DEPARTMENT OF LANDS AND SURVEY: SETTLEMENT OF CROWN LANDS (ANNUAL REPORT ON).

Appendix to the Journals of the House of Representatives, 1918 Session I-II, C-01

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Session 11. 1918. NEW ZEALAND

DEPARTMENT OF LANDS AND SURVEY: SETTLEMENT OF CROWN LANDS (ANNUAL REPORT ON).

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

CONTENTS. Genbbal Report :— Pftf?e Appendix I— continued. rage Conditions of Settlement .. .. .. 3 Marlborough .. .. .. .. 14 Legislation .. .. .. .. 3 Westland.. .. .. .. .. 15 Bush-fires .. .. .. .. 4 Canterbury .. .. .. .. 15 Lands offered for Selection .. .. i Otago .. .. .. .. .. 16 Lands to be opened .. .. .. 4 Southland .. .. .. .. 17 Lands seloeted .. .. .. .. 4 Lands made Freehold 4 AppBNDIX n._ Receipts .. .. .. .. .. 5 Expenditure 5 Land for SettlementsPostponements of Rent 6 Statements showing Estates opened during Remissions of Rent 6 £ ear V. and Po3ltlon of all Settlements at 31st Revaluation of Crown Leaseholds .. .. 6 March, 1918 .. .. .. .. 18-22 National Endowment 6 Extraots from Reports of Commissioners of Inspections by Crown Lands Rangers .. 6 Crown LandsStaff of the Department .. .. .. 7 Auokland .. .. .. .. 23 Departmental Changes 7 Hawke s Bay 23 Expeditionary Poroe, Officers joining, &c. .. 8 laranaki .. .. .. .. .. id Reports on Cognate Subjects .. .. 9 Wellington .. .. .. .. id Head Office 9-10 Nelson . 24 Marlborough .. .. .. .. 24 Appendix I:— Westland .. .. .. .. 24 Settlement of Crown Lands- Canterbury 25 Auokland 11 gtago 25 Hawke'sßay 11 Southland 25 Taranaki .. .. .. .. .. 12 Wellington .. .. .. .. 12 Appendix III:— Nelson .. .. 13 Land-drainage Operations .. .. 2b

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GO N TE NTS— continued. Tables:— Page Tablks—continued. Page Table 1. —Lands of the Dominion, Position of Table 19.—Kebates of Bent granted during the (approximately) .. .. .. 28 Year .. .. .. .. 43 2.—Lands opened for Sale and Selection „ 20.—Arrears of Rent .. .. 43 during the Year.. .. .. 29 „ 21. —Payments to Local Bodies from 3.—Lands taken up during the Year .. 30 "Thirds," "Fourths," and „ 4.—Comparative Statoment of Lands " Halves" .. .. .. 44 selected for Ten Years .. .. 31 „ 22.-Payments of Capital Value under s.—Lands sold for Cash during the Year 32 Section 191 of the Land Act, 1908 44 „ 6. —Deferred-payment Lands (Land Aots, „ 23.—Forfeitures and Surrenders during 1877 and 1885) .. .. .. 82 the Year .. .. .. 45 7.—Deferred-payment Lands (Land Laws „ 24. — Selectors, Number of, Area held, and Amendment Acts, 1912 and 1913) .. 33 Area made Freehold .. .. 40 „ B.—Perpetual-lease Lands .. .. 34 „ '25. —Return of Educational Endowments 47 9.—Occupation - with-right-of-purchase „ 26.—Village Settlements .. .. 48 Lands .. .. .. .. 34 „ 27. —Special-settlement Associations .. 48 „ 10.—Lease-in-perpetuity Lands.. .. 35 „ 28.—Improved-farm Settlements .. 48 „ 11.—Ronewable-lease Lands .. .. 36 „ 29.—Land for Settlements Aots, Land „ 12.—Agricultural-loaso Lands .. .. 37 acquired and leased under .. 49 13. —Mining Districts Land Occupation „ 30.—Transactions in Bush, Swamp, and Leases .. .. .. .. 37 Scrub Lands under Section 127 of 14. —Pastoral Licenses in Mining Districts 37 the Land Act .. .. .. 50 „ 15.—Small Grazing-runs .. .. 38 „ 31. —Rangers' Inspections .. .. 50 16. —Pastoral Runs .. .. .. 39 „ 32.—Advances obtained for the Purpose „ 17.—Miscellaneous Leases and Licenses 40 of roading Crown Lands, showing 18.—Gross Revenue received during the the Amount borrowed and the Year .. .. .. .. 41 Amount repaid .. .. .. 50

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EEPOET. Sir, — Department of Lands and Survey, Wellington, Ist June, 1918. 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, 1918. I have, &c, T. N. Bbodeick, Under-Secretary. The Hon. D. H. Guthrie, Minister of Lands.

REPORT. As all suitable Crown land is being utilized for the settlement of discharged soldiers, very little ordinary Crown land was placed in the market during the past year, and the bulk of the operations of the Department with regard to ordinary land-settlement relate to the occupation by selectors of lands selected in previous years. Every effort has been and is being made to open for settlement all available land by entrusting to private surveyors any surveys that the depicted survey staff is unable to undertake with sufficient expedition. Native lands acquired by tiie Native Land Purchase Board and proclaimed Crown lands are dealt with at the earliest opportunity, as are also estates acquired under the Land for Settlements Act; and the Commissioners of Crown Lands and Land Boards give careful attention to the subdivision and disposal of the lands in the best manner possible. Conditions of Settlement. The weather conditions have on the whole been favourable, although unsettled weather has in some districts slightly retarded the progress of settlement. There is no doubt a prosperous year has been experienced by most well-established farmers, as will be seen by a reference to the detailed reports submitted by the various Commissioners of Crown Lands in Appendix I. High prices have ruled for all classes of stock and produce, and the raising and fattening of cattle has been very extensively practised. The dairying industry is steadily progressing, whilst the fruit industry, although in the Nelson district it was not so successful as in former years, has on the whole expanded and assists the steady progress of the Dominion. Crops have suffered in some districts owing to unsettled weather, but generally a fairly good season has been experienced. Owing to the high wages demanded, the continued shortage of labour, and the excessive cost of grass-seed, fencing, and other materials, there has been a falling-off in the areas of unimproved lands brought into productivity. Though farming operations have been much hampered by the conditions referred to, on the whole the settlers have worked commendably and utilized their holdings to the fullest capacity attainable. In many districts farms have had to be left owing to the owners joining the Expeditionary Force. In some cases these farms have been used for grazing only ; in others they have been worked by neighbours or relatives to the best of their ability ; whilst a proportion in the bush districts have unfortunately retrograded, but it is hoped that such retrogression is only temporary and will soon be overcome when normal conditions prevail once more. Legislation. The following is a brief summary of the legislation passed during last year's session of Parliament affecting the operations of the Department: — Land Laws Amendment Act. —This short Act consists mainly of what may be termed " machinery " sections, embodying improvements that have been found in the course of experience to be necessary. Of the remaining provisions section 6 provides for the appointment of a Controller of Land Revenue, whose function will be to take over and perform all the duties of Receivers of Land Revenue except the actual receipt of moneys. All moneys which under the present system are payable by the Receivers of Land Revenue into various special accounts or to local authorities or persons will under the new system be paid into the Public Account by the Receivers, and without further appropriation will be paid by the Minister of Finance to the local authority, body, or person certified by the Controller to be entitled to receive the same. Section 7 provides for a modified method of allocating the moneys in the National Endowment Account and. available for the purposes of education, and section 8 prohibits the payment to the New Plymouth Harbour Board of " fourths " derived from the sale or other disposal of any portion of the West Coast settlement reserves. Finance Act. —Section 81 of this Act provides for an increase in the amount that can be borrowed for the purposes of the Rangitaiki Land Drainage Act from £100,000 to £140,000, and section 82 provides for an increase from £100,000 to £500,000 in respect of the amount that may be borrowed

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for the purposes of the Discharged Soldiers Settlement Acts. An appropriation of £20,000 for the formation of roads to give access to lands disposed of to discharged soldiers is provided for in section 25 of the Appropriation Act, 191.7. B,eserves, <&c, Disposal Act, 1917. —This Act, which authorizes special dealings with reserves, &c, contains 129 clauses, relating in the majority of cases to matters of purely local interest. Discharged Soldiers Settlement Amendment Act. —This amended the Act of 1915 in several respects, which are set out in the Discharged Soldiers Settlement Report. Bush-firks. Bush-fires occurred in the Maruia District (Nelson) in the early part of the year, and assistance to settlers towards regressing their holdings was given by the Government; whilst in the latter part of the year extensive fires occurred principally in the district adjacent to Raetihi (Wellington), in which some sixty houses in the township with their contents were destroyed. The area of grass burned is estimated at almost 20,000 acres, and the resowing of this will involve an outlay of some £35,000. Action was immediately taken by the Government to protect the farmers against a possible increase in the price of grass-seed, and assistance was given to them in the purchase of seed to the extent of almost £30,000 by paying their accounts and arranging for repayments to be distributed over a term of two years. Some £14,000 was generously subscribed by the public for relief purposes, and this amount was subsidized by the Government to the extent of £10,000. The administration of these moneys was entrusted to the Waimarino Fire Relief Association, an association incorporated for the purpose. The loss suffered by farmers in buildings, fencing, and stock was heavy, and for the purpose of assisting them to reinstate their improvements and restock their lands some £45,000 was allotted by the Government for loan to them on easy terms. It is anticipated that with this assistance the production of the district will be maintained, and that the farmers will quicHy recover from their losses. Lands offered for Selection. The lands offered for selection under the various tenures of the Land Act, Land for Settlements Act, and Education Reserves Act, comprised a total area of 271,325 acres. An area of 3,377 acres was opened on the optional system. The area opened on renewable lease was 11,173 acres, of which 6,823 acres was settlement land (the lessees of which have a right to acquire the freehold), the balance, 4,350 acres, being national-endowment land. Under pastoral license an area of 218,670 acres was offered, and the area offered as small grazing-runs was 13,840 acres. It will be noticed that less land has been offered for selection by the general public than in former years. This is due to the fact that practically all suitable holdings are being set aside for selection by discharged soldiers under ordinary tenures, as provided by section 3 of the Discharged Soldiers Settlement Act, 1915, or under the special tenures prescribed by section 4 of that Act. Altogether 354 holdings, comprising 70,882 acres of Crown, settlement, national-endowment, and Cheviot Estate lands were set apart for selection by discharged soldiers. A considerable number of these holdings have been selected by discharged men. Those remaining are available for selection or for allotment by Land Boards in their discretion. Those lands are dealt with fully in the report on the settlement of discharged soldiers under the Discharged Soldiers Settlement Act, 1915. Lands to be opened. Lands in view for opening comprise a total area of 343,700 acres, including about 1,000 acres of town, village, and suburban lands. The rural land will be practically a!l opened for discharged soldiers, and the area available for soldier settlement is likely to be further increased by the purchase of private estates by the Land Purchase Board for subdivision. Lands selected. The total selections during the year under all tenures covered a gross area of 895,655 acres by 1,487 selectors. Those figures include, however, 75 cash sales of small town and suburban sections aggregating 429 acres. The selections made by discharged soldiers are also included in the figures quoted, but as these last-mentioned lands are dealt with in a separate report prepared and laid before Parliament in accordance with the Discharged Soldiers Settlement Act, 1915, there is no necessity to repeat the information in this report. The usual table giving separate figures under each tenure appears in the appendix as No. 3. Freeholds acquired. During the year the following lands were purchased outright for cash : — Number. rca - P ™ e - Acres. i Town lands .. .. .. .. ..29 14 731 Suburban lands .. .. .. ..46 415 4,847 Rural lands .. .. .. .. ..105 4,267£ 7,360 180 4,696| 12,938 The leasehold and deferred-payment holdings converted to freeholds during the year covered an area of 114,412 acres, in 584 holdings, the total purchase price being £174,357. The holdings converted to freehold under the Land Laws Amendment Acts of 1912, 1913, and 1914, and included in the gross total given before, comprised an area of 47,378 acres, in 290 holdings, the purchase price being £104,329. This now brings the total freeholds acquired under these enactments to 426,470 acres, in 2,237 holdings ; purchase price, £752,610.

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Receipts. During the year the revenue was as under : — Auckland .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 212,905 Hawke's Bay .. .. .. ... .. .. .. 190,501 Taranaki .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 77,488 Wellington .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 168,090 Nelson .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 35,544 Marlborough .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 57,801 Westland .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 19,958 Canterbury .. .. .. .. .. .. ..238,041 Otago .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 143,958 Southland .. .. .. .. ;. .. .. 69,606 Total .. .. .. .. £1,213,892 The following analysis shows the sources from which the revenue was derived :— Cash sales and purchase of freeholds .. .. .. .. 167,639 Deferred-payment instalments .. .. .. .. .. 72,226 Perpetual-lease rents . . . . .. .. .. 1,991 Occupation-with-right-of-purchase rents .. .. .. .. 110,219 Leasc-in-perpetuity rents .. .. .. .. .. .. 210,678 Renewable-lease rents .. .. .. .. .. .. 199,361 Pastoral licenses in mining districts under special regulations : Rents .. 3,401 Small-grazing-run rents .. .. .. .. .. .. 91,319 Mining districts land occupation leases : Rents .. . . .. 1,521 Pastoral-run rents .. . . .. . . .. . . 77,675 Educational and other endowments .. .. .. .. .. 122,754 Other leases and licenses and miscellaneous receipts .. .. .. 155,108 Total .. .. .. .. £1,213,892 Expenditure. The amount appropriated on the Consolidated Fund for the purpose of the Lands and Survey Department amounted to £242,046, against which the net expenditure charged up amounted to £159,832, being £82,214 less than estimated requirements. The administration, management, survey, and other expenses incidental to departmental activities amounted to £162,306, against which the sum of £50,636 was recovered for services rendered to other Departments and for charges upon expenditure of loan funds administered by the Department. The net expenditure was therefore £111,670, being a reduction of £20,465 on the expenditure of the previous year. The difference is principally accounted for by recoveries exceeding the estimates by £8,636. Further decreases in expenditure are found in charges on the surveys of ordinary Crown lands, the difference between the previous year's figures and the figures of the past year being about £7,000. As, however, considerable progress will be made this year in the survey of lands purchased from Natives, it is estimated that the expenditure in respect of surveys will show a substantial increase over that of the past year. Owing to the absence of a number of additional officers with the Forces, expenditure upon salaries shows a decrease of £4,000. The absence of these officers has entailed considerable additional work upon the remaining officers, which has been carried out with great difficulty. Under the heading " Lands and Survey, Miscellaneous," the expenditure is £19,000 less than estimated. A considerable portion of the vote comprises appropriations for the construction of roads and for payment of grants and subsidies for improvement to recreation-grounds. Great difficulty has been experienced in securing the necessary labour for the roadworks, while in regard to grants, &c, for recreation-grounds no money has been paid over during the war except in those cases where commitments were entered into previous to the war. The Discharged Soldiers Settlement Account shows that £113,694 was advanced during the year, as against £32,324 advanced for the previous year. Statements of accounts in connection with these transactions appear in the Discharged Soldiers Settlement Report. During the year it was decided that the ratepayers of the Hauraki Plains Settlement be rated to provide the amount required annually for the purpose of the maintenance of completed works, and that the Rangitaiki land-drainage ratepayers be rated to repay the expenditure incurred in the swamp-drainage works. Demands for rates were issued before the end of the year, but owing to the lateness of the issue very little was received for rates at the 31st March. The gross amount charged up by the Department shows an increase of £155,338 over that of the previous year, operations on the Discharged Soldiers Settlement Account, the Hauraki Plains Settlement Account, Rangitaiki Land Drainage and Swamp Land Drainage Account being principally responsible for the increase. A more complete system of accounts has now been set up in connection with the operations under the Hauraki Plains Act and the Rangitaiki Land Drainage Act so that the true financial position may be more readily disclosed. From the statement of accounts attached to the Hauraki Plains report it will be noticed that the Revenue Account shows a net profit of £17,590 at the 31st March last, while increment gained on the areas handed over to the Land Board over and above the expenditure incurred in the reclamation thereof amounted to £37,167.

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Summary of Expenditure approved during the Year ended 31st March, 1918.

Postponements of Rent. The postponements of rent and other payments granted during the year amounted to £24,387, the number of tenants affected being 325. The total amount remaining postponed at the close of the year was £26,091. Remissions op Rent. The rental remitted for the, year amounted to £12,074, an amount of £870 being granted to ordinary tenants. The balance of the amount is made up of remissions granted to members of the Expeditionary Force and discharged soldiers, particulars of which are given in the Discharged Soldiers Settlement Report. Revaluation of Crown Leaseholds. During the year twenty-nine properties were revalued under section 15 of the Land Laws Amendment Act, 1915. The capital values were reduced from £115,986 to £88,429, and the annual rentals from £5,216 to £3,978. At the close of the year there were three applications not dealt with. National Endowment. The area of national-endowment land in the Dominion at the 31st March, 1918, was 8,924,361 ac7 - es. Of this area 6,714,639 acres was held under lease or license, providing an annual rental of £117,879. The gross amount of rents, &c., received from this endowment during the year was £122,148. Inspections by Crown Lands Rangers. The Crown Lands Rangers made inspections during the year of 4,642 holdings, aggregating 1,674,878 acres. Particulars as to the value of the improvements effected as against those required by law, also number of defaulters for deficient improvements, non-residence, &c, arc given in Table 31 published in the appendix.

Name of Vote or Account, Amount r, ... voted. Expenditure. I Net Amount voted. Gross Expenditure. Recoveries. Net Expenditure. Consolidated Fund. £ £ s. d Lands and Survey .. .. ..183,678 172,025 12 4 Lands and Survey, Miscellaneous .. 58,368 40,628 4 3 State Forests Account .. .. 42,197 41,912 17 I Scenery-preservation Account .. .. 11,263 1,536 18 10 Land for Settlements Expenses .. 6,917 3,319 10 1 £ s. d. 1.72,025 12 4 40,628 4 3 41,912 17 I 1,536 18 10 3,319 10 1 £ s. 51,230 15 1,591 13 61 3 <1. 3 9 6 £ s. d. j 120,794 17 1 39,036 10 6 41,851 13 7 1,536 18 10 3,307 6 1 12 4 0 Public Works Fund. Improved-farm Settlements .. .. 2,000 61.2 1 4 Lands, Miscellaneous .. .. .. 13,000 2,317 I 0 Land for Settlements Account. Roads to open up Lands for Settlement 100,000 44,320 3 2 612 1 4 2,317 I 0 1,091 1 1 Cr. 478 19 9 2,317 1 0 44,320 3 2 324 4 2 43,995 19 0 Totals .. .. ..417,423 306,672 8 1 306,672 8 1 54,311 I 9 252,361 6 4 Hauraki Plains Settlement Account (Section 93, Re- 22,968 3 9 serves, &c, Act, 1916) Rangitaiki Land Drainage Aooount .. .. 21,291 2 11 Swamp Land Drainage Account (Section 95, Reserves, ! &c, Act, 1916)— £ s. d. Kaitaia .. .. .. 6,039 15 9 Waihi .. .. .. 1,835 18 7 Poukawa .. .. .. 1,169 18 5 816 14 2 22,151 9 7 58 11 10 21,232 II I — 9,045 12 9 Native Land Settlement Account .. .. 31,038 6 10 National Endowment Account .. .. .. 5,224 1 2 Discharged Soldiers Settlement Account .. .. 113,694 0 8 Land for Settlements Account .. .. .. 23,20110 2 Special Acts Deposit Account —Refunds, &c. . . 12,534 1 2 78 10 9 9,045 12 9 30,959 16 1 5,224 1 2 101,511 1 2 23,201 10 2 12.534 1 2 12,182 19 6 Totals .. .. .. .. 238,996 19 5 13,136 16 3 225,860 3 2 i i Grand totals . . .. .. ! 545,669 7 6 i 67,447 18 0 478,221 9 6

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Staff of the Department. The calls made upon the Public Service generally in connection with the present war have naturally been felt to a large extent by this Department. At the outbreak of war the staff of this Department totalled 572, comprising 506 permanent and 66 temporary officers. Since that date to the 31st March last 171 officers have joined the Expeditionary Force, 25 of whom have given lip their lives in defence of the liberties of the Empire. Twelve other officers died during that period, while 114 have retired from the Department and left the Service, and 22 have been transferred to other Departments. To cope with this serious abatement 88 new appointments have been made to the. permanent staff, 43 officers who were formerly on the temporary staff have been permanently appointed, whilst 96 temporary appointments have been made, and 13 officers have been transferred from other Departments ; so that the staff at the end of the last financial year comprised 398 permanent officers and 74 temporary, or a total, of 472, thus showing a diminution of 100 officers from the previous strength of the Department. With a view to economizing as much as possible, and to enable the present staff to cope with the abnormal position occasioned by the war, the work of the Department, wherever possible, has been curtailed. Triangulation has been stopped, and standard surveys nearly so, no inspections of surveys have been made other than those absolutely necessary, and the travelling of officers and the attendant expenses have been reduced to a minimum. In every office the substitution of new maps for old and dilapidated ones, the arrears of mapping, and preparation of plans dealing with compilation of surveys have also been postponed as much,as possible. All work that is not deemed of first importance or immediately required for settlement or current operations has been allowed to stand over, leaving only the absolutely essential work to be carried out by the reduced staff till the end of the war, when better conditions will enable such work to be once more undertaken. The settlement of discharged soldiers on the land has added much new work to the Department, and in every direction demands are constantly being made upon the services of the staff. This will be better understood if it is remembered that this Department makes all advances under the Discharged Soldiers Settlement Act besides assisting the soldiers in their purchases and keeping accounts of their transactions. The utmost willingness has been displayed by all officers to keep the work up to date and have it promptly attended to, whilst, where necessary, officers have been permitted to take up duties outside the Department (such as on Military Service Boards, &c.) to deal with war work and new problems. In every possible way the Department has co-operated with other branches of the Public Service in carrying out its respective duties satisfactorily notwithstanding a curtailment of staff. The loss of trained officers, and the consequent frequent changes of the duties of others necessitated by the departure of the former at short notice, have added considerably to the difficulties of the administration and of the individual officers affected, but I can conscientiously say that all have responded to the calls made upon them in a most loyal and efficient manner. Departmental Changes. Retirements. Mr. F. T. O'Neill, Assistant Under-Secretary of Lands, retired on the 30th April, 1918, but gave up active duty on the Ist February, on which date he commenced three months' leave prior to retirement. Mr. O'Neill joined the General Crown Lands Office on the 17th October, 1872, and had therefore completed forty-five years' service on his retirement. During all this period ho served in the Head Office of the Department, and was appointed Chief Clerk on the Ist February, 1902, being promoted to the position of Assistant Undcr-Socretary on the Ist April, 1912. In addition, he acted as Secretary to the first Conference of Land Boards in December, 1904, and as Chairman of the departmental conference of clerical officers in May, 1914. Whilst the Immigration Department was a branch of this office Mr. O'Neill also acted as Chief Clerk in connection therewith. During his long career Mr. O'Neill carried out the duties entrusted to him in a loyal, zealous, and conscientious manner. Mr. H. Gγ. Price, Commissioner of Crown Lands and Chief Surveyor, Blenheim, retired on the 30th June, 1917, after a period of continuous service of forty-three years. Mr. Price first served in the Westland District, and was appointed Assistant Surveyor in 1881. He was transferred to the Hawke's Bay District in 1882, and joined the office staff as a draughtsman in August, 1892. He was promoted to be Land Transfer Draughtsman at Wellington in September, 1901, and appointed Chief Draughtsman in the Napier Office in March, 1908. On the Ist April, 1914, he was promoted to be Commissioner of Crown Lands and Chief Surveyor of the Marlborough District. During his long service Mr. Price proved himself a capable and energetic officer. Mr. H. A. R. Farquhar, Draughtsman and Computer in the Head Office, retired on the 80th April, 1918, having been on three months' leave prior to retirement. He joined the Department on the Ist May, 1878, served as a survey cadet in the Otago District, and was appointed Assistant Surveyor in December, 1881. He remained in the field until 1885 and was then transferred to the Wellington District, and entered the Head Office as a draughtsman. From November, 1903, until March, 1905, he acted as Land Transfer Draughtsman, Auckland, but at the latter date rejoined the Head Office staff. During his long period of service he proved a hardworking and conscientious officer, who always endeavoured to perform work allotted to him in the best manner possible. Mr. F. W. Hunt, Draughtsman, Christchurch, retired on the 7th November, 1917, after forty years' service in that office, where his local knowledge, wide experience, and attentiveness to his duties proved of very great benefit to the Department and the public.

