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Field Experiments in Moutere Hills District. Experiments are being carried out by the Cawthron Institute on a Crown settler's property in Pigeon Valley, Moutere Hills, with a view to ascertaining the most practical means of remedying the heavy mortality amongst sheep that is experienced in that locality. A progress report on the experiments so far conducted has been supplied and is published as Appendix V of this report. Forfeitures and Surrenders. In the case of Crown areas held under permanent tenures the following forfeitures and surrenders occurred during the year : — Number. Annual Rental. Forfeitures .. .. ..' ..277 81,823 5,325 Surrenders .. .. .. - .. 158 147,397 7,550 Totals .. .. ..435 229,220 £12,875 The total forfeitures and surrenders represent 1-443 per cent, of the number of settlers holding permanent leases and licenses. The total area of 229,220 acres involved appears large, but it includes approximately 115,000 acres of pastoral-run country. Forfeitures and surrenders of miscellaneous and temporary leases numbered 435, covering a total area of 82,878 acres. Receipts. The receipts for the year from all sources (excluding, of course, Discharged Soldiers Settlement Account receipts) total £1,275,106, a decrease of £15,750 on last year's figures. The sum of £359,906 was derived from ordinary Crown lands, £600,354 from lands held under the Land for Settlements Act (including Hutt Valley Settlement and Cheviot Estate), £141,606 from the national endowment, and £130,922 from the education endowment. Cash received on the conversion of leaseholds to freehold tenures has shown a decrease of approximately £3,000, although the actual number of purchasers shows a small increase. The following table gives the relation of this freehold revenue to total receipts during the, past five years : —

Postponements. Postponements of payment of rent were granted to 162 tenants dv ing the year, involving the sum of £20,559. At the 31st March £119,093 remained postponed on account of 886 tenants, as against £125,406 on account of 919 tenants at the 31st March, 1929. Arrears. Rents in arrear at the 31st March amounted to £88,582, a decrease of £67,627 on last year's figures. The following shows the position in regard to arrears of rent for the past five years : — £ Year ended 31st March, 1926 .. .. .. .. 222,148 1927 227,191 1928 .. .. .. .. 197,919 1929 156,209 1930 88,582

Conversions Amount „, . , to yielded j, . Freehold. therefrom. '" Total. Receipts. £ £ r ear ending 31st March, 1926 .. .. .. 305 107,148 1,297, < 1927 .. .. .. 304 76,570 1,245,; 1928 261 69,276 1,271,! 1929 .. .. .. 317 111,119 l,290,f 1930 .. .. .. 323 107,550 1,275,: £ 1,297,488 1,245,338 1,271,821 1,290,856 1,275,106 Of the 323 conversions to freehold during the year, 258 were in the North Island districts.