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

Appendix to the Journals of the House of Representatives, 1930 Session I, C-01

C—l.

1930. 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 :— pace Appendix II: — Review of Past Year .. .. 2 Land for Settlements — PAGE Legislation . . .. .. .. 2 Summary of Settlements established .. .. 21 Lands for Selection.. .. .. .. 3 Extracts from Reports of Commissioners of Grown Lands available for future Disposal .. 5 Crown Lands — Land-development .. .. .. .. 5 North Auckland .. .. .. .. 29 Special Settlement of Inferior Lands .. . . 7 Auckland .. .. .. .. 29 Field Experiments .. .. -. . .. 8 Gisborne .. .. .. . . 29 Forfeitures and Surrenders .. .. .. 8 Hawke's Bay .. .. .. .. 29 Receipts .. .. .. . • .. 8 Taranaki .. .. .. .. 30 Postponements .. .. .. .. 8 Wellington .. .. .. .. 30 Arrears .. .. .. .. .. 8 Nelson .. .. .. .. .. 30 Rebates .. .. .. .. .. 9 Marlborough .. .. .. .. 30 National Endowment .. .. .. 9 Westland .. .. .. .. 30 Educational Endowment .. .. .. 9 Canterbury .. .. .. .. 31 Land-drainage Operations .. . . . . 9 Otago .. .. .. .. .. 31 Lands reserved for various Purposes .. .. 9 Southland .. .. .. .. 31 Expenditure .. .. .. 10 Staff Employment .. .. .. .. 11 Appendix 111 : — Departmental Changes .. . . 11 Land-drainage Operations .. .. 32 Reports on Cognate Subjects .. 11 Appendix IV :— Hutt Valley Settlement .. .. .. 33 Appendix V :— Report of Field Experiments, Moutere Hills . . 34 Appendix I:— Settlement of Crown Lands— Htjtt Valley Lands Settlement Account— North Auckland .. .. .. . . 12 Transactions for Year .. .. .. 37 Auckland . . .. .. 13 Balance-sheet .. .. .. .. 37 Gisborne .. . • • ■ • • 13 Hawke's Bay .. .. .. . . 14 Tables : — Taranaki . . .. .. .. 15 Table 1. —Lands of the Dominion, Position of Wellington .. .. . . 16 (approximately) .. .. 38 Nelson .. . . .. .. 16 ~ 2.—Selections during the Year . . 39 Marlborough .. .. .. .. 17 ~ 3. —All Lands held on Lease . . .. 39 Westland .. . . .. .. 18 ~ 4.—Lands-for-settloment Lands . . 40 Canterbury . . .. .. 18 ~ s.—Endowment Lands leased and adOtago .. .. .. .. 19 ministered by Land Boards .. 40 Southland .. .. .. 20 ~ 6.—Receipts, Arrears, and Postponements 40

Sir, — Department of Lands and Survey, Wellington, Ist July, 1930. I have the honour to submit herewith the annual report on the settlement of Crown lands for the year ended 31st March, 1930, together with a short report on the special settlement of inferior lands and particulars of development-work carried out on unoccupied Crown lands. I have, &c, J. B. Thompson, Under-Secretary. The Hon. E. A. "Ransom, Minister of Lands.

I—C. l.

C.—1

2

BEPO R T.

Review of Past Year. From a purely production point of view the past year has been a satisfactory one for Crown settlers and the farming community generally ; but it is unfortunate that a decline in the values of primary products should have seriously reduced the Dominion's farming income. Weather conditions have on the whole been satisfactory. The rainfall in the late autumn was generally below normal; but June was a fairly wet month, and there was an ample growth of winter feed in most districts. The winter proved a somewhat cold one, with numerous frosts, and there were heavy snowfalls in the mountain ranges in the South Island, snow-raking having to be resorted to on some of the back-country sheepstations. The early spring was dry and cold, while November, December, and January were wet and stormy. The abundant rains ensured a prolific growth of grass ; but the large number of wet days proved adverse to haymaking in most parts of the country, while shearing was delayed in many localities. Dairy cattle did very well; but lambs did not fatten as well as usual on account of the rankness of the pastures. February and March were very dry months, although conditions were generally favourable to all classes of stock, the effects of the dry spell being mitigated to a considerable extent by the cool temperatures experienced, and by the luxuriant growth occasioned by the heavy rains of previous months. Crops ripened well throughout, and the fine weather greatly facilitated harvesting. The dairying industry had another most productive year, although prices fell materially, and the total financial returns for the export season will be below last year's. Dairy herds have, however, increased, and farmers generally are using better methods in the management of their stock and pastures, while the greater use of fertilizers is yearly more evident. The sheep-farmer experienced a somewhat trying year. The slump in wool-values resulted in greatly decreased incomes, and a considerable quantity of wool remained unsold. The demand for the finer wools was especially disappointing. More lambs were slaughtered for export than during the previous year, and although prices were somewhat lower the increased number dealt with maintained the total export value. An increased quantity of mutton was exported. Flocks have increased considerably throughout the Dominion, and this result has been obtained side by side with an increase in dairy and other cattle. Top-dressing is playing a great part in this general increase in flocks and herds. Grain crops were very fair, and in Otago particularly heavy yields were obtained. It is fairly apparent that lower prices for primary products than those obtaining of late years may be expected to continue ; and to maintain and increase our farming income a greater output, coupled with further improvement in methods and, wherever possible, reduced working-costs, must be looked for. The Dominion possesses the great advantages of a congenial climate and a generally productive soil, and there seems little reason to fear that the call for increased production will not be effectively answered. The severe earthquakes experienced in June in Nelson and on the West Coast resulted in considerable damage to farming properties in various localities, and it was necessary for the settlers to evacuate some of the valleys, chiefly on account of the access-roads having been destroyed. The services of officers of the Department were fully availed of in the relief measures that were put in hand in the districts affected. Selections of Crown and settlement lands during the year totalled some 402,900 acres. The tenants on the books of the Department under all tenures numbered at the 31st March 37,061, occupying a total area of over 19,390,000 acres. Over 9,250,000 acres of this total is represented by pastoral runs, while 1,835,000 acres of purchased estates are held under lease under the provisions of the Land for Settlements Act. Over one thousand two hundred sections have been disposed of in the Hutt Valley Settlement, further particulars concerning which will be found in Appendix IV of this report. Legislation. The Land Laws Amendment Act, 1929, is divided into four Parts, and deals, firstly, with the promotion of settlement on undeveloped Crown lands ; secondly, with the settlement of undeveloped settlement lands; thirdly, with miscellaneous amendments to the Land Act, 1924; and, lastly, with miscellaneous amendments to the Land for Settlements Act, 1925. The following is a brief summary of the main provisions and objects of the Act: — A Lands Development Board is constituted, whose functions will be to recommend proposals in connection with the breaking-in and development of Crown and settlement lands, and to deal finally with applications for advances by Crown tenants. There is provision also for the appointment of Advisory Committees to inquire into such matters as may be submitted to them by the Development Board. It is proposed to undertake development work on unoccupied Crown and settlement lands

C—l

3

prior to offering them for selection, and authority is given in the case of Crown lands to offer them at prices lower than actual cost in cases where the future tenants could not profitably occupy the land at prices based on the full cost. Authority is given for the Lands Development Board, on the recommendation of the various Land Boards, to make advances to tenants of undeveloped Crown and settlement lands for the erection of buildings, and for clearing, grassing, fencing, &c. Such advances may be authorized up to 90 per cent, of the estimated value of the improvements, and are to be secured by way of mortgage on the borrower's interest in his holding. All moneys required for the carrying-out of development work, and for the making of advances, are to be paid out of the Land for Settlements Account, into which account will be repaid all moneys received by way of interest and principal in respect of advances made for the development of settlement lands, and also practically all the proceeds derived from developed Crown lands, whether comprising rent, purchase-money, or instalments of principal and interest in respect of advances made. The Minister of Finance is authorized, in addition to the power already conferred upon him by section 44 of the Land for Settlements Act, 1925, for the raising of funds not exceeding £1,000,000 in any year for the purpose of acquiring lands for settlement purposes, to raise sums not exceeding £5,000,000 for the purchase of lands, for developing Crown and settlement lands, and for making advances to tenants of undeveloped Crown and settlement lands. Amongst the miscellaneous provisions of the Act the following may be mentioned : — A provision extending the operation of section 12 of the Land Act, 1924, so as to permit of the disposal of lands comprised in roads or streets which have been closed under former Land Acts. Authority for the Minister, acting on the recommendation of a Land Board, to dispose of land comprised in closed roads abutting on river-banks. An amendment to section 113 of the Land Act, 1924 (dealing with preference at ballots) to enable Land Boards in certain circumstances to give preference in ballots to single men equal to the preference already extended to landless applicants with children dependent on them, landless applicants who have been unsuccessful in two previous ballots, soldiers who served in the war with Germany, and South African war veterans. A provision fixing the rental payable under renewable leases of lands acquired out of the Native Land Settlement Account at 5 per cent, of the capital value. An extension of revaluation provisions to enable land that has been revalued under Part I of the Discharge! Soldiers Settlement Amendment Act, 1923, to be further revalued, if necessary, under section 216 of the Land Act, 1924. The exemption of town and suburban lands sold by the Crown from the restrictions imposed by Part XIII of the Land Act, 1924. Extensions of the existing provisions against the aggregation of private land preventing the wife or husband of any person who is barred by the restriction imposed by section 374 of the Land Act, 1924, from acquiring any land which is subject to such restriction ; and declaring that the wife or husband, as the case may be, of any person deemed to be an aggregator shall be one and the same person for the purposes of sections 381 and 382 of the principal Act. Sections providing that occupiers of Crown and settlement lands under temporary licenses or permits shall be liable for payment or rates, but only on such value as represents the temporary and limited nature of their grazing-rights. Authority for the appointment of a local Land Purchase Board for the North Island, and another such Board for the South Island. Members of the Dominion Land Purchase Board will be ex officio members of the local Boards, the other members of which will comprise two persons to be appointed by the Crown, and the Commissioner of Crown Lands for the district within which the land being dealt with is situated. An alteration in the method of assessing the compensation payable to the owners of estates compulsorily acquired by the Crown for closer settlement providing that in the case of compulsory acquisition both the unimproved value and the improved value of the land shall be fixed by the Compensation Court in the manner provided by the Public Works Act, 1928. Provision for the extension of the term for the purchase of buildings on settlement lands, and for the revaluation of such buildings where necessary. The Reserves and other Lands Disposal Act, 1929, contains seventeen clauses dealing with Crown lands, reserves, &c. Lands for Selection. During the year 402,900 acres were taken up on various tenures, the number of selections being 2,091 under all headings. These figures include some 728 sections, comprising altogether an area of 88,859 acres, taken up under miscellaneous leases and licenses, so that the selections on permanent tenures numbered 1,363 sections, covering a total area of 314,041 acres. The following table gives the selections of Crown lands for the last five years :— Selections under all Tenures. Year ending Number. f^' 31st March, 1926 .. .. .. .. ..1,390 347,716 31st March, 1927 .. .. .. .. .. 1,711 456,590 31st March, 1928 .. .. .. .. .. 1,913 460,590 31st March, 1929 .. .. .. .. .. 1,911 462,563 31st March, 1930 .. .. .. .. .. 2,091 402,900

C.—l

4

The following estates were opened for general application during the year under the Land for Settlements Act: —

There was an exceptionally brisk demand for sections in the Westella Settlement near Feilding, there being altogether 169 applicants, of whom ninety-six were admitted to the ballot. Apart from the workers' home sites in the Owenga Settlement, the demand for sections in the other settlements offered was not so keen. In the case of the Aponga Settlement no suitable applicants were forthcoming, and arrangements have been made to temporarily lease the land at a satisfactory rental pending reoffering. The ballot for the Brinklands Settlement was also unsuccessful, and the land was withdrawn from selection. Certain drainage and fencing are being carried out by the Department, and the settlement will be reoffered for selection upon completion of this work. No specially noteworthy blocks of ordinary Crown lands were offered during the year ; but mention may be made of the offering of nine excellent dairy farms near Levin, being subdivisions of the Weraroa Experimental Farm, and being all flat land of good quality with pastures in excellent condition. The property, which contains about 780 acres, had been used for many years by the Department of Agriculture for experimental and demonstration purposes, but was no longer required by that Department. Special legislation was therefore provided in section 12 of the Reserves and other Lands Disposal Act, 1928, setting the area apart as an endowment for agricultural research, experiment, and instruction, and authorizing the subdivision and leasing of the land and the use of the revenue derived therefrom for the said purposes. It was also provided that portion of the land could be set aside as a public reserve for the purposes of the General Government, in pursuance of which object an area of some 134 acres has been retained for the use of the Education Department. The remainder of the property was subdivided into nine farms ranging from 64 acres to 71 acres, and these were offered for lease under special conditions with right of renewal. The term of lease is for thirty-three years, with a continuous right of renewal, and the rentals fixed ranged from £175 to £210 per annum. The leases were submitted to ballot, and some 1,018 applications were received from 168 individual applicants. It is anticipated that the successful applicants should do very well, as the land is well watered and of excellent quality, the situation is exceptionally good, and the climate of the district is particularly favourable to dairying and high-class farming generally. As stated above, a total area of 402,900 acres was selected under all tenures (permanent and temporary) during the year under review. A considerable number of the permanent selections comprised town and suburban areas taken up for cash or on deferred payments, and it may therefore be interesting to give the figures with respect to permanent selections of rural lands only. The results of the year's work on this basis were as follows : —

Land District. Name of Settlement. Number of Holdings offered for Selection. Area opened for Selection. North Auckland North Auckland Wellington .. Wellington .. Westland Canterbury .. Canterbury .. Canterbury .. Otago Otago Southland . . Sou till and Southland .. Tangowahine Aponga Owenga (Chatham Islands)* Westella Raupo Moanaroa Welburn Brinklands Rockford Murray-field Tamatea Fernhill .. Brydonc 17 6 21 12 4 3 6 3 4 2 7 5 2 Acres. 3,628 3,660 82 833 907 997 567 1,120 1,737 1,076 977 1,495 355 Totals 92 17,434 * Home-sites for vorkeis engaged in the fishing industry at the Chathams.

Class of Land. Number of Rural Sections selected. Total Area selected. Jrown and national-endowment land Settlement land Education reserves, &c. 570 152 43 765 Acres. 244,855 34,441 9,491 288,787 Grand totals

5

C—l

The lands dealt with in the above table comprise both areas offered for the first time, and areas which became available for reoffering through various reasons. The figures for entirely new rural areas selected during the year are as follows :•—

The year 1930-31 promises to be a brisk one from the land-selection point of view. A number of purchased estates will be offered, and arrangements are being made for the opening of large areas of Crown lands at present lying idle in various districts. The demand for certain classes 6i land may be affected to some extent by the fall in the prices of primary products, but already there are signs of an improved demand for the poorer classes of Crown land since the inception of the scheme for advances for development purposes under the provisions of the Land Laws Amendment Act, 1929. The work of making all suitable lands remaining in the hands of the Crown available for disposal is being speeded up a great deal. Survey parties have been increased where required, and road-location and engineering works put in hand where extensive roading is necessary. Crown Lands available for Future Disposal. For many years a return has been published as Table 1 of the annual report showing the approximate position with respect to all lands freeholded, reserved for public purposes, leased by the Crown, and available for future disposal, &c. Some revision of this table has been carried out during the year, with the result that a considerable area of Crown lands previously returned as available for future disposal has now been placed under what on fuller investigation is considered to be, the more correct classification of land unfit for settlement. It is probable that following on the careful investigation that is now being made of all idle Crown lands in connection with the land settlement and development legislation of last year further areas will later be classified as unfit for disposal for settlement purposes. Land-development. The great importance of bringing many areas of Crown lands at present lying idle into a state of productivity is fully recognized, and with this end in view it is intended to utilize the provisions of the Land Laws Amendment Act, 1929, for the development and settlement of such areas in all suitable cases. Before the close of the year under review a great deal of preliminary work was carried out. The necessary regulations and forms of application were prepared and printed, accountancy instructions issued, and other arrangements completed. The personnel of the Lands Development Board established under the Act was completed by the appointment by the Governor-General of Mr. J. R. Franklin, of Wanganui, a gentleman possessing extensive experience both in the farming of ordinary land and the breaking-in of undeveloped areas. The Board now comprises the following : the Minister of Lands (Chairman) ; the Under-Secretary for Lands ; the Permanent Head of the. Department of Agriculture ; the Financial Adviser to the Government, who acts as a member pursuant to the provisions of the Finance Act, 1929 (section 29) ; and Mr. J. R. Franklin. Advisory committees were appointed in December as follows : — North Auckland : The Commissioner of Crown Lands, North Auckland (ex officio) ; Mr. A. Faithfull; and Mr. G. S. B. Morrison. South Auckland No. 1 : The Commissioner of Crown Lands, Auckland (ex officio) ; Mr. H. Poland ; and Mr. W. F. Woodward. South Auckland No. 2 : The Commissioner of Crown. Lands, Auckland (ex officio) ; Mr. H. M. Martin; and Mr. W. J. Parsons. The duties of the advisory committees will be briefly as follows : — (1) To inspect all Crown lands in their districts with a view to determining what particular areas are suitable for settlement, and with respect to such areas to advise— (a) Whether such lands should be partially developed by the Crown prior to offering same for selection ; or (b) whether such lands should be subdivided and roaded by the Crown and. thereafter offered for selection on terms providing that advances be made out of the Land Development Fund to approved settlers to enable them, to effect the necessary improvements. (2) To advise generally as to how development should proceed, and to furnish opinions of minimum and maximum areas of proposed sections into which the block under report might be subdivided. (3) To report generally on any particular matter referred to the committees by the Lands Development Board.

