12

C.—l

NELSON. Summary of Lands taken up.— The new area thrown open for selection during the year amounted to 23,684 acres, making a total of 290,045 acres now open for selection. These hands are all second-class, ranging in price from ss. to 10s. per acre, and consist principally of timbered hillsides fit for grass when cleared. Of this area, 34,907 acres have been disposed of during the year, being slightly under last year's amount. Land under Deferred Payments {Appendix C, " Land Act, 1885").— Ninety-five selectors have acquired freehold during the year, of 8,371 acres, the average size of holdings being eighty-eight acres. Three others have [obtained freeholds under the Gold-fields Acts, 1866 and 1873. Four forfeitures have taken place, over 609 acres. Cash Sales.—The area contained under this heading comprises a large purchase under preemptive right, and sundry cash purchases of the same tenure, under the Acts of 1867 and 1874, and a few cash purchasers under the Land Act of 1892. The amount sold is 17,784 acres, to thirtyeight purchasers. Perpetual Lease.— Three leases, for 1,264 acres, were issued during the year, thus closing transactions on this tenure. Occupation with Bight of Purchase.— Thirty-seven applications for unsurveyed lands, of an area of 6,525 acres, have been granted during the year, showing an increase of ten. Average holding, 176 acres. . Lease in Perpetuity.— Eighteen selectors have taken up 3,881 acres, showing also a slightincrease in number; one selector surrendered. Average holding, 215 acres. The surveyors in this district have to undertake the duties of Bangers at present. Their reports show that selectors under settlement conditions are complying with the regulations, the improvements in most instances being in excess of the requirements. The largest number of_ transactions under the settlement conditions for the last two years have taken place under the occupation with right of purchase ; this is tending to show that tenure as finding at present most favour in this district, the average size of the holdings, however, being smaller. Pastoral Occupation Licenses. —Fifteen licenses, over an area of 16,853 acres, principally rough hilltops, have been granted. Bastoral lands in the Amuri have been relet on yearly terms at low rentals, with rabbitting, pending systematic dealing with these lands on the expiration of the terms of leases adjoining. . . "The Mining Districts Land Occupation Act, 1894."— This Act came into operation on the 24th October last within the Karamea Mining District and the Buller Coal-field Beserve, within which occupation licenses under "The Mining Act, 1891," for areas under 100 acres had been granted, with a condition of surrender at three months' notice if required. This Act provides a more satisfactory tenure, empowering leases to be granted with residence conditions for twenty-one years, and allowing exchanges for leases under the Act of the licenses previously granted under the Mining Act. ' Hanmer Springs Beserve.— Four small allotments, amounting to 2-| acres, have been forfeited for non-payment of rent, nothing having been done upon them in improvements. Village Homestead Special Settlement.—The only settlement in this district is situate at Mokihinui. Out of twenty-four original settlers, sixteen are remaining, occupying areas averaging five acres. Improvements have been made during the year, amounting to £370, making a total value of £981, an amount in excess of requirements. The District Surveyor, who acts as steward, reports: " Although the settlers complain that they were much disheartened by nearly a year of enforced idleness through stoppage of mines, still a distinct advance has been made, and the success of the settlement is now an assured fact. The principal progress made during the year has been in buildings, one house costing £200. In two or three instances the fencing has not been kept in repair, and the grass land allowed to run waste; but these are the unthrifty settlers which are found in every community. Where this has occurred the value has been written down. The great feature in these settlements is the regulation as to residence. This clause protects the settlers against themselves. If no such regulation existed, a few years would see the whole settlement in the hands of three or four, and the others gone to swell the unemployed in the larger towns." Miscellaneous Leases and Licenses.— Eight mineral prospecting licenses have been granted and renewed during the year, and thirty-two occupation licenses granted over areas under 500 acres, and four yearly licenses for temporary occupation of reserves. The output of coal and royalty'received from mining leases held under Acts previous to the operation of " The Coal-mines Act, 1891," is as follows : —

The revenue derived from Crown lands during the past year amounts to £23,202 Is. 5d., and from endowments £10,350 Bs. Id., making a total of £33,552 9s. 6d. John S. Beowning, Commissioner of Crown Lands.

Mines. Output. Royalty, 6d per ton. Less Dead Bent. Koyalty received. -rey Coal-fields Eeserve — Brunner Mine iuller Coal-fields Eeserve —■ Westport Coal Company Collingwood Coal Company ... Tons. 121,185 £ s. 3,029 12 a. 6 £ 480 s. d. 0 0 £ s. 2,549 12 d. 6 215,790 2,041 5,394 5 3 620 56 0 0 0 0 4,774 5 3 Totals 339,016 8,423 17 9 1,156 0 0 7,323 17 9