CROWN LANDS DEPARTMENT (REPORT UPON THE, FOR THE YEAR, ENDING 30th JUNE, 1880).

Appendix to the Journals of the House of Representatives, 1880 Session I, C-02

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1880. NEW ZEALAND.

CROWN LANDS DEPARTMENT (REPORT UPON THE, FOR THE YEAR, ENDING 30th JUNE, 1880).

Presented to both Souses of the General Assembly by Command of His Excellency.

The Secretaey for Crown Lands to the Hon. the Minister of Lands. Sib, — General Crown Lands Office, Wellington, 24th July, 1880. I have the honor to forward the general report of tho Crown Lands Department for the twelve months ended 30th June, 1880, together with tables containing an enumeration of lands sold, leased, or otherwise disposed of in each of the ten land districts of the colony. These tables are for the nine months ended 31st March last. The general report will in the future be for the year ending that month, so as to cover the same period as the newly-adopted financial year; it has, however, in this the transition year been brought up to 30th June last, so that, as heretofore, twelve months' transactions are brought under review. I have, &c, James McKeeeow, The Hon. William Rolleston, Minister of Lands. Secretary for Crown Lands.

EEPOET, The transactions of the twelve months ended 30th June, 1880, have, in respect of land sold and cash, realized, fallen much below those of former years; but with regard to the occupation of land under settlement conditions, there has been a marked increase on the preceding year, and this is largely due to the returns for the three months ended 30th June last. Of a total of 718 settlers, who, on the deferred-payment, agricultural-lease, homestead, and villagesettlement conditions, selected an aggregate of 05,000 acres during the year, no less than 310, representing 48,300 acres, were for the three months referred to. This acceleration of settlement is likely to continue into the next quarters, as there are many inquiries for land, and several suitable blocks in both Islands are now advertised open for selection, and there are many more, comprising large areas, now being opened up by roads and drains, or under survey, ready to follow in the course of the next few months. Before proceeding to deal with the subjects of report in detail, the following general summary will show the land revenue for tho twelve months ended 30th June, and the sources from which it was derived: — Land sold on immediate payment — A. n. P. Purchasers. Scrip. Cash Received. Town lands ... ... ... 182 020 soklto 366) £ 6 . d. Suburban 1,159 323 „ 130 [ £2,000 149,400 18 4 Rural ... ... ... ... 105,080 028 „ 813) Land sold on deferred payments— a. c. v. i Purchasers. Agricultural... ... ... ... 62,036 331 sold to 554"] Pastoral ... ... ... ... 15,673 139 „ 8 | Village-settlement ... ... ... 248 217 „ 46 )■ 43,385 7 8 Deposits on the above, being first half-yearly payment and half-yearly | payments on deferred-payment selections current from previous years ...) Agricultural leases on gold fields — 10,000 acres, leased to 60 persons. Deposits on this and rents from leases j ~ -__ _ of previous years still current ... ... ... ... ... j ' Homestead— 8,976 acres, selected by 60 persons... ... ... ... ... Nil. Pastoral rents — • On 12,000,000 acres, held by 900 persons ... ... ... ... 122,800 0 0 Miscellaneous — Coal and mineral leases, royalties, timber licenses, <£c. (partly estimated) 5,000 0 0 Laud revenue for 12 months ended 30th June, 1880 (very nearly) ... ... £332,463 15 G

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Land Sold. As alrcadystate.il. there lias been a falling-off in land sales—only a little over one half the area sold as compared with the year ended 30th June, 1879, and still less as compared with the year preceding that. This, in a great measure, is due, no doubt, to the financial depression ; but weight must also he given to the fact that the easily-accessible and most valuable Crown lands have been generally taken up. In ihe Canterbury Land District, for instance, there is very little Crown land remaining that any one would care to purchase at £2 an acre. In the Otago Land District, where the land is £1 an acre, there are large areas that, were the country all open for selection, would readily fetch that price ; but the land there is nearly all held on pastoral lease, and, as it is expensive to extinguish the grazing right, only a very restricted area of suitable land is under offer for sale at any one time. Under this restrictive system the Crown lands in Otago have been more conserved than in any other land district, and, partly as a consequence, the most valuable public estate in the colony, comprising 6,000,000 acres of open grass-country, still remains there intact. As we may not expect any great revenue from the sale of land in Canterbury, Otago, or Southland for the next two or three years, and the other land districts, having mostly forest lands, are not likely to help very materially, it is evident that the land revenue from sales cannot be expected to rise very much above the £150,000 of the year ended 30th June last. The pastoral rents, and deferred payments, and miscellaneous from leases and royalties, added to this, will produce a total revenue of £330,000, which sum may be assumed as the normal amount of land revenue that may be relied on for the next few years. Should the 20,000 acres of open land on Waimate Plans (exterior to the Native reserve recommended by Sir William Fox and Sir Dillon Bell) be sold this year, then the revenue from sales during the current year may reach £200,000 or £250,000. It is not to be assumed from the diminution of revenue from land sales that the settlement of the country is to stop. It only means that, from price, leases, compulsory-improvement clauses, and other conditions affecting the various land districts, the inducement to select large estates from the Crown lands as an investment is, for the present, gone. The settlement of the country will undoubtedly proceed, but it will mostly be by those who avail themselves of the settlement clauses of the Land Acts, 1877 and 1879. A large and growing revenue is being derived from this* class of settlers. As the payments are spread over a number of'years —from three, to ten and fifteen years, at the will of the settler, and according to the class of land—the receipts for any one year do not, of course, amount to so great a total as if the land were purchased by one immediate payment. Settlement Clauses. Deferred payments, agricultural lease, homestead, village and small-farm settlements. —During the past twelve months, under these several clauses of the Land Acts, the great work of settling 718 persons or families on 95,0(J0 acres has been accomplished. This is a marked increase of 50 per cent., both in settlers and acreage, as compared with the twelve months ended 30th June, 1879. Among the causes contributing to this result may be mentioned the passing of "The Land Act 1877 Amendment Act, 1879," which, by reducing the minimum price at which deferred-payment lands may be offered from £3 to £1, set free several blocks, that have since been taken up at £1 55., £1 10s., £2, and higher, per acre. Another cause is the necessity imposed on heads of families to look out for something independent of employment on wages, which has become in all branches, public and private, more precarious than formerly. To meet the wants of such persons blocks have been opened in nearly every land district, and are now under offer, and more are in course pf preparation and will shortly be opened. During the current year there is likely to be considerably more settlement under these clauses than in the year just closed. Although the deferred-payment system proper was only introduced in 1873, and for a year or two was kept within very narrow limits, it has now assumed very large dimensions. On the 30th June last, 1,802 persons held 258.534 acres on deferred payments, the annual payment of fees due on which, being instalments of price, amount to £54,100. Up to that date, 575 persons, representing 97,113 acres, originally taken up on deferred payments, had fulfilled all conditions and converted the land into freehold. Of "this number, 115 persons, representing 13,778 acres, have done so during the past twelve mouths, in the exercise of the option which is open to the deferred-payment settler of discharging in one payment the balance of half-yearly payments, if he has held the land for three years and fulfilled the improvement conditions. Not included in these enumerations, there were, on 31st March last, in Nelson Land District, 135' persons, holding 14,387 acres on a yearly payment for fourteen years of £1,170, each payment being an instalment of price. This is known as the 10-per-cent, clause {see section 8, Appendix E, "Land Act, 1877"). Under it the Land Board has power to fix the price of land as low as 10s. per acre. Having iixed the price, the selector is allowed fourteen years to pay it ; the yearly payments being a sinking fund of 10 per cent, for that period, when the land becomes freehold. The selector has the right of completing the freehold at any time within the fourteen years on paying up the balance of sinking fund. There are no conditions of improvement or residence'; so that in Nelson the deferred-payment system is not on the principle of requiring the selector to improve the land as a condition of his getting it on easy terms of payment. But, instead, the Government becomes the money-lender, and charges a total of 40 per cent, for the accommodation given. It is an expensive system to work ; for the country gets spotted over in isolated sections, and, being mostly a bush-country, the cost of survey is necessarily high. Agricultural-lease system of gold fields.—Under it GO persons took up a little over 10,000 acres during the year, which, with former leases still current, make a total of about 100,000 acres now under lease." This system hud its origin in the effort to enable the settler and miner to co-exist in the same locality. In that respect it has answered very well. As the term " lease " implies, it is not a purchase, Sike the deferred-payment Bystem. The agricultural leaseholder rents the ground for seven years, and lii.s interest* are made subsidiary to the miner, who can enter on the ground for mining, or, if need be, require the withdrawal of the leaseholder on payment of improvements. The Governor may, after