Class of Land. Jrown and national-endowment land Settlement land Education reserves, &c. • Number of New Rural Total Area selected for Sections selected. the First Time. Acres. 206 35,309 68 12,488 13 1,420 Grand totals 287 49,217 287

A—i

6

The North Auckland Committee inspected various blocks throughout the district, and recommended the opening of the land in the usual manner, but did not advise that any special development work be carried out prior to selection. The following areas were inspected, and arrangements made to have them made available for selection :— Block. rea - Acres. Tangowahine Gorge .. .. .. .. .. 612 Taipa .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 900 Pakiri .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 562 Omahuta .. .. .. .. .. .. 3,650 TeKuri .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 9,792 Kaukapakapa .. .. .. .. .. .. 570 Otaika .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 1,306 Waipu .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 2,291 Mangakahia Valley . . .. . . . . .. 570 Totara Kauri-gum Reserve. . .. .. .. .. 3,660 Parapara Kauri-gum Reserve . . .. .. . . 2,000 Wainui .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 1,530 Purua Kauri-gum Reserve .. .. .. .. .. 2,500 Scattered areas .. . . .. .. .. . . 2,375 Total .. .. .. .. .. .. 32,318 The South Auckland Committees carred out an extensive programme of inspections, amongst which may be mentioned the following : —- --(a) Inspection, of a group of unimproved Crown sections in Maungatautari and Wharepapa Survey Districts. In this case it was recommended that some 2,730 acres be developed by the Crown prior to offering for selection, and that a further area of 1,600 acres be resubdivided into smaller areas, and opened for selection in its present state. (b) Inspection of extensive areas of vacant Crown lands and provisional State forest areas lying between Waihi and Whangamata. (c) Inspection of an area of approximately 35,000 acres of unoccupied Crown land along the middle and upper reaches of the Kauaeranga River and its tributaries, Thames district. (d) Inspection of some 18,885 acres of unoccupied Crown lands and education reserves situated north of Lake Rotoma. (c) Inspection of about 2,000 acres of high land situated within the Whangamarino Swamp area near Mercer. In this case the subdivision of the area into 100 acre sections was recommended, together with the provision of road access from the main highway a few miles south of Mercer. The land in question is all easily ploughable, and with the application of manures should become highly productive. In cases (b), (c), and (d) the committees were unable to recommend that the lands inspected be developed by the Crown or opened for selection, though in the case of the Rotoma lands it was recommended that an area of some 400 acres be retained for future consideration in conjunction with some unoccupied Crown land in the locality. Inspections in hand at the end of the year included a considerable area of pumice land to the east and south of the Guthrie Settlement, a number of blocks of Crown land, totalling about 17,0(XJ acres, in the King - country, and large areas of unoccupied Crown land in the Tauranga district. Arrangements will be made to carry out inspections of further areas from time to time. At the close of the year arrangements were in hand for the appointment of a third committee to operate in South Auckland, and also committees for the Gisborne, Hawke's Bay, Taranaki, Wellington, Nelson, Marlborough, Westland, Otago, and Southland Districts. These committees will be engaged in a thorough investigation of the possibilities of increasing settlement throughout the Dominion. The Department was at the 31st March in a position to deal with applications by settlers for advances for development purposes. Settlers taking up unimproved sections will be assisted by means of advances up to £1,250 each, as improvements are effected, and will also have the benefit of the advice and instruction of capable field officers. The benefits of the new system of advances will not be confined entirely to settlers taking up new areas, as Crown tenants in occupation of land coming under the designation of undeveloped are, also eligible to apply for development advances up to £1.250 each. The rate of interest has been fixed at 6 per cent., and no advances will be made for the purchase of stock, operations being confined solely to .advances for development purposes. At the 31st March some thirty-eight applications for advances, totalling £23,335, had been received; but none had been finally dealt with at that date. It is anticipated that the number of applications will increase very considerably as undeveloped sections are taken up from time to time and the benefits of the

7

C. —1

financial facilities now available become more widely known. Already there are indications of an improved demand for the poorer classes of Crown lands since the inception of the scheme for advances. The development has been commenced by the Crown of an area of wattle land at Te Kauwhata, in the Waikato, and also of a block of pumice land about fourteen miles from Rotorua. Experiments in the development of pakihi lands are also being undertaken on a block situated near Westport. All work is being carried out under the supervision of expert officers of the Department of Agriculture. Particulars of the work carried out as at the 31st March are given below. Other blocks are being inspected with a view to development work being carried out on areas suitable for the purpose. With regard generally to undeveloped areas, and particularly those comprising pumice land, it is not proposed that all blocks suitable for settlement shall be either wholly or partially developed by the Crown prior to their being offered for selection. It is intended to throw open a large number of sections to meet the immediate demand, and to give applicants an opportunity of establishing an asset by their own labour. The following summary of operations under Part I of the Land Laws Amendment Act, 1929, is furnished in accordance with the provisions of section 10 of the Act: — («) The several areas of unoccupied Crown lands in respect of which development works have been undertaken, — (1) The Ngakuru Block, of light pumice land, in the Rotorua district,: This block, which is generally covered in dense tea-tree 4 ft. to 5 ft. high, has an area of 2,200 acres, and is known as Section f, Block XV, Horohoro Survey District. It was originally a, primary-education endowment, but was declared Crown land by section 6 of the Reserves and other Lands Disposal Act, 1929, in order that it might be developed for settlement. The block has been tentatively subdivided into ten sections, and it is proposed to sow about 100 acres of each section in permanent grass, plant 5 to 6 acres of shelter-trees, arrange water-supplies where necessary, and fence the sown grass and plantations on each section. At the 31st March some 400 acres had been cleared, 50 acres ploughed, a permanent camp erected, and tracks constructed to open up the whole block. (2) The Te Kauwhata Block, in the Waikato, comprising approximately 1,500 acres, of which the greater portion had been planted in wattle. The wattle is being cleared, after which it is proposed to plough and sow down in grass before opening the land for selection. Up to the end of March a good deal of work had been done in cutting timber and preparing portion of the area for stumping and ploughing, and operations have since been proceeding vigorously. (3) The Easterfield Block, near Westport : This is a small area of pakihi land, on which experiments in development are being undertaken. Burning-off and a certain amount of cultivation were carried out up to the 31 st March, in preparation for sowing down various plots in grass. A great deal of interest is being taken in the work on this area, and settlers have visited the block from various parts of the West Coast. (b) The total cost of development works carried out to the 31st March, 1930 : — £ , s. d. (1) Ngakuru Block .. .. .. ..1,927 8 10 (2) Te Kauwhata Block . . .. .. .. 4,232 12 1 (3) Easterfield Block .. .. .. .. 108 16 8 Total .. .. ~ .. .. £6,268 17 7 (c) and (d) The area or number of developed allotments disposed of, and the prices at which any such lands have been sold, and the rents receivable in respect of lands disposed of by way of lease, or license : No developed allotments had been disposed of at the 31st March last, (c) The total amount advanced to Crown tenants for the development of their sections, the number of advances, and the purposes for which such advances have been made : Some thirty-eight completed applications for assistance, amounting in all to £23,335, had been received by the 31st March ; but no loans had actually been made at that date. Special Settlement of Inferior Lands. The following summary of the lands dealt with during the year is furnished in accordance with the provisions of section 223 (14) of the Land Act, 1924 : — (a) Aggregate area of land set apart: 246 acres. (b) Number of allotments and aggregate area disposed of : 4 allotments, 1,060 acres. The total number of allotments taken up and the area held as at the 31st March, 1930, was 22 allotments, 5,738 acres. The area set apart during the year comprised two additional allotments in the Riverhead Block, near Kaukapakapa.

C—l

8

Field Experiments in Moutere Hills District. Experiments are being carried out by the Cawthron Institute on a Crown settler's property in Pigeon Valley, Moutere Hills, with a view to ascertaining the most practical means of remedying the heavy mortality amongst sheep that is experienced in that locality. A progress report on the experiments so far conducted has been supplied and is published as Appendix V of this report. Forfeitures and Surrenders. In the case of Crown areas held under permanent tenures the following forfeitures and surrenders occurred during the year : — Number. Annual Rental. Forfeitures .. .. ..' ..277 81,823 5,325 Surrenders .. .. .. - .. 158 147,397 7,550 Totals .. .. ..435 229,220 £12,875 The total forfeitures and surrenders represent 1-443 per cent, of the number of settlers holding permanent leases and licenses. The total area of 229,220 acres involved appears large, but it includes approximately 115,000 acres of pastoral-run country. Forfeitures and surrenders of miscellaneous and temporary leases numbered 435, covering a total area of 82,878 acres. Receipts. The receipts for the year from all sources (excluding, of course, Discharged Soldiers Settlement Account receipts) total £1,275,106, a decrease of £15,750 on last year's figures. The sum of £359,906 was derived from ordinary Crown lands, £600,354 from lands held under the Land for Settlements Act (including Hutt Valley Settlement and Cheviot Estate), £141,606 from the national endowment, and £130,922 from the education endowment. Cash received on the conversion of leaseholds to freehold tenures has shown a decrease of approximately £3,000, although the actual number of purchasers shows a small increase. The following table gives the relation of this freehold revenue to total receipts during the, past five years : —

Postponements. Postponements of payment of rent were granted to 162 tenants dv ing the year, involving the sum of £20,559. At the 31st March £119,093 remained postponed on account of 886 tenants, as against £125,406 on account of 919 tenants at the 31st March, 1929. Arrears. Rents in arrear at the 31st March amounted to £88,582, a decrease of £67,627 on last year's figures. The following shows the position in regard to arrears of rent for the past five years : — £ Year ended 31st March, 1926 .. .. .. .. 222,148 1927 227,191 1928 .. .. .. .. 197,919 1929 156,209 1930 88,582

Conversions Amount „, . , to yielded j, . Freehold. therefrom. '" Total. Receipts. £ £ r ear ending 31st March, 1926 .. .. .. 305 107,148 1,297, < 1927 .. .. .. 304 76,570 1,245,; 1928 261 69,276 1,271,! 1929 .. .. .. 317 111,119 l,290,f 1930 .. .. .. 323 107,550 1,275,: £ 1,297,488 1,245,338 1,271,821 1,290,856 1,275,106 Of the 323 conversions to freehold during the year, 258 were in the North Island districts.

9

C—l

Rebates. For prompt payment of rent 18,770 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 £58,517. National Endowment. Of the area in the national endowment 6,630,806 acres were held under lease or license at the 31st March by 4,477 tenants, paying an annual rental of £139,404, while a very large area (partly, however, covered by existing leases) had been set aside as provisional State forests. For further particulars re the national endowment see parliamentary paper C.-14. Educational Endowment. An area of approximately 815,600 acres of educational endowments under the administration of the various Land Boards is leased to some 4,061 tenants, who pay a total annual rental of £133,304. Lessees of rural education reserves continue to take advantage of the provisions of section 26 of the Education Reserves Act, 1928 (formerly section 3 of the Education Reserves Amendment Act, 1927), enabling them to apply for permission to surrender their existing leases, and to receive in exchange new leases for a term of twenty-one years with a perpetual right of renewal for further terms, and with full compensation for improvements. A considerable number of such applications, the majority being from the, Southland District, were received and approved during the year. Land-drainage Operations. During the year ended 31st March last some 1,536,545 cubic yards of spoil were excavated by floating and dry-land excavators. In addition, 29,688 yards of rock were dealt with. Further particulars of the various activities of this branch of the Department are given in Appendix 111. Lands reserved for various Purposes. Under the provisions of section 360 of the Land Act, 1924, and section 71 of the Land for Settlements Act, 1925, various areas of Crown and settlement land were permanently reserved during the year. The reservations made totalled ninety-one, covering an area of 1,040 acres. A summary of work carried out under this heading is given below. Purpose of Reserve. p Number of Area. r Keservations made. A. li. p. Acclimatization .. .. .. .. .. 1 18 3 0 Additions to school-sites ... .. .. ..3 3 3 7-26 Camping .. .. .. .. ..4 43 36-4 Cemetery .. .. .'. .. .'.' 2 0 2 2-3 Government purposes .. .. .. ..1 014 Gravel and quarry .. .. .. . . 4 32 1 20-9 Hot springs .. .. .. .. ..2 10 1 11 Municipal .. . . .. ' .. .. 1 0 0 4-7 Plantation .. .. .. .. ..9 130 0 21 Police-station site .. .. .. 1 3 0 21 Public-hall site .. .. .. .. .. 1 0 10 Railway .. .. .. .. .. ..1 3 3 33-1 Recreation .. .. .. .. ..38 666 0 31-97 River protection .. . . .. .. 2 72 132 Roadmen's cottage sites .. .. .. ..2 828 School-sites .. .. .. .. ..11 24 1 5-8 Travelling stock . . .. .8 60 1 3 Totals .. .. .. ..91 1,040 1 2-43 The above, does not include areas that have been vested in the Crown as public reserves in town subdivisions pursuant to the provisions of section 16 of the Land Act, 1924,

2—C. 1.

C—l

10

Expenditure. Summary of Expenditure approved during the Year ended 31st March, 1930.

Name of Vote or Account. NetAmount voted. Gross Expenditure. Recoveries. Net Expenditure. £ Vote, Lands and Survey (Subdivision I) .. .. .. 161,636 Vote, Lands and Survey (Subdivision II) .. .. .. 38,359 £ 161,636 38,359 £ s. d. 274,130 14 10 33,318 19 6 £ s. d. 114,631 1 3 £ s. d. 159,499 13 7 33,318 19 6 Total, Lands and Survey .. .. .. ... 199,995 Vote, Scenery Preservation .. .. .. .. .. 4,753 Vote, Land for Settlement: Expenses .. .. .. .. 20,925 Vote, Discharged Soldiers Settlement Account : Expenses of Manage- 40,000 ment 199,995 4,753 20,925 40,000 307,449 14 4 2,407 9 1 8,398 12 9 39,900 0 0 114,631 1 3 16 0 5 49 10 10 192,818 13 1 2,391 8 8 8,349 1 11 39,900 0 0 Totals .. .. .. .. .. .. 265,673 265,673 358,155 16 2 114,696 12 6 243,459 3 8 Other Accounts. Cheviot Estate Account Deteriorated Lands Account Discharged Soldiers Settlement Account Hauraki Plains Settlement Account, — Hauraki Plains Act, 1926 —■ Section 10(1) (c) Section 10 (1) (e) Section 10(1) (/) Hunter Soldiers' Assistance Trust Account Hutt Valley Land Settlement Account —Section 11 (2) (a) .. Kauri-gum Industry Account —Kauri-gum Industry Amendment Act, 1914, section 4 Land for Settlements Account — Expenses incidental to estates Acquirement of estates Administration expenses of estates Expenditure under section 20, Land Laws Amendment Act, 1927 Expenditure under section 83 (3), Land Act, 1924 Interest under section 208 (8), Land Act, 1924 Expenditure under section 105, Land for Settlements Act, 1925 Expenditure under section 17 (2), Land Laws Amendment Act, 1927 Expenditure under section 13, Land Laws Amendment Act, 1926 Te Wera Farm Account: Expenditure Expenditure under section 7, Reserves and other Lands Disposal Act, 1927.. Expenditure under section 4 (8), Land for Settlements Amendment Act, 1927 Expenditure under section 16, Reserves and other Lands Disposal Act, 1926 Expenditure under section 6, Land Laws Amendment Act, 1929 Expenditure under section 9, Land Laws Amendment Act, 1929 National Endowment Account —Expenditure under section 295 (2), Land Act, 1924 National Endowment Trust Account— Expenditure under Section 49, Land for Settlements Act, 1925 Expenditure under Section 20, Land Laws Amendment Act, 1927 Native Land Settlement Account — Expenditure under section 417 (ft), Native Land Act, 1909 Expenditure under section 417 (e) : Roads, bridges, &c. Expenditure under section 417 (/): Improving, &c. Expenditure under section 21, Land Act, 1924 Expenditure under section 20, Land Laws Amendment Act, 1927 .. Rangitaiki Land Drainage Account — Expenditure under section 7, Rangitaiki Land Drainage Act, 1910 Appropriation Act, 1924, section 14 (2) (ft) and Finance Act, 1927 (No. 2), section 11 Swamp Land Drainage Account — Kaitaia Waihi Poukawa Hikurangi General .. .. .. .. General Purposes Account — Ellesmere Lands Drainage Act, 1905, section 6 (1) Refunds of revenue, Deposit Account expenditure, expenditure under Special Acts of the Legislature, &c. 678 15 6 2,431 3 2 806,221 12 8 44,761 19 0 3,522 6 2 453 16 5 36 1 0 53,910 0 (I 2,177 18 10 44,277 5 3 439,003 6 10 11,627 17 0 1,820 0 0 67 10 4 329 0 0 618 4 8 25 0 0 50,000 0 0 5,638 14 6 2 11 6 5,000 0 0 131 (i 0 4,891 19 9 56 6 3 6,149 7 10 23,481 10 4 41 18 10 37 15 6 984 4 1 2,350 19 0 565 0 0 29 11 11 678 15 6 2,431 3 2 806,221 12 8 21,280 8 8 3,522 6 2 411 17 7 36 1 0 53,910 0 0 2,140 3 4 43,293 1 2 436,652 7 10 11,627 17 0 1,255 0 0 67 10 4 329 0 0 618 4 8 25 0 0 50,000 0 0 5,638 14 6 2 11 6 5,000 0 0 131 6 0 4,862 7 10 56 6 3 6,149 7 10 1,272 15 9 100 0 0 1,272 15 9 100 0 0 8,549 10 1 69,889 9 8 786 10 6 3,227 13 6 170 0 0 476 14 7 1,228 0 11 2 7 5 8,072 15 6 68,661 18 9 784 3 1 3,227 13 6 170 0 0 12,798 14 3 514 6 7 721 0 10 12,077 13 5 514 6 7 16,011 19 1 5,272 4 4 3,093 7 11 29,106 II 10 1,134 14 8 627 9 10 187 0 9 4 5 11 1,515 2 3 107 0 11 15,384 9 3 5,085 3 7 3,089 2 0 27,591 9 7 1,027 13 9 439 5 0 34,159 7 3 439 5 0 34,159 7 3 Totals 1,670,358 13 1 32,360 3 1 1,881,457 13 8 Grand totals 2.028,514 9 3 147,056 15 7 1,881,457 13 8

C—l.

Staff Employment. At the Ist April, 1929, the staff of the Department numbered 629 permanent and 86 temporary officers. Some 19 new appointments to the permanent staff were made during the year, and 10 officers were transferred from other Departments. On the other hand, 14 officers resigned, 3 retired, and 7 were transferred to other Departments, while 6 deaths occurred during the year amongst members of the staff. At the 31st March, 1930, the staff numbered 628 permanent and 93 temporary officers. Departmental Changes. The retirements during the year were those of Mr. R. S. Galbraith, Commissioner of Crown Lands and Chief Surveyor, Dunedin ; Mr. W. T. Morpeth, Commissioner of Crown Lands and Chief Surveyor, Hokitika ; and Mr. J. G. Carpenter, Clerk, North Auckland. Messrs. Galbraith and Morpet h had served the Department faithfully and well in various capacities for over forty-six and forty-four years respectively. The Department regrets to record the deaths during the year of the following officers : Messrs. W. E. Allen, Draughtsman, New Plymouth ; F. Bates, Draughtsman, Auckland ; C. A. Thomas, Draughtsman, Auckland ; W. H. B. Brookes, Clerk, North Auckland ; L. L. Smith, Clerk, New Plymouth ; and J. Sainsbury, Survey Cadet, Auckland. Transfers to other Departments included those of Messrs. J. H. Watson and P. Barry to the Native Department.

Senior Appointments and Promotions.

Messrs. H. M. Smith, A. M. Linton, and D. L. Leach passed the Surveyors' Examination during the year, and were appointed as surveyors on the Ist November, 1929. Reports on Cognate Subjects. As in former years, separate reports are required to be laid before Parliament in connection with many of the operations carried out by the Department. They comprise : — 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.-B. 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 summary 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 o.—ll. Kauri-gum Industry. —The annual report under the Kauri-gum Industry Amendment Act, 1914, is given in parliamentary paper C.-12. National Endowments. —The annual report required by section 302 of the Land Act, 1924, appears in parliamentary paper 0.-14.

