CROWN LANDS DEPARTMENT (ANNUAL REPORT ON).

Appendix to the Journals of the House of Representatives, 1889 Session I, C-01

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1889. NEW ZEALAND.

CROWN LANDS DEPARTMENT (ANNUAL REPORT ON).

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

The Secbetaky for Ckown Lands to the Hon. the Ministeb of Lands. Sib, — General Crown Lands Office, Wellington, 30th June, 1889. I have the honour to transmit herewith the annual report and returns of the Crown Lands Department for the twelve months ending on the 31st March, 1889, and to express my hope that any shortcomings in the report will be set down to the fact of my having so recently taken over from my able predecessor the duties of Secretary of Crown Lands. I have, &c, S. Peecy Smith, The Hon. G. F. Bichardsou, Minister of Lands. Secretary for Crown Lauds.

BE POET. The past year has witnessed a further amendment of the Land Acts, the effect of which has not, however, been very noticeable in the transactions of the period. The principal alterations were in the direction of tending to make the residential clauses of the previous Acts somewhat easier to those selecting under settlement conditions, and to bringing the classification of pastoral lands more into accord with the wants of settlement and with the topographical features of the country. Under this latter provision large areas were successfully reclassified and offered in the Canterbury Land District in the months of May and June, the results of which, however, will not appear till next year's report. The amending Act of 1887 has, however, during the past twelve months, had time to illustrate its full operation in the settlement of the country, as will be seen by the tables appended hereto. It is unnecessary to do more than call attention to its distinguishing feature, which is that of placing in the hands of the selector the choice of tenure under which he shall hold his land. That this concession is a popular one is proved by the figures to be found in the various tables attached. The returns for the past year bear out the anticipatory figures given in last report relating to the first selections held under the Act—viz., that the so-called perpetual-lease system is the most popular of those which are, more strictly speaking, the settlement clauses of the Act. It will be seen that by including all forms of perpetual lease 828 selectors took up 205,716 acres under this tenure, with an average area of 248 acres each, and that the total area selected during the year amounts to not far short of two-thirds of the whole area held under this system within the colony. The increased popularity of the perpetual-lease system is no doubt due to two causes— firstly, to the facilities it offers in securing a freehold after the few and easy conditions as to improvement and residence are completed ; and, secondly, to the low rental of 5 per cent, on the capital value of the land —thus setting free the capital of the selector for improving his property. There are two other alterations in the land-laws effected by the Act of 1887 to which brief attention should be drawn. The one is, that under its provisions considerable areas of land have been thrown open for selection before survey, thus avoiding some of the delays caused by making the surveys first; but there are certain well-known conditions which must be attended to before any land can be offered in this manner. It is, for instance, essential that a full knowledge of the character and value of the land, the future lines of main roads, the location of town- or village-sites, and reserves for public purposes be acquired before it is safe to throw lands open to selection before survey. Under the clauses of the Act providing for this system 248,888 acres have been declared open, and 74,354 acres have, been selected, under various tenures, at the option of the selector. Settlement has no doubt been facilitated to a considerable extent by this change in the law. The other alteration is the substitution of the ballot for the auction or tender system—excepting in cases which come under the heading of " Lands of Special Value," or town, village, and I—C. 1.

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suburban lands, which are still submitted to auction. The result of the ballot system is no doubt in favour of the selector, who no longer has to compete at auction against the man with the longest purse; but, at the same time, he is met with another difficulty which detracts very much from the advantages of the system, and this difficulty is contained in the fact that for choice allotments it is frequently-found that large numbers of applications are put in for the same section, some of which, it is often suspected, are not of the bond fide character they should be. In the case of the Horowhenua Block, for instance, where sixty-three sections were declared open for selection, 499 applications were lodged for the different lots. Many applicants were therefore disappointed in not obtaining the land they wanted. The amending Act of 1888 further provides for the issue of licenses to dig gum on the Crown lands outside State forests; but hitherto the clauses effecting this change have not been brought into, operation, as difficulties were found in carrying them into practice, owing to the very dispersive nature of the gumfields and the great cost of an efficient system of inspection. Under the same Act also was effected the incorporation of the rest of the outlying islands belonging to the colony with the Southland Land District, so that land affairs affecting any of these various groups of islands are now administered by the Commissioners of either the Auckland, Wellington, or Southland Land Districts. The table below gives in brief form the result of the year's transactions summarised under each of the systems in force within the colony, full details of which will be found in the appendices. In some respects these results are noticeable and also encouraging, as showing that the restored confidence in our resources is taking the direction of one of the most permanent of all sources of wealth and well-being— : viz., the settlement of the land; and this demand for land for settlement, far from exhibiting any signs of abatement, is apparently increasing—so much so that the resources of the department are considerably taxed to meet it. It is somewhat important also to note the sources from whence this demand for land arises. The published returns for the past year would go to prove that immigration does not exceed emigration—on the contrary, there have been more people leaving the colony than have arrived in it. It seems to follow, therefore, that the lands are being settled by the younger generation of colonists to a large extent, than whom, no better class of settlers could be found. The gradual cessation also of the public works expenditure no doubt tends to induce people to take advantage of the liberal tenure now offered for occupying the public lands. It will be seen, if the small grazing-runs are included in lands held under enforced-settlement conditions—which they properly should be—that 1,779 selectors took up 414,742 acres —a greater number and larger amount than in any previous period for some years past; and, if the 81 selectors of small grazing-runs are excluded, there will be found 1,698 selectors who have taken up 283,090 acres on conditions binding themselves to perform more or less improvement on their lands —a result which compares very favourably with that of the previous year. Although not showing so many selectors as the year 1887, when the village-homestead system was in full force, the result must be considered a satisfactory outcome of the year's transactions. The great increase, as already pointed out, is in the perpetual-lease selections, though the deferred-payment selections total a number of 705, absorbing 75,506 acres, 209 of these being in special settlements where the holdings are small. The purchasers for cash numbered 756, of whom 244 were purchasers of town, village, and suburban lots, whilst 512 purchasers absorbed 68,498 acres of rural lands.*

Summary of Land Disposed of and Selected during the Year ending the 31st March, 1889. Land Fund.

* During the twelve months ending tlie 30th June, 741 persons took up on all systems of tenure small areas o£ from one acre to fifty acres. t Current and previous transactions.

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Area. No. of Purchasers or HoHers. Scrip. Cash. Down lands Suburban Jural tillage settlement, cash tillage settlement, deferred payment rtural, deferred payment special settlement, deferred payment A. 55 409 68,498 664 1,182 54,419 19,905 B. P. 3 27 3 24 1 18 2 16 1 21 0 29 3 17 97] 512] 143 99 397 209 £ 5,393 s. a. 3 0 £ s. a. 58,479 6 10 1,796 8 6 3,816 12 3t 43,955 15 8+ 9,851 7 31 145,136 0 32 1,461 5,393 3 0 11 899 10 G

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Territorial Revenue.

Land Bevenue foe the Year. It will be seen from the tables above that the total of land and territorial revenue amounts to £310,061 165., whilst that for the previous year amounted to £274,783 17s. 7d.; thus showing an increase of £35,277 19s. 5d., which is principally due to the larger area of rural land disposed of this last year. It is obvious that, so long as perpetual leasing remains a distinguishing feature of the land policy, no very great increase in the Land Fund can take place, whilst the territorial revenue, on the other hand, will show a constant tendency to expansion. It is quite within the bounds of possibility that the Land Fund may so decrease that it will not meet the expenses of administration and survey—that is, so long as the whole cost of both services is charged to the one fund. Properly speaking, a due proportion of the costs of administration and survey of lands, the proceeds of which are credited to territorial revenue, should be a charge on that revenue. Had this course been adopted during the period just passed, a sum of £17,560 10s. lid. would have been added to land revenue, making a total of £135,460 Is. sd. The Land Fund is further reduced by the amount of £5,393 35., representing scrip exercised in the purchase of land, and which appears in the table as cash received. The sum of £117,899 10s. 6d., derived from the first-named source shown above, would have been materially augmented during the period just passed but for the increase in the arrears of amounts due to the Crown, principally from deferred-payment selectors—a matter which is referred to later on. Eesebves. During the twelve months ending 31st March last there were 358 reserves for various purposes made in the interests of the public, as follows : — A. E. P. 120 primary-education reserves ... ... ... 15,219 325 4 municipal reserves ... ... ... ... 12310 26 recreation reserves ... ... ... ... 7,699 036 206 miscellaneous reserves ... ... ... ... 6,499 3 6 2 forest reserves ... ... ... ... 601 0 9 Total ... ... ... ... 30,032 3 6 Settlement Conditions. As far as can be gathered from the reports of the Commissioners, the improvement conditions under which so much of the land is now being taken up are fairly well carried out; but complete returns are not to hand. The work of inspecting the holdings under deferred-payment, perpetual lease, small grazing-runs, and other systems of improvement tenure is increasing, and is likely to continue to do so. The conditions under any of the systems in force are in no sense of an onerous nature, but it is somewhat remarkable that the particular system under which title to land is obtained on the easiest of all terms—the homestead—shows probably the greatest departure from the regulations laid down as to such improvements. This is to be accounted for possibly by the fact that a free gift is not sufficiently valued, and also by the fact that the lands offered on this system are not usually of the best class. There can be no doubt that the settlement of the country is making considerable strides under the present Land Acts, and that great changes aft; taking place in the appearance of many districts by the disappearance of the forest under the axe of the selector. This is more marked, perhaps, in Wellington than in

* Current and previous transactions.