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three years of the lease has run and certain improvements have been effected, allow the leaseholder to purchase should there be no objections served after public notification of the intention to purchase has been made. Up to this point the payments have all been rent. Should purchase be allowed, the leaseholder has then the pre-emption of the land, and he may either complete purchase by an immediate payment at the rate per acre fixed for rural land in the district, or he may take an exchange lease and come under the deferred-payment system for seven years, paying Ba. per acre per annum for that period. This was availed of during the year b} r 12 persons, representing 1,302 acres, and the operatiou stands thus : three years on agricultural lease at 2s. Gd. per acre, plus the extra Is. 3d. paid with deposit=Bs. 9d.; seven years at 3s. =£1 Is. : total payments, £1 9s. 9d. —time, ten years. By immediate payment 68leaseholders, representing 7,137 acres, converted their leaseholds into freeholds, and in a similar manner more than 100,000 acres have been made freehold in the course of the last few years. "While " The Crown Lands Sales Act, 1877," was in operation, so great a disparity existed between the price of land on agricultural lease and deferred payments, that there was a tendency to equalize matters by offering the best land in a block on deferred payments, and the inferior on agricultural lease. But, as the price of laud on both systems is now brought, nearly equal, there is less reason for this distinction. Large areas are open for selection on agricultural lease; but it is for the most part land of an inferior quality, the best portions having already been selected. The homestead system is, by "The Land Act, 1877," made applicable to the land districts of Auckland and Westland only. It can hardly be said to be in operation in Westland, as, although 4,000 acres are open, only one or two selections have been made. In Auckland, 50 applicants selected 8,816 acres for the twelve months, and since the introduction of the system a total of 200 selectors have taken up 46,271 acres, or an average of 178 acres to each. But, as no one, unless representing a family or household, may select more than 75 or 50 acres, according to quality of land, and if under eighteen years from 30 to 20 acres, it is evident that in the high average of 178 acres to each selection there is a family represented by each selector. About 70,000 acres in various localities in Auckland are now open on this system, which requires no payment whatever for the land, the only cost to the selector being the cost of survey. On the fulfilment of conditions, which are, five years' residence, the erection of a house, and the cultivation of one-third of the selection if open land, and one-fifth if bush-land, the Crown grant is issued. There is a set towards this system at present, several selectors having gone up lately from Canterbury. Village settlements.—This mode of acquiring Crown lands only came into operation on Ist January, 1880. It is essentially a system for the encouragement of thrifty settlers, who betjin with a dwelling, and gradually create comfort around them. The maximum of land attainable is 50 acres. Sites for village settlements have been selected in nearly every land district; and in Auckland, Taranaki, Hawkc's Bay, Canterbury, and Southland, surveyed lands aggregating 4,120 acres, surveyed into 601 sections, have been advertised open for selection. Unless the areas are under one acre each there is no auction, and on and after the day on which the laud is advertised as open every section is open, for purchase, by application at the Land Office of the district, at a fixed price until sold. If there is more than one applicant for the same section on the same day, the occupancy is determined by lot. Where ■ the laud is good, and valuable from position, as in the case of some of the village blocks now offered, it is manifest that it would soon be bought up on speculation, and the object of the village settlements frustrated, if no guarantee were taken of occupancy from the applicant. This is secured by bringing the small-farm allotments under the operation of the deferred-payment clauses of the Land Act. So that, virtually, each section is reserved for the settler who is first ready to occupy and improve it. Although hardly time has been given to get the system fairly into operation, and the time of application for all the GOl sections advertised has not yet arrived, 46 selectors in Canterbury and Ilawke's Bay have already taken tip 249 acres, in areas ranging from 1 to 15 acres each. Thirty* one of the selections were on deferred payments, and 15 on immediate payment. Agreeably to instructions, village sites of 150 to 300 acres each are now beintr selected every three or four miles along the main road-lines at convenient, well-watered spots in the Waimate Plains; and it is worthy of consideration whether this should not be done in all the best blocks of Crown lands as they are opened Tip by survey. It is a very small matter, apparently, making such reservations when the land is all a wilderness of fern or forest, but the importance and wisdom of it appear as the country gets settled, and sites are wanted for schools, churches, and homesteads for village tradesmen and others following in the wake of the settlers. General. —The main object of all these modes of settlement is not revenue, but the improvement and occupation of the country. The) r are very expensive to work, and the question arises: Is the object fulfilled and the expense warranted? The reply must be in the affirmative. The evidence is to be found in the numerous homesteads and green spots that meet the traveller's eye as he traverses the extensive inland plains of the South or the forest districts of the North. Without the settlement conditions, these plains would still have been a sheep-walk, and the forests unfelled and without an inhabitant. It is quite true that, in the very encouragement so given to settlement by these systems, there is an element of danger in the temptation it places before some to enter into engagements which they possibly may not be able to fulfil. Yet, with the exception of about 200 settlers in the Otago and Southland Districts, who are in arrears about £9,000 in payments, there has hitherto been no difficulty in administering the system. Of the 200 it can be said there is no desire to shirk their engagements ; but, in the eagerness to possess land two and three years ago, it was often run up at auction beyond its value. The unprecedentedly low prices for farm produce which have since prevailed has resulted in a deadlock to those settlers who relied on their produce paying working expenses and half-yearly instalments of the price of land as well. Many of them are not much in arrear and will pay up ; but there are others who cannot. It would be unwise to visit on them the full rigour of the law, as though their misfortune was a fault. A much better plan will be to offer the land for public sale, and afford them the opportunity of getting value for their improvements should others purchase the land, and they have to retire from ir,. Summarizing the results of all the settlement clauses, we had in New Zealand, on the 30th June last 3,130 selectors, holding 374,425 acres, and liable for an annual payment of £65,000.