11

Officer appointed. Previous Position. Position to which appointed. Date. H. E. Walshe .., N. C. Kensington Chief Draughtsman, Head Office Commissioner of Crown Lands and Chief Surveyor, Invercargill Surveyor, Wellington Surveyor-General Commissioner of Crown Lands and Chief Surveyor, Dunedin Chief Draughtsman and Land Transfer Draughtsman, Blenheim Chief Draughtsman, Head Office Chief Draughtsman, Christchurch 1/4/29 1/9/29 G. I. Martin 26/9/29 A. J. Wicks C. G. S. Ellis .. Chief Draughtsman, Christchurch Land Transfer Draughtsman, New Plymouth Draughtsman and Computer, Invercargill Chief Clerk and Receiver of Land Revenue, Dunedin Senior Clerk, Auckland 2/10/29 1/10/29 C. K. Robinson.. Land Transfer Draughtsman, New Plymouth Commissioner of Crown Lands, Invercargill Chief Clerk and Receiver of Land Revenue, Nelson Chief Clerk and Receiver of Land Revenue, Dunedin 11/10/29 J. Macdonald 12/12/29 H. C. Hulme .. 22/1/30 T. Pound Chief Clerk and Receiver of Land Revenue, Invercargill 10/3/30

C—l

12

APPENDICES. APPENDIX L-SETTLEMENT OF CROWN LANDS. EXTRACTS FROM THE REPORTS OF THE COMMISSIONERS OF CROWN LANDS. NORTH AUCKLAND. (0. N. Campbell, Commissioner of Crown Lands.) The weather conditions during the past season have been very satisfactory for the farming community. Throughout the year periodical rains have fallen, with the result that there has been a luxuriant growth of grass : and this, together with the mild winter experienced, has enabled the dairy-farmer to get a good production from his herd from the start of the season. Paspalum has again demonstrated its great value, the largest returns of butterfat being obtained from farms having a preponderance of this grass. When sown in conjunction with rye-grass and white clover it makes a splendid summer grass for the drier soils of the North. Many crops of hay were spoilt in the early part of the season on account of the weather, and the making of ensilage had to be resorted to. It is anticipated that much more ensilage will be made in this district in future. Top-dressing is recognized as essential on all farms, and a big increase is noticed annually in the expenditure for manures. Dairying Industry. —Butterfat returns have everywhere considerably increased, but on account of the low prices received it is doubtful whether the farmer will reach last year's income. Further areas of land are gradually being brought into profitable occupation. This, together with liberal top-dressing of old pastures and systematic culling and testing of the herds, is the only method whereby the settler can profitably farm his holding. Cattle. —Right through the season values of heavy beef-cattle have been firm, and good prices have been realized. For guaranteed lots of dairy cows high prices have been obtained. Considerable increase is shown in the killings of beef at the local works. Sheep and Wool. —Both have experienced a considerable drop in prices. Wool-values have been exceptionally low in comparison with last season. The condition of the flocks has been improved by the importation of heavy Romney rams. Fat lambs for the Home market brought good prices, but, unfortunately, owing to the excessive wet weather in the early part of the season, few of this class were available for export. Pigs. —Pigs this season were in keen demand, and brought good prices. This was principally due to the high prices obtained for good heifer and steer calves, the rearing of which resulted in a decrease in the number of pigs. Fruit. —The fruit-farmer has not had a very encouraging year, owing to unseasonable weather. Cropping. —The wet weather has been against cropping generally, and on the gum lands most of the special forage crops have not been successful. Fortunately, the abundant supply of grass made up for this deficiency. Lands offered and selected. —During the year an area of 20,271 acres was offered for sale or selection on permanent tenures, an increase of 544 acres over the previous year's offering. The demand for land continued to be keen, as is evidenced by the fact that the area selected, 37,846 acres, taken up by 250 selectors, eclipsed the exceptionally high total of the preceding year, when 27,852 acres were disposed of to 248 applicants. The land offered comprised mainly unimproved rural holdings. Land improved or partly improved was also sought after, and in most cases was readily disposed of. Another group of sections in the Orakei Garden Suburb was offered .by public auction, and the response was good, as at previous sales. Several sections were disposed of at prices above the upsets, and the inquiries made subsequent to the sale revealed that public interest was being well maintained. Freeholds. —The extent to which tenants are availing themselves of the right to acquire the fee-simple of lands held under lease from the Crown indicates that the provisions enabling them to do so are greatly appreciated. During the year freehold titles over 7,401 acres were given to ninety-one purchasers, as against last year's totals of seventy-six purchasers of 6,064 acres. Roads. —To-day the provision of all-weather roads is a very necessary preliminary to landsettlement, and I am pleased to state that the mileage of metalled roads in this district is rapidly increasing. Further, the construction of the main highways between Auckland and Kaitaia is now well in hand, and it is anticipated that after this coming winter through traffic will be possible all the year round. This will be much appreciated by our northern settlers, and. will be a considerable help in settling the waste lands in the district. • Gum Lands. —Experiments are still being carried out by the officers of the Department of Agriculture. As a result of the legislation passed last session enabling advances to be made to Crown settlers, it is anticipated that large areas of gum lands thrown open for application will be profitably settled. This can only be accomplished by scientific and systematic farming, and settlers will have the advice of the expert officers of the Agriculture and this Department in this direction.

13

C—l

General. —There has been a marked advance in this district in production during the last season. More laud has been taken up, and where the land is attractive this demand still continues. Noticeable improvements have been made in bringing in undeveloped lands, and in renewing old pastures by continuous top-dressings. More systematic culling and testing of herds, as well as more scientific methods of farming, have been adopted. The prospects for next season appear to be good. The legislation enacted last session enabling advances to be made to Crown tenants will tend to increase the selection of our unimproved lands, and will help to settle the right type of man, whose financial position previously precluded him from taking up undeveloped land. AUCKLAND. (K. M. Graham, Commissioner of Crown Lands.) The climatic conditions during the season have been satisfactory on the whole for all classes of farming. A good deal of rain fell during the months of July and August, but this was followed by a dry spell which did much towards improving the quality of the pastures for both dairying and sheepfarming. With an abundance of feed over from the previous year, all stock wintered well. Good rains were experienced from October onwards throughout the summer, with warm humid conditions prevailing, and this resulted in an extraordinary flush of feed, and another record increase in the butterfat-production in all parts of the district. The effect has been to largely compensate the farming community for the disappointing marketconditions, and the continued downward tendency in the prices of all farm-products. Although it is impossible to forecast the trend of values in the immediate future, it is anticipated that the end of the production year, so far as dairying is concerned, will yet disclose a favourable balance. Sheep-farming and Grazing. —Further progress is to be recorded in the management and clearing-up of hill country in many parts of the district, and top-dressing is doing much to increase the carryingcapacity of this class of land. The fall in wool-values has seriously affected the returns of the sheepfarmer, to the extent of making the year an unprofitable one ; but, with improvement in pastures, greater carrying-capacity, and a stimulated demand for wool, something better can be looked for next season. Dairy-farming. —The weather-conditions above mentioned have been very favourable for dairying, and though the wet weather caused the loss of a good deal of grass during the haymaking period, and a number of newly made haystacks were destroyed by fire, due to damp stacking and subsequent spontaneous combustion, the majority of dairy-farmers took advantage of the great flush of feed by converting it into ensilage. This is becoming the universal practice in many parts of this district, where its importance as part of the farm-work is now fully recognized. The cutting of the surplus grass for this purpose not only avoids waste and enables the settler to get the fullest possible return for money spent on top-dressing, but it has the direct effect of keeping the pastures in a fresh and green condition throughout the season. The grass can be cut when ready, irrespective of weatherconditions, and the ensilage, as supplementary feed during the winter, provides all that is necessary to keep the dairy cow in first-class condition. All factory returns, both for butter and cheese, show an increase in production over the record season of last year, but, whilst the basis of payment by the various companies left nothing to be desired during the first few months, this has, at the time of writing this report, been considerably reduced owing to the unexpected fall in the market prices. Unless an improvement takes place, it is possible that the small farmer and struggling settler will receive little or none of the usual bonus payment which he depends upon to help him over the slack period of the year. Special Settlement of Inferior Lands. —No new areas have been opened for selection during the past year. One additional area of 504 acres has been selected, giving a total of ten selectors under this heading on the books at present, holding an area of 4,070 acres. Land opened for Selection. —The total area opened for selection during the year amounted to 33,855 acres, while a total area of 48,989 acres was actually selected on permanent tenures by 266 selectors, this representing an increase over the previous year of sixty-seven selectors and 5,871 acres of land. In this district the Crown has commenced the development of two extensive areas of Crown land at Te Kauwhata and Guthrie, with a view, after they have been grassed and improved, of subdividing and opening them for selection. GISBORNE. (E. H. Fabnie, Commissioner of Crown Lands.) As has been mentioned on previous occasions, conditions vary slightly in the different parts of this district, and f have followed the established custom of reporting separately on the different, areas. Poverty Bay District. —Dairying : The season commenced well, and suppliers were optimistic when payments were on the, high side, commencing at Is. 4d. per pound until after November. Throughout tho season there has been plenty of rain, and this has brought about an abundant growth, .the best yet experienced in Poverty Bay : bill, there was not the same sustenance as in the case of normal times. A spell of fine months was required to provide the proper nutritive qualities conducive to high production. This came at the end of February, and the seasonal decline in the butterfatproduction was stemmed. Even witfi payments down to Is. per pound for March the total of the

C.—l

14

individual cheques should be larger than they were for March, 1929. Last year the advance payment for March was at the rate of Is. 3d. per pound, but the increase in manufacture for March this year was greater by 37 per cent. Thus, it would take a payment of considerably less than Is. to bring suppliers' cheques for March below the totals for the corresponding month last year. The comparison between autumn production of last year and this year shows an increase of 25 per cent., but, taken over the whole season, the increased production will be about 10 per cent. Stock : Stock generally are in better condition than in previous years. Sheep : Prices as compared with last season, including fats, show a decrease of approximately 3s. Bd., per head. Cattle : Fat-stock prices for the summer months were good —up to 375. 6d. per hundred being offered. Prices then receded to 315., and at the present time there is no price offering for beef. The difference in store values as compared with last season on grown cattle is approximately 30s. down, and 255. lower on young cattle. The outlook as far as feed is concerned for the winter is excellent, and sheep and lambs are continuing to improve in condition. Cattle generally are in good order, and there is plenty of rough feed. Wool: The price of wool sold at Napier sales this year showed a marked decrease as compared with last season. The average price worked out at 9-76 d. per pound, as against 14-82 d. per pound last year. Crops : The maize crops so far are very promising, and there appears every prospect that the return, taken generally, will be one of the best for many years. Wairoa District. —This district had good rains throughout the season, with consequent abundance of feed. East Coast District —Dairying : The settlers on the coast have also experienced a particularly good season as far as production is concerned. Bay of Plenty. —The season in the Bay of Plenty district, so far as climatic conditions are concerned, was good, and stock wintered well. The lambing percentage was well up to the average, but, owing to the wet weather experienced during the late spring and throughout the summer, lambs have not done as well as usual. The wet weather also prevented sheep-farmers from shearing early, with the result that they missed the early sales at which the prices realized were better than at later sales. Lands opened for Selection. —Altogether a total area of 6,359 acres was offered for sale or selection under the ordinary provisions of the Land Act, 1924, and the Education Reserves Act, 1928, comprising for the main part hilly sheep country, partly cleared and grassed, and partly bush. Judging by the number of applications received, the apparent lack of demand for land in this district still continues, partly on account of the quality of land offered and partly owing to the very unsettled conditions in the. wool markets. HAWKE'S BAY. (J. D. Thomson, Commissioner of Crown Lands.) So far as climatic conditions affect all branches of our great primary industry, the past season must be regarded as having been distinctly favourable. Given a good autumn growth of feed, all stock were in prime condition to endure the hardship of the winter, while the orchardist and agricultural farmers were given the most favourable weather conditions for their field work. An absence of seasonable rains in the early spring followed by a spell of cold wet weather —while not distressing the orchardist, and but slightly affecting the dairy-farmer—produced a flush of feed that seriously affected the sheep-farmer, resulting in heavy losses in hoggets. It was also a disturbing factor in the fattening of lambs for the freezing-works, the total number of lambs slaughtered at the works to the end of December being 71,000 less than for the same period last season. Orchards. —Favoured with heavy crops, reasonable prices, and a wonderful stretch of fine weather for the harvesting of fruit, no severe late frosts, and a total absence of the disastrous hailstorms which have at times in the past destroyed the prospects for the season, the orchardists have every reason to anticipate a highly satisfactory return for their arduous labours. The estimated output of apples and pears for the season is 250,000 cases —an increase of nearly 100,000 over the former season — which, at a moderate rate, means a net return of £50,000 to the orchardists. When the high-producing power of the rich lands of the Hcretaunga Plains and other favoured portions of Hawke's Bay — averaging 600 bushels per acre over the whole district —is more fully recognized, it may confidently be predicted that this district will become the largest fruitgrowing centre in New Zealand. The industry to-day is well and thoroughly organized, and cultivation, spraying, and all branches of orchard-work are carried out on good, modern, up-to-date lines. Dairying. —The season on the whole was very satisfactory. The dairy herds came through the winter in good condition for the exhaustive milking-period, and a flush of feed was maintained practically throughout the season, while the prices for butterfat to the 31st December were good. The subsequent drop in prices was more than counter-balanced by the excess of butterfat over former seasons. In order to reach higher returns over the whole district, several essentials to attain this most desirable end must be attended to, such as closer subdivisions, the planting of extensive shellerbelts, storing of surplus feed by means of silos, severe culling, and herd-testing. The past season has been noteworthy for the marked increase in an improved water-supply on a large number of the

o.—l

15

dairy farms. The benefits derived therefrom have been abundantly manifest, even during a reasonably wet season. A valuable adjunct to the revenue for the year—too frequently neglected by the dairy-farmer—is the breeding and rearing of pigs. Sheep. —Lambing percentages throughout this district were above normal ; but, owing to the vagaries of the season, it was impossible to get the usual number of " fats " to the freezing-works. This factor, combined with a reduction in price, has, naturally, seriously affected this source of revenue. A much more serious setback has been experienced in the price of wool, and it is doubtful if the, average for the district will equal 9d. per pound—a drop of sd. per pound on the previous season's price. The selling-price of all classes of sheep has been steadily declining since January, and by the end of March had reached a figure much below normal. Good prices for fat or store cattle have been the one great standby for the settler. Very substantial improvements have been effected by the settlers on the Waimarama Block, considering that they have barely been a year in possession. One settler sent 900 lambs to the freezing-works, and the others have done, proportionately, equally well. The future of these settlers is practically assured. TARANAKI. (W. D. Armit, Commissioner of Crown Lands.) The past year has been most satisfactory from a production standpoint, but to a number of farmers in this district the ruling prices for primary products constitutes a serious setback over the period under review. Climatic conditions have been good generally. Heavy rainfalls during December and January maintained a good grass-growth, although harvesting operations were delayed, and a number of hay crops spoilt through inability to stack. An increased number of farmers saved ensilage partly on account of the weather conditions, and also from a more general appreciation of this class of fodder. A dry spell of weather early in March enabled a considerable quantity of late hay to be saved, and satisfactory winter provision has been made. Artificial manuring continues to increase throughout the district, and it is becoming more evident that dairy-farmers, in particular, consider the application of fertilizers to be a condition of successful farming. Production has been extremely good, and has assisted the dairy-farmer to a marked degree through a difficult season. The sheep-farmer has, of course, suffered from the general slump in wool-values, and a fairly large quantity of wool has been stored in the hope of improved prices later on. The, average price of Taranaki back-country crossbred wool decreased about 50 per cent, on last season's returns, buyers offering in the vicinity of 7d. per pound. Prices paid for breeding-ewes last year were not justified on the season's prospects, and were hard to reconcile with the trade forecasts. The drop in sheepvalues has accordingly been a further serious setback to a number of back-country farmers, and security values have been diminished all. round. The farmer who purchased and farmed old ewes last season has experienced a very meagre return, if not an actual loss. Hoggets did not do very well this season, and some very heavy losses are reported. Cattle, both beef and store, maintained high prices until recent months, when values diminished. A better beef-export price has been evident this season. The rearing of run heifers has continued to be a very payable proposition, good quality in calf two-year-olds returning from £8 to £10. Ragwort has been particularly evident this year throughout portions of the district, due, to a certain extent, to the humid conditions ruling after the commencement of 1930. This weed threatens considerable areas of Taranaki pastures. On Crown lands every effort is made to induce sheep-graziers to use the land for a nominal rental in an endeavour to keep the weed under control. Where ragwort flourishes in fern and scrub country of no grazing-value the problem becomes acute. The only effective remedy is close settlement, and the Land Laws Amendment Act of 1929, empowering financial assistance on undeveloped lands, will, I feel sure, bring about a gradual improvement in this direction. The use of parasitic moths or sprays, although of great assistance on developed farms, has not yet presented a solution of the difficulty of ragwort-control on rough areas of undeveloped land where the weed mostly flourishes. Effective settlement is the, main objective, and this can only be encouraged by the most liberal treatment to genuine selectors who are prepared to assist by putting their energy into the task of breaking-in or reconditioning the, land. Deteriorated Lands Act Operations. —The bulk of cases under this Act have been finally dealt with, and satisfactory reports continue to be received as to the work carried out by Crown tenants to earn the remission of rental payments granted. Road access in the back country is also improving, and thereby diminishing cartage charges on fertilizers. Demonstration Farm, Whangamomona. —Satisfactory progress continues to be maintained on this property. An additional area of 15 acres has been scrubbed and resown. Further subdivisional fencing has been erected, and 10 tons of manure applied to existing pastures. The farm is now self-supporting, and should yield good returns on capital outlay in the future. Coal-prospecting Licenses and Leases on Crown Land. —An event of importance to the district this year was the official opening of Egmont Collieries. Five prospecting licenses for coal, two coalmining leases, and one mineral-oil-prospecting warrant were dealt with during the year. All of these applications but one were, approved, and the leases or licenses issued, the exception being one coalprospecting license.

