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Summary of Land Transactions, 1902-3— continued.

This summary shows in the aggregate an increase of 143 in number as compared with the previous year, although the area dealt with is considerably less, while the increases in the number of holdings and area held as at 31st March were ninety-four and 33,865 acres respectively. Arrears. —lt will be seen that the total amount of arrears at 31st March was £2,673 19s. lid., owing by 137 selectors occupying an area of 87,338 acres, a decrease as compared with the previous year of £617 17s. and of forty-one selectors in arrear. The proportion of these arrears under the Land for Settlements Act is £1,654 16s. lid., owing by fifty-one selectors occupying 10,349 acres, the higher value of the lands leased accounting for the larger amount than in respect of ordinary Crown lands. It is noticeable that of the total sum outstanding on account of ordinary Crown lands—viz., £993 10s., by eighty-three selectors occupying 75,132 acres—the greater proportion relates to small-grazing-run lessees, thirty-six of whom, occupying 65,230 acres, owe £834 55., leaving only £159 ss. owing by forty-seven holders of 9,902 acres under all other tenures, thus emphasizing the statement previously made that so large an amount of arrears in respect of small grazing-runs would not exist if rebates were extended to this class of tenure. The following comparative table of arrears for the last four years shows, I think conclusively, that the granting of rebates has had the effect of considerably reducing the aggregate amount of outstanding rents, more particularly in regard to land for settlements. The gross annual rental is given for the purpose of showing that, even while the amount of annual rental has increased, the amount outstanding has decreased : —

Comparative Statement of Arrears, 1900 to 1903.

Tenure, &o. Transactions during Year. Number. Area. Areas held under Lease at 3ist March, 1903. Gross Revenue received during xt u a the Year. Number. Area. I " I Brought forward Village-homestead special settlement Special - settlement association (lease in perpetuity) Homestead lands Small grazing-runs Pastoral runs Coal and mineral leases Timber-cutting Miscellaneous licenses and leases Other miscellaneous revenue ... I ) 232 22,522 6 25 1,476 77 1,476 275,056 1 710,997 10 3 77 1 214 S 15 I * 105 12 ° .7 1,214 6 15 | fg5 g g 14 2,765 1 12; 121 2 0 A. R. P. 275,056 1 7 1,214 3 15 14 2,765 1 12; 16 16 2 25,961 3 14 266 140,937 1 21 237 310 3 8 1- 564 21,488 3 37 J 2 158 0 37 266 534,338 1 3512,188 12 8 237 4,519,101 1 1630,246 17 8 158 0 37 534,338 1 35 4,519,101 1 16 18 78 I 564 88,535 3 21 1,352 6 9 88,535 3 21 845 3 7 Totals ordinary Crown lands Land for settlements— Lease in perpetuity Lease in perpetuity, village ... Small grazing-runs Pastoral runs Miscellaneous 360 53 1 211,221 6,703 20 83 2 11 0 0 ' 2 27 0 25 2,636 379 30 3 2 48 15,421,170 55,661 413 3,667 953 762 1 23 2 30 0 4; 1 30 2 38 1 11 !55,912 11 18,563 0 5 397 12 10 405 3 5 122 2 9 129 7 1 4 3 Totals land for settlements Endowments 57 6,807 0 38 ' 462 61,458 0 33 19,617 6 6 861 3 6 11 44,578 2 34 1,062 18 9 Grand totals 418 „ _ r .. !218,890 0 29 . 3,142 5,527,207 1 10 76,592 16 7 *Re. I 1 ut. f Interest.

Year. Number of Tenants in Arrear. I I I Area held by Total Number Tenants : Amount of Arrears. ; of Tenants in Arrear. on Books. Gross Annual Rent. Ordinary Grown Lands. .900 .901 .902 .903 159 153 120 83 Acres. £ s. d. 50,834 988 0 5 2,490 75,160 1,043 17 5 2,582 67,398 922 9 3 2,598 75,132 993 10 0 2,636 £ s. 51,015 9 51,283 11 51,409 7 51,605 16 d. 2 3 1 3 .900 .901 902 .903 98 104 57 51 Land for Settlements. 15,187 I 4,077 13 368 I 16,972 4,076 19 10 389 9,584 2,358 17 8 407 | 10,349 1,654 16 11 462 \_ I | 14,976 13 17,145 9 17,460 3 20,194 16 4 6 6 8