635 26 7,483 46 i 2,295 12 12,177 28 770 4 262 30 3,209 1,024 46 I ,954 21 579 375 38,388 1,371 1,889 931 2,693 121 89 109 270 815 247 1,422 1,911 859 2,743 130 86 100 405 857 236 12 2 5 3 157 24 9 13 2 Totals .. .. I 146 2 375 38,388 8,5 2 8,535 8,749 22 20.3 Grand totals .. 16 316J 84J 12 1,094 319 3,522 801,791 82,2 84_ 12 1,091 319 I ,094 319 3,522 801,791 82,268 87,504 144 1.784 I

49

a—i

Table 27. —Return showing the Area of Land settled under Village-settlement Conditions to the 31st March, 1916.

Auckland .. (i selectors; area, 274 acres; annual instalment, £2f>. Hawke's Bay . . I „ 6 „ „ £2. Wellington .. 8 „ „ Bl „ „ £52. (Canterbury .. 8 „ „ 74 „ „ £17. Otago .. 2 „ 21 „ „ £10. Southland .. 20 „ „ 392 „ „ £88

Table 28. —Return showing the Area of Land settled under Special-settlement-association Conditions to the 31st March, 1916.

Table 29. —Return showing the Area of Land settled under Improved-farm-settlement Conditions to the 31st March, 1916.

Taranaki .. 4 selectors; area, 598 acres; annual instalment* £73. Southland ..2 „ „ 28fi „ „ £20.

District. Auckland Hawke's Bay Taranaki Wellington Nelson Marlborough Westland Canterbury Otago Southland Si 8£ A a 00 5 14 3 57 1 3 2 42 2 39 Area held at 31st March, 1916.* Annual Rental or Number Instalment of Area held, payable, inHeleotors. eluding Interest on Advances. Acres. £ 86 3,300 I 287 125 3,693 1,969 16 74 12 086 11,328 2,577 0 II 6 46 389 73 16 129 19 341 9,996 I 1,760 213 3,263 605 315 4,817 | 591 Area made Freehold Total t0 Date - Amount advanced to i Selectors *"™ bBr Area ' proverbs Purchasers acquired. up to Purchasers. 31s( Mftl . ch| 1916. Acres. £ 83 i 429 2,312 412 2,432 877 439 I 3,151 644 j 3,947 6,893 17 | 142 104 20 85 ! 766 I 5,577 I 2,580 257 ' 2,951 1,032 9,423 1,100 Amount Ol Advances which have been repaid to 31st March, 1916 £ 2,283 428 5,709 15 i ,'rm 428 Totals 168 1,849 37,000- 7,899 3,670 28,137 13,872 10,393 I I I ♦The following conversions to deft rred paym* ent are Included in the totals under this heading:—

District. • a as a * Area held at 31st March, 1916.' Area made Freehold to Date Area held. Selectors. Instalment. Number of Area Purchasers. acquired. Auckland Hawke's Bay Taranaki Wellington Canterbury Otago 6 2 9 50 4 I 56 10 87* 378t 37 14 Acres. 9,232 2,000 15,604 67,059 4,132 2,765 £ 266 80 844 3,978 275 121 04 56 3 892 4 Acres. 7,036 5,610 600 94,040 518 Totals •'Included in this total is one selection, arei I Included in this total are two selections, arei 72 200 acres, i ■too acres, ai 577 100,792 : 5,564 j 1,019 md annual instalment, £11, held on deferred-payuier id annual instalment, £34, held on deferred-payment 1: 107,810 it license, ieense.

District. °1 a a as aai S5 Area hi Number of Selectors. ,ld at 31st March, 1916.* Area ma< D 3 a [ e reehold to Area held R tntTor gggSA I acquired Instalment, '•"chasers.: acquned. Total Amount advanced to Selectors for Improvements. Auckland Hawke's Bay Taranaki Wellington Southland 12 2 19 19 4 117 15 346 226 35 Acres. £ Acres. 15,956 1,891 8 799 1,692 219 2 219 48,803 1 5,368 17 1,403 28,717 | 3,282 119 12,472 3,885 234 10 846 £ 26,690 2,020 44,913 37,438 12,058 Totals 56 739 99,053 ; 10,994 150 15,739 123,125 * Included in the totals undi er this head .ing are the following deferred-payment lands:—

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50

Table 30. —Lands disposed of under the Land for Settlements Acts to the 31st March, 1916.

Table 31. —Transactions in Bush, Swamp, and Scrub Lands under Section 127 of the Land Act, 1908, during the Year ended 31st March, 1916.