C—l

16

WELLINGTON. (H. W. C. Mackintosh, Commissioner of Crown Lands.) In the northern and most difficult farming portion of the district farmers have generally had a poor year, owing to the fall in prices for wool, mutton, lamb, butter, &c. The winter was a fairly mild one, the weather being good into the middle of spring, when it broke, and a very wet period followed, lasting into the new year. It was accordingly impossible in many localities to get in rape, &c, while shearing was held up in a number of cases until the beginning of 1930. The farmer depending on fat lambs did not do very well. He paid high prices for ewes, the lambs did not fatten on account of the wet season, and he did not obtain the usual prices. Wool-growers obtained only about one-third of the cheques they had received for wool for several years past; crops were fair, wheat and oats turning out well, although some growers experienced, a difficulty in harvesting as a considerable area was down. Hay was very hard to save, and farmers in many instances had no option but to make their crops into ensilage. In the early period of the dairying season it seemed as if a record season would be experienced, but a dry spell ensued, and with the low price of butterfat the dairy-farmer will barely do as well as last season. In the southern portion of the district, particularly in the Wairarapa, bountiful autumn rains produced an unusual flush of green feed. Unfortunately, a very late spring growth occurred, with dry conditions in October and November, and the variations of climate had a noticeable effect on production. In the Wanganui and Rangitikei districts the winter was fairly mild, and cows came in in good, condition. The continued wet weather produced an abundant growth of grass, and if prices for butterfat had held up the dairying season would have been a record one. As it is, dairy-farmers, in spite of increased yields, will come out about the same as last year. Herd testing and culling are becoming increasingly popular, and marked improvement is noticed in many herds. Top-dressing is being carried out extensively, and the increasing use of fertilizer is changing the colour of the countryside. As in the northern portion of the district, hay was hard to save, and many farmers were forced by the wet weather to turn their crops into ensilage. Wool-growers, like the pastoralists of the North, had not a good year, and will have to finance very carefully to make ends meet. Not only was the price of wool much below the price ruling in late years, but prices for fat stock averaged about 4s. per head below last season. There is still a keen demand for land, both pastoral and dairying, and any areas of worth are readily selected. NELSON. (A. F. Waters, Commissioner of Crown Lands.) The farmers in the Nelson District have, experienced rather a disappointing season, owing to unfavourable, weather conditions and falling prices for wool and dairy-produce. The winter was mild with much, rain, followed by a dry spring. The usual rains were unduly delayed, and wet weather then continued till the end of January. A long spell of dry weather extended into late autumn, and there is a likelihood of a shortage of feed during the coming winter. Earthquake. —An earthquake of exceptional severity occurred on tho 17th June, followed by lesser shocks at irregular intervals. The area of maximum intensity was fortunately in a sparsely inhabited locality, but the Counties of Murchison and Buller suffered severe damage to roads and farm property, and the rest of the district in a lesser degree. Land-slides on an unprecedented scale occurred, in some cases covering hundreds of acres. Fourteen persons lost their lives as a direct result of the earthquake, the majority being caught by land-slides. A fund was subscribed by the people of New Zealand for the relief of settlers affected by the earthquake. This money was allocated by relief committees appointed for the purpose, the services of this Department being employed in reporting on the various applications. Communications. —The earthquake caused extensive slips on. the Main Buller Road between Murchison and Inangahua Junction, and on the Westport-Karamea Road between the Mokihinui River and Te Namu. Several hundred men were put on to restore the roads, but it will take considerably over a year's work before these roads are reopened. To restore communication between Nelson and the West Coast a temporary main highway was opened through the Upper Maruia Valley to Reefton. Dairying. —Owing to unfavourable weather conditions butter-fat production has been below normal. Prices of dairy-produce have shown a marked decline, with every indication of a period of depression. There has been a keen demand for weaner calves of beef breeds, owing to a shortage of run cattle. The Golden Bay Dairy Company has replaced its old factory with a spacious concrete structure, indicating the progress of dairying in the Takaka district. Sheep-farming. —The sheep-farmers are hard hit by the serious drop in wool-prices, which in many cases were considerably below the cost of production. Prices of live-stock have likewise dropped, and sheepmen are faced with a lean year. Fruitgrowing. —There is every indication of a record year for apple-growers. The export of fruit from this district will probably exceed three-quarters of a million bushels, exclusive of New Zealand consumption. Prices obtained for early shipments were very gratifying. This industry employs a considerable amount of labour, and the increased revenue coming into the district from this source will counteract the lessened returns from-butter and wool.

17

C—l

Pakihi Lands. —A demonstration area on the main road near Westport is now being developed on the lines of the Cawthron Institute experiments. The necessary funds arc provided by this Department, and the work is carried out under the direction of the Fields Supervisor, Department of Agriculture. It is proposed to develop 250 acres in order to determine if the method will prove successful under ordinary farming conditions. It is anticipated that at least three years will be required to give the system a thorough try-out. MARLBOROUGH. (P. R. Wilkinson, Commissioner of Crown Lands.) Conditions in Marlborough during the past year have not been up to the average. Copious rains during the latter end of winter continued well into January, when warm dry weather set in, the district now experiencing a drought, from which, however, no ill effect is anticipated. The depression in the values of butter, wool, and sheep, particularly wool and sheep, causes much anxiety, and presents a serious obstacle to many of our sheep-farmers, large and small. Agriculture. —The farmers under this heading experienced a most difficult season on account of the frequent rains, and much of the lower-lying portions of the Wairau Plain were in a flooded state for an extended period, entailing in the case of many who were advanced in their work the refilling of the land and late sowing. The ordinary harvesting period was an anxious time on account of the wet weather, and the early crops were not up to expectations. The later sowings were more successful, but generally the yield has not been good. Approximately 23,500 acres were down in crops of various kinds, and all are realizing average prices, except red clover or cow-grass, which is almost unsaleable. Dairying. —The season was not so unfavourable for this class of farming, and all factories report increased production. Final returns and prices for the season cannot, of course, be given at this date, but it is anticipated that last season's quantities will be exceeded. The industry in this district is gradually improving, and settlers are realizing the advantage of culling and selection. Herdtesting is increasing rapidly. Practically nothing was done in this way two years ago, whereas now two groups are operating, and 3,550 cows are under test. Top-dressing and growing supplementary fodder are also receiving more serious consideration. It is probably lack of capital that prevents more rapid extension in these directions, as the need for it is generally fully realized. Valuable experiments are being made by the Agricultural Department in top-dressing, and the farmers have these to guide them in the choice of manures. The dairyman on the bush lands is constantly fighting the fern menace, and it is only hard work, subdivision of paddocks, burning, sowing, and top-dressing that will eventually bring the land up to its full productive value. Calves have been in keen demand, and good prices up to £3 10s. per head have been realized. Sheep-farming. —The sheep-farmer has had a serious setback on the season's operations. The, district produces approximately 8,000,000 lb. of wool, principally from merino and half-bred sheep. The condition of the wool was light, occasioned by the wet spring, and the shearing was prolonged owing to rains. Cheques are about 50 per cent, of last year's, and in some cases well below the 50 per cent. Quite a number of settlers appear to be holding their wool for next season's sales. Except on the high country, which suffered from rough weather, particularly at lambing and shearing times, with consequent heavy losses, the flocks wintered well, and lambing percentage was up to the average. The freezing-works at Picton estimates to put through approximately 120,000 carcasses during the season. Prices opened well at 9|d. and lOd. per pound, but, with falling prices on the London market, have receded to 6Jd. per pound for first-grade lamb. Stock on the local markets has fallen in value in sympathy with the wool and export prices, and, where possible, stock is being carried over rather than sold at unremunerative values. The local ram and ewe fairs were held as usual, but here again values were not maintained. The stud stock is well managed, and breeders, ever on guard to retain their high standard, imported sheep of both sexes. Exports also receive attention. Amongst these, two consignments from a well-known flock were made to Honolulu. Fruit-industry. —The apple-yield is good and an estimate of 45,000 cases for export is made. This is a fair advance on last season's figure of 37,500, and would probably have been larger but for shortage of shipping space. Prices opened well on the Home markets, but have receded since. Stone fruits were affected by frost and heavy losses in small fruits are reported owing to continuous rains during the picking season. Flax. —Two mills operate, and during the year 2,835 tons of hemp and 503 bales of tow were exported. The quality was up to the usual high standard of the local produce. A local firm is experimenting with the manufacture of bulrush into fibre for pulping purposes, and have dressed and exported six bales. Pastoral Runs. —A systematic inspection of the pastoral country has been made during the year. Much of this country is gridironed, the early settlers having selected on the freehold tenure, as is but natural, the accessible and better class of land, leaving the rougher range country on leasehold tenures. By comparison with the carrying-capacity of days gone by, the major portion of this country has deteriorated considerably. The indiscriminate burning of the tussock and natural covering of the land, combined with the rabbit, has deprived the land of its natural vegetation, and laid it bare to attack by the elements, with the result that what it is judged were once good tussock ranges, hills, and spurs

3—C. 1.

C—l

18

are now in parts ruined by running shingle, which is carried into the rivers and further afield in times of flood. Some of this country may to a limited extent be re-established with the aid of fencing, surface-sowing, and judicious stocking, or actually shutting up the country for a period. The most serious difficulty is to stop the shingle moving, and allow vegetation to obtain a footing. In a few cases, in addition to resting the country, the weed commonly called borage is being tried, apparently with advantage, the weed binding and allowing the tussock to return. WESTLAND. (W. T. Morpeth, Commissioner of Crown Lands.) Conditions and Progress of Settlement. —As regards weather conditions the past season has been, normal, and the farming community has had a good average season. The decline in the price of wool has been, of course, an adverse feature, but fortunately the prices for all classes of cattle have been well maintained and the demand for this class of stock exceeds the supply. A limited amount of fertilizing has been carried out in the district, but what has been done is a long way short of what could be undertaken. There is, I think, no doubt at all that the outstanding problem in the Dominion at the present time is to increase the producing-capacity of rural lands from a 20 per cent, or 30 per cent, capacity to full capacity. Lime-works. —The two lime-works at Kowhitirangi and Ross are still in active operation. Timber. —The total output of sawn timber for the year was 76,411,500 superficial feet, a record for Westland, and an increase of 5,961,100 superficial feet on last year's figures. Of this total 36,741,700 superficial feet were cut from Warden's licenses, 3,389,000 ft. from Crown land, 18,687,200 ft, from freeholds, and the balance of 17,593,600 ft. from State forest. The quantity of timber exported overseas amounted to 22,725,400 ft., against 21,718,000 ft. last year. A total of 33,949,200 ft. passed through the Otira Tunnel. Besides the sawn timber, 358,100 silver-pine posts, poles, strainers, and 129 trucks of mining props and laths were cut on Crown lands and provisional State forest. Flax. —ln addition to the four flax-mills which have been in operation in the district for some years, the area at Groves Swamp is being developed, the preliminary operations being in full swing, and there is little doubt that this area will soon be a going concern. Some little delay has occurred with reference to the Rotokino Swamp, but it is understood that this is temporary only, and there is every probability that this proposition will eventually also be in active operation. Gold-mining. —During the year the Rimu Gold-dredging Company of America dredged 34,499 acres of fresh country, excavated 2,172,370 cubic yards of material, and won gold to the value of £49,300. The Okarito gold-dredging concern at the Five-mile Beach is pushing ahead with the preliminary development work, and it is expected that gold will be won early in the forth-coming year. The Hohonu Gold-dredging Company is still carrying on, together with one or two small one-man or two-men private sluicing claims. CANTERBURY. (W. Stewart, Commissioner of Crown Lands.) The past season has been a trying one for almost all classes of farmers, as weather conditions have been so variable and prices have been falling throughout the season for almost all produce. A very mild autumn and early winter allowed seasonal cultivation to be well in hand and gave stock a good chance, but winter closed very wet and cold. This was followed by a late and wet spring, and again by very frequent mid-summer rains which caused considerable anxiety to agriculturists and delayed high-country shearing, while the present prolonged drought is responsible for much concern for the coming winter. Pastoralists have not had a good season, for conditions in spring were hard on stock, affecting the volume and quality of their products, and prices for wool and store sheep have fallen heavily. Some areas suffered heavily from snow losses of sheep, but this was fortunately not universal. Lambing tallies have been lighter than average, owing to the death-rate after lambing. The decline in woolvalues has again been more marked for the finer wools, and sales of surplus fine-wool sheep have been very disappointing. Even though store sheep have been too high for some years, the present decline has brought prices to the other extreme. Rabbits have been kept well in hand, but many complaints are now made concerning the deer, more especially by those who are trying to improve their holdings by planting. Agriculturists have also had a trying season. Cereal crops over the whole district have been rather lighter than last year, though linseed as a rule has been better. Root crops and rape have been only fair, and over many areas failed altogether, necessitating green feed as replacement. Lambs did not fatten well in the earlier part of the season as the wet spell was causing too rank growth, and less than the usual number went away off their mothers. The works have been rushed during the latter part of the.season, and the threatened strike caused much anxiety, as the carry-over is already serious with the present prospect for winter feed. Lambing in the front country was good and partly compensates for the reduced price ; extra grazing is being keenly sought in all parts of the district to conserve winter feed. A new lime-crushing plant has been established in the Albury district, which makes three in South Canterbury, and these are supplying a much-needed want and are greatly assisting in improving much of our areas, more particularly our foothill settlements.

19

C—l

The dairy-farmer and mixed-agriculture-and-dairy farmer has had to take lower prices, but has perhaps suffered less in comparison than the other classes of farmers in this district. Here, too, lime and top-dressing have been giving better returns, and so helping to compensate for lower prices. The herds of the district are gradually being improved by more scientific culling, and by using better bulls. Fruitgrowers had a disastrous year, the November frost causing havoc throughout the whole district, and all classes of fruit suffered. The only consolation seems to be that after a year's rest, such as this has caused a bumper crop can be expected next year. Attention has been given to our large areas of lands held on temporary license, which cause a considerable amount of work in this district without, adequate return. A considerable number of these have been reviewed and the rents increased to present-day grazing-values. This has resulted in a considerable increase, and the revenue figures will show a corresponding increase when the whole district has been completed. It, will naturally take some time to complete, but the field staff are giving the matter their continual attention, clearing up all cases in each locality visited. Attempts are still being made to cope with the noxious weeds of the district, and some of our settlers are required to go out of cropping for a period in order to clean up Californian thistles, &c. Field Inspectors are reporting in all cases that come under their notice where Crown settlers are not adequately controlling gorse and such pests. The position on Crown leaseholds is improving. OTAGO. (N. C. Kensington, Commissioner of Crown Lands.) The conditions during the past year in the Otago Land District can generally be considered favourable from a production point of view. Climatic conditions have on the whole been good. A good autumn was followed for the early part by a mild winter, but unfortunately the latter end was cold and unsettled, these conditions continuing during the spring and lasting well into December. The result was that shearing was very much delayed, also agricultural work was very much behindhand, and difficulty was experienced later in getting away the usual number of fat lambs. With the broken weather in early summer there was abundance of grass and also the turnips and rape crops got a good start. Unfortunately this was not maintained, as the latter part of the summer was very dry, and the condition of the turnip crops generally is not at all satisfactory, and points to a shortage for winter feeding. There have been heavy grain crops right through the district, and with the dry spell in late summer excellent harvesting weather was experienced. Some of the grain crops in North Otago suffered as the result of an exceptionally heavy hailstorm, but this appears to have been fairly local and did not cover a large area. In Central Otago, owing to unseasonable frosts, some of the wheat crops were badly frosted, and in the southern part of the district brown-top for seed has also been reported as having suffered in a like manner. So far as the pastoralist is concerned, the past year has been unfavourable, as the prices obtained from wool, lambs, and surplus stock have been very low. Wool-growers have had a particularly bad year ; and, although the last sales showed a little hardening of prices, still the position does not leave one at all optimistic. So far as the fat-lamb market is concerned, prices opened fairly well for the first few drafts ; after that prices declined, and the average price was about 7s. to Bs. lower per head than the ruling price for the previous season. In many cases surplus stock has not been sold, and is being carried over the winter, and with the recognized shortage of winter feed this year the position is not reassuring. For the early part of the season butterfat was paid for at the rate of last season, but a general lowering of the price took place, and producers will receive for the whole season a price considerably less than last year. Cattle generally have kept up well in price ; there have been slight fluctuations as the seasons varied, but indications are now for high prices for at least six months on account of the dry spell experienced and the shortage expected for winter feeding. Pig-farming has proved a satisfactory sideline in conjunction with dairying, and good prices have been realized. In summing up the position of the settler on the prices obtained last year, the outlook is anything but encouraging ; those who have benefited by the good prices for the past five years will no doubt come out all right when prices become stable, but the man who has bought in at a high price or has paid a goodwill in relation to the high prices obtained in past years will find it difficult to carry on unless a marked improvement in prices takes place for the coming year. Irrigation. —The various irrigation-works in Central Otago are being developed, and several new projects are being examined as to the most economical method of making water available. The Arrow scheme is almost completed, and it is hoped to have water available for settlers next summer. There are large areas still available for irrigation schemes, provided the water can be put on at a price that makes the venture an economic proposition. Lands for Selection. —There are few areas of unselected Crown land in Otago which are suitable for settlement. When water is available some 4,000 acres of irrigable land on Pisa Flats will be opened. Some pastoral runs the leases of which will expire in the near future may also be suitable for limited subdivision, and this channel for providing further holdings is being looked to.

c.-4

20

SOUTHLAND. (J. Macdonald, Commissioner of Crown Lands.) The weather conditions in Southland for the past year have been favourable to farming operations, despite a somewhat broken spell in the spring. Indications point to there being an adequate supply of stock-feed for the coming winter, although in some cases club-root has made its appearance in the turnip crops. It is satisfactory to know, however, that the Department of Agriculture is very much alive to the danger of the possible spread of this disease in what has hitherto been Southland's staple winter fodder, and is conducting extensive experiments with a view to the extermination of the trouble. Farmers are co-operating with the Department, and it-is confidently expected that before long ag authoritative announcement will be made that the threatened danger has been averted. Top-dressinn of pastures continues to make rapid progress in this district, the settlers being well aware of the advantages of this modern method of farming. The summer growth of grass is becoming too prolific for seasonal feeding, and mowing for haymaking for winter feed is being resorted to in an increasing degree. This, with the earlier spring growth under top-dressing, has reduced the need for cultivation and turnip-growing to the same extent as in the past. An interesting table was recently published which gave a good idea of the beneficial effects of liming and top-dressing. The table related to seven dairy factories which are operating in the district of which Winton may be regarded as the headquarters, and referred to the months of September, October, November, and December, which represent the half-yearly period of the cheese-making industry in Southland. During that period 11,677,218 lb. weight of milk was received in 1929 as against 10,909,035 lb. in 1928, an increase of 768,183 lb. The sum paid out to suppliers for the period was £30,112, as against £28,558 for the first half-year in 1928. An increase of £1,554 is thus shown, despite the fact that three of the factories paid out Id. per pound less this season. While there has not been any sudden movement in the way of settlement of unimproved land during the past year, it is satisfactory to note that progress in this direction has been gradual, and that there is less unoccupied farming-land in Southland to-day than at any period during the past ten years. Farms which were abandoned during the slump years have attracted occupiers who are bringing them back into a state of production, and farming them better, in many cases, than did the previous holders. Sales of farms have been few in number during the year, and at the present time it is difficult to sell a farm in Southland if any substantial sum by way of deposit is demanded in cash. This, of course, is attributable to the prevailing financial stringency caused by the reduced income, due principally to the fall in the market-price of wool. The demand for bush land for settlement has practically disappeared, and this, perhaps, is not to be regretted in view of the fact that the area of good land of this class is now very limited. The time has come when serious consideration should be given to the question of the rigid conservation for future requirements of the few remaining areas of good land in Southland that still carry virgin bush. The area of Crown land opened for sale or selection during the year was 5,824 acres, of which 4,531 acres was opened on the optional system. Four new holdings were taken up on deferred payment and twelve on renewable lease, the aggregate area being 5,827 acres. Only ten lessees of Crown land exercised their right to acquire the freehold during the year, the area affected being 1,669 acres. During the year fifty-six holders of education endowments surrendered their leases, and obtained new leases under the provisions of section 26 of the Education Reserves Act, 1928, the area involved being 17,586 acres. It will bo remembered that when the legislation was first enacted the lessees were somewhat apprehensive of the rental provisions of subsection (2). As showing that such fears were quite groundless, it may be pointed out that the new aggregate annual rental of the fifty-six exchanged leases is £2,604 as against £2,508 on the surrendered leases. The lessees are now quite confident that the Land Board can be depended upon to treat them with absolute justice in the matter of allowing them the full benefit of the increased values created by themselves.

