cm.:

Spotswood Settlement. —Situate about two miles and a quarter from New Plymouth, comprising 310 acres 3 roods 23 perches, divided into 61 sections for workmen's homes, and 8 small farms. There are 8 persons occupying under the former and 3 under the latter, the number of sections occupied being 13, and the population 50. The live-stock consists of 70 cattle and 11 horses. Two holdings have been abandoned. There are 11 residences, valued at £1,620 ; outbuildings, fencing, yards, &c, £637 10s : total, £2,257 10s. The settlement is very little used for dairying, the areas being too small to be profitable. Some of the settlers complain that the rents and rates are much too high for the producingvalue of the land, and that they cannot continue in occupation under existing conditions. The homestead is at present let on a monthly tenancy, and portions of the unlet land used for grazing at a low rental. In view of the large proportion of this settlement still remaining unoccupied, I beg to submit for consideration the necessity of revaluation of the block, so as to induce occupation with a fair prospect of success, which at present appears almost hopeless. Clandon Settlement. —Situate about two miles from Toko Railway-station, comprising 881 acres and 13 perches, subdivided into 6 dairy-farms occupied by 5 persons, there being 19 people on the land. One section of 40 acres 3 roods 29 perches is occupied by a sawmiller under lease prior to purchase of the land by the Crown. The live stock consists of 412 cattle and 14 horses, the settlers being engaged in dairy-farming. The improvements effected are two residences, £160 ; milk-shed, fencing, &c, £349 : total, £509. The area in grass is 788 acres ;in white crops, nil; and in green crops, 22 acres. With one exception the settlers appear to be doing fairly well. Frans. Simpson, Commissioner of Crown Lands.

WELLINGTON. . WestJCoast. Paparangi Settlement.— The area purchased was 322 acres 3 roods 32 perches. Thirty-seven sections are now under occupation, and the total population is 160 souls. The majority of the settlers use their holdings for residential purposes, and go in for market-garden ing, pigs, and poultry-keeping, while a few on the large sections are dairying. 300 acres are in grass, 10 acres in white and 12 acres in root crops. The settlement has made good progress during the year, and the settlers are contented, with good prospects for the future. Ohalcea Settlement. —An area of 1,745 acres 1 rood 30 perches was acquired, and 15 sections are now occupied, the total population being 64 souls. The stock on the land comprises 2,165 sheep, 457 cattle, 74 horses, and 169 pigs. 315 acres were laid down in white crops, 51 acres in root-crops, and 1,276 acres in grass. The total value of improvements is £6,548. This settlement is a decided success, and the settlers have excellent prospects before them. Te Matua Settlement. —Comprises an area of 702 acres and 19 perches. There are 13 sections now occupied, the total population being 54 souls. The stock on the land comprises 352 sheep, 315 cattle, 37 horses, and 134 pigs. There were 5 acres in white and 12 acres in root crops, while 630 acres were laid down in grass. The total value of improvements on the land is £3,530. The settlers have made Very good progress during the year, and, with excellent prospects for the future, the success of the settlement is assured. Aorangi Settlement— -The area acquired by the Crown was 1,785 acres. Thirty-seven sections are now occupied, and the number of souls living on the land is 176. The stock numbers 1,646 sheep, 795 cattle, 100 horses, and 269 pigs. The area in grain-crops is 15 acres, in root-crops 168 acres, and 1,399 acres are laid down in grass. Owing to the wet weather and the prevalence of blight this season, the grain and root crops were far from satisfactory. On the whole, however, the settlers have done exceedingly well, and this is perhaps the most successful and prosperous settlement on the West Coast. Epuni Hamlet.—The total area acquired was 100 acres 3 roods 14 perches. Forty-two sections are occupied, and the population of the settlement is 169 souls. For the most part the settlers use their holdings for residential purposes, while some of the larger sections are used for market-gardening, fruitgrowing, and poultry-farming, but blight in the root and tomato crops considerably affected the yield. The settlers have made good progress, their only complaint being of the high local rates they are called on to pay on account of the greatly increased land-values in the locality. In order to meet this difficulty and afford relief, a special Act entitled " The Epuni Leases Surrender Act, 1905," was passed, providing, inter alia, for surrender by these lessees of so much of their holdings as would enable them to profitably reside upon and occupy the portion to be retained round the homestead. Mangawhata Settlement.—The area purchased was 1,240 acres 2 roods 36 perches. There are 7 sections all occupied, and the number of souls on the land is 44. The stock comprises 750 sheep, 469 head of cattle, 38 horses, and 128 pigs. 1,109 acres are in grass; and 33 acres were in root-crops, but part of it was damaged by floods caused by the flood-bank along the Oroua River being out of repair. The settlers are prosperous, with good prospects before them. Maungaraki Settlement.— -This settlement comprises 472 acres 1 rood 20 perches. Twenty sections are now occupied, and the total population on the land is 63 souls. There are 3 acres in green crop, and 114 acres are laid down in grass. The holdings for the most part are used for residential purposes, the selectors growing vegetables and keeping cows, poultry, and pigs for their own use. The settleTS have made good progress, appear contented, and have good prospects before them.

54