C. I.

6

[mPROVED-FARM SETTLEMENTS. In order- to meet the urgent applications for land by a class of persons comparatively withoui means, but who were anxious to obtain small areas, the Governmeni determined on a vigorous policy of opening for selection very considerable areas of Crown lands in the Auckland. Taranaki, and Wellington Districts, us near the Main Trunk Railway line as possible, the result being that 4<>,7OL , acres were made available, and distributed amongst 258 heads of families. The intention of the Government was to open under the improved-farm-settlement conditions some 60,<K)<) acres of land, and thus provide for four hundred selectors. It was found, however, that land of sufficiently good quality, and reasonably near the Main Trunk Railway line, could not be obtained to meet the full requirements of the Government's decision. The total number of selectors and holders of improved-farm-settlement sections number 843 heads of families, holding a total area of 112.080 acres, the total improvements to tin , 81st March being valued at £207,828. further particulars are available in the reports by the several Commissioners of Crown Lands published in the Appendix. Vii.i.Ac k Settlements. A few additional areas near Dannevirke and elsewhere were opened to workers during the past year. The total selections numbered fifty-three, and the area taken up was 480 acres. The total number who hold at present under this tenure which gives the right to certain advances amounts to 2,193 selectors, the total area so held being 42,659 acres. I.Nsi'KiTioxs iiv Crown Lands Rangers. The total number of Crown Lands Rangers employed on 1 he necessary, 1 hough often t hankless task of insuring that Crown tenants are fulfilling their improvement and residential conditions, is divided as follows: North Island, lit viz.. Auckland, 8; Hawke's Bay, 2; Taranaki, 3; Wellington, (i. South Island, 19 —viz., Nelson, 3 ; Marlborough, 2 ; WeStland, - : Canterbury, 4 ; Otago, 4 ; Southland, 4. The total number of inspections made during the year was !).047 ; the total area inspected amounted to 2,589,587 acres ; the total value of the improvements actually made being £3,240.955. The following table gives the details : —

Table C. — Return of Number of Inspections made by the Rangers for the Year ended 31st March, 1910.

Grass-seed supplied to Settlers. The moneys repaid during the past year amount to £6.8(10. and the total repaid to date is £9,979. Only comparatively few of those who were helped in this way have asked thai the time mentioned in their promissory notes be extended. Revenue. The total gross revenue received by the several Receivers of Laud Revenue amounted to £674,907, or £15.893 over the estimated gross revenue, which was set down as £659,014. This, however, Calls short of last year's gross receipts by £21,468. The territorial revenue showed a reduction of £22,74Ji. below the estimate, as the total amoani received was only £201,257. against an estimated revenue of £224,000. This is entirely accounted fox by the diminution of cash sales to the amount firsi mentioned. Table I), hereunder. furnishes the details, and shows the amounts credited in euch district to territorial revenue

V'alut' (if Itt iprovemente. .NllMli !l- of Defi tnlteiB. NiiiciIht of Properties riaited. Area. * C*M14Vy ' ' I All l!( .juireil. Ar(ll,ill\ made hi a o I 1 i s I* District. \iu-khuid iawke's Bay Faranaki Wellington Selson tlarlborough iVcsl land .''anterbury )tago Jouthland 1,751 1,173 297 1,743 253 587 531 1,709 888 615 A. R. P. 430,380 0 0 508,668 2 18 160,266 3 13 289,331 0 0 , 138,278 0 0 296.427 2 :i7 76,272 3 4 324,545 2 25 234,836 3 32 130,589 2 22 £ e. i. 1(59,426 0 0 286,931 18 11 57,111 0 0 99,188 0 0 21,585 0 0 126,066 8 8 31,633 17 9 334,253 3 5 151,247 12 10 72,570 8 9 £ a. (1. 505,509 0 0 112 863,926 lo 9 27 124,005 0 0 36 363,105 0 0 84 44,659 0 0 40 287,899 12 2 28 91,772 9 0 560,246 15 4 100 259,572 9 2 102 140,198 18 8 14 3,240,954 15 1 ! 542 183 (il 19 72 22 44 45 10 22 3 120 15 4 5 13 7 •• 2 416 103 58 161 7.-) HI 46 110 129 24 5 5 2 Totals 9,547 : : 2,589,587 0 31 481 174 4 1,201 1,349,013 10 4