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The report of the Ranger for the North Canterbury district shows that, out of the fifty-four rural holdings under various tenures which have not yet been in occupation for ten years, forty holdings, comprising an area of 8.-459 acres, have been inspected during the year. Out of these, seven have failed to effect improvements up to the value required by the terms of their lenses, and one was not residing. In connection with the holdings around Lake Ellesmere, which are used to a considerable extent for dairying and pastoral purposes, the Ranger mentions that these lands, by reason of continual submergence by the brackish waters of the lake, have become so saturated with sea-salt that they require several years of freedom from lake-water before becoming fitted for cultivation 01 the laying-down into pasture with exotic grasses. The Ranger remarks that continual residence on the lowest-lying lands does not appear to be conducive to health. In the Oxford district I lie Ranger notes a progressive improvement of the light lands which are in occupation : good crops of roots, and in some places of cereals also, are grown. The unimproved value of the lands has advanced, and the conditions of the leases generally are satisfactorily fulfilled. The new holdings on the Eanmer Plains have also been inspected, and the lessees are residing and improving their lands. In the Ashburton County and in South Canterbury generally the Crown lands holdings have passed the period of statutory inspection, and therefore need only general supervision. Here, also, a very satisfactory extent of compliance is found in most cases. There are instances, both on the light plain lands and also on some of the large pastoral leaseholds, where the improvements effected fall short of the full statutory requirements, the explanation generally being that the lessees have effected such reasonable improvements as are sumcieni for the bona fide occupation and practical working of the holdings: and under such circumstances it would obviously be a hardship to a genuine and deserving class of tenants to insist upon literal compliance with requirements which the holdings by their quality or character are not fitted to bear. In the village settlements throughout the district, many of which have now lieen in existence lor over twenty years, slight improvements are evident Erom year to year, but these are practically equalised by the gradual depreciation of the older improvements. The occupants of these lands are of the class for whom such settlements were established farm-workers and others needing small homes in localities where suitable employment can be found—and these have in most instances been benefited in their position in life. Workers' Dwellings. Seven new workers' dwellings, erected on an acquired block of land near the Railway Workshops at Addington. were opened for selection during the year, as well as one dwelling in the older settlement at Sydenham, the holder of which, owing to removal from the district, was unable to carry out his obligations. Although the total number of applicants was not as large as might reasonably have been expected, all the dwellings were disposed of at the first ballot. With the exception of two or three cases where misfortune or intermittent employment has embarrassed the tenants, the rents are generally punctually paid, and the dwellings and surroundings generally are kept in good order. The supervision of these dwellings and attention to minor repairs, kc., represent a by no means inconsiderable addition to the other duties of the Crown Lands Ranger. I'astokal-ri'n Classification. In March. 1911. the existing pastoral licenses over thirty-one runs, containing a total area of 1,413,000 acres, will expire. These runs include the whole of what is known as the Mackenzie Country. between Burkes Pass and Mount Cook, the greater portion of the back country in the Ashburton County between the Rakaia and Rangitata Rivers, and a few runs in the highlands of the Selwvn and Ainiiri Counties. North Canterbury. A Commission consisting of Mr. James Stevenson, a member of the Canterbury Land Board: Mr. 11. I). M. Haszard, Acting Chief Surveyor; and myself was appointed in September. 1909, to classify and report on the runs in accordance with the provisions of section 225 of the Land Act. 1908. The work of inspecting the whole of these runs, and of framing proposals lor dealing with them in the best possible way so as to promote alike the interests of the Crown and the advancement where practicable of suitable occupation in smaller subdivisions, proved to be of such magnitude as to render it impossible to deal with the subject in a thorough manner a year before the expiration of the existing licenses, and arrangements have therefore been made to allow the present tenants I.) continue in occupation for a further period of one year until the 28th February, 1012. The Eresh leases of the country will be offered for disposal not later than February, 1911. Lands to be Openkd. Exclusive of such properties as are now in hand, or may be acquired for subdivision and disposal under the provisions of the Land for Settlements Act. tl uly Crown lands at present in prospect for disposal during the coming year are the pastoral-run lands to which reference has just been made. These comprise an aggregate area of nearly a million and a half acres, and, although not adapted generally for any form of settlement occupation, they represent a portion of the Crown estate whose successful management by men of the right class has an important bearing on the welfare of the whole district. Departmental. During the year eighteen ordinary and special meetings of the Land Board have been held. The number of statutory applications lor land received and considered was 522, and a very large volume of week, including numerous applications for transfer and other matters demanding close scrutiny and