I

1911. N E W ZEALAND.

DEPARTMENT OF LANDS (ANNUAL REPORT ON).

Presented to hoth Houses of the Genertd Assembly by Command of His Excellency.

CON 'I 1 E N T S .

Genwkai. Report— Phko Genebal Repobt — continued. |. ll( ., Introductory .. .. .. .. iii Native Matters: Surveys, &c, of Maori Lands.. xix Crown-land Settlement and Administration — Departmental and General — Lands opened for Selection during the Year .. i\ Correspondence .. .. .. xix Lands selected during Year, and Area held Accounts.. .. .. .. xix under all Tenures .. .. vvi ■ Promotions and Transfers, &c. .. .. xix Crown Lami remaining for Future Disposal .. vii | Report by Chief Clerk .. .. .. x.\ National-endowment Area .. .. .. vii | Report by Chief Accountant .. .. xxi Improved-farm Settlements .. .. vii Village Settlements .. .. .. viii Appbhdix I— Inspections by Crown Lauds Rangers .. viii , Settlement of Crown Lands— Financial, &c. ; Revenue received during the Auckland.. .. .. .. ] Year .. .. .. .. .. viii Hawke's Bay .. .'. '.'. .. i Rebatos of Rent .. .. .. .. a Taranaki .. .. .. .. .. t; I'.iyment of "Thirds" and "Fourths" to Local Welliogton .. .. .. s Bodies .. .. .. .. .. ix Nelson .. .. .. '.'. '.'. 12 Timber and Flax Royalties.. .. .. ix Marlborough .. .. .. .. 14 Lands for Settl'ment — Westland.. .. .. 15 Subdivision of Purchased Estates and Adminis- Canterbury .. .. .[ 17 tration .. .. .. .. .. ix-xii Otagn .. .. .. .. . . iy Educational Endowments — Southland .. .. .. .. 22 Leasing and Administration .. .. xii Road anil other Works in Runanga Township' 16 Land-drainage Works — Hauraki Plains Drainage-area .. .. xiii PPENDIX £[ Uangitaiki Drainage-area .. .. .. xiii ' Land for Settlements Diainaae of Kauaia or Tangonge Lake and Auckland '", Swamp.. .. .. .. .. xiv Hawke's Bay 28 Waikato River Improvement .. .. xiv Taranaki 25 Land: Miscellaneous Wellington 26 Administration of Unvested Publio Reserves.. xiv Nelson 2fi " Cemeteries xiv Marlborough '.'. '.'. '.'. '.'. 26 Public Domains .. .. .. .. xv Westland 27 luspection of Sand-dunes and Dune-areas .. xv Canterbury 27 Tongariro Na ional PAi-k .. .. .. xv otaco 29 Kapiti Island xv Southland " '.'. '.'. '.'. ±> Kauri-gum Industry Aot .. .. .. xv »• Miscellaneous— Old Soldiers' Claims xvi Ap ™ N P* "j" Settlers' Handbook and other Publications .. xvi limbet Industry - Wanganui River Protection-works .. .. xvi . '' '" '' '' „ Grass-seed supplied to Settlers .. .. xvi Marlborough .. .. .. .. 31 Medical Assistance to Settlers in Sparsely SottKd Districts .. .. .. xvi Ap "' 7". -. . T , . .... Surveys River Protective Works, Lindsay Settlement .. 82 Crown, Native, and Road .. .. .. xvii Surveys: Miscellaneous- Api'kndix V - Triangulation .. .. .. .. xvii Waikato River Improvement.. .. .. 33 Standard Surveys .. .. .. .. xvii Magnetic Survey and Observatory .. .. xvii Appendix Vl— Tidal Survey .. .. .. .. xvii Nguuruhoe and Tongariro Voloanoes, a Short Revision of C >astal Surveys .. .. xviii Account of a Visit to .. .. .. 34 Board of Examiners .. .. .. xviii State Forests .. .. .. .. xviii Appendix VII— Soenery-preservation .. .. .. xviii Tararua Range: A Short Account of the Routes Immigration .. .. .. .. xix from Levin and Masterton .. .. .. 36

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Tables— Page Tablrs— continued. Page Table I.—Lands of the Dominion, Position of Table 24.—Payments of Capital Value under (approximately).. .. .. 87 Section 191 of the Land Act .. 66 2. —Lands opened for Sale or Selection „ 25.—Bush felled. Area of .. .. 66 during the Year.. .. .. 38 „ 26.—Selectors on Books of Department, 3. —Lands taken up during the Year Number of .. .. .. 67 and Summary of Settlement Lands 39-41 . „ 27. —Selectors, Number of, Area held, and 4.—Holdings taken up during the Year, Arrears of Rent .. .. .. 68 Analysis of .. .. .. M .. JB.—Endowments: Lands taken up during B.—Lands sold for Cash during the Year 43 the Year .. .. .. 69 6. —Deferred-payment Lands .. .. 44 „ 2;). Endowments: Revenue received dur-7.—Perpetual-lease Lands .. .. 45 ing the Year .. .. .. 70 8. —Occupation - with -right- of - purchase „ 30.—Arrears of Rent due to the Crown .. 70 Lands .. .. .. .. 46 „ 31.—Improved-farm Settlements .. 71 9. —Lease-in-perpetuity Lands.. .. 47 „ 32.—Land for Settlements Acts, Land 10.—Renewable-lease Lands .. .. 4'J acquired and leased under .. 72 11.—Agrioultural-lease Lands .. .. 51 . 88. —Selectors and Lands selected under 12. —Mining Districts Land Occupation Settlement Conditions : ComparaLeases .. .. .. .. 51 tive Statement for past Ten Years 73 18. —Village Settlements .. .. 62-54 ~ 84. —Transactions in Bush, Swamp, and 14. —Village Settlements, Summary of Scrub Lands under Section 127 of Position of .. .. .. 55 the Land Act .. .. .. 74 15.—Special-settlement Associations .. 56 , 85. —Rebates of Rent granted during the 16.—Homestead Lands .. .. 57 Year .. .. .. .. 75 17. —Small Graziiig-runs .. .. 57 , 86. —Crown Lands proclaimed under the 18.—Pastoral Licensee .. .. .. 59 New Zealand State-guaranteed Ad19.—Miscellaneous Leases and Licenses .. 6] vances Act, the Amount borrowed, 20.—Gross Revenue received during the and the Amount repaid to Public Year .. .. .. .. 62 Account .. .. .. 75 . 21.- -Lands reserved and alienated .. f>4 „ 37.— Crown Grants, Certificates of Title, 22.—Forfeitures and Surrenders during &c, prepared during the Year .. 76 the Year .. .. .. 65 , 38.—Payments to Local Bodies from •23.—Thermal - springs District. Lands " Thirds" and " Fourths" and taken up within.. .. .. 65 "Halves" during the Year .. 76 MAPS, ETC. showing Longitudinal Section from Wai- Showing Overland Track from Lake Te kato Bar to Pungapunga .. .. Fftoing page 83 Anau to Milford Sound .. .. At end. Showing Crater of Ngauruhoe :.. *"""* *? Showing Part of T:uarua Ranges, with Showing Land Transactions during the Track from Levin to Masterton .. , 36 Year. South Island ILLUSTRATIONS. Runanga Township— Views from Tararua Ranges— continued. View looking South from the Intersec- A Mountain TarD , with Mount H old ß - St°reet McGowan worth in the Background .. View from Ward Street, overlooking the Mount Holdsworth from the MangateState School and Miners' Hall .. Between pages rera Stream View looking towards Railway-station f 16 and 17. Nearing the Head of the Ohau River.. from Ward Street. Rapahoe Range in Background .. .. .. Ferns on the Bank of the Ohau River Between pages General View of the Township from the The Spur leading up to Mount Dundas 36 and 37. Terrace overlooking Hall-Jones Street _, ~ . . TT . ~ . TT v Views from Tararua Ranges- The Mountain House at Mount Hold ß - Panorama looking South from Mount wortn Dundas, showing Mitre Peak, Mount The Swing Bridge across the MangateHoldsworth, Mount Hector, and rera Stream, Mount Holdswortb Mount Crawford .. .. .. Facing page 36 Traok

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ANNUAL REPORT.

The Under-Secretary for Lands to the Bight Hon. the Minister op Lands. Sir, — . Department of Lands, Wellington, 24th June, 1911. I have the honour to submit herewith the thirty-fourth annual report of the Department of Lands, together with a resume of the operations in connection with the subsidiary branches, the full reports on which will be laid before Parliament in.due course. I have, &c, Wμ. C. Kensington, Undcr-Sccrctary for Lands. The Right Hon. Sir Joseph George Ward. Bart., K.C.M.G., Minister of Lands.

REPOET OF DEPARTMENT OF LANDS, 1910-11. In submitting the report on the operations of this Department for the twelve months ended 31st March, 1911, it may be of interest to contrast the works now undertaken by it with those intrusted to it a decade ago —say, during 1901. Surli a contrast emphasizes and reflects the continuous development of this Dominion in a marked degree, and the share taken in it by the Department of Lands. A perusal of the. report for the year 190(1 1 shows that it deals with the settlement of Crown lands ; estates acquired under the Land for Settlements Act; miscellaneous hind matters, comprising landless Natives' grants, Urewera lands, kauri-gum digging, Crown and State forests and afforestation ; surveys of Crown and Native land : roadworks ; and the commencement of the magnetic survey of New Zealand. Practically, the bulk of the operations dealt with the settlement of Crown and privately acquired lands, surveys of same and Native lands, and, to a limited extent, the roading of Crown hinds, and the commencement of tree-planting works. The other matters were of minor importance, and did not necessitate the expenditure of much money, or the employment of many officers. The operations now under the control of the Department are much more extensive, and may briefly be summarized under the following heads, and as such I will deal with them more or less in detail:— Under direct control of Minister of Lands :— (A.) Crown lands : Settlement and administration. (Pages iv to ix.) (B.) Land for settlements : Subdivision and opening; administration. (Pages ix to xii.) (C.) Educational endowments : Leasing and administration. (Page xii.) (D.) Land-drainage works : — (1.) Hauraki Plains. (Page xiii.) (2.) Rangitaiki drainage-area. (Page xiii.) (3.) Kaitaia, or Tangonge Lake. (Page xiv.) (4.) Waikato River dredging and diversion. (Page xiv.) (E.) Land, miscellaneous : Administration of public reserves ; supervision of domains and cemeteries; sand-dunes ; Tongariro National Park ; Kapiti Island; Kauri-gum industry administration. (Pages xiv to xvi.) (F.) Miscellaneous : Old soldiers' claims; Settlers' Handbook, and other publications; Wanganui River protective works ; grass-seed supplied to settlers ; medical assistance in sparsely settled districts. (Pages xvi and xvii.) (G.) Surveys, Crown and Native land, and of roads. (Page xvii.) (H.) Surveys, miscellaneous : Triangulation ; standard surveys ; magnetic survey ; tidal survey ; revision of coastal survey ; Board of Examiners. (Pages xvii and xviii.) Under control of Commissioner of State Forests :— (I.) State forests, nurseries, and plantations : Sale of timber, and administration of forests , afforestation operations. (Page xviii.)

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Under Minister in charge of scenery-preservation : — (J.) Scenery-preservation : Administration of Scenery Preservation Act; meetings and inspections by Scenery Preservation Board ; inspection and surveys of scenic areas ; Proclamation, &c. (Page xviii.) Under Minister of Immigration : — (K.) Immigration : Granting assisted passages from United Kingdom ; inspection of immigrants. (Page xix.) Native matters :■ — (L.) Surveys of Native land : The survey for the Native Land Court of all orders of Court, both original and subdivision, and for Maori Land Boards, of extensive areas being subdivided by them for sale and leasing to Europeans ; the completion of purchase of Maori lands both in the area known as the Urewera country, and also the Moerangi Block in Kawhia County. (Page xix.) The management and administration of so many diverse and important matters as enumerated above demand an extensive and thorough knowledge of a large number of statutes of the New Zealand Parliament, a comprehensive grasp of the principles of land-settlement, and a knowledge of the varied technical and practical matters dealt with by the staff of a large Department, efficiently and economically, under a proper system of supervision and working. The functions and requirements of a modern Civil servant are much in excess of what they were formerly, and to carry out the progressive and far-reaching policy of the Government of a modern State demands more extensive knowledge than is generally recognized. The satisfactory performance of such duties is, however, largely a matter of systematic and careful training, and there seems no doubt but that the officers of the Dominion will respond as readily in the future as they have done in the past to insure the success of the undertakings intrusted to the many branches of the Public Service, and that the officers of the Lands Department, will in the future, as hitherto, be always to the fore. I will now take each of the foregoing branches in detail, and explain their operations during the past year, at greater or lesser length. (A.) Crown-land Settlement and Administration. The total number of selectors of all classes during the past year amount to 2,2(>7, who have selected a total area of 1,412,742 acres, but to these must be added the number of runs and area selected mostly in Canterbury which were opened for selection and auction in February last, but which do not go to credit until next year, being offered twelve months in advance, which gives a grand total of 2,328 selectors with a total area selected of 2,792,248 acres. The total area opened for selection, including all classes of settlement, amounted to 2,355,996 acres, or an increase of 29,959 acres over last year. There is at present under survey for opening either as ordinary Crown lands or under land - for - settlement conditions, an area of 744,653 acres ; while for the Native Land Court (carrying out Court orders) or Maori Land Boards, for leasing, &c, there is under survey no less an area than 629,870 acres, of which 149,356 acres are for Maori Land Boards. The roads under survey to give access to Crown lands through Maori lands, &c, amount to 213 miles. The gross revenue received during the past year amounts to £784,843, or £l(/9,936 more than last year, while the territorial revenue of £249,299 exceeds last years' by £48,042. The following table shows the area opened under the distinctive headings during the past year : —

Table A.—Land opened during the Year 1910-11.

IV

District. Optional System. Renewable Lβ Ordinary National-1 Crown e " d °7sasc. Land for Settlements. Lease Cash h> by Auc- Village Auc- tion and Allottion. Appli- ments. cation. »•* SS2. Small Grazingruns. Pastoral Runs. Ordinary NationalCrown v " d °JLand. ™ en ' Land. Total. ~nd Hawke's Bay 1'aranaki Wellington .. Vclson Harlbojrough iVestland Janterbury .. Acres. 57,308 30,019 11,874 4,290 804 474 Acres. Acres. 4,180 10,552 691 4,713 186 11,417 1,397 Acres. 15,706 154 Acres. Acres. Acres. 901 726 5 185 1,960 i 11 91 299 240 2 5; 2(10 051* .. 41 96 331 Acres. Acres. 7,898 1,718 Acres. Acres. 10,594 32,755 J Acres. 119,930 67,48(1 10,(580 7,829 13,025 "KUiSII 197,04(1 1,374,755 292 U72 j l,350J 92,344 ! '. 149,950 41,700 934,200 431.009J m '%\\ 1W25 188,540 11 "6 5,943 lit .. 8,i20 . '. 988 «*j 49,360) 2,080 )tago 5,875 1,114 70 1,484 65 .. 7 J 504 .. 31 259,184 Southland .. 12,140 1,871 12 205,178 Totals .. 122,844 18,599 29,552 25,779 2,003 4 - 0,i,1 58 ' 246 ! 1,510,144 f 518 ' 739 2,355,996 * IneliH les 77 acn ;s land for settlements. Cheviot Estate lands. J, and for settlements.

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V

Lands selected under all Tenures. The following table marked B(l) shows the selections made under the various tenures during the past year. For ordinary Crown lands there were 1,493 selectors, who took up 881,444 acres, being 163 less than the selectors for last year, while the area selected was 435,802 acres less. To this requires to be added sixty-one runs of 1,379,506 acres, mostly in Canterbury, leased during the past year, but being let twelve months in advance will not be actually brought to credit until next year. Lands for settlement show a considerable falling-ofi, as only 28,054 acres have been taken up during the year, against 89,206 acres during last year. The settlement of national-endowment land has been fairly well upheld, the selectors numbering 511 for an area of 502,760 acres. The total area now selected and held is 18,961,509 acres, with a total gross rental of £605,706 as shown in Table B (2).

Table B(1).—Return showing Selections during the Year ended 31st March, 1911.

Tenure. Number. Area taken up. hdinary Crown Lands, — Cash lands Occupation with right of purchase Lease in perpetuity Eenewable lease (town and rural) Mining districts land-occupation leases Village settlement, cash ,, occupation with right of purchase .. ,, renewable lease Improved-farm special settlement Pastoral runs Pastoral licenses in mining districts under special regulations Miscellaneous leases 258 473 15 33 73 4 3 6 22 52 64 490 A. E. P. 9,527 3 11 131,001 1 1 1,876 3 24 5,477 3 12 2,686 3 19 3 3 3 1 3 10 38 0 32 5,003 2 28 644,695 0 37 17,053 3 23 64,076 2 19 Totals .. 1,493 881,443 3 19 llieviot Estate, — Renewable lease Miscellaneous leases i 1 1 11 0 7 0 0 28 Totals .. 11 0 35 'jiml /or Settlements, — Cash lands Renewable lease Small grazing-runs Pastoral runs .. .. .. .. Miscellaneous leases 12 223 1 1 23 16 26,375 219 30 1,413 0 34 0 34 2 30 0 0 2 9 Totals 260 28,054 2 27 National-endowment Lands, — Renewable lease Village renewable lease Improved-farm special settlement Small grazing-runs .. . . ...... Pastoral runs I'astoral licenses in mining districts under special regulations Miscellaneous leases 332 16 1 21 10 42 89 91,854 0 14 351 1 18 160 0 0 128,544 0 0 249,194 0 0 10,367 0 39 22,289 0 32 Totals .. 511 502.759 3 23 thermal springs 1 473 0 11 Grand totals 2,267 1,412,742 2 35

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Table B(2).—Return showing the Total Number of Selectors, with the Area held and the Annual Rental payable, as at 31st March, 1911.

VI

Note. — 'Further details of the selecto ra under the various tenures are given in Table 27. Ordinary Crown Lands. Cheviot Estate. Land for Settlements. Selectors. Tenure. Area held. Yearly Rental or Instalment Selectors, payable. Area held. Yearly Rental or Instalment Selectors. payable. Yearly Rental Area held. or Instalment payable. Deferred payment .. .. 30 Perpetual lease . . .. .. 803 Occupation with right of purchase 5,608 Lease in perpetuity .. . . 7,420 Renewable lease .. . . 286 Mining districts land-occupation leases 604 Agricultural lease .. .. 17 Small grazing-runs .. .. 253 Pastoral runs .. .. .. 461 Pastoral licenses in mining districts 262 under special regulations Miscellaneous leases . . .. 3,758 Totals .. .. 19,502 i i r A. K. P 9,329 1 12 83,319 3 15 1,786.657 1 8 1,651,235 2 15 28,002 1 25 23,552 2 8 551 1 0 466,371 1 2 6,883,836 3 19 52,156 3 13 £ s. (1. 533 3 2 3,524 17 3 88,974 8 5 60,772 15 7 210 2,383 10 6 1 1,400 10 4 23 7 9 19,476 0 11 49 37,143 7 6 1 1.105 12 3 A. K. P. £ s. d. A. R. P. £ S. d. 26,867 3 2 11 0 7 7,294 17 10 3,648 14 1 4 854 664,677 3 38 193,691 9 2 266,465 2 18 59,109 8 6 45,762 2 24 1,642 0 0 6,828 12 8 115 193 3 8 3 202,358 2 38 26,653 14 2 983 2 38 130 13 0 660,417 0 21 14,803 14 9 45 1,090 3 11 203 17 5 215 7,853 2 4 1,616 8 10 11,645,430 1 18 230,141 8 5 306 75,374 1 4 14,534 12 11 4,835 1,142,339 2 16 281,201 13 8 National Endowment. Totals. * Tenure. Selectors. .National .Kndow Area held. ivment. Yearly Rental or Instalment payable. Total Number of Selectors. Total Area held. Total Yearly Rental or Instalment payable. A. E. P. £ 8. (1. 30 803 5,608 11,278 2,356 604 17 898 690 447 4,460 9,329 83,319 1,786,657 2,342,781 587.423 23,552 551 2,255,931 10,917,211 84,121 864,103 R. P. 1 12 3 15 1 8 1 15 0 37 2 8 1 0 2 25 1 14 0 34 1 0 £ s. d. 533 3 2 3.524 17 3 88,974 8 5 261,759 2 7 74,511 2 6 1,400 10 4 23 7 9 80,883 7 10 72,084 12 4 1,784 11 1 18,067 5 4 Deferred payment Perpetual lease Occupation with right of purchase Lease in perpetuity Renewable lease .. .. .. Mining districts land-occupation leases Agricultural lease Small grazing-runs Pastoral runs Pastoral licenses in mining districts under special regulations .. Miscellaneous leases • • i 1,215 481 225 185 442 292,944 •• 0 27 13,004 2 2 •• 1,541,439 4,030,748 31,964 194,741 0 1 27,925 0 1 2 37 34,617 8 2 1 21 678 18 10 3 4 1,443 4 4 ; Totals 2,548 6,091,838 0 10 77,668 13 7 27,191 18,954,982 1 8 603,546 8 Thermal springs .. 305 — r 6,527 1 13 2,159 12 Grand totals .. i 27,496 18,961,509 2 21 J 605,706 0 11 ..

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VII

Grown Land remaining for Future Disposal. Intimately connected with the question of settlement is the question of the available area of Crown land suitable for selection, and from what sources such area may be supplemented. The appended table shows the estimated area in each land district suitable for fairly close settlement, or suitable only for pastoral purposes. In addition to this there was an area of 1,323,202 acres open for selection at 31st March, 1911, as shown in column 4 of Table I.

Table C. —Area of Crown Land estimated as being suitable for Subdivision and future Disposal, as at 31st March, 1911 (exclusive of Land already open for Selection).

With regard to the foregoing table, it should be mentioned that out of an estimated area suitable for settlement of 1,878,649 acres, only some 166,900 acres are considered to be first-class land. The answer to the question as to how the present supply of available Crown land may be supplemented is that it may be done from two sources—viz., (1) by the purchase of private estates for subdivision under the provisions of the Land for Settlements Act, 1908, and the Land for Settlements Administration Act, 1909 ; and (2) by the purchase of Maori lands under the provisions of the Native Land Act, 1909. I may here state that there exists a considerable misapprehension as to the present mode of acquiring Maori land, as it is noticed that some local bodies have addressed petitions to the Minister of Lands requesting him to purchase specified blocks of Native lands. Other local bodies have addressed requests to the Commissioners of Crown Lands and the Land Boards for their respective districts in connection with the purchase of Maori lands. It is therefore highly necessary that it should be clearly understood that the Minister of Lands has now no direct power to purchase Maori lands. This power rests with the Native Land Purchase Board, constituted under the provisions of section 361 of the Native Land Act, 1909 ; but this Board can only commence the purchase of any specific block of Native land if the owners thereof, or at least some of them, desire to dispose of their interests therein to the Crown. There is no power under the provisions of the Native Land Act, 1909, by which Native land may be acquired compulsorily, nor do the provisions of the Land for Settlements Act apply to this class of land. At the same time, the short experience of the working of the Native Land Act. 1909, indicates that the Native owners are in very many cases willing to sell to the Crown at the fair and reasonable prices offered for the land in question. National-endowment Area. In accordance with the provisions of section 258 of the Land Act, 1908, I have to report that the total area now credited to the endowment amounts to 8,287,542 acres. The limit of 9,000,000 acres imposed by the Act is therefore in a fair way of being reached shortly. Improved-farm Sett lements. The settlements coming under the above category —referred to on page 6 of last year's report— are now fairly well established, and have been successful from every point of view.- Those in the

Luckland lawke's Bay ?aranaki Wellington Jelson larlborough Vestland Canterbury )tago Southland District. Estimated Area Estimated Area suitable for suitable for Settlement Purposes.! Pastoral Purposes. Acres. Acres. 1,039,194 249,554 25,532 92,742 293,814 130,944 106,647 135,000 1054,015 87,347 98,290 23,818 70.169 75,0(1(1 58,775 68,000 299,837 Total Area of Crown Land remaining for future Disposal. Acres. 1,288,748 118,274 293,814 237,591 1,189,015 185,637 93,987 133,775 367,837 Totals .. 1,878,649 2,030,029 3,908,678

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Taranaki and Wellington Districts were recently visited by the respective Land Boards, and the members of the Boards have expressed their satisfaction with the progress made. The total number of improved-farm-settlement holdings in the respective land districts is as follows : —

The details are given in the reports of the Commissioners of Crown Lands in the appendix. Village Settlements. Eighteen sections, containing a total area of 292 acres, have been opened during the past year, chiefly in the Hawke's Bay and Wellington Land Districts. The total number of selectors under the above heading amounts to 2,168, holding an area of 42,211 acres. Inspections by Crown Lands Rangers. The Crown Lands Rangers in the several land districts have carried out their arduous and very responsible duties in a satisfactory manner. Their inspections have to be thoroughly made, and cannot be carried out in a perfunctory manner, as their values are used as the basis of most of the Land Boards' decisions in the case of transfers, improvements, &c, and may have to stand the test of Supreme Court trials. The total number of inspections made during the year amounts to 10,258, ranging over a total area of 2,920,568 acres, with a total value of improvements amounting to £2,886,662. The subjoined table gives the particulars of such inspections in each district.

Table D.—Return showing Number of Inspections made by the Crown Lands Rangers for the Year ended 31st March, 1911.

Financial, &c. The revenue returns are eminently satisfactory, and show a gross increase of £109,936 on last year. The total gross revenue received by the several Receivers of Land Revenue amounted to £784,843, the territorial division yielding a revenue of £249,299. Many causes have led to this satisfactory result,

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Land District. Number. Area held. Auckland .. 131 Acres. 18,286 Hawke's Bay 16 1,830 Taranaki 365 51,321 Wellington Southland 282 43 36,120 4,539 Totals 837 112,096 112,096 837

District. N'umber of Properties visited. Value of Improvements. Required. Actually made. Nllliilii 'k a o ° a> si ■r mi' Defi ■J5i jiH miters. I Area. I I £ s. d. I £ 8. d. I 177,972 0 0 360,656 0 0 711 233,617 15 0 531,344 12 1 46 98,997 0 0 181,524 0 0 K\ 99,053 0 0 256,648 0 0 :U 36,158 19 6 88,574 5 0 68 13(1,812 13 4 ' 287,621 19 7 15 23,429 9 0 : 89,463 12 0 19 347,209 18 7 ! 598,282 16 11 98 202,049 6 5 390,126 7 1 158 71,020 15 3 i 102,420 18 1 21 1,420,320 17 1 2,886,662 10 9 I 595 ~nd Hawke's Bay Faranaki Wellington Nelson .. Vlarlborough Westland Canterbury Otago .. Southland 1,920 779' 459' 1,753 0521 551 608 1,788 1,303 445 A. K. P. 437,8(51) 0 0 282,090 3 19 252,200 1 12 333,2311 0 0 229,781 0 9 291,925 3 17 62,209 2 20 395,974 2 8 546,741 0 10 88,534 1 18 i 294 59 31 42 ii.-) 23 58 20 29 13 147 ii 38 2 12 6 r>20 117 105 70 171 40 77 118 204 50 20 16 Totals 10,258 2,920,568 2 33 634 234 18 1,481

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chiefly the prosperous state of the farming community generally, and the demand for land, leading to the payment of arrears of rentals before transfers are granted, &c. To the gross total the Hauraki Plains lands sold and leased have contributed £7,676.

Table E.—Revenue received during the Year ended 31st March, 1911.

Rebateß of Rent. During the year the lessees of ordinary Crown lands have received rebates for prompt payment amounting to £11,284, while those under the Cheviot and Land for Settlements Acts have received rebates amounting to £24,31)1. Payments of " Thirds " and " Fourths " to Local Bodies. Under the provisions of section 145 of the Land Act, 1908, the various local bodies have had paid over to them during the year a total sum of £44,934. This does not include that portion of the Taranaki land revenue which is paid over under statutory provision to the New Plymouth Harbour Board. Timber and Flax Royalties. y ' The halves of timber and flax royalties paid over to local bodies during the year under the provisions of section 319 of the Land Act, 1908, amounted to £11,930. (B.) Lands for Settlement. Subdivision of Purchased Estates and Administration. The estates purchased through the agency of the Board of Land Purchase Commissioners (of which body the Under-Secretary for Lands is a member) during the year have been principally in the Canterbury Land District, where there is a great dearth of Crown lands. The estates acquired numbered 13 (including two homestead sites), and of these, 9 (containinga total area of 7,752 acres) have been dealt with and subdivided into suitable sections, numbering 83. The balance of estates purchased will be opened during the current financial year. The total area held under the Land for Settlements Act, 1908, amounts to 1,142,196 acres, and the tofal rental payable is £281,079. The amount paid off to date under the provisions of section 191 of the Land Act, 1908, with respect to these holdings totals £4,002. In connection with the administration of lands-for-settlement estates, it may be interesting to note thai in the Hawke's Bay District the question of the protection of these Crown lands —leased to settlers —against the encroachment of rivers while in a state of flood has received earnest attention. The rivers in part of the Hawke's Bay District are very erratic in their course, and the alluvial lands abutting thereon receive heavy damage if not protected. The Department has adopted a scheme of groins and breastworks, with " stops " at short intervals, which has been found most efficaciou.s in stopping further encroachment, and has recovered lands which were fast being submerged. The Commissioner of Crown lands, Hawke's Bay, and the Crown Lands Ranger (Mr. H. Martin Smith), together with the overseer of works, are to be congratulated on the very successful efforts made and the means adopted to this end.

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Auckland Hawke's Bay Faranaki Wellington .. Nelson Marlborough Westland .. Canterbury .. Southland .. r District. Totals Territorial Non-territorial m , , „ Revenue. Revenue. Total Reven ™ £ £ £ 57,370 73,426 130,796 .. ; 38,402 74,012 112,414 .. i 17,532 21,309 38,841 35,486 66,493 101,979 5,627 25,178 30,805 .. . 8,552 29,124 37,676 5,195 14,912 20,107 .. J 31,702 124,546 156,248 33,707 84,373 118,080 15,726 22,171 37,897 249,299 535,544 784,843

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The subjoined table gives the present position of each estate opened for settlement: —

Table F.—Summary of the Settlements established upon Estates acquired and dealt with under the Provisions of the Land for Settlements Act up to the 31st March, 1911.

Land District and Name of Settlement. Select- Resiors. dences. Principal Purpoee for which Holdings are utilized. Present Position. _j Auckland— Bickerstaffe .. Cradook Penoourt Hetana Karapiro Kitchener Mangapouri .. Mangawhero .. Matamata Methuen Okauia Opouriao Plumer Bangiatea Bewi Selwyn Tautari Teasdale Waari Waimana Whitehall 31 14 37 .. 85 18 12 10 18 189 30 9 92 17 20 2 .. 109 34 80 .. 31 26 11 25 14 36 72 12 11 10 18 167 28 9 81 17 18 2 78 32 44 19 20 10 Grazing Besidential Dairying Residential Dairying .. .. .. Residential Dairying Besidential Grazing Dairying Residential Dairying Grazing Satisfactory. Fair. Good. Satisfactory. Fair. Excellent. Satisfactory. Unsatisfactory. Fair. Good. Besidential Satisfactory. Fair. Satisfactory. Dairying 875 723 Hawke's Bay— Argyll Clydebank Elsthorpe Forest Gate .. Hatuma Kanakanaia .. Kumeroa Lindsay Mahora Mangatahi Manga-a-toro .. Ngatapa Pouparae Pourerere Baureka Baumati Te Arai Te Mata Tomoana Tongoio Waimarie Waipuka Wigan Willows 62 23 48 29 76 7 15 68 34 23 .. 26 .. 26 :: S 19 30 54 9 13 9 18 1 17 22 60 15 28 27 65 7 14 63 33 22 26 21 9 6 17 30 51 8 12 8 16 1 19 16 Agricultural and pastoral Prosperous. Good. Pastoral .. .. .'.' " Agricultural and pastoral .. Pastoral Pastoral and dairying Agricultural and pastoral Agricultural, dairying, and fruit-culture .. Pastoral ■ Satisfactory. Fair. Excellent. Prosperous. Goo i. Agricultural and pastoral Pastoral Agricultural, dairying, and fruit-culture .. Dairying Agricultural and pastoral Fruit-culture Agricultural, dairying, and fruit-culture .. Pastoral .. .. .. Agricultural Pastoral Fair. Excellent. Fair. Good. Very good. Fair. Good. Agricultural Very good. Good. 644 574 Taranaki— Clandon Huinga Spotswood 7 10 18 5 10 15 Dairyirg and sheep Homestead and grazing .. .. Not too good. Satisfactory. Much better than previously. Satisfactory. Tokaora 16 13 Dairying Wellington— Aorangi Carrington Dyer Epuni Hawtrey Hikawera Langdale Linton Ijongbush Mahupuku Mangawhata .. Maungaraki .. Normandale .. Ohakea .. Paparangi Tablelands Tawaha Te Matua 51 37 31 36 42 19 :: 5 7 :: ? 20 31 16 36 9 24 13 51 37 31 36 42 19 5 7 ! 20 31 16 36 9 24 13 43 38 29 j 87 43 11 3 24 5 6 8 7 19 33 15 36 9 25 12 Dairying and fruit-growing Principally dairying Grazing, dairying, and cropping Besidential, market-gardening, &c. Residential, poultry, and pigs Grazing xheep and cattle Dairying and cropping Grazing and dairying Excellent. Satisfactory. Excellent. Indifferent. Goori. Dairying and a few sheep Besidential, poultry, and pigs Besidential and poultry-farms Dairying and cropping .. .. Besidential, poultry, pigs, and dairying .. I Grazing sheep and cattle .. . I Graziug, dairying, and cropping Dairying Besidential good. Excellent. Good. Satisfactory. Excellent. Nelson— Braeburn Wangapeka .. 374 18 15 374 360 Pastoral Very good. IK 15 17 11 88 38

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Table F.— Summary of the Settlements established upon Estates acquired and dealt with, etc.— continued.

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Land District and Name ol Settlement. Select- Kesiors. deuces. Principal Purpose for which Holdings are utilized. Present Position. larlborough— Blind Eiver Flaxbourne North Bank Omaka Puhipuhi Rainford Richmond Brook Starborough Waipapa 18 12 115 87 7 6 13 12 2 1 11 11 11 10 188 107 4 4 Sheep-farming and grain-growing Sheep-farming Sheep-farming and light cropping Grazing Dairying Sheep-farming and grain-growing Good. Satisfactory. Good. 8ound. Pair. Good. Grazing Fair. 369 250 Vestland — Kokatahi Poerua 8 7 23 14 Dairying and grazing Prosperous. 'anterbury— Albury Annan Ashley Gorge Braco Buddo Chamberlain Clandeboye Clandeboye (No. 2) Culverden Eccleston Epworth Fyvie Hekeao Highbank Hornby Horsley Down Kaimahi Kapua Kapuatohe Kereta Kinlooh Kohika Kohika (No. 2) Ladbrooks Lyndon (No. 1) Lyndon (No. 2) Marawiti Maytown Mead Meadows Mills Morice Orakipaoa Otaio Otarakaro Papaka Pareora (No. 1) Pareora (No. 2) Patoa Pawaho Peaks Puhuka Punaroa Raincliff Rakitairi Rapuwai Rautawiri Roimata Rosebrook Ruapuna No. 2 Rosewill Stoke 31 ' 21 75 58 43 44 10 12 14 14 14 8 20 22 10 10 6 5 44 39 4 4 2 1 5 5 15 13 78 59 Lfi 8 2G 22 12 11 12 12 14 12 4 3 30 27 18 15 4 2 11 8 8 8 9 9 18 12 11 11 21 19 14 11 21 21 30 26 27 22 9 8 7 7 9 9 28 24 32 32 4 1 25 25 12 2 10 10 17 17 1 1 22 17 5 5 6 6 27 26 14 13 12 10 153 143 7 Mixed farming Partly pastoral, and partly mixed farming Partly pastoral and partly dairying Residential and market-gardening Excellent. Satisfactory. Partly pastoral and partly mixed farming Mixed farming and dairying Good. i Excellent. Very good. Pastoral and mixed farming Mixed farming Small farm Mixed farming Mixed farming and dairying Mixed farming Residential and market-gardening Mixed farming Market-gardening Small farming and dairying Workmen's homes Dairying Pastoral Mixed farming Good. Pair. Very good. Excellent. Good. Very good. Good. M Small farming and dairying Pastoral Very good. Good. Fairly good. Good. Mixed farming Small farming and dairying Mixed farming Small farming and dairying Very good. Good. Dairying and grass-seeding Small farming Satisfactory. Residential and market-gardening Mixed farming Small farming Mixed farming Pastoral Residential and market-gardening Pastoral Workmen's homes Mixed farming Pastoral Mixed farming Pastoral Small farming Residential and market-gardening Small farming Pastoral Partly pastoral, partly mixed farming Mixed farming Very good. Excellent. Satisfactory. Good." Excellent. Satisfactory. Very good. Satisfactory. Studholme Junction Takitu Tamai Tarawahi Tripp Waiapi Waikakahi Wharenui Homestead-sites and low-lying lands Miscellaneous oooupation licenses 4 2 5 5 40 40 28 28 24 22 15 14 183 156 I 26 26 9 4 Small farming Pastoral Workmen's homes Fairly good. Excellent. Only established in January, 1911. Good. Very good. i Satisfactory. Very good. Satisfactory. Very good. Excellent. Very good. Partly pastoral, partly mixed farming Mixed farming Partly pastoral, partly mixed farming Workmen's homes 44 1,414 1,206

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Table F.—Summary of the Settlements established upon Estates acquired and dealt with, etc. continued.

(C.) Educational Endowments. Leasing and Administration. By the passing of the Education Reserves Amendment Act, 1910, the whole of the education reserves, both primary and secondary, throughout the Dominion came under the control of the Lands Department as from Ist April, 1911. The total area so taken charge of amounts to 833,212 acres, 792,720 acres being for primary and 40,492 acres for secondary education, of a total approximate value of £1,339,204, distributed as follows :—

Table G.—Return showing the Endowments for Education taken over from the School Commissioners.

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Land District and Name of Settlement. Select- ! Kesioi*8. ' dences. Principal Purpose for which Holdings ate utilized. Present Position. I >tago— Airedale Arogowan Barnego Duncan Earnsoleugh Elderslie Greenfield Janefield Kauroo Hill Kurow Maerewhenua.. Makareao and Extension Matakanui* Meadowbank Momona Otamatakau* Otekaike Plunket Pomahaka Downs Puketapu Steward St. Helen's Tahawai Taumata Teaneraki Tokarahi Totara Windsor Park No. 1 Windsor Park No. 2 12 66 .. 24 0 13 :: a 21 :: S 75 35 2 11 :: 'i 66 18 27 11 47 3 8 9 23 78 27 37 10 11 51 20 4 8 24 40 19 30 13 58 22 7 13 52 18 15 8 42 3 S 9 14 41 25 23 8 General and dairying Pruit-growing General mixed farming Vegetable and fruit-growing General farming Dairying General farming General farming Good. Fair. Very fair. Good. Fair. Good. Fair. Very good. General and wool-growing Dairying and mixed farming General farming Dairying General farming Fair. Good. Fair. Good. Dairying General farming Dairying General and dairying Fair. Good. 775 586 586 louthland— Beaumont Edendale Ermedale Glenham Merrivale Otahu Ringway 12 146 12 .. 35 49 6 8 8 122 11 43 38 6 8 8 122 11 43 38 6 8 Farming and grazing Farming, grazing, and dairyii g .. Farming and grazing Farming, grazing, and dairying .. Dairying and grazing Farming and grazing Grazing Satisfactory. Very good. Good. Satisfactory. 268 236 236 Grand totals .. j 4,834 4 4,027 4,027 * Recent settlements not yet inspected by Rangers.

Land District. Area of Endowmei For Primary | For Secondary Education. Education. Area of Endowmei its. Total Unimproved Value (approximate). Total. Auckland lawke's Bay .'aranaki... Vellington kelson ... /larlborough Vestland Janterbury )tago Southland Acres. Acres. 112,783 10,333 69,750 7,482 50,500 2,441 95,989 12,162 S.623 801 789 266' 14,613 4,448 71,152 41,728 1,954 326,787 605 Acres. 123,110 77,232 52,947 108,151 0,424 1,055 19,061 71,152 43,682 327,392 £ 151,312 171,220 131,886 232,254 11,645 13,550 26,059 285,080 75,560 237,638 Totals ... 792,720 40,492 40,492 833,212 1,339,204

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When the matter was discussed in Parliament, during the passage of the Bill it was thought that the reserves would benefit by the transfer. The past administration by the School Commissioners has, generally speaking, been excellent, and their services were given ungrudgingly and without remuneration ; but the staff under the control of each Commissioner of Crown Lands will, it is felt, deal more effectively with these reserves, while the Land Boards will take the place of the Education Reserves Commissioners, and the Crown Lands Rangers will be available for furnishing reports when the Leasing of any reserves is contemplated. (D.) Land-drainage Works. A very special mid interesting branch of the Lands Department, and which has come into existence within the last four years, is the Land-drainage Branch, under a separate Engineer, with Assistant Engineers, the two most prominent works being —(1) that of the drainage of the area bounded on the north by the Hauraki Gulf, and extending southwards towards Morrinsville, and intersected by the Piako and Waitoa Rivers in the Auckland Land District. This area, which is now known as the " Hauraki Plains," contains an area of about 90,000 acres, and is worked under a special Act of Parliament entitled the Hauraki Plains Act, 1908. The second work referred to is the drainage of an area of about 87,000 acres in the Bay of Plenty district known as the " Rangitaiki Drainage-area," and which is also worked under a special Act called the Rangitaiki Land Drainage Act, 1910. (1.) Hauraki Plains Drainage-area. In accordance with the statutory provisions of the Hauraki Plains Act, 1908, a special report will be laid before Parliament. It will therefore suffice to say that the drainage operations have been most energetically pushed forward under the direction of the Land-drainage Engineer (Mr. J. B. Thompson), who has with him a most efficient staff of assistants, overseers, and dredgemasters, and, roughly speaking, an average of 105 men employed on day-labour and 175 as contract labourers. The expenditure to date amounts to £66,011, while the moneys received from cash sales, rents, sale of cattle, &c, amounts to £7,676 10s. 9d. The cattle realized £1,627 7s. 4d. Against the expenditure of £66,011 referred to above, the capital value of the assets —that is, the Value of the land actually reclaimed, and nearly all disposed of —amounts to £106,640, represented by 22,034 acres of land, all of which has been disposed of with the exception of 503 acres. These, figures do not include an area of 69 acres occupied by reserves, representing a value of £1,425. Of the area disposed of, 19,336 acres has been selected on the occupation-with-right-of-purchase tenure, which means that after ten years from date of disposal the settlers can acquire the freehold of their lands, when the capital value of £92,455 will be paid to the credit of the Hauraki Plains Account. It is hoped to have an additional area of 6,800 acres opened during the ensuing spring and autumn, which will have a value of certainly not less than £27,200. If the lands already dealt with, plus the area to be opened next spring and autumn, and also plus area absorbed by canals, drains, stop-banks, roads, and reserves, be deducted from the 90,000 acres (being the whole of the area within the schedule to the Act), it leaves an area of about 60,000 acres for future reclamation and disposal ; and if this is valued, when drained, even at the low price of £2 per acre, it amounts to £120,000, which, added to the sums £106,640 and £27,200 mentioned above, gives a total value of £253,840. The Hauraki Plains Act, 1908, empowers the raising of £80,000 by the issue of debentures, but it is probable that Parliament will have to be asked to amend the Act in the direction of granting power to raise another £40,000 for the completion of the work. (2.) Rangitaiki Drainage-area. Following upon the Hauraki Plains Drainage-area, the Lands Department, in June, 1910, by Cabinet direction, took over the drainage of 87,000 acres in the Bay of Plenty district, known as the " Rangitaiki Drainage-area." The Drainage Board having exhausted its funds, and having still left untouched the real drainage problems —viz., (1) the cutting of a new outlet for the Rangitaiki River straight out to sea, so as to reduce the water-level some 6 ft. or 7 ft., and thus enable the drains to act, and (2) to deal with the problem of the silting-up of the bed of the Tarawera River, which at times causes the river to overflow its banks and submerge the adjoining country —it was decided, after a careful personal examination by myself (acting under your direction) of the several affected areas, that Parliament should be asked to pass a special Drainage Act embodying the necessary powers for raising a loan, and generally to deal with the drainage question by obtaining definite legal powers. This statute duly passed Parliament in October last, and the next step was to obtain the necessary levels

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iind reliable data for the new outlet, one mile and a quarter in length, so that tenders for its construction could be called for. The full engineering details and all data for letting a contract were furnished by Mr. J. B. Thompson, the Engineer in charge of the drainage-works, and the Assistant Engineer (Mr. Owen Campbell), and public tenders were called for and extensively advertised. No suitable tender was, however, received. Negotiations were then entered into with Messrs. Rich and Jeffrey, civil engineers and contractors, for the construction of the outlet-works. After the lapse of some time, and after repeated consultations between the Land-drainage Engineer (Mr. J. B. Thompson) and the proposed contractors, a suitable tender, based on the original specifications, was received, and accepted. and the ceremony of turning the first sod of the outlet was performed by the Hon. Roderick McKenzie, Minister of Public Winks, in March, 1911. A scheme has also been prepared for dealing with the flooding of the adjoining land by the overflow of the Tarawera River, and the work will probably be undertaken by this Department under the direction of its own officers. A comprehensive drainage-scheme showing how it is proposed to allot the £50,000 to be raised in accordance with the provisions of the Rangitaiki Land Drainage Act, 1910, has also been prepared and laid before the ratepayers of the district. The statutory report, in accordance with the provisions of the Act in question, and which will contain full details, will be laid before Parliament in due course. (3.) Drainage of Kaitaia or Tangonge Lake and Swamp. Prior to your departure for Great Britain for the purpose of attending the Imperial Conference. it was decided that an engineering survey should be made of the extensive area in Mangonui County known as the Kaitaia or Awanui Swamp and Tangonge Lake, for the purpose of ascertaining wEethei it could be profitably drained. The engineering work is now in progress under Mr. William ('. Breakell, C.E., and the result of his investigations will be available in due course. (4.) Waikato River Improvement, Auckland District. On page 11 of last year's report the question of draining the Whangamarino Swamp was reported upon, and a preliminary engineering report by Mr. William C. Breakell, C.E., was furnished. Following on his report, which pointed to the necessity of dealing with the Waikato River before any drainage proposals could be submitted, a number of settlers interested in the navigation and improvement of the Waikato River formed themselves into an association, under the name of the " Waikato Drainage Association," in September, 1910, and asked that the Government should bear the cost of a further and more exhaustive report as to what works should be undertaken by a River Board (if formed) from the Waikato Heads to Mercer, and give an estimate of the approximate cost of such works. The Government agreed to Mr. Breakell being re-employed for this work, and in January of this year he submitted his report to the Committee, together with plans showing the bed of the Waikato River, and the varying depths of water from Mercer to the Heads. His very interesting and complete report, together with plan, is attached as an appendix to this report. (E.) Land : Miscellaneous. t Although there are very numerous matters that come under this heading, it is only proposed to deal with the chief items in detail. They are, — (1.) Administration of Unvested Public Reserves. By virtue of section 28 of the Public Reserves and Domains Act, 1908. the Commissioner of Crown Lands for each of the ten land districts jof the Dominion exercises all the powers and functions intrusted to him by the Land Act over Crown land, over all such public reserves as have not been granted, or vested in trustees or local bodies. He is therefore able to prosecute in cases of trespass, lighting of fires, incursion of cattle and stock, and destruction of forest and vegetation, and by means of his Rangers he is kept acquainted with the condition of the reserves, and any illegal dealing with them is at once reported to him, as in the case of ordinary Crown lands. Such reserves mostly comprise recreation reserves that have not been vested in Domain Boards, forest reserves. travelling stock, public utility, and lands set aside for miscellaneous purposes. (2.) Cemeteries. Under the Cemeteries Act, 1908, warrants were issued during the year appointing trustees for the management of seven new cemeteries, bringing the total number of cemeteries under the supervision

