69

A—i

22. Hekeao Settlement (near Mount Sinners. Ashburton County). Established March, 1898. Area purchased, 2,251 acres 2 roods II perches, divided into fifteen sections, and occupied by sixteen individuals, two of whom have been allowed to increase their small holdings. There are thirteen dwellinghouses, inhabited by forty-two souls. During last season 575 acres were in grain-crops and 339 aces in green or root crops, and 1,176 acres had been laid down in new pastures. The stock on the settlement comprised 2,375 sheep, 29 head of cattle, 58 horses, and 7 pigs. The value of improvements required is £3,i25 3s. 7d., and the value effected £5,315 12s. 6d. The crops on this settlement are reported to have been good, the holdings are well kept, and the settlers appear to be prosperous and contented. 23. Pawaho Hamlet (a Workmen's homes Settlement, situated at Heathcote Valley, adjoining the Christchurch-Lyttelton Railway).—Established April, 1898, on a purchased area of 52 acres and 18 perches, which is divided into twenty-five allotments. There are twenty-four dwellinghouses (one having been destroyed by lire in December last), occupied by ninety souls. The value of improvements required is £750, and the value effected £3,904 10s. lid. The Ranger states that there is one selector who does not continuously reside, the rest are complying. During the dry summer months the settlers had difficulty in obtaining sufficient water for their households; in a number of the wells that have been dug the water has so much mineral-matter in solution as to render it unfit for drinking or domestic purposes. Except for this trouble, the position of the settlement is satisfactory. . 24. Waikakahi Settlement (between the Waihao and Waitaki Rivers, Waimate County). —Established March, 1899 ; the area purchased being 48,262 acres 2 roods 34 perches. The holders number 138 of rural lease-in-perpetuity lands, fourteen of small grazing-runs, and thirty-two of leases in perpetuity in the Township of Morven. The total number of dwellinghouses erected is 157, in which 813 souls reside ; and the value of improvements effected is £92,453 12s. 6d., against £59,338 10s. 9d. required. The area under crop last season included 8,147 acres of grain -crops, and 4,084 acres of green and root crops ; while 32,264 acres had been laid down in cultivated grasses. The stock carried on the settlement comprise 44,847 sheep, 1,758 head of cattle, 1,126 horses, and 348 pigs. The Ranger states that this settlement is still progressing steadily : the tenants are in comfortable positions and thriving well while making excellent additions to their improvements. Morven Township continues to make satisfactory progress. The settlement as a whole is in good order, and presents a very satisfactory and prosperous app':/.ranee. Crops have been generally fair. 25. Tamai Hamlet (Workmen's Homes, situated at Woolston, a Suburb of Christchurch). —Established June, 1899. The area purchased was II acres and 28 perches, now divided into forty allotments, on which forty dwellinghouses have been erected, occupied by 169 souls. The total value of improvements required is £1,200, and the value effected £6,402 Bs. 9d. The Ranger reports that there is one tenant who is not residing, but the rest are complying with the residential conditions. In some cases the fencing is not up to the required standard, and the drainage is not yet satisfactory ; in other respects the condition of the settlement is fair, and its establishment has afforded a number of workpeople engaged ii; a variety of occupations the means of possessing comfortable and independent homes. 26. Takilu Settlement (on the North Side of the Waitaki River, between Glenavy and Hakataramea, Waimate County). —Established March, 1900, on a purchased area of 9,713 acres and 37 perches. This is subdivided into five small grazing-runs, on which twenty souls reside, in five dwellinghouses. Very little cropping is done, there being only 104 acres in white crops last season and 513 acres in green or root crops, but 8,776 acres were in cultivated grasses. The stock depastured on the settlement comprised 6,500 sheep and 5,000 lambs, 102 head of cattle, and 35 horses. The value of improvements required is £4,850 7s. 4d., and value effected £7,663 Is. 3d. The tenants have added considerably to the value of their improvements, and are doing well ; they have had ample feed throughout the season, and root-crops promise well for winter feed. 27. Pareora No. 2 Settlement (near St. Andrew's. Waimate County). —Established March, 1900. Area purchased, 8,132 acres and 31 perches. There are thirty-two separate allotments, on each of which a dwellinghouse has been erected, and 201 souls are in residence. The stock on the settlement consist of 7,545 sheep and 7,235 lambs, 326 head of cattle, 270 horses, and 91 pigs; and the area in crop last season included 2,197 acres in grain-crops, and 1,066 acres in green and root crops, while 4,629 acres had been laid down in new- grass. The value of improvements required is £13,328 18s. 9d., and the value effected £19,117 ss. 6d. The Ranger states that good substantial progress is being made on this settlement, alike in value and quality of improvements, the planting and cleaning of land, and other matters ; the homesteads are good, and the tenants doing well, and the whole appearance of the settlement is very prosperous. 28. Rautawiri Settlement (between Temuka and Winchester, Geraldine County).—Established April, 1900. Area purchased, 113 acres and 7 perches, on which there are six holders, six dwellinghouses, and twenty-two souls. The value of improvements required is £312 7s. 6d., and the value effected £1,171 17s. 6d. During the past season 53 acres were in grain-crops, 21 acres in green or root crops, and the balance in grass. The stock consisted of 26 head of cattle, 20 horses, and 20 pigs. The holdings are in good order, and the tenants doing fairly well. 29. Papaka Settlement (between Timaru and Pleasant Point, Levels County). —Established April, 1900, on a purchased area of 1,561 acres 2 roods 25 perches. There are nine holders, representing forty-two souls, residing in nine dwellinghouses. The cultivation last season included 533 acres of grain-crops, 15 acres of root and green crops, and 938 acres in artificial grasses ; and the stock on the settlement comprised 1,775 sheep, 54-head of cattle, 52 horses, and 24 pigs. The value of improvements required is £2,904 18s. 5d., and the value effected £4,327. All the tenants are complying satisfactorily, and have their holdings in good order. The crops have been light, as the settlement has felt the effects of the dry season.