C.—s

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of the Act, who must otherwise have forfeited their allotments. Had more land been surveyed aud available the number of selectors on terms of deferred paymeut would, in the three first quarters of the financial year especially, have been very largely augmented. 3. Lands under Pastoral Occupation. Nil. 4. Evasions of the Law and Proceedings resulting therefrom. Nil. 5. Miscellaneous. One hundred and fifty-four Crown grants have been issued from the office during the year. Two leases have been granted by the Land Board—namely, one in the vicinity of Stratford, for brick-making purposes ; and one between Stratford and Normanby, as a site for an accommo-dation-house. The land revenue for tbe year 1878-79, including fees on renewal of licenses to occupy, bond notes, &c., amounts to £23,571 4s. Bd. Nearly the whole of the Crown lands within tbe provincial district being in standing forest, there are no sheep or cattle depastured on them. The area of Crown forest lands, including in the estimate the unsold confiscated lands, exclusive of areas returned or abandoned to Natives, is 695,000 acres. There is not much cutting by unlicensed persons, or waste of timber, on these lands : the waste commences so soon as the land is alienated. Rabbits arc not numerous in this district; fortunately either tho soil or climate, or both, seem to be unfavourable to their increase. I have no remarks to make on the Land Act in addition to those forwarded in my previous reports. C. D. Whitcombe, Commissioner of Crown Lands.

WELLINGTON. Report of the Commissioner of Crown Lands for the Year ended 30th June, 1879. The small revenue from the sale of Crown land in this land distriot during the past financial year is owing, in part, to the delay in the expenditure ofthe votes of last session ou the Palmerston, Mangaoni, and other blocks by opening up roads and cutting of drains. Tbe whole ofthe Crown land in this district may be classed as forest land, and is not likely to be purchased in large blocks for speculative purposes, but by intending settlers of moderate means, and provided provision is mado for au expenditure on roads before sale it will greatly aid in promoting settlement. The minimum price for which pastoral land can now be sold—namely, 20s. per acre— prevents any sales being effected. The rabbit pest, so far as is known, has not hindered the sale of Crown lands. The number of Crown grants yet to issue has been but very slightly reduced during the past year, owing to Survey Office arrangements, aud the temporary removal of Mr. Telford, in March last, to the Provincial Auditors' Department. The increased strength in tbe Survey Department will secure the preparation of a much larger number of grants than previously; but, until Mr. Telford returns, or his place is filled up by another, it will not be possible to complete them for delivory to the grantees. The enclosed detailed schedules Nos. 1 to 9 will be found to contain full information on the various matters therein referred to. JOS. Gr. HOLDSWORTII, Commissioner of Crown Lands.

HAWKE'S BAY. Report of the Commissioner of Crown Lands for the Year ended 30th June, 1879. The area of lands disposed of, since first sales, to 30th June, 1879, is 1,011,298 acres 1 rood 5J perches, for which £437,161 lis. 6d. has been received in cash, independent of payments by scrip. 2. The greater part of tho land selected under settlement clauses is in bond fide occupation by the selectors, even in cases of land taken up under Part I. of " The Hawke's Bay Special Settlements Act, 1872," which does not compel actual residence. In many instances very considerable improvements have been made on the land beyond what is absolutely required. Since my last report the Woodville and Ormondville Special Settlements have been inspected. The holdings in the Woodville Small Farm Association Block have, with one exception, been passed as having complied with the conditions of occupation. Most ofthe members of this Association have made great progress in clearing and cultivating their allotments, and have erected good houses. In the Ormondville Special Settlement a few of the holders of land, having complied with the