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At the same date there were open for selection: on deferred payments, 322,300 acres, of which 214,300 acres were surveyed into 1,588 sections, and maps published ; on agricultural lease, 400,000 acres, of which 40,500 acres were surveyed into 360 sections, and maps published ; village settlements, 4,120 acres, surveyed into COL sections, and maps published ; homestead, 75,000 acres open for selection. Lands held on .Pastoral License or Lease. The area of land held under this tenure diminishes from year to year according to the extent of land sold, although, as already pointed out, the rate of decrease from this cause is not likely to be very material for the next few years. The total area occupied has fluctuated considerably within the last year or two, to the extent of several hundred thousand acres, on account of surrenders and releases of the high-lying mountainous back country. Any comparison of areas between different years is apt to mislead unless allowance is made for this variation. At present the total area leased may be stated at 12,000,000 acres, held by 900 persons, on an annual rent of £122,800. This sum was received for the twelve months ended 30th June last, and is much the largest amount ever yet paid in New Zealand for pastoral rents in one year. The increase is entirely due to the new assessment of the Canterbury runs, under Part VI. of " The Land Act, 1877." The increase in this district, notwithstanding diminished area, is nearly £24,000. The total from rents paid in May last was £52,792, being at the rate of 4jd. per acre, or, according to estimate of stock, nearly lOd. a sheep. In Otago, where the pastoral estate is more than twice the area it is in Canterbury, the total receipts from pastoral rents were £54,751, or a little over 2d. an acre on 6,500,000 acres. Fully 5,000,000 acres are under the extended leases of 1866, and are rented on an assessment of 7d. the sheep, on returns furnished by the stock-owners. The carrying capacity, and consequently the assessment, of a large proportion of this country has of late years been seriously diminished by the rabbit pest. This evil has lately been so effectively checked on several runs by phosphorus poisoning that it is evident it can be kept under, and might almost be stamped out by concerted action over the infected area, except, perhaps, in the wild back country, where total eradication can hardly be -hoped for. In the abatement of this nuisance the letting-value of the pastoral estate will be much increased. The leases of 3,000,000 acres run out in March, 1883, and the balance of the 5,000,000 acres mostly in 1884. As sections 114 and 115 of " The Land Act, 1877," require the future disposal of this country to be decided at least twelve months before expiry of current leases, it must soon claim attention. The general character of the country is decidedly mountainous, with long, narrow valleys, and a few considerable plains intervening. No cast-iron rule can be laid down for the reallotment of this country ; but, whether it be sold or re-leased, this will have to be kept clearly in view : that every inch of the country must be utilized to its utmost capacity, for the colony simply cannot afford to do otherwise; and, therefore, summer and winter country will have to be associated together in such areas as will be workable, within good natural boundaries. In this way we should have in the purely mountainous districts, runs as heretofore; and in the hilly or less mountainous parts what may bo termed, for distinction, sheep and cattle farms. Having divided the country so as to enable the settler to make the most of it with the least working expense, the next thing is to give him a secure tenure —not a pre-emption or any exclusive privilege, should the land be leased, but simply that for the period of the lease he shall not be in the dread of having the land taken from him, simply because some one else wants it for the same purpose. If the colony is to derive the full value from its pastoral estate, the importance of giving secure tenure, with a moderately long lease (not less than ten years), cannot be too strongly insisted on. It is notorious that pastoral country held as endowment by corporate bodies fetches a much higher rent than land held from the Crown —the reason being that the tenure is felt to be more secure in the one case than in the other. With well-assorted areas, security of tenure, our rising woollen manufacture, and the home market for carcases, it is not too much to expect that the 7,000,000 acres in Otago and Southland should, within the next four years, be yielding £150,000 a year, instead of £59,000 as at present. Pastoral Deferred Payments. During the last four months of the year eight persons bought, by public auction, 15,673 acres, at an average price of £1 3s. Bd. per acre, with fifteen years to pay. Under the Bth section of "The Land Act 1877 Amendment Act, 1579," one of the purchasers paid, within one month of purchase, over £100 for fencing existing on the ground. There are now twelve pastoral deferred-payment settlers in the colony, holding 24,583 acres at an average price of £1 9s. sd. per acre.* About 100,000 acres additional is ready for sale on this system, and is now in the hands of the Land Boards of Auckland and Otago for oifor. This is an admirable system of settlement, moro especially where there is a small piece of arable land, either within the block or close by, on which the settler may grow crop sufficient for homestead purposes and to help stock through the winter. Forest Lands. In the report of last year the total area of forest Crown lands was given as 10,158,870 acres. The vast extent of this area would seem to preclude, at first sight, any great anxiety as to the supply of timber falling short in the colony; but, on further examination, it appears that we are exhausting the stock of some of the most valuable timber-trees more quickly than it can bo replaced by the natural growth of young trees, and in a wasteful manner, which in the future interest of the country is much to be regretted. There is a large and valuable amount of information on record with regard to the natural history of the forests of the colony, and the qualities of the timbers which they supply; but as yet the relative preponderance of the various timber-trees is only known in a very general manner. For instauce, we know, speaking generally, that in the Middle Island the birch is numerically the

* Since the above was written, seven selectors in Otago have purchased 11,523 acres on pastoral deferred-payments, in sections varying from 1,490 acres to 2,181 acres; price from 20s. to 23a. 9d. per acre,

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most common tree, and flourishes over the greatest range of country to an altitude of 3,400 feet; but as regards the quantities of superficial feet of timber of kauri, puriri, totara, kowhai, rimu, niatai, birch, &c, in the Crown lands forests, there is, as yet", only a very vague conjecture. An approximate estimate even of these quantities would prove most interesting, and is necessary to supply an intelligent basis on which to found proposals for the conservancy and utilization of the forests, and to enable us to make a calculation of the revenues wnich may be derived from them. M. Lecoy has recently, with your approval, furnished a very interesting report (see Parliamentary Paper 11.-3, 1880) on this subject; and, if his anticipations as to trade could even bo partially realized, it would be of immense benefit to the colony. Without any great expense, the Land and Survey Departments can furnish an estimate of the superficial feet of timbers in the colony. It can bo gone about as opportunity offers, and, when collected, can bo detailed for the several forests in the " Crown Lands G-uide," and shown graphically on forest maps. With the co-operation of the owners of saw-mills the annual output of timber can also be ascertained ; and this, compared with the remaining stock in the forests, will show very clearly how the colony stands with regard to its timber-supply and its ability to export. In the month of April last, in company with Mr. Percy Smith, I travelled through several of the Crown lands forests in the Hokianga and other districts north of Auckland, and was greatly struck •with the majesty of the noble kauri as it stands in the forest, and the rate at which it is being used up in the numerous saw-mills. I obtained from the Commissioner, Mr. Tolc, in reply to queries, the following information: — 1. Extent of kauri-forest land in possession of the Crown? —It is estimated that the kauri forests of the Crown cover an area of about (50,000 acres. 2. Extent of kauri forest in the hands of private individuals? —The area so held is estimated to bo about 170,000 acres. 3. Annual output of saw-mills from both Crown and private kauri forests?—lt is computed by competent authorities that the total amount of timber cut annually in the Provincial District of Auckland is about 110,000,000 feet superficial measurement, valued at £505,000. 4. Total estimated quantity of kauri timber in the hands of the Crown and private individuals ?— About 23,000,000,000 feet, calculated at the rate of two trees to the acre, each tree being estimated to contain 5,000 feet. Prom these estimates it will appear that at the present rate of consumption the timber-kauri will be all used up in twenty-one years, and that the total value of the timber when brought to market will be about £11,000,000. There are vigorous growths of young kauri in the forests; but cattle, fire, and the rolling of the logs into the streams arc all against the saplings having a chance of surviving. A kauri forest is very susceptible to fire, as, when once started, the wood will burn green. To guard against this risk, the Laud Board forbids the gum-digger from the forests. The question of the preservation and conservancy of the kauri and other timber-trees in the State forests will again bo brought up when the statistics already referred to are collected, and forest maps prepared. Kauri Gum. The digging for this is confined, so far as the Crown lands are concerned, to the sites of ancient forests, which have no doubt been destroyed by fire, and are now open fern-land. The great area of country from which the gum is got shows that the present kauri forests are only the remnants of a very large original forest. The gum-digging is an important industry, engaged in at all seasons by small parties of Europeans and Natives scattered all over the country, varying in total numbers from a few hundreds to two or three thousand persons, according to circumstances. The export of gum for the twelve months ended March last was G5,430 cwt., value £170,342. A good deal of this is the produce of Native lauds, and for the privilege of digging on them a royalty has to be paid to the Native owners. On the Crown lauds the privilege is leased, and the digger must make his arrangements with the lessee. This is open to one or two serious objections, of which you are aware. About 81,000 acres is leased in five areas for two years, and the rents amount to £351, or about Id. per aero. It is worth consideration, whether the right to dig for gum on Crown lands should not be on a similar footing to the right to dig for gold, and that, under section 8(5 of "The Land Act, 1877," the gumdigger should get his right or license direct from the Land Odice. Improvement of Lands before Sale. This system was instituted nearly two years ago, and the exploration and survey of road-lines and their formation through Crown lands north and south has since been actively prosecuted. A short sketch of the principal works in the different laud districts will bo interesting. Auckland. —To the north of Auckland City there stretches away to the north for 200 miles a most interesting country of 3,000,000 acres, of which fully a million, or more than one-third, are Crown lauds. It is so thoroughly intersected by bays, and harbours, and tidal rivers, that there is scarcely auy part distant more than ten miles from navigable waters ; but, there are very few roads, and the intervening hills or forests prevent any freedom of communication between the different parts, so that each bay has its own litilo mixed community of Europeans and Maoris, depending on the saw-mill, or the coal mines, or the gum-diggings. In point of time, the oldest settlements in New Zealand are there; but settlement, in the sense of cultivating the ground, has made but little progress. Indeed, there are evidences that districts have retrograded from their former advance, and, excepting in the coal districts, there is an aspect of placid stagnation. The people ought to be brought in contact with each other; and, moreover, an infusion of fresh blood and energy is wanted, for there are too few people in thy country to opeu it up and incite each other to emulation.

