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the term of use; that the selector of Section 132 be informed that his application is approved subject to the Commissioner determining the right of egress and ingress to the track passing the homestead on Section 131 from the main road, and also subject to his fixing the term of use; that the selector of Section 131 be informed that his application is approved, but the tenants of Sections 132 and 133 have the right to use the track passing the homestead on his section from the main road to Section 132, the Commissioner to define the conditions of ingress and egress, and to determine the term of use. Mr. Harris moved and Mr. Greenslade seconded, That the Board places on record its appreciation of the services of the staff who carried out the official work in connection with the cuttingup and disposal of the Matamata Estate, specially mentioning the names of Mr. J. B. Thompson (surveyor), Mr. R. Leckie, Mr. Keenan, and Mr. Munro. Minutes of the special meetings held on the 7th, Bth, 9th, and 10th June, 1904, confirmed. James Renshaw, Chairman.

A meeting of the Land Board for the Land District of Auckland was held at the Principal Land Office of the district on the 24th June, 1904, at 10 a.m. Present : Mr. Renshaw (in the chair), Mr. Harris, Mr. Armstrong, Mr. Greenslade. John Reid drew Section 71, Block 11., Tapapa Survey District, Matamata, in ballot on the 10th instant, and deposited £2 13s. Bd. He asks to be allowed to withdraw, and makes a fresh application for Section 28, Block XIV., of 384 acres, and forwards deposit of £28 13s. It was resolved to allow John Reid to withdraw application for Section 71 ; and that application for Section 28, Block IV., be approved instead. John H. Johnston applied to withdraw from Section 13, Subdivision 2, Matamata Settlement, as it is unsuitable, his father having secured Section 113. Applicant drew Section 13, and deposited £22 19s. 5d., which has since been transferred to the Public Account by the Receiver of Land Revenue. It was resolved to defer the same. J. W. Garland was allotted Section 123, Block XII., Tapapa Survey District, Matamata Settlement, on the 10th June. He now asks to be allowed Section 36, Block 111., in lieu of it. It was resolved to grant the application. It was resolved to refuse the application of William Merrick to withdraw from Section 109, Subdivision 3, Matamata Settlement, and for return of deposit. It was resolved to grant tlie application of Elizabeth Roberts for Section 133, Subdivision 21, Matamata Settlement. It was resolved to allow C. J. Duxfield to exchange Section 9, Block 11., for Section 106, Block 11., Subdivision 22, Matamata Settlement. It was resolved to approve of T. P. Vulgar's application for Section 37, Block 111., Subdivision 10, Matamata Settlement, the Commissioner to be satisfied as to his means. J. W. Anderson applied to withdraw his application for Section 128, Subdivision 20, in the Matamata Settlement, and asked for return of deposit, because his brother held Section 126 in the same subdivision, through tlie grouping system, although they only wanted one section. It w r as resolved to grant request and return deposit. Section 12S, Subdivision 20, being granted to Murdoch Anderson. A meeting of the Land Board for the Land District, of Auckland was held at tlie Principal Land Office of the district on the 22nd July, 1904, at 10 a.m. It was resolved that Mr. Streiff can take advantage of section 24, subsection (3), of the Land for Settlements Regulations and pay off the value of buildings on the Ist January next on Section 120, Matamata Settlement, but there is no power to remit interest paid on first half of instalment. It was resolved to grant Mrs. M. Abbot, lessee of Section 70, Block 11., Matamata Settlement. exemption from personal residence so as to enable her to reside on her husband's section ("No. 90), subject to the approval of the Minister. It was resolved that J. H. Johnston be allowed to withdraw his application for Section 13, Block 11., Te Papa Survey District (Matamata Settlement); but the deposit of £22 19s. sd. must be forfeited, as the Crown has lost a half -year's rent over the transaction. Two applications —viz., the New Zealand Dairy Association and the Auckland Fresh Food and Ice Company —have been received for the five creamery-sites in the Matamata Settlement, under -ection 64, subsection (1), of " The Land for Settlements Consolidation Act, 1900." It was resolved to leave this matter in the hands of the Commissioner of Crown Lands with full power to act. Mr. Greenslade did not vote on this matter. It was resolved to allow William Singer, jun., to withdraw from Section 66, Block 11., Tapapa, Survey District, and transfer to Mrs. B. Farrell. Deposit to be returned to William Singer, jun.

Matamata Settlement. The following is a report of the examination of applicants for land in the Matamata Settlement. Each candidate for land appeared personally before the Board and was put through a searching examination by the Commissioner regarding capital, stock, experience in farming in fact, a complete statement as to his financial position and his eligibility to take up tlie land applied for and insure its being worked to the best advantage.