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

Appendix to the Journals of the House of Representatives, 1926 Session I, C-01

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1926. 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 General Report:— Phub Appendix 111 Page Review of Past Year .. .. ..2, Land for SettlementsT 3 Summary of Settlements established .. 20 „ Extraots from Reports of Commissioners of Lands for Selection 3 Crown Lands _i Revaluations .. .. .. .. 4 North Auokland .. .. 27 National Endowment .. .. .. 4 Auckland .. .. .. .. 28 Education Endowments .. .. ..4 Gisborne .. .. .. .. 28 Forfeitures and Surrenders .. .. 4 Hawke's Bay .. .. .. .. 29 Receipts .. .. .. ■ • .. 4 Taranaki .. .. .. .. 29 Postponements .. .. .. .. 4 Wellington .. .. .. .. 29 Arrears .. .. .. • • .. 4 Nelson .. .. .. .. .. 29 Rebates .. .. .. ..4 Marlborough .. .. .. .. 30 Expenditure .. .. .. ..5 Westland .. .. .. .. 30 Land-drainage Operations .. .. .. 6 Canterbury .. .. .. .. 30 Staff Employment .. •. • • 6 Otago .. .. .. .. .. 30 Departmental Changes .. .. 6 Southland .. ... .. .. 30 Reports on Cognate Subjects .. .. 8 Appendix 111: — , T Land-drainage Operations .. .. 31 Appendix I:— a r Settlement of Crown Lands- Appendix IV :- or , an " " " "in Sand-dune Reclam ition .. .. .. 33 Auckland.. .. .. .. 1U ® i9bo ™ 6 -- \\ Tables aw i s ay .. .. .. Table I.—Lands of the Dominion, Position of nak ' " (approximately) .. .. 33 Wellington .. .. 14 2.—Selections during the Year .. 34 Nelson .. .. 15 [ _ 3.—A1l Lands held on Lease .. 34 Marlborough .. 15 n 4.—Lands-for-settlement Lands .. 35 Westland.. ..17 „ s.—Endowment Lands leased and adCanterbury .. ..18 ministered by Land Boards .. 35 Otago .. .. 18 I „ 6.—Receipts, Arrears, and PostponeSouthiand .. .. .. 19 ] ments .. .. .. 35

Sir, — Department of Lands and Survey, Wellington, 28th June, 1926. I have the honour to submit herewith the annual report on the settlement of Crown lands for the year ended 31st March, 1926. I have, &c., J. B. Thompson, The Hon. A. D. McLeod, Minister of Lands. Under-Secretary.

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EE PORT. Review of past Year. The year ending 31st March, 1926, has been marked by an astonishing variety of climatic conditions. During the autumn months there was an excessive rainfall throughout nearly the whole of the North Island and in many parts of the South Island ; but in Westland, Otago, and Southland an unusually dry spell' was experienced. The winter and early spring was abnormally wet in most districts, and the growth of feed poor and backward. Dry weather then set in over most of the Dominion, and particularly in Hawke's Bay and Poverty Bay, from which districts large numbers of stock had ultimately to be sent to outside districts for grazing. An indication of the unusual season was the prevalence during the closing months of the year of grass-fires in Canterbury, while in Southland harvesting operations, and particularly the saving of grass-seed, were seriously hampered by rain. Taken all round, the year can only be described as fairly satisfactory. Numerous small floods occurred during the year, the most serious being the flooding of the Rangitaiki Plains in June, a large area being inundated by the overflowing of the Whakatane and Rangitaiki Rivers. Pastoralists have had a somewhat trying year. Wool-values have shown a marked depreciation as compared with those obtaining in the previous sale season, while prices of lamb and mutton have also eased. It is to be noted that after the December sales wool-values were on a fairly stable basis, and it is to be hoped that the speculative element largely responsible for the unusual conditions experienced during the 1924-25 selling season will not again disturb the more stabilized conditions that now seem to be gradually appearing. Notwithstanding the season being unfavourable in many respects, the export of dairy products has been well maintained, and apparently the total returns will be very nearly as good as those of the previous season. The wisdom of providing supplementary feed is gradually becoming more widely recognized, and no doubt experiences of the past year will bring the lesson home to many fanners who have been accustomed to rely entirely on natural pastures. The grain harvest has turned out better than anticipated, wheat yielding fairly well, while there have been many exceptionally fine crops of oats. There was, however, a pronounced reduction in areas sown in wheat, particularly in Canterbury. A heavy spring seeding was confidently anticipated ; but the exceptionally long spell of wet weather precluded the necessary cultivation being carried out on many farms. At the 31st March, 1926, no fewer than 35,946 tenants held under lease or license from the Crown a total area of approximately 20,000,000 acres. That is, nearly 30 per cent, of the land area of the Dominion is at the present time held under Crown leases and licenses, so that it is easily seen how closely the primary industries are connected with the operations of the Department. Pastoral runs account for 9,650,000 acres, while it is interesting to note that over 1,800,000 acres of purchased estates are held under lease under the Land for Settlements Act. Selections during the year totalled over 347,000 acres. This subject is dealt with more fully under its.appropriate heading later on in this report. All the preliminaries for the bringing into operation of the provisions of the Deteriorated Lands Act, 1925, have been arranged. Regulations have been gazetted and Committees appointed, two of which will operate in the centre of the North Island, and the other in the Waioeka district, Gisborne Land District. The members of these three Committees have made a comprehensive tour of all the lands that have been proclaimed under the Act in order that their work may be co-ordinated as far as possible, and are now actively engaged in their own particular districts. The Deteriorated Lands Act was intended primarily to apply to certain areas in the North Island only. It was anticipated, however, that it might be difficult to restrict its provisions to those areas, and, in fact, applications have been received for the proclamation of areas in the Nelson and Westland Districts. Regulations under the Hutt Valley Lands Settlement Act have been prepared, and will 1 e gazetted in due course. An advisory Board to confer with the Land Board with respect to the mode of subdivision and disposal of the lands acquired and not required for railway purposes has been constituted, and is seriously engaged on the work of subdivision and the opening of the lands to the general public. Owing to certain areas in the first general scheme of subdivision being required by the Railway Department it was found necessary to alter the original lay-out, and for this purpose the services of the author of the winning town-planning designs for both the Lower Hutt scheme and that of Orakei, Auckland, were secured. The Lower Hutt scheme is one of very considerable magnitude, and in addition to the railwayworks a large amount of road-construction, drainage, and water-supply, &c., is involved. The subdivision for residential purposes of portion of the area purchased lias been carried out, and a large number of ready-cut houses supplied from the Railway Department's house-factory at Frankton Junction are in course of erection. Certain industrial areas will also be offered for competition at an early date, and, in fact, two such areas situated within the Petone Borough have already been disposed of at satisfactory prices,

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Legislation. The following is a brief summary of the legislation affecting the operations of this Department, which was passed during the session of 1925 : — Land for Settlements Act, 1925.—F0r a long time the necessity for a consolidation of the law relating to the acquisition and disposal of settlement land has been keenly felt. This new Act is a compilation of the Land for Settlements Act, 1908, and its numerous amendments. Land Laws Amendment Act, 1925.—This Act authorizes the extension for a term not exceeding seven years of any occupation-with-right-of-purchase license due to expire not later than 31st December, 1927, so as to afford the licensees more favourable opportunities for financing the purchase of their holdings. Provision is made for the disposal of flax in special cases by private treaty, for the granting of flax leases on Hauraki Plains, for the same terms as on ordinary Crown lands, and for the extension for a term not exceeding ten years of leases of grazing-farms in the Cheviot Estate. Hutt Valley Settlement Act, 1925. —This Act provides the machinery for disposing in a special manner of certain lands in the Hutt Valley which have been acquired by the Crown in connection with the deviation of railway from Petone to Waterloo Road. Provision is made in this Act for a new mode on deferred-payments license, extending over a period of 34| years, under which payment of the price of land and the interest thereoli is calculated on an amortization basis. Deteriorated Lands Act, 1925.—This Act sets up the machinery whereby occupiers of deteriorated lands or of bush-sick land brought under its operation by Proclamation can apply for relief thereunder in the way of reduction of capital values and of rents, postponement and remission of rents, advances for purchase of fencing-material, lime, manures, &c. Public Reserves and Domains Amendment Act, 1925. —Section 2 of this Act authorizes the Minister of Lands to increase the charges for admission to any recreation-ground or public domain ; section 3 empowers the Governor-General to authorize application of moneys derived from any domain for the purposes of any other domain ; section 4 authorizes the Governor-General to amalgamate two or more domains when deemed expedient. Among other provisions-, power is given to apportion the cost of improvement and maintenance of public domains amongst the local authorities interested. Kauri-gum Control Act, 1925. —This Act provides for the setting-up of a Board for the purpose of controlling the trade in and the export of kauri-gum, and authorizes the imposition of a levy on all kauri-gum exported to such amount as may be fixed by the Governor-General in Council. Reserves and other Lands Disposal and Public Bodies Empowering Act, 1925. —Part I of this Act contains sixty clauses, containing special legislation with respect to Crown lands, reserves, &c. Lands fob Selection. During the year 347,716 acres were selected under all tenures. The number of selections was 1,390, and the average holding ran about 250 acres. The demand for virgin country of the quality now mostly available still continues to be restricted, although there is a good demand for first-class dairying and sheep country. A fairly large area was opened for selection, chiefly in scattered sections. The most noteworthy block offered comprised the subdivisions of the Wilden .Run, Otago District. The run was cut into four holdings, ranging in area from 6,200 to 15,000 acres, with annual rentals of from £160 to £380, according to carrying-capacity and ease of working the runs. All the holdings were selected, and despite some adverse criticism, on the ground that the block as a whole would carry more sheep, there seems to be no reason why the selectors should not be successful. Two small estates, one in Auckland and the other in Marlborough, were acquired and settled during the year. The following table shows the selections during the last five years : — Selections under all Tenures. Number. Area. Year ending 31st March, 1922 .. .. .. 1,710 310,076 1923 .. .. .. 1,426 481,649 1924 .. .. ..2,088 593,771 1925 .. .. ..1,327 463,946 1926 .. .. .. 1,390 347,716 Totals for five years .. .. 7,941 2,197,158 The lands remaining in the hands of the Department for future disposal are somewhat limited in extent, and, as a rule, somewhat unattractive in quality. New Zealand does not possess the huge areas of unoccupied land that exist in some of her sister Dominions. Nevertheless the remaining areas form an asset that is exceedingly valuable, even though most of them are non-productive at the present time. Pressure is often brought to bear for the opening-up of large areas of undeveloped lands, but under present conditions there is no doubt that the proper course is to make haste Jowly. The science of farming must improve as time goes on and new methods of handling certain classes of land be thoroughly tried and tested. In the meantime it would appear an extremely doubtful policy to rapidly open up large areas that cannot be brought into profitable occupation without a large capital expenditure and the provision of cheap manures, &c., especially when it is remembered that under present conditions high working-costs are seriously retarding necessary improvements on occupied land. For some years to come it will probably be found that settlement will consist of the natural subdivision of occupied lands that should be rendered possible by improved methods and lower working-costs, together with a slow and gradual occupation of inferior lands, rather than of a rapid and somewhat problematical settlement of blocks that are at present unoccupied through reasons of disabilities of access and quality.

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Revaluations. During the year seventeen Crown leaseholds werp revalued under section 216 of the Land Act, 1924. As a result, the capital values were reduced from £26,710 to £18,367, and the annual rentals from £1,218 to £823. The total revaluations made from the 11th November, 1913, to the 31st March last number 520, with a reduction in capital value from £1,239,435 to £982,947, and in annual rental from £56,253 to £44,558. The revaluations of properties held by discharged soldiers is dealt with in the annual report under the Discharged Soldiers Settlement Act, 1915. National Endowment. The national-endowment area was reduced during the year by 107,798 acres. Further particulars are given in parliamentary paper C.-14. Of the area set aside, 6,739,957 acres were held on lease or license at the 31st March by 4,474 tenants, paying an anmial rental of £137,185, while a very large area (partly, however, covered by existing leases) had been set aside as provisional State forests. Educational Endowment. Under the administration of the various Land Boards there is an area of approximately 823,000 acres of educational endowments leased to 4,000 tenants, who pay an annual rental of £124,046. There are a considerable number of these reserves situated in urban areas and carrying a very large prospective value. Forfeitures and Surrenders. Crown tenants numbering 479 had their holdings forfeited for non-compliance with the terms and conditions of their leases and licenses. The area was 177,532 acres, and the annual rental £13,907. In addition to this, 274 tenants surrendered their leases over an area of 129,932 acres, with an annual rental of £5,776. The grand total of forfeitures and surrenders was thus 753 tenants holding 307,464 acres at an annual rental of £19,683. These figures appear large, but, as was the case last year, far the larger proportion is represented by miscellaneous leases and licenses, while the surrender of certain pastoral runs in Canterbury and Otago accounts for over 78,000 acres. The forfeiture penalty is only resorted to after every reasonable means have failed to produce improvement, and where it is evident that the lessee is unable or unwilling to fulfil the obligations of his tenancy. Receipts. Receipts have been well maintained, the total from all sources (excluding, of course, Discharged Soldiers Settlement Account receipts) amounting to £1,297,488, an increase of £24,764 over last year's figures. The sum of £386,697 was derived from ordinary Crown lands, £568,168 from lands held under the Land for Settlements Act (including Cheviot Estate), £145,698 from the national endowment, and £127,276 from the education endowment. Cash received on the conversion of leaseholds to freehold tenure is much the same as last year. The following table gives the relation of this freehold revenue to total receipts during the pastfive years :— Conversions. Amount yielded Total to Freehold. therefrom. Receipt®. Year ending 31st March, 1922 .. .. 335 71,520 1.215.040 1923 .. ..249 57,809 1^208.422 1924 .. ..373 104,076 1,329,074 1925 .. ..341 98,344 1,272.724 1926 .. ..305 107,148 1,297,488 Of the 305 conversions to freehold during the year 239 were in the North Island districts. Postponements. Postponements of payment of rent were granted to 467 tenants during the year, involving the sum of £52,874. At the 31st March £192,539 remained postponed on account of 1,528 tenants, as against £233,173 on account of 1,733 tenants at the 31st March, 1925. Arrears. Rents in arrear at the 31st March amounted to £222,148, a decrease of £79,511 on last year's figures. The position iff this respect is still receiving the utmost attention. The following shows the position in regard to arrears of rent for the past five years : — £ Year ending 31st March, 1922 .. .. .. .. .. 167,838 1923 .. .. .. .. .. 358,225 1924 .. .. .. .. .. 544,448 1925 .. .. .. .. .. 301,659 1926 .. .. .. .. .. 222,148 Rebates. For prompt payment of rent 16,889 Crown tenants were granted the usual rebate in terms of section 123 of the Land Act, 1924, and section 59 of the Land for Settlements Act, 1925. These rebates amounted to a total of £54,690.

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Expenditure. Summary of Expenditure approved during the Year ended 31st March, 1926.

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i Net i G • as Name of Vote or Acoount. I Amount I Expenditure Recoveries. Net Expenditure. £ £ s. d. £ s. d. £ s. d. Vote, Lands and Survey (Subdivision I) 143,502 258.070 10 0 114,045 2 7 144,025 7 5 Vote, Lands and Survey (Subdivision II) 36,705 32,956 9 7 94 6 8 32,862 2 11 Total, Lands and Survey .. 180,207 291,026 19 7 114,139 9 3 176,887 10 4 Lands for Settlement Account: Vote, 5,760 1,306 9 0 .. 1,306 9 0 Land for Settlement: Expenses Land for Settlement Account: Vote, 6,631 1,450 8 1 7 1 6 1,443 6 7 Land for Settlement : Discharged Soldiers Settlement: Expenses Vote, Scenery-preservation Account .. 24,789 20,547 13 3 5 0 0 20,542 13 3 Discharged Soldiers Settlement Account: 43,450 14,526 1 6 1,715 13 0 : 42,810 8 6 Vote, Expenses of Management Totals .. .. .. 250,837 358,857 11 5 115,867 3 9 242,990 7 8 Public Works Fund. Vote, Roads to open up Land for Settle- 30,000 17,193 .10 10 12 17 11 | 17,180 12 11 ment — — Totals .. .. .. 30,000 17,193 10 10 12 17 11 17,180 12 11 Other Accounts. Deteriorated Lands Account .. .. .. 272 9 11 .. j 272 9 11 Lands for Settlement Account .. .. 16,112 18 1 76 13 11 16,036 4 2 Incidental expensesExpenditure under section 20 (3), Land Act, 1924 850 0 0 .. 850 0 0 Expenditure under section 20 (4), Discharged 15,503 18 6 .. 15,503 18 6 Soldiers Settlement Amendment Act, 1923 Interest under section 208 (8), Land Act, 1924.. 186 17 2 .. 186 17 2 Lands for Settlement Account (Discharged Soldiers 10,899 18 8 1,240 11 9 9,659 6 11 Settlement Account) : Incidental expenses Land for Settlements Account (Discharged Soldiers 6,408 9 9 .. 6,408 9 9 Soldiers Account, section 20, Discharged Soldiers Settlement Amendment Act, 1923) Rangitaiki Land Drainage Account (section 7, 21,971 16 8 1,037 10 5 20,934 6 3 Rangitaiki Land Drainage Act, 1910) Rangitaiki Land Drainage Account (section 14 5,048 5 5 .. 5,048 5 5 (2) (b), Appropriation Act, 1924, and section 16, Appropriation Act, 1925) Hauraki Plains Settlement Account (section 5, 8,291 12 6 1,126 7 0 7,165 5 6 Hauraki Plains Amendment Act, 1922) Hauraki Plains Settlement Account (section 93, 66,945 5 0 9,419 9 6 57,525 15 6 Reserves, &c., Act, 1916) Hauraki Plains Settlement Account (section 4, 395 0 0 .. 395 0 0 Finance Act, 1924) Swamp Land Drainage Account (section 95, Reserves, &c., Act, 1916) — Kaitaia .. .. .. .. 15,393 7 3 256 15 3 15,136 12 0 Waihi .. .. .. .. .. 10,314 12 5 317 6 7 9,997 5 10 Poukawa .. .. .. .. 114 13 3 .. 114 13 3 Hikurangi .. .. .. .. 20,034 7 4 67 7 9 19,966 19 7 General.. .. .. .. .. 1,766 14 8 8 5 0 1,758 9 8 Swamp Land Drainage Account (section 2, Swamp 5 2 7 .. 5 2 7 Land Drainage Amendment Act, 1922) Kauri-gum Industry Account .. .. .. 14,587 6 1 69 2 11 14,518 3 2 National Endowment AccountSection 295, Land Act, 1924. . .. .. 8,631 17 4 .. 8,631 17 4 Section 83 (3), Land Act, 1924 . . .. 550 0 0 .. 550 0 0 National Endowment Trust Account: Section 3 (3), 1,746 0 0 .. 1,746 0 0 Land Laws Amendment Act, 1922 Native Land Settlement Account (expenditure 23,760 18 1 .. 23,760 18 1 under the Act, Lands Department) Native Land Settlement Account (section 21 (1), 3,972 18 1 .. 3,972 18 1 Land Act, 1924) Native Land Settlement Account (section 20 (4), 2,031 10 0 .. 2,031 10 0 Discharged Soldiers Settlement Amendment Act, 1923) Cheviot Estate Account (section 21 (1), Land Act, 858 17 3 .. 858 17 3 1924) Hunter Soldiers' Assistance Trust Account .. 33 3 7 .. 33 3 7 Carried forward .. .. 256,687 19 10 13,619 10 1 243,068 9 6

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Expenditure—continued. Summary of Expenditure approved during the Year ended 31st March, 1926 —continued.

