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APPENDICES.

APPENDIX [.—SETTLEMENT OF CROWN LANDS.

EXTRACTS FROM THE REPORTS OF THE COMMISSIONERS OF CROWN LANDS ON SETTLEMENT OPERATIONS DURING THE TWELVE MONTHS WHICH ENDED ON THE 31st MARCH, 1910.

AUCKLAND. The Settlement of Crown Lands. The demand for Crown land in this district has continued unabated dining the past year, as evidenced by the number of sales and ballots held —viz., thirty-seven—and the large total of 5,920 applications dealt with. To endeavour to satisfy that demand, the office has had on hand and available for selection in the Land Guide at the end of each month under all classes of tenure areas varying from 326,000 acres to 424,000 acres, and, in addition, has put on the market from month to month during the year a total of 287,573 acres. Ho far as the total of 287,573 acres offered afresh to the public is concerned, all was selected except 19,754 acres. Herein is shown what the newspapers refer to as the " land hunger of the north." This latter area, however, is exclusive of the five pastoral runs opened, and aggregating 115,001) acres, which, generally speaking, are lands of indifferent quality, and suitable only for men who have the means to develop it in large areas. The new legislation giving preference to landless applicants, and the power which exists to examine applicants as to their suitability id.selectors, have had a very marked eifect in the settlement of the lands. The Land Board has taken a firm stand in the rejection of those who are not landless, and, as a result, tfttere has be«D an increase in the number of applications made under sections 129 and 138 of the Act, granting land t<> adjoining holders without competition. There are many cases where Crown lands adjoin the homes of settlers who have very small areas and wish to extend their holdings, but would be barred from a ballot through being not landless. In such cases the, Board has not hesitated in grant additional areas under the clauses referred to. Although the land laws are framed with a view to the settlement of people on the land rather than with the object of revenue, the large sum collected in this district, as shown in the tables, is worthy of note. In summing up the position, therefore, it must 'ne admitted that the Department has rendered a, very large area available to meet the demand of would lie settlers, and has facilitated I lie acquisition of land by bona fide, applicants. Conditions and Proukkss of Skttlement. As will always be the case, the degree of progress in the development of settlement is governed very largely by the nature of road-access. Prom the very initial stages, when stores are being taken in prior to bushfelling operations, up to the time when a. market must be found for produce, the proportion of expense varies with the nature of the roads. Notwithstanding the drawbacks incidental to indifferent roads, bad tracks, or entire absence of access, there has been a great deal of work done in the development of new country, and the progress made shows that those who have tackled pioneer work are of the right stamp. A very large area of bush has been felled, which, besides providing employment for bushfellers. means that there will be a large increase in the stock returns lor the district. Of the area felled, it is satisfactory to note that over a third was chopped on lands taken up during the year. From this it is fair to assume that the new settlers are energetic men, determined to lose no time in making their selections render a return. Taking the selectors as a whole, the fact that three times the amount of improvements required have been effected is a sufficient indication that operations are being conducted on a very extensive scale. In the far north there has been considerable increase in dairying during the year, and the ready money which it circulates benefits all classes of the community. The progress of this industry is specially encouraging in view of the fact that a. great deal of the land is not of first-class quality. In addition to dairying and general farming, gum-digging and timber work continue to give employment to a large section of the population. There are signs everywhere that the attention which is being directed to the far North is resulting in the general advancement of that portion of the land district. Coming further south, but still within the operations of the kauri timber and gam industries, there is similar evidence of activity, and there has been a slight revival in flax-production. Considerable attention has also been given to the development of coal prospects, with very encouraging results. In connection witli both timber and gum there is one feature which has become more apparent of late — namely, the demand and attention which is now given to a class of timber and kauri-gum wliich in former years would not have been looked at. Timbers which were, considered of no marketable value are now being milled and kauri-gum collected which would formerly have been left untouched.