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APPENDICES.

APPENDIX I.—SETTLEMENT OF CROWN LANDS.

EXTRACTS FROM THE REPORTS OF THE COMMISSIONERS OF CROWN LANDS ON SETTLEMENT OPERATIONS DURING THE TWELVE MONTHS WHICH ENDED ON THE 31st MARCH, 1914.

AUCKLAND. Crown Lands opened for Selection and Lands selected. The total area of land opened for selection on all tenures during the year was 115,654 acres, out of which 66,976 acres was placed on the market for the first time, and the remaining 18.678 acres represented land which had been previously offered, and either remained unselected or had reverted to the Crown after selection. The actual area of new selections under all tenures during the year, excluding miscellaneous leases, was 91,176 acres, representing 639 separate selections. The demand for land continues to be keen, and the number of inquiries for particulars of lands to be offered is steady and continuous, the areas most in demand being lands on the Hauraki Plains or other fairly accessible lands capable of being brought in for dairying within a comparatively short time. The demand for lands for dairying purposes may possibly in the future find a rival to some extent in the demand for lands for fruitgrowing, to the possibilities of which attention is now being turned. The large areas of land adapted for both purposes, but not yet available or effectively utilized for either, will render the future work of land-settlement in the district one of steady progress for many years to come. In connection with the applications received for lands opened, it may be mentioned that considerable difficulty is experienced by the office and the Land Board in dealing with many of the applications owing to the incomplete and indefinite nature of the information supplied by applicants, particularly in regard to their means, which are frequently set down as " nil " or " ample," either form of answer being inadequate. It would appear as if applicants believed their chances of admission to the ballot were furthered rather than prejudiced by such vague answers, which frequently entail the rejection of applications, especially at ballots when there is no opportunity of obtaining further information. Amongst the selections already mentioned, the first place falls to the occupation-with-right-of-purchasc tenure, with 238 selections comprising 46,857 acres—over half of the total area taken up. The renewable-lease tenure accounts for 29,192 acres in 154 selections, taken up without optional choice of tenure, and the next largest the Hauraki pastoral-license tenure with fifty-six selections, comprising 11,516 acres. The Freehold Tenure. The total area alienated as freehold during the year was 80,128 acres, consisting of 518 selections. Out of this area 199 purchases, totalling 39,362 acres, were effected under the provisions of the Land Laws Amendment Acts of 1912 and 1913, extending the freehold to holders of leases in perpetuity and to holders of renewable leases under the Land for Settlements Act. In addition to this, 111-other holdings, comprising 8,336 acres, are, under the same provisions, being converted into freehold by deferred payments. In this connection it is interesting to note that the year witnessed, the final passing of the old deferred-payment system established under the Land Acts of 1877 and 1885, the last of these having now been converted into freehold. Total Number op Tenants. The total number of Crown tenants of all classes on the books of the district at the close of the year was 7,661, occupying an area of 1,962,318 acres, and paying a rental of £100,145 per annum. Revenue and Arrears. The total revenue for the year from all sources was £193,348, an increase of £36,400 over the revenue for the preceding period. The amount jealized by the alienation of freehold under all tenures other than by deferred payments was £63,487, of which £15,095 was paid for the freehold of lands acquired under the Land for Settlements Acts,

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