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

Appendix to the Journals of the House of Representatives, 1931 Session I-II, C-01

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1931. 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 :— page Appendix II: —• Review of Past Year .. .. 2 Land for Settlements — page Legislation .. .. .. 2 Summary of Settlements established .. 13 Land-development .. .. .. 2 Extracts from Reports of Commissioners of Special Settlement of Inferior Lands .. 4 Crown Lands— Lands for Selection .. .. .. 4 North Auckland .. .. 21 Receipts .. .. .. .. 5 Auckland .. .. .. .. 21 Postponements .. .. .. 6 Gisborne .. .. .. .. 21 Rebates .. .. .. .. 6 Hawke's Bay .. .. .. .. 21 National Endowment .. .. .. 6 Taranaki .. .. .. 21 Educational Endowment .. .. .. 6 Wellington .. .. .. 22 Lands reserved for various Purposes .. 6 Nelson .. .. .. .. 22 Land-drainage Operations .. .. .. 6 Marlborough .. .. .. .. 22 Expenditure .. .. .. .. 7 Westland .. .. .. 22 Canterbury .. .. .. 22 Otago .. .. .. .. .. 23 Appendix I:— Southland .. .. .. 23 Settlement of Crown Lands— North Auckland .. .. .. 8 Appendix III: — Auckland .. .. .. .. .. 8 Land-drainage Operations .. .. .. 24 Gisborne .......... 9 Hawke's Bay .. .. .. 9 Tables : — Taranaki .. .. .. .. ..10 Table 1. —Lands of the Dominion, Position of Wellington .. .. .. .. 10 (approximately) .. .. 25 Nelson .. .. .. .. .. 10 „ 2.—Selections during the Year .. 26 Marlborough .. .. .. ..11 „ 3. —All Lands held on Lease .. .. 26 Westland.. .. .. .. ..11 „ 4.—Lands-for-settlement Lands .. 27 Canterbury .. . . .. 12 „ 5. —Endowment Lands leased and adOtago .. .. .. .. 12 ministered by Land Boards .. 27 Southland .. .. .. .. 12 „ 6. —Receipts, Arrears, and Postponements 27

Sir, — Department of Lands and Survey, Wellington, Ist July, 1931. I have the honour to submit herewith the annual report on the settlement of Crown lands for the year ended 31st March, 1931, together with particulars of the special settlement of inferior lands, and of the development work that is being carried out on unoccupied Crown and settlement lands. In submitting this report I desire to point out that the operations recorded herein were carried out under the direction of my predecessor, Mr. J. B. Thompson, C.B.E. I have, &c., W. Robertson, Under-Secretary. The Hon. E. A. Ransom, Minister of Lands.

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REPORT. Review op Past Year. Reports from all districts indicate clearly that the past year has been a particularly trying one for Crown settlers and their brother farmers throughout the country. Production generally was well maintained ; but the extremely low prices ruling for our principal primary products have so seriously reduced the national income that the effects are being felt by all classes of the community. Climatic conditions also were not particularly favourable, the seasons generally being cold and stormy, and alternating between periods of excessive rainfall and dry spells .of sometimes'serious duration. It is clearly evident that the times call for increased production, both by the fuller utilization of areas already farmed, and by bringing into occupation all idle lands that are capable of successful development. The Department is taking an active part in the work of increasing the volume of the Dominion's primary products, and energetic endeavours are being made to open new areas for selection, while the position of tenants who find themselves financially embarrassed is receiving every consideration, particularly with a view to maintaining the top-dressing of pastures. The complete loss of all land records through the destruction by earthquake and fire of the Government Buildings in Napier is proving a grievous handicap to the Department in carrying on its operations in Hawke's Bay. However, energetic steps are being taken to prepare new registers of tenants and holdings, and to compile as far as possible all the detailed information necessary for the efficient working of a District Lands Office. In this task the Department is receiving valuable assistance from local authorities, legal firms, and other offices ; and, while it will be impossible to completely reinstate all records, it is anticipated that within a reasonable time sufficient will be accomplished to place matters on a sound working basis. In the meantime, the Department is successfully coping with current work that must be kept up to date. Selections of Crown and settlement lands on all tenures during the year totalled 368,800 acres. The tenants on the books of the Department at the 31st March number -37,178, occupying a total area of approximately 19,300,000 acres. Pastoral runs account for over 9,000,000 acres, while 1,872,000 acres of purchased estates are held under lease under the provisions of the Land for Settlements Act. Legislation. The Land Laws Amendment Act, 1930, gives additional powers for the disposal and development of Crown lands, the main provisions being briefly as follows : — The Crown may sell land which is not considered suitable for close settlement under the Land Act to any company, firm, or person who will promote the development of such land. For this purpose the Governor-General is authorized to set any such land apart for disposal under special terms and conditions. Disposal is to be by way of sale or deferred payments spread over a term of twenty years, and subject to such special conditions as may be considered reasonable and desirable under the circumstances of any particular case. The grant of the fee-simple will not be made until all conditions have been complied with and the purchase-money paid in full. The limit of area fixed by the Land Act, 1924, as capable of being held by any one person will not apply to lands so disposed of ; but the special consent of Parliament will be required before land in excess of 5,000 acres is sold to any one applicant, and in no case shall more than 50,000 acres be granted to any applicant. Lands developed by the State may be set apart for allotment to persons who have actually been employed on work in connection with the development of such lands, and Land Boards are authorized to determine which of such persons shall have preference. The Minister may enter into arrangements with the trustees of any institution or with any other body actively concerned in the training of youths for farming, whereby unoccupied Crown or settlement lands may be developed, and the services of the trainees utilized in carrying out the work. Any land so developed may be set apart for allotment to persons employed on the work. For some considerable time the need has been felt for an elastic provision to facilitate the disposal of Crown lands which through general unattractiveness or other reasons have remained open for selection for lengthy periods. To meet cases of this nature the Act provides that Land Boards may, with the consent of the Minister, dispose of such lands to persons tendering or offering such less amount as may seem reasonable under the circumstances of any case. Various machinery amendments which experience has shown to be necessary to facilitate the more effective working of the land laws in various directions are also included in the amending Act. The Reserves and other Lands Disposal Act, 1930, contains fourteen clauses dealing with Crown lands, reserves, &c. Land-development. Good progress has been made in the development of unoccupied Crown lands, and a considerable area of gum and pumice country is in hand in various localities. The various advisory committees have been busily engaged, with the result that a fairly complete investigation has been made of idle lands remaining in the hands of the Crown. The position is changing from day to day as new areas are reported on, and. more detailed reports come to hand on areas already investigated to some extent; but, from the information that has already been placed before the Lands Development

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Board, it appears that the areas under development, to be developed, or in respect of which special advances will be made to the selectors, will amount to about 130,000 acres, which should provide approximately five hundred new farms. The greater part of this area is at present almost totally unproductive, and its development and settlement should materially assist in increasing the production of the Dominion. The Ngakuru Blocks of pumice country are breaking in satisfactorily, the results achieved in the laying-down of pastures and general development being very encouraging. Satisfactory progress is also being made with the development of the Tapuwae Estate purchased under the Land for Settlements Act. The system of advances for development purposes is becoming more widely known, and, as referred to at a later stage of this report, is assisting greatly in the selection of unimproved areas. The following summary of operations up to the 31st March last, under Part I of the Land Laws Amendment Act, 1929, is furnished in accordance with the provisions of section 10 of the Act:— {a) The several areas of unoccupied Crown lands in respect of which development works have been undertaken— (1) The Wharekohe Block, of 3,700 acres of gum land, Whangarei District : It is proposed to plough and develop about 1,450 acres. Operations had barely commenced at the 31st March, but a good many men will eventually be employed on this block, which should finally provide twenty farms. (2) The Ngakuru No. 1 Block, of 2,200 acres of light pumice land : At the 31st March, 1,213 acres had been cleared, of which 1,160 acres had been sown in grass. Shelter-belts have ako been planted, and about thirty-three miles of fencing erected. (3) The Ngakuru No. 2 Block, comprising about 6,000 acres, of which approximately half is ploughable : Some 1,975 acres cleared and 400 acres cultivated. Small area sown in grass. (4) Te Kauwhata Block, of 1,000 acres of wattle country : This land is being converted into eight dairy-farms. Work on three farms almost completed, and that on a fourth should be finished during next spring. The remaining area is being cleared of fallen timber, and will be ploughed during the winter and sown down next autumn. (5) The Onepu Block, of 3,400 acres, situated near Te Teko, on the southern end of the Rangitaiki Plains : This area is being developed by draining, scrubbing, ploughing, and sowing-down in grass. A considerable length of new drains has been constructed, old drains reconditioned, manuka cut and burned, &c. The sowing and manuring of 200 acres had been completed by the end of the year, while a further 200 acres will be grassed in the spring and 750 acres next autumn. (6) The Koromatua Block, of 833 acres, in the Elstow District, Hauraki : Drainage, roading, and cultivation will be carried out, and at the 31st March, two and a half miles of drains had been constructed. (7) Reporoa Settlement areas of 3,215 acres, comprising the unlet sections in the settlement: Comprises mostly easy hill country with small areas of good-quality swamp. A considerable amount of drainage has been carried out, and further development is under consideration. (8) Tapuwae Estate, King-country : A purchased estate of 3,350 acres, comprising tableland country of good quality. Some 730 acres of bush has been felled, burnt, and sown, and 150 acres drained. (9) The Easterfield Block, near Westport, comprising 250 acres of pakihi land : Grassing experiments are being carried out by the Department of Agriculture. (Ib) The total cbst of development works carried out to the 31st March, 1931 — £ s. d. (1) Wharekohe Block .. .. .. .. 410 6 3 (2) Ngakuru No. 1 Block .. .. .. 15,300 12 7 (3) Ngakuru No. 2 Block .. .. .. 5,747 10 0 (4) Te Kauwhata Block .. .. .. .. 18,941 2 3 (5) Onepu Block .. .. .. . . 960 16 8 (6) Koromatua Block .. .. .. . . 574 8 9 (7) Reporoa sections .. . . .. . . 142 10 5 (8) Tapuwae Estate .. .. .. .. 7,525 12 1 (9) Easterfield Block .. .. .. .. .348 13 8 Total expenditure to 31st March, 1931 .. £49,952 2 8 In addition to the expenditure on the blocks set out above, funds have been expended on the roading, survey, &c., of various other blocks in respect of which the actual development is to be carried out by the selectors. The total expenditure on roading, surveys, and development (apart from roading costs payable out of the Public Works Fund) up to the 31st March, 1931, was £64,200 15s. 3d.

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(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. (e;) 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, — Loans approved up to the 31st March numbered 204, covering a total of £82,054. The amount actually advanced at the 31st March was £18,267. The advances were made for bush-felling, ploughing, fencing, grassing, draining, provision of water-supplies, erection and repair of buildings, and purchase of manures and grass-seed. 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: Nil. (b) Number of allotments and aggregate area disposed of : Five allotments, 1,021 acres. The total number of allotments taken up and the area held as at 31st March, 1931, was twenty-seven allotments, 6,578 acres. Lands for Selection. During the year 368,809 acres were taken up on various tenures, the number of selections being 1,639 under all headings. These figures include some 605 sections, comprising altogether an area of 97,408 acres, taken up under miscellaneous leases and licenses, so that the selections on permanent tenures numbered 1,034 sections, covering a total area of 271,401 acres. The following table gives the selections of Crown lands for the last five years : — Selections under all Tenures. Year ending Number. Acres. 31st March, 1927 .. .. .. 1711 456,590 31st March, 1928 .. .. ■■ 1913 460,590 31st March, 1929 .. .. .. 1911 462,563 31st March, 1930 .. .. .. 2091 402,900 31st March, 1931 .. ... .. 1639 368,809 The following estates were opened for general application during the year under the Land for Settlements Act: —

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t,t , r, ... . Number of Holdings Area opened for Land District. Name of Settlement. offered for Selection. Selection. Acres. North Auckland .. .. Awanui .. .. .. 7 470 Auckland .. .. .. Mangakura .... 7 921 Auckland .. .. .. Puketarata .... 5 422 Gisborne .. ■. • • Apanui .. .. .. 7 475 Hawke's Bay .. .. Awamate .. .. 6 670 Hawke's Bay .. .. Rylands .. .. .. 5 1,246 Wellington .. .. .. Waitawa .. .. 3 246 Otago .. .. • • Rosebery .. .. 15 3,852 Otago .. . - • • Tapanui .. .. .. 9 1,948 Otago .. • • • • Arthurton .. .. 4 4,500 Southland .. .. .. Te Wae Wae .... 4 439 Totals .... .. 72 15,189

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The following group settlements under Part II of the Land Laws Amendment Act, 1928, were allotted during the year : —

The total of 368,809 acres selected during the year includes lands taken up under both permanent and temporary tenures, and also town and suburban lands. The permanent selections of rural lands only were as follow : —

■ ; . ; . . l The lands dealt with above 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 demand for certain classes of land has been seriously affected by the fall in the prices of primary products ; but the system of advances for development purposes is becoming more widely known, and is proving a powerful factor in maintaining a steady demand on the part of prospective settlers for moderately-priced unimproved or partly improved land, the selection of which affords a reasonable opportunity of building up a valuable asset by the personal efforts of successful applicants. Receipts. The receipts for the year from all sources (excluding, of course, Discharged Soldiers Settlement Account receipts) total £1,005,700, a decrease of £269,406 on last year's figures. The sum of £265,625 was derived from ordinary Crown lands, £456,174 from lands held under the Land for Settlements Act (including Hutt Valley Settlement and Cheviot Estate), £112,608 from the national endowment and £109,775 from the education endowment. Cash received on the conversion of leaseholds to freehold tenures has shown a decrease of approximately £48,000.

