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others seek work in the locality and surrounding districts. The progress made is satisfactory, and the settlers are enjoying more prosperous times owing to the better road access and higher prices ruling for stock, produce, &c. Mengatiti Improved-farm Settlement. —There are twenty-nine sections occupied, having a total area of 3,940 acres, and the number of selectors residing on the land is twenty-seven. 3,154 acres has been felled, and 2,991 acres grassed, the whole of the improvements being valued at £8,659, of which £3,340 has been advanced by the Government to assist the settlers. The stock consists of 75 horses, 936 cattle, 1,437 sheep, and 78 pigs. Some of the settlers work at dairying exclusively, while others seek work on the roads, &c. On the whole, the progress made is satisfactory, and the settlers are more prosperous, owing to better roads, and higher prices ruling for stock, produce, &c. John Strauchon, Commissioner of Crown Lands. SOUTHLAND. There are four improved-farm settlements in this land district, comprising a total area of 5,067 acres, upon which forty-seven settlers remain in occupation, holding 5,000 acres, the total population being 169, residing in eighteen houses. The total number of stock upon the four settlements is 806, the total area grassed being 3,155 acres. The total value of the improvements effected during the year is £349 6s. The Ranger reports, " The settlers on these settlements are making very little progress. The land in some places, notably in Waikawa and Moturimu, is of an inferior quality, and there is very little encouragement for making improvements. The settlers depend chiefly on outside labour, such as working on the roads, sawmilling, and cutting sleepers and telegraph-poles. The prospects and conditions of the selectors on the different settlements are not very encouraging." The following summary shows the position of the settlements : — Haldane Settlement (Block IX, Waikawa Survey District). —Two sections, containing 143 acres, were withdrawn from the settlement, and opened on ordinary lease in perpetuity, in order that they might be selected by the lessee of adjoining land, who had not a sufficient area to make a living for his family. The total area in the settlement is 2,057 acres, held by nineteen tenants ; there are eighteen houses, occupied by sixty-nine persons. The stock consists of 42 horses, 396 cattle, and 11 pigs ; total, 449. The area felled during the year is 34 acres, and 16 acres was laid down in grass. The value of impovements effected during the year is £132 10s. The Crown Lands Ranger assesses the value of the existing improvements upon the settlement at £2,509. Waikawa Settlement (Block XVII, Waikawa Survey District). —On this settlement 860 acres is held by four lessees, living in four houses, the total number of residents being eleven. The stock numbers 74, and comprises 6 horses and 68 cattle. No improvements of any kind have been made during the year. The area in grass is 714 acres. The Crown Lands Ranger values the improvements existing on the land at £400. Papatotara Settlement (Alton Survey District). —This settlement is occupied by fourteen selectors, who hold 1,528 acres. Ten houses have been erected, in which forty-three persons reside. The total number of stock is 246, and consists of 17 horses, 226 cattle, and 3 pigs. The area in grass is 862 acres. The area felled during the year is 34 acres, and grassed 29 acres. The value of improvements effected during the year is £178 65., and the total value of the improvements on the settlement is assessed at £1,161 by the Crown Lands Ranger. Moturimu Settlement (Campbelltown Hundred). — Ten lessees occupy 609 acres. The houses number eight, and are inhabited by forty-six persons. The stock numbers 37, and comprises 33 cattle and 4 pigs. The area felled during the year was 6 acres, and the area grassed 9 acres, the total area in grass being 193 acres. The value of improvements effected during the year is £38 10s. The Crown Lands Ranger assesses the value of the improvements existing on the settlement at £849. John Hay, Commissioner of Crown Lauds.