Land-drainage Operations. • During the year ended 31st March, 1926, some 1,786,725 cubic yards of spoil were excavated by floating and dry-land excavators. In addition, 56,460 yards of rock and 14,115 yards of stiff clay and rubble were excavated. Full particulars of the various activities of this branch of the Department are given in Appendix 111. Staff Employment. At the Ist April, 1925, there were on the staff of the Department 627 permanent and 69 temporary officers, a total of 696. During the year 33 new appointments were made to the permanent staff, while 3 officers were transferred from other Departments ; but against these increases 33 officers resigned, 4 officers died, 10 retired, and 3 were transferred to other Departments. The staff at the 31st March, 1926, numbered 613 permanent and 78 temporary officers. Departmental Changes. Retirements. Mr. W. A. Styche joined the Department in Christchurch as a cadet in October, 1877. He was transferred to Nelson in 1900, and remained there until he retired on 30th April, 1925. Mr. Styche was an excellent draughtsman doing the highest class of map-work. Mr. H. Martin Smith was appointed a Survey cadet on the Ist April, 1878. He qualified as an Assistant Surveyor, and was appointed to such a position from April, 1881. Owing to retrenchment his services were terminated in 1885. In August, 1889, he was reappointed to the Department as a Crown Lands Ranger for Hawke's Bay, and continued at such duties until his retirement on the 30th June, 1925. Mr. Smith left an excellent record of faithful and efficient service and did much to assist in the settlement of the district. Mr. W. Laing joined the Department in the first place as an Assistant Surveyor in July, 1879, but resigned in 1890 to take up private practice. He rejoined the Government service in September, 1896, and remained on field duty until July, 1914, when he took up office-work as a Draughtsman and Computer in New Plymouth. He rose to the position of Land Transfer Draughtsman, and held that office at the time of his retirement on the 30th June, 1925. Mr. O. G. Goldsmith was appointed to the Government service as a cadet in Auckland in February, 1884, and given a Survey cadetship in January, 1886. He was appointed an Assistant Surveyor in October, 1890, but for health reasons he was transferred to office duties as a Draughtsman and Computer. He served in Napier, Gisborne, and Invercargill Offices, and held the position of Chief Draughtsman, Invercargill, at the time of his retirement on the 30th September, 1925. Mr. H. Lundius joined a Government survey party in 1880, and was employed under various Surveyors in the Auckland District until the end of 1890. He was then appointed, a Crown Lands Ranger in the Wellington District, and did good work in connection with village settlements. Later he worked as a Crown Lands Ranger in the Wauganui District, and was subsequently transferred to Wellington. He was frequently selected to act for the Government in the classification of land for rating and drainage purposes, and for a number of years was a member of the Aotea Maori Land Board. He retired on superannuation in September, 1925. Mr. W. F. Marsh joined the Department as a Survey cadet in Dunedin in April, 1879, and qualified as an Assistant Surveyor. He was employed as a Computing Draughtsman and rose to the position of Land Transfer Draughtsman, Dunedin, and in 1909 he was promoted Chief Draughtsman, Blenheim, and in 1911 returned to Dunedin as Chief Draughtsman. In 1914 he was appointed Chief Draughtsman at Wellington, and in 1915 Commissioner of Crown Lands and Chief Surveyor at Hokitika. Further promotions gave him the positions of Commissioner of Crown Lands and Chief Surveyor at Napier and at Auckland. He held the latter at the time of his retirement on the 31st December, 1925. Mr. Marsh was an able and efficient officer whose service to the Department was of the greatest value. lie retired voluntarily after over forty-five years' service. Mr. A. Marshall joined the Dunedin Office as a clerk in April, 1890, and rose to the position of Senior Clerk. He was promoted Chief Clerk and Receiver of Land Revenue, Blenheim, in June, 1919, and held the office at the date of retirement on the 31st December, 1925. Mr. Marshall had an excellent knowledge of the legislation governing the Department's operations and was regarded as a highly efficient officer. Mr. G. H. Bullard joined the Government Service as a clerk in the Postal Department in 1877. In 1879 he was appointed a Survey cadet and advanced to the position of District Surveyor in Taranaki. In 1909 he was appointed Inspecting Surveyor and Local Land Officer at Gisborne, and in 1912 further promotion brought him the position of Commissioner of Crown Lands and Chief Surveyor, New Plymouth. In 1921 Mr. Bullard was appointed Commissioner of Crown Lands and Chief Surveyor, Christchurch, and held the position until his retirement in December, 1925. Mr. Bullard was an able and efficient officer who never spared himself in carrying out his duties. Mr. V. I. Blake joined the Department as an Assistant Surveyor in Auckland in November, 1902. Previous to this he had field experience in New South Wales and the Federated Malay States. He was appointed Land Transfer Draughtsman, Gisborne, in September, 1914, and transferred to the

i r Name of Vote or Account. Expenditure Recoveries. Net Expenditure. £ s. d. £ s. d. £ s. d. Brought forward .. .. 256,687 19 10 13,619 10 1 243,068 9 6 Discharged Soldiers Settlement Account .. 758,032 0 9 .. 758,032 0 9 Refunds, deposits, &c. .. .. .. 33,227 6 5 .. 33,227 6 5 Unauthorized expenditure .. .. .. 5,884 13 9 .. 5,884 13 9 Totals .. .. .. .. 1,053,832 0 6 13,619 10 1 1,040,212 10 5 Grand totals . . .. 1,429,883 2 9 129,449 11 9 1,300,383 11 0

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position of Chief Draughtsman in the new North Auckland Office on the Ist April, 1919. In December, 1920, he was transferred to Napier as Chief Draughtsman, and in April 1923, was promoted to the position of Chief Surveyor and Commissioner of Crown Lands, Gisborne—a newly constituted land district. In this position he conducted the affairs of the Department in a highly creditable manner. He retired on superannuation on the 31st December, 1925. Mr. J. Cook first entered the Government Service in January, 1878, as a cadet and subsequently obtained a surveyor's license. He resigned in December, 1884, and went to New South Wales, where he practised as a surveyor. He was reappointed to the field staff of the Department in March, 1894, and later was transferred to office duty in Wellington as Land Transfer Draughtsman. Later he was Chief Draughtsman at Napier and at Auckland. From the latter position he was promoted to be Commissioner of Crown La.nds and Chief Surveyor, Blenheim, on the Ist April, 192J, and from December, 1923, to the date of his retirement on the 31st December, 1925, he filled the position of Commissioner of Crown Lands and Chief Surveyor, New Plymouth. Mr. Cook's ability and interest in the efficient management of departmental affairs were highly appreciated. Deaths. Mr. R. C. M. Irwin was a young officer who possessed more than average ability. Unfortunately, his health was not good, and his early death was deplored by all who knew him. Mr. F. B. Leonard had been in the service of the Department in Otago since April, 1890, first on field-work with survey parties and later as a Field Inspector. He died suddenly while on duty in Central Otago, leaving a splendid record of faithful and efficient service. Messrs. W. M. Atkinson and P. Mitchell: References to the deaths of these officers will be found in the annual report on surveys —parliamentary paper C.-la.

Senior Appointments, Promotions, and Transfers.

I Officer appointed. Previous Position. Position to which appointed. Date. ! K. M. Graham .. Commissioner of Crown Lands and Commissioner of Crown Lands and 10/] 0/25 Chief Surveyor, Invercargill Chief Surveyor, Auckland N. C. Kensington Commissioner of Crown Lands and Commissioner of Crown Lands and 10/10/25 Chief Surveyor, Nelson Chief Surveyor, Invercargill A. F. Waters .. Chief Draughtsman and Land Commissioner of Crown Lands and 1/1/26 Transfer Draughtsman, Nelson Chief Surveyor, Nelson E. H. Farnie .. j Chief Draughtsman and Land Commissioner of Crown Lands and 1/1/26 j Transfer Draughtsman, Gisborne Chief Surveyor, Gisborne W. D. Armit .. Chief Draughtsman, New Ply- Commissioner of Crown Lands and 1/1/26 mouth Chief Surveyor, New Plymouth W.Stewart .. Chief Draughtsman, Christchurch Commissioner of Crown Lands and 1/1/26 Chief Surveyor, Christchurch P. H. Waters .. i Chief Draughtsman, Wellington.. Chief Surveyor, Wellington .. 1/2/26 S. L. Fairhall .. Surveyor, Wellington .. .. Chief Draughtsman, Invercargill.. 29/6/25 B. C. A. McCabe i Surveyor, New Plymouth .. Chief Draughtsman, New Ply- 22/3/26 mouth H. L. Primrose .. j Surveyor, Gisborne .. .. Chief Draughtsman and Land 21/1/26 Transfer Draughtsman, Gisborne A. J. Wicks .. ! Land T r a n s f e r Draughtsman, Chief Draughtsman, Christchurch 1/1/26 Christchurch L. Hunt .. j Draughtsman and Computer, New Land Transfer Draughtsman, New 1/4/25 Plymouth Plymouth L.Hunt .. j Land Transfer Draughtsman, New Land Transfer Draughtsman, 18/3/26 Plymouth Christchurch R.W.Collins .. Draughtsman and Computer, Wei- Senior Draughtsman, Wellington 15/3/26 lington C. G. S. Ellis .. Computer, Head Office.. .. Land Transfer Draughtsman, New 12/3/26 Plymouth W. Robertson .. Inspector .. .. . . Assistant Under-Secretary* .. -/10/25 J. H. O'Donnell Chief Accountant .. . . Controller of Accounts* .. -/10/25 H. W. C. Mackin- j Chief Clerk and Receiver of Land Commissioner of Crown Lands, 1/2/26 tosh 1 Revenue, Wellington Wellington ■T. R. MacCormick Senior Clerk, Head Office . . Chief Clerk, Head Office .. 21 /10/25 W. E. Shaw . . Accountant, Christchurch . . Accountant, Head Office . . 10/11/25 J. F. Quinn .. Assistant Accountant, Head Office Inspector, Head Office .. 21/10/25 S. Gambrill ... Clerk, Head Office .. .. Senior Clerk, Head Office .. 21/10/25 T. Tudhope .. Chief Clerk and Receiver of Land Chief Clerk and Receiver of Land 19/11/25 Revenue, New Plymouth Revenue, Auckland J.A.Redman .. Senior Clerk, Auckland.. .. Chief Clerk and Receiver of Land 25/11/25 Revenue, New Plymouth J. Torrance .. Senior Clerk, Dunedin .. .. Chief Clerk and Receiver of Land 6/2/26 Revenue, Blenheim H. C. Hulme .. Clerk, Wellington .. .. Senior Clerk, Auckland.. .. 8/1/26 A. C. R. Anderson Clerk, North Auckland .. .. Senior Clerk, Dunedin .. .. 22/1/26 D. E. Goldsmith Clerk, Christchurch . . .. Senior Clerk, Napier .. .. 30/1/26 B.Dickson .. Clerk, Wellington .. .. Accountant, Blenheim . . .. 4/6/25 F. W. E. Mitchell Clerk, Head Office .. .. Assistant Accountant, Head Office 4/3/26 N. Fleming .. Chief Clerk and Receiver of Land Chief Clerk and Receiver of Land 1/3/26 Revenue, Napier Revenue, Wellington S. Roberts .. Accountant, Dunedin .. .. Accountant, Christchurch .. 25/3/26 E. Peck .. Clerk. North Auckland.. .. Accountant, Dunedin .. .. 15/3/26 * New po sitions created during year.

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Mr. A. V. Adams passed the Survey Examination and was appointed as Surveyor on Ist May, 1925. Transfer. On the Ist February, 1926, Mr. T. Brook, Commissioner of Crown Lands and Chief Surveyor, Wellington, was appointed as Valuer-General in place of Mr. F. W. Flanagan, retired. By this transfer the Department loses the services of one of the ablest of its senior officers. Mr. Brook had been over thirty-five years in the Department, and had during that time filled with ability and success the positions of Commissioner of Crown Lands and Chief Surveyor at Hokitika, Nelson, Invercargill, and Wellington. Kepokts on Cognate Subjects. As in former years, separate reports are required to be laid before Parliament in connection with many of the operations carried out by the Department. They comprise : — 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. Swamp-drainage.—The report required by the Swamp Drainage Act, 1915, is contained in parliamentary paper C.-4. Discharged Soldiers Settlement,. —The annual report under the Discharged Soldiers Settlement Act, 1915, is furnished by the Department in parliamentary paper C.-9. Scenery-preservation.—The statutory report containing details of reservations and statement of accounts appears in parliamentary paper C.-6. Advances for Hooding of Crown Lands.—The necessary report submitted in accordance with section 63 of the Land Laws Amendment Act, 1913, appears in parliamentary paper C.-7. Drainage Operations in Hauraki Plains.—A report by the Chief Drainage Engineer on this subject appears in parliamentary paper C.-8. Public Domains. —A brief summarv of the year's operations is given in parliamentary paper C.-10. Rangitaiki Land Drainage.—The annual report on the operations in the Rangitaiki Plains is given in parliamentary paper C.-l 1. Kauri-gum Industry.—The annual report of the Kauri-gum Superintendent on the year's operations is given in parliamentary paper C.--12. National Endowments. —The annual report required by section 11 of the Land Laws Amendment Act, 1920, appears in parliamentary paper C.-14.

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APPENDICES.

APPENDIX I.—SETTLEMENT OF CROWN LANDS.

EXTRACTS FROM THE RETORTS OF THE COMMISSIONERS OF CROWN LANDS. NORTH AUCKLAND. (H. J. Lowe, Commissioner of Crown Lands.) Conditions and Progress of Settlement.—Except in the far North, the past season has been rather unsatisfactory and production below the average. On the whole the weather has been abnormal, with cold westerly winds and very little rain. This retarded growth, and consequently dairy products are below last season. In the Northern Wairoa, where paspalum pastures predominate, the output will probably be up to par. The general outlook for the winter is not good—hay crops are light and root crops are poor. The value of top-dressing has been forcibly demonstrated this season, the contrast between the treated and untreated pasture being very marked. No further advance has been made in the matter of cultivating root and forage crops for summer and winter use, which has a very marked effect upon the season's output, and too much stess cannot be laid on this important branch of the industry. Too much reliance has been placed on the ordinary pasture, and this, together with lack of top-dressing, failure of root crops, and abnormal weather, has been a severe set-back to many settlers. No doubt the lack of cultivation is due to economic conditions, but it happens that farmers generally do not appreciate the benefit that would be derived from the increased expenditure, which would not only result in larger output, but would prove of lasting benefit to the soil. The spread of noxious weeds is attributable to the failure of the farmer in this respect. Although disease among dairy herds which last year had become alarming is still prevalent it is not on the increase, and reports from my field officers tend to show that it is being controlled. Herd-testing is now recognized to be indispensible, and I am pleased to report that nearly all dairy factories employ a herd-tester, consequently an increased production per cow has resulted. It is noticeable the number of pedigree herds that have been established recently in this district. Sheep-farmers have experienced a disappointing year ; wool-prices, although fair, were below expectations. There has been a steady decline since all classes of sheep reached peak prices in February, 1925. The fleeces were considerably lighter on account of the severe weather experienced in winter and spring. Sheep were particularly free from disease this season consequent on the dry spell experienced. Prices of butterfat have remained similar to last season. The output of butter and cheese was much lower than last year, the quantities being 12,840 tons of butter and 588 tons of cheese. Land Board Work.—During the year the Land Board held twelve meetings, occupying twentyseven days. The total number of items on the order paper amounted to 2,006, of which 1,048 were in connection with ordinary Crown lands business and 958 affecting administration tinder the Discharged Soldiers Settlement Act. Mr. Dargaville's term as Crown tenants' representative expired on the 24th May, and he was opposed by Mr. W. T. Hunt, Ruawai, who was duly elected. The thanks of the Board are due to Mr. Dargaville for the interest he displayed during his term. Lands offered and selected.—The demand for unimproved rural lands during the year has been slack, but small holdings of from 5 to 25 acres near the city, both improved and unimproved, have been much sought after. A total area of 21,921 acres was offered during the year for sale or selection on permanent tenures, while the area selected under these tenures was only 12,775 acres, taken up by 225 applicants. Of the holdings offered, seventy-nine were rural properties of an average area of 350 acres, while twenty-seven were small holdings of an average area, of 20 acres. Nineteen of these small holdings were situated within easy reach of the city by bus or train, and are eminently suited for marketgardening, &c. As already stated, competition for this type of land was very keen, and it is noticeable that for the most part the applicants were persons who had arrived from England in the last two or three years. Fifty-eight building sections in and around the city were offered at auction, thirty-three settlement sections being offered for sale for cash or deferred payment, and the remaining twenty-five, being part of the education endowment, were offered on lease. Competition was keen, all the leaseholds being disposed of and twelve of the settlement sections sold on the deferred-payment system. It is evident that the public are coming to the opinion that it is wiser to lease the home site instead of purchasing, and thus conserve their capital for the erection of the dwelling. Freeholds.—During the year fifty-four holdings of a total area of 5,210 acres were freeholded, the greater number of these being by conversion from deferred payment and occupation-with-right-of-purchase licenses. In the case of the latter tenure this naturally arises principally from the expiration of the license. Although the total area freeholded this year about equals last year's figures, an indication of the existing financial condition may be found in the fact that the number of purchases is only fifty-four, as against sixty-six last year.

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Lands for future Disposal.—Omaunu Block, in Whangaroa County, 2,000 acres, will be opened when tHe necessary cost of road-construction is justified. Tokawhero Block : Some 2,033 acres of this block is now open at a reasonable price, but possibly the absence of the necessary finance for these ventures at the present time has prevented any one applying. Kerikeri Block, of 6,700 acres, was proposed to be opened in small areas after draining, but owing, however, to the discovery of a vast underground bar of volcanic rock the cost of draining would be prohibitive, and the land must now be offered as small grazing-runs. Biverhead Block (10,000 acres): As foreshadowed in my last report, some 8,000 acres of this has been handed over to the Forestry Department, and it is proposed to open the balance for settlement when finances will permit. Te Kuri Block, North Kaipara Heads (18,000 acres}, and Taipa Block, Mangonui (3,000 acres), are both suitable for tree-planting. Waioneke Block (3,500 acres) is ready for opening when we can secure the right applicants who are willing and reasonably capable of making a success of it. Motutangi Block (5,000 acres) has been reported upon by the Drainage Engineer, and the cost of draining and keeping back the sand would appear to make the cost greater than the land can repay, but there would be no objection to opening it at the complete risk of applicants. They would be given an area of dry land and could mutually do their best with the rest. Kai Iwi Block (5,650 acres), south of Mangonui Bluff: This land is very poor indeed, except perhaps 1,500 acres on the coast, which is suitable for a grazing-run ; but the beautiful lakes in this block are a. great asset, and should repay the cost of a road thereto if the immediately adjacent lands are planted as a scenic reserve. Kapiro Block, between Kaeo and Ohaea.wai (17,500 acres) : It is hoped to make special experiments for agriculture on this block. Otaika Block (4,700 acres) and Poroti Block (3,300 acres) : These blocks are nearly all gum land, and can nearly all be brought into grass ; but, in conjunction with the Agriculture Department, we are testing it by actual farming to prove by an exact balance-sheet that this country can not only be brought into grass, but kept in good heart and made to pay more than interest on the whole outlay. Parahirahi Block (9,000 acrcs) : Parts of this block have been handed to the State Forest Service for milling prior to opening. The best of the balance will be thrown open, but the greater part is too poor, I think, to open yet. As it surrounds the Ngawha hot springs, it could be utilized with advantage for planting. Birdwood Block, Swanson (700 acres) : Experiments are still being carried on. Further areas along the road frontages have been grassed, and another three sections, comprising 87 acres, are being offered for selection with restrictions as to top-dressing. Up to date approximately half of this block has been developed and offered for selection. Several other blocks have been surveyed and got ready, but until we are satisfied that the selectors have a reasonable chance of making good we hestitate to put them on to it. Gum Lands. —The trouble with the gum lands is that at present they are practically in many cases a minus quantity—that is to say, that they are so full of deep holes that more than their value as land is required to fill these holes in. When that is done, the cost of manures, seeds, and the necessary workings at present wages, and the present state of the financial barometer, is such that the result hardly justifies the outlay. We are therefore not rushing their development until the situation improves. Experts have remarked that it would be inadvisable to attempt to bring in these virgin wastes when we have so much better land going back for the want of top-dressing, scrub-cutting, fencing, and fern-crushing. Later on the system of helping those who help themselves might with advantage be tried—that is to say, if a man first put his own capital and labour into an area and proved himself a genuine worker and settler some further financial assistance might possibly be arranged for him ; but great care must be taken not to induce people to make their homes upon land and afterwards have to abandon same as economic failures. We are experimenting with a certain amount of success on gum lands at Swanson and Puwera, and apparently Mr. White has done so at Waipapa, but time alone will show whether the returns justify the expenditure. While a good price was being got for the gum north of Kaitaia, we were able to settle a lot of the adjacent lands as homesteads as an additional source of income to the gum, but with the failure of the gum these people are now in a parlous state, pinning their faith for the time being in what the Kauri-gum Control Board may be able to do for them. AUCKLAND. (K. M. Graham, Commissioner of Crown Lands.) The year ended has been a most unusual one from a farming standpoint, due to the vagaries of the weather. Following a very mild winter, the spring was marked by a prevalence of high winds and cold frosty snaps which retarded the growth of grass, resulting in a poor hay crop and decreased dairying returns during the flush portion of the season. Forage crops for autumn ancl winter feeding are scanty, and unless the latter season is very mild the outlook for dairy and store stock is not very promising. Notwithstanding the poor spring and the lower dairying returns in the flush season, there is, as far as the Auckland District is concerned, no decrease in the total production as compared with the previous year. This will, I think, be due to an increase in the number milked or to a better individual

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return per cow. There are sucli strides being made in the Waikato district with herd-testing that the individual poundage or butterfat per cow is largely increasing, due to the weeding-out of unprofitable cows each year. The prices for dairying products as far as the present season has gone appears likely to be up to the average of the last three preceding years. Fat and store steers have been in short supply during the greater part of the year, and the value for same have been exceptionally good. There is a slump in the price of these animals at present, due to the drought conditions in the Poverty and Hawke's Bay districts ; but this will be altered as soon as rain sets in, as there is a dearth of this class of cattle in the Auckland District, and supplies have to be largely drawn from the above-mentioned districts. The price for wool, although not nearly so good as the preceding season, is above the average, while the values for sheep are much lower than last year. Pigs have maintained good payable prices during the season and are as usual a profitable side line to the dairying industry. Horses suitable for town or farm-work, notwithstanding their restricted use, are still in demand at fair values. While the prices for all classes of stock and farm products have been satisfactory on the whole, there is still little demand for unimproved or partly improved land. Careful consideration is given by the Land Board to every application received, for it is recognized that to be successful a settler must be of the right type with practical experience and sufficient capital to enable him to undertake the development of his holding and thus have a reasonable prospect of carrying on with success. The gross revenue received during the year amounted to £274,642, being an. increase of £19,712 on the previous years figures. Of this amount the sum of £148,823 represented payments on account of interest and principal under the Discharged Soldiers Settlement Act. The total number of conversions to the freehold from other tenures, either for cash or on deferred payment, was ninety-eight, and the amount realized from this source was £20,583. Twelve meetings were held by the Land Board during the year, the number of cases dealt with being 1,854. Very little new land was opened for selection during the year, the total area opened being 6,990 acres, which comprised chiefly forfeited or abandoned holdings.