C—l.

APPENDIX IL—LAND FOR SETTLEJMENTS.

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, 1930.

21

Name of Estate. Leaseholds. Freeholds. Principal Purpose for which Holdings are utilized. Remarks as to Present Position. North Auckland. Aponga Bickerstaffe Bayliss Cadman Carroll Cradock Eccleston No. 2 Finlayson Hetana Kitchener 1 41 1 1 26 7 9 14 14 Grazing ,, Dairying Grazing lease only. Homes Homes and orchards Homes Grazing Homes and orchards New settlement. Satisfactory Good. Good. Koremoa Lawry Methuen Motutara Paerata Pakaraka Parahi Prescott Plumer Puketi Puni 11 1 7 1 10 1 3 12 2 14 10 11 4 2 10 29 13 12 6 4 4 29 16 10 83 11 27 1 8 17 Dairying Grazing lease only. Homes and orchards Dairying and grazing Mixed farming Dairying Grazing and dairying Homes and orchards Homes Grazing Dairying it Fair. Good. Fair. Good. Satisfactory. Good. Satisfactory. Good. >j Poor. Satisfactory. Good. Remuera Streamlands Tangowahine Te Pua Tokiri Upokonui Waari Waimata Waiteitei 1 Dairying and grazing Dairying Dairying and grazing Homes and orchards Dairying Fair. Good. 37 Satisfactory. 1 ,, Good. Totals 292 230 Auckland. Apata Balachraggen Clifford Delaney Feneourt Gorton Hereford Park Hikuai Horahia Horahora Kaipaki Karapiro Kopuku Kopuku No. 2 Mangaotama Mangapouri Mangateparu Mangawhero Matamata Matuku Ngahinepouri Ohauiti Okauia Omeheu Opouriao Orini Orongo Otamarakau Otway Pakarau Puahue Pukemapou Rangiatea Rangitaiki Reporoa Rewi .. 7 21 8 1 21 10 2 21 6 10 4 9 3 5 3 5 55 11 84 11 4 13 6 10 32 2 34 7 9 19 20 9 12 8 94 7 23 1 80 11 2 1 5 1 Dairying Good. Very good. Good. 27 Home Dairying and mixed farming Dairying Very good. 1 Dairying and mixed farming Dairying Doubtful. Good. Satisfactory. Good. Very good. 10 1 Fair. 1 10 1 17 239 Very good. Good. Very good. Good. Very good. Fair. Good. 11 Mixed farming Dairying 68 Very good. Unsatisfactory. Improving. Good. Very good. 9 5 Dairying and mixed farming Dairying Good. 15 13 5 2 Dairying and small farming Dairying and grazing Dairying Very good. Good. Very fair. Very good. Fair. Good. Reynolds Rotomanuka Selwyn Tahaia Tainui 163 Dairying and mixed farming Dairying Grazing Fair.

CL—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, 1930— continued.

22

Name of Estate. Lease- Freeholds, holds. Principal Purpose for which Holdings are utilized. ttemarks as to Present Position. Auckland —continued. Tairua Taniwha 24 II 11 37 16 35 2 4 19 16 3 6 3 1 Residence .. . . Dairying Good. Tapapa Tautari Teasdale Te Miro Te Ngaroa Waiare Waimana Waitakaruru Whatawhata Whitehall 9 87 Dairying and mixed farming Business and residence Dairying and mixed farming Dairying Very good. Fair. Very good. Fair. Good. 23 2 Dairying and mixed farming Dairying and grazing Dairying Very good. Good. Very good. 14 Totals.. ,, .. 884 744 Gisborne. Pastoral Good. Ardkeen Clydebank .. Glencoe Homebush Hukutaia Kanakanaia Ngatapa Ohuka 14 3 6 13 18 7 24 13 6 3 11 46 12 13 12 16 5 1 1 3 Dairying Very good. Good. Very good. Fair. Pastoral Paremata I'ouparae Repongaere Te Arai Waimarie Wharekaka .. Wigan .. Willows 6 1 12 5 Dairying and pastoral Agricultural Dairying and pastoral Dairying, pastoral, and agricultural Very good. Good. Very good. >> »» 7 6 >> >» Totals.. 217 47 Hawke's Bay. Argyll Beattie Clydebank Corby Coyne Crownthorpe Klsttiorpe Forest Gate Glengarry Gwavas Hatuma 53 5 14 4 1 18 35 20 29 11 58 13 59 26 20 20 17 9 15 4 6 10 30 5 17 21 3 11 13 12 6 20 1 10 4 11 Agricultural and pastoral Pastoral Very good. Good. 3 Mixed fa rming Fair. 16 9 Pastoral Good. Very good. Good. Fair. Good. Very good. Agricultural and pastoral Dairying Agricultural and pastoral Kumeroa Lindsay Mahora Manga-a-toro Mangatahi Marakeke 1 22 3 14 9 6 4 Agricultural, pastoral, and dairying Mixed farming Agricultural and pastoral Omana (Hamauri Parinui Pourerere Raureka Raumati Rissington Springhill Sherenden Te Kaihi Te Kura Te Mata Tongoio Tomoana Waihau VVaipuka Watea Wilder 1 2 1 9 3 Mixed farming Dairying Agricultural and pastoral Mixed farming Agricultural and pastoral Dairying and fruit-culture Pastoral and dairying Pastoral Mostly pastoral Fair. Good. Very good. Very fair. Good. Very good. Good. 1 1 8 1 Mixed farming Dairying ... Fruit-farming Mostly pastoral Fruit and dairying Mostly pastoral Pastoral Mixed farming Fair. Good. Fair. Very good. Fair. Good. Fair. Good. Totals.. 600 125 Taranaki. Araheke Clandon Croydon Hawke Huatoki Huia 3 7 7 1 28 5 1 Dairying Good. Very good. Fair. Good. Fair. 5 Residential and small farming Mixed farming

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, 1930 — continued.

23

Name of Estate. I Leaseholds. Freeholds. Principal Purpose for which Holdings are utilized. Remarks as to Present Position. Taranaki —continued. Huinga Karu Katikara Kohura Kota 8 5 3 11 7 1 1 2 2 Dairying Mixed farming Dairying Mixed farming Very good. Indifferent. Very good. Good. Fair. Mana Grazing Indifferent. Fair. Made freehold. Poor. Fair. Very good. Indifferent. Recently selected. Good. Very good. Good. Very good. Indifferent. Very good. Fair. Mangamaire Marco Matane Ngutu Okahu Parkes Piu Rahu Ratapiko Spotswood Taitama Tariki Tawhiwhi Tokaora Tututawa 1 1 7 4 1 5 10 7 7 9 4 3 1 Mixed farming Dairying Mixed farming Dairying Mixed farming Dairying and mixed farming Homestead and small dairying Mixed farming Dairying Mixed farming Dairying Dairying and grazing 36 1 12 Totals.. 148 58 Wellington. Aorangi Almadale Ahiaruhe Akitio Armstrong Arawhata Bartholomew Bailey Benge Brown Braemore Bruce Callender Carrington Cherry Grove Corliss Cloverlea Coyle Currie Dawbin Dixon Devonshire Dyer Epuni Hamlet Evans Eaglesham Fairfield Falloon Gee Greves Greystoke Graham Glasspole Gower Hammond Hawtrey Hall-Jones Heatherlea Heretaunga Heights Hardie Haunui No. 1 Haunui No. 2 Harper Hill 23 6 10 6 1 2 6 34 17 37 20 12 2 1 44 28 18 15 2 1 8 7 1 1 1 19 Dairying Good. Fair to good. Good. » >t Grazing Dairying Fair. Good. Pastoral Dairying Fair. Good. ' 2 Fair. Mixed Dairying Good. Fair. Good. Poor. Good. Dairying and residential .. Dairying Fair. io 25 »» • • • • Mixed Mixed gardens Dairying Grazing Dairying Mixed Dairying Good. Fair. Good. 1 >> Fair. >> Good. ,, 52 11 9 111 Residential Gardening Dairying Residential Sheep and cattle Dairying Fair. Good. Fair. Good. Fair. Horrobin Johnson Kiwitea Kairanga Kopane Kuku Langdale Lean Lewis Linton Little 1 11 14 4 12 1 1 5 1 Mixed Grazing Dairying Good. Poor. Good. Fair. Good. 13 Mixed Grazing Dairying Fair. Good. Mixed

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, 1930— continued.

24

Name of Estate. Lease- Freeholds, holds. Principal Purpose for which Holdings are utilized. Remarks as to Present Position. Wellington —continued. Loughnan Langley-Purdom Littler Longbush and Mahupuku Makopua Makowai and Extension Marama-a-Mau Maungaraki Melling Mataikona McDonnell Muhunoa McLean Marshall McKenzie Matamua Mangawhata Motukai 26 1 1 16 2 26 6 18 2 6 1 2 1 1 1 2 "6 "2 Residential Dairying Mixed Pastoral Dairying Residential Mixed Dairying Good. ft Very good. Good. Fair. Good. Fair. Poor. Good. 1 7 Fair. Good. Fair. Poor. Fair. Fair to poor. Fair. 3 19 2 30 1 1 1 6 5 3 1 2 7 5 4 19 2 2 1 22 27 16 8 9 14 10 4 1 3 3 14 24 2 8 8 6 16 1 3 3 4 5 13 14 1 2 3 9 12 1 86 1 1 1 Grazing Dairying Moroa Ngakaroro Normandale Nesdale No. 1 Nesdale No. 2 Neligan Ngahape Ngarara Ohakea Olver Oroua Oturoa Osborne Omapu Owenga Olliver Otahome 19 13 Mixed Dairying Grazing Dairying »> • • Good. Poor. Fair. Good. "2 Residential Grazing Fair. Paramu Good. Fair. Good. Paparangi Perham Pohehe Pitt Pihautea Paa Creek Poroporo Pukenamu and Extension Pukekoa Putorino Puketoi Phillips Quillinan Ruatangata Raumaewa Sandilands Stanley Saxon Soland Stoke3 Tablelands and Hikiwera Tawaha 14 Residential Mixed Dairying Gardening Dairying Very good Good. 4 1 '2 Mixed Dairying Very good. Good. Fair. Good. Fair. Very good. Good. Sheep and cattle .. Dairying Fair. Good. Fair (improving). Fair. tt 3 1 Grazing Mixed Grazing Dairying Good. Tapuae Te Matua Te Ore Ore . . Te Whiti Tiraumea Tauherenikau Tupurupuru Tikotu Taumaihi Taikorea Tuturumuri Waddington Wahren Waterson Waihora Westmere Westella White Wilford Woulfe Wright Youle 7 2 Grazing Dairying Mixed Gardening Dairying >» Very good. Fair. Good. Fair. Good. Fair. Mixed Good. ii7 Dairying Dairying Residential Dairying »» Fair. Good. Very good. Good." Totals.. 988 454

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, 1930— continued.

4—C. 1.

25

Name of Estate. Lease- Freeholds, holds. Principal Purpose for which Holdings are utilized. Remarks as to Present Position. Nelson. Blue Glen Braeburn Glenrae Golden Downs Homestead-site Kohatu Lake Matakitaki .. Maruia Palmer Spittal Tutaki Walker Wangapeka .. Nelson. Glen .. mrn 1 20 2 i 1 20 1 3 1 3 5 1 9 1 1 2 1 14 2 Grazing Mixed farming .. .. .. Poor. Good. ae 1 a n Downs istead-site 3 1 9 Grazing Fair. tu 3 5 1 ,, . . . . . . ritaki .. la 1 9 r Grazing and dairying >» ;r 1 >» d ri sr ;apeka .. rp„+„l„ 1 2 1 1 14 3 ftO ft 1 3 Dairying Grazing Dairying .. Mixed farming Poor. Fair. Good. Totals Totals 63 6 63 Marlborough. Alberton Blind River .. Bomford Erina Fernleigh Flaxbourne .. Goat Hills .. Hillersden Hillersden Bush Linkwaterdale Lynton Downs Moorlands Neville Northbank .. Omaka Puhipuhi Rainford Richmond Brook Starborough .. Waipapa Warnock Wither Marlborough. ton River .. ord sigh lourne .. Hills .. 4 18 1 10 2 7 129 13 3 4 18 1 10 7 129 3 52 2 5 11 6 1 10 14 2 11 12 161 4 2 19 Agriculture and dairying Sheep and agriculture Agricultural Sheep Dairying Agricultural and pastoral Sheep Fair. Very good. Poor. Fair. 2 'l3 Very good. Fair. Good. sden <. 52 8 8 'sden Bush 2 Fair. raterdale hi Downs ands 5 11 6 1 1 Dairying and agriculture Sheep Agriculture 1 le ibank ;a mhi ord nond Brook orough .. apa ock ;r 1 1 10 14 2 11 12 161 26 4 2 19 3 26 Sheep Agriculture, sheep, dairying Sheep Dairying Sheep Agricultural and pastoral .. Sheep Dairying Sheep Good. Excellent. Fair. "3 Good. Totals.. Totals.. 484 53 484 53 Westland. Kokatahi Poerua Runanga Raupo Westland. tahi 8 CA A Dairying and grazing Highly satisfactory. 1a nga .. o Totals.. 24 4 1 4 37 4 8 24 1 4 4 Residential Dairying and grazing Only recently acquired. Totals.. 37 4 Canterbury. Acton Albury Allanholme .. Annan Ashley Gorge Ashton Ashwick Avenel Avenel Extension Avonhead Avonhead No. 2 Aylesbury Bankfield Beach Bourndale Braco Brinklands .. Broadfields .. Brooksdale .. Canterbury. 1 y 3 78 3 n Mixed farming Sheep-farming and grain-growing Very fair. Well established. Good. Well established. holme .. n y Gorge in ick 3] 9 42 5 7 3 8 8 17 3 78 9 42 7 8 8 17 11 17 18 6 9 10 10 3 3 ".5 3 Mixed farming and grazing Dairy farming and grazing Mixed farming Sheep-farming and grain-growing Mixed farming Uncertain yet. Good. Very fair. 3I Extension bead I .1 AT.. n 11 17 Small farming Improving. head No. 2 bury field L idale .. lands .. [fields .. :sdale .. 18 6 9 10 10 3 11 1 6 14 ii 1 Mixed farming Mixed farming and grain-growing Mixed farming Sheep-farming and grain-growing Market-gardening Dairying and mixed farming Mixed grain-growing Mixed farming .. .. .. Good! Uncertain yet. Very fair. Well established. New selection. Uncertain. Fair, improving. Uncertain yet. Bruce Buckley Buddo Burke's Homestead Chamberlain Clandeboye .. Clandeboye No. 2 Claremont Clayton Coldstream .. ey .. D ;'s Homestead berlain eboye .. _1 "\T„ n 4 3 10 5 1 21 10 6 14 4 3 10 1 21 10 6 13 6 11 "5 ,, • • . • . • Workers' dwellings Homestead-site Sheep-farming and grain-growing Dairy-farming and grain-growing Fair. Well established. Very fair. Fair. eboye No. 2 nont )n -.ream .. 6 13 6 11 Sheep-farming and grain-growing Sheep-farming Mixed farming .. ,. ,, Very good. Fair.

a—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, 1930 — continued.

26

Name of Estate. Leaseholds. Freeholds. Principal Purpose for which Holdings arc utilized. Remarks as to Present Position. Canterbury —continued. Cooper's Creek Copland Craigmore Cricklewood Culverden Douglas Doyleston Drayton Dromore Eccleston Epworth Finlay Downs Four Peaks Fyvie Glenmark Glentanner Gorge Road Grange Hadlow Hawthorne Hei Hei Hekeao Hewitt Highbank Hillboro Homebrook Homestead-sites Hornby .. Horsley Downs Isleworth J ungle Kaimahi Kakahu Kapua Kapuatohe Keith Kereta Kinlooh Kohika Kohika No. 2 Kowhatu Ladbrooks Lambrook Lansdown Lauriston Leeston Lees Valley Lyndhurst Lyndon Lyndon No. 2 Macgregor Marawiti Maytown Mead Meadows Milford Mills Moanaroa Morice Morten Montf ord Mount Nessing New Park Oakwood Ohapi Omihi Orakipaoa Otaio Otarakaro 1 2 10 10 58 36 7 15 3 4 5 8 4 28 4 3 3 9 15 10 I 71 3 16 10 18 8 18 2 4 5 12 6 13 5 "2 "l 2 17 "l 7 10 "5 22 9 "8 1 Sheep-farming Sheep and dairy farming and grain-growing .. Mixed farming Mixed farming and grazing .. ... Sheep-farming and grain-growing Mixed farming Agricultural Mixed farming and grazing Sheep-farming and grain-growing Dairy-farming and grain-growing Sheep-farming and grain-growing Mixed farming Mixed farming and grazing Homestead-site Workers' homes Dairying and grain-growing Mixed farming .. .. ,, . . . . . . . • Poultry-farming, &c. Mixed farming Homestead-site Mixed farming Sheep-farming and grain-growing Mixed farming Agricultural and gardening Mixed farming Mixed grain-growing Dairy-farming Workers' homes and gardening Mixed farming and grazing Sheep-farming and dairying Workers' homes and gardening Mixed farming Dairying Dairy-farming and grazing Mixed farming Fair. Good. Uncertain yet. Uncertain. Good. Fair, improving. Uncertain yet. Improving. Uncertain yet. Well established. Now freehold. Very good. Not satisfactory. Good. Fair. Uncertain yet. Fair. Uncertain yet. Well established. Well established. Good. Fair. Fair. Well established. Uncertain yet. Satisfactory. Good. Satisfactory. 4 31 17 4 5 14 5 10 5 5 10 18 8 9 1 12 9 21 14 4 21 3 28 16 9 11 7 6 1 "l "l "l Sheep-farming and grain-growing Mixed grain-growing Agricultural Sheep-farming Mixed farming Mixed farming and grazing Well established. Very good. Well established. Very good. Fair. Uncertain yet. Good. Uncertain yet. Well established. Considerably improved. Uncertain yet. Well established. Unsatisfactory. Well established. Good. Well established. Very fair. Uncertain yet. Well established. New selection. Satisfactory. Uncertain yet. Improving. Very good. Uncertain yet. Uncertain. Good. 1 2 1 Sheep-farming and dairying Mixed farming and grazing Sheep-farming and grain-growing Mixed farming Small farming and dairying Mixed farming Dairying and grass-seed growing Poultry, &c. Mixed farming and grazing Sheep-farming and grain-growing Mixed farming Mixed farming and grain-growing Mixed farming Homestead-site Dairying, grain-growing, and gardening Small farming and dairying Market-gardening 3 I Papaka Pareora Pareora No. 2 Patoa .. Pawaho Peaks Puhuka Punaroa .. Raincliff Rakitairi Rapuwai Rautawiri ., ,. 26 9 9 28 26 1 8 9 9 15 1 20 5 6 1 7 Mixed gardening Sheep-farming and dairying Sheep-farming and grain-growing Grazing and small farming Market-gardening Mixed gardening Workers' homes Dairying, sheep-farming, and grain-growing .. Sheep-farming and grain-growing .. Well established. Well established. Well established and satisfactory. Well established. Good. Well established. Satisfactory. 7 3 17 3 1 2 Well established. "2 ,, >,

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, 1930— continued.

