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total area of 128,522 acres, were offered, and there was keen competition for this country, although on account of its altitude it was not thought that it would be so attractive. 35,579 acres of pastoral land in the Teviot Settlement and Block were also opened, and, although most of the blocks were disposed of, tin; competition was not so keen as in the case of Mount Pisa. In the Southland District one pastoral run containing 12,900 acres was offered, and disposed of at the upset rental. The balance of the sections offered during the year comprise mostly scattered sections in various localities, including forfeited sections. The following tabic shows approximately the area at present available for selection and being prepared with a view to placing on the market as early as possible : —

Further particulars of the principal blocks proposed to be dealt with in future will bo found in the annual reports of the respective Commissioners of Crown Lands, printed in Appendix 1. Urewera Block. In acquiring the Urewera Block, it was not expected that the whole, or even the greater portion, of the country would be suitable for settlement; and one of the principal objects in its acquisition was to prevent possible alienation to private persons, in order that the rougher portions, unsuitable for farming, could bo permanently reserved as a safeguard against denudation of the higher slopes. By this means it is hoped to secure the permanent conservation of the headwater streams, thus regulating rainfall run-off, and in a large measure preventing disastrous floods on the flat and prosperous country to the north near the sea-coast of Whakatane and Opotiki Counties. As it was recognized that great care would have to be exercised in opening any areas in Urewera, a small Commission was appointed in 1922 to go carefully into the question of whether disastrous results would be likely to follow the denudation of this steep and broken forest country, whereby floods in the Whakatane and Waimana Rivers would be accentuated and the fertile settlements of Waimana and Opouriao endangered, and the extensive reclamation schemes on the Rangitaiki Plains jeopardized. It is therefore the intention, as the best portions of the block arc ascertained, to consider the question of reserving the balance for (a) State forest, (b) provisional State, forest, and (c) climatic, scenic, or water-conservation reserves. It will therefore be seen that the Government is fully alive to the possible danger, and a too-heavy denudation of the forest on these lands will be prevented, but at the same time a fair portion of the block will be selected for settlement where it is considered that, no special danger would arise from the cutting ol the forest, and where the lands have a fair chance of holding grass and being successfully occupied. The total area in the Urewera Block acquired by the Crown is approximately 345,000 acres, and it was estimated that portions of the block were adapted for settlement and might eventually be located and surveyed for disposal. A closer investigation will, however, require to be made to locate more precisely the areas so suitable. In April 28,563 acres were opened for selection. These lands are generally hilly country with small areas of flat and easy undulating land, and the soil is a fair-quality pumice overlying slate or sandstone, and is mostly covered with heavy bush, the altitude ranging from 400 ft. to 2,700 ft. above sea-level. The bulk of the sections lie along the Waimana River, and are accessible from Waimana, Opotiki, or Whakatane. Only three sections were applied for, and it was decided to withdraw to balance of the block from sale with a view to seeing if it might not be better to retain it under forest. Revaluations. During the year ten Crown leaseholds were revalued under section 15 of the Land Laws Amendment Act, 1915. The capital values were reduced as a result from £26,830 to £18,825, and the annual rentals from £1,214 to £860. The total revaluations made since the 11th November, 1913, up to the 31st March last numbered 493, with a reduction in capital value from £1,191,562 to £950,372, and in annual rental from £54,074 to £43,090.

Land District. Area open and avail- . , ., able for I mmediate A, f ea g*J« 8ui 7 ey Settlement. for Settlement. Area to be surveyed for Early Settlement. North Auckland Auckland Gisborne Hawke's Bay Taranaki Wellington Marlborough Nelson Westland Canterbury Otago Southland Acres. Acres. 20,736 17,577 86,000 30,020 21,753 30,479 39,407 Nil 22,000 18,300 33,758 Nil 8,463 Nil 56,215 Nil 140,139 833 11,163 Nil 23,183 59,840 6,000 20,000 Acres. 5,600 07,380 57,656 7,784 16,200 7,771) Nil. 54,005 68,200 Nil. 5,5.16 Nil. Totals 290,120 468,817 177,049