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Promotions and Transfers.

Officers transferred to or working for other Departments. In addition to the depletion of the staff through officers joining the Expeditionary Force, several have been transferred to other Departments, either permanently or temporarily, to cope with pressure therein caused through the war and increase of business. These include— Affleck, Miss A. C, shorthand-writer and typist in charge, Head Office : Transferred to Public Service Commissioner's office, July, 1917. Archibald, C. 8., Chief Clerk and Receiver of Land Revenue, Dunedin : Transferred to Public Trust Office for two years from March, 1918. Bennett, J., Record Clerk, Head Office : Temporarily transferred to office of Government Statistician, June, 1917 ; subsequently appointed Record Clerk, Department of Internal Affairs. Cumming, R. W. : On leave since the Ist July, 1917 ; joined Expeditionary Force as Lieut.Colonel; now employed at Feathcrston Military Camp as Lieut.-Colonel Instructor in Infantry Training. Duncan, A. W., clerk, Christchurch : Acted as Secretary to Canterbury Military Service Board from October, 1916, to January, 1918 - Duncan, F. E., clerk, Head Office : Transferred to Public Trust Office, August, 1916. Farmer, R. H., Crown Lands Ranger, Nelson : Transferred to Valuation Department, November, 1917. Mackintosh, H. W. C, clerk, Auckland : On leave : working with Department of Imperial Government Supplies from February, 1917. Porch, N. S. C, Record Clerk, Auckland : Transferred to Public Trust Office, March, 1918. Quinn, J. F., clerk, Head Office : Transferred to Public Trust Office, December, 1916. Nilson, J. G., clerk, Christchurch : Transferred to Public Trust Office, August, 1916. Sapsford, S. H., clerk, Christchurch : Transferred to Defence Department, September, 1914 ; subsequently transferred to Department of Internal Affairs, Statistical Branch, November, 1916. Shaw, W. E., Cashier, Nelson : On leave : working with Department of Imperial Government Supplies since February, 1917. Sinel, R., Cashier, Dunedin : Transferred to Native Department, November, 1916. Smith, David : Temporarily transferred to Defence Department, August, 1914. Stalker, John : Temporarily transferred to Defence Department, March, 1916. Stebbing, W. H., clerk, Auckland : Acted as Secretary, First Auckland Military Service Board, since October, 1916. Junior officers, comprising draughting cadets, typists, &c, to the number of thirteen have been transferred to this Department from other branches of the Public Service. Expeditionary Force. In addition to those officers mentioned in previous reports, the following have joined the Expeditionary Force: — Surveyor. —A. C. Haase (cadet, New Plymouth), C. J. Dunn (surveyor, Auckland). Draughtsmen. —W. J. Adams (Auckland), R. Anderson (Invercargill), A. D. Bines (Auckland), V. G. Burrell (cadet, Auckland), T. R. Burt (cadet, Dunedin), J. D. Clapperton (Auckland), T. L. Folley (Auckland), C. J. Freeman (Wellington), L. B. Freeman (Christohurch), D. M. Greig (cadet, Invercargill), A. W. Hood (cadet, Auckland), B. Hutton (cadet, Auckland), G. B. Knyvett (Auckland), P. S. Lawson (New Plymouth), A. P. McConnell (Auckland), D. McKay (Auckland), L. J. McKenzie (cadet, Auckland), J. M. MeKinlay (cadet, Auckland). A. F. Sutherland (cadet, Christchurch), F. E. 0. Townshend (Auckland), N. V. Taylor (cadet, New Plymouth), A. Wills (Dunedin), S. C. Williams (Auckland). Clerks. —G. I. Beeson (Chief Drainage Engineer's Office), C. R. K. Bourke (cadet, Head Office), J. G. Boyd (cadet, Auckland), S. H. Brown (cadet, Blenheim), W. E. Cockroft (Dunedin), T. A. Searell (Head Office), T. J. Lagan (Head Office). Forestry. —C. Barron (liotorua), W. T. Morrison (Ranfurly), W. M. Weir (Waiotapu).

Position to which appointed. Officers promoted and Previous Position. Bate. Jommissioner of Crown Lands and Chief Surveyor, Blenheim !hief Draughtsman, Wellington H. D. McKellar, Chief Draughtsman, Wellington R. S. Galbraith, Chief Draughtsman, fnveroargill A. H. Vickerman, Draughtsman, Auckland .. G. H. M. Moir, I Xraughtsman, Wellington .. April, 1917. i) ?) !hief Draughtsman, Invercargill )raughtsman in Charge, Native Branch, Wellington October, ,,

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Honours awarded during Year. 2nd Lieutenant R. F. W. Mackenzie (surveyor, Auckland) lias been awarded the Military Cross. Casualties during Year. Died oj Wounds, —Corporal L. W. B. Hall (survey cadet, Auckland). Killed in Action. —Private P. G. Barton (draughtsman, Auckland), Corporal K. B. L. Mitchell (clerk, Auckland), 2nd Lieutenant A. Morpeth (Land Drainage Engineer's assistant), Private P. C. O'Reilly (draughtsman, Wellington), Private W. Rochfort (draughtsman, Christchurcn), 0. D. Pearce (survey cadet, Auckland). Wounded. —Private A. E, R. Bagnall (draughting cadet, Auckland), Private W. A. Fraser (Forester, Tapanui), Private W. E. A. Gibbs (clerical cadet, New Plymouth), Private, J. M. Hemphill (surveyor's assistant, Dunedin), Sergeant H. C. Hulme (Cashier, Dunedin), Private R. E. E. McLeod (clerk, Head Office), Private E. M. Morilleau (draughting cadet, Auckland), Corporal C. K. Robinion (surveyor, New Plymouth), 2nd Lieutenant S. T. Seddon, M.C. (surveyor, Nelson), 2nd Lieutenant W. N. Sievers (clerk Wellington), Private R. A. Watkin (draughting cadet, New Plymouth). The respectful sympathy of the Department is tendered to the parents and relatives of those officers who gave up their lives whilst fighting for the Empire and freedom. Though young in years, they have gained imperishable glory by their heroism. Their loss will be keenly felt in the Public Service of the Dominion. Discharged from Expeditionary Force. The following officers have now been discharged, and in most cases have returned to duty : A. D. Bines (draughtsman, Auckland), H. B. Black (draughtsman, Nelson), M. J. B. Buirell (surveyor, Auckland), J. D. Olapperton (draughting cadet, Auckland), R. W. Cooper (clerk, Head Office), R. J. Corn well (draughtsman, Land Drainage Engineer's Office), T. S. Couch (tracer, Blenheim), C. J. Dunn (surveyor, Auckland), D. E. Gold Smith (Cashier, Invercargill), R. J. Hawkesby (clerk, Auckland), C. Kenny (surveyor, Auckland), B. King (clerical cadet, Christchurch), A. D. McGavock (Chief Clerk, Invercargill), R. Mcßae (Plantation Foreman, Whakarewarewa), F. W. E. Mitchell (clerk, Head Office), W. A. Nicholson (draughtsman, Wellington), P. V. Norman (surveyor, Auckland), W. Paora (surveyor, Taranaki), S. C. Williams (draughtsman, Auckland), A. Wills (draughtsman, Dunedin), E. S. Wood (draughtsman, Invercargill). Reports on Cognate Subjects. As in former years, separate reports are required to b,e laid before Parliament in connection with many of the operations carried out by the Department. They comprise— Discharged Soldiers Settlement. —The annual report under the Discharged Soldiers Settlement Act, 1.915, is furnished by the Department in parliamentary paper C.-9. Surveys. The report by the Surveyor-General on the work of the survey (or technical) branch of the Department is submitted in parliamentary paper C.-la. Stale Forestry. —Particulars of the tree-planting carried on in the Rotorua district in the North Island, and in the Otago, Southland, and Hanmer districts in the South Island, arc fully detailed in parliamentary paper 0.-3. Swamp-drainage. —The report required by the Swamp Drainage Act, 1915, is contained in parliamentary paper C.-4. Rangitaiki Land Drainage. —The annual report on the operations in the Rangitaiki Plains is given in parliamentary paper C- 11. Drainage Operations in Hauraki Plains. —A full report by the Chief Drainage Engineer on this subject is included in parliamentary paper C—B. Scenery-preservation.- The statutory report containing details of reservations and statement of accounts appears 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. Head Office. The work of the office is still increasing, but has been satisfactorily carried out notwithstanding abnormal conditions. Correspondence.- During the year 35,000 letters, telegrams, &c, were received, and 36,200 letters, &c, were despatched, making a total of 71,200, as against 67,170 for the previous year and 57,000 for the year 1916-17. Correspondence in connection with discharged soldiers' settlement continues to expand. Cemeteries. —Two new cemeteries were made during the year. The Napier Cemetery was closed and vested in the Napier Borough Council; and the Ngahcre Cemetery was closed and vested in the Grey County Council. The reservation over the Wairio Cemetery was cancelled and the land declared to be Crown land. There are now 526 cemeteries under the control of the Department. Public Domains.- -The public domains on the books of the Departm nt now number 576, comprising an area of 85,155 acres. Four new domains were made during the year, the area being 87 acres. Forty-seven domains are under the control of the Commissioners of Crown Lands, in the absence of controlling Domain Boards.

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Proclamations, Notices, &c., prepared and issued.

There were also issued —Three editions of the Land Guide, comprising a total of 6,000 copies ; twelve monthly posters, comprising 30,400 copies ; seventy-four land-sale posters, comprising a total of 34,250 copies ; leaflets in connection with discharged soldiers settlement; regulations under the Discharged Soldiers Settlement and other Acts.

Proclama- Ordors in tions. Council. Warrants and | Notices. Total. Under the Land Act and the Land for Settlements Act Under the Public Reserves and Domains Act Under the Scenery Preservation Acts Under the Native Land Act Under the Education Reserves Acts and Public Bodies' Leases Act Under the State Forests Act Under the Reserves and other Lands Disposal and Public Bodies Empowering Acts Under the Cemeteries Act Under the Discharged Soldiers Settlement Act, 1915 Miscellaneous 45 4 61 1 1 189 70 7 238 131 21 5 19 13 4 19 3 7 1 3 8 57 5 7 54* 23 26 54 85 33 Totals .. 129 389 597 79

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APPENDICES. APPENDIX I.—SETTLEMENT OF CKOWN LANDS. EXTRACTS FEOM THE REPORTS OF THE COMMISSIONERS OF CROWN LANDS ON SETTLEMENT OPERATIONS DURING THE TWELVE MONTHS WHICH ENDED ON THE 31st MARCH, 1918. AUCKLAND. (11 M. Skbet, Commissioner of Crown Lands.) General Conditions affecting Settlement. —Generally speaking, the past season has been a favourable one for farmers in the district. Although short dry spells were experienced, the total rainfall was above the average, but considerably below the excessive fall of the previous season, and a favourable autumn has given prospect of sufficient feed to carry stock well through the winter. High prices have ruled for most classes of stock during the early part of the season, but a downward tendency has since developed, and the importation from other districts, which was of benefit to the general quality of the stock, has practically ceased for the time being. As was to be expected, there has been no substantial increase in the areas brought under cultivation or new pasture, owing to the scarcity of labour and the high cost of material, farmers having to be content under the circumstances to maintain their farms without deterioration. In many cases the older settlers are showing much selfsacrifice in endeavouring to look after the holdings of neighbours who have gone to the front, but under existing circumstances, with the uncertainty of the stock-market and the high prices of all farming requirements, such work is being carried on under much difficulty. Conditions generally continue to be favourable to the established settler whose property needs little capital outlay, but the progress of new settlement is for the most part practically at a standstill. Taking all the circumstances into consideration, the Rangers' reports on Crown settlement are of a satisfactory nature, and the number of defaulters is small, although the increase in value of improvements is much less than would have been the case under normal conditions. As most of the lands available for disposal are now being retained for discharged soldiers, the area offered for ordinary selection during the year has been nominal, amounting to only 1,667 acres. From time to time inquiries for Crown land are received from civilians with some capital, which could be advantageously employed in developing suitable areas if such were available. The total area of Crown land alienated under freehold tenure during the year was 51,642 acres, mostly conversions from various tenures carrying the right of freehold. In addition fifty-four tenants, occupying 16,764 acres, commenced the purchase of the freehold by deferred payments. With the approaching expiration of the period within which the freehold of lease-in-perpetuity settlement lands may be acquired, as well as the expiration of the term of early selections under the occupation-with-right-of-purchase tenure, a considerable increase in freehold transactions may be anticipated during the coming year. The gross revenue for the year, £212,905, is nearly £25,000 less than that for the preceding year, the difference being mainly due to special non-recurring receipts. Education Endowments. —The total area of primary and secondary education endowments under the administration of the Land Board is now 126,365 acres ; a total area of 2,4-75 acres was offered for lease during the year, but only a small portion was taken up. Renewals of twenty-two leases, comprising 1,287 acres, were arranged on the basis of present values, and at the close of the year the number of tenants was 733, occupying 79,471 acres and paying a rental of £6,614 per annum. HAWKE'S BAY. (W. F. Maesh, Commissioner of Crown Lands.) Hawke's Bay has again experienced a very wet season, the rainfall in the vicinity of Napier having been 47| in. for the year ending 31st March, 1918, nearly 5 in. more than the total for the previous twelve months. As a result the sheep-farmer has not been altogether satisfied with, his products. Wool was light, and the overabundance of rank feed has been very detrimental to the condition of young stork. Cattle have been an absolute necessity to the grazier, but the high prices ruling for them have prevented many of the smaller farmers from obtaining the best results from their lands.

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Dairying has been perhaps more successful, although in the southern portion of the district a late spring delayed returns considerably, and also entailed much care and anxiety in the rearing of the calves ; and in these days it pays to rear wcaners to sell, if good, at from £3 to £4 each. It is satisfactory to observe that more attention is now being paid to the growth of winter feed, and the advantages of lucerne-culture are meeting with due recognition. Numerous reports by the Crown Lands Rangers show that improvements are generally well over the requirements, except in the case of selections acquired within the past throe years. To comply with the statutory provisions in these cases with all materials and labour at abnormal prices would almost be an economic waste, and steady establishment of the selector on his section is the most that can be looked for in the meantime. Transfers have again been below the average, but those which have been effected disclose particularly high goodwills, paid in every case, however, by those who were quite qualified to know what they were doing. The Native ownership of land in the southern portion of the district is gradually becoming a thing of the past. The Crown and private buyers of recent years have bought and are still buying large areas, and on the east coast, where there is to be found more Native-owned land than in any other part of the district, the Crown has been successful in purchasing 12,000 acres, though somewhat scattered. It is hoped that the remaining Native owners will be induced to sell or exchange. The past year has been a prosperous one, and under ordinary conditions and with a successful ending to the war the district should continue in the pleasant paths of profit. The best evidence of prosperity is that only one remission of rent, for one year, has been granted ; that the revenue for the district was a record ; that there was a reduction in the arrears of rent, and rebate for prompt payment is on the increase. One great disadvantage the district has experienced has been the bad condition of roads and bridges from Napier northwards, continuous slips and floods having played havoc with communications. Owing to the unfortunate shortage of labour it has been impossible to effect repairs expeditiously, and main roads have been blocked for weeks at a time, rendering all inspection-works a matter of great difficulty. TARANAKI. (G. H. Bullaki), Commissioner of Crown Lands.) From a farming point of view the past year has not been quite as satisfactory in some respects as some preceding ones, due in part to unusual climatic conditions and the generally disturbed state of the labour and money markets. The winter proved an exceptionally wet one in Taranaki, especially in the northern portion of the district, resulting in a high, percentage of mortality amongst young stock, owing mainly to lack of substance in the feed ; and in the early summer and again in midsummer the district (more particularly in the south) received a set-back with the dry-weather conditions that prevailed. Otherwise farmers generally have had good returns on the whole, owing to the satisfactory prices that continue to rule for all classes of farm-products, though they have not benefited to the same extent as if better climatic conditions had prevailed. Fluctuations in stock-values have been a very marked feature during the year, and have been even more evident during the past few months. In the early spring stock reached very high prices, young stock in particular—yearling steers, for example, bringing as high as £9 10s. pen- head and heifers £7 per head. The same stock now, though six months older, have dropped to prices ranging from £2 to £2 ss. per head. It is probable that there will be a shortage in winter feed as indicated by the existing stock-markets, but as the winter advances and the state of food crops can bo gauged more certainly it is reasonable to expect that resultant stock-prices will have an upward tendency again. On the whole the season has proved to be a fairly good one throughout the district for crops of all kinds with the exception of potatoes, which, coming away vigorously in the earlier part of the growing season, afterwards became largely a failure owing to blight. In the south part of the district turnips and swede crops were less successful than usual, owing to the prevalence of club-root, duo, it is believed in some instances, to continued cropping of the same ground. Crown tenants generally are continuing to develop their holdings remarkably well, notwithstanding the serious drawbacks inseparable from a prevailing shortage of labour through depletion of man-power, increased cost of grass-seed, fencing-wire, building-material, &c., which have pressed more heavily on the holders of the less-developed lands. The statutory reports received from the Crown Lands Rangers for the year show as follows : Value of improvements required, £54,106 ; value of improvements effected, £145,530. Revenue. —The revenue has been well maintained, and shows an increase of £4,957 over the previous year's receipts. The amount outstanding under the heading of rental arrears shows a very satisfactory drop from £1,324 in 1916-17 to £433 for the year just ended. WELLINGTON. (G. 11. M. MoCluhk, Commissioner of Crown Lands.) Owing to the high rates ruling for labour and materials farmers have not been able to effect any extensive improvements during the year, but, to compensate, high prices were obtained for all classes of produce. The summer heat was exceptional, resulting in pastures drying up and water

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becoming scaroc, appreciably diminishing the dairy returrs in some districts. Crops were harvested under good climatic conditions, and very remunerative prices were obtained. The average prices for stock were as follows : Lambs, from 12s. 6d., 155., 18s., up to 255. for prime ; ewes, average for good quality, 30s. ; weaner cattle, £3 to £5 per head ; store cattle, £6 to £14, according to quality ; dairy heifers, £10 ; dairy cows, £12 to £15 ; fat cattle, £16 to £20. Some bridle-tracks only formed are still to be found in bush districts, and these are in places out of repair, but otherwise roads are in good order. A destructive storm swept over the Island in March, and in the bush districts around Raetihi, Horopito, and Ohakune extensive fires broke out, causing great damage to property, stock, grass, and, I regret to say, to life as well —a settler and his wife and child perishing in the flames. Several sawmills were destroyed, a (arge number of dwellings were demolished, and thousands of acres wore so swept by the fires as to require resowing. Substantial assistance was rendered to the settlers by the Government and private, individuals, which will materially help in regrassing, rebuilding, and stocking farms affected by the disaster. The fires also swept the districts of Upper Waitotara, Waipakura, Momohaki, Tauakira, Upper Wangaehu, Field's Track, and thereabouts, seven dwellings being destroyed. Although the immediate loss to the settlers in stock, fencing, and other improvements is severe, it is now generally admitted that in most instances the fire has had a beneficial effect in cleaning up a large area of land which would otherwise have involved a considerable expenditure of money and time to arrive at the same results. It is estimated that 170 Crown tenants are serving with the Expeditionary Forces. The area notified open for application was 4,739 acres, of which 2,799 acres was for settlement by discharged soldiers, in addition an area of 23,048 acres was dealt with under the Discharged Soldiers Settlement Act. The area remaining open for application at the close of the year was 958 acres for ordinary selection and 25,755 acres for discharged soldiers. The Land Board held twelve ordinary meetings and gave consent to 246 transfers. It held one special meeting, and made visits of inspection to the various soldier settlements in the land district. In the North Waimarino Improved-farm Settlement there now remain ten settlers who have not yet taken up licenses under the Land Act, 1908. Although the number of tenants in arrear with rents is forty-three less than last year, the amount owing is £1,644 more, of which £1,534 is payable by two tenants who have been serving with the Expeditionary Forces. Arrangements are now being made for payment of this amount, and action is being taken to still further reduce the total amount overdue. The education reserve endowments are found upon inspection to be worked satisfactorily. Leases numbering seventeen expired during the year, and the lessees were granted renewals, the aggregate rental being increased from £101 to £437 per annum. NELSON. (F. A. Thompson, Commissioner of Crown Lands.) Progress generally in this district during the year has not been very marked, owing mainly to lack of labour on account of so many tenants and farm labourers having joined the Expeditionary Forces. As bushfollers were very scarce the work of developing new areas, grassing, fencing, &c, has necessarily been restricted. In the older established parts of the district, however, in respect to both leasehold and freehold lands, better progress has been made, and a successful year has been experienced owing to the high prices ruling for stock, &c. Dairying continues to advance, and the output this year shows an increase over last year's figures, while in Westport district alone two hundred cows have been added to the dairy herds. The timber industry for the year shows a decline, as owing to shortage of labour many of the plants are only half-manned. The drop in the output is not, however, wholly due to shortage of labour, but is accounted for to a great extent by the fact that the timber areas are becoming more remote and difficult of access. The fruit industry has not been so successful as in former years as, although large quantities of fruit were produced, growers were unable to obtain space for export. The unfavourable season and the prevalence of brown-rot caused serious loss to growers of stone-fruits. The reserving of areas of land for selection by discharged soldiers has restricted the land available for general selectors, but on the whole the latter have had their wants supplied from lands already on the market. In the early part of the year destructive bush-fires occurred in the Maruia district, and many settlers had their pastures destroyed. The matter was brought under the notice of the Government, and advances were made to the settlers affected up to half the cost of regrassing. During the year the Land Board held twelve ordinary meetings at the principal Land Office, and also paid a visit to the West Coast districts, holding special meetings at Westport and Eeefton. Mr. Baigent's term of office expired in March, and he was reappointed for a further term. The term of office of Mr. Patterson, the Crown tenants' representative, also expired, and an election was held in December, when Mr. Patterson was again returned by a substantial majority. The reports from the Hangers show that, in spite of difficulties in obtaining labour, &c, the settlers have, generally speaking, improved their holdings far in advance of requirements, the excess of improvements being £179,034 over requirements, while the number of defaulters in respect to residence and improvements is not considerable.

