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Rongoiti is adjoining the Mataroa Township and the main trunk line, and comprises eight sections, all of which are well improved and resided upon. The total population is twenty-three souls. The total value of improvements is £1,362 2s. 3d. ; out of this £27 has been advanced by the Crown for bushfelling, &c, during the year. The areas of three of the holdings have been increased by 100 acres each, thus making them large enough to enable the settlers to eventually make a living off without the aid of outside employment. Better road access is much wanted to several of the sections. During the year I have visited a considerable portion of the district, on three special occasions being accompanied by certain members of the Land Board, and am pleased to be able to confirm by personal observation the reports from the various Crown Lands Rangers on the substantial progress of bona fide settlement throughout the district. Clerical Branch. During the year the correspondence has increased in all its branches, the grand total being 64,000 letters, &c, received and despatched, as against 55,000 last year, or an average of about 213 per working-day. The largest increase is in the number of lithos and "Land Guides" distributed, which account for about 6,000, the balance being made up of increases in the letters received and sent out. • The cheques drawn on imprest account numbered 458, for £3,790, for wages of survey parties, &c, and 1,293 vouchers, representing £32,385, were passed through the books. John Strauchon, Commissioner of Crown Lands.

NELSON. The following table shows in concise form the land transactions of the past year:—

Transactions during the Year. Area under Lease at 31st March, 1903. Revenue received durini System. Number. Area. Number. Area. the Year. A. R. P. 2,506 0 34 A. E. P. £ s. d. 1,730 17 1 1,861 0 4 !ash )eferred payment ... )eferred payment made freehold 'erpetual leases 'erpetual leases made freehold 42 "51 6,613" 2 39 255 24 26,370 1 16 4,958 2 27 86 8 7 395 14 0 3 1,310 0 0 )ccupation with right of purchase .lease in perpetuity (lining districts land occupation Imall grazing-runs 'astoral runs Miscellaneous leases and licenses )ther sources 6 2,203 2 1 197 39,962 2 11 656 18 7 10 6,527 2 11 176 8 54,043 3 21 342 0 11 782 19 0 9 12 10 4 52 3,100 0 0 4,748 0 8 1 77 285 1,088 0 0 317,060 0 0 28,586 1 3 7 0 0 640 13 6 670 12 11 936 6 6 Totals 168 27,009 0 13 1,023 472,411 3 9 I 7,778 3 4 Endowments. )eferred payments Ullage - homestead special settlement lining districts land occupation i iscellaneous leases loyalty on coal and timber ... 2 20 106 100 1 23 9 8 5 3 7 17 5 3 6 51 2 36 58 1,171 2 14 65 11 0 210 5,457 1 19 2,214 13 9 11,700 8 11 Totals 51 2 36 290 6,836 0 23 14,007 7' 4 Grand totals 27,060 3 9 174 1,313 479,247 3 32 I 21,785 10 ! 8