"LAND FOR SETTLEMENTS ACT, 1894" (REPORT ON).

Appendix to the Journals of the House of Representatives, 1897 Session II, C-05

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Sess. 11.—1897. NEW ZEALAND.

"LAND FOR SETTLEMENTS ACT, 1894" (REPORT ON).

Presented to both Houses of the General Assembly in compliance with Section 39 of " The Land for Settlements Act, 1894."

The Land Purchase Inspectoe to the Hon. the Minister op Lands. Sib, — Department of Land for Settlements, Wellington, 26th July, 1897. I have the honour to report on the transactions under " The Land for Settlements Act, 1894," for the twelve months ending the 31st March, 1897. There were twenty meetings of the Board held during the year for business in the following land districts, viz.—Auckland, 1 ; Hawke's Bay, 3 ; Wellington, 3 ; Nelson, 1; Marlborough, 1; Westland, 1; Canterbury, 7 ; Otago, 3. One hundred and forty-eight estates, of a total area of 681,243 acres, were offered during the year. Of that area, about one-third was declined or not recommended, as being unsuitable for close settlement; 75,561 acres were withdrawn shortly after being offered ; 300,000 acres are still under consideration; and thirty-one estates, comprising an aggregate area of 71,600 acres, were recommended for purchase at prices fixed by the Board and approved by the Government. Offers to purchase were accordingly made to the owners of these estates, with the result that seventeen accepted, representing a total area of 51,536 acres, at a cost of £251,571. The actual outlay in the twelve months in the purchase of land was £300,159, for fifteen estates, of a total area of 61,333 acres. The negotiations for the greater part of this laud had been wellnigh completed the previous year, although the actual close of the various purchases was made in the year under review. The total purchases completed up to the 31st March, 1897, since the commencement of the land-purchase system are thirty-eight estates, of a total area of 118,553 acres, costing £520,541. If to that be added seven estates, of an area of 19,902 acres, agreed to be purchased for at the above date, the total will be forty-five estates, of an area of 138,455 acres, costing in purchasemoney £624,125. The cost of roading, surveying, and administration is £24,111 additional. It is satisfactory to state that these large transactions have all been negotiated in the ordinary course of buying and selling, without having recourse to the compulsory powers of the Act, with the single exception of the acquisition of the Ardgowan Estate, of 4,241 acres. It has, however, been decided to acquire the Hatuma or Woburn Estate, near Waipukurau, comprising about 27,000 acres, under the compulsory provisions of the Act. Negotiations for a part and then for the whole of the estate having both failed on the question of price, it has become necessary to take steps to refer the matter to the Compensation Court for decision. This is proving a very tedious business, because of the owner being non-resident in the colony. During the year the classification of the Crown lands held under pastoral lease in the Marlborough Land District was undertaken by the Surveyor-General, the Commissioner of Crown Lands for the district, and myself. We dealt with twenty-nine runs, covering about 867,000 acres. In the early occupation of this country, and before almost any of the present occupiers came into possession, their predecessors availed themselves of the opportunity of acquiring the freehold of the flats, low-lying slopes, and other key-points, so as, by the purchase of a comparatively small area, to virtually secure the command of a much larger area of Crown lands. It therefore became necessary for the future beneficial occupation of these lands to review the position, recast and adjust many boundaries, and provide suitable access by exchange of lands. This latter was done in seven cases, whereby 29,880 acres of freehold lands were relinquished for 54,500 acres of Crown lands, to the mutual advantage of both; in the one case in the consolidation of properties, and in the other of securing better access and setting free 67,000 acres of land suitable for farms and small grazing-runs. There still remains a good deal of scope for further exchanges, and, partly with I—C. 5.

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that view and partly with the idea of purchasing some of the freeholds still intermixed with the Crown lands, arrangements have been made whereby negotiations may be entered on at any time for further consolidations or purchases as circumstances may warrant ; meanwhile the above area has been reserved for settlement to meet the demand for land which is said to exist in the Kaikoura and Wairau districts. In that part of the Wairau known as North Bank, included within a proclaimed goldfield, care was taken to conserve the mining interests, and to further them by special agreement in respect of facilities for water-supply and tail-races through freehold lands. The amendment of the Act passed 16th October, 1896, gives the Land Boards somewhat of the power and discretion that would be exercised by a private landlord in similar circumstances, of selecting from the applicants for land those who, from experience and the possession of adequate means, would be most likely to prove satisfactory tenants, and maintain without deterioration the improved lands they are placed in possession of. This power of discrimination reduces very much the chances of the ballot placing valuable lands in the hands of those who, from want of the above qualifications, while doing no good for themselves, would most certainly deteriorate the property of the State. The other provisions of the Amendment Act which may be noticed are the authority to acquire low-lying lands for homestead-sites for the working of any neighbouring high-lying or high pastoral land, and the acquiring of land for workmen's homes. With regard to procuring homestead-sites, two applications were made to the department to negotiate for suitable land for that purpose, but only in one case was the negotiation successful; in the other the price asked by the owner of the land was higher than the applicant was willing to pay rent on at 5 per cent, on the capital cost, as required by the Act. Considerable attention has been given to the obtaining of land for workmen's homes, especially in the vicinity of the four principal population centres—viz., Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch, and Dunedin—but so far with little result, the owners of suitable land either refusing to sell, or, if willing, asking prices too high in the opinion of the Land Purchase Board for tenants to pay a rental of 5 per cent. on. It is further recognised that if the scheme of settling workmen on land a few miles from their daily work is to be successful it is imperative that the land be selected near to the railway-lines, where the times of the ordinary train-services can be made to suit the convenience of the men travelling to and from their work and their homes. It will be necessary to extend the operations of the Act beyond the limit of the 31st March, 1899, as now fixed, if the negotiations for the acquisition of certain large estates under offer are to be gone on with, otherwise some of these negotiations must be dropped, and no further business entered on that cannot be completed by that date. Appended hereto is the information as above supplied given in a tabular form, viz. : — Table A.—Eeturn of all lands offered to the Government, and how dealt with, from the Ist April, 1896, to the 31st March, 1897. Table B. —Eeturn of lands recommended for purchase by the Board of Land Purchase Commissioners to the 31st March, 1897. Table C.—Statement of lands acquired to the 31st March, 1897. Eeport of the Surveyor-General on the " condition and settlement " of lands acquired. I have, &c, James McKeeeow, Chairman of Board of Land Purchase Commissioners and Land Purchase Inspector. The Hon. John McKenzie, Minister of Lands.

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TABLE A.—Return of all Lands offered to Government under "The Land for Settlements Act, 1894," and how dealt with, from 1st April, 1896, to 31st March, 1897.

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Land District where Land situated. Area offered. Price asked per Acre. Area declined without going to Board. Area not recommended by Board. Area recommended by Board. Offer accepted or rejected by Owner. Eemarks. Auckland A. e. p. 163 0 0 300 0 0 3,500 0 0 21,700 0 0 55,016 0 0 12,498 0 0 4,850 0 0 2,000 0 0 16,730 0 0 483 0 0 1,734 0 0 849 0 0 22,804 0 0 2,711 0 0 8,708 0 0 5,670 0 0 9,954 0 0 2,729 0 0 6,247 0 0 4,102 0 0 1,028 0 0 6,528 0 0 8,106 0 0 90 0 0 6,909 0 0 3,100 0 0 620 0 0 £ s. d. 1 12 6' 3 0 0 2 5 0 3 0 0 4 0 0 4 10 0 1 11 0 2 10 0 3 10 0 A. B. P. 163 0 0 300 0 0 A. B. P. 16,730 0 0 483 0 0 849 0 0 A. E. P. 2,711 0 0 Paeroa leaseholds. Land not suitable. Under consideration. Land not suitable. Under consideration. Land not suitable. Under consideration. Vendors would not accept offer. Under consideration. - • \> ■■ ; i : 4,102 0 0 1,028 0 0 6,528 0 0 Vendors would not accept offer. " 8,106 0 0 Accepted Vendors accepted offer made. Declined at present. Land not suitable. Under consideration. Vendors would not accept offer. Land not suitable. 0 14 6 90 0 0 ' 5 0 0 620 0 0 3,100 0 0 - Total 209,129 0 0 553 0 0 26,788 0 0 17,469 0 0 Under consideration, 164,319 acres. Hawke's Bay 732 0 0 430 0 0 2,414 0 0 18,685 0 0 337 0 0 6,072 0 0 4,700 0 0 2,558 0 0 321 0 0 2,260 0 0 254 0 0 5,871 0 0 310 0 0 732 0 0 430' 0 0 Accepted Land subject to flood. Purchase complete. Land not suitable. Declined, as title not complete. Purchase complete. Board could not make offer vendor; part of a former offer. Land not suitable. 5 15 0 4 0 0 25 0 0 3 0 0 1 18 3 12 2 4 2,414 0 0 18,685 0 0 6,072 0 0 4,700 0 0 2,558 0 0 321 0 0 337' 0 0 Accepted 7 17 Under consideration. 2 5 0 20 0 0 5,87l' 0 0 310 0 0 Land not suitable. Carried forward 44,944 0 0 732 0 0 . • • 40,931 0 0 767 0 0

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TABLE A.—Return of all Lands offered to Government under "The Land for Settlements Act, 1894," and how dealt with, from 1st April, 1896, to 31st March, 1897— continued.