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A large number of tenants are with the Expeditionary Forces, and the majority of these have been granted remission of rent during their absence at the front. A new industry has been commenced in the Gowan Valley, near Lake Rotoroa that of making wood-wool for packing purposes, three-ply boards, &o. 'I , he plant is now working, and should make a good return to the owners when the industry becomes properly established. MARLBORO I Km. (H. D. McKellah, Commissioner of Crown Lands.) From a pastoral point of view the past season has been one of the best on record. A good supply of rain distributed throughout the year and the absence of hot winds provided an abundance of feed ; consequently stock have done well and returns have been good throughout the district, although the southern part has not fared quite so well as the northern. On agricultural areas the crops suffered somewhat from the wet, but the increased values made amends for this. Cropping was not so successful in the southern portion of tie district. The dairying industry continues to flourish, as is evidenced by the all-round increase in the returns from the various factories, and high prices have ruled. By the aid of motor vehicles and launches isolated settlers are now able to swell the factory returns, and in consequence improve their position. Floods did much damage to the main road and bridge approaches at the southern end of the district in September last. Very little wheat was grown notwithstanding the urgent need for such crop, and there appears little inclination to improve matters next season. The calling-up of men for military service has had a marked effect on the farming community, as is evidenced, by decreased cropping, spread of noxious weeds and rabbits. The conscription of married men will further emphasize this aspect of the situation, the farmers themselves being taken and their holdings being left to management by others who cannot do as well generally, considering prevailing conditions. Four Crown tenants have joined the Expeditionary Force, one being a discharged soldier. The exact number is not available, as all have not come under official notice. Pastoral Runs. —Leases covering a total area of 38,600 acres, in three runs, expiring in February, 1919, were referred to the Classification Commissioners, and being found unsuitable for subdivision were offered in accordance with the law at an increased rental to the present lessees. Education Endowments. —All the lands that are of value from a farming point of view arc! let ; those unlet are town sections, chiefly in Picton, where there is little demand. Where possible these small areas are let on year-to-year tenures. During the year three leases expired and the lessees were offered renewals. In two cases the renewals were accepted at increased rents. The remaining one, a Picton section, was not accepted. Land Board. —The Land Board held twelve ordinary meetings and one special meeting. Death removed one member, Mr. Alex. Mackay, whose loss is much regretted. The vacancy was filled by the appointment of Mr. Archibald McCallum. Lands to be opened. —It is estimated that about 2,860 acres of new land will be offered for selection to discharged soldiers. The bulk of this area is situated in the Opouri Valley. An area of about 260 acres near Renwicktown will be subdivided into small holdings suitable! for fruit-farming. Flax Industry. —This is flourishing, high prices still being obtained for fibre, and a plentiful supply of labour available, many discharged soldiers being employed. Mining Industry.- At present all efforts in this respect are directed towards the production of schcelite. The New Zealand Consolidated Mine at Deep Creek continues to be the chief producer, prospecting being conducted vigorously ; one new battery has been erected, and tenders have been called for the erection of another, all working scheelite reefs. Fruit Industry. —This gives promise of becoming one of the foremost industries in the district. The establishment of a local packing-shod and canning-factory is the outcome of successful co-opera-tion. Owing to absence of shipping-facilities the Fruitgrowers' Association is successfully marketing the present season's crop locally. This is a step in the right direction. Young trees are coming into bearing, and planting of new areas continues. Lime Industry. —Two plants are in operation, one at Kaikoura and one at Ward. At the former an excellent plant exists, but export to Canterbury is badly handicapped by the high rise in freights. At Ward the supply of soft lime workable without machinery being practically exhausted, the works have been closed, the heavy cost of machinery and uncertainty of labour preventing further development in the meantime. Noxious Weeds. —Foxglove and blackberry are very bad in the north of Maryborough. The eradication of them in the ordinary way by cutting and grubbing is impracticable, and no amount of money spent in this way would solve the problem. The only solution seems to lie in closer settlement, and the education of the young in farming communities in the good husbandry of the land. There are practically no weeds on the lands of the industrious farmer, in the southern district noxious weeds have been gradually creeping in for the last few years, and will sooner or later become troublesome if steps are not taken to keep them in check. Revaluations of Lands. —Nine settlers on Lynton Downs Settlement and five on Hillcrsden have availed themselves of section 15 of the Land Laws Amendment Act, 1915, and all with the exception of three on the first-named settlement have obtained reductions in the value of their holdings.

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WESTLAND. (Thomas Brook, Commissioner of Crown Lands.) Weather conditions during the past year have been exceptionally favourable for farming operations, and all holders of lands which have reached a state of profit have had a very successful year. Bush lands in this district cannot be brought under pasture as quickly as in the drier parts of the Dominion, and the scarcity of labour and high cost of materials having increased the difficulties of development, no great improvement can be looked for until the return of more favourable conditions. At present farmers cannot obtain labour for bushfelling, all such being readily absorbed by the sawmilling industry. A large number of farmers are engaged almost wholly in raising arid fattening beef-cattle. By introducing first-class breeding-stock they have raised their herds to a high standard, and experienced farmers from other districts speak well of the quality of the fat stock produced. A large proportion of this is now disposed of in Christchurch, and, as the completion of the Otira Tunnel will greatly facilitate transport, the progress of the work is being very closely watched, and already there has been a considerable increase in the number of inquiries for land from residents of other districts. Much of the land which is suitable for settlement contains valuable timber and cannot be made available to the farmer until the sawmiller has passed on. Inquiries from discharged soldiers are increasing, and their requirements will probably account for nearly all the land that can be opened for selection. Two licenses to produce agricultural lime from limestone-deposits near Ross were granted by the Land Board during the year. The development of one of these is under way, the formation of a road to give access thereto being nearly completed, and the erection of plant in progress. The high prices now obtainable for New Zealand hemp have resulted in a revival of the industry, and mills which were idle for some time have resumed operations. 1:1 the necessary shipping-space can be secured, the next year should show a large increase in the output. A mining venture which is of considerable interest as affecting land-settlement is under way in the Arahura Valley. A special claim has been taken up and an adjoining area of freehold land purchased for the purpose of dredging for gold, and the company intends to adopt a special method of working by which the top soil will be deposited on the surface of the worked ground. The destruction of good agricultural land by mining has been strongly condemned in some quarters, and it is hoped that this attempt to overcome the difficulty will prove successful. CANTERBURY. (W. H. Skinner, Commissioner of Crown Lands.) The lessees of the pastoral runs were, on the whole, favoured by the weather during the year. The winter was not severe ; June, July, and August were comparatively dry months, though September, when the lambs made their appearance, had the heaviest rainfall during the year, consequently the percentage of lambs was considerably reduced. Grass has been abundant all the year. On the lower hills and plains the climatic conditions were abnormally irregular. November, when the cereal crops required moisture, was the driest month —nowhere on the plains did the rainfall reach 2 in. ; and in December, when too late to benefit the crops, the rainfall was between 5 in. and 6 in., in some northern districts exceeding that amount. The early part of January was also wet. The result was disastrous to good yields. The wheat and oats fell on the heavy lands and became mildewed, and in some cases sprouted in the stooks, and in other cases were not harvested at all. Blight in various forms was also much in evidence, as well as the caterpillar. The more porous soils fared better. Potatoes and turnips became blighted. The redeeming feature was the abundance of stock-feed which benefited the cream-suppliers and cattle and sheep farmers. The rainfall was —North of the Waimakariri River, 34-65 in. ; along the foothills, 3945 in. ; on the coast, 33-20 in., except Banks Peninsula, where 38 in. fell; South Canterbury to the Waitaki River the average was 28 in. At Bealey Station, which may be taken as a fair sample of the mountain rainfall, 70-43 in. was registered. Lucerne, which is now greatly favoured by our farmers, was noticed generally in small paddocks all over the district. Pastoral Runs.- During the year the Classification Commissioners dealt with twelve pastoral licenses expiring on the 28th Feburary, 1918. Four were recommended as unsuitable for subdivision, the present licensees obtaining fresh licenses at increased rentals. The remaining eight were subdivided, temporary leases being offered to the present tenants for one year at an advance of 25 per cent, on recent rents over the subdivisions, which for the present are being conserved for disposal under the Discharged Soldiers Settlement Act, 1915. One largo run, " Lochinvar," was disposed of at the upset rental after being open for some time. The Commissioners also reported upon eleven runs expiring in February, 1919. Eight were considered not fit for subdivision, consequently the present licensees obtained new licenses at increased rentals. Three are recommended for subdivision, the surveys of which are not yet completed. Education Leases. —Forty-one leases expiring on the 31st December, 1918, have been dealt with as follows : Twenty-three were renewed as a whole to the old tenants at increased rentals ; seven were subdivided, and, of these, five of the original tenants selected a subdivision and ten leases were offered at public auction. Nine leases exjjiring 31st March, 1919, have also been dealt with ; seven were renewed to present tenants at increased rentals, and two will be disposed of at public auction.

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The tenants have experienced the same vicissitudes as the rest of the farmers in Canterbury. The holdings used merely for pastoral purposes have come of! best. With the exception of gorse hedges, many of which have remained untrimmed owing to scarcity of labour, the conditions of occupancy have been observed. Land Board. —During the year there were twelve ordinary meetings and one special meeting of the Land Board, some of these running into two days, at which 187 applications to transfer leases were approved and fifteen declined. Cheviot Estate. —On the agricultural holdings the cereal crops were again disappointing. Wheat was grown on about 700 acres, and the average return is not expected to reach 15 bushels per acre. In some instances the crops were not reaped at all. Smut, miMew, rust, and depredations by caterpillar were all in evidence. Also, approximately 1,000 acres of oats was more or less spoilt by weather conditions ; potatoes were blighted, and turnips soft and fly-bitten. The rain came at the wrong time; 153 points fell in November'and 656 points in December. 1,828 points fell more this past year than in the year previous ; however, this suited the sheepowners and cream-suppliers. All live-stock has prospered. The hill country was green with abundance of grass and clover all the year. Lambing was fair, about 90 per cent, from about 50,000 ewes. OTAGO. (Robert T. Sα dd, Commissioner of Crown Lands.) During the past year land-settlement has been to a great extent restricted owing to the subdivisions of pastoral runs being held back so as to give soldiers now on active service an opportunity to compete as discharged soldiers. The present lessees of these runs have been given extensions for twelve months in the meantime ; also all sections suitable for that purpose have been set apart for discharged soldiers. As only a limited number of discharged soldiers are inquiring for land and the general public are debarred from competing, land-settlement has been nearly at a standstill. The Mount Burke Run, containing 45,000 acres, was cut up into three runs, and one offered to the public and two to discharged soldiers ; the two latter were not selected, and have since been offered for general application and selected. The Downs Run, of 3,962 acres, was subdivided into fourteen sections for general application, and all were selected by local people to supplement their living as miners. The number of tenants for the past year shows an increase of sixty-four, with an increase of rentals of £1,700. The lands open for sale and selection comprised 49,610 acres, about half the amount that was offered in the previous year. The licenses of five pastoral runs suitable for subdivision, containing 213,580 acres, which expired on the 28th February, 1918, have been extended for twelve months. Owing to the exceptionally high prices of fencing and building materials, and the high prices and difficulty of procuring stock, land-settlement is a difficult problem. Ordinary fencing-wire is now five times the price it was before the war, and other materials have gone up in proportion. The consequence is that though well-established holdings are making very large profits out of the increased prices of stock and produce, more recent selectors with limited capital are rinding it very difficult to make a success of their selections. The settlers in north Otago have had a very fair year owing to a good rainfall, though the wheat and oat crops did not thresh out as well as was expected and, owing to showery weather being experienced just before the oats came into car, some of these crops were affected with rust. The turnip crop is not so good as usual, but the rape crop is well grown and will provide abundance of feed for lambs. Owing to heavy rainfalls there is a good growth of grass, and there is not sufficient stock in the district to eat it down ; also a great deal of hay has been saved this year. The lambing generally has been quite up to the average, and consequently the freezingworks will be kept at work and running well into the year. Large additions have been made to both the Pukeuri and South Otago Freezing-works. The price of stock has more than maintained the high level of last year. Fat lambs are bringing 255. to 285., fat ewes up to 315., and better classes of sheep 40s. ; fat bullocks up to £27. Grass being plentiful, the dairying industry is flourishing, and the high price for butter-fat makes this a good source of income, with a supply of ready money each month. In the southern districts the crops, although not very heavy, are fair, and many of the farmers have grown fair crops of wheat. Feed is plentiful everywhere. The rape crop is good and the turnips looking well. It has been a good season for fruit; nearly all the stone-fruits have yielded well, and the apples are giving a heavy yield. This industry is now commanding more attention in north Otago, and the young orchards arc coming on well. Irrigation. —Several of the settlers on Galloway Flat have been supplied with water for irrigation from the Manorburn Dam pending the completion of the Manuherikia scheme. Earnscleugh Flat and part of Earnscleugh Run, resumed for close settlement, have not been opened owing to the water rights being all held for mining purposes ; and although the mining is practically abandoned, the rights cannot be acquired except at prohibitive prices. Rangers' Inspections. —The small number of inspections of Crown leaseholds and land-for-settle-ments holdings was on account of no inspections being made where the conditions after the sixth year had been complied with. A great deal of the time of the different Rangers was occupied in reports on miscellaneous applications, revaluing pastoral runs, small grazing-runs, and education-reserve leases; also dealings with the discharged soldiers in stock, implements, inspecting improvements, &o, Exemptions from rent, either wholly or in part, were granted to thirty-seven Crown tenants on military service.

17

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Education Endowments. —The lessees of these reserves have to a great extent shared the general prosperity. The farms about Cluttia and Taieri, however, were very badly flooded last May and subsequently, and some of the land was under water for weeks. The leases falling in during the year have been let at increased rents. There are many of these reserves of indifferent land, some of which are unlet and which should be sold and the proceeds invested in more suitable lands. Flax Industry. —Flax has commanded an extraordinary price since the war began, and there are mills at work wherever flax is obtainable. Labour is not plentiful, and very high wages have to be paid as a set-off to the high prices obtained. Generally the farmers are doing well owing to the high prices ruling for wool, grain, and dairyproduce, due to the war. The past season has been unusually fine and mild, with a fair rainfall all over the district. SOUTHLAND. (H. D. M. Haszard, Commissioner of Grown Lands.) During the year under review Southland experienced yet another very prosperous season. The climatic conditions were all that could be desired, and from this important point of view it is"doubtful if a better year has ever been known in the district. The result is that the province is in a flourishing state. There is an abundance of grass, and stock are in excellent condition, the ruling high prices of the previous season being well maintained. The wool-clip was very satisfactory, and the lambing returns equal to previous successful years. At the same time it. must be recognized that the high prices for everything pertaining to a farm constitute a severe handicap to new settlers just trying to establish themselves. Dairying is probably the most profitable form of farming in Southland, and farmers thus, engaged continue to make excellent progress. The price of butter-fat has been increased, and both butter and cheese have been commandeered by the Government. The output for the year shows a considerable increase. Owing to the high prices being obtained for sheep and cattle, pastoral country has increased considerably in value and is in great demand. There is an increase in the grain crop this season, the yield being fully 20 bushels per acre in advance of last year, and owing to the prevailing fine weather the crops were harvested in splendid condition. Nowhere in New Zealand is lime more beneficial to the soil than in Southland, and hence the demand exceeds the supply. Burned lime, owing to shortage of labour, can bo obtained only in limited quantities, and as a consequence a large number of farmers have turned their attention to carbonate of lime, which has produced good results, but nowhere so good as on the Glenham Settlement and on the ridges around Wyndhani district. For the past few years the number of tenants on the books has not varied considerably, the new selections generally balancing freeholds, forfeitures, &o. The year just closed shows that there are now some forty tenants less than were on the books at the 31st March, 1917. On the,other hand, the area held and the annual rental payable show an increase. The revenue received for the year constituted a record for this district, and thus justified last year's estimates, which were the largest submitted to date. During the year 21,841 acres were opened for selection, the greater part of this area being education-endowment land, the leases of which had expired and were reoffered at auction. The balance consisted of sections in Ardhissa Settlement and a few miscellaneous holdings. These figures do not include lands which were opened for selection by discharged soldiers only. Under instructions all sections available for the purpose are being opened or set apart for returned men. I have pleasure in drawing attention to the fact that the arrears of rent are perhaps the lowest yet recorded, there being less than £100 outstanding, exclusive of current half-year, as at the 31st March. This must be considered highly satisfactory in view of the fact that there are nearly three thousand tenants, paying a total annual rental of over £50,000. The lessees under the various tenures continue to avail themselves of the opportunity of purchasing the freehold, and nearly £10,000 was received from this source during the year, over £3,000 of same being on account of land for settlements. Others, again, take advantage of the deferredpayment system. A considerable amount of time and work---both in field and office —is necessarily devoted to education-endowment lands, there being nearly eight hundred of these holdings in this district. During the year there were seventy-two expiries dealt with, fifty-two being granted renewals and the remainder being submitted at auction. The gross annual rental continues to increase, the amount added during the year being over £1,000, I think it will be readily admitted that the endowment has not suffered on account of the administration being now in the hands of the Land Boards.

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APPENDIX lI.—LAND FOE SETTLEMENTS.

The following tables show the land-for-settlement estates opened for selection during the year and the present position of all settlements disposed of: —

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, 1918.

18

Land District. Name of Estate. Number of Holdings opened for Selection. Area opened for Selection. Auckland .. ■ • \ Tapapa Te Miro (part) .. V-LC UX1J.U \£JO>l.VJ Hawke's Bay .. .. |Jj£-£ ;; ;; Taranaki .. .. | Tututawa (Parkes /Putorino ' Streamlands Tapapa .. iTeMiro(part) [ Watea .. I Marakeke Tututawa | Parkes .. 'Putorino Cherry Grove Kopane .. Pukenamu [Leeston .. Seafield .. ICraigmore Lakeview 12 10 41 9 17 3 7 15 3 14 3 3 7 4 7 1 Acres. 1,467 1,145 8,6041,575 3,733 726 397 922 579 472 222 477 198 1,329 2,105 53 j Cherry Grove Wellington .. .. Kopane Pukenamu V Wnihnra \wainora (Leeston Canterbury .. .. j Seafield .. Inrnirrmnrp vuraigmore Otago .. .. .. Lakeview Totals 156 24,004 Note.—The whole of these settlements were offered for Si election by discharged sol Idiers only.

Name of Estate. Leaseholds. Freeholds. Principal Purpose for which Holdings are utilized. Remarks as to Present Position. Auckland —• Balachraggan Bickorstaffe Cadman .. Carroll Clifford .. Cradock .. Ecclestone No. 2 Fencourt .. Gorton Hetana .. Karapiro .. Kitchener Lawry Mangapouri Mangawhero Matamata Methuen .. Ohauiti .. Okauia Opouriao .. Otway Pakarau .. Parahi Plumer Prescott .. Rang ia tea Rawhiri . . Rewi Reynolds.. Selwyn Streamlands Taniwha .. Tapapa .. Tautari .. Teasdale .. Te Miro .. Waari Waimana.. Waitakaruru Whitehall 24 45 9 7 4 32 10 36 11 8 11 20 142 10 13 9 50 15 23 9 6 1 17 2 3 "l 7 1 13 54 8 4 3 7 125 20 6 41 2 Dairying Grazing Not offered Not offered Dairying Homes and orchards Homes Dairying Dairying Homos and orchards Dairying Homes and orchards Homes Dairying Dairying Dairying Homes and orchards Mixed farming Dairying Dairying Dairying Dairying Dairying and grazing Homes and orchards Grazing; loase only Dairying Abandoned Dairying Dairying Dairying and grazing Dairying Dairying . . Dairying Dairying Business and residence Dairying Homes and orchards Dairying Dairying and grazing Dairying Good. Good. Fair. Good. Good. Very good. Fair. Good. Good. Good. Good. Good. Good. Very good. Good. Fair. Good. Very good. Good. Good. Good. Good. 15 I 4 Very good. 9 22 106 10 11 11 42 53 26 19 24 15 10 1 Good. Good. Good. New estate; fair. Good. New estate; good. Fair. Good. New estate. Good. Good. Fair. Good. 66 2 49 16 12 9 Totals 870 472

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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, 1918— continued.

19

Name of Estate. Leaseholds. Freeholds. Principal Purpose for which Holdings are utilized. Remarks as to Present Position, Hawke's Bay — Argyll Clydebank Elsthorpe.. Forest Gate Gwavas Hatuina .. Kanakanaia Kunieroa Lindsay Maliora Manga-a-toro Mangatahi Marakeke Ngatapa Otamauri.. Pouparae Pourerere Raumati Raureka Sherenden Springlull. . Te Arai TeMata .. Tomoana Tongoio Waihau Waimarie Waipuka Watea Wigan Willows 60 20 46 23 12 70 7 13 63 30 23 23 17 29 16 6 (i 30 14 21 17 52 9 11 12 22 18 1 9 12 22 2 3 6 0 *9 3 6 3 3 3 3 Agricultural and pastoral Pastoral Pastoral Agricultural and pastoral Agricultural and pastoral Agricultural and pastoral Pastoral Agricultural, pastoral, and dairying Agricultural, pastoral, and dairying Agricultural, fruit-culturo, and dairying . . Agricultural and pastoral Agricultural and pastoral Mixed farming Pastoral Pastoral Agricultural and dairying Agricultural and pastoral Pastoral and dairying Dairying and fruit-culture Mostly pastoral Mostly pastoral Agricultural, pastoral, and dairying Fruit-culture Fruit-culture and dairying Mostly pastoral Mostly pastoral Agricultural and dairying Mostly pastoral Mixed farming Pastoral Agricultural and dairying Very good. Vory good. Vory good. Good. Vory promising. Very good. Very good. Vory good. Good. Vory good. Good. Vory fair. Good. Very good. Good. Very good. Vory fair. Vory fair. Vorv good. Good. Very good. Very good. Good. Vory good. Very fair. Very fair. Very good. Good. Fair. Excellent. Very good. "2 5 1 7 3 6 Totals 714 71 Taranaki — Clandon Croydon Huinga Parkes Spotswood Tariki Tokaora Tututawa 1 7 10 7 39 8 7 3 "6 Dairying Temporary grazing Dairying Dairying Homestead Dairying and grazing Dairying Dairying and grazing Good. Fair. New settlement. Good. Vory good. Excellent. New settlement. "9 Totals 82 15 Wellington —• Aorangi Bartholomew Oarrington Cherry Grove Dyer Epuni Hamlet Fairfield .. Falloon Greystoke Hall-Jones Hawtroy Heathorloa Kopane Langdale Linton Longbush and Mahupuku Makowhai Mangawhata Maungaraki Normandale Ohakoa Paparangi Pitt Poroporo Pukenamu Putorino Tablelands and Hikawera Tawaha TeMatua.. Tiraumea.. Waddington Waihora Wilford .. 28 6 34 3 37 36 8 6 14 5 34 25 12 28 5 18 9 1 "2 6 Dairying and fruitgrowing Dairying Dairying Dairying Grazing and cropping Market-gardening, &c. Grazing and cropping Grazing and oropping Dairying, cropping, &c. Grazing, gardening, &c. Residential Dairying, poultry, bees Dairying Grazing Dairying and cropping Grazing, dairying, &c. Excellent. Good. Fair. Good. Excellent. Very good. Satisfactory. Vory fair. Satisfactory. "0 2 Fair. Good. Only just disposed of. Good. Good. Excellent. 3 3 24 1 20 30 7 31 2 15 3 15 17 "e 2 9 3 Dairying, cropping, &e. Grazing and dairying Grazing, pigs, and poultry Grazing, pigs, and poultry Dairying, oropping, &c. Residential, pig-farming, &c. Satisfactory. Excellent. Good. Fair. Excellent. Good. Let for grazing. Fair. Only just disposed of. Satisfactory. Very good. "2 Grazing, cropping, &c. Dairying Dairying Grazing 24 11 17 1 3 6 1 2 Grazing and dairying Dairying and grazing Dairying and grazing .. Let for grazing only Good. Satisfactory. Good. 3 Residential, gardening, &o. Only just disposed of. Satisfactory. Totals 626 60

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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, 1918 — continued.

