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1916. NEW ZEALAND.

THE LAND FOR SETTLEMENTS ACT, 1908 (REPORT ON).

Presented to both House.? of the General Assembly in compliance with Section 85 of the Land for Settlements Act, 1908.

The Land Purchase Inspector and Chairman of the Board oi- 1 Land Purchase Commissioners to the Minister op Lands. Sir,— Wellington, 12th June, 1916. I have the honour to submit the report of the Department for the year ending the 31st March, 1916. Land for Settlements. The number.of properties considered was 150, with an area of 277,549 acres. This is an increase in number over last year, but a considerable decrease in area. During the year 15,440 acres were purchased at a cost of £125,522. With the exception of one property still to be offered, the whole has been satisfactorily settled. There is still a keen demand for all suitable lands. Further purchases have been made, and others are under negotiation. Values have remained fairly stationary, and a fair amount of business is being done. The total area purchased up to the 31st March, 1916, is 1,556,018 acres, at a cost of £7,393,801. Land Settlement Finance Act. There was only one association formed during the year. The difficulties surrounding the formation of associations under the present Act arc a great hindrance to the success of the scheme. A simpler process would give a spurt to settlement. Appended will be found the usual tables. John D. Ritchie, Chairman.

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