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Land District where Land situated. Area offered. Price asked per Acre. Area declined without going to Board. Area not recommended by Board. Area recommended by Board. Offer accepted or rejected by Owner. Eemarks. A. B. P. 44,944 0 0 177 0 0 220 0 0 5,300 0 0 18,664 0 0 £ s. d. A. E. P. 732 0 0 A. B. P. 40,931 0 0 177 0 0 A. B. P. 767 0 0 I Brought forward Hawke's Bay ' 24 0 0 2 10 0 220 0 0 Accepted Land not suitable. .. Purchase complete ; supplementary to a larger area. Included in larger area ; now under consideration. Under consideration. 210 0 Total 69,305 0 0 I 732 0 0 I 41,108 0 0 I 987 0 0 Under consideration, 26,478 acres. •• Wellington 745 0 0 1,090 0 0 1,265 0 0 1,523 0 0 331 0 0 207 0 0 9 0 0 1,900 0 0 9 15 0 10 15 0 4 5 0 12 0 0 15 0 0 1,265 0 0 1,523 0 0 331 0 0 Accepted { Withdrawn by vendor. Land not suitable. .. : Owner accepted price offered. Under consideration. Petition to acquire. Under consideration. 386' 0 0 7 10 0 •• •• Total 7,070 0 0 2,788 0 0 331 0 0 | Under consideration, 2,116 acres; 1,835 acres withdrawn. Nelson 14,188 0 0 125 0 0 9 0 0 0 3 6 14,188 0 0 Land not suitable. Under consideration. Land not suitable for purposes of Act. 200 0 0 9 0 0 •• • ■ Total 14,322 0 0 •• 14,197 0 0 ' Under consideration, 125 acres. i •• •• I Marlborough 9,606 0 0 7,014 0 0 860 0 0 320 0 0 9,600 0 0 Land not suitable. 3 0 0 10 0 7,0U 0 0 860 0 0 320 0 Owner accepted offer. 3 0 0 • • •• Total 17,800 0 0 ■• 7,874 0 0 9,606 0 0 320 0 0 Westland 20,871 0 0 15 0 Under consideration. I •• •• Total 20,871 0 0 ■• ,. j Under consideration, 20,871 acres. ■Canterbury 767 0 0 880 0 0 856 0 0 40 0 0 367 0 0 880 0 0 856 0 0 400 0 0 Ownei refused price offered. Land not suitable. 23 0 0 12 0 0 4 10 0 35 0 0 •• •• 40 0 0 Owner refused price offered. •• Carried forward 2,543 0 0 •• 2,103 0 0 440 0 0

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TABLE A.—Return of all Lands offered to Government under "The Land for Settlements Act, 1894," and how dealt with, from 1st April, 1896, to 31st March, 1897— continued.

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Land District where Land situated. Area offered. Price asked per Acre. Area declined without going to Board. Area not recommended by Board. Area Offer accepted recommended or rejected by by Board. Owner. Eemarks. A. B. P. 2,543 0 0 5,190 0 0 104 0 0 275 0 0 198 0 0 340 0 0 95 0 0 100 0 0 4,810 0 0 19,490 0 0 17,860 0 0 36 0 0 300 0 0 95 0 0 39 0 0 360 0 0 50 0 0 50 0 0 960 0 0 7 0 0 245 0 0 254 0 0 218 0 0 184 0 0 636 0 0 1,000 0 0 4,015 0 0 60 0 0 11,973 0 0 2,033 0 0 1,967 0 0 77 0 0 39 0 0 72,048 0 0 30 0 0 1,630 0 0 73 0 0 198 0 0 326 0 0 494 0 0 1,121 0 0 3,510 0 0 409 0 0 £ s. d. A. E. P. A. E. P. 2,103 0 0 A. B. P. 440 0 0 Brought forward •Canterbury 5 0 0 30 0 0 12 0 0 18 0 0 Under consideration. Offer withdrawn. Laud not suitable. 275 0 0 198 0 0 340 0 0 39 0 0 6 15 0 3 10 0 4 0 0 100 0 0 95 0 0 4,810 0 0 19,490 0 0 Vendors refused price offered. Land not suitable. Vendors refused offer made. Purchase not quite complete ; 19,310a. 3r. 38p. purchased. Land not suitable. 17,860 0 0 Accepted 30 0 0 30 0 0 36 0 0 95' 0 0 300 0 0 Rejected Vendor refused price offered, Land not suitable. Owner accepted offer made. Offer withdrawn. Land not suitable. 12 0 0 39 0 0 Accepted 50 0 0 50 0 0 12* 0 0 26 0 0 30 0 0 11 0 0 10 0 0 5 0 0 2 17 6 5 10 0 5 0 0 2 0 0 7 10 0 7 10 0 73 0 0 25 0 0 4 4 0 4 0 0 7 0 0 65 0 0 18 0 0 7 0 0 245 0 0 Rejected Offer withdrawn. Not suitable for purpose intended. Owner refused price offered. Offer withdrawn. Owner refused price offered, 218' 0 0 184 0 0 Rejected 636' 0 0 1,000 0 0 Land not suitable. 60 0 0 11,973 0 0 4,015 0 0 Accepted Owner accepted price offered ; purchase complete. Land not suitable. •• 2,033 0 0 1,967 0 0 Accepted Rejected Owner accepted price offered. Owner refused price offered. Land not suitable. Owner refused price offered. Offer withdrawn. Owner accepted price offered. Under consideration. Purchase complete. Under consideration. 77 0 0 39' 0 0 Rejected 30 0 0 Accepted 73' 0 0 Accepted 1,121 0 0 3,510 0 0 Accepted Owners accepted price offered. " Under consideration. Carried forward 12,989 0 0 155,442 0 0 21,871 0 0 38,609 0 0

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TABLE A.—Return of all Lands offered to Government under "The Land for Settlements Act, 1894," and how dealt with, from 1st April, 1896, to 31st March, 1897— continued.

