C—9a.

Notwitlistanding the serious set-back tin- Lees Valley Settlement has sustained by the snow arid storms of the past winter the prospects of the settlers are good. Clayton Settlement, Fairlie District.—Area, 11.60:! acres. Five subdivisions, all taken up. The settlers have erected twelve miles of fencing, All pastoral country, Prospects good, but. the snow of the past winter will throw the settlement back considerably. It has not, so far, been possible to arrive at the Hock-losses, anil we must await the musterings to gel at this with any degree of certainty. There were 3,300 sheep in the settlement and 12 horses'. It is unfortunate I hat sueh a severe winter should have struck the settlement at so early a stage in its establishment. The opening prospects were- certainly good, ami there is little doubt but that, like the Lees Valley Settlement, it will, with a little judicious help, soon recover itself ami become firmly established, with every promise of a successful future. Paddy's Market linn, with Homestead Block, Fairlie District, Burke's Pass.—Area, 2,260 acres, in one subdivision, on which a house has been built. Sheep-country, with small block around homestead suitable for growing limited area of roots. Prior to the snowstorms of July last the lessee was doing well, with good prospects ahead. No means at present of knowing how his Hock of 850 sheep has come through the winter. Bottesby linns, Lower Mackenzie Country.—Area, 12,54-7 acres, in two runs, both taken up, Purely pastoral country. Like the lessee of Paddy's Market Pun above, these tenants had made a good start—had erected six miles of fencing, and their prospects were good. They had 3,920 sheep. The July snowstorms affected their positions somewhat, hut not to a serious extent. Port Levy Settlement. —Education reserves, Port Levy and Lyttelton. Area, 2,519 acres; four subdivisions, all taken up. Three houses have been erected and one mile of fencing. This is good safe grazing, is most conveniently situated to Port bevy Wharf and Lyttelton, and was most eagerly competed for. There are 5,820 sheep on the land. The harbour authorities are about to erect a wharf at Camp Bay, across the harbour from Lyttelton, which will serve the western half of settlement with quick and cheap water carriage for stock and wool to Lyttelton. The eastern half is already provided with a good wharf and regular water service to the same centre. These pastoral farms are subject to dry seasons and a failing water-supply, but every possible provision has been made in fixing boundaries to take advantage of the existing springs so that all sections should have what water there is available. The selectors are highly pleased with their luck in securing those lots and their future prospects. As the settlement was only started in July it is too early'yet to make any pronouncement as to its progress. CricMewood Settlement, Fairlie District.—Area. 1,915 acres, in eight subdivisions, of which one was not applied for. Seven houses have been built and one mile of fencing erected. Agricultural land, and adapted for grain and root cropping, also good sheep-country. There are 1,365 sheep on the land, 27 cattle, and 36 horses. Some good returns were obtained last season from the wheat crop, and one or two of the earliest settlers are now apparently well established on their holdings. I n one case the selector was enabled, through good farming and returns, to pav off within twelve months the whole of his advance obtained from the Government. On the whole this settlement shows every promise of a successful future. The proximity of the settlement to railway facilities is a big help in the easy disposal of produce. Last winter's snow hit the settlers but practically no stock-losses were sustained. For a few weeks free grazing was given to those most in need, on the unoccupied Crown lands, Seaforth Settlement, Washdyke, and Timaru Craigm,ore Settlement, Inland Timaru.—Area, 2,105 acres, in nine subdivisions. Two sections unlet. Two houses have been built and 52 chains of fencing erected. Mixed agricultural and pastoral, but, mainly adapted for pastoral purposes. The small-area put under ciop last year proved a failure, principally owing to bad weather conditions. It is somewhat difficult to forecast with any certainty the future prospects of this settlement. The land is variable; some of it is of the highest quality, the other is light and subject to vicissitudes of seasons. Those in occupation are quite satished that they will make a success of it with ordinary luck. There are 1 350 sheep in the settlement, 80 cattle, and 27 horses. MacGregor Settlement, Cave District.-Area. 326 acres, in one subdivision, which at present is unlet. IJie settlement was purchased, under section 3 of the Amendment Act 1917 The settler paid the first s,x months' rent, bul before the expiration of that period deserted his holdine without notifying the Department. No applications have since been received for the section Seafield Settlement Ashburton District. -Area, 1.329 acres, in four subdivisions, on'which two houses are built. All sections occupied. Agricultural land, but of a light nature, situated m the dry bet Watered by county water-race system. More suitable for grazing than graingrowing. 800 sheep on the property and 12 horses. The areas of these subdivisions are somewhat small; ,1. may he necessary to add about 100 aeres-to each of the four subdivisions from adjoining Crown land. It ,s too early Io say what lies in store for these settlers, but they are all industrious men doing their best to get on. Buckley Settlement, Ashburton District.—Area, 1,653 acres, in three subdivisions All sections occupied; one house built. Light agricultural land, best suited for grazing. 982'sheep on settlement. Crows good root crops, hut greatly dependent on the seasons, situated as it is snrnZ O . '" iT" ",' "J*" 00 "*" W& * eK(] llv count ? irrigation scheme.; no permanent spi nigs. Only opened for selection two months ago. so nothing to be said as to Progress /W Settlement, Ashburton District-Area, 1.16-1 acres, in three subdivisions; one house built. Ihe description ami remarks made against Buckley Settlement will apply exactly to this one, I here arc 6i>9 sheep and 4 horses on the property Leeston Settlement Leeston District—Area, 198 acres, in five subdivisions, all taken up lwo houses built. Rich agricultural land, suitable for all class of crops; average rent per acre' hi Joining Town of Leeston ami railway-station. This settlement has only recently bin taken up by men who propose to take on intensive farming. Prospects good Seaforth Settlement, Washdyke District, Timaru— 516 acres, in nine subdivisions of winch lour are let. Two houses built. Good soil; grows excellent grain crops, SabU, Z'for

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