8.—6

XXIV

SETTLEMENT OF CEOWN LANDS. As indicated in my Statement last session, instructions were given to expedite the survey and subdivision of our Crown lands, and this work is being accelerated. The officers of the Lands and Survey Department are endeavouring to give effect to our desire that all available lands be placed on the market at as early a date as possible. During the past year the area of Crown land made available for settlement totalled 337,500 acres, in 2,230 subdivisions or allotments. Since the close of the year there has been advertised for selection a further area of 141,500 acres, in 540 allotments. It was considered advisable that the leases of pastoral runs expiring next February should be extended for a period of twelve months, in order that the dealing with these areas might be postponed until after the passing of further land legislation during the present session. The area involved amounted to 217,743 acres, comprising thirty runs. FEEEHOLD. The provisions in the Act of last session giving Crown tenants holding ordinary Crown lands under lease in perpetuity and settlement lands under renewable lease the option of purchase either for cash or deferred payment were heartily welcomed by settlers generally, and since the issue of regulations under the Act some hundreds of applications have been received from settlers desirous of making their tenure as secure as a freehold title can make it. A Land Bill will be introduced during the present session, and Parliament will be asked to agree to further extension of the freehold policy which was approved by the country at the last general election, and which undoubtedly makes for the confidence of the settlers and the prosperity of the Dominion. NATIONAL ENDOWMENT. The area of national-endowment land occupied under lease or license at the end of the year was 6,324,608 acres, at an annual rental of £89,559. The gross revenue received from this source for the past year amounted to £97,081. This sum has been dealt with in accordance with the statutory provisions. The total area at present within the endowment is 8,551,250 acres. The unlet area will be prepared for settlement as early as possible, and the same vigorous measures are being adopted in regard to the endowment as in the case of ordinary Crown land. The total area of Crown lands of all classes held under lease or license at the close of the past financial year was 19,544,394 acres, held by 29,532 selectors, and paying an annual rental of £698,831. In addition to this, educational and other endowment lands administered by the Lands and Survey Department represent a further area of 1,175,664 acres, divided into 4,280 holdings, paying an annual rental of £87,460. The gross land revenue received during the past financial year was £912,029. The following are the various heads from which the amounts were derived : — £ • Cash sales and purchase of freeholds .. .. 87,235 Deferred-payment instalments .. .. .. 603 Perpetual-lease rents .. .. .. . . 2,348 Occupaticm-with-right-of-purchase rents .. .. 84,497 Lease-in-perpetuity rents .. . . .. .. 241,090 Renewable-lease rents .. .. .. .. 108,069 Small grazing-run rents . . .. .. .. 80,655 Pastoral-run rents . . .. .. .. 79,223 Educational and other endowments .. . . 102,597 Other leases and licenses and miscellaneous receipts .. 125,712 Total .. .. .. .. .. £912,029