GISBORNE. (E. H. Farnie, Commissioner of Crown Lands.) General Conditions of Settlement.'—The year has been one of varying conditions. The season started well, but from October onwards very little rain fell in the Southern and coast parts of the district, with the result that by the end of the year the pastures were practically non-existent. Both sheep and dairy farmers were unable to carry their stocks, which in many cases had to be sacrificed. This particularly applied to dairy-farmers on the Poverty Bay flats. Cows Which were worth £12 to £15 at the beginning of the season had to be sold for less than £2 and sent to the freezing-works. A very large number of cattle (estimated at twenty thousand) had to be driven over into the Opotiki County, where, fortunately, there was still an abundance of feed. These drought conditions are more fully dealt with later in this report. Prices of wool fell considerably from last year's and may now be said to be stablized. Bush farmers experienced a very favourable season. On account of the dry spell there was no difficulty in obtaining satisfactory burns. Many farms in the Opotiki County came back on the hands of the Department or the mortgagees through the inability of the holders to carry on. I regret to again have to report that most dairy-farmers do not seem to be making any serious effort to improve their herds. Noxious weeds have been fairly well kept down, but special advances had to bo made to cope with the blackberry menace in some cases. Thanks once again to the energy of the Rabbit Board that pest is non-existent in this district. Lands opened for Selection.—Very little land was opened for selection during the year. Several of the forfeited holdings in the Opotiki County were reoffered for selection at the request of the State Advances Office, which was interested, but only two sections were selected. Arrears of Rent, &c.—Thanks to the continued persistent pressure on the part of the Land Board, the amount of arrears of rent, &c., in this district has fallen off considerably. The arrears are mostly owing on holdings in the Opotiki County, and these are being allowed to stand over pending the operations of the Deteriorated Lands Committee. Once again the tendency on the part of many Crown tenants to allow their rent arrears, &c., to accumulate without making any explanation or any offer to pay must be noted. It has not been found necessary to grant very many postponements during the year. The tendency on the part of many tenants to give preference to the financial institutions instead of meeting responsibilities to the Government is again noticeable ; but in time, no doubt, defaulters will be educated to the fact that the Government is entitled to at least the same consideration as the other interested parties. Many deferred-payment-license holders took advantage of the provisions of the Act and obtained relief in the extension of their licenses to thirty-four years. A large number of soldier holders of small-grazing-run leases availed themselves of the recent legislation enabling them to have their licenses extended. The Land Board in its recommendations endeavoured to grant extensions up to the one date in all cases, as it was deemed inequitable to grant ten years' extension in the cases of

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licenses that still had nine or ten years to run. The total amount of revenue received was £110,164, as compared with £127,331 last year. The falling-off is largely accounted for by the considerable amount of arrears included in last year's totals. Board Work. —The Land Board held twelve meetings during the year. It was generally found possible to get through the business in one day. Several difficult problems confronted the Board, and I must once again express appreciation of the earnest and capable manner in which the Board members applied themselves to their duty. The district is fortunate in the gentlemen selected to act on the Board. Mr. G. 0. Donovan was again elected as Crown tenants' representative. It is with very much regret that I have to record the death of Mr. A. J. Cameron, who had been a member of the Board since its inception, and had previously been for ten years a member of the Hawke's Bay Board. Mr. Cameron at all times showed a most praiseworthy sense of his duty to the Crown on the one hand and the tenants on the other, and his wise guidance and kindly counsels were invaluable. I wish to again place on record appreciation of the cordial relationships existing between the office and the legal firms in the district, and of the courtesy at all times extended by the Press. Deteriorated Lands. —As recorded above, many of the settlers in the Opotiki County have experienced difficulty in carrying on. The Land Board, however, has given them consideration in view of the fact that the Deteriorated Lands Committee appointed under the Act of last session will shortly be functioning. Rents, for instance, have not been pressed for, although the Board has insisted upon the interest being paid, and' could also reasonably have asked the tenants to pay at least a proportion of their rent. The problem of these lands is a difficult one, and, although the Committee will probably be able to place some settlers on such a footing that they will have a reasonable chance of success, there are, I am afraid, some cases in which no amount of assistance will avail. Lands remaining for Selection. —The lands which should be opened for selection during the ensuing year include the following blocks : Tuparoa Consolidation (6,000 acres); Poroporo (4,380 acres); Tahora (2,290 acres); Section I, Block XXI, Mangahopai (4,780 acres); Waipaoa 5a (1,000 acres). About half of this country is in heavy bush, some of it being amongst the best of the bushland left in the district. Except in the case of the Tuparoa Consolidation the prices will be low. The total area to be opened next year is approximately 19,080 acres. In addition to this area 9,800 acres are at present open for selection. Amongst the blocks that will be available for disposal subsequent to 1925 are Oamaru lc (4,810 acres), Tangihanga (4,460 acres), and Tahora (21,710 acres). There is also in the Urewera and Opotiki districts a large area of unoccupied Crown lands, but this will probably be set aside as forest reserve. Special Report on Drought Conditions. —The long spell of dry weather and the consequent scarcity of feed, continuing as it has right to the commencement of the winter months, giving no hope of recovery until the end of September, is a presage of a period of anxiety and stress for the majority of the pastoralists in Poverty Bay. Right through the district the position is the same—from Wairoa to the Waiapu. In no part of the district is the position more acute than from the Poverty Bay Hats to Tokomaru Bay. The noticeable feature of the whole question in regard to the dairymen is that it is only those men who have made adequate provision for the winter in the way of supplementary fodder who are weathering the storm. The bad season being experienced by the majority of the dairy-farmers in Poverty Bay is causing them to give greater consideration to the question of supplementary feed. About the Poverty Bay flats the settlers who have had supplementary feed have not dropped much in the way of butterfat up to the 31st March, but their cows will have to be dried off early, and their loss is going to be from March to July. The settlers without lucerne and other supplementary feed have dropped between 25 and 30 per cent, in butterfat (up to 31st March), besides the loss they will have to face in the way of stock, which is going to be very heavy, and practically all their cows are dry. The prices paid by the two dairy factories operating in the Poverty Bay districts are the same as last season- —viz., Is. 4d. per pound, but as practically none of the export butter has been sold, it is very hard to say what the price will average for the whole season. The weather has been abnormally dry within the Opotiki district this season, with the result that the feed is not so plentiful or so nutritious as usual for dairy cows. Still, the settlers have done very well, and the Opotiki Dairy Company has paid out Is. 3d. per pound so far, and fully expects to pay the same as last season —viz., Is. 7d. for the season.

HAWKE'S BAY. (J. D. Thomson, Commissioner of Crown Lands.) Though climatic conditions in the fall of the year and early part of the winter were quite seasonable, the spring, summer, and autumn conditions were the worst on record for many a year, consequently sheep and dairy farmers have experienced a trying time, and will, unfortunately, be hard-pushed to carry over their stock till the following spring. The sheep-farmer has had to content himself with a lighter weight a-nd lower price in wool, coupled with a reduced price in fat stock, though it is not correct to assume that his returns in any way touched slump or famine prices. The average returns for wool and stock may be more accurately described as slightly under normal.

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With the dairy-farmer the season has been responsible for a very serious set-back. The butterfat have been light, feed scarce, and winter very difficult. of the farms the herd is low in condition, extra care and attention to come through the winter successfully, or without a number of cows being sacrificed as " potters." All crops throughout the more or less, been failures, though in a number of cases late-sown root crops have made fair growth, and will be of inestimable value to the stock. The one bright and outstanding feature of farm life this season has been in connection with the orchardist —the apple crop in particular has been abnormal. The cold winter and spring effected a decided restriction on the activities of the general orchard pests, while sprays were able to run their full course without interference by rains. Land Board. —Twelve meetings of the Board were held during the year, and the volume of work transacted showed 110 diminution. As in previous years, by far the largest and most important part of the work related to dealings under the Discharged Soldiers Settlement Act and its amendments, particularly as affected by the determinations of the Dominion Revaluation Board. During the year Mr. H. H. Dewes resigned his position on the Board, and Mr. C. C. Smith was appointed to fill the vacancy. By the retirement of Mr. Dewes the Board has lost the services of a loyal and conscientious member. His successor is a thoroughly practical and capable farmer, whose services will be of great assistance in the deliberations of the Board. Revenue and Arrears. —The gross revenue for the year amounted to £268,405, a decrease of £25,929 on the returns for the last year. As the reduction lies wholly within the returns for the discharged soldiers, the recent determination of the Dominion Revaluation Board, while so largely beneficial to the settler, must be held responsible for the decrease this year; but the position should improve very considerably during the year. Noxious Weeds. —The pests of former days —notably Californian thistle- —are to-day completely overshadowed by the menace of the blackberry. The past season has, unfortunately, seen no diminution of this trouble, nor does there appear to be any effectual means yet in sight to cope with it. A number of settlers pin their faith on the goat as an effectual eradicator, while others maintain that the extra fencing required for the goats does not meet with commensurate results. Cutting and burning have proved from past experiences to be a check only. The solution of the difficulty, so far as hilly unploughable land is concerned, apparently will only be effected by the introduction of some parasitic natural enemy, and as scientists in various parts of the world are busy on research work in connection with this and other noxious growths it is reasonable to assume that definite results from their labours may soon be announced. The settlers on soldiei-settlement blocks where the blackberry trouble is serious have been granted remissions of rent contingent on their spending a corresponding amount in cutting blackberry.

TARANAKI. (W. D. Akmit, Commissioner of Crown Lands.) The year just passed, though not so good as the previous one, has been fairly satisfactory. Owing to a late spring dairying operations were somewhat delayed, although prices received have been generally satisfactory. Many dairymen were caught with insufficient hay and root crops, and consequently started the season with herds in lower condition than is desirable. These circumstances point to a lower butterfat production this season compared with the previous year. The dairying community is becoming very much alive to the menace of ragwort in this district, and through local governing bodies an attempt is being made to bring about more drastic and continuous penalties for 'breaches of the Noxious Weeds Act, and various suggestions have been made to widen control by amending the existing law. Ragwort is, unfortunately, showing upon land which has previously been regarded as first-class dairying-country, and a serious state of affairs will develop if drastic measures are not instituted in the near future to deal with this pest. The harvesting of hay makes a demand on farm labour about the time when ragwort should be cut or pulled, and it is sometimes difficult for farmers on small holdings to arrange matters to a satisfactory conclusion. The drop in price for wool this season has resulted in an indifferent year for graziers, and sheep-prices in the early part of the year showed a corresponding drop. Many settlers, both freeholders and leaseholders, on grazing properties have found the season financially stringent, owing to the high prices prevailing for all classes of sheep in 1925 and the drop in values this year. The passing of legislation last session to deal with the areas of deteriorated land has caused a large number of inquiries to be made, and applications have been freely coming in for such relief as the Act affords. There are many cases of back country farms mortgaged far beyond the selling-value of the holdings to-day, and it is earnestly hoped that mortgagees, whether private persons or lending institutions, will face the position and thereby assist the Crown in retaining the man on the lands especially so when the investigating Committees are of opinion the settler is hampered by circumstance, over which he has only partial control. There is a considerable area of grazing-country available in this district at low prices, and an opportunity exists for men with energy and some capital to recondition these lands with prospects of success and ultimate gain. With indications pointing to better prices for beef, the necessary crushing with cattle may once more give a return to the dry stock farmer and thereby assist in the check of deterioration over a wide area in this district. The Committee appointed under the Deteriorated Lands Act, 1925, is making an immediate start, and it is hoped that the work of field inspection will commence during the coming month. J

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Lands open for Selection.- —During the past year no new areas have been offered for selection, but endeavours have been made to dispose of a number of properties which have come back into the Depaitinent's hands, and, on the whole, a fair measure of success has been attained. At present there is an area available for selection of 16,930 acres. The number of new tenants during the past year amounted to 109, with selections of 16,729 acres, which shows a decided increase from the previous year. Land Board Work. —Meetings of the Land Board were held on twenty-one days during the year, the cases dealt with numbering 1,136. I need hardly state that the members of the Board have always given their closest attention to the business before them, and I wish to place on record my appreciation of their valuable assistance. Revenue and Arrears.—The total Crown lands revenue received for the year was £81,202. Arrears total £10,524, and postponements £5,845, inclusive of rents postponed by the Dominion Revaluation Board. The total revenue received is considerably less than last year, and a percentage of the decrease is without doubt due to the tendency of Crown tenants to now anticipate the concessions possible through the Deteriorated Lands Act in respect of rental payments. Freeholds. —Freeholds acquired under the provisions of the West Coast Settlement Reserves Act brought in £26,944, and purchases of Crown areas amounted to £10,370, showing a slight increase from 1924-25. Land remaining for Selection. —The available Crown land in this district comprises for the most part steep wooded country without formed access. A large area of this class of country lies in the vicinity of the Wanganui River, and until definite information is available concerning the prospect of holding this class of country in grass it is considered inopportune to place the land on the market for selection. There are several other small blocks in various parts of the district, and the placing of this land on the market is somewhat dependent on the acquisition of road access through land already alienated. As the demand for this class of country is not appreciable no immediate action is proposed towards placing these areas on the market.

WELLINGTON. (H. W. C. Mackintosh, Commissioner of Crown Lands.) General.—From the point of view of the man on the land the year just passed cannot by any means be said to have been an unqualified success. The winter of 1925 was cold, wet, and stormy, and these conditions obtained throughout the spring and early summer. Consequently piasture did not come away well, and work in connection with planting crops, &c., was so hindered that in many cases agriculturalists were forced to abandon their cropping programmes altogether. Prices, too, for wool and fats were not maintained on last year's standard, and many farmers found that sheep fattened for freezing and otherwise barely realized the purchase price. This does not apply universally throughout the district, however, and in some parts settlers had a fair year, although their balance-sheets showed only a small margin available for maintenance and the bringing of new areas into profit. Those engaged in dairying began operations for the season under poor conditions. The cold, wet spring militated against all growth, and in consequence the milk-supply suffered both in quantity and in test. The weather took up during the summer months, and the season promises to end under happier auspices. It is estimated that it takes from 35 to 40 per cent, of the dairy-farmers' income to meet annual obligations, and with a curtailed income it will be apparent that he has not much left to live on after he has provided for improvements and fertilizers that are so necessary to maintain or increase his yield. It is becoming increasingly recognized that the first essential of successful dairy-farming is the proper culling of the herd. The price obtained for culls is so poor, however, that the small farmer is confronted with the difficult problem of providing means to replace with superior cows. The pastoralist, on the whole, has had only a fairly successful year. Following on the high price paid for wool in the preceding year there was a sharp rise in the price of sheep. This price was not maintained, and cases are reported where 375. 6d. was paid for sheep that realized only 255., as fats when the freezing-works opened. Wool averaged Is. per pound —about half of the previous season's prices—but even this price showed a working profit. Cattle, too, are at a low ebb, and it is predicted that for the next year or two the pastoralist will have to administer his affairs with utmost care in order to pull through. The settlers in the interior, far from markets, and on country that requires heavy expenditure in fighting second growth and fern, are now engaging the interest of the Department. In order to bring help to these men legislative authority has been taken (the Deteriorated Lands Act, 1925) whereby in deserving cases reductions or remissions of rent may be granted and advances made to purchase fencing-materials and manure. It is anticipated that conditions of settlement on these areas will be materially improved when the Committees to be set up under the Act quoted have completed their labours. The gross revenue for the year was £508,889, which shows a small increase of £265 over last year's figures. Included in the gross revenue there is a sum of £309,240, which was received on account of interest and principal under the Discharged Soldiers Settlement Act. The arrears still amount to a considerable sum, and will no doubt be fairly large until settlers become firmly established and prices are more stable.

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During the period under review the Land Board held thirteen meetings, the sittings occupying in all thirty-eight days. A large amount of business was transacted, mainly dealing with soldier settlement, the number of cases dealt with being 1,609. Forty-eight settlers elected to acquire the freehold of their holdings, the area being 8,194 acres, and the price paid £18,865. There was very little inquiry for land in the remoter parts of the district, but in the more accessible portions the inquiry was fairly lively. The area taken up during the year under all tenures was J. 9,011 acres by 204 selectors.