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The soil on the open ridgee is generally very clayey, and would require a great deal of pulverizing to bring it into cultivation. The bottoms in the valleys are very fertile ;as are also the limestone and volcanic ridges, which are mostly under forest, and the areas covered with lava-overflow. Itoads are the great necessity of the country; and a main line running up the east side of the peninsula has been under survey and construction, at the expense of the Government, for the last two or three years. But on the west side, from DargWille north there is no road, only a most wretched track to Hokianga. There are several thousand acres of both open and forest Crown lands between Kaihu and Maunganui Bluff, very suitable for settlers, and which would be taken up if it could only be got at. This area is'but the fringe of a solid block of 400,000 acres of Crown lands which stretches away inland through the forest, over a plateau-country, to near Kaikohe, It is proposed to explore a road-line through it, and, if funds are available, to open a bridle-track. Until this is done no settlement can take place ; for in its present state it will to the settler for ever remain an impenetrable, unknown land. A road has been surveyed and graded up the Kaihu Valley to this land, and tenders are now invited for its formation. It is continued through the forest behind Mauuganui Bluff, thence by the beach to Hokianga. Again, from opposite Herd's Point, Hokianga, a road has been surveyed through the forest for thirty miles to Victoria Valley, seven or eight miles of which have been made at each cud, and other contracts are now let in extension of the work thus begun at either end. On this being accomplished a good bridle-track will be opened from Awauui to Dargaville, Wairoa River, Kaipara Harbour. Settlers can then see the land, and will have a way to and from it. In the course of the next two or three years, the monotony of the long stretches of uninhabited countiy on this line will be relieved by the homesteads and clearings of the settlers. These bridle-tracks are all made on carefully-graded lines, which will be eventually the main roadlines, and can be easily widened out for dray traffic. Wherever they run through bush it is felled at least half a chain, generally a chain wide. In the Waikato Valley road-works are in progress connecting 20,000 acres of Crown lands with the railway. This land lies about ten miles west of Churchill. Naturally it was quite shut out, and little known until opened up by road-formation and sectional survey. On Te Aroha Block drains are being cut, and the road-lines formed with the stuff dug out. As soon as these works are completed several thousand acres can be offered for selection. Te Puke Block. —The road from Tauranga is now in formation, by Armed Constabulary and Natives, to this block. Tenders have been invited for the formation of a road across the block, and 3,000 acres have been surveyed along this road-line for deferred-payment settlers, and can be offered shortly. All the works in Auckland Land District, with the exception of Te Aroha and parts of Te Puke, are directed by the Chief Surveyor. Te Aroha is under the Public Works District Engineer, and Tauranga to Te Puke under the County Engineer. Taran ahi. —A great deal has been done in this land district by opening lengths of three or four miles of road into the bush from the Mountain Road. Side-cuttings and partial formations have been made in places. The Manganui River was bridged on one of these lines, and several minor bridges and culverts have been constructed on of her lines ; altogether, about a total of ninety miles has thu3 been opened up. Every section behind Mount Egmont, it may be said, has been rendered accessible by the opening of these occupation lines ; and, as a consequence, a very great stimulus has been given to the settlement of a district which is exceedingly well adapted, in its fertile soil, numerous clear streams, and railway-communication, for the hardy, working settler. There have been more lands disposed of on the deferred-payment system in the Taranaki Land District for the twelve months ended 30th June, and more selectors, than in any other land district except Otago. The works in Taranaki are directed by the Commissioner of Crown Lands, and set out and inspected by the Crown Lands Hanger. Haw/en's Bay. —Tracks have been formed through the Waitara Block, which is at present withheld from sale or lease so as to give full scope to the prospectors for auriferous quartz along the Mohaka. In the Seventy-mile Bush several, blocks have been opened, and are in course of further opening by roads run in from the main road. The soil in these blocks is excellent, many of the sections level, all of them well adapted for grass, and none more than seven or eight mile:-; from main road or projected line of railway. Of these blocks, the Kumeroa village settlement and adjacent rural lands were offered lately, when twenty village allotments and seventeen deferred-payment selections were made, absorbing 2,100 acres, at a price of £3,450. The Ngamoko Block, of 4,000 acres, is another of these blocks : it is immediately west of Norsewood, and has been opened up by a road-line running through the middle of the block, cleared a chain wide, and now being formed. The land is a fertile loam, situated between two branches of the Manawatu, and is mostly level. It has been surveyed into sections of 50, 100, and 150 acres each. It is about seven miles by the road from the Kopua Railway-station, and is well worth the attention of settlers. Will be offered shortly, partly on deferred-payments and partly on immediate payments. Works in Hawke's Bay District are directed by Chief Surveyor. Wellington. —ln the part of the Seventy-mile Bush comprised within this land district there are two blocks, best known by the native names of Pahiatua and Mangaone: together they comprise about 50,000 acres of forest-land, lying on the east side of that part of the main interior road between Eketahuna and Mangatainoko, near Manawatu Ferry, and which have been surveyed into sections of from 40 to 320 acres each. The Wairarapa West County Council has been intrusted with the openingup of this country by clearing and formation of occupation road-lines, which run from the main interior road across the block for four or five miles each. In.this way a road has been completed across from Eketahuna to the east boundary of Mangaono Block, and since continued on to Alfredton. The land along this line has been very much spotted for educational and municipal endowments; but what was left was offered on 27th April last. Of 3,324 acres open for selection on immediate payment, 268

