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On the estates in the vicinity of Wellington the holdings are principally used as residential sites, but where their sections are suitable some follow poultry-farming and market-gardening. On the whole, the settlement tenants have experienced a good year, high prices having been obtained for wool, fat stock, and dairy produce, although the prices ruling for the latter were somewhat lower than those obtained last year. The total value of the improvements on the land-for-settlemeut estates in the district under my control is set down by the Rangers at £200,139. Holdings under the Land for Settlements Acts appear to be very popular, and I am advised that a number of prospective settlers of a good class are looking for desirable areas under these tenures. T. N. Brodrick, Commissioner of Crown Lands.

NELSON. In this district there are only two settlements —Wangapeka t and Braeburn. I lie former, which is mostly open country, has not had a very good season, owing to the deficient rainfall on the Nelson side of the watershed. The Braeburn Settlement is mostly heavy bush on the West Coast, and, as it is comparatively a new settlement, is dependent to a considerable extent on the dairying industry until such time as sufficient bush is felled to enable the settlers to adequately stock their holdings with sheep. The roading is not yet well enough advanced for the tenants to get their milk to the factory in anything like the quantity that would otherwise obtain with good roads, and this accounts to a great extent for the large amount of arrears of rent —viz., £792. Every year, however, this disability is being lessened, and the outlook for this settlement is distinctly promising. F. A. Thompson, Commissioner of Crown Lands.

MARLBOROUGH. All the areas acquired under the Land for Settlements Act in this district are now occupied either under permanent or temporary lease, with the exception of a few township allotments in Seddon and Ward. The 3,134 acres in the North Bank Settlement which was withheld from selection on account of mining has now been let on temporary lease. The total population on the land-for-settlements holdings now number 1,130, an increase of eighty-two on last year's figures. The number of sheep again show a decrease, being only 110,709, against 117,814 of last year; this decrease is the result of the settlers realizing that better returns are obtained for wool and fat stock by understocking. Cattle have increased from 1,217 to 1,503, owing principally to a number of the settlers on the smaller holdings going in for dairying in the vicinity of Ward, the growing of lucerne enabling them to utilize the dry country. The acreage in white crops has increased from 9,825 to 10,027 acres; and of green crops, from 6,385 to 9,270 acres. The number of transfers of land-for-settlements rural holdings during the year was only ten, showing that the great majority of the settlers are doing well. The value of the goodwill of sections, especially in Starborough, Richmond Brook, and Blind River, continue to increase every year, and as much as £20 per acre has been asked for land in the vicinity of Seddon, nearly four times the amount the lessee is paying rent on; and it is very seldom a leasehold is offered except in the case of a lessee wishing to retire from farming. The climatic conditions were very variable and broken during the year; but, taken as a whole, all the tenants have done well, both at agricultural pursuits and sheep-farming; the want of rain in the autumn will, however, affect the winter feed for stock. The townships of Seddon and Ward have not made much headway in the way of population; but Seddon will continue to be tKe outlet for the surrounding district. The number of subscribers to the Telephone Exchange now number over eighty, and nearly all the lessees on the rural holdings are connected. The settlers at Ward have built a public hall and library, and saleyards have been erected by the Settlers' Association, and regular sales are now held during the summer. The total value of improvements on land-for-settlements holdings is £202,478, against £90,483 required by the Act. The reports of the Crown Lands Rangers show a steady increase of prosperity, and the bulk of the settlers are now assured of a prosperous future. W. H. Skinner, Commissioner of Crown Lands.

WESTLAND. Only two estates in this district have been acquired for closer settlement under the Land for Settlements Acts —namely, Kokatahi and Poerua —and both have given very satisfactory results commercially. The total values on which rents were originally based amounted to £10,771, being