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It will be observed that forfeitures were few in all the systems excepting village homestead, lease in perpetuity, and farm-homestead special settlements. In respect to the former, the bulk of the cancellations comprise lots in Pa Creek, Pongaroa, Bakaunui, Bakautoru, Welford, and other village settlements, most of which proved insufficient in area, or were too remote from markets, for labour to be successfully occupied. In other cases the lessees were unable or neglected to make reasonable effort to comply with the regulations, particularly as to residence. As regards the 105 forfeitures of farm-homestead special-settlement lots, the explanation is that the rougher and more inaccessible sections were unoccupied, unimproved, or unpaid for, or that selectors having insufficient means, energy, or experience were unable to cope with the difficulties, drawbacks, and hardships with which the backwoods settlers have inevitably to contend. Some of them failed to sign their leases; others wrote in abandoning their sections; whilst a number were reported by the Bangers as being defaulters, and others failed to pay the rents due to the Crown. Insufficient road-access was also probably one of the main causes of some of these holdings being thrown up. Lands for Future Disposal. —-The absorption of Crown lands by the farm-homestead associations during the past few years leaves but little attractive and accessible land for future settlement. The following particulars on this subject are submitted for your information : —

Summary of Crown Lands now open for Selection.

System. I Area. Block. Locality. 'erpetual lease jease in perpetuity lllage homestead, lease in perpetuity >ptional... Acres. 1,341 637 115 Surveyed: First Class. Makuri Makuri Makuri (Revaluation). Makuri. Mangamahu, Pongaroa Village Settlement. Waimarino. North of Hunterville. u • • * • •* it • • • ' ■ • „ if ... ... 2,547 4,357 520 1,086 3,003 850 200 1,336 Gladstone Farm Homestead Hunterville Nos. 1, 2, and 3 Farm Homesteads Palmerston North Knights of Labour Farm Homesteads Awarua Farm Homestead Marton Nos. 1 and 2 Farm Homesteads Pohangina and Umutoi Farm Homesteads Delaware Pahiatua Nos. 1, 2, and 4 Farm Homesteads Masterton - Reform Farm Homestead Christchurch Farm Homestead ... Woodville Farm Homestead Mekalickstone Farm Homestead... Waiwera Farm Homestead w West of Mangaweka. East of Rangiwahia. South-east of Rangiwahia. North-eastern Wairarapa. it • • • 1,400 // it • • • if • • • 2,000 2,150 500 200 it n „ ... ... it North-west of Eketahuna. Total 22,242 'erpetual lease ... optional... f f ... ... a ' • • ' •' ti • • • 1/ ' • • ' • ■ 640 1,546 900 200 200 11,760 600 646 1,605 6,439 Surveyed: Second Class. Makuri Te Ngaue Gladstone Farm Homestead Hunterville No. 2 Farm Homestead Sommerville Farm Homestead ... Awarua Farm Homestead Marton No. 2 Farm Homestead ... Pohangina Farm Homestead Onslow Farm Homestead Dannevirke - Centennial Farm Homestead Bast Puketoi ... Mangahao Tiraumea-Makuri and Middle Makuri Waikanae Waiohine Wainuioru Makuri (Revaluation). Waitotara. Waimarino. North of Hunterville. North of Kawatau River. South of Kawatau River. South-east of Rangiwahia. East of Rangiwahia. North-east of Alfredton. if • • • f f ... ... a • • • it • • • • ' • 2,564 238 861 South-east of Pahiatua. North of Makuri Township. 1,808 1,720 2,702 Waikanae. South Wairarapa. Wainuioru. Total 34,429