C—l.

Summary of Land Transactions, 1901-2— continued.

Arrears of Bent. —The arrears of rent at the 31st March, 1902, amounted to £181 2s. Id., owing by fifteen tenants, holding an area of 5,089 acres 3 roods 24 perches. The area held by tenants in arrear is somewhat larger than usual, and this is owing to the fact that one holding, a miscellaneous lease from year to year, comprises an area of 4,210 acres. Considering the dry season experienced in Hawke's Bay, the low price of wool, and the fall in the price of sheep since this time last year, the result is highly satisfactory, and I have no doubt that the arrears will shortly be paid in full, as the majority of the tenants in arrear have asked for a time to pay the amounts overdue. Lands opened for Selection. —During the year 72,987 acres was opened for selection, and with the exception of four small grazing-runs at Lake Waikaremoana and four sections on Manga-a-toro Settlement this area was readily taken up. The greater portion of the land placed in the market this year was under the Land for Settlements Acts, viz., Hatuma and Manga-a-toro Settlements. Lands to be opened. —For the year 1902-3 I anticipate that the area of Crown lands to be dealt with will be limited, and, as in the year just ended, the greater portion of the area to be opened will be under the provisions of the Land for Settlements Acts, in the Kumeroa, Forest Gate, Te Eeinga, and Milbourne The only Crown lands likely to be selected during the year are scattered Crown awards in Motu, Hangaroa, Opoiti, Nuhaka North, Uawa, Patutahi, and Waingaromia districts, of an area of about 13,000 acres. Forfeitures and Surrenders. —The total number of forfeitures during the year was four, with an area of 5,314 acres 2 roods 26 perches, and an annual rental of £110 10s. Bd. The total number of surrenders was six, with an area of 5,937 acres 1 rood 3 perches, and an annual rental of £155 ss. 6d. Three of these surrenders were accepted in order that the lessees might subdivide and transfer part of their holdings. These three holdings were accordingly reselected during the year. Bangers' Beports. —During the year 420 properties have been inspected, the area of such holdings being 175,701 acres. The amount of the improvements required according to the various tenures under which the land was held was £33,381, and improvements to the value of £108,115 have been effected. The number of defaulters reported during the year was seventy-eight, nineteen of whom were reported for non-compliance with the improvement condition and fifty-nine for non-residence. The defaulters were reported to the Land Board, and each case dealt with as the Board thought fit. Perpetual Leases. —During the year nine lessees, holding an area of 5,903 acres 27 perches, purchased, therefore the number of tenants under this system is now thirty-three, with an area of 12,309 acres 3 roods 6 perches, paying an annual rent of £679 19s. 7d. Of the area now held, 8,118 acres have been felled, and an area of 8,521 acres has been sown in grass. 47 miles 16 chains of fencing have been erected, and other improvements, including houses, outbuildings, orchards, &c, have been made to the value of £149 10s. The improvements required by the Act amount to £5,542, and the value of the improvements effected by the settlers is £21,360. Deferred Payment. —Three licensees, holding an area of 613 acres 1 rood 20 perches, completed purchase, and this leaves the small number of three deferred-payment tenants on the books, holding an area of 2,140 acres 1 rood 13 perches, paying yearly instalments of £87 10s. 2d.

5

Transactions during Year. Leasehold Lands held at 31st March, 1902. Tenures. Revenue during Year 1901-2. Number. Area. Number. Area. A. B. P. A. B. P. £ s. a. Improved farms Small grazing-runs Pastoral runs Miscellaneous leases Transfer fees, &o. ... Crown-grant fees ... Survey liens Other sources 5 1 3 16,678 0 0 11,632 0 0 16,257 2 0 17 69 17 69 1,916 '203,920 134,991 47,396 2 0 1 14 2 0 3 34 254 14 6 1,610 3 11 685 8 11 1,894 14 9 175 10 0 46 8 7 327 19 3 103 18 11 Totals (ordinary Crown lands) Lands for settlement (lease in perpetuity) Lands for settlement (small grazing-runs) Lands for settlement (village) Lands for settlement (miscellaneous) Native townships ... Endowments 61 72 9 1 2 66,205 29,631 10,471 0 201 2 11 0 0 2 0 1 0 1 10 665 210 9 18 2 592,603 42,229 10,471 36 201 1 27 3 32 2 0 1 8 1 10 16,196 1 7 9,953 19 2 1,297 5 0 26 14 6 300 7 9 7 19 2 34 44 197 0 29 70 18 9 388 17 0 Grand totals 152 106,529 1 15 948 645,739 2 26 28,234 3 9