o.—l.

of rabbits, showing what could be done with really poor land. The marram-grass planted to arrest the sand-drift had been a great success : one of the settlers whose land was being spoiled%ad l!< said " It was all right now, and there was no further danger." Ranger Mackenzie's work had been carried on as formerly. In addition to visiting and inspecting holdings and making valuations, and giving information to visitors and others, a considerable amount of office-work had been performed in connection with surveys and putting plans on leases, &c. ; also in visiting and protecting bush reserves in the district. Fires had been rare during the year. He had also been engaged in helping to overtake some of Ranger Atkinson's work which had been delayed through the latter's illness. Rebates op Rent. The tenants to whom rebate was granted during the year were more in number than the previous year by 133, and the total amount granted greater by £473 ss. 10d., exceeding the estimate for the year by £398. The following are the several.tenures that participated in the rebate, and the number and amount granted during the twelve months : — Tenure. Number of Amount granted. Ordinary Crown lands — Tenants. £ s. d. Deferred payments.. .. .. .. 9 3 6 6 Perpetual lease .. .. - .. 184 118 19 2 Lease in perpetuity (ordinary) .. .. 620 406 8 2 Lease in perpetuity (village homestead) 53 6 7 4 Lease in perpetuity (farm-homestead association)' 14 11 7 7 Occupation with right of purchase .. .. 206 90 6 7 —— Totals .. .. .. .. 1,086 636 15 4 Land for settlements .. ... 395 1,826 11 3 Grand totals .. .. .. 1,481 £2,463 6 7 The large amount thus granted and the number of tenants participating are an indication that the selectors who are privileged to receive rebate have come forward with commendable promptitude with their rents, leaving a comparatively small amount in arrear. The following table serves to show the steady and gradual increase in the number and amount of the rebates granted during the last six years :—

Arrears op Rent. It is pleasing to he able to report that, notwithstanding the unfavourable season in some localities, and the fact that considerably less pressure has been used during the year for the collection of outstanding rents, the amount of arrears in respect of ordinary Crown lands, exclusive of the current halfyear, is less than at the 31st March, 1905, while in land for settlements, considering the increase in the number of tenants, the amount of rent owing is but slightly in excess of the amount owing the previous year. It is true that, taking the arrears inclusive of the current six months into consideration, there is a larger number of holders in arrear, but the amount owing is only about £800 more than in 1905. In these arrears the small grazing-runs bulk largely, inasmuch as, there being no rebate for prompt payment, and the amount only becoming due in advance on the Ist of the last month of the financial year, there is no inducement for the lessees to pay until the half-yearly period is well advanced. Exclusive 'of the current half-year, the percentage of tenants in arrear is 2| per cent, of the total number on the books, and the amount owing 1| per cent, of the total annual rental. If the current six months

43

Ordinary Crown Lands. Land fo Settlements. 'otal. Year. Number - Amount of Tenants. of Rebate. Number of Tenants. Amount of Rebat . Number of Tenants. Amount of Rebate. 900-1 901-2 902-3 .903-4 .904-5 905-6 673 847 893 978 1,030 1,086 £ p. d. 198 0 11 497 12 2 520 15 2 553 10 11 596 3 0 636 15 4 136 183 213 308 318 395 £ s. d. 149 1 8 527 13 11 631 8 1 1,296 16 3 1,393 17 9 1,826 11 3 809 1,030 1,106 1,286 1,348 1,481 £ 347 1,025 1,152 1,850 1,990 2,463 P. 2 6 3 7 0 6 a. 7 1 3 2 9 7 Totals 3,002 17 6 5,825 8 11 8,828 6 5