C.—1

20

Lands to be opened. An available area of 117,082 acres will probably be dealt with during the coming year ; 100,524 acres in the Cook and Waiapu Counties under the optional and small-grazing-run systems, and 16,558 acres in Hawke's Bay and Waipawa Counties, the area under the optional system being 2,888 acres ; pastoral run, 11,000 acres ; and small grazing-run, 2,670 acres. Impkoved-farm Settlements. The position with regard to the Waikopiro and Akitio Improved-farm Settlements remains practically the same, Waikopiro showing an increase in area felled and grassed and value of improvements. Departmental. The Land Board held eighteen meetings during the year, and made several visits of inspection to localities requiring same. Some seventeen hundred letters, applications, and papers were dealt with, being a considerable increase over the previous year's figures. 20,964 letters and 724 telegrams were received and despatched, and 601 vouchers, representing payments of £15,618, were dealt with during the year. Receipts for rent totalled 2,903, cards to Auditor 142, reports to Government Advances to Settlers Department 231, and transfers recorded 169. The preparation of the numerous special and periodical returns involves a large amount of time and work. Members of the staff have been kept exceptionally busy, and in the performance of their numerous duties have displayed efficiency, interest, and zeal, and I have much pleasure in placing on record my appreciation thereof. Eric C. Gold Smith, Commissioner of Crown Lands.

X 1\±\>H±* -tt.J.V.1.. The land transactions for the year ending the 31st March, 1906, are shown in the subjoined summary : — Transactions during the Year. Held at 31st March, 1906. Kevenue Class of Selection. - received during Number. Area. Number. Area. the Year ' I A. K. P. A. R. P. £ S. d. Cash ... 32 1,771 0 14 ... ... 1,384 9 3 Deferred payment ... 3 637 0 0 3 497 0 0 242 1 10 Perpetual lease ... ... 13 3,961 0 16 30118 7 Perpetual lease made freehold 3 640 0 0 j ... ... 805 5 6 Occupation with right of pur- 28 20,212 0 0! 364 157,656 0 5 6,018 16 10 chase Occupation with right of pur- 9 1,586 1 0 ... ... 2,431 9 5 chase made freehold Lease in perpetuity ... 20 13,511 3 0 451 169,344 0 10 4,534 18 8 Lease in perpetuity—Land for ... ... 29 2,418 0 7 2,268 0 5 settlement Village settlements — Occupation with right of... ... 9 810 2411 purchase Lease in perpetuity ... 10 69 0 8 10 12 3 Special settlement—Lease in ... ... 86 16,268 3 15 1,013 17 3 perpetuity Improved-farm settlements 10 0 0 250 33,360 2 27 1,165 3 3 Small grazing-runs ... 17 16,654 2 6 254 3 1 Miscellaneous leases ... 2 110 104 1,237 0 39 535 12 9 Transfer and other fees ... ... ... ... ••■ 150 11 0 Miscellaneous receipts ... ... ... 1,046 16 1 Crown-grant fees ... ... ... ••■ ••• ... 52 0 6 Endowments ... ... 1 53 2 32 357 15 5 Timber licenses ... ... ... ••• ••• ••• 42 0 0 Totals 97 38,369 1 14 1,337 401,528 2 5 \ 22,617 17 0