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Land District where Land situated. Area offered. Price asked per Acre. Area declined without going to Board. Area not recommended by Board. Area recommended by Board. Offer accepted or rejected by Owner. Eemarks. Brought forward Canterbury « *•• A. E. P. 155,442 0 0 1,350 0 0 701 0 0 3,802 0 0 1,093 0 0 128 0 0 16,473 0 0 5,000 0 0 789 0 0 5,714 0 0 551 0 0 400 0 0 354 0 0 £ s. d. 10 10 0 10 0 0 4 14 8 3 17 8 7 10 0 4 2 t> A. B. P. 12,989 0 0 A. B. P. 21,871 0 0 i "' A. E. P. 38,609 0 0 Under consideration. 3 5 0 5* 0 0 l Total 191,797 0 0 I 38,609 0 0 Under consideration, 44,602 acres ; withdrawn, 73,726 acre: •■ 12,989 0 0 21,871 0 0 Otago Accepted Purchase not quite complete. 219 0 0 11,338 0 0 800 0 0 1,300 0 0 871 0 0 4,038 0 0 300 0 0 400 0 0 67,059 0 0 2,185 0 0 355 0 0 162 0 0 1,441 0 0 886 0 0 1,100 0 0 466 0 0 18 0 0 7 5 0 2 5 0 8 0 0 15 0 4 10 0 4 0 0 2 10 0 5 0 0 1,300 0 0 67,059 0 0 2,185 0 0 •• 800 0 0 871 0 0 4,038 0 0 300 0 0 400 0 0 219 0 0 11,338 0 0 Land not suitable. Land inspected and found unsuitable. Land not suitable. 4 0 0 3 5 0 3 5 0 355' 0 0 162 0 0 - 1,441 0 0 886 0 0 Accepted Purchase complete. 65 0 1,100 0 0 466 0 0 Land not suitable. Total 92,920 0 0 72,110 0 0 6,926 0 0 13,884 0 0 Under consideration, nil. Southland 11,700 0 0 832 0 0 598 0 0 11,600 0 0 11,000 0 0 6,049 0 0 3 0 0 10 0 0 3 0 0 3 0 0 4 10 0 17 6 11,700 0 0 Land not suitable. Under consideration. Leasehold land. Under consideration. 598 0 0 I •• •• •• Carried forward 41,779 0 0 12,298 0 0

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TABLE A.-Return of all Lands offered to Government under "The Land for Settlements Act, 1894," and how dealt with, from 1st April, 1896, to 31st March, 1897-continued.

SUMMARY.

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Land District where Land situated. Area offered. Price asked per Acre. Area declined without going to Board. Area not recommended by Board. Area recommended by Board. Offer accepted or rejected by Owner. Remarks. A. B. P. 41,779 0 0 3,000 0 0 4,244 0 0 600 0 0 2,960 0 0 1,497 0 0 758 0 0 1,460 0 0 1,732 0 0 £ s. d. A. B. P. 12,298 0 0 A. B. P. A. R. p. Brought forward Southland 4,244 0 0 Under consideration. Land not suitable. Under consideration. 4 5 0 2 0 0 3 0 0 I I •• 16,542 0 0 Under consideration, 41,488 acres. Total .. 58,030 0 0

Land District. Area offered. Declined by Department. Not recommended by Board. Recommended by Board. Withdrawn. Under Consideration. Total. Auckland Hawke's Bay Wellington Nelson Marlborough Westland Canterbury Otago Southland Acres. 209,129 69,305 7,070 14,322 17,800 20,871 191,797 92,920 58,030 Acres. 553 732 Acres. 26,788 41,108 2,788 Acres. 17,469 987 331 Acres. 1^835 Acres. 164,319 26,478 2,116 125 Acres. 209,129 69,305 7,070 14,322 17,800 20,871 191,797 92,920 58,030 1'4 1197 7,874 9^606 '320 12,989 72,110 16,542 21,871 6,926 13,884 73^726 44,602 41,488 Grand totals (148 offers) 681,244 124,997 109,087 71,600 75,561. 299,998 681, 244

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"THE LAND FOR SETTLEMENTS ACT, 1894." TABLE B.—Return of Lands recommended for Purchase by the Board of Land Purchase Commissioners under the above Act up to 31st March, 1897. [Note.—Wherever the land-tax value is absent, the tax value of the property offered cannot be separated from the rest of the estate.]

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Name of Seller and Locality. Area offered by Vendor. Price asked. Tax Value. Price offered for Land. Total Price ___ paid to Seller. Per Acre. Cost of Eoading, Administra- Total Cost to tion, Date. &c, to Date. Date of Deed, Remarks. Per Acre. Per Acre. Auckland Land Distbict. a. b. p. 4,738 0 0 1,357 3 21 3,546 0 0 6,746 0 0 2,711 0 0 1,028 0 0 3,100 0 0 4,102 0 0 5,940 0 0 7,604 0 0 40,872 3 21 £ s. d. 4 10 0 6 12 6 4 0 0 £ s. d. £ s. d. £ s. d. £ s. d. £ s. d. I Owner refused price offered. I I 3 13 0 3 10 0 1 18 0 2 15 0 3 5 0 0 14 0 3 4 0 __ •• Assets Realisation Board, " Okauia " .. Gould, J., " Opouriao " 3 10 0 •• 4 9 4 24,261 3 3 1,338 4 9 25,599 8 0 21/9/96 Purchase not yet complete. See report attached. 7,504 acres purchased ; title to 100 acres not complete. Total .. 24,261 3 3 1,338 4 9 25,599 8 0 •• Hawke's Bay Land Distbict. i 6,964 0 0 807 0 0 1,472 0 0 8,000 0 0 430 1 30 337 3 4 10,293 0 0 427 2 0 5 15 0 20 0 0 5 3 4 3 0 0 3 5 9 4 0 0 18 0 0 3 12 6 2 15 0 20 0 0 23 0 0 4 10 0 24 0 0 Owner could not complete title. Owner refused price offered. •• 2 0 0 Bruce, George, " Waimarie " .. Donner, Mrs. E., " Pouparae " Murray, Roberts, and Co., " Elsthorpe " Williams, J. H., " Rauxeka " .. 25 0 0 6 0 0 27 0 0 5 0 0 23 1 5 8,608 15 0 7,768 16 6 45,878 10 0 10,260 0 0 70 1 3 10 16 0 743 15 4 209 9 8 8,678 16 3 7,779 12 6 46,622 5 4 10,469 9 8 23/2/97 Purchase complete. See report attached. Total .. I ! ! i 73,550 3 9 30/3/96 28,731 2 34 .. 72,516 1 6 1,034 2 3 Wellington Land District. Withdrawn by vendor. 4,236 0 0 745 0 0 1,090 0 0 322 3 32 5 15 0 9 15 0 10 15 0 15 0 0 5 10 0 7 5 0 7 5 0 12 0 0 •• Drake, W., " Paparangi " 3,875 8 0* li' 0 3 li' 0 3 3/8/97 Purchase not quite complete. Total .. 6,393 3 32 ! 1 3,875 8 0 11 0 3 ! .. •• 11 0 3 1 Mablbobough Land Distbict, Owner refused price offered. Pell, C. Y., "Blind River" .. Goulter, C. P., " Omaka " 9,600 0 0 6,500 0 0 4,950 0 0 5,020 0 0 3,898 0 0 3 0 0 6 0 0 4 10 0 3 10 0 2 15 9 1 10 0 3 7 0 2 17 0 3 0 0 2 15 9 •• 14,678 10 5 10,865 13 6 2,235 13 1 299 7 3 16,634' 3 7 11,165 0 9 2/8/94 4/5/96 Parsons, J. A., " Puhi Puhi " .. Offer accepted by vendor; purchase complete. See report attached. Ditto. 320 0 0 2 10 0 10 0 320 0 0* 22/4/97 Total .. 30,288 0 0 ; 25,864 3 11 •■ 2,535 0 4 27,799 4 4 * To be paid.

"THE LAND FOR SETTLEMENTS ACT, 1894." TABLE B. Return of Lands recommended for Purchase by the Board of Land Purchase Commissioners—continued.

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2—C. 5.

