C—l.

Earnscleugh.— The freeholds purchased at Earnscleugh, with certain adjoining Crown lands, have been surveyed and disposed of during the year, two areas of 850 acres and 38 perches and 103 acres 2 roods having been let on pastoral license as homestead-sites to the holders of Euns 249 and 249 a respectively, pursuant to the provisions of section 55 of " The Land for Settlements Consolidation Act, 1900," and eight small allotments let on lease in perpetuity, suitable either for dairying or fruit-growing purposes. There are thus 1,221 acres 3 roods let to ten tenants at £170 3s. 6d. per annum. Amount received during the year, £102 lis. 4d. ; total, £122 lis. 4d. A report on the progress of this settlement will be given in next year's annual report, it being now too soon after the disposal of the land for very much to have been effected in the way of improvements. Summary.—ln concluding this report, the following comparative summary for the last two years may be of interest : — 3 J 1900-1. 1901-2. Number of settlements or estates ... 14 14 Number of settlers, including holders of temporary licenses ... ... 389 407 Area in occupation, including temporary licenses ... 52,281 a. Or. 24p. 54,680 a. 3r. 35p. Average per selector ... ... 135 a. 3r. 6p. 134 a. lr. 16p. Gross annual rental £17,145 9s. 6d. £17,460 3s. 6d. Beceipts during the year £15,837 10s. 6d. £18,245 3s. Total receipts from inception ... £54,445 os. 2d. £73,415 2s. 2d. Area unlet at 31st March ... ... 6,377 a. 2r. 16p. 4,566 a. Or. 22p. Annual value of unlet area £994 17s. 6d. £688 3s. lOd. Value of improvements at 31st March £52,828 19s. £59,373 16s. 6d. Areas under cultivation — Oats •• ••■ 6,312 acres 5,759 acres. Wheat' 4,036 „ 2,980 „ Barley 90 „ 80 „ Boot-crops 2,317 „ 2,426 „ 12,755 acres 11,245 acres Number of dwellinghouses ... ... 287 288 Number of persons resident... ... 1,033 1,138 Office-work. The clerical work of the office has in no way diminished, but rather increased in volume during the year. It has, lam glad to be able to report, been carried out satisfactorily and with commendable ability by the several members of the staff. An estimation of its quantity and scope can no doubt be readily conjectured from a perusal of these reports and tables. D. Barron, Commissioner of Crown Lands.

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