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acres were purchased by two selectors; and of 3,334 acres on deferred payments, 1,880 acres were taken up by twenty-two selectors. The Mangaone Block, being more hilly than the Pahiatua, the County Council has, by request, begun the opening-up of ihe northern portion of Pahiatua, where the land is either level or on an easy slope, and the formation limestone. A portion of it near the Mangatainoko is also intersected by the main interior road, and there are inquiries regarding it by intending settlers. As soon as a surveyor can be detached, it would be well to lay off a village settlement on the east bank of the Mangatainoko. Six hundred acres were reserved from the rural section survey for that or a township. The rural sections will be offered as soon as we have a few miles of cross-roads opened up. A contract is now in progress. Kiwitea Block, 7,000 acres, about ten miles from Feilding, is having its road-lines cleared aud partially formed under the direction of the Manawatu County Council. This block is sectionally surveyed, and can be offered for application as soon as works are finished. Otamakapua, a large Native block, over 100,000 acres, the purchase of which is nearly completed, is being approached by the extension of a road-line running from Feilding. Manawatu County Council is in charge of this work, and is bearing the major part of the expense. Kairanga Block, about two miles from Palmerston.—This is a level block of 8,552 acres, part of which is liable to be flooded in winter by the overflow of creeks. After a careful levelling and much consideration, an outfall-drain has been cut lengthwise through the block five miles, and then conducted through a Native block to a natural channel running into the Oroua. Several side-drains are projected, and the main road-lines have been felled one chain wide, and stumped and cleared one half-chain. There have been many inquiries about the opening of this land. The Land Board intend offering it for application as the works approach completion. The works are under the District Engineer, Public "Works Department. Wellington Country District.—This is 10,000 acres of hilly bush-country. It lies on the ridge west of Hutt Valley, between liayward's and Upper Hutt Eailway-stations, and slopes down to Pahautanui small-farm settlements. Under the direction of the ITutt County Council a bridle-track on Beere's line has been formed through from liayward's iiailway-statiou to the district road, Porirua, and the bush has been felled half a chain wide. Other lines have been run by the County Engineer on measured grades, and are now under formation. This is rather a rough piece of country, but, being in the heart of a settled district, and opened up by these roads, it is likely to be well taken up when offered for application. There are several sections suitable for homesteads, and the more rough sections will afford the adjacent settlers an opportunity of adding to their properties. Nehon. —The Aorere Valley, Collingwood, has been partially opened up by road-works, directed by the District Engineer of the Public Works Department. The land in this valley can only be sold on immediate payment. As yet no sales have been made. The Commissioner in his report states that it would very likely be taken up if offered under the 10-per-eent. clause of that district. Keefton to Matakitaki.—This is a line of sixty miles of road projected through a series of backlying bush-valleys to open up the Crown lands. The course is up the Inangahua Valley to Walker's Station, where there is about 20,000 acres open country; thence through that open country and on to llampden, at the junction of the Matakitaki with the Buller. The Inangahua County Council contracted for this work, and had a track cleared out and partially formed to Walker's, which is a great convenience to cattle-driving. It is, however, to be regretted that this line was not graded before the expenditure was incurred, as some of the track ma3 r have to be abandoned when a road is formed. Ahaura to Kopara.—This is an instalment of a road leading into some very fair flat open and bush country tying to the north-east of Lake Brunner. The road will ultimately continue on through the Kopara flats past Lake Poerua to Bruce's Paddock, Teremakau. The part that has been made was under direction of the District Engineer. Westland. —Mahitahi to Haast.—This is thirty-five miles of a projected road-line which runs on through the dense forest country at the base of the Southern Alps. It keeps inland of the coast about six miles, and has been carefully selected and graded as part of the future through-line from Hokitika to Otago and Jackson's Bay. It runs entirely through Crown lands, and opens up several blocks that naturally are suitable for settlement; but, as settlement in "Westland is entirely subordinate and dependent on the local market created by the mining population, the immediate importance of this line lies in the facility it gives to prospectors to examine the country. Without such a track the difficulties of penetrating this country and keeping up supplies are so great as to preclude any careful examination of it. Many reports concur in indicating it as a region rich in gold and other metals, the latest being the discoveries reported of Kinnaird and Tain. A contract has been let for several miles of bridle-track, and the line throughout will be cleared of bush half a chain wide. On the main road-line, Hokitika to Okarito, there are several flats and valleys very well adapted for settlement. A few miles of road have been run in from the main road, penetrating these localities and opening them out. One of these lines goes up to Lake Mapourika. It is very desirable to extend it on to the Waihou River in the interests of prospectors. Very heavy gold has been reported from the upper gorges of the Waihou at different times. The difficulties of access are extremely great. The formation of this track would considerably diminish them. There is a large area in Westland suitable for cattle and dairy -farming; but, as the market for these products must be local, the sale and settlement of the Crown lands mainly, if not entirely, hinges on the yield of gold. The works in Westland are under the direction of the Chief Surveyor. Canterbury. —A road-lino twenty-eight miles long has been graded by Messrs. Dobson for the Ashley Road Board from the foot of the hills near Wilson's Quarries, Macfarlane's Station, over the Kuku Pass, and on through the valle3 rs of the Upper Waipara, Kuku, and Duck Creek to Upper Ashley. The line is through a well-grassed country the whole way, with considerable flats suitable for homesteads. The country could support a number of settlers if laid off in areas of one, two, or three

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thousand acres each. The lino has been well marked throughout, and side-cuttings are now being made where necessary round the sidlings. The country is at present withdrawn from selection, and it will not be advisable to open it until the road-works are more advanced. Drainage of Lake Ullesmcre. —The large area laid bare when this lake runs out has long suggested the desirability of taking measures to keep it at its low level by artificial means. Several engineering proposals have been elaborated; but, as they all involved a great expense in works, nothing was done. The Commissioner, Mr. Marshman, reported that the channel could be kept open by an annual expenditure in labour of £300 or £400, a small outlay where the reclamation of 20,000 acres of land, valued at over £50,000, is concerned. The sum was voted, and the District Engineer of the Public Works Department instructed to keep the channel open ; which, as it happens, was also necessary for the railway works in progress. As soon as it is thoroughly established that the land can be kept permanently dry—and there does not seem much doubt of it—the questions of selling the reclaimed land and providing for the future expense of keeping the channel open will have to he considered together. Otarjo. —Under direction of the Taieri County Council and Chief Surveyor a road is now in progress from Outram to Hindon Hundred, an area of about 28,000 acres, surveyed into sections not exceeding 820 acres each. After the road-works were begun a portion of the country was offered for selection : 7,7G1 acres were taken up on immediate payment by five selectors, and 3,710 acres on deferred payments by fourteen selectors.' The most direct access to this country will eventually be from one or more points of the Otago Central Railway, which skirts the Hindon Hundred for many miles, and eventually crosses the Taieri River on to it at its upper end. Meanwhile, however, it was deemed best by the County Council and Chief Surveyor to connect with the Outram Railway-station. Crown Terrace. —A dray-road was very skilfully selected by Mr. Bews, for the Lake County Council, up the steep face of this terrace to the fiat above. It was formed, and then the land was opened for selection. Five or six families, mostly Shetlanders, have settled there ; and in February last, within ten months of the date of their applications, they had several fields of well-grown oats in crop, at an elevation of 2,300 feet above the sea. This road is part of the line, Wakatipu to Cardrona and Wanaka. Waitahuna to Run 52c. Minzion Burn to Block on Eun 200.—These roads are both within Tuapeka County, and were under the direction partly of the County Council and Eoad Board. They give access to blocks opened on the agricultural-lease and deferred-payment systems. They have been partly taken up, and what remains is open for application. Southland.- —Woodend to Seaward Moss. —This is an expanse of fully 40,000 acres of level land, stretching from near Woodend, a station five miles from Invcrcargill on the Invercargill-Bluff Railway, across between the forest and coast-line to the Mataura Eiver. It is a swampy, mossy country, with isolated pieces of dry laud interspersed. There have beeii proposals from time to time to utilize it, but nothing has yet been done. As a beginning a road was formed from Woodend, by the Eoad Board, for two miles along the edge of the bush, and this was continued on a line chosen by the Chief Surveyor and District Engineer for three miles further. Swampy places were provided with an outfall, and the road carried across, connecting two or three thousand acres of very fair, improvable land. One thousand and forty-four acres along the road-line were surveyed into eleven sections, and offered for selection on deferred payments. It has all been taken up except three sections. By cutting drains to help the natural drainage, and pushing the road forward a mile or two each season, this extensive area, which is literally a "howling wilderness," will eventually become an inhabited, settled district. Orepuki to Waiau. —This road or track is now being cleared and partly formed under the direction of Wallace County Council. It runs through about twelve miles of Crown lands forest, and connects the open country of the Waiau Valley, near Merivale, with Orepuki. The importance of opening up the Crown lands by roads or other works requires no argument. By thus rendering them accessible and habitable the productive area of the colony is enlarged. Without such aids, especially in back-lying or forest districts, the occupation of the country would proceed very slowly. The progress of settlement in the future will depend very much on the area of land that can be so prepared. Crown Lands suitable for Growth of Sub-Tropical Fruits. The remarks under this head are with reference to your instructions (memo, attached) in April last to consider what Crown lands may be suitable for the olive and vine. Very little has yet been done to test the capabilities of New Zealand in this respect. The settlers having almost all come from the United Kingdom, naturally seek to reproduce in the new country what they were accustomed to in the old. Hence, from Stewart Island to North Cape, through a range of thirteen degrees of latitude, the cultivation is wheat, oats, and grass. Very little attention or effort ha 3 been given to develop what may be termed the special aptitudes of the country. Had, for instance, the North Island been colonized by French or Italians, they would undoubtedly have cultivated the vine, olive, and orange— the products of their mother-countries. Taking the map of Europe, it will be seen that they would have had nature with them; for the latitudes of New Zealand find their northern counterpart in a stretch from central France over Italy, Sicily, into northern Africa. New Zealand, latitute for latitude, has not, on account of its insular position and surrounding oceanic currents, such a high temperature as these countries ; but in the greater range of latitude in New Zealand there is the opportunity of adjusting differences by shifting the latitudes a few degrees, and then comparing the North Island with Italy and southern France. From these considerations alone it might be presumed that the vegetable productions of those countries would flourish in New Zealand; but we are not left to surmise—the fact is, they do flourish. The grape-vine is cultivated for market, in the open air, near Roxburgh, Otago, 500 feet above sea-level (lat. 45° 30' south) ; and in the North Island it flourishes wherever care is taken with it. As we approach the North, it is often found running wild up the manuka and overtopping it, thereby revealing the whereabouts of some abandoned Native or European garden. The cultivation of the vine is receiving attention from numbers of persons in the North Island, more particularly in the Auckland Land District. Recently several families of immigrant Italians applied for laud on the homestead system, for vine-culture, at Matapouri, Wluuigarei County;