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Area offered by Price asked. Tax Value. Price offered for Land. Total Price paid to Seller. Cost of Roading, Administration, &c, to Date. Total Cost to Date. Name of Seller and Locality. Date of Deed. (Remarks. Per Acre. Per Acre. Per Acre. We»tland Land District. Clark, C, " Poerua A. E. p. 4,868 0 0 3,230 1 6 8,098 1 6 £ s. d. 3 0 0 15 0 £ s. d. £ s. d. 2 10 0 12 6 £ s. d. 3,634 1 6 £ s. d. 818' 6 3 £ s. d. 4,452 7 9 Owner refused price offered. Purchase complete. See report attached. I 818 6 3 4,452 7 9 Total .. •• •• 3,634 1 6 J Canterbuey Land Distbict. 1 100 0 0 177 0 0 200 0 0 416 0 0 75 0 0 448 0 0 125 0 0 I 360 0 0 711 0 0 261 0 0 79 0 0 97 0 0 100 0 0 35 0 0 75 0 0 40 0 0 300 0 0 409 1 20 4,810 0 0 94 2 11 184 0 0 217 3 10 20 0 0 1,967 0 0 39 0 0 494 0 0 2,200 0 0 3,802 0 0 1,360 0 0 400 0 0 19,340 3 38 f 3,526 1 16 \ 1,124 2 36 73 1 10 27 2 0 39 3 9 9,119 3 2 376 2 30 ( 718 0 0 \ 440 0 0 54,383 3 22 i ! 23 0 0 11 0 0 14 0 0 17 10 0 75 0 0 8 17 6 14 0 0 17 0 0 10 0 0 13 0 0 12 0 0 50 0 0 6 0 0 19 0 0 7 0 0 5 15 0 21 0 0 30 0 0 30 0 0 28 0 0 28 0 0 60 0 0 27 0 0 28 0 0 17 0 0 5 15 0 52 10 0 8 0 0 9 10 0 Owner refused price offered. "' " Negotiations fell through. Owner refused price offered. . I 6 10 0 25 0 0 45 0 0 50 0 0 45 0 0 50 0 0 85 0 0 35 0 0 35 0 0 6 15 0 10 0 0 11 0 0 7 10 0 25 0 0 5 5 0 7 0 0 4 13 2 10 10 0 5 0 0 ■■ 6 Z 0 20 0 0 5 0 0 3 10 0 8 10 0 * * / Negotiations stopped. Offer under consideration by owners. • .. • •• Assets Realisation Board, " Albury " .. „ „ " Rakitairi" "Waiapi" .. „ „ " Wharenui" Boag, W., " Braco " .. " Otarakaro " Brown, M. I., "Highbank" .. Copland, A., " Otaio " Gould, Beaumont, and Co., " Ashley Gorge " •• 1 55 0 0 53 0 0 6 17 6 13 0 0 5814 0 3 7 6 5 10 0 8 10 0 65 0 0 50 0 0 50 0 0 6 10 0 11 0 0 5 10 0 2 0 0 65,294 11 8 19,362 17 6 9,553 2 3 4,765 6 3 1,375 0 0 1,990 6 3 59,209 12 7 4,143 11 3 629 6 2 261 7 10 70 5 7 34 11 11 38 2 0 72 7 11 1,136 1 0 54 6 2 65,923 17 10 19,624 5 4 9,623 7 10 4,799 18 2 1,413 2 0 2,062 14 2 60,345 13 7 4,197 17 5 30/3/97 30/3/97 30/3/97 6/1/97 19/8/95 15/10/96 27/5/96 2/4/95 16/11/95 Purchase complete. See report attached. 6 5 0 7 10 0 I - I 4,855 19 6 265 8 9 5,121 8 3 Carried forward .. 2,561 17 4 173,112 4 7 •• 170,550 7 3

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"THE LAND FOR SETTLEMENTS ACT, 1894." TABLE B.—Return of Lands recommended for Purchase by the Board of Land Purchase Commissioners—continued.

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Name of Seller and Locality. Area offered by Vendor. Price asked. Tax Value. Pl ' ice offered for Land. Per Acre. Per Acre. Cost of Roading, Total Price Administrapaid to Seller. tion, &c, to Date. Total Cost to Date. Date of Deed. Remarks. Per Acre. Per Acre. Per Acre. Cantebbuby Land Distbict— contd. Brought forward Heath Trust, " Horsley Down " Hoare, R., " Kereta " Meyer, J., " Epworth " Midland Railway Company, " Patoa " .. Moore, G. H., " Omihi Stock Reserve".. A. E. p. 54,383 3 32 4,004 1 33 105 2 16 21 2 0 7,347 0 38 20 0 0 £ s. d. 5 4 0 20 0 0 15 0 0 10 0 15 0 0 I 10 16 0 to ( 12 12 0 12 10 0 25 0 0 9 0 0 12 0 0 £ s. d. 9 11 0 10 0 0 0 15 0 £ s. d. 5 0 0 15 0 0 12 0 0 0 18 0 12 0 0 £ s. d. 170,550 7 3 20,022 5 8 1,584 0 0 252 4 6 6,612 10 3 240 0 0 £ s. d. 2,561 17 4 96 17 5 31 7 0 9 15 1 250 5 6 23 0 11 £ s. d. 173,112 4 7 20,119 3 1 1,615 7 0 261 19 7 6,862 15 9 263 0 11 12/1/97 8/10/95 22/10/95 13/3/96 23/3/96 Purchase complete. See report attached. •• N.Z. and A. Land Co., " Pareora " 620 2 13 1 J 11 12 0 7,198 14 10 44 10 10 7,243 5 8 29/9/93 Pringle, W., " Rosebrook " Quinn and Rooney, " Orakipaoa " Studholme's Trustees, " Kapua " Studholme's Trustees, " Studholme Junction " Tonks, Norton, and Co., " Roimata " .. Wason, J. C, " Marawiti " R. S., 1862 594 2 11 386 0 0 574 1 5 107 2 17 l 12 0 0 13 0 0 •■ 10 0 0 20 0 0 8 0 0 12 0 0 5,984 4 8 7,683 17 6 4,594 5 0 1,291 5 6 73 11 1 104 17 0 219 18 9 47 18 4 6,057 15 9 7,788 14 6 4,814 3 9 1,339 3 10 6/5/95 2/2/94 3/11/93 „ 47 2 0 2,028 2 33 20 0 0 50 0 0 7 5 0 3 0 0 47 9 6 45 0 0 7 0 0 3 0 0 2,200 6 7 14,200 18 10* 562 19 1 95 12 2 60 0 0 2,763 5 8 95 12 2 21/8/95 7/6/97 Purchase not quite complete. Total .. 70,261 3 28 ■• •• ■- 242,415 0 7 4,182 0 6 232,336 2 3 Otago Land District. 69,495 14 7 3,524 2 0 22,291 15 6 12,383 16 9 8/8/95 23/8/95 10/10/93 Owner refused price offered. Purchase complete. See report attached. 14 0 0 11,358 0 0 514 1 20 7,462 3 1 2,367 3 31 2,535 3 0 11,051 2 9 347 3 18 4,241 0 0 69 0 19 218 2 36 8 0 0 8 10 0 3 10 0 3 5 0 3 5 0 7 5 0 15 0 0 11 0 0 18 0 0 8 0 0 6 0 0 6 10 0 2 10 0 3 10 2 0 0 7 0 0 14 10 0 ■-, Borton, J., " Maerewhenua " .. Cochrane, J., " Puketapu " Douglas, J., " Pomahaka" Kitchener, A. B., " Makareao " Kitchener, A. B., " Makareao Extension " McMaster, A. A., " Toka-rahi " Meek, W., " Teaneraki" N.Z. and A. Land Co., " Ardgowan " Stringer, George, " Tahawai ".. Thomson, W., " Momona " 6 11 0 8 3 0 2 2 6 66,905 17 0 2,589 17 7 3,308 14 10 215 7 2 18,656 17 10 3,634 17 8 7,168 3 8) 1A . „ , 5,071 10 0 ■)" X 6 77,360 17 10* 122 14 4 5,044 0 6 496 16 8 34,600 0 0 4,153 1 2 622 14 10 19 4 3,608 19 3* 3 2 6 122 14 4 5,540 17 2 38,753 1 2 633 0 8 3 2 6 „ " Purchase not quite complete. Purchase complete. See report attached. 17/11/93 9 0 0 16 10 0 9/5/95 5/5/97 Purchase not quite complete. Total .. 40,181 0 14 222,347 2 3 11,370 19 6 I 152,748 4 8 Southland Land Distbict. Elder, Smith, and Co., " Merrivale " 1,907 0 0 9,998 0 0 11,905 0 0 4 5 0 4 0 0 2 10 0 3 0 0 2 5 0 2 10 0 24,995 0 0 2,882 1 0 I Owner refused price offered. Purchase complete. See report attached. 2,882' 1 0 27,877 1 0 5/4/95 Total 24,995 0 0 2,882 1 0 2,882 1 0 27,877 1 0 Total area recommended to 31st March, 1897 236,712 3 15 I Total amount paid to sellers to 31st March, 1897 Total amount to be paid to sellers at 31st March, 1897 520,541 7 1 Total area purchased and arranged to be purchased at 31st March, 1897 138,634 0 33 99,426 3 11 * To be paid.

