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1899. NEW ZEALAND.

"THE LAND FOR SETTLEMENTS ACT, 1894" (ESTATES ACQUIRED UNDER), SHOWING AREA, ETC., OF EACH.

Return to an Order of the House of Representatives dated the 12th July, 1898. Ordered, "That a return be laid before this House showing the number of estates aoquired under " The Land for Settlements Act, 1894," and the area, gross value, and unimproved value of each ; also, the amount paid on each such estate in land-tax for the year immediately preceding acquirement."—(Mr. O'Regan.)

Land- and Income-tax Department, Wellington, Deae Sib,— 6th July, 1899. As requested by you I have filled in, in the columns set apart therefor, the particulars asked for in the return of estates acquired under " The Land for Settlements Act, 1894." It will be noticed that in some cases a large proportional difference is shown between the amount of purchase-money paid for a particular area, and the actual value appearing on the valuation-roll in respect of the valuation from which the area was taken. This is explained as follows : From the information at hand I am only able to quote the pro rata value of the area purchased of some of the large estates, which are valued as a whole, and includes land both of good and inferior quality, whereas the portion acquired by the Crown may represent the best land of the valuation of which it formed a part. Yours faithfully, John McGowan, Commissioner. James McKerrow, Esq., Land Purchase Inspector, Wellington.

Bbtubn showing the Number of Estates acquired under " The Land for Settlements Act, 1894," to the 31st March, 1899, and the Area, Gross Value, and Unimproved Value of each; also, the Amount paid on each such Estate in Land-tax for the Year immediately preceding acquirement.

Name of Estate. Area. Purchase-money. Grose Value. Unimproved Value. Land-tax. Auckland — Karapiro Okauia Opouriao.. Rangiatea A. R. P. 2,270 3 9 5,919 1 30 7,604 0 0 4,004 0 0 & s. d. 8,364 4 6 4,143 12 1 24,261 3 3 14,014 0 0 & s. d. 6,207 0 0 4,440 0 0 34,000 0 0 8,392 0 0 £ s. d. 2,943 0 0 4,440 0 0 21,300 0 0 2,442 0 0 £ s, d. 24 10 6 37 0 0 44 7 6 20 7 0 Total 19,798 0 39 50,782 19 10 53,039 0 0 31,125 0 0 126 5 0 Sawke's Bay — Elathorpe Mahora Pouparae Raureka .. .. Tomoana Waimarie Willows .. ... 9,740 0 0 1,133 3 0 337 3 4 427 2 0 110 2 16 430 1 30 775 2 0 45,878 10 0 31,178 2 6 7,768 16 '6 10,260 0 0 50,565 0 0 24,775 0 0 7,310 0 0 9,925 0 0 2,410 0 0 7,125 0 0 14,123 0 0 39,309 0 0 19,257 0 0 .4,646 0 0 7,925 0 0 1,856 0 0 5,172 0 0 12,333 0 0 165 6 0 110 6 6 2 8 4 4 2 6 10 12 8 2 13 10 154 3 3 8,608 15 0 14,734 10 0 Total 12,955 2 10 118,428 14 0 116,233 0 0 90,498 0 0 449 13 ,1 Wellington — Paparangi 322 3 32 3,875 8 0 3,500 0 0 2,220 0 0 5 4 7 Total 322 3 32 3,875 8 0 3,500 0 0 2,220 0 0 5 4 7 Marlborough — Blind River Omaka Puhi Puhi Starborough Richmond Brook .. Flaxbourne (part).. 5,020 0 0 3,898 0 0 320 0 0 32,385 3 15 5,827 0 0 404 0 0 14,678 10 5 10,865 13 6 320 0 0 99,350 0 0 21,921 10 0 1,212 0 0 10,000 0 0 6,560 0 0 1,250 0 0 103,030 0 0 12,887 0 0 822 0 0 9,700 0 0 4,865 0 0 950 0 0 90,578 0 0 8,647 0 0 755 0 0 57 15 3 2 10 8 2 13 7 777 10 1 1 11 11 6 6 4 Total 47,854 3 15 148,347 13 11 134,549 0 0 115,495 0 0 848 17 10