20

ct ™ ~* -c,...,*-,. i Lease- FreeName of Estate. | hol(jB holds ! __ Principal Purpose for which Holdings are utilized. Remarks as to Present Position. Nelson — Braeburn.. .. 22 2 1 Lako .. .. 3 .. G Wangapeka .. 14 3 I I Dairying and grazing Grazing Dairying and grazing Dairying and grazing . . Glrazing Dairying and grazing Very good. Improving. Very good. Totals .. 39 5 Marlborough — Blind Rivor .. 18 .. S Erina .. .. 8 2 S Flaxbourne .. 128 6 S Hillersden .. 54 5 S Hillersden Bush 3 .. I Lynton Downs .. 11 .. S Northbank .. 11 .. S Omaka . . .. 13 .. S Puhipuhi .. .. 2 . . G Rainf ord . . .. 11 . . 1 Richmond Brook .. 12 .. S Starborough .. 188 5 S Waipapa .. .. 4 ! G Withor .. .. 17 2 S Sheep-farming and grain-growing Sheep-farming Sheep-farming and grain-growing Sheep-farming Procuring fencing-timber Sheep-farming and grain-growing Shoep-farming Sheep-farming and light cropping Grazing Dairying Sheep-farming and grain-growing Sheep-farming and grain-growing Grazing Sheep-farming and grain-growing Sheep-farming and grain-growing Sheep-farming Sheep-farming and grain-growing Sheep-farming Procuring fencing-timber Sheep-farming and grain-growing Shoep-farming Sheep-farming and light cropping Grazing Dairying Sheep-farming and grain-growing Sheep-farming and grain-growing Grazing Sheop-farming and grain-growing Fair. Not yet established. Fair. Satisfactory. Unsatisfactory. Satisfactory. Sound. Satisfactory. Good. Fair. Fair. Fair. Satisfactory. Totals .. 480 20 Westland — Kokatahi.. .. 8 .. I Poerua .. .. 23 II Dairying and grazing Dairying and grazing Dairying and grazing Dairying and grazing Highly satisfactory. Highly satisfactory. Totals .. 31 1 Canterbury — Albury .. .. 78 IS Allanholme .. 9 .. S Annan .. .. 43 2 JV Ashloy Gorge .. 7 3 1 Ashwick . . .. 8 .. £ Avenel .. .. 16 .. IV Avenel Extension .. 11 .. IV Aylesbury .. 6 .. IV Bourndalo .. 7 .. S Braco .. .. 9 5 IV Buddo .. . . 13 2 \ Burke's Homestead 1 .. I Chamberlain .. 21 .. S Clandeboye .. 10 .. I Clandeboye No. 2 .. 6 .. I Claremont .. 11 .. £ Clayton .. .. 6 .. £ Copland .. .. 2 .. £ Craigmoro .. 3 .. I Crioklewood .. 6 .. J Culvorden . . 58 .. S Douglas .. . . 33 .. £ Drayton .. .. 19 \ 1 Eccleston.. .. 4 .. £ Epworth ... .. ! .. 2 Finlay Downs .. 5 . . I Four Peaks .. 8 .. £ Fyvie . . .. 4 IB Glenmark .. 27 1 J Glentanner .. .. .. I Hekeao .. 14 3D Highbank . . 74 6 1 Hillborough . . 3 .. I Homebrook .. .. .. I Sheep-farming and grain-growing Sheep-farming and grain-growing Mixed farming and grazing Dairy-farming and grazing Sheep-farming and grain-growing Mixed farming Mixed farming Mixed farming Sheep-farming and grain-growing Market-gardening Workers' dwellings Homestead-site Sheep-farming and grain-growing Dairy-farming and grain-growing Dairy-farming and grain-growing Sheep and dairy farming and grain-growing Sheep-farming Sheep and dairy farming and grain-growing Mixed farming Mixed farming Mixed farming and grazing Sheep-farming and grain-growing Agricultural Sheep-farming and grain-growing Sheep-farming and grain-growing Shoep-farming and grain-growing Mixed farming and grazing Dairy-farming and grazing Sheep-farming and grain-growing Mixed farming Mixod farming Mixed farming Sheep-farming and grain-growing Market-gardening Workers' dwellings Homestead-site Sheep-farming and grain-growing Dairy-farming and grain-growing Dairy-farming and grain-growing Sheep and dairy farming and grain-growl Sheep-farming Sheep and dairy farming and grain-growi Mixed farming Mixed farming Mixed farming and grazing Sheep-farming and grain-growing Agricultural Sheep-farming and grain-growing Dairy-farming and grain-growing Sheep-farming and grain-growing Mixod farming Mixed farming and grazing Homestead-site Mixed farming Mixed farming Sheep-farming and grain-growing Mixed farming Established and prosperous. Good. Established and prosperous. Well established. Good. Very fair. Very fair. Good. Very fair. Well established. Fair. Established and prosperous. Very fair. Fair. Fair. Very good. Good. Uncertain yet. Good. Good. Fair; improving. Improving. Well established. Now freehold. Very good. Very good. Not satisfactory. Improving. Dairy-farming and grain-growing Sheep-farming and grain-growing Mixed farming Mixed farming and grazing Homestead-site Mixed farming Mixed farming Sheep-farming and grain-growing Mixed farming Woll established and prosperous. Well established and prosperous. Good. Awaiting decision re use for train-ing-farm for discharged soldiers. Fair. Well established and prosperous. Satisfactory. Good. Satisfactory. Well established. Very good. Established and prosperous. Very good. Uncertain yet. Improving. Good. Uncertain yet. Good. Well established and prosperous. Well established and prosperous. Hornby .. 22 .. i Horsley Downs . . 19 8 1 Kaimahi .. . . ' 10 3 ' Kapua .. .. j 12 .. I Kapuatohe , . 12 Kereta .. .. \ 4 2 Kinlooh .. . . I 32 Kohika .. . . 17 .. 1 Kohika No. 2 4 .. I Kowhatu .. 5 . . 1 Ladbrook's . . 14 Lansdown .. 10 1 I Leeston .. .. 1 Lees Valley .. I 9 .. If Lyndon .. ... : 9 .. ] Lyndon No. 2 .. ' 9 . . I 1 Agricultural and gardening Mixed farming Workers' homes and gardening Small farming and dairying Workers' homes and gardening Dairying Dairy-farming and grazing ... Mixed farming .. ... Mixed farming Mixed farming and grazing Dairying and mixed farming Sheep-farming and grain-growing Agricultural Sheep-farming .... ... Mixed farming Mixed farming and grazing Agricultural and gardening Mixed farming Workers' homes and gardening . . Small farming and dairying Workers' homes and gardening .. Dairying Dairy-farming and grazing .. . Mixed farming .. ... Mixed farming Mixed farming and grazing Dairying and mixed farming Sheep-farming and grain-growing Agricultural .. .. ... . Sheep-farming .... ... Mixed farming Mixed farming and grazing

c—i.

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, 1918— continued.

21

Name of Estate. t Lease- Freeholds, holds. Principal Purpose for which Holdings are utilized. Remarks as to Present Position. Canterbury —continued. McGregor.. Marawiti Maytown Mead Meadows Mills Morice Mount Nessing Omihi Valley Orakipaoa Otaio Otarakaro Papaka Pareora Pareora No. 2 Patoa Pawaho Peaks Puhuka Puiiaroa . . Rainoliff Rakitairi Rapuwai Rautawiri Roimata Rosobrook Rosewill Ruapuna No. 2 Scargill Seafield Seaforth Sherwood Downs .. Stoke Strathmore Studholmo Junction Takitu Tamai Tara Tarawahi Teschomaker Timaunga Timaunga Extension Tripp Valvei'de Waiapi Waikakahi Waimate Wharenui Winchester Unnamed —S e c t i o n 36226 Sections 36056,36057 Section 1862 (Cannington) Section 36469 (Cannington) Section 2682 Part Section 30791 Part Section 36278 Adjoining Section 36228 Adjoining Seotion 36231 Adjoining Sections 34430, 34431, &c. 1 13 11 22 14 21 30 11 27 9 5 9 I 28 30 1 13 10 9 22 5 ; 6 j 21 .14 155 15 8 4 3 26 7 3 4 5 31 8 21 12 17 7 24 11 12 194 34 23 10 1 "l "2 "3 3 12 2 I 1 "8 0 9 I 7 3 I "3 Mixed farming .. Mixed farming and grazing Sheep-farming and dairying Mixod farming and grazing Shoep-farming and grain-growing Small farming and dairying Dairy-farming and grass-seed growing Shoep-farming and grain-growing Homestead-site Dairy-f arming,grain-growing, and gardening Small farming and dairying Market-gardening Mixed farming Sheep-farming and dairying Sheep-farming and grain-growing Grazing and small farming Market-gardening Mixed farming Workers' homes Dairy and sheep farming and grain-growing Sheep-farming and grain-growing Sheep-farming and grain-growing Sheep-farming and grain-growing Sheep-farming and grain-growing Workors' homes Small farming and dairying Sheep-farming and grain-growing Mixod farming Mixed farming and grazing Mixed farming Small farming and dairying Sheep-farming and grain-growing Mixed farming Mixed farming .. .. Small farming and dairying .. Sheep-farming Workers' homes Shoep-farming and grain-growing Workers' homes Sheep-farming and grain-growing Mixed farming Mixed farming Sheep-farming and grain-growing Mixed farming Sheep-farming and grain-growing Sheep-farming and grain-growing Sheep-farming, grain and fruit growing .. Workers' homes Sheep-farming, grain-growing, and dairying Homestead-site 1 i ( 1 i i S i ■ i i i i ( 1 i i i; * 1 1 1 1 1 s ( 1 1 1 1 < 1 I 1 < I ] ( ] : ■ ( ] Uncertain yet. Woll established and prosperous. Good. Well established and prosperous. Very fair. Well established. Satisfactory. Very good. Well established. Well established. Well established ; satisfactory. Well established and prosperous. Good. Well established and prosperous. Satisfactory. Satisfactory. Satisfactory. Well established. Woll established and prosperous. Well established. Well established. Well established. Well established. Satisfactory. Good. Well established and prosperous. Very good. Moderate. Uncertain yet. Uncertain yet. Very fair; improving. Good. Fair. Good. Well established and prosperous. Satisfactory. Very good. Satisfactory. Very good. Fair; improving. Good. Fair. Fair. Well established and prosperous. Woll established and prosperous. Good. Woll established Fair. Uncertain yet. Woll established and prospered Good. Well established and prosperou Very fair. Well established. Satisfactory. Very good. Well established. Well established. Well established ; satisfactory. Well established and prosperou Good. Well established and prosperou Satisfactory. Satisfactory. Satisfactory. Well established. Woll established and prosperou Well established. Well established. Woll established. Well established. Satisfactory. Good. Well established and prosperou Very good. Moderate. Uncertain yet. Uncertain yet. Very fair; improving. Good. Fair. Good. Well established and prosperou Satisfactory. Very good. Satisfactory. Very good. Fair; improving. Good. Fair. Fair. Well established and prosperou Woll established and prosperou Good. Woll established Fair. 1 1 Homestead-site Homestead-site .. .. 1 Homestead-site 1 1 1 1 I Homestead-site Homestead-site Homestead-site Homestead-site 1 Homestead-site 1 Homestead-site Totals 1,704 104 )tago — Airedale Ardgowan Aviemore Barnego Bollamy Cardrona Clareview Clifton Conical Hills Duncan Earnscleugh Elderslie Elderslie No. 2 12 66 1 24 16 1 5 12 46 5 15 35 16 3 1 2 Dairying and general farming Dairying and goneral farming Grazing Dairying and general farming Grazing Grazing Dairying and general farming General farming Grazing and general farming Dairying Fruitgrowing General farming General farming '] ] i i ] i : ] j < : Fair. Fair. Good. Good. Fair. Fair. Fair. Fair. Fair. Fair. Very fair. Good. Fair. Fair. Fair. Good. Good. Fair. Fair. Fair. Fair. Fair. Fair. Very fair. Good. Fair. 1 2

α-i.

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, 1918 — continued.

22

Name of Estate. Leaseholds. Freeholds. Principal Purpose for which Holdings arc utilized. Remarks as to Present Position. ttago —continued. Galloway Groonfield Hilderthorpe Janefield Kauroo Hill Kurow Lakeview.. Maerewhenua Makareao Makareao Extension Maraweka Matakanui Meadowbank Moinona Otanomomo Otekaike Plunket Pomahaka Downs .. Puketapu Rugged Ridges Steward St. Helens Tihawai Taumata Teaneraki Te Puke Tokarahi Totara Waitahuna No. 1 .. Waitahuna No. 2 .. Windsor Park No. 1 Windsor Park No. 2 8 42 16 20 42 13 1 76 32 3 7 3 12 11 24 63 18 27 11 1 51 3 7 9 23 4 79 26 2 6 37 10 2 1 1 1 1 2 1 3 1 Fruitgrowing and homestead-sites General farming Goneral farming and workers' homes Dairying, fruitgrowing, &c. Goneral farming Genoral farming and dairying General farming Goneral farming General farming General farming General farming Goneral farming and grazing General farming Dairying Dairying General and mixed farming General and mixed farming Goneral and mixed farming Dairying Grazing General and mixed farming General farming Dairying Mixed farming Dairying General farming General and mixed farming General and mixed farming General and mixed farming General and mixed farming General and mixod farming General and mixed farming G G E G V G G G G G F F v G G E F V G G I G G G F V G S V V G G Good. Good. Poor. Good. Very fair. Good. Good. Good. Good. Good. Fair. Fair. Very fair. Good. Good. Fair. Fair. Very fair. Good. Good. Fair. Good. Good. Good. Fair. Very poor Good. Fair. Very poor. Very poor. Good. Good. Good. Hood. Poor. Good. Very fair. Good. Good. Good. Good. Good. Fair. Pair. Very fair. Good. Good. Fair. Fair. Very fair. Good. Good. Fair. Good. Good. Good. Fair. Very poor Good. Fair. Very poor. Very poor. Good. Good. 2 1 1 1 1 Totals 941 25 'outhland —• Ardlussa Beaumont Edendale Ermedalc. Fortification Hill .. Glenham Knowsloy Park Lambert Lamont Maori Hill Merrivale Merrivale No. 1 Merrivale No. 2 Otahu Ringway Waiarikiki 4 10 122 12 6 42 9 1 6 14 47 8 7 7 6 5 2 29 1 4 Pastoral Agricultural and pastoral Agricultural, pastoral, and dairying Pastoral and dairying Pastoral Agricultural, pastoral, and dairying Pastoral Dairying Agricultural and dairying Dairying and pastoral Agricultural, pastoral, and dairying Agricultural, pastoral, and dairying Agricultural, pastoral, and dairying Agricultural and pastoral Agricultural and pastoral Pastoral P F E G V v r G G V V F F G G Poor. Fair. Excellent. Good. Very good. Very good. Doubtful. Good. Good. Very good. Very good. Fair. Fair. Good. Good. Fair. Poor. Pair. Excellent. Good. Very good. Very good. Doubtful. Good. Good. Very good. Very good. Pair. Fair. Good. Good. Fair. 8 2 Totals 306 46 Grand totals .. 5,699 819

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EXTRACTS FROM REPORTS OF COMMISSIONERS OF CROWN LANDS. AUCKLAND. (H. M. Skeet, Commissioner of Crown Lands.) The three now settlements opened during the year have been offered for discharged soldiers only, and will be referred to under that heading. The general condition of most of the old-established settlements is very satisfactory, as the majority of the settlers are engaged in dairying, and their holdings are sufficiently developed to be comparatively little affected by the high prices of material, which press hardly on new selectors. In a few cases the settlers have hardly overcome their initial difficulties, but there is every reason to anticipate a successful future for these also. The small suburban settlements near Auckland have been adversely affected by restricted suburban services, which have obliged many workers to live nearer to their employment. The total number of tenants on the settlements at the close of the year was 876, occupying 152,458 acres, and paying a rental of £29,033 per annum. In addition to these, the freehold of 472 holdings, containing 74.602 acres, has been purchased for £142,776. HAWKE'S BAY. (W. F. Marsh, Commissioner of Crown Lands.) Since the outbreak of the Great War only two settlements —viz., Gwavas and Otamauri—have been opened in Hawke's Bay under ordinary settlement conditions, and in both cases the initial difficulties have been overcome and steady progress may be reported. There has not been the rapid increase of improvements as compared with settlements opened a few years earlier, but small settlers are handicapped by the high prices for labour and material, and must go warily until the dawn of oheapor times. However, there are no complaints, and the success of these two settlements is assured. Those of earlier selection have greatly increased in value within the last three or four years, and a great development of the productive qualities of the good lands has taken place. TARANAKI. (G. H. Bullae'd, Commissioner of Crown Lands.) Two estates have been acquired during the year, both of which were made available under the Discharged Soldiers Settlement Act. Tututawa Settlement, comprising 726 acres, was subdivided into three holdings, two being suited for dairying, with a few dry stock, and the third being more suited on the whole for grazing purposes. Two of the original selectors in this settlement have since withdrawn, and the third selector came into possession only recently. Given the right class of settler —that is, men with energy and some practical experience—this settlement should prove a success. Parkes Settlement, the other new estate acquired during the year, comprises 397 acres of level land in the centre of the dairying district, and has been subdivided into seven holdings. All the selectors are now residing on their holdings, and at next milking season it is confidently expected that each holding will be carrying from twenty-five to thirt3 r -five cows and supplying the local factory. This land was acquired and put on the market in September last, but too late for the 1917 18 milking season. Notwithstanding, two of the selectors, who are returned soldiers with some experience, started within a month of selection with a herd of thirty-two cows on 60 acres, and the other started with twenty-two cows, increasing the herd a little later to twenty-five cows. Other acquired estates in this district, numbering five in all, date as far back as 1902, and are now well established ; and with the high prices that have ruled for some time past for all primary products the holders are complying with requirements and are generally doing well. These lands have risen in value to such an extent during more recent years that the holders have been in a position in quite a number of cases to acquire the fee-simple either under the deferred-payment system or for cash outright. WELLINGTON. (G. H. M. McClure, Commissioner of Crown Lands.) The estates acquired during the year comprise the following : Cherry Grove (three allotments— 579 acres) ; Putorino (fifteen allotments- 922 acres and 30 perches) ; Kopane (fourteen allotments--472 acres and 39 perches) ; Pukenamu (three allotments - 221 acres 2 roods 39 perches); Waihora (three allotments —477 acres 2 roods). They have all been allotted under the Discharged Soldiers Settlement Act, the three last-named having been acquired and allotted only towards the close of the financial year, but the settlers have already commenced to occupy, stock, and improve their farms. In the Putorino Settlement, which was disposed of just at the commencement of the dairying season now drawing to a close, it was necessary, owing to shortage of water on some holdings, to

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establish a temporary pumping plant. Ail the remaining sections in the Fairfield and Makowai Settlements were selected, and three sections remain vacant in the Tiraumea Settlement, applications for which are now being considered. It is anticipated that the street-formation in the Hall-Jones Settlement necessary to conform to the requirements of the Lower Hutt Borough by-laws will be undertaken during the coming year, also that drainage-works in the Waddington Settlement will be completed and thus render a number of small areas suitable for market-gardening and occupation by partially disabled men available for selection. An area of 570 acres on which the military camp at Tauherenikau is situated was also acquired, and has been let to the Defence Department for the duration of the war. The settlements established in former years continue in a very satisfactory condition. Many of the settlers are purchasing the freehold of their farms, which may be taken as a good indication of their prosperity. NELSON. (F, A. Thompson, Commissioner of Crown Lands.) There are only three estates in this district which have been acquired under the Land for Settlements Act—namely, the Wangapeka, Braeburn, and Lake. The Wangapeka and Braeburn Settlements are now well established. The tenants on them, are in a very prosperous condition, and all are very well satisfied with their holdings. Their principal sources of income are dairying and grazing. Settlement on the Lake Estate has been somewhat retarded by rabbits, but this difficulty is now being overcome, and the settlers at present on the land are doing well. The chief pursuit of the tenants is grazing sheep and cattle. There appears to be no reason why this estate should not be as successful as the others when its merits become known. The present war conditions are somewhat against its development, however, as considerable initial outlay is required. MARLBOROUGH. (H. D. McKellar, Commissioner of Crown Lands.) Fourteen settlements exist in this district, comprising 216,470 acres, held by 480 lessees. No new settlements were acquired during the year. As a whole the settlers appear satisfied with their holdings, with the exception of those on Lynton Downs and a few on Hillersden Settlement. Crops have been good, while stock have brought high, prices, and generally the settlers should have had a prosperous year under present conditions. Farming generally, however, is feeling the drain of men from the country, the high cost of labour and material, and other increases due to war conditions. WESTLAND. (Thomas Brook, Commissioner of Crown Lands.) The two settlements in Westland—Poerua and Kokatahi —are old-established ones, and the settlers, most of whom are engaged in dairy-farming, are more than satisfied with their holdings. The creamery at Poerua closed down during the year, and home separators are now in use, the cream being railed to the factories at Greymouth and Cronadun. CANTERBURY. (W. H. Skinner, Commissioner of Crown Lands.) Only recently acquired settlement lands are requiring constant attention. On the old settlements the tenants' interests are so much in excess of the Crown's that only cursory supervision is wanted. Writing generally, the cereal crops have been unremunerative. Stock raising and fattening, and cream-supplying, have kept a respectable credit balance to the year's profit and loss account of our tenants. The selectors of sections on the more recently acquired estates have had more difficulties to contend with, such as higher rents, three poor years for cereal crops, difficulty in obtaining help, and, in many cases, absence of the younger men on active service, the increasing cost of implements, building and fencing materials, and the restocking of country at the higher market values. The number of defaulters for insufficient improvements is due to the reasons above stated. The Land Board has endeavoured as far as possible to moderate the difficulties.

