n 1

84

were quite satisfied with their lot, and I was daily receiving applications to be taken on these same works which were alleged to be so badly paid for. In visiting some of these works I have been impressed with what I might term the waste of energy in some ways—for instance, where embankments of considerable height are being filled with barrows worked from some distance. This could be remedied by having a few hundred feet of tramrails and using tip-trollies. Again, in another place, I found men laboriously prizing away very heavy logs and stumps with levers cut from springy saplings, and I immediately remedied this by purchasing and sending up a couple of lifting- or screw-jacks. By attention to such matters as these, I am convinced that men would make better wages and take more interest in their work. G. W. Williams, Chief Surveyor.

APPENDIX No. 5.

REPORT ON IMPROVED FARM SETTLEMENTS CONSTITUTED UNDEE "THE LANDS IMPEOVEMENT AND NATIVE LANDS ACQUISITION ACT, 1894." The following report on the general working of the system of special-settlement improved farms is compiled from Reports by Commissioners of Crown Lands, with the view of showing in succinct form the result of the year's work under that head in the several land districts where the system is in operation: — Auckland. Three improved farm settlements have been started in this district during the past year, of about a thousand acres each; and 100 acres were allotted to each applicant. Out of the twentynine settlers originally sent up to these settlements, there are twenty-seven now upon the ground, and twenty-two of that number bid fair to become satisfactory settlers. Twenty-two of the men, with their wives and families, are upon the ground, and five are intending to take theirs up directly they have shelter for them. It may be of interest to briefly detail the progress made since last August. In the three settlements some 716 acres of forest have been felled, and of this area 542 acres have been burnt, and are now being sown with grass-seed, leaving for burning and sowing next season 174 acres, over which a satisfactory burn could not be obtained. These settlers are now being employed upon co-operative works on the roads leading to their settlements. I may add that, though the price paid for bushfalling of £1 7s. and £1 Bs. an acre appears high, yet the men did not earn much over ss. a day, though some few earned as high as 7s. 3d. per day. Hawke's Bay. The only settlement of this class that has been formed is that at Waikopiro, and is progressing very satisfactorily. The work done has been the felling and grassing of 129 acres, at a cost of £278 3s. 3d., including supervision. There was an excellent burn, and the grass is now forward. Last winter a number of unemployed were placed upon road-works to open up 14,000 acres of the latelyacquired Waikopiro Block, near Ormondville, preparatory to its being thrown open for selection ; and it was decided to locate sixteen of the most desirable among them on land near the works under the improved-farm-settlement conditions. The frontage of eight of the sections was felled and burnt last January, and at the present time five of the selectors with their families are comfortably settled on their sections, and the remaining three houses are nearing completion. The sections average 116 acres, and, judging from the class of men selected, the settlement has a good future before it. Its position is particularly favourable to its success, being within a short distance of the railway-line ; and the land is well adapted for dairying pursuits. Taranaki. During the year ballots were held at Eltham, Stratford, Uruti, Waitotara, and the local Land Office, for the thirty-four sections in the various settlements in this district, the object being to assist deserving men out of work by allowing them to occupy sections varying from 10 to 100 acres, and giving them work on the roads in the vicinity under the co-operative system. One section was relinquished at Tongaporutu, on account of the difficulty of access from the frontage road. Two of the Ngaire men have not done any thing, and they therefore forfeit their sections. Numerous applications have been, and are now being received for lands under this system, and fifty-two sections in various parts of the district have been laid off for allotment. Out of the 2,143 acres allotted during the year, twenty-eight selectors have felled, burnt, and grassed 362 acres. In connection with the principal road-works for the year, lands have been alloted to married men with families, under the improved-farm- settlement system, at the following places : Uruti, Tongaporutu, Ngaire, Mangere, Taumatatahi. The Uruti Settlement, at junction of Uruti and Mimi Streams, on the Mimi Boad, consists of seven holdings, six of which are allotted on these; 189 acres have been felled and grassed, and the selectors are now engaged in erecting their houses. They will be allowed to work part time on the construction of the Mimi Boad, now in progress. The Tongaporutu Settlement, on the Tongaporutu Biver and Mimi Boad, contains at present six holdings, but this number will be increased to sixteen during the year; 45 acres have been