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but as yet only two have selected —in an adjoining block, called Opuawhango. Near Kawakawa several persons cultivate it in gardens. One of them is a Frenchman, who hr.s fenced in about half an acre of a clay hillside, which he has terraced and pulverized; and ho has a vigorous growth of vines. His operations, and those of others who understand the business, are important in a district as affording their neighbours an opportunity of acquiring the knowledge of a profitable source of income. There is a considerable market in the colony for green fruit, under which designation tho Customhouse classes grapes, oranges, lemons, apples, &c. The value of these fruits imported in 1879 was £67,4-15, and of raisins £10,210. In the increased facilities of intercommunication there ia encouragement to the growers of fruit that they can get it to a market. Viticulture will become one of the standard industries of the North ; but it will take years to establish it on the large commercial scale of making wines, for the industry is in its infancy, and it has to make its way among a people to whom it is quite foreign. Olive-culture. —'The great value of the olive, its importance commercially, and the conditions of soil and climate suitable to its growth, are treated of in an interesting report from Mr. John Glynn, of Leghorn, Italy. {See 11.-20, Vol. 11., Appendix to Journals, House of 1877.) He estimates the annual value of produce from tho olive in Italy alone at thirty millions sterling ; and the export of olive-oil from tho same country in 1873 —the latest return at date of report —was in value between four and live millions sterling. Referring to other sources of information, it is found that olive-oil is imported annually to the United Kingdom of a value close on two millions sterling. In 1879 the value of olive-oil imported into Now Zealand was £3,832. These statistics suggest that New Zealand s'nould not long neglect so important a source of wealth. The olive is grown in one or two gardens in Wellington and Napier ; and the natural capabilities of the North Island for the cultivation are undoubted. More especially would the districts north of Auckland seem to be suitable. There we have near tho sea low volcanic hills with extensive slopes, mild winters, and plenty of summer. About 20,000 acres of Crown lands in the Tekahue Valley and Hills, Mangonui County, were designated for olive and vine culture about two years ago. Other suitable localities could bo selected, but that is hardly necessary at present. It would be more important to take some steps towards introducing the plants in numbers. This might be done in various ways:— 1. A nursery might be established in the vicinity of Auckland, at the public expense, from which plants could be distributed to those settlers who would engage in the cultivation ; or, 2. Government might collect all further possible information on the subject, including the history of the attempts to introduce the olive in the Australian Colonies, and publish a digest of the same. The co-operation of settlers might then be invited, on the basis of Government bearing the cost of bringing the plants to the country, the settlers to receive and cultivate them, a bonus on the principle of the Forest Trees Planting Encouragement Acts to bo paid on every olive tree successfully grown to fruit. Any attempt to introduce the culture will prove abortive unless a considerable number of settlers join heartily in the effort. 3. Another plan would be to offer grants of land or other special* inducements to Italians from Lucca to emigrate to New Zealand on condition of their cultivating the olive. This plan would very easily miscarry. No. 2is most likely of success, and should be tried. In connection with the proposal it would be well to send from New Zealand one or two skilled arboriculturists of colonial experience, to reside in Italy two years, observing and studying the olive-culture. On their return, these men would be invaluable in directing tho culture in the colony. If the thing is to be a success, it will require much time, patience, skill, and zealous co-operation, and the object seems worthy of it. The colony is deficient in variety of exports. If olive-oil could be added, it would be reliable, as there is a steady and growing demand for this product. Orange, Lemon, and Citron Culture. —ln the gardens of the older residents at Mangonui, Whangaroa, Hokianga, and other northern places, latitude 35° to 37° south, a few of these trees may be seen. They flourish well, and it was reported one tree had borne eighty dozen oranges last season. As already remarked, these northern settlements have been so isolated that no one cared to grow for a market; but this feeling need no longer be cherished. With the opening-up of the country now going on. and the coastal steam-service, these northern districts ought to supply the rest of the colony with these fruits. No special encouragement seems necessary: the climate and soil are proved to bo suitable, and there is a market. It may be mentioned that the banana grows in the open air at Mangonui, 35° south latitude; but the fruit does not ripen well. Departmental. " Crown Lands Guide." —lt was seen that the great length of the colony, with its ten land districts and their principal offices scattered along a line of 900 miles, each acting independently according to the laws or regulations pertaining to it, presented a problem of much difficulty to any one desirous of obtaining information regarding the Crown lands of New Zealand, which comprise an estate of 31<,000,000 acres, scattered over an area of about 100,000 square miles. To meet this difficulty, the " Guide " was projected ; and it affords " such general information as to tho character and localities of Crown lands, and the terms and conditions on which they may be obtained, as will enable those in quest of land to set about its selection without much trouble." The utility of this publication has been very great. The demand for copies is evidence that it has supplied a real want. It brings together in concise form at the date of publication all the information regarding Crown lands for the whole colony. Necessarily it soon falls behind as new blocks come into the market; but the general information is sufficiently full and directive to enable intending settlers to decide what land district is likely to be most suitable for them, and either a visit or correspondence with the principal Land Office in the district, or a reference to the Gazette or newspapers, enables any ono to find easily what land in newly advertised as open for application. The " Guide " will be brought out, corrected up to date, every few months. There are several particulars in which it can be improved without adding materially to its size. 2—C. 2.

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There is a great deal of settlement yet to be done in the country, which can be greatly promoted by keeping the public well informed of what lands are open for selection, and by disseminating information as to their accessibility, nature of soil, possible products, and so forth ; but what is most essential to the spread of settlement is the steady, systematic opening-up of Crown lands by formation of tracks and roads on carefully-graded lines, the survey of suitable areas along these lines for selection, and the publication of maps of the same before sale. In this way the acquisition of land is brought within the comprehension of the man least acquainted with business in the country ; for he can, with the photo-lithograph in his hand, visit the block before the day of application, walk over it, and decide what section will suit him. He has no need to employ any one to do this for him. He comes in direct communication with the Land Department, and he is not weighted with the expense of land agents or special-settlement associations or other agencies. The department has now got such a start on this system that, if maintained, it can be beforehand with the public, and keep up a supply of suitable blocks ready for selection. In Wellington, Nelson, and Canterbury, the arrears of surveys can be worked off this year, so that the department will then have discharged its obligations to the land-purchasers, some of whom have been waiting years for their boundaries. The areas which have been surveyed or yet await survey will be detailed in the Annual Survey Eeport now in course of preparation. J. McKereow.

Memorandum from the Hon. Mr. Bolleston to the Secretary for Crown Lands. Haying- regard to the large amount of land which has recently been divested of the Native title and become Crown land in the North Island, it is very desirable that steps should bo taken to set apart blocks of the best land in every district for the purposes of settlement under the deferred-payment and village-settlement sections of the Land Act. For these purposes blocks of from 5,000 to 10,000 acres should be selected at convenient intervals according to the general features of the country, being suitable for agriculture, and having reasonable facilities for obtaining wood or coal and water; they should also be selected in proximity to the main lines of communication by road, railroad, or water. My own observations lead me to the conclusion that there is a great probability of land suitable especially for small settlers being put up for sale on immediate payment, and being absorbed by speculators; and it is therefore very desirable to put aside and maintain inalienably for this purpose a sufficient proportion of land to secure the power of obtaining land to small settlers in each district. Probably the best plan would be to obtain a joint report from the Commissioner of Crown Lands and the Chief Surveyor in each district, recommending the lands to be so set aside; and from time to time, as fresh lands are acquired or opened up, additional recommendations should be made before the lands are dealt with by the Waste Lands Boards. "While the best land suitable for general cultivation should be chosen, it should be so taken as not to absorb the frontages to second-class lands, which will be sold in larger blocks on pastoral deferred payments or otherwise. If care is not taken in this respect, the value of the second-class lands will be seriously deteriorated for purposes of settlement. It is very desirable that some blocks of land should be reserved in the North Island, especially to the north of Auckland, for the purpose of establishing special settlements for vino or olive cultivation. In your recent visit to the North you will, no doubt, have borne this in mind, and will be able to make suggestions. In the Middle Island a good deal has already been done in (he Province of Olago in determining blocks of land for deferred payment. It would not be difficult now to complete the selection of lands suitable for this purpose and for village settlement in the central district. This would be the first Btep towards the classification of the land generally which must take place shortly, before the expiration of the pastoral leases. A map showing these blocks and indicating them by colour would be a useful addition to the " Lands Guide." 30th April, 1880. W. Eolleston.