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Area. No. of Purchasers or Holders. Scrip. Cash. Agricultural lease Perpetual lease, rural Capitalisation, interest on ... Small areas (section 161) "Village homestead special settlement Village settlement, perpetual lease ... Small grazing-runs Pastoral runs taken up prior to March, 1888 ... Pastoral runs taken up during the year ending March, 1889 Homestead Coal and mining leases Eents, licenses, &c. Crown-grant fees ... 150 204,533 216 345 622 161,652 K. P. 0 0 2 29 2 32 1 27 0 10 0 22 11 757 11 24 36 81 £ s. d. £ s. el. 1,154 14 10* 11,813 2 9* 1,532 8 10 148 19 10* 1,398 11 4* 64 17 7* 7,767 9*1 1,767,787 1,050 32,118 0 0 0 0 2 16 1,145] 137J 11 148,675 4 4* 149 2 G 9,988 3 4 8,269 0 3 1,200 10 10 2,168,475 2 16 1,168 192,162 5 6

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any other part of the colony. Generally speaking, settlement on improvement conditions and in the smaller areas is increasing more rapidly in the North than in the Souh Island : for the period under consideration the proportions were, about half as many more settlers secured holdings in the North Islantt as in the South Island, a very large proportion of such selections being in forestcovered country. The enhanced prices which have prevailed for some time past for nearly all agricultural- produce is also causing more attention to be paid to land-occupation, and, should these continue, settlement will proceed with greater strides, and will, let us hope, be augmented by an inflow of persons from outside the colony, who will again be attracted to our shores. Small Gbazing-kuns. During the last period eighty-one runs, containing 161,652 acres, were taken up, thirty-nine of which were in the South Island. In the North Island the lands so selected all require more or less clearing and grassing before any return can bo expected, as most of them are covered with scrub and fern. Included in the above area are three runs, containing 3,910 acres, situated at Sunday Island, Kermadec group, 600 miles to the north-east of Auckland. New Zealand's latest territorial acquisition is therefore in a fair way of producing some revenue. The settlers who have determined to brave the difficulties in the way of settlement there will have their work cut out for them. There are extensive areas in the colony, but more especially in the North Island, where this system of settling the lands could be adopted; but the great advantage of obtaining a freehold offered by the perpetual-lease system under the increased area of 2,600 acres now allowed will probably not cause it to be very popular, unless in those parts which can only be dealt within considerable areas, and where some particular inducement is required to foster settlement. Village Settlements. Under this general heading may be included a system of small-farm selection, with the various tenures of cash, deferred payment, and perpetual lease. There were in all 313 selectors, who absorbed 3,029 acres under these different tenures —143 of them being cash purchasers of village or suburban lots, and who are not bound by law to improve their holdings, whilst the remaining 170 settlers selected their lands under settlement conditions. A return will be presented to Parliament showing the position of the village-homestead special settlements, or those in which the Government, whilst providing land at a low rental, advances, in addition, the money to build a cottage, clear twenty acres of land, and partially fence and grass it. Under these favourable circumstances settlement ought to flourish, and, if the conditions are such as in all cases they should be, ultimate success will be attained. The essential conditions to the success of such settlements are good land, feasibility of obtaining employment in the near vicinity, and good access. Neglect of these three requisites w 7ill lead to failure, partial or entire, dependent on the character of the settler himself. In some of the settlements instituted under this system a large measure of success has attended their formation, whilst in others this is not nearly so marked a feature. In Canterbury, for instance, the twenty-two settlements established there have, from the presence of the necessary conditions, been almost self-supporting from the beginning; whilst in other parts, notably in the North, assistance in the shape of road-works has been a necessity from the first, and will continue to be so for some time longer. In the excitement which attended the first initiation of this scheme—started at a time when the wave of depression was at its greatest amplitude—numbers of people came forward and offered themselves as settlers, who from education, habits, physique, and inexperience were quite unfitted to cope with the difficulties of founding a home in the wilderness. This was followed by the inevitable result of failure in a number of cases, but at what cost of mental and physical discomfort, only those who have gone through it can properly gauge. In the North, many of the early settlers under this scheme have by transfer quitted themselves of their sections, their places being taken by those who are more fitted to endure the hardships of early settlement, whilst in other cases, where sections have been forfeited for noncompliance with the conditions, settlement has again taken place under the ordinary tenures of perpetual lease or deferred payment. The figures given below are summarised in brief from those given in greater detail in the return already referred to : —

There are about 150 sections—originally selected by village homesteaders, but since abandoned or forfeited—now in the hands of Government, some of which are open for selection under ordinary tenures. It will be remembered that two municipal endowments at Hokianga were taken over by arrangement in 1886 in order to place village settlers on them. The Government pays a yearly rental for the 2,500 acres comprised in these, amounting to £150; whilst at the 31st March last the sections still remaining in tiie hands of selectors numbered only forty-two, bringing in a sum of £135 yearly. As the lands are held under perpetual lease from the Government, without the right of purchase, it follows that there is an annual loss arising from the transaction of £15 a year, without reckoning the interest on advances. So far, none of the abandoned or forfeited sections have been reselected.

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Number of Original Settlers. H3 CO o CD 03 EG C3 a o &c ||sl Number of Sections transferred to Now Settlers. Number of Sections forfeited and now selected under Ordinary Tenure. .3 Ifo B rj m g ' CD P 3 II CD O B3 Arrears of Rent and Interest, 1,159 28,368 614 275 120 Acres. 6,766 19,040 12,089 £ 2,693 2,134 1,648 s. a. 1 11