NELSON. (A. F. Waters, Commissioner of Crown Lands.) Selections of Crown lands during the past year show a decided falling-off as compared with the selections during the previous twelve months. A total area of 32,782 acres, comprising 126 holdings, was selected, fifty-three of these selections being small village allotments. An area of 66,212 acres is open for selection in the Crown Lands Guide. During the year only five tenants acquired the freehold of their properties, as against sixteen for the previous twelve-monthly period. The Dairying Industry.—The conditions generally have been unfavourable during the year. In the early part of the season wet and cold conditions were experienced, which had a decided effect on the dairying industry, and a reduced output of butter will be shown by most of the factories operating in this district. Sheep-farming.—Owing to exceptionally cold and wet conditions prevailing in the spring a heavy mortality amongst ewes and lambs was experienced, and farmers in the high country suffered severely, as also did sheep-farmers generally throughout the district. The wool-clips in most cases were much lighter than usual, and prices also declined. Statutory Inspections of Leaseholds.—The Field Inspectors' reports show that in most cases the requirements regarding residence and improvements have been complied with. Hop and Fruit Industry.- —The past season has been unfavourable from the hop-growers point of view, and both quantity and quality will no doubt show a decline. Small-fruits also showed a lighter setting than usual; but pip-fruits, particularly apples, show remarkably heavy crops. The apple-market is not at all satisfactory, and poor prices generally are obtained for local sales. Heavy overhead charges in the upkeep of an orchard combined with low prices makes the industry a precarious one. Timber Industry.—The principal mills are operated in the west coast, with several smaller mills cutting in the Waimea, Takaka, and Collingwood districts. There are fourteen mills operating in the Buller County, while two mills are in course of erection. Approximately 2,000,000 superficial feet of timber and 1,650 railway-sleepers was cut from Crown lands during the year in this county. The demand for timber, however, is not good, and difficulty has been experienced by the mills in disposing of their output. Land Board. —During the year twelve ordinary meetings and one special meeting of the Board were held. Mr. G. McMahon was reappointed a member by His Excellency the Governor-General. I desire to record my thanks to the members of the Board for cordial co-operation in all matters placed before them for decision. IRevenue. —The revenue received during the year totalled £65,028, of this amount £21,900 was from ordinary Crown tenants, the balance being receipts on account of discharged soldier settlements. These figures show an increase on the previous year of £2,351, principally made up of discharged soldiers settlement receipts. The amount of arrears by ordinary Crown tenants at 31st March was £10,226, showing an increase of £117 over the previous year, which was principally due to the fact that several settlers, including discharged soldiers, did not get their wool-returns until after the close of the financial year. Crown Tenants. —Several Crown tenants obtained concessions by being granted exemption or postponement of the payment of their rents. Several settlers in Maruia Valley were granted exemption from rent for a period of ten years, a concession granted on account of the rapid reversion of their land to fern and second growth. % 'Deteriorated Lands Act. —It is apparent to many that conditions as serious as those obtaining in the King-country exist in many of the backblock areas of the Nelson District, and in some localities it seems that settlers will be compelled to abandon their holdings owing to the reversion to fern and second growth. In reply to representations the Hon. Minister of Lands has signified his intention of making a personal tour of the areas in question to decide if they should be brought under the provisions of the Deteriorated Lands Act, 1925. MARLBOROUGH. (J. Stevenson, Commissioner of Crown Lands.) The climatic conditions for the year ending on the 31st March last may be classified as showing two extremes —the winter being somewhat prolonged by an exceptionally wet, cold spring, followed by a drought through the summer, consequently the weather was not up to the usual Marlborough standard. Nevertheless the season for all classes of farming must be considered a fair average one, for though crops are lighter this year than normal, prices for produce are well above average.

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Wool.—The wool-sales opened at prices considerably lower than the closing sales of last year, but advanced slightly towards the end of the sales, the coarser wool making the greater comparative rise, and growers of this class of wool had better returns than was anticipated from the prices obtained at the opening sales. The wet winter and spring somewhat affected the growth of wool, inasmuch as the clip was light compared with other years, and although the prices for wool were below those of last season nevertheless reasonably good prices were obtained for the clips generally. Dairying.—The late wet spring had a serious effect on all classes of stock, particularly dairy cows. The opening months of the season were somewhat disappointing and showed how the cows were affected by the weather conditions. Then followed the drought, retarding the growth of feed. However, the autumn brought an improvement, and the cows are still maintaining a good flow of milk. The price of butterfat has been good, and store cattle have improved in value —no doubt partly brought about by the wholesale slaughter of calves during the last few years. Stock. —The price of sheep dropped in sympathy with that of wool, and the drought tended to keep prices down, even though the late wool-sales showed an improvement on the opening sessions. The market throughout the summer was very uncertain, and as usual Marlborough prices were from 3s. to ss. below the Addington sales. Beef-prices improved, and the effect of this improvement is apparent in the dairy districts, where the settlers are keeping their calves. > Agriculture.—The crops this year are generally light and below the average yield. Owing to the wet conditions in the spring, peas and other spring crops were late-sown and came in for the full effects of the drought, consequently returns were very much below the average. Clover shut up for seed suffered in a like manner. Orchard Industry.—The apple crop this season has been a record one, being far in excess of former years, and the number of cases exported constitutes a record for the district. However, the industry is far from being stabilized. The cost of marketing the fruit is still too high, and leaves no margin of profit for the grower. Timber. —This industry is still active in Marlborough, though prospects of the output continuing the same are not bright, as the natural resources are gradually, but surely, becoming exhausted. Mills are now working in areas that previously had been milled, and small isolated patches of bush are being eagerly sought after. Three mills are working in the Tinline Yalley, two in the Pelorus, one in the Wakamarina, two in the Ronga, one in the Tunakina, and three in the Opouri. There is also a small mill operating in Pelorus Sound, and several small plants in pine plantations. Flax.—The good prices ruling for fibre keep half a dozen mills working in the district, and goodquality flax-fibre has been marketed. Poultry-farming. —Marlborough, on account of its dry climate, is considered by experts to be one of the most suitable districts in New Zealand for poultry-raising, and this is borne out by the progress the industry has made during the last few years. Although there are only between twenty and thirty poultry-farmers commercially engaged in the industry, the Marlborough Egg Circle has 150 suppliers, and the number of eggs marketed during the year was slightly over 800,000, at an average price, for all grades, of Is. lOd. per dozen, being an appreciable advance on last year. The high price of fowl-feed —wheat, oats, maize, &c. —makes it essential that poultry-farmers must raise the standard of their flocks, and with this end in view many well-bred and high-priced birds have been imported, so that this district to-day has some of the finest egg-laying strains in the Dominion. Generally the condition and egg-laying qualities of the birds to be seen in the district bear out the contention that Marlborough is eminently suited for poultry-farming, and those engaged in the industry have prospects of a bright future. Bee-farming. —Generally the season was very poor, and the output of honey much below the average. Lime-works. —Mr. Thompson's lime-works at Ward are still working smoothly, though the output for this year is somewhat less than the previous year. Reports from farmers having had experience of this lime speak very highly of the advantages of its use, particularly regarding the districts of the Picton Road, Kaituna Valley, &c. The price—2ss. on trucks at Ward —is, I think, still too high, because the districts most requiring lime are so far from the railway that the cartage makes it too expensive for the average farmer. Noxious Weeds. —The position with regard to the spread of noxious weeds is unchanged. The spread of blackberry is becoming more serious on the poor class of country that hitherto carried light bush. On large tracts of waste land—river-beds, &c. —where gorse and broom present such a big problem, the systematic planting of Pinus insignis seems to me to be a most effective means of dealing with their spread, and in my opinion the money spent annually to cut these weeds would be better spent in planting, for besides being more effective it would, in time, become a national asset. Tree-planting.—As a rule the average farmer is not much interested in, nor does he realize the value of, trees, but it is pleasing to report the increased interest being taken by the farmer in this matter, and there have been many thousands of trees planted during the year. In what might be termed " dry Marlborough " —that area between the Wairau and Ure Rivers —there is room for millions of trees. The systematic planting of shelter-belts on the farms throughout this dry, wind-swept area would in a few years do away with the present arid conditions and bring about greater returns from the land, thus adding greatly to the productivity of the district. Other avenues by which the progress of settlement and increased production may be attained in Marlborough are : The control of the rabbit; the control of fires on native pasture; the acquisition and subdivision of large estates; the better communication with outside markets.

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The extermination of the rabbit on the better-class land must be taken in hand systematically. The formation of a Rabbit Board on the east coast of this district is a step in the right direction. The Control of Fires on the Tussock and Native Grasses of our High Country.—The firing of this class of country, combined with the rabbit pest, is in a great measure responsible for the reduced flocks. Better Communication with Outside Markets. —This is gradually coming about, inasmuch as we have the improved connection with the North Island by way of the " Tamahine," though freights are still high. The work of bridging the Wairau River on the West Coast Road is in hand, and this coming year should see the opening-up of this route. A survey of the route of the South Island Main Trunk Railway is in progress, and when completed should decide the question of better communication in this direction. Land Board.—The Land Board held fourteen meetings during the year, and dealt with 347 cases, besides a lot of miscellaneous work. Revenue.—The revenue for the year shows a decided increase from the previous year, a gross amount of £92,738 having been collected, including £35,937 under the Discharged Soldiers' Settlement Account. This shows an increase of £9,295 over last year.

WESTLAND. (W. T. Morpeth, Commissioner of Crown Lands.) Conditions and Progress of Settlement.- —Weather conditions in Westland have been very unfavourable to farming operations for the year ending 31st March, 1926. There has been practically no summer, and the incessant rain has had such a bad effect on the pasture that butterfat returns have been much reduced, and dairy-farmers in some parts of the district are drying off their herds much earlier than usual. It has been difficult to save the hay, and white and green crops have not been as successful as usual. The rainfall for Hokitika was 131-64 in., and there were 1,908 hours of sunshine in the year. Lime-works. —The works at Kowitirangi and Ross are still carrying on, and the farming community is realizing more and more the great importance of lime and top-dressing. At the Ross Lime-works the price of the burnt lime is 455. a ton, and of the carbonate 255. a. ton on trucks at Ross Railwaystation, sacks extra. The cartage to Wataroa from the works is £3 a ton, and to Harihari 30s. a ton by way of back loading, and both classes of lime are ss. a ton less at the kiln. A mixture recommended by the company is half a ton of burnt lime and half a ton of carbonate to the acre. Timber. —The sawn timber which passed through Otira. Tunnel for the year amounted to 34,346,000 superficial feet, a decrease of 687,941 ft. on last year. The output also included 239,148 silver-pine posts, poles, sleepers, &c., and 165,450 birch posts and sleepers. The gross timber return for the year is 73,452,000 superficial feet, an increase of 315,000 ft. on last year's return, and a record for any one year. Of this total 18,732,700 ft. was taken from freehold, 38,364,060 ft. from Crown land, and 16,355,240 ft. from State forest. The timber exported beyond New Zealand was 21,315,800 superficial feet, comprising 17,764,396 ft. of white-pine, 3,473,204 "ft. of rimu, and 78,200 ft. of birch. The gross export was 180,142 ft? less than last year. Deteriorated Lands. —The Deteriorated Lands Act, 1925, provides for assistance to the occupiers of lands in certain localities in the North Island where the ordinary operations for bringing bush lands into profit have, from somewhat obscure causes, been partially or wholly neutralized. Something of the same kind has occurred in this district, but, fortunately, not to any serious extent. A matter, however, that should receive more attention is the condition of the pastures. A considerable proportion of the pasture area in this district is very far indeed from the peak of its productive capacity, and the question of extending the scope of the Deteriorated Lands Act to assist in this direction is well worth consideration. Bearing in mind the special areas to which the provisions of the Act were expressly designed to apply, it must be admitted that the renewal of worn-out pastures is beyond the measure's legitimate scope. It is, however, a definite step in that direction, and there can be little doubt that State advances for the purchase of lime and fertilizers, duly safeguarded, would be a payable proposition on both sides, provided, of course, the necessary transport facilities are available and satisfactory. Flax. —There are three flax-mills operating in this district. The industry is capable of further development. Large areas of river frontage, held on temporary tenures by adjoining owners, could in many cases be more profitably occupied by the cultivation of this valuable fibre. Revenue and Arrears. —The total gross revenue for the year (including Discharged Soldiers Settlement Account) amounted to £34,930. The rent-roll amounted to £8,797, and arrears of rent £1,305, an improvement of £391 on la.3t year's figures. Land Board. —Twelve monthly meetings were held, as scheduled, during the year, occupying one full day each. The Board dealt with 117 applications for land, 123 transfers, 35 exchanges, and 67 applications by returned men for advances, transfers, postponements, &c., together with the usual volume of miscellaneous work. Land open for Selection. —An area of 4,873 acres was opened for selection by ballot during the year. Areas selected under various permanent tenures amounted to 14,698 acres. Land remaining for Selection. —An area of 2,500 acres is now on hand, representing outstanding applications and various areas under survey to be offered for selection by ballot.

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CANTERBURY. (W. Stewart, Commissioner of Crown Lands.) There has been no new settlement of Crown land in Canterbury during the year. In the old settled Crown lands the settlers are so well established that little supervision is necessary. The pastoral-run holders now in occupation are almost all men who know their country and how it should be treated, and as they have the right to freehold more energetic steps are taken to keep the rabbits in check and preserve the pastures. Planting is being carried out in many instances, and proper precautions taken with burning. The lessees of education reserves and endowments are also in almost all cases in sound positions and fulfilling all the conditions of their leases. It is worthy of note the great increase in recent years of the entries at Addington weekly sales. Several times this year these extensive yards have been insufficient to accommodate the amount of stock offering ; and although sales have started early in the morning, and four or five auctioneers have been selling continuously, it has been often 6 p.m. before the last lines were offered. Much stock is now brought from the North Island, from as far north as Gisborne, to be offered at Addington, and other lines come from the Chatham Islands, through the tunnel from the West Coast, and from as far south as Southland. The Land Board work has increased considerably during the year, and in several instances all cases could not be dealt with in the usual three-day meeting per month, so that fortnightly meetings were taken. The total cases dealt with in the year was 1,458. The total revenue has again shown an increase, this year it is £31,000 over the total revenue of last year.

OTAGO. (R. S. Galbeaith, Commissioner of Crown Lands.) The settlers on the land in Otago have experienced what may be described as a normal year. The early part of the winter season was dry, and tilling-work was carried on with very little interruption. The weather conditions changed in July, when rain set in, and right up to September a very wet spell was experienced. Consequently sowing operations were much delayed. From September to November the weather was unsettled, rain and cold snaps prevailing, and, as a result, there were some fairly heavy losses of young lambs. From December onwards the farmers were favoured with splendid weather conditions, which caused a rapid and prolific growth of all cereal, root, and fodder crops. Heavy falls of snow on the high country in July, August, and September caused considerable anxiety to the pastoralists, but no abnormal losses of sheep have been reported. The cold unsettled weather from July to November appears to have been fairly general throughout the Dominion and seriously affected the output of wool, most growers reporting that their flocks clipped a lower average weight per head than was the case in the previous year. The average price of the wool sold in Dunedin last season was 13d. per pound, and represents a drop of about 40 per cent, on the previous year's prices, the heaviest drop being in merino and fine half-bred wool. Such a drop must have been severely felt; but the prices obtained could not be called unremunerative, and most sheep-farmers have done fairly well. Should prices stabilize at a somewhat higher level than that of the past season, as seems probable, the outlook for the pastoral industry will be distinctly bright. Transfers of sheep-grazing properties continue to be numerous, and no appreciable reduction in con-sideration-money for the goodwill of the leases is noticeable. As the area in Otago on pastoral and small grazing-run lease is 4,830,894 acres the importance of sheep-farming in this district is obvious. The price of butterfat was somewhat higher than for the previous year, and farmers engaged in dairying have had a fairly good season. Though the grass was late in coming away, it was plentiful, and growth lasted later than usual, so that good returns of milk have been obtained, and farmers, in most cases, have been able to make ample provision for winter feeding. For fat cattle the prices varied considerably throughout the year, reaching a very high level about November. They have again fallen a good deal since the New Year, but are still higher than for many years past. Fruitgrowers have had, on the whole, a good year, and very satisfactory crops have been obtained generally throughout the district. Towards the close of the year the subdivisions of Wilden Run in the Whitecombe and Wart Hill Survey Districts were offered for selection in four runs, ranging from 6,000 to 15,000 acres in area. Three were selected at ballot by discharged soldiers, there being keen competition for them ; the fourth was afterwards allotted to a civilian. These runs consist of excellent pastoral country, though somewhat high and subject to snow risks. Twelve ordinary meetings of the Land Board were held during the year, and several special meetings were held, besides which members made several visits of inspection in connection with some of the more important matters that came before the Board for consideration. Every reasonable effort has been made to collect outstanding rents, &c., and it is pleasing to note that, while the receipts for the period under review exceed those of last year by £5,242, there has been a decrease of £4,1 15 in the combined arrears and postponements. The legislation passed last year by which the term of license of land held on occupation with right of purchase was extended has proved of great benefit to many settlers. Up to the time of writing thirty-five settlers have had their licenses extended for seven years.

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SOUTHLAND. (N. C. Kensington, Commissioner of Crown Lands.) The climatic conditions during the past year have not been favourable for general farming. Although a good winter was reported, the weather in the early spring was very broken, and, unfortunately, a heavy fall of snow took place, chiefly on the low country. Coming as it did at lambingtime heavy losses resulted, and for this reason the lambing percentage was not up to the usual standard. The snowfall was confined principally to the low country and round the sea-coast, and no undue fall was recorded on the high pastoral country other than generally experienced. The broken weather in the spring had the effect of delaying the working of the ground for grain crops, with the result that harvesting operations were considerably later than usual. Heavy grain crops through the district have been general; but the broken weather experienced during the months of January, February, and March made harvesting difficult. In this respect the grass-seed crop suffered severely, and it was under very adverse weather conditions that this crop was harvested. The turnip crops throughout the district are looking well, and good provision has been made for winter feeding. The demand for unimproved land in this district is not keen, and only land of good quality in the unimproved state is inquired about. The reason for this is probably due to the high cost of bringing unimproved lands to a state of productivity; also to the number of good improved farms which are on the market at a comparatively low figure, in many cases having come back on to the mortgagees' hands during the slump. In respect to the demand for improved farms Southland is particularly fortunate in having such a large area of good flat land suitable for further subdivision into reasonable areas. It may be in the past that climatic conditions have been credited as unsuitable for intense dairy-farming, but the results now being obtained from many herds show that with proper winter care in the shape of feed and shelter the high results obtained in other districts can be obtained here; and farmers are fully alive to the necessity of top-dressing pastures, herd testing and culling. Settlers are in many cases giving more attention to tree-planting for shelter. Unfortunately, in past years this necessity appears to have been often overlooked, and the only shelter offering stock in the winter on flat country is in the shape of gorse hedges. These hedges are often little better than rabbit-warrens, but they are gradually being pulled up and replaced with netting fences. Unfortunately, the rabbit pest is one of much concern in many parts of the district, and it would seem that the first cost to be faced on small holdings is the complete netting-in of the property. It is safe to say that in some cases which have come under my observation rabbits are being carried at the rate of half a sheep per acre, besides souring the pastures. The high prices ruling for rabbit-skins have enabled settlers to earn a substantial amount from the sale of skins, and this source of revenue is most helpful to the settler, provided there is no inclination to farm the rabbits. Conversions to Freehold.—Eighteen sections, of a total area of 4,567 acres, were freeholded during the year. Crown Lands opened for Selection during the Year. —Thirty-six sections, of a total area of 4,140 acres, were opened for selection during the year. Crown Lands to be opened for Selectionlt is proposed to open for selection the Pahia Block of 1,500 acres, subdivided into nine sections, lying handy to the Ruahine and Pahia Railway-stations also an area of 2,200 acres in Jacob's River Hundred. Both these blocks have been milled through, and it is considered they will be readily selected. Further areas of Crown land in Alton, Toetoes, and Waikawa districts will be offered from time to time on the completion of sawmilling over the areas affected. Timber Industry. —A large number of mills are operating in different parts of the district; from present reports the demand is not so keen. Land Board. —During the year twelve ordinary meetings and one special meeting of the Land Board were held, and a large amount of business was transacted. As Chairman I desire to record my thanks to the members of the Board for their co-operation and assistance. Revenue.—The revenue received during the year totalled £128,101 Bs. lOd. ; of the total amount received £58,198 14s. 2d. was on account of interest and principal under the Discharged Soldiers Settlement Act.

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APPENDIX lI.—LAND FOR SETTLEMENTS.

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, 1926.