*}.—#.

* Inclusive of 13,977 a. or. Bp. of land finally disposed of on deferred payments for £9,504 18s. 1 id., not included in previous years in similar returns to this.

No. 2.—Summary of Extent of Crown Lands absolutely Disposed of for Cash, Scrip, or in any other manner, during the Nine Months ending the 31st March, 1880.

No. 1.—Summary of Lands Disposed of from Foundation of the Colony, with total Cash received, &c., for the Nine Months ending the 31st March, 1880.

* Includes £5>8;9 13s. 9d. received from sale of i,2S2A. 311. 7P. of railway reserves.

11

Provincial District. Total Area Sold or Otherwise Disposed of from the Foundation of the Colony. Total Cash Received. Total Area open for Selection on 31st March, 1880. Total Area remaining for Future Disposal, exclusive of Area in preceding Column and of Native Lands. Auckland Hawke's Bay ... Taranaki Wellington Nelson Marlborough Canterbury Westland Otago Southland A. R. P. 2,214,311 I 13 1,025,685 2 7i* 292,755 2 25 1,882,737 o o 1,039,236 o o 849,940 o 6 3,408,139 3 o 144,072 3 37 2,254,556 o 35 1.015,338 o 19 £ s. a, 377,62s 18 o 446,876 13 II* 168,319 8 4 358,993 18 10 269,638 17 o 5,764,880 9 s 2,079,364 9 5 A. R. P. 37.397 o o 66,498 1 o 11,784 o 6 27,653 2 o 5,846,764 o o 1.071.367 3 34 5,285,016 3 36 245'5 60 l 3 260,000 o o 1,546,767 o 21 A. R. r. 2,543.o89 o ° 349,5°° ° ° 1,315,069 o o 1,107,370 o o 1,078,692 o o 2,655,541 3 29 10,846,084 o o 218,487 o o Total 14,126,772 2 22J 14,398,809 o 20 20,013,832 3 29 ",321,045 12 5

LANDS SOLD. LANDS DISPOSED OF WITHOUT SALE. Provincial District. Number of Acres. Rate per Acre. Consideration. Number of Purchases. Number ofj Purchases. Number of Purchases. By Grants or in any other manner. Town. Suburban. Country. Town. Suburban. Country. Cash. Scrip, Auckland Hawke's Bay Taranaki Wellington Nelson Marlborough Canterbury Westland Otago Southland A. R. P. 22 2 27 ... 030 7 3° 2 o 37 830 2 2 26 209 80 o 25 44 O 22 33 5 3 12 11 ii A. B. P. 263 2 II 22 2 O 265 3 9 18 8 A. 11. P. 4,380 o 23 I3O 3 2O S.3l8 2 32 1,197 2 II 99 2 7 14,889 3 15 81 1 5 20.363 3 39 1,442 1 38 63 68 8 4 6 182 168 20 £ s d. 90 6 2 36 13 4 34 IO 4 50 19 o 34 o 685 45 '4 i° 36 3 ° 41 8 o 53 ° o i £ s. d. 3 12 10 5 '4 o 3 8 7 £ s. d. 1 6 11 1 12 1 260 0 18 4 1 17 9 1 3 0-16 2 4 5 100 I 7 8 1 19 o £ s. d. 7,875 o o 210 3 6 12,356 2 2 1,912 o 1 301 17 6 941 1 o 33,217 9 11* 161 8 9 34,487 10 7 6,258 10 o 97-7 21 3 6 £ s. d. 1,028 17 o 618 15 8 A. R. p. 3,910 o o 279 I 14 242 I I? 138 o o 2,391 1 19 677 1 7 11 154 >°3 200 402 1 12 191 o 31 1 60 35 300 7 19 o 6 14 o 207 15 6 87 o o 1,942 8 2 8,688 o 16 2,039 o 31 Total 171 o 26 35.497 « 38J 343 1.147 I 23 128 148,463 I 13 524 ...

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* Includes 50 acres surrendered. f Including leases exchanged for deferred-payment licenses. % All applications still pending. § Total amount of rent paid during the nine months. The amount of rents payable yearly in respect of land taken up during nine months is £799 17s. 6d.; the amount paid, £713 15s.

No. 3.—Summary of Land selected up to the 31st March, 1880.

Provincial District. Nature of Selection —whether Agricultural Lease, Deferred Payments, or as the case may be. No. of Applica- No. tions Approved, made. Area Selected. Average to each Selection. Fees Payable Yearly. Rents Paid. Total Land Granted for Conditions fulfilled up to Date. Total Land Forfeited for Breach of Conditions up to Date. Auckland ,., Hawke's Bay Taranaki ... "Wellington Nelson Selected up to 30th June, 1879. Agricultural lease Homestead selections Deferred payments Immigrants under " Immigrants Land Act, 1873 " Deferred payments Deferred payments and special settlements Under Leasing Acts ... Under 1 o-per-cent. clause Reserves ... Mineral leases Deferred payments Under " Public Reserves Sales Act, 1878 " Deferred payments Deferred payments ... Deferred payments Agricultural lease Deferred payments 178 210 418 5 393 282 I 2,030 100 210 415 5 288 262 263 77 22 a. n. p. 4,957 3 37 37.455 " ° 34,060 o 30 171 2 o 26,810 o 4 59,539 o 34 40,036 3 3 9>4i3 o 39 6,598 o 2 9,'38 1 33 195 2 o 324 3 >4 640 o o 1,285 ° ° 163,647 3 3° 244.724 1 5 43.166 3 14 A. R. P. 49 2 12 179 o o 82 on 34 1 8 93 o 14 227 1 o 148 o o 122 O O 942 o o 415 o o 48 ■>, 20 46 I 28 320 o o 49 o o 122 1 24 63 2 10 131 2 16 £ *. d. 248 1 o 4,011 16 8 2,874 10 4 752 6 10 579 7 4 52 9 8 1,310 14 6 39 2 o 285 14 2 192 o o 'S3 7 6 33,625 18 8 9,951 o o 6,543 3 8 60,619 I2 4 £ s. d. ... 50,400 14 2 A. K. p. 80 O O ... ... 49,064 I 35 15,699 o o A. E. P. *85o o o 665 2 o 2,040 o o 100 o o 18,149 2 24 698 3 13 4,581 o o Marlborough 4 7 2 26 4.775 601 4 7 26 i,337 328 142 17 1 48 o o Canterbury Westland ... ...{ 320 o o Otago Southland ... ( 68,211 9 10 90,886 16 8 4,946 7 9 214,636 5 6 26,199 o 10 t92,649 2 27 2,778 1 4 186,470 1 36 22,952 3 5 8,910 2 9 5>26s 1 7 64,533 2 18 Total '4,529 7,203 682,165 ° 5 I Auckland ... Hawke's Bay Taranaki ... Wellington Nelson Marlborough Canterbury Westland ... :.\ i Selected during nine months ending 31st March, 1880. Agricultural lease Homestead selections Deferred payments ... Immigrants under "Immigrants Land Act, 1873 " Deferred payments Deferred payments and special settlements Under Leasing Acts ... Under 10-per-cent. clause Mineral leases Under Immigrants Land Acts ... Deferred payments Under " Public Reserves Sales Act, 1878 " Deferred payments ... Deferred payments —licenses Deferred payments —pastoral do. Deferred payments —exchange do. Deferred payments —suburban do. Agricultural leases ... Deferred payments ... 12 3° I; 1 ) * + 30 '7 46 25 49 600 o o 4,921 o o 2,275 J 16 42 o o 3,658 o 20 3,924 2 2 3,986 o 39 50 o o 164 o o 133 3 '5 42 o o 79 2 o 157 o o 8100 ... 162 11 o 922 9 10 2,223 4 Io 190 10 o 498 12 10 ... 3,7" 3 8 9,042 2 2 2,599 9 3 90 o o 142 o o 1,239 1 o 1700 204 2 5 42 o o 100 o o '.587 o 3 146 3 14 4 3 15 Otago Southland ... ...I 1 33 4 6 1 33 4 29 1 121 1 35 928 3 24 4°5 3 4 S.944 o 35 1.3 13 1 39 1,184 1 22 , 59 3 25 6,381 a 29 11,396 1 19 121 1 35 28 o 24 101 1 31 204 3 35 1.313 J 39 107 2 27 5 1 31 120 1 23 i'9 3 33 24 6 o 629 2 2 68 13 6 1,162 1 o 87 12 o 178 4 o 53 15 3 799 '7 6 2,443 « 4 ■ i ... 500 216 16 3 i53 7 6 j 12,343 11 9 410 9 10 1,808 9 3 6,337 o '5 48 3 28 1,900 2 11 11 11 3,261 2 16 15 138 11 53 95 §6,397 4 11 5,156 2 11 1 +7,42i 2 2 1.227 1 35 2,493 ' 3 7i 1 33 Total under previous transactions ... 533 14.529 406 7,203 47,142 682,165 3 29 0 5 9,444 11 3 41,843 17 6 214,636 5 6 19.735 3 28 186,470 1 36 6,599 1 32 64,333 2 '8 ... Totals j 15,062 7,609 729,307 3 34 ... 256,480 3 o 206,206 1 24 71,133 o 10

