50

C. 1

for Settlements Acts. In respect of ordinary Crown lands, 150,044 acres were opened for the first time, and 65 814 acres had been opened previously. Under the Land for Settlements Act 37,294 acres were opened for the first time, and 60 acres had been previously opened. The area opened for the first, time included the Kuvnw. Airedale. Otekaike. and Tau.nata Settlenients. The large number of applicants nt the various ballots shows that there is still a very considerable demand for land ol good quality. The area of land a mailable for selection during the present year is, as far as at present known much less than list vein It will in all probability- include, in addition to the areas mentioned under the heading " Pastoral Runs," about 27.270 acres of Ort.ia S Tade Station (Runs 200 and 200 a), now in pro,,.ss d subdivision as small grating-runs, also about 16,000 acres of Clutha Trust Endowment, landa under the BTnau-gra-dng-rur. system ; and under the Land for Settlements Act the Bfoadowbank Estate of 4 343 acres, the ballot for which was held on the 25th April, 1908, and the Kauroo Hills Estate of some 19 000 acres jus. acquired which will probably be opened for selection towards the end of the present year These.' with the lands al present available for selection, will constitute the principal areas to be dealt with during the present year. In respect of the runs falling in ,v, the Ist larch, 1910, referred to under "Pastoral Runs." there will in all probability be something like 335,000 acres retained for sale as small grazing-runs. about 320,000 acres of which come within the area already set apart as NationaiP'.ndowinents. Summary of. Trans actions. It will be seen that, as compared with the previous year, the transactions were more numerous both in number and area—in number by ninety-four selectors, and m area by 206,117 acres; while the revenue was greater by t.,5.856 ss. sd. Then- are now 3,836 holdings mi the books, representing a total acreage of 5.726,706 acres, at an annual rental of £100,644 19s 6d., inclusive of land for settlements and endowments- an increase over previous year of 232 holdings, 266,029 acres, and £10,931 17s. 3d. annual rental. The Various Tenures. Cash Soles were less Iban during the previous year by seventeen in number. 372 acres iv area, and-I'M 10- 5d : ceived; while the conversions from leasehold to freehold were less m number by five and in area by 146 acres, the consideration, however, being greater by E9O 2s. 6d. ' Holding* under the. Otxupation-icilh-right-of-purchase System have increased by five only in number 2 798 acres ... area, and £51 13s. 4d., annual rent ; for, although there were fourteen new selections, then" wen- seven forfeitures, one surrender, and one purchase. There are now 259 selectors, holding 47 878 acres, at an annual rental of £1,305 2s. Fnder Lease in Perpet.uit; then- are now. in respect ol ordinary Crown lands, 815 selectors, with an area of '>04 967 acres, at £5.945 4s. lid. yearly, being an increase of thirty selectors, 12,299 acres, '~,,,1 .-K)0 28 ."id annual rental. Under the Land for Settlements Act there are 544 selectors holding 109 663 acres at an annual rental of £34,631 19s. 2d., an increase of twentv-mne selectors. 5,44 acres, and' £*> 031 3s Id annual rental. The increase would, of course, have been greater but for the substitution by the Land Laws Amendment Act of the renewable lease for lease in perpetuity. The Agricultural lamsc Occupation Lease unßer Mining Districts Land Occupation Act, and Village Settlement tenures call for little or no remark. They remain much the same as last year, with the exception of occupation leases, which have increased by twenty-seven in number, 862 acres in area, and £47 18s. 2<l. in annual rental. Small Grazing-runs have increased by twenty-two in number, 144,567 acres in area, and £2,147 8s 8d in annual rent, there now being in respect of ordinary Crown lands 295 selectors, with an aggregate area of 725.053 acres, at an annual rental of £15,478 17s. 4d. Of this area 528 553 acres arei included in the National Endowment scheme, held by 210 lessees, at an annual rental of £10,200 16s. lOd. The increase of holdings comprises for the most part the subdivisions ot the l.lacl.stone Hi 1, Lauder, Home Hills, and Lee St ream Runs, referred to in last year's report. There is no alteration in the number of small grazing-runs under the Land for Settlements Act. Pastoral Runs.— As compared with the previous year, ordinary pastoral runs show an increase of five in number 40 218 acres in area, and £843 7s. 4d. annual rent, there now being, exclusive of land for settlements and University and Clutha Trust endowment*, an aggregate.number 0.221 holders, with an area of 4,199,496 acres, at an annual rental of £26,447 7s. 2d. Of tins area 1,675,429 acres held by fifty-four lessees at an annual rental of £13,241 19s. 6d., come within the. National Endowment scheme In 1910 some tbirty-nine pastoral licenses will expire, comprising an aggregate area of 1 228 703 acres a considerable proportion of which will be dealt with at the end of the present year, either" for reletting as pastoral runs or retaining for closer settlement. The present annual rental of this area is £9 05*> 7s lOd the proportion for ordinary Crown lands being 506,695 acres at £..,649 os. M. per annum, for National Endowments 659,968 acres> £6,252 lis. Bd. per annum, and for Clutha Trust Endowment 12,040 acres at £150 10s. per annum. Renewable Teases.—The transactions under this system, which was inaugurated by the Land Laws Amendment Act of last session, have been limited, in so far as ordinary Crown lands are concerned, to one lease over 118 acres 3 roods, at £3 lis. 4d. per annum, and four village-homestead allotments, comprising 29 acres 3 roods' 24 perches, at £1 14s. per annum. Under the Land for Settlements Act however there have already'been sixty-three selections, with a total area of 46,269 acres, at an annual rental of £5 368 3s. 6d., embracing the allotments in the "Otekaike and Taumata Settlements, J the Meadowbank Settlement will furnish eight additional selectors over an area of 4,343 acres, at an annual rental of £890 ss. lOd.