C.—l

8

Disposal ok the Remaining Crown Lands. The land ready to be offered oomprisee five sections in the Totoro Survey District, near the Mokau River, comprising 87. s aores of open fern hind, which will be let on renewable lease, being national-endowment land. In addition to these, 6,407 acres, comprising ten sections in various localities, and mostly forest-clad, will be reoffered under the optional tenure, and two partially improved sections in Opaku Survey District, comprising 1,391 acres, formerly let under small grazing-run lease, will lie offered under the optional tenure, the outgoing lessees being compensated for the value of improvements effected by them. The survey of five sections in Mapara Survey Districi adjoining the Tangitu Emproved-fann Settlement, comprising 2,37f) acres of forest country, is completed, and these lands will he opened for selection upon the first opportunity. In addition, the following blocks are under survey, ami portions of them will be available during the coming year:— Whakaihuwaka B Block (about 16,700 acres), intersected by the provincial boundary, and extending from the Rawhitiroa State Forest to the Wanganui River, a portion of this block being in the Wellington Land District. Whatitokarua Block (17,900 acres), lying to the north-west of Ongarue Railway-station, ami extending in that direction to the Ohura Road. Aratawa, Mangapukatea, and Raoraomouku Blocks (about 13,400 acres), adjoining the Wanganui River and running westerly towards the settled country. Whakaihuwaka A Block (about 20.001) acres), in Taurakawn Survey District, to the south-east of the settled land at the head of the Puniwhakau Valley, and comprising the headwaters of the Waitotara Itiver. Taumatamahoe 2b No. 2a Block (about 17,400 acres'), abutting on the Wanganui River, ami extending westward to the surveyed country in the Maboe Survey District. These six last-mentioned blocks, with the exception of Whatitokarua, are nil covered with heavy forest, and are more or less broken, but when cleared will lie very good grazing-country for sheep and litrht cattle. Land Board. The I,ami Board held twelve ordinary and one special meeting, and last January also made its usual inspection of some of the newly selected back country in the Mapara and Tangitu Districts, passing through districts a little more advanced but still in the early stages of pioneer settlement. The Board was impressed with the progress made, even under most disadvantageous conditions, but found the settlers most distinctly cheerful and hopeful for the future welfare of their particular localities. 0-FFrCE-WORK. This portion of the work of settlement has maintained its volume, and kept the staff fully occupied. The correspondence inwards and outwards, parcels, circulars, applications, <feo., was 21,478, which, though not so great as last year, is accounted for by a lesser number of sale posters having to be distributed. Cheques drawn amounted to 905; vouchers, 1,105; transfers, 151 ; receipts for rent, refunds. Arc. 3,518; provisional titles issued. 44: a total of 27,201. In view of my contemplated retirement at an early date, I take this opportunity of placing on record my appreciation of tin , valuable assistance rendered to me by the officers under m\ direction in this district during the last seven years i have had charge of it. and 1 may add that the good-fellow ship and kindly feelings among the officers themselves has been a most marked feature during mv term of office. ~ „ n • Francis Simpson, Commissioner of Crown Lands.

WELLINGTON. Lands opened for Sat.c and Selection. The total area of Crown lands offered during the year was 7,829 acres, a much smaller area than usual. This, added to the lands opened for application on the Ist April, 1910—viz., 15,042 acres made a total of 22,871 acres available for Selection. The area offered comprised principally sections in the Mangakaretu, Whirinaki, Mangauui, Retaruke, Ohinewairua, Wairoa, Nukumaru, and Hautapu Survey Districts ; Ohakune, Nireaha, and Makaretu Village Settlements. Five forfeited lots in Normandale Settlement were offered, also a pastoral run of 1,350 acres in Moawhango and Maungakaretu Survey Districts. During the year the expiring lease of one small grazing-run, comprising an area of 2,530 acres, was renewed for a further term of twenty-one years, under section 20f> of the Land Act, 1885, at a new rental of £110 13s. 10d., as against £63 ss. previously paid. In this connection I may mention that the tenants of eight small grazing-runs, comprising 6,192 acres, have been notified that their leases will not be renewed for another period. Five of these runs will probably be subdivided for closer settlement. The land taken up during the yea,- amounted to 32,356 acres in 172 sections. It may not bs out of place here to state that, notwithstanding the comparatively small area of new land dealt with during the year, our revenue, so far as I know, has been a record one. The demand for Crown lands is still very keen, and, as reported last year, if more land is not acquired our suitable country will soon be exhausted.