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Name of Estate. holds" holds" Principal Purpose for which Holdings are utilized. to^Preient North Auckland. Bickerstaffe .. .. 42 4 Grazing .. .. .. .. Good. Bayliss .. .. .. .. Dairying .. .. .. .. Bad. Cadman .. .. 1 .. Grazing lease only. Carroll .. .. 14 1 Homes .. .. .. .. .. Pair. Craddock .. .. .. 14 Homes and orchards .. .. .. Good. Eoeleston No. 2 .. 23 4 Homes .. .. .. .. .. Good. Hetana .. .. 10 80 Homes and orchards .. .. .. Good. Kitchener .. .. 3 9 Homes and orchards .. .. .. Good. Koremoa .. .. 10 .. Dairying .. .. .. .. Poor. Lawry .. .. 2 .. Grazing lease only. Methuen .. .. 3 27 Homes and orchards .. .. .. Good. Motutara .. . . 9 .. Dairying and grazing .. .. .. Fair. Paerata .. .. 2 .. Mixed farming .. .. .. .. Pair. Pakaraka .. .. 14- 1 Dairying .. .. .. .. Satisfactory. Parahi .. .. 11 .. Grazing and dairying .. .. .. Good. Plumer .. .. 4 17 Homes and orchards .. .. .. Good. Prescott .. .. 16 3 Homes .. .. .. .. .. Fair. Puketi .. .. 2 .. Grazing.. ' .. .. .. .. Unsatisfactory. Puni .. .. 11 .. Dairying .. .. .. .. Satisfactory. Remuera .. .. 27 .. Dairying .. .. .. .. Satisfactory. Streamlands .. .. 11 .. Dairying .. .. .. .. Poor. Te Pua .. .. 5 1 Dairying .. .. .. .. Satisfactory. Tokiri .. .. 3 .. Dairying .. .. .. .. Satisfactory. Upokonui .. .. 4 .. Dairying and grazing .. .. .. Fair. Waari .. .. 29 34 Homes and orchards .. .. .. Good. Waimata .. .. 15 .. Dairying .. .. .. .. Good. Waiteitei .. .. 8 .. Dairying .. .. .. .. Poor.' Totals.. .. 279 195 Auckland. Apata .. .. 8 .. Dairying .. .. .. .. Good. Balachraggan .. 21 5 Dairying .. .. .. .. Very good. Clifford .. .. 9 .. Dairying and mixed farming .. .. Good. Delaney .. .. 1 .. Homo .. .. .. .. .. Satisfactory. Feneourt .. .. 23 25 Dairying .. .. .. .. Very good. Gorton .. .. 10 .. Dairying .. .. .. .. Good. Hereford Park .. 1 .. Dairying .. .. .. .. Very unsatisfactory. Hikuai .. .. 22 .. Dairying .. .. .. .. Fair. Horahia .. .. 6 .. Dairying .. .. .. .. Very good. Horahora .. .. 10 .. Dairying and mixed farming .. .. Good. Kaipaki .. .. 4 .. Dairying .. .. .. .. Very good. Karapiro .. .. 9 10 Dairying .. .. .. .. Very good. Kopuku .. .. 3 .. Dairying .. .. .. .. Very unsatisfactory. Kopuku No. 2 .. 5 .. Dairying .. .. .. .. Very unsatisfactory. Mangaotama .. 3 1 Dairying .. .. .. .. Good. Mangapouri .. .. 5 10 Dairying .. .. .. .. Good. Mangateparu.. .. 56 1 Dairying .. .. .. .. Good. Mangawhero .. 9 17 Dairying .. .. .. .. Good. Matamata .. .. 92 211 Dairying .. .. .. .. Excellent. Matuku .. .. 10 .. Dairying .. .. .. .. Good. Ngahinapouri .. 4 .. Dairying .. .. .. .. Good. Ohauiti .. .. 14 .. Mixed farming .. .. .. .. Unsatisfactory. Okauia .. .. 7 11 Dairying .. .. .. .. Good. Omeheu .. .. 11 .. Dairying .. .. .. .. Fair. Opouriao .. .. 34 69 Dairying .. .. .. .. Good. Orini .. .. 1 .. Dairying .. .. .. .. Unsatisfactory. Orongo .. .. 34 .. Dairying .. .. .. .. Doubtful. Otamarakau .. .. 8 .. Dairying .. .. .. .. Good. Otway .. .. 9 8 Dairying .. .. .. .. Very good. Pakarau .. .. 18 4 Dairying .. .. .. .. Good. Puahue .. .. 19 .. Dairying and mixed farming .. .. Good. Pukemapou .. .. 9 .. Dairying .. .. .. .. Good. Rangiatea .. .. 12 14 Dairying .. .. .. .. Very good. Rangitaiki .. .. 7 .. Dairying and small farming .. .. Fair. Reporoa .. .. 79 8 Dairying and grazing .. .. .. Fair. Rewi .. .. 7 5 Dairying .. .. .. .. Very good. Reynolds .. .. 25 .. Dairying .. .. .. .. Fair. Rotomanuka.. .. 1 .. Dairying .. .. .. .. Good. Selwyn .. .. 89 146 Dairying and mixed farming .. .. Good. Tahaia .. .. 10 .. Dairying .. .. .. .. Fair. Tainui .. .. 3 .. Grazing.. .. .. .. ., Good. Tairua .. . . 23 3 Residence .. .. .. .. Satisfactory. Taniwha .. .. 11 I Dairying .. .. .. .. Very good. Tapapa .. .. 11 .. Dairying .. .. .. .. Good. Tautari .. .. 38 6 Dairying and mixed farming .. .. Good. Teasdale .. .. 20 83 Business and residence .. .. .. Very good. Te Miro .. .. 36 .. Dairying and mixed farming .. .. Doubtful.

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C.—1

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, 1926 —continued.

Name of Estate. ho?ds' holds Principal Purpose f»r which Holdings are utilized. to^Present Auckland—continued. Te Ngaroa .. .. 2 .. Dairying .. .. .. .. New settlement. Waiare .. .. 4 .. Dairying .. .. .. .. Pair. Waimana .. .. 22 23 Dairying and mixed farming .. .. Very good. Waitakaruru .. 17 1 Dairying and grazing .. .. .. Good. Whatawhata.. .. 2 .. Dairying .. .. .. .. Good. Whitehall .. .. 6 14 Dairying .. .. .. .. Very good. Totals.. .. 900 676 Oisborna. Ardkeen .. .. 17 .. Pastoral .. .. .. .. Gqod. Clydebank .. .. 5 4 Pastoral .. .. .. .. Good. Glencoe .. .. 5 .. Dairying .. .. .. .. Good. Homebush .. .. 14 .. Dairying .. .. .. .. Good. Hukutaia .. .. 23 1 Dairying .. .. .. .. Good. Kanakanaia .. .. 7 1 Pastoral .. .. .. .. Very good. Ngatapa .. .. 27 3 Pastoral .. .. .. .. Very good. Ohuka .. .. 20 .. Pastoral .. .. .. .. Satisfactory. Paremata .. .. 6 .. Dairying and pastoral .. .. .. Good. Pouparae .. .. 4 5 Agricultural .. .. .. .. Very good. Repongaere .. .. 11 1 Pastoral and dairying .. .. .. Good. Te Arai. .. .. 48 11 Pastoral, dairying, and agricultural.. .. Good. Waimarie .. .. 13 5 Pastoral, dairying, and agricultural.. .. Good. Wharekaka .. .. 14 .. Pastoral, dairying, and agricultural .. Good. Wigan .. .. 13 7 Pastoral .. .. .. .. Very good. Willows .. .. 17 5 Agricultural .. .. .. .. Good. Totals.. .. 244 43 flawke\s Bay. Argyll .. .. 55 8 Agricultural and pastoral .. .. .. Very good. Beattie .. .. 6 .. Pastoral .. .. .. .. Good. Clydebank .. .. 14 3 Pastoral .. .. .. .. Very good. Corby .. .. 4 .. Mixed farming .. .. .. .. Pair. Coyne .. .. .. .. Mixed farming .. .. .. .. Surrendered. Crownthorpe .. 18 .. Pastoral .. .. .. .. Good. Elsthorpe .. .. 45 9 Pastoral .. .. .. . . Very good. Forest Gate .. .. 19 9 Agricultural and pastoral .. .. .. Good. Glengarry .. .. 23 .. Dairying .. .. .. . . Fair. Gwavas .. .. 12 .. Agricultural and pastoral .. .. .. Good. Hatuma .. .. 61 18 Agricultural and pastoral .. .. .. Very good. Kumeroa .. .. 13 3 Agricultural, pastoral, and dairying .. Very good. Lindsay .. .. 59 10 Mixed farming .. .. .. .. Very good. Mahora .. .. 25 9 Mixed farming .. .. .. .. Very good. Manga-a-toro .. 20 6 Agricultural and pastoral .. .. .. Very good. Mangatahi .. .. 21 3 Agricultural and pastoral .. .. .. Very good. Marakeke .. ■ ■ 17 .. Mixed farming .. ... .. .. Fair. Omana .. .. 9 1 Dairying .. .. .. .. Good. Otamauri .. .. 15 2 Agricultural and pastoral .. .. .. Good. Parinui .. .. 4 .. Mixed farming .. .. .. .. Good. Pourerere .. .. 6 1 Agricultural and pastoral .. .. .. Good. Raureka .. .. 10 9 Dairying and fruit-culture.. .. .. Very good. Raumati .. .. 30 3 Pastoral and dairying .. .. .. Very fair. Rissington .. .. 5 .. Pastoral .. .. .. .. Good. Springhill .. .. 16 1 Mostly pastoral .. .. .. .. Very good. Sherenden .. .. 21 .. Mostly pastoral .. .. .. .. Good. Te Kaihi .. .. 4 .. Mixed farming .. .. .. .. Good. Te Kura .. .. 13 .. Dairying .. .. .. .. Fair. To Mata .. .. 13 1 Fruit-farming .. .. .. .. Good. Tongoio .. .. 12 .. Mostly pastoral .. .. .. .. Good. Tomoana .. .. 7 7 Fruit and dairying .. .. .. Very good. Waihau .. .. 20 1 Mostly pastoral .. .. .. .. Very good. Waipuka .. .. 1 .. Pastoral .. .. .. .. Good. Watea .. .. 10 .. Mixed farming .. .. .. .. Fair. Wilder .. .. 4 .. Mixed farming .. .. .. .. Good. Totals .. 612 104 Taranaki. Araheke .. .. 3 .. Dairying .. .. Very fair. Clandon .. .. 7 .. Dairying .. .. .. .. Good. Croydon .. .. 7 .. - Dairying .. .. .. .. Fair. Hawke .. .. 1 .. Dairying .. .. .. .. Good. Huatoki .. .. 22 .. Residential and small farming .. .. Fair. Huia .. .. 5 .. Mixed farming .. .. .. .. Some settlers doing well, others fair. Huinga .. .. 9 1 Dairying .. .. .. .. Good. Karu .. .. 2 .. Mixed farming .. .. .. .. Indifferent. Katikara .. .. 3 .. Dairying .. .. .. .. Fairly good. Kohura .. .. 11 .. Mixed farming .. .. .. .. Very fair. Kota .. .. 7 .. Mixed farming .. .. .. .. Satisfactory. Mana .. .. 1 .. Grazing .. .. .. .. Satisfactory.

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, 1926—continued.

22

Name of Estate. ! Principal Purpose for which Holdings are tilized. Taranaki—continued. Mangamaire .. .. 1 .. Grazing .. .. .. .. Indifferent. Marco .. .. 2 .. Mixed farming .. .. .. .. Indifferent. Matane .. .. I .. Dairying .. .. .. .. Good. Ngutu .. .. 1 .. Mixed farming .. .. .. .. Fair. Parkes .. .. 7 .. Dairying .. .. .. .. Good. Piu .. .. 2 .. Mixed farming .. .. .. .. Two sections selected. Rahu .. .. 1 .. Grazing .. .. .. .. Abandoned. Ratapiko .. .. 4 .. Dairying and mixed farming .. .. Fair. Spotswood .. .. 14 31 Homestead and small dairying .. .. Good, Taitama .. ? . 7 .. Mixed farming .. .. .. .. Fairly good. Tariki .. .. 7 1 Dairying .. .. .. .. Good. Tawhiwhi .. .. 8 .. Mixed farming .. .. .. .. Indifferent. Tokaora .. .. 6 10 Dairying .. .. .. .. Very good. Tututawa .. .. 3 .. Dairying and grazing .. .. .. Fair. Totals.. .. 142 43 W ellington. Almadale .. .. 9 .. Dairying .. .. .. .. Fair. Ahiaruhe .. .. 10 .. Dairying. .. .. .. .. Good. Aorangi .. .. 27 14 Dairying .. .. .. .. Good. Akitio .. .. 6 .. Grazing .. .. .. .. Fair. Arawhata .. .. 1 .. Dairying .. .. .. .. Fair. Armstrong .. .. 2 .. Grazing .. .. .. .. Good. Bailey .. .. 1 .. Dairying .. .. .. .. Good. Bartholomew .. G .. Dairying .. .. .. .. Fair. Benge .. .. 1 .. Dairying .. .. .. .. Good. Braemore .. .. 3 .. Pastoral .. .. .. .. Good. Brown .. .. 1 .. Dairying .. .. .. .. Good. Bruce .. .. 1 .. Dairying .. .. .. .. Good. Callcnder .. .. 2 .. Dairying .. .. .. .. Fair. Carrington .. .. 33 2 Mixed .. .. .. .. .. Good. Cherry Grove .. 2 .. Dairying .. .. .. .. Poor. Cloverlea .. .. 16 .. Dairying .. .. .. .. Fair. Corliss .. .. 2 .. Dairying .. .. .. .. Fair. Coyle .. .. 1 .. Dairying .. .. .. .. Fair. Devonshire .. .. 1 .. Dairying .. .. .. .. Good. Dawbin .. .. 1 .. Dairying .. .. .. .. Good. Dixon .. .. 1 .. Dairying .. .. .. .. Good. Dyer .. .. 34 5 Mixed .. .. .. .. .. Good. Eaglesham .. .. 6 .. Grazing .. .. .. .. Good. Epuni Hamlet .. 2<J 14 Mixed and garden .. .. .. Good. Evans .. .. 1 .. Dairying .. .. .. .. Good. Fairfield .. .. 11 .. Dairying .. .. .. .. Fair. Falloon .. .. 11 .. Mixed .. .. .. .. .. Good. Gee .. .. 1 .. Dairying .. .. .. .. Fair. Glasspole .. .. 1 .. Dairying .. .. .. .. Good. Graham .. .. 2 .. Dairying and grazing .. .. .. Fair. Greves .. .. 1 .. Dairying .. .. .. .. Fair. Greystroke .. .. 15 .. Dairying .. .. .. .. Fair. Hall-Jones .. .. 34 1 Gardening .. .. .. .. Good. Hammond .. .. 2 .. Dairying .. .. .. .. Fair. Hardie .. .. 1 .. Dairying .. .. .. .. Good. Harper .. .. 3 .. Dairying .. .. .. .. Poor. Haunui .. .. 8 .. Dairying .. .. .. .. Good. Haunui No. 2 .. 7 . . Dairying .. .. .. .. Good. Hawtrey .. .. 33 23 Residential .. .. .. .. Good. Heatherlea .. .. 18 8 Dairying .. .. .. .. Good. Heights .. . • I •. Grazing .. .. .. . . Poor. Heretaunga .. .. 65 4 Residential .. .. .. .. Very Good. Hill .. .. I • • Dairying .. .. .. .. Fair. Horrobin .. .. 1 .. Mixed .. .. .. .. .. Fair. Johnson .. .. 1 .. Grazing .. .. .. .. Fair. Kairanga .. .. 11 .. Dairying .. .. .. Good. Kiwitea .. .. 1 .. Dairying .. .. .. .. Good. Kopane .. .. 14 .. Dairying .. .. .. .. Good. Kuku .. .. 6 .. Mixed .. .. .. .. .. Good. Langdale .. .. 13 14 Dairying .. .. .. .. Good. Langley-Purdom .. 2 .. Dairying .. .. .. .. Good. Lean .. .. 1 .. Residential .. .. .. .. Good. Lewis .. .. 1 .. Dairying .. .. .. .. Good. Linton .. .. 5 .. Dairying .. .. .. .. Good. Little .. .. .. .. Mixed .. .. .. .. .. Fair. Littler . . .. I . . Dairying .. .. .. .. Good. Longbush and Mahupuka 16 6 Mixed .. .. .. .. .. Good. Makowai and Extension 28 .. Dairying .. .. .. .. Fair. Loughnan .. .. 13 .. Residential .. .. .. .. Good. Makopua .. .. 6 .. Pastoral .. .. .. .. Fair. Marama-a-mau .. 6 .. Dairying .. .. .. .. Fair. Marshall .. .. .. .. Dairying .. .. .. .. Fair. Matamua .. .. 3 .. Dairying .. .. .. .. Fair.

C,—l.

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, 1926 —continued.

23

Name 01 Estate. holds' holds Principal Purpose for which Holdings are utilized. Position PreSeDt W ellington—continued. Maungaraki .. .. 18 2 Residential .. .. .. . . Good. Mangawhata .. 1 6 Dairying .. .. .. .. Fair. Motukai .. .. 3 .. Grazing .. .. .. . . Fair. Moroa .. .. 18 .. Dairying .. .. .. . . Fair. Muhunoa .. .. 2 .. Dairying .. .. .. .. Fair. McDonell .. .. 1 .. Dairying .. .. .. .. Fair. McKenzie .. .. 1 .. Dairying .. .. .. .. Fair. McLean .. .. 1 .. Dairying .. .. .. .. Fair. Neligan .. .. 1 .. Mixed .. .. .. .. .. Good. Nesdale .. .. 1 .. Dairying .. .. .. . . Fair. Nesdale No. 2 .. .. .. Dairying .. .. .. .. Fair. Ngahape .. .. 3 .. Grazing.. .. .. .. . . Good. Ngakaroro .. .. 2 .. Dairying .. .. .. .. Good. Ngarara .. . . 5 .. Dairying .. .. .. .. Good. Normandale .. .. 44 13 Mixed .. .. .. .. .. Fair. Ohakea .. .. 3 14 Dairying .. .. .. .. Good. Olliver .. .. J 2 .. Dairying .. ., .. .. Good'. Olver .. .. I 1 .. Dairying .. .. .. .. Good. Omapu .. .. 3 .. Dairying .. .. .. .. Fair. Oroua . . .. 2 .. Dairying .. .. .. .. Fair. Osborne .. .. 5 .. Dairying .. .. .. .. Fair. Otahome .. .. 3 .. Grazing .. .. .. .. Fair. Oturoa .. .. 7 .. Dairying .. .. .. .. Fair. Paa Creek .. .. 2 .. Dairying .. .. .. .. Fair. Paparangi .. .. 33 7 Residential .. .. .. .. Good. Paramu .. .. 1 .. Dairying .. .. .. .. Good. Perham .. .. 1 .. Dairying .. .. .. .. Good. Pihautea .. .. 28 .. Dairying .. .. ".. .. Good. Pitt.. .. .. 5 .. Gardening .. .. .. .. Fair. Pohehe .. .. 3 .. Dairying .. .. .. .. Good. Poroporo .. .. 16 2 Mixed . . .. .. .. . . Fair. Pukenamu .. .. 7 .. Dairying .. .. .. . . Fair. Pukekoa .. .. 9 .. Dairying .. .. .. . . Good. Puketoi .. .. 9 .. Grazing. . .. .. .. .. Good. Putorino . . .. 15 .. Dairying .. .. .. . . Good. Quillinan . . .. 1 .. Dairying .. .. .. . . Good. Ruatangata .. .. 3 .. Dairying .. .. .. . . Fair. Raumaewa .. .. 3 .. Dairying .. .. ., . . Fair. Saxon . . .. 1 .. Dairying .. .. .. . . Fair. Sandilands .. .. ] .. Dairying .. .. .. .. Fair. Soland .. .. 1 . . Dairying .. .. .. .. Fair. Stanley .. .. 1 . . Dairying .. .. .. . . Fair. Stokes .. .. 1 .. Dairying .. .. .. .. Fair. Tapuae .. .. 2 .. Grazing.. .. .. .. .. Good. Tauherenikau .. 1 .. Mixed .. .. .. .. . . Fair. Tawaha .. .. 24 1 Mixed .. .. .. .. . . Good. Tablelands and Hikawera 15 1 Mixed .. .. .. .. .. Good. Taumaihi .. .. 4 .. Dairying .. .. .. . . Fair. Taikorea .. .. 6 .. Dairying .. .. .. . . Fair. To Matua .. .. 8 6 Dairying .. .. .. .. Good. Te Whiti .. .. 6 .. Dairying .. .. .. .. Poor. Tikotu .. .. 3 .. Dairying .. .. .. .. Poor. Tiraumea .. .. 20 .. Dairying .. .. .. .. Fair. Tuturumuru .. .. 8 .. Dairying .. .. .. .. Fair. Te Ore Ore .. .. 8 .. Dairying .. . . ;. ., Fair. Waddington .. .. 18 .. Gardening .. .. .. .. Good. Wahren •• .. 1 .. Grazing.. .. ... .. Good. Waihora .. .. 4 .. Mixed .. .. .. . . . . Fair. Wilford .. .. 37 37 Residential .. .. .. .. Good. White .. .. 1 . . Dairying .. .. .. .. Good. Waterson .. .. 2 .. Dairying .. .. .. .. Fair. Westmere .. .. 7 .. Mixed .. .. .. .. .. Good. Woulfe .. .. 1 .. Dairying .. .. .. .. Fair. Wright .. .. 1 .. Dairying .. .. .. .. Fair. Youle .. .. 1 .. Dairying .. .. .. .. Fair. Totals.. .. 987 180 Nelson. Blue Glen .. .. 2 .. Grazing.. .. .. . . .. Poor. Braeburn .. .. 21 2 Mixed farming .. .. .. .. Good. Glenrae .. .. 1 .. Mixed farming .. .. .. .. Good. Golden Downs .. 3 .. Mixed farming .. .. .. .. Good. Kohatu .. .. 3 .. Grazing.. .. .. .. .. Fair. Lake .. .. 5 .. Grazing.. .. .. .. .. Fair. Matakitaki .. .. 5 . . Grazing.. .. .. . . .. Fair. Maruia .. .. 7 .. Dairying and grazing .. .. .. Fair. Palmer .. .. 1 .. Dairying and grazing .. .. .. Fair. Spittal .. .. 1 .. Dairying .. .. .. .. Fair.