27

Name of Estate. Leaseholds. Freeholds. Principal Furpose for which Holdings are utilized. Remarks as to Present Position. Canterbury —continued. Riverina Roimata Rosebrook Rosewill Ruapuna No. 2 Scargill Scotston Seafield Seaforth Sherwood Downs Springwell Stoko Strathmore Studholme J unction .. Takitu Tamai Tara Tarawahi Teschemaker Timaunga Timaunga Extension .. Tripp Valverde Waiapi Waikakahi Waimate Wairore Waitohi Peaks Welburn Wharenui Winchester Woodlau 6 7 11 151 15 9 2 4 6 26 6 7 3 4 5 9 9 4 12 16 7 24 11 11 185 35 8 9 6 13 10 7 22 3 11 i 31 1 24 Mixed farming Workers'homos .. Small farming and dairying Sheep-farming and grain-growing Mixed farming Mixed farming and grazing Mixed farming Small farming and dairying Sheep-farming and grain-growing Mixed farming and grain-growing Mixed farming Small farming and dairying Sheep-farming Workers'homes .. Sheep-farming and grain-growing Workers' homes Sheep-farming and grain-growing Mixed farming Uncertain yet. Satisfactory. Good. Well established. Very good. Fair. New selection. Satisfactory. Uncertain yet. Good. Uncertain yet. Good. Fair. Good. Well established. Satisfactory. Very good. Satisfactory. Very good. Fair, improving. Good. Fair. Sheep-farming and grain-growing Mixed farming Sheep-farming and grain-growing Well established. 4 18 Sheep-farming, grain and fruit growing Mixed farming Sheep-farming Mixed farming, dairying Workers' homes Sheep-farming, grain-growing, and dairying .. Mixed farming and grazing .-» 12 Good. Fair. Improving. New selection. Well established. Fair. Uncertain yet. Totals 1,892 312 Otago. Dairying and general farming Good. Airedale Ardgowan Arnmore Aviemore Awamoa Barnego Bellamy Cardrona Clareview Clifton Conical Hills Crosshill Croucher Dalmain Duncan Earnscleugh Elderslie No. 1 Elderslie No. 2 Galloway Gladbrook Glenn Greenfield Hilderthorpe Janefield Kauroo Hill Kelso Kurow Lakeview Maerewhenua Makaraeo ... Makaraeo Extension .. Manuherikia Maraeweka Matakanui Meadowbank Melville Park Momona Murrayfield Oakleigh Otanomomo Otekaike Plunket Pomahaka Poplar Grove 12 66 5 1 1 20 14 1 5 8 45 6 1 3 4 26 35 16 11 46 4 36 19 19 42 3 11 1 77 1} 11 8 3 11 6 7 2 1 25 64 18 26 21 1 6 1 4 1 4 1 1 1 3 '7 Mixed farming Grazing Mixed farming Dairying and general farming Grazing Dairying and general farming General farming Grazing and general farming Mixed farming tt • • . • • . . * Grazing Dairying Fruitgrowing .. .. General farming Fruit and homestead-sites Dairying Mixed farming ,, • • • • .. .. General and workers' homes Dairying and fruitgrowing General farming Dairying General farming and dairying General farming General farming Fair. Good. Poor. Only fair. Good. Fair. Poor. Fair. Good. Fair. Poor. Fair. Good. Very good. Very fair. Fair. Good. Fair. Good. "3 3 1 Only fair. Good. Very good. Very fair. 1 General farming (with irrigation) General farming General farming and grazing General farming Dairying and mixed farming Dairying Mixed farming Poor. Very fair. Good. Very good. Poor. Very good. Good. Only fair. Good. Fair. Good. Very fair. Fair. "7 1 1 1 2 2 Dairying Mixed farming Dairying

C.—i

28

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, 1930 — continued.

Name of Estate. Lease- Freeholds, holds. Principal Purpose for which Holdings are utilized. Remarks as to Present Position. Otago —continued. Pukeawa Pukenui Puketapu Rockford Rugged Ridges Steward St. Helens Tahawai Taumata Teaneraki Te Puke Teviot Tilverstowe Tokarahi Tokoiti Totara Wairuna Waitahuna No. 1 Waitahuna No. 2 Windsor Park No. 1 .. Windsor Park No. 2 .. Westcott Wilden 14 6 6 4 1 51 3 7 9 23 4 24 '7 79 4 27 11 1 6 37 10 7 2 5 2 1 1 2 1 1 2 Mixed farmingDairying Mixed farming Grazing Mixed farming General farming .. Dairying Mixed farming Dairying Mixed farming Grazing Mixed farming Good. >» Very fair. Good. Very fair. Good. Very fair. Good. Fair. Good. s> Fair. Poor. Very good. Grazing Poor. Good. Totals 1,118 | 72 Southland. Allenby Ardlussa Beaumont Brydone Campbell Crichton Park Edendale Ermedale Fern Hill Fortification Hill Glenham Knowsley Park Lambert Lamont Maori Hill Merrivale Merrivale No. 1 Merrivale No. 2 Monte Cristo Otahu Ringway Simpson Stalker Strath vale Tamatea Teihoka Waiarikiki Waikiwi Town Dairying Pastoral Mixed farming Dairying Mixed farming Pastoral Dairying Mixed farming Good. Poor. 5 5 10 2 1 4 4 2 100 54 11 2 2 6 33 11 9 1 6 17 3 43 12 9 7 4 6 2 4 3 1 8 1 9 7 '2 " 7 34 26 355 118 Pastoral Mixed farming Pastoral Dairying Mixed farming Very good. Fair. Very good. Fair. Very good. Poor. Fair. Good. Fair. Dairying Mixed farming Good. Fair. Dairying Very good. y> Mixed farming Pastoral Suburban building-sites Good. Poor. Good. Totals Grand totals 7,078 2,223

C—l

29

Exteacts from reports of commissioners of grown lands. NORTH AUCKLAND. (0. N. Campbell, Commissioner of Crown Lands.) Owing to the favourable weather conditions during the past year, the majority of the settlements have yielded increased production. Improved farming methods employed have also contributed largely to the successful working of the holdings. The financial results have been minimized to a certain extent owing to the low prices ruling for butterfat and the general slump in the wool-market. The only land purchased under the Land for Settlements Act during the year is an estate at Aponga, comprising 3,800J acres. " Aponga " has been adopted as the name of the Settlement, which comprises land admirably suited for sheep-farming. It has been subdivided into suitablesized holdings and offered for selection during the latter part of the year. Owing to the sudden drop in wool prices and the price of sheep, a poor response was received from those desirous of acquiring land. The property, however, being a good one, should be readily settled when prices revert to a norma] condition. AUCKLAND. (K. M. Graham, Commissioner of Crown Lands.) Arrangements for the purchase of two estates have been completed during the year, and possession will be taken and the land in each case subdivided and offered for selection early in the coming year. One of these estates comprises an area of 940 acres near Waerenga, which has been subdivided into seven small farms. The other is situated between Te Awamutu and Otorohanga, and comprises an area of 422 acres which has been subdivided into five farms. A very large number of estates have been offered to the Crown for settlement purposes during the past year, entailing a vast amount of work for Field Inspectors and departmental valuers. A considerable proportion of areas offered were entirely unsuitable for acquisition and subdivision, while in other cases properties which had potentialities as cutting-up propositions could not be considered, owing to the disparity between the owner's idea of value and that of the Crown. Various properties have been offered under the group settlement scheme, and although none have been actually purchased, it is likely that several purchases under this heading will be completed early in the coming year, which will result in the establishment of a, number of new and deserving settlers on the land, on their own account. Two other purchases of one-man farms for soldier settlers have been arranged, and will be finalized in the coming year. Most of the older settlements are in quite a good position. The drop in the price of wool and dairy products has, of course, affected settlers adversely ; but, owing to increased production, the dairying section, comprising the bulk of the settlers, has not been so hard hit as it might otherwise have been. Generally speaking, the prospects of all the older-established settlements are good, and it is only in a few individual cases where there is much doubt about the settlers coming through successfully. GISBORNE. (E. H. Farnie, Commissioner of Crown Lands.) During the year negotiations were successfully concluded for the purchase of an area of 475 acres in the Opotiki district the property being one of the best known dairy-farms in the locality. The Crown does not secure possession until July next, so that the estate will not be opened for selection till next year. The Department continues to satisfactorily farm Te Wera Settlement. All the other settlements appear to have experienced a fairly satisfactory year, in spite of unsettled conditions and lower returns making for reduced incomes. The revaluations on Paremata, Ardkeen, and Ohuka Settlements were finalized during the year, and will materially help towards the success of the settlers on these estates. HAWKE'S BAY. (J. D. Thomson, Commissioner of Crown Lands.) Over twenty-five estates were offered to the Department during the past year in this district. Only two were purchased, and possession is not to be given to one until June. One is the Awamate Estate, of 672 acres, near Wairoa, which will cut up into six good dairy-farms. The other comprises a property of 138 acres, near Havelock North, purchased under Part II of the Land Laws Amendment Act, 1928. This was divided into eight sections in areas from 10 acres to 29 acres, and will be utilized for small dairy-farms and orchards. With few exceptions, most of the settlers are doing well, although the drop in the price of wool will not allow much margin, still the well-established farmer will lie in a position to carry on. The dairy-farmer has had a good season, the lower price of butterfat being more than compensated for by the increased yields. The spread of blackberry is still causing trouble on the Tangoio Settlement, and, in order to ascertain if conditions on that settlement could not be improved, a special committee

C.-i

30

was set up and made a careful and thorough investigation of each section and the lessee's position. The committee duly submitted its report to the Hon. Minister of Lands. There are still a few cases where lessees are not proving satisfactory, and action is being taken to remedy the position. Wheat has been grown successfully in the Hatuma Settlement, practically the first year it has been tried. The result was first rate. One paddock of 40 acres yielded 53 bushels to the acre, and one of 45 acres, 38 bushels. The grower received a very satisfactory report on this from the millers. TARANAKI. (W. D. Armit, Commissioner of Crown Lands.) A number of properties have been offered during the year, but no purchases have resulted owing to a variety of causes. Of the existing settlements the position at Huatoki has improved most during the year, and only two small areas remain unselected at the present time. The older dairying settlements are prosperous, and the less successful ones are receiving assistance under the Deteriorated Lands Act provisions. The control of ragwort on Karu, Piu, Croydon, and portions of Kota is still a matter of concern. Unremitting labour and suitable stocking are required. Production has been exoptionally good, but graziers have had a bad year financially in common with the rest of the grazier and farming community. WELLINGTON. (H. W. C. Mackintosh, Commissioner of Crown Lands.) The older estates, with few exceptions, are now firmly established, and many of the settlers hold their lands on freehold title. Those estates acquired after about 1915 were purchased mainly for the settlement of discharged soldiers, and have been reviewed by the Dominion Revaluation Board. It is hoped that with the reductions in values, remissions, &c, granted by that Board, the soldier settlers will soon be as firmly established as the farmers on the older estates. The Westella Estate was opened in May, 1929, and the twelve sections into which the property was subdivided were eagerly sought after. The successful applicants are all dairying, and are apparently doing well. Three properties were purchased during the year on the " group " system, under Part II of the Land Laws Amendment Act, 1928. Eight settlers were thus provided with farms. As the purchases are of recent date, it is too early yet to report upon their progress. NELSON. (A. F. Waters, Commissioner of Crown Lands.) No new areas have been acquired under the Land for Settlements Act during the past year. A number of properties have been offered to the Department, but a preliminary inspection has shown that they have not been suitable for subdivision into dairy-farms. MARLBOROUGH. (P. R. Wilkinson, Commissioner of Crown Lands.) Very little change can be reported in the matter of estates purchased for settlement purposes. The older-established settlements are in a sound condition, and if settlers are not doing just as well as is desirable, it is where they have bought in at high goodwills with consequent heavy mortgages. The more recently purchased properties are not in the same happy position, but with the amended revaluation legislation, such cases as require adjustment are receiving attention, and it is confidently anticipated that in the near future all the settlements will be on a payable basis. Twenty-nine properties, comprising 88,806 acres, in this district were offered during the year to the Dominion Land Purchase Board, but all, except one, which is still under consideration, were, after careful consideration, refused for varying reasons. WESTLAND. (W. T. Morpeth, Commissioner of Crown Lands.) The only land purchased during the year was a property at Raupo. The area was 907 acres, and it was subdivided into four sections, all of which have been disposed of. A number of other places were offered to the Government, but all of them, for various reasons, were considered to be unsuitable for closer settlement.

C—l

31

CANTERBURY. (W. Stewart, Commissioner of Crown Lands.) The older-established settlements have caused the Department little trouble during the past year. Numerous applications have been received for revaluation under section 216 of the Land Act, 1924, and the Revaluation Committee have been dealing with these. The rental adjustments made should have the effect of placing the tenants on a satisfactory footing, and removing all cause for discontent. A large number of properties have been offered for purchase, and a number of these are still under consideration by the Land Purchase Board. The field staff is kept continouusly employed in dealing with these offers, which show no sign of abating. OTAGO. (N. C. Kensington, Commissioner of Crown Lands.) During the year a good deal of activity has taken place in this district by various inspections of land under offer, and areas purchased and opened for settlement. The areas actually purchased and opened for settlement consist of Rockford Settlement, of 1,737 acres, subdivided into four sections ; Murrayfield Settlement, 1,074 acres, subdivided into two sections. All the sections in the above settlements have been taken up. In addition, Wilden Settlement, of 24,005 acres, Tapanui Settlement, of 1,949 acres, and Rosebery Settlement, of 3,912 acres, have been purchased, and the subdivision has been completed in readiness for offering ; but as the actual offering will not take place till early in April they will be fully dealt with in next year's report. The original settlers on the older settlements are in a good position on account of the general rise in land-values, but in the case of transfers the incoming settler still continues in many cases to overload himself with a heavy goodwill. Generally, however, the position of settlers on areas purchased under the Land for Settlements Act can be regarded as very satisfactory. SOUTHLAND. (J. Macdonald, Commissioner of Crown Lands.) Several properties in this district were purchased during the year under the provisions f the Land for Settlements Act, all being bought prior to the financial stringency that followed in the wake of the serious drop in wool-values. Two properties were amalgamated in Tamatea Settlement, and two in Fern Hill Settlement, and these, together with Brydone Settlement, were offered for selection before the close of the year on the 31st March. Tamatea Settlement, comprising seven excellent dairy-farms varying in size from 109 acres to 196 acres, was opened in January, and although all the farms were taken up, the demand was not so keen as was expected. The selectors, however, without exception, impressed the Land Board as being of the most desirable type —strong, young, experienced, and determined. Fern Hill Settlement, comprising five farms in areas from 256 to 317 acres, all of which were considered to be, admirably suited for mixed farming, was opened in February, but only two holdings were selected. Brydone Settlement, of two farms, was offered in March. One holding was taken up on the day of opening and the other a few days later. No purchase so far has been made under what is known as the group-settlement scheme set out in Part II of the Land Laws Amendment Act, 1928. The older settlements are now occupied by tenants who, on the whole, are prosperous and contented. Perhaps the best indication of progress and prosperity is afforded by the rent returns. Twelve months ago forty-three lessees were in arrears to the amount of £1,929. The corresponding figures for the year just closed are twenty-two and £1,321. A revaluation of the holdings on Beaumont, Settlement was made during the year, and the hope is expressed that the settlers on this settlement will now enter upon a period of uninterrupted prosperity.

C—l

32

APPENDIX III.—LAND DRAINAGE OPERATIONS. (R. G. MacMorban, Chief Drainage Engineer.) As usual, the main operations of this Branch have been connected with the major land-drainage works, and, as laid down by statute, separate reports have been prepared covering Hauraki Plains, Rangitaiki, Kaitaia, Hikurangi, Waihi, and Poukawa drainage-works. Inspections and reports on general drainage matters have been made in several cases, the principal being at Wellsford, Taupo, Tatarariki, Tikinui, Shines Outlet, Kuku, Tauhei, Muir's Swamp, Jed River, Aotea Harbour Reclamation, and Oreti Peat Bog. Works carried out by local authorities under Government grants and subsidies have been supervised and inspected, with a total amount of £16,660 passed for payment in this connection. Hereunder is a short summary of general work carried out by this Branch : — Flax-planting, Hauraki Plains. —As a means of providing relief works for unemployed, a low-lying alluvial area of 568 acres on the Hauraki Plains, near Kaihere, was planted in flax in the previous year. This work was continued during the past planting-season on adjoining area. Approximately one-third of the area selected was alluvial, the balance being peat with a surface-elevation ranging from high spring-tide level to about 12 ft. above that mark, whilst the elevation of the clay subsoil varied from spring-tide level to some 8 ft. below that level. About twenty men were engaged from June until September in clearing, draining, gathering, and planting flax-plants. In all, 319 acres were dealt with, entailing the collecting and planting of some 242,800 flax-plants. Later in the year the work of cutting and poisoning blackberry in the area under flax was undertaken. It is too early to give any definite result of poisoning with arsenic spray. The total area of flax-plantations is now 887 acres, of which 700 acres is alluvial swamp and the balance is peat. On the alluvial land the planted flax is flourishing, but on the peat area the results are not so satisfactory. It is anticipated that the flax on the former area should be ready for milling in the summer of 1931-32. Motutangi Block. —During the year 1 mile 7 chains of outlet drain was constructed, but the main outfall constructed in April, 1928, is at present in bad order owing to silt-deposits and growth of weeds. This drain is of flat grade and of little practical use unless cleared at least once every year. The settlers concerned have formed a drainage district under the jurisdiction of the Mangonui County Council so this matter of maintenance is one for the settlers themselves. Taupiri Drainage and River District. —A report on the southern portion of this area was prepared in 1925 under the heading of " Woodlands Swamp " and dealt with the area in the Mangawara River basin approximately within, the triangle bounded by Hamilton, Morrinsville, and Taupiri, an area of approximately 57,000 acres of flat land. During the last year the field data was extended over the balance of the flat lands of approximately 20,000 acres in the Mangawara basin. This work entailed the following : — Miles eh. Miles eh. Traverse .. .. 69 12 Cross-sections (drain) .. .. 2 14 Levels .. .. .. .. 95 58 Watershed definition .. .. 40 0 Check levels .. .. .. 27 67 Swamp-edge .. .. .. 30 0 Scrub-cutting . . .. 3 13 Current-meter gaugings .. 29 0 Peat-soundings .. . . .. 3 11 Staff gauges installed .. .. 6 0 Cross-sections (river) .. .. 3 56 Upon the completion of the field-work, plans and a report were prepared and copies of these have been forwarded to the amalgamation committee, which is working with the object of amalgamating all the Boards —both Drainage and River —in the Mangawara watershed. During last session of Parliament, statutory authority was provided by the passing of the Taupiri Drainage and River District Act for the control under one Board of the area on the Mangawara Basin. Proposed external boundaries of the new district, as well as ward boundaries, have been demarcated and forwarded to the committee. In order to further enhance the data obtained, arrangements have been made for the staff gauges erected in the Mangawara to be read by settlers in the vicinity, and results forwarded here for use by the new Board at a later date. Ngatea-Kaihere Road, Hauraki Plains. —The work of metalling the gap in the road along the Puhanga Canal and Piako River from Puhanga Canal to the Kaihere Landing was completed. Two-thirds of the cost was found by the Public Works Fund, the Hauraki Plains County Council finding the remaining one-third. A through metal surface was provided prior to last winter, but the metalling was not actually completed until October, 1929. During the year 32 chains of road was re-formed, and 3,519 cubic yards of metal laid, covering 1 mile 33 chains. Kerepeehi Block Roads Metalling, Hauraki Plains. —In view of the opening for selection in May, 1930, of the Crown sections in the Kerepeehi Block it was desirable to proceed with the metalling of the access roads for which a pound-for-pound subsidy was provided from the Public Works Fund. The work was commenced in October, and by the end of the period under review 2 miles 14 chains of Awaiti Canal Western Embankment Road had been re-formed, also 1 mile

