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664 pounds' worth paid for by the Government. The sections are mostly used for homes, but on some of the larger areas dairying is carried on. This is a very successful settlement, and, being close to Taihape Township, some of the sections are being subdivided for building-lots. Ohutu Improved-farm Settlement comprises an area of 2,895 acres, subdivided into thirty-four holdings, all of which are under occnpation,|the total population being 135 souls. An area of 2,310 acres has been felled and grassed, and the total improvements on the land are valued at £13,870, towards which advances amounting to £1,941 have been made by the Government to assist the settlers. The stock consists of 1,704 head of mixed sorts, but principally cattle. Dairying is carried on on nearly all of the sections, and is the chief source of income. This settlement is a very successful one. Otuarei Improved-farm Settlement. —Eight sections, of a total area of 1,570 acres, are now under occupation, and the number of persons on the land is thirty-three. 600 acres has been felled, and 1,285 acres grassed, inclusive of natural clearing, and the stock numbers 2,422 of all kinds. The improvements are valued at £3,205, inclusive of £548 advanced by the Government to assist the settlers. Most of the settlers engage in sheep-farming, and take some outside work during the winter. Two of the selectors started dairying, but owing to the creamery had to abandon it and go in for sheep-farming. This settlement is now a one. Rongoiti Improved-farm Settlement. —Five sections, aggregating 492 acres, are occupied, the total number of residents being twenty-one. 492 acres has been felled and grassed, and the number of stock running on the land consists of 1,320 sheep, 130 cattle, 34 horses, and 26 pigs. Improvements to the. value of £2,769 have been effected, the Government assisting settlers to the extent of £464. The settlers are engaged principally in dairying and mixed grazing. They are all prospering, and the settlement is a success. Oraukura Improved-farm Settlement. —The area now under occupation in this settlement is 1,819 acres, subdivided into ten farms, and there are forty-six persons living on the land. 800 acres has been felled, and 820 acres grassed, inclusive of natural clearings, and the stock numbers 570 head of all sorts. The improvements effected are valued at £4,550, which includes £507 advanced by the Government for the assistance of the settlers. The principal industry is dairying, but some of the settlers receive fair incomes from royalties on their surplus timber. The settlers appear to be well satisfied, and the settlement is a very successful one. Sommerville Improved-farm Settlement consists of eight sections, comprising an area of 1,600 icres, all of which are occupied, the total population being thirty-five souls. 640 acres is felled, and 780 grassed, including natural clearing, and the stock on the land amounts to 586 head of all kinds. The improvements effected are valued at £2,540, including £283 advanced to the settlers by the Government. Dairying is the main industry and source of income, but nearly all the settlers take outside work. This is a successful settlement, and the settlers are prospering. Taihape Extension Improved-farm Settlement comprises six sections, of a total area of 567 acres, all of which are occupied, and the total number of residents is twenty-six. 360 acres has been felled and grassed, and the stock on the laud consists of 230 head of all kinds, but principally cattle. Improvements to the value of £2,028 have been effected, including £103 advanced to the settlers by the Government. As this settlement is close to Taihape, and is practically alongside a creamery, there is no doubt in time it will prove to be one of the best in the district. Namunui Improved-farm Settlement. —Twenty-four sections, aggregating 1,840 acres, have been allotted, the number of persons living on the land being five. 413 acres has been felled and grassed, and the value of improvements on the land is estimated at £1,064. The stock comprises seventy head of mixed kinds. It is expected that next year a large area of bush will be felled, and that all the sections will be fairly well improved. This settlement was laid off to provide extension of areas up to 100 acres for the settlers in the adjoining village settlements, and residence is not required from those who reside on their village-homestead allotments. Tapui Improved-farm Settlement. —Three sections, of a total area of 600 acres, are now under occupation, and the number of persons on the land is twenty-two. 147 acres has been felled and grassed, and the total amount of improvements is £710, including £60 advanced by the Government. The stock consists of 52 cattle, 10 horses, and 4 pigs. tiaketapauma Improved-farm Settlement. —The area now under occupation is 3,307 acres, subdivided into nineteen holdings, the number of souls on the land being twenty-seven. 150 acres has been felled and grassed, and the value of the improvements is £470, which includes £78 advanced by the Government to assist the settlers. Most of the selectors work on the Main Trunk line, but the majority of them intend shortly to take up their residence, and there will probably be a larger area felled next year. Kauaekeke Improved-farm Settlement consists of one 200-acre section, held by one person. 150 acres has been felled and grassed, and there are 258 head of stock on the land. The improvements are valued at £420. Horowhenua Improved-farm Settlement consists of one section of 138 acres, on which three persons are living. 70 acres has been felled and grassed, the total improvements being valued at £270, of which £40 was advanced by the Government. The stock consists of thirteen cattle and two horses. East Coast. Akitio Improved-farm Settlement consists of thirty-six sections, of a total area of 3,810 acres, on which twenty-five selectors are residing. 3,612 acres has been felled, and 3,391 acres grassed, inclusive of some natural clearings, and the stock carried on the land numbers 4,994 head of all kinds. The improvements are valued at £10,188, of which £3,690 has been advanced by the Government to assist the settlers. The selectors are industrious men, some of whom work exclusively on their holdings, while

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