C.—l

26

Area of Crown Lands, Canterbury, available for Settlement, 31st March, 1897.

Summary of Holdings reported, on for the Year ended 31st March, 1897.

OTAGO. I forward herewith the annual returns of land-transactions in this district during the twelve months ended on the 31st March, 1897, showing also the position at that date of the several systems of land tenure and occupation. Prom a perusal of these returns it will be seen that the year's transactions compare favourably with previous years, both as regards selections and revenue. Revenue, 1896-97. —The gross receipts for the year exceed those of the previous year by £4,858 6s. 9d., and were also in excess of the estimated revenue by £9,345 17s. 6d. The principal items of excess were perpetual leases made freehold, deferred payments, and land for settlements. I have already explained, in forwarding the estimates of revenue and expenditure for the current year, that the excess in deferred payments is accounted for by the number of selectors who, having obtained advances under the Government Advances to Settlers Act, have elected to complete their purchases, while, in the matter of the Land for Settlements Account, the excess is to a great extent owing to the fact that the current half-year's rent has been more promptly paid by a large number of lessees than was anticipated. _ The promptitude of payments may also be attributed in some measure to the better position in which many settlers find themselves as the result of the late favourable harvest and improved prices; but, unfortunately, this cannot be said of all, as in some places in Central Otago, owing to the dryness of the season, the crops have been exceedingly light, and in some instances a complete failure. Summary of Transactions. —The selections during the year, the areas held at the 31st March, 1897, together with the amounts received under the various systems of land settlement and occupation, are concisely compiled, and can be readily seen from the subjoined summary, which in form appears to have been generally adopted as a convenient method of exhibiting the yearly operations : —

County. System. Area (First-class). Area (Second-class). Total Area. A. H. P. l r o 71 2 0 57 2 12 151 1 15 33 0 0. 309 0 0 366 0 0 30 0 0 A. B. p. A. E. P. 110 Geraldine Ashburton Geraldine Waimate ... Selwyn Geraldine Ashburton Waimate Ashburton Geraldine Mackenzie Waimate Mackenzie Waimate Ashley Waimate Mackenzie Village lots Village homestead ... it • • • 280" 1 27 it Eural lands f f ... it 738" 0 0 if if it it Small grazing-runs 1,400 0 1,660 0 1,322 0 3,658 0 9,749 0 24,206 0 293 0 118,523 0 18,550 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 8,O4o" 0 0 33,955 0 0 Pastoral lands it •' • 137,366 0 0 it Totals 1,019 2 27 179,361 0 0 180,380 2 27

Tenure. Id u m CD 33 ■as Area. I Requirements of Act. Cultivation. IgggHow far complied with. bIs ft* o_2 111 SB P Cultivation. Improvements. )eferred payment 'erpefcual lease Icoupation with riglit of purchase jease in perpetuity r illage-homestead perpetual lease r illage-homestead lease in perpetuity iheviot Estate— Lease in perpetuity .. Village-homestead Grazing-farm jands for settlement .. 22 61 2 A. B. P. 507 1 4 13,562 3 1 164 0 11 A. B. P. 133 0 39 2,274 1 14 £ s. a. 678 0 6 5,478 16 11 91 9 0 j A. E. P. £ S. d. 476 2 8l 1,193 17 0 7,140 0 0il3,455 12 0 136 0 0 15 23 7 38 2 4 15 1 5 1 35 22 13,022 2 19 433 3 9 227 2 18 7,396 18 10 8,164 10 0 342 1 2 2,192 0 0 25 21 10 1 9 1 3 44 2,625 3 13 1,493 17 1 2,928 18 0 |21,989 0 0 1 : 6,360 0 0 ,10,446 0 0 j 6,324 19 6! 28 16 14 2 111 91 31 98 23,846 2 21 2,473 1 37 44,886 2 0j 10,942 2 26 I 6,037 19 4 848 18 10 9,143 8 9 1,076 16 8 96 70 23 56 15 21 8 42 10 11 4 12 1 M ■ •