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In the blocks of land now being offered to the public it is the intention of the department to reserve, at convenient localities, sufficient areas to meet the wants of the smaller class of selectors, so that under one or other of the systems of village settlement they can obtain homesteads; whilst the progress of the surrounding country will, it is hoped, afford them an opportunity of obtaining some employment, without which so many of these settlements are partial failures. Crown Lands held ukdeb Pastokal Lease. A considerable area has been dealt with by the department during the period under considera tion—l37 runs, of a total area of 1,767,787 acres, having been relet. Ninety-seven of these are in Otago, and most of them are runs relet at reduced rentals. The opportunity has been taken, wherever practicable, of adjusting the boundaries to a more workable form, in accordance with-the features of the country. An attempt should be made as soon as possible to lease some of the commonages in the South Island, in order to secure a more effectual preventative of the rabbit-pest, which is daily increasing in magnitude, and is difficult and expensive to deal with under present arrangements. In connection with and in the interests of pastoral matters, a further extension of the rabbit-proof fence has been made in South Canterbury, of which the following is a brief description. So far, it has proved successful: — In October, 1887, a contract was entered into with E. W. Mills and Co., Wellington, to deliver forty-two miles of rabbit-fencing material at £87 2s. 6d. per mile. In September, 1888, a second contract was made with the same firm for forty-five miles, at £87 Is. 6d. per mile. The South Canterbury rabbit-fence, consisting of seventy-five miles, commences at a point on the left bank of the Tasman River about five miles above its junction with the Jollie Biver, and proceeds along the eastern bank of the Tasman Eiver until it reaches the northern shore of Pukaki Lake. The fence again starts at the southern shore of Pukaki Lake, and proceeds south-easterly across Tekapo Eiver to Gray's Hill Station; thence along the right bank of Stoney Creek to a point near and south-east of Bound Hill; ihen.ce in a south-westerly direction to a point on the left bank of the Waitaki Eiver about three miles above the junction of that river with the Hakateramea Eiver, where it terminates. The Akatarawa fence also consists of six miles, commencing on the left bank of the Waitaki Eiver about a mile and a half south of the junction of the Ohau Eiver with the Ahuriri Eiver, and proceeding south-east and south-west for a distance of six miles, to the W aitaki Eiver, where it terminates. It will thus bo seen that eighty-one miles have been erected, at a total cost of £11,308 12s. 3d., up to the end of May last, at which date it was estimated that a further sum of £1,100 would be required to complete the first fence. Aeeeabs. At the date of last year's report there were about 2,306 selectors indebted to the Crown for rents and instalments in the sum of £33,767, and owing to various causes these figures have considerably increased during the twelve months ended the 31st March last. As pointed out by my predecessor, many of these are only technically in arrear. All rents and instalments due to the Government are by law payable in advance, generally on the first days of January and July ; but very many selectors do not consider themselves in arrear so long as their payments are made some time within the six months before the next rent is due. Therefore, in considering the very large sum outstanding on the 31st March last this fact should be borne in mind, and especially so in the case of pastoral, deferred-payment, and small-grazing runs, the rents of which are only due on the Ist March preceding. The total amount of arrears due on the 31st March last was £44,553, an increase of £10,886 over that of the year previous; whilst the number of selectors in arrear had increased from 2,306 to 3,862. This increase is in a great measure due to the expectation on the part of the selectors of some relief being afforded them by Parliamentary action —for which, indeed, they had some warrant in the introduction of the Fair Bent Bill of last session—and is not due entirely to their inability to pay up; a fact which has lately been proved, as the result of measures threatened to be taken in the law-courts, the outcome of which was that some who had been in arrear for a long time came forward and paid up all that was due. Whilst there are many cases of undoubted hardship, where selectors have, through competition, during more favourable times, been induced to take up land at prices which are far above those at present ruling, there are also a large number who, but for the depression which has so lately prevailed in all agricultural matters, would have been quite equal to meeting their engagements. Under the more prosperous state of affairs which seems now to have set in, a large number of these arrears should be recovered without inflicting hardship on the selectors, whilst at the same time relief can be afforded in many cases by taking advantage of capitalisation or the extension of the licenses —in the case of deferred payment —for a further term of four years. By this latter means the deferred payment settler spreads his payment over fourteen instead of ten years. The Government has ordered a revaluation of most of the cases where payments were greatly in arrear, and this has proved that a certain measure of relief is demanded, but probably not to so great an extent as is generally supposed. The Commissioner of Crown Lands for Otago has furnished for his district a somewhat instructive return, which is briefly summarised here. Under all systems of deferred payment and capitalisation there were in arrear — 163 selectors owing one half-yearly instalment, 75 % „ „ two 66 „ „ three „ 55 „ „ four „ „ 37 „ „ five 22 „ „ six „ „ 8 „ „ seven „ „

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Under all systems of perpetual lease—■ 307 selectors owing one half-yearly instalment, 161 „ „ two „ 105 „ „ three 74 „ „ four „ „ 46 „ „ five „ „ 29 „ „ six 10 „ „ seven „ „ Thermal Springs. Until lately the Lands Department has had the control of the Botorua and Hanmer Plains hot springs, but since the Ist December last the Colonial Secretary's Department has assumed the entire charge of those at the first-named place, as it was found more convenient to manage them in connection with the hospital already under its administration. During the year a few town and suburban lots at Rotorua were offered for lease under the provisions of the Thermal Springs Act, resulting in the disposal of one town lot for £10 per annum and three suburban lots of ninety-five acres for an annual rental of £25, the proceeds of which go to the Maori owners of the soil. Hanmer Hot Springs and Baths. —These springs are now attracting the attention of those residing in the Middle Island as a resort for invalids suffering from rheumatism, sciatica, eczema, gout, or any scrofulous complaints. The medicinal and curative properties of the water from these springs are similar to those of the water at Eotorua, and are fully appreciated by all those who use them for the beneficial effects they produce; indeed, very few have come away without receiving considerable relief. Last year an additional bath-house, containing eight bath-rooms and two waiting-rooms, was erected in order to afford more accommodation to visitors and invalids. The two bath-houses, pools, and bath-keeper's residence are enclosed by a substantial wire-fence, and the grounds are laid with gravel-walks so that a carriage can bring invalids to the doors of the bathhouses, while the number of trees that are planted within the enclosure, and flowering shrubs along the sides of the gravel-paths, gives the place a pleasant appearance. The total cost of the improvements in connection with these springs is about £2,700. The number of baths taken last year was 4,277, and the revenue received amounted to £138. Seeing that the number of visitors is increasing year after year, and the accommodation for bathing is also improved, it is contemplated to place a married couple in charge of the bath-houses, so that lady visitors and invalids can have a female in attendance. Taupo Hot Springs. —During the year great improvements have been made in the two groups of hot springs under lease —the first to Mr. 3 oshua, the second to Mr. Boss—both gentlemen having incurred a heavy expenditure in improving, adorning, and making these sanatoria attractive to the public. Waiotapu Hot Springs. —ln this locality the Government has acquired a considerable area of land on which are a very great number of hot springs, fumaroles, lakelets —hot and cold—salses, and other volcanic wonders, which, now that the valley is opened up by a driving-road from Eotorua, will prove of very great interest and attraction to the tourist. State Fobests. The total area of forests reserved in the colony up to the 31st March last amounts to 1,385,104 acres, scattered in innumerable localities from end to end of the Islands, some of which are for timber-conservation, others for climatic purposes, and others again for the preservation of springs at the sources of streams. Since the abolition of the State Forest Department the continuance of its functions has devolved on the Land Department; but, with reduced means, very few works in extension of the previous operations have been undertaken : indeed, the efforts of the department have been directed more to the preservation of what had already been done than to incurring further responsibilities in the matter. The nurseries and plantations are at the following places : One at Papatawa, Whangarei; one at Kioreroa, Whangarei; one at Waerenga, Waikato; and another at Maniototo, Otago. The operations at each during the year are briefly summarised from the reports as follows :— Waerenga.— Operations have been confined to keeping the young trees free from overgrowth of fern, thinning out and pruning of black wattles, which in some parts have made an astonishing growth, planting out over five thousand oaks and many eucalypti to fill up gaps in last year's planting, altering some fences, gates, &c, and turning up and sowing with wattle and other trees a further area of thirty-four acres. Papatawa. —About one hundred and thirty thousand young seedlings of various kinds (mostly pines) were raised here; but, owing to the want of water, the fungus, and depredations of birds, about fifty thousand did not take. There are at present about a hundred thousand seedlings in the nursery. The area of cultivation has been further extended, and preparations made for seed-beds. Kioreroa. —A number amounting to eighty-three thousand three hundred young trees have been planted out in various parts of the reserve. They consist principally of acacias, jarrah, catalpa, eucalyptus, sumach, taxodium, oak, fruit, and miscellaneous. Further planting of seeds for future extension of the plantations has also taken place. The whole time of the nurseryman is taken up in these operations, and in keeping the native vegetation down in the parts already planted. Maniototo. —ln this place an area of 142 acres was fenced with rabbit-proof fencing and planted with various tree-seeds, which, ho'Vever, owing to the lateness of the season, all failed. Nothing whatever has been done to this reserve during the past year. In the State forests proper — i.e., those which contain valuable timber—the three Eangers in the North have continued their constant work of guarding against fire and trespass. Happily no fire of