33

C—l

33 chains of the Makumaku Road. Some 3,940 cubic yards of broken metal had been delivered on roads and base-course of metal laid for a distance of 2 miles 54 chains. The unfavourable weather experienced until well into the summer hampered progress. Earlier in the year 2 miles 1\ chains of the Kerepeehi-Kaihere Road from Kerepeehi to the Kaihere Ferry was graded, rolled, and resurfaced with 1,146 cubic yards of metal. Patetonga Riding Roads Metalling, Hauraki Plains. —This work comprises widening, improvement, and metalling of 8 miles 20 chains of road situated in the vicinity of Patetonga. The Public Works Fund is providing four-fifths of the cost and the Hauraki Plains County Council the remaining onefifth. The work is being spread over three metalling seasons and at 31st March, 1929, the contractor had delivered only 552 cubic yards of metal. Work was continued to May, 1929, at which date the base-course of metal had been laid to Patetonga Township, completing the gap in the metalled road from Patetonga to Morrinsville. Metalling was resumed last October and steady progress maintained throughout the summer. Early in April the base-course of metal had been laid from Patetonga to existing metal surface at Kaihere, thus providing an all-weather road-connection between Patetonga and Ngatea. Some 6,566 cubic yards of metal was spread during the year, and base-course laid for 5 miles 38 chains, and surface-course for 1 mile 39 chains. Incidentally 3 miles 23 chains of hill road was reconstructed and 1 mile 57 chains of swamp road re-formed, entailing the cartage of 8,828 cubic yards of clay for ballasting and haunching. Orongo Settlement. —On this settlement some 9 miles 25 chains of drains were cleaned and 1 mile 36 chains deepened. A 4-ft.-diameter concrete-pipe culvert was also constructed under the new road-approach to the Waihou River Bridge (Kopu). Tangowahine Settlement. —The only work carried out on this settlement has been the regular inspection of the flood-gates along the Northern Wairoa River, and this work should be continued until the adjacent sections are selected, when the incoming tenants can carry on this work. Reporoa Settlement. —Only one drain was cleaned on this area during last autumn, but following on the signing of a petition by the settlers for the formation of a Drainage Board, tenders have been let for the cleaning of all outlet drains. Summary of Work done :— Miles oh. Miles eh. Cleaning drains .. .. .. 303 28 Traverses run .. .. .. 150 73 Widening and deepening drains .. 57 30 Willows ring-barked .. .. 13 15 Constructing new drains . . . . 36 19 Number. Dredge-cuts and canals (new) .. 16 76 Flood-gates built .. .. .. 12 River and canal improvements .. 22 03 Pile bridges erected .. .. 12 Roads disked and graded .. .. 9 40 Sill bridges erected .. .. 7 Roads metalled . . . . .. 2 72 Cub. yds. Roads partially metalled (first course) 8 12 Metal used for roads .. .. 15,221 Stopbanks formed .. .. 2 30 Clay used for roads .. .. 8,828 Stopbanks raised or strengthened .. 8 70 Spoil excavated by floating or dryStopbanks repaired . .. 15 45 land excavators.. .. 1,536,545 Fences erected .. . . . . 4 32 Rock excavated .. .. .. 29,688 Levels taken .. .. • ■ 255 15 Planted in flax .. .. .. 319 acres Office. —The expenditure passed through the books totalled £156,777 10s. lid., of which amount £48,419 16s. lid. was paid from Thames and Whakatane Imprest Account, and £48,538 3s. sd. through the Auckland Branch of the Treasury. Some 261 piecework and co-operative contracts were let, and 3,506 vouchers prepared and passed for payment. The total revenue collected was £24,532 13s. 3d. Rates. —Drainage rates are now being levied in four districts —viz., Hauraki Plains, Rangitaiki, Waihi. and Kaitaia, entailing 1,917 rate notices. The rates struck totalled £19,497 7s. 7d., and amount collected totalled £15,138 18s. 6d. Photostat. —The photostat machine was operated on fifty-seven occasions and 3,950 prints were made, comprising 1,584 for the use of this Branch, 1,055 for District Survey Office and Public Works Department (for which no charge was made), and 1,109 for Valuation, State Forest, and Lands and Deeds Departments.

APPENDIX IV.—HUTT VALLEY SETTLEMENT. (H. W. C. Mackintosh, Commissioner of Crown Lands.) Wonderful strides have been made in the development of this area in the past twelve months, both in the residential and the industrial portions. Prices continue to be very satisfactory, and the sales are at least equal to expectations. With the success of the scheme absolutely assured, one may now with safety and a certain degree of satisfaction quote figures showing the progress of the work to date, and the financial position as at the end of the year just completed. A total of 1,200 sections have now been disposed of, and this number is made up as follows : Residential sites, 824 ; shop-sites, 46 ; sites for workers' homes, 301 ; church-sites, 6 ; school-sites, 3 ; industrial sites, 16 ; and areas for Railways Department, 4. Of the total number disposed of, 875 were sold as the result of some twenty-five auction sales, all of which were conducted by this office.

5—C. 1.

C—l

34

As showing the popularity of the scheme, I might mention that in the area north of White's Line, 760 residential sections were offered, and of this number only thirty remain unsold. In the Bell Block, the area adjoining the Railway Workshops, sales have not been so popular, and of 178 sections offered, only eighty-one have been sold. However, lam certain that the prejudice against the proximity of the Workshops will soon disappear, and that sales in this locality will improve, particularly when industries in the adjacent industrial area get going. The industrial railway-line now completed throughout the Department's area is in active operation, and several industrial concerns —namely, General Motors ; Metters (N.Z.), Ltd. ; W. D. and H. 0. Wills ; Wellington Concrete Pipe Co. ; Texaco Oil Co. ; Vacuum Oil Co. ; Hume Pipe Co. ; Hutt Valley Shingle Co. ; and the Railway Workshops, are actively engaged in their various industries on areas sold by the Department. The development of the industrial area has necessitated the construction of a wharf at Point Howard to berth the oil-tankers, and it is anticipated that another wharf will be required and built in the same locality in the near future. During the year a road (Seaview Road) has been completed from approximately the pipe-line bridge across the Hutt River to Lowry Bay Road, and this is now practically the main highway between Wellington City, and the eastern bays. This road, which shortens the distance between the city and the eastern bays and return by one mile, was financed mainly by the Department, and that the expenditure was justified is apparent when it is mentioned that the whole of the frontage to this road has been disposed of at the satisfactory figure of £34,327. After payment for land acquired, £174,472 ; incidental expenses, £10,623 ; subdivision, roading, sewering, &c, £199,061 ; and taking into account sales to date amounting to £488,244, the Trading Account discloses a gross profit of £171,148. After providing interest on capital advanced from Lands for Settlement Account the net profit available for the Railways Department as a contribution towards the cost of the railway is £148,795, while from the gross profit there, will be paid to the Lands and Survey Department the sum of £11,530 as expenses of administration. For the coming year the gross amount of unpaid capital advanced from Land for Settlements Account is £124,717, and this sum as reduced from time to time by payments received will be charged with interest at the rate of 5 per cent., which charge should be less than £6,235 for the year. The sum of £232,009, represents unpaid purchase-money, and this is bearing interest at the rate of 5| per cent., and should realize by way of interest not less than £12,760 for the year. The land on hand at the 31st March, 1930, and unsold is estimated to realize £106,000, and this has been taken into the accounts as an asset at £66,562. It is expected that the excess of interest-earnings over interest-payments will more than meet all incidental expenses for the coming year. It is interesting to note that of the sales made, 53 per cent, has been received in cash. A great feature of the development is the wonderful progress that is being made with the building operations in the residential area, and it is difficult to realize such a complete transformation from what only four years ago was open paddocks to what to-day is a' first-class residential suburb laid out on the latest town-planning ideas, and supplied with every modern convenience. From the gross profit referred to above the sum of £11,530 will be paid to the Lands and Survey Department as expenses of administration. My thanks are due to the Chief Surveyor (Mr. F. H. Waters) and the members of my staff whose hearty co-operation over the past few years has allowed this sum to be earned without any numerical increase in the staff, and who also have helped considerably in the success of the whole scheme.

APPENDIX V.—A REPORT ON FIELD EXPERIMENTS IN PIGEON VALLEY, MOUTERE HILLS. (By T. Rigg, Chief of the Agricultural Department, Cawthron Institute.) Introduction. In previous reports of the Cawthron Institute attention has been drawn to unsatisfactory returns from stock, particularly sheep, on Moutere Hills country. Lambing percentages are rather low—in certain cases less than 50 per cent. High mortality of hoggets frequently occurs during the late autumn and winter if the seasons are unfavourable for stock. Ewes lose condition during the winter, and frequently are slow to recover. Unless the pastures have been resown with good English grasses and clovers, after preliminary lime and phosphate treatment of the land, it is impossible to fatten lambs on Moutere Hills pastures. One of the most striking features of stock-ailment on these pastures is the occurrence of Xanthin calculi in the kidneys of sheep. During the two years in which careful observations have been made, no less than thirty sheep on one badly affected farm have died. In at least twenty cases the presence of Xanthin calculi in the kidneys of sheep may be regarded as a predisposing cause of death. With a view to determining the causes of Xanthin calculi formation and improving the position of the stock industry on Moutere pastures, extensive experiments have been conducted by the Cawthron Institute during the last two years. The experiments include chemical studies of the soil and pastures, and the conduct of field experiments to find a practical remedy by the treatment of the pastures. Through the interest displayed by Mr. A. F. Waters, Commissioner of Crown Lands at Nelson, the co-operation of the Lands Department was secured in financing some of ,the field experiments

35

C.—l

conducted on a farm in Pigeon Valley, where considerable loss from Xanthin calculi was being sustained. The chemical studies, reported elsewhere, have shown that the Moutere Hills soil is extremely deficient in lime, phosphate, and organic matter. Where great deterioration of pasture has occurred the supply of available soil nitrogen is also low. The chemical analyses of the pastures reported in Bulletin 19, Department of Scientific and Industrial Research, have shown that serious deficiencies of lime, phosphate, nitrogen, and soluble ash occur in untreated natural pasture. These deficiencies are acute in mid-summer and early autumn growth. It is very probable that the feed available for stock during the winter —consisting as it does of mature growth—is of even lower feeding-value. Analyses of a Moutere pasture resown with English grasses and clovers, after preliminary treatment of the land with lime and phosphate, have shown that its composition compares favourably with good pastures in the Waimea County. On this pasture no difficulty has been experienced in maintaining stock in good condition. Field Experiments. With a view to determining the nature of the factors operating in the production of stock-ailment on the Moutere pastures, and with the object of finding some practical remedy for the trouble, field experiments have been conducted on two farms in Pigeon Valley. One farm called "A" in this report was very impoverished, and many deaths of sheep have occured through calculus formation. The other farm called " B " was not so poor, and no serious loss of stock has been experienced by the owner. Small Xanthin calculi have, however, frequently been found in the kidneys of sheep on this farm. In connection with the field experiments on farm A, a large block of typical hill land has been subdivided into fields varying in size from sto 10 acres. These fields have been top-dressed with lime, phosphate, lime and phosphate respectively. Other fields are being utilized to test the value of bonemeal " licks " for sheep on these poor pastures. In every case the fields have been stocked with a uniform line of sheep which have been weighed at frequent intervals. On farm B the value of basic slag for pasture-treatment has been tested. Sheep have grazed treated and untreated blocks on this farm, and weights of the sheep grazing thereon have been recorded at frequent intervals since the inception of the experiments. The sheep-weights from the experiments on the two farms, and other records which have been obtained on better pastures stocked with the same line of sheep, have revealed important differences in the feeding-value of the pastures. In the case of farm A which is undoubtedly the poorest for stock, live-weight increase in young stock, whether lambs or hoggets, is restricted largely to the spring and early summer periods. In mid-summer and early autumn stock maintain their weight with difficulty, frequently losing condition if droughty weather is experienced. A slight gain in weight generally accompanies grazing during April and May if good rains are experienced in the early autumn. In winter difficulty is again experienced in maintaining condition of any class of sheep. Ewes, in particular, suffer during the winter period, and frequently sheep drop 7 lb. to 10 lb. in weight. In case of Farm B somewhat better conditions obtain. Hoggets and lambs increase rapidly in weight during the spring period and continue to do so during the greater part of the summer. Sheep tend to lose weight in the late summer and winter periods, but, owing to more robust development, the sheep are better able to withstand these adverse periods. The gains made by young stock on Moutere pastures, even on the better farms, are much below those made by the same class of stock when removed to top-dressed pastures containing a grass and clover mixture. The following sheep weights illustrate the differences which are characteristic of stock-condition on the different pastures which have been mentioned. 1. Lambs on Top-dressed Subterranean-clover Mixture.- —Average live weights on 12th October, 1929, 25 lb. ; 24th December, 1929, 68-5 lb. ; 4th April, 1930, 86-5 lb. 2. Same Class of Lambs on Farm A (Moutere Pasture). —Average live weights on 2nd October, 1929, 18-6 lb. ; 12th December, 1929, 49-3 lb. ; 14th March, 1930, 53-4 lb. ; 4th April, 1930, 48-1 lb. ; 22nd May, .1930, 50-9 lb. 3. Ewe Hoggets on Farm A (Moutere Pasture). —Average live weights on 18th September, 1928, 53-5 lb. ; 24th December, 1928, 72 lb. ; 12th April, 1929, 75-5 lb. ; 24th September, 1929, 66-5 lb.* ; 4th April, 1930, 74-3 lb. 4. Ewe Hoggets on Farm B (Moutere Pasture). —Average live weights on 11th September, 1928, 57-6 lb. ; 24th January, 1929, 86-5 lb. ; 19th April, 1929, 83-9 lb. ; 16th October, 1929, 73-3 lb.*; 14th March, 1930, 83-1 lb. In connection with the field experiments which are being conducted on farms A and B considerable information is now available concerning the value of both lime and phosphate treatment of the land in improving the pasture and in securing better returns from stock. Owing to the great deterioration which has taken place in the pastures on farm A, the maximum effect of top-dressing treatment is not likely to be realized for several years. The following notes show, however, that considerable improvement has already been effected. Farm A (Poor Moutere Pasture). —Block (1) treated with 18 cwt. ground limestone and 4 cwt. basic slag per acre : On this area a very great improvement in flora of the pasture has been effected —white clover and trefoil becoming prominent within six months of treatment. A block of 10 acres carried eighteen hoggets during the summer and autumn. During the winter fifteen ewes (rising twotooths) were wintered. No deaths in ewes occurred. Ten lambs wore born, of which six survived. Five ewes failed to get into lamb. At the conclusion of the winter period one ewe showed symptoms of kidney trouble. Feed was very scarce during the late winter and ewes dropped greatly in condition. If supplementary feed had been available a, much higher lambing percentage would have been obtained. Block (2) —Untreated 10-acre block : This block was stocked with six hoggets during the summer. Eight hoggets, including five ewes (rising two-tooths) were wintered. The sheep did very poorly. Two

* After lambing.

C—l

36

ewes died and no lambs survived. The sheep which died were both affected with kidney trouble, which was a predisposing cause of death. In addition, another sheep had definite symptoms of kidney trouble at the conclusion of the winter period. These experiments are being continued with a fresh line of sheep brought in from other districts where kidney trouble has not been experienced. Provision has been made for winter feed, and it is anticipated that better results will be obtained from the treated block than was the case during the first season. Farms. —On farm B treatment of the pasture with basic slag at the rate of 4 cwt. per acre has given greatly increased returns. On this farm deterioration of pasture was not so bad as on farm A, there being a sprinkling of clover and trefoil in the flora. The ground was moister, favouring a more immediate effect of the basic slag, and giving much more growth in the late summer and autumn than was the case with the treated block on farm A. The following notes illustrate the effect of basic slag in improving stock returns : — Block (1), 7 acres, treated with 4 cwt. per acre basic slag : This block was stocked with 13 ewe hoggets from the 11th September, 1928 to the 15th November, 1928. The number was then increased to sixteen. On the 19th April, 1929, the sheep had made an average gain of 30-3 lb. per head over the spring weights. The sheep dropped in condition during the winter, the average weight after lambing on the 16th October, 1929, being 80-6 lb. Ten lambs survived, and no loss of ewes was experienced during the winter period. Block (2), 7 acres untreated : This block was stocked with seven ewe hoggets from the 11th September, 1928, to the 15th November, 1928. The number was then increased to ten and remained at this figure during the winter. On the 19th April, 1929, the sheep had made an average gain of 26-3 lb. per head. They lost condition during the winter, the average weight after lambing being only 73-3 lb. per head. Six lambs survived, and no deaths occurred in ewes during the winter period. These experiments are being continued, and provision has been made for supplementary feed during the winter. Conclusion. The field experiments so far as they have gone have, revealed the very low feeding-value of Moutere pasture. This has been confirmed by analyses of pasture samples (see Bulletin 19, Department of Scientific and Industrial Research). In the case of untreated pasture on a deteriorated farm, live-weight increase of stock is restricted to the spring and early summer periods of pasture-growth. During the late summer and the winter great difficulty occurs in maintaining condition of young stock. Ewes drop greatly in condition unless supplementary feed is available. Treatment of the pasture with basic slag or lime and basic slag has given good results, enabling a higher stocking of the pasture and better returns to be obtained from the sheep. On a very deteriorated farm where much kidney trouble has been experienced the results obtained from the first season on the pasture treated with lime and phosphate are not entirely satisfactory. It appears probable that supplementary feed during the winter and the provision of one or more fields resown with English grasses and clovers will be essential in order to maintain ewes during the winter period, and enable satisfactory growth of lambs during the spring and early summer to be made.

MOUTERE PASTURES GROWTH CURVES (SHEEP).

