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against any encroachments by settlers and speculators on lands which were reputably auriferous. While still recognising the necessity for the maintenance of these reserves for the preservation of the gold-miners (who are the mainstay of our farmers), I am of opinion that the time has now arrived, in view of our now more precise knowledge, for a careful revision of the circumstances under which these reserves were set apart, and to that end I hope to furnish an early report. If certain small portions of these reserves can be safely uplifted, or the Mining Districts Land Occupation Act be amended so as to be suitable to the requirements of this district, then we can locate a fair number of settlers who would combine the industries of gold-mining and farming. Land under the Land for Settlements Act. Poerua Settlement. —The extent now occupied in this settlement amounts t03,041 acres, and is held by eighteen selectors. One holding of 87 acres was forfeited during the year, and it is expected to be relet at an early date. With this exception the whole of the area is taken up. The rental received for this year equals £303 10s. 5d., making a total of £1,368 18s. Id. paid during the last six years. The arrears have materially decreased this season, and arrangements have been made for their complete extinction during the coining year. Despite a very wet and inclement season much progress has taken place. There are now fourteen houses on the estate, with a resident population of forty-nine, and an increasing attendance at the centrally situated school. A marked improvement is shown over the whole estate in the quantity of bush felled; the new areas laid down in grass, all well fenced ; the length of drains cut, with consequent reclamation of swampy land, and the improvement of farm-buildings has also gone on apace : the result being that the estate holds twice as much stock as in last year. The bush clearings are hardly fit as yet for ploughing, nevertheless large quantities of root-crops have been secured, while a considerable amount of butter has been made, and a fair number of horses and fat cattle raised. A few head of fat bullocks are sent to the Greymouth market, but the bulk of the produce meets with a ready local consumption. A flaxmill has been erected on the estate, and finds employment for thirty hands. This has proved a great help to the settlers. The construction of a direct road to the adjoining railway is proceeding, and it is expected to be completed within six months. This will provide' immediate access, and avoid the present circuitous route. As soon as this work is finished the settlers propose to erect a creamery, and forward the cream to a factory in the Grey Valley. The following summary shows the present position, but it must also be noted that several of the sections have only been tenanted for a short period:—Requirements of Act: Cultivated area, 821 acres; value of improvements, £821. How far complied with : Area cultivated, 894 acres ; value of improvements, £1,151. Other improvements, £2,699 7s. 6d. Kokatahi Settlement. —This is divided into two groups of 1,055 and 806 acres. These are about six miles apart, the Kokatahi River intervening. The estate was thrown open in November last, and all the sections were at once taken up; but in February the Land Board had to forfeit four holdings for non-compliance with the residence regulation. These will be open again for application on the 26th May, and will readily relet. This estate was originally covered with light bush, and afterwards nearly all cleared and laid down in grass. The pasture was, however, eaten very bare, and considerable areas were occupied by a second growth of scrub, still enough feed remained to enable the selectors to make a good start. The three settlers now in occupation have done excellent work during the few months of their tenancy, have erected small houses, and have timber cut ready for extension and for other buildings. They have also completed the fencing of their several boundaries, and have a fair number of stock on the land. The roading of this estate is almost finished, and as the bridge over the Kokatahi River will be completed within the year both groups will be kept in direct communication by dray-road with Hokitika, where produce of all descriptions finds a good market, and, with the Kokatahi Dairy Factory also close at hand, there can be no doubt of the success of the settlement. With the exception of wheat and barley, these lands are well suited for all other crops, and large areas of virgin soil are now ready for the plough. I confidently look forward to a most substantial advance during next year. Clerical. Correspondence inwards and outwards, 6,385; rent notices, 1,206; receipts, 980; Auditor's cards, 130; leases prepared, 106; and other various items. The number of land applications received was 412, and 118 of these were inspected by the Ranger for the Board. The Land Board met fifteen times, and the applications considered, exclusive of much miscellaneous business, at each meeting averaged fifty. G. J. Roberts, Commissioner of Crown Lands.

CANTERBURY. In submitting herewith the report on land-administration for the year ended 31st March, 1903, it is satisfactory to record that the past year has been one of almost unexampled prosperity and success. The Crown tenants throughout the district have, almost without exception, obtained excellent returns from their holdings, the harvest having been heavy, though late, and feed very plentiful, while prices for stock and produce have been such as to yield good profits. Under the circumstances it is not surprising that the revenue, even making allowance for exceptional receipts, has exceeded that of any previous year, and the last by about £9,250, while the rents in arrear at the close of the period show the smallest amount and percentage of the past three years. 6—C 1 App.