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of the Department up to 492. In most cases the trustees who have been appointed for their control realize the responsibilities placed upon them. There are, however, a few who are dilatory in taking the necessary steps for making by-laws imposing a scale of fees, &c, and in keeping proper burial registers. Such cases when ascertained are duly inquired into, and every effort made to place matters upon a satisfactory basis. In sparsely populated districts the trustees experience some difficulty in obtaining revenue, but such difficulties would be somewhat lessened if they had power to lease any unused portion of their cemeteries. The Department, as far as possible, endeavours to arrange the vesting of cemeteries in the local authorities, as the Act settles upon them the onus of providing suitable cemeteries and burialplaces. When this ran be effected the routine work of the Department is lessened. During the year seven new areas were reserved for cemetery sites. (3.) Public Domains. During the year six new domains were brought under Part II of the Public Reserves and Domains Act, 1908. This now makes a total of 512 administered under the Act. A large proportion of these have been highly improved, and the Boards are generally carrying out their duties satisfactorily. A special report will be laid before Parliament in accordance with the usual practice, giving details in regard to each domain. (4.) Inspection of Sand-dunes and Dune-areas. All around the coast of New Zealand are to be found sand-wastes, in some cases of considerable extent, and their growth, and the consequent diminution of arable or pastoral land, needs careful attention. With a view to obtaining accurate and practical data upon which to work, Dr. Cockayne, the eminent botanist, has off and on for the past two years been inspecting and reporting upon these areas on behalf of the Department, and in a separate report —which will be laid before Parliament —gives the result of his detailed inspections, with valuable suggestions and plans as to combating their incursion and gradually bringing them into cultivation. It behoves local bodies and private landowners, equally with the Government, to grapple with the evil, and there seems no doubt that comprehensive and combined efforts will effect a great transformation in the eand-areas of New Zealand. (5.) Tongariro National Park. Undei the provisions of the Tongariro National Park Act, 1894, the management of the park is intrusted to a Board of Trustees, the permanent Chairman of which is the Minister of Lands, and amongst its members are the Under-Secretary for Lands, the Surveyor-General, and the Commissioner of Crown Lands for the Wellington District. Honorary inspectors have been appointed amongst the officers of the Department, together with a Secretary, and as the clerical and administration expenses are practically nil, owing to correspondence and other matters being undertaken by the Department with its ordinary work, the small vote that is from time to time placed on the appropriations for the purpose of the park is almost entirely devoted to the maintenance and improvement of the huts and tracks. During the year a track has been made, partly by private persons, from Rangataua to Mount Ruapehu, and a new line of ascent provided for visitors. There is no falling-off in visits to the mountains that are included in the boundaries of the park, and as time goes on the varied attractions will be more widely known and appreciated. (6.) Kapiti Island. The Kapiti Island Public Reserve Act, 1897, made the greater part of the island the property of the Crown, and only a small portion now remains in the hands of the Maori owners. A resident caretaker has been appointed by the Department, and has for some time past protected the Native fauna and flora against destruction and interference in a very able manner. Mr. Richard Henry, the caretaker, is well known as having formerly been the sole resident of Resolution Island. Sounds National Park. (7.) Kauri-gum Industry Act. The passing of the Kauri-gum Industry Amendment Act, 1910, placed the administration of the Act in the hands of the Commissioner of Crown Lands, Auckland, in place of the various County Councils that formerly issued licenses and dealt with the lands. At the present time six special Rangers periodically inspect the kauri-gum lands north of Auckland, and see that the provisions of the Act are complied with. Owing to the provisions of the original Kauri-gum Industry Act appearing

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to slightly conflict with the amending Act, the question of the powers of special licenses and their issue to British subjects only has to be submitted to the Crown Law Officers for an opinion thereon. (F.) Miscellaneous. (1.) Old Soldiers' Claims. During the session of L9lO the Government promised that a final revision would be made "I claims by old soldiers and naval and military settlers for grants of land in consideration for their services. In accordance with this promise the Stipendiary Magistrates throughout the Dominion were instructed to inquire into and report upon all claims submitted to them under this heading. It was soon manifest that the statements of applicants needed careful investigation, and that much information was required before the Magistrates could make a recommendation. The Department therefore issued a statement of the various statutes and regulations under which such grants were authorized, giving particulars of the services required to be performed by applicants before they were eligible for grants of land, obtained copies of discharges, searched for and supplied details of services of claimants, and thoroughly checked every claim submitted to the Magistrates. A separate report to Parliament under this heading is now being submitted, and will give full information as to tin , claims made and recommended. Not only were the records of the Lands Department searched and placed at the disposal of the Magistrates, but also the records of the Defence authorities and old Provincial and General Government Gazettes, &c. (2.) Settlers' H&ndbook mid other Publications. Owing to the numerous inquiries from all parts of the world, and particularly from farmers and others in the United Kingdom, it is necessary thai a comprehensive and reliable publication dealing with the various aspects of life in New Zealand as they affect an intending settler should be available for distribution. In 1902 the first Settlers' Handbook was published, and a second and enlarged edition in 1906. The third edition has been issued recently, and copies supplied to the High Commissioner for distribution at the Exhibition in London, which opened on the Ist May. The present edition has been thoroughly revised, and practically rewritten, and contains all possible information regarding the agricultural, dairying, and pastoral industries, the hind legislation of the Dominion, the various laws that effect a settler's operations and property, and the other details that interest an immigrant. A quarterly issue of the " Crown Lands Guide," which contains a full list of all Crown lands available for settlement, also numerous land-sale posters and pamphlets arc published by the Department. Special articles arc written for the " New Zealand Official Year-book" on the land system, and descriptions of the land districts. In addition to these, it often happens that special publications arc desired by the Government for some particular purpose, and in such cases the Department endeavours to supply what is required. (3.) Wanganui River Protection-works. Although these works are carried out by the Wanganui River Trust, yet the Department provides the subsidy for the operations, and exercises a general supervision over the works, so as to insure that they are carried out in conformity with the wishes of the Government, and that the expenditure is reasonable. To that end the Chairman submits a monthly report of works performed, and also a schedule of the works proposed to be carried out. A special report is also laid before Parliament. Here it may be added that the members of the Trust have carried out most valuable works, and given very careful attention to the clearing of the Wanganui Kiver of obstructions to navigation. The fact that it has been possible to carry on the river service during the past extraordinary dry summer, with the river some 4 ft. below its hitherto lowest known summer level, speaks volumes for the work of the Trust, (I.) Grass-seed supplied to Settlers. The total amount repaid during the year in connection with the above matter amounted to £8,269. It is considered that the balance still owing will be repaid as the promissory notes fall due. (5.) Medical Assistance in Sparsely Settled Districts. During the past year payments in aid of maintaining a resident medical practitioner have been paid to the following medical clubs, as set forth in the annexed table : —

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Amount of Amount paid Name of Medical Society. Subsidy. 1910-11. £ £ s. d. Kaitaia .. .. .. .. .. BO 50 0 n Kawakawa .. .. .. .. .. BO 50 0 0 Kawhia .. .. .. .. .. 50 62 10 0 Little River . . .. . . . . . . 50 50 0 0 Nightcaps .. .. .. .. .. 50 37 10 0 Northern Ohura . . . . .. .. . . 50 58 6 8 Ohuia .. .. .. .. .. 100 100 0 0 Owaka .. .. .. .. .. 150 150 0 O Raetihi .. .. .. .. . . 100 100 0 0 Raglan .. .. .. .. .. 50 50 0 0 Taumaruimi .. .. .. .. .. 50 50 0 0 Timii .. .. .. ... .. 50 50 0 0 Tolaga Bay .. .. .. .. .. 75 75 0 0 W'aiau . . .. . . . . .. 25 18 15 0 Wanaka 50 50 0 0 Weber .. .. .. .. .. 50 29 3 4 Whangama .. . . . . . . . . 50 50 0 0 Totals .. .. .. .. £1,050 £1,031 5 0 It is not proposed for the future to renew these amounts on the Lands Department appropriations, but to leave the Health Department to deal with such cases, as they come more properly under its control. (G.) Surveys : Crown, Native, and Road Surveys. The Staff surveyors number 08. to which must be added 20 temporary surveyors, or a total of 78. In addition, there are some 60 on contract work employed on Crown-land surveys for settlement, road surveys, and Native Land Court and Maori Land Board Surveys. The Crownland surveys in the hands of the Staff and contract surveyors amount to 744.653 acres, while the Maori lands under survey total 629,870 acres, or a total of 1,374,523 acres. The Staff and contract smveyors have also under survey nearly 213 miles of roads, to give access to Crown and Maori lands. The estimated cost of Native Land Court and Maori Land Board surveys now in the hands of private surveyors, and paid for in the first instance by the Crown, amounts to close on £30,(101). (H.) Subveys : Miscellaneous. (1.) Triangulation. A revision of the triangulation is now in progress to control the different groups of minor triangulation. Bases have also been measured in the Wairarapa (Wellington Land District), at Eltham (Taranaki Land District), and at Matamata (Auckland Land District), and other bases will also be measured as opportunity offers. As soon as the field-work is completed, and the bearing of the initial line has been determined, the calculation and adjustment of the triangulation will be proceeded with. (2.) Standard Surveys. In most of the large cities, standard surveys have been made or are in progress. The referencemarks are of a permanent nature, being large concrete blocks, and the occupation is determined and the alignment decided on for future building. The City Corporations bear part of the cost, and endeavour to protect the reference-marks from alteration or damage. (3.) Magnetic Survey and Observatory, The Magnetic Observatory at Christchurch is kept in full working-order by officers of the Department. In it are the Adie magnetograph and the Milne seismograph No. 16, as well as minor instruments. Continuous records are kept by these instruments showing and recording earthquake tremors and magnetic disturbances. The Observatory is also a meteorological station. (I.) Tidal Survey. This survey was inaugurated in 1909, and undertakes the harmonic analysis and the prediction of the tides of the Dominion. The tide-tables are supplied to the Lord Commissioners of the Admiralty for publication in the Admiralty tide-tables, for the convenience of His Majesty's ships and of the mercantile marine.

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The tide-tables are also supplied to the Marine Department for their publication in the " New Zealand Nautical Almanac." The prediction for the Wellington tides of 1912 has been finished, and the analysis of the Auckland tides is now in progress. The other ports where there are automatic tide-gauges will be dealt with in turn. A line of precise levels has been run from the Wellington tidegauge on the Jervois Quay wharf to the tide-gauge at Seatoun, and permanent concrete bench-marks have been established at frequent intervals along the sea-shore, between the gauges. (5.) Revision of Coastal Surveys. The Department is constantly revising the Admiralty charts of the coast of New Zealand, as detail sectional surveys of land around the coasts become available. At present no officers are specially detailed for such surveys, but surveyors working on the coast-lines include this as part of their work. (6.) Board of Examiners. This Board was constituted in 1900, and now holds authority under the Surveyor's Institute and Board of Examiners Act, 1908. In conjunction with the federated Boards of Examiners in Australia, it conducts half-yearly examinations every March and September, and also issues licenses to surveyors, and certificates of competency, inquiries into charges of negligence, inaccurate surveys, &c, and has power to suspend or cancel any surveyor's license. It makes regulations for conducting the examinations, and for the survey of land. The Surveyor-General is the present Chairman of the Board, the Chief Surveyor for the Canterbury Land District is also a member, and the secretary is a permanent officer of the Department. A conference of the Australian and New Zealand Boards in held every three years to discuss matters relating to the profession, the latest having been held in January, 1911, at Hobart. which was attended by the Surveyor-General and Mr. Thomas Humphries (ex-Surveyor-General). The Board will be represented at the Conference of Surveyors-General to be held in London in May, 1911, when the question of Imperial reciprocity in surveyors' licenses will be discussed. Existing reci prooity is limited in its scope, and is practically confined to Australia and New Zealand. (I.) State Forests. The area reserved under the provisions of the State Forests Act, 1908, as on 31st March, 1911. amounted to 2,099,650 acres. States forests are dealt with by the Commissioner of State Forests, who is also Minister of Lands, the several Commissioners of Crown Lands being conservators in their respective districts. The revenue derived from the sales of timber, &c, from these lands during the past year amounted to £15,333. Attached to the State Forests Department, and administered with it. is the Afiorestation Branch, which obtains the moneys necessary for the carrying-out of the operations in its nurseries and plantations from the proceeds of timber-sales in State forests, supplemented' by direct grants from the Consolidated Fund. The amounts derivable from the sales of timber are a diminishing quantity, and it is therefore evident that the extension of afforestation operations will depend upon the amount which can be spared from the Consolidated Fund, and directly appropriated by Parliament. The usual statistical report will be laid before Parliament giving complete details of the work carried on so conscientiously by Messrs. Goudie and Robinson,* Superintending Nurserymen, and their staffs in the North and South Islands respectively. The cordial and effective co-operation of the Prisons Department, under the Under-Secretary for Justice, has been a most important factor in the successful planting operations in the various plantations in which there are prison camps. (J.) Scenery-preservation. The carrying-out of the provisions of the Scenery Preservation Act, 1908, and its important amendment of 1910, is intrusted to the Lands Department, though under the control of a separate Minister. Under the Act a special Board is set up, through which all recommendations to the Minister must come. The Board consists of the Surveyor-General as Chairman, the Undersecretary of, the Native Department as conserving Maori land interests, the General Manager for Tourist and Health Resorts, whose Department is specially interested in conserving the scenery of New Zealand, and the Commissioner of Crown Lands in each district where scenic beauties are to be reserved. The report is laid before Parliament by the Minister in charge.

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(K.) Immigration. The duties which come, under the above heading are carried out by the officers of the Lands Department, the Under-Secretary lor Lands being also Under-Secretary for Immigration, but under the direction of the Minister for Immigration. The work performed is more directly connected with the class of immigrant nominated by relatives in New Zealand. The Department also carries on extensive correspondence with persons in all parts of the world who are desirous of obtaining information regarding this Dominion. (L.) Native Hatters : Surveys, etc., ok Maori Lands. Owing to the passing of bhe Native Land Act, 1909, the direct purchase of Native hinds by the Lands Department Las oeased, though the Under-Secretary for Lands is a member of the Native Land Purchase Board as constituted under section 361 of the Native Land Act, 1909. This Department has, however, been completing during the past year the purchases commenced by it under previous Acts, notably that of a large portion of the Moerangi Block, in Kawhia County, and an area of from 60,000 to 80.000 acres in the Urewera country. The Lands Department is also carrying out the decision of the- Government that the whole of ibe surveys of Maori lands were to be made under its direction, and that payment to private surveyors for Maori-land surveys would, in the first instance, be advanced by the Government through this Depart ment. The areas of Native lands under survey at present amount to 629,870 acres. Corresponded ■)■;. etc. A report by the Chief Clerk is attached giving a general detail of the work performed by the Head Office and of the numerous subjects dealt with, E&ofc officer has his allotted work, and takes a great interest in carrying it out. Accounts, etc. A report is also attached by the Chief Accountant showing the numerous and diverse nature of the accounts dealt with by his branch of the Head Office work, more particularly under the special Aits of Parliament connected with the drainage operations. &c. Promotions ami Transfers, etc. In July last, Mr. F. W. Flanagan, Commissioner of Crown Lands for the Canterbury District, was promoted to the very important post of Valuer-General, a position which his considerable experience should enable him to fill with great benefit to the Public Service. The vacancy caused by his promotion was filled by the transfer of Mr. T. N. Brodrick from Hawke's Bay to the more responsible position of Commissioner of Crown Lands and Chief Surveyor for the Canterbury District. The position of Commissioner of Crown Lands and Chief Surveyor, Hawke's Bay (which includes Gisborne and the cast coast), was filled by the promotion of Mr. C. R. Pollen. Chief Draughtsman and Surveyor, Auckland. The position of Chief Draughtsman in the Auckland Office was filled by the promotion of Mr. H. D. McKellar. Land Transfer Draughtsman ami .Surveyor, his place being taken by Mr. T. K. Thompson, formerly District Surveyor. Mr. I). W. Gillies. Chief Draughtsman in the Nelson Office, was appointed to the position of an Inspecting Surveyor in tin , Auckland District, and his place was taken by Mr. B\ E. Greenfield, formerly Draughtsman and Surveyor in the Blenheim office. It is with extreme regret thai I have to chronicle the death of Mr. G. P. Wilson, a. senior draughtsman on the Head Office staff. Mr. Wilson's work was of the highest class, and his unassuming disposition, coupled with strict integrity, and the conscientious discharge of Ins duties, endeared him to the whole staff. The draughting staff of the Head Office has carried out its duties —involving the supply of all maps for census and representation put poses —under the supervision of Mr. H. T. McCardell. acting as Chief Draughtsman. Mr. McCardell's illness later in the yea* necessitated the temporary appointment of Mr. H. A. R. Farquhar, Draughtsman and Surveyor, to that position. Conclusion. I have to thank all the Commissioners of Crown Lands and Chief Surveyors, together with the whole of the field and office staff, for the conscientious and painstaking manner in which their duties have been performed. Assisted by the several Land Boards, the ( onunissioners discharge most onerous iv C. 1.

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statutory duties. The interests of the Government and the people of New Zealand are well conserved, and the Lands Department has a staff of loyal and efficient officers of which any country may be proud.

Report by the Chief Clerk. The Chief Clerk reports that during the past year the work of the Head Office has been performed by the officers with efficiency and despatch. Correspondence. —The greatest portion of the correspondence dealt with in the Head Office is that which takes place between the several district offices ; but there were also 4,500 communications passing through the office upon matters which did not emanate from the Chief Surveyors or Commissioners of Crown Lands. The volume of correspondence may be gauged from the following figures : Letters and memoranda received, 20,950 ; despatched, 15,437. This number relates to land subjects, and to it must be added those relating to immigration questions, which are also dealt with by the same staff, and for the latter there were 11,653 inward and outward communications, making the large total of 48,040 letters received and despatched during the year. Land-sales. —There were 207 Warrants issued in connection with the sales—viz., seventy notifying lands for selection on the optional system, fifty-seven notifying lands for selection on renewable lease. forty-one notifying lands for sale by public auction, and thirty-nine notifying settlement lands for renewable lease. Five Proclamations were issued setting apart lands as small grazing-runs, three Proclamations setting apart village settlements, two withdrawing lands from these conditions, and two Orders in Council fixing the terms and conditions of leases of sections in village settlements were also issued. Consequent upon the sale of pastoral runs during February the office had a very busy period in January and February in the preparation and publication of sale plans, no less than forty-seven plans being issued during these two months. In several instances 2,000 copies of a plan had to be printed. During the year 174 sale plans were issued, the number of copies varying from 500 to 2,000 according to the importance of the plan. Reserves. —During the year ninety-four Warrants of temporary reservation under section 321 of the Land Act, 1908, and ten permanent Warrants under section 322, were prepared, executed by His Excellency the Governor, and duly gazetted. The total number of sections reserved under this Act was 171, of an area of 32,720 acres, as follows : — ~.,.. Number of Area See (ions. (Acres). Auckland .. .. .. .. .. ..40 3,290 Hawke's Bay . . .. .. .. .. 6 17 Taranaki .. .. . . .. .. 37 1,604 Wellington .. .. .. .. .. 15 45 Nelson .. .. .. .. '.. .. 56 2.695 Marlborough .. .. .. .. .. . . 2 10 Westland .. .. ... .. .. .. I 3 Canterbury . . . . . . .. . . . . 4 18 Otago .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 5 30 Southland .. .. .. .. .. .. 5 25,008 Totals .. .. .. .. .. 171 32,720 In addition to the above, four Proclamations were issued under the State Forests Act, declaring an area of 10,280 acres to be State forests ; and an area of 36,404 acres was withdrawn from the operations of the Act in pursuance of section 28 thereof, three Proclamations being necessary for this purpose. Under the Scenery Preservation Act, 1908, nineteen Proclamations were issued reserving fortythree sections, covering -an area of 54,348 acres, as follows : — District. Number of Area sections. (Acres). Auckland .. .. .. .. .. .. 2 47 Wellington . . . . . . . . . . .. 7 1,286 Nelson . . . . . . . . . . . . . . I 647 Westland .. .. .. .. .. ..20 51,678 Otago .. .. .. .. .. .. 10 690 Totals .. .. .. .. 43 54,348 The various dealings with reserves under the Public Reserves and Domains Act, 1908, necessitated the preparation and gazetting of the following instruments : Twenty-eight Orders in Council vesting forty-six reserves ; ten notices of intention to change the purpose of reserves ; seventeen Warrants and Orders in Council changing the purpose ; three Warrants exchanging reserves for other land : four Orders in Council authorizing exchange; one notice of intention to define purpose ; one Warrant

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defining purpose. In addition to the, above seven Orders in Council were prepared and issued, bringing thirteen sections under the provisions of the Tourist and Health Resorts Control Act, 1908, and six were prepared and gazetted, vesting the control of fourteen sections in the Minister having the administration of the said Act. Road Proclamations. —Under the Native Land Act, 1909, seventeen Proclamations taking and laying off roads under sections 387, 388, and 389 of the Act were prepared and gazetted : these roads were chiefly in the Auckland District. Thirty-four authorities were issued under section 403. authorizing certain surveyors to enter upon Native lands for the purpose of executing surveys. Under section 11 of the Land Act, 1908, fifteen Proclamations were issued taking land for roads. and two notices of the taking and laying-ofE were issued under section 14. Three Warrants under the hand of His Excellency the Governor were issued under section 14, authorizing the taking of roads, and one was issued under section 213 of the Land Act. Three notices of the taking and laying-off of roads under section 93 of the Public Works Act, 1908. were also prepared and gazetted. Loans obtained for reading Lands. During the year twenty-one Proclamations and two Warrants were prepared and gazetted in order that loans might be obtained under the New Zealand Stateguaranteed Advances Act, to improve and prepare twenty-throe blocks for settlement, and the necessary action taken to comply with the provisions of the Act. Domains. —Twenty-eight Orders in Council bringing recreation reserves under Part II of the Public Reserves and Domains Act were executed. Thirty-six Orders were also issued appointing Domain Boards, and 102 appointments to fill vacancies upon existing Boards were also made. Cemeteries. —ln addition to the usual routine matters concerning cemeteries, fifty-five Warrants were gazetted appointing or removing trustees. Miscellaneous. —Forty-five Proclamations, Warrants, and instruments were issued dealing with various matters. Regulations under the Land Act as to recording improvements on Crown leaseholds were issued. Amended regulations under the Kauri-gun) Industry Act were also issued. A number of certificates were given as to ages and dates of arrival in the Dominion of persons claiming the old-age pensions, the information being obtained from the old immigration records. Pour editions of the Land Guide were published, the total number of copies amounting to 12,000. A monthly poster of the lands for sale each month was published, in addition to the special sale plans referred to above. The usual and necessary returns and statements were prepared, in addition to forty-five special returns that were required during the year. Titles. —The following return contains a summary of the number of Crown grants, Warrants, certificates of title, and miscellaneous leases and licenses issued during the yeaT :

Report by the Chief Accountant. The Chief Accountant, reports that during the year the work of his branch has considerably increased, as evidenced by the fact that 16,833 vouchers were passed through his office, being an increase of 2,052 over that of the previous year. During the year a considerable portion of his time has been occupied both in and out of the office in negotiating with Native owners with regard to the purchase of Native lands under offer to the Crown.

Lμ jj & mh Certificates of Number I Area in Number Area in ° § a § ° S Title not included Q j Q eI Grants, of Miscel- MisoelDistrict. J J j<S l≤ , r Arrai !' mWarrante. ,. fi(!ates Warrants laneous laneoue g c Sβ g £ warrants. £ > and Certifi- Leases Leases 3 jt < is a j2 T . , cates of and and j*j I J JNmnber. Area. Title. | , .^.^ j Acres. Acres. Acres. Acres. Acres. Auckland 4 474 42 49,443 33 4,500 277 54,417 19 184 Hawke's Bay .. 4 206 10 15,408 5 63 120 lo,677 2 ■ 55 Taranaki 11 12,436 7 I 1C 69 12,582 25 98 Wellington 22 19,485 26 2,500 160 21,985 36 890 Nelson ..1 84 3 8,914 .. .. 36 8,998 Marlborough 10 9,371 17 I.7OO 115 11,071 24 1,014 Westland 2 3,914 .. .. 4 3,914 5 20,300 Canterbury 7 3,877 2 134 28 4,011 30 66,790 Otago 24 7,256 > 72 75 7,328 5 90,880 Southland 33 32,884 2 15 , 47 32,899 2 24,458 Totals .. ; 9 764 164 162,988 07 9,130 931 172,882 L48 204,669 I I

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Appended below is the summary of the expenditure approved by the. Department for the year ended 31st March, 1911 :—

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'& Na me of Vote or Account. | £ £ s. d. 75 Lands and Survey ... ... 162,808 178,302 8 0 76 Lands and Survey, Miscellaneous 74,832 39,125 16 0 11 Immigration ... ... 20,000 34,775 1 7i .18 Improved-farm Settlements ... 8,000 11,81115 11 19 i Lands, Miscellaneous ... 4,500 1,223 10 0 .20 ! State Forests ... ... 22,651 23,631 6 10 22 Scenery-preservation ... ... 10,350 3,744 0 5 Recoveries. Expenditure (Net). £ s. 32,035 5 9,617 7 25,334 6 1,663 16 246 0 185 3 13 4 d. £ s. d. 8' 146,267 2 4 5: 29,508 8 7 6 9,440 15 1 1 10,147 19 10 6 977 9 6 0 23,446 3 10 0 3,730 16 5 ' ' Totals ... ... 303,141 292,613 18 9 69,095 3 2 223,518 15 7 Consolidated Fund, Unauthorized Account 773 19 0 Special Acts Deposit Accounts, kc. ... 21,411 18 11 Land for Settlements Account (including 13,807 11 2 Votes Nos. 123 and 124) Cheviot Estate Account ... ... 8,888 8 10J Hauraki Plains Settlement Account ... ! 32,103 14 0 National Endowment Account ... ... 23,520 10 2 Native Land Settlement Account ... 137,519 7 8 Totals 238,025 9 91 '200 0 1,662 1 0 1 573 19 0 21,411 18 11 13,807 11 2 8,888 8 10 30,441 12 11 23,520 10 2 137,277 10 4 241 17 i 2,103 18 5 235,921 11 4 Grand totals ... ... 530,639 8 6 • ■ I 530,639 8 6 71,199 1 7 459,440 6 11

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APPENDICES.

APPENDIX I.—SETTLEMENT OF CROWN LANDS.

EXTRACTS FROM THE REPORTS OF THE COMMISSIONERS OF CROWN LANDS ON SETTLEMENT OPERAIIONS DURING THE TWELVE MONTHS WHICH ENDED ON THE 31st MAIM 1 !!, 101 I.

AUCKLAND. The Settlement of Chowm Lands. Tiikki: is Qo doubt that, although the energies of the Departmeni are concentrated in placing <m tlu' market the maximum area available, it must be admitted there is no slackening in the demand. The applications received were largely in excess of those lodged during the previous year, and it is quite evident that any land of fair quality and moderately accessible is eagerly competed for. There are several promineni features to be noted in an analysis of applications. It is noticed that a very large proportion of the applicants hail from places in the Dominion outside the Auckland Land District, particularly from the South Island. The fad thai the great bulk of the applicants are entirely landless is apparent, and also that a large percentage are single men who have been repeatedly unsuccessful in former ballots. The presence of so many previously unsuccessful persons in the ballots has directed the attention of the Land Board to the desirability of seriously considering putting into operation the power in the Land Act giving preference to applicants of this class. The Hoard's examination of applicants as to their bova fides appears to deter the entry of the class of applicant that has no genuine intention of settlement on the land, and there has been a check in a marked degree in what is known as " family dunnnyism.' To m< el the pressing demand lor land, there was available during the year an area of 119,930 acres. Of this area. 57,368 acres was offered iimler the optional system anil Hie balance under various iix.d tenures. Of these fixed tenures, pastoral runs and small grazing-runs absorbed 24,492 acres. This land is not capable of being worked in small areas, and its selection is therefore dependent upon men with sufficient capital to manage huge runs. There were thirty-one ballots conducted during the twelve months. There oan <>nly W one opinion in regard to the conditions of settlement, and that is the absolute success achieved by the great majority of selectors. From all sources reports show that genuine settlers are well eatisfied with their holdings, and are more than proving their bona fides by the very extensive improvements they are effecting, largely in excess of the value stipulated in the conditions of selection. Areas selected for settlement which are covered with standing hush are so obviously bad an investment whilst they remain in that condition that very great cnerg\ is to be observed in the cleariiii: ami graesing of buah lands. In all agricultural and pastoral pursuits highly satisfactory results are reported. The season, on the whole, has been a prosperous one. A drought which occurred in some parts of the district did not prevent a record yield of butter: the wool-market maintained high prices, and there were excellent returns from' white crops, with indications of a satisfactory demand. In soi.H' parts a serious failure in the turnip crop is reported. This is a matter of great concern causing, as it has done, a rise in the price of meat. Notwithstanding the natural increase in stock, and the additions to herds acquired to stock the greater area of grazing land coming in, values have considerably increased, owing, it is said, to the limited number of beasts available for fattening purposes. This shortage, it is alleged, is due t<. the large extent to which the Jersey breed is being introduced to improve dairy herds. In regard to dairying, the home separator has proved of incalculable benefit to the small farmer Hitherto the' settler whose means of transit was restricted to a paokhorse was so severely handicapped as to make it impossible to deliver his milk to the creamery. The improvement "f access is. of course, the burning question in the development of the country, and the conditions which prevail in regard to this very important matter must, and do, have b very marked effect upon the attitude which the Land Board adopts in dealing with settlers in regard to the fulfilment of their obligations. The desire for railway communication is again mentioned in the reports from some districts, whilst much satisfaction is expressed at the puslnngoi; of the railway in other parts. There has been a marked decline in the gum industry, with the result that applications are beinir made to remove restrictions over areas reserved for digging, so that the land may be available for settlement In cases where this has been done, fruit-farms, giving very satisfactory results, have been established. The land, however, requires good cultivation, abundance of artificial manures, and suitable grasses. _ The Max industry is also at a standstill, operations being m most cases restricted to those who own the flax-areas. I—C. 1.

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There is activity in the coal industry, and prospecting of a very successful nature lias Ixfii a feature of the year. Considerable employment is also being provided in the development of lime-works. In all parts of the district the erection of schools, creameries, saleyards, &c., point to a greal development going on, and a visit to the pioneer settlements must convince any on? that there is very substantial activity in the industries of the Dominion. Rangers' Reports. The Ranger* Kgaio exceeded their previous returns of individual inspsotions made, the proportion of defaulters being almost the same as that of the previous year. Some arrears of inspections which had accumulated from earlier periods, owing to postponements on account of difficulties of OOOees and press of other work, were systematically taken in hand and brought up to date. Te Akau Block. The first statutory inspection of holdings in this block has now been made. The population consists of fifty-six persons. The improvements were in excess of requirements, reaching a total value of £9,456. There were 2,265 head of cattle, 5,085 sheep, mid L 62 horses. An area of 1,489 acres of bush was felled, and (i.'il acres were cleared of scrub. 'I'h, , access at present is from Ngaruawahia, which is distant about thirty miles by a fair road. A more important road to the settlers is being made to deep water at Raglan. When a school is erected there will lie a number of families, who are now living elsewhere, resilient on the block. Progress is very apparent, and the state of the settlement is exceedingly satisfactory. Iμ phovhd-farw Settlements. There were three new settlements established near Otorohanga just prior to the close of tho previous year, known respectively as Rangitoto Nos. 1 and '2 and Korakonui. The' tirst general inspection shows that in Rangitoto Xo. I. where thirty-eight selectors' holdings were inspected, thirty-five have fulfilled requirements. The total area under cultivation is 645 acres, and the value of improvements is £2,596. The establishment of a school will add very considerably to the welfare of the settlement. In Rangitoto No. 2 wry good progress has been made, ami some of the settlers will be in a position to milk a few cows next season. All the selectors are residing, and they have brought .120 acres under cultivation, the total value of their improvements being £I, ill (i. There is only one non-resident selector in Korakonui Settlement, and {here are indications that the selectors will make a success of their holdings. They have cultivated ■'!•")•") acres, and their improvements aie worth £1,379. It must, of course, l>o remembered that in all these settlements xi.'\-y liberal financial aid has lieen and is still being accorded to the settlers under the particular regulations which μ-ovein the allotment of sections. The crucial test will conic when cash advances and payment for improvements, and supply of grass-seed and fencing-wire, cease, and settlers are dependent entirely on their own resources. At present they ate not required to pay rent for the land nor interest on the money advanced. It will take the combined energy of the selectors to assure the future welfare and success of the settlements. In the interests of the many who have already proved them selves worthy of the assistance they have received, any that develop indolence will have to l>e removed from their holdings The Haukaki Plains Block. Xo statutory inspection of the holdings in tills block has yet fallen due, but from what can lx' gathered from corresp lence with selectors, and interviews with persons who have visited the locality with a view to applying for land to Ik- offered later, there are generally optimistic opinions on the future of the settlement. A feature of the first ballot for sections was the number of withdrawals by persons who, at the last minute, were influenced by the reports of people who were evidently quite ignorant of the conditions which prevailed and unfamiliar with the development of swamp lands. Those who had withdrawn were only too anxious to lodge applications for the second ballot, and since that ballot numerous inquiries have been received for particulars of a further area. This appears to l>e an ample refutation of the pessimistic views which had such an effect on the tirst ballot, and must have substantiated the confidence of those really competent to judge. FORFEITUI'iKS. Although the Land Hoard has persisted in its policy of getting rid of those selectors who are obviously undeserving, and who flagrantly make default in. or attempt to evade, the fulfilment of their obligations, it is a satisfactory indication of the conditions that prevail that there has been a falling-off in the number of forfeitures. The care taken to assist the energetic who may !><■ overtaken by misfortune, and the discretion exercised in dispensing leniency, have had the very best effect in the promotion of settlement. The task is not an easy one when it is considered lhat the interests of a non-resident selector who it is apparent to the Hoard has a legitimate reason for his absence clash with the interests of settlers living on their holdings, but who are prevented by absentees from securing schools and other necessaries of a civilized community. AnREARS of Rental. The number of selectors in arreir, the area that they hold, and the amount in arrear (exclusive of the current half-year's rent) are less in each case than those of last year, although there are more selectors now on the Imoks.

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Transfers. A very large number of applications to transfer came before the Laud Board, 624 being approved and sixteen refused. There, were also thirty-live additional transfers under the Thermal Springs Act. It cannot be expected that there will be a diminution in these transactions whilst • lie general prosperity and tlie demand for land in the district continues. In any case, the approval of transfers is provided for by law, and the changing circumstances of settlers in such an extended district as this will always result in a very large number of dealings being submitted for consideration. Conversions of Tk.mkf. to Renewable Lease. Applications nmk-r this beading are restricted almost entirely to those made In selectors on llamaki pastoral and mining district land-occupation tenures. There has been a fnlling-off in the number lodged this year. The Warden lias nut approved of some, on account of their conflicting with mining interests, and want of access has prevented tin.- Land Board from approving of others. Most of the applicants under I lie tenures referred t<i have as an ultimate object the conversion provided for by the statute. Purchase ok Fee-simple of Lbask in Perpetuity. Transactimis of this nature have almost eiitireh cased, for, notwithstanding the very large number of lessees under lease in perpetuity on the books, only six applied to acquire the freehold during the year. "Thirds," "Fourths,? 1 and " Halvbs." The amount paid over to the local bodies was this year {;.">,IMHI greater than during the previous year. Some discussion arose between the Board and a local body in regard to the amount of "halves" to be paid over, but in regard to "thirds" and "fourths" no hindrances to payment have arisen, beyond the neglect in a few eases to show in the proposals where the money was in be spent with sufheient accuracy to enable the proposed works to be located. Land Board. Nineteen meetings were held dining the year. Of these, three were special meetings, held at Rotorua, Tauranga, and Whangarei respectively. Special meetings at centres outside Auckland City were decided on as a convenience to settlers who are unable to come to town. From the views expressed by deputations which interviewed the Hoard, it is evident that the innovation is appreciated by settlers. The Board found that it had a better opportunity of disposing of grievances which existed chiefty in the imagination of the Crown tenants. Since these' meetings were initiated, applications to have similar meetings have hern received from other centres. Land Revenue. The gross revenue for the district amounted to £130,796 11s. 7d., being an increase of £22,7.">0 12s. 7d. over that of the previous year. Office-work. In the first place there is the preparation of details for the disposal of lands put on the market. The despatch of a very large number of posters and the necessity for a great deal of correspondence must be apparent when it is noticed what a large area was dealt with during the year. There were 30,259 letters, 1,297 packets, and 1,541 telegrams received during the twelve months, and 33,984 letters, 11,501 packets, and 1,325 telegrams despatched, comparison showing a great increase on the previous year's work, llieli, following the disposal of the land is the collection of revenue. This necessitated the issue of 11,643 receipts, in addition to which there were 1,000 operations on the Deposit Account, which entailed the issue of 2,313 receipts, and represented an additional 5,400 entries in ledgers. Arc. But with the disposal of large areas and the collection of revenue the ollice-work is not ended, as there is the preparation, signature, and registration of selectors' titles. This work involved the writing of forty-one warrants, IS!) leases in quadruplicate, -524 licenses in triplicate, fifty-four certificates of occupation in duplicate, and six single copies of certificates lor •'l s " three Crown grants in duplicate and two in triplicate. Finally, after placing applicants in legal possession, there is the work which arises in the supervision of the holdings in regard to fulfilment of obligations, and the perusal of dealings by transfer and otherwise, which are lodged for the approval of the Land Board. The vast interests of the district in regard to timber, coal, and mining transactions, domains ami reserves generally, and questions of roading and drainage, cause a volume of work the variety of which makes it almost impossible to appreciate when making an analysis of the year's operations in the administration of the Department. Conclusion. I am glad to Ih' able to report that my labours have been lightened by the loyalty and assist ance rendered me by the officers of the Lands Department. Emc C. Gold Smith, Commissioner of Crown Lands.

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HAWKE'S BAY. The Settlement of Crowd Lands. Tin. , desire to acquire Crown land in tliis district is still great, as evidenced by the Large number of applicants for each section offered for sale or selection. All intending settlers recognize that the Department is doing its utmost to provide land for settlement at a fair and reasonable value, to provide means of access, and to help the smaller settlers in every way to make a home on the land. Generally speaking, the Crown tenants in this district are drawn from a good class of settlers, who are carrying out all the conditions of their leases, and, in spite of the drought, the rents are mostly paid up to date. Each year the area of ordinary Crown lands suitable for close settlement is fast diminishing, and will soon be exhausted unless more Native or private lands are acquired. Sawmilling operations have commenced at a newly erected mill at Malawai. With the opening of the mill there is the unostentatious initiation of an industry which, with the extension of the railway facilities towards Motu, will play an important part in the development of the resources of the district. The timber-area of the Dominion is running out, and experienced sawmillers are turning their attention to the Motu district as one of the remaining localities still mimilled. 'i he owner of the above mill contemplates installing another mill, capable of turning nut 20,00(1 superficial feet per day (double the capacity of the present plant), early in the coming spring. Plans are to be prepared for one of the most complete mills in the Dominion. The revenue for the year was £112,414 os. 10d., which is a record for the district, an increase of £10,422 12s. 4d. over last .year. Disposal of Remaining Crown Lands It is proposed to offer for sale or selection during the current year an area of 58,012 acres i The following are brief descriptions of the principal blocks: — I , art Tamaki No. 4 Block (551 acres): Mixed-forest country, the bush being principally inahoe, tawa, rata, rimu, tawhero, Arc. Most of the land is Mat or undulating, and will be ploughable when cleared and stumped. The soil on the Hats is chiefly rich alluvial deposit overlying shingle. Makaretu Survey District, Section G, Block 111 (94 acres): Mostly undulating country, all in grass; soil is of fair though light quality, resting on rock and clay formation. Ngatapa Survey District (O,(ilO acres): Mixed bush with tawa, kahikatea, ivc, with birch on top of ridges; well watered; soil light. Xgatapa, part Run No. 47 (390 acres): Open grass land; soil fair to good. Waitara Survey District (11,143 acres): Open fern and manuka land, portions in Native and self-sown English grasses; light pumice soil. Kaweka and Pohui Survey Districts (11,000 acres): Comprises about Toil acres bush, principally black-birch; balance undulating and broken open country: soil light pumice, resting ou slate rock. Tongoio Settlement (2,086 acres): Comprises good limestone country intersected by deep gullies oarrying good water. The sections as a whole are covered with a good sole of grass, but places have gone back to native pasture and required to be icsown. Tuahu and Waikaremoana Survey Districts (6,000 acres): Mixed bush land with thick underscrub; well watered ; soil varies from inferior to fair, sandstone and papa Formation. Tutamoe (7,570 acres): Undulating country, covered with mixed bush: formation generally papa and clay; good soil, suitable for sheep and cattle. Mangapoike Block, Opoiti Survey District (486 acres): Mixed bush: formation is papa, with a little pumice on the top soil. Manawaangiaugi Block (12,070 acres): Open hilly country, partly grassed; soil fair to good. Smai.i. Ghazing-runs. The term of the leases of seven small grazing-runs expired during the year. The aggregate area of these was 24,442 acres and 39 perches, formerly let at an annual rental of £180 I-"is. Bd. All were renewed for a further term of twenty-one years at greatly advanced rentals, which now total £1,720 2s. 4d. per annum. Bl : SH FELLED AND tJBASSED. The area of bush felled on Crown lands during the year was 12,421 acres, and, as this area only includes Crown lands inspected, it means thai a considerable area of bush was felled, burnt, and grassed in the district, indicating that the settlers are doing their utmost to bring in bush land to a carrying-capacity. Inspection* and Rangers' Reports. The Crown Lands Ranger for the northern or Poverty Bay portion of the district reports thai hi' inspected eighteen sections under the occupation-with-right-of-purchase tenure, five under the lease-in-perpetuity, five under the renewable-lease, and twelve under the small-grazing-run tenure, making a total of forty inspections with a total area of 61,640 acres. The improvements required under the Act amount to £13,722, while the improvements effected are valued at £(>.">,705. These selectors have all complied with trie conditions of their leases, and none are in default for improvements or residence. Two hundred and eight special inspections were also made, covering an area of 79,485 acres. These comprise principally reports on the damage done by flood in March and April, 1910;

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inspections and valuations of' Crown lands, small grazing-runs under the Land Act, 1885, timber, stock, gravel, and foresi reserves, non-compliance with conditions of leases, &c. ; altogether, with 171 reports on lenses held under land-for-settlement conditions, making a total of 419 inspections during the jear, covering an area of 188,720 acres. Included in the above miscellaneous reports are six small grazing-runs the leases of which will expire during the coming year. The total area of these was 10,153 acres. There is very little agricultural farming in this district. All the Crown tenants devote their energies to wool-growing and the raising and fattening of stock. The juice of wool lias been well maintained from a vendor's point of view, but there has been a shortage of close on 20 pel- cent, in the weight of wool clipped. This is accounted lor principally by the climatic conditions of the past year. At the end of March ami the beginning of April last year this district experienced heavy Hoods, followed by a wet winter, and a dry summer, which was almost a drought in Poverty Hay. Things were beginning to look rather serious when the weather broke early in February. As the ground at this time was very dry and warm, the Jain brought on a great flush of feed at such a rate that there is not much nourishment in it for fattening purposes. All the stock at the present time are looking very well, and the prospect for the coming year is favourable in every way. There is plenty of feed everywhere, and the turnip crops are looking splendid. The only trouble now is, with so much feed, for the settlers to get sufficient stock. There is a large shortage of cattle at the present time, ami between twenty and thirty thousand more could be easily carried. The dry summer indirectly did much good, as it enabled the bush settlers to obtain good burns, and clear up ground that in previous years they could not burn on account of wet weather. It also did a lot of good on the open grass lands, for, there being a shortage of feed, all the paddocks were thoroughly cleaned up of rank grass and rubbish. When the rain came it meant that we had a second spring with all new grass. The lambing throughout the district , has not been so good as in some previous years, 'Ihis is put down principally to the nasal bot or face ec/.cma affecting some of the rams. Generally speaking, this has not been a good season for fattening stock, but the prices have been wvy good, especially beef, which has realized :21s. per hundredweight all through the season. This works out at an average of about £8 per head. Fat lambs brought from 4Jd. to per pound, which works out at about lls. (id. or 12s. (id. for a five-months lamb, and fat sheep brought up to 15s. per head. Besides the two freezing-works at Gisborne, another freezing-works was opened at Tokomarii Day mi the 24th January. This will be a great boon to the surrounding district, anil do away with the loss in weight and knocking about sustained by fat stock travelling down the coast, and bring all the rich grazing-lands along the coast into the fat-lamb trade. On account of the isolation, the freezing-works are the salvation of the Poverty Hay District. The Crown Lands Ranger for the southern portion of the district reports that, judging b\ the results of inspections of ."i(>,x holdings, comprising land-for-settlement lands, cash selections, occupa.tion-w ith-rigiit-of-purchase holdings, national-endowment lands, pastoral runs, special settlement and village-homestead allotments, the settlers arc prospering and in good heart. The improvement clause in the pastoral-run system has increased, and will increase, the demand for this class of tenure. The Government have expended a considerable sum during the year in protective works on the Waipawa River bank in Lindsay Settlement; and on Tongoio Settlement a sum of money has been spent in snagging Te Ngaru Stream, with the object of clearing the channel and allowing the escape of Hood-water, which was gradually becoming blocked by willow trunks and branches. Lands opened up during the year in the Tahoraite, Makaretu, and Wakarara Survey Disi licts met with a kefn demand, and arc now occupied for the most part by a genuine class of settler. The Education Department have as usual assisted materially in the progress of settlement by the establishment of schools at Ruaroa, Titree Point, and Makaretu South. Arrangements are also being made for a new school at Maharakeke to supply the wants of Hatunia Settlement and the neighbourhood. Speaking generally, land-settlement in Hawke's Hay is in a most satis factory condition. Akbbabs of Rent. The total amount of ai rears of rent is very much less than il has been for some years. Exclusive of the current half-yearly instalments, the arrears amount to £•'!■'!!) .'!s. 7d.. owing by sixteen tenants. FORFEITURES AND SuiiRENDEKS. I here were six forfeitures for non-compliance with conditions, and six surrenders, during the year, which is a ver\ small proportion considering that there are 1,630 holdings on the books. Transfers. The Laud Board has been very careful, in dealing with eases of applications to transfer, to see that the incoming tenants are in every way suitable for carrying out the conditions of the lease. The Board approved of 140 applications and rejected seven. PuRtHASK of Fee-simple. Owing to the prosperous condition of some of the Crown tenants, thirty-two took advantage of this privilege and paid for the freehold of their holdings, thereby increasing the revenue for the vcar to the extent of .£ I 5,75.'i 17s. 3d.

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Land Boahd. There were sixteen ordinary and two special meetings of the I.ami Board beld during the year. In several cases the meetings extended over two days, more especially in the examination of applicants for land in the Ngatapa, Waikohu, and Norsewood Survey Districts. Members of the Board paid a visit in the Ngatapa Block before it was thrown open for selection, to make themselves familiar with the class of country the tenants would bava to farm, and to know what plight be expected of them. Land Revenue. Ordinary-revenue receipts numbering 3,223, and thirty-seven provisional-title receipts, were pass; d through the Receiver of Land Revenue's cash-book, the gross revenue being £112,414 Us. lOd. In the Depoeii Accounts £18,347 2s. Id. was received. Twenty-six payments, amounting to £9,839 13s. 2d., were made from the Local Bodies' , Deposit Account. Expenditure of " Thirds," " Fourths," and " Hat.vks." The sum of fc!).S.'i!l l-'is. 2d. was paid to the respective local bodies for expenditure on approved proposals, mostly for the maintenance of existing roads. DUPARTMENTAL. The number of statutory applications for land received and considered was 1,507, of which 360 were rejected. There was a slight decrease in the number of letters dealt with, th, number received during the year being 10,155, and the number despatched 1!>,7.'i4. The number of vouchers passed through the books was 643, representing the sum of £15,988 14s. I wish to express my appreciation and thanks to the members of the office and field staffs for the able assistance they have given me, and for the efficient manner in which they have carried out their duties. ( . I!. Pollen, Commission.t of Crown Lands.

TARANAEI. Settlement of Crown Lands. Every opportunity has been taken during the year to offer all the rural land that was available for selection : but the supply was quite unequal to the demand, every section thai was offered being selected. Seventeen allotments that had reverted to the Crown from previous occupiers, and fifteen allotments of national-endowment land, were put on the market ami keenly competed for. The only new block of land offered tiiat was mentioned in last year's report was the Opatu Block, ill the lleao Survey District, forming part of the national endowment. Fifty-one reserves in various towns and villages were offered for lease by public auction and tender, a few of which have been taken up. Fifteen allotments were offered for cash by public auction, and five disposed of. The revenue has increased by £8,582 over last year's receipts, the principal source of this increase being conversions to freehold of occupation licenses with right of purchase. The lease-in-perpetnity revenue has risen by reason of lands having become freed from the exemptions under section 127 of the Land Act, 1908. The receipts for ash have fallen off, but this source of revenue must of necessity depend upon the area of town lands rendered available for. disposal. Condition and Progress ok Settlement. In the western, central, and south) m portion of the district the farmers have hail a prosperous year, though the effects of the drought which prevailed in the latter part of the season was felt much more on the dairying-land than on that used for other stock. The heavy dews to which this portion of the district is subject went a long way towards keeping the pastures flesh. Though bush-tires did a certain amount of damage, they at the same time made clearings of more value by reason of tin , fallen timber being burnt off that would otherwise have laid for many years. It is alleged that in some cases the system of "share milking," b\ which families having no interest in the future of the land derive a proportion of the profits of the dairying business, is having a detrimental effect upon the maintenance of the farms, in that the share milkers being as a rule too self-interested to attend properly to the check of noxious weeds and the general upkeep or the property, it becomes worn out ami requires a great ileal of good farming to bring it back into a healthy state again. A good deal of attention is, however, being given by practical ami thoughtful farmers to top-dressing and regrassing. In the country devoted more to mixed farming or wool produce the settlers have done well. The area felled is not so great as in previous years, probably owing to the scarcity of bushfellers, but good burns have obtained, and there are prospects of a good growth of grass. The improvements have been, as a rule, satisfactory, and in many instances it has been principally the lack of funds that has compelled the lessees to effect only moderate improvements. The far-reaching effect of the pushing-oti of the construction of the Stratford-Ohura Railway is already noticeable, and even now the settlers around Tongaporutu and Okau, near the sea-coast, are looking forward to the time when they will be enabled to reach the railway at the Tangarakau (!or<ro Via the Kerekapa and Moki Ivoails, which will be preferable to carting or driving produce out to flu: coast to be thence conveyed to Waitara, the nearest railway-station.