,,.„ _gS 0 i_g° Tota[Area pure based for Cash Total LaDda lea8ed at Date. Net Area -_£*_, § J °"o _ „-, _ or mado » reehold to Date ' acquired, £ ec "*" e _ B -?5__ _-_ s— District. inoludiiw og "surnhi's lteser ™ s -5'Sa.-o°S __ Area Prioe Si Vrea Annua > surplus. un]et a'S realized. a. Alea " Rental. £.2.2 _ _ a« s_ 3 5 ... «_ *:£_ ij__j I Acres. Acres. Acres. £ £ Acres. £ Auckland .. .. 290,991 7,470 69,483 336 ! 47,555 79,877 889 166,483 24,899 Hawke's Bay .. 239,135 2,174 110 80 9,036 56,041 702 227,815 75,326 Taranaki .. .. 5,331 62 9 I 631 14,130 77 4,638 3,688 Wellington .. .. 71,976 791 4,761 38! 2,553 31,635 427 63,871 22,398 Nelson .. .. 34,501 765 8,581 1 2 II 38 I 25,153 2,282 Marlborough .. 220,704 2,688 736 14 j 3,979 12,911 457 , 213,114 32,130 Westland .. .. 5,125 96 .. .. .. .. 32 5,029 541 Canterbury.. .. 512,674 3,374 135 71 5,644 40,626 1,687 503,521 134,088 Otago .. .. 230,800 2,702 979 20 1 1,692 10,696! 907 225,427 59,552 Southland .. .. j 86,125 940 6,821 41 ! 6,998 19,817 288 71,366 15,501 Totals .. Jl,697,362 21,062 91,606 580 ' 78,090 265,744 5,504 1,500,417 370,405 | I i I rn„ to , i Arrears on Holdings inspected during Year ended Amount Rent and -£*» M"'*,^ 011 ' 31st March, 1916. Unlet a 15 ™ 1 ""* 1 other rrom I Sel X. B %-j-Ji *J ' ValO-rflg^ 4. h ' ImX- No. Amount. 11_ A '™' ~ —I 1916 ' m.nts. 1916 ' if I .Required. A °^ y AX £ £ £ £ £ Acres. | £ • £ Auckland .. .. 2,492 2,209 55,646 356,141 59 1,136 73 13,776! 6,691 18,771 Hawke's Bay.. .. 85 .. 114,492; 797,080 11 397 280 66,357 161,782 268,695 Taranaki .. .. .. 337! 7,902! 62,982 2 4 11 771! 2,617 4,292 Wellington .. .. I 1,7641 2,5101 29,329 282,230 26 497| 92 15,958 27,569 64,093 Nelson .. .. 512 8501 2,182 15,817 12 915! 34 22,51o! 16,943 33,805 Marlborough .. 133 .. 36,727 298,847 26 1,162 421 194,2571 126,674 251,052 Westland .. ..I .. •• 501 8,21.1 1, 3 28 5.023 1 3.320 20,000 Canterbury .. .. 263 2,785 157,457 1,322,670 108 9,024 982 287,364 360,432 506,732 Otago .. .. I 334 .. 54,218 625,021 15| 24! 793 218,396 249,857 391,660 Southland 347 .. 21,843 172,700 10 780 312 76,209 79,550 148,650 Totals 5,930 8,691 480,297 3,941,699 270 13,9321 3,026 900,6211,035,435,1,707,750 Payments of capital value under section 191 of the Land Act. 1908 .. .. .. .. 3,466 3,945,1651 I

Selections during the Year. Area opened during Year. Heavy-bush Land. Light-bush Lund. Scrub Land. Totals. District. - — ; —fc - _ — o m Amount I o j» Amount o »; Amount o _; Amount Heavy- Light- £_■ of Rental) go of Rental £_ of Rental £ 5 of Rental bush bush ~ _. Totals. _ u Area, remitted I s ~B Aren. remitted So Area, remitted _o Area, remitted Land. Land.,*'' 1 "' If Per | §f Per |f _ 6I ES p er , " 1 ""' a Annum. |^|« Annum, Annum, £* Annum. Acres. Acres. Acres. Acres. Acres. £ Acres.; £ Acres. £ Acres. £ Auckland • • ■ ■ Taranaki .. | 9,395 .. .. 9,395 3 3,772 230 3 3,772 230 Wellington .. I 4,423; 1,782 .. 6,205 4 4,423 471 3 1,782 147 7 6,205 618 Nelson .. J37,57l| 4,311 1,00542,887 3813,317 455 1 797 26 6 2,370 50 4516,484; 531 Totals .. 51,389 6,093 1,00558,487 4521,512 1,156 4 2,579| 173 6 2,370 50 55 26,461 1,379 I , i i Total Aroa held at 31st March, 1916. HeaTy-bush Land. Light-bush Land. Scrub Land. Totals. Diitrict. ~ ~ ~ TT _T~ _ ! _ £ ' Annual ° E Annual ° S Annual ° E i Annual £2 Area j Rental _2 Area Rental _2 Area Rental _2 Area Rental _8 held. ! (re- | 8 heId - < re- &k\ held - < re- S * i held ' ('«- §■3 mltted). ao nutted), a* mltted). a_ i mltted). A w "A™ | fe" A' n Acres. £ Acres. £ Acres. £ I Acres, j £ Auckland.. ■ ■ • • .... .. j .. Taranaki.. .. .. ..15 12,964 1,012 .. .. .. .. .. •• 15 | 12,964 1,012 Wellington .. .. ..18 18,002 1,543 3 : 1,782 147 .. I .. .. 21 19,784 1,690 Nelson .. .. ..260 130,092 3,090 129 162,164 1,630 66 ;25,484 633 455 1217,740, 5,353 Totals .. ..293 161,058 5,646 132 63,946 1,777 66 25,484 633 491 |260,488 j 8,055 633 5,646 132 63,946 1,777 66 25,484 633