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any consequence has taken place during the year, nor have any serious cases of trespass been reported except from Puhipuhi, in which instance proceedings were taken against the trespassers, and a verdict obtained, but with an amount of difficulty which points to the urgent need of an amendment in the State Forest Regulations. During the year an estimate of the amount of timber in the largest and most valuable forests of the North has been commenced; but, as it is not yet quite complete, no further reference is here made to it than to state that the great fire of 1887 destroyed over 75,000,000 ft. of fine kauri in the Puhipuhi Forest, all of which is yet available for profitable working if taken in hand soon. Setting on one side the actual monetary loss which may arise herefrom, the sight of this noble forest burnt, charred, and blackened, and utterly deprived of any green leaf, is one of the most melancholy possible to the lover of sylvan scenes. The ground is strewn thickly with a mass of fallen branches, with here and there a prost'fate stem, over which the eye wanders through vistas of magnificent columns in countless numbers, whose beautiful symmetry cannot but strike the most unobservant. It is in these fallen branches, saturated as they are with the kauri resin, that the great danger lies of future fires. Should_ the forest ignite again, the result will be that the trees themselves will burn. The denseness of the forest is something remarkable —it is not an uncommon thing to find from thirty to forty fine trees to the acre, though, of course, such a number cannot be taken as an average. With a more complete knowledge, it is found that some of the lands reserved as State forests contain no timber. In such cases it is proposed, where the land is suitable, to withdraw certain areas from reservation for settlement purposes. Nor need there be any fear in so doing that we are encroaching too much on the total area of forest in the colony, which indeed is larger, probably, than is generally conceived of. As bearing on the popular idea that forests have the effect of increasing the rainfall, the following quotation from the review of a work by Major Powell, the Director of the United States Geological Survey, is interesting, and goes somewhat towards proving that this prevalent idea is not quite in accordance with fact: "There is an opinion widely existing in the popular mind, and springing up in the popular literature of the West, which is contrary to this—namely, that the dryness of the climate (of the Western States) is the result of the lack of forests. An argument in favour of tree-planting and forest-culture is often based on this error. The effect of forests on rainfall has been investigated by many methods, in many countries, and at many times, and the result of all this investigation shows, according to Major Powell, that the presence or absence of trees influences the general rainfall or amount of precipitation only to a very limited extent. It is, in fact, not certain that their presence increases the rainfall, but it is certain that, if it does, the increase is so slight as to play but an insignificant part as a climatic factor. Yet forests, or abundant trees, exert an influence upon climate in its relations to agriculture : while it is not probable that forests diminish or increase the amount of rainfall in any country, yet it appears they regulate this rainfall .... and provide against its speedy evaporation."" The speedy utilisation of the Puhipuhi Forest seems to be desirable on all accounts, for, notwithstanding the constant watchfulness of the Banger, it is ever open to danger from fire ; whilst, at the same time, the burnt portion is rapidly deteriorating in value through the action of the worm. Its sale would also enable the Government to redeem the eight thousand pounds' worth of debentures issued under the State Forests Act. The licenses to dig kauri-gum within the State forests realised a sum of £254 10s. The illustrated work on the forest-trees of New Zealand undertaken for the department by Professor T. Kirk, F.L.S., has recently been published. In it will be found information of the most varied and exhaustive character bearing on our forest wealth, and which must prove of great utility to all engaged in pursuits dealing with our timbers in any shape or form. It is likely to remain the standard work on the subject. Since the publication of last year's report, Part I. of " A Manual of the Grasses and Forageplants' useful to New Zealand," by Mr. Thomas Mackay, has been published. This part treats of " The Foreign Grasses and Forage-plants which have been, or should be, cultivated in New Zealand," and has been very favourably reviewed by the leading newspapers of the colony, as well as by many practical farmers and stockowners, as a w Tork of great practical utility. Part 11., a portion of which is now in the hands of the printer, will treat of those kinds that are indigenous to New Zealand. Part 111. will give the particulars of the special experiments of a practical nature which are being carried on at the School of Agriculture, Lincoln, Canterbury, concerning the cultivation, as well as the respective nutritive values, of both imported and native kinds of grasses for pasture or fodder. The results of these experiments, it is expected, will establish full and reliable data on these important subjects for the future guidance of the agriculturists of New Zealand. Departmental. The increase in the number of selectors necessarily involves an augmentation of the clerical and other work performed by the Land Department staff; and it is greatly to the credit of all concerned, notwithstanding the reductions in their numbers and emoluments, that the work is kept fairly under. The account-keeping and correspondence in connection with the numerous and various kinds of tenure now in force is very great and ever on the increase. During the past year another edition of the Land Guide (No. IX.) has been published, and nearly three thousand copies distributed over the Australasian Colonies and India, to the ocean and intercolonial steamers, to newspapers, hotels, clubs, and to libraries innumerable.

* " Proceedings of the Eoyal Geographical Society," 1888, page 793.

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No. 1.—Summary of Lands disposed of from Foundation of the Colony, with Total Cash received, &c., for the Year ending 31st March, 1889.

No. 2.—Summary of Extent of Crown Lands absolutely disposed of for Cash, Scrip, or in any other Manner, during the Year ending 31st March, 1889.

8

Lands sold. Number of Acres. Rate per Acre. Consideration. Lands disposed of without Sale, by Grants, or in any other Manner. Land Districts. Town. Suburban, j Number of Purchases. Suburban. Number of Purchases. Rural. Number of Purchases. Rural. Cash. Scrip. Town. Auckland Hawke's Bay Taranaki Wellington Nelson Marlborough Canterbury Westland Otago Southland A. B. P. 5 0 7. 4 3 11 6 2 10 54 0 38 5 0 14 15 11 9 59 7 A. B. P. 9 1 12 18 2 35 13l""o 18 3"2 1 67 0 14 5 12 22 24 23 19 A. B. P. j 25,620 1 1 8,381 3 31 425 2 27 11,296 2 38 1,014 1 22 513 3 13 5,216 2 39 1,010 2 30 10,917 3 9 4,345 1 33 269 16 5 40 9 9 50 6 123 22 £ s. d. £ s. d. 30 0 0 5 10 0 36 10 9 {^ x l f] 16 10 9 29 6 8 3 0 0 37 6 0 3 0 0 24 16 7 4 0 0 40 0 0 30 4 1 4 8 0 48 8 0 3 12 £ s. d. 0 11 6 0 10 2 14 0 10 8 0 11 7 0 17 9 1 18 7 10 0 0 17 2 0 14 7 £ s. d. 10,678 3 9 4,862 7 7 591 17 7 12,312 10 4 781 15 0 473 2 7 10,437 7 9 1,268 4 6 14,971 16 0 3,898 10 3 £ s. d. 3,849 10 0 360 0 0 14 0 0 40 0 0 A. B. P. 69,763 0 29 1,133 0 16 1,887 1 0 6,147 3 13 4,191 0 10 16 1 9 2,376 2 27 808 2 0 874 1 39 5,621 0 32 30 "i 3/o 0 0 30 13 3 34 1 3 35 28 1 26 6 I 709' 13 0 307"3 1 220 3 5 420' 0 0 ■• Totals 122 0 22 x % 162 I 758 1 6 107 68,743 2 3 549 60,275 15 4 [5,393 3 0 92,819 2 15 Village settlement included.

Land Districts. Total Area sold. Total Area granted or reserved under Acts. Total Area sold or otherwise disposed of from the Foundation of the Colony. Total Cash received. Total Area remaining „ , , , . for Future Disposal, Total Area open for exclusive of Area Selection. in pr9Cedin „ Cohmm and of Native Lands. Auckland Hawke's Bay Taranaki Wellington Nelson Marlborough Canterbury Westland Otago Southland A. B. P. 1,707,294 2 36 1,033,257 0 4 196,876 0 27 1,687,068 1 24 1,056,568 3 35 785,256 3 21 3,008,919 2 20 53,795 3 22 1,976,383 0 26 1,353,227 1 37 A. B. P. 2,757,424 3 39 158,114 0 33 514,980 2 30 699,895 0 8 141,508 0 37 177,970 0 7 652,800 0 29 74,778 2 27 571,764 1 36 536,330 1 9 A. E. P. ?4,212, 951 0 21 *1,443, 139 3 11 711,856 3 17 2,386,963 1 32 1,198,077 0 32 963,226 3 28 3,661,719 3 9 128,574 2 9 2,548,147 2 22 1,889,557 3 6 £ s. d. 596,261 7 10 511,374 11 0 550,326 7 8 925,671 10 3 383,285 13 3 278,275 11 3 6,038,292 14 9 62.915 3 5 2,058,6S0 2 8 1,594,960 8 0 A. B. P. 137,874 2 0 31,420 0 30 09,456 0 0 110,793 1 22 5,784,183 3 8 520,000 0 0 3,515,681 2 2 82,853 2 0 182,803 1 37 5,613,547 3 8 A. " E. P. 2,467,100 1 1 399,915 3 33 575,560 0 0 1,017,187 1 18 1,070,000 0 0 1,468,967 2 3 2,834,331 3 31 7,323,667 0 0 Totals 6,285,566 3 15 19,144,215 0 27 '13,000,043 10 1 16,048,614 0 27 17,156,730 0 6 12,858,648 1 12 * An area of 251,768 aeri is 2 roods 14 perches was tri .nsf erred from Auckland t< Hawke's Bay.

No. 3.—Land selected up to 31st March, 1888.

2—C. 1.

C—1.