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New schools and creameries haw been opened, postal and telephone facilities have been extended, and the prospects of the farming community as a whole are very good. 11l the north-eastern portion of the land district nearly all the settlers are prosperous, and the past season lias been fair, though tin , continued dry weather during tin , last two months of the year has had a considerable effect upon the returns, and caused sales of stock at a loss. Though retarded by want of μ-ood access to sonic of the holdings, the dairy industry continues to make good progress, and suppliers, wherever possible, convert proprietary factories into co-operative concerns. 'The district is gradually being provided with telephone communication with the outer world, a very necessary feature now of backblock farming. All schools opened are receiving good support, and the attendance increases steadily. line of the best signs of prosperity is tin , demand upon sawmills for building-timber, and three mills are kept busy supplying the requirements of the settlers. Improved-farm Settlem kxts. The two settlements in the north-eastern portion of this district have made good progress during the year, considering the settlers have had practically only one bushfelling season. In the Majiaia Settlement, access to which is gained from Te Kuiti-Awakino Road, twenty-four mil of twenty-eight families are now resident, several houses have been built, and the settlers are applying For the election of scl Is. It is possible that, with the bridging of the Moknu River to give road access to the sections in this settlement, the spread of rabbits from the northern districts may prove a source of danger to the crops, and with this in view the settlers have been supplied by the Governmeni with wire netting. Those settlers wl ccupj bush lands, or parti} bush and open land, should be able to support themselves by dairying pursuits next season in supplying the newly opened butter-factory at Piopio, within working distance. On the tern lands it is confidently expected that those settlers will later on, with a few exceptions, lx> able to earn a living. Practically the whole of the roads in the settlement have been formed into dray-roads, and any settlers requiring employment of thai nature must go further afield ill search of it. These settlers have good postal facilities. The question of stocking the farms after grassing will have to !«■ seriously considered by the settlers next spring, ami. as some are without means, it is. doubtful if the sections will I* , stocked to their full oarrying capacity. In the Tangittl Settlement, which is on a more extensive scale, there are pronounced evidences of a desire on the part of the settlers to establish themselves on the land. The present means of access to this settlement is from Waimiha Railway-Station, and already the eight miles of track between that point and the entrance to the block have been converted into a dray-road, while other Works on the roads in the settlement are in progress, and every section has an access of some description. A postal service has been arranged with one of the settlers, telephone con munication is guaranteed, and temporary accommodation for schools in three localities is to be provided by tents. 'I , he Ranger reports that there are only six cases at present where there are no arrangements being made for the residential conditions being observed as required by the regulations. Though only about half of the settlers have actually taken up their residence, the others 'only await an opportunity to build so as to bring their families on the ground. This is owing to the inability of the settlers to build until the land has been subjected to the first burn. The season for sowing has been very favourable, and there is every prospect of a good crop of glass l>eing obtained for the first season. Some idea of the work performed by the settlers will be gained from the fact that the consign ments of grass-seed this season amounted to 19 tolls, and the fencing-wire to 27 tons. Improve tnents have been effected on eighty-three sections. Grass-seed. The amount of promissory notes given by settlers whose pastures wen destroyed, by fire in the summer of 1908 and which have matured to date is £.">.'i."> 17s. (id., and of this £4(>7 l-'is. has been paid. The sum of £200 19s. lOd.. representing sixteen notes which mature in March, 1912, has also been paid during the year. Ahreahs of Rent. By a systematic attention to the amounts owing from time to time the position of arrears lias been placed on a very favourable footing, and thai without any undue friction or unpleasantness with the lessees. The amount in arrear is considerably lower than during preceding years. EXPKNDITUHE OF " THIRDS " AND " FOURTHS." Thirty-five proposals were submitted by local bodies for the expenditure on roads and bridges of accrued "thirds" and " fourths " of rents, which received the approval of the Land Board. The total amount paid over was £6,408 (is. Id. -more than double that paid during the previous rear. It is very satisfactory to know that the local bodies are becoming I c alive to the advan tages of having the expenditure of such lafge sums as are now passing through their accounts. which only await reasonable proposals being made to render them available for roadworks. KoKKKITURES AND SURRENDERS. There has been a marked decrease in these during the past years, and it is very pleasing to see such a small number appearing in the tables this year. T attribute this to tin , scrutiny of applications by the Land Board before a ballot is taken.

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Disposal ok the Remaining Crown Lands. The land ready to be offered oomprisee five sections in the Totoro Survey District, near the Mokau River, comprising 87. s aores of open fern hind, which will be let on renewable lease, being national-endowment land. In addition to these, 6,407 acres, comprising ten sections in various localities, and mostly forest-clad, will be reoffered under the optional tenure, and two partially improved sections in Opaku Survey District, comprising 1,391 acres, formerly let under small grazing-run lease, will lie offered under the optional tenure, the outgoing lessees being compensated for the value of improvements effected by them. The survey of five sections in Mapara Survey Districi adjoining the Tangitu Emproved-fann Settlement, comprising 2,37f) acres of forest country, is completed, and these lands will he opened for selection upon the first opportunity. In addition, the following blocks are under survey, ami portions of them will be available during the coming year:— Whakaihuwaka B Block (about 16,700 acres), intersected by the provincial boundary, and extending from the Rawhitiroa State Forest to the Wanganui River, a portion of this block being in the Wellington Land District. Whatitokarua Block (17,900 acres), lying to the north-west of Ongarue Railway-station, ami extending in that direction to the Ohura Road. Aratawa, Mangapukatea, and Raoraomouku Blocks (about 13,400 acres), adjoining the Wanganui River and running westerly towards the settled country. Whakaihuwaka A Block (about 20.001) acres), in Taurakawn Survey District, to the south-east of the settled land at the head of the Puniwhakau Valley, and comprising the headwaters of the Waitotara Itiver. Taumatamahoe 2b No. 2a Block (about 17,400 acres'), abutting on the Wanganui River, ami extending westward to the surveyed country in the Maboe Survey District. These six last-mentioned blocks, with the exception of Whatitokarua, are nil covered with heavy forest, and are more or less broken, but when cleared will lie very good grazing-country for sheep and litrht cattle. Land Board. The I,ami Board held twelve ordinary and one special meeting, and last January also made its usual inspection of some of the newly selected back country in the Mapara and Tangitu Districts, passing through districts a little more advanced but still in the early stages of pioneer settlement. The Board was impressed with the progress made, even under most disadvantageous conditions, but found the settlers most distinctly cheerful and hopeful for the future welfare of their particular localities. 0-FFrCE-WORK. This portion of the work of settlement has maintained its volume, and kept the staff fully occupied. The correspondence inwards and outwards, parcels, circulars, applications, <feo., was 21,478, which, though not so great as last year, is accounted for by a lesser number of sale posters having to be distributed. Cheques drawn amounted to 905; vouchers, 1,105; transfers, 151 ; receipts for rent, refunds. Arc. 3,518; provisional titles issued. 44: a total of 27,201. In view of my contemplated retirement at an early date, I take this opportunity of placing on record my appreciation of tin , valuable assistance rendered to me by the officers under m\ direction in this district during the last seven years i have had charge of it. and 1 may add that the good-fellow ship and kindly feelings among the officers themselves has been a most marked feature during mv term of office. ~ „ n • Francis Simpson, Commissioner of Crown Lands.

WELLINGTON. Lands opened for Sat.c and Selection. The total area of Crown lands offered during the year was 7,829 acres, a much smaller area than usual. This, added to the lands opened for application on the Ist April, 1910—viz., 15,042 acres made a total of 22,871 acres available for Selection. The area offered comprised principally sections in the Mangakaretu, Whirinaki, Mangauui, Retaruke, Ohinewairua, Wairoa, Nukumaru, and Hautapu Survey Districts ; Ohakune, Nireaha, and Makaretu Village Settlements. Five forfeited lots in Normandale Settlement were offered, also a pastoral run of 1,350 acres in Moawhango and Maungakaretu Survey Districts. During the year the expiring lease of one small grazing-run, comprising an area of 2,530 acres, was renewed for a further term of twenty-one years, under section 20f> of the Land Act, 1885, at a new rental of £110 13s. 10d., as against £63 ss. previously paid. In this connection I may mention that the tenants of eight small grazing-runs, comprising 6,192 acres, have been notified that their leases will not be renewed for another period. Five of these runs will probably be subdivided for closer settlement. The land taken up during the yea,- amounted to 32,356 acres in 172 sections. It may not bs out of place here to state that, notwithstanding the comparatively small area of new land dealt with during the year, our revenue, so far as I know, has been a record one. The demand for Crown lands is still very keen, and, as reported last year, if more land is not acquired our suitable country will soon be exhausted.

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Operations for Coming Yeah. Particulars have been sent forward for gazetting for sale or lease a large number of sections in various townships along the .Main Trunk Railway line and elsewhere, and in Manunui Village Settlement; also about 21,535 acres in South Waimarino (Morinui) Block on the optional system. All of these lands, together with about 4,020 acres of the Awarua Jiloek east of Utiku, will be in the market at early dates. In addition to this about t,OOO acres in the Mount Cerberus and Puketoi Districts will be added to the holdings of settlers who have not sufficient land to support them, and probably an entirely new block of. say. L 5,000 acres in the South Waimarino may lie ready during the year, making a total of about 46,000 acres. S.\ WMiLLiNG Licenses. As a result of negotiations with millers, sawmill licenses have been or are about to be granted over large areas, mostly in the vicinity of Piriaka, Owhango, Raurimu, and Oliakune. These anas include a number of sections in the North Waimarino Improved-farm Settlement allotted in October, !!)()!), over which ample power has been reserved to deal with the timber in the best interests of the Crown and of the settlers. The area referred to over which licenses can now or may shortly issue is about 4,919 acres, and the timber royalty accruing therefrom will be about £22,000. The disposal of most of this timber is practically outside the usual sphere of the timber regulations, the combined objects being the promotion of improved-farm settlement in partial milling- country, at the same time largely preventing waste of valuable timber, as well as giving the settlers a share of the royalty, and providing in many instances employment for (hem at the sawmills, three of which are in full operation and several others in course of construction. [MPROVED-F ARM-SETTLEMENT Lands. The North Waimarino Settlement has made good progress during the year, and the settlers as a rule seem satisfied with their progress and prospects. The value of improvements effected by the settlers t heinsclves, without assistance from the Government, is £1,050, while the Government has paid for improvements to the value of £2,213. The selectors number seventy-eight, and those actually in residence are forty-two, who with their wives and children bring the total population of the settlement up to 295 souls. In this connection it has to l>c borne in mind that a number of the sections are more or less covered with milling-timber, and on account of the danger from fire it is not advisable to allow the settlers to enter into occupation of these until the whole or portion of the area lias been milled. There are also twenty-four such sections at present unallotted for various reasons, most of them being held back on account of the millingtimber. The area felled is 1,837 acres, and the area grassed, inclusive of some grassing done by the Government before settlement, is 354 acres. The number of cattle and horses on the land is 1 (iO. Forty chains of dray-road has been formed by the Government, and 976 chains of bridletracks: and, with the exception of sections on the Tunanui Road, the settlers have reasonably fail' access. Ranobrs' Reports and Inspections. The Rangers in the west coast district made 752 inspections during the year over an area of 158,887 acres. These figures show a decrease in inspections from last year's statistics, but an increase of 11,926 acres in area inspected. The amount of improvements required to be done by the tenants was £55,124, whereas the Rangers' valuations show that improvements to the value of £135,305 have actually been made, this being improvements to the value of j£BO,lSl in excess of requirements. In the east coast division the Rangers made !)71 inspections over an area of 174,352 acres. This year's figures show an increase in both inspections and area over those of the previous year. In this district also the tenants have shown a keen desire to improve their properties, and have put on improvements to the value of £77,414 in excess of requirements, the value of improvements actually made being £121,343 and the requirements £43,929. Although these figures disclose a prosperous slate of affairs with the tenants, when one reflects upon the hardships they have come through, and (particularly in the earlier holdings) the years of unremitting toil they have experienced in breaking in their farms and bringing them to profit, it will be admitted that their prosperity is only their well-merited reward. The Crown Lands Ranger for the eastern portion of the district reports that in his division of the district settlement still continues to make steady progress, and the selectors generally seem prosperous and contented. The season just past has been the driest experienced for years, and many of the tenants have been inconvenienced by small streams drying up. On the whole, however, it has been a good year for feed, and in most parts grass is plentiful. The majority of the holdings in this portion of the land district have been settled for a number of years, and improvements largely in excess of requirements have been done. Still, the settlers arc making further improvements—erecting new houses, wool-sheds, stables, &c. —and, where there is no bush to fall, logging and stumping operations are going on so as to bring the holdings into full carrying-capacity and profit. Dairying still continues to flourish, and is one of the chief sources of income, especially on lands from Eketahuna to Woodville. In the Pongaroa district it is falling off, however, and is being replaced by sheep and cattle raising. Every year sees the roads throughout the district coming nearer to perfection, and most of the settlers now have either summer dray-roads or metalled road-access, 6 ft. tracks being only in the remotest places. The Crown Lands Ranger for the northern portion of the west coast district reports that land settlement has progressed most satisfactorily during the year, the good prices ruling for 2—C. 1.

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wool and stock being very beneficial to the settlers. The severe drought of the last few months has been felt, and some of the lessees have lost considerable areas of pasture by fire, bul the fires have done a lot of good in the way of clearing up the ground, and much good will accrue in future years from what at present is felt as a misfortune. The tenants are improving their holdings very highly, the excess of improvements effected over requirements being about £50,000. Those tenants who have selected land under the bush and swamp clauses of the Land Act feel the benefits oonferred and fully appreciate them, as, by the time the concession has expired and rent becomes due, road-access is greatly improved and their holdings are becoming reproductive. In the Rangitatau Block, opened in March, 1910, good progress has been made, and fairly large areas of bush have been felled. The grass-seed sown by the Department last season lias come on very well indeed, but the settlers have been unable to avail themselves fully of it owing to want of completed access. The settlers are a good class, and most of them have taken up their residence with their families. In the Riariaki and Mangatiti Blocks, opened in March, 1910, many settlers have already felled bush, as much as 400 acres on one holding having been felled. Generally, however, large areas have not been felled, owing to want of access. In the Ruatiti Block, opened in February, 1909, good progress has also been made. A stockbridge has been erected over the Manganui-a-te-Ao River, which is proving a boon to all settlers north of the river in the North Waimarino Block, and a general-traffic bridge is in course of erection. The tenants are doing well, and, as the roads leading to the railway-line are being linked up, they are beginning to look at things more cheerfully. It seems apparent that in a few years, when the second fires have been over this block, the grass will come on well and will carry stock up to expectations. In the hind-t'or-sottieine'ils est-ites the settlers are doing well, and the settlements are now so well established that their success is beyond any doubt. The settlers in the village settlements recently established along the .Main Trunk Railway line are making good progress, and prosperous towns are springing up where a few years ago there was nothing but standing bush. Several sawmills have been established near these settlements, and many of the settlers find employment at them. Very little damage by fires was done this year to scenic reserves in this district. The Crown Lands Ranger Cor the central district, from Palmerston North northwards, reports that the whole of the district has experienced a severe drought extending over a period of about four months, which has caused a shortage of feed on light lands, but has not affected the heavy land, except, that water has been scarce. The settlers are all in g 1 heart, the bulk of them being in fairly good circumstances. Good prices have obtained for wool and fat stock for export, and prices for store stock have been well maintained for good lines cattle especially having brought very high prices. As was to be expected, bush and grass fires have caused some temporary loss during the dry spell, but the opinion generally is that they have done more good than harm. The roads throughout the district are generally in first-class order, and on hush bridle-tracks a great improvement is noticeable, travelling being nothing like so difficult a matter as it was two years ago. Some loss haji been occasioned by tire to some of the reserves in the district. The forest reserve at Rewa suffered severely, and some of the reserves round Taihape were damaged to a lesser degree, but, taking into consideration the long dry spell, it is fortunate that the loss was not much greater. The Crown Lands Ranger for the south-eastern and southern portions of the district reports that all the laud in his district, with the exception of a few shelter-areas, has been brought into effective use, it having been all felled and grassed. The land is generally used for grazing, although, where suitable, dairying is carried on successfully, this being, of course, the most remunerative pursuit on limited holdings, especially on village-settlement and land-for settlements lands. All settlements held under these tenures are now well established, and are progressing favourably. The tenants on the older estates are doing especially well, and those on the more recently selected areas appear to be on a fair way to success. The residential areas round Wellington are being utilized, but farm areas in the Normandale Settlement are not sought after. Roads throughout are in good order as a whole, and settlors can reach railway and business centres with every convenience. The season, though s ewhal dry, has bean a most favourable one. The dairy factories have had a large output, stock lias fattened off well, grain was harvested in good condition, and prices realized for produce in general have been good. Taking it all through, the tenants have had a successful and encouraging year. No damage by fire has been done to forests or scenic reserves as far as this portion of the land district is concerned. "Thiuds," "Fourths," and "Halves." The allocation under the Land Act, 1908, of the proportion of the rent from Crown lands under various systems of tenure has been made, and the sum of £S,l2(> 7s. Kid. has been paid to the local authorities for expenditure on approved proposals for roadwork and under hypothecation certificates. This amount shows an increase of nearly £3,000 over las! year's payments. On 31st March, 1911, the sum of £11,099 3s. lOd. was in the Receiver's Deposit Account at the credit of the various local bodies in the Wellington Land District. In a good many cases settlers have in view the hypothecation of "thirds" as security Tor loans, so as to enable them to undertake work in a more comprehensive manner. They are becom ing alive to the fact that small sums received periodically as " thirds " really very often cannot be spent to advantage, and this more particularly applies to such questions as metalling or the widening of bridle-tracks into dray-roads : this in many instances could be effected by hypothecation.

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Forest and Scenic Reserves. .As will be scon fimil the Hanger's reports, in consequence of the continued dry weather of the last few months fires have been somewhat prevalent. The forest reserve at Rewa suffered severely, and some of the reserves round Taihape received more or less damage, but on the whole it is a matter for congratulation thai greater and more widespread loss did not take place. I have given a good deal of personal attention to new scenic reserves both on Crown and private lands, feeling, as we all do, that with the onward march of settlement, if we do not take steps to procure fair samples of our primeval forests, those who follow us will have but an imperfect idea of the scenic beauties existing in the Dominion in the early days of European settlement. In connection with this I may mention thai quite a number of settlers have promised to give free ii number of scenic spots on theii holdings, feeling that they will permanently be safer and better protected under the State's control than if left in their own hands. Rebates ok Hunt. For prompt payment of their rents, rebates amounting to £2,543 were granted to 1,886 settlers on ordinary Crown lands, £1,747 to 325 tenants on land-for-settlements estates, and £25 to 1(J settlers on national-endowment lands. These amounts show an increase over the previous year's figures of £597, demonstrating that fuller advantage is being taken of the concession granted to Crown tenants in being up to date with their payments. Arrears ok Rental. The arrears of rental at the end of the year showed a decrease from last year's figures of £410, and it must be remembered that the gross arrears include amounts owing by settlers in the North Wairnarino Block who are not being pressed for payment at present. When this amount is deducted the arrears reveal a very satisfactory position. Conversions of Tenure. During the year under review three tenants applied For and obtained conversions of their village-homestead holdings to renewable leases, and thus secured the advantage of a lower rental. The area brought under the new system was I'l acres. Transfers. During the year 286 transfers were completed on ordinary Crown lands, the area transferred being 81,757 acres. On land-for-settlements land the number was twenty-one, and the area 2,505 acres. The figures are made up as follows : — Ordinary Crown lands— Number. A rea - {p Occupation with right of purchase ... ... 61 1 1 Renewable lease ... .. ... ... 16 64 1 3 Lease in perpetuity ... ... ... 156 22,989 1 20 Small grazing-runs ... ... ... 14 19,781 0 24 Pastoral runs ... ... ... ... 2 3,840 0 0 Improved farms ... ... ... ... 21 2,701 3 24 Miscellaneous leafces and licenses ... ... 16 40 0 0 286 81,757 3 32 Land for settlements — Lease in perpetuity ... ... ... 21 2,505 3 30 Meetings of Land Board. During the year twelve ordinary meetings and six special meetings of the Hoard in connection with the land-sales were held. The volume of business that came up for consideration was so great that in many eases the meetings extended over two days. The Board took the opportunity during the year of making special tours of inspection in different parts of the land district, probably the most important one being through the back oountry lying between the North Island Main Trunk Railway and the Wanganui River, and extending from Taumarunui on Hie north to Raetihi on the south. Most of the settlers were interviewed en route Visits like these are of the greatest assistance to the Hoard in its administration, and are also much appreciated by the setters, and both alike are brought face to face with the living and bed-rock elements of Crown-lands settlement. Forfeitures and Surrenders. The number of forfeitures during the year was thirty-two, of an area or 1,215 acres, and the number of surrenders was seven, of an area of 227 acres. In addition to these figures, eight of the dwellings in the Heretaunga Settlement were vacted, but were relet to new tenants during the year. Office of Receives or I and Revenue. In the Receiver's office 7,447 ordinary-revenue receipts and ninety-seven provisional titles were issued, covering a gross revenue of £101,979 4s. In the Deposit Account 864 receipts for the sum of .£22,195 2s -Id., and 253 cheques, &c, for refunds and disbursements were issued. The sum of £7,480 2s. was paid into the Local Bodies' Deposit Account, and sixty-four payments, amounting to £8,126 7s. lOd.. were paid to twenty-four local bodies.

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Clerical. The number of letters received during the year was 17,!)2O, and the number despatched was 30,600. These latter comprise letters, telegrams, circulars, plans, lithos, rent-notices, &c. The total correspondence thus dealt with is 53,520. There were 924 cheques covering 844 vouchers drawn on Imprest Account, for a total of £10,250. Other accounts dealt with covered (iG.'i vouchers for and there were Eorty-nine requisitions fur imprest-money, representing £12,640, made during the year. It again gives me great pleasure to acknowledge the zeal and energy displayed by my entire staff, from the highesi to the lowest, who have all borne cheerfully the strain of the heavy year's work, which has lightened to no small degree the duties falling on my shoulders. James Mackenzie, Commissioner of Crown Lands.

NELSON. Conditions and Progkess of Settlement. Owing to (he large area of 235,040 acres of land lying open for selection, either as unsurveyed or under provisional survey only, at the beginning of the year, and the large aniouui of arrears of survey of areas previously selected, no large blocks of land have been opened during the year. In the mining districts, ami principally in the Buller County, a large amount of land has been taken up on pastoral license, and this tenure seems nios< suitable in a mining district. The demand for land is very keen, and generally the conditions as to improvements and residence are being well carried out. The lands selected for the past three or four years are now in the liands of good bona fide settlers, as the speculative or incompetent have now been nearly all weeded out. either by surrender, transfer, or cancellation of their holdings. The construction of roads into the back-bush blocks is still the greatest problem retarding successful settlement, and, as most of the settlers have not much capital, 1 am of the opinion that the roads should be carefully graded, and lands should be cut up by actual survey for settlement, and the settlers given employment on the construction of the roads in small contracts. The lands in the Central Buller having the township of Murchison for a centre are uearlv all settled and being cleared very rapidly, anil within a small radius of this township the bush on 5,000 acres has been felled during the past year. 'I , he butter-factory at Murchison has been a great boon to the settlers, and is practically making a greal success of all the holdings within a radius of nian.y miles. The railway to Glen Hope is now being proceeded with, ami on its completion the prospej Lty of the Central Buller will be assured. Land proposed to be ortNBD during 1911—12. The following blocks of Crown lands will most probably be opened during the ensuing year :— Howard Block (20,000 acres —of which 17,000 acres are ordinary Crown lands and 3,000 acres national endowment): This land, situated in the Howard Valley, a tributary of the Buller River, will make fair pastoral country for sheep-grazing, and is within fifteen miles of the proposed terminus of the railway at Glen Hope. The area lias been provisionally eurveyed, and the roads are in course of construction. Waimca Block (about 5,000 acres) : Ordinary Crown lands, situated at the headwaters of the Miner and Serpentine Rivers, about twenty-three miles from the City of Nelson. Cliieth limestone country, suitable for sheep when bush felled and land grassed. Matiri Block Extension (about 8,000 acres): National endowment, situated on right-hand branch .Matiri River. Equal to, if not better than, the land which has all been selected in the main Matiri Valley. It is also proposed to open for selection on pastoral license about 8,000 acres in the Brighton Block, chiefly limestone formation, and 4,000 acres in Ihe Mokihinui Valley. Many inquiries have been made for these blocks, and no doubt the bulk of the areas will be selected. Inspections hy Croavn Ranoehs. The Crown Lands [{anger in charge of the northern part of the district lias made 133 inspections of leasehold sections held on different tenures, containing an area of 178,250 acres. The improvements required by tlie Act amounted to £28,645, whilst those effected amounted to £72,989. There were thirty-three defaulters as to improvement conditions, eighteen for residence and improvements, and forty-one for residence only : seventy-two have been granted exemption by the Land Board, and 136 are still exempt under the conditions of the Land Act. The Ranger has also made eighty-seven miscellaneous inspections for the Land Hoard and Warden, on land, timber reserves. &c. The access anil locality of the holdings being taken into account, the tenants have done very well with regard to both improvements and residence conditions. The bush upon an area of 13,000 acres has been felled in this part of the district during the year, which is a considerable advance on any previous year. The Crowns Lands Ranger for the Buller County reports that there is a very keen demand for land in his district, and settlement is advancing very rapidly. Several thousand acres have been selected on pastoral license during the past three months in the Waitakere district, and soon all lands suitable for settlement will be selected. Many of the new settlers throughout the district

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are of a very good type, and there is every prospect of them making a success of their holdings in spite of many drawbacks. This las! season has been very favourable to settlement, as a wet winter was succeeded by the driest summer and autumn uver experienced, and the settlers have been able tci gel good burns of their felled hush. The greatest drawback to (his district is the of getting stock, whioh has to be imported and consequently is very costly, and ihvis leads to the lands felled and grassed being understocked, and in consequence ferns and underscrub form a second growth on the clearings. The Hanger inspected li' 2 leasehold selections, including 7 1 within the Westport Harbour Board endowment area, and made 247 inspections for the Land Board and Warden. Generally speaking, the improvement conditions <>n leases have been well kept, as only twenty-five selectors had not effected any improvements, and several of these had just begun to work. The Crown Lands Ranger in the [nangahua County made I() I inspections of Crown leases with an area of 21,328 acres. The value of improvements effected amounted to £7,532, against £3,595 required by the Land Act. There wwe thirteen defaulters with regard to improvements: live were non-resident, seventy-one were exempt from residence under the Land Act, and thirteen have been granted exemption by the Land Board for various reasons. For the Land Board and Warden -lit inspections and reports have also been made. The Ranger reports that the settlers are beginning to realize that the land is «cil suited for pastoral purposes, and quite recently 3,800 acres has been selected bj ten applicants under pastoral license. Fully 000 acres of land has been burnt and sown with grass on freehold and leasehold lands, and this will mean a large increase of stock in the district. Crown Tenants' Improvements. Upon an area of I \.i IS acres the bush has been felled this season, an amount far exceeding any previous year: and, owing to the dry summer and autumn, g I burns have been obtained all over t he district. Tenures. Nearly all the Crown lands are situated in the national-endowment area or in a mining ihsiriet, so thai nearly all the lands selected art , on renewable lease or pastoral license. ' Arrears. The pivmeiit of rent is on the whole satisfactory, the total ai ml of arrears living ,£2,26 d 2s. Bd., and of this amount l;!).'S(> Is. 2d. .nr lints and royalties on the Puponga Coal-mine (this sum has been paid since the year closed), and £•'!()(! 8.8. lid. owing on land for settlement, chiefly on Wangapeka Settlement. The balance of arrears distributed amongst the various tenures is I hercfore not a large sum. Tin: Dairy Industry. This industry has increased to a very large extent during the past season, not so much by an increased number of factories as by a much larger number of suppliers. 'I he Murchison factory has increased from twenty sis suppliers milking 540 cows to thirty-four milking 960 cows. The Takaka co-operative factory is erecting a much larger and more up-to-datj plant to meet the requirements of the increased number of suppliers. There are now six butter-factories and one cheese-factory in the Wainua, Takaka, and Collingwood Counties, one butter-factory in the Karamea district (Buller County), and one at Cronadun, within eight miles of Reef ton, in the I nangahua County. These factories are supplied by 5,240 cows, with an output of butter and cheese amounting to a value of £50,000. The Timber Industry. There are forty-eight mills in the Waimea, Takaka, Collingwood, and Murchison Counties, of which forty-three are cutting on private land, three on Crown land, and two on Native land, the yearly output being (>,!)!'■'!.000 superficial feet. Matai and totara are practically cut out in this part of the district, so that the cutting is chiefly riinu and birch: there are fairly large areas of the latter, and it is being used a good deal for building purposes, and found satisfactory . In the Buller anil Lnangahua Counties there are twenty-seven mills employing 2.")() men, and the yearly output was 8,802,000 superficial feet, an increase of over 1 .000.(1(1(1 ft. on last year. The total output for the seventy-five mills was 15,725,000 superficial feet. There was a decided improvement in this industry for the past year, and the prospects for the future are good. The Flax Inbustky. There has been no improvement in this industry during last year, owing to the low price of fibre. Ten mills have done a little work with an output of 160 tons, valued at £9,000. The operations have been confined chiefly to private lands. Until higher prices are obtai 1 there is not likely to lie any development in this line. The Coal Industry. The principal coal-producing ar%a is in the Buller County, with the Port of Westport. and great progress has been made during the year. The tolal output was 831,114 tons, an increase of I 12,041 tons on last year. 'Hie principal mines are the Westport Coal Company, the WestportStockton Coal Company, and the Seddonville State Mine. Since the beginning of the year the trade has been somewhat slack, but there are good prospects of an improvement in the Dear future. In the northern part of the district very little has been done during the year, the only mines working being at Puponga, where the output was only 5,800 tons. In the lnangahua County, near Reefton, the coal trade locally is very good, hut is too far inland for export; the output for the year was 12,640 tons.

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The Fruit Industry. At present this industry is confined almost entirely to the northern part of the district, within a radius of twenty-five miles of the City of Nelson. Rapid strides have been made during the past year, and there has been quite a boom for apple-growing lands. Large areas have been cut up on the .slopes facing Tasman Bay, and arc being taken up readily. The area planted in orchards during the year was 1,100 acres, chiefly apple-trees, and orders have been μ-ivcn for trees to plant nearly double the above area this coming season. This has been done in the face of the partial failure of the shipment of apples placed on the London market, which is accounted for by the fruit being too ripe when picked, and had packing and grading. A further shipment of 5,500 cases packed and graded under the supervision of an expert from Tasmania has been sent to the Home market, and it' it arrives in good condition it is likely to realize handsome prices, according to recent quotations. As the Nelson climate is at bast a month earlier than Tasmania, there appears to be a bright future for apple-culture, as the Tasmania trade is known to be a great success. Large quantities of all classes of fruit were produced last season, and the prices were satisfactory. Ihere are four canning and preserving Factories at Motueka ami Riwaka orchards, and one in Nelson receiving its supplies from the Waimea District, bnt the bulk of the fruit is shipped to Wellington. Land Board. Meetings were held monthly during the past year, eleven of which were held at the District Office, and a special meeting at Westport and one at Reefton. Special meetings at Westpori and Reefton are necessary, as it keeps the members of the Hoard in touch with the settlers, and gives the members an opportunity to visit different parts of the district and settle any doubtful points. Departmental. The office-work is still increasing as more lands are selected, and the administration of the Education reserves adds somewhat to the work. The selections now number 2,312, and the correspondence in connection with them and intending selectors occupies a great deal of time. The number of letters and telegrams, &c, received ami despatched during the year was 15,732; the number of vouchers passed through the books was 765, amounting to the sum of £15,219 12s. 7d. The branch of the Lands and Survey Office at Westport shows a considerable increase in the work during the past year. Applications to the number of 191 were received at this office on various tenures, and an amount of £1,291 received for rents and deposits. The officer in charge has brought a considerable amount of arrears of work up to date, consisting of indexing plans, filing letters, &c, and the office ami records are kept in a very satisfactory manner. The Lands and Survey Office at Reefton is kept open for the convenience of the public, and the officer's time is occupied in keeping selection and mining maps up to date, preparing licenses, making tracings, and assisting the Crown Lands Ranger. Both the Westport and Reefton offices are supplied with counter selection-maps which are marked up to date after each Land Hoard meeting. It gives me—great pleasure to express my appreciation of the manner in which the office and field staff have carried out their duties and rendered me every assistance in their power. ROBT. T. S.\])D, Commissioner of Crown Lands.

MARLBOROUGH. In forwarding to yon the usual tallies constituting the annual return for this district, I should like to amplify the information there given by the following remarks :— This year is marked as the period when the Education endowments were handed over from the School Commissioners to the Land Board for administration. 'Ihey are so small in this district as to make no appreciable difference in the work, although it has increased our number of Crown tenants by about fifty. There are no special circumstamvs connected with the settlement of the Crown land beyond the fact that, owing to unforeseen difficulties, the anticipations of the area of land to l>e opened for selection were not realized. In this district, where the area of Crown land at all suitable for selection is so limited, tin , demand greatly exceeds the supply, and we shall soon have to offer land of a poorer character —and even that is limited. But we have a fairly large area of birch covered hill land which it is estimated, when cleared of bush and grassed, will carry one sheep to the acre; and. :>s the cost of doing this clearing will fall upon the settler, it will at once be seen that the Crown's interest is not large—probably not more than Ids. per acre, if so much. Besides this, however, there are some 5,000 to 8,000 acres of fairly good land within the State forests which are still covered by more or less valuable milling-timber, which land, in my opinion, it would Ik , most unwise to offer for selection until the milling-timber has been removed—because, first, the Dominion cannot afford to destroy any of its rapidly diminishing timber: and. secondly, the timber royalty frequently largely exceeds the amount we shall lie able to charge for the land itself. The Land Board is frequently urged to throw open land of an unimproved value of about £3 per acre, when the timber alone on the land is worth nearly if not quite as much, and if the pressure were acceded to there would be a good chance, amounting to almost a certainty, that the timber would be destroyed in the process of settlement, owinL r to the great demand for land suitable Tor dairying purposes. The demand to open resettlement this class of land is very insistent, and we are accused of retarding rather than accelerating settlement.

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There have been • four new cheese-factories started in this district lately, and, as far as I can Learn, they have all excellent prospects, and are making the land for such purposes very valuable. The past year has, I think, been a fairly prosperous one, although many of the settlers on che poorer land have, 1 fear, a hard struggle to make a reasonable living off their holdings; but I am thankful to say the general tone has been one 01 , contentment and confident hope for the future. 1 may remark that since the passing of section 177 of the Land Act, 1908, which grants the light to holders of leases in perpetuity to acquire the freehold of the land comprised in their leases, 5,239 acres have been acquired, at a cost of ss. Id. : this includes the area in eight leases acquired this year —viz., 3,574 acres for £2,411 6s. Id. Jt is noticeable that this is some of the poorer lands of the district, the average price being L3'l3s. per acre, and the low pries lx?ing probably the inducement to purchase the fee-simple. F. Stkphenson Smith, Commissioner of Crown Lands.

WESTLAND. It is very gratifying to note the progress that lias been made in settlement in this district during the. past year not only in the mutter of the new areas selected, but also in the improvement of the position of the settlers, many of whom are now reaping the just reward of their labour in clearing and bringing into profit their bush-OOVered holdings. The grassing of bush land entails an immense amount of hard work and the outlay of capital, and settlers with small means find it difficult indeed to find the money necessary I'm , the improvement of their holdings and the maintenance of themselves and their families during the time that must elapse before they can obtain any return from their lands. In addition to the money required for improvements, more must be found for the purchase of stock, from which no immediate return is obtained. It is therefore necessaiy for settlers to a large extent to support their farms for souk , years by accepting any employment that may be offering, and, as employment is not always available in the locality, they must be absent from their holdings for part of the year. It is therefore very advisable that every consideration and encouragement should lie afforded them, and that the residence conditions should not be too rigidly enforced in cases where the intention of the lessees are shown to be bona file by the fact that they are sinking the whole of their surplus earnings in their holdings. This fact is fully recognized by the hand Hoard, and there is no doubt but that their leniency in dealing with such cases has been of great assistance to many s. ttlers who would have been compelled to relinquish their holdings had they been called upon to comply strictly with the conditions of their leases. As the land in this district is utilized mainly for the rearing and fattening of cattle, the returns for some years must be devoted to the purchase of new stock, and a much longer time must elapse before the proparties will show any available profit than in the case of holdings utilized as dairy farms. Speculation in land, and particularly in Crown leaseholds, has practically no existence, and it is therefore possible to relax the conditions to a somewhat greater extent than in districts where speculation is present. The means by which the maximum of profit can be obtained is by dairying, and settlers in several localities have at present under consideration the establishment of dairy factories; but this is, of course, impossible in localities where the land of reasonable quality is limited, or where the cost of carrying the products to the market allows a very small margin of profit to the producer. However, the matter of access-roads and bridges is receiving liberal tribution from the Crown, and the next few j'ears should witness the establishment of a number of new cheese or butter factories. Those factories at present in existence are showing very good returns, and a ready market at favourable prices is always offering for the whole of their products. The effects of the progress of dairying are already living felt by graziers, as the class of cattle bred by those engaged in dairying is not suitable or profitable for beef, and some difficulty is experienced in obtaining stores. There is always a good demand for store cattle, and several graziers are now devoting their attention to the supply of this demand, in preference to fattening for the market. On account of the moistness of the climate, and the consequent risks to agricultural farming, very little cropping is done beyond what is required to provide winter feed for stock, while the grazing of sheep is confined mainly to the river-fiats. The past season has been exceptionally dry, and the grass and crops on the heavier land have been very abundant, but the lighter lands have suffered somewhat; fortunately, however, the weather broke in time to revive the grass before the winter set in. In some localities the turnip crops were severely attacked by the fly, but the line summer and autumn tended to protect the potatoes from the blight, from which the damage was much less than of late years. Leaseholds of rural land on permanent tenures (exclusive of land-for-settlement holdings) to the extent of r>7.120 acres have been visited by the Crown Lands Hanger during the year, the improvements on these holdings totalling 1 16,038, which is £28,156 in excess of the actual requirements under the conditions of the leases. These figures supply ample proof of the confidence of lessees in their holdings. The different tenures contribute to these totals as follow : — „ Improvements required. Improvements effected. Tenure - £ s. d. £ s. ,1. Occupation with right of purchase -. 6,383 15 (5 11,877 0 0 Lease in perpetuity ... ... ... 8,986 0 0 25,530 7 0 Renewable leas,. ... ... ... 914 0 0 2,00fi 0 0 Regulations in mining districts ... ... 1,598 0 0 6,624 0 0

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The area leased during the year on all tenures totals 2()-~>,iOI acres, which brings the total area held under lease at the end of the year to 1,118,604 acres. The revenue received (£20,107) constitutes a record for the district, and exceeds the estimate by upwards of £-'5,200, the excess to a very large extent being accounted for by the revenue received from the purchase of the freehold of lease in perpetuity, from which no revenue ■α-ms anticipated, as the question of whether the right to acquire the freehold extended to lessees in a mining district was undecided at the date of framing the estimate. It is, however, anticipated that even a larger revenue will lie received during the coining year. The improvement in the timber trade anticipated in last year's report has been fully realized, the whole of the sawmills being at present in full work, while thi' prospects for the coming year ai'e decidedly bright! Large orders for shipment to Australian ports have been placed locally, and inquiries for areas of hush are being received from sawinillers in other districts. The bush situated adjacent to tin' existing lines of railway is being rapidly worked out, and millers are l>eing forced to go further afield for their timber. 'I , he effect is that the land adjacent to the railways, formerly covered with bush, will shortly be available for subdivision for settlement, while the outlying districts will be opened up by the sawinillers, who will thus prepare the way for settlement. The removal of the timber suitable for sawmilling, while providing- a source of revenue to the Crown, lightens the task of settlers in clearing their land for grass, as it relieves them from the felling of the large trees, which, if felled in clearing cannot lie burned for some years, and are an obstacle to stock, while the area covered l> v the trunks reduces to a very appreciable extent the area that can be grassed. Proposals for the reservation of some 29,100 acres for scenic purposes have been approved, but these reservations have as far as possible been restricted to lands of little value for agricultural or pastoral purposes. It is, however, recognized that the scenic beauty of the district should be preserved, especially in view of the increasing popularity of certain portions of the district, notably Kanieri Lake, Mahinapua bake, and the Franz .losef Glacier, as tourist resorts, and these particular localities, together with their roads of access, are being well provided for in this direction. The policy of leasing lands known to be infested with noxious weeds is being continued, as by this means a certain amount of revenue is obtained, while the Crown is relieved of the responsibility of clearing the weOds. The total expenditure on clearing of noxious weeds on Crown lands during the year amounted to £8 Is. 9d. Splendid progress is being made by tenants in the leasehold township of liunanga, at the Stat; coal-mine. Practically the whole of the sections are held by employees in the mine, and the present appearance of the township reflects groat credit on the energy and enterprise of the workers. It is only some seven years since this township was laid out, the land at that time being wholly covered with bush, while the latest report shows that improvements to the value of £29,764 have been effected by the lessees. Government assistance in the way of cheap money lias been very much appreciated by the workers, as those who were without sufficient capital to erect dwellings have thus been enabled to provide comfortable homes for their families. The population has increased to such an extent that, by including the adjoining small private township of Dunollie, it is now sufficient to entitle them to constitute a borough, and a proposal to follow this course is now receiving serious and favourable consideration by the inhabitants. As a result of the progress of settlement the work of administration and office routine connected therewith has been \rry materially increased, and I take this opportunity of voicing my appreciation of the assistance afforded me by a staff of capable and zealous officers. G. H. M. McCu-HE, Commissioner of Crown Lands.

Road and otheb Works i\ Runanga Township. The District Surveyor reports as follows:— "A large outfall drain was cut to straighten the course of Raleigh Creels and relieve the low-lying portions of the township of flood-water. This has been a great improvement, and several houses have been built on the low sections »ince the completion of the drain. A foot-track was formed and corduroyed between the railway at Ward Street ami the roadway between Nos. I and "2 mines, for access by the miners going to and from work. A dray-road was formed and metalled between Runanga Township and Dunollie, so that coal could be carted from the mine b> I'unanga, and this has been much used since completion. Owing to the high cost and delay in railing gravel from Stillwater, it was thought best to metal (his load with the waste stone and clinkers from the mine, and a tramway .")."i chains in length was made for this purpose. The road has stooil very well so far, but will require repairs during the winter months. Fifteen chains of dray-road was made and. also metalled with mine-debris, to give access to sections in the north-eastern corner of liunanga via Ross Street. The section-holders formerly used the railway for access, but, owing to the constant coal traffic, were barred by the Railway Department. "The general work for the year includes the maintenance of live miles of streets ; clearing out and improving three miles of side drains: eradication of noxious weeds: repairs and alterations to culverts, &c. —in fact, the general functions of a Town Board. These works, as in the past, have been carried out under the Supervision of the overseer, who has performed his duties very satisfactorily. The position is at present that metalled dray-road access has been given to every house in the township, and the residents seem to l>e very well satisfied with the results. No attempt has lx?en made to put down footpaths : but. considering the few years that the township has been in existence, I consider it is in a very forward state.

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Runanga Township.—Looking South from the Intersection of Pitt Street and McGowan Street.

Fan 'page Hi.]

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Runanga Township.—View from Ward Street overlooking State School and Mixers' Hall.

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Runanga Township.—From Ward Street looking towards Railway-station. Rapahoe Range in Background.

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General View of Runanga Township, from the Terrace overlooking Hall-Jones Street. Miners' Hall on extreme right, and Railway-station on left.

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'The proposed work for the coming year consists of general maintenance; the excavation and timbering of a main drain down MoGowan Street; the clearing-out of portion of Raleigh Creek; and some improvements to culverts and bridges. It is not proposed to make any more roads, and the residents are now considering the advisability of forming themselves into a borough or Town Board, and consequently undertaking their own affairs. "The following is a detailed list of works: Main drain, averaging Oft. by 6ft., 27 chains; cleaning and improving side drains, three miles: completion of foot-track for miners, 12 chains; dray road formed and metalled to Dunollie, 27 chains ; tramway to bring metal to same, 55 chains ; dray-road, Ross Street, &0., 15 chains; tramway, Ross Street, Ac., 22 chains; Road to Section r>. Block XXXIII, 3 chains; necessary culverts, pipes, &c.; maintenance and repairs of streets, five miles. The cost of above was £1,645 3s. 7d. " The estimate of amounts required for coming year is: Drain, McGowan Street, 27 chains, £112; boarding same, £74; culverts, entrances, Ac, £52; clearing other drains and creek, £48; maintenance, £205; overseer's salary. £195; possible contingencies, £114: total, £800." G. H. M. McClure, Commissioner of Crown Lands.

CANTERBURY. Lands offehkd foh Disposal. Exclusive of the eight settlements offered under the Land for Settlement Act, which will be dealt with in the separate report under that Act, and the pastoral-run disposal, to which special reference will be made, the Crown lands offered during the year have not l>een of any large area or importance. Sixty sections of town and rural land were offered for cash sale at auction, at a total upset of £499, and all were sold, the total price realized being £638. Twenty-six blocks of land, totalling 331 acres, were offered for lease by public auction or tender, the aggregate upset rentals being £57 12s. ; all but one were disposed of, the total annual rental realized being £68 16s. One small grazing-run of 988 acres, one block of 11 acres at Cheviot, and two workers' dwellings, completed tli" year's offerings. I'astohal-runs Disposal. The outstanding feature of the j-ear's work has been the redisposal of the leases of a number of pastoral runs lying within the Waimate, Mackenzie, Ashburton, Selwyn, and Amuri Counties. Most of these were last disposed of in 1889 on twenty-one-years leases, which are now about to expire. The Classification Commissioneis appointed by His Excellency the Governor had made an exhaustive examination and report on the runs, and had recommended that the thirty-three runs which were available for disposal, and which were under occupation by twenty-three different licensees, should be reoffered as forty-six separate runs, a good many of them being deemed suitable for occupation in smaller areas than heretofore. A further review of some of the cases resulted in additional subdivision being effected, giving a total of fifty-one separate runs for disposal. Under clause 91 of the Reserves and other Lands Disposal and Public Bodies Empowering Art, 1910, power was obtained to offer pastoral runs under Part VI of the Land Act by application and ballot, and out of the forty-five runs, comprising a total area of 1,365,209 acres, which were offered for disposal in February, twenty-four, aggregating 742,800 acres, or more than half of the total, were thus disposed of. For these twenty-four runs there were in all 373 applicants, of whom 313 were, after examination by the Land Board, admitted to the ballot. In dealing with the applications the Board laid down three principal requirements: that applicants (1) must be not less than twenty-one years of age; (2) must prove the command of capital equal to approximately seven pears' rent of the runs applied for; and (.')) must not be already the holders of more than 1,000 acres of land, that being the limitation imposed under the nearest similar tenure, the small-grazing-run system. The Board's decision, as was inevitable whatever the course of action adopted, evoked considerable criticism not only from those who forgot that the Board was perfectly within its rights in imposing conditions which were not necessarily expressly provided for by the Legislature, but also from those who ignored the fact that high pastoral country with its attendant risks is in no sense poor-man's country, but must necessarily be held, both in the interests of the tenant and the State, by persons able to stand the occasional heavy losses of severe winters without financial ruin. Of the twenty-one runs, comprising an area of 622,409 acres, which were offered by auction at an aggregate upset rental of £4,412 per annum, all but one were sold, the total annual rental realized being £7,612. In the majority of cases there was very keen competition, although circumstances indicated that the competition was not in all cases measured by the actual value of the country. The annual rental payable under the new licenses of the runs already disposed of will be £14,492 as from the Ist March, 1912, and in addition to these there are six blocks, totalling 82,100 acres, which have been set apart for disposal under the small-grazing-run tenure, and which will be offered during the ensuing year. The total annual rental payable under the expiring licenses of all the runs dealt with was £9,365. 3—C. 1.

