C—l

62

runs, and four miscellaneous licenses, embracing a total area of 4,862 acres 1 rood 9 perches, at a total annual rental of £674 14s. The year's receipts, apart from the proceeds of the sale of lime, were £678 10s. Bd., making the total to date £4,497 2s. lid. The sum of £46 Bs. 2d. was granted in rebates to twenty-four settlers. Number of houses, 21; persons resident, 80 ; value of improvements, £4,723 Is. 9d. The following are the Ranger's remarks on these estates, reporting on them as one and the same : "This estate is in a much more satisfactory condition than last year. The crops of grain have been a long way above the average of former years, and the yields have been in proportion, which, with the good prices ruling, places the settlers in a very favourable position. The root-crops are also very good, which will be of material assistance to the stock during the winter. It is rather surprising that a creamery has not yet been established in the district, when it is proved how successful they have been in other districts. A considerable quantity of oats was cut into chaff; in one case the price equalling £8 per acre. On the smaller sections the settlers are employed outside, while on the larger their time is fully occupied on the farms. The residence and other conditions are fairly well complied with." Momona. —This prosperous little settlement of 219 acres 1 rood 16 perches, occupied by fourteen settlers at a yearly rental of £210 6s. 2d., continues to make excellent progress, the only drawback to one or two of the tenants being the defective drainage, referred to in the Ranger's report, in time of heavy rain. It is hoped, however, that steps will be taken shortly to remedy this defect. The receipts for the year amounted to £204 9s. Id., total from beginning now being £1,175 lis.; rebates granted, £6 6s. 7d. to eight tenants; houses, 14: persons resident, 54; value of improvements, £1,990 2s. 6d. Ranger O'Neill's report is as follows : " This estate is in a most satisfactory condition. Every settler appears to be doing well, and to be perfectly satisfied with his place. The condition of settlers is most satisfactory, and every one is progressing favourably. They are all milk-suppliers, there beiug a dairy factory adjoining the north-eastern corner of the estate. Though the sections are small, little or no outside work is sought, and every holding is in the highest state of cultivation. Good metalled roads surround the settlement, and a railway-station is within easy distance. One difficulty occasionally presents itself to some few of the settlers, and that is the matter of efficient drainage. The Taieri Plain generally suffers in this way, but only at the time of exceptionally heavy rains. A movement, however, is on foot to place the whole district under one Drainage Board, and the time would appear not far distant when an effective means of drainage will be arranged. The improvements required amount to £185 within the first two years, and £491 within six years, while the value of improvements already effected amounts to £1,990. Such valuation for improvements, added to the fact that every settler has a good house and good outbuildings, shows that the settlement is in a most satisfactory condition." Tokarahi. —There has been no alteration in the occupation of this settlement during the year, 10,968 acres 3 roods 39 perches being still held by seventy-nine selectors at £4,116 7s. yearly ; this includes twenty-seven miscellaneous licenses, over 186 acres 3 roods 22 perches, at £16 4s. lOd. per annum. The annual value of the small area of 3 acres and 27 perches remaining unlet is £2 16s. lOd. The receipts for the year were £4,520 9s. 7d., the total to date now being £22,428 2s. lOd. Amount of rebate granted to sixteen selectors, £79 Is. 6d. ; houses on the estate, 44 ; persons resident, 183; value of improvements, £16,565 14s. 6d. Ranger Atkinson's report is as follows : " This estate continues to maintain its very satisfactory condition. The crops generally have been very good, and the yields in every way satisfactory. During the past year the area under cultivation was 2,857 acres, as against 2,269 acres last year, and there are two houses and ten souls more than last year. Owing to the unusually favourable season there has been an abundance of grass, indeed, far more than the stock could keep under. Consequently a good deal of hay has been made. The creamery located at Tokarahi Railway-station has been running at high pressure during the season, to the great advantage of the settlers, more of whom are becoming suppliers every year. The root-crops have not been so good for many years. The condition of the stock will as a consequence be well maintained throughout the year. Owing to the competition between the Canterbury and Otago freezing companies, excellent prices have been obtained for fat sheep and lambs during the past season. The large majority of the settlers are kept fully employed working their holdings throughout the year. The improvements effected are of a most substantial character, being evidence that the settlers are satisfied with their position and prospects. The settlement conditions are very well complied with." Janefield. —Through default of the lessee, the lease of the homestead allotment on this settlement has been declared forfeited, and the section is being again opened for selection at a reduced capital value in respect of the buildings. Some of the buildings previously let with the land were found to be unnecessary, and could not be profitably worked therewith. These will, if possible, be disposed of separately, and the proceeds credited to the Land for Settlements Account. The area therefore at present occupied is 133 acres 2 roods 37 perches, at an annual rental of £222 13s. When the proposed alteration has been given effect to there will be no obstacle to the complete success of this small settlement, on which there are now nineteen houses and ninety-two persons resident, the value of improvements beiug £3,485 7s. Rent received during the year, £220 lis. 4d., making the total to date £765 13s. lid. The sum of £5 Is. Id. was granted in rebates to twelve tenants. Ranger O'Neill reports hereon as follows : " This settlement is in a very satisfactory condition. Substantial improvements have been effected, including some very fine dwellinghouses. As the allotments are small, little or no grain-cropping is done, but root-crops are produced to some extent. The settlers have made very fair progress during the past year. They are all partly or wholly engaged in railway, factory, or farm work in the surrounding districts The conditions of the various leases have been well carried out, and generally the settlers are fairly contented." Elderslie. —This estate, of 11,506 acres 3 roods 18 perches, is wholly occupied by thirty-three tenants, at an annual rental of £4,126 19s. 4d., including eight miscellaneous licenses, over