C—l.

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, 1926 —continued.

24

Name of Estate. hold* Principal Purpose for which Holdings are utilized. Present Nelson —continued. Tutaki .. .. 2 1 Grazing.. .. .. .. .. Poor. Walker .. .. 1 .. Dairying .. .. .. .. Fair. Wangapeka .. . . 14 3 Mixed .. .. .. .. .. Good. Homestead-site .. 1 .. Grazing.. .. .. .. .. Good. Totals.. .. 67 6 Marlborough. Alberton .. . . 4 .. Agriculture . . .. .. .. Fair. Blind River .. . . 18 .. Sheep-farming and agriculture .. .. Very good. Bomford .. . . 1 .. Agriculture .. .. .. .. Fair. Erina .. .. 14 2 Sheep-farming .. .. .. .. Satisfactory. Fernleigh .. .. 7 .. Dairying .. .. .. .. Untried. Flaxbourne .. . . 129 12 Sheep-farming and agriculture .. .. Very good. Goat Hills .. . . 4 .. Sheep-farming .. .. .. .. Fair. Hillersden .. . . 53 7 Sheep-farming and agriculture .. .. Good. Hillersden Bush . . 3 .. Pastoral .. .. .. .. Good. Linkwaterdale . . 6 .. Dairying .. .. .. .. Fair. Lynton Downs .. 11 .. Sheep-farming .. .. .. .. Fair. Moorlands .. .. 6 .. Agriculture .. .. .. .. Good. Neville .. .. 1 1 Agriculture .. .. .. .. Satisfactory. Northbank .. .. 10 .. Pastoral .. .. .. .. Good. Omaka- .. . . 14 .. Sheep-farming and agriculture .. .. Good. Puhipuhi .. . . 2 .. Sheep-farming .. .. .. .. Very good. Rainford .. .. 11 .. Dairying .. .. .. .. Excellent. Richmond Brook . . 12 .. Sheep-farming and agriculture .. .. Very good. Starborough .. .. 170 15 Sheep-farming and agriculture .. .. Excellent. Waipapa .. . . 4 .. Sheep-farming .. .. .. .. Good. Warnock .. .. 2 .. Dairying .. .. .. .. Good. Wither .. . . 20 2 Sheep-farming and small farms .. .. Satisfactory. Totals.. .. 502 39 Westland. Kokatahi .. .. 8 .. Dairying and grazing .. .. .. Highly satisfactory. Poerua .. . . 23 2 Dairying and grazing .. .. .. Highly satisfactory. Totals.. .. 31 2 Canterbury. Acton .. . . 3 .. Mixed farming .. .. .. .. Very fair. Albury .. .. 81 1 Sheep-farming and grain-growing .. . . Well established. Allanholme .. . . 9 .. Sheep-farming and grain-growing .. .. Good. Annan .. . . 43 4 Mixed farming and grazing .. .. Well established. Ashley Gorge .. 7 3 Dairy-farming and grazing .. .. Well established. Ashton .. .. 8 .. Mixed farming .. .. .. .. I Uncertain yet. Ashwick .. .. 7 .. Sheep-farming and grain-growing .. .. Good. Avenel .. . . 16 .. Mixed farming .. .. .. v .. Very fair. Avenel Extension . . 11 .. Mixed farming .. .. .. .. Very fair. Avonhead .. .. 17 .. Small farming .. .. .. .. Unsatisfactory. Avonhead No. 2 . . 18 .. Small farming .. .. .. . . Unsatisfactory. Aylesbury .. .. 6 .. Mixed farming .. .. .. . . Good. Bankfield .. . . 9 .. Mixed farming and grain-growing .. .. Uncertain yet. Beach .. . . 7 .. Mixed farming . . .. .. .. Uncertain yet. Bourndale .. . . 7 .. Sheep-farming and grain-growing .. .. Very fair. Braco .. . . 5 9 Market-gardening .. .. . . Well established. Broadfields .: . . 5 .. Mixed grain-growing .. .. .. Uncertain. Brooksdale .. . . 14 .. Mixed farming .. .. .. .. Fair; improving. Bruce .. .. 4 .. Mixed farming .. .. .. .. Uncertain yet. Buckley .. .. 3 .. Mixed farming .. .. .. .. Uncertain yet. Buddo .. .. 10 5 Worker's dwellings .. .. . . Fair. Burke's Homestead .. 1 .. Homestead-site. Chamberlain.. .. 21 .. Sheep-farming and grain-growing .. .. Well established. Clandeboye .. .. 10 .. Dairy-farming and grain-growing .. .. Very fair. Clandeboye No. 2 .. 6 .. Dairy-farming and grain-growing .. .. Fair. Claremont .. . . 11 .. Sheep-farming and grain-growing .. . . Fair. Clayton .. . . 6 .. Sheep-farming .. .. .. .. Very good. Coldstream .. .. 11 .. Mixed-farming .. .. .. .. Fair. Cooper's Creek .. 1 .. Sheep-farming .. .. .. .. Fair. Copland .. .. 2 .. Sheep, dairy-farming, and grain-growing .. Good. Craigmore .. .. 9 .. Mixed farming .. .. .. .. Uncertain yet. Cricklewood .. .. 8 .. Mixed farming .. .. .. .. Uncertain Culverden .. .. 56 11 Mixed farming and grazing .. .. Good. Douglas .. .. 34 .. Sheep-farming and grain-growing .. .. Fair; improving. Doyleston .. .. 5 .. Mixed farming .. .. .. .. Uncertain yet. Drayton .. .. 15 5 Agricultural .. .. .. .. Improving Dromore .. .. 3 .. Mixed farming and grazing .. . . Uncertain yet. Eccleston .. .. 4 .. Sheep-farming and grain-growing .. .. Well established. Epworth .. .... 2 .. Now freehold. Finlay Downs .. 5 .. Dairy-farming and grain-growing .. .. Very good. Four Peaks ,, .. 8 .. Sheep-farming and grain-growing ,, ., Very good.

C.—l.

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, 1926 —continued.

4—C. 1.

25

" I I Name of Estate. Free- principal Purpose for which Holdings are utilized. i ' Remar p 0 gfti t o n PreSeilt , . . . . Canterbury—conti nued. Fyvie .. .. 4 1 Mixed farming . . .. .. .. J Not satisfactory. Glenmark . . .. 28 2 Mixed farming and grazing .. .. j Good, js Glentanner .. .. .. .. Homestead-site .. .. .. .. j Fair. Gorge Road .. .. 4 ] 7 Worker's homes. Grange .. .. 3 .. Dairying and grain-growing .. .. I Uncertain yet. Hadlow .. .. 3 .. Mixed farming .. .. .. .. j Fair. Hawthorne .. .. 5 .. Mixed farming .. .. .. .. I Fair. Hei Hei .. .. 17 .. Poultry-farming, &c. .. .. .. j Uncertain yet. Hekeao ., .. 10 I 7 Mixed farming .. .. .. .. Well established. Hewitt .. .. 1 .. Homestead-site .. .. .. .. Well established. Highbank .. .. 1 70 i 0 Mixed farming .. .. .. .. Well established. Hillboro .. .. 3 I .. Sheep-farming and grain-growing .. .. Good. Homebrook .. : 16 .. Mixed farming .. .. .. .. Fair. Homestead-sites 10 , .. Hornby .. .. 19 4 Agricultural and gardening .. . . Fair. Horsley Downs .. 9 20 Mixed farming .. .. .. .. Well established. Isleworth . . .. 11 .. Mixed grain-growing .. .. .. Uncertain yet. Jungle .. . • 1 .. Dairy-farming .. .. .. .. Satisfactory. Jungle No. 2 .. 1 .. Dairy-farming .. .. .. .. Satisfactory. Kaimahi .. .. 8 5 Workers' homes and gardening .. .. Satisfactory. Kakahu .. .. 5 .. Mixed farming and grazing .. . . Satisfactory. Kapua .. .. 12 .. Sheep-farming and dairying .. .. Good. Kapuatohe .. .. 7 7 Workers' homes and gardening .. .. Satisfactory. Keith .. 1 Mixed farming .. .. .. .. Satisfactory. Kereta .. .. 4 . . Dairying .. .. . . .. Well established. Kinloch .. .. 31 1 Dairy-farming and grazing .. ..I Very good. Kohika .. .. 17 . . Mixed farming .. .. .. .. Well established. Kohika No. 2 .. 4 .. Mixed farming .. .. .. .. Very good. Kowhatu .. .. 5 .. Mixed farming .. .. .. .. j Fair. Ladbrooks .. .. 14 .. Dairying and mixed farming .. .. J Improving. Lambrook . . .. 4 . . Mixed grain-growing .. . . .. j Uncertain yet. Lansdown .. .. 10 1 Sheep-farming and grain-growing .. .. Good. Lauriston .. .. 4 .. Mixed grain-growing .. .. .. Uncertain yet. Leeston .. .. 5 .. Agricultural .. .. .. .. Well established. Lees Valley .. .. j 10 Sheep-farming .. .. .. .. j Considerably improved. Lyndhurst .. .. ; 15 . . Mixed farming .. .. .. .. j Uncertain yet. Lyndon . . .. | 8 1. Mixed farming .. .. . . ... Well established. Lyndon No. 2 .. 9 .. Mixed farming and grazing . . .. Well established. Macgregor .. .. 1 . . Mixed farming and grazing . . .. 1 Unsatisfactory. Marawiti .. .. 13 .. Mixed farming and grazing . . .. j Well established. Maytown .. .. 9 2 Sheep-farming and dairying .. .. Good. Mead .. .. 22 . . Mixed farming and grazing .. .. Well established. Meadows . . .. 14 .. Sheep-farming and grain-growing .. .. Very fair. Milford . . .. 4 . . Mixed farming .. . . .. .. Uncertain yet. Mills .. .. 21 . . Small farming and dairying .. .. Well established. Morice .. .. 28 3 Dairying and grass-seed growing .. .. Satisfactory. Morten .. .. ■ 16 I 1 Poultry, &c. .. .. .. .. Uncertain yet. Montford .. .. I 9 j .. Mixed farming and grazing .. .. Improving. Mount Nessing ..I 11 .. Sheep-farming and grain-growing .. .. Very good. New Park .. .. 7 .. Mixed farming .. .. .. .. Uncertain yet. Oakwood .. .. 5 .. Mixed farming and grain-growing .. .. Uncertain. Ohapi .. .. 6 .. Mixed farming .. .. .. .. Good. Omihi .. .. . . . . Homestead-site, Orakipaoa .. .. 26 1 Dairying, grain-growing, and gardening .. Well established. Otaio .. . . 9 . . Small farming and dairying .. .. Well established. Otarakaro .. .. .. 7 Market-gardening .. .. .. Well established; satisfactory. Papaka .. .. 9 . . Mixed gardening .. .. .. .. Well established. Pareora .. .. 28 . . Sheep-farming and dairying .. .. Good. Pareora No. 2 27 7 Sheep-farming and grain-growing .. .. Well established. Patoa .. .. 1 3 Grazing and small farming .. .. Satisfactory. Pawaho .. .. 8 17 Market-gardening .. .. .. Satisfactory. Teaks .. .. 9 3 Mixed gardening .. .. .. .. Satisfactory. Puhuka .. .. 9 I Workers' homes .. .. .. .. Well established. Punaroa .. .. 15 2 Dairying, sheep-farming, and grain-growing .. Well established. Raincliff .. .. 1 .. Sheep-farming and grain-growing . . .. Well established. Rakitairi . . .. 21 i 1 Sheep-farming and grain-growing .. .. Well established. Rapuwai .. . . 5 ! .. Sheep-farming and grain-growing .. .. Well established. Rautawiri . . .. 6 .. Sheep-farming and grain-growing .. .. Well established. Riverina . . .. 6 .. Mixed farming .. .. .. .. Uncertain yet. Roimata .. .. 9 20 Workers' homes .. .. .. .. Satisfactory. Rollesby .. . • 1 .. Uncertain. Rosebrook . . .. 11 3 Small farming and dairying .. .. Good. Rosewill .. .. 152 9 Sheep-farming and grain-growing .. .. Well established. Ruapuna No. 2 .. j 15 .. Mixed farming .. .. .. .. Very good. Scargill .. .. 9 .. Mixed farming and grazing .. .. Moderate. Seafield .. .. 4 .. Mixed farming .. .. .. .. Satisfactory. Seaforth .. .. 5 .. Small farming and dairying .. .. Uncertain yet. Sherwood Downs .. j 26 .. Sheep-farming and grain-growing .. .. Good. Springwell .. .. i 6 .. Mixed farming and grain-growing .. .. Uncertain yet. Stoke .. .. j 7 .. I Mixed farming .. ,. .. . . Good.

C.—l.

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, 1926 —continued.

26

Name ol Estate. holds" I holds Principal Purpose for which Holdings are utilized. to^Present 2 I I Canterbury—continued. Strathmore .. .. 3 .. Mixed farming .. .. . . .. Fair. Studholme Junction .. 4 .. Small farming and dairying . . .. Good. Takitu .. .. 5 .. Sheep-farming .. .. . . . . Well established. Tamai .. .. 14 26 Workers' homes .. .. . . .. Satisfactory. Tara .. .. 8 1 Sheep-farming and grain-growing . . . . Very good. Tarawahi .. ., 8 20 Workers' homes .. .. .. .. Satisfactory. Teschemaker .. 11 .. Sheep-farming and grain-growing .. .. Very good. Timaunga .. .. 17 .. Mixed farming .. .. .. .. Fair; improving. Timaunga Extension .. 7 .. Mixed farming .. .. . . . . Good. Tripp .. .. 25 .. Sheep-farming and grain-growing .. . . Fair. Valverde .. .. 11 .. Mixed farming .. .. .. .. Fair. Waiapi .. .. 11 4 Sheep-farming and grain-growing .. .. Well established. Waikakahi .. .. 188 14 Sheep-farming and grain-growing .. .. Well established. Waimate .. .. 35 .. Sheep-farming and grain and fruit growing .. Good. Wairere .. .. 6 .. Mixed farming .. .. .. .. Fair. Waitohi Peaks .. 12 .. Sheep-farming .. .. .. .. Improving. Wharenui .. .. 16 9 Workers' homes .. .. . . . . Well established. Winchester .. .. 10 .. Sheep-farming, grain-growing, and dairying .. Fair. Woodlau .. .. 6 .. Mixed farming and grazing .. .. Uncertain yet. Workers' homes .. 2 ' .!. Totals.. .. 1,883 270 Otago. Airedale .. .. 12 .. Dairying and general farming .. .. Good. Ardgowan .. .. 67 3 Dairying and general farming .. .. Good. Arnmore .. .. 5 .. Mixed farming .. .. .. .. Fair. Aviemore .. .. 1 .. Grazing.. .. .. .. .. Good. Awamoa .. .. 1 1 Mixed farming .. .. .. .. Good. Barnego .. .. 22 2 Dairying and general farming .. .. Good. Bellamy .. .. 14 .. Grazing.. .. .. .. .. Poor. Cardrona .. .. 1 .. Grazing.. .. .. .. . . Only fair. Clareview .. .. 5 .. Dairying and general farming .. .. Good. Clifton .. .. 10 .. General farming .. . . .. .. Fair. Conical .Hills .. 44 1 Grazing and general farming .. .. Poor. Crosshi.ll .. .. 6 .. Mixed farming . . .. .. .. Fair. Croucher .. .. 1 .. Mixed farming .. .. .. .. Good. Dalmain .. .. 3 .. Grazing .. .. .. .. Fair. Duncan .. .. 4 3 Dairying .. .. .. .. Good. Earnscleugh .. .. 27 .. Fruit-farming .. .. .. .. Fair. Elderslie No. 1 .. 35 1 General farming .. .. .. .. Good. Elderslie No. 2 .. 16 .. General farming .. . . .. .. Very good. Galloway .. .. 11 .. Fruit and homestead-sites.. .. .. Very fair. Gladbrook .. .. 46 3 Dairying .. .. . . .. Fair. Glenn .. .. 4 .. Mixed farming .. .. .. .. Fair. Greenfield .. .. 36 7 Mixed farming .. .. .. .. Good. Hilderthorpe.. .. 19 .. General and workers'homes .. .. Fair. Janefield .. .. 20 2 Dairying and fruitgrowing.. .. .. Good. Kauroo Hill .. .. 42 3 General farming .. . . .. .. Good. Kelso .. .. 5 .. Dairying .. .. .. .. Good. Kurow .. .. II 3 General farming and dairying .. .. Good. Lakeview .. .. 1 .. General farming .. .. .. .. Good. Maerewhenua .. 77 .. General farming .. .. .. .. Very good. Makaraeo .. .. 33 .. General farming .. .. .. .. Very fair. Makaraeo Extension .. 3 .. General farming .. .. .. .. Very fair. Maraeweka .. .. 8 .. General farming .. .. .. .. I Very fair. Matakanui .. .. 3 .. General farming and grazing .. ... Good. Meadowbank.. .. 11 .. General farming .. .. .. .. Very good. Melville Park .. 5 .. Mixed farming and dairying .. .. Poor. Momona >. .. 9 5 Dairying .. .. .. .. Very good. Oakleigh .. .. 1 .. Mixed farming .. . . .. .. Only fair. Otanomomo .. .. 25 1 Dairying .. .. .. .. Good. Otekaike .. .. 64 1 Mixed farming .. .. . . .. Fair. Plunket .. .. 18 1 Mixed farming .. .. .. .. Good. Pomahaka .. .. 27 2 Mixed farming .. .. .. . . Very fair. Poplar Grove .. 21 2 Dairying .. .. .. .. Fair. Pukeawa .. .. 14 2 Mixed farming .. .. . . .. Good. Pukenui .. .. 6 .. Mixed farming .. .. .. .. Good. Puketapu .. .. 6 5 Dairying .. .. .. .. Good. Rugged Ridges .. 1 .. Grazing.. .. . . .. .. Very fair. Steward .. .. 51 2 Mixed farming .. .. .. .. Good. St. Helens .. .. 3 .. General farming .. .. .. .. Very fair. Tahawai .. .. 7 1 Dairying .. .. .. .. Good. Taumata .. .. 9 .. Mixed farming .. .. . . .. Good. Teaneraki .. .. 23 .. Dairying .. .. .. .. Very fair. Te Puki .. .. 4 .. Mixed farming .. .. .. .. Good. Teviot .. .. 29 1 Grazing.. .. .. .. .. Fair. Tilverstowe .. .. 7 .. Mixed farming .. .. .. .. Fair. Tokarahi .. .. 80 1 Mixed farming .. .. . . .. Good. Tokoiti .. .. 1 4 | .. Mixed farming .. .. .. .. Good. Totara ,, ., 27 1 .. Mixed farming ,, ,. ., ., Good,

27

a—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 1926—continued.

EXTRACTS FROM REPORTS OF COMMISSIONERS OF CROWN LANDS. North Auckland. (H. J. Lowe, Commissioner of Crown Lands.) A number of estates were offered under the Land for Settlements Act during the year. Seven were inspected by my Board and eight others inspected by officers of the Department. The prices asked were such that, together with the high cost of roading, rate of interest on borrowed capital, and the fact that the Department had many abandoned farms on hand which it was necessary to try and dispose of first, it was found impossible in most cases to recommend them for purchase. The area inspected, comprising fifteen estates, totalled 33,417 acres, and one estate, comprising 1,355 acres, was purchased under the provisions of the Discharged Soldiers Settlement Act. Upokonui Settlement. —Contains four sections, of which three are occupied. These sections are being worked ; but, not being altogether suitable for dairying, the settlers have changed over to sheep and grazing, with satisfactory results. One is bound to do well, but a careful watch must be kept on the other two. Pakaraka Settlement. —There are eleven settlers on this settlement all engaged in dairying and well established, and with the possible exception of one can be considered permanents. The gorse problem on this block is still acutc. Many years ago the land was deliberately planted in gorse by the then owner to feed sheep. The late vendor got the place into beautiful order, and on most of the sections now occupied the settlers are keeping the land free from the weed. On the unallotted sections, however, comprising an area of 320 acres, although under a temporary grazing tenancy, the gorse is very bad and rapidly getting worse. This is, of course, a menace to the other settlers, and it will probably be necessary to offer the whole unallotted area as one proposition for sheep at a low price, as it would be fatal for the Department to hang on to it.