9

Land Districts. Nature of Selection. Number of : Number Appli- ; apcations j proved, made. Area selected. Average to each Selector. Fees payable Yearly. Land in Occupation under Previous Transactions. Total Land granted 1 for Conditions fulfilled. Total Land forfeited for'Breach of Conditions. Number of Acres. Rents paid. Auckland Deferred payment .. .. .. I 295 Perpetual* lease .. .. .', 54 Homestead special settlement .. ! 958 Special-settlement association .. j 56 Homestead .. .. .. .. j 543 Deferred payment .. .. ..! 1,104 Perpetual lease .. .. .. 90 Village settlement .. .. .. 64 „ homestead special settlement .. ! 30 Special-settlement association .. I 58 Deferred payment .. .. .. 1,655 Perpetual lease .. .. .. 302 Village settlement .. .. .. 291 „ homestead special settlement .. 1 Deferred payment .. .. .. 693 Perpetual lease .. .. 101 Village settlement .. .. .. 49 „ homestead special settlement .. | 213 Special settlement association .. | 050 Leasing Acts .. .. \ j 10-per-cent. clauses .. Reserves Mineral .. .. .. j Deferred payment .. .. .. j 37 Perpetual lease .. .. ) Village homestead special settlement | | Under section 135, Land Act .. ..' 1 Deferred payment .. .. .. | 738 Perpetual lease .. .. .. 28 „ small areas .. .. 20 Village settlement .. .. .. j 1.20 homestead special settlement .. > 248 Deferred payment .. .. .. j 175 Perpetual lease .. .. .. 41 Agricultural lease .. .. .. ; 67 Homestead .. .. I 67 Deferred payment, rural .. \ exchange.. I . iqfi pastoral .. I 4'1J8 suburban .. J I Perpetual lease .. .. .. 254 small areas .. .. y Capitalisation interest 217 54 604 56 543 949 90 64 21 58 1,155 149 136 1 603 101 49 143 650 172 879 95 51 35 A. E. P. 33,923 2 21 5,716 3 0 26,779 0 17 5,655 1 6 88,918 0 0 77,764 1 21 39,186 2 35 a. e. p. 156 1 0 94 3 0 44 1 13 100 3 8 163 3 0 81 3 30 435 1 'J.5 £ s. d. 3,313 15 4 A. B. P. £ s. d. A. B. P. 4,242 0 1 A. E. P. 3,461 0 2C * • • 5,655' 1 6 176' 16 6 Hawke's Bay .. 41,547 2 29 51,971 11 9 30,523 1 4 5,693' 1 28 792" 18 4 141 0 18 5,120 3 31 116,284 0 7 22,054 2 6 2,483 0 1 50 0 0 108,363 2 4 19,830 0 0 509 2 23 1,981 1 22 64,837 1 11 28,017 2 32 84,923 2 38 1,810 3 20 19,700 2 16 3,295 0 30 6 2 35 88 1 6 100 2 29 148 0 3 18 1 2 50 0 0 179 2 33 196 1 14 10 1 24 13 3 17 99 3 0 162 3 24 98 2 17 19 0 8 387 3 14 94 0 23 2612 1 996' 2 26 Taranaki 5,120 3 31 124,611 0 11 2,921 4 9 9,720 15 1 1 11 3 91,641 10 6 2,247 1 4 30,729' 0 15 10,126 2 24 2,717 0 3E 223 1 S 19,882 16 4 1,062 19 9 1,080 0 0 3 2 6 9.599 12 7 1,452 0 28 Wellington 65,729 1 6 2,480 2 C 19,830 0 0 509 2 23 33,096 2 21 208 16 6 4,496 7 0 Nelson 736 1 3 6,105 1 10 695 7 0 3,316 0 6 198 8 11 32,915 0 22 4,695 2 14 32,301 0 IS 10,062 0 29 84 2 2£ 8,785 2 11 466 3 E Marlborough .. 92' 0 0 21 337 2 36 16 0 12 18 9 0 236 0 5 20 4 4 101 2 31 Canterbury ' .. Westland 1 738 28 20 120 200 172 12 50 39 51 0 30 43,179 1 20 719 1 11 714 1 13 213 0 21 3,428 3 33 5,928 2 0 1,200 1 5 595 0 11 1,480 0 0 51 0 30 58 2 2 25 0 0 35 2 32 13 4 17 0 23 34 1 :-!4 105 0 3 11 3 25 38 0 0 2 12 0 12,589 13 2 27,209 3 14 2,151 3 32 731 0 15 213 0 21 6,274 1 18 3,997 3 25 1,260 1 5 180 3 32 730 0 0 46,199 17 0 338 9 5 107 16 1 I,5l6' 0 25 3,694 0 IS 701 8 7 66 11 9 99 12 6 3,787 15 0 205 19 3 124 11 3 902 2 4 1,028' 0 11 Otago 280 1 27 750 0 0 133' 2 27 1,614 317,510 3 23 196 2 35 7,975 6 0 127,763 2 9 187,226 16 1 82,534 3 23 107,320 2 1£ 254 9 60,866 3 10 39 2 14 239 2 21 4 2 3 2,4G3 3 5 89,615 2 16 39 2 14 5,363 17 11 1,718 6 8 V ..

G.—l.

No. 3.—Land selected during the Year ended 31st March, 1889— continued.

No. 3— continued. — Land selected during the Year ended 31st March, 1889.

10

Land Districts. Nature of Selection. Number of Applications made. Number approved. Average to Area selected. each Selector. Pees payable Yearly. Land in Occu previous Tr ipation under ansactions. Total Land granted for Conditions fulfilled. Total Land j forfeited for Breach of Cpnditions. Number of Acres. Rents paid. )tago Agricultural lease Village settlement Village homestead special settlement .. Homestead Deferred payment Perpetual lease „ small areas Village settlement homestead special settlement .. 6,093 4,139 A. B. P. 279,070 1 17 A. P.. P. 65 0 0 £, s. d. A. E. P. 280,202 1 0 307 0 20 1,779 3 26 2,860 0 0 £ s. d. 125,496 8 0 239 8 4 A. E. P. A. K. P. iouthland 61 22 1,975 16 61 22 1,406 16 918 3 14 172,334 0 39 5,206 0 35 15 0 0 122 2 11 32 2 0 14,498' 9 3 62,846 2 36 20,133 2 2 " dt M "29 73 "29 68 348 1 21 669 2 14 12 0 C 9 3 13 5,487 0 1 291 0 0 8,347 2 18 669 2 14 16 6 0 6,793 10 6 1,213* 0 3 654* 0 0 117 2 10 Totals 24,547 15,894 1,652,220 1 6 85,228 2 1 667,636 1 5 320,416 1 8 209,585 2 33 I

Auckland Hawke's Bay .. Taranaki Wellington Deferred payment Perpetual lease Village homestead special settlement .. Special-settlement association Deferred payment Perpetual lease Village settlement homestead special settlement .. Special-settlement association Deferred payment Perpetual lease Deferred payment village Village homestead special settlement .. Deferred payment Perpetual lease Village settlement perpetual lease deferred payment .. Village homestead special settlement .. Special-settlement associations Leasing under 500 acres 10-per-cent. clauses Reserves Mineral Perpetual lease Deferred payment Village settlement Perpetual lease SO 189 26 88 3 3 58 140 155 80 176 16 12 3 149 10 74 65 185 22 88 3 3 58 84 76 36 176 16 12 3 149 10 74 7,287 0 0 28,640 0 0 4,047 1 3 45,094 1 39 58 3 22 60 3 9 5,120 3 31 11,894 0 29 14,583 1 14 12,548 1 6 74,793 3 6 204 0 32 127 3 35 15 3 27 14,784 3 26 1,122 3 31 8,169 1 14 111 1 0 ; 154 3 <J 183 3 34 512 1 10 19 2 13 20 1 13 88 0 0 141 3 33 191 3 22 348 2 10 424 3 34 12 3 0 10 2 26 5 19 99 0 36 112 1 8 110 1 22 1,033 0 0 153 3 9 391 14 9 237 5 5 354 5 2 1,364 7 8 733 8 0 1,22012 8 33,923 2 21 34,356 3 0 26,779 0 17 41,547 2 29 39,186 2 35 68,795 0 35 22,252 2 6 675 1 12 50 0 0 1,033 0 0 551 14 9 248 14 0 308 16 1 5,689 19 3 2,258 5 6 354 5 2 82 17 10 673 16 0 10,447 14 3 1,404 9 2 205 17 0 3 2 6 6,503 16 4 3,640 11 2 36 16 2 314 2 11 310 5 0 8,868 15 1 { 808 15 8 I 7,044 5 11 1 892 16 8 ( 4,723 2 0 46 14 3 190 14 10 2 12 6 23 14 0 708 2 1 8,162' 2 39 5,390 0 15 111' 0 36 2,968 0 10 3,650 0 20 168' 3 26 685 2 20 443 0 0 20 0 0 269 1 8 10,527' 1 9 36 16 2 314 2 11 93,408' 3 30 Nelson 4l"l3 0 454 7 0 I 141,548 3 7 997 1 22 2,088 0 27 760 2 O 113 3 27 Maryborough .. G 2 3 2 5 6 2 3 5 8,290 0 0 806 2 33 221 0 0 13 1 4 643 0 34 1,381 2 26 403 1 16 73 2 26 6 2 22 128 2 22 414 10 0 93 8 6 17 1 11 5 5 0 33 3 0 2,736 1 25 4,268' 0 2051 0 30

C—l.

