a.— a.*

1910. NEW ZEALAND.

MAORI LAND PURCHASE OPERATIONS: REPORT UNDER THE MAORI LAND SETTLEMENT ACT, 1905, FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31st MARCH, 1910.

Presented to both Route* of the General Assembly by Command of His Excellency

Sir, — Department of Lands, Wellington, 20th June, 1910. Under the powers conferred by the Maori Land Settlement Act, L 905, the purchases requiring completion have been dealt with, and 1 attach a report by Mr. R. A. Paterson, of the Lands Department, who was appointed Land Purchase Officer for the purpose of closing up all Maori land purchases in progress in the Lands Department, in order that the future land-purchase operations might be undertaken by the Board brought into existence by Part XIX, section 361, et seq., of the Native Land Act, 1909. The area actually acquired and titles to the Crown completed amounts to 15,588 acres, whilst the area still on hand awaiting completion of titles amounts to 22,476 acres, to which may be added aboul 20,000 acres of the Moerangi Block, giving a total of 42,476 acres under negotiation. Practically the whole of these lands are in the Auckland Land District. f have, &c, Wμ. C. Kensington, The Hon. J. Carroll, Native Minister. Under-Secretary for Lands.

REPORT BY LAND PURCHASE OFFICER. Sir, — Department of Lands, Wellington, 15th June, 1910. I beg to submit to you the result of the operations during the year on the purchase of Native lands on behalf of the Crown. In 1908 purchase-work ceased, the funds under the Maori Land Settlement Act having been exhausted. After the last of the blocks under purchase were put through the Native Land Court, the services of Mr. W. H. Grace, the remaining outside officer, were terminated at the beginning of the past year. In July, 1909, further funds were available, and I then commenced operations in the southern Auckland and Waikato, and continued at intervals throughout the year. The following is a statement of the expenditure during the financial year : — £ s. el. On purchases completed during the year .. .. .. 21,952 17 2 On purchases incomplete .. .. .. .. .. 9,471 18 8 Surveys, administration, and general expenses .. .. .. 465 18 6 Total .. .. .. .. .. .. £31,890 14 1 Of the above expenditure, Funds were provided as follows: — From Maori Land Settlement Account .. .. .. .. 437 11 8 From Public Works Fund, purchase of Native lands .. .. 31,453 2 8 Total .. .. .. .. .. .. £31.890 14 4