C.—1.

HAWKE'S BAY. (F. R. Burnley, Commissioner of Crown Lands.) No purchases of new areas have been made during the year. Difficulty has confronted both dairy and sheep farmers during the past year owing to low prices ruling, and the drought conditions which have been experienced during the long summer have rendered conditions more difficult. The Kakariki Settlement is still being farmed by the Department, and with approximately an additional area of 1,300 acres cleared and grassed where required it is expected that the next season will give improved results. TARANAKI. (F. H. Waters, Commissioner of Crown Lands.) No properties were offered for purchase during the year and no estates were purchased. The Department continues to farm the Tapuwae Estate of 3,350 acres. This is situated near Mangapehi and is at present carrying 4,630 sheep and 822 cattle. The result of the year's operations shows a profit after charging interest on capital. On the majority of the settlements dairy-farming is carried on, and the settlers, like those on ordinary Crown lands, have not had a satisfactory year owing to the low price of butterfat. The pastoral settlers have had a satisfactory year and in most cases should be able to meet charges. WELLINGTON. (H. W. C. Mackintosh, Commissioner of Crown Lands.) There were no private estates acquired for closer settlement during the year under review. On the majority of the estates acquired in previous years the settlers are following dairying, while those on the balance of the estates are raising sheep and cattle or go in for market-gardening. Settlements are situated in all parts of the district, and these settlers have been affected by the low prices in common with all other tenants throughout the district. NELSON. (A. F. Waters, Commissioner of Crown Lands.) No new areas have been acquired under the Land for Settlements Act during the past year. MARLBOROUGH. (P. R. Wilkinson, Commissioner of Crown Lands.) No new estates were purchased in this district during the past year. My report on ordinary Crown lands applies with equal force to lands-for-settlement areas. Most of the settlement sections are devoted to pastoral or mixed farming operations, and although the settlers have all felt the effects of the drop in wool prices and the dry summer they have not had such a bad set-back as those who rely wholly on dairying. WESTLAND. (T. Cagney, Commissioner of Crown Lands.) No land was acquired under the Land for Settlements Act during the year. Practically all the settlements in this district are old established and the charges have been regularly met in all but a few cases, where, however, the arrears may be regarded as recoverable. CANTERBURY. (J. F. Quinn, Commissioner of Crown Lands.) No new estates were purchased for settlement during the year. The Brinklands Estate at Fairlie is still being farmed by the Department. Considerable improvements have been carried out since the estate was taken over and these are now practically completed. The farming-operations for the past year resulted in a small profit after allowing for interest on the capital invested. A portion of Ashton Settlement at Seafield is also being worked by the Department as an Irrigation Farm. Experiments have been carried out, and from these much useful information has been obtained. OTAGO. (N. C. Kensington, Commissioner of Crown Lands.) During the past year four sections on the Arthurton Settlement were selected. This was the last area purchased for settlement under the Land for Settlements Act in this district. Where mixed farming is being carried on and the overhead expenses are not unduly heavy, the lessees on the older settlements are able to carry on satisfactorily at present prices ; but in the case of later purchases, where the areas are restricted, the position continues to be difficult. SOUTHLAND. (B. C. McCabe, Commissioner of Crown Lands.) No new estates were purchased in this district during the year. The position of the settlers on all the newly purchased estates is now showing a definite improvement.

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