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Land-tdxikks. There have been very few changes under the different tenures during the year, with the exception of the increase under the renewable-lease tenure arising from the new selections of hinds offered under the Land for Settlements Act. There have been two exchanges of tenure from lease in perpetuity to renewable lease, and the freeholds of their holdings have been acquired by two perpetual-lease holders, one holder of an occupation-with-right-of-purchase license, and one pastoral deferred-payment licensee, the total area thus alienated being 2,882 acres •'! roods. Land Revenue : Payment of Rent and Rebates. The total revenue received for the year was £156,248 !>s. 1 o<l., an increase of £17..'!.")!) 16s. 9d. over the previous j-ear. This increa.se is partly due to the half-year's rent, aggregating £7.246, paid in advance by the new selectors of pastoral-run licenses commencing on the Ist March, 1912. There will, of course, be a corresponding reduction of receipts for the ensuing year. The total amount of rent in arrear at the .'Si si March, 1911. excluding current payments, was £7,060 12s. 4d. Out of this total, however, a sum of !_:!,(iG4 7s. is represented by payments duo on holdings in the Kinloch Settlement, the collection of which in 1908 and 1909 was postponed for three years as a temporary measure of relief to tide over initial financial difficulties. If this sum be deducted, the actual arrears amount to £3,396 ."is. id., the amount outstanding representing slightly over 2 per cent, of the total annual rent-roll. The total sum allowed as rebates for prompt payment of rent was £8,516 I Is., the number of tenants who participated in this privilege being 1,996. Transfers. There has been a remarkable increase in the number of holdings under settlement tenures in respect of which transfers were effected during the year, as compared with the corresponding figures for the previous year. The following are the figures for the present year : — Tenure. Number. Area. Leases in perpetuity: Land for settlement and Crown a. h. p. lands ... " ... ... ... ... 132 15,699 2 39 Village-homestead leases ... ... ... ... 24 697 022 Small grazing-runs ... ... ... ... 12 27,637 033 Renewable and perpetual [eases' ... ... ... 4 7-'i'2 134 172 44,766 2 8 The corresponding figures for the previous year were 126 holdings, comprising a total area of 26,40!) acres :i roods Hi perches. The present year's total approximates that of three years ago. Excluding the small grazing-runs, whose area is necessarily large, it will be seen that the average area of the holdings transferred is about 107 acres, from which it may be inferred that at least a considerable proportion of the transfers are due to the fact that the holders, having made a successful start on limited areas, are now possessed of experience and capital sufficient to enable them to acquire larger areas, possibly to purchase freehold in the open market. The total number of applications for transfer submitted to the Land Board during the year was 220, out of which twenty-three were declined. All applications for transfer are very carefully considered by the Board, both as regards the general suitability of the proposed transferee and also as regards his financial position in relation to the amount of consideration money proposed to be paid. Forfeitures and Surrenders. The total number of holdings forfeited and surrendered during the year was fourteen, comprising 662 acres 3 roods 15 perches, principally under renewable-lease and temporary-occupa-tion-license tenures. The small number of holdings which have thus reverted to the Crown, and the fact that nine out of the fourteen holdings were merely temporary-occupation licenses, tend to show that the bulk of the land-selections in the district are made by persons not only genuinely desirous of occupying their selections in a ho/vi fide manner, but also financially and otherwise qualified to carry out successfully the obligations attaching to their selections. Rangers' Reports, ami Conation of Settlement. In the larger proportion of ordinary Crown leaseholds throughout the district the lands have been in possession of the tenants for a considerable number of years, and the periods of statutory requirements have therefore expired, so that only general supervision is now required. In the case of the numerous holdings round Lake Ellesmere, the dry season has enabled many of the holders to make better use of their sections than usual. Experiments in controlling the water-levels of the lake are still proceeding, and, if successful, further compliance with improvement conditions may be expected from tenants who have hitherto been excused on account of the frequent and erratic overflow of the accumulated lake-water on to their lands. In the Hororata, Kowai, and Oxford districts the tenants have had a fairly successful year: there is a continued improvement of the farms, and conditions ure well fulfilled. Two pastoral runs at Oxford suffered partially from fire, and about 1,000 acres will have to lie resown. In the Hanmer district a good ileal of trouble is being experienced with sweetbriar, which has in past years been allowed to spread. The leases of small areas in this neighbourhood suffer from the absence of residence and improvement conditions, and the condition of many of these sections can hardly be regarded as satisfactory.

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In the middle and South Canterbury districts most of the Crown lands holdings have passed beyond the period of statutory supervision, but it can be staled thai these holdings are generally in good condition and well improved, and are being satisfactorily and successfully occupied. On some of the hill holdings south of the Kangitata River considerable deficiencies exist in the value of improvements effected, although what has been done is in most cases sufficient for the reasonable working of tha holdings, which are frequently devoid of any suitable sites for the establishment of homesteads. The old village settlements in all parts of the district are in good condition, the improvements well maintained, and the holdings still serving usefully to provide homes for men finding employment in their respective localities. Forest and Scenic Reserves. There has been an almost entice absence of damage by lire to the forest, scenic, and other reserves throughoul the district, and it is a pleasure to report the assistance received from settlers in protecting these reserves and forests. The danger of tire increases witli ;he augmentation of population, and more constant supervision becomes necessary, although it is fair t<> add that, fires are more often caused by carelessness and want of thought than by any spirit of wanton destructiveness. Ranger Buckhurst suggests a means of protecting the smaller and prettier of the scenic reserves by planting shelter-belts of makomako and other native shrubs which have vigorous growth and are difficult to burn. Lands to be opened. The lands to be opened during the ensuing year will include the six blocks, comprising 82,100 acres, which were set aside for disposal as small grazing-rung out of the pastoral runs dealt with under the recent classification. Five of these runs are situated in the Mackenzie country, and one near Lake Coleridge. An area of about 48,700 acres in tin , basin of the Upper Rangitata River which has hitherto been occupied as part of the Mount Peel Station has been made available by exchange with the present occupiers, and this area, which comprises excellent pastoral country generally lying well to the sun, will probably be offered under the sinall-grazing-run tenure early next year, with possession on the Ist March, 1912. The other lands to be offered will consist principally of estates acquired under the Land for Settlements Act, two of which, comprising an area of 2,873 acres, are already advertised for selection on 25th April, while a further area of about 3,600 acres will be offered about the middle of June. Departmental. The second biennial election of a Crown tenants' representative on the Land Hoard was held on the 27th August, 1910, and resulted in the return of the sitting member, Mr. J. Scaly, by a large majority. TKe number of voting-papers returned was 1,1 7(i, nut of over 2,500 sent out, and, as the voting involves no further trouble than the filling-up of the voting-paper and its return to this office, it seems fair to conclude that the privilege is not greatly prized by the tenants. The total number of ordinary and special meetings of the Board held dining the year was twenty-five. The number of statutory applications for land received and considered was 894, of which 123 were granted. These, however, except in the case of newly offered lands, form a very small proportion of the business laid before the Board, the bulk of which consists of the numerous applications for transfer, questions of fulfilment of conditions, applications for special temporary concessions, &c, which are inseparable from the large and ever-increasing tenantry of the district. The amount of land which has been offered during the year, involving considerable distribution of plans, replies to inquiries, &c, besides the subsequent increase of correspondence with new lessees, have all contributed to an increase in the volume of work, which has kept the staff steadily engaged during the year. In the office of the Receiver of Land Revenue, besides the total revenue for the year, amounting to £156,248 9s. 10d., for which 6,304 receipts were issued, a sum of £40,01)7 was passed through Deposit Account, against which 1,099 receipts and refund vouchers were issued. In the Accountant's office, 456 vouchers, representing a sum of £3,130 15s. 10d., were drawn against the Imprest Account, and 247 vouchers, representing £12,087 10s. 3d., were passed through for pre-audit and payment. In conclusion, I have much pleasure in reporting that I have received most valuable co-opera tion and willing assistance from all the officers in conducting the business'of this branch of the Department since my arrival here last August, and the Chief Draughtsman's and Chief Clerk's knowledge of their duties has aided me very materially in keeping it up to date T. N. Bhodrick, Commissioner of Crown Lands.

OTAGO. Speaking generally, the past year has been a fairly prosperous one for Crown tenants, for, though the drought experienced in North Otago pressed hardly on some of the land-for-settlements men, both dairy-farmers and sheep-farmers, the average wool-clip was very good, grain crops and root crops fair, and prices satisfactory. This, following on a successful year, has enabled the settlers to pay up arrears, and holders of perpetual leases and occupation-with-right-of

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purchase selections to acquire freeholds. The result shows in the revenue, which Eor the year amounted to £118,079 155., disclosing an inorease over last year's revenue of £12,820 LBe. During the year Hi,207 acres in nineteen pastoral runs were offered at auction, and 111,239 acres divided into sixteen small grazing-runs were disposed of by ballot. Advantage was taken of the provisions of the enabling Act passed last session to dispose of, by ballot, five runs comprising 25,063 acres. The keen competition at auction and the large number of applicants at every ballot show that the demand for land suitable in any way Eor settlement remains as strong as ever. Land Tenures and Transactions. During the past year one pastoral and two ordinary deferred-payment holdings were made freehold, leaving now only eight deferred-payment selectors with 1,G57 acres among them. Ten holders of perpetual leases over in aggregate area of 1,556 acres, and fourteen licensees under oocupation-with-right-of-purchase tenure holding 2,04.'! acres, acquired the freehold. A preference for the ooeupation-with-right-of-purchaee tenure was shown by eighteen selectors taking up 2,!)•'!(> acres under this form of lease. Only one bolder of a lease in perpetuity purchased the feesiinple, the area thus made freehold being .'SI9 acres. No exchanges were made of leases in perpetuity Tor renewable leases. Seventy-six settlers took up 13,345 acres under ordinary renewable lease, ami four settlers acquired 1,485 acres under land-for-settlement renewable lease, within the past twelve months. New selections under the Laud for Settlements Act have been few in number, for the reason that no large estates in Otago were acquired for closer settlement in 1910. Three selectors took up 1,174 acres nti Matakanui Settlement, but one tenant afterwards surrendered his lease, assigning as a reason that he could not make a living on the laud. Eighteen persons selected 120,989 acres in small grazing-runs, and twenty-seven individuals became holders of pastoral runs, aggregating 302,273 acres in area. The year has been, comparatively speaking, a quiet one, owing to the non-purchase of any large freehold estate for closer subdivision. It must, however, be borne in mind that there are now hardly any large freehold estates available in Otago for closer settlement. Arrears of Rent. The amount of rent in arrear at .'ilst March, 1911, exclusive of the current half-yearly instalments payable in advance, was only t44. - ) Us. 9d. This gratifying record is due partlj to the prosperous season experienced, partly to the easy terms on which borrowed money is obtainable, and partly to the persistency of the staff in collecting arrears. Forfeitures and Surrenders. The largest forfeiture was that of a pastoral run of 17,500 acres on the west coast of Otago, bringing in an annual rental of £12. The reason for forfeiture was that the licensee was absent from New Zealand and failed to make provision for She payment of his rent. Five occupation-with-right-of-purchase tenants forfeited their holdings through non-payment of rent and nonresidence, and two holders of renewable leases had to relinquish their holdings—the one lease being forfeited for non-iniprovement of the land, and the other lease being surrendered, as previously mentioned, because the lessee was unable to make a living on the area. A villagehomestead leasc-in-perpetuity selector also forfeited his interest in 12 acres for non-compliance with the residence conditionof his lease. On the whole the number of forfeitures and surrenders is few : the majority of the settlers satisfactorily fulfil the conditions of their leases and give little cause for complaint. TItANSFEItS. The total number of transfers completed during the past year is shown by the following list : — Tenure. Number. '.\!-[-'X. Lease in perpetuity ... ■■■ ■•• ••• ••• *6 10,166 Renewable lease ... ••• ■•■ ■•• ••■ ' 683 Occupation with right of purchase ... ... ... 18 3,392 Land for settlements (lease in perpetuity) ... ... •'!■"> 8,656 ~ (renewable lease) ... ... ... 3 ■)■"><) Small grazing-run ... ... ■■• ■■• ■•• 2C 89,498 Perpetual lease ... ■■■ •• ••• ...12 . <J9!) Occupation lease ... ... ■■■ ... 11 505 Pastoral license ... ■■■ ••■ •■• •■■ 20 368,235 Miscellaenous ... ••• •■• ••■ ...35 1,464 204 483,778 The number and area of holdings transferred during the year show a considerable increase on those of last year, and as a rule the amounts paid for goodwill are large. Workers' Dwellings. Out of twenty houses in Windle Settlement, eighteen were occupied at 31st March and two were unoccupied. The unoccupied houses were both two-story oottages. There has been a very good demand for the single-story houses ever since the inception of the settlement, and, had all Hie houses been of that class, no difficulty would have been experienced in letting them. The tenants as a rule are doing well with their places, many of them taking great pride in their gardens, and, with one exception, the rents are well paid up. The houses have been built four

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years, and will require painting next year; but, as the Labour Department is taking over the control of the settlement, (his will be a matter Eor the consideration of that Department. Land proposed to be opened fob Selection in 11)11-12. There is not at present a Large amouni of land available for opening for selection. The principal areas thai will be dealt with are an area of 15,292 acres resumed from Moutere Run ; 10,895 acres at present included in Turnbull's Wanaka Run. These will be offered in subdivisions as small grazing-runs about November next. General Remarks (Rangers' Inspections). According to the reports of the Crown Lands Rangers, the settlers are generally complying well with the conditions imposed by their leases, and are steadily increasing the values of their holdings by the improvements they are effecting. The Crown Lands Ranger reports on ordinary Crown lands as follows : — "The tenants on ordinary Crown lands in Otago have made very fair progress during the year. Las! winter was exceptionally mild and open, and stock did not require very much in the waj of artificial feeding. The winter was also very dry, unfortunately, and the result was that the soil did not get what mighi be looked upon as a thorough wetting, The following spring and Bummer did not produce the usual necessary rainfall, and consequently there never was at any part of the season an abundance of feed for stock. There were intermittent showers, however, up till about the middle of January, and these kept the grain and root crops going, with the result thai over a large pari of Otago the grain crops have been fairly good. North Otago, however, did not fare as well as the central and southern parts, and owing to the shortage of rain many of the grain crops there were an absolute failure. After the middle of January for some weeks there was not a single shower of rain, and this has had a disastrous effect on the various root crops. These had promised very well until some time after New Year, but thej practically collapsed then for want of rain, and, to make matters worse, the blight became vei \ prevalent and destructive. In Central and North Otago the turnips and rape crops promised very well for a time, but the ultimate result might be looked upon as an absolute failure. Further south, though the root crops are not by any means up to the usual standard, they are fair to good generally. If another good winter conies, the lack of artificial feed will not perhaps be very severely felt, but, should the winter be a severe one, it will be a very serious matter for the general farming community. " The dairy-farmer throughout the northern part of Otago has not had a very good year. Feed has been scarce all through the spring and summer, and hence cows have not produced anything like the usual amount of milk. The shortage of turnips will be to some extent made up by hay, the crops of which have been something above the average, but it is to be feared that the year's general results will be disappointing. ■■Lambing percentages have generally been below the average in fact, in many cases they have been disappointingly small. It is difficult to assign a cause for'this, except it be the result of dry weather and shortage of feed. The wool-clip has been fair on the low country and good on the higher country. In fact, the high country, which stands the drought better than the lower parts, has been of considerable value during the past few years. "In the bush districts the past two dry years have produced some surprises. Usually with a rainfall that has been too heavy the bush settlers hail much cause to complain of wet surroundings —bad roots and too much water. All that has been changed lately, however, and they now find that the bush land takes very badly with drought, and they find also that the creeks from which are drawn the water-supplies give out only too quickly. Experience of the past two or three years has shown that without a fairly heavy rainfall bush settlement will not be very successful, as dry weather quickly burns up the supply of grass. It lias also shown the absolute necessity of a certain amount of bush-conservation in order to preserve the water-supply. There are a number of sharp high ridges covered yet with bush. The profit of clearing of them is somewhat doubtful, while if the bush were reserved the water-supply would lie guaranteed. This is a matter that has perhaps never Ixx'n brought very prominently home to the bush settlers, but the past two years has certainly shown them the necessity of something being done by way of bush-conservation. "Generally speaking, the Otago farmers have more than held their own this year, notwithstanding the poor rainfall. Their position is gradually but surely improving, and their prospects are very good indeed." Land Board, The business of the Land Board steadily increases, and several late sittings have been necessary in order to put it through in the monthly two-days sitting. During the year the Board suffered a severe loss through the death of Mr. John Tough. On aceoujit of his long illness, and the absence of Mr. Livingstone for six months, the Board had for that time to work with a bare quorum. The biennial election of a member by the Crown tenants took place in February, and resulted in the re-election of Mr. George Livingstone. Departmental. I have again pleasure in recording my appreciation of the good work done by the staff officers, and the ready and cheerful way in which it has lieen done. E. H. WILMOT, Commissioner of Crown Lands.

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SOUTHLAND. During the year the number of Crown holdings has increased by ninety-one. The total area held is 1,730,737 acres, as against 1,745,651 last year, the annual rent payable being £24,509 7s. (id., as compared with t"2;>,7!)7 l-'is. sd. last year. The gross revenue received shows an increase of .£4,797 over last year's receipts. The Various Tenures. Under the heading of ''Lands sold for Cash" the area purchased from the Crown and the revenue derived therefrom show an increase of 873 acres and £1,313 as compared with the previous year. Under the occupation-with-right-of-purchase system eighty-one persons selected 14,073 acres, at an annual rental of £709. The total number of holdings under this system has been increased during the year from 376 to 434, and the area held from 83,835 acres to 91,694 acres, and the annual rent payable from £2,393 to £2,772. The freeholds acquired during the year show a slight inorease. Under the renewable-lease system thirty-five holdings, representing an area of 3,480 acres (national-endowment lands) were taken up, at an annual rental of £137. The total number of holdings under this tenure lias been increased from fifty-four to ninety-three, and the area held from 5,327 to 8,969 acres, ami the annual rental payable from £214 to £360. Under the perpetual-lease tenure seven tenants exercised their right to acquire the freehold, while seventeen tenants did likewise under the lease-in-perpetuitj system. There are not any material changes under the remaining systems. Arheahs of Rents. The lessees in arrear with their rents, inclusive of current half-year, show a decrease of fifty-two, and the amount owing is less by 6280 as compared with last year. Freehold Titles issued. The subjoined table shows the Dumber of provisional titles issued by the Receiver of Land Revenue under the various tenures : — Tenure. Number. Art * A. li. I . Lease in perpetuity ... ... ... ... 15 1,220 2 30 Occupation with right of purchase ... ... ... (i 3,351 214 Perpetual lease ... ... ... ... 6 500 1 r> Cash ... .. .. ••• ■■■ •■• 12 191 1 22 Auction ... ... .. ■•■ ••■ ••■ 8 514 138 47 5,778 1 29 Transfers. Owing to the Land Board's strict investigation of all transfers the speculative element is decreasing. The total number of transfers completed dining the year is made up as under: — m Number Area. lon " ,v - of Leases. a. K. V. Lease in perpetuity ... ... ... 48 6,813 0 3 Occupation with right of purchase ... ... 21 4,138 1 17 in perpetuity (land for settlements) ... ... 7 1,602 237 Perpetual lease ... ... ■■ ••■ 12 278 0 26 Renewable lease ... ... •■■ ■■• ■ 5 528 3 16 Pastoral licenses... ... ... ... ■•• 6 47,863 0 0 Occupation licenses (miscellaneous) ... ... ... 23 618 038 Small grazing-runs ... ••■ ■•■ ••• 2 9,113 321 Certificates of occupation... , ... ... ••• 2 380 130 Mining districts land-occupation lease ... ... 1 7 018 Sawmill areas ... ... ... ... 5 1,000 0 0 Coal lease ... ••■ ••• ••• 1 19 038 133 72,363 0 4 Sawmilling Industry. During the year sixty-four out of sixty-six mills were working, producing 18,000,000 ft. of timber. With tlie exception of 250,000 ft. shipped to Australia, one-half the timber was delivered between (lore and Christchurch and one-half consumed in Southland. About 35 per cent, of the total output was dressed up at the local mills and 15 per cent, supplied to town mills for manufacturing purposes. Although the industry has improved somewhat during the year, the mills in Southland have turned out little over half their producing-capacity. During the year about £100,000 in wages was paid to 1.000 employees. Even with the lesser output from the mills, the limit of time that the industry will last seems to be not far off. Lands proposed to he opened fob Selection during the Year. The survey of a considerable area of bush land, which has been withdrawn from the operations of the State Forest Act and has been worked out by the sawmills, is now completed, and the land will be opened to selection during the year. Of this area, 1,364 acres are situated in Spar Bush, 1 665 acres in Forest Hill, and 800 acres in Blocks V, VII, and XII, Longwood. In addition to this I expect a block of a few thousand acres in Aparima Hundred to lie o pleted and opened to selection. Another block of 700 acres in Block XVIII, Jacob's River Hundred, and about

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4,400 acres in Longwood District, will also be available. The Terepa Estate, which is an educational endowment containing about 5,400 acres of open land, will be surveyed into suitable areas, and will likely be opened to application .11 as early date. With all this land to choose from the requirements of a large number of intending applicants should be satisfied. General Remarks. I have to report that the settlers are making good progress and steadily improving their holdings much above the requirements of the Land Act, the matter of road-access being their greatest want. The dry season lias μ-ivcii the opportunity of clearing, breaking up, and draining, which will help greatly in the productiveness of their holdings. 'Pen new dairy factories have been established in the district. Settlement generally is prosperous, and the Rangers report that both in agricultural and pastoral lands all are doing well. The pastoral leases put up this year by auction produced keen competition and increased rents. The administration of the portion of the Otago School Commissioners' reserves in Southland will much increase the office-work. The one Board now controlling the lands of Southland will help the subdivision of the suitable country, as when the leases fall in advantage will be taken for that purpose. With the increased work of the year the staff have dune well, the interest of the Department being their aim. TT ~ _ ° H. M. Skeet, Commissioner of Crown Lands.

APPENDIX ll.— LAND FOR SETTLEMENTS (REPORTS OF COMMISSIONERS OF CROWN LANDS ON).

AUCKLAND. In reviewing the results, it is very satisfactory to observe that so large a proporiton of the settlements have been such an absolute success. So "many different circumstances operate in producing the final results that it could not be expected there would be the same measure of success in each of the twenty-one settlements. Opouriao, the oldest established in this district, is the object-lesson in the success of the system. Fenoourt and Matamata also stand out most prominently, followed very closely by several thai were established later. During the year Selwyn, which showed a disposition to lag, has made rapid progress, and better crops have been obtained than anticipated. There has been a large increase in stock, and fresh land put down in permanent grasses is doing well. Tautari has also shown signs of improvement, due to the energy of the settlers, and it is hoped that next year it will be possible to remove it from the doubtful list. Okauia, which has all along been one of the least successful, is now on the road to success, but there has been no improvement in Rewi. In the smaller holdings, known as hamlets, in the vicinity of Auckland City there has been great progress, all the settlements being a pronounced success. Generally speaking, the settlers under this system of tenure have shared in the prosperity which farmers as a whole are enjoying. c Smjth> Commissioner of Crown Lands.

HAWKE'S BAY. In the northern portion of the Hawke's Bay Land District there are eight settlements let under the above system — namely, Pouparae, Waimarie, Willows, Wigan, Te Arai, Kanakanaia, Ngatapa, and Clydebank. The first four are let under lease in perpetuity, while the four latter are under renewable lease. The total area of 47,855 acres is held by 176 selectors. All the sections were taken up as soon as offered for selection, and have been continuously occupied, and at present are carrying a population of 624 souls. The improvements required under the Act amount to £60,652, while the value of improvements effected (including original improvements) is .£103,895. There are only four defaulters for residence, three of these being settlers in the Clydebank Settlement, who

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are residing with other settlers in the settlement, as they have not so far been able to get the timber carted on account of having no road-access: these roads are being formed. •>nc hundred and fifty-four dwellinghouses have been erected, and are valued at £-"54,395. The area in white crops is 715 acres, and in green and rool crops 512 acres, while 4,877 acres 2 roods 10 perches are in orchards, plantation, bush, scrub, fern, gardens, 4c, and the balance, 41,490 acres 2 roods 31 perches, is in grass. Of the total area let, there are nine township sections, of a total area of L 8 acres 3 roods 38 perches; sixty agricultural sections, of a total area of 1,997 acres 3 roods 0 perches; thirtythree agricultural and pastoral sections, of a total area of 7,249 acres 3 mods 15 perches; sixtyseven pastoral sections, of a total area of 35,982 acres and 23 perches; two small grazing-runs, of an area of 2,347 acres, and the balance, area of 259 acres I rood 2 perches, is held by five selectors under miscellaneous lease. The stock carried on the settlements amounts to 77,635 sheep, 7,269 cattle, 741 horses, and 833 pigs. Of the total area, 47,855 acres, only 1,227 acres is in crops of various kinds, so it is manifest that the land is used exclusively for wool-growing, grazing, dairying, and fattening stock. On the Wigan Settlement, taken up in December, 1903, the settlers did not suffer much from the floods of 1910, except damage to fences, so have had another good year. This settlement is used exclusively for sheep and cattle, though the percentage of lambing lias not been so good as in some of the previous years (when some of the settlers goi as high as 130 per cent.), principally on account of the changeable season, which has also caused a slight drop in the weight of wool clipped. The settlers obtained good prices for all their products, especially beef. This settlement is in a very prosperous condition. On Kanakanaia and Te Arai Settlements, selected in February and March, 1908, taking the season into account, the settlers have had a fairly good year. The settlers on the Kanakanaia Settlement go in exclusively for wool-growing and the raising and fattening of stock, and, though the wet winter was fairly hard on stock, the dry summer was rather favourable to this settlement, as the settlers were able to get off a considerable number of fat lambs. On Te Arai Settlement thirteen settlers go in exclusively for wool-growing and the raising and fattening of stock, and thirty-two for mixed farming (dairying, cropping, sheep, and cattle). The balance are small township sections, used for residences. This settlement suffered very severely from the floods experienced last March and April, the storm being particularly severe in this locality, and doing damage to the extent of £2,310. There was very little loss of stock, the principal damage being done to fences, crops, by surface slips, and the silting in gullies and on flat land. The season, though late, has been very favourable for cropping, and with the exception of maize, which is down in price, the price for produce has been very well maintained, especially chaff, which is bringing as high as £6 per ton wholesale. The dry summer caused a considerable drop in the supply of milk, but the settlers have more than made it up in the last two months, and, taken all'over, have had a fairly good year. Of the forty-nine selectors of the Pouparae, Willows, ami Waimarie Settlements, which are situated on the Poverty Bay flats, the holdings are used for dairying, cropping, grass-seed, grazing, and sheep. As the holdings 5 acres to 70 acres in extent, with an average of 32 acres each, the settlers go in for all classes of mixed farming, hut principally dairying and cropping. All the settlers on the Pouparae and Willows Settlements suffered severely from the floods last year. The flood-water was all over these settlements, and into most of the houses. It did actual damage to the extent of .£•'>!)•'! on the Pouparae Settlemeni and £605 on the Willows. As the settlers go in for many different kinds of farming, it is difficult to find out the real loss sustained, as in practically every case the settlers had to dry off their cows and turn out all their stock. On the Waimarie Settlement, only four of the settlers, situated on the banks of the Waipaoa River, suffered from the late floods, and the actual damage done amounted to £308. As all the land on these settlements is very good the grass soon came away, and as the prices of all farm produce, with the exception of maize, have been well maintained, the settlers soon recovered from the effects of the flood, ami have had another good year. On the Clydebank and Ngatapa Settlements, selected in March, 1910, taking the season into consideration, the settlers have done very well indeed, for immediately after selecting their holdings the floods and wet winter made the roads almost impassable, so that only men with plenty of energy and big heart could face the labour and cost of getting material and stock to their holdings. The Clydebank settlers have also been hampered on. account of road-access, and at the time of my visit there was still a good number of settlers who had no dray-road access to their sections. In most cases the work was in hand and proceeding satisfactorily. In my opinion, the Ngatapa settlers have done remarkably well, taking into consideration the very changeable season they have experienced since taking up their holdings. Though this settlement felt the effect of the dry summer very much, indirectly I think it did a lot of good, as the shortage of feed cleaned up the paddocks, and they are starting the winter with plenty of good sweet feed. The prospects for the coming year are very good indeed. There can be no question that the estates are in a healthy and prosperous condition, and afford a striking example of the success of the closer-settlement policy. In spite of the bad season we have just experienced, the success of each settlement is a tribute to the energy of the settlers, as well as to the suitability of the rich Poverty Bay lands for subdivision into small farms. There are sixteen properties in the southern portion of the Hawke's Bay Land District which have been acquired under the Land for Settlements Acts. The total area of 141,453 acres 2 roods 12 perches is held by 468 selectors, all >of which, with other lands, have been inspected during the past twelve months. It is a matter of regret that the season generally has been less favourable

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for stock than the preceding two years. An unusually dry period in the early summer, and again in the following autumn, has caused shortages of grass, and a danger of serious losses during the coming winter and early spring. White crops proved a disappointing harvest as far as Hawke's Hay was concerned, but green and root crops, especially potatoes, compared more than favourabl}' with the yield of other seasons. The sixteen settlements are carrying a population of 1,897 souls, principally engaged in agricultural or pastoral pursuits. A comparison with last year's return of stuck shows a considerable increase in the number of sheep, a decrease in cattle, and an increase in the number of horses and swine. The dairying industry continues to prosper, cheesemaking in some instances taking the place of butter-factories. Factories and creameries are now established ai Norsewood, Ormondville, Makotoku, Matamau, Kiritaki, Maharahara, Woodville, Waione, (Jmutaoroa, Dannevirke, l'iripiri, Otanga, Ongaonga, Bastings, and Napier, with numerous hand separator machines in use in the settlers' homes. Milking-machines are being extensively used in the larger sheds, and effect a considerable savins': of time and cost of labour. Owing to the scarcity of feed, the cattle in some of the dairying districts are in pool- condition, and, in consequence, many of the factories have to close down earlier than usual. There is, however, still time for the breaking-up of the drought, and better conditions to prevail, in the way of a plentiful supply of winter feed, before the young grass is damaged by early frosts. Fruit-farming continues to be a growing and payable industry, although this season many orchards in the vicinity of Hastings suffered severely from an unusually late and heavy frost. Some of the settlers were almost entirely deprived of this source of income, but in some instances turned their orchards into market-gardens with satisfactory results, and they are looking forward to increased profits from their fruit next season. The Hawke's May Fruit-growers' Company and the Heretaunga Fruit-growers' Union have assisted materially in placing their fruit industry on a thoroughly satisfactory and sound basis. The fruit canning and preserving factory at Frimley, near Hastings, employe a large number of hands during the season, and maintains its reputation as one of the leading institutions of Hastings. It is reasonable to anticipate a fairly good season next year, when it is hoped most, if not all, of our settlers may more than recoup themselves for any losses they have sustained through frost or drought during the past twelve months. c \> Pollen Commissionei of Crown Lands.

TARANAKI. The Tokaora Settlement, near Ilauera. has given the tenants large returns, and the settlement has a prosperous appearance. All the sections are used for dairying purposes. In the Clandon Settlement, near Toko, there is evidence that the continued dairying is causing the pastures to run out, and that it will be in the best interests of the land that it Ik , turned over to sheep for a year or two. A marked improvement is visible on two (if the sections that have been grazed solely by that class of stock. The settlers of Huinga, which is also near Toko, have had a good year, and the prospects are very hopeful. In all the three settlements mentioned attention is being given to regrassing after cropping, and a certain amount of top-dressing old pastures is being done. A satisfactory advance has been made in the Spotswood Settlement, near the Moturoa Breakwater, and all the settlers appear to be doing well. Several residences have been erected during the year, and, with the prospects of improved harbour-accommodation, this locality should attract persons who require a small area of land for residential and grazing purposes. Francis Simpson, Commissioner of Crown Lands.

WELLINGTON. The settlers on practically the whole of the estates have held their selections for many years, and are consequently now in a more or less highly prosperous condition. The tenants in'the settlements in the east coast district go in for mixed farming, the higher country being utilized for grazing mixed stock, arid the lower for dairying and agricultural purposes. The settlements in the neighbourhood of Wellington are used as residential sites principally, but some of the settlers follow poultry-farming, market-gardening, &c. In the west coast district the settlements are for the most part situated in the vicinities of Feilding, Bull's, and Lower Oroua. These settlements are chiefly used for dairying, cropping, and fruit-growing, the grazing of sheep not being such a marked feature as in the east coast division. James Mackenzie, Commissioner of Crown Lands.

NELSON. Wnnf/tipekn Settlement. —This estate was opened for selection in 1907, and contains an area of 6,149 acres, occupied by fifteen selectors. Improvements to the value of £6,870 have been effected, an excess of £5,914 over the requirements of the Act. Cropping is not carried on to any 4— C. 1.

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greal extent, an area of 309 acres being cropped during the year, with fair results. The live-stock on the estate consists of 3,35;") sheep, 44 pigs, 41 horses, and 276 cattle, being 812 more than last year. A creamery has been erected on the settlement, and nearly all the settlers are suppliers, and this, together with the good prices for wool and stock, has put the settlers in good heart, and they are well satisfied with their holdings and prospects. The land is chiefly used for pastoral purposes, and a large amount of work has been done during the year in ploughing, grassing, and clearing, and the success of this settlement appeal's to be now assured. Bnieburn Settlement. —The area available for selection in this settlement is 17,460 acres, of which 14,004 acres are occupied by eighteen selectors. The unselected areas are being gradually taken up, and before long the whole settlement will be selected. Grazing is the chief industry, and the settlers are making steady progress in clearing and grassing the land; very little cropping is done, owing to the cost of carriage to market, and crops are grown only for the settlers' own use. During the year 1,030 acres of bush have been felled, and, owing to the dry season, splendid burns have been obtained. Several contracts for areas of 200 to 500 acres have been let for felling this season. The dairy factory at Murchieon has been a greal factor towards the success of this settlement, and in a few years there will be a factory on the settlement at the present rate of progress. Improvements to the value of £6,497 have been effected, being £2,067 more than the requirements of the Act. The live-stock now number 1,114, and of this number 217 are dairy cows, an increase of 11-1 over last year. There is now no doubt aboul the ultimate success of this settlement. Robt. T. Sadd, Commissioner of Crown Lands.

MARLBOROUGH. The land in this district which has been settled under the Land for Settlements Act may be considered, taken as a whole, quite satisfactory to the holders, and, although some of the rents approach dangerously near the maximum which can be safely paid under average conditions, out of the whole of the holdings under settlement conditions 1 think there is hardly any one who can be termed an absolute failure, although, of course, as farming is as much of a business as any other calling, and as men differ very considerably, there are naturally various grades of well-doing: but it is observed that most of the transfers which come before the Land Hoard disclose the fact that in nearly every case substantial goodwills, outside the value of improvements, are being demanded. The total area of land held is 109,873 acres, and supports a population of 1,090 persons. living in 250 houses, who own among them 121,121 sheep, 1,166 cattle 1,235 horses, and 372 pigs— that is, an increase over last year of 20,418 sheep, 150 head of cattle, 50 head of horses, and 17 pigs; and in the same period there was an increase of 466 acres of white crops and 293 acres of green crops. The sheep carried on all this land-for-settlements land works out at 1"1 sheep per acre for the total area, and deducting the area under white crop—viz., 10,149 acres—the sheep carried amount to I'2l per acre. In this connection it may be interesting to note that the whole Flaxbourne Estate of 56,460 acres carried in 1904— the year before it was taken over —47,046 sheep, and the mean of the last five years was 48,900, or at the rate of 0 - 866 sheep per acre. We have no return showing how many acres the original holders had under white and green crops then, but at the present date the area under lease, less the area in white crop, is 42,812 acres, and the number of sheep carried, besides 891 great cattle and horses, is 47,•"!77, or an average of TlO6 per acre. Unfortunately, we have no information which will enable us to carry the comparison further in other respects, but I think it may l>e assumed that the old estate would suffer on a population basis, because there are now residing on the estate 358 persons, which is probably fully three times the number that were employed by the estate when worked as one property. The past season, owing to climatic conditions, may be claimed as a satisfactory one, and, although Starborough and Blind [liver Settlements suffered in common with the rest of the Dominion from a very dry spring, which affected the crops to a considerable extent, I think, on the whole, satisfactory returns have been received by the majority of the settlers, and in some instances they have been decidedly good. Flaxbourne has been rather fortunate in getting a fair amount of moisture, but unfortunately, as in the two former years, this settlement has again been subject to a large loss of crops by the ravages of the caterpillar, and in some instances the settlers have lost nearly the whole of their crops of oats; it is becoming a very serious matter, the constant recurrence of this pest. No one appears to be able to give any reasonable explanation of why this special district should continue to be subject to this particular pest. In some cases certain fields are destroyed, while other localities apparently under similar general conditions have escaped, and no theory that I have ever heard propounded appears to satisfy the whole observed phenomena, for weather-conditions alone appear inadequate to account for the prevalence in certain seasons and localities. It may, however, be noted that caterpillars do not appear generally until about Christmas-time, or even later. If this is so, and it is possible to accelerate the ripening of the crops by early sowing or the selection of early-maturing varieties of grain so as to enable the crops to be harvested before the pests are in their full vigour, some alleviation of the mischief may be possible. This is a matter of very great importance to the Flaxbourne settlers generally, and we can only hope that as a knowledge of the causes of this pest are better known a remedy may be found. The railway is now opened to Ward Township, and should be of immense use to the settlers, by plaping them on a more even footing with other communities who enjoy greater transport

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facilities. So far, no one in this district appears to have taken advantage of the many benefits to be derived by the Land for Settlements Finance Act : this is probably more owing to ignorance of its provisions, which only require to be known to be appreciated by both purchasers and vendors. I , '. Stbphenson Smith, Commissioner of Crown Lands.

WESTLAND. Both of the land-for-settlements estates, Kokatahi and Poerua, are utilized partly for dairying and partly for grazing purposes, and the whole of the settlors on both are doing well. The land has increased considerably in value since the estates were offered, but fortunately there has been an absence of trafficking, the lessees being quite content with their holdings and showing no inclination to part with them, although valuable considerations are offering for their goodwill. With isolated exceptions, the settlers are of a good class, and are making the best use of their lands, although in some instances they are inclined to favour grazing in preference to the more remunerative although more arduous occupation of dairying. However, with dairy factories conveniently situated and a good class of cattle procurable on the settlements, it is probable that grazing will shortly be relinquished in favour of dairying in all cases, the only obstacle to the latter being the high rate of wages ruling in the district. The tenants in both settlements, and more especially in Poerua, are to be commended for the enterprise they have shown in the matter of procuring good stock with a view to improving their dairy herds, and they are now receiving a wellmerited reward for their enterprise. Fifteen tenants are now milking a total of 449 cows, and, in addition to these, the settlements are supporting 2,772 sheep, 832 cattle, 94 horses, and 240 pigs, a remarkably good record for a total area of 5,020 acres, let at rentals based on a total capital value of £10,840. As would be anticipated from these figures, agricultural farming is not indulged in to any extent, the only cropping done being for the purpose of supplying winter feed for stock: the total area under crop this season is 216 acres. The late dry season lias produced no ill effects, and since the recent rain there is an abundance of grass everywhere. The results obtained from the experimental farm now being established at Poerua will be of great benefit to the settlers, who warmly appreciate the action of the Government in this matter, as they are most anxious to take advantage of any information that will assist them to farm their holdings in a more scientific manner. q jj McClurb Commissioner of Crown Lands.

CANTERBURY. Lands opknkd tof. Selection. Eight new settlements were opened for selection under renewable-lease tenure during the year. The following are brief particulars in regard to the disposal of each : — (1.) Ladbrooks Settlement, near Lincoln, about twelve miles from Christchurch. Opened for selection, 11th May, 1910. Area offered, 268 acres, in twelve sections of from 1!) to -'30 acres, all but one of which were selected before the end of the year. The settlement consists of good dairying land, with a creamery immediately adjacent, but the areas appeal- to lie generally regarded as somewhat small for successful occupation. (2.) Clandeboye Settlement, six miles from Temuka. Opened I'm- selection, 17th May, 1910. Ana offered, 560 acres, in ten sections of from 30 to 95 acres, all of which were disposed of at the first ballot. This is dairying land, of excellent quality. (3.) Hornby Settlement, at Hornby, about six miles from Christchurch. Opened for selection, 2nd August, 1910. Area offered, 71 acres, in twenty-three sections averaging about 3 acres each. This settlement was offered with the object of providing suburban homes for workmen employed at the neighbouring freezing-works. As is generally the case with small suburban holdings, these sections have not been taken up so promptly as farm lands, but fifteen sections have already been selected, and the remaining ones are steadily going off. (4.) Clandeboye No. 2 Settlement, about seven miles from Temuka. Opened for selection, 23rd August, 1910. Area offered, 406 acres, in six sections of from 60 to 70 acres, all of which were taken up at the first ballot. This settlement 'adjoins the previously offered Clandeboye Settlement, but is of somewhat lighter quality. (5.) Ruapuna No. 2 Settlement, about twenty miles from Ashburton. Opened for selection, 10th August, 1910. Area offered, 4,424 acres, in fourteen sections of from 123 to 477 acres, all but one of which have been selected. This settlement consists of level pastoral and agricultural land. (6.) Kohika No. 2 Settlement, about six miles from Makikihi. Opened for selection, 23rd August, 1910. Area offered, 581 acres, in four sections, all of which were disposed of at the first ballot. ' The sections consist of good agricultural downs land. (7.) Meadows Settlement, near Washdyke, about four miles from Timaru. Opened for selection, 22nd November, 1910. Area offered, 449 acres, in fourteen sections of from 10 to 74 acres, all of which were taken up at once. This settlement consists of flat agricultural land of good quality, very handy to the Town of Timaru and the freezing-works at Smithfield. . (8.) Stoke Settlement, about six miles from Rangiora. Opened for selection, 11th January, 1911. Area offered, 963 acres, in seven farm sections from 74 to 229 acres, all of which were disposed of at the first ballot, and three one-acre sections. The land is principally easy agricultural downs, of good quality.

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Lands to he opened during the Yeah. The settlements to be offered during the ensuing year will include the Drayton Settlement, near Templeton, comprising 987 acres, to be divided into twenty sections; the Allanholme Settlement, near Waihao Forks, comprising an area of 1,911 acres, to lje divided into eight agricultural farms; and the Douglas Settlement, of about .'S,b'oo acres, near Waihao Downs, to be divided into twenty-three agricultural holdings, with v few small allotments for agricultural labourers. The Sherwood Downs Estate, near Fairlie, comprising about 11,500 acres of freehold and 45,000 acres of Crown leasehold, has also been acquired, and will probably be offered in March next. Tenure of Settlements. There are now established in this district sixty settlements and a few homestead sites, &c. These comprise a total occupied area of ."{21,241 acres 2 roods 5 perches, occupied in 1,414 holdings. The total resident population of these lands is 5,435 souls. The aggregate value of improvements required by the terms of the lease is £320,960 .'ss. 4d., and the total value effected is £573,850 7s. lid. The stock depastured on the settlements include 2%,!)22 sheep, 6,867 head of cattle 5,5-17 horses, and 3,411 pigs. The annual rental of the occupied lands is t, v '!),!)!) I L3s. 10d., and the total receipts since the inception of the system in 1894 amount to £727,000 Bs. -Id. Condition of Established Settlements. A review of the reports received from the Crown Lands Rangers on all the land-for-settlements estates throughout the district at the close of the year serves to still further emphasize what has been stated in previous reports concerning the uncpualifk'd success which lias, with very few exceptions, attended this system of land-settlement, and which has not only benefited the individual settlers, but has contributed in a striking degree to the advancement and prosperity of the district as a whole The past season has, in many localities, been a trying one for the farming community, but returns generally have proved to be better than there appeared to l>e reason to anticipate, and in the older-established settlements the position of the tenants is too well assured to be materially affected by a single unfavourable season. On some of the newer settlements the drought will have tendered the struggle of the new tenants harder ; for while a settler in an assured position and with all necessary improvements effected can stand a temporary reverse, on the other hand, a new settler, who must necessarilj , lay out a considerable amount of capital in buildings and other improvements, stands all the more in need of good returns for the opening years of his occupation. As regards the fulfilment of conditions, the position disclosed by the Hangers' reports can only be regarded as eminently satisfactory. The proportion of actual defaulters in respect of any of the requirements is very small, and in most of these eases the default is only partial, consisting in the majority of cases of failure to effect the full value of improvements required for the sixth year of occupation. In most of these instances, however, the improvements effected are sufficient for the working of the land, and exjxjrience shows that as circumstances permit additional improvements are effected either in the form of enlarged or improved homesteads or of sheds, subdivision fencing, draining, &c. It is indeed very satisfactory to observe on many of the holdings the addition to settlers' homesteads of comforts and conveniences which are frequently lacking even in city dwellings. In the North Canterbury District the Annan and Lyndon Settlements, in the neighbourhood of Waiau, are in a very flourishing condition, although, owing to their distance from a market, there is but little cropping done. In reporting on the Culverden Settlement the Ranger refers to the very large amount of work that Iris l>een done by the settlers during the short period of their occupation, although, for the reasons stated in the preceding paragraph, some of them have failed to effect the full value required by the terms of their leases. The Horsley Down Settlement, near Hawarden, and Ashley Gorge Settlement, near Oxford, are in a well-established and satisfactory condition. In the nine old-established suburban settlements in the vicinity of Christchurch there is a most satisfactory absence of any kind of default ; the holdings ax- well improved and kept in good order-. and there is a very noticeable increase in the values of the land. The two other suburban settlements—namely, the Buddo Settlement, near Belfast, and the Hornby Settlement, near Hornby —have been too recently established to show very marked development, but there appears to be every reason to anticipate that they will prove of advantage in providing homes for workers employed in the vicinity. The Ladbrooks Settlement, near Lincoln, is also in the early stages of its career, but good progress has been made. An impression appears to prevail, however, that the sections, which average about 20 acres, and were intended for dairy farms, are somewhat small in size for successful working. The Morice and Kinloch Settlements, near Little River, are improving their position, though the former suffered from the partial failure of the cocksfoot harvest. The Fyvie and Mead Settlements, on the northern side of the Rakaia River, consist of the class of land which is liable to Ik , somewhat seriously affected by a dry season, and in the former settlement, which has only been established a short time, the settlers have felt the position acutely. The settlements throughout the Ashburton County (with the exception of the Ruapuna No. 2 Settlement) are in a thoroughly well-established and flourishing condition, and will be benefited by the recent growth of the dairy industry within the county. The Ruapuna No. 2 Settlement has been in existence little more than six months, and has been affected by the dry season, but otherwise a good start has been made.

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South of the Rangitata River the country Ims been less seriously affected by the season. On the recently established Tripp, Clandeboye Nos. 1 and '2, Meadows, and Kohika No. 2 Settlements the settlers have effected very satisfactory improvements considering the short period of their occupation, and evidently intend to make a success of their holdings. The older settlements are in a condition of almost uniform prosperity, prominent among them being the Rosewill, Chamberlain, Albury, and Punaroa Settlements, between Timaru and Burkes Pass; the Pareora No. 2 Settlement, near St. Andrews ; and the Waikakahi Settlement. The smaller settlements also provide abundant evidence of genuine success, and are affording comfortable small farms for many successful and contented settlers. ,„ .. _ T. N. Bkodiuck, Commissioner of Crown Lands.

OTAGO. During the past year no new settlement lands have been opened,. There has been considerable activity by way of transfer of holdings at monetary considerations that should be vary satisfactory to the vendors, fairly high amounts, as a rule, being given for goodwill. The settlers on all the settlements have been making good progress, notwithstanding the unusual drought, which has pressed heavily on some of them. This has more especially been the case with the North Otago settlements, many of the settlers on the new estates there being hard hit owing to the total failure of their crops. • In North Otago the wheat crop will not average more than 12 bushels to the acre, ami oats will not thresh out more than an average of 25 bushels per acre. The turnip and rape crop is a failure. The potato crop promised to Ih> fairly good, but, owing to the dry weather and a kind of wire-worm which attacked the tubers, it will not turn out as well as expected. The grass, owing to want of rain, is in many cases burnt out of the ground, and later on most of the pasture will have to be renewed. In order to give some measure of relief, the Government decided to afford facilities for railing stock out of the district at much reduced rates. A good part of what has been retained will require to be hand-fed during the winter. The drought has also had a most damaging effect on the dairy industry, many factories having to close down after carrying on during the summer on less than half the usual supply of milk. In the north of Otago, therefore, unless the drought breaks soon, and the frost is late in setting in, the prospects for the winter do not look well. In the south, however, things are not so bad, although there is a great scarcity of grass. What there is is parched, and not likely to afford much feed for winter. Up to the middle of March the turnip crop had held out well, there being not much sign of blight. The redeeming feature has been the white crops, especially on Greenfield, where there have been heavy crops of wheat, yielding as high as .VI bushels per acre. The settlers there go in hugely for the solid-straw variety, owing to the fact that it yields well, and stands the wind. The oat crops have also been very good. There is not much in the way of dairying done there, the settlers going in more for cropping and growing wool and mutton. The same remarks, to a large extent, apply to the other settlements— Barnego, Taumata, and Pomahaka. Generally speaking, the southern settlers are doing well, and are satisfied with their prospects. In spite of all drawbacks, the conditions of settlement all over Otago are well carried out. The required amount of improvements is now £138,792 11s. 10d., and the amount actually made £279,182 2s. Id., showing that substantial progress lias been made. E. H. Wilmot, Commissioner of Crown Lands.