Name of Estate. holds" ' holds Principal Purpose lor which Holdings are utilized. Otago—continued. Wairuna .. .. 13 .. Mixed farming .. .. .. .. Fair. Waitahuna No. 1 J 1 Mixed farming .. . . .. .. Fair. Waitahuna No. 2 6 1 Mixed farming .. .. .. .. Good. Westcott .. .. 9 . . Mixed farming .. .. .. .. Poor. Windsor Park No. 1 .. 37 2 Mixed farming .. .. .. .. Very good. Windsor Park No. 2 .. 10 .. Mixed farming .. .. .. .. Very good. Totals.. .. 1,121 57 Southland. Allenby .. .. 5 . . Dairying .. .. .. .. Good. Ardlussa .. .. 6 .. Pastoral .. .. .. .. Fair. -Beaumont .. .. 9 2 Mixed farming .. .. .. .. Fair. Campbell .. .. 4 .. Mixed farming .. .. .. .. Fair. Crichton Park .. 4 2 Pastoral .. .. .. .. Good. Edendale .. .. 102 50 Dairying .. .. .. .. Very good. Iirmedale .. .. 11 2 Mixed farming .. .. .. .. Fair. Fortification Hill .. fi .. Pastoral .. .. .. .. Good. Glenham . . . . 3f> 8 Mixed farming .. .. .. .. Very good. Knowsley Park .. !1 .. Pastoral .. .. .. .. Poor. Lambert .. . . 1 . . Dairying .. .. .. .. Good. Lamont .. .. 6 . . Dairying .. . . . . .. Fair. Maori Hill .. .. 16 . . Mixed farming .. .. .. .. Good. Merrivale .. .. 45 10 Mixed farming .. .. .. .. Good. Merrivale No. 1 .. 9 .. Mixed farming .. .. . . .. Fair. Merrivale No. 2 .. 7 .. Mixed farming .. .. .. .. Fair. Monte Cristo.. .. 3 .. Dairying .. .. .. .. Fair. Otahu .. .. 7 1 Mixed farming .. .. .. .. Fair. Ringway .. .. 4 3 Mixed farming .. .. .. .. Fair. Stalker .. .. 8 1 Dairying .. .. .. .. Very good. Strathvale .. .. 9 .. Dairying .. .. .. .. Good. Teihoka .. .. 2 .. Mixed farming .. .. .. .. Fair. Waiarikiki .. .. 7 .. Pastoral . . .. .. .. Poor. Waikiwi Town .. 38 1® Suburban building-sites .. . . .. Good. Totals.. .. 354 95 | Grand totals .. 7,122 1,710 j

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Remuera Settlement. —The settlers on this block are now settling down. Three of the sections were abandoned—one of these has been reseleoted, and there should be no difficulty in disposing of the others. Some of the sections have been regrouped, and this has made the settlers more contented. At the present time there are twenty settlers all milking and doing well. A road contract has just been completed, which finishes all the roading required at present. Te Pua Settlement. —The five sections on this settlement are all occupied, and all the settlers are getting along satisfactorily, but the land will have to be continually top-dressed to give the best results. Tokiri Settlement.—This settlement was originally subdivided into five sections which experience has proved did not allow a sufficient area for each settler. Two of the original selectors abandoned, and the land has now been resubdivided into three holdings for the remaining settlers. Also new values have been fixed, and the settlers should now settle down and be able to make a success of their holdings, or make room for others who can. Waimata Settlement.—This is one of the best settlements. The soil is of a good quality, and, the sections being of ample area, the ultimate success of the settlers depends almost entirely upon themselves. The settlers are milking on the flat and running sheep on the hills, and the general condition of the settlement is very satisfactory. Koremoa Settlement.—This settlement has been in an unsatisfactory state owing to the areas being too small. Some of the sections have been abandoned, and this has enabled an adjustment of boundaries. Settlers on the block are dairying, but as the majority of the land is fairly poor top-dressing will be necessary to give the best results. There are at least three more areas to adjust before things will be satisfactory. Paerata Settlement.—Good progress is still being made on this settlement. Owing to the rather severe winter and equally bad spring, however, the dairying and running stock were not in as good condition as could be desired. The outlook for the approaching winter has considerably brightened as a result of the recent copious rainfall, but a good metalled access road to the railway is required. Streamlands Settlement.—The settlers on this settlement, eleven in number, have experienced a bad time. There has been very little growth except on the swamp portion of the settlement. Most of the hay crops saved were very light, and forage crops for the winter have not made a good start. Fly has been very bad and in some cases has absolutely wiped out the swede crops. The outlook for the winter, however, has considerably brightened as a result of copious rains. Waiteitei Settlement.—The settlers on this settlement are in practically the same position as those on Streamlands Settlement, but the effects are less, as fewer of the settlers are dairying. The country is very mixed ; on the river-flats and hills, where taraire and rata grew the soil is good, but where the kauri grew it is a very hard proposition, especially where impregnated with blackberry. Motutara Settlement.—This settlement owing to its position by the sea requires shelter-trees, but owing to the salt-laden winds their propagation has been difficult. A fair amount of top-dressing was done in the autumn, but the wet and cold winds rather hampered growth. The metalling of the access road is materially assisting the settlers, some of whom are dairying and one or two running sheep. Forage crops have not done as well as could be desired, and owing to the summer dry spell the ground became very dried up, and the settlers were able to milk only once a day. In all, this settlement has experienced a particularly bad season. The expense of keeping this pasture in good heart is very heavy. Puni Settlement. —The bad season has had its effect on both feed and stock, but the holdings are being kept in a reasonable condition. Various of the sections have been regrouped, and the remaining settlers, who are all triers, should now be 011 a fairly satisfactory footing and able to make a success of their holdings. We still have one difficult proposition, and he would, I think, be wise to relinquish his farm. Auckland. (K. M. Gkaham, Commissioner of Crown Lands.) No fresh areas have been acquired under the Land for Settlements Act, during the year. The most of the older settlements are now firmly established, and the outlook of the settlers generally on these is particularly bright. Referring to the more recently acquired settlements, which were taken up principally by discharged soldiers, most of the settlers have benefited by the provisions for revaluation in the Discharged Soldiers Settlement Act, 1923, and have obtained substantial reduction in capital values, which should give them now a reasonable chance of success. Te Ngaroa Settlement, comprising two sections of a total area of 157 acres, was opened during the year, and both sections were selected. This was the only settlement made available other than isolated sections which had reverted to the Crown by process of forfeiture or surrender It is hoped to have opened for selection during the coming year portions of Reparoa and Orongo Settlements which have not been previously offered and comprising about 6,000 acres, while numerous sections in other settlements will also be made available for selection. There are in this district fifty-two settlements, 011 which at the present time there are 900 leaseholders occupying 123,471 acres, while 676 settlers occupying 123,925 acres have acquired the freehold to date. Gisborne. (E. H. Farnie, Commissioner of Crown Lands.) The old-established settlements in this district are still in a flourishing state. It has been found necessary in two or three instances to afford relief to the settlers who had purchased on deferred payment by allowing them to revert to renewable lease. These old land-for-settlement purchases were undoubtedly sound investments, and the average selector is doing very well.

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Hawke's Bay. (J. D. Thomson, Commissioner of Crown Lands.) Although several estates have been offered, no new areas have been acquired in this district under the Land for Settlements Act during the past year. As with the soldier settlers, the past season has been a very trying one for the civilian farmer on all the settlements, and the prospects of a hard winter do not make the outlook for the coming season as satisfactory as could be desired. However, with the general splendid climatic conditions incidental to Hawke's Bay there is hope yet for a favourable change.

Taranaki. (W. D. Armit, Commissioner of Crown Lands.) In this district there are twenty-six settlements, inclusive of those occupied by discharged soldiers. The older settlements still continue in a very satisfactory state, but the more recent purchases are, generally speaking, not in such a good position. As, however, these settlements have been selected by discharged soldiers, who have benefitted by revaluation, their prospects, given reasonably favourable conditions, should improve in the near future. No new areas have been acquired during the year. However, twenty-three vacant sections situated in the Huatoki, Tawhiwhi, Kohura, and Piu Settlements were reoffered for selection at greatly reduced rentals, with a result that ten of these sections were selected. It is hoped that further selections will take place in the spring. Wellington. (H. W. C. Mackintosh, Commissioner of Crown Lands.) The number of settlements in this district is 130, including those purchased specially for the repatriation of discharged soldiers. The settlers on the older settlements are, generally speaking, now firmly established, and can look to the future with optimism. On the later-acquired estates the prospects are for the time being not so bright, but as most of these estates were acquired for the settlement of returned soldiers it is yet too soon to look for successful occupation. The position of the estates referred to has engaged the attention of the Dominion Revaluation Board, and with the concessions granted to settlers by this Board it is anticipated that a marked improvement will be observed within the next year or two. The revenue received during the year by way of rents and other payments under this heading was £72,012. There was not a large area purchased under the Land for Settlements Act during the year. Portion of the late Sir Walter Buchanan's property in the Wairarapa and comprising about 1,176 acres was acquired and will be placed on the market towards the end of May. It is anticipated that there will be a good inquiry for the three sections into which the area has been subdivided. During the year a further area of 173 acres was acquired in the Hutt Borough, making in all a total of 657 acres purchased in connection with the Hutt Valley settlement scheme. These lands were acquired in order that the Government may derive any betterment due to construction of the new railway deviation from Petone to Waterloo Road. The survey and roading of these areas are now well under way, and the Department will shortly be offering residential sites from time to time. An area of 31 acres is to be set aside for the purpose of workers' houses, and is being developed in conjunction with the Railway Department. The subdivision and roading is practically complete, and the Railway Department have about 150 houses in course of construction. As they are completed these houses are to be allocated under the provisions of the Housing Act. Two industrial sites of approximately 5 acres each were offered for sale and were taken up by the General Motor Company (Limited) and the New Zealand Porcelain Company respectively. Factories estimated, to cost £200,000 are now being erected by these firms. Suitable areas for industrial purposes will be offered from time to time to meet the requirements of bona fide applicants. Nelson. (A. F. Waters, Commissioner of Crown Lands.) No new settlements were opened during the year ; but the revalued sections in Tutaki, Matakitaki, and Maruia Settlements were again opened for selection. All the eight sections in Matakitaki Settlement have now been disposed of, while only three sections remain unlet in Maruia Settlement. No inquiries have been received for the three remaining sections in Tutaki Settlement. An effort is now being made to dispose of the remaining sections in Maruia Settlement by still further reducing the capital values.

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Marlborough. (J. Stevenson, Commissioner of Crown Lands.) A small area of dairying-land near Kaikoura was acquired and opened to the public during the year. The successful applicants, except perhaps in one instance, are a good type of settler and have made sound progress in spite of the fact that they were handicapped to some extent through the land being put on the market somewhat late in the winter. The other existing settlements are now well established, and most of the settlers are 011 a sound footing and doing well. While there are undoubtedly some large estates in Marlborough suitable for closer settlement I am of the opinion that none would make successful settlements at anything like the prices asked. Westland. (W. T. Morpeth, Commissioner of Crown Lands.) The only settlements in this district are Kokatahi and Poerua, both of which have been very successful. No estates were acquired during the year. Canterbury. (W. Stewart, Commissioner of Crown Lands.) No new estates were acquired during the year. The older settlements are now well established, and the tenants have, with few exceptions, quite considerable goodwills (above their improvements) in their leases. Two exceptions are Finlay Downs and Teschemaker Settlements, which were settled in 1914. These were recently before the Land Board, who recommended that certain rental concessions be granted. Although several properties were offered to the Government during the year and inspected, none were found suitable, some being too dear and others not suitable for subdivision. Otago. (R. S. Galbraith, Commissioner of Crown Lands.) Altogether there are sixty-four settlements in Otago, some of which are of very long standing. These were purchased by the Crown at very low prices compared with present-day valuations. All the original settlers and their successors in title who bought in at reasonable prices have done well or should have done well. The Land Board refused two applications to transfer holdings on such settlements during the year on the ground of excessive consideration-money. The more recently acquired settlements have been taken up principally by discharged soldiers. In my report of last year I drew attention to the fact that successful settlement was made very difficult in many cases by the too-close c'utting-up of estates —i.e., by the holdings being made too small in area. Such cases arc gradually being adjusted by amalgamation through judicious transfers which have been encouraged by the Land Board. One or two of the least-successful settlements still need adjustment in this respect, but owing to the improvements effected in the way of buildings and to the lack of financial resources such adjustment is necessarily slow and difficult. No new estates in Otargo have been purchased during the year. Southland. (N. C. Kensington, Commissioner of Crown Lands.) During the past year no new lands have been purchased for opening up under the conditions of the Land for Settlements Act. The demand for improved lands has been generally met by the farms for disposal which have been purchased under the Discharged Soldiers Settlement Act and which from time to time come back 011 the Department's hands. The settlers 011 several settlements have found it difficult to carry on since the slump years, and, representation having been made, special legislation was passed giving power for a revaluation to be effected. The settlements granted this privilege were Knowsley Park, Waiarikiki, and Beaumont. 111 most cases the settlers received substantial reductions on the capital value. Settlers on some of the older settlements are also finding it diffcult to meet their obligations ; this principally does not refer to the original selectors, but to those who have obtained the holdings by transfer. In this respect heavy consideration-money has been paid, with the result that with the heavy cost of labour and material, the necessary heavy liming, and manuring (which was not a requirement when the virgin land was first broken up) have put these settlers in a position that only by careful farming are they able to carry on. In several of the settlements bought where the land is light difficulty has been experienced in getting English grasses to hold for any length of time. The heavy frosts to which most of this land is subject is probably the primary cause, and instead of constant resowing grasses which give no promise of becoming permanent it would seem more advisable to try harder grasses, which, even if not giving the carrying-capacity, would save the constant annual expense of laying down routine pastures with English grasses. On the older settlements where difficulty has been experienced in laying down a good permanent pasture with English grasses it has become apparent that close subdivision of this class of land is unsound, as the loading of buildings, cost of subdivision, and incidental expenses added to the market price makes it impossible for the settler to meet his obligations ; and only land of exceptional quality, handy of access, and which by intense farming is capable of a production to meet the additional charges can reasonably be considered for close subdivision.

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APPENDIX III.—LAND-DRAINAGE OPERATIONS.

(0. N. Campbell, Chief Drainage Engineer.) Although no new large works have been undertaken during the past year reports have been prepared on drainage schemes ranging from 65,000 acres in extent down to that of an isolated farm. Owing to the higher standard of farming required, the number of these latter small schemes reported on has shown 8 considerable increase. In some cases an engineering survey was necessary, especially in flat peaty country, but in others an inspection sufficed for report purposes. Among the number of special inspections and reports made were the following : Whakaki Swamp ; Poilkawa Swamp ; Crown land, Block V., Opoe S.D. ; Uretiti Kauri-gum Reserve ; native lands at Te Kao and Te Mapara ; Napier Reclamation ; Kongahu Swamp ; Bartholomew Bros.' property ; Demonstration Farm, Dargaville ; Section 13, Block VIII, Rangaunu S.D. ; part of Puni Settlement, Kopuku Settlement; part O.L.C. 85, Mangamuka S.D. ; Sections 25-30, Block VIII, Motatua S.D. Works done by local bodies out of grants and subsidies have been examined and passed, the total amount approved for payment being £6,138 10s. 6d. Separate reports as required by statute have been prepared on the Hauraki Plains area, Rangitaiki Plains area, and the areas administered under the Swamp Drainage Act, 1915. The following is a short report on general works carried out by this branch : — Reporoa Settlement.—The maintenance of drains only has been attended to this year, as the Public Works Department carried out repairs to the roads during the summer. As well as cleaning the drains the Waiotapu Stream was attended to, and it is evident that this stream requires to be dragged each year, otherwise the water-level becomes high and a medium fall of rain would cause an overflow. The expenditure during the year was £366 6s. 7d. Hamilton Swamps. —The report on the Woodlands or eastern portion of the area was completed. This area comprises approximately 65,000 acres, ranging from solid land to peat, up to 35 ft. in depth. The report has been discussed by the several Drainage Boards which have jurisdiction in the area, and the scheme generally approved, but the question of the necessary finance in order to carry the scheme through appears to be the stumbling-block. The report on the Rukuhia portion of the area, situated to the south-east of Hamilton, has been partially prepared. The total expenditure on the areas for the year was £195 Is. 3.d Orongo Settlement.—During the year the maintenance of the works on this area was carried out by means of a special grant. This included the maintenance of drains, stop-banks, and flood-gates. The expenditure was £627 10s. Maramamau Settlement.—At the end of the previous year the erection of the three-barrelled concrete flood-gates at the junction of the big drain with the Tauherenikau Stream was practically completed. The work carried out since that date has consisted of the laying of the balance of the concrete, the rebuilding of the stop-bank over the structure, and the construction of short drains in order to connect the new gates to the previously existing drainage-system. The gates have been in operation for about ten months, and when inspected were found to be working satisfactorily, but, in common with all similar structures, they will require regular inspections by the settlers benefiting from the construction of the gates. The expenditure during the year was £384 lis. 7d. Te Pu Kaharoa Bore. —After the failure to obtain water with the first bore, a contract was arranged with a Hamilton firm to sink a second one, on the basis of no water, no pay. This second attempt was made on Section 7, Block VIII, Rotorua S.D., at a height of 485 ft. above Lake Rotorua. The bore was drilled for 453 feet, before water was struck, the water rising up 120 ft. in the pipe from the bottom of the bore. The country bored through is all rock with the exception of the first 10 ft. of pumice. The rock is all volcanic, ranging from soft to very hard, and is very badly shattered. At the lower depths a rotary drill, in conjunction with chilled shot, was used, as the rock was too hard for the ordinary pump-drill. By using a pump a supply of about 200 gallons of water can be obtained. This water is cool, clean, and practically clear of all sediment, and should be quite satisfactory for stock. The total cost of the bore during the year was £251 os. lOd. Hereford Park Water-supply.—As mentioned in last year's report, the original ram installed was not a success, but this has now been replaced by a Blake ram, which should give satisfaction, provided it is efficiently maintained and cared for by the settlers. Waiare Water-supply.—This installation was handed over to the settlers during the year, but from reports received the ram does not appear to be inspected by the settlers at regular intervals, Unless this is done no scheme of this description can be expected to give satisfaction. The expenditure was £153 6s, 2d,

