C.—l

74

Huiroa Improved-farm Settlement. —Situati on Douglas and Makuri Roads, and close to the proposed railway-line from Douglas Rail way-station. There are six families in the occupation of eight sections. The live-stock consists of 461 head of cattle. The settlers are engaged in dairying, and appear prosperous. Taumatatahi Improved-farm Settlement. —Situate on Waitotara Valley Road, about thirty miles from Waitotara Railway-station. The land is not suitable for this class of settlement, and four sections have practically passed into the hands of one person, who uses them in conjunction with a large sheepfarm adjoining. The following four settlements are still under the improved-farm regulations, having only been allotted within the last four years. Nihoniho, Paorae, and Mangapapa Improved-farm Settlements. —Situate in the Ohura and Aria Survey Districts, between twenty and twenty-two miles from Ongarue Railway-station, and easily accessible by good summer roads. There are ninety-three sections, of an average area of 175 acres each, and fifty-three have been settled upon and improved ; .fourteen other settlers reside in the district, and the remainder are held by persons who have not yet resided. It has been necessary to forfeit the interests of several persons and reallot the sections. Twelve settlers applied for and received advances on dwellings erected during the year, and arrangements have been made to assist some of the more needy settlers by supplying fencing-wire. The population of these settlements is 231, the live-stock consists of 1,510 head mixed cattle, and the settlements are in a fair way to be prosperous. Totoro Improved-farm Settlement. —Situate near the Mokau River, south of Wairere Falls, where there is a ferry crossing, and distant about twenty-five miles from Te Kuiti Railway-station. It comprises thirty-six sections, generally of about 200 acres each, of which twenty-three are settled upon, and six other settlers are living near their sections until they build ; four have received advances on houses erected during the year. It has been necessary to forfeit and reallot several sections owing to non-fulfilment of the conditions of residence. The population is sixty-two, the live-stock consists of 474 head mixed cattle, and the settlement is making very good progress. Regarding these latter settlements of Nihoniho, Paorae, Mangapapa, and Totoro, I may say, judging from my personal knowledge of the selectors and the land in their occupation, that if within the next year or two judicious advances are made to assist in bushfelling, grassing, fencing, &c, and the Department of Roads continues to find a certain amount of work for those in need of it, I feel well assured that these settlements will show the most satisfactory results of any in this district. Frans. Simpson, Commissioner of Crown Lands. WELLINGTON West Coast. Pemberton Improved-farm Settlement. —There are eleven sections in this settlement, aggregating 1,060 acres, now under occupation, the total number of persons on the land being eighty. 1,060 acres has been felled and grassed, and the stock consists of 800 sheep, 495 cattle, 44 horses, and 110 pigs. Dairying is the main industry and source of income, but on some of the smaller areas the settlers take outside work during the winter months. The improvements on the land are valued at £8,970, including £2,056 advanced by the Government. This is one of the most successful settlements in this district. The sections are in profitable occupation, and are very highly improved. Kawhatau Improved-farm Settlement. — This settlement was established in 1894, and comprises eight sections, having a total area of 667 acres, the number of souls on the land being thirty-eight. The settlers engage principally in dairying, but in some cases where the sections are not self-supporting the selectors take outside contract work. Improvements to the value of £6,100 have been effected, which includes improvements to the value of £1,190 paid for by the Government. This*settlement has always been most successful, and is now practically fully improved. Hautapu Improved-farm Settlement. —This settlement is situated in the Taihape district, and consists of twelve sections, with a total area of 1,074 acres, the total population being forty souls. The stock consists of 618 head of all kinds. The settlers are dairying mostly, and take outside work during their spare time. 850 acres has been felled and grassed, the total improvements being valued at £5,320, towards which £1,124 has been advanced by the Government. This is also a successful settlement. Masterton-Tenui Improved-farm Settlement. —The number of sections now under occupation is eleven, aggregating 1,065 acres, and the number of persons on the land forty-four. 1,000 acres have been felled and grassed, and the stock on the settlement consists of 1,600 sheep, 410 cattle, 43 horses, and 80 pigs. The improvements are valued at £5,300, and the settlers have been assisted by the Government to the extent of £847. The holdings are used for dairying and grazing purposes. The settlers are all doing well, and the success of the settlement is assured. Horopito Improved-farm Settlement. —Three sections, of a total area of 300 acres, are occupied, and there are five persons living on the settlement. 142 acres is felled and grassed, and the stock numbers 146 head of all kinds. The valuation of the improvements on the land is £784, which includes a sum of £393 advanced to the settlers by the Government. As the railway-works in this vicinity, the prospects of the settlers are brighter, and they will find a market for their produce among the cooperative workmen. Otaihape Improved-farm, Settlement consists of eight sections, aggregating 178 acres, on which seventyone persons are living. The settlement is all felled and grassed, and the stock on the land numbers 143 head of all kinds. Improvements to the value of £2,900 have been effected, and these include