SOUTHLAND. Conditions of Established Settlements. Taking the settlements in this district as a whole, it may be said that steady and satisfactory progress has been made during the year. The only settlement which might be singled out for special mention is Ermedale, which was offered for selection in March, 1910. Although only twelve months established, it is pleasing to note that wonderful progress has been made in the way of improvements. Eleven dwellings have been erected, and there are thirty-seven souls on the settlement. The settlers contemplate erecting a dairy factory, to be in readiness for next season. Through the evils of the unfortunate drought winch has been generally experienced in Southland the operations of both dairying and grazing on all settlements have not been so successful as in previous years. Notwithstanding the drought, both white and root crops, taken on the whole, have done remarkably well. An area of 4,073 acres has been laid down in new grass during the year, and this will greatly increase the stock-carrying capacity. There are 236 houses, 1,083 soul's, 8,777 cattle, .'!6,2(>* sheep, 1,208 horses, and 1,559 pigs on the settlements. The total amount of improvements actually effected by the lessees is .£83.950. Future Phospects. The settlers are well satisfied with their holdings, and, on the whole, have had a good year, and appear to be confident of their future success. 11 H. M. Skeet, Commissioner of Crown Lands.

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APPENDIX 111. — REPORT ON THE IS TIMBER INDUSTRY IN THE AUCKLAND AND MARLBOROUGH LAND DISTRICTS.

AUCKLAND. Throughout the past year the timber industry generally lias been exceptionally brisk, both in the production and sale of timber of all kinds. Kauri. —With regard to the kauri timber, I might state that a record number of logs were received at the several timber companies' booms, owing to the very heavy rains and freshes experienced. Notwithstanding the large log-supplies to hand, keen competition resulted for the purchase of the several kauri bushes offered by the Crown. Although this class of timber is getting somewhat remote, and consequently more expensive to work, the prices realized were satisfactory, ranging from 2s. per 100 superficial feel for small lots to .'js. lid. for larger lots. It may be of interest to note the high retail prices now ruling for sawn kauri timber as compared with the prices current as at July, 1899. * Ordinary Building-timber, undressed, up to ft. long, \i/n. to lin or mort in thickness, ami not exceeding 12 in. wide, at per 100 sup. ft. First Class. Medium. Second Class. July, 18'J'J ... ... ... ... 13/ 10/6 7/6 July, 1900 ... ... ... ... 14/ 11/6 8/6 June, 1901 ... ... ... ... 15/ 12/0 9/6 August, 1903 ... ... ... ... 16/6 13/6 10/6 September, 1906 ... ... ... ... 17/6 14/ 10/6 December, 1907 ... ... ... ... 20/ 17/ 12/ April, 1910 ... ... ... ... 22/ 17/6 12/ December, 1910 ... ... ... ... 24/ 18/6 12/ Upon reference to the table hereunder it will be seen that during the year large quantities of kauri timber have been disposed of, and as such large sales are rapidly diminishing the number of Crown forests, it seems expedient that the sales should gradually be lessened each year with the view to conserving the future supplies. The kauri-timber trade locally has been very brisk, especially in the joinery line, whilst the southern and coastwise trade has also been well maintained, the demand being principally for wide boards. Large shipments of kauri timber are still being exported to Australia, and a few shipments have been made direct to the United Kingdom during the yi Bimu. —The trade in this class of timber has greatly improved, and sawmillers within the Waikato district have found it very difficult to complete orders, and in many instances have been required to purchase rimu from sawmillers further south to cope with the demand. Kahikatea. —The prices obtained for sawn white-pine timber throughout the year have greatly exceeded those of past years. Owing to the prosperous agricultural season in Australia and throughout the Dominion the output for this kind of timber for butter-boxes has been greatly augmented, and the heavy stocks held during the previous years by sawmillers have been considerably decreased. Totara and Matai. —These timbers find a ready sale, and high royalties are paid for the standing timber. Tanekaha. —In the Waikato district there is a fair demand for this timber for flooring-boards, and very satisfactory sales have been effected. The following table shows the various kinds of timber disposed of during the year:— <

Export of Timber from Ist April, 1910, to 31st March, 1911. —From Auckland and other ports: Kauri 19,262,002 sup. ft., value £134,395; kahikatea, 1:5,008,415 sup. ft., value £53,365; other kinds 291,528 sup. ft., value .£1,557: total 32,561,945 sup. ft., value £189,317. From Kaipara : Kauri 10,775,246 sup. ft., value £64,233; kahikatea 21,199,148 sup. ft., value

Kauri. Eimu. Kahikatea. Totara. Matai. j^l^g Total. Amount realised. irown lands and lands for settlement itate forests Sup. ft. 15,328,288 21,617,774 Sup. ft. 5,094,664 19,476 5,114,140 Sup. ft. Sup. ft. 482,858 129,569 576 8,049 483,434 137,618 Sup. ft. 493,837 245 Sup. ft. 143,582 443 Sup. ft. I 21,672,798 21,646,563 43,319,361 £ e. d. 19,322 19 0 15,571 5 0 Totals 36,946,062 494,082 144,025 34,894 4 0 Section s loaded u uitli Value of Tim< I 487,767 |468,510| her. I 1,243,5821 I 475 6 0 I 104,126| I 183,1791 I •• I I •• Timber measured < rind disposi ed of for Educatu ■m Depa; rtment. I 12,000] I 6 0 0 I I •• I I .. J 12,000| .. I I ••

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£75,767; other kinds 1,291*733 sup. ft., value £4,622 : total 33,266,127 sup. ft., value £144,662. Grand totals, 65,828,072 sup. ft.; value, £333,97!). Imports of Timber, Auckland, from Ist April, 1910, to Slst March, 1911. —Sawn timber 3,738,923 sup. ft., value £29,102; laths, shingles, logs, palings, posts, rails, &c, value £5,894: total value of timber imported, £34,996. Timber-floating. —Number of licenses at present in existence, 143; new licenses issued during the year, 10; licenses transferred, 3; licenses renewed, 100. Busji-fires. — Bush-fires throughout the district -were prevalent during the dry season, and a number of privately owned bushes were more or less burnt. Fortunately, however, as far as can be ascertained, none of the Crown forests suffered. More particularly the Waipoua and Warawara State forests were free from fire, owing, no doubt, to isolation from settlement and to the wet nature of the bush, as well as to the vigilant watch kept by the caretakers in preventing trespassing. Gathering Gum, Waipoua and II itrawara Stale Forests. —During the year the net proceeds from the sale of gum collected from outside the incisions of the kauri-trees in the latter finest amounted to £269 os. Bd., and the stocks in hand are valued at about £240. In addition to the amount of work entailed in dealing with tii nl>er matters, the administration of the Kauri-gum Industry Act has also been carried out by this branch of the Department since the Ist January last in accordance with the Kauri-gum Industry Amendment Act, 1910. Correspondence and other matters dealt with by the timber branch have been heavy this year. Upon comparison with the previous year's report it will be seen that the amount realized on the sales of timber this year has increased over fourfold. During the year L,O7G Utters and 972 saleposters were despatched. Emc c Go " LD g MITHj Commissioner of Crown Lands.

MARLBOROUGH. There have been seven sawmills cutting timber from State Forests during the year, and three cutting part of the time from Crown lands. The amount of timber cut in superficial feet is as follows: State forests —Rimu, 6,597,381; white-pine, 3,488,658; matai, 1,021,630; totara, 96,792: birch, 13,301: total, 11,217,762 sup. ft. Crown lands—Rimu, 669,().")S ; white-pine, 64,903; matai, 18,837; birch, 1,341 : total, 754,139 sup. ft. Grand total, 11,971,901 sup. ft., yielding a royalty of £3,115. The gross output this year has been practically 12,00(1,(Mil) sup. ft., or over 3,000,000 ft. short of our estimate and 500,000 ft. short of the actual output last year. This is caused chiefly by the less white-pine cut, also to the very bad times. Some of the smaller mills have been experiencing considerable difficulty in keeping going at all. I estimate that next year 15,000,000 ft. will probably be cut—that is, 14,000,000 ft. from the State forests and 1,000,000 ft. from the Crown lands. The amount of royalty this year is about £180 short of last year's figures, but it is hoped that about £5,000 will be received next year. From nearly five years' experience, I have come to the conclusion that the system of paying by royalty as the timber comes out of the mill is a mistake —it would lie far better to have the trees properly measured and sold to the sawmiller as they stand in the bush; he could then use his own discretion as to how much or how little he used ; he would be far more careful not to allow the trees to be destroyed by fire, and we should, I believe, not only transfer the fire risk on to the shoulders of the persons who cause the fires, but probably would get a greater return, because having bought the tree the miller is far less likely to leave it if it is growing in an unhandy place or in felling gets into a difficult'position. While I am on the subject of fires in the cutting-area of the sawmills I should like to offer a few remarks on a subject of even greater importance than the loss of a little timber by fire: this is the very great loss ami damage done to the land itself by partly burning the tree-tops and dead rubbish lefi on the ground when tin , timber has been removed. This is frequently burnt by the fire for the log-haulers, and if not sown is soon covered by fern and noxious weeds, such as blackberry, dec., and before the land can be got into the hands of the settler it has seriously depreciated in value. Sowing g I grass-seed is only a part remedy for the evil, because, in the first place, it is difficult to get a good sowing when the ground is cumbered by rubbish of a poor burn; and, secondly, the burning of a large mass of timber on the ground creates such an intense heat that it generally destroys a large part of the <j;rass sown. The proper remedy would be to follow after the sawmills as closely as possible and underscrub and fell all the trees left, then burn in the proper season ami sow with clean grass-seed; this would cost perhaps £2 10s. per acre, but there would be no difficulty in letting the grazing of the land until it can lie settled for more than the bare interest on the cost of the work, and the whole cost could Ik , loaded mi to the land when finally offered. I am perfectly confident thai this is the only reasonable course to pursue, and should be adopted. I therefore would strongly urge that the land now being divested of its timber in the Opouri Valley should be so treated. The general conditions of the timber industry in this district have been fair during the past year, but the lack of cash orders lias pressed very heavily on the smaller mills, almost to their extinction. The outlook, especially in regard to the export trade in white-pine, appears to be improving. F. Stephenson Smith, Commissioner of Crown Lands.

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APPENDIX IV.—RIVER PROTECTIVE WORKS, LINDSAY SETTLEMENT, HAWKE'S BAY LAND DISTRICT.

[By H. Martin Smith, Crown Lands Ranger.] Before entering into details in oonnection with the above, it might be well to mention that the position of these works is about seven miles distant from Waipawa Township and Railway-station, on the right bank of the Waipawa River, which forms the boundary between the Argyll Settlement on the north and the Lindsay Settlement on the south. The latter, formerly known as Mount Vernon Estate, was purchased by the Government, and opened for settlement on the llth April, L 905. Previous to the purchase the former owner expended considerable sums at various tunes in endeavouring to confine the flood-waters of the Waipawa River within reasonable limits, and prevent the flood-water from connecting with the Waipawa-Mate Stream and thence on to the Tukituki River, into which their is a considerable natural fall from the Waipawa River. Should such a oontingenoy arise it would mean the destruction of thousands of acres of rich alluvial flats, .Hid would lie very disastrous to the district generally, and the Township of Waipukurau would suffer very materially. Since the purchase of Lindsay by the Government, the late Roads Department spent some thousands of pounds in the erection of protective banks and the building of groins. Subsequently a number of the latter were washed away, or buried up, and the river made such serious encroachments into the protective bank as to render a considerable amount of the work useless, threatening to force its way behind the works and wash them away bodily. On the 25th August, 1909, a sum of money was authorized to be expended under the control of the Lands and Survey Department in repairs, and I was instructed to undertake the supervision of the work. Drawings and specifications were supplied by Mr. Brodrick, who was then Chief Surveyor ami Commissioner of Crown Lands at Napier. His scheme, which I understand proved very successful when tried on rivei-banks in the South Island, has, I venture to say, in this case been the most successful of any work of the kind I have seen elsewhere. The principal feature of the scheme is the erection of a substantial fence with piles at each end firmly driven into (he shingle, and intermediate iron rails (old railway iron) along the fence, which is constructed with No. 8 galvanized wires tightly stretched between the end piles. Stout green willow posts are let down into a trench well below the ordinary water-level, and firmly stapled to (lie wires. Stops constructed with wire netting and filled in with gorse are erected at 1 chain or less intervals, and made to extend back from the fence to the protective bank, and have the effect, where the current is strong or a big body of water to contend with, of breaking tfite force of the water and depositing silt in place of eroding the hank, as would otherwise occur. In all cases before the erection of the fence or bank has been undertaken it has been found necessary to temporarily divert the river by means of sand-bags or sacks filled with shingle. In many instances unexpected floods or local cloud-bursts have washed these away, and delayed the work in some instances for several days. I feel confident, however, that the work is a successful and permanent undertaking, and, although a somewhat costly one, is good value for the money expended by the Lands and Survey Department. The work completed to date comprises 55J chains length of fence with stops, 55J chains length of bank behind fence, 10| chains length of groins 7 ft. by 4 ft. dimensions, sl| chains length of willow fascines, 1A chains length of stop-bank. The above is exclusive of the labour in connection with the turning of the river at various times, time lost through unexpected floods, and repairs to bank and fence seriously damaged by flood in March last year. The total cost of above work to date is about £1,500, although I have been careful not to undertake more work than was absolutely necessary. It is very fortunte that the Under-Secretary for Lands was able to visit the works recently, and during a flood in the river, and thus form an opinion as to the efficacy of the work as completed. There are other places along the river-bank and in the neighbourhood of the present works, although not at present in immediate need of may later on require protecting, and if more money is available it would be of advantage to attend to this. I dcs-ire also to place a great stress on the fact that until the willows have thoroughly established themselves a certain amount of supervision will be necessary, and I would suggest that a certain sum might he set aside for this purpose. It is reasonable to expect that in their own interest the settlers in the neighbourhood will endeavour to prevent the trespass of stock on these works, which would materially check the growth of the willows so essential to the ultimate success or otherwise of the undertaking.

H I v

Longitudinal Section from Waikato Bar to Punga Punga

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APPENDIX V.—WAIKATO RIVER IMPROVEMENT.

[Report by William ('. BrEAKBLL, G.E., to the Waikato Draina«i< Association.] In accordance with the request of your association, I have taken a scries of levels from the Waikato Bar to Pungapunga, on the Waikato River, also from the mouth of the Whangamarino to its junction with the Maramarua, and from said junction up the Whangamarino (about six miles), also from above-named junction up the Maramarua Creek to the canal to the coal-mines (about eight miles). Gauges have been erected at many points along the Fiver (Waikato) for the purpose of registering tide and Hood levels, and iilso to indicate the irregularities of the summer levels, and w here they occur. Reference to the longitudinal sections herewith attached will afford confirmation of what I have above mentioned. The cause of these irregularities is that the present (but not the true) bed of the river is very uneven and irregular, and the width of the waterway varies considerably; consequently the sectional area of the waterway is variable. Reference to the cross-sections attached clearly delineate how uneven at the various points is the sectional area of the river-bed. The longitundina] section hereinbefore referred to shows the irregularities of the present bed lit" the river, the depths thereon shown being the deepest part of the river at the various points (see note on long section), and said long section indicates, to my mind, the original sole of the river before the impedimenta, snags, and dtbris piled up the now-existing sand-banks. 1 am satisfied that if some action is not taken soon the bars and sand-banks will continually increase and extend, and the consequence will l>e increased number of Hoods and their longer duration. The sand-banks near Okahu on old charts (I960) prepared by Imperial Government are shown and described as shifting sand, but their position does not appear to have changed since the date of the chart, but they have evidently risen in height, and extend further up the river. The sand-banks higher up the river are of modern creation, many being formed and covered with willows within the memory of residents in the vicinity. It is to be noted that there has been no controlling body, consequently no attempt has been made to preserve the river. ■ All kinds of ih'hris are brought down by the Hoods and allowed to remain where they strand, consequently a sand-bank is rapidly formed; then all kinds of vegetation and waste from the flax-mills settle there : then a willow is felled or falls into the river, is floated to the first bank that retains it. takes root, and in a very short time an island is formed to further reduce the sectional area of the waterway : consequent thereto the flood-waters are checked in their course to the sea, hence floods and their long duration. Flood-level. —lf you refer to the longitudinal section you will ascertain the height of floodlevel (1007) at various points along the river, the heights given being from a datum 50 ft. below height of said flood on a spring tide (h.w.) at the wharf, near the Waikato Heads. Low Water. —The longitudinal also shows and gives the levels of low-water spring tides, and higher up the river the levels, at the various localities (on the river), dead summer level; consequently at the various points their difference of level is easily ascertained both as to flood and low water. The Swamp. —When reporting to the Government as to the drainage and reclamation of the Whangamarino and Maramarua Swamps I stated it was impracticable to do so under existing conditions, but that if the Whangamarino and Maramarua Creeks were enabled to exercise their original and natural functions, the drainage and reclamation of said swamp would be simple and comparatively inexpensive. I stated that the initial point was the Waikato River, and that until the present lx'd of said river was either dredged or otherwise deepened to its original " sole " the drainage of the swamps was impracticable; but I also stated that T considered it would be practicable and a comparatively simple matter to lower the Waikato River so as to render it feasible to drain the swamps above referred to. If the eh,nine! of the Waikato was dredged to its original sole and all impedimenta removed, I apprehend that you will agree with me, after referring to the sections and diagrams hereto attached, not only "ill il be possible to drain the swamps, but freedom from continued serious floods is assured. The local "freshes" would be discharged into the ocean long before tin' country freshes arrived here ; hence the serious accumulation of water during flood-time would be considerably reduced. Further, the guidance of the currents by groins or otherwise would give increased scour, and probably materially improve the Waikato Bar. Reference to the sections will, T think. afford you :ill the information you require, and illustrate matters referred to herein: nnd it is plainly indicated by them the reason of the water during flood-time being detained, the obstructions and difference in sectional area being the cause. There is one question to which I ask your attention. I consider the functions of the proposed River Board aie too restricted ; They should have full administration, at least ns far aR Hamilton, for reasons hereinafter explained. 5—C. 1.

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There is considerable " erosion " during flood-time of the banks of the river between Ngarua wahia and Hamilton Again, presuming the proposed River Board dredged n channel in the river to its original sole — say, as far as Huiitly—if some action is not taken above that poini the work of keeping the channel clear will lie a continuous operation. In my opinion, at one time the tidal influence affected Mercer as much as it does Tuakau now, and it is only a question of reinstating the original position. The residents long in the district acknowledge the change in the river-bed. The lowering of the river by dredging would permit the waters of the Whangamarino and Mafamarua Rivers being lowered (i ft. (at summer level), and thus enable (at a small expenditure per acre) the drainage of the Government lands and a very large area of land acquired from the Government by resident settlers. There is not the slightest doubt that this is a national question : every acre that obtains increased value is increasing the revenue of the Dominion. Canah, —The action of the Auckland Harbour Board in determining to make canals to connect the Waiteniata with Waikato is of importance and considerable advantage to your association, or, rather, 1 should say, to the proposed River Board, financially and otherwise. They will hold the premier position, consequently the cost of works and their maintenance will not be a perpetual charge on the settler, as the Hoard, it' formed, will have power to collect dues and possibly obtain endowments. Further, if the canals are made they can only be of profit so long as the Waikato River is open and fit for traffic. Therefore the Harbour Board, by dues or otherwise, will have to supply the necessafv funds to keep the channel open, or enter into some arrangement with the River Hoard. Therefore the settlers must thereby be relieved financially. I apprehend the proposed canals will not be completed for four or five rears. Therefore if a loan is required by the proposed River Board to carry out the proposed scheme it will only !«• necessary to obtain an amount equal to four years' expenditure. I have been asked by your association for an estimate of the cost. It is impossible to give one, but 1 consider that an expenditure on works of £5,000 a year would be ample. Say, four years, at £.">,OOO ... ... ... ... ... £20,000 Hire or interest on cost of dredge and gear, and depreciation ... ,"),000 25,000 Salaries and oflice-expenses and incidental expenses for four years ... 3.000 £28,000 In conclusion, 1 am saiislie,| the Whangamarino anil Maramarua Swamps can be drained. but only by the method hereinbefore described. If, as suggested by the Premier, a consulting engineer is appointed to further report I shall be pleased to meet him and afford him any further information at niv disposal; but 1 think the sections herewith attached will (as far as their limits extend) afford him information sufficient to meet his requirements, 1 have verbally informed your association that if a large harrow, something similar to the one 1 used in the I'iako River, was dragged over the worst sand-banks, the sand, if liberated ;it the turn of the tide, would to a great extent Hout or lx' carried away, and the timbers or (Tehris that held it would be exposed, and could then be easily removed. This would create a scour, ami therefore would materially benefit the channel. I am satisfied that under proper direction the result of the operation would be far beyond your expectation.

APPENDIX VI.—A SHORT ACCOUNT OF A VISIT TO NGAURUHOE AND TONGARIRO VOLCANOES.

[By K. PHILLIPS Turner, Inspector of Scenic Reserves.] Ox the 29th January, in company with Messrs. AY. and C. Vickers and li. Burrow, I left our flying-camp, near the Taianaki Stream (a branch of the Whakapapanui), for the ascent of Ngan ruhoe. After about an hour's walk over fairly easy-travelling country we reached the base of the cone on the south-west side. Here really hard work began, for we had to elevate ourselves a height of about 3,700 ft. at an average gradient of 1 in li, and over a surface composed of alternations of loose scoria and angular blocks of lava. However, until within about 1,(100 ft. of the summit the foothold was good, but after that to the lip of the crater it was really a stilT job climbing up through loose volcanic ash and lapilli. However, good muscles and hearts got us to the top at 7.1") a.m. two hours ami a quarter from our cam]). As I had heard from Europeans and various Maoris in the Waiinarino district that a red glow was sometimes seen over the mountain at night, 1 was most anxious to look down the crater to see the molten lava that could alone be the cause of the glow. When several hundred feet from the top there could be heard an ominous .sound like the working of some gigantic engine : but on top this noise was almost deafening, ami as one looked down the terrible abyss, emitting dense clouds of steam and sulphurous gas, the impression given was most awe-inspiring.

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Sketch plan of Interior of crater of Ngauruhoe Volcano.

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We had not been on top many minutes when the gas and Bteam oleared away from the throat of the division of the crater just below us, and disclosed a well of lava glowing with a colour like turkey-red; a few seconds' exposure, and its terrors were enshrouded in steam and gas. The main crater, which lias a diameter of about 650 yards, is subdivided into three parts, as shown in the sketch. The division most to the south is the most active, and largest, and is the one in which can Vie seen the red-hot lava. 'The division most to the east is less deep, and at present is almost inactive, even having about 4ft. of snow on its floor [tin- snow is nearly hidden by recent ejections of volcanic mud]. The crater most to the west is shallow, and has numerous vents emitting hot mud, and several fumaroles on the northern wall. On the outer crust of the crater towards the north-west, and roughly L5O ft. below the crater li|)s, are several active fumaroles, showing that that side has been fractured; and should a strong eruption occur it probably will not stand the strain, and will be breached. I was on top of the mountain during the rather big eruption that occurred at Easter-time in 1909, and then, as far as one could see when the dense column of steam and dust was blown by the wind from side to side of the crater, the three were all equally active. When we first saw the red-hot lava in the crater I was somewhat gratified at being the first (as I then thought) to verify what had previously been considered only a vague rumour, but a few days afterwarde 1 learnt that Dr. 1 , . Marshall had forestalled us in the discovery a fortnight previously. However, our seeing it will be a further confirmation of a most important and interesting geological discovery. After a stay of over an bour on top we tramped over to the lied Crater and on to the Ketetahi Springs and Blow-hole. The activity at the lied Crater whs less than when I was there two years ago, but Ketetahi was about the same. Te Mali was more than usually active. After a bath in the healing waters of Ketetahi we returned over the top of Tongariro, and went down the rooky valley between it and Ngauruhoe, in which the Mangatepopo has its source. 1 hoped to find here the " soda-water " spring shown on Mr. Cussen's map, but I could find only one small puddle that emitted occasional bubbles of gas. The Mangatepopo, however, at anil near its source is Yvvy interesting, as its waters are very highly chalybeate, and may prove of value for medicinal purposes. All down the upper course of the stream the iron is deposited as a light-yellow sediment on the stones at the bottom of the water, which with a pearly-lust red gelatinous matter (probably an alga) on the margin gives a very pretty effect. I am told that the number of people going to see the volcanoes is increasing fast every year, and when a good acc-oinmodation-hut is erected on the western side the tourist traffic will certainly be large. They are the only active volcanoes in Australasia, and a visitor to them must feel that he has seen a unique and wonderful natural feature, and derived greal benefit from the exhilarating climate of the summer months.

APPENDIX VII.—A SHORT DESCRIPTION OF THE ROUTES OVER THE TARARUA RANGE FROM LEVIN AND MASTERTON.

[By H. E. Uihdlestone, Assistant Surveyor.] The Tararua Range, with its many prominent peaks, snowclad during the winter months, is always a source of interest to residents in the Wairarapo and Manawatu districts. The lower slopes, which are thickly clad with bush, run out in long spurs on both sides, between which run the many rivers in magnificent gorges. Above the bush is the mountain meadow, which is a very charming spectacle about Christmas-time, when the .alpine plants are in flower. On the Wairarapa side a mountain-house has been established for some years on the track to Mount Holdsworth. and so popular has this trip become that the visitors during last summer numbered nearly one thousand. Lower down the range a good track has been cut from the Otaki Forks to Mount Hector, and another track is in course of construction to the same peak from the Greytown side. Several parties have made the trip across the range from Levin to Masterton, and as this route is not generally known, and passes over some of the highest peaks, no doubt some information as to tracks and distances will be useful to future parties. The best route to Mount Dundas from is via the Ohau River. There is a good road to the suspension bridge, which carries the water-supply pipes across the Ohau River, about live miles distant. There is a rough ford over the river just above the bridge, and from thence a cart-track passes through a gate at the settling-tanks, and continues on for about a mile to an old camp on the bank of the river near the intake. From here on the river-bed has to be followed. In summer-time, when the river is low. this is undertaken without any difficulty, wading from side to side, taking advantage of any stretches of shingle, the water in the deepest crossings not being much above the knees.

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The scenery is magnificent; the banks arc lined with ferns, the branches of the trees tueei overhead in fantastic arches, and the river winds in and out amongst the shingle-beds, with buttresses of rocks standing oui every few chains. About two miles above the intake a large stream comes in from the right, rising up near the Waiopehu Trig. 3,588 ft. Another mile and a half on the river branches into two, the lefthand one having its source under Trig. Tawirikohukohu, ■'!. to') ft. Keeping to the right, the banks narrow in a 1> 11 ; the shingle-beds give place to piles of rock, and in about two miles another fork is reached, the right-hand one rising in a saddle overlooking the head of the Otaki River. Following the left-hand branch for about half i mile there are two more branches within v few chains of each other, and. keeping to the left in each ease, the bed of the stream rises abruptly in a series of small waterfalls. Aboul ti chains from the last fork there is a good walking-track cut up through the bush on the right, leading up on to the main Taraiua Range, which at this point is only about 2.000 ft. in altitude. The track continues on down a spur to the Mangahao River, striking it at the junction of two large branches. The river-bed is followed down for about 20 chains to a sharp bend to the left enclosing a small Hat. This Hat is about 1,300 ft. in altitude, and is seven miles and a half from the intake on the Ohau River, and can be reached in one day from Levin. If the bush was fallen to let the sun in, and a small whale built, a splendid base would Ih' formed for those who wished to ascend Mount Dundas (4,944 ft.). A good walking-track leads up the spur immediately behind the Hat to the trig, station, which is about three miles distant, a mile of which is through the birch bush, and the remainder a tussock-covered leading spur. From Mount Dundas a splendid view along the ranges to the south is obtained, including Mitre Peak, Mount Holdsworth, Mount Crawford, Mount Hector. Kapakapanui, and on a clear day the sea on both sides of the Island can be distinctly seen, with Ruapehu, Mount Egmont, D'Urville Island, and the mainland of the South Island in the far distance. Levin. Kketahiimi. ami Mauriceville appear at one's feel. Master ton being hidden by an intervening spur. About two miles to the south of Dundas the ridges run out in all directions like the spokes of a wheel, ami within a very small radius rise the Mangahao. Ohau, Otaki, Waiohineiti, Waingawa. ami the Jiuamahanga h'ivers. The Waiohineiti River, which rises in a beautiful tussock basin, divides the main Tararua Range running through Mount Crawford and Mount Hector, from the Mitre-Holdsworth ridge, which possesses some of the highest peaks on the range. The Mangahao River divides two long ridges running north towards the Manawatu Gorge. Along the range are nuniereus mountain tarns, some of them over a chain in diameter, which provide good water, without the necessity of a scramble down the rough gullies. l.asi March a party made the through jouriie\ to Masterloii from Levin, via Dundas and Mount Holdsworth, in nine days; but they were out for a ramble, besides being delayed in the Waiohine Valley by misty weather. The trip could be done in four days one to the Mangahao camp, two from there to the Mount lloldsworth mount aiii-house, and another day to Masterton. Some parties have conn- up on to the Dundas Ridge, and then gone down the Waiiigawa River bed, picking up the Upper Plain Road at the Kaituna creamery. The route from Masterton to Mount llohlsworili is fairly well known ; but for those who have not made the trip here are some notes. The usual method is to take a brake to Thoiusen's, twelve miles distant rid the Upper Plain Road, crossing the Waingawa River at a ford just beyond the Kaituna School. When the river is high the othei route is taken, via the Norfolk Road, crossing the Waingawa River by the bridge on the main road to Carterton; but this is three miles longer than the former. There is a pack-track up the spin to the mountain-house, about three miles distant, and pack-horses .mi, be obtained from the caretaker. A walking-track keeps up to the right of the Mangaterera Stream, crossing by a suspension bridge hall' a mile distant, and joins the paekt rack some distance ahead. The mountain-house, which is about 2,500 ft. in altitude, consists of four bunk-rooms and a central kitchen, with fireplace, tables, and forms. The bunks are of wire netting, arranged in tiers, about forty altogether, and one of the end rooms has a fireplace attached, and is reserved for the ladies of a party. From the house there is a steep climb up through the birch bush for a mile, and another two miles up a tussock spur takes one to the trig, station. The Wairarapa Plain forms a splendid panorama, with Masterton, Carterton, and Greytown showing out very distinctly. The Manawatu district is hidden by intervening spurs. Mount Sector shows up very finely to the south, looking across the Waiohine Valley. Mount Dundas, Mitre Peak, and numerous other rocky peaks appear in a bunch to the north, looking very rugged against the sky-line. Last March a party from Masterton left Mount Holdsworth mountain-house early ami journeyed along the range to Mitre Peak, which is on a side spur, and then descended to the Waingawa River ami came down the bed. picking up their bicycles when they reached the road, and arrived at Masterton the same evening. It is a pretty long round, and the party had a rough time, owing to darkness intervening before they were out of the river bed. The ranges are never clear of mist for many days together, and any parties making the through trip should be prepared to wait a day or two at any of their camps. Before long each town on both sides of the ranges will have its mountain-house and track up to some prominent peak to attract residents in the district and visitors to explore the beauties of the bush and mountain meadow.

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Panorama looking South from Mount Dundas, showing Mitre Peak, Mount Holdsworth, Mount Hector, and Mount Crawford.

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Nearing the Head of the Ohau River.

The Mountain-house at Mount Holdsworth.

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Mount Holdsworth, from the Mangaterera Stream.

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The Swing Bridge across the Mangaterera Stream, Mount Holdsworth Track.

Ferns on the Banks of the Ohau River.

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A Mountain-tarn, with Mount Holdsworth in Background.

The Spur leading up to Mount Dundas.

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Plan of Part of the Tararua Ranges

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Table 1.—Return showing (approximately) Position of Lands of the Dominion at 31st March, 1911.

Total Area ' Estimat<; ' 1 Area of Crown Lands .nS f WnMh?«.«R Arra Total Area remaining leased Total Area Total Area CmmtVv occun ed for future disposal, under all Tenures open of not alra«lv bv Roads Rivers exclusive of Land (exclusive of for Selection. Native Land. . J Jakes' *, shown in Re .Trrol?r d auyofthe^it , ,- r ' ak Preceding Columns. d> orowu). Headings. I E Estimated Area ■ I Total Area in Land District. Land District. T Total Area u sold „_ and held on or Freehold. Total Area granted under Acts without Money Payment or reserved for Public Purposes from Foundation of Dominion. I'otal Area grantet under Acts witliout Money Payment r reserved for Publ: Purposes from Foundation of Dominion. id It ( He U] ] Total Area of Crown Lands leased mder all Tonurec (exclusive of Reserves leased by Crown). l 1 Total Area open for Selection. Total Area ' of Native Land. . a of Barren and Worthless Country not already included under auy of the other b 3 r Estimated Area occupied iy Roads, Rivers Lakes, fte. To f< Pi >tal Area remainiu 'or future disposal, exclusive of Laud shown in 'receding Columns s. Total Area in Land District Headings. Auckland Hawke'a Bay Taranaki Acres. 2,259,312 2,401,305 464,180 Acres 3,585,088 435,493 712,356 Acres. 1,836,842 917,465 548,778 Acres. 351,944 5,339 103 Acres. 3,882,893 1,480,974 341,362 Acres. Acres. 653,173 1 r>0,050 53,907 Acres. 1,288,748 118,274 293,814 Acres. 13,858,000 5,508,900 2,414,000 Wellington .. 3,091,330 895,447 373,236 1,616 1,531,481 36,500 143,752 237,591 6,810,953 Nelson 555,633 309,038 790,624 196,240 41,400 1,544,000 00,000 1.189,015 4,686.000 Marlborough 842,359 213,146 1,312,522 27 114,309 100,000 185,637 2,768,000 Westland Canterbury Otago 125,831 3,727,377 1,986,242 228,460 1,361,541 543,373 1,186,362 3,814,920 5,510,252 730,639 957 12,166 1,375,500 257,150 520,000 154, 102 442, 100 263,200 93,987 133,775 3,894,887 9,604,045 8,969,008 Southland Totals .. 1 1,569,021 17,022,590 3,520,343 11,804,341 1,728,695 18,519,696 24,171 1,323,202 7,278,110 233,698 4,081,157 140.127 2,160,411 367,837 3,908,678 7,583,892 66,098,185 3,908,678 66,098,185

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Table 2. —Lands opened for Sale and Selection during the Year ended 31st March, 1911.

District. Lease by Auction Optional System. Cash by Auction. and Application. Village Allotments. Pastoral Kims. Small Grazing-runs. KeUHWable Lease. Totals. Ordinary Crown Lands — Auckland Hawke's Bay Taranaki Wellington Nelson Marlborough Westland Canterbury Otago Southland Acres. 57,368 30,019 11,874 4,290 804 474 5,875 12,140 Acres. 901 185 11 200 41 96 65 504 Acres. 726 1,960 91 299 2 574 331 Acres. 5 4 240 5 7 31 Acres. 16,594 1,172 92,344 149,950 934,200 127,344 188,540 Acres. 1,718 61J660 2,080 Acres. 4,180 1M17 6 1,114 1,871 Acres. 79,774 33,886 11,970 6,001 12,228 93,592 149,997 934,627 196,065 205,166 Totals 122,844 122,844 2.003 2,003 3,983 3,983 292 292 1,510,144 1,510,144 65,458 65,458 18,588 18,588 ~ 1,723,312 1,723,312 Cheviot Estate — Canterbury Land for Settlements — Auckland Hawke's Bay Taranaki Wellington Nelson Marlborough Weatland Canterbury Otago Southland 77 61 219 11 15,706 154 292 11 8^120 1,484 12 11 11 11 15,706 154 ' 292 88 8J20 1,764 12 I Totals 77 77 61 61 2 111 2 111 25,779 25,779 26,136 26,136 National Endowment— Auckland Hawke's Bay Taranaki Wellington Nelson Marlborough Westland Canterbury Otago Southland 32,755 1,350 41,700 431,009 11,925 7,898 988 49,360 16,552 691 4,713 186 1,397 70 24,450 33,446 4,713 1,536 1,397 47,643 431,997 61,355 Totals I 518,739 518,739 58,246 58,246 29,552 29,552 606,537 606,537 —! — Grand totals .. 122,844 122,844 2,003 2,003 4,060 4,060 292 292 2,028,944 2,028,944 123,923 123,923 73,930 73,930 2,355,996 2,355,996 I I

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Table 3 (Part I).— Summary of Lands taken up during the Year ended 31st March, 1911 (exclusive of Pastoral Runs and Miscellaneous Leases).

I ! q § Tenures. Auckland. Hawke's Bay. Taranaki. Wellington. Nel80 «- boro a u r gb. WeStland - Canterbury. Otago. Southland. Total Area taken up during Year. 1 Ordinary Crown Lands. Table 5—Cash lands 8—Occupation with right of purchase 9—Lease in perpetuity 10 —Renewable lease 12 —Mining districts land occupation leases 13 —Village settlement, casli „ 13 —Village settlement, occupation with right of purchase 13 —Village settlement, renewable lease 31 —Improved-farm special settlement .. A. B. F. a. r. p. 1,998 1 35 410 1 5 00,821 2 IV 26,240 2 20 A. R. P. A. E. P. l J3 2 37 3,526 0 26 10,692 2 20 13,457 2 38 3,865' 1 37 I A. B. P. A. B. P. A. B. P. 4 0 0 1.593 1 32 14 2 15 1,978 1 34 800 2 0 640 0 0 2O6' 0 0 '.'. 263 '*3 37 1 I A, R. P. A. B. P. A. B. P. 22 2 26 199 2 26 1,664 3 9 2,936 2 80| 14,073 0 2 1,236 3 24 A. B. P. 9,527 3 11 131,001 1 1 1,876 3 24 5,477 3 12 2,686 3 19 1,612 1 15 1,147 0 0 '.'. 552 2 36 523' 0 26 2 15 0 3 38 1 3 10 0 2 0 .. 3 3 3 1 3 10 .. 3,903 2 28! 38 0 32 1,100 0 0! •• 38 0 32 5,003 2 28 .. Totals 69,485 1 20 26,653 2 33 11,886 1 17 20,888 0 13 2,182 1 34 3,033 3 32 278 2 12 22 3 26 3,689 0 12; 17,497 3 21 155,618 0 20 Cheviot Estate. Table 5 Cash lands 10 —Renewable lease 13 —Village homestead special settlement (renewable lease) 17 —Grazing-farms •• 11 0 7 li' 0 7 Totals .. .. .. j 11 0 7 11 0 Land for Settlements Acts. Table 5—Cash lands 10 —Renewable lease 13 —Renewable lease (village) , 17 —Small grazing-runs 6 3 8 5 1 15 12,209 3 15 154 0 29 45 1 22 10 0 194 2 18 4,233 0 0 11 1 34 3 0 11 7,322 2 S 1,485 0 8 •219 -2 30 16 0 3' 719 0 20 26,375 0 8' 219 2 3( Totals 12,216 2 23 159 2 4 45 1 22 195 2 18 4,233 0 0 11 1 34 7,325 2 19 7,325 2 19 1,704 2 38 1,704 2 38J 719 0 20 26,611 0 II 195 2 18 4,233 0 0 11 1 34 719 0 20; 26,611 0 li National Endowment Lands. Table 5—Cash lands 10—Renewable lease (ordinary) 13 —Renewable lease (village settlements) 31 —Renewable lease (improved-farm special settlements) „ 17 —Small grazing-runs 20,636 0 39 4,383' 3 36 4,546 3 31 9 3 18 22 3 6 2,047 0 8 36,228 1 28 230 1 26 681' 2 0 6,390*3 34 0 1 (I 262 0 27 13,345 3 26 3,400 3 25, 7 2 0 80 2 8 91,854 0 l> 351 1 1! 160 0 0 4,706 0 0 160 0 I 988 0 0120,770 0 0 2,080 0 0 128,544 0 I Totals 20,646 0 17 9,112 3 2! 4,706 3 31 2,277 1 34 36,228 1 29 681 2 0 6,321 0 34 I 1,250 0 27 134,123 126 5,561 1331 5,561 1 33 |220,909 1 3! Grand totals 102,348 0 20 35,925 3 3916,638 2 30: 23,361 0 25 42,643 3 22 3,726 3 26 6,599 3 6 8,609 1 39139,517 0 36 23,778 1 34 403,149 2 3' I I ' I I !

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Table 3 (Part II). —Summary of Lands selected under Settlement Conditions: Transactions up to the Year ended 31st March, 1911.

i Exchanges g from a> m other -. Tenures. Tenures "3 during the H Year. Area held at 31st March, 1910. Total Exchanges during the Year. Total Forfeitures during the Year. Total Surrenders during the Year. Total Expiries during the Year. Total Area held on 31st March, 1911: Past and Current Transactions. Total Area made Freehold to date. I I I ! Ordinary Crown Lands. A. H. 1'. 612 - 1 8 25,833 1 37 8.729 3 29 2 0 4 317 1 35 A. R. P. 213 1 24 A. R. P. 13 1 0 A. B. P. 9,166 0 6 77,048 0 3 1 ,733,418 3 15 1.463,640 1 13 25,211 0 16 551 1 0 23,552 2 8 A. K. P. 13,135,169 1 10 984,916 1 2 789,675 0 16 256,036 2 35 53,696 1 10 140,895 3 23 A. R. P. A. R. P. A. B. P. A. E. l>. a. r. p. A. R. P. A. B. P. A. K. Table 5—Cash lands . 6—Deferred payment .. .. „ 7—Perpetual lease.. 8—Occupation with right of purchase 9—Lease in perpetuity .. .. 364 3 27 10 —Renewable lease 11 —Agricultural lease 12 —Mining districts land-occupation leases 13 -Village settlement, cash .. 13— Village settlement, deferred payment 13 —Village settlement, perpetual lease 13 —Village settlement, occupation witli right of purchase 13 —Village settlement, lease in perpetuity 13 —Village settlement, renewable lease 13 —Village - homestead special settlement 15 —Special-settlement associations .. 31— Improved-farm special settlement » 16 —Homestead . 17— Small grazing-runs 14,238 3 24 82,378 0 17 1,691,014 2 34 1,483,312 1 6 19,697 3 14 521 1 29 23,515 3 2 163 1 6 1.450 1 10 62 3 14 22,795 1 12 800 1 29 13,455 3 24 115,452 1 5 104,334 3 19 468,307 3 12 2,084 3 23 103 3 0 612 1 8 25,833 1 37 8.729 3 29 2 0 4 317 1 35 1 2 31 295 0 37 48 3 37 47 1 4 1,665 2 0 1 2 31 m 213 1 24 13 1 0 42,529 2 23 9,166 0 6 77,048 0 3 1 ,733,418 3 15 I,463,640 1 13 25,211 0 16 551 1 0 23,552 2 8 163 1 6 1,424 3 9 60 3 33 ±2,198 2 23 789 2 24 13,291 0 28 115,447 2 19 106,689 0 0 466,371 1 2 163 1 6 1,424 3 9 60 3 33 7,149 1 37 12,230 1 28 2,649 0 18 10 1 18 13,135,169 1 984,916 1 789,075 0 256,036 2 53,696 1 140,895 3 7,149 1 12,230 1 2,649 0 10 1 441 0 0 1 91,358 2 5,463 2 80,452 3 295 0 37 48 3 37 47 1 4 22,198 2 23 789 2 24 13,291 0 28 441 0 19 0 1 0 l,66o' 2 (I 42,529 2 23 115,447 2 19 106,689 0 0 466,371 1 2 91,358 2 14 5,463 2 0 80,452 3 11 Totals .. .. .. 364 3 27 4,041,502 0 17 4,041,502 0 17 2,188 2 23 2,188 2 23 37,553 3 22 37,553 3 22 213 1 24 213 1 24 42,542 3 23 42,542 3 23 4,049,019 2 5 4,049,019 2 5 15,560,145 1 15,560,145 1 1 . : L Cheviot Estate. ' Table 5 —Cash lands 9—Lease in perpetuity 10 —Renewable lease .. 13 -Village-homestead special settlements (lease in perpetuity) 13— Village-homestead special settlements (renewable lease) 17 —Grazing-farms 24,387 2 2 2,480 1 0 45,782 0 7 24,387 2 2 11 0 7 2,480 1 0 24,387 2 2 11 0 7 2,480 1 0 45,762 2 24 6,842 2 6,842 2 25 •• •■ 45,762 2 24 Totals 72,649 3 9 j 72,649 3 9 i ;. 72,641 1 33 72,641 1 88 6,842 2 6,842 2 2i 1

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Table 3 (Part II). —Summary of Lands selected under Settlement Conditions: Transactions up to the Year ended 31st March, 1911— continued.

I ■ ■_ I Exchanges O :J25 otrf'r Area neld Total Exchanges Total Forfeitures Total Surrenders Total Expiries JjL a Tenures. T „„_„ at 31st March, during during during during m 3 during t»e 191 °- the Year. tbe Year. the Year. the Year. Year. liana for Settlements. '•'■'■"• 1 A R. P. A. R. P. A. R. P. A. K. P. A. R. P. A. B. V. Table 5 -Cash lands ........ 9 -Lease in perpetuity .. .. .. 663,364 1 25 000 2 0 578 0 28 266 3 2 „ 10—Renewable lease " .. .. 600 2 0 247,233 0 0 .. 6,478 0 9 1,022 18 13 —Lease in perpetuity (village) .. .. 438 1 28 ., 13—Renewable lease (village) .... 9 2 16 „ 15 — Special-settlement associations .. .. 2,114 19 . 17 Small grazing-runs .. .. .. 204,308 0 33 .. 2,357 0 0 —-- Total Area held on 31st March, 1911, Past and Current Transactions. A. li. P. 662,125 1 1 266,456 0 2 438 1 28 9 2 16 ■2,114 1 9 202,358 2 38 Total Area made Freehold to date. A. R. P. 417 2 26 Totals .. .. .. 600 2 0 1,117,467 3 31 600 2 0 ' 9,413 0 37 1,289 0 10 '■ 600 2 0 9,413 0 37 1,289 0 10 ! 1,133,502 1 14 1,133,502 1 14 ! 417 2 26 417 2 21 National Endowment Lands. Table 5— Cash lands ........ „■ 10—Eenewable lease (ordinary) .. 5,924 I 24 196,783 128 .. 5,358 2 14 2,118 0 27 , 13—Renewable lease (village settlement) .. 921 3 14 .. 18 0 1 5 1 18 „ 13 Renewable lease (village-homestead 23 2 2 81 1 7 special settlement) 15 Renewable lease (special-settlement associations) 31—Renewable lease (improved -farm .. 7,745 2 14 special settlements) 17-- Small grazing-runs .. .. .. 1,413,016 0 27 286,177 0 25 1.254 8 13 104 3 9 •5,407 1 20 1,541,439 0 1 ■ Totals .. .. .. 5,947 3 26 1,618,548 1 10 i .. 5,371 2 15 2,123 2 5 5,371 2 15 2,123 2 5 1,834,383 0 28 1,834,383 0 28 Grand totals .. .. 6,913 1 13 6.850.168 0 27 2,789 0 23 52,338 2 34 3,625 3 39 42,542 3 23 2,789 0 23 3-2,338 2 34 3,625 8 39 42,542 3 23 7,089,546 2 0 7,089,546 2 0 15.567,405 2 12 15.567,405 2 VI

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Table 4.—Analysis of Holdings taken up during the Year ended 31st March, 1911.