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"THE LAND FOR SETTLEMENTS ACT, 1894." TABLE C.—Statement of Lands acquired to 31st March, 1897, prepared in Terms of Subsection (2) of Section 39 of the said Act.

11

Name of Settlement. Area of each Block of Land Locality of Land. as purchased. A. R. P. 7,604 0 0 Blocks V., IX., XIII., Whakatane, and Block II., Waimana Survey District, Auckland Land District E Quality of Land. deep, alluvial soil good quality Name of Person or Company from whom it was bought or acquired. Price paid to Seller to 31st March, 1897. Price to be paid where Transaction not complete at 31st March, 1897. Report and Valuation of Board. Report of Board. ■ Valuation of Board. I and Settlement of the Land. Report Auckland Land District — Opouriao Deep, alluvial soil, of good quality Gould, J. (Gould's Trustees) £ s. d. 24,261 3 3 £ s. d. The land is excellent in quality, and suitable for subdivision into farms of from 100 to 400 acres. That, from inquiries made, there is a considerable demand in the Bay of Plenty district, and the Government is therefore recommended to purchase the land £ s. d. ; 3 4 0 ' See Report, attached. Okauia 5,940 0 0 Part of Matamata Estate, east of Waihou River Assets Realisation Board 4,158 0 0 Total 13,544 0 0 The Board believes the land could be profitably occupied in mixed farms ; that there is a fair demand in the district for such class of holdings, and the purchase is therefore recommended The land is good, and suitable for settlement. There is a demand for this class of land, and the Board recommends its acquisition 24,261 3 3 4,158 0 0 Hawke's Bay Land Dist. — Elsthorpe 10,293 0 0 Blocks III., VII., and XII., Oero Survey District, Hawke's Bay Land District 337 3 4 Block I., Turanganui Survey District, and Block I., Waimata Survey District, Hawke's Bay Land District 427 2 0 Block III., Te Mata Survey District, Hawke's Bay Land District Soil and situation good, suitable for mixed farms Soil and situati good, suitable mixed farms All very deep alluv flat land Rich alluvial soil Buchanan's Trustees 45,878 10 0 4 10 0 See Report attached. Pouparae All very deep alluvial flat land Mrs. E. Donner .. 7,768 16 6 23 0 0 See Report attached. Raureka Rich alluvial soil .. Williams, J. H. 10,260 0 0 The land is good, and suitable for settlement in small farms. The Board believes there is a demand for such land in the district. The Board therefore recommends the purchase The land is good, and suitable for settlement. A demand exists in the district for this class of land, and the Board therefore recommends the purchase thereof 24 0 0 See Report attached. Waimarie 430 1 30 Blocks I. and VIII., Waimata Survey District, Hawke's Bay Land District Level alluvial land Level alluvial Ian Bruce, G. 8,608 15 0 22 0 0 ! 72,516 1 6 Total I 11,488 2 34 i : The land is good, and suitable for settlement. There is a demand for this land in the district, and the Board therefore recommends the acquisition of the property Wellington Land District — Paparaugi 322 3 32 Block XII., Belmont Survey District, Hawke's Bay Land District Soil of fairly good quality, with strong clay subsoil Soil of fairly g< quality, w strong clay si Drake, W. 3,875 8 0 11 17 0 Total 3,875 8 0 322 3 32 ■■

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12

"THE LAND FOR SETTLEMENTS ACT, 1894." TABLE C.—Statement of Lands acquired to 31st March, 1897, prepared in Terms of Subsection (2) of Section 39 of the said Act— continued.

Price to be paid where Transaction not complete at 31st March, 1897. Report and Valuation of Board. Report on Conditions and Settlement of the Land. Name of Settlement. Area of each Block of Land as purchased. Locality of Land. Quality oj Land. Name of Person or Company from whom it was bought or acquired. Price paid to Seller to 31st March, 1897. Report of Board. Valuation of Board. Marlborough Land Dist. — Blind River A. E. P. 5,020 0 0 Blocks XII. and XIV., Clifford Bay Survey District, Marlborough Land District Block VI., Avon Survey District, and Block I., Taylor Pass Survey District, Marlborough Land District Sections 50 and 51, Puhipuhi Survey District, Marlborough Land District Agricultural and pastoral lands Fell, C. Y. £ s. d. 14,678 10 5 £ s. d. In the belief that a demand exists in the district, the Board recommends the purchase £ s. d. ! 3 5 0 [ See Report attached. Omaka 3,898 0 0 Good agricultural land Goulter, Charles .. 10,865 13 6 The land is good, and suitable for settlement. There is a demand for such land in the district, and the Board therefore recommends the purchase 2 15 9 See Report attached. Puhi Puhi 320 0 0 Parsons, J. A. 320 0 0 The land is good, and suitable for settlement. There is a demand for such land in the district, and the ! Board therefore recommends the purchase 1 0 0 | Total 9,238 0 0 25,544 3 11 320 0 0 1 To meet the strong desire for land on the part of the people residing in the district, that Mr. Clark be offered £1 2s. 6d. an acre as a final price, and that the proposed road and other expenditure on the total expenditure on which rental will be charged acre on an average Westland Land District — Poerua 3,230 1 6 Blocks X. and XIV., Te Kinga Survey District, Westland Land District Mica-schist silt on shingle Clark, C. .. 3,634 1 6 12 6 See Report attached. Total 3,230 1 6 land be such that the I does not exceed £2 an I I 3,634 1 6 Canterbury Land District — Albury 19,340 3 38 | I Blocks XI. and XV., Tengawai Survey District, and Blocks II. and III., Opawa Survey District Land of various qualities : limestone, rolling downs, and a margin of stony flats Land of various qualities Assets Realisation Board 65,294 11 8 The Board recommends the acquisition of the estate, and also recommends the purchase of some 30 acres, being R.S. 18020, to avoid keeping open an unnecessary road 3 7 6 See Report attached. Arowhenua 4,651 0 12 Blocks I. and II., Arowhenua Survey District, Blocks XI., XII., XV., andXVI.,Opihi Survey District, and Block IX., Geraldine Survey District Blocks III., IV., and XVI., Ashley Survey District, and Block IV., Oxford Survey District, Canterbury Land District Assets Realisation Board 28,915 9 9 The " Downs" Block (now known as " Waiapi " Settlement) is good and suitable for settlement. The "Upper" Block (now known as " Rakitairi" Settlement) is fair ridgy land, which would do well in areas of from 250 to 500 acres each. The Board recommends the acquisition of both blocks That the land known as the " Homestead Block " is good and suitable for settlement. There is a demand for land in the district. The Government is recommended to purchase this block and 185 acres in addition at a price of £5 10s. an acre. With regard to the 440-acre block near the Ashley Bridge, as subsection (3) of section 4 of the Act it is consider this land, as low-lying country necessary for tfc pastoral country behind belonging to the Crown, at 8 10 0 See Report attached. 5 10 0 Ashley Gorge 1,166 0 24 Deep marshy soil on flats; the hill land fair pasture Gould, Beaumont, and Co. (Ellis's Trustees) 4,855 19 6 5 10 0 : See Report attached. Carried forward .. 2 0 0 I this case comes under red advisable to acquire le working of the high a price of £2 an acre I I 25,158 0 34 99,066 0 11

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"THE LAND FOR SETTLEMENTS ACT, 1894." TABLE C.—Statement of Lands acquired to 31st March, 1897, prepared in Terms of Subsection (2) of Section 39 of the said Act— continued.

