o.—l

In addition to the ordinary pastoral runs, twenty-seven small grazing-runs, covering an area of 68,933 acres, have been let during the year. Pastoral Tenants' Belief Act. The dealings under this Act have now been completed. The results are shown in tabular form below, in which the last column indicates the total reductions in rent, &c. The relief in the case of the leases in perpetuity has been calculated as for a term of twenty years.

State Forests and Plantations. During the year an area of 11,368 acres of forest-land has been reserved, in which are included some scenic reserves, which are also forest-clad. Adding this to the area shown in the previous year's report (1,164,382 acres), and deducting 3,000 acres resumed for settlement, the total reserves on the 31st March last come out at 1,172,750 acres, in which are comprised all classes of forest reserves, whether for timber, climatic, plantation, or scenic purposes. Fire, the great enemy of forests, did little harm last year, but some of the forests are very open to destruction from this cause, especially so those in the north, where the drier climate and the inflammable nature of the woods render them peculiarly liable to damage. A considerable amount of timber that had been scorched in former years was disposed of last year, more particularly in Auckland, where the Commissioner sold a quantity valued at over £15,654, including damaged timber in both State forests and on ordinary Crown lands and endowments. In Wellington the timber on some valuable totara reserves was sold, realising a sum of £7,115 12s. A large amount of timber in Westland and Southland was also disposed of under the license system. In the first two cases the payments are spread over a term of years. Something has also been done in the way of planting. In Auckland three plantations of 5 acres each have been enclosed on the Kaingaroa Plains, along the Botorua-Galatea Boad, and planted with various trees. This has been done in order to ascertain whether this barren region will grow trees that may hereafter be useful commercially, whilst at the same time affording shelter for stock. The reports on the experiment go to show that so far the trees are doing very well, sufficiently so to encourage further trials, which have now been authorised. A small plantation of 15 acres has also been started at Tarukenga, and another at Mamaku of 6 acres, on the Botorua railway-line, with the idea of growing timber for railway purposes. These plantations are also doing well. The experiment has been tried in the case of Mamaku of planting trees in the standing forest ; they are reported not to be doing so well as the others in the open. In Otago, on the Maniatoto Plains, a central nursery has been established, and is doing satisfactorily, notwithstanding the dry season that has been experienced. About half a million young trees are now growing, and other lands have been inspected, with a view of extending the operations shortly. Near Tapanui another nursery is in process of formation. In this nursery plants can be grown sufficient for the supply of the southern parts of Otago and all Southland. An area of. about 800 acres near Dusky Hill is being enclosed for planting when trees are ready. In Southland about 300 acres in the Seaward Forest, which bad been cut over by sawmillers, has also been enclosed by wire-netting and partially planted. Detailed reports on these operations will be found in the Appendix No. 10. Beserves. The reserves made for public purposes may be summarised from Table 27, as follows : — A. B. P. Eecreation ... ... ... ... ... ... 139 3 10 Primary and secondary education ... ... ... ... 4,616 015 School-sites ... ... ... ... .., ... 204 1 14 Forest reserves, plantations, &c. ... ... ... ... 6,471 321 Preservation of native fauna, flora, historical and scenic purposes 4,896 329 Public domains .. ... ... ... ... ... 7,220 0 0 For the use of aboriginal natives ... ... ... ... 104 0 0 Miscellaneous reserves ... ... ... ... ... 786 3 12 24,439 3 21

V!

Number of Properties relieved. Number of Runs granted Extended Leases. Remission of Rent and Sheep-tax for One Year. ■ Total Reduction Total Relief for Loss per Annum ; of Rent for Whole Currency of for Currency of : Period of Old Leases. Existing Leases. Old and New Leases. I kelson ... ! 6 ilarlborough ... : 4 Vestland ... 12 Canterbury ... 160 )tago .... 402 Southland ... 49 6 1 3 24 38 16 £ s. 1,281 18 412 15 93 4 5,503 15 3,627 5 332 18 d. 0 5 0 4 0 0 £ s. d. 2,722 0 0 412 15 5 697 1 0 74,760 0 0 36,621 15 0 4,061 3 10 & s. d. 1,877 7 8 £ s. d. 40,858 10 0 67 19 6 7,559 6 7 8,018 4 10 531 5 10 526 5 0 82,986 5 0 61,692 17 0 3,728 5 0 Totals ... 633 88 11,251 15 9 119,274 15 3 18,054 4 5 189,792 2 0