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Land District. Name of Settlement. iNumber of Holdings. Area. _____ _ . Acres. North Auckland .. .. Otarao .. .. .. 3 596 North Auckland .. .. Whakata.. .. .. 6 508 Auckland .. .. .. Bushmere .. .. 2 424 Auckland .. .. .. Nolan .. .. .. 5 443 Auckland .. .. .. Tahuna .. .. .. 3 440 Auckland .. .. .. Nelson .. .. .. 3 159 Auckland .. .. .. Morgan .. .. .. 4 415 Hawke's Bay .. .. Woodlands .. .. 9 138 Hawke's Bay .. .. Pukahu .. .. .. 2 30 Gisborne .. .. .. Ruangarehu .. .. 2 142 Otago .. .. .. The Downs .. .. 8 4,792 Totals .. .. .. j 47 8,087

Class of Land. Sections selected Total Area selected. Acres. Crown and national-endowment land .. .. 450 107,531 Settlement land .. .. .. .. 146 43,932 Education reserves, &c. .. .. .. .. 32 5,858 Grand totals .. .. .. 628 157,321

,,, f r j Number of New Rural Total Area selected for 8 01 ■ L,ana ' Sections selected, the First Time. Acres. Crown and national-endowment land .. .. 227 42,064 Settlement land .. .. .. .. 125 39,265 Education reserves, &c. .. .. .. .. 9 2,038 Grand totals .. .. .. 361 83,367

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The following table gives the relation of this freehold revenue to total receipts during the past five years

Of the 233 conversions to freehold during the year, 198 were in the North Island districts. Postponements. Postponements of payment of rent were granted to 299 tenants during the year, involving the sum of £27,517. At the 31st March, £84,016 remained postponed on account of 751 tenants, as against £119,093 on account of 886 tenants at the 31st March, 1930. Rebates. For prompt payment of rent 18,211 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 £40,519. National Endowment. Of the area in the national endowment 6,583,286 acres were held under lease or license at the 31st March by 4,454 tenants, paying an annual rental of £140,873, 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 815,500 acres of educational endowments under the administration of the various Land Boards is leased to some 4,081 tenants, who pay a total annual rental of £133,544. 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 seventy-two, covering an area of 3,019 acres. A summary of work carried out under this heading is given below : — Purpose of Number of Area. Reserve. Reservations made. a. r. p. Additions to school-sites .. .. .. 3 3 3 16-4 Cemetery .. .. .. .. ..3 404 Government purposes .. .. .. .. 6 7016-9 Gravel and quarry .. .. .. 4 52 3 6 Hospital-sites .. .. .. .. 2 25 314 Landing-place .. .. .. .. ..1 428 Post-office site .. .. .. .. ..1 00 17-46 Preservation of native fauna .. .. .. 2 1,897 0 0 Public-hall sites .. 2 11 38-5 Raceman's cottage-site .. .. .. 1 5 228 Railway .. .. .. .. 2 4 1 18 Recreation .. .. .. .. 25 883 0 8-96 River-protection .. .. .. .. 6 16 1 4 Roadman's cottage-site and public pound .. 1 26 0 11 School-sites 10 32 1 22-8 Travelling stock .. .. .. .. ..3 55 0 11 Totals .. .. .. ..72 3,019 2 25-02 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. Land-drainage Operations. During the year some 1,123,045 cubic yards of spoil were excavated by floating and dry-land excavators, and, in addition, 21,080 yards of rock were dealt with. Further particulars of the various activities of this branch of the Department are given in Appendix 111.

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I [ Conversions Amount m , , — to yielded „ Tot . al : Freehold. therefrom. eceip s. I' £ £ Year ending 31st March, 1927 .. .. .. 304 76,570 1,245,338 1928 .. .. .. 261 69,276 1,271,821 1929 .. .. .. 317 111,119 1,290,856 1930 .. .. .. 323 107,550 1,275,106 1931 .. .. .. 233 58,693 1,005,700

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Expenditure. Summary of Expenditure approved during the Year ended 31st March, 1931.

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Name of Vote or Account. *' ross Expenditure. Recoveries. Wet Expenditure. £ £ s. d. £ s. d. £ s. d. Vote, Lands and Survey (Subdivision I) .. .. .. 151,943 274,192 17 9 126,935 19 11 147,256 17 10 Vote, Lands and Survey (Subdivision II) .. .. .. 22,156 17,889 5 10 .. 17,889 5 10 Total, Vote, Lands and Survey .. .. .. 174,099 292,082 3 7 126,935 19 11 165,146 3 8 Vote, Scenery Preservation .. .. .. .. .. 2,801 2,303 11 5 1 0 0 2,302 11 5 Vote, Lands for Settlement: Expenses .. .. .. 15,607 10,448 10 7 27 0 0 10,421 10 7 Vote, Discharged Soldiers Settlement: Expenses of Management .. 40,000 39,956 9 9 6 9 9 39,950 0 0 Vote, Hauraki Plains Settlement .. .. .. .. 47,369 50,259 13 3 16,791 8 9 33,468 4 6 Vote, Native Land Settlement .. .. .. .. 94,535 63,431 15 4 618 18 11 62,812 16 5 Vote, Swamp Drainage .. .. .. .. .. 54,100 48,964 17 11 902 2 9 48,062 15 2 Totals .. .. .. .. .. .. 428,511 507,447 I 10 145,283 0 1 362,164 1 9 Other Accounts. Cheviot Estate Account .. .. .. .. .. .. 161 16 11 .. 161 16 11 Deteriorated Lands Account .. .. .. .. .. .. 869 12 10 .. 869 12 10 Discharged Soldiers Settlement Account .. .. .. .. .. 577,871 6 3 824 12 3 577,046 14 0 General Purposes Relief Account .. .. .. .. .. 14 1 10 .. 14 1 10 Hunter Soldiers'Assistance Trust Account .. .. .. .. 29 13 10 .. 29 13 10 Hutt Valley Land Settlement Account— Section 11 (2) (a) .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 8,963 13 10 .. 8,963 13 10 Administration expenses .. .. .. .. .. .. 11,985 17 6 .. 11,985 17 6 Kauri-gum Industry Account—Kauri-gum Industry Amendment Act, 1914, 767 8 10 .. 767 8 10 section 4 Lands for Settlement Account— Expenses incidental to estates .. .. .. .. .. 28,105 7 4 2,288 3 7 25,817 3 9 Acquirement of estates .. .. .. .. .. .. 279,361 2 5 4,479 17 4 274,881 5 1 Administration expenses of estates .. .. .. .. .. 9,903 13 4 .. 9,903 13 4 Expenditure under section 20, Land Laws Amendment Act, 1927 .. .. 3,11800 .. 3,118 00 Expenditure under section 20 (3), Land Act, 1924 .. .. .. 1,110 0 0 .. 1,110 0 0 Expenditure under section 83 (3), Land Act, 1924 .. .. ... 232 2 8 .. 232 2 8 Expenditure under section 21, Land Act, 1924 —Administration expenses, 425 10 4 .. 425 10 4 Cheviot Estate lands Interest under section 208 (8), Land Act, 1924 .. .. .. .. 271 3 6 .. 271 3 6 Expenditure under section 11, Deteriorated Lands Act, 1925 .. .. 246 19 4 .. 246 19 4 Expenditure under section 105, Lands for Settlement Act, 1925 .. ..! 5 73 .. 573 Expenditure under section 49, Lands for Settlement Act, 1925 .. .. 540 17 6 .. 540 17 6 Expenditure under section 13, Land Laws Amendment Act, 1926 .. .. 116,001 6 5 .. 116,001 6 5 Expenditure under section 7 (2), Swamp Drainage Act, 1915 .. .. 193 12 0 .. ! 193 12 0 Farm accounts .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 6,581 11 1 .. 6,581 11 1 Expenditure under section 7, Reserves and other Lands Disposal Act, 1927.. 456 13 6 .. 456 13 6 Expenditure under section 16, Reserves and other Lands Disposal Act, 1926 153 4 9 .. 153 4 9 Expenditure under section 6, Land Laws Amendment Act, 1929 .. . ..■ i 56,255 7 9 2,714 10 10 53,540 16 11 Advances under section 7, Land Laws Amendment Act, 1929 .. .. 15,548 14 4 .. 15,548 14 4 Expenditure under section 9, Land Laws Amendment Act, 1929 .. ..J 6,192 13 4 .. | 6,192 13 4 Expenditure under section 13, Land Laws Amendment Act, 1929 .. .. 7,947 17 6 .. 7,947 17 6 Expenditure under section 14, Land Laws Amendment Act, 1929 .. .. 2,718 15 6 .. 2,718 15 6 Expenditure under section 15, Land Laws Amendment Act, 1929 (Adminis- 412 2 0 .. 412 2 0 tration expenses) Expenditure under section 47, Land Laws Amendment Act, 1929 .. .. 16,811 4 0 .. 16,811 4 0 Interest under section 13, Land Laws Amendment Act, 1930 .. .. 776 14 8 .. 776 14 8 Interest under section 19 (4), Finance Act, 1930 (No. 2) .. .. .. 18,512 19 3 .. 18,512 19 3 National Endowment Account—Expenditure under section 295 (2), Land Act, 5,874 3 9 . . 5 874 3 9 1924 National Endowment Trust Account —Expenditure under section 20, Land 610 0 0 .. 610 0 0 Laws Amendment Act, 1927 Rangitaiki Land Drainage Account — Expenditure under section 7, Rangitaiki Land Drainage Act, 1910 .. 7,251 2 7 797 18 5 6,453 4 2 Expenditure under section 8, Rangitaiki Land Drainage Act, 1910 .. 314 15 0 .. 314 15 0 General Purposes Account—Ellesmere Lands Drainage Act, 1905, section 6 (1) 439 5 0 .. 439 5 0 Refunds of revenue, Deposit Account expenditure, expenditure under special 35,066 7 4 .. 35,066 7 4 Acts of the Legislature, &c. Totals .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 1,222,102 5 3 11,105 2 5 1,210,997 2 10 Grand totals .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 1,729,549 7 1 156,388 2 6 ; 1,573,161 4 7 '

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APPENDICES. APPENDIX I.—SETTLEMENT OF CROWN LANDS. EXTRACTS FROM THE REPORTS OF THE COMMISSIONERS OF CROWN LANDS. NORTH AUCKLAND. (0. N. Campbell, Commissioner of Crown Lands.) During the past year weather conditions adversely affected the farming community. Spring was backward, with cold winds, and consequently there was lack of growth. A dry summer followed and pastures suffered considerably. Hay and ensilage have, however, been saved to a great extent, but the crops were light. Paspalum supplied the major feed during the dry weather, and all farmers are now sowing a paddock or two to keep their dairy herds up to normal production. The dairying industry has had a setback on account of the low price of butterfat. The returns due to increased production have not nearly equalled the fall in prices, and the payments received by the settlers are much below those of last year. This position may be further reflected in next season's returns, as a number of the farmers were unable to top-dress their pastures as liberally as in the past. The sheep-farmer has not had a profitable season. Wool and lamb values have not been such as to ensure payable returns. The market prices for cows, dry cattle, and sheep have been the lowest for some time past. Notwithstanding this, there is a decided tendency to increase production by increasing and improving pastures and systematically testing and culling the herds. Very few farms are changing hands, and the settler realizes that he must farm his lands in a scientific manner in order to obtain the best results and so combat the low prices received for his produce. The demand for vacant land has continued to be keen, and much competition has taken place where blocks showing prospects of successful development have been opened for selection by ballot. AUCKLAND. (K. M. Graham, Commissioner of Crown Lands.) Variable,weather has been experienced throughout the season, commencing with unusually cold and dry climatic conditions in October and continuing in some parts of the district intermittently through the usual flush period of the year. Production of butterfat in some of our settlement 9,reas has therefore been disappointing, but, nevertheless, the indications are that the continued practice of herd-testing and top-dressing will result in a larger production in the aggregate over the whole district, which will to some extent offset the result of the prevailing low export prices of our farmproduce. It is anticipated that the majority of the Crown tenants will thus be able to maintain their position, and carry on with better prospects ahead when the urgent necessity for equilibrium between prices and overhead costs is fully realized and becomes an accomplished fact. Owing to the financial stringency, greater difficulty is being experienced this year by settlers in securing supplies of manure for autumn top-dressing, and the Land Board, ever mindful of the fact that under modern conditions of farming the maintenance of production and of capital and mortgage values is largely dependent on the adequate application of manure to pastures, has given full and due consideration to all applications for relief or assistance under this heading. The menace of ragwort in some parts of this district is now becoming much more recognized by the farming community than hitherto, and this fact, together with the increased sales and application of sodium chlorate by the dairy-farmer, points to the fact that the spread of ragwort can be controlled and the weed economically eliminated if dealt with in time, and a careful watch kept over pastures throughout the year. Another feature of the present season is the increased use settlers have continued to make of surplus grass for the purpose of ensilage, the production of which is proving to be such an essential part of farm economy, and its use both as supplementary feed for stock during dry spells of weather and throughout the winter months is proving in every way very beneficial. The Crown settlers engaged mainly in sheep-farming and grazing are comparatively few in number in this district, but, in common with all other farmers in this class, they have worked' at a heavy loss owing to the unexpected and unprecedented slump in wool, sheep, and cattle. All possible consideration and assistance will be given to tide them over the critical period which faces them, and when prices and costs again reach a state of equalization and stability, their position will no doubt be established on a better basis than when prices were fluctuating at high levels, and their prospects can for this reason be looked forward to with some degree of confidence in the future. The demand for land during the year remained keen, and small farms suitable for dairying were always eagerly sought after.

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GISBORNE. (E. H. Farnie, Commissioner of Crown Lands.) The total rainfall for the year was slightly above the average in the Bay of Plenty, April, June, and August to November all being fairly wet months, while May, July, and December to March were all dry, and well below the average. The East Coast, on the other hand, experienced a fall far short of the usual, although during July and August, and to a lesser degree in June and September, there were heavy snowfalls. Snow fell during July and again in September. Cold and stormy weather during the latter month, and also in October and November, checked the growth that had set in during the early spring. Dry westerly winds soon had the country drying up, and the drought conditions lasted till the end of the financial year. The shortage of feed forced farmers to reduce their flocks and herds. Consequently, stock of all kinds had to be practically sacrificed for what it would fetch. That part of the district lying along the main central ridges from the East Cape to Matawai and Motu was more fortunate, and settlers there experienced much heavy rain which ensured ample feed for their flocks. During a somewhat similar drought period in 1925-26 many settlers suffered heavily from losses of cattle and they had just about recovered from that blow, and stocked up again, only to have to face a more trying period during the year that has just drawn to a close. It is rather premature at this stage to give any indication of what the losses of stock will amount to, and, even if the weather breaks now, as it appears to have done, it may be too late to ensure a reasonable amount of growth before the colder weather sets in. Under the circumstances, the present outlook is not at all promising. Owing to poor prices ruling last season, due to heavy importations from South Africa, a very much reduced area of maize was sown this year, and with very poor results owing to the weather conditions. But for the drought conditions, dairying would have shown an all-round increase in production throughout the district in continuation of the gradual increase made in the last few years. Nevertheless, a considerable increase in dairying can still be anticipated in this district. Herd-testing has made remarkable progress, last season nearly five times as many cows being tested as in 1926-27. HAWKE'S BAY. (J. D. Thomson, Commissioner of Crown Lands.) The past year has been a bad one for the greater part of the district. Weather conditions during the first quarter were very dry, the winter was cold with snow in parts, but the rain was not heavy. Cold southerly winds were the rule. Spring was cold, and there was an absence of warm weather until Christmas time. Very little rain was experienced, and drought conditions set in early and continued until practically the end of March. The effect on the pastures was ruinous, and whole districts were absolutely bare of grass, the sheep having to be shifted to outside areas in order to prevent excessive mortality. The dairy-farmer was rather better off than the sheep-farmer, but the prices obtained for butterfat, averaging from 9d. to Is., do not give much scope for profitable farming, and, in addition, the output was much lower than usual. During winter and early spring there was a rather heavy mortality amongst sheep and hoggets as the result of lack of good pasture and the presence of liver-fluke trouble. At the commencement of the killing season a few farmers were able to get up to £1 for fat lambs, but prices then rapidly receded, and the average would be about 10s. to 12s. 6d. Fat lambs were the only bright feature of the sheep-farming industry, and even this was not too bright. Prices of sheep fell to pitiful levels, quite good store sheep being purchased at Is. and even less. The price obtained for wool showed a further drop on last season, the average being about 6d. per pound. There was a slight rally in February, but prices then came down again. Owing to poor feed the clip was lighter than usual, and, as a result of these conditions, few farmers have made sufficient to pay annual charges and farming expenses, and it is anticipated that there will be numerous applications for concessions. The southern part of the district—that is, from Dannevirke—did not suffer to the same extent from the severe drought conditions which affected the . rest of Hawke's Bay, and dairy-farmers there would have had more of a normal season had prices been better. Generally speaking, the drought, though bad enough, was not so severe as the record drought of 1925-26. A most disastrous earthquake shook the district on the morning of the 3rd February, and left widespread havoc in its wake. The area badly affected was from Wairoa to Waipawa, and the towns suffered severely. In Napier the 'quake was followed by a devastating fire which swept over the business area and completed the destruction started by the earth-lift. There was an appalling loss of life in Napier and Hastings. The office of the Department at Napier was badly shattered, the roof and upper walls collapsed, and the fire which followed destroyed all documents, books, and valuable records, completely disorganizing the office. Unfortunately, one member of the staff, Mr. T. M. Ryan, lost his life in this disaster. Considerable damage was done to settlers' houses, fences, and land. In some localities all the fences were down owing to the spurs either slipping or being shattered so badly that the posts broke or were pulled out of the ground. The damage to houses was very severe in a number of cases, and practically every chimney from Wairoa to Waipukurau was thrown down. Some houses were practically wrecked. Drains and river-courses had their channels narrowed owing to the banks moving inwards and leaving in some instances wide cracks running parallel to the channel. This may be a very serious trouble when heavy rains come. Rains and floods will also affect the shattered areas on spurs and sidelings which will probably slip badly. The upheaval of the land was most pronounced in some localities, and roads to settlers' farms suffered serious damage, access in numerous cases being cut off. The main road north was impassable in several places owing to tons of rock and clay slipping in the gorges. The destruction by fire of several thousand bales of wool at Port Ahuriri will be a serious blow to the owners, many of whom were Crown lessees. In some cases two years' clips were lost.