13

Name of Person or Company from whom it was bought or acquired. Price to be paid where Transaction not complete at 31st March, 1897. Report and Valuation of Board. Eeport on Conditions and Settlement of the Land. Name of Settlement. Area of each Block of Land as purchased. Locality of Land. Quality of Land. Price paid to Seller to 31st March, 1897. Eex>ort of Board. Valuation of Board. Brought forward.. lanterbury Land District — continued. A. E. P. 25,158 0 34 £ s. d. 99,066 0 11 £ s. d. Braco 27 2 0 Block X., Christchurch Survey District, Canterbury Land District Level land, good soil, suitable for market gardens Boag.W. .. 1,375 0 0 The land is good, and suitable for division into small lots of from 1 acre upwards. The Board believes there will be a demand for such lands. The Board therefore recommends Government to purchase. The land is suitable for subdivision into smaller areas. There is a demand for land in this district. The Board recommends the Government to acquire the land The land is good, and suitable for settlement in various-sized farms. There is a demand for this land in the district. The Board recommends the acquisition 50 0 0 See Report attached. Epworth 21 0 3 Block II., Arowhenua Survey District, Canterbury Land District Loamy soil on banks of stream Meyer, J. 252 4 6 12 0 0 See Report attached. Highbank 9,119 3 2 Blocks I. and II., Corwar Survey District, Blocks IV. and VIII., Spaxton Survey District, Canterbury Land District Blocks II., III., and IV., Waipara Survey District, and Block V., Waitohi Survey District Blocks I. and II., Waitaki, Canterbury Land District All flat land, soil good Brown, M. I. 59,209 12 7 6 10 0 See Report attached. Horsley Down 4,004 1 33 Good arable land .. Heath Stock Trust 20,022 5 8 The land is good, and suitable for farms of various sizes. There is a demand in the district; therefore the Board recommends the purchase. 5 0 0 See Report attached. Kapua 574 1 5 All first-class land ; partly reclaimed swamp The New Zealand and Australian Land Company (Limited) Hoare, R. 4,594 5 0 The quality and position of the land are excellent, and, from inquiries made, the Board believes there is a demand for small farms in the district, and therefore recommends the purchase of the block The land is good, and suitable for subdivision into sections from 20 acres upwards. The Board believes there is a demand for a few sections in the neighbourhood. The Board recommends the Government to purchase the land The land is good, and suitable for settlement. The Board believes there will be a demand for the land, and therefore recommends its acquisition 7 16 9 See Report attached. Kereta 105 2 16 Block IX., Arowhenua Survey District, Canterbury Land District. Alluvial swamp land 1,584 0 0 15 0 0 See Report attached. Marawiti ... 2,028 2 33 Blocks II., III., IV., V., Corwar Survey District, Canterbury Land District Land of fair quality, soil good, and in most places of fair depth Arable land Wason, J. C. 14,200 18 10 7 0 0 See Report attached. Omihi Stock Reserve 20 0 0 Block XVIIL, Waikari Survey District, Canterbury Iliand District Blocks III. and VII., Arowhenua Survey District, Canterbury Land District Moore, G. H. 240 0 0 The Board recommends Government to acquire 20 acres out of Mr. Moore's " Glenmark" Estate, situated on Waipara-Cheviot Road The land is good, and suitable for settlement in eight or ten allotments of from 5 to 10 acres each, and the rest of the estate, approximately, as at present fenced. There is a demand in the district. The Board recommends the acquisition of the property 12 0 0 See Report attached. Orakipaoa 384 0 31 Rich alluvial soil .. Quinn and Rooney.. 7,683 17 6 20 0 0 See Report attached. Carried forward .. 41,443 2 37 194,027 6 2 14,200 18 10

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"THE LAND FOR SETTLEMENTS ACT, 1894." TABLE C.—Statement of Lands acquired to 31st March, 1897, prepared in Terms of Subsection (2) of Sec tio n 39 of the said Act— continued.

14

Name of Settlement. Area of each Block of Land as purchased. Locality of Land. Quality of Land. Name of Person or Company from whom it was bought or acquired. Price to be paid Price paid where to Seller to Transaction 31st March, 1897. not complete at 31st March, 1897. Eeport and Valuation of Board. Eeport on Conditions and Settlement of the Land. Eeport of Board. Valuation of Board. Brought forward .. Canterbury Land District — continued. Otarakaro A. R. P. 41,443 2 37 £ s. d. 194,027 6 2 £ s. d. 14,200 18 10 £ s. d. 39 3 9 Block X., Christchurch Survey District Open, flat, grass land, soil deep and of good quality. Boag, W... 1,990 6 3 The land is good, and suitable for settlement in eight or ten allotments of from 5 to 10 acres each, and the rest of the estate, approximately, as at present fenced. There is a demand in the district. The Board recommends the acquisition of the property That the block is very suitable for subdivision into small farms ; that there is an unsatisfied demand for land in the district; that the Board recommends the purchase The quality and position of the land are excellent, and, from inquiries made, the Board believes there is a demand for small farms in the district, and therefore recommends the purchase of the block. That part of the land is fairly suitable for settlement; that a demand exists for this block on the part of the Hurunui special settlers and others. The Board recommends Government to arrange the a The Board is also of opinion that there is a pros] block not being selected for other than pastoral p at all; but, in view of the great necessity that exists to the holdings of the Hurunui settlers, without wl bers of the Board —their present holdings must bi thinks Government should be prepared to face this that an industrious class of bond fide settlers shou their homes. Purchased as a homestead site for R.S. 36,469, Can- [ nington. 20 0 0 See Report attached. Otaio 376 2 30 Blocks XII. and XVI., Otaio Survey District, Canterbury Land District Open, flat land Copland, A. 4,143 11 3 12 0 0 See Report attached. Pareora 620 2 13 Block XII., Otaio Survey District, and Block IV., Patiti Survey District, Canterbury Land District Waipara and Waitohi Survey Districts, Canterbury Land District Open, level, agricultural land of good quality New Zealand and Australian Land Co. (Limited) 7,198 14 10 11 12 0 See Report attached. Patoa 7,347 0 38 Pastoral country .. New Zealand Midland Railway Company (Limited) 6,612 10 3 0 18 0 See Report attached. tcquisition of the block, pect of some part of the urposes, or, perhaps, not for providing extensions hich —they inform mem3 abandoned, the Board loss (if any) rather than Id be obliged to abandon R.S. 1862 Block IV., Nimrod Survey District New Zealand and Australian Land Co. (Limited) Trustees of estate of late Sir Henry Parkes 20 0 0 60 0 0 Roimata 48 3 37 Blocks XV. and XVI., Christchurch Survey District, Canterbury Land District Good flat land, dark, rich, alluvial soil 2,200 6 7 The land is good level agricultural land suitable for small allotments. That the Board believes there is a demand for this class of settlement in the district. The Board therefore recommends the purchase The land is suitable for farms of about 50 acres each. That there is a demand for such land in the district; that the Board recommends the purchase of the laud The quality ana position of the land are excellent, and, from inquiries made, the Board believes there is a demand for small farms in the district, and therefore recommends the purchase of the block The land is good, and suitable for settlement. The Board believes there will be a demand for this land, and therefore recommends its acquisition 45 0 0 See Report attached. Rosebrook 600 1 8 Block XVI., Pareora Survey District, Canterbury Land District Open, flat, and undulating down lands Pringle, W. 5,984 4 8 10 10 0 See Report attached. Studholme 107 2 17 Blocks XV. and XVI., Waimate Survey District, Canterbury Land District Plat agricultural land of good quality 1,291 5 6 12 0 0 See Report attached. Trustees of the late M. Studholme Wharenui 73 1 10 Part of R.S. 85, Canterbury Land District Land of good quality, with a strong clay subsoil Assets Realisation Board 4,765 6 3 i See Report attached. Total 50,678 0 39 228,213 11 9 14,260 18 10

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"THE LAND FOR SETTLEMENTS ACT, 1894." TABLE C.—Statement of Lands acquired to 31st March, 1897, prepared in terms of Subsection (2) of Section 39 of the said Act— continued.

