61

C—l

settlers themselves during the last twelve months or since the inception of the settlement. The improvements required amount to £2,122 lis. Bd. As is the case in other parts of the district this settlement has suffered considerably from the very dry summer weather experienced. Feed has been very scarce, and in many cases settlers have been forced to reduce their stock on that account. During the year some seven miles and a half of road-formation has been put through this settlement by the Roads Department. Te Mata, Pourerere, Raumati, Kanakanaia, and Te Arai Settlements. —As the selections in these settlements were made at the end of the financial year, it is too early yet to report upon them. Henry Trent, Commissioner of Crown Lands. TARANAKI. Tokaora Settlement. —Situated about four miles from Hawera, comprising 1,505 acres 2 roods 8 perches, divided into sixteen sections, occupied by thirteen persons, and almost wholly devoted to dairying. There are sixty-eight persons resident, and the live-stock consists of 740 cows and 53 horses. The improvements effected by the tenants comprise eleven residences, valued at £2,680 ; outbuildings, fencing, &c, £1,558 : total, £4,238. The area in new grass is 186 grass, green crops 32 acres. The progress is very steady. Spotswood Settlement. —Situated about two miles and a quarter from New Plymouth, comprising 310 acres 3 roods 23 perches, divided into sixty-one sections for homes, and eight small dairy farms. There are seven persons occupying under the former tenure, and one under the latter. One holding was forfeited. Four houses on unoccupied sections are let to weekly tenants, and the grazing of all the vacant sections is let from month to month. There are thirty-eight persons resident, and the live-stock consists of 25 cows and 8 horses. The improvements effected by persons in occupation are seven residences, valued at £1,700 ; outbuildings, fencing, &c, £198 : total, £1,898. Clandon Settlement. —Situated about a quarter of a mile from Douglas Rv.ilway-Bte.tion, comprising 881 acres and 13 perches, subdivided into six dairy farms, occupied by six persons and almost wholly used for dairying. There are twenty-three persons on the land, and the live-stock consists of 365 cows and 8 horses. The improvements effected are two residences, valued at £550 ; outbuildings, fencing, stumping, &c, £601 : total, £1,151. The area in new grass is 25 acres, in green crop 11 acres. Good progress has been made during the year. Huinga Settlement. —Situated about three miles from Toko, comprising 1,880 acres 1 rood 13 perches, divided into ten farms, all more or less suited for dairying operations. Nine sections are occupied, the total number of persons on the land being 32. The live-stock consists of 623 cattle, 1,800 sheep, and 21 horses. Two residences have been erected, valued at £500, and four selectors have added to their houses at a cost of £171. Other improvements have been made consisting of outbuildings, fencing, stumping, &c. : total value of improvements, £1,084. The area in new grass is 8 acres, and in white crop 11 acres. The settlement has made good progress. Frans. Simpson, Commissioner of Crown Lands. WELLINGTON. West Coast. Paparangi Settlement. —The area purchased by the Government was 322 acres 3 roods 32 perches. Thirty-seven sections are under occupation, and all the selectors are residing on their holdings, the total population being 166 souls. The majority of the settlers use their sections for residential purposes, and go in for market-gardening and poultry-farming, but a few on the larger areas keep pigs and cattle, and pursue dairying as a means of livelihood. Two hundred and eighty acres have been laid down in new grass, 34 acres are in native grass, orchards, &c, and 10 acres are in green crops. The improvements on the land are valued at £5,425. The stock on the settlement consists of 89 cattle, 35 horses, and 261 pigs. As the settlement is situated conveniently to the railway-station, the landvalues have increased considerably since it was cut up. The settlers all appear to be prosperous, and the settlement may be fairly considered to be a very successful one. Ohakea Settlement. —An area of 1,745 acres 1 rood 30 perches was purchased by the Crown. Fifteen sections, aggregating 1,737 acres, are under occupation, and there are fifty-seven persons on the settlement. 1,334 acres are in new grass, 160 acres in white crops, and 139 acres in green crops. The improvements on the land are valued at £7,122. The stock consists of 2,801 sheep, 400 cattle, 81 horses, and 122 pigs. The settlers are all doing well, and have excellent prospects before them. This is a very successful settlement. Te Matua Settlement comprises an area of 702 acres and 19 perches, all of which has been selected by thirteen settlers, the total population being fifty-seven souls. The stock running on the land consists of 425 sheep, 303 cattle, 38 horses, and 150 pigs. Six hundred and six acres are laid down in new grass, 11 acres in white crops, 15 acres in green crops, and 63 acres are in native grass, orchards, &c. The total value of the improvements on the land is £4,340. The settlers are gradually improving the land, and are all doing well. This is a decidedly successful settlement. Aorangi Settlement. —An area of 1,785 acres was purchased by the Government. Thirty-seven sections, of a total area of 1,753 acres, are under occupation, and there arc 181 souls on the land. The