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TARANAKI. (W. D. Armit, Commissioner of Crown Lands.) During the past year a later spring season than usual was experienced in Taranaki, and it speaks well for production that a small increase in butterfat is recorded over the previous year. Some of the factories with dual plant changed over from cheese to butter making late in the year, owing to the comparatively better price return for butter as compared with cheese. The season has been favourable to good yield on the whole. Price returns this season have depressed the farming industry, and with falling values and decreased commodity prices the primary producer has been compelled to lean heavily on financial institutions and stock and station firms. A great measure of assistance has undoubtedly been extended to farmers. Fat lambs for export opened at about £1 in Taranaki, but prices decreased very rapidly. Good lambings throughout the district were experienced. Numbers of sheep-farmers with held-over wool from the previous year have been compelled to accept a record low-level price for this wool, and a very slender margin over actual shearing and transport costs has been received for the average crossbred clips offered in this district. Numerous applications for rental concessions are being received from Crown tenants, particularly from the grazing districts, and it is evident these will increase even more if the present low level of prices continues.

WELLINGTON. (H. W. C. Mackintosh, Commissioner of Crown Lands.) Crown tenants on both dairying and pastoral propositions have had a disheartening year, although the dairyman should be in a better position financially than his brother tenant, the pastoralist. The farmer who is depending solely on wool, lambs, and fat stock for his income has had a hard struggle for existence, as the poor prices obtained for his products have barely met working-expenses, and have provided nothing towards meeting his rent and interest obligations or the maintenance of his pastures. It will be necessary to carry these tenants on until markets have risen sufficiently to enable them to again meet their commitments. In the northern portion of the district, towards Taumarunui, with the exception of a wet spring and early summer, weather conditions during the year were ideal from a farming point of view. The district was never better for feed, and hay crops were harvested practically without loss. Dairy-farmers have benefited by the top-dressing of their pastures, herd-testing, and the provision of winter feed. It is considered that they should get about Is. per pound for butterfat, including bonus, and at this figure should just about pay their way. In the Wanganui district similar conditions to those in the north have obtained. Favourable weather conditions and abundance of feed have enabled farmers to carry over stock which in a drier year they would have been forced to sell on a very weak market with heavy loss. Back-country tenants are still enjoying rent-remissions which were granted some years ago. Some of the roads in the district have been considerably improved under unemployment relief schemes. In the Rangitikei district, as a result of a dry winter, dairy stock came into profit in good condition, and those dairy-farmers who are well established should come through all right with butterfat at Is. per pound. The spring and early summer were wet, while the summer and early autumn were dry, but with very cool temperatures. As a result the " yolk " did not come up much in the wool, and fleeces were light. Prices for lambs were good in the early part of the fat-lamb season, but did not prevail through the season, and settlers had to accept very low prices for stock, as a result of which they will sustain losses on last year's purchases. The pastures of those settlers who have top-dressed show a marked improvement, and the returns have increased. In the Wairarapa and southern portion of the district similar conditions to those in other parts have prevailed. In addition to poor prices, some settlers in this part of the district have had drought conditions to contend with, and have, in consequence, had a decreased supply of milk. For the most part settlers in these localities are becoming well established and with a return to normal prices will soon regain their former positions. There is still a demand for better-class lands, but, for the most part, inquirers appear to be diffident about selecting farms while markets are so unpromising as at present.

NELSON. (A. F. Waters, Commissioner of Crown Lands.) From a farming point of view the outstanding feature of the past year has been the unprecedented slump in the prices of staple products. Wool, in particular, has fallen to prices far below the cost of production, which, if continued for any length of time, must involve the producer in ruin. Cases have come under my notice where wool has returned £2 10s. per bale to the grower, out of which must be paid the cost of mustering, shearing, and baling.

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Weather conditions throughout the year have been against successful farming operations, the eastern part of the district experiencing a prolonged dry spell through the autumn and winter, with an absence of the usual spring rains. Heavy mortality has occurred among sheep on account of lack of feed, in addition to which agricultural operations were severely handicapped by drought conditions. It is most unfortunate that adverse weather conditions have coincided with a period of market depression. Butterfat prices have been low, and, in addition, the output has been below normal owing to unfavourable climatic conditions. Hop crops have been light, and tobacco crops have been patchy and rather backward. There has been considerable overproduction of raspberries owing to the failure of the jam-factories to purchase as much as was anticipated, consequently many tons were allowed to rot. Orchardists have had quite a successful season, the crop being a record one. The local market has been weak, but prices for export fruit have been satisfactory. Road communication to Karamea and through the Buller Valley interruped by the earthquake of 1929 has now been restored, although no doubt the road will be subject to slips for some years to come. There has been marked improvement of roads during recent years which has greatly facilitated communications with remote localities.

MARLBOROUGH. (P. R. Wilkinson, Commissioner of Crown Lands.) The climatic conditions in Marlborough have not been over-generous to the farming community during the past twelve months, and this, coupled with the low prices ruling for produce of all kinds, has had rather a. depressing effect. Last winter was exceptionally dry, one period of over fifty consecutive frosts being recorded, and most parts of the district have suffered from drought conditions over the whole period under review. Spring growth came away late and there was a consequential shortage of feed at lambing-time when it was most needed, and ewes and lambs were backward as a result. Dairy stock also came in in poor condition in many parts of the district. The dry winter and spring permitted agricultural farmers to get an early start, and crops generally went in in splendid order, but the drought conditions which followed counteracted any benefit which should have accrued, and, generally speaking, crops were only fair. The prevailing period of low prices has shown the farming community that to make ends meet they must produce more from the same area of land, and evidences of a forward movement in the direction of herd-testing, culling, top-dressing, flock-improvement, &c., are noted. Owing to the dry conditions prevailing, there is a shortage of feed in some parts of the district; this, together with poor prices, has induced many farmers to try to carry over their surplus stock ; this will tax their holdings to the utmost capacity, and is probably more than the land can do—the wisdom or otherwise of this policy will be reflected in next year's returns. Certainly grass-management has been more carefully studied, and an increase in the making of ensilage has been noted where the rainfall has been better. The close of last year showed an all-round increase in output of most classes of produce, but it is not expected that this season's returns will show the same percentage of gain over all classes owing to the adverse weather prevailing. A matter which requires attention is the question of access to several backblock settlers. The land cannot bear extra loading for that purpose, but it is considered that some effort should be made to utilize unemployed labour in that direction, and a careful examination is being made of the needs of the outlying districts, with a view to securing the assistance of the Public Works Department in connection therewith. A thorough investigation of the pastoral runs in the Clarence Valley watershed, comprising an area of 300,000 acres, was made in March by the local advisory committee to the Lands Development Board in conjunction with officers of this Department and the Public Works Department. A separate report is being submitted on the possibilities of the area for closer settlement.

WESTLAND. (T. Cagney, Commissioner of Crown Lands.) General Conditions and Progress of Settlement. —The weather conditions experienced during the past year have not been conducive to the best results being derived from farming, particularly during the latter part of the year, throughout which an unusual number of severe floods were experienced, causing considerable erosion of some of the best land, flooding, and loss of fencing. The number and the severity of the floods probably constitutes a record for Westland for many years past, although the total rainfall for the period might only be regarded as normal. Coupled with the adverse weather conditions, the low prices for all classes of farm-produce has made the year a difficult one for the farmer. lam pleased, however, to be able to state that farmers generally in Westland are taking an optimistic view of the future, promoted no doubt to some extent by the fact that butterfat prices, though low, are firm, and also the generally improved tone of the wool-market towards the end of the period. Most farmers have been successful in conserving sufficient hay for winter feed, although some valuable crops were lost through bad weather, and in other cases the hay was gathered overripe owing to the same cause. Winter feed would be assured by the production of ensilage, which does not receive the attention it merits on the Coast. It is encouraging to record that a keen demand still exists for farming-land of all classes. Evidence to this effect was disclosed in the number of applicants for the education reserve at Harihari which was subdivided and offered for selection during the year, forty-four applicants being admitted to the ballot for the seven subdivisions offered.

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CANTERBURY. (W. Stewart, Commissioner of Crown Lands.) The general report on conditions in Canterbury for the year is incorporated in the Land for Settlements' report, which covers the bulk of our holdings. Our Crown land areas are mostly confined to the pastoral runs andfsmall grazing-runs, and this class of tenant has been hardest hit by present abnormal conditions. Fine wool has slumped worse than crossbred wool, and this year's market for cull sheep and wether lambs has been disastrous. In many cases returns have not paid working-expenses, without any allowance for rent or interest on outlay for improvements, &c. In order to hold present tenants postponements are necessary where lessees have not themselves been able to establish reserves to tide over periods such as are now being experienced. The efforts of the Forestry and Internal Affairs Departments have materially reduced the deer menace throughout the whole district. With reference to education reserves being administered by the Land Board, a good proportion of these that have been due for renewal during the year have necessitated arbitration proceedings to finally arrive at the new rental. Our largest group of education-reserve holdings (Isleworth) is very subject to damage by rising springs, and it is satisfactory to note that the settlers and County Council are likely to undertake a proper scheme of drainage, a policy which the Department has advocated for some time.

OTAGO. (N. C. Kensington, Commissioner of Crown Lands.) The conditions during the past year in the Otago Land District have been only fair as regards climatic conditions and production. In the southern part of the district a good deal of snow fell in the months of August and September, and lay on the flat country for a considerable time. Wet and showery weather was experienced through the spring and on till January. The result was that many farmers found it difficult to get in their turnip crops, and extra turnips will in some cases have to be bought to supplement partial failures. Dry conditions were experienced generally in North Otago, but, notwithstanding this, the wheat crops have turned out remarkably well. Large areas are being prepared for the coming season, and a considerable increase in the area put down in wheat in the Otago District can be expected. This is accounted for by the fact that the growers of wheat were in the fortunate position of being among the few who showed a good profit during the past slump year ; but the majority of farmers recognize that they are not likely to obtain the same price next season as in the past. The slump prices for butterfat, wool, lambs, and surplus stock have created in Otago, in common with other districts, an unprecedented state of affairs. It is unnecessary to dwell on thi phase of farming difficulties ; suffice it to say that the Land Board is prepared to recommend relief in all reasonable cases, and I think it can be said that mortgagees and mercantile firms are prepared to extend equally sympathetic treatment. There should be sufficient feed available in the southern part of the district to carry stock safely through the winter ; but on account of the dry conditions which have prevailed in North Otago there is a possibility of a shortage of winter feed. Central Otago has been more fortunate, as the broken weather experienced during the spring and early summer produced abundance of feed. This part of the district has probably never looked better, and reports show that both grain and root crops have done well. The fruitgrowers in Central Otago have experienced a good season and the apple crop is a good one, although no high prices can be expected. The Poolburn dam is practically completed, and additional water to supplement the present irrigation system which this governs will be available next season.

SOUTHLAND. (J. Macdonald, Commissioner of Crown Lands.) Taken on the whole the weather conditions in Southland during the past year have not been favourable to farming operations. Too much rain, with occasional cold snaps in the spring and early summer, adversely affected the early dairying returns, and put a check on the number of fat lambs usually sold off the ewes. In the later summer months, however, weather conditions changed for the better, with the result that feed became plentiful, and stock should continue to do well on the pastures during the fall and early winter. Agricultural work in the spring was much retarded and, consequently, the harvest had been unusually late. The crops are prolific, but the quality of the grass-seed, oats, and wheat will hardly be up to the average. There was not a great snowfall on the high country, and the sheep thereon came through the winter in good condition. Snow losses were slight, but the lambing returns were rather disappointing. Steady progress was made during the year in the matter of increased land-settlement, the number of entirely new selections being twenty-one, with an aggregate area of 2,343 acres. There is a steady demand for undeveloped land of reasonably good quality, the demand having been stimulated by the provisions for financial assistance contained in the Land Laws Amendment Act, 1929. To meet this demand three blocks will bq offered for selection within the new few months. Two of these blocks are in the Gorge Road district, and comprise 1,000 acres of worked-out bush country divided into eight sections. The work of providing formed-road access has been in hand for some time, and upon its completion at an early date the sections will be offered for selection. The third block, at Pourakino Valley, contains some 2,500 acres of worked-out bush country, some of which has been cleared, burned, and sown in grass. The work of providing formed-road access is now in the hands of the Public Works Department, and as it is a work of some magnitude on which unemployed men are being placed some time must elapse before it can be completed. The number of holdings will then be decided upon, and these will be offered for selection without delay.

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APPENDIX lI—LAND FOR SETTLEMENTS.

Summary of the Settlements established upon Estates acquired and dealt with under the Provisions of the Land for Settlements Act up to the 31st March, 1931.