37

C—l

HUTT VALLEY LANDS SETTLEMENT ACCOUNT. Trading Account for Year ended 31st March, 1930. £ s. d. £ s. d. Land on hand, Ist April, 1929 .. .. 100,000 0 0 Sales of land ... .. .. .. 125,343 6 0 Cost of subdivision, street-formation, and expenses Land on hand, 31st March, 1930 .. .. 66,562 0 0 in preparing land for sale .. .. .. 31,842 10 0 Incidental expenses.. .. .. .. 1,414 17 2 Balance—Transferred to Profit and Loss Account 58,647 18 10 £191,905 6 0 £191,905 6 0 Profit and Loss Account for Year ended 31st March, 1930. £ s. d. £ s. d. Administration expenses .. .. .. 3,416 16 6 Balance —Transferred from Trading Account .. 58,647 18 10 Interest on capital provided out of the Land for Accrued rent .. .. .. .. 184 11 5 Settlements Account .. .. .. 6,811 19 11 Accrued interest .. .. .. .. 10,816 14 1 Losses written off .. .. .. .. 102 16 10 Interest on investments .. .. .. 231 1 3 Preliminary expenses —Cost of obtaining options, Excess amounts in respect of land sold paid under &c. .. .. .. .. .. 500 0 0 section 5 (4) (a) of the Hutt Valley Lands Balance—Profit for year carried down .. 59,080 9 4 Settlement Amendment Act, 1927 .. .. 31 17 0 £69,912 2 7 £69,912 2 7 £ s. d. £ s. d. Balance—Net profit to 31st March, 1930 .. 148,795 10 10 Balance brought forward .. .. .. 89,715 1 6 Balance —Profit for year brought down .. 59,080 9 4 £148,795 10 10 £148,795 10 10 Balance-sheet as at 31st March, 1930. Liabilities. Assets. Land for Settlements Account: £ s. d. Monoys provided for — £ s. d. £ s. d. Land on hand .. .. .. ..- 66,562 0 0 Purchase of land .. .. 162,812 17 1 Railway Improvement Authorization Act 19.14 Street-formation .. .. 199,061 16 1 Account—Balance unpaid on area taken for Incidental expenses.. .. 10,623 1 3 workshops .. .. .. .. 26,389 8 0 - 372,497 14 5 Sundry debtors for— £ s. d. Railways Improvement Authorization Act 1914 • Sales of land (not yet payable) 232,009 11 9 Account —Purchase of land .. .. 11,660 0 0 Land taken for school-sites , (Education Department) .. 3,500 0 0 384,157 14 5 Land taken for railway purLess Repayments under section poses .. .. .. 3,364 19 0 11 (2)" of the Hutt Valley Rents .. .. .. 27 11 0 Lands Settlement Act, 1925— £ s. d. Principal instalments .. 569 0 4 Land for Settlements Account 247,776 11 5 Interest on sales .. .. 2,053 17 4 Railway Improvement Authori- . Miscellaneous .. .. 1 10 0 zation Act 1914 Account .. 11,660 0 0 241,526 9 5 259,436 11 5 Interest accrued but not due .. .. 1,759 14 7 Losses in suspense .. .. .. .. 141 0 11 Capital .. .. -.. .. .. 124,721 3 0 Cash in Public Account .. .. .. 61 5 2 Land for Settlements Account —Interest on capital provided for purchases of land, &o. .. 43,038 7 4 Railway Improvement Authorization Act 1914 Account—lnterest on cost of land .. .. 1,014 14 1 Consolidated Fund—Administration expenses .. 11,530 18 9 Sundry creditors — Education Department for amount wrongly credited to Hutt Valley Lands Settle- £ s. d. ment Account .. .. 7,130 0 0 Miscellaneous .. .. 1 10 0 7,131 10 0 Payments in advance — Rents .. .. .. 4 0 0 Interest, on sales .. .. 53 4 11 Principal instalments .. 6 12 4 63 17 3 Rents due but not accrued .. .. .. 2 15 11 Writings-off in suspense .. .. .. 141 0 11 Profit and Loss Account — Balance at 31st March, 1929 . . 89,715 1 6 Profit for year .. .. 59,080 9 4 148,795 10 10 £336,439 18 1 £336,439 18 1 J. B. Thompson, Under-Secretary for Lands. J. H. O'Donnell, Controller of Accounts. I hereby certify that the Trading Account, Profit and Loss Account, and Balance Sheet have been duly examined and compared with the relative books and documents submitted for audit, and correctly state the position as disclosed thereby. Signed J. H. Fowler, Deputy Controller and Auditor General.

C.-l

38

TABLES.

Table 1 . —Return showing (approximately) Position of Lands in the Dominion at 31st March, 1930.

District. Total Area of Total Area Total Area S"S*3* f sol.l or granted reserved 'SfStSS*? n and held on for Public , 0 a ",!™ U ' e " f h , F-coholil I'nir.o.es exclusive of for lulture i.tcnoia. rurpo,e». Reserves leased Disposal, by Crown). Total Area of .Native Lund. Land..unfit for Settlement (including Area occupied by Rivers, Lakes, Roads, &c). Total Area in Land District. North Auckland Auckland Gisborne Hawke's Bay .. Taranaki Wellington* .. Nelson Marlborough .. Westland Canterbury Otago Southland Acres. Acres. Acres. Acres. .. i 2,575,927 446,155 487,702 227,714 .. j 2,569,736 1,106,131 939,817 780,000 1,130,548 431,793 514,251 78,120 1,542,587 200,684 590,315 103,926 1,126,258 340,492 625,899 66,347 3,573,234 1,020,847 814,460 169,069 657,672 2,361,580 786,061 138,000 788,445 355,123 1,500,856 21,621 .. I 161,991 2,007,592 766,181 458,447 3.550,481 1,434,636 3,981,801 2,336 1,994,233 957,273 5,452,250 38,466 1,850,150 4,259,551 1,532,459 137,740 Acres. 523,274 1,651,754 1,056,065 394,389 176,231 795,589 30,051 Acres. 217,428 1,173,135 308,714 82,420 69,204 677,870 741,636 101,955 469,167 509,176 651,900 103,347 Acres. 4,478,200 8,220,573 3,519,491 2,914,321 2,404,431 7,051,069 4,715,000 2,768,000 3,863,378 9,478,430 9,094,122 7,883,247 Totals .. 21,521,262 .. 21,521,262 14,921,857 I 17,992,052 2.,221,786 j i 4,627,353 5,105,952 06', 390,262 Totals 14,921,857 17,992,052 * Inolui is Chatham Islai ids.

C—l

Table 2. —Lands selected during the Year ended 31st March, 1930.

Table 3. —Lands held on Lease at 31st March, 1930.

39

Cash. Deferred Payment. Renewable Lease. Small Grraziiig-nihs. Pastoral Runs. Fo. ! Area. Pastoral Licenses in Mining Districts under Special Regulations. No. Area. Mining Districts I Land Occupation Leases. No. Area. Miscellaneous Leases, &c. No. Area. Education Endowments. No. Area Totals. No. Area. Land District No. Area. No. Area. No. Area. No. Area. No. Area. No. Area. No. Area. No. Area. ' I i I I I Acres. Acres. 8,514 71 17,306 13,167 78 26,290 9 5,047 336 4 3,371 1,491 55 23,000 7,640 49 13,688' 971 19 5,006 1 7 6,904 16 2,459 530 ; 40 7,589 14 j 19 4,022 2,107 i 26 6,260 Acres. | Acres. 107,400 8,157 Acres. 17 ! 5,330 6 1,691 16 3,487 Acres. 5 | 31 Acres. 53 ! 10,104 87 ! 14,212 37 9,338 7 50 51 14,449 81 11,015 40 1,923 9 291 117 5,655 144 5,395 69 4,644 33 11,783 18 7 5 1 11 7 4 1 2 1 77 Acres. 918 2,644 1,966 3,738 309 228 j 21 448 |l7,799 Acres. 250 37,846 353 63,201 54 16,367 32 3,855 143 43,110 454 32,970 109 9,992 23 7,294 169 119,208 214 14,107 139 16,951 151 37,999 North Auckland Auckland Gisborne Hawke's Bay Taranaki Wellington . . Nelson Marlborough Westland Canterbury .. Otago Southland 39 62 3 15 II 32 35 5 5 23 47 9 Acres. 1,004 1,527 16 97 432 318 173 97 186 145 114 50 69 97 5 15 285 5 1 | ! 6 1 6 13 3 Totals 286 4,159 : 490 34,771 393 120,942 16 115,557 39 | 10,508 5~ 31 728 88,859 134 28,073 I 2,091 402,900 120,942 ! ! I I

Deferred Payment. Lease in Perpetuity. Renewable Lease. ,,° 0 Sl ap - t J? n T ith '■ Small GrazingRight of Purchase. | runs. I i Pastoral Runs. License? in I^ S fe tS Perpetual MPM Occupation Le!lses - Districts. Lea " ses Miscellaneous Leases i Education and Licenses. Endowments. ■folate. Land District. I No. Area. No. Area. No. Area. [ No. Area. No. Area. No. Area. No. Area. No. Area. | No. Area. No. Area. ' No. Area. No. Area. Area. i No. Area. No. Area. No. Area. No. Area. No. Area. No. Area. j No. Area. No. Area. No. Area. : j ' i i i j i i l l ! ' l _J Acres. North Auckland 421 28,619 425 Auckland .. 1,552 163,493 389 Gisborne "... 45 16,512 ! 90 Hawke's Bay -.. 109 42,066 413 Taranaki .. 124 14,816 607 Wellington .. 1,183 107,426 1,039 Nelson .. 71 16,599 369 Marlborough .. 44 24,207 550 Westland .. 55 4,561 354 Canterbury .. 103 23,027 1,454 Otago .. .. 81 45,192 1,305 Southland .. 118 10,991 541 i ! Acres. Acres. Acres. Acres. Acres. i Acres. [ Acres. ; Acres. I Acres. Acres. ! Acres. 68.253 842 163,982 i 796 [ 135,117 .. .. 1 553 [.. .. . | 2 71 7 324 . 461 105,441 726 42,599 ', 3,681 544,959 106,506 1,227 255,163' 888 247,340 9 38.267 1 8,755 ! 163 47,109 151 3,347 .. .. 935* 70,774* 170 53,326 ' 5.485 994,080 40,091 : 272 130,607 139 ! 93,634 70 ; 190,934 1 186 !.. .. i .. .. .. ..146 31,520 71 : 40,424 i 834 543,908 110,968 514 203,860 178 53,319 23 47,404 12 85,832 j ! .. .. 129 47,545 196 ! 51,720. 1,574 642,714 153,581 : 436 150,129 1 418 [ 177,730 3 3,422! .. .. I .. .. .. .. 1 328 1 278 47,293 596 J 46,936 2,463 594,235 143,650 11,149 196,272! 462 170,413 19 28,084 9 15,855 ; .. .. I .. 1 .. 2 476 ! 502 25,746 521 103,763 4,886! 791,685 122,292 I 590 i 240,787 ! 92 33,410 12 16,633 ! 4 201,509 189 36,268 ! 18 677 1 104 ! 432 118,077 137 j 7,464 1,915 ' 793,820 178,897 ! 287 [ 149,557 j 79 24,444 107 : 276,018 : 43 832.638 ! .. .. I .'. .. 7 52 238 19,962 40 i 1,413 1,395 | 1,507,188 41,268 ! 641 ! 77,022 ' 24 5,473 .. .. 49 742,510 281 56,495 133 919 1 50 909 219,603 121 j 13,535 2,568 ! 1,161,436 251,707 I 909 359,899: 11 1,620 146 j 472,751 123 2,809,729! 61 1,794 980+. 225,3631 237 ! 70,859 j 4,024 ! 4,216,749 278,757! 988! 320 164: 164 24.784 1389 1,459,891 311 3,279,355! .. .. 330 110,951 68 3.507 l,518t 172,612+ 440 46,165 5,594 5,641,378 91,316 [ 407 ! 83,110 ! 206 35,658 I 20 ; 64,989 ' 71 1,277,421 ! 47 ! 1,301 18 197 408 56,221 ] 806 337,427 ! 2,642 1,958,631 ! ' : i i ___; ! L ' I _! L_JL__ Totals .. 3,906 [497,509 :7,536 i 1,587,286 [8,262 2,330,552 [3,457 II,002, 942 r798 J 2,598, 393 625 9,254,343 ! 633 139,872 681 17,266 j 166 6,832 [6,936 [l,140, 157 I- ■-""!•'■" I I ' I I II I 4,061 815.631 37.061 19,390,78; * Includes Thermal Springs District leases. t Includes agricultural leases. % Includes Hanmer Crown leases. Note. —This table includes national endowments and education endowments, but excludes other endowments administered by Land Boards.

A—i

40

Table 4. —Lands disposed of under the Land for Settlements Acts to the 31st March, 1930.

Table 5. —Endowment Lands administered by Land Boards and leased at 31st March, 1930

Table 6. —Total Receipts, Arrears, and Postponements of Rent at 31st March, 1930.

Approximate Cost of Paper. — Preparation, not given; printing (750 copies) £65.

Authority: W. A. G. Skinner, Government Printer, Wellington.—l93o.

Price Is.]

Land District. Area 3 m ai acquired." » Area of Laud unlet, including Land forfeited, surrendered, or resumed and not relet, and also Land not yet offered for Selection. Total Area pure Cash and made to Date ■2 j= Area. S £ chased for ! ) Freehold Total Lands lease e. e. ~ ; o Price : ® % , realized. : |1 Area - !J£ id to Date Kent and other Payments received during the Year. Total Receipts from Inception to 31st March.' 1930. Annual Rental. North Auckland Auckland Gisborne Hawke's Bay.. Taranaki Wellington Nelson Marlborough .. Westland Canterbury Otago Southland Acres. 50,612 354,361 87,050 227,357 28,237 161,038 64,553 235,867 6,033 608,691 300,764 100,247 Acres. 1,186 77,675 391 2,428 257 1,073 955 2,643 81 4,600 3,689 1,050 Acre..-.. 8,361 21,032 12.757 12 738 8.827 760 101 3,239 130 1,081 Acres. 230 2,598 744134.014 47 7,087 125 22,385 58 1,921 454 14,150 61 1,634 53 9,154 4| 398; 312 18,813 72 7,619 .1.18 16,746 | £ ! Acres. 35,286 292! 38,467 295,054 884 121,640 54,034 217 66,815 134,562 600 202,544 43,373 148 20,047 161,958 988| 145,077 2,953 63; 53,137 37,320 484' 223.310 238 37j 5,453 147,297 1,892! 582,039 38,2031,118 289,326 64,133 355 81,370 j ' 1,014,4117,0781,835,225 £ ' 12,494 ; 32,498, 23,743| 71,9211 13,301) 78,275[ 3,400! 36,095 863 163,484 77,140 19,376 12,860 j 37,376 I 24,814 69,179 8,342 93,316 1,948 33,693 772 160,938 70,824 18,188 £ 177,660 960,822 267,324 810,606 207,803 1,169,315 58,049 782,821 15,464 3.437,834 1,580,339 449,625 9,917,662 Totals .. 2,223'236,519[ III 532,590| 532,250 2,224,810| 96,028 57,038

Nai tional Endow 'ment. Edu< sation Endowments. Ol Ither Endowu 'ments. ments. Totals. Totals. Land District. o .12 S Area. Annual Rental. 1-4 Xi a u <o a 3 Area. Annual Rental. »' 1 Annual a . Rental. S Area - i ! [ ■8 Area Annual Area - Rental. Area. Annual Rentai. i sS North Auckland Auckland Gisborne Hawke's Bay . . Taranaki Wellington Nelson Marlborough .. Westland Canterbury Otago Southland 418 577 71 53 162 116 706 208 1,013 157 765 231 Acres. 87,990 176,392 147,313 64,541 62,666 61,916 249,952 541,376 282,260 1,678,274 2,512,188 765,938 I £ 6,455 7,445 10,290 4,986 3,194 4,368 4,140 7,084 3,763 41,418 38,992 7,269 726 170 71 196 596 521 137 40 121 237 440 806 Acres. 42,599 53,326 40,424 51,720 46,936 103,763 7,464 1,413 13,535 70,859 46,165 337,427 £ 8,640 3,753 8,189 9,634 10,969 30,869 681 570 671 31,418 6,416 21,494 i 11 4 10 19 63 448 Acres. 1,733 942 i 115 9,724 22,256 16,304 £ 34 25 204 1,195 2,854 1,448 £ Acres. 34 1,155 132,322 25 751 230,660 204 152 187,852 249 116,261 1,195 777 119,326 2,854 700 187,935 1,448 .1,291 .273,720 OHO not) Acres. £ 1,155 132,322 15,129 751 230,660 11,223 152 187,852 18,683 249 116,261 14,620 777 119,326 15,358 700 187,935 38,091 .1,291 .273,720 6,269 248 542,789 7,654 1,136 295,925 4,441 573 1,766,207 74,696 1,274 2,735,242 53,448 .1,054 1,217,696 31,279 2 179 69 17 130 17,074 176,889J 114,331! 7 1,860! 8,040[ 2,510! 248 542,789 7 1,136 295,925 1,860, 573 1,766,207 8,040 1,274 2,735,242 2,510! 1,054 1,217,696 Totals 133,304 822 359,498 I 18,183 9,360 7,805,935 ■ ■■ ■■• •! _L J 4,477 6,630,806 139,404! 4,061 815,631 290,891

Ordinary Land District. Crown Lands. Land for Settlements. National Hutt ! Cheviot EndowValley. j Estate. ment Lands. Education Other Endow- Endow- Miscelment ment laneous. Lands. ! Lands. ..__.. ... Total Receipts. Totil Total Arre-rrs. r °*%»™ ments. £ Auckland 33,735 Auckland .. j 68,749 lisborne .. , 22,431 Hawke's Bay.. : 56,508 raranaki .. 19,790 Wellington .. 41,571 STelson .. 6,207 Warlborough .. 11,864 Westland .. j 5,501 Canterbury .. | 33,049 Dtago .. 43,681 Southland .. ! 16,820 £ 12,860 37,376 j 30,693 69,179 [ 8,342 ! 93,316 1,948 33,794 772 160,938 j 70,824 18,188 j I £ £ £ 5,045 5,880 10,122 4,284 1,364 44,856 .. 4,689 3,515 8,059 7,140 .. 17,208 43,192 39,868 7,848 £ £ £ 8,954 223 480 3,172 76 3,061 9,086 123 359 9,096 721 66 10,994 933 8,891 29,572 4,791 5,393 602 1,543 234 595 .. 268 665 13 202 30 027 1,866 725 6,759 7,065 1,990 21,400 2,462 833 £ . ; 61,897 118,314 72,814 139,854 50,31.4 224,188 14,049 54,580 14,293 287,065 170,187 67,551 £ ■ £ 15,240 4,738 13,550 10,712 4,175 6,523 2,716 25,741 11,152 2,119 18,083 21,887 3,422 1,683 1,610 3,556 1,441 51 13,062 28,994 1,340 10,589 2,791 2,500 Totals .. [.359,906 538,230 44,856 [ 17,268 141,606 130,922 19,816 22,502 1,275,106 88,582 119,093