α-i

XVII

.. Canterbury Land District. The number of properties visited by the Rangers is 1,613, with an area of 276,681 acres, on which improvements to the value of £153,912 were required to be effected. The reports show that improvements amounting to £322,928 were placed on the land ; more than double the statutory requirements. Only 109 tenants were in default, chiefly for non-resi-dence and insufficient improvements, representing 6 per cent, of the total. The Commissioner's exposition of the condition of Crown tenants in this district is worthy of careful consideration. Full information will be found therein in regard to all the settlements. The general condition is reported to be very satisfactory as to compliance with the conditions of improvement, payment of rent, &c. The prospects are excellent, but it is pointed out that the excessively wet season injuriously affected the settlers on the margin of Lake Ellesmere. The spirit of the tenantry is represented as one of hopefulness and contentment. The interesting history of the settlements in Canterbury is also given. The Commissioner enlarges upon the condition of the Land for Settlements estates now distributed amongst the Crown tenants, and shows that 42 settlements have been established, with 980 settlers, upon an area of 180,600 acres, who have complied in the most satisfactory manner as to bond fide residence and occupation, and the percentage of defaulters in any respect is very low. Despite the unseasonable weather, good crops have been taken off the lands, the yields being above the average. The suburban settlements round Christchurch are now in a satisfactory condition, having found more favour in the eyes of artisans and others: this is indicated by the keener demand, in consequence of the object-lessons presented by the comfortable homes, and the advantages accruing from larger areas, in the possession of the fortunate selectors under this system. The pursuits of the tenantry range from mixed farming, including agriculture and dairying, to grazing on the lighter and more distant hilly lands. Otayo Land District. The three Rangers in Otago inspected 662 holdings during the preceding year, covering an area of 118,813 acres, and reported that the value of improvements actually effected by the occupants amounted to £108,869, in place of the £52,599 required by the Act. There were, however, 102 defaulters among those visited, this representing 15 per cent, of the total. In reviewing the settlement in this district, the Commissioner reports that the settlers have had a successful and prosperous year, much better than was expected. Owing to the long-continued wet summer and autumn the conditions were unfavourable, but the ultimate result was that in some localities extra good yields have been obtained. One advantage was the abundant growth of pasture. Settlement conditions have been generally well complied with. More improvements than prescribed have been effected. The comparative failure of the village settlements is poken of with regret, and full details are given as to this and other matters. In southern Otago the settlers had an especially trying time, owing to the late spring and the wet and broken weather and summer. Not only the crops, but the lambing was affected, though counterbalanced by good prices and the advantage of dairying in some localities. Many of the roads have been improved, to the great convenience and advantage of the settlers. In central and north Otago the settlers were delayed in getting in their crops, but there was an abundance of feed ; the harvest was delayed, but most of the crops were saved, record yields being common. Taken on the whole the year has been satisfactory to the farmers, and also to the tenants under the small-grazing-run, lease-in-perpetuity, and occu-pation-with-right-of-purchase systems. The Ranger for the inland district reports satisfactory compliance as to residential conditions, extenuating reasons for the default being advanced. The agricultural returns have been good, whilst the pastoral tenants and runholders have prospered, owing to few losses in stock and the good prices realised. It will be seen from the reports on the Land for Settlements estates in Otago, and the instructive particulars furnished, that there are 17 properties, carrying 462 tenants and their families, who occupy 299 dwellings, the total population being 1,195. The area leased amounts to 61,458 acres, and an annual rental of £20,195 is paid therefor, the value of improvements being £83,349. The area under cultivation last year in grain and root crops was 14,006 acres. The area still unlet amounts to 4,417 acres. The reports indicate that the estates, excepting in two or three cases, are either in a flourishing or satisfactory position; that good progress has been made; and the prospects