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Name o( Estate. hofds" holds Principal Purpose for which Holdings are utilized. to^Present North Auckland. Aponga .. .. 4 .. Grazing .. .. .. .. Fair. Awanui .. .. 7 .. Dairying .. .. .. .. Good. Bickerstaffe .. .. 4.1 7 Grazing .. .. .. .. „ Bayliss .. .. 1 .. Dairying .. .. .. .. „ Cadman .. .. 1 .. Grazing lease Carroll .. .. 25 9 Homes .. .. .. .. .. Good. Cradoek .. .. .. 14 Homes and orchards .. .. .. ,, Eccleston No. 2 .. 11 14 Homes .. .. .. .. .. „ Finlayson .. .. 1 .. Grazing .. .. .. .. Fair. Hetana .. .. 6 84 Homes and orchards .. .. .. Good. Kitchener .. .. 1 11 „ .. .. „ Koremoa .. .. 14 .. Dairying and grazing .. .. .. Fair. Lawry .. .. 1 .. Grazing lease only Methuen .. .. 3 27 Homes and orchards .. .. .. Good. Motutara .. .. 11 .. Dairying and grazing .. .. .. Satisfactory. Otarao .. .. 3 .. Dairying .. .. .. .. Good. Paerata .. .. 2 .. Mixed farming .. .. .. .. ,, Pakaraka .. .. 14 1 Dairying .. .. .. .. Satisfactory. Parahi .. .. 10 .. Grazing and dairying .. .. .. Good. Preseott .. .. 11 8 Homes .. .. .. .. .. ,, Plumer .. .. 4 17 ,, .. .. .. .. .. „ Puketi .. .. 2 .. Grazing .. .. .. .. Poor. Puni .. .. 10 .. Dairying .. ... .. .. Fair. Remuera .. .. 26 .. „ .. .. .. .. Good. Streamlands .. .. 13 .. ,, .. .. .. .. ,, Tangowahine .. 17 .. Dairying and grazing .. .. .. Fair. Te Pua. .. .. 6 1 Dairying .. .. .. .. Good. Tokiri .. .. 4 .. „ .. .. .. .. ,, Upokonui .. .. 4 .. Dairying and grazing .. . . .. ,, Waari .. .. 27 37 Homes and orchards . . .. .. Fair. Waimata .. .. 16 .. Dairying and grazing .. .. .. Good. Waiteitei .. .. 1.0 1 Dairying .. .. .. .. „ Whakata .. .. 6 .. „ .. .. .. .. „ Totals.. .. 312 231 Auckland. Apata .. .. 7 1 Dairying .. .. . . .. Good. Balachraggan .. 21 5 „ .. .. .. .. Very good. Bushmere .. .. 2 .. ,, .... .. .. New settlement. Prospects good. Clifford .. .. 8 1 „ .. .. .. .. Good. Delaney .. .. I . . Home .. .. .. .. .. „ Fencourt .. .. 21 27 Dairying, mixed farming .. .. .. Very good. Gorton .. .. 10 .. Dairying .. .. .. .. Hereford Park .. 2 .. „ .. .. .. .. Unsatisfactory. Hikuai .. .. 21 1 „ .. .. .. .. Good. Horahia .. .. 6 .. „ .. .. .. .. Fair. Horahora .. .. 10 .. Dairying, mixed farming .. .. .. „ Kaipaki .. .. 4 .. Dairying .. .. .. .. Very good. Karapiro .. .. 9 10 „ .. .. .. .. „ Kopuku .. .. 3 1 „ .. .. .. .. Fair. Kopuku No. 2 .. j 5 .. „ .. .. .. .. ,, Mangaotama .. 3 1 „ .. .. .. .. Very good. Mangakura .. . . 7 . . „ .. .. .. .. Prospects fair—new. Manapouri . . .. 5 10 „ .. .. .. .. Good. Mangateparu.. .. 55 ■ 1 „ .. .. .. .. „ Mangawhero .. 11 17 „ .. .. .. .. „ Matamata .. .. 76 248 „ .. .. .. .. Very good. Matuku .. .. j 11 .. „ .. .. .. .. Fair. Morgan .. .. 4 .. „ .. .. .. .. Prospects good—new. Nelson .. .. I 3 .. „ .. .. .. .. „ Ngahinepouri . . 4 .. Mixed farming .. .. .. .. Very good. Nolan .. . . 5 .. Dairying .. .. .. .. Prospects good—new. Ohauiti .. .. 12 1 „ .. .. .. .. Fair. Okauia .. .. 6 11 „ .. .. .. .. Good. Omeheu .. .. 10 .. „ .. .. .. .. „ Opouriao .. . . 32 68 „ .. .. .. .. Very good. Orini .... 2 .. „ .. .. ., .. Unsatisfactory. Orongo .. 38 .. „ .. .. .. .. Doubtful. Otamarakau .. . . 7 .. „ .. .. .. .. Good. Otway .. 9 9 „ .. .. .. .. Very good. Pakarau .. .. 19 5 „ .. .. .. .. „ Pukemapou .. ■.. ] 9 .. „ .. .. .. .. Good. Puketarata .. .. 1 5 .. „ .. .. .. .. Prospects good—new.

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, 1931—continued.

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Name ol Estate. ! [folds ' Principal Purpose for which Holdings are utilized. j Remar p S 0 sftion Pr6Sent Auckland —continued. Puahue .. .. 21 .. . Dairying, mixed farming .. .. .. Good. Rangiatea .. .. 12 15 "Dairying .. .. . . • • Very good. Rangitaiki .. .. 8 • • Dairying, small farming .. .. .. Good. Reporoa .. .. 96 13 Dairying and grazing .. .. .. Only fair. Rewi .. .. 7 5 Dairying .. .. .. • • Very good. Reynolds .. .. 23 2 „ .. .. . • • • Fair. Rockburn .. .. 1 j .. • • • • • • Prospects good—new. Rotomanuka .. I .. „ . • • • • • ■ • Good. Selwyn .. .. 78 166 Dairying, mixed farming .. .. .. „ Tahaia .. .. 11 .. Dairying .. .. . ■ .. „ Tainui .. .. 2 1 Grazing .. .. .. • • Fair. Tairua .. .. 24 3 Residence .. .. .. . • Good. Taniwha .. .. 11 1 Dairying .. .. .. .. „ Tangao .. .. 1 .. „ .. • • • • • • Prospects good—new. Tapapa .. .. 11 ■■ „ .. •• •• •• Very good. Tautari .. .. 37 9 Dairying, mixed farming .. .. .. Fair. Teasdale .. .. 16 87 Business and residence .. .. . • Very good. Te Miro .. .. 35 .. Dairying, mixed farming .. .. •. Fair. Te Ngaroa .. .. 2 .. Dairying .. .. .. .. Good. Waiare .. .. 4 .. ,, .. .. .. .. „ Waimana .. .. 19 23 Dairying, mixed farming .. .. .. Very good. Walters .. .. 3 . . Dairying .. .. . . .. Promises well—new. Waitakaruru . 16 2 Dairying and grazing .. .. .. Good. Whatawhata .. 3 .. Dairying .. .. .. . • Very good. Whitehall .. .. 6 14 Totals.. .. 911 758 Gisborne. Apanui .. .. 7 .. Dairying .. .. .. . ■ Good. Ardkeen .. .. 14 .. Pastoral • • • • Clydebank .. .. 2 4 „ .. .. .. » Glencoe .. .. 6 .. Dairying .. .. .. ■ • „ Homebush .. .. 13 .. „ .. .. . • • • » Hukutaia .. .. 17 2 „ .. .. .. •• Very good. Kanakanaia .. .. 7 1 Pastoral .. .. .. • • Good. Ngatapa .. .. 23 4 „ .. .. •• •• Very good. Ohuka .. .. 12 .. ,, . . . . . • • • Fair. Paremata .. .. 6 .. Dairying and pastoral .. .. . • „ Pouparae .. .. 3 6 Agricultural .. .. • • • • Very good. Repongaere .. .. 11 1 Dairying and pastoral .. . • .. Good. Tapper's .. .. 1 .. Pastoral Te Arai .. .. 41 21 Dairying, pastoral, and agricultural .. Very good. Ruangarehu .. .. .. 2 Dairying and agricultural .. .. .. Selected, 24/2/31 Waimarie .. .. 9 9 Dairying, pastoral, and agricultural.. .. Very good. Wharekaka .. .. 13 .. ,, ,, ,, .. • ■ AVigan .. .. 8 11 „ „ „ .. .. » Willows .. .. 14 8 „ „ „ .. .. „ Totals.. .. 207 69 Hawke's Bay. Argyll .. .. 53 11 Agricultural and pastoral .. .. .. Very good. Beattie .. .. 5 .. Pastoral .. ■ • • • • • Good. Clydebank .. .. 14 3 „ .. •• • ■ • • » Corby .. .. 4 .. Mixed farming .. .. .. .. Fair. Coyne .. .. 1 .. ,, . • • • • • » Crownthorpe .. 18 .. Pastoral .. .. .. .. Good. Elsthorpe .. .. 35 16 „ .. .. • • • • Very good. Forest Gate .. .. 20 9 1 Agricultural and pastoral .. .. .. Good. Glengarry .. .. 29 .. Dairying .. .. .. • • Fair. Gwavas ,. .. 11 1 Agricultural and pastoral .. .. .. Good. Hatuma .. .. 57 23 „ .... .. Very good. Kumeroa .. .. 13 3 Agricultural, pastoral, and dairying.. .. „ Lindsay .. .. 59 U Mixed farming . . .. .. .. „ Mahora .. .. 25 10 „ .. • • • • • • » Manga-a-toro .. 20 6 Agricultural and pastoral .. .. .. „ Mangatahi .. .. 20 4 „ .. • • » Marakeke . . .. 17 .. Mixed farming .. .. .. .. Fair. Omaria . . .. 9 1 Dairying .. .. .. .. ,, Otamauri . . . . 15 2 Agricultural and pastoral .. .. .. „ Parinui .. . . 4 .. Mixed farming .. .. .. .. Good. Pourere . . . . 6 1 Agricultural and pastoral .. .. .. „ Raureka .. .. 10 9 Dairying and fruit-culture .. .. Very good. Raumati .. .. 30 3 Pastoral and dairying .. .. .. Very fair. Rissington .. .. 5 .. j Pastoral .. .. .. .. Good. Springhill .. .. 17 1 j Mostly pastoral .. .. .. .. I Very good. Sherenden .. .. 21 • • " ' • ' • '' "' " Te Kaihi .. .. 3 • • Mixed farming .. .. .. .. j Good. Te Kura .. .. 11 •• Dairying .. .. .. .. Fair. Te Mata .. .. 13 1 Fruit-farming .. .. . . .. | Good.

a—i.

Summary of the Settlements established upon Estates acquired and dealt with under the Provisions of the Land for Settlements Act up to the 31st March, 1931—continued.

15

Name of Estate. hofds hokfs Principal Purpose for which Holdings are utilized. '^"posFtionf 1^56111 ' ' Hawke's Bay—continued. Tongoio .. .. 11 .. Mostly pastoral .. .. .. Fair. Tomoana .. .. ! 6 8 Fruit and dairying .. .. .. J Very good. Waihau .. .. I 21 1 Mostly pastoral .. .. .. .. Fair. Waipuka .. .. j 1 •. Pastoral .. .. .. .. Good. Watea .. .. I 10 .. Mixed farming .. .. .. .. Fair. Wilder .. .. 4 .. ,, .. .. .. ■ ■ Good. Awamate .. .. 6 .. Dairying .. .. .. '' 1 Rylands .. .. 4 .. Mixed farming .. .. .. • • r New settlements. Woodlands .. .. 8 .. Fruit-farming .. .. .. .. J Totals.. .. 616 127 TarnnnM. Araheke .. .. 3 .. Dairying .. .. .. .. Good. Clandon .. .. 7 .. „ .. .. .. .. Very good. Croydon .. .. 7 1 „ .. .. .. .. Fair. Hawke .. .. 1 .. „ .. • • • • • • Good. Huatoki .. .. 30 5 Residential and small farming .. .. Fair. Huia .. .. 5 .. Mixed farming .. .. .. .. Indifferent. Huinga .. .. 8 2 Dairying .. .. .. .. Good. Kara .. .. 5 .. Mixed farming .. .. .. .. Indifferent. Katikara .. .. 3 .. Dairying .. .. .. .. Very good. Kohura .. .. 11 .. Mixed farming .. .. .. .. Good. Kota .. .. 7 .. „ .. .. .. .. Fair. Mana .. .. 1 .. Grazing .. .. .. .. „ Mangamaire .. .. 1 .. „ .. .. • • • • Indifferent. Marco .. .. 2 .. Mixed farming .. .. .. .. Fair. Matane .. .. .. I Dairying .. .. .. .. Freehold. Ngutu .. .. 1 .. Mixed farming .. .. .. .. Fair. Okahu .. .. 1 .. Dairying .. .. .. .. „ Parkes .. .. 7 .. „ .. .. .. .. Very good. Piu .. .. .. 5 .. Mixed farming .. .. .. .. Indifferent. Rahu .. .. ] .. „ .. • • • • • ■ Poor. Ratapiko .. .. 4 1 Dairying and mixed farming .. .. Fair. Spotswood .. .. 9 37 Homestead and small dairying .. . . Very good. Taitama .. .. 7 .. Mixed farming .. • .. .. .. Good. Tariki .. .. 7 1 Dairying .. .. .. .. Very good. Tawhiwhi .. .. 9 .. Mixed farming .. .. .. .. Indifferent. Tokaora .. .. 2 14 Dairying .. .. .. .. Very good. Tututawa .. .. 3 .. Dairying and grazing .. .. .. Good. Totals.. .. 147 62 Wellington. Ahiaruhe .. .. 10 .. Dairying .. .. .. .. Good. Akitio .. .. 6 .. Grazing sheep and cattle .. .. .. „ Almadale .. .. 6 .. Dairying .. .. .. .. Lower good, upper fair. Aorangi .. .. 23 19 „ .. .. .. .. Good. Arawhata .. .. 2 .. Dairying ; also few sheep .. .. .. Fair. Armstrong .. .. 1 .. Dairying .. .. .. .. „ Bailey .. .. 1 .. ,, .. . - . • •. Good. Bartholomew .. 6 .. „ .. .. .. .. Fair to poor. Benge .. .. 1 .. „ .. • • • ■ ■ • Fair. Braemore .. .. 4 .. Pastoral .. .. .. .. Good. Brown .. . . 1 .. Dairying .. .. .. .. Fair. Brace .. .. 1 .. „ .. .. . • • • Fair to poor. Callender .. .. 1 .. Dairying; also few sheep .. .. .. Fair. Carrington .. .. 34 2 Mixed .. .. .. .. .. ,, Cherry Grove .. 3 .. Dairying . . .. .. .. Good. Cloverlea .. .. 17 .. Dairying and residential .. .. .. „ Corliss .. .. 1 .. Dairying .. .. .. .. „ Coyle .. .. 1 .. ,, . ■ .. • • ■ • Poor. Currie .. .. 2 .. „ .. .. .. .. Good. Dawbin .. .. 1 .. Dairying and residential .. .. .. ,, Devonshire .. .. 1 .. ,, .. ■. . • » Dixon .. .. 1 .. Dairying .. .. .. .. „ Dyer .. .. 37 10 Mixed .. .. .. .. .. „ Eaglesham .. .. 8 .. Grazing .. .. .. .. „ Epuni Hamlet .. 19 26 Mixed and garden .. .. .. „ Evans .. .. 1 .. Dairying; also few sheep .. .. .. ,, Fairfield .. .. 7 1 Dairying and residential .. .. .. Fair. Falloon .. .. 6 .. Mixed; also few sheep .. .. .. Good. Gee .. .. 1 . • Dairying and residential .. .. .. Fair. Glasspole .. .. 1 .. Dairying .. .. .. .. Good. Gower .. .. 2 .. „ .. .. .. .. „ Graham .. .. 1 .. „ ... .. .. • • Fair. Greves .. .. 1 .. Dairying; also few sheep .. .. .. „ Greystoke .. .. 12 .. Dairying and residential .. .. .. Good. Hall-Jones .. .. 20 19 Gardening .. .. .. .. „ Hammond .. .. 1 1 .. Dairying .. .. .. .. Fair.

