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lands at Oxford has been carefully considered, and it has been decided to reserve a portion of the remaining bush with a view, to the conservation of the Oxford district water-supply, and to allow the existing sawmill-areas to be cut out before dealing with the other available lands by offering them for settlement occupation. Planting operations are still being carried on by the Mackenzie County Council upon portions of the treeless plains of the Mackenzie County, by means of funds derived from the leasing of reserves set apart for that purpose. During the year an area of 52 acres 2 roods 39 perches, known as Kennedy's Bush, and situated on f the summit of the Port Hills, about ten miles from Christchurch, has been acquired and reserved under "The Scenery Preservation Act, J 903." One-third of the purchase-money was raised locally by public subscription, and the balance was provided by Government. The cost of fencing the block has also been jointly provided in the same manner. This acquisition comprises the best remaining piece of native bush within easy distance of Christchurch ; it is finely situated, commanding a beautiful view of Lyttelton Harbour, and has for many years been a favourite holiday resort. It is hoped that public opinion will protect the bush from damage or depredation. Two blocks of land, comprising a total area of 124 acres and 20 perches, were also set apart for scenery-preservation out of the acquired Morice Settlement, near Little River, Banks Peninsula ; these include two valuable and interesting areas of native bush. " The Workers' Dwellings Act, 1905." The 1 first twelve dwellings erected in this district under " The Workers' Dwellings Act, 1905," were opened for application on the 11th February, 1907. The buildings were all of five rooms, with conveniences, three' r built in brick, and the remainder of wood, and are situated at the southern end of Sydenham, adjacent to an electric-tram line, and about fifteen minutes' journey from the centre, of the city. The rentals averaged from 10s. to 12s. per week, plus insurance and local rates. Thirty applications were received, and the whole of the dwellings were allotted at the first ballot; one was subsequently surrendered by the successful applicant, but it has since been reallotted. The tenants are all in occupation, and*'appear to be of an excellent and deserving class. The announcement made at the ballot that further dwellings would be erected gave general satisfaction. Negotiations have since been concluded for the acquisition of a site for the erection of dwellings in the vicinity of the railway workshops at Addington. New Zealand International Exhibition. Considerable additional work has been thrown on the office during the year in connection with the New Zealand International Exhibition, a portion of the West Coast Court having been allotted to the Department, in which were exhibited the undermentioned plans, &c, furnished and mounted by the Head Office : Map of New Zealand with mountain features in pictorial relief ; large map of Dunedin and suburbs ; mounted lithographs of townships, county maps, triangulation and block sheets, and settlements ; maps of the North and South Islands, showing topography, county boundaries, &c. ; photographs of the Southern Alps, scenery in Christchurch and different parts of the district, stock, &c, on Crown settlements, &c. ; pamphlets, Crown Lands Guides, " Immigrants' Guide and Settlers' Handbook," reports on the Lands Department, State forests, and timber industry. An officer wag in attendance to give information to the public, and to distribute lithographs, pamphlets, &e. Great interest was taken by the public in the exhibits, and constant inquiries were made by visitors from all parts of the world concerning the New Zealand systems of land-tenure, and large numbers of lithographs and pamphlets were distributed. Considerable interest was manifested in the large relief map of the colony, which was exhibited in a glass case, and there was a great demand for lithographs of this map, no less than 150 being distributed on the afternoon of the closing-day. We have also supplied various Commissioners] from other colonies with information and maps, and generally the court has been a success and of considerable service to the public. Crown Lands foe Disposal. The following table summarises the Crown lands open for selection on the 31st March, 1907 : —

Tenure under which Land is open. Area. Counties in whioh situated. r illage-homestead allotments Iptional selection, under Part III of " The Land Act, 1892 "— First-class surveyed Second-class surveyed ... First-class unsurveyed ... 'astoral runs iand for Settlements Acts—Lease in perpetuity Total ... A. 86 R. P. 2 0 Ashburton. 6 144 421 45,000 16 1 10 0 9 0 0 0 0 3 13 Ashburton. Ashley, Ashburton, Geraldine, and Waimate Selwyn and Ashburton. Amuri. Amuri, Selwyn, Ashburton, Levels, and Waimate. 45,674 2 32