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XVII

RHEA, OE RAMIE PLANT. It is probable that New Zealand will be found especially suitable to the production of the valuable rhea, or ramie plant. Although its field of cultivation has been hitherto in warm countries, the most valuable variety grows best in a temperate climate. It is exceedingly hardy, and thrives in almost any description of soil; indeed, it was formerly looked on as a troublesome and ineradicable weed. Quite recently, the gum, which had hitherto defied the efforts of inventors to extract, has been mastered by a new process, and the plant now bids fair to become one of the most .useful textile materials ever brought into the service of mankind. It can supply the place of both hemp and flax, of cotton, and, to some degree, of silk. „In its coarser form it makes good rope, cordage, &c, while the finer material can be woven into damasks, flannelettes, velvets, &c, of beautiful appearance and brilliant hue. The lands of the North Island of New Zealand (especially of the parts having volcanic soil) are especially suitable for raising crops of this plant. It is propagated in several ways—by seed, by cuttings, and by division of roots —so that rapid extension of cultivation is possible. Boots were obtained last year, and a further supply a few months ago. These are being propagated at Momohaki experimental station, and a distribution will be made from there next year, in order that further tests may be applied. The price of the fibre is at present about £30 per ton. The average cost of production is about £4 per acre, to produce about 2,800 pounds of fibre. This is about five or six times the yield that cotton gives under the most favourable circumstances. Representatives of the company holding the patent rights for the cleansing process waited upon me when in England, and wished to know whether the New Zealand Government were prepared to encourage the introduction of this plant into the colony and set apart land for the company for the purpose. The company also gave me to understand that they were prepared to treat, with any one undertaking to cultivate the plant, for the purchase of the raw material. An interesting pamphlet on the subject, together with samples, will be laid on the table for the information and inspection of honourable members. ORDINARY LAND SETTLEMENT AND ROADING, ETC. Excluding pastoral leases, the increase of land occupied for settlement from 1891 to 1897 was 2,810,807 acres, being at the rate of 15-9 per cent, of the whole of the lands leased or sold up to the 81st March, 1897. There has been a considerable falling-off, as compared with last year, in the number of selectors, and also in the area of the land selected. The decline has been, on the whole, general throughout the several classes of settlement. This is due to the fact that little Crown land of really good quality could be placed before the public. There was also reluctance to accept applications from associations until the obligation to open roads to those lands already dealt with had been fulfilled. Excluding town land, and pastoral and miscellaneous leases, the number of new selectors for the year is 1,391 (in area 222,068 acres), all of whom are obliged by law to reside on or improve their holdings. The territorial revenue for the year was ,£272,954, being £2,954 in excess of the estimate, but £18,719 less than that received in 1895-96. The arrears of rent have been reduced from £15,708 in 1896 to £12,381 in 1897. The decrease of revenue is chiefly due to the smaller amount received from lands sold for cash, together with the decrease in pastoral rents. There is naturally an increase in the rents received under the lease-in-perpetuity and occupation-with-right-of-purchase systems. The rents from leases in perpetuity will increase yearly as new leases are granted. Timber sales also show an increase. Under " The Lands Improvement and Native Lands Acquisition Act, 1894," there have been 70,196 acres, mostly forest land, set apart for improvement, and of this area 58,000 acres have been allotted in forty-three blocks to 646 tenants, of whom 442 are resident, who have grassed 9,894 acres. The cost of the roads, the improvements, and the advances made to settlers is £49,690,

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