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Resolution Island. —l am forwarding a report from Mr. Henry, the Curator on Eesolution Island ; as also a number of notes and memoranda made by him on various matters relating to his special work and explorations. Lands under Land for Settlements Acts. The operations of the year have been limited to the ten estates previously acquired, no new ones having been purchased in time for disposal during the year. The Elderslie Estate, near Oamaru, arrangements for the acquirement of which have recently been made, may possibly be brought into the market before the close of the financial year now current ; but it is, of course, premature to furnish any particulars with regard thereto at the present time. Taking the estates in the order of purchase, I will briefly note a few particulars respecting their progress and present position. (1.) Pomahaka Downs Estate. —Eanger Hughan reports that very good progress has been made on this estate in the erection of buildings, fencing, and other improvements ; that the crops this season are very good, and promise to yield satisfactory returns ; and that the conditions of the leases and Act have been well complied with. Only two sections are at present unlet, one containing 319 acres and 38 perches, and the other 4 acres 2 roods 19 perches. The receipts for the year were £2,080 15s. 7d., and the present annual rental of the land let being £1,143 Os. Bd. for an area of 6,919 acres 2 roods 26 perches, held by twenty-six selectors. The total receipts from inception have been £4,135 16s. 4d. The total area under cultivation is 2,688 acres, 2,305 acres being in oats, 16 in wheat, and 367 in root-crops. Total number of dwellinghouses, 23 ; total number of persons resident, 75 ; and total value of improvements now on the land, £4,751 18s. With another successful season this estate will have become fairly prosperous. It will be seen that the payments made during the year exceeded the annual rental by £936 14s. lid. (2.) Teanaraki Estate. —Banger Atkinson reports that the settlers on this estate have had a successful year, having harvested better crops than for some years past, and that a few seasons similar to the present one would greatly improve their condition. Three sections, with a total area of 30 acres, are at present unlet, one of which has already been reopened, and the other two will be reopened at an early date. The receipts for the year were £194 17s. 5d.; total from inception, £1,131155. Id. The present annual rental is £254 4s. 6d., for an area of 314 acres 1 rood 30 perches, held by twenty persons. Value of improvements on the land, £1,117; area under cultivation, 119 acres; number of houses, 15; number of persons resident, 54. (3.) Tahawai Estate. —Eegarding this estate of 69 acres, the Eanger states that it is a very good little settlement; that the crops are always good, and that the settlers are perfectly satisfied with their sections ; this being mainly owing to the small water-race which enables the settlers to irrigate their holdings. Eeceipts for the year, £33 15s. 4d. ; total from beginning, £119 15s. Id. ; present annual rental, £35 14s. 4d.; value of improvements, £667; cultivation, 26 acres; number of houses, 8 ; persons resident, 29. (4.) Maerewhenua Estate. —Eanger Atkinson reports on this estate as follows: " With regard to this estate, everything is in much the same position as on the Tokarahi Estate. The northwest wind of November aid a considerable amount of damage by checking the growth of wheat while in the shot-blade, and the rain later on had the effect of causing a certain amount of second growth. Notwithstanding this the crop is expected to yield about 20 bushels per acre. The oat-crop is very good, as is also the turnip-crop, which, with the grass, will enable stock to winter well. A number of settlers have done well in the sale of early lambs at 10s. a head." Only three small sections of one acre each remain unoccupied on this estate, the area occupied by seventy selectors being 10,910 acres 1 rood 28 perches, and 22 acres 3 roods 22 perches of reserves under temporary licenses, at an annual rental of £3,553 65., the amount received during the year being £2,059 3s. 9d.; total receipts from commencement, £10,710 18s. Id. The total value of the improvements now on the land is £9,764 ss. 9d. ; the value of those effected by the tenants being £7,063. The cultivation this last season comprised 1,168 acres in oats, 2,354 acres in wheat, and 1,237 acres in root-crops; making a total of 4,759 acres. Fifty-nine houses have been erected, and there are 221 persons now resident. In every respect a favourable increase has been made during the year. (5.) Puketapu Estate. —The settlers on this estate are reported to be doing well. The crops of oats and wheat, as well as root-crops, are very good, and the settlers appear well satisfied with their prospects. The whole of it is occupied, at an annual rental of £189 os. lOd. for an area of 496 acres and 36 perches, held by eleven tenants. The year's receipts amounted to £159 14s. 6d., the total from commencement being £415 4s. lOd. Total value of improvements, £763 Bs. 7d.; cultivation, 119 acres ; number of houses, 8; number of persons resident, 23. (6.) Ardgowan Estate. —On this estate the selectors are reported by the Eanger to be doing remarkably well, and being very well satisfied with their holdings and prospects. The crops generally have been very good, and are expected to yield fully up to the average in both wheat and oats. A larger area than usual has been planted with potatoes, which promises excellent returns. With the exception of one section containing 19 acres and 29 perches, the lease of which was recently declared forfeited for non-compliance with conditions, the whole of the estate is let— namely, 4,143 acres 2 roods 15 perches, and a reserve of 2 acres 3 roods 8 perches—-at an annual rental of £1,894 19s. Bd., the receipts for the year being £1,257 4s. lid., and the total from inception £4,889 Bs. 7d. Value of improvements, £7,009 19s. Id.; cultivation, 1,948 acres, 691 acres being in oats, 1,024 acres in wheat, and 233 acres in root-crops; number of houses, 50; persons resident, 199. (7.) Makareao Estate. —Ranger Atkinson reports, " This estate, like those in the Oamaru and Maruwenua districts, has been greatly benefited by a favourable season. The crops of wheat are turning out well, as also the oats, while the root-crops are better than they have been for years past. The settlers generally are satisfied with their holdings." The whole of the estate is occupied