2

C.—s

Negotiations are in progress for the purchase of other estates in Auckland, Hawke's Bay, Wellington, Nelson, Westland, Canterbury, and Otago. A summary of the transactions is as follows: — Number. Acres. Estates purchased to 31st March, 1907 ... 166 995,267 4,241,641 Estates purchased during 1907-8 16 126,867 565,728 182 1,122,134 4,807,369 Acquired at 31st March, 1908, but not paid for nor prepared for selection ... 7 74,043 334,597 The Land for Settlements Account at the 31st March stands as under : — Dr. £ I Cr. £ Loans current ... ... 5,496,547 Purchase-money ... ... 4,807,369 Rents, Ac, received ... ...*1,433,552 Incidental expenses ... ... 409,885 Interest 1,116,152 Sinking fund 104,630 Balance 492,063 £6,930,099 , £6,930,099 The usual tables are appended, including one furnished by the Under-Secretary for Lands, showing the condition of those estates already settled. I have, &c, A. Barron, Land Purchase Inspector, Chairman of the Board of Land Purchase Commissioners. The Hon. Robert McNab, Minister of Lands.