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OTAGO. (Robert T. Sadd, Commissioner of Crown Lands.) There were no new settlements opened during the past year, but two new estates have been purchased, and one of these, known as Westcott Settlement, of 1,835 acres, will be opened for discharged soldiers in April ; the other, of 12,446 acres, with adjoining leasehold of 19,000 acres, is being worked as a going concern in the meantime. Clifton Settlement, opened last year for discharged soldiers, has not been taken up beyond the three selections out of twenty-two offered at ballot. The homestead block is leased by the former owner, and grazing licenses have been issued over the balance of estate. The older-established settlements, especially in north Otago, are doing much better owing to good rains ; it will, however, take the settlers another good season to recover from the two previous years of drought. Waitahuna Settlement Nos. 1. and 2 are not progressing very satisfactorily, and the two sections abandoned last year and now set apart for discharged soldiers have not been selected, and are let to adjoining owners on grazing licenses. Otanomomo Settlement was progressing very favourably, but owing to three high floods in rapid succession, which covered the whole settlement and necessitated the settlers abandoning their holdings, with consequent loss of crops and stock, caused a very serious set-back. The first flood washed away the Puerua Lock, which has not yet been replaced, and in consequence part of the settlement is flooded every spring tide. The work of rebuilding the lock is in hand. Three revaluations were made of two sections on Conical Hills Settlement and one on Otanomomo. Reductions were made in the capital values of the former, as the lessees could not make a living at the rents paid, and, in the latter a reduction was made to bring the holding into line with revaluations of adjoining sections. SOUTHLAND. (H. D. M. Haszard, Commissioner of Crown Lands.) There are now sixteen settlements in this district, one holding being acquired by the Government during the year, under section 3of the Discharged Soldiers Settlement Amendment Act, 1917. The purchase of Stalker Settlement (for soldiers) was also completed, but will not be included in the returns until next year. If taken up by the right stamp of man it should have a successful career, for this new settlement adjoins the Edendale Estate, and comprises some of the best dairying land in Southland. Of the settlements purchased in recent years, Maori Hill and Fortification Hill have proved a decided success, and the majority of the lessees are doing well. Notwithstanding the high prices ruling for material, &c, the selectors are making good progress with their improvements. In fact, this applies to nearly all the holders of settlement land. M.errivale Nos. 1 and 2 are now on the fair way to success, and the settlers should eventually make good. The report on Waiarikiki is more favourable than last year, and shows some signs of future success, but Knowsley Park and Ardlussa must be classed as doubtful. In the majority of cases the rents on these two settlements have been reduced during the year. All the sections on Lamont Settlement have been selected by discharged soldiers, and it is pleasing to report that there is every indication that the venture will prove highly successful. Taken as a whole the settlements in the district are decidedly prosperous, and the high prices prevailing for all kinds of farm-produce are naturally assisting selectors to place themselves on a sound footing.

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APPENDIX 111. -LAND DRAINAGE OPERATIONS. (J. B. Thompson, Chief Drainage Engineer.) Tun office of the Chief Drainage Engineer was transferred in July, 1917, from Thames to Auckland, as it was considered necessary, in view of the extension of drainage operations, to have the main office in a convenient centre. The advantages of being able to expeditiously obtain estimates for materials from large firms was also a factor in this connection, and the change has proved a great success. Convenient offices were obtained in the Safe Deposit Buildings. The branch has been actively engaged in drainage operations during the past year. Separate reports have been made on the Hauraki. Plains, Rangitaiki Plains, Kaitaia, Waihi, and Poukawa land-reclamation works. Many special inspections and reports have been made, including Lawrv Settlement storm-water damage ; Matata water-supply ; Lees Valley drainage ; Haupo drainageworks ; Waikato River works ; Moutoa Estate ; St. John's Lake (Waiatarua) ; Mangawhare foreshore ; Kaihu Valley flooding ; Kaituna River ; Waikare Lake drainage ; lnvercargill reclamation ; and numerous other minor works. Works done, by local bodies out of Government grants and subsidies was inspected and certified to, plans and specifications for such works being examined for approval or otherwise. Vouchers to the amount of £1,827 14s. Bd. were passed for payment to the different local bodies. Hercunder is a short report on works that have been carried out in connection with the various grants expended by this branch : — Hauraki Plains, MetalUng Roads in. —About 9 miles 11 chains of road was metalled during the year, the following roads receiving attention : Rawerawe, Ngatca-Pipiroa, Hopai, Patetonga, Ngarua, Whakahoro, Paeroa-Tahuna, Mahuta, Rawerawe - Paul's Wharf. Details are included in the report on Hauraki Plains Settlement. Total expenditure, £5,085 os. 3d. Hauraki Plain.* : Maintenance of Completed Works, Drains, &c. —This vote is for maintenance of the works on the settled parts of the Hauraki Plains, and during the year a considerable amount of cleaning was done, partly by piecework contracts and partly by day labour. Total expenditure, £3,236 Is. Id, Hauraki Platan Road from Waikaka to Piako River. — Work was commenced on. this coad, bul had to be stopped owing to more urgent works elsewhere. Total, expenditure, £180 17s. Bd. Awaiti Block, Outfall for. The; main and subsidiary drains have been considerably improved. Three now outlets to the Awaiti Stream and a new drain along the Awaiti-Netherton Road is nearly finished. Total expenditure, £478 7s. Bd. Piako and' Wailoa Rivers Improvement.- Dredge No. 1 has been engaged in making canal and straightening up bends, and has done most useful work, although retarded b)' the hard material encountered. Distance dredged, 45 chains. Expenditure for the year, £529 18s. 6d. Tarawera Bridge and River-bank Protection. —Protective work was erected on northern side Otarakuti Bridge in order to confine the river to a straight course and enable flood-water to get away. A heavy fresh carried some of the work away when only half-finished, but it is now in place again and near completion. Expenditure for year, £66 Is. Waitakaruru Stream : Improvement to River-bank. —Dredge No. 2 has been engaged in straightening the course of this stream, and has dredged total distance of 59 chains. Another six months should see the work completed. Expenditure for year, £140 12s. 4d. Wharepoa-Kerejieehi Drainage Outfall. — chains of drain were cleaned by contract, expenditure being £73 4s. 9d. O'pouriao Protective Works. —Groynes of a total length of 497 ft. have been put in at bad. places in the river, and good results have been noticed to date. One of these groynes is a substantial one, 244 ft. in length, the first 120 ft. having hardwood piles 25 ft. long driven 12 ft. apart, and joined by two traverse 6 ft. by 6 in. stringers bolted to the piles and sheathed with 9 ft. by 2 in. planks driven well into the shingle 6 in. apart. The remainder consists of ordinary boom groyne with 6 ft. by 6 in. piles spaced 11 ft. apart, and transversely planked with 9 ft. by 2 in. piles, fixed alternatively. Willow work has also been prosecuted. Expenditure for year, £640 3s. 10d. Waimana Protective Works. —472 ft. of boom groynes were erected during the year, also 8 chains of wire-fence groyne, 13 chains of river-bank protection by heavy willow work, and numerous gaps repaired and renewed, besides areas planted with willow-stakes. The cut at Section 19, Block 111, is doing well, and carrying about half the normal river-flow. In flood-time its utility has been thoroughly demonstrated, and all fear of serious damage to Section 15, which the cut was designed to protect, is past. The river-banks are now in better condition than over before, and no serious erosion has taken place lately. Silver-poplars have been planted in places as an. experiment. These trees are not eaten by cattle, and, as they throw up numerous suckers and have wide spreading roots, they should be useful for the purpose, but only on waste land and shingle-beds. Expenditure for the year, £762 3s. 6d. Kaituna River Surveys. —Sixteen miles of levels wore taken in connection with proposed drainagework at Te Puke and the proposed diversion of river. A scheme was also prepared. Expenditure for the year, £88 11s. Lake St. John (Waiatarua). —A full report was made on the practicability of draining the marsh without materially injuring the lake itself. Expenditure, £12 6s. sd.

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Lees Valley Drainage. —Work was commenced at the end of the year, and three contracts were let, none of which were completed at the 31st March. Expenditure, £16 Is. Ellerslie Workers' Dwellings. —A report was supplied on the question of disposing of the stormwaters which periodically flood the locality. Expenditure, £4 4s. 2d. Waitakaruru Loan Block. —The Malmta Road has been considerably improved and will prove .-I- great benefit to settlers, especially in the winter. The drainage of the district is now more efficient than it has ever been. Total expenditure, £443 6s. Id. Thu following particulars show the principal works carried out in the various localities during the year : — Cleaning drains .. .. .. .. ..152 miles 34 chains. Widening and deepening drains .. .. . . .. 66 ~ 53 ~ Constructing new drains .. .. . . . . 7 ~ 27 „ Re-forming roads .. .. .. .. .. 7 ~ 58 ~ Outlets . . .. .. .. .. .. 7 „ 40 ~ New roads .. .. .. .. . . . . 4 ~ 0 ~ Clearing bush on roads ... . . .. . . 0 „ 66 ~ Disking roads . . . . . . . . . . . . (i ~ 20 ~ Grading clay roads . . .. .. .. . . 9 „ 75 „ Ploughing roadsides .. . . .. . . .. 3 ~ 64 ~ Gravelling roads .. . . .. .. . . 3 ~ 4 ~ Shelling roads .. .. .. . . . . 1 ~ 40 „ Metalling roads .. . . .. .. .. 4 „ 47 ~ Fencing roads . . .. .. .. .. 0 ~ 40 ~ Repairing stop-banks .. .. . . .. .. 0 ~ 55 ~ New stop-banks .. .. . . .. . . 7 „ 0 ~ River snagging and cleaning . . .. .. . . 25 ~ 0 „ Willow-destruction . . .. .. . . .. 7 „ 0 „ Groynes .. . . .. .." .. . . 997 ft. Spoil dredged . . . . . . .. .. 506,816 cubic yards. Excavation by wheel scoops .. . . . . 14,697 „ Artesian wells sunk . . .. . . .. .. 2 (number). Blood-gates built .. .. .. .. .. 2 „ Bridges built .. .. . . . . .. .. 3 ~ Sleepers laid .. .. .. ..' .. ..3,800 Gravel for roads .. .. .. .. 8,596 cubic yards. Officu. The total expenditure certified for payment during the year was £67,932 16s. 9d., the vouchers for which were prepared in the main office at Auckland. Direct Treasury payments amounted to £20,620 16s. 3d., payments through the Post Office to £498 Is. 10d., and 'transfer to £7,208 Bs. Bd. A total of £39,605 was paid out of the Thames and Whakatane Imprests. The number of piecework contracts during the year was 196 Inward correspondence, 2,270; outward, 2,520. Some 1,535 vouchers were prepared and passed though the books, but some of these vouchers cover up to twelve pages each. A considerable number of engineering, road, and other plans were made and tracings prepared. The expenditure quoted represents the amounts actually expended on the various works and passing through my books, but will not necessarily agree with the figures shown in the tables as submitted to Parliament, as portion of the expenditure may not have been dealt with in the Head Office before the end of the year.

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Table 1.—Return showing (approximately) Position of Lands in the Dominion at 31st March, 1918.

District. I Total Area granted m . , . ! under Acts without c Total Area Money Paymenti , , or reserved for Public ui a S d h f a , ™ Purposes from Freehold. Foundation of I Dominion. Total Area of Crown Lands leased under all Tenures (exclusive of Reserves leased by Crown). Total Area of Crown Lands leased nder all Tenure! (exclusive of Reserves leased by Crown). SB ! Estimated Area Total Area Total Area ' Total Area open of „„y7_-_2& 1 i,.- P „7 „.. exclusive of Land in for Selection. Native Land. iJi'SL - b> ? ° a ,? P . i 1ers ' shown in Land District. Lakes '* e - Preceding Columns. Headings. Total Area open 'or Selection. Total Area of Native Land. Auckland Hawke's Bay .. Taranaki Wellington Acres. Acres. 2,606,509 3,583,111 2,478,785 436,383 542,933 720,567 3,309,155 900,151 Acres. 1,830,985 990,452 590,404 809,051 Acres. 230,358 25,325 16,758 26,713 Acres. 3,455,753 1,298,797 280,904 1,557,550 Acres. Acres. 663,717 150,340 I Acres. 1,155,107 128.818 I Acres. 13,525,540 5,508,900 67,644 185,290 2,404,500 36,500 195,250 216,630 7,051,000 Nelson 604,517 347,732 853,638 34.485 30,629 1,573,000 60.093 1.210,906 4,715,000 Marlborough Westland 775,602 219,304 145,419 309,266 1.422,603 1,817,192 11,826 476,052 131,447 100,416 106,802 2,768,000 750,000 154,242 211.707 3,863,878 Canterbury Otago Southland 3,600,568 1,390,612 1,979,677 615,751 .. | 1,607,102 3,557,603 3,779,916 5,477,281 1,647,375 I 1,860 10,685 21,986 140,500* 445,400 119,189 9,478,045 573,600 263,305 174,701 ' 9,095,000 626,479 140,609 281,215 7,882,369 Totals 17,650,267 12,080, 480t 12,080, 480t 19,218,897 19,218,897 856,048 856,048 6,623,633 6,623,633 3,831,526 2,241,016 3,790,365 66,292,232 ! * Area reduced by 34,500 acres reserved during the year for recreation purposes. t Total Crown land reserved during the year was 83,596 acres.

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Table 2. —Lands opened for Ordinary Sale and Selection during the Year ended 31st March, 1918.

In addition to the area given in Table 2, the following summary shows the lands which have been proclaimed for selection by discharged soldiers, under the provisions of the Disohargod Soldiers Settlement Act. Further partioulars regarding soldiers' lands are given in the Discharged Soldiers Settlement Report, parliamentary paper C.-9. Lands proclaimed during the Year ended 31st March, 1918, under the Discharged iSoldiers Settlement Act. Land District. j^. Auckland . . .. . . .. .. .. 38,593 Hawke's Bay .. .. .. .. .. .. 13,018 Taranaki . . .. .. . . . . 1,126 Wellington .. .. .. .. .. ..5,136 Nelson .. .. .. . . .. .. .. 906 Marlborougi .. .. .. .. .. .. 708 Westland .. .. .. .. .. .. 2,135 Canterbury .. . . .. . . .. .. 1,379 Otago .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 3,264 Southland .. .. .. .. .. ..4,617 Total .. .. .. .. . 70,882

District. SAr.ii at Auction fob Cash or on Deferred Payment. Town ' mban. Bwrt. Optional System, Renewable Lease. Small Grazing-runt-s. Pastora] Runs. '■ 2 0) Q_ 1' .« -T . a u « co o.2 S o 3 O »'£ i'alcf „a 3 H 0h fl a -e 0 o » S 3 a a p jj <._ o a t»a«4S n cS !OT T- CJ 01 _ cj 2 0,2 $ ag T, < Totals. Ordinary Crown Lands — Auckland Hawke's Bay Taranaki Wellington Nelson Marlborough Westland Canterbury Otago Southland at :e'i a nc 's 7- ! I ] rot [ It; iwn Lands — Say Acres. Acres. Acres. 115 102 660 4 .. 17 Acres. 372 Acres. Acres. Acres. Acres. Acres. Acres. 1,249 21 961 1,605 lal ,ki :i >n i .. '.'. 41 43 211 925 1,245 •' 36 65 ior gh 106 52,000 40 52,146 rb I In, in ,.1 i J .. 7 'is '.'. 9 324 7 729 13,840 72,250 I 30,930 'l48 72,398 45,521 663 '.330 Totals 'otals 107 169 1,212 167 3,377 13,840 l 155,180 619 174,564 Land for Settlements — Auokland Hawke's Bay Taranaki Wellington Nelson Marlborough Westland Canterbury Otago Southland 0 1 332 2 6 335 6,821 6,821 Totals 7 332 6,823 7,162 National-endowment Lands — Auckland Hawke's Bay Taranaki Wellington Nolson Marlborough m .. Westland .. ' .. Canterbury Otago Southland 388 388 3,962 03,490 63,490 3,962 Totals 4,35()[ 63,490 67,840 Thermal springs districts leases .. 14 ; 10 24 Education endowments *21,735 i i •■ Grand totals 619 271,325 188 179 1,544 3,377 11,173 13,840 218,670 * The following shows the Land I Taranaki, 1,954 acres ; Canterbury, 13,71; Hstrlcts in whio! ill acros; Otago,: lthese L27 acrei ands were i; Southlai siLuatod: Aucklai id, ld,357 acret3. id, 2,475 aei res; Ha ike's Hi .y, (ill acres;

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Table 3. —Return of Lands selected during the Year ended 31st March, 1918.

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Number of Selectors. ro j_> Avon lis igc Holdings cif Selectors. s 2 £ _ fl TH _ HH** HHOT<ti °B3 °S3, °S< °st oj -3 . . ojhSo cuo cb J-c «— fn ssg £"§ j§t;g l*i« _•§_ I-i-" %%'° 5 8 1 g ±_ 1 -5 . _> u & 8 oj to "•■§ 1-i o H Tenure. Irdinary Grown Lands — Cash lands Deferred payment Occupation with right of purchase Renewable lease .. .. Mining districts land occupation leases Pastoral lioenscs in mining districts under speoial regulations Small grazing-runs Pastoral runs Miscellaneous leases and licenses 172 12 82 72 35 23 48 107 9 22 II 30 3 13 2 24 24 5 14 3 I 10 10 (i I 1.5 18 5 9 Acres. 4,679 937 25,403 31,849 738 4,205 13 464 71 240 83 16 13 25 240,422 158,802 29 Totals 873 119 422 105 05 50 52 407,035 Cheviot Estate — Cash lands Miscellaneous leases I 2 1 1 1,211 "l J Totals 1 I 1,218 3 jand tor Settlements — Cash lands Deferred payment .. Honewable lease I'astoral runs Miscellaneous leases and licenses 5 2 225 1 43 2 1 1 3 49 1 15 1 137 25 12 I. 9 55; 37,045 50 11,401 0 9 8 3 2 Totals 276 I 10 68 147 33 15 3 48,620; National-endowment Lands — Renewable lease Pastoral licenses in mining districts under special regulations Small grazing-runs Pastoral runs Miscellaneous leases and licenses 95 30 5 6 51 17 3 34 12 24 10 14 5 6 34,460 10,983 "l8 17 5 6 6 31,093 236,501 58,572 4 (i Totals 193 38 03 44 25 23 371,609 thermal springs districts leases ilducational-endowmenl Lands — Primary Secondary (/ash salos (primary) „ (secondary) 112 28 1 1 49 21 3.. 4 1 18 3 8 2 (i,855i 316| 1 1 1 Totals 142 71 III 21 7,173i Grand totals 1,487 200 570 396 150 9-2 79 895,656. Hher Endowment Lands — Westport Harbour Board Lake Ellesmere 6 5 5 I I 159 250 4 Totals (other endowment lands) 11 5 409

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Table 4.—Comparative Statement of Selectors and Lands selected under Settlement Conditions for the Ten Years ended 31st March, 1918.

Cash. Deferred Payment. Lease in Perpetuity. Mining Districts Renewable Lense Occupation with Land Keneivaoie Lease. mght of purchase. Occupation Leasee. Small Grazing-runs. Pastoral Licenses Education Mi^ngMstricts Endowments. u _ d( B gpecial Regulations. Totals. Year ending Ulst March, i No. Area. No. Area. ! No. i Area. No. Area. No. Area So. Area. No. Area. No. I Area. ; No. Area. I No. Area. 1909 1910 Acres. 382 42,194 381 8,886 274 9,547 409 '■ 6,096 Acres. Acres. 193 106,184 4 1,011 15 1,877 860 694 612 628 Acres. 219,172 382 184,904 j 528 I 124,268 ' 498 187,082 ! 388 Acres. 123,116 141,757 136,007 132,869 Acres. 36 1,490 60 ! 2,068 73 2,687 55 1,426 10 j 45 22 23 . Acres. Acres. 28,989 298,494 128,764 144,617 18 5,061 j Acres. 83 i 14,743 71 11,946 106 27,421 192 | 53,114 1,946 I 1,783 Acres. 535,888 649,066 1911 1,600 430,571 1912 1913 i ej 352 i 4,625 312 j 5,948 288 5,742 319 7,097 313 5,414 180 4,696 | 18 11 37 14 27 486 680 992 585 539 325 359 452 392 1,713 530,265 207,606 362 104,935 | 36 773 10 37,749 142 6,847 121 28,606 1,608 391,141 1914 213,402 489 117,366 | 61 2,398 4 6 12 16 5 14,691 59 3,340 14,803 102 20,948 150,514 103 15,037 135,691 138 16,050 31,093 140 7.171 145 28,037 114 36,951 114 37,041 73 19,610 59 , 15,188 1,609 385,182 1915 88,400 : 428 139,533 ! 265 157,226 176 103,354 j 82 110,729 59,234 37,791 25,403 29 1,285 43 | 977 29 | 800 35 I 738 1,310 278,885 1916 1,226 409,919 1917 1,234 373,262 1918 907 188,635

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Table 5. —Lands sold for Cash during the Year ended 31st March, 1918.

Table 6. —Return of Deferred-payment Lands, under the Land Acts, 1877 and 1885, at 31st March, 1918.

32

District. ° § 11 i&_ Town. Suburbai OC T- ,/ Area. EJS .oS Area. «« a | ' 3£ ag I H jAa, i luburban. o . Area. Sa OJ aj £ £ Rural. ■S | | . " *j Area. Z£ II 1 iii Totals. *8£ £ . « a i £ s •2J§ Aroa. " = So =s „ ,~ a o t, ** I H Ordinary Grown Lands — Auckland .. .. 4 Hawke's Bay .. .. 5 Taranaki .. .. 2 Wellington .. .. j 6 Nelson .. .. .. | .. Marlborough .. .. | 2 Westland .. .. I .. Canterbury .. ., I I Otago ..' .. .. 9 Southland Acres.i £ Acres. 2 ! 179 7 84 3 92 I 62 3 294 34 323 1 20 '.'. '.'. Acres. 84 323 £ 2,490 2,255 Aores. 50 1,442 4 673 4 551 1 132 11 100 50 4 4 I II 3 2 2 383 15 636 7 331 3 2 15 7 £ 2,694 1,551 654 365 284 9 398 648 467 Aores. (il 1 ,528 9 676 6 552 41 458 11 100 ■2 1 3 2 3 I 384 26 045 10 ' 333 172 4,679 I Acres. £ (il 1.528 5,363 9 676 1,643 6 552 710 41 458 2,914 11 100 284 ■2 1 20 3 2 9 3 I 384 405 20 045 803 10 333 491 1 7 . . 3 77 2 0 .... 3 2 0 2 78 24 Totals .. .. 29 14 731. 46 415 ■ 415 4,847 97 4,250 97 7,070 1.72 4,079 12,048 Cheviot Estate — Canterbury 1 7 1 172 1 7 1 7 172 Land for Settlements — Auckland Hawke's Bay Westland 3 2 1 5 1 2 3 1 1 7 55 21 3 2 1 5 1 2 5 9 3 2 7 1 5 55 1 2 21 Totals 5 9 83 5 ' 9 83 Educational Endovrmenls (Primary) — Auckland Otago .. 1 i 1 1 1 34 1 4 1 ■ 1 J I 1 I | 31 " l Totals 105 4,267. 35 2 li 180 4.696 1 . 2 1J 35 Grand totals .. .. 29 14 14 731 46 415 4,847 7,360 ISO 4,096_ 12,938 _i I

Not Area II Capil hold on 31st March, 118, including talizod Holdings. Mil Freehold during tl acquired he Year. Made li (iciminenci to 31st freehold from unont of System March, 1918. Selecl Arrear Marcl: ;ors in on 81st l, 1918. District. Number of Selectors. Yearly Instalments Aroa. and Interest payable. Number of Purchasers Aroa. Number Of Purchasers. Area. 2(2 al is 3 ■H a s o 1 Auckland Hawke's Bay Taranaki .. Wellington Nelson Marlborough Westland.. Canterbury Otago Southland Acres. £ £ Acres. 333 972 I ,424 1,579 I ,592 55 100 644 I ,238 1 ,586 Acres. 46,003 91,324 159,479 219,491 150,467 4,682 4,572 30,347 193,205 196,916 £ (I 3 03 15 650 15 43 13 i 69 Totals II 713 30 56 1 09 9,523 1,096,480 Noil I.—This tal lie includes vlllage-setl Irini'iii anc speclal-sel Stlement lands.