C.—l.

Summary of the Settlements established upon Estates acquired and dealt with under the Provisions of the Land for Settlements Act up to the 31st March, 1931 —continued.

16

Name of Estate. hotels' ' holds" Principal i'urpose for which Holdings are utilized. I > ema rnt Wellington—continued. Hardie .. .. .. .. Dairying . . .. .. .. Fair, does not make any progress. Harper .. .. I .. „ .. . • •. . • Fair. Haunui No. 1 .. 1 8 .. „ .. .. .. .. Good. Haunui No. 2 .. 7 .. „ .. .. .. „ Hawtrey .. .. 44 52 Residential .. .. .. .. Little demand. Heatherlea .. .. 17 10 Dairying .. .. .. .. Good. Heights .. .. 2 .. Sheep and dry cattle .. .. .. Fair. Heretaunga .. .. 14 112 Residential .. .. .. .. Very good. Hill .. . • 1 .. Dairying .. .. .. .. Fair. Horrobin .. .. 1 .. Mixed .. .. .. .. .. „ Johnson .. .. 1 .. Grazing .. .. .. .. Poor. Kairanga .. .. 11 .. Dairying and residential .. .. .. Good. Kiwitea .. .. 1 .. „ • • • • ■ ■ „ Kopane .. .. i 14 .. „ .. .. .. Holdings too small. Kuku .. .. j 4 .. Mixed .. .. .. .. .. Good. Langdale .. .. I 12 13 Grazing .. .. .. .. „ Langley-Purdom .. 1 .. Dairying .. .. .. .. „ Lean .. . • I .. Residential .. .. .. .. ,, Lewis .. .. I 1 .. Dairying .. .. .. .. j . „ Linton .. .. 5 .. „ .. .. .. .. | „ Little .. . • 1 .. Mixed .. .. .. .. • • » Littler .. .. 1 .. Dairying .. .. .. .. Very good. Longbush and Mahupuku 16 6 Mixed .. .. . . .. .. Good. Loughnan .. .. 26 .. Residential .. .. . . .. „ Makopua .. .. 2 .. Pastoral .. .. .. .. „ Makowai and Extension 26 .. Dairying .. .. .. .. Fair. Mangawhatu .. .. 7 „ .. .. .. .. Good. Marama-a-mau .. 6 .. „ .. .. .. .. „ Marshall .. .. 1 .. „ ■ ■ . • • • • • I Fair. Mataikona .. .. 6 .. Grazing .. .. .. .. Poor. Matamua .. .. 2 I Dairying .. .. .. .. Fair. Maungaraki .. .. 18 2 Residential .. .. .. .. j „ McDonnell .. .. I .. Dairying . . .. .. • • ! „ . McKenzie .. .. 1 .. „ .. .. . • ■ • Good. McLean .. .. 1 .. „ . ■ .. .. • „ Melling .. .. 2 .. Residential .. .. .. .. „ Moroa . . .. 19 .. Dairying .. .. . . . . Poor. Motukai .. .. 3 .. Grazing .. .. .. .. Fair. Muhunoa .. .. 2 .. Dairying .. .. .. .. „ Neligan .. .. 1 .. „ .. . • • • • • Fair to good. Nesdale No. 1 .. I .. Dairying and pastoral .. . . . . Fair. Nesdale No. 2 .. 1 .. „ ■ • . • ,, Ngahape .. .. 6 . Grazing .. .. .. .. Good. Ngakaroro .. .. 2 .. Dairying . . .. .. .. Fair. Ngarara .. .. 5 .. „ .. .. .. .. Good. Ohakea .. .. 3 13 „ .. .. .. .. Fair. Olliver .. .. 2 .. Grazing .. .. .. .. „ Olver .. .. 1 .. Dairying .. .. .. .. Poor. Omapu .. .. 1 4 .. „ .. .. .. .. Good. Oroua .. .. 2 .. „ .. .. .. .. Fair. Osborne .. .. 5 .. ,, .. . . . • •. Good. Otahome .. .. 2 .. Grazing .. .. .. .. „ Oturoa .. .. 7 . . Dairying .. .. .. .. „ Owenga .. .. 19 2 Residential .. .. .. .. Fair. Paa Creek .. .. 1 .. Dairying ; also few sheep .. .. .. Very good. Paparangi .. .. 22 14 Residential .. .. .. .. Fair. Paramu .. .. 1 .. Grazing .. .. .. .. „ Perham .. .. 1 .. Mixed .. .. .. .. .. „ Phillips .. .. 4 .. Dairying .. .. .. .. Good. Pihautea .. .. 27 1 ,, .. .. .. .. „ Pitt.. .. . • .. o Gardening .. .. . . .. Fair. Pohehe .. . . 1 .. Dairying, sheep, and cattle .. .. Very good. Poroporo .. .. 16 2 Mixed .. .. .. . . .. Good. Pukekoa .. .. 9 .. Dairying .. .. .. .. Fair. Pukenamu and Extension 7 .. „ .. .. .. .. „ Puketoi .. .. 10 .. Grazing, sheep, cattle .. .. .. Very good. Putorino .. .. 14 .. Dairying .. .. .. .. Fair. Quillinan .. .. 1 .. „ .. .. . . .. Good. Raumaewa .. .. 3 .. „ .. .. .. .. Fair. Ruatangata .. .. ] 3 .. „ .. .. .. .. Good. Sandilands .. .. i .. „ .. .. .. .. Poor. Saxon . . .. ; I .. „ .. .. .. . . Fair. Soland .. .. j 1 . • „ .. .. .. .. „ Stanley .. .. 1 .. „ .. .. .. .. Fair, improving. Stokes .. .. i 1 .. „ .. .. .. .. Fair. Tablelands and Hikiwera j 14 3 Grazing ' .. .. .. .. Good. Taikorea .. .. 5 .. Dairying .. .. .. .. Fair. Tauherenikau .. 1 .. Mixed .. .. .. .. .. „ Taumaihi .. .. 4 .. Residential . . .. .. .. „ Taupuae .. .. 2 .. Grazing .. .. .. .. Good.

C.-l.

Summary of the Settlements established upon Estates acquired and dealt with under the Provisions of the Land for Settlements Act up to the 31st March, 1931-continued.

3 —C. 1.

17

N'a.me of Estate. j | Principal Purpose for which Holdings are utilized. I Rcmarl potition! reSent W ellington—continued. Tawaha .. .. 24 1 Mixed .. .. .. .. .. Good. Te Matua .. . . 8 7 Dairying .. .. .. .. „ Te Ore Ore .. .. 8 .. Dairying, mixed farming .. .. ■. Very good. Te Whiti .. .. 6 .. Dairying .. .. .. • • Good. Tikotu .. .. 3 .. „ .. . • • • • • Fair. Tiraumea .. .. 16 .. Grazing .. .. .. . ■ Making steady progress. Tupurupuru .. ' .. 3 .. „ .. .. .. • ■ Good. Tuturumuri .. .. 12 .. ,, .. .. .. ■ • ,< Waddington .. .. 13 3 Gardening .. .. .. -. Fair to poor. Wahren .. .. 1 .. Dairying .. .. .. . ■ Fair. Waihora .. .. 3 .. Mixed ■. .. •. • • • ■ Good. Waitawa .. .. 1 .. Dairying .. .. .. • . Very good. Waterson .. .. 2 .. ,. .. .. . • • ■ Fair. Westella .. .. 12 .. „ .. .. •. >> Westmere .. .. 9 .. Mixed .. .. .. .. ■ • Good. White .. .. 1 .. Dairying .. .. .. .. „ Wilford .. .. 78 126 Residential .. .. .. .. „ Woulfe .. .. 1 .. Dairying .. .. .. • ■ Very good. Wright .. .. 1 .. „ .. • • • • • • » Youle .. .. 1 . • „ -. • • • • ■ • Good. Normandale .. .. 29 20 Mixed .. .. .. .. •. Fair to poor. Totals.. .. 965 477 Nelson. Blue Glen .. .. 1 .. Grazing .. .. .. ■. Poor. Braeburn .. .. 20 2 Mixed farming .. .. .. .. Good. Glenrae .. .. 1 . • „ .. ■ • • • • • » Golden Downs .. 2 .. „ .. .. .. • • » Kohatu .. .. 1 ■ • Grazing .. .. .. .. Fair. Lake .. .. 5 .. „ .. .. .. ■ ■ „ Matakitaki .. .. 1 .. ,, . • • • • • » Maruia .. .. 10 .. Grazing and dairying .. .. .. „ Palmer .. .. 1 „ Spittal .. .. 1 ■ ■ Dairying .. .. .. .. „ Tutaki .. .. 2 1 Grazing .. .. .. .. Poor. Walker .. .. 1 .. Dairying .. .. .. .. Fair. Wangapeka .. .. 15 3 Mixed farming .. .. .. .. Good. Homestead-site .. 1 ■ ■ Grazing .. .. .. .. „ Totals.. .. 62 6 Marlborough. Alberton .. .. 4 .. Agricultural and dairying .. .. .. Fair. Blind River .. .. 18 .. Sheep and agricultural .. .. .. Very good. Bomford .. .. 1 • • Agricultural .. .. .. .. Poor. Erina .. .. 10 2 Sheep .. .. .. .. .. Pair. Pernleigh .. . . 7 .. Dairying .. .. .. .. „ Flaxboume .. .. 129 13 Agricultural and pastoral .. .. .. Very good. Goat Hills .. .. 3 .. Sheep .. .. .. . ■ .. Fair. Hillersden .. .. 52 8 „ .. .. .. .. .. Good. Hillersden Bush 2 .. • < Linkwaterdale .. 5 .. Dairying and agricultural .. .. .. Fair. Lynton Downs .. 11 .. Sheep .. .. .. .. .. „ Moorlands .. .. 6 .. Agricultural .. .. .. .. „ Neville .. .. 1 1 ,, • • • • • • » Northbank .. .. 10 .. Sheep .. .. .. .. .. Good. Omaka .. .. 14 .. Agricultural, sheep, and dairying .. . . „ Puhipuhi .. .. 2 .. Sheep .. .. .. ■. • ■ ,, Rainford .. .. 11 •• Dairying .. .. .. .. „ Richmond Brook .. 12 .. Sheep .. .. .. .. .. Excellent. Starborough .. .. 162 26 Agricultural and pastoral .. .. .. „ Waipapa .. .. 4 .. Sheep .. . . .. .. .. Fair. Warnock .. .. 2 .. Dairying .. .. .. .. „ Wither .. .. 19 3 Sheep .. .. .. .. • ■ Good. Totals.. .. 485 53 Westland. Kokatahi .. .. 8 .. Dairying and grazing .. .. .. Highly satisfactory. Poerua .. 24 4 ,, ,. .. • • » Runanga .. .. 1 • • Residential .. .. Raupo .. .. 4 •. Dairying and grazing .. .. .. Satisfactory. Totals.. .. 37 4 Canterbury. : Acton .. .. 3 .. ! Mixed farming .. .. .. .. Very fair. Albury .. .. 78 3 Sheep-farming and grain-growing .. .. Well established. Allanholme .. . . 9 ,, - • • • Good. Annan .. .. 43 5 Mixed farming and grazing ., ,, Well established,

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, 1931 —continued.