Tenures. Average Holdings of Selectors. No. of Selectors. Nq f gel i No. of Selectors Selectors No of Selectors No of Selectors under 1 Acre. 1 to 50 Acres. ol to 250 251 to 500 oOl to 1,000 1001 Acres. Acres. Acres. Acres. and upwards. Average Holdings of Selectors. Ordinary Grown Lands — Gash lands Occupation with right of purchase .. .. .. Lease in perpetuity.. Renewable lease Mining districts land occupation leases Village settlement, cash Village-settlement, occupation with right of purchase Village settlement, renewable lease Improved-farm speoial settlement Pastoral runs Pastoral licenses in mining districts under special regulations .. Thermal springs, Rotorua Miscellaneous leases and licenses J ! I j •258 129 99 21 5 2 2 473 .. 52 269 85 46 '21 ..15 .. -2 12 .. 1 88 I 20 .. 10 .. 1 2 ..73 2 49 22 ..4 3 1 3 3 6 : .. 6 .. 22 .. .. 22 52 .. 4 1 1 46 64 ■ .. 8 32 16 8 1 I .. .. .. 1 490 ! 76 277 82 25 12 18 Totals 1,494 ] 233 494 474 133 71 89 233 494 474 133 71 89 Cheviot Estate — Renewable lease Miscellaneous I __ ! 1 I -. 1 -.11 1 1 Totals .. 2 1 i i .. .. : : 2 ! ■ Land for Settlements Acts — Cash lands Renewable lease Small grazing-runs Pastoral runs Miscellaneous ; . ' .12 6 6 223 27 126 42 20 3 5 1 .. 1 1 1 23 3 15 4 .. 1 , 6 126 1 20 3 :"> 1 15 1 4 Totals 260 : 36 148 47 20 4 5 260 : 36 148 47 47 20 ■20 4 5 National Endowment Lands — Renewable lea?e (ordinary) Renewable lease (village settlements) Renewable lease (improved-farm special settlements) Small grazing-runs Pastoral runs Pastoral licenses in mining districts under speoial regulations .. Miscellaneous leases and licenses 332 12 44 145 86 36 9 16 -2 10 4 .. 1 .. .. 1 ..21 .. .. .. .. 1 20 ..10 .. 1 1 .. .. 8 42 6 -24 7 5 89 .. 36 35 7 7 4 145 4 1 1 •24 35 86 7 36 9 1 20 8 5 7 4 Totals 511 14 97 210 100 49 41 511 14 97 210 100 49 41 Grand totals 2,267 -284 740 731 258 124 335 284 740 731 253 124 135 _! I 1 I j

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43

Table 5. — Return of Crown Lands sold for Cash during the Year ended 31st March, 1911.

Area disposed of. !r Aore. Consideration received. Town. Suburban. Rural. Average Price pi Total. District. Number Number Number | of Pur- Area. of Pur- Area. of Pur- Area, chasers. chasers. , chasers. Number of Pur- Area. chasers. Town. Suburban. Hural. Cash. Scrip. [ Total. Ordinary Crown Lands— a. r. p. Auckland .. .. 74 109 2 7 Hawke's Bay Taranaki .. .. 3 0 3 22 Wellington .. .. 3 2 2 7 Nelson Marlborough Westland .. .. 33 14 0 15 Canterbury .. .. 3 4 10 Otago .. .. 4 2 0 38 2 3 3 20 A. R. P. 3 0 0 6 2 23 1 1 30 16 0 32 86 8 6 8 1 6 1 2 13 A. R. P. 1,885 3 28 410 1 5 86 0 32 3,522 0 29 4 0 0 1,593 1 32 0 2 0 18 1 26 181 0 36 1 112 8 12 14 1 6 34 5 37 a. r. p. £ s. d. £ s. d. 1,996 1 35 30 8 11 34 (i 8 410 1 5 93 2 37 687 14 1 2 2 2 3,526 0 26 47 10 0 59 0 0 4 0 0 1,593 1 32 14 2 15 58 6 8 22 2 26 19 1 2 199 2 26 21 4 6 16 Iβ 5 t s. d. £ s. d. £ s. d. 12 3 6 1 ,. ,_„ . ,, ; ,241 \' '■• 11 4 5t j •• j tn a (• 808 ° 7 20 10 8 944 16 3 12 0 12,192 11 0 10 0 368 5 0J 0 16 2 1,294 9 0 3 0 0 825 0 0 2 6 3 245 9 4 1 17 1 658 1 10 f 0 15 0 I „ 1sft „ „ "(2 5 4 )• 2 ' 180 8 8 k. s. d. 7,711 4 r, 808 0 7 944 16 3 12,192 1 1 368 5 0 1,294 9 0 825 0 0 245 9 4 658 1 10 Southland .. 6 17 0 5 23 1,647 3 4 29 1,664 3 9 .. 6 3 0 2,180 8 K - Totals .. 120 • 133 2 9 133 2 9 34 34 44 110 44 1 10 104 9,349 3 32 258 9,527 8 11 ■27,227 16 2 27,227 16 2 . ! Land for Settlements — Auckland Hawke's Bay Taranaki Wellington Nelson Marlborough Westland Canterbury Otago Southland .. ! 4 2 6 3 8 I 5 1 15 ! 4 2 6 3 8, 5 1 15 10 14 8 10 7 6 73 0 0 55 10 0 •■ 73 0 0 55 10 0 1 5 I 0 0 2 1 18* 3 0 11 i 5 1 0 0 a 1 18 s 0 11 22 0 0 a 10 0 17 11 5 22 0 0 •■ 5 18 2 53 18 6 22 0 0 5 18 '2 53 18 (i •' •• Totals 210 6 8 210 6 8 12 18 2 12 12 18 2 12 •■ •• 34 44 1 10 Grand totals .. 120 133 2 9 133 2 9 34 44 1 10 116 9,308 2 4 270 9,546 1 23 27,438 2 10 27,438 2 10 Where two averages are given, tbe first is for lands whcu an option was given to acquire them under other tenures, and the second when no such option was given, t Includes £ 16C 18s. 9d., balances paid on account of previoui year's transactions. t Includes t'366 8s. balances paid on account of previous year's transactions. 5 Area dedicated for road, and paid for by lessee subdividing.

C. -I.

Table 6.—Return of Deferred-payment Lands at Year ended 31st March, 1911.

44

Forl eitures during the Year. Exchanges during the Year. r, _.. ,- j j ., Net Area held on 31st March, Capitalised during the 19U) inoluding lear - Capitalized Holdings. Amount received Capitalized Holdings. . Amount received District. g 8 Yearly ■° "S Area. Instalments ■ II Yearly g g Yearly Area. Instalments -° "8 Area. Instalments payable. | -2 payable. 3 CD Area. ° °° Yeariv c InBtalmJntell Area. 1 " | *£ g Yearly ° £ ! Yearly In2% Area Instal " Area stalments |g. Area - ments |S Area ' and Interest eli; J payable. »» payable. A. R. P. £ S. d. A. R. P. £ S. d. 5 552 3 27 8 13 6 j j during tlie o » I Year i v In Year ended 31st 11 Area I Sents" March, 19U q § Area - and Interest during the Year ended 31st. March, 1911. £ s. .1. 9 9 4 1-3 payable. ; nnvahlA B Jj menus £ Pa>able - ££: payable. | g o) : ana interest; I § payable. i i A. R. P. £ S. d. A. R. P. £ S. d. A. R. P. i. S. d. A. R. P. . £ s. d. a. k. p. £ s. d. A. R. P. it S. d. £ S. d. Auckland Hawke's Bay Taranaki Wellington .. Nelson Marlborough .. Westland Canterbury .. Otago Southland .. ■" ! <J5 2 16 4 16 0 ! 95 2 16 4 16 0 (J 718 1 34 3 16 0 5 562 3 27 8 13 6 9, 9 4 " '.. '.'. 36 6 2 6 718 1 34 3 16 0 9 12 0 3 0,237 0 10 460 18 0 1,076 12 4 6 1,657 2 15 35 4 8 36 4 6 36 6 2 9 12 0 3 6,237 0 10 460 18 0 6 1,657 2 15 35 4 8 1,076 12 4 36 4 6 .. .. •■ ■• Totals .. Freehold acquired during the Year. II 95 2 16 4 16 0 Hade Freehold from Commencement of System to 31st March, 1911. 22 9,106 0 6 514 12 i 1.168 4 4 Selectors in Arrear on 31st March, 1911. District. g| -o o Area. B CD •s j 3 <u Total Amount , realized, Alea - exclusive of Interest. si -5 o Area. Amount. Auckland Hawke's Bay Taranaki Wellington Nelson Marlborough .. Westland Canterbury .. Otago Southland A. R. P. 1 213 0 22 4 369 3 3 1 2,677 0 0 3 1,812 3 33 .. 328 808 1,304 655 1,591 50 100 119 1,128 1.314 A. R. P. £ K. (1. 40,232 3 36 22,923 4 9 85,321 1 20 90,496 7 9 157,189 0 3 238,795 11 3 137, -200 2 13 151,197 17 0 150,371 3 31 121,437 5 10 4,638 1 30 3,257 9 8 4,571 8 12 4,282 11 3 21.558 0 34 48,282 5 5 190,967 1 20 227,108 12 5 192.864 -2 3 254,519 4 2 A. R. P. £ S. d. 1 71 3 12 ' 3 l<1 2 I I ' ' Totals .. 9 5,072 3 18. (I 5,072 3 18. 7,397 7,397 984,916 1 2 1,162,300 9 1 984,916 1 ■2. 1,162,300 9 1 1 71 3 12 3 19 2 1 71 3 12 3 19 2

45

A—i

Table 7. — Return of Perpetual-lease Lands at Year ended 31st March, 1911.

I District. Auckland Hawke's Bay Taranaki Wellington Nelson Marlborough Westland Canterbury Ocago Southland Exchanges to other Tenures during the Year. £ 3 . Annual I J A,ea - Rental. A. R. !'. 6 S d. :: :: :: :: _ . . ., ,, o j ,. v Freeholds acquired during Forfeitures during the Year. Surrenders during the Year. Year « 2 ■ Annual j> 3 i . Annual 2 S Amount 1j Area - Rental. |l Area ' Rental. J J, Area ' realized. A. K. P. £ S. d. A. K. P. £ S. d. A. B. P. i. S. d. 1 500 0 0 10 1C 8 .. .. . . 7 935 3 19 4G3 12 6 1 6t: I 7 53 0 0 4 593 2 30 ! 648 15 0 2 715 2 0 582 5 0 .. " " " ., '.'. 2 88 2 17 127 4 8 ... .. 10 1,556 2 23 1,307 5 5 1 112 1 8 2 16 0 .. .. .. 4 736 0 6 603 0 6 Totals .. 2 I 612 1 8 13 12 8 .. .. .. 31 4,714 8 8 3,799 2 8 2 61 -J 1 8 13 12 8 31 I 4,714 3 8 3,79!) 2 8 ■ • i I ! I j Distriot. Made Freehold from Commencement o System ti hit t_ mil 31st March, 1911. I "S k Total S I Amoun a j> Made Freehold from Net Area held on alst March lommencement o System to 1911 31st March, 1911. A Total ; "3 i Amount go , . Area. realized, | | Area. " R ,' exclusive of § — Interest. £; '■& I Net Area held on Hist March, . Selectors in Arrear, 31st io 1911 Amount received March, 1911. during the Year i ended 3lst March, : I 1 j 1911 (exclusive of -g «; a } l≤ Annual ° £ Amount from gg Selectors in Arrear, 31st Amount received March, 1911. during the Year ended 31st March, L 1911 (exclusive of ~5 j of Amount from u g Perpetual Leases -o u i Area. Amount, made Freehold). H-2 i -g Is Area. realize( |-f exclusive ; T, CO Interes id, ' -° o Area. Perpetual Leases *o Area. Amount. eof as ««"■ made Freehold). || St. (7. CO ■ t/ j ! interes St. JZj>« , £ s. d. a. B. p. £ s. d. 705 19 11 1 40 0 0 : 4 0 0 96 18 7 166 9 4 142 18 7 30 14 11 1 77 0 14 1 19 0 16 8 6 28 4 1 9G 19 10 937 8 3 II 217 1 0 2 14 3 274 8 9 Auckland.. Hawke's Bay Taranaki Wellington Nelson Marlborougli Westland Canterbury Otago Southland A. R. P. £ S. .. 543 162.392 1 34 76,380 4 .. 29'J 133,944 2 11 102,646 9 .. 406 101,938 1 29 94,750 5 .. 794 310,192 1 29 276,621 8 .. 27 9,181 0 30 3,122 5 9 1,098 1 28 780 1 6 482 3 20 182 17 94 15,738 1 28 23,974 6 .. 160 30,330 1 28 23,980 1 .. 102 23,775 3 19 17,855 4 543 29'J 406 794 27 9 6 94 160 102 A. R. P. £ S. d. A. K. P. k. S. d. 162.392 1 34 76,380 4 9 177 30,500 0 16 913 12 7 133,944 2 11 102,646 9 7 7 2,566 3 36 99 7 0 101,938 1 29 94,750 5 2 7 3,047 0 16 151 4 0 310,192 1 29 276,621 8 8 9 2,990 3 3 !16 15 6 9,181 0 30 3,122 5 6 10 1,621 1 13 32 11 6 1,698 1 28 780 1 10 6 398 0 19 16 18 6 482 3 20 182 17 2 7 580 1 8 28 0 4 15,738 1 28 23,974 0 0 17 1,300 0 18 103 17 10 30,330 1 28 23,980 1 7 158 26,515 1 37 960 2 0 23,775 3 19 17,855 4 S 47 7,527 2 37 277 14 2 i. d. a. k. p. k. s. d. ! £ s. d. a. a. p. ! £ 8. d. 4 9 177 30,500 0 16 913 12 7 705 19 11 1 40 0 0 : 4 0 0 9 7 7 2,566 3 36 99 7 0 96 18 7 5 2 7 3,047 0 16 151 4 0 166 9 4 8 8 9 2,990 3 3 !16 15 6 142 18 7 5 6 10 1,621 1 13 32 11 6 30 14 11 1 77 0 14 1 19 0 1 10 6 ' 398 0 19 16 18 6 16 8 6 7 2 7 580 1 8 28 0 4 28 4 1 GO 17 1,300 0 18 103 17 10 <JC 19 10 1 7 158 26,515 1 37 "J60 2 0 937 8 3 II 217 1 0 2 14 3 4 S 47 7,527 2 37 277 14 2 , 274 8 9 Totals .. 2,440 789,675 0 16 620,599 4 2,440 789,675 0 16 620,599 4 11 i 445 | 77,048 0 8 4 11 i 445 77,048 0 3 2,700 3 5 2,496 10 9 3 334 1 14 8 13 3 2,700 3 5 2,496 10 9 3 334 1 14 8 13 3

c—l

Table 8. —Return of Occupation-with-right-of-purchase Lands at Year ended 31st March, 1911.

46

Taken up during the Year. Forfeitures during the Year. Surrenders during the Year. Freeholds acquired during the District. Auckland Hawke's Bay .. Taranaki Wellington Nelson Marlborough .. Westland Canterbury Otago Southland .. 277 55 17 16 5 4 18 .. 81 , Annual Area - Rental. a. b. p. £ s. d. 60,821 2 17 7,082 7 3 26,240 2 20 3,594 10 0 10,692 2 20 439 0 0 13,457 2 38 1,361 13 0 1,978 1 34 51 0 0 800 2 0 136 13 6 2,936 2 30 94 10 6 14,073 0 2 709 1 6 j> 3 . Annual j> 3 . Annual j> Sβ Amount 1 8 Area - Rental. i% Alea ' Rental. So Ar6a " received. D CO - - - ~ a. B. p. £ s. d. A. R. p. £ s. d. a. B. p. £ s. ii. 69 17,782 2 24 680 4 0.. .. .. 89 27,248 3 27 12,109 4 5 27 13,951 3 0 13,908 7 3 5 3,736 0 0 163 0 0 .. .. 26 11,082 0 23 10,477 0 1 2 700 0 0 22 7 4 .. .. 41 13,809 1 0 15,671 17 7 1 188 0 0 3 5 10 .. .. .. 3 861 3 0 268 14 0 1 100 0 0 50 0 0 1 117 0 23 175 14 4 5 471 0 32 12 12 10 .. .. .. 14 2,643 3 8 1,570 4 5 18 2,955 2 21 248 13 8 .. .. .. 5 3,258 2 14 1,629 0 3 ; : i . ; ; l—TT- ~ _ _ I Totals .. Totals .. .. 473 473 131,001 1 1 13.468 15 9 100 25,833 1 37 1.130 3 8 .. 131,001 11 13.468 15 9 131,001 1 1 13.468 15 9 100 25,833 1 37 1.130 3 8.. .. .. 207 73,073 1 15 55,860 2 4 100 207 73,073 1 15 55,860 2 4 I I I 1 Freeholds acquired from Net Area held 011 3]st Marcll "i" Commencement of System to iqii alst .March, 1 31st March, loil. f° r I i L_ I District. Auckland Hawke's Bay Taranaki Wellington Nelson Marlborough Westland Canterbury Otago Southland Totals .. "o jg O« j>3 . . Total j≤ ' . Annual On the Year's !•§ Area ' Am ? ul " IS Atea - Rental. Transactions, g 8 realised. § -3 1 . 1 a. a. p. £ s. d. a. b. P. £ s. d. £ s. d. .. 426 84,381 1 25 44,209 17 0 2,551 757,023 1 1C 32,654 4 5 4,461 18 9 83 38,601 2 0 30,484 9 6 336 101,561 3 18 15,690 1 5 3.594 10 0 75 24,776 1 15 27,322 7 4 456 253,467 0 31 10,750 11 8 219 9 6 .. 272 84,046 2 31 98,360 10 3 638 305,015 0 22 20,454 11 2 728 17 6 32 6,349 0 7 2,156 11 2 255 69,026 3 C 1,311 2 10 25 10 0 19 5,800 0 11 5,367 6 9 34 9,826 1 37 480 11 11 100 12 6 1 100 0 0 50 0 0 105 18,490 0 24 598 14 0 11 1,266 1 12 1,658 18 9 24 4,676 1 32 257 15 2 24 3,528 2 15 2,163 12 5 287 52,637 0 5 1,495 10 6 73 7 3 34 7,186 2 39 4,522 7 6 434 91,694 1 24 2,771 15 6 354 10 9 .. 977 256,036 2 35 222,296 0 8 5,119 1,723,418 3 15 86,470 18 7 9,564 16 3 Mived during the Year ended Se ie Otor8 in Arrear, 31st March, 911 (exclusive of Amouut paid .„.. acquiring Freehold). On Past S S Transae- Total. -So Area. Amount, tions. i-f £ s. d. £ s. d. a. r. p. £ s. d. 21,078 6 7 25,540 5 4 76 17,296 1 12 267 0 11 9,756 13 11 13,351 3 11 3 1,590 0 0 89 15 0 7,922 12 5 8,142 1 11 3 2,451 0 0 S3 4 3 14,160 8 2 14,889 5 8 26 19,202 (I 0 1,804 16 0 844 2 10 869 12 10 22 5,426 1 31 60 11 8 273 16 2 380 8 8 1 205 0 0 ; 2 11 3 503 0 8 503 0 8 8 1,352 2 26 19 14 5 229 12 229 1 2 1 152 0 0 7 15 0 1,257 0 0 1,330 7 3 2 292 3 20 7 19 0 1,913 11 9 2,268 2 6 9 3,499 1 29 56 13 2 57,938 13 8 67,503 9 11 151 51,467 2 38 2,370 0 8 I ! I I

47

α-i

Table 9. — Return of Lands at Year ended 31st March, 1911.

Kxi •hanees to Renewable Lease ™ , .. , ■ ., -.* during the Year. Forfe.tures during the Yea,. iurrendere during the Year. eeholds acquired during the Year. District. oil OB Area. Annual Rental. • t; ! Area. Annual Rental. Area. Ai nuual Rental. o o i. Area. Annual Rental. ■ £. Amount Area - realised. Ordinary Crotvu Lands— Auckland Hawke's Bay Taranaki Wellington Nelson Marlborough Weetland Canterbury Otago Southland '■'■ A. R. P. £ S. d. A. K. P. t S. d. 7 1,813 0 29 32 3 5 A. R. P. £ s. d. A. R. P. t s. d. 6 1 1 a R. p. i £ s. d. 1.163 2 19 1,269 15 6 280 0 0 1,555 0 0 254 0 0 508 0 0 •• •• <J < 4,811 0 25 84 15 2 26 1,988 2 31 840 13 3 3,574 0 0 2,411 6 1 5,603 0 13 2,671 10 2 14 1.830 1 15 45 18 4 2 775 1 0 10 15 10 ;; :: s 319 2 8 J 320 0 0 1,094 3 0 1,061 10 0 14,277 2 31 10,637 15 0 - . 56 ' 32 Totals 8,729 3 29 173 7 "J Land for Settlements — Auckland Hawke'a Bay Taranaki Wellington Nelson Marlborougli Westland Canterbury Otago Southland - 2 600 2 0 819 8 8 3 'a 400 3 32 176 0 36 112 8 2 89 12 8 :: :: :: .. 2 10 1 8 10 0 5 13 0 2 18 3 6 1 253 3 0 31 14 4 6 266 3 2 49 17 10 6 266 3 2 49 17 10 i 13 0 2 18 3 6 .. 253 3 0 31 14 4 j .. Totals 2 600 2 0 600 2 0 319 8 8 319 8 8 8 578 0 28 210 10 10 266 3 2 } 49 17 10 .. Grand totals .. ■2 600 2 0 319 8 8 I 266 3 2! 49 17 10 56 600 2 0 319 8 8 40 9,308 0 17 383 18 7 14,277 2 SI 10,637 15 0 I Taken up during the Year.* District. No. of , Annual Rental Selectors. payable. Ordinary Crown Lands — a r. p. t s. d. Marlborough .. .. 1 640 0 0 14 0 0 Southland .. .. .. | 14 1,236 3 34 79 9 6 Totals .. .. 15 1,876 3 24 93 9 6 These were uncompleted transactions finally dealt with during the year. Note. —In the Southland Land District there were eighteen exchanges- covering an area of 364 acres 3 roods 27 perches, annual rental £49 Is.— of mining districts land occupation leases t< leases in perpetuity completed during the year. These exchangee were approved prior to the passing of the Land Laws Amendment Act, 1907, but had been awaiting survey.

α-i.

Table 9.-Return of Lease-in-perpetuity Lands at Year ended 31st March, 1911— continued.

48

District. Ordinary Crown Lands — Auckland Hawke's Bay Taranaki Wellington Nelson Marlborough Westland Canterbury . Otago Southland GommlnoemeD C t q of r System to Net Area held on 31st Maroh . ! Amount of Rent received during the Year Select. 31st March, 1911. 19U - ended 31et March - 1911 - Number Total Number . On On Past Number of Area. amount of Area. «"« Year's Transac- Total. of Purchasers realized. Selectors. noumi. Transactions. tions. Selectors. a. k. p. £ s. d. a. r. p. £ s. d. I s. d. fc s. d. £ a. d. 27 11,846 3 28 9,742 13 4 1,159 286,092 1 15 7,979 16 9 .. 7,879 I 11 7,879 1 11 34 5 1,883 1 12 3,053 11 10 ' 205 102,240 3 39 3,769 14 3 .. 3,512 8 1, 3 512 8 7 3 754 2 0 ; 1,505 17 6 474 177,014 3 18 7,156 19 2 .. 6,718 17 0 6 718 17 0 5 2 -2.280 0 0 1,860 0 0 527 145,786 1 29 6,952 17 4 .. (1,474 16 9 6,474 16 9 9 40 17,410 2 26,7,675 16 2 506 183,337 8 7 3,244 19 0 .. 1,586 9 1 1,586 9 1 9 11 5,239 0 0 3,178 5 1 326 141,890 2 19 3,375 1 2 42 13 0 2,800 19 3 2 903 12 3 13 32 6,814 3 21 3,361 16 4 432 58,269 1 16 1,422 5 4 .. 1,052 8 7 1 052 8 7' 17 1 39 0 0 123 10 0 245 75,661 2 23 4,286 8 6 .. 3,914 6 7 1,914 6 7 2 i 2,465 0 16 1,060 14 6 801 198,205 2 13 5,886 15 10 .. 5,405 6 5 5,405 6 5 7 14 4,962 3 27 4,138 2 8 361 95,240 2 34 2,326 4 10 26 19 3 2,088 17 9 2,115 17 0 4 •K in Arrear, 31st March, 1911. i Area. Amount. a. 8. p. £ s. d. 10,771 1 30 130 16 2 2,962 0 0 36 13 7 3,243 0 0 85 10 0 3,369 16 26 5 10 4,500 3 13 102 8 11 981 1 32 20 15 6 24 3 36 4 19 11 1,403 3 37 J 14 5 1 2,571 0 10 19 0 7 . t ; Totals 189 53,696 110 .85,700 7 5 5,036 1,403,640 1 13 46,350 22 69 12 3 41,493 11 11 41,563 4 2: 100 53,696 1 10 35,700 7 5 5,036 1,403,640 1 13 46,350 2 2 69 12 3 41,493 11 11 41,563 4 2; 100 29,828 0 4 440 15 7 Land for Settlements- - Auckland Hawke's Bay Taranaki Wellington Nelson Marlborough Westland Canterbury Otago Southland Totals 614 115,159 130 18,145 14 0 .. 10,765 14 10 16,765 14 10 20 ■■ ■■ ■■ 426 119,734 0 17 39,537 16 4 .. 36,621 9 4 36,621 9 4 0 •• •• •• •• 37 4,017 2 15 3,241 2 8 .. 3,336 8 5 3,336 8 5' 1 300 38,493 2 27 14,480 1110 13,671 18 7 13,67118 7 16 13 4,097 0 9 805 4 10 .. 870 10 2 870 10 2 4 ■ ■• •• ■• 293 54,344 1 10 12,231 16 10 .. 10,93-2 12 3 10,932 12 3 25 .. .. .. .. 28 4,987 3 26 538 5 10 .. 480 2 11 480 2 11 i 1,108 164,386 2 6 59,274 7 2 .. 52,748 9 10 52,748 9 10 22 535 108,690 0 18 34,296 19 8 .. 31,734 19 7 31 734 19 7 6 237 48,214 2 3 10,643 9 8 .. 9,990 10 0 9,990 10 0 12 3,591 662,125 1 1 193,195 8 10 .. 177 , 152 15 11177 . 152 15 111 117~~ 10,765 14 10 16,765 14 10 36,621 9 4 36,621 9 4 3,336 8 5 3,336 8 5' 13,671 18 7 13,671 18 7 870 10 2 870 10 2 10,932 12 3 10,932 12 3 480 2 11 480 2 11 52,748 9 10 52,748 9 10 31,734 19 7 31,734 19 7 9,990 10 0 9,990 10 0 ■2:j 1 16 25 22 6 12 6,845 0 29 952 2 24 5 0 0 189 0 0 1,224 0 22 3,242 0 7 579 16 7 131 12 1 16 7 6 113 0 0 265 4 3 524 17 8 1,890 3 14 1,050 0 39 2,388 3 26 525 5 9 179 19 9 131 16 5 3,591 662,125 1 1 193,195 8 10 177,152 15 11177,152 15 11 117 17,788 0 1 12,468 0 0 Cheviot Estate (Canterbury) Grand totals ... -j,tjvi. \jw,**u ± j. u iv- .. III,1UZ ly 111W,1UZ 1O 11 117 ■ •■ •■ 118 24,387 2 2 6,424 7 6 .. 5,837 4 3 5,837 4 3 139 53,696 110 35,700 7 5 8,745 2,150,153 0 16 245,969 18 6 69 12 3 224,483 12 11224,553 4 4 ""217~ 118 24,387 2 2 6,424 7 6 5,837 4 3 5,837 4 3 .. 53,696 1 10 35,700 7 5 8,745 2,150,153 0 16 245,969 18 6 69 12 3-224,483 12 1224,553 4 4 217 47,616 0 5 2,908 16 7 Ellesmere Endowment .. 68 13,987 0 0J 1,399 13 2 .. 1,262 8 4 1,262 8 4 13,987 0 0 1,399 13 2 1,262 8 4 1,262 8 4 • • • • •■ '

49

( } 1

Table 10.—Return of Renewable-lease Lands at Year ended 31st March, 1911.

Taken up during the Year. ixchangee from other Tenures hwj-h j • during the Year. Forfeitures during I issaf. If \ o the Year. Annual Rental. Surrenders during the Year. p h--Dietrich. g« Area. 3 ® o I Area. Annual Rental. l! m II *~ iHffi a. B.;P. £ s. d. National Endowment — Auckland Hawke's Bay Taranaki Wellington Nelson Marlborough . . Wesiland Canterbury Otago Southland A. B. P. 67 20,636 0 39 13 4,383 3 36 16 4,546 3 31 4 2,047 0 8 72 36,228 1 28 2 681 2 0 49 (5,320 3 34 2 262 0 27 76 13,345 3 26 31 :S,400 3 25 a. B. P. 20,636 0 39 4,383 3 36 4,546 3 31 2,047 0 8 36,228 1 28 681 2 0 lj.320 3 34 262 0 27 13,345 3 26 :!,400 3 25 £ B. d. 915 3 8 490 13 0 369 0 0 188 7 0 744 16 1 14 7 4 172 5 4 12 14 0 450 3 0 134 10 8 8 0 5 IB A. E. P. i £ 9. d. A. B. P. ! 1,282 1 3 33 11 4 7 2,079 0 24 1 598 0 0 1 30 1 0 462 1 27 ' 14 10 4 4 2,056 3 0 461 0 0 12 7 4 8.205 0 0 75 10 2 11 024 1 20 403 3 30 : 8 10 0 1 70 0 10 159 3 4 8 16 0 a s. d. r,r, o 0 ■2] 0 0 0 14 0 48 7 6 2S 16 0 18 8 .. 5 1,202 0 7 26 8 C 5 5 ! 916 0 20 22 4 0 5 8 2 ,. •• Totals . 332 91,854 0 14 3,492 0 1 10 2,118 0 27 91,854 0 14 VI 5,924 1 24 153 5 2 25 5,358 2 14 5,358 2 14 155 6 2 48 12 Cheviot Estate— Canterbury 1 11 0 7 14 1 4 ' I Land for Settlements — Auckland Hawke's Bay Taranaki Wellington . . Ntlson Marlborough Westland Canterbury . Otago Southland .. 95 12,209 3 15 3 154 0 29 3 45 1 22 15 194 2 18 4 4,233 0 0 8 11 1 34 93 7,322 2 8 4 1,485 0 8 3 719 0 20 1,167 7 0 106 8 6 75 12 0 189 18 0 195 3 2 14 8 0 15 1 4,384 3 37 89 11 0 2,092 0 31 617 17 0 .. .. .. 0 19 111 6 5 .. .. 133 3 38 77' -2 1 6,129 17 6 246 3 0 98 2 0 2 600 2 0 256 2 10 .. :: :: :: - i .. 2 1 389 0 34 I 120 7 l< 499 0 16 48 1-2 ( 0 i 12 0 18 0 Totals .. 223 26,375 0 34 223 26,375 0 34 8,222 19 2 2 600 2 0 236 2 10 21 600 2 0 256 2 10 6,478 0 9 ; 709 17 6 1,022 1 8 246 2 Ordinary Crov:n Lands Auckland Taranaki Wellington .. 9 1,012 1 15 24 3,865 1 37 285 12 0 J U ■ 281 6 0 7 2 0 4 21 16 0 .. •• Totals Grand totals i 83 5,477 3 12 .. 5S9 123,718 0 27 566 18 0 12,295 18 7 - 44 7 2 0 4 21 16 0 i i 44 0,524 3 24 ; 409 8 0 53 11,838 2 27 886 19 8 18 j 3,140 1 35 294 14 4 6,524 8 24 409 8 0

C.—l.

Table 10. —Return of Renewable-lease Lands at Year ended 31st March, 1911— continued.

50

District. Net Area held on 31st March, 1911. fl a> Area. Annual Rental. j3 Amount of Kent received during tho Year ended Slst Marcb, 1911. 81 is Selectors in Arrear, 31st March, 1811. Area. On the Year's Transactions. On Fast Transactions Total. Amount I I National Endowment — Auckland Hawke'e Ba;. Taranaki Wellington Nelson Marlborough Westland Canterbury Otago Southland Totals A. R. P. £ P. d. 194 61,306 2 35 2,366 7 9 50 16,003 1 34 3,470 9 0 35 14,945 1 18 1,196 15 0 .. i 16 7,832 0 8 673 7 0 295 117,023 2 7 2,323 2 6 33 10,003 2 0 268 6 4 222 23,999 3 4 732 16 6 16 6,560 2 24 456 16 8 129 19,910 2 30 629 2 8 69 8,591 1 25 326 10 0 1,059 286,177 0 25 12,443 13 5 £ p. a. 2,366 7 9 3,470 9 0 1,196 15 0 673 7 0 2,323 2 6 268 6 4 732 16 6 456 16 8 629 2 8 326 10 0 £ s. d. 423 5 4 398 7 8 343 18 11 108 8 6 595 5 S 73 4 6 340 12 11 7 8 0 80 18 11 67 5 4 & s. d. 1,050 12 4 2,801 12 2 634 15 5 365 10 7 342 7 8 158 7 1 314 2 8 396 6 10 143 15 0 237 15 7 £ s. d. 1,473 17 8 3,199 19 10 978 14 4 473 19 1 937 12 11 231 11 7 654 15 7 403 14 10 224 13 11 305 0 11 11 24 17 1 2 1 A. K. P. 3,348 2 34 £ s. d. 74 13 3 5,480 2 22 184 18 8 853 1 30 10 0 0 57 1 0 33 0 33 33 2 0 1 12 0 0 16 (i 0 19 0 12,443 13 5 2,438 15 4 6,445 5 4 8,884 0 8 56 9,783 0 39 295 16 5 Cheviot Estate— Canterbury 1 11 0 7 14 1 4 14 1 4 15 5 10 15 5 10 .. ■ ■ 11 " Land for Settlements — Auckland Hawke'fi Bay Taranaki Wellington Nelson Marlborough Westland Canterbury Otago Southland Totals 242 41,152 2 11 3,142 3 8 171 49,451 0 32 17,822 1 4 11 357 0 8 299 18 6 58 5,935 0 39 2,880 2 2 19 16,051 0 0 1,150 2 8 13 155 3 12 85 2 2 207 72,334 2 33 19,360 12 0 114 77,657 2 35 13,64113 2 17 3,360 2 32 718 17 4 852 266,456 0 2 59,100 13 0 41,152 2 11 49,451 0 32 357 0 8 5,935 0 39 16,051 0 0 155 3 12 3,142 3 8 17,822 1 4 299 18 6 2,880 2 2 1,150 2 8 85 2 2 583 13 6 80 0 3 62 16 4 141 9 8 149 14 0 14 0 7 1,862 18 9 15,943 0 10 120 14 8 2,530 0 2 588 7 7 58 4 8 2,446 12 8 16,023 1 1 183 11 0 2,671 9 10 738 1 7 72 5 3 i 7 1 1 3 2 1,665 1 39 67 1 4 121 0 0 2,087 0 0 91 3 4 50 3 9 24 4 9 51 6 0 101 4 8 11 10 11 72,334 2 33 77,657 2 35 3,360 2 32 19,360 12 0 13,641 13 2 718 17 4 5,019 1 10 205 16 2 49 1 0 10,880 19 9 12,155 8 11 407 15 8 15,900 1 7 12,361 5 1 456 16 8 24 2 10,289 1 28 279 0 27 3,784 4 3 40 12 3 .. .. 266,456 0 2 59,100 13 0 6,305 13 4 44,547 11 0 4,063 6 7 50,853 4 4 40 14,601 0 22 Ordinary Crown Lands — Auckland Taranaki Wellington Totals 9 1,612 1 15 285 li! 0 28 16,998 3 34 889 1 4 116 6,599 3 7 722 12 4 153 25,211 0 16 1,897 5 8 1,612 1 15 16,998 3 34 6,599 3 7 285 1-2 0 889 1 4 722 12 4 248 9 4 247 1 8 pl4 0 2 265 15 9 248 9 4 914 0 2 512 17 5 1 2 682 0 0 0 2 0 20 10 0 2 3 6 1,897 5 8 3 682 2 0 22 13 6 25,211 0 16 495 11 0 1,179 15 11 1,675 6 11 Grand totals 2,065 577,855 1 10 73,455 13 5 577,855 1 10 73,455 13 5 9,255 5 6 52,172 12 3 61,427 17 9 25,066 3 21 4,381 16 6 99

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Table 12. -Return of Mining Districts Land Occupation Leases under Part VIII of the Land Act, 1908, at Year ended 31st March, 1911.

Table 11. — Return of Agricultural-lease Lands at Year ended 31st March, 1911.

51

Expiries during the Year. Net Area held on 31st March, 1911. Amounts received during the Year ended 31st March, 1911. Made Freehold from Commencement of System to 31st March, 1911. Selectors in Arrear on 31st March, 1911. Diatriot. %% Area. Annual g _» Rental. •4-1 §1 Area. Annual Rental. 03 a 5 CO I 1 Total. O OS ■ ss : !<» 1 « Area. Total Amount realized. So ■ 3 a Area. Amount. I. -I £ s. d. £ s. d. A. K. P. £ 8. d. 67 i 2,750 0 0 .WO 5 0 32 I 279 0 15 488 12 11 1,326 131,296 2 8 131,580 12 6 50 6,570 1 5 6,570 5 o! Auckland .*. Westland .. Otago Southland . . Totals . . I a. r p. £ s. d. 2 i 13 i 0 J 0 7 0 2* 13 1 0 0 7 0 a. r. p. £ s. d.l £ s. a. £ s. d. £ A. R. P. £ S. d. £ a. d. s. d. a. k. p. £ s. d. 67 i 2,750 0 0 .WO 5 Ol A. R. P. £ 8. d. i 17 551 1 0 23 7 9! .. ! 18 16 1 18 17 551 1 0 23 1 9J 18 16 1 18 16 1 32 , 27!) 0 IS , 4fift 18 111 o& I aia <j 10 lots iz li 16 II 1,326 131,296 2 8 131.580 12 61 .. iu 1 -i,o-5u |ioi,aao a a 101,oou la 01 17 551 1 0 28 7 9 .. 18 16 1 18 ' 17 551 .. 1 0 28 7 9 ; 18 16 1 -. 18 16 1 50 6,570 1 5; 6,570 5 0 , 16 1 1,475 140,895 3 23 139,229 15 5 . .. • These leases were again renewed dining the year.

Taken up during the Year. . Forfeitures and Exchanges to Surrenders during Renewable Lease during the Year. the Year. Net Area on 31st Marc i held 3h, 1911. electors in Arrear on 31st March, 1911. Amount i received during the Year. District. Auckland Hawke'n Bay Taranaki Wellington Nelson Marlborough Westland Canterbury Otago Southland Totals I §i AreR - , Rental. A. B. P. £ 8. d . . 22 1,147 0 0 46 12 ■ 2 200 0 0 6 13 < .. 28 263 3 37 48 5 ( . . 15 552 2 36 34 7 ( 6 523 0 26 28 18 I .. 73 2,686 3 19164 16 i A. B. P. 1,147 0 0 Area. Annual Rental. " I £ s. a. 46 12 4 O; o g ] 1 .'I I Area. . £»"> || Area. £ n » u f - : Cental, g;g| Rental. 3. A. R. P. : £ s. d. A. B. P. £ a. d 4 4 219 1 2 25 0 0 4 317 0 5 13 10 ( • 4 .. .. .. i 4 373 2 17 11 7 C 6 461 0 0 12 9 t 0 3 47 3 27 3 10 0 1 4 0 0 1 0 C 6 10 263 2 30 10 10 10 8 403 3 30 12 6 i 0 .. .. .. 2* 160 1 24 8 16 £ 2 17 530 3 19! 38 0 10 25 1,719 3 36 59 9 1C 4 A. B. P. 317 0 5 £ s. d. 13 10 0 -° o Area. I I A. R. P. 191 9,657 2 11 .. 191 •• Annual Rental. i ~ i & s. d. 715 2 6 On the Year's Transactions. I £ s. d. 23 6 2 I ; On Past Trans- Total, actions. I I ~i £ s. d. £ s. d. 642 16 3 666 -2 5 — — It I 14 Area. Amount A. r. p. £ B . d. 908 1 28 31 0 0 .. "' • • .. 200 0 0 .. 6 13 4 373 2 17 461 0 0 4 0 0 11 7 0 12 9 6 1 0 0 36 1,764 1 39 8 644 0 0 73 755 0 28 36 73 70 12 2 13 15 4 101 14 0 3 6 2 .. 74 8 8 77 14 10 22 2 4 22 2 4 30 5 11 141 1 5 485 4 9 507 12 3 136 14 9 151 3 9 L.391 12 81,565 17 0 io 157 1 25J 9 15 4 263 3 37 48 5 0 8 111) 15 6 .. 552 2 36 523 0 26 34 7 6 28 18 0 i 10 403 3 30 160 1 24 12 6 8 8 16 8 269 9,684 2 33 27 1,046 2 17 269i 27 430 19 10 68 6 6 '22 7 6 14 9 0 2 109 3 10 1 8 K 1 8 6 2,686 3 19 164 16 2 530 3 19 38 0 10! 1,719 3 36 59 9 10 604 23,552 2 8 604 1,400 10 4 174 4 4 1,175 2 23 42 3 in 42 3 10 17 25 26 i I II I II I I r j t* In addidon t0 these, there were eighteen exchanges to lease in perpetuity completed during the year, covering an area of 364 acres :i roods 27 perohes Land Laws Amendment Act. 1007, but had been awaiting survey. These exchanges were approved prior to the passing of the

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52

Table 13. — Return of Village Settlements at the Year ended 31st March, 1911.

District. Tenmv _ I Ordinary Crown Lands — Auckland . .. Cash .. .. Lease in perpetuity , .. .. Village-homestead special settlement Hawke's Bay .. Cash Deferred payment Perpetual lease . Occupation with right of purchase Lease in perpetuity Tarunuki .. Gash . Deferred payment .. Occupation with right of purchase Wellington .. .. Cash . Deferred payment .. Perpetual lease Lease in perpetuity . . Renewable lease . Village-homestead special settlement Marlborougb .. Cash .. Deferred payment Westland .. .. Cash Lease in perpetuity Canterbury.. .. Cash , i • : . Deferred payment .. Perpetual lease .. Lease in perpetuity f ,. Village-homestead special settlement Otago .. . . Cash . . . Deferred payment Perpetual lease .. I Lease in perpetuity Southland .. .. ! Cash .. j Deferred payment .. Perpetual lease .. Occupation with right of purchase .. Lease in perpetuity , Totals Land for Settlements — Hawke's Bay .. Cash Taken up during the Year. Made Freehold during Year. Made a. R. p. £ e. d. a. B. p. £ s. d. a. R. p. £ a. d. .. 1 2 15 .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 48 .."'.. .. .. .. .. .. 2 5 2 2!) 213 19 4 9 .... .. .. 2 80 0 38 2 10 6 .. .. 2 0 3 38 .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 271 .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 110 8 1 3 10 3 5 0 '.'. .. .. 1 10 0 •"> (I 0 4 .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 2 100 0 o 262 10 0 i .... .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 309 ... .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 120 .... .. .. .. .. .. 1 100 600 & .. 1 0 2 0 .. . .. .. .. .. .. 339 .... .. .. .. .. .. . . .. .. 109 ! ... .. .. .. .. .. . .. .. 28 i 6 38 0 32 27 5 8 .. .... .. .. 3 23 2 2 3 14 6 .. :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: I .... .. .. .. .. .. 2 70 0 20 245 8 10 2 .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 166 ... .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 522 .. .. .. . .. .. .. .. .. .. 35 .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 1 1 0 0 50 0 0 1 1 0 10 13 0 0 1 103 103 ...... .. 25 3 579 272 3 25 2 1 70 0 0 55 12 125 3 30 574 1 4 14 , 13 43 3 5 30 10 8 5 108 3 0 6 5 0 25 330 2 0 1,439 19 6 3,290 Freehold from Cc A reft. A. B. P. 50 1 2 17 0 16 063 0 33 1,192 2 3 146 3 1 3 1 0 100 0 0 853 3 y 2,289 2 36 6 3 0 501 1 33 970 2 36 324 0 33 58 2 22 iruuieuoeiiient. Total Cash received. E r. d. 1,015 14 0 500 12 7 4,364 13 11 2,706 18 1 293 18 1 20 0 0 269 10 0 b,945 10 9 10,907 12 11 40 10 0 3,950 18 5 3,789 5 4 1,035 3 1 672 4 0 •■ 22 1 11 43 1 20 14 1 21 70 0 20 1,208 0 1 2,552 0 38 736 3 3 10 0 0 10 389 2 19 1,130 0 38 609 2 22 52 3 5 2,946 1 28 4,051 2 18 831 2 39 0 1 18 141 1 36 75 16 10 18 15 0 110 0 0 245 8 10 5,481 17 4 21,570 5 3 1,579 0 1 50 0 0 13 0 0 1,756 a 5 2,908 10 7 1,231 0 0 303 15 0 9,230 10 3 9,680 6 7 2,018 14 2 7 5 0 624 4 3 43 3 5 30 10 8 5 I 22,480 3 0 103 3 0 6 5 0 i 93,410 3 9 1 1 32 31 5 0 .. 1 _ ! • ■ — National Endowment L ands — Auckland .. .. Renewable lease Hawke's Bay Wellington .. Westlaud .. .. Otago Southland Totals Gtrsrad totals 2 93 18 580.. 4 22 3 6 23 0 0 .. 4 230 1 26 169 12 0 .. ..1010140.. 1 7 2 0 0 12 0 .. 4 80 28, 340.. .. ! 16 351 1 18 203 0 0 .. .. 29 395 0 23 238 10 8 5 103 3 0 6 5 0 25 330 2 0 1,439 19 6 3,293 9 3 18 5 8 0 .. 22 3 6 23 0 0 .. 230 1 26 169 12 0 .. 0 10 14 0.. 7 2 0 0 12 0 .. 80 2 8 3 4 0.. •• ■ .. ■■ 351 1 18 203 0 0 I .. 103 3 0 6 5 0 3,293 22,482 0 32 98,441 8 9 395 0 23 233 10 8

53

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Table 13. —Return of Village Settlements at the Year ended 31st March, 1911— continued.

Forfeitures during the Year. Surrenders during the Year. Net Area held on 31st March 1911 Keut r>, k , , and other . ; u,8trlct ' Tenure. Payments re- 8 £ »j ceived during S . Aunaal 2 | ,. Annual S Total the Year. § Area Rental. § Area Rental g Ar «" Annual 1 l\ I .. I Lease in perpetuity made freehold .. 213 19 4 .. Lease in perpetuity .. .. 94 2 8 .. .. " "' so 2 647' 1 RO \*>«,"w 4 Hade's Bay;; | e - settlement «*•■»«»« lf« 27 K 1 32 si 11 8 ■ ■ Occupation with right of purchase 5 0 0..! made freehold .. Lease in perpetuity made freehold .. 262 10 0 .. .. I Occupation with right of purohase .. 3 2 0 1 0 3 31 0 19 0 '.'. ii a a is s' - 7 q .. Lease ,n perpetuity .. .. 1,874 11 8 ..' .. .. 69 3 783 1111656 12 10 .. Village-homestead special settlement 54 18 5 . 27 1fi0 '« Taranaki .. j Oocupation with right of purohase (i 0 0 made freehold • ■ Oocupation with right of purohase .. 117 0 1030040 fi <i •> n imn ,„ ,u ■ Village-homestead special settlement 80 8 5 .. .. .. .. 163 1 964 18 20512 q Marlborough .. i Perpetual lease 1 2 ti ' .. " lb ? U9 Xi ,, „; , l f „ .. j Lease in perpetuity .. .. 20 2 0 .. .. '' " ,7 , „ ,, . « J . ..j Village-liomestead special settlement 10 0 8 .. .. " r ir n 10 ' 7 lfi 0 Westland .. | Lease in perpetuity made freehold 245 8 10 '' .. Lease in perpetuity .. .. 13 8 1 .. .. " " " " "i 0 12 g' i 37 iq's a Canterbury .. Lease 111 perpetuity made freehold .. 50 0 0 .. .. * .. Village-homestead speoial settlement, 13 0 0 ]] ! lease in perpetuity made freehold .. Deferred payment .. .. 9 18 10 . . .. 6 fiS 1 fi lfi fi f) ..Perpetual lease 36 3 10 .. .. " " \\ J 9 7 u » in . . Occupation with right of purchase ..246 ""8220446 .. Loase in perpetuity .. .. 6 17 7.. .. .. " " " 17 720 790 - ■ Village-homestead speoial settlement 869 13 11 .. .. o«S 1 q 'U7 hi n Otagc .. Deferred payment .. 198 | " " ;; J4 ' • • Perpetual lease .. .. .. 26 0 11 .. .. . 14 201 •> 25 -28 17 8 .. Occupation with right of purchase .. 0 10 6 .. ' " 3 2 1 12 012 0 '• vmT '1!P er P e ' Ui i y • , • , •■ 139 18 9 1 12 1 20 0 12 0 ..' ['. '.'. 105 1,629 126 140 0 0 . ■• Village-homestead special settlement 134 12 5 .... . 69 1006 228 12713 6 Southland .. Perpetual lease made freehold 70 0 0 • • Lease in perpetuity made freehold .. 574 1 4 . '. .. Perpetual lease .. .. .. 136 18 7 .. '.'. " «8 <m '2 17 122 "7 2 .. Occupation with right of purchase ..134 3 2 3 6 1 5 10 •■ Lease in perpetuity .. 411 14 6 7 225 3 18 15 'o 8 '.'. '.'. '.'. 283 4,371 2 5 441 3 8 .. Village-homestead speoial settlement 131 14 7 .... 46 523 334 118 17 4 •• 8 •2 •• 2 21 6 10 Arrears on 31st March, 1911. Area. Amount. A. H. P. •• 606 0 5 92 1 13 166 3 35 352 2 0 36 0 0 127 0 20 £ s. d. 39 T 8 3 2 4 26 16 35 2 6 19 14 0 37 3 0 1 6 1 7 3' 3 0 •2 0 1 37 18 9 • • I .. . 1 2 5 0 0 11 0 0 0 18 8 3 5 0 6 227 2 37 Iβ' 4 6 i 12 0 29 1 18 10 i 1 3 34 3 2 0 •■ •• " "« 6 0 22 0 11 10 Totals .. .. 8,245 11 6 22.393 0 29 75 13 2 .. ' .'. .. 1,905 37,923 2 3 Iβ,276 11 9 75 13 2 1,905 37,923 2 3 '6,276 11 9 1,651 2 39 i 66 174 18 0 ■ ■ '

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54

Table 13.—Return of Village Settlements at the Year ended 31st March, 1911— continued.

