a—l.

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. Improved-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.

TARANAKI. The land transactions for the year ending the 31st March, 1906, are shown in the subjoined summary : —

20

Class of Selection. Transactions during the Year. Number. Area. I Held at 31st March, 1906. Number. Area. " Revenue - received during the Year. Number. Area. Number. Area. Cash Deferred payment Perpetual lease Perpetual lease made freehold Occupation with right of purchase Occupation with right of purchase made freehold Lease in perpetuity Lease in perpetuity—Land for settlement Village settlements — Occupation with right of purchase Lease in perpetuity Special settlement —Lease in perpetuity Improved-farm settlements... Small grazing-runs Miscellaneous leases Transfer and other fees Miscellaneous receipts Crown-grant fees ... Endowments Timber licenses 32 3 3 28 A. B. P. 1,771 0 14 637 0 0 640 0 0 20,212 0 0 3 13 a. E. p. 497 0 0 3,961 0 16 £ s. d. 1,384 9 3 242 1 10 301 18 7 805 5 6 6,018 16 10 364 157,656 0 5 9 1,586 1 0 2,431 9 5 20 13,511 3 0 451 29 169,344 0 10 2,418 0 7 4,534 18 8 2,268 0 5 9 8 10 2 4 11 10 86 69 0 8 16,268 3 15 10 12 3 1,013 17 3 10 0 0 250 17 104 33,360 2 27 16,654 2 6 1,237 0 39 1,165 3 3 254 3 1 535 12 9 150 11 0 1,046 16 1 52 0 6 357 15 5 42 0 0 2 l" 1 0 1 53 2 32 Totals 97 38,369 1 14 1,337 401,528 2 5 22,617 17 0