C.—l.

MAftLB'OROtJGfi. (G. I. Martin, Commissioner of Crown Lands.) The past season has been a very favourable one for the farming community generally. The winter was mild with well spread rains and ample sunshine, and stock came into the spring in good condition. Wool-clips were heavier and lainbings were good. Wool-prices and prices for fat-stock were generally on a payable basis, but there continues to be 110 market for fine-wooled store sheep. Growing conditions for both grass and crops were good, and except for some of the late crops of peas and red clover harvesting conditions were excellent for hay, grain, and seeds. The grain crops yielded well and were generally free from disease. Crops of clover and rye-grass for certification were about double those of the previous year. About 1,000 acres of linen-flax were grown under contract for the Government, and good yields were obtained with the exception of a few areas where weed was bad. It is now proposed to double this area during the coming season. The dairying community has had a good season, and a considerable increase, possibly 20 per cent, in dairy products, especially cheese, is anticipated. Orchardists had a reasonably fair year as far as yield is concerned, but the quality will not be up to the usual standard owing to dry conditions in December and January.

VVESTLAND. (B. King, Commissioner of Crown Lands.) It is generally acknowledged amongst the farming community that the past season has been a remarkably good one. This is amply borne out by the meteorological records, which show a greatly reduced rainfall with 110 reduction in the amount of sunshine recorded and a generally higher average temperature than is usually experienced. As the result of a mild winter stock came through ill good condition and there has nowhere been any shortage of fodder. Prices for fat stock have been high, and the return to the efficient farmer must have been very much above that of the average year.

CANTERBURY. (N. C. Kensington, Commissioner of Crown Lands.) At the close of last year and following on after the 31st March the conditions did not appear favourable for entering on the winter in this district, and generally on account of dry conditions and the failure of the turnip crops a difficult wintering of stock was predicted. It is therefore pleasing to record that an extremely mild winter was experienced, and stock came through remarkably well. Lambing percentages were very fair, and the good winter conditions were reflected in the heavier and better class of fleeces cut and the generally healthy condition of flocks. On the lower country good prices were obtained for coarse wool, and the dry conditions assisted in the fattening of lambs, and fair prices for surplus sheep. Regarding the high-country men : Runholders had a remarkably fine winter, with little snow loss. The difficulty with the high-country man continues to be the price assessed for fine wool, and as low prices are obtained for the class of stock off this country, the revenue is largely dependent on the wool-price. The year was marked by heavy north-west winds and dry conditions in the spring, and the position for wheat crops did not appear favourable. Fortunately good rains fell in November which proved of great assistance to the autumn-sown crops, and although very dry conditions prevailed in the summer, wheat crops have turned out well and good average returns have been obtained. Reports show that grass-seed crops have been light, and it is not anticipated that the potato crop will be up to average.

OTAGO. (W. E. Shaw, Commissioner of Crown Lands.) The year has been exceptionally good. In a few individual cases, of course, the farmer has met with misfortune ; but not for many years has there been such a mild winter followed by a good growing spring and summer. Admittedly North Otago once again has suffered severely from drought, but, even so, that, locality, along with the rest of the district, has experienced a high lambing, a low death-rate, and a heavy wool-clip. The cereal crops did well, particularly wheat. In Central Otago a record area of white clover and rye-grass was closed for seed and the returns were good. A new crop grown this year has been linen-flax, and it is understood that the result has proved very satisfactory. The fruit-farmer has, generally speaking, had a satisfactory season. Although dairying is uot making much progress in Otago, most of those engaged in this type of farming continue to improve the standard of their herds. There are three matters causing grave concern in Otago, and they are firstly, the spread of sweetbrier in the pastoral country ; secondly, the considerable increase ill the rabbit pest, partly caused by the mild winter and the shortage of experienced rabbiters ; and thirdly, the severe ravages of the diamond-backed moth and the white butterfly upon the rape and turnip crops of North Otago. The 4b scheme has been of assistance in clearing gorse, broom, and manuka and in draining some low-lying areas.

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