11

Marlborough .. .. j Canterbury .. .. I Westland Otago Village homestead special settlement .. Deferred payment Perpetual lease small areas Village homestead special settlement .. „ settlement Deferred payment Perpetual lease Agricultural lease Homestead Deferred payment, rural „ exchange.. „ pastoral suburban Perpetual lease „ small areas Capitalisation interest Agricultural lease Village settlement homestead special settlement .. Homestead .. .. .. Deferred paj'ment Perpetual lease „ small areas Village settlement perpetual lease „ homestead special settlement .. „ settlement 34 57 2 3 25 6 8 "31 7 "il7 34 57 2 3 25 2 "31 7 *117 782 3 24 5,783 1 8 74 0 18 85 0 0 185 1 22 93 0 0 5,876 2 16 1,535 0 32 21,892 2 12 23 0 0 133 3 25 37 0 9 28 1 13 7 1 26 46 2 0 189**2 10 219 1 10 187* 0 18 262 18 2 1,304 17 10 4 19 1 7 1 10 57 7 10 10 11 0 67011 6 230 14 0 236 0 5 27,209 3 14 1,942 1 11 3,497 3 25 739 2 9 180 3 32 40 0 0 68,012 3 31 9,238 1 37 29,317 3 9 65 0 13 89,672 1 26 39 2 14 20 4 4 5,814 10 0 632 17 10 112 19 6 558 14 4 2,110 2 8 221 3 7 17 9 7 31 0 0 2,670 8 11 620 3 6 619 19 2 41 6 2 2,771 11 7 9 3 0 1,532 8 10 1,123 14 10 316 19 2 73 5 11 69 1 9 *3,747 6 11 586 17 6 21 10 0 5 11 6 101 19 4 6,978 17 8 557* 2 10 250* 0 0 370 2 36 690 0 0 912 3 29 817 2 2 ? 65* 2 39 250 0 0 150 0 0 1,143*0 18 17,937* 3 23 93 0 - •• "ll 41 "ll 41 769 1 27 602 1 23 69**3 31 14 2 30 249' 5 2 282* 0 21 24* 3 39 2 1 39 Southland 46 51 2 4 15 16 39 51 2 4 15 16 2,964 1 25 12,296 1 3 84 3 0 72 1 32 183 2 21 194 1 35 - 121 1 5 241 0 16 42 1 20 18 0 18 12 0 39 12 0 24 322*18 4 247 13 4 2,860 0 0 85,100 0 29 8,526 3 17 291 0 9 5 11 6 508*15 3 669 2 14 1,434* 0 17 717 3 14 Totals for year ending 31st March, 1889 1,765 1,535 292,004 0 13 10,790 12 9 87,479 2 1 25,484 0 3 30,646 2 14 209,585 2 33 Totals up to 31st March, 1888 24,547 15,894 1,652,220 1 6 •• 85,228 2 1 667,636 1 5 320,416 1 8 Grand Total up to 31st March, 1889 26,312 17,429 1,944,244 1 19 96,018 14 11 755,115 2 18 345,900 1 11 240,232 1 7 * Includes £270 scrip.

C—l.

No. 4.—Particulars of Applications to exchange Agricultural Leases for Leases on Deferred Payments, and to convert Leaseholds into Freeholds, during the Twelve Months ending 31st March, 1889.

No. 5.—Number and Area of Pastoral Licenses issued during the Year ending 31st March, 1889.

* 1,400 acres at Cd. per acre, and 2,000 at Id.

No. 6. —Lands held under Pastoral License or Lease on 31st March, 1889.

12

'o exchange Ag: Leases on De ricultural Le; iferred Paymc a,ses lats. ror To convert Li saseholds into Freeholds. No. of Applications. Land Districts. No. of Applications. Extent. Extent cultivated. Land District. Extent. A. b. p. >tago A. B. P, 1,535 0 82 Nelson Westland Ofcago Southland 55 4 30 5G A. b. p.1 4,086 0 18' 370 2 36 2,627 3 13 3,240 1 20 350' 0 0 820' 0 18 Totals Totals 1,085 0 32 145 10,325 0 7 1,178 0 18 !

Land Districts. "o . U W Area. Rent License Fees (if any). Total, and Eent per Acre. Auckland Hawke's Bay Paranaki Wellington kelson .. klarlborough Canterbury Westland )tago .. Southland 2 3 A. It. P. 11,180 0 0 13,892 0 0 £ s. d. 26 0 0 71 0 2 £ s. d. 3 '8 0 £ s. d. 2G 0 0 74 8 2 '§■ acre. 2Jd. 2}d. 1 3 8 1 6 97 16 800 0 0 3,400 0 0 7,063 0 0 88 0 0 80,000 0 0 1,483,178 0 0 188,186 0 0 30 16 8 43 6 8 56 6 8 4 0 0 94 0 0 17,556 16 6 176 11 10 110 3 3 0 6 6 0 110 6 6 0 101 17 0 18 18 0 31 17 8 46 9 8 62 12 8 5 10 100 6 0 17,658 13 6 195 9 10 18Jd. l-9d. lid. 0-28d. 2-879d. ird. Totals 137 1,767,787 0 0 18,058 18 6 141 10 0 18,200 13 6

Land Districts. " 1i " " I Area Average Area approximately. to each. I* Kent paid. License I Fees. Total - Payments. Averagi per Acre. Auckland Hawke's Bay Faranaki vVellington kelson .. \larl borough Canterbury vVestland )tago Southland 25 11 A. It. p. 130,287 0 0 60,210 2 0 A. B. P. 6,0:53 0 0 7,349 2 20 £ s. d. 105 8 5 6l 10 i :"; i £ s. d. 0 3 0 £ s. d. 105 8 5 001 1 9 s. d. 0 2f o n 22 118 114 445 47 376 124 27,049 2 0 808,701 0 0 1,069,507 0 0 2,789,809 1 1 573,120 '0 0 4,414,814 2 26 1,181,949 0 0 1,220 2 4 6,853 0 0 9,381 0 0 6,269 1 19 12,194 0 0 11,741 0 0 9,531 0 0 347 13 9 9,302 0 6 8,372 11 3 49,043 18 0 500 5 10 74,016 7 11 5,780 1 0 22 1 0 6 6 0 110 17 2 11 116 11 0 18 18 0 039 14 9 9,302 0 6 8,378 17 3 49,044 19 0 523 8 9 74,732 18 11 5,798 19 0 o 's& 0 2^ 0 1-87 0 4£ 0 0-21 0 4-56 0 1* Totals 1,282 11,075,543 3 27 148,675 5 4 185 2 11 148,860 8 3

13

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No. 7. —Number and Area of Leases and Licenses, other than Agricultural and Pastoral, issued during the Year ending 31st March, 1889, and Revenue therefrom.

No. 8.—Number of Licenses revoked during the Year ending 31st March, 1889.

No. 9.— Return of Selectors under the Village Homestead Special-settlement Regulations, for the Year ended 31st March, 1889.

Land Districts. Object for which leased. Area leased. Rent and Royalties. Auckland .. Hawke's Bay Taranaki .. Wellington Nelson Marlborough Canterbury Westland .. Otago Southland.. A. E. p. £ s. d. 275 10 0 93 16 2 .27 17 2 20 0,-0 5,108 d 8 10 0 0* 100 7 0 328 15 6 191 13» 0 382 13 9 Miscellaneous 1,216 0 34 141 2 9 58 0 0 19,394 2 8 607 0 0 1,176 3 33 1,520 3 29 4,104 0 32 3,839 0 31 Pilot Reserve, Rangitikei Coal leases, royalties, timber and other leases .. Miscellaneous Totals 32,118 2 10 0,598 19 3 * And tithes.