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Kerikeri Block, Bay of Islands (8,000 Acres J. —Investigations were carried out on this block to determine if the swamp area could be economically drained, and, if so, was it sufficient in area and quality to make the settlement of the block an attractive proposition. A suitable roading and subdivision scheme was therefore also included in the investigations. The field-work had been in hand for about six weeks prior to the commencement of the period under review, and was completed about the middle of April. The main area of swamp lies in a valley, across the mouth of which a lava-flow in a past geological age has raised a barrier of rock of considerable depth and thickness. To obtain an outfall without piercing this rock a tunnelled outfall 600 ft. in length through a clay hill had long been considered. Investigations proved that this outfall was only necessary to the reclamation of about 120 acres at the lower end of the valley, as the area above this and amounting to about 460 acres could be drained down upon the lower area. Accordingly the tunnel project was abandoned and a scheme of drainage for the upland area prepared on the lines intimated above. The swamp is a peat one of fair quality, but the area is not sufficient in itself to induce dairying, therefore the subdivision of the block must be viewed as a grazing proposition. Acting on this view a scheme of roading which allows for subdivisions ranging from 300 acres to 1,300 acres has been prepared and is at present under consideration. Expenditure totals £125 19s. 4d. Haunui Settlement.—The above settlement comprises an area of high-grade river-flat lying in the valley of the Wangaehu River. The settlers —discharged soldiers—are dairying, but the lack of an efficient drainage-system seriously curtails the productive capacity of the land. This is self-evident on inspection, which reveals the frequency of small marshy areas and the prevalence of sedges growing to the exclusion of grass. The question of an efficient system of drainage for the area was referred to this office as the outcome of a resolution passed to that effect by the Dominion Revaluation Board. Accordingly a drainage survey was taken in hand, and the routes for the construction of various outfall and catchwater drains, totalling five miles in length, were pegged and levelled. A scheme of drainage, accompanied by plans, specifications, and estimates covering the construction of the proposed drains, was prepared. Accretions, Kaipara Harbour. —Investigatoins were carried out during the summer with a viewto the possibility of economically reclaiming several areas of mud-flats fronting the southern shore of the Kaipara Harbour. These mud-flats are submerged only at times of high spring tides, and are therefore sufficiently elevated for reclamation by the usual methods of stop-banking and flood-gating. The quality of the land is unquestioned and would stand a reasonably heavy expenditure on its reclamation. Owing, however, to the long length of stop-bank that would have to be erected in an' exposed position, thus calling for an additional heavy expenditure on protective works, the reclamation of the areas was considered to be too costly at the present time. The following schedule gives particulars of the principal operations carried out on the works under the direction of this branch Miles. Oh. Number. Cleaning drains .. .. .. 297 46 Pile bridges removed and replaced .. 2 Widening and deepening drains .. 81 28 Garage erected . . . . . . ] Constructing new drains .. .. 28 52 Pontoon built .. .. .. 1 Dredge cuts .. .. .. 53 63 Benzine-store erected .. .. 1 Re-forming roads . . .. . . 477 Landing-stage erected .. . . 1 Forming new roads.. .. .. 22 36 Erection of huts .. .. .. 2 Metalling roads .. .. .. 2 45 Fencing . . . . • . • • 1 70 Bundles. New stop-banks .. .. .. 045 Fascines used .. .. .. 4,079 Repairs to stop-banks .. .. 17 58 Levels taken .. .. .. 388 20 Metal used (for roads) .. .. 5,8*22 Traverses run .. .. .. 89 10 Clay used (for roads) .. .. 18,455 Line-cutting .. • ■ • ■ 41 J Spoil excavated by floating and dry Number. land excavators .. .. .. 1,786,725 Flood-gates built .. .. .. 11 Rock-excavation .. .. .. 56,460 Pile bridges erected .. .. 2 Stiff clay and rubble excavation .. 14,115 Office. —The expenditure passed through the books totalled £181,389 7s. 7d. Of this amount £62,861 Is. Id. was paid out of Thames and Whakatane Imprest Accounts for wages. Payments through the Auckland Branch of the Treasury amounted to £68,271 9s. lOd. Some 242 piecework contracts were let during the year, and some 4,056 vouchers were passed for payment. The total amount of miscellaneous revenue received was £4,671 16s. 3d., of which £604 14s. 9d. is represented by Patetonga tram freights. Inward correspondence totalled 6,015, outward 8,247. Mr. J. W. Harvey, who has acted as Chief Clerk, Accountant, and Collector of Rates for the past nine years, was transferred to Napier District Office at the end of the year. I wish to place on record my appreciation of the services to the Land Drainage Branch of this zealous and reliable officer. Collection of Rates. —The total amount received during the year was £11,035 lis. Id., credited as follows : Hauraki Plains, £10,959 4s. 4d. ; Rangitaiki Swamp, £76 6s. 9d. The number of assessments made for the year 1925-26 was 530. No rates were struck over the Rangitaiki area for this period.

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Draughting Staff. —During the year this staff has been busily employed on the preparation of survey data, plans to accompany engineering reports, and general draughting-work, searching, and computations. In addition considerable work was done in preparing plans and other matters incidental to the proclamation of land transactions under the various statutes. The sitting of the Rangitaiki Royal Commission entailed much work in the compilation and copying of level records and various illustrative maps. On the engineering side the staff has spent considerable time on the designing of bridges, flood-gates, &c., drawing of dredge parts and equipment, and the examination of the various designs submitted. The lithograph maps for the various districts have been kept up to dateConsiderable work has been done on the photostat, approximately 3,550 prints having been made during the year.

APPENDIX IV.—SAND-DUNE RECLAMATION. As forecasted in last year's report, the question of sand-dune reclamation has been thoroughly discussed with the State Forest Service.- It was decided at a conference held during the year between officers of that Service and this Department that all sand-dune reclamation should in future be carried out by the State Forest Service. The work at present being carried out by the Lands Department should be continued until completion of the experimental work being conducted by the Forest Service at the Rangitikei Heads, operations thereafter on the North Auckland dunes to be taken over, if possible, by that Service. If necessary, the two Departments are prepared to co-operate in the drafting of legislation so as to provide the necessary legal machinery for conduct of reclamation work in the future on a large scale. Arrangements were made for Mr. Stafford, the Department's Overseer, to visit the Rangitikei area so as to become acquainted with the latest methods being used there, and also for an officer of the State Forest Service to visit the northern dunes for the purpose of giving general advice for the carrying-on of the work there in the meantime, the general idea being that the Lands Department should endeavour to maintain the work already performed rather than to initiate any fresh reclamation projects. Since the inception of reclamation in North Auckland three distinct areas have been dealt with, viz. :— (1.) The Waipu area, designed to stop encroachment upon kauri-gum reserves and the overwhelming of portions of the Whangarei-Waipu Main Road. (2.) The great northern sand-drifts from Ahipara to Mangonui Bluff, near Te PaM, including the drifts on Hohoura Harbour, Motutangi Swamp, &c. (3.) The Kaipara area from beyond Muriwai Beach northward to mouth of Kaipara. As a result of the arrangements made with the State Forest Service operations during the year have been confined to the Waipu area, and to lupin-planting on the great northern area, while a watch has been kept on the work previously done at Kaipara. A good deal of tree-lupin and marram-grass planting was carried out during the year.

Table 1. —Return showing (approximately) Position of Lands in the Dominion at 31st March, 1926.

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Total Area of Land unfit T „ t „i a™ Tntnl Atm Crown Lands Total Area of for Settlement sold or ffrantpd reserved leased under Crown Lands Total Area (including Total Area District. ind hfiHon fofp.lhlio all Tenures available of Area occupied in Land FrPAhnM Pnroosef (exclusive of for future Native Land. by Rivers, District, ireenoid. purposes. Reserves leased Disposal. Lakes, Roads, by Crown). Ac). Acres. Acres. i Acres. Acres. Acres. ! Acres. Acres. North Auckland .. 2,474,122 430,287: 441,850 311,435 603,078 217,428 4,478,200 Auckland .. .. 2,525,591 785,329 1,005,464 1,141,271 2,153,130 609,788 8,220,573 Gisborne .. .. 1,122,714 424,540 519,815 129,741 1,068,876 j 253,805 3,519,491 Hawke'sBay.. .. 1,534,753 200,149 1 586,764 112,989 397,246! 82,420 2,914,321 Taranaki .. .. 1,118,030 339,754 i 575,458 120,278 182,212 1 68,699 2,404,431 Wellington* .. .. 3,387,707 1,008,477 868,516 127,107 1,426,667 232,595 7,051,069 Nelson .. .. 634,177 2,346,666 860,716 216,902 30,629 625,910 4,715,000 Marlborough.. .. 785,861 354,039! 1,515,702 10,512 .. ! 101,886 2,768,000 Westland .. .. 158,053 2,022,609 863,819 349,609 .. 469,288 3,863,378 Canterbury .. .. 3,576,552 1,398,070 3,960,491 59,360 .. 483.957 9,478,430 Otago .. .. 1,976,933 953,936 5,472,079 39,276 .. J 651,898 9,094,122 Southland .. .. 1,841,567 4,245,173 1,549,094 162,816 .. I 84,597 7,883,247 Totals.. .. 21,136,060 14,509,029 18,219,768 2,781,296 5,861,838 3,882,271 66,390,262 * Includes Chatham Islands.

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Table 2.—Lands selected during the Year ended 31st March, 1926.

Table 3.—Lands held on Lease at 31st March, 1926.

Pastoral Licenses Mining D , stricts rash Deferred n PnB wahle Tpmp Occupation with Small Pastrvraliinns Minimr Tiiatricts LaIKl Miscellaneous Education Totals. Payment. Kenewable Le se. Right of Purchase. Grazing-runs. ' Huns. 1 lining Districts Occupation Leases, Ac. Endowments. Land District. Regulations. Leases - No. Area. No. j Area. No. Area. ! No. ; Area. No. I Area. i No. [ Area. I No. ! Area. No. ' Area, i No. i Area. j No. ! Area. No. j Area. I ' . , p Acres. I Acres, i Acres. Acres. Acres. Acres. Acres. | Acres. Acres. Acres. Acres. North Auckland .. | 10 206 ! 37 34 I 38 5,160 37 2,718 .. .. .. .. .. .. .. ! .. 43 3,475 60 1,182 225 12,775 Auckland .. ..J 22 358 j 39 49 j 46 6,276 5 1,042 .. .. .. .. 5 2,086 2 25 101 17,780 | 4 17,151 224 44,767 Gisborne .. .. j 8 44 ! 12 3,500 4 3,036 .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 25 4,636 j 5 21 54 11,237 Hawke's Bay .. 3 7 ! 1 .. 4 1,954 1 568 1 3,069 ; 1 5,532 ... j .. .. .. 8 1,043 1 1 20 12,174 Taranaki .. .. 26 2,896 11 198 19 5,526 4 1,408 .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 36 5,803 13 898 109 16,729 Wellington .. .. 34 1,297 ! 70 26 41 10,077 2 490 1 2,185 .. .. .. .. .. .. 47 4.645 9 291 204 19,011 Nelson .. .. 53 265 1 .. 22 20,072 .. .. 4 3,305 .. .. 4 1,264 .. .. 39 7,875 3 1 126 32,782 Marlborough .. .. .. 5 4 13 4,537 .. .. 1 873 1 22,380 .. .. .. .. 13 348 3 1 36 28,143 Westland .. .. 17 29j .. I .... 15 4,003 .. .. .. .. 1 9,500 6 1,044 4 70 44 52,631 3 232 90 67,509 Canterbury .. .. I 5 9 11 i 50 23 2,371 .. .. 1 1,272 .. .. .. .. .. .. 37 4,506 2 77 79 8,285 Otago .. .. 33 70 | .. j .. 30 12,030 5 610 .. 11 63,992 .. .. 10 300 47 2,694 9 94 145 79,790 Southland .. .. 6 358 j 13 j 526 6 1,542 8 1,007 .. .. 3 9,471 .. .. .. .. 34 1,091 8 519 78 14,514 Totals .. 217 5,539 I 188 1 887 1 269 77,048 66 10.879 8 10,704 17 110,875 15 4,394 16 395 474 106,527 120 20,468 1,390 347,716 | I I i I

I Pastoral Deferred Payment. Lease in Perpetuity. Renewable Lease. with Small Grazing- p astora ] Runs. Licenses in 5 Perpetual Miscellaneous Leases Education Totala 1 J Right of Purchase- runs. u ° I Mining Leases. and Licenses. Endowments. Land District. I Districts. Leases No. Area. No. 1 Area. j No. : Area. No. Area. No. Area. No. Area. I No. Area. No. Area. ; No. J Area. No. Area. No. Area. No. ! Area. j I ! ! \ I I I J Acres. Acres. Acres. Acres. Acres. Acres. Acres. ; Acres. 1 Acres. Acres. Acres. Acres. North Auckland.. | 200 i 6,195 439 70,468 677 122,413 950 158,759 .. .. 1 553 .... | 2 71 8 334 457 97,514 705 42,886 3,439 499,193 Auckland .. 1,290 111,948 416 121,266 1,174 235,611 1,065 317,614 16 70,559 2 38,061 174 52,061 168 4,419 .. .. 1,051* 55,883* 237 56,037 5,593 1,063,465 Gisborne .. 34 22,754 97 42,810 248 j 108,314 166 111,381 72 207,511 1 j 186 .. .. 137 23,675 69 39,979 824 556,610 Hawke's Bay .. 93 40,032 415 112,164 497 188,055 184 53,265 23 53,344 13 1 75,333 .. .. .. .. .. .. 120 65,251 179 51,593 1,524 639,037 Taranaki .. 52 4,095 660 177,986 345 100,682 530 237,965 4 3,582 .. .. 1 328 j 294 20,991 577 49,841 2,463 595,470 Wellington .. 385 43,542 1,032 155,767 1,152 183,108 554 214,046 25 23,703 20 131,554 2 476 613 30,573 510 105,531 4,293 888,300 Nelson .. 59 17,170 386 128,421 579 247,166 115 42,651 18 23,225 5 231,479 230 46,433 20 701 1 104 443 120,653 117 7,537 1,973 865,540 Marlborough .. 42 14,294 557 180,743 288 149,134 85 25,696 113 285,653 47 848,115 .. .. 2 200 7 52 246 16,783 42 1,413 1,429 1,522,083 Westland .. 32 3,994 353 42,020 510 69,769 38 7,055 .. .. 60 981,402 296 58,047 126 845 1 50 918 248,241 102 13,780 2,436 1,425,203 Canterbury .. 105 21,770 1,468 252,085 874 360,984 16 2,640 149 474,609 125 2,762,227 .. .. .. .. 63 1,885 879 231,527 230 70,829 3,909 4,178,556 Otago .. .. 60 34,514 1,314 279,995 888 245,527 188 29,028 417 1,529,421 300 3,301,473 .. .. 344 11,942 76 ,4,991 l,369t 193,534+ 440 45,065 5,396 5,675,490 Southland .. 108 11,069 547 93,838 366 73,153 234 40,050 20 64,989 69 1,279,743 .. .. 47 1,312 20 1,793 464 65,392' 792 339,367 2,667 1,970,706 Totals .. 2,460 331,377 7,684 1,657,563 7,598 |2,083, 916 4,125 1,240,150 857 2,736,596 643 9,650,132 700 156,541 709 19,490 179 10,013 6,991 1,170,017 4,000 823,858 35,946 19,879,653 * Includes Thermal Springs District leases. t Includes agricultural leases. Note. —This table includes national endowments and education endowments, but excludes other endowments administered by Land Boards.

35

C.—l

Table 4. —Lands disposed of under the Land for Settlements Acts to the 31st March, 1926.

Table 5. —Endowment Lands administered by Land Boards and leased at 31st March, 1926.

Table 6. —Total Receipts, Arrears, and Postponements of Rent at 31st March, 1926.

Approximate Cost of Paper.—Preparation, not given ; printing (800 copies), £58.

Authority : W. A. G. Skinneb, Government Printer, Wellington.—l 926.

Price /«.]

>, Area of Land un- Total Area purchased for -g let, including Cash and made Freehold Total Lands leased to Date. Rent and Total 'S'go Land forfeited, to Date. other Receipts A *p<ea s surrendered, ~~j r ~— j Payments from Land District. 3-3$ or resumed and o£ j o ! received Inception acquired. g | > not re iet, and fcg I M ! A , during to 31st also Land not ejS Area, j "?®®, .o-g Area. the March, g | yet offered for § £ i | real,zed - 32 .Rental. Year 192g _ Selection. £ ! !zi M Acres. Acres. Acres. Acres. £ Acres. £ £ £ North Auckland 40,996 880 6,735 195 1,794 26,303 279 31,587 13,392 8,034 133,345 Auckland .. 354,21178,103 28,711 676123,925 282,178 900 123,472 33,109 33,285 801,418 Gisborne .. 76,248 390 269 43 6,185 50,471 244; 69,402 24,923 24,257 171,781 Hawke's Bay.. 227,376 2,489 229 104 19,342 120,433 612 205,313 77,918 82,736 530,802 Taranaki .. 28.233 256 3,660 43 1,461 34,479 142 : 22,855 14,118 13,847 166,326 Wellington .. 142,852 1,104 3,132 180 9,707 96,457 987 128,908 94,204 94,659 834,891 Nelson .. 68,190 929 8,267 6 1,635 2,953 67 57,360 5,001 4,413 50,617 Marlborough.. 235,867 2,643 682 39 8,858 34,394 502' 223,684 36,762 36,384 641,003 Westland .. 5,125 81 .. 2 192 116 31i 4,851 537 641 13,341 Canterbury .. 605,709 4,230 3,602 270 17,087 132,5041,883! 580,789 161,806 158,158 2,806,111 Otago .. 296,101 3,160 7,041 57 6,399 32,1261,121 279,501 78,377 73.948 1,288,285 Southland .. 97,200 1,049 942 95 13,133 55,546 354 ! 82,077 18,260 20,564 377,628 Totals .. 2,178,108 95,314 63,270 1,710209,718 867,9607,122 1,809,799 558,407 550,926 7,815,548

National Endowment. Education Endowments Other Endowments. Totals. Land District. g S I fell S3 •g .... Annual -g . Annua] .g , Annual .a , Annual g Area - Rental. 3 Area - Rental. g Area ' J Rental. a Area ' j Rental. ? 5 5 £ I inrpo 4orPS -P A prp<a f A pi'pq f North Auckland 395 79,967 6,817 705 42,886 7,408*13 1,872 41 1,113 124.725 14,266 Auckland .. 575 181,032 6,826 237 56,037 4,534 5 1,678 43 817 238,747 11,403 Gisborne .. 71 156,268 7,264 69 39,979 8,149 1 1 4 141 196,248 15,417 Hawke's Bay .. 53 65,025 4,632 179 51,593 8,734 .. .. .. 232 116,618 13,366 Taranaki .. 165 66,288 4,619 577 49,841 10,567 19 9,724 1,234 761 125,853 16,420 Wellington .. 120 68,897 4,707 510 105,531 25.986 30 19,236 895 660 193,664 31,588 Nelson .. 732 272,557 5,616 117 7,537 736 437 15,725 1,467 1,286 295,819 7,819 Marlborough .. 211 543,358 6,732 42 1,413 574 .. .. .. 253 544,771 7,306 Westland .. 986 348,466 3,881 102 13,780 631 2 130 7 1,090 362,376 4,519 Canterbury .. 1601,633,649 40,913 230 70,829 30,444 170 16,935 1,830 560 1,721,413 73,187 Otago .. 7742,556,392 38,322 440 45,065 5,954 67 176,786 7,632 1,281 2,778,243 51,908 Southland .. 232 768,058 6,856 792 339,367 20,329 17 114,331 2,496 1,041 1,221,756 29,681 Totals .. 4,4746,739,957 137,1854,000 823,858124,046 761 356,418 15,649 9,235 7,920,233 276,880

Orrtinnrv T,nnii ! National Education Other T . . Tnnd District I fYnwn for ! Cheviot Endow- Endow- Endow- Miscel- Total Total ' T ands Settlpmenti Estate. ment ment ment laneous. Receipts. Arrears. Lands. Settlements.' Lands> Lands> Lan(Js> I * ments. £ £ ££££££ £ j £ North Auckland .. 20,336 8,034 .. 7,908 7,388 33 5,737 49,436 16,955 5,546 Auckland .. 78,567 33,285 .. 5,545 3,257 948 4,216 125,818 42,941 1 21,699 Gisborne .. 30,607 24,257 .. 7,448 7,787 4 557 70,660 11,805 : 12,309 Hawke's Bay .. 55,009 82,736 .. 4,948 8,914 .. 1,336 152,943 12,985 36,824 Taranaki .. 29,771 13,847 .. 3,181 10,166 .. 24,237 81,202 10,524 5,845 Wellington .. 55,449 94,659 .. 7,275 28.114 2,829 11,269 199,595 65,428 30,116 Nelson .. .. 9,311 4,413 .. 5,210 735 1,525 741 21,935 5,617 2,158 Marlborough .. 13,056 36,384 .. 6,642 404 .. 315 56,801 2,664 9,109 Westland .. 7,768 641 .. 16,102 1,060 7 617 26,195 1,305 243 Canterbury .. 29,283 158,158 17,242 36,750 30,021 1,899 669 274,022 38,650 i 50,838 Otago .. .. 41,523 73,948 .. 37,689 6,307 7,589 1,922 168,978 8,383 13,478 Southland .. 16,017 20,564 .. 7,000 23,123 2,475 724 69,903 4,891 4,374 Totals .. 386,697 550,926 17,242 145,698 127,276 17,309 52,340 1,297,488 222,148 j 192,539