18

Name of Estate. hotels" | holds Principal Purpose for which Holdings are utilized. ''' mar^p 0 r c se Tt f Canterbury —continued Ashley Gorge . 7 3 Dairy-farming and grazing .. . Well established. Ashtori .. .. 8 '.. Mixed farming .. .. .. .. Uncertain yet. Ashwick .. .. 8 .. Sheep-farming and grain-growing .. .. Good. Avenel .. .. 17 .. Mixed farming .. .. .. .. Very fair. Avenel Extension .. 11 .. ,, .. .. .. .. „ Avonhead .. .. 17 .. Small farming .. .. .. .. Improving. Avonhead No. 2 .. 18 .. „ .. .. .. .. „ Aylesbury .. .. 6 .. Mixed farming .. .. .. .. Good. Bankfield .. .. 9 .. Mixed farming and grain-growing .. .. Uncertain yet. Beach .. .. 8 .. Mixed farming .. .. .. .. „ Bourndale .. .. JO .. Sheep-farming and grain-growing .. .. Very fair. Braco .. .. 3 11 Market-gardening .. .. .. Well established. Brinklands . . .. .. 2 Dairying and mixed farming .. .. Under manager. Broadfiekls .. .. 4 .. Mixed, grain-growing . . .. .. Uncertain. Brooksdale .. .. 14 .. Mixed farming .. .. .. .. Fair —improving. Bruce .. .. 4 .. ,, .. . . .. .. Uncertain yet. Buckley .. . . 3 .. „ .. .. .. .. „ Buddo .. .. 10 5 Workers' dwellings . . .. .. Fair. Burkes Homestead .. 1 .. Homestead-site Chamberlain .. .. 20 1 Sheep-farming and grain-growing . . .. Well established. Clandeboye .. .. 10 .. Dairy-farming and grain-growing .. .. Very fair. Clandeboye No. 2 6 ,, .. .. Fair. Claremont .. .. 13 .. Sheep-farming and grain-growing .. ... „ Clayton .. .. 6 .. Sheep-farming .. .. . . .. Very good. Clunes .. .. 8 .. Mixed farming and dairying .. .. New selection. Coldstream .. .. 11 .. Mixed farming .. .. .. .. Fair. Cooper's Creek .. 1 .. Sheep-farming .. .. .. .. ,, Copland .. .. 2 .. Sheep, dairying, and grain-growing . . Good. Craigmore .. .. 10 .. Mixed farming .. .. .. .. Uncertain yet. Cricklewood .. .. 10 .. „ .. .. .. .. „ Culverden .. .. 57 14 Mixed farming and grazing .. . . Good. Douglas .. .. 36 .. Sheep-farming and grain-growing .. .. Fair, improving. Doyleston .. .. 7 .. Mixed farming . . .. .. .. Uncertain yet. Drayton .. .. 15 5 Agricultural .. .. .. . . Improving. Dromore .. .. 4 .. Mixed farming and grazing .. .. Uncertain yet. Eccleston .. .. 4 .. Sheep-farrning and grain-growing .. .. Well established. Epworth .. .... 2 .. Now freehold. Finlay Downs .. 5 .. Dairy-farming and grain-growing .. . . Very good. Four Peaks .. .. 8 .. Sheep-farming and grain-growing .. . . „ Fyvie .. .. 4 I Mixed farming .. .. .. .. Not satisfactory. Glenmark .. .. 28 2 Mixed farming and grazing .. .. Good. Glentanner .. .. .. . . Homestead-site .. . . .. .. Fair. Gorge Road .. .. 4 17 Workers' homes Grange .. .. 3 .. Dairying and grain-growing .. .. Uncertain yet. Hadlow .. .. 3 .. Mixed farming .. .. .. .. Fair. Hawthorne .. .. 9 .. „ .. .. .. .. „ Hei Hei .. .. 15 1 I'oultry-farming, &c. .. .. .. Uncertain yet. Hekeao .. .. 10 7 Mixed farming .. .. .. .. Well established. Hewitt .. .. 1 .. Homestead-site Highbank .. .. 71 10 Mixed farming .. .. .. .. Well established. Hillboro .. .. 3 .. Sheep-farming and grain-growing .. .. Good. Homebrook .. .. 16 .. Mixed farming .. .. .. .. Fair. Homestead-sites 10 Hornby .. .. 18 5 Agricultural and gardening .. .. Fair. Horsley Downs .. 8 22 Mixed farming .. .. .. .. Well established. Isleworth .. .. 18 .. Mixed, grain-growing .. . . .. Uncertain yet. Jungle .. .. 2 .. Dairy-farming .. .. .. .. Satisfactory. Kaimahi .. .. 4 9 „ .. .. .. . • „ Kakahu .. .. 5 .. Workers' homes and gardening .. .. „ Kapua .. .. 12 .. Mixed farming and grazing .. .. „ Kapuatohe .. .. .5 9 Sheep-farming and dairying .. . . Good. Keith .. .. .. ! Workers' homes and gardening .. .. Satisfactory. Kereta .. .. 4 .. Mixed farming .. .. .. .. „ Kinloch .. .. 31 1 Dairying .. .. . . . . Well established. Kohika .. .. 17 .. Dairy-farming and graziug .. .. Very good. Kohika No. 2 .. 2 .. Mixed farming .. .. .. .. Well established. Kowhatu .. .. 5 . . „ .. .. .. .. Very good. Ladbrooks .. .. 14 .. „ .. .. .. .. Fair. Lambrook .. .. 5 .. „ .. .. .. .. Uncertain yet. Lansdown .. . . 10 1 Sheep-farming and grain-growing .. .. Good. Lauriston .. .. 5 1 Mixed, grain-growing .. .. .. Uncertain yet. Leeston .. .. 5 1 Agricultural .. .. .. .. Well established. Lees Valley .. .. 10 .. Sheep-farming .. .. .. .. Considerably improved. Lyndhurst .. .. 18 .. Mixed farming .. .. .. .. Uncertain yet. Lyndon .. .. 8 1 „ .. .. .. .. Well established. Lyndon No. 2 .. 9 .. Mixed farming and grazing .. .. I „ Macgregor .. . . 1 . . „ .. .. Unsatisfactory. Marawiti .. 12 1 „ .. . . I Well established. Maytown .. .. 9 2 Sheep-farming and dairying .. . . Good. Mead .. .. 21 1 Mixed farming and grazing . . .. | Well established. Meadows ,, .. 14 ,. Sheep-farming and grain-growing , , , . ! Very fair, /

C.—l.

Summary of the Settlements established upon Estates acquired and dealt with under the Provisions of the Land for Settlements Act up to the 31st March, 1931-continued.

19

Name of Estate. : folds' St. Principal Purpose for which Holdings are utilized. 08 ™' Canterbury—continued. Milford .. .. 4 .. Mixed farming .. .. .. •. Uncertain yet. Mills .. .. 21 .. Small farming and dairying .. .. Well established. Moanaroa .. .. 3 .. Mixed farming .. .. . . .. New selection. Morice .. .. 28 3 Dairying and grass-seed growing .. .. Satisfactory. Morten .. .. 17 1 Poultry, &c. " .. .. . • • • Uncertain yet. Montford .. .. 9 .. Mixed farming and grazing .. .. Improving. Mount Nessing .. 11 .. Sheep-farming and grain-growing .. .. Very good. New Park .. . . 7 .. Mixed farming .. .. . . ■ ■ Uncertain yet. Oakwood .. . . 5 .. Mixed farming and grain-growing . . . . Uncertain. Ohapi .. . . 6 .. Mixed farming .. .. .. . . Good. Omihi .. . . .. .. Homestead-site Otarakaro .. . . .. 7 Market-gardening .. . . .. Well established a n d satisfactory. Orakipaoa .. . . 26 1 Dairying, grain-growing, and gardening .. Well established. Otaio .. .. 9 .. Small farming and dairying . . .. „ Papaka .. .. 9 .. Market-gardening .. .. .. „ Pareora .. .. 26 2 Sheep-farming and dairying .. .. Good. Pareora No. 2 .. 26 7 Sheep-farming and grain-growing .. .. ■ Well established. Patoa .. .. 1 3 Grazing and small farming .. .. Satisfactory. Pawaho .. .. 8 17 Market-gardening .. .. .. „ Peaks .. . . 9 3 Mixed gardening .. .. , .. .. „ Puhuka .. .. 9 1 Workers' homes .. .. .. -. I Well established. Punaroa .. .. 15 2 Dairyings sheep-farming, and grain-growing .. „ Raineliff .. .. 1 .. Sheep-farming and grain-growing .. .. „ Rakitairi .... 20 2 „ .... „ Rapuwai .. .. 5 .. ,, • • • ■ >• Rautawiri .. .. 6 „ ■ • • • >> Riverina .. .. 3 .. Mixed farming .. .. .. . . 1 Uncertain yet. Roimata .. .. 7 22 Workers' homes .. .. .. .. Satisfactory. Rosebrook .. .. 11 3 Small farming and dairying .. .. j Good. Rosewill .. .. 151 11 Sheep-farming and grain-growing .. .. Well established. Ruapuna No. 2 .. 15 .. Mixed farming .. .. .. Very good. Scargill .. .. 9 .. Mixed farming and grazing . . .. Fair. Scotson .. .. 2 .. Mixed farming .. .. .. .. New selection. Seafield .. .. 4 .. „ .. .. • • .. Satisfactory. Seaforth . . .. 6 .. Small farming and dairying .. .. Uncertain yet. Sherwood Downs .. 26 .. Sheep-farming and grain-growing . . .. Good. Springwell .. .. 6 .. Mixed farming and grain-growing .. . . Uncertain yet. Stoke .. .. 7 .. Mixed farming .. .. .. .. Good. Strathmore .. . . 3 .. „ • • • • • • • • Fair. Studholme Junction .. 4 .. Small farming and dairying .. . . Good. Takitu .. .. 5 .. Sheep-farming .. .. .. .. Well established. Tamai .. .. 8 32 Workers' homes .. .. .. .. Satisfactory. Tara .. .. 9 1 Sheep-farming and grain-growing .. . . Very go<xl. Tarawhai .. .. 4 24 Workers' homes .. .. . . . . Satisfactory. Teschemaker .. 12 .. Sheep-farming and grain-growing .. . . Very good. Timaunga ... .. 16 .. Mixed farming .. .. .. .. Fair, improving. Timaunga Extension .. 7 .. „ .. • • • • • • Good. Tripp .. .. 25 .. Sheep-farming and grain-growing .. .. Fair. Valverde .. .. 11 •• Mixed farming .. .. .. „ Waiapi .. .. 11 4 Sheep-farming and grain-growing .. .. Well established. Waikakahi .. .. 185 18 ,, .... ,, Waimate .. .. 35 .. Sheep-farming, grain and fruit growing .. Good. Wairere .. .. 8 .. Mixed farming .. .. .. Fair. Waitohi Peaks .. 9 .. Sheep-farming .. .. .. . . Improving. Welburn .. .. 6 .. Mixed farming, dairying .. .. .. New selection. Wharenui .. . . 13 12 Workers' homes .. .. .. . . Well established. Winchester .. .. 10 .. Sheep-farming, grain-growing, and dairying .. Fair. Woodlau .. . . 4 .. Mixed farming and grazing .. .. Uncertain yet. Totals.. .. 1,886 320 Otago. Airedale .. .. 12 1 Dairying and general .. .. .. Good. Ardgowan .. . . 66 6 „ • • ■ ■ •> Arnmore .. .. 5 .. Mixed .. .. .. .. .. Fair. Aviemore .. .. 1 • • Grazing .. .. .. .. Good. Awamoa .. .. 1 1 Mixed .. .. . . . • . . ,, Barnego .. .. 20 4 Dairying and general .. .. .. „ Bellamy .. . • 14 .. Grazing .. ■ ■ • ■ .. Poor. Cardrona .. .. 1 • • „ • • • • • ■ - • Only fair. Clareview .. .. 5 .. Dairying and general .. .. .. Good. Clifton .. .. 8 .. General .. ■ • ■ • .. Fair. Conical Hills .. 45 1 Grazing and general .. .. .. Poor. Crosshill . . .. 6 .. Mixed .. .. .. .. .. Fair. Croucher .. .. 1 .. >, ■ • • • • • • • ■ • Good. Dalmain .. .. 3 .. Grazing .. .. . • . . Fair. Duncan . . .. 4 4 Dairying .. . . .. .. Poor. Earnscleugh .. .. 25 i Fruitgrowing .. . . . . . Fair. Elderslie No. 1 .. 36 2 General .. .. .. .. Good. Elderslie No. 2 .. 16 .. „ .. •• ■ • • • Very good.

C.—l.

Summary of the Settlements established upon Estates acquired and dealt with under the Provisions of the Land for Settlements Act up to the 31st March, 1931 —continued.

20

Name of Estate. holds' ifolda. ' Principal Purpose for which Holdings are utilized. Eemar pos?tion PreS<!nt ' Otugo—continued. Gallow ay .. 11 X Fruit and homestead sites .. .. Very fair. Giadbrook .. .. 46 3 'Dairying .. .. .. .. Fair. Glenn .. ■ • 4 .. Mixed .. .. .. .. .. „ Greenfield .. •. 36 7 „ .. .. .. .. .. Good. Hilderthorpe .. 19 . . General, and workers' homes .. .. Fair. Janefield .. . • 19 3 Dairying and fruit .. .. .. Good. Kauroo Hill .. .. 42 3 General .. .. .. .. ,, Kelso .. ■ ■ 3 .. Dairying .. .. .. .. „ Kurow .. ■ • 11 3 General and dairying .. .. .. Only fair. Lakeview .. .. 1 .. General .. .. .. .. Good. Maerewhenua • ■ 77 1 ,, .. .. . ■ . ■ Very good. Makaraeo .. • ■ 33 .. „ .. .. ,. .. Very fair. Makaraeo Extension . . 3 .. „ .. .. .. .. „ Manuherikia .. .. 11 1 General, with irrigation .. .. .. Poor. Maraeweka .. . ■ 8 .. General .. .. .. .. Very fair. Matakanui .. • ■ 3 .. General and grazing .. .. .. Good. Meadowbank.. .. 11 .. General .. .. .. .. Very good. Melville Park .. 6 .. Dairying and mixed . . .. .. Poor. Mornona .. .. 7 7 Dairying .. .. .. .. Very good. Murrayfield .. .. 2 .. Mixed .. .. .. .. .. Good. Oakleigh .. .. 1 .. ,, .. .. .. • • • • Only fair. Otanomomo .. .. 25 1 Dairying .. .. .. .. Good. Otekaike .. .. 64 1 Mixed .. .. .. .. .. Fair. Plunket .. . • 18 1 ,, .. .. .. .. .. Good. Pomahaka .. .. 26 2 ,, .. .. .. .. .. Very fair. Poplar Grove .. 21 2 Dairying .. .. .. .. Fair. Pukeawa .. .. 14 2 Mixed .. .. .. .. .. Good. Pukenui .. 6 .. ,, .. .. .. .. .. ,, Puketapu .. .. 6 5 Dairying .. .. .. .. ,, Rockford . • • • 4 .. Mixed .. .. .. .. .. ,, Rosebery .. .. 15 .. Grazing and general .. .. .. ,, Rugged Ridges .. 1 .. Grazing .. .. .. .. Very fair. Steward .. . ■ 52 2 Mixed .. .. .. .. .. Good. St. Helens .. .. 3 .. General ,. .. .. .. Very fair. Takawai .. . . 7 1 Dairying .. .. .. .. Good. Taumata .. ■. 9 • • Mixed .. .. .. .. .. ,, Teaneraki .. .. 23 .. Dairying .. .. .. .. Very fair. Te Puke .. .. 4 .. Mixed .. .. .. .. .. Good. Teviot .. • ■ 24 1 Grazing . . .. .. .. Fair. Tilverstowe .. -. 7 .. Mixed .. .. .. .". .. ,, The Downs .. .. 8 .. ,, .. .. .... .. ,, Tapanui .. .. 7 .. General .. .. .. .. Cood. Tokarahi .. • • 79 2 Mixed .. .. .. .. .. ,, Tokoiti .. • • 4 .. ,, .. .. .. .. .. ,, Totara .. • • 27 .. ,, .. .. .. .. .. ,, Wairuna .. . • II • ■ „ .. .. .. . ■ .. Fair. Waitahuna No. 1 .. 1 1 ,, .. .. .. .. .. Waitahuna No. 2 .. 6 1 . .. .. .. .. Poor. Westcott .. •• 7 .. ,, .. .. .. .. .. ,, Wilden .. • • 13 ■. Mixed, agricultural, and pastoral .. .. Good. Windsor Park No. 1 36 2 Mixed .. .. .. .. .. Very good. Windsor Park No. 2 .. 10 .. ,, .. .. .. .. .. „ Totals.. .. 1,161 73 Southland. Allenby .. .. 5 .. Dairying .. .. .. .. Good. Ardlussa .. .. f> .. Pastoral .. .. .. .. Poor. Beaumont .. .. 10 2 Mixed farming .. .. .. .. ,, Brydone .. .. 2 .. Dairying .. .. .. .. Good. Campbell .. .. 4 .. Mixed farming . . .. .. . . Fair. Crichton Park .. 4 2 Pastoral .. .. .. .. ,, Edendale .. .. 98 56 Dairying ... .. .. .. Very good. Ermedale .. .. 11 2 Mixed farming .. .. . . .. Fair. Fern Hill . . . . 4. .. ,, . . .. .. .. Good. Fortification Hill . . 6 .. Pastoral .. . . . . .. Fair. Glenham .. .. 32 12 Mixed farming .. .. .. .. Very good. K novvsley Park . . 9 .. Pastoral .. . . .. .. Poor. Lambert .. .. 1 .. Dairying .. . . .. .. Fair. Lamont .. .. 6 .. ,, .. .... . . Maori Hill .. .. 17 3 Mixed farming .. .. .. . . Good. Merrivale .. .. 43 12 ,, .. .. .. .. ,, Merrivale No. 1 .. 9 .. ,, .. .. .. .. Fair. Merrivale No. 2 .. 7 .. ,, .. .. .. .. Monte Cristo .. .. 4 .. Dairying .. . . .. .. Good. Otahu .. .. 6 2 Mixed farming .. .. .. .. Fair. Ringway .. .. 4 3 ,, .. .. .. .. ,, Simpson .. .. 1 .. ,, .. .. .. .. Stalker .. .. 8 1 Dairying .. .. .. .. Very good. Sbrathvale .. .. 9 .. ,, .. .. .. .. ,, Tamatea .. .. 7 .. ,, .. .. .. .. Good. Teihoka .. .. 2 .. Mixed farming .. .. .. .. „ Te Wae Wae . . 4 .. Dairying .. .. .. .. ,, Waiarikiki .. . . 7 .. Pastoral .. .. .. .. Poor. Wai kiwi Town .. 33 27 Suburban building-sites .. .. .. Good. Totals.. .. 358 122 Grand totals .. 7,147 2,302