C—l.

Table 7. —Return of Deferred-payment Lands held under the Land Laws Amendment Acts, 1912 and 1913, at 31st March, 1918.

s—o. 1.

33

Selections during the Year. Conversions fron Tenures during tl i other io Year. Net Area held on 31 1918. it March, District. I Number of Selectors. Area. Annual Instalment. Number of Selectors. Area. Annual Instalment. Number | of Area. Seloctors.i Area. Annual Instalment. Ordinary Crown Lands — Auckland Hawke's Bay Taranaki Wellington Nelson Marlborough Westland Canterbury Otago Southland Acros. £ 23 5 I 7 3 Acres. 5,471 4,347 168 1,532 471 £ 264 486 16 303 12 Acres. 26,845 12,438 3,391 23,951 10,433 0 2,981 627 425 2,992 £ 1,077 1,047 317 2,951 423 4 86 109 33 292 (i 2 44 511 70 17 112 13 14 87 42 1 11 17 7 37 i 2 1 149 77 156 "s 3 22 1 0 I 4 99 198 73 120 3 43 3 45 Totals 12 937 126 51 12,479 1,175 341 84,089 6,339 Land for Settlements — Auckland.. Hawke's Bay Taranaki Wellington Nelson Marlborough Westland Canterbury Otago Southland 1 i 55 i 39 3 30 9 2 0 2 11,045 2,134 97 1,9641 2J63 1,327 921 126 355 516 177 52 22 31 1 14 24,760 18,385 641 6,086 869 13,677 3,636 6,770 720 1,744 87 2,797 21 1 \ 146 504 62 7 11 4,632 2,875 1,380 1,720 561 351 2 225 i43 Totals 551 42 72 18,774 3,892 377 73,311 18,398 Grand totals 718 1157,400 I I 992} L68 123 31,253 5,067 24,737 Amount received during the Year ended 31st March, 1918. Freehc durii lids igtl acquired he Year. Made mei Free! tof S hold lyste 1( from C mi to 31i 918. lommencest March, Selectors on 81st 19] i; n Arrear larch, i District. Numbi of Purchasi ar Area. Num' of Purcha ier Total Amount realized, exclusive of Interest. Number of Selectors. >rs. era. rea. Amount. Ordinary Crown Lands — Auckland Hawke's Hay Taranaki Wellington Nelson Marlborough Westland Canterbury Otago Southland £ 2,993 1,481 822 6,832 403 7 216 233 138 1,177 6 1 5 Acros. 1,472 99 884 34 5 5 31 6 Acres. 12,461 4,279 896 7,880 2,614 £ 8,367 0,935 1,295 13,762 1,072 5 3 4 £ 91 92 47 i 99 1 1 4 24 99 2 549 1,339 02 125 738 2,320 2 6 9 706 i 8 Totals 14,302 22 3,200 111 30,119 34,676 15 247 Land for Settlements — Auckland Hawko's Bay Taranaki Wellington Nelson Marlborough Westland Canterbury Otago Southland 13,601 17,864 4,550 6,411 1,978 8,470 15 4 4 3 1 1,955 626 158 97 910 100 12 0 9 2 13,064 1,959 333 258 947 32,058 14,462 7,219 3,847 2,010 17 i i 332 4 223 2,717 1,293 984 i "l 6 13 788 i I 5 352 2,276 Totals 57,868 29 3,748 140 16,926 02,000 19 559 Grand totals 72,170 51 7,008 251 47,045 I 97,336 j 34 806

a—l.

Table 8. — Return of Perpetual-lease Lands at 31st March, 1918.

Table 9. —Return of Occupation-with-right-of-purchase Lands at 31st March, 1918.

34

to dm Exchanj other T( ring the ;es mures Year. din Forfeitu] ring the res Year. dm Bxpirii •ing the IB Year. Renewals during the Year. Pre di wholds acquired uring the Year. District. ■•_■ . 8 9 ■2" a ® 3 oj A m Annual "Rental. M 3 — S <A m Annual Rental. 1i & s -as Annual Rental. O rn §■§ a„,., Annual f| Area - Rental. P II lz<A .„ „ Amount Area - realized. Area. Area. Area. S r2 TH M Auckland .. 4 Hawke's Bay raranaki .. Wellington tfelson Marlborough Westland Canterbury .. 4 Dtago ■Southland .. 4 Acres. 163 £ 9 Acres. £ Acres. 70 2 £ 2 2 Acres. 70 2 £ 9 4 Acres. £ 1,872 1,217 4 2 1 2 1 15 1 213 ' 133 i 27 4 1 '27 13 *2 2 65 ! 248 271 I 271 98 17 28 15 II 515 646 177 74 58 40 28 15 II 515 646 177 169 91 87 18 13 1,077 I 1,060 652 | 832 120 15 Totals .. 12 381 41 1,437 180 (il 61 1,437 373 51 4,150 3,701 District. Mi Comrni 13 jj il •si §1 IIide Fi cnceni llstM Area. rooliold fi cent of Sj larch, 191 Total Amount realized, exclusive o; j Interest. from ystem to 118. Net Area held on 31st March, 1918. _ffi I* «,•,,„ Annual f| Area - Rental. S*_ I 15-ff S"8i C H'S* g**d 5r _ M o Ol Ac »• a o .Is. : a oj i«q o. Selectors in Arrear on 31st March, 1918 I?* •2 « Amount Auckland .. Hawke's Bay Taranaki .. Wellington Nelson Marlborough Westland .. Canterbury Otago Southland .. 641 314 408 834 32 13 11 151 280 219 Acres. 178,414 136,450 102,858 312,634 10,137 1,889 953 17,538 42,687 27,062 £ 84,907 104,570 95,627 279,595 3,499 1,128 956 27,521 34,960 23,983 92 2 6 29 5 10 2 73 130 85 Acres. 13.845 399 2,127 808 666 269 110 2,150 15,642 5,654 £ 355 23 107 68 14 27 5 333 654 304 £ 338 30 111 97 14 32 5 371 628 365 8 £ 20 1 2 7 1 Totals 2,903 831,222 650,800 434 41,730 1,950 1,991 II 28 Note.—This table includes village-settlement and special-settlement lands. rental, £1; Otago District. One surrender during the year: Area, 2fl acres ; annua]

Takei up during ;he Year. Forfeitures dui Year. HH oj O ■2 o Area. ■23 >ZjtQ ting the Sun 5 & [ZjCO renders c the Yea during irFreel mills acqaii the Yeai :'ed during r. District. o o il a oj J?r, i» Annual Rental. IS Area. Annual Eental. Area. Annual Rental. Area. Amount realized. Auckland Hawke's Bay Taranaki .. Wellington Nelson Marlborough Westland Canterbury Otago Southland 39 13 3 10 2 4 Acros. 6,522 9,465 2,310 1,780 775 4,015 £ 370 2,986 141 266 17 104 37 4 3 1 Acres. 6,708 2,201 912 287 £ 320 197 82 15 Acres £ 129 9 7 53 10 3 8 1 12 19 Acres. 20,493 4,256 3,125 18,835 2,656 502 1,400 70 2,090 3,508 £ 22,810 7,080 2,939 26,923 866 453 1,107 104 1,249 2,953 i 4 ' 197 333 5 31 3 898 74 Totals 82 25,403 3,920 48 11,066 688 251 62,935 66,484 District. Auckland Hawke's Bay Taranaki Wellington .. Nelson Marlborough Westland Canterbury . . Otago Southland .. Prcchi Common. 31s Ch OJ 01 wc ,_■ _ £rC fl I .. 1,409 200 171 690 103 29 33 27 75 194 Freeholds immencomc 31st Mi %££$%!S£to Net Area held on »_*. March. st, March, 1918. 1J1S - ° iS 'Total So 4i Aroa. Amount So Area. ;,""''. realized. §■£ llental - !<c_ Acres. £ Acres. £ 326,022 207,330 2,078 709,033 47,061 104,981 99,207 336 128,342 24,850 71,750 64,316 689 298,160 19,480 209,499 251,338 763 287,373 23,554 19,022 7,354 201 64,465 1,400 7,581 0,797 86 28,450 1,784 0,010 3,930 78 12,894 413 4,087 4,920 25 3,063 435 11,905 0,537 284 49,858 1,553 40,257 23,087 414 83,403 3,329 icquhed from cnt of System ti irch, 1918. llf'Sg Sel •5 tH 9 s £ ~ Aire | flSfiJ Mai 2 oj c»2 8 *H . TH +H «j o P.[Cq O UJ g ™S„M SO 9 ?<T30 *-g o .a oj oo o 'c a w .5;-aSS-ci& fcca lectors in lar on 31st rch, 1918. Amount. £ 40,771 21,851 16,497 22,839 1,056 1,724 462 415 1,475 3,129 208 5 15 25 9 3 £ 4,044 50 148 892 80 30 1 7 Totals .. 2,937 801,120 674,822 5,554 1,665,041 123,865 801,120 674,822 5,554 1,665,041 123,865 110,219 '266 5,257 Note.—This t able ini icludos village-settlement and improved-farm-settlement lai icludos villa) res-settlement and impi )ved-farm-se1 'lenient Inndi.

C—l.

Table 10. — Return of Lease-in-perpetuity Lands at 31st March, 1918.

35

Foi •feitures il the Yeai Wring Sui •renders during the Year. Conversior Deferred Pa; during the ns to .yniont Year. Freeholds acquired during the Year. District. Aroa. "3 a o cc a a < A OD -+->■ o u fP Area. So as 1*5 *3 d S 3 < H P O -rj" H a Area. ■2 a aJ p © 0J o II 0 a g 9 Area. a © PS *& 3 a a < 00 O II p— ■ Amount realized. Acres. Ordinary Crown Lands — Auckland Hawke's Bay Taranaki Wellington Nelson Marlborough Westland Canterbury ()tago Southland i 406 £ 7 Acres. £ 2 3 1 5 Acros. 401 1,032 168 549 £ 0 92 11 32 30 9 15 is 3 2 11 4 2 11 Acres. 4,848 1,601 2,699 6,053 291 1,560 1,262 459 245 2,041 £ 3,517 1,389 4,383 10,671 140 1,217 741 889 339 1,791 i i 2 2 ioo 4 Totals 1 400 1 2 13 2,250 145 135 21,059 25,077 Land for Settlements — Auckland Hawke's Bay Taranaki Wellington Nelson Marlborough Westland Canterbury Otago Southland 1 | 1 1 22 3 1 5 i 4,729 94 81 1,964 963 893 93 93 351 144 31 3 5 i 7,228 695 425 571 2.1,704 5,749 5,561 2,425 19 488 155 ii 255 1^551 2 225 143 3 278 3,060 Totals 1 1 53 8,544 1,872 57 9,452 40,050 Grand totals 1 | 406 7 2! i 2 3 66 10,794 I 2,017 192 30,511 65,127 District. Freeholds acquired from Commencement of System to 3l8t March, 1918. 3 rH <M , o no ■a 2 3 « a a o l« «0 CD .2 2 co O G R 02 lit Arm held IK nil 81SI 18. March, 73 -+3 a <u M "3 p a a < CD <U ® g 0T Mg-a 9.3_ © pjj Seh Arr Mai 01 m sctors in Bar, IJlat ■oh, 1918. O J- _. II HH O Amount. Area. Area. *H CH S o a o zS A Ordinary Crown Lands — Auckland Hawke's Bay Taranaki Wellington Nelson Marlborough Westland Canterbury Otago Southland 384 93 101 403 107 37 88 70 66 195 Acres. 84,525 27,126 23,883 69,300 37,251 13,171 19,485 9,414 12,365 30,682 £ 60,556 32,909 36,437 113,547 17,315 9,512 9,781 16,241 10,800 24,776 946 243 721 1,126 400 314 365 399 847 454 Acres. 218,463 78,251 196,006 107,982 141,221 133,763 42,006 74,848 189,634 71,835 £ 6,440 4,907 9,041 9,910 2,525 3,193 1,124 4,634 5,712 2,152 £ 5,927 4,470 8,180 9,386 2,157 2,985 1,060 4,221 5,175 2,041 37 8 14 io 3 12 7 1 5 £ 200 13 112 104 75 29 28 2 14 Totals 1,604 327,208 337,874 5,815 1,314,729 49,044 45,602 103 577 Land for Settlements — Auckland Hawke's Bay Taranaki Wellington Nelson Marlborough Westland Canterbury Otago Southland 201 36 7 36 1 2 33,101 9,509 514 2,834 13 571 77,748 55,034 12,415 36,918 116 2,465 335 380 21 247 12 279 28 977 552 198 04,754 104,825 2,643 34,204 4,084 51,463 4,988 158,074 104,691 41,652 11,263 34,199 1,772 12,063 817 11,608 538 54,827 33,000 9,320 11,614 31,593 1,814 11,250 738 10,801 497 50,098 31,363 8,722 12 3 1 2 4 2 23 173 32 1 111 142 8 741 87 8 29 6,471 1,676 4,860 46,858 7,712 16,720 Totals 407 59,549 255,986 3,029 571,378 170,007 158,490 47 1,208 Cheviot Estate — Canterbury 210 26,866 7,294 6,586 Grand totals 2,011 386,757 593,860 9,054 1,912,973 226,945 210,678 |l50 | 1,785 NOTB.—This table iuc eludes vill rat, special-si ittlement, aud improve! l-farm-settl lage-settlomi Lement lands.

α-i.

Table 11. — Return of Renewable-lease Lands at 31st March, 1918.

36

Exchanges from Conversions to Taken up during other Tenures Forfeitures during! Surrenders during Deferred Freeholds acquired Freeholds acquired to the Y'ear. during the Year. the Year. Payment during during the Year. 31st Marco, 1918. the Year- the Year. Net Area held on 31st March, 1918. Selectors in Arrear on 31sl .. .. March, 1918. Amountot **"**' • Kent received District. •■ o" £> _ . Area. S_g a © A 01 © 03 a a"© ■3 CD Area. * a a a •ho ©R as ■A* Area. *_ © Sh £ Oh ©.S a g © a a % < a © Area. a a a © 0C at as a © Area. H= Cfl a ° il « Jsg Ares j Price ■3 g •§ Alea - realized. 3 2a -©J Area. S © I Total Amount realized. S© as a © Area. I \nnual Rental. received during the Year ended o g 31st March, _ o 1918. J3o during the Year ended: eg 31st March,' _o g 1918. & 0 o as a a 8 < National Endowment — Auckland Hawke's Bay Taranaki .. Wellington Nelson Marlborough Westland Canterbury Otago Southland 28 "2 I 1 20 4 Acres. 12,524 1,062 [ 11,468 i'Mi I £ Acres. 478 2 278 1 2,455 66 .. 257 3 1,826 29 1 ' 334 225 2 ': 105 1,139 9 4,998 £ 8 196 1 48 5 IS 7 i Acres. 3,545 I .. 4,132 300 £ 196 73 6 •• 1 " 8 I Acres. £ ; Acres. 6,il7 120 .. £ Acres. .. I .. £ Acres. •■! •• I .. .. •• •• £ 673 65 153 84 479 111 368 20 298 186 Acres. 180,800 30,363 58,981 23,491 209,358 21,768 48,508 ! 8,129 42,222 22,353 £ 8,526 5,122 4,428 2,368 4,854 781 1,428 640 1,581 1,065 I £ 6,836 82 4,829 3,333 1 2,255 1,630 42 681 1,122 24 573 j 1 1,487 980 2 £ 1,908 7 525 ±39 1 I * ' .. .. 33 8 7,on! 1,176 3 '2 293 8 1 .. .. .. .. .. *• .. I "i_: Totals 95 34,460 |260 8,270 9 30,793 23,726 152 2,58' 28 | 283 6,133; 121 2,437 645,973 " j " I : Cheviot Estate — Canterbury — I ! •* I 1 15 2,05 i 831 799 *• " " •* 'jJuiL -• ! ' I Land for Settlements — Auckland Hawke's Bay Taranaki Wellington ;. Nelson .. Marlborough Canterbury .. Otago Southland 58 26 10 89 8,196 5,307 1,123 12,637 3,527 3,868 1,148 11,095 •• •• .. .. .. .. .. '• •• 5 268 144 i " 1 4 52 29 8 3,397 j 233 6 .. ! 6 2,040 ! 712i 2 .. J 1 16 30! .. 590 410 1 J34 ..2 658 ' 31o| 3 3,283 ! 357 238 4,686 1 875 ! 3, ±03 | 86 23,273 25,634 5 442 1 2,684 2 4 I 234 8 483 5,163 317 253 37 220 26 98 569 256 82 45,192 91,433 2,255 33,607 21,925 106,385 302,188 100,421 29,969 13,722 33,923 2,062 20,712 1,505 11.880 67,730 22,292 6,964 9.946 31,649 1,499 14,579 1,482 10,819 64,297 19,681 6,681 30 2 3 8 4 10 49 1 3 94( 10! 3'. 31< 20! 1,715 3,72' .. .. 8 18 13 3 2,363 6,627. 533 ! 259| 716 ■ 2,139 292 208 1 13 19 13 389 2 1.209 7,421 7 489 6,322 4 1,278 5,612 3 385 793 .. .. 2 937 214 ! .. .. .. 2( •• •• •• •■ I : 3,891 Totals 225 37,045 22,993 8 1,218 377 642 439 18 6,11141,288 15 10,053 117 27,563 53,863 1,858 733,435 180,790 ; 160,633 110 7,071 *• Ordinary Crown Lands — Auckland Hawke's Bay Taranaki Wellington Nelson Marlborough Canterbury Otago Southland i IS 18 2,887 14,001 265 2,411 1 10, 5 •• ** I 57 110 8 307 2 3 1 15 13 11,332 44,306 883 28,287 871 1.193 252 19,846 1,802 1,312 12,087 61 3,488 30 ! 91 71 684 267 997 8,334 357 3.569 2 85 35 565 259 2 3 19 2 27 1 1 1 2 4 11,098 6 708 252 2,352 545 1,099 3 35 71 104 72 .. ! 4 214 I -. : 78 ■ • ii 5,647 387 .. '.'. i 1 39 9 "23 426 91 ±3< : • ■ .. ; ■• II - 1 i " " I I 1 ±95 4 ; •• •• .. I '• *• •■ .. i 1 •• 1 Totals Grand totals 72 31,849 —— 4,060' J 9 4,998 ** 260 ! 1 6 419 I 9,907 , < 747 j I ! 11 j 25 5,647, 387 1 39 9 I 23 , 426 516 108,772 18,091 14,203 26 26! >2 1103354: 18,192 12,422! 947 18 6,111J1,288! 16 3,892 10,092 126 27,586 54,289 4,826 1,490,231 230,505 199,361 289 9,9' ■ Note. —This table includes village-settlement and improved-farm-settlement lands; special tenure-renewable lands under the Discharged Soldiers Settlemei it Act are also included.

α-i.

Table 12. — Return of Agricultural-lease Lands at 31st March, 1918.

Table 14. —Return of Pastoral Licenses in Mining Districts under Special Regulations at 31st March, 1918.

37

Expiries Renewals during the during the Sxpiries iring the Year. is Renewals he during the Year. Nee Area held on .'list March, 1918. E% MadeFreehol •c "2 o6 Commencement o © §S 81st March, 'it a — £rH£ eg §32 Area. ass 3 3 Made Freehold from Commencement of System to 31st March, 1918. Select Arret 31st W 19. :ore in ar on tarcb, 18. uiiiiicg cue uuring crcie Year. Year. District. "g,, w , _ _, . o «; _ sh § cs-3 xS <■ ©-is . a« ©£ . a £i © Area, o _ o Area, a — © r, a, « 0, m du -+~i © cn . >-. 3° A 5 - 0) 3© I a j 83 Area, n q a © •cM _ . o c/j _ . c37* >h "3 0375 aj ©S , a a a a © Area, a a a © fl © a © -CM a© <!Ph A® O 03 _ . ,. IH TH _ %$ . sj .o © Area, q 5 g© a © Acres. £ IToial Price realized. O to >H .© o goo o ■9 -5 a© fl© a a.S *"*« a© hcji r,CO j-ai Acres £ | Acres i Auckland .. i Westland .. Otago .. I Southland .. j Acres £ Acres £ Acres £ £ Acres. 67 2,750 32 279 .. 1,326 ; 131,297 50 | 6,570 £ 590 489 131,581 6,570 £ ifi 541 | 23 • • I ■• Totals .. ! .. I 10 541 ! 23 .. 1,475 ' 140,896 139,230 i I Table 13. —Return of Mining Distric the Land Act, 1 '8 L. 108, . nd Occur. .T 31st Mc iTION Leases under Part VIII op 1918. .RCH, Taken up Expirlei during the Year. during the: 1 Expiries ling tin: Yi Renewal* iring the Forfeitures Surrenders during the Year. during the Year. in ear. r ecir. District. *© «, j _ . • S S ■ a 3 M ■© © Area. a-g i g Area. £ © ■ 13 Area. a g tH 5 a S3 S a a © 3« © - B r3 §5 i U _. I r| _ • ■» a3 ■ _ S3 fl Area. a a i 3 Area, a a _ a © 3 a © g -»1Ph I -»itf Area. Area. |l «« | | Acres. ! £ Acres. Auckland .. 11 157 19 1 3 Nelson .. .. 1 11 1 .. Marlborough .. ... .. .. .. .. Westland Otago .. ..23 570 104 6 178 Southland .... .. .. 1 30 n i Acres. ! £ 157 ; 19 11 1 Acres. | £ i 58 2 .. Acres. £ 1 Acres. 3 £ i Acres. 3 £ A 1 1 23 570 104 6 1 178 30 8 1 1 178 30 20* 2 !! !! i i i i 23 1 Totals .. 35 738 124 8 211 35 738 124 8 211 H 58 2 24 ! 2 211 22A Exchanges to other p rea holds acr Tenures *.',!!£?_¥__ i Free 'licilds acquired from ring the Year. c 31sl chelds acqi Commence if System t b March, 1 Hired ement to .918. Seleol AlTI! 81st 1 1( tors i n car on March, 918. during the Year. during the *, District. I I *J=! S£ I Excl dm hanges ti Tenure 1 ring the ci other ;s Year. Fre' dm Net Area held list March, 1918. © H-43 a w A J "" a t on M i 3 K Area. is © a 11 II Area. _ _ s =o S3 a B p Area. ill o w § X IS'el Area. d "S -Ccr, 1 1 © f/j ■as a p. © a Auckland Nelson Marlborough Westland Otago Southland 12 3 Aores. 455 178 £ 24 (i 7 5 1 Acres. 271 193 10 £ 663 299 43 9 1 23 1 Acres. 285 70 925 10 £ 703 35 l,7i6 43 ■208 28* 2 88 327 57 Acres. I £ £ 9,497 492 461 975 I 45 45f 200 8 9 768 131 133 10,255 j 703 696 1,923 | 185 179 23,618 1,564 1,523 Includes £2 national endowiu, £ 27 119 4 3 5 ! 17 4 I 0 i a Totals 15 633 30 13 474 1,005 34 1,290 2,497 710 41 148 * Includes two set .ootors 1, area 1 I acnes, ai inual rental £S i, natiom al-ond tl out. lowincnt land.