Land Districts. Description of License forfeited or revoked. At Licensee's For Nonpayment o£ Pees. Noncompliance with and Violation of Conditions. Issued in Error. Total Number. Extent. Request. Auckland Hawke's Bay Taranaki Wellington Nelson .. Marlborough Canterbury Westland 3tago Southland Miscellaneous 3 2 5 7 2 18 46 14 4 2 10 2 4 10 8 2 7 0 44 62 109 26 A. B. p. 189 0 0 41,949 0 20 705 2 20 269 1 8 4,298 2 0 1,481 0 22 82,530 3 34 84,438 2 27 748,964 0 1 "2,191 0 2 4 26 16 85 10 10 12 Totals 114 98 66 278 967,017 1 20

,and Districts' 0.8 Area allotted. Average Average Amount advanced to Selectors. , 8 arro'^on^t to™?l. rinr Selectors March, 1889. &S&. A1^. F orHou S e,| FgBggi- | a^th. — -- —- Amount advanced to Selectors. Auckland .. Hawke'e Bay faranaki .. Wellington kelson ftlarlborough Canterbury Westland .. 3fcago Southland.. '3 '3 3 3 A. B. P. CO 3 30 A. B. P. 1 20 'i 13 s. d. £ s. d. £ s. d. .. 1,666 2 02,429 2 & 2 6 3 10-|' 940 0 0 809 16 11 £ s. d. '4,095 5 0 s s. a. 248 14 6 82 17 10 3 2 C 310 5 0 0 15 0 20 4 4 558 14 4 477 3 £ s. d. 1,326 14 4 5 40 IS' 3 27 5 19 1,749 16 11 '83 114 14 0 28 1 13! 10 0 0 2 6 220 0 0 1 78 15 0 3 6J 108 0 0' 86 13 9 ■ 10 0 0 1 i' 5 0 S ; '3 85 0 0 15 I is 183 2 1 I 12 '6 39: 298 ]5 0 194 13 9 73 5 11 101 19 4 *88 34 42' 7 3 45 17 0 Totals .. 24 I 24 345 1 27 : 2,944 2 6|3,404 8 2 6,348 10 8 1,398-11 4 631 1,536 2 1

.o—l.

No. 10.—Statement of Amounts due to the Crown on the 31st March, 1889, on account of Crown Lands held under any System of Deferred Payments.

No. 11.—Capitalisation.

14

Seleeto: ■s still Holding. Seleci ;ors in Arrear, 3: .st March, 1889. Districts, and Nature of Holding. a Acreage held. Amount to accrue inFuturo Instalments. Total Payments made to 31st March, 1889. I Area held. Amount of Arrears. Auckland— Rural Pastoral Hawko's Bay— Deferred payment .. Village, deferred payment Special-settlement associations. Pastoral Taranaki — Suburban and rural Village settlement Wellington— Deferred payment Village, deferred payment Special settlement Nelson— Sundry Acts Maiiborough— Deferred payment Canterbury— Village sections Small farms Rural Pastoral Westland— Deferred payment Otago— Deferred payment Agricultural lease Village homestead special settlement Small grazing-runs Southland— Eural, deferred payment.. Suburban, „ Village, Exchange, „ Pastoral, 169 5 249 86 57 4 750 26 259 60 788 928 34 A. K. p. 19,087 2 0 69,000 0 0 27,952 1 36 924 0 36 5,016 2 21 4,617 1 3 81,375 0 4 675 1 12 49,950 2 23 636 1 2 78,374 2 31 90,420 1 18 2,970 2 29 £ s. a. 1 18,882 1 0: 4,120 0 0 25,095 6 7 1,247 8 0 3,554 18 11 3,368 15 4 86,877 1 10 2,368 4 3 44,010 18 10 1,371 12 1 68,631 5 3 53,792 1 6 1,608 12 9 £ s. d. 13,181 8 8 : 2,466 10 11 I 14,466 0 9 635 12 8 1,696 1 3 2,010 14 1 135,038 19 2 ■ 9,956 8 7 34,460 17 2 984 7 4 17,390 8 6 37,655 8 6 1,533 11 8 491 5! 13 ll! 5' '2 195J 12 43 15 166{ 3 A. B. P. 10,807 2 0 09,000 0 0 1,484 3 22 72 2 30 417 0 14 2,400 0 0 20,C21 1 4 346 1 16 8,070 1 34 235 1 26 21,160 0 6 432 3 22 £ s. d.. 1,080 10 9 137 18 6 79 17 1 15 19 0' 20 10 4 57 15 0 1,931 11 9 43 3 6 383 18 10 77 18 6 1,269 19 7 11 11 9 82 175 40 8 33 3 G[ 2,655 3 12[ 6,763 2 20| 18,539 2 0 591 3 5, i 8,138 16 6 \ 13,073 4 71 15,352 0 4| 353 8 4 8,921 6 2i 7,987 3 5 5,386 17 1 13 36 16 6 10 598 2 35 2,378 2 2 1 18 16 0 356 2 10 390 12 0 83 3,590 3 25 2,693 8 6 2,249 2 6 50 2,481 3 34 120 7 6 547 105 79 114,930 2 22 9,338 3 36; 1,038 2 22| 129,848 0 41 ; 13,306 19 t 42 7 3 61,850 8 5, 3,239 0 3 120 19 5 426 54 33 98,200 3 3. 7,232 3 1 549 3 38 ;11,785 6 6 | 1,391 13 5 42 7 3 116 263,331 2 19 1,644 6 6 11,377 2 4 42 91,858 3 19 1,644 6 6 408 139 148 5 3 76,658 1 11 1,168 0 27 2,374 2 29 312 1 35 7,423 0 0 86,262 11 9 3,469 10 6 3,590 17 4 125 19 7 6,951 4 11 49,262 1 8 3,416 17 2 2,886 1 11 258 3 10 1,358 8 10 367 114 118| i 69,946 1 34: 930 0 38 1,997 2 31 217 0 6 7,423 0 0 10,240 11 10 1,145 6 3 975 5 6 26 6 4 1,554 6 3 Totals 5,353 939,161 0 39 600,018 17 4 430,143 10 2 1,795 418,870 3 15 34,802 2 9

Number of Application: Board. made to the Number of Applications granted by the Board. Land Districts. Amount due under the Deferred-pay-ment System. Number. Area. Amount due under the Deferred-pay-ment System. Amount due under Capitalisation System. Number, j Area. Auckland Hawke's Bay Paranaki Wellington Nelson .. Marlborough Canterbury Westland Dtago Southland • ■ S 5 3 33 51 63 38 24 6 A. E. P. 801 2 10 408 0 4 2,838 3 1 6,411 2 7 £ s. a. 826 10 4 285 3 11 2,557 19 1 5,556 1 9 ! i 5 3 33 51 A. B. P. 801 2 10 408 0 i 2,838 3 1 6,411 2 7 £ s. a. 826 10 4 285 3 11 2,557 19 1 5,556 1 9 M, s. d. 3,108 1 6 250 13 4 2,063 8 6 4,587 9 1 3,283 3 0 2,876 1 31 3,310 B 25 1,010 1 1 9,445 13 6 2,768 18 4 3,848 15 5 1,328 6 9 j 63 38 24 6 3,283 3 0 2,876 1 31 3,310 0 25 1,010 1 1 9,445 13 6 2,768 18 4 3,848 15 5 1,328 6 9 8,003 3 0 2,268 9 4 3,104 18 6 1,121 19 8 Totals 223 20,940 1 39 20,617 9 1 223 20,940 1 39 26,017 9 1 24,508 2 11 i

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No. 12.—Return of the Number of Perpetual Leases taken up during the Year ended 31st March, 1889.

15

Districts. Number of Holdings. Area. Re: ital. Total Rents received during the Twelve Months, both from Land taken up during Previous Years and during the Current Year. Area taken up Previous Years. Total Area now | in Occupation mder Perpetuallease System. Selectors in Arrear, 31st March, 1889. 1!> Upset. Obtained. Number of Holdings. Amount of Arrears. Area. Number. Area held. A. B. P. £ s. d. £ s. a. £ s. A. A. B. P. A. B. P. A. e. p. £ s. d. Auckland 185 28,640 0 0 0 0 9 0 0 9 551 14 9 54 5,116 3 0 34,356 3 0 29 5,640 0 0 182 10 1 Hawke's Bay 88 45,094 1 39 0 0 9 0 0 9 2,258 5 6 90 39,186 2 35 84,281 0 34 13 3,433 3 7 104 0 0 Taranaki 76 14,583 1 14 0 11 Oil 1,404 9 2 150 22,252 2 6 33,355 2 25 57 9,308 3 13 400 14 10 Wellington 170 74,793 3 G 0 0 11 0 0 11 3,640 11 2 101 19,830 0 4 105,465 2 7 46 6,897 1 13 481 15 2 Nelson 2 806 2 33 0 2 2 0 2 3 46 14 3 806 2 33 Marlborough 5 043 0 34 0 10 3 0 10 3 23 14 0 51 0 30 694 1 24 Canterbury 57 5,783 1 8 0 1 4» 0 1 4f 1,304 8 8 30 1,942 1 11 6,552 3 24 16 1,515 0 21 112 1 1 Westland .. 14 4 7 1 60 0 0 739 2 9 8 532 1 32 24 5 7 Otago 117 21,892 2 12 0 0 10} 0 0 10J 2,771 11 7 395 89,672 1 26 87,214 1 24 231 50,328 3 34 3,835 9 11 Southland.. 51 12,296 1 3 0 O 9| 0 0 9| 468 9 11 39 8,526 3 17 20,053 1 8 40 8,913 2 2 420 2 6 Totals .. 757 440 86.570 0 2 5,560 19 2 204,533 2 29 12,484 3 7 860 186,587 2 19 373,520 1 28

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No. 13. —Return of Homestead Lands selected, &c., during the Year ending 31st March, 1889.

