19

0.-1.

Crown Lands offered foe Selection and disposed of. The area open for application on the 31st March, 1906, was 106,799 acres, and 49,337 icres was opened during the year, making a total of 156,136 acres ayailable for disposal. Of this area 12,846 acres was withdrawn and reoffered during the year at reduced prices. One hundred and twenty selections were made, comprising a total area of 88,700 acres (more than double the area returned last year), leaving 54,590 acres open for application at the close of the year. Two blocks, comprising an area of 20,721 acres, in Ohura and Mahoe Survey Districts were offered under optional conditions for the first time,' and the whole of the sections were applied for, there being a great deal of competition for them Four groups of forfeited sections, comprising an area of 21,719 acres, were offered under optional conditions, and 20,425 acres were selected. Two groups of forfeited sections, comprising an area of 4,979 acres, were offered for lease in perpetuity only, and 4,487 acres was taken up. The Huinga Settlement, near Toko, was opened under the Land for Settlements Acts on the 4th October, 1906, and out of ten sections, comprising an area of 1,884 acres, nine have been selected, with practically no competition. One allotment of 34 acres in Spotswood Settlement was reopened and selected. A total area of 78 acres was offered for lease by public auction, and only 3|acres.'remain unselected. The selections under section 114 ot " The Land Act, 1892," comprise one 69 acres 3 roods 39 perches for cash, and seven allotments for lease in perpetuity comprising anjjarea of 680 acres 2 roods 18 perches. Regarding four of the latter, in response to a requisition I inspected the country and fullv realised the necessity of granting the application for enlargement of these holdings. The land offered for sale by public auction comprised fifty-four allotments in the Town of Waitara, of which forty-two were quitted at advances on upset prices ; forty-three allotments in the old military settlers' townships of Huirangi and Manganui, all sold as suburban lands ; twenty-four allotments in the Village of Tarata, nine being sold at upset prices ; and two suburban sections in the Town of Aria which were offered during the year will appear in next year's return, together with the Manganui allotments previously mentioned. The inquiries for land available for selection have been very numerous, and there is no doubt that the provisions of " The Bush and Swamp Crown Lands Settlement Act, 1903," coupled with the improvement of access and good prices now obtaining for wool, are the principal reasons for the larp-p blocks of land, some of which have been in the market for some years, now being taken up. Peincipal Systems of Tenuee. These are, in this district, confined to the occupation with right of purchase and the lease in perpetuity, resulting from lands opened under the optional conditions, and the selections this year from lands opened in this manner are as follows : Occupation with right of purchase—9o ; area, 69,945 acres. Lease in perpetuity—lß ; area, 10,995 acres. Cash—3 ; area, 3,737 acres. Position and Peugeess of Settlement. The Ranger for the central and southern portions of the land district makes the following notes from his inspections during the year : — " In a general summary of the progress of settlement in the central and southern part of the district I have to say that on nearly all the different classes of tenure there has been good progress. Tho improvements are generally much in excess of requirements. The properties visited number 191, covering an area of 60,805 acres. The requirements of the Act were improvements to the value of £46,094, and the improvements effected weie valued at £84,677. " Under the land-for-settlements tenure, which comprises the Tokaora, Clandon, Spotswood, and Huinga Settlements, the first two named have all the indications of success. Huinga, which is only just starting, has nearly all been applied for, while Spotswood is in rather a backward position. Should the oil industry, however, be a success, the land in this settlement is likely to bo in demand, as it adjoins the principal boring-areas. " The different improved-farm-settlement holders in the Ngaire, Huiroa, Mangaere, Taumatatahi, and Whangamomona Settlements, with the exception of the last, are prosperous, largely owing to the dairying industry. Whangamomona, the least prosperous, is heavily handicapped by bad roads, high prices of provisions, and the distance from markets. The poorer class of settler is generally giving up the struggle, and is being replaced by men who know something of farming. " Under the farm-homestead system of tenure the settlers are all making good progress. Many of these have got all their land in grass, and where it is at all suitable dairying is the principal industry. " Small Grazing-runs. —Where these are near markets they are successful, this year especially so, owing to high price of wool. " Under the ordinary tenures, which include perpetual lease, lease in perpetuity, and occupation with right of purchase, settlers have complied well with the conditions. I would, however, point out that settlement is seriously retarded by the scarcity of men for bushfelling. " On the whole, the year has been exceptionally good for all classes of landholders, owing to the plentiful supply of grass, and the good piices ruling for butter, wool, and all classes of stock." The Ranger for the northern part of the land district reports that tho holdings visited number 183, covering an area of 104,378 acres. The Act required improvements to be effected to the value of £19.643, and the value actually effected is £30,698. He makes the following remarks : — " The settlers all over the northern part of Taranaki are doing fairly well, and generally have had a good season, those on or near the west coast, as a rule, being well satisfied with the prices obtained for their butter. Away back in the Ohura country the settlers are not so fortunate, having practically