Kol 'feitures durii ig the Year. Surrenders during the Year. Net Area held on 31st March. 1911. ears on 31st March, 1911. District. Tenure Rent and other Payments received during the Tear. S a 00 1 Area. Annual Rental. 1 i Area. Total Annual Rental. 1 CO Area. Annual Rental. Area. Amount. A. B. P. £ S. d. . B. P. >. £ s. d. 92 ! 2 A. R. I !,480 1 ( P £ s. d. 0 870 10 4 A. h. P. 20 0 0 £ 8. d. 7 Iβ 8 Cheviot Estate— Canterbury .. Lease in perpetuity £ s. d. 841 11 10 A. B. P. £ s. d. 92 A. B. P 2,480 1 0 2 •• •■ Land for Settlenu Hawke'e Bay .. nts — Lease in perpetuity Renewable lease Lease in perpetuity I Renewable lease 29 19 4 116 270 13 11 3 8 11 16 30 1 16 30 1 34 3 ( 0 1 ( 403 2 2f 9 1 l< 0 24 0 0 0 12 6 18 309 12 8 6 7 13 0 ••I •• •• 34 3 0 0 10 403 2 28 9 1 16 Otago Totals 305 3 8 •■ •• ! 48 448 0 4 342 8 2 National Endowm} Auckland Hawke'e Bay.. Wellington .. j \ent Lands — Renewable lease 79 6 0 37 15 6 143 4 0 0 14 10 44 13 4 5 9 4 4 2 10 22 7 11 1 ■• 5 1 18 3 0 0 32 7 9 9 29 6 :: .1 152 1 1 47 0 23 358 3 17 104 3 9 243 3 12 1 1 31 73 1 1 378 0 8 85 16 0 45 8 0 203 13 4 12 16 11 47 16 0 7 4 0 . 3 18 0 33 14 6 •• 1 1 0 24 0 8 ■• •• 2 13 6 1 7 10 0 1 5"o 0 6 6 Marlborough .. Westland Otago Southland Village-homestead special settlement Renewable lease .. .. I •• - i 0 11 i 4 „ - '■ 1 Totals 337 13 9 2 13 0 1 7 10 0 1 5 1 18 3 0 0 J 123 . 1,359 2 22 440 6 9 3 6 1 25 1 18 Grand totals 9,730 0 9 24 406 0 30 83 3 2 1 5 1 18 3 0 0 2,168 42,211 1 29 7,929 17 0 71 1,678 0 24 184 14 i

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Table 14. —Summary of Position of Village Settlements at 31st March, 1911.

55

DMtriot. Number of Settlers . Amounts advanced to Settlers up to in Occupation. Annual 31et Marol , 1911 Area laid down T B f n , tal °J Areaoooupied. in Pasture | incl^dtng 8 ' For Resident. *?° n ' or cultivated. Interest on For Houses. Bushfelling, ; Total. cesiaenl - Advances. Grassing, Ac. Amount of Advances which have been repaid to 31st March, 1911. Amount of Value of Arreare of Interest paid Improvements Interest on to31stMar.h, "°» on the 31st March, jg 11 Land. 1911. Ordinary Crown Lands — Auckland .. .. 70 Hawke's Bay .. 76 Taranaki.. .. .. 11 Wellington .. 576 Marl borough .. 12 Westlaud .. .. 10 Canterbury .. . . 240 Otago .. .. 86 Southland .. .. 380 10 31 5 202 8 61 107 '20 A. R. P. 3,679 3 22 3,991 2 4 74 2 8 12,157 2 23 221 1 14 128 1 37 8,804 0 22 3,030 0 11 5,835 3 22 A. K. P. 2,573 I 29 2,570 0 0 74 2 8 11,778 0 0 172 0 0 128 1 37 8,044 1 31 1,881 0 0 3,950 0 0 £ s. d. 242 18 0 1,726 13 10 11 18 8 2,275 5 9 34 7 0 12 3 2 1,016 11 4 300 9 2 683 14 0 t s. d. 958 0 0 580 0 0 3,068 7 6 85 0 0 £ s. d. 1,253 17 6 296 15 9 3,670 19 11 18 15 0 £ b. d. 2,211 17 6 876 15 9 6,739 7 5 108 15 0 £ s. d. 1,839 12 0 106 19 0 6,252 15 3 15 0 0 I £ s. d. £ s. d. £ s d 3,185 14 0 22,482 5 0 0 8 9 715 4 0 19,260 5 0 j QOO A ft 892 0 0 313 8 7 '47,425 0 0 17 6 0 oo i a i on£ i\ n £ s. d. 3,185 14 0 716 4 0 318 8 7 99 1 0 £ s. d. 22,482 5 0 19,260 5 0 892 0 0 147,425 0 0 1,905 0 0 2,518 0 0 33,963 12 8 15,325 0 0 31,800 0 0 2,460 0 0 1,101 5 0 756 0 0 2,460 0 0 1,541 5 0 1,106 2 2 1,237 0 0 422 17 6 294 7 6 99 1 0 1,905 0 0 2,518 0 0 18 9 O 1 fcfl 1A 1 QQ Ofi'J 10 Q 2,160 10 1 1,263 9 9 1,057 6 10 440 0 0 350 2 2 2.160 10 1 ; 33,963 12 8 i oca e\ n 1K -jo; n n 1,263 9 9 i 15,325 0 0 1 f\tzT7 fi i n I o i qaii r» n 1,057 6 10 31,800 0 0 Totals .. .. 1,461 444 37,923 2 3 6,030 10 4 15,099 2 10 8,794 14 3 2 8 19 3 6 275,571 2 8 444 31,071 3 25 6,304 0 11 9,008 12 6 10,468 11 3 8,794 14 3 Cheviot Eqpate Canterbury .. . . 50 43 42 •2,480 1 0 2,367 1 0 870 10 4 120 0 0 120 0 0 ■ 120 0 0 26 0 0 12.726 10 0 •■ Land for Settlement*— Hawke's Bay .. . 3 Ocago .. .. .. 21 14 10 14 10 35 0 0 413 0 4 31 0 0 295 0 0 '25 2 6 317 5 8 482 10 0 4,192 0 0 •• ■• •• TotalH .. .. 24 24 24 24 448 0 4 326 0 0 342 8 2 .. 4,674 10 0 Natiotial Endowment Lands — Auckland .. .. 22 Hawke's Bay .. .. 1 Wellington ' .. .. 14 Marlborough .. 15 Westland .. 5 Otago .. .. .. 3 Southland .. .. 19 22 1 14 15 5 3 19 10 6 4 14 1 4 5 10 6 4 14 1 4 5 152 1 1 47 0 23 463 2 26 243 3 12 1 1 31 73 1 1 378 0 8 46 2 16 46 0 0 80 0 0 240 0 0 1 1 31 12 0 0 100 0 0 85 16 0 45 8 0 216 10 3 47 16 0 7 4 0 3 18 0 33 14 6 • , 2.U64 3 9 393 0 0 1,820 0 0 2,435 0 0 604 0 0 117 0 0 600 0 0 - •• •• - tt 1 4 0 Total« .. .. 79 79 44 44 1,359 2 22 526 0 7 440 6 9 7,538 3 9 14 0 - Grand totals .. 1,614 1,614 554 42,211 1 29 34,291 0 32 7,957 6 2 9,128 12 6 6,030 10 4 15,159 2 10 10,588 11 3 8,820 14 3 300,505 6 5 20 7 6

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Table 15.—Return of Special-settlement Associations at Year ended 31st March, 1911.

56

I District. c Taken up during the Year. c jS Capital & t5 Value i-S Area - per £ w Acre. a ■§ Amount of Rent received during the Year. Total Amount received on Current and Previous Transactions to 31st March, 1911. Made Freehold XT , . „ , . - . Number of Selectors required to reside, and actually residing, From Commence- and Area. ; During the Yea, »«,£&*? _ 1911. Actually residing. i No. Area. No. Area. 1° „ . reside. No. Area. I i-s o t Ordinary Crown Lands — Auckland Hawke's Bay Taranaki Wellington Nelson Marlborough Westland Canterbury Otago .. Southland A. R. P. £ s. a. k s. d. £ s. d. 294 15 9 9,950 10 0 .. 98 14 9 1,184 19 0 .. 832 13 11 13,647 8 10 .. 4,319 4 7 ■ 166,437 1 10 .. A. R. P. 52 54 A. K. P. 5,217 0 25 4,809 3 12 HI, 331 -2 17 12 304 t>8 8 300 a. a. P. 11,427 2 12 600 0 0 68,520 1 4 816 •• .'. 142 2 0 2,573 5 11 .. 109 0 8 i 1,900 6 1 .. 4 5 10 660 3 11 1,980 0 36 ■• I Totals ■ 922 5,796 11 8 195,693 11 8 .. 91,358 2 14 320 386 | 83,188 3 23 Land for Settlements — Cauterbury - i 139 9 3 '2,115 4 1 .. 1 ~r 232 0 0 Grand totals ~ < 5,936 0 11 198,108 16 0 .. 92-21 91,358 2 14 320 887 83,420 3 23 Forfeitures during the Year. Surrenders during the Year. Nei Area held, 31st March, 1911. Selectors in Arrear, 31st March, 1911. Dietriot. -o ■§ Area. Amount. 3 9. -o "S Area. Amount. s< Area. Annual J3 S Rental. g S £ s. d. 322 2 8 .. 101 16 0 .. 872 9 10 2 4.655 5 8 6 Area. Amount. a. R. p. £ s. d. 598 0 0 11 9 9 1,048 0 0 31 18 0 Ordinary Crown Lands — Auckland Hawke's Bay Taranaki Wellington Nelson.. Marlborough Westland Canterbury Otago Southland A. B. P. £ e. d. ■• A. R. P. ■■ £ s. d. 68 i 14 88 449 A. B. P. 11,067 2 12 3,111 0 19 16,197 3 21 79,769 0 18 I - I ■• I ■ :: :: 14113 8 .'. I 121 2 4 .. ; • ■ ■ •• 30 14 2,536 2 17 2,765 1 12 .. .. •■ Totals .. 663 115,447 2 19 6,214 10 2 8 6,214 10 2 8 1,646 0 0 1,646 0 0 43 7 9 I- — Land for Settlements — Canterbury " 2,114 1 9 162 7 8 .. I 162 7 8 I .. ■• Grand totals 674 6,376 17 10 8 6,376 17 10 8 1,646 0 0 43 7 9 1,646 0 0 •• .. .. .. .. .. 117,561 3 28 I

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Table 16.—Return of Homestead Lands at Year ended 31st March, 1911.

Table 17.— Return of Small Grazing-runs at Year ended 31st March, 1911.

57

District. Surrenders during the Yeax. Number oft , I Selectors. A,e,1 - Forfeiture! Number of Selectors. | - during the Year. Net %™£%? 31st ' Made Free y °£ durin S ««« Oo^SSSSSSSfiSSem to 31st March, 1911. j — l≤^ , »m. SBS£[ Area. %gbgff| A^ A - R - P - A - R - '■• A- R. P. A. 8. P. Number of Selectors. Area. Area. !_ i 1 Auckland Westland Otago .. . A. B. P. ■■ ■■ 464 76.096 3 10 a. r. p. I 464 39 22 A. B. P. 76,096 3 10 1,480 0 0 2,876 0 1 • • i 1"* /O,U3D H W 39 1,480 0 0 " •• • •• •• 22 2,876 0 1 r Totals .. :. 525 80,452 3 11

'aken up during tl ie Year. Expiries during the Year. Renewal of Leases during the Year. Forfeitures during the Year. Surrenders during the Year. I Kxclianges to other inures during the Year. District. as |3 Area. Annual Bental. 5 Area. Annual Kenta.1. 9 Area. Annual Bental. a y. Annual Rental. . rno Annual Area Rental. Area. • I Ordinary Crown Lands — Hawke's Bay Taranaki Wellington Otago . - . A. B. P. I £ a. d. A. B. p. 24,442 0 39 1,886 0 32 2,530 0 0 13,671 0 32 £ s. d. 180 15 8 23 11 8 63 5 0 386 15 0 A. B. P. ■24,372 0 25 £ a. d. 11,720 2 4 A. B. P. £, B. d. 7 2 1 7 A. B. p. £ 8. d. A. B. P. £ s. d. •• 7 ... 7 2,530 0 0 13,671 0 32 >40,573 1 17 110 13 10 389 14 2 ,. •• •• '• i I I •• I I - !■• - •• '■ - Totals - 17 42,529 2 23 654 7 4 13 2,220 10 4 !-' I "I I '- •• •' ..: - - hand for Settlements — Auckland Otago 219 2 30 36 0 0 2,357 0 0 147 6 4 -i I •• 1 J ■• . . I I .. _ I I j j National Endoiu?nent — Hawke's Bay Canterbury Olago Southland 2 17 1 4,706 0 0 988 0 0 120,770 0 0 2,080 0 0 128,544 0 0 126 14 0 100 0 0| 1,970 0 0 26 0 0 " ■• •■ .. I • • •• I :: " ■ •• - Totals 21 2,222 14 0 11 I - - •• ■ • -. •• Grand totals 22 128,763 2 30 ; ■2,258 14 0 17 42,529 2 23 654 7 4: h 40,573 1 17: ■• 15 2,220 10 4 1 2,307 0 0 147 6 4

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Table 17.—Return of Small Grazing-runs at Year ended 31st March, 1911— continued.

58

Net Area held on 31st March, 1911. Amount received during the Year. Arrears ou 31st March, 1911. District. Number. Number. Annual Kental. On Past Transactions. Total. Number, Area, Amount. Area. On the Year's Transactions. t 1 Ordinary Crown Lands — Auckland .. Hawke's Bay Tarauaki Wellington Nelson .Mari borough Westland Canterbury Otago Southland 5 49 6 :: 80 9 19 85 5 49 6 80 9 A. R. P. 26.3S0 0 0 119,867 0 10 5,719 0 14 72,506 1 18 5,223 3 31 £ s. d. 620 0 0 6,568 11 5 81 0 10 3,938 13 8 65 16 2 t s. d. •• & s. d. 660 0 3 6,564 1 11 86 6 4 3,146 1 10 55' 15 9 £ 8. d. 660 0 3 6,564 1 11 86 6 4 3,146 1 10 55 15 9 ■i 1 3 ■> A. R. P. 7,000 0 0 2,000 2 0 1,932 0 0 2,02<j' 3 31 & s. a. 42 5 5 ,18 12 (i 93 14 (I 12 18 9 19 85 39,77l' 3 21 196,902 3 28 2,778 19 4 5,422 19 6 2,483 12 11 6,351 12 5 2,483 12 11 6,351 12 5 5 1 10,116 0 0 4,195 0 0 391 7 6 26 i r> Totals Cheviot Estate — Canterbury Land for Settlements — Auckland Hawke's Bay Taranaki Wellington Nelson ilarlborough Westland Canterbury Otago Southland Totals V 253 49 5 16 '.'. 31 44 10 2 115 19,347 11 5 27,393 1 31 605 2 7 466,371 1 2 : 19,476 0 11 19,347 11 5 15 45,762 2 24 6,828 12 8 .. 5,494 9 11 5,494 9 11 19 27,470 3 15 1,977 5 0 :23,590 0 0 19,681 0 0 199 12 10 4,140 18 6 222 2 8 4,111 9 G 222 2 8 I 4,111 9 6 2 7,470 0 0 89 R 1 '■ 9,127 0 0 1,795 5 4 1,538 10 0 I 1,538 10 0 •• 54,849' 1 2 7,515 10 0 7,042 12 3 7,04212 3 o 3.067 0 0 156 15 4 81,350 0 15 10,953 0 21 2,808 1 0 10,885 19 8 1,615 0 6 201 7 4 18 0 0 10,006 2 4 1,449 7 10 57 10 0 10,006 2 4 1,467 7 10 57 10 0 1 1,658 1 0 12,195 1 0 124 7 4 370 10 9 26,653 14 2 18 0 0 1 i 24,427 14 7 24,445 14 7 5 202,358 2 38 National Endowment LandsAuckland Hawke'e Bay Turanaki Wellington.. Nelson Marlborotigh Westland Canterbury Otago Southland .. 12 49 4 9 9 73 .'. 37 268 20 50,766 2 25 160,953 3 8 4,906 0 0 8,610 3 0 16,757 3 18 200,260 1 22 358 9 8 2,727 7 8 76 8 8 275 6 2 109 1 10 2,877 1 9 63 7 0 438 0 2 2,629 4 4 83 19 9 330 6 6 118 10 5 2,913 15 11 438 0 2 2,692 11 4 83 19 9 330 6 6 118 10 5 2,913 15 11 1 •• 8 5,100 0 0 •• •■ ■• 20,918 0 0 15 18 <t 223 16 H 94,750 3 38 937,881 3 37 66,550 2 13 3,376 3 8 17,362 10 6 762 10 2 50 0 0 1,055 0 0 13 0 0 3,379 19 5 15,428 2 4 765 7 9 3,429 19 5 16,483 2 4 778 7 9 •• 'k 8,903 1 21 ; 121 2 4 Totals ..I 481 27,268 13 7 17 1,541,439 0 1 27,925 0 1 1,181 7 0 26,087 6 7 34,921 1 21 360 17 4 — Grand totals 898 76,556 9 6 2,255,931 2 25 80,883 7 10 1,199 7 0 75,357 2 6 56 101,980 3 27 3,313 15 8 I

59

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Table 18. —Return of Pastoral Licenses at Year ended 31st March, 1911.

District. Number of Selectors. Taken up during the Year. Area. Annual Rental. Number of Seleotors. I Exchanges to other Tenures during the Year. Area. Forfeitures during the Year. Expiries during the Year. Surrenders during the Year. Number. Number Number of Area. of Area. of Area. Selectors. Selectors. Selectors. Ordinary Crown Lands— Auckland Hawke's Bay Taranaki Wellington Nelson Marlborough Westland Canterbury Otago Southland Pastoral Buns. A. R. P. £ s. d. A. E. P. A. R. P. 50 0 0 A. R. P. A. B. P. 1 18,735 0 0 1 11,000 0 0 •• l *8 28,735* 0 0 i 1,172 0 0 22 0 0 .. I •• .. 7 1 23 5 18,621 0 0 209,797 0 0 3,500 0 0 287,560 0 37 124,045 0 0 383 0 0 153 0 6 24 0 0 3,046 5 0 79 0 0 - i •■ ■■• - - 5 12 16,406' 0 0 ] 102,850 2 9 .. 4 58,620 0 0 6 88,355 0 0 1 4 17,500 0 0 141,195 0 0 19 3 300,669 1 32 8,966 0 0 ■ TotaU 52 644,695 0 37 3,707 5 6 6 158,745 0 0 42 457,627 0 1 Land for Settlements — Otago 9 0 0 30 0 0 National Endowment Lands — Auckland Hawke's Bay Taranaki Wellington Nelson Marlborough Westland Canterbury Otago Southland 1 2 - *l 56,508 0 0 32,755 0 0 56 0 0 42 0 0 •• ,. ■■ ., •• .. .. •■ .. ■• 2 1 3 1 16,448 0 0 6,600 0 0 14,683 0 0 122,200 0 0 26 17 2 160 0 0 139 10 0 130 0 0 • - 1 200 0 0 6 1 4 1 26,208 0 0 6,600 0 0 103,468 0 0 122,200 0 0 i 5,480 0 0 " •■ Totals Grand totals 10 249,191 0 0 554 7 2 : 1 200 0 0 12 258,476 0 0 •• 5,480 0 0 63 893,919 0 37 I 4,270 12 8 7 158,945 0 0 54 716,103 0 1 • • .. 7 93,835 0 0 Ordinary Crown Lands — Auckland Nelson Westland Pastoral Liceru ;es in Mining Districts m der Sjieci ial Regulations. 34 21 9 11,676 0 3 4,586 1 18 791 2 2 254 6 5 121 2 0 21 9 0 2 835 0 0 2 88 3 10 5 972 0 0 1 1 270 o o 490 0 0 1 2 3 320 0 0 177 1 39 143 0 0 Totals 1,895 3 10 2 760 0 0 G4 17,053 3 23 396 17 5 640 1 39 National Endowment Lands — Auckland Nelson . . Wesiland 1 Lβ 23 200 0 0 5,142 0 0 5,025 0 39 4 3 4 128 10 5 97 2 0 . 1 57 -A 60 7 2,229 0 0 • • Totals 12 10,367 0 39 229 15 9 2,229 0 0 f>7 9 30 •• •• Grand totals .. I 760 0 0 698 0 20 106 27,421 0 22 626 13 2 16 4,124 8 10 ..

α-i.

Table 18. —Return of Pastoral Licenses at Year ended 31st March, 1911— continued.

60

Net Area held on 31st March, 1911. Selectors in Arrear on 31st March, 1911. District. Number of i Holders. Area, approximately. Average Holdings. Annual Rental. T3 Ftent paid during the Year. Number. Area. Amount. Pastoral ,U11H. Ordinary Crown Lands Auckland Hawke'e Bay Taranaki Wellington Nelson..Marlborough Westland Canterbury Otago Southland 20 4 a 68 80 177 67 20 11 A. K. P. 171,797 2 5 58,642 0 0 A. R. P. 8,589 3 20 5,331 0 14 £ s. d. 338 1 0 854 0 6 & s. a. 158 6 1 948 0 3 5 A. R. P. 86,310 0 0 S. s. d. 120 3 10 4 a 32 68 80 177 67 100,813 0 0 165,829 0 0 512,109 0 0 688,297 1 11 2,128,057 1 36 2,368,429 2 7 689,862 0 0 25,203 1 0 82,914 2 0 16,003 1 25 10.122 0 3 26,600 2 30 13,380 3 32 1O,2U6 1 32 1,814 14 4 330 0 0 2,8:23 13 4 553 17 0 13,471 14 2 14,412 13 6 2,544 13 8 1,803 14 4 330 0 0 2,676 4 0 521 15 0 17,826 6 4 13,631 5 9 2,703 1 2 0 Totals . 461 461 6,883,836 3 19 14,932 1 24 37,143 7 6 40,000 12 11 86,310 0 0 120 3 10 Cheviot Estate— Canterbury 1 1 1,<>42 0 0 1,642 0 0 193 3 8 193 3 8 Land for Settlements— Otago .. 3 130 13 0 983 2 38 327 3 26 126 3 0 National Endowment Lands— Auckland Hawke's Bay Wellington Nelson Marlborough Westland Canterbury Otago Southland Totals .. Grand totals 10 .. w 2 ..' 17 1 15 43 49 60 28 225 690 149,443 0 0 32,755 0 0 31,540 0 16 10,000 0 0 311.140 0 0 196,712 0 0 1,245,767 0 0 1,383,391 2 -21 670,000 0 0 14,944 1 8 16,377 2 0 1,855 1 8 10,000 0 0 20,742 2 26 4,574 2 32 25,423 3 10 23,056 2 4 23,928 2 11 211 3 6 42 0 0 836 0 0 34 0 0 1,379 13 4 247 7 4 19,342 11 4 10,715 15 8 1,808 17 0 159 9 9 21 0 0 852 17 9 17 0 0 1,237 3 4 ■ 225 12 8 23,439 13 0 10,794 15 5 2,082 17 0 4 9,910 0 0 26 10 0 4,030.748 2 37 17,914 1 30 34,617 8 2 38,830 8 11 9,910 0 0 26 10 0 10.917,211 111 72,084 12 4 79,750 8 6 9 96,220 0 0 146 13 10 : Ordinary Crown Lands — Auckland Nelson.. Westland 1'otals .. National Endowment Lands — Auckland Nelson.. WoRtland 9U 101 62 262 38 46 101 Pastoral Licenses in Mining Disk 26,285 3 17 265 2 2 17,809 1 35 176 1 13 8,061 2 1 130 0 4 52,156 3 13 199 0 11 ■ict-s under Special Regulations. 543 16 1 276 17 4 371 4 4 315 9 6 l<10 11 10 95 18 0 s LI:) 4 3,872 2 3 1,946 2 5 596 0 0 48 10 5 49 13 5 5 4 7 1,105 12 3 688 4 10 25 6,415 0 8 103 8 5 7,151 0 23 188 0 30 10.093 1 11 219 1 27 14,719 3 27 145 2 38 7,151 0 23 10.093 1 11 14,719 3 27 144 14 0 248 2 I 286 2 6 107 4 6 150 9 5 ni 5 9 3 4 1 03a o o 955 2 38 104 0 0 16 3 3 14 17 8 10 0 Totals . 185 678 18 10 574 19 8 31,964 1 21 172 3 5 1,691 2 38 32 0 11 Grand totals 447 84,121 0 34 1,784 11 1 1,263 4 6 33 8,106 3 6 135 9 4

61

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Table 19. — Return of Miscellaneous Leases and Licenses, not otherwise enumerated, at Year ended 31st March, 1911.

Objects for whicl leased. Coal and Mineral. Timber-cutting, &c. Flax-cutti Miscellaneous T. the Year. the Yeftr f tal Area in Occupation on 31st March, 1911. Lessees in i 31st Marcl rrear on i,191] District. ing. ° 6 Area Annual o Area - Rental. Z> i F Area Amount o - Area " received. £ Area. Amount received. «„„ Annual Area. R en tal. Area Annual Area ' Rental. o Area. I Amount. 6 'A fc i _J I 1 I Chalnary Crown Laiin Auckland .. .... Hawke's Bar .. Taranaki .. .... Wellington . .... Nelson .. .. 2 Marlborougl: .. .. Westland .. .. 1 Canterbury .. .. .. Otago .. . . 1 Southland .. .... •« a. b. P. £ s. d. 1,452 14 (!• .. l-i ..7 •21 0 0 0 13 0 .. T A. B. P. £ S. d. 23,910 17 2 .. 559 12 8 .. 5,027 0 0 1,40616 8 .. £ s. d. 23,910 17 2 559 12 8 li 1,406 16 8 A. R. P. .. .. £ s. d. 52 14 5 - •■ 41 'J 28 89 27 G7 34 S3 G7 A. R. P. 3.401 2 8 2,097 0 10 109 1 17 1,614 1 4 12,385 0 34 2,589 0 29 10,995 1 8 5,497 1 19 10,178 0 3 6,099 3 7 £ s. d. 168 2 8 205 12 4 84 1 6 318 10 6 72 16 8 324 2 0, 111 10 10 151 15 10 134 7 0 121 (I 0 a. R. p. 3,401 2 8; 2,097 0 10! 109 1 17 0,641 1 4 1 12,406 0 34 3,789 0 29 13,342 1 8 6,009 3 19 10,180 0 3 6,099 3 7 £ s. d. 26,383 14 4 2,376 4 7 590 9 11 3,891 13 1 1,610 19 9 4,636 I 3 1,463 15 6 3,992 10 1 2,503 1 0 6,033 0 7 258 105 141 311 336 175 412 673 882 465 a. n. p. £ s. d. 66,331) 1 30 1,466 16 10 3 38,395 1 36| 1,733 6 3 4 1,569 0 10| 448 5 10 4 58,233 1 24! 1,528 17 5 16 139,968 2 13 1,240 15 2 29 44,704 0 18 1,459 17 4 S 79,216 1 35 872 15 10j 21 93,136 1 36! 3,660 2 5 34 105,192 2 22; 1,394 13 0 2 33,661 1 37 998 4 8 .. A. R. P. 618 0 39 133 2 33 74 0 0 78 2 0 32,277 0 12 611 2 31 4,835 2 2 4,506 2 28 8,000 1 . 0 £ B. d. 12 10 0 52 7 8 14 15 9 27 10 0 420 2 0 20 12 0 18 19 2 178 3 0 3 1 U 6 1,197 0 0 V.I 17 0 .. ..4 ■2 0 0 10 0.. . r -6 1,200 0 0 1 i .. .. 1 1.150 0 0 ■• i 1 I 17 10 0 10 0 1 512 2 0 17 10 0 .. ... .. •• .. •• •• • .. Totals . . 4 4 |6,739 2 0125,894 16 6 1 125,894 16 6 1 1,150 0 0 153 14 5i 1468. 54,967 0 19 1,692 8 4 64,076 2 19| 53,481 10 1 3,758 660,417 0 21 14,803 14 9191 51,135 2 25 748 1 6 Cheviot Estate— Canterbury .. .... .. 1 5 0 1,090 8 11 203 17 5; '.) 379 0 18 83 16 9 •• 0 0 28 0 0 28 102 11 3| 45 •• - Land for Settlements— Auckland .. .... Hawke's Bay . . Taranaki . .... Wellington .. .... Nelson . .... Marlborougli .. Westland . . .... Canterbury .. .... Otago .. .... Southland . .... 2,868 18 5 I.. 2,863 18 5 .. - •• .. •• .. ■• 1 5 10 0 225 3 0 1,125 3 26 5 0 0 13 0 20 2 10 0' 172 15 4 : 161 12 0 10 0 6 17 3 10 0 225 3 0| 1,125 3 26 5 0 0 13 0 20 4,534 18 3 336 11 0 134 16 1 1,288 1 4 6 0 0 627 15 10 1 0 0 411 4 2 7(12 16 3 144 7 4 14 14 3 10 1 32 3 44 121 794 0 24 407 1 6 43 3 16 1,217 1 33 5 0 0, 524 1 14 32 2 0 1,055 3 22 2,347 1 10 1,425 2 39 76 2 0, 286 0 10 1 44 16 1 222 8 8! 10 0 227 0 11 4 0 0 308 7 41 373 11 6| 73 I 6| •• ■" 1 102 3 0 8 2 0 0 2 0; 74 2 6 3 0 0 3 12 3 •■ .. •• ": 10 1 25 32 1 18 5 8 0 4 15 6] 10 1 25! 32 1 18 •• " .. •• •• .. • • -- ■' Totals . . 2,863 18 5 j " 354 18 1 8,277 10 3 215; 7,853 2 4 1,616 8 10J - 7 23 1,413 2 9 1,413 2 9 in 3 o; 80 14 9 •■ •• I — I 1 — National Endowment — Auckland .. .... Hawke's Bay . Wellington .. ... Nelson .. .... Westland . . .. 2 < )tago . . .... Totals . ■> Grand totals . 6 ■ ■ 2,070 0 0 48 15 0 i • • ■■ 16 "o ol - - 6,439 13 11 39 19 0 - 2 1 •• 132 0 ol 1.235 0 01 4 1 10 10 0 •• 2 19 52 10 40 0 16 2,405 2 0 10,141 0 16 6,249 2 0 18,836 0 32 •■ 20 0 0 24 15 0 77 11 6 66 0 4 56 0 16 2,537 2 0 13,446 0 16 6,249 2 0 6,459 6 0 15 0 0 64 19 0 2,262 15 9 9,895 0 6 93 1 8 1 2 5 175 249 10 15 2 0 29,210 2 0 3,692 0 16 61,221 3 25 94,352 0 23 6,249 2 20 15 10 0 35 19 0 127 15 0 732 15 6 465 4 6 66 0 4 : •■ 2*0! 10 ■ •• 4,700 1 2 2,883 0 0| 1,126 16 0 42 5 10 ' I- ■■ • • 2,070 0 0 48 15 0 3 290 0 0 J 1 ' 452 U 6 " ' d,29Q 0 0j 110 5 0 I . 16 0 0 6,479 12 11 1,367 0 0 5 1 10 83 188 6 10 22,289 0 32 18,790 8 11 442 194,741 3 4 1,443 4 4 30 7,583 1 2 1,169 1 10 a 6,755 2 0 35,238 7 10 2,517 0 0 i58 16 3 575 75.217 0 8 2,236 18 3 87,779 2 »l 80,652 0 6 4,460)1 |864,10H I 0 IS.067 5 4 .671 159,209 3 5 2,081 14 10 * Amount received. t Includes coal a anil timber royalties and receipts from State forests.

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62

Table 20.—Return of Gross Revenue received during the Year ended 31st March, 1911.

I Ordinary Crown Lands. Cash lauds Perpetual lease made freehold Occupation with right of purchase made freehold Lease in perpetuity made freehold Village settlement, perpetual lease made freehold Village settlement, occupation with right of purchase made freehold Village settlement, lease in perpetuity made freehold Village-homestead special settlement, leRse in perpetuity made freehold Improved - farm special settlement, occupation with right of purchase made freehold Deferred payment, rural Deferred payment, pastoral Perpetual lease and small areas Occupation with right of purchase Lease in perpetuity Renewable lease Agricultural lease Mining districts land occupation leases Village settlement, cash Village settlement, deferred payment Village settlement, perpetual lease Village settlement, occupation with right of purchase Village settlement, lease in perpetuity Village settlement, renewable lease Village-homestead special settlement Special-settlement association, perpetual lease .. Special - settlement association, lease in perpetuity Improved- farm special settlement, occupation with right of purchase Improved-farm special settlement, lease in perpetuity Improved-farm special settlement, renewable lease Small grazing-runs .. .. .. Pastoral runs Pastoral licenses in mining districts under special regulations Goal and mineral leases Prospectors' mining leases Timbsr licenses and other leases, and sale of timber System. £ s. d. 7,711 4 5 403 12 6 12,109 4 5 1,269 15 6 Auckland. Hawke's Bay. £ s. d. 808 0 7 53 0 0 13,908 7 3 1,555 0 0 £ s. d. •959 16 3 648 15 0 10,477 0 1 508 0 0 Taranaki. £ s. d. 12,192 1 1 582 5 0 15,671 17 7 Wellington. £ s. d. 368 5 0 Nelson. Marlborough. £ s. d. 1,294 9 0 14 0 0 2,411 6 1 £ s. d. 1,294 9 0 14 0 0 Westland. Canterbury. £ s. d. £ s. d. 825 0 Ol 245 9 4 127 4 3 50 0 0 175 14 4 2,671 10 2 Otago. Southland, j £ s. a.! £ s. d. 658 1 10i 2,180 8 8 1,307 5 5 603 0 6 1,570 4 5 1,629 0 3 320 0 0 1,061 10 0 70 0 0 Totals. £ s. d. 27,242 16 2 3,799 2 8 55,860 2 4 10,637 15 0 70 0 0 11 0 0 268 14 0 840 13 3 2,411 (i 1 5 0 0 6 0 0 213 19 4 262 10 0i '■ 245 8 10 50 0 0 ">74 1 4 1,345 19 (i L3 0 0 13 0 0 260 17 11 2,031 1 2 •216 5 0 2,508 4 1 9 9 4 36 0 2 9 12 01 16 8 6 380 8 8 2,903 12 3 3 8 11 1,073 3 5 28 4 1 96 19 10 503 0 8 229 1 2 1.052 8 7 3,914 6 7 36 4 6 937 8 3 274 8 9 1,330 7 3 2,268 2 6 5,405 6 5 2,115 17 0 95 0 11 1,073 3 5 2,496 10 9 67,503 9 11 41,563 4 2 1,675 6 11 18 16 1 1,565 17 0 114 0 0 11 8 6 200 5 10 8 17 4 705 19 11 25,540 5 4 7,879 1 11 248 9 4 96 18 7 13,351 3 11 3,512 8 7 166 9 4 8,142 1 11 6,718 17 0 914 0 2 142 18 7 14,889 5 8 6,474 10 'J 512 17 5 30 14 11 869 12 10 1,586 9 1 16 8 6 380 8 8 2,903 12 3 666 1 5 35 0 0 77 11 10 22 2 4 22' 2 4 141 " 1 5 '.'. 18 16 lj 507 12 3 151 3 9 69 0 0 10 0 0 3 2 0 1 17 0, " i 2 6 i -j, e> 9 IS 10 36 3 10 2 4 6 19 8 ■26 0 11 136 18 7 0 10 6 1 8 4 94 2 8 1,874 11 8 9 8 6 2,092 8 9! 425 10 3 80 8 5 20 2 0 20 2 0 13 8 1 6 17 7 139 18 9] 411 14 6 4,662 12 ti 425 10 3 1.382 17 7 47 4 1 5,749 7 7 101 9 2 54 18 5 10 0 8 10 0 8 869 13 11 47 4 1 94 17 11 134 12 5 131 14 7 109' 0 8 '.'. 294 15 9 9814 9 832 13 11 4,319 4 7 420 2 3 19 12 10 1,890 13 1 142 19 1 2,473 7 3 60 8 0 194 6 8 2,336 16 0! 453 16 10 163 8 9 3,198 15 10 17 14 11 0 18 7 .. 18 13 6 660 0 3 158 6 1 276 17 4 6,564 1 11 948 0 3 86 6 4 3,146 1 10 1,803 14 4 330 0 0 315 9 6 55 15 9 2,676 4 0 55 15 9 2,676 4 0 2,483 12 11 521 15 0 17.8SJ6 (1 i 95 18 0 6,351 12 5 13,631 5 9 2,705 1 2 19,347 11 5 40,600 12 11 688 4 10 1,452 14 6 490 14 3 50 0 0 474 5 8 128 13 8 882 8 6 168 13 0 10 0 187 1 5 992 15 3 458 10 0 8818 3 2,392' 11 5 4,445 15 6 51 0 0 20,178 7 6 14,846 5 11 559' 12 8 99 6 io| 1,406 16 8 128 13 8 Carried forward 75,468 4 3| 43,938 9 8 31,925 3 3 68,163 2 9 5,712 5 4 9,934 5 5 9,934 5 5 7,030 3 4 27,662 2 2 7,030 3 4 1 33,562 6 0 17,687 19 2: 33,562 6 0! 17,687 19 2 321,084 1 4 fir, refunded on account of illeg \ sale of a forest reserve.

63

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Table 20.— Return of Gross Revenue received during the Year ended 31st March, 1911— continued.

System. Auckland. Hawke's Bay. Taranaki. Wellington. Nelson. Marlborough. Westland. Canterbury. Otago. Southland. Totals. Ordinary Crown Lands —continued. £ s. d. £ s. d. £ s. d. £ s. d.. £ s. a. t s. d. £ s. d. s. d. £ s. d. £ s. d. e b. a. Brought forward 75,468 4 3 43,(138 9 8 31,925 3 3J 68,163 2 9 5,712 5 4 18 15 0! 1,250 10 6 417 11 4! 259 14 6 184 11 0 737 13 2 159 13 6| 5,523 18 11 101 18 8 114 3 11 19 7 Hi 496 12 9 2,132 6 11 36 0 0 38 6 6 9,934 5 5 7,030 3 4 1 27,r.G2 -i 2' 33,562 6 OJ 17,687 19 2 321,084 1 1 Flax-cutting.. Miscellaneous leases Transfer, lease, and license: fees, &c. Rents of reserves Miscellaneous Crown-grant fees State forests Survey liens on Native lands Survey fees which do not form part payment of land Survey fees which do form part payment of land 52 14 5 828 13 6 748 14 0 138 14 9 6,190 3 7 239 13 10 9,064 11 3 1,003 7 6 1,320 16 5 123 12 6 495 15 6 907 16 6 66 1 9 111 2 8 105 13 0 374 7 11 818 16 3 54 6 0 5 12 6 3 7 11 12 11 0 159 7 5 77 10 0 1,197 13 8 41 2 51 13 5 10 3,137 15 6l 19 0 0 489 0 0 ■ii-2 0 8 73 7 0 25 10 7 66 13 0 29 15 t> 1,254 r, 6 ■229 8 0 317 4 6 3,240 19 6 69 3 0 466 5 5 825 11 7 18 15 5 70 7 10 394 16 2 73 H 0 17 10 0 1,004 0 2 •207 9 0 303 19 8 51 6 11 2,160 9 0 150 5 11 6,835 7 6 2,595 17 2 6,487 8 0 15,205 3 7 714 2 5 15,333 5 8 3,439 16 11 289 1 1 30014 7 .. r>214 5 15-i' 0 2 •• • • 18 2 6 07 16 4 .. 383 2 8! 459 1 0 Totals 93,734 17 1 47,171 9 5; 33,456 5 10 78,714 3 5 6,652 9 3 14,573 11 3 ■ 8,045 14 7 32,075 1 1 36,737 5 3 21,432 13 11 1372,593 11 1 Lands for Settlements. Cash lands Lease in perpetuity .. Reuewable lease Lease in perpetuity, village Renewable lease, village Special - settlement associations, lease in perpetuity Small grazing-runs Pastoral runs Miscellaneous Payments of capital value under section 191 of tiie Land Act, 1908 73 0 0 16,765 14 10 2,446 12 3 55 10 0 36,621 9 4 16,023 1 1 29 19 4 1 1 6 3,336 8 5 183 11 0 22 0 0 13,671 18 7 870 10 2 2,671 9 10 738 1 7 22 0 0 13,671 18 1\ 2,671 'J 10 .. ■• 10,932' 12 3 72 5 3 •• ■' 5 18 2 480 2 11 53 18 6 52,748 9 10 15,900 1 7 .. 189 9 8 31,734 19 7 12,361 5 1 270 13 11 3 8 11 .. 9,990 10 0 456 16 8 - 210 6 8 177,152 15 11 50,853 4 4 300 13 8 4 10 5 139 9 8 222 1 8 4,111 9 6 1,538 10 0 1,538 10 0 j 7,042 12 3 10,006 2 4 1,467 7 1C 126 3 0 1,593 2 11 57 10 0 24,445 14 7 126 3 0 13,182 11 10 1,456 0 0 4,561 8 3 136 0 0 1,978 18 2 295 16 1 2,287 3 10 2,287 3 10 6 0 0 627 15 10 1 (I 0 1,294 6 10 1,320 0 0 536 19 11 -. • • .. • • •• Totals 20,191 2 3 1,614 11 9; 20,191 2 3 j 18,675 5 7 487 1 1 267,871 9 3 24,204 18 0 58,821 8 11 3,815 15 6 81,462 8 4j 47,557 1 :\ 11,041 16 7 Cheviot Estate. Lease in perpetuity .. Renewable lease Village homesteads Grazing-farins Pastoral runs Miscellaneous leases Miscellaneous Payments of capital value under section 191 of the Land Act, 1908 5,837 4 3 )5 5 10 841 11 10 5,494 9 11 193 3 8 102 11 8 9 0 0 499 3 8 •• - - 5,837 4 3 15 5 10 841 11 1C 5,494 9 11 193 3 £ 102 11 S 9 0 f 499 3 E • •• ■ • • Totals 12,992 10 t • • 12,992 10 5 .. Carried forward 117,939 15 II 105,992 18 4 37,272 1 4J 98,905 5 8| 8,267 1 Oj 33,248 16 V 8,532 15 8l 126,529 19 10 84,294 6 6; 32,474 10 6 653,457 10 1

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64

Table 21.—Return of Lands alienated under Acts, without Money Payment, or reserved by the Crown for Public Purposes.

Table 20.—Return of Gross Revenue received during the Year ended 31st March, 1911— continued.

System. • Auckland. Hawke's Bay. Taranaki. Wellington. Nelson. Marlborough. Westland. Canterbury. Otago. Southland. Totals. I I I I ! I £ s. d. Brought forward .. .. 117,939 15 1 National Endowment hands. Renewable lease, ordinary .. .. .. 1,473 17 8 Renewable lease, village settlement .. .. 79 (i 0 Renewable lease, village homestead special settlement Renewable lease, improved-farm special settlement Small grazing-runs .. .. .. .. 438 0 2 Pastoral runs .. .. .. .. 159 9 9| Pastoral licenses in mining districts under special 107 4 6i regulations Coal and mineral leases Timber licenses and sale of timber . •• 6,439 13 11 Flax-cutting .. .. .. .. 4 1 10 Miscellaneous .. . . .. .. 15 10 3 £ s. d. £ s. d. £ s. d. £ s. d. 105,9'J2 18 4 37,272 1 4 98,905 5 8 8,267 1 0 3,199 19 10 978 14 4 473 19 1 937 12 11 37 15 6 .. 143 4 0 0 14 10 & s. d. 33,248 1C 10 £ s. d. £ s. d. £ s. d.i 8,532 15 8126,529 19 10 84,294 6 6 £ s. d. 32,474 10 6 & s. d. 153,457 10 9 231 11 7 44 13 4 654 15 7 403 14 id 224 13 11 5 9 4 .. 4 2 10j 305 0 11 22 7 11 8,884 0 8 33G 18 11 0 14 10 98 11 5 2,692 11 4 83 19 9 330 6 G 118 10 5 21 0 0 .. 852 17 9 17 0 0 150 9 5 2,913 15 11 1,237 8 4 3,429 19 5 16,483 2 4 225 12 8 23,439 13 0 10,794 15 5 317 5 9 778 7 9 2,082 17 0 98 11 5 27,268 13 7 38,830 8 11 574 19 8 • 230 18 0 39 19 0 1,831 3 7 .. 27 12 6 9,552 11 6 6 12 309 1 4 .. 93 1 8 11,098 9 10 : 27,273 7 3 27,599 16 2 258 10 ti 17,863 8 0 10 3 0 658 7 5 - 15 0 0 .. 25 0 0 -200 14 2 ■• Totals .. .. .'. 8,717 4 1 5,966 6 8 1,161 5 6 1,866 1 2 3,486 8 6 5,966 6 8' 1,161 5 6| 1,866 1 2 4,427 4 2 3,188 13 7 94,784 16 11 1,048 10 2 Workers' dwellings, ordinary Crown lands 450 19 10 450 19 10 ■■ 597 10 4J .. Workers' dwellings, land for settlements .. 1,379 14 5 Endowment lands, ordinary .. 654 14 0 224 17 3 538 12 el 507 8 11 •• 2,650 ]3 _. J 454 15 10 407 9 6 249 8 5 19,051 5 5 476 1 lOJ 1,622 15 2 I 5,646 19 10 2,234 0 el 30,797 10 Thermal Springs Distriots Act: Rents .. .. 2,104 4 0 2,104 4 .. .. •• - Grand totals .. .. -.130,795 11 7 112,414 0 10 38,840 16 4101,979 4 0 30,804 14 11 37,676 1 0| 20,107 7 i\ 156,248 9 10 118,079 15 0 37,897 4 • ■ |784,843 5 i I I

District. Auckland Hawke's Bay . . Taranaki Wellington Nelson Marlborough Westland Canterbury Otago Southland During the Year ended 31st March, 1911. Crown Lands set apart Area granted Total Area thus for various Public under Special alienated during Purposes. Acts. the Year. I Acres. Acres. Acres. 7,358 .. 7,358 39 1,852 1,891 6,619 .. 6,619 1,332 .. 1,332 4,598 .. 4,598 22 4,83'2 4,854 22,611 .. 22,611 99 . 20 119 740 .. 740 25,008 .. 25,008 Total Area granted under Acts, without Money Pa\ment, or reserved for Public ', Purposes from Foundation of Dominion to 31st Marcn, 1911. Acres. 3,585,088 435,493 712,356 895,447 309,088 213,140 228,466 1,361,541 543,373 3,520,343 Totals .. I 68,426 6,704 75,130 75,130 11,804,341 11,804,341

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Table 22. —Forfeitures and Surrenders during the Year ended 31st March, 1911, showing under each Tenure the Number of Selectors who have forfeited and surrendered their Holdings, and the Area and Rental of such Holdings.

Table 23. —Return of Land taken up during the Year ended 31st March, 1911, within the Thermal Springs District of Auckland.

'9— C. 1.