Taken up duri Year. ing the Exchanges to other Tenures during the Year. Forfeitures during the Year. Surrenders during the Year. Free: to holds acquired 31st March, 1918. Not Area hold c March, 191. in 31st Selec Arrc 31st 1' ctors in ear on March, .918. District. fl"S Aroa. d © hV° o _ r_ © Area. g £ a"© £» il a 1 © O _ ©° _ „ Area. a © 3-© . © r« il S3 © Its d <» las * 8. Rent paid during the Year. TH . O OT IS Annual Rental. Area. Aroa. _ ft J © T --" © Aroa. Total Annual Rental. o a -, Ordinary Grown Lands — Auckland Nelson Westland Acres. £ Acres. Acres. Acres. Acres. £ Acres. £ £ £ 14 7 2 14 2,257 7 1,445 2 503 99 33 18 11 4 1 11 4,482 4 513 I 99 2 5 1 650 I 783 100 14 14 4,488 2,027 3,192 1,434 305 103 92 95,144 19,993 13,908 2,979 435 356 1,091 300 247 39 13 5 656 112 15 Totals 23 23 4,205 150 16 16 5,094 8 1,533 28 6,515 4,626 500 129,045 3,770 1,698 57 783 lational-endow-merit Lands — Auckland Nelson Westland I 3 1 248 1,784 334 27 157 232 5,895 30,079 49,316 125 672 1,201 71 781 851 5 23 28 14 267 138 20 16 5,462 5,521 ±29 170 4 1 [1,503 350 6 854 6 I 854 Totals 36 10,983 299 5 2,300 5 1,853 416 85,290 1,998 1,703 56 419 Grand totals 59 15,188 449 21 7,460 i 13! i J3.386 6 854 28 6,815 4,626 916 214,335 5,768 3,401 113 1,202

C—l.

Table 15.— Return of Small Grazing-runs at 31st March, 1918.

38

District). Taken up during the Year. — ~. o © t. TJ-I ©■2 aS a i Area - g g |1 K 13 a a a © Expiries Renewal of Leases Forfeitures during the Year. during the Year. during the Year. © __ © H-i © "StH _ , a" & s$ o 3 J a Area. a a 3 Area. a a 3 Area, a a 3 a©§ a © 3 a© du: © a 3 3 A Surrenders ■ing the Year g Area. a 3 J B cc and for Settlements — Canterbury Acres. £ £ II' Acres. £ Acros. £ ' Acres. £ 1 3,966 147 1 3,966 166 .. .. 1 Acres. £ £ *• ... .. lational-endowment Ijands — Marlborough Canterbury Otago Southland .! '2 9 1 ; .. 2 J 13,840 t .. j 1 4,706 1( ...J l_ 970 90 100 729 2,792 51,676 9 115 777 2 2 II 729 2,792 51,676 15 312 1,062 Totals ..5 31,0931,16 5 31,093 1,160 Il 55,197 901 18 55,197, 1,389 .. Grand totals ..5 31,0931,16 1,160 59,163 1,048 19: 59,163 1,555 J .. EXOba T^e°s 0tliel " Freeholds ac during the Year. aan "S UjB h -, . o g © T _ © | Area. 33 .a.- Area. 3 a© Sg 5S -CM 3 8 S5 a. © Selec Arrt 31st 1 tors in sar on March, 318. ai ho I cquirecl fi 1 Year. reeholdi om Comr of Sys Slat Mai k acquired nencoment item to roll, 1918. Net Area held on 31st March, 1918. © pa a* 3 © DO M.a TH _ _ 0 rS* *a r © Q Is d OJ <i District. »i _I_ ag ! ©3 . «ag 2=! %& Area. S»3 as b Aiea. a a a © O uc ._ >. ©2 •as as 3 © a a o a hdinary Crown Lands — .. Auckland Hawke's Bay Taranaki Wellington Marlborough ... Canterbury Otago Acres. £ Acres. £ Acres. 3,990 1,301 £ 2,756 3,885 Acres. 17,374 113,882 5,750 33,119 4,928 22,541 192,068 £ 639 8,029 123 2,038 113 1,524 5,370 £ 576 7,801 156 1,972 120 1,401 5,163 £ 2 2 3,315 ±39 .. !! 2 1 2 17 6 31 9 10 82 2 2 983 53 i 2^284 i 2,128 16 1 12,839 244 26,177 270 i 299 3 5, ±29 5,604 i 104 Totals 4 4 4,298 192 1 2,284 1 2,128 23 23,503 38,692 187 389,662 17,836 17,189 5 403 Cheviot Estate — Canterbury 33 40,328 9,858 9,019 3 366 and for Settlements — Auckland Hawke's Bay Wellington Marlborough Canterbury Otago Southland 4c * 2,919 37 .. i 1 1,200 338 .. 2 1 i l 4,997 1,200 2,748 916 1,479: 8,046 4,999 5,849 4 12 4 28 12 10 1 15,600 14,083 6,280 40,750 79,531 10,953 1,150 129 3,323 1,176 5,660 10,290 1,643 77 200 2,912 1,059 5,661 10,519 1,428 77 i 269 i 1,658 2^582 Totals 1 1 4,119 375 .. 11,519 22,955 101 168,347 22,298 21,856 269 National-endowment Lands — Auckland Hawke's Bay Taranaki Wellington Nelson Marlborough Canterbury Otago Southland i '±5 '.'. '.'. i 12 49 4 13 9 79 58 308; 21 47,899 163,777 4,906 14,312 16,754 250,012 225,052 11,247, 808 71,237 400 4,545 75 865 109 3,642 10,110 23,669 1,133 301 4,607 54 624 104 3,793 10,066 22,655 1,051 2 4 1 1 4 3 1 27 659 12 11 121 365 60 Totals 1 2,455 15 .. i 553 2,041,757 l 44,554 43,255| 16 1,255 Grand totals 6 10,872 582 I 1 2,284| 6 1 2,284| j 2,128 29 35,022. ,61,647: 874 2,640,094; |94,546 91,319 25 2,293 I I * Part of a lioldii Dill,

C—l.

Table 16.—Return of Pastoral Runs at 31st March, 1918.

39

Distric'. O cfl II as Taken up during the Year. Area. il a a 3 © Sua Kxcha ither '. duvii Y. O o- :-. ~ © O g © 3 © mges to leuures F01 nu the durini ear. o if) Area. - © d o ■feitures »the Year. Surrenders during tlie Year. ■H . O m & o Area. j l M F.) during * © !| is A ipiries tha Year. Area,. Area. hdinary Grown Lands — Auckland Hawke's Bay Taranaki Wellington Nelson Marlborough Westland Canterbury Otago Southland .. i 2 3 3 3 1 Acres. £ Acres. Acres. Acres. Acres. 5,530 io5 4,400 '2 i 5 2 12 4 ■M44 39,900 37,400 87,012 70,120 460 255 38 009 532 3 i r>2, 000 160,000 187,900 i 15,800 130,954 24,731 2 1,320 •■ Totals I 13 240,422 1,542 3 53,320 4,400 26 526,829 • • I Land for Settlements — Otago 50 • • I 1 Id National-endowment Lands — Auckland Hawke's Bay Taranaki Wellington Nelson Marlborough Westland .. .. ! Canterbury .. .. ! Otago .. .. Southland 4 2 1 11,271 i 3 ±^656 70,200 130,337 106,104 1,987 768 11 13 4 261,992 299,662 97,790 Totals •• I 6 230,501 2,755 11,271 32 731,300 Grand totals 20 476,973 4,337 3 53,320 2 15,671 58 1,258,129 District. Re durini o © >h £ Is il a © jfctZ mewals N t A ! , rl ;)1 t Mftrcl| 1918 g the Year. o „ . £o Area (approxi- Average Annual Ale • g © ntately). Holdings. Rental. a © y.f. Selectors in Arrear on 31st March, 191H. Rent paid during -~ the Year ,_ S a Ordinary Crown Lands — Auckland Hawke's Bay Wellington Nelson Marlborough Westland Canterbury ()tago Southland 2 i 2 Acres. Acres. Acres. £ 15 75,733 ; 5,049 221 7,444 15 80,649 5,376 1,366 4 100,813 25,203 1,815 160,000 4 225,529 ' 56,382 970 147,800 32 500,046 15,645 3,411 69 1,133,452 16,427 786 200 67 1,603,130 23,927 13,845 29,017 171 2,153,050 ; 12,590 14,930 21,745 57 596,268 10,460 3,407 £ £ 101 2 5 1,225 420 2 i 1,534 930 2,778 .. i 770 9 41 14,288 15,218 3,400 7 1 Totals III 366,206 434 6,469,270 ,171,059 40,751 39,125 13 1,580 Land for Settlements — Canterbury Otago 1 13 786 3,545 786 273 59 550 68 420 Totals .. 14 4,331 1,059 015 488 ( heviot Estate — Canterbury 1,462 1,462 250 177 13 National-endowment Lands — Auckland Hawke's Bay Wellington Nelson Marlborough Westland Canterbury Otago Southland i 3 1,656 50,400 7 1 14 1 14 21 63 63 26 72,945 i 10,420 186 186 28,115 2,008 10,000 10,000 256,840 18,345 272,530 12,977 1,272,918 20,205 1,154,081 18,318 645,780 , 24,837 125 12 765 34 875 297 24,215 9,657 2,642 109 6 859 34 824 296 22,857 10,405 2,495 3 12 3 19 9 9 4 99,915 127,720 102,790 Totals 26 382,481 210 3,713,395 117,296 38,622 37,885 6 31 Grand totals 39 10,188,458 2-10,870 80,244 211 1,62. 748,687 059 77,675

C—l.

Table 17. —Return of Miscellaneous Leases and Licenses not otherwise enumerated at 31st March, 1918.

40

District. Coal and Mineral. Transactions during Year ended 31gt March, 1918. ransactions during Year ended 31gt March, 1918. Timber-cutting, Ac. Flax-cutting. Miscellani © Total © Total J g Area, j Amount g Area. ! Amount g Area. a : received. a received. 3 h | a \ y. Flax-cutting. Miscellaneous. Total Area in Occupation Total on T °i^d rea Amount 31st March, 1918. I ear. y.-. * £ Annual Iear - A Annual Rental. | Area - Rental. A Selectors in Arrear on 31st March, 1918 © g Amount. ■° Annual S Area - Rental. -A tH Annual •© Rental. g A Amount. | Acres. £ I Acres. £ Acres. £ 76 79,126 581 35 23,254 2,250 46 2,880 517 73 2,766 637 j 26 5,520 44 12 1,090 40 35 6,502 47 22 2,548 178 I 74 16,178 337 52 17,772 254 I Acres. 79,534 23,254 2,909 2,766 5,949 1.390 6,502 2,548 16,178 17,772 i £ Ac rp s 15,342 ' 733 194,907 9,196 190 83,269 1,668 , 271 13,454 7,620 i 632 - 73,813 1,619 ' 367 105,948 2,706 198 40,185 1,756 008 143,697 4,502 715 217,468 3,290 1,108 147,001 5,800 476 52,762 Ordinary Grown Lands — Auckland Hawke's Bay Taranaki Wellington Nelson Marlborough Westland Canterbury Otago Southland 7 '.'. i Acres. 7 408 Acres 408 29 £ 15 £ 6,783 7,999 2,162 3,849 640 1,229 942 4,550 2,118 1,489 £ 9! 2i 91 34 lir 13* 1! 1 29 .. | .. 1 •* i •* 2 ! 329 2 : 300 :: i :: " " " '.'. i i ioo 915 .. ; .. 35 89 11 I 10 36 i 20 2 49 (ill 2 .. .. .. " Totals .. 8 .437 1 I 100 285 8 I ,437 16 4 629 915 35 451 157,636 4,885 158,802 53,499 5.298 1,072,504 31,761 1,24! Cheviot Estate — Canterbury .. .. 2 1,211 225 1,211 I 1,093 53 4,713 950 Land for Settlements — Auckland Hawke's Bay Taranaki Wellington Nelson Marlborough Westland Canterbury Otago Southland Totals .. 6 2 1 6 8 18 2 443 1,366 30 4 584 8,991 43 110 844 110 7 302 | 1,291 ; 10 443 1,366 30 4 584 8.991 43 345 1,484 2,093 399 2 573 2,195 410 43 17 2 24 61 3 53 103 14 2,152 294 643 932 4,196 37 1,578 6,484 76 283 154 483 835 308 3 616 1,685 29 2 2: 1 43 11,461 2,674 11,461 7,501 ! 320 16,392 4,396 27 National-endowment Lands — Auckland Hawke's Bay Taranaki Wellington Nelson Marlborough Westland Canterbury Otago Southland Totals .. .. I 1 19 19 2 575 1,426 •• ! 3 9,584 1 13 19 7,213 1 1,410 21 33,195 3 ; 6,563 43 | 3 | 44 46 22 9,584 588 7,213 1,410 33,195 6,563 19 3,961 19 1,307 183 1,753 8,105 5 152 43 17 2 7 5 128 1 324 23 3 ' 11,447 29,021 1,627 1,989 37,165 1,410 97,521 242 23,729 24,059 189 4 23 .. 9 .. 256 .. 570 9 17 .. 559 37 5 241 .. 41 ■ .. 34 28 119 1 Grand totals .. I 9 " 456 19 2 575 1,426 . 2,341 i 1,426 i! 100 35 j 48 57,978 175 58,572 15,528 511 228,210 544 228,286 7,959 I 230,046 77,621 6,182 1,321,819 I I | 39,017 338 1,910 50 181 17 6 1,204 1,321,819 1,456 I * Includes coal and timber royalties and receii its from State forests

C— 1.

Table 18. — Return of Gross Revenue received during the Year ended 31st March, 1918.

6—G. 1.

41

Tenure. 3 © 3 _ a 1 3 © 3 © !2 i a $ cam 3 a h 1 a § is a o © ■© A ■a" p , o PH U _J © «,__ a ns a as © © ft M a £ E © I O o be c3 s •3 a S 3 a o m o 3 <l Ordinary Grown Lands, &c. £ Cash lands .. .. .. .. 5,322 Perpetual lease made freehold (Land Act, 1885) 902 Perpetual lease mado freehold (Land Laws 318 Amendment Acts, 1913 and 1914) Occupation with right of purchase made freehold 22,53£ Ineaso in perpetuity made freehold .. .. 3,526 Renewable lease made freehold .Mining districts land occupation leases made 674 freehold Pastoral licenses in mining districts made free- l,8lfi hold Small grazing-runs mado freehold Deferred payment (Land Acts, 1877 and 1885) Deferred payment (Land Laws Amondmont 2,993 Acts, 1912, 1913, &c.) Perpetual lease . . .. .. .. 338 Occupation with right of purchaso .. .. 40,771 Lease in perpetuity .. .. .. 5,927 Renewable lease .. .. .. .. 997 Mining districts land occupation leases . . 401 Pastoral licenses in mining districts under 1,091 special regulations Small grazing-runs .. . . . . 576 Pastoral runs .. .. .. .. 1.01. Coal and mineral leases and royalties .. 800 Timber licenses and sale of timber .. .. 706 Flax-cutting .. .. .. .. 1,452 State forests .. . . . •. . . 0,473 Other miscellaneous leases and licenses .. 5,791 Payments of capital value under section 191 10 of the Land Act, 1908 Miscellaneous .. .. .. .. *1,565 £ 5,322 902 313 22,535 3,526 074 1,816 2,993 338 40,771 5,927 997 401 1,091 £ 1,800 7,000 1,389 1,481 30 21,851 4,470 8,334 £ £ 1,806 704 7,060 2,939 1,389 4,382 1,481 822 30 111 21,851 16,497 4,470 8,180 8,334 357 £ , 3,159 i 28,439 10,865 39 2,128 0,832 97 22,839 9,386 3,569 £ i 209 800 140 287 403 14 1,050 2,157 2 43 360 £ i 20 29 219 454 1,215 7 32 1,724 2,985 85 9 £ 9 271 1,098 720 210 5 402 1,060 £ 253 104 889 43 233 371 415 4,221 35 £ 803 953 107 1,249 339 299 13 138 028 1,475 5,175 505 090 £ 491 770 61 2,953 1,791 43 1,177 305 3,129 2,041 259 179 £ 12,776 2,925 700 08,297 25,262 39 1,010 2,103 2,128 50 14,302 1,991 110,219 45,002 14,203 1,521 1,098 133 247 570 101 800 706 1,452 0,473 5,791 10 7,801. 1,225 7,801 156 1,225 .. '.'. 796 J, 972 420 31 5,090 930 173 479 241 120 2,773 8 339 12 1,179 1,168 770 150 600 01 1,401 14,288 19 5,103 15,21.8 573 209 94 130 2,224 3,400 723 1,724 50 1,889 1,408 17,189 39,125 2,537 10,003 1,910 10,899 28,084 07 9, .90 0 9,196 800 091 1,808 57 720 945 531 3,952 * 1,505 ■■ t 65,243 .. t18,089 482 192 20,328 Totals .. .. .. .105,200 .105,200 05,243 53,905 97,904 8,080 12,570 0,753 20,755: 30,111 22,459 435,040 Land for Settlements. Cask lands .. .. .. . . 5 Lease in perpetuity made freehold .. .. 21,050 Renewable lease made freehold .. .. 4,758 Small grazing-runs mado freehold Deferred payments .. .. .. 13,001 Lease in perpetuity .. .. .. 11,014 Renewabio lease .. .. .. .. 9,940 Small grazing-runs .. . . .. 200 Pastoral runs Coal and mineral leases and royalties Timber licensos and sale of timber .. . . 10 Flax-cutting Other miscellaneous leases and licenses .. 335 Payments of capital value under section 191. of the Land Aot, 1.908 Miscellaneous .. .. .. .. 962 5 21,050 4,758 55 5,758 1,875 770 5,535 4,503 2,378 21 22 1,548 307 . 3,000 873 39,935 11,503 13,001 11,014 9,940 200 17,804 3 I , 591! 31,049 2,912 4,550 1,814 1,499 6,411 11,250 14,579 1,059 1,978 738 1,482 8,470 10,801 10,819 5,661 497 2,717 50,098 04,297 10,519 08 46 1,293 31,363 19,081 1,428 420 36 984 8,722 0,081 77 57,868 158,490 100,033 21,850 488 80 16 47 7,352 10 4 335 1,484 6 2,087 3 390 527 9 2,150 86 371 2 902 9 179 40 180 2,910 09 4,355 Totals .. .. .. 63,087 63,087 93,199 8,042 40,240 4,198 38,714 520 1.33,1 19 56,449 19,934 463,502 Cheviot Estate. ;• Cash lands Lease in perpetuity Renewable lease . . Grazing-farms Pastoral runs Coal and mineral leasos Timber licenses and salo of timber Flax-cutting Other miscellaneous leases and licenses Payments of capital value under section 191 of the Land Aot, 1908 Miscellaneous 82 6,580 799 9,019 177 82 6,586 799 9,019 177 1,093 1,093 Totals 17,750 17,750 National-endowment Lands. Cash lands Renewable leases .. .. .. 6,836 Small grazing-runs .. .. .. 301 6,836 301 1,829 4,607 3,333 54 2,255 624 1,030 104 081 3,793 1,122 573 10,000 22,655 980 1,051 23,726 43,255 Carried forward .. .. 7,137 7,137 9,430 3,387 2,879 1,734 4,474 1,122 10,689 24,142 2,031 06,981 * [ncludos £3B9, Native-land settlement made tree ihold. f Includes £1' 1,273, Wi sst Coast Settleiiu cut leases made free! hold.

C— 1.

Table 18. —Return of Gross Revenue received during the Year ended 31st March, 1918— continued.

42

Tenure. a d '■2 © 3 © © . 5 b* K a X 9 cS ■_, a 3 _ § _ § J -© a 01 i _ ! 6 I o •3 a « 3 o r "3 o P National-endowment Ijands- continued. £ £ £ £ £ £ £ £ £ £ £ Brought forward 7,137 9,436 3,387 2,879 1,734 4,474 1,122 10,639 24,142 2,031 66,981 Pastoral licenses in mining districts under special regulations Pastoral runs Coal and minoral leases Timber 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 71 781 851 1,703 109 6 859 34 629 941 824 296 35 7,524 32 514 22,857 10,405l 2,495 3 37,885 667 13,531 50 1,*274 3,070 1,307 89 24 70 291 19 188 5 152 40 45 4 2 51 Totals 11,323 9,461 4,091 3,921 4,304 5,298i 10,374 33,501 34,099, 4,569, 122,148 Educational-endowment Lands. Primary Secondary 4,481 1,561 10,132 1,858 6,231 1,038 10,572 2,890 502 141 510 541 25i 29. 24,250 270 4,535! 830 18,605 249 80,074 9,191 Totals 6,p42 11,990 7,269 13,461 643 564 24,520 5,365 18,854 89,265 Other Endowment Lands. Cash lands Perpetual lease made freehold Occupation with right of purchase made freehold Deferred payments Perpetual lease Occupation with right of purchase Lease in perpetuity Renewable lease Mining districts land occupation leases Small grazing-runs Pastoral licenses in mining districts under special regulations Pastoral runs Coal and mineral leases Timber licenses and sale of timber Flax-cutting Other miscellaneous leases and licenses Miscellaneous "53 14 23 , 22 14 5 265 -12 70 124, 64 1,506 34 287 68 1,472 360 34 53 14 322 22 1,664 129 04 2,097 112 '*28 "84 16,345 135 1,520 10 7,370 1,427 8,797 17,865 109 15 1,315 817 24 15 74 1 2 41 1,029 10 "89 09 817 Totals 9,300 1.9011 33,489 160 2 817 806 17,869 1,540 1,595 Thermal springs districts leases 2,042 2,042 Survey liens on Native laud 14,938 7,723 1,54! 1,730 3 II 27 03 20,043 Miscellaneous 10,053 2,883 1,215 4,515 441 644 221 768 2,034 l,827l 24,001 Grand totals .. .. I 212,905 190,501 77,48! 108,090 35,544 57,8011 19,958 238,041 143,958 09,000 1,213,892

o.—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, 1918.

Table 20. —Arrears of Rent due to the Crown at 31st March, 1918.

7—C. 1.

43

District. Ntunbor of i—-_„* „* Tenants who A '<X te have been *_„?_! granted Rebate. &>™ teA - District. Number of Tonants who havo been granted Rcbato. Amount of Rebate grantod. Ordinary Crown Lands — Auokland Hawke's Bay Taranaki Wellington Nelson Marlborough Westland Canterbury Otago Southland £ 5,497 4,113 590 3,256 1,170 2,208 1,919 4,343 470 208 387 450 401 129 385 247 1,023 751 745 462 £ 4,113 3,250 2,208 4,343 208 450 129 247 751 462 Land for Settlements —contd. Otago Southland Totals National-endowment Lands — Auckland Hawke's Bay Taranaki Wellington Nelson Marlborough Westland Canterbury Otago Southland 4,951 098 255 25,590 £ 5,387 1,298 Totals 888 61 110 59 140 103 253 18 173 152 551 438 352 199 107 70 86 31 123 82 1.2,587 10,227 Cheviot Estate — Canterbury 217 387 Totals 1,957 2,039 and for Settlements —• Auckland Hawke's Bay Taranaki Wellington Nelson Marlborough Westland Canterbury 1,036 009 40 375 33 377 25 1,497 1,691 0,048 273 1,131 180 2,050 47 0,285 Grand totals Other Endoicment Lands — Nelson.. Westland Canterbury 40 2 132 19,712 16 2 75 44,243 Totals 174 93

District. Numbor of Selectors. Amount In Arrear, exclusive of current Half-year's Payment. District. Number of SeloctorsAmount in Arrear, exclusive of current Half-year's Payment. Ordinary Crown Lands — Auckland Hawke's Bay Taranaki Wellington Nelson Marlborough Westland Canterbury Otago Southland 418 19 36 100 66 10 82 70 10 7 £ 5,888 247 275 3,063 388 134 215 270 31 25 National-endowment Lands — Auckland Hawke's Bay Taranaki Wellington Nelson Marlborough Westland Canterbury Otago Southland 97 4 2 75 4 92 4 3 2 £ 2,000 659 19 831 121 415 366 00 7 Totals 824 10,542 Totals 283 4,478 Cheviot Estate — Canterbury Thermal springs 390 42 250 Land for Settlements — Auckland Hawke's Bay Taranaki Wellington Nelson Marlborough Westland Canterbury Otago Southland 01 5 5 10 5 II 2 71 1 3 1,473 137 39 425 432 1,854 8 4,739 6 26 Education Endowments — Primary Secondary 108 19 1,783 260 Totals 127 2,043 Grand totals 1,404 20,842 Totals Other endowment lands 180 9,139 42 157

o.—l

44

Table 21. —Statement showing Payments to Local Bodies during the Year ended 31st March, 1918, 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, 1918.