15

Price to be paid Report and Valuation of Board. Report on Conditions and Settlement of the Land. Name of Settlement. Area of each Block of Land as purchased. Locality of Land. Quality of Land. Name of Person or Company from whom it was bought or acquired. Price paid to Seller to 31st March, 1897. Transaction not complete at 31st March, 1897. Report of Board. Valuation of Board. Otago Land District — Ardgowan A. R. P. 4,241 0 0 Blocks I. and II., Oamaru Survey District, Otago Land District £ s. d. Good agricultural New Zealand and 34,600 0 0 land, the whole Australian Land of which may be Company ploughed £ s. d. The land is good, and suitable for settlement. That there is a demand for land in the district. The Board recommends Government to acquire the land at a price not exceeding £7 an acre. (Taken by arbitration — Award of Compensation Court, £34,600, or £8 3s. an acre) That the land is good, and suitable for settlement; that the offering of such a property to the public would create a demand from outside in addition to a limited demand in the district. The Board recommends purchase at a price not greater than £6 an acre The land is good, and suitable for settlement. There is a demand for land in the district. The Board recommends the purchase of 2,368 acres of the land at £3 Is. an acre £ s. d. 7 0 0 Maerewhenua .. 11,150 3 36 Block III. and part of Block II., Awamoko, and Block III. and part of Block IV., Maerewhenua Survey Districts, Otago Land District Low-lying downs Borton, J. .. 66,905 17 0 and flats 6 0 0 See Report attached. Makareao 2,367 3 31 Blocks VII., IX., XII., XV., Moeraki Survey District, and Block IV., Dunback Survey District, Otago Land District Blocks VIII., XII., and XIV., Moeraki Survey District, Otago Land District Block IV., Maungatua Survey District, Otago Land District Limestone hill land Kitchener, A. B. .. 7,168 3 8 and arable flats along banks of Shag River 3 10 See Report attached. Makareao Extension 2,535 3 0 Limestone forma- Kitchener, A. B. .. 5,071 10 0 tion ; pastoral tussock hills Soil partly river de- Thompson, W. posit; subsoil of open porous clayey nature Mostly agricultural Douglas, J. .. 18,656 17 10 land The land is good, and suitable for mixed grazingruns and farms. There will be a demand for this land, and the purchase is therefore recommended The land is good, and suitable for settlement in small farms. There is a demand for land in the district; and that the purchase is therefore recommended 2 0 0 See Report attached. Momona 218 2 36 3,608 19 3 17 0 0 Pomahaka 7,462 3 1 Blocks X„ XL, XIII., and XIV., Pomahaka, Otago Land District We have ascertained the value and suitableness for settlement of the lands, and respectfully recommend the purchase of the same at a price not exceeding £2 10s. an acre. The land is good, and suitable for settlement. The Board believes there is a demand in the district. The Government is recommended to purchase the land at £6 10s. an acre, conditionally on the title to parts of Sections 4 and 7, Block I., Hawkesbury, being completed That the character of the land is such as to render it suitable for settlement in small lots; that there is a demand for land in the district; that the Board recommends the purchase at £9 per acre We recommend purchase at a price of £14 per acre, and, in the eyent of this offer not being accepted, we are of opinion that £15 an acre would not be too high a price to pay for such land. The land is good, and suitable for settlement. There will be demand for this land in the district, and the purchase of the property is therefore recommended 2 10 0 See Report attached. Puketapu 509 0 6 Block IV., Moeraki Survey District, Otago Land District Good hill-slopes, all Cochrane, J. .. 3,308 14 10 ploughable 6 10 0 See Report attached. I Tahawai 69 0 19 Block I., Kurow Survey District, Otago Land District Open, level ground ; ; Stringer, G. .. 622 1 4 deep, rich, alluvial ' silt See Report attached. 9 0 0 Teanaraki 347 3 18 Block XII., Oamaru, and Block VIII., Awamoko, Otago Land District All rich agricultural Meek, W. .. 5,044 0 6 land 15 0 0 See Report attached. Toka-rahi 11,051 2 9 Blocks II., VI., VII., and VIII., Maruwhenua Survey District, Otago Land District Pirst-class tableland McMaster, A. A. .. and low-lying ridges on limestone formation 77,360 17 10 See Rpport attached. Total .. 39,954 2 36 r ,. . 141,377 5 2 141,377 5 2 80,969 17 1

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"THE LAND FOR SETTLEMENTS ACT, 1894." TABLE C.—Statement of Lands acquired to 31st March, 1897, prepared in terms of Subsection (2) of Section 39 of the said Act— continued.

16

Name of Settlement. Area of each Block of Land as purchased. Locality of Land. Quality of Land. ""££*» itW a a cq b u^ tM B^tMa^V. Transaction not complete at 31st March, 1897. Price to be paid Report and Valuation of Board. Valuation of Board. Report on Conditions and Settlement of the Land. Report of Board. Southland Land District — Merrivale A. R. P. 9,998 0 0 Waiau Survey District, Southland Land District Mixed agricultural and pastoral; deep, rich, free soil £ s. d. Elder, Smith, and 24,995 0 0 Co. £ s. d. ! That the land is good, and suitable for settlement; that the Board believes there is a demand for this class of land in the district; that the Board recommends purchase at a price not exceeding £2 10s. an acre £ s. d. 3 0 0 See Report attached. Total 9,998 0 0 Total acquired from 1st April, 1896, to 31st March, 1897 51,535 2 6 24,995 0 0 520,541 7 1 103,584 3 11 Grand total area acquired to 31st March, 1897 138,454 3 27 Grand total price 624,125 11 0 I i - -I

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EEPOET OF THE SUEVEYOE-GENEEAL TO THE MINISTER OF LANDS. Sir, — Department of Lands and Survey, Wellington, 18th June, 1897. I have the honour, in compliance with section 39 (2) of " The Land for Settlements Act, 1894," to report as follows on the " condition and settlement " of lands acquired under the above Act which have been handed over to this department to deal with. Details of the operations connected with all the estates purchased will be found in the accompanying table, whilst that below shows those which were offered for selection during the year ended the 31st March, 1897.

The above figures refer to the estates that came in for selection during the year. There were also a number of selections made in those opened previously, and many forfeited sections were also taken up. The forfeitures last year numbered nineteen, and the arrears of rent at 31st March amounted to £640 os. lOd. The reports of inspections made by the Crown Lands Eangers all speak of the large amount of improvements that have been placed on the lands, but, as inspection was not due in some cases on the 31st March last, the figures can only be given in the cases which had been settled long enough to require inspection. These figures are : Value of improvements, £44,448 3s. 6d.; number of people living on the lands, 1,051; number of houses erected, 220. The above figures refer to all the estates opened for selection since the Act came into force. The detail reports on each estate will be found appended to the report of the Department of Lands and Survey for the period under consideration. The net cost of the thirty-six estates paid for is ... ... ... £541,218 But of these three estates had not been opened for selection at the 31st March last, their value being ... ... ... ... 94,705 The cost of the estates offered to the public is therefore ... ... £446,513 The annual rental of the land disposed of is £22,292, which is equal to interest on the total cost at the rate of 4-99 per cent. But as there are 4,424 acres still unlet, of the value of £17,877, the interest earned by the land which has been disposed of is 52 per cent., thus leaving a fair margin for rent in arrear and for failures. During the year fresh regulations governing applications for lands under this Act were issued— 4th February, 1897—and four estates were selected subject to them—viz., Eakitairi, Waiapi, Otarakaro, and Wharenui. It is too early yet to say how these regulations will work, but so far as can at present be seen they will have the effect of securing a class of settlers better able to undertake the duties in connection with the high-priced lands the regulations affect. The power of selection placed in the hands of the Boards has been used freely, and many applicants who did not seem to those bodies to have sufficient means or were otherwise ineligible settlers were excluded from taking part in the ballots. The provisions relating to workmen's homes have been applied to only one estate, that of Wharenui, but they have not been taken advantage of to the extent it was anticipated. The reason assigned is that the allotments are too small, whilst the rent is high. S. Percy Smith, Surveyor-General and Secretary of Crown Lands. The Hon. J. McKenzie, Minister of Lands.

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17

District. Area of Estate. Areaunseleoted, 31st March, 1896. Number of Selectors. Annual Rent. Hawke's Bay— Eaureka Blsthorpe Waimarie Marlborough— Omaka Canterbury— Orakipaoa ... Highbank Bakitairi Waiapi Otarakaro Wharenui A. E. B. 427 2 0 10,293 0 0 430 1 30 3,898 0 0 384 0 31 9,121 3 8 3,526 1 16 1,124 2 36 39 3 9 73 1 10 A. B. P. 97 1 18 25 0 19 20 89 17 13 27 74 23 15 6 7 £ s. d. 534 2 0 2,269 7 0 435 10 0 589 6 8 397 10 8 3,039 13 6 1,061 7 8 518 19 10 96 19 8 106 16 10 8 "6 0 4 0 0 5 2 0 47 2 7 Otago— Ardgowan Makareao Westland — Poerua 4,234 0 0 2,367 3 31 40 "6 22 69 35 905 4 6 390 18 0 3,230 1 6 410 0 0 17 224 6 6 Total 39,151 1 17 637 2 26 362 11,570 2 10

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TABLE D. —Report on the Condition and Settlement of all Lands acquired under the Land for Settlements Acts of 1892 and 1894 on the 31st March, 1897.

