o.—l.

36

Upon B comparing this statement with the corresponding one for last year, it will be noticed that while the number of transactions is'practically the same, the area represented is much larger, the respective figures being : 1904-s—Number of selectors, 203; area, 29,577 acres 2 roods 3 perches. 1905-6—Number of selectors, 205 ; area, 41,447 acres 1 rood 20 perches. The principal" difference of area lies in the selections under the Land for Settlements Act, which show an increase of 8,6C0 acres. The total area occupied at the close of the year shows an increase of sixty-three selectors, 32,574 acres and 29 perches. The revenue received during the year shows an increase of £9,193 14s. North Canterbury. Lands opened: Excluding lands opened under the Land for Settlements Act, and in the Cheviot Estate, which are dealt with in separate reports, the lands opened for selection in North Canterbury may be classified as follows :—Under Part 111 of " The Land Act, 1892 " : One section of 18 acres in the Mairaki Survey District, for which there were eight applicants, and the successful one took it under the occupation-with-right-of-purchase system. Under village-homestead lease-in-perpetuity system: One section, of 2 acres 1 rood 7 perches, in the Sockburn Village Settlement, near Christchurch, for which there were nine applicants. Under pastoral license for terms of seven years : Three runs in the Ashley and Selwyn Counties, comprising a total area of 5,658 acres ; the total upset rental was £269, and the rental realised £580 per annum. Under temporary tenancies for various terms : Eleven sections, comprising a total area of 403 acres and 32 perches, which were offered at upset rentals totalling £75 6s. per annum ; six of the tots were disposed of, the rentals realised amounting to £126 4s. per annum. Lands occupied.Excluding the two classes of land previously mentioned, the lands occupied under the principal tenures in North Canterbury, extending from the northern boundary of the district to the Rangitata River, may be divided as follows : — Number of Area. Holders. A. E. P. 1. Deferred payment, pastoral, rural, and village .. 12 9,040 1 3 2. Perpetual leases, rural and village .. .. 18 1,332 027 3. Occupation with right of purchase, rural only (no vil- 21 4,168 334 lage) 4. Leases in perpetuity .. .. .. .. 150 35,138 337 5. Village homestead .. .. .. .. 208 | 7,913 312 6. Farm homestead .. .. .. .. 30 2,536 2 17 7. Small grazing-runs .. .. .. .. 23 [33,552 120 8. Pastoral runs 78 1,692,608 1 21 Deferred Payments. —There are only five rural and pastoral, and seven village-settlement holdings under this system in North Canterbury, the total area of the twelve sections being 9,040 acres. Out of this total 8,845 acres are comprised in three large hill blocks near the Hurunui River, which are still held under the pastoral-deferred-payment system inaugurated by " The Land Act, 1877." The freehold of one holding of about 60 acres was acquired during the year. Perpetual Leases. —The ordinary and village-settlement perpetual leases in this portion of the district number eighteen, and comprise 1,332 acres, distributed over various localities. The period of compulsory residence in respect of these has long since expired, and the lands in the majority of cases are not of an area or quality to attract permanent residential occupation. Eight leases, comprising 579 acres, were converted into freehold during the year. Occupation with Right of Purchase. —The freehold of three sections, totalling 91 acres 3 roods 1 perch, was acquired during the year, and one new selection of 18 acres was made under this system. Nearly the whole of the licenses current comprise lands situated on the plains near Oxford, which are of light quality, but capable in damp seasons of producing good returns. These lands were only selected in June, 1903, but in most cases the residence and improvement conditions of the licenses are well fulfilled. Leases in Perpetuity. —There has been practically no change in the area occupied under this system during the year. About one-half of the number and a little over a third of the area held is situated on the low-lying lands around Lake Ellesmere, which consist generally of excellent pasture-land, and as there are several creameries established in the locality a good deal of dairying is done, with satisfactory results. The conditions of the leases have generally been well fulfilled, except in the cases of a few very low-lying areas subject to almost total submergence when the lake is high, and therefore unfitted for residence or much expenditure on improvements. The greater proportion of the remaining lands held under this tenure are situated on the plains of the Ashburton County, and comprise generally lands of light or medium quality ; good homes have, however, been established on most of these holdings, and although the improvements effected are in some cases short of requirements, they are sufficient for the reasonable working of the lands. Small Grazing-runs. —There have been no changes under this tenure in North Canterbury during the year. The existing leases are located near Hurunui, Waipara, Oxford, and Alford Forest, the most important group being situated on the Black Hills and Greta Peaks near Hurunui. In some cases the