No. 14. —Return of Crown Grants, Schedules, Certificates of Titles, &c., issued from 1st April, 1888, to 31st March, 1889.

No. 15.—Return of Special Settlements under Clause 163 of "The Land Act, 1885," for the Year ending the 31st March, 1889.

16

FreehoL Is acquired. Fo: :feitures. Landr-Districts. Number of Selectors. Area. Number of Selectors. Area. Number of Selectors. Area. Auckland lawke's Bay ?aranaki Wellington Telson .. <f arlborough Janterbury Vestland )tago Southland 11 A. it. p. 1,050 0 0 A. E. P. 4,081 2 10 A. E. P. 710 0 0 27 5 19 690' 0 0 • 'i eg' l 9 Totals 11 46 4,771 2 10 1,050 0 0 779 1 9

Land Districts. Number Number of of Acres Grants, in Grants. O cc CD ?~\ i—i IN ; Area in | Schedules. •4-t r/j Total Area ° S in Giants J o and g S Schedules. 3 g si 6° o R 6° S g ■s<s .2 "3 P^ Auckland Hawke's Bay .. Taranaki Wellington Nelson Marlborough Canterbury Westland Otago Southland 129 56 2 7 1 Acres. 24,021 13,716 1S7 1,906 21 130 20 13 38 7 3 30 Acres. 78,075 110,172 7,118 109,781 3,966 908 17,568 Acres. 102,096 123,888 7,305 111,687 3,987 908 18,389 511 171 100 197 96 14 274 81 233 128 .5 "l 6 2 1 2 *32 "821 *9 'is 1 "ll4 *32 12 21j 231 14,181 21,345 14,181 *3 Totals .. 246 40,786 285 363,000 403,786 1,805 j 20 * Less than an acre.

Land Districts. Survey District. Name of Special Settlements. Total Area ol Block. o . •° S a" Average Area ot each Selector. Price per Acre. Total Amount received to Slst March, 1889. Onewhero .. Norsewood .. A. B. P. 186 0 10 3,221 1 39 1,899 1 32 101 3 0 4,560 0 0 3,074 3 32 7,048 0 34 A. E. P. 93 0 5 97 2 19 75 3 36 101 3 0 m o 20 96 0 15 100 0 30 £ s. d. 10 0 10 0 12 6 10 0 1 10 0 1 10 0 10 0 £ s. a. 308 16 1 .uckland lawke's Bay .. Tuakau Waipawa Danevirke Feilding Woodville-Mangatairtoka Masterton-Hawera Pemb^rton 2 33 25 1 46 32 70 | 696 0 5 Wellington Apiti Mangahao .. 10 3 6 684 0 0 461 5 0 705 0 0 Apiti Totals 20,091 3 27 209 |2,865 S 0

3—C. 1

C.—l.

No. 16.—Return of Village-settlement Lands disposed of for Cash and on Deferred Payments during the Year ending 31st March, 1889.

17

Cash. Deferred Payments. Small-farm Sections. Freehold acquired. Forfeitures. Village Sections. Small-farm Sections. Village Sections. Village. Small Farm. Village. Small Farm. „> '— i • c.2 Area. Amount realised. S.2 a! Area. Amount realised. 08 Area. ■g to ■§"§ Area. realised during the Year. 8.2 Area. "o ra 11 Area. ■% -g Area. j 21 Area. A. B. p. £ s. d. A. R. p. £ s. d. A. H. P. A. E. P. £ s. d. A. E. P. A. K. P. I A. B. P. A. E. P. Auckland ., •• I .• Hawke's Bay .. 6 3 18 38 0 0 3 58 3 22 354 5 2 2 2 0 0 6 49 0 5 , i 110 Taranaki 6 5 1 15 55 0 0 235 13 6 16 111 0 36 • 20 0 0 Wellington 55 50 3 32 355 10 0 22 131 0 18 189 0 0 12 127 3 35 314 2 11 - Nelson i Marlborough .. 1 0 2 0 5 0 0 1 6 0 3G 21 14 4 i 2 13 1 4 2 12 6 I Canterbury 12 9 2 8 201 0 0 14 97 1 30 360 12 0 14 10 1 29 11 174 3 33 57 7 10 14 4 1 19 43 387 0 29 1 0 10 3 9 2 33 Westland " ! i Otago 2 2 0 0 10 0 0 15 214 0 22 178 13 8 41 602 1 23 323 9 3 6 24 3 39 .. I Southland 3 0 3 5 23 15 0 8 143 1 2 35S 3 6 16 194 1 35 508 15 3 ■■ i i 25 221 0 14 4 63 3 14 I I I i Totals 60 I 592 0 28 1,108 3 6 14 10 1 29 « 6 1 19 96 793 2 3 i 0 10 9 S3 72 1 28 688 5 0 85 1,171 3 32 1,796 6 5 94 3 7

C.—l.

No. 17.—Return of Village-settlement Lands disposed of on Perpetual Lease during the Year ended 31st March, 1889.

No. 18.—Return of the Number of Selectors of Small Areas on Perpetual Lease, under Clause 161 of "The Land Act, 1885," for the Year ended 31st March, 1889.

No. 19.—Return of Small Grazing Runs taken up during the Year ended 31st March, 1889.

* Exchanged from pastoral deferred payment. [Approximate Cost of Paper.— Preparation, nil; printing (1,800 copies), £21 ss.]

By Authority: Geoegb Didsbuey, Government Printer, Wellington.—lBB9.

18

Forfeitures. Yillago Sections. Small-farm Sections. Amount realised Village. Small Farm. Districts— No. of Selections. Area. No. of Selections. Area. during the Year. No. ol Selections. Area. No. of Selections. Area. A. B. P. A. B. P. & s. a. A. R. P. A. B. P. Auckland Hawke's Bay Taranaki Wellington Nelson .. Marlborough Canterbury Westland Otago Southland " 2 2 0 0 16 ii 204 0 32 300 *2 39 3G 16 2 21 '(3 8 t * • ' » "s 4 42 *2 27 Y2 1 32 13 3 5 11 6 Totals 2 34 620 0 10 2 0 0 64 17 7

Eental. Area taken up in previous Years. Total Area now in Occupation Number of Holdings. Area. Total Land Districts. Upset. Obtained. lent m paii at Area. 2 a OS H"" Area. A. B. P. £ s. a. £ S. d. £ s. a. A. B. P. A. B. P. iuokland lawko's Bay Janterbury .. Vestland Southland .. "i 2 57" 3 14 74 0 18 9 18* 2 9 18 2 5 15 10 4 19 1 3 5 0 21 10 0 19 3 6 731 0 15 140 0 0 291 0 9 7 21 3 8 57 3 14 805 0 33 140 0 0 375 3 9 "2 84 3 0 0 2* 2 0 2 2 Totals.. 11 216 2 32 35 9 11 28 1,162 0 24 39 1,378 3 li

Land Districts. o S Area. 4^ Is •4 Total ltent received during the Twelve Months ended 31st Mar., 1889. Area taken up during previous Years. at 62 Area. Total Area in Occupation. A: sist: ■rears on March, 1889. H Area. No. Amount. mckland lawke's Bay 'aranaki ¥ellington larlborough !anterbury Vestland )tago .. iouthland 7 14 4 17 3 5* A. B. P. 16,385 0 0 38,997 0 26 3, 1G4 0 0 10,441 0 1 1,172 0 0 10,142 0 0 s. el. 0 3 0 If 0 3J 0 li'l 0 3 £ s. d. 76 14 0 695 6 8 41 1 8 1,175 13 8 18 14 7 205 15 6 26 2 51 3 2 A. [B. P. 55,195* 0 1 1,617 0 0 50,257 1 37 1,029 0 0 3,207 3 27 7 40 6 68 6 7 A. H. P. 10,385 0 0 94,192 0 27 4,781 0 0 00,698 1 38 2,201 0 0 13,349 3 27 13 2 32 1 £ s. d. 336 2 10 20 4 3 643 17 i 2 10 3 31 81,350 3 3" *0-7 5,554**3 0 97 1 205,695* 0 29 200 0 0 116 1 203,331 2 19 200 0 0 42 1 1,644* 6 6 7 10 0 Totals 81 161,652 0 22 7,767 9 1 182 317,201 2 14 251 455,339 0 31 96 2,654 11