Forfeitures. Surrenders. Tenure. Area Annual Area, Rental. A. R. P. £ S. d Number. Area. £™| Number. Ordinary Grown Lands — a. r. p. £ s. d. Perpetual lease .. .. 2 612 1 8 13 12 8 Occupation with right of pur- 100 25,833 1 37 1,130 3 8 chase Lease in perpetuity .. .. 32 8,729 3 29 173 7 9 Renewable lease .. .. 7 2 0 4 21 16 0 Mining distriots occupation 9 317 1 86 29 2 10 8 leases Village settlement, — Occupation with right of pur- 2 1 -1 31 18 0 chase Lease in perpetuity .. .. 12 295 0 37 ' 39 15 8 Renewable lease .. .. 7 48 3 37 33 5 0 Homestead special settlement 1 47 1 4 19 6 Improved - farm special settle- 12* 1,665 2 0 10 8 4 ments Pastoral runs .. .. 6 lc"8,745 0 0 38 12 6 8 Pastoral licenses in mining dis- 2 760 0 0 14 19 0 6 tricts under special regulations Miscellaneous .. .. 22 1,621 0 10 122 3 2 81 213 1 24 8 1ft 0 88,355 0 0 75 7 S 640 1 39 ! 35 0 0 *r .X \y _l u\r \j\j v *j 12,834 1 33 490 17 6 . 1 Totals .. .. .. 214 198,679 3.32 1,629 19 1 51 214 198,679 3 32 1,629 19 1 51 102,043 1 16 610 3 2 Cheviot Estate — Miscellaneous .. .. 1 010 170 0 10 17 0 Land for Settlements — Lease in perpetuity .. .. 8 578 0 28 ' 210 10 10 6 Renewable lease .. .. 21 6,478 0 9 ' 709 17 6 8 Small grazingruns .. .. 1 2,357 0 0 147 6 4 ; Miscellaneous .. .. .. .. .. 8 8 21 1 578 0 28 ' 6,478 0 9 ' 2,357 0 0 210 10 10 709 17 6 147 6 4 6 8 266 3 2 1,022 1 8 49 17 10 246 2 4 S 211 0 5 i 95 18 6 Totals .. .. .. 30 9,413 0 37 1,067 14 8 22 30 9,413 0 37 1,067 14 8 ■2-J. 1,500 0 15 391 18 National Enduwment Lands — Renewable lease, ordinary .. 25 5,358 2 14 155 6 2 10 Renewable lease, village settle- 2 13 0 1 7 10 0 1 ment Small grazing-runs Pastoral runs .. .. 1 200 0 0 10 0 1 1 Pastoral licenses in mining dis- .. .. .. 1 tricts under special regulations Miscellaneous .. .. 3 320 0 0 4 10 0 8 25 5,358 2 14 155 6 2 2 13 0 1 7 10 0 10 1 1 1 2.118 0 27 5 1 18 5,480 0 0 57 2 30 48 12 0 3 0 0 218 2 0 0 1 200 0 0 10 0 3 320 0 0 4 10 0 8 3,553 8 25 11 0 0 Totals .. .. .. 31 5,891 2 15 168 6 2 21 31 5,891 2 15 168 6 2 21 11,215 0 20 66 13 8 Thermal springs .. .. 2 020 11 00 2 0 2 0 11 0 0 Grand totals .. .. 278 213,985 2 4 2,878 6 11 94 278 213,985 2 4 2,878 6 11 94 114,758 2 11 1,068 15 6 i • The payment of n ■ntfU bad not commenced in tl io case of 11 selectors holding 1,576 acres.

Taken up during the Year. .. „ Net Area held on 31st the Year. Mftrohj mi Annual a»«« Annual Rental, f 8 Area " Rental. |fcf£ . . Selectors in A: 31st March, Amount received j"3 during the £ g Year. ■*> 'a Area. M Selectors in Arrear on 31st Maroh, 1911. irrear on , 1911. Amount. Looality. II Area. iotorua .. A. K. P 1 473 0 11 £ s. d. A. R. p. £ s. d. 11 16 0 305| 6,527 1 13 2,159 12 4 £ s. d. a. B. p. 2,104 4 0 17 47 0 0 £ s. d. 84 2 9

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Table 24.—Return showing Payments of Capital Value under Section 191 of the Land Act, 1908, at the Year ended 31st March, 1911.

Table 25. — Return showing the Area of Bush felled on Lands sold or leased by the Crown from 1st April, 1895, to 31st March, 1911.

A] Amount deposiced during the Year. Tenants whose Deposits in the Aggregate are under 33 per Cent, of Capital Value. Tenants whose Deposits aggregate 33 or more per Cent, of Capital Value. Totals. Tenure. "o „ »s •9 o » s 2 .8 8 S "3 CIS J2 s a 3 3 5-^-a E- 1 S o a 5 "x 2 'A "3 00.- C3 g = * S •5 -2 c d 0 3 3 "So 5 III eg"- 13 2 "3 111 a ■3 o * 111 J S a-S n igS <! o co SO Si Si it i ! I Ordinary Crown Lunch. Lease in perpetuity, ordinary Lease in perpetuity, village settlement Leaseiin perpetuity, special-settlement associations Renewable lease .. .. .... •• A. R. P. £ s. d. A. E. P. i , •■ £ s. a. £ s. d. .. £ s. d. 3 3 ■1 A. R. P. 748 1 9 30 0 19 302 0 0 £ s. d. 14 9 2 6 0 6 15 2 0 I £ s. d. 162 8 8 64 2 6 125 16 8 £ s. d. 6 19 4 3 9 2 10 1 4 A. E. P. 3 748 1 9 3 30 0 19 2 302 0 0 £ s. d. 14 9 2 6 0 6 15 2 0 £ s. d. 162 8 8 64 2 6 125 16 8 £ a. d. 6 19 4 3 9 2 10 1 4 :: :: •• •• .. .. 1 0 1 0 4 12 0 30 13 4| 3 14 1 0 10 9 1,080 2 28 4 12 0| 30 13 4 3 14 Totals .. .. .... 9 1,080 2 28| 40 3 8 383 1 2 23 11 2 40 3 8i 383 1 2j 40 3 81 383 1 2 23 11 ! Land for SettleTnents. Lease in perpetuity .. .. 4* Renewable lease .. .. .. 1 I J 4* 1 469 0 26 84 1 27 1,336 0 0 120 0 0 .. 0 1 629 3 8 814 1 27! 386 10 2 I 16 4 0 3,881 15 8: 120 0 0 193 8 4 10 16 0 6 629 3 8 1 814 1 27 386 10 2 3,881 15 8 193 8 '. 16 4 0 120 0 0 10 16 ( 386 10 2 3,881 15 8 16 4 0! 120 0 0 .. Totals .. .. .. 5 5 553 2 13 1,456 0 0 7 jl,444 0 35 I 402 14 2 402 14 24,001 15 8 204 4 ■ 4,001 15 81 •204 4 4 7 1,444 0 35 Cheviot Estate. Lease in perpetuity .. .. 1 1 106 3 0 t499 3 8.. .. .. .. .. l I 106 3 0 .. 1 106 3 Oj 55 10 2 999 3 8 5 11 0 1 106 3 0 55 10 2 999 3 8 5 11 ( 498 8 0 5,384 0 6 233 6 ( Grand totals .. .. 6 6 660 1 13 1,955 8 8.. .. .. .. .. 17 2,631 2 23 I .. .. 17 '2,631 2 23| |498 8 0 5,384 0 6 233 6 6 17 2,631 2 23 •■ • An amount of £1,320 was deposited during during the year. i i i i i the year on aci icouut of three leases, covering an area of 467 acres and 26 perches, upon which pa; I i I I An additional payment madi ments of capital value had previous] ly been made.

District. Felled during the v Pelled ? u ", ng '^ Year on Lands taken Year on Lands taken up during the Year. „ . up '" r ° Previous Years. Total felled at 31st March, 1911. Auckland Hawke's Bay.. Taranaki Wellington Nelson Marlborough .. Westland Canterbury Otago Southland A. B. P. 1,985 0 0 3,184 0 0 272 0 0 780 0 0 740 0 0 A. B. P. 17,065 0 0 9,237 0 0 5,500 0 0 15,700 0 0 14,008 0 0 2,868 0 0 2,145 0 0 A. R. P. 194,844 0 0 159,869 0 0 68,975 0 0 729,840 0 0 72,090 0 0 101,938 0 0 72,213 0 0 48 0 0 Iβ' 0 0 50 0 0 87 0 0 500 0 0 24,230 0 0 14,589 0 0 Totals 7,077 0 0 67,110 0 0 1,438,588 0 0

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Table 26. —Statement of the Number of Selectors on the Books of the Lands Department on 31st March, 1911

i I Village Settlement. village Settlement, 1 g.9 PerpeTuHv. Renewable Lease. If III I fig 1, ||, : Sg 1 r if « i] II 111 ii I Deferred Payment. Perpetual Lease. Occupation with Kight of Purchase. iase in 'erpetuity Kene able L< iase. 5 t Mining Districts Land Occupation Leases. CD i «fcg District. 4 S I If 3 I! a o≤ a a> IS H a go § . J-" a " a) s Ill Sod w i t III ■n o =a H o ! SO a 0 Auckland Hawke's Bay Taranaki.. Wellington Nelson Marlborough Westland Canterbury Otago Southland 5 177 7 7 9 10 6 7 17 158 47 1 2,551 5 I 335 45G 038 255 34 105 16 287 11 i 434 6 1,159 , .. 205 474 .. 527 506 326 ! 432 I .. 245 118 801 361 .. 5,036 J 118 614 I 426 37 300 18 293 28 1,108 585 237 j 22 18 14 68 9 44 9 28 116 194 50 35 16 295 33 222 16 129 69 242 171 11 58 19 13 ■■ 1 .. .. .. 191 J .. •• 11 6 53 ! .. .. 32 69 Iβ .. 7 10 495 .. 9 1 • . . 120 • ! .. .. 21 .. 36 79 8 1 12 14 68 95 8 3 8 31 11 .. .. 29 10 .. 6 17 105 30 4 ! 7 283 .. .. 24 1,053 I 46 4 114 •• i • • .. .. '3 8 - 207 114 17 1 ! 1 •' :: i7 269 27 1 1 ■■ i •• ■■ i ' * ! 22 17 Totals 22 1 I 445 I 33 5,119 7 3,591 175 175 I 153 1,059 852 1 604 i 79 8 2 120 I District. Village-homest Special Settlement. § "Sac I -g IS Ill ■So§ Specialsettlement Associations. 4 a o 3 si Crown Improvedfarm Special Settlements. Lands. m a 2 5 Small Gr oc C ID .zing-rm ill « o « L .2 lit I 1 IP - B c Q Pastoral. CO c3 ID . 9 III ; i I o o CD 5 iBcellai 4 ieous. ill H O a 2 ED ■a Workers' Dwellings. i Total. a si Auckland Hawke's Bay Taranaki.. Wellington Nelson Marlborough Westland Canterbury Otago Southland 27 27 '.. 163 8 Y.\ 258 .. 69 46 •■ 9 20 68 14 88 449 I •• i 49 J 16 I 228 204 82 : 104 78 •■ 33 '■ 5 5 12 12 49 16 49 2 .. 6 .. 4 .. 80 7 9 5 ! .. 9 .. .. 9 31 73 19 44 37 .. 49 85 10 268 18 2 20 3 .. 253 115 ! 481 40 49 119 11 4 103 32 130 80 177 67 * * :: i 48 .. ' 2 :: i7 47 15 144 49 3 60 28 3 410 I 2 16 258 .. 105 .. 141 .. 311 .. 336 .. 175 .. 412 .. 673 45 882 .. 465 .. 14 14 3 10 1 32 3 44 82 12 1 5 ■A 2 20 5 14 175 351 249 [ 4 16 10 5 4 305 I ••! I 12 35 21 6,304 1,630 1,691 3,686 2,312 1,129 1,825 3,385 4,216 2,323 92 57 30 14 11 •• *5 7 23 7 18 .. 43 ! ! Totals .. 598 92 9 663 i 11 ! 540 264 33 723 1 3,758; 45 : 215 442 421 ! 305 ! 35 81 28,501 77 30 • Includes pastoral licenses in mining districts under special regulations.

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Table 27. —Statement showing the Total Number of Selectors, with Area selected or held, the Yearly Rent payable, and Rent in Arrear, on 31st March, 1911.

Tenure. ""J" 1 Selectors. Total Total Total Amount of Number m . . , ., Yearly Rental such Rente or of Total Area held. or In8ta i ment Payments in Selectors. payable. Arrear. Ordinary Crown Lands — Deferred payment .. .. .. 22 Perpetual lease .. .. .. .. 445 Occupation with right of purchase .. 5,119 Lease in perpetuity .. .. .. 5,086 Renewable lease .. .. .. 158 Agricultural lease .. .. .. 17 Mining districts land occupation leases .. 604 Village settlements— Deferred payment .. .. .. 8 Perpetual lease .. .. .. 95 Occupation with right of purohase .. 31 Lease in perpetuity .. .. .. 1,053 Renewable lease .. .. .. 120 Village-homestead special settlementsPerpetual lease .. .. .. 253 Lease in perpetuity .. .. .. 345 Special-settlement associations — Perpetual lease .. .. .. 10 Lease in perpetuity .. .. .. 653 Improved-farm special settlements — Occupation with right of purohase .. 458 Lease in perpetuity .. .. .. 333 Renewable lease .. .. .. 13 Small grazing-runs .. .. .. 253 Pastoral runs .. .. .. .. 461 Pastoral licensee in mining distriots under 963 special regulations Miscellaneous leases .. .. .. 3,758 a. b. p. £ s. d. t s. d. 22 9,166 0 6 514 12 2 3 19 2 445 77,048 0 3 2,700 3 5 8 13 3 5,119 1,723,418 3 15 86,470 18 7 2,370 0 8 5,036 1,463,64(1 1 13 46,350 2 2 140 15 7 153 25,211 0 16 ! 1,897 5 8 22 13 6 17 551 i 0 23 7 9 604 23,552 2 8 1,400 10 4 42 3 10 8 163 1 6 18 11 0 0 18 8 95 1,424 3 9 194 3 8 5 3 10 31 60 3 33 16 3 0 1,053 22,193 2 23 3,933 18 10 89 8 8 120 789 2 24 467 4 8 19 14 0 253 4,177 3 35 ■ 582 6 2 34 15 0 345 I 9,113 0 33 1,064 4 5 24 17 in 10 669 0 8 48 4 0 653 111,778 2 11 6,166 6 2' 43 7 9 458 63,177 2 0 2,487 7 10 70 17 4 333 ; 11,509 3 15 3,258 4 0 40 0 3 13 2,001 2 25 l<.) 0 2 253 166,871 1 2 19,476 0 11 i 605 2 7 461 6,883,836 3 19 37,143 7 6 ' 120 3 10 262 52,156 3 13 1,105 12 3 103 8 5 3,758 660,417 0 21 14,803 14 9 748 1 6 Totals .. .. .. 19,502 19,502 11,645,430 1 18 : 230,141 9 5 4,794 5 8 Oieviot Estate — Lease in perpetuity .. .. .. 118 Renewable lease .. .. .. 1 Village-homestead special settlement .. 92 Grazing-farms .. .. .. .. I 49 Pastoral runs .. .. .. .. 1 Miscellaneous .. .. .. .. 45 j 118 1 92 49 1 45 ■24,387 2 2 11 0 7 2.480 1 0 45,762 2 24 1,642 0 0 1,090 3 11 6,424 7 6 14 ] 4 870 10 4 6,828 12 8 193 3 8 •203 17 5 7 18 8 1,977 5 0 83 16 9 Totals .. .. .. 306 306 75,374 1 4 14,534 12 11 •2,069 0 5 Land for Settlements— Lease in perpetuity .. .. .. 3,591 Renewable lease .. .. .. 852 Lease in perpetuity (village) .. .. 46 Renewable lease (village) .. .. I 2 Special-settlement associations .. .. 11 Small grazing-runs .. .. .. 115 Pastoral runs .. .. .. .. 3 Miscellaneous .. .. .. .. 215 662,125 1 1 193,195 8 10 266,456 0 2 59,100 13 0 438 1 28 333 12 8 9 2 16 8 15 6 2,114 19 162 7 8 202,358 2 38 . 26,053 14 2 983 2 38 130 13 0 7,853 2 4 1,610 8 10 2,468 0 0 4,063 G 7 37010 9 80 14 9 Totals .. .. .. 4,835 i 1,142,339 2 16 281,201 13 8 6,982 12 1 National Endowment hands — Renewable lease — Ordinary .. .. .. .. 1,059 : Village settlement .. .. .. 114 Village homestead special seulemeni .. 9 Improved-farm special settlement .. 33 Small grazing-runs .. .. .. 481 Pastoral runs ., .. .. .. 225 Pastoral licenses in mining districts under 185 special regulations Miscellaneous leases .. .. .. 442 286,177 0 25 1,254 3 13 104 3 9 5,407 1 20 1,541,439 0 1 ij 030,748 2 37 ' 31,964 1 21 12,443 13 5 427 9 10 12 1C 11 120 2 0 ■27,925 0 1 ; 34,617 8 2 678 18 10 295 16 5 1 18 0 360 17 4 26 10 0 32 0 11 194,741 3 4 1,443 4 4 1,169 1 10 Totals .. .. .. 2,548 2,548 6,091,838 0 10 77,668 13 7 1,886 4 6 Thermal springs (Rotorua) .. .. .. 305 305 6,527 1 13 2,159 12 4 84 2 9 Grand totals .. .. 27,496 18,961,509 2 21 605,706 1 11 15,816 5 5 Endowments (ordinary) .. .. .. 889 Workers' dwellings— Ordinary Crown lands .. .. .. 35 Land for settlements .. .. .. 81 410,598 8 29 5 3 30 14 1 0 15,090 14 10 •88 0 9 •179 3 4 4,155 10 9 49 2 5 124 19 8 Monthly r .cm.

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Table 28.- Endowment Lands (other than National Endowment) taken up during the Year ended 31st March, 1911.

District. Auckland Wellington Nelson Westland .. Southland.. Cash Lands. Renewable Lease. Mining Districts Land Occupation Leases. Nature of Endowments. t, J L ■- || *»•■ £5ST Area. Annua, &1 „ A - K - p - £ s. d. a. r. p. t s . d. a. 8 p £ s d • • Museum 1 249 1 0 125 0 0 1 1C 2 19 10 0 »■>■"■ •. Municipal ........ University .. .. .. 1* 88 3 16 89 17 0 Wanganui Harbour Hoard ..; Westport Harbour Board .... .. .[ [[ \\ \\ 7 12s' 0 1G 6 Iβ" 2 .. University ........ .. Educational .. .. .. 10 10 2 39 143 9 0 Totals • • J • • 12 349 3 15 358 6 0 1 10 2 19 10 0 7 128 0 1C 6 18 2 Pastoral Licenses in Milling Districts under ,,. „ Special Regulations. Miscellaneous Leases. District. Nature of Rndowments. Jj c I *~" tSSS. ! Area. Annual Auckland .. .. .. Museum .. .. .. 1 o7G 0 0 6 5 0 Municipal .. .. [ l"o 0 1 6' 0 University Wellington .. .. Wanganui Harbour Board .... .. " '[ 0 2 0 1100 w l 8 t °° Westport Harbour Board .. 8 423 2 35 18 9~ 6 7 1,170 3 0 13 0 0 westland .. .. .. University ........ .- n n ■> m a Southland .. .. Educational [\ " . ] ' , ..° ° 2 l0 ° T0tal8 • •• 'J 799 2 35 19 14 6 10 1,177 1 0 18 0 0 I J.v 1,111 A \J 1O Kt Kt 10 1,177 1 0 18 0 0 Lease in perpetuity made freehold.

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Table 29. —Endowments: Return of Revenue received during the Year ended 31st March, 1911.

Table 30. —Summary of Arrears due to the Crown on 31st March, 1911.

Tenure. Kevenve received. Tenure. Revenue received. ! £ s. d. £ s. d. !ash lands .. .. .. .. 285 19 0 Village-homestead special settlement.. 300 18 4 'erpetual lease made freehold .. 15 10 0 Village lease in perpetuity .. .. 12 0 9 Iccupation with right of purchase made 29 0 6 Small grazing-runs .. .. .. 2,010 5 5 freehold Pastoral runs .. .. .. 5,277 12 2 jease in perpetuity made freehold .. 165 17 0 Coal and mineral leases and royalty .. 18,274 12 6 )eferred payments .. .. .. 4 1 10 Timber licenses and royalties .. 384 2 1 'erpetual lease and small areas . 394 5 11 Miscellaneous leases .. .. 389 12 0 •ccupation with right of purohase .. j 20 0 0 Bents of reserves .. .. .. 1,025 5 1 jease in perpetuity .. .. .. 2,118 18 8 i tenewable lease .. .. .. 10 8 8 Total .. .. .. £30,797 10 6 lining districts land occupation leases.. 79 0 7 Revenue received.

Exclusive of Current Half-year's Bent or Instalment. Inclusive of Current Half-year's Rent or Instalment. Tenure. ° » 2 ° a Amount Jjj Area - inArrear. °g 11 Area Amount f S Area inArrear. 3 a) £C0 Ordinary Crown Lands — a. r. p. £ s. a. Deferred payment .. .. 1 71 3 12 | 3 19 2 Perpetual lease .. .. .. 3 334 1 14 i 8 13 3 Occupation with right of purchase.. 151.51,467 2 38 2,370 0 8 Lease in perpetuity .. .. 100 29,828 0 4 440 15 7 Renewablo lease .. .. .. 3 682 2 0 22 13 6 Mining districts land occupation '26 1,175 2 23 42 8 10 leases Village settlements, deferred payment 1 5 0 0 0 18 8 Village settlements, perpetual leaee 3 23 0 29 5 3 10 Village settlements, occupation with right of purchase Village settlements, lease in per- 37 1,134 0 13 89 8 8 petuity Village settlements, renewable lease 6 36 0 0 19 14 0 Village-homestead special settlements 19 453 1 37 59 12 10 Special-settlement associations .. 8 1,646 0 0 43 7 9 Improved farms .. .. .. 16 1,906 0 27 110 17 7 Small grazing-runs .. .. 15 27,393 1 31 j 605 2 7 Pastoral runs .. .. .. 5 I 86,310 0 0 120 3 10 Pastoral licenses in mining districts 25 6,415 0 8 103 8 5 under special regulations Miscellaneous (not otherwise specified) 121 , 51,135 2 25 j 748 1 6 Totals .. .. .. 539 260,013 0 21 4,794 5 8 £ b. d. ■ 3 19 2 I 8 13 3 : 2,370 0 8 : 440 15 7 22 13 6 42 8 10 A. K. p. 2 410 2 0 41 7,662 2 28 588 175,421 1 32 457 100,392 1 29 24 6.130 3 0 83 8,929 0 11 £ s. a. 2 13 9 137 7 0 6,293 10 5 1,973 6 8 184 6 7 155 18 6 0 18 8 5 3 10! 2 il 2 10 II 99 2 29 6 2 3 0 2 8 11 21 1 6 1 7 10 89 8 8 ! 124 2,501 2 1 296 7 7 19 14 0 59 12 10 43 7 9 110 17 7 605 2 7 120 3 10 103 8 5 20 109 1 0 41 1,190 2 20 42 j 8,042 3 16 75 9,575 1 17 79 143,497 3 35 27 [ 150,840 3 25 56 j 11,863 1 20 53 11 0 124 6 1 259 12 2 537 15 7 3,579 8 4 361 6 3 214 11 2 748 1 6 449 i 116,735 0 12 2,831 4 8 4,794 5 8 2,127 738,415 3 5 17,030 4 0 . _ . Cheviot Estate — Village-homestead speoial settlement 2 j 20 0 0 7 18 8 Grazing-farms .. .. .. 19 27,470 3 15 1,977 5 0 Miscellaneous . .. .. 9 379 0 18 83 16 9 7 18 8 1,977 5 0 83 16 9 6 45 19 104 0 0 45,328 3 20 764 2 25 26 19 8 4,585 7 9 176 17 5 Totals .. .. .. 80 127,869 3 33 2,069 0 5 2,069 0 5 4,789 4 10 70 46,197 2 5 Land for Settlements— Lease in perpetuity .. .. 117 17,788 0 1 2,468 0 0 Renewable lease .. .. .. 40 14,601 0 22 \ 4,063 0 7 Village leases in perpetuity .... Small grazing-runs .. .. 5 12,195 1 0 ! 370 10 9 Miscellaneous .. .. .. 7 1113 0 80 14 9 2,468 0 0 4,063 0 7 341 90 2 13 33 55,181 1 7 25,339 3 8 0 3 39 ' 24,419 1 9 1,215 3 8 J 9,606 10 11 5,341 12 5 0 14 0 1,183 19 3 278 15 8 370 10 9 80 14 9 Totals .. .. ..169 44,696 0 23 6,982 12 1 6,982 12 1 479 106,157 0 81 j 16,411 12 3 National Endowment Lands — Renewable lease (ordinary) .. 56 9,783 0 39 295 16 5 Renewable lease (village settlements) 3 6 1 25 1 18 0 Small grazing-runs .. .. 17 34,921 1 21 360 17 4 Pastoral runs .. .. .. 4 9,910 0 0 26 10 0 Pastoral licenses in mining districts 8 '■ 1,691 2 38 32 0 11 under special regulations Miscellaneous .. .. .. 30 7,583 1 2 ' 1,169 1 10 295 16 5 1 18 0 360 17 4 26 10 0 32 0 11 155 9 145 17 33 25,550 2 34 44 2 5 427,271 3 11 77,030 0 0 7,203 0 14 ! 912 4 5 8 11 2 4,464 6 8 104 2 0 108 11 5 1,169 1 10 75 59,138 2 24 1,401 18 7 Totals .. .. .. 118 63,896 0 5 | 1,886 4 6 118 : 63,896 0 5 1,886 4 6 434 iU 596,238 3 8 6,999 14 3 Thermal springs, Rotorua .. .. 17 47 0 0 84 2 9 17 47 0 0 84 2 9 87 853 2 9 363 10 9 Grana totals .. .. 873 396,527 1 2 15,816 5 5 ;3,197 1,487,862 3 18 45,594 6 1 ; _________ Workers' dwellings (Crown lands) .. 7 ! 1 2 39 49 2 5 Workers' dwellings (land for settle- 27 4 0 21 124 19 8 menti - 21 45 3 3 24 7 17 99 1 3 217 15 1

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Table 31.—Return showing Position and Transactions in Improved-farm Settlements from their Commencement to 31st March, 1911.

District. Number Total of Settlers „ , Number of remaining Number Area. Sections inOceu- „ ot in the pation on Persons Settlements. 31st March, re s>dent. 1911. Acres. 25,045 197 131 408 2,025 17 16 64 62,731 476 365 * 51,755 419 282 1,231 4,862 57 43 145 Area occupied. A. B. P. 18,286 0 28 1,830 0 0 51,320 2 10 36,120 1 6 4,539 1 16 Total Area made Freehold. Number. Area Total Amount received. a- R. P. £ a. A. 4 383 3 14 476 2 11 1 86 0 0 272 17 3 61 4,800 2 26 6,386*11 3 2 193 0 0 216 5 0 Area Area felled. grassed. Acres. Acres. 2,202 4,762 1,829 1,829 22,562 21,930 3,150 2,911 Auckland Hawke's Bay Wellington Southland Totals 146,418 1,166 837 68 5,463 2 0 112,096 1 20 7,351 16 5 * Figures not supplied. Amount paid to Selectors for Improvements. i I Kent and Interest paid by Selectors. Value of Improvements now District. Past Tn Past Transactions. •an s< tactions. For Bushfelling During "! During Year. Year. Total Payments. ] x During the Year , Improvements no on the Land, including those improvements noi on the Land, For Houses. For Houses. For Bushfelling and other Works. and other Works. For Houses. For Houses. For Bushfelling and other Works. For Bushfelling and other Works. Total Payments. During the Year „ „ ended From Commence31st March, 1911. ment of System. 3 ended * 31st March, 1911. ' From Commence- i , ,P alcl for ment of System. h ? Government. including those paid for by Government. I Auckland .. . Hawke's Bay Taranaki Wellington .. Southland .. Totals 1 £ s. d. 1,457 5 0 159 14 4 4,112 10 0 3,090 15 0 902 i 0 9,722 5 4 £ a. d. 6,463 5 11 1,860 9 5 22,758 6 6 14,385 2 0 11,155 14 2 56,622 18 0 £ s. d. 1,333 13 S 394' 5 0 436 5 0 2,164 3 8 £ s. d. 1,941 18 5 4,188 2 8 3,035- 10 7 9,165 11 8 £ s. d. 11,196 3 0 2,020 3 9 31,453 4 2 20,947 12 7 12,057 15 2 77.674 18 8 £ 8. d. 470 10 3 213 19 1 2,453 2 4 2,345 8 6 306 7 10 fl 7«<) a n £ a. d. £ g. d. 4,366 4 10 25,424 0 0 3,391 3 3 8,141 12 9 16,460 13 2 * 26,047 8 4 109,335 0 0 2,952 17 11 10,535 6 0 9,722 5 4 56,622 18 0 2,164 3 8 3,lUtl IX O 9,165 11 8 77,674 18 8 11,011 iB B J 5,789 8 0 53,218 7 6 Figures not supplied.

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Table 32. — Return of Lands disposed of under the Land for Settlements Acts to the 31st March, 1911.

District. Auckland .. Hawke's Bay Taranaki .. Wellington Nelson Maryborough Westland .. Canterbury Otago Southland.. Area acquired, including ascertained Surplus or Deficiency. A. R. P. I 276,227 2 4 193,404 3 37 4,577 3 17 60,514 2 24 23,937 1 24 116,364 2 21 5,124 3 26 324,898 0 16 204,250 3 32 56,935 3 2 Area occupied by Roads and Reserves unlet. A. R. P. 7,495 3 2 1,973 0 29 50 3 11 854 1 8 320 1 15 2,451 2 23 104 2 0 2,708 0 26 2,461 0 32 827 0 0 Area of Laud unlet, New Selections and Additions to Holdings during including Land forfeited. ! the Year. surrendered, or resumed and not relet, and also Land not Number Area Annual Rent yet offered for Selection, of Selectors. payable. A. R. P. A. R. P. £ s. d. 87,949 2 15 96 . 12,210 3 15 1,169 17 0 2,092 2 16 6 379 3 29 279 3 10 108 2 7 3 45 1 22 75 12 0 5,022 3 2 17* 1,177 2 4 251 10 0 3,462 0 0 5 4,238 0 0 196 3 2 3,846 2 10 8 24 2 14 21 5 3 912 3 13 98 7,332 3 33 6,135 5 6 513 2 27 11 1,767 0 16 295 18 6 283 2 8 3 719 0 20 98 2 0 1 Number of Selectors 875 644 51 374* 33 369 31 1,414 775 268 Total Lands leased at Date. Total Lands leased Area. A. K. l>. 180,696 0 25 189,308 2 15 4,418 1 39 54,630 1 19 20,153 0 9 109,873 2 38 5,020 1 26 321, 241 2 5 201,045 0 G 55,809 0 34 I at I Date. Annual Bent payable. £ s. d. 21,563 12 6 62,111 19 G 3,585 17 3 19,278 8 0 1,956 7 6 20,059 9 11 542 5 10 89,991 13 10 50,375 3 6 11,636 15 10 Totals .. 1,266,236 3 3 ! 19,246 3 26 146 3 26 104,192 0 18 247 27,895 1 33 8,522 17 3 4,834 1,142,196 2 16 281,101 13 8 I District. Yearly Value of Unlet Land at 31st March, 1911. Yearly Occupied Land. Number of Souls Value of resident on Improvements. Holdings. Occupied Land. Amount advanced to Selectors for Buildings, &c. Arrears on 31st March, 1911. Rent and other Total Receipts Payments from received during Inception to v , Kent the Year. list March, 1911. No. Area. in Arreal . Number of Houses on Holdings. Auckland .. Hawke's Bay Taranaki .. Wellington Nelson Marlborough Westland .. Canterbury Otago Southland.. £ s. d. .. 3,258 16 9 620 4 3 215 11 0 .. 1,568 5 5 155 11 2 217 3 10 '.'. 652 10 8 Gl 1.1 9 49 4 0 £ s. d. £ s. d. £ s. d. £ a. d. 723 3,054 251,965 0 0 2,080 5 0 86 0 0 2,166 5 0 574 2,521 381,360 10 7 43 211 12,166 0 0 337 10 0 .. 337 10 0 360 1,541 153,658 0 0 2,510 0 0 .. 2,510 0 0 28 89 13,367 5 0 •250 1,090 130,708 6 1 21 106 13,661 0 0 l,20G 5,435 573,850 7 11 2,700 10 0 .. 2,760 10 0 586 2,373 279,182 1 11 236 1,083 83,949 6 9 4,027 17,503 1,943,867 18 3 7,688 5 0 86 0 0 7,774 5 0 34 6 2 17 7 1 -IT 8 L3 A. R. P. 15,980 2 28 952 2 24 72 1 4 310 0 0 3,311 0 22 6,503 2 11 8 2 0 12,180 3 2 1,329 1 26 4,047 0 26 £ s. d. 719 8 5 131 12 1 40 12 3 164 6 0 366 8 11 767 6 5 3 0 0 4,313 2 3 220 12 0 256 3 9 £ s. d. 24,042 8 0 58,821 8 11 3,815 15 6 19,880 11 9 1,614 11 9 I 18,675 5 7 487 1 1 80.142 8 4 47,557 1 3 11,041 16 7 ! £ b. d. 157,760 i 2 406,058 0 7 26,432 8 2 142,934 0 3 5,371 9 2 167,318 17 3 r>, 755 8 2 725,680 8 4 364,699 19 0 89,605 3 10. Totals .. 6,799 0 10 1G9 44.G9G 0 23 6.982 12 1 266,078 8 9 2,091,615 18 11 Miscellaneous reoeipts on lands not yet opened for selection Payments of capital value under Seotion 191 of the Land Act, 1908, on aooc iunt of lai id-for-settlenient lands 337 0 6 1,456 0 0 267,871 9 3 5,228 1 1 4.001 15 8 2,100,845 15 8 Exclusive of a miscellaneous lease over Waddington Settlement containing 143 acre: l, annual r< ;ntal £100. i

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Table 33. —Comparative Statement of Selectors and Lands selected under Settlement Conditions for the Ten Years ended 31st March, 1911.

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Year ending 31st March. Cash. No. Area. Perpetual Lease Lease. in Perpetuity. ■££»• Xl$Zt *«*»> £ r! P Lease - PurchLe. Lease - Occupation ! CaRh leases. No. Aren. No. Area. No. Area. No. Area. No. Area. ' [i No. Area. No. Area. Acres. 1902' 489 27,290 Acres. Acres. 1 10 501 116,126 Acres. 447 Acres. 128,893 Acres. 1 28 71 Acres. 2,507 i Acres. 21 10 ■ 1903' : 374 17,194 ■- r~- . v -a n * mm A f* 573 161,745 403 118,557 3 36 52 2,434 19 'J 1904' 485 22,481 894 194,515 402 146,953 2 18 97 4,972 ID S 1905* 371 18,990 751 173,811 I 330 138,206 3 218 40 1,914 2 1 1906* , 229 11,132 1 127 706 ]158,018i 1 388 157,482} 30 1,194 1.044 83 40 15 20 1907' 447 20,357 .. ! .. 597 154,237 j ..412 215,530 26 1908* J 404 28,519 427 J 98,367 168 70,535 354 187,799 8 84 73 3,047 :) 8 1909*t 371 42,177 193 106,184 692 218,005 382 123,116 36 1,490 2,068 2,687 J It 17 8 12 4 3J 1910*t 373 8,874 4 1,011 611 178,030 807 108,152 60 1911*t 270 9,544 15 1,877 589 123,718 473 131,001 73 Village Settlement: q Year Occupation I ' ' ending with Bight of :. 31st Purchase. March, —_ — No. Area. N lemenf Yillage Village V ' llage " S lement. , Settlement . Settlement: ! homestead ° jpation , Leage . Renewable Special /" wgnt oi m Perpetuitr y Lea8e Settlement. ASS< Villag Settlemt Leasi in Perpet 5 e . ent: ;uity. Village Settlemen Renewabl Lease. it: le Villagehomestead Special Settlement. «£• ! JEl ,""1. A,,o«i.l iions. alient iions. Smai proved Grazing'arms. and Grazing-f 11 -runs 1 i [arms. Totals. ' Area. No. Area. No. Area. No. Area. No. No. Area. No. Area. No. Area. No. No. Area. No. Area. No. Area. .rea. No. j No. ; Area. No. A No. Area. No. Area. I Acres. 1902* 1 1 £ 1903' .. .. 4 1904* 1 OJ S 1905* 1 0J 1 1906' 2 41 Acres. Acres. Acres. Acres. 1 88 456 .. .. 30 469 j .. in 619 .. 34 1,512 29 0£ 21 514 .. .. 23 272 4 Oj 14 208 '.. .. 8 111 i 2 i 41 66 1,034 .. .. 49 287 Acres. Acres. Acres. 88 456 .. .. 30 469 I .. in 619 .. 34 1,613 29 21 514 .. .. 23 272 4 14 208 ' .. 8 111 i 2 55 ' 1,934 .. .. 49 287 32 1,012 .. .. 17 173 1 72 2,302 15 108 168 1,167 44 468 22 390 Acres. 5,761 729 223 9 30 106 14 3 Acres. 1,618 4,082 19,436 1,459 547 36 45 58 45 34 Acres. 112,948 113,925 144,786 67,271 68,587 1,641 l,602j 2,053 1,581 1,536 Acres. 390,408' 425,824 534,679 402,412 399,840 1907* .. .. I 32 1,012 .. .. 17 173 1 4 46 5,622 51 114,854 1,644 512,853 1908 , 3 8 r i 3 72 2,302 15 108 3 410 64 226,757 1,589 617,934 1909*t 168 1,167 10 28,989 1,863 521,145 1910*+ 1 0\ Of .. : .. 44 468 259 40,005 45 298,494 1,712 637,120 1911't; 8 1} 1* ■ ■• J 22 390 23 5,164 22 128,764 1,494 403,150 " Inclusive of Cheviot Efltati Cheviot Rotate, anil lands disposed of under the Land for Settlei ; Included 1 selector Aarea, r>2 acres), tents Act: leferred pi f Incltif five of iational-en< lowmeni ; lands. aynicl it.

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Table 34. —Transactions in Bush, Swamp, and Scrub Lands, under Section 127 of the Land Act, 1908, during the Year ended 31st March, 1911.

Heavy-bush Land. Light bush Land. Swamp Land. Totals. J ■ 6 OWUIljp 1.UUU, 1UIIMO. ■ Auckland Hawke's Bay Taranaki Wellington Nelson .. Marl borough Westland Canterbury Otago .. Southland Totals District, Area opened during Year. A. R. p. ]] 8 8 Selections during Year Selections during Year. Area Amount Amount of opened during of No \ren. Kental Year. „ , Rental [ No. Area. remitted per No - i AlL "' remitted Annum. per Annum. A. B. P. £ S. d. A. R. P. A. B. P. I £ S. d. 8 10,308 0 0 ] 878 15 0 8 10,308 0 0 878 15 0 Selections during Year. Total Selections during Year. ope'nta j Al "°" ut Total Area Amount of "Ye!?* NO. Area. ! dn5S?l2«. No . Area . ™& i emitted rer A. B. P. A. R. P. £ S. d. A. R. P. A. R. P. £ S. d. i .. .. '.'. '.'. *8 10.308 0 0 87815 0 1 .. .. .. .. 8 10,308 0 0 878 15 0 •■ 8 10,308 0 oj 878 15 (l 1 Total Abba held at 31st March, 191]. Heavy-bush Land. Light-bush Land. Scrub Land. Swamp Lane], Totals. District. °f Area held. ~5 Areahnlr! Annual Rental °.e , , ,, ] Annual Bental Areaneia. (remitted). :og Aiealield. ., (remittea) . ■i L ■ 00 Area held. Annual Rental (remitted). 4 Area held. Annual Rental (remitted). Auckland Hawke'e Bay Taranaki Wellington Nelson Marlborough Westland Canterbury Otago Southland k. k. p. a s. d. 23 8,863 0 10 206 3 6 A. E. P. £ s. d. A. K. P. \ m £ s. d. A. R. P. f 6. d. A. B. P. 23 8,863 0 10 £ s. d, 206 3 6 64 64,436 3 10 2,202 7 2 78 75,462 3 12 ! 5,472 14 2 151 74,933 1 14 ! 1,469 11 8 5 3,357 0 0 j 66 16 2 17 2,716 0 0 41 4 6 1 "i 393 0 0 1,158 0 0 5,231 0 0 6,782 0 0 14 14 10 .. 22 6 4 .. 57 11 10 .. 94 13 0 .. _ 65 64,829 3 10 78 75,462 3 12 153 76,091 1 14 5 3,357 0 0 26 7,947 0 0 2 278 3 24 5 1,692 0 0 357 238,521 3 30 2,217 2 0 5,472 14 i 1,491 18 C 66 16 i 98 16 4 9 ' 2 278 3 24 5 5 0 5 1,692 0 0 -28 15 0 5 5 0 28 15 C Totals 345 231,739 3 30 9,492 17 2 9,587 10 S 231,739 3 30 I 9,492 17 2 ; 12 6,782 0 0 94 13 0 .. I I I I

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Table 35. —Rebates of Rent granted under Section 116 of the Land Act, 1908, and Section 55 of the Land for Settlements Act, 1908, during the Year ended 31st March, 1911.

Table 36.-Crown Lands proclaimed under the New Zealand State-guaranteed Advances Act and its Amendment, the Amount borrowed, and the Amount repaid to the Public Account up to 31st March, 1911.

Land District. Number of Tenants who have been granted Rebate. Area held. Amount of Rebate granted. Ordinary Crown Lands — Auckland Hawke's Bay Taranaki Wellington Nelson Marlborough Westland Canterbury Otago Southland 3,323 549 857 1,886 304 324 395 220 721 789 3,323 549 857 1,886 304 324 395 220 721 789 A. B. P. 905,316 0 0 260,475 3 1 353,599 3 3 387,634 2 25 93.111 2 14 139,514 1 9 50,083 0 25 26,701 0 14 202,201 3 19 132,615 0 0 A. B. P. 905,316 0 0 260,475 3 1 353,599 3 3 387,634 2 25 93.111 2 14 139,514 1 9 50,083 0 25 26,701 0 14 202,201 3 19 132,615 0 0 £ s. d. 2,708 9 10 1,875 8 9 1,637 17 10 2,543 14 2 96 19 6 331 3 7 128 18 8 499 1 4 683 9 2 341 15 0 £ s. d. 2,708 9 10 1,875 8 9 1,637 17 10 2,543 14 2 96 19 6 331 3 7 128 18 8 499 1 4 683 9 2 341 15 0 Totals .. 9,368 9,368 9,368 2,551,253 0 30 2,551,258 0 30 2,551,253 0 30 10,846 17 10 10,846 17 10 Cheviot Estate— Canterbury 397 ! 70,640 1 17 734 7 8 397 70,640 1 17 Land for Settlements - Auckland Hawke's Bay Taranaki Wellington Nelson Marlborough Weetland .. Canterbury Otago Southland 580 594 37 325 20 288 25 1,246 653 213 133,017 0 (I 181,175 2 36 3,801 3 22 52,079 2 6 11,400 3 27 102,288 2 15 4,612 2 4 304,151 3 0 178,769 2 31 43,250 0 0 L.eie i9 e 5,846 11 1 312 IV 8 1,747 11 91 15 s 1,864 16 0 49 17 8 7,081 1 b 4,595 3 8 859 14 7 Totals .. 3,981 3,981 1,014,547 2 21 1,014,547 2 21 23,566 8 6 23,566 8 6 National EndcnrmentAuckland Hawke's Eay . Taranaki Wellington Nelson Marlborough Westland Canterbury Otago Southland 68 39 '29 16 23 47 101 11 35 52 68 39 '29 16 23 47 101 11 35 52 24,040 0 0 11,620 0 0 12,103 1 27 4,173 0 28 6,247 1 3 5,986 2 22 9,179 2 3 6,261 0 15 4,078 8 13 6,250 0 0 24,040 0 0 11,620 0 0 12,103 1 27 4,173 0 28 6,247 1 3 5,986 2 22 9,179 2 8 6,261 0 15 4,078 3 18 6,250 0 0 104 5 1 105 13 3 73 12 8 25 9 7 7 17 0 20 19 6 25 15 6 40 18 2 15 0 1 17 12 6 104 5 1 105 13 3 73 12 3 25 9 7 7 17 0 20 19 6 25 15 6 40 18 2 15 0 1 17 12 6 Totale 421 421 89,939 3 31 437 2 10 89,939 8 31 437 2 10 Grand totals 14,167 14,167 3,726,381 0 19 3,726,381 0 19 35,584 16 10 35,584 16 10

Area. Amount borrowed. Amount repaid. I.iuul District. Auckland lawke's Bay Paranaki Wellington kelson .. Jarlborough Vestland Janterbury )tago Southland Totals .. Acres. 1,045,632 380,151 599,996 692,522 393,743 198,361 39,238 2,135 175,631 132,072 3,659,481 £ s. d. 205,196 0 0 83,848 0 0 164,835 0 0 212,870 0 0 40,630 0 0 24,999 0 0 4,336 0 0 456 0 0 21,481 0 0 30,087 0 0 788,738 0 0 £ s. d. 75,557 9 9 33,126 6 1 85,223 6 0 132,751 15 1 3,394 11 10 20,316 5 6 1,019 12 1 578 5 4 19,506 19 9 15,441 10 3 386,916 1 8 788,738 0 0 386,916 1 8

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76

Table 37. —Crown Grants, Certificates of Title, Leases, and other Instruments of Title from the Crown prepared from 1st April, 1910, to 31st March, 1911.

Table 38. —Statement showing Payments to Local Bodies during the Twelve Months ended 31st March, 1911, from "Thirds" of Deferred-payment, Perpetual-lease, Occupa-tion-with-right-of-purchase, Renewable-lease, and Lease-in-perpetuity Lands, "Fourths" of Small Grazing-runs, and "Halves" of Timber and Flax Royalties.

Approximate Cost of Paper. —Preparation, not given ; cost of printing (1,500 copies, including illustrations and maps), £165.

Authority : John Mackay, Uovernment Printer, Wellington.—l9ll.

Price 2s. n<l. |

DiRtrict. luckland .. Jawke's Bay Faranaki .. Wellington.. kelson itarlborough Vestland .. Janterbury.. )tago Southland .. ! — Singly. 6 3 i In Duplicate. 57 252 _ Number. In Triplicate. In Quadruplicate! Tota l Copies, i 324 180 1,812 133 72 1,194 77 17 299 329 .. 1,029 43 64 472 28 .. 134 126 3 583 15 116 587 314 .. 1,432 120 33 598 Number. Cost. £ s. a. 100 0 0 59 14 0 7 8 4 72 3 6 35 8 0 8 10 8 62 10 0 44 0 6 71 12 0 70 0 0 6 3 3 10 12 4 18. 42 25 95 34 239 51 Totals 47 813 1,50!) 485 8,140 531 7 0

District. " Thirds," Deferred-payment, Perpetual-lease, Occupation-with- " Fourths," Small " Halves," right-of- purchase, Grazing-runs. , Timber and Plax. Beuewable-lease, . and Lease-in-perpetuity Lands. Total PaymentB Auckland Hawke's Bay laranaki Wellington Nelson .. Marlborough Westland Canterbury Otago .. Southland Totals £ s. d. £ s. d. £ e. d. 10,667 5 4i 63 3 0 i 6,169 1 1 9,119 10 3 483 4 4 236 18 7 6,388 4 8 14 4 8 0 16 9 .. i 8,126 7 10 886 5 10 31 3 2 769 15 5 814 15 9 671 16 7 i 31 17 10 1,384 2 5 .. 3,470 7 0 472 14 4 393 13 5 36 3 11 1,146 16 7 3,099 0 4 21 13 0 1,150 13 8 21 6 7 1,193 5 10 40,156 16 8 4,777 12 1 I 11,929 19 5 £ s. d. 16,899 9 5 9,839 13 2 6,403 6 1 8,126 7 10 1,687 4 5 1,518 10 2 4,854 9 f> 902 11 8 4,267 9 11 2,365 6 1 4,777 12 1 11,929 19 5 56,864 8 2

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REFERENCE. A. Pembroke Peak. Height above sea-level, 6,710 ft. B. Brig Eock. C. Stirling Pall. Height above sea-level, 505 ft D. Tutoko Peak. Height above sea-level, 9,042 ft. E. Mitre Peak. Height above sea-level, 5,560 ft. F. Milford Sound. G. Bowen Falls. Height above sea-level, 530 ft. H. bleddau River. I. Heights of the Sheerdown. Height above sea-level, 3,000 ft. to 4,000 ft. J. The Terror Peaks. Inaccessible. K. Lake Ada. L. Arthur River. M. Joe's River. N. Jervois Glacier. O. Balloon Peak. P. McKinnon's Pass. Height above sea-level, 3,400 ft. (approximate). Q. Mount Hart. *R. Lake Quill. Height above sea-level, 2,000 ft. (approximate). S. Lake Mintaro. T. St. Quinton's Falls. U. Mount Mackenzie. V. The Castle Mountain. Height above sea-level, 6,872 ft. W. Clinton River and Overland Track. X. Mount Anau. Height above sea-level, 6,294 ft. Y. House (for tourist accommodation). Z. Te Anau Lake. Height above sea-level, 679 ft.

* Lake Quill is a natural reservoir, the excess waters of which, precipitated into the gulch below, are seen in the Sutherland Falls; but these cannot be shown in the drawing, as they are completely shut in by the mountains at the head of the Arthur River, and can only be viewed from that locality. Height of the falls, 1,904 ft. THE OVERLAND TRACK FROM LAKE TE ANAU TO MILFORD SOUND. W. DEVEKELL DELT.

THE OVERLAND TRACK FROM LAKE TE ANAD S TO MILFORI) SOUND. W. DEVERELL DELT.

NORTH ISLAND (TE IKA-A-MAUI) NEW ZEALAND Showing Land Transactions, 1910-11.

SOUTH ISLAND (TE WAI-POUNAMU) NEW ZEALAND Showing Land Transactions, 1910-11.