13

0.—2.

No. 4.—Particulars of Applications to Exchange Agricultural Leases for Leases on Deferred Payments, during the Nine Months ending the 31st March, 1880.

Particulars of Applications to Convert Leaseholds into Freeholds, during the Nine Months ending the 31st March, 1880.

* No means by which an estimate can bo formed.

No. 5.—Number and Area of Pastoral Licenses issued during the Nine Months ending the 31st March, 1880.

3—C. 2,

Provincial District. Number of Applications to Exchange. Extent. Value of Improvements. Extent Cultivated. A. B. P. £ s. d. A. R. P. Luckland lawke's Bay 'aranaki Wellington felsou ilarlborougli Canterbury Vestland )tago Southland 1 118' 0 0 ii 1,184" 1 22 '# * Total 12 1,302 1 22

Provincial District. Number of Applications to Convert. Extent. Value of Improvements. Extent Cultivated. A. B. P. S s. d. A. E. p. Auckland lawke's Bay ?aranaki Wellington kelson iarlborougk Canterbury Westland )tago southland 138 7 15,818" 1 31 1,227 1 35 # 1,859 17 0 '#' 217 0 0 Total 145 17,045 3 26 1,859 17 0 217 0 0

Provincial District. Number of Holders. Area. Number of Stock. Kent. License Fees. Total Kent per Acre per Year. Luckland lawke's Bay ?aranaki Wellington ... kelson rlarlborougli Canterbury ... 8 1 A. E. P. 32,426 0 0 33 0 0 Unknown Unknown £ s. a. 42 0 0 5 10 0 £ s. d. 3 3 0 s. d. 0 i 3 4 7 1 I 6,050 0 0 4,000 0 0 550 44 1 8 16 13 4 o'"h 0 1 iVestland 15 143,870 0 0 < Sheep," 4,000 "> ( Cattle, 3,000 j 353 0 0 0 i )tago louthland 32 I 417,900 0 0 6,614 0 0 0 379 Total 64 604,270 0 0 7,075 5 0 3 3 0

C—2.

No. 6. —Lands held under Pastoral License or Lease on the 31st March, 1880.

* £52,972 4s. Id., annual rent for twelve months, beginning the Ist May, 1880, was paid during that month.

No. 7. —Number and Area of Leases and Licenses, other than Agricultural and Pastoral, issued during the Nine Months ending the 31st March, 1880, and therefrom.

* A tithe of 4d. per 100 feet on all timber cut. f A tithe of 6d. per 100 feet on all timber cut. % Royalty of 3d. per 100 feet on timber cut.

No. 8. —Number of Licenses Revoked during the Nine Months ending the 31st March, 1880.

* Expired. f In addition to this, seven pastoral licenses over 84,000 acres expired.

No. 9. —Return of Crown Grants dealt with in the General Crown Lands Department during the Nine Months ending the 31st March, 1880.

By Authority; Gbobge Didsbfey, Government Printer, Wellington.—lBBo. Price Is.]

14

Provincial District. Number of Holders. Area Average Area Approximately. to each. Stock Depastured. Rent Paid, j License Fees. Total Payments. Average per Acre. Luckland lawke's Bay ?aranaki Wellington kelson ilarlborougli Canterbury iVestland )tago — Let under " Land Act, 1866" Let under " Land Act, 1877 " Wakatipu and Tuapeka Runs, under Regulations 1874 louthland 25 11 A. A. E. P. 158,643 | 6,346 0 0 91,500 8,318 0 29 ' Unknown 34,450 £ 8, d.I 224 10 0 821 16 2 £ s. d. 3 3 0 £ s. d. 224 10 0 324 19 2 s. d. 0 oi 0 0J 1 99 77 3G5 25 500 ! 531,908 \ 5,372 0 0 1,078,692 14,000 0 0 2,865,968 7,850 0 0 224,670 I 8,987 0 0 1 5,526,826 ;29,398 0 0 724,623 11,879 0 0 217,620 13,601 1 0 "800 152,500 1,365,920 52 0 0 4,230 17 4: 3,811 11 2 52 0 0 4,230 17 4 3,811 11 2 2'"l 0 1J 0 1 399 16 2 899 ie 2 Nominal. 188 45,590 8 1 45,590 8 1 0 2 61 6,257 16 0 6,257 16 0 0 3J 16 2,903 5 1 2,903 5 1 0 3 27 | - 14 15 10 2 10 0 17 5 10 0 2 551,859 120,439 0 0 Total , I -1 *^W^\ nrtrt I 63,806 15 10 895 11,972,809 .1,972,809 ! 5 13 0 63,812 8 10

Provincial District, Area Leased. Kent. Auckland Hawke's Bay Taranaki Wellington Nelson A. E. P. 83 1 15 £ s. d. 345 5 6 25o"o 0 37 10 0 { 134 0 0 147 1 24 10 0 0 28 10 0 Marlborougli t Canterbury Westland Otago Southland 109 0 0 605 1 13 11,810 0 9 2 19 0 176 2 0 £1,173 11 10 Total 1,763 18 4 13,149 0 21

ProTincial District, i Description of Licenses Forfeited or Kevoked. At Licensee' Request. For Non-payment of Fees. Nou-conj-pUTd 1Tith Iss, ued!i1 Violation of I Error' Conditions. Total Number. Extent. A. E. p, LucHand lawke's Bay Wellington ielson ilarlborough Canterbury iVestland )tago Southland ... Pasture occupation license l Depasturing leases ... Pastoral ... i Pastoral ... Deferred payments ,,. Deferred payments . 2 2 9 of "2 . 3* 2 9 5 10 1 2,21o' 0 C 13,396 0 C 3,778 0 C 32,785 0 C 70,000 0 C 1,900 2 11 71 1 33 i 10 18 10 32 124,146 0 I

Draft Grants Received. Executed and Despatched. Cancelled, and [ others issued j in lieu thereof. Corrected. .interested. Duplicates issued. 3,250 3,412 27 16