C.—i

EXTRACTS PROM REPORTS OF COMMISSIONERS OF CROWN LANDS. NORTH AUCKLAND (0. N. Campbell, Commissioner of Crown Lands.) Owing to adverse weather conditions, combined with low prices for stock and produce, the financial results have been reduced to a considerable extent, and it has been a somewhat difficult year for farmers generally. Improved farming methods have, however, been adopted by most of the settlers, and this largely minimized the losses which would otherwise have resulted, and on the whole fair progress has been made. Three new settlements have been acquired during the year —i.e., Otarao and Whakata under the group-settlement scheme, and Awanui which was opened for general application by ballot. These have provided holdings for sixteen additional settlers and good progress has already been made in effecting improvements. AUCKLAND. (K. M. Graham, Commissioner of Crown Lands.) During the year two estates were purchased and opened for selection —namely, Mangakura Settlement, situated near Waerenga, containing an area of 942 acres, subdivided into seven holdings, and Puketarata Settlement, between Te Awamutu and Otorohanga, with an area of 422 acres, subdivided into five holdings. There was a fair demand for these sections, which are suitable for dairying, and all were selected at the ballot. Two one-man dairying farms were also acquired during the year, and allotted to discharged soldiers —namely, Tangao Settlement ot 221 acres, and Rockburn Settlement of 76 acres. Under the group-settlement provisions of the Act, five blocks, with a total area of 1,882 acres, have been acquired, resulting in the settlement of seventeen new settlers on the land. The drop in the prices of primary products has adversely affected all settlers, and, although those on a number of the, older and well-established settlements should be able to carry on without difficulty until the return of better conditions, a considerable number of the settlers on the newer settlements will have a difficult period ahead of them, and it is probable that in many cases the Land Board will have to consider applications for concessions in regard to rental payments, with a view to affording some measure of relief. GISBORNE. (E. H. Farnie, Commissioner of Crown Lands.) The Apanui Settlement, near Opotiki, was the only area balloted for during the last twelve months, and, being dairying land of good quality, the whole of the seven sections were readily disposed of to a good class of settler. Already the carrying-capacity of the property has been materially increased, and the present indications are that the purchase was quite a good one in the interests of the district. A property of 142 acres, situated near Te Karaka, was purchased under Part II of the Land Laws Amendment Act, 1928, on behalf of two applicants. A number of settlers in the Ardkeen, Glencoe, and Repongaere Settlements were granted additional areas during the year, which should have the effect of ultimately increasing their prospects. HAWKFAS BAY. (J. D. Thomson, Commissioner of Crown Lands.) The Awamate Settlement, purchased last year, was opened in May, and all sections were taken, up. It was unfortunate that the selectors should have experienced such a bad season when making a start, notwithstanding which, fair progress has been made and some excellent hay and fodder crops have been obtained. Towards the close of the year the Rylands Estate, five sections, totalling 1,246 acres, was offered, and four sections selected. These are suitable for dairying or mixed farming. A property of 25 acres was purchased under Part II of the Land Laws Amendment Act, 1928, and disposed of to two applicants. This area is in the vicinity of Hastings, and will be utilized for orchards. A small area on the Tangoio Settlement has been set aside for the use of the Department of Agriculture in order to make experiments in connection with the eradication of blackberry. TARANAKI. (W. D. Armit, Commissioner of Crown Lands.) A number of properties have been offered for purchase during the year. Some are unsuitable for subdivision and others were offered at a price considered to be too dear. The Tunnel Timber Co.'s property at Tapuwae, comprising 3,350 acres, was purchased in August, 1930, and is being developed by the Department. An area of 730 acres of bush was felled last winter and spring, and a successful burn secured in February. A substantial sowing of English grasses has been given. The property is fully stocked, and further extensive purchases will be made to stock

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the newly-sown burn during the coming season. An area of 150 acres has been drained by contract workers and good results have been secured. Future development consists of fencing and the felling and grassing of about 1,200 acres of bush and scrub land. The Tapuwae Estate consists of tableland country of good quality and easy contour. Development costs of bush areas (felling, clearing of tracks, cost of grass-seed and sowing) amount to £3 Bs. per acre, which must be considered very satisfactory. Some of the later-purchased settlements do not prosper, and this season the drastic fall in monetary returns for primary products of all descriptions has resulted in a falling-ofl of revenue. WELLINGTON. (H. W. C. Mackintosh, Commissioner of Crown Lands.) The remarks made concerning the conditions of settlement on ordinary Crown lands apply equally to lands acquired under the Land for Settlements Acts. The tenants on settlement estates are now becoming well established and those who follow dairying will be able to just about meet commitments, but those on sheep-raising propositions have been hard hit, and will require to be nursed along until prices for wool and stock become normal again. The tenants on the later purchases such as Westella, Phillips, Cuirie, and Gower Settlements, were most unfortunate in experiencing the present depression right at the outset of their ventures, but their lands are of that quality that given two or three years of buoyant prices these farmers will be in a sound position. NELSON. (A. F. Waters, Commissioner of Crown Lands.) No properties have been acquired under the Land for Settlements Act for some years past. A careful inspection of areas offered from time to time has shown that they were not suitable for closer settlement. Owing to the low prices for wool and butterfat settlers generally are experiencing considerable difficulty in meeting their liabilities but they should have little difficulty in doing so when prices improve. MARLBOROUGH. (P. R. Wilkinson, Commissioner of Crown Lands.) During the year six estates, of an aggregate area of 78,561 acres, were offered to the Dominion Land Purchase Board, and one application was received from three persons for an area of 210 acres under the group-settlement scheme. One offer is still under consideration, but for various reasons, the others have been rejected. In common with the rest of the farming community, the settlers, even on the older established settlements, are feeling the pinch, but, except in a few instances where excessive goodwills have been paid, should be able to carry on until conditions improve. WESTLAND. (T. Cagney, Commissioner of Crown Lands.) No areas were acquired under the Land for Settlement Act during the year. A number of properties were offered to the Government, but, except in the case of three of these still under consideration, had to be refused mainly on the score of the prices being excessive. The settlers on the Raupo Settlement, established about two years ago, are making commendable headway, and proving themselves the right class of farmer. All other settlements in Westland are old-established, being originally selected under lease-in-perpetuity tenure. The administration of these is now purely a matter of routine. CANTERBURY. (W. Stewart, Commissioner of Crown Lands.) Weather conditions have varied considerably over the various parts of the district, but on the whole have been rather favourable. In most of the district the autumn and winter were alike suitable for stock and for agriculture. Spring was rather later than usual, and in most localities lambing percentages were good, but early lambs did not fatten well, as there was too much wet weather. There have also been again many cases of heavy mortality in lambs. Cropping prospects looked very bright in early summer, but a, long spell of dry weather and scorching nor-westers ruined many of the crops on the lighter areas, so that many late crops did not fill properly and there is much shrivelled wheat not up to milling standard. In some localities early roots and rape failed, but later-sown green crops were generally successful, and later lambs fattened well, agricultural farmers securing a fair margin of profit on fattening bought lambs. The prospects for feed during the coming winter are very promising.

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Prices this season have been disastrous for most farm-products except wheat; and, though production has been above the average, this has gone a very little way towards meeting the slump prices. Graziers have been hardest hit of all ; wool and stores and cull sheep being at a very low ebb. The mixed agricultural farmer and dairyman, although also suffering from reduced prices, are not in quite such a bad position as the pastoralist, even though cast ewes were bought in the autumn at 15s. and sold fat this season at ss. Many offers of sales of areas to the Crown for subdivision are still being received, but prices have either been too high or the areas have been unsuitable for subdivision. The Department is continuing to administer Brinklands, which was bought last year but not taken up, and is carrying out extensive improvements which it is hoped will cause the selection of the area when re-offered. OTAGO. (N. C. Kensington, Commissioner of Crown Lands.) Under this heading large areas have been opened up, comprising purchases made principally towards the end of the 1929-30 year. The Wilden Settlement, comprising 2-1,020 acres, was subdivided into thirteen sections, the Tapanui Settlement of 1,950 acres into nine sections, and the Rosebery Settlement of 3,933 acres into fifteen sections. All these sections have been taken up. In addition, the Downs Settlement, comprising 4,792 acres, was taken up under Part TT of the Land Laws Amendment Act, 1928, by eight selectors. SOUTHLAND. (J. Macdonald, Commissioner of Crown Lands.) No new estate in Southland has been purchased under the Land for Settlements Act during the year ended on 31st March last. On the older settlements there has been little change of recent years. The settlers on the recently acquired settlements of Tamat-ea, Fern Hill, Te Wae Wae, and Brydone have settled down to work with a will and are all fully stocked up. There is only one unselected" farm on these settlements—viz., Section Is, Fern Hill Settlement.

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APPENDIX lIT. LAND-DRAINAGE OPERATIONS. (R. G. MaoMorban, Chief Drainage Engineer.) Separate reports have been prepared covering the main land-drainage works- viz., Hauraki Plains, Rangitaiki, Kaitaia, Hikurangi, Waihi, and Poukawa —which comprise the major work of this Branch. Inspections and reports on general drainage matters have been made in several cases—viz., Koromatua Block, Onepu Block, Wairakau Settlement, Reporoa Settlement, Williams Settlement, Paritu Block, Pukemapou, Lake Rerewhakaitu, Puketotara Block, Wharekohe Block, Onewhero Block, Tikinui Block, and Te Kuri Block. Grants and subsidies to local bodies have been supervised and inspected, and vouchers in this connection totalling £23,665 have been passed for payment. Hereunder is a short summary of some of the general work, exclusive of the main works mentioned above. Koromatua and Onepu Blocks, and Reporoa Settlement Sections. —Drainage and general development works have been carried out on these areas. In the Koromatua Block 2 miles 25 chains of drains were constructed, and 2,998 yards of clay ballast carted for road-formation. In the Onepu Block 2 miles 64 chains of new drains were constructed, and 1 mile 78 chains of old drains reconditioned. Livingquarters were erected for employees, and 525 acres of manuka cut and burned. At the end of the vear 200 acres had been manured and sown in grass, and material ordered for fencing this land. A scheme was drawn up for draining unlet sections in Reporoa Settlement. The work done comprised 26 chains of new drain, 77 chains of drain widened and deepened, and 95 chains of drain formed by straightening and improving old stream-beds. Kerepeehi Block Roads Metalling, Hauraki Plains,. —This Block, on Hauraki Plains, was opened for selection in May, 1930, and the twenty-three sections offered were all taken up. The work of metalling 3 miles 57 chains of road was completed in February, and during the period under review base-course metal was laid for a distance of 63 chains and surface course completed on 3 miles 57 chains of road with 4,856 cubic yards metal, delivered by scow to various points on the river-bank and carted when required on to the road. Patetonga Riding Roads Metalling, Hauraki Plains.—This work is now in its last season, and comprised the widening, improving, and metalling of 7 miles of Patetonga Main Road and 1 mile 20 chains of Patetonga Landing Road. The work on the Main Road comprised 51 chains of hill road reconstruction, spreading 4,710 cubic yards metal, and cartage of 1,285 cubic yards clay for haunching metal. On Patetonga Landing Road base-course metal was laid for 1 mile 20 chains with 1,095 cubic yards metal and 580 cubic yards clay carted The metal for these roads is obtained from a quarry in the vicinity opened up by this Branch. School Cut (Kaitaia). —This work was commenced in August and a new cut 30 ft. wide at bottom with an average depth of 18 ft. constructed by drag-lines for a distance of 20 chains with 5 chains old river-bed widened and deepened, entailing the dredging of 48,850 cubic yards of spoil. The new channel was bridged at Church Road and flood-gates and culverts installed for the drainage of adjacent lands. Other works entailed erection of fences and provision of new playing-area for Kaitaia Public School. The new playing-area has been drained, cleared, and ploughed, and will be finally worked up and levelled for grass-sowing as soon as the ground is in a favourable condition. Pukemapou Settlement. —Work comprised the drain formation through Crown, Native, and private land to provide an outlet for low-lying sections (11 and 12) in this settlement. Some 3 miles 44 chains of drains were constructed or improved, entailing 8,826 cubic yards excavation. The work done will enable these hitherto wet sections to be offered for selection at an early date. Te Aute Swamp, Hawke's Bay.—An engineering survey was undertaken of the area of swamp under offer to the Crown by Mr. C. A. Williams and adjoining swamp lands. This swamp has been in the process of draining for some forty years, but a considerable portion has sunk so low that gravity drainage fails during the wet season and considerable flooding occurs. The survey was carried out to determine whether the gravity drainage system could be improved so as to completely drain the area without resource to pumping. Some 3,250 acres were dealt with, entailing some 20 miles 50 chains of traverses, 27 miles 30 chains of levels, 122 cross-sections, 71 peat soundings up to 33 ft. deep, and 11 borings. Summary of Work done : — Miles ch. Miles ch. Cleaning drains .. .. .. 305 22 Levels taken .. . . .. 140 79 Widening and deepening drains . . 52 1 Traverses run . . . . 11l 63 Constructing new drains .. .. 51 31 Number. Dredge-cuts and canals (new) . . 443 Flood-gates built 18 River and canal improvements .. 30 64 'I 5 IT1(^ es,,ri f e( •• t» i p jo i q but bridges erected .. .. 5 Koads iormed . . . . . . o i o ® _ , o oq Koad culverts constructed . . . . 25 Roads metalled .. .. .. 2 28 Cubic Yards. Roads partially metalled .. .. 8 41 Metal used for roads .. .. 12,568 Stop-banks formed .. . . 174 Clay carted 'for roads .. .. 9,598 Stop-banks raised and strengthened . . 16 23 Spoil excavated by floating and dryStopbanks repaired . . . . 13 0 land excavators .. .. 1,123,045 Fences erected . . . . . . 3 11 Rock excavated . . . . .. 21,080 Office. —The expenditure passed through the books totalled £148,304 6s. 9d., of which amount £43,272 19s. 3d. was paid from Thames and Whakatane Imprest Accounts and £44,464 4's. Bd. through the Auckland Branch of the Treasury. Some 269 piecework and co-operative contracts were let and 3,294 vouchers prepared and passed for payment. The revenue collected totalled £17,750 ss. 2d. Rates. —Rates levied on Hauraki Plains, Rangitaiki, Waihi, and Kaitaia areas totalled £18,657 6s. 7d., entailing 1,851 rate notices. Rates collected amounted to £11,787 2s. lOd. Photostat. —This machine was in operation on sixty-one occasions, with a total of 4,671 prints taken for use as follows : Our own operations, 1,233 ; Departments (no charge made), 1,444 ; other Departments (charged), 960; Hawke's Bay plans, 870; spoils, 64,

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TABLES.

