51

C—l

National .Endowments. —ln terms of the National Endowments Act of last session the following aggregate areas of land at present under lease or license are embraced within the scheme as from the Ist April, 1908 :— Number. Area. Annual Rent. Renewable Lease— a. b. p. £ s. d. Ordinary Crown lands (rural) .. 118 3 0 11 4 Ordinary Crown lands (village homestead) .. .. 4 29 3 24 1 14 0 Small grazing-runs .. ..210 528,553 0 0 ' ).20i) 16 10 Pastoral runs .. .. .. 54 1,675,429 0 0 26,447 7 2 Totals .. ..269 2,204,130 2 24 36,653 9 4 Inspections and Rangers' Reports. The value of the improvements effected by selectors, as shown by the reports of the Crown Lands Rangers, is still largely in excess d the amount stipulated in the conditions under which the lands are held. A reference to the tables will show that at the date of the last inspections the excess over actual requirements in respect of the holdings inspected amounted to no less a sum than £86,187. This, of itself, must be regarded as eminently satisfactory. As regards the progress of settlement generally, it is pleasing to be able to state that, notwithstanding a considerable check through drought in the early part of the season, the final outcome of the year's operations has been of a favourable and successful character. The low price of wool is certainly a matter for regret, but as against that the prices for sheep have been good, while the proceeds from graingrowing and the dairying industry have been satisfactory. In confirmation of this, attention is directed to the following remarks of Crown Lands Ranger O'Neill :— '• Ordinary Crown Lands. —The past season has not been altogether favourable to settlers in the northern part of Otago. Owing to drought the ground was too hard to admit of seasonable cultivation. The spring set in dry, and, though the early part of the season showed promise of good grass, the continuance of drought and heat caused an unfortunate set-back. The grain-crops did fairly well until about January, but for want of rain the grain in many cases did not properly develop, the result being that yields came short of the general standard. In the Oamaru district many good yields of wheat have been obtained, and the grain is of excellent quality. The prices obtaining are good, and what the fa mer lost in point of small returns has been more than made up by the excellence of prices. The dairy industry also suffered greatly through the drought. The pastures did not get a fair chance during any part of the s'aason, hence milk-yields were low, and the cattle became poor in condition. Those following pastoral pursuits were heavy losers through the low price of wool, and many farmers received only half as much for their clips as they did the previous year. Good lambing percentages have been obtained, and the stock generally are now in fair condition. The root-crop has been poor, and, should a severe winter follow, it is to be feared that heavy losses of sheep may result through want of sufficient winter feed. "In the Central Otago district practically the same conditions exist. The drought has been severely felt, and has left provision for winter very short. An open mild winter, however, may be hoped for, and under such circumstances the loss of root-crops may not be so great. Perhaps the part of the central district most affected is the low-lying country, where in many cases the creeks actually ceased running. The higher or pastoral country escaped well —in fact, was the part that produced the only reliable feed during the past two seasons. " In the southern district the .season was much drier than usual, and many of the smaller streams dried up altogether. The south, however, has a better rainfall than the north or central, and it is also better adapted for resisting the direct effects of drought. Good grain-yields prevailed, and the rootcrops have done very well under the circumstances. Dairying has not been up to the usual standard in all caws, but some localitii s have more than held their own. " Generally speaking, the Crown tenants in Otago have made fair progress during the year. The grain-yields were not large, but the good prices more than made up for any loss in that direction. Smaller farmers and dairymen will feel the want of root-crops during the coming winter, but, as there is this year a much greater quantity of straw available than then- was last season, the loss of roots may not be "so badly felt. The settlers as a whole have no serious giievanccs, and their prospects arc good." With regard to the lakes district, Rang, r Mackenzie states that in the Hawea, Wanaka, and Tarras Districts the yield of grain has been exceptionally large this year, and of first-class quality. In the Shotover District continued drought caused generally poor crops, although the grain was of fair quality. At Earnslaw, Glenorchy, and Upper Wakatipu the crops were poor, the land being of inferior quality. In the Makarora District very little progress has been made, and the flax-mills have all but closed down. Although the season was a very dry one, the lakes district is upon the whole in a fair state of prosperity, and inquiries for land are being continually made. R nger Mackenzie in his report makes r to further matters as follows: "The prosperity of Cromwell and tin- Cluthi Valley depends greatly on water for irrigation. A private company is ring to proem ily from tie river, which will be a great boon if successful. Another thing urgently required is a fruit -preserving I fruit-growing, there being a deplorfruit under present conditions. There I thcr destructive fin- at the Rcre Like Bush, but tl first sup] the fire began close to the lake and ran wi 11 up the hill. Every effort has been made to trace the origin of these fires, but so far without success."