Estates acquired but not dealt with at 31st March, 1897.

Approximate Cost of Paper. —Preparation, not given; printing (1,575 copies), £19 19s.

4 C. 5. Price 9d.] By Authority: John Mackay, Government Printer, Wellington.—lB97.

19

Name of Estate. Area. No. of Selectors. Taken up during the Year. Area. Annual Rent payable. No. of 1 Selectors. Selections of Previous Years occupied. Area. Annual Rent payable. ! Rent and other Payments received during the Year. Area occupied by Roads and Reserves. Area of Land on Estates opened for Selection unlet on 31st March, 1897. Value of Improvements to 31st March, 1897. 3 ° . co o OUrt Q g 611 Date when X a° Land opened £°S for 0 ° Selection. 0 w S3 Arrears of Rent on 31st March, 1897. OQ - <D 05 o £ co a £ o Total Receipts from Inception to 31st March, 1897. Auckland — Opouriao Hawke's Bay— Raureka Elsthorpe Waimarie Marlborough— Blind River Omaka Canterbury— Pareora Studholme Junction .. Kapua Rosebropk Otaio Patoa The Peaks Roimata Kereta Braco Epworth Ashley Gorge Omihi Stock Reserve .. Orakipaoa Highbank Rakitairi Waiapi Otarakaro Wharenui Horsley Downs Otago— Pomahaka Teanaraki Tahawai Maerewhenua Puketapu Ardgowan Makareao Southland— Merrivale Westland — Poerua A. B. P. 7,604 0 0 10 A. B. P. 716 0 11 £ s. d. 143 15 10 58 A. B. P. 5,964 1 9 £ s. d. 1,258 14 0 £ s. d. 619 4 9 A. E. P. 298 1 17 A. B. P. 625 1 3 £ s. d. 6,729 1 0 102 33 Feb. 12, 1896 £ s. d. £ s. d. 1,255 11 11 427 2 0 9,938 0 0 430 1 30 20 34 17 416 0 38 9,450 2 2 400 2 35 543 2 0 2,269 7 0 435 10 0 552 10 11 2,425 16 6 219 15 0 11 1 2 192 0 20 4 2 16 97 1 18 25 0 19 1,330 5 0 1,851 10 0 466 17 9 16 20 8 11 12 7 May 6, 1896 June 24, 1896 Sept. 9, 1896 552 10 11 2,408 14 6 219 15 0 5,507 0 0 3,898 0 0 5 13 1,065 0 0 3,837 3 0 157 5 2 589 6 8 15 3,892 0 0 714 19 9 390 18 8 541 3 11 344 0 0 60 1 0 318 0 0 1,966 0 0 1,076 14 0 71 25 16 6 Jan. 16, 1895 June 24, 1896 902 10 1 541 3 11 620 2 13 107 2 17 574 1 5 600 1 8 373 3 14 4,535 3 14 2,811 0 9 48 3 7 105 2 29 27 2 4 21 0 3 1,166 0 24 20 0 0 384 0 31 9,121 3 8 3,526 1 16 1,124 2 36 39 3 9 173 1 10 3,982 3 35 1 50 0 0 22 10 0 26 4 11 15 9 4 13 27 4 13 2 10 537 3 17 104 2 8 522 1 22 600 1 8 367 0 33 4,224 3 28 2,510 1 9 45 0 36 105 2 29 26 2 8 21 0 3 1,161 1 2 348 10 0 73 4 6 247 13 4 307 13 6 216 14 8 156 3 6 185 18 2 140 5 9 82 18 0 69 17 0 13 11 2 258 1 0 341 14 9 101 9 2 246 2 2 279 7 8 268 18 5 87 18 4 135 19 3 129 19 9 69 10 0 55 13 0 13 11 2 242 7 8 8 2 38 3 0 9 2 0 0 73 3 38 1,955 0 0 220 8 0 913 3 0 1,420 13 0 593 1 6 133 18 42 50 16 25 3 10 9 4 Jan. 18,1894 Jan. 18, 1894 Jan. 24, 1894 June 26, 1895 June 26, 1895 Nov. 27, 1895 Aug. 1, 1895 Aug. 14, 1895 Dec. 4, 1895 Nov. 27, 1895 Nov. 27, 1895 Dec. 4, 1895 46 1 8 4 1,107 12 7 217 9 1 674 7 4 573 17 5 421 5 1 122 5 2 237 10 1 207 1 6 114 7 0 91 17 2 20 6 9 390 9 0 6 2 21 17 3 26 12 0 0 4 1 14 293 0 0 1 769 0 0 ) 2 •I 15 13 2 ' 2 1 o' 3 36 2 11 4 2,147 0 0 109 5 0 422 0 0 102 4 27 22 1 7 3 18 11 2 4 2 4 20 0 0 864 0 0 41 11 27 74 23 15 6 7 384 0 31 9,026 3 18 3,518 1 34 1,124 2 36 34 1 9 25 3 3 397 10 8 3,039 13 6 1,061 7 8 518 19 10 96 19 8 106 16 10 397 15 2 3,554 0 7 530 12 4 259 9 11 54 0 3 73 19 11 300 0 0 86 Z 30 3 3 22 80 0 4 0 0 * * June 22, 1896 June 24, 1896 Mar. 22, 1897 Mar. 22, 1897 Mar. 24, 1897 Mar. 24, 1897 397 15 2 3,554 0 7 530 12 4 259 9 11 54 0 3 73 19 11 300 0 0 5 2 0 47 2 7 7,462 3 1 347 3 18 69 0 19 11,150 3 36 509 0 6 4,234 0 0 2,367 3 31 7 1 1,458 3 2 5 0 2 191 11 6 4 16 2 15 22 8 67 12 3,842 0 22 339 1 23 68 2 14 10,712 1 15 496 0 36 661 3 0 276 13 4 35 14 4 3,513 14 6 189 7 4 481 10 7 286 15 8 35 3 7 3,428 9 1 94 14 2 1,817 9 8 304 3 3 200 2 26 3 3 31 0 2 5 237 2 8 12 3 1,0 106 0 24 2,285 2 0 2,580 0 0 1,022 0 0 641 0 0 7,577 15 9 470 8 7 4,347 19 2 796 11 9 28 28 9 77 4 46 12 t.. Feb. 20, 1894 Feb. 7, 1894 Aug. 21, 1895 Sept. 10, 1895 Mar. 18, 1896 May 12, 1896 June 26, 1896 509 3 0 65 4 1 11 8 1,313 1 11 645 15 4 55 8 10 5,260 19 4 189 7 10 1,817 9 8 304 3 3 4 33 0 29 9 8 8 190 3 20 69 36 4,183 3 1 2,315 3 17 1,905 4 6 390 18 0 40 0 22 9,998 0 10 2,376 0 0 270 6 10 38 7,422 1 20 1,160 1 4 1,158 4 3 199 2 20 3,901 0 0 159 41 Dec. 20, 1895 2,358 0 4 3,230 1 6 17 2,717 3 0 224 6 6 181 19 2 101 3 6 410 0 0 277 10 0 11 June 26, 1896 181 19 2 Totals 96,440 2 39 397 43,141 3 24 12,381 8 4 373 42,964 2 22 9,910 18 2 19,680 8 8 1,943 2 29 4,424 1 7 44,448 3 6 1,051 220 640 0 10 27 27,354 18 4} * Residence, &o., not 01 impulsory till July next. t W< irkmen's homes. { Adjustmei its will have ti be made in the Treasury figures "by reducing them by £89 18s. 7d. to agree with this total.

Name of Estate. Area purchased. Auckland— Okauia Hawke's Bay— Pouparae Frimley Canterbury— Marawiti Albury Otago— Toka-rahi Momona Makareao No. 2 "* A. B. P. 6,528 0 0 337 3 4 110 2 10 2,028 2 33 19,340 3 38 11,051 2 9 218 2 36 2,535 3 0 Totals 42,152 0 16