Table 1. —Return showing (approximately) Position of Lands in the Dominion at 31st March, 1931.

4—C. 1.

25

Total Area of Land unfit ~ „ rp „ Crown Lands Total Area of for Disposal J otal Area lotai Area leased under Crown Lands Total Area (including Total Area District sold or granted reserved all Tenures available of Area occupied in Land and held on for -ruDJic (exclusive of for Future Native Land. by Rivers, District. Freehold. Purposes. E v eserveg i eaaea Disposal. Lakes, Roads, by Crown). Ac.). Acres. Acres. Acres. Acres. Acres. Acres. Acres. North Auckland .. 2,586,592 442,535 508,370 203,746 519,529 217,428 4,478,200 Auckland .. .. 2,574,579 1,162.873 943,815 733,257 1,631,750 1,174,299 8,220,573 Gisborne .. .. 1,131,748 432,546 526,705 119,252 1,055,344 253,896 3,519,491 Hike's Bay.. .. 1,541,836 200,684 595,587 99,405 394,389 82,420 2,914,321 Taranaki .. .. 1,124,031 340,600 627,721 74,453 168,244 69,382 2,404,431 Wellington* .. .. 3,573,741 1,020,656 813,526 172,056 790,650 680,440 7,051,069 Nelson .. .. 657,978 2,366,312 780,933 138,064 30,051 741,662 4,715,000 Marlborough .. .. 788,448 353,145 1,472,393 45,456 .. 108,558 2,768,000 Westland .. .. 162,983 2,142,741 729,338 359,210 .. 469,106 3,863,378 Canterbury .. .. 3,551,961 1,443,854 3,983,570 3,211 .. 495,834 9,478,430 Otago .. .. 1,966,507 956,509 5,471,943 30,715 .. 668,448 9,094,122 Southland .. .. 1,851,802 4,265,427 1,520,410 142,261 .. 103,347 7,883,247 Totals .. 21,512,206 15,127,882 17,974,311 2,121,086 4,589,957 5,064,820 66,390,262 * Includes Chatham Islands.

C.—l.

Table 2.—Lands selected during the Year ended 31st March, 1931.

Table 3.—Lands held on Lease at 31st March, 1931.

26

Pastoral Licenses Mining Districts Cash " Fa™. Renewable Lease. Pastoral Runs. Mimng Districts occupation Endowm'enta. Totals " Land District Regulations. Leases - No. Area. No. Area. No. Area. No. Area. No. Area. No. ! Area. No. Area. No. Area. No. I Area. No. Area. Acres. Acres. Acres. Acres. Acres. Acres. Acres. Acres. Acres. Acres. North Auckland .. .. .. 40 876 69 7,329 111 23,859 .. .. .. .. ,, .. .. .. 75 7,810 26 1,621 321 41,495 Auckland .. .. .. .. 75 3,557 81 8,256 12,487 .. .. .. .. 13 2,107 - 7 185 67 11,305 3 1,117 319, 39,014 Gisborne .. .. .. .. 1 .. 2 142 27 11,018 .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 20 9,058 3 3,106 53 23,324 Hawke's Bay .. .. .. 8 5 10 151 20 5,080 1 1,718 .. .. .. .. .. .. 10 341 7 5 56 7,300 Taranaki .. .. .. .. 13 794 20 28 25 9,961 .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 45 14,968 5 1,028 108 26,779 Wellington .. .. .. ..19 795 42 2,120 27 14,615 .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 48 11,016 6 18 142 28,564 Nelson .. .. .. .. 20 31 3 1,155 27 9,712 .. .. .. .. 6 956 .. 61 7,403 4 185 121 19,442 Marlborough .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 2 282 .. .. .. .. .. .. 5 64 .. .. 7 346 Westland .. .. .. .. 7 14 3 1 20 303 1 5,000 10 2,953 5 7 97 5,948 14 2,510 157 16,736 Canterbury .. .. .. . 13 149 4 52 21 3,176 2 3,685 1 11,160 .. .. .. .. 55 13,877 4 274 100 32,373 Otago .. .. .. .. 18 1,177 11 4,955 48 32,174 .. .. 2 69,043 .. .. I 56 100 11,838 5 187 185 119,430 Southland .. .. .. .. 2 29 5 1,861 16 2,964 .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 22 3,780 25 5,372 70 14,006 Totals .. .. .. 216 7,427 250 26,050 417 125,631 3 5,403 4 85,203 29 6,016 13 248 605 97,408 102 15,423 1,639 368,809

I Pastoral Tipfprrpri Pjvvmpnt T p».«p in Ppmet.iitv Rpnpwahip Tpiqp Occupation with Small Grazing- p. Q) „i Licenses in I s ™,? Perpetual Miscellaneous Leases Education Totals Deterred Payment. Lease in Perpetuity. Renewable Lease. u, ight of p urchase . runs. Pastoral Runs. Leases. and Licenses. Endowments. lota,s - Land District. Districts. Leases 1 U No. Area. No. Area. No. Area. No. Area. No. Area. No. Area. No. Area. No. Area; No. | Area. No. Area. No. Area. No. Area. Acres. | Acres. Acres. Acres. Acres. ! Acres. Acres. Acres. Acres. Acres. Acres. ; Acres. North Auckland 473 34,185 420 67,49] 918 181,816 747 129,041 .. .. 1 553 .. .. 2 71 7 324 489 109,834 725 43,319 3,782 566,334 Auckland .. 1,602 173,002 384 105,443 1,281 262,531 867 238,300 7 30,800 1 8,755 167 45,758 150 3,338 .. .. 943* 77,614* 182 53,508 5,584 999,049 Gisborne .. 53 17,452 j 80 40,091 274 137,406 129 87,714 85 201,106 1 186 .. .. .. .. .. .. 124 30,094 69 38,790 815 552,839 Hawke'sBay .. 116 42,145 412 110,743 532 207,561 177 52,618 24 49,122 12 85,832 .. .. 139 47,886 196 51,721 1,608 647,628 Taranaki .. 143 15,270 606 152,570 449 156,145 410 174.029 3 3,422 .. .. 1 328 282 46,475 603 47,497 2,497 595,736 Wellington .. 1,158 111,504 1,037 143,465 1,157 206,631 443 164,255 20 29,318 7 11,914 :. . 2 476 497 29,426 516 101,589 4,837 798,578 Nelson .. 73 16,795 368 122,170 590 234,374 ; 89 32,410 8 8,755 4 201,509 173 32,963 18 677 1 104 436 114,972 140 7,649 1,900 772,378 Marlborough .. 44 24,207 550 178,897 287 149,551 79 24,316 108 276,018 42 810,258 7 52 238 14.011 40 1,413 1,395 1,478,723 Westland .. 56 4,899 359 41,268 665 79,197 23 4,736 ... .. 46 679,910 275 54,666 133 906 1 50 873f 195,032f 129 15,883 2,560 1.076,547 Canterbury .. 106 23,322 1,449 251,647 906 361,702 10 1,602 143 466,798 123 2,809,616 .. ., .. .. 61 1,794 926J 230,6751 236 70,546 3,960 4,217,702 Otago .. .. 94 50,649 1,303 277,484 1,028 354,545 160 24,106 388 1,455,394 310 3,271,819 .. .. 331 10,891 68 3,507 1,477 166,429' 440 46,3.19 5,599 5,661,143 Southland .. 117 11,927 540 91,263 417 84,952 j 201 34,041 20 64,989 .70 1,264,521 .. .. 47 1,301 18 197 406 42,048 805 337,297 2,641 1,932,536 Totals .. 4,035 525,357 7,508 1,582,532 8,504 2,416,111 3,335 967,168 806 2,585,722 617 9",144,873 615 133,387 681 17,184 166 6,832 6,830 1,104,496 4,081 815,531 37,178 19,299,193 * Includes Thermal Springs District leases. f Includes Hanmer Crown leases. . i Includes agricultural leases. Note. —This table includes national endowments and education endowments, but excludes other endowments administered by Land Boards. •

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Table 4. —Lands disposed of under the Land for Settlements Acts to the 31st March, 1931.

Table 5. —Endowment Lands administered by Land Boards and leased at 31st March, 1931.

Table 6. —Total Receipts, Arrears, and Postponements of Rent at 31st March, 1931.

Note. —The sum of £14,747 of Hawke's Bay receipts (not included in above) is held in Suspense Account, and not yet allocated.

Approximate Cost of Paper.—Preparation, not given ; printing (725 copies), £41 10s.

Authority: W. A. G. Skinner, Government Printer, Wellington.—l93l.

Price 9d.]

27

>• . Area of Land un- Total Area purchased for -g let, including Cash and made Freehold Total Lands leased to Date. Rent and Total "2 "§ "5 Land forfeited, to Date. other Receipts » "S, s surrendered, . , — Payments from Land District. S-SS or resumed and o£ o j received Inception acquired. g > nQt relet5 and g g Annual during to 31st also Land not Area. o Area. R JJ£3 the March, 8*5 yet oifered for §S realized. Rental. Year 19gl H * Selection. : Acres. Acres.! Acres. ' Acres. £ Acres. £ £ £ N.Auckland 52,240 1,066 3,380 231 2,603 35,436 312 45,197 15,774 10,087 187,746 Auckland .. 357,904 77,678 20,416 758134.955 298,510 911 124,855 36,274 33,663 994,485 Gisborne .. 87,721 399 10,011 69 12.381 112,084 207 64,930 22,990 18,518 285,842 Hawke's Bay 229,462 2,474 1,096 127 22,457 136,714 616 203,435 74,149 *42,381 *852,987 Taranaki .. 28,232 257 .. 62 2,225 53,172 147, 25,750 10,028 7,339 215,142 Wellington.. 161,287 1,058 689 477 14,179 168.797 965 145,361 78,044 67,3091,236,624 Nelson .. 61,965 973 8,757 6 1.634 2,953 62 50,601 3,255 1,063 59,113 Marlborough 235.867 2.643 761 53 9,154 37,320 485' 223,309 35,505 26,746 809,568 Westland .. 6.033 81 101 4 398 238 37 5,453 863 677 16,141 Canterbury 607,125 4,587 3,774 320 20,666 154,509 1,886, 578,098 161,716 124,715 3,562,549 Otago .. 334,806 3,797 84 73 7.619 38,208 1,161 323,306 88,873 69,989 1,650,328 Southland .. 100,688 1,050 312 122 17,524 67,724 358 ! 81,802 20,399 13,110 462,735 Totals.. 2,263.336|96,063 49,381 2,302 245,795 1,105,665 7,147ll, 872,097 547.870 415,59710,333,260 I ! | * Figures approximate only.

National Endowment. Education Endowments, j Other Endowments. Totals. Land District. g g ©II©* •2 » PM Annual £ Aro „ Annual £ a ran Annual „ • Annual | Area - Rental. g Area " Rental. g j Area - | Rental. g Area - Rental. K K | K j ! X A A A r* f A nmo -C North Auckland 424 91,462 6,505 725 43,319 8,801 11 1,733 34 1,160 136,514 15,340 Auckland .. 574 167,946 7,185 182 53,508 3,718 5 1,137 27 761 222,591 10,930 Gisborne .. 81 151,483 10,541 69 38.790 7.883 10 115 203 160 190,388 18,627 Hawke's Bay .. 56 66,750 5,080 196 51,721 10,031 .. .. .. '252 118,471 15,111 Taranaki .. 164 63,696 3,209 603 47,497 11,036 19 9,724 1,195 786 120,917 15,440 Wellington .. 117 61,997 4,320 516 101,589 30,874 63 15,511 3,042 696 179,097 38,236 Nelson .. 687 234,525 3,888 140 7.649 694 455 16.144 1,463! 1,282 258,318 6,045 Marlborough .. 208 541,376 7,244 40 1,413 570 .. .. .. 248 542,789 7,814 Westland .. 990 244,195 3,698 129 15,883 874 1 125 4 1.120 260,203 4,576 Canterbury .. 1561,678.139 41,480 236 70,546 31,044 183 16,507 1,874 575 1,765,192 74.398 Otago .. 7662,515,224 40,401 440 46,319 6,477 69 176,889 8,078 1,275 2.738,4321 54.956 Southland .. 231 766,493 7,322 805 337,297 21,542 13 109,259 2,399 1.049 1.213,049: 31,263 Totals .. 4,454 6,583,286140,873 4,081 815,531133,544 829 347,144 18,319 9,364 7,745,961 292,736

~ i t on A > National i Education 1 Other j , . x i -i~.- i • i Hutt Cheviot Endow- Endow- Endow- Miscel- Total Total p J, 0 ™ 1 Land District. kat+ilmonfci Valley. Estate. ment raent ment laneous. Receipts. Arrears. " Pf De " Lands. Settlements. | . Lands, j Lands, j Lands. j ments - £ £ £ £ £ £ £ £ £ £ i „ £ North Auckland 24,182 15,416 .. .. 4,398 8,135 94 151 52,376 16,640 4,717 Auckland .. 60.633 33,663 .. .. 5,164 2.455 72 2,797 104,784 17,506 9.514 Gisborne .. 21,358 21,719 .. .. 9,044 6,252 62 207 58,642 10,292 5,608 Hawke'sBay 30,725* 42,381* .. .. 2,963* 7.797* 594* 37* 84,497* f + Taranaki .. 14,250 7,339 .. .. 1,337 10,074 1,708 13,223 47,931 10,499 1,178 Wellington .. 18,484 67,309 24,039 .. 3,268 23,870 6,786 752 144,508 23,878 16,484 Nelson .. 5,779 1,063 .. .. 3,287 633 1,706 1,190 13,658 5,596 1,455 Marlborough.. 9,546 26,789 .. .. 6,255 416 .. 280 43,286 3,732 4,192 Westland .. 4,869 677 .. .. 5,511 899 21 1,740 13,717 1,497 46 Canterbury .. 25,281 115,818 .. 16,862 28,426 24,276 1,816 1,748 214,227 23,904 26.545 Otago * .. 37,868 69,989 .. .. 37,925 6,055 7,423 1,986 161.246 5,239 10,228 Southland .. 12,650 13,110 .. .. 5,030 18,913 1,603 775 52,081 5,623 4,049 Totals 265,625 415,273 24,039 16,862 jll2,608 109,775 21,885 24,886 990,953 124,406 84,016 * Figures approximate only. t Figures not available.