A—i

34

Extension of Wairoa Forks Block (National Endowment land).—This block adjoins the Lee River h ireinbefore described, and his I h tics. It contains about 7,000 acr Upper Aorere Block—Av~-.x. 3,475 acres. Situ tid i C tunty, in the basin of Brown's River and tributaries of th i Aorere Bi. -track Aorere to Hcaphv River. Forest-clad, principally hilly. Will make good p from Collingwood 18j miles. Reports and Inspections by Crown Lands Rangers. Crown Lands Rangers Harris and Hursthous < very valuable work during the year. The evidence of their integrity and tact is afforded by the fact that tin v enjoy the confidence of the Land Board and of the Crown tenants. The sin d policy under which the Crown tenancy is increasing yearly depends to a very large extent upon the character of the men whose duty it is to move about amongst the tenants and Bie th. 1 the obligl times of the letter to the State are fulfilled. It is but natural that settlers in the baokbloeks struggling in face of difficulties should resent. the application of the law if enforced in a cold, unsympathetic manner; hence the value of the official who combines in his methods the suaviter in modo with the fortiter in re. Tin- reports oi Messrs. Harris, Hursthouse, and Wesley are furnished below. Thoseof the two first-named officers show that 407 proper. of 90,064 acres, were visited and inspected during the year. They, hie of tin imp lired by law on these properties i 5.115,066; the value of the improvements actually made thereon is £40,143. There were 111 defaulters in respect of improvements, and ninety-three i. -ions. The great majority of the defaulters .ire iv the Buller County, and it is only right t ption of the statutory period within which improvements had 1" be . fleeted prevailed in the minds of many tenants in cases where the land had been selected as " unsurveyed." Crown Lands Ranger Harris reports ;s follows: "During the year I have visited and inspected 162 leasehold sections, covering an area of 66,402 acres. The value of improvements required thereon by law was £12,110 ; the value of improvements ell', oted was £21,980. The number of defaulters for improvements was forty-one, ..ml for no. I Idition to the inspections I have mentioned an area of 51,800 acres of Crown 1: ported upon for the Land Board with the view of opening it for Ham mis inspections and reports were made respecting hue!. 11. x. timber, n serves, Ac. In the Collingwood ami i wnti< a three 1. hold sections were inspected, covering an area of 1,408 The value of improvements required by law was £425, the value of improvements effected £1,590. The lessees had complied with all conditions of their leases. In Buller and Inangahua Counties forty-four inspections were made, covering an area of 16,620 acres. The value of improvements required by law was £1,998, and the value of improvements effected was £2,456. I found that fifteen lessees had not complied with the improvement conditions of the lease, and that five were non-residents. In Waimea and Sounds Counties 115 inspections wen- made, covering an area of 48,379 acres. Value of improvements required was £9,686, while the value effected was £17,934. The number of defaulters for non-compliance with the improvement conditions of lease was twenty-six, while foe: I failed to reside on their land. Speaking generally respecting settlement in this district. ' ; that the Crown tenants and freeholders have prospered during tl prices having been obtained for wool, sheep, cattle, and produce, thus encour s under cultivation. There was keen competition for all lands opened lion during the year, and those who were successful at the ballots are very well satisfied with their present pots. I estimate the area of bush lands brought under cultivation during 1. about 7,000 acres, and I am quite within the limit when I say that 5,00' if bushmen could have been obtained. I anticipate a scarcity of bushfel-ers during the coming 'though high p being offend. Bush that would have been felled some three o for 15s. per ..ere now costs £1 ss. However, owing to the general prosperity ruling in the district, settlers are quite willing to give the ruling price for felling, they being so anxious to g< t tie [ v lands brought under cultivation." Ranger Hursthouse reports that during the ;. 245 inspections of land held on lease in perpetuity, occupation with right of pure! Mining Districts Land-occupation Act lease, in Buller County, covering f 23,661 acres. The value of improvements r. quired by law was £2,957, while the improvements effi i I £18,163. Seventy selectors had not complied with the necessary improvement conditi nty-four had not complied with the residence conditions of their leases. In addition t the inspections above mentioned seveial inspections have been made respecting fli x, t. . both for ad for the Warden. Ranger Wesley, whose duties are confined to timber-ranging principally, reports that during the year 170 miscellaneous inspections have been made for the Land Board and Warden on matters relating to timber, flax, and coal. Revenue. The total gross revenue collected from all sources, including rents from the Westport Harbour Board Endowment and royalties on timber and coal, amounted to £29,070 3s. 2d.—an increase of £3,132 4s. 4d. on the previous year's revenue. Rebates op Rental. Rebates of rent granted under " The Crown Tenants' Rent Rebate Act, 1900," and " The Land for Settlements Consolidation Act, 1900," during the year amounted to the sum of £70 12s. 7d. Two hundred and twenty-three tenants participated in the grant.