a—i

15

TARANAKI. (H. J. Lowe, Commissioner of Crown Lands.) Conditions and Progress of Settlement. —Following the previous year's slump owing, to the low tone of the market regarding primary products, it is gratifying to note an upward trend in the financial period just closed. Butter has returned prices more on the lines of sane finance, and an increasing output has greatly assisted, while wool is stabilizing at a figure easily 100 per cent, in advance of that of the preceding year. Many settlers who retained their wool hoping for a better time have cleared their liabilities and weathered the storm, though they have had a hard struggle to pay their rates and retain their holdings while doing so. The graziers—although prices have increased —are still on the wrong side of the ledger, but, a slight rally in prices in the latter part of the year gave some measure of relief. Importations of slag and a reduction in price have enabled muchneeded top-dressing to be given to pastures sadly requiring such. The position to-day at first sight appears to be promising, but added to a farmer's troubles is the constant menace of the increase of noxious weeds. This is particularly noticeable where, owing to the poor demand and. consequent low prices for wool and mutton, farmers had risked selling their sheep and changed to dairying. On many such farms the absence of sheep and the occurrence of two wet seasons has undoubtedly allowed ragwort in particular to obtain a hold never anticipated, and its eradication is a serious problem for the future. Revenue and Arrears. —Once again the revenue has been well over ordinary, although purchases of West Coast Settlement freeholding has largely assisted. The amount collected, exclusive of returned-soldier receipts, totals £104,542. Arrears have been kept down as low as possible, but settlers have been assisted where it was known that to push them would unduly penalize men trying their utmost to succeed when the markets were dead against them. Land remaining for Selection. —This is practically all rough grazing-country, and it has yet to be decided how much of it will eventually be thrown open for settlement and how much handed over as permanent State forest. In many eases the land is difficult of access, and in the present unsettled state of the beef-market none of it would be sought after. There are on the market at present some thirty sections, of 18,400 acres, suitable, for farm holdings and runs, while some nine sections, of an area of 3,673 acres, are available but not yet offered ; there are also some thirteen small holdings close to New Plymouth, averaging 6 acres, more adapted to poultry, fruitgrowing, or beekeeping. Practically all the farm land offered, requires men with capital; the initial expenses are too heavy for men with limited means. Freeholds and, Cash Lands. —Settlers holding West Coast Settlement leases are still prepared to purchase these provided finance is available. The receipts under all headings, inclusive of purchases under the deferred-payment system, reach some £55,916. Land Board Work. —Although the actual cases are not so numerous as in the previous few years, the work in itself requires in many instances very careful discrimination in handling, as the lack of help afforded may mean the abandonment of a holding by a settler who, temporarily embarrassed, considers the Board is not giving him a fair hearing. The number of soldiers' applications dealt with was 476 ; ordinary transfers, 119 ; miscellaneous items, applications approved, and general, 288 : total, 883. WELLINGTON. (Tnos. Bkook, Commissioner of Crown Lands.) Conditions and Progress of Settlement. —Early in the season it was apparent that our staple products would command better prices than those of the previous year, and that a more hopeful feeling had spread through the farming community. A desire to proceed with development-work was noticeable, and the progress made would have boon more marked but for the difficulty of obtaining financial assistance through the ordinary channels. Abundant rains fell throughout the Wellington district except in one or two portions of Wairarapa. Grain crops gave a good yield, but a wet autumn delayed the harvesting and caused some discoloration. Potato crops gave promise of good returns, but many were badly blighted. Rape and. turnip crops generally are good. The Wellington flocks gave a, splendid percentage of lambs, but the proportion fit for the fatlamb market was unusually small. Failure to fatten on rape was a noticeable feature of the season. This is not without its advantages, as it should help towards an increase in the ewe flocks. There is no immediate prospect of beef-production becoming profitable, and it is to be hoped that this will not cause the herds to be reduced below what is required, to keep the grass-lands in proper condition. Lands Opened for Selection. —These comprised forty-nine lots in Hall-Jones, Hawtrey, Epuni, and Paparangi Settlements, a gross area of 78 acres 3 roods 34 perches for sale by public auction for cash or deferred payments, of which thirty-six lots in Hall-Jones Settlement were not taken, the remainder being disposed of at upset prices. The leases of two pastoral runs in Motukawa Block, Moawhango, Maungakaretu, and Ohinewairua Survey Districts, an area of 2,834 acres, were offered for a term of seven years, this short term being on account of the possibility of the milling-timber on the adjoining Crown lands being disposed of. No bids were made. The proclamation, under the Discharged Soldiers Settlement Act was removed from four lots, comprising a total area of 2,511 acres 3 roods 19 perches, but only one was selected —viz., 81 acres 3 roods 19 perches. Under the Discharged Soldiers Settlement Act, 1915, forty-eight allotments in Hall-Jones and Pihautea Settlements, Kaitieke, Wairarapa, and Waiopehu Survey Districts, an aggregate area of 578 acres 11 perches,