a—i.

Linton Settlement. —The area purchased was 551 acres 1 rood 36 perches. The number of sections now in occupation is 5, and the number of residents on the land is 25. The stock on the land is 254 head of cattle, 15 horses, and 72 pigs. Fifty-five acres were in white crops and 41 acres in root-crops, 408 acres being laid down in grass. The settlers have done well during the year, and the settlement is fairly prosperous. Normandale Settlement. —The area acquired was 1,623 acres and 9 perches. The number of sections now under occupation is 30, and the total population on the land is 88 souls. The majority of the selectors use their holdings for residential purposes simply, but a few on the larger areas at the back engage in poultry and dairy farming. There are 3 acres in root-crops, and 216 acres are laid down in grass. The progress made during the year is satisfactory, and the settlers have fair prospects before them. East Coast. Langdale Settlement. —The area purchased was 9,405 acres, the number of sections under occupation being 26, and the total population being 76 souls. The stock numbers 13,639 sheep, 988 cattle, and 109 horses. Seventy-seven acres are in white crops, 238 acres in root-crops, and 8,649 acres are laid down in grass. The progress made during the year is most satisfactory, and all the selectors seem well satisfied with their prospects. Longbush Settlement. —The area purchased by the Crown was 3,021 acres 3 roods 26 perches. Six sections are occupied, the population on the land being 14 souls. The stock comprises 3,460 sheep, 307 cattle, and 27 horses. 1,500 acres are laid down in grass, and 8 acres in root-crops. Very good progress has been made during the year, and the settlers are well satisfied with their position and future prospects. Tablelands Settlement. —A total area of 549 acres 3 roods 30 perches was purchased by the Crown. Nine sections have now been taken up, and the total number of souls on the land is 16. The stock carried numbers 5,850 sheep, 381 cattle, and 36 horses. The land is used mostly for grazing purposes, the area laid down in grass being 2,980 acres, and in root-crops 4 acres. Steady progress has been made during the year, and the present position and future outlook of the selectors is very bright. Tawaha Settlement. —This settlement was only disposed of on the 30th March, 1906. John Strauchon, Commissioner of Crown Lands.

MARLBOROUGH. Blind River Settlement.- —Area 5,507 acres. Opened for selection in 1895. During the past year 2 allotments have been grouped. There are now 14 lessees, who have all complied with the improve- ' ment conditions and, with one exception, the residential conditions also. The total value of the permanent work done by the tenants is estimated to be worth £6,204. One settler lost his home through fire, but has rebuilt another and better one. The present population numbers 55 souls. The area of land in cultivation for crops was 712 acres —less than the previous year. Barley was successfully grown on 170 acres —the crop averaging 37 bushels per acre—and oats on 342 acres, mostly grown for converting into chaff. The remainder cultivated was in roots and sheep-feed. There are no complaints, which indicates prosperity. Arrears of rent amount to £93 6s. 3d. The live-stock kept now remains much the same as previous years. The lambing was fair —about 90 per cent, average. Omaka Settlement. —Area, 3,898 acres. Opened for settlement in 1896. Thirteen tenants, of which 1 is a defaulter through not residing. All improvements required have been done, the value of which now amounts to £5,374 10s. The white crops grown during the year were 265 acres of barley and 247 acres of oats. The barley did not do well, the wet winter being responsible. The oats gave fair returns. The absence of wheat-growing on the estates in. Marlborough this year is very noticeable—only 12 acres was put in wheat-crop on this estate. It is encouraging to be able to report that the grass-grub (Odontria zealandica) has almost disappeared. This pest during past years was very bad in this ground— the selectors could not keep their pastures. This year the grass looks all right. The number of sheep kept has increased by four hundred from last year. Eighty-five per cent, of lambs was obtained, which may be considered fair when the wet season is taken into consideration. The arrears of rent amount to £44 2s. 2d. Puhi Puhi Settlement.— Area, 320 acres. Opened for settlement, 1897. The two tenants who occupy the two sections, which are incorporated in large holdings of ordinary Crown lands, have complied with the requirements of the Act, and effected improvements to the value of £243 on this area. Starborough Settlement. —Area, 35,906 acres. Opened for selection in 1899. This estate continues to be prosperous, the population to increase, the value of lard to rise, and the Town of Seddon to extend. On the whole estate, including the towr, there are now 352 souls, occupying 89 dwellings, of which 38 are in the town aforesaid. The estimated value of all the improvements effected to the end of the year is £43,732, showing an increase during the year of £7,182. Forty thousand sheep are kept on the estate, 320 horses, and 240 head of cattle. The land in cultivation during the season 1905-6 was 4,250 acres, of which 1,350 was in barley with varying returns —on some farms the crop turned out 40 bushels to the acre, and on others only 20. The latter was mostly low-lying land, and the wet winter affected the crop in its early stages, and caused so severe a check that it only partially recovered. The price obtained, however, somewhat made up for the shortage, the average being 4s. lOd. per bushel. 1,120

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