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Table 32. —Inspections made by the Rangers for the Year ended 31st March, 1916.

Table 33. —Return of Lands alienated under Acts without Money Payment, or reserved by the Crown for Public Purposes.

Table 34. —Advances obtained for the Purpose of roading Crown Lands, showing the Amount borrowed and the Amount repaid up to 31st March, 1916.

Approximate Cost of Paver. —Preparation, not given ; pilnting (1.21)0 copies, including illustration mid maps). £92 10s.

By Authority : Marcus F. Marks. Government Printer, Wellington.—l9l6.

Price, is. Hd.]

51

Value of Ini] provements. Number of Defaulters. Nurn ber M*** Properties A ™' visited. Required. Actually made. For For j For Non- „ Dollcient ! Non- i residence and; ___. ™ , , Improve- I residence Improve- ,,__„. Iotal raentaonly. only. ments. reasons I 1 i -V(*l*l'K iL Auckland .. .. 630 173,202 70,983 Hawke's Bay .. 724 362,022 398,889 Taranaki .. .. 321 135.904 71,501 Wellington .. 458 188,702 04,113 Nelson .. .. 837 316,057 112,234 Marlborough .. 468 208,713 139,461 Westland .. .. 294 59,797 29,462 Canterbury .. 1,196 1,220,551 387,639 Otago '.. .. 928 325,436 263,624 Southland.. .. 1,111 195,838 114,881 £ 139,387 939,598 162,157 217,797 214,429 285,444 82,922 588,488 423,702 223,815 I '""' I 84 69 62 215 26 32 .. 5 63 46 15 5 .. 66 4 20 6 .. 30 95 76 51 6 228 21 14 4 .. 39 5 15 10 .. 30 165 7 8 .. 180 80 14 .. .. 94 39 15 16 .. 70 Totals .. 6,967 3,186,282 1,652,787 In addition the following inspections were made: Auekls Hawke's Bay, 34; area, 3,713 acres (educational and other endowments). Wellington, 768; area, 129,919 acres (endowmei endowments). Canterbury, 116; area, 26,289 acres (edueationa endowments). 3,277,'730 &nd, 2,215 ; arei ■ endowments] nt anil miscel i,l endowments: 565 277 162 11 1,015 i, 1,712,868 acres (endowments and miscellaneous). i. Taranaki. 6; area, 1,770 acres (educational laiieouB). Nelson, 2; area, 506 acres (educational I. Southland, 459 ; area, 95,216 acres (educational

District, Ciown I ands set anart I Total Area 8 rante d u »d« tZ V,r. m! b,.mP. Acts without Money Payaudne n,. ment, or reserved for * ended I Public Purposes, from i 1st Man-hi91 (i foundation of Dominion ant March, mo. to 31st March 1916 Auckland Hawke's Bay Taranaki Wellington .. Nelson Marlborough Westland Canterbury .. Otago Southland .. Acros. Acres. 1,695 3,579,016 56 436,307 276 714,107 5,340 896,525 922 315,955 509 222,204 23 308,568 22 I,352,043 049 610,051 4,012 3,558,204 Totals 13,504 11,992,980 11,992,980 i

District. Area. Area. Amount borrowed. Amount repaid. Auckland Hawke's Bay Taranaki Wellington Nelson.. Marlborough Westland Canterbury Otago .. Southland Acres. 1,344,586 449,408 703,260 820,969 415,517 217,913 52,012 3,552 176,085 181,247 £ 323,626 115,733 229,463 301,697 48,046 29,918 6,226 1,821 21,475 43,676 £ 145,730 64,978 152,481 199,019 9,065 29,053 2,184 905 24,354 23,890 Totals .. 4,364,549 1,121,681 651,659

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NORTH ISLAND (TE IKA-A-MAUI.) NEW ZEALAND SHEWING LAND TENURE 1916.

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SOUTH ISLAND (TE WAI-POUNAMU) NEW ZEALAND SHEWING LAND TENURE 1916.