District. "Thirds," Deferred-payment, Perpetual-lease, Occupation-with-right-of-purchase, Renewable-lease, and Lease-in-perpetuity Lands. " Fourths," Small Grazing-runs.j "Halves," Timber and Flax. Total Payments. Auckland Hawke's Bay Taranaki Wellington Nelson Marlborough Westland Canterbury Otago Southland £ 10,823 10,851 5,472 11,145 1,598 949 746 14 913 1,373 £ 699 227 17 444 £ 126 27 431 142 3,380 £ 10,949 11,550 5,499 11,372 2.046 1,535 4,126 633 4,929 1,941 619 3,859 23 ±57 545 Totals 43,884 5,888 4,808 54,580

Amoi nt deposite the Yeai id during Total Payments at 31st March, 19. 18. System and Tenure. •f-t O =1-1 O Total Original Payments Aren held Annual made on Aieane Rental Account of payable. Capital Value. Annual Rcnial now payable as reduced by such Payments. SCO 5 Area held. Amount deposited. <n O at as »© 3ai Sz, Ordinary Grown Lands — Lease in perpetuity Renewable lease 3 Acres. 00 £ 57 II 2 Acres. 6,229 1 £ 354 5 £ 3,167 52 £ 225 3 Totals 60 57 43 6,230 359 3,219 228 Cheviot Estate — Lease in perpetuity 1 107 50 999 6 Land for Settlements — Lease in perpetuity 3 363 265 3,466 92 National-endowment lands .. 1 17 10 1 17 I 10 J Grand totals 77 07 48 0,717 680J 7,694 3201 Hthdrawals d\ vri'i war. —Nil.

α-i.

Table 23.— Return of Forfeitures and Surrenders during the Year ended 31st March, 1918, showing under each Tenure the Number of Selectors who have forfeited and surrendered their Holdings, and the Area and Rental of such Holdings.

45

Tenure. Forfeitures. Number. Area. Keutal! NumbOT - Surrenders. Aroa. Annual Rontal. Ordinary Crown Lands — Deferred payment Perpetual lease Occupation with right of purchase Lease in perpetuity Ronowablo lcaso Mining districts land occupation leases Pastoral licensos in mining districts undor special regulations Pastoral runs Miscellaneous 1 48 1 6 1 8 Acres. 16 11,066 406 419 58 1,533 £ 12 088 7 87 2 49 1 1 11 2 Acres. 26 1 5,647 24 £ 1 2 387 2 3 122 53,320 27,702 375 899 1 53 4,400 8,825 5 794 Totals 190 94,520 2,119 69 18,923 1,191 Cheviot Estate — Miscellaneous 5 1,022 195 Land for Settlements — Deferred payment Lease in perpetuity Renewable loase Miscellaneous 2 i 7 1 5 9 1 042 300 1 439 39 8 9 170 377 60 Totals 19 1,388J 444 I.. 943 479 National-endowment Lands — Renewablo lease Pastoral licenses in mining districts under special regulations Small grazing-runs Pastoral runs Miscellaneous 28 6 8,270 1,853 283 35 9 6 6,133 So121 34 29 49,100 79 1 10 il,271 1,411 "l3 18 Totals 02 59,283 397 26 19,009 180 Educational-endowment Lands — Primary Secondary 22 3 518. 10 114 35 9 1,405 327 Totals 25 528| 149 1,405 327 Grand totals 296 155,720 3,109 124 42,502 2,378

G.—l

46

Table 24. —Return showing the Total Number of Selectors, with Area of Crown Land selected or held, the Yearly Rent or Instalment payable, and the Area made Freehold at the 31st March, 1918.

System and Tenure. Total Number of Selectors. Total Area held. Total Yearly Rental or Instalment payable. Number of Purchasers. Total Area made Freohold. Area. Ordinary Crown Lands — Cash Deferred payment (Land Acts, 1877 and 1885) Deferred payment (Land Laws Amendment Acts, 1912 and 1913, &o.) Perpetual lease Occupation with right of purchase Lease in perpetuity Renewable lease Agricultural lease Mining districts land occupation leases Homestead Pastoral licenses in mining districts under special regulations Small grazing-runs Pastoral runs Miscellaneous leases and licenses Acres. £ Acres. 13,181,774 1,096,480 30,1 19 9 341 713 84,089 "ao 0,339 9,523 111 434 5,554 5,815 516 16 708 41,730 1,065,041 1,314,729 108,772 541 23,004 1,950 123,865 49,644 18,091 23 1,502 2,903 2,937 1,004 9 1,475 34 525 28 831,222 801,120 327,208 23 140,890 1,290 80,453 6,515 500 129,045 3,770 187 434 5,298 389,662 0,409,270 1,072,504 17,836 40,751 31,761 23 23,503 Totals 19,812 11,299,700 295,022 16,520,009 Cheviot Estate — Cash Lease in perpetuity Renewable loaso Grazing-farms Pastoral runs Miscellaneous leases and licenses 210 15 33 I 53 26,866 2,051 40,328 1,462 4,713 7,294 831 9,858 256 950 0,802 Totals 312 75,420 19,189 0,802 Land for Settlements — Cash Deferred payment.. Lease in perpetuity Renewable lease Small grazing-runs Pastoral runs Miscellaneous leases and licenses 377 3,029 1,858 101 14 320 73,311 571,378 733,435 108,347 4,331 16,392 18,398 170,007 1.80,790 22,298 615 4,396 140 407 117 0 614 16,926 59,549 27,563 11,519 Totals 5,699 1,567,191 396,504 116,171 National-endowment Lands — Renewable lease Mining districts land occupation leases Pastoral licenses in mining districts under special regulations Small grazing-runs Pastoral runs Miscellaneous leases and licenses 2,437 2 416 045,973 14 85,290 30,793 2 1,998 553 210 511 2,041,757 3,71.3,395 228,210 44,554 38,022 1,910 Totals 4,129 0,714,639 117,879 Thermal springs districts leases 320 3,053 2,114 Educational-endowment Lands — Primary Secondary 3,199 414 763,748 38,708 81,824 9,041 Totals 3,613 802,516 90,805 Grand totals 33,891 20,403,122 922,173 1.0,043,042 Other endowment lands 841 300,020 17,797 Summary showing Total Land held in each Land Dii ITRICT. District. ll^Zs 1 *«••*«■ * Area held. A] inual Rent. Acres. Auckland .. .. .. 7,819 1,926,741 Hawke's Bay .. .. .. 2,034 1,081,924 Taranaki .. .. .. 2,386 642,448 Wellington .. .. .. 4,143 971,786 Nelson .. .. .. 2,087 907,715 Marlborough .. .. .. 1,383 1,457,520 Westland .. .. .. 2,375 1,839,767 Canterbury .. .. .. 3,695 4,121,290 Otago .. .. .. 5,049 5,520,393 Southland .. .. .. 2,920 1,993,538 Acres. 1,926,741 1,081,924 042,448 971,786 907,715 1,457,520 1,839,707 4,121,290 5,520,393 1,993,538 £ 114,491 100,254 48,029 102,388 15,728 47,971. 8,425 241,276 132,670 50,941 Totals .. .. .. 33,891 20,463,122 I 33,891 20,463,122 922,173 i

o.—l.

Table 25. —Return of Education Endowments at 31st March, 1918.

47

District. S Si d T3 © © ce © o 6H 4 Ji Taken up dining the 1 Kxpiries durii Year. Year. ig the Kenowal of L< during the Y eases rear. O M ■a a •o'g ©3 a^ © M <£ V Q "1 o CD il I -A -A Annual Rental. Sj Area. rQ a a _5 Annual Rental. •ima; ■y Edua ation. Auckland Hawke's Bay Taranaki Wellington Melson Marlborough Westland Canterbury Dtago -Southland Acres. 110,030 80,419 51,090 94,674 11,290 1,120 14,613 70,129 45,438 348,205 Acres. 2,197 69 1,947 18 7 7 Acres. 736 1,824 257 £ III 16 531 15 183 6 17 6 1 2 4 2,300 41 81 38 842 78 Acres. 1,013 3,499 203 1,040 178 108 £ 04 500 131 101 14 28 18 I 11 2 17 0 2 I Acres. 1,157 1,735 21 1,040 178 108 £ 159 471 27 437 10 33 2,753 127 14,357 1 2 17 28 32 i 1 2,889 136 1,012 13,317 585 11,626 4,070 175 1,350 28 11 52 8,090 459 11,076 4,466 210 1,891 Totals .. 833,020 21,450 112 0,8554 4,059 | 220 32,241 7,035 148 23,876 7,722 Se, ;ondi \ry Edui sation. Auckland Hawke's Bay Taranaki Wellington Nelson Marlborough Westland Canterbury Otago Southland 10,335 7,484 2,355 12,178 802 284 4,448 1,024 2,100 579 278 11 308 208 4 2 1 136 1 60 27 22 42 I 2 1 130 1 60 57 36 60 7 15 8 66 2 1 3 2 I 5 *2 i 22 3 .40 35 i 40 ' 30 Totals .. 41,589 285 28 316. 7,171| 296 12 231 238 129 10 232 188 Grand totals 874,609 21,735 140 4,355 232 32,47! 7,104 158 24 :,108 7,910 For: ieiture the Y, luring r. Burrei tl iders durin le Year. ig Net Area held on 311 1918. >g } March, Gross Amount received during the Year. Selec Arrear Marc itors in .- on Hist ;h, 1918. District. he © ,0 a 3 Area. .-. © a« © Area. £ a 3 A — 7s a a a " a« «i TH o © -1 © o $ at Area. © a.. S ai_ A Annual Rental. © a a 3 A H3 a 3 O a 'rimary Ec Acres. lucatation. Auokland Hawke's Bay Taranaki Wellington Nelson Marlborough Westland Canterbury Otago Southland Acres. 2 80 4 318 .1 i i 1 I 1 1 50 1 7 1 1 9 61 £ 13 41 1 0 3 4 3 i 4 43 2 1 2 £ 5 I Acres. 556 70,520 218 80,544 5 360 ; 48,004 510 94,327 92 0,503 39 1,117 5 57 13,782 58 224 , 67,574 379 42,659 59 764 : 338,058 £ 4,947 9,903 0,100 11,232 469 454 447 26,083 4,542 17,587 £ 4,481 10,132 0,231 10,572 502 510 256 24,250 4,535 18,005 32 11 12 20 8 1 6 12 1 5 £ 280 242 90 350 36 2 119 619 7 38 1 i 2 205 1 2 "s 158 4 1,199 4 159 Totals .. 22 518. nil I,4051 327 3,199 703,748 81,824 80,074 108 1,783 Auckland Hawke's Bay Taranaki Wellington Nelson Marlborough Westland Canterbury Otago Southland St ',C01 lary luca, Hon. 1 8 I 1 i i ■ ■ I 33 1 177 29 05 12 30 4 29 8,951 7,477 2,317 12,177 817 262 3,209 1,024 1,955 579 1,667 1,906 1,083 2,693 129 89 109 270 848 247 1,561 1,858 .1,038 2,890 141 54 294 270 830 249 15 i i 239 11 2 1 1 i i 2 8 *47 21 Totals .. 10 35 414 38,768 9,041 9,191 19 200 Grand totals 25 528. I49.| 1,4051327 3,013 802,510 90,805 89,265 1.27 2,043

c—i.

Table 26. — Return showing the Area of Land settled under Village-settlement Conditions to the 31st March, 1918.

Table 27. — Return showing the Area of Land settled under Special-settlement-association Conditions to the 31st March, 1918.

Table 28. — Return showing the Area of Land settled under Improved-farm-settlement Conditions to the 31st March, 1918.

48

Area held at 31st March, 1918.* I Aroa mac to i Freehold late. Total Amount advanced to Selectors for Improvemc nts up to 31sc March, 1918. Amount of Advances which have been repaid to 31st March, 1918. District. la as as y, © "oo Annual Rental or Number Instalment of Area held, payable, inSelectors. eluding Interest on Advances. Number of Purchasers. Area acquired. Auckland Hawke's Bay Faranaki Wellington Nelson Marlborough Westland Canterbury Otago Southland.. 5 II 3 57 1 3 2 42 2 39 80 115 14 661 5 46 15 329 205 278 Acres. 3,123 3,595 55 10,717 II 3811 89 9,250 3,202 4, .69 £ 295 1,960 10 2,541 6 70 18 1,727 015 616 91 422 441 070 Acres. Oil 2,530 3,170 4,500 £ 2,312 877 £ 2,380 429 6,893 5,742 17 21 778 264 I ,064 142 125 0,323 3,007 9,903 104 2,580 "l5 1,530 1,100 ' 730 Totals 108 1,748 34,700 7,807 3,768 30,371 13,872 1.0,820 * Inch ,-iuent liccnsi lldes holdin, converted to deferred-pa;

District. *" CO °s Sr Aroa held at 31st March, 1918.* Area madi 1 ? Freehold to ite. Number of I Annual Scectors Area held. , Rental or Number of Purchasers. Area acquired. Auckland Hawke's Bay Taranaki Wellington .. Canterbury .. Otago 6 2 9 50 4 1 52 10 87 352 38 14 Acres. 8,524 2,000 15,400 03,491 4,817 2,765 £ 245 80 831 3,709 325 121 08 50 4 913 4 Acres. 7,742 5,610 800 97,013 518 Totals 72 553 97,003 l 5,371 72 1,045 112,283 * Includes 1 holdings converted to deferred-payment license. **

District. a Area held at 31st March, 1918.* »a __ © 3" Number of Annu ji -ca Held. „ Annual Area held. Rental or Instalment. Area made Freehold to Date. Potal Amount advanced to Selectors for Improvements. Number uf Area Purchasers., acquired. Luckland .. Iawke's Bay 'aranaki .. Volliugton Southland.. Acres. £ 12 117 15,958 1,9 2 15 1,692 2 19 333 46,465 5,1 19 200 24,675 4,1 4 32 3,399 2 Acres. 15,958 1,692 46,465 24,675 3,399 £ 1,936 219 5,181 4,111 204 8 2 28 145 13 Acres. 799 219 3,150 10,514 1,332 £ 20,090 2,020 44,913 33,661 12,058 Totals 50 097 92,1.89 11,6 92,189 11,051 190 22,014 119,348 * Includes holdings converted to deferred-payment lici mse.

49

C.-l

Table 29.— Lands disposed of under the Land for Settlements Acts to the 31st March, 1918.

District. Net Area acquired, including ascertained Surplus. Area occupied by Roads and Reserves unlet. ._"r3 i rrj rrj -£ u ©a-H°aag,2 ■g d 3 _«a « " o-"a«»o © * § go© °S% © ©.2,2 h w a a wc Total _ or mi th .: O % U © © s a g 33 -h-.Ah .roa purchased for Cash ide Freehold to Date. Total TH . O tec Kg ©2 2 © as 3 © 55 «" cauds leased at Date. Area ' realized. || Area ' a © Area. Price realized. Annual Rental. -A* Auckland Hawke's Bay Taranaki Wellington Nelson Marlborough. Westland Canterbury Otago Southland 310,237 244,439 7,094 88,396 34,501 228,220 5,125 501,412 237,708 91,150 Acres. 310,237 244,439 7,094 88,390 34,501. 228,220 5,125 561,412 237,708 91,150 Acres. 0,987 2,266 62 886 766 2,082 98 4,050 2,831 949 Acres. 70,190 2 2,750 5,891 4,325 472 71 15 00 5 20 I Acres. £ Acres. 74,602 i 142,770 870 152,458 13,148 80,989 714 229,020 851 19,868 82 6,181 3,591 40,819 520 81,109 966 2,153 39 20,878 4,554 15,450 480 210,471 2 21 31 5,025 7,979 00.221 1,704 540,789 3,191 j 14,691 941 228,968 7,287 23,104 300 74,233 116,171 406,092 ; 5,099 1,567,192 £ 29,033 78,375 5,037 30,530 2,409 32,253 541 135,248 00,337 16,742 2,594 2,718 8,681 1 104 25 40 Totals . . I, ,808,282 21,577 103,151 81 396,50." District. Yearly Value of Unlet Land at 31st March, 1918. Total Amount advanced to Selectors for Improvements.* Rent and t other Payments j received during the Q . Year. 31i To Rece fro Incei ti tal lipts im ition n Sele An 31st actors in rear on 3 March, 1918. Holdings inspectei 31st Ma d during Yc irch, 1918. car ended 31st M 191 0 [arch, 18. © a a 3 SB Amount. TH «! O 01 . *H„TJ © fi © a ©a S2*J5 0h Area. Value of mt Improveints. Required. Actually made. Auckland Hawke's Bay Taranaki Wellington Nelson Marlborough Westland Canterbury Otago Southland £ 4,379 1 1,818 278 1,269 2,265 2,043 765 £ 2,209 337 2,947 850 £ 03,087 93,199 8,042 46,240 4,198 38,714 520 133,119 50,449 19,934 £ 477,82.1 978,911 78,286 359,52) 23,051. 309,087 9,210 1,593,996 741,797 210,807 61 5 5 Hi 5 14 2 74 1 3 £ 1,473 137 39 425 432 1,854 8 4,739 6 26 Aores. £ 54 i 4,311 1,202 56 15,742 36,410 9 862 2,790 43 13,867 8,100 38 20,878 17,123 242 153,106 87,382 28 5,023 3,320 771 307,028 312,037 90 19,884 25,903 300 74,200 84,000 Acres. 54 ! 4,311 56 15,742 9 862 43 13,867 38 20,878 242 153,106 28 5,023 771 307,028 90 19,884 300 74,200 £ 8,050 45,941 0,102 46,621 35,720 159,903 25,000 344,144 38,597 100,000 2,785 Totals 12,818 9,128 403,502 4,843,181 180 9,139 1,631 620,961 578,339 870,798 Payments of capital value Land Act, 1908 c under s lection 1? il of the 3,400 1,840.0 17 * Does not include advances under the Dlsohargi id Soldiers Settlement Act,

C—l.

Table 30. —Transactions in Bush, Swamp, and Scrub Lands under Section 127 of the Land Act, 1908, during the Year ended 31st March, 1918.

Table 31. —Inspections made by the Rangers for the Year ended 31st March, 1918.

Table 32. —Advances obtained for the Purpose of roading Crown Lands, showing the Amount borrowed and the Amount repaid up to 31st March, 1918.

Approximate Cost of Paper. —Preparation, not given ; printing (1,100 copies), £80.

By Authority : Marcus F. Marks, Government Printer, Wellington.—l9lB.

Price Is. 3d.]

50

Selections during the Year. Heavy-bush Land. Jght-bush Land. I Scrub Li md. Totals. District. °iS | Amount of Rental Area. remitted per I Annum. £CC Area. Amount , o j, of Rental g g remitted a o Area. . l' or ! 1-i Annum, j gc/j Amount of Rental remitted per Annum. g o A m Area. Amount of Rental remitted per Annum. Auckland Taranaki Wellington Nelson Westland .. 4 2,964 72 Acres. 2,'904 £ 72 Acres. £ Acres. £ Acres. £ '4 2 2,020 50 0 4,984 '±22 Totals 4 2,964 72 2 2,020 50 4,984 122 i I i T 'otal t rea held ■t 31st Mi irch, .918. District. Het TH _ II ■fcH • II P lavy-bush Land. Light-bush Lane Annual _ jf An Area Rental ©2 Area Re Annual Rental (remitted). O -« a> ss 8 ° Annual Rental (remitted). ° 12 Annual Jg -g Area Rental a© held. (re- || mlttod). Sen lb Land. Swamp Land. ° 12 Annual ° B ©■2 Area Rental kS a© held. (re- Q$ 3 r © mitted). a© Totals. Area held. Annual Rental (remitted). i M held. (ro- a 5 held. (1 mitted). 3$ mit y, ■ Area held. Area hold. I Auckland Taranaki Wellington Nelson Westland 10 13 9 121 9 10 13 9 121 9 Acres. £ Acres. 7,498 1,098 9,922 764 16,729 1,404 04,938 1,055 58 35,510 g 4,612 94 Acres. 7,498 9,922 10,729 04,938 4,612 £ 1,098 764 1,404 1,055 94 Acres. £ Acres. £ Acres. £ 24 1,699 933 40 i -1 24 13 40 13 9 198 9 Acres. 9,197 9,922 10,729 109,551 4,612 £ 2,031 764 1,404 2,700 94 58 35,510 844 14 9,103| 201 II 9 198 9 Totals 108 1103,099 5,015 58 35,510 S 21 933 201 150,011 0,993 108 103,099 5,015 58 35,510 844 II 9,103 201 1,699

Value of Imi irovements. Numbt >r of Defaulters District. Number of Properties visited. Aroa. Actually made. For For Doilclent NonImprovo- residence ments only. only. For Nonresidence and Improvements. For other Reasons Required. Total. Auckland Hawke's Bay Taranaki Wellington Nelson Marlborough Westland Canterbury Otago Southland 873 270 281 127 708 290 424 894 140 623 Acres. 105,032 87,515 75,435 49,398 207,458 201,597 40,019 548,307 81,437 152,080 £ 75,008 123,940 54,100 30,332 109,809 97,595 19,891 331,891 33,088 49,800 £ 209,789 243,595 145,530 101,482 288,843 217,940 83,475 382,900 57,413 198,500 25 31 11 5 91 14 7 219 24 67 103 16 9 5 52 11 49 9 5 40 59 6 3 Hi 6 12 4 7 is lo I 111 53 23 23 199 31 68 232 29 183 70 Totals 4,642 1,674,878 920,066 1,929,473 494 305 206 30 1,035 I Note. —In addition n educational-endowment lei tmerous ml see, and m isccllancoiis insr. iserlhttieous lelll lections were in les. iade by the Rai igers in conni lotion witt discharged sol Hers sett] lements,

1 Land District. Amount borrowed. Amount repaid. Area. Auckland Hawke's Bay Taranaki Wellington Nelson .. Marlborough Westland Canterbury Otago .. Southland Acres. 1,401,300 515,702 708,538 826,346 415,517 217,971 59,717 3,552 324,306 181,247 £ 365,392 154,323 233,344 303,272 48,046 29,943 8,000 1,821 24,775 43,675 £ 170,535 79,785 187,513 230,552 11,075 32,959 2,746 1,151 25,777 27,907 Totals .. 4,054,202 1,212,597 776,000