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depleted flocks. Eight of these licensees have applied for relief under the provisions of section 27 of the Land Laws Amendment Act, 1912, for an extension of their licenses. The area under the Land for Settlements Act in North Canterbury and the older settlements in the other parts of the district are in a very satisfactory condition. Although the grain-crops returns for the past year have not been as good as previously, the yield would have been well up to the average of other years had it not been for the unusual number of north-west winds that prevailed just before harvesting, the grain ripening before it came to maturity, thereby reducing the yield per acre. Other crops have produced good returns, and as the prices obtained for wool, mutton, and all other produce are well above the average of other years, these tenants, on the whole, have had a prosperous year. A noticeable feature with these lands that have been selected a few years ago is the increasing goodwills that are paid by the incoming tenants, proving that these lands have been a good investment for the original selectors. The licensees of the pastoral runs situated in the Mackenzie, Ashley, and Amuri Counties disposed of in February, 1911, took possession in February of last year, and are now due for inspection. The lessees of the four small grazing-runs which were disposed of in the Mackenzie County last year, covering an area of 77,780 acres, have effected £3,886 worth of improvements in excess of requirements. The improvements are all of a substantial character, and the settlers are in good heart. Crown Lands, Ordinary. There have been only a few small blocks of land available for small holdings for some years past. The older settlements are thoroughly well established, and are satisfactory in every The tenants' interests in the value of their holdings exceeds in most cases that of the Crown, goodwills in some cases placing the original selectors in a position of affluence. Some of the light lands in the Oxford and Ashburton districts, by means of careful husbandry, now produce satisfactory crops of rye, oats, and turnips. The lands on the margin of Lake Ellesmere have experienced a period of immunity from damage by overflow of lake-water, and have profited accordingly. There is now very little which requires special mention, except that it may be possible to further subdivide some of the front pastoral country at the expiration of the present leases when the opportunity of attaching the lesser subdivisions to small areas of acquired lands for the purpose of providing disconnected homesteads is taken advantage of. The education reserves are generally in fair order, although the insecurity of the present leases is not conducive to keep the improvements in first-class condition; but as the leases fall in the new leases to be issued by the Department will give the settlers a better tenure, and we may look for some substantial improvements, and for the reserves being brought into better condition. Four education leases, paying £321 per annum, which expired during the year, were renewed at ,£482 per annum, being an increased rental of £161. Lands to be opened in the coming Year. Fourteen hundred acres of Crown land in the worked-out Oxford Bush will be offered shortly under the optional system in six sections, varying from 200 to 300 acres, and from present indications will be keenly sought for. Two pastoral runs, comprising an area of 14,300 acres, in the Ashburton district will also be offered. Two pastoral runs in the Ashley and Oxford counties will be subdivided into five pastoral runs and offered during the coming year. The eight Greta Peaks small grazing-runs at Scargill, comprising 13,000 acres, have been subdivided, and will also be offered. Transfers. The total number of transfers approved by the Land Board was 217, comprising an area of 330,970 acres. The total number, omitting the temporary licenses, is shown hereunder :— „ Number of Area. Tenure - Transfers. a. b. p. Lease in perpetuity: Land for settlement ... 91 13,172 3 20 Ordinary Crown land ... 24 6,138 2 4 Renewable-lease lands for-'settlement ... ..." 14 3,593 2 17 Education reserves ... ... ... ... 16 2,173 1 22 Pastoral runs ... ... ... ... 13 272,655 2 0 Small grazing-runs ... ... ... ... 9 29,445 225 Farm-homestead leases ... ... ... ... 5 550 1 34 Village-homestead leases ... ... ... 22 694 0 2 Grazing-farms ... ... ... ... 1 1,886 0 0 Perpetual lease (Crown land) ... ... ... 1 60 0 0 Miscellaneous (licenses) ... ... ... 21 217 330,370 0 4 Twelve transfers were refused. Forest and Scenic Reserves. The only scenic reserves in the district upon which any work has been